Mobile strapping machine, for horizontal and vertical strapping of crates onto pallets or loading platforms

Abstract

 Mobile strapping machine, for horizontal and vertical strapping of crates onto pallets or loading platforms, which comprises a mobile carriage (1) made up by a frame (2) resting on revolving wheels (3); a column (4) fixed to the frame (2); a coil (5) joined to the column (4) around which a plastic strap is wound; and a strapping head (6) joined to the column (4) which can slide vertically in both directions, suitable for feeding, tensioning, soldering and cutting the strap for each strapping operation, which is characterized in that the strapping head (6) is fitted with rotating means (8) which enable the strapping head (6) to turn in both directions between two fixed positions situated at a 90° angle from one another; and because it comprises a strapping arm (11) positioned below the frame (2) of the carriage (1), which can extend a considerable distance horizontally so that, for vertical strapping, it is positioned between supports of the pallet or loading platform, with the outer end protruding from the side of the pallet or loading platform opposite that facing the strapping head (6).

Description

Technical field of the invention

[0001] The object of the invention is a mobile strapping machine, for horizontal and vertical strapping of crates onto pallets or loading platforms.

Background of the invention

[0002] There are currently numerous embodiments of machines for strapping crates onto pallets or platforms, that is, machines for securing crates onto pallets or loading platforms using straps whereby said crates are bound to the pallet or loading platform so that the array formed can be transported.

[0003] Embodiments are known of stationary strapping machines for horizontal strapping, and other stationary machines for vertical strapping, wherein the arrays of crates and pallets or crates and loading platforms are moved to the machine and positioned for strapping. Embodiments are also known of mobile strapping machines for horizontal strapping, and mobile machines for vertical strapping, wherein the strapping machine is transported to the place where array of crates and pallet or loading platform is, the strapping machine being positioned with respect to said array for the strapping thereof.

[0004] Patent US 4,005,647 discloses a stationary strapping machine for horizontal strapping, comprising a base to which a column is fixed, which extends vertically, and which has a carriage which can slide vertically in both directions, and to this carriage a looped device with a strapping head is fitted

[0005] Utility Model ES 1 018 581 U discloses a mobile strapping machine for horizontal strapping which comprises a base and a column whereon a strapping unit is mounted which can slide vertically in both directions via a cable mechanism.

[0006] The lack of a strapping machines without an arc is noted, enabling both horizontal and vertical strapping of arrays of crates on pallets or loading platforms, which allows strapping in both directions without the need to use two different machines, one for vertical strapping and another for horizontal strapping.

Explanation of the invention

[0007] The mobile strapping machine, for horizontal and vertical strapping of crates onto pallets or loading platforms, being the object of the invention, comprises a mobile carriage comprised of a frame resting on revolving wheels; a column fixed to the frame; a coil coupled to the column around which a plastic strap is wound; and a strapping head coupled to the column which can slide vertically in both directions, suitable for feeding, tensioning, soldering and cutting the strap for each strapping operation.

[0008] The machine of the invention is characterized in that the strapping head is fitted with rotating means which enable the strapping head to turn in both directions between two fixed positions situated at a 90° angle from one another, so that the strap can be fed by the strapping head horizontally during horizontal strapping, or vertically during vertical strapping; and in that it comprises a strapping arm positioned below the frame of the carriage, which can extend a considerable distance horizontally so that, for vertical strapping, it is positioned between supports of the pallet or loading platform, with the outer end protruding from the side of the pallet or loading platform opposite to that facing the strapping head.

[0009] Another characteristic of the machine of the invention is that the strapping head and the strapping arm are fitted with respective and complementary means for guiding the strap which is fed through the strapping head.

[0010] According to another characteristic of the machine of the invention, the means for guiding the strap from the strapping head and the means for guiding the strap from the strapping arm are made such that, when the strapping arm is extended for vertical strapping, they form a continuous guide for the strap which extends from the strapping head to the outer end of the strapping arm.

[0011] In accordance with another characteristic of the invention, the means for guiding the strap from the strapping head comprises a tubular element with open ends, so that the strap fed by the guiding head can pass through it, and it has a workable longitudinal closing mechanism on the side, which begins in the outlet end of the tubular element and is suitable for said strap to pass through it during tensioning.

[0012] The invention is also characterized in that the means for guiding the strap from the strapping arm comprises a tubular element with open ends, suitable for the strap from the guiding means of the strapping head to pass through it, and it has a workable longitudinal closing mechanism on the side, which begins in the outlet end of the tubular element and is suitable for said strap to pass through it during the tensioning.

[0013] Another characteristic of the invention consists in the fact that the inner end of the tubular element of the guiding arm has a tubular guiding bend, suitable for receiving and guiding the strap from the guiding means of the strapping head.

[0014] According to another characteristic of the machine of the invention, the strapping arm has means for adjusting the distance of the strapping arm with respect to the ground.

[0015] The machine of the invention is also characterized in that it comprises means for controlling the automatic functions of the strapping head and strapping arm.

[0016] In accordance with another characteristic of the machine of the invention, the frame is equipped with a cupboard for housing one or more batteries, for the electrical supply.

Brief description of the drawings

[0017] The attached drawings show a non-limitative example of the mobile strapping machine, for horizontal and vertical strapping of crates onto pallets or loading platforms, being the object of the invention. In said drawings:

Fig. 1,

is a front view of the mobile strapping machine of the invention, with the strapping head positioned for horizontal strapping;

Fig. 2

is a front view of the mobile strapping machine of the invention, with the strapping head positioned for vertical strapping;

Fig. 3

is a side view of the mobile strapping machine of the invention, with the strapping head positioned for vertical strapping; and

Fig. 4

is a side view of the mobile strapping machine of the invention, with the strapping head positioned for vertical strapping and the strapping arm extended.

Detailed description of the drawings

[0018] The figures on the pages with drawings show the mobile strapping machine of the invention, which is described as an example of embodiment, comprising a mobile carriage 1 comprised of a frame 2 which rests on four rotating wheels 3, a vertical column 4 being fixed to the frame 2 to which a coil 5 is coupled, shown by dashed lines in Figs. 3 and 4, and around which a strap is wound, not shown, made of a plastic material, such as propylene, for example, and a strapping head 6 of known technology, provided with means for receiving the strap from the coil 5, means for feeding the strap during strapping, means for tensioning the strap being fed, means for soldering and means for cutting the strap.

[0019] The strapping head 6 can slide vertically in both directions, indicated as A and B, so that an operator can manually slide the strapping head 6 positioning it at an appropriate height with respect to the ground and with the minimum effort; it should be understood that these means for sliding the strapping head 6 are given as an example only and that the head can slide via any other means, such as, for example, an electric motor.

[0020] The strapping head 6 is coupled to the vertical column 4 by rotating means 8, shown diagrammatically in Figs. 3 and 4, which enable the strapping head 6 to turn in both directions, shown as C and D in Figs. 1 and 2, between two positions situated at a 90° angle from one another. The position shown in Fig. 1 corresponds to the horizontal feeding of the strap, and the position shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4 corresponds to the downward vertical feeding of the strap. The rotating means 8 are made such that, during strapping, the strapping head 6 keeps the corresponding feed position of the strap stable.

[0021] The strapping head 6 has means for guiding the strap which comprises a tubular element 9 with open ends, suitable for the strap fed by the strapping head 6 to pass through it, which has a workable closing mechanism 10 on the front which begins in the outlet end, suitable for the strap to pass through it during tensioning.

[0022] In Fig. 3, it can be seen that under the frame 2 of the mobile carriage 1 a strapping arm 11 which can be extended horizontally is positioned. In Fig. 3, the strapping arm 11 is not extended, in the position for horizontal strapping of the strapping machine of the invention, while in Fig. 4 the strapping arm 11 is extended, in the position for vertical strapping of the strapping machine of the invention. The strapping arm 11 has means for adjustment 15, shown in Figs. 1 and 2, for adjusting the distance between the strapping arm 11 and the ground.

[0023] The strapping arm 11 has means for guiding the strap which comprises a tubular element 12, shown in Fig. 4, with open ends, suitable for the strap to pass through it and having in its upper surface a workable closing mechanism 13 which begins in the outlet end, suitable for the strap to pass through it during tensioning; furthermore, the inner end of the tubular element 12 has a tubular guiding bend 14, shown in Fig. 4, suitable for the strap to pass through it.

[0024] In Figs. 3 and 4 it can be seen how the frame 2 of the strapping machine of the invention has a cupboard 16 for containing one or more batteries, to supply electricity to means for the automatic functions of the strapping head 6 and the strapping arm 11 and means for controlling functions, such as, for example, a programmable logical control.

[0025] The functions of the strapping machine being the object of the invention is described below.

[0026] During horizontal strapping, the strapping head 6 is positioned as shown in Fig. 1, in which the tubular element 9 of the means for guiding the strap is positioned horizontally; and in these conditions, the strapping head 6 can slide in both directions A and B adjusting its height with respect to the ground as required by the strapping of crates to the pallet or platform.

[0027] During vertical strapping, the strapping head 6 is turned an angle of 90° to the position which is shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4, wherein the tubular element 9 of the means for guiding the strap is positioned vertically, and the strapping arm 11 is then extended with its tubular element 12 being positioned outwards as shown in Fig. 4, with its outer end protruding from the side of the pallet or loading platform opposite to the one facing the strapping head, and it can be seen that the tubular element 9 of the strapping head 6, the tubular bend 14 at the inner end of the tubular element 12 of the strapping arm 11 and the tubular element 12 of the strapping arm 11 form a continuous guide for the strap which extends from the strapping head 6 to the outer end of the tubular element 12 of the strapping arm 11. In this position, the strap fed by the strapping head 6 reaches the outer end of the tubular element 13 of the strapping arm 11, i.e. it protrudes through the side of the pallet or loading platform opposite to the one facing the strapping head 6, thus permitting the vertical strapping of the array formed by said crates and pallet or loading platform.

Claims

1. Mobile strapping machine, for horizontal and vertical strapping of crates onto pallets or loading platforms, which comprises a mobile carriage (1) made up by a frame (2) resting on revolving wheels (3); a column (4) fixed to the frame (2); a coil (5) joined to the column (4) around which a plastic strap is wound; and a strapping head (6) joined to the column (4) which can slide vertically in both directions, suitable for feeding, tensioning, soldering and cutting the strap for each strapping operation, which is characterized in that the strapping head (6) is fitted with rotating means (8) which enable the strapping head (6) to turn in both directions between two fixed positions situated at a 90° angle from one another, so that the strap can be fed by the strapping head (6) horizontally during horizontal strapping, or vertically during vertical strapping; and because it comprises a strapping arm (11) positioned below the frame (2) of the carriage (1), which can extend a considerable distance horizontally so that, for vertical strapping, it is positioned between supports of the pallet or loading platform, with the outer end protruding from the side of the pallet or loading platform opposite to that facing the strapping head (6).

2. Mobile strapping machine according to claim 1, which is characterized in that the strapping head (6) and the strapping arm (11) are fitted with respective and complementary means for guiding the strap which is fed through the strapping head (6).

3. Strapping machine according to claims 1 and 2, which is characterized in that the means for guiding the strap from the strapping head (6) and the means for guiding the strap from the strapping arm (11) are made such that, when the strapping arm (11) is extended for vertical strapping, they form a continuous guide for the strap which extends from the strapping head (6) to the outer end of the strapping arm (11).

4. Mobile strapping machine according to claim 2, which is characterized in that the means for guiding the strap from the strapping head (6) comprises a tubular element (9) with open ends, so that the strap fed by the guiding head (6) can pass through it, and it has a workable longitudinal closing mechanism on the side, which begins in the outlet end of the tubular element (9) and is suitable for said strap to pass through it during tensioning.

5. Mobile strapping machine according to claims 2 and 3, which is characterized in that the means for guiding the strap from the strapping arm (11) comprises a tubular element (12) with open ends, suitable for the strap from the guiding means of the strapping head (6) to pass through it, and having a workable longitudinal closing mechanism on its side, which begins in the outlet end of the tubular element and is suitable for said strap to pass through it during tensioning.

6. Mobile strapping machine according to claim 5, which is characterized in that the inner end of the tubular element (12) of the strapping arm (11) has a tubular guiding bend (14), suitable for receiving and guiding the strap from the guiding means of the strapping head (6).

7. Mobile strapping machine according to claim 1, which is characterized in that the strapping arm has means (15) for adjusting the distance of the strapping arm (11) with respect to the ground.

8. Mobile strapping machine according to claim 1, which is characterized in that it comprises means for controlling the automatic functions of the strapping head (6) and the strapping arm (11).

9. Mobile strapping machine according to claim 1, which is characterized in that the frame (2) is equipped with a cupboard (16) for housing one or more batteries, for the electrical supply.

Drawing