WO1995001266A1

WO1995001266A1 - Improvements in and relating to lifting apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO1995001266A1
Application number: PCT/GB1994/001380
Authority: WO
Inventors: John Winston Childs
Original assignee: John Winston Childs
Priority date: 1993-06-30
Filing date: 1994-06-27
Publication date: 1995-01-12
Also published as: GB2294447B; AU7003794A; GB9313457D0; GB9526607D0; GB2294447A

Abstract

Lifting apparatus includes a load supporting platform releasably connected at one end to a frame and mounted at or towards its other end for pivotable movement relative to the frame about a fulcrum. The frame includes ground engaging members positioned between the releasable connection and the fulcrum. The arrangement is such that when the platform is connected to the frame it is supported above ground level by the frame, and that when the platform is released from its connection to the frame it can be lowered to a ground engaging position through pivotable movement of the platform relative to the frame about the fulcrum.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO LIFTING APPARATUS

This invention relates to lifting apparatus and more particularly to apparatus for raising and lowering a load supporting beam or platform between a ground engaging position and an elevated position. More especially, but not exclusively, the invention relates to wheeled transporters, such as trailers, including a load supporting beam or platform and to stands for supporting and/or displaying inter alia such items as motor cycles.

According to the present invention in one aspect there is provided lifting apparatus including a load supporting platform releasably connected at one end to a frame and mounted at or towards its other end for pivotable movement relative to the frame about a fulcrum, the frame including ground engaging members positioned between the releasable connection and the fulcrum, and the arrangement being such that when the platform is connected to the frame it is supported above ground level by the frame, and that when the platform is released from its connection to the frame it can be lowered to a ground engaging position through pivotable movement of the platform relative to the frame about the fulcrum.

In another aspect, the invention provides a load supporting platform connected to a frame including ground engaging means by two or more cranked levers each pivotally connected to the frame and each including an upper and lower arm, means for connecting the upper arm to a cable of a winch supported by the frame and means for connecting the lower arm to the load supporting platform, the respective lengths of the upper and lower arms being such that operation of the winch causes the cranked levers to pivot about their connections to the frame selectively to lower the platform to a ground engaging position or to raise the platform to an elevated position.

In a further aspect, the invention provides lifting apparatus including a load supporting platform connected to a frame including ground engaging means by a plurality of pivoted links, and means for imparting pivotal movement concurrently to the links to cause the platform to be moved selectively between a ground engaging and raised position.

The means for imparting pivoted movement may comprise a winch mounted on the frame and connected by a cable to the platform and/or the links.

The lifting apparatus may comprise a transportable trailer or the like, or a stand for supporting or displaying an item such as a motor cycle.

The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which:-

Figure 1 is a side view of lifting apparatus in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 is an end view of the apparatus illustrated in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a schematic plan view from above of the apparatus in accordance with the invention;

Figure 4 is a side view of an alternative lifting apparatus in accordance with the invention;

Figure 5 is a side view of further lifting apparatus in accordance with the invention;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the apparatus illustrated in Figure 5 in an inclined position;

Figure 7 is a side view of the apparatus illustrated in Figure 5 in a different inclined position to that illustrated in Figure 6;

Figures 8 and 9 are side and rear views of further apparatus in accordance with the invention;

Figures 10 and 11 are side and rear views of further apparatus in accordance with the invention;

Figures 12 to 14 are side views of further apparatus in accordance with the invention; and Figure 15 is a side view of a section of a still further apparatus in accordance with the invention.

The lifting apparatus illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 of the drawings takes the form of a trailer 1 for transporting a motor cycle or the like. It will be understood that many items other than motor cycles can readily be transported by a trailer in accordance with the invention. The motor cycle is schematically illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 and bears the reference numeral 2. The trailer includes a central platform in the form of one or more elongate longitudinally extending load bearing beams 3 supported within a frame 4 which is in turn supported by a pair of wheels 5 mounted on stub axles 6. The trailer of Figures 1 and 2 includes a single beam; the trailer of Figure 3 has three such beams. The frame has at its front end a tow bar 7 which includes a releasable hitch mechanism 8 for connection to a vehicle. In the construction shown the frame 4 is an open structure produced from steel tubing and comprises a pair of side members which are turned inwardly to define the tow bar 7. At their ends remote from the tow bar 7, the side members include laterally extending tubular members 9.

Each beam 3 is of box section, the upper surface defining the load bearing surface of the trailer. Each beam 3 has upwardly and outwardly inclined side pieces 10 to define a channel into which the tyres of the motor cycle 2 can locate. A rear calliper 3A (Figure 3) is provided at the rear end of one or more of the beams 3, its position being adjustable relative to the respective beam to accommodate bides of differing length. Similar callipers 3B are provided at the forward ends of the beams 3. Each beam 3 is welded to a tubular cross member 11 whose ends lie adjacent to the open ends of the tubular members 9. A rod 12 of circular section is located within the tubular members 9, 11, the members 9 being secured to the free ends of the bar to enable the members 9 to rotate relative to the cross member 11.

A jockey wheel 14 is carried by the forward end of the central beam 3. The jockey wheel 14 is mounted on a vertical shaft 15 which passes through a sleeve 16 secured to the beam and includes a clamp 17. Thus, the height of the jockey wheel above ground level can be varied.

At its forward end, the central beam 3 protrudes into a downwardly extending yoke 18 secured to the rear end of the tow bar 7. One or more pins 19 pass through apertures formed in the yoke sides. The forward end of the central beam 3 extends into the yoke. Thus, with the or each pin 19 in place, the central beam 3 is physically connected at its front end to the frame 4. Also, with the pin removed the tow bar end of the frame can be raised relative to the beam 3.

As the tow bar end of the frame is raised, so the frame 4 pivots about the wheel stub axles 6 to move the rearward end of the frame 4 downwardly. As the rear of the frame moves down, so the tubular cross member 11 is moved downwardly, the bar 12 rotating within the member 11. Continued upward movement of the tow bar end of the frame causes the beams 3 to make contact with the ground. Thus, the beams 3 can be raised between an elevated position in which they effectively become part of the trailer frame and a lowered ground engaging position for ease of loading items, such as the motor cycle, onto and off from the beam.

The callipers 3A, 3B include clasp members 23 which bear against the tyres of the motor cycle 2. The forward end of the calliper 3A slides into the adjacent open end of the central beam 3 and is secured in place by removable bolts or pins. By adjusting the relative positions of the end stop and the beam, so the effective length of the beam 3 can be varied.

The calliper 3B may also slide within the adjoining open end of the respective beam to vary the effective beam length.

In use, to lower the beams 3 to the ground, the front end of the central beam is released from the yoke 18 by removing the or each pin 19 and the jockey wheel 14 raised. The forward tow bar end of the frame 4 is then raised so causing the frame to pivot about the wheel axles 6. As the frame pivots, so the cross member 11 and the beams 3 move downwardly towards, and ultimately, into contact with the ground under the weight of the motor cycle, the rod 12 rotating freely within the tube 11.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 4 of the drawings, the beam 3 is detachable completely from the frame 4 through a pivotable catch 26 at the forward end of the beam and a cross-member 27 which stands proud of the beam 3 towards its reward end.

The rear end of the frame is shaped to define a cup 28 which locates below and in contact with the underside of the cross-member 27.

In this arrangement, the or each beam 3 can be removed from the frame of the trailer for loading and unloading purposes.

Whereas the trailer described includes one or more load supporting beams, it will be appreciated that other load bearing members can readily be employed. Thus, the load bearing surface of the trailer may comprise a conventional floor which extends across the full width of the frame 4 thus enabling such items as motor vehicles, machinery, hire plant or other bulky or heavy items to be transported. It will also be understood that more than two wheels 5 may be provided, the axles of the rear wheels then acting as the fulcrum points about which the frame can pivot.

The lifting apparatus illustrated in Figures 4 to 6 takes the form of a display stand for an item such as a motor cycle. The display stand comprises a load bearing beam or platform 31 supported for rotation about a cross piece 32 of a support frame 33 (and vice versa). The platform 31 is secured by welding to a tube 34 through which the cross piece 32 extends. Thus, the beam 31 can rotate about the cross piece 32 to position the beam in either the horizontal position shown in Figure 4 or one of the inclined positions shown in Figures 5 and 6. The cross piece 32 is supported by legs 35 having angled sections 36 which extend rearwardly to define a ground engaging section 37 terminating in a handle 38.

The beam 31 comprises two separable lengths 31a, 31b, one of which includes the legs 35 and a front section 37a of the ground engaging section 37, and the other of which includes a second pair of legs 39 and a ground engaging section 40. The rear section 37b (separable from the front section) includes the handle 38. By manipulating the sections in the manner illustrated, so stands having generally horizontal or inclined positions as shown can be adapted. The angled sections 36 act as fulcrums.

Turning now to the apparatus illustrated in Figures 7 and 8, this takes the form of a trailer which includes a load supporting platform 42 supported within a frame 43 which is in turn supported by pairs of wheels 44 mounted on stub axles 45. The frame 43 has at its front end a tow bar 46 which includes a releasable hitch mechanism 47 for connection to a vehicle.

The frame 43 also supports a winch 48 operated manually by a handle 49 or through a motor (not shown). The platform 42 is connected to the frame 43 by cranked levers 51 at pivots 52. Each cranked level 51 has an upwardly inclined arm 53 connected at its free end to a cable of the winch 48 and a downwardly inclined arm connected pivotably to the platform 42.

In use, the winch 48 operates to turn the levers 51 about their pivots 52 to cause the platform 42 to move from a ground engaging position as shown in Figure 7 to a raised position in which the platform lies generally horizontally within the confines of the frame 43.

In the arrangement illustrated in Figures 9 and 10, a trailer is again illustrated and includes a load bearing platform 54 supported from front and rear pulleys 55 carried by a frame 56. The trailer includes a tow bar attachment which supports a winch 57 including a cable 58 attached at one end to a bracket 59 of the platform 54. The cable passes around each pulley 55.

Operation of the winch causes the platform to be moved between a ground engaging position as illustrated in Figure 9 to a raised position in which it lies generally within the contour of the frame 56. Selective operation of the pulleys can result in the platform being inclined with its rearmost end in contact with the ground and with its front end above ground level.

The trailer illustrated in Figure 11 is similar to that illustrated in Figures 9 and 10. In this arrangement, however, a cable 61 of a winch 62 passes around a frame mounted pulley 63, between two platform mounted pulleys 64, 65, a second frame mounted pulley 66 and is anchored at anchorage 67 to the frame. Operation of the winch causes the platform 68 to be moved selectively between a ground engaging position as shown and a raised position.

The trailer illustrated in Figure 12 includes a plurality of pivotal links 71 each of which is secured at one end to a load supporting platform 72 and at its other end to a frame 73. A winch 74 mounted on the frame operates to raise and lower the platform through the action of the links.

The trailer illustrated in Figure 13 comprises a crank 75 connected by a pivot 76 to a frame 77. The upper arm 78 of the crank 75 is connected to a cable 79 of a winch 80. The lower arm 81 of the crank is connected to one end of a load bearing beam 82 of the trailer. The beam 82 carries an arm 83 connected to the frame 77 through a pivot 84. Operation of the winch causes the crank 75 to pivot selectively to lower the beam 82 to a ground engaging position and to raise the beam to an elevated position.

In the arrangement illustrated in Figure 14, a load bearing beam 85 is supported by two or more rods 86 (only one of which is shown) positioned within cylinders 87 mounted adjacent a frame 88 of a trailer. The rods are spring loaded by coil springs 89. The respective wheel 90 of the trailer has a cowl 91 which is secured to the respective cylinder 87 and which makes contact with the tyre of the wheel 90 through friction pads 92 secured to the inner periphery of the cowl. When the load being beam 85 is to be raised, the trailer is simply moved forward causing the wheel 90 to rotate with the cowl so raising the cylinder against the action of the spring 89 and, in turn, the beam 85.

It will be understood that the lifting apparatus described is merely exemplary of lifting apparatus in accordance with the invention and that modifications can readily be made thereto without departing from the true scope of the invention as set out in the appended claims.

Claims

1. Lifting apparatus including a load supporting platform releasably connected at one end to a frame and mounted at or towards its other end for pivotable movement relative to the frame about a fulcrum, the frame including ground engaging members positioned between the releasable connection and the fulcrum, and the arrangement being such that when the platform is connected to the frame it is supported above ground level by the frame, and that when the platform is released from its connection to the frame it can be lowered to a ground engaging position through pivotable movement of the platform relative to the frame about the fulcrum.

2. Lifting apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the load supporting platform comprises an elongate load bearing beam extending longitudinally of the frame.

3. Lifting apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the ground engaging members comprise wheels mounted on stub axles.

4. Lifting apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the load supporting platform is secured by welding to a laterally extending cross-member of the frame positioned at or closely adjacent to the fulcrum about which the frame can pivot.

5. Lifting apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the load supporting platform is positioned within the frame and releasably connected to the frame by pins which extend through the frame and an adjoining section of the platform.

6. A trailer including a releasable hitch mechanism for connection to a vehicle, the trailer including a frame supported by wheels mounted on stub axles and a central load supporting platform which is releasably connected to the frame at its forward end and mounted for selective pivotal movement relative to the frame about an axis extending laterally of the frame and positioned towards the rear of the frame, the pivotal connection between the frame and the platform comprising a rod mounted for rotation within a tubular cross member of the frame and adjoining tubular members of the frame.

7. A trailer as claimed in claim 6 wherein the load supporting platform comprises an elongate load bearing beam extending longitudinally of the trailer.

8. A trailer as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7 wherein the platform is removable from the platform.

9. Lifting apparatus including a load supporting platform connected to a frame including ground engaging means by a plurality of pivoted links, and means for imparting pivotal movement concurrently to the links to cause the platform to be moved selectively between a ground engaging and raised position.

10. Lifting apparatus as claimed in Claim 8 wherein the means for imparting pivoted movement comprises a winch mounted on the frame and connected by a cable to the platform and/or the links.

11. A load supporting platform connected to a frame comprising ground engaging means including two or more cranked levers each pivotally connected to the frame and each including an upper and lower arm, means for connecting the upper arm to a cable of a winch supported by the frame and means for connecting the lower arm to the load supporting platform, the respective lengths of the upper and lower arms being such that operation of the winch causes the cranked levers to pivot about their connections to the frame selectively to lower the platform to a ground engaging position or to raise the platform to an elevated position.

12. Lifting apparatus comprising a load supporting platform mounted for pivotable movement relative to a frame about a fulcrum, the platform including a tubular cross- member positioned about a laterally extending cross-member of the frame and relative pivotable movement of the frame relative to the frame being effected by movement of the frame cross-member about the tubular cross-member of the frame.