GB2200874A

GB2200874A - Load accommodation on vehicles

Info

Publication number: GB2200874A
Application number: GB08802342A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Adrian John Raymond Short
Original assignee: SHORT Ltd
Current assignee: SHORT Ltd
Priority date: 1987-02-14
Filing date: 1988-02-03
Publication date: 1988-08-17
Anticipated expiration: 2008-02-03
Also published as: GB2200874B; GB8703484D0; GB8802342D0

Abstract

A covered vehicle or trailer for the transportation of goods (eg poultry) comprises a body with front and rear bulkhead walls (9, 10), and a rigid roof (15) supported by the bulkheads via lifting gear (14) (eg four hydraulic rams) for raising and lowering the roof; the floor (7) of the body has locating projections (8) extending across it at longitudinally spaced positions, the arrangement being such that the body, with the roof raised, is loaded with tiers of modular crates having coincident locating grooves and projections (3, 4) running across their bottom and top walls respectively, by moving the crates of each tier into position so that they are located via their locating grooves onto respective projections, and thereafter the roof is lowered towards the top walls (5) of the uppermost tier of crates. Conveniently, the roof can be lowered to apply pressure to the uppermost tier of crates, to secure all the tiers. The front and end bulkheads, and if desired the roof, may each conveniently be provided with a ventilation opening and at least the front bulkhead opening has a sliding door by which the amount of ventilation air passing through the body can be adjusted. <IMAGE>

Description

Transportation of Goods This invent-ion relates to the transportation of goods and provides a vehicle or trailer arrangement which is particularly suitable for livestock such as poultry.

It is normal practice for chickens to be transported in crates which are of modular size and which have one or more open side walls covered with wire mesh screens. The bottom of each crate has a locating groove running across it and a corresponding locating projection runs across the top wall at the co-incident position. Such crates are normally loaded onto a flat bed lorry, the bed of which has locating projections extending across it at longitudinally spaced positions to enable a tier of crates to be loaded and located end-to-end on the bed. A second tier of crates is then loaded and located onto the spaced lines of projections provided on the top walls on the first tier of crates. It will be appreciated that, in addition, the two tiers of crates must be held fast in position by securing straps.

Although such a loading and transportation arrangement makes efficient use of space, the chickens are very exposed and, in cold conditions, many die from exposure, with the result that there have been protests from Animal Rights Groups.

An object of this invention is to provide a covered arrangement for the transportation of goods such as poultry.

According to this invention, a vehicle or trailer for transporting goods comprises a body with front and rear bulkhead walls wherein a rigid roof is supported by the bulkheads via lifting gear so that the roof can be raised and lowered, and the floor of the body has locating projections extending across it at longitudinally spaced positions, the arrangement being such that the body, with the roof raised, is loaded with tiers of modular crates (known per se) having coincident locating grooves and projections running across their bottom and top walls respectively, by moving the crates of each tier into position so that they are located via their locating grooves over respective locating projections, lowering said crates to fit their locating grooves onto said projections, and thereafter the roof is lowered towards the top walls of the uppermost tier of crates.

Conveniently, the roof may be lowered sufficiently to apply pressure to- the uppermost tier of crates, and thereby secure all the tiers in position.

Preferably, the lifting gear comprises four, substantially vertical, hydraulic rams two mounted on each bulkhead and attached near each corner of the roof, the rams being connected into an appropriate hydraulic circuit whereby they act in unison to raise or lower the roof.

According to a subsidiary feature, especially for livestock goods such as poultry, the front and end bulkheads, and if desired the roof, are each provided with an opening, preferably extending vertically over the full height of the bulkheads, and at least the front bulkhead opening has a sliding door by which the amount of air passing through the body for ventilation can be adjusted.

In order that the invention be readily understood, and further features made apparent, one preferred embodiment of curtain sided lorry for carrying poultry will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a modular poultry crate, positioned on the lorry bed, Figures 2 to 4 are front, side and rear views of the curtain sided lorry, Figure 5 is an enlarged view of a bulkhead of the lorry, and Figure 6 is a view on the same scale as Figure 5 of the underside of the roof of the lorry.

Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, the modular crate is rectangular and is 88" long, 70" wide and 43" high and is divided into a number of drawer sections 1. The bottom 2 is formed with a "V" groove 3 (shown dotted) running completely across its width and an interfitting "V" projection 4 runs across the crate at a coincident position on its top wall 5. At least the side walls of the drawer sections 1 are covered with wire-mesh screens 6 for ventilation.

Referring to Figures 2 to 4, the floor 7 of the curtain sided body of the lorry is provided with lines of "V" projections 8 across its width at longitudinally spaced positions so that, when loaded, the ends of adjacent crates of the first tier are in abutting, or at least near abutting, relationship. The first tier of crates, when in position, then provides similarly spaced lines of "V" projections 4 for the next tier of crates, etc. Referring also to Figure 5, the front and rear ends of the body are formed as rigid bulkheads 9, 10, each comprising basically a framework of girders 11 with a metal sheet facing 12.A vertical opening 13 is defined in each bulkhead, and the front bulkhead opening has a sliding door (not shown) -associated therewith so that the width of the opening can be adjusted; in this way the amount of air flowing through the body for ventilation can be adjusted according to ambient conditions. On the inner face of each bulkhead, and near each side thereof, the hydraulic ram 14 is supported by the girder frame 11. Each ram extends vertically and its upper end is connected to the respective corner of the body roof 15. The four rams are hydraulically operated and connected together in a hydraulic circuit (not shown) so that they act in unison to raise and lower the roof 15 as required.

Referring to Figure 6, the roof 15 has a row of ventilation louvres 16 and pairs of resilient pads 17, which are spaced over the underside of the roof so that each pair will bear down onto the "V" projection 4 of a respective crate 1 in the uppermost tier when the roof is lowered. The pairs of pads thus protect the underside of the roof from damage and also can act to provide a downward pressure on the tiers of crates and thereby at least assist in the securement of the crates; with such an arrangement, the hydraulic circuit for the rams 14 could possibly incorporate a pressure sensing function to stop lowering of the roof when a required downward pressure is acting on the crates.

The roof 15 also supports along its longitudinal edges rails or tracks 18 for the curtain sides of the body. The rails 18 are steel drawn channels and the curtain sides are hung from them via rollers which slide along the full length of the rails. The rails have a stop at their forward end, but are curved and extended rearwardly to provide tails 18a on the rear end wall of the body. This allows the curtain sides to be pulled back beyond the rear edge of the roof onto the tails when the roof is in the lowered position, so that the roof is free to be raised without lifting the curtain sides. When the roof is lowered, the curtain sides are pulled forward until the front of the curtain sides connect with- the front end 9 of the body.

For loading, the roof 15 is raised and each crate 1 for the first tier is moved inboard of the body over its stowage position and then lowered onto the floor 7 to inters it its "V" groove 3 with the respective line of "V" projections 8.

When loaded in end-to-end position, the crates of the first tier provide lines of "V" projections 4 for the second tier, and loading then continues, tier-by-tier, for the full normal height of the body. The roof 15 is then lower-ed down onto the uppermost tier of crates. It will be appreciated that, by use of a raising roof, working space is provided for loading, and after lowering the roof, the height of the body is reduced to fit closely with the height of the tiers of crates.

The embodiment described above provides an efficient covered body for transporting poultry in which the amount of ventilation can be suitably adjusted dependent upon the ambient conditions. However, it will be appreciated that modular crates basically as described above, perhaps without the wire mesh screens 6 and drawer sections 1 of these are not required, can be used for other goods, such as dry goods, or chilled produce.

Claims

1. A vehicle or trailer for transporting goods and comprising a body with front and rear bulkhead walls, wherein a rigid roof is supported by the bul-kheads via lifting gear so that the roof can be raised and lowered, and the floor of the body has locating projections extending across it at longitudinally spaced positions, the arrangement being such that the body, with the roof raised, is loaded with tiers of modular crates (known per se) having coincident locating grooves and projections running across their bottom and top walls respectively, by moving the crates of each tier into position so that they are located via their locating grooves onto respective projections, and thereafter the roof is lowered towards the top walls of the uppermost tier of crates.

2. A vehicle or trailer according to Claim 1, wherein the roof is arranged to be lowered sufficiently to apply pressure to the uppermost tier of crates, and thereby secure all the tiers in position.

3. A vehicle or trailer according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the lifting gear comprises four, substantially vertical, hydraulic rams, two mounted on each bulkhead and attached near each corner of the roof, the rams being connected into an appropriate hydraulic circuit whereby they act in unison to raise or lower the roof.

4. A vehicle or trailer according to Claim 1, 2 or 3, intended for livestock such as poultry wherein the front and rear bulkheads, and if desired the roof, are each provided with a ventilation opening, and at least the front bulkhead opening has a sliding door by which the amount of air passing through the body for ventilation can be adjusted.

5. A vehicle for transporting goods constructed, arranged and adapted for use substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.

5. A vehicle or trailer according to Claim 4, wherein the or each opening in each bulkhead extends substantially over the full vertical height of said bulkhead.

6. A vehicle or trailer according to any one of the preceding Claims, and in which the body is provided with curtain side walls known per se, wherein a rail or track extends along each side edge for supporting the curtains, and wherein a curved tail is provided on the rear bulkhead as an extension to each rail or track so that, with the roof lowered, the curtains can be pulled back beyond the rear edge of the roof, so that the roof is free to be raised without lifting the curtains therewith.

7. A vehicle for transporting goods constructed, arranged and adapted for use substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows CLAIMS 1. A vehicle or trailer for transporting goods and comprising a body with front and rear bulkhead walls and curtain side walls, wherein a rigid roof is supported by the bulkheads via lifting gear so that the roof can be raised and lowered, the arrangement being such that the body, with the roof raised, is loaded with tiers of crates and thereafter the roof is lowered sufficiently to apply pressure to the uppermost tier of craters, and thereby secure all the tiers in position, wherein a rail or track extends along each side edge for supporting the curtains, and wherein a curved tail is provided on a bulkhead wall as an extension to each rail or track so that, with the roof lowered, each curtain can be pulled back beyond a respective end of the roof, so that the roof is free to be raised and lowered without lifting the curtains therewith.

2. A vehicle or trailer according to Claim 1, wherein the lifting gear comprises four, substantially vertical, hydraulic rams, two mounted on each bulkhead and attached near each corner of the roof, the rams being connected into an appropriate hydraulic circuit whereby they act in unison to raise or lower the roof.

3. A vehicle or trailer according to Claim 1, or 2 intended for goods such as livestock for which ventilation is desirable, wherein the front and rear bulkheads, and if desired the roof, are each provided with a ventilation opening, and at least the front bulkhead opening has a sliding door by which the amount of air passing through the body for ventilation can be adjusted.

4. A vehicle or trailer according to Claim 3, wherein the or each opening in each bulkhead extends substantially over the full vertical height of said bulkhead.