GB2521252A

GB2521252A - Vehicle transportation apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2521252A
Application number: GB1417524.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Joseph Anthony Rostron; Lee Mangnall
Original assignee: Indespension Ltd
Current assignee: Indespension Ltd
Priority date: 2013-10-04
Filing date: 2014-10-03
Publication date: 2015-06-17
Anticipated expiration: 2034-10-03
Also published as: GB201417524D0; GB201317571D0; GB2521252B

Abstract

A vehicle transportation apparatus, such as a trailer, carries a vehicle such as an excavator. The apparatus has an automatic securing means 3 which is operable to secure a vehicle on the platform of the apparatus by driving the vehicle onto the apparatus and into engagement with a clamping apparatus 3. A catch plate assembly 5 may be provided and is optionally connected to clamping means 3 via a con rod 3g such that the catch plates 5 and clamping assembly 3 rotate into position simultaneously. The transportation device may also be provided with a dozer blade stop (6, Figure 6) which may have multiple dozer blade engagement positions (6c, Figure 7). A rear stop, which may be an extendable ram may be provided and may be located on a ramp. Means (9, Figure 8) to secure and store a pecker could also be provided , the means (9) may have a lid (12, Figure 8) on which a bucket of an excavator could be placed when the lid (12) is in the closed position (Figure 10).

Description

Vehicle Transportation Apparatus The present invention relates to vehicle transportation apparatus, such as a trailer, and also to a securing arrangement for use with vehicle transportation apparatus.

It is well known to transport vehicles on a trailer. Arrangements are known for securing vehicles on trailers. The safe transportation of vehicles, such as excavator machines, on trailers currently requires the operator to carry out a series of procedures in order to secure the vehicle to the trailer prior to transit. These procedures often use tension lashing straps, physical bars or plates in order to secure the vehicle to the trailer. Tension loading straps may fray with use and even break leading to a dangerous situation. Further risks arise from operator error in failing to ensure that the vehicle is correctly strapped and/or secured in place before transit.

Other methods of securing a vehicle to a trailer do not "clamp" the vehicle to the trailer, but allow it to physically move against a plate whilst in transit.

In addition to the safe strapping of the load, a further concern with some existing systems is the correct positioning of the load in order to achieve the correct characteristics and balance for safe towing, Ensuring the load is positioned correctly relies on the operator and if the operator does not do this correctly a dangerous situation can occur.

The present invention has been made from a consideration of the above.

According to the present invention there is provided vehicle transportation apparatus comprising a platform for receiving the vehicle and means for releasably securing the vehicle on the platform, wherein driving the vehicle onto the platform automatically causes the securing means to engage the vehicle and secure the vehicle in position on the platform.

The aforesaid securing means may be disengaged by an operator.

The present invention allows for the safe loading and clamping of vehicles, S such as excavator machines, onto the vehicle transportation apparatus for transit.

This invention ensures that the excavator vehicle is fully secured by the action of driving the vehicle onto the trailer and utilising the controls on the excavator vehicle to ihily lock and secure the vehicle to the trailer, the action of which means the locking is automatic. Once the vehicle is in position the trailer locks the vehicle in position and a system of interlocks ensures that the vehicle cannot move backwards until unloading is required.

When unloading the excavator vehicle from the trailer, the action of the operator utilising the contr&s on the apparatus of the invention automatically unlocks the system. The apparatus of the invention also incorporates features to automatically position the locking devices away from the moving vehicle during the unloading procedure.

The present invention envisages the following embodiments: - * A System to automatically lock an excavator onto a transportation device such as a trailer * A system of clamping the tracks of an excavator by simply driving the machine against a physical stop thereby generating clamping pressure on the track.

* A system of automatically positioning a rear catch plate over the rear of the track by driving the machine against a moveable stop * A self-centring system to automatically centre an excavator on a trailer, * A front positional stop to ensure that the excavator is positioned longitudinally along the trailer thereby controlling the hitch loading and ensuring safe towing.

* A rear automatic dozer blade stop to prevent an excavator moving rearwards, * An automatic or semi automatic method of securing the dipper arm and any bucket in position on the trailer to prevent movement.

Additional preferred features of the invention are set out in the dependent claims, In order that the present invention be more readily understood a specific embodiment thereof will now be described by way of example only with reference to the acconipanying drawings iii wInch: -Fig. I shows a vehicle transportation apparatus in the form of a trailer in accordance with the invention, along with the tracks and bucket of an excavator; Figure 2 shows the vehicle transportation apparatus of figure, with one of the tracks of the excavator shown transparent, such that a side-guide is visible; Figure 3 shows in detail the self-centring side guides of the trailer of figure 1; Figure 4 shows in detail the clamping assembly of the trailer of figure 1; Figure 5 shows in detail the track clamping feature and a con-rod link, with a swing-over clamp of the trailer of figure 1; Figure 6 shows in detail the dozer blade stop of the trailer of figure 1; Figure 7 shows the dozer blade stop of the trailer of figure 1 in greater detail; Figure 8 shows a perspective view of the front of a trailer of a second embodiment of the invention, with a pecker store in an open configuration; Figure 9 shows a perspective view of the front of the trailer of figure 8, with the pecker store in a closed and locked configuration, with a bucket and a padlock S attached; Figure 10 shows a perspective view of the front of the trailer of figures 8 and 9 with the pecker store closed, but not locked; Figure 11 shows a perspective view from the outside of the rear of the trailer of the second embodiment shown in figures 8-10, with a ramp closed and a rear stop mechanism abuting a dozer blade; Figure 12 shows a perspective view from the inside of the rear of the trailer of figures 8-Il; Figure 13 shows a side-perspective view of the rear of the trailer of figures 8-12; and Figure 14 shows a side-perspective view of the rear of the trailer of figures 8-13 with the ramp in the open configuration.

Referring to figures 1-7 a first embodiment of a trailer is illustrated for transportation of an excavator machine having caterpillar tracks.

The v e hi c Ic, in this case an excavator, is driven up the ramp of the trailer 1'. As the excavator travels along the trailer it contacts the side guides 2a,b (FIG 3), located on both sides of the trailer, which then push the machine into the approximate centre of the trailer as these are located on either side of the trailer, the width of the gap being slightly wider than the tracks of the excavator or machine. As the machine continues to be driven along, then the side guides 2b' (FIG 3) continue to hold the machine on the approximate centre line of the trailer.

The operator drives the machine forward and eventually contact is made with the clamp assembly (FIG 4). This process continues with contact with tube 3e' (FIG 4). As the pressure builds during contact with this tube 3e, this causes the whole assembly to rotate around centre 3c'. A low friction bush arrangement is located at 3b' and a clamping bracket to anchor the assembly to the trailer is located at 3a', As more horizontal pressure placed on tube 3e then more vertical pressure is therefore applied to 3d' due to the rotational pivot at 3c. This process continues until the excavator cannot be driven any fhrther and maximum clamping pressure is applied to the tracks of the excavator, it should be noted that clamping of the track can be at any position along the track in any direction, However within this specific embodiment, the track is clamped over the front of the track and to the rear of vertical centre-line of the front sprocket.

Located at 3f' (FIGS) is a connection bracket joining Con Rod 3g'(FIG 5) as the excavator clamp swings around 3c' this causes the Con Rod 3g' to move forward due to it being linked to the movement of 3e', The Con rod is connected to a clevis and a tube at 3h'. This causes the tube 5g' to rotate which is connected to track lock plate 5'. This action causes the plate to rotate in the direction of affow 3h'and to be positioned automatically over the track once the excavator is in position.

When the excavator is in position, the dozer plate on the excavator is lowered down to contact the dozer blade stop FIG 6. The dozer blade stop had 2 sets of stepped teeth 6a' 6b' (FIG 7). The dozer plate locates itself on the teeth 6c' in any position to suit the length of machine and vertical pressure is applied. The engagement of the dozer blade in the teeth at 6c results in a situation whereby the excavator cannot move backwards unless an operator raises the dozer blade, thereby securing the excavator between the clamp assembly (FIG 4) and the dozer assembly (FIG 6).

The dozer blade stop is anchored to the chassis at 6d (FIG 7).

S When the excavator machine is located in its locked in position the hitch load is automatically controlled at the correct level, thereby ensuring that safe towing will occur and prevent snaking of the trailer.

A second embodiment of the invention is shown in figures 8 to t4 the second embodiment has many of the same features as the first embodiment, including the side guides 2, made up of first tapering portions 2a for centering an excavator as it drives onto the trailer and second parallel side-wall portions which face each other and prevent lateral movement of the tracks of the excavator. The second embodiment also includes the same cLamping assembly 3 made up of two clamps, one for each track, and each clamp having a pair of L-shaped plates and being rotatable, such that when one part of the clamp, a tube 3e held between one end of the L-shaped plates, is driven into by the tracks of an excavator, the clamp rotates about a generally horizontal axis, parallel to the plane of the platform of the trailer, such that a tube 3d held between the other end of the L-shaped plate, clamps onto the top of the track. Moreover, the second embodiment klso includes the same catch plates 5, located on the side walls of the trailer, which rotate about a generally vertical axis, perpendicular to the plane of the platform of the trailer, in response to the rotation of the front clamp assembly 3, so as to prevent upward motion of the rear of the tracks of the excavator.

The remainder of this description of the second embodiment focusses on the differences.

At the front of the trailer, as shown in figure 8, the second embodiment of the invention includes a pecker store 7 for storing a "pecker" or breaker for use with an excavator. The pecker store is located in front of the front wall 8 of the trailer and comprises a diagonally upwardly extending support 9, having a pair of side walls 10, which, together with a portion of the front wall 8 define a cavity into which a pecker may be placed. A lid 12 is pivotally attached to the top of the front wall 10 and covers a portion of the upper side of the cavity defined by the support 9 and the walls 8, 10, ii. An opening remains between the front of the lid 12 and the front of the diagonally extending support 9, as can be seen in figure 9, in which the lid is closed. A folding closure 13 is pivotally attached to the front of the diagonally extending support 9 and folds into engagement with the front of the lid 12, to cover part of the body of a breaker and prevent unauthorised removal. As shown in figure 9, a padlock l4can be attached to the folding closure 13, to lock it to another part of the trailer, e.g. part of a jockey wheel 15, Moreover, the lid U doubles as a bucket rest, so that the bucket 16 of an excavator can rest on the lid preventing unauthorised opening of the lid 12. Legs 17, 8 extend upwardly alongside side walls 10, 11 and are provided with a removable pin 19,which may extend through linkages between the bucket 16 and a digger arm (not shown) to secure the digger arm and bucket in place, securing the excavator to the trailer for transit and keeping the lid 12 closed.

In use, the bucket retaining pin 19, padlock 14 and bucket 16 are removed from the pecker store 7 as shown in figure 8, the lid 12 is hinged back into the body of the trailer behind the front wall 8, to maximise the size of the cavity, and the pecker is inserted into the cavity, lying on the support 9. Then, as shown in figure 9, the lid 12 is pivoted over so that its front end rests on the side walls 10, 11 and the closure 13 is folded up and attached to the lid 12, to close the pecker store. Finally, as shown in figure 9, the padlock 14 is attached, the bucket t6 is placed on the lid t2, the pin 19 is inserted through the linkages between the bucket 16 and the digger arm S (not shown). The padlock t4 secures the pecker store when the bucket 16 is not situated on the lid 2. Removal of the pecker is achieved simply by reversing this process.

It will be understood that the pecker store described in this embodiment may be applied to the trailer of the first embodiment of the invention. However in the second embodiment, there is a further difference, shown in figures 11-14 in that the stepped, toothed dozer blade stop 6 formed on the platform of the trailer of the first embodiment, is replaced with a rear stop mechanism 20 formed in the knee 21 of the ramp 22 of the trailer. As shown in figure 11, the rear stop mechanism 20 comprises a metal sleeve 23 bolted to the knee of the trailer such that the opening of the sleeve 23 faces inwardly from the ramp 22 when it is in the upright (closed) position. A ram 24 is slidably engaged in the sleeve 23 and provided with a series of locating holes 25 in its upper surface, best seen in figure 12. A very heavy shoot bolt 26 extends through the upper surface of the sleeve 23 to engage with the holes 25 in the ram 24 to hold it in position relative to the sleeve. This provides crude adjustment to engage the front of the ram with a dozer blade 27fine adjustment of the location of the front of the ram 23 is achieved by a screw extension 28 shown in figure 13. The screw extension comprises a bolt, with a head 28, which abuts the dozer blade 27, and a threaded region 29, screwed into a fixed bolt (not shown) in the front of the ram 23. The bolt is provided with a pair of handles 30, which may be turned to extend and retract the head 28 of the bolt relative to the front of the ram 23.

In use, the ramp 22 is lowered as shown in figure 14, the ram 24 is located as far back as possible in the sleeve 23 and the bolt is screwed into the ram 24 as far as possible. An excavator is then driven onto the machine with its dozer blade 27 facing backwards. The front of the tracks contact the stop and the clamping assembly discussed in relation to the first embodiment clamps the tracks of the excavator. The ramp is then raised to the closed (upright) position shown I figures 11-13. The shoot bolt 26 is then lifted and ram 24 is then extended from the sleeve 23 until the head 28 of the bolt abuts the dozer blade 27. The shoot bolt 26 is then allowed to relax and the ram 24 is retracted into the sleeve 23 until the shoot bolt 26 lines up with a hole 25, at which point it will engage with the hole 25, fixing the position of the ram 24 relative to the sleeve 23. The handles 30 of the bolt are then turned to extend the head 28 of the bolt towards the dozer plate 27 and into engagement with it. The dozer plate 27 (arid hence the whole excavator) is then held against rearward motion. Undoing the rear stop mechanism 20 is a simple matter of tuming the handles 30 to retract the bolt at the front of the ram 24, lifting the shoot bolt 26 and sliding the ram 24 back into the sleeve 23.

This rear stop mechanism 20 is very simple and quick to operate and will cater for a wide variety of dozer blade positions. It is stored neatly in the existing knee of the ramp, and can be much stronger than the toothed blade stop 6 as it can be large. It is also more adjustable than the stepped blade stop 6 and can be easily replaced if damaged.

Of course, just as the pecker store 7 can be used in the first embodiment, without this feature, this rear stop mechanism 20 could replace the toothed blade stop 6 of the first embodiment regardless of whether a pecker store 7 is included. Indeed, both the toothed, stepped blade stop 6 and the rear stop mechanism 20 could be used in tandem.

It is to be understood that the above detailed embodiments are by way of S illustration only. Many modifications and variations are possible.

Whilst the above represent specific embodiments of the invention, it should be noted that many variations of the concept can deliver the same result. For example the clamping track itemised at 3a to 3e highlights an embodiment of clamping over the track, we highlight the issue that clamping can indeed be performed from any specific direction. Also the material used for the clamping assembly is shown as a circular tube and this material could be made from any material or any shape of material.

The rear device dozer blade stop shown at FIG 5 can be either fixed or adjustable in any direction or indeed a different profile.

The invention can also be used on any specific mode of transport and is not specifically limited to a trailer. Neither is the invention specific to a particular machine but flexible in concept to suit different machines. The Invention can be used with any track vehicle or those with wheels and tyres but is not limited to these applications solely.

If a trailer is used as a device to incorporate the invention then it is noted that this trailer can be any type of trailer with any type of size! construction method!materials used and is not only for rubber based suspension but can also be used on leaf-spring based suspension systems, or indeed trailers of differing appearance such as beavertails.

The pivot bushes and con rod can a'so be made from different mateiias in order to carry out the fbnction of the invention.

Claims

Claims: 1. A vehicle transportation apparatus comprising a platform for receiving the vehicle and means for releasably securing the vehicle on the platform, wherein driving the vehicle onto the platform automatically causes the S securing means to engage the vehicle and secure the vehicle in position on the platform.
2. A vehicle transportation apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the securing means may be disengaged by an operator.
3. A vehicle transportation apparatus according to either of the preceding claims for receiving and releasably securing excavator machines onto the vehicle transportation apparatus for transit.
4, A vehicle transportation apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein once the vehicle is in position the trailer locks the vehicle in position and a system of interlocks ensures that the vehicle cannot move backwards until unloading is required.
5. A vehicle transportation apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein when unloading the excavator vehicle from the trailer, the action of the operator automatically unlocks the system.
6. A vehicle transportation apparatus according to any of the preceding claims further comprising features to automatically position the locking devices away from the moving vehicle during the unloading procedure.
7. A vehicle transportation apparatus according to any of claims 3 to 6 wherein the tracks of an excavator are clamped by driving the machine against a stop thereby generating clamping pressure on the track.
8. A vehicle transportation apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the stop comprises a clamping assembly which rotates upon contact with the vehicle.
9, A vehicle transportation apparatus according to claim 8 wherein rotation S of the clamping assembly as a result of driving tracks of a machine substantially parallel to the platform against the end stop causes part of the assembly to exert pressure substantially perpendicular to the platform, on the tracks of the machine, to clamp the tracks in place.
10. A vehicle transportation apparatus according to any of claims 7 to 9 wherein driving the machine against the stop causes catch plates to automatically position over the rear of the track.
Ii. A vehicle transportation apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the catch plates are connected to a con rod linking them to the rotating clamping assembly, such that the catch plates and the clamping assembly rotate into position simultaneously.
12. A vehicle transportation apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the clamping assembly rotates about an axis substantially parallel to the platform and the catch plates rotate about an axis substantially perpendicular to the platform.
13. A vehicle transportation apparatus according to any of claims 3 to 12 thrther comprising a self-centring system to automatically centre an excavator on the apparatus.
14. A vehicle transportation apparatus according to any of claims 7-13 wherein the stop is a front positional stop arranged towards the front of the trailer to ensure that the excavator is positioned longitudinally along the trailer.tS, A vehicle transportation apparatus according to any of claims 3 to 14 ifirther comprising a rear dozer blade stop arranged towards the rear of the apparatus to abut a dozer blade and prevent the excavator moving rearwards in relation to the apparatus.16. A vehicle transportation apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the rear dozer blade stop has stepped teeth to accommodate vehicles of different lengths.17. A vehicle transportation apparatus according to any of the preceding claims further comprising means for securing the dipper arm and bucket of an excavator to the apparatus.18. A vehicle transportation apparatus according to any of the preceding claims further comprising side guides which push the machine into the approximate centre of the apparatus.19. A vehicle transportation apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising apecker store.20. A vehicle transportation apparatus according to claim 19 wherein the pecker store is provided at the front of the apparatus.21. A vehicle transportation apparatus according to claim 19 or 20 wherein the pecker store comprises a lid, which also serves as a bucket rest.22. A vehicle transportation apparatus according to any of claims 19-2 wherein the pecker store comprises a folding closure which is lockable to another part of the apparatus.23. A vehicle transportation apparatus according to any of claims 19-22 wherein the pecker store comprises means for attaching a bucket and/or a digger arm to the apparatus.24. A vehicle transportation apparatus according to any of the preceding claims further comprising a rear stop mechanism.25. A vehicle transportation apparatus according to claim 24 wherein the rear stop mechanism is formed in a ramp.26. A vehicle transportation apparatus according to claim 255 wherein the rear stop mechanism is located in the knee of a ramp.27. A vehicle transportation apparatus according to any of claims 24 to 26 wherein the rear stop mechanism comprises a ram, extendible from a sleeve, to abut a dozer blade.28. A vehicle transportation apparatus according to claim 26 further comprising a shoot bolt to fix the position of the ram relative to the sleeve.29. A vehicle transportation apparatus according to any of claims 24 to 27 further comprising an adjustable threaded bolt, the head of which provides an abutment member to abut the dozer blade.30. A vehicle transportation apparatus according to claim 26 and 28 wherein the threaded bolt extends from the front of the ram, 31. A vehicle transportation apparatus according to any of claims 26 to 29 wherein the threaded bolt is provided with handles to turn the bolt to adjust its extension.32. A vehicle transportation apparatus according to any of the preceding daims which is a trailer.33. A vehicle transportation apparatus substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.S