Login| Sign Up| Help| Contact|

Patent Searching and Data


Title:
AUTOMATIC STACKING COLUMN FOR STORING AND TRANSPORTING ELEMENTS
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2015/092537
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
An automatic column (21) for storage and transportation of elements is disclosed, more particularly elements to be assembled in production lines of the automotive industry. The column comprises a set of loading blocks (3) for the elements to be handled, wherein each loading block, when one element is placed on it, causes the overlying block to be lowered in preparation to receive a subsequent element, at the same time clamping the loaded element between vibration dampening pads (31).

Inventors:
VIOLANTE ALBERTO (IT)
Application Number:
PCT/IB2014/002887
Publication Date:
June 25, 2015
Filing Date:
December 15, 2014
Export Citation:
Click for automatic bibliography generation   Help
Assignee:
FERRINOX AUTOMOTIVE SRO (SK)
International Classes:
B65G1/14
Domestic Patent References:
WO2011033337A12011-03-24
Foreign References:
DE202004007643U12004-07-29
DE3807663A11989-09-21
DE202004007643U12004-07-29
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
RICCARDI, Sergio (Via Macedonio Melloni 32, Milano, IT)
Download PDF:
Claims:
CLAIMS

1. An automatic stacking column for storing and transporting elements to be assembled, comprising a base, two standards, a cover and a set of loading blocks for the elements to be handled, said loading blocks being connected to one another forming a chain of interlocked links of the column, each link of the column consisting of a loading block comprising members for supporting and clamping the elements to be handled, said block being rotatably fixed to the column standards by means of pins rotating in side slots acting on the block of the subsequent link and connecting seats allowing to lower each block on the block of the preceding link, causing the element loaded on the preceding link to be clamped in the stored position, characterized in that the loading block consists of a C-bent channel sheet, the flanges of the channel block being provided with vibration damping pads supporting and clamping the elements loaded in the column, and a seat or blade pivoted to the sides of the channel sheet and the column standards, allowing the block to be moved between an unloaded position inside the column and a loading position protruding from the column.

2. The automatic stacking column of claim 1 , wherein the block for the first lowermost link of the column consists of an upset-L angle iron, provided with vibration damping pads only on its horizontal side, to support the first lowermost element to be handled.

3. The automatic stacking column of claim 1 , wherein above the uppermost link of the column, a locking system for all the loaded elements is provided, comprising a turning lever having vibration damping pads directed downwards, said lever being able to be turned from an out-of-alignment rest position to an operative position axially aligned with the loaded blocks and lowered on the uppermost block, to clamp the corresponding uppermost loaded element to be handled, by actuation of a control key of said locking system, said key operating automatically the system release when actuated in the opposite direction.

4. The automatic stacking column of the preceding claims, wherein the automatic rotation movement of the column links is controlled by a spring wound on said link rotating pins, said spring being in the release condition when the empty blocks are in a retracted position inside the column, and being loaded by the rotation of the pins to move the blocks in the loading position protruding from the column, said spring being released automatically with consequent return of the block inside the column, when the corresponding element to be handled is unloaded from the column.

5. The automatic stacking column of the preceding claims, wherein the loading operations of the elements to be handled starting from the column bottom and the unloading operations of the elements starting from the column top, cause the column links to be either locked or released, respectively, in a sequential automatic order of the column links following the link of the starting loading or unloading operation, at each subsequent loading or unloading operation of the element to be handled of the relevant column link.

AMENDED CLAIMS

received by the International Bureau on 09.04.2015

AMENDED CLAIMS

1. An automatic stacking column for storing and transporting elements to be assembled, comprising a base (21 A), two standards (21 ), a cover (9) and a set of loading blocks (3,4) for the elements to be handled, said loading blocks (3,4) being connected to one another forming a chain of interlocked links (T1-Tn) of the column, each link of the column consisting of a loading block comprising members for supporting and clamping the elements to be handled, said block being rotatably fixed to the column standards by means of pins (15) rotating in side slots (1 ) acting on the block of the subsequent link and connecting seats (20) allowing to lower each block on the block of the preceding link, causing the element loaded on the preceding link to be clamped in the stored position, characterized in that the loading block (3) consists of a C-bent channel sheet with an upper and a lower flange, the flanges of the loading block being provided with vibration damping pads (31) supporting and clamping the elements loaded in the column, and a seat or blade (20) pivoted to the sides of the channel sheet (3) and the column standards (21), allowing the block to be moved between an unloaded position inside the column and a loading position protruding from the column.

2. The automatic stacking column of claim 1 , wherein the block (4) for the first lowermost link (T1) of the column consists of an upset-L angle iron, provided with vibration damping pads (31) only on its horizontal side, to support the first lowermost element to be handled.

3. The automatic stacking column of claim 1 , wherein above the uppermost link (Tn) of the column, a locking system (2) for all the loaded elements is provided, comprising a turning lever having vibration damping pads (31 ) directed downwards, said lever being able to be turned from an out-of-alignment rest position to an operative position axially aligned with the loaded blocks and lowered on the uppermost block, to clamp the corresponding uppermost loaded element to be handled, by actuation of a control key (C) of said locking system, said key operating automatically the system release when actuated in the opposite direction.

4. The automatic stacking column of the preceding claims, wherein the automatic rotation movement of the column links (Tn) is controlled by a spring (14) wound on said link rotating pins (15), said spring (14) being in the release condition (26) when the empty blocks are in a retracted position inside the column, and being loaded by the rotation of the pins to move the blocks in the loading position (25) protruding from the column, said spring (14) being released automatically with consequent return of the block (3) inside the column, when the corresponding element to be handled is unloaded from the column.

5. The automatic stacking column of the preceding claims, wherein the loading operations of the elements to be handled starting from the column bottom (T1 ) and the unloading operations of the elements starting from the column top (Tn), cause the column links to be either locked or released, respectively, in a sequential automatic order of the column links following the link of the starting loading or unloading operation, at each subsequent loading or unloading operation of the element to be handled of the relevant column link.

Description:
"AUTOMATIC STACKING COLUMN FOR STORING

AND TRANSPORTING ELEMENTS"

The present invention relates to an automatic column for storing and transporting elements handled by a robot, that may be used even if the elements are loaded manually. These columns allow to handle, store and convey safely and efficiently various elements to be assembled in assembly lines of many industrial products and more particularly in the automotive industry. These columns are also used for transporting the elements between the plants of the suppliers and the factories of the final products, as well as for handling the elements inside the plants.

The presently used conventional columns can only support the elements, while additional systems are required to clamp safely the elements in order to avoid damages and/or breaking of the elements during transport. - These columns are generally designed to store and carry light sheets.

The automatic column of the present invention was designed to handle and carry heavy elements, such as glass of high commercial value, such as fixed or sliding glass roofs, ready to be assembled on the vehicles in the assembly line.

An example of an automatic column for transporting and handling heavy elements is disclosed in the German utility model DE 202004007643, illustrating a column comprising click levers blocking said heavy elements immediately on loading said element, said element comprising two separate members, the one over and the other under the element, which may be rotated independently, but this disclosure does not deal at all with the problems of storage space, blocking the subsequent elements and securing the elements against jolts.

The object of the invention is to provide for and automatic column having a self- locking click lever for heavy elements, allowing to support and lock the elements to be handled and transported and prevent jolts during the handling movements, wherein locking of each loaded element advantageously occurs when loading the subsequent element in the column stack. This system allows to reduce design time and eliminates additional protection devices inside the transport container, which were required to avoid breakings and/or damages of the transported elements.

Objects, advantages and features of the automatic column of the present invention will however appear clearly from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment, to be read with reference to the accompanying illustrative drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a general exploded view of the system;

Fig. 1 A is a top view of the assembled system;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the assembled system;

Fig. 2A is a side view of a portion of the column during storage of the elements;

Fig. 2B is a detailed view of the bottom portion of the column; and

Fig. 3 is a perspective view on an enlarged scale of the two lower end links of the column, with some detached members to display their function.

With reference now to the figures of the accompanying drawings and more particularly to Figure 1 , the components of the system will be listed, together with a short explanation of the function of each component.

1 - Slot for the movement of each column link, allowing the opening motion of the subsequent loading block;

2 - General view of the manual system to clamp all the elements, preventing their movement during transport or storage, turning the key C;

3 - General view of the loading block, characteristic feature of the system, holding the members designed to support and fasten the elements to be handled;

4 - General view of the special loading block for the first lower blade of the column;

5, 6 - Bolts for fastening to the column standards;

7 - Case clamping the rotation pins of the loading blocks;

8 - Case without bends;

9 - Column cover;

10 - Chute covering;

11 - Spacer;

12 - Self-locking hexagon nut;

13 - Flat end dowel;

14 - Spring for blade motion;

15 - Pin, four being provided for each loading block, allowing rotation of the system and fixing the block at the nominal point through the relevant holes in the column;

16 - Blind rivet; 17, 18 - Washers for nuts 12 and bolts 5, 6;

19 - Column chute;

20 - Connection seat for the loading blocks;

21- Column blank comprising base 21 A and shoulders 21.

Figure A is a top view of the column, while Figure 2 with its details 2A and 2B shows the column operation. Loading of the first element to be handled on the special block 4 (T1 ) at the column bottom causes the overlying loading block (T2) to lower and protrude, with the automatic clamping of the first element between the vibration damping pads 31 (see figure 3), and loading of the second element to be handled on the same block (T2), while at the same time the third loading block (T3) starts to protrude from shoulders 21 in preparation to receive the third element to be handled, and so on, until loading of elements is completed, and then turning key C of the manual system 2, all the loaded elements are locked,

Figure 3 is a view on an enlarged scale of the special loading block 4 for the first (bottom) position T1 of the column, and of an overlying normal loading block 3 for the subsequent positions T2, T3.... Tn. The loading block consists of an upset-L angle iron for the special lowermost block 4, and a C-bent channel sheet for the normal block 3. In this figure one can see the vibration damping pads 31 , fastened with bolts, nuts and washers to the flanges of the loading block and adapted to clamp the elements to be handled loaded in the column. In this figure it is also possible to see the operation of spring 14 moving the blade. When the loading block is in the retracted position inside the column, spring is in its released rest position 26; when pin 15 is rotated to bring the loading block in the loading position protruding from the column, spring is loaded into position 25, so that when the element to be handled is unloaded from the column, the spring will be released causing the loading block to return inside the column.

It has to be noted that the loading block and the relevant vibration damping pads have a specific configuration designed for meeting the configuration of the element to be handled, so that they may have different shapes according to the form of said element, without requiring however any modification of the here disclosed system. In addition the structural parts may have different dimensions and thickness to obtain different pitch, length or width from the dimensions illustrated in the drawings, according to use for which the staking column is being designed, without altering the technological and constructional concept of the components.

Although in the embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawings, assembly of the components is being carried out by means of bolts, screws and similar fastening means, so that the components may be easily replaced in case of wear, other fastening means might be provided as well, such as welding and like systems.