GB2449763A

GB2449763A - Moveable platform for safety in trailer loading

Info

Publication number: GB2449763A
Application number: GB0809769A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ian Cade; Lee Cade; Chris Cade
Original assignee: SHERBURN FORGE
Current assignee: SHERBURN FORGE
Priority date: 2007-05-31
Filing date: 2008-05-29
Publication date: 2008-12-03
Anticipated expiration: 2028-05-29
Also published as: GB2449763B; GB0710362D0; GB0809769D0

Abstract

A safety device for use with a loading surface such as is found on an articulated trailer has a platform 16 moveable to a position in which it extends over the edge of a support mean 12 so as to abut an edge of the loading surface thereby minimising any gaps between the platform and the side of a trailer to reduce the risk of an individual hurting themselves during a loading operation. The platform 16 may support steps 18 to allow working at different heights on the trailer and its load. In an alternative construction the platform may have a scissors lift.

Description

1 2449763 Safety device The invention to which this application relates

is a safety device for improving the safety of loading/unloading vehicles with articles, and in particular but not necessarily limited to the loading/unloading of vehicles with elongate articles.

There are several currently known ways of loading/unloading articles onto a vehicle. A common method is to use a fork lift truck, which can lift pallets of small articles onto the back of a vehicle such as an articulated lorry.

However, fork lift trucks are not suitable for elongate articles of a length greater than a few metres, as the articles cannot be picked up and moved in a stable manner. For such articles a crane may be used to pick up articles from a location and manoeuvre the articles onto the back of the lorry.

As articles are often stored in warehouses, overhead cranes are typically used therein to move articles from the storage location onto the trailer on the back of the lorry, which is reversed into a portion of the warehouse to which the crane has access.

When supported by a crane, articles have a tendency to swing around to some extent as they are being moved. To ensure that the articles are correctly aligned, packed and stacked when loaded onto the trailer, the articles have to be hand-guided as * *. the crane lowers the articles onto the trailer. One or more * * * individuals therefore have to be present on the trailer during the S...

loading/unloading process. * S. * . . *5S*

However, the trailers of most articulated vehicles have a surface : height of around 1.5m, which presents a danger to the *5** *. .

S SS S.

individuals present thereon during the loading process, as they can easily fall off the side of the trailer and hurt themselves.

It is possible to provide a bay with a raised surface, such that the lorry can be backed up with the longitudinal edge of the trailer parallel to the edge of the raised surface. However, as trailers are difficult to manoeuvre accurately, as they may be 13 or more metres long, this presents the problem that a gap is often left between the bay and the trailer to avoid damaging the vehicle while manoeuvring. This is dangerous because a person can fall through this gap, or a part of a person's body can become trapped therein which is particularly hazardous if there is any subsequent movement of the load which could cause narrowing of the gap.

It is also possible to provide rolling staircases adjacent the trailer, such that as the crane moves the articles into place, rather than being on the trailer itself, the user is situated on the staircase. However, while this reduces the risk of falling off the side of the vehicle, such staircases are somewhat vulnerable to being knocked over by the wind or by the articles swinging in the wind.

An aim of the present invention is to provide apparatus which improves the safety of loading/unloading vehicles with articles.

In a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a safety * *, device for use with a loading surface including: support means; **** platform means moveably mounted on the support means; : *.* wherein the platform means is moveable to a position in S...

which it extends over the edge of the support means so as to substantially bridge any gap between said loading surface. S... S. I

II S.

Typically the loading surface is part of a trailer of an articulated vehicle.

In one embodiment the height of the platform means when the safety device is placed on a supporting surface is substantially the same as the loading surface.

Thus when the vehicle is reversed near the safety device, the platform means can be extended to abut the edge of the trailer, thereby minimising any gaps between the platform and trailer to reduce the risk of an individual hurting themselves during a loading operation.

In one embodiment, the platform means is an elongate member.

Typically the elongate member is provided with open grid and/or non-slip flooring.

In one embodiment the support means includes one or more elongate members, spacing the platform means from the supporting surface.

Typically the platform means is laterally moveable with respect to the support means.

In one embodiment the longitudinal edges of the platform means and support means are maintaincd in a substantially parallel relationship. * **

In one embodiment the platform means is supported by a * *** plurality of bearings on the support means. Typically the : *.. bearings are arranged in laterally aligned groups. Typically the * bearings facilitate a sliding lateral movement of the platform : means relative to the support means. S... S. * S* S **

In one embodiment the bearings maintain the opposed surfaces of the support means and platform means in a substantially horizontal parallel spaced-apart relationship. It will be appreciated that other means may be used instead of bearings to facilitate the movement of the platform means relative to the support means.

In one embodiment gearing means are provided. Typically a driveshaft is provided to the gearing means, which when actuated, drives the movement of the platform means with respect to the support means.

In one embodiment the driveshaft is manually actuated, typically by a crank handle. In a further embodiment motor means are provided for actuating the driveshaft.

In one embodiment elevation means can be provided to raise/lower the height of the safety device and/or loading surface.

In one embodiment the elevation means includes one or more hydraulic jacks. In a further embodiment the elevation means includes one or more manual jacks.

In one embodiment alignment means are provided to align the loading surface with the safety device or vice versa.

* ,, Thus where the loading surface is formed as part of a trailer, if the vehicle is difficult to manoeuvre and the trailer is presented at an angle to the safety device, which may create a gap at one : s' end of the trailer, the angle can be corrected so that the edge of 5.'.

the trailer is parallel to the edge of the second platform, so that : the gap is minimised. S... 5 * . * 5*

In one embodiment the alignment means includes an elongate edge member pivotally mounted on the platform means and extending substantially along the length thereof. Typically the edge member pivots to abut the edge of the loading surface substantially along the length thereof when the edge of the platform means is not exactly parallel to the loading surface.

Thus the edge member compensates for minor misalignments of the loading surface with the safety device.

In one embodiment the alignment means comprises elongate tracks or channels on the supporting surface, parallel to the platform means, for guiding a trailer's wheels.

In one embodiment the alignment means includes a moving surface for receiving a trailer's rear wheels. The moving surface may rotate or move laterally with respect to the safety device.

However, as the vehicle is articulated at the front of the trailer, movement of the rear only will allow the angle of the trailer with respect to the safety device to be adjusted.

In one embodiment the platform means is provided with a raised platform moveably mounted thereon. In one embodiment the raised platform is formed as part of a cage so as to retain the user on the platform and improve the user's safety.

Typically the raised platform is longitudinally moveable with respect to the platform means. * **

In one embodiment a plurality of steps are grouped together as a stairway, the upper surface of the top step forming the raised : *. platform. Typically the upper surface top step is significantly S...

larger than that of the other steps. * .. * S * S..

S

S SS S 55

In one embodiment guide means are provided for guiding the raised platform along the platform means. Typically the guide means are formed as tracks or channels in the platform means.

Thus as a vehicle is loaded with articles, an individual can move along the safety device adjacent the vehicle via the raised platform to guide the articles onto the trailer. As more articles are loaded, the individual can move the raised platform along the platform means to an appropriate position to allow the articles at different positions to be guided.

In one embodiment locking means are provided to lock the raised platform in a particular location along the platform means. Typically the location is selected from a plurality of predetermined incremental positions. Thus the raised platform can be moved into position and the locked into place to improve the safety of the individual using the same.

In one embodiment the height of the raised platform can be varied. Thus a user can elevate the raised platform to reach higher articles on the trailer. It will be appreciated that the means for elevating and lowering the raised platform may be powered by hand or by a motor.

In one embodiment a scissor lift is provided to elevate and lower the raised platform.

* *, In one embodiment the raised platform includes extension means to allow the same to be laterally moveable with respect to the platform means. Thus the raised platform can extend over a : *" trailer to allow an individual to reach articles in the middle of *.** e* the load and secure the same for example. * ** * . * S.. S. * S * * S **

In one embodiment the raised platform is provided with harness means. Typically the harness means are associable with an individual to restrain the distance an individual can move from the platform.

Typically the harness means includes a restraining member depending from a track located above and around the periphery of the raised platform.

Thus, an individual wearing or affixed to the restraining member cannot move beyond the far side of the loading surface and is thus prevented from falling off the far side. In addition, if a user falls from the raised platform, the location of the track above the user, rather than to the side thereof, prevents any substantial swinging of the user which may cause injury to the user.

In one embodiment sealing means are provided along the edge of the platform means. In one embodiment the sealing means includes rubber or other resilient material. The sealing means further reduces the gaps between the trailer and the safety device.

In one embodiment the platform means is provided with railing to prevent individuals from falling thereof.

In one embodiment a safety device can be provided on each side of an articulated vehicle. Thus a vehicle can be driven between * , two safety devices which then each extend to substantially bridge any gaps between the respective platform means and the surface of the trailer. The danger to individuals working on the *.. trailer is thereby rninimised as the surface as the trailer surface is substantially contiguous with the surface of the safety devices on either side. * ** * * * S.. S. S

SP *5

In one embodiment the support means is provided with movement means. This allows the safety device to be portable or transportable. Indeed the support means may be formed as part of a trailer for an articulated vehicle such that the safety device may be driven between locations.

In a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of using a safety device including the steps of; moving a vehicle adjacent one or more safety devices, each safety device including platform means mounted on support means; moving the platform means relative to the support means; wherein the platform means is moved to a position in which it extends over the edge of the support means and abuts an edge of a loading surface of the vehicle Typically the platform means is moved such that the longitudinal edge thereof abuts the longitudinal edge of the trailer.

Typically articles are loaded onto the trailer.

In one embodiment a raised platform is moved longitudinally along the safety device.

In one embodiment the raised platform is raised and/or lowered with respect to the platform means to allow individuals to reach higher articles. * *& ** S * .* *. d

In one embodiment the raised platform is extended over the **** loading surface of the vehicle. ** ** *.*

Thus a user can reach any point of a volumetric load on a vehicle without leaving the raised platform. S. S S* * .

In a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of loading a vehicle trailer with articles including the steps of; driving a vehicle adjacent one or more safety devices, each safety device including support means and platform means relatively moveable to the support means; extending the platform means towards the edge of the trailer; using a crane to manoeuvre articles from a storage location onto the trailer; individuals guiding the articles into position on the trailer as the articles are lowered onto the trailer by the crane; wherein the longitudinal edge of the platform means abuts the longitudinal edge of the trailer to minimise gaps there between.

In one embodiment the rear of the trailer is moved to align the longitudinal edge of the trailer substantially in parallel with the longitudinal edge of the platform means.

In one embodiment an elongate edge member mounted on and extending substantially along the length of the platform means is pivoted to abut and align with the longitudinal edge of the trailer.

Specific embodiments of the invention are now described wherein:-* *S Figure 1 illustrates a schematic end view of a safety device * *** according to one embodiment of the invention. * U. ** S ***.

* Figure 2 illustrates a schematic end view of a number of safety S..

devices in use in a warehouse. * .. * * I... S. S * .. *_

Figure 3 illustrates a schematic plan view of a number of safety devices in use in a warehouse.

Figure 4 illustrates a schematic isometric view of a number of safety devices in use in a warehouse.

Figure 5 schematically illustrates a safety device according to a further embodiment of the invention in use with a trailer (a) isometric view; (b) end view; (c) plan view.

Figure 6a schematically illustrates schematic end views of the safety device of Figure 5 (a) with the raised platform retracted; (b) with the raised platform extended.

With reference to Figure 1, there is illustrated a safety device 2 comprising support means 4 and platform means 6.

The support means 4 includes a number of struts 14 supporting an elongate member in the form of lower platform 12.

The platform means 6 includes an elongate member in the form of upper platform 16 and is mounted on lower platform 12 via bearings 10, such that the upper platform 16 is moveable relative to the lower platform 12 as indicated by arrow 8 by actuating a driveshaft (not shown) via gearing means (not shown). Typically the upper platform is moved sideways, i.e. perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the platform, by permanent magnet 24V DC motors. * ** * . *

**** . . . The upper platform 16 includes open grid flooring, so is suitable S..

for an individual to walk along. * S. * S S

*:*. As illustrated, the upper platform 16 can be extended beyond the edge of the lower platform 12, and the longitudinal edges of the platforms are maintained in a substantially parallel relationship during this movement by the bearings 10 associated with channels on the underside of the upper platform 16.

In this embodiment the upper platform 16 is also provided with a set of steps in the form of a stairway which runs along channels 20 provided in the upper platform. The steps 18 are provided with a harness means including an extension member 22 at the rear of the steps opposite the extended edge of the upper platform 16, such that when the user is harnessed thereto his movement away from the steps is limited. Thus the user cannot reach and is prevented from falling over the far side of a trailer abutted against the safety device.

The upper platform in this example is also provided with railing 24 therealong to prevent the individual from falling off the side of the upper platform.

With reference to Figure 2, there is illustrated a number of safety devices 2 arranged in the loading bays 26 of a warehouse.

Articulated vehicles reverse their trailers 28 into the bays, and the upper platforms 16 are then extended to abut the edges of the trailers 28, such that any gaps therebetween are minimised.

Articles 32 can then be lifted by crane 30 onto the loading *1 surface of the trailer 28, and individuals 44 can work around the trailer, guiding articles thereon from the crane, without the risk * *, of falling off the trailer or trapping a part of their body in gaps between the trailer and platform.

S

: ., In this example, a tunnel 34 is provided between the safety S...

devices, which can be used as an emergency exit and for storing stacking material 36 thereon. The stacking material is used between articles 32 to help secure and align the same on the trailer 28.

Referring to Figure 3, the safety devices in the warehouse loading bays 26 are illustrated in schematic plan view, showing the elongate nature of the platform means and support means.

In addition, the driveshaft 38 is shown, for driving the platform means over the support means via geanng 40, the bearings 1 0 keeping the longitudinal edges of the platform means and support means parallel.

Stairs 42 are also provided to allow the individuals 44 to climb onto the platform means.

With reference to Figure 4, there is illustrated two loading bays into which trailers 28 have been reversed.

In the first loading bay 26 the platform means 16 have been extended with respect to the support means to minimise the gaps between the trailer 28 and the platform means, which allows the individuals 44 to work safely around the trailer at the same level as the trailer 28. The longitudinally moveable steps 18 allow the individuals to work at different heights on the trailer, as the trailer becomes laden with articles 28 which have to be guided, packed and secured at higher levels off the ground.

In the second loading bay 26' the platform means 16' have been * *, retracted to allow the trailer to be driven out of the bay 26 without causing damage thereto, and replaced with a different trailer. * ** * * * ***. ** . * * * *1

It will be appreciated that the safety device is adaptable to suit different sizes of trailers by virtue of the moving platform means.

With reference to Figures 5a-c, there is illustrated a further embodiment of the invention in which a raised platform 48 is provided as part of a cage 50 which can be raised and lowered via a supporting scissor lift 52.

The raised platform can also move laterally as indicated by arrow 56 with respect to the platform means so as to extend over the vehicle as illustrated in Figures 5a-c. Extension means in the form of a rack and pinion gearing and electric motors provide for such extension.

In this example the scissor lift may elevate the cage such that the raised platform is up to 4.2m from the ground, and may extend up to 2.4m sideways over the vehicle.

In addition, the upper platform may be provided with an edge member 46 pivotally mounted thereon such that when the upper platform is extended towards the loading surface of the trailer, the edge member pivots to compensate for any minor longitudinal misalignments between the trailer and the safety device as the same are brought into abutment, and thereby prevent any gaps therebetween.

With reference to Figures 5b and 6a, the support means is : ** formed as part of a trailer 54 for an articulated vehicle such that S... . . the safety device may be driven between locations. Manual or automatic landing legs (not shown) may be provided to provide : .. stability to the safety device. Such landing legs may be self- levelling.

As shown in Figures 6a-b, the cage 50 on the upper platform 16 can be moved from a retracted position as shown in Figure 6a to an elevated and extended position as illustrated in Figure 6b.

Such movement can be controlled by the user via control means (not shown) located in the cage.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention may also include further additional modifications made to the device which does not affect the overall functioning of the device. * .* * * S * ** S... * . S... * S. * . * **. S.. * S. * . S *. S. S

SS

Claims

Claims 1. A safety device (2) for use with a loading surface including:

support means (4); platform means (6) moveably mounted on the support means; wherein the platform means is moveable to a position in which it extends over the edge of the support means so as to substantially bridge any gap between said loading surface.
2. A safety device according to claim I wherein the loading surface is part of a trailer of an articulated vehicle.
3. A safety device according to any preceding claim wherein the support means is provided with movement means.
4. A safety device according to any preceding claim wherein the support means is formed as part of a trailer for an articulated vehicle.
5. A safety device according to any preceding claim wherein the height of the platform means when the safety device is placed on a supporting surface is substantially the same as the loading surface. * .*
6. A safety device according to any preceding claim wherein **** the platform means is an elongate member provided with open * *. grid flooring. S..

*
7. A safety device according to any preceding claim wherein ::. the platform means is laterally moveable with respect to the support means.
8. A safety device according to any preceding claim wherein the longitudinal edges of the platform means and support means are maintained in a substantially parallel relationship.
9. A safety device according to any preceding claim wherein the platform means is supported by a plurality of bearings on the support means which facilitate a sliding lateral movement of the platform means relative to the support means.
10. A safety device according to any preceding claim wherein elevation means are provided to raise/lower the height of the safety device and/or loading surface.
11. A safety device according to any preceding claim wherein alignment means are provided to align the loading surface with the safety device or vice versa.
12. A safety device according to claim 11 wherein the alignment means includes an elongate edge member pivotally mounted on the platform means and extending substantially along the length thereof.
13. A safety device according to claim 11 wherein the alignment means comprises elongate tracks or channels on the supporting surface, parallel to the platform means, for guiding a trailer's wheels.
14. A safety device according to claim 11 wherein the : ** alignment means includes a moving surface for receiving a trailer's rear wheels which may rotate or move laterally with S..

respect to the safety device to allow the angle of the trailer with : .. respect to the safety device to be adjusted. S... S* *
1 5. A safety device according to any preceding claim wherein sealing means are provided along the edge of the platform means.
16. A safety device according to any preceding claim wherein a raised platform is provided which is longitudinally moveable with respect to the platform means.
17. A safety device according to claim 16 wherein guide means are provided for guiding the raised platform along the platform means.
18. A safety device according to claim 16 wherein locking means are provided to lock the raised platform in a particular location along the platform means.
19. A safety device according to claim 16 wherein the height of the raised platform can be varied.
20. A safety device according to claim 19 wherein a scissor lift is provided to elevate and lower the raised platform.
21. A safety device according to any of claims 16-20 wherein extension means is provided to allow the raised platform to be laterally moveable with respect to the platform means.
22. A safety device according to any of claims 16-21 wherein the raised platform is provided with harness means which are : * associable with an individual to restrain the distance an * individual can move from the platform. **.

S

: *.
23. A safety device according to claim 22 wherein the harness *:*. means includes a restraining member depending from a track located above and around the periphery of the raised platform.
24. A method of using a safety device including the steps of; moving a vehicle adjacent one or more safety devices, each safety device including platform means mounted on support means; moving the platform means relative to the support means; wherein the platform means is moved to a position in which it extends over the edge of the support means and abuts an edge of a loading surface of the vehicle
25. A method according to claim 24 wherein the platform means is moved such that the longitudinal edge thereof abuts the longitudinal edge of the trailer
26. A method according to any of claims 24-25 wherein a raised platform is moved longitudinally along the safety device.
27. A method according to any of claims 24-26 wherein the raised platform is elevated and/or lowered with respect to the platform means to allow individuals to reach higher articles on the loading surface.
28. A method according to any of claims 24-27 wherein the raised platform is extended over the loading surface of the vehicle.
29. A method of loading a vehicle trailer with articles S...

including the steps of; : * driving a vehicle adjacent one or more safety devices, each safety device including support means and platform means relatively moveable to the support means; : .. extending the platform means towards the edge of the *:*. trailer; using a crane to manoeuvre articles from a storage location onto the trailer; individuals guiding the articles into position on the trailer as the articles are lowered onto the trailer by the crane; wherein the longitudinal edge of the platform means abuts the longitudinal edge of the trailer to minimise gaps therebetween.
30. A method according to claim 29 wherein the rear of the trailer is moved to align the longitudinal edge of the trailer substantially in parallel with the longitudinal edge of the platform means.
31. A method according to claim 29 or 30 wherein an elongate edge member mounted on and extending substantially along the length of the platform means is pivoted to abut and align with the longitudinal edge of the trailer.
32. A safety device as herein described with reference to any of the figures. * ** * * S * ** S** S * * S... * .. * * . S... * .. * S S **.. I **