IT201900009537A1 - FRAME FOR THE LOGISTICS OF SHEET-SHAPED PRODUCTS - Google Patents

Description

Description of Patent for Industrial Invention entitled: "FRAME FOR LOGISTICS OF LASTRIFORMS".

DESCRIPTION

The present invention refers to a frame for the logistics of sheet-like products.

A sheet-like product is a product obtained following an industrial process and, specifically, it is a large-sized sheet.

At the end of the production process of plate-like products, particularly in the ceramic industry, it is planned to temporarily store the plate-like products on special frames, waiting to be packaged for placing on the market or to carry out further processing steps.

The storage of sheet-like products can be carried out in different ways and using different types of frames.

A first known type of frames for the logistics of sheet-like products, meaning with this term the set of operations necessary for the handling and support of the products themselves, provides for the use of a horizontal frame which defines a support surface having a horizontal development on which the sheet-like artifacts are stacked.

These types of horizontal frames can be placed on the ground or on relative shelves.

The horizontal frames can be moved both when they are unloaded, to easily reach the sheet-like products to be loaded, and when they are loaded, to move the sheet-like products where required.

A second type of frames for the logistics of sheet metal products includes a support frame comprising a plurality of shelves on which the sheet metal products are directly stacked on top of each other.

However, both types of known frames just described have drawbacks.

In the first place, the sheet-like products stored in this way can easily be damaged and / or deformed due to the weight of the overlying sheet-like products.

In fact, it is easy to understand how the sheet-like artifacts placed at the base of the pile are subjected to greater stress than those placed at the top.

Due to this stress, the sheet-like products can break and lead to the formation of irregular scales that can damage the overlying sheet-like products, for example by scratching or breaking them. In fact, the presence of flakes of material determines a non-linear and uniform distribution of the load which, in addition to the possible damage of overlying items, can cause the relative pile to become unbalanced and consequently fall of the sheet-like items that compose it.

These frames for the logistics of sheet metal products do not allow to handle and move the sheet metal products in an easy and safe way.

In particular, during the movement of the horizontal frame, it may happen that the sheet-like articles protrude from the perimeter of the frame itself, thus causing an effect of instability and the consequent risk of the relative articles falling to the ground.

Furthermore, by moving a stack of plate-like artifacts resting directly on a shelf in which the basic plate-like artifact has been damaged, the entire pile can fall to the ground.

In addition, these frames for the logistics of sheet metal products are often bulky and require a lot of space.

A third type of frame is known for the logistics of sheet metal products commonly known as the trestle frame.

The trestle frame has a substantially L-shaped conformation and provides a base element, on which the thicknesses of the sheet-like products rest, and a support element associated with the base element, extending vertically and which receives a face of the sheet-like product in support. .

However, the trestle frames have some drawbacks and, specifically, do not allow to support in a stable way the relative sheet-like products, which can therefore slide on the ground.

The main task of the present invention is to devise a frame for the logistics of sheet-like products which allows to limit the occurrence of damage to the ceramic products. Another task of the present invention is to devise a frame for the logistics of sheet-like products which allows to facilitate the loading and unloading operations of the sheet-like products on and from the frame itself, making them safer and easier.

Within this aim, an object of the present invention is to devise a frame for the logistics of sheet metal products that can be easily handled without compromising, during transport, the stability and integrity of the sheet metal products positioned on it.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a frame for the logistics of sheet-like products which allows to reduce the space required for the storage of the sheet-like products.

Another object of the present invention is to devise a frame for the logistics of sheet-like products that allows to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art within the context of a simple, rational, easy and effective use and low cost solution.

The objects set out above are achieved by the present frame for the logistics of sheet metal products having the characteristics of claim 1.

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more evident from the description of some preferred, but not exclusive, embodiments of a frame for the logistics of sheet-like products, illustrated by way of indication, but not of limitation, in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is an axonometric view of a frame according to the invention in a first embodiment;

Figure 2 is a side elevation view of the frame of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a rear elevation view of the frame of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is an axonometric view of a frame according to the invention in a second embodiment;

Figure 5 is a side elevation view of the frame of Figure 4.

With particular reference to these figures, the reference numeral 1 generally designates a frame for the logistics of sheet-like products.

The frame 1 is used to support at least one sheet-like product 2 both when it is allocated in a temporary storage area and during its movement towards further processing steps, if any. The sheet-like product 2 is a solid body having two main dimensions with respect to the third, the thickness, and comprising two substantially flat faces opposite each other.

For example, in the ceramic industry, the slab-like products 2 can have such dimensions that one of the sides can be up to three meters long.

The frame 1 comprises at least a support frame 3 of one or more sheet-like articles 2, provided with:

- at least one base element 4 suitable for receiving the thickness of the sheet-like product 2 in support; And

- at least one abutment element 5 extending transversely to the base element 4 and able to receive in support at least one face of the sheet-like product 2.

The support frame 3 comprises at the bottom a base 6 which has a substantially flat development and lies on a substantially horizontal plane.

Preferably, the base element 4 defines a substantially flat base surface arranged slightly inclined with respect to a horizontal plane.

Advantageously, the abutment element 5 also defines a substantially flat abutment surface arranged slightly inclined with respect to the vertical.

Conveniently, the base element 4 and the abutment element 5 are arranged in such a way that the base surface and the abutment surface define a substantially right angle to each other.

This arrangement of the base element 4 and the abutment element 5 means that the sheet-like product 2, when placed resting on the support frame 3, is arranged in a slightly inclined way with respect to a vertical axis, so as to limit the risk of tipping and sliding down.

According to the invention, the frame 1 comprises at least one fixed frame 7, anchored to the ground, and means 8 for the removable engagement of the support frame 3 to the fixed frame 7.

The removable engagement means 8 are adapted to allow the support frame 3 to slide with respect to the fixed frame 7 along a substantially horizontal sliding direction S and to prevent the support frame 3 from being raised with respect to the fixed frame 7.

Precisely, during the use of the frame 1 the support frame 3 can be alternatively allocated in a first configuration in which it is slidingly associated with the fixed frame 7 and in a second configuration in which it is instead disengaged from the fixed frame 7.

Preferably, the removable engagement means 8 comprise:

- guide means 9 associated with one of the fixed frame 7 and the supporting frame 3; And

- sliding means 10 associated with the other between the fixed frame 7 and the support frame 3, where the sliding means 10 can be removably engaged with the guide means 9.

In the particular embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3, the guide means 9 are associated with the fixed frame 7 and the sliding means 10 are associated with the support frame 3.

Specifically, the fixed frame 7 comprises a support element 11 which is fixed to the ground and the guide means 9 are fixed above the support element 11.

The guide means 9 comprise at least one pair of guide elements 12 substantially C-shaped, so as to define a relative housing seat 13 extending along the sliding direction S and arranged side by side.

In the particular embodiment shown in figures 1 to 3, each guide element 12 is, for example, of the type of a bar element fixed to the support element 11 and which extends along the sliding direction S.

Each guide element 12 comprises a lower wall, which has a substantially horizontal development and which is fixed to the support element 11, an upper wall having a substantially horizontal development and a lateral wall interposed between the lower part and the upper wall and having a substantially horizontal development. vertical.

Advantageously, the guide means 9 comprise:

- one end 14 accessible from the outside to allow the engagement / disengagement of the sliding means 10; and

- at least one contact element 15, opposite the accessible end 14, to define the end-of-stroke position of the sliding means 10 along the sliding direction S.

In particular, the accessible end 14 corresponds to an open end of the guide elements 12 and the contact element 15 is arranged along the housing seat 13 transversely to the sliding direction S. The contact element 15 is substantially a stop located in the opposite end with respect to the accessible end 14.

The sliding means 10 are fixed under the base 6.

Conveniently, the sliding means 10 comprise at least a pair of rolling elements 16 each of which can be inserted inside a relative housing seat 13.

The rolling elements 16 are, for example, of the type of wheels positioned under the base 6.

Precisely, the rolling elements 16 contact the lower wall and slide on it along the sliding direction S following the engagement of the support frame 3 with the fixed frame 7.

At the same time, the presence of the upper wall prevents the rolling elements 16 from exiting the guide element 12 moving upwards. In this way, the support frame 3 can slide with respect to the fixed frame 7 without being raised upwards.

Particularly, the rolling elements 16 enter inside the relative housing seats 13 passing through the accessible end 14 and slide along the housing seat itself until they contact the contact element 15.

Conveniently, the frame 1 comprises means 17 for locking the support frame 3 with respect to the fixed frame 7 along the sliding direction S. More in detail, the locking means 17 comprise at least one locking element 18 associated with the supporting frame 3 and which can be inserted inside at least one abutment seat 19 associated with the fixed frame 7. It is not excluded, however, that the abutment seat 19 is obtained on the ground. Conveniently, the locking element 18 and the abutment seat 19 are aligned with each other when the support frame 3 reaches the end position defined by the contact element 15.

The locking element 18 is, for example, of the type of a pin which is slidingly associated with the base 6 along a substantially vertical direction.

The locking element 18 can be moved between a locking position, in which it is inserted inside the abutment seat 19, and a release position, in which it is disengaged from the abutment seat 19.

Specifically, the locking element 18 is lowered until it enters the abutment seat 19 to lock the support frame 3 with respect to the fixed frame 7 or it is raised until it comes out of the abutment seat 19 to allow the support frame to slide 3 with respect to the fixed frame 7 along the sliding direction S.

Conveniently, the support frame 3 comprises gripping means 20 which can be engaged to allow it to be lifted and moved when disengaged from the fixed frame 7.

The movement of the support frame 3 can be performed by means of suitable handling machines (i.e. forklifts, transpallets or the like) which grip the support frame 3 by engaging with the gripping means 20. The gripping means 20 comprise at least one insertion compartment 21 associated with at least one of the base element 4 and the abutment element 5.

In the particular embodiment shown in figures 1 to 3, the gripping means 20 are associated under the base element 4 and comprise a pair of insertion compartments 21 having an elongated shape.

When the support frame 3 is engaged with the fixed frame 7, the insertion compartments 21 develop substantially parallel to the sliding direction S.

Conveniently, the insertion compartments 21 are positioned at a lower height than the height defined by the sliding means 10.

In other words, the lower edge of the insertion compartments 21 is arranged at a lower level than the height of the rolling elements 16. In this way, when the supporting frame 3 is not engaged with the fixed frame 7, the insertion compartments 21 contact the ground and the rolling elements 16 are raised from the ground, thus avoiding the accidental starting of the support frame 3.

The insertion compartments 21 are able to detach from the ground following the engagement of the sliding means 10 with the guide means 9.

In this way, when the support frame 3 is engaged with the fixed frame 7 it can slide easily without the insertion compartments 21 sliding on the ground.

However, alternative embodiments are not excluded in which the gripping means 20 are associated with the abutment element 5 and, preferably, are positioned in the upper portion of the abutment element 5, thus allowing the movement of the support frame 3 by vertical lifting means such as, for example, cranes or overhead crane machines.

According to the invention, the frame 1 comprises means 22 for retaining the sheet-like product 2 associated with the supporting frame 3.

Specifically, the retaining means 22 comprise at least one retaining element 23 which can be moved between:

- at least one retention configuration in which it faces the abutment element 5;

- at least one release configuration in which it is moved away from the abutment element 5 with respect to the holding configuration, so as to allow the positioning / removal of the sheet-like product 2.

The handling of the holding element 23 can be carried out manually by an operator or it can be performed automatically.

Conveniently, when it is necessary to allocate the sheet-like product 2 on the support frame 3, the holding element 23 is positioned in the release configuration so as not to hinder the movement of the sheet-like product 2 and to allow it to rest on the base element 4 and to the abutment element 5.

Likewise, when the sheet-like product 2 is positioned on the support frame 3, the holding element 23 is positioned in the retaining configuration thus arranging itself in proximity to or resting on the sheet-like product 2.

In this way, the retaining element 23 is able to avoid the accidental fall of the sheet-like product 2.

In the particular embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3, the support frame 3 comprises a pin 24 which is inserted inside an elongated slot 25 defined on the retaining element 23. The retaining element 23 it can therefore slide with respect to the pin 24 along the longitudinal extension of the slot 25 and can rotate around the axis defined by the pin 24 to move from the holding configuration to the release configuration and vice versa.

More in detail, the holding element 23 is arranged substantially parallel to the base element 4 in the release configuration and is arranged transversely to it in the holding configuration. The inclination of the holding element 23 with respect to the abutment element 5 can therefore vary depending on the thickness of the row of sheet-like products 2.

In particular, the inclination of the holding element 23, in the holding configuration, with respect to the abutment element 5 varies according to the number and / or thickness of the sheet-like products 2. In other words, the inclination of the element with respect to the abutment element 5 decreases as the number and / or thickness of the sheet-like elements 2 increases.

However, alternative embodiments are not excluded in which the holding element 23 has a different conformation.

For example, the retaining element 23 can be hinged to the base element 4 and can slide inside an elongated slot element defined on the base element 4.

Furthermore, the retaining element 23 can be associated with the upper end of the abutment element 5 and be movable along a substantially vertical direction.

In this case, the abutment element 5 is lowered when it is positioned in the holding configuration and is raised to bring it into the release configuration.

Figures 4 and 5 show a second embodiment of the frame 1, in which components identical to the first embodiment are identified with the same aforementioned reference numbers.

In this second embodiment, the frame 1 comprises a pair of support frames 3 each provided:

- relative removable hooking means 26 to allow reciprocal connection; And

- relative sliding means 10 engageable with the fixed frame 7. Preferably. the coupling means 26 can be of the quick coupling or release type, for example by interlocking, or other means of a type known to those skilled in the art.

In the particular embodiment shown in figures 4 and 5 each support frame 3 comprises a pair of rolling elements 16, where these pairs of rolling elements 16 can be inserted in sequence inside the housing seat 13.

More particularly, the fixed frame 7 of figures 4 and 5 comprises a pair of guide elements 12 which differ from the guide elements 12 provided in the first embodiment only in terms of dimensions. In fact, the guide elements 12 provided in the second embodiment have a greater longitudinal development, so as to allow the engagement of both support frames 26 with the fixed frame 7. The operation of the frame according to the invention is substantially the following. Initially, the support frame 3 is approached to the fixed frame 7 and the rolling elements 16 cross the accessible ends 14 and slide inside the relative housing seats 13 along the sliding direction S until they contact the supporting elements. contact 15. Subsequently, the locking element 18 is inserted inside the abutment seat 19 thus locking the support frame 3 to the fixed frame 7.

Subsequently, the holding element 23 is positioned in the release configuration and the sheet-like product 2 is allocated on the support frame 3 so that its thickness contacts the base element 4 and one of its faces abuts the element feedback 5.

It is possible to proceed with the loading of a plurality of sheet-like manufactured articles 2 which are mutually approached to form a row.

Subsequently, the holding element 23 is positioned in the holding configuration.

When needed, the support frame 3 can be disengaged from the fixed frame 7 by first extracting the locking element 18 from the abutment seat 19 and sliding the rolling elements 16 from the contact elements 15 towards the accessible ends. 14 until they have again crossed the accessible ends themselves.

In practice it has been found that the described invention achieves the intended aim and objects.

In particular, it is emphasized that the frame allows to limit the occurrence of damage to the ceramic products. In fact, the support frame can be fixed to the fixed frame and subsequently loaded with the sheet-like products, thus avoiding the occurrence of phenomena of load instability.

Furthermore, the presence of the retaining means allows to stabilize the sheet-like articles on the support frame, limiting any oscillations that may cause them to fall.

Moreover, thanks to what has just been described, the frame according to the invention allows the ceramic articles to be loaded onto the support frame and unloaded in a safe and easy manner, limiting any phenomena of load instability.

Claims (12)

CLAIMS 1) Frame (1) for the logistics of sheet-like products comprising at least one support frame (3) of at least one sheet-like product (2) and comprising: - at least one base element (4) adapted to receive the thickness of said sheet-like product (2) in support; And - at least one abutment element (5) extending transversely to said base element (4) and able to receive in support at least one face of said sheet-like product (2); characterized by the fact of understanding: - at least one fixed frame (7), anchored to the ground; - removable engagement means (8) of said support frame (3) to said fixed frame (7), where said removable engagement means (8) are adapted to allow the sliding of said support frame (3) with respect to said fixed frame (7) along a substantially horizontal sliding direction (S) and to prevent the lifting of said support frame (3) with respect to said fixed frame (7); and from the fact of understanding - retaining means (22) of said sheet-like product (2) associated with said support frame (3) and comprising at least one retaining element (23) movable between: - at least one holding configuration in which it faces said abutment element (5); - at least one release configuration in which it is moved away from said abutment element (5) with respect to said retention configuration, so as to allow the positioning / removal of said sheet-like product (2). 2) Frame (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said removable engagement means (8) comprise: - guide means (9) associated with one of said fixed frame (7) and said support frame (3); And - sliding means (10) associated with the other between said fixed frame (7) and said support frame (3), said sliding means (10) being removably engageable with said guide means (9). 3) Frame (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that said guide means (9) are associated with said fixed frame (7) and said sliding means (10) are associated with said support frame (3). 4) Frame (1) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: - said guide means (9) comprise at least a pair of guide elements (12) substantially C-shaped, so as to define a relative housing seat (13) extending along said sliding direction (S) and arranged side by side; And - said sliding means (10) comprise at least a pair of rolling elements (16) that can each be inserted inside a relative housing seat (13). 5) Frame (1) according to one or more of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that said guide means (9) comprise: - one end accessible (14) from the outside to allow the engagement / disengagement of said sliding means (10); and - at least one contact element (15), opposed to said accessible end (14), to define the end-of-stroke position of said sliding means (10) along said sliding direction (S). 6) Frame (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that said accessible end (14) corresponds to an open end of said guide elements (12) and that said contact element (15) is arranged along said seat housing (13), transversely to said sliding direction (S). 7) Frame (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises locking means (17) of said support frame (3) with respect to said fixed frame (7) along said sliding direction (S). 8) Frame (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that said locking means (17) comprise at least one locking element (18) associated with said support frame (3) and insertable in at least one abutment seat (19) ) associated with said fixed frame (7). 9) Frame (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said support frame (3) comprises at least one pin (24) which is inserted inside at least one slot (25) of elongated shape defined on said retaining element (23), said retaining element (23) being sliding with respect to said pin (24) along the longitudinal development of said slot (25) and being rotatable around the axis of said pin (24) to moving from said holding configuration to said release configuration and vice versa. 10) Frame (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said support frame (3) comprises gripping means (20) which can be engaged to allow its lifting and handling when disengaged from said fixed frame (7). 11) Frame (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that said gripping means (20) comprise at least one insertion compartment (21) associated with at least one of said base element (4) and said abutment element (5 ) and positioned at a lower height than the height defined by said sliding means (10), said insertion compartment (21) being able to detach itself from the ground following the engagement of said sliding means (10) with said guide means (9). 12) Frame (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims characterized in that it comprises a pair of said support frames (26) each provided: - relative removable hooking means (26) to allow reciprocal connection; And - relative said sliding means (10) engageable with said fixed frame (7).