Abstract:
A transport unit including a plate shaped transport base with cylindrical cargo objects placed there on disposed with their center axes parallel to one another and in at least one layer, wherein the center axes respectively have a distance from one another and wherein enveloping surfaces of adjacent objects are in a line contact with one another, and cargo securing devices configured as tension devices, through which the objects are secured on the base against sliding or rolling. A base which is characterized by an improved utilization of the transport volume and for which the fixation of the objects can be provided in a simply and comfortably, it is provided that tension devices engage a face of the objects and at least each object disposed at an edge of a layer is connected at the face with a tension device in a force transmitting manner.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority from and incorporates by reference German utility model application DE 20 2009 000 365.5, filed on Jan. 9, 2009. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to a transport unit and adapter therefore, and more particularly, to a transport unit with a plate shaped transport base and tension devices and adapter therefore. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The present invention relates to a transport unit including:
         a plate shaped transport base;   cylindrical cargo objects placed there on, which are disposed with their center axes parallel to one another and in at least one layer, wherein the center axes respectively have a distance from one another and wherein enveloping surfaces of adjacent cargo objects are in a line-contact with one another; and   cargo securing devices configures as tension devices, through which the cargo objects are secured on the transport base against sliding or rolling from their locations.       

     The invention furthermore relates to an adapter for inserting into or sliding onto a sleeve shaped end section of a winding core of a cargo object provided as a coil made of web shaped material. Pallets of any type are suitable in particular as transport bases since they can be moved by forklifts in a simple manner, even when the pallets are already provided with cargo objects. 
     Usually, the cylindrical cargo objects typically have a significantly smaller diameter than length and thus are not suitable for a “standing” transport are stacked lying horizontally mostly in several layers on top of one another, wherein the number of the cargo objects disposed in one layer adjacent to one another decreases from the lowest layer to the top layer. This is required since the cylindrical cargo objects of an upper layer are disposed in the indentations of a layer disposed there under, so that they are respectively supported on two cargo objects of the layer disposed thereunder. 
     When the lowest layer includes, for example, three cargo objects disposed to adjacent to one another, the second layer disposed there above includes only two cargo objects and the uppermost third layer only includes one cargo object. Thus stacks with a triangular or also trapeze shaped cross section are created, the latter is created when the upper layer includes more than one cargo object. 
     Typically, tension devices in the form of strong tension cables or bands made of metal or textile reinforced plastic are used as cargo securing devices, which are pulled tight about the triangular cross section of the stacked cargo objects including the transport base and which are supported at the enveloping surfaces of the outer cargo objects. Before the cargo objects are wrapped tight, the lowest layer should initially be fixated with a type of wedge, wherein wedges made of wood or plastic material can be used. Also cardboard strips can be used as wedges, which cardboard strips are provided, for example, with an indentation corresponding to the cargo objects. 
     The unfavorable ratio of transport volume required to actual transport volume provided, thus the ratio gross/net is a disadvantage of the known transport units, which becomes more unfavorable as more layers are stacked on top on one another. Namely in the known type of stacking certain free spaces are left unused at the edges of the layers, other than the lowest layer. 
     From U.S. Pat. No. 5,931,435 A1 a pallet for storing and transporting cylindrical objects is known which are positioned adjacent to one another on the pallet so that their longitudinal axes are aligned. In order to assure that these objects cannot simply roll off from the pallet, the pallet has a depression in its center that extends in a longitudinal direction of the pallet. Furthermore, the objects are fixated by tension devices that are tightened against the pallet starting at the core of the cylindrical objects. However, storing cylindrical objects disposed vertically above one another is not possible for the known pallet. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Thus, it is an object of the present invention to improve a transport unit of the known type, so that it is characterized by a better use of the transport volume and the fixation of the cargo objects can be provided in the simplest and most comfortable manner possible. 
     This object is accomplished according to the invention in that tension devices engage a face of the cargo objects and at least each cargo object disposed at an edge of a layer is connected at a face to a tension device in a load bearing manner. 
     The connection of the cargo objects with a tension device which engages their faces is advantageous for handling since the tension device can be applied very comfortably and without any risk from cargo objects rolling away in lateral direction unintentionally. 
     When the cargo devices are disposed in at least two layers on top of one another, wherein enveloping surfaces of adjacent cargo objects in vertically adjacent layers are in a line contact with one another, the cargo objects of an upper layer are disposed in the indentations of a lower layer, which generates forces that press the cargo objects of the respective lower layer away from one another. Thus the forces are oriented in a horizontally outward direction. Conventionally, these forces are compensated in that the packet formed by the stacked cargo objects is provided at its circumference with a circumferential tension device that retains the cargo objects in their respective positions. Thus, the only option to obtain sufficiently large forces counteracting the horizontally outward oriented forces, is a suitable path of the tension device which creates the typical triangular or trapeze shaped cross section of the transport unit. Namely, when the cargo objects are stacked on top of one another, so that an approximately rectangular shape is created in cross section, wherein particular cargo objects can protrude beyond a cargo object disposed there under, the tension devices extending in vertical direction at the circumference will not be able to support any significant horizontal forces and a fixation of the transport unit is almost impossible when the particular cargo objects have a high weight. 
     Differently from the known transport units, in which the tension devices only engage partial portions of the circumferences of the cargo objects, the tension devices according to the invention respectively engage faces of cargo objects. This way is possible in a simple manner to provide a transport unit with tension devices that transfer the forces created into the interior of the transport unit, which provides a better counteraction against the forces that press the cylindrical cargo objects apart from one another. 
     Thus, the orientation of the tension devices does not depend on the geometry of the transport unit viewed in cross section and the tension device can be applied much more effectively. 
     Advantageously, the tension devices respectively engage a center portion of the faces of the cargo objects, which often corresponds to a center of gravity of the cross section of the cargo objects. Thus, the engagement point of the tension device is selected, so that a rotation of the particular cargo objects, differently from mounting the tension device, for example, at an outer point of the face, cannot occur due to the tension force of the tension device. 
     An advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the center portions of the cargo objects connected to the tension device are connected to a separate tension device in one respective layer. This means that at least the two outer cargo objects of a layer are connected to cargo objects with the same dimensions through a horizontally extending tension device. However it is not required for the present invention that the particular cargo devices include identical dimensions, the tension device according to the invention is rather flexible for any combination of cargo devices. Thus, a tension device connecting the cargo objects of a layer can also be inclined relative to horizontal. In any case attaching the respective separate tension devices of a layer of the transport unit is advantageous with respect to handling, since the particular tension devices can be attached quite comfortably and in turn without any endangerment from cargo objects unintentionally rolling off in lateral direction. 
     When at least each cargo device disposed at an edge of a layer is connected respectively at both of its opposite faces, in particular in the central portions in a force transferring manner with a tension device, a transport unit is created which is held together in a very stable manner. Looking at the cargo objects in longitudinal direction, they are fixated namely at their first face as well as at their second face. 
     Another embodiment of the transport unit according to the invention provides that the cargo objects are coils of a web shaped product, for example foil or paper and that the coils respectively include a particularly sleeve shaped winding core, wherein the end sections of each winding core form the center portions or the center portions are formed by adapters which are inserted into sleeve shaped end sections of the winding cores or which are slid onto the end sections of the winding cores and which are connected to the winding cores respectively in a friction locked and/or form locked manner. This way the components disposed at the cargo objects anyhow are used for applying the tension devices. Typically, the winding cores are made from cardboard or plastic material. Alternately, adapters can also be used which are configured in particular for applying the tension devices. 
     The transport unit according to the invention facilitates a configuration of the tension devices as ropes, wires, bands, beams or rods, wherein they can be configured flexible or rigid viewed circumferentially. The strength in longitudinal direction has to facilitate at least the safe transmission of the occurring tension forces. 
     In order to make the connection of the tension devices with the respective cargo objects as easy to handle as possible and in order to facilitate a reuse of the tension devices, it is provided according to a configuration of the invention to configure the tension devices viewed in longitudinal direction at a plurality of locations, so they can be connected with the cargo objects, in particular with their winding cores or the adapters connected there with, in a disengageable manner through a closure. 
     It is advantageous in particular when the tension device can be connected to the respective cargo object through inserting the tension device into the closure in a direction perpendicular to the center axis. 
     It is furthermore advantageous when the tension device is provided at least on one side at least in sections with a teething, which can be brought into formed locked engagement with a moveable interlocking link of the closure device. This means that the respective alignment of the teething is provided, so that moving the tension device in the closure is possible in one direction, but not in the opposite direction. 
     It is advantageous when the adapter, the closure and the interlocking link which is configured as an interlocking tongue, are configured as plastic injection molded components. 
     According to an embodiment of the invention, the adapters include a sleeve shaped insertion section, which is provided at its outer enveloping surface with radially outward protruding bars which extend in the direction of the center axis of the insertion section and which is provided at its inner enveloping surface with radially inward protruding ribs extending in the direction of the center axis of the insertion section and with a flange section protruding radially beyond the outer enveloping surface of the insertion section and connected there to at its face, which flange section comprises a closure in the form of a guide channel for inserting the tension device, wherein a wall section of the guide channel is configured as a spring loaded tongue. Such an adapter facilitates a quick and simple connection with the respective tension device. 
     When the outer diameter of the flange section corresponds at the most to the outer diameter of the winding core it is assured that the adapter does not protrude into the portion of the coil, so that no damages can occur at the web material forming the coil, when the adapter is applied. 
     The invention furthermore relates to an adapter for inserting into or sliding onto a sleeve end section of a winding core, which creates a friction locked and/or form locked connection between adapter and winding core. According to the invention the winding core is provided with a device for mounting a tension device and can be used in particular for forming a transport unit as described supra. 
     Advantageously, the adapter as described supra is comprised of a sleeve shaped insertion section with radially outward protruding bars, radially inward protruding reinforcement ribs and a flange section which comprises a closure in the form of a guide channel for inserting the tension device, wherein a wall section of the guide channel is configured as a spring elastic tongue. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention will be described subsequently in more detail with reference to a transport unit according to the invention or an adapter according to the invention which are described in more detail in the figures, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a side view of a transport unit according to the invention; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a three dimensional view of a transport unit according to  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a horizontal sectional view through a transport unit according to  FIG. 1  in a face portion; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates an enlarged detail of  FIG. 3  in the portion of an adapter, 
         FIGS. 5-8  illustrate various views and details of the tension device; and 
         FIGS. 9-11  illustrate various views of the adapter. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  illustrate a transport unit  1  according to the invention, to once in a side view of one of the faces  2  of the transport unit and once as a three dimensional view, wherein an illustration of a pallet shaped base was omitted. The transport unit  1  according to the invention is formed from three layers  3  of three respective cargo objects  4  disposed parallel to one another. The cargo objects  4  are coils  5  of a web shaped foil, which coils are wound onto a sleeve shaped winding core  6  made of cardboard. The diameter of a coil  5  is typically between 30 cm and 60 cm and the length is approximately 4.00 m. Compared to the conventional transport units that can include at the most a total of six cargo objects with a lowest layer of three cargo objects, a transport unit  1  according to the invention is formed with 9 cargo objects  4 . In this case, the transport unit  1  according to the invention holds 50% more material than a known transport unit with the transport volume almost unchanged. 
     Adapters  7  are inserted respectively into the openings of the winding cores  6 , which are connected to the winding cores  6  through friction locking and form locking. On their side facing away from the opening, the adapters  7  respectively include a closure  8  which comprises a guide channel  9  (re.  FIG. 10 ) for inserting a tension device  10 . Thus, the adapters  7  form central portions  11  at the faces  2  of the cargo objects  4  in which the cargo objects  4  are connected to the tension device  10  in a force transferring manner. 
     Thus, the cargo objects  4  of a layer  3  are connected respectively with a separate horizontally extending tension device  10 , so that the cargo objects  4  of a layer  3  are connected to form a layer. Thus a “rolling apart” of the cargo objects  4  is not possible anymore, wherein it also suffices according to the invention when only the outer cargo objects  4  are connected with the tension device  10 . 
     The formed lock connection between the adapters  7  and the tension devices  10  becomes more clearly apparent from the  FIGS. 3 and 4  which show a sectional view of the transport unit  1  in the portion of a face  2  of the transport unit or an enlarged illustration of an adapter  7  in the winding core  6  in a sectional view as well. 
     The adapter  7  which is integrally fabricated as an injection molded plastic part includes a sleeve shaped insertion section  12 , a flange section  13  radially protruding beyond the enveloping surface of the insertion section  12  and connected at the face side to the insertion section  12 , and the closure  8  cited supra. For stabilization purposes, the sleeve shaped insertion section  12  includes six inner reinforcement ribs  14 , three of which are visible in the figure. They extend along the inner enveloping surface of the insertion section  12 , wherein they protrude in radially inward direction and extend in parallel to the center axis  15  of the insertion section  12 . 
     The insertion section  12  includes bars  16  at its outer enveloping surface, which bars also extend in parallel to the center axis  15  of the insertion section  12  and protrude radially in outward direction. Thus, the height of the radially outward protruding bars  12  slightly decreases starting at the flange section  13  towards the opposite end of the insertion section  12 . This provides a friction locked and formed lock connection between the adapter  7  and the winding core  6  in a particularly simple manner, wherein in particular the further protruding portions of the bars  16  are impressed into the cardboard of the winding core  6 . 
     The closure  8  of the adapter  7  is formed by the recited guide channel  9 , wherein a wall section  17  of the guide channel  9  which wall section faces away from the insertion portion  12  is configured as a spring elastic tongue  18 , which is provided with a teething  19  over a portion of its length. 
     The tension device which is connected with the cargo objects  4  in a force transmitting manner comprises a teething  20  on one of its longitudinal sides, which corresponds to the teething  19  of the tongue  18 , so that an insertion of the tension device  10  in the direction illustrated by the arrow  21  is possible based on the orientation of the teeth  19 ,  20  and based on the fact that the tongue is configured as a spring elastic tongue  18 , however the insertion is not possible in opposite direction. Such closures are known, for example, from so called cable ties. 
     As evident from  FIG. 3 , the tension device  10  is pushed from one side through the three guide channels  9  of the adapter  7  of the adjacent cargo objects  4 , wherein a movement of the tension device  10  is only possible in the direction of the arrow  21 . At the end  22 , where the tension device  10  is inserted into the guide channels  9 , the tension device is configured conical, so that its insertion into a guide channel  9  is simplified. The opposite end  23  of the tension device  10  has a stop  24 , (re.  FIG. 5 ) which is formed by a cross section increase of the tension device  10 . The stop  24  assures that the tension device  10  does not slide completely through the guide channels  9  and thus would be ineffective. 
     The exact configuration of the tension device  10  which is rectangular in cross section can be derived from the  FIGS. 5 through 8 . The tension device  10  provided in the form of a rigid bar  25  has a rectangular cross section with 2 short sides and 2 long sides wherein the long side approximately corresponds to the width B of the guide channel  9 , or slightly undercuts said width and the short side approximately corresponds to the height of the guide channel  9  or slightly undercuts this height. However, the cross section of the tension device  10  does not extend continuously over its length L, rather the width of the long sides of the rectangular cross section changes, so that two wave shaped side surfaces  26  are created. Through an intentional extension of the surface, this way a reduction of the stresses in the material, in particular of the critical tension can be provided, which occur for a bending load on the tension device  10  which cannot be excluded during operation and which otherwise create the risk of forming a fracture. 
     The bar  25  is provided with a teething  20  as recited supra on a large portion of one of its wide side surfaces, which teething is shown in detail in  FIG. 8 . 
     In  FIG. 5 , the fork shaped end  23  of the tension device  10  is visible quite well which end forms the stop  24 . The actual stop  24  is formed by a cross section increase which however only relates to the wide sides of the cross section of the bar  25 . Below the stop  24 , the bar  25  is comprised of two parallel legs  27 , which extend in parallel to the center axis  28  of the bar  25  and which are separated from one another through an incision  29 . This creates the shape of a two pronged fork. 
     Above the legs  27  described supra, the bar  25  is provided with a recess  30  which comprises the shape of an inverted T. Starting at the cross bar of the T, the width of the recess  30  decreases, so that the vertical bar of the T assumes the shape of an elongated triangle. The recess  30  and the incision  29  between the legs  27  are separated from one another through a connection bar  31 . 
     The configuration of the end  23  of the bar  25  with the recess  30  and the incision  29  facilitates to manually compress the end  23  of the bar  25  after cutting or removing the connection bar  31 , so that the widened cross section serving as a stop  24  is reduced, so that the bar  25  can be pulled out of the closures  8  of the adapter  7 . This way, the connection of the tension device  10  with the adapters  7  can be disengaged in a simple manner without the spring loaded tongues  18  having to be manipulated. Alternatively, the end  23  of the bar  25  can also be configured, for example, through a connection bar which is flexible within limits, so that the connection between the tension device  10  and the adapters  7  can be removed without damaging any of the components. 
     In  FIGS. 9 through 11  the adapter  7  is shown in various respective perspectives.  FIG. 9  shows a vertical sectional view of the adapter  7  in which three of the reinforcement bars  14  disposed in the cavity of the sleeve shaped insertion section  12  are visible. The bars  16  at the outer enveloping surface are visible in  FIG. 9  only in so far as the thickness of the insertion section  12  slightly increases from its free end to the flange section  13 . 
     Furthermore, the alignment of the teeth  19  at the spring elastic tongue  18  is clearly visible from  FIG. 9 , which tongue facilitates a movement of the tension device  10 , which is also configured with teeth  20 , into the direction indicated by the arrow  21 , but not into the opposite direction. 
       FIG. 10  shows the adapter  7  in three dimensions, wherein the guide channel  9  and the reinforcement ribs  14  extending within the insertion section  12  are visible. The closure  8  is configured respectively with ribs  32  at its long sides in order to increase its stability. Furthermore, the bars  16  at the outer enveloping surface of the insertion section  12  are illustrated. 
       FIG. 11  illustrates a top view of the closure  8  of the adapter  7 . 
     Although several embodiments of the present invention and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that changes, substitutions, transformations, modifications, variations, permutations and alterations may be made therein without departing from the teachings of the present invention, the spirit and the scope of the invention being set forth by the appended claims. 
     REFERENCE NUMERALS AND DESIGNATIONS 
       1  Transport unit 
       2  Face 
       3  Layer 
       4  Cargo Object 
       5  Coil 
       6  Winding core 
       7  Adapter 
       8  Closure 
       9  Support Channel 
       10  Tension Device 
       11  Central portion 
       12  Insertion section 
       13  Flange section 
       14  Reinforcement Rib 
       15  Center Axis 
       16  Bar 
       17  Wall Section 
       18  Spring Elastic Tongue 
       19  Teething 
       20  Teething 
       21  Arrow 
       22  End 
       23  End 
       24  Stop 
       25  Bar 
       26  Wave shaped side surface 
       27  Leg 
       28  Center Axis 
       29  Incision 
       30  Recess 
       31  Connection Bar 
       32  Rib 
     B Width 
     H Height 
     L Length