AU2020204114A1

AU2020204114A1 - Load Carrier

Info

Publication number: AU2020204114A1
Application number: AU2020204114A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Ross Butler
Original assignee: Axon Ind Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Axon Industries Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2019-06-19
Filing date: 2020-06-19
Publication date: 2021-01-14

Abstract

A load carrier includes a framework mountable on a vehicle tray. The framework includes a rear assembly which includes at least one lower support member configured for attachment to the tray at least one upper support member above the lower support rail, the support members being in a common vertical plane or in parallel vertical planes, and two arms interconnecting the lower and upper support members, the arms being a leading arm and a trailing arm, and being pivotable in the plane of the support members. A drive mechanism is operatively engaged with the framework to pivot the arms relative to the support members.

Description

LOAD CARRIER FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a load carrier for use with a vehicle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a load carrier that includes: a framework mountable on a vehicle tray, the framework including: a rear assembly which includes: at least one lower support member configured for attachment to the tray; and at least one upper support member above the lower support rail, the support members being in a common vertical plane or in parallel vertical planes; two arms interconnecting the lower and upper support members, the arms being a leading arm and a trailing arm, and being pivotable in the plane of the support members, and a drive mechanism operatively engaged with the framework to pivot the arms relative to the support members.

The framework may further include a front assembly connected to the rear assembly by at least one cross member, the front assembly including: at least one lower support member configured for attachment to the tray; and at least one upper support member above the lower support rail, the support members being in a common vertical plane or in parallel vertical planes; two arms interconnecting the lower and upper support members, the arms being a leading arm and a trailing arm, and being pivotable in the plane of the support members, and movable along each length of the support members; and a drive mechanism operatively engaged with the framework to pivot the arms relative to the support members.

The support members may be a rail or a platform.

The arms may be straight or angled.

The arms may be movable along each length of the support members.

The framework may include a further assembly between the front and rear assemblies.

The, or each assembly may include more than two arms.

The framework may include a load platform mounted on a frame which includes the rear upper support member, the front upper support member and the, or each cross member.

The, or each drive mechanism may be engaged with the, or each, leading arm, and may be a linear actuator including a motor and a piston.

The load carrier may include a load frame mounted on the vehicle tray.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 shows a rear view of a load carrier according to one aspect of the invention.

Figure 2 shows a rear view of an upper portion of the load carrier.

Figure 3 shows a rear view of a lower portion of the load carrier.

Figure 4 shows a cross-section of a beam of the load carrier.

Figure 5 shows a detailed view of an upper front portion of a load carrier according to one aspect of the invention.

Figure 6 shows a locking mechanism of the load carrier in an unlocked condition.

Figure 7 shows the locking mechanism of figure 6 in a locked condition.

Figure 8 shows a front support frame for an aspect of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Load carriers that are displaceable from a loading position to a transport position and from a transport position to a loading position are known. For a load carrier according to one aspect of the invention, an upper support member, which can be supporting a load platform, is generally horizontal in the transport position. The upper support member is angled or tilted in the loading position. The tilt can facilitate loading of elongate objects, side-by-side and resting on each other. However, in some circumstances it can be advantageous or desirable to adjust and control the tilt of the upper support member at each increment in its displacement between the transport position and the loading position. For example, if the load to be carried is heavy or cumbersome, or prone to rolling or sliding, it would be desirable for the upper support member to move through less of a tilt when being displaced to the loading position. This would provide a loading position closer to the horizontal to facilitate retention of such a load on the load platform during displacement of the upper support arm to the transport position.

In use, and in the transport position, the upper support member can be supported by a load frame mounted on the vehicle tray. The load carrier according to one aspect of the invention, and the contribution of a trailing arm of a framework described below, facilitates displacement of the upper support member from a transport position to a loading position, and from a loading position to a transport position, without interference with the load frame. This is discussed in more detail below, with reference to the figures.

Referring to Figures 1, 2 and 3, reference numeral 10 generally indicates an embodiment of a load carrier, according to an aspect of the invention. The load carrier includes a framework 12 mountable on a vehicle tray 13. The framework 12 includes a rear assembly 14 and a front assembly 26. Each of the rear assembly 14 and front assembly 26 includes a lower support member 16, 16', configured for attachment to the tray; and an upper support member 18, 18' above the lower support member 16, 16', the support members being in a common vertical plane.

Each of the rear assembly 14 and front assembly 26 also includes a leading arm , 20' and a trailing arm 22, 22' interconnecting the lower support member 16, 16' (figure 3), and upper support member 18, 18' (figure 2).

Each of the rear assembly 14 and front assembly 26 also includes a drive mechanism 24, 24' operatively engaged with the framework 12 to pivot the leading arms , 20' and trailing arms 22, 22' relative to the support members.

The load carrier 10 includes a proximal cross member 32 and a distal cross member 34, orthogonal to, and inter-connecting, the upper support members 18,18'. The cross members 32, 34 and the support members 18, 18' provide a frame 15. A load platform (not shown) can be positioned or attached to the frame 15.

In this embodiment, the load carrier 10 further includes a rear load frame 28 and a front load frame 30 (see figure 5), which contribute to supporting the load platform when in a transport position.

Referring to figure 4, the beam 38, shown in detailed cross-section along A-A of figure 3, can form part of any of the following components: the lower and upper support members 16, 16', 18, 18'; the leading and trailing arms 20, 20', 21, 21', and the cross members 32, 34. The configuration of the beam 38 facilitates reversible attachment and adjustment of components to optimise the functioning of the load carrier for various applications. A central channel 40 can receive member portions which can be moved in the channel 40 to extend or shorten the member. For example, the leading arm 20 includes the beam 38 (figure 2). An elongate insert 42 extends into the central channel of the leading arm 20. The insert 42 defines a series of openings (not shown) along its length. A bolt 44 is received through a wall of the beam 38 and through a selected opening so that an overall length of the leading arm 20 can be adjusted. The leading arm ' and the trailing arms 22, 22' can have a similar configuration to permit similar adjustments. In further embodiments, the elongate insert 42 or other member portions can be operatively engaged with an actuator, such as a linear actuator that is operable to displace the insert or other member portions to adjust their position relative to the beam 38.

Referring to figure 3, a bar 46 of the leading arm 20 inserts into an opposite end of the central channel 40 of the beam 38. Bolts 48 extend through the wall of the beam 38 and through openings (not shown) of the bar 46 to secure the beam 38 to the bar 46.

Referring back to figure 4, the beam 38 includes two distal longitudinal slots 50, and two proximal longitudinal slots 52 that run substantially along the length of each beam 38. The slots 50, 52 are partially closed to define corresponding longitudinal access openings 51, 53 to provide access to the slots 50, 52, with the access openings 51, 53 having a width that is less than that of the slots 50, 52. The slots 50, 52 facilitate attachment and positional adjustment of the components of the load carrier 10 to the beams 38. For example, referring to figure 3, the leading arm 20 is attached to the lower support member 16 via an end-piece 54, which is bolted onto the lower support member 16 using nuts 56 that are threaded onto respective shanks of bolts (not shown) that extend through the openings 51, 53. Heads of the bolts can slide in the slots 50, 52. The slots 50, 52 and the heads are dimensioned so that the heads can slide in the slots 50, 52, but are inhibited from rotation. This allows the nuts 56 to be tightened and loosened without the bolts rotating. Loosening of the nuts 56 enables repositioning of the leading arm 20 on the lower support member 16. In a similar manner, the trailing arms 22, 22' can be repositioned on the respective lower support members 16, 16'. Alternatively, the endpieces can be welded to appropriate beams if positional adjustment of the arms is not required.

Referring to figures 6 and 7, the beam 38 includes a locking mechanism to hold a member portion 39 in a predetermined position in the channel 40 of the beam 38. The locking mechanism includes an aperture 41 through the member 39 and an aperture 41' through the beam 38. A pin 43 extends through the apertures 41 and 41' in a locked condition. A clip 45 engages end portions of the pin 43 extending from the beam 38. The pin 43 prevents the member 39 from moving within the channel 40, and the clip 45 inhibits dislodgement of the pin 43 from the apertures 41, 41'.

The beam 38 can also accommodate an insert in the channels 50, 52, for aesthetic or protective purposes. For example, the leading arm 20 in figure 2 includes a portion of a rubber insert 23 for illustrative purposes.

Figure 5 is a view of a portion of the front assembly 26 and shows attachment of the leading arm 20' and the trailing arm 22' to the upper support member 18'. The leading arm 20' can be attached to the upper support member 18'via an end-piece 60, which can be bolted onto the upper support member 18' using nuts 62 that are threaded onto shanks of bolts (not shown) with heads of the bolts located in the distal and proximal slots 52, 52', as described above. Loosening of the nuts 62 enables repositioning of the leading arm 20' on the upper support member 18'. In a similar manner, the trailing arms 22, 22' can be repositioned on the respective upper support members 18, 18'. Alternatively, the endpieces can be welded to appropriate beams if positional adjustment of the arms is not required

Referring back to figures 1 and 3, in the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the drive mechanism 24, 24' is an actuator. In this example the actuator is a linear actuator. The actuators 24, 24' include a motor 66, 66' to drive a piston 67 located in a sleeve 68, 68'. The pistons 67 are pivotally connected to respective leading arms 20, '. The configuration of the beam 38 used for the leading arms 20, 20' enables pivotal attachment of the pistons 67 to the leading arm 20, 20'with an endpiece 70, 70' and nuts 72, 72'. In this example, the endpiece 70, 70' is two plates that are fastened to respective sides of the beam 38 with nuts 72 as described above with reference to the nuts 56, 62. Loosening of the nuts 72, 72' enables repositioning of the endpiece 70, 70' and thus a point of pivotal connection of the pistons 67 to the respective leading arms , 20'. Alternatively, the endpieces can be welded to appropriate beams if positional adjustment of the pistons is not required. Pivot pin arrangements 69 extend through respective endpieces 70, 70' and pivotally engage respective pistons 67.

The configuration of the beam 38 used for the lower support members 16, 16' also enables pivotal attachment of the actuators 24, 24' to the lower support members 16, 16'with an endpiece 92, 92' and nuts 94, 94'. In this example, the endpiece 92, 92' is two plates that are fastened to respective sides of the beam 38 with nuts 94, 94' as described above with reference to the nuts 56, 62. Loosening of the nuts 94, 94' enables repositioning of the endpiece 92, 92' and thus a point of pivotal connection of the actuators 24, 24'to the respective lower support members 16, 16'. Alternatively, the endpieces can be welded to appropriate beams if positional adjustment of the actuators is not required. Pivot pin arrangements 96, 96' extend through respective endpieces 92, 92' and pivotally engage respective actuators 24, 24'.

In addition, the leading arms 20, 20' are pivotable in the plane of the lower support members 16, 16' respectively around pivot arrangements 74, 74'. To that end, the respective endpieces 54 also each include two plates 55, 55' attached to respective sides of the lower support member 16, 16'with the nuts 56 and respective bolts. Alternatively, the endpieces can be welded to appropriate beams if positional adjustment of the arms is not required. The bar 46 is pivotally mounted between the plates with a pivot arrangement 74. Referring to figures 2 and 5, the inserts 42 of the leading arms , 20' extend between two plates 61, 61' of respective endpieces 60 that are mounted on the upper support members 18, 18' respectively, in a manner similar to that of the endpieces 54. The inserts 42 are pivotally mounted to the endpieces 60 via pivot arrangements 76, 76'.

Referring to figures 3 and 5, the trailing arms 22, 22' are pivotable in the plane of the lower support members 16, 16' respectively around pivot arrangements 78, 78'. To that end, the respective endpieces 65 also each include two plates 67, 67' attached to respective sides of the lower support member 16, 16'with the nuts 56 and respective bolts, in the manner described above. Alternatively, the endpieces can be welded to appropriate beams if positional adjustment of the arms is not required. A bar 59, similar to the bar 46, is pivotally mounted between the plates 67, 67'with a pivot arrangement 78. Referring also to figure 2, the inserts 63 of the trailing arms 22, 22' extend between two plates 71, 71' of respective endpieces 73 that are mounted on the upper support members 18, 18' respectively, in a manner similar to that of the endpieces 65. The inserts 63 are pivotally mounted to the endpieces 73 via pivot arrangements 80, 80'.

Although not shown in the figures, the inserts 42, 63, endpieces 60, 73 or any part of the frame 15 can be operatively engaged with a further actuator, such as a linear actuator. This actuator can effect adjustment of the length of the support leading and trailing arms 20, 22 by moving the component to which the actuator is engaged, and thereby causing insertion or retraction of the inserts 42, 63.

Referring to figure 8, the load carrier of the invention can be configured to accommodate longer and/or larger loads. The framework 12 can be extended to the length (front to back) of the vehicle, not limited to the length of the tray 13. The support assembly 84 shown in figure 8 includes two bars 86, 86'which can extend above the roof of the vehicle. The proximal and distal cross member 32, 34 of the framework 12 are extended towards the front of the vehicle so that the upper support member 18' engages with the support assembly 84.

In use, the embodiments of the invention can be used to load, transport and offload a load (goods) in the following manner. Referring to figure 1, where the load carrier of the invention is in a transport position, the framework 12 can include a load platform (not shown), positioned or attached to the frame 15 created by the upper support members 18, 18'and the cross members 32, 34 of the framework 12. In the transport position, the load platform is parallel to the vehicle tray 13. In order to move the load platform to a loading position, the drive mechanisms 68, 68' are activated, moving the leading arms 20, 20' from their transport position, through a vertical position in the plane of the lower and upper support members 16, 18 and 16', 18' respectively, to a desired loading position. Simultaneously, the trailing arms 22, 22' also move from a transport position to the loading position, supporting the load platform at a position proximal to a loading side 82 of the vehicle.

Adjustment of the positioning of the leading arms 20, 20' along the lower support member 16 and upper support member 18, 18', and the length of the leading arms 20, ', together with adjustment of the positioning of the trailing arms 22, 22' along the lower support member 16, 16' and upper support member 18, 18', and the length of the trailing arms 22, 22', facilitates control of the height to which the load platform will be raised at the commencement of the movement from transport position to loading position, and facilitates control of the tilt at which the load platform rests for loading. For example, the load platform can have a loading position substantially parallel to the vehicle tray 13 or can have a loading position substantially orthogonal to the vehicle tray, or any desired angle between the two.

In addition, the configuration of the trailing arms 22, 22' ensures that as the loading platform is moved from the transport position, the upper support members 18, 18' are not constrained by the rear load frame 28 and front load frame 30. The trailing arms 22, 22' lift the proximal portions of the load platform clear of the load frames 28, 30 as the load platform is moved from the transport position to the loading position.

Adjustability of the tilt of the load platform assists with safe loading of a wide range of goods, and safe transport of the goods. For example, for loading goods such as glass panes, the loading position of the load platform can be as close to the vertical as possible. In contrast, for loading goods such as pipes, the loading position of the load platform can be as close to the horizontal as possible.

The beams, members and arms of the invention can be manufactured from the same or different materials. The materials can be any practicable materials, including stainless steel, aluminium, and galvanised steel.

The appended claims are to be considered as incorporated into the above description.

In the above description, like reference numerals refer to like parts, unless otherwise specified. The use of common reference numerals is not to be regarded as an indication that any components of one embodiment are essential for another embodiment and is for convenience only.

Throughout the specification, including the claims, where the context permits, the term "comprising" and variants thereof such as "comprise" or "comprises" are to be interpreted as including the stated integer or integers without necessarily excluding any other integers.

It is to be understood that the terminology employed above is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The described embodiments are intended to be illustrative of the invention, without limiting the scope thereof. The invention is capable of being practised with various modifications and additions as will readily occur to those skilled in the art.

Words indicating direction or orientation, such as "front", "rear", "back", "vertical", "horizontal", etc., are used for convenience. The inventor(s) envisages that various embodiments can be used in a non-operative configuration, such as when presented for sale. Thus, such words are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive.

Claims

1. A load carrier including a framework mountable on a vehicle tray, the framework including: a rear assembly which includes: at least one lower support member configured for attachment to the tray; at least one upper support member above the lower support rail, the support members being in a common vertical plane or in parallel vertical planes; and two arms interconnecting the lower and upper support members, the arms being a leading arm and a trailing arm, and being pivotable in the plane of the support members; and a drive mechanism operatively engaged with the framework to pivot the arms relative to the support members.

2. The load carrier as claimed in claim 1, the framework further including: a front assembly connected to the rear assembly by at least one cross member, the front assembly including: at least one lower support member configured for attachment to the tray; at least one upper support member above the lower support rail, the support members being in a common vertical plane or in parallel vertical planes; and two arms interconnecting the lower and upper support members, the arms being a leading arm and a trailing arm, and being pivotable in the plane of the support members; and a drive mechanism operatively engaged with the framework to pivot the arms relative to the support members.

3. The load carrier as claimed in claim 2, in which the arms are angled.

4. The load carrier as claimed in claim 2 or 3, in which the arms are movable along a length of the, or each respective, support member.

5. The load carrier as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 4, in which framework includes a further assembly positioned between the front and rear assemblies.

6. The load carrier as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 5, in which the support members are each a rail.

7. The load carrier as claimed in any one of claim 2 to 5, in which the support members are each a platform.

8. The load carrier as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 7, in which the, or each, drive mechanism is engaged with the, or each, leading arm.

9. The load carrier as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 8, in which the, or each, drive mechanism is a linear actuator including a motor and a piston.

10. The load carrier as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 9, in which the rear upper support member, the front upper support member and at least one cross member define a frame.

11. The load carrier as claimed in claim 10, in which a load platform is mounted on the frame.

12. A vehicle which includes the load carrier as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. A load carrier including a vehicle with a vehicle tray, and a framework mounted on the vehicle tray, the framework including: a rear assembly which includes: at least one lower support member configured for attachment to the tray; at least one upper support member above the lower support member, the support members being in a common vertical plane or in parallel vertical planes; and two arms interconnecting the lower and upper support members, the arms being a leading arm and a trailing arm, and being pivotable in the plane of the support members; and a drive mechanism operatively engaged with the framework to pivot the arms relative to the support members.

14. The load carrier as claimed in claim 13, the framework further including: a front assembly connected to the rear assembly, the front assembly including: at least one lower support member configured for attachment to the tray; at least one upper support member above the lower support rail, the support members being in a common vertical plane or in parallel vertical planes; and two arms interconnecting the lower and upper support members, the arms being a leading arm and a trailing arm, and being pivotable in the plane of the support members; and a drive mechanism operatively engaged with the framework to pivot the arms relative to the support members.