GB2518820A

GB2518820A - Cargo transportation

Info

Publication number: GB2518820A
Application number: GB1315694.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Malcolm Leadon
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-09-04
Filing date: 2013-09-04
Publication date: 2015-04-08
Also published as: GB201315694D0

Abstract

A cargo transportation apparatus 10 comprising a human-propelled conveyance 12 and a load platform 14, wherein the load platform 14 comprises a lifting means 62. The human propelled conveyance 12 suitably comprises a cycle rear frame of conventional design and driven by pedals 26, and having a head tube 42. The head tube 42 is pivotally connected to a load platen 60 supported on front wheels 54, the load platen 60 being mechanically, hydraulically or manually raisable and lowerable by the lifting means 62.

Description

Title: Cargo transportation

Description:

This invention relates to cargo transportation, and in particular, but without limitation, to cargo transportation using human-propelled conveyances.

Bulk goods deliveries are commonly made to sites, such as factories, assembly lines and warehouses, in ISO containers or on pallets because ISO containers and pallets provide a convenient means to transport heavy and/or bulky goods in large quantities via road, rail or sea. ISO containers and pallets enable goods to be readily crane-, or fork-lifted, onto and off vehicles and placed down where they are needed. However, when an ISO container or pallet arrives on site, it is usually necessary for the container to be unloaded into a warehouse, or for the pallet to be "broken-down" such that individual items in the consignment can be taken to where they are needed.

It is known to move pallets using fork-lift trucks, but this method presents a number of potential problems: Firstly, only specially-trained drivers are usually permitted to operate fork-lift trucks. As such, the fork-lift truck drivers need to be regularly tested and certified to ensure that they are competent, which training and re-certification can costly and time-consuming and requires considerable investment in human resources.

Secondly, the capital outlay of a fork-lift truck is relatively high, which often means that, where demand for the fork-lift truck fluctuates, there can be too few fork-lift trucks available at any given time. As such, the availability of fork-lift trucks has the potential to introduce a bottleneck in the supply chain or logistics of a business.

Thirdly, whilst fork-lift trucks are ideally suited to in-warehouse use, where there are relatively wide access paths, and relatively few people in the vicinity, they are not generally suited to use, say, on a production line, where space is limited and where there are lots of people around who may be endangered by the presence of fork-lift trucks.

Fourthly, it is impractical, in many situations, to use fork-lift trucks over long distances, as can be found on production lines. The fuel or power required to drive a fork-lift truck over extended distances can be costly or environmentally harmful, and in any event, the maximum speed of a fork-lift truck is often restricted to approximately walking pace, thus making long-distance journeys time consuming an inefficient.

One possible solution to this problem has been proposed in the form of a human-powered for lift truck, such as that described on the web site http://www.treehugger.com/cars/human-powered-forklift.html. The known system is essentially a copy of a motor-propelled fork-lilt truck except that the propulsion system has been replaced by a set of pedals, and the lifting mechanism has been replaced by a hand crank-operated winch, which hoists the load above floor level. The drawbacks of such a system are the same as for a conventional fork-lift truck, as described above, and in addition, the maximum load is limited by the strength of the operator and the tipping of the vehicle, i.e. to just 30kg (much less than the manual lifting limit of two people), which is impractical in most situations. Moreover, the vertical lifting frame of the known system severely impedes the operator's field of view and the known system cannot be used over long distances or on the uneven surfaces which are commonly encountered in industrial settings.

The invention aims to provide a solution to one or more of the above problems and/or to provide an improved and/or alternative cargo transportation apparatus and system.

According to the invention, there is provided a cargo transportation apparatus comprising a human-propelled conveyance and a load platform, wherein the load platform comprises a lifting means.

By providing a human-propelled conveyance, the need for specialist training, driving licenses, goods vehicle permits and so forth can be avoided. Moreover, because the cargo transportation apparatus is human-propelled, it does not necessarily need an external power supply, such as a source of fuel, say, for an internal combustion engine, or electrical power, say, for a motor-driven conveyance. This aspect of the invention therefore has the potential to reduce fuel consumption, and avoids the problems associated with air pollution where internal combustion engines are operated indoors. In addition, the operatives of the cargo transportation apparatus may additionally benefit from the physical exercise associated with operating it.

The human-propelled conveyance can take any suitable form, although it is envisaged that the cargo transportation system would be based upon the design of a bicycle. Suitably, therefore, the human-propelled conveyance may comprise a pedal-driven driving wheel, a set of pedals and a mechanical linkage, for example, a chain, interposed between the pedals and driving wheel. A gear mechanism may usefully be provided, such as the multi-cog gear systems found on conventional bicycles.

The human propelled conveyance suitably comprises a seat for the operative, and means for steering it, such as a set of handlebars. Brakes are suitably provided for slowing and/or stopping the apparatus, as well as, optionally, for parking the apparatus. A separate parking brake may be provided.

The load platform is suitably located, in use, in front of the human-propelled conveyance, which arrangement enables an operative to more easily manoeuvre the apparatus when loaded.

The load platform suitably comprises a platen supported above the floor by a frame mounted on a pair of wheels. By providing the load platform with a pair, or other plurality of wheels, the load borne by the load platform can be shared, and a relatively wide wheelbase can be provided for stability. Suitably, the human-propelled conveyance has a single driving wheel, such that the cargo transportation apparatus takes the form of a tricycle, which is advantageous from a stability point of view, and enables the apparatus to be driven more easily than, say, a four-wheeled vehicle over uneven surfaces. The use of a tricycle setup may obviate the need for sprung suspension system to maintain all of the running wheels in contact with uneven floor surfaces. Additionally, where the human-propelled conveyance has a single driven wheel, an operative can comfortably and stably straddle it, which may make the apparatus easier to ride.

The load platform suitably comprises a platen supported above the floor by a frame mounted on wheels. The frame and platen are suitably interconnected by a lifting mechanism which acts between the two to prise them apart during raising of the platen, or vice-versa. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, therefore, the platen is jacked-up from below, which means that a high-level hoisting mechanism is not needed to lift the platen from above. Such a configuration avoids obscuring the operative's field of view, when driving the apparatus.

The lifting means of the invention can be of any suitable type, although a scissor-lift mechanism is preferred because it offers a high mechanical advantage making heavy loads placed on the platen relatively easy to lift. In alternative embodiments of the invention, the lifting mechanism may comprise a wedge or cam mechanism that can be manipulated, for example, using a lever.

Additionally or alternatively, an electrical, hydraulic or pneumatic lifting means may be employed, as described hereinbelow.

is suitably, the cargo transportation apparatus is adapted for use in conjunction with a trolley.

By such an arrangement, the lifting means can be used to lift the trolley clear of the floor, thus enabling it to be transported by the cargo transportation apparatus. The trolley, where provided suitably comprises a receptacle, such as an open-topped cage, into which, in use, items to be transported can be placed. The receptacle is suitable raised off the floor on legs, which may have castors or wheels at their lower ends to enable the trolley to be manoeuvred over a floor surface.

Where the cargo transportation apparatus is used in conjunction with a trolley, the ground clearance of the trolley's receptacle is suitably only slightly, say between 10mm and 50mm, higher than the lowered elevation of the load platform. As such, the lifting means of the cargo transportation apparatus only needs to elevate the trolley by a relatively small amount to clear the trolley's legs or wheels off the floor surface to enable the trolley to be effectively "picked up" and transported by the cargo transportation apparatus. By substantially matching the ground clearance of the trolley with the lowered height of the load platform, the amount of vertical lifting of the trolley can be reduced to a minimum, thereby conserving energy by not having to lift the trolley very far off the floor to be able to transport it.

Preferred embodiments of the invention shall now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a cargo transportation apparatus in accordance with the invention with the load platform in a lowered position; Figure 2 is a partially cut-away view of the embodiment of Figure 1 with the load platform in a raised position; Figure 3 is a partially cut-away view of a second embodiment of a cargo transportation apparatus in accordance with the invention with the load platform in a raised position; Figure 4 is a schematic side view of a third embodiment of a cargo transportation apparatus in accordance with the invention; and Figures 5 to 8 are a sequence showing how a cargo transportation apparatus in accordance with the invention can be used in conjunction with a loading trolley.

In Figure 1, a cargo transportation apparatus lOin accordance with the invention comprises a human-propelled conveyance 12 pivotally connected to a load platform 14. The human-propelled conveyance 12 is essentially manufactured from the rear portion of a bicycle and comprises a seat stay 16 and chain stay 18 converging to provide a support for the axle 20 of a rear wheel 22 of the conveyance 12. The seat stay 16 and chain stay 18 are each connected to a seat tube 23, to the top of which, an operator's seat 24 is height-adjustably affixed. The rear wheel 22 is driven by a set of pedals 26 that are rigidly connected to a set of chain rings 28 that drive a chain 30 connected to a cogset 32. A derailleur 36 is also provided to enable an operator (not shown) to select a desired gear ratio.

A cross bar 38 and a down bar 40 are each connected to the seat tube 22 and rigidly interconnected the rear portion of the conveyance 12 to a head tube 42. Rotatably extending through the head tube 42 is a substantially vertical support tube 44 for the load platform 14. The head tube 42 and substantially vertical support tube 44 may be aligned perpendicularly to the floor surface, although it is advantageous for the head tube 42 to be inclined by a few degrees such that its lower end slightly forward of its upper end as this biases the steering, under the weight of the apparatus 10, load (not shown) and driver (not shown) to a straight position, thereby self-centring the steering.

Atop the vertical support tube 44, there is provided a set of handlebars 46 that enable an operative (not shown) to steer the apparatus 10, when underway. The handlebars 46 are provided with brake levers and gear levers in a known manner to enable the operative (not shown) to slow/stop/park the apparatus 10, or to select an appropriate gear ratio, respectively.

The substantially vertical support tube 44 is rigidly connected at its lower end, which extends below the lower end of the head tube 42, to a substantially horizontal support frame 50 for the load platform 12. The support frame 50 comprises an outer ring beam 52, which supports bearings carrying the axles 53 of a pair of front wheels 54 of the apparatus 10. Thus, an operative (not shown) is able to mount the conveyance 12 and propel the apparatus 10, 12, 14 using pedal power whilst controlling it using the handlebars 46, brakes 47 and gears.

The load platform 14 additionally comprises an open-topped hollow box structure 56 which is welded along its lower, lateral sides to pair of longitudinal support beams 58 of the support frame 50, and along its lower front and rear edges to the ring beam 52, as shown. The box structure 56 conceals a lifting mechanism (not visible in Figure 1) for a raisable and lowerable load platen 60.

The load platform 14 additionally comprises a guard frame 63 interposed between the load platform and the rider (not shown), which provides a convenient grab handle for manipulating the load platform, and which inhibits items falling off the platen 60 towards the rider (not shown), in use.

In Figure 2, the load platen 60 has been rendered transparent to illustrate an embodiment of a lifting mechanism 62 for the platen 60. In Figure 2, the lifting mechanism 62 comprises a scissor lift mechanism that is actuated by rotating a threaded bar 64: rotation of the threaded bar 64 causing the scissor-lift mechanism 62 to open or close, thus raising or lowering the platen 60. The threaded bar 64 comprises a coaxial handle portion 66 that extends through a slotted aperture 68 in a side wall (in the illustrated embodiment, the front wall) of the hollow box structure 56 and terminates in a crank 70 that an operative (not shown) can turn to raise or lower the platen 60, as required.

In Figure 3, which shows substantially the same apparatus lOas in Figures land 2, an alternative lifting mechanism is provided: this time in the form of a camming device 72. The camming device 72 comprises a pair of cams 74 that are rigidly affixed to an axle 76, which extends through an aperture (not shown) in a side wall of the hollow box structure 56. The axle 76 terminates in a handle 78 that an operative (not shown) can manipulate 79 to rotate the cams 74, thus raising or lowering the platen 60 from below.

Of course, whilst manually-actuated lifting mechanisms have been shown, it is within the scope of the invention to provide a motor or other similar actuator, to rotate the threaded bar 64 shown in Figure 2 or the axle 76 shown in Figure 3, to effect motorised and/or assisted raising or lowering of the platen 60.

Other lifting mechanisms could be used as well, such as the pneumatic system illustrated schematically in Figure 4, for example. In Figure 4, a set of inflatable bladders 80 are interposed between the load platform's support frame 50 and the platen 60 in such a manner that by inflating or deflating the bladders 80, the platen 60 can be raised or lowered. In a preferred embodiment, the combined cross-sectional area of the bladders 80 is relatively large, thus enabling low-pressure inflation thereof for raising a given load: the load being spread over a larger surface area of the bladders 80, thus reducing the internal pressure required within the bladders 80 to counteract the weight of an object placed on the platen 60. In that regard, a hand or foot pump may be provided to manually inflate the bladders 80. However, and as shown in Figure 4, a battery 82 operated air compressor 84 could equally be used for inflating the bladders 80. controlled deflation of the bladders 80 is readily achieved using a flow control air outlet valve (not shown).

S

The invention 10 is ideally suited for use in factories, production lines, and warehouses etc., where loads need to be transported over relatively large distances. This is made easier by the relatively large wheel sizes 22, 54 of the apparatus 10 and the fact that an operative (not shown) can propel the vehicle relatively easily and straightforwardly due to the similarities between the vehicle and a conventional bicycle with which most, if not all, operatives would already be familiar. The relatively high ground clearance of the vehicle 10, coupled with pneumatic tyres on the wheels 20, 54 and the option of a sprung suspension system (not shown) lends itself to use on uneven surfaces, driving over cabling etc., such as is often found in industrial settings.

The sequence of Figures 5 toS shows how the apparatus 10 can be used as part of a system comprising one or more vehicles 10 according to the invention and one or more trolleys 90, as shown in Figures 5 to 8. The trolley 90 shown in Figures 5 to 8 comprises a load basket 92, or other containment receptacle that can be filled with items to be transported (not shown for clarity). The items can be placed into the load basket 92 relatively easily because it is supported above floor level 93 by a set of legs 94. The lower end of each leg 94 is provided with a castor 96 thus enabling the trolley 90 to be moved around by hand, and the legs 94 provide sufficient ground clearance beneath the load basket 92, and are spaced far enough apart, to allow the loading platform 14 of a cargo transportation apparatus 10 according to the invention to be driven underneath it with the platen 60 in a lowered position, as shown in Figure 6.

Once the load platform 14 has been correctly registered beneath the load basket 92 of the trolley 90, the platen 60 can be raised using the lifting means to raise the trolley's castors 96 to be lifted clear of the floor 93, as shown in Figures 6 and 7. Once the trolley 90 has been lifted clear of the floor, an operative (not shown) can propel the apparatus 10 as well as the trolley 90 to another location, whereupon the trolley can be set down again by lowering the platen 60 and withdrawing the cargo transportation apparatus 10 from beneath it. This frees-up the cargo transportation apparatus 10 for other uses, and allows the trolley 90 to be swapped for another one, should the need arise.

Notably, the height of the trolley 90 is such that the field of view of an operative (not shown) seated on the human-propelled conveyance 12 is not unduly obscured thereby.

Advantageously, the system described herein facilities the transportation of goods, either directly on the loading platform 14 of the cargo transportation apparatus 10, or using a trolley 90 that can be "picked up", transported and "set-down" thereby. Notably, the apparatus can be operated manually and using only human power. Moreover, the use of a scissor lifting device 62 located below the platen 60 enables much heavier weights to be transported than known devices which use overhead winches etc. to raise loads off the floor. Also, the location of the front wheels 54, and the triangulation provided by a three-wheeled device increases the stability of the apparatus whilst allowing it to be operated on uneven surfaces over relatively large distances.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiments, which are merely exemplary of the invention. For example, the shape and configuration of the human-propelled conveyance 12 and/or the load platform 14 and/or the trolley 90 could be changed without departing from the scope of the invention. A further aspect of the invention includes the combination of one or more cargo transportation apparatuses 10 and one or more trolleys 90 as herein before described.

Claims

Claims: 1. A cargo transportation apparatus comprising a human-propelled conveyance and a load platform, wherein the load platform comprises a lifting means.
2. A cargo transportation apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the human-propelled conveyance comprises the rear portion of a bicycle.
3. A cargo transportation apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the human-propelled conveyance comprises a seat stay and chain stay converging to provide a support for the axle of a rear wheel of the conveyance, the seat stay and chain stay each being connected to a seat tube, to the top of which seat tube supports an operator's seat, the rear wheel being driveable, in use, by a set of pedals that are rigidly connected to a set of chain rings that drive a chain connected to a cogset of the rear wheel; a cross bar and a down bar each connected to the seat tube, which cross bar and down bar rigidly interconnect the rear portion of the conveyance to a head tube.
4. A cargo transportation apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising any one or more of the group comprising: a gear mechanism interposed between the pedals and the driving wheel; braking means; and a parking brake.
5. A cargo transportation apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the load platform is located, in use, in front of the human-propelled conveyance.
6. A cargo transportation apparatus as claimed in any of claims 3,4 or 5, wherein the load platform comprises a substantially vertical support tube rotatably connected to the head tube; and a set of handlebars for steering the apparatus rigidly connected to an upper portion; and a support frame rigidly connected to a lower end, of the substantially vertical support tube.
7. A cargo transportation apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the load platform comprises a platen supported above the floor by a support frame mounted on a pair of wheels.
8. A cargo transportation apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the support frame and platen are interconnected by the lifting means.
9. A cargo transportation apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the lifting means acts between the support frame and the platen to prise them apart during raising of the platen, or vice-versa.
10. A cargo transportation apparatus as claimed in claimS or claim 9, wherein the platen is arranged to be jacked-up from below by the lifting means.
11. A cargo transportation apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the lifting means comprises a scissor-lift mechanism.
12. A cargo transportation apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the scissor lift-mechanism is actuatable by rotatable threaded bar.
13. A cargo transportation apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the rotatable threaded bar is operatively connected to a crank handle.
14. A cargo transportation apparatus as claimed in any of claims claim 11, 12 or 13, further comprising a motor for rotating, in use, the threaded bar.
15. A cargo transportation apparatus as claimed in any of claims ito 10, wherein the lifting means comprises a camming mechanism.
16. A cargo transportation apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein the camming mechanism comprises a cam mounted to engage an underside of the platen, which cam is rigidly affixed to an axle.
17. A cargo transportation apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein the axle is operatively connected to a handle that can manipulated to rotate the cam to raise or lower the platen from below.
18. A cargo transportation apparatus as claimed in claim 16 or claim 17, wherein the axle is operatively connected to a motor adapted to rotate the cam to raise or lower the platen from below.
19. A cargo transportation apparatus as claimed in any of claims ito 10, wherein the lifting means comprises a pneumatic lifting means.
20. A cargo transportation apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein the pneumatic lifting means comprises an inflatable bladder interposed between the load platform's support frame and the platen in such a manner that by inflating or deflating the bladder, the platen can be raised or lowered.
21. A cargo transportation apparatus as claimed in claim 20, further comprising a foot-or hand-pump for inflating the bladder.
22. A cargo transportation apparatus as claimed in claim 20 or claim 21, further comprising a battery-powered air compressor for inflating the bladder.
23. A cargo transportation apparatus as claimed in any of claims 20, 21 or 22, further comprising an air flow control air outlet valve for deflating the bladder in a controlled manner.
24. A cargo transportation system comprising a cargo transportation apparatus according to any preceding claim, and a trolley.
25. A cargo transportation system as claimed in claim 24, wherein the trolley comprises a receptacle supported off the floor on legs.
26. A cargo transportation system as claimed in claim 25, wherein the receptacle comprises an open-topped basket.
27. A cargo transportation system as claimed in claim 25 or claim 26, wherein the lower end of each leg is provided with a wheel or castor.
28. A cargo transportation system as claimed in any of claims 24 to 27, wherein the ground clearance of the trolley's receptacle is slightly higher than the lowered elevation of the load platform.
29. A cargo transportation system as claimed in any of claims 24 to 28, wherein the lateral spacing of the legs is sufficient to allow the loading platform of the cargo transportation apparatus to be located beneath the receptacle.
30. A cargo transportation system as claimed in any of claims 24 to 29, wherein the height of the trolley is such that the field of view of an operative seated on the human-propelled conveyance is not unduly obscured thereby.
31. A cargo transportation apparatus and system substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.