GB2354757A

GB2354757A - Container releasably mounted on a trailer

Info

Publication number: GB2354757A
Application number: GB0022580A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Richard Clewer
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-09-14
Filing date: 2000-09-14
Publication date: 2001-04-04
Anticipated expiration: 2020-09-14
Also published as: GB9921735D0; GB0022580D0; GB2354757B

Abstract

A container 8 in particular for supplying water to a site is releasably mounted on a trailer T and has retractable legs for supporting it on the ground such that the trailer may be removed. The trailer has a saddle 5 which may be raised by a hydraulic unit to lift the container 8 from the ground whereupon the legs may be retracted for transport of the container 8. To deposit the container 8 on the ground, the legs are extended and the saddle 5 is lowered so that the legs support the container 8, the trailer T then being moved away.

Description

2354757 CONTAINER RELEASABLY MOUNTED ON A TRAILER THEREFOR The invention

relates to containers and in particular to containers used to supply to a local site large volumes of liquid, particularly water.

From time to time the domestic mains water supply fails and in such a case the water company has to deliver to residents a tanker supply of water. This is usually called a bowser and is brought on a trailer and parked for people to draw the water they require for their domestic or non-domestic (industrial) needs until the mains supply is restored. Such a bowser can hold anything up to 2000 litres. Usually the bowser mounted on an individual trailer and this can be left for some time at a particular site. VA-lile the liquid container is of little value, the trailer unit has economic worth and it is quite common in certain areas where crime is rife for the total item to be stolen and never recovered. There are mischievous people who will move a bowser on a trailer from one site to another giving the water company the problem of finding it again and/or making it easier to steal. Loss of the unit is a capital loss to the water company.

It is one object of this invention to provide a system by which the water company may honour its obligations to supply a tanker of water when required and yet not risk losing the trailer.

According to the invention in one aspect there is a provided a transportable bulk container releasably mounted on a trailer therefor, the container having legs means by 2 which it may be stood on a substrate at a location and at a height selected to provide sufficient clearance to allow the trailer to be removed therefrom and to leave the container in place.

Preferably the leg means are present on opposite sides of the container and are lifted off the ground for transport of the container.

Preferably the trailer comprises a platform and jacking means are present thereon between the platform and a seat for the container for raising the container to the selected height and to allow lowering of the legs. Preferably the jacking means is hydraulic and is motor driven using power from the battery of tractor means by which the trailer is moved.

The invention includes a method of transporting a bulk container as disclosed herein, the method comprising locating a trailer under the container, raising the seat to receive the container and lift its legs off the ground, moving the container on the trailer to its intended location, raising the container to the selected height, lowering the leg means to support the container, and lowering the seat and moving the trailer away.

In order that the invention may be well understood it will now be illustrated by the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the unit in the transport condition; 3 Figure 2 is a side elevation of the unit when the legs are being lowered; Figure 3 is a ftont elevation corresponding to Figure 2; Figure 4 is a ftont elevation once the legs have been fully lowered; Figure 5 is a front elevation showing the container on its legs, the trailer having been moved away for re-use; Figures 6A, 6B and 6C are respectively side elevation and two sectional views ofthelegs;and Figure 7 is a top plan view of another container of the invention without the bowser.

The apparatus comprises a trailer T in the form of a platform I having an axle with two wheels 2. An arm 3 projects forward ftom one end of the platform and ends in a catch 4 for releasable connection to a tractor unit, not shown. A container seat or saddle 5 is present on the platform above a jack device 6, typically a hydraulic unit. The seat has a curved top surface 7 to receive a cylindrical container, e.g. a bowser 8, and two side plates 9 are present to secure the container in position on the seat 6. Two sets of retractable legs 10 are present on opposite sides of the container. The legs may be moved ftorn an in-transport raised condition as shown in Figure I and to a lowered condition shown in Figures 4 and 5 when they stand on a substrate. As shown in 4 Figures 6A to 6C the legs comprise an outer tube 11 which is fixed and an inner telescopic tube 12. Cross holes 13 are present in the inner tube 12, and a keyhole 14 is present in the outer; when the holes are aligned a key 15 having cutouts 16 may extend across and through the aligned holes and to the condition shown in Figure 6C. When the weight of the container is exerted the key is locked in position.

When the water is required because a mains supply has failed the container 8 is loaded onto a trailer. In this condition the legs 10 are in the raised condition. The trailer T is then taken using tractor power to the intended site. The container 8 is raised using the power of the jack 6, whereupon the legs 10 are lowered and locked in position using the key 15. The jack 6 is then lowered so giving a clearance between the underside of the container and the trailer unit. The trailer T then pulled away for reuse or storage in a safe enclosure. The valuable trailer is thus not left for removal by thieves and is available for use for the maximum time.

Figure 7 shows another embodiment of container less the legs. It also shows the detail of one suspension plate 5 which acts as the saddle for the bowser 8. In front of the platform there is a bracket 3A by which the device is connected to a tractor. A pump unit 20 may be mounted on support arms of the bracket 3A for use in pumping water from the bowser 8.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments shown. The legs may be replaced by a frame or may be detachable and/or stowed in a different transport position from that shown. The jacking means may be a scissor action mechanical device, or may be activated by compressed air. The container typically will contain water or a pressurised gas or liquid, e.g. propane, oil for cooking or heating. It may also contain powders.

Claims

6 CLAIMS

1. A transportable bulk liquid container which is releasably mounted on a trailer therefor, leg means being present on the container for standing the container at a location and at a height selected to provide sufficient clearance for the trailer to be moved therefrom and to leave the container in place.

2. A container according to Claim 1, wherein the leg means are present on opposite sides of the container and are lifted off the ground for transport of the container.

3. A container according to Claim I or 2, wherein the trailer comprises a platform and jacking means are present thereon between the platform and a seat for the container for raising the container to the selected height and to allow lowering of the legs.

4. A container according to Claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the jacking means is hydraulic and is motor driven using power from the battery of tractor means by which the trailer is moved.

5. A method of transporting a bulk container according to Claim 3 or 4, the method comprising locating a trailer under the container, raising the seat to receive the container and lift its legs off the ground, moving the container on the trailer to its intended location, raising the container to the selected height, lowering the leg 7 means to support the container, and lowering the seat and moving the trailer away.