AU2003100825A4

AU2003100825A4 - Trailer improvements

Info

Publication number: AU2003100825A4
Application number: AU2003100825A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Bill Chernabaeff
Original assignee: B & Dc Securities Pty Ltd
Current assignee: B&DC SECURITIES Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2003-09-30
Filing date: 2003-09-30
Publication date: 2003-11-20
Anticipated expiration: 2011-09-30

Description

549561P HKS:PAB:LR P/00/009 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

INNOVATION SPECIFICATION FOR AN INVENTION ENTITLED Invention Title: TRAILER IMPROVEMENTS Name of Applicant: B DC SECURITIES PTY LTD Address for Service: COLLISON CO. 117 King William Street, Adelaide, S.A. 5000 The invention is described in the following statement: This invention relates to a trailer adapted for hoisting loads.

Large waste bins of the type commonly known as a 'skip', are a convenient solution for those who have large amounts of waste that they wish to dispose of.

These bins vary in size, but even the smallest of these is so large that it is necessary to have them delivered, and removed from the site by a large truck.

These bins are commonly used by people renovating their homes and gardens.

As such it can be very difficult to get these bin carrying trucks into a position that allows them enough space to unload the bin in a preferred position. Furthermore, these trucks are so heavy that they can crack, and otherwise damage concrete, and paved driveways and the like.

An alternative is to leave the bins on the road, but there are problems associated with this aswell. Firstly, opportunistic neighbours will take the opportunity to dispose of their rubbish at someone else's expense. Furthermore, there are legal issues associated with leaving a bin of this size out on a public road, permission must be sought, and precautions taken to ensure that the bin is not a traffic hazard.

The problem is not limited to bins however, as there are numerous instances where it is desirable to transfer a load, and the only means for doing so are specially adapted trucks using hydraulic lifting arms and the like.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a trailer that overcomes or at least substantially ameliorates the problems associated with the load handling systems of the prior art.

It is an object of this invention to provide a trailer adapted to hoist a wheeled load between the surface on which the trailer rests, and the carrying area of the trailer.

It is a preferred object of the invention to provide a trailer that is sized and adapted to be towed by a large domestic, or light commercial vehicle.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed.

In one form of this invention although this may not necessarily be the only or indeed the broadest form of this there is proposed a trailer, adapted to hoist a wheeled load between the surface on which the trailer rests, and the carrying area of the trailer, and then transport the load.

Preferably the trailer is further characterised in that it includes: a rigid support structure; a load carrying area pivotally connected to the rigid support structure so that it can be inclined relative to the surface on which the trailer rests; linear actuation means for inclining the load carrying platform, and power supply means for the linear actuators; and winching means for towing a wheeled load onto, or off of the inclined load carrying area; wherein in use, the trailer is adapted to be loaded and unloaded from the rear, via the co-ordination of the inclined platform, and the winch means.

Preferably, the linear actuation means are hydraulic cylinders.

Preferably, the load carrying area is adapted to receive a wheeled container, or bin thereon.

Preferably, the load carrying area is equipped with guidance means, to assist in guiding a wheeled bin or container on and off of the trailer.

In a further form of the invention, the load carry area is a platform, adapted to receive a wheeled vehicle, such as a car thereon.

Preferably, the trailer is sized and adapted to be towed by a large domestic, or light commercial vehicle.

For a better understanding of this invention it will now be described with respect to the preferred embodiment which shall be described herein with the assistance of drawings wherein; Figure 1 is side elevation of the trailer, and a bin positioned on the ground.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the trailer as it hoists the bin onto the trailer.

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the trailer with the bin on the trailer ready for transporting.

Figure 4 is a side elevation of the trailer as its hoists a car onto a platform.

Referring to the drawings, the trailer 1 is in this instance towed by a ute 2. It is to be realised however, that the vehicle could be a small truck, or large car, or any other vehicle with a similar towing capacity. The trailer has a chassis 3 and wheels 4. The trailer is adapted to carry a bin 5 such as a large rubbish bin. As shown the trailer has its wheels positioned toward the rear end of the trailer with a large proportion of the load being supported by the wheels of the trailer. Thus the bin is positioned on the trailer such that the load is substantially carried by the wheels of the trailer 4.

The bin handling mechanism includes a main lifting frame 6 hinged at one end by a hinge pin 7 to the rear of the trailer 1. A pair of hydraulic rams 9 is connected by pivot 10 to the chassis 3 near the centre of the chassis, and by pin 11 to the main lifting frame 6 at a position near the end of the lifting frame.

There is a winch 15, and power pack 20 for the hydraulics, fitted to the chassis 3 of the trailer 1, near the drawbar end of the chassis.

In use, the trailer would be reversed up to a bin 5. The lifting frame 6 would then be tilted via the hydraulic rams 9, and the winch cable 25 attached to the bin 5. The bin rests on a plurality of wheels 30, so that when the winch 15 is started, it will draw the bin 5 toward the lifting frame until finally a pair of guides 35 engages the lifting frame. The guides 35 serve to guide the bin 5 onto the lift frame, so as to avoid any misalignment of the bin and trailer, and they further serve to restrain the bin during transportation. Once the bin 5 has been hoisted clear of the ground, the lift frame can be lowered back to the horizontal, and the trailer and its cargo secured to one another, and towed away. The process as described is reversed for unloading operations.

In a preferred arrangement, the trailer would have 2 axles rated at 70001bs each; 235/85/16 tyres rated at 3060 Ibs each; electric brakes; a front pintle hitch rated at 12,000 Ibs; an 11 to 13 ho electric start engine with direct drive pump; 2 banks of hydraulic valves; a hydraulic reservoir of 10 to 15 gallons; 2 hydraulic cylinders of 48" stroke x 3 1/2" diameter; and a 9000 to 11000 Ib hydraulic winch.

It is envisaged that such a trailer, would be able to load, carry and unload a 12ft shipping container, weighing up to approximately 3600 Ibs. Larger trailers would of couse be able to handle larger loads, but then a larger tow vehicle would be required.

In a further form, the trailer can be adapted to carry vehicles such as cars. Referring then to Figure 4, where the lift frame 6 has been fitted with a platform 40. When the platform 40 is inclined it forms a ramp relative to the ground, suitable for driving, or towing a vehicle 45 onto. Once the vehicle is on the ramp, it can be secured and transported. The process as described is reversed for unloading operations.

It is considered therefore that a trailer such as that described herein would prove to be of considerable benefit to those who wish to transport loads considered too large for conventional trailers, or that are too difficult to load and unload using conventional trailers, and it is undesirable, or impossible to use a truck for the application.

Although the invention has been herein shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognised that departures can be made within the scope of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details described herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the appended claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices and apparatus.

Claims

1. A trailer sized and adapted to be towed by a large domestic, or light commercial vehicle at the least, adapted to hoist a wheeled load between the surface on which the trailer rests, and the carrying area of the trailer, and then transport the load.

2. The trailer of claim 1 ,further characterized in that it includes: a rigid support structure; a load carrying area pivotally connected to the rigid support structure so that it can be inclined relative to the surface on which the trailer rests, thereby providing a ramp; linear actuation means for inclining the load carrying platform, and power supply means for the linear actuators; and winch means for towing a wheeled load onto, or off of the inclined load-carrying platform; wherein in use, the trailer is adapted to be loaded and unloaded from the rear, via the co-ordination of the inclined platform, and the winch means.

3. The trailer of claim 2, wherein the load carrying area is a frame adapted to receive a wheeled container, or bin thereon.

4. The trailer of claim 2, wherein the load carry area is a platform, adapted to receive a wheeled vehicle, such as a car thereon. 7 The trailer substantially as described in the specification with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying illustrations. Dated this 30th day of September 2003 B DC SECURITIES PTY LTD By their Patent Attorneys COLLISON CO.