GB174537A - Improvements in or relating to means for assisting the transference of loads to and from vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

174,537. Thornycroft & Co., Ltd., J. I., and Barford, V. G. March 1, 1921. Couplings for road vehicles.-A lever coupling is arranged between two vehicles or between a vehicle and a stationary loading platform so as to bring the two floors or platforms to a common level to facilitate transfer of goods, the lever coupling being hand-operated or adapted to act automatically as the vehicles approach one another. In the construction shown in Fig. 1, hand-operated levers c pivoted to the trailer b are formed with slots which engage pins e on the tractor, the levers being held down after operation by hooks g. In a modification, the slot is replaced by a hook. In the construction shown in Fig. 3, hinged links h, i on the tractor and trailer respectively are coupled as shown in dotted lines. As the vehic.es approach one another, the links automatically bring the floors to the same level. Spring abutments j limit the movement of the links and serve as buffers. In a modification, shown in Fig. 6, an independent link k with a handle may be engaged between hooks on the adjacent vehicles or platforms. In a further modification, a link engages at either or both ends telescopically with sockets having flared openings. In a further construction, pins on the vehicles engage a slot in the framework, the movement of which is restrained by spring abutments similar to those shown in Fig. 3.