GB2560385A

GB2560385A - Loading mechanism

Info

Publication number: GB2560385A
Application number: GB1703896.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Hartl Johann; Kahri Markus; Portilla Pablo; Biemond Jacob; Kool Jarno
Original assignee: Hyva Holding BV
Current assignee: Hyva Holding BV
Priority date: 2017-03-10
Filing date: 2017-03-10
Publication date: 2018-09-12
Also published as: CN108569184A; GB201703896D0; CN108569184B; FR3063720A1; FR3063720B1

Abstract

A loading mechanism 13 for loading and unloading a body (e.g. picking-up and hauling a container 12), comprising a frame (16), an articulated loading arm (20, figure 2) pivotably coupled to the frame, comprising a main arm 30 and a draw arm 32. A linkage 40 (e.g. hydraulic cylinder) coupled between the frame and draw arm 32 comprises a primary link 42, a lever link 44 pivotably coupled to the main arm 30 and a secondary link 46, wherein pivoting of the loading arm (20) causes the draw arm 32 to move relative to the main arm 30 (e.g. such that the angle between them decreases and then increases during subsequent movement phases). The tip of the draw arm may comprise a hook 34 moving in a varying radius, elliptical trajectory of lower height than a circular trajectory, thus reducing spillage from an open-top container 12. The container 12 may be in contact with the ground or the vehicle at all times during loading and unloading. The articulated loading arm 20 may be pivotably attached to a tipping frame 18, allowing tipping of the container. The draw arm 32 may be L-shaped with perpendicular first 31 and second 33 sections.

Description

(71) Applicant(s):

Hyva Holding B.V.

Antonie van Leeuwenhoekweg 37,

2408 AK Alphen aan den Rijn, Netherlands (72) Inventor(s):

Johann Hartl Markus Kahri Pablo Portilla Jacob Biemond Jarno Kool (56) Documents Cited:

EP 2088029 A1 FR 002600634 A1 SE 000383991 B (58) Field of Search:

INT CL B60P Other: EPODOC, WPI

EP 0025322 A1 FR 001488640 A (74) Agent and/or Address for Service:

Haseltine Lake LLP

Redcliff Quay, 120 Redd iff Street, BRISTOL, BS1 6HU, United Kingdom (54) Title of the Invention: Loading mechanism

Abstract Title: Loading mechanism comprising an articulated loading arm (57) A loading mechanism 13 for loading and unloading a body (e.g. picking-up and hauling a container 12), comprising a frame (16), an articulated loading arm (20, figure 2) pivotably coupled to the frame, comprising a main arm 30 and a draw arm 32. A linkage 40 (e.g. hydraulic cylinder) coupled between the frame and draw arm 32 comprises a primary link 42, a lever link 44 pivotably coupled to the main arm 30 and a secondary link 46, wherein pivoting of the loading arm (20) causes the draw arm 32 to move relative to the main arm 30 (e.g. such that the angle between them decreases and then increases during subsequent movement phases). The tip of the draw arm may comprise a hook 34 moving in a varying radius, elliptical trajectory of lower height than a circular trajectory, thus reducing spillage from an open-top container 12. The container 12 may be in contact with the ground or the vehicle at all times during loading and unloading. The articulated loading arm 20 may be pivotably attached to a tipping frame 18, allowing tipping of the container. The draw arm 32 may be L-shaped with perpendicular first 31 and second 33 sections.

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LOADING MECHANISM

The invention relates to a loading mechanism for loading and unloading a body such as a container.

Hook loader vehicles which can pick-up and haul a container onto the back of the vehicle are known. Such a hook loader vehicle typically comprises a driver cab, a main chassis and a pivotable arm having a hook which engages with a bar on a container. One or more hydraulic cylinders are provided which can be actuated to pivot the arm with respect to the main chassis so as to load/unload a container. During loading/unloading the hook follows a generally radial trajectory centred on the pivot axis of the arm. This results in the container being tilted as it is loaded/unloaded which may cause spillage of the contents of the container.

It may therefore be desirable to provide an improved loader for loading and unloading a body.

According to an aspect there is provided a loading mechanism for loading and unloading a body comprising: a frame; an articulated loading arm pivotably coupled to the frame and comprising a main arm and a draw arm; and a linkage coupled between the frame and the draw arm and comprising a primary link, a lever link pivotably coupled to the main arm, and a secondary link; wherein the linkage is configured such that in use, pivoting of the loading arm causes the draw arm to move relative to the main arm. The loading mechanism may be for loading/unloading a body onto the frame. The frame may comprise one or more load supports. The frame may comprise multiple frame sections. The body may be a container, such as an open-top container, or any other suitable cargo. The linkage may be coupled between the draw arm and the frame onto which the body is loaded/unloaded from. The loading arm may be pivotably coupled to the frame at a pivot axis, which may be a fixed pivot axis.

The primary link may be pivotably coupled to the frame and the lever link. The secondary link may be pivotably coupled to the lever link and the draw arm. The primary link may be pivotably coupled to the lever link on a first side of the lever pivot and the secondary link may be pivotably coupled to the lever link on a second opposing side of the lever pivot. The primary link and/or the secondary link and/or the lever link may be rigid links having a fixed length. One or more of the links may be of a variable length.

The first side may be on the side of the main arm which faces the frame, and the second side may be on the side of the main arm which, in use, faces the body.

The lever link may be a two-arm lever. The lever link may be a two-arm straight lever or a two-arm angular lever. The lever link may have an input pivot and an output pivot with the lever link pivot located therebetween. The lever link may comprise an input pivot to which the primary link is coupled and an output pivot to which the secondary link is coupled, and the distance between the output pivot and the lever pivot may be greater than the distance between the input pivot and the lever pivot. The main arm may comprise an opening within which the lever link can pivot.

The linkage may be configured such that in use during movement of the loading arm from a resting configuration to a pick-up configuration the internal angle between the main arm and the draw arm decreases during at least one phase of movement. The linkage may be configured such that in use during movement of the loading arm from a resting configuration to a pick-up configuration the internal angle between the main arm and the draw arm increases during at least one phase of movement. The linkage may be configured such that the internal angle between the main arm and the draw arm decreases during one phase of movement and increases during a subsequent phase of movement. There may be more than two phases of movement. For example, the internal angle may increase during a first phase of movement, decrease during a second phase of movement, and increase during a third phase of movement. The linkage and/or the pivot points of the linkage may be configured to provide the desired movement and/or phases.

The linkage may be configured such that in use pivoting of the loading arm causes the tip of the draw arm to move in a trajectory having a varying radius (i.e. non-circular).

The trajectory may be elliptical or substantially elliptical. The linkage may be configured such that the internal angle between the draw arm and the main arm increases towards the end of the movement from the resting position to the loading position.

The linkage may comprise a linear actuator operable to move the draw arm relative to the main arm. The primary link and/or secondary link may comprise the linear actuator. The linear actuator may comprise a hydraulic cylinder. In a resting configuration of the loading arm at least a portion of the length of the linear actuator may be located within a cavity defined by the main arm. The linear actuator may be located next to and/or outside the main arm.

The main arm may be pivotably coupled to the frame. The main arm and the draw arm may be pivotably coupled. The main arm and the draw arm may be pivotably coupled at a fixed pivot. The draw arm may comprise first and second portions that are substantially perpendicular to one another. The draw arm may be provided with a coupling, such as a hook, for engaging with the body.

The loading mechanism may further comprise a linear actuator coupled between the frame and the main arm and operable to pivot the loading arm. The linear actuator may comprise a hydraulic cylinder. There may be one or more linear actuators.

According to another aspect there is provided a vehicle comprising a loading mechanism in accordance with any statement herein. The vehicle may be a hook loader vehicle or a trailer hook loader. The trailer hook loader may be arranged to be coupled to a tractor. The loading mechanism may be configured to load/unload a body onto the vehicle. The loading mechanism may be configured to load/unload a body onto the vehicle chassis. The loading mechanism may be configured to haul a body onto the vehicle. The loading mechanism may be configured to haul a body onto the vehicle such that the body is always in contact with either the ground or the vehicle.

The frame of the loading mechanism may be part of or attached to the vehicle chassis.

The invention may comprise any combination of the features and/or limitations referred to herein, except combinations of such features as are mutually exclusive.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the following drawings, in which:

Figure 1 schematically shows a side view of a hook loader vehicle with a loading mechanism;

Figure 2 schematically shows a side view of the loading mechanism with the articulated loading arm in a resting position

Figure 3 schematically shows a side view of the loading mechanism with the articulated loading arm in a pick-up position;

Figures 4-7 schematically show a loading/unloading operation of a container using the loading mechanism; and

Figure 8 schematically shows a side view of the loading mechanism performing a tipping operation.

Figure 1 shows a hook loader vehicle 10 which is used to pick up and haul a body, such as a container 12 onto the vehicle 10. The vehicle comprises a cab 14, front and rear wheels 22, 24, a chassis frame 16, and a loading mechanism 13. The chassis frame 16 has a substantially flat bed on which the container 12 can rest. As will be described in detail below, the loading mechanism 13 is operable to haul (i.e. load) a container 12 onto the chassis frame 16 and unload the container 12 from the chassis frame 16. In this particular arrangement the loading mechanism 13 is configured such that it hauls a container 12 onto the chassis frame 16 and unloads the container 12 from the chassis frame 16 whilst at all times keeping the container 12 in contact with either the ground or the vehicle.

Referring now to Figures 2 and 3, the loading mechanism 13 comprises a frame having a sub-frame 17 and a tipping frame 18. The sub-frame 17 is fixed, such as by bolting, to the chassis frame 16 and the tipping frame 18 is pivotably attached to the sub-frame 17 at a pivot axis 26 which is parallel to the transverse axis of the vehicle 10 and is located near the rear end 29 of the sub-frame 17. The loading mechanism 13 also comprises an articulated loading arm 20 which is pivotably attached to the tipping frame 18 at a pivot axis 28 which is parallel to the transverse axis. The pivot axis 28 of the articulated loading arm 20 is longitudinally spaced from the pivot axis 26 of the tipping frame 18 and is therefore closer to the front end of the chassis frame 16. A locking mechanism comprising two locks (not shown) is also provided which can selectively lock either the tipping frame 18 to the sub-frame 17, or the tipping frame 17 to the loading arm 20. In other arrangements, there may be no sub-frame 17 and instead the tipping frame 18 may be pivotably attached to the chassis frame 16.

Further, in yet other arrangements there may be no tipping frame 18, and there may only be a sub-frame 17 attached to a chassis frame 16, or alternatively there may only be a chassis frame 16 to which the loading arm 20 is directly pivotably attached to.

The articulated loading arm 20 comprises an elongate main arm 30 and a draw arm 32. A first end of the main arm 30 is pivotably attached to the tipping frame 18 at the pivot axis 28. The draw arm 32 is L-shaped and has first and second portions 31, 33 that are substantially perpendicular to one another. A first end of the first portion 31 of the draw arm 32 is pivotably attached to the second end of the main arm 30 at a pivot axis 56, and the free end of the second portion 33 of the draw arm 32 is provided with a hook 34 for engaging with a pick-up bar 36 of the container 12. The draw arm 32 is pivotable with respect to the main arm 30 about the fixed pivot axis 56 that is parallel to the transverse axis.

Two parallel main hydraulic cylinders 38 are also provided which act between the subframe 17 and the main arm 30 (one on each side of the main arm 30). In other arrangements there may be more than two hydraulic cylinders 38, or a single hydraulic cylinder 38 could be used. Further, other types of linear actuator could be used instead or in combination. One end of each cylinder 38 is pivotably connected to a front end 27 of the sub-frame 17 and the other end of each cylinder is pivotably connected to the main arm 30. With the locking mechanism locking the tipping frame 18 to the subframe 17, the main hydraulic cylinders 38 can be actuated to pivot the loading arm 20 about the pivot axis 28 between a resting configuration (Figure 2) and a pick-up configuration (Figure 3). In the resting configuration of Figure 2 the main arm 30 is substantially parallel to the sub-frame 17 and the second portion 33 of the draw arm 32 is substantially perpendicular to the sub-frame 17. In the resting configuration the loading mechanism can retain a container 12 on load supports of the chassis frame 16. In the pick-up configuration the loading arm 20 is pivoted in the clockwise direction (in the view shown) and the angle 0 between the upper face of the sub-frame 17 and the first side of the main arm 30 is approximately 135° in this arrangement. It should be appreciated that other suitable angles may be chosen. In this position the hook 34 lies beyond the rear of the chassis frame 16 of the vehicle 10 and is at a height H that corresponds to a location below the pick-up height of a pick-up bar 36 of a container 12 such that the hook 34 can be coupled to and uncoupled from the pick-up bar 36. As will be described in detail below, the loading arm 20 can be pivoted between a pick-up configuration and a resting configuration in order to haul a container 12 onto the bed of the chassis frame 16, and can be pivoted between a resting configuration and a pickup configuration in order to unload a container 12 onto the ground. Of course a container 12 could be unloaded onto or from any suitable surface.

The loading mechanism 13 also comprises a linkage 40 which is connected between the tipping frame 18 and the draw arm 32. In other arrangements the linkage 40 could be connected between the vehicle chassis frame 16 and the draw arm 32, or between the sub-frame 17 and the draw arm 32. Further, the linkage 40 could be connected between the drawn arm 32 and any fixed support or frame which the articulated arm 20 moves relative to. The linkage 40 is configured such that when the articulated arm 20 is pivoted about the axis 28 the draw arm 32 automatically pivots with respect to the main arm 30. This ensures a relatively low trajectory of the hook 34 which may reduce spillage from a container 12, reduce the space requirement for storing the container 12 and/or may allow containers 12 of a lower height to be used.

The linkage 40 comprises a primary link 42, a lever link 44 and a secondary link 46.

The lever link 44 is pivotably connected to the main arm 30 at a lever pivot axis 48 which is located towards the second end of the main arm 30. The main arm 30 is provided with an opening (not shown) which allows the lever link 44 to pivot with respect to the main arm 30 about an axis parallel to the transverse axis. The lever link 44 extends from a first side 50 of the main arm 30 (which faces the sub-frame 17) to a second opposing side 52 of the main arm 30.

The primary link 42 is in the form of an elongate member and is pivotably connected at a first end to the tipping frame 18 at a pivot axis 54 and at a second end to an input pivot axis 60 of the lever link 44 which is located on the first side 50 of the main arm 30. The pivot axis 54 is located above the pivot axis 28 is offset from the pivot axis 28.

The secondary link 46 in this arrangement is an auxiliary hydraulic cylinder 46 and is pivotably connected at a first end to the first portion 31 of the draw arm 32 at a pivot axis 62 and at a second end to an output pivot axis 58 of the lever link 44 which is located on the second side 52 of the main arm 30. The auxiliary hydraulic cylinder 46 can be actuated to cause the draw arm 32 to pivot with respect to the main arm 30. In the resting configuration (Figure 2) the auxiliary hydraulic cylinder 46 is fully extended such that the first portion 31 of the draw arm 32 is substantially parallel to the main arm 30 and such that the second portion 33 of the draw arm 32 is substantially vertical and perpendicular to the main arm 30. It should be appreciated that the secondary link 46 could be any type of linear actuator, or it could be a fixed-length link. Further, in other arrangements the primary link 42 could instead or in addition comprise a linear actuator such as a hydraulic cylinder

In the resting configuration the auxiliary cylinder 46 is approximately parallel (+/- 5 degrees) to the sub-frame 17 and the majority of the length of the auxiliary cylinder 46 is protectively housed within a cavity defined by the main arm 30. Further, the primary link 42 and the lever link 44 are all also protectively housed within the main arm 30. In other embodiments, the hydraulic cylinder (or secondary link) 46 and/or primary link 42 could be located outside (e.g. adjacent to) the main arm 30. In the resting configuration the linkage is “folded-up” and as such the internal angles between adjacent links are relatively small. The linkage 40 is therefore relatively compact in the resting configuration.

An unloading operation in which a container 12 is unloaded from the vehicle chassis frame 16 will now be described with reference to Figures 4-7.

As shown in Figure 4, when a container 12 is fully loaded onto the flat bed of the chassis frame 16 the hook 34 of the draw arm 32 is engaged with the pick-up bar 36 of the container 12. The main arm 30, the main hydraulic cylinders 38, the auxiliary hydraulic cylinder 46, the linkage 40 and the first portion 31 of the draw arm 32 are located underneath the container 12 in a void defined by laterally spaced runners (not shown) of the container 12 which rest on the chassis frame 16.

Referring to Figure 5, in order to unload the container 12, the auxiliary hydraulic cylinder 46 of the linkage 40 is first retracted which causes and the draw arm 32 to pivot with respect to the main arm 30 about the pivot axis 56. This causes the internal angle a between the first portion 31 of the draw arm 32 and the main arm 30 to reduce and the container 12 is pushed rearwards such that it overhangs the rear end 29 of the chassis frame 16.

Referring to Figure 6, the main hydraulic cylinders 38 are then extended which causes the articulated loading arm 20 to pivot with respect to the tipping frame 18 (and the chassis frame 16 and sub-frame 17) about the pivot axis 28. The linkage 40 provided between the tipping frame 18 and the draw arm 32 means that when the articulated loading arm 20 is pivoted the draw arm 32 automatically pivots about the pivot axis 56 with respect to the main arm 30. In particular, during a first phase of movement of the articulated loading arm 20 the internal angle a between the main arm 30 and the draw arm 32 actively decreases to provide a lower trajectory of the hook 34. The pivot axis 54 of the primary link 42 is positioned such that during a first phase of pivoting movement of the articulated loading arm 20 the primary link 42 causes the lever link 44 to rotate in a clockwise direction about the pivot axis 54. The rotation of the lever link 44 in turn causes the secondary link 46 to cause the draw arm 32 to rotate in a clockwise direction with respect to the main arm 30 about the pivot axis 56, thus causing the internal angle a between the draw arm 32 and the main arm 30 to decrease. The distance between the output pivot axis 58 and the lever pivot axis 48 is greater than the distance between the input pivot axis 60 and the lever pivot axis 48 and therefore the lever acts to amplify the displacement. Alternatively, the distance between the output pivot axis 58 and the lever pivot axis 48 could be smaller than the distance between the input pivot axis 60 and the lever pivot axis 48 so that the lever acts to reduce the displacement.

After a certain amount of pivoting movement of the articulated loading arm 20, the direction of rotation of the lever link 44 reverses. Therefore, during a second phase of movement of the loading arm 20 the lever link 44 rotates anti-clockwise about the lever pivot axis 48. This causes the draw arm 32 to rotate in an anti-clockwise direction with respect to the main arm 30 about the pivot axis 56 such that the internal angle a between the draw arm 32 and the main arm 30 increases. The loading arm 20 is pivoted until it reaches the pick-up configuration in which the container 12 reaches the ground (Figure 7).

In order to pick up a container 12 and haul it onto the back of the chassis frame 16 the articulated loading arm 20 is pivoted in the anti-clockwise direction and the series of movements described above are reversed.

The configuration described above results in the hook 34 having a lower trajectory when compared to previously considered arrangements. This results in the container having a smaller maximum loading/unloading angle β. This may reduce spillage from a container during loading/unloading, reduce the space requirements for storing the container 12 and may also allow containers 12 having a lower height to be used. For example, in one arrangement the maximum tilting angle β may be 20.3° for a container length of 5.5 m, a chassis frame height of 1050 mm and an articulated loading arm length of 5.3 m.

Further, the mechanism which causes the automatic movement of the draw arm 32 with respect to the main arm 30 is more compact when compared to previously considered arrangements. This may allow the runner height of containers 12 to be reduced. Furthermore, the mechanism is less complex than previously considered arrangements, thereby reducing the cost and weight.

The arrangement described above may also result in a reduced load through the auxiliary hydraulic cylinder 46 when compared to previously considered arrangements. This may allow a smaller hydraulic cylinder to be used which may result in a more compact arrangement.

The linkage 40 is configured and the pivot axes chosen to provide the desired movement of the draw arm 32 relative to the main arm 30. It will be appreciated that the pivot axes may be located in other suitable positions in order to provide the desired automatic movement of the draw arm relative to the main arm as the loading arm pivots. For example, the primary link 42 and secondary link 46 could be connected to opposite sides of the lever link 44, and in some arrangements it may be possible to locate them on the same side of the lever link 44.

The hook loader 10 can also be operated to tip the container 12. With reference to Figure 8, with the locking mechanism locking the main arm 30 to the tipping frame 18 the main hydraulic cylinders 38 are actuated which causes the tipping frame 18 to pivot with respect to the sub-frame 17 about the pivot axis 26. Since the main arm 30 is locked to the tipping frame 18, the articulated arm 20 and the container 12 both pivot with the tipping frame 18 about the axis 26. After the tipping operation has been completed the cylinders 38 are retracted and the tipping frame 18 is lowered back down. The locking mechanism is then operated so as to lock the tipping frame 18 to the sub-frame 17, and release the main arm 30 from the tipping frame 18. It should be appreciated that in other arrangements there may be no tipping functionality (only loading/unloading). In such an arrangements there may be no tipping frame 18.

In the above arrangement it has been described that the secondary link 46 comprises a hydraulic cylinder. However, in other arrangements the secondary link 46 could be a rigid bar or member. Further, in other arrangements the primary link 44 could alternatively or additionally comprise a hydraulic cylinder which is operable to cause the draw arm 32 to move relative the main arm 30.

It has been described that the auxiliary hydraulic cylinder 46 and main hydraulic cylinders are actuated sequentially. However, the main hydraulic cylinders 38 and the auxiliary hydraulic cylinder 46 could be actuated simultaneously during loading or unloading.

It has been described that the lever link 44 is configured to provide a distance amplification. However, the lever link 44 could be symmetrical (i.e. provide a mechanical advantage of 1) and may therefore have equal first and second lever arm distances.

Although it has been described that the draw arm 32 is provided with a hook 34, any other suitable coupling could be provided for engaging with a container or other body.

It will be appreciated that references to clockwise/anti-clockwise have been used with respect to the specific orientations shown in the figures.

In the above arrangement, the loading mechanism has been described as being part of a hook loader vehicle. However, the loading mechanism could be part of a trailer hook loader vehicle which is arranged to be coupled to a tractor and towed.

Although it has been described that the articulated loading arm 20 has a first and second phase of movement, where the internal angle a between the draw arm 32 and the main arm 30 decreases and increases respectively, the loading arm could have only one phase of movement or more than two phases of movement in which the internal angle a alternately decreases and increases from the resting configuration to the pick-up configuration and vice versa.

Although it has been described that the various pivot points are fixed, in other 5 arrangements the pivot points could be variable. For example, the primary link could be pivotably coupled to the frame, with the pivot point being moveable with respect to the frame.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A loading mechanism for loading and unloading a body comprising: a frame;

an articulated loading arm pivotably coupled to the frame and comprising a main arm and a draw arm; and a linkage coupled between the frame and the draw arm and comprising a primary link, a lever link pivotably coupled to the main arm, and a secondary link; wherein the linkage is configured such that in use, pivoting of the loading arm causes the draw arm to move relative to the main arm.

2. A loading mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the primary link is pivotably coupled to the frame and the lever link.

3. A loading mechanism according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the secondary link is pivotably coupled to the lever link and the draw arm.

4. A loading mechanism according to any preceding claim, wherein the primary link is pivotably coupled to the lever link on a first side of the lever pivot and wherein the secondary link is pivotably coupled to the lever link on a second opposing side of the lever pivot.

5. A loading mechanism according to claim 4, wherein the first side is on the side of the main arm which faces the frame, and wherein the second side is on the side of the main arm which, in use, faces the body.

6. A loading mechanism according to any preceding claim, wherein the lever link comprises an input pivot to which the primary link is coupled and an output pivot to which the secondary link is coupled, and wherein the distance between the output pivot and the lever pivot is greater than the distance between the input pivot and the lever pivot.

7. A loading mechanism according to any preceding claim, wherein the main arm comprises an opening within which the lever link can pivot.

8. A loading mechanism according to any preceding claim, wherein the linkage is configured such that in use during movement of the loading arm from a resting configuration to a pick-up configuration the internal angle between the main arm and the draw arm decreases during at least one phase of movement.

9. A loading mechanism according to any preceding claim, wherein the linkage is configured such that in use during movement of the loading arm from a resting configuration to a pick-up configuration the internal angle between the main arm and the draw arm increases during at least one phase of movement.

10. A loading mechanism according to claims 8 and 9, wherein the linkage is configured such that the internal angle between the main arm and the draw arm decreases during one phase of movement and increases during a subsequent phase of movement.

11 A loading mechanism according to any preceding claim, wherein the linkage comprises a linear actuator operable to move the draw arm relative to the main arm.

12. A loading mechanism according to claim 11, wherein the secondary link comprises the linear actuator.

13. A loading mechanism according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the linear actuator comprises a hydraulic cylinder.

14. A loading mechanism according to any of claims 11-13, wherein in a resting configuration of the loading arm at least a portion of the length of the linear actuator is located within a cavity defined by the main arm.

15. A loading mechanism according to any preceding claim, wherein the main arm is pivotably coupled to the frame.

16. A loading mechanism according to any preceding claim, wherein the main arm and the draw arm are pivotably coupled.

17. A loading mechanism according to any preceding claim, wherein the draw arm comprises first and second portions that are substantially perpendicular to one another.

18. A loading mechanism according to any preceding claim, wherein the draw arm is 5 provided with a coupling for engaging with the body.

19. A loading mechanism according to any preceding claim, further comprising a linear actuator coupled between the frame and the main arm and operable to pivot the loading arm.

20. A vehicle comprising a loading mechanism in accordance with any preceding claim.

21. A vehicle according to claim 20, wherein the vehicle is a hook loader vehicle or a 15 trailer hook loader.

Intellectual

Property

Office

Application No: GB1703896.9 Examiner: Mr Ilya Gribanov