Gripping device for crates
Gripping device for crates having a first abutment and a second abutment in contact with two panels of a crate that are adjacent and perpendicular to one another. A first presser, in the active position, is able to press on the free edge of the first panel, exerting an operating thrust along at least the main direction, and a second presser, in the active position, is able to press on the free edge of the second panel, exerting an operating thrust along at least the main direction. A first cursor, in the operating position, is able to engage with the first panel, to prevent a movement of the first panel along the main direction, and a second cursor, in the operating position, is able to engage with the second panel, to prevent a movement of the second panel along the main direction.
1 . A gripping device for crates, comprising a first abutment ( 11 ) and a second abutment ( 12 ), arranged to be positioned in contact with two panels (c 1 ,c 2 ) of a crate (C), that are adjacent and perpendicular to one another, the device comprises:
a first presser ( 21 ), which is movable along a main direction (Y) between an inactive position and an active position, spaced apart from the inactive position for an activation stroke; in the inactive position, the first presser ( 21 ) is not able to interact with a crate (C), or is able to exert an approach thrust, of pre-established value, on a free edge of the first panel (c 1 ); in the active position, the first presser ( 21 ) is able to press on the free edge of the first panel (c 1 ), exerting an operating thrust along at least the main direction (Y);
a second presser ( 22 ), that is movable along the main direction (Y) between an inactive position and an active position, spaced apart from the inactive position for an activation stroke; in the inactive position, the second presser ( 22 ) is not able to interact with a crate (C), or is able to exert an approach thrust, of pre-established value, on the free edge of the second panel (c 2 ); in the active position, the second presser ( 22 ) is able to press on the free edge of the second panel (c 2 ), exerting an operating thrust along at least the main direction (Y);
a first cursor ( 31 ), movable along a direction that is transverse to the main direction (Y), relative to the first abutment ( 11 ), between an inactive position and an operating position, which are separated from one another by an activation stroke; in the inactive position, the first cursor ( 31 ) is not able to interact with a crate (C); in the operating position, the first cursor ( 31 ) is able to engage with the first panel (c 1 ), to prevent a movement of the first panel (c 1 ) along the main direction (Y);
a second cursor ( 32 ), movable along a direction that is transverse to the main direction (Y), relative to the second abutment ( 11 ), between an inactive position and an operating position, which are separated from one another by an activation stroke; in the inactive position, the second cursor ( 32 ) is not able to interact with a crate (C); in the operating position, the second cursor ( 32 ) is able to engage with the second panel (c 2 ), to prevent a movement of the second panel (c 2 ) along the main direction (Y),
wherein the first presser ( 21 ) and the second presser ( 22 ) are arranged perpendicular to one another along the main direction (Y).
2 . The gripping device according to claim 1 , wherein:
in the inactive position, the first cursor ( 31 ) does not protrude from the first abutment ( 11 ), or protrudes from the latter for an initial portion; in the active position, the first cursor ( 31 ) protrudes from the first abutment ( 11 ) for a portion of greater extent, substantially equal to the activation stroke, towards the space occupied by the crates (C);
in the inactive position, the second cursor ( 32 ) does not protrude from the second abutment ( 12 ), or protrudes from the latter for an initial portion; in the active position, the second cursor ( 32 ) protrudes from the second abutment ( 12 ) for a portion of greater extent, substantially equal to the activation stroke, towards the space occupied by the crates (C).
3 . The gripping device according to claim 2 , wherein:
the first cursor ( 31 ) is structured to be able to be inserted, when it is in the active position, into a handle (m 1 ) located on the first panel (c 1 ) of the crate (C);
the second cursor ( 32 ) is structured to be able to be inserted, when it is in the active position, into a handle (m 2 ) located on the second panel (c 2 ) of the crate (C).
4 . The gripping device according to claim 1 , wherein:
the first presser ( 21 ), when it is in the active position, is able to press the first panel (c 1 ) towards the first abutment ( 11 );
the second cursor ( 22 ), when it is in the active position, is able to press the second panel (c 2 ) towards the second abutment ( 12 ).
5 . The gripping device according to claim 1 , comprising:
a first stabiliser ( 41 ), which is movable between an inactive position, in which it is not placed in front of the second abutment ( 12 ), and an active position, in which the first stabiliser is placed in front of the second abutment ( 12 ), so as to be able to maintain or press a crate (C) in contact with the second abutment ( 12 );
a second stabiliser ( 42 ), which is movable between an inactive position, in which it is not placed in front of the first abutment ( 11 ), and an active position, in which the second stabiliser is placed in front of the first abutment ( 11 ), so as to be able to maintain or press a crate (C) in contact with the first abutment ( 11 ).
6 . The gripping device according to claim 5 , wherein:
the first stabiliser ( 41 ) comprises an arm, provided with an operating surface ( 41 a ) configured to contact a third panel (c 3 ) of a crate (C);
the second stabiliser ( 42 ) comprises an arm, provided with an operating surface ( 42 a ) configured to contact with a fourth panel (c 4 ) of a crate (C).
7 . The gripping device according to claim 6 , wherein:
the first stabiliser ( 41 ) is associated with the first abutment ( 11 ) and is movable relative to the first abutment ( 11 ) between the active position and the inactive position;
the second stabiliser ( 42 ) is associated with the second abutment ( 12 ) and is movable relative to the second abutment ( 11 ) between the active position and the inactive position.
8 . The device according to claim 7 , wherein:
the movement of the first stabiliser ( 41 ) between the active and inactive positions comprises at least one component directed on a plane parallel to the plane of the second abutment ( 12 ), and at least one component directed perpendicularly to the second abutment ( 12 );
the movement of the second stabiliser ( 42 ) between the active and inactive positions comprises at least one component directed on a plane parallel to the plane of the first abutment ( 11 ), and at least one component directed perpendicularly to the first abutment ( 11 ).
9 . The gripping device according to claim 1 , wherein:
the first cursor ( 31 ) and the second cursor ( 32 ) are arranged perpendicular to one another along the main direction (Y).