GB2255536A

GB2255536A - Vehicle manoeuvring device

Info

Publication number: GB2255536A
Application number: GB9209624A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Edwin Ablewhite
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1991-05-04
Filing date: 1992-05-05
Publication date: 1992-11-11
Also published as: GB9209624D0

Abstract

A manoeuvring device is provided for supporting a vehicle wheel to enable the vehicle to be moved with the device, for example in directions transverse to the normal direction of travel. The device includes a platform 10 having wheels 17, 18, 23 at opposite ends and the platform provides a receiving surface for a vehicle wheel 12. The platform is movable up and down in relation to the ground surface on which the device is located and in relation to the wheel at one end of the platform. This movement permits the device to be supported on its wheels and thereby moved over the ground to move the vehicle, including in a direction transverse to the normal direction of travel. <IMAGE>

Description

VEHICLE MANOEUVRING DEVICE This invention relates to vehicle manoeuvring devices and, in particular, to devices whereby a vehicle such as a caravan or car can be moved transversely to the normal direction of travel.

When vehicles are being parked in confined spaces it becomes very difficult to manoeuvre the vehicle when the spaces are limited at the front and rear ends of the vehicle. This is particularly the case when caravans or cars need to be placed in a confined space by the side of a house or in a showroom.

An object of the invention is to provide a vehicle manoeuvring device which enables such vehicles to be placed in confined spaces with minimum effort and minimum manpower.

According to the invention a vehicle manoeuvring device comprises a platform defining a receiving surface for a vehicle wheel, supporting wheels for the platform located at opposite ends of the platform, and at one end of the platform elevating means whereby the platform can be raised in relation to the wheel or wheels at that end of the platform to disengage the platform from the ground with the platform supported on the wheels, whereby in use a vehicle wheel is located on the platform with the platform in a ground engaging position and the platform is disengaged from the ground by operation of the elevating means thereby enabling the device to be moved on its wheels while supporting the vehicle.

Preferably at least one of the wheels is mounted on the platform in a manner to provide a castoring action whereby the device, in its vehicle supporting position, can be moved in any desired direction.

Conveniently the platform is elongate and has two wheels at one end and one wheel at the other end, said one wheel being associated with said elevating means, and said platform engaging the ground at a position between said two wheels and said one wheel when in a lowered position.

Conveniently said two wheels are spaced apart at one end of the platform, and a path for the vehicle wheel to be located on the platform is provided between said two wheels, said one wheel being generally aligned with said path at the opposite end of the platform.

In one arrangement the platform defines a ramp over which the vehicle wheel can pass in being located on the platform, the platform further defining a depression in which the wheel is retained on the platform.

The elevating means may comprise a cam located between the platform and a mounting for the associated wheel and means for rotating the cam so that upon rotation of the cam the platform is lifted and lowered in relation to said wheel.

The cam provides an over-centre arrangement whereby once the platform is in its elevated position it cannot be lowered without further rotation of the cam about its axis.

The cam may be rotatable about a generally horizontal axis and carries at one end lever means for rotation of the cam about said axis.

The frame is conveniently made as a casting to which the wheels are attached.

Further features of the invention will appear from the following description of an embodiment of the invention given by way of example only and with reference to the drawings in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a device according to the invention, Figure 2 is a side elevation of the device of Figure 1 in a lowered position and showing a vehicle wheel located on the device, Figure 3 is a side elevation corresponding to that of Figure 2 with the device in an elevated position, Figure 4 is a view in the direction 4 of Figure 3, and Figure 5 is a view in the direction 5 in Figure 3.

Referring to the drawings these show a vehicle manoeuvring device particularly arranged for use in pairs to move two wheeled caravans but also applicable for moving three or four wheeled vehicles when devices of a number equal to the number of wheels are provided.

The device includes a cast frame or platform 10, conveniently of aluminium, which defines a central channel or trough 11 along which a vehicle wheel 12 is located in use.

The channel 11 has a ramp 13 at one end over which the wheel 12 passes before reaching a part cylindrical portion 14 of the channel 11 which provides a seating for the wheel 12 when the vehicle needs to be manoeuvred. In the base of the portion 14 is provided a drain opening for draining water which may otherwise collect.

The frame 10 has side members 15 which define the sides of the channel 11 and to the sides of the ramp at one end of the frame 10 are located wheels 17 and 18 which are mounted on lateral extensions 19 and 20 of the frame to the sides of the wheel seating 14. The wheels 17 and 18 are conventional castor wheels having a castoring action about a vertical pivot 21 in each case. Thus it will be appreciated that, although the wheels are shown in the drawings as though the device is travelling in the direction of the channel 11, the wheels 17 and 18 can be pivoted about the axes 21 to lie in any direction according to the desired direction of travel of the device.

At the opposite end of the frame 10 is located a further wheel 23 which lies generally along the line of the central axis of the frame which is along the centre of the channel 11. The wheel 23 is also arranged to have a castoring action through its mounting 24.

The wheel 23 and its mounting 24 are secured to the frame 10 through a cam action device 25. This device is shown in Figure 2 with the frame 10 in its lowered position and in Figure 3 with the frame 10 in a position in which it is clear of the ground surface 26, that is the frame 10 has been elevated at the end having the wheel 23 in relation to the ends having the wheels 17 and 18. The cam action device 25 includes a cam 26 rotatable about a generally horizontal axis and having a cam lobe 27 which is engageable with the mounting 24 upon rotation of the cam 26 to cause the frame to be moved upwards relative to the wheel 23 to the position shown in Figure 3. The cam lobe 27 is arranged to engage a pivoted member 30 which is pivotally secured to the frame 10.

On the ends of the cam 26 are formed hexagonal section portions which may be received by a spanner by which the cam 26 is rotated about its axis. Alternatively the end of the cam 26 may be formed with a socket for a lever which lies radially of the axis of the cam when fitted in the socket.

It will be seen that as the frame 10 is ele#vated to the position of Figure 3 the wheel 23 and its mounting 24 adopt a position where the castoring axis 31 is directed vertically, as in Figure 3. Thus, when the frame 10 is out of engagement with the ground surface 26 all three wheels 17, 18 and 23 adopt a position according to the desired movement of the device and the vehicle supported thereby.

If desired the cam arrangement for lifting the frame 10 can be replaced by other devices for raising one end of the frame relative to the other. For example a scissors linkage arrangement may be located between the wheel and its mounting 24 and the frame 10.

In use of the device the vehicle to be moved has each of its wheels located near a device as described, with the devices in the static position, i.e. with the frame engaging the ground surface. When each of the wheels is so located on a device the devices are each operated to disengage the frame from the ground by actuation of the cam device 26. Once all the wheels are supported on vehicle manoeuvring devices the vehicle can be pushed in any direction required including a direction transverse to the normal direction of travel of the vehicle, i.e. sideways.

When the desired position of the vehicle has been reached each of the devices is operated to lower the frame onto the ground so that the vehicle can no longer be moved on the wheels of the devices. Normally the manoeuvring devices are left under the wheels in the manoeuvred position but they can be removed by rolling the vehicle wheels over the ramps 13. This should be possible provided there is a few inches of space at one end of the vehicle.

It will be seen that the device provides a simple and effective means for manoeuvring vehicles into tight parking spaces.

Claims

1. A vehicle manoeuvering device which comprises a platform defining a receiving surface for a vehicle wheel, supporting wheels for the platform located at opposite ends of the platform, and at one end of the platform elevating means whereby the platform can be raised in relation to the wheel or wheels at that end of the platform to disengage the platform from the ground with the platform supported on the wheels, whereby in use a vehicle wheel is located on the platform with the platform in a ground engaging position and the platform is disengaged from the ground by operation of the elevating means thereby enabling the device to be moved on its wheels while supporting the vehicle.

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the wheels is mounted on the platform in a manner to provide a castoring action whereby the device, in its vehicle supporting position, can be moved in any desired direction.

3. A device according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the platform is elongate and has two wheels at one end and one wheel at the other end, said one wheel being associated with said elevating means, and said platform engaging the ground at a position between said two wheels and said one wheel when in a lowered position.

4. A device according to claim 3 wherein said two wheels are spaced apart at one end of the platform, and a path for the vehicle wheel to be located on the platform is provided between said two wheels, said one wheel being generally aligned with said path at the opposite end of the platform.

5. A device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the platform defines a ramp over which the vehicle wheel can pass in being located on the platform, the platform further defining a depression in which the wheel is retained on the platform.

6. A device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the elevating means comprises a cam located between the platform and a mounting for the associated wheel and means for rotating the cam so that upon rotation of the cam the platform is lifted and lowered in relation to said wheel.

7. A device according to claim 6 wherein the cam is rotatable about a generally horizontal axis and carries at one end lever means for rotation of the cam about said axis.

8. A device according to claim 7 wherein said one end has means for securing to it a lever arm which is extendable radially of the axis of rotation of the cam.

9. A device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the platform is in the form of an open-topped channel in which the vehicle wheel is arranged to be received, the channel being formed as a metal casting.

10. A vehicle manoeuvring device substantially as described with reference to the drawings.