GB2240085A - Apparatus for handling a carriage unit, e.g. a flatrack or large pallet - Google Patents
Apparatus for handling a carriage unit, e.g. a flatrack or large pallet Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2240085A GB2240085A GB9001278A GB9001278A GB2240085A GB 2240085 A GB2240085 A GB 2240085A GB 9001278 A GB9001278 A GB 9001278A GB 9001278 A GB9001278 A GB 9001278A GB 2240085 A GB2240085 A GB 2240085A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- carriage unit
- flatrack
- support means
- support
- locking
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B66—HOISTING; LIFTING; HAULING
- B66F—HOISTING, LIFTING, HAULING OR PUSHING, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, e.g. DEVICES WHICH APPLY A LIFTING OR PUSHING FORCE DIRECTLY TO THE SURFACE OF A LOAD
- B66F9/00—Devices for lifting or lowering bulky or heavy goods for loading or unloading purposes
- B66F9/06—Devices for lifting or lowering bulky or heavy goods for loading or unloading purposes movable, with their loads, on wheels or the like, e.g. fork-lift trucks
- B66F9/075—Constructional features or details
- B66F9/12—Platforms; Forks; Other load supporting or gripping members
- B66F9/18—Load gripping or retaining means
Abstract
Apparatus for handling a carriage unit e.g. a flatrack (large pallet) the carriage unit including a framework 8, 10 and being adapted to carry articles located thereon, the apparatus comprising mounting means 14 for mounting the apparatus on a lift and carry apparatus such as a forklift truck 18, support means 20 for supporting a carriage unit, the support means 20 being pivotally attached at 32 to the mounting means, means 40 for rotating the support means between a substantially horizontal position and a substantially vertical position and locking means 50 for selectively locking the carriage unit on the support means. A flatrack may be picked up whilst horizontal as shown, carried by a fork-lift truck to a stacking location, and pivoted to a vertical orientation for stacking by extension of hydraulic ram 40. <IMAGE>
Description
"APPARATUS FOR HANDLING A CARRIAGE UNIT".
The present invention relates to an apparatus for handling a carriage unit, particularly a carriage unit including a framework and being adapted to carry articles located thereon.
A flatrack is a carriage unit which is used for the carriage of stores, pallets, etc. particularly for military applications. The flatrack consists of a steel frame which together with an array of wooden planks defines a horizontal rectangular loading surface. The flatrack is provided with four steel feet at each of the four corners of the rectangular load surface. The steel frame includes a rectangular outer frame and also a series of transverse struts and a pair of longitudinally extending girders thereunder which support the wooden planks. At one end of the flatrack there is provided an upwardly extending end member in the form of an inverted
U. Typically, a flatrack is approximately 6 metres long, 2 1/2 metres wide and has an unloaded weight of 1.5 metric tonnes. It is necessary to load flatracks directly from the ground onto a special military vehicle.
The present invention aims to provide an apparatus for handling a carriage unit which can enable safe and convenient handling of carriage units such as flatracks.
The present invention accordingly provides apparatus for handling a carriage unit, the carriage unit including a framework and being adapted to carry articles located thereon, the apparatus comprising mounting means for mounting the apparatus on a lift and carry apparatus, support means for supporting a carriage unit, the support means being pivotally attached to the mounting means, means for rotating the support means between a substantially horizontal position and a substantially vertical position and locking means for selectively locking the carriage unit on the support means.
Preferably, the support means comprises first and second supports which are spaced from each other and between which a part of a carriage unit can be secured.
More preferably, the first support comprises a frame which is arranged to bear against a lower surface of a carriage unit and the second support comprises a plate member which is arranged to bear against an upper surface of a carriage unit.
The locking means may comprise a locking member which is pivotally mounted on the support means and means for rotating the locking member between the locked position at which the locking member can engage a carriage unit on the support means and an unlocked position in which the locking member is remote from the carriage unit.
The means for rotating the locking member may comprise a hydraulic piston/cylinder assembly which is mounted between the locking member and the support means.
Preferably, the means for rotating the support means comprises a second hydraulic piston/cylinder assembly which is mounted between the mounting means and an extension frame which extends from the support means.
The mounting means may comprise a mounting frame which is adapted to be supported on the tines of a forklift truck.
An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a side elevation of a flatrack handling apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention in a first configuration and carrying a flatrack unit;
Figure 2 is an end elevation on line A-A of Figure 1 with the flatrack unit omitted;
Figure 3 is a plan view of the flatrack handling apparatus of Figure 1 with the flatrack unit omitted; and
Figure 4 is a side elevation of the flatrack handling apparatus of Figure 1 in a second configuration wherein the flatrack is in a vertical position.
Referring to Figure 1, there is shown an apparatus, designated generally as 2, for handling a flatrack unit 4.
The flatrack unit 4 comprises a rectangular framework 6 incorporating a pair of longitudinally directed downwardly depending girders 8. The framework 6 defines, together with wooden planks (not shown), an upper load bearing surface 10 of the flatrack unit 4. In Figure 1, the flatrack unit 4 is held in a substantially horizontal position by the handling apparatus 2. In such a configuration, the flatrack unit 4 would normally be carried on a vehicle or disposed on the ground.
Referring additionally to Figures 2 and 3, the handling apparatus 2 comprises a rectangular box frame 12 of steel for mounting the handling apparatus 2 on a lift and carry apparatus. In the illustrated embodiment, the two opposed longitudinal sides of the box frame 12 consist of respective hollow steel members 14 which are adapted to receive respective tines 16 of a forklift truck, which tines 16 are supported on the carriage 18 of the forklift truck. A support frame 20, e.g. of steel for the flatrack unit 4 is in the shape of a trapezeium and comprises two parallel edges 22, 24 which are orthogonal to the steel members 14 and two inclined members 26, 28. An extension frame 30 extends orthogonally away from the support frame 20 and in the configuration illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 the extension frame 30 extends between the steel members 14.The extension frame 30 is pivotally mounted on the mounting frame 12 by means of a pivot member 32 and respective pivot supports 34, 36 on the mounting frame 12 and the extension frame 30. The extension frame 30 includes an upper cross-piece 38 and a primary hydraulic piston/cylinder assembly 40 is mounted between the cross-piece 38 and a transverse member 42 of the mounting frame 12. In the configuration illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, the hydraulic piston/cylinder assembly 40 is in an extended configuration wherein the support frame 20 is in a substantially horizontal position and the extension frame 30 is substantially vertical. An upper support plate 44 is located above and parallel to the support frame 20 and extends orthogonally away from the extension frame 30.The plate 44 has a tapered free edge 46 which permits an edge of the flatrack unit 4 readily to be slid between the support frame 20 and the support plate 44. As is shown in Figure 1, when the flatrack unit 4 is supported by the handling apparatus 2, the support frame 20 bears against a lower surface 48 of the flatrack unit 4 and the support plate 44 bears against the upper surface 10 of the flatrack unit 4.
The handling apparatus also comprises a locking means for selectively locking the flatrack unit 4 between the support frame 20 and the support plate 44. The locking means comprises a locking plate 50 which is pivotally mounted by means of a pivot 52 between a pair of opposed central longitudinal members 54, 56 of the support frame 20. A secondary hydraulic piston/cylinder assembly 58 is mounted between the locking plate 50 and the longer transverse parallel member 24 of the support frame 20.The secondary hydraulic piston/cylinder assembly 58 is adapted to rotate the locking plate 50 between a locked position, which is illustrated in the Figures, at which the locking plate 50 engages an inner transverse vertical edge 60 of the flatrack unit 4 thereby locking the flatrack unit 4 on the handling apparatus 2, and an unlocked position in which the locking plate 50 is rotated so as to lie within the support frame 20 thereby to be remote from the flatrack unit 4.
Figure 4 shows the handling apparatus 2 and the flatrack unit 4 in a configuration wherein the flatrack unit 4 is in a substantially vertical position and is supported on the support frame 20 by the locking plate 50. The flatrack unit 4 is moved from the horizontal position to the vertical position by retraction of the primary hydraulic piston/cylinder assembly 40 which causes the support frame 20, the support plate 44, and the extension frame 30 to be rotated downwardly in a clockwise direction as shown in the drawings from the configuration illustrated in Figure 1 to the configuration illustrated in Figure 4. As shown in Figure 4, the support frame 20 is in a vertical position and the extension frame 30 is in a horizontal position whereby the flatrack unit 4 is vertically supported. The flatrack unit 4 may be released from the handling apparatus 2 to by retraction of the secondary hydraulic piston/cylinder assembly 58 thereby causing downward rotation and retraction of the locking plate 50. Subsequent raising of the carriage 18 of the forklift truck releases the flatrack unit 4 from the handling apparatus 2.
The operation of the handling apparatus 2 will now be described in greater detail. The flatrack units 4 are generally transported in a horizontal position i.e. the position shown in Figure 1 and the flatrack units 4 are generally stored as a stack thereof in a vertical position as shown in Figure 4. For the stacking operation from a horizontal position, the handling apparatus is moved horizontally over a transverse edge 62 of the flatrack unit 4 with the primary hydraulic/cylinder assembly 40 in an extended position whereby the support frame 20 and the support plate 46 are horizontal, and with the secondary piston/cylinder assembly 58 being retracted so that the locking plate 50 is in the unlocked position.When the transverse edge 60 of the flatrack unit 4 engages the extension frame 30, the secondary hydraulic piston/cylinder assembly 58 is extended thereby securing the flatrack unit 4 between the support frame 20 and the support plate 44 by means of the locking plate 50. With the flatrack unit 4 securely locked in position on the handling apparatus 2 which is carried on the forklift truck, it is then safe to travel with the flatrack unit 4 in a horizontal position on the forklift truck. For stacking the flatrack unit 4 in a vertical position, the flatrack unit 4 is tilted to a vertical position by retraction of the primary hydraulic piston/cylinder assembly 40 until the configuration shown in Figure 4 is attained. The carriage 18 of the forklift truck is lowered until the lower edge of the flatrack unit 4 touches the ground and then the locking member 50 is then retracted by retraction of the secondary hydraulic piston/cylinder assembly 58 so as to release the flatrack unit 4 from the handling apparatus 2.
This sequence of operational steps can be reversed when it is desired to move the flatrack unit 4 from a vertical stacked position to a horizontal operational position.
The illustrated embodiment of the invention enables a single forklift truck operator to manipulate large and heavy flatrack units from the safety of the forklift cab.
Claims (8)
1. Apparatus for handling a carriage unit, the carriage unit including a framework and being adapted to carry articles located thereon, the apparatus comprising mounting means for mounting the apparatus on a lift and carry apparatus, support means for supporting a carriage unit, the support means being pivotally attached to the mounting means, means for rotating the support means between a substantially horizontal position and a substantially vertical position and locking means for selectively locking the carriage unit on the support means.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the support means comprises first and second supports which are spaced from each other and between which a post of a carriage unit can be secured.
3. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the first support comprises a frame which is arranged to bear against a lower surface of a carriage unit and the second support comprises a plate which is arranged to bear against an upper surface of a carriage unit.
4. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the locking means comprises a locking member which is pivotally mounted on the support means and means for rotating the locking plate between a locked position at which the locking plate can engage a carriage unit on the support means and an unlocked position at which the locking member is remote from the carriage unit.
5. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the means for rotating the locking member comprises a hydraulic piston/cylinder assembly which is mounted between the locking member and the support means.
6. Apparatus according to any foregoing claim wherein the means for rotating the support means comprises a second hydraulic piston/cylinder assembly which is mounted between the mounting means and an extension frame which extends from the support means.
7. Apparatus according to any foregoing claim wherein the mounting means comprises a mounting frame which is adapted to be supported on the tines of a forklift truck.
8. Apparatus for handling a carriage unit substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9001278A GB2240085B (en) | 1990-01-19 | 1990-01-19 | Apparatus for handling a carriage unit |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9001278A GB2240085B (en) | 1990-01-19 | 1990-01-19 | Apparatus for handling a carriage unit |
Publications (3)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB9001278D0 GB9001278D0 (en) | 1990-03-21 |
| GB2240085A true GB2240085A (en) | 1991-07-24 |
| GB2240085B GB2240085B (en) | 1994-03-02 |
Family
ID=10669592
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9001278A Expired - Fee Related GB2240085B (en) | 1990-01-19 | 1990-01-19 | Apparatus for handling a carriage unit |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2240085B (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE4242537A1 (en) * | 1992-12-16 | 1994-06-23 | Siegfried Riebsamen | Appliance for picking up and moving flat objects |
| US6206628B1 (en) * | 1997-07-03 | 2001-03-27 | Lumper Industries, Inc. | Pallet jack adapter |
Citations (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB999914A (en) * | 1963-03-13 | 1965-07-28 | Wedderspoon Processes Ltd | Crate handling equipment |
| GB1283701A (en) * | 1968-12-03 | 1972-08-02 | Ivor Alden Ball | Load support and discharge apparatus |
| GB2058730A (en) * | 1979-08-24 | 1981-04-15 | Corbett S S | Storing Wheeled Frames of Cargo Container Trailers |
| GB2112743A (en) * | 1982-01-07 | 1983-07-27 | Perrott L F | Trailer lifting attachment for a fork lift truck |
| EP0113583A2 (en) * | 1982-12-27 | 1984-07-18 | Brudi Equipment, Inc. | Method and apparatus for handling container chassis |
| GB2135962A (en) * | 1982-06-12 | 1984-09-12 | John Henry Abram | Box tipper |
| US4664576A (en) * | 1984-04-05 | 1987-05-12 | Coe Donald R | Apparatus and method for handling cargo container chassis |
-
1990
- 1990-01-19 GB GB9001278A patent/GB2240085B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Patent Citations (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB999914A (en) * | 1963-03-13 | 1965-07-28 | Wedderspoon Processes Ltd | Crate handling equipment |
| GB1283701A (en) * | 1968-12-03 | 1972-08-02 | Ivor Alden Ball | Load support and discharge apparatus |
| GB2058730A (en) * | 1979-08-24 | 1981-04-15 | Corbett S S | Storing Wheeled Frames of Cargo Container Trailers |
| GB2112743A (en) * | 1982-01-07 | 1983-07-27 | Perrott L F | Trailer lifting attachment for a fork lift truck |
| GB2135962A (en) * | 1982-06-12 | 1984-09-12 | John Henry Abram | Box tipper |
| EP0113583A2 (en) * | 1982-12-27 | 1984-07-18 | Brudi Equipment, Inc. | Method and apparatus for handling container chassis |
| US4664576A (en) * | 1984-04-05 | 1987-05-12 | Coe Donald R | Apparatus and method for handling cargo container chassis |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE4242537A1 (en) * | 1992-12-16 | 1994-06-23 | Siegfried Riebsamen | Appliance for picking up and moving flat objects |
| US6206628B1 (en) * | 1997-07-03 | 2001-03-27 | Lumper Industries, Inc. | Pallet jack adapter |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB2240085B (en) | 1994-03-02 |
| GB9001278D0 (en) | 1990-03-21 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCNP | Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |
Effective date: 19950119 |