GB2387832A

GB2387832A - Vehicle mounted lifting mechanism

Info

Publication number: GB2387832A
Application number: GB0309630A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David W Upton
Original assignee: NIKO Ltd
Current assignee: NIKO Ltd
Priority date: 2002-04-26
Filing date: 2003-04-28
Publication date: 2003-10-29
Also published as: GB0209638D0

Abstract

A lifting apparatus (10) for a vehicle comprising a lifting means (20) supported on guide means (12) and movable longitudinally with respect to said guide means (12), said guide means (12) being adapted to fit to a load area of the vehicle, wherein said lifting means (20), in use, are movable laterally with respect to said guide means (12) such that said lifting means (20) are positionable outboard of said guide means (12) as shown. The apparatus may be moved by a motor 30 moving a bridge 14 along th guide rails 12, a motor 44 moving a cantilevered beam 18 relative to the bridge 14 and a motor 44 moving a traveller 16. The drive may be a chain mounted in the rails 14. The lifting gear may be a winch 20 and the articles moved may be beer and like barrels and kegs.

Description

1 2387832

P706857GB

Vehicle Mounted Lifting Mechanism The present invention relates to vehicle mounted lifting apparatus and in particular to a lifting apparatus fitted to a delivery vehicle such as lorry or a truck.

It is known to utilise vehicles such as trucks and lorries in the delivery of goods to businesses. One example is the use of specially adapted dray vehicles to deliver various beverages to licensed premises. Typically such dray vehicles are provided with a curtain sided load bed which is configured to transport beverages contained in barrels 10 and crates. It is common for the aforementioned barrels and crates to be lifted manually from the load bed, however this may lead to injury if not undertaken correctly. A1SO7 the manual loading and unloading of the load bed can be noisy and thus be annoying to persons living or working near a licensed premises when a delivery is being made.

15 According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a lifting apparatus comprising a lifting means supported on guide means and movable longitudinally with respect to said guide means, said guide means being adapted to fit to the load area of a vehicle, wherein said lifting means, in use, are movable laterally with respect to said guide means such that said lifting means are positionable outboard of said guide means.

The present invention thus provides a lifting apparatus having a lifting means movable along two mutually perpendicular axes, the lifting means being both able to operate over the load area and laterally to either side of the load area.

25 The guide means may comprise at least one rail. In a preferred embodiment the guide means may comprise two rails positioned on opposing sides of the load area. The rails may comprise "C" profile track of the type known and utilised in the provision of known materials lifting and handling apparatus. Such track is typically manufactured from cold rolled steel and zinc plated for corrosion resistance. Alternatively the track 30 of the rails may be manufactured from aluminium alloy.

The lifting means are preferably supported on a bridge which spans and is slidable on said rails. Me bridge may by motorised or alternatively movably manually. In the case where the bridge is motorised a motor may be mounted on the bridge. In such an

embodiment the motor may be provided with a drive sprocket which is engaged with a chain. The chain may extend through, and be fixed within, a rail of the guide means.

In a preferred embodiment the lifting means are provided on a member or traveller 5 movable relative to the bridge so as, in use, enable the lifting means to be moved outboard of the rails. The traveller may be movable by the provision of a motor provided thereon. The motor may be provided with a drive sprocket which is engaged with a chain.

10 The lifting means are preferably movable on said traveller. In such an embodiment the traveller may be provided with a cantilever upon which the lifting means are movably supported. The cantilever may comprise a length of "C" profile track. The lifting means may comprise, for example, an electrically operable winch or hoist, a claw or grasping mechanism, a vacuum lifting mechanism or the like. The hoist may be 15 movable on said track by the provision of a motor positioned on said traveller. The motor may be provided with a drive sprocket which is engaged with a chain.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a vehicle having a load bed and a lifting apparatus positioned over said load bed, said lifting apparatus 20 comprising a lifting means supported on guide means and movable longitudinally with respect to said guide means, wherein said lifting means, in use, are movable laterally with respect to said guide means such that said lifting means are positionable outboard of said guide means.

25 The term vehicle used above refers to a lorry, truck or the like having a load bed upon which items may be supported for transport. The load bed may be open or partially enclosed having, for example, curtain sides and a rear door. In the case where the load bed is open the guide means may be provided on a structure supported on the load bed.

Where the load bed is partially enclosed the guide means maybe provided on a support 30 structure as described above or, alternatively, may be fixed or otherwise incorporated into the structure of the partial enclosure. It will be understood that the lifting apparatus of the present invention may be fitted to the load bed of a vehicle during initial construction thereof or, alternatively, retrofitted to an existing vehicle. Features of the lifting apparatus described above in relation to the first aspect are equally applicable to 3 S the apparatus of the second aspect.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a lifting apparatus comprising a lifting means supported on guide means and movable longitudinally with

respect to said guide means, said guide means being adapted to fit to the load area of a vehicle, wherein said guide means are extensible beyond said load area.

In a preferred embodiment said guide means are extensible rearvvardly of said load area.

5 The guide means may comprise at least one rail. In a preferred embodiment the guide means may comprise two rails positionable on opposing sides of the load area. The rails may comprise "C" profile track of the type known and utilised in the provision of known materials lifting and handling apparatus. Such track is typically manufactured from cold rolled steel and zinc plated for corrosion resistance. Alternatively, the track 10 of the rails may be manufactured from aluminiurn alloy.

The rails may be extensible by the provision of extension jibs. Said jibs may comprise a length of "C" profile track of the type utilised for the rails. The jibs may be movable between a deployed position whereupon each jib is aligned in a longitudinal direction 15 with a rail, and a storage position whereupon each jib is substantially perpendicular to its associated rail.

It will be appreciated that the extensible guide means feature of the third aspect may be incorporated into the lifting apparatus of the first or second aspects. Such an adaptation 20 would thereby provide a lifting apparatus having a lifting means movable along two mutually perpendicular axes, the lifting means being able to operate over the load area, laterally to either side of the load area, and rearwardly of the load area.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the 25 accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a lifting apparatus in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 shows a partial end view of the apparatus of figure 1, 30 Figures 3a to 3c show simplified a side views of the bridge, traveller and hoist of the apparatus of figures 1 and 2 and Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a an apparatus having pivotable jib arms.

Referring firstly to figures 1 and 2 there is shown a lifting apparatus generally 35 designated 10. The apparatus 10 comprises a pair of rails 12 having a bridge 14 provided therebetween. Mounted on the bridge 14 is a movable traveller 16 which in turn carries a jib or cantilever 18. A winch unit 20 is movably provided on the cantilever 1 8.

The rails 12 are adapted to, in use, fit to the upper region of a vehicle load bed such that they extend longitudinally on either side thereof. The rails 12 may be incorporated into the structure of the load bed or, alternatively, may be supported on separate legs (not S shown). The provision of separate legs is typically utilised where the lifting apparatus 10 is retrofitted to an existing vehicle. The rails 12 are of a hollow box-section having an open slot 13 in one wall thereof In the embodiment shown the rails 12 are manufactured from a product known in the art as "C" profile track which is manufactured from cold rolled steel and is typically zinc plated so as to resist corrosion.

The bridge 14 comprises two lengths of "C" profile track 22 spaced by a plate fixed there between. The bridge 14 is located to the rails 12 by the provision of wheeled assemblies or carriages 24 which are adapted to run inside the "C" profile track. The carriages 24 comprise a body having mounted thereon a number of wheels 26 which 15 may be manufactured from metal or a plastics material such as nylon. In use, a portion of the carriage body extends through the rail slot 13 thereby enabling the carriage to be connected to the profile track 22 of the bridge.

In use, the bridge 14 is movable along the rails 12 as indicated by arrow 28. Movement 20 of the bridge 14 is effected by the provision of a motor 30 mounted thereon. The motor may be of any appropriate type such as, for example, a 24 volt DC motor. The motor 30 is provided with a drive sprocket which is engaged with a chain provided within the rail 12. The chain is fixed at opposing ends of the rail and is provided with tensioning means. Operation of the motor 30 causes rotation of the drive sprocket which in turn 25 co-operates with the chain to move the bridge 24. In the embodiment shown the bridge 14 is provided with a single drive motor 30 which co-operates with a chain provided in one of the rails 12. It will be understood that other drive configurations may be provided. For example the bridge may be provided with a second drive motor which cooperates with a chain mounted in the other of the rails 12. Alternatively the motor 30 may be arranged such that it can communicate drive to a sprocket mounted on the opposite side of the bridge 14 and co-operable with a chain provided in the other of the rails 12. In such an embodiment a drive shaft may be provided which traverses the bridge 14.

35 Operation of the motor 30 may be accomplished by any appropriate means. In the embodiment shown a pendant-type switch unit 32 is provided. In alternative embodiments remote infrared or wireless radio control may be utilised.

The traveller 16 comprises a pair of wheeled carriages 34, which are fitted to the "C" track sections 22 of the bridge 14, and a body 36 upon which is supported the cantilever 18. A drive motor 38 is provided on the traveller 16, which motor 38 is operable to move the traveller 1 6 relative to the bridge 14 as indicated by arrow 40. The motor 38 5 may utilise a sprocket and chain arrangement as described above or alternatively may utilise a friction drive arrangement. A second pendant switch unit 42 is provided to control operation of the kaveller motor 38.

As described above the cantilever 18 is supported on the traveler body 36. The 10 cantilever 18 may be positioned such that it can project from either side of the body 36 as shown in figure 1. It will thus be appreciated that the cantilever 18 may be positioned such that it extends outwardly from the rails 12. The cantilever 18 is formed form a length of "C" profile track having dimensions substantially the same as those Lack sections 22 forming the bridge 14.

The winch unit 20 may comprise an electrically operable chain hoist. The chain hoist may be of the 24 volt type having a lift rating of 12 meters per minute and a safe working load (SWL) of 150 kilograms. The winch unit 20 is movable on the cantilever 18, as indicated by arrow 46, by the provision of a further drive motor 44 mounted on 20 the traveller 16. The winch unit 20 may be movable by the provision of a continuous chain loop provided in the cantilever 18. In such an embodiment the winch unit 20 is entrained in the chain loop which is movable by virtue of its interaction with a drive member of the motor 44. In the embodiment shown both the traveller and hoist movement motors 3 8, 44 are operable using the same pendent switch unit 42.

Movement of the cantilever 18 and hoist 20 will now be described with reference to figures 3a to 3c of the accompanying drawings. Figure 3a shows both the traveller 16 and hoist 20 cenked with respect to the bridge 14. Movement of the hoist 20 on the cantilever 18 (figure 3b) is effected by the motor 44 as described above. This 30 movement of the hoist 20, coupled with the available fore and aft movement of the bridge 14 on the rails 12, enables the hoist to be positioned at any desired position with respect to the vehicle load bed. The hoist 20 can thus be used to move items within the confines of the load area. Should the hoist 20 need to be moved outside of the load bed, for example to unload items therefrom, the traveller 16 is movable relative to the 35 bridge 14 as indicated in figure 3c.

It will be understood that movement of the traveller 16 and hoist 20, via their respective motors 38,44, may be controlled by a single control unit 42. A command to, say, move

the hoist 20 to the left results in the hoist 20 being moved on the cantilever 18 until it reaches the end thereof. Once the hoist 20 reaches the end of the cantilever 18, it contacts a limit switch mechanism which disengages power form the hoist movement motor 44 and energises the traveller movement motor 3 8.

s In use, the apparatus 10 may be utilised to both load and unload goods from the load bed of the vehicle to which it is fitted. It will be appreciated that the fully traversable nature of the winch unit 20, which is to say that it's ability to be displaced outboard of either side of the vehicle, ensures that goods can be load and/or unloaded from the most 10 convenient or safest side of the vehicle in a given situation. In most cases it is expected that this will correspond to the near side (kerb side) of the vehicle The provision of chain drive means for the bridge 14, traveller 16 and hoist 20 ensures that operation of the apparatus is not affected by the gradient upon which the vehicle is parked.

15 A further advantage of the present invention is the modular nature of the comprising the apparatus. The "C" profile track can be cut to any required length and the wheeled carriages chosen from a selection of readily available sizes and strengths. The "C" profile track also allows the user a selection of different ways with which to support the rails 12 in the vehicle.

Another advantage of the present invention is the relatively low profile and compact nature of the bridge 14 and the rails 12. It will be appreciated that the lengths of profile track 22 forming the bridge 14 are positioned at substantially the same level as the rails 12 such that they neither project above nor below the rails 12. The separation of the 25 profile tracks 22 creates a space therebetween into which the cantilever drive motor 44 may be sited. Advantageously the bridge drive motor 30 may also be situated between the profile tracks 22 thereby minimising the overall space envelope occupied by the apparatus 10. The apparatus 10, excluding the lifting mechanism or hoist 20, preferably occupies a space envelope having a depth of approximately 300 mm.

While the aforementioned apparatus 10 has been described with reference to the use of pendant controller or switch unit 32 and the use of limit switches triggered by movement of the bridge and cantilever, it will be appreciated that different control systems may be utilised to operate the apparatus 10. For example the apparatus may be 35 operable by the use of one or more Programmable Logic Controllers or PLC's. In one embodiment the apparatus may be provided with a Mother PLC and two Slave PLC's in such an embodiment the Mother PLC may be situated on the bridge 14 and operable to control fore and aft movement of the bridge 14 on the rails 12 and to provide power for

the other apparatus functions. A first slave PLC may be situated on the traveller 16 and operable to control lateral movement of the traveller 16 relative to the bridge 14 and further to control movement of the lifting device or winch 20 on the cantilever 20.

Finally a second slave PLC may be provided on the lifting device to facilitate the 5 operation thereof. The PLC's may be interconnected by respective two way data highways conforming to RS 485 specifications.

In using PLC's it will be appreciated that numerous automatic functions and operative modes may be incorporated into the apparatus 10. For example, the apparatus may be 10 provided with an automatic parking function whereby the bridge 14, for example, may be moved to a parked position at one end of the rails 12 upon receipt of a parking command to the Mother PLC. In yet a further example the PLC's may initiate the automatic operation of warning sirens and or warning lights when the apparatus lO is moved into certain positions. An example of such a position would be when the 15 cantilever 20 and lifting mechanism are outboard of the rails 12. Encoder control of the motors by the PLC's may optionally eliminate the need for limit switches to be provided on the rails 12, bridge 14 and/or cantilever 20. PLCs may additionally be provided with data-logging facilities so as to be able to record how the apparatus has been used for later retrieval.

Referring now to figure 4 there is shown an alternative embodiment of a lifting apparatus according to the present invention generally designated 50. Components common the aforementioned embodiment are identified with like numerals. The apparatus 50 is configured to fit to the load area of a truck or lorry having rigid sides 25 and which is open to the rear. Such an opening may be closable by any appropriate means such as, for example, doors or a roller shutter. The apparatus comprises a pair of rails 12 having slidably supported therebetween a bridge 14. As before the rails 12 comprise lengths of"C" profile track, while the bridge 14 is constructed from two sections of "C" profile track 22 and a pair or wheeled assemblies located within the 30 rails 12. Suspended from the bridge 14 and movable laterally thereon is a manual chain winch 52.

The apparatus is further provided with a pair of pivotable jibs 54. The jibs 54 are pivotable between a deployed position, whereupon each jib 54 is aligned in a 35 longitudinal direction with a rail 12, and a storage position whereupon each jib 54 is substantially perpendicular to its associated rail. Each jib 54 comprises a length of "C" profile track 56, a support 58 and a hinge 60. In the deployed position the jibs 54 extend outwardly from the rear of the vehicle load bed, whilst in the storage position

the jibs 54 are positioned inboard of the load bay. The jibs 54, when placed in the deployed position, are configured such that each track 56 is aligned with a respective rail 12. This allows the bridge 14 and chain winch 52 to be moved onto the jibs 54 such that, in use, the winch 52 can be positioned rearwardly of the vehicle load bed.

It will be understood that the apparatus of figures 1 to 3c may be adapted so as to include the pivotable jibs described in connection with figure 4 and hence enable the bridge 14 and hoist 20 to be positioned rearwardly of the vehicle load bed.

Claims

1. A lifting apparatus for a vehicle comprising a lifting means supported on guide means and movable longitudinally with respect to said guide means, said guide means 5 being adapted to fit to a load area of the vehicle, wherein said lifting means, in use, are movable laterally with respect to said guide means such that said lifting means are positionable outboard of said guide means.

2. A lifting apparatus as claimed in claim l wherein the lifting means are 10 movable along two mutually perpendicular axes, the lifting means being both able to operate over the load area and laterally to either side of the load area.

3. A lifting apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the guide means comprise at least one rail.

4. A lifting apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein the guide means comprise two rails positioned on opposing sides of the load area.

5. A lifting apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein the lifting means are 20 supported on a bridge which spans and is slidable on said rails.

6. A lifting apparatus as claimed in claim S wherein the bridge includes two spaced structural members.

25

7. A lifting apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein said structural members are positioned between said rails.

8. A lifting apparatus as claimed in any of claims S to 7 wherein the bridge is movable on the rails by a motor.

9. A lifting apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein the motor is mounted on the bridge.

10. A lifting apparatus as claimed in claim 8 or claim 9 wherein the motor is 35 provided with a drive sprocket which is engaged with a drive chain.

11. A lifting apparatus as claimed in claim 10 wherein the drive chain extends through a rail of the guide means.

12. A lifting apparatus as claimed in claim 11 wherein said drive chain is fixed 5 within the rail.

13. A lifting apparatus as claimed in any of claims 5 to 12 wherein the lifting means are provided on a traveler member movable relative to the bridge.

10

14. A lifting apparatus as claimed in claim 13 wherein the traveler member is movable by the provision of a motor provided thereon.

15. A lifting apparatus as claimed in claim 13 or claim 14 wherein the lifting means are movable on said traveler member.

16. A lifting apparatus as claimed in claim 15 wherein said lifting means are movable on said traveler member in a direction substantially parallel to the direction of movement of the traveler member relative to the bridge.

20

17. A lifting apparatus as claimed in any of claims 13 to 16 wherein the lifting means are movably mounted on a cantilever member of the traveler.

18. A lifting apparatus as claimed in claim 17 wherein the cantilever member has a length substantially equal to that of the bridge structural members.

19. A lifting apparatus as claimed in claim 18 wherein the cantilever member is aligned centrally with respect to the traveler.

20. A lifting apparatus as claimed any preceding claim wherein the lifting means 30 is an electrically operable winch

21. A vehicle having a load bed and a lifting apparatus positioned over said load bed, said lifting apparatus comprising a lifting means supported on guide means and 35 movable longitudinally with respect to said guide means, wherein said lifting means, in use, are movable laterally with respect to said guide means such that said lifting means are positionable outboard of said guide means.

22. A vehicle as claimed in claim 21 wherein the lifting means are movable along two mutually perpendicular axes, the lifting means being both able to operate over the load area and laterally to either side of the load area.

5

23. A vehicle as claimed in claim 21 or claim 22 wherein the guide means comprise at least one rail.

24. A vehicle as claimed in claim 23 wherein the guide means comprise two rails positioned on opposing sides of the load area.

25. A vehicle as claimed in claim 24 wherein the lifting means are supported on a bridge which spans and is slidable on said rails.

26. A vehicle as claimed in claim 25 wherein the bridge includes two spaced 15 structural members.

27. A vehicle as claimed in claim 26 wherein said structural members are positioned between said rails.

20

28. A vehicle as claimed in any of claims 25 to 27 wherein the bridge is movable on the rails by a motor.

29. A vehicle as claimed in claim 28 wherein the motor is mounted on the bridge.

25

30. A vehicle as claimed in claim 28 or claim 29 wherein the motor is provided with a drive sprocket which is engaged with a drive chain.

31. A vehicle as claimed in claim 30 wherein the drive chain extends through a rail of the guide means.

32. A vehicle as claimed in claim 31 wherein said drive chain is fixed within the rail.

33. A vehicle as claimed in any of claims 25 to 32 wherein the lifting means are 35 provided on a traveler member movable relative to the bridge.

34. A vehicle as claimed in claim 33 wherein the traveler member is movable by the provision of a motor provided thereon.

35. A vehicle as claimed in claim 33 or claim 34 wherein the lifting means are 5 movable on said traveler member.

36. A vehicle as claimed in claim 35 wherein said lifting means are movable on said traveler member in a direction substantially parallel to the direction of movement of the traveler member relative to the bridge.

37. A vehicle as claimed in any of claims 33 to 36 wherein the lifting means are movably mounted on a cantilever member of the traveler.

38. A vehicle as claimed in claim 37 wherein the cantilever member has a length 15 substantially equal to that of the bridge structural members.

39. A vehicle as claimed in claim 38 wherein the cantilever member is aligned centrally with respect to the traveler.

20

40. A vehicle as claimed any preceding claim wherein the lifting means an electrically operable winch.