Patent Application
20240238859
The present invention relates to a modular mold, a modular device, a universal insert for straightening profiles, in particular for repairing profiles of warehouse rack uprights for mounting of warehouse rack girders, an insert and a corresponding method for straightening such multiple profiles.
From the Applicant's prior International Publication WO 2006/073304A1, a straightening device and a method for straightening an upright profile which has been bent out of an original position is known. The device comprises in particular an outer template, an inner template and pressing means for pressing the outer template against the outer side of the profile and the inner template against the inner side of the profile. The outer template and the inner template used in such a device are monolithic and specifically designed for the profile to be repaired. Yet multiple sorts of profiles exist on the market, each with specific dimensions and shapes.
The object of the invention is to provide a modular mold, a modular device and a universal insert able to straighten more than one sort of profiles.
According to a first aspect of the invention, a mold for repairing a profile which has been bent out of an original position is provided, the profile being in particular a profile of warehouse rack uprights for mounting of warehouse rack girders, wherein an inner space accessible from an open side is defined in the profile. The mold is adapted to the form of the outer surface of the profile, and the mold partly encloses the profile during use. The mold is modular and comprises a plurality of mold parts, each mold part having a surface adapted to a respective part of the outer surface of the profile.
According to a preferred embodiment, the plurality of mold parts comprise a front mold part having a surface adapted to a front outer surface of the profile to be repaired, the front outer surface of a profile facing away from the open side of said profile, and two side mold parts, each having a surface adapted to a side outer surface of the profile to be repaired.
According to a preferred embodiment, the side mold parts are selected, based on the profile to be repaired, from a plurality of side mold parts for repairing the plurality of different upright profiles. In this way, profiles having different side surfaces can be repaired, increasing the modularity of the mold. For instance side surfaces of the mold may have different shapes (number and/or shapes of indentation(s), location and/or values of (additional) corner angle(s), etc), or dimensions (width of the side surface, width of indentations, etc) among others.
According to a preferred embodiment, the front mold parts are selected, based on the profile to be repaired, from a plurality of front mold parts for repairing the plurality of different upright profiles. In this way, profiles having different front surfaces can be repaired, increasing the modularity of the mold. For instance, front surfaces may have different shapes (number and/or shape of indentation(s), etc) or dimensions (width of indentation(s)) among others.
According to a preferred embodiment, the mold further comprises at least two extension mold parts arranged in between a front mold part and a respective side mold part for adapting the width of the mold.
According to a preferred embodiment, the mold further comprises at least one mold connecting mechanism for connecting all the mold parts together.
According to a preferred embodiment, the mold connecting mechanism is a manually operated mechanism.
According to a preferred embodiment, the connecting mechanism comprises a plurality of rods for passing through all the mold parts and a plurality of nuts engaging with the rods for connecting all the mold parts together.
According to a preferred embodiment, a device for repairing a profile which has been bent out of an original position is provided. The device comprises a mold according to any of the above embodiments, an insert configured to shape at least part of an inner surface of the profile, wherein during use the insert is arranged in the inner space of the profile via the open side, and a pressing unit for pressing the mold against the outer side of the profile and pressing the insert against the inner side of the profile with pressing force such that the profile is bent back into its original position.
According to a preferred embodiment, the pressing unit comprises a pressing mechanism for engaging with the insert, and a frame for engaging both with the mold and the pressing mechanism.
According to a preferred embodiment, the frame comprises a plurality of frame elements and at least one frame connecting mechanism for connecting the frame elements together.
According to a preferred embodiment, the frame connecting mechanism is a manually operated mechanism.
According to a preferred embodiment, the frame is configured to engage with each of the plurality of mold parts for repairing the plurality of different upright profiles.
According to a preferred embodiment, the frame comprises a groove and the mold comprises a protruding bar to be arranged in the groove of the frame.
According to a preferred embodiment, the insert is a universal insert comprising an insert head, a first insert part and a second insert part, wherein the first and the second insert parts are each connected to the insert head by a hinge and are configured such as to form, in use, inner corners of the profile.
According to a preferred embodiment, the first and second insert elements are configured such as to swivel around the hinges away from each other, straighten an inner surface of the profile against the mold and form the inner corners, when the pressing unit presses the insert head in the pressing direction.
According to a preferred embodiment, the profile comprises a front surface facing away from the open side of said profile and side surfaces, the first and second insert parts are arranged to straighten an inner front surface of the profile against the mold up to inner corners of the mold, to define the inner corners of the profile between the front surface of the profile and the side surfaces of the profile. In this way, a central portion of the front surface may be straightened if bent out of position and the inner corner with the side surfaces may be redrawn. For instance this may be useful as an initial step prior to forming the sides surfaces to be able to open the profile enough to insert inserts for the side surfaces.
According to a preferred embodiment, the first and second insert parts are dimensioned to form inner corners of profiles of different width.
According to a preferred embodiment, wherein, when not in use, the first and second insert parts are configured to swivel towards each other such that the insert has a width smaller than the width of the open side of the profile.
According to a preferred embodiment, the insert comprises a first and second insert parts being arranged as separate elements, each having an external form which is adapted to a corresponding part of the given profile and wherein the pressing unit is adapted to press the first and second template parts against the profile through mutual displacement of the inserts parts.
According to a preferred embodiment, the insert comprises a pressing head with which the first and second template parts can be pressed against the profile, wherein the pressing head is selected, based on the profile to be repaired, from a plurality of pressing heads for repairing the plurality of different upright profiles.
According to a preferred embodiment, the selected pressing head has an external form which is adapted to a central part of the inner front surface of the given profile. In this way, profiles having different front surfaces can be repaired, increasing the modularity of the mold. For instance front surfaces of the mold may have different shapes (number and/or shapes of indentation(s), etc), or dimensions (width of indentations, etc) among others. Preferably the selected pressing head may correspond with the selected front mold part to having matching shapes.
According to a preferred embodiment, each of the first and second template parts is provided with a chamfered positioning edge and the pressing component is wedge shaped.
According to another aspect of the invention, an insert for repairing a profile which has been bent out of an original position is provided, the profile being in particular a profile of warehouse rack uprights for mounting of warehouse rack girders, wherein an inner space accessible from an open side is defined in the profile. The insert is configured to shape an inner surface of the profile, wherein during use the insert is arranged in the inner space of the profile via the open side. The insert is universal and comprises an insert head and a first and a second insert parts, each connected to the insert head by a hinge, to form, in use, inner corners of the profile.
According to a preferred embodiment, the first and second insert parts are configured, when not in use, to swivel towards each other such that the insert has a width smaller than the width of the open side of the profile.
According to another aspect of the invention, a method for repairing a profile which has been bent out of an original position is provided, the profile being in particular a profile of warehouse rack uprights for mounting of warehouse rack girders, wherein an inner space accessible from an open side is defined in the profile. The method comprises the steps of selecting a plurality of mold parts, each having a surface which is adapted to a corresponding part of the outer surface of the profile, from a plurality of mold parts for repairing a plurality of different profiles, assembling the plurality of mold parts to form an mold, selecting an insert, adapted to shape at least part of an inner surface of the profile, arranging around the bent profile the mold adapted to the form of the outer surface of the profile and partially enclosing the profile, arranging the insert in the inner space of the profile via the open side, pressing the mold against the outer side of the profile and pressing the insert against the inner side of the profile in order to bend at least part of the profile back to its original position.
According to a preferred embodiment, selecting an insert adapted to shape at least part of the inner surface of the profile comprises selecting either an insert with an insert head and a first and a second insert parts connected by hinges to the insert head, or an insert with a separate first and second insert parts.
According to a preferred embodiment, if an insert with a first and a second insert parts connected by hinges is selected, pressing the mold against the outer side of the profile and pressing the insert against the inner side of the comprises at least forming inner edges of the profile.
According to a preferred embodiment, if an insert with separate first and second template parts is selected, the method further comprises the steps of selecting a pressing head in an intermediate space between the first and second insert part, pressing the pressing head further into the intermediate space in order to generate lateral and forward pressure whereby the insert parts are pressed against the profile.
According to a preferred embodiment, first a repair may be performed according to an embodiment using an insert with a first and a second insert parts connected by hinges, and subsequently a repair may be performed according to an embodiment using an insert with a separate first and second insert parts.
This and other aspects of the present invention will now be described in more detail, with reference to the appended drawings showing currently preferred embodiments of the invention. Like numbers refer to like features throughout the drawings
In a first aspect of the invention, the modularity and versatility of the mold used for repairing a profile which has been bent out of an original position, will be discussed. In particular a plurality of mold parts 111-113, 121-123, 131-133, 141, 142, 151, 152 are shown exploded in
When addressing the invention at a general level, the following explanation may be given: When looking to repair a profile Pi which has been bent out of an original position, where i may be an integer between 1 and n, some of the mold parts 111-113, 121-123, 131-133, 141, 142, 151, 152 may be selected to form a mold 10i, each selected mold part having a surface adapted to a respective part of the outer surface of the profile Pi. In this way, a modular mold may be obtained and versatility of the mold parts may be increased as mold parts may be efficiently reused to form molds for different profiles. The modularity of the mold increases thus the convenience for the user, as well as reduces the costs related to the maintenance of a plurality of different sorts of profiles.
The mold 100i may comprise a front mold part 111-113 having a surface adapted to a front outer surface of the profile Pi to be repaired, the front outer surface of a profile facing away from the open side of said profile, and two side mold parts 121-123, 131-133, each having a surface adapted to a side outer surface of the profile to be repaired. In particular the front mold parts 111-113 may differ from each other in that they have a different dimension and/or a different shape. Mold parts 111-113 may have the same width and may differ by their shape, for example in their central part. Mold part 111 has a totally flat surface for repairing a profile having a flat front outer surface, while mold part 112 as a small V shape in its central part to repair a profile having a corresponding V shaped indent on its outer front surface, and mold part 113 has a larger U shaped protrusion to repair a profile having a corresponding U shaped indent on its outer front surface. In this way a large number of profiles with different front surfaces and/or sides surfaces may be repaired with a small number of mold parts.
The mold 100i may further comprise extension mold parts 141, 142, 151, 152 arranged in between a front mold part 111-113 and a respective side mold part 121-123, 131-133. The extension mold parts 141, 142, 151, 152 may be selected based on the width of the profile Pi to be repaired to adjust the width of the mold 100i to the width of the profile Pi. In this way, one front mold part may be reused to repair different profiles having the same front and central surface shape but different widths.
A mold 10i may further comprise at least one mold connecting mechanism 170 for connecting all the selected mold parts together. The mold connecting mechanism 170 may be a manually operated mechanism. In particular a manually operated mold mechanism mechanism may enable an operator on site to select and form a mold 10i adapted to the profile Pi to be repaired by connecting the selected mold parts together using the connecting mechanism 170. The connecting mechanism 170 may comprise a plurality of rods 172 for passing through all the mold parts and a plurality of nuts 171 engaging with the rods 172 for connecting all the mold parts together.
In a second aspect of the invention, the modularity of the device used for repairing a profile which has been bent out of an original position, will be discussed. Just as for the mold 10i, the insert 200 may as well be suitable for a plurality of profiles forming thus together with the modular mold 100i a modular device 100i.
Typically an insert 200 may be configured to shape an inner surface of a profile Pi. During use the insert 200 may typically be arranged in the inner space of the profile Pi via the open side. To interact with the profiles P1 to Pn, the insert 200 may be either a universal insert 200A or a modular insert 20i. Both types of inserts, whether universal like insert 200A or modular like insert 20i, may comprise at least a first and a second insert parts 211-214, 221-224, 250, 260 being adapted to shape a respective part of the inner surface of the profile Pi.
In a third aspect, the modularity/versatility of the insert will be discussed. A modular insert 20i may comprise separate first and second insert parts 211-214, 221-224, each having an external form which is adapted to a corresponding part of the given profile Pi and may be configured such that the first and second template parts may be pressed against the profile through mutual displacement of the inserts parts. Further the insert 20i may comprise a pressing head with which the selected first and second insert parts may be pressed against the profile P1. The pressing head may be selected, based on the given profile, from a plurality of pressing heads for repairing a plurality of different upright profiles. In other words, the selected pressing head and front mold part may correspond with each other and with the profile Pi to be repaired. Typically each of the first and second template parts 211-214, 221-224 is provided with a chamfered positioning edge and the pressing head 231, 232, 233 is wedge shaped. The pressing head may be selected based on the profile to be repaired, from a plurality of pressing heads 231, 232, 233 for repairing the plurality of different upright profiles. For instance the pressing head 231 may have a flat outer surface while the pressing heads 232 and 233 may present indentations of different shapes and dimensions (curved or flat indentation). Other shapes of insert heads may be envisaged without inventive step by a person skilled in the art based on the type of profile to be repaired. Preferably the selected pressing head may correspond with the selected front mold part. The selected pressing head and he selected front mold part may have matching shapes.
Alternatively, the insert 200 may be a universal insert 200A comprising an insert head 240, a first insert part 150 and a second insert part 260, each connected to the insert head 240 by a hinge, to in use form inner corners of the profile. In this way, an insert suitable for forming at least the inner corners of any sort of Profile P1 to Pn is realized. Such an insert increases the modularity of the whole device and in itself solves the problem of versatility as it can be used as a universal insert for multiple profiles.
A device 100i may further comprises a pressing unit 300 for pressing the mold 10i against the outer side of the profile Pi and pressing the insert 200A or 201 against the inner side of the profile with pressing force such that the profile is bent back into its original position. According to
In particular, the frame connecting mechanism 330 may be a manually operated mechanism. In this way, an operator may in situ select and manually assemble the device based on the profile to be repaired. More in particular the frame 320, 330 may be configured to engage with each of the plurality of mold parts for repairing the plurality of different upright profiles. In this a common frame may reused for a plurality of different molds 10i. The frame element 322 engaging with the mold 10i may comprise a groove 321a and the mold 10i comprises a protruding bar 11ia to be arranged in the groove 321a of the frame element 322.
The mold 101 may be adapted to the form of the outer surface of the profile P1 and may partly enclose the profile P1 during use. Such a mold 101 may be modular and may comprise three mold parts 111, 121 and 131, the mold part 111 having a surface adapted to a front part of the outer surface of the profile P1, the mold part 121 having a surface adapted to one side part of the outer surface of the profile, the mold part 131 having a surface adapted to another side part of the outer surface of the profile.
The universal insert 200A may be configured such that in use the pressing unit 310 presses the insert head 240 in the pressing direction such that the first and second insert elements 250, 260, while swiveling around the hinges away from each other, straighten an inner surface of the profile Pi against the mold 10i and form the inner corners of the profile Pi. In particular, the insert head 240, the first and second insert parts 250 and 260 may be dimensioned to form inner corners of profiles of different width.
The first and second insert parts 250 and 260 may be configured when not in use to swivel towards each other such that the universal insert 200A has a width smaller than the width of the open side of the profile Pi. The swivel movement allows thus the easy insertion of the universal insert part in any type of open profile.
In a particular embodiment, the first and second insert parts 250 and 260 may be replaceable by longer or shorter insert parts, in correspondence with a width between the inner corners of the profile Pi, which width may vary dependent of the type or shape of profile to be repaired. However, because the insert parts 250, 260 at any given length may be applicable for a range of widths between inner corners of the profile Pi for different types or shapes of profiles to be repaired, a number of sets of different lengths of insert parts may be minimized.
A modular insert 201 may be configured to shape an inner surface of the profile P1, wherein during use the insert 201 is arranged in the inner space of the profile P1 via the open side. The insert 201 may comprising a first insert part 211 and a second insert part 221 being adapted to shape a respective part of the inner surface of the profile P1. The insert 201 may further comprise a pressing head 231 with which the first and second template parts 211 and 221 can be pressed against the profile P1. The pressing head 231 may be selected to have a front flat surface adapted to the front flat surface of the profile P1.
In
The frame (320, 330) for engaging both with the mold 10i and the pressing mechanism 310 is also illustrated from different angles. The frame (320, 330) may comprise two frame elements 321, 322 arranged for respectively engaging with the pressing mechanism 310 or a front mold part. The frame may further comprises at least two rods 332 and 335 and nuts 331, 333, 334 and 336 for engaging with the rods and binding together the frame elements 321 and 322. The frame element 322 engaging with a mold 10i may comprise a groove 321a and the mold 10i may comprise a protruding bar 11ia to be arranged in the groove 321a of the frame element 322 such that when binding together the frame elements 321 and 322, the font mold part of the mold 100i is blocked in the pressing direction of the pressing mechanism 310.
The rods 332 and 335 may extend parallel to the mold side parts 121-124, 131-134 and at a distance from said mold side parts 121-124, 131-134. In other words the frame (320, 330) may enclose the mold 100i entirely.
Method according to the previous claim, wherein the insert comprises a first insert part and a second insert part, each adapted to shape a respective part of the inner surface of the profile, and wherein pressing of the mold and insert against the profile comprises the steps of mutually displacing the first and second insert parts for shaping the inner side of the profile while pressing the mold against the outer side of the profile by pressing the inserts parts in both lateral and forward direction against the profile.
The step 603 may comprise selecting either an insert 200A with an insert head 240 and a first and a second insert parts 250, 260 connected by hinges 250a, 260a to the insert head 240, or an insert 201 with a separate first and second insert parts 211 and 221.
If an insert 200A is selected, step 606 may comprise at least forming inner edges of the profile P1.
If an insert 201 is selected, the method may further comprise the step of selecting a wedge-shaped pressing head 231 in an intermediate space between the first and second insert part 211, 221: and step 606 may further comprise pressing the wedge-shaped pressing head 231 further into the intermediate space in order to generate lateral and forward pressure whereby the insert parts 211, and 221 are pressed against the profile.
Although not illustrated, in case a profile has been so far bent that an insert 20i may not be inserted, a repair may then first be performed using an insert 200A. The insert 200A may then be locally used to form the inner corners of the profile where profile has a very bent shape. The whole device with the insert 200A may then be moved along the longitudinal direction of the profile to restore the corners of the profile. Once the shape of the repaired profile allows the insertion of elongated insert parts 211 and 221, a repair may be performed using an insert 201 with the separate first and second insert parts 211, 221. The insert 200A may have a longitudinal dimension chosen to bend back into position a relatively small length of the profile with a relatively high amount of strength, while the insert 20i may have a larger longitudinal dimension than the insert 200A to bend back into position a relatively larger length of the profile but with a relatively smaller amount of strength.
Whilst the principles of the invention have been set out above in connection with specific embodiments, it is understood that this description is merely made by way of example and not as a limitation of the scope of protection which is determined by the appended claims.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028812 | Jul 2021 | NL | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/NL2022/050435 | 7/22/2022 | WO |
