WO2005073024A1

WO2005073024A1 - Tilt apparatus for utility and light truck vehicles

Info

Publication number: WO2005073024A1
Application number: PCT/AU2005/000104
Authority: WO
Inventors: Barry Roy Middlebrook
Original assignee: Barry Roy Middlebrook
Priority date: 2004-01-30
Filing date: 2005-01-28
Publication date: 2005-08-11

Abstract

Tilt apparatus (10) for a vehicle including a fixed frame (11) attachable to a vehicle’s tray or chassis in fixed relationship thereto, a movable frame (15) mounted to the fixed frame (11) for tilting and sliding movement with respect to the fixed frame (11) by a way of mounting assembly permitting sliding of the movable frame (15) with respect to the fixed frame (11) between a stowed and a tilting positions and tilting of the movable frame (15) with respect to the fixed frame (11) between a plane and a tilted position, a tilt guide (20) mounted to the fixed frame (11), a tilt guide follower (23) mounted to the movable frame (15) and engageable with the tilt guide (20) between the stowed and the tilting positions, but substantially free from engagement with the tilt guide (20) between the plane and the tilted positions, and drive means (30) operatively interconnecting the fixed and the movable frames (11, 15) and operable for sliding and tilting of the movable frame (15).

Description

"TILT APPARATUS FOR UTILITY AND LIGHT TRUCK VEHICLES"

FIELD OFINVENTION

THIS INVENTION relates to tilt apparatus for utility and light truck vehicles. The invention has particular application to tiltable trays for utilities and tray-back type vehicles up to one or two tonnes lading. However, the invention is not limited thereto.

BACKGROUND ART

Tray-back light trucks of about one to two tonne load capacity and/or utility vehicles ("utes") are convenient for carrying many types of load, but may be difficult to unload in the case of a wheeled cargo or a mobile solid. Tipping dump trucks of larger capacity have been used for larger loads such as mobile solids, but are usually limited to use as a dump truck only. Tilting mechanisms have been proposed for light trucks, but normally require fitting a hydraulic pump, ram and piston.

Combined tilting and sliding arrangements have been proposed- for larger loads such as the transport of vehicles, permitting a vehicle to be transported to be driven onto the tray when in a tilted position in which the tray has been subjected to a sliding action away from its normal position with respect to the remainder of the vehicle to provide a shallower angle of tilt. Where such sliding and tilting actions are combined, there are generally provided two or more driving mechanisms, one for the tilting action, and the other for the sliding action. In one application using only one driving mechanism, at least one of the mounting points for the driving mechanism are relocated on the chassis of the vehicle to change from driving the sliding action to driving the tilting action, and vice versa.

The present invention aims to provide tilt apparatus which alleviates one or more of the problems of the prior art, or at least provides an alternative to existing arrangements. In particular, the present invention aims to provide tilt apparatus having a single driving means at fixed mounting points and/or as an alternative to hydraulic powered mechanisms in order to drive both a tilting action and a sliding action for the tray with respect to the remainder of the vehicle. Other aims and advantages of the invention may become apparent from the following description.

DISCLOSURE OFTHE INVENTION

With the foregoing in view, this invention resides broadly in tilt apparatus for utility and light truck vehicles including: a fixed frame attachable to a utility or light truck tray or chassis in fixed relationship thereto; a movable frame mounted to the fixed frame for tilting and sliding movement with respect to the fixed frame; the mounting of the movable frame mounted to the fixed frame being provided by way of a mounting assembly operatively associated with the movable frame, said mounting assembly being arranged to permit sliding of the movable frame with respect to the fixed frame between a stowed position and a tilting position and tilting of the movable frame with respect to the fixed frame between a plane position to a tilted position; a tilt guide mounted to the fixed frame; a tilt guide follower mounted to the movable frame and arranged for engagement with the tilt guide; and drive means operatively interconnecting the fixed frame and the moveable frame, and operable for sliding the movable frame to and from the stowed position and the tilting position and tilting the movable frame to and from the plane position and the tilted position; wherein tilt guide follower is engaged with the tilt guide between the stowed and the tilting positions, but substantially not engaged with the tilt guide between the plane and the tilted positions.

In another aspect, the present invention resides broadly in tilt apparatus for utility and light truck vehicles including: a fixed frame attachable to a utility or light truck tray or chassis in fixed relationship thereto; a movable frame mounted to the fixed frame for tilting movement with respect to the fixed frame; a movable frame extension operatively associated with the movable frame, said movable frame extension being operable to extend the movable frame in at least one dimension; drive means operatively connecting the fixed and movable frames, the connection of the drive means to the movable frame being operatively associated with the movable frame extension, wherein the drive means includes a first mode of operation for selective tilting of the movable frame with respect to the fixed frame and a second mode of operation for selective extending and/or retracting of the movable frame extension with respect to the movable frame.

In a preferred form, the movable frame is also arranged for sliding engagement with the fixed frame as herein described. In such form, it is further preferred that a tilt guide be mounted to the fixed frame and a tilt guide follower be mounted to the movable frame as herein described. Preferably, the fixed frames includes two substantially parallel fixed frame members held in spaced relationship by two or more transverse frame members . The mounting of the movable frame to the fixed frame is preferably provided by way of a pair of pivot assemblies of mirror image configuration with respect to one another. The pivot assemblies preferably include a fixed frame mounting portion for fixing to the fixed frame, and a movable frame mounting portion pivotably connected to the fixed frame mounting portion by way of a hinge pin arranged with its axis substantially transverse to the elongate dimension of the vehicle with which the tilting apparatus is operatively associated. Each movable frame mounting portion preferably includes a sleeve within which one of the movable frame members is mounted for sliding movement with respect thereto.

The tilt guide is preferably in the form of a channel mounted to each fixed frame member and having a configuration selected to complement a roller mounted each movable frame member, the roller preferably constituting at least in part the tilt guide follower. The tilt guide followers are preferably mounted between the movable frame mounting portion of the pivot assemblies and the mounting of the drive means to the movable frame.

In another aspect, the present invention resides broadly in tilt apparatus for utility and light truck vehicles including: a fixed frame attachable to a utility or light truck tray or chassis in fixed relationship thereto; a movable frame mounted to the fixed frame for sliding movement with respect to the fixed frame between a stowed position and a tilting position; a tilting pivot assembly operatively associated with the movable frame, operable to permit tilting of the movable frame with respect to the fixed frame from a plane position to a tilted position, the tilting pivot assembly being slidingly movable with the movable frame with respect to the fixed frame; a tilting strut assembly mounted to the fixed frame for sliding movement with respect thereto and operatively connected to the tilting frame; the fixed frame being so formed that the movable frame is constrained against tilting between the stowed position and the tilting position, but permits tilting of the movable frame substantially at the tilting position; the tilting strut assembly being arranged with respect to the fixed frame such that the tilting strut assembly may slide further than the movable assembly along the fixed frame and with respect to the movable frame such that upon sliding movement of the tilting strut assembly further than the tilting position on the fixed frame causes tilting of the movable frame with respect to the fixed frame from a flat position ; and a mechanical drive assembly operatively interconnecting the fixed frame and the tilting strut assembly for driving the movable frame to and from the stowed position to and from the tilting position and to and from the plane position to and from the tilted position.

Preferably, the fixed frame includes two parallel channel members and the movable frame includes complementary wheels or rollers mounted for a running or rolling within the channels of the parallel channel members. In a preferred form, two pairs of rollers or roller assembly are provided, one pair being a pivoting support pair and the other being a peripheral pair. In such form, the pivoting support pair supports the remainder of the movable frame thereacross substantially centrally but displaced from the centre a distance sufficient that the movable frame falls towards the plane position. The peripheral pair supports that portion of the movable frame remote from the intermediate pair when the movable frame is between the plane and the tilting positions.

Each channel preferably includes a roller abutment which prevents the pivoting pair of rollers from rolling such that the movable frame is prevented from sliding beyond the tilting position. It is preferred that the tilting strut assembly includes wheels or rollers (strut rollers) in a similar fashion to the wheels or rollers of the movable frame, the tilting strut assembly being mounted for movement in the channels between the stowed position for the movable frame and the tilting position. Preferably, the tilting pivot assembly is formed by arranging the movable frame to pivot on the pivot rollers mounted transverse to the parallel arrangement of the channels, and the channels include an escape permitting another peripheral pair of rollers to escape from the channels when the tilting strut assembly is moved further than the tilting position for the movable frame.

It is preferred that the tilting strut assembly includes two or more struts pivotally mounted to a transverse frame member and connecting between the transverse frame member and the movable frame. The pivotal connection between the struts and the movable frame is arranged with respect to the wheels or pivots such that the movement of the tilting strut assembly beyond the tilting position causes tilting position causes tilting of the movable frame by the escape of the peripheral pair of wheels or rollers on the movable frame from the channels of the channel members. The mechanical drive assembly is suitably of a non- hydraulic type. In one preferred form, the mechanical drive assembly includes a lead screw and carriage assembly, the lead screw being mounted to the fixed frame for rotation about an axis substantially parallel to the channel members in fixed axial relationship therewith, and the carriage being mounted to the tilting strut assembly in operative association with the lead screw to permit axial movement of the carriage upon rotation of the lead screw by operative engagement therewith, thereby effecting the sliding and tilting movement of the movable frame with respect to the fixed frame.

In an alternative preferred form, the mechanical drive assembly includes an endless chain mounted for rotational movement about two or more sprockets mounted to the fixed frame assembly, and a chain connecter operatively connecting one or more links of the chain to the tilting strut assembly whereby driving the chain about the sprockets effects the sliding and tilting movement of the movable frame with respect to the fixed frame.

Preferably, the mechanical drive assembly includes a twelve volt motor with a reduction gear box to drive either the lead screw in the case of the lead screw and carriage assembly, or at least one of the sprockets in the case of the chain and sprocket assembly. In such form, it is preferred that the twelve volt motor being electrically connected to the electrical system of the vehicle to which to tilt apparatus is mounted with a switch, preferably mounted within the drivers cabin of the vehicle. BRIEFDESCRIPTIONOFTHEDRAWINGS

In order that the invention may be more readily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention and wherein: - Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic side view of tilt apparatus according to the invention;

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic cut-away view of drive means for the tilt apparatus of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3, 4 and 5 show in diagrammatic side view a drive tube, control tubes and lead screws for the rive means of Fig. 2 ; and

Fig. 6 is a more detailed diagrammatic cut-away view of the drive means of Fig. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The tilt apparatus 10 shown in Fig. 1 includes a fixed frame 11 mounted to the chassis of a vehicle, partly shown at 12. The fixed frame includes frame members arranged substantially in the direction of travel of the vehicle and maintained in spaced relationship with one another by respective transverse members. Vehicular accessories may be mounted to the fixed frame as desired in addition to, or as an alternative, to the mounting of same to the chassis of the vehicle. In another form, the fixed frame may be adapted for fitting to a utility type vehicle already having a tray or enclosed body for carrying a load. A movable frame 15 mounted to the fixed frame for tilting with respect thereto by way of a pivot assembly 16. The movable frame includes a movable frame members arranged substantially parallel to the direction of travel of the vehicle and interconnected by transverse bracing members . Diagonal members or panelling may be provided for stiffening the movable frame against parallelogrammic strain or distortion. If a full tray is desired, then the panel is provided to substantially cover the upper face of the movable frame. The movable frame is mounted to the fixed frame by way of a pair of pivot assemblies 16. Each pivot assembly includes a fixed frame mounting portion 17 mounted to the fixed frame and a movable mounting portion 18 in operative association with the movable frame and pivotally connected to the fixed frame mounting portion by way of a pivot pin 19. Of course, more than two pivot assembles may be provided in substantial transverse alignment with one another. The movable frame mounting portion is in the form of a sleeve through which the or selected movable frame members are slidingly mounted for a sliding movement having a substantial component in the direction of travel of the vehicle in the direction of arrows 14.

Two tilt guides 20 (one of which is shown) are mounted to the fixed frame and include a parallel portion and an inclined portion 22. The parallel and inclined portions are formed as channels opening transverse of the vehicle. A pair of tilt guide follower 23 is mounted to the movable frame and each includes a tilt guide roller 24 mounted distally of a follower mounting strut 25 is formed for engagement within the corresponding channels of the parallel and inclined portions of the corresponding tilt guide.

Drive means 30 interconnects the fixed frame and the movable frame. The drive means is connected pivotally to the movable frame at a movable frame pivot joint 31 at or near one end of the drive means . The drive means is connected pivotally to the fixed frame at a fixed frame pivot joint 32 at or near one end of the drive means. The drive means is in the form of a screw jack, more details of which are shown in, and described with reference to, Figs. 2 to 6.

A movable frame extension 40 is mounted to the movable frame shown with the movable frame in an alternative position qt 15a. The movable frame extension may be extended and contracted with respect to the movable frame in the direction of the arrows 44. In order to facilitate the extension of the frame and/or the sliding motion of the movable frame with respect to the pivot assembly, the drive means includes a rotatory motion as well as an extending and contracting motion, there being provided ^■ a rotary drive connection 45 in operative association with the movable frame. In the embodiment shown, the drive means is provided as a single screw jack assembly connected between two respective transverse beams, one being part of the fixed frame and the other being part of the movable frame. The mounting of the screw jack assembly to the transverse beam of the movable frame includes a pair of opposed bevel gears engageable with a king bevel gear at the movable frame end of the screw jack. The rotary motion of the king bevel gear is transferred to a drive rod along the transverse beam of the movable frame, and then transferred to respective elongate threaded drive rods along two of the movable frame members each for driving a selectively engageable captive travelling nut in fixed relationship with movable frame for sliding it through the sleeves of the pivot assemblies. A secondary nut is selectively engageable with the threaded rod for movement of the movable frame extension.

The drive means 30 enclosing shown in detail in Figs. 2 to 6 includes a barrel 33 substantially enclosing the remainder of a screw jack when in its retracted disposition as shown. A lead screw 34 is rotated when held in fixed angular disposition with respect to a control tube 35 by way of a brake assembly 36. The brakes are operated by a pair of bowden cables 37. When the control tube is held by the brakes, it causes the engagement of a dog 38 at the other end of the control tube and lead screw. The dog is associated with respective keyways 41. A spur gear 39 drives the tube 40. A nut 42 is threadedly engaged with the dog. A king bevel gear 43 is fixed to the distal end of the lead screw.

Referring to Fig. 3, a series of covering tubes shown 50, 51 and 52 can extend from the barrel as shown, there being provided a rotary driving motion by way of a spur gear 53 ot a ring gear 54. The covering tubes cover a corresponding series of control tubes shown at 55, 56 and 57 in Fig. 4, the brakes or clutches at 37 being shown in their operative disposition at the proximal end thereof . The keyways are provided to restrict rotational movement where appropriate. Inner and outer lead screws 58 and 59 respectively are shown in extended disposition in Fig. 5, the brakes or clutches at 37 being shown in their operative disposition at the proximal end thereof. The drive tube and telescopic tubes are keyed together so that rotation motion of the control tubes causes either extension or contraction of the lead screws in similar fashion to a screw jack or rotary motion of the king bevel gear by selective operation of one or both of the brakes. The relevant parts are shown by selected reference numerals in Fig. 6.

In use, tilt tray apparatus according to the present invention can be installed as a slide tipper tray back for one to two tray utes and trucks . The design also includes an alternative form to drop in to a tip tray for style side utes. The design of the apparatus uses a pivot point and gravity, requiring minimum power for operation. It is believed that the use of a mechanical drive means is cost effective compared with hydraulic systems. The tilt apparatus can be used as a standard tray already being manufactured by others. The apparatus has two frames, a fixed or sub-frame and a moveable or sliding tray chassis and it is preferred that the assembly be provided as a complete^' working unit ready to attach to a vehicle chassis or tray. The pivot points of the tilting tray are aligned close to the centre of gravity for minimum effort to tip or tilt a load. The 12-volt motor preferably includes a reduction gearbox or the chain and sprocket system but is designed on a chain block principle. To operate the tilt apparatus for tray trucks, it is preferred that there will be a safety switch on the dash board of the vehicle operated by remote control through a system of relays to microswitches . For the tipping mode, the tray is moved backwards on roller bearing until it stops at the end of the track, then tipping by thrust arms with minimum effort as the tray is almost at the centre of gravity. In the slide mode, a lever operates^' a flap that stops the tray from tipping. Also a lock pin is removed at the rear to allow the sub-frame to tilt down as the tray moves back past the centre of gravity, there will be shock absorbers damping operatively associated with the idler rollers for damping sudden movement or a shock absorber can be provided in operative association with the tiling mechanism.

Examples of use of the apparatus will include mobile solids such as sand and gravel, but also moving equipment, slide on campers and wheelchairs and the like can be used as cargo or the laden for appropriately designed versions of the apparatus according to the invention.

Although the invention has been described with reference to one or more specific examples, it will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in other forms which are encompassed within the broad scope and ambit of the invention as claimed by the following claims.

Claims

1. Tilt apparatus for utility and light truck vehicles including: a fixed frame attachable to a utility or light truck tray or chassis in fixed relationship thereto; a movable frame mounted to the fixed frame for tilting and sliding movement with respect to the fixed frame; the mounting of the movable frame mounted to the fixed frame being provided by way of a mounting assembly operatively associated with the movable frame, said mounting assembly being arranged to permit sliding of the movable frame with respect to the fixed frame between a stowed position and a tilting position and tilting of the movable frame with respect to the fixed frame between a plane position to a tilted position; a tilt guide mounted to the fixed frame; a tilt guide follower mounted to the movable frame and arranged for engagement with the tilt guide; and drive means operatively interconnecting the fixed frame and the moveable frame, and operable for sliding the movable frame to and from the stowed position and the tilting position and tilting the movable frame to and from the plane position and the tilted position; wherein tilt guide follower is engaged with the tilt guide between the stowed and the tilting positions, but substantially not engaged with the tilt guide between the plane and the tilted positions.

2. Tilt apparatus for utility and light truck vehicles including: a fixed frame attachable to a utility or light truck tray or chassis in fixed relationship thereto; a movable frame mounted to the fixed frame for tilting movement with respect to the fixed frame; a movable frame extension operatively associated with the movable frame, said movable frame extension being operable to extend the movable frame in at least one dimension; drive means operatively connecting the fixed and movable frames, the connection of the drive means to the movable frame being operatively associated with the movable frame extension, wherein the drive means includes a first mode of operation for selective tilting of the movable frame with respect to the fixed frame and a second mode of operation for selective extending and/or retracting of the movable frame extension with respect to the movable frame.

3. Tilt apparatus according to Claim 2 , wherein the movable frame is also arranged for sliding engagement with the fixed frame.

4. Tilt apparatus according to Claim 2 or Claim 3, including a tilt guide mounted to the fixed frame and a tilt guide follower mounted to the movable frame.

5. Tilt apparatus according to any one of Claim 1, 3 or 4, wherein the fixed frames include two substantially parallel fixed frame members held in spaced relationship by two or more transverse frame members, the mounting of the movable frame to the fixed frame is provided by way of a pair of pivot assemblies of mirror image configuration with respect to one another.

6. The pivot assemblies preferably include a fixed frame mounting portion for fixing to the fixed frame, and a movable frame mounting portion pivotably connected to the fixed frame mounting portion by way of a hinge pin arranged with its axis substantially transverse to the elongate dimension of the vehicle with which the tilting apparatus is operatively associated, each movable frame mounting portion including a sleeve within which one of the movable frame members is mounted for sliding movement with respect thereto.

7. Tilt apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the tilt guide includes a channel having a configuration selected to complement a roller mounted the movable frame, the roller preferably constituting at least in part the tilt guide follower.

8. Tilt apparatus for utility and light truck vehicles including: a fixed frame attachable to a utility or light truck tray or chassis in fixed relationship thereto; a movable frame mounted to the fixed frame for sliding movement with respect to the fixed frame between a stowed position and a tilting position; a tilting pivot assembly operatively associated with the movable frame, operable to permit tilting of the movable frame with respect to the fixed frame from a plane position to a tilted position, the tilting pivot assembly being slidingly movable with the movable frame with respect to the fixed frame; a tilting strut assembly mounted to the fixed frame for sliding movement with respect thereto and operatively connected to the tilting frame; the fixed frame being so formed that the movable frame is constrained against tilting between the stowed position and the tilting position, but permits tilting of the movable frame substantially at the tilting position; the tilting strut assembly being arranged with, respect to the fixed frame such that the tilting strut assembly may slide further than the movable assembly along the fixed frame and with respect to the movable frame such that upon sliding movement of the tilting strut assembly further than the tilting position on the fixed frame causes tilting of the movable frame with respect to the fixed frame from a flat position ; and a mechanical drive assembly operatively interconnecting the fixed frame and the tilting strut assembly for driving the movable frame to and from the stowed position to and from the tilting position and to and from the plane position to and from the tilted position.