GB2110170A

GB2110170A - Improvements in or relating to vehicles

Info

Publication number: GB2110170A
Application number: GB08135848A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Arnold Henry Comer
Original assignee: ACOMA
Current assignee: ACOMA
Priority date: 1981-11-27
Filing date: 1981-11-27
Publication date: 1983-06-15

Abstract

A vehicle body is mounted on a turntable located on a chassis sub-frame enabling the body to be rotated through 90 DEG about a vertical axis to both sides of the chassis. Rotation of the turntable is achieved through the action of one or two pneumatic piston and cylinder arrangements acting against the upper ring of the turntable. The body may be a van so that rotation provides easier access to its loading doors. Alternatively the body may be capable of end tipping so that rotation allows for discharge at the sides of the vehicle.

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to vehicles The present invention relates to an improved manner of mounting a commercial vehicle body on a chassis to enable end or side loading or tipping through a single body axis.

Generally commercial goods vehicles such as vans are loaded and unloaded through a single door located at the rear of the body. Access doors can also be provided for side loading but this generally reduces the security of the body.

Vehicles having tipping bodies can be arranged to tip in any one of three directions, i.e. either side or rear end, such vehicles are known as three-way tippers. For side tipping it is necessary that the side of the vehicle be hinged (e.g. drop side) in addition to the end which is also hinged.

We have now developed a method of mounting a vehicle body on the chassis such that the body can be front or end loaded as required, even when the vehicle is alongside a loading platform.

To achieve this effect the body is mounted to be rotatable through about 90" about a vertical axis in directions right or left of the vehicle longitudinal axis.

The principle of a rotatable body can also be applied to tipper vehicles which thereby allow end discharge to take place to the side of the vehicle.

Accordingly, therefore, the present invention provides a vehicle having a body portion that can be rotated through at least 90" about a vertical axis and in directions to both sides of the longitudinal axis of the vehicle.

The vehicle may be a road vehicle and may have the capability of end tipping.

Rotation is preferably achieved by means of a turntable mounted on the vehicle chassis and having its centre on the centre of gravity of the vehicle; most preferably the turntable is mounted on a reinforcing subframe. The turntable may be actuated by means of one or more two-way acting hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders. It is preferable that means located on the chassis or subframe be provided to lock the turntable in the right angle position. It is also preferable that means be provided to prevent the turntable from tilting when the body is side discharged by tipping the means being positioned on the subframe at positions opposite to the tipping axis.

When used with a tipping body, the body lifting device, which may be a single cylinder or a scissor hoist, is located on the top ring of the turntable.

When using a single cylinder it is positioned in such a manner that when at full elevation i.e. elevated through an angle of 45-50 , from its normal position, the cylinder is vertical and in the center of gravity of the vehicle chassis.

It is desirable that vehicles having tipping bodies be stabilised to prevent overturning when side discharging. To achieve stabilisation the rear axle may be jacked and locked with two two-way acting cylinders depending from the chassis and subframe.

Alternatively the jacking legs may be positioned either side of the vehicle or at the rear thereof.

It is desirable that means be provided to lock the body in the load carrying position; in vehicles having tipping bodies release from this position is preferably achieved by partially lifting the body to allow rotation thereof to occur.

Embodiments of the invention as applied to vehicles having tipping bodies will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure lisa diagrammatic layout of a vehicle sub4rame and tipping body located thereon and rotated through 90" for left hand side tipping using twin cylinders for effecting rotation.

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic representation of the embodiment of figure 1 with the body in the load carrying position, Figure 3 is a diagrammatic layout for a vehicle sub-frame and tipping body located thereon and rotated through 90" for left hand side tipping using a single cylinder for effecting rotation.

Figure 4 is a diagrammatic representation of the embodiment of figure 3 with the body in the load carrying position, Figure is a diagrammatic representation of one means for preventing the turntable of the embodiment of Figures 1 to 4 from tilting side discharge.

Referring to figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, a sub4rame 102 consists of longitudinally extending members 1 and cross braces 2, 2a, 2b and 2c and is fixedly attached to a vehicle chassis (not shown), e.g.

by being bolted onto the chassis. Upwardly extending slew restraining plates 24 are attached to members 1 near the forward ends thereof.

A tipping open top body 100 having a drop down tailboard (not shown) is located on a turntable 10 positioned on a vehicle chassis subJrame 102. Body 100 is carried on a lifting frame 101 comprising parallel longitudinally extending members 3 and a forward lift frame crosshead 19.

Aturntable 10 comprising an upper ring 111 rotatably carried on a lower ring 112 through a ball race 113 is mounted on the sub-frame 102 (mounting means not shown) with its centre over the centre of gravity of the vehicle. The lower ring of the turntable 10 is secured to the subframe 102 and the upper ring is free to rotate about a vertical axis on ball mounting 113.

The lower ring 112 of turntable 10 is supported on four chordal members 9 fitted within sub4rame 102.

A third frame 104, fitted to the top ring 111 of turntable 10 and lying within the lifting frame 101, includes parallel longitudinal members 4 and a cross brace 6. The rear end of frame 104 is stiffened by means of cranked brace members 5 which extend from about 1/3 of the distance across cross brace 6 to the ends of longitudainal members 4. A hinge pin 16 extends across the rear of frame 104 and passes through the ends of members 4 and braces 5 and has its end portions journaled into the ends of lifting frame members 3 to enable frame 101 and body 100 to pivot thereabout. Tipping gear mounting frames 105 are formed within the forward porition of frame 104 consisting of spaced apart tipping gear mounting braces 7 extending forwardly from cross brace 6 and parallel to members 4.The forward ends of braces 7 and members 4 are joined by tipping gear frame cross braces 8.

A hydrualically operated tipping cylinder 17, actuated by conventional hydraulic mechanisms, having a piston rod 25 is pivotally mounted on brackets 18 attached to braces 7. The free end of piston rod 25 is pivotally attached to lifting frame cross head 19 through brackets 20 and pivot pin 21. The position of the cylinder mounting brackets 18 is arranged such that when the cylinder is elevated to its full extent the free end of rod 25 is over the centre of gravity of the vehicle.

Turntable rotation cylinders 13a and 13b having piston rods 26a and 26b are pivotally mounted on either side of sub-frame 101 through hinge pins 12 and brackets 11 extending between sub4rame members 1 and sub4rame cross member 2b. Cylinders 13a and 13b extend below the turntable rings and the free ends of rods 26a and 26b are pivotally connected to brackets 14 mounted on the upper turntable ring through pivot pins 15. Cylinders 13a and 13b are hydraulically operated and are controlled through suitable hydraulically actuated valving included in a hydraulic circuit, the operating controls being located in the vehicle cab. In an alternative arrangement the valving is electrically actuated.

Referring also to figure 5, turntable tilting restrain ing brackets 23 are positioned on sub4rame mem bers 1. Upper ring locking plates 22a and 22b extend outwardly from the turntable when the body 100 is in the load carrying position (figure 2).

When body 100 is in the normal load carrying position as shown in Figure 2, i.e. with the tipping frame 101 resting on the sub4rame 102, slew restraining brackets 24 maintain the tipping frame 101 and associated body 100 in a fixed position. In this position rotation cylinder piston rods 26a, 26b both partially project out of their respective cylinders. Additionally ring locking plate 22a rests on sub4rame 102 cross member 2c and plate 22b on cross member 2b.

In order to allow the body to end-tip a load over the near side of the vehicle, the body is first raised to a small extend by operation of the tipping cylinder 17 in order to bring frame members 3 clear of the restraining brackets 24. As the frame lifts a valve in the rotation cylinders hydraulic circuit is opened to allow fluid to be introduced or withdrawn from the cylinders 13a, 13b. Rotation of the frame and body is then caused by the operation of rotation cylinders 13a, 13b to rotate the turntable, tipping frame and body and tipping gear mounting frames, cylinder 13a being fully opened to project piston rod 26a to its maximum extent and cylinder 13b closed to retract piston rod 26b. At the completion of rotation through 90" ring locking plate 22b locks under the off side tilt restraining bracket 23.The body is now in a position for end tipping which is carried out by operation of the tipping cylinder 17 in conventional manner, frame 101 pivoting about pivot hinge 16, having first dropped the body tail board. Any tendency of the turntable to tilt during this operation is countered by locking plate 22a engaging tilt restraining bracket 23 (off side).

The body is returned to its load carrying position by a reverse of the proceedure described described above.

If required the body can be end-tipped over the end of the vehicle in conventional manner without operation of the rotation cylinders. Tilt of the turntable is prevented through plate 22a resting on sub4rame brace 2c.

Referring now to figures 3 and 4, like parts are numbered as for figures 1 and 2. The layout of the sub4rame 102 and tipping frame 101 is the same as is described with reference to figures 1 and 2, the difference between the embodiments being that in this instance only one cylinder is used to effect rotation of the turntabie 10. Cylinder 13 having a piston rod 26 is mounted on pivot pin 12 of bracket 11 located between the near side member 1 of sub4rame 102 and cross brace 2. A Y-bracket 30, positioned eiowturntable 10 lower ring 112 has one arm attached to near side sub4rame member 1, and the other arm to sub4rame cross brace 2b and the stem extending below the lower ring 112.The free end of the stem of bracket 30 is attached through pivot pin 31 to the stem portion of a T-shaped link arm 32. Cylinder 13 piston rod 26 is attached at its free end to one end of the cross piece of link arm 32 through pivot pin 33. To the other end of the cross piece of link arm 32 is attached one end of a turntable link arm 35 through pivot pin 34, the other end of link arm 35 being attached to the underside of the upper ring of turntable 10 through pivot pin 36, the point of attachment being on the opposite side of the axis of rotation of the turntable from cylinder 13.

When body 100 is in the normal load carrying position as shown in figure 4 the various components are positioned as described with reference to Figure 2, except that the rod 26 of cylinder 13 is half extended.

In order to rotate the turntable 10 and frame 101 and body 100 for near side end tipping as shown in figure 3, the procedure is as described with reference to figures 1 and 2. In this position the piston rod 26 of cylinder 13 is in the fully extended position. When the body is rotated in the opposite direction for off side end tipping, piston rod 26 is in the fully retracted position.

As previously noted it is preferred that the sub frame be stabilised, especially during said tipping, e.g. by the use of hydraulic piston and cylinderjacks acting between the vehicle axis and sub4rame, by the use of twin hydraulically operated jacking legs at the sides or end of the vehicle or by the use of a single central hydraulic jack. The hydraulic circuitry and valving can be so arranged that the rotation cylinders or cylinder can not be actuated until the stabilising jacks are in position to stabilise the vehicle.

In this specification the expression "vehicle body" is to be taken to include any form of container suitable for mounting on a vehicle chassis, including so called demountable containers, such as skip containers. In the latter instances, the container support may be located on the turntable.

Thus, as previously noted, the body can be of the fixed (non-tipping) type, e.g. a yan body. In such circumstances the rear hinge pin 16 and tipping cylinder plus assocated hydraulic circuitry is not required. The slew restraining plates 24 may be replaced by plates movable along a vertical axis between an upper body-frame engaging position and a lower non-engaging position and hydraulically operated. Means can be provided whereby actuation of the rotation cylinders or cylinder is prevented until the plates are in their lowermost non-engaging position.

An advantage available to vans having rotatable bodies is that loading or unloading can take place simultaneously from both ends.

If the van is a security vehicle the access doors may be positioned directly behind the vehicle cab thus preventing any approach being made to the doors and the movement of the body controlled from within the body rather than from within the cab.

CLAIMS (filed on 25/11/82) 1. Avehicle including a driving cab and a chassis and having a body portion mounted on the chassis, wherein the said body portion can be rotated through 90" about a substantially vertical axis in directions to both sides of the longitudinal axis of the said chassis.

2. Avehicle according to claim 1 wherein the driving cab is located on one end of the chassis.

3. Avehcile according to claim 2 wherein the body portion has the capability of end tipping.

4. Avehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the body portion is carried on a turntable located on the vehicle chassis and having its axis of rotation substantially coaxial with the centre of gravity of the vehicle in the loaded condition.

5. A vehicle according to claim 4 wherein the turntable is located on a chassis sub4rame.

6. A vehicle according to claim 4 or claim 5 wherein the turntable comprises a lower ring attached to the chassis and a rotatable upper ring and rotation is achieved by hydraulic or pneumatic means acting on the said upper ring.

7. A vehicle according to claim 6 wherein the said means comprises a two-way acting piston and cylinder arrangement.

8. A vehicle according to any one of claims 4 to 7 including means located on the chassis or chassis sub4rame to releasably lock the turntable against rotation after being rotated through 90 , and when the body is in the load carrying position.

9. A vehicle according to any one of claims 4 to 8 as dependent upon claim 3 wherein the chassis or sub4rame includes means, located on either side thereof and lying on a line forming a diameter of the turntable, for maintaining the turntable in a substantially horizontal position during side discharge by end tipping.

10. A vehicle according to any one of claims 4 to 9 as dependent upon claim 3 wherein the body lifting means comprises a single cylinder ram or a scissor hoist located on the upper ring of the turntable.

11. Avehicle according to claim 10 wherein the body lifting means is a single cylinder ram positioned such that in the fully extended position the cylinder is substantially vertical and coaxial with the centre of gravity of the chassis of the loaded vehicle.

12. A vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims wherein means are provided to maintain the chassis in a substantially horizontal condition after rotation of the body portion from the load carrying position.

13. Avehicle according to claim 12 wherein the said means comprises jacking means depending from the vehicle chassis or sub4rame operable against a rear axle of the chassis to prevent relative movement between the chassis and the said axle.

14. A vehicle according to claim 12 wherein the said means comprises jacking legs extendable from each side of the chassis.

15. A vehicle according to claim 8 wherein release from the locked position when the vehicle is in the load carrying position is achieved through partially lifting the body about its tipping axis.

16. A vehicle according to claim 1 and substantially as herein described with reference to figures 1 and 2 of the drawings.

17. A vehicle according to claim 1 and substantially as herein described with reference to figures 3 and 4 of the drawings.

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

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. is to be taken to include any form of container suitable for mounting on a vehicle chassis, including so called demountable containers, such as skip containers. In the latter instances, the container support may be located on the turntable. Thus, as previously noted, the body can be of the fixed (non-tipping) type, e.g. a yan body. In such circumstances the rear hinge pin 16 and tipping cylinder plus assocated hydraulic circuitry is not required. The slew restraining plates 24 may be replaced by plates movable along a vertical axis between an upper body-frame engaging position and a lower non-engaging position and hydraulically operated. Means can be provided whereby actuation of the rotation cylinders or cylinder is prevented until the plates are in their lowermost non-engaging position. An advantage available to vans having rotatable bodies is that loading or unloading can take place simultaneously from both ends. If the van is a security vehicle the access doors may be positioned directly behind the vehicle cab thus preventing any approach being made to the doors and the movement of the body controlled from within the body rather than from within the cab. CLAIMS (filed on 25/11/82)

1. Avehicle including a driving cab and a chassis and having a body portion mounted on the chassis, wherein the said body portion can be rotated through 90" about a substantially vertical axis in directions to both sides of the longitudinal axis of the said chassis.