Abstract:
A stanchion for a tarpaulin structure, which can be locked onto a fixing member. The stanchion can be reliably locked and has an improved service life, achieved by the provision of a counter bearing and a support element, the latter being inserted between the fixing member and the counter bearing.

Description:
The invention relates to a stanchion for a tarpaulin structure, which stanchion can be locked on a fixing member. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Stanchions are provided in practice for supporting horizontal supports of tarpaulin structures, such as, for example, sliding tarpaulins. A tarpaulin structure of this type can be designed for bodies of truck platforms or of semitrailers, but also for containers or railroad freight cars. In the case of sliding tarpaulins, in order to be able to rapidly load or unload them, the side tarpaulins hanging down from the supports can be pushed together, and also the roof tarpaulin, which runs between the longitudinal supports, can be pushed together by means of movable bows, on which the roof tarpaulin is secured. In order to further improve the access to the loading space, the tarpaulin frames of the sliding tarpaulins are designed such that they can easily be removed. The intention is, in particular, for the central stanchions to be able to be rapidly removed, but frequently also the corner stanchions, which are also referred to as posts, the supports also having to be removed in this second case while said supports, if only the central stanchions are released, are adequately supported by the posts if the sliding tarpaulin is not moved. Other tarpaulin structures support a chassis roof which is formed, for example, with little weight from a plastic sheeting riveted on the longitudinal supports, so that the displacement only of the side tarpaulins is envisaged. 
     In practice, a series of stanchion arrangements is known where one stanchion in each case can be locked on a corresponding fixing member, which is also referred to as a stanchion shoe, by means of a rapidly releasable fastening, the stanchion shoe as a rule being secured, for example by screwing or by welding, on a supporting outer part of the loading area of the sliding tarpaulin, for example on a metal frame which supports wooden battens. 
     A first embodiment, which is known in practice, of a lockable central stanchion has a lever arrangement with an intermediate lever and a main lever, the intermediate lever being coupled to the stanchion by a first joint and being coupled to the main lever via a second joint, and the main lever having an actuating handle on the long lever arm and a design in the form of a pressing member on the short lever arm. In order to lock the stanchion, the pressing member is fitted behind an upwardly protruding lug of the stanchion shoe and, by actuation of the main lever, the stanchion is pushed away upward by the stanchion shoe via the two levers until the lever arrangement is locked. In this embodiment, the entire load of the stanchion and of the longitudinal support and all of the forces also acting on the stanchion during the journey are transmitted to the stanchion shoe via the two joints, as a result of which the joints are subjected to an extreme amount of stress and the stanchion only has a limited service life. In addition, this embodiment does not have any means of fixing the stanchion in the direction of the longitudinal supports. 
     A second embodiment, which is known in practice, of a lockable central stanchion has a first lever which is in the manner of an upward clip and is inserted into a U-profile of a stanchion bearing, and a second lever which is coupled to the body of the stanchion and which is coupled via an intermediate lever to a locking wedge which can be shifted axially in the body of the stanchion, the stanchion bearing having a pocket for receiving the locking wedge. First of all, the stanchion, which is at an angle to the first lever, is pivoted in the direction of the stanchion bearing and in the process raised, the vertical forces being conducted via the first lever and its coupling means into the stanchion. Then, by actuation of the second lever, the locking wedge is lowered into the pocket of the stanchion bearing and the stanchion tilting unstably about the joint with the first lever is thereby locked. Only if the first lever and its dynamically greatly stressed joint on the stanchion fail can the locking wedge conduct vertical loads on the stanchion into the intercepting pocket, but this takes place only via the second lever and its coupling means, which is not designed for this purpose. Furthermore, the shiftable locking wedge itself constitutes a further part which is susceptible to wear. The known stanchion arrangement is, however, difficult to handle, since it has to be shifted manually into the raised position. 
     A third embodiment, which is known in practice, of a lockable central stanchion has a lever which is coupled to the body of the stanchion and one lever arm of which has a handle and the other lever arm of which can be introduced into a U-shaped stanchion bearing, the stanchion being raised by pressing the lever with the handle on to the body of the stanchion. Here too, the vertical forces from the stanchion bearing are conducted into the stanchion via the lever. 
     It is object of the invention to provide a stanchion for a tarpaulin structure, which can be reliably locked and has an improved service life. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a stachion for a tarpaulin structure that can be locked on a fixing member and that has a counterbearing and a supporting element which can be inserted between the fixing member and the counterbearing. 
     The stanchion according to the invention therefore provides a reliable flow of force from the fixing member to the body of the stanchion. The vertical forces are transmitted reliably in particular if the counterbearing is arranged fixedly on the body of the stanchion. The service life of a stanchion of this type is significantly improved because susceptible articulated parts are not subjected to stress after locking and, in particular, during the ride. 
     The transmission of the vertical forces from the fixing member to the stanchion is particularly advantageous if the plane of contact between the fixing member and supporting element and also the plane of contact between the supporting element and counterbearing is formed horizontally and therefore perpendicularly to the main direction of action of the transmitted forces, or has at least horizontal sections. At the same time, this preferred type of form-fitting arrangement permits simple manufacturing and a design of the component thicknesses that is simple to calculate. As an alternative, however, provision may also be made for the boundaries of the supporting element, in each case matched to the contour of the two adjacent parts, to be situated in a plurality of planes, for example in a manner having a plurality of gradations, in order to facilitate the insertion, or else to have a plane inclined with respect to the horizontal, for example if the supporting element has a wedge shape. In particular, the lower boundary of the supporting element can be matched in its configuration to known stanchion shoes, so that stanchions from the prior art which have become unusable can be replaced at any time by a stanchion according to the invention without altering the fixing member or existing stanchions can be designed in accordance with the invention by retrofitting a supporting element and/or a counterbearing. 
     In principle, the supporting element may be a part which can be detached from the stanchion or fixing member, is stored separately when the stanchion is unlocked and, when the stanchion is locked, is inserted between the fixing member and the counterbearing, which is connected fixedly to the stanchion. In this case, the supporting element is preferably designed with its own handle for pulling it out and can furthermore have a collar section, with which it defines an end stop in the insertion direction and, if required, has a boundary for a lever arranged pivotably on the stanchion. Furthermore, the detachable supporting element may also have a hole which is provided for receiving a securing pin which, for example, passes horizontally through the stanchion, in which case then, with the stanchion unlocked, the releasable supporting element could be secured again by this securing pin. A releasable supporting element of this type would expediently be dimensioned in such a manner that it also secures the stanchion on the fixing member in the transverse direction; one possible configuration can be selected in a form in which it frames the fixing member and is framed by the foot region of the stanchion. 
     Similarly, the supporting element may be arranged, for example pivotably, on the fixing member or on a part connected fixedly to the fixing member, for example the loading area on which the fixing member is secured, with the result that, when the stanchion is unlocked, the supporting element is not lost. 
     However, the provision of the supporting element on a part of the stanchion is particularly preferred, the part or the supporting element expediently being mounted pivotably on the stanchion, so that the supporting element is not lost even when the stanchion is unlocked. 
     It is possible, in particular, for the supporting element to be of multipart design and, in this connection, for it to combine different arrangements, for example a releasable, first supporting element and a second supporting element provided on the stanchion, which supporting elements together transmit the vertical forces from the stanchion into the fixing member. 
     The stanchion according to the invention preferably comprises a lever arrangement, for example a toggle lever arrangement, which mounts at least one lever in the stanchion, with which the stanchion can be raised, with the result that raising manually is not required. A lever arrangement of this type may comprise both a lever coupled directly to the body of the stanchion and also a plurality of levers. One end of one of the levers for raising the stanchion can expediently be supported against the fixing member and will have a corresponding end, for example designed as a pressing member. Since the joints and bearings of the levers in the stanchion according to the invention are subjected to significantly less stress, if any at all, in its locked state, the joints of the stanchion no longer constitute the critical component of the stanchion. Provision is preferably made for the lever arrangement to be engaged with the fixing member only for the raising and slow lowering of the and for it afterward to be able to be disconnected in each case. 
     One particularly advantageous development of the stanchion according to the invention, which is provided with a lever arrangement, resides in the arrangement of the supporting element on one of the levers of the lever arrangement. The actuation of the lever arrangement is thus advantageously combined, for locking purposes, with the insertion of the supporting element and, for unlocking purposes, with the removal of the supporting element without additional operations being required for this. As soon as the supporting element has been pulled out—which generally only occurs when the vehicle is stationary—the lever arrangement takes over the load of the stanchion until the latter is lowered. Conversely, the lever arrangement is relieved of load at the same time as locking takes place. In this case, the supporting element can be inserted both from the outer side and from the inner side of the stanchion. 
     The stanchion preferably has in its foot region below a cutout in its body, which cutout is provided for the fixing member to pass through, a transverse web which, when the stanchion is locked, is raised behind a downwardly protruding lug of the fixing member and therefore defines a securing means in the direction away from the loading area while the frame of the loading area defines a stop for the foot region of the stanchion. Furthermore, struts rising from the transverse web are preferably provided, said struts, in the locked state of the stanchion, being raised to such an extent that they reach behind a laterally overhanging part of the fixing member and therefore complement the securing by the transverse web. The distance between the struts is advantageously dimensioned in such a manner that they frame the fixing member without or with a small amount of play and therefore also prevent a knocking of the stanchion in its transverse direction parallel to the transverse web. In this case, the struts are advantageously dimensioned in such a manner that they protrude somewhat upward over the laterally overhanging part of the fixing member when the stanchion is locked. Provision is preferably made for the struts to then furthermore support the supporting element laterally if the latter is of such thick design that it reaches between the struts arranged in a rear region in the stanchion. As an alternative, provision may be made for the supporting element not to reach into the region of the struts, but rather to rest only on a front section of the fixing member. 
     The cutout in the foot region of the stanchion is preferably bounded by the counterbearing, so that the supporting element can be designed to be small and therefore with little weight. 
     The stanchion according to the invention can advantageously transmit vertical forces particularly readily because of its design with a double C profile, which is not interrupted over the length of the stanchion and, preferably in the foot region, has reinforcements in the region of the central cutout. The closed, uninterrupted frame in the lower stanchion part therefore enables the stanchion to be subjected to a high load. Furthermore, the stanchion defines, at least in the central section between the two C-shaped projections, a rear wall which faces the load and in which, in a simple manner and with little outlay by means of perforations or the like, receptacles for, for example, a second horizontal floor for multistory loading with goods which can be difficult to stack, or fixing means for partitions between the freight or securing means for the freight or straps. The good transmission of the forces of the stanchion according to the invention makes this possible without the stanchion prematurely failing and without separate supporting means having to be provided for this. 
     A stanchion arrangement according to the invention and a tarpaulin structure according to the invention are distinguished by a stanchion according to the invention. 
     Further advantages and features of the invention emerge from the following description and from the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention is explained in greater detail below using a preferred exemplary embodiment of a stanchion according to the invention with reference to the attached drawings. 
         FIG. 1  shows a schematic side view of a sliding tarpaulin which is designed as a semitrailer and has stanchions according to the invention drawn in dashed lines. 
         FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of a stanchion according to the invention before securing it on the loading platform. 
         FIG. 3  shows the lower region of the stanchion from  FIG. 2  before securing it on the loading platform, and the fixing member arranged on the loading platform. 
         FIG. 4  shows the lower region of the stanchion from  FIG. 2  during the locking on the loading platform. 
         FIG. 5  shows the lower region of the stanchion from  FIG. 2  in the locked state. 
         FIG. 6  shows the upper region of the stanchion from  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 7  shows a partially sectioned side view of the lower region of the stanchion according to  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 8  shows a partially sectioned side view of the lower region of the stanchion according to  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 9  shows a partially sectioned side view of the lower region of the stanchion according to  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 10  shows a plan view of the lower region of the stanchion from  FIG. 2  in the locked state. 
         FIG. 11  shows a longitudinal section through the lower region of the stanchion from  FIG. 2  in the locked state. 
         FIG. 12  shows a view from below of the lower region of the stanchion from  FIG. 2  in the unlocked state. 
         FIG. 13  shows a perspective view of the rear side of the lower region of the stanchion from  FIG. 2 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The truck with trailer  1  which is illustrated schematically in  FIG. 1  comprises a tractor  2  and a semitrailer  3 . The semitrailer  3  is designed as a sliding tarpaulin, in which a loading area  4  has vertical posts  5  which are arranged in the corners and support horizontal longitudinal supports  6  running in the direction of travel and cross supports (which cannot be seen in the side view), two stanchions  7  being arranged between the two posts  5 , said stanchions connecting the loading area  4  to the longitudinal supports  6  and supporting the latter vertically. Side tarpaulins hang down laterally from the longitudinal supports  6 , and a roof tarpaulin is arranged displaceably between the two longitudinal supports  6 . In order to improve the load-bearing capacity of the loading platform, in the case of frames of sliding tarpaulins, as is illustrated in  FIG. 1 , at least the stanchion  7  is generally designed in such a manner that it can be released from its anchoring and sometimes the longitudinal supports  6  and the posts  5  can also be released. 
     In particular for the stanchions  7 , a rapid clamping and locking or release is desired.  FIG. 2  illustrates the perspective view of a preferred exemplary embodiment of a stanchion arrangement having a stanchion  7  according to the invention and a fixing member  10 , designed in the present case as a stanchion shoe, which is secured, for example firmly screwed, on the outside of the loading area  4  of the sliding tarpaulin  3 . 
     The fixing member  10  comprises a metal part  10   a , which is bent in a U-shaped manner, and a T-shaped metal part  10   b , holes  10   c  which are aligned with each other being formed in that section of the T-shaped metal part  10   b  which runs vertically and in the base of the U-shaped metal part  10   a , through which holes fixing bolts can be guided in order to secure the fixing member  10  in the region of the loading area  4 . That section of the T-shaped metal part  10   b  which is provided with the holes  10   c  is at a distance from the base of the U-shaped metal part  10   a , but fills the distance between the two limbs of the U-shaped metal part  10   a  and prevents them from becoming distorted when subjected to a load. The horizontally extending head  10   e  of the T-shaped metal part  10   b  is designed as square solid material and is inserted into recesses of the corners of the limbs of the U-shaped metal part  10   a  and protrudes on both sides over the limbs of the U-shaped metal part  10   a . The two metal parts  10   a ,  10   b  end upward in a flush manner and define a horizontal bearing surface while the vertical section of the T-shaped metal part  10   b  protrudes downward over the U-shaped metal part  10   a  and defines a lug  10   d . The metal parts  10   a  and  10   b  together form a stable and torsionally resistant fixing member  10  which can readily transmit forces in all directions. In particular, the vertical forces acting on the head  10   e  are conducted away via the metal parts  10   a ,  10   b  into the frame (not illustrated) of the loading area  4  of the sliding tarpaulin  3 . 
     The stanchion  7  comprises an upper stanchion part  11  and a lower stanchion part  12  which are shaped in such a manner that they can be displaced relative to each other and the stanchions  7  can therefore be varied in height during the manufacturing process. The upper stanchion part  11  has a perforation  13  in which a locking bolt  14  of the lower stanchion part  12  engages and therefore defines the height of the stanchion  7 . The perforation  13  and the locking bolt  14  make it possible to produce stanchions  7  of different heights from a standardized, upper stanchion part  11  and lower stanchion part  12  without other parts being required in each case for this. 
     In the region of its connection to the upper stanchion part  11 , the lower stanchion part  12  has a flat form which has two rectangular projections  15  in which corresponding elevated portions  16  of the upper stanchion part  11  engage in each case. This ensures a good transmission of forces and moments by the lower stanchion part  12  to the upper stanchion part  11 . In the region of the connection of the two stanchion parts  11 ,  12 , the rear side of the projections  15  is closed by a covering plate  12   a  which is firmly screwed to the lower stanchion part  12 . 
     As can be seen in greater detail in  FIG. 6 , the upper stanchion part  11  has in its upper section a T-shaped extension  17  in the ends of which are mounted two double rollers  18  which engage in a track of the longitudinal support  6 . When the stanchion  7  is unlocked, rolling of the rollers  18  therefore enables them to be displaced along the longitudinal support  6 . A supporting region  11   a  of the upper stanchion part  11  is designed as a flat horizontal support and is intended, after the stanchion  7  is raised, to come to bear against a lower flat side of the associated longitudinal support  6 , as a result of which, when the stanchion  7  is locked, the rollers  18  are relieved of load and, furthermore, a possibly present sagging of the longitudinal support  6  is opposed. 
     In order to achieve an effective vertical support of the longitudinal support  6 , it is necessary for the stanchion  7 , with its lower region on the fixing member  10 , to be raised and locked in such a manner that the forces are conducted advantageously vertically into the stanchion  7  and also lateral or vertical play is avoided. For this purpose, the stanchion  3 , as can be seen more precisely in  FIG. 3 , has a toggle lever arrangement  19 , with an intermediate lever  20  and a main lever  22 . At one end, the intermediate lever  20  is mounted on the lower stanchion part between the two rectangular projections  15  in a joint  21  in the region of a fixing unit  21   a  and at the other end is mounted on the main lever  22  via a joint  23 , the short lever arm  22   a  of the main lever  22  having a claw part  24  on the end side, and the long lever  22   b  of the main lever  22  having a handle recess  25  at its end facing away from the joint  23 . The claw part  24  is secured on a solid supporting element  29 . 
     In its lower region, the stanchion  3  has, on its lower stanchion part  12 , a transverse web  26  which connects the region between the two projections  15  to each other and at the same time is set back relative to the end sides of the projections  15 . At the same time, the transverse web  26  downwardly bounds a cutout  30  in the foot region of the lower stanchion part  12 . The cutout is dimensioned in such a manner that the stanchion  7  can be pushed there over the fixing member  10 . Furthermore, struts  27  protruding on both sides of the transverse web  26  are arranged vertically and in the region of the projections  15  and are set back a further distance relative to the web  26 . 
     Above the cutout  30  there is a counterbearing  28  in the form of a metal block which is welded to the lower stanchion part  12  centrally between the two projections  15  or is fixed in another suitable manner. The counterbearing  28  is approximately as wide as the supporting element  29  or the fixing member  10 . A gap  31  is provided in each case between the counterbearing  28  and the projections  15 . The distance between the transverse web  26  and counterbearing  28  corresponds approximately to the common height of the supporting element  29  and fixing member  10 . 
     The supporting element  29  is connected fixedly to the main lever  22  by welding or preferably by screwing. At the same time, the bearing of the joint  23  is also provided in the supporting element  28 . As an alternative, the coupling with the joint  23  could also be provided on a further part of the main lever  22  that is arranged outside the supporting element  29 , for example in a region (with the stanchion  7  locked) above the counterbearing  28 . The supporting element  29  has boundary surfaces which face the upper side of the fixing member  10  and the lower side of the counterbearing  28  and are matched in their shape to them, i.e. in the present case flat boundary surfaces. It is possible to round off the corners of the supporting element  29  which face the lower stanchion part  12 . To fix the claw part  24 , the supporting element  29  is designed to be somewhat less thick than the provided depth of the cutout  30 . 
     Starting from an open position of the stanchion  7 , as illustrated in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 7 , the claw part  24  is intended to reach behind the head  10   e  of the T-shaped metal part  10   b  and, by means of its bent portion on the end side, to initially interlock the main lever  22  in the fixing member  10 . 
     In order to fit the stanchion  7 , the carriage  17 , if this has not yet taken place, is fitted into the longitudinal support  6  and the cutout  30  of the stanchion  7  is guided over the fixing member  10  in such a manner that the transverse web  26  is situated behind and under the downwardly protruding lug  10   d  of the T-shaped metal part  10   b  and the struts  27  laterally frame the U-shaped metal part  10   a . To this end, the toggle lever arrangement  19 , if appropriate, is raised or pivoted upward. This may take place manually; in the present exemplary embodiment, a leaf spring  32  which is secured on the intermediate lever  22  and on the lower stanchion part  12  and spreads them apart is provided for this. The claw part  24  is introduced into the upper slot of the fixing member  10 , which is surrounded by the parts  10   a ,  10   b , as illustrated in  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 8 . Owing to the toggle lever arrangement  19 , the stanchion  7  is then raised by pressing the main lever  22 , for example in the region of the handle unit  25 , in the direction of the body of the lower stanchion part  12 . The forces for raising the stanchion  7  are transmitted during the actuation of the lever arrangement  19  via the two joints  21 ,  23  by the fixing member  10  to the stanchion  7  and via the stanchion  7  to the longitudinal support  6 . 
     Pressing the main lever  22  forward brings the main lever  22  and the intermediate lever  20  to bear between the two projections  15  of the lower stanchion part  12 . The levers  20 ,  22 , which are U-shaped in their cross section, are, in this locked position illustrated graphically in  FIGS. 5 and 9 , folded in a manner one engaging over the other and with their base essentially parallel to the extent of the stanchion  7  while the narrow, edge-side limbs of the levers  20 ,  22  are situated adjacent to each other between the two projections  15  and, in the region of the counterbearing  28 , penetrate the gap  31 . In this case, the outside of the main lever  22  and the projections  15  are essentially aligned, as a result of which an esthetic smooth surface is defined, cf.  FIGS. 5 and 9 . 
     With the pivoting-in of the lever arrangement  19  and the raising of the stanchion  7  (and, if appropriate, of the longitudinal support  6  via the supporting region  11   a ), the supporting element  29  is also pressed between the fixing member  10  and the counterbearing  28 . As soon as the supporting element  29  is in contact with the fixing member  10  and the counterbearing  28 , the forces from the fixing member  10  are no longer transmitted essentially via the levers  20 ,  22  and the associated joints  23 ,  21 , but rather via the supporting element  29 . In the locked state of the stanchion  7 , the joints  21 ,  23  are therefore virtually free from loads, with the result that, with the toggle lever arrangement  19  closed, the vertical forces are conducted via the head  10   e  of the T-shaped part  10   b  and the supporting element  29  into the counterbearing  28  and therefore into the stanchion  7 . The lever arrangement  19  therefore serves primarily for raising and lowering the stanchion  7  while the vertical fixing of the stanchion  7  takes place by means of the supporting element  29 . 
     It can be seen that the supporting element  29  is of integral design and has a somewhat narrower lower section and a somewhat wider upper section, the upper section at the same time having a bearing for the joint  23 . It is possible also to provide the joint  23  at another point and to design the supporting element  29  as a part of uniform thickness. It is likewise possible to design the two sections as adjacent parts of a multipart supporting element, as a result of which the manufacturing of large piece numbers is more economical even if the tolerances of the supporting element are thereby increased. The relatively large width of the upper section of the supporting element results in a good overlap with the counterbearing  28 , said overlap being advantageous for the reliable support of the stanchion  7 . 
     At the same time, the raised stanchion  7  means that the transverse web  26  is arranged behind the lug  10   d  of the fixing member  10 , so that a form-fitting locking is provided even when the stanchion  7  is subjected to a load by a force acting outward from the loading area  4 . Furthermore, the struts  27  are also raised, so that they pass with their upper region behind the head  10   e  of the T-shaped metal part  10   b  and likewise bring about a form-fitting locking against the stanchion  7  automatically opening. At the same time, the struts  27  prevent a lateral play of the stanchion  7  with respect to the fixing member  10 . 
     In the end part of its long lever arm  22   b , the main lever  22  has an approximately rectangular punched-out portion  33  which is adjoined by a lowered region  34 . When the main lever  22  is pivoted in, a snap-on device (not illustrated) engages over the lowered region  34  and holds the main lever  22  releasably on the lower stanchion part  12 . The snap-on device ensures that an unintentional actuation of the lever arrangement  19  does not occur. The snap-on device has a release button which can be displaced upward to release the locking. In this case, the punched-out portion  33  is advantageously arranged in the vicinity of the handle recess  25  in such a manner that an operator&#39;s thumb can actuate the release button or the hand reaches through the handle recess  25 . Since, in the locked state of the stanchion  7 , the lever arrangement  19  is free from force, the snap-on device may be designed to absorb small forces, thus enabling the single-handed operation of the lever arrangement  19 . 
     It can be seen in  FIGS. 12 and 13  that the foot region of the lower stanchion part  12  of the stanchion  7  is additionally reinforced, at least in a region which surrounds the cutout  30 , although the projections  15  defining a profile in the form of a double C are already extended uninterrupted as far as the lower end of the lower stanchion part  12  and therefore a favorable transmission of vertical forces is made possible. It can be seen that the transverse web  26  and the struts  27  are formed as a common group, either by welding or as a common cast part, and are welded into the foot region of the stanchion  7 . In this case, the transverse web  26  reaches a thickness which amounts to more than half of the depth of the projections  15 . Furthermore, the struts  27  are designed such that they pass through the projections  15 , so that they are firmly welded to the inside of the respective outer wall  15   a  of each projection  15 . The transverse web  26  is also firmly welded to the walls  15   a . This imparts to the foot region of the stanchion  7  an increased stability which at least compensates for the weakening because of the central cutout  30  and, moreover, in particular enables the transmission of forces, acting in the direction of travel, from the stanchion  7  to the fixing member  10 . 
     Angle profiles  35  are furthermore welded into the projections  15  on the inside of their inner walls  15   b , said angle profiles reaching into the region of the counterbearing  28  and, as a result, additionally stiffening the projections  15 . The end of the free limb of the angle profile  35  is arranged at a short distance from the inside of the outer walls  15   a  of the projections  15 . It is possible to eliminate this distance and to entirely close the rear side of the projections  15 . Moreover, the angle profiles  35  may be welded to the struts  27 . In particular, a subassembly of transverse web  26 , struts  27  and angle profiles  35 , if appropriate even with the counterbearing  28 , can be manufactured from a single piece and welded into the foot region of the stanchion  7 . 
     The invention functions as follows: 
     To lock a stanchion  7  on a fixing member  10 , said stanchion is first of all moved via the rollers  18  into the correct position and then the recess  30  of the stanchion  7  is pivoted over the fixing member  10 . The main lever  22  is then introduced with the claw part  24  into the slot between the two metal parts  10   a ,  10   b , and the main lever  22  is pivoted in the direction of the stanchion  7 , as a result of which the intermediate lever  20  and, in particular, the joint  21  with the stanchion  7  is shifted upward. The space provided for receiving the supporting element  29  is correspondingly also enlarged between the positionally fixed fixing member  10  and the counterbearing  28 , which is shifted upward with the stanchion  7 , so that the supporting element  29  can penetrate this intermediate space. The snap-on device reaches over the lowered region  34 . 
     In order to unlock the stanchion  7 , the main lever  22 —after release of the snap-on device—and therefore the supporting element  29  which is fastened thereto are pulled away from the lower stanchion part  12  and the flow of force between the fixing member  10 , supporting element  29  and counterbearing  28  is therefore interrupted, as a result of which the weight of the stanchion  7  firstly rests on the levers  20 ,  22  and the joints  21 ,  23  and, after a further distance, on the rollers  18 , with the result that the stanchion can be displaced along the longitudinal support  6 . 
     The invention has been described above with reference to a stanchion having a supporting element  28  which has a flat lower side for bearing on the planar upper side of the fixing member  10 , and in which a claw part  24  penetrates a slot of the fixing member  10 . The supporting element may also have a step which is complementary to the contour of the upper side of the fixing member  10 , for example if the fixing member  10  has a lug which is comparable to the lug  10   d  and projects upward, it being possible for the main lever to likewise be favorably attached by means of the stepped structure in the corresponding supporting element, which is designed, for example, as a pressing member. 
     It is similarly possible to support the means of securing the stanchion against these forces pressing to the outside from the loading area, or to replace the above-described securing means with the transverse web  26  and/or the struts  27  by means of an arrangement, in which a securing wedge which can be inserted separately is held in a V-shaped intercepting pocket and thus blocks a movement of the stanchion outward.