Material or article handling – Self-loading or unloading vehicles – Conveyor
Patent
1993-12-06
1996-06-11
Werner, Frank E.
Material or article handling
Self-loading or unloading vehicles
Conveyor
414507, 414539, 414222, 414273, 198574, 198782, 1983451, 198791, 901 47, 180167, B65G 104
Patent
active
055250254
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This application is a 371 of PCT/EP92/00782 filed Apr. 3, 1992, now Patent No. WO 92/68399.
Particularly in factory areas in which objects such as holders with components for assembly and the like are transported between different stations by often unmanned vehicles, a need has made itself felt for freely disposable so-called passive loading/unloading stations where objects can be loaded and unloaded without the stations having to be provided with an electricity supply. Conditions in such spaces are in any case subject to change.
The present invention provides an apparatus for loading/unloading one or more objects, comprising: loading/unloading station; wherein the pick-up member is provided with one or more driven roller elements which are arranged close to an end of the pick-up member and which engage onto the objects and which transfer the objects respectively to and from the loading/unloading station and from and to the pick-up member.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,750,804 shows a warehouse system comprising a storage rack and a stacker crane. Loads on the storage rack are conveyed to a transfer mechanism which is operated electrically. The weight of a load is used for transferring it to the crane. The storage rack is therefore not a completely passive station and the crane is not actively picking up a load from the rack.
With the apparatus according to the present invention it is possible to load and unload objects from the above mentioned passive stations while the apparatus is also usable when loading and unloading objects to and from active loading stations or roller conveyors such as for example those provided with driven rollers which are mutually connected.
The pick-up member is preferably arranged on a single--i.e. non-telescopic--carriage. Because a driven roller is arranged on the end of the pick-up member, an object is transported by this roller onto the carriage and the carriage does not have to be placed accurately positioned as a whole under such an object or article.
The loading/unloading apparatus is preferably provided with an electric motor driven via a transmission mechanism, which transmission mechanism is available for example under the name Roh'lix.RTM.. The transmission mechanism enables a compact embodiment of the moving means while there is no need to fear damage to the electric motor since the smooth shaft can practically never jam.
The roller element is preferably a continuous roller in which an electric motor is received which further enables compact construction of the apparatus according to the present invention.
During loading/unloading an object is preferably slightly lifted relative to the loading/unloading station by the driven roller. By for example driving the roller during movement of the moving means the driven roller presses itself under the object, wherein the object is lifted. The object is then pulled "on board" by the movement of the driven roller.
The present invention further provides a vehicle with an apparatus according to the present invention.
The present invention also provides a loading/unloading station which can be utilized well in combination with the apparatus and/or vehicle of the present invention while this loading/unloading station requires no electricity supply.
Further advantages, features and details of the present invention will become apparent in the light of the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof with reference to the following figures, in which:
FIG. 1A-1E show side views in schematic form of an apparatus according to the present invention during unloading of an object;
FIG. 2A-2E show side views in schematic form of loading of an object on a preferred embodiment of FIG. 1A-1E;
FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a vehicle provided with a preferred embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention;
FIG. 4 shows a partially broken away perspective view of a detail of FIG. 3; and
FIG. 5 is a view in perspective of a vehicle provided with a loading/unloading apparatus according to the present invention in co-action with a
REFERENCES:
patent: 3370727 (1968-02-01), Shaw
patent: 3374878 (1968-03-01), Kornylak
patent: 3750804 (1973-07-01), Lemelson
patent: 4492504 (1985-01-01), Hainsworth
patent: 4566837 (1986-01-01), Shiomi et al.
patent: 4657463 (1987-04-01), Pipes
patent: 4679149 (1987-07-01), Merz
patent: 4679977 (1987-07-01), Minami
Patent Abstracts of Japan--vol. 9, No. 245 (M-418) (1968) 2 Oct. 1985 & JP,A,60 097 113 (Daifuku Kiko K.K.) 30 May 1985.
Mol Vincent J.
Ootmar Ten Cate Jan
Industrial Contractors Holland B.V.
Werner Frank E.
LandOfFree
Loading/unloading apparatus on a vehicle and method therefor does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Loading/unloading apparatus on a vehicle and method therefor, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Loading/unloading apparatus on a vehicle and method therefor will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-349287