GB1596015A

GB1596015A - Load carrying vehicles

Info

Publication number: GB1596015A
Application number: GB51432/76A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Baptie P J; King & Taylor Commercial Ltd
Current assignee: Baptie P J; King & Taylor Commercial Ltd
Priority date: 1976-12-09
Filing date: 1976-12-09
Publication date: 1981-08-19
Also published as: DE2754387A1

Description

(54) IMPROVEMENTS IN LOAD CARRYING VEHICLES (71) We, PETER JOHN BAPTIE, a British citizen of 155, Cambridge Gardens, Kingston-upon-Thames, Surrey and KING & TAYLOR (COMMERCIAL) LI MITED, a British company of the Wharf, Godalming, Surrey, 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 state- ment: This invention relates to a load-carrying vehicle, suitable for transporting loads to and from aircraft.

Baggage and freight is commonly carried in aircraft within containers, one or more containers being carried in any given aircraft. Various shapes and sizes of containers are used, and one feature of many types of containers is that they must be loaded into and unloaded from an aircraft in one particular orientation for example currently used containers known as the AVE and AVK have a cross-section which is generally rectangular, but with one of the lower edges bevelled. One or more pairs of such containers can be carried in an aircraft the bevelled edge of each container being directed towards the outside of the aircraft. This enables the container to conform approximately in shape to the interior of the lower portion of the aircraft.It will be appreciated that each such container can only be loaded into an aircraft in one orientation, and it will furthermore be noted that the two containers forming a pair need to be loaded in opposite orientations.

The need to load certain sorts of containers in particular orientations, and the existence of a wide variety of different shapes of containers, has meant that up till now several different vehicles have been required to load and unload aircraft.

According to the present invention there is provided a load-carrying vehicle comprising an elongate base, a power driven turntable located in a rear portion of the base and capable of rotating a load, and a power driven conveying means for conveying a load to and from the turn-table and along the front portion of the base, the turn-table being in the form of a ring arranged in a plane substantially parallel to the base and having means for raising the ring to raise a load positioned thereover in use, and means for rotating the ring about its axis to position a load mounted on the ring in a desired orientation, the conveying means being capable of conveying a first load to the front end of the base and thereafter at least one subsequent load forwardly along the base.

The vehicle may be a trailer with means for coupling it to a tractor but is preferably a motor-driven vehicle in which case the cab is located at the front end of the vehicle.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a plan view of part of one embodiment of a vehicle according to the invention, and Figure 2 shows a block schematic diagram of a hydraulic circuit for controlling operation of various parts of the invention.

It is to be understood that the driver's cab of the vehicle would be at the left-hand end of the part of the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1.

Referring to Figure 1. the vehicle comprises a base 1 which is carried on a chassis (not shown). At the rear of the base is a turn-table 2 in the form of a ring. Within the ring are two conveyor belts 3, the upper runs of the belts being positioned just above the surface of the base 1. Four pairs of similar belts 4,5,6 and 7 are provided in the forward portion of the base.

Running along the lateral edges of the base are two guide rails 8 and 9. These extend from the front of the base to a location just forward of the turn-table 2. A further pair of guide rails 10 and 11 is located inwardly of the guide rails 9 and 10.

Instead of being completely stationary, as are the guide rails 8 and 9, the rails 10 and 11 are movable under control of the operator between a retracted position in which they do not protrude above the base 1, and an extended position in which they do so protrude. Yet further guide rails 12 and 13 are provided in pairs opposite each of the pairs of conveyor belts 4, 5, 6 and 7. These are spring-biased into an extended position above the base, but are capable of being forced against the bias of the springs into a retracted position by the weight of a load bearing on them.

Two rows of idler rollers 14 and 15 are provided adjacent the lateral edges of the base. The rollers have their axes parallel to the surface of the base and at right angles to the length thereof. Two further rollers 16 and 17 having their axes similarly orientated are provided at the rear edge of the base. In addition, rollers 18, 19, 20 and 21 are provided in the region of the turn-table.

These rollers all have their axes at right angles to the rollers 14, 15, 16 and 17.

In order to understand the way in which the vehicle described above operates, consider the unloading of an AVK container from an aircraft. Initially, the container is passed through the aircraft cargo opening onto the raised platform of an elevator vehicle. The raised platform is then lowered to the same height as the base of the load-carrying vehicle described above. The container is then transferred from the platform of the elevator vehicle to the loadcarrying vehicle described above, over the rollers 16 and 17. Loading of the container onto the vehicle is assisted by the conveyors 3 which are driven in a forward direction. In this stage of the operation the turn-table ring 2 is in a lowered position in which it does not come into contact with the underside of the container.

Once the container is positioned over the ring 2, the conveyors 3 are stopped and the ring 2 is raised so as to lift the container clear of the conveyor belts 3. The turntable 2, which is motor driven is then caused to rotate through the angle necessary to bring the container into a suitable position for its carriage on the vehicle. Once this is done the turn-table ring 2 is lowered. The rollers 18, 19, 20 and 21 are then raised and rollers 18 and 20 are caused to rotate in the same sense as one another to transfer the container sideways, for example towards the side on which the guide rail 8 is located. Once the container has been shifted sideways by the appropriate amount the rollers 18 and 20 cease rotation and the conveyors 3 and 4 are operated to move the container forwardly.

The underside of an AVK container possesses two longitudinally extending lips. These engage under the guide rail 8 and the guide rails 13. This locates the container during its forward movement. The container may be moved as far forwardly as is desired, and if the vehicle is to be fully loaded this will of course mean that the first container is moved to the front of the base. In the course of this movement the spring-loaded guide rails 12 are depressed by the weight of the container as the container passes over them.

During this operation the guide rails 10 and 11 are in their lowered position.

Assuming that it is desired to position the container at the front of the base, all the conveyor belts are operated to propel the container completely forwards. In order to balance the load on the vehicle the next AVK container to be loaded is so positioned by the turn-table and the associated rollers that its lips pass under the guide rails 9 and 12, guide rails 13 being depressed by the weight of the container as the container passes over them. Once the base is loaded with 1, 2, 3 or 4 containers stops 22 which, up to this point, have been in a retracted position, are raised, behind the rearmost container only so as to prevent the load from moving backwards.

Advantageously, the base 1 is made to be capable of being raised and lowered with respect to the rollers 14 and 15. The base is raised after all the containers to be loaded are in position, thus engaging the underside of the containers and lifting them clear of the rollers 14 and 15. The lips on the underside of each container are thereby forced against the guide rails 8 and 13 or 9 and 12 as the case may be, and the containers are thereby completely immobilised.

The base 1 and rollers 18, 19, 20 and 21 are preferably raised hydraulically under the control of an operator.

In the event of a failure of the hydraulic power, the base 1 is arranged to be lowered so that the containers rest on the rollers 14 and 15 and their associated conveyor belts 4, 5, 6 and 7 and the containers can still be removed from the vehicle by manual operation over the conveyor belts and the rollers.

The vehicle just described is by no means restricted to carrying only the AVK containers described above. Thus, for example, other types of containers exist which are not asymmetrical, as the AVK container is, and these should be positioned centrally on the base. The rails 10 and 11 and 8 and 9 are designed to receive such containers. It should also be noted that the vehicle is capable of carrying mixed loads, that is to say, loads made up of various different types of container.

The rear section of the vehicle base comprising the turn-table 2, conveyor belts 3 and rollers 18, 19, 20 and 21 can be arranged to be removable for servicing or replacement.

Referring now to Figure 2, there is shown an hydraulic control circuit for controlling operation of the turn-table 2, conveyor belts and the like. Power for the hydraulic system is obtained from an engine driven electric shift PTO/pump unit positioned within the chassis frame on the offside of the vehicle.

Oil is taken by gravity from a 20 gallon tank and pumped via a pressure release valve through the main feed pipe to a control box located at the nearside rear of the vehicle, the outlet is then distributed within the control box to feed the following systems: Three hand operated directional control valves numbered 23, 24 and 25 operate the conveyor belts, valve 25 has a forward reverse control which when opened releases oil to valves 23 and 24. Dependant on which position of the four available stations on these valves is opened, oil is fed in series to hydraulic motor 7' or to motors 7' and 6', or 7', 6' and 5' or 7', 6', 5', 4'; belts 4 and 3 being operated together by motor 4'. If the selector on valve number 25 is reversed the oil flow is diverted thus driving the motors selected by valves 23 and 24 in the opposite direction.Two flow control valves 27 and 28; 30 and 31; 33 and 34; 36 and 37 are fitted in pairs in each line to enable the motor speeds to be adjusted in either direction.

A valve 40 when opened releases oil to six single acting hydraulic rams 41 which raise the base 1 of the vehicle, a check valve 43 being incorporated in the system to retain pressure in the lines thus keeping the floor 1 raised when the valve handle is returned to the centre position, pressure is released and returned to the tank on opening the valve 40 when the floor 1 retracts on the hydraulic rams 41 by gravity.

Operation of a valve 45 upwardly releases oil to four single acting hydraulic rams 47 to raise the turn-table 2, a line is taken via a flow control valve 48 and sequence valve 50 to a further directional control valve 52.

Dependant upon the opening, oil is fed to an hydraulic motor number 54 which revolves the turn-table in either clockwise or anti-clockwise direction. Flow control valves numbers 56 and 58 are incorporated to adjust motor speeds.

Operation of valve 45 downwardly releases oil to four single acting hydraulic rams number 57 to raise the side shift frame.

A line is taken via a flow control valve 49 and sequence valve 59 to a further directional control valve number 60. Dependant upon opening, oil is fed to a hydraulic motor number 62 which revolves the side shift rollers in either direction. Flow control valves numbered 63 and 64 are incorporated to adjust motor speeds.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A load-carrying vehicle comprising an elongate base, a power driven turn-table located in a rear portion of the base and capable of rotating a load, and a power driven conveying means for conveying a load to and from the turn-table and along the front portion of the base, the turn-table being in the form of a ring arranged in a plane substantially parallel to the base and having means for raising the ring to raise a load positioned thereover in use, and means for rotating the ring about its axis to position a load mounted on the ring in a desired orientation, the conveying means being capable of conveying a first load to the front end of the base and thereafter conveying at least one subsequent load forwardly along the base.

2. A vehicle according to claim 1, in which the means for raising the ring comprises hydraulic means.

3. A vehicle according to claims 1 or 2, in which the means for rotating the turntable comprises a motor.

4. A vehicle according to claim 3, in which the motor is an hydraulic motor.

5. A vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the conveying means comprises a conveyor belt means arranged for conveying movement in a direction substantially parallel to the elongate axis of the base, and means for driving the belt in said direction.

6. A vehicle according to claim 5, comprising a pair of conveyor belts arranged in spaced, parallel relation.

7. A vehicle according to claim 6, comprising a plurality of said pairs of conveyor belts arranged in line and in spaced relation along the length of the base.

8. A vehicle according to claim 7, in which at least some of the conveyor belts have a length approximately equal to the length of a container to be transported thereby.

9. A vehicle according to claim 6, 7 or 8 comprising a pair of conveyor belts arranged in spaced, parallel relation in line with said other pair or pairs of conveyor belts and situated within said turn-table ring.

10. A vehicle according to any one of claims 5 to 9, in which the conveying means further comprises two rows of idler rollers arranged adjacent the long edges of the edges of the base with their axes parallel to the surface of the base and at right angles to the length thereof.

11. A vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the conveying means further comprises a pair of idler rollers at the rear edge of the base and arranged in co-axial, spaced relationship with their axes parallel to the surface of the

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Claims

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3 and rollers 18, 19, 20 and 21 can be arranged to be removable for servicing or replacement.

Referring now to Figure 2, there is shown an hydraulic control circuit for controlling operation of the turn-table 2, conveyor belts and the like. Power for the hydraulic system is obtained from an engine driven electric shift PTO/pump unit positioned within the chassis frame on the offside of the vehicle.

Oil is taken by gravity from a 20 gallon tank and pumped via a pressure release valve through the main feed pipe to a control box located at the nearside rear of the vehicle, the outlet is then distributed within the control box to feed the following systems: Three hand operated directional control valves numbered 23, 24 and 25 operate the conveyor belts, valve 25 has a forward reverse control which when opened releases oil to valves 23 and 24. Dependant on which position of the four available stations on these valves is opened, oil is fed in series to hydraulic motor 7' or to motors 7' and 6', or 7', 6' and 5' or 7', 6', 5', 4'; belts 4 and 3 being operated together by motor 4'. If the selector on valve number 25 is reversed the oil flow is diverted thus driving the motors selected by valves 23 and 24 in the opposite direction.Two flow control valves 27 and 28; 30 and 31; 33 and 34; 36 and 37 are fitted in pairs in each line to enable the motor speeds to be adjusted in either direction.

A valve 40 when opened releases oil to six single acting hydraulic rams 41 which raise the base 1 of the vehicle, a check valve 43 being incorporated in the system to retain pressure in the lines thus keeping the floor 1 raised when the valve handle is returned to the centre position, pressure is released and returned to the tank on opening the valve 40 when the floor 1 retracts on the hydraulic rams 41 by gravity.

Operation of a valve 45 upwardly releases oil to four single acting hydraulic rams 47 to raise the turn-table 2, a line is taken via a flow control valve 48 and sequence valve 50 to a further directional control valve 52.

Dependant upon the opening, oil is fed to an hydraulic motor number 54 which revolves the turn-table in either clockwise or anti-clockwise direction. Flow control valves numbers 56 and 58 are incorporated to adjust motor speeds.

Operation of valve 45 downwardly releases oil to four single acting hydraulic rams number 57 to raise the side shift frame.

A line is taken via a flow control valve 49 and sequence valve 59 to a further directional control valve number 60. Dependant upon opening, oil is fed to a hydraulic motor number 62 which revolves the side shift rollers in either direction. Flow control valves numbered 63 and 64 are incorporated to adjust motor speeds.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A load-carrying vehicle comprising an elongate base, a power driven turn-table located in a rear portion of the base and capable of rotating a load, and a power driven conveying means for conveying a load to and from the turn-table and along the front portion of the base, the turn-table being in the form of a ring arranged in a plane substantially parallel to the base and having means for raising the ring to raise a load positioned thereover in use, and means for rotating the ring about its axis to position a load mounted on the ring in a desired orientation, the conveying means being capable of conveying a first load to the front end of the base and thereafter conveying at least one subsequent load forwardly along the base.
2. A vehicle according to claim 1, in which the means for raising the ring comprises hydraulic means.
3. A vehicle according to claims 1 or 2, in which the means for rotating the turntable comprises a motor.
4. A vehicle according to claim 3, in which the motor is an hydraulic motor.
5. A vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the conveying means comprises a conveyor belt means arranged for conveying movement in a direction substantially parallel to the elongate axis of the base, and means for driving the belt in said direction.
6. A vehicle according to claim 5, comprising a pair of conveyor belts arranged in spaced, parallel relation.
7. A vehicle according to claim 6, comprising a plurality of said pairs of conveyor belts arranged in line and in spaced relation along the length of the base.
8. A vehicle according to claim 7, in which at least some of the conveyor belts have a length approximately equal to the length of a container to be transported thereby.
9. A vehicle according to claim 6, 7 or 8 comprising a pair of conveyor belts arranged in spaced, parallel relation in line with said other pair or pairs of conveyor belts and situated within said turn-table ring.
10. A vehicle according to any one of claims 5 to 9, in which the conveying means further comprises two rows of idler rollers arranged adjacent the long edges of the edges of the base with their axes parallel to the surface of the base and at right angles to the length thereof.
11. A vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the conveying means further comprises a pair of idler rollers at the rear edge of the base and arranged in co-axial, spaced relationship with their axes parallel to the surface of the

base and at right angles to the length thereof.
12. A vehicle according to claim 10 or 11, further comprising a second conveying means in the region of the turn-table for conveying a load positioned thereon in either direction across the base.
13. A vehicle according to claim 12, in which the second conveying means comprises rollers having their axes parallel to the surface of the base and to the length thereof.
14. A vehicle according to claim 13, comprising means for rotatably driving at least one of the rollers of said second conveying means.
15. A vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising first guide means in the form of first guide rails arranged along the long edges of the base such that at least one of the rails engages over part of a load as it is conveyed along the base.
16. A vehicle according to claim 15, comprising second guide means in the form of at least one pair of second guide rails arranged in spaced relation parallel to and positioned inwardly of the first-mentioned guide rails, the second guide rails being moveable in a direction at right angles to the plane of the base and resiliently biased in an upward direction, the arrangement being such that, in use, as a load is conveyed along the base it is engaged by one of said first guide rails and the one of said second guide rails remote from said engaged first rail, the other of said second guide rails being deflected downwardly by the load as the load passes over it.
17. A vehicle according to claim 15 or 16, comprising third guide means in the form of at least one pair of third guide rails arranged in spaced, parallel relation substantially symmetrically about the elongate axis of the base, the third guide rails being moveable in a direction at right angles to the plane of the base between a retracted position in which they do not protrude above the base bv an amount which would interfere with the passage of a load along the base to an extended position in which they can engage engagement parts on a suitable load, and means for effecting said movement of said third guide rails.
18. A vehicle according to claim 17, in which the means for effecting movement of said third guide rails comprises manually operable means.
19. A vehicle according to claim 17 or 18, in which both of said first guide rails are arranged to engage over corresponding parts of a load as it is conveyed along the base, the second guide rails being arranged to be deflected downwardly by the load as it passes thereover and the third guide rails being in their retracted position.
20. A vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising stop members arranged at spaced positions along the base and to be movable selectively at right angles to the plane of the base from a retracted position in which they do not interfere with the passage of a load along the base to an extended position in which they prevent or restrict movement of a load along the base, and means for effecting movement of said stop members.
21. A vehicle according to claim 18, in which the means for effecting movement of said stop members comprises manually operable means.
22. A vehicle according to any one of claims 16 to 21 as dependent upon claim 15, comprising means for raising said base whereby a load located on the vehicle is securely engaged between the base and a guide means.
23. A vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims further comprising means for raising said base to a level equal to or above the plane of the conveying means.
24. A vehicle according to claim 23, in which the means for raising said base comprises hydraulic means.
25. A vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims, in which a part of said vehicle including said turn-table is removable.
26. A load-carrying vehicle substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.