A DEVICE FOR VERTICAL TRANSPORT OF GOODS

Abstract: A machine for vertical transportation of goods, for instance transportation of pieces of packages from a packing line (15) onto a pallet (17). In a preferred embodiment the machine comprises a vertically movable lifting device (2) provided on a horizontally travelling waggon (1), said device (2) being provided with lifting forks (16) for receiving and lowering the pieces of packages. Preferably counterweights (12) are provided on said travelling waggon (1), said counterweights (12) being connected to the lifting device (2) by wires (11). The counterweights (12) are heavier than the lifting device (2) but the weight thereof is less than the total weight of the lifting device (2) and the thereon loaded pieces of packages. The transmission comprises an endless loop (4) preferably a cogged belt, which at (9) is fixedly mounted to the lifting device (2), which is driven by one single small motor (3), preferably of the electrical type. During a cycle of operations the pieces of packages are fed from a packing line (15) out onto the lifting forks (16) of the machine until they abut a start impulse switch (5) that starts the motor (3). Due to the weight of pieces of packages the lifting forks (16) are lowered until they are stopped by the pallet (17). Then, the motor (3) pulls the travelling waggon (1) backwardly. However, the pieces of packages are stopped by support rolls (13) and will rest upon the pallet (17). In a rear position the motor (3) is reversed by a switch (6). Then, the lifting device (2) provided with the lifting forks (16) is drawn upwardly by the counterweights (12) until it reaches a mechanical stop (14). The motor (3) continues to be in operation and pulls the travelling waggon (1) forwardly until it reaches a terminal position switch (10) that stops the cycle of operations. Then the cycle of operations is repeated until the pallet has been loaded up to a desired level.

Description: Technical field: The present invention relates to an apparatus for vertical transport of goods, for instance transportation of pieces of packages frcπ a packing line or a conveyor onto a . allet. Prior art : Devices for successive lowering a pallet as pieces of packages are moved onto the pallet are previously known in connection with loading of pallets. It is also previously known to use a lifting fork to lower received pieces of packages down onto a pallet, which is not moved curing the ope ration. The previous ly k own devices are often constructed in an unnecessarily complicated way both as far as the mechanical system is conce rned as well as concerning the cont rol system. The previously known devices of this type, as illustrated by the structures described in Swedish patent specification : .c. 2CC.217 and DΞ Cffenleg ngsschrift No. 23 20 535 are used for lowering pieces of packages f ro m a conveyo r onto a palle t . Ac co rding to DΞ Offenlegungsschrift Mo. 26 20 535 the apparatus thereof is provided with lifting forks for receiving and lowering pieces of packages onto a pallet, and then specific wipers are used for wiping the pieces of packages off the lifting forks and onto the pallet. For that cycle of operations three separate chain transmissions are used, all driven by its own individual motor, and in one alternative one of said transmissions is replaced by a hydraulic cylinder. A short statement of the Dresent invention : The technical problem to be solved by the present invention relates to lowering pieces of packages from an upper level, for instance a conveyor, dovm to a lower level, for instance a pallet. This operation was p revious ly car ried out e ither manually or by the aid of complicated, voluminous and expensive machines . The above problem is solved in accordance with the present invention by using one s ingle transmis s ion driven by one s ingle motor for performing the intended cycle of operations. An endless transmission belt or chain is used for co-operating with o e single elect rical motor for obtaining both a horizontal and a vertical movement when the apparatus performs a cycle of operations. Preferably, counterweights are used in order to balance the weight of the lifting device according to the invention. The advantages obtained by the present invention are among other things that a relatively simple mechanical structure is obtained, that only a minimum force consumption is necessary, that an uncomplicated electrical control system is used, which all result in a fail-safe and low energy consuming machine having a very low total -weight. V.her. carefully chosing the weights of the counterweights used in the machine in relation to the weight of the pieces of packages to be handled by the machine it is possible to use a drive motor of a small size, which results in a low energy consuming structure . Description of the Pier-ires : Fig. 1 is illust rating in a schematic side elevat ional vie w a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, and Fig. 2 is illustrating in a schematic top elevational view the device according to the invention as illustrated in Fig. 1. Descrioticn of the preferred embodiment : A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated on the Figures and comprises a machine for loading pieces of packages from a packing line 15 dovm onto a pallet 17- The machine comprises a horizontally travelling waggon 1 provided with a vertically movable lif ting device 2 having lifting forks 16 for receiving and lowering the pieces of packages. Counterweights 12 are arranged in connection with the horizontally travelling waggon 1, said counterweights being connected by wires 11 to the vertically movable lifting device 2. By using said counterweights there is onlv need for a minimum effect to be used both in connection th rais ing and lowering the lif ting forks lo. The transmission means comcrises in the oreferred embodiment an endless coeged be] ,'hich is connected at 9 to the vertically movable lifting device 2 and is driven by one single small electrical motor 3 - In the beginning of an ope ration cycle the lif ting forks iβ are located at the same level as the packing line 15 in a fixed position obtained by the counterweights 12, a manually adjustable mechanical stop 1 *4 and the cogged belt -4, which is braked to stand-still by the still standing (inoperative) electrical motor 3- The horizontally travelling waggon I is standing in its forward-most position against a mecnanica .lent s . .ne Diεces ox oackages coming ; rom tne D ar ana acu _ -w — y far r.surs: om to a s ta: se 5 v. _ - r. sta: .uise sw itcn starting .to r 3 < The motor 3 gεns .s a * ns * -aking ' o c e when the lif ting fcπ-cs - - • * - ** - -' n •*- weiεnt or tne o ecεs c: packages " cr. o n, to a wallet 1.7 located at a lower * »π-*__ι*- *-^-__ι "eac e callet 17 : urtner vertica. movement is stepped and the vertically extending part oϊ belt <4 is fixed. T en, the electrical motor 3 is by the aid of Horizontally extending :art oi ;he eogged belt 4 pulling the horizontally travelling waggon 1 backwardly from the pallet 17- Since the vertically movable lifting device 2 is mounted on the horizontally travelling waggon 1 the lif ting forks iβ do also move backwardly. However, the pieces of .packages, resting en the lif ting forks i β are stepped against support roils 13, which in the preferred embodiment are fixedly mounted at the side of the lif ting forks I β. When the lifting forks Iβ are pulled away the pieces of packages will rest upon the pallet 17- The horizontally travelling waggon 1 will continue to move backwardly 'until the tips of the lifting forks Iβ are moved into a pos ition between the supoort rolls 13- Then, the horizontally travelling waggon 1 is contacting a change-over switch β , thereby reversing the polarity of the electrical motor 3- The vertically movable lifting device 2 will then be culled upwardly by tJ e aid of the counterweights 12 at a speed determined by the rotational speed of the electrical motor 3 , which will ac t in a braking way during this movement. When the vertically movable lifting device 2 has reached the level of the racking line 15 it is b .. . a manually adjustable mechanical stop 1*4 and the vertically movable part of the cogged belt --4 is fixed and the electrical moto r 3 will, via the horizontally extending part of the cogged bel t - . draw the horizontally travelling waggon 1 forwardiy until it reaches a mechanical, resilient stop and a limit s witch 10, which both s tops and reverses the polarity of the electrical motor 3- The lifting forks l β are now located at the packing line 15 ready to receive new pieces of packages . In the next cycle of operations the vertically movable li ing device 2 and the lifting forks lo thereof are lowered (supplied with pieces of packages ) till they are stopped by the pieces of packages previously loaded en the pallet 17- The horizontally travelling waggon. 1 will then, via the horizontally extending part cf the cogged belt ■*■*, be drawn backwardly y the electrical motor 3- The pieces cf packages will be stopped by the support rolls 13 and when the lifting forks It have been moved completely inside the space between said rolls the pallet 17 is leaded by two layers cf pieces of packages. In the above indicated way the loading operation will continue until the desired top level has been reached . At the top level there is provided a blocking switch δ at the rear¬ most part of the machine in such a way that it is contac ted by a contact arm 7 fixedly mounted on the vertically movable lifting device 2 and stops the electrical motor 3 when the lifting forks lo are provided in a backward position. Then, when the loaded pallet has been removed, either manually or automatically, and teen replaced by an empty pallet the machine may again be started, the lifting fo rks l o w ill return to the s tart ing position at the packing line 15- If des ired, also said s tarting oceration may be automatic . __ ! imer.ts Even though a presently preferred embodiment of the invention above has been described with reference to the attached Figures the persons skilled in the applicable art realize that the device may be modified within the frame of the accompanying claims. Hence, the motor has been illustrated by an electrical motor even though it is possible to use another driving source, such as a compressed air motor, which also can be located at any place along the machine. Tne transmission belt has been illustrated by a cogged belt, but of course, chains or wires may also be used alternatively. Cf course, also the counterweights may be replaced by force balancing blocks or resilient means, such as spring like, since the effect thereof is only to counterbalance o: ve: ι —i τ .;ι cvaoie in ting c Ftv r.e. .or.ec .port roils 13 may, of course, also be repiacεc oy other suitable means : cr off tns -s o: orevious. Loacec ia e: __. -S Oi , „ , . ,-. _ ---, _ use : The oresent invent ion is useful in connection with any type of indus try wherein packages , boxes , containers or other pieces of packages should be transferred from an upper level, for ' instance a packing line or a conveyor, down to a lower level, for instance a pallet or a stack of previously loaded pieces of packages . Since the invention provides a simple, cheap and reliable machine of a universally useful type the industrial use thereof is extensive.

Claims: CL 1. A machine for vertical transportation cf goods, for instance transportation of pieces of packages from a packing line (15) or a conveyor onto a pallet (17) by the aid of lifting forks (Iβ) mounted to a vertically movable lifting device (2) arranged on a horizontally travelling v/aggon (1), c h r a c t e r i z e d by the fact that one single motor (3) is provided to drive an endless transmission loop (4) fixedly attached to the vertically movable lifting device (2) and arranged to be in contact with rolls located partly at the υ.p:__r and lower part of the horizontally travelling waggon (i) and partly at the frame of the machine at the for 'ward terminal position of the travelling waggon (I) in order to generate the vertical as well as the horizontal movement cf the lifting forks (16), the alteration between the vertical movement and the horizontal movement being obtained automatically in connection with stopping the vertical movement in a mechanical way at a predetermined level. 2. The mac nine according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d by the fact that said motor (3) is an electrically powered motor, and that said endless transmission loop (4) comprises a cogged belt (4). a chain, a wire or the like. 3- The machine according to claim 2, c h a r a c t e r i z e d by the fact that counterweight means (12) are provided en said horizontally travelling waggon (1) and connected to the vertically movable lifting device (2) by wires (11) or the like, the weight of said counterweight means (12) being chosen somewhat greater than the total "weight of the vertically movable lifting device (2) and attached lifting forks (lβ), the lifting forks (Iβ) then at the returning movement due to the weight of said counterweight means (12) firstly move vertically towards a manually adjustable, mechanical stop (14) located upon said horizontally travelling waggon (1), and then continuously continue to move horizontally towards the packing line (15). 4. The machine according to claim 3, c h a r a c t e r i z e d by the fact that said electrical control system for a operations cnly comprises three switches, namely a starting impulse switch (5) starting the operating cycle of the machine when the pieces of packages from the packing line (15) are fed sufficiently far out onto the lifting forks (Iβ), a change-over contact switch (6) reversing the rotational direction of said electrical motor (3) when the lifting forks (Iδ) ' have been pulled into the space between support rolls (13) and said pieces of packages thereby being wiped off onto a pallet (17), said lifting forks (iβ) then move firstly vertically snc then horizontally back to the starting position, and a terminal position switch (10) stopping the lifting forks (lo) at the starting position near the packing line (15). tac; — * > a r a c •** : - Λ. cy the :act. tnat at the rear-most part o: tne machine a adjustable blocking switch (S) is provided in order to be contacted by a contact arm (7) fixedly mounted upon the vertically mo * . cevice \_; wn.en sa o z-. cetermineo cv saiα. sioc-cir. (3). .'*, V-- ' ?C -; J

Inventors: PETTERSSON K
Applicants: PETTERSSON K
Application year: 1980
Main classification: B65G57
IPC codes: B65G57, B65G65, B66F9