GB2352216A - Demountable load carrying and lifting system for motor vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

A demountable lifting and lowering system attached to tow bar 4 comprises a rail 5, with carrier 10, that can be mechanically raised or lowered in order to carry various receptacles, containers or other load carrying attachments. All attachments would be provided with standard housings 26 and 27, to engage with hook plates 9 and 10. Safety latch 17, is provided to secure the load when raised and in transport. After use the system is removed to allow the tow-bar to be utilised for other purposes.

Description

1 2352216 "DEMOUNTABLE LOAD CARRYING AND LIEnNG SYSEEM FOR MOTOR VEHICLES

This invention is concerned with the problems of transporting waste materials and other items on motor vehicles There are various methods of carrying objects on motor vehicles most of which present problems e.g.

i). Transporting waste material in the boot of a vehicle causes problems with contamination and damage to the interior, ii). Use of a roof rack is liable to overloading or of unsafe attachment of the load.

iii). Trailers, although an ideal solution, are not suitable for persons with a limited amount of storage space, also maintenance is a factor.

Iiii). All the above methods have added difficulty for people with limited strength or disabilities.

These problems have been met by providing a light weight, load lifting and transporting system that can be easily attached to and removed from the vehicle.

Another aspect of the invention is that it can be easily stored in a limited space and requires little maintenance.

For the storage and transport of domestic waste a number of containers of different colours; may be used for the various types of waste materials such as glass, cardboard, garden waste etc.

The device may be fitted with a number of differing attachments depending on the type of load to be transported, some examples are: - i) A container furnished with drawers or compartments could be used by service engineers or tradesmen for carrying tools, spare parts and equipment from one location to another.

11) An attachment for carrying bicycles or tricycles, iii) An attachment with a fixed or folding platform for carrying boxes, bags, cases etc.

iv) A thermally insulated container for the transport of frozen foods or other perishable goods would be useful for catering outlets. A further embodiment could be fitted with a small reffigeration unit, that could be operated from the vehicle's power supply.

v) Another alternative could be a Wire frame type of trolley fitted with castors for use at retail stores for collecting groceries etc. this would then be wheeled out for loading onto the vehicle, thereby eliminating the need to transfer the goods to and from the vehicle.

vi) The above variations are by no means exhaustive as other types of attachment could be constructed for carrying specific types of loads, such as special attachments designed to carry sporting equipment such as golf trolleys, or fishing equipment.

DESCRIP-MA The invention will be further described by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings wherein- - I 2 Figure I depicts three views of the lifting mechanism and mounting plate.

Figure 2 depicts one possible configuration of wheeled container.

Figure 3 is a side view of the mounting plate attached to the vehicle with lifting mechanism shown ready for fitting.

Figure 4 is a side view of the mounting plate affixed to the vehicle with lifting mechanism shown fitted.

Figure 5 is a side view as in fig 4 with a wheeled container in place ready for raising.

Figure 6 is a side view as in fig 5 with a wheeled container raised and locked in place ready for transporting.

Figure 7 depicts an alternative design of container fitted with drawers or separate compartments.

Figure 8 illustrates one possible configuration of an attachment for carrying bicycles.

Figure 9 illustrates one possible configuration of an attachment with a platform for transporting loads that are too bulky for containers, such as suitcases, boxes, bags etc.

Figure 10 shows one type of thermally insulated container for transporting frozen foods or other perishable items.

Figure I I depicts a wire mesh trolley suitable for use in supermarkets.

Figure 12 is a detail view of a safety retaining latch mechanism.

Referring now to figure 1, a mounting plate 1, is provided with tubular sockets 2, and holes suitably spaced to enable it to be bolted between a standard towball 3, and its mounting bracket 4.

A vertical rail 5, is provided with dowels 6, on webs 7, to locate in the sockets 2. The lower end of the rail 5, has a tubular housing 8, to engage the ball 3, and a downward facing hooked plate 9. A similar upward facing hooked plate 10, is attached to a carrier 11, that is free to slide along the rail 5.

A lever 13, with handgrip 16, is free to rotate about the pivot 12, at the lower end of the rail 5. A chain or cable 14, is attached to the lever 13, and passes over the sprocket or pulley 15, to the carrier 11. The length of the said lever is designed to]limit the weight that can be lifted in order to prevent overloading of the system. Alternatively, a load controller such as a slipping clutch or torque limiting device could be fitted to the system to provide a similar function.

A retaining latch 17, and a release lever 18, is located at the upper end of the rail 5. A slot 19, is provided at the top of the carrier 11, to engage with the latch 17. A sprung catch 20, is provided to retain the lever in the rest position.

3 Figure 2 illustrates one possible type of receptacle consisting of a moulded plastic container 22, with removable or hinged cover 23, and moulded handles 25. The unit is also furnished with moulded plastic wheels 24, and a steadying foot 28. Upper and lower housings 26 and 27, are provided to accept the upper and lower hooked plates 9, & 10 (see figure I).

In figure 3 the lifting unit is shown positioned prior to fitting to the mounting plate 1. It will be seen that when the dowels 6 are located in the sockets 2, the ball 3, will engage with housing 8, thus allowing the tow-ball 3, to carry the load.

Figure 4 shows a wheeled container 22 adjacent to a lifting unit that has been located on the vehicle.

Figure 5 shows the container 22, in position prior to raising. Note that the upper housing 26, on the container 22, is positioned over the hooked platelO, so that when the lever 13, is pulled the carrier is lifted, and the hook 10, engages with the upper housing 26, and raises the container 22.

In figure 6, the container 22, has been raised. It will be seen that the lower housing 27, has engaged with the downward facing hooked plate 9, thus preventing the load from moving when in transport. The load is prevented from dropping by the safety retaining latch 17, being locked into the slot in the carrier 11. When the container 22, has been raised and locked into position the lever 13, is returned to its rest position and retained in place by the catch 20, locking over the peg 2 1, on the lever 13.

Figure 7 shows another embodiment in which the container 28, is furnished with a plurality of drawers or compartments 29, the container is also fitted with lockable doors 30, to retain the drawers when the unit is in transport. The unit is provided with handles 25, and a castor 3 1, to enable the container to be easily manoeuvered when in use.

Figure 8 is an example of an attachment for carrying bicycles. The upper and lower housings 26 & 27, are fixed to the frame 33, which is attached to the hooked bars 32. In use the cycle or cycles are placed over the bars and retained by straps or bungees.

The attachment in figure 9, is for carrying boxes, bags, cases etc. The housings 26 & 27, are fixed to the 'A' frame 34. The base of the 'A' frame 34, carries a plate 35, hinged about pivot 36, this allows the plate to be folded flat against the frame for ease of storage when not in use.

Figure 10 depicts a thermally insulated container. The space between the twin walls of container 37, and cover 38, are filled with an insulating material 39. Handles 25, and castor 3 1, are provided to enable the container to be easily manoeuvered when in use.

The shopping trolley shown in figure 11, is constructed of wire mesh similar to those used in supermarkets. The trolley 40, is fitted with two wheels 24, and two castors 4 1, at the front for stability and ease of steering, and a crossbar type handle 42. A container 43, is provided for the smaller items that may fall through the mesh of the A 4 trolley. A hinged or removable cover may be fitted to prevent items being shaken out of the trolley. A waterproof liner may be fitted to prevent contamination of goods in wet weather. The upper and lower housings 26 & 27, are fitted in a similar manner to previous examples.

Figure 12 is a detail of the safety retaining latch mechanism. A-rrn 17, with release lever 18, has a latch 46, with upwardly projecting tongue 47, is pivoted at 44. The carrier 11, has slot 19, placed to engage over latch 46. The upper face 48, of the slot 19, rests on the upper face of the latch 46. The tongue 47, prevents inadvertent release of the latch 46, as the load has to be partially raised before the lever 18, can be moved. For greater safety and also for the secunity of valuable items, a means for locking the release lever With a padlock or other device could be provided.

A CLAM 1. A demountable mechanical lifting system engageable with the tow-bar of a vehicle. Said system comprising means for engagement with the tow-bar and means of interengagernent with a receptacle or accessory, and a lifting means cooperable between said means for engagement and said receptacle or accessory to raise and lower the receptacle or accessory relative to the vehicle.

2. A lifting system as claimed in claim I engageable to the vehicle by means of a bracket or other means.

3. A lifting system as claimed in claim I wherein the lifting means is manually operated by the use of chains, cables, levers or screw devices etc.

4. A lifting system as claimed in claim I in which the lifting means is by electrical, hydraulic or pneumatic means.

5. A container or receptacle provided with means to engage with said system as in claim 1.

6. A colour coded container or receptacle as in claim 5 7. A moulded plastics container or receptacle with moulded forms to engage with said system as in claim 1.

8. A container as claimed in claims 5,6 or 7 where the container or receptacle is furnished with wheels or rollers, 9. A container or receptacle as in claims 5, 6, 7 or 8 provided with a lid or cover.

10. A container or receptacle as in claims 5, 6, 7 or 8 provided with drawers or compartments for storage.

11. A container or receptacle as in claims 5, 6, 7 or 8 provided with thermal insulation for transporting perishable items.

12, A container or receptacle as in claim I I provided with a refrigeration unit powered by its own batteries or from the vehicle's electrical supply.

13. An accessory to engage with said system as in claim I for carrying bicycles or tricycles.

14. An accessory to engage with said system as in claim 1, for carrying sporting or recreational equipment.

15. An accessory to engage with said system as in claim I fitted with a fixed or hinged platform for carrying boxes, bags, cases etc.

16. A wheeled wire mesh receptacle or trolley to engage with said system as in claim 1, for collecting and transporting goods such as groceries or other items.

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