ONTO VEHICLES

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the transportation of containers and particularly to a mechanism for loading and unloading of containers onto vehicles. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

At present a number of constructions of container lifter are available and most of these are designed to lift shipping type containers onto the tray of a truck or trailer unit from only one side of the vehicle. This has disadvantages in certain situations where extra effort is required to shift the vehicle into a position where loading and unloading is required. Another problem with container handling is that most current lifter are designed to carry fully loaded containers and as such as built structurally to withstand weights of up to 20 to 40 tonnes. These constructions of lifter are therefore very expensive to run and construct. The use of which expensive equipment is rather unnecessary when containers are carried empty. Empty containers are carried very regularly from site to site or after use to a cleaning or repair facility.

An object of the invention is to ameliorate the above disadvantages at the same time as provide a simple relatively inexpensive mechanism for loading and unloading a vehicle

from either side which can also enable the stacking of containers.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a broadest aspect of the invention there is provided a mechanism for loading or unloading a container onto a tray attached to or attachable to a truck or trailer vehicle, the mechanism including a swing through assembly at each end of the tray, each assembly incorporating a centrally mounted telescoping boom, a lower part of which incorporates an extension to which opposed hydraulic rams are linked, the hydraulic rams are adapted to control the swinging movement of the boom when one retracts and the other extends, each assembly can also incorporate on each side of the tray a stabilising leg, the arrangement being such that in a travelling position the stabilising legs are parked generally upright on or relative to the tray and the boom is retracted to be either upright on the tray or angled slightly from vertical to minimise the vertical height of the vehicle, and in an operative position the stabilising legs can be down in contact with the ground and the booms are extended to enable cables, chains or strops to be used to raise a container and swing it on or off the tray of the vehicle.

In a further aspect of the invention provides a means of stacking containers on a deck of a truck or trailer vehicle.

The telescoping boom can incorporate rollers to assist telescoping of the members forming the boom.

The tray can be removable from the tray or chassis of the truck or trailer unit.

The tray can include a hydraulic power supply pack for operating the hydraulic rams.

The stabilising legs can be hydraulically or manually operated.

The mechanism is designed to stack, load and unload 4 and 8 tonne containers.

Further aspects of the invention which should be considered in all its novel aspects will become apparent from the following description.

Examples of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is an end view of a vehicle incorporating the invention which is shown in a position ready to pick up a container.

Figure 2 is an end view of the swing through container handling system shown in Figure 1 in position with the container the deck of the tray.

Figure 3 is an end view of the swing through container handling system shown in Figures 1 and 2 with the stabilising legs retracted and with a boom thereof shown in its retracted position.

Figure 4 is an end view of the swing through container handling system shown in Figures 1 to 3 with the boom shown in its parked position.

Figure 5 is a plan view of the swing through container handling system shown in Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a side elevational view of the swing through container handling system shown in Figures 1 and 5.

Figure 7 is an end elevation of the swing through container handling system shown in Figures 5 and 6.

Figure 8 is a detail on an enlarged scale of part of a swing-through assembly of the type positioned at each end of the trailer shown in Figures 1 to 7.

Figure 9 is an end view of a preferred example of swing-through container handling system shown in its parked position.

Figure 10 is an end view of the example shown in Figure 9 with its stabiliser legs and boom extended.

Figure 1 1 is a plan view of a main frame assembly for the preferred example shown in Figures 9 and 10.

Figure 12 is a side elevation of the main frame assembly shown in Figure 1 1.

Figure 13 is an end view on an enlarged scale of part of the swing-through assembly incorporated in the preferred example shown in Figures 9 and 10.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The examples of the invention will be described with reference to a mechanism for loading containers which is mounted on the tray of a vehicle (not shown). It is however to be appreciated that the mechanism can be integrally formed with the tray of a new or reconditioned vehicle or trailer if required.

The first example shown in Figures 1 to 8 is mounted on the tray 1 of a vehicle and the mechanism is generally indicated by arrow 2 and consists of elongate chassis members 3 linked by suitable members including forklift entry ports 4. The chassis members 3 incorporate appropriate locking mechanisms 5 for locating the chassis to the tray 1 of the vehicle (not shown). The chassis members 3 also incorporate container locks 6 used to locate a shipping container 7 on the chassis when the mechanism is used on a vehicle. The chassis members 3 have mounted at each end a swing through assembly 8. The swing through assembly 8 is shown in detail in Figure 8. Each swing through assembly 8 consists of a transverse base 9 an upper point 10 of which includes a pivot point 1 1 for a centrally mounted telescoping boom 1 2. The boom 12 is telescoped by one or more hydraulic rams (not shown) mounted in the boom 12.

Hydraulic power for the hydraulic rams in the boom 1 2 is supplied either from a power pack (not shown) positioned on extension 1 3 of the chassis 3 or if the vehicle on which the device is used has its own power supply the hydraulics for the hydraulic rams are driven by this power source.

The lower part 14 of the boom 1 2 includes an extension to which opposed hydraulic rams 1 5, 1 6 are linked. Retraction and extension of the hydraulic rams 1 5, 1 6 swings the boom 1 2 through its angular travel, details of which are shown in Figures 1 and 2. Again the hydraulic rams 1 5, 1 6 are

linked to either the power pack or another hydraulic power supply.

At each corner 17 of the base 9 is positioned a swinging leg 18. The swinging leg 18 adopts either the parked position shown in Figures 3, 4, 7 or 8 or the down position shown in Figures 1 and 2. The height overall of the legs 18 can be adjusted to enable the vehicle in its parked position to be stabilised. The legs 18 can be locked in their raised position by chains, cables or the like 34 (Figure 7). In an alternative construction (not shown) the legs can be raised, lowered and/ or extended hydraulically.

In use when fitted to a trailer vehicle the trailer is driven to a position alongside a container 7 to be loaded onto or unloaded from the chassis 3. The container 7 is connected by cables, chains or strops 19 as shown with the boom 12 partly extended and in its down position (Figure 1 ). The boom 12 is then extended to raise the bottom corner 20 of the container 7 free of the deck of the vehicle. The hydraulic rams 15, 16 (Figure 8) are then operated to swing the boom 12 above the deck of the chassis 3. The boom 12 is then retracted to position the container 7 on the chassis 3. Container locks 6 on the chassis 3 are then used to retain the container 7 on the vehicle. In this position the legs 18 are retracted and the boom 12 parked at a safe height by having it offset slightly as shown in Figure 4.

Unloading of the container is the reverse of the operation described.

A preferred example of swing through container handling system is shown in Figures 9 to 13. In the example shown in Figures 9 to 13 similar parts to those described in the first example are referenced by the same numerals.

In this example the mechanism is mounted on a tray 1 of a vehicle via a mainframe assembly 21 . The main frame assembly 21 is shown in detail in Figures 1 1 and 12. The assembly 12 consists of beams 22 which may be 200 x 200 x 6 RHS beams. The beams 22 are linked at either end by members 23 which are built to withstand the weight and forces generated by a boom 12 mounted thereon. A forward end 24 of the main frame assembly 22 is a platform on which a power pack (not shown) for the unit is mounted.

In Figures 9, 10 and 13 are shown an extendible boom 12. The boom 12 incorporates a hydraulic ram or rams which extend member 27 from within member 26. The boom 12 is mounted on pivot bearing 1 1 as shown in Figure 13. The bearing is mounted on plate 30 which itself is bolted or welded to upstand position 31 of base 9. The boom 12 includes an extension 28 which has connections for the ends of hydraulic rams 1 5, 16 which reciprocate the boom as shown in Figures 9 and 10. The rams 16, 18 are mounted at pivot points 32, 33 on the upstand portions 31 .

The main frame assembly 21 has at either end legs 29 that are retracted by hydraulic rams or the like.

The boom 12 is constructed with an inner member 27 which telescopes within member 26. The end of member 26 has plates 35 on either side and between which are mounted rollers 36 which aid retraction and extension.

The legs 29 can be mounted on extendible arms 30 which telescope within the members 23.

In use this version of the invention operates in the same manner as the first example. This example can be manufactured in two sizes. The first is constructed by load/ unload 4 tonne containers. This example would be powered by a 13 h/p diesel motor which is adapted to provide sufficient hydraulic power. An improved capacity unit may be provided which can lift 8 tonne containers.

The main frame assembly 21 has standard twist lock connectors 6 for locating a container in position. The invention can be used to unload trailers or trucks by lifting containers 7 off a truck and right across the assembly 21 . Alternatively it can be used to stack containers on top of one another.

Thus by this invention there is provided a mechanism for loading or unloading containers from either side of a vehicle.

A particular example has been described and where in the aforegoing description mechanical alternatives are available these are considered to be incorporated, although not specifically mentioned.