CA1291071C - Mechanism for loading and unloading containers onto and off a road vehicle - Google Patents
Mechanism for loading and unloading containers onto and off a road vehicleInfo
- Publication number
- CA1291071C CA1291071C CA 548906 CA548906A CA1291071C CA 1291071 C CA1291071 C CA 1291071C CA 548906 CA548906 CA 548906 CA 548906 A CA548906 A CA 548906A CA 1291071 C CA1291071 C CA 1291071C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- container
- frame
- road vehicle
- vehicle
- carriage
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60P—VEHICLES ADAPTED FOR LOAD TRANSPORTATION OR TO TRANSPORT, TO CARRY, OR TO COMPRISE SPECIAL LOADS OR OBJECTS
- B60P1/00—Vehicles predominantly for transporting loads and modified to facilitate loading, consolidating the load, or unloading
- B60P1/64—Vehicles predominantly for transporting loads and modified to facilitate loading, consolidating the load, or unloading the load supporting or containing element being readily removable
- B60P1/6418—Vehicles predominantly for transporting loads and modified to facilitate loading, consolidating the load, or unloading the load supporting or containing element being readily removable the load-transporting element being a container or similar
- B60P1/6454—Vehicles predominantly for transporting loads and modified to facilitate loading, consolidating the load, or unloading the load supporting or containing element being readily removable the load-transporting element being a container or similar the load transporting element being shifted by means of an inclined ramp connected to the vehicle
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Transportation (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Loading Or Unloading Of Vehicles (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A road vehicle for loading and unloading containers has a tiltable frame on which a carriage runs, the carriage having a pair of clamps to engage the lower front corners of a container located at the rear of the vehicle. To load a container, the vehicle is driven backwards to the container and the frame tilted until its rear end rests on the ground in front of the container. The carriage is run down the inclined frame by a winch-and-cable assembly and the clamps are secured to the container. As the carriage is pulled back on the frame, it lifts the front end of the container; the vehicle, with its transmission in neutral, moves rearwardly under the container being lifted without, however, being contacted by the frame.
At one stage of the loading operation, a pair of longitudinal side elements on the frame are raised out of their gutters to contact under parts of the container to permit the container to be slid on the frame while maintaining a distance between the container and the frame. At the end of the pulling action, the frame is lowered to rest the container on two front support elements mounted to the chassis of the vehicle while the other two are mounted at the rear of the frame. Then, the longitudinal side elements are lowered in their respective gutters to permit the container to rest also on two rear support elements mounted at the rear of the tiltable frame. Thus, at all times, a distance is maintained, during loading, unloading or transport, between the frame and the bottom of the container.
A road vehicle for loading and unloading containers has a tiltable frame on which a carriage runs, the carriage having a pair of clamps to engage the lower front corners of a container located at the rear of the vehicle. To load a container, the vehicle is driven backwards to the container and the frame tilted until its rear end rests on the ground in front of the container. The carriage is run down the inclined frame by a winch-and-cable assembly and the clamps are secured to the container. As the carriage is pulled back on the frame, it lifts the front end of the container; the vehicle, with its transmission in neutral, moves rearwardly under the container being lifted without, however, being contacted by the frame.
At one stage of the loading operation, a pair of longitudinal side elements on the frame are raised out of their gutters to contact under parts of the container to permit the container to be slid on the frame while maintaining a distance between the container and the frame. At the end of the pulling action, the frame is lowered to rest the container on two front support elements mounted to the chassis of the vehicle while the other two are mounted at the rear of the frame. Then, the longitudinal side elements are lowered in their respective gutters to permit the container to rest also on two rear support elements mounted at the rear of the tiltable frame. Thus, at all times, a distance is maintained, during loading, unloading or transport, between the frame and the bottom of the container.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to road vehicles which are adapted for loading and unloading containers onto and off of their rear chassis.
More par-ticularly, the present invention relates to vehicles having mechanisms for loading and unloading containers, such as presently used in international transport, whether land, maritime or aerial.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
-In ports or airports, for example, it is necessary to provide a special lifting apparatus to load and unload these containers to and from road vehicles which are adapted to receive them. For this purpose, it is most often required to have cranes or gantries of great power due to the weight of these con-tainers which may reach 30 metric tons or to their length which is rather great for example, about 12 me-ters. Once loaded, these containers are -transported by road to another station which, again, must be equipped with cranes or gantries of great lifting power to unload the containers.
Various loading and unloading mechanisms have been devised. For example, see U.S. patent No.
3,467,268 issued September 16, 1969 to Corompt, U.S.
patent No. 4,133,439 issued January 9, 1979 to Paul L.
Goranson, U.S. patent No. 4,529,349 issued July 16, . ~ .
~2~0~
1985 to Theodore A. Lutz and ~.S. patent No. 4,645,405 issued February 24, 1987 to Cambiano.
All of these patents describe a system which includes a tilting frame equipped with a cable-and-winch assembly, the cable engaging the front end of the container to be loaded. However, all of these systems require a frictional sliding contact between the container and the tilting frame, this contact causing damages to the frame as well as to the underside of the container. Frequently, this underside is damaged making the sliding movement difficult or sometimes impracticable.
OBJECTS AND STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a road vehicle with a loading and unloading mechanism that includes a carriage which is slidable on the tilting frame, engages the front lower part of the container, lifts it so as to provide a distance between the container and the frame, and pulls it as the carriage is moved frontwardly towards the cabin of the truck without, however, allowing contact between the container and the frame during the entire loading operation. This is achieved by providing on the frame, retractable lifting means which, at some stage of the loading operation, are moved outside of respective gutters, in which they are housed, to contact the underside of the container and to allow a smooth ~291~
sliding movement until the container reaches the end of its course on the frame. At its final loading position, the frame lowers the container to rest onto four support elements, two of which are loca-ted on the vehicle chassis, the other two located at the rear of the frame. These support elements are so disposed tha-t a separation is maintained between the container and the frame even during transport.
Therefore, the present invention relates to a road vehicle for loading and unloading containers onto and off of a rear extension of its main chassis, which comprises, in its broadest aspect: a tiltable frame pivotably mounted to this rear ex-tension of the ; chassis; tilting means connected between the chassis extension and the tiltable frame for pivoting the frame relative to the chassis; a movable carriage transversely mounted to the frame and longitudinally displaceable therealong from one end to the other;
clamping means pivotally mounted at each end of the carriage Eor engaging the front lower corners of a container disposed adjacent the rear of -the chassis in position for loading; carriage moving means mounted in the frame for longitudinally displacing the carriage in either direction of the frame; retractable container lifting means disposed on each side of the frame adjacent the rear end thereof for contacting underparts of the container and for main-taining a distance between the container and the frame during loading and unloading operations thereby avoiding contact between the frame and the container during these loading and unloading operations; a pair of front supports mounted to the front end of the chassis extension for receiving the front lower corners of the container when loaded on the vehicle; and a pair of rear supports mounted on the frame at the rear thereof for receiving the rear lower ' corners o~ the container after the lifting means are retracted and the container is loaded on the vehicle;
the rear supports cooperate with the fron-t supports to maintain a distance between the container and the frame when the container rests in a loaded position on the vehicle and after the lifting means are retracted so that only four contact points are provided between the container and the vehicle.
The manner in which objects and advantages are obtained with the present invention and -the manner in which the container loadi.ng and unloading means are constructed and operated will be briefly explained and described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
- Fig. 1 is a rear perspective view of a road vehicle embodying the present invention with a tilting : frame in an elevated container loading or unloading ~ position;
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- Fig. 2 is a rear elevational view of the tiltable frame of the vehicle;
- Fig. 3 is an enlarged side elevational view of the carriage's clamps in engagement with the lower front corners of a container;
- Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the carriage showing in cross-section the lower front part of a container being engaged therewith;
- Fig. 5 is a rear elevational vièw of the carriage mounted on longitudinal members of the tiltable frame;
- Fig. 6 is an enlarged elevational, partly sectional, view of a locking mechanism in the carriage;
- Fig. 7 is a bottom perspective view of a front lower corner area of the container extending over a front support of the vehicle chassis;
- Fig. 8 is a side elevational view of the ~; lifting means in the tiltable frame of the vehicle; and - Figs 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 illustrate successive phases of the loading of the road vehicle beginning with the container placed on the ground; and - Fig. 16, which is located on the same sheet as Figs 2 and 3 illustrates one way of securing the rear of the container to the frame.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to Fig. 1, there is shown a ,: , ",~
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container transport vehicle 10 having a driver's cab 12 on the forward part of a chassis 14 which is supported by conventional steering front wheel assemblies 16.
The rear extension of the chassis is supported by tandem drive wheel assemblies 18 and 200 This vehicle is conventional; hence, other forms of vehicles may be provided with the present invention.
The chassis 14 includes conventional spaced apart and generally parallel frame members 21 and 22 that are joined together at various locations by cross-members (not shown).
The improvement of the present invention consists in the provision of a particularly designed and tiltable frame, generally designated 28, which is pivotably mounted at 30 (see Fig. 8) to the rear of frame members 21 and 22. This frame is caused to pivot by the operation of a pair of hydraulic liEt cylinders 32 and 34 which have one end connected to the chassis and the other end connected to the frame 28.
Frame 28 includes two parallel side frame members 36 and 38 which act as the main supports for a con-tainer 40 to be loaded on the vehicle.
Referring to Fig. 2, longitudinal frame members 36 and 38 are structurally spaced by a series of cross-members 42. Frame 28 displays an enlarged rear body portion 28' which includes a series transverse cross-members 44, 46, 48, 50, 52 and 54.
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The two members 36 and 38 have a flat top surface 36', 38' which is adapted to slidably receive thereon a movable carriage, generally designated as 56.
Referring to Figs 3, 4 and 5, the movable carriage 56 includes a transverse cross-beam 58 which is equipped at its underpart with a pair of downwardly extending flange elements 60 and 62 having rollers 64 and 66 adapted to ride along the top faces 36' and 38' of the longitudinal members 36 and 38. Rearwardly of the cross-beam 58 of the movable carriage is mounted, parallel thereto, a rod 68 which is connected to the beam by means of opposite end brackets 70 and 72.
A pair of clamping mechanisms 74 and 76 is :` mounted at the opposite ends of the connecting rod 68, which is free to rotate in its support brackets 70, 72.
Hence, the elamping mechanisms, which are mount~ed at . each end of the connecting rod, may pivot relative to the eross-beam 58 and also relative to the frame so that, as the til-table frame moves between an horizontal position and an inelined position, the weight of the clamping mechanisms cause rotation of the connecting rod 68 for the purpose described hereinbelow.
The clamping mechanisms are identical in construction; therefore, description will be made only with reference to clamping mechanism 74. This clamping ~ mechanism is formed of a verti.cal wall 77 moun-ted to : one end of rod 68 and of a flat horizontal surface 78 . ~
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which is adapted to lie on the ground adjacent to -the longitudinal side lower member 80 (or 82) of the container 40.
Referring to Fig. 6, each clamping mechanism further includes a housing 83 equipped with a locking device therewithin to secure it to the container. This locking mechanism consists of a T-shaped pin 84 which protrudes outside the housing and is shaped as to fit into an orifice 86 (see Fig. 7) which is provided in the lower front corner housing 88 (or 90) of any conventional container. The mechanism provided to rotate pin 84 to come into a non-retrievable locking position in the corner housing 88 of the container consists of an hydraulic cylinder 92, having a piston 94 connected to an arm 96 connected to pin 84. The cylinder moves arm 96 and pin 84 into two positions as shown in dotted lines and as indicated by arrow 98.
Hydraulic conduits 100 and 102 extend -to -the front of the vehicle and are supported by means of pulleys 104, 106 moun-ked to the frontmost cross-member 42' of the frame.
The clamping mechanism comprises also a switch 108 extending from housing 83 beyond -the front wall 110. When fully retracted into the housing, this switch indicates to the driver when the front wall is bearing against the container lower frame surface 112.
With the switch fully retracted in its housing, the ~L299~
9 _ driver may then actuate cylinder 92 to cause the rotation of pin 84 into a locking arrangement with the container corner housing 88. A pulley 106 allows the electrical wires of the switch to be wound and unwound ; 5 as the carriage is move~ to and from the rear of the frame.
~ As shown in Fig. 3, in order to allow the : clamping mechanism 74 to be adjust vertically, an elongated slot 120 is provided in bracket 70 thus permitting end 68' of rod 68 to move relative to the cross-beam 58. Hence, the clamping mechanisms are movable, rotatably and vertically, relative to the cross-beam.
To further secure the connection of the clamping mechanism to the container, an additional ~ locking pin 122 is provided to extend through an .~ opening 124 in the side wall 77 of the clamping mechanism and into an orifice 126 in the corner housing 88 of the container (see Fig. 7).
The carriage is movable on members 36 and 38 through a cable and winch assembly which includes a cable 130 reeved on a movable pulley 132. A pair of hydraulic cylinders 134 and 136 have one end mounted to : a cross-member 138 of the rear body of the frame and their front end mounted to a pulley supporting member 140, which thus is capable of traveling within and along the side walls of the longitudinal members 36 and .. . .. .
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Referring more particularly to Figs 2 and 8, the enlarged rear frame portion of the tiltable frame comprises two gutters 150 and 152 at opposlte sides thereof. Each gutter serves to receive a container raising and lowering device, generally designated 154.
Both devices are identical in construction and operation and a description of one only will now be given with reference to Fig. 8.
The container raising and lowering mechanism 154 comprises a top flat plate 156 which is adapted to contact the under face of the side member 80 (see Fig.
7) of the container. This plate is moun-ted at each end thereof to a pair of arms 158 and 160 pivotally mounted ;~ 15 to longitudinal side members 162 and 164 of the frame.
The front portion of this raising mechanism is pivotally connected to an hydraulic cylinder 166 also pivotally moun-ted in the gutter; the function of this raising and lowering mechanism will be described futher hereinbelow in connection with the operation of the present invention.
~ ther means of contacting the under face of the side member 80 of -the container are envisaged; for example, a series of longitudinally-spaced small rollers could be provided instead of the flat sliding surface 156. Also, a movable conveyor could also be provided, thus avoiding friction between the container 3LZg~7~L
and the frame as the container is moved relative to the frame.
Referring to Figs. 7 and 8, a vertical post 168 is the only addition made to the chassis of a ; 5 vehicle to which a loading and unloading mechanism of the present invention is mounted. Post 168 has a top projection 170 which is adapted to be received in a corresponding orifice 172 provided in the lower front -~ corner housing 88 of the container.
In operation, to load container 40 onto the vehicle 10, reference will be made to the successive stages illustrated schematically in Figs 9-15. The truck 10 is backed adjacent to the front end of the ~` container 40. Frame 28 is tilted up until the angled end surfaces 36A and 38A contact the ground. The ~; movable carriage 56 slides downwardly on rollers 64, 66 towards the rear of the frame until plates 78 of the clamping mechanisms are still at a small distance from the ground, for example, four inches. I'he truck is again backed up while ensuring -that the plates ex-tend on the outside of the container. The carriage is again moved downwards until the plates come in contact with the ground. The truck is jerked rearwardly until the pins 84 are entirely entered in the lower corner housings of the container through orifices 86. ~hen the switches 108 send a signal to indicate to the driver that the pins have been fully retracted in the ~' ,~
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housinys 83, the hydraulic cylinders 92 are operated to rotate -the pins 90 and to lock them in the container corner housings.
Then, the driver sets the vehicle transmission in neutral. The hydraulic cylinders 134 and 136 are operated so that the cable and winch assembly causes the carriage to slowly move up the frame towards the front on the longitudinal members 36 and 38. This operation causes the front of the container to be raised slightly. With the transmission still in neutral, the vehicle moves rearwardly under the pulling action of the carriage and the rear portion of the tiltable frame moves rearwardly underneath the container. During -this operation, no contact is made between the container and the tilting frame; the clamping mechanism supports the front end of the container above the frame as shown in Fig. 11.
Frame 28 is then in a slightly tilted position. As the undersurface of the container ; 20 approaches the top face of the frame, the sliding surfaces 156 are raised out of their gutters so that, as the carriage is continuously moved forward, the undersurface of the container contacts and slides along these surfaces 156 (see Fig. 12). The carriage further moves toward the front with the container sliding on the side plates 156. Then, at its frontmost position, the tilting frame is further lowered until the ~9~0~
projections 170 on posts 168 are received in -the orifices 172 of the container. Finally, plates 156 are returned in their gutters and the rear corners of the container abut the rear corner supporting blocks 180, 182 mounted on the rear cross-member 46 of the tiltable frame. In this final position, means such as the locking device 200 may be provided with one end 202 engaged in the rear corner housing 204 of the container 40 and an opposite end 206 engaged in frame 46 of the tiltable frame to ensure that the rear of the container is fixedly secured to the frame during transpor-t.
Although the invention has been described above in relation to one specific form, it will be evident to the person skilled in the art that it may be modified and refined in various ways. It is therefore wished to have it understood that the present invention ; should not be limited in interpretation except by the terms of the following claims.
. . .
This invention relates to road vehicles which are adapted for loading and unloading containers onto and off of their rear chassis.
More par-ticularly, the present invention relates to vehicles having mechanisms for loading and unloading containers, such as presently used in international transport, whether land, maritime or aerial.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
-In ports or airports, for example, it is necessary to provide a special lifting apparatus to load and unload these containers to and from road vehicles which are adapted to receive them. For this purpose, it is most often required to have cranes or gantries of great power due to the weight of these con-tainers which may reach 30 metric tons or to their length which is rather great for example, about 12 me-ters. Once loaded, these containers are -transported by road to another station which, again, must be equipped with cranes or gantries of great lifting power to unload the containers.
Various loading and unloading mechanisms have been devised. For example, see U.S. patent No.
3,467,268 issued September 16, 1969 to Corompt, U.S.
patent No. 4,133,439 issued January 9, 1979 to Paul L.
Goranson, U.S. patent No. 4,529,349 issued July 16, . ~ .
~2~0~
1985 to Theodore A. Lutz and ~.S. patent No. 4,645,405 issued February 24, 1987 to Cambiano.
All of these patents describe a system which includes a tilting frame equipped with a cable-and-winch assembly, the cable engaging the front end of the container to be loaded. However, all of these systems require a frictional sliding contact between the container and the tilting frame, this contact causing damages to the frame as well as to the underside of the container. Frequently, this underside is damaged making the sliding movement difficult or sometimes impracticable.
OBJECTS AND STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a road vehicle with a loading and unloading mechanism that includes a carriage which is slidable on the tilting frame, engages the front lower part of the container, lifts it so as to provide a distance between the container and the frame, and pulls it as the carriage is moved frontwardly towards the cabin of the truck without, however, allowing contact between the container and the frame during the entire loading operation. This is achieved by providing on the frame, retractable lifting means which, at some stage of the loading operation, are moved outside of respective gutters, in which they are housed, to contact the underside of the container and to allow a smooth ~291~
sliding movement until the container reaches the end of its course on the frame. At its final loading position, the frame lowers the container to rest onto four support elements, two of which are loca-ted on the vehicle chassis, the other two located at the rear of the frame. These support elements are so disposed tha-t a separation is maintained between the container and the frame even during transport.
Therefore, the present invention relates to a road vehicle for loading and unloading containers onto and off of a rear extension of its main chassis, which comprises, in its broadest aspect: a tiltable frame pivotably mounted to this rear ex-tension of the ; chassis; tilting means connected between the chassis extension and the tiltable frame for pivoting the frame relative to the chassis; a movable carriage transversely mounted to the frame and longitudinally displaceable therealong from one end to the other;
clamping means pivotally mounted at each end of the carriage Eor engaging the front lower corners of a container disposed adjacent the rear of -the chassis in position for loading; carriage moving means mounted in the frame for longitudinally displacing the carriage in either direction of the frame; retractable container lifting means disposed on each side of the frame adjacent the rear end thereof for contacting underparts of the container and for main-taining a distance between the container and the frame during loading and unloading operations thereby avoiding contact between the frame and the container during these loading and unloading operations; a pair of front supports mounted to the front end of the chassis extension for receiving the front lower corners of the container when loaded on the vehicle; and a pair of rear supports mounted on the frame at the rear thereof for receiving the rear lower ' corners o~ the container after the lifting means are retracted and the container is loaded on the vehicle;
the rear supports cooperate with the fron-t supports to maintain a distance between the container and the frame when the container rests in a loaded position on the vehicle and after the lifting means are retracted so that only four contact points are provided between the container and the vehicle.
The manner in which objects and advantages are obtained with the present invention and -the manner in which the container loadi.ng and unloading means are constructed and operated will be briefly explained and described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
- Fig. 1 is a rear perspective view of a road vehicle embodying the present invention with a tilting : frame in an elevated container loading or unloading ~ position;
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- Fig. 2 is a rear elevational view of the tiltable frame of the vehicle;
- Fig. 3 is an enlarged side elevational view of the carriage's clamps in engagement with the lower front corners of a container;
- Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the carriage showing in cross-section the lower front part of a container being engaged therewith;
- Fig. 5 is a rear elevational vièw of the carriage mounted on longitudinal members of the tiltable frame;
- Fig. 6 is an enlarged elevational, partly sectional, view of a locking mechanism in the carriage;
- Fig. 7 is a bottom perspective view of a front lower corner area of the container extending over a front support of the vehicle chassis;
- Fig. 8 is a side elevational view of the ~; lifting means in the tiltable frame of the vehicle; and - Figs 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 illustrate successive phases of the loading of the road vehicle beginning with the container placed on the ground; and - Fig. 16, which is located on the same sheet as Figs 2 and 3 illustrates one way of securing the rear of the container to the frame.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to Fig. 1, there is shown a ,: , ",~
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container transport vehicle 10 having a driver's cab 12 on the forward part of a chassis 14 which is supported by conventional steering front wheel assemblies 16.
The rear extension of the chassis is supported by tandem drive wheel assemblies 18 and 200 This vehicle is conventional; hence, other forms of vehicles may be provided with the present invention.
The chassis 14 includes conventional spaced apart and generally parallel frame members 21 and 22 that are joined together at various locations by cross-members (not shown).
The improvement of the present invention consists in the provision of a particularly designed and tiltable frame, generally designated 28, which is pivotably mounted at 30 (see Fig. 8) to the rear of frame members 21 and 22. This frame is caused to pivot by the operation of a pair of hydraulic liEt cylinders 32 and 34 which have one end connected to the chassis and the other end connected to the frame 28.
Frame 28 includes two parallel side frame members 36 and 38 which act as the main supports for a con-tainer 40 to be loaded on the vehicle.
Referring to Fig. 2, longitudinal frame members 36 and 38 are structurally spaced by a series of cross-members 42. Frame 28 displays an enlarged rear body portion 28' which includes a series transverse cross-members 44, 46, 48, 50, 52 and 54.
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The two members 36 and 38 have a flat top surface 36', 38' which is adapted to slidably receive thereon a movable carriage, generally designated as 56.
Referring to Figs 3, 4 and 5, the movable carriage 56 includes a transverse cross-beam 58 which is equipped at its underpart with a pair of downwardly extending flange elements 60 and 62 having rollers 64 and 66 adapted to ride along the top faces 36' and 38' of the longitudinal members 36 and 38. Rearwardly of the cross-beam 58 of the movable carriage is mounted, parallel thereto, a rod 68 which is connected to the beam by means of opposite end brackets 70 and 72.
A pair of clamping mechanisms 74 and 76 is :` mounted at the opposite ends of the connecting rod 68, which is free to rotate in its support brackets 70, 72.
Hence, the elamping mechanisms, which are mount~ed at . each end of the connecting rod, may pivot relative to the eross-beam 58 and also relative to the frame so that, as the til-table frame moves between an horizontal position and an inelined position, the weight of the clamping mechanisms cause rotation of the connecting rod 68 for the purpose described hereinbelow.
The clamping mechanisms are identical in construction; therefore, description will be made only with reference to clamping mechanism 74. This clamping ~ mechanism is formed of a verti.cal wall 77 moun-ted to : one end of rod 68 and of a flat horizontal surface 78 . ~
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which is adapted to lie on the ground adjacent to -the longitudinal side lower member 80 (or 82) of the container 40.
Referring to Fig. 6, each clamping mechanism further includes a housing 83 equipped with a locking device therewithin to secure it to the container. This locking mechanism consists of a T-shaped pin 84 which protrudes outside the housing and is shaped as to fit into an orifice 86 (see Fig. 7) which is provided in the lower front corner housing 88 (or 90) of any conventional container. The mechanism provided to rotate pin 84 to come into a non-retrievable locking position in the corner housing 88 of the container consists of an hydraulic cylinder 92, having a piston 94 connected to an arm 96 connected to pin 84. The cylinder moves arm 96 and pin 84 into two positions as shown in dotted lines and as indicated by arrow 98.
Hydraulic conduits 100 and 102 extend -to -the front of the vehicle and are supported by means of pulleys 104, 106 moun-ked to the frontmost cross-member 42' of the frame.
The clamping mechanism comprises also a switch 108 extending from housing 83 beyond -the front wall 110. When fully retracted into the housing, this switch indicates to the driver when the front wall is bearing against the container lower frame surface 112.
With the switch fully retracted in its housing, the ~L299~
9 _ driver may then actuate cylinder 92 to cause the rotation of pin 84 into a locking arrangement with the container corner housing 88. A pulley 106 allows the electrical wires of the switch to be wound and unwound ; 5 as the carriage is move~ to and from the rear of the frame.
~ As shown in Fig. 3, in order to allow the : clamping mechanism 74 to be adjust vertically, an elongated slot 120 is provided in bracket 70 thus permitting end 68' of rod 68 to move relative to the cross-beam 58. Hence, the clamping mechanisms are movable, rotatably and vertically, relative to the cross-beam.
To further secure the connection of the clamping mechanism to the container, an additional ~ locking pin 122 is provided to extend through an .~ opening 124 in the side wall 77 of the clamping mechanism and into an orifice 126 in the corner housing 88 of the container (see Fig. 7).
The carriage is movable on members 36 and 38 through a cable and winch assembly which includes a cable 130 reeved on a movable pulley 132. A pair of hydraulic cylinders 134 and 136 have one end mounted to : a cross-member 138 of the rear body of the frame and their front end mounted to a pulley supporting member 140, which thus is capable of traveling within and along the side walls of the longitudinal members 36 and .. . .. .
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Referring more particularly to Figs 2 and 8, the enlarged rear frame portion of the tiltable frame comprises two gutters 150 and 152 at opposlte sides thereof. Each gutter serves to receive a container raising and lowering device, generally designated 154.
Both devices are identical in construction and operation and a description of one only will now be given with reference to Fig. 8.
The container raising and lowering mechanism 154 comprises a top flat plate 156 which is adapted to contact the under face of the side member 80 (see Fig.
7) of the container. This plate is moun-ted at each end thereof to a pair of arms 158 and 160 pivotally mounted ;~ 15 to longitudinal side members 162 and 164 of the frame.
The front portion of this raising mechanism is pivotally connected to an hydraulic cylinder 166 also pivotally moun-ted in the gutter; the function of this raising and lowering mechanism will be described futher hereinbelow in connection with the operation of the present invention.
~ ther means of contacting the under face of the side member 80 of -the container are envisaged; for example, a series of longitudinally-spaced small rollers could be provided instead of the flat sliding surface 156. Also, a movable conveyor could also be provided, thus avoiding friction between the container 3LZg~7~L
and the frame as the container is moved relative to the frame.
Referring to Figs. 7 and 8, a vertical post 168 is the only addition made to the chassis of a ; 5 vehicle to which a loading and unloading mechanism of the present invention is mounted. Post 168 has a top projection 170 which is adapted to be received in a corresponding orifice 172 provided in the lower front -~ corner housing 88 of the container.
In operation, to load container 40 onto the vehicle 10, reference will be made to the successive stages illustrated schematically in Figs 9-15. The truck 10 is backed adjacent to the front end of the ~` container 40. Frame 28 is tilted up until the angled end surfaces 36A and 38A contact the ground. The ~; movable carriage 56 slides downwardly on rollers 64, 66 towards the rear of the frame until plates 78 of the clamping mechanisms are still at a small distance from the ground, for example, four inches. I'he truck is again backed up while ensuring -that the plates ex-tend on the outside of the container. The carriage is again moved downwards until the plates come in contact with the ground. The truck is jerked rearwardly until the pins 84 are entirely entered in the lower corner housings of the container through orifices 86. ~hen the switches 108 send a signal to indicate to the driver that the pins have been fully retracted in the ~' ,~
, ,:, . ~ ..
. .. ;:
.
~' '., ~ .
.
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housinys 83, the hydraulic cylinders 92 are operated to rotate -the pins 90 and to lock them in the container corner housings.
Then, the driver sets the vehicle transmission in neutral. The hydraulic cylinders 134 and 136 are operated so that the cable and winch assembly causes the carriage to slowly move up the frame towards the front on the longitudinal members 36 and 38. This operation causes the front of the container to be raised slightly. With the transmission still in neutral, the vehicle moves rearwardly under the pulling action of the carriage and the rear portion of the tiltable frame moves rearwardly underneath the container. During -this operation, no contact is made between the container and the tilting frame; the clamping mechanism supports the front end of the container above the frame as shown in Fig. 11.
Frame 28 is then in a slightly tilted position. As the undersurface of the container ; 20 approaches the top face of the frame, the sliding surfaces 156 are raised out of their gutters so that, as the carriage is continuously moved forward, the undersurface of the container contacts and slides along these surfaces 156 (see Fig. 12). The carriage further moves toward the front with the container sliding on the side plates 156. Then, at its frontmost position, the tilting frame is further lowered until the ~9~0~
projections 170 on posts 168 are received in -the orifices 172 of the container. Finally, plates 156 are returned in their gutters and the rear corners of the container abut the rear corner supporting blocks 180, 182 mounted on the rear cross-member 46 of the tiltable frame. In this final position, means such as the locking device 200 may be provided with one end 202 engaged in the rear corner housing 204 of the container 40 and an opposite end 206 engaged in frame 46 of the tiltable frame to ensure that the rear of the container is fixedly secured to the frame during transpor-t.
Although the invention has been described above in relation to one specific form, it will be evident to the person skilled in the art that it may be modified and refined in various ways. It is therefore wished to have it understood that the present invention ; should not be limited in interpretation except by the terms of the following claims.
. . .
Claims (16)
1. In a road vehicle having a chassis, a mechanism for loading and unloading containers onto and off of a rear extension of said chassis, comprising:
- a tiltable frame pivotably mounted to said rear extension of said chassis;
- tilting means connected between said chassis extension and said frame for pivoting said frame relative to said chassis;
- a movable carriage transversely mounted to said frame and longitudinally displaceable therealong from one end to an other;
- clamping means pivotally mounted at each end of said carriage for engaging front lower corner housings of a container disposed adjacent the rear end of said chassis in position for loading;
- carriage moving means mounted in said frame for longitudinally displacing said carriage in either direction of said frame;
- retractable container lifting means disposed on each side of said frame adjacent the rear end thereof for contacting under parts of said container and for maintaining a distance between said container and said frame during loading and unloading operations thereby avoiding contact between said frame and said container during said loading and unloading operations;
- a pair of front support means mounted to the front end of said rear extension for receiving the front lower corner housings of said container when loaded on said vehicle; and - a pair of rear support means mounted on said frame at the rear end thereof for receiving rear lower corner housings of said container after said lifting means are retracted and said container is loaded on said vehicle; said rear support means cooperating with said front support means to maintain said distance between said container and said frame when said container rests in a loaded position on said vehicle and after said lifting means are retracted so that only four support points are provided between the container and the vehicle.
- a tiltable frame pivotably mounted to said rear extension of said chassis;
- tilting means connected between said chassis extension and said frame for pivoting said frame relative to said chassis;
- a movable carriage transversely mounted to said frame and longitudinally displaceable therealong from one end to an other;
- clamping means pivotally mounted at each end of said carriage for engaging front lower corner housings of a container disposed adjacent the rear end of said chassis in position for loading;
- carriage moving means mounted in said frame for longitudinally displacing said carriage in either direction of said frame;
- retractable container lifting means disposed on each side of said frame adjacent the rear end thereof for contacting under parts of said container and for maintaining a distance between said container and said frame during loading and unloading operations thereby avoiding contact between said frame and said container during said loading and unloading operations;
- a pair of front support means mounted to the front end of said rear extension for receiving the front lower corner housings of said container when loaded on said vehicle; and - a pair of rear support means mounted on said frame at the rear end thereof for receiving rear lower corner housings of said container after said lifting means are retracted and said container is loaded on said vehicle; said rear support means cooperating with said front support means to maintain said distance between said container and said frame when said container rests in a loaded position on said vehicle and after said lifting means are retracted so that only four support points are provided between the container and the vehicle.
2. A road vehicle as defined in claim 1, further comprising a pair of gutter means on said frame for allowing said lifting means to be retracted therein;
said lifting means consisting of a pair of longitudinal container-contacting means and drive means for raising and lowering said container-contacting means in and out of said gutter means.
said lifting means consisting of a pair of longitudinal container-contacting means and drive means for raising and lowering said container-contacting means in and out of said gutter means.
3. A road vehicle as defined in claim 2, wherein each said raising and lowering means includes an hydraulically operated assembly and arms pivotably connected to said frame in each of said gutter means.
4. A road vehicle as defined in claim 2, wherein said container-contacting means consist of a longitudinal plate having a sliding top surface contacting a corresponding undersurface of the container.
5. A road vehicle as defined in claim 2, wherein said container-contacting means consist of a series of longitudinally spaced rollers rotatably mounted in said gutter means.
6. A road vehicle as defined in claim 2, wherein said container-contacting means consist of an endless conveyor rotatably mounted in said gutter means.
7. A road vehicle as defined in claim 1, wherein said front support means consist of a pair of posts fixably mounted to the chassis of the vehicle, each post displaying, at the top thereof, a projection engageable with an orifice provided in a bottom surface of a corresponding front lower corner housing of the container.
8. A road vehicle as defined in claim 1, wherein said chassis includes a pair of longitudinal members;
said carriage including a crossbeam having, therebeneath, means for engaging and rolling along said pair of longitudinal members; and a rotatable transverse rod extending parallel to said cross-beam;
said clamping means consisting of a pair of clamps fixedly mounted at each end of said rod; said clamps being rotatable with said rod and pivotable relative to said cross-beam.
said carriage including a crossbeam having, therebeneath, means for engaging and rolling along said pair of longitudinal members; and a rotatable transverse rod extending parallel to said cross-beam;
said clamping means consisting of a pair of clamps fixedly mounted at each end of said rod; said clamps being rotatable with said rod and pivotable relative to said cross-beam.
9. A road vehicle as defined in claim 8, wherein each said clamp includes a ground-contracting guiding portion to position said clamp relative to a corresponding lower front corner housing of the container as said carriage is moved towards the lower front of the container for said loading position.
10. A road vehicle as defined in claim 9 wherein each said clamp further includes a T-shaped pin engageable with an orifice in said lower front corner housing of the container.
11. A road vehicle as defined in claim 10, further comprising means in said carriage for rotating said T-shaped pin 90° in said corner housing for engaging said pin in said orifice to fixedly attach said container to said clamping means.
12. A road vehicle as defined in claim 1, wherein said carriage moving means consist of a cable connected to said carriage, a pulley assembly slidably mounted in said frame and means for driving said pulley assembly in said frame.
13. A road vehicle as defined in claim 12, wherein said driving means consist of a pair of hydraulically-operated cylinders having one end connected to said frame and the other end connected to said pulley assembly.
14. A road vehicle as defined in claim 10, wherein each said clamp includes switch means adapted to contact said container and to provide a signal whenever said pins are engaged in said corner housings.
15. A road vehicle as defined in claim 8, wherein each said clamp includes a vertical wall having a slot for allowing vertical adjustment of said clamps relative to said cross-beam.
16. A road vehicle as defined in claim 10, further comprising second pin means for further securing said clamps to said corner housings.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 548906 CA1291071C (en) | 1987-10-08 | 1987-10-08 | Mechanism for loading and unloading containers onto and off a road vehicle |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 548906 CA1291071C (en) | 1987-10-08 | 1987-10-08 | Mechanism for loading and unloading containers onto and off a road vehicle |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1291071C true CA1291071C (en) | 1991-10-22 |
Family
ID=4136615
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 548906 Expired CA1291071C (en) | 1987-10-08 | 1987-10-08 | Mechanism for loading and unloading containers onto and off a road vehicle |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1291071C (en) |
Cited By (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CZ303545B6 (en) * | 2006-12-12 | 2012-11-28 | Fite, A. S. | Mobile semiautomatic loading and handling machine |
| DE202014007007U1 (en) | 2014-09-02 | 2014-10-10 | Heinz Weber | Device for loading and unloading containers |
| EP2993079A2 (en) | 2014-09-02 | 2016-03-09 | Heinz Weber | Device for loading and unloading containers |
| CN109353413A (en) * | 2018-09-05 | 2019-02-19 | 上海中荷环保有限公司 | A kind of transport vehicle carriage, transport vehicle and conveyer method |
-
1987
- 1987-10-08 CA CA 548906 patent/CA1291071C/en not_active Expired
Cited By (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CZ303545B6 (en) * | 2006-12-12 | 2012-11-28 | Fite, A. S. | Mobile semiautomatic loading and handling machine |
| DE202014007007U1 (en) | 2014-09-02 | 2014-10-10 | Heinz Weber | Device for loading and unloading containers |
| EP2993079A2 (en) | 2014-09-02 | 2016-03-09 | Heinz Weber | Device for loading and unloading containers |
| CN109353413A (en) * | 2018-09-05 | 2019-02-19 | 上海中荷环保有限公司 | A kind of transport vehicle carriage, transport vehicle and conveyer method |
| CN109353413B (en) * | 2018-09-05 | 2024-05-14 | 上海中荷环保有限公司 | Carrier vehicle frame, carrier vehicle and transfer method |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKLA | Lapsed |