GB2142892A

GB2142892A - Mechanical handling apparatus incorporating raisable rollers

Info

Publication number: GB2142892A
Application number: GB08318339A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kenneth Cook
Original assignee: Hydraroll Ltd
Current assignee: Hydraroll Ltd
Priority date: 1983-07-06
Filing date: 1983-07-06
Publication date: 1985-01-30
Also published as: GB2142892B; GB8318339D0

Abstract

Mechanical handling apparatus 1 for handling of a load over a support surface into which the apparatus 1 is set, comprises an elongate channel shaped body 3 in which is housed in an internal carrier 4, a plurality of rotatable members in the form of rollers 5 spaced apart axially over the length of the body 3, and means to raise and lower the rollers relative to a load support surface 6 of the body, in use flush with the surface, through a gap 7 in the load support surface 6 which extends iongitudinally of the body 3. The load support surface 3 and the gap 7 are defined by inturned flanges 6 of the body 3, the gap 7 being defined between free edges of the flanges 6 and having a width which is just greater than the maximum lateral extent or width of a roller 5. The gap is also narrow enough for it to be bridged by a wheel of a fork-lift or other truck which might pass over the surface so that there is no risk of the wheel becoming jammed in the gap 7. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Mechanical handling apparatus TECHNICAL FIELD TO THE INVENTION The invention relates to mechanical handling apparatus, for the handling of a ioad.

According to the invention there is provided mechanical handling apparatus for the hand ling of a load, comprising an elongate body in which is housed a plurality of rotatable mem bers spaced apart longitudinally of the body and means to raise and lower the rotatable members relative to a load support surface of the body through a gap therein which extends longitudinally of the body.

The gap may be defined by inturned edges of two opposite side walls of the body. This provides a relatively simple construction where the body is an elongate member of generally channel section.

The gap may alternatively be defined between facing free edges of plates secured respectively to opposite side walls of the body.

The gap may have a uniform width throughout its length. This construction provides for ease of manufacture.

The minimum width of the gap may be just greater than the maximum lateral extent of a bearing part of the rotatable member.

The means to raise and lower the rotatable members may comprise an inflatable device, for example an elongate pneumatic bag running longitudinally of the body beneath the rotatable members for raising and lowering them in unison.

There may preferably be stop means for limiting raising of the rotatable members.

It will be understood that the invention extends to a load carrying vehicle including apparatus as hereinbefore defined.

Mechanical handling apparatus embodying the invention is hereinafter described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment according to the invention; Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view through a second embodiment, showing only one side thereof; and Figure 3 is a top plan view of the embodiments of Fig. 1 or 2.

Referring to the drawings, in which like parts are indicated by like reference numerals, mechanical handling apparatus 1 for handling of a load over a support surface 2 into which the apparatus 1 is set, comprises an elongate channel shaped body 3 in which is housed in an internal carrier 4 a plurality of rotatable members in the form of rollers 5 spaced apart axially over the length of the body 3 and means to raise and lower the rollers relative to a load support surface 6 of the body, in use flush with the surface 2, through a gap 7 in the load support surface 6 which extends longitudinally of the body 3. The load support surface 3 and the gap 7 are defined by inturned flanges 6 of the body 3, the gap 7 being defined between free edges of the flanges 6 and having a width which is just greater than the maximum lateral extent or width of a roller 5.The gap is also narrow enough for it to be bridged by a wheel of a fork-lift or other truck which might pass over the surface 2 so that there is no risk of the wheel becoming jammed in the gap 7.

The means to raise and lower the rollers comprises an elongate pneumatic bag 8 lying between the carrier 4 and the body 3 so that when it is inflated it raises the carrier 4 and hence the rollers 5, through the gap 7 so that a part of the bearing surface of each roller 5 extends above the surface 2 and the apparatus 1 is "live" for movement of a load over the surface to a desired position. When the bag 8 is deflated, the rollers 5 "sink" or are lowered to a position below the surface 2, so that the apparatus is "dead" and a load is safely held at the desired position.

The apparatus 1 includes stop means in the form of a spigot 9 of the body 3 running in a blind slot in the carrier 4 to limit the raising movement.

Fig. 2 is similar to Fig. 1 except that the stop means comprises part 10 of the carrier 4 which abuts the undersurface (as viewed in Fig. 2) of the superposed flange 6 to limit movement upwardly.

In every embodiment, the pneumatic bag 8 can be inflated from the usual air supply of a vehicle such as a lorry and trailer in which the apparatus is installed. It will be understood that several lengths of apparatus embodying the invention may be laid end-to-end down a trailer in the floor thereof, which comprises the surface, to form a track and that several tracks may be so installed either parallel to one another or transversely to one another, or both, to provide a complete load handling apparatus in the floor of the vehicle.

The air bag may be replaced by a hydraulically inflatable bag.

1. Mechanical handling apparatus for the handling of a load, comprising an elongate body in which is housed a plurality of rotatable members spaced apart longitudinally of the body and means to raise and lower the rotatable members relative to a load support surface of the body through a gap therein which extends longitudinally of the body.

2. Apparatus according to Claim 1, the gap being defined by inturned edges of two opposite side walls of the body.

3. Apparatus according to Claim 1, the gap being defined between facing free edges

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

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Mechanical handling apparatus TECHNICAL FIELD TO THE INVENTION The invention relates to mechanical handling apparatus, for the handling of a ioad. According to the invention there is provided mechanical handling apparatus for the hand ling of a load, comprising an elongate body in which is housed a plurality of rotatable mem bers spaced apart longitudinally of the body and means to raise and lower the rotatable members relative to a load support surface of the body through a gap therein which extends longitudinally of the body. The gap may be defined by inturned edges of two opposite side walls of the body. This provides a relatively simple construction where the body is an elongate member of generally channel section. The gap may alternatively be defined between facing free edges of plates secured respectively to opposite side walls of the body. The gap may have a uniform width throughout its length. This construction provides for ease of manufacture. The minimum width of the gap may be just greater than the maximum lateral extent of a bearing part of the rotatable member. The means to raise and lower the rotatable members may comprise an inflatable device, for example an elongate pneumatic bag running longitudinally of the body beneath the rotatable members for raising and lowering them in unison. There may preferably be stop means for limiting raising of the rotatable members. It will be understood that the invention extends to a load carrying vehicle including apparatus as hereinbefore defined. Mechanical handling apparatus embodying the invention is hereinafter described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment according to the invention; Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view through a second embodiment, showing only one side thereof; and Figure 3 is a top plan view of the embodiments of Fig. 1 or 2. Referring to the drawings, in which like parts are indicated by like reference numerals, mechanical handling apparatus 1 for handling of a load over a support surface 2 into which the apparatus 1 is set, comprises an elongate channel shaped body 3 in which is housed in an internal carrier 4 a plurality of rotatable members in the form of rollers 5 spaced apart axially over the length of the body 3 and means to raise and lower the rollers relative to a load support surface 6 of the body, in use flush with the surface 2, through a gap 7 in the load support surface 6 which extends longitudinally of the body 3. The load support surface 3 and the gap 7 are defined by inturned flanges 6 of the body 3, the gap 7 being defined between free edges of the flanges 6 and having a width which is just greater than the maximum lateral extent or width of a roller 5.The gap is also narrow enough for it to be bridged by a wheel of a fork-lift or other truck which might pass over the surface 2 so that there is no risk of the wheel becoming jammed in the gap 7. The means to raise and lower the rollers comprises an elongate pneumatic bag 8 lying between the carrier 4 and the body 3 so that when it is inflated it raises the carrier 4 and hence the rollers 5, through the gap 7 so that a part of the bearing surface of each roller 5 extends above the surface 2 and the apparatus 1 is "live" for movement of a load over the surface to a desired position. When the bag 8 is deflated, the rollers 5 "sink" or are lowered to a position below the surface 2, so that the apparatus is "dead" and a load is safely held at the desired position. The apparatus 1 includes stop means in the form of a spigot 9 of the body 3 running in a blind slot in the carrier 4 to limit the raising movement. Fig. 2 is similar to Fig. 1 except that the stop means comprises part 10 of the carrier 4 which abuts the undersurface (as viewed in Fig. 2) of the superposed flange 6 to limit movement upwardly. In every embodiment, the pneumatic bag 8 can be inflated from the usual air supply of a vehicle such as a lorry and trailer in which the apparatus is installed. It will be understood that several lengths of apparatus embodying the invention may be laid end-to-end down a trailer in the floor thereof, which comprises the surface, to form a track and that several tracks may be so installed either parallel to one another or transversely to one another, or both, to provide a complete load handling apparatus in the floor of the vehicle. The air bag may be replaced by a hydraulically inflatable bag. CLAIMS

3. Apparatus according to Claim 1, the gap being defined between facing free edges of plates secured respectively to opposite side walls of the body.

4. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, the gap having a uniform width throughout its length.

5. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, the minimum width of the gap being just greater than the maximum lateral extent of a bearing part of a rotatable member.

6. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, the means to raise and lower the rotatable members comprising an inflatable device.

7. Apparatus according to Claim 6, the inflatable device comprising an elongate pneumatic bag running longitudinally of the body beneath the rotatable members for raising and lowering them in unison.

8. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, in which there is stop means for limiting raising of the rotatable members.

9. Mechanical handling apparatus for the handling of a load, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

10. A load carrying surface including apparatus according to any preceding claim.