GB2419340A

GB2419340A - Vehicle loading means

Info

Publication number: GB2419340A
Application number: GB0423479A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Cartwright; Steven Cartwright
Original assignee: Cartwright & Sons S
Current assignee: Cartwright & Sons S
Priority date: 2004-10-22
Filing date: 2004-10-22
Publication date: 2006-04-26
Anticipated expiration: 2024-10-22
Also published as: GB2419340B; GB0423479D0

Abstract

A movable lifting device (15) for use in a goods containers (6) of a load haulage road vehicle comprises a load supporting platform (19) mounted on side supports (16, 17). The side supports (16, 17) are suspended from an overhead support (18) which engages with a guide track (13) running along the roof structure (9) of the container (6). The platform (19) can therefore be moved along the length of the container (6) in addition to being height adjustable on the side supports (16, 17). Further extension members (22) on the lifting device (15) allows the device to be moved externally of the container (6) and the platform (19) to be height adjusted thereat. The platform (19) can therefore be positioned at different heights within and external to the container (6) to aid loading/unloading and accommodate different floor heights (11, 12). Movement/extension of all components may be manual or power driven.

Description

241 9340 - 1

MOVABLE LIFTING DEVICE

This invention relates to a movable lifting device for use within a goods container such as a load haulage vehicle trailer.

It is now common practice to provide load haulage vehicle trailers with movable lifting devices having a height adjustable platform to facilitate safe access to stacked goods by persons loading and unloading the trailer.

Power assisted trolleys with height adjustable platforms can be used but these may take up undue storage space when not in use.

GB 227991 7A describes a movable lifting device with a height adjustable platform which is supported on tracks which extend vertically and horizontally along opposite side walls of a load haulage vehicle trailer. With this arrangement a compact construction which need not unduly occupy storage space when not in use is possible. However, a relatively substantial structure requiring appreciable modification of the trailer side walls is required. This can be expensive and may not be suitable in the case where doors or other openings or structures are required in the side walls.

GB 232591 4A describes a movable lifting device having a height adjustable platform mounted on a frame at one side having lower guide wheels which run along the trailer floor, upper guide wheels which run along the trailer side, and an upper extension with further guide wheels which run along the opposite trailer side. The platform can pivot upwardly towards the trailer side for storage and this can result in a particularly compact construction when not in use. However this structure can also depend on appropriate adaption of the trailer side walls to accommodate the upper guide wheels. Also, in so far as the guide wheels are not retained in tracks, - 2 possibilities for movement beyond the usual rear opening of the trailer, to facilitate external loading and unloading, may be limited. GB 2385043A and WO 03/093055 describe rear extension tracks to permit movement of the platform of a side-wall mounted movable lifting device beyond the rear opening of a trailer.

Further, with vehicle trailers of the kind having a stepped floor with a raised front end section accommodating the usual towing linkage, it has been found necessary to use appropriately elevated side tracks or running surfaces to enable the lifting device to traverse the whole length of the trailer, as described for example, in GB 2400360A.

An object of the present invention is to provide a mobile lifting device which is convenient to use along the length of a goods container and need not occupy undue storage space when not in use yet need not require adaption of side walls of the container.

According to the invention therefore there is provided a movable lifting device for use within a goods container, said lifting device having a load supporting platform and at least one upright side support on which the load supporting platform is mounted so as to be height adjustable relative thereto, characterized by the provision of at least one overhead support from which the (or each) said side support is suspended and which is mounted on at least one guide track secured to and running along a roof structure of the container for guided movement along the track.

With this arrangement, the lifting device can be moved conveniently along the goods container without reliance on the use of guide or mounting structures on side walls of the container. In so far as the platform is 3 supported by the (or each) side support and the (or each) overhead support and the (or each) roof track, much or all of the structure can be readily kept free of the load storage space within the container, especially when the lifting device is not in use.

In the latter respect, the platform is preferably mounted on the (or each) side support so as to be movable between operational and stowed positions. In the stowed position the platform may be in upright disposition alongside the (or one) side support. Alternatively in the stowed position the platform may be disposed in level disposition substantially clear of the storage space e.g. on or close to the roof structure or alternatively a floor of the container.

As used herein, platform means a structure having, when operational, a substantially planar level working surface on which a person can stand whilst loading and unloading goods.

The (or each) side support is preferably a frame having upright end members linked by transverse members particularly at upper and lower end regions.

Preferably there is a respective said side support at each side and preferably each is a frame as aforesaid.

Preferably the (or each) side support is located closely adjacent the respective container side but is free of any operational interconnection therewith and is preferably free of any contact with the side.

With regard to the overhead support this may comprise spaced apart elongate members which may be interconnected by one or more transverse members to define a frame. - 4

The (or each) roof track may be mounted in a central region of the roof structure. In one embodiment two side by side tracks are used.

The (or each) track may extend substantially wholly along the length of the container so that the lifting device can traverse substantially all of such length. Also, provision may be made for movement of the lifting device beyond an open end of the container so that the platform is height adjustable externally of the container. This may be achieved by means of an extension to the (or each) roof track which can be projected externally as and when required. Alternatively or additionally there may be a transverse carriage extension on the lifting device whereby such extension supports the lifting device on the (or each) track when the platform is beyond the end of such track externally of the container.

With regard to the height adjustment of the platform this may be such that within the container the platform can be moved down into contact with or closely adjacent to a floor of the container and can be moved up into a central region of the container to a position at which a person standing on the platform can readily reach upper regions of the container.

The platform may be movable downwardly to different lowermost positions within the container to accommodate different floor heights. In this case the (or each) side support may terminate at an elevated position above the highest floor location, and the (or each) side support may be extendable and/or the platform may have an upright extension to permit supported movement of the platform down to the lowest floor location.

Such extendable support and/or platform extension may also accommodate movement of the platform below the lowest level of the floor in the case 5 where the platform is beyond the open end of the container as mentioned above, e.g. down to a ground surface below the container.

The movement of the platform along the (or each) roof track and/or for height adjustment purposes along the (or each) side support and/or for stowage purposes when not in use, may be power driven and/or manually operable. For example an electric motor and chain drive may be provided on the (or one) side support for height adjustment of the platform and a control for this may be provided on the platform for easy operation by a person standing on the platform.

Where a drive is provided for moving the platform along the container an additional drive track may be provided for this in the roof structure.

The container is preferably a load haulage road vehicle trailer which may have a rear opening with doors and may have a stepped floor with an elevated front section to accommodate a towing link. One or both side walls may incorporate doors or other openings as desired.

The invention will now be described further by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic sectional side view of one form of a vehicle trailer fitted with a lifting device according to the invention, the lifting device being shown at two locations of use; Figure 2 is a transverse sectional view of the arrangement of Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a plan view of the arrangement of Figure 1.

The drawings show a load haulage road vehicle trailer of generally rectangular form having an elongate chassis 1 mounted at a rear end region - 6 on road wheels 2. The chassis 1 is stepped to provide an elevated front section 3 with the usual linkage 4 for connection to a traction unit (not shown). When detached from the traction unit the front section 3 is supported on the ground on retractable legs 5.

The chassis 1 supports a goods container 6 having a rectangular front end wall 7, two long generally rectangular side walls 8, a long rectangular roof structure 9 and a rear framework 10 defining an opening closeable with doors. The walls 7, 8 and roof structure 9 are made from rigid members and attached panels so as to be structurally strong.

The stepped chassis 1 supports a floor in two parts, namely a forward elevated part 1 1, and a lower main rearward part 12.

Along the entire length of the roof structure 9 there are two parallel tracks 13 securely fixed to the roof structure 9.

These tracks 13 are box or channel members of C-section having a downwardly directed longitudinally extending opening bounded by interned horizontal edges. The tracks 13 are located in the central region of the roof structure 9 and are spaced apart equi-distant from the roof structure centre line.

On the centre line, along substantially the entire length of the roof structure 9 there is fixed a drive track 14 comprising a C-section channel containing a continuous chain loop drivably connected to an electric motor mounted at a convenient position e.g. adjacent the front end wall, or on the lifting device described hereinafter.

A mobile lifting device 15 is suspended from the two tracks 13 and this comprises two side frames 16, 17, an overhead frame 18, and a - 7 platform 19.

The side frames 16, 17 each comprises two like vertical elongate rigid members 20 linked at their top and bottom ends by horizontal rigid elongate members, thereby being of the form of a rectangular openwork frame.

The overhead frame 18 is also a rectangular openwork frame and comprises two transverse horizontal elongate members 21 linked at their ends. The transverse horizontal members 21 have the same spacing as the vertical members 20 of the side frames 16, 17 and the ends of such horizontal members 21 are fixed in alignment with the respective top ends of the vertical members 20.

The leading horizontal member 21 (i.e. the member 21 nearer to the front side wall 7) has two spaced apart symmetrically disposed forwardly projecting extension members 22 at right angles to the horizontal member 21. Upwardly projecting fixed elements terminating in rotatable wheels 23 are provided on the free ends of the extension members 22 and on the horizontal members 21 in alignment therewith giving two rows each of three wheels 23.

As shown in the drawings, and particularly Figure 2, these wheels 23 are located within the tracks 13 so that the side frames 16, 17 interconnected by the overhead frame 18 are retained relative to, and suspended from the tracks 13. The spacing of the wheels 23 is the same as the spacing of the tracks 13 whereby the wheels 23 and the suspended frames 16, 17, 18 are free to run along the length of the roof structure 9 on the tracks 13.

As shown in Figure 2, the relative dimensions of the frames 16, 17, - 8 18 and the container 6 are such that each frame 16, 17 is closely adjacent to, but free of, the respective side wall 8, and similarly, the overhead frame 18 is close to, but spaced from the roof structure 9. The side frames 16, 17 are equally spaced from the side walls 8.

The overhead frame 18 is connected to, and contacts the roof structure 9 solely through the rolling interengagement of the wheels 23 with the tracks 13, and also by interengagement of a drive link fixed centrally to one or both of the horizontal members and connected to the drive chain in the drive track 14.

Between the opposite side frames 16, 17 there is mounted the platform 19. The platform 19 is a generally planar rigid rectangular structure generally of the same peripheral dimensions as the overhead frame 18, although slightly shorter in length so as to fit between the side frames 16, 17.

The platform 19, is mounted at one short side onto the vertical members 20 of the respective side frame 16 so that it can extend securely horizontally therefrom with sufficient strength to support a person standing thereon and also goods to be loaded or unloaded.

This short side of the platform 19 has fixed thereto vertical extension members 24 which interengage the vertical members 20 of the side frame 16 so as to effect the secure interconnection therebetween and also so as to permit vertical sliding of the platform 19 relative to the side frame 16. Thus the vertical members 20 the side frame 16 may be channel section members and the vertical members 24 attached to the platform 19 may be bars which are slidably retained within the channel section members 20. 9 -

A chain drive is provided within one or both of the channel section members 20 connected to an electric motor mounted at a convenient location on the side frame 16. This chain drive is operational to adjust the height of the platform 19 i.e. to move the platform up and down on the side frame 16 within pre-set upper and lower limits. At the upper limit the platform 19 is disposed centrally within the container 6 so that a person can stand on the platform 19 and easily reach upper regions of the storage area within the container. Lower limits of the platform 19 correspond to the different lower loading levels, namely the upper floor part 11, the lower floor part 12 and the ground beyond the open rear end of the container 6.

When the platform 19 is at the level of the lower floor part 12 or the ground it is below the bottom ends of the side frames 16, 17 and this is accommodated by virtue of the extension members 24 which can support the platform 19 below the bottom ends of the side frames 16, 17.

The electric motor for the platform drive is linked to controls 25 located on the platform 19 so that a person standing on the platform 19 can operate the controls 25. This also applies to the electric motor for the roof track chain drive 14. Looped 'caterpillar' cables may be provided between the lifting device 15 and a remote source of power and/or any remote motor, along the roof structure 9.

As shown, safety rails 26 may be provided alongside the platform 19.

The platform 19 may be hinged to the vertical members 24 so that, when not in use, the platform 19 can be hinged upwards, after removing or folding away the rails 26, so that it lies vertically alongside the side frame 16. This hinged movement may be power assisted. -

With the above arrangement loading and unloading can be carried out safely and conveniently throughout the entire length of the container 6 at all levels, and also beyond the rear end of the container down to ground level (as shown in Figure 1). This is achieved with the lifting device 15 which is suspended from the roof structure 9 and requires no modification of or interengagement with the side walls 8 or other parts of the container 6.

When not in use the lifting device 15 can be stowed without taking up any appreciable part of the storage area.

It is of course to be understood that the invention is not intended to be restricted to the above embodiment which is described by way of

example only. - 11

Claims

1. A movable lifting device (15) for use with a goods container (6), said lifting device (15) having a load supporting platform (19) and at least one upright side support ( 16, 17) on which the load supporting platform (19) is mounted so as to be height adjustable relative thereto, characterized by the provision of at least one overhead support (18) from which the (or each) said side support (16, 17) is suspended and which is mounted on at least one guide track ( 13) secured to and running along a roof structure (9) of the container (6) for guided movement along the track (13).

2. A movable lifting device according to claim 1 wherein the platform (19) is mounted on the (or each) side support (16, 17) so as to be movable between operational and stowed positions.

3. A movable lifting device according to claim 2 wherein in the stowed position the platform (19) is in upright disposition alongside the (or one) side support (16, 17).

4. A movable lifting device according to any one of claims 1-3 wherein the (or each) side support (16, 1 7) is a frame having upright end members (20) linked by transverse members particularly at upper and lower end regions.

5. A movable lifting device according to claim 4 wherein there is a respective side support (16, 17) at each side of the platform (19) each being a frame.

6. A movable lifting device according to any one of claims 1-5 wherein the (or each) side support ( 16, 17) is located closely adjacent the - 12 respective container side (8) but is free of any operational interconnection therewith and free of any contact with the side (8).

7. A movable lifting device according to any one of claims 1-6 wherein the overhead support (18) comprises spaced apart elongate members which are interconnected by one or more transverse members (18) to define a frame.

8. A movable lifting device according to any one of claims 1-7 wherein the (or each) guide track (13) is mounted in a central region of the roof structure (9).

9. A movable lifting device according to any one of claims 1-8 wherein the (or each) guide track extends substantially wholly along the length of the container so that the lifting device can transverse substantially all of such length.

10. A movable lifting device according to any one of claims 1-9 wherein provision is made for movement of the lifting device (15) beyond an open end (10) of the container (6) so that the platform (19) is height adjustable externally of the container (6).

11. A movable lifting device according to claim 10 wherein an extension (22) to the (or each) guide track (13) is provide, which can be projected externally of the container (6) as and when required.

12. A movable lifting device according to any one of claims 1-11 wherein the height adjustment of the platform ( 19) is such that within the container (6) the platform (19) can be moved down into contact with or closely adjacent to a floor (11, 12) and can be moved up into a central region to a position at which a person standing on the platform (19) - 13 can readily reach upper regions of the container (6).

13. A movable lifting device according to any one of claims 1-12 wherein the platform ( 19) is movable downwardly to different lowermost positions within the container (6) to accommodate different floor heights ( 1 1, 1 2).

14. A movable lifting device according to claim 13 wherein the (or each) side support ( 16, 17) terminates at an elevated position above the highest floor location (11) and the (or each) side support (16, 1 7) is extendable and/or the platform (19) has an upright extension (24) to permit supported movement of the platform (19) down to the lowest floor location.

15. A movable lifting device according to claim 14 wherein the extendable support (16, 17) and/or platform extension (24) accommodates movement of the platform (19) below the lowest level of the floor (12) 1 5 where the platform (19) is beyond the open end (10) of the container (6).

16. A movable lifting device according to any one of claims 2-15 wherein movement of the platform ( 1 9) along the (or each) guide track ( 1 3) and/or for height adjustment purposes along the (or each) side support (16, 17) and/or for stowage purposes when not in use, is power driven and/or manually operable.

17. A movable lifting device according to claim 16 wherein where a drive is provided for moving the platform ( 19) along the container (6) an additional drive track (14) is provided for this in the roof structure (9) .

18. A movable lifting device according to any one of claims 1-17 wherein - 14 the container (6) is a load haulage road vehicle trailer with a rear opening (10) with doors and a stepped floor (11, 12) with an elevated front section (11) to accommodate a towing link (4).

19. A movable lifting device according to claim 18 wherein one or both side walls (8) of the container (6) incorporates doors or other openings.

20. A movable lifting device ( 15) substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.