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Title:
TILTING FRAME FOR A CONTAINER VEHICLE INCLUDING CORRESPONDING ASSEMBLY METHOD
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2006/073302
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
The invention relates to a tilting frame for a vehicle for enabling said vehicle to lift up and set down containers. The tilting frame comprises two longitudinal beams which are intended to be fastened, oriented in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, near the rearmost end such that they can pivot around a hinge axis at the back of the vehicle. The tilting frame furthermore comprises a tilting cross-beam which is mountable between the longitudinal beams and provided with at least one pin for fastening the top of a lifting cylinder by which the tilting frame can be operated in order to pivot around the hinge axis. The tilting cross-beam can be fitted in every location between the longitudinal beams by fixing the tilting cross-beam to both longitudinal beams, for example by welding. The tilting cross-beam is provided on the underside with spaced-apart pin seats, two for each pin, which comprise a recess for the pin which recess is open toward the bottom and is substantially U-shaped, as well as a retaining element which can be placed over the recess in order to retain the pin therein. The tilting frame furthermore comprises, for each longitudinal beam, one U-shaped transfer piece which can be placed on the respective longitudinal beam while surrounding the rearmost end of the latter and which comprises a hook element for engagement with a coupling element which is provided on the container. The transfer piece can slide along the rearmost end of the longitudinal beam for positioning the nose and can subsequently be secured to the longitudinal beam, for example by welding. The invention furthermore relates to a method for installing a tilting frame.

Inventors:
HOGERVORST WOUTER HENDRIK (NL)
Application Number:
PCT/NL2004/000883
Publication Date:
July 13, 2006
Filing Date:
December 17, 2004
Export Citation:
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Assignee:
N C H BEHEER B V (NL)
HOGERVORST WOUTER HENDRIK (NL)
International Classes:
B60P1/64
Foreign References:
US20020146306A12002-10-10
US6238004B12001-05-29
US5088795A1992-02-18
FR1543515A
EP0527412A11993-02-17
DE29503424U11995-04-20
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
Van Westenbrugge, Andries Et Al (Scheveningseweg 82 P.O. Box 29720, LS The Hague, NL)
Download PDF:
Claims:
Claims
1. A tilting frame (3) for a vehicle for enabling said vehicle to lift up and set down containers (50), the tilting frame comprising: • two longitudinal beams (4) having a rearmost end (5) and a frontmost end (6), which are intended to be fastened, oriented in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, near the rearmost end such that they can pivot around a hinge axis at the back of the vehicle; a tilting crossbeam (14) mountable between the longitudinal beams (4) and provided with at least one pin (22) for fastening the top of a lifting cylinder (10) by which the tilting frame (3) can be operated in order to pivot around the hinge axis (8); characterized in that the tilting crossbeam (14) can be fitted in every location between the longitudinal beams (4) by fixing the tilting crossbeam to both longitudinal beams, for example by welding; in that the tilting crossbeam (14) is provided on the underside with spaced apart pin seats (23), two for each pin, which comprise a recess (24) for the pin (22), which recess is open toward the bottom and is substantially Ushaped, as well as a retaining element (26) which can be placed over the downwardly pointing opening of the recess in order to retain a pin (22) which is located in the recess (24) therein; in that the tilting frame (3) furthermore comprises, for each longitudinal beam, a Ushaped transfer piece (20) which can be placed on the respective longitudinal beam (4) while surrounding the rearmost end (5) of the latter and which comprises a hook element (31) for engagement with a coupling element which is provided on the container, it being possible to slide the transfer piece (20) along the rearmost end of the longitudinal beam (4) for positioning the hook element (31) and subsequently to fix said transfer piece to the longitudinal beam (4), for example by welding.
2. The tilting frame as claimed in claim 1, in which the hook element comprises a nose (31) which, in the position in which it is placed on the longitudinal beam (4), points backward and has a space (32) under the nose (31), which space is open toward the rear for accommodating the coupling element (33).
3. The tilting frame as claimed in one of the preceding claims, in which the transfer piece comprises a Ushaped profile part.
4. The tilting frame as claimed in one of the preceding claims, in which at least one of the transfer pieces (20) is provided with a retaining lock (34) for releasably retaining the coupling element (33) in the hook element (31).
5. The tilting frame as claimed in one of the preceding claims, in which the longitudinal beams (4) furthermore comprise horizontally extending bores (36) which are provided in accordance with a predetermined pattern for fastening guide elements, such as rollers.
6. The tilting frame as claimed in one of the preceding claims, in which the tilting crossbeam (14) is fastened to both longitudinal beams (4).
7. The tilting frame as claimed in one of the preceding claims, in which each transfer piece is fixed to the respective longitudinal beam (4).
8. A vehicle (1) provided with a tilting frame (3) as claimed in one of the preceding claims.
9. A method for installing a tilting frame on a vehicle, the method comprising the following steps: providing a tilting frame according to one of the claims; determining where the lifting cylinder can be fastened to the vehicle and subsequently determining at what distance to the hinge axis the tilting cross beam can be fastened to the longitudinal beams; fastening the tilting crossbeam on the longitudinal beams at the determined distance to the hinge axis, for example by welding; fastening the top end of the lifting cylinder to the tilting crossbeam after or before the tilting crossbeam is fastened to the longitudinal beams; and fastening the transfer pieces to the longitudinal beams.
Description:
TILTING FRAME FOR A CONTAINER VEHICLE INCLUDING CORRESPONDING ASSEMBLY METHOD

1

Tilting frame for a vehicle for enabling said vehicle to lift up and set down containers, as well as a vehicle provided with a tilting frame of this type and method for providing a vehicle with a tilting frame.

The present invention relates to a tilting frame for a vehicle for enabling said vehicle to lift up and set down containers, the tilting frame comprising:

• two longitudinal beams having a rearmost end and a frontmost end, which are intended to be fastened, oriented in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, near the rearmost end such that they can pivot around a hinge axis at the back of the vehicle;

• a tilting cross-beam mountable between the longitudinal beams and provided with at least one pin for fastening the top of a lifting cylinder by which the tilting frame can be operated in order to pivot around the hinge axis.

A tilting frame of this kind and a vehicle provided with a tilting frame of this type are known. Reference can be made to, for example, NL 89.01549. This document relates to a tilting frame, in particular for lifting up a silo which is vertically upright during use and can be transported on a truck in a horizontal position. However, tilting frames of this kind are also used for lifting up containers of a different kind, such as open-top containers or sea containers, optionally provided with an auxiliary frame. Tilting frames of this type are only fitted after, not during, production of the vehicle. Applicant has been doing this for many years. In this context, a tilting frame substantially consists of a frame comprising two longitudinal beams, which are pivotably fastened by their rear end to the vehicle. These two longitudinal beams can subsequently be placed in an inclined or optionally even a vertical position for the purpose of loading and unloading the container. The container is in this case held by tensioning means and the like in order to prevent it from falling off the longitudinal beams and to pull the container along the beams during loading. One or more lifting cylinders are provided in order to be able to move the tilting frame from a horizontal position in which it is lying on the vehicle into an inclined or upright position. These lifting cylinders act on the tilting frame with one end and rest on the vehicle with the other end. These lifting cylinders take up space. In practice, the location where such lifting cylinders can be fastened to the vehicle depends very much on the vehicle, that is to say the type of vehicle. The known tilting frame is furthermore provided with a

hook element which can engage with a coupling element which is provided on the container. The purpose of the engagement of the hook element and the coupling element is not only to secure the container on the tilting frame during transportation by the vehicle but also to allow the container to be fastened to the tilting frame when the tilting frame is in an inclined or upright position and to allow the winching means to be relieved when the container is being pulled onto the tilting frame or being set down. The position where the hook element is to be provided on the longitudinal beams is dependent on the type of container as well as the type of vehicle. The practice up to now has been, both with the applicant and with other manufacturers, to produce a tilting frame for each vehicle separately in order to be able to take into account, on the one hand, the vehicle type and, on the other hand, the container type. In order to fasten the tilting cross-beam, first the location at which the tilting cross-beam is to be fastened on the longitudinal beam is determined in accordance with the prior art and subsequently holes extending in horizontal directions are provided at this location through the longitudinal beams. The tilting cross-beam is likewise provided with holes and the tilting cross-beam is then placed between the longitudinal beams with the holes in alignment. Subsequently, a pin is pushed from the outside through the holes in the first longitudinal beam, through the holes in the tilting cross-beam and through the holes in the other longitudinal beam, or two half pins are used which are pushed in from the outside on both sides. These pins are also pushed through eyes in the top of the lifting cylinders. This requires the holes in the longitudinal beams to be made with the greatest possible accuracy, in each case depending on the type of vehicle, since the type of frame cannot be placed on the vehicle in a flat position otherwise due to the lack of space for accommodating the lifting cylinders. It is an object of the present invention to provide a tilting frame of the type mentioned at the outset, which tilting frame can be kept in stock completely ready- made or in parts for various types of vehicles and can then be fitted to a vehicle in an efficient manner. It is a further object to provide a uniform tilting frame, or at least a tilting frame which is made up of uniform parts, which is suitable for various types of vehicles.

This object is achieved according to the invention by providing a tilting frame for a vehicle for enabling said vehicle to lift up and set down containers, the tilting frame comprising:

• two longitudinal beams having a rearmost end and a frontmost end, which are intended to be fastened, oriented in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, near the rearmost end such that they can pivot around a hinge axis at the back of the vehicle; • a tilting cross-beam mountable between the longitudinal beams and provided with at least one pin for fastening the top of a lifting cylinder by which the tilting frame can be operated in order to pivot around the hinge axis; characterized

• in that the tilting cross-beam can be fitted in every location between the longitudinal beams by fixing the tilting cross-beam to both longitudinal beams, for example by welding;

• in that the tilting cross-beam is provided on the underside with spaced-apart pin seats, two for each pin, which comprise a recess for the pin, which recess is open toward the bottom and is substantially U-shaped, as well as a retaining element which can be placed over the downwardly pointing opening of the recess in order to retain a pin which is located in the recess therein;

• in that the tilting frame furthermore comprises, for each longitudinal beam, one U-shaped transfer piece which can be placed on the respective longitudinal beam while surrounding the rearmost end of the latter and which comprises a hook element for engagement with a coupling element which is provided on the container, it being possible to slide the transfer piece along the rearmost end of the longitudinal beam for positioning the hook element and subsequently to secure said transfer piece to the longitudinal beam, for example by welding.

By providing the tilting cross-beam on the underside with spaced-apart pin seats, two for each pin, which comprise a recess for the pin, which recess is open toward the bottom and is substantially U-shaped, as well as a retaining element which can be placed over the downwardly pointing opening of the recess in order to retain a pin which is located in the recess therein - i.e. for every two spaced-apart pin seats, there is at least one such U-shaped recess as well as at least one retaining element - the tilting cross-beam can be fastened independently of the longitudinal beams on the top of the lifting cylinder, or lifting cylinders if there is more than one. This fastening is achieved simply by pushing the pin through one eye in the top of the respective lifting cylinder and subsequently arranging the pin in the pin seats and placing the retaining element

over the U-shaped recess and securing it. It is thus possible to fasten the tilting crossbeam to the lifting cylinder or lifting cylinders before it is fastened to the longitudinal beams or to fasten the tilting cross-beam to the longitudinal beams first and subsequently fasten the lifting cylinder or lifting cylinders to the tilting cross-beam. Aligning of the pin holes provided in the longitudinal beams and in the tilting crossbeam is no longer required. Furthermore, the subsequent replacement of a lifting cylinder becomes easier. The retaining element only needs to be released in order to be able to take the pin out of the pin seats and to be able to remove the lifting cylinder from the tilting cross-beam. Compared to the prior art, fastening of the tilting cross- beam according to the invention can be achieved independently of holes in the longitudinal beams and the tilting cross-beam. In this respect, these holes can therefore be dispensed with.

The result of designing the tilting cross-beam to be fixable at every location between the longitudinal beams, for example by welding, is that there is essentially no requirement for positioning accuracy. The fact is that it is possible, first, to attach the longitudinal beams to the vehicle, then to attach the lifting cylinder and the tilting cross-beam to the vehicle (optionally, to attach the lifting cylinders to the vehicle followed by the tilting cross-beam or, first, to attach the tilting cross-beam to the lifting cylinders and then attach the whole unit to the vehicle), and subsequently, place the tilting cross-beam between the longitudinal beams and directly weld it thereto while the tilting frame is in a flat, substantially horizontal position and the lifting cylinders are in the retracted position.

The substantially optional transfer pieces (the third characteristic feature regarding the transfer pieces can thus also be separated from claim 1 and be the subject of a subclaim) also offer a considerable additional advantage when the tilting crossbeam is mounted in a modular fashion on the longitudinal beams, on the one hand, and on the lifting cylinders, on the other hand. The use of a hook element for engagement with a coupling element provided on the container is not required for every type of container, which inter alia also explains why the transfer piece, on which the hook element is provided, is optional. The transfer piece with the hook element provided thereon is also optional in the sense that very considerable advantages can already be achieved according to the invention without a hook element with transfer piece of this type being provided. If desired, the hook element could be a hook element known from

the prior art and very considerable advantages would still be achieved. In the prior art, it is customary for the design of the rear ends of the longitudinal beams to be specifically adapted to the type of vehicle and the type of container to be transported therewith, prior to the mounting of the longitudinal beams on the vehicle. This results, inter alia, in great positional accuracy being required during the subsequent mounting of the longitudinal beams on the vehicle. Using the transfer piece according to the invention considerably simplifies the mounting, however. It is possible to stock the transfer piece according to the invention as a standard part having a standard hook element or, if desired, different types of hook elements. If desired, the hook elements can be fastened to the transfer pieces prior to any order or they can be fastened to the transfer pieces after an order has been received. After correct positioning, the transfer piece can be placed on the longitudinal beams and fixed thereon in a simple manner, for example by welding. If desired, this fixing of the transfer pieces to the longitudinal beams can be carried out before mounting the longitudinal beams on the vehicle. It is also possible to fix the transfer pieces to the longitudinal beams only after the longitudinal beams have been fastened to the vehicle. This achieves the advantage that many requirements, in particular with regard to positionally accurate mounting of the longitudinal beams on the vehicle, become redundant. After all, depending on the type of container that is to be transported, it is fairly easy to measure, optionally once longitudinal beams have been fastened to the vehicle, where the transfer pieces, in particular the hook elements provided thereon, are to be provided. The transfer pieces can be adjusted in a substantially continuously variable manner along the beams and subsequently fixed thereto.

It is particularly advantageous according to the invention if the hook element comprises a nose which, in the position in which it is placed on the longitudinal beam, points backward and has a space under the nose which is open toward the rear for accommodating the coupling element. Such a nose which points backward and has a space underneath it which is open toward the rear makes it possible, in a simple way, to slide the coupling element of the container automatically into the space when the container is being pulled onto the tilting frame.

Due to the different method of fastening the tilting cross-beam to the longitudinal beams compared to the prior art (the pins connecting the two are redundant), the tilting cross-beam will become slightly larger in the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal

beams. In combination with the added material for the transfer pieces, the tilting frame will become more stable and rigid overall as a result.

It is furthermore advantageous according to the invention if the transfer piece comprises a U-shaped profile part. A U-shaped profile part, which may be of some length, imparts stability to the transfer piece and can, as a result of its length, also provide additional mounting sites for fixing the transfer piece to the longitudinal beam. Furthermore, a profile part of this type, prior to the fixation of the transfer piece to the longitudinal beams, enables simple displacement along the longitudinal beams, while overturning of the transfer piece with respect to the longitudinal beams during this displacement can be substantially prevented. Providing the U-shaped profile part at the front of the vehicle with respect to the hook element also results in a reduction of any overturning moments acting on the hook element (around a horizontal axis) due to the tightening by the tensioning means with which the container is being pulled onto the frame. It is furthermore advantageous according to the invention if at least one of the transfer pieces is provided with a retaining lock for releasably retaining the coupling element in the hook element. A retaining lock of this type ensures that the container cannot become dislodged from the hook element unintentionally, for example during transportation. The retaining lock can be of modular design, in which case the transfer pieces may already be provided with facilities for the retaining lock at the correct mounting location. In the past, the retaining lock has been an impeding factor with regard to modularity as the positioning thereof had to be very precisely adapted to that of the hook element (the position of which was not known beforehand).

It is furthermore advantageous according to the invention if the longitudinal beams furthermore comprise horizontally extending bores which are provided in accordance with a predetermined pattern for fastening guide elements, such as rollers. This predetermined pattern may, for example, be regular but can also be irregular. It is readily conceivable, for example, to provide guide elements, such as rollers, in a greater density, i.e. a smaller pitch, at the rear of the longitudinal beams than at the front of the longitudinal beams, the reason being that the guide elements at the rear of the longitudinal beams will be subjected to a greater load during loading and unloading of the containers. In this context, predetermined pattern means that the longitudinal beams are already provided with these bores before the order, and therefore the type of vehicle

and the type of container, are known or that there is at least already an intention to use this pattern. It is obvious that this predetermined pattern as such will be adapted to the various types of vehicles and containers to be expected. In this case, not every bore will additionally be provided with a guide element, such as a roller. In some cases, bores are located in an inconvenient spot for certain types of vehicles. If this is the case, the relevant bore can be left unused. According to the invention, and contrary to the prior art, any hole pattern which may be applied, has become independent of the other components of the tilting frame.

As will be clear, the invention also relates to a tilting frame, in which the tilting cross-beam is fastened to both longitudinal beams. The invention furthermore also relates to a tilting frame in which the transfer pieces are fixed to respective longitudinal beams.

In addition, the invention also relates to a vehicle provided with a tilting frame according to the invention. According to the last aspect, the invention also relates to method for installing a tilting frame on a vehicle. This method according to the invention comprises the following steps:

• providing a tilting frame according to the invention;

• determining where the lifting cylinder can be fastened to the vehicle and subsequently determining at what distance to the hinge axis the tilting crossbeam can be fastened to the longitudinal beams;

• fastening the tilting cross-beam on the longitudinal beams at the determined distance to the hinge axis, for example by welding;

• fastening the top end of the lifting cylinder to the tilting cross-beam after or before the tilting cross-beam is fastened to the longitudinal beams; and

• fastening the transfer pieces to the longitudinal beams.

It is possible to determine the desired position of the transfer pieces prior to the fastening thereof. According to the invention, this is very easy to carry out.

If desired, it is also possible to provide another retaining element on one or both longitudinal beams.

As is clear from the above, the tilting frame can be stocked as unassembled components, part-assembled or, optionally, completely or virtually completely assembled.

The present invention will be explained below in more detail with reference to the exemplary embodiment shown diagrammatically in the drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a diagrammatic representation of the rear end of a truck or semitrailer according to the invention; Fig. 2 shows a diagrammatic, perspective view of a tilting frame according to the invention;

Fig. 3 shows a diagrammatic, perspective and partly exploded view of a tilting cross-beam for a tilting frame according to the invention;

Fig. 4 shows a diagrammatic, perspective and exploded view of the rear end of a longitudinal beam and a transfer piece of a tilting frame according to the invention; and Fig. 5 shows a diagrammatic view of a retaining lock.

Fig. 1 diagrammatically shows the rear end of a truck according to the invention. As will be clear to those skilled in the art, this could also be the rear end of a semitrailer which can be coupled to a tractor unit. Fig. 1 shows a lower frame 1, which forms part of the truck or semitrailer. A number of wheels 2 are mounted on the lower frame 1. On this lower frame 1, a so-called upper frame, in this case a tilting frame 3 according to the invention, is mounted. In addition, a section of a so-called open-top container 50 which has been partially pulled onto the inclined tilting frame 3 is shown diagrammatically. The tilting frame 3 is shown in more detail in fig. 2. This tilting frame comprises two parallel longitudinal beams 4 having a rearmost end 4 and a frontmost end 6. At the rearmost end 5, the longitudinal beams 4 are rotatably mounted on a hinge pin 9 which is fastened to the lower frame 1 by means of a hinge tube 7 which is fastened to the longitudinal beams 4. Thus, the longitudinal members 4, at the rearmost end, are fastened (in the case of fig. 1) or can be fastened (in the case of fig. 2) such that they can pivot around the hinge axis 8 at the rear of the vehicle (such as a truck or semitrailer).

In order to be able to move the tilting frame 3 from a horizontal position (substantially flat on the lower frame 1) into an inclined position (as shown in fig. 1) or optionally into a vertical, upright position, as well as to be able to move it back into a flat position from this upright or inclined position, one or more, in this case two, lifting cylinders 10 are provided. These lifting cylinders can be operated hydraulically or pneumatically, preferably hydraulically. These lifting cylinders are retractable and

extendable. At one active end, near 11, the lifting cylinder 10 is fastened to the lower frame 1. At the top end, near 12 (see fig. 3), the lifting cylinder 10 is fastened to the lifting frame 3. This connection to the tilting frame 3 is effected via a tilting cross-beam 14 (see fig. 3) which is fastened between the longitudinal beams 4. Furthermore, a link mechanism may optionally be provided between the tilting frame 3 and the lower frame 1. Link mechanisms of this type are known per se from the prior art.

The tilting frame 3 is additionally provided with a winch mechanism. The winch mechanism consists of a winch 16 which can winch up or pay out an elongated pulling element 17. This elongated pulling element 17 can be fastened to the container 50. this can be effected, for example, as shown in fig. 1 by means of an eye 19 on the pulling element 17 and a hook 18 on the container 50, but can also be effected by means of other lifting hooks and pulling elements.

Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of the tilting frame 3. The two longitudinal beams 4, the tilting cross-beam 14 and the transfer pieces 20 still to be discussed below can clearly be seen.

Fig. 3 shows the tilting cross-beam 14 in more detail. The tilting cross-beam 14 is in this case formed from a sheet-metal part which has been folded such that it has a truncated triangular shape when seen in cross section. The truncated top 21 of this triangular shape is turned upward. On the underside, or at least accessible from the underside, the tilting cross-beam 14 is provided with, in this case, four, i.e. two pairs of, pin seats 23. In this case, each pin seat 23 is provided with a recess 24 which is open toward the bottom and is substantially U-shaped for the pin 22. The pin 22 can be pushed through an eye 25 and the top 12 of a lifting cylinder, following which the ends of the pin 22 can be placed in the recesses 24. Because the recesses 24 are open toward the bottom and are closed toward the top and because the great lifting forces will act toward the top, it is relatively simple to construct a retaining element 26. In this example, the retaining element 26 is a pin 26 which is pushed through a bore 27 in such a manner that this pin 26 bridges the U-shaped recess 24. It is also possible to clamp a retaining plate over the U-shaped recess 24 instead of a pin 26.

According to the invention, the tilting cross-beam 14 can now be welded to both sides of a longitudinal beam 4 in a simple manner, the weld seam extending substantially along the entire head-end terminating edges 28 of the tilting cross-beam

14. As will be clear to those skilled in the art, this can be substantially anywhere along the length of the longitudinal beams 4. In other words, there is a large degree of freedom in the direction of the double arrow A with regard to the exact location where the tilting cross-beam 14 is fastened to the longitudinal beams 4. Referring to fig. 4, it becomes clear that the transfer piece 20 also contributes to a large degree of freedom regarding mounting. The transfer piece 20 can be displaced substantially freely along the longitudinal beam 4 in the direction of the double arrow B, at least as long as the transfer piece 20 has not been fixed to the longitudinal beam 4, for example, in particular, by welding. The transfer piece 20 consists of a U-shaped profile part 29 which may have a length in the direction of the double arrow B of, for example, 20 cm. This length in the direction of the double arrow B may be, for example, 1 m. This likewise applies to the length of the cheeks 30, which are provided on the underside and the rear end of the U-shaped profile part 29. These cheeks 30 are substantially two opposite sheet-metal parts. Seen in the longitudinal direction of the beam, the cheeks will preferably be approximately of the same length as the U-shaped profile part. Anticipating a description given further below, it should be noted beforehand that, depending on the type of vehicle, these cheek parts 30 can be shortened to a suitable length in order to prevent them overlapping the hinge 7, 9 and the hinge axis 8. The rear ends 5 of the longitudinal beams 4 have been shortened in height (the vertical height has been indicated by a double arrow H), preferably such that they have the same height as the cheeks 30. The height (in the direction of the double arrow H) of the U-shaped profile part 29 is preferably approximately the same as the height of that section of the longitudinal beams 4 which was not shortened in height. Each U-shaped profile part is preferably provided with a nose 31 at an end which is turned backward. This nose 31 is provided in such a way that it points backward and has a space 32 under the nose 31 which is open toward the rear for accommodating the coupling element 33 (see in particular also fig. 5). This coupling element 33 may, for example, be a pin provided on the container. At least one of the transfer pieces will be provided in an advantageous manner with a retaining lock 34 with a view to securing the container. An example of a retaining lock of this type is shown in detailed view in fig. 5. A retaining lock 34 of this type may be of relatively simple construction and may consist of a sheet-metal part

having a U-shaped gripper rotatable about a pin 36. Viewed in the direction of the vehicle, the U-shaped gripper has a front leg 37 and a rear leg 38. In fig. 5 the gripper is shown in the closed position. When a container is pulled onto the tilting frame, the gripper 34 will be turned over according to arrow C in such a manner that the front leg 37 is still above surface 40 and the opening 39 formed between the legs 37 and 38 is accessible from the direction according to arrow D. As soon as the coupling element 33 on the container then slides along the surface 40 in the direction of arrow D into the space 39 and presses against the front leg 37, the gripper will turn back over into the position shown in fig. 5 (counter to the direction of the arrow C). The gripper can then be fixed in this position by inserting a pin 41 into the longitudinal beam 4. The rear leg 38 then ensures the locking action.