Lifting and lowering system for a structural article such as a storage container Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a mobile system for the lifting and lowering of a structural article such as a storage container, portaloo™, portakabin™, garden hut shipping container etc, having some rigidity or relatively rigid components. Background of the Invention

In first known system a storage container, with closure doors, is delivered by vehicle to a loading/unloading site and is deposited on the ground for loading/unloading operations e.g. for domestic house moves, or for moves to or from commercial premises. The container can of course remain for a number of days/weeks for loading or unloading operations to be performed at a pace convenient to the user. For instance, after loading an initially empty container, the loaded container is raised onto a vehicle for transfer either to a storage depot, or to a new location, such as a house or office, ready for unloading operations to commence. This system however employs a rectangular frame, of general dimensions exceeding those of the container and having at each of its four corners a castor mounted vehicle wheel, which frame remains on site with its container, with power means connected between the frame and the container to perform a lifting/lowering sequence under the control of an operator, with the trailer then being removed from site. The substantial size - typically a 3Ot truck and a 16ft wide trailer - and/or complexity of this system with attendant cost implications and would frequently require a delivery/collection vehicle to be driven, in the UK, only by an HGV licence holder and/or restrict access to locations where a container can be accommodated.

In a second known system, a wheeled box trailer is left e.g. on a driveway, for loading e.g. by a householder, sometimes with the wheels removed and the container supported on axle type stands. Whilst such trailers may be of relatively small size compared with those of the first known system, the container floor is always above ground level requiring the less convenient ramped loading and unloading, and frequently requiring a step-climbing sack truck.

Object of the Invention

A basic object of the invention is the provision of an improved lifting and lowering system for the delivery and/or removal of an article such as a storage container.

Summary of the Invention

A lifting and lowering system for the delivery to, and/or removal of, a structural article, such as a storage container, to a ground level loading/unloading site, comprising:-

(i) a trailer or a flat-back motorized vehicle;

(ii) a structural article adapted to be transferable between the trailer or the flat- back vehicle and the ground and vice versa;

(iii) an hydraulic power pack; and

(iv) a set of at least four ground-engageable, and manually handleable, hydraulic rams adapted, to be transported to and from site with the trailer or flat-back motor vehicle and, when raising or lowering of the article is required as part of a transfer sequence, to be temporarily and manually fitted, at least two to each opposite sides of the article and connected to the power pack for sequenced raising/lowering of the article, with the rams removed from the article, after completion of the raising/lowering sequence.

Advantages of the Invention

The system in accordance with the invention enables the production of relatively small units that are not precluded, by size, from delivery to most UK domestic driveways, and hence provides a system that is equally usable by domestic as well as commercial customers.

In the case of articles in the form of storage containers, the system, in accordance with the invention, enables ground level mobile removal and/or storage facilities to be provided, if required with removal from site e.g. to a warehouse location, stacked away until required using cranes or fork trucks, and subsequently trailer loaded for onward shipment where again the container may be left on the ground, secure and available for unloading at leisure, the only requirement for articles to be handled being a need for some rigidity, or semi-rigidity at least in some components of the article, whereby the hydraulic rams may satisfactorily lift/lower the article. Preferred or Optional Features of the Invention

The trailer is a low-loading, articulated trailer, with a tractor <3t so that, in the UK, no HGV licence is required for a driver.

The trailer is a fifth wheel trailer.

The article, particularly when constituted by a storage container, is provided with a floor comprising a rectangular load-bearing base frame, comprising parallel side beams e.g. of box section, square C-section etc, connected together by transverse end beams and intermediate beams.

The base frame is metallic e.g. of steel, aluminium alloy etc.

The side beams of the base frame are provided with fork lift boots.

The base frame is provided with hydraulic distribution piping and connectors.

The base frame is provided with upright support columns or an inverted 'U'- shaped frame, whereby a plurality of articles, such as containers, may be stacked by a fork lift truck one above the other in a warehouse.

Each column is provided with at least one attachment point - typically a keyhole aperture - for a hydraulic ram.

The base frame is provided with two pairs of industry-standard twist lock parts.

The trailer or flat-back vehicle is provided with at least two pairs, and preferably four pairs of twist locks, each pair being spaced-apart along each opposite side of the base frame, whereby the trailer or flat-back vehicle is adapted to receive one 16ft container, two 8ft containers, or one 12ft container.

The hydraulic rams are double-acting.

Each hydraulic ram is fitted to an article at two locations - an upper and lower - typically by upper and lower claws of each hydraulic ram engaging keyhole apertures of the article, such that the article is engaged at eight locations by engaging claws.

Side beams of the base frame are provided with hydraulic ram attachment points - typically keyhole apertures.

The power pack comprises a hydraulic pump, reservoir, delivery and return lines, and manually operable control valves, such packs being readily available, proprietary items.

The pump is powered by battery, mains electricity or a hand pump.

The pump is powered from the engine of a delivery vehicle, or from a dedicated engine.

The power pack is mounted on a towing vehicle.

The power pack is portable, being mounted on a wheeled barrow.

The article, when constituted by a container, is box-like with access doors at one end.

The access doors are hinged doors, security doors, or roller shutter doors.

The article is provided with a security device(s).

The security device is an alarm system.

The security device is a tracker™.

The security device in an alarm situation sends a signal to a prescribed phone number of a land line, or mobile telephone. Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention will now be further described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings exemplifying a structural article in the form of a storage container, in which:-

Figures 1a, 1b, 1c and 1d show the basic components of a first embodiment of the storage container lifting and lowering system in accordance with the invention, involving a low loader trailer;

Figures 2a and 2b show greater details of the container and base frame of Figures 1a told;

Figures 3a to 3i correspond to Figures 1a to 1d but show a second embodiment in the form of the storage container lifting and lowering system in accordance with the invention involving a fifth wheel trailer;

Figures 4a, 4b and 4c show three views of one of the four hydraulic rams of the system;

Figures 5a, 5b and 5c show how a ram of Figures 4a to 4c is engageable with framework of a container;

Figure 6 is a side elevation of one keyhole plate assembly of Figures 5a to 5c and Figure 7 is a section on the line VII-VII of Figure 6;

Figures 8a and 8b are respectively a side elevation of a 16ft container and a plan view of its base;

Figures 9a and 9b correspond to Figures 5a and 5b but show two 8ft containers;

Figures 10a and 10b correspond to Figures 5a and 5b but show a 12ft container;

Figures 11 and 12 are respectively front elevation and underneath plan views through one of two square cone assemblies fitted underneath a container, whilst Figure 13 is a section on the line XIII-XIII of Figure 11 ; and

Figures 14 and 15 are a side elevation and a plan view of one of two location post assemblies fitted to a fifth wheel trailer. Detailed Description of the Drawings

Figures 1a to 1d show, diagrammatically, the basic sequence of operation for delivery of a container 1 to a required location such as a driveway and its deposit, but is equally applicable for the delivery of any structural article having sufficient rigidity, or rigid components, such that it may be lifted and lowered by hydraulic rams by which it is engaged during a lifting/lowering sequence. In detail, the container 1 is delivered to site on a low loader trailer 2 articulated to a tractor 3, the trailer 2 being provided with four industry-standard twist locks 4 adapted to engage four corresponding locking apertures 5 (Figure 2) in a fabricated, generally rectangular metal frame 6 forming a base of the container 1 and to which GRP sides 7, floor 8, roof 9, fixed end wall 10 and openable door (not shown), such as a hinged or roller shutter door, are fitted.

The trailer-to-ground transfer sequence for the container 1 is as follows: As indicated in Figure 1a, the tractor 3 container 2 and trailer 1 are manoeuvred into position at the site where deposit of the container 1 is required, and the four twist locks are released by the driver/operator.

Four hydraulic rams 11 , are then removed from storage lockers on the trailer 2, and are then manually attached (in a manner to be described in detail later) to the container 1 , hydraulic fluid is applied to the hydraulic rams 11 to extend the hydraulic rams 11 and lift the container 1 a short distance e.g. 6" (153mm) from the trailer 2, and then, as indicated in Figure 1c, the trailer is driven from beneath the container 1 which remains elevated on the four hydraulic rams 11. Clearly, the hydraulic rams need to be of such capacity to lift a fully loaded container, and, for the lifting and lowering of heavier containers etc, rather than increasing the size and hence weight of the hydraulic rams beyond a weight that may be readily manhandled, more than four rams e.g. six or eight rams, could be employed.

The hydraulic rams 11 are then retracted by the driver/operator until the container 1 seats on the ground and when this is attained, the four hydraulic rams 11 are detached by the operator from the container and returned to storage on the trailer 2, with the container 1 left in situ for whatever time is required for the container to be filled (or emptied), whereupon the tractor 3 and trailer 2 may return to remove a filled (or emptied) container 10 by a reverse of the above identified procedures.

In Figures 2a and 2b, one embodiment of the relatively rigid fabricated metal base frame 6 is detailed, the frame 6 comprising two spaced-apart, parallel side beams 12 interconnected by transverse end beams 13 and intermediate beams 14. Lower ends of four upright columns or stanchions 15 are attached to the side beams 12 at longitudinally spaced locations and across upper ends of the stanchions 15 are

secured ties 16, the GRP sides 7 etc then being attached to the stanchions 15, ties 16 and side beams 12, as indicated in Figure 2a.

As indicated in Figures 3a to 3i, a container 1 may, alternatively, be delivered/collected/transported on a fifth wheel, twin axle trailer 17 capable of being towed by a more preponderous, four wheel drive vehicle 18 such as a Nissan Navara pickup or Isuzu Rodeo pickup. A storage locker 19 is provided on each side of the trailer 17, at its front end, each locker storing two of the hydraulic rams 11.

The sequence of operations of the fifth wheel trailer 17 is exactly as previously described with respect to Figures 1a to 1d, viz Figure 3a - arrive on site, undo the twist locks to release the container 1 from the trailer 17; Figure 3b - unpack the four hydraulic rams 11 from the storage lockers 19 and locate them into fixing points at both sides of the container 1 ; Figure 3c - extend the hydraulic legs 11 (either by an on board hydraulic power pack or a portable power pack); Figure 3d - lower ends of the hydraulic rams 11 eventually lower to, and engage, the floor and continued introduction of hydraulic fluid and hence extension of the hydraulic rams 11 lifts the container 1 clear of the trailer 17; Figure 3e - drive the trailer 17 out from beneath the container 1 ; Figure 3f - retract the hydraulic rams 11 until eventually the container 1 is seated on the ground, the four hydraulic rams 11 then being removed and repacked in their storage lockers so that the vehicle/trailer combination 18, 17 may be reused for another delivery/collection; Figure 3g - to collect a container 1 , unpack the four hydraulic rams 11 and fit them at each side of the container 1 , manoeuvre the trailer 17 beneath the container 1 with the aid of the docking arrangement (Figures 10 to 14), the hydraulic rams 11 then being retracted to seat the container 1 on the trailer 17, the twist locks are activated; Figure 3h - manually disengaging the hydraulic rams

11 and replace them in their storage lockers 19; and Figure 3i - drive the vehicle 18 and loaded trailer 17 away.

As detailed in Figures 4a to 4c, each hydraulic ram 11 , e.g. of 950mm stroke, comprises, at its lower end, a ground engaging foot 20 attached to an end of piston rod 21 distal from the piston. The lower end is also provided with a projecting claw 22, whilst the upper end is provided with a pin, claw, or other projection 23 which is advanceable, retractable, and rotatable by means of a handle 24 and latchable in an operative position by a spring loaded bolt 25 engageable in an annular recess 26, the bolt having an operating handle 27.

As best seen in Figures 5a to 5c, each stanchion 15 is provided with a keyhole plate assembly 28 spaced from the frame/floor 6,8, for engagement by a pin 23 of a hydraulic ram 11 , while each side beam 12 is provided with an aperture 29 whereby the claw 22 of each hydraulic ram 11 may be attached to the side beams 12. The side beams 12 are also provided with two forklift boots 30, whereby containers may, if required, be stacked in a warehouse.

As detailed in Figures 6 and 7, each keyhole plate assembly 28 comprises a base plate 31 provided with four bolt holes by which the plate is bolted to a stanchion 15, the base plate carrying a tube 32 with a slot 33 in blanking plate 34.

Figures 8a and 8b detail another embodiment of frame 6, like components being accorded like reference numerals.

Figures 1a to 3h illustrate a 16ft (4875mm) container 1 , but the system is equally applicable for the handling of two 8ft containers 1A (Figures 9a and 9b) on a trailer or flat back or a 12ft (3660mm) container 1 B (Figures 10a and 10b).

To assist correct positional docking of the trailer 17 of Figures 3a to 3i beneath container 1 elevated on hydraulic rams 11 (by the trailer 17 being manoeuvred

beneath the container 1), the container(s) 1 is/are fitted with two, spaced-apart, centre line square cone assemblies 35 detailed in Figures 10 to 12, whilst the trailer 17 is fitted with fore and aft location post assemblies 36 detailed in Figures 14 and 15 for mating engagement with square cone assemblies 35 of each container 1 - as illustrated in Figure 12 - such engagement ensuring that the twist lock assemblies are aligned and hence readily operable so that the container 1 may then be safely driven on the roads.

As shown in Figures 11 to 13, each cone assembly 35 comprises a mounting plate 37 with holes 38 by which the mounting plate is secured to a frame 6, 6A, 6B, a quadrihedral plate 39 extending upwardly from the mounting plate.

As shown if Figures 14 and 15, each location post assembly 36 comprises a base plate 40 with four slotted holes 41 through which the base plate 40 is bolted to a trailer 17 etc. A tube 42 extends upwardly from the base plate 40 and is provided at its upper end with a frusto conical spike 43, Figure 13 indicating mutual engagement of the location post assembly 36 and, in particular, its spike 43, with the recess provided by the underside of the plate 39.

Any, suitable industry-standard hydraulic power pack may be employed, whether vehicle or trailer mounted, or fully mobile by being mounted on a sack barrow.

Unlike a wheeled container, the container 1 when ground located for loading or unloading cannot readily be stolen. However, for enhanced security the container etc may be provided with any suitable proprietary security device, including a tracker™, and including a device with a facility for automatically calling a telephone.