PLATFORM FOR THE STORAGE AND TRANSPORT OF SUBSTANTIALLY CYLINDRICAL OBJECTS

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a platform for the storage and transport of substantially cylindrical objects, which are homogeneous in size characteristics.

[0002] Such objects may be for example, empty methane gas cylinders that are to be subjected to a testing process before the re-use thereof.

[0003] The movement of the platforms is possible by means of the use of suitable lift trucks and aerial cranes of suitable capacity. The end aim is the location of the platforms on a trailer to allow the road transport of the methane cylinders intended for the testing cycle and to ensure the complete safety during the movement, the transport and successive storage with the use of less space with respect to the cylinders themselves. The platforms are provided with specific hooks for anchoring to the trailer. Currently, the cylinders are simply positioned lying down on loading planes and stacked on one another to form a kind of pyramid. Then, they are packed for the successive transport using belts, straps or bands. The loading and unloading operations are performed using forklifts which forks are used to lift and position the cylinders.

[0004] Such systems have a plurality of drawbacks, which are indicated below.

[0005] Investing in ground personnel: Since the trailer loading-unloading actions are executed by means of the aid of lift trucks, there is the danger of hitting pedestrians busy in the same loading-unloading activity or in other activities performed nearby. In this case, the probability of occurrence is associated with the preventive measures implemented (definition of "fixed" routes of the lift trucks, good visibility along the path, training of lift truck drivers and ground personnel) but also simply with the number of forklifts used and the number of trips made by each of them. It indeed is logical to expect a lower probability of occurrence if the number of passages of the lift trucks is lower.

[0006] Falling from height: The trailer loading-unloading operations may in general require appointed personnel on the trailer. If on the one hand, the trailer plane is at contained heights, it is worth noting that the stack of cylinders reaches heights of about 2 meters and therefore the operator may find him/herself in the condition of having to organise the highest row, exposing him/herself to the risk of falling from a height. It is worth noting that despite legislation establishing the limit height at 2 meters due to the risk of falling from height, even falls from lower heights may be defined as an injury level.

[0007] Crushing due to collapsing: The cylinders are arranged in stacks in a "pyramid" by means of the lift trucks. During the loading step, before the load is secured by means of the anchoring belts, and during the unloading step, the cylinders at the top could be unstable and fall to the ground with subsequent danger of crushing of the operators below. In the absence of retaining systems such as wedges or saddles, also the cylinders of the first row may roll to the ground.

[0008] Knocks, falls and slips: The cylinders are arranged in stacks in a "pyramid".

[0009] The "free" cylinders are lifted by means of the lift trucks, but the operator on the trailer is to arrange them and organise the stack. The cylinders could fall onto the operator in this step. Also, the cylinders arranged "free" on the forks may fall to the ground due to jerks of the lift truck and incorrect manoeuvres by the lift truck driver. The injury in this case may be contained by means of the mandatory PPE, but not eliminated.

[0010] Road accident due to unstable load: As for any other load on the road, cylinders also are to be secured to the trailer. Any movements or rotation of the cylinders could compromise the stability of the load, thus causing possible falls of material onto the carriageway, thus causing road accidents. Therefore, the load is to be secured to the trailer, thus avoiding such movements during the trip, while paying particular attention to the forces generated in corners or in the event of a sudden braking/acceleration.

[0011] Manual movement of loads: If the movement of the cylinders within the testing centre occurs by means of the use of a forklift, it is worth noting that the loading-unloading operations may require the presence of appointed personnel, for example for organising the stack. Therefore, the worker may be required to intervene manually in this step by lifting or moving the cylinders. In this case, the probability of occurrence may be affected by the work conditions, in that the narrower the space is on the trailer or the higher the cylinder is placed, the higher the probability that the worker may have physical problems.

[0012] Prior art devices for the storage and/or transport of substantially cylindrical objects are disclosed in CN201580751 U, US1921228A, US2007/039910A1, JPH0594126U, WO00/76869A1, DE9408400U1, EP1551721B1.

[0013] The Applicant has looked at the issue of improving the efficiency of the loading, unloading, transport and storage of such cylinders, both in terms of execution speed of the various steps and of the safety for the operators performing such steps.

[0014] The object of the present invention is that of solving the aforementioned drawbacks by providing a platform having the characteristics of the appended claim 1.

[0015] The features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following description of an embodiment of the invention, which is to be understood as exemplifying and not limiting, with reference to the schematic attached drawings, wherein:

• figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of the platform in a first embodiment thereof;
• figure 2 illustrates the platform of figure 1, in side view with the cylinders stacked;
• figure 3 illustrates the platform of figure 1, in a top view;
• figure 4 illustrates the platform of figure 1, in a front view;
• figure 5 illustrates a perspective view of the platform in a second embodiment thereof;
• figure 6 illustrates the platform of figure 5, in side view with the cylinders stacked;
• figure 7 illustrates the platform of figure 5, in a top view;
• figure 8 illustrates the platform of figure 5, in a front view;
• figure 9 illustrates an articulated vehicle having a plurality of platforms on the loading deck loaded with cylinders according to the present invention;
• figure 10 illustrates a housing shaped as a saddle according to the prevent invention.

[0016] With reference to the mentioned figures, the platform according to the present invention comprises a flat frame 2 of substantially rectangular shape, on which pairs of housings 3 are positioned transversely and in proximity to opposite sides 21 of such frame, such housings repeating themselves parallel to each other substantially for the whole length of the frame.

[0017] Such housings 3 are made of proper size and shape to accommodate one or more substantially cylindrical objects B positioned thereon, allowing the arrangement of a first plane of such objects. Other objects of the same type may be stacked on such first plane such as to obtain a pyramid arrangement, as illustrated in figures 2 and 6.

[0018] The elongated objects B in the case can be positioned one per row, as illustrated in the embodiment of figures 5 to 8, or they may be more than one in series on the same pair of housings 3, like in the embodiment illustrated in figures 1 to 4, where there are two cylinders B1 and B2 in series on the same transverse axis formed by a pair of housings 3.

[0019] The housings are saddle shaped having a radius of curvature such as to adapt to the size of the elongated objects.

[0020] In addition to the pair of housings 3, at least a third housing may be present which is arranged in a central position and/or a calendered sheet 3' may be present which is positioned on the saddles, adapted to act as a supporting surface for the objects.

[0021] Rings 4 are provided on the opposite longitudinal ends of the frame for attaching anchoring belts 5 for the stacked cylinders.

[0022] Preferably, the longitudinal sides 21 of the frame are shaped as an open tube so as to allow the forks of a forklift or lift truck to be inserted into the holes 23 of the tube and to safely lift the platform loaded with objects.

[0023] Each saddle 3 comprises an "inverted T" section, wherein the horizontal part 31 of the T forms the supporting base on the frame. The vertical part 32 of the T is shaped and receives a curved plate 33 which forms the supporting surface of the saddle.

[0024] The present invention arises from the need to reduce the risks for the safety and health of the operators charged with loading-unloading operations of the cylinders onto/from the trailer. Indeed, in the past, the cylinders were transported on a trailer without the use of any type of movement system. The movement of the cylinders occurred by means of lift trucks by freely arranging them on the forks, in a contained number. Therefore, a large number of trips of the lift trucks were necessary for each individual loading/unloading operation. The platforms were created precisely from the idea to reduce the number of trips of the lift trucks, thus on the one hand containing the consumption of fuel, and on the other reducing the probability of risk of accident with the operators charged with the loading/unloading activity.

[0025] Figure 9 illustrates the platforms loaded on a vehicle for the transport thereof. The stability of the first row of cylinders (the one at the bottom) is ensured by the concave saddles of the platform, while the stability of the whole load during the road transport is ensured both by the two polyester belts anchored to the platform and by the steel cables for anchoring the platforms themselves to the trailer, thus avoiding movements and/or rotations both of the individual cylinders and of the whole loaded platform due to the braking/accelerating or centrifugal forces. The loading-unloading steps no longer require the presence of the operator on the trailer or on the ground since it is possible to move the whole load of cylinders with the lift truck without ever transporting them "free" on the forks. The loading-unloading steps of the cylinders onto/from the platform instead is significantly facilitated thanks to specific tilted structures made in the loading-unloading areas which allow the operations without the need for ground operators; the latter only intervenes to anchor the cylinder load by means of the polyester belts, with the platform still on the ground.

Claims

1. Platform for the storage and transport of substantially cylindrical objects comprising:

• a flat frame (2) of substantially rectangular shape, on which pairs of housings (3) are positioned transversely and in proximity to opposite sides (21) of such frame, such housings repeating themselves parallel to each other substantially for the whole length of the frame,

• such housings (3) being made of proper size and shape to accommodate one or more substantially cylindrical objects (B) positioned thereon allowing the arrangement of a first plane of such objects,

• other objects of the same type being stackable on such first plane such as to obtain a substantially pyramid arrangement,

characterised in that
each housing (3) is shaped as a saddle and each saddle comprises an "inverted T" section wherein the horizontal part (31) of the T forms the supporting base on the frame, the vertical part (32) of the T being shaped so as to receive a curved plate (33) which forms the supporting surface of the saddle.

2. Platform according to claim 1, wherein elongated substantially cylindrical objects (B) can be positioned one per row.

3. Platform according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of elongated substantially cylindrical objects (B) can be positioned per row arranged in series to each other.

4. Platform according to claim 1, wherein, in addition to each pair of housings (3), a third housing is present which is arranged in a central position and/or a calendered sheet (3') is present which is positioned on the housings, adapted to act as a supporting surface for the objects.

5. Platform according to claim 1, wherein rings (4) are provided on opposite longitudinal ends of the frame for attaching anchoring belts (5) for the stacked cylinders.

6. Platform according to claim 1, wherein the longitudinal sides (21) of the frame (2) are shaped as an open tube so as to allow the forks of a forklift or lift truck to be inserted into holes (23) of the tube and to safely lift the platform loaded with objects.

7. Platform according to claim 1, wherein such objects are empty gas cylinders.

Ansprüche

1. Plattform für die Lagerung und den Transport von im Wesentlichen zylindrischen Gegenständen, Folgendes umfassend:

• einen flachen Rahmen (2) von im Wesentlichen rechteckiger Form, auf dem Paare von Gehäusen (3) quer und in der Nähe von gegenüberliegenden Seiten (21) eines solchen Rahmens positioniert sind, wobei sich solche Gehäuse im Wesentlichen über die gesamte Länge des Rahmens parallel zueinander wiederholen,

• wobei solche Gehäuse (3) in geeigneter Größe und Form hergestellt werden, um einen oder mehrere darauf positionierte, im Wesentlichen zylindrische Gegenstände (B) aufzunehmen, wobei die Anordnung einer ersten Ebene solcher Gegenstände ermöglicht wird,

• wobei andere Gegenstände desselben Typs auf einer solchen ersten Ebene stapelbar sind, um eine im Wesentlichen pyramidenförmige Anordnung zu erhalten, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
jedes Gehäuse (3) als ein Sattel ausgebildet ist und jeder Sattel einen Abschnitt in Form eines "umgekehrten T" umfasst, wobei der horizontale Teil (31) des T die Stützfläche auf dem Rahmen bildet, wobei der vertikale Teil (32) des T ausgebildet ist, um eine gekrümmte Platte (33) aufzunehmen, die die Stützfläche des Sattels bildet.

2. Plattform gemäß Anspruch 1, wobei längliche, im Wesentlichen zylindrische Gegenstände (B) einer pro Reihe positioniert werden können.

3. Plattform gemäß Anspruch 1, wobei eine Vielzahl von länglichen, im Wesentlichen zylindrischen Gegenständen (B) pro Reihe, in Reihe zueinander angeordnet, positioniert werden können.

4. Plattform gemäß Anspruch 1, wobei zusätzlich zu jedem Paar von Gehäusen (3) ein drittes Gehäuse vorhanden ist, das in einer zentrischen Position angeordnet ist, und/oder eine kalandrierte Platte (3') vorhanden ist, die auf den Gehäusen positioniert ist, angepasst, um als eine Stützfläche für die Gegenstände zu wirken.

5. Plattform gemäß Anspruch 1, wobei an gegenüberliegenden Längsenden des Rahmens Ringe (4) zur Befestigung von Verankerungsgurten (5) für die gestapelten Zylinder vorgesehen sind.

6. Plattform gemäß Anspruch 1, wobei die Längsseiten (21) des Rahmens (2) als ein offenes Rohr ausgebildet sind, um zu ermöglichen, dass die Gabeln eines Gabelstaplers oder Hubwagens in Löcher (23) des Rohrs eingeführt werden können und die mit Gegenständen beladene Plattform sicher angehoben werden kann.

7. Plattform gemäß Anspruch 1, wobei solche Gegenstände leere Gasflaschen sind.

Revendications

1. Plateforme pour le stockage et le transport d'objets essentiellement cylindriques comprenant :

• un cadre plat (2) de forme essentiellement rectangulaire, sur lequel des paires de logements (3)sont positionnées de façon transversale et à proximité des côtés opposés (21) dudit cadre, lesdits logements se répétant essentiellement parallèles l'un à l'autre sur toute la longueur du cadre,

• lesdits logements (3) étant conçus de taille et de forme adéquates pour accueillir un ou plusieurs objets essentiellement cylindriques (B) positionnés au-dessus en permettant la disposition d'un premier plan desdits objets,

• d'autres objets du même type pouvant être empilés sur ledit premier plan de sorte à obtenir une disposition essentiellement pyramidale,
caractérisée en ce que
chaque logement (3) a la forme d'une selle et chaque selle comprend une section en « T inversé » dans laquelle la partie horizontale (31) du T forme la base de support sur le cadre, la partie verticale (32) du T étant formée de sorte à recevoir une plaque incurvée (33) qui constitue la surface de support de la selle.

2. Plateforme selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle des objets essentiellement cylindriques (B) allongés peuvent être positionnés un par rangée.

3. Plateforme selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle une pluralité d'objets essentiellement cylindriques (B) allongés peuvent être positionnés par rangée, disposés en série les uns par rapport aux autres.

4. Plateforme selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle, en plus de chaque paire de logements (3), un troisième logement est présent, disposé dans une position centrale et/ou une feuille calandrée (3') est présente, positionnée sur les logements, adaptée pour servir de surface de support aux objets.

5. Plateforme selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle des anneaux (4) sont prévus sur des extrémités longitudinales opposées du cadre pour fixer des courroies d'ancrage (5) pour les cylindres empilés.

6. Plateforme selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle les côtés longitudinaux (21) du cadre (2) présentent la forme d'un tube ouvert de sorte à permettre l'insertion des fourches d'un chariot élévateur ou d'un monte-charge dans les trous (23) du tube et le levage sécurisé de la plateforme chargée d'objets.

7. Plateforme selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle lesdits objets sont des bouteilles de gaz vides.

Drawing