GB2214895A - Load carriers - Google Patents

Abstract

A load carrier, primarily for kegs, comprises a chassis 1 with upper and lower rear beams 5 (and 2 Fig 3 not shown) and spaced, forwardly projecting side beams 3. A cental frame comprising upper and lower tubular rails 28 and 29 projects forwards from the rear of the chassis and those rails constitute stationary retainers. A side wing 31 is pivoted to each of the side beams by hinges 32. At the upper edge of each side wing is a tubular rail 33 constituting a movable retainer. Open-ended gaps thus extend between the movable and stationary retainers. The chassis is mounted on front wheels 24 and steerable rear wheels. The chassis, with the retainers can be raised by a user-powered hydraulic ram (9 Fig 3 not shown). The movable retainers can be drawn towards the stationary retainers by an hydraulic ram (34) or by individual rams (45, Fig 4 not shown). In use the carrier is manoeuvred so that kegs enter the gaps, the movable retainers are caused to move towards the stationary retainers to grip the kegs, and the chassis is raised to lift the retainers and kegs from the ground, ready for transport to another location. <IMAGE>

Description

LOAD CARRIERS This invention relates to load carriers.

The invention has been developed in connection with load carriers for use in carrying beer containers, but it will be appreciated that load carriers embodying the invention may be used for carrying other articles.

The present invention consists in a load carrier comprising a support with mounting means enabling it to be moved from place to place as required, the support comprising a pair of retainers which, when in a loading position, are spaced laterally apart so as to leave between them an open-ended gap into which a load can be introduced, it being possible to effect relative movement between the retainers so as to narrow the gap between them and cause them to assume a carrying position, and the carrier including user-powered lifting means operative to raise the support from a lower to an upper state.

The load carrier can be used in the following manner to carry a load from one place to another. The retainers are initially disposed in a loading position and a lower state. The carrier is manoeuvred relatively to the load in such a manner that the load enters the gap between the retainers through the open end of the gap. Relative movement between the retainers is then effected to bring the retainers to a carrying position in which they can support a load between them, either by gripping the load between them or by providing one or more portions extending beneath a suitably overhanging part or suitably overhanging parts of the load. The lifting means is then operated to raise the retainers from a lower state to an upper state. As this occurs, the retainers lift the load The carrier can then be moved with the aid of its mounting means to transport the load to any desired location.When it is desired to deposit the load, the retainers are caused to return to a lower state, so that the weight of the load is no longer carried by the carrier, and the retaining means is then caused to return to or towards a loading position so that the load is released and the carrier can be manoeuvred clear of the load.

The mounting means preferably comprises rotatable ground-engaging elements, such as wheels or rollers.

Preferably at least some of the ground-engaging elements are either steerable or of a kind, such as a universally rotatable ball, permitting movement in any direction, whereby the carrier can be turned and can travel in any desired direction. The carrier preferably includes a projecting handle to assist a user in guiding the movement of the carrier. The carrier may incorporate a motor operative to cause or assist in the movement of the carrier from place to place, but it is envisaged that such a motor would not normally be provided, movement of the carrier from place to place being effected by gravity or by a user pushing or pulling the carrier.

The retainers preferably comprise load-engaging rails which extend horizontally or substantially horizontally, those rails preferably being parallel with each other. Each retainer may comprise a single rail or may comprise two or more rails disposed at different heights The arrangement is preferably such that when the retainers are moved as between a loading and a carrying position, one of the retainers - the stationary retainer - remains stationary and the other retainer - the movable retainer - moves towards or away from it as the case may be.In a particularly convenient arrangement there are two similar supports, disposed side by side, the gaps between their retainers being parallel and opening in the same direction, each pair of retainers having a stationary retainer and a movable retainer, and the two stationary retainers being afforded by or constituting a stationary structure located between the two gaps. Whenever a stationary retainer is employed, it is preferably vertically extensive so as to reduce or eliminate any tendency there might be for a load gripped or otherwise supported by the retainers to tilt laterally of the gap.Whenever a movable retainer is employed, it is preferably pivotable about an axis or axes parallel or substantially parallel with the length of the gap, movement of the retainer as between its loading and carrying positions being effected by pivotal movement of the retainer about that axis or axes.

The lifting means may comprise a mechanical linkage or the like but preferably comprises hydraulic ram means, which, in effecting a power-stroke, raises the support relative to the mounting means, and a user-powered pump for hydraulic fluid for the ram means. The pump may be operated by to-and-fro movement of a pivoted lever, which lever may also comprise steering means for the carrier. The relative movement of the retainers may also be effected by hydraulic ram means operative on effecting a power-stroke to cause relative movement of the retainers from a loading position to a carrying position. The same pump may be used to provide hydraulic fluid for that latter ram means but preferably separate pumps are employed for the ram means for raising the support and for the ram means for causing relative movement of the retainers.

If desired there could be some form of interlock to prevent the relative movement of the retainers from a carrying position to a loading position before the support has moved to a lower state.

A carrier in accordance with the invention is particularly applicable to the carriage of loads in the form of kegs, barrels and similar containers of the kind (hereinafter referred to generically as kegs of the kind specified) comprising a generally cylindrical or barrel-shaped drum formed or provided on its outer surface with one or more outwardly projecting peripheral ribs spaced from the ends of the drum. Such ribs may constitute rolling rings. When a load carrier in accordance with the present invention is being used to carry a keg of the kind specified, the keq is preferably disposed with its axis vertical or substantially vertical and at least one retainer extends beneath an overhanging part of the rib or one of the ribs Such a load carrier can be used to carry kegs of any of a range of sizes or diameters.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a load carrier embodying the present invention, as viewed frown the front and from one side of the carrier; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the load carrier shown in Figure 1, as viewed from the front and from the other side of the carrier, the carrier being employed in carrying four kegs; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the carrier and kegs shown in Figure 2, as viewed from the rear and from said other side of the carrier; and Figure 4 is similar to Figure 3 but illustrates an optional modification.

The carrier illustrated is intended for use in carrying beer kegs. It has a chassis 1 comprising a horizontal rear beam 2, of square section, and horizontal side teams 3, also of square section, projecting forwards from the ends of the rear beam 2.

Upwardly tapering side plates 4 project upwards from the rear end portions of the side beams 3 and their upper ends are interconnected by a horizontal upper beam 5, of square section, parallel with the rear beam 2. Triangular strengthening plates 6 stiffen the side plates 4. An abutment block 7 projects rearwards from the middie of the upper beam 5. The piston rod 8 of a vertically disposed hydraulic ram 9 engages the underside of the abutment block 7. The lower end of the cylinder 10 of the ram 9 is secured to a rearwardly projecting steering block 11. A steering arm 12, with a handle 13, is pivoted at its lower end to the cylinder 10 by means of a pivot pin 14. A compression spring 15 acting between the steering block 11 and a lower part of the steering arm 12 serves to retain the arm in a convenient, inclined position. A shaft 16 extends vertically downwards from the steering block 11 and carries at its lower end a pair of co-axial stub axles which carry freely rotatable ground-engaging wheels 17. The shaft 16 extends through a hole in a bearing plate 18 which abuts the underside of the steering block 11. The bearing plate 18 is pivotally mounted, about a horizontal transverse axis, between a pair of parallel spaced arms 19 projecting rearwards from a shaft 20. The shaft 20 is disposed a short way above the rear beam 2 and its ends are mounted in horizontally aligned bearings in the side plates 4.

Downwardly projecting arms 21 are secured to the shaft, one near each end of the shaft. Each arm 21 projects downwards into the adjacent side beam 3 through a slot in the top of the side beam. The lower end of each arm 21 is pivoted to the rear end of an associated bar 22 of square section which is movable lengthwise in the associated side beam 3. The front end of each bar 22 is pivoted to one end of an associated bracket 23 which is forked at its other end and carries a freely rotatable ground-engaging wheel 24. A central part of each bracket 23 is pivoted to the associated side beam by a horizontal, transverse pivot pin 25.

In use, when the ram 9 is inoperative, and its; piston 8 is retracted into its cylinder 10, the chassis is in its lower state, as illustrated in Figure 1. In this state the rear part of the chassis is in its lowermost position, as the abutment block 7 is substantially level with the top of the cylinder 10.

Consequently shaft 20 is in its lowermost position, and the arms 19 project rearwards and upwards from the shaft to the bearing plate 18. The rotational position of the shaft 20 is then such that the arms 21 project both rearwards and downwards so that the bars 22 are drawn rearwards in their associated side beams 3.

Consequently the brackets 23 are substantially horizontal and the forward ends of the side beams 3 are in the lowermost positions relative to the wheels 24 The weight of the chassis is partially borne by the wheels 24 which therefore transmit forces to the shaft 20, by way of the bars 22, which urge the bearing plate 18 upwards into contact with the underside of the steering block 11.

When the ram 9 is extended, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the chassis assumes its upper state. The rear part of the chassis is raised by the piston rod 8 engaging the abutment block 7. Consequently the shaft 20 is raised and its arms 19 now project rearwards and downwards. The arms 21 project vertically downwards and the bars 22 are in their forward positions, so that the brackets 23 are tilted and the forward ends of the side beams are raised.

A tubular guiding rail 26 of inverted U-shape projects upwards from the upper beam 5. Stiffening and supporting plates 27 extend between central parts of the rail 26, beam 5 and beam 2. A central frame projects forward from a lower one of the plates 27.

The frame comprises an upper tubular rail 28 and a lower tubular rail 29 interconnected by vertical plates 30. The rails 28 and 29 are horizontal and have rounded bosses at their forward ends. A side wing 31 is mounted on each of the side beams 3 the lower edge of the wing being connected to the associated beam by hinges 32. A tubular side rail 33, similar to the rails 28 and 29 is secured to the upper edge of each side wing 31. Each side wing 31 comprises a pair of panels which are joined together at their lower edges but which are splayed apart so that their edges lie on opposite sides of the associated side rail 33. In consequence each side wing is relatively strong and inflexible. The rear ends of the side rails are pivotally connected to opposite ends of an hydraulic ram 34. When the ram is operated the side rails 33 are drawn towards each other and into carrying positions.

When the hydraulic ram 34 is inoperative, however, the side rails tend to move apart, into loading positions, under the influence of tension springs 35 and 36.

Hydraulic fluid for the ram 9 is pressurized by a pump (not visible) mounted on the steering block 11 and housed within the compression spring 15. The pump is operated by pivotal movement of the arm 12. Valve means for controlling the flow of hydraulic fluid from the ram 9, to enable the chassis to return to a lower state, is operated by a lever 50 pivoted to the steering arm 12 within the handle 13. Hydraulic fluid for the ram 34 is pressurized by a pump 37 operated by a pivoted arm 38 having a handle 39 at its free, upper end. The passage of fluid to and from the ram 34 is controlled by valve means 41 having a manually operable control knob 42. Hydraulic fluid is stored in a reservoir 40.

A spring clip (not shown) is pivotally mounted on the steering arm 12 and can be releasably snapped into engagement with the arm 38 at a location just below the handle 39. In one method of operating the carrier, the arm 38 is clipped to the arm 12, and the user swings the handle 13 backwards and forwards to operate the pump 37 and to cause the ram 34 to move the side rails 33 from being their loading positions to their carrier positions. While the pump 37 is being operated in this manner the pump for the ram 9 is inoperative; this is because the arm 12 is pivoted through an angle of no more than 25 to the vertical, and the arrangement is such that the pump for the ram 9 comes into operation only in response to pivotal movement of the arm 12 to an inclination of more than 250 to the vertical.After the side rails have reached the desired carrying positions, the arm 12 is unclipped from the arm 38 and is pivoted to and fro, through a range of angles greater than 250 to the vertical, in order to operative the pump for the ram 9 and cause the chassis to rise from a lower to an upper state.

After use, the lever 50 is operated to allow the ram 9 to lower the chassis, and the knob 42 is operated to allow the side rails 33 to move apart.

When the carrier is to be used for carrying transporting beer kegs, such as the kegs 43 illustrated, the kegs are stood on their ends, with their axes vertical. The carrier is wheeled to the kegs, with its side rails 33 in their loading positions and the chassis in its lower state, as shown in Figure 1. In the arrangement illustrated, two kegs enter each of gaps between the side rails 33 and the upper and lower rails 28 and 29 though each gap is in fact long enough to accommodate three kegs. The pump 37 is then operated to move the side rails to their carrying positions and the pump for the ram 9 is then operated to raise the chassis 1. Each of the kegs 43 is in the shape of a cylindrical drum and is formed on its outer surface with a pair of peripheral ribs 44 spaced from the ends of the drum. The ribs 44 constitute rolling rings. When the rails are moved to their carrying positions and the chassis is then raised, the side rails 33 engage beneath the upper ribs and lift the kegs from the ground. The carrier can then be wheeled to a fresh location where the chassis is lowered and the rails moved apart to release the kegs.

While the kegs are being carried, they are prevented from rocking laterally owing to the presence of the lower rail 29.

In the arrangements described above, and illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, the side wings 31 with their side rails 33 are moved from their loading positions to their carrying positions by means of a common hydraulic ram 34. An optional modification of that arrangement is illustrated in Figure 4. Only the modifications are described below, while the unmodified parts are given the same reference numerals as in Figure 3. In the modified arrangement the ram 34 is replaced by two smaller hydraulic rams 45, each with a cylinder pivotally mounted on or adjacent to an associated end of the upper beam 5 and with a piston rod pivoted to the inner end of an associated link 46.

The outer end of the link is pivoted to the rear end of an associated side rail 33. There are four return springs 47; each spring is anchored at one end to the chassis and at the other end to a lug integral with the inner end of the associated link 46. In use, hydraulic fluid under pressure is introduced into the rams 45.

moving the side rails from their loading positions to their carrying positions. After use, the springs 47 serve to pull the side rails back to their loading positions and to cause the rams 45 to retract.

In the arrangement shown in Figure 4, the reservoir 40 is omitted but is replaced by a reservoir alongside the ram 9. The pump housed within the spring 15 is used to pressurize hydraulic fluid both for the ram 9 and for the rams 45. Operation of a valve 48 by manipulation of a handle 49 controls the flow of hydraulic fluid to and from the rams.

It will be appreciated that either design of carrier can be used tao carry kegs of a range of different diameters (though the kegs in any one gap must be of the same diameter). When it is carrying large-diameter kegs, the side rails 33 may be above the level of the upper rail 28, in which case the ribs may rest on the outer rails. When it is carrying small-diameter kegs, however, the side rails 33 may be below the level of the upper rail 28, in which case the ribs may rest on the upper rail. When it is carrying kegs of certain diameters, and with ribs at certain positions, the lower ribs may rest on the lower rail 29.

The diameters of the upper and lower rails 28 and 29 are sufficiently great to ensure that the kegs in one gap do not engage the kegs in the other gap, even if the kegs are barrel-shaped.

Carriers in accordance with the invention may be made with gaps of any desired length so as to enable them to carry up to any desired number of kegs. While the carriers are primarily intended for use in carrying kegs, they may of course be used for carrying other suitably shaped articles, if desired.

Claims (15)

1. A load carrier comprising a support with mounting means enabling it to be moved from place to place as required, the support comprising a pair of retainers which, when in a loading position, are spaced laterally apart so as to leave between them an open-ended gap into which a load can be introduced, it being possible to effect relative movement between the retainers so as to narrow the gap between them and cause them to assume a carrying position, and the carrier including user-powered lifting means operative to raise the support from a lower to an upper state.

2. A load carrier according to claim 1 in which the mounting means comprises rotatable ground-engaging elements of which at least some are either steerable or of a kind permitting movement in any direction, whereby the carrier can be turned and can travel in any desired direction.

3. A load carrier according to claim 2 which includes a projecting handle to assist a user in guiding the movement of the carrier.

4. A load-carrier according to any one of the preceding claims in which there is no motor operative to cause or assist in the movement af the carrier from place to place, it being possible for movement of the carrier from place to place to be effected by gravity or by a user pushing or pulling the carrier.

5. A load carrier according to any one of the preceding claims in which the retainers comprise load-engaging rails which extend horizontally or substantially horizontally.

6. A load carrier according to claim 5 in which the rails are parallel with each other.

7. A load carrier according to any one of the preceding claims in which the arrangement in such that when the retainers are moved as between a loading and a carrying position, one of the retainers - the stationary retainer - remains stationary and the other retainer - the movable retainer - moves towards or away from it as the case may be.

8. A load carrier according to claim 7 in which there are two similar supports, disposed side by side, the gaps between their retainers being parallel and opening in the same direction, each pair of retainers having a stationary retainer and a movable retainer, and the twostationary retainers being afforded by or constituting a stationary structure located between the two gaps.

9. A load carrier according to either of claims 7 and 8 in which the stationary retainer is vertically extensive so as to reduce or eliminate any tendency there might be for a load gripped or otherwise supported by the retainers to tilt laterally of the gap.

10. A load carrier according to any one of claims 7 to 9 in which the movable retainer or each movable retainer is pivotable about an axis or axes parallel or substantially parallel with the length of the gap, movement of the retainer as between its loading and carrying positions being effected by pivotal movement of the retainer about that axis or axes.

11. A load carrier according to any one of the preceding claims in which the lifting means comprises hydraulic ram means, which, in effecting a power-stroke, raises the support relative to the mounting means, and a user-powered pump for hydraulic fluid for the ram means.

12. A load carrier according to claim 11 in which the pump is operated by to-and-fro movement of a pivoted lever which also comprises steering means for the carrier.

13. A load carrier according to any one of the preceding claims in which there is an interlock operative to prevent the relative movement of the retainers from a carrying position to a loading position before the support has moved to a lower state

14. A load carrier substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures l to 3 of the accompanying drawings.

15. A load carrier according to claim 14 but modified substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings.