GB2409850A

GB2409850A - Transportation system including a mobile platform

Info

Publication number: GB2409850A
Application number: GB0400294A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kit Halliday
Original assignee: Linpac Mouldings Ltd
Current assignee: Linpac Mouldings Ltd
Priority date: 2004-01-08
Filing date: 2004-01-08
Publication date: 2005-07-13
Anticipated expiration: 2024-01-08
Also published as: GB2409850B; GB0400294D0

Abstract

A transportation system includes a mobile platform 4 mounted on wheels and/or casters 8 and a transporter 2 to which the mobile platform may be coupled. The transporter includes front and rear chassis units 18, 20 mounted on wheels or casters 22, 24 and a connecting structure 26, 28 that connects the front and rear chassis units, the connecting structure including an elevated portion 28 and being constructed and arranged to allow the mobile platform 4 and payload volume 12 associated with the mobile platform to be inserted beneath the elevated portion 28 of the connecting structure, between the front and rear chassis units 18, 20 of the transporter 2.

Description

TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM

The present invention relates to a transportation system including a mobile platform and a transporter for transporting the mobile platform between different locations.

Mobile platforms, also known as roll pallets or dollies, are used for moving goods between different locations, for example in warehouses, shops and factories. The mobile platform generally includes a load receiving deck mounted on wheels and/or casters. The platform may be open- topped or it may include a superstructure of walls etc. Although mobile platforms are often moved individually, it is sometimes preferable to couple two or more pallets to one another to form a train, allowing them to be moved together. instead of coupling the platf'onns directly to one another, it is generally preferred to use a train of interconnected transporters, to which the platfonns can be loaded. Individual platforms can then be added to or removed from the train without having to couple and decouple the separate transporters.

One such transporter includes a wheeled frame which when seen from above is shaped like a letter E, having three transverse anns connected to a longitudinal beam. Two or more of these transporters can be coupled together to form a train, which can then be pulled along, for example using a motorised tractor. Individual platforms can be loaded to the train t'or transportation by pushing the platform sideways into one of the transporters, so that the wheels of the platfonn pass between the transverse arms of the transporter. A locking mechanism is then applied, to lock the platfonn to the transporter.

One disadvantage of this existing transportation system is that it is one sided: that is, the platform can be loaded to the train only from one side and must be removed on the same side. This can cause handling difficulties, in particular where it is used in cramped conditions. It is desirable therefore to provide a transportation system that allows the platforms to be loaded and removed from either side ot'the train.

According to the present invention there is provided a transportation system including a mobile platform mounted on wheels and/or casters and a transporter to which the mobile platfonn may be loaded, wherein the transporter includes Font and rear chassis units S-P55()7'33.wp1 6 January 2()()4 mounted on wheels or casters and a connecting structure that connects the front and rear chassis units, the connecting structure including an elevated portion and being constructed and an anged to allow the mobile platform and a payload volume associated with the mobile platform to be inserted beneath the elevated portion of the connecting structure, between the front and rear chassis units of the transporter.

The system allows a mobile platl'onn to be loaded and removed from a train of transporters to either side ofthe train. This significantly increases the convenience ofthe system during use.

The mobile platform may typically have a length of approximately 80 cm, a width of approximately 60cm and a height of approximately 20cm. The elevated portion of the connecting structure typically provides a clearance above the ground of approximately 1 80cm, to provide an ample payload volume. It will be appreciated that these dimensions may be varied, although generally the sides of the mobile platfonn will be between approximately 5()cm and 1 50cm in length, and the connecting structure will have a height of 100-200cm.

The transportation system may include a locking mechanism for locking the mobile platform to the transporter, so that it can be transported securely. The locking mechanism may include one or more locking elements provided on the transporter and constructed and arranged for locking engagement with one or more complementary locking formations (for 2() example holes) on the mobile platform. The locking mechanism may include an automatic operating mechanism, t'or locking and/or unlocking the mechanism during a loading operation. This operating mechanism may be constructed and arranged to operate automatically whenever a mobile platf'onm is pushed into the gap between the front and rear chassis assemblies. Preferably, the locking mechanism is biassed towards a locked configuration, for example by means of a spring. The locking mechanism may include means for securing the locking mechanism in a locked configuration.

l'he transporter may include a coupling mechanism, for example a draw bar, for coupling the transporter to another transporter and/or to a tractor vehicle.

The mobile platform may include a load-bearing deck made substantially or wholly of moulded plastics materials. ; ' I, S-P55()793.wpc1 6 January '() ()4 According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a transporter for use in a transportation system as described in one or more ofthe preceding statements of invention, the transporter including front and rear chassis units mounted on wheels or casters and a connecting structure that connects the front and rear chassis units, the connecting structure including an elevated portion and being constructed and arrange to allow a mobile platfonn and a payload volume associated with the mobile platfonn to be inserted beneath the elevated portion of the connecting structure, between the front and rear chassis units of the transporter.

An embodiment ofthe invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure I is a perspective view of a transporter loaded to a mobile platform; Figure 2 is a partial cross-section on line II-IT of Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a partial cross-section on line III-III of Figure I. The transportation system includes a transporter 2 and a mobile platform 4 that may be loaded to and removed from the transporter 2. The platform 4 is generally conventional and includes a rectangular load-bearing deck 6 supported on four casters or wheels 8.

Typically, the platform is made of a moulded plastics material and has a length of 80cm, a width of 60cm and a height of 20cm. In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the platform 4 is designed to be stackable and includes a set of recesses 10 in the deck 6, for accommodating the wheels of a stacked platform (not shown). T he platform 4 may include a superstructure of walls, or it may be used to transport a crate or bulk container within a payload volume 12 that is indicated by broken lines. The payload volume typically extends 160cm above the upper surface of the deck 6. Two square apertures 14 are provided in each end wall 16 of the deck 6, those apertures being engagable by a locking mechanism described in detail below, for locking the platform 4 to the transporter 2.

The transporter 2 incl udes an open-sided steel framework comprising front and rear chassis units 18 and 20, the front chassis unit 18 being supported by a pair of casters 22 while the rear chassis unit 20 is supported on a pair of fixed wheels 24. Each of the chassis units 18, supports an A-frame structure 26, these structures being connected to one another at S-1'55()793.wpd 6 January 2()()4 their upper ends by a pair of horizontal beams 28. The beams 28 are located at a height of approximately 180cm above the ground, providing ample clearance above the mobile platform 4 for the payload volume 12. The front and rear chassis units 18 and 20 are separated by a gap of approximately 81 cm so as to be able to accommodate the length of the mobile platform 4 with a small clearance.

The front chassis unit 18 includes a hitch bar 29 for hitching the transporter to a tractor, and the rear chassis 20 includes a draw-bar (not shown) for coupling another transporter to the first transporter, to fonm a train.

In use, the mobile platform 4 can be inserted into the gap between the front and rear chassis units 18 and 20 from either side of the transporter 2. Similarly, the mobile platfonn 4 can be removed to either side of the transporter 2, as indicated by the aurows 30.

The transporter 2 includes a locking mechanism 32 for locking the mobile platform 4 to the transporter 2. In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the locking mechanism 32 is provided on the rear chassi s unit 20, although it could alternatively be provided on the front chassis unit 18 or on both chassis units 18 and 20.

The locking mechanism 32, which is shown in detail in Figures 2 and 3, includes a pair of locking tongues 34 that are mounted for sliding movement in a pair of angled chutes 36, which are attached to the rear chassis unit 20. At their upper ends, the tongues 34 are welded to a horizontal connecting bar 38. By raising and lowering the bar 38, the tongues 34 can be either retracted into the rear chassis unit 20, or extended forwards, so that they engage the apertures 14 in the side wall 16 of the mobile platform 4, to lock the platform to the transporter 2.

Movement of the locking tongues 34 is controlled by a pair of pivoting actuator arms 40 mounted on a rotating pivot bar 42. The actuator anus 40 engage the underside of the connecting bar 38, so that rotation of the actuating anms 40 in an anticlockwise direction (in the direction of arrow 44) causes retraction of the locking tongues 34, whereas rotation of the actuator anms in the opposite direction causes the locking tongues 34 to extend into the apertures 14 in the mobile platform 4, to lock the platform to the transporter 2. The actuating mechanism can be operated using a pair of manually operable Icvcrs 46, which S-1'55()793.wpd 6 J,ntray 2()04 are attached to the pivoting bar 42 and extend upwards through the rear chassis unit 20, towards each side thereof.

Automatic operation of the locking mechanism is also possible, by means of a sliding actuator element 48, located on each side of the rear chassis unit 20. When a mobile platform 4 is pushed sideways into the gap between the front and rear chassis units 18 and 20, the actuator element 48 is engaged by the side wall 16 of the mobile platform and driven rearwards, in the direction of the arrow 50. it then engages one of the operating levers 46, pushing it backwards in the direction of arrow 52, thereby unlocking the locking mechanism 32 and allowing the mobile platfonn to be fully inserted. The locking mechanism can then be applied manually by pushing one or other of the operating levers 46 forwards, in the opposite direction to the arrow 52. Altennatively, the locking tongues may be resiliently biassed, for example by a spring (not shown) into the locked position, so that they engage to apertures 14 in the mobile platfonn automatically.

In order to prevent unintentional unlocking of the locking mechanism, a clamping mechanism 54 is provided on the rear chassis unit 20. The clamping mechanism includes a pivotable plate 56 mounted on a pivot pin 58, which can be brought into engagement with the upper surface ofthe connecting bar 38. A vertically mounted clamping bar 60 mounted for axial movement is engagable with the plate 56, to lock it in the clamped position. The clamping bar 60 is biassed upwards (towards the disengaged position) by means of a compression spring 62 and it may be pushed downwards and clamped in the locked position by means of a simple clamp mechanism 64.

In use of the transporting system, a plurality of transporters 2 are coupled to one another, the front transporter being coupled to a tractor. Loaded pallets are then loaded to the transporters by pushing each mobile platform sideways into the gap between the front and rear chassis units of one of the transporters. The locking mechanism is then applied and locked with the clamping device, to lock the mobile platform to the transporter.

I'he mobile platfonns are then towed to the positions where they are required and the locking mechanism is then released and the loaded platform is removed from the transporter. An empty plaLfonn may, if desired, be loaded to the transporter in its place, 3() for removal.

S-PSS()793.wpd 6 Jawing 2()()4 Various modifications of the transporting system are of course possible. For example, the locking mechanism may take various different fonns. l he dimensions of the mobile platform and the transporter may also vary, providing of course that the height of the connecting structure of the transporter should always be sufficient to accommodate the mobile platfonn and the required payload volume. The connecting structure of the transporter may also take various fonns and may, for example, include a roof structure for protecting the goods being transported.

S-P55()793.wpt1 6 J.,u.'y 20()4

Claims

1. A transportation system including a mobile platform mounted on wheels and/or casters and a transporter to which the mobile platfonn may be loaded, wherein the transporter includes front and rear chassis units mounted on wheels or casters and a connecting structure that connects the front and rear chassis units, the connecting structure including an elevated portion and being constructed and arranged to allow the mobile platform and a payload volume associated with the mobile platform to be inserted beneath the elevated portion of the connecting structure, between the front and rear chassis units of the transporter.

2. A transportation system according to claim 1, including a locking mechanism for locking the mobile platfonn to the transporter.

3. A transportation system according to claim 2, wherein the locking mechanism includes one or more locking elements provided on the transporter and constructed and arranged for locking engagement with one or more complementary locking formations on the mobile platform.

4. A transportation system according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the locking mechanism includes an automatic operating mechanism, for locking and/or unlocking the mechanism during a loading operation.

5. A transportation system according to any one of claims 2-4, wherein the locking mechanism is biassed towards a locked configuration.

6. A transportation system according to any one of claims 2-5, wherein the locking mechanism includes means for securing the locking mechanism in a locked configuration.

7. A transportation system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the transporter includes a coupling mechanism for connecting the transporter to another transporter and/or a tractor vehicle.

8. A transportation system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mobile platform includes a load-bearing deck made substantially or wholly of moulded plastics materials.

S-P55()793.wpd 6 January 2()()4

9. A transporter for use in a transportation system according to any one of the preceding claims, the transporter including front and rear chassis units mounted on wheels or casters and a connecting structure that connects the front and rear chassis units, the connecting structure including an elevated portion and being constructed and arrange to allow a mobile platform and a payload volume associated with the mobile platform to be inserted beneath the elevated portion ofthe connecting structure, between the front and rear chassis units of the transporter.

S-P55()793.wpd 6 January 2(K)4