GB1579126A - Lifting mechanism (pneumatic) - Google Patents

Description

(54) LIFTING MECHANISM (PNEUMATIC) (71) We, CLARKE TRANSLIFT GROUP LIMITED, a British Company, of 10, Bitteswell Road, Lutterworth. Leicestershire, LE174EZ. do hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us. and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: The invention relates to mechanism suitable for lifting stillages or other loadbearing platforms through small distances, and is more particularly but not exclusively applicable to freight transporter vehicles having demountable bodies.

According to the invention there is provided lifting mechanism comprising a base, an elongate load engaging member pivotted at one end thereof to the base and at its other end adapted to engage with a load to be lifted in such manner that during lifting or lowering displacement of the load relative to the base this other end is able to move relative to the load. and a pneumatic ram pivotted with respect to the base and also to the load engaging member.

The base is preferably of open channel section so as to provide protection for the operative parts of the mechanism. The load engaging member comprises a strut and preferablv has a wheel rotatably secured to its load engaging end to make it readilv movable with respect to the load to be lifted. The pneumatic ram is preferablv an air bellows.

In use. the load to be lifted mav he part of an auxiliarv frame of a vehicle or part of its demountable body. The mechanism can be built onto and made an integral part of the vehicle. The vehicle body may be a vanbody or flat bodv comprising a deck having a frame. The hod may be provided with legs for keeping it off the ground. and the legs stowed in an inoperative position when mounted on the transporter vehicle.

In order to mount a demountable body onto a transporter vehicle provided with lifting mechanism according to this invention, the vehicle is backed between the legs of a stillage bearing the body. The lifting mechanism elevates the stillage through a small distance. The legs of the stillage are stowed, and the body is lowered into position, located and secured onto the vehicle.

The body is then ready for transporation. In order to demount the body off the transporter. the lifting mechanism elevates the body, the legs of the stillage are moved into an operative position. the stillage is lowered so that the legs rest on the ground, and the transporter vehicle is driven away.

A single mechanism according to the invention may be sold separatelv for the modification of an existing vehicle. possibly as a kit of parts. For a light-weight body. a single mechanism might be mounted centrally on a bridge between chassis sidemembers. For a heavier body. two mechanisms might similarlv be mounted back to back. Uniform operation of the mechanisms can be aided. and the movable members kept level. by the provision of transverse tie members between the ram members of adjacent mechanisms. The mechanisms mav be secured to vehicle chassis members by means of brackets holted thereon.

The invention is illustrated by way of the drawings accompanying the provisional specification; in which Figl(re 1 is a perspective view of mechanism according to the invention in an elevated position.

Figure 2 shows schematically the arrangement of the back of a freight transporter vehicle having two mechanism as in Figure 1 (the body being shown a short distance above its true position for clarity): Figure 3 shows the legs of the stillage of Figure 2 in a stowed position. and Figirre 4 is a section through either of the pneumatic rams in the mechanism of Figure 1.

With particular reference to Figure 1. the lifting mechanism comprises a pair of base members X, each of upward opening channel section rollcd steel. Above each base member X (Figure 2) is a member 16 to be lifted, being part of a stillige bearing a demountahle body.

A pair of struts 10 is provided. the struts being pivotted at 12 with respect to the respective base member X. Each strut 10 is in rolling contact or engagement with the member 16 through a wheel 14 rotatably secured to its end. Two pneumatic rams 18 are arranged between the members X and the struts 10. The rims 18 are secured to a lower plate 22 nnd to an uppcr plate 26.

which are pivotted respectively at 24 and 28 to the base members 8 and the struts 10.

Each of the pneumatic rams 18 is a Dunlop PNEURIDE (Registered Trade Mark) air spring or bellows comprising a hermetically scalcd b;ig hiving verv flexible walls, no reciprocating parts and no sliding scals. Valving and piping (not shown) allows the introduction and removed of air through the middle of the top of the bellows. (Figure 4) to expand or contract them. The bellows is capable of collapsing to a very small volume indeed.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. Lifting mechanism comprising a base.

an elongate load engaging member pivotted at one end thereof to the base and at its other end adapted to engage with a load to be lifted in such manner that during lifitng or lowering displacement of the load relative to the base this other end is able to move relative to the load, and a pneumatic ram pivotted with respect to the base and also to the load engaging member.

2. Lifting mechanism according to claim 1, in which the base is of open channel section.

3. Lifting mechanism according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the load engaging, memeber is providd at said other end with menas for enabling a rolling contact with a load to be lifted.

4. Lifting mechanism according to claim 3, in which the means for enabling rolling contact includes at least one wheel rotatably secured to the member.

5. Lifting mechanism according to any preceding claim in which the pneumatic rim is an air bellows.

6. Lifting mechanism constructed and arranged to operate substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (6)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. pneumatic rams in the mechanism of Figure 1. With particular reference to Figure 1. the lifting mechanism comprises a pair of base members X, each of upward opening channel section rollcd steel. Above each base member X (Figure 2) is a member 16 to be lifted, being part of a stillige bearing a demountahle body. A pair of struts 10 is provided. the struts being pivotted at 12 with respect to the respective base member X. Each strut 10 is in rolling contact or engagement with the member 16 through a wheel 14 rotatably secured to its end. Two pneumatic rams 18 are arranged between the members X and the struts 10. The rims 18 are secured to a lower plate 22 nnd to an uppcr plate 26. which are pivotted respectively at 24 and 28 to the base members 8 and the struts 10. Each of the pneumatic rams 18 is a Dunlop PNEURIDE (Registered Trade Mark) air spring or bellows comprising a hermetically scalcd b;ig hiving verv flexible walls, no reciprocating parts and no sliding scals. Valving and piping (not shown) allows the introduction and removed of air through the middle of the top of the bellows. (Figure 4) to expand or contract them. The bellows is capable of collapsing to a very small volume indeed. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. Lifting mechanism comprising a base.

an elongate load engaging member pivotted at one end thereof to the base and at its other end adapted to engage with a load to be lifted in such manner that during lifitng or lowering displacement of the load relative to the base this other end is able to move relative to the load, and a pneumatic ram pivotted with respect to the base and also to the load engaging member.

2. Lifting mechanism according to claim 1, in which the base is of open channel section.

3. Lifting mechanism according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the load engaging, memeber is providd at said other end with menas for enabling a rolling contact with a load to be lifted.

4. Lifting mechanism according to claim 3, in which the means for enabling rolling contact includes at least one wheel rotatably secured to the member.

5. Lifting mechanism according to any preceding claim in which the pneumatic rim is an air bellows.

6. Lifting mechanism constructed and arranged to operate substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.