MECHANICAL HANDLING APPARATUS

Abstract: Mechanical handling apparatus 1 for moving a load over a support surface 2, comprising an endless powered conveyor device 3 which extends substantially over at least part of the length of the support and is trained round guide means or pulley means 4 rotatable about substantially horizontal axes. The surface 2 also has mechanical handling apparatus in the form of rise and sink conveyors 9 which are in the form of tracks which extend substantially the length of the surface and comprise a plurality of rollers 10 which are raisable and lowerable with respect to the surface between a position in which the rollers 10 stand proud of the surface for passage of a load such as a pallet 11 thereover and a position in which the rollers 10 are retracted below the level of the surface for support of the pallets on the surface for storage or transport.

Description: The invention relates to mechanical handling apparatus. Document GB-A-2 152 895 discloses a mechanical handling apparatus for transporting a load over a support surface, comprising a longitudinally driven endless conveyor device trained around rotatable guides and extending through a working run and a return run the working run extending along a length of the support surface over which loads are to be transported, the device being trained round guide or pulley means rotatable about substantially horizontal axes elongate upwardly open guide channel means extending along the length of the working run for receiving and guiding a length of the device in the working run as the device moves longitudinally through the working run and having a base supporting the received length of the device from underneath, automated raising and lowering means for raising and lowering the guide channel means selectively, to raise and lower the length of the device received therein by the device, the guide channel means being arranged relative to the support surface such that when the guide channel means is raised, it supports the length of the device received therein above the support surface in a load engaging position and such that when the guide channel means is lowered, the received length of the device is lowered to a non-load-engaging position, and guides for guiding the raising and lowering means. According to the invention there is provided mechanical handling apparatus for transporting a load over a support surface, comprising a longitudinally driven endless conveyor device trained around rotatable guide or pulley means rotatable about substantially horizontal axes and extending through a working run and a return run, the working run extending along a length of the support surface over which loads are to be transported, elongate upwardly open guide channel means extending along the length of the working run for receiving and guiding a length of the device in the working run as the device moves longitudinally through the working run and having a base supporting the received length of the device from underneath, automated raising and lowering means for raising and lowering the guide channel means selectively, to raise and lower the length of the device received therein by the device, the guide channel means being arranged relative to the support surface such that when the guide channel means is raised, it supports the length of the device received therein above the support surface in a load-engaging position and such that when the guide channel means is lowered, the received length of the device is lowered to a non-load-engaging position, guides for guiding the raising and lowering means, the working run having longitudinally thereof a plurality of working parts which each have an associated guide channel means which is raisable and lowerable independently by said raising and lowering means, characterised in that the two working parts are separated by a well through which the device passes. The well may be defined by a housing suspended from the support surface. There may be drive motor means in the housing. The housing may include a removable access panel. The means for moving the device between the load-engaging position and the non-load engaging position may comprise inflatable means. The inflatable means may comprise pneumatic means. The pneumatic means may be housed between the two said guides. The two said guides respectively may comprise a channel section member, one of which is mounted substantially vertically on the other with the pneumatic means therebetween. The guide for the working run may comprise a plastic support block within the channel. The endless device may comprise a chain. The mechanical handling apparatus may be mounted substantially parallel with a roller conveyor. The roller conveyor may be movable between a first position in which a load is in use engaged and a second position in which the roller conveyor is disengaged from a load. The roller conveyor may be movable by an inflatable pneumatic means. The pneumatic means may comprise an air bag. There may be two roller conveyors with said apparatus therebetween. Mechanical handling apparatus embodying the invention is hereinafter described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a plan view of one embodiment of mechanical handling apparatus according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the apparatus of Fig.1; Figs. 3-6 show enlarged sectional views respectively on lines A-A, B-B, C-C and D-D of Fig. 1; Fig. 7 shows an enlarged sectional arrangement of a drive unit, drive coupling and drive motor; Fig. 8 shows an end view of the drive unit of Fig. 7; and Fig. 9 shows a sectional view of a mounting of the motor. Referring to the drawings there is shown mechanical handling apparatus 1 for moving a load over a support surface 2, comprising an endless powered conveyor device 3 which extends substantially over at least part of the length of the support and is trained round guide means or pulley means 4 rotatable about substantially horizontal axes. The endless conveyor device 3 comprises a chain 5 having a working run 6 and a return run 7 the working run 6 of which comprises at least two working parts, which are movable vertically independently or in unison. In the embodiment shown, each conveyor device in fact comprises two side-by-side chains 5. The support surface 2 comprises a surface laid over a floor 8 of a container vehicle in the embodiment shown. The surface 2 also has mechanical handling apparatus in the form of rise and sink conveyors 9 which are in the form of tracks which extend substantially the length of the surface and comprise a plurality of rollers 10 which are raisable and lowerable with respect to the surface between a position in which the rollers 10 stand proud of the surface for passage of a load such as a pallet 11 thereover and a position in which the rollers 10 are retracted below the level of the surface for support of the pallets on the surface for storage or transport. There are two sets of conveyors 9 one set being for handling pallets in one row and the other set for handling pallets in an adjacent row. Each roller conveyor set is caused to rise and sink by two inflatable devices 12 such as air bags which extend the length of each roller track 9 and are inflatable by means forming part of the pneumatic system of the vehicle or a tractor unit which tows it. Between the tracks 9 of each set of pneumatic roller conveyors there is an endless conveyor device 5, 6, 7. The working run 6 is raisable to engage the underside of the pallets 11 to move same along the support surface 2 so that crowding is obtained, and therefore the maximum utilisation of the interior space of the vehicle is obtained. The top (as viewed in Fig. 1) conveyor device 3 is shown at the return run, the lower (as viewed) conveyor device is shown in the working run. The return run 7 of the conveyor device passes round idler sprockets 4a and a driven sprocket 4c all of which are housed in a housing 12 suspended from underneath the support surface 2 and which has a removable end panel 13 for access to the interior thereof for maintenance etc. The driven sprocket 4c is driven by an in-line electric motor 14 secured to the underside of the main floor of the vehicle, through a drive coupling unit 15. The axes of the sprockets and the output shaft of the motor extend transversely to the length of the conveyor device and of the pneumatic roller tracks 9. The endless chains 5 run in a guide 16 for the working run and a guide 17 for the return run. The guides 16 and 17 are mounted one on top the other, the lower guide being of inverted channel section and the upper guide 16 (as viewed in Fig.4) being of upwardly open channel section which rises and falls within outer channel 21 on a support plate 18 which is in contact with inflatable means such as an air bag 19 in order to provide a smooth and uniform raising and lowering. Guides in the form of angles 20 are secured to outer flanges of the outer channel 21, limbs 22 of the angles guiding the inner channel 16 as it rises and falls when the air bag 19 is inflated and deflated. Between the base or web of the inner channel 16 and two chains is a plastic slide block 22 a which provides for slippage of the chains 5 in the desired direction. The return run of the chains is supported on a runner plate 23 secured to the vehicle floor within the lower channel 17, which is itself secured to the vehicle floor. The outer channel 21 and the flower channel 17 are secured together by welding, and the guide angles 20 are secured to the limbs as by screws, to provide a rigid structure which is compact and houses the working and return runs of the chains. The well 12 for the drive unit is secured to the vehicle floor and to an ′I′-beam reinforcement 24 therefore via a nut and bolt 25 each side of the drive unit. The floor is supported within this well 12 by a box section 26 secured to an ′I′-beam 27. The apparatus is used to provide powered loading and unloading for, in the embodiment shown, unit load pallets 11. In use pallets 11 may be marshalled on a loading dock conveyor ready for pushing in to the vehicle. (The trailer floor is level with the dock system to accept pallets and properly aligned guide rails and ramps are commonly used). Then: - Reverse trailer vehicle into position. Plug power supply into socket. Raise roller bed 9 rollers 10. Start chain motor 5. Lift rear section of chain track on particular bag 19. Feed pallets until all pallets 11 are fully home and crowded or bunched. Drop rear chain section 5. Stop motor 14. Lower roller track 9. For unloading pallets: - Check trailer vehicle is properly aligned. Plug in power supply. Raise roller bed 9. Start chain motor 14 in reverse. Gift chain 5. (This lift acts as a slipping clutch and avoids starting motor under load). The conveyor has front and rear sections, that is respectively fore and aft of the well, which sections can be used in sequence if desirable. Pallets will feed out. When pallets have left trailer. Lower chain track. Stop motor. Lower rollers. The division of the conveyor drive chain relieves wear on track and reduces power demand since the rear chain track is normally capable of driving pallets down the roller bed. For unloading, all the chain track can be used, or the rear section can be activated first, followed by the front section, depending on load condition. Power is reducing all the time as pallets leave the trailer In either forward or reverse mode, the slip chains drive pallets along the (low) rolling resistance of the roller tracks. When one pallet comes up against an immediately preceding one which has stopped, the chain "slips" under the pallet so that power drive continues to operate to move succeeding pallets onto the support surface, without any burning out of the motor or jamming of the chain drive. This is because the chains each "slip" on the plastic slide block under the pallets. It will be understood that the well can be at any convenient position along the length of the support surface, for example centrally thereof, or adjacent the forward end instead of the rear or loading end. Each chain is trained round sprockets which are connected to tensioner devices which are adjustable to provide the correct tension in each chain.

Claims: 1. Mechanical handling apparatus (1) for transporting a load over a support surface (2), comprising a longitudinally driven endless conveyor device (3) trained around rotatable guide or pulley means (4) rotatable about substantially horizontal axes and extending through a working run (6) and a return run (7), the working run (6) extending along a length of the support surface (2) over which loads are to be transported, elongate upwardly open guide channel means (16) extending along the length of the working run for receiving and guiding a length of the device (3) in the working run (6) as the device (3) moves longitudinally through the working run (6) and having a base (18) supporting the received length of the device (3) from underneath, automated raising and lowering means (19) for raising and lowering the guide channel means (16) selectively, to raise and lower the length of the device (5) received therein by the device (3), the guide channel means (16) being arranged relative to the support surface (2) such that when the guide channel means (16) is raised, it supports the length of the device (3) received therein above the support surface (2) in a load-engaging position and such that when the guide channel means (16) is lowered, the received length of the device (5) is lowered to a non-load-engaging position, guides (20) for guiding the raising and lowering means (19), the working run (6) having longitudinally thereof a plurality of working parts which each have an associated guide channel means (16) which is raisable and lowerable independently by said raising and lowering means ( 19 ), characterised in that the two working parts are separated by a well (12, 13) through which the device (3) passes. 2. Apparatus according to Claim 1, characterised in that the well (12, 13) houses drive motor means (14) for the device (3). 3. Apparatus according to either preceding Claim, characterised in that the guide channel means (16) is received within another elongate upwardly open channel means (21) extending along the length of the working run and in that the two channel means (16, 21) are vertically displaceable relative to one another. 4. Apparatus according to Claim 3, characterised in that the raising and lowering means (19) comprise an inflatable bag disposed between the base (18) of the guide channel means (16) and a base of another channel means (21). 5. Apparatus according to Claim 4, characterised in that the guide channel means (16) contains an elongate support block (22a) on rich the received length of the device (3) is supported. 6. Mechanical handling apparatus according to any preceding claim, characterised by the endless device (3) comprising a chain (5). 7. Mechanical handling apparatus according to any preceding claim, characterised by two roller conveyors (9) with said device (3) therebetween. 8. Apparatus according to Claim 6 or Claim 7, characterised by two conveyor chains (5) disposed side-by-side in a working run, and by chains (5) being received and guided by the guide channel means (16) and supported by the base (18) of the guide channel means (16). 9. Apparatus according to Claim 8, characterised in that the guide (20) include guide members (22) secured to opposite sides of the another channel means (20) and disposed guidingly to engage opposite sides of the guide channel means (20) during raising and lowering of the guide channel means (20). 10. Apparatus according to Claim 9, characterised in that the base of the guide channel means is mounted on a raisable and lowerable support plate (18) placed over the automated means (19) and in that the guide members (22) are disposed for stopping the raising movement of the guide channel means (16) by engagement with the support plate (18). 11. Apparatus according to Claim 10, characterised in that each guide member (22) is an angled member including one leg secured to the another channel means (21) and another leg have a side disposed guidingly to engage a side of the guide channel means and a lower end disposed for stopping the raising movement of the guide channel means (16) by engagement with the support plate (18). 12. Apparatus according to Claim 10, characterised in that the support plate (18) has portions rich project laterally outward from the guide channel means (16) and engage with the respective lower ends of the guide members (20) when the guide channel means (16) is raised. 13. Apparatus according to Claim 12, characterised by two conveyor devices (3) disposed side-by-side each being received and guided by a common guide channel means (16).

Inventors: WEBB, JOHN EDMUND RICHARD
Applicants: HYDRAROLL LIMITED
Application year: 1986
Main classification: B60P1
IPC codes: B60P1, B65G17, B65G67, B65G21, B65G13