GB2189439A

GB2189439A - Safety supports for vehicles or parts thereof

Info

Publication number: GB2189439A
Application number: GB8709316A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Jaina
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1986-04-22
Filing date: 1987-04-21
Publication date: 1987-10-28
Also published as: GB8609751D0; GB2189439B; GB8709316D0

Abstract

Apparatus for supporting a tipping part of a vehicle or the vehicle on the ground comprises a plate for mounting on the vehicle chassis presenting a lug on which can locate a collar 34 of a tubular support leg 30. A pin 38 retains the leg 30 on the lug. The free end of the leg (30) receives a tube (42, Figure 3) provided with a seat (44). Stops 24 limit angular movement of the leg (30) about the lug. When the tipping part of the vehicle is raised, the support leg 30 can be mounted on the lug on the vehicle chassis, whereby the leg can engage with the tipping part to safely support the latter in a raised condition and enable safe working below the tipping part. The lug (56, Figures 4 to 6) on the chassis plate (50) may be square to receive the square collar (66) of a support leg (62) projecting by a variable distance into a ground engageable tripod (78). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Vehicle support This invention relates to apparatus for use on a vehicle, particularlyfor providing support for a raised part of a vehicle.

Heretofore when a tipping part of a tipper vehicle has had to be retained in a raised position bythe vehicle lifting means for a period oftimeforvehicle maintenance or some other purpose, no extra support has been provided for said tipping part, or extra support has been provided by crude means such as blocks of wood placed on the vehicle chassis immediatelybelowthetipping part. Working in the space below the raised tipping partofa vehicle can be hazardous as failure ofthe lifting means can result in failing of the tipping part. This lifting means often consists of a hydraulic system ofwhich pipes or other components can fail. After jacking of a vehicle, for example for a wheel change, maintaining the vehicle raised can also present problems.

An object of this invention is to provide apparatus for a vehicle which can allow for safe access to the area under a raised part.

According to the present invention there is provided apparatus for use with avehicle,the apparatus comprising mounting means adapted for attachment to a part of a vehicle, and elongate support means, one end of which is detachably connectibletothemounting means, and the other end of which is provided for engagementwith another part of the vehicle, or the ground, whereby to be capable of supporting a respective part of the vehicle in a raised position.

Preferably the mounting means comprises a plate which has a lug projecting therefrom. The lug may be formed integrally with the plate of a material and of such dimensions as to accommodate a load thereon of 20 tons, and the lug may have a through opening on an outer end for receiving a locking pin.

Preferably also the elongate support means includes a tubular member provided at one end with a collar adapted to locate on the lug ofthe mounting means. The lug may have a rectangular configuration and the collar has a rectangular bore wherebythetubular member is non-rotatably connectible with the mounting means.

In one arrangement the other end of the tubular member is adapted to locate in a base support, the plate being adapted for attachment to a fixed part of thevehiclewiththebasesupportontheground whereby the fixed part can be supported in a raised condition. The tubular member may be adjustably located in the base support and may comprise a plurality of through holes, a pin being provided for selective location in a through holewherebyto abut the base support and determine the length ofthe tubular member extending thereabove. An hydraulic arrangement can be provided for adjustment of the tubular member in the base support.

Alternatively the other end ofthetubular member is adapted to receive an additional tubular part,the plate being adapted for attachment to one of a fixed partora raisable partofthevehicle and the additional tubular part presenting a seating for engagementwiththeotherofthefixed orraisable part of the vehicle.

In another arrangement the lug has a cylindrical configuration and the collar has a circular bore adapted to locate on the lug. Preferably stop means is provided on the plate for limiting angular movement of the elongate support means on the lug.

The stop means may comprise two end stops for limiting the angular movement ofthe elongate support means in either direction of rotation on the lug, and the stop means may be adjustable.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described byway of example only with reference totheaccompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a front perspective view of part of a first apparatus for supporting a tipping part of a vehicle including a mounting arrangement; Figure 2 is a perspectiveviewofthemounting arrangement of Figure 1; Figure3 is a perspective view of the supporting component of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a perspective view of a mounting arrangement for a second apparatus; Figure 5 is a perspective view of a supporting arrangement of the second apparatus; and Figure 6 is a perspective view of the supporting arrangement on the mounting arrangement ofthe second apparatus.

An apparatus for use with a tipper vehicle has a mounting arrangement 10 comprising a base plate 12 provided with a flange 14 on one edge extending at right angles to the plane ofthe base plate 12, and fourthrough holes 16 atthe corners of a rectangular arrangement, for use in attaching the plate 12 to a tipper vehicle chassis. An integral lug 18 is formed substantially centrally on the base plate 12 to project normally therefrom to the opposite side from the flange 14, and the base of the lug 18 is formed with a plurality of bosses 20 spaced around the periphery to increase the strength at that location. The lug 18 has a cylindrical configuration and has a profiled outer end 22fort purpose hereinafter described.

The base plate 12 is further provided with integral stop members 24 on the corners of the base plate 12 at that edge on which the flange 14 is provided. Each of the stop members 24 projects from the base plate 12 in the same direction as the lug 16 and comprises a planar part 26 at an angle, preferably 55 , to the respective side edge of the base plate 12. Each of the planar parts 26 has an internally threaded through hole 28 to receive an externally threaded bolt for a purpose hereinafter described.

Asupport leg 30 is formed, for example,from round section steel tubing of sufficient thickness to supportthe necessary weight as hereinafter described, and is fitted at one end into an end part 32 which provides a collar34 having athrough bore enabling the collar 34to locate overthe lug 18 and be rotatable thereon. The fitting of the collar 34 on the lug 18 is such asto allow a slight amount of play but effectively prevent such relative movement between the components as would impart undesired stress in use as hereinafter described. The lug 18 is provided with aligned holes 36 adjacent its outer end such that, when the collar 34 is located on the lug 18, a locking, spring loaded clevis pin 38 can engage through the holes 36 to prevent release ofthe collar 34.The pin 38 is attached to one end of a retaining chain 40, the other end of which is connected with a washerwhereby the latter can be secured to the base plate 12 by means of a fixing component (not shown) engaging through one of the mounting holes 16.

This arrangement prevents loss of the pin 38 when not in use.

Atube 42 of cylindrical configuration is closed at one end by a profiled seat 44, and is adapted to be slidably mounted on the free end of the support leg 30 until the end of the latter engages the seat 44. In the embodiment described and shown the seat44 comprises an open-ended, upwardly open channel but can have any desired profile as hereinafter described.

In use, two base plates 12 are attached, preferably permanently, on respective sides ofatippervehicle at suitable locations on the vehicle chassis, for example immediatelyforward ofthe respective rear spring hanger, by inserting fixing components through the holes 16, the flange 14 engaging overthe chassis member. When the tipping part of the vehicle is raised by any conventional means and is required to be supported in the raised position, the support legs 30 are located overthe lugs 1 8 of the respective mounting arrangements 10, the profiled ends 22 assisting location. The locking pins 38 are inserted through the holes 36 in the lugs 18, thereby securing the support legs 30 to the mounting arrangements 10.The tubes 42 are then located on the support legs 30, the seats 44 having a profile selected to be suitable for engagement with the area of the tipping partofthe vehicle which is to be supported. The bolt in the respective planar part 24 is adjusted until the support leg 30 is in abutmentso asto be retained at a desired angle and the tipping part ofthe vehicle may then be lowered onto the seats 44. Itwill be appreciated that the mounting arrangements 10 are double-handed so thatthe same arrangement can be used on each side of the vehicle.

When itis required to lowerthetipping part,the latter can be raised offthe seats 44, and the support legs 30 with the tubes 42 can then be removed after having removed the locking pins 38. It is intended thatthe mounting arrangements 10 are permanently attached to the tippervehicle chassis and thatthe other components, when not in use, are stored in a maintenance area or elsewhere in orderto save weight on the vehicle. If desired, the components could of course be carried on the vehicle.

Maximum loaded weightfortippervehicles at present is 38 tons gross. In the apparatus as described, the lug 18 has a maximum loading of 25 tons. The use of attached locking pins 38 providesfor greater security as these pins cannot be accidentally knocked out, and cannot be lost.

Afurtherapparatusforusewith a vehicle comprises a base plate 50 formed with an integral flange 52 along one edge and extending at right angles to the plane of the base plate 50. Four holes 54 are formed in the base plate 50 atthe corners of a rectangular arrangement and are arranged to receive components forfixing the base plate 50 to the chassis of a vehicle. The base plate 50 is of similar construction to the base plate 12, having an integral lug 56 at a central location and projecting from the base plate 50 in the opposite direction oftheflange 52.The lug 56 h as a sq u a re tu b u I a r co nfi g u rati o n, a profiled outer end 57, and a pairofaligned holes 58 at its outer end.Strengthening bosses 60 are provided atthejunction ofthe lug 56 with the base plate 50.

A support leg 62 is formed of round tubing of sufficientthicknessto support the appropriate weight as hereinafter described. The leg 62 is secured to an end part 64 which provides a collar 66 adapted to locate on the lug 56, the profiled end 57 assisting location. A square section lug provides stability, is substantially non-rocking and non-rotatable. When so located, a locking, spring loaded cievis pin 68 can locate through the holes 58 to retain the support leg 62 on the lug 56. The pin 58 is attached to one end of a chain 70, the other end of which is connected to a washer which is retained on the base plate 50 by means of one ofthefixing components.

Three pairs of aligned holes 72 are provided along a central line on opposed walls of the leg 62 so that a respective pair of the holes 72 can receive an abutment pin 74 for a purpose hereinafter described.

The pin 74 hastheform of a high tensile steel bolt and is retained in use by split pins 75 each having one leg passing through a bore in a respective end of the pin 74.

The support leg 62 is arranged to be slidably received in a central tubular part 76 of a tripod 78, the latter having a base 80 and support stays 82. When the pin 74 is located through a selected pair of holes 72 in the leg 62, the pin 74 abuts a collar 84 provided on the upper end of the tubular part 76 and thereby retains the support leg 62 in a desired position relative to the tripod 78.

In use, the base plate 50 is attached, preferably permanently, on each of the opposed sides of a tipper vehicle at a suitable location on the vehicle chassis, by inserting fixing components through the holes 54,theflange 52 engaging underthe chassis.

When the chassis is raised by any conventional means, for example when a wheel requires to be changed, and the chassis is required to be supported in the raised position, the collar 66 of the support leg 62 is located on the lug 56 and retained thereon by the pin 68, and the lower end of the leg 62 is located in the tubular part 76 of the tripod 78. The vehicle chassis can therefore be supported in a desired raised position by suitably locating the pin 74 in a respective pair of the holes 72 to determine the height of the support leg 62 above the tripod 78. The provision of the collar 84 at the upper end of the tubular part 76 prevents shearing of the pin 74.

When itis required to lower the vehicle chassis, the latter can be raised slightly by any suitable conventional means to thereby enable dismantling ofthe support leg 62 and the tripod 78, the chassis then being lowered until the wheels engage the ground. It is intended that the base plate 50 is permanently attached to the tippervehicle chassis and thatthe other components, when not in use, are stored in a maintenance area or elsewhere in orderto save weight on the vehicle. Again if desired the components could be carried on the vehicle.

In a modification,this apparatus may be provided with its own hydraulic system. The support leg 62 and the tripod 78 are located in position prior to the vehicle chassis being raised. Operation of the hydraulic system lifts the support leg 62 relative to the tripod 68 until the abutment pin 74 can be located in position with the vehicle chassis raised clear ofthe ground. It will be appreciated that for different types of vehicles different lengths of support leg 62 can be provided.

The tripod 78 may be used with one apex engaging under the vehicle chassis to provide for more stability. Alternatively the tripod 78 may be used with an apex remote from the chassis whereby there is no protrusion below the chassis, providing free access to the space below the vehicle.

In a further modification the base plate 50 with the support leg 62 may be used to support the tipping partofatipping vehicle in the sameway asthe apparatus of Figure 1. Thetripodwould notbe utilised but the support leg 62 would receive a tube similarto thetube 42 ofthe Figure 1 embodiment with a suitable profiled seat 44. It is appropriate in this useforthe collar66to be located relative to the support leg 52with one diameter of the collar 66 in a central longitudinal plane of the leg 62 so as to provide a desired angleforthe latter.

The invention thus provides for securing a tipping partofatippervehicle in a raised position, to enable working in safety, for example for servicing and repairbelowthetipping part, and also for securing a vehicle chassis in a raised position to enable working in safety, for example when changing wheels. The invention is easy to use and reasonably inexpensive to manufacture.

It is also envisaged that, in the apparatus for supporting the vehicle chassis in a raised position, the base plate may form an integral partofthe vehicle spring hanger. The hanger plate would require to be enlarged and to be formed with the integral lug on which the support leg can locate. It is also possibletoform the lug asan integral partof any other suitable component of the vehicle.

Various modifications may be made without departing from the invention. For example the base plate may be of any shape and the tubing may be of other than round section. It is also possible forthe base plate to be attached to thetipping part and the profiled seat adapted to engage the chassis.

Claims

1. Apparatus for use with a vehicle, the apparatus comprising mounting means adapted for attachment to a partofavehicle, and elongate support means, one end of which is detachably connectible to the mounting means, and the other end of which is provided for engagement with anotherpartofthevehicle,ortheground,whereby to be capable of supporting a respective part ofthe vehicle in a raised position.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mounting means comprises a plate which has a lug projecting therefrom.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the lug is formed integ rally with the plate of a material and of such dimensions asto accommodate a load thereon of 20 tons.

4. Apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the lug has a through opening on an outer end for receiving a locking pin.

5. Apparatus according to claims 2 to 4, wherein the plate has through holes therein for receiving fixing components.

6. Apparatus according to any of claims 2 to 5, wherein the elongate support means includes a tubular member provided at one end with a collar adapted to locate on the lug of the mounting means.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the lug has a rectangular configuration and the collar has a rectangular bore whereby the tubular member is non-rotatably connectible with the mounting means.

8. Apparatus according to claim 6 or7,wherein the other end of the tubular member is adapted to locate in a base support, the plate being adapted for attachment to a fixed part ofthevehiclewith the base support on the ground whereby the fixed part can be supported in a raised condition.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the tubular member is adjustably located in the base support.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the tubular member comprises a plurality of through holes, a pin being provided for selective location in a through hole whereby to abut the base support and determinethelength ofthetubularmember extending thereabove.

11. Apparatus according to claim 9 or 10, wherein an hydraulic arrangement is provided for adjustment of the tubular member in the base support.

12. Apparatus according to any of claims 8 to 11, wherein the base support comprises a tripod.

13. Apparatus according to any of claims 2 to 12, wherein the plate is a spring hanger plate ofthe vehicle.

14. Apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the other end of the tubular member is adapted to receive an additional tubular part, the plate being adapted for attachment to one of a fixed part or a raisable part of the vehicle and the additional tubular part presenting aseatingforengagementwiththe other of the fixed or raisable part ofthevehicle.

15. Apparatus according to any of claims 2 to 6, wherein the lug has a cylindrical configuration and the collar has a circular bore adapted to locate on the lug.

16. Apparatus according to claim 15,wherein stop means is provided on the plate for limiting angular movement ofthe elongate support means on the lug.

17. Apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the stop means comprises two end stops for limiting the angular movement of the elongate support means in either direction of rotation on the lug.

18. Apparatus according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the stop means is adjustable.

19. Apparatus for use with a vehicle substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

20. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter herein disclosed, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any ofthe preceding claims.