Field of the Invention

[0001 ] The present invention generally finds application in the field of handling and conveyor systems, and particularly relates to a conveyor device for loading and unloading goods and/or baggage on carts.

Background art

[0002] Automatic conveyors are known to be used for handling a plurality of items from a loading area to an unloading area.

[0003] Particularly, such automatic conveyors are frequently used in harbor, airport and railway stations to promote transfer of passengers' baggage from the cargo hold of a ship, a plane or a train to a sorting area or vice versa.

[0004] Furthermore, for optimized transshipment and loading/unloading in cargo holds, carts are often used for temporary storage of a plurality of baggage items to be handled.

[0005] Typically, carts comprise a metal frame having a support base with lateral retaining walls extending therefrom to define a collection compartment for the goods and baggage to be carried.

[0006] Furthermore, carts comprise pairs of wheels, generally idle wheels, connected to the bottom wall of the base, for easier manual displacement thereof by a user.

[0007] In order to make transfer and sorting operations faster, automatic conveyor devices are known, which can handle one or more carts containing goods, suitcases and/or baggage.

[0008] There is known a conveyor device for loading and unloading goods and/or baggage on carts, as defined in the preamble of claim 1 , of the type comprising a self-propelled main frame defining a longitudinal axis, a support platform for the carts, which is associated with said frame and has longitudinal end portions designed to be placed level with a loading platform and an unloading platform, which are arranged at equal or different heights, drive means for driving the carts along said support platform between said end portions.

[0009] Particularly, the support platform is generally composed of a plurality of mutually hinged segments, which are adapted to support an annular conveyor belt extending all along the platform.

[0010] Particularly, the segments are articulated on horizontal axes, to allow the support platform to fit the heights of the loading and unloading platforms.

[0011] Furthermore, the support platform comprises a pair of end segments, which are designed to contact the loading and unloading platform.

[0012] The conveyor belt is placed at a height from the support platform that is greater than the distance of the cart base from the ground, for engagement of the cart at its bottom wall.

[0013] As the bottom wall of the cart base lies on the conveyor belt, the cart may be moved between the end segments in a raised position, and the wheels are prevented from contacting the support platform.

[0014] A first drawback of this known solution is that the raised position of the carts may reduce stability thereof during movement of the belt.

[0015] This is because, as the cart moves between two adjacent segments of the support platform, it may bounce, thereby possibly causing unbalances in baggage weight or even the fall of the cart.

[0016] A further drawback is that the reduced stability of the carts during movement of the belt may cause one or more baggage items to fall, thereby affecting safety of people and things near the conveyor.

[0017] A further drawback is that the conveyor may promote handling of a limited number of carts of a given type, and not all the types of carts.

[0018] This is because stable engagement of the belt with the bottom surface of the cart requires the latter to have a substantially flat and horizontal base, and prevents the use of carts having bottom walls of different geometries, such as concave, convex or tapered geometries.

[0019] Also, a further drawback of this solution is that the construction of the support platform is particularly complex and expensive.

[0020] This platform shall comprise a pair of appropriately shaped grooves at the sides of the conveyor belt for free passage of the cart wheels during movement of the belt.

[0021 ] Another serious drawback of this arrangement in that, due to its frictional engagement with the bottom surface of the cart, the sliding belt has a shorter life, and requires periodic replacement or maintenance.

[0022] US4, 518,072 discloses a conveyor device for loading and unloading carts containing goods and/or baggage, which comprises all the technical features of the preamble of claim 1 .

[0023] Nevertheless, this device is particularly complex and can only carry three-wheeled carts.

Disclosure of the invention

[0024] The object of the present invention is to obviate the above drawbacks, by providing a conveyor device for loading and unloading goods and/or baggage that is highly efficient and relatively cost-effective.

[0025] A particular object of the present invention is to provide a conveyor device for loading and unloading goods and/or baggage on carts that may handle carts between a loading area and an unloading area in a particularly reliable and safe manner.

[0026] Another object of the present invention is to provide a conveyor device for loading and unloading goods and/or baggage that affords a high degree of safety during use.

[0027] A further object of the present invention is to provide a conveyor device for loading and unloading goods and/or baggage that allows the use of a variety of cart types.

[0028] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a conveyor device for loading and unloading goods and/or baggage that can be easily assembled and has relatively low manufacturing costs.

[0029] Another important object of the present invention is to provide a conveyor device for loading and unloading goods and/or baggage on carts that has lower periodic maintenance requirements.

[0030] These and other objects, as better explained hereafter, are fulfilled by a conveyor device for carts as defined in claim 1 .

[0031 ] With this configuration, the conveyor device is capable of transferring carts in a particularly stable and safe manner between different loading and unloading areas.

[0032] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are obtained in accordance with the dependent claims.

Brief description of the drawings

[0033] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become more apparent upon reading the detailed description of a preferred nonexclusive embodiment of a conveyor device for loading and unloading goods and/or baggage on carts, as described by way of example with the help of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conveyor device of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a lateral broken-away view of the conveyor device of Fig. 1 with a cart in a first operating position;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged lateral broken-away view of a first detail of Fig. 2; FIG. 4 is a lateral broken-away view of the conveyor device of Fig. 1 ; FIG. 5 is an enlarged lateral view of a second detail of Fig. 2;

FIG. 6 is a lateral broken-away view of the conveyor device of Fig. 1 , with a cart in a second operating position;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged lateral broken-away view of a third detail of Fig.

6;

FIG. 8 is a top view of the conveyor device of Fig. 1 ;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of a fourth detail of the conveyor device of

Fig. 8;

FIGS. 10 and 1 1 are lateral broken-away views of a portion of the conveyor device of Fig. 1 with a cart in third and fourth operating positions respectively;

FIG. 1 2 is a lateral broken-away view of the conveyor device of Fig. 1 , with a cart in a fifth operating position;

FIG. 1 3 is an enlarged lateral broken-away view of a fifth detail of Fig.

1 2;

FIG. 14 is a lateral broken-away view of the conveyor device of Fig. 1 , with a cart in a sixth operating position.

Detailed description of a preferred embodiment

[0034] The above mentioned figures show a loading/unloading conveyor device, generally designated by numeral 1 , for transferring goods and/or baggage B on carts C from a loading platform A to an unloading platform D, which are placed, for instance, in the cargo hold of a ship or a plane having a sorting area and vice versa.

[0035] As shown in the figures, the loading platform A may be at a height iA from the ground G and the unloading platform D may be at a height ho from the ground that is equal to or greater than the former.

[0036] Each cart C, of known type, may comprise a container V designed to accommodate baggage or suitcases B therein, and mounted on wheels R, particularly pairs of idle and longitudinally offset front R and rear R' wheels.

[0037] The conveyor device 1 basically comprises a main frame 2, preferably having a grid-like configuration, which defines a longitudinal axis L and is adapted to carry a support and sliding platform 3 for the carts C.

[0038] The support platform 3 has longitudinal end portions 4, 5, which are designed to be placed at heights hi , h ₂ substantially corresponding to the heights h _A , h _D of the loading A and unloading D platforms.

[0039] Drive means, generally referenced 6, and described in further detail hereinafter, may be associated with the frame 2, to promote longitudinal displacement of the carts C along the support platform 3 between the end portions 4, 5.

[0040] Conveniently, the main frame 2 is adjustably mounted to a self- propelling load-bearing structure 7 having retractable wheels W and feet F for moving the device 1 on the ground and locking it in selected positions.

[0041 ] For this purpose, the frame 2 may be hinged to lateral supports 8 attached to the load-bearing frame 7 by substantially horizontal pins P. Furthermore, hydraulic, pneumatic or electric actuator means may be associated with the load-bearing structure 7, and act upon the frame 2 to change the tilt of the support surface 3, and adjust the relative positions of the end portions 4, 5.

[0042] According to a peculiar characteristic of the present invention, the support platform 3 has a pair of guide channels 9, 10 with respective flat bottom contact surfaces 1 1 , 1 2, which are designed to support and contact at least one pair R, R' of wheels of one or more carts C as they are moved forward between said end portions 4, 5.

[0043] As best shown in Figures 2, 3, near the end portion 4 facing the loading platform A, the flat bottom surfaces 1 1 , 1 2 of the guide channels 9, 1 0 will contact the pair of front wheels R of each cart C.

[0044] As best shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, at the middle portion 1 3 of the support platform 3, the flat bottom surfaces 1 1 , 1 2 of the guide channels 9, 1 0 will contact both the pair of front wheels R and the pair of rear wheels R' of each cart C, thereby improving stability of carts as they move longitudinally along the support platform 3.

[0045] Furthermore, the guide channels 9, 1 0 may comprise lateral retention means, generally referenced 14, for limiting lateral skidding of the cart C and oscillations thereof during its longitudinal feeding motion.

[0046] Thus, the conveyor device 1 will be able to allow high-safety feed of the cart C, as the latter will maintain high stability even when its center of mass is displaced due to a sudden movement of the baggage load B.

[0047] Referring back to the drive means 6, these may comprise at least one pair of substantially parallel annular chains 1 5, 1 6, having respective longitudinal sections 1 7, 1 8; 1 9, 20 extending between the end portions 4, 5, as seen in the sectional view of FIG. 4.

[0048] The chains 1 5, 1 6 may be driven into rotation by a gear motor unit 21 secured to the bottom part of the frame 2, as best shown in FIGS. 2 to 7.

[0049] Particularly, the gear motor unit 21 may comprise an electric motor 23 connected via a gear unit to a shaft upon which two ring gears 22 are mounted, one of them being only shown, which are designed to mesh with the lower sections 1 8, 20 of the chains 1 5, 1 6 for driving them at a controlled speed.

[0050] The electric motor 23 may be controlled to cause rotation of the ring gears 22 either in one direction of rotation, to cause one-way movement of the chain 15, or in opposite directions of rotation to cause two-way movement of the chain 1 5 along the longitudinal axis L.

[0051 ] The operation of the gear motor 21 may be controlled by appropriate control means, generally referenced 24 and stably secured to the load-bearing structure 7.

[0052] The drive means 6 may also comprise transverse connection members 25, as shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 9, having ends 26, 27 associated with respective chains 1 5, 1 6.

[0053] Conveniently, as best shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 9, the guide channels 9, 1 0 may be defined by a plurality of retention members 28 having a substantially U-shaped cross section, which are associated with the chains 1 5, 16 in longitudinally adjacent positions to define the lateral retention means 14 for the pairs R, FT of wheels of the cart C.

[0054] As best shown in FIG. 9, each of the retention members 28 may be secured to a respective mesh 29, 30 of the chains 1 5, 1 6 to radially project outwards.

[0055] Each retention member 28 may comprise a flat middle section 31 having a bottom surface 32 secured to a respective mesh 29, 30 of the chains 1 5, 1 6, and a top surface 33 coinciding with the contact surface 1 1 , 12 of the guide channels 9, 10.

[0056] The central section 31 will be joined at the ends to a pair of substantially flat lateral sections 34, 35 which radially project outwards to define the lateral retention means 14.

[0057] Conveniently, the drive means 6 may further comprise a plurality of drive members 36 inserted in the guide channels 9, 1 0 and each having an abutment surface 37, which is adapted to contact at least one wheel R, R' of each cart C for feeding it along the longitudinal axis L.

[0058] Particularly, the drive member 36 may have a substantially platelike shape and may radially project relative to the guide channels 9, 1 0.

[0059] The drive members 36 may be secured to a respective member 28 to move longitudinally at the same speed and in the same direction in the guide channels 9, 1 0.

[0060] Thus, as best shown in FIGS. 3, 6 and 1 2, the movement of the drive members 36 in the longitudinal direction will cause the wheels R, R' of the cart C to contact the abutment surface 37 such that they move without rotating.

[0061 ] FIGS. 12 and 1 3 show a cart in which the pair of rear wheels R' near the end portion 5 that faces the loading platform A contacts the bottom surfaces 1 1 , 1 2 of the guide channels 9, 1 0.

[0062] Conveniently, as best shown in the figures, the conveyor device 1 may comprise a pair of transfer extension 38, 39 of the cart C, which are associated with the respective end portions 4, 5 of the main frame 2.

[0063] Each of the extension 38, 39, at the leading and trailing ends respectively, may be designed to contact the loading platform A and the unloading platform D.

[0064] Particularly, each extension 38, 38 may comprise a secondary frame 40, 41 connected to the end portions 4, 5 of the main frame 2. Particularly, each secondary frame 40, 41 may comprise a first end 42, 43, which is hinged to the respective end portion 4, 5 of the main frame 2, and a second free end 44, 45 which is designed to contact the loading platform A or the unloading platform D.

[0065] Furthermore, each secondary frame 40, 41 may comprise a drive belt 46, 47, which is adapted to engage the bottom wall of the cart C to cause the latter to be transferred into or out of the support surface 3 of the main frame 2.

[0066] For example, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 1 2, the drive belt 46 of the leading appendage 38 may be designed to cause the cart C to be transferred from the loading platform A to the support platform 3.

[0067] Furthermore, as best shown in FIGS. 1 2 to 14, the drive belt 47 of the leading extension 39 may be designed to cause the cart C to be transferred from the loading platform A to the support platform 3.

[0068] Conveniently, the main frame 2 may comprise a pair of first footboards 48, 49 disposed at the sides of the support platform 3 and parallel thereto, for access of an operator to a cart C placed on the guide channels 9, 1 0.

[0069] Furthermore, each secondary frame 40, 41 of the extension 38, 38 may support a respective pair of second footboards 50, 51 ; 52, 53 disposed at the sides of the corresponding drive belt 46, 47 to allow an operator to move between the support platform 3 and the corresponding loading A and unloading D platforms.

[0070] According to an alternative configuration of the invention, not shown, the drive means 6 may comprise, for each guide channel 9, 1 0, a pair of transversely offset annular chains with longitudinal sections projecting out of the bottom surfaces 1 1 , 1 2 of a respective guide channel 9, 1 0, to define the lateral retention means 14. In this case, the bottom surfaces 1 1 , 1 2 of the guide channels 9, 1 0 will coincide with the support platform 3, and the drive means 6 may comprise cylindrical rollers withy ends connected to both chains of each pair.

[0071 ] The above disclosure clearly shows that the invention fulfills the intended objects, and particularly meets the requirement of providing a conveyor device for carts that allows particularly safe handling of one or more carts from a loading area to an unloading area in high-safety conditions.

[0072] The conveyor device of the invention is susceptible to a number of changes and variants, within the inventive concept disclosed in the appended claims. All the details thereof may be replaced by other technically equivalent parts, and the materials may vary depending on different needs, without departure from the scope of the invention. While the conveyor device has been described with particular reference to the accompanying figures, the numerals are only used for the sake of a better intelligibility of the invention and shall not be intended to limit the claimed scope in any manner.