Abstract:
The device serves for the automated handling and intermediate buffering of manufacturing components, whereby the components are suspended with the hooks  4  on the racks  1  which are conveyed as a series of racks. Provision is made for a crossbeam  9, 9 ′ comprising the two inwardly directed bars or gutters  10, 42, 59, 56, 58, 8  for receiving the load, which oppose each other and are located within the crossbeam. The elements  14, 48, 46, 61  for introducing the torque when the device is handled are arranged on the racks  1.  The racks  1  comprise back-up surfaces located on the front and rear sides. Furthermore, the racks  1  comprise the hooks  4,  clamps, fastening points or fastening rails, which are located on the underside or on secondary surfaces and are directed downwards. Provision is made for support surfaces for supporting shelf boxes or conveyor systems.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates to a device for the automated handling and interim buffering of suspendable manufacturing components. Such manufacturing components are suspended from hooks on racks. The racks connect neighboring racks front to back forming a stable block of racks for transport. 
     2. The Prior Art 
     A carrier device for goods conveyed in a transporting or loading system is known that has a frame-like structure comprising at least two receiving points. The workpieces (or components) are suspended from the racks of the frame. A plurality of such carrier devices placed one against the other can be transported as a block. The carrier devices can then be separated at a later time. 
     The substantial drawback of the known device is that the workpieces are restricted with respect to their length and depth by the frame-like structure of the device. A further drawback is the fact that during the treatment process, the carrier device is immersed in the treating product together with the workpieces. The workpieces being treated can neither be tilted nor dragged because of the frame-like structure of the device. Furthermore, it is not possible to pick up an individual workpiece, which is essential when a workpiece needs to be moved. Finally, no torque exists so that the hooks may rotate themselves out of a suspended workpiece or receive such a workpiece. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention is a device of the type specified above designed so that the first loading of the component carrier system and the subsequent removal of components from that system can be carried out by hand or automatically, horizontally or vertically by simple means. The invention is further designed so that the conveyor system can be intermediately stored in a locked manner in serviceable high-rack warehouses or in mechanized feeding or unloading systems. The pallets may be any desired length, and are locked in position and secured against rotation in the course of loading and unloading operations. 
     The invention provides for a crossbeam comprising two oppositely arranged, inwardly directed bars for receiving the load of the device when the device is hung or picked up by grippers. These bars are located above the crossbeam. Elements for introducing a torque in the course of handling the components are arranged on the racks. The racks also have connecting surfaces on their front and back sides where the rack meets and is positioned flush against neighboring racks. The racks comprise hooks, clamps, fastening points or fastening rails located on their undersides and on secondary surfaces. Finally, the racks comprise support surfaces that support boxes or conveyor systems. The support surfaces are located laterally on the outside of the rack. They oppose each other and are directed downwards. 
     Side blocks are joined to the ends of the crossbeams and the inwardly directed bars are disposed above the side blocks. Shaft elements extend out from the outer surface of each side block allowing the crossbeam to rotate around its longitudinal axis when not joined to other racks. The side blocks further comprise joining elements, specifically pins and receiving holes that join neighboring racks. The pins have conical tips and a step where the cylinder shape of the pin ends and the conical tip begins. 
     The joining elements may also be fashioned as flat disk shaped elements. A safety bar is disposed at tip of the flat disk and a U-shaped spacer may be attached to the disk if greater space is needed between racks when they are joined. 
     The side blocks may be constructed from two L-shaped girders. When positioned rectangularly a stacker pocket is created within the side block. In order to join the racks with this side block construction a guiding means receiving channel is formed on the outer surface of the side block and allows for joining of the racks by means of ropes, chains, wires and rods. A side shaft with a collar also extends laterally outward from the side block. 
     The side block may have a Z-shaped cross section. The crossbeam is connected to the vertical leg of the side block. A lateral arm projects laterally outward from the upper horizontal leg and behind the rack. A vertical plug bolt projects downward from the arm. The plug bolt engages a sleeve of a neighboring rack. The sleeves are attached to the lower horizontal leg of the side block. The lateral arm may also be arranged on the vertical leg of the side block, in which case a shortened plug bolt and a shortened sleeve are used. 
     The side block may also have an L-shaped cross section. The crossbeam is secured on the vertical leg and a transverse pin is disposed between the horizontal leg and the crossbeam. An opening is formed between the legs, transverse pin and crossbeam and a safety shaft extends therethrough to join a series of racks. 
     The side block may also be a round tube. The crossbeam is secured on the bottom half of the tube and a flat element is attached to the top of the tube so that it extends laterally inward. This flat element acts as the inwardly directed bar. A safety shaft may also extend through a series of racks through the round tube. 
     Hooks are connected to the crossbeam to suspend the manufacturing components. The hooks may attach to the crossbeam through holes in a perforated raster, or a groove in the crossbeam. 
     Finally, the crossbeam may be designed in the form of an I-shaped girder. Inwardly directed bows are attached on top of each lateral end of the girder and outwardly projecting bolts are mounted on the bows to permit rotation of the girder. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, which disclose at least one embodiment of the present invention. It should be understood, however, that the drawings are designed for the purpose of illustration only and not as a definition of the limits of the invention. 
     In the drawings, wherein similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views: 
     FIG. 1 shows a plane view of a first embodiment of the rack. 
     FIG. 2 shows a section according to line A—A in FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3 is a plan view of FIG. 1 
     FIG. 4 is a plan view of two racks joined with each other for conveyance as a block of racks. 
     FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of the side block of the device. 
     FIG. 6 shows a section according to line B—B in FIG.  5 . 
     FIG. 7 shows a section according to line C—C in FIG.  6 . 
     FIGS. 8 and 9 show a front and a side view respectively, of a spacer disk. 
     FIG. 10 shows a plan view of a second embodiment of the side block. 
     FIG. 11 is a plan view of the side block according to FIG. 10 with an adapter plate for a stacker. 
     FIG. 12 is a partial view of the device with a third embodiment of the side block. 
     FIG. 13 shows a section according to line D—D in FIG.  12 . 
     FIG. 14 is a plan view of FIG.  12 . 
     FIG. 15 is a plan view of the device with side blocks according to FIG. 12 joined for conveyance as a block. 
     FIG. 16 is a partial view of the device with a fourth embodiment of the side block. 
     FIG. 17 shows a section according to line E—E in FIG.  16 . 
     FIG. 18 is a plan view of FIG.  16 . 
     FIG. 19 is a plan view of the side blocks according to FIG. 16 joined for conveyed as a block. 
     FIG. 20 is a partial view of the device with a fifth embodiment of the side block. 
     FIG. 21 shows a section according to line F—F in FIG.  20 . 
     FIG. 22 is a plan view of FIG.  20 . 
     FIG. 23 is a plan view of the side blocks according to FIG. 20 joined for conveyance as a block. 
     FIG. 24 is a partial view of the device with a sixth embodiment of the side block. 
     FIG. 25 is a section according to line G—G in FIG.  24 . 
     FIG. 26 is a plan view of FIG.  24 . 
     FIG. 27 is a plan view of the side blocks according to FIG. 24 joined for conveyance as a block. 
     FIG. 28 is a partial view of the device with a seventh embodiment of the side block. 
     FIG. 29 is a section according to line H—H in FIG.  28 . 
     FIG. 30 is a plan view of FIG.  28 . 
     FIG. 31 is a plan view of the side blocks according to FIG. 28 joined for conveyance as a block. 
     FIG. 32 shows a crossbow with a side block. 
     FIG. 33 is a section according to line J—J in FIG.  32 . 
     FIG. 34 is a side view of a block with an insertion rail linked to it. 
     FIGS. 35 and 36 show a hook element by a plan view and a side view, respectively. 
     FIGS. 37 and 38 show a crossbeam with an inserted groove keystone for the hooks according to FIGS. 35 and 36. 
     FIG. 39 shows a side view of a crossbeam in the form of an I-shaped girder. 
     FIG. 40 is a plan view of the embodiment according to FIG.  39 . 
     FIG. 41 is a side view of the embodiment according to FIG. 39 joined for conveyance as a block. 
     FIGS. 42 and 43 show embodiments of the hooks for mounting on a crossbeam according to FIGS. 39 and 40; and 
     FIGS. 44 and 45 show the embodiment according to FIGS. 39 and 40 operating on a roller transport system. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
     FIGS. 1 to  3  show a first embodiment for forming a rack  1  on which individual manufacturing components can be suspended in order to palletize crossbeams in such places as high-shelf warehouses. This is accomplished by engaging both sides of a crossbeam  9  with the inside of side blocks  6 . This engagement by crossbeam  9  allows pallets to be safely received so that the pallet cannot turn itself out and detach itself. Rack  1  comprises two square stone-like side blocks  6 , whereby crossbeam  9  is arranged on side blocks  6  by a shaft element  38  disposed on the inside of side blocks  6 . Hooks  4  are attached to crossbeam  9  and spaced from each other. The manufacturing components are suspended from hooks  4 . Crossbeam  9  may be designed in the form of a solid shaft or as a tube. 
     A total length “Lt” of crossbeam  9  preferably amounts to 800 mm or 1200 mm or 2400 mm. “Ht” denotes the height of crossbeam  9 . Furthermore, “Bt” denotes the width of crossbeam  9 , and “Bb” denotes the width and “Lb” the length of side block  6 . “Hb” is the height of side block  6 . “Rh” is the spacing between hooks  4 . 
     Pins  14  are disposed on the front of side blocks  6  that are inserted into receiving holes  16  in order to join neighboring racks. Pins  14  are cylindrical and have conical tips  17  with a step  18  to lock pins  14  in place. 
     When two racks  1  are joined for conveyance as a block, as shown in FIG. 4, it results in a regular spacing of “Rt” between racks  1 . 
     In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 to  7 , side block  6  has a rectangular passage in which a narrow rectangular pin  15  is secured. Rectangular pin  15 , which is made of flat iron, has a safety bar  21  on its tip  20 . U-shaped spacer disks  22 , having a clamping lug  28  on their openings, can be joined (FIGS. 8 and 9) in a self-clamping manner to rectangular pin  15 . “Ld” denotes the length of spacer element  22 . Shaft elements  29  are provided on the outside of side blocks  6  for rotating around the longitudinal axis of the traverse. 
     The embodiment of side block  6  shown in FIG. 10 is comprised of two L-shaped girders  32 , whereby horizontal legs  42  of girders  32  project sideways. Top girder  32  laterally forms a receiving groove  10  beneath the end of its horizontal leg  42 . Receiving groove  10  can be engaged by the tongues of an inside gripper  19 . The interior of side block  6  forms a stacker pocket  33 . A side shaft with a collar  35  is laterally mounted on the outside for swiveling the rack about crossbeam  9 . Crossbeam  9  can also be designed in the form of a solid shaft or tube omitting the side shaft or side shafts with the collar  35 . Furthermore, a side bar  41  is secured at the end of horizontal leg  42  of bottom girder  32 , on the outside of rack  1 . This creates a guiding means receiving channel  34  and a side support on which tensioning elements such as ropes, chains, wires and rods for rigging the first and the last crossbeams can be inserted. Top surface  40  of side block  6  can be designed as a customer-specific surface such as a surface for installing drilled holes, threads, eyes, pockets or the like. 
     Crossbeams  9 , conveyed as a connected block, can be secured in the gripper by inserting separate empty racks at the beginning and end of the rack block. Such empty racks provide for a widened horizontal leg  42  and are preferably engaged with gripper  19  in an interlocking manner. The effect of the interlocking manner can be improved by means of teeth located in the interlocking areas. 
     The embodiment according to FIG. 11 shows crossbeam  9  received with an adapter plate  43  for a stacker with a stacker pocket  44 . Adapter plate  43  can be frontally driven into receiving groove  10  of crossbeams  9 . However, the use of an inside gripper actuated hydraulically would be advantageous. It further shows conveyor chain support surfaces  26  on the bottom surface of side blocks  6 . 
     The embodiment of the device shown in FIGS. 12 to  15  comprises a side block with a Z-shaped cross section on both sides of crossbeam  9 . Z-shaped structure consists of a vertical leg  52 , an upper horizontal leg  59  directed inwards, and a lower horizontal leg  60  directed outwards. Crossbeam  9  is secured on vertical leg  52 . Furthermore, pins  48  are arranged on horizontal leg  60  in an offset manner, whereby pins  48  absorb the torque in the condition of conveyance as a connected block of joined racks (FIG.  42 ). The rigging for conveyance is accomplished with the help of a separate element that keeps the individual racks  1  together in a suitable manner. This can be accomplished with the help of rods, wires, chains, cables and the like. 
     In another embodiment shown in FIGS. 16 to  19 , side block  6 ″ is L-shaped and comprises a downwardly directed vertical leg  55  and an upper, inwardly directed horizontal leg  56 . Crossbeam  9  is secured at the bottom of the vertical leg  55  and a transverse pin  47  is arranged parallel to vertical leg  55  and extends between horizontal leg  56  and crossbeam  9 . 
     A safety shaft  46  can be plugged through an opening  54  formed by crossbeam  9 , transverse pin  47 , vertical leg  55 , and horizontal leg  56 . Safety shaft  46  is plugged in the direction of conveyance  53  for racks  1 , which are resting against one another as a block for conveyance (FIG.  19 ). Safety shaft  46  comprises a head  51  and an end disk  49  with a safety pin  50  for securing it. Safety shaft  46  absorbs the torque in that it serves as a support for the torque, as a rigging element, and secures individual racks  1  against unintentional detachment. 
     FIGS. 20 to  22  show another variation of side block  6  on rack  1 , whereby side block  6 ′″ comprises a round tube  57  on top of which a horizontally extending flat element  58  is welded. Flat elements  58  bear the load of the rack when grippers are used. Crossbeam  9  is secured on an outer surface of round tube  57 . Safety shaft  46  extends through the bore of round tube  57 . Round tube  57  may be provided with drilled drain holes for draining acid. Furthermore, flat element  58  may be omitted if an external gripper is employed for the pick-up. 
     FIG. 23 shows side blocks  6 ′″ joined as a block of racks for conveyance, whereby a screwed joint may be used for modifying safety shaft  46 . 
     In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 24 to  31 , longitudinal locking, transverse locking and absorption of torque is simultaneously made possible by vertical plugging, so that no later securing of the crossbeams is required. 
     The embodiment of the device shown in FIGS. 24 through 27 comprises a side block  6 ′ with a Z-shaped cross section. The Z-shaped structure is comprised of a vertical leg  52 , an upper inwardly directed horizontal leg  59 , and an outwardly directed, lower horizontal leg  60 . Crossbeam  9  is secured on the inside of vertical leg  52 . 
     Upper horizontal leg  59  is adjoined to an arm  61  which is directed laterally away from side block  6 ′, whereby a vertical plug bolt  62  is mounted on its end. A vertically aligned sleeve  63  is arranged on lower horizontal leg  60  of side block  6 ′. 
     With racks  1  conveyed as a block (FIG.  27 ), plug bolt  62  of one rack is plugged into the corresponding sleeve  63  of a trailing rack  1 , so that individual crossbeams  9  are locked with each other by vertical plugging. 
     In another embodiment according to FIGS. 28 through 31, an additional plug bolt  65 , arranged on an arm  64 , is located near the lower end of a side strut  27 . A perforated disk  66  is arranged laterally on side strut  27  and the conveyance of racks  1  as a block engages the perforated disk  66  of a trailing or leading rack (FIG.  31 ). 
     Arm  61 ′ is mounted on vertical leg  52  of side block  6 ′ and vertical plug bolt  62 ′ is shortened. A correspondingly shortened sleeve  63 ′ is mounted on lower horizontal leg  60  of side block  6 ′. In said embodiment, locking takes place both in the area of the side blocks  6 ′ and the area of the ends of the hooks. 
     In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 32 and 33, a suspension bar  2  is mounted on the underside of crossbeam  9 . Provision is made for holes or eyes  3  in suspension bar  2 . Hooks  4  can be suspended free of locking in a hole or eye  3 . Such an embodiment can be used for suspending wire hooks, whereby the manufacturing components can be tied to or directly suspended in the hooks. It is also possible to use holes  3  shaped in other forms, for example in the form of a keyhole for a lock, or to employ other fastening and clamping mechanisms. The fastening can be accomplished in a smooth or rigid rotational manner. 
     In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 34 to  38 , provision is made on the underside of crossbeam  9  for a T-shaped groove  5  into which hook  4 , shaped on its upper end in the form of a groove stone  7 , can be pushed, as particularly shown in FIG.  38 . 
     The embodiment shown in FIGS. 39 to  45  shows a crossbeam  9 ′ that is designed in the form of an I-shaped traverse comprising an inside receiving element  8  located on the top-side of crossbeam  9 ′. A shaft element  10  is located laterally of inside receiving element  8 . A T-shaped rail  11 , onto which the correspondingly shaped hooks  4  (FIGS.  42  and  43 ) can be pushed, is located on the bottom side of crossbeam  9 ′. Hooks  4  are provided for that purpose with corresponding receiving element  12 . 
     FIG. 41 shows two crossbeams  9 ′, which are conveyed resting flatly against each other. Crossbeams  9 ′ can be secured for their transport, for example by means of a clamping device. Crossbeams  9 ′ in the form of I-shaped transverse girders can be transported on a roller transport system as the one shown in FIGS. 44 and 45. 
     Accordingly, while at least one embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described, it is to be understood that many changes and modifications may be made thereunto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.