GB1601320A - Delivery vehicles - Google Patents

Description

(54) IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO DELIVERY VEHICLES (71) We, JOHN DALY & COMPANY LIMITED, a company organised and existing under the laws of the Republic of Ireland, of Carrigohane Road, Cork, Republic of Ireland, 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 present invention relates to improvements in delivery vehicles. More particularly the present invention relates to a low-loader delivery vehicle, especially for transporting loaded pallets, cartons or crates and the like, for example crates of beverage bottles.

A conventional lorry with the usual twin girder chassis mounted above the axles thereof is not particularly suitable for use as a delivery vehicle because the load-carrying platform carried on the chassis is usually several feet above the ground, and so is too high for easy manual loading or unloading of goods. A lorry with small wheels can have a lower chassis, but there is a limit to how near to the ground the load platform can be positioned.

It is one object of the invention to provide a delivery vehicle which has a low toad- carrying platform, has a low overall height, is especially suited to transporting goods such as loaded pallets. cartons or crates and the like, and is easily manually loaded or unloaded.

According to the invention, a delivery vehicle comprises a front portion of a twin girder chassis, a separate rear portion of a twin girder chassis spaced from the front portion, one central beam extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle from said front chassis portion to said rear chassis portion and a side-delivery vehicle body carried on said beam, said vehicle body having a load-carrying platform on both sides of said beam. at least the part of said platform between said chassis portions being at a lower level than the girders of said chassis portions.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a rear chassis portion is located intermediate the length of the load-carrying platform and the beam structure extends the full length of the platform.

The beam is preferably a single beam of rectangular-box cross section for example 8 inch (20 cm)X6 inch (15 cm) or 8 inch (20 cm)x4 inch (10 cm) box section.

Two embodiments of the invention will now be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a left-hand side elevation of a delivery vehicle according to the invention; Figure 2 is a rear elevation of the vehicle of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a side elevation of a detail of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a plan view of the chassis and floor support of the vehicle of Figure 1; Figure 5 is a left-hand side elevation of an alternative delivery vehicle according to the invention; Figure 6 is a part section view on a double scale of the vehicle of Figure 5 from the lefthand side; Figure 7 is a section on the line A-A of Figure 6; Figure 8 is a left-hand side elevation (partly cut away and drawn on a double scale) of a detail of the frame of the vehicle of Figure 5 showing the connection between the front chassis portion and the beam; Figure 9 is a left-hand side elevation (partly cut away and drawn on a double scale) of another detail of the frame of the vehicle of Figure 5 showing the connection between the rear chassis portion and the beam; Figure 10 is a plan view of the connection shown in Figure 8 but showing the righthand side of the vehicle frame; and Figure 11 is a plan view of the connection shown in Figure 9 but showing the righthand side of the vehicle frame.

Referring to Figures I to 4 of the drawings a delivery vehicle has a spinal chassis comprising a single beam 1 extending the full length of a load-carrying portion 2 of the vehicle. The load-carrying portion 2 is built around the beam 1 and comprises a loadcarrying platform 3, front and rear walls 5, 6, a roof 7, longitudinal bars 15 and five vertical transverse frames of girders 8 as shown in dotted outline in Figure 2. The centre portion of each framework is an A-frame 8a which seats on the beam 1. The longitudinal bars connect the frontmost three frames of girders 8 and the rearmost two frames. The structure of the roof 7 connects all of the frames.

The rear wheels 9 are mounted on springs which are attached to a short rear section Il of a conventional twin girder chassis secured to the beam I by means of cross bars l la (see also Figures 3 and 4).

The front end of the delivery vehicle has a short front section 12 of a conventional twin girder chassis on which the front wheels 13, the engine (not shown) and the driver's cab 16 are mounted. The beam I is connected to the front section 12 by means of cross bars 20.

The floor of the delivery vehicle is strengthened by means of cross bars 14 and longitudinal bars 15 which are connected to the frames of girders 8. Goods 17 for transport may be placed on pallets 18 resting on the low floor 3 of the delivery vehicle between vertical frames of girders 8. Goods may also be placed on the higher floor portion above rear chassis section 11. The goods are loaded or unloaded at the sides of the vehicle. Roller shutter doors 19 are provided to close the sides of the vehicle.

An alternative form of low-slung delivery van is shown in Figure 5. Compared to the vehicle of Figure 1, the van body extends further forwards so that the connection between the front chassis portion 12 and the spinal beam 1 is enclosed within the van body. The front body of the van body also provides a compartment 21 to accommodate a fuel tank 22 and battery 23 for the vehicle.

As shown in Figures 8 and 10, the boxsection spinal beam 1 is secured at its front end to a front chassis portion 12 which is the front part of a conventional twin girder truck chassis cut across on line B. Welded on each side of spine 1 about 1 ft (30.5 cm) from the front end thereof there are box-section crossmembers 24 which are secured at their outer ends to the top of the twin girders 25 of the front chassis portion. At the front end of the spine 1, there is a transverse girder 26 the outer ends of which are also secured to the top of the twin girders 25. A vertical gusset plate 27 is bolted on the outside of each of the twin girders 25 and fixed to the end of cross-member 24 and transverse girder 26 to strengthen the connection. A horizontal gusset plate 28 is used to strengthen the connection between the spine 1 and cross-members 24 and transverse girder 26.

On the outside of each of the vertical gusset plates 27 and secured to both the cross-member 24 and twin girder 25 there is a vertical channel-shaped girder 29 which is connected at its foot to a longitudinal floor support 30 (see Figure 10). This floor support 30 is secured to a transverse bearer 31 which forms part of a vertical framework 70 (see Figure 7). At its outer end the transverse bearer is secured to a longitudinal buffer bar 32 which forms the edge support for the floor and also provides a buffer on the exterior of the vehicle.

As shown in Figures 9 and 11, the spinal beam 1 is secured to a rear chassis portion 40 in a position on the beam such that the relationship between the length of beam in front of and behind the rear chassis portion is about 2:1. The rear chassis portion 40, which has been cut from a conventional truck chassis, comprises twin girders 41 connected by two cross members 43, 44. The spinal beam 1 is secured to the top of cross members 43, 44 by means of angle irons 45, 46, 47.

On the outside of chassis girder 41, there are two vertical members, a channel shaped girder 48 at the forward end of the chassis portion and an angle iron 49 at the rearward end of the chassis portion. Girder 48 is connected at its lower end to a transverse bearer 50 and longitudinal floor support 30.

Angle iron 49 is connected at its lower end to transverse bearer 51 which carries a longitudinal floor support 52. Transverse bearers 50 and 51 form part of vertical frameworks 73, 74 respectively. Secured at the outer ends thereof are longitudinal buffer bars 32. During construction of the vehicle body, longitudinal buffer bar 32 extends the full length of the body, but subsequently the portion 53 indicated in dotted outline in Figure 11 is cut away to enable the wheels to be mounted on the chassis.

As shown in Figure 7, the vertical transverse framework 73 of the vehicle body is based upon a central A-frame, the cross member 60 of which is secured on top of spinal beam 1. The limbs 61, 62 of the Aframe are each formed by one side of a rectangular framework, the opposite side of which is formed by exterior bars 63. Each rectangle is braced by diagonal struts 64. The exterior bars 63, extend upwardly beyond the rectangular frameworks to support a roof 65.

Two longitudinal bars 66, 67 run through the A-frame close to its apex. The bottom of the framework, comprising the bottom bars of the two rectangles and a linking bar between said bottom bars, forms transverse bearer 51, to the ends of which buffer bars 32 are secured. Figure 7 also shows the floor 68 of the loading compartment above the rear chassis portion which does not form part of the framework.

A vertical transverse framework similar to that shown in Figure 7 is present at both the front 70 and rear 74 of the loading area and also at intermediate points 71, 72, 73 along it The vertical frameworks divide the loading area into three main loading compartments 75, 76, 77 of equal opening dimension (suitably about 4'2" (127 cm) in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle). Above the rear chassis portion 40 there is a further loading compartment 78 of the same longitudinal dimension plus a small partitioned compartment 79 which is useful for carrying trolleys.

The frameworks are all joined by the beam and by the roof structure. Frameworks 70, 71, 72 are joined by buffer bars 32 and by longitudinal floor supports. Frameworks 73 and 74 are also joined by buffer bars 32 and by longitudinal floor supports. Frameworks 72 and 73 are joined by rear chassis portion 40.

A drive shaft for the rear axle is supported below beam 1 in the space 80 in frameworks 70, 71, 72.

As shown in Figure 6, a series of vertical rods 81 extend from the floor up to longitudinal bar 67. Similar rods are present in each of the loading bays. These series of rods divide the loading bays on a longitudinal centre line.

Brackets 82 are provided on the frameworks 7074 projecting into the loading compartments near to the top thereof. These brackets can be used for storage of empty pallets.

Roller shutter doors 83 are provided to close the loading compartments.

Connection between the various parts of the frameworks. bars, bearers, girders, floor support, etc., are made by bolting, rivetting or welding. as appropriate.

The vehicle as described above has six loading compartments with a low floor plus two other loading compartments above the rear chassis portion. The six main loading compartments have a floor which is level with or below the vehicle axles; the floor height can be selected by appropriate design of the vertical frameworks. The vehicle has a low overall height compared to conventional vehicles with a comparable capacity: it also has a relatively low centre of gravity. Pallets containing for example beverage bottles can be stacked conveniently in the loading compartments. which in the case of the compartments with a low floor are easy to load and unload by hand from the side of the vehicle.

Where the drawings show only one side of the vehicle, the other side corresponds.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A delivery vehicle comprising a front portion of a twin girder chassis, a separate rear portion of a twin girder chassis spaced from the front portion, one central beam extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle from said front chassis portion to said rear chassis portion and a side-delivery vehicle body carried on said beam, said vehicle body having a load-carrying platform on both sides of said beam, at least the part of said platform between said chassis portions being at a lower level than the girders of said chassis portions.

2. A delivery vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the central beam and the vehicle body extend rearwardly beyond the rear chassis portion and the part of the loadcarrying platform behind the rear chassis portion is at a lower level than the girders of said chassis portion.

3. A delivery vehicle according to either of the preceding claims, wherein the vehicle body includes a plurality of transverse vertical frameworks.

4. A delivery vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the central portion of each framework is an A-frame.

5. A delivery vehicle according to claim 4, wherein the A-frame of each framework is seated on the longitudinal beam.

6. A delivery vehicle according to any of claims 3-5 having one framework secured to the rear of the front chassis portion and having two frameworks secured to the front and rear respectively of the rear chassis portion.

7. A delivery vehicle according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the loadcarrying platform is level with or below the vehicle axles.

8. A delivery vehicle substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1--4 of the drawings.

9. A delivey vehicle substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 5--11 of the drawings.

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

Claims (9)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. area into three main loading compartments 75, 76, 77 of equal opening dimension (suitably about 4'2" (127 cm) in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle). Above the rear chassis portion 40 there is a further loading compartment 78 of the same longitudinal dimension plus a small partitioned compartment 79 which is useful for carrying trolleys. The frameworks are all joined by the beam and by the roof structure. Frameworks 70, 71, 72 are joined by buffer bars 32 and by longitudinal floor supports. Frameworks 73 and 74 are also joined by buffer bars 32 and by longitudinal floor supports. Frameworks 72 and 73 are joined by rear chassis portion 40. A drive shaft for the rear axle is supported below beam 1 in the space 80 in frameworks 70, 71, 72. As shown in Figure 6, a series of vertical rods 81 extend from the floor up to longitudinal bar 67. Similar rods are present in each of the loading bays. These series of rods divide the loading bays on a longitudinal centre line. Brackets 82 are provided on the frameworks 7074 projecting into the loading compartments near to the top thereof. These brackets can be used for storage of empty pallets. Roller shutter doors 83 are provided to close the loading compartments. Connection between the various parts of the frameworks. bars, bearers, girders, floor support, etc., are made by bolting, rivetting or welding. as appropriate. The vehicle as described above has six loading compartments with a low floor plus two other loading compartments above the rear chassis portion. The six main loading compartments have a floor which is level with or below the vehicle axles; the floor height can be selected by appropriate design of the vertical frameworks. The vehicle has a low overall height compared to conventional vehicles with a comparable capacity: it also has a relatively low centre of gravity. Pallets containing for example beverage bottles can be stacked conveniently in the loading compartments. which in the case of the compartments with a low floor are easy to load and unload by hand from the side of the vehicle. Where the drawings show only one side of the vehicle, the other side corresponds. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A delivery vehicle comprising a front portion of a twin girder chassis, a separate rear portion of a twin girder chassis spaced from the front portion, one central beam extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle from said front chassis portion to said rear chassis portion and a side-delivery vehicle body carried on said beam, said vehicle body having a load-carrying platform on both sides of said beam, at least the part of said platform between said chassis portions being at a lower level than the girders of said chassis portions.

2. A delivery vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the central beam and the vehicle body extend rearwardly beyond the rear chassis portion and the part of the loadcarrying platform behind the rear chassis portion is at a lower level than the girders of said chassis portion.

3. A delivery vehicle according to either of the preceding claims, wherein the vehicle body includes a plurality of transverse vertical frameworks.

4. A delivery vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the central portion of each framework is an A-frame.

5. A delivery vehicle according to claim 4, wherein the A-frame of each framework is seated on the longitudinal beam.

6. A delivery vehicle according to any of claims 3-5 having one framework secured to the rear of the front chassis portion and having two frameworks secured to the front and rear respectively of the rear chassis portion.

7. A delivery vehicle according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the loadcarrying platform is level with or below the vehicle axles.

8. A delivery vehicle substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1--4 of the drawings.

9. A delivey vehicle substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 5--11 of the drawings.