MECHANICAL HANDLING APPARATUS

Abstract: Mechanical handling apparatus (1) includes a body of extruded aluminium of channel section (1) which in use houses an air bag and a roller cradle (not shown) and which has at either side an integral projecting flange (2) which is flat and which has an edge rib (3) which is upstanding and is substantially vertically arranged. The flange (2) has a groove (4) of substantially V-shape in cross-section. The flat flange (2) ensures that the channel section is stable on a substrate.

Description: MECHANICAL HANDLING APPARATUS The invention relates to mechanical handling apparatus. Such apparatus which often comprises an elongate tracking having an air bag housed within it, which air bag supports, and raises and lowers a roller bed which in turn raises and lowers a load, is often subject to uneven loads, which can cause instability. Accordingly, the invention provides a body for mechanical handling apparatus, including means which obviates rotation of the apparatus in a direction about the longitudinal axis of the apparatus. An en±odiment of the invention is hereinafter described, by way of example, with reference to the accαipanying drawings. Fig. 1 is a transverse cross-sectional view of channel section; Fig. 2 is a transverse cross-sectional view of a further channel section member according to the invention in use; and Fig. 3 is a detail of Fig. 2, enlarged. Referring to the drawings, mechanical handling apparatus shown in Fig. 1 includes a body of extruded aluminium of channel section 1 which in use houses an air bag and a roller cradle (both not shown) and which has at either side an integral projecting flange 2 which is flat and which has an edge rib 3 which is upstanding and is substantially vertically arranged. The flange 2 has a groove 4 of substantially V-shape in cross-section. The flat flange 2 ensures that the channel section is stable on a substrate. In use, the channel section 1 is secured to a substrate by clairping means 5, which may be releasable, which means locates over and grips the upstanding rib 3 to obviate rotation of the section 1 about the longitudinal axis of the section. The mechanical handling apparatus incorporating the section is then stable, even under conditions of uneven loading. Referring now to Fig. 2, mechanical handling apparatus 100 includes a channel section 101 which has an integral flat projecting flange 103, for mounting on a substrate 104, at each side. The flange 103 5 co-operates with retaining means such as clips like those 5 of the Fig. 1 embodiment__ There is thus no tendency for the apparatus to rotate in use. The channel 101 is an integral unit which has upstanding side legs or walls 105 which have at their free ends enlarged bosses 106 from 10 which project further flanges 107 intermediate the length of the walls 105 on which a load supporting floor 108 of say a vehicle is supported. The floor 108 corηprising planks or boards of for exaπple wood. The bosses have cpen slots cruciform in cross-section in the embodiment, extending the length thereof. 15 Inserted in the slots 109 are several separate retaining means 110 ccrqorising a bar with two lateral screw or nut holes 111 and a central hole 113 through which a resilient means 112 in the form of a rubber plug is inserted to protrude from below the bar. When the retaining means 110 is inserted in the slot 109, the rubber plug 20 112 is compressed slightly, and grips opposite sides of the slots 109. The retaining means 110 is thus resiliently held in the slot at the required position. A top plate 114 can then be secured by inserting screws or nuts through holes therein aligned with the holes 111, which are threaded to receive them. 25 The top plate 114 sometimes has a tendency to move slightly longitudinally when a load is drawn over it. The plug 112 allows this movement by resiliently "giving", and returning to the original position when the load is removed. The plug 112 thus grips but allows "floating" on the top plate 114. 30 There are several retaining means 110 spaced apart along the channel member. Alternatively, there may be a single retaining means 110 which extends over substantially the whole length of the slot 109, there being several plugs 9 through such a means. There will be, it will be understood, a retaining means in both " slots 109. Instead of a plug 112 of rubber, it may be of any other suitable material, or indeed may be replaced by a spring clip of U- or C-shape which extends around the nut to spring against the opposite walls of the slot. There is in this channel 101 an inner channel 116 supported on inflatable means such as an air bag 115, the inner channel coπprising a cradle supporting rotatable means such as rollers 117 which rise through aligned openings in the top plate 114 when the bag 115 is inflated in order to allow passage of a load such as a pallet over the floor 108. When the bag 115 is deflated, the rollers 117 sink below the floor 108 so making the conveyor apparatus "dead" with the load in the required position.

Claims: CLAIMS: 1. Mechanical handling apparatus including means which obviates rotation of the apparatus in a direction about the longitudinal axis of the apparatus. 2. Mechanical handling apparatus according to claim 1, the means comprising flat parts of a plate which parts lie on substrate on which the apparatus is supported. 3. Mechanical handling apparatus according to claim 2, including a channel section body member the plate parts projecting therefrom in a direction away from the interior thereof. 4. Mechanical handling apparatus according to claim 3, the whole plate being flat. 5. Mechanical handling apparatus according to claim 4, the free ends of the plates having an upstanding flange. 6. Mechanical handling apparatus according to any preceding claim, in combination with a releasable retaining securing means adapted for co-operation with the first-mentioned means to secure the apparatus against rotation. 7. Mechanical handling apparatus according to any preceding claim, there being a further flange projecting frcm the apparatus and adapted to support a load bearing surface in which the apparatus is installed. 8. Mechanical handling apparatus according to any preceding claim, including free slots extending longitudinally of the apparatus and including means to secure a top plate of the apparatus. 9. tfechanical handling apparatus according to claim 8, the slots being cruciform in cross-section, and including resilient retaining means therein. 10. Mechanical " handling apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Inventors: JONES JOSEPH MORUS, JONES, JOSEPH, MORUS
Applicants: HYDRAROLL LTD, HYDRAROLL LIMITED
Application year: 1987
Main classification: B65G13
IPC codes: B65G13, B65G21