GB2516019A

GB2516019A - Support leg for demountable trailer container

Info

Publication number: GB2516019A
Application number: GB1312117.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert Clive Browning Davis
Original assignee: Ifor Williams Trailers Ltd
Current assignee: Ifor Williams Trailers Ltd
Priority date: 2013-07-11
Filing date: 2013-07-11
Publication date: 2015-01-14
Anticipated expiration: 2033-07-11
Also published as: GB2516019B; GB201312117D0

Abstract

A support leg 10 for a demountable trailer container comprising an upright stanchion 12 to which a trailer guide device 20 is mounted. The guide device 20 having a sloping guide surface 26 extending in a plane at an acute angle relative to a vertical longitudinal axial plane of the trailer container which is to be supported by the leg 10. The guide device 20 may include upper and lower substantially triangular webs 22, 24 between which the sloping guide surface 26 is attached to connect the guide surface 26 to the stanchion 12. Further, the guide device 20 may include at least one abutment surface 25, 27, which may extend from a rear edge of the sloping guide surface 26 and may extend in a plane perpendicular to the vertical longitudinal axial plane of the trailer container. Preferably the guide device 20 is mounted to the stanchion 12 by a tubular sleeve 18 which is slidably adjustable so that the height of the guide device on the stanchion 12 may be varied. A laterally extending post 19 for engaging and supporting the trailer container may also be suitably connected to the height adjustable sleeve 18 and fixed in position relative to the guide device 20.

Description

SUPPORT LEG FOR DEMOUNTABLE TRAILER CONTAINER

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This invention relates to a support leg, used in conjunction with at least three others, for supporting a container, such as a livestock container, when it is not mounted onto a trailer.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Trailers find many and varied uses in an agricultural context, and in other spheres of activity, and there is greater flexibility for use of a trailer, and economy for small scale enterprises, if a trailer can be used, selectively, with or without a container mounted thereon. When such a container is not required it can be detached and removed from the trailer and supported upon legs, of which there will be at least one at each corner. Later, when the container is again required, the trailer is reversed into position below the container, reconnected and the support legs removed.

[0003] Known support legs for this purpose typically each comprise an upright stanchion with suitable base, and a laterally extending post mounted to the stanchion by a height adjustable sleeve. Height adjustment for the lateral post is necessary to allow for uneven or sloping ground at the site of container storage. In use, the post projects into a substantially horizontally arranged tubular member provided adjacent a floor of the demountable container, to support a respective corner of the container, when it is not mounted onto a trailer.

[0004] Difficulties can be encountered in accurately positioning the trailer below the container, in correct alignment below same, when the container is again to be mounted thereon.

[0005] The invention seeks to address this problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The invention provides a support leg for a demountable trailer container comprising an upright stanchion to which a trailer guide device is mounted, the guide device having a sloping guide surface extending in a plane at an acute angle relative to a vertical longitudinal axial plane of the trailer container which is to be supported by the leg.

[0007] Legs with such guide devices will typically only be required at the rear end of the demounted container and the guide surfaces thereof will be orientated to oppose each other and will then facilitate correct positioning of the trailer as it is reversed into position below the container when the container is to be re-mounted on the trailer. In this respect rear corners of the trailer will make contact with and be guided by the guide device sloping surfaces. This guidance will potentially save a lot of time and trouble for the operator.

[0008] In preferred embodiments the guide device comprises at least one substantially triangular web to which the sloping guide surface is attached and which connects the guide surface to the stanchion.

[0009] Also in preferred embodiments the guide device includes at least one abutment surface extending in a plane substantially perpendicular to the vertical longitudinal axial plane of the trailer container. This is preferred to serve as an end limit for the rear of the trailer during the container mounting operation.

[0010] Also in preferred embodiments the guide device is provided upon/mounted to the same height adjustable sleeve on which the lateral support post is provided and in a fixed predetermined position relative thereto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a livestock container mounted upon support legs, at least one of which is in accordance with a preferred practicable embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is an enlarged scale fragmentary perspective view of the support leg of the invention shown in figure 1 when in use; and Figure 3 is a further enlarged scale perspective view of the support leg of the invention when in use, but from a different angle of view to figure 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT

[0012] As best shown in figures 2 and 3 a preferred practical embodiment of a support leg 10 of the invention comprises an upright stanchion 12 of hollow tubular form and substantially square cross-section. This is mounted upon a base plate 14 with additional buttress support pieces 16. A sleeve 18 of matching substantially square cross section is slidably mounted on the stanchion 12. Accordingly, it is non-rotatable but is height adjustable on the stanchion 12 by alignment of apertures 17 on the sleeve 18 with selected apertures of a series of vertically arranged apertures 15 on the stanchion 12 and insertion of one or more linchpins (not shown) or pegs or any other suitable clips or fasteners there through.

[0013] A post 19, also in the form of a hollow, square cross section member, but orientated with opposing upper and lower corners, extends laterally from one wall of the square cross section sleeve 18. The purpose of this laterally projecting post 19 is best shown in figure 2. It fits into a tubular element 39 of matching cross sectional shape mounted below the floor 32 of a trailer container 30 and extending there in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the container 30 (or its direction of travel when mounted to a trailer (not shown). This is how a set of four support legs (10,34) one for each corner of the container, support such a container, as shown in figure 1.

[0014] However, of the support legs shown in figure 1 only two, at the rear of the container 30 (only one of which (10) is visible) are in accordance with the invention, and are preferred practical embodiments thereof. The other two support legs 34, which are used to support the front of the container, have a generally conventional structure, having the features just described above.

[0015] Each leg 10 in accordance with the invention has an additional guide device 20 connected to its height adjustable sleeve 18. As best shown in figures 2 and 3, the guide device 20 comprises upper and lower plates 22, 24, each of approximate shape of a right angled triangle mounted in alignment and spaced apart one above the other. The right angled corners of these plates 22. 24 are positioned adjacent a corner of the square cross section sleeve 18. An upright guide plate 26 is mounted between the edges of these plates 22, 24 which are the hypotenuses of their triangular shape and thereby provides a sloping guide surface which, as shown, extends in a plane which is at an acute angle to a vertical longitudinal axial plane of the container 30. This axial plane is depicted in broken lines and only partially at 40 in figure 1. At the rear, relative to the container direction, the guide plate 26 is bent to provide a main abutment surface 25 extending substantially perpendicular to the container axial plane 40. At the front, the guide plate 26 is further bent, covering the front corners of the triangular plates 22, 24 to provide an auxiliary abutment surface 27, also extending substantially perpendicular to the container axial plane 40.

[0016] Thus the post 19 extends sideways from the sleeve 18 while the triangular plates 22, 24 of the guide device 20 extend forwards from the sleeve, at fixed relative dispositions. All the component parts are suitably produced from steel plate and welded together.

[0017] In use, starting from the demountable container 30 being mounted onto a trailer (not shown), the trailer is parked at a selected storage place and the support legs 34, 10 are fitted to the container 30 by insertion of the laterally extending posts 19 into the tubular receiving elements 39. At the rear the support legs 10 are a symmetrical pair arranged to have mutually facing guide surfaces 26. At the same time any required height adjustment of the sleeves 18 to which the posts 19 are connected, on the stanchion is 12 is attended to to compensate for the unevenness of the ground. At this point, to provide necessary vertical clearance to allow the trailer to be driven away, the drawbar towing arrangement will be lowered by hydraulics of the towing vehicle to lift the rear of the container and the legs 10 adjusted to that height. Then the drawbar will be raised to bring the front to the same level and the front legs 34 also adjusted to hold the front of the container 30 at the same height. The container 30 is then uncoupled from the trailer, namely fastening means hitherto securing the container 30 to the trailer are released, then the trailer is driven away.

[0018] Subsequently, when the container 30 in the condition shown in figure 1 is again to be mounted onto the trailer, the trailer is reversed into position below the container floor 32. The iear end of the tiailer, if misaligned, will make contact with eithei the auxiliary abutment surface 27 or the sloping guide surfaces 26 of one or both of the rear suppoit legs 10. The towing vehicle and trailer, having greater weight than the container and having momentum tend to knock the container sideways to the correct position where it lies above the trailei floor 32 to peimit subsequent re-attachment of the fastening means.

First of all the reverse procedure has to be undertaken to lower the container 30 onto the trailer and remove the support legs 10, 34. The drawbar is raised by the hydraulics of the tractor to take the weight off the front legs 34. The front legs 34 are thus lifted off the ground, so theft posts 19 can be withdiawn from theft socket elements 39 on the container and these legs 34 removed. Then the draw bar is lowered again, sufficient to take the weight off the back legs 10 so that their posts 19 can be withdrawn and they can be removed in the same way. The container floor 32 then iests fully upon the trailer, the relevant fastening means there between are secured and the trailer with container can be towed away.

[0019] The foregoing is illustrative and not limitative of the scope of the invention, and many variations in details are possible in other embodiments, as will be apparent to a peison of skill in this technical field. In particular the conventional parts of container support legs may differ from those described as regards their configuration and relative disposition, e.g. the cross section of the stanchion and the form of the base plate, buttressing (if present) and lateral post may all differ from the illustrated embodiment Other features of the guide device are preferred but not essential except as specified in appended claim 1.

[0020] Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the words "complise" and "contain" and valiations of them mean "including but not limited to", and they are not intended to (and do not) exclude other components. Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the singular encompasses the plural unless the context otheiwise lequires. In paiticulai, where the indefinite article is used, the specification is to be understood as contemplating plurality as well as singularity, unless the context requires otherwise.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A support leg for a demountable trailer container comprising an upright stanchion to which a trailer guide device is mounted, the guide device having a sloping guide surface extending in a plane at an acute angle relative to a vertical longitudinal axial plane of the trailer container which is to be supported by the leg.
2. A support leg according to claim 1 wherein the guide device comprises at least one substantially triangular web to which the sloping guide surface is attached and which connects the guide surface to the stanchion.
3. A support leg according to claim 2 wherein the sloping guide surface is provided between upper and lower substantially triangular webs.
4. A support leg according to claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the guide device includes at least one abutment surface extending in a plane substantially perpendicular to the vertical longitudinal axial plane of the trailer container.
5. A support leg according to claim 4 wherein the or one of the abutment surfaces extend from a rear edge of the sloping guide surface, the rear edge being that in a rearward direction relative to the trailer container which is to be supported by the leg.
6. A support leg according to any preceding claim wherein the guide device is mounted to the stanchion by means of a tubular element fitted to the stanchion as a sleeve which is slidably adjustable so that the height of the guide device on the stanchion may be varied.
7. A support leg according to claim 6 wherein a laterally extending post for engaging and supporting the trailer container is also connected to the height adjustable sleeve and in a fixed predetermined position relative thereto.
8. A support leg according to claim 6 or 7 wherein the stanchion is polygonal in cross section and the sleeve is of corresponding hollow shape so that the sleeve is mounted non-rotatably on the stanchion.
9. A support leg for a demountable trailer container substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in figures 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings.Amendment to the claims have been filed as followsCLAIMS1. A support leg for a demountable trailer container which has a vertical longitudinal axial plane, the support leg comprising an upright stanchion to which a trailer guide device is mounted, the guide device being mounted to the stanchion by means of a tubular element fitted to the stanchion as a sleeve which is slidably adjustable so that the height of the guide device on the stanchion may be varied, and also comprising a laterally extending post for engaging and supporting the trailer container, said post also connected to the height adjustable sleeve and in a fixed predetermined position relative thereto, wherein the guide device has a sloping guide surface configured to extend in a plane at an obtuse angle relative to the laterally extending post so that, in use, said sloping guide surface extends in a plane at an acute angle relative to the vertical longitudinal axial plane of the trailer container which is to be supported by the leg.2. A support leg according to claim 1 wherein the guide device comprises at least one substantially triangular web to which the sloping guide surface is attached and which connects the guide surface to the stanchion.o 3. A support leg according to claim 2 wherein the sloping guide surface is provided between upper and lower substantially triangular webs.C) 4. A support leg according to claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the guide device includes at least one abutment surface extending in a plane substantially parallel to thelaterally extending post.5. A support leg according to any preceding claim wherein the stanchion is polygonal in cross section and the sleeve is of corresponding hollow shape so that the sleeve is mounted non-rotatably on the stanchion.6. A support leg for a demountable trailer container substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in figures 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings.