AU613632B2 - Improvements to self loading, unloading vehicles - Google Patents

Description

1. AUSTRALIAL- P/oo/011 Form PATENTS ACT 1952 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION

(ORIGINAL)

FOR OFFICE USE Short Title: Int. Cl: 32 Application Number: Lodged: Complete Specification-Lodged: Accepted: Lapsed: Published: .:riority: .Beladd Art: 0@* Na me of Applicant: Address of Applicant: oo OACtlu.1 Inventor: Address for Service: TO BE COMPLETED BY APPLICAN? GEOFFREY J. McHATTAN 4 CHESTER RD. TURRAMURRA N.S.W. 2074 GEOFFREY J. McHATTAN Q S hS W -4 Complete Specification for the invention entitled: IMPROVEMENTS TO SELF LOADING, UNLOADING

VEHICLES.

The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:-* Note: The description is to be typed in double spacing, pica type face, in an area not exceeding 250 mm in depth and 160 mm in width, on tough white paper of good quality and it is to be inserted inside this form.

14599/78-L Printed by C. J. THOMPSON, Commonwealth Government Printer, Canberra

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@6 S I( Complete specification for the invention entitled "improvements to self loading, unloadinc vehicles". Patent application No. PI 8161 refers.

The invention relates to the irmroved design construction of vehicle chassis/frames, along with relevant bodywork, for the carriage of goods.

The resultant vehicle, whether or not the vehicle is self-propelled, has the ability to load unload it's payload without outside assistance.

Existing vehicles that have som ability to self load or unload, uqually follow 3 formats:- A shaped chassis/frame )pen to the rear, which raises lowers it's payload, u3ually by hydraulics but, sometimes by the use of straps for vessels) '15 A conventional vehicle, fitzed with various additional pieces of handling equipment.

Vehicles, specifically designed to load unload other more general vehicles, or for the very limited transport of cargo. forklifts, container loaders or bucket .20 loaders.) Open plan vehicle chassis/frame have existed for some time generally referred to as "skeletal", hyd aulic or pneumatic suspension systems have existed in general use for lany years, as have vehicles with height adjustable payload sections, particularly in the airline industry.

The existing self load, unload vehicle chassis/frames designs are limited because:- They severely restrict the payload, either because or their structural integrity in the case of the format PAGE 1 6

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6@@ 0@S@ or the amount of weight space consumed by the additional handling equipment.

The format type can only handle a specific type of cargo e.g. shipping containers. General cargo must be enclosed in containers or vessels in cradles or lifting straps, which impart abrasion damage.

The vehicles specifically designed to load unload are usually unsuited to the transport of cargo, because of their lack of speed, stability, excess dimensions lack of conformation with regulations related to the use of vehicles on public roads.

The invention is a vehicle chassis/frame, whether or not self-propelled, which allows the vehicle to self load, unload by adjusting the height of the payload to either remove it from or place it upon *15 supports, which have been positioned under same. The vehicle chassis/ frame's transverse memh rs can be set aside, or totally removed to allow the remaining lon itudinal members to be placed under or removed *0 from under the payload, without fouling the payloads static support 00. 0 system e.g. blocks, jacks, legs, stands or other.

S. .20 The invention deals with most of the shortcomings found in existing self load, unload vehicles in the following manner:- The tare weight of the vehicle is only marginally o. higher that a similar conventional vehicle. The design delivers a vehicle with no disadvantage in it's volumetric capacity.

In it's transport configuration, the resultant vehicle has t.e same structural integrity as a similar conventional vehicle.

-PAGE 2- The resultant vehicle has normal stability speed-ability can be constructed to comply with all road use' regulations.

The resultant vehicle can carry various types of cargo without the need for containers, cradles or straps.

The resultant vehicle can self load, unload extremely heavy payloads, which would present special problems even with conventional loading equipment, according to the availability of such handling equipment.

The invention has the ability to allow the vehicle e to be moved under or removed from under the payload in much the same manner a forklift's tynes pass under a payload, without the vehicles transverse members, of any kind, presenting an obstruction to the payload's supports, be they blocks, jacks, legs, stands or other.

S The vehicle chassis/frame is constructed in the normal 20 manner of longitudinal members, in conjunction with the transverse members, except that the transverse members are not permanently affixed to the longitudinals.

The vehicle chassis/frame along with any ancillary bodywork is so constructed that selected, or all, i25 transverse members can be set aside or totally removed, leaving only the vehicle's longitudinal elements.

The transverse memebers, as shown by in figs.

00 1-3, are structurally attached to the longitudinals, as shown.by in figs. 1-3, by various means, dependant upon the application as follows:- (1)HINGED,numbered in figs.1-3, vertical or horizontal axis, one or both ends, so the members can be set aside 00 00 00 0 0 00 0 0 00 0 PAGE 3 c without total removal, see figs.1-3.

BOXED,numbered 4 in fig. 3(a), CONVENTIONAL FASTENINGS, numbered 5 in fig. 3(c) INTERLOCKS, numbered 6 in fig 3(d) but regardless of the fastening method chosen the transverse members regain maintain their structural integrity when the vehicle is in it's transport configuration, as shown in fig.l(a), 2(c).

All fastening types, should have a blocking device, which will prevent the transverse members being unlocked whilst any load is present upon the vehicle.

The chassis/frame is fitted with an "independant" type suspension so the relevant axle or axles do not create a transverse obstruction.

15 The vehicle may be fitted with an adjustable ride height suspension or payload section that allows the Sload bearing elements of the vehicle to be brought Sinto or removed from, contact with the static load.

SThere need be no facility to adjust the height of the 20 vehicle or payload section, because the payload can be brought to bear on the vehicle, or removed, by the use 0 of normal jacks.

THE PROCEDURE FOR USING THE SYSTEM IS THUS;- (see figs.1-3) The transverse members, are swung to one side, or removed as appropriate. Figs.

2(d).

The vehicle, which is now devoid of any transverse obstruction is then manouvered under or 30 around the payload, which has previously been placed upon supports at an appropriate height.

The transverse members are returned, or replaced, to their transport position, Figs.l(a),1(c) 2(a) 2(c) and locked. Movement of the transverse members locking may be power assisted, dependant upon the size of the sections involved.

The vehicles loadbearing members, or the vehicle itself, are then raised, or the payload can be lowered.

The payload supports, or jacks are then removed from under the vehicle, when the vehicle can be driven or towed away as appropriate.

PAGE 4 IUrrsmu+~U YUtr-- ~nSb~rCI iCirr~C29i~e~_P~L~ Unloading is a reversal of the loading procedure, detailed above.

An actual example of the application of the invention is a boat trailer, which is submerged to allow vessels to float onto two, or more stands, previously place on the trailer. The vessel is then unloaded trom the trailer, and re-loaded when ready, to launched by the same means of submerging the S trailer.

Figures 4 5 show the general layout of the trailer, which is fitted with an hydraulic, height adjustable suspension system.

15 Fig. 4 shows the transverse structural members (1) So' and the longitudinal structural members Fig. 5 shows the rear transverse structural member being hinged at one end, where it is attached to one longitudinal structural member fastened to the other longitudinal structural members(2) by normal bolts The transverse structural member is in the closed and fastened position with the trailer possessing normal structural strength.

Fig. 6 shows the trailer with the rear transverse 25 structural member in the open position, having the fastenings removed, and the member swung away from the longitudinal structural members on the hinge The trailer has lost much of it's structural strength when in the open position.

Fig. 7 shows the trailer manouvering under a vessel which was floated onto the stands when it was hauled from the water. The stands are high enough to allow the passage of the trailers central longitudinal structural members under the said stands, when the suspension has been hydraulicly lowered.

35 Fig 8 shows the trailer with the rear transverse structural member closed, after the trailer has been manouvered under the vessel(3) and the stands The fastenings re-installed and the hydraulic suspension has than raised the stands and the vessel off the ground for transportation.

Please note that the drawings only show the loadbearing portion of the vehicle. The balance of the vehicle will vary depending upon the application or 44 whether or not it is self propelled.

DATED 14/5/91 G. M Ha ttap PAGE A,.22 PAGE