GB2472583A

GB2472583A - Livestock transportation vehicle with a pivoted rear drop leaf

Info

Publication number: GB2472583A
Application number: GB0913928A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stuart Wharton
Original assignee: Ifor Williams Trailers Ltd
Current assignee: Ifor Williams Trailers Ltd
Priority date: 2009-08-10
Filing date: 2009-08-10
Publication date: 2011-02-16
Anticipated expiration: 2029-08-10
Also published as: GB0913928D0; GB2472583B

Abstract

A vehicle for transporting livestock having upper 5 and lower 4 supporting decks and a pivotally mounted main ramp member 8 elevatable to enable loading of the upper deck with a barrier/drop-leaf member 11 pivotally mounted to the rear part of the upper deck, and a supporting pivot device comprising a support arm 13 pivotally mounted to the upper deck and having the rear barrier/drop-leaf being connected by mounting means with the support arm being supportedly guided by track means 15, and biasing means acting on said support arm to urge the barrier upwardly into the elevated position acting to retain animals, in which the rear drop-leaf barrier 11 is connected to a support arm 13 at opposite sides of the vehicle by means of coaxial pivot pins 21 extending from the barrier or support arm supportingly engageable in recesses 26 in the support arms or barrier respectively, and releasable securing and torque transmission means which when aligned, are operably displaceable without any lateral movement of the barrier to retain the pivot pins in said recesses and to enable torque to be transmitted between the support arms and the barrier.

Description

LIVESTOCK TRANSPORTATION VEHICLE WITH IMPROVED

SUPPORTING PIVOT DEVICE FOR THE REAR DROP LEAF

The present invention relates to a livestock transportation vehicle such as for transporting sheep with an improved supporting pivot device for the rear drop-leaf or rear barrier of an upper deck thereof to facilitate operation thereof.

Whilst an aspect of the present invention is initially particularly described with reference to a floating pivot device or a supporting pivot device which might be used in the vehicle of our earlier patent GB 2287010 relating to a trailer which is sold under our trader mark "EASYLOAD" such pivot device may also be used with any multi-deck vehicles, such as trailers, wherein a rear part of an upper deck is upwardly and downwardly pivotable and provided so as to enable the ramp angle of the ramp means in the lowered position to be reduced for unloading. * ** * * S * **

In our earlier UK Patent GB 2444049, there is disclosed transportation vehicle having less steeply inclined ramp o an upper deck and also provided a supporting pivot device intended to facilitate the opening and closing of the rear barrier or drop-leaf to the upper deck of a vehicle and which provides a degree of freedom of movement to accommodate for unevenness of ground should the main, lower loading ramp not be fully and/or levelly downwardly pivoted and/or to facilitate initial lifting of the drop-leaf from its lowered position.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved pivot supporting device for the vehicle forming the subject o GB 2444049 for improved ease of use in the mounting and dismounting of the drop-leaf barrier and one which avoids the possibility of damage of the hitherto control dogs part of the known device which might have resulted from mis-use by loading the drop-leaf in the lowered position when not resting on the main loading ramp.

According to the present invention there is provided a transportation vehicle as disclosed and claimed in independent claims one and forty and forty-one. Preferably the track means rises towards the rear to lift the support arm as it moves rearwardly. Preferably the support arm moves in a vertical longitudinal plane i.e. preferably in a plane parallel to the side walls of the vehicle and/or the normal direction of movement. The biasing means is connected to the support arm as to be preferably displaceable as an over-centre arrangement or to enable the drop-leaf to remain in the lowered position until manually raised to move the line of action of the biasing means over the centre to urge the drop-leaf upwardly into its closing/barrier position.

Also according to the present invention there is provided a vehicle for transporting livestock having loading means comprising a mounting frame for a main ramp member with said mounting frame being pivotally mounted at a *.. first end on the vehicle and having the outer end of said ramp member pivotally mounted at a second, opposite end of said frame, and with said ramp member in the lowered position of the mounting frame being displaceable * between a lower loading position with the ramp member leading to the lower * floor of the vehicle, and an upper, more inclined position with the main ramp member leading via the intermediary of a displaceable bridging means to an upper loading surface or deck of the vehicle to enable loading on to and unloading from the upper deck, said bridging means comprising a barrier/drop-leaf member (11) pivotally mounted on a pivotable rear part (5A) of the upper deck (5), and a supporting pivot device (12) located at at least one side of the deck/vehicle and comprising a support arm pivotally connected to the pivotable rear part (5A) of the upper deck or support thereof or to another part of the vehicle in a region of the upper deck, and having said rear barrier/drop-leaf connected thereto by mounting means at one end and being supportedly guided by elongate track means, and biasing means acting on said support arm to urge such into the elevated position for retaining animals on the upper deck, characterized by the feature that the rear drop-leaf barrier is connected to a support arm at opposite sides of the vehicle by means of coaxial pivot pins extending from the barrier or support arm supportingly engageable in recesses in the support arms or barrier respectively, and releasable securing and torque transmission means being provided and, when aligned, are operably displaceable without any lateral movement of said barrier to retain said pivot pins in said recesses and such as to enable torque to be transmitted between the support arms and barrier and between the barrier and support arm.

Preferably the support arm and biasing means are located at least partially beneath the upper deck. The arrangements thus not only provide means for reducing the maximum interior ramp angle by utilizing a rear section of the deck (pivotable upper deck part) to form part of the ramp means, such also provide a means of delivering a considerable mechanical advantage between the operator effort applied at the tip of the barrier and weight of sheep standing on the rear deck section. * I. * * S * S*

Preferably the biasing means acts to contribute to support the pivotable deck part and drop-leaf from below and preferably is a gas or mechanical : spring connected between the support arm and the side member. A gas * spring is preferred because it delivers the valuable second function of introducing some damping to the lowering of the drop-leaf and thus lowering of the upper rear deck part.

The pivotable or otherwise displaceably mounted rear upper deck part is mounted such as by means of pivoting on a cross beam although preferably is pivotally mounted on the sides of the vehicle and preferably on opposite side frame members which are preferably and normally spaced at intervals of two feet along the sides of the vehicle.

Preferably the mounting means between the drop-leaf/rear barrier and support arm is such to give a degree of limited play such as by means of at least one displaceable drive and locking pin engageable in an arcuate slot in the end of the support arm of a greater size and length than such of the arcuate dogs to permit a floating" movement or a "clearance" connection which allows a degree of movement prior to the end stop and movement of the support arm and this arrangement enables compensation for any unevenness in the ground and the main ramp not being fully down and/or enables the rear barrier to be initially raised from its lowermost position, (preferably normally resting on an "Easyload" (TM) ramp member in its elevated position), a number of inches to a more comfortable position for and before lifting the load of the upper deck part etc. and any animals standing thereon.

The rear barrier in its upper position is preferably held in position by at least one bolt, preferably a spring biased bolt, preferably mounted on the barrier and engageable in suitable retaining means on the vehicle side. * ** ** . * **

It will thus be appreciated that preferably the angle of inclination of the pivotable deck part and drop-leaf are normally generally the same as is that of * the main ramp although unevenness of ground may lead to variations.

*** S.. * S

Preferably the pivotable upper deck part is readily detachably removable from its mounting which may be a transverse cross beam or an upright side frame of the vehicle and/or preferably the drop-leaf is detachable or removable from the pivotable upper deck part or removable from the vehicle therewith.

A supporting cross beam or stop may be provided at a level beneath that of the supports for the floor of the upper deck and acts as a stop means and support for the pivotable upper deck part in its lowermost pivoted position.

Alternatively, the pivotable upper deck part may be pivotally mounted at its front side on a cross beam or preferably between opposite uprights and has side plate members at opposite ends moving close to the interior side walls and having an arcuate slot which abuts a stop and support projection extending from each trailer side wall.

The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings which include drawings from prior art GB2287010 and more particularly from GB 2444049 the subject matter of which is included herein by reference and of which the present invention is an improvement of, and in which:-Fig. I is an end elevation of a livestock trailer similar to that of GB 2287010 and GB 2444049 and relevant to the present invention and with a main ramp member mounted on a mounting frame being raised together therewith and shown closing the rear of the trailer; Fig. 2 is a schematic end elevation of the trailer of Fig. I illustrating the main ramp member in the lowered position with the ramp leading to the lower *::. floor or deck and with the combined upper barrier and bridging member being omitted and, differently to GB 2287010, with a pivotable rear upper deck part and supporting pivot device therefor in accordance with GB 2444049 and the present invention also being omitted for clarity but shown subsequently; I..

* Fig. 3 is a schematic end elevation of the trailer of Fig. I illustrating the main ramp member in its raised loading/unloading position and leading towards the upper deck and illustrating bridging means i.e. the barrier and the pivotable rear upper deck part in their lowered loading/unloading position; Figs. 4 and 5 are schematic side elevations illustrating the general disposition of Fig. 3 and showing by way of broken lines positions of movement of the drop-leaf means -raised and partially lowered in Fig. 4 and lowered together with the upper rear deck part in Fig. 5. (and indicating by arrow "A" the direction of upward biasing means or gas struts); Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the trailer, pivotable the rear deck part and main ramp member of Fig. 5; Fig. 7 is a rear perspective view of an arrangement similar to Fig. 6 but showing more specific features thereof, and with the main ramp in the elevated position and the rear barrier to the upper deck and pivotable rear upper deck floor part pivoted downwardly and all parts in their loading/unloading position; Fig. 7A is a view similar to Fig. 7 but with the bridging means (upper deck part and rear barrier raised); Fig. 8 is a schematic side elevation illustrating the pivotable rear upper deck part and the barrier in their upper position and showing components of one of the supporting pivot devices and wherein the mounting means for the drop-leaf barrier/rear barrier and support arm is known from GB 2444049 and in respect of which the present invention is concerned with providing an improvement or alternative to such as will be described subsequently with respect to Figs 10 to 19; Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the parts of Fig. 8 from the opposite side; (and reference is made to Figs. 10 to 12 and 18 to 20 of GB 2444049 for an understanding of operation of all but the mounting means 40, 41, 42, 43, 45 for the drop-leaf barrier and the subject matter of which construction and operation is incorporated herein by reference); : Fig. lOis a side elevation of the end of one of two support arms of two * S mounting devices according to the present invention with each arm having two pivot mounting apertures (one at the bottom for a runnerfwheel in the track and the other arm extension for connection to the upper deck part) and each having a semi-circular cut-out or recess forming part of the mounting means for the pivotable rear deck part and rear barrier/drop-leaf; Fig. 11 is a fragmentary perspective detail of one of the two connecting or mounting parts of the drop-leaf barrier having a fixed pivot pin and a spring biassed retractable locking and drive pin slidably mounted in two plate members mounted on an extension of the lower end of the barrier and shown in the retracted position prior to insertion through arcuate aperture 13E ( which provides the "floating" connection) into aperture 25; Fig. 12 is an elevational view of the parts of Fig. 11; Fig. 13 is a fragmentary perspective view similar to Fig. 11 with the parts locked together by the locking/securing and drive pin having engaged in the arcuate oversized aperture of the pivot arm and plate carried by the pivot pin; Fig. 14 is a simplified fragmentary perspective view from the lower right-hand side of Fig. 13; Fig. 15 is a fragmentary perspective view of a large portion of separated parts of the vehicle but only showing one of two side corners of the drop leaf barrier each with mounting means (with the locking pin and spring being omitted); Fig. 16 is a side elevation of Fig. 15; Fig. 17 is a larger, perspective partial view from the rear and one side of the rear drop leaf barrier and mounting device without locking pin with the :. lower, closer right-hand pivot device being part of the mounting according to *::::: the present invention but with the left-hand device being prior art simple being included for a fuller understanding; S..... Fig. 18 is a larger fragmentary detail of the rear barrier and supporting means on each side and showing the pull cord and with the locking and drive pins in their outwardly displaced, support arm engaging position; and Fig. 19 is a view similar to Fig. 18 but with the pull cord pulled-in and *5*** retained on a retaining device such that the drive and lockng pins are disengaged from the support arms such that the barrier may be removed (or secured as desired).

A fivestock trailer 1 is illustrated in Figs. 1 to 6 having wheels 2 a main housing 3 having a lower floor or deck 4 and an upper deck 5 for receiving livestock.

A ramp mounting frame 6 is provided by a rectangular frame of strong tubular steel pivotally mounted at a first end or side 7 on the rear end of deck 4 and having a ramp member 8 pivotally mounted at a second end or side 9.

The member 8 in its lowered position and in the raised closing position of the trailer generally speaking lies within frame 6 and is securable there by suitable securing means (not shown). The ramp member 8 with frame 6 as the pivot mounting means and surround, also functions as the rear door of the trailer and thus this dual function of ramp and door provides a lightweight and simple arrangement. In the lowered operative position of the ramp member 8 it lies within the rectangular frame forming the mounting frame 6 and flush with its upper surface and may be secured by a turn key or other device.

The ramp 8 is constructed from steel sections and aluminium extrusion and is strong enough to hold large beasts, preferably up to the weight of one ton. There is only one ramp on this trailer, but it functions for both the lower and upper decks.

The ramp member 8 is biased into its raised position out of frame 6 by suitable means such as by means of two gas struts or 10 which will be balanced and pivotally mounted at each end and acting between frame 6 and member 8. The gas struts 10 have an arrester thereon of known type and may be such as sold by the company Stabilus of Koblenz of the Sachs Group *, and such as sold under the trade mark tift-o-Mat". The arrester may be in the form of C-shaped clips on the piston rods 10', which hold the pistons in the extended position for loading via the ramp 8 and which are releasable to enable ramp member 8 to be lowered. Thus so far the construction corresponds to Patent GB 2287010.

A drop-leaf or rear barrier 11 to the upper deck forms part of the bridging means and is provided pivotally mounted at the end of the upper deck part 5 forming the other part of the bridging means and also serves in its upwardly pivoted and secured position as a retention barrier for animals on the upper deck -as shown in broken line in Fig. 4.

The barrier member 11 is of simple but strong construction e.g. plyboard or aluminium extrusion, hinged to stay vertical as a barrier, or openable to rest on the inclined main ramp member 8 as a bridging platform.

When the main ramp member 8 is raised because of its pivotal mounting, a gap between its free end and main part of the upper deck 5 is created which has to be bridged by means of barrier member 11 and the pivotable upper deck part 5A.

A hingeable or pivotal extension member (not shown) may be mounted on the free end of door and main ramp member 8 to provide for improved loading.

The upper floor or deck 5, 5A comprise a plurality of transverse half-parts 5 pivotally mounted along each side wall of the trailer and in their lowered position of use, rest on a plurality of removable cross beams SB and S. will be, preferably, upwardly pivotable and secured to lie against the sidewalls S...

in their stored position if desired. * ._ 5* 5

* At the rear, loading/unloading end of the upper deck 5 a pivotally displaceable part 5A of the deck is provided pivotafly mounted at one end, its Sb 55 front end, by means of a curved over extension, on an open topped cross beam 5B (Fig. 8) formed as a channel and said deck part 5A being optionally removable/detachable therefrom. The part 5A has projecting transverse tread portions and is pivotable about a horizontal or substantially horizontal axis extending transverse to the main longitudinal axis of the trailer I and its normal direction of movement. At the other rear end of part 5A the barrier II is pivotally mounted and supported via a supporting pivot device 12 forming a further aspect and embodiment of the present invention.

The pivotable upper deck part 5A at its rear side and opposite ends is supported by two support levers or arms 13 (only one shown) each pivotally connected therewith via pivot aperture 14 in a first extension portion and said arm 13 is supported and guided at its normally lower end via a wheel or roller 13A mounted in lower aperture 13B of arm 13 running in a slot 15 of a track member 16. The track slot 15 has upwardly curved portions at its opposite ends and a horizontal or generally horizontal or a less curved intermediate portion and controls the downward and upward movement of the barrier 11 and deck part 5 and also as a guide. Each track member 16 is in a plate member secured to an inner side of the trailer.

in accordance with the improvement of the present invention, the drop-leaf member 11 has at its side adjacent the rearmost and displaceable upper deck part 5A and adjacent each corner a mounting member 20 each carrying a circular sectioned, elongate pivot pin 21 extending outwardly from the barrier.

11 and with the pins 21 being coaxial and mountable to be pivotable about the same axis. Each pivot pin 21 carries two spaced apart plates 22, 23 fixed to *: pin 21 and said plates having aligned apertures 24, 25 also aligned with aperture 20A in mounting member 20 and in which a drive and securing pin * 27 is slidably displaceable. Locating and drive pins 27 are spring biased (spring 27A shown schematically in Fig. 11) to move outwardly into the engaging locking position where they each pass through apertures 13E in r*:* support arm 13C and aperture 25 in plate 22. The two oppositely directed :" pins 27 are interconnected by a pull string or pull cord 28 running over guides 29 and which cord moves such pins 27 inwardly at the same time towards each other and may be temporarily held by means of a retaining hook or catch on the barrier 11.

Each of two support arms 13C has a pivot pin receiving cut-out or recess 26 into which a respective pivot pin 21 may be dropped through its open mouth to be supported thereby. Upon release of the pull cord, the spring on each corner of the barrier will pass through apertures 25 and 13E if aligned although, if not aligned, slight rotation of the barrier 11 will cause alignment and pin insertion and securement of the barrier 11 to arm 13C. It will be appreciated that with locking and drive pins 27 retracted, the pivot pins 21 may be simply dropped into recesses 24 and the barrier 11 is then supported by the arms 1 3C -which is an easy operation and the securement together of the barrier 11 will support arm 13C is effected by simple release of cord 28 and pins 21 which move into engagement by spring action without the need for any lateral displacement of the whole barrier 11 -perhaps merely a simple rotary movement being needed for alignment. The pivot pins 21 of barrier 11 can be dropped into or removed from recesses 26 with the barrier in a raised position or even as if it were hanging downwards.

Aperture I 3E is elongate, curved or preferably arcuate and larger than :. the diameter of drive and securing pin 27 to accommodate for resting on the ** main ramp when the latter is on uneven ground and/or to facilitate initial manual raising of the barrier * ** * * * * ..

The "floating connection" is provided by the arcuate slot 13E in each : : support arm. * *

The improved design in effect simply and preferably replaces the previously described and known drive dogs with a pivot pin on the barrier transverse pivotal axis and an offset drive pin which locks the barrier to the arm (13C) and so maintains the connection required to ensure the gas strut acting on the arm delivers the required assistance when raising or lowering that barrier and rear deck section. However, if a farmer wishes to climb on to the deck he can disengage the drive pins, allowing the barrier to hang down vertically, which then allows him to climb directly on to the rear deck.

With the improved system of the present invention, the barrier is mountable with the drive pins in the withdrawn/retracted position. The circular pivot pins on the barrier drop in to basically semicircular cut-outs in the arms (13C) -so less precision and no sideways movement is required. To engage the drive between the barrier and the arms, the drive pins are released and, if necessaey, the barrier rotated about its transverse pivotal axis until the spring loaded drive pins align with the drive holes in the arms and engage automatically. *SS* * S S *S S S... * S S... * S. * S S * S. ** S. * S * * *

S

S.....

S S

Claims

CLAIMS1. A vehicle for transporting livestock having upper and lower supporting decks and a main ramp member pivotally mounted such as to enable loading/unloading of the lower deck and said ramp member being elevatable to enable loading on to and unloading from the upper deck via the intermediary of displaceable bridging means comprising a barrier/drop-leaf member pivotally mounted on a pivotally mounted rear part of the upper deck, and a supporting pivot device located at at least one side of the decklvehicle and comprising a support arm pivotally mounted in the region of one of its ends to the rear side of the pivotally mounted rear part of the upper deck and having said rear barrier/drop-leaf being connected thereto by mounting means with said support arm being supportedly guided by track means, and biasing " means acting on said support arm to urge the barrier upwardly into the elevated position acting to retain animals, characterized by the feature that the rear drop-leaf barrier is connected to a support arm at opposite sides of the vehicle by means of coaxial pivot pins extending from the barrier or support arm supportingly engageable in recesses in the support arms or :: barrier respectively, and releasable securing and torque transmission means being provided and, when aligned, are operably displaceable without any lateral movement of said barrier to retain said pivot pins in said recesses and such as to enable torque to be transmitted between the support arms and barrier and between the barrier and support arm.
2. A vehicle as claimed in claim 1, in which the rear drop leaf barrier is connected to the support arms by having said pivot pins extending outwaredly therefrom at opposite sides along the same pivotal axis and each being pivotally supported in said recess a respective one of said support arms.
3. A vehicle as claimed in claim I or 2, in which the releasable securing and torque transmission means comprises axially displaceable drive and securing pins mounted to extend from opposite sides of said barrier and into engagement with apertures in said support arms.
4. A vehicle as claimed in claim 3, in which actuation means is provided to enable the drive and securing pins to be displaced inwardly together and out of engagement with the arms.
5. A vehicle as claimed in claim 4, in which the actuation means is a cord or pull string temporarily securable to hold the drive and securing pins in the retracted position... :
6. A vehicle as claimed in claim 3, in which the apertures in which the S...securing pins engage are larger than the diameter of the pins to provide for freedom of movement or to permit a "floating" movement prior to torque transmission sufficient to accommodate uneven support on the main loading ramp and/or to enable/facillitate initial manual raising into the elevated or :. closed position of the barrier.*5**SS

I
7. A vehicle as claimed in any of claims I to 6, in which the biasing means acts to contribute to support the pivotable deck part and drop-leaf from below.
8. A vehicle as claimed in any of claims I to 7, in which the biasing means is a gas spring or mechanical spring connected between the support arm and the side member.
9. A vehicle as claimed in claim 8, in which the gas spring has a second clamping function damping to the lowering movement of the drop-leaf and thus the lowering of the upper rear deck part.
10. A vehicle as claimed in any of claims 1 to 9, in which the pivotable or otherwise displaceably mounted rear upper deck part is mounted by means of pivoting on a cross beam of the vehicle.
11. A vehicle as claimed in any of claims 1 to 9, in which the upper deck part is pivotally mounted on the opposite sides of the vehicle.
12. A vehicle as claimed in claim 11, in which the deck part is mounted on opposite sIde frame members. * * * ** **.
13. A vehicle as claimed in any of claims 1 to 12, in which the mounting S...

* means between the drop-leaf/rear barrier and support arm is such to give a degree of limited play or movement.
14. A vehicle as claimed in claim 13, in which the mounting means P: ,, includes arcuate slots in the end of each support arm, of a greater diameter than than the drive and securing pins to permit a "floating" movement or a "clearance" connection which allows a degree of movement prior to the end stop face and movement of the support arm.
15. A vehicle as claimed in any of claims Ito 14, in which in the lowering position the angle of inclination of the pivotable deck part and drop-leaf and the main ramp are normally the same or substantially the same.
16. A vehicle as claimed in any of claims I to 15, in which the pivotable upper deck part is readily detachably removable from its mounting, which may be a transverse cross beam or an upright side frame of the vehicle, and/or the drop-leaf detachable or removable from the pivotable upper deck part or support arm therefor.
17. A vehicle as claimed in any of claims I to 16, in which a supporting cross beam or stop may be provided at a level beneath that of the supports for the floor of the upper deck and acts as a stop means and support for the pivotable upper deck part in its lowermost pivoted position.
18. A vehicle as claimed in any of claims I to 16, in which the pivotable upper deck part as detachably pivotally mounted at its front side on a cross beam or between opposite uprights, and in which at opposite ends is supported on pivotally mounted side plate members moving close to the interior side walls of the vehicle and having an arcuate slot which abuts a stop and support projection extending from each trailer side wall and/or said support arm abuts a stop surface at the end of said track means.
19. A vehicle as claimed in any of claims I to 18, in which a supporting pivot device is pivotally mounted on opposite sides of said vehicle and a cross beam for supporting a side of the detachable upper deck plate said deck plate is pivotally and detachably supported on a cross beam of the vehicle extending between opposite sides of the vehicle.
20. A vehicle in the form of a trailer as claimed in any of claims I to 19, in which the pivot axis of the upper deck part is located rearwardly of the rear axle of the vehicle.
21. A vehicle as claimed in any of claims 1 to 20, in the form of a trailer.
22. A vehicle as claimed in any of claims 1 to 21, in which the width dimension of the pivotable upper deck portion forwards from its rear end to its pivot in the region of 2 feet (0.6096 metre).
23. A vehicle as claimed in any of claims I to 22, in which the drop-leaf has at opposite sides, two oppositely facing, spring biased torque/ drive and securing pins.
24. A vehicle as claimed in any of claims 1 to 23, in which the track means has two upwardly curved end portions and an intermediate portion which may be substantially horizontal or slightly curved.
25. A vehicle as claimed in claim 24, in which the curved end portions are radiussed about the pivotal connection between the support arm and upper deck part or pivotal side supporting plate therefor.
26. A vehicle as claimed in any of claims 1 to 25, in which the lower end of each side support arm carries a roller which reins in on the track means. * * S S* S*.
27. A vehicle as claimed in any of claims 1 to 26, in which on each side of S'S.

* the trailer a gas spring is provided and such as to be biased into the extended position and preferably with damping movement function.
28. A vehicle as claimed in claim 27, in which the position of the gas spring is pivotally mounted at support arm and at its other end is pivotally on a side supporting plate mounted on a vehicle support.
29. A vehicle as claimed in any of claims I to 28, in which the upper rear barrier or drop-leaf is detachably to the upper end of each support arm.
30. A vehicle as claimed in claim 29, in which the detachable connection is with limited freedom of movement.
31. A vehicle as claimed in any of claims I to 30, in which movement of the drop-leaf causes movement of the support arm whose movement is in turn controlled or guided by the slot of the track means.
32. A vehicle as claimed in any of claims I to 31, in which the advantageous effect of the biasing arrangement and preferably that produced by gas spring with damping movement action, which damps when lowering, is such that a vertical line dropped from pivot point of the support arm with the side supporting plate intersects the track slot at the overcentre point with the arrangement being such that when the roller or other end of the support arm moves to the front of this vertical line, the forces acting on the support arm from the deck start to bias the deck down and into the lowered position prior to which in the rear of the line the weight maintains the arm on this drop-leaf in the elevated position.
33. A vehicle as claimed in claim 32, in which when the roller moves to the rear the vertical line (i.e. to the left in the drawing) the gas spring urges the : arm to the left-hand end position and such that even if the gas spring should * .S* *.** fail in this position, the drop-leaf will remain locked in the elevated position. * S. * S * * S.

:.
34. A vehicle as claimed in any of claims I to 33, in which the drop-leaf :" and support arm in effect form a first lever means pivotable at fulcrum of the pivotal axis on the side plates, and lower end of support arm is displaceably guided by the slot of the track means to provide a complex mounting fulcrum arrangement which lifts/lowers the upper pivotable mounted deck part and with the arrangement such as to provide a considerably mechanical advantage.
35. A vehicle substantially as herein described with reference to the embodiments of the accompanying drawings.
36. A vehicle for transporting livestock having loading means comprising a mounting frame for a main ramp member with said mounting frame being pivotally mounted at a first end on the vehicle and having the outer end of said ramp member pivotally mounted at a second, opposite end of said frame, and with said ramp member in the lowered position of the mounting frame being displaceable between a lower loading position with the ramp member leading to the lower floor of the vehicle, and an upper, more inclined position with the main ramp member leading via the intermediary of a displaceable bridging means to an upper loading surface or deck of the vehicle to enable loading on to and unloading from the upper deck, said bridging means comprising a barrier/drop-leaf member (11) pivotally mounted on a pivotable rear part (5A) of the upper deck (5), and a supporting pivot device (12) located at at least one side of the deck/vehicle and comprising a support arm pivotally connected to the pivotable rear part (5A) of the upper deck or support thereof or to another part of the vehicle in a region of the upper deck, and having said rear barrier/drop-leaf connected thereto by mounting means at one end and :::: being supportedly guided by elongate track means, and biasing means acting * on said support arm to urge such into the elevated position for retaining * ** animals on the upper deck, characterized by the feature that the rear drop-leaf barrier is connected to a support arm at opposite sides of the vehicle by means of coaxial pivot, pins extending from the barrier or support arm ** supportingly engageable in recesses in the support arms or barrier : respectively, and releasable securing and torque transmission means being provided and, when aligned, are operably displaceable without any lateral movement of said barrier to retain said pivot pins in said recesses and such as to enable torque to be transmitted between the support arms and barrier and between the barrier and support arm.
37. A transportation vehicle having upper and lower supporting decks, and a supporting pivot device located at least on one side of the deck/vehicle and comprising a rear barrier/drop-leaf to the upper deck being connected to a support arm pivotally mounted in the region of its upper end to the rear side of a pivotally mounted upper rear deck part, and the said arm being supportedly guided at its lower end by track means, and biasing means acting on said support arm, said drop-leaf and support arm and track means being such as to provide considerable mechanical advantage in raising the upper deck part when the drop-leaf is being raised from its lowered position, characterized by the feature that the rear drop-leaf barrier is connected to a support arm at opposite sides of the vehicle by means of coaxial pivot pins extending from the barrier or support arm supportingly engageable in recesses in the support arms or barrier respectively, and releasable securing and torque transmission means being provided and, when aligned, are operably displaceable without any lateral movement of said barrier to retain said pivot pins in said recesses and such as to enable torque to be transmitted between the support arms and barrier and between the barrier and support arm. *..S:
38. A transportation vehicle as claims in claimed in claim 40 in which the S is..... biasing means is connected to the support arm between its pivot with said *:*::* rear deck part and its track contacting part such that when the track contacting part moves to the rear of a vertical of said first pivot it urges the drop-leaf to the elevated position thus and preferably displaceable as an over- :* centre arrangement to enable the drop-leaf to remain in the lowered position : until manually raised to move the line of action of the biasing means over the centre to urge the drop-leaf upwardly into its elevated barrier position, characterized by the feature that the rear drop-leaf barrier is connected to a support arm at opposite sides of the vehicle by means of coaxial pivot pins extending from the barrier or support arm supportingly engageable in recesses in the support arms or barrier respectively, and releasable securing and torque transmission means being provided and, when aligned, are operably displaceable without any lateral movement of said barrier to retain said pivot pins in said recesses and such as to enable torque to be transmitted between the support arms and barrier and between the barrier and support arm.