US 4,536,118 AGranted

Apparatus for palletizing pressings

AssigneeKabushiki Kaisha Komatsu Seisakusho

InventorKiyokazu Baba

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

Loading patent…

Abstract

Apparatus for palletizing the pressings being delivered in succession by a transfer press system either individually or in closely positioned pairs. Included are separators for separating each closely positioned pair of pressings away from each other while they are being transferred along a predetermined path from the final press station to a stacking station. At the latter station the successive pressings are deposited on a carriage to form one or two stacks thereon. The carriage transports the stack or stacks of pressings to a pickup station, where the stack or stacks are picked up from the carriage by a loader or loaders, thereby subsequently carried to a loading station or stations, and loaded on a pallet or pallets. As disclosed, the apparatus further comprises a system of conveyors for transporting empty pallets to, and loaded pallets from, the loading stations.

A materials handling system for separating, sorting and stacking fabricated parts comprising:

(a) a transfer means for conveying fabricated parts away from a fabricating device;
(b) a separating means receiving said fabricated parts from said transfer means comprising a means for separating said fabricated parts in a lateral direction with respect to a direction of transfer, a means for separating said fabricated parts in a longitudinal direction with respect to said direction of transfer and a means for conveying said parts during and after separation away from said transfer means;
(c) a wheeled carriage having at its upper surface a plurality of parallel receiving bars or plates and adapted to receive said fabricated parts from said separating means;
(d) a lifting means situated beneath said carriage when said carriage is in a position to receive fabricated parts from said separating means, said lifting means being capable of raising said carriage to a point for reception of said fabricated parts from said separating means and lowering said carriage in a step-wise fashion so as to cause said fabricated parts to be stacked vertically upon said carriage;
(e) an intermediate collection means interposable between said separating means and said carriage and adapted to receive a limited number of said fabricated parts;
(f) one or more moveable overhead loading means comprising one or more overhead rails, a frame engaging said one or more of said overhead rails, depending arms projecting downward from said frame, and foldable end members pivotally attached to an end of said depending arms opposite to said frame, said overhead loading means being adapted to remove said stacked fabricated parts from said carriage;
(g) loading stations at one or more locations situated beneath said overhead rails where said fabricated parts are discharged from said overhead loading means onto pallets;
and
(h) means for supplying and removing said pallets from said loading stations.

6 more elements

Abstract

Claims9