FI127896B

FI127896B - Lavayksikköjärjestelmä, jossa on ohjausväline lavayksikön ohjaamiseksi sitä yhdistettäessä tai erotettaessa

Info

Publication number: FI127896B
Application number: FI20185455A
Authority: FI
Inventors: Tommi Leppiaho
Original assignee: Delete Finland Oy
Priority date: 2018-05-17
Filing date: 2018-05-17
Publication date: 2019-05-15
Also published as: FI20185455A1; WO2019220019A1

Abstract

Lavayksikköjärjestelyssä on ensimmäinen (101) ja toinen (102) lavayksikkö, ja lisäksi toisen lavayksikön (102) ensimmäisen pään (102A) yläosaan kiinnitetty pitkänomainen ohjainelin (103). Pitkänomaisen ohjainelimen (103) vapaa pää (103B) työntyy ulospäin ja alaspäin 115 siten, että se sijaitsee alemmalla tasolla kuin pitkänomaisen ohjainelimen 103 ensimmäinen pää 103A. Kytkettäessä lavayksikköjä (101, 102) yhteen pitkänomaisen ohjainelimen (103) vapaa pää (103B) on järjestetty vastaanottamaan ensimmäisen lavayksikön (101) toisen pään (101B) toinen ohjainelin (104), kun ensimmäistä lavayksikköä liikutetaan toisen lavayksikön suuntaan, ja näin se ohjaa ensimmäisen lavayksikön (101) toista päätä (101B) ylöspäin, pitkänomaista elintä (103) pitkin ja toisen lavayksikön (102) ensimmäisen pään (102A) yläosan suuntaan.

Description

A LOAD UNIT ARRANGEMENT HAVING A GUIDING MEMBER FOR GUIDING THE LOAD UNIT WHEN CONNECTED OR DISCONNECTED

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a load unit arrangement having first and second load units to be carried by a vehicle, such as by a truck. In particularly the invention relates to a load unit arrangement having a guiding member, where the first and second load units can be moved in relation to each other and connected to and disconnected from each other by the help of the guiding member.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is known to transport a skip or interchangeable load unit by a vehicle, such as a truck, unload or remove the load unit off the vehicle and then load another load unit to the vehicle. It is also known to transport a load system having first and second load units connected to each other, so loaded them on the top of each other. WO 2017182719 A2 discloses an example of an interchanging arrangement for interchanging a first and second load units carried by a vehicle, which comprises a landing device. The landing device is arranged between a first end of the first load unit and a second end of the second load unit so that a first portion of said landing device is supported to the first end of the first load unit and a second portion of said landing device is supported to the second end of the second load unit. The landing device is configured to move said first end of said first load unit into the lower lever than the second end of the second load unit after said first end of the first load unit has met said second end of the second load unit. SE 529260 C2 discloses a container lock that is fitted on a container having a lift bar. The lock is provided with a fixture plate and a lock plate, between which there is a connection. The lock plate has a component enabling it to be firmly locked to the lift bar. The lock has lock components which work in conjunction with the lift bar and other components in the lock plate which enable the lock plate to be firmly locked to the lift bar. DE 2816664 A1 discloses a bulk material container in the form of an open stackable rubbish or building waste skip, with coupling bodies engaged by lifting mechanisms mounted on transporting lorries. The coupling bodies are adjustably mounted on the skip, being attached to holders working in bearings in the skip. The holders can be slid working in the skip, or arms hinging on it, allowing adjustment of the bodies to positions above it. In the working position the bodies and holders can be prevented from rearwards movement on the skip.

However, the problem there is to connect and disconnect the load units, so to move a first load unit on the top of a second load unit or vice versa, move the first load unit away from the top of a second load unit. Different kinds of cranes or the like can be used for lifting the load units, for example, but they are expensive and time consuming methods. In addition the cranes or the like must be either integrated to the load unit arrangement, whereupon they increases the total mass of the load unit arrangement or they must be driven or otherwise be on the site where the load units are connected or disconnected.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is to alleviate and eliminate the problems relating to the known prior art. Especially the object of the invention is to provide an arrangement for connecting and disconnecting the load units, so to move the first load unit on the top of the second load unit from the top of the vehicle and vice versa to take the first load unit away from the top of the second load unit and to the top of the vehicle carrying or transporting said load unit.

The object of the invention can be achieved by the features of independent claims.

The invention relates to an arrangement for connecting and disconnecting at least two load units according to claim 1.

According to an embodiment of the invention a load unit arrangement has first and second load units, which can be carried by a vehicle, such as a truck. Both load units have first and second ends and longitudinal axis between said first and second ends. The load units are configured to move in relation to each other at least in a first longitudinal direction to connect the load units and in a second longitudinal direction to disconnect the load units on top of each other, wherein said second longitudinal direction is essentially opposite to said first longitudinal direction. The moving can be made possible for example by suitable guiding device in the first load unit and by a suitable guiding rail in the second load unit along which the first load unit can move in both directions.

According to an embodiment the first end of the second load unit comprises a first elongated guiding member, such as a ramp, lip, wedge, or nose or the like. The elongated guiding member comprises also first and second ends. The elongated guiding member is advantageously fixed to an upper portion of the first end of the second load unit via the first end. The elongated guiding member has a receiving position, where the second end of the elongated guiding member is configured to protrude outside and downward direction from the first end of the second load unit and so that the second end of the elongated guiding member locates lower level than said the first end of the elongated guiding member in said receiving position.

In addition the second end of the first load unit comprises a second guiding member, such as a recess portion, a slot, notch, wedge, roller or wheel advantageously with a recess or groove. In particularly the second guiding member has a shape and properties so that it can be mechanically introduced with the first elongated guiding member.

When the load units are connected, the first load unit is moved in said first longitudinal direction, whereupon the second end of the elongated guiding member is configured to receive said second guiding member of the second end of the first load unit. When the guiding members are met, the first elongated guiding member guides the second guiding member and thereby the second end of the first load unit to move upwards along the elongated guiding member and towards to upper portion of the first end of the second load unit, when the first load unit is further moved in said first longitudinal direction. When the relational movement is still continued, the second end of the first load unit is finally moved to the top of the first end of the second load unit.

When the load units are disconnected, the first load unit is moved in said second longitudinal direction, whereupon the first end of the elongated guiding member is configured to receive said second guiding member of the second end of the first load unit. When the guiding members are met and the first load unit is further moved in said second longitudinal direction, the first elongated guiding member guides the second guiding member and thereby the second end of the first load unit to move downwards along the elongated guiding member and away from the upper portion of the first end of the second load unit.

The load units, and in particularly the first load unit can be moved in said first and second directions by many ways and different methods and the invention is not limited to any special method. According to an exemplary embodiment the upper portion of the first end of the first load unit may comprise for example a second support portion, such as a loop-structure, for receiving a moving device, such as hook. The hook can be moved for example by an actuating member, like a cylinder, whereupon when the moving device is coupled with the second support portion and the moving device is actuated, the first load unit can be moved in said first and second longitudinal directions.

The present invention offers advantages over the known prior art, such as enables very easy, fast and inexpensive arrangement to connect and disconnect the load units so that no external cranes are needed. In addition the arrangement is very simple to manufacture and use and very durable. Furthermore, especially when connecting the load units, the first and second guiding members form a supporting point (and also the second support portion (109) with the moving device may form a second support point) so that the supporting point(s) allows the first load unit (101) to take a laterally balanced position in relation to the longitudinal axel (105A) of the first load unit. This helps to move the second end of the first load unit along the first elongated guiding member towards the upper portion of the first end of the second load unit, namely when the second end of the first load unit (101) is laterally in a balanced position, the bottom edges of the second end of the first load unit (101) do not get stuck especially to the upper portion of the first end of the second load unit, even if the second load unit locates on uneven ground (so is not laterally or horizontally straight).

The exemplary embodiments presented in this text are not to be interpreted to pose limitations to the applicability of the appended claims. The verb "to comprise" is used in this text as an open limitation that does not exclude the existence of also unrecited features. The features recited in depending claims are mutually freely combinable unless otherwise explicitly stated.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic of the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, togetherwith additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific example embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Next the invention will be described in greater detail with reference to exemplary embodiments in accordance with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figures 1A-1F illustrate a principle of an exemplary load unit arrangement for connecting first and second load units carried by a vehicle according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention,

Figures 2A-2D illustrate an exemplary first elongated guiding member for guiding a second end of the first load unit according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention,

Figures 3A-3C illustrate an exemplary second guiding member to be introduced with the first elongated guiding member according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, and

Figure 4 illustrate a principle of guiding the second end of the first load unit along first elongated guiding member to/from the top of the second load unit according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figures 1A-1F illustrate a principle of an exemplary load unit arrangement 100 for connecting first 101 and second 102 load units carried by a vehicle 108 according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention. Both load units have first and second ends 101 A, 101 B, 102A, 102B and longitudinal axis 105A, 105B between said firstand second ends. The load units 101,102 can advantageously move in relation to each other at least in a first longitudinal direction 105 to connect the load units and in a second longitudinal direction 110 to disconnect the load units on top of each other. The relative moving of the load units in both directions 105, 110 can be made possible for example by a suitable guiding device 113 in the first load unit 101 and by a suitable guiding rail 112 in the second load unit along which the first load unit can move in both directions. The guiding device 113 may be for example a protruding member, such as a pin or roller, or the like. The guiding rail 112 may be implemented for example by a slot, groove or channel or the like, which can receive the guiding device 113 to along it.

In order to help and guide the connection and disconnection of the load units 101, 103, the first end 102A of the second load unit 102 advantageously comprises a first elongated guiding member 103 having also first and second ends 103A, 103B. The first elongated guiding member 103 may be implemented e.g. by a ramp, lip, wedge, or nose or the like, as is illustrated in more details in Figures 2A-2D. The elongated guiding member 103 is advantageously fixed to an upper portion of the first end 102A of the second load unit 102 via the first end 103A. The elongated guiding member 103 has a receiving position, where the second end 103B of the elongated guiding member 103 is configured to protrude outside and downward direction 115 from the first end 102A of the second load unit 102 and so that the second end 103B of the elongated guiding member 103 locates lower level (in normal use) than said the first end 103A of the elongated guiding member 103 in said receiving position.

In addition the second end 101B of the first load unit 101 comprises a second guiding member 104, as is illustrated in Figures 3A-3B. The second guiding member 104 may be implemented e.g. by a recess portion, a slot, notch, wedge, roller or wheel advantageously with a recess or groove. In particularly the second guiding member 104 has a shape, form, material, position and other properties so that it can be mechanically introduced with the first elongated guiding member 104 both when connecting and disconnecting the load units 101, 102.

In Figures 1A-1F the load units 101, 102 are connected, whereupon the first load unit 101 is moved at first in said first longitudinal direction 105, for example by driving back (direction 105 in Figure 1A) by the vehicle 108 carrying the first load unit 101. When the first load unit 101 is moved at first in said first longitudinal direction 105, it advantageously meets the second end 103B of the elongated guiding member 103, which is configured to receive the second guiding member 104 of the second end 101B of the first load unit 101. When the guiding members 103, 104 are met, the first elongated guiding member 103 guides the second guiding member 104 and thereby the second end 101B of the first load unit 101 to move upwards 116 along the elongated guiding member 103 and towards to upper portion of the first end 102A of the second load unit 102, when the first load unit is further moved in said first longitudinal direction 105. When the relational movement is still continued, the second end 101B of the first load unit 101 and finally the whole first load unit 101 is finally moved to the top of the first end 102A of the second load unit, as is the case in Figure 1F.

In the examples illustrated in Figures, the upper portion of the first end 101A of the first load unit 101 advantageously comprises a second support portion 109, such as a loop-structure (see especially Figures 2A-2D), for receiving a moving device 106, such as hook 106. The hook can be moved for example by an actuating member, like a cylinder (not shown), whereupon when the moving device 106 is coupled with the second support portion 109 and the moving device 106 is actuated, the first load unit 101 can be moved in said first longitudinal direction 105 to connect and in said second longitudinal direction 110 to disconnect the load units 101, 102.

When the load units 101, 102 are disconnected, the procedure is opposite to process illustrated in Figures 1A-1F. When disconnecting the load units 101, 102, the first load unit 101 is moved in the second longitudinal direction 110, whereupon the first end 103A of the elongated guiding member 103 is configured to receive said second guiding member 104. The second guiding member 104 locates at the second end 101B of the first load unit 101, so the first load unit 101 must first be moved enough to the second direction 110 so that the second guiding member 104 will reach the first end 103A of the elongated guiding member 103. When the guiding members 103,104 are met and the first load unit 101 is further moved in said second longitudinal direction 110, the first elongated guiding member 103 guides the second guiding member 104 and thereby the second end 101B of the first load unit 101 to move downwards 115 along the elongated guiding member 103 and away from the upper portion of the first end 102A of the second load unit 102.

Figures 2A-2D illustrate an exemplary first elongated guiding member 103 for guiding a second end 101B of the first load unit 101 according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, as is already disclosed elsewhere in this document. The first elongated guiding member 103 is pivotally hinged 107 to the first end 102A of the second load unit 102 via the first end point 103A of the elongated guiding member 103 so that the elongated guiding member 103 can be turned to said receiving position or to an inactivated state around said hinge 107. In the inactivated state the second end 103B of the elongated guiding member 103 projects an inward direction 117, which is essentially opposite to the direction in said receiving position.

According to an example the elongated guiding member 103 is configured to be turned in the receiving position over the top of the second supporting point 109. In addition the elongated guiding member 103 can be locked to this position and thereby preventing the moving device 106, such as hook 106, to be introduced to the second supporting point 109 of the second load unit 102, and thereby preventing unauthorized person to take the second load unit. Furthermore the elongated guiding member 103 may be provided with an actuating member (not shown), such as a spring or cylinder, by actuating of which the elongated guiding member 103 can be turned between the receiving and inactivate positions.

Figures 3A-4C illustrate an exemplary second guiding member 104 to be introduced with the first elongated guiding member according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, as is already discussed on more details in connection with another Figures.

Figure 4 illustrate a principle of guiding the second end 101B of the first load unit 101 along the first elongated guiding member 103 to/from the top of the second load unit 102 according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention. Advantageously the first elongated guiding member 103 and second guiding member 104 forms a first support portion 118 for the second end 101B of the first load unit 101 when the second end 101B of the first load unit 101 is received and guided along the elongated guiding member 103 (either upwards or downwards).

In addition, especially when the first load unit 101 is moved by the moving device like the hook 106 via the second support portion (see e.g. Figures 1 ΒΙΟ), the first support portion and said second support portion 109 form two support points, via which the first load unit 101 is supported when the second end 101B of the first load unit 101 is guided along the elongated guiding member 103 (either upwards or downwards).

In this way the supporting points 109, 118 allow the first load unit 101 to take a laterally 111 balanced position in relation to the longitudinal axel 105A of the first load unit 101. This helps to move the second end of the first load unit along the first elongated guiding member towards the upper portion of the first end of the second load unit, namely when the second end of the first load unit 101 is laterally 111 in a balanced position, the bottom edges 101C, 101D of the second end 101B of the first load unit 101 do not get stuck especially to the upper portion of the first end 102A of the second load unit 102, even if the second load unit locates on uneven ground.

The invention has been explained above with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, and several advantages of the invention have been demonstrated. It is clear that the invention is not only restricted to these embodiments, but comprises all possible embodiments within the spirit and scope of the inventive thought and the following patent claims. For example even if it is demonstrated and depicted, that it is the second (free) end of the first elongated guiding member, which receives the second guiding member when connecting the load units, it must be understood that it might be also some other point than the extremity end point of the second (free) end of the first elongated guiding member, such as even a point locating in the middle area of the first elongated guiding member. According to an embodiment the second (free) end of the first elongated guiding member locates, depending on the situation and dimensions of the load unit, somewhere between the extremity end point of the second (free) end and the first end point of the first elongated guiding member.

The features recited in dependent claims are mutually freely combinable unless otherwise explicitly stated.

Claims

1. Lavayksikköjärjestely (100), jossa on ajoneuvolla (108) kuljetettavat ensimmäinen (101) ja toinen (102) lavayksikkö, joissa kummassakin lavayksikössä on ensimmäinen ja toinen pää (101 A, 101B, 102A, 102B) sekä 5 mainittujen ensimmäisen ja toisen pään välissä oleva pituusakseli (105A, 105B), jolloin lavayksiköt (101, 102) on järjestetty liikkumaan toistensa suhteen ainakin ensimmäisessä pituussuunnassa (105) lavayksikköjen kytkemiseksi yhteen ja toisessa pituussuunnassa (110) päällekkäin olevien lavayksikköjen irrottamiseksi toisistaan, jolloin mainittu toinen pituussuunta on 10 oleellisesti vastakkainen mainittuun ensimmäiseen pituussuuntaan nähden, tunnettu siitä, että lavayksikköjärjestelyssä:

- toisen lavayksikön (102) ensimmäinen pää(102A) käsittää ensimmäisen pitkänomaisen ohjainelimen (103), jossa pitkänomaisessa ohjainelimessä (103) on ensimmäinen ja toinen pää (103A, 103B), ja joka 15 pitkänomainen ohjainelin (103) on kiinnitetty ensimmäisestä päästään (103A) toisen lavayksikön (102) ensimmäisen pään (102A) yläosaan, ja jolla pitkänomaisella ohjainelimellä (103) on vastaanottoasento, jossa vastaanottoasennossa pitkänomaisen ohjainelimen (103) toinen pää (103B) sijaitsee alemmalla tasolla kuin pitkänomaisen ohjain20 elimen (103) mainittu ensimmäinen pää (103A),

- ensimmäisen lavayksikön (101) toinen pää (101B) käsittää toisen ohjain- elimen (104),

- jolloin o kytkettäessä lavayksiköitä (101, 102) yhteen pitkänomaisen

25 ohjainelimen (103) toinen pää (103B) on järjestetty vastaanottamaan ensimmäisen lavayksikön (101) toisen pään (101B) mainittu toinen ohjainelin (104), kun ensimmäistä lavayksikköä liikutetaan mainitussa ensimmäisessä pituussuunnassa (105), ja näin järjestetty ohjaamaan ensimmäisen lavayksikön (101) toista

30 päätä (101B) ylöspäin, pituussuuntaista ohjainelintä (103) pitkin ja toisen lavayksikön (102) ensimmäisen pään (102A) yläosan suuntaan, ja o irrotettaessa lavayksiköitä (101, 102) toisistaan pitkänomaisen ohjainelimen (103) ensimmäinen pää (103A) on järjestetty vas35 taanottamaan ensimmäisen lavayksikön (101) toisen pään (101B) mainittu toinen ohjainelin (104), kun ensimmäistä lavayksikköä liikutetaan mainitussa toisessa pituussuunnassa (110),

20185455 prh 04-04-2019 ja näin järjestetty ohjaamaan ensimmäisen lavayksikön (101) toista päätä (101B) alaspäin, pitkänomaista ohjainelintä (103) pitkin ja poispäin toisen lavayksikön (102) ensimmäisen pään (102A) yläosasta.

5

2. Patenttivaatimuksen 1 mukainen lavayksikköjärjestely (100), jossa mainittu ensimmäinen pitkänomainen ohjainelin (103) käsittää luiskan, reunuksen, nokan tai kiilan.

3. Jonkin edellisen patenttivaatimuksen mukainen lavayksikköjärjestely (100), jossa mainittu toinen ohjainelin (104) käsittää syvennysosan, raon,

10 loven, kiilan, rullan tai pyörän, jossa on edullisesti syvennys tai ura.

4. Jonkin edellisen patenttivaatimuksen mukainen lavayksikköjärjestely (100), jossa mainittu ensimmäinen pitkänomainen ohjainelin (103) on nivelöity (107) toisen lavayksikön (102) ensimmäiseen päähän (102A) pitkänomaisen ohjainelimen (103) ensimmäisen päätepisteen (103A) välityksellä

15 siten, että pitkänomainen ohjainelin (103) voidaan kääntää mainitun nivelen (107) ympäri mainittuun vastaanottoasentoon tai inaktivoituun asentoon, jolloin mainitussa inaktivoidussa asennossa pitkänomaisen ohjainelimen (103) toinen pää (103B) työntyy sisäänpäin.

5. Jonkin edellisen patenttivaatimuksen mukainen lavayksikköjärjestely

20 (100), jossa mainitut ensimmäinen pitkänomainen ohjainelin (103) ja toinen ohjainelin (104) on järjestetty muodostamaan ensimmäinen tuentaosa ensimmäisen lavayksikön (101) toista päätä (101B) varten, kun ensimmäisen lavayksikön (101) toista päätä (101B) ohjataan pitkänomaista ohjainelintä (103) pitkin.

25

6. Jonkin edellisen patenttivaatimuksen mukainen lavayksiköjärjestely (100), jossa mainitun ensimmäisen lavayksikön (101) mainitun ensimmäisen pään (101 A) yläosa käsittää toisen tuentaosan (109), joka on tarkoitettu vastaanottamaan liikkuva laite (106), kuten koukku (106), mainitun ensimmäisen lavayksikön (101) liikuttamiseksi mainituissa ensimmäisessä ja toisessa 30 pituussuunnassa (105, 110).

7. Patenttivaatimuksien 5 ja 6 mukainen lavayksikköjärjestely (100), jossa mainittu ensimmäinen tuentaosa ja mainittu toinen tuentaosa (109) on järjestetty muodostamaan kaikki tukipisteet, joiden kautta mainittua ensimmäistä lavayksikköä (101) tuetaan, kun ensimmäisen lavayksikön (101) toista päätä (101B) ohjataan pitkänomaista ohjainelintä (103) pitkin.

8. Patenttivaatimuksen 7 mukainen lavayksikköjärjestely (100), jossa mainittu ensimmäinen tuentaosa ja mainittu toinen tuentaosa (109), jotka muodostavat kaikki tukipisteet ensimmäiselle lavayksikölle (101), on järjestetty

5 sallimaan ensimmäisen lavayksikön (101) pääsy tasapainoasemaan ensimmäisen lavayksikön pituusakselin (105A) suhteen.

9. Jonkin edellisen patenttivaatimuksen mukainen lavayksikköjärjestely, jossa ensimmäinen lavayksikkö (101) käsittää ohjainvälineen (113) ja toinen lavayksikkö (102) käsittää ohjainkiskon (112), jota pitkin toisen lavayksikön

10 (102) ohjainväline (104) on järjestetty liikkumaan mainituissa ensimmäisessä ja toisessa pituussuunnassa (113, 114) mainittujen ensimmäisen ja toisen lavayksikön mainitun suhteellisen liikkeen aikana.

10. Jonkin edellisen patenttivaatimuksen mukainen lavayksikköjärjestely (100), jossa toisen lavayksikön (102) ensimmäinen pää (102A) käsittää myös

15 toisen tukipisteen (109), joka on tarkoitettu vastaanottamaan liikkuva väline (106), kuten koukku (106), ja jossa pitkänomainen ohjainelin (103) on järjestetty käännettäväksi mainitussa vastaanottoasennossa toisen lavayksikön (102) mainitun toisen tukipisteen (109) päälle, ja jossa pitkänomainen ohjainelin (103) voidaan lukita mainittuun asentoon, jolloin estetään liikkuvan väli20 neen (106), kuten koukun (106), saattaminen toisen lavayksikön (102) toisen tukipisteen (109) yhteyteen.