GB2385572A

GB2385572A - Variably damped movable stowage

Info

Publication number: GB2385572A
Application number: GB0204060A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Chisnall
Original assignee: AS Fire and Rescue Equipment Ltd
Current assignee: AS Fire and Rescue Equipment Ltd
Priority date: 2002-02-21
Filing date: 2002-02-21
Publication date: 2003-08-27
Anticipated expiration: 2022-02-21
Also published as: GB0204060D0; GB2385572B

Abstract

A vehicle has on its top a moveable stowage comprising a substantially flat rectangular stowage frame 10, adapted to slide on and allowing angular movement relative to, pivots 12, 13 on a base frame 26, to and from a substantially horizontal stowed position (not shown) and an inclined access position as shown. The angular movement of the stowage frame 10 being regulated by different forces exerted by the damper means 14 in different sectors of the arc of travel, thereby improving the speed, safety and ease of operation. Also comprising means (not shown) releasably securing the stowage frame in the stowed position and stop means (not shown) that hold the stowage frame 10 in the access position.

Description

This invention relates to the stowage of equipment such as ladders on the top of vehicles and in particular with a means by which these items can be conveniently loaded and unloaded in a controlled manner by an operator standing on the ground.

Utility companies commonly carry ladders and other equipment on top of their vehicles. Health and safety requirements now necessitate that these items be accessed from ground level. Existing systems designed to meet this requirement utilise various linear means applying a constant or constantly progressive damping force for controlling the movement during the transition from the horizontal stowed state to the near vertical access position. Such systems have the disadvantage of having to compromise with lower than required damping in areas requiring high damping and restrictions of easy movement where this is desired.

An object of this invention is to provide a roof top stowage that is operable from ground level and has variable damping within the range of angular movement of the stowed item the amount of damping being adjustable within segments of its range to suit the requirement.

According to this invention there is provided a moveable stowage on top of a vehicle comprising a stowage frame, means for releasably securing the stowage frame in the stowed position and stop means to hold the stowage frame in an access position, the stowage frame being adapted to slide and pivot from a substantially horizontal stowed position to a near vertical access position, and a damping means by which the pivotal movement is controlled, the said damping means being adjustable within segments of its range to vary the amount of damping for each segment.

Specific embodiments of this invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings of which :- Figure 1 is a view in perspective showing the stowage frame in the stowed position, the stowage being viewed from above at a location displaced to the right and to the rear of the stowage; Figure 2 is a view similar to figure 1 illustrating the stowage frame in the access position.

A vehicle such as a van used by the utility companies has on its top a moveable stowage for a ladder. A moveable stowage comprising a stowage frame 10, means (not shown) for releasably securing the stowage frame in the stowed position and stop means (not shown) to hold the stowage frame 10 in an access position. The stowage frame 10 being adapted to slide on pivots 12,13 from a stowed position (see fig. 1) to an access position as shown in fig. 2. A damper means 14 is connected by a bracket 15 to the stowage frame 10 so that the stowage frame 10 is able to slide across the bracket 15. The stowage frame 10 comprises a substantially flat rectangular structure wherein the longitudinal side members 16,17 incorporate guide means 18,19 by which the pivots 12,13 are connected to the stowage frame 10 so as to allow the movement of the pivots 12,13 along the guide means 18,19 whilst also allowing the stowage frame 10 angular movement relative to the pivots 12,13 about an axis substantially normal to the longitudinal side members 16,17. Within the guide means 18,19 stop means 20,21 restrict the movement of the pivots 12,13 along the guide means 18,19. The forward end of the stowage frame 10 has wheels 22,23 that run on the longitudinal guide means 24,25 which form part of the base frame 26 such as to allow the movement of the stowage frame 10 along the guide means 24,25 of the base frame 26 whilst also allowing the stowage frame 10 angular movement relative to the base frame. The longitudinal side members 16,17 incorporate guide means 27,28 by which bracket 15 connects the damper means 14 is connected to the stowage frame 10 allowing the movement of the damper bracket 15 along the guide means 26,27 whilst also allowing the stowage frame 10 angular movement relative to the bracket 15. Stop means (not shown) act on the bracket 15 to restrict the angular movement of the storage frame 10.

The configuration being such that when in the stowed condition the storage frame 10 is substantially horizontal with the rear end of the storage frame 10 supported by pivots 12,13 and the front end of the storage frame 10 being supported by its wheels 22,23 on the base frame 26. Upon release of the means for releasably securing the stowage frame in the stowed position (not shown) and the subsequent application of a rearward force to the

stowage frame 10, the guide means 18,19 on the stowage frame 10 slide rearwards across the pivots 12,13 and at the same time the wheels 22,23 on the stowage frame 10 roll along the guide means 24,25 in the base frame 26. When the centre of gravity of the stowage frame 10 passes over the pivots 12,13 the stowage frame 10 pivots about the pivots 12,13 until an access position approaching the vertical is reached as shown in figure 2.

During the angular movement of the stowage frame 10 it's motion is retarded by varying opposing forces exerted by the damper 14 in different sectors of the arc of travel. The forces from the damper 14 are transmitted to the stowage frame 10 by the bracket 15 which is free to move in the guide means 27,28 within the stowage frame 10. The angular movement of the stowage frame 10 is stopped by stop means (not shown) which act on the bracket 15 stopping it's angular movement. The transition from the access position as shown in fig 2 to the stowed position shown in figure 1 is the reverse of the above.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A moveable stowage on top of a vehicle comprising a stowage frame, means for releasably securing the stowage frame in the stowed position and stop means to hold the stowage frame in an access position, the stowage frame being adapted to slide on and rotate about at least one pivot assembly from a substantially horizontal stowed position to an angular access position, and at least one damper means connected to the stowage frame by which the angular movement of the stowage frame is regulated, the damper having different strengths of regulation within different segments of the angular movement of the stowage frame.
2. A moveable stowage assembly as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the damper means being variously adjustable for strengths of regulation for different segments of the angular movement of the stowage frame.
3. A moveable stowage assembly as claimed in Claims 1 or 2, wherein guide means are provided on the stowage frame co-operable with the damper connection to allow the sliding movement of the stowage frame on the damper connection.
4. A moveable stowage assembly as claimed in Claims 1 to 3, wherein guide means are provided on the stowage frame co-operable with the or each pivot assembly to control the sliding movement of the stowage frame on the or each pivot assembly.
5. A moveable stowage assembly as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 4, wherein stop means are provided on the stowage frame that co-operate with the or each pivot assembly for arresting the sliding movement of the stowage frame.

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6. A moveable stowage assembly as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 4, wherein stop means are provided that arrest the pivotal movement of the stowage frame about the or each pivot assembly thereby holding the stowage frame in the access position.
7. A moveable stowage substantially as described herein with reference to figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.