WO2024218805A1

WO2024218805A1 - Device for contining products

Info

Publication number: WO2024218805A1
Application number: PCT/IT2024/050074
Authority: WO
Inventors: Giancarlo Camellini
Original assignee: Gema S.R.L.
Priority date: 2023-04-18
Filing date: 2024-04-18
Publication date: 2024-10-24
Also published as: IT202300007554A1

Abstract

The device (1) for containing products includes a first protection member (3) capable of being arranged, in operation, along a direction transverse to a shelf (2) and a second protection member (7) associated with said first member of protection (3), suitable to be arranged, in operation, along a longitudinal direction with respect to said shelf (2). Said first protection member (3) is movable between a first configuration of use, in which it extends on a substantially vertical plane, and a second idle configuration, in which it is rotated with respect to said first configuration around a first axis of rotation (A) which extends along a direction transverse to said shelf (2).

Description

DEVICE FOR CONTINING PRODUCTS

Technical Field

[01] The object of the present invention is a device for containing products, suitable for being used to contain products arranged on a shelf of a commercial vehicle.

Prior art

[02] In the sector of commercial vehicles, a need exists in the art for ensuring safe transport of products.

[03] In this sector, a common type of vehicle includes a rear compartment in which the products to be delivered are arranged and a driver's cab, possibly separated from the compartment by a partition wall. A shelf structure is generally mounted in the compartment comprising one or more shelves on which the products to be delivered are arranged.

[04] The shelves of the shelf structure are equipped with side rails to keep the products firmly on their respective support surfaces, but the products are equally subject to forces due to the driving maneuvers of the delivery operator that can cause the products to fall off the shelves. In particular, in the case of acceleration or braking, it often happens that some products fall from the shelf structure.

[05] For this reason, devices for containing the products have been conceived. One type of device used includes a mesh that is detachably connected to a shelf of the shelf structure and to an inner wall of the vehicle compartment to keep the products on the respective shelf.

[06] However, a problem complained about is that the mesh makes it difficult to collect or load products from the shelves and is therefore often removed by the operator to carry out said operations. Once the products have been loaded and/or unloaded, the operator must reassemble the mesh. It may also happen that the operator does not reassemble the mesh due to the haste during operations, with a consequent risk of products falling from the shelf structure. This can lead to possible damage to the products.

[07] Therefore, this solution is not easy to use by the operator and is unreliable.

Disclosure

[08] The aim of the present invention is to solve the aforementioned problems, by devising a device for the containment of products, adapted to be used for containing the products arranged on a shelf of a commercial vehicle, which is easy to use by the operator.

[09] A further object of the invention is to provide a device for containing products that allows easy access to the products during the loading and/or unloading operations of said products.

[10] Another object of the invention is to provide a device for the containment of products that is suitable for different types of shelves.

[11] A further object of the invention is to manufacture a device for the containment of products of simple constructive and functional design, which is reliable in operation, has versatile use, as well as relatively economical cost.

[12] The above-mentioned objects are achieved, according to the present invention, by the device for containing products according to claim 1 .

[13] The device for containing products includes a first protection member capable of being arranged, in operation, along a direction transversal to said shelf, said first protection member being movable between a first configuration of use, in which it extends on a substantially vertical plane, and a second idle configuration, in which it is rotated with respect to said first configuration around a first axis of rotation which extends along a transversal direction with respect to said shelf.

[14] Preferably said first axis of rotation lies on a horizontal plane.

[15] The device also includes a second protection member associated with said first protection member, capable of being arranged, in operation, along a longitudinal direction with respect to said shelf, said second protection member being mobile between a first configuration of use, in which it extends on a vertical plane substantially orthogonal to said first protection member, and a second idle configuration, in which it is rotated around a second axis of rotation parallel to said first axis of rotation and is arranged, at least in part, under said shelf.

[16] Preferably, said first protection member is arranged, in said idle configuration, within the overall dimensions of said shelf.

[17] The device allows it to be used easily by an operator as it is easy to assemble, and it is also easy to set it up in a use or idle configuration. With regard to the assembly, it is sufficient to position the first protection member along a transverse direction of the shelf and the second protection member along a longitudinal direction of the shelf and then fix them. Once assembled, an operator can proceed to rotate the second protection member around the second axis of rotation and the first protection member around the first axis of rotation to bring them into their respective idle configurations. It is noted that the device with the protection members in the idle configurations allows the operator to access the products of the shelf without difficulty since it is contained in the bulk of the shelf and is partly underneath the shelf. The device can therefore remain mounted on the shelf even when not in use with an advantage for the operator who therefore does not have to assemble and disassemble it often.

[18] Advantageously, said second protection member comprises a pair of support elements positioned, in said first use configuration, opposite and parallel.

[19] Preferably, said second protection member comprises at least one extendable element connected at opposite ends to said support elements.

[20] Preferably, said at least one extendable element has elastic characteristics.

[21] Preferably, said at least one extendable element is made of an elastic element. [22] Alternatively, said at least one extendable element comprises a longitudinal body adapted to function as a guide and an inserted element slidable inside said longitudinal body, said slidable element being actuated according to a sliding motion along said longitudinal body by suitable actuator means.

[23] Advantageously, said at least one extendable element extends on a vertical plane substantially orthogonal to the lying plane of said first protection member in said first use configuration.

[24] Preferably, said second protection member comprises a plurality of extendable elements.

[25] Preferably said extendable elements are parallel to each other in said use configuration.

[26] Preferably, said first protection member comprises a frame to which at least one containment element is associated.

[27] Preferably said frame comprises at least one pair of rods mounted parallel and opposite in said use configuration.

[28] Preferably said at least one containment element is made of a bar.

[29] Preferably said at least one containment element extends along a transversal direction with respect to said rods.

[30] Preferably, said device comprises first hinged means suitable for allowing the rotation of said first protection member around said first axis of rotation.

[31] Preferably, said first hinge means are associated with said first protection member.

[32] According to an aspect of the invention, said support elements of said second protection member comprise a first support element and a second support element, said second support element being opposite to said first support element.

[33] Preferably, said second support element is associated with said first protection member.

[34] Preferably, said first support element is associated with second hinged means suitable for allowing the rotation of said relative support element around said second axis of rotation.

[35] Preferably, said second support element can be rotated around said first axis of rotation, by means of said first hinged means.

[36] Advantageously, said second support element is associated with said frame of said first protection member.

[37] Preferably, said second support element shapes a slot on one of its surfaces.

[38] Preferably said slot has a substantially rectilinear development.

[39] Preferably said slot is inclined with respect to a vertical axis.

[40] Advantageously, each said one extendable element is associated with said second support element, at one end, by means of a pin sliding in said slot, said at least one extensible element being movable along said slot, upon activation of said second hinged means associated with said first support element.

[41] Preferably each said extendable element is associated in a fixed manner with said first support element, at an opposite end.

[42] This configuration of the second protection member, with the extendable elements associated with the second support element so as to slide in the slot, is advantageous as it ensures a reduced size of the second protection member in the idle configuration. The extendable elements in fact have a grouped and compact configuration in the idle condition. Furthermore, this configuration allows the second protection element to easily assume a use configuration. In fact, following the rotation of the first protection member around the first axis of rotation, it is sufficient to rotate the first support member around the second axis of rotation to cause the extendable elements to slide in the slot. The extendable elements, sliding in the slot, are positioned on a vertical plane, substantially orthogonal to the first protection element.

[43] Preferably, said second support element is connected to said frame of said first protection member by rotation means suitable for allowing the rotation of said second support element around a substantially vertical axis of rotation, orthogonal to the first axis of rotation.

[44] Preferably said device comprises locking means operable to lock said first protection member in said first configuration of use.

[45] Preferably said locking means are associated with said first protection member.

[46] Preferably, said device also comprises connection means associated respectively with said first protection member and with said second protection member, configured to removably connect said first connection member and said second protection member to said shelf, in operation.

Description of drawings

[47] The details of the invention will be more evident from the detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the device for containing products according to the invention, illustrated by way of example in the attached drawings, in which:

Figures 1-3 show respectively an isometric, front and top view of the device according to the present invention;

Figures 4, 6, 8 and 10 show respective front views of the device in different configurations, in which Figure 4 shows an idle configuration and Figure 10 shows a use configuration;

Figures 5, 7, 9, 11 show respective top views of the device in said configurations;

Figure 12 shows a front view of the device according to the present invention associated with a shelf on which the products are arranged.

Description of embodiments of the invention

[48] With particular reference to Figures 1 - 12, the reference numeral 1 indicates as a whole the device for containing products 100, suitable for being used to contain products arranged on a shelf 2 of a commercial vehicle, in particular a vehicle for transportation and delivery of products. [49] The products can be boxes, parcels, envelopes or similar.

[50] The commercial vehicle, not shown in the figures, may comprise a cargo compartment and a driving cabin, which is possibly separated from the cargo compartment by a partition wall. The loading compartment houses a shelf structure comprising one or more shelves 2 on which the products 100 to be delivered are arranged.

[51] Each shelf 2 is fixedly associated with an inner wall of the loading compartment or, alternatively, is movably associated with the wall, for example the shelf 2 can be tiltable.

[52] The device 1 can be obviously employed to contain the products 100 arranged on any support surface, not necessarily a surface of a shelf structure of a vehicle.

[53] The device 1 comprises a first protection member 3 adapted to be arranged, in use, along a direction transverse to the shelf 2.

[54] The first protection member 3 comprises a frame 4 and at least one containment element 5 associated with the frame 4 adapted to provide an abutment surface to the products 100, in operation.

[55] The frame 4 is made of at least one pair of rods, mounted parallel and opposite, and the containment element 5 extends along a direction substantially transverse to the rods.

[56] In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the first protection member 3 comprises a plurality of containment elements 5, of the type of bars, which are connected, at opposite ends, to the rods 4.

[57] The first protection member 3 is movable between a first use configuration, in which it extends on a substantially vertical plane, and a second idle configuration, in which it is rotated with respect to said first configuration around a first rotation axis A, which extends along a transverse direction with respect to the shelf 2, in operation. Preferably the first axis of rotation A lies on a horizontal plane. In the second idle configuration, the first protection member 3 occupies a position within the bulk of the shelf 2 (see Figure 4).

[58] The first protection member 3 is associated with hinged means 6 adapted to allow rotation around the first axis of rotation A.

[59] The device 1 also comprises locking means, not shown, which are operable to lock the first protection member 3 in the first use configuration.

[60] The first protection member 3 is associated with a second protection member 7 adapted to be mounted, in use, along a longitudinal direction with respect to the shelf 2.

[61] The second protection member 7 is arranged, in use, substantially orthogonal to the first protection member 3, forming an angular structure.

[62] More specifically, the second protection member 7 is movable between a first use configuration, in which it extends on a substantially vertical plane, orthogonal to the lying plane of the first protection member 3 in the first use configuration, and a second idle configuration, in which it is rotated around a second axis of rotation B parallel to the first axis of rotation A. In the second idle configuration the second protection member 7 is arranged, at least in part, underneath the shelf 2 (see Figure 4).

[63] The second protection member 7 extends longitudinally at least for a portion of the shelf 2, but it is possible to provide that the longitudinal extension of the second protection member 7 is substantially equal to the longitudinal extension of the shelf 2.

[64] The second protection member 7 comprises a pair of support elements 8 positioned, in the first configuration of use, opposite and parallel.

[65] At least one extendable element 9, which is mobile, is connected to the support elements 8, upon activation of appropriate actuator means, between a use configuration, in which it has an initial length Io and an idle configuration, in which it has a final length h different from the initial length.

[66] In the configuration of use, the extendable element 9 extends on a vertical plane, approximately orthogonal to the lying plane of the first protection member 3 in the first configuration of use.

[67] The extendable element 9 is connected, at opposite ends, to the support elements 8.

[68] Preferably the second protection member 7 comprises a plurality of extendable elements 9. The extendable elements 9 are preferably parallel to each other.

[69] The extendable elements 9 allow, together with the containment elements 5 of the first protection member 3, to keep the products 100 on the support shelf 2, preventing the products 100 from falling.

[70] Each extendable element 9 is made of an elastic element.

[71] Alternatively, each extendable element 9 comprises a longitudinal body, capable of acting as a guide, and a sliding element of the type of a piston. The piston can be operated in a sliding motion, by means of suitable actuation means, along the longitudinal body, thus varying the length of the extendable element 9. This embodiment and the related actuation means are not visible in the figures.

[72] The second protection member 7 is associated with relative hinged means 10 adapted to enable rotation around the second axis of rotation B.

[73] According to a preferred embodiment, illustrated in the figures, the hinged means 10 are associated with a first support element 80 of the second protection member 7 while the second support element 81 , opposite to the first support element 80, is associated with the first protection member 3.

[74] In particular, the second support element 81 is associated with a rod 4 of the first protection member 3 so as to rotate integrally with the first protection member 3 around the first axis of rotation A. The second support element 81 is connected to the rod 4 through rotation means 11 adapted to enable the rotation of the second support element 81 around a substantially vertical rotation axis C, orthogonal to the first axis of rotation A. [75] The extendable elements 9 are connected, at one end thereof, to the second support element 81 by means of respective pins 13 slidably mounted inside a slot 14.

[76] The slot 14 is made on a surface of the second support element 81 and is inclined with respect to a substantially vertical axis.

[77] According to this embodiment, the actuation means adapted to vary the length of the extendable elements 9, enabling the second protection member 7 to pass from the first configuration to the second configuration, consist of the hinged means 6, 10 and the rotation means 11 as well as the pins 13 and the slot 14, as will be better explained hereinafter.

[78] The device also comprises connection means 12 associated respectively with the first protection member 3 and the second protection member 7, configured to removably connect the first protection member 3 and the second protection member 7 to the shelf 2. The connection means 12 preferably comprises brackets and screw means.

[79] The operation of the product containment device 1 is easily understood from the following description.

[80] Initially, an operator mounts the device 1 on a shelf 2 of the vehicle, positioning the first protection member 3 transversely with respect to the shelf 2 and the second protection member 7 along a longitudinal direction of the shelf 2. In particular, the operator mounts the first protection member 3 in the first configuration of use, in which it extends on a vertical plane, approximately orthogonal to the support surface of the shelf 2, and the second protection member 7 equally in the first configuration of use, in which it extends on a vertical plane, orthogonal to the lying plane of the first protection element 3. In this configuration the first and second protection members 3, 7 prevent the products from falling from the shelf 2.

[81] In the event that the operator does not wish to use the device 1 , for example to load or unload the products 100 more easily, he rotates the second protection member 7 around the second rotation axis B to bring it into the second idle configuration and to rotate the first rotation member 3 around the first axis of rotation A in the respective second idle configuration.

[82] More specifically, in the case of the preferred embodiment illustrated in the figures, the operator rotates the first support element 80 around the second axis of rotation B, bringing the first support element 80 underneath the shelf 2 (see Figure 8).

[83] Thereafter, the second support element 81 is rotated around the third axis of rotation C so as to be turned towards the outside of the shelf 2 (see Figures 6 and 7) and the operator then rotates the first protection member 3 around the first axis of rotation A bringing the first protection member 3 into the second configuration. The rotational activation of the first protection member 3 also involves the rotation of the second support element 81 integral with it around the axis of rotation A. The first protection member 3 is therefore positioned within the space of the shelf 2 and the second protection member 7 is, partly, underneath the shelf 2 (see Figures 4 and 5). Conversely, if the operator wishes to use the device 1 again, he rotates the first protection member 3 around the first axis of rotation A so that the first protection member 3 assume the first configuration of use (see Figure 6).

[84] Then, the operator rotates the second support element 81 around the third axis of rotation C (see Figure 8) and, finally, rotates the first support element 80 around the second axis of rotation B. This last rotation involves the sliding of the extendable elements 9 along the slot 14 and the elements 9 assume a configuration in which they extend on a vertical plane (see Figure 10).

[85] The device for containing products according to the present invention achieves the aim of being used easily by an operator as it is easy to assemble and it is also easy to arrange it in a use or idle configuration. Regarding assembly, it is sufficient to position the first protection member along a transversal direction of the shelf and the second protection member along a longitudinal direction and then fix them using the connection means. Once assembled, an operator can proceed to rotate the second protection member around the second axis of rotation and the first protection member around the first axis of rotation to bring them into their respective idle configurations. Conversely, if the operator needs to use the device, he rotates again the two protection members around their respective axes of rotation in a direction opposite to the previous case to obtain the use configuration.

[86] It should be noted that the device with the protection members in the idle configurations allows the operator to access the shelf products without difficulty since it is contained within the space of the shelf and is partly underneath the shelf, as shown in Figure 4. Therefore, the device can be mounted on the shelf even when it is not used with an advantage for the operator who therefore does not have to assemble and disassemble it often.

[87] The device is also advantageous because it can be mounted on different types of shelves, for example it can be mounted both on shelves fixed to a wall of the vehicle and on shelves rotatably coupled to the wall of the vehicle or to the shelving.

[88] In the practical embodiment of the invention, the materials used, as well as the shape and the dimensions, may be modified depending on needs without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

[89] Should the technical features mentioned in any claim be followed by reference signs, such reference signs were included strictly with the aim of enhancing the understanding of the claims and hence they shall not be deemed restrictive in any manner whatsoever on the scope of each element identified for exemplifying purposes by such reference signs.

Claims

1 . A device for containing products, suitable for being used to contain products (100) arranged on a shelf (2) of a commercial vehicle, comprising a first protection member (3) adapted to be arranged, in operation, along a direction transverse to said shelf (2), said first protection member (3) being movable between a first configuration of use, in which it extends on a substantially vertical plane, and a second idle configuration, in which it is rotated with respect to said first configuration around a first axis of rotation (A) which lies on a horizontal plane and extends along a transverse direction with respect to said shelf (2) , in operation; a second protection member (7) associated with said first protection member (3), adapted to be arranged, in operation, along a longitudinal direction with respect to said shelf (2), said second protection member (7) being movable between a first configuration of use, in which it extends on a vertical plane, which is substantially orthogonal to said first protection element (3), and a second idle configuration in which it is rotated around a second axis of rotation (B) parallel to said first axis of rotation (A) and is arranged, at least in part, underneath said shelf (2).

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein said second protection member (7) comprises a pair of support elements (8) positioned, in said first configuration of use, opposite and parallel to each other and at least one extendable element (9) connected at opposite ends to said support elements (8).

3. The device of claim 2, wherein said at least one extendable element (9) extends on a vertical plane substantially orthogonal with respect to the lying plane of said first protection member (3) in said first configuration of use.

4. The device of claim 2 or 3, wherein said at least one extendable element (9) has elastic characteristics.

5. The device of claim 2 or 3, wherein said at least one extendable element (9) comprises a longitudinal body adapted to operate as a guide and an inserted element slidable inside said longitudinal body, said sliding element being actuated according to a sliding motion along said longitudinal body by suitable actuation means.

6. The device of any one of claims 2-4, wherein it comprises hinge means (10) associated with a first support element (80) of said pair of support elements (8) adapted to enable rotation of said relative support element (80) about said second axis of rotation (B).

7. The device of claim 6, wherein it comprises further hinged means (6) adapted to enable the rotation of a second support element (81 ) of said pair of support elements (8) about said first axis of rotation (A).

8. The device of claim 7, wherein said second support element (81 ) shapes a slot (14) inclined with respect to a vertical axis on a surface, said at least one extendable element (9) being associated, at one end, to said second support element (81 ) by means of a pin (13) slidable in said slot (14), said at least one extendable element (9) being movable along said slot (14), upon activation of said hinged means ( 10) associated with said first support element (80).

9. The device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein it comprises locking means associated with said first protection member (3) operable to lock said first protection member (3) in said first configuration of use.

10. The device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein it comprises connection means (12) associated respectively with said first protection member (3) and with said second protection member (7), configured to detachably connect said first connection member (3) and said second protection member (7) to said shelf (2), in operation.