GB2369100A

GB2369100A - Transport skid

Info

Publication number: GB2369100A
Application number: GB0028058A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Philip Henry Whetton
Original assignee: PROFESSIONAL HANDLING WITHCARE
Current assignee: PROFESSIONAL HANDLING WITHCARE
Priority date: 2000-11-17
Filing date: 2000-11-17
Publication date: 2002-05-22
Anticipated expiration: 2020-11-17
Also published as: GB0028058D0; GB2369100B

Abstract

A transport skid 10 and method for transporting an object, such as a refrigerated display unit (30, Fig 7), comprises a pair of parallel spaced apart main beams 12,14, and a plurality of cross beams 16 adjustably and removably connected between the main beams. A pair of jacks 18,20 are mounted from the upper flange of each of the main beams 12,14 and have wheels (22, Fig 1) disposed at their lower ends. When it is desired to load the skid 10 to move the display unit (30), the skid 10 is disassembled, that is, the cross beams 16 and end closures 13,15 are disconnected from the main beams 12,14. The skid 10 is then reassembled underneath the display unit (30). The skid 10 and unit (30) are then lifted onto the wheels (22) by the jacks 18,20. For ease of loading the skid 10 onto a low loader (60, Fig 8), and for moving the skid 10 over uneven ground, axles carrying larger wheels (62, Fig 8) with pneumatic tyres (64, Fig 8) may be attached to the main beams 12,14. Unloading of the skid 10 is the reverse of the method of loading.

Description

Title : Transport Skid

The present invention relates to a transport skid and more particularly to a transport skid suitable for transporting large objects, such as refrigerated display units for use in the display for sale of refrigerated products.

Currently, the longest assembled refrigerated display unit which can be conveniently delivered to a supermarket, or other shopping area is 12 ft (3.69m) long. Therefore, some shops are restricted to purchasing separate refrigeration display units for every 12 ft (3.69m) of display length, which are costly to purchase and inefficient to operate. However, other shops prefer to purchase larger refrigerated display units, typically 30ft (9.23m) in length.

These larger units are supplied in a minimum of five sections and are connected together on site, in position in the store. The connection process is known as multiplexing. Each 30ft (9.23m) unit is multiplexed as an island having 60ft (18. 46m) of display length, comprising two end display sections 6ft (1.85m) long and 3ft (0.92m) deep, separated by two central sections, 12ft (3.69m) long, and positioned end to end. Each 12 ft (3.69m) central section is constructed from two display units known as"inters", 3ft (0.92m) deep and positioned back to back, giving 24ft (7.38m) of display.

There are many disadvantages in multiplexing a refrigerated display unit on site. Namely, the multiplexing process involves connection of the refrigeration piping between each of the individual units. This involves braising of the pipes which is a hot process and is a fire hazard. Electrical connections must be established between the units for lighting, and temperature monitoring and feedback. The units must be physically arranged and attached together neatly in alignment with one another, for ease of cleaning and quality of display, which is often hampered by an uneven floor at the site. Finally the refrigeration apparatus must be tested and charged with refrigerant for use.

All of these tasks are time consuming and require the skills of specialist workers who need to be available at the site. Typically, it may take three weeks for a team of workers to

assemble a single unit, and therefore the time delays in commissioning a large store with several multiplexed units can be extremely expensive. If display units could be multiplexed under controlled factory conditions and then conveniently transported to a supermarket, or other shopping area at reasonable cost, the quality of the units could be improved by the factory assembly, and expensive time delays on site could be avoided.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a transport skid for transporting a large object, such as a factory assembled multiplexed refrigeration display unit into a shopping environment.

According to the present invention there is provided a transport skid for transporting an object comprising a pair of spaced apart main beams, and a plurality of cross beams, the upper surfaces of the cross beams being adapted to support the object to be transported, each cross beam being connected between the main beams and being vertically adjustable at each end relative to each of the main beams, at least one of the main beams being removable, enabling positioning of the cross beams underneath the object to be moved, and means for lifting each of the main beams relative to the ground onto wheels for moving the skid.

It is an advantage of the invention that each of the cross beams are vertically adjustable, enabling their individual positioning underneath an area of the object to be transported, thereby offering maximum support to the object. Furthermore, at least one of the main beams is advantageously removable from the cross beams, enabling the cross beams to be moved underneath the object from one side thereof. This enables the upper supporting faces of the cross beams to be positioned underneath a part of an object without lifting the object off its supporting feet or stand.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the transport skid may be disassembled into its component main beams and cross beams. A partially threaded stud may be provided at each end of each cross beam, each stud locating in a cooperating slotted hole in one of the main beams.

Preferably a pair of flats are provided at the distal end of each stud, enabling the stud to be engaged in the end of a positioning bar. One of the flats may also provide a surface for supporting the respective end of the cross beam during vertical adjustment of the cross beam relative to the main beam.

Preferably the lifting means for lifting each of the main beams comprises a pair of jacks. The wheels may be disposed at the lower ends of the jacks. A further set of wheels may be provided on a pair of axles which can be attached to the main beams when the skid is lifted by the jacks.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of transporting an object using a transport skid, the transport skid having a pair of spaced apart main beams, and a plurality of cross beams, each cross beam being connected between the main beams and being vertically adjustable at each end relative to each of the main beams, and means for lifting each of the main beams relative to the ground onto wheels, comprising the steps of disassembling the skid into its component main beams and cross beams, placing one or more of the cross beams underneath the object to be transported, and supporting the cross beams on stands, connecting the ends of the cross beams to respective main beams positioned on either side of the object, adjusting the vertical height of the cross beams relative to the main beams and the object to be transported to contact the underside of the object, lifting the assembled skid and object onto the wheels, enabling loading of the skid onto a low loader.

The transport skid will now be described by way of example only with reference to the

accompanying drawings in which : I Fig 1 shows a side view of a transport skid in accordance with the invention in an unloaded condition;

Fig. 2 shows a plan view of the unloaded transport skid as shown in Fig 1 ; Fig. 3 shows a side view of a display unit to be transported resting on feet on the floor ; Fig. 4 shows a side view showing the display unit of Fig 3, with cross beams of the transport I skid of Figs 1 and 2 positioned underneath it, supported on stands; Fig. 5 shows studs at the end of the cross beams being vertically adjusted and supported by means of threaded support rods;

Fig. 6 shows an end view of the base of the display unit resting on the cross beams, the cross tn' beams being initially supported by the stands, and being finally vertically adjusted and supported with threaded rods; Fig. 7 shows a side view of the display unit resting on the skid with the main jacks lowered and the skid hitched to an battery powered tug; and Fig 8 shows a side view of the loaded skid with additional large wheels with pneumatic tyres fitted, the skid being loaded on to a low-loader.

Referring firstly to Figs 1 and 2, a transport skid is indicated generally at 10, and comprises a pair of parallel spaced apart main beams 12,14, and a plurality of cross beams 16 adjustably and removably connected between the main beams. The main beams 12,14 are made of channel section rolled steel, which in the assembled skid 10 are positioned with a vertical web between upper and lower flanges. End closures 13,15 which are also made of channel section rolled steel are connected between the ends of the main beams 12,14 with bolts. The connection of the cross beams 16 to the main beams is discussed further below with reference to. Figs 5 and 6.

A pair of jacks 18,20 are mounted from the upper flange of each of the main beams 12,14 and have wheels 22 disposed at their lower ends. Each wheel 22 is made of steel with a smooth

periphery which is covered with a thin rubber tyre, for ease of rolling on a supermarket floor. A pair of casters 24 are mounted at each end of the main beams 12,14, and are fitted to further jacks 26. The jacks 26 and casters 24 are not as heavy duty as the jacks 18,20 and wheels 22, because they are only intended to support the main beams 12,14 when the skid 10 is disassembled into its component parts, for positioning of the main beams prior to reassembly of the skid.

Referring now to Fig 3, an assembled, or multiplexed refrigerated display unit is indicated at 30. The display unit 30 is typically 30fit (9.23m) long and comprises a central section 32, which is 24ft (7.38m) long, and two end sections 34,36, which are each 3ft (0.92m) long, provided at either end of the central section. The display unit 30 is supported on legs and feet 38 which extend from the underside 40 of the unit. The underside 40 of the assembled display unit 30 is not flat, the undersides of the end sections 34,36 being stepped down closer to the ground than the underside of the central section 32.

When it is desired to move the display unit 30 from a factory to a shop, the skid 10 is disassembled, that is, the cross beams 16 and end closures 13,15 are disconnected from the main beams 12,14. Then, as can be seen from Fig 4, the cross beams 16 are positioned underneath the display unit 30, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the unit, and are supported on stands 42, similar to axle stands. The stands 42 are of different lengths, and are selected to position each of the cross beams 16 as close to the underside 40 of the display unit as possible. A positioning bar, not shown, locates in turn on studs 44, see Fig 5, which are rigidly fixed in the ends of the cross beams 16, enabling the cross beams to be positioned underneath the display unit 30 more easily. The portion of each stud 44 adjacent the end of its respective cross beam 16 is threaded, and the distal end of each stud 44 is flattened for engagement with the positioning bar.

The jacks 26 and casters 24 mounted at each end of the main beams 12,14 are lowered, which enables the main beams to be rolled with relative ease into positions on either side of the display unit 30. Referring also to Fig 6, when the first main beam 12 is located in the desired position on one side of the unit 30, its respective jacks 26 and casters 24 are raised, thus

lowering the main beam 12 to the ground. The partially threaded studs 44 of the cross beams 16, are aligned with, and inserted into slots 46 provided in the web of the main beam 12.

Each cross beam 16 and its respective stud 44 can be aligned with one of several slots 46, best seen in Fig 1. Underneath each set of slots 46 is a steel rolled hollow section support member 52, welded to the web of each main beam 12,14. At this stage the stands 42 are still in position supporting the cross beams 16, and lock nuts 46 are screwed onto the studs 44 to connect the cross beams to the main beam 12.

The second main beam 14 is then rolled into position on the other side of the display unit 30, its jacks 26 and casters 24 raised, and the cross beams 16 connected to the main beam 14 in like manner. The end closures 13,15 are moved into their positions at the ends of the main beams 12,14 and are attached to the main beams with bolts.

In order that the underside 40 of the display unit 30 is evenly supported by the cross beams 16 before the display unit is lifted, the cross beams are adjusted vertically at each end, with the studs 44 sliding in their respective slots 46, so that the top side of each cross beam 16 is in contact along its full supporting length with the underside 40 of the display unit 30.

Threaded rods 50, with adjusting nuts 51 are inserted through holes in the ends of the studs 44, and locate against the upper surfaces of the support members 52. The support members 52 take the weight of the cross members 16 during adjustment of the cross members, until,

when the cross members 16 are finally positioned, the lock nuts 48 are tightened.

I It can be seen from Figs 5 and 6 that the underside 40 of the display unit 30 is angled upwards on either side of the unit at 54 and 56. The main beams 12,14 of the skid are therefore positioned inboard of the width of the display unit 30, thus keeping the width of the skid 10 to a minimum for ease of transportation..

When all ofthe cross members 16 are adjusted as described, the jacks 18,20 and associated wheels 22 are lowered, in order to raise the main beams 12,14 of the assembled skid 10, and the display unit 30 off the ground onto the wheels 22, as seen in Fig 7. The stands 42 are removed from underneath the unit 30 and skid 10, and an electrically driven tug 58 is hitched

to one of the end closures 13, 15 in order to pull the skid 10 from the factory onto a low loader 60, as seen in Fig 8. For ease of loading the skid 10 onto the low loader 60, and for moving the skid 10 over uneven ground, axles carrying larger wheels 62 with pneumatic tyres 64 may be attached to the underside flanges of the main beams 12,14. In order to attach the axles, the jacks 18,20 are lowered further, thus raising the skid further from the ground.

On arrival at a shop, the skid 10 can be towed into the shop by the tug 58 on the thin rubber treads of the wheels 22 without damaging the shop floor. When in position, the jacks 18,20 are raised, and the display unit 30 and main beams 12, 14 lowered to the floor. Disassembly of the skid 10 is the reverse of the method of assembly previously described. In alternative arrangements, the wheels 22 can be driven with hydrostatic or electric motors, thus obviating the need for a tug 58.

The removal of a display unit 30 as described can be effected easily by a team of three men with the use of the skid 10, and the time spent from arrival at a shop until the time of departing with the display unit 30 in position in the shop may only be 6 hours.

Claims

1. A transport skid for transporting an object comprising a pair of spaced apart main beams, and a plurality of cross beams, the upper surfaces of the cross beams being adapted to support the object to be transported, each cross beam being connectable between the main beams and being vertically adjustable at each end relative to each of the main beams, at least one of the main beams being removable, enabling positioning of the cross beams underneath the object to be moved, and means for lifting each of the main beams relative to the ground onto wheels for moving the skid.

2. A transport skid as claimed in claim 1 in which a partially threaded stud is provided at each end of each cross beam, each stud locating in a cooperating slotted hole in one of the main beams.

3. A transport skid as claimed in claim 2 in which a pair of flats are provided at the distal end of each stud, enabling the stud to be engaged in the end of a positioning bar.

4. A transport skid as claimed in claim 3 in which at least one of the flats provides a surface for supporting the respective end of a cross beam in use, during vertical adjustment of the cross beam relative to the main beam.

5. A transport skid as claimed in claim 1 in which the lifting means for lifting each of the main beams comprises a pair of jacks.

6. A transport skid as claimed in claim 5 in which the wheels are disposed at the lower ends of the jacks.

7. A transport skid as claimed in claim 1 in which a further set of wheels may be provided on a pair of axles which can be attached to the main beams when the skid is lifted by the lifting means.

8. A method of transporting an object using a transport skid, the transport skid having a pair of spaced apart main beams, and a plurality of cross beams, each cross beam being connected between the main beams and being vertically adjustable at each end relative to each of the main beams, and means for lifting each of the main beams relative to the ground onto wheels, comprising the steps of disassembling the skid into its component main beams and cross beams, placing one or more of the cross beams underneath the object to be transported, and supporting the cross beams on stands, connecting the ends of the cross beams to respective main beams positioned on either side of the object, adjusting the vertical height of the cross beams relative to the main beams and the object to be transported to contact the underside of the object, lifting the assembled skid and object onto the wheels, enabling loading of the skid onto a low loader.

9. A method of transporting an object using a transport skid as claimed in claim 8, in which the stands are of different lengths, and are selected to position each of the cross beams as close to the underside of the object as possible.

10. A method of transporting an object using a transport skid as claimed in claim 8, in which a positioning bar is located in turn on studs, which are rigidly fixed in the ends of the cross beams, enabling the cross beams to be positioned underneath the object.

11. A method of transporting an object using a transport skid as claimed in claim 8, in which jacks and casters, mounted at each end of the main beams, are lowered, enabling the main beams to be rolled with relative ease into positions on either side of the object.

12. A method of transporting an object using a transport skid as claimed in claim 8, in which axles carrying a further set of larger wheels with pneumatic tyres are attached to the underside of the main beams for ease of loading the skid onto the low loader, and for moving the skid over uneven ground.

13. A transport skid substantially as described herein and as illustrated in Figs 1 and 2, and 4 to 8 of the accompanying drawings.

14. A method of transporting an object using a transport skid substantially as described herein and as illustrated in Figs 1 and 2, and 4 to 8 of the accompanying drawings.