FR2464206A1 - CONTAINER FOR PLATFORM TRUCK AND TRUCK FOR RECEIVING SUCH A CONTAINER - Google Patents

Abstract

THE INVENTION RELATES TO A CONTAINER INTENDED TO BE RECEIVED ON A PLATFORM TRUCK, AND A SUITABLE TRUCK. THE CONTAINER IS EQUIPPED AT EACH CORNER WITH A LIFTING CYLINDER ARRANGED IN A MOBILE COMPONENT TRANSVERSALLY BETWEEN A RETRACTED POSITION INTENDED FOR TRANSPORTATION AND AN OFFSET POSITION FACILITATING THE PASSAGE OF THE TRUCK DURING LOADING, THE MOVABLE UNIT CARRYING A CENTERING SURFACE SUPPORT AGAINST AN ADDITIONAL SURFACE FORMED ON THE TRUCK PLATFORM WHEN THIS BODY IS RETRACTED. APPLICATION TO CONTAINER TRANSPORT BY TRUCK.

Description

1i 2464206

  The present invention relates to a container pa-ti

  specially adapted to be received on a flatbed truck.

  form and a truck intended to receive such a

  coach. We know a number of flat trucks

  form equipped with a container equipped with autonomous means

  It is important to ensure the loading and unloading of cotents without external lifting equipment. Such materials have the advantage of enabling the handling of relays in devices without means.

lifting.

  @Ceing in the current istent sets

  Means the noens to load and unload the contents

  include cylinders or cylinders

  I 'mounted on the truck. Containers can not therefore

  a case and check on trucks that are not suitable for

  teso E oure7 in the sructuree p l

  sets of con ners are generally limited to

  In this way, it is sometimes difficult for them to load and dispose of containers.

  The creation of known sets also

  they have not been able to adapt their

  tor after eniyement of the cam! on. As a result, the

  discharged neur is usually not at the level of the

  the platform in front of which it is parked, which makes it

  Another particularly important disadvantage

  existing sets lies in the difficulties of

  the truck; especially when it is put under the container. Indeed, the centering of the container relative to the truck must be achieved during the maneuver of the latter and the spacing between the crutches supporting the

  container is usually only a few hundred

  timers at the wheelbase of the truck. This results in a risk of shifting of the container or the truck during the maneuver which can lead to accidents and a deterioration of the

2 2464206

  truck or container. Finally, in some of the sets

  known, the chassis of the truck must be cut in order to

  loading and unloading of the container, which

  prohibits any possibility of attachment of a trailer.

  The object of the invention is to provide a

  which may be raised and lowered almost autonomously and capable of being loaded onto a truck at

  classical platform or having undergone a minimum of

  This container also has the advantage of being able to

  see being adjusted in height after removal of the truck,

  to be reversible, and to allow easy maneuvering of the

  mion, both when he was kidnapped and when he was

brought under the container.

  For this purpose, and in accordance with the invention, there is provided a platform truck container, characterized

  in that it comprises independent lifting means sus-

  can be supported on the ground on either side of

  the platform of the truck to lift the container beyond

  above the latter and allow the removal of the truck, these lifting means being carried by movable members in a transverse direction relative to the truck between a retracted position corresponding to the size of the truck and a spaced position allowing the implementation of the means

lifting.

  In a preferred embodiment of the invention,

  the lifting means shall comprise at least four

  Double-acting rins arranged at the four corners of the container.

  Locking means can then be associated with each of the jacks to maintain them in the position they

  occupy, irrespective of the pressure prevailing in

rins.

  According to another characteristic of the

  In addition, the container further comprises central means

  able to come to bear against surfaces of

  centering formed on the platform of the truck.

3 24642e6

  According to yet another feature of the invention

  tion, at least four cylinders aligned two by two in a direction transverse to the truck are arranged

  between the floor of the container and the movable parts

  both lifting means for moving said organs

  their retracted position and their separated position.

  When the container includes means of cen-

  these means can then be constituted by an over-

  appropriate centering face formed on each of the organs

  movable vis-à-vis the centering surface correspon-

  formed on the platform of the truck, said surfaces

  centering being complementary.

  Locking means can also be

  associated with the centering means to prevent their loosening

ge.

  According to yet another feature of the invention

  the container includes an automatic control unit

  me likely to be powered by a power source

electric carried by the truck.

  The invention also relates to a flatbed truck

  form intended to transport at least one container of the type defined above and comprising centering means, characterized in that it comprises at least two transverse plates fixed on the frame and defining said platform on which the container is received, surfaces of centering being formed at the ends of at least two of

transverse plates.

  We will now describe, as a nonlimited example

  a particular embodiment of the invention with reference to the appended figures in which:

  FIGS. 1a to 1c represent in a diagrammatic way

  in a side view for Fig. 1a, and in plan view for Figs. 1b and 1c, a platform truck and a container made in accordance with the present invention; - Figure 2 shows the rear of a truck platform and a container, the latter being placed on the platform on the left side of the figure, and raised this platform on the right side of the FIG;

4 2464206

  FIG. 3 is an enlarged view showing -

  a part of the lifting and centering means arranged at one of the four corners of the container * and - Figure 4 is a schematic view showing one of the lifting cylinders and the locking means which

are associated with it.

  In figures la and lb, there is shown a

  10 equipped with a platform 12 defined by three plati-

  transverse members 26 resting on the chassis of the truck. The platform 12 is arranged partly under a container 14

  resting on the ground 16 through means of le-

  As illustrated in Figure la, container 14 is

  placed in front of a platform 20 from which it can be unloaded.

  or loaded, for example by means of a trolley

  22. The lifting means 18 are constituted by four cylinders arranged in pairs on both sides of the container 14 and at the four corners thereof. They will be described in more detail later. The cylinders 18 are controlled by an autonomous control unit 24 disposed, for example, on the roof of the container 14. The power supply of the

  24 is made from the battery of acclimata-

  10. Each cylinder 18 is mounted in an actuator

  28 movable in a radial direction relative to the truck.

  As illustrated in Figure la, the race for

  18 is such that the bottom of the container 14 is at a level higher than that of the platform 12 of the truck 10

  when the cylinders rest on the ground.

  Figure lb shows that the organs 28 occupy

  then a separated position for which the distance E

  the jacks 18 arranged on either side of the container 14 is substantially greater than the template G of the truck. The game thus defined between the platform and the cylinders can be,

for example, about 30 cm.

  As shown in FIG. 1c, when the container 14 is mounted on the truck 10, the members 28 carrying the jacks 18 are retracted so that the bulk of the container 14 is at most equal to the jig G of the truck 10.

2464206

  As will be seen later, the displacement of the movable members 28 is controlled by four cylinders 32 <Figure 2) aligned in pairs in a transverse direction by

  relative to the truck and arranged in the same horizontal plane.

  The container 14 further comprises centering means. These centering means comprise four wedge-shaped centering surfaces 36 (FIG. 2) formed on the movable members 28 and capable of bearing against four centering surfaces 30 in the shape of a V formed at the

  the ends of the plates 26 arranged at the front and at the back

  re of the platform. The surfaces 30 and 36 are complementary

  tary. The implementation of the centering means is therefore performed by moving the movable members 28 between their spaced apart and retracted positions by means of the jacks 32.

  this effect, the stroke of each of the cylinders 32 is preferably

  identical situation. Of course, the distance D between the wedge-shaped surfaces 36 formed on the members 28 at each end of the container 14 must be equal to the distance D between the front and rear plates 26. Thus,

  and as illustrated in particular in Figure lc, the

  neur 14 can be accurately centered on the platform 12 by means of centering means when the truck 10 has been put in place under the container 14 and when the cylinders of

lifting 18 were noted.

  As illustrated in particular in Figure 3, each

  one of the cylinders 32 is a single-acting cylinder. The body of the cylinders 32 is integral with the bottom 38 of the container 14, while the rod of the cylinders 32 is integral with the movable member

  34 corresponding, so as to move the latter transverse

  compared to the truck, away from and around

  platen 26. Each movable member 34 is

  under the bottom 38 of the container 14 and supported and guided by a guide secured to the bottom 38 and shown schematically

  at 40 in FIG. 2. This configuration allows the organizations

  mobile units 34 to directly support the lifting cylinders

  18 as illustrated in Figures 2 to 4.

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  In order to allow the release of the cylinders

  centering 32 when the container 14 is mounted on the platform

  form of the truck, locking means are provided for

  be the organs 34 and this platform. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, these means of ver-

  rusting are mechanical. They comprise a solid pad 42

  member 34 and extending vertically downwardly from the underside thereof, and a hook 44 operable by a crank 46 and carried

  by the chassis of the truck. These locking means allow

  also try to keep the container on the platform

in case of shaking.

  As is illustrated in particular in FIG. 4, the cylinders 18 are double-acting cylinders, controlled by the pressure prevailing in an upper chamber 50 and in a

  lower chamber 52, this pressure coming from a

  presser 64 of the control unit 24. Preferably, the lifting cylinders 18 are controlled independently of each other. Locking means are associated with each of the jacks 18 in order to prevent the rod 48 thereof from retracting in the event of a leak in the upper chamber 50 when the container 14 is supported by the jacks, and in order to prevent the accidental release of the rod 48 in case of leakage in the lower chamber 52 when the container 14 rests on the platform of the truck. In the embodiment shown, these locking means

  include a rack 54 formed directly on the

  48, and a pawl 56. The pawl 56 is constituted by the beveled end of a piston mounted in the body of the jack 18. This end normally engages in the teeth of the rack 54, under the action of 'a spring

  58. A chamber 60, connected to the compressor 64 by a distribution

  striker 62 may be filled with fluid under pressure when it is necessary to urge the pawl 56 away from the rack 54, against the

spring 58.

7 2464206

  It will be noted that the container according to the invention

  is reversible, that is to say that it has a door to

  one of its ends and that it can be loaded on the

  platform of the truck in one or the other direction.

  It will also be noted that the modifications to the flatbed truck are minimal, and in particular that its

  chassis is not modified, so that it may

to tow a trailer.

  Loading and unloading a container 14

  on a flatbed truck 10 equipped with appropriate decks

  26 is carried out as follows: -When the container 14 is disposed vis-à-vis

  a loading and unloading platform 20, like the

  gloss the figures la and lb and the right part of the

  2, the centering cylinders 32 are in the position of ex-

  tension, which leaves between the lifting cylinders 18

  at the front and rear of the container 14, a passage of width E equal to the template G of the truck plus the sum

  races c of each of the centering cylinders 32. The extension

  The lifting cylinders 18 are then adjusted so that the bottom 38 of the container 14 is disposed at the platform 20, which makes loading and unloading easy.

  the container 14, for example by means of the handling trolley

22.

  When the container 14 is to be mounted on a truck 10, the battery thereof is first connected to

  the control unit 24 of the container, so as to allow

  be the implementation of the different cylinders carried by it. If the platform 20 is at a level lower than that of the platform 12 of the truck, the cylinders 18 are then implemented to bring the bottom 38 of the container

  14 noticeably above the platform, as illustrated by the

  be the figure la. The truck 10 is then maneuvered in reverse, as shown in Figures la and lb, so as to bring the platform 12 under the container 14. It will be noted

  that this maneuver is facilitated by the fact that the distance

  this transverse E separating the lifting cylinders 18 is then substantially greater than the template G of the truck, because of the extension of the centering cylinders 32. The truck 10 can thus be engaged obliquely below the container 14 without this has no consequence for the rest of the maneuver. When the platform 12 is sufficiently engaged under the container 14 so that the shaped surfaces

  wedges 36 formed on the movable members 28 are sensi-

  aligned with the V-shaped surfaces formed at the ends

  the front and rear turntables 26, the truck is stopped

  pe. The chambers 60 of the locking systems of the cylinders 18 are pressurized in order to disengage the pawls 56 from the racks 54. The double-acting cylinders 18 are then

  actuated to lower the container 14 on the platform

  form 12 of the truck, then retract the rods 48 into the

  the body of the lifting cylinders. The whole of the

  The container then sits on the truck. The pressure in

  the jacks 18 can be released if the lock system

  of these cylinders is implemented by releasing the pressure

in the rooms 60.

  The centering cylinders 32 are then implemented.

  to move the movable members 28 in a

  transverse direction towards the V-shaped surfaces 30. Preferably

  Here, the controls of the cylinders 32 are grouped in pairs, so as to achieve successively the centering of the front, then the rear, of the container on the platform, or vice versa. Since the stroke of the cylinders 32 facing each other is the same, the coming into abutment of one of the wedge-shaped surfaces 36 on the corresponding V-shaped surface causes the container 14 to shifter on the platform 12, until the facing corner 36 bears against the corresponding V-shaped surface. Centering the other end of the

  container 14 is made in exactly the same way.

  It will be noted that the centering of the container 14 on the platform 12 of the truck is carried out without difficulty and accurately 2464t06, even when the platform of the truck is engaged obliquely under the container, and without any risk of damaging the container or the truck. During the centering of the container on the platform of the truck, the lifting cylinders 18 which are carried by the movable members 28 are

  retracted under the container 14, so that the encum-

  of it, after being put on the truck,

  not greater than the bulk of a conventional container

  that and does not exceed the size of the truck.

  When the centering of the container 14 is finished, the cranks 46 can be manipulated to bring

  each of the hooks 44 around the pads 42, corresponding.

  Centering and holding the container 14 on the platform

  shape of the truck are then assured even after loosening

pressure in the cylinders 32.

  When the container 14 is to be deposited on the floor 16, for example opposite a platform 20, the operations are performed in the reverse order of those just described. Thus, the hooks 44 being unlocked, the centering cylinders 32 are first used to separate the members 28 from the V-shaped surfaces 30 formed on

  the decks 26 of the truck. Rooms 60 are then half

  pressurized to remove ratchets 56

  54. The lifting cylinders 18 can then be actuated so as to bring the rods 48 against the ground 16, and to lift the container 14 of the platform 12 of the truck. Note that each of the cylinders 18 is preferably controlled independently to compensate

  possible inequalities of the soil 16 on which it is desired to

  place the container. The truck 10 can then be removed.

  After removal of the truck, the cylinders 18 may optionally be operated to bring the bottom 38 of the container at the dock 20 to facilitate the loading and unloading of the container. This maneuver can be performed by keeping the truck 10 nearby, so as to have the battery of the latter

  to power the control unit 24.

2464? 06

  Although the implementation of the centering means 28 requires the use of a truck whose platform includes surfaces 30 adapted to receive the corners

  36, the container according to the invention can also be

  on a conventional platform truck, the means of

trage 28 not being used.

  Of course, the invention is not limited to

  embodiment which has just been described by way of example, but covers all variants thereof. Thus, the containers can be of variable dimensions, so that two or more containers can be carried by the same truck or loaded on a trailer. In addition, the locking means of the centering and lifting cylinders are not essential to the invention and they can also be

  replaced by any other known means fulfilling this function

  tion. Finally, the shape of the centering surfaces may well

heard to be modified.

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Claims (11)

  1. Container for flatbed truck, character-   characterized in that it comprises independent lifting means capable of resting on the ground on both sides   of the truck platform to lift the container over-   above the latter and allow the removal of the   these lifting means being carried by   biles in a direction transverse to the truck   between a retracted position corresponding to the size of the   mion and a position away allowing the implementation lifting means.   Container according to claim 1, characterized in that the lifting means comprise at least four   double-acting cylinders arranged in the four corners of the   coach. 3. Container according to claim 2, characterized in that each of the lifting cylinders is controlled independently.   4. Container according to any one of the claims   2 or 3, characterized in that locking means   each of the cylinders to maintain them in the position they occupy regardless of the pressure prevailing in the cylinders.   Container according to any one of the claims   1 to 4, characterized in that it comprises centering means capable of bearing against surfaces   centering devices formed on the platform of the mion.   Container according to any one of the claims   tions, characterized in that at least four   rins aligned two by two in a direction transverse to the truck are arranged between the floor of the   container and the moving parts carrying the means of   ge to move said members between their retracted position their position. 12 2464206   Container according to claim 6, taken in combination with claim 5, characterized in that the centering means comprise a centering surface.   formed on each of the movable members vis-à-   screw of the corresponding centering surface formed on the platform of the truck, said centering surfaces being complementary.   8. Container according to any one of the claims   6 or 7, characterized in that each group of two cylinders aligned in a transverse direction relative to   to the truck is controlled independently.   Container according to any one of the claims   5 or 7, characterized in that locking means   are associated with the centering means to prevent their loosening.   Container according to any of the claims   cations, characterized in that it comprises an autonomous control unit capable of being powered   by a source of electric current carried by the truck.   11. Platform truck intended for transport to   least one container according to any of the claims   preceding, characterized in that it comprises at least two transverse plates fixed on the frame and defining said platform on which the container is received, centering surfaces being formed at the ends of at least two of the transverse plates.