FR2800683A1 - Removable container, for light utility vehicle, has lifting mechanism fitted to chassis to lift container clear to allow props to be moved into position to support container as chassis is driven away - Google Patents

Abstract

Vehicle consists of chassis (1), on to which is fitted removable container (2), which is held in position during transport. Vehicle is fitted with means to displace the container from its transport position to a position of rest, in which it is detached from the chassis. The transfer is achieved by system (4) to lift the container above the chassis, such that the props (25) can be moved into place to support the container.

Description

The present invention relates to a utility vehicle comprising a frame on which a removable container is held in a transport position, and means for transfer to move the container from its transport position to a standby position in which it is unloaded from the chassis.

The transfer means provided on current commercial vehicles for the installation or removal of removable containers are generally bulky and heavy, thereby resulting in a significant dead weight and therefore limiting the payload.

The present invention is more particularly intended to remedy this drawback and, for this purpose, it relates to a vehicle having the structure indicated above and characterized in that the transfer means comprise lifting means mounted on the chassis for lifting the container above the latter, and crutches carried by the container and intended to be applied against the ground, these crutches can be put in place when the container is lifted by the lifting means.

The transfer means according to the present invention are more flexible and more efficient than those of current commercial vehicles.

Advantageously, the lifting means are pneumatic.

Pneumatic devices are generally lighter than hydraulic devices and allow for the fitting of removable containers onto light commercial vehicles.

Such a possibility was not possible until now, the transfer means provided on current commercial vehicles comprising exclusively hydraulic lifting means which, to avoid overload problems, are very rarely mounted on light commercial vehicles.

Preferably, the lifting means comprise at least one pneumatic cushion, which makes it possible to obtain the best payload on the light utility vehicle. it should be noted here that the actuation of the airbag can be achieved using a lightweight compressor, compact and whose operation can be provided from the vehicle battery.

According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the airbag is mounted on a crossbar fixed to the frame, in the vicinity of the rear end thereof, and has a longitudinal axis which extends vertically in the median longitudinal plane. of the chassis.

In fact, it suffices to carry out conventional assembly operations in order to be able to install the pneumatic cushion on the chassis, which makes it possible to reduce manufacturing costs.

The airbag can advantageously support a transverse bar carried by two parallel arms, one end of which is provided with a roller and the other end of which is articulated on the chassis about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the latter. last, the rollers bearing against the bottom wall of the container when the air bag is under pressure.

Thus, the container can move very easily relative to the air cushion, both during the swelling and during the deflation thereof, which eliminates the risk of wear of the container and the cushion at their contacting parts. .

The utility vehicle according to the present invention is further characterized in that its chassis may comprise two parallel rails arranged longitudinally for guiding rollers fixed on the container, in the vicinity of the front edge of the lower wall of the latter, the rails of guidance being constituted by section sections in U whose bases extend vertically and whose wings are respectively rotated towards each other.

With this particular arrangement, the container can be moved very easily along the vehicle frame so that its installation or removal can be performed without difficulty by the driver himself.

According to another characteristic of the vehicle according to the present invention, the chassis comprises two stops located in the vicinity of its front end and defining the transport position of the container, and two locking levers provided on the container, in the vicinity of the rear end of the container. the latter, these levers being able to pivot between an inactive position in which they are immobilized on the container and an active position in which they are fixed on the frame by removable connection means when the container is in its transport position.

The removable container can thus be locked safely and accurately in its transport position on the frame. It can be safely transported regardless of the condition of the roads used by the vehicle.

Advantageously, the stops may each comprise two plates parallel to the frame, connected at their front ends and defining between them a slot receiving a rod provided in the vicinity of the front end of the underside of the container when the latter is in its transport position.

Thanks to the plates and rods, the container can not move up or perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the frame.

As regards the crutches of the container, they are preferably located in the vicinity of the corners of the lower wall of the latter and adjustable in length.

Thus, when the crutches rest on the ground, they keep the container perfectly stable while it is being loaded or unloaded.

In order to make them less cumbersome when the container is installed on the chassis of the vehicle, the stands located at the rear may preferably comprise a lower portion hinged about an axis perpendicular to the median longitudinal plane of the frame.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described hereinafter by way of non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which - Figure 1 is a front view of a utility vehicle according to the invention, a removable container being installed on the chassis of this vehicle; FIG. 2 is a view of the front end of the container visible in FIG. 1, but when it rests on the ground via its crutches; FIG. 3 is a view of the left side of the vehicle visible in FIG. 1; FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the portion located in the circle IV of FIG. 3; - Figure 5 is a sectional view along the line V-V of Figure 4; - Figure 6 is a top view of the vehicle visible in Figures 1 and 3, the removable container being shown in phantom for clarity; FIG. 7 is a view along the line VII-VII of FIG. 6, the pneumatic cushion and the associated roller device being represented in continuous lines when in the inactive position and in phantom lines when they are in active position; - Figure 8 is a partial schematic view of the rear of the vehicle, this view showing one of the locking levers of the container in the active position; - Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 8 but showing the locking lever in the inactive position; and FIGS. 10 to 15 are side views illustrating the main operations to be carried out to remove the removable container from the chassis and to make it rest on the ground via its crutches. The vehicle shown in the drawings is a utility vehicle with a payload of less than 3.5 tonnes and which comprises a frame 1 on which is mounted a removable container 2 intended to be transported, this container may for example be constituted by a tank , a van, a motorhome cell, a refrigerated box or even a tray.

As shown in Figure 1, the container 2 is wider than the cabin 3 and the frame 1 and thus protrudes on the longitudinal sides of the vehicle.

It goes without saying, however, that its width could be the same as that of the cabin without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The container 2 can be transferred from its transport position in which it rests on the chassis 1 of the vehicle to a waiting position in which it is unloaded from the chassis.

To allow this transfer, the vehicle comprises a pneumatic cushion 4 mounted on a crosspiece 5 carried by the frame 1, in the vicinity of the rear end of the latter.

The crossbar 5 is connected, at its two ends, to two vertical flanges 6 fixed on the longitudinal members 7 of the frame, and is located at a height less than that of the latter.

The pneumatic cushion 4, which is of conventional design, is connected in a manner known per se to a compressor not shown installed on the frame in a suitable location between the cab and the rear wheels.

It is thus sufficient to actuate the compressor to inflate it and connect its internal cavity to the atmosphere to deflate it. It will be noted here that the airbag is fixed on the crossbar 5 so that its longitudinal axis is located in the median longitudinal plane of the frame 1, whether inflated or not.

Referring more particularly to FIGS. 6 and 7, it will be seen that the airbag supports a transverse bar 8 carried by two parallel arms 9, one end of which is provided with a roller 10 and the other end of which is articulated. on the frame 1, about an axis 11 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the latter, in front of the airbag 4.

When the cushion 4 is deflated, the arms 9 extend horizontally under the container 2, as shown in solid lines in FIG.

On the other hand, when it is inflated, the free ends of the arms 9 extend above the frame while the rollers 10 raise the rear part of the container 2 by bearing against the lower wall of the latter, as shown in phantom mixed in Figure 7.

It will be specified here that the airbag is dimensioned to be able to elongate by about 25 cm when it passes from its deflated state to its inflated state.

Referring now to Figures 2, 4 and 5, it will be seen that the container 2 is provided with two rollers 12 mounted on its lower wall, in the vicinity of the front edge thereof, and two rods 13 ' extending coaxially with the rollers 12.

When the container 2 is in its transport position on the vehicle, the rollers 12 are housed in two parallel rails 14 fixed to the frame 1, parallel to the longitudinal axis of the latter.

In the embodiment shown, the rails 14 are constituted by two U-section profiles whose bases extend vertically and whose wings are respectively rotated towards each other.

At their rear end, the rails 14 are connected to parts 15 visible in FIGS. 3 and 6. Thanks to these parts, which form a kind of flat-bottomed gutter which slopes downwards and whose width increases in the direction of its lower end, the introduction of the rollers 12 in the rails 14 and their extraction out of these can be made very easily, respectively during the installation of the container 2 on the frame and during its removal. Returning to the chassis 1, it will be noted that it comprises two stops 16 located near its front end, just behind the cabin.

As shown in Figures 3 to 5, the stops 16 each comprise two plates 17 parallel to the frame, these plates being connected at their front ends and defining between them a slot 18 whose height is slightly greater than the diameter of the rods. 13.

The stops 16 define the transport position of the container 2. Indeed, when it is in place on the frame, the rods 13 are housed in the slots 18 and immobilized against the bottom thereof.

Furthermore, the container 2 is provided, in the vicinity of its rear end of two locking levers 19 visible in Figures 3, 8 and 9.

These levers are articulated on axes parallel to the longitudinal axis of the frame, between an inactive position in which they are immobilized against the bottom wall of the container, and an active position in which they are fixed along the flanges 6 for mounting the pneumatic cushion 4.

It will be noted that the levers 19 are provided, near their free end, with a plate 20 in which a bore 21 is formed.

The holes 21 are intended to receive hooks 22 carried by the bottom wall of the container 2 when the levers 19 are in their inactive position, and to receive fingers 23 fixed horizontally on the flanges 6 when the levers 19 are in their active position.

So that the levers 19 remain in their active position during the transport of the container, the fingers 23 are provided with a hole intended to receive a fixing pin 24.

The container 2 is further provided with crutches 25 protruding near the corners of its bottom wall. These crutches comprise, in a manner known per se, an upper part fixed on the bottom wall of the container so as to extend vertically towards the ground and a lower part slidably mounted in the upper part.

The length of the stands 25 is adjustable. To do this, their lower part is provided with a series of equidistant holes while their upper part has a single hole.

By introducing a pin in the hole of the upper parts and in one of the holes of the lower parts, it is obviously possible to change the length of the stands 25 simply and quickly.

It will be noted here that the lower part of the two stands 25 located at the rear of the container is articulated about an axis perpendicular to the median longitudinal plane of the frame 1, which makes these crutches less cumbersome.

In the embodiment that has just been described, the container 2 is wider than the cabin 3 of the vehicle. It goes without saying that its width could be reduced without departing from the scope of the present invention.

It would suffice for the stands 25 to be mounted on the container so that they can be moved away from the median longitudinal plane of the chassis so that it does not hinder their use.

In addition, the commercial vehicle represented has a payload of less than 3.5 tonnes. However, there is nothing to prevent the present invention from being applied to vehicles capable of carrying much larger loads.

We will now describe the operations that must be performed to remove the container 2 of the frame 1 and make it rest on the ground via its crutches 25.

These operations will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 to 15.

First, the locking levers 19 are moved from their active position visible in FIG. 8 to their inactive position, which can be seen in FIG. 9, so that the container 2 can be detached from the frame 1 (FIG. 10). The compressor is then actuated to inflate the airbag 4 and lift the rear portion of the container 2 (Figure 11).

The crutches 25 located at the rear of the container 2 are now deployed until they rest on the ground or come in close proximity to the ground, after which the air cushion 4 is connected to the atmosphere in order to deflate it. (Figure 12).

The vehicle is then advanced in a straight line until the front of the container 2 comes over the cushion 4 (FIG. 13).

The compressor is now actuated to inflate the airbag 4 again and lift the front part of the container (Figure 14).

The crutches 25 located at the front of the container 2 are then deployed until they rest on the ground or come in close proximity to the ground, after which the cushion 4 is connected to the atmosphere in order to deflate it ( Figure 15).

Finally, the vehicle is advanced in a straight line to move it away from the container which rests on the ground via its crutches.

It is easily understood that the installation of the container 2 or a similar container can be performed by performing the reverse operations described just described.

In order to facilitate the guiding of the container 2 along the frame 1, it is preferably provided, in the vicinity of its rear end, with two rollers 26 visible in FIGS. 3 and 6.

These rollers, whose axes of rotation extend vertically, are housed in two channels 27 formed in the bottom wall of the container 2, parallel to the longitudinal axis of the latter, and visible in Figures 2 and 3.

It follows from the foregoing that the present invention makes it possible to install on the chassis of a light utility vehicle containers adapted to different needs or dependent on problems specific to users, such as programming, available stocks, accessibility schedules.

The installation and removal of a container can be done on demand.

Claims (10)

<U> CLAIMS </ U> A utility vehicle comprising a frame (1) on which a removable container (2) is held in a transport position, and transfer means (4,25) for moving the container from its transport position to a position of waiting in which it is unloaded from the chassis, characterized in that the transfer means (4,25) comprise lifting means (4) mounted on the frame (1) for lifting the container (2) above the latter , and crutches (25) carried by the container and intended to be applied against the ground, these crutches can be put in place when the container is lifted by the lifting means. 2. Commercial vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the lifting means (4) are pneumatic. 3. Commercial vehicle according to claim 2, characterized in that the lifting means comprise at least one air cushion (4). 4. A commercial vehicle according to claim 3, characterized in that the airbag (4) is mounted on a crossbar (5) fixed to the frame (1), in the vicinity of the rear end of the latter, and has an axis longitudinal axis that extends vertically in the median longitudinal plane of the frame. 5. Commercial vehicle according to claim 4, characterized in that the airbag (4) supports a transverse bar (8) carried by two parallel arms (9), one end of which is provided with a roller (10) and whose other end is articulated on the frame (1) about an axis (11) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the latter, the rollers (10) bearing against the bottom wall of the container (2) when the cushion pneumatic (4) is under pressure. 6. Commercial vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the frame (1) comprises two parallel rails (14) arranged longitudinally for guiding rollers (12) fixed on the container (2), in the vicinity the front edge of the lower wall of the latter, the guide rails being constituted by section sections in U whose bases extend vertically and whose wings are respectively rotated towards each other. 7. Commercial vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the frame (1) comprises two stops (16) located in the vicinity of its front end and defining the transport position of the container (2), and two levers locking (19) provided on the container, in the vicinity of the rear end thereof, these levers being able to pivot between an inactive position in which they are immobilized on the container and an active position in which they are fixed on the frame by removable connecting means (24) when the container is in its transport position. 8. Commercial vehicle according to claim 7, characterized in that the stops (16) each comprise two plates (17) parallel to the frame (1), connected at their front ends and defining between them a slot (18) receiving a rod (13) provided in the vicinity of the front end of the underside of the container (2) when the latter is in its transport position. 9. Vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the legs (25) of the container (2) are located in the vicinity of the corners of the lower wall of the latter and are adjustable in length. 10. Vehicle according to claim 9, characterized in that the legs (25) at the rear of the container (2) comprise a lower portion articulated about an axis perpendicular to the median longitudinal plane of the frame (1).