FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a sideloader comprising a chassis and at least two spaced-apart lifting devices for moving a load present in a first position between the lifting devices on the chassis to a second position beside a first side of the chassis and to a third position beside a second side of the chassis spaced from the first side, wherein at least one lifting device is provided with a tilt arm which can be locked to the chassis with a first end near the first side and with a second end near the second side, which lifting device is provided with a linear moving device which is pivotally connected to the chassis about a pivot shaft and which is rotatably connected to the tilt arm about a rotary shaft, wherein the tilt arm can be tilted about a first tilt shaft near the first end of the tilt arm by means of the linear moving device in the unlocked position of the second end of the tilt arm, whilst the tilt arm can be tilted about a second tilt shaft near the second end of the tilt arm by means of the linear moving device in the unlocked position of the first end of the tilt arm, wherein the pivot shaft is spaced from the first and the second tilt shaft by substantially the same distance on a side of a virtual connecting surface between the tilt shafts that faces away from the chassis.

The invention further relates to a lifting device suitable for such a sideloader. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Such a sideloader is known, for example from French patent FR2903049. Such sideloaders are for example used for placing loads such as skips or containers onto a chassis. The chassis is preferably mobile and can be coupled to a truck or form part of a truck. At the desired location, the load is subsequently moved from the chassis to a position beside the chassis. Using the sideloader according to French patent FR2903049, it is possible to place the load on either side of the chassis. The linear moving device is made up of a hydraulic cylinder.

Tilting of the tilt arm about the first tilt shaft, wherein the tilt arm is locked to the chassis near the first side with the first end and the second end near the second side is unlocked, takes place by means of a hydraulic cylinder. The hydraulic cylinder is pivotally connected to the chassis about a pivot shaft with a first end and rotatably connected to the tilt arm about a rotary shaft with a second end The pivot shaft and the rotary shaft of the hydraulic cylinder are located on a side of a virtual connecting surface between the tilt shafts that faces away from the chassis.

The height of the truck with the chassis and the container and lifting devices placed on the chassis is laid down in legislation and regulations; at present it is not allowed to exceed 4 m in various countries.

Usually, a chassis, for example for so-called high-cube containers, has a height of 1 m, for example, so that a height of 3 m is available for the lifting devices. In the first position, the hydraulic cylinder extends vertically. Since the pivot shaft and the rotary shaft of the hydraulic cylinder are located on a side of a virtual connecting surface between the tilt shafts that faces away from the chassis, the length of the hydraulic cylinder as determined by the distance between the pivot shaft and the rotary shaft is limited.

Upon tilting of the tilt arm through about 90 degrees, the angle between a first connecting line between the pivot shaft and the rotary shaft and a second connecting line between the pivot shaft and the first or the second tilt shaft is relatively small, so that the mechanical forces to be exerted by the hydraulic cylinder are relatively large and consequently a relatively heavy hydraulic cylinder must be provided. Moreover, relatively large accelerations occur with such relatively small angles. In a horizontal position of the tilt arm, operating the lifting device in a controlled manner is practically impossible on account of said relatively small angles.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is, inter alia, to provide a sideloader by means of which the tilt arm can be tilted over a relatively large range on either side of the chassis.

This object is achieved with the sideloader according to the invention in that the pivot shaft is located between a first and a second end of the linear moving device.

Having the pivot shaft engage between the first and the second end of the linear moving device instead of at the first end of the linear moving device makes it possible, using the same distance between the pivot shaft and the rotary shaft, to use a linear moving device by means of which a greater total length can be realised in the extended position of the linear moving device. The linear moving device may for example comprise a hydraulic cylinder, a pneumatic cylinder or a linear motor.

A hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder usually comprises a cylindrical housing and a piston rod which is movable within the cylindrical housing under the pressure of a fluid, such as oil or air. A first end of the piston rod is rotatably connected to the tilt arm about a rotary shaft. A second end of the piston rod remote from the first end is located within the cylindrical housing. With the sideloader according to the invention, said second end is movable to a side of the pivot shaft remote from the rotary shaft.

A linear motor comprises an element which is movable relative to a housing, for example a rod. A first end of the road is rotatably connected to the tilt arm about a rotary shaft. With the sideloader according to the invention, a second end of the rod remote from the first end is movable to a side of the pivot shaft remote from the rotary shaft. Such a position of the pivot shaft relative to the linear moving device also makes it possible to increase the distance between the pivot shaft and the virtual connecting surface between the tilt shafts without this taking place at the expense of the total maximum length of the linear moving device, so that the tilt arm can be tilted through a relatively large angle. The angle between a first connecting line between the pivot shaft and the rotary shaft and a second connecting line between the pivot shaft and the first or the second tilt shaft will remain relatively large in that case, so that the forces to be exerted by the linear moving device will remain relatively limited and the mass of the linear moving device and the lifting device can also be kept within bounds.

This is important because the mass to be placed onto the chassis is often limited for technical and/or legal reasons, and because a lower mass of the lifting device makes a higher mass of the load possible. A higher mass of the load to be moved increases the usability of the sideloader.

Preferably, the linear moving device extends vertically in the first position, centrally between the tilt shafts, so that asymmetrical structure of the lifting device is obtained.

One embodiment of the sideloader according to the invention is characterised in that, at least in the first position, the first end of the linear moving device is located on a side of the virtual connecting surface between the tilt shafts that faces the chassis.

As a result, an extension of the linear moving device is obtained which at least equals the distance between the pivot shaft and the virtual connecting surface.

Another embodiment of the sideloader according to the invention is characterised in that in the second and/or third position of the lifting device, an angle between a first connecting line between the rotary shaft and the pivot shaft and a second connecting line between the rotary shaft and the first or the second tilt shaft is at least 15 degrees, preferably at least 18 degrees.

At such minimal angles, the pressures to be exerted by the pressure cylinder are limited. The tilt arm can be tilted through at least 90 degrees.

Another embodiment of the sideloader according to the invention is characterised in that the spacing between the first and the second tilt shaft is at least 1.5 m, preferably at least 2 m.

With such a spacing, the linear moving device, and consequently the tilt arm, can be tilted through a relatively large angle, whilst the forces to be exerted by the linear moving device will remain limited.

Because of the relatively large spacing, the distance over which the load can be moved by means of the tilt arm in a substantially horizontal position of the tilt arm is further increased.

Another embodiment of the sideloader according to the invention is characterised in that the tilt arm is provided with a V-shaped recess near the first and the second side, which V-shaped recess can be positioned over a triangular housing that is rotatably connected to the chassis about the first or the second tilt shaft, wherein the tilt arm is provided with at least one locking mechanism for locking the triangular housing in the V-shaped recess.

Such a V-shaped recess can be easily positioned over a triangular housing, during which positioning the V-shaped housing will rotate about the tilt shaft. Because the triangular housing is rotatably connected to the chassis about the first or the second tilt shaft, a solid connection and a clean bearing of the tilt shaft with very little play can be realised.

Because the V-shaped recess is further open to the bottom side, the risk of dirt finding its way into the V-shaped recess and remaining there is low. The chassis of French patent FR2903049 is provided with a U-shaped recess, in which a tilt shaft connected to the tilt arm is journaled. The risk of dirt collecting in the bottom of the V-shaped recess and preventing the tilt shaft from being positioned in the U-shaped recess is considerable in that case.

Another embodiment of the sideloader according to the invention is characterised in that on a side of the rotary shaft that faces away from the tilt shafts, the tilt arm is provided with means that can be detachably connected to the load.

Using such means, the load can be detachably connected to the lifting device in a simple manner. Such means may for example comprise chains, cables, pin closures or twist locks,

Another embodiment of the sideloader according to the invention is characterised in that the means that can be detachably connected to the load comprise a connecting arm which is pivotable about a pivot shaft, which connecting arm can be connected to the load comprising a container with ends remote from the pivot shaft, wherein the ends of the connecting arm are provided with a pin that can be connected to the container and with a locking pin extending transversely to said pin, which locking pin can be connected to the container.

Most so-called ISO container versions are usually provided with a standardised opening near corner points on each side, which opening is adapted for connection with the locking pin or insertion of the pin. By inserting the pin into an opening as well as inserting the locking pin into another opening near a corner point, a solid, stable connection with the container is obtained.

Another embodiment of the sideloader according to the invention is characterised in that in the first position the rotary shaft is located on a side of the virtual connecting surface between the tilt shafts that faces away from the chassis, being spaced from the first and the second tilt shaft by substantially the same distance.

As a result of the symmetrical arrangement, wherein preferably also the pivot shaft is spaced from the first and the second tilt shaft by substantially the same distance, the lifting device is loaded in the same manner upon placement of the load in the second position or in the third position.

Another embodiment of the sideloader according to the invention is characterised in that the tilt arm is provided with an extensible portion on a side of the rotary shaft remote from the tilt shafts.

The extensible portion may for example comprise a number of parts that can telescope together or a number of parts that are pivotally connected to the tilt arm.

As a result, the tilt arm can be extended, preferably in a direction transversely to the virtual connecting surface, so that the range of the tilt arm is increased. Extension of the tilt arm only takes place when the chassis is stationary. Usually said parts are telescoped together or collapsed when the chassis is being driven or transported, so that it will have a minimal length. An associated safety system that may be provided does not allow the chassis to be driven on public roads if the lifting devices are not in a fully retracted and collapsed transport position.

Another embodiment of the sideloader according to the invention is characterised in that the sideloader is provided with at least one support leg, which support leg is provided with a first leg portion which is pivoted to the chassis and with a second, longitudinally adjustable leg portion which is pivoted to the first leg portion.

Using such a support leg, the chassis can be firmly positioned on a surface, in which position undesirable tilting of the entire chassis with the lifting devices and the load is prevented.

Another embodiment of the sideloader according to the invention is characterised in that the first leg portion can be locked to the chassis in a number of different pivoted positions, wherein the second leg portion extends parallel to the linear moving device and substantially abuts against the linear moving device in a first locked transport position. By positioning the second leg portions on either side of the linear moving device in this way a compact structure is obtained, which in addition leads to a minimized air resistance during transport of the chassis with the lifting devices without a load present thereon.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the drawing, in which:

Figures lA and lB are a rear view and a larger-scale detail view of a sideloader according to the invention;

Figures 2A and 2B are a rear view and a larger-scale detail view of the sideloader shown in figure lA upon placement of a container on a surface on the right-hand side thereof;

Figures 3A and 3B are a rear view and a larger-scale detail view of the sideloader shown in figure lA upon placement of a container on a surface on the left-hand side thereof;

Figures 4A, 4B and 4C are a perspective view and larger-scale detail views of the sideloader shown in figure lA upon placement of a container on a surface on the left-hand side thereof;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the sideloader shown in figure lA upon placement of a container on a surface on the left-hand side thereof;

Figures oA, 6B and 6C are a perspective view and larger-scale detail views of the sideloader shown in figure lA upon placement of a container on a trailer on the left-hand side thereof;

Figures 7A and 7B are a rear view and a larger-scale detail view of the sideloader shown in figure lA upon placement of a container on a surface below ground level on the right-hand side thereof;

Figure 8 is a graph showing the range of the sideloader of figure lA; Figure 9 is a graph showing the mass of the load to be moved in relation to the extension of the tilt arm and the position of the support leg;

Figure 10 is a rear view of the sideloader shown in figure lA with two containers stacked on top of one another on the chassis;

Figure 11 is a perspective view of a connecting arm of the sideloader shown in figure lA;

Figures 12A-12C are larger-scale detail views of the connecting arm shown in figure 11.

Like parts are indicated by the same numerals in the figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Figures 1-7C, 10 show various views of a sideloader 1 according to the invention. The sideloader 1 comprises a chassis 2 and at least two spaced-apart lifting devices 3 for moving a load, such as a container 4, present in a first position between the lifting devices 3 on the chassis 2 to a second position beside a first right-hand side R (figures 2A, 7A) of the chassis and to a third position beside a second left-hand side L (figures 3A, 4A, 5, oA) of the chassis 2. The container 4 may be an ISO container, for example, having a standard height of 8.6 feet (2.59 m) or a high-cube container having a standard height of 9.6 feet (2.9 m).

The chassis 2 is clearly shown in figure 5. The chassis 2 comprises a front part 5, which can be coupled to a truck, and a rear part 6, which is movable in the direction indicated by arrow Pi relative to the front part 5 for adjusting the spacing between the two lifting devices 3. The front and the rear part 5, 6 are provided with wheels 7, by means of which the chassis can be moved. The direction indicated by double arrow Pi extends in the driving direction of the chassis. The container 4 can be detachably connected to the chassis 2 by means of twistlock couplings 33, which are known per se. Such a chassis is known per se and will not be explained in more detail, therefore.

As shown in figure 4A, the lifting device 3 is provided with a base plate 8 which is detachably connected to the chassis 2 and with support plates 9, 10, 11 which extend transversely to the base plate in the direction indicated by double arrow Pi. The support plates 11 of the two lifting devices 3 face one another, the support plates 9 of the two lifting devices 3 are located on the outer side. The support plate 10 is located between the support plates 9, 11.

Between the support plates 9, 10 triangular housings 12 are rotatable about a first and a second tilt shaft 13, 14 on the left-hand side and the right- hand side. See also figure 4B.

A tilt arm 15 is furthermore located between the support plates 9, 10. The tilt arm 15 is provided with a V-shaped recess 16 on the left-hand side L and the right-hand side R, which recess 16 can be positioned over the triangular housing 12. The tilt arm 15 is provided with a locking mechanism 17 near both sides for locking the triangular housing 12 in the V-shaped recess 16. The locking mechanism 17 comprises a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder 18, by means of which a movable locking plate 19 can be moved in the direction indicated by arrow P2 from an unlocked position spaced from the V-shaped recess 16 (shown at the left-hand V shaped recess 16) to a position in which it closes the V-shaped recess 16 (shown at the right-hand V-shaped recess 16 and in figure 4C), in which the triangular housing 12 is locked in the V-shaped recess 16.

The lifting device 3 is provided with a linear moving device comprising a hydraulic ram cylinder 20, which is located between the support plates 10, 11 and which is pivotally connected to the support plates 10, 11 about a pivot shaft 21. The hydraulic ram cylinder 20 is rotatably connected to the tilt arm 15 about a rotary shaft 22. The pivot shaft 21 of the hydraulic ram cylinder 20 is located at substantially the same distance from the first and the second tilt shaft 13, 14, on a side facing away from the chassis 2 of a virtual connecting surface between the tilt shafts 13, 14.

In the first position of the lifting device 3 shown in figure lA, the hydraulic ram cylinder 20 extends vertically, transversely to the virtual connecting surface 23.

The hydraulic ram cylinder 20 comprises a cylindrical housing 24 and a piston rod 25 which is movable in the direction indicated by arrow P3 and in the opposite direction relative to the cylindrical housing 24 by means of a gaseous or liquid-like fluid, such as oil. The rotary shaft 22 is connected to an end 26 of the piston rod 25 remote from the cylindrical housing 24.

The pivot shaft 21 is connected to the cylindrical housing 24 at a distance Hi from an end 27 of the cylindrical housing 24 remote from the piston rod 25. The ends 27, 26 form a first and a second end of the hydraulic ram cylinder 20, between which the pivot shaft 21 is located.

In the first position, the distance Hi between the pivot shaft 21 and the first end 26 of the hydraulic ram cylinder 20 is preferably at least 20%, more preferably at least 30%, of the length Li of the hydraulic ram cylinder 20. With a length Li of, for example, 2,200 m, the distance Hi is for example 0.8 - 0.85 m. The length Li of the hydraulic ram cylinder 20 is the distance between an end of the piston rod located near the first end 27 and the rotary shaft 22 located in the second end 26 in the retracted position of the piston rod 25 in the cylindrical housing 24.

At least in the first position, the first end 27 of the hydraulic ram cylinder 20 is located on a side of the virtual connecting surface 23 facing the chassis 2. As a result, the pivot shaft 21 is located on another side of the virtual connecting surface 23 between the tilt shafts 13, 14 than the first end 27 of the hydraulic ram cylinder 20. Like the pivot shaft 21, the rotary shaft 22 is located on a side of the virtual connecting surface 23 that faces away from the chassis 2. In the first position, the rotary shaft 22 is spaced from the first and the second tilt shaft 13, 14 by substantially the same distance.

The distance H2 between the pivot shaft 21 and the virtual connecting surface 23 ranges between 0.6 and 0.7 m, for example 0.64 m.

The distance H3 between the first and the second tilt shaft 13, 14 is at least 1.5 m, preferably more than 2 m, for example 2.1 m.

The distance H4 between the pivot shaft 21 and the rotary shaft 22 ranges between 1.3 and 1.4 m, for example 1.38 m, in the starting position and between 3 and 3.2 m, for example 3.12 m, in a position in which the piston rod 25 is extended from the cylindrical housing 24.

The tilt arm 16 is provided with a first tubular part 28 extending transversely to the virtual connecting surface 23 in the first position, which part is connected to the rotary shaft 22 on a side facing away from the virtual connecting surface 23. Located within the first tubular part 28 is a second tubular part 29, which is movable relative to the first tubular part 28 in the direction indicated by arrow P4 and in the opposite direction. Located within the second tubular part 29 is a third tubular part 30, which is movable relative to the second tubular part 29 in the direction indicated by arrow P5 and in the opposite direction. In this way the tilt arm 16 is extensible.

At an end remote from the second tubular part 29, the third tubular part 30 is provided with a connecting arm 32 which is pivotable about a pivot shaft 31. At ends remote from the pivot shaft 31, the connecting arm 32 is provided with a pin which can be connected to the container and with a locking pin extending transversely to said pin, which can be connected to the container.

The sideloader 1 is further provided with two support legs 40 at each lifting device 3. The two support legs 40 are located on either side of the hydraulic ram cylinder 20, between the support plates 10, 11. Each support leg 40 comprises a first leg portion 41 which is pivotable about a pivot axis which is coaxial with the tilt shaft 13, 14.

It is also possible to pivot the first leg portion 41 about a pivot shaft extending parallel to the tilt shaft 13, 14.

Each support leg 40 comprises a second longitudinally adjustable leg portion 42, which is pivo tally connected to the first leg portion 41 by a pivot axis 43. The second leg portion 42 comprises two portions 44, 45 which can telescope together and a support plate 47 which is pivotally connected to the portion 45 by the pivot axis 46. The support plate 47 can be positioned on a surface 48.

The first leg portion 41 can be locked to the chassis in three different pivoted positions.

In a first locked transport position shown in figure 1 B, the second leg portion 42 extends parallel to the hydraulic ram cylinder 20 and substantially abuts against the hydraulic ram cylinder 20. The first leg portion 41 is interlocked with the support plates 10, 11 by means of pins 51, 52 inserted through openings 49, 50 in the first leg portion 41 and the support plates 10, 11. The first leg portion 41 can be pivoted about the pivot shaft by means of a rotary cylinder, for example.

In the support position on the left-hand side L and the right-hand side in figure 2A, the first support leg 41 has pivoted and a pin 53, which is spaced from the virtual connecting surface 23 by the same distance as the pin 52, extends through the support plates 10, 11 and the opening 49.

In the transfer position on the left-hand side L in figure 6A, the first support leg 41 has pivoted and the pin 52 extends through the support plates 10, 11 and the opening 49. See also figure 6C. In the support position on the right-hand side R in figure 6A, the first support leg 41 has pivoted and the pin 53 extends through the support plates 10, 11 and the opening 49. See also figure 6B. The pins 51, 52, 53 are inserted into the opening 49, 50 under spring force and moved out of the respective opening 49, 50 against spring force by hydraulic or pneumatic means.

In this way a solid and safe connection between the first support leg and the support plates 10, 11, and thus the chassis 2, is obtained.

The operation of the sideloader 1 according to the invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the figures. The operation takes place by means of remotely or directly operable valve blocks as known per se, which may or may not be computer-controlled, via which valve blocks the various hydraulic and pneumatic cylinders are controlled.

In the first position shown in figures lA and lB, the ram cylinder 20 and the second leg portions 42 extend parallel to each other. The two V- shaped recesses of the tilt arm 15 are interlocked with the triangular housings 12, so that the tilt arm 15 is firmly connected to the support plates 9, 10 and, via the base plate 8, to the chassis 2. The tubular parts 28, 29, 30 of the tilt arm 15 are in a telescoped-together position. The connecting arm 32 is locked relative to the tilt arm 15, so that the connecting arm 32 cannot pivot about the pivot shaft 31. In the first position, the sideloader 1 can be driven to the desired location in a simple, safe and compact manner. The maximum allowable height of, for example, 4 m is not exceeded in that position. Nor is the maximum allowable width of, for example, 2.5 m.

Figures 2A and 2B show the position of the sideloader 1 upon lifting or putting down a container 4 on the right-hand side .

Prior to the tilting of the tilt arm about the tilt shaft 14, the support plate 47 has been positioned at a maximum distance from the chassis 2 on the right-hand side R. On the left-hand side L, the support plate 48 is located relatively close to the chassis, for example at a distance of 180 cm in horizontal direction from the pivot shaft 21.

First the second support 42 is slightly pivoted from the position shown in figure lA in the direction of the surface 48. Then the first support leg 41 is moved to the transfer position or support position and fixed in that position by means of one of the pins 51, 52, 53. Following that, the second support leg 42 is extended to the desired length and positioned at the desired angle so that the support plate 47 will be positioned just above the surface 48. Then the second support leg 42 is pivoted about the pivot shaft 43 in the direction of the chassis 2 until the support plate 47 is pressed firmly against the surface 48. Said pivoting of the second support leg 42 is effected by hydraulic means.

Near the tilt shaft 13 on the left-hand side L, the locking plate 19 is subsequently moved to the unlocked position. As a result of the application of hydraulic pressure in the hydraulic ram cylinder 20, the length between the pivot shafts 21, 22 will increase and consequently the tilt arm 15 will tilt about the tilt shaft 14 on the right-hand side in the direction indicated by arrow P6. As is clearly shown, the housing 24 of the hydraulic ram cylinder 20 extends on either side of the pivot shaft 21. The hydraulic ram cylinder 20 tumbles about the pivot shaft 21, as it were, in the direction indicated by arrow P7.

The tubular parts 28, 29, 30 of the tilt arm 15 are moved to the extended position prior to, during or after the tilting of the tilt arm 15, depending on the desired pattern of movement of the connecting arm 32 and the container 4 that may be connected thereto.

In the situation shown in figure 2A, the container 4 is picked up from or placed onto a surface 48 which is level with the surface 48 on which the wheels 7 and the support plate 47 are present.

After the connecting arm 32 has been connected to the container 4, the container 4 can be placed on the chassis 2 by pivoting the tilt arm 15 in the opposite direction of arrow P6 and telescoping the tubular parts 28, 29, 30 together. If the support leg 40 on the left-hand side L is also positioned at a maximum distance from the chassis 2, it will be possible to move the container 4 from the right-hand side R, over the chassis 2, to the left-hand side L. With the ram cylinder 20 in a vertical position, the locking plate 19 near the tilt shaft 13 on the left-hand side L must first be moved to the locked position, whereupon the locking plate 19 near the tilt shaft 14 on the right-hand side is moved to the unlocked position, so that the tilt arm 15 can be tilted about the tilt shaft 13 instead of about the tilt shaft 14 in the direction indicated by arrow P8. When this takes place, the hydraulic ram cylinder 20 will tumble about the pivot shaft 21, as it were, in the direction indicated by arrow P9.

Figures 3A and 3B show the position of the sideloader 1 upon lifting or putting down a container 4 on the left-hand side L. The operation of the sideloader 1 in this case corresponds to the operation of the sideloader 1 upon lifting or putting down a container 4 on the right-hand side R, as described above with reference to figures 2A and 2B. The tilt shaft 14 is unlocked in this situation and the tilt shaft 13 is locked in the V-shaped recess 16.

Figures 4A, 4B, 4C and 5 show further details of the position of the sideloader 1 upon lifting or putting down a container 4 on the left-hand side L.

Figure 6A shows the position of the sideloader 1 upon lifting a container 4 on the left-hand side L and placing it on a mobile trailer 54 positioned beside the sideloader. The left-hand support plate 47 is supported on the trailer 54 in that situation.

Figures 7A and 7B show the placement of a container 4 on a surface 63 located at a distance H5 of, for example, 1 m below the level of the surface 48. The level of the surface 48 is also referred to as the ground level or surface level.

With this manner of placement of the container 4, the angle C between the first connecting line 61 between the rotary shaft 22 and the pivot shaft 21 and a second connecting line 62 between the rotary shaft 22 and the right-hand tilt shaft 14 is minimal and amounts at least 15 degrees, for example 19 degrees. As a result of this relatively large angle C, a container 4 can be positioned in such a manner using relatively little lifting power.

The large angle C can be realised in that the pivot shaft 21 is located at a distance H2 from the virtual connecting surface 23 and the hydraulic ram cylinder 20 is pivot-mounted about the pivot shaft 21 at a location spaced from the end 27 of the cylindrical housing 24, so that it can undergo a relatively large extension, whilst in the first position shown in figure lA the maximum width and the maximum height can remain within the allowable values.

Figure 8 is a graph that shows the maximum range of the sideloader 1, with the range being plotted along the X-axis and the associated height of the pivot shaft 31 of the connecting arm 32 being plotted along the Z-axis. As shown in the graph, the maximum range in the X-direction is 6.5 m to both sides, so that the total span is 13 m if the two support plates 47 are spaced a maximum distance Y of 3.9 m in the X-direction from the pivot shaft 21.

Figure 9 is a graph showing the maximum extension V of the tilt arm 15 along the X-axis in the case of a support plate 47 spaced a particular distance from the pivot shaft 21 in relation to the maximum allowable mass G (in kilograms) of the container or another load to be lifted upon placement thereof on a surface at ground level.

As is apparent from the graph it is possible in the case of a distance Y of 3.9 m to move a container having a mass of 44,000 kg over a distance of 4.5 m or to move the container having a mass of 13,000 kg over a distance of 6.3 m. Moving a container having a mass of 13,000 kg is also possible in the case of a distance Y of the support plate 47 of only 1.8 m. If desired, it is also possible to move a mass of up to 50,000 kg.

As shown in figure 10, the fact that the tilt arm 15 can be extended makes it also possible to position two containers 4 one on top of the other on the chassis 2. A container 4 has a standard height of 8.6 feet (2.59 m), for example.

Figures 11, 12A-12C are a perspective view and larger-scale detail views of the connecting arm of the sideloader shown in figure 1

The connecting arm 32 is pivotally connected to the third tubular part 30 by the pivot shaft 31. The connecting arm 32 can also be moved in the direction indicated by arrow Pio and in the opposite direction by means of a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder 55. The direction indicated by arrow Pio extends parallel to the rotary shaft 22.

The two ends of the connecting arm 32 are provided with a pin 56, which can be connected to the container 4, and with a locking pin 57 extending transversely to the pin 56, which can be connected to the container 4. The pin 56 extends horizontally, whilst the locking pin 57 extends vertically. The locking pin 57 is movably supported in a housing 58 in the connecting arm 32. The locking pin 57 is provided with an extended portion 59. The locking pin 57 is movable under spring force in the direction indicated by arrow P11, through an opening 60 in the connecting arm 32 in the direction of the pin 56. The locking pin 58 can be pneumatically or hydraulically moved against spring force in the opposite direction of arrow P11.

Usually, a container is provided with three openings at every corner point, one opening extending in vertical direction and the two other openings extending in horizontal directions perpendicular to each other.

Upon connection of the connecting arm 32 to the container 4, the pins 56 are positioned opposite openings at corner points of the container 4, after which the pins 56 are positioned in the openings upon movement of the connecting arm 32 in the direction indicated by arrow Pio. The locking pins 57 are then moved in the direction indicated by arrow P11 into the vertically extending openings of the container 4, so that the container 4 and the connecting arm 32 are firmly locked together. The lifting devices 3 operate in unison and can be controlled separately or simultaneously.

The lifting devices 3 can be placed on any chassis, for example a trailer, a lorry, a train, another mobile vehicle or a fixed platform.

It is also possible to detachably connect the container to an end of the tilt arm 15, for example by means of chains or hoisting belts, so that also loads other than ISO containers, for example bulk packages or skips, can be lifted by means of the lifting devices.

LIST OF NUMERALS

1 sideloader

2 chassis

3 lifting device

4 container

5 front part

6 rear part

7 wheels

8 baseplate

9 support plate

10 support plate

11 support plate

12 housing

13 first tilt shaft

14 second tilt shaft

15 tilt arm

16 V-shaped recess

17 locking mechanism

18 hydraulic cylinder

19 locking plate 20 ram cylinder

21 pivot shaft

22 rotary shaft

23 virtual connecting s

24 cylindrical housing

25 piston rod

26 end

27 end

28 first tubular part

29 second tubular part

30 third tubular part

31 pivot shaft

32 connecting arm

40 support leg

41 first leg portion

42 second leg portion

43 pivot shaft

44 telescopic portion

45 telescopic portion

46 pivot shaft

47 support plate

48 surface

49 opening

50 opening

51 pin

52 pin

53 pin

54 trailer

56 pin

57 locking pin 58 housing

59 extended portion 6o opening

6i first connecting line 62 second connecting line 63 surface

C angle

Hi distance

H2 distance

H ₃ distance

H ₄ distance

H ₅ distance

L left-hand side

Li length

P1-P11 double arrow

R right-hand side

Y distance