AU683339B2 - Load transferring apparatus - Google Patents

Description

P~ PP P O~~ WO 95/19274 PCTAU95/00026 1 LOAD TRANSFERRING APPARATUS Technical Field This invention relates to load transferring apparatus and in particular to load transferring apparatus of the type used on vehicles for transferring a load to and from the vehicle.

Background Art Vehicles incorporating load transferring apparatus for transferring loads to and from the vehicle are known. Such vehicles are usually in the form of trailers which are intended for carrying shipping containers and which are provided with leading and trailing load transferring devices arranged at spaced positions along the trailer. The load transferring devices are often arranged for movement along the chassis of the trailer such that the spacing between the leading and trailing load transferring devices may be varied to enable the devices to lift containers of different lengths onto and off the vehicle chassis. Generally load transferring devices have been confined to the dimensions of the trailer on which they are supported so as to enable them to be carried by the trailer within legal road limits. As a result load handling capacities are compromised as the load transferring devices cannot be placed in their most advantageous position for lifting. A problem further encountered with load transferring devices of the above type is that of stabilisation. To prevent overturning movements generated during the load transferring operation, it is usually necessary that the load transferring devices or the vehicle to which the load transferring device is mounted be stabilised during the load transfer operation.

Australian Patent No. 639831 discloses a load transferring device incorporating a stabiliser leg which is pivotally mounted to the trailer so as to be moveable into engagement with the ground and which carries through a pivot mounting a jib assembly for engagement with a container to be transferred to and from the vehicle. Whilst such an arrangement positions the jib assembly in a more

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WO 95/19274 PCT/AU95/00026 2 advantageous position for lifting, it also suffers some disadvantages. In particular, in such arrangements, the position of the jib assembly is such that the stabiliser leg tends to be fouled by the containers during the load transfer operation.

Summary of the Invention The present invention aims to provide an improved load transferring device which will function more efficiently than the known devices or which will at least provide an alternative to the known devices and which will prove stable and safe in operation. The present invention also aims in a preferred aspect to provide a device in which the jib assembly is positioned in advantages positioning for lifting. Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description.

The present invention thus provides a load transferring device for a vehicle, said load transferring device including a lifting jib assembly, and means for supporting said jib assembly to said vehicle for movement between a first position over said vehicle and a second extended position laterally of said first position and transversely of said vehicle wherein said jib assembly may be operated to lift a load to and from said vehicle.

Preferably the supporting means for the jib assembly is arranged for guided movement laterally of said vehicle and for this purpose, the supporting means may be guided for such movement. The supporting means may include a guide pin or pins arranged for guided movement in a slot extending laterally of the vehicle. The slot may be formed in a support base for the load transferring device which is mounted to the chassis for longitudinal sliding movement therealong. The support base may advantageously include spaced apart side members between which the supporting means for the jib assembly is located, each side member having a said slot to receive respective opposite end portions of the guide pin or pins. Actuator means, preferably in the form of an hydraulic ram may be provided WO 95/19274 PCT/AU95/00026 3 between the jib assembly supporting means and support base for extending and retracting the supporting means.

In one form, the supporting means for the jib assembly also carries a stabiliser leg assembly. The jib assembly supporting means preferably is in the form of an elongated member or beam and is provided at one end with a mounting brackets which may support both or either of the jib assembly and stabiliser leg assembly. Where the beam carries both the stabiliser leg assembly and jib assembly, the stabiliser leg assembly may be offset to one side of the jib assembly to prevent fouling by a container or other article lifted by the jib assembly. For the front load transferring device, the stabiliser leg assembly may be offset towards the front of the vehicle. For the rear load transferring device, the stabiliser leg assembly may be offset towards the rear of the vehicle.

The jib assembly in one form includes a pair of pivotally interconnected jib arms, one of which may be pivotally mounted to one end of the support beam and actuator means are provided for pivotally moving the jib arms. The actuator means may be in the form of hydraulic rams provided between the respective jib arms and the jib arm and support beam. The jib assembly, however, may comprise any form of lifting device and thus the term "jib assembly" as used throughout the specification and claims includes all forms of lifting devices which will perform the required function.

The stabilising leg assembly may include a bracket which may be pivotally mounted to one end of the support beam and an extendable stabiliser leg. Actuator means are provided for pivotally moving the support bracket between an inoperative position and an operative position.

The actuator means preferably is in the form of a ram. The stabiliser leg may be supported for slidable movement relative to the support bracket and actuator means may be provided for extending or retracting the stabiliser leg.

The stabiliser leg may be hollow and the actuator means therefor may be located within the leg and connected I WO 95/19274 PCT/AU95/00026 4 between the leg and an extension of its support bracket.

The stabiliser leg advantageously is provided with a ground engaging foot at one end.

The actuator means for the support beam may also comprise the actuator means for the stabiliser leg 9upport bracket whereby the one actuator means may extend and retract the jib assembly supporting means and pivot the stabiliser leg support bracket.

In a further configuration, the jib assembly supporting beam may be mounted to the vehicle chassis through a pair of parallel links and may be moved in parallelism between a retracted position and an extended position extending laterally of the vehicle.

In yet a further form, the jib assembly supporting member may be in the form of a member pivotally mounted to one side of the chassis for movement about a substantially horizontal axis, the member carrying a jib assembly and extendable stabiliser assembly. Actuator means may be provided for pivotally moving the member between a retracted position and an extended position wherein the jib assembly and stabiliser assembly are moved laterally of the vehicle.

In yet a further form, the stabiliser leg assembly may be mounted to the vehicle independently of the jib assembly. The stabiliser leg assembly for this purpose may be pivotally mounted to the vehicle chassis or to the slidable support base to be pivotal under the control of an actuator between a retracted inoperable position and a position wherein it may be actuated to engage the ground.

Alternatively, the stabiliser leg assembly may be mounted on a separate support beam similar to the support beam for the jib assembly so as to be movable laterally of the vehicle and thereafter actuated to engage the ground in the same manner as described above.

Brief Description of the Drawings In order that the invention may be more readily understood and put into practical effect, reference will ncw be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a WO 95/19274 PCT/AU95/00026 preferred embodiment of the invention and wherein:- Fig. 1 is a rear elevational view of a load transferring device according to the present invention in a retracted position; Fig. 2 illustrates in plan view the retractable support beam for the load transfer device; Fig. 3 is a side view of the retractable support beam of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a side view of the slidable base for the load transferring device; Fig. 5 illustrates the load transferring device of Fig. 1 in a partially extended attitude; Fig. 6 illustrates the load transferring device in an operational attitude; Fig. 7 illustrates in rear view and schematically, typical movements of the jib assembly of the load transferring device; Figs. 8 and 9 illustrate further embodiments of the load transferring device according to the invention; and Fig. 10 and 11 illustrates an alternative mounting arrangement for the stabiliser leg assembly.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment Referring to the drawings and firstly to Fig. 1 there is illustrated in rear view a load transferring device 10 according to the present invention, supported on a vehicle which in this instance is in the form of a trailer 11 of the type adapted to be coupled to and towed by a prime mover. The trailer 11 includes an elongated chassis 12 supported by wheels 13 and is provided at its leading end with means for coupling the trailer 11 to the prime mover. The chassis 12 normally supports a pair of load transferring devices 10 at spaced apart positions towards the front and rear of the chassis 12 respectively to enable the respective load transferring devices 10 to engage opposite ends of a load, such as a container 14 (see Fig. 7) for lifting the container 14 to and from the chassis 12. A typical arrangement of load transferring WO 95119274 PCT/AU95/00026 6 devices on a vehicle chassis is shown in Australian Patent Application No. 68749/94.

The load transferring device 10 includes in this embodiment an elongated support beam 15 which as more clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 3 has an upstanding bracket 16 at one end and a further bracket assembly 17 at its opposite end and defining a first jib assembly mounting bracket 18 aligned with the beam 15 und a second stabiliser leg assembly mounting bracket 19 offset to one side of the beam 15 and bracket 18, that is the side remote from the container or other load to be transferred. The beam 15 of Fig. 2 is for the rear load transferring device 10. For the front load transferring device 10, the bracket 19 is located on the opposite side of the bracket 18 (as a mirror image). Each bracket 16, 18 and 19 is in the form of spaced apart pairs of plates 20, 21 and 22 respectively which include aligned mounting apertures 23, 24 and respectively. The beam 15 additionally includes intermediate its ends opposite outwardly extending guide pins 26. The guide pins 26 diverge outwardly and terminate in enlarged heads 27.

The support beam 15 is adapted to be supported on a slidable base assembly 28 which is arranged for adjustable slidable movement along the chassis 12 and in this embodiment along opposite longitudinally extending side chassis members 29 which define rails along which the base assembly 28 may slide. The base assembly 28 comprises spaced apart upstanding side members 30 which are provided with opposite slots 31 into which the respective pins 26 may extend, the pins 26 being captured to the side members 29 by the enlarged heads 27 which are of a greater diameter than the width of the slot 31.

Pivotally mounted to the bracket 19 at the end of the beam 15 is a stabiliser leg assembly 32. This assembly 32 includes a support bracket 33 which is pivotally mounted via a pivot pin 34 passing through the apertures 25 of the plates 22. An hydraulic ram 35 (shown in dotted outline) is pivotally connected at 36 and 37 between the bracket 33 WO 95/19274 PCT/AU95/00026 7 and base 28, such that when extended and retracted, the ram wiJI effect pivotally movement of the bracket 33 about the I c pin 34. The ram 35 is also arranged to move the slidable base assembly 28 laterally in opposite directions being guided by the engagement between the pins 26 and slots 31 in the base assembly 28. A stabiliser leg 38 having a pivotally mounted foot 39 at one end is supported for guided movement relative to the bracket 33. For this purpose, the bracket 33 includes a hollow guide portion having an internal passage (shown in dotted outline) of similar cross section to the cross section of the leg 38 whereby the leg may be slid and guided through the guide portion 40. An arm 41 formed integrally with or connected to the bracket 33 extends rearwardly from the guide portion 40. The leg 38 is preferably hollow and a ram 42 (shown in dotted outline) is located therein and connected between the foot end 39 of the leg 38 and the outer end of the arm 41. Extension and retraction of the ram 42 will thus cause extension and retraction of the leg 38 relative to the bracket 33.

A jib assembly 43 is also pivotally mounted to the beam 15 as described further below. The jib assembly 43 in this instance includes a first lower arm 44 and a second upper arm 45 which are pivotally interconnected via a pivot pin at 46. Additionally, the arm 44 is pivotally mounted at its lower end by means of a pivot pin 47 passing through the aperture 24 of the bracket 18. A first ram 48 is pivotally connected between the bracket 20 on the beam and a bracket 49 provided on the arm 41. A second ram 50 is pivotally mounted between respective brackets 51 and 52 on the respective arms 44 and In use, the beam 15 is normally retracted as shown in Fig. 1, as is the stabiliser assembly 32, such that the trailer 11 is capable of being transported or moved as required. It will be apparent in this position that the bracket 33 has been pivoted by the ram 35 such that the stabiliser leg 38 is in a substantially horizontal attitude extending transversely of the trailer 11. In WO 95/19274 PCT/AU95/00026 8 addition, the ram 42 has been retracted to draw in the stabiliser leg 38. The width of the load transferring device 10 is thus such that it may be transported on the trailer 11 by road within legal road limits.

Where transferring of a container 14 to and from the trailer 11 is required, the ram 35 is extended and this will cause the beam 15 to move outwardly to one side of the trailer 11, the beam 15 during this movement being guided by means of the pins 26 sliding along the slots 31 of the base assembly 28. This movement will also move the bracket assembly 17 defining the mounting brackets 19 and 18 for the stabiliser assembly 32 and jib assembly 43 laterally and transversely of the trailer 11. When the desired position of the jib assembly 43 and/or stabiliser assembly 32 has been reached, continued extension of the ram 35 will pivot the bracket 33 to the position shown in Fig. 5. This may be achieved either by the geometrical relationship of the bracket 33 relative to the position of the ram 35 such that the bracket 33 will not be caused to pivot when the ram 35 is initially extended until excess resistance is encountered when the beam 15 has reached its limit of outward movement. Alternatively, the bracket 33 may be locked in the position of Fig. 1 such as by means of a locking pin which is release when the beam 15 is moved to position where the stabiliser leg 38 is required to be extended. In yet an alternative arrangement, the bracket 33 may be firstly pivoted to the Fig. 5 position and thereafter the beam 15 extended, or pivotal movement of the bracket 33 and lateral movement of the beam 15 may occur at the same time. To limit movement of the bracket 33, a stop (not show) may be provided on the bracket 18 and in the path of movement of the bracket 33.

The ram 42 may then be extended so as to extend the stabiliser leg 38 until the foot 39 thereof contacts the ground 52 adjacent but to one side of the trailer 11.

It will be apparent in this position that the chassis 12 of the trailer 11 will be stabilised and in addition that the jib assembly 43 has been moved to an advantageous position WO 95119274 PCT/AU95/00026 9 for lifting the load 14 to and from the trailer 11.

The respective rams 48 and 50 of the jib assembly 43 may then be extended and retracted to pivot the arms 44 and 45 relative to each other and to the support beam 15 to enable transfer of the load 14. Typical relative movements of the arms 45 and 44 of the jib assembly 43 are shown schematically in Fig. 7.

When the transfer has been effected, the ram 42 may be operated to retract the stabiliser leg 38 and similarly the ram 35 may be retracted to pivot the bracket 32 back towards the position of Fig. 1. This may occur at the same time or either the bracket 33 may be pivoted first and then the leg 38 retracted or the leg 38 retracted first and then the bracket 33 pivoted. Additionally, the rams 48 and 50 may be retracted to move the arms 44 and 45 of the jib assembly 43 back to an at rest position. Continued operation of the ram 35 will retract the beam 15 which is again guided by the co-operation between the pins 26 and slots 31. The load transferring device 10 is thus moved back to its Fig. 1 position where it is substantially to a position confined to the width of the trailer 11 or within legal road requirements.

In the arrangement described above, the stabiliser leg 38 through its mounting bracket 19 is offset to the side of the containers 14 being lifted by the jib assembly 43. Accordingly, the containers 14 will not foul the legs 38 during the lifting operation.

Whilst a single ram 35 is described in the embodiment for both extending and retracting the beam and pivoting the bracket 33, separate rams may be provided to achieve each action, one ram for extending and retracting the beam 15 and the other ram for pivoting the bracket 33. Furthermore, the ram 42 for extending the stabiliser leg 38 is shown to be internally of the leg 38 however it be may be arranged externally of the leg 38. In such situations the arm 41 may not be required as the ram for this purpose may be connected between the guide portion and the foot end 39 of the leg 38.

IL~ ~b~L~s~l 1~B~e WO 95/19274 PCT/AU95/00026 Fig. 8 illustrates a further embodiment of load transfer device 53 according to the present invention in which like components to the device of Figs. 1 to 7 have been given like numerals. The device 53 includes a beam which carries a jib assembly 43 and stabiliser leg assembly 32 of the same form as previously described. The device 53 also includes a base assembly 54 arranged for sliding movement along the vehicle chassis 12. The beam 15 is connected to the base assembly 54 through a pairs of parallel links 55 pivotally connected between the beam and base assembly to form a parallelogram. The links may be provided on opposite sides of the beam 15. A ram 56, extending between the bracket 33 and base assembly 54, when actuated r-ill lift and move the beam 15 laterally and parallel to the base assembly 54 by virtue of the links and also pivot the stabiliser leg bracket 33 as described above. This arrangement also serves to position the stabiliser leg assembly 32 and jib assembly 43 in a more advantageous position for load transfer. Of course separate rams may be provided for moving the beam 15 and moving the bracket 33 if desired.

In the embodiment of Fig. 9, a bracket 57 is pivotally mounted at 58 to a base assembly 59 which again may be slidable along the vehicle chassis 12. The bracket 57 slidably supports the stabiliser leg 38 and the jib assembly 43 is pivotally mounted to the bracket 57 at A ram 61 is provided between a base assembly 59 and bracket 57 to pivot the bracket 47 about the pivot 58. When extended the ram 61 will pivot the bracket 57 to the position shown in dotted outline where the stabiliser leg 33 and jib assembly 43 are moved laterally and transversely of the chassis 12. The stabiliser leg 38 may then be advanced to contact the ground to stabilise the vehicle chassis 12 for lifting. Again in this embodiment, the jib assembly 43 is placed in a more advantageous lifting position.

Fig. 10 illustrates an alternative mounting arrangement for the stabiliser leg assembly 32 and in which WO 95/19274 PCT/AU95/00026 11 like components to the stabiliser leg assembly previously described have been given like numerals. In this embodiment, the stabiliser leg assembly 32 is mounted independently of the jib assembly 43 on a separate slidable support beam 62 mounted on a base assembly 63 slidable along the vehicle chassis 12 which may be independent of the base assembly 28 which supports the iib assembly 43 or slidable with the base assembly 28.

For use of the stabiliser assembly 32, the ram may be actuated to extend the beam 62 laterally of the chassis 12 and pivot the supporting bracket 33. The ram 42 of the stabiliser leg 38 may also be actuated to extend the leg 38 into engagement with the ground. It will thus be apparent in this configuration, that the stabiliser leg assembly 32 is mounted independently of the mounting of the jib assembly 43 and may be moved to an operative attitude independently of the movement of the support beam for the jib assembly 43.

In yet a further form, the pivotal mounting for the bracket 33 defined by the pivot pin 34 may remain fixed or be fixedly mounted adjacent one side of the vehicle chassis 12. Actuation of the ram 35 will then pivot the bracket 33 to the Fig. 11 position and actuation of the ram 42 will cause the leg 38 to be extended. In each of the above embodiments, retraction back to the position of Fig.

is the reverse of the extension operation.

In each of the above described embodiments, the jib assembly and/or stabiliser assembly may be moved laterally or transversely of the vehicle for a more advantageous position for lifting. It will be appreciated however that mechanisms other than those described in the preferred embodiments may be employed for this purpose.

Whilst the above has been given by way of illustrative embodiment of the invention, all such modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of the invention as herein described in the appended claims.

Claims (14)

1. A load transferring device for a vehicle, said load transferring device including a lifting jib assembly and a stabiliser leg assembly, and movable support means mountable to said vehicle for movement transversely of said vehicle, said lifting jib assembly and said stabiliser leg assembly being mounted to said support means so as to be movable therewith between a first transport position and a second load transfer position laterally of said first position.

2. A load transferring device according to Claim 1 wherein said supporting means is mountable to said vehicle for sliding movement laterally of said vehicle.

3. A load transferring device according to Claim 1 wherein said stabiliser leg assembly is mounted for pivotal movement relative to said support means.

4. A load transferring device according to Claim 3 wherein said support means comprises an elongated support member, said member including mounting means at one end for supporting said jib asembly and stabiliser leg assembly.

5. A load transferring device according to Claim 4 wherein said mou:iting means offsets said stabiliser leg assembly to one side of said jib assembly.

6. A load transferring device according to Claim wherein said stabilising leg assembly includes a supporting bracket and a stabiliser leg slidably supported on said supporting bracket.

7. A load transferring device according to Claim 6 wherein said supporting bracket is pivotally mounted to said support member and wherein actuator means are connected to said supporting bracket for pivotally moving said supporting bracket between an inoperative position and AMENDED SHEET IPEA/AU Pu/AU9 5 0 0 O 2 6 RECEIVED 2 1 MAR 1996 13 an operative position.

8. A load transferring device according to Claim 6 or Claim 7 and including actuator means connected between said stabiliser leg and said supporting bracket for extending or retracting said stabiliser leg.

9. A load transferring device according to Claim 1 wherein said support means includes an elougated member and wherein said elongated member is mountable to said vehicle via pivotable links which guide said member laterally of said vehicle.

A load transferring device according to Claim 9 wherein said pivotable links comprise at least one pair of parallel links whereby said elongated member may be moved in parallelism between said first and said second position.

11. A load transferring device according to Claim 1 wherein said support means comprises a member pivotally mountable to one side of said vehicle for movement about a substantially horizontal axis.

12. A load transferring device for a vehicle, said load transferring device including a lifting jib assembly, moveable support means mountable to said vehicle for movement transversely of said vehicle, said support means being moveable to move said jib assembly between a first transport position and second load transfer position arranged laterally of said first transport position and a stabiliser leg assembly mounted to said support means so as to be moveable therewith.

13. A load transferring device according to Claim 12 wherein said stabilising leg assembly is pivotally mounted to said support means. ^]AMENDED SHEET /IPEA/AU IL _-~II i17 0 0 0 2 6 RECEIVED 2 1 MAR 1996 14

14. A load transporting vehicle including a load transferring device as define in any one of the preceding claims. AMENDED SHEET IPEA/AU