GB2225315A

GB2225315A - Apparatus for stacking and de-stacking elongate products

Info

Publication number: GB2225315A
Application number: GB8927021A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Albert Boenig; Wilhelm Sebstian; Rolf Pieters
Original assignee: Mannesmann AG
Current assignee: Vodafone GmbH
Priority date: 1988-11-29
Filing date: 1989-11-29
Publication date: 1990-05-30
Anticipated expiration: 2009-11-29
Also published as: GB2225315B; IT8922511A0; DE3840803A1; IT8922511A1; IT1237845B; DE3840803C2; FR2639623A1; GB8927021D0

Description

h 2 2 ',1? 5 3 1 ES, 1 Methods and apparatus for moving elongate-products

The invention relates to the movement of elongate products, particularly the collection of such products from a feed path and the delivery of such products to a feed path.

German published Patent specification No. 21 29 787 discloses a method and apparatusfor moving bars emerging from a rolling mill one after the other on a roller table up to a stop and forming a layerOf rolled bars lying approximately parallel next to one another, according to the the roller table width. The:complete layer is then pushed at a right angle to the feed direction onto a vertically adjustable bearing structure, by means of a plurality of sliding members, with the bearing structure being lowered by the thickness of the layer after each layer has been loaded. The subsequent layer is first moved over the preceding layer at an inclination with respect to the longitudinal direction of the latter and then aligned essentially parallel with this preceding layer. A plurality of sliding member with specially formed ends are required to carry out the method. These sliding members are connected to controllable actuating devices in order to incline the layer which is to be loaded by a sequential loading action. The disadvantages of this technique lie in the complicated structure of the sliding devices and the limited number of uses to which the proposed devices can be put.

An aim of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus which enable in a simple and adaptable manner elongate products which are able to roll on the one hand to be quietly and carefully collected from a feed path on a bearing structure and on the other hand, collected or loaded products to be delivered from a collecting device to a feed path. To this end, apparatus according to the invention comprises a bearing assembly movable vertically with respect to the feed path to support such products in superposed layers thereon with axes thereof substantially parallel, wherein the bearing C 2 assembly is pivotally supported to enable it to form an inclined surface enabling a lowermost layer of products to roll thereon and upper layers to roll on the layer beneath to or from the feed path.;' In the method of collecting'elongate products delivered to a bearing assembly dnd according to the invention, a first layer of products is formed on a bearing structure of the assembly and the structure is then lowered to enable subsequently delivered products to form a subsequent layer on the f3.rst layer, and the bearing structure is inclined tolenable products to roll thereon from the feed path to fom the first layer thereon which forms an inclined surface to receive a subsequent layer.

The method according to the invention of delivering elongate products is adapted to transfer products from a trough to a feed path. A bearing structure is disposed in the trough for supporting the products in superposed layers. In the method, the bearing structure is tilted to an inclination sufficient to cause the layers to tilt such that products in the topmost layer roll from the next layer onto the feed path, and the bearing structure is then raised in stages to allow products in subsequent layers to follow those of the topmost layer. In either method of in the invention, the products are arranged with their axes substantially parallel on the bearing structure and on the feed path, but the products are rotated about vertical axes as they move between the feed path and the bearing structure. 30 According to the invention, due to the inclined bearing structure, products which are able to roll, such as bars and tubes, can roll off or onto the bearing structure or the layer disposed thereover and be aligned parallel with the preceding layer. The preferred procedure utilizes the known technique of moving the products of each subsequent layer over the underlying layer at an inclination with respect to the longitudinal direction thereof and then aligning them with this layer.

1 3 This is a quiet process in which the products, particularly those being collected, are carefully treated, as in the case of products which are able to roll, such as bars and tubes, and the individual products are prevented from falling into the gaps forming between adjacent products in an underlying layer. It is possible to move each next layer over in n inclined orientation because the axis of the collected layer forms an acute angle with the axis of the feed device. The products can be collected individually or in 3 1 ayers, with the bearing structure being lowered vertically by the thickness of the collected layer once the lay6r on the bearing structure is complete. The procedure can be reversed to deliver the products, and the inclination of the bearing structure can be reversed to collect or deliver products from or to a feed path on either side thereof.

The preferred apparatus of the invention comprises a trough, which is formed from a plurality of aligned and simultaneously adjustable bearing structures, on which an interchangeable slope is arranged in a simple manner. The central axis of the trough intersects the feed path or rolling device at an acute angle. The minimum angle a (min) is given by the condition D max tan a (min) ------------ 2. 1 min in which a angle between the trough axis and the feed path or rolling device D max greatest diameter of the products to be collected 1 rain shortest length of the products to be collected All relatively large acute angles improve the effect of the rolling over action with the disadvantage of an 41.

4 increasingly greater space requirement for setting up the trough. The steepness of the slopes to be arranged on the bearing structures, which is typically up to 10 degrees, preferably between 2 and 10 degrees, depends on the resistance to rolling of theproducts to be collected. The bearing structure' may be formed as a bearing table or a bearing bar wh ich is connected to an adjusting means which can be operated mechanically, for example a spindle or a rack, or one which can be operated hydraulically, e.g. by a double a! cting cylinder. If a bearing table is used the adjusti ng means are arranged on the underside, while if a bearin4 bar is used the adjusting means are arranged at both ends, which are guided along in two supports, and arranged at a spacing corresponding to the trough width.

In order to avoid the necessity of interchanging the slopes for adapting to different resistances to rolling, a variant of the invention proposes guiding the respective bearing bar with play along the two supports.

It is advantageous to form the support as a sectional beam, e.g. as a channel section, for the purpose of improving the guidance. If the bearing bar is connected to two means which can be moved independently of one another, e.g. steel cable or steel chain, the desired inclination of the bearing structure can be achieved by setting the two means differently. The advantage of this arrangement is that the bearing structure can be inclined both in the feed direction and in the opposite direction and, if necessary, placed in a straight position. The desired inclination of the bearing structure can be achieved by adjusting the steel cables or chains differently, after which the bearing structure can be raised and lowered in its fixed inclined position. However the device becomes even more adaptable if it is possible to continuously adjust the degree of, inclination of the bearing structure within a certain range, in order to obtain the best possible rolling action, according to the resistance to rolling. It is thus possible to use 1 P. 1 k the trough according to the invention on a general basis for various applications and cover a range of inclinations such as -10 degrees to +10 degrees. On the one hand products which are able,to roll can thus be quietly and carefully collected And transported in a bundled state without a sliding device, irrespective of the feed direction, and on the other hand the trough can also be used as an intermediate Store, in order to deliver collected or loaded products in the desired direction by raising and inclinir'ig the bearing structure. For this purpose a pivotable extension can be arranged on the support or sectional beam which is distant from the delivery direction to prevent the products for rolling away towards the opposite side. Such a pivotable extension may be arranged on both opposite supports and, should the stop surface produced by the inclination of the bearing structure at the support not be sufficient for the first piece of the first layer, act as an auxiliary stop.

The proposed device may also be used as a simple rolling device in that, by raising the bearing structure accordingly, the latter forms with the feed device and the adjacent rolling device a continuous bearing surface.

this may be of importance if the products are to be fed immediately to a further processing station, for example, rather than collected in the trough. In order to ensure that this possibility also applies to a partially or entirely filled trough, in a further embodiment of the invention a bearing bar is arranged which is suitable for the rolling over action such that it can pivot on one of the two supports at the level of the feed or rolling device. This bearing bar, which can pivot inwards between the two supports and which cannot be raised or lowered, then assumes the function of a subcomponent of a rolling device. An alternative use of the bearing bar which can be raised and lowered and the pivotable bearing bar may advantageously be applied to separate good from defective pieces. The good pieces are fed to the next 6 further processing station by means of the inwardly pivoted bearing bar and the defective pieces are collected on the bearing bar which can be raised and lowered. i Pulleys or chain wheels may be arranged in the upper and lower area of the supports to guide the adjusting means so that these means, which are connected to the crossbar, can be moved independently of one another. The adjusting means which are deflected from the approximately vertical into he horizontal direction in the lower area of the supportlare connected by their free ends to a traction means extending over the entire trough length. This traction means may be a continuous rod or a steel chain connected to a drive device. When using a bearing bar which is set in an inclined position, one drive connected to the two parallel traction means via an appropriate branch is sufficient. When using a bearing bar whose inclination is continuously adjustable, either engaging and disengaging couplings may be fitted in the branch or each traction means can be connected to a separate drive. The desired inclination of the crossbar and thus of the bearing structure can thereby be set in very small steps and adapted to any varying resistance to rolling. The trough may then also be set to the overflow position.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure la is a front view of apparatus according to the invention in the overflow position; Figure 1b is a front view of the apparatus in the loading position; Figure lc is a front view of the apparatus in the unloading position; Figure 2 is a plan view of the apparatus in the direction A in Figure la; 7 Figure 3 is a side view of the apparatus in the direction B in Figure la; and Figure 4 is a scaled-up view of the detail UV' in 5 Figure 2.

Figures la to ic are front views of apparatus according to the invention in different positions, Figure la showing the overflow position, Figure 1b the loading position and Figure ic the unloading position. The bearing bar 1, which can be raised and lowered and is guided by its two ends along twolsupports 2, 21, is an essential component of the device'. In this embodiment the supports 2, 21 are formed as sectional beams (see Figure 4), which are arranged on a flange plate 3 which connects them. Two parallel beams 4, 41 which are firmly connected to a transverse base plate 5, are arranged in the longitudinal direction below the flange plate 3. The base plate 5 is in turn firmly secured to the floor.

The way in which the bearing bar 1 can be raised and lowered is denoted by the two arrows 7, 8. The respective end of the bearing bar 1 is connected to a deflectable adjusting means 9, 91, for example a steel cable or a steel chain. Appropriate deflection device 10, 101, 11, 111, for example a pulley or a chain wheel, are arranged in the upper and lower area of the support 2, 21 to guide the adjusting means 9, 91. The adjustable lift of the bearing bar 1 is denoted by an arrow 12. The adjusting means 9, 91 are connected at their lower end to a traction means 17, 171, which is disposed in the longitudinal direction below the flange plate 3. The traction means may be formed as a rod or as a chain and can be moved in the longitudinal direction (see Figure 2).

When the device is in the overflow position according to Figure la the bearing bar 1 is at the level of the feed or rolling device 13, 14 which is only indicated here. The products, which are able to roll and in this case are represented by two tubes 15, 16 of a differing size, roll from the rolling device 13 on the right-hand side onto the horizontal bearing bar 1 and over the latter onto the adjacent rolling device 14 to a further processing device, which.is not shown here.

When the device is in the loading position according to Figure lb the bearing bar 1 is inclined by moving the adjusting means 9, 91, with the degree of inclination depending on the resistance to rolling of the products.

The bearing bar 1 can be inclined to the right or the left, so that the products can bE i. fed from either side.

The area 18, 19 of the respective support 2, 20 which projects beyond the surface edgelof the bearing bar 1 when the latter is inclined serves as a stop surface when the first layer is loaded. Should this area 18, 19 be insufficient, depending on the inclination of the bearing bar 1, a pivotable extension 20, which is illustrated in Figure lc, is arranged on one or on both the supports 2, 21. As soon as the first layer is-loaded, the bearing bar 1 is lowered by the thickness of one layer, with the inclination being maintained, and the second layer is loaded.

The unloading position is illustrated in Figure lc, which only shows the first layer resting directly on the bearing bar 1 being unloaded. In this case the bearing bar 1 is brought into a position such that, in order to unload the first layer, the surface edge of one end of the bearing bar 1 is approximately aligned with the level of the adjacent rolling device 14, and the inclined bearing bar 1 allows the products 15 to roll freely. In order to prevent the products 15 from rolling away to the right in this example, a pivotable extension 20 is arranged on this support 2 and can be swung away again at the end of the unloading operation. The products may also be unloaded in the opposite direction if the rolling device 13, 14 is arranged accordingly. In this case the pivotable extension 20 is arranged on the left-hand support 21, or both supports 2, 21 are provided with an extension of this kind.

1 :i il. - 9 Figure 2 is a plan view of the device according to the invention in the direction "All according to Figure la. In this example the products 15, which are able to roll, are moved up to the collecting trough from the right, with the direction of movement being denoted by the arrow 21. The collecting trough has bearing bars 1, which are arranged at spacings and are guided along two respective supports 2, 21. The 6ollecting trough is arranged with respect to the rolling device 13, 14 such that the axis 22 of the collectir i ig trough forms an acute angle a 23 with the axis of the rolling device 13, 14.

This angle a 23 is here drawn into the parallel axes of the products 15. During the loading operation the products roll individually or in layers along the rolling device 13 onto the bearing bar 1 of the collecting trough. As soon as the front end of the first piece 24 of the products 15 rolls against the stop (see Figure lb), the opposite end of the products 15 also pivots in the direction of the stop and the products 15 are aligned parallel with the axis 22 of the trough. After the bearing bar I has been lowered accordingly, the next layer of the products 15 firstly rolls at an angle a 23 over the first layer and is then aligned parallel again.

The effect of this is to prevent the products 15, which are able to roll, form falling into the gaps between the parallel pieces and thus to reduce the resulting noise.

The bearing bar 1 is inclined as required (see also Figures 1b, and lc) by actuating the two traction means 17, 171, represented here by the arrows 25, 251. The connection of these traction means 17, 171 to an appropriate mechanical, electric or hydraulic drive is not shown.

Figure 3 is a side view of the device according to the invention in the direction "B" according to Figure lb or Figure 2. This view shows the two extreme'positions of the bearing bar 1 according to the lift 12. The deflectable adjusting means 9 is deflected at the lower deflection device 101 from the vertical direction into the horizontal direction and is connected to the traction means 17 disposed in the longitudinal direction. The connection of the adjusting means 9 to the traction means 17 is only indicated here by a point 26. If chains are used, for example, this connection point 26 may be altered by hooking the end of thiE adjusting means 9 into another chain link of the raising means 17. It is thus possible to set the degree of inclination of the bearing bar I accordingly. By moving the! two traction means 17, 171, which in this case are conr i iected to just one drive, the bearing bar is then raised and lowered accordingly, with this inclination being mainained. If a continuous adjustment of the inclination of the bearing bar 1 is desired, the two traction means 17, 171 have to be moved independently of one another, whether by engaging and disengaging couplings, which are not shown here, or by separate drives.

Figure 4 is a scaled-up view of the detail "Cil according to Figure 2. This view clearly shows the way in which the bearing bar 1 is guided along the supports 2, 21. In this embodiment the supports 2, 21 are formed as sectional beams, here specifically as two channel sections arranged at a spacing from one another. The guide bar 1 extends approximately over half the width of the channel sections in the space between them. The guide bar 1 comprises at both ends a respective noseshaped extension 27, 271, to which the deflectable adjusting means is secured. The adjusting means 9 is guided downwards via a deflection device 10, in this case a pulley, for example, and then deflected into the horizontal direction by an appropriate deflection device 101 (see Figure 1c). The deflection devices 10, 10-1 are mounted in a bearing block 28 which is secured to the channel section. The adjusting means 9, 91 are secured to the guide bar 1 such that the latter can bia. inclined as desired without this having a detrimental effect on the deflection devices 10, 11.

1 1 k.

M

Claims

1. A method of collecting elongate products delivered along a feed path to aibearing assembly in which method a first layer of pr6ducts is formed on the bearing structure of the assembl and the structure is then lowered to enable subsequently delivered products to form a subsequent layer on the first layer, and wherein the bearing structure is inclined to enable products to roll thereon from the feed path to form a said first layer thereon which forms an inclined surface to receive a said subsequent layer. 1

2. A method of delivering elongate products from a trough to a feed path wherein a bearing structure is disposed in the trough for supporting products therein, and wherein the products are arranged in superposed layers in the trough with the lowermost layer over the bearing structure, in which method the bearing structure is tilted to an inclination sufficient to cause the layers to tilt such that products in the topmost layer roll from the next layer onto the feed path, and the bearing structure is then raised in stages to allow products in subsequent layers to follow those of the topmost layer.

3. A method according to Claim 1 or claim 2 in which the products are arranged with their axes substantially parallel on the bearing structure and on the feed path, but wherein the products are rotated about vertical axes as they move between the feed path and the bearing structure.

4. A method according to Claim I or Claim 2 substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

5. Apparatus for collecting or delivering elongate products from or to a feed path, comprising a bearing assembly movable vertically with respect to a said feed path to support such products in superposed layers thereon with axes thereof substantially parallel, wherein t.

J2 the bearing assembly is pivotally supported to enable it to form an inclined surface enabling a lowermost layer of products to roll thereon and upper layers to roll on the layer beneath to or from a said feed path.

6. Apparatus according to'Claim 5 wherein the bearing assembly comprises a plurality of spaced bearing structures forming the base of a trough in their lowered positions, the trough extending transversely relative to a said feed path whereby elongate' products can roll between the trough and a said feed path.

7. Apparatus according toIClaim 6 wherein the axis of the trough is inclined relati4e to the feed path, means being provided to turn the products as they roll between the bearing assembly and the feed path to align their axes substantially parallel on each of the path and assembly.

8. Apparatus according to Claim 7 wherein the angle between the axis of the trough and the normal to the feed path at the junction therebetween is given by the formula tan a (min) a D nax I min D max ------------ 2. 1 min = angle between the trough axis and the normal to the feed path = greatest diameter of the products = shortest length of the products

9. Apparatus according to any of Claims 5 to 8 including a stop at one side of the bearing assembly which wall is selectively movable into the feed path to prevent products from rolling in one direction from the bearing assembly.

c.

I -1 1 13

10. Apparatus according to.any of Claims 5 to 9 wherein the bearing assembly comprises a bearing bar mounted on two supports at opposite ends thereof, and means for pivoting the bar adjacent at least one of the 5 supports.

1

11. Apparatus according to;Claim 9 and Claim 10 wherein at least one of the supports has the selectively movable stop mounted thereon.

12. Apparatus according tolClaim 10 or Claim 11 including adjusting means for pi,,Iooting the bar comprising one of a spindle and a rack. 1

13. Apparatus according to'Claim 10 or Claim 11 including adjusting means for pivoting the bar comprising a double acting cylinder.

14. Apparatus according to Claim 10 or Claim 11 including adjusting means for pivoting the bar comprising one of a chain and a strap.

15. Apparatus according to any of Claims 10 to 14 including means for moving the bearing assembly vertically relative to the feed path, the moving means comprising mechanisms at either end of the bearing bar, which mechanisms are operable independently.

16. Apparatus according to Claim 15 wherein the mechanisms comprise steel cable.

17. Apparatus according to Claim 15 wherein the mechanisms comprise steel chain.

18. Apparatus according to any of Claims 15 to 17 wherein the mechanisms extend around guides at the upper and lower ends of the supports and extend substantially horizontally at the lower ends thereof to traction means.

19. Apparatus according to Claim 18 wherein the traction means comprises a rod.

20. Apparatus according to Claim 18 wherein the traction means comprises steel chain.

21. Apparatus according to any of Claim. 18 to 20 wherein traction means connected at either end of the bar are adjustable simultaneously.

14

22. Apparatus according to any of Claims 18 to 20 wherein traction means connected at either end of the bar are adjustable independently of one another.

23. Apparatus according toiany of Claims 10 to 22 wherein the bearing bar is mount6d on at least one of th supports by means of an arm pivotally connected to said support to adjust the inclination thereof.

24. Apparatus according toiany of Claims 10 to 23 wherein the supports comprise sectional beams.

25. Apparatus according to 1 any of Claims 5 to 24 wherein the inclination of the bearing assembly is adjustable in the range 2 to 10 degrees.

26. Apparatus according to any of Claims 5 to 24 wherein the inclination of the bearing assembly is adjustable in the range minus 10 to plus 10 degrees relative to horizontal.

27. Apparatus for collecting or delivering elongate products from or to a feed path substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Published 1990 at The Patent Office, State House,66.171 High Holborn, London WClR 4TP. Further copies maybe obtained from The Patent Office. Bale Branch, St Mary Cray, Orpington, Kent BR5 3RD. Printed by Multiplex techniques ltd, St Mary Cray, Kent, Con. 1187 z,