Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
The presenl invent:Lon relates to a pa~Llet :Loading
appara-tus :eor :Loading articles on a predetermirled pa-ttern and
in a piled marlner upon a palle-t.
A pallet loading appara-tus according to the prior art
loads a pallet with articles by carrying in a predetermined
number of articles for one layer and arranging them Oll an
arranging table, by loading the articles for one layer from
-the arranging table onto a carriage, by bringing the carriage
to above a pallet and then retaining the articles for one layer
on the carriage with the use o e a stopper, and then by retrac-t-
ing the carriage thereby to al.low -the ar-ticLes for one layer
to drop on-to the palle-t.
In the case oL the conventional pallet loading apparatus
thus far described, however, since a l.arge load is exer-ted
upon the carriage and its moving and supporting Utlit and since
the articles are piled in multiple layers, theLe are required
not only both a mechanism for moving up and down -the carriage
and its moving and suppor-ting uni-t, which are highly loaded,
and a mechanism for moving up and down the pallet loaded wi-th
the articles but also a space for allowing the carriage to
retract. As a result, the pallet loading appara-tus has its
size enlarged as a whole.
The present invention has been conceived in view of the
problems -thus far described and contemplates to provide a
simplified type pallet loading appara-tus.
It is a first object of the present invention to simplify
the construction and reduce the size of a pallet loading
apparatus by loading a row Oe articles for one layer plural
times, In order to achieve this object, the pallet loading
apparatus according to the present inven-tion is cons-truc-ted
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such that a carrying-in ~rca for carrying ln respective arti-
cles and a carrying-out area having a pallet placed thereon
for loading the articles are disposed adjacent to each other,
such that a post is erected upright in the viclnity o~ those
carrying in and carrying~out areas, such that there is disposed
on that post a lift which is elongated in a horizontal direc-
tion along those carrying-in and carrying-out areas and which
is enabled to move up and down on that post, such that there
is carried on the aiorementioned lift a transverse trolley
which is made movable in a horizontal direction between those
carrying in and carrying~out areas, and such that a holding
mechanism for holding the articles is suspended from the lower
portion of that transverse trolley. Thus, ~he pallet loading
apparatus transfers and loads the articles onto the pallet by
holding a row of articles, which are carried in onto the
carrying .in area, in the holding mechanlsm, by transferring
the articles, which are held in the holding mechanism to the
carrying-out area both by the ascend and descend of the lift
and the horizontal movement of the transverse trolley, and by
releasing the articles from the holding mechanism.
In order to achieve the aforementioned object, moreover,
the pallet loading apparatus having the constructions thus far
described is constructed such that there is carried sn the
transverse trolley a carriage which is made movable in such a
horizontal direction as to intersect the moving directions of
the transverse trolley, and such that the aforementioned hold-
ing mechaDism is carried on that carriage, whereby a row of
articles are divided and transferred plural times onto the
carrying-out area.
In the aforementioned respective pallet loading apparatus,
moreover, in addition to the advantage that box-~haped articles
can be loaded by the use of the holding mechanism equipped with
a pair o~ clamping members, the positioning operations of the
box-shaped articles and the holding mechanism both at the
carrying-in area is enabled to have their degrees of freedom
relatively increased by driving both the paired clamplng
members of the holding mechanism to move toward and away from
each other so that the positioning operations can be facili-
tated to ensure the clamping and holding operations o~ the
box-shaped articles.
In the case o~ the aforementioned holding mechanism
having both its paired ~lampingmembers driven, still moreover,
the holding mechanism itself is enabled to have its construc-
tion simplified and its size reduced by driving both the
clamping members by means o~ a single cylinder.
In the aforementioned respective pallet loading apparatus,
iurthermore, in addition to the advantage that the box-shaped
articles can be loaded by the use of the holding mechanism
having the paired clamping members, the gap between the box-
shaped articles loaded on the pallet can be remarkably reducedby driving only one of the paired clamping members of the
holding mechanism to move it toward and away from the other.
By equipping the aforementioned respective holding
mechanisms having the paired clamping members with a support-
ing member which is adapted to move to and from below the box-
shaped articles, furthermore, the box-shaped ar~icles are
clamped with a suitable force between the paired clamping
members, and the box-shaped articles thus clamped betweell the
clamping members are prevented exclusively by that support
member from dropping down so that they can be prevented ~rom
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being brolcen by the clarnpirlg Lorces o~' the c:Lamping merrlbers.
In the aforement:ionecl le.spec-tive palle-t loading apparatus,
fur-thermore, bag-shaped articles can also be loaded by the use
Oe a holding mechanism which is equipped with a pair of scoop-
ing mermbers.
In the case of the aeorementioned pallet loading apparatus
e~uipped wi-th the paired scooping members, the deformations
of the bag-shaped articles and-theunbalance of the load are
corrected, by disposing vertically movably a push member for
pushing down a bag-shaped article between the paired scooping
members, so -that the bag-shaped articles piled on the pallet
can be prevented from dropping to pieces.
In the case of the aforement:ioned holding mecharlism
equipped with -the push member be-tween the paired scooping
members, moreover, the holding mechanism itself can have its
construc-tion simplified and its size reduced by rnoving up and
down the push member in mechanical response to the opening
and closing opera-tions of the paired scooping mernbers.
In the aforementioned respec-tive pallet loading apparatus,
still moreover, the box- or bag-shaped articles can be loaded
on various patterns disposing -the holding mechanism, which
is made operative to hold the box- or bag-shaped article, on
either the transverse trolley or the carriage such that it
can ro-tate in a horizontal plane.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention
will become apparent from the following descrip-tion -to be
made with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Fig 1 is a -e ront elevation showing a first embodiment
of the pallet loading appara-tus according to the present
invention;
Fig, 2 is a top plan view of the same;
Fig, 3 i~ a side elevation of the same;
Fig, 4 is A top plan view showing a portion of the same;
Fig, 5 is a side elevation showing a portion o~ the same;
Figs, 6 to 8 are longitudinal sections showing the
respective portions of the same;
Fig, 9 is a front ele~ation showing a second embodiment
of the pallet loading apparatus according to the present
invention;
Fig. 10 is a top plan view of the same;
Fig, 11 is a side elevation of ~he same;
Fig, 12 is a top plan view showing the loading state of
the same;
~ig. 13 is a front elevation showing a third embodiment
of the pallet loading apparatus of the present inventlon, and
particularly the holding mechanism o~ the same;
Fig, 1~ is a top plan view showing a fourth embodiment
of the pallet loading apparatus according to the present
invention;
Fig. 15 iS a front elevation of the s~me;
~ig, lB is a top p-lan view o~ an essential portion of
~he same;
~ Figs, 17(A), 17(B) and 17(C) are explanatory views illu9-
trating the operations of the holding mechanism of the same;
~ig. 18 is a front elevation showing a fifth embodiment
of the pallet loading apparatus of the present invention, and
particularly the holding mechanism of the same; and
Fig. 19 is a side elevation showing the same holding
mechanism,
The present invention will now be specifically described
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in connect:lon with the embodiments thereo~ with reference to
the accompanying drawings.
First o~ all, the ~ollowing description i~ ~irected to
a plurality o~ embodiments for loading box-shaped articles,
Re~erence numeral 1 appearing in Figs. 1 and 3 generally
indicates a hori~ontal platform, at both sides o~ which there
are disposed in an adjacent manner a carrying-in area 2 ~or
carrying-in box-shaped articles B and a carrying-out area For
carrying-out the articles B ~or their subsequent loading
purpose. In the carrying-in area 2 located at the lefthand
side, there is disposed the leading end portion of a carrying-
in conveyor 4 ~or carrying-in the articles B, A pallet P is
to be placed on the carrying-out area 3 located at the right-
hand sicle. This carrying-in conveyor ~ is equipped, as shown
in Figs, 1 and 2, with a number o~ rol'lers 6 which are juxta-
posed to one another and borne between side frames 5 located
at both the sides thereof and which are to be driven by a
not-shown motor. Moreover, the carrying~in conveyor 4 is
equipped with an arranging mechanism 7 at its leading end
portion and with a turning mechanism 8 at its base end portion,
The a-~orementioned arranging mechanism 7 ls constructed
to include a ~ront stopper 9, which is mounted between the
two side frames 5 of the aforementioned carrying-in conveyor
4, a side stoppar 10, which is mounted on the righthand side
frame 5, and a pusher 11 which is mounted on the le~thand side
frame 5 such that it is juxtaposed to that side stopper 10,
That pusher 11 is adapted to be brought toward and away ~rom
the side stopper 10 by the action of a not-shown air cylinder
which is mounted in a cylinder cover 12.
On the other hand, the a~orementioned turning mechanism
~.~
8 is constructed -to .i.nc.Lude~ a turll stopper -L3 ~nd a tu:rn pusher
14 bo-th of which are mo~ tecl on the a:Eorementioned righthand
side frame 5. Tlle -turn stopper 13 i.s rocked by a not-shown
driving mechanism -to bring i.-ts leading end portion to and -from
above the carrying-in conveyor 4, whereas the -turn pusher 14
is brought -to and from above the carrying-in conveyor 4 by
the action o-f an air cylinder 15.
In the carrying-in conveyor 4 thus far described, there-
-fore, the box-shaped articles B are arranged row by row upon
a predetermined piling pattern.
In case the one row o-L the piling pattern is composed
of two articles in the longitudinal direction, the turning
mechanism 8 is left inoperative so tha-t the two articles B,
which are fed in the longitudinal direction and a-t an interval,
are allowed to pass as -they are until they are stopped by -the
front stopper 9 O:e the arranging mechanisrn 7. Then, the
pusher 11 advances to bring -the two articles B into abu-t-ti.ng
contact with -the side stopper 10. In case the one row o-f -the
piling pattern is composed of three articles in the widthwise
or transverse direction, the -turn s-topper 13 of the turning
mechanism 8 is rocked clockwise, a.s viewed in Fig. 2, to
bring its leading end portion to the righthand portion of the
carrying-in conveyor 4. As a result, the three articles B,
which are fed in -the longitudinal direction and at an interval,
have their rear por-tions pushed, when they respectively abut
agains-t the leading end portion of the -turn stopper 13, by
the instant advance or retraction of the turn pusher 1~ so
that they are turned about a right angle. Then, the articles
B are conveyed at that state until they are stopped by the
front stopper 9 of the arranging mechanism 7. Then, the
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pusher 11 moves forwarcl to bring the three articles B into
abutment contact wi-th the side stopper 10.
Incidentally, i:e one row o~ two or th.ee articles B are
~ed to the carrying-in conveyor 4, the ~eed of the succeeding
articles B is automatically interrupted. When the one row of
articles B are carried away, the succeeding articles B are
fed again.
Moreover, a pallet conveyor ~or conveying the pallet P
may be disposed at the carrylng-out area 3 sirnilarly to the
aforementioned carrying-in conveyor 4.
In the vicinity of the carrying-in and carrying-out
areas 2 and 3 thus far described, moreover, there is erected
upright a stationary post 21 which is disposed at the back
of the aforementioned platform 1. On that stationary post
21 at the side of ~he carrying-in and carryin~-out areas 2
and 3, ~.e., at the ~ront ~ide thereo~, there are vertically
movably di~posed a lift 22 which is elongated in a hori~ontal
direction along the carrying-in and carrying-out areas 2 and
31 i.e., in a transverse direction,
As better seen from Figs. 4 and 5, more speci~ically,
the aforementioned stationary post 21 is equipped at both its
respective sides with vertical guide rails 23. On the rear
portion of the aforementioned lift 22, on the other hand,
there are rotatably borne through a pair of facing brackets
25 a plurali~y o~ rollers 2~ which are in engagement with the
aforementioned guide rails 23.
On the upper end portion of the aforementioned stationary
post 21, moreover, there is borne a sprocket 28 which is con-
nected through a reduction mechanism 26 to a li~t motor 27.
A chain 29, which is made to run on that sprocket 28, has its
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one end portion attached to the aforernen~j.oned li~t 22 an~ its
other end portion attached to a balance weight 30 inside o~
the stationary post 21. As a result, the li~t 22 is moved up
and down along the stationary post 21 by the drive o~ the lift
motor 27,
On the a~orementioned li~t at the slde oi the carrying-
in and carrying-out ar2as 2 and 3, i.e., at the front side
thereo~, moreover, there is disposed a transverse trolley 31
which has a generally C-shaped side view and which is made
movable along the lift 22.
As better seen irom Figs, 4 and 5, more specifically, the
aforementioned lift 22 is equipped on its upper and lower
portions at both the sides ther00f with horizontal guide rails
32, On the upper and lower portions o~ the aiorementloned
transverse trolley 31, there are borne a plurality o~ rollers
33 which are in engagement with the ~orementioned guide rails
32,
Moreover, the a~orementioned ~i~t 22 is equipped at its
froat portion with a rack 34 which extends in the longitudinal
direction thereo~. On the a~orementioned transverse trolley
31, there is borne a pinion 35 which is in meshing engagement
with that rack 34 and which is connected to a transverse motor
36 mounted on the upper portion of the transverse ~rolley 31.
Thus, this transverse trolley 31 is moved in a horizontal
direction along the li~t 22 by the drive o~ the transverse
motor 36.
On the ~ront portion of the aforementioned transverse
trolley 31, moreover, there is carried a holding mechanism 41
~or holding the articles B. This holding mechanism 41 is
constructed, as better seen from Figs. 4 and 5, to include a
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9UppOrt:Lllg :t'Y'allle 42, which is sllpported on -the -transverc;e
-trolley 3:L, and ~ pair o~ p~late-shapecl clamping rrlembers 43 and
44 wh:ich are made o-f an elas-t:ic ma-ter:ia~L such as a rubber and
which are disposed below the -Lront and rear por-tions Oe -the
suppor-ting -frame 42, respectively.
In the embodimen-t being described, -the aforementioned
supporting -frame 42 is supported ver-tically movably on -the
aforementioned -transverse -trolley 31.
At bo-th sides of the front portion of the a-forementioned
transverse trolley 31, more speci-fically, there are disposed,
as better seen from Fig. 6, a pair o-f grooved guides 46 which
are -formed with retaining portions 45 at their lower ends,
On both sides of the front por-tion of the a-foremen-tioned
supporting frame 42, moreover, there are respectively borne
a pair of upper and lower rollers 47 which are in engagemen-t
wi-th the a-foremen-tioned guides 46.
On the other hand, -the aforementioned supporting frame
42 of the embodimen-t under consideration is elastically
supported on the aforemen-tioned -transverse -trolley 31 such
that it is biased upward.
On the fron-t portion o-f the aforemen-tioned transverse
trolley 31, more specifically, as bet-ter seen from Fig. 7,
there is moun-ted a horizontal plate member 48 at which a pair
of supporting rods 49 are anchored upright. On the rear
portion of the aforementioned supporting frame 42, moreover,
there is mounted a plate member 50 having holes 51, which are
fitted on the aforementioned supporting rods 49. Still more-
over, coil springs 52 are mounted on those supporting rods 49
and are sandwiched between -the two plate members 48 and 50.
In the embodiment being described, the aforementioned
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palrecl clamping members 43 ancl 'L'-I are bo-th rrlade movable back
ancl fortil a.nd aclapted to he d:riven comrnonLy by a sinbrle
cylinder
Specifically, the fron-t clamping member 43 is moun-ted
on the shorter side portion o~ a generally L-shaped arm 53,
which has i-ts longer side por-tion so fi-t-ted in grooved guides
54 mounted on both sides o-f the -front por-tion of -the a-fore-
men-tioned supporting frame 42 that it can move back and for-th.
On the other hand, the rear clamping member 44 is moun-ted on
the lower end portion of a slightly shorter arm 55, which
has its upper end por-tion fixed to a pivo-t pin 56 borne rota-
tably in a horizontal direc-tion in -the rear lower portion of
the supporting -frame 42,
To the upper por-tion of the aforernentioned suppor-ting
frame 42, on the o-ther hand, there is hinged an air cylinder
57 having a piston rod, to the leading end of which a drive
arm 58 is hingedly connec-ted. To the in-termedia-te por-tlon of
tha-t drive arm 58, as better seen from Fig. 8, there is
attached a.n annular member 59 having a slot, in which a pin
61 fixed to -the base end portion of the aforementioned firs-t
arm 53 -through a supporting member 60 is loosely fittecl -through
a roller 62. Moreover, the drive arm 58 has its leading end
portion secured to the pivot pin 56 to which the aforementioned
second arm 55 is fixed. As a result, if -the aforementioned
air cylinder 57 is actuated to protrude the piston rod, the
drive arm 58 is rotated clockwise, as viewed in Fig. 5, abou-t
the pivo-t pin 56 so that the arm 53 is re-tracted to the righ-t
along the guides 54 whereas the arm 55 i5 rota-ted clockwise
about the pivot pin 56, thereby to close the respective
clamping members 43 and 4~. If the aforementioned air cylinder
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57 :is returned to :ret:ract the p:Ls-ton rod, on the con-trary, the
cl-rive arm 5~ is ro-tated counter-c'Lockwise, as viewe~ in Fig. 5,
abou-t -the pivo-t pin 56 so thcl-t -the arm 53 is pro-truded -to the
left along -the guides 54 whereas -the arm 55 is ro-ta-te~l counter-
clockwise abou-t the pivo-t pin 56, thereby to open the respective
clamping members 43 and 44.
On the other hand, the aforementionecl front arm 53 is
constructed, as better seen from Figs. 4 and 5, to include a
plurality oI plate members 63 and 64, which are jointed by
means of screws 66 through a plurality of slots 65 formed in
the respective plate membexs 63 and 64 so tha-t the length of
that arm 53 can be adjus-ted to adjust -the size of or the gap
between the respective clamping members 43 and 44.
The operations of the ernbodiment having -the construction
-thus -far described will be describecL in -the following.
The ar-ticles B are fed to -the carrying-in conveyor 4 so
-that two or three of them are arranged in a row at the lead:ing
end portion of -the carrying-in conveyor 4.
Then, the lift motor 27 is energized to move down -the
lift 22 along the stationary post 21 to a predetermined posi-
tion by the coaction of the sprocket 28 and the chain 29 so
that the respective clamping members 43 and 44 are brought to
the front and back of the two or three articles B. After that,
the air cyli.nder 57 is actuated to protrude its piston rod so
that the respective clamping members 43 and 44 are closed to
clamp the two or three articles B from the front and back
-thereo-f.
Then, the lift motor 27 is energized to move up -the lie-t
22, and the -transverse motor 36 is energized to move the trans-
verse trolley 31 righ-twardly of Figs, 1 and 2 along the lif-t
22 by -the coaction Or the pinion 35 and the :rack 3~ so tha-t
the articles B held by the ho~Lding mechanism 41 are brougrht
to above a predetermilled plling position o~ -the pallet P.
Then, -the lii`t motor 27 is energized -to move down -the
lii-t 22 so that the articles B are placed on the pallet P, and
the air cylinder 57 is ac-tuated to re-tract its piston rod so
that -the respec-tive clamping members 43 and 44 are opened to
release the articles B.
Here, when the articles B are placed on -the pallet P,
the supporting -~rame ~2 of the holding mechanism 41 is so
supported that i-t can move upward relative to the transverse
trolley 31 and is also biased upward by -the action o-~ the
springs 52. As a resul-t, the loads o~ the li~'t 22 and the
transverse trolley 31 a:re no-t exerted between the ar-ticles B
and the pallet P, and the load oi the holding mechanism 4:L is
reduced by the actions Or the springs 52 so tha-t the ar-tic'les
B are prevented ~rom being broken~
Then, -the lii't motor 27 is energized to move up the
liit 22, and the -transverse motor 36 is energized to move the
-transverse trolley 31 leitwardly of Figs~ 1 and 2 so that the
holding mechanism 41 is brought -to a position above the
carrying-in conveyor 4, thus being prepared ior the operation~
thus iar described~
Moreover, these operations are repeated until the arti-
cles B are piled in a predetermined layers on a predeterminedpiling pattern upon the pallet P~
As has been described hereinbei'ore, according to the
embodiment under consideration, the holding mechanism 41 having
the paired clamping members 43 and 44 is made movable in a
vertical direction and in a transversely horizontal direction
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so that the box-shaped art:icles B can be p:Lled row by row on
the p:il.ing pattern upon the pallet P As is diffeIent from
the construct.ion according to the prior art, there are re-
quired neither the arranging table for arranging the articles
B for one layer nor the carriage for supporting and moving
the articles B i'or one layer. Nor is required the mechanism
for moving up and down the pallet P loaded with the articles
B As a result, the pallet loading apparatus has its size so
reduced that it can be easily installed on an existing -~actory
or warehouse. Moreover, the loading apparatus has i-ts most
portion supported by the stationary post 21 so that its
installation is facilitated.
~ccording to this embodiment, moreover, since both paired
clamping members 43 and 44 of the holding mechanism 41 are
driven, there is little fear that the clamping members 43 and
44 at their closed sta-te abut against the articles B, while
the holding mechanism 41 is moving down toward the articles B
lying on the carryin~-in conveyor 4, so that the articles B
as wel]. as the holding mechanism 41 can be easily positioned
at the carrying-in area 2 while being surely held Moreover,
both the clamping members 43 and 44 are completely synchronized,
because they are driven commonly by the single air cylinder 57,
~nd the holding mechanism 41 itself can have its construction
simpl.ified and its size reduced.
In the embodiment thus ~ar described, incidentally, the
lift 22 is vertically movably supported at its center portion
by the stationary post 21. However, the present invention
should not be limited thereto but can be modi~ied such that
the lift 22 is supported at its end portion by the stationary
post 21.
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~;
Figs. ~ to 12 show a second embodiment of the pallet
loading apparatus according to the pre~ent invention.
Re~erence numeral 101 appearlng in Figs, 9 to 11 generally
indica~es a horizontal platform, at both the sldes of which
there are disposed adjacent to each other a carrying-ln area
102 for the box-shaped articles B and a carrying-out area 103
for loading the articles B, At the carrying-ln area 102 at
the righthand side, there is disposed the leading end portion
of a carrying-in conveyor 104 for separately conveying the
articles ~, The pallet P is placed on tbe carrying-out area
103 at the le~thand side.
Moreover, the aforementioned carrying-in conveyor 104 is
so constructed that a number of rollers 106 are juxtaposed to
one another ~nd borne between two side frames 105. A pre-
determined number, e.g " two articles B, which are dividedlongitudinally into two halves for one row, are successively
conveyed, while being oriented in a predetermined direction~
by the action of the carrying-in conveyor 104 until they are
stopped at the leading end poltion of the conveyor 104 by
means of a not-shown stopper.
Incide~tally, a pallet conveyor for conveying the pallet
P may be disposed at the carrying-out area 103 similarly to
the carrying-in conveyor 104 described in the above.
In the vicinity of the aforementioned carrying-in and
~5 Garrying-out area~ 102 and 103, moreover, there is erected
upright at the back of the aforementioned platform 101 a
stationary post 111. On this stationary post 111 at the side
of the carrying-in and carrying out ar~as 102 and 103, i.e.,
at the front side thereof, there is vertically movably dis-
posed a lift 112 which is elongated in a horizontal direction
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along the carrying in and carrying-out units 10~ and 103, i.e,,
in a trans~erse direction.
Speci~ically, the aforementioned stationary post 111 i5
~quipped at its both sides with vertical guide rails 113.
On the rear portion of the aforementiorled lift 112, ~oreover,
there are borne through a pair of brackets 115 a plurality of
rollers 114, which are in engagement with the aforementioned
guide rails 113. Still moreover, the liit 112 is moved up
and down by means of a drive mechanism which is composed o~
a motor 116 mount~d on the upper end por~lon o~ the ~tation~ry
po~t 111.
On the li~t 112 at the side of the carrying-in and carry-
ing~out areas 102 and 103, i.e., at the ~ront side thereo~, on
the other hand, there is disposed a transverse trolley 121
which is elongated in a horixontal direction to intersect the
lift 112, i,e,, in a longitudinal direction and which is made
movable in a horizontal direction between the carrying-irl and
carrying~out areas 102 and 103.
Speci~ically, the aforementioned lift 112 is equipped at
its upper and lower portions with transversely horizontal
guide rails 122. On the rear end portion of the aforemention
ed transverse trolley 121, moreover, there are borne through
- a supporting frame 124 having a generally C-shaped side view
a plurality of rollers 123, which are in engage~en~ with the
aforementioned guide rails 122. Still moreover, the trans-
verse trolley 121 is adapted to move in a horizontal direction
by the action of a not-shown drive mechanism.
On the aforementioned transverse trolley 121, furthermore,
there is carried in an enclosing manner a carriage 131 having
a generally rectangular front view, which is made movable in
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a horizontal direction to intersect the moving direction of
the transverse trolley 1~1.
Specifically, this transverse trolley 121 is equipped at
its both side portions with longitudinally horizontal guide
5 rails 132, On both the side portions of the a~orementioned
carriage 131, moreover, there are respectively borne a plu-
rality of rollers 133, which are in engagement with the afore-
mentioned guide rails 132, Still moreover, the carriage 131
is adapted to move in a horizontal direction by the action of
a not-shown drive mechanism.
On the other hand, a holding mechanism 14] eOr holding
the articles B is suspended from the lower portion of the
aforementioned carriage 131, That holding mechanism 141 is
constructed to include a supporting frame 142, which is sup-
ported on the carriage 131, a first plate-shaped clamping
member 143, which is mounted on that supporting ~rame 142 at
the lower portion thereof at the le~thand side, i,e,, at the
side o-~ the carrying-out area 103, a second plate-shaped
clamping member 144, which is mounted on the supporting frame
142 at the lower portion thereo~ at the righthand side, i,e,,
at the side o~ the carrying-in area 102 in a position opposite
to the first clamping member 143, and a plurality of generally
L-shaped supporting members 14S which are moun*ed on the
righthand side lower portion and which are positioned outside
of the aforementioned second clamping member 144,
In the embodiment being described, the aforementioned
supporting frame 142 is so suspended from the lower portion
of the aforementioned carriage 131 through a shaft 134 as to
rotate in a horizontal plane and is rotated by the action of
a not-shown drive mechanism.
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:tn this embodiment morcover the :r:l.r~st c:lampirlg merrll)(r
143 is fixed].y mounted on the le:etlland lower portion Or the
aforementionecl suppor-ting frame 142.
On -the o-thel hand -the second clamping member 144 is
adapted to move -toward and away -from the aforementioned -first
clampi.ng member 143 so that i-t may clamp a predetermined number
of articles B between itself and the firs-t clamping member 143.
Speci-fically that second clamping member 144 is attached -to
the leading end portions o-f the piston rods of a pair of air
cylinders 146 which in turn are attached to the lower end
portions o-f mounting plates 147 a-ttached to the righthand
lower por-tion of -the a-forementioned supporting frame 142, so
that it can be brought -toward and away from the first clamping
member 143 by actuating the air cylinders 146 to protrude and
retract their p:is-ton rocls.
The aforementioned s-upporting members 145 are so con-
structed -that horizontal supporting portions formed a-t -their
lower ends can move frorn the outside of the second clampi.ng
member 144 toward and away from the righthand lower portion
or portions of the article B or articles B between the afore-
mentioned first and second clamping members 143 and 144-thereby
to prevent the art.icle B or articles B irom dropping down from
between -the first and second clamping members 143 and 144.
Specifically, those supporting members 145 are secured at
their base end portions to a single pivot pin 149, which is
rotatably supported on the righthand upper portion of the
aforementioned supporting frame 1~2 through a pair of bearings
150. To that pivot pin 149 there is secured one end of a
drive lever 151, which has its other end hingedly connected
to the leading end portion o~` the piston rod of an air cylinder
19
:erom -the :e:Lrst c~Lamping memb(r l~-L3 the gap S be-tween the
ar-ticles B Loaded ont:o the palle-t P can be restricte~ to the
-thickness Oe -the :eirst clarnpirlg member :L43.
In -the second embodiment still moreover -the holding
mechanism 141 is equipped w:ith the supporting members 1~5
which have -their suppor-ting portions 148 protruding from the
ou-tside of the second clamping member 144 to below the arti-
cles B between the first and second clamping members 143 and
144 thereby to prevent -the ar-ticles B from dropping down so
tha-t it can hold the articles B without fail. Since the
second clamping member 144 can have its clamping force weaken-
ed fur-thermore the articles B are prevented from being broken.
When the articles B are to be released -the second clamping
member 144 is enabled to func-tion as a s-topper by being re-
tracted after the supporting members 145 have been ex-tracted
from below the articles B so tha-t the ar-ticles B can be
prevented rrom being positionally disp].aced. In addition
since the first clamping member 143 does not require any
elastic pad bu-t can be cons-tructed of a single pla-te the gap
between the articles B can be remarkably reduced.
In the second embodiment furthermore since the support-
ing frame 142 of the holding mechanism 141 can rota-te in the
horizontal plane the articles B held thereby can have its
direction changed. For example -the articles B can be loaded
on the piling pattern shown in Fig. 12. In addition the
ar-ticles B can be loaded on various pa-tterns in accordance
with the shape o~ -the articles B.
In -the second embodiment incidentally -the first clamp-
ing member 143 is fixedly mounted on the suppor-ting f:rame 142.
The present invention should no-t be limi-ted thereto but can
be mocliLiecl such -tha-t the L:irst clamping melnber 143 is so di~s
posecl -tha-t l-t can be re-trac-ted upward In thi.s modi-~ication,
-the articles B can be pushed by moving down -the articles B
onto the palle-t P, by retracting the supporting members ].45,
by re-tracting the second clamping member 144, by retracting
upward the f`irst clamping member 143, and by protruding again
the second clamping member 144. Thus, the gap S between the
articles B can be eliminated.
In -this second embodirment, inciden-tally, the lift 112 is
so supported at its center portion on the stationary post 111
that it can move up and down. However, the present invention
should not be limi-ted there-to but can be modiLied such -tha-t
the lift 112 is vertically movably suppor-ted at its end
portion on -the stationary post 111.
lS Fig. 13 shows a third embodiment of the pallet load:ing
apparatus according to the present inven-tion.
Here, this third embodiment basically has similar con-
s-tructions and operations to those of the foregoing second
embodiment, and accordingly -the following description will be
limi-ted to the different por-tion, i.e., -the holding mechanism.
Reference numeral 241 appearing in Fig. 13 generally
indicates the holding mechanism which may be suspended from
the carriage 131, as is different from the holding mechanism
141 which is exemplified in the foregoing second embodiment.
~5 The holding mechanism 241 of this -third embodiment is
constructed -to include a suppor-ting frame 242, which is
supported on the carriage 131, a first plate-shaped clamping
member 243, which is disposed at the lefthand lower portion
of the supporting frame 242, a second plate-shaped clamping
3~ member 244, which is disposed at the righthand lower portion
. z~,
i'7
o~ tlle a~orementioned supporting frarne 2~2 in A manner -to Lace
the ~lrs-t clamp:ing membel 243, and a pluraLity o~ general~ly
L-shaped suppor-ting members 245 which are disposed outside of
that seconcl clamping member 244.
The aforementioned suppor-ting frame 242 is so hinged to
the lower portion of the afoIementioned carriage 131 through
the shaft 134 in a similar manner to the second embodiment
that it can freely rotate in a horizon-tal plane, and is rota-
tionally driven by means of a not-shown drive mechanism.
The aforementioned first clamping member 243 is fixedly
attached likewise the second embodimen-t to the lefthand lower
portion of the aforementioned suppor-ting frame 242~
The aforemen-tioned second clamping member 244 is so
cons-tructed likewise -the second embodimen-t that i-t can be
protruded toward and retracted away from the aforemen-tioned
firs-t clamping member 243 thereby -to clamp a predetermined
number of ar-ticles B together with the firs-t clamping member
243, but is attached in a different manner. Specifically, -the
aforementioned supporting frame 242 is equipped at both inner
sides with a pair of horizontal guide rails 246, with which
there are engaged a plurality of rollers 24~ borne on plate
members 247. To the plate members 247 a-t both sides, there
is attached the second clamping member 244 which has its upper
end portion hinged to the leading end por-tion of the piston
rod of an air cylinder 249 mounted on the aforemen-tioned
supporting frame 242. By actuating the air cylinder 249 to
pro-trude and retract its piston rod, the second clamping member
244 is guided by the rails 246 to move toward and away from
the first clamping member 243.
In the third embodiment, incidentally, an elastic pad
_ zz _
~. L~L.~
250 is mOllll tecl on -the secc)rl(l c:Lamplng merrlbe:r 244.
The a~orementioned support:ing members 245 are corl.structed
such -that supporting por-tions 25.1. at -their ~Lower ends can be
pro-truded from -the outside of -the second clamping member 244
toward -the righ-thand lower portions of the ar-ticles B between
the a~orementioned first and second clarnping members 243 and
244 and retracted away from those righ-thand lower portions of
the articles B thereby to prevent the articles B between the
first and second clamping members 243 ancl 244 from dropping
down, but are attached in different posi-tions with different
constructions. Specifically, those supporting members 245
are secured at their base end portions to a single pivot pin
252, which in turn is ro-tatably supported on the ou-tside upper
portion of the aforementioned second clamping member 244 by
means of a pair of bearings 253. 'I`o -tha-t pivo-t pin 252, there
is secured one end of a drive lever 254, which has its other
end hinged to the leading end portion o-f the pis-ton rod of
an air cylinder 256 hinged to -the outsicle lower portion oi`
the aforernentioned second clamping member 244 through bracke-ts
255. Thus, by actuating the air cylinder 256 to pro-trude and
retract its piston rod, the supporting members 245 are rocked
about the pivot pin 252 thereby to protrude their supporting
portions 251 from the outside of the second clamping member
244 toward the righthand lower portions of -the articles B
be-tween the aforemen-tioned first and second c:Lamping members
2~-~3 and 244 and to retract -the same por-tions 251 away -from
the righthand lower portions of those articles B. Moreover,
the supporting members 245 have their supporting portions 251
so hinged at 257 that they can freely rotate a predetermined
angle.
_z~ ._
y3,~
Inciderlta~Lly, -the operat:ions ancl advan-t~ge.s oL the thi:rd
ernbodiment are simi~lar -to -those o e -the -~orego:ing second ernbodi-
ment, and accord:irlgly the :Lollowing description is limited -to
-the advantages intrinsic to this third embodiment.
As has been described hereinbefore, according to -the
third embodiment, since the supporting portions 251 of the
supporting members 245 are made rotatable -the predetermined
angle by means of the hinge 257, they slide on -the lower
sides of the articles B while being held in their horizontal
positions, when they are e~trac-ted from below the ar-ticles B,
so that the articles B held by the holding mechanism 241 can
be brought close to the pal].et P or the articles B o~ the
underlying ]ayer, whereby their drop distance can be shor-tened
and whereby the articles B Oe the underlying layer can be
prevented from being broken by the leading ends of the sup-
porting portions 251.
According to this third embodiment, moreover, since -the
suppor-ting members 246, their driving air cyli.nder 256 and so
on are at-tached to the second clamping member 244, the adjust-
ment to cope with the change o e the size of the articles B
to be held can be done with remarkably ease in case it is
changed. In the holding mechanism 141 according to the
foregoing second embodimen-t, specieically, the size adjustment
can be performed, in case it is small, exclusively by changing
the attached posi-tion of the eirst clamping member 143, but
both the at-tached posi-tions of the bearings 150 of the support-
ing members 145 and the attached angle o~ the drive lever 151
have to be adjusted in addition to the attached position o e
the first clamping member 143 in case the size adjustment is
large. In the holding mechanism 241 according to this third
~2~ -
3~
embodiment, on the contrary, it is su~icient to change the
attached positio~ o:~ the ~irst clamping member 243 in all
cases,
The descriptions concerning the speci~ic embodiments o~
5 the pallet loading apparatus ~or loading the box-shaped arti-
cles are ended. The practise o~ the pallet loading apparatus
should not be limited to the ~oregoing ~irst to third embodi-
ments, But, in both the cases o~ the apparatus of the ~irst
embodiment for moving the holding mechanism in two directions,
i.e,, in vertical and transverse directions and the apparatus
oi the second embodiment ~or moving the holding mechanism in
three directions, i.e., in vertical, transverse and longi-
tudinal directions, one or plural arbitrary ~unctions can
be combined to drive both the paired clamping members o~ that
holding mechanism, to drive o~ly one oi the paired clamping
members o~ the holding mechanism, to equip the holding
mechanism with the supporting members, and to make the holding
mechanism rotatable in a horizontal plane.
Next, a plurality of embodiments oi the present invention
for loading bag-~haped articles will be described in the
~ollowing.
Figs. 14 to 17 show a ~ourth embodiment o~ the pallet
loading apparatus according to the present invention.
ReEerence numeral 301 appearing in Figs. 14 and 15
indicates a horizontal platform, at the back (as is located
at an upper portion of Fig. 14) o~ which there is disposed
a carrying~in area 302 ~or bag-shaped articles B. Adjacent
to this carrying-in area 302, there is disposed a carrying
ou~ unit 303 ~or loading the articles B, which extends ~rom
~he plat~orm 301 to the ~ron~ (as is located at a lower por~ion
- 2,S-
`'7
.D 1~
of Fig, 14) of the plat~orm 301. A stand-by conveyor 304 is
disposed at the carrying ln area 302, whereas a pallet table
305 is disposed in a horizontal posltion above the carrying-
out area 303 through a plurality of legs 306.
Moreover, the a~orementioned st'an'd by conveyor 304 is
so constructed that a pair of endless belts 308 above a frame
307 are made to run on not-shown front and rear pulleys there-
by to convey the bag-shaped articles B ~ed irom the back until
they are stopped at a predetermined position.
At the back of the afore~entioned stand~by conveyor 304,
there i5 disposed in a continuous manner a carrying-in conveyor
309, above which a pair o~ guide members 310 are so arranged
as to have their spacing narrowed ~orward. Thus, the articles
B fed ~rom the bacls are conveyed onto the stand-by conveyor
304 such that their longitudinal direction is aligned with
the conveying direction o~ th`e stand-by conveyor 304 by the
coactions of the guide members 310,
Incidentally, the pal'let table 30S may be replaced by
a pallet conveyor which is disposed similarly to the afore-
mentioned stand~by conveyor 304 at the carrying-out area 303
thereby to convey the pallet P.
In the vicinity of the aforementioned carrying-in and
carrying-out areas 302 and 303, moreover, there is erected
uprigh~ a stationary post 311 which is disposed at the
righthand side of ~he aforementioned platform 301. On that
stationary post 311 at the side of the carrying-in and carry-
ing-out areas 302 and 303, i.e., at the lefthand side, there
is vertically mounted a lift 312 which is elongated in a
,horizontal direction along the carrying-in and carrying-o-lt
areas 302 and 303, i.e., in a horizontal direction,
-- Z~e--
çi~
Specl~ically, the aforementioned statlonary post 311 is
equippe~ a~ its front and rear sldes, respectively, with
vertical guide rails 313 At the righthand side portion o~
the aforementioned lift 312, there are borne through a pair
of front and rear opposite supporting :Erames 315 a plurality
of rollers 314, which are in engagement with the aforementioned
guide rails 313, Moreover, the lift 312 is moved up and down
by the action o~ a drive mechanism which is constructed to
include a lift motor 316 mounted on the upper end of the
stationary post 311.
On the aforementioned li~t 312 at the side oi the carry
ing-ln and carrying-out areas 302 and 303, i.e., at the
lefthand side, iurthermore, there is carried a transverse
trolley 321 which is elongated in a direction to intersect
the lift 312, i,e., in a transverse direction and which is
made ~reely movable in a hori~ontal direction between the
carrying-in and carrying-out areaS 302 and 303.
Speci~ically, the aiorementioned lift 31~ is equ pped at
its upper and lower portlons, respectively, with longitudinal-
ly horizontal guide rails 322, On the rigbthand end portionof the aforementioned transverse trolley 321, moreover, there
are borne through a supporting ~rame 324 having a generally
~ C-shaped ~ront view a plurality o~ rollers 323, which are in
engagement with the aforementioned plural rollers 323.
Still moreover, ~he transverse trolley 321 is driven to move
in a horizontal direction by the action of a not-shown drive
mechanism.
On the aforementioned transverse trolley 321, further-
more, there is movably mounted a carriage 331 which is enabled
to move in a horizontal direction to intersect the moving
Z -~
~13~
di:nectlon Oe th~ -transve:ise trolley 32:1.
Speci:~ica.LLy, -the a:eorement:ioned -transver.se -trol:ley 32l
is equippecl at i.ts front ancl rear side portions, respectively,
wi-th -transversely horizon-tal guide rails 332. On the lront
and rear side por-tions o-L the aforementioned carriage 331,
respectively, there are borne a plurality of rollers 333,
which are in engagenment with the a~orementioned guide rails
332. Moreover, the carriage 331 thus construc-ted is driven
-to move in a horizontal direction by the action of a not-shown
drive mechanism.
Furthermore, a holding mechanism 341 for holding -the
ar-ticles B is suspended from -the lower por-tion o-E -the afore-
mentioned carriage 331. This holding mechanlsm 341 is cons-t-
ruc-ted, as is bet-ter seen :Erom Fig, 17, to include a suppor-ting
frame 342, which is suspended -Erom the carriage 331, a pair
of pla-te-shaped scooping members 343 generally having a shape
o-~ letter "L", which are oppositely a-t-tached -to that supporting
frame 342, and a rod-shaped push member 344 which is at-tached
to the lower portion of the aforemen-tioned supporting frame
342 be-tween those paired scooping members 343.
In this fourth embodiment, the aforementioned supporting
frame 342 is so suspended from the lower portion of the afore-
mentioned carriage 331 that it can freely rotate in a hori-
zontal plane, and is driven to rotate by the action o~ a not-
shown drive mechanism.
The aforemen-tioned paired scooping members 343 are hinged
to the aforementioned supporting frame 342 by means of pivot
pins 345 and are adapted to be opened and closed by the action
of a not-shown drive mechanism thereby to scoop and hold a
bag-shaped article B with supporting portions 346 at their
7-8 ~
'7
leading ends.
The aforemellt:iolled p~lsh member 344 is .so a-t-tached -to the
aLorement:ioned suppolting frame 342 -through a rod 3~7 -that i-t
can freely move up and down, and is adap-ted to ascend and
descend by tile ac-tion of a not-shown clrive mechanism.
Nex-t, -the operations of this fourth embodiment will be
described in the following.
First of all, a vacant pallet P is placed on the pallet
table 305.
By moving the lift 312, the transverse trvlley 321 and
the carriage 331, in this meanwhile, the holding mechanism 341
is brought -to above the stand-by conveyor 304. Then, -the
scooping members 343 of that holding mechanism 341 are prepared
to be opened, and -the push member 344 is prepared to ascend.
Then, by ro-tating the holding mechanism 3~1, the direction.s of
-the pivo-t pins 345 o-L the scooping members 343 are macle coin-
cident with the conveying direction of -the stand-by conveyor
304.
After -that, the bag-shaped article B is carried onto
the stand-by conveyor 304 by -the ac-tion of -the carrying in
conveyor 309, and the longitudinal direc-tion o~ the article
B is aligned with the conveying direction of the stand-by
conveyor 304 by the coactions of the guide members 310. Then,
the article B is stopped at a predetermined position above
the s-tand-by conveyor 304, and the succeeding ar-ticles B is
prevented from being carried onto the stand-by conveyor 304.
When the article B is stopped a-t the predetermined
position of the stand-by conveyor 304, the lift 312 is moved
down -to bring the paired scooping members 343 of the holding
mechanism 341 to both sides of that article B. After that,
~ ~Cl -
the scooping membeIs 3~3 are closed to :insert -~hei.r suppor~-
ing portions to be:low the article B,
~ fter -the liE-t 312 is subseqwen-tly moved up, both the
transverse -trol.ley 321 and -the carriage 331 are moved -to bring
the holcling mechanism 34:L -to above a prede-teroined piling
position on -the pallet P. Then, as shown in Fig. 17(A), the
liEt 321 is moved down to position the ar-ticle B held on the
holding mechanism 341 sligh-tly above -the predetermined piling
position.
Next, as shown in Fig. 17(B), the push member 344 is
protruded down and the scooping members 343 are opened, while
pushing the cen-ter portion of -the articl.e B, until -this ar-ti-
cle B is placed on the predetermined piling position, while
being pushed by the push member 344, as shown in Fig. 17(C).
On the other hand, in case the direction of the article
B to be stopped on the stand-by conveyor 304 is di-Eferen-t
from the piling direc-tion o:E -the same on -the palle-t P, -the
holding mechanism 3~1 is turned un-til the direction ol the
article B comes into alignment with the piling direction, as
shown in Fig. 16.
These operations are repeated so that -the articles B are
piled on a predetermined piling pattern in a predetermined
number of layers upon the palle-t P.
As has been desc-ribed hereinbefore, according to this
i`ourth embodiment, since the holding mechanism 341 having the
paired clamping members 343 is enabled to move in -the vertical
direction, in the longi-tudinal direction and in the transverse
direction, one or plural bag-shaped articles B can be sepa-
rately loaded onto -the pallet P. As is different from the
conventional pallet loading apparatus, -there are required
3~ '7
neither the arrallgirlg tab:le -Ior arrang:ing the ar-ticles of'
one layer no-t the carriage for suppor-t:ing and carrying the
articles B o-E one layer. Nor i.s required a rnechaniqm for
ver-tically moving the palle-t 1~ loaded with the articles B.
As a result, the pal]et loading can have its sized so reduced
-that it can be installed on -the existing iactory or warehouse
without any dif:eicul-ty. Moreover, the loading appara-tus has
i-ts most portion suppor-ted by the s-tationary post 311 so that
its installation is facilitated.
According to this Eourth embodiment, moreover, since the
holding mechanism 341 is equipped with the push member 34~,
the deformations oE the articles B and the unbalance oE the
loads when the bag-shaped articles B are to be trans~erred can
be corrected so that the piled articles B can enjoy a sa-tis-
Eactory appearance while being prevented Erom dropping to
pieces.
According to the Eourth embodiment, Eur-thermore, since
the holding mechanism 341 can be rotated in the horizontal
plane, the ar-ticles B held thereby can have their direction
Zo changed so that they can be piled on various piling patterns,
Figs. 13 and 19 show a fiEth embodiment o-f the pallet
loading apparatus according to thepresent invention.
Here, this fifth embodiment basically has similar con-
structions and operations to those of the foregoing second
ori'ourth embodiment, and accordingly the lfollowing description
is restric-ted to the difierent portion, i.e., the holding
mechanism.
Reference numeral 441 appearing in Figs. 18 and 19
generally indicates a holding mechanism which may be suspended
Erom -the carriage 131 or 331, as is different from the holding
~ 3l-
mechan:ism 141 or 341 exemp:l:ieied :i.n the foregoi.ng se~ond or
~our-th embodiment.
Th:is holding mechanism 441 is constructed to include a
supporting :~rame 442, which is suspenclecl from the carriage 131
or 331, a pair of scooping members ~43, which are at-ta~hed to
tha-t supporting erame 442 at both its lower s:ide portions, and
a push member ~44 which is disposed below the aforementioned
supporting frame 442 between those scooping members 443. This
push member 444 and the aforen~entioned two scooping members
443 are connected by means of a later-described coacting
mechanism 445 so tha-t the push member 444 is made to coact
when -the scooping members 443 are driven.
The aforementioned suppor-ting frame 442 is so suspended
irom the lower portion of the aforementioned carriage 13:1 or
331 by means O e a shaft 446 that i.t can freely rota-te in a
horizonta:L plane, and is driven -to rotate by the action o e
a not~shown drive mechanisrn.
Each Oe the scooping rnembers 443 at both sides is
constructed to include a plate member 451 and a plurality Oe
generally L-shaped supporting pawls 452 which are secured -to
-the leading end portion O-e that plate member 451. Those
scooping members 443 are enabled to be opened and closed by
rotatably laying pivot pins 453 in the lower portions of the
aforementioned supporting frame 442 at both sides, by securing
a pair of rocker arms 454 to those pivot pins 453, and by
attaching the base end portions of the aforemen-tioned plate
members 451to the outer end portions of the paired rocker
arms 454,
Moreover, to the end portions of the pivot pins 453 at
both sides, there are secured one-side end portions of drive
arms 455 hav:ing -the:ir other end port:i.ons, to wh:i.ch there are
hi.ngecl -the l.eading encl por-tions of the p:is-ton rods o:f a:i:r
cylinders 456 hingecl to the fron-t and rear si.de por-ti.ons of
-the aforemen-tioned suppor-ting frame 442. By synchronously
actuating the front and rear air cylinders 456 to protrude
and retract their piston rods, the pivot pins 453 at both
sides are rotated to open and close the scooping mernbers 443
at both sides.
To the aforemen-tioned bo-th-side pivot pins 453, still
moreover, there are secured respective arms 457 which are
hingedly connected by means of a connecti.ng lever 453 so that
the pivo-t pins 453 are enabled to rota-te in comp]ete synchro-
nism with each other. As a result, -the scooping members 443
a-t bo-th sides are completely synchronized and can be driven,
-too, by one of -the air cylinders 456.
rrhe aforemen-tioned push member 444 is cons-tructed such
that round rods 461 a-t bo-th sides are connected by means Oe
a pair of front and rear pla-te members 462. ~rom -the upper
sides of both -the plate members 462 at -their centers, there
are erected upright a pair of sliding rods 463, on which
sleeves 464 are slidably fit-ted. Into the upper end portions
of both the sliding rods 463, there are screwed a pair of
nu-ts 465 which act as stoppers.
Moreover, coil springs 466 are sandwiched between the
aeorementioned sleeves and plate members 464 and 462.
In this fifth embodiment, furthermore, the aforementioned
push member 444 is so suspended directly frorn -the afore-
mentioned coacting mechanism 445 that it can move up and down.
Specifically, that coacting mechanism 445 is constructed such
tha-t retaining pins 471 are formed to project from the inner
~33-
~'L~ i'7
end portlons of the rocker arms ~54 to which the aforemention
ed both-side scooping memb~rs 443 are attached, and ~uch that
engagement plates 473, which are formed at both end portions
with slots 472 to engage with those pins 471, are secured to
the sleeves ~64 which support the aforementioned push member
444 in a vertically movable manner. Thus, when the afore-
mentioned both-side scooping members 443 are opened, the lnner
end portions of the rocker arms 454 rock downward.
As a result, the engagement pins 471 push down the engagement
10 plates 473 while moving in the slots ~72 so that the sleeves
464 push down the plate members 462 of the push member 444
through the springs 466. When the scooping members 443 are
closed, on th~ contrary, the inner end portions of the rocker
arms 454 rock upward, As a result, the engagement pins 471
push up the engagement plates 473 while ~loving ln the slots
472 so that the sleeves 464 pull up the plate members 462 of
the push member 44~ through the paired nuts 465 and the
sli.ding rods 463.
Next, the operations of the fifth embodiment thus con-
structed will be described in the following.
Upon the following description, incidentally, let it beassumed tha~ the holding mechanism 441 is suspended from the
carriage 331 of the foregoing fourth embodiment.
The article B is stopped at a predetermined position
above the stand-by conveyor 304 which isdisposed at the
carrying-in area 302,
Then, the lif~ 312 is moved down to a predetermined
position along the stationary post 311, and the push member
444 of the holding mechanism 441 is brought into abutment
contact with the center portion of the upper side of the
~ 3~ -
'7
article B thereby to rearrange the article B, A~-ter that,
the ~ir cylinders 456 are actuated to protrude their piston
rods so that the both-s~de scooping members 4~3 are closed
to scoop up and h~ld the article B and 90 that the push member
444 is moved up.
At this time, the push member 444 is brought by the
suitable pressure o~ the springs 466 into abu~ment..contact
with the article B so that the article B is prevented ~rom
being broken, and is moved up in accordance with the closing
opera*ions o~ the scooping members 443 so that the scooping
and holding operations of the article B is not obstructed.
Next, the lift 312 is moved ~p, and the transverse
trolley 321 is moved forward along the lift 31~, Xf neces-
: sary, moreover, the carriage 331 i8 moved to the le~t along
the transverse trolley 321, and the holding mechanism 441 is
rotated, Thus, the article B held by the holding mechanism
441 is posi~ioned above a predetermined pillng position of
the pallet P which is placed on the carrying-out area 303.
Next, the lift 312 is moved down to bring the article B
to slightly above the predetermined piling position on the
pallet P, After that, the air cylinders 456 are actuated to
retract their piston rods so that the scooping members 443
are opened to drop t~le article B,
Next, the li~t 312 is moved down so that the push rnember
444 is brought to abut against the center portion of the
upper side o~ the article B trans~erred thereby to rearrange
the article B~
Since, by this time, the push member 444 has already
been moved down by the opening operations of the scooping
members 443 and positioned below the leading end portions of
the generally L.-shaped supportlng pawls 452 o~ the scooping
members 443, there is no fear that the supporting pawls 452
may contact with the article B which has been trans~erred to
the adjacent position.
Next, the li~t 312 is moved up, and the transverse
trolley 321 is moved backward. I~ necessary, moreover, the
carriage 331 is moved to the right, and the holding mechanism
441 is rotated to a position above the stand~by conYeyor 304.
Moreover, the operations thus far described are succes~
sively per~ormed to transfer a predetermined nu~ber of
articles B onto ~he Rredetermined piling positions on the
pallet P. Those operations are repeated to pipe the articles
B on a predetermined piling pattern in a predetermined layers
upon the pallet P,
In ~he operations thus iar described, incidentally, in
case the article B is to be arranged on the pallet P oi the
carrying~out area 303, the push member 444 can be brought $o
abut agalnst the center portion of the upper slde of the
article B without any descent o~ the li~t 312 by making suffi-
ciently long the ascending and descending stro~e of the push
member 444 in accordance with the opening and closing
operations of the scooping members 443,
As has been described hereinbefore, according to this
fifth embodiment, since the push member 444 is moved up and
down by the closing and opening operations of the scooping
members 443, there is required no drive means for driving the
push member 444, which protrudes upwardly Q~ the supporting
~rame 442. In case the holding mechanism 441 is suspended
from the carriage 131 or 331, therefore, there is required no
wide space inbetween, and the holding mechanism 441 itself
:~ L~-3~ 7
ean be so attachecl easily a3 to ereely rotate in the hor:i-
zoII-tal p~lane Sti`Ll moreover the holding mechanism ~1 can
have its weigh-t redueed. Fur-the-rmore, the aseen-t ancl deseent
of the push member ~ ean be simply eontrolled beeause they
are synehronized in a meehanieal manner with the opening and
elosing operations of the seooping members by means of the
eoacting meehanism 4~5.
The deseription O-e the specific embodiments exemplifying
the pallet loading apparatus for loading the bag-shaped
ar-ticles is ended. IIowever, the practice of this loading
apparatus should not be limi-ted to the foregoing two fourth
and fifth embodiments, but the present inven-tion can be
practised not only by the eonstruction, in whieh the holding
mechanism is moved in -three direetions, i.e., in the vert:ical,
horizontal ancd transverse direetions but also by a construc-
tion, in which -the holding mechanism is moved in a ver-tical
direction and in one horizontal direc-tion. In -the lat-ter
ease, the articles are held row by row.
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