DE19939286A1 - Supporting body with feet and ribwork contains superposed second ribwork all round body having short and long sides respectively equal. - Google Patents

Abstract

The first ribwork is overlain by the second ribwork (20,22a) which runs from the bearing point towards a center line (26) at an angle. The body has two narrow sides of equal length and two sides also of equal length, the sides in a ratio of 0.8:1.2. This second ribwork includes one set of ribs along the body sides and respectively recessed in wedge form (22,22a) between two bearing points of which the body has four at respective corners plus another point halfway between the two corner points and finally a bearing point in the body center. All bearing points come in the form of body feet (18), both successive feet in the longitudinal direction joined by skids. The top face of the body forms a closed grid structure or simply closed surface and the body exterior is closed throughout.

Description

The invention relates to a support structure according to the preamble of claim 1.

In practice, such support structures such. B. as pallets, especially as high-bay plastic pallets capable of being used, a conventional plastic pallet consisting of an im  essentially rectangular body with two narrow sides and two long sides exists, with a top of the body serving as the wing and one of the wing opposite underside, which with four feet in the corner areas of the body as well one foot each halfway along the four side edges and one foot in the middle of the body is provided, and the three runners, which in the longitudinal direction of the Connect each pallet three feet in a row at their lower end, the Pallet to avoid difficult to clean places usually closed all around sen and especially designed for use in transport and storage systems hen, where only the two narrow or long sides of the pallet are supported become. Pallets of this type which are capable of being stored in high-bay storage are known.

The state of the art of plastic pallets is essentially divided into two areas, namely with and without reinforcement elements. On pallets without reinforcing elements absorbing the entire mechanical stress over the plastic are in the other Case reinforcement elements of higher strength embedded in the palette, which the art Support fabric as a load-bearing structure. Examples of prior art pallets can be found e.g. B. in DE 43 36 469 A1, DE 41 42 659 A1, DE 3934b561 A1 or the G 91 10 315 U1.

The pallets with reinforcement elements can have a higher load capacity with the same thickness have as without reinforcing elements, but some disadvantages have to be considered men. So during the manufacturing process for the introduction of the reinforcement elements require a larger number of work steps. This becomes more expensive, besides the additional cost of the reinforcing elements, the pallet. It can also be done through the Reinforcing elements come to an increase in the total weight of the pallet. Frequently are also the reinforcing elements and the plastic mechanically incompatible, which in in practice can damage the pallet. For example, a reinforcement element with a high inertia in the event of a fall, its inclusion in the plastic damage. Different thermal expansion have a similar effect coefficients of the reinforcing element and the pallet plastic. Finally, be up  the elaborate separation of plastic and reinforcing element pointed out Recycling of used pallets is necessary.

Pallets without reinforcement elements avoid these disadvantages. And there are many known from support structures without reinforcing elements. Only a small part of these pallets however, meets the mechanical requirements of the DIN ISO 8611 standard for high-bay warehouses capable pallets. If with the known pallet constructions the requirements of this Norm are to be met, this leads to an increase in the total weight or to exceeding that specified in the DIN 15146 Part 2 standard for EURO pallets maximum pallet height. The latter has the undesirable consequence that different storage and Transport device, which are designed for the standardized pallet height, even with one slight increase in the pallet can no longer be used optimally and z. Legs have reduced stacking capacity.

The main reason for the poor fulfillment of the mechanical requirements is Lich in the structure of the pallet body. In the known support structures without reinforcement elements There are characteristic commonalities in the structure of the body. The top of the The body generally consists of a continuous cover plate, which is used for bending stress on the pallet absorbs the tensile and compressive forces. Another commonality lies in the inner structure. The body generally faces the underside of the cover plate a number of stiffening ribs. These generate the actual bending stiffness of the Corpus by providing the shear, Take up compressive and tensile stresses from the cover plate and into the pallet supports points, d. H. the supported pallet feet. In addition, some pallets show have a base plate at a distance from the cover plate, which over the stiffening ribs is connected to the cover plate. The base plate can also be subjected to bending stresses to take. In addition, the all-round closed pallets have the advantage that they are easily ge can be cleaned.  

The geometric arrangement of the stiffening ribs takes place in the prior art substantially parallel to the long and narrow sides of the pallet. Since the standard DIN-ISO 8611 a pallet with line loads parallel to the long and narrow sides is checked at State of the art the ribs as known from structural engineering, with T, double T or Box profile, arranged orthogonal to the respective line loads to the desired Ver to achieve stiffness. An orthogo results taking into account the normal load cases nal rib pattern that runs parallel to the long and narrow sides of the pallet extends over the entire pallet area, see DE 43 36 469 A1 or G 91 10 315 U1.

As already mentioned, such pallet designs do not lead to the required load capacity according to the standards mentioned, or so many ribs are required to meet the standards agile that results in an unacceptably high weight.

The invention is therefore based on the object of specifying a support structure which is characterized by low weight with high load capacity, high bending stiffness in the longitudinal and transverse directions as well as high impact resistance and which is suitable for the production of pallets, wel both the standards for pallet capable of being stored in high racks and the regulations for Meet the dimensions of EURO pallets.

This object is achieved by a support structure with the features of claim 1.

According to the first rib arrangement, which consists of stiffening ribs, wel A second rib arrangement runs parallel to the long and narrow sides of the body voltage superimposed, which obliquely from the support points of the body in the direction of a Mit Tellinie of the body extending stiffening ribs. These stiffening ribs are preferably to an outer rib train running around the sides of the body summarized, which forms an indentation between two support points. This Indentations are approximately wedge-shaped, the "wedge tip" to one of the center lines of the Body shows.  

By superimposing the rib systems in the body of the support structure, different Rib arrangements are combined, each designed to be different To perform tasks when lifting loads. This creates two effects at the same time. On the one hand, the effect of the rib arrangements according to the invention ve stiffness under the static standard loads in comparison to the state of the tech nik improved. On the other hand, with a dynamic load (like a corner case test) the supporting structure absorbs the kinetic energy in an advantageous manner and into elastic Deformations converted, which do not lead to damage to the support structure.

For optimal absorption and dissipation of the forces acting on the supporting structure at the tip of each indentation, a rib acting as a tie rod is attached, which connect the respective indentation to at least one, preferably two adjacent feet det. In the case of dynamic loads, it is particularly beneficial if between the train anchor and the indentation and / or between the tie rod and the respective foot Deformation element is arranged.

A further improvement in the stiffness of the support structure is obtained if there are two opposite indentations by means of at least one connecting rib, which overlaps a body center line extends, are interconnected. Also between these verbin Dungsrippen and the associated indentations are advantageous deformation elements seen.

The deformation element can, for example, take the form of a rounded or corrugated rip pe have.

The rib structure creates several cavities in the interior of the body. This are in one embodiment of the invention with a material, preferably a Foam material filled to further increase the rigidity of the support structure without losing its ge important to change significantly.  

With the support structure according to the invention, as mentioned above, a plastic pallet can be used produce that of the prior art in terms of load capacity, bending stiffness is superior in the longitudinal and transverse directions as well as shock resistance and which is suitable for manufacturing of pallets that meet both the standards for pallet-capable pallets and the Meet the requirements for the dimensions of EURO pallets.

The invention is based on a preferred embodiment with reference explained in more detail on the drawing. The figures show:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a stiffening rib system of a support structure according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 shows the rib system of Fig. 1, the first rib arrangement having been graphically highlighted;

Fig. 3 shows the rib system of Fig. 1 with the second rib arrangement highlighted;

. Fig. 4, the rib system of Figure 1, with ribs serving and associated deformation elements have been highlighted as a tie rod;

Fig. 5 shows the rib system of Fig. 1 with a third rib arrangement highlighted; and

Fig. 6 shows the rib system of Fig. 1, areas for recesses in the support structure being highlighted.

The support structure according to the invention and in particular its rib arrangement is as follows based on an exemplary embodiment of a high-bay storage-capable plastic plate explained in more detail. The pallet has a body with a top and a bottom plate as well stiffening ribs in between, which connect the top and bottom plates. The cover plate can be closed, with openings, as a lattice structure or on others be carried out in a suitable manner. The same applies to the base plate of the Pa lette, whereby the underside can also remain completely open, insofar as an appropriate An  binding of the support points or feet of the pallet is ensured and the static and dynamic pallet requirements.

The rib structure of such a pallet is shown in Fig. 1.

The rib structure of the pallet shown comprises three superimposed rib arrangements, which are shown highlighted in FIG. 2, 3 and 5 with thick lines.

The first rib arrangement, which is highlighted in FIG. 2, consists of ribs 10 and 12 that run parallel to the longitudinal and narrow sides 14 and 16 of the pallet in a direct line between adjacent pallet feet 18 (shown hatched in FIG. 2). This first rib arrangement is known from prior art pallets and simulates a beam system, in this case comparable to double-T beams, between the pallet feet. This beam system is suitable for the load bearing between two feet 18 which are parallel to one another.

The course of the second rib arrangement is shown in FIG. 3, the feet 18 being delimited by dotted lines in this figure. It comprises an outer, along the sides 14 , 16 of the pallet around the feet 18 circumferential rib 20 with obliquely in the direction of the pallet center lines 24 , 26 stiffening ribs 22 ', 22 "between the pallets 18 feet, the approximately 18 wedge-shaped between these feet Form indentations 22 .

This second rib arrangement 20 fulfills two tasks. First, it serves to absorb loads in the area between adjacent pallet feet 18 . This is achieved on the one hand by the fact that from each point on the cover plate in the area between adjacent feet 18, the force flow through the ribs 22 ', 22 "of the second rib arrangement 20 under the smallest possible change in angle - preferably ≦ 45 ° - to a pallet foot 18. On the other hand, no ribs 10 , 12 of the first rib arrangement are used for this force introduction into the pallet foot 18 , as a result of which they are relieved and experience less elongation.

The second task of the second rib arrangement 20 is the absorption of shock energy by elastic deformation. This is made possible by the angular arrangement of the stiffening ribs 22 ', 22 ". In the exemplary embodiment shown, the outer contour of the second rib arrangement results from a rib train 20 consisting of the outer foot contours and the wedge-shaped indentations 22 between the feet 18 , which are in one angle of between about 30 ° and 60 °, preferably extend approximately 45 ° to the center lines 24 and 26 of the pallet body, wherein this second rib arrangement preferably also the shown highlighted in Fig. 4, are as tie rods serving ribs 28. the tie rods 28 extend from the kink points 30 of the indentations 22 , or the end points 30 of the oblique stiffening ribs 22 ', 22 "to an adjacent pallet foot 18 .

In FIG. 4, it is seen that in each case between an inflection point 30 a recess 22 and the tie rod 28 is interposed still a deformation element 32 in the form of a rounded rib. Such deformation elements at connection points of the various components of the rib arrangement NEN contribute to the elastic deformability of the overall arrangement, so that impact energy can be absorbed in a suitable manner.

Finally, an additional third rib arrangement, which supplements the second rib arrangement of FIGS. 3 and 4, is highlighted in FIG. 5. This third rib arrangement essentially comprises rectilinear connecting ribs 34 between opposite indentations 22 or pallet feet 18 , across the pallet center lines 24 , 26 . Before preferably at the junctures between these rectilinear connecting ribs 34 and the indentations 22 , a respective deformation element 32 is interposed, which can be identical to the above-mentioned deformation element.

The connecting ribs 34 of the third rib arrangement serve on the one hand to transmit forces which are introduced into the area between two feet into another intermediate foot area in order to enable a large-area load absorption. On the other hand, they homogenize the load absorption of the upper cover plate at point loads. The part of the top surface without rib support is reduced, and thus the risk of buckling of the ribs also decreases under shear loads which can occur perpendicular to one of the ribs.

In Figs. 1 to 5 are some additional short transverse ribs 36 in the region of the first fin assembly 10, 12 are shown, which also serve to reduce the risk of buckling.

The support structure according to the invention is advantageously suitable for producing a Pallet using a two-part construction. Here form z. B. the feet with runners and the Base plate on which the rib structure described is located, the lower half of the pallet, the ribs are not formed with their full height. The second half be stands out of the cover plate with an identical rib structure on its underside, whereby this Ribs of the top half have the necessary residual height to look for an accurate coverage Connection of the two halves to achieve the desired cabinet height. When connecting the The rib structures of the top and bottom plates are exactly on both pallet halves other aligned.

The joining process preferably consists of a welding process in mirror welding method. The joining plane preferably runs approximately in the middle of the total rib height, where it lies in the neutral plane when the pallet body bends and is only very slight Is exposed to shear and tensile loads.

The further structure of the pallet according to the invention corresponds to the specific requirements for the respective pallet type. For example, the feet can be closed with their respective runners in order to avoid open cavities that are difficult to clean. Before preferably the external connection of the pallet feet to the body takes place via a direct continuation of the ribs 10 , 12 of the first rib arrangement perpendicularly into the foot shapes. In the areas between the ribs 10 , 12 , it is expedient to convert the base plate into the outer shape of the foot with a suitable radius. This results in a homo gener power flow from the body in the feet 18th For a suitable impact initiation, which acts on the corner feet since Lich, the transverse nubs 36 of the first Rippenan arrangement are preferably rounded in the area of the corner feet with a radius towards the corner. In this way, there is also a good flow of force when subjected to shock.

A further advantageous embodiment of the pallet according to the invention relates to the arrangement of recesses in the body which are expedient for carrying the pallet and for the drainage of condensed water. These recesses are preferably outside of the second rib arrangement 22 in order not to interrupt the top and bottom plate in areas with high loading. In FIG. 6, suitable areas for the cutouts are designated by the reference symbol 40 .

Of course, the present invention is - except for EURO pallets according to DIN 15146 part 2 - also for all other types of pallets regardless of their size and the ratio of their narrow side to the long side. This ratio is for EURO pallets z. B. 0.8 m: 1.2 m, so-called chemical pallets 1 , 2 m: 1.2 m, the invention is of course not limited to any size ratios.

The pallets are preferably made of an unreinforced plastic, but all other suitable types of material, such as reinforced plastic, wood or metal, can be used for the pallet according to the invention. The configuration of the body according to the invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiment of the rib structure. Further deformation elements, similar to those in 32 , can be provided at any suitable locations of the rib arrangement according to the invention; the angular transitions between the various ribs can be replaced by rounded rib connections who to adapt the power flow to the ribs arranged according to the invention to the respective requirements.

The support structure according to the invention can also be used for purposes other than pallets be, e.g. B. as support and support plates in construction, as an intermediate floor or the like.  

Those disclosed in the foregoing description, claims and drawing Features can be used individually as well as in any combination for the realization of the invention in its various configurations.

Claims (22)

1. Support structure, consisting of an essentially rectangular body with an upper surface of the body serving as the supporting surface and a lower surface opposite the supporting surface; which has support points in the corner areas of the body, the inner structure of the body containing a first rib arrangement which has at least parallel to the sides of the body between two support points a direct connecting rib, characterized in that the first rib arrangement is superimposed on a second rib arrangement , Which has oblique Ver stiffening ribs from the support points of the body in the direction of a center line ( 24 , 26 ) of the body. 2. Support structure according to claim 1, characterized in that the sides of the Body include two narrow sides of equal length and two long sides of equal length, which have a ratio of about 0.8: 1, 2. 3. Support structure according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the second Rib arrangement an outer, surrounding ribs along the sides of the body train includes, each between two support points an approximately wedge-shaped one has bay. 4. Support structure according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that that the body has four support points in the corner areas and one each Another point of support halfway along the side edges of the body and egg has a support point in the middle of the body. 5. Support structure according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support points are designed as feet.   6. Support structure according to claim 5, characterized in that in the longitudinal direction feet of the support structure at the lower end Skids are connected. 7. Support structure according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that that the top of the body has a lattice structure or a closed surface having. 8. Support structure according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that that the outer surfaces of the body are closed. 9. Support structure according to claim 3, 5 and one of the preceding claims, characterized in the circumferential ribbing includes outer edges of the feet. 10. Support structure according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that that the second rib arrangement of straight, oblique, wavy th or rounded stiffening ribs, which are interconnected. 11. Support structure according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that that at the end facing away from the support point of the stiffening rib as Tie rod acting rib is attached, which we the respective stiffening rib least one, preferably two adjacent support points.   12. Support structure according to claim 11, characterized in that between the Tie rod and the stiffening rib and / or between the tie rod and each because a support element is arranged a deformation element. 13. Support structure according to claim 12, characterized in that several Zugan ker are connected to one and the same deformation element. 14. Support structure according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that that two opposite oblique stiffening ribs by means of at least one Connection rib, which extends over a carcase center line, connected to one another they are. 15. Support structure according to claim 14, characterized in that between each because of the stiffening rib and the associated connecting ribs a deformation mung element is arranged. 16. Support structure according to claim 10 and claim 15, characterized in that connecting ribs and tie rods belonging to a stiffening rib and the same deformation element are connected. 17. Support structure according to one of claims 10-16, characterized in that the deformation element has the shape of a rounded or corrugated rib.   18. Support structure according to claim 4 and one of the preceding claims, characterized in that two located on the outer edges of the body, ge opposite support points are connected by a rib, which around the runs around the central contact point. 19. Support structure according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that that between two parallel ribs of the first rib arrangement short Cross ribs are drawn in, which reduces the buckling moment of the parallel ribs ren. 20. Support structure according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that that several cavities through the rib arrangements inside the body are formed, of which at least one with a material, preferably one Foam material is filled. 21. Support structure according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that that the body has recesses, which are preferably outside of the second Rib structure are arranged. 22. Plastic pallet comprising a support structure according to one of the preceding An claims.