Method and apparatus for transporting loads

An apparatus for transporting a load, comprising:

• a gripper pliers including a pair of pivotable gripper arms, each gripper arm including a gripper claw;
• and
• a positioning element operatively coupled to the pair of gripper arms for pivoting the gripper arms in a pivoting plane and displacing the gripper arms in a gripping direction transversely of the pivoting plane into a position so that the gripper claws can engage connecting regions of the load;
• at least one of the gripper arms including a transverse guide for guiding the at least one gripper arm in a direction transverse to the pivoting plane and a detent effective for fixing the at least one gripper arm against further pivoting and back-pivoting within the pivoting plane only after the at least one gripper arm has pivoted into an operating position and during displacement in the gripping direction.

A method for transporting a load, comprising:

• pivoting gripper arms of a gripper pliers in a pivoting direction out of an initial position into an operating position;
• fixing at least one of the gripper arms against further pivoting and back-pivoting after attaining the operating position by inserting the at least one arm between limiting elements facing one another;
• and
• subsequently positioning the gripper arms in a gripping direction transverse of the pivoting direction for engaging pre-defined connecting regions of the load with gripper claws of the gripper arms.