GB2325914A

GB2325914A - Lifting device for use in a container

Info

Publication number: GB2325914A
Application number: GB9711607A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alan Cartwright; Samuel Gramton Newton
Original assignee: Cartwright & Sons S
Current assignee: Cartwright & Sons S
Priority date: 1997-06-06
Filing date: 1997-06-06
Publication date: 1998-12-09
Anticipated expiration: 2017-06-06
Also published as: GB2325914B; GB9711607D0

Abstract

A movable lifting device 2 for use within a goods container such as a vehicle trailer 10 has a height adjustable platform 12 movable up and down a vertical frame (4; figure 1) adjacent one side of the container 10. The lifting device 2 has floor engaging elements 20 at its lower end, and preferably comprises an upright support 6 and a horizontal connecting frame 8 at its upper end. This frame 8 has elements 20 at its free end, at the opposite side of the lifting device 2 from the floor engaging elements 20, these elements being in removable engagement with a side wall of the container 10, so that the lifting device can be moved along, and removed from, the container 10. The device may also include these elements 20 at the same side of the lifting device 2 as the floor engaging elements 20, these elements contacting the side wall of the container adjacent the frame (4; figure 1). The elements 20 at the free end of the frame 8 are biassed, preferably by spring loading, to ensure contact with the side walls. The lifting device 2 may be further stabilized by including an additional element 22 which contacts the ceiling 26 of the container 10. The elements 20,22 may be wheels, bearings or tracks. The members 6,8 that define the height and width of the lifting device may be telescopic so as to be usable with different sized containers. The lifting device 2 may be moved manually or mechanically using a motor. The height adjustable platform 12 may be driven manually or mechanically, and is preferably pivoted about its end attached to the upright support 6 for storage of the lifting device 2 when not in use.

Description

MOVABLE LIFTING DEVICE The invention relates to a movable lifting device for use within a goods container such as a haulage vehicle trailer.

With conventional haulage vehicle trailers, it is desirable to stack goods so as to fully utilise the available space within the trailer. The stacking and unloading of goods has commonly been undertaken manually. However, due to the weight of certain goods, movable lifting devices have been used in order to reduce the risk of injury to persons loading the trailer. These lifting devices may be located within the trailer, or may be adaptable to use within a trailer.

Previous methods of providing a lifting device within a haulage vehicle trailer have involved the use of power assisted devices such as trolleys or other similar devices. The problem with these is that they could not be folded away after use and so they tended to occupy a substantially large volume of space within the trailer in transit, thereby reducing the actual amount of goods capable of being transported.

An object of the present invention is to provide a movable lifting device which is safe, inexpensive, simple to use, does not unduly occupy available goods storage space and which can be moved within a trailer without any restrictions, in order that the loading of goods within the trailer can be efficiently achieved.

According to the present invention there is provided a movable lifting device for use within a container, said lifting device having a height adjustable load support and one or more ground engaging elements at one side of said lifting device, characterised by the provision of one or more elements at at least the other side of said lifting device and biasing means for holding in removable engagement with a side wall of the container, the elements being engageable such as to permit relative movement along the container whilst being removable relative to the container.

With this arrangement, the lifting device can safely and simply assist in the loading of goods within a trailer, without restricting the volume of goods that can be loaded into the trailer as a result of the lifting device occupying available goods storage space.

In a preferable embodiment the lifting device may be biased against the side walls, due to the geometry of its structure which comprises at least one upwardly directed member adjacent and parallel with a side wall of the container, said upwardly directed member being connectable with a connecting member which extends towards the opposite facing side wall of said container.

In a preferable embodiment the connecting member is connectable at an upper section of the upwardly directed member.

It is preferable for the ground engaging elements to be positionable at a lower section of the upwardly directed member, and for the elements positionable at the other side of the lifting device to be connectable to the connecting member. Preferably the elements connectable to the connecting member are positioned at the free end of the member and abut the side wall.

There may also be one or more elements at the end of the connecting member which is connected to the upwardly directed member, so as to abut the adjacent side wall relative to the upwardly directed member.

The elements which abut the opposite side wall of the container may be spring loaded in order to ensure engagement of the elements on both sides of the connecting member.

The height adjustable member may be raised or lowered relative to the lifting device. Raising or lowering of the member relative to the lifting device may be achieved manually or mechanically using a motor or any other suitable device.

The elements located upon the lifting device may comprise wheels, bearings, tracks or any other suitable elements that facilitate movement of the lifting device within the container.

In a preferable embodiment two elements abut the floor, two elements abut each side wall and one element abuts the ceiling.

The lifting device may have a frame construction comprising a plurality of bars connected together. The bars defining the height and width of the lifting device may be telescopic. In this way the height and width of the lifting device may be adjusted to the height and width of the container in which the lifting device is to be used, so that all the elements abut their respective inner surfaces of the container.

Once the desired length of the telescopic bars has been achieved, the bars may be retained in position using a pin, which is insertable within both bars, a thumb screw arrangement which can be housed within one bar and tightened against another, or any other suitable arrangement.

The height adjustable member may be hinged along one of its sides.

Preferably the hinge is located at the side of the height adjustable member adjacent the vertically extending bars of the frame. The hinges allow the free edge of the member to be raised relative to the hinged edge, in order that the load contacting surface of the height adjustable member may be adjacent the vertically extending bars of the frame, thereby minimising the space occupied by the movable lifting device when not in use.

The elements which abut the floor may be controllable using brakes or any other suitable arrangement. The brakes for each element may be connected to a common brake lever, thereby enabling the brakes on both elements to be applied when the lever is activated.

The elements may be rotated, thereby effecting movement to the lifting device, by manually pushing the device. They may also be motor driven, or driven by any other suitable mechanism.

The lifting device may be controllable by a control device. The control device may comprise at least one button and/or lever which may activate the elements and/or the height adjustable member, thereby effecting movement to the elements or member independently.

Fig. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the movable lifting device; Fig.2 illustrates a side view of the movable lifting device in a container; and Fig.3 illustrates a front view of the movable lifting device in a container.

The movable lifting device 2 shown in Fig.1 comprises a frame 4 having a pair of upwardly directed members or substantially vertically extending bars 6, connecting member or substantially horizontal member 8. The frame 4 is shaped so as to define an inverted letter 'L', in order to assist the biassing of the lifting device 2 within the container 10.

There is provided a height adjustable member or platform 12, which is connected to the substantially vertical bars 6. The platform 12 is movable relative to the lifting device 2 in order to facilitate loading of the container or trailer 10 by raising or lowering the platform 1 2.

The platform 12 is located upon the inner surface of the substantially vertical bars 6 of the frame 4, so as to be parallel to the substantially extending horizontal bars 8 of the frame 4, when the goods contacting surface of the platform 12 faces upwardly.

Movement of the platform 12 relative to the lifting device 2 is effected by a motor (not shown). The motor is housed within a motor housing 14 and is connected to the platform by two connecting devices or chains (not shown) which extend down both the substantially vertical bars 6 and are subsequently attached to two uprights 16 which are connected to the platform 12. the chains and uprights 16 are housed within a channel 18 on each substantially vertical bar 6.

Raising or lowering of the platform 12 is achievable by pressing a button or moving a lever on the control device (not shown). This action activates the motor thereby moving the platform 12.

Movement of the lifting device 2 relative to the trailer 10 is effected by a number of elements or wheels 20 which are connected to the lifting device.

A vertically aligned wheel 20 is provided on each substantially vertical bar. The wheel 20 is connected to the lower part of the outer surface of each substantially vertical bar 6, so that it abuts the floor 24 of the trailer 10.

At the upwardly facing edge of each substantially vertical bar 6 there is provided a horizontally aligned wheel 20, which abuts a side wall of the trailer 10. Between each of these wheels 20 is a central wheel 22 which is substantially vertically aligned, so that it faces the side wall of the trailer 10 and abuts the ceiling 26. The central wheel 22 can be rotated either by the motor or by pushing the lifting device. Where the central wheel 22 is powered by the motor, activation of the wheel 22 is achieved by pressing a button or moving a lever on the control device.

At the free end of each substantially horizontal bar 8 there is provided a wheel 20. Each of these wheels 20 are substantially horizontally aligned, so as to abut the opposite side wall of the container 10 to those which the wheels on the upwardly facing edge of each substantially vertical bar 6 abut. Each wheel 20 is connected to a spring mounted section 28, which is housed within the free end of each substantially horizontally extending bar 8 in order to facilitate biassing of the lifting device 2 against the side wall of the trailer 10.

Connection of the platform 12 to the two uprights 16 is achieved by hinge joints (not shown) which are welded to the uprights 1 6 and platform 1 2 respectively. The hinges enable the platform 12 to be lowered when in use, thereby enabling goods 30 and/or operators 32 to be placed thereon, and to be folded away when the trailer 10 has been filled to capacity. Folding away of the platform 12 is achieved by raising the free end of the platform 12, until the load contacting surface of the platform 12 abuts the inner surface of the substantially vertical bars 6.

The substantially vertical and horizontal bars 6,8 of the movable lifting device 2 are telescopic. In this way the height and width of the lifting device 2 can be altered thereby enabling it to be adapted to the internal parameters of any container.

Rubbing strips 34 are positionable at the lower end of the substantially vertical bars 6 in order to protect the wheels 20 located at the bottom of the bars 8 from being damaged, as a result of them contacting the side wall of the trailer 10.

Operation of the movable lifting device 2 is achieved by placing the lifting device 2 within the trailer 10. Extension of the telescopic arm of the substantially horizontal bar 8 is then conducted by loosening a thumb screw and removing the telescopic section from its housing, until the wheels 20 abut the side wall of the trailer 10. The thumb screw is then re-tightened, in order to maintain the bars 8 in this position.

Extension of the substantially vertical bars 6 is achieved in the same way as for extension of the substantially horizontal bars 8. Thumb screws are loosened, the telescopic sections are removed from their housings, until the central wheel 22 abuts the ceiling 26 of the trailer 10, and the thumb screws are then re-tightened.

Once adjustment of the movable lifting device 2 has been completed, loading of the trailer 10 may commence.

Loading is effected by placing goods 30 onto the platform 12 of the movable lifting device 2 which is positioned at an opening at the end of the trailer 10. The goods 30 are then transported along the trailer 10 by pressing a button on the control device. This action causes the motor to rotate the central wheel 22, which therefore acts upon the ceiling 26 thereby moving the movable lifting device 2 relative to the trailer 10.

Once the goods 30 have been transported along the trailer 10, the goods 30 are then stacked.

Stacking of goods is possible by raising the platform 12 until the desired height has been reached. The raising action is achieved by pressing a button on the control panel. This causes the motor to operate and draw up the chain which is contained in the channels 18 of the substantially vertical bars 6. Since each chain is attached to an upright 16, which is subsequently attached to the platform 12, the action of drawing up the chain causes the platform 12 to rise.

Once the desired height has been attained the button can then be released and the platform 12 ceases to rise. The goods 30 can then be slid from the platform 12 onto the stack of goods, without the operator 32 having to lift the goods.

The platform 12 is then lowered by pressing another button and the movable lifting device 2 is returned along the trailer 10 to the opening, by pressing a further button.

The above described operation is continued until the trailer 10 is effectively full of stacked goods 30.

When the space at the open end of the trailer 10 is equivalent to the distance between the parallel substantially vertical or horizontal bars 6,8, the platform 12 is folded up, thereby enabling goods 30 to be stacked in this section of the trailer 10.

Folding up of the platform 12 is achieved by raising the free-end of the platform 12 relative to the fixed, hinged end, until the surface on which goods are placed, abuts the inner surface of the substantially vertical bars 6.

After the platform 12 has been folded up, goods 30 can then continue to be stacked in this section, until the trailer 10 is entirely full of goods.

With the above described embodiments an inexpensive, movable lifting device can safely and simply assist in the loading of goods within the trailer of a haulage vehicle, without restricting the available storage space as a result of the lifting device occupying available goods storage space during transportation.

It is to be understood that the invention is not restricted to the above mentioned embodiments and many variations and modifications are possible.

Claims

1. A movable lifting device for use within a container, said lifting device having a height adjustable load support and one or more ground engaging elements at one side of said lifting device, characterised by the provision of one or more elements at at least the other side of said lifting device and biassing means for holding in removable engagement with a side wall of the container, the elements being engageable such as to permit relative movement along the container whilst being removable relative to the container.

2. A movable lifting device according to claim 1, wherein the lifting device has at least one upwardly directed member adjacent and parallel to a side wall of the container, said upwardly directed member being connectable with a connecting member which extends towards the opposite facing side wall of said container.

3. A lifting device according to claim 2, wherein the connecting member is connectable at an upper section of the upwardly directed member.

4. A movable lifting device according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the ground engaging elements are positioned at a lower section of the upwardly directed member, and said elements at the other side of the lifting device are connected with the connecting member.

5. A movable lifting device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein at least one said element at the other side of the lifting device is connected to the connecting member and positioned at the free end of said member to abut the side wall.

6. A movable lifting device according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein there is at least one element attached at the end of the connecting member which is connected to the upwardly directed member, so as to abut the adjacent side wall relative to the upwardly directed member.

7. A movable lifting device according to claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the element which abuts the opposite side wall of the container is spring loaded.

8. A movable lifting device according to any preceding claim, wherein the height adjustable member can be raised or lowered relative to the lifting device.

9. A movable lifting device according to claim 8, wherein the height adjustable member can be raised or lowered manually.

10. A movable lifting device according to claim 8, wherein the height adjustable member can be raised or lowered mechanically.

11. A movable lifting device according to any preceding claim, wherein the elements are wheels.

12. A movable lifting device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the elements are bearings.

13. A movable lifting device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the elements are tracks.

14. A movable lifting device according to any one of claim 5 to 13, wherein two elements abut the floor, and two elements abut each side wall and one element abuts the ceiling of the container.

15. A movable lifting device according to any preceding claim, wherein the lifting device has a frame construction with a plurality of bars connected together.

16. A movable lifting device according to claim 15, wherein the bars defining height and width are telescopic.

17. A movable lifting device according to claim 16, wherein the telescopic bars have means which retain a chosen length.

18. A movable lifting device according to any preceding claim, wherein the height adjustable member is hinged along one of its sides.

19 A movable lifting device according to any preceding claim, wherein the ground engaging elements are provided with brakes.

20. A movable lifting device according to any preceding claim, wherein the lifting device is movable manually.

21. A movable lifting device according to any preceding claim, wherein the lifting device is movable mechanically using a motor.

22. A movable lifting device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.