GB2287010A

GB2287010A - Livestock transportation vehicle

Info

Publication number: GB2287010A
Application number: GB9404228A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ifor Williams
Original assignee: Ifor Williams Trailers Ltd
Current assignee: Ifor Williams Trailers Ltd
Priority date: 1994-03-04
Filing date: 1994-03-04
Publication date: 1995-09-06
Anticipated expiration: 2014-03-04
Also published as: GB2287010B; GB9404228D0

Abstract

A vehicle for transporting livestock having improved loading means comprising a mounting means 6 for a ramp member 8 with said mounting means being pivotally mounted at a first end on the vehicle and having pivotally mounted at a second, opposite end - the normally outer end of said ramp member. With said ramp member in the lowered position of the mounting means it is displaceable between a lower loading position with the ramp member leading to the lower floor of the vehicle and an upper, inclined position with the ramp member leading via the intermediary of a displaceable bridging means 11 to an upper loading surface or deck of the vehicle. The mounting means has a smaller surface area than the ramp member since its primary function is that of providing a displaceable pivotable mounting means for the ramp member and is preferably in the form of framework. Preferably the ramp is displaceable upwards on release of catches by two springs a gas struts 10. <IMAGE>

Description

IMPROVED LIVESTOCK TRANSPORTATION VEHICLE The present invention relates to an improved loading and unloading ramp for a livestock transportation vehicle having at least two animal supporting floors or decks and especially to a livestock trailer having two decks and an improved loadingunloading ramp therefor.

It is known to load livestock onto the upper deck of a vehicle by means of a slidably and pivotally mounted interior ramp which can represent some 20-25% of the floor area and could be of a weight equivalent to four sheep (a minimum of 160 kilos). This arrangement requires two men and considerable strength.

Alternatively, the interior ramp can be lifted to the horizontal position and the remaining sheep lifted individually.

The unloading operation can be more traumatic because the sheep are inclined to jump off once the barrier has been removed. The larger breeds are so heavy that individual lowering is very difficult.

Dropping the ramp can be impossible unless assistance is available due to the heavy weight. Therefore the alternative is to lower a few individually so that the weight imposed on the ramp can be lightened in order that it can be dropped to its unloading position, i.e.

an angle of approximately 32".

There is also disclosed in GB Patent Specification 959925 of A.C. Penman Ltd. a primary ramp 4 forming the rear door and wall of the transporter and pivoted at one edge to lower deck 2. A secondary ramp 9 of lesser strength and dimension and surface area is pivotally mounted on first ramp 4 and must be strong enough to support animals and may be manually raised and supported via strut(s) 12 which has to be manually positioned. A third ramp 13 bridges with ramp 9 and a closure means 16 keeps animals on the upper deck. Tnis is a heavy and cumbersome arrangement and requiring manual operations to raise the ramp. Also, the primary ramp 4 forms the whole of the outer surface of the door and thus adds considerably to the weight.

According to the present invention there is provided a vehicle for transporting livestock having improved loading means comprising a mounting means for a ramp member with said mounting means being pivotally mounted at a first end on the vehicle and having pivotally mounted at a second, opposite end the normally outer end of said ramp member, and with said ramp member in the lowered position of the mounting means being displaceable between a lower loading position with the ramp member leading to the lower floor of the vehicle and an upper, inclined position with the ramp member leading via the intermediary of a displaceable bridging means to an upper loading surface or deck of the vehicle, characterised by the feature that the mounting means has a much smaller surface area than the ramp member since its primary function is that of providing a displaceable pivotable mounting means for the ramp member.

The ramp member together with the bridging means provides the whole or substantially the whole of the ramp surface on which the livestock walk and thus provides a relatively lightweight arrangement although such may be sectionalised or divided if required. The mounting means does not form part of the ramp except possibly in the region where it is pivotally connected to the trailer or ramp and/or where it might extend laterally of the ramp member in the manner of a frame or like member.

The mounting means may be a framework of any suitable outline, for example, in plan of I-, H-, V-, W-, X-shape but preferably is of rectangular shape. The mounting means is not to be restricted to any specific shape but rather it should not be a continuous door forming member as in Penman. The primary function of the mounting means is to provide a mounting for the ramp member which is spaced from the vehicle and to enable said mounting and ramp member to be pivoted upwardly above said first pivot of the mounting means with the vehicle to close the vehicle entrance opening. Whilst the mounting means may be pivotally mounted on the vehicle adjacent the lower deck, it is envisaged possible for it to be mounted higher up and preferably extend to either side of the ramp member and be pivotally connected therewith.

The bridging means is provided to bridge the gap between the raised free edge of the ramp member and the upper deck which is caused when the free edge of said member adjacent the edge of the lower deck is pivoted upwardly about the pivot at said second end. The bridging means may be mounted on said frame member or a telescopic part thereof or be separately providable but is preferably mounted on the vehicle and preferably pivotally mounted thereon and preferably in its raised position forms a livestock retaining barrier and is retained in position by suitable securing means.

Suitable barrier means will be provided for the lower floor or deck to retain livestock thereon and may, for example, comprise two pivotally mounted gates one either side of the vehicle so that the ramp member can be raised even with the bottom gate open.

Alternatively a single pivotal barrier with suitable securement means may be provided.

A ramp extension member may be provided at the free end of the ramp member to enable the ramp to be made longer and thus to enable the main ramp member to be substantially horizontal or to enable the incline of the ramp to be reduced for safety reasons. The ramp extension is preferably pivotally mounted on the second end of said mounting means.

It is intended that the present invention should also be of scope to cover a mounting means and ramp member per se as defined above and provided to adapt existing vehicles, such as trailers, by replacement of existing, simply pivotally mounted ramp members.

It is an important aspect of the present invention to provide an improved ramp arrangement for a livestock vehicle which is readily displaceable between the lower and upper loading floors of the vehicle and this is enabled by the provision of biassing means, such as hydraulic means or spring means or, preferably two pneumatic springs or gas struts, which act upon release of securing means, to displace the ramp member from its lower, loading position, upwardly to the upper loading position and preferably into automatic engagement with releasable retaining means there or there is provided a releasable closure prevention device which prevents the gas strut from closing.

It will be appreciated that there is only one primary or main ramp i.e. preferably only a single ramp and that such is constructed to be strong enough on its own to enable livestock to be loaded onto both decks.

The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is an end elevation of a livestock trailer in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention and with a ramp member mounted on mounting means being raised together therewith and closing the rear of the trailer; Fig. 2 is a schematic end elevation of the trailer of Fig. 1 illustrating the ramp member in the lowered position with the ramp leading to the lower deck and with the combined barrier and bridging member omitted; Fig. 3 is a schematic end elevation of the trailer of Fig. 1 illustrating the ramp member in its raised position leading towards the upper deck and illustrating the barrier-bridging member in its lowered position; ; Fig. 4 is a schematic side elevation illustrating the general disposition of Fig. 3 and showing the two positions of the barrier-bridging member with such slightly lifted off the top of the ramp member and showing upward biassing means or gas struts; Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the trailer and ramp member of Fig. 4; Figs. 6-8 are schematic partial side elevations of an alternative embodiment wherein the ramp member is suspended in two alternative positions (Figs 7 and 8) by means of claims or like suspension means; Fig. 9 is a partial side elevation of a trailer according to the invention but only illustrating an extension ramp part in the lowered position to facilitate loading; and Fig. 10 illustrates the arrangement of Fig. 9 moving to the closed position of the ramp member with the ramp extension part pivoting downwardly.

A livestock trailer is illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5 having wheels 2 a main housing 3 having a lower floor or deck 4 and an upper (middle) deck 5 for receiving livestock.

A mounting means 6 is provided by a rectangular frame of strong tubular steel pivotally mounted at a first end or side 7 on the rear end of deck 4 and having a ramp member 8 pivotally mounted at a second end or side 9. The member 8 in its lowered position and in the raised closing position of the trailer generally speaking lies within frame 6 and is securable there by suitable securing means (not shown). The ramp member 8 with frame 6 as the pivot mounting means and surround, also functions as the rear door of the trailer and thus this dual function of ramp and door provides a lightweight and simple arrangement.In the lowered operative position of the ramp member 8 it lies within the rectangular frame forming the mounting means 6 and flush with its upper surface and may be secured by a turn key or other device The ramp 8 is constructed from steel sections and aluminium extrusion and is strong enough to hold large beasts, preferably up to the weight of one ton.

There is only one ramp on this trailer, but it functions for both the lower and upper decks.

The ramp member 8 is biassed into its raised position out of frame 6 by suitable means such as by means of two gas struts 10 which will be balanced and pivotally mounted at each end and acting between frame 6 and member 8. The gas struts 10 have an arrester thereon of known type and may be such as sold by the company Stabilus of Koblenz of the Sachs group and such as sold under the trade mark "Lift-o-Mat". The arrester may be in the form of C-shaped clips on the piston rods 10', which hold the pistons in the extended position for loading via the ramp 8 and which are releasable to enable ramp member 8 to be lowered.

A bridging member 11 is provided pivotally mounted at the end of the upper deck 5 and also serves in its upwardly pivoted and secured position as a retention barrier for animals on the upper deck - as shown in broken line in Fig. 4.

The bridging member 11 is of simple but strong construction e.g. plyboard or aluminium extrusion, hinged to stay vertical as a barrier, or openable to rest on the inclined ramp member 8 as a bridging platform. When the ramp member 8 is raised because of its pivotal mounting, a gap between its free end and the deck 5 is created which has to be bridged by means such as bridging member 11.

A hingeable or pivotal extension member (not shown) may be mounted on the free end of door and ramp member 8 to provide for improved loading.

Operation of ramp to load/unload the upper deck 1. The operator stands on the ramp member 8 to weigh it down and then removes the retaining bolt/catch (not shown) 2. The operator steps off the ramp member 8 which will then lift up to the correct level and automatically engage the arrested device which stops the gas strut from closing. The biassing means in the form of the gas strut 10 or similar biassing device is important as it moves the ramp upwards quickly.

3. The operator walks up the ramp - undoes the barrier/bridging member 11 and drops it down to provide the bridge between the deck 5 and the ramp member 8.

Operation to close the door after loading or unloadincr 1. The operator walks up the ramp member 8 and lifts the bridge member 11 and engages a bolt (not shown) to hold it vertically and then walks off the ramp member 8.

2. The operator releases the device which prevents the gas strut from closing.

3. The operator then walks up the ramp member 8 in order to weigh down the ramp member and displace it into the frame 6 whereupon it is secured by bolts or other securing means (not shown). You are now ready to load the bottom or close the ramp.

4. If loading or unloading of the bottom deck 4 is not required, the door and ramp member 8 together with frame 6 is pivoted upwardly to close the rear of the trailer and is secured by securing means operating in known manner and not shown.

In Figs. 6 to 8 a similar arrangement as shown except that gas struts 10 are replaced by two claims or like which connect between an upper part of the trailer 1 and ramp member 8 pivotally mounted on frame 6. The points of connection of the two claims 12 with the member 8 are adjusted to adjust the position of member 8. Suitable bridging means (not shown) will be provided instead of chains, support struts may be manually or otherwise located to extend between the ground and the ramp member 8 or preferably between the frame 6 and the ramp member 8.

In Figs. 9 and 10 there is illustrated an extension member 13 for ramp member 8 and is pivotally mounted on frame 6 with the other significant features of the invention not being shown for simplicity.

The hingeable extension member 13 is a method of extending the ramp length which reduces the gradient and is a way of meeting the 20O requirements in the new EEC Regulations. The provision of biassing means reduces the need to lift heavy items which meets Health and Safety objectives.

The frame member 6, ramp member 8 and biassing means may be provided to adapt existing trailers or vehicles and suitable bridge means will be provided also.

The arrangement according to the invention enables all livestock to walk up onto the upper deck and thus there is no lifting of heavy weights. Also the incline is reduced due to the length of the ramp which is important due to the difficulty of loading some animals, especially pigs. Furthermore, loading or unloading can be completed much faster.

Claims

1. A vehicle for transporting livestock having improved loading means comprising a mounting means for a ramp member with said mounting means being pivotally mounted at a first end on the vehicle and having pivotally mounted at a second, opposite end the normally outer end of said ramp member, and with said ramp member in the lowered position of the mounting means being displaceable between a lower loading position with the ramp member leading to the lower floor of the vehicle and an upper, inclined position with the ramp member leading via the intermediary of a displaceable bridging means to an upper loading surface or deck of the vehicle, characterized by the feature that the mounting means has a smaller surface area than the ramp member since its primary function is that of providing a displaceable pivotable mounting means for the ramp member.

2. A vehicle as claimed in claim 1, in which the ramp member together with the bridging means provides the whole or substantially the whole of the ramp surface on which the livestock walk.

3. A vehicle as claimed in claim 1 or 2 in which the mounting means does not form part of the ramp except possibly in the region where it is pivotally connected to the trailer or ramp and/or where it might extend laterally of the ramp member in the manner of a frame or like member.

4. A vehicle as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, in which the mounting means is a framework of any suitable outline.

5. A vehicle as claimed in claim 4, in which the mounting means is a framework in plan of I-, H-, V-, W-, X-shape or of rectangular shape.

6. A vehicle as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5, in which the mounting means is pivotally mounted on the vehicle adjacent the lower deck, as mounted higher up and, preferably, extends to either side of the ramp member and is pivotally connected therewith.

7. A vehicle as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6 in which the bridging means is mounted on said frame or a telescopic part thereof or is separately providable.

8. A vehicle as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6, in which the bridging means is pivotally mounted on the vehicle.

9. A vehicle as claimed in claim 8, in which the bridging means in its raised position forms a livestock retaining barrier and is retainable in position by suitable securing means.

10. A vehicle as claimed in any of claims 1 to 9 in which suitable barrier means are provided for the lower floor or deck to retain livestock thereon.

11. A vehicle as claimed in claim 10, in which the barrier means comprises two pivotally mounted gates one either side of the vehicle such that the ramp member can be raised even with the bottom gate open.

12. A vehicle as claimed in any of claims 1 to 11, in which a ramp extension member is provided at the free end of the ramp member to enable the ramp to be made longer and thus to enable the main ramp member in its loading position to be substantially horizontal or to enable the incline of the ramp to be reduced for safety reasons.

13. A vehicle as claimed in claim 12, in which the ramp extension is pivotally mounted on the second end of said mounting means.

14. A vehicle as claimed in any of claims 1 to 13, in which the improved ramp arrangement is readily displaceable between the lower and upper loading floors of the vehicle and this is enabled by the provision of biassing means, such as hydraulic means or spring means or, preferably two pneumatic springs or gas struts, which act upon release of securing means, to displace the ramp member from its lower, loading position, upwardly to the upper loading position and preferably into automatic engagement with releasable retaining means there or there is provided a releasable closure prevention device which prevents the gas strut from closing.

15. A mounting means and ramp member per se as defined in any of claims 1 to 14 and as disclosed herein and provided to enable existing vehicles, such as trailers, to be adapted by replacement of existing, simply pivotally mounted ramp members.

16. A vehicle as claimed in any of claims 1 to 15, in which the mounting means is a rectangular frame and in which the ramp member is rectangular and extends at least over the whole area of the aperture defined by such rectangular frame.

17. A vehicle or improved ramp arrangement for a livestock vehicle, wherein the ramp arrangement is readily displaceable between the lower and upper loading floors of the vehicle and this is enabled by the provision of biassing means, such as hydraulic means or spring means or, preferably two pneumatic springs or gas struts, which act upon release of securing means, to displace the ramp member from its lower, loading position, upwardly to the upper loading position and preferably into automatic engagement with releasable retaining means there or there is provided a releasable closure prevention device which prevents the gas strut from closing.

18. A vehicle for transporting livestock substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.