GB2563491A

GB2563491A - Load handling apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2563491A
Application number: GB1806529.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Anthony Jackson Mark
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2017-04-23
Filing date: 2018-04-23
Publication date: 2018-12-19
Anticipated expiration: 2038-04-23
Also published as: GB201806529D0; GB201706417D0; GB2563491B

Abstract

A load handling apparatus 10 comprises a conveying arrangement 12 and a manipulation arrangement 14 for manipulating the conveying arrangement. The conveying arrangement has a first securing formation (28, see fig. 2). The manipulation arrangement comprises a handle portion 34 and a lifting means 36, the lifting means having a second securing formation (46, see fig. 3) co-operable with the first securing formation to secure the manipulation arrangement to the conveying arrangement. The handle portion is be pivoted relative to the conveying arrangement to cause the second securing formation to move upwardly, thereby lifting the first securing formation. The manipulation arrangement may include a rotatable drive roller 40 to allow the conveying arrangement to be moved along a support surface. The drive roller is rotatable about an axis of rotation of the drive roller, the manipulation arrangement comprises an axle coaxial with the axis to rotatable attach the drive roller to the handle portion. The load handling apparatus may include guide rollers (48, see fig. 2) for moving across a rail 16.

Description

Load Handling Apparatus

This invention relates to load handling apparatus. More particularly, but not exclusively, this invention relates to load handling apparatus for use in vehicles.

Mechanical aids are available for moving loads that are too heavy to be handled by individuals. Examples include pallet trucks, enabling the movement of industrial pallets, and wheeled dollies or trollies, which allow goods to be moved in or out of vehicles.

Pallet trucks can easily be deployed in the rear of larger goods vehicles, however, they are too large and cumbersome to be used inside smaller vehicles, such as panel vans. In addition, operators cannot stand up in some of these vehicles due to the reduced headroom.

Wheeled devices such as dollies and trollies can overcome these issues; however, they still require the operator to enter the vehicle to manoeuvre the load away from the door, and have the additional need to then secure the load in the vehicle to prevent it moving freely on its wheels during transit of goods.

According to one aspect of this invention, there is provided a load handling apparatus comprising: a conveying arrangement and a manipulation arrangement for manipulating the conveying arrangement; the conveying arrangement having a first securing formation; wherein the manipulation arrangement comprises a handle portion and a lifting means, the lifting means having a second securing formation co-operable with the first securing formation to secure the manipulation arrangement to the conveying arrangement; and wherein the handle portion can be pivoted relative to the conveying arrangement to cause the second securing formation to move upwardly, thereby lifting the first securing formation.

In the embodiment described herein, the lifting of the first securing arrangement causes the conveying arrangement to be lifted.

The conveying arrangement may have a pair of first opposite sides and a pair of second opposite sides extending between the first sides. The conveying arrangement may be substantially rectangular, or may be any other suitable configuration.

The manipulation arrangement may further include a rotatable drive roller to allow the conveying arrangement to be moved along a support surface.

The drive roller may be rotatably connected to the handle portion at an axis of rotation of the drive roller. The manipulation arrangement may comprise an axle by means of which the drive roller can rotate relative to the handle portion.

The manipulation arrangement may comprise a fork member to attach the drive roller to the handle portion. The manipulation arrangement may comprise a pair of the fork members to attach the drive roller to the handle portion. The fork members may extend on either side of the drive roller.

The lifting means may extend across the drive roller. The second securing formation may be offset from the axis of rotation. The manipulating arrangement has a forward end at the lifting means and a rearward end at the handle portion. The second securing formation may be offset forwardly relative to the axis of rotation.

The drive roller may be rotatably attached to the lifting means. In the embodiments described herein, when the manipulation arrangement is secured to the conveying arrangement, the handle portion is pivotally movable about the drive roller between a rest position and a lifting position.

In the lifting position of the handle portion, a region of the conveying arrangement is lifted from the support surface by the manipulation arrangement, thereby allowing the conveying arrangement to be moved along the support surface. In the rest position of the handle portion, said region of the conveying arrangement engages the support surface, thereby preventing or restricting movement of the conveying arrangement. The first securing formation may be provided at said region of the conveying arrangement. Said region of the conveying arrangement may be one of the first sides of the conveying arrangement.

One of the first sides of the conveying arrangement may comprise a downwardly extending bearer portion to engage the support surface, thereby bearing the load thereon. The first securing formation may be provided on the bearer portion.

The support surface may be any suitable support surface, such as shelving, the ground, a floor, such as a floor of a vehicle or a building.

In the rest position of the handle portion, the second securing formation may be disposed in an initial co-operating condition to effect initial co-operation of the first and second securing formations with each other. In the lifting position of the handle portion, the second securing formation may be disposed in a carrying condition so that the conveying arrangement is carried by the second securing formation.

The pivoting movement of the handle portion to the lifting position may pivotally move the second securing formation to the carrying condition, thereby lifting the first securing formation and the conveying arrangement.

The second securing formation may be pivotable between the initial co-operating condition and the carrying condition. Pivoting of the handle portion may effect pivoting of the second securing formation. The second securing formation may be fixed relative to the handle portion.

One of the first and second securing formations may comprise a securing projection. The other of the first and second securing formations may comprise a securing recess to receive the securing projection.

The first securing formation may comprise the securing projection. The second securing formation may comprise the securing recess. In the initial co-operating condition, the securing recess may receive the securing projection therein. In the carrying condition, the securing recess may be pivoted upwardly to lift the securing projection.

The lifting means may comprise a carrying portion defining the securing recess. The securing recess may be offset from the axis of rotation of the drive roller. The drive roller may be rotatable relative to the lifting means.

The lifting means may comprise two of the aforesaid carrying portions. Each carrying portion may define a respective securing recess. The carrying portions may be arranged on respective opposite sides of the drive roller.

The, or each, carrying portion may be provided on the, or a respective, fork member. The carrying portion may be a portion of the fork member. Alternatively, the, or each, carrying member may be separate from the, or a respective, fork member, and may be attached thereto, for example by welding.

In one embodiment, the load handling apparatus may include guide rollers for movably supporting the conveying arrangement. The guide rollers may be provided at a second region. The second region may be spaced from the first mentioned region. The second region may be a further one of the first opposite sides of the conveying arrangement.

The load handling apparatus may include a rail, which may be fixedly mounted on the support surface. The conveying arrangement may be movable along the rail. The handle portion may be configured to allow a user to move the conveying arrangement along the rail. The guide rollers may engage the rail to allow the conveying arrangement to be moved along the rail.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a load handling apparatus with a load thereon;

Figure 2 is a view from below of the load handling apparatus;

Figure 3 is a close up view of a lifting means, being part of a manipulating arrangement for use in the load handling apparatus;

Figure 4 is a side view of the lifting means shown in Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a sectional end view, showing a part of the load handling apparatus;

Figure 6 is a perspective view in one direction of a further load handling apparatus;

Figure 7 is a close up view of the region marked VII in Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a perspective view in an opposite direction of the further load handling apparatus shown in Figure 6;

Figure 9 is a close up view of the region marked IX in Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a perspective view from one side of a further manipulating arrangement for use in the load handling apparatus;

Figure 11 is a close up view of the lifting means being part of the manipulating arrangement shown in Figure 10; and

Figure 12 is a side view of the further manipulating arrangement from the opposite direction to that shown in Figure 10.

Figures 1 to 5 show an example of a load handling apparatus 10 for use in a vehicle, such as a van. The load handling apparatus 10 comprises a conveying arrangement 12, a manipulating arrangement 14 and a rail 16. The rail 16 is in the form of an elongate L shaped member attached to a support surface, e.g. the floor of a vehicle.

The conveying arrangement 12 is substantially rectangular in shape having a base member 18 on which a load 20 can be supported (see Figure 1). The conveying arrangement 12 has a pair of opposite first sides 22A, 22B and a pair of opposite second sides 24A, 24B extending between the first sides 22A, 22B. The first and second sides 22A, 22B, 24A, 24B extend around the base member 18.

One of the first sides 22A has a downwardly extending bearer portion 26 that can engage a support surface, such as the ground or a floor of a vehicle. A first securing formation is provided on the bearer portion 26. The first securing formation is in the form of a securing projection 28 (see Figures 2, 6 and 7).

The opposite first side 22B of the conveying arrangement 12 comprises an elongate channel portion 30 extending parallel to the first side 22A. The channel portion 30 has a lower elongate opening 32. The purpose of the channel portion 30 is described below.

The manipulating arrangement 14 comprises an elongate handle portion 34 and a lifting means 36 provided at a lower end of the handle portion 34. A hand grip 38 is provided at the opposite upper end of the handle portion 34.

The lifting means 36 comprises a drive roller 40 and a fork arrangement 41 for connecting the drive roller 40 to the handle portion 34. The fork arrangement 41 comprises a pair of fork members 41 A, 41B arranged on opposite sides of the drive roller 40 to which the drive roller 40 is connected.

The lifting means 36 further includes a pair of substantially flat carrying portions 42A, 42B attached to the fork members 41 A, 41B respectively. The carrying portions 42A, 42B are provided for carrying the securing projection 28, as explained below. The carrying portions 42A, 42B are arranged on opposite sides of the drive roller 40. When the manipulating arrangement 14 is secured to the conveying arrangement, as explained below, a driving force can be applied along the handle portion 34 to drive the conveying arrangement 12. The driving force is transmitted to the drive roller 40 to move the drive roller 40 along the support surface as the conveying arrangement 12 is driven along the rail 16.

The manipulating arrangement 14 has a forward end at the lifting means 36, and a rearward end at the hand grip 38.

An axle 44 extends in opposite directions from the drive roller 40 through apertures defined in the fork members 41 A, 41B to rotatably attach the drive roller 40 to the handle portion 34. The provision of carrying portions 42A, 42B on opposite sides of the drive roller 40 allows the manipulating arrangement 14 to be used in the opposite orientation to that shown.

A second securing formation in the form of a securing recess 46 is defined in each of the carrying portions 42A, 42B, and in the fork members 41 A, 41B. The securing recesses 46 are offset forwardly from the axle 44. The manipulating arrangement 14 is secured to the conveying arrangement 12 by causing the securing projection 28 to be received in the securing recess 46 in one of the carrying portions 42A, 42B

A pair of guide rollers 48 are mounted within the channel portion 30. The rail 16 extends upwardly through the lower opening 32 of the channel portion 30 to engage the guide rollers 48. Each of the guide rollers 48 comprises a pair of flange members 50A, 50B and defines an annular rail 16 receiving groove 52 between the flanges.

The rail 16 is received in the groove 52 of each guide roller 48, thereby allowing the conveying arrangement 12 to move along the rail 16 by manipulation of the manipulating arrangement 14.

In use, the manipulating arrangement 14 is disposed in a position in which the lifting means 36 is adjacent the securing projection 28. The handle portion 34 is manipulated so that the securing recess 46 defined in one of the carrying portions 42A, 42B is in an initial co-operating condition to receive therein the securing projection 28.

The forward offset of the securing recess 46 relative to the axle 44 has the following effect. The user can then pivot the handle portion 34 downwardly, as shown by the arrow A in Figure 4, from a rest position of the handle portion 34 to a lifting position of the handle portion 34. This causes the securing recess 46 to pivot upwardly, as shown by the arrow B in Figure 4, thereby moving the securing projection 28 upwardly. The securing projection 28 is fixedly attached to the bearer portion 26. Therefore, the bearer portion 26 is lifted from the support surface.

The user can move the conveying arrangement 12 along the rail 16 to a desired position. The user can then move the handle portion 34 upwardly to pivot the securing recess 46 downwardly, thereby lowering the bearer portion 26 onto the support surface.

A further example of a conveying arrangement, generally designated 112 is shown in Figures 6 to 9. The conveying arrangement 112 shown in Figures 6 to 9 possesses many of the features of the conveying arrangement 12 shown in Figures 1 to 5. These features have been designated in Figures 6 to 9 with the same reference numerals as the corresponding features in Figures 1 to 5.

The conveying arrangement 112 shown in Figures 6 to 9 differs from the conveying arrangement 12 shown in Figures 1 to 5 in that the conveying arrangement 12 does not possess the channel portion 30. Instead, the guide rollers 48 extend outwardly from the first side 22B opposite the first side 22A. In addition, the first side 22A is devoid of the downwardly extending bearer portion 26 on the first side 22A.

In addition, the conveying arrangement 112 defines a plurality of apertures 53 in the base member 18 to reduce weight.

The conveying arrangement 112 is of a square shape to hold a drum or similar article. The base member 18 comprises a gripping formation to grip the drum. The gripping formation comprises a plurality of holes 54 defined through the base member 18 adjacent the first side 22A.

Figures 10 to 12 show a further example of a manipulating arrangement, generally designated 114. The manipulating arrangement 114 shown in Figures 10 to 12 possesses many of the features of the manipulating arrangement 14 shown in Figures 1 to 5. These features have been designated in Figures 10 to 12 with the same reference numerals as the corresponding features in Figures 1 to 5.

The manipulating arrangement 114 shown in Figures 10 to 12 differs from the manipulating arrangement 14 shown in Figures 1 to 5 in that the manipulating arrangement 114 comprises a carrying portion 142 defining the securing recess 46. The carrying portion 142 differs from the carrying portions 42A, 42B in that the carrying portion 142 is a forward region of the fork member 41 A. In the example shown, only the fork member 41A has the carrying portion 142. The other fork member 41B is devoid of a carrying portion, but it will be appreciated that the fork member 41B could have a carrying portion.

There is thus described a load handling apparatus 10 that allows easy and efficient transport of loads into and out of an area, for example a vehicle or a warehouse.

Various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A load handling apparatus comprising:

a conveying arrangement and a manipulation arrangement for manipulating the conveying arrangement;

the conveying arrangement having a first securing formation;

wherein the manipulation arrangement comprises a handle portion and a lifting means, the lifting means having a second securing formation co-operable with the first securing formation to secure the manipulation arrangement to the conveying arrangement; and wherein the handle portion can be pivoted relative to the conveying arrangement to cause the second securing formation to move upwardly, thereby lifting the first securing formation.

2. A load handling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the manipulation arrangement further includes a rotatable drive roller to allow the conveying arrangement to be moved along a support surface.

3. A load handling apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the drive roller is rotatable about an axis of rotation of the drive roller, the manipulation arrangement comprising an axle coaxial with the axis to rotatably attach the drive roller to the handle portion.

4. A load handling apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the second securing formation is offset from the axis of rotation.

5. A load handling apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the manipulating arrangement has a forward end at the lifting means and a rearward end at the handle portion, the second securing formation being offset forwardly relative to the axis of rotation.

6. A load handling apparatus according to any of claims 2 to 5, wherein the handle portion is pivotally movable about the drive roller between a rest position and a lifting position, whereby in the lifting position of the handle portion, a region of the conveying arrangement is lifted from the support surface by the manipulation arrangement, thereby allowing the conveying arrangement to be moved along the support surface, and in the rest position of the handle portion, said region of the conveying arrangement engages a support surface, thereby preventing or restricting movement of the conveying arrangement.

7. A load handling apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the first securing formation is provided on said region of the conveying arrangement.

8. A load handling apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, wherein said region of the conveying arrangement comprises a downwardly extending bearer portion to engage the support surface, thereby bearing the load thereon.

9. A load handling apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the conveying arrangement has a pair of opposite sides, and said region of the conveying arrangement is one of said sides of the conveying arrangement.

10. A load handling apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the load handling apparatus include guides rollers for movably supporting the conveying arrangement, the guide rollers being provided the other of said opposite sides of the conveying arrangement.

11. A load handling apparatus according to claim 10, including a rail fixedly mounted on the support surface, the guide rollers engaging the rail to allow the conveying arrangement to be moved along the rail.

12. A load handling apparatus according to any of claims 6 to 11, wherein, in the rest position of the handle portion, the second securing formation is disposed in an initial co-operating condition to effect initial co-operation of the first and second securing formations with each other, and in the lifting position of the handle portion, the second securing formation is disposed in a carrying condition so that the conveying arrangement is carried by the second securing formation.

13. A load handling apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the pivoting movement of the handle portion to the lifting position pivotally moves the second securing formation to the carrying condition, thereby lifting the first securing formation and the conveying arrangement.

14. A load handling apparatus according to any of claims 6 to 13, wherein one of the first and second securing formations comprises a securing projection, and the other of the first and second securing formations comprises a securing recess to receive the securing projection.

15. A load handling apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the first securing formation comprises the securing projection, and the second securing formation comprises the securing recess.

16. A load handling apparatus according to claim 15, wherein, in the initial cooperating condition, the securing recess receives the securing projection therein, and in the carrying condition, the securing recess is pivoted upwardly to lift the securing projection.

17. A load handling apparatus according to claim 14, 15 or 16, wherein the lifting means comprises a carrying portion defining the securing recess.

18. A load handling apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the lifting means comprises two of the aforesaid carrying portions, each carrying portion defining a respective securing recess, the carrying portions being arranged on respective opposite sides of the drive roller.

19. A load handling apparatus according to any of claims 2 to 18, wherein the manipulation arrangement comprises a pair of fork members to attach the drive roller to the handle portion, the fork members extending on either side of the drive roller.