The present invention relates in general to the handling systems for loading containers onto means of transport on wheels.

It is known that for the lifting and loading/unloading of containers on/from trucks and similar vehicles, different types of systems are used such as forklifts and cranes. Such external handling systems have the obvious drawback of requiring that the means of transport must be brought to the site where they are present.

Also known are systems for handling containers installed on board the means of transport, such as the so-called side loaders. These systems are relatively complex and involve a significant increase in the total mass of the vehicle.

An object of the present invention is to provide an alternative solution which is relatively less complex and lighter than the known systems installed on board the transport means, such as side loaders.

This and other objects are achieved according to the invention with a container handling device that can be installed on a means of transport on wheels, said device being configured for

- attaching a front end of a container placed in front of a rear end of a loading surface of the means of transport,

- hoisting the front end of the container,

- moving towards a front end of the loading surface while the means of transport is wedged under the container in an inclined position until the container comes into contact with the rear end of the loading surface of the means of transport, and

- straightening and dragging the container horizontally from the rear end to the front end of the transport vehicle loading surface.

With respect to side loaders, the device according to the invention does not have to completely lift the container, but only one of its ends to allow it to be loaded on the rear end of the loading surface of the means of transport. When this end has been loaded, it is sufficient to tow the container to complete its loading on the means of transport. As will be appreciated, this loading method is less expensive than that of the side loaders, and can therefore be made with relatively less complex and lighter equipment.

Advantageously, the device according to the invention can be used for moving ISO containers, in particular ISO containers having a length of 20 feet (6059 mm) or more.

In particular, the device according to the invention may comprise a carnage configured to be movable along the loading surface of the means of transport between the front end and the rear end of the loading surface, and an articulated arm mounted on the carriage, said articulated arm having a free end configured to hook the front end of the container.

According to a particular embodiment, the movement device is configured to hook a pair of fittings provided frontally on respective lower comers of the front end of the container. In this case, the free end of the articulated arm may be provided with a pair of movable coupling members configured to be coupled to the pair of fittings provided frontally on the lower corners of the front end of the container. Each of said movable members may comprise a pivotable pin for being rotated around a central axis thereof, in which each of said fittings comprises a seat formed on the front end of the container, and in which said pin is rotatable between an inactive position, in the which the pin is freely insertable and removable in/from the seat, and a gripping position, in which the pin is stuck in the seat. In the gripping position, the pin engages an undercut of the seat.

According to an alternative embodiment, the handling device is configured to laterally clamp the front end of the container at two lower corners of said front end. In this case, the free end of the articulated arm can be provided with a pair of jaws movable in the transverse direction to clamp the front end of the container therebetween.

According to another embodiment, the free end of the articulated arm is provided with a hook configured to hook a ring arranged frontally at the front end of the container. The articulated arm of the handling device may comprise a first arm element and a second arm element hinged to one another, said first arm element being also hinged to the carriage, and said second arm element being also hinged to a coupling head.

The handling device may further comprise a roller sliding surface configured to be hinged at the rear end of the loading surface of the means of transport, said roller sliding surface being controllable to assume a predetermined inclination with respect to the loading surface, designed to receive the container when the rear end of the loading surface of the means of transport comes into contact with the container.

The handling device may further comprise a removable support member configured to be installed at the rear end of the vehicle loading surface, said support member being controllable to assume an active position, in which the supporting member props the rear end of the loading surface against the ground when the container is straightened on the rear end of the loading surface of the means of transport.

The handling device may further comprise a telescopic arm configured to be installed on the vehicle loading surface, said telescopic arm being controllable to be coupled to a bottom of the container and to be extended so as to cause the container to overturn around an axis at the rear end of the loading surface.

The object of the invention is also a means of transport, such as for example a truck, semitrailer or trailer, comprising a device of the type described above.

Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description that follows, provided purely by way of non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

figures 1 to 4 are respectively a side elevation view of an articulated vehicle provided with a handling device, an enlarged scale view of detail A in figure 1, a further enlarged view of the detail B in figure 2, and a front view corresponding to the detail in figure 3, which illustrate a handling device according to the invention in a container contact step; figures 5 to 8 are respectively a side elevation view of the articulated lorry, an enlarged scale view of detail A in figure 5, a further enlarged view of detail B in figure 6, and a front view corresponding to the detail in figure 7, which illustrate the handling device in a container pick-up step;

figures 9 and 10 are respectively a side elevation view of the articulated vehicle and an enlarged view of detail A in figure 9, which illustrate the handling device in a container lifting step;

figures 1 1 to 13 are respectively a side elevation view of the articulated vehicle, an enlarged view of detail A in figure 11 , and an enlarged view of detail B in figure 11 , which illustrate the handling device in a roller contact step;

figures 14 to 16 are respectively a side elevation view of the articulated lorry, an enlarged view of detail A in figure 14, and an enlarged view of detail B in figure 14, which illustrate the handling device in a first loading step on a trailer;

figures 17 to 19 are respectively a side elevation view of the articulated lorry, an enlarged view of detail A in figure 17, and an enlarged view of detail B in figure 17, which illustrate the handling device in a second loading step on a trailer;

figures 20 to 22 are respectively a side elevation view of the articulated vehicle, an enlarged view of detail A in figure 20, and an enlarged view of detail B in figure 11 , which illustrate the handling device in a travel condition;

figures 23 to 26 are respectively a side elevation view, a cross-sectional view taken at the front end of the container, an enlarged view of detail E in figure 23, and a front view of a coupling head , which illustrate a second embodiment of the handling device in a container contact step;

figures 27 to 30 are respectively a side elevation view, a cross-sectional view taken at the front end of the container, an enlarged view of detail F in figure 27, and a front view of a coupling head, which illustrate a second embodiment of the handling device in a container pick-up step;

figure 31 is a side elevation view of an articulated lorry also provided with a container overturning system, with the overturning system in an inactive position;

figures 32 to 35 are respectively a side elevation view of the articulated lorry, a section view taken along the line G-G in figure 31 , an enlarged scale view of the detail indicated by H in figure 33, and a section view taken along the line II in figure 33, which illustrate the overturning system in a first handling step; figures 36 to 38 are respectively a side elevation view of the articulated lorry, a sectional view taken along the line J-J in figure 36, and an enlarged view of the detail indicated by K in figure 37, which illustrate the overturning system in a second handling step;

figures 39 to 41 are respectively a side elevation view of the articulated lorry, a sectional view taken along the line L-L in figure 39, and an enlarged view of the detail indicated by M in figure 40, which illustrate the overturning system in a third handling step; figure 42 is an elevation view of the articulated lorry illustrating the overturning system in a fourth handling step;

figures 43 and 44 are side elevation views of an articulated lorry provided with a third embodiment of the handling device, which illustrate the two-stage handling device for loading the container onto the trailer; and

figure 45 is an enlarged view of the detail indicated by N in figure 44.

With reference to figure 1, a means of transport on wheels is shown, which in the illustrated example consists of an articulated lorry comprising a tractor 1 and a semi-trailer 2 for transporting containers. Reference numeral 3 indicates a loading surface for the semi-trailer 2, while 3a and 3b respectively designate a front end and a rear end of the loading surface 3. Reference numeral 4 indicates a container, while reference numeral 4a and 4b respectively indicate one end or front face and one end or rear face of the container 4.

The container 4 is in particular an ISO container, and has a rigid parallelepiped-shaped structure. As is known, the ISO 1 161 and ISO 1496 standards define the constructive specifications for the container, a device for intermodal transport of goods without load failure. To ensure the possibility of transhipment from a container road vehicle to a railway wagon, or to a ship, allowing stacking, the container must comply with specific dimensional and interface requirements.

On corners of the parallelepiped structure of the container, and in particular on each of the lower corners of the front end 4a of the container 4 (only one of which is visible in figure 1), there is provided a fitting 4c for fixing the container on the means of transport (shown more clearly in figure 3). This fitting 4c is designed as a seat or cavity formed in the structure of the container 4 and has an opening facing frontally outwards and provided with an undercut 4d.

A container handling device, installed on the semi-trailer 2, is indicated as a whole with 10. The device 10 can be controlled with a remote control or a control panel on the semi-trailer 2, and its various components described below can be pneumatically, hydraulically and/or electrically controlled.

As will be explained below, the handling device 10 is configured for

- attaching the pair of fittings 4c provided on the lower comers of the front end 4a of the container 4 facing the rear end 3b of the loading surface 3 of the semi-trailer 2,

- hoisting the front end 4a of the container 4 onto the loading surface 3 of the semi-trailer 2, and

- dragging the container 4 from the rear end 3b to the front end 3a of the loading surface 3 of the semi -trailer 2.

The handling device 10 comprises a carriage 11 configured to be movable along the loading surface 3 of the semi-trailer 2 between the front end 3a and the rear end 3b of the loading surface 3. For this purpose, the carriage 11 can be associated with guides (not shown) mounted on the loading surface 3 and has its own movement apparatus, consisting for example of a linear chain actuator 11 a.

The handling system 10 also comprises an articulated arm 12 mounted on the carriage 1 1. The articulated arm 12 has a free end 12a, to which a coupling head 13 is hinged. In particular, the articulated ami 12 comprises a first arm element 12b and a second arm element 12c hinged to one another. The first arm element 12b is also hinged to the carriage 11 , and the second arm element 12c is also hinged to the coupling head 13. The articulated arm 12 has its own handling apparatus, consisting for example of cylinders associated with the first and second arm element 12b and 12c and with the coupling head 13.

The coupling head 13 has a support part 13a suitable for resting against the front face 4a of the container 4. The coupling head 13 also carries a pair of movable coupling members 14 (only one of which is visible in figure 3) configured to be coupled to the pair of fittings 4c provided on the lower corners of the front end 4a of the container 4, by actuation of a control apparatus not shown.

In particular, each of the movable hooking members 14 comprises a pivot 14a which can be controlled to be rotated about its own central axis with respect to the coupling head 13. This pin 14a is rotatable between an inactive position (shown in figures 3 and 4), in which the pin 14a is freely insertable and removable in/from the seat 4c, and a gripping position (shown in figures 7 and 8), in which the pin 14a is inserted in the seat 4c. In particular, in the gripping position the pin 14a engages the undercut 4d of the seat 4c. In the illustrated example, to switch from the inactive position to the gripping position, the pin 14a rotates by 90°.

The handling device 10 further comprises a roller sliding surface 15 configured to be hinged at the rear end 3b of the loading surface 3 of the semi-trailer 2. The roller sliding surface 15 can be controlled (by means of a dedicated handling apparatus) to assume a predetermined inclination with respect to the loading surface 3, suitable for receiving the container 4 when the container 4 is hoisted on the rear end 3b of the load 3 of the semi-trailer 2.

The handling device 10 further comprises a removable support member 16 configured to be installed at the rear end 3b of the loading surface 3 of the semi-trailer 2. The support member 16 can be controlled (by means of a dedicated movement apparatus) to assume an active position (shown in figures 1 to 19) in which the support member 16 supports the rear end 3b of the loading surface 3 against the ground when the container 4 is to be hoisted on the rear end 3b of the loading surface 3. When the vehicle is in travel condition (figures 20-22), the support member 16 is withdrawn/folded back so as not to prevent the travel of the vehicle 2.

The components described above (carriage with arm, roller sliding surface and support member) can be installed as separate entities on the vehicle, or all can be carried by a single supporting structure that is installed on the vehicle.

The operation of the device described above will now be described. Initially (figures 1-4), the trailer 2 is approached to the container 4 so that the rear end 3b of the loading surface 3 is placed in front of the front end 4a of the container 4 on the ground, with the carriage 1 1 at the rear end 3b of the loading surface 3 and the coupling head 13 lowered to ground level and in contact with the front end 4a of the container 4. In this way, the movable coupling members are inserted, in an inactive position (figures 3 and 4), in the respective seats 4c. Furthermore, the roller sliding surface 15 is brought into an inclined position with respect to the loading surface 3, and the support member 16 is brought into its active position to prop the rear end 3b of the loading surface 3. The support member 16 is provided with wheels.

The movable coupling members 14 are then actuated so as to cause them to rotate into a gripping position in the respective seats 4c, thus constraining the container 4 to the coupling head 13 (figures 5-8).

The articulated arm 12 is then operated to lift the container 4 from its front end 4a, while the rear end 4b of the container 4 rests on the ground (figures 9 and 10).

The means 2 then moves towards the container 4, and at the same time the carriage 1 1 moves towards the front end 3 a of the loading surface 3. The loading surface 3 is wedged under the container 4 so inclined, bringing the raised front end 4a of the container 4 beyond the rear end 3b of the loading surface 3. The movement continues up to bringing the bottom of the container, approximately to half the length of the container 4, resting on the roller sliding surface 15 (figures 1 1-13). In particular, the center of gravity of container 4 must lie beyond the rear end 3 b of the loading surface 3.

The articulated arm 12 then folds so as to allow the container 4 to rotate by gravity around its own resting point at the rear end 3b of the loading surface 3, allowing the front end 4a of the container 4 to lower and go resting against the loading surface (figures 14-16). At the same time, the roller sliding surface 15 rotates around its hinging point to accompany the rotation of the container 4.

Resuming the movement of the carnage 11 the container 4 now in horizontal position is dragged and brought forward until it reaches the front end 3a of the loading surface 3 of the means 2 (figures 17-19).

The loading of the container 4 onto the loading surface 3 of the means 2 is thus completed. The support member 16 can then be raised from the ground, to allow the vehicle to move (figures 20-22).

Figures 23 to 30 show a second embodiment of the handling device, which differs from the previous one essentially by the container coupling mechanism. The same numerical references have been assigned to elements corresponding to those of the previous embodiment; these elements will not be further described.

In the handling device in figures 23-30 the coupling head 13 comprises a pair of jaws 14’ movable in the transverse direction to clamp the front end 4a of the container 4 therebetween, as can be seen from a comparison between figures 24 and 26 and figures 28 and 30. For this purpose, a movement apparatus is associated with the jaws 14', consisting for example of linear actuators 14a'. In particular, the jaws 14’ grip at two lower comers of the front end 4a of the container 4. Moreover, on each of the jaws 14’ a respective pin 14b' is arranged to be inserted in a respective seat (not shown) obtained in a respective side wall of the container at the lower comers of the front end 4a of the container 4.

Furthermore, at the support part 13a of the coupling head 13 there is a frontal clamping member 14c’ which can be controlled to frontally engage the front end 4a of the container, as can be seen from a comparison between figures 25 and 29. The front clamping member 14c’ cooperates with the jaws 14' to also block the front end 4a of the container 4 frontally.

For the rest, the container handling process is similar to that of the previous embodiment. Figures 31 to 42 show a container overturning system 17 which can be associated with the handling device according to the invention. In the figures, this overturning system 17 is shown in combination with the second embodiment of the handling device. As will be appreciated hereinafter, the overturning system is completely independent of the container coupling mechanism, and therefore can be combined with a handling device with different hooking, for example that of the first embodiment shown in figures 1-22.

In figure 31, the container overturning system 17 is shown in an inactive position. The overturning system 17 essentially consists of a group that can be rotated about a horizontal axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the loading surface 3, and is arranged in an intermediate position between the front end 3a and the rear end 3b of the loading surface 3. For the rotation of the container overturning system from the inactive position in figure 31 to the active position in figure 32, a handling apparatus indicated with 17a in figure 35 is provided.

The overturning system 17 comprises a telescopic arm 17b or, more precisely, a pair of telescopic arms associated with respective sides of the container 4. Associated with the telescopic arm 17b is a handling apparatus for extending and retracting the telescopic arm 17b. The overturning system 17 also comprises a gripper 17c carried by the free end of each telescopic arm 17b. Each gripper 17c is adapted to grip a corresponding bottom longitudinal member 4e of the container 4. To this end, an actuator 17d is associated with the clamp 17c, shown in figure 40.

When the overturning system 17 is in the active position shown in figure 32, each gripper 17c is placed in front of the respective bottom longitudinal member 4e of the container 4 (see figures 33 and 34). An actuation of the telescopic arm 17b causes the gripper 17c to advance towards the longitudinal member 4e, until a stop surface 17e of the gripper 17c contacts the longitudinal member 4e (figures 36-38). An actuation of the actuator 17d then closes the gripper 17c on the longitudinal member 4e (figures 39-41). At the same time, the jaws 14’ of the coupling head 13 are operated to release the front end 4a of the container 4.

A further extension of the telescopic arm 17b therefore causes the container 4 to overturn around a transverse axis at the rear end 3b of the loading surface 3. More precisely, the rotation of the container 4 takes place around the pivoting axis of the roller sliding plane 15, to which the container 4 has been preliminarily constrained. As can be seen in figure 42, the rotation of the container 4 is accompanied by the rotation of the telescopic arm 17b with respect to the loading surface 3. Figures 43 and 44 show a third embodiment of the handling device, which differs from the preceding ones essentially in the container hooking mechanism. The same reference numerals have been assigned to elements corresponding to those of the previous embodiments; these elements will not be further described.

In the handling device in figures 43-44, the free end 12a of the articulated arm 12 is provided with a hook 14" configured to hook a corresponding ring or eyelet 4f arranged frontally and centrally at the front end 4a of the container 4. As can be seen in figure 45, during transport the hook 14" is turned upside down. The hook 14" is therefore equipped with a safety tongue 14a" with pneumatic control which prevents the eyelet 4f from coming out of the hook 14".

For the rest, the container handling process is similar to that of the previous embodiments.