FR3068010A1 - PALLET OF GOODS HAVING AN ELECTRONIC TRANSMITTER / RECEIVER, HOLDING MEANS FOR AN ELECTRONIC TRANSMITTER / RECEIVER, AND TOOL FOR REMOVING AN ELECTRONIC TRANSMITTER / RECEIVER FROM THE PALLET OF GOODS - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a pallet of goods (10) comprising a plastic support body (12) and an active electronic transmitter / receiver (24), a detachable locking mechanism (40; 50; 60) by means of which the transmitter / receiver (24) is attached to the pallet of goods (10) being provided. The invention also relates to a retaining means (26) for an electronic transmitter / receiver (24), comprising a base body (28) and at least one clamping arm (40) for detachable locking of the retaining means (26) on a pallet of goods (10) of plastics material. The invention finally relates to a tool for removing an electronic transmitter / receiver from a pallet of goods (10), the tool having a handle and at least one detachment projection which is made for engagement on a clamping arm of the retaining means of the electronic transmitter / receiver (24).

Description

Pallet of goods having a beacon, retaining means for a beacon, and tool for removing the beacon from the pallet of goods

The invention relates to a pallet of goods having a beacon, to a retaining means for a beacon, and to a tool for removing the beacon from the pallet.

The term “beacon” is understood here to mean an electronic component which is a transmitter or a receiver in particular (but not necessarily) based on BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) technology. Such beacons are in particular used in stores to capture the purchasing behavior of customers or the patterns of movement of potential customers in a store and / or to ensure that customers receive push messages on their smartphone by means of '' a suitable application when they are near a specific product.

It may make sense from different points of view to arrange such a beacon directly on a pallet of goods. In this case, it is possible to link the customer's behavior to the products on the corresponding pallet. By means of the beacon, it is also also possible to continue the exact current position of the pallet.

The objective of the invention is to equip a pallet of goods with a beacon at low cost, so as to be able to meet very different requirements, for example on the one hand a mechanically very reliable attachment and on the other hand the possibility of being able to sort different materials during recycling.

To achieve this goal, a pallet of goods is provided according to the invention comprising a basic plastic body and an active electronic transmitter / receiver, a detachable locking mechanism by means of which the transmitter / receiver is fixed to the pallet of goods being provided. The invention is based on the basic idea of arranging the electronic transmitter / receiver on the goods pallet by means of a detachable mechanical connection so that on the one hand it can be fixed on the pallet of goods in an extremely short time and on the other hand, if desired, it can again be removed from the goods pallet without great effort and in a non-destructive manner.

-2 According to one embodiment of the invention, the clamping mechanism is associated with the transmitter / receiver. It is arranged on, or is part of, the transmitter / receiver and is used to arrange the transmitter / receiver on the goods pallet.

A retaining means for an electronic transmitter / receiver having a basic body and at least one clamping arm for detachably locking the retaining means on a pallet of plastic goods can be provided.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the clamping arm is made in the manner of a beard. It is thus possible to press the retaining means into an opening on the pallet of goods so that the retaining means is stuck there. The efforts required for assembly are thus minimized.

According to an alternative embodiment, the clamping arm is made with a cross section in the shape of a gutter. The clamping arm can then be arranged with little effort on a stiffening bar which is located on the underside of the goods pallet.

It is also possible to make the clamping arm like a snap hook. For mounting and dismounting the electronic transmitter / receiver, the snap hook is elastically deformed out of an initial position and then bounces back into the initial position, for example after mounting so as to engage on the pallet of goods.

According to one embodiment of the invention, two diametrically opposite clamping arms are provided so that, on the one hand, the retaining force increases and, on the other hand, this results in a centering effect. This centering effect is then further improved when three clamping arms are used.

The two clamping arms can be connected to each other by a reinforcement bar, which further increases the mechanical stability.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the basic body is in the form of a disc, the clamping arm extending parallel to one of the external surfaces of the basic body. The base body serves as a support surface so that a wall of the goods pallet is securely clamped between the clamping arm and the

-3 basic body when the retaining means is mounted on the goods pallet. In particular, the clamping arm is slightly prestressed elastically.

The clamping arm can be connected to the base body in the center and extend radially outwards. Thanks to this projecting arrangement of the clamping arm, it has the desired elastic deformability.

The clamping arm can in particular be produced in the form of a hook so as to be able to extend through an opening in the pallet of goods and to engage behind its edge.

According to one embodiment of the invention, it is intended that the basic body is part of the electronic transmitter / receiver housing. The advantage of this embodiment is that it is not necessary to mount the transmitter / receiver in a separate retainer.

According to an alternative embodiment, it is intended that the retaining means is a separate part on which the transmitter / receiver is detachably mounted. The advantage of this embodiment is that it is not necessary to manufacture the transmitter / receiver with an application-specific housing, but can be purchased as a "standard product". The retaining means is manufactured with a specific geometry depending on the pallet of goods on which it is to be mounted.

The retaining means preferably has at least two retaining tabs for the transmitter / receiver and in a particularly preferred manner three retaining tabs which are arranged at an angular distance of 120 ° around a central point. The transmitter / receiver can thus be mounted on the retaining means with reliable centering.

The retaining tabs are preferably spring-like elastic so that the electronic transmitter / receiver can be detached from the retaining means, for example when the battery has to be replaced or another transmitter / receiver has to be fitted.

The retaining tabs are preferably provided with an engaging nose at their free end, which allows automatic engagement of the transmitter /

-4 electronic receiver on the retaining means without any other fixing measures being necessary.

In view, on the one hand, of low manufacturing costs and, on the other hand, of a high mechanical load capacity for the temperatures usually occurring, the retaining means is preferably made of one or more duroplasts, one or more several thermosetting materials, one or more recycled materials or a combination thereof. It is in particular a one-piece component made by injection molding.

The locking mechanism used for fixing the retaining means to the goods pallet is preferably a bayonet system in which the retaining means is moved in translation along an axis until it is positioned on the goods pallet, and is then locked on the goods pallet by a rotational movement around this axis. This type of attachment is particularly advantageous, since it is not necessary to have access to the pallet from two sides at the same time. It suffices to position the retaining means from one side and then to rotate it.

In one embodiment of the invention, it is intended that the clamping arm extends through an orifice in the base body and rests on a surface for supporting goods. It has surprisingly been found that advantages are obtained with this embodiment, which clearly predominate the disadvantages in principle expected. In principle, it should be expected that an extension of the clamping arm on the goods support surface is unfavorable since here there is generally the risk that the clamping arm is damaged or bent by goods positioned here. , so that the retaining means is detached from the goods pallet. But in reality, the forces exerted on the clamping arm by the goods positioned on the goods support surface there cause the "jamming" of the latter between the goods and the goods support surface and its particularly reliable retention.

This is all the more valid when the goods support surface is provided with a non-slip conformation and the clamping arm cooperates with the non-slip conformation. The non-slip conformation can for example be small buttons located on the surface of the goods support. The clamping arm is made so as to slide on at least one of the buttons and

-5to "come to a standstill" behind it when the retaining means is placed on the goods pallet and is rotated, whereby the support means is locked on the goods pallet even more reliably.

According to one embodiment of the invention, it is intended that the locking mechanism is associated with the pallet of goods.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the locking mechanism contains a screw, the screw head of which cooperates with the transmitter / receiver. The transmitter / receiver can be fixed to the goods pallet with little effort and little expense thanks to the screw.

To increase the reliability with which the transmitter / receiver is fixed to the pallet of goods, provision may be made for the locking mechanism to have at least one retaining element which engages behind the transmitter / receiver.

The screw and / or the retaining element can be arranged on a stiffening bar of the goods pallet so that the transmitter / receiver can be received well protected in a recess which is surrounded by several stiffening bars.

It is also possible to provide that the locking system has at least one retaining arm which is made in one piece with the pallet of goods. In this case, a separate component for the arrangement of the transmitter / receiver on the goods pallet is not necessary. It can in particular be clipped into the locking mechanism without additional tools.

Said at least one retaining arm is preferably placed in a recess which is surrounded by several stiffening bars of the pallet of goods. The transmitter / receiver can thus be arranged in the recess with a minimum of effort.

According to the invention, there is also provided a tool for removing an electronic transmitter / receiver from a pallet of goods, the tool having a handle and at least one detachment projection which is produced for engagement on a clamping arm of the transmitter / retaining means

-6 electronic receiver. With this tool, it is possible without great effort to engage the clamping arm (s) of the retaining means, and either to rotate the retaining means so that the clamping arm is released from the pallet fold the clamping arm so that it detaches from the goods pallet.

The invention will be described in the following by means of different embodiments which are shown using the accompanying drawings. The drawings show:

Figure 1 an example of a pallet of goods in a perspective view from above;

Figure 2 a second embodiment of a pallet of goods in a perspective bottom view;

Figure 3 a pallet of goods on which an electronic transmitter / receiver is arranged using a retaining means in a schematic sectional view along the plane lll-lll;

Figure 4 the retaining means of Figure 3 in a perspective representation;

Figure 5 an electronic transmitter / receiver having a retaining means according to a second embodiment in a representation corresponding to that of Figure 3;

Figure 6 an electronic transmitter / receiver which is arranged on the goods pallet using a retaining means according to a third embodiment in a view corresponding to that of Figure 3;

Figure 7 an electronic transmitter / receiver which is arranged on the pallet of goods using a retaining means according to a fourth embodiment in a view corresponding to that of Figure 3;

Figure 8 another embodiment of a pallet of goods having a locking device by means of which an electronic transmitter / receiver can be arranged on the pallet of goods in a bottom view in perspective;

-7 Figure 9 the goods pallet of Figure 8 with the transmitter / receiver mounted;

Figure 10 another embodiment of a pallet of goods having a locking device by means of which an electronic transmitter / receiver can be arranged on the pallet of goods in a perspective bottom view; and Figure 11 the goods pallet of Figure 10 with the transmitter / receiver mounted.

Figure 1 shows a pallet of goods 10 which has a support body 12 and a total of four feet 14 extending from the support body 12.

The goods pallet 10 is a so-called quarter pallet, the base surface of which corresponds to a quarter of a europallet.

The base body 12 has on its upper surface diverted from the feet 14 a substantially flat surface for supporting goods 16 in which several orifices 18 are provided. The orifices 18 have different functions. They allow the fixing of a so-called merchandise display on the merchandise support surface 16. They also ensure the rapid flow of liquid reaching the merchandise support surface 16. A non-slip conformation 20 can be provided on the goods support surface 16, which is here represented in the form of small buttons for an area close to the right corner of the goods pallet 10.

The pallet of goods 10 as such is known from document EP2 974 975 A1. It is made in one piece from plastic and is stackable.

Figure 2 shows a slightly modified variant of the pallet of goods 10 which differ from the embodiment shown in Figure 1 substantially by the shape and arrangement of the orifices 18. The most essential difference is that several orifices 18 comparatively large diamond-shaped are present here.

The stiffening structure in the form of regularly crossing stiffening bars 22, present in the support body 12, is clearly visible in FIG. 2.

The variant of FIG. 2 is also known from document EP 2 974 975 A1.

With regard to all of the characteristics of the goods pallet 10, full reference is made to this document.

An electronic transmitter / receiver, therefore an active component, in which it is for example possible to program a specific identification and which transmits at regular intervals a signal which can for example be received by a smartphone, is arranged on the goods pallet 10. The electronic transmitter / receiver is in particular a so-called beacon operating with BLE technology.

For simplicity, the term "beacon" will always be used in the following. In the context of the invention, the electronic transmitter / receiver can however also operate with a communication standard other than the Bluetooth standard.

In Figure 3, the beacon is generally indicated by the reference number 24. In the context of this invention, the technical details are not relevant. The beacon can be considered as an encapsulated box inside which a battery, an antenna, semiconductor elements etc. are arranged.

The beacon 24 is mounted on the goods pallet 10 by means of a retaining means 26 which has, in the embodiment shown, a base body 28 in the form of a disc from which extend in total three retaining lugs 30. Each retaining lug 30 is provided at its free end with a latching nose 32 behind which the beacon 24 can engage. To facilitate assembly, the retaining tabs 30 are each provided with an oblique surface 34 on their side which is diverted from the base body 28.

Altogether three retaining tabs 30 which are arranged at an angular distance of 120 ° from each other around the central point of the base body 28 are present.

The beacon 24 is mounted on the retaining means 26 by a casing between the retaining tabs 30 which first deflect outwards in an elastic manner

-9 spring effect and then return to their initial position, so that the beacon 24 is securely engaged between the three retaining tabs.

On its side diverted from the retaining tabs 30, the base body 28 is provided with two clamping arms 40 which are each made in the form of a hook. Each clamping arm 40 thus has a first section 42 which extends perpendicular to the plane of the base body 28 and thus parallel to the direction of extension of the retaining lugs 30, and a second section 44 which extends approximately parallel to the plane of the basic body 28.

A reinforcing bar 46 which constitutes an extension of the two sections 44 is provided between the two clamping arms 40.

The retaining means 26 with the clamping arms 40 and the retaining tabs 30 is generally made in one piece. It is an injection molded plastic part. In particular duroplasts, thermosetting materials or a combination thereof are suitable as a material.

In the embodiment shown, the retaining means 26 is connected to the goods pallet 10 by a bayonet connection. To this end, the retaining means 26 is firstly arranged in the space between several stiffening bars 22 from below so that the clamping arms 40 extend through one of the orifices 18. The means of retainer 26 is then rotated so that the underside of the second sections 44 rests on the goods support surface 16 and the horizontal upper wall of the support body 12 is sandwiched between the clamping arms and the base body 28. The clamping arms 40 are then elastically prestressed.

Figures 1 and 2 show the retaining means 26 mounted on the goods pallet 10 and the beacon 24 arranged in the space between several stiffening bars 22, respectively.

The mechanical locking of the retaining means 26 on the goods pallet 10 is improved by the cooperation of the two release arms 40 with the non-slip conformations 20 which are located on the surface for supporting the goods 1β.

- 10 Unlike the embodiment shown, the second section 44 of the clamping arms 40 which is arranged outside can also have a slightly rounded shape so that objects do not remain easily attached to the clamping arms.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 3 and 4, the retaining means 26 is produced separately from the beacon 24. It is also conceivable to provide the clamping arms 40 used for arrangement on the pallet of goods in one piece with the casing of the beacon 24. The particular advantage resulting from the arrangement of the beacon between the stiffening bars 22 consists in that it is arranged therein so as to be very protected. There is no risk of damaging the beacon 24 or of detaching it from the goods pallet 10, nor during the handling of the pallet by means of a forklift truck or a trolley nor during transport back to the stacked being.

Unlike the hook-shaped clamping arms, the clamping arms can for example be produced in a similar manner to elliptical discs, the dimensions of which are such that they can be inserted through the diamond-shaped holes but lock the retaining means 26 on the goods pallet 10 when it is turned.

Figure 5 shows a second embodiment. This is distinguished from the first embodiment by the embodiment of the clamping arms 40 in the manner of barbs which extend laterally from the beacon and which are wedged between two opposite stiffening bars 22 when the beacon is pressed into the space between the stiffening bars.

FIG. 6 shows a third embodiment in which the clamping arms 40 are made in the form of a gutter at their end so as to be able to engage around the lower edge of two stiffening bars 22. The clamping arms 40 can here in particular be made in the form of a leaf spring, for example spring steel.

FIG. 7 shows a third embodiment in which the clamping arms 40 are produced in the form of snap hooks. For mounting (and also for dismantling) the beacon 24, the clamping arms 40 are brought from their shown position by continuous lines into a position of

-11 assembly / disassembly (shown in dotted lines) in which they can be guided through the corresponding hole 18. As soon as the clamping arms 40 are released again, they return to their initial position in which the beacon 24 is then locked on the pallet of goods 10.

A tool by means of which the beacon 24, if necessary, can be detached from the goods pallet 10, is also part of the goods pallet 10 shown in Figures 1 and 2. It is possible with the tool to turn the means retaining 26 so that the bayonet link between the retaining means 26 and the goods pallet 10 is detached, or deforming the clamping arms 40 so that the beacon 24 is released from the goods pallet 10.

Figures 8 and 9 show a pallet of goods according to another embodiment. A locking mechanism is also indicated here (generally by the reference number 50), which serves to fix the beacon 24 on the goods pallet 10.

Here too, retaining tabs 30 are used which are provided with an interlocking nose 32 at their free end. Unlike the previous embodiments, the retaining tabs 30 are here made in one piece with the pallet of goods 10.

The retaining tabs 30 are arranged on the underside of the support body 12 of the goods pallet in a recess 13 formed by several stiffening bars 22.

The locking mechanism 50 here also contains three retaining tabs 30 which are arranged at an angular distance of 120 ° around a central point.

There are provided on the underside of the support body 12 bosses 52 which are arranged in the shape of a star and which serve as a support surface for the beacon 24. The boss which is diametrically opposite to a retaining tab 30 can be provided at its radially outer end with a small projection so as to form a seat for the beacon 24.

Figure 9 shows the beacon engaged behind the snap noses 32 of the retaining tabs 30. Since the retaining tabs are arranged on the underside of the support body 12, the beacon is arranged so

- 12 well protected in the recess 13 between the stiffening bars 22, namely on the upper face of the recess. There is therefore no risk of damage to the beacon 24 when handling the goods pallet, for example when handling with a forklift or when the goods pallets are stacked.

The bosses 52 ensure that the beacon 24 does not rest flush with the underside of the support body 12. It is thus very easily possible to place a tool between the beacon 24 and the support body 12 and to remove the beacon 24 of the locking mechanism 50.

Figures 10 and 11 show another embodiment of the locking mechanism. This is generally provided with the reference number 60.

The locking mechanism 60 serves similarly to the embodiment shown in Figures 8 and 9 to arrange the beacon in one of the recesses 13 formed between adjacent stiffening structures 22.

To fix the beacon 24 in the corresponding recess 13, a screw 62 is used which is screwed into a screw channel 64 produced integrally with one of the stiffening bars 22. As shown in FIG. 11, both the screw channel 64 that the corresponding stiffening bar 22 in this zone are produced with a height less than that of the stiffening bars in the vicinity. The head of the screw 62 therefore does not project from the plane formed by the free end faces of the stiffening bars 22.

On the diverted side of the screw channel 64, two retaining elements 66 are arranged on the corresponding recess 13, behind which the beacon 24 can engage so that it cannot slide down out of the recess 13.

The retaining elements 66 are preferably separate parts which are subsequently mounted on the goods pallet. It can for example be small spring clips or the like, therefore a component capable of being mounted with little effort.

To arrange the beacon 24 on the goods pallet, it is inserted into the corresponding recess 13. The screw 62 is then screwed into the screw channel 64 so that the screw head engages on the beacon 24 and fixes it. The elements of

- 13retenue 66 are mounted on the opposite side, so that the beacon 24 is also reliably retained there.

Claims (26)

claims 1. Pallet of goods (10), comprising a support body (12) made of plastic and an active electronic transmitter / receiver (24), a detachable locking mechanism (40; 50; 60) by means of which the transmitter / the receiver (24) is fixed to the goods pallet (10) being provided. 2. Pallet of goods according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking mechanism (40) is a bayonet system. 3. Pallet of goods according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the locking mechanism contains a clamping arm (40). 4. Pallet of goods according to claim 3, characterized in that the clamping arm (40) extends through an orifice (18) in the support body (12) and rests on a surface for the support of goods (16 ). 5. Pallet of goods according to claim 3 or claim 4, characterized in that the goods support surface (16) is provided with a non-slip conformation (20) and in that the clamping arm (40) cooperates with the non-slip conformation (20). 6. Pallet of goods according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the locking mechanism (40) cooperates with at least one surface of a stiffening structure (22) of the pallet. 7. Pallet of goods according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking system (60) has at least one elastic retaining arm (30) which is formed integrally with the pallet of goods (10). 8. Pallet of goods according to claim 7, characterized in that said at least one retaining arm (30) is arranged in a recess (13) which is surrounded by several stiffening bars (22) of the pallet of goods (10) . 9. Pallet of goods according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking mechanism (60) contains a screw (62) whose screw head cooperates with the transmitter / receiver (24). - 1510. Pallet of goods according to claim 9, characterized in that the locking mechanism (60) has at least one retaining element (66) which engages behind the transmitter / receiver (24). 11. Pallet of goods according to claim 9 or claim 10, 5 characterized in that the screw (62) and / or the retaining element (66) is fixed (e) to a stiffening bar (22) of the pallet of goods (10). 12. Retaining means (26) for an electronic transmitter / receiver (24), comprising a base body (28) and at least one clamping arm (40) for detachably locking the retaining means (26) on a pallet of 10 plastic goods (10). 13. Retaining means according to claim 12, characterized in that the clamping arm (40) is produced in the manner of a beard. 14. Retaining means according to claim 12, characterized in that the clamping arm (40) is made with a cross section in the form of a gutter. 15 15. Retaining means according to claim 12, characterized in that the clamping arm (40) is produced in the manner of a snap hook. 16. Retaining means according to one of claims 12 to 15, characterized in that there are provided two clamping arms (40) diametrically opposite one another. 17. Retaining means according to claim 16, characterized in that the 20 clamping arms (40) are connected to each other by a reinforcing bar (46). 18. Retaining means according to one of claims 12 to 17, characterized in that the basic body (28) is in the form of a disc and in that the clamping arm (40) extends parallel to one outer surfaces of the base body (28). 19. Retaining means according to claim 18, characterized in that the clamping arm (40) is connected to the base body (28) in the center and extends radially outwards. 20. Medium retained according to either of Claims 18 and 19, characterized in that the clamping arm (40) is produced in the form of a hook. - 1621. Retaining means according to one of claims 12 to 20, characterized in that the basic body (28) is part of the housing of the electronic transmitter / receiver (24). 22. Retaining means according to one of claims 12 to 20, characterized in that the retaining means (26) is a separate piece on which the electronic transmitter / receiver (24) is detachably mounted. 23. Retaining means according to claim 22, characterized in that the retaining means has at least two retaining tabs (30) for the transmitter / receiver. 24. Retaining means according to claim 23, characterized in that there are provided three retaining tabs (30) which are arranged at an angular distance of 120 ° around a central point. 25. Retaining means according to one of claims 23 and 24, characterized in that the retaining tabs (30) are elastic with spring effect. 26. Retaining means according to one of claims 23 to 25, characterized in that at their free end, the retaining tabs (30) are provided with an interlocking nose (32). 27. Retaining means according to one of claims 12 to 26, characterized in that it is made in one piece from plastic. 28. Retaining means according to one of claims 12 to 27, characterized in that the retaining means is made of one or more duroplasts, one or more thermosetting materials, one or more recycled materials or a combination thereof. 29. Tool for removing an electronic transmitter / receiver from a pallet of goods (10) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it has a handle and at least one detachment projection which is carried out for engagement on a clamping arm of the retaining means of the electronic transmitter / receiver (24).