Supply Module for Pallets, Having a Transport Module Movable Together With a Lifting Device Beneath the Stacking Bays of the Pallets
First Claim
1. Supply module for pallets on which workpieces can be transported, said supply module comprising:
- a plurality of first stacking bays for pallets, the first stacking bays being arranged in a horizontal x-direction in succession in a first row, each stacking bay comprising a stacking space extending in a vertical direction;
a set of rigidly formed holding means, disposed at an edge of each stacking space for hooking a pallet;
a plurality of similar pallets, stackable vertically on one another with each comprising a set of lock means, one set of lock means and one set of holding means being able to co-operate in order that one pallet or, a stack of pallets, can be suspended in a stacking space;
at least one lifting device, movable vertically (=z-direction) for griping a pallet or a stack of pallets from below; and
at least one transport module movable as desired in the x-direction beneath a plurality of first stacking bays for supporting the lifting device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention describes a supply module for stackable pallets, on which workpieces and/or tools can be disposed. On the supply module there are disposed several stacking bays arranged in succession in a row, at each of which a stack of pallets can be mounted in holding means, such as hooks. At least one transport module can be driven along the row beneath the stacking bays, the transport module carrying a lifting device with it. A pallet or a stack of pallets can be gripped from below by the lifting device. The supply module according to the invention can manage a large number of stacking bays, and hence pallets, in a cost-effective manner, even large stack heights being possible.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. Supply module for pallets on which workpieces can be transported, said supply module comprising:
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a plurality of first stacking bays for pallets, the first stacking bays being arranged in a horizontal x-direction in succession in a first row, each stacking bay comprising a stacking space extending in a vertical direction; a set of rigidly formed holding means, disposed at an edge of each stacking space for hooking a pallet; a plurality of similar pallets, stackable vertically on one another with each comprising a set of lock means, one set of lock means and one set of holding means being able to co-operate in order that one pallet or, a stack of pallets, can be suspended in a stacking space; at least one lifting device, movable vertically (=z-direction) for griping a pallet or a stack of pallets from below; and at least one transport module movable as desired in the x-direction beneath a plurality of first stacking bays for supporting the lifting device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 23, 24)
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21. Method for stacking an additional pallet beneath a stack of pallets, the stack being mounted in a set of holding means by means of a set of lock means of a bottom pallet of the stack, and the additional pallet likewise having a set of lock means, the method comprising:
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a) moving the additional pallet from below towards the bottom pallet of the stack; b) lifting the additional pallet together with the stack until the lock means of the bottom pallet of the stack are located completely above the holding means; c) moving the additional pallet together with the stack horizontally in an x-direction in order that the lock means of the bottom pallet are arranged completely laterally of the holding means; d) lifting the additional pallet together with the stack until the lock means of the additional pallet are arranged completely above the holding means; e) moving the additional pallet together with the stack horizontally in the x-direction in order that the lock means of the additional pallet lie directly above the holding means; and f) lowering the additional pallet together with the stack, so that the lock means of the additional pallet hook into the holding means.
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22. Method for de-stacking a bottom pallet from a stack of pallets, the stack being mounted in a set of holding means by means of a set of lock means of the bottom pallet of the stack, and a second from bottom pallet likewise having a set of lock means, the method comprising:
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a) lifting the stack until the lock means of the bottom pallet of the stack are located completely above the holding means; b) moving the stack horizontally in an x-direction in order that the lock means of the bottom pallet are arranged completely laterally of the holding means; c) lowering the stack until the lock means of the bottom pallet are arranged completely below the holding means, and the lock means of the second from bottom pallet are arranged completely above the holding means; d) moving the stack horizontally in the x-direction in order that the lock means of the second from bottom pallet lie directly above the holding means; e) lowering the stack in order that the lock means of the second from bottom pallet (43) hook into the holding means and f) lowering the bottom pallet in order that the bottom pallet is separated from the second from bottom pallet.
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Specification