Telescopic load-carrying device and method for the operation thereof

Abstract

The invention relates to a load-bearing means ( 11 ) for a transport system, in particular for a shelf-stacking device with a telescopic table ( 15 ) and a method of operating it. A top table ( 18 ) and an intermediate table ( 17 ) can be displaced in linear guide systems ( 42, 43, 44, 45 ) relative to one another and relative to a bottom table ( 16 ) provided with a drive system ( 66 ). A transmission system ( 68 ) is provided as a means of displacing the top table ( 18 ) depending on the relative movement between the bottom table ( 16 ) and the intermediate table ( 17 ). Guide systems ( 42, 43, 44, 45 ) between the intermediate table ( 17 ) and the bottom table ( 16 ) and between the intermediate table ( 17 ) and the top table ( 18 ) form guide planes ( 47, 48 ) spaced apart from one another, extending parallel with a bearing surface ( 26 ) of the top table ( 18 ). Another guide plane ( 78 ) extends in an orientation perpendicular thereto. Sprocket wheel means ( 69 ) and transmission means ( 70 ) of the transmission system ( 68 ) are disposed in a transmission plane ( 76 ) extending at an angle ( 77 ) with respect to the bearing surface ( 26 ) and parallel with the displacement direction.

1 - 41 . (canceled)  
   
   
       42 . Load-bearing means ( 11 ) for a transport system, in particular for a shelf-stacking device ( 1 ), with a telescopic table ( 15 ) displaceable in a plane parallel with a support surface ( 6 ) for accommodating at least one storage aid ( 4 ), e.g. container, box, etc., with a bottom table ( 16 ) and with an intermediate table ( 17 ) and top table ( 18 ) displaceable relative thereto and relative to one another in linear guide systems ( 42 ,  43 ,  44 ,  45 ) disposed preferably symmetrically by reference to a mid-plane ( 46 ), and with a drive system ( 66 ) between the bottom table ( 16 ) and intermediate table ( 17 ) and a transmission system ( 68 ) for displacing the top table ( 18 ) depending on the relative movement between the bottom table ( 16 ) and the intermediate table ( 17 ), and with the guide systems ( 42 ,  43 ,  44 ,  45 ) between the intermediate table ( 17 ) and the bottom table ( 16 ) and between the intermediate table ( 17 ) and the top table ( 18 ) disposed in guide planes ( 47 ,  48 ) spaced apart from one another and extending parallel with a bearing surface ( 26 ) of the top table ( 18 ), and with at least one other guide system ( 79 ,  80 ) form which forms a guide plane ( 78 ) oriented perpendicular thereto and parallel with a displacement direction of the top table ( 18 ), and the transmission system ( 68 ) incorporating transmission means ( 70 ) is disposed in a transmission plane ( 76 ) extending at an angle ( 77 ) with respect to a top face ( 62 ) of the top table ( 18 ) and parallel with the displacement direction, wherein strip-shaped guide projections ( 53 ) forming the guide planes ( 47 ,  48 ) extending across an entire length ( 30 ) of the intermediate table ( 17 ) form a top band incorporating the guide systems ( 42 ,  43 ) between the intermediate table ( 17 ) and the top table ( 18 ) and a bottom band incorporating the guide systems ( 44 ,  45 ) between the intermediate table ( 17 ) and the bottom table ( 16 ).  
   
   
       43 . Load-bearing means according to  claim 42 , wherein the bottom table ( 16 ) and/or the intermediate table ( 17 ) and/or the top table ( 18 ) is or are preferably made from fiber and/or fabric reinforced plastic.  
   
   
       44 . Load-bearing means according to  claim 42 , wherein the bottom table ( 16 ) and/or intermediate table ( 17 ) and/or top table ( 18 ) is or are made from light metal alloys, in particular from magnesium alloy.  
   
   
       45 . Load-bearing means according to  claim 42 , wherein the intermediate table ( 17 ) and/or the top table ( 18 ) is a carbon fiber reinforced composite component.  
   
   
       46 . Load-bearing means according to  claim 42 , wherein the intermediate table ( 17 ) and/or the top table ( 18 ) is a Kevlar fiber reinforced composite component.  
   
   
       47 . Load-bearing means according to  claim 42 , wherein the composite material of the intermediate table ( 17 ) and/or the top table ( 18 ) is made from plastic, in particular from polyester resins.  
   
   
       48 . Load-bearing means according to  claim 42 , wherein reinforcing elements of lightweight metal, steel, etc., are provided in the composite material for the intermediate table ( 17 ) and/or the top table ( 18 ).  
   
   
       49 . Load-bearing means according to  claim 42 , wherein the guide systems ( 42 ,  43 ,  44 ,  45 ,  79 ,  80 ) are provided in the form of roller guides.  
   
   
       50 . Load-bearing means according to  claim 42 , wherein the guide systems ( 42 ,  43 ,  44 ,  45 ,  79 ,  80 ) are provided in the form of anti-friction bearing guides.  
   
   
       51 . Load-bearing means according to  claim 42 , wherein the guide systems ( 42 ,  43 ,  44 ,  45 ,  79 ,  80 ) are provided with friction-reducing and wear-resistant guide elements ( 55 ) forming strip-shaped guide projections ( 53 ) between recesses ( 54 ).  
   
   
       52 . Load-bearing means according to  claim 42 , wherein the guide element ( 55 ) is provided in the form of a U-shaped anti-friction section ( 56 ), in particular made from a plastic with good anti-friction properties.  
   
   
       53 . Load-bearing means according to  claim 42 , wherein a friction-reducing, wear-resistant coating ( 58 ), in particular made from plastic with good anti-friction properties, is provided on an external surface of the guide elements ( 55 ).  
   
   
       54 . Load-bearing means according to  claim 42 , wherein U-shaped anti-friction sections ( 56 ) are secured to the guide projections ( 53 ) by a positive and/or frictional clamping action.  
   
   
       55 . Load-bearing means according to  claim 42 , wherein the guide elements ( 55 ) on the guide projections ( 53 ) are disposed in the longitudinal direction extending on the intermediate table ( 17 ) and/or top table ( 18 ) and/or bottom table ( 16 ) running across an entire length ( 30 ) and co-operate with the groove-shaped recesses ( 54 ) on the bottom table ( 16 ) and/or intermediate table ( 17 ) and/or on the top table ( 18 ).  
   
   
       56 . Load-bearing means according to  claim 42 , wherein the guide projections ( 53 ) forming the parallel guide planes ( 47 ,  48 ) are disposed on the middle table, preferably symmetrically by reference to a mid-plane ( 46 ).  
   
   
       57 . Load-bearing means according to  claim 42 , wherein a band width ( 64 ) of the top band is bigger than a band width ( 65 ) of the bottom band.  
   
   
       58 . Load-bearing means according to  claim 42 , wherein a band width ( 64 ) of the top band is shorter than a band width ( 65 ) of the bottom band.  
   
   
       59 . Load-bearing means according to  claim 42 , wherein groove-shaped recesses ( 54 ) are provided in the top face and the bottom face of the intermediate table ( 17 ) extending in the direction of longitudinal extension to form the guide systems ( 79 ,  80 ) providing lateral guidance in the other guide plane ( 78 ), which preferably extends perpendicular to the guide planes ( 47 ,  48 ) and parallel with the displacement direction.  
   
   
       60 . Load-bearing means according to  claim 42 , wherein the groove-shaped recesses( 54 ) co-operate with the strip-shaped guide projections ( 53 ) disposed on the top table ( 18 ) and bottom table ( 16 ).  
   
   
       61 . Load-bearing means according to  claim 42 , wherein the strip-shaped guide projections ( 53 ) are provided with the guide elements ( 55 ).  
   
   
       62 . Load-bearing means according to  claim 42 , wherein U-shaped complementary sections ( 57 ) are disposed in a positive or frictional connection in the groove-shaped recesses ( 54 ) enclosing the guide elements ( 55 ), which are preferably made from coated metal or plastic with good anti-friction properties or coated plastic.  
   
   
       63 . Load-bearing means according to  claim 42 , wherein an angle ( 77 ) between the transmission plane ( 76 ) and the top face ( 62 ) of the top table ( 18 ) is between 10° and 60°.  
   
   
       64 . Load-bearing means according to  claim 42 , wherein locking mechanisms ( 86 ) are disposed at opposite end regions ( 84 ,  85 ) of the top table ( 18 ), preferably on side walls ( 59 ), and have locking means which can be displaced relative to the top face ( 62 ) of the top table ( 18 ) between a position more or less flush with it and a position projecting beyond it.  
   
   
       65 . Load-bearing means according to  claim 42 , wherein the locking means is provided in the form of a double lever element ( 31 ) with a hook-shaped lock projection ( 97 ) on the side wall ( 59 ) of the top table ( 18 ) mounted so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis ( 88 ).  
   
   
       66 . Load-bearing means according to  claim 42 , wherein the locking means is displaceably connected to a single lever element ( 89 ) in a slide block system ( 96 ) on the side wall ( 59 ) which is pivotable about a pivot axis ( 87 ).  
   
   
       67 . Load-bearing means according to  claim 42 , wherein the single lever element ( 89 ) is pivoted on an operating region ( 94 ) projecting above the top face ( 62 ) of the top table ( 18 ) by means of a load force, which causes the double lever element ( 91 ) to pivot into a position in which the lock projection ( 97 ) projects above the top face ( 62 ) of the top table ( 18 ).  
   
   
       68 . Load-bearing means according to  claim 42 , wherein the single lever element ( 89 ) is positioned in a non-operating position by means of a spring system ( 92 ), preferably a leaf spring, in which the operating region ( 94 ) projects above the top face ( 62 ) of the top table ( 18 ) positioned against a stop means ( 93 ).  
   
   
       69 . Load-bearing means according to  claim 42 , wherein the locking means is designed to be displaceable between the non-operating position and an operating position in which it projects above the top face ( 62 ) of the top table ( 18 ).  
   
   
       70 . Load-bearing means according to  claim 42 , wherein a projection distance, e. g. a hook height ( 98 ), of a catch pawl ( 90 ) forming the locking means is preferably bigger than or the same as a vertical distance ( 100 ) between support surfaces ( 101 ) of the endless conveyors ( 31 ,  32 ) and the bearing surface ( 26 ) of the top table ( 18 ).