FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the technical sector concerning a transport and storing system of tiles, which can comprise a plurality of support structures of tiles, and a plurality of automatic guide vehicles (AGV) for raising, transporting or stacking support structures of tiles on one another.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Continuous production of large-format tiles is known, for example 1600 mm x 3200 mm, which tiles have to be stored in a warehouse; following this, the tiles are collected from the warehouse and possibly cut into smaller formats (e.g. 300mm x 300mm), packaged and dispatched.

This intermediate step of warehousing enables making the processes of tile production, done continuously, and packaging and dispatching, which depend on customers' requests, independent of one another. In greater detail, tiles that are produced continuously by the production line are progressively transferred onto a support structure of tiles, which is arranged in outlet from the production line.

A support structure of tiles (100) comprises (figure 1 ): a loading plane (101 ) for supporting a plurality of tiles (1 10), stacked on one another; and four uprights (102) which are fixed to the loading plane (101 ) for supporting, in turn, the loading plane (101 ).

Each upright (102) is provided with a first coupling profile (106) at a relative first end (107) and a second coupling profile (108) at a relative second end (109), opposite the relative first end (107). The first coupling profile (106) and the second coupling profile (108) are couplable to one another, so that it is possible to stack the support structure of tiles (100) on another support structure of tiles (120) (figure 2) of a stack of support structures of tiles (130), so that the second coupling profile (108) of each upright (102) of the support structure of tiles (100) engages with the first coupling profile (106) of a corresponding upright (102) of the other support structure of tiles (120).

The second coupling profile (108) can be a centring element (111 ) having a conical shape, while the first coupling profile (106) can be a centring seat (112) having a conical shape: in this way, when the support structure of tiles (100) is stacked on the other support structure of tiles (120), the centring elements (111 ) of the support structure of tiles (120) engage in the centring seats (112) of the support structure of tiles (100), with the consequence that the support structure of tiles (100) is centred with respect to the other support structure of tiles (120). In this way an error of positioning can be rectified (within a certain limit defined by the dimensions of the centring elements (111 ) and the centring seats (112)) of the support structure of tiles (100) on the other support structure of tiles (120) during the stacking operation.

The loading plane (101 ) is fixed to the plurality of uprights (102) in order to be interposed between the first coupling profile (106) and the second coupling profile (108) of each upright of the plurality of uprights (102).

Once the support structure of tiles (100) is located with tiles (110), it is transferred to the warehouse by means of an automatically-guided vehicle (AGV) (140) and stacked (in the above-described ways) on other support structures of tiles, also already loaded with tiles (110).

As is known, the automatically-guided vehicle (140) is able to carry a support structure of tiles (100) from one position to another, internally of a warehouse, with a high degree of precision, unless there is an error that is rectified, for example, during the stacking due to the presence of centring elements (111 ) and centring seats (112) as specified in the foregoing. The automatically-guided vehicle (140) can comprise: a main body (141 ); a projecting frame (142) which projects from the main body (141 ) and which in turn comprises a first arm (143) and a second arm (144), flanked and parallel to one another; a pair of forks (145) which are arranged between the first arm (143) and the second arm (144) and which are vertically mobile so as to raise or lower the support structure of tiles (100); a first rolling element (146), which is mounted idle on the first arm (143), for rolling on the floor surface; and a second rolling element (not illustrated), which is mounted idle on the second arm (144) for rolling on the floor surface.

The automatically-guided vehicle is configured in such a way that the first arm (143) and the second arm (144) can insert below the loading plane (101 ) of the support structure of tiles (100) when the support structure (2) is resting on the floor surface.

The following is an explanation of the functioning of the automatically-guided vehicle (140) for transporting a support structure of tiles (100) from the outlet from the production line on the top of a stack of other support structures of tiles (130) loaded with tiles (110).

The automatically-guided vehicle (140) nears the support structure of tiles (100) to be transported, with the pair of forks (145) which is in the relative lowered position, i.e. at a few centimetres from the floor surface, in such a way that the first arm (143) and the second arm (144) move below the loading plane (101 ) of the support structure of tiles (100) to be transported. Thereafter, the pair of forks (145) is activated to raise (a few centimetres from the floor surface are sufficient) the support structure of tiles (100) to be transported. Then the automatically-guided vehicle (140) moves, with the support structure of tiles (100) and the tiles (110) loaded thereon, towards a pre-selected stack of support structures of tiles (130), on which the support structure of tiles (100) will have to be released.

However, during the transport, vibrations and irregularities of the floor surface, such as humps or dips, can lead to relative displacements, even of a few centimetres' entity, of the support structure of tiles (100) with respect to the pair of forks (145): this relative displacement is not detected by the automatically-guided vehicle (140). As a consequence, it can occur that the automatically-guided vehicle (140) releases the support structure of tiles (100) in a staggered way with respect to the stack of support structures of tiles (130), with a positioning error so great as to be unable to be compensated for by the centring elements (111 ) and the centring seats (112): the consequences can be catastrophic as the support structure of tiles (100) might fall on the pre-existing stack of support structures of tiles (130), with the potential of damaging the support structures of tiles (100) of the stack (130) and the relative tiles (110) contained therein, and/or can fall onto the automatically-guided vehicle (140) itself, with the risk of injuring the persons who might be in the vicinity.

The only way to reduce the risk of an erroneous release of the support structure of tiles (100) on a stack of support structures of tiles (130) can be to move the automatically-guided vehicle (140) at a low speed during transport so as to reduce the possibility of shifting of the support structure of tiles (100) with respect to the pair of forks (145). That is however not an optimal solution, as it reduces but does not eliminate the probabilities of an erroneous release of the support structure of tiles (100) on other support structures of tiles of a stack (130), and also adds to transport times, which can require the use of a greater number of automatic guide vehicles (140) internally of a warehouse, with a consequent increase in costs.

Another partial remedy to the risk of an erroneous release of the support structure of tiles (100) on a stack of support structures of tiles (130) can be to provide the support structure of tiles (100) with fork seats (not illustrated) constituted by tubular elements or C-shaped elements: however, in this way only a relative displacement of the support structure of tiles (100) in a transversal direction is limited, but not in a longitudinal direction.

The above-described drawback emerges also when the automatically-guided vehicle (140) has to collect a support structure of tiles (100) from a support structures of tiles ( 30) and take it into a packaging station. In this case too, during transport the support structure of tiles (100) can move with respect to the pair of forks (145) in a predictable way and then be released at the packaging station in a position and with an orientation that are not correct, which can create issues related to the collection step of the tiles (110) arranged on the support structure of tiles (100) and the possible impeding of the packaging process.

In this case too, in order to reduce the risk of an erroneous release of the support structure of tiles (100) at the packaging station it is possible provide partial remedies as described in the foregoing, i.e. moving the automatically- guided vehicle (140) at a low speed during the transport and possibly providing the support structures of tiles (100) with fork seats.

Alternatively, the packaging station might be provided with a tv camera system for recognising the position and orientation of the support structure of tiles (100), as well as gripping means able to collect the tiles (110) even when they are not arranged and orientated in the predetermined way, which can require high costs and volumes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In the light of the above, the aim of the present invention consists in obviating the above-mentioned drawbacks.

The above aim is attained by a transport and storing system of tiles according to claim 1.

During transport the support structure of tiles can be supported by the raising elements and maintained centred, with respect to the automatically-guided vehicle, due to the coupling between centring elements and centring seats. In this way, vibrations and irregularities (humps, dips, etc.) of the floor surface advantageously cannot change, during transport, the relative position of the support structure of tiles with respect to the automatically-guided vehicle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Specific embodiments of the invention will be described in the following part of the present description, according to what is set down in the claims and with the aid of the accompanying tables of drawings, in which:

- figure 1 is a lateral view of a support structure of tiles of known type;

- figure 2 is a lateral view of a stack of support structures of tiles, formed by support structures of tiles of the type illustrated in figure 1 ;

- figures 3 and 4 respectively illustrate a view from above and a lateral view of an automatically-guided vehicle of known type; - -figure 5 is a view from above of an automatically-guided vehicle which is a part of a transport and storing system of tiles, object of the present invention, according to a first embodiment;

- figure 6 is a lateral view of the automatically-guided vehicle of figure 5 and of a stack of support structures of tiles, which are also part of the transport and storing system of tiles, according to the first embodiment, during a first collecting step of the support structure of tiles from the stack of tiles;

- figure 7 is a lateral view of the automatically-guided vehicle of figure 5 during a second collecting step of the support structure of tiles from the stack of tiles;

- figure 8 is a lateral view of the automatically-guided vehicle of figure 5 during a third collecting step of the support structure of tiles from the stack of tiles;

- figures 9-10 are lateral views, taken from opposite sides, of the automatically-guided vehicle of figure 5 during a fourth collecting step of the support structure of tiles from the stack of tiles;

- figure 11 is a front view of the automatically-guided vehicle of figure 5 during the fourth collecting step of the support structure of tiles from the stack of tiles;

- figure 12 is a lateral view of the automatically-guided vehicle of figure 5 and of a stack of support structures of tiles, which are also part of the transport and storing system of tiles, according to the first embodiment, during a first collecting step of the support structure of tiles from the stack of tiles from the floor surface;

- figure 13 is a lateral view of the automatically-guided vehicle of figure 5 during a second collecting step of the support structure of tiles from the stack of tiles from the floor surface;

- figure 14 is a view from above of an automatically-guided vehicle which is a part of a transport and storing system of tiles, object of the present invention, according to a second embodiment; - figure 15 is a view from above of an automatically-guided vehicle which is a part of a transport and storing system of tiles, object of the present invention, according to a third embodiment;

- figure 16 is a view from above of an automatically-guided vehicle which is a part of a transport and storing system of tiles, object of the present invention, according to a fourth embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to the appended tables of drawings, reference numeral (1 ) denotes in its entirety a transport and storing system of tiles, object of the present invention, comprising a support structure of tiles (2) and an automatically-guided vehicle (3).

A support structure of tiles (2) is configured for being raised, transported and stacked, and comprises: a loading plane (21 ) for supporting a plurality of tiles (22) stacked on one another and a plurality of uprights (23) for supporting the loading plane (21 ) (see figures 6-10, 12-13).

The automatically-guided vehicle (3) (also referred-to in the following as "AGV" (3)) comprises: a main body (31 ); a projecting frame (32) which extends from the main body (31 ); a pair of forks (33) which are flanked to the projecting frame (32) and which are vertically mobile so as to raise or lower the support structure of tiles (2) (see figures 6-10, 12-13).

The support structure of tiles (2) and the automatically-guided vehicle (3) are configured in such a way that: at least a part of the projecting frame (32) can insert below the loading plane (21 ) of the support structure of tiles (2) when the support structure (2) is resting on a floor surface.

Further, the support structure of tiles (2) comprises a first centring seating (24) and a second centring seating (25) (see figures 6-10).

The automatically-guided vehicle (3) further comprises a first raising element (34), a second raising element (35), a third raising element (36) and a fourth raising element (37).

The first raising element (34), the second raising element (35), the third raising element (36) and the fourth raising element (37) are mounted on-board the projecting frame (32) and are mobile vertically between a raised position (S) and a lowered position (A) (see figures 6-10 and 12-13).

At least two of the first raising element (34), the second raising element (35), the third raising element (36) and the fourth raising element (37) are shaped as a first centring element (38) and a second centring element (39) which are couplable respectively to the first centring seat (24) and the second centring seat (25) of the support structure of tiles (2) (see figures 5, 15 and 16).

The support structure of tiles (2) and the automatically-guided vehicle (3) are configured in such a way that:

when the support structure of tiles (2) is arranged on the floor surface and the at least a part of the projecting frame (32) is inserted below the loading plane (21 ) of the support structure of tiles (2) in a relative inserting position, then the activating of the first raising element (34), the second raising element (35), the third raising element (36) and the fourth raising element (37) towards the raised position (S) determines: the raising of the support structure of tiles (2) from the floor surface for the transport of the support structure of tiles (2); the coupling of the first centring element (38) with the first centring seat (24) and the coupling of the second centring element (39) with the second centring seat (25) with the consequent centring of the support structure of tiles (2) with respect to the automatically-guided vehicle (3);

when the support structure of tiles (2) is arranged on the pair of forks (33) of the automatically-guided vehicle (3) in a relative loading position, then the lowering of the pair of forks (33) and the activating of the first raising element (34), the second raising element (35), the third raising element (36) and the fourth raising element (37) towards the relative raised position (S) determines: the release of the support structure of tiles (2) on the first raising element (34), the second raising element (35), the third raising element (36) and the fourth raising element (37), with a consequent disengagement of the pair of forks (33); the coupling of the first centring element (38) with the first centring seat (24) and the coupling of the second centring element (39) with the second centring seat (25) with the consequent centring of the support structure of tiles (2) with respect to the automatically-guided vehicle (3).

In detail, the loading plane (21 ) of the support structure of tiles (2) can comprise an upper side (26) on which the plurality of tiles (22) is arranged resting, so that the tiles (22) are stacked on one another, and a lower side (27) at which the first centring seat (24) and the second centring seat (25) are arranged (see figures 6-7).

The projecting frame (32) can be part of the frame of the AGV (3).

The projecting frame (32) can have a substantially planar shape, in the sense that the relative thickness can be much smaller (at least five times, preferably at least ten times smaller) than the width and length of the projecting frame (32).

The projecting frame (32) can project from the lower portion of the main body (31 ) of the AGV (3), and can be, for example, between five and thirty centimetres from the floor surface.

The projecting frame (32) of the automatically-guided vehicle (3) preferably comprises a first arm (40) and a second arm (41 ) which are flanked to one another and which are flanked to the pair of forks (33); further, the first raising element (34) and the second raising element (35) are borne by the first arm (40) and the third raising element (36) and the fourth raising element (37) are borne by the second arm (41 ) (see figures 5, 15, 14 and 16).

This arrangement advantageously enables an excellent distribution of the weight of the support structure of tiles (2) on the projecting frame (32) and guarantees the stability of the support structure of the tiles (2) on-board the AGV (3) during transport.

The first arm (40) can have a free end; the second arm (41 ) can also have a free end. Alternatively the free end of the first arm (40) and the free end of the second arm (41 ) can be connected by a transversal element (not illustrated), so that the first arm (40), the second arm (41 ) and the transversal element form a frame. The first arm (40) and the second arm (41 ) can be parallel to one another and arranged on opposite sides with respect to the pair of forks (33) (see figures 5, 15, 14 and 16).

The first arm (40) and the second arm (41 ) can be rotated substantially horizontally.

The AGV (3) can comprise rolling means (42) for moving the AGV (3) itself.

The rolling means (42) can comprise: a first rolling element (43) for rolling on the floor surface, and a second rolling element (44) for rolling on the floor surface.

The projecting frame (32) can bear the first rolling element (43) and the second rolling element (44).

The first arm (40) can bear the first rolling element (43), while the second arm (41 ) can bear the second rolling element (44) (see figures 9-10).

The first rolling element (43) can be an idle roller or wheel.

The second rolling element (44) can be a roller or an idle roller.

Further, the AGV (3) can comprise a vertical upright (45), which extends from the main body (31 ); a carriage (46) which bears the pair of forks (33) and which can slide along the vertical upright (45) to raise and lower the pair of forks (33) along the vertical upright (45) (see figures 6-10).

The first centring element (38) and the second centring element (39) preferably have a conical shape, while the first centring seat (24) and the second centring seat (25) are conical seats (see figures 9-11 ).

The coupling of a conical type between the first centring element (38) and the first centring seat (24) and between the second centring element (39) and the second centring seat (25) is advantageous as it is simple to realise and enables the centring of the support structure of tiles (2) with respect to the AGV (3) even the first centring seat (24) and the second centring seat (25) are staggered, even by a few centimetres with respect to the first centring element (38) and the second centring element (39). If there is a stagger, when the first raising element (34), the second raising element (35), the third raising element (36) and the fourth raising element (37) are coupled to the support structure of tiles (2), then the conical surfaces of the first centring element (38) - first centring seat (24) and the second centring element (39) - second centring seat (25) slide with respect to one another up to realising the centring of the support structure of tiles (2) with respect to the AGV (3).

When the support structure of tiles (2) is centred with respect to the AGV (3), the AGV (3) precisely knows the position and the orientation assumed by the support structure of tiles (2) above the first arm (40) and the second arm (41 ).

The conical coupling profiles of the first centring element (38) and the first centring seat (24) are preferably not complementary, to prevent the first centring element (38) from wedging in the first centring seat (24); like considerations also apply to the second centring element (39) and the second centring seat (25).

Only two from the first raising element (34) (and therefore not a number of greater than two), the second raising element (35), the third raising element (36) and the fourth raising element (37) are preferably shaped as the first centring element (38) and the second centring element (39) (see figures 5-10, 12-13 and 15-16).

This is advantageous because it enables realising the first centring element (38), the second centring element (39), the first centring seat (24) and the second centring seat (25) are conical seatings with a greater working tolerance. A greater degree of imprecision is also allowed between the first centring element (38) and the second centring seat (39), on the one hand, and the first centring seat (24) and the second centring seat (25), on the other hand.

The first arm (40) can preferably be a tubular element and can superiorly bear a first through-hole (47) and a second through-hole (48) for enabling passage respectively of the first raising element (34) and the second raising element (35); the second arm (41 ) can be a tubular element and can superiorly bear a third through-hole (49) and a fourth through-hole (50) for enabling passage respectively of the third raising element (36) and the fourth raising element (37) (see figures 5, 15 and 16). In this way the AGV (3) can be advantageously more compact.

Alternatively, the first raising element (34) and the second raising element (35) can be arranged externally of the first arm (40), on the internal side or external side thereof, while the third raising element (36) and the fourth raising element (37) can be arranged externally of the second arm (41 ), on the internal side or on the external side thereof.

The automatically-guided vehicle (3) preferably comprises a hydraulic control unit (61 ) and a hydraulic circuit (63) (see figures 5, 14-16) for commanding the first raising element (34), the second raising element (35), the third raising element (36) and the fourth raising element (37) between the relative lowered position (A) and raised position (S).

It is advantageously possible to exploit the hydraulic control unit (61) which is normally present in AGVs (3) of known type for activating the pair of forks (33) and for other auxiliary commands, with the need only to extend and modify the pre-existing hydraulic circuit so as to create connections to the first raising element (34), the second raising element (35), the third raising element (36) and the fourth raising element (37).

By way of example, the first raising element (34), the second raising element (35), the third raising element (36) and the fourth raising element (37) can be commanded between the relative lowered position (A) and raised position (B), respectively by a double-acting piston (64) (only schematically illustrated in the figures).

Alternatively, the first raising element (34), the second raising element (35), the third raising element (36) and the fourth raising element (37) can be commanded, in order to assume the relative raised position (S), respectively by a single-acting piston (not illustrated), and to return into the relative lowered position (A) by means of a spring mechanism (also not illustrated).

Further, the automatically-guided vehicle (3) can comprise a pump (62) (see figure 16), which can be interposed between the first raising element (34), the second raising element (35), the third raising element (36), the fourth raising element (37) and the hydraulic control unit (61 ) in order to activate, in particular synchronously, the first raising element (34), the second raising element (35), the third raising element (36) and the fourth raising element (37) towards the relative raised position (S).

The pump (62) can be volumetric.

Each upright of the plurality of uprights (23) of the support structure of the tiles (2) is provided with a first coupling profile (28) at a relative first end and a second coupling profile (29) at a relative second end, opposite the relative first end; wherein the loading plane (21 ) of the support structure of tiles (2) is fixed to the plurality of uprights (23) in order to be interposed between the first coupling profile (28) and the second coupling profile (29) of each upright of the plurality of uprights (23) (see figures 6-7).

In a first embodiment (figures 5-11 ) of the transport and storing system of tiles (1 ) of the invention, only two centring elements (38, 39) are included, which form the first raising element (34) and the second raising element (35). The third raising element (36) and the fourth raising element (37), which do not have a centring function, can have a cylindrical shape to abut the lower side (27) of the support structure of tiles (2).

In a second embodiment (figure 15) of the transport and storing system of tiles (1 ) of the invention, only two centring elements (38, 39) are included, which form the first raising element (34) and the third raising element (36). The second raising element (35) and the fourth raising element (37), which do not have a centring function, can have a cylindrical shape to abut the lower side (27) of the support structure of tiles (2).

In a second embodiment (figure 14) of the transport and storing system of tiles (1 ) of the invention, four centring elements are included, which form the first raising element (34), the second raising element (35), the third raising element (36) and the fourth raising element (37).

There follows a description of how the collection can be made, by the AGV (3), of the support structure of tiles (2) arranged at the top of a stack of support structures of tiles (60), with reference to the first embodiment of the transport and storing system of tiles (1) of the invention, see figures 6-11.

Figure 6 illustrates a stack of support structure of tiles (60) formed by support structures of tiles which are of the type of support structure of tiles (2) described in the foregoing and being a part of the transport and storing system of tiles (1 ) of the invention.

The automatically-guided vehicle (3) nears the stack of support structures of tiles (60) in such a way that the pair of forks (33) is positioned at a height suitable for collecting the support structure of tiles (2) which is arranged at the top of the stack of support structures of tiles (60) and in such a way that the first arm (40) and the second arm (41 ) are arranged below the loading plane (21 ) of the support structure of tiles (2) which is arranged at the base of the stack of support structures of tiles (60) (figure 6), until the pair of forks (33) inserts below the support structure of tiles (2) to be collected, reaching the loading position (figure 7).

Subsequently, the pair of forks (33) is raised with a consequent collection of the support structure of tiles (2); following which, the AGV (3) disengages the remaining stack of support structures of tiles (60), for example by reversing by a few metres (figure 8).

At this point the first raising element (34), the second raising element (35), the third raising element (36) and the fourth raising element (37) are raised in phase relation the pair of forks (33) is lowered until the release of the support structure of tiles (2) takes place on the first raising element (34), the second raising element (35), the third raising element (36) and the fourth raising element (37). (figures 9-1 1 ), with a consequent disengagement of pair of forks (33), as well as the coupling of the first centring element (38) with the first centring seat (24) and the coupling of the second centring element (39) with the second centring seat (25) with the consequent centring of the support structure of tiles (2) with respect to the AGV (3).

There follows a description of how the collection can be made, by the AGV (3), of the support structure di tiles (2) arranged on the floor surface, with reference to the first embodiment of the transport and storing system of tiles (1 ) of the invention, see figures 12-13.

Figure 12 illustrates a support structure of tiles (2) located on the floor surface and loaded with tiles (22), which has to be transported into another place in a warehouse (not illustrated).

The automatically-guided vehicle (3) nears the support structure of tiles (2) in such a way that the first arm (40) and the second arm (41 ) insert below the loading plane (21 ) of the support structure of tiles (2) in the relative inserting position (figure 12).

Subsequently the activating of the first raising element (34), the second raising element (35), the third raising element (36) and the fourth raising element (37) towards the raised position (S) determines: the raising of the support structure of tiles (2) from the floor surface for the transport of the support structure of tiles (2); the coupling of the first centring element (38) with the first centring seat (24) and the coupling of the second centring element (39) with the second centring seating (25) with the consequent centring of the support structure of tiles (2) with respect to the automatically-guided vehicle (3) (see figure 13).

The first raising element (34), the second raising element (35), the third raising element (36) and the fourth raising element (37) are preferably activated synchronously so as to contemporarily reach the relative raised position (S).

It is understood that the above has been described by way of non-limiting example and that any technical-functional variants are considered to fall within the protective scope of the present technical solution, as claimed in the following.