AU653420B2 - A cotton module transporter - Google Patents

Description

7) S F Ref: 218285

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATON FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

e a r o Name and Address of Applicant: Actual Inventor(s): Address for Service: Invention Title: Engineering Dynamics Pty Limited Nemingha New South Wales 2340

AUSTRALIA

Graham Olde Spruson Ferguson, Patent Attorneys Level 33 St Martins Tower, 31 Market Street Sydney, New South Wales, 2000, Australia A Cotton Module Transporter 4 ft.

ASSOCIATED PROVISIONAL APPLICATION DETAILS [31] Application No(s) [331 Country PK7744 AU PL1960 AU E32] Application Date 14 August 1991 15 April 1992 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us:- 5815/3

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FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to transporters and more particularly but not exclusively to cotton module transporters to raise a cotton module from ground level and to deliver it to a motor lorry low load 6 carrying surface.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Cotton modules are formed by delivering cotton to the interior of a cotton module builder. The builder is essentially a rectangular box having an open top and bottom. The builder sits on a ground surface and iocotton is delivered to the interior thereof. A "tamper" assembly compacts the cotton. Once the module is formed, an end wall of the builder is opened and the bu'Ider removed leaving the cotton module sitting on the ground surface.

A cotton module loader then transfers the cotton module to the load jicarrying surface of a motor lorry. It may also be of use to deliver the module to a ground surface after transportation.

PRIOR ART Australian patent specification 547491 describes a loader for cotton modules. It consists of a main frame comprising two sub-frames, 0 aoowhich are pivotally attached for movement about a transverse axis.

Pivotally mounted on the main frame is a conveyor which is tiltable between a horizontal position and an inclined position. In the inclined position, the loader is capable of moving the module from the ground surface until it rests on the loader. Thereafter, the conveyor is moved is until it is generally horizontal and can be positioned above the load carrying surface of a motor lorry. Thereafter, the module is moved by the conveyor and delivered to the load carrying surface of the motor lorry, as the module is simultaneously moved rearwardly of the load carrying surface. It should be appreciated in this respect that the soloader is of a "straddle" type construction so as to have wheels on both sides of the motor lorry.

The above discussed cotton module loader suffers from the disadvantage that the frames are relatively complex and therefore can be expensiv to manufacture. Still further, due to the complexity &A ihe it is prone to failure.

OBJECT OF THE PRESENT INVENTION It is the object of the present invention to provide an alternative loader or substantially ameliorate at least some of the above disadvantages.

LMM/1776m 2 Disclosure of the Invention There is disclosed herein a self propelled cotton module transporter compnrising: a generally U-shaped chassis providing a pair of generally parallel co-extensive legs joined by a base, the legs being spaced so that a motor lorry is positionable therebetweeen; a conveyor assembly mounted on the chassis and extending longitudinally parallel to the legs and positioned therebetween, the conveyor assembly being movably mounted so that at least one end thereof is vertically movable between a raised position and a lowered position; at least one hydraulic cylinder extending between the conveyor assembly and chassis to cause said vertical movement; wheel assemblies supporting the chassis; and a power source mounted on one of said legs and drivingly coupled to one of said 5wheel assemblies so that said module is driven thereby, said power source also being S• 15 operatively connected to said cylinder to cause operation thereof to raise and lower said one end.

o:o..i There is further disclosed herein a self propelled cotton module transporter comprising: a chassis having a pair of generally parallel co-extensive side members; a conveyor mounted on the chassis and extending between the side members; four wheel assemblies, arranged in pairs so that each side member has an associated pair of wheel assemblies; a hydraulic cylinder extending between each wheel assembly and tMle chassis so that extremities of the conveyor may be raised and lowered; and o 25 a power source mounted on one of said side members and operatively associated e with at least one of the wheel assemblies to drive the wheel assembly, and said hydraulic cylinders to cause operation thereof.

Description of the Drawings Preferred forms of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein Figure 1 is a schematic side elevation of a cotton module transporter and loader; Figure 2 is a schematic side elevation of the transporter and loader of Figure 1, in a further configuration; Figure 3 is a schematic end elevation of the rear of the loader and transporter of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a schematic side elevation of the rear wheel assembly of the loader and transporter of Figure 1; 2A Figure 5 is a schematic part sectioned elevation of the wheel assembly employed in the front wheel assemblies of the loader and transporter of Figure 1; Figure 6 is a schematic elevation of one of the wheel assemblies employed adjacent the forward end of the loader and transporter of Figure 1; Figure 7 is a schematic top plan view of a portion of the device of Figure Figure 8 is a schematic top plan part sectioned view of a wheel assembly employed in the device of Figure 1;

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*e "i *ft o3e*e* ft *o [N:\LIBTTJ00189:vgs 4 Pivotally mounted adjacent the rear of the base 14 is a conveyor assembly 28 which includes an elongated conveyor frame 29 which supports a longitudinally extending chain conveyor 30. The chain conveyor 30 is driven by means of a rear mounted hydraulic motor 31 which is reversible so the module may be loaded and unloaded via the forward end 32.

Towards the forward end 32 are ram assemblies 33 (one extending from each arm 13) which raise and lower the forward end 32, so that the conveyor assembly 28 may be oriented in a generally horizontal position (Figure 1) or an inclined position as shown in Figure 2, with the 1oconveyor chain 30 extending downwardly from the rear 34.

The forward end 32 of the loader is provided with an operator's cab equipped with appropriate controls. Preferably the device 10 would be provided with its own power source 36 which would run pumps to provide, for example, hydraulic fluid under pressure for the various rams and i6motors.

The wheel assembly 15 includes a pair of rigid, spaced parallel beams or plates 37 and 38. Attached to the beam 38, is a hydraulic motor 39 which aids in supporting a wheel rim 40 and tyre 41, via a rim flange 42. Also attached to the rim flange 42 is a stub axle 43 supported by a S 2obearing assembly 44. The bearing assembly 44 is supported on the beam 37. Accordingly, the wheel rim and its associated tyre 41 are rotatably supported by the hydraulic motor 39 and the bearing assembly Hydraulic fluid under pressure is delivered to the hydraulic motor 39 in order to drive the tyre 41. As best seen in Figure 1, the wheel assembly 215 includes a pair of driven tyres 41 and associated hydraulic motor 39 and bearing assembly The ram assemblies 33 are supported at their lower end by the beams 37 and 38, and more particularly are pivotally supported thereby for pivoting movement about a horizontal axis extending transverce of the 3odevice Each ram assembly 33 includes a hydraulic rtm 45 which is pivotally mounted at its lower end and supported by the beams or plates 37 and 38, and is pivotally attached to the apex of a pair of converging brace members 46. The apex is located above the conveyor belt or surface 170.

36The brace members 46 at their spaced apart lower ends are attached to the conveyor frame 29, so that the forward end 32 may be raised and lowered by operation of the rams 45. To brace or rigidize the rams 45, each is encased in a telescopic tubular case including a lower tubular member 47 and an upper tubular member 48, telescopically received within the lower LMM/1776m 3 Figure 9 is a schematic side elevation of a cotton module loader and transporter; Figure 10 is a schematic side elevation of the transporter of Figure 9; Figure 11 is a schematic side elevation of a further cotton module transporter and loader; Figure 12 is a schematic side elevation of the transporter of Figure 11; and Figure 13 is a further schematic side elevation of the transporter >oof Figure 11.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In Figures 1 and 2 there is schematically depicted a device 10 to load and transport cotton modules. The device 10 picks up cotton modules from a ground surface with a conveyor 28 and delivers them to a load i6carrying surface of a motor lorry 11. Alternatively, the device 10 may remove the module from the motor lorry and deliver it to a ground surface. The device 10 includes a base frame or chassis 12 which when viewed in plan is of a "U-shaped" configuration having longitudinally extending legs (sub-frames) or side frames 13 joined by a base 14. The olegs 13 are transversely spaced, generally parallel and co-extensive.

Each leg 13 is supported with forward wheel assemblies 15 and 49, while the rear of the chassis 14 is provided with a pair of wheel assemblies 16. As shown in Figure 3, the rear wheel assemblies 16 include generally L-shaped supports 17 which are rotatable about vertical axes 18 by means 26of bearings 19. Engaged by the bearings 19 is a flange 20 fixed to a tubular support 21. The tubular support 21 is telescopically received within a further tubular support 22 fixed to a transverse member 24 forming part of the base 14. The tubular support 22 terminates at its upper end in a plate 23 while extending between the plate 23 and the flange 20 is a hydraulic ram 25. By operation of the hydraulic ram the rear of the device 10 and consequently the conveyor may be raised and lowered. In Figure 3, the left hand portion of the drawing illustrates the rear wheel assembly in its exiended position, while the right hand portion of the drawing illustrates the assembly in its contracted a'position. Each wheel assembly 16 includes an axle assembly 26 supporting a wheel rim and tyre 27.

One or all of the forward or rear wheel assemblies may be driven.

However in this preferred embodiment, only the forward wheel assemblies are driven.

LMM/1776m member 47. The lower member 47 is pivotally attached so as to pivot only about the same axis as the lower end of the ram 45, while the upper end of the tubular member 48 is pivotally attached to the members 46 and pivots only about the same axis as the upper end of the ram SAs best seen in Figure 7, one side of the device 10 Is provided with the bogie double wheel assembly 15, while the other side is provided with a single wheel assembly 49, again engaged by a ram assembly 33 and including a rotatably mounted wheel 50. The wheel assembly 49 Is supported on the arm 13.

1 0 The frame 29 is pivotally mounted by means of a shaft 51 straddling the arms 13 and supporting the frame 29.

In operation of the above described device 10, a cotton module resting on a ground surface is picked up by forwardly moving the device while simultaneously operating the chain conveyor 30, with the device 1610 being arranged in the configuration shown in Figure 2. Once the cotton module is in position, the forward end 32 is raised so that the device 10 may be driven to a position straddling the load carrying surface of a motor lorry 11. Thereafter, the device 10 is reversed while simultaneously operating the chain conveyor 30 to deliver the cotton 2omodule from the forward end 32. In this regard it should be appreciated that the forward and reverse velocities of the device 10 may be co-ordinated with the chain conveyor 30. The device 10 is driven by be operation of the wheel assembly 15, and the device may be steered by operation of the rear wheel assemblies 16. However other configurations driver and dirigible wheels may be employed.

A cotton module may also be removed from one location and placed upon a further ground surface by again arranging the device 10 in the configuration shown in Figure 2, and operating the chain conveyor 30 to propel the cotton module from the forward end 32, while simultaneously 3oreversing the device If so required, the rear hydraulic rams 25 may also be activated to S* raise and lower the frame 39 and/or aid in tilting of the frame 29.

In Figures 9 and 10 of the accompanying drawings there is schematically depicted another loader and transporter for cotton 3;,iuaules. The transporter 110 inciudes a base frame 112 which when viewed in plan is of a "U-shaped" configuration having longitudinally extending legs (sub-frames) 113 joined by a base 114. The legs 113 are transversely spaced, generally parallel and co-extensive. Each leg 113 is provided with forward wheel assemblies 115, while the base 114 is LMM/1776m 6 provided with a pair of dirigible wheel assemblies 116. The wheel assemblies 116 include generally L-shaped supports 117 which are rotatable about a vertical axis 118 so that the transporter 110 can be steered thereby. The support 117 rotatably supports a wheel 119.

SOne or all of the wheel assemblies 115 and 116 are driven so that the transporter 110 may be propelled along the ground surface 1ll.

Pivotally mounted adjacent the base 114 is a conveyor assembly 120 which includes an elongated frame 721 which supports a longitudinally extending chain conveyor 122. The chain conveyor 122 is driven by means o of a motor 123 which is reversible so that the module may be loaded and unloaded via the forward end 124.

Adjacent the forward end are one or more hydraulic rams (one extending from each arm 113) 125 which directly attach the chassis or base frame 112 with the conveyor frame 121, preferably above a rigid post 4150 which supports a side rail 151 of the frame 121. This raises and lowers the forward end 124, so that the conveyor assembly 120 may be oriented in a generally horizontal position (Figure 10) or an inclined position as shown in Figure 9, with the conveyor assembly 120 extending downwardly from the rear 126.

o The forward end 124 is provided with an operator's cab 127 equipped S. with appropriate controls.

In operation of the above described transporter 110, a cotton module resting on the ground surface 111 is picked up by forwardly moving the transporter 110 while simultaneously operating the chain conveyor 26122, with the transporter 110 being arranged in the configuration shown in Figure 9. Once the cotton module is (n position, the forward end 124 is raised so that the transporter 110 may be driven to a position straddling the load carrying surface 127 of a motor lorry. Thereafter, the transporter 110 is reversed while simultaneously operating the chain conveyor 122 to deliver the cotton module from the forward end 124. In this regard it should be appreciated that the forward and reverse velocities of the transporter 110 may be co-ordinated with the chain conveyor 122.

It should further be appreciated that the arms 113 are transversely spaced, so that the loader 110 may straddle the cotton module and the motor lorry surface 127.

In Figures 11 and 13 of the accompanying drawings there is schematically depicted a cotton module loader and transporter 130. The transporter 130 is similar in operation to the transporter 110, however LMM/1776m -7 in this particular embodiment, the transporter consists of a base frame 131 upon which there is mounted a chain conveyor 132. The chain conveyor 132 is driven and if need be, the chain conveyor may be driven in either direction.

The frame 131 is supported by a pair of forward hydraulic rams 133 and rear hydraulic rams 134. The rams may be encased to rigidize them as described with reference to Figure 1, etc. However the top of the ram or case is not pivoted to the conveyor frame while the bottom is pivvted with respect to the rigid plates 160 which support the wheels. The rams 10133 are transvelely spaced as are the rams 134, so that the transporter 130 may straddle the motor lorry to which the cotton module is delivered.

The forward end of the frame 131 is provided with an operator cab 135 which is equipped with appropriate controls.

In operation of the above described transporter 130, the 1ttransporter 130 may be arranged in either of the configurations shown in Figure 11 r '2 in order to load the module onto the transporter 130. To deliver the module to the motor lorry surface 136 the rams 133 and 134 are arranged so that the conveyor frame 131 is slightly downwardly inclined towards the forward end 137.

io The lower end of the hydraulic rams are provided with wheel assemblies 138 and 139, with at least one of the wheel assemblies being driven and the wheel assemblies 138 or 139 arranged to be dirigible.

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Claims (11)

1. A self propelled cotton module transporter comprising: a generally U-shaped chassis providing a pair of generally parallel co-extensive legs joined by a base, the legs being spaced so that a motor lorry is positionable therebetweeen; a conveyor assembly mounted on the chassis and extending longitudinally parallel to the legs and positioned therebetween, the conveyor assembly being movably mounted so that at least one end thereof is vertically movable between a raised position and a lowered position; at least one hydraulic cylinder extending between the conveyor assembly and chassis to cause said vertical movement; wheel assemblies supporting the chassis; and a power source mounted on one of said legs and drivingly coupled to one of said wheel assemblies so that said module is driven thereby, said power source also being 15 operatively connected to said cylinder to cause operation thereof to raise and lower said one end.

2. The cotton module traprsporter of claim 1, wherein one of said wheel assemblies is a bogie wheel assembly attached to one of said legs toward the extremity of said one leg.

3. The cotton module transporter of claim 2, wherein said hydraulic cylinder extends between said conveyor assembly and clssis adjacent said bogie wheel assembly.

4. The cotton module transporter of claim 3, wherein said conveyor assembly o includes a conveyor frame and a continuous conveyor means mounted thereon, sa,,i conveyor frame including an upwardly extending frame portion, and wherein said 25 hydraulic cylinder extends between an upper part of said frame portion and said chassis.

5. The cotton module transporter of claim 4, wherein said chassis includes a downwardly extending portion to which a lower end of said cylinder is attached.

6. The cotton module transporter of any one of claims 1 to 5, including a dirigible wheel supporting said base.

7. The cotton module transporter of claim 6, wherein said chassis adjacent said base has an upwardly extending portion so that said base is located higher than said legs.

S. The cotton module transporter of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein said conveyor assembly is pivotally mounted on said chassis adjacent said base.

9. The cotton module transporter of claim 8, wherein said conveyor assembly when in said raised position is generally horizontally extending while in said lowered positon extends at an acute angle downwardly from said base.

A self propelled cotton module transporter comprising: a chassis having a pair of generally parallel co-extensive side members; conveyor mounted on the chassis and extending between the side ,nembers; [N:\LIBTT]00189:vgs 9 four wheel assemblies, arranged in pairs so that each side member has an associated pair of wheel assemblies; a hydraulic cylinder extending between each wheel assembly and the chassis so that extremities of the conveyor may be raised and lowered; and a power source mounted on one of said side members and operatively associated with at least one of the wheel, assemblies to drive the wheel assembly, and said hydraulic cylinders to cause operation thereof.

11. A cotton module transporter substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to figures 1 to 10 of the accompanying drawings or figures 11 to 13 of the accompanying drawings. DATED this Twenty-eighth day of July 1994 Engineering Dynamics Pty Limited Patent Attorneys for the Applicant SPRUSON FERGUSON [N:\LIBTT100189:vgs