Abstract:
In an overhead conveyance/storage system 1 including at least a storage area 100 for the storage of products (e.g., tires) 200, at least one transfer holder 300 adapted to move through a ceiling space in the storage area 100 in three dimensions, including vertical, transverse and longitudinal directions while holding the products 200, and unloader 500 for carrying out the products 200 from the storage area 100, a product receiving position (product unloading position) 501 of the unloader 500 is set to a nearly central part of the storage area 100 when seen in plan. The overhead conveyance/storage system 1 further includes loader 400 for carrying the products 200 into the storage area 100, and product discriminator 402 is disposed in the loader 400.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a method and a device for automatically stacking tires (4) on a support (1). According to the method, geometrical data of the tires (4) and/or a digital model of the tires (4) is provided, based on the geometrical data and/or the tire model and a predefinable size of the support (1), an algorithm calculates a stacking pattern for the tires (4) on the support (1) by taking into account a predefined size of the support, said stacking pattern making it possible to store the largest possible number of tires (4) in a stable manner on the support (1). Positional data of the tires (4) are adopted from the stacking pattern and associated trajectories of a handling device for stacking the tires (4) are generated and stored according to the stacking pattern. The stored positional data and trajectories are retrieved and transferred to the handling device, which receives the tires (4) at a given receiving position and puts the same on the support (1) in accordance with the positional data and associated trajectories. The present method and the associated device make it possible to automatically stack the tires with an optimal stacking pattern for the tires.
Abstract:
A tire loading apparatus and method of packing tires that includes placing the tires in a rack, compressing the tires, and assembling the rack are disclosed. The apparatus includes one or more conveyors, scanners, and robots that load tires from a conveyor to a rack. A tire unloading apparatus is also disclosed. The unloading apparatus includes a scissor mechanism to raise and/or lower tire racks to an unloading platform. The unloading apparatus additionally includes one or more unloaders and conveyors. The sorting and unloading of tires is accomplished with one or more automated conveyors, scanners, and storage structures for reading information from incoming tires and using the tire information to sort and store the tires. A rack to improve compression and support of tires during storage and shipment is also disclosed.
Abstract:
A tire loading apparatus and method of packing tires that includes placing the tires in a rack, compressing the tires, and assembling the rack are disclosed. The apparatus includes one or more conveyors, scanners, and robots that load tires from a conveyor to a rack. A tire unloading apparatus is also disclosed. The unloading apparatus includes a scissor mechanism to raise and/or lower tire racks to an unloading platform. The unloading apparatus additionally includes one or more unloaders and conveyors. The sorting and unloading of tires is accomplished with one or more automated conveyors, scanners, and storage structures for reading information from incoming tires and using the tire information to sort and store the tires. A rack to improve compression and support of tires during storage and shipment is also disclosed.
Abstract:
A rim mounted tire lifting bar including a feature on a first end to allow lifting of rim up tires and a feature on the second end on lifting of rim down tires for tires mounted on a rim. A second bar includes an element on one end to engage the lip of one tire sidewall and allow tipping up of the tire when the tires not mounted on a rim. These may either be sold separately or sold together as a kit.
Abstract:
A conveyor for transporting and elevating articles and a method and system for conveying articles up inclines is provided. The conveyor has a conveyor belt and a plurality of support elements extending outward from the article-conveying surface of the conveyor belt advancing upward along the incline. The conveyor may be positioned at an inclined angle relative to the horizontal ground, i.e., between about 5° and 85° or the conveyor can be substantially vertical, i.e., about 90° relative to the horizontal ground. The support elements prevent conveyed articles from sliding down the conveyor belt on the inclined conveyor and carry and hold articles on substantially vertical conveyors. The article-conveying surface of the conveyor belt may provide a low-friction retention surface to articles leaning away from the conveyor belt on the incline.
Abstract:
An apparatus suitable for both loading and unloading a round body, for example a tire, relative to a stationary shelf comprises, for loading, a body locating member defining a contact surface which confines in fixed location the round body between same and a shelf edge of the stationary shelf and a body lifting arrangement on which the body locating member is movable carried so as to displace the locating member upwardly relative to the shelf edge. For unloading the apparatus comprises an unloading arm defining a body contact surface that is displaceable in movement arranged perpendicular to a rotational axis of the body from a location outside a shelf storage space defined vertically above the shelf where the body is received when on the shelf, to the shelf storage space so as to displace the body off the shelf.
Abstract:
An automatic tire loader/unloader for stacking/unstacking tires in a trailer is disclosed. In one embodiment, a mobile base structure provides a support framework for a drive subassembly, conveyance subassembly, an industrial robot, a distance measurement subassembly, and a control subassembly. Under the operation of the control subassembly, tires advance through a powered transportation path to an industrial robot which places the tires within the trailer in a vertical stacking pattern or a rick-stacking pattern, for example. The control subassembly coordinates the selective articulated movement of the industrial robot and the activation of the drive subassembly based upon the distance measurement subassembly detecting objects, including tires, within a detection space, dimensions of the trailer provided to the control subassembly, and dimensions of the tires provided to the control subassembly.
Abstract:
An automatic tire loader/unloader for stacking/unstacking tires in a trailer is disclosed. In one embodiment, a mobile base structure provides a support framework for a drive subassembly, conveyance subassembly, an industrial robot, a distance measurement subassembly, and a control subassembly. Under the operation of the control subassembly, tires advance through a powered transportation path to an industrial robot which places the tires within the trailer in a vertical stacking pattern or a rick-stacking pattern, for example. The control subassembly coordinates the selective articulated movement of the industrial robot and the activation of the drive subassembly based upon the distance measurement subassembly detecting objects, including tires, within a detection space, dimensions of the trailer provided to the control subassembly, and dimensions of the tires provided to the control subassembly.
Abstract:
A storage array includes one or more tiers including a plurality of roller pairs and at least one motor for spinning each roller pair. Plates are positioned between each roller pair. A horizontal nudge is positioned above each plate moves tires horizontally within the storage array. A tire is moved longitudinally within the storage array by causing a roller pair bearing the tire to spin followed by lifting the plate below the tire, thereby causing the tire to roll forward or backward within the storage array. The storage array may be coupled to a distribution system including a plurality of channels including a planar or concave bottom surface over which tires roll and vertical sidewalls extending upwardly from the bottom surface. Accelerators, brakes, junctions, and elevators may be positioned in channels in order to control movement of tires through the distribution system.