IE20001024A1

IE20001024A1 - Trailer

Info

Publication number: IE20001024A1
Application number: IE20001024A
Authority: IE
Inventors: Ian Fielding
Original assignee: Freightliner Ltd
Priority date: 1999-12-18
Filing date: 2000-12-18
Publication date: 2001-10-17
Also published as: GB2358173A; GB2358173B; GB9929864D0

Abstract

A load carrying vehicle comprising a load carrying part, ground engaging means and actuating means operable to move the load carrying part relative to the ground engaging means between a travelling position and a loading position.

Description

Trailer.

Description of Invention The present invention relates to load canying vehicles, and particulariy but not exclusively to trailers to be pulled by tractor units.

In load carrying vehicles, and in particular for trailers to be pufled by tractor units, foe vehicle conventionally comprises a load carrying part to receive a load and ground engaging means, usually in foe form. of a pfrtrairty of wfoeds. In general, canaderations of cazrying capacity and vehicle length dictate that foe load carrying part be placed above foe wheels, to ensure that foe load carrying part is unobstructed by foe wheels and extends along foe greater part of foe length of foe vehicle. Such, a configuration, results in a raised load carrying part which imposes particular requirements in terms of loading foe vehicle. Where foe load consists of palleted or orated items, foe load may be lifted on to foe load carrying part of foe vehicle by, for example, a forklift truck or a crane. Alternatively, a hydraulic or electric hoist may be provided mounted on the vehicle, or access means such as a free standing structure may be provided.

The use of all such means can extend foe time taken to load or unload foe vehicle.

In foe particular application of transporting cars or other vehicles, it is known to use specialised vehicles, commonly referred to as car transporters. When transporting cars from foe factory to foe point of sale, particulariy where a sea journey is involved, a large numbeTof loading steps are required. For example, it may be envisaged that a. specialised car transporter carries a load of cars from foe factory to a rail head; foe cars are fosn transferred to a train comprising specialised rolling stock for carrying foe cars; if foe cars are meant to be transported by sea, foe cars would then be unloaded from foe train, and OPEN TO PUBLIC INSPECTION UNDER SECTION 28 AND RULE 23 JNL No. ftP_OF ,n IfiLSL, IE001024 loaded into specialised car carrying containers which are of a size and structure to conform to ISO standards for shipping containers. Each transhipping step entails time and expense in transferring the load οξ in this example, cars, and the risk of damage to the cars in transit increases with each transhipping step.

An aim of the invention is to provide a new or improved load carrying vehicle.

According to a first aspect of the invention we provide a load carrying vehicle comprising a load carrying part, ground engaging means and actuating means operable to move the load carrying pan relative to the ground between a travelling position and a loading position.

Preferably the load carrying pari is moved relative to ground engaging means by varying the inclination of fixe load carrying part relative to the ground engaging means such that a rearward portion of the load carrying part is lowered relative to the ground.

Of course, said movement of fixe load carrying part relative to the ground results from movement of the load carrying pari relative to fixe ground engaging means between a travelling position and a loading position.

According to a first alternative of the first aspect of the invention, file load carrying vehicle may comprise a trailer provided with said load carrying pari and said ground engaging means, fixe trader further comprising a coupling means for engagement with a coupling part of a tractor unit, the tractor unit being provided with actuating means, the coupling means being provided cm a support part of fixe trailer such that operation of said actuating means causes said movement of file load carrying part between the travelling position and the loading position.

Preferably, said support part comprises an clement inclined to said load canytog part, said coupling means being provided cn said inclined element.

The actuating means may comprise a variable suspension provided on said tractor unit IE001024 Said variable suspension may be varied between, a first, lowered, position wherein the trailer is in its travelling position and a raised, position in which fits trailer is in its loading position.

The inclined element of the support means may be disposed such that when the trailer is ia its loading position, ihe inclined element is substantially horizontal The trailer may thus be moved between its loading- and unloading positions by operation, of die variable suspension of the tractor unit. Such movement is facifitated by the shape of the inclined element The coupling may comprise a conventional fifth wheel coupling. Conventional fifth wheel couplings are able to accommodate relative movement between a trailer and a tractor about a generally horizontal axis and so would be particularly appropriate.

According to a second alternative of the first aspect of the invention, the load carrying vehicle may comprise actuating means connected between the ground engaging means and the load carrying part, the actuating means being operable to move the load carrying part between its travelling position and its loading position.

The actuating means may comprise a fluid pressure means.

The fluid pressure means may comprise a conventional, pneumatic suspension element The vehicle may be provided with manually operable control to control the supply pneumatic pressure to said suspension element.

Where the load carrying vehicle comprises a suspension, said actuating means may comprise part of said suspension.

The loading carrying vehicle may comprise a trailer adapted to be drawn by a tractor unit Fluid pressure may be supplied to said actuating means from a conventional fluid pressure supply, in particularly air brake supply, provided on the tractor unit.

IE001024 it will be apparent that a load carrying vehicle may be provided with means according to one or both alternatives of the first aspect of the invention. In each case, die effect of operating fire actuating means is to incline the load carrying part of the load carrying vehicle such that a rearward part of the load carrying part is lowered. This lowering of the load carrying part facilitates loading and unloading of die vehicle.

The second alternative is particularly appropriate when the trailer is provided with smaller wheels, thus allowing the rear portion of the trailer to descend further whilst avoiding engagement with the upper surfaces of the wheels.

According to a second aspect of the invention, we provide a ramp means for a load carrying vehicle, the ramp means being carried by the vehicle in a stored position and being movable to a deployed position to facilitate loading or unloading of the load carrying, vehicle.

The ramp means may comprise a first part and a second part, the second part being slideable relative to the first part when in the stored position and being extendable to extend in a longitudinal direction from the first part in the deployed position, Stop means may be provided to prevent separation of said first part and said second part.

The second part may be slidably received within &e first part in the stored position.

The ramp means may be provided with, intermediate support means to engage the ground to support the ramp means.

Said support means are preferably provided pivotally attached to said first part, The ramp means may comprise a raised part disposed on one or both edges of at least one of the first part and the second part IE001024 The ramp means may comprise engagement means to engage a part of the load carrying part of the vehicle or of toe load when toe ramp means is its deployed position.

The ramp means may comprise a guide element engageable with guide means provided on toe load canying vehicle to guide toe ramp means, The guide element may. comprise a roller and the guide means may comprise a track engageable by said roller.

Where feeramp means is provided on a load carrying vehicle having an underrun bumper, toe ramp means in its stored position may rest on said underrun bumper. Said underran bumper may be provided with, ancillary guide means to engage said ramp means.

When toe ramp means is its stored position, said intermediate support means may engage said underrun bumper.

The vehicle may be provided with a pair of said guide means.

Such a ramp means provide a ramp which is stored on toe vehicle in a compact fashion but which provide a sufficiently long ramp to provide access to and from toe load canying part. In particular, toe provision of a pair of ramp means permits vehicles to be driven onto toe load canying part of toe load carrying vehicle, the guide tracks provided on toe ramp means serving to maintain toe wheels of toe vehicle on toe ramp means to facilitate loading and unloading. Where toe ramp means are provided on a vehicle according to at least one alternative of fee first aspect of toe invention, toe combination of toe ramp means and toe means to lower the rearward portion of toe load canying part results in a reduced angle between toe ramp and toe load canying part, reducing toe possibility of damage to toe underside of a vehicle being driven on to or off toe load carrying part.

In particular, where a car-carrying container is provided disposed on toe load carrying part, a vehicle according to toe tost aspect of toe invention may comprise a ramp means according to toe second aspect of toe invention and IE001024 may be loaded and unloaded without tie need for, for example, a crane, hoist or free standing or permanent ramp structure. As such, no separate unloading means or facilities are required.

According to a third aspect of the invention, we provide a load casying vehicle comprising a load carrying part and ancillary lift means movable between a retracted position and aa extended position to vary the orientation of a load disposed on the load carrying part relative to the load carrying part. Preferably, the ancillary lift means is disposed such that when in its retracted position, the load is supported on the load carrying part, and in its extended position the inclination of the load relative to the load carrying part is varied.

The ancillary lift means preferably comprises a fluid pressure operated element and preferably a pair of such elements disposed one at each side of the vehicle. Ancillary control means may be provided to control the supply of fluid pressure to said ancillary lift means.

When fee bad carrying part is in its inclined position, fee ancillary suspension means permits a load disposed on fee load carrying part to be moved to a generally horizontal position. In the particular example where fee load comprises a car container having one or more movable decks, such a horizontal disposition of the car carrying container may be necessary to permit movement of the decks of fee container.

A load carrying vehicle may be provided according to fee third aspect of the invention and at least one of fee first and second aspects: of fee invention.

According to a fourth aspect of fee invention, we provide a method of transporting vehicles comprising providing a load carrying vehicle according to ll said first aspect of fee invention, wife a load comprising a car-canyiiig container, operating said actuating means to move fee load carrying part to its loading position, driving a vehicle into said car carrying container and operating said actuating means to raise said load carrying part to its travelling position.

IE001024 Where the vehicle is provided with ramp means according to the second aspect of the invention, said method may comprise the additional step of moving said ramp means to its deployed position prior to loading said vehicle, and moving said ramp means from its deployed position to its stored position where said loading or unloading is complete.

Where die vehicle is provided with ancillary Iiftingimeans according to the third aspect of the invention, the method may comprise the farther step of operating said ancillary lifting means to vary the orientation of the load.

The invention will know be described by way of the example only, in reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 shows a load carrying vehicle according to die present invention comprising a trailer in its travelling position, Figure 2 is the vehicle of Figure 1 in its loading position, Figure 3 is a top view of part of the vehicle of Figure 1, Figure 4 is a side view in part section of the suspension means of the vehicle of Figure 1, Figure 5 is a perspective view of a rear part of the vehicle of Figure 1, Figure 6 is a perspective view of a mar part of a vehicle according to the second aspect of the invention, Figure 7 is a perspective view from the underside of the ramp means in its deployed position, Figure 8 is a side view in part section of the ramp means of Figure 7, Figure 9 is a side view of a vehicle according to the third aspect of the invention, Figure 10 is a perspective view of a rear part of the vehicle of Figure 9 in an intermediate configuration, Figure 11 is a side view of the rearward portion of the vehicle in. Figure Figure 12 is an end view of die vehicle of Figure 9, and 9, IE001024 Figure 13 is an end view of the vehicle of Figure 9 in a farther configuration As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the load carrying vehicle in the present example comprises a trailer 10 which is drawn by a tractor unit 11 as shown in Figure L The trailer 10 comprises a plurality of ground engaging elements in the form of a plurality of wheels 12 arranged in conventional manner. The trailer 10 further comprises a load carrying part 13. In conventional manner, the load carrying part 13 comprises a pair of transversely connected longitudinal beams 14 provided at each end with transverse beams 15. Each of the transverse beams 15 is provided with end mounting means 16 cf standard ISO twist-lock type to engage a shipping container in a conventional manner. Intermediate mounting means 17 are provided towards die midpoint of the longitudinal beams 13 such that the load carrying part may receive a single, double length, shipping container or two, single length, shipping containers. A pair of side bars 1 la of conventional type are disposed one at each side of the vehicle. The tractor unit 11 is of conventional type comprising a plurality of wheels 30, a cab 31 and a rearward part 32. The rearward part 32 of the tractor 11 which is provided with a connecting means in the form of a conventional fifth wheel connection 33. lh a first alternative which embodies the first alternative of the first 1 aspect of the invention, the forward part of the trailer 10 comprises a neck 21 comprising support means 22 on winch connecting means are provided to engage a connecting means of the tractor 11. The support means 22 comprises a lower part of the neck 21. As best seen in Figures 1 to 3, the support means 22 is inclined relative to the load carrying part 13 at an angle of 2.4° and preferably m toe range 1° to 4°. The tractor II comprises a conventional variable suspension (not shown) such that the elevation of the rearward part 32 relative to toe wheels 30 is controllable. As a result a forward part of toe load IE001024 canying part 13 may be raised from a travelling position shown in Figure Ϊ to a loading position shown in Figure 2.

In a second alternative Which embodies toe second alternative ofthe first aspect of toe invention, as best seen in Figure 4, toe Wheels 12 of toe trailer 11 are each mounted on a trailing link 18 pivotally connected by a pivot 19 to a longitudinal beam 14. Disposed between each trailing link 18 and toe longitudinal beam 4 is an actuating means comprising a pneumatic suspension element 20 of conventional type, in toe present example referred to as an ‘air bag’. The elements 20 are supplied with pneumatic pressure by a supply means (not shown). Preferably toe pneumatic pressure is supplied by toe tractor 11 via a pneumatic coupling in conventional manner although it may be envisaged that fluid pressure could be supplied from a reservoir or other source provided on fee trailer 10. Itwifl be apparent that other actuating means may be provided in addition to or separately from toe suspension elements 20.

By exhausting air from toe pneumatic suspension elements 20 toe rearward part of toe trailer supported by toe wheels 12 may be lowered from i toe transport position shown in Figure 1 to toe loading position shown in Figure 2.

In toe present example, toe vehicle carries a load in toe form of a. container 34 for carrying cars or other vehicles. As shown in Figure 1, toe •container comprises a pair of end frames 35 and a pair of decks 36a, 36^. The upper deck 36g is movable relative to toe lower deck 36b to permit loading and unloading of toe upper deck 36s and to accommodate desired number and configuration of vehicles. The container 34 is further provided with end ramps 37. The container is provided with mounting points 38 in the form of ISO boxes which engage toe end mounting means 16 provided on toe trailer 10 in .conventional manner. In toe present example, toe container 34 is of a standard size and configuration to enable it to be lifted and moved using conventional container handling facilities.

IE001024 ίο Referring to Figures 5 to 9 fee vehicle further comprises ramp *neanc generally indicated at 40. The ramp means 40 comprises a first pari 41 and a second part 42, fee second part 42 being telescopically receivable in fee first : part 41 in its stored position as shown in Figures 5, 7 and 8. The ramp means = 40 is movable to a deployed position as shown in Figure 6. The first part 41 is provided at one end wife engagement means to engage a part of fee load I ; carrying part 13 or, as in fee present example, fee container 34. The : engagement means comprises a pin 43a and a plurality of holes 43p provided ί on a projecting part 43β of fee first part 41. A plurality of corresponding apertures 44a, 44^ are provided on fee access ramp 37 of fee container 34. One of fee corresponding apertures 44g, 44h receives fee pin 43a whilst a separate i locking pin 45 is inserted though of one said apertures 43b into corresponding j aperture 44b.

Pivotally attached to fee other end of fee first part 41 is an intermediate : support 46. The intermediate support 46 comprises a pair of vertical elements 47 each pivotally attached adjacent one end to the first part 41, and connected ί at their lower ends by a transverse part 48 which rests upon fee ground when 'fee ramp means 40 is in its deployed position. The first part 41 is provided ξ wife outwardly projecting rollers 49 to engage a guide provided on fee vehicle.

! Tbe first part 41 is generally channel-shaped in cross section, comprising an t ripper surface 50 wife upwardly projecting edge guides 51 disposed cither side rif the upper surface SO, Below fee upper surface 50, fee first part 41 is provided wife lower channels 52 to receive fee second part 42. The second ‘part 42 is similarly channel shaped in cross section, wife an upper surface 53. ι i land side parts 54 which are slidably received in fee lower channels 52 of fee first part 41.

To facilitate sliding movement of fee part 42 in fee first parr 41, fee second part 42 is provided wife rollers 55 which are received in fee lower Channels 52. Locating means 57 and first stop means 58 engage fee rollers 55 IE001024 n and second part 42 respectively when fee second part 42 is in its fiiBy withdrawn position inside the first part 41. Second stop means 59, in ti» present example comprising a bolt head projecting into the channel 52, engage ‘ the rollers 55 when fee second part 42 is in its deployed position to prevent : disengagement offee first part 41 and second part 42.

As best seen in Figure 9, to locate fee ramp means in its stored position, fee vehicle is provided wife guide elements 60, 61 which engage fee rollers 49 . provided adjacent an end of and projecting outwardly of fee first part 41. The first elements 60 comprise a “L” shaped guide mil, whilst fee second guide element 61 comprises an inverted ‘T‘ shape. Ihe guide elements 60, 61 are ; disposed such feat a pair of ramp means 40 are disposed side by side in a stored , position as seen in Figure 5.

The vehicle further comprises an underrun bumper 62 connected to fee vehicle 20 by longitudinal arms 63. Disposed on fee upper surface of ti» underrun bumper 62 are a pair of rollers 64 separated by a lug 65. As seen in Figure 5, in fee stored position the ramp means 40 rest on fee rollers 64 adjacent to one another separated by the lug 65. Suitable clip means 66 are : provided on fee uudemm bumper 62 to engage fee intermediate support 46 and hold fee ramp means 40 in its stored position.

The longitudinal anas 63 arc slidably mounted on fee vehicle 10 such that fee position of fee underrun bumper 62 can be varied, ία conventional maimer, fee underrun bumper 62 can be disposed in one of the two positions shown in broken outline in Figure 5, depending on fee length of the container or other load disposed cm ti» load carrying part 13. The underrun bumper 62 is v. movable to a third position shown in full in Figure 5 when it is required to deploy fee ramp means 40. The beams 63 may be provided with a plurality of holes (not shown) engagable by a spring mounted pin located on fee vehicle to hold fee underran bumper 62 in a selected one of fee alternative positions.

IE001024 Referring now to Figures 9 to 13, an anciHsry lifting means is provided disposed towards the rear of vehicle 10. The rear transverse beam 15 is connected by a pair of aims 70 each connected by a pivot 71 to one of the longitudinal beams 14. The longitudinal beams are inter-connected by a lower transverse beam 72. Connected between the lower transverse beam 72 and the rear transverse beam 15 are a pair of fluid pressure actuating elements 73, in this example in flic form of pneumatic “air bags” similar to the air bags 20. As seen from Figures 9 to 13, the actuating elements 73 are operable to lift the transverse beam 15. The range of movement of the actuating elements 73 is such that in an extended position fee container 34 is in a generally horizontal position as best shown in Figure 9. The end connecting means 16 and mounting means 38 have sufficient relative freedom of movement for the container 34 and transverse beam 15 to be able to rotate relative to one another over fee range of movement of fee actuating elements 73.

As best seen, in Figure 9, fee longitudinal beams 14 are provided wife a recess 75 shaped to receive fee transverse beam 15 such that fee upper surface of fee transverse beam 15 is generally coplsnar wife fee upper surface of the longitudinal beams 14 when the ancillary means is in a retracted position. The actuating elements 73 may be supplied wife pneumatic pressure, in fee present example from fee compressor provided in conventional manner on fee tractor units 30 by suitable manually operated controls, although it may be envisaged feat fluid pressure could be supplied from a reservoir or other source provided on fee trailer 10, An ancillary lifting means is particularly desirable where fee container ’S34 comprises one or more movable decks such that cars or other vehicles to be transported may be carried on two or more decks to maximise use of fee volume of fee container. When fee movable deck 36b is being moved, it may be desirable for the container 34 to be in a generally horizontal position. To raise fee load carrying part 13 of fee vehicle 30 simply using the support means IE001024 is not desirable, since as discussed below, it is preferable that in the travelling position, the air bags 20 are at die top of their range. The-provision of the lift means thus permit die container 34 to be moved to a generally horizontal position without the need to, for example remove the container 34 from the load carrying part 13 on the vehicle 10 and place it on horizontal surface.

In operation, when the trailer 10 is being drawn by a tractor unit 11, as shown in Figure 1 the load canying part 13 exhibits a rearward tilt. Where the trailer is provided wife an inclined support means 22, the rearward tilt is greater titan would be present in a conventional trailer. The suspension elements 20 are disposed in their uppermost position. The rearward part 32 of the tractor unit 11 is at its travelling height and the actuating elements 73 axe in their lowermost position. The underrun bumper 62 is in a selected one of its alternative positions such that it is generally in line with the end of the container 34 disposed on the load carrying part 13. In this position, the transverse beam 15 is received in the recesses 75 of the longitudinal beams 14. The container 34 rests on the longitudinal beams 14 and on the transverse beams 15.

When it is desired to load or unload the vehicle, it is desirable to lower the rear part of the vehicle as fer as possible and this may be achieved by use of : one of the following alternatives.

In a first alternative which embodies the first alternative of the first aspect of the invention, the variable suspension provided on the tractor unit 11 is operable to raise the rear part 32 of the tractor unit 11, lifting the neck 21 of the trailer 10, causing trailer 10 to pivot about in horizontal axis and lowering the rearward part of the load canying part 13. This is facilitated by the inclined support means 22. The support elements 20 accommodate the movement of the load canying part 13 relative to the wheels 12. hi a second alternative which embodies the second alternative of the first aspect of the invention, the air bags 20 are deflated to lower the load carrying IE001024 part 13 relative to the wheels 12. The trailer 10 vdtt pivot about a horizontal axis passing through foe fifth. wheel connection 33. Preferably, when foe trailer 10 is in its travelling position foe air bags 20 are felly inflated to provide foe tnHxirnmn range of downward movement in the loading position.

Either or both of these alternatives may be used to lower the rear part of . foe load carrying surface as far as possible.

When it is desired to use a ramp means which embodies foe second aspect of foe invention, foe underrun bumper 62 is moved to its most extended position. The first parts of foe ramp means 40 are then slid out from their stored position such that foe rollers 4$ are released from foe guide means 60,61 and such that foe intermediate support 46 rests on foe ground. The first part 41 can then be lifted such that foe pin 43a is received in foe aperture 44a provided on foe container 34. A locking pin 45 is inserted through apertures 43b, 44b. The second part 42 is extended from foe first part 41 such that foe free end of foe second part 42 rests on foe ground providing a continuous ramp. The stop means 59 pievents foe second part 42 being completely withdrawn from foe first part 41. As in foe present illustration, where a pair of ramp means 40 are provided, foe ramp means may be deployed spaced from one another at a suitably desired spacing, and foe ramp means 40 may be connected to provided a measured spacing, for example using a flexible connecting means such as a cord.

Where it is desired to load cars or other vehicles to be transported on to a car container of foe type shown at 29, the spacing of foe ramp means 40 may be set according to foe spacing on foe vehicle’s wheels. It may alternatively be envisaged that it is intended to provide, for example, a material handling vehicle with access to the load canying part of foe load canying vehicle to facilitate loading and unloading, and foe spacing of foe ramps can be set accordingly.

IE001024 When it is desired to return toe ramp means 40 to its stored position, toe reverse operation takes place. The locking pin 45 is removed and pin 43g is released from toe aperture 44a. The first part 41 is toen lowered such that it rests on toe roller 64. The second part 42 is returned to its stored position inside toe first part 41, such that toe rollers 55 engage toe stop 57 and toe second part contacts toe stop 58. The first part 41 is slid in a forward direction on toe roller 64 until toe rollers 48 engage toe guide elements 60,61. The ramp means 40 will then be slid into its stored position until toe intermediate support means 45 engages toe underrun bumper 62, The intermediate support means 46 toen engage toe clip means 66 and toe underran bumper is returned to a travelling position.

The load carrying vehicle as described herein has particular advantages in transport of cars or other vehicles(hereniafler referred to as ‘cars’ for convenience). Conventionally cars to be distributed on toe factory are first loaded onto specialised car transporters for movement by road or rail. Where toe cars are toen to be transported by sea toe cars are transferred to a car container of toe type shown at 34 which has the same dimensions and standard fittings and may be handled in toe same way as a standard cargo container. On arrival at toe destination, toe cars and other vehicles have be removed from the car container 34 driven onto specialised road or rail vehicles for onward travel. It will be apparent that several other transhipping stages may be required at different points of toe journey through toe distribution of network. At each loading and unloading stage, toe cars are at risk of damage.

By contras^ a load carrying vehicle according to fee present invention has permits cars to be transported to be carried from source to destination without the need to remove toe cars from toe container 34.. Thus, at toe factory, the cars may be loaded into a car container 34 and toe car container 34 placed on a standard load carrying vehicle, for example a trailer as in toe present example, or on a standard railway vehicle as desired. The load carrying IE001024 vehicle according to fee first aspect of fee invention may be provided wife means to lower fee rearward pert of fee load carrying part of fee vehicle and & ramp means according to fee second aspect of fee invention permits cars to be loaded on to a car container 34 provided on a load carrying part of the load carrying vehicle without a need far separate hoist means, free-standing ramp means or crane means.

Where fee cars are to be transferred to another form of transport, for example, to a ship, fee container 34 may be treated as a standard shipping container for loading and unloading without fee need to unload fee individual cats from fee container 34.

For their onward journey, fee containers 29 can then be transferred to another load carrying vehicle of fee type according to fee present invention. To deliver fee cars to fee deal» oz other sale point from which they are to be sold, a load carrying vehicle according to fee present invention provided wife a car carrying container 34 may unload fee vehicles from fee car carrying container 34, again without fee need for any facilities other than fee means to lower fee rear part of fee load carrying part of fee vehicle and fee ramp means 40.

It could then be envisaged that car on the vehicles could be transhipped from fee factory to fee point of sale in one container, only needing to be driven onto fee container at factory and unloaded from fee container at the point of sale wife no other loading and unloading steps in between. This ability to move fee cars to their destination with a minimum of loading and unloading is particularly advantageous It will be apparent feat a load carrying vehicle according to fee present < invention may be used to transport other loads. It may be envisaged, for example, feat fee load carrying part could be suitably adapted to carrying bulk cargoes, or palleted cargoes and feat fee ramp means 40 may provide access to load carrying part for suitable material handling vehicles, for example, vehicles having a loading bucket or forks to engage palleted loads. This would be IE001024 particularly advantageous when it is desired to move palleted or other loads from a standard closed cargo container disposed on a load canying part 13 without toe need to move fee container from toe load canying part 13 prior to unloading. In such a case, fee ramp means may be used by a means for unloading toe container, for example a fork lift truck or other load handling vehicle or other means.

It will be apparent feat a vehicle according to any aspect of fee present invention may be provided by suitably modifying or adapting a conventional vehicle.

In toe present specification “comprise· means includes or consists of and comprising means including or consisting of.

The features disclosed in toe foregoing description, or toe following claims, or toe accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing toe disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining toe disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising toe invention in diverse forms thereof

Claims

L A load canying vehicle comprising a load carrying part, ground engaging means and actuating means operable to move the load carrying part relative to the ground between a travelling position and a loading position.
2. A load carrying vehicle according to Claim.1 wherein fee load carrying part is moved relative to ground engaging means by varying fee inclination of fee load carrying part relative to fee ground engaging means such feat a rearward pardon of fee load carrying part is lowered relative to fee ground.
3. A load carrying vehicle according to Claim 2 wherein fee load carrying vehicle comprises a trailer provided wife said, load carrying part and said ground engaging means, fee trailer further comprising a coupling means for engagement wife a coupling part of a tractor unit the tractor unit being provided wife actuating means, fee coupling means being provided on a support parr such feat operation of said actuating means causes said movement of the load carrying part between its travelling position and its loading position.
4. A load carrying vehicle according to Claim 3 wherein said support part comprises an element inclined to said load carrying part, said coupling means being provided on said inclined dement.
5. A load carrying vehicle according to Claim 3 ot Claim 4 wherein fee actuating means comprises a variable suspension provided on said tractor unit,
6. A load carrying vehicle according to Claim 5 wherein· said variable suspension is movable between a first, lowered, position wherein fee trailer is IE001024 in its travelling position and a second, raised, position in which fee trailer is in its loading position.
7. A load carrying vehicle according to Claim 6 wherein fee inclined element of fee support means is disposed such that when fee trailer is in its loading position, the inclined element is substantially horizontal,
8. A load carrying vehicle according to Claim 3 wherein the coupling·part comprises a fifth wheel coupling.
9. A load canying vehicle according to Claim 2 wherein fee load carrying vehicle comprises actuating means connected between fee ground engaging means and fee load carrying part, the actuating means being operable to move fee load carrying part between its travelling position and its loading position.
10. A load carrying vehicle according to Claim 9 wherein fee actuating means comprises a fluid pressure means.
11. A load carrying vehicle according to Claim 10 wherein fee fluid pressure means comprises a pneumatic support dement
12. A load canyiag vehicle according to Claim 11 wherein the vehicle is provided.wife a manually operable control to control the supply of pneumatic pressure to said-support element. •V
13. A load carrying vehicle according to any one of Claims 9 to 12 wherein the load carrying vehicle comprises a suspension and said actuating means comprise part of said suspension. IE001024 2°
14. A load canying vehicle according to any one of Claims 9 to 13 wherein the loading canying vehicle comprises a trailer adapted to be drawn by a. tractor unit
15. A load canying vehicle according to Claim 14 where dependent directly or indirectly on Claim 10 wherein fluid pressure is supplied to said actuating means from a fluid pressure supply provided on the tractor unit
16. A load carrying vehicle according to any one of Claims 1 to 8 and according to any one of Claims 9 to 15.
17. A ramp means for a load carrying vehicle, the ramp means being carried by die vehicle in a stored position and being movable to a deployed position to facilitate loading or unloading of the load carrying vehicle.
18. A ramp means according to Claim 17 wherein the ramp means comprises a first part and a second part, the second part being slidable relative to the first part when in the stored position and being extendable to extend in a longitudinal direction from the first part in the deployed position.
19. A ramp means according to Claim 18- wherein the second part is slidably received within the first part ia the stored position.
20. A ramp means according to Claim 18 or Claim 19 wherein stop means are provided to prevent separation of said first pert and said second part. IE001024
21. A ramp means according to any one of Claims 18 to 20 wherein the ramp means is provided with intennefoate support means to engage the ground to support the ramp means.
22. A ramp means according to Claim 21 wherein said support means is provided pivotally attached to said first part
23. A ramp means according to any one of Claims 17 to 22 wherein the ramp means comprises a raised part disposed on one or both edges of at least one of the first part and the second part
24. A ramp means according to any one of Claims 17 to 23 comprising engagement means to engage a part of the load carrying part of the vehicle or of the load when foe ramp means is its deployed position.
25. A ramp means according to any one of Claims 17 to 24 wherein foe ramp means comprises a guide element engageable with guide means provided on foe load carrying vehicle to guide foe ramp means.
26. A ramp means according to Claim 25 wherein foe guide element comprises a roller and the guide means comprises a track engageable by said roller.
27. A ramp means according to any one of Claims 17 to 26 provided on a a. load canying vehicle wherein the vehicle comprises an widemm bumper and foe ramp means in its stored position rests on said underran bumper.
28. A ramp means according to Claim 27 wherein said underrun bumper is provided with ancillary guide means to engage said ramp means. IE001024
29. A ramp means according to Claim. 27 or Claim 28 where dependent directly or indirectly on Claim 20 wherein when the ramp means is its stored position, said intermediate support means engage said underrun bumper.
30. A ramp means substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.
31. A load carrying vehicle comprising ramp means according to any one of Claims 17to 30.
32. A load carrying vehicle comprising a load canying part and ancillary lifting means movable between a retracted position and an extended position co vary the orientation of a load disposed on the load carrying'part relative to die load carrying part
33. A load carrying vehicle according to Claim 32 wherein toe ancillary lifting means is disposed such that when in its retracted position, ihe load is supported on toe load carrying part, and in its extended position the inclination of toe load relative to toe load canying part is varied.
34. A load carrying vehicle according to Claim 32 or Claim 33 wherein toe ancillary lifting means comprises a fluid pressure operated element and preferably a pair of such elements disposed one at each side of toe vehicle. (
35. A load carrying vehicle according to Claim 34 wherein ancillary control means are provided to control toe supply of fluid pressure to said ancillary lifting means. IE001024
36. A load carrying vehicle comprising ancillary lifting means substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.
37. A load carrying vehicle according to any one of Claims 32 to 36 and/or according to any one of claims 1 to 16 and/or comprising a ramp means according to any one of Claims 17 to 30.
38. A method of transporting vehicles comprising providing a load carrying vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 16 with a car-carrying container, operating said actuating means to move fee load carrying part to its loading position, driving said vehicle in to raid car carrying container and. operating said actuating means to raise said load carrying pert to its travelling position.
39. A mefeod according to Claim 3$ wherein fee vehicle is provided wife ramp means according to any one of claims 17 to 30, said method may comprise fee additional step of moving said ramp means to its deployed position prior to loading said vehicle, and moving said ramp means from its deployed position to its stored position where said loading or unloading is complete.
40. A method according to Claim 38 or Claim. 39 wherein fee vehicle comprises a vehicle according to any one of Claims 31 to 36 and wherein fee mefeod comprises fee further step of operating said ancillary lifting means to vary fee orientation ofthe load relative to fee load carrying part.
41. A vehicle according to any one of Claims 1, 31 and 32 substantially as hereinbefore described wife reference to fee accompanying drawings. IE001024
42. A vehicle substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
43. A ramp substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
44. A method of transporting vehicles substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
45. Arty novel feature or combination of features disclosed herein.