GB2334016A

GB2334016A - A load towing device

Info

Publication number: GB2334016A
Application number: GB9902583A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Steven Mather; Michael Fage
Original assignee: Mastermover International Ltd
Current assignee: Mastermover International Ltd
Priority date: 1998-02-06
Filing date: 1999-02-08
Publication date: 1999-08-11
Anticipated expiration: 2019-02-08
Also published as: GB9802466D0; GB2334016B; GB9902583D0

Abstract

A device for towing a load (2) comprises a base (12), a drive unit (18) mounted on the base and a wheel (14) mounted for rotation on a first end portion of the base and drivable by the drive unit. A coupling (30) is also mounted at the first end portion of the base (12). The coupling comprises a catch (31) adapted to engage the load, the catch (31) comprising a recess (35, Figure 3) for receiving part of the load and a catch member (32, Figure 3) which is normally biased into a locking position at the mouth of the recess. The device also includes castors (16) mounted for rotation on a second end portion of the base (12). In use, when the device is arranged such that the coupling engages the load, the base (12) tilts such that the castors (16) are lifted from the ground and the weight of the load is transferred onto the wheel (14). Preferably the catch member is spring loaded and has an angled leading edge (33, Figure 3) and a vertical trailing edge (34, Figure 3), and the catch has an abutment surface (36, Figure 3), and the recess (35, Figure 3) is formed between the vertical edge of the catch member and the abutment surface. Preferably the recess is shaped so as to allow a tubular chassis section of the load to enter the recess by depressing the catch member, and to then be secured in the recess by the catch member. The catch member may be depressed by operation of a remote switch 22, and the catch may be mounted to rotate about a vertical axis. A train of trolleys to be pulled by the device is also described (Figure 4).

Description

A DEVICE FOR ThANSPORTING A LOAD The present invention relates to a device for transporting a load and in particular to a device for transporting a trolley such as a roll pallet or roll cage.

Although the device of the present invention is suitable for transporting a variety of loads, it will be described in relation to a load in the form of a trolley, as it is particularly suitable for transporting such loads.

It is known to transport loads using trolleys, particularly for moving goods from warehouses to supermarket shelves for example Conventional trolleys comprise a base fitted with two wheels at a rear portion and two castors at the front portion. The trolleys include a hollow steel section chassis onto which a three-sided basket is mounted.

It is known to transport loads using a device as described in UK Patent Application No. GB 2279934 A, which comprises a base, drive means mounted on the base; a steerable wheel mounted for rotation on the first end portion of the base, the steerable wheel being drivable by the drive means; a pair of wheels mounted for rotation on the second end portion of the base; lifting means mounted generally at the first end portion of the base comprising a coupling which is movable in a generally vertical plane and is adapted to engage and bear a load. The device is constructed so that in use, when the coupling is bearing the load, the pair of wheels are lifted from the ground. The present invention seeks to provide a simple device for transporting a load such as a trolley which does not require provision of lifting means.

According to the invention there is provided apparatus for transporting a load, the apparatus including: a base; drive means mounted on the base; first means mounted for rotation on a first end portion of the base, the first means being drivable by the drive means; a coupling mounted generally at the first end portion of the base, comprising catch means adapted to engage the load, the catch means comprising a recess for receiving part of the load and a catch member which is normally biased into a locking position at the mouth of the recess; and second means mounted for rotation on a second end portion of the base; wherein the device is arranged so that in use, when the coupling engages the load, the base tilts such that the second rotatable means is lifted from the ground and load is transferred onto the first rotatable means.

Preferably the catch means includes a spring loaded catch member having an angled leading edge and a substantially vertical trailing edge, in use.

The catch means may further include an abutment surface such that the recess is defined between the abutment surface and the substantially vertical trailing edge of the catch member. Preferably the recess is adapted to receive a tubular chassis section of a load, the spring loaded catch member being depressable against its bias to allow the chassis section to enter the recess, and the spring loaded catch member in its locking position retaining the chassis member in the recess. Preferably the catch member may be depressed against its bias by operation of a remote switch, to move the catch member out of its locking position.

Preferably the second rotatable means comprises castors which have a fixed position.

Another aspect of the invention provides linkage means to link two or more trolleys together in a train.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic side view of a device in engagement with a load; Figure 2 is a schematic side view of the device showing the movement of the coupling and second wheels in use; Figure 3 shows a preferred catch means of the coupling of the device; and Figure 4 shows a trolley train fastened together with chain links.

A device for transporting a load is generally designated 10 and is hereafter referred to as a tractor. The tractor 10 comprises a wheel base 12, to which a large wheel 14 is mounted for rotation at a first end portion of the base 12, and a pair of smaller stabilising castors 16 (only one of which is visible in the drawings) are mounted for rotation at a second rear end portion of the base 12. The tractor 10 also comprises a drive means 18 which is operable under the control of an operator to drive the large first wheel 14 via gear means (not shown).

The drive means 18 can be in the form of an electrical drive unit.

The control of the tractor 10 by an operator is effected by a control means 20 which is operable to permit an operator to control the drive means 18 and move the wheel 14 to steer the tractor 10.

As shown, the device further comprises a coupling 30 mounted at the first end portion of the base. The coupling is pivoted above the wheel 14 to provide an articulation between the tractor 10 and the load 2 in use.

As shown, the coupling 30 comprises catch means 31 which allows the coupling to be releasably engaged with a tubular chassis section 3 of a load in the form of a trolley 2. The catch means 3 1 is arranged to releasably engage a piece of a tubular section 3 between a front two castors 3a of the trolley. As shown, the catch means includes a sprung loaded catch member 32 having an angled leading edge 33 and a vertical trailing edge 34. Immediately behind the catch member 32 is a recess 3 having an abutment surface 36. In use, the coupling 30 is pushed into engagement with the tubular section 3 of the trolley chassis. This depresses the sprung catch member 32 until the tubular section 3 passes the vertical trailing edge 34 of the catch member. The catch member is then urged to spring up under the resilient bias and thereby locks the tubular section in engagement in the recess 35.

Preferably, the catch member 31 can be released by operating a lever 22 on the control means 20 so that the tubular section of the trolley can be uncoupled, that is, released from the recess.

To prevent lateral movement of the coupling, the coupling is made as wide as possible to fit between the front castors 3a of the trolley. To further improve the stability of the coupling, the abutment surface 36 preferably extends past the trailing edge of the catch. This configuration ensures that the tubular section of the trolley is surrounded by the catch means and is securely engaged by the coupling 30.

The position of the castors 16 is fixed. In use, the base 12 is tilted forward to engage the coupling 30 with the tubular section 3 of the trolley and this action lifts the castors 16 from the ground. In this position the coupling 30 serves to lever the trolley off the ground by the weight of the tractor and thereby transfers some of the trolley weight or load onto the wheel 14. The wheel l can then be driven by operation of the drive means 18 to transport the trolley as required.

It will be appreciated that the pair of castors could be replaced by a single castor for example.

An advantage of the invention is that the device can be used to transport conventional trolleys without modification of the trolleys. However, it will be appreciated that any load container may be provided with means suitable for engagement with the coupling of the device.

The linkage means comprises a plurality of chains o0 each having a releasable fastener (not shown) at both ends. As shown in Figure 4 the fasteners can be fastened to members of the trolley baskets, in order to construct a trolley train which can be manoeuvred around corners without the last trolley in the train cutting the corner.

The fasteners are preferably in the form of a releasable clip.

Various other modifications may be made without departing from the invention.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Apparatus for transporting a load, the apparatus including: a base; drive means mounted on the base; first means mounted for rotation on a first end portion of the base, the first means being drivable by the drive means; a coupling mounted generally at the first end portion of the base, comprising catch means adapted to engage the load, the catch means comprising a recess for receiving part of the load and a catch member which is normally biased into a locking position at the mouth of the recess; and second means mounted for rotation on a second end portion of the base; wherein the device is arranged so that in use, when the coupling engages the load, the base tilts such that the second rotatable means is lifted from the ground and load is transferred onto the first rotatable means.
2. Apparatus according to claim I wherein the catch means includes a spring loaded catch member having an angled leading edge and a substantially vertical trailing edge, in use.
3. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the catch means further includes an abutment surface and the recess is defined between the abutment surface and the substantially vertical trailing edge of the catch member.
4. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the recess is adapted to receive a tubular chassis section of a load, the spring loaded catch member being depressable against its bias to allow the chassis section to enter the recess, and the spring loaded catch member in its locking position retaining the chassis member in the recess.
Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the catch member may be depressed against its bias by operation of a remote switch, to move the catch member out of its locking position.
6. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the second rotatable means comprises castors which have a fixed position.
7. Apparatus substantially as described herein with reference to the drawings.
8. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed herein, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims