| 摘要 |
Apparatus for transporting/storing an article 1 such as a copier comprises a pallet 2 and a set of removable, adjustable supports 6A to 6D joined by coupling units comprising first and second joints 8A-D, 9A-D and crossed coupling members 14, 15. The coupling members are pivotally attached at their centre 21 and pivotally connected at their ends to respective first or second joints. Thus, the distance apart of the supports 6A-D can be adjusted to fit pallets of different size chosen in turn to match the article carried. The pallets can have projections 7 or apertures (e.g. 24, Fig 7) for the ends of the supports to be removably connected to. The other end of the supports can have caps 23 whereby a further pallet or pallets 2 can be stacked on top of the first pallet and load, or vice versa (25, Fig 7). In a further arrangement (Fig 7), there can be first, third and second spaced joints per support, with some of the crossed coupling members joined between the first and third joints and others the first and second. The joints can be free to slide on the supports or some or all can be releasably fastened to the supports. The second and third joints can be releasably and rigidly connected (35, Figs 13 to 19). The connectors can be loose or positioned on the supports to avoid losing them. The top of the supports can be provided with restraining means(Figs 42, 45 to 47) to limit the size of the space between them or with ceiling plates (Figs 20 to 25) e.g. for stacking other goods thereon. The ceiling plates can have various apertures e.g. to allow stacking of collapsed supports during return delivery. Alternatively, the collapsed supports can be stacked inside a pallet leg (Figs 85 and 86) or on a pallet (Figs 66 and 67). The restraining means can also be stacked when out of use in a pallet leg (Fig 55). The restraining means can be provided with complementary connectors to a pallet leg to provide secure mounting of one pallet on and spaced from another (Figs 50 to 54). The pallet can have a flat load surface as shown but are preferably provided with raised portions forming steps to prevent interference with loading forks or clamps (Figs 61 to 65). The load surface can be adjustably positioned (Figs 68 and 69) and can have various shaped apertures (Figs 72 to 84) to allow the collapsed supports to be stored in a vertical stack of the pallets. The pallet can be provided with positioning means (533, Fig 87) or means (545A, Figs 89 to 94) allowing the load to be positioned and releasably fastened to the pallet. The load can protected either by a cover, flexible bag(s) or a net or cling film on the erected pallet and supports (Figs 26 or 33, 32, 28-30, 27, respectively). Arrangements of copier to facilitate transport are also shown (Figs 98 to 105). |
