GB2070555A

GB2070555A - Vehicle tipping rig

Info

Publication number: GB2070555A
Application number: GB8006819A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: TRAILER TIP HOLDINGS Ltd
Current assignee: TRAILER TIP HOLDINGS Ltd
Priority date: 1980-02-28
Filing date: 1980-02-28
Publication date: 1981-09-09
Also published as: GB2070555B

Abstract

The invention relates to the unloading of wheeled vehicles by tipping, enabling a bulk load to be discharged under the force of gravity, and more particularly to a rig for so doing. Apparatus has been proposed for bodily tipping vehicles to discharge a load therefrom, but such apparatus have been essentially stationary, and not adapted to the discharge of material onto a horizontal surface. The present invention meets this problem by providing a rig for tipping a wheeled vehicle (12) about a horizontal axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle (12) in which a tipping frame (14) is pivotally mounted on a main frame (2) which is itself mobile in a direction parallel to its longitudinal axis. Means (10) are provided for tipping the tipping frame (14) about an axis traversing the main frame (2) to discharge a load therefrom. Because the main frame (2) is mobile, it can shift away from discharged matter during the unloading step, thereby creating space in which additional matter may be deposited. Braking means are preferably included, either directly between the main frame (2) and the ground, or in the wheels (4), upon which the main frame (2) can be supported, and their suspension mechanism. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A rig for tipping wheeled vehicles This invention relates to the unloading of wheeled vehicles, and more particularly to a rig for tipping such vehicles such that material therein can be discharged under the force of gravity. It has especial use in the transport of bulk material such as scrap metal.

Vehicles are known which incorporate means for tipping a load-carrying unit with respect to the vehicle chassis to discharge matter contained therein. Such means is however expensive and must be an integral part of the vehicle.

Additionally, its incorporation takes up space, and limits the capacity of the vehicle, while of course adding to the unladen weight of the vehicle. There are also legal constraints on the size of the tipping unit which can be unstable if more than 30 feet long.

The carrying capacity of road vehicles has been increased by the introduction of trailers. This has been very successful for the transportation of unit loads such as containers and cars, and large items such as pipes and logs which can be loaded and unloaded with relative ease. However, "flowable" bulk material is not so suited to trailers as they do not have a tipping capacity.

The present invention is directed primarily to the provision of means permitting the use of large capacity vehicles for carrying bulk material which can be discharged by tipping. To this end, the invention provides a rig for tipping a wheeled vehicle about an horizontal axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle which rig comprises a main frame mobile in a direction parallel to said longitudinal axis; a tipping frame pivotally attached to the main frame at a pivotal axis traversing the main frame; means for pivoting the tipping frame with respect to the main frame about said pivotal axis; and means for guiding a said vehicle onto and off the tipping frame. The rig is particularly suited to trailer vehicles of which the trailer can be reversed onto the rig, and the tractor uncoupled before the trailer is tipped.

By virtue of the main frame being mobile in a direction parallel to its longitudinal axis, as a load is discharged, the rig can move away from the discharged material such that the discharging process can be continuous onto level ground. This mobility is preferably provided by the main frame being supported on wheels. Forces generated by the load as it falls under gravity along the tipped vehicle will themselves provide the moving force, so no other source of power is normally required.

Some braking capacity is though desirable to ensure that the movement is controlled. In any event, some means is required to stabilize a mobile rig of the invention while a vehicle is guided onto the rig.

In preferred embodiments of the invention jacks are provided at the end of the frame at which the lower end of the tipped vehicle is located as its load is discharged. Such jacks enable the entire rig to be pivoted to allow a vehicle to be guided onto the tipping frame along for example ramps and provide means by which any movement thereof can be braked. Rollers or wheels can be included on the rig adjacent such jacks in a mobile rig so that movement can be permitted or controlled as desired.

The invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a rig according to the invention; Figure 2 is a side view of the rig shown in Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a detail perspective view showing the jack and roller assembly at a corner of the rig adjacent the pivotal axis for the tipping frame.

As shown in the drawings, the rig comprises a main frame 2 supported on wheels 4. Pivotally attached at an axis 6 to the main frame 2 is a tipping frame 8. The tipping frame is supported at the end of the main frame 2 remote from the axis 6 on two hydralic rams 10. Shown in Figure 1 carried on the tipping frame 8 is a trailer 12. As can be seen, the frame 8 has sidewalls 14 such that the frame 8 forms a well which receives the trailer 12. The main frame 2 also defines a well which receives the tipping frame 8 in its lowermost position. This ensures that a trailer 12 cannot slide sideways either during tipping or as it is loaded onto the tipping frame 8. Ramps 1 6 are also shown in the drawings up which a trailer 12 (or other vehicle) may be driven onto the tipping frame when it is in its lowermost position. The ramps are fixedly attached to the main frame 2.

Stops (not shown) are provided at the end of the tipping frame 8 to limit the movement of a trailer 12 once in place on the tipping frame 8 and during tipping.

At the end of the main frame 2 adjacent the pivotal axis 6 are provided two hydraulic jacks 18, one at each corner. One is shown in greater detail in Figure 3. Each jack 18 is mounted on a bracket 20 which is in turn secured to the main frame 2.

Below each bracket 20 is mounted a roller 22. The jack 1 8 is withdrawable beyond the roller 22 such that if the end of the frame 2 is forced downwards, as it will be when the tipping frame 8 is pivoted for tipping, the rollers, rather than the jacks plates 24 will engage the ground. The jacks 1 8 may though be controlled such that they may also make contact with a desired force.

Although in Figure 3 the jack 1 8 is shown mounted on the outer end of the bracket 20 for ease of illustration, the arrangement shown in Figure 2 is preferred. Here the jack is mounted forward of the bracket 20 which thus provides some protection for the jack 18 and the associated hydraulic pipes.

Figure 3 also shows a regulator unit 26 through which hydraulic fluid is directed to operate both the rams 10 and the jacks 18. A pump 28 is also shown although pressurized fluid may be taken from an independent source if desired, such as the power-take-off of a vehicle, such as the tractor which has delivered a trailer 12.

In use, a trailer or other vehicle loaded with bulk material is reversed onto the tipping frame 8 against the steps. If desired, the vehicle may be secured to the frame 8 by chains to avoid any undesirable movement. The tailgate of the vehicle is then opened and hydraulic fluid fed to the rams 10 to tip the frame 8 and vehicle with respect to the main frame 2. As the material flows from the vehicle, the end of the frame 2 adjacent the axis 6 will be forced downwards and the rollers 22 and/or jack plates 24 will engage the ground. The flowing material will generate a force on the rig which will tend to move it away from the tipped material which is permitted by the wheels 4 and rollers 22. Such movement may however be braked by use of the jacks 18 and thus an even discharge of material over surface may be obtained.Of course, other braking means may be used but jacks 1 8 have the advantage that they may also be used to lift that end of the main frame and thereby lower the other end to facilitate the loading and unloading of the vehicle. As can be seen from Figure 2, the ramps 1 6 do not normally engage the ground, thus enabling the rig to be moved around a site as well as during discharge of material from a vehicle mounted thereon. The maximum angle to which the frame 8 may be tipped is typically about 600 as shown in outline in Figure 2.

It will be appreciated that only one embodiment of the invention has been described. For example, the pivot axis 6 need not be fixed if the angle of inclination of the rams 10 is for some reason preferred to be fixed. Even a fixed location of the axis 6 can be other than at the end of the main frame. If it is raised for example and spaced from the end, the initial loading on on the rams 10 as tipping commences will be reduced.

Claims

1. A rig for tipping a wheeled vehicle about an horizontal axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle which rig comprises a main frame mobile in a direction parallel to said longitudinal axis: a tipping frame pivotally attached to the main frame at a pivotal axis tranversing the main frame; means for pivoting the tipping frame with respect to the main frame about said pivotal axis; and means for guiding a said vehicle onto and off the tipping frame.

2. A rig according to Claim 1 wherein the main frame is supported on wheels.

3. A rig according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the guiding means comprises ramps attached to the main frame at one end thereof.

4. A rig according to Claim 3 wherein the ramps are cantilevered from the end of the main frame and normally suspended above the ground, the rig including means for jacking up the end of the main frame remote from said end of the tipping frame to lower the ramps to the ground to enable a said vehicle to be driven onto the tipping frame in its lowered position.

5. A rig according to Claim 4 including rollers on the main frame adjacent the jacking means upon which said end of the main frame is supported when the jacking means is not in operation.

6. A rig according to any preceding Claim wherein the main frame defines a well which receives the tipping frame in its lowered position, and wherein the tipping frame defines a well for receiving a said vehicle.

7. A rig according to any preceding Claim wherein said pivotal axis is adjacent a common end of the tipping frame and main frame, and wherein the guiding means is at the other end of the tipping frame.

8. A rig for tipping a wheeled vehicle substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.