JP2024048385A - Loading trolley - Google Patents

Abstract

A loading trolley is provided that advantageously minimizes kickback and other forces associated with operation. The loading trolley includes an elongated body for placement under a load, the elongated body having a load-receiving top movable relative to the body, and a lift actuation mechanism assembly mounted within the elongated body for raising and lowering the load-receiving top relative to the load-receiving body, the lift actuation mechanism assembly including a crank actuated chain drive linkage.Selected Figure:

Description

The present invention relates to a loading trolley (also known as a skate), which is typically of the type that runs within the floor channel of a facility or truck to move loaded pallets or the like.

Having access to a forklift or similar vehicle is often inconvenient or impractical (and often requires specially trained personnel). Alternatively, factories, warehouses, and vehicles such as trucks have a pair of aisles or channels in the floor along which a loading trolley can run. These loading trolleys are relatively compact and may be manually operated. The loading trolleys usually have rollers or wheels for running along the aisles, allowing the load to be lifted off the floor and rolled freely, and may be raised or lowered to allow the load to be lowered when it reaches its destination. Once lowered, the loading trolley can be removed.

The loading trolleys may be single or in pairs. When paired, the loading trolleys may be coupled together or simply operated as a pair.

Typically, the lift actuation mechanism of a loading trolley has a crank-based arrangement. A user operates a handle on the crank-based arrangement and uses the handle to rotate the crank-based mechanism to raise or lower a load from the floor.

When lowering a load, an operator holding the handle is subjected to a force due to the load acting on the trolley and the lift actuation mechanism configuration. This force may be referred to as "kickback" or "backlash." Kickback can impose significant strength requirements on the operator to overcome and/or respond to the force. This feature puts the operator at risk of injury and fatigue.

Various attempts have been made to achieve easy-to-use loading trolleys that minimize the risk of injury. Some of these use hydraulics or airbags for lifting and lowering. These mechanisms add complexity and cost. Often such configurations also require significant space for the lifting components. This results in the body protruding above floor level as shown in Figure 1. This means that the trolley cannot pass under the load and must be manually lifted in and out of the channel to perform certain logistics tasks. Due to the weight of the trolleys, manual handling of such trolleys poses additional risk of injury and fatigue to the operator.

According to one aspect of the present invention,
an elongated body for placement under a load, the elongated body having a load receiving top movable relative to the body;
a lift actuation mechanism assembly mounted within the body for raising and lowering the load receiving top relative to the body, the lift actuation mechanism assembly including a crank actuated chain drive linkage;
A loading trolley comprising:

The lift actuation mechanism preferably comprises:
a crank having a sprocket centered on a crank pivot;
a connecting hole for receiving and engaging a removable handle;
Further comprising:
The sprockets are configured to constantly mesh and engage with a corresponding chain of a chain drive and to move along the chain when a crank is operated via a handle in the connecting hole.

Preferably, the connection holes are configured to lock the handles in place for pulling and/or pushing the trolley and for operating the cranks.

Preferably, the chain drive is a dual chain that meshes with corresponding dual sprockets on the crank.

Embodiments of the present invention utilize a crank-actuated chain drive that is advantageously received entirely within the body of the loading trolley when disengaged from the load. A removable handle can be connected to the trolley to operate the crank, and then the handle can be removed when not needed (or if the trolley needs to be rolled under a load, for example). The chain drive linkage is always engaged, thereby advantageously minimizing kickback and other forces associated with operation.

Embodiments aim to provide a lift actuation mechanism for a loading trolley of the type that normally runs within a floor channel. The chain drive preferably allows the size of the body (trolley frame) to be small enough that the body does not protrude above the floor surface, allowing the trolley to pass under the load (as it is lowered and disengaged from the load), thereby reducing the amount of manual manipulation required of the trolley.

Chain drive linkages also preferably minimize the amount of kickback associated with operation due to constant meshing between the crank and body. Other known configurations include linkages that do not have constant meshing between the crank and body and therefore use linkage mechanisms that can cause excessive kickback.

Preferably the trolley includes a handle which has a removable but locked configuration which engages and retains the trolley. In the locked, engaged and retained configuration the handle can be used to push or pull the trolley and to operate the crank. If this is not required the handle can preferably be unlocked and disengaged so that it can be removed from the trolley. This is an improvement over existing configurations which have a permanent pull nub protruding from the trolley, but means that the trolley cannot be passed under load.

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

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an existing loading trolley. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a loading trolley according to one embodiment. FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a lift actuation mechanism according to one embodiment. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the lift actuation mechanism of FIG. 3 in use. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the lift actuation mechanism of FIG. 3 in use. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the lift actuation mechanism of FIG. 3 in use. FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a further aspect of a loading trolley according to an embodiment. 13A-13C are perspective views illustrating further optional aspects of components of a lift actuation mechanism according to one embodiment. 13A-13C are perspective views illustrating further optional aspects of components of a lift actuation mechanism according to one embodiment.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a loading trolley according to one embodiment. Figure 3 is an exploded view of a lift operating mechanism according to one embodiment.

The loading trolley 10 includes an elongated body 20 for placement under a load, a load receiving top 30, and a lift actuation mechanism 40 assembly mounted within the body for moving the load receiving top relative to the body, thereby raising and lowering a load on the load receiving top relative to the body. The lift actuation mechanism includes a crank actuated chain drive linkage, an example of which is shown in detail in FIG. 3. The underside of the loading trolley includes wheels (not shown) or the like to allow the trolley and its load to be pushed and pulled therealong.

The lift actuation mechanism 40 has a chain drive that includes a crank 50 with a sprocket 56 about the crank's pivot axis and a connection hole 55 for engaging a removable handle (shown in FIG. 8). The sprocket 56 engages a corresponding chain 60.

Although the embodiment of FIG. 3 shows a dual sprocket and chain arrangement, a single sprocket/chain or a greater number of sprockets and corresponding chain linkages can be used.

As highlighted above and shown in Figures 4-6, the chain 60 and sprockets 56 are always engaged, thereby helping to minimize kickback.

When the crank is operated (by a handle turning the crank about a pivot) to move the sprocket 56 along the chain 60, the linkage 86 is also pulled toward the chain 60, which pulls the lift rollers 87 of the lift 80 up onto the ramp section 75 of the frame 70. This raises the frame mount 80 and the load-receiving top 30 relative to the body 20. This action is shown in more detail in Figures 4-6.

Also shown in the figure is the optional feature of a load stop 85, which prevents load movement towards the crank 50. While it is preferred to include the load stop 85, it is understood that it is not essential to the operation of the lift actuation mechanism and this feature may be omitted.

Figures 4, 5 and 6 are cross-sectional views of the lift actuation mechanism of Figure 3 in use.

When the loading trolley 10 is placed in its rest position in a channel extending into the floor, only the load stop 85 protrudes above the floor and all the linkage mechanisms are contained within the frame. As shown in Figure 4, the crank pivot is at the start of the slot.

A handle (not shown) is placed in the connection hole 55 and is used to operate the crank 50 about the pivot. Figures 5 and 6 show how the crank pivot begins to move along the slot in the linkage plate as the crank sprocket 56 begins to wrap the chain 60 around itself. The lift roller 87 also begins to move up the ramp section 75 of the frame 70. The load carrier top 30 is connected to the lift 80 at connection points 81/82. As the lift roller moves up the ramp section 75, the connection of the lift 80 to the load carrier top 30 increases the distance A, thereby lifting the load carrier top.

The final position, shown in Figure 6, is when the trolley is in the raised position, with the lift rollers seated on the seats of the lift profile and the crank pivots at the ends of the slots in the linkage plates. The operator can move the load in this position (trolleys are typically on wheels or rollers to aid in movement).

Figure 7 is a perspective view showing a further aspect of a loading trolley according to one embodiment.

Preferably, the load receiving top 30 has a plurality of connectors 90 spaced along its length. As the lift 80 is raised up to the ramp section 75 and the linkage 86 moves toward the chain 60, the load receiving top 30 is also pulled laterally toward the chain and crank end. As the load receiving top 30 moves laterally, each connector 90 abuts a corresponding roller 110, and the sloped profile of the connector 90 pushes the load receiving top 30 upward, so that the load receiving top 30 is supported along its entire length and correspondingly lifted during the cranking motion.

Figures 8 and 9 are perspective views showing further optional aspects of a lift actuation mechanism according to one embodiment.

8 and 9 show a preferred version of the crank 50. In this embodiment, which may be used in conjunction with the previous embodiment, the connecting hole 55 has a locking type profile that engages and holds a corresponding engagement portion 210 on the handle 200. The handle can be inserted with the locking portion in a first orientation and then rotated 90 degrees within the hole 55 to lock and hold the handle in place. Once locked and held, the handle can be used for cranking as well as pushing and pulling the trolley 10.

For example, the handle 200 may include an engagement portion 210 having one or more protrusions or contours that are asymmetrical relative to the engagement hole 55. The engagement portion is positioned to be in the connection hole when the handle is inserted. When the handle is rotated in the connection hole from the unlocked position to the locked position, the engagement portion is positioned to move out of the connection hole contour to hold the handle in place.

Preferably, a single crank action is sufficient to raise/lower the trolley. To prevent the user from accidentally cranking the trolley and lowering it back down again while moving, the ramp where the rollers rise preferably has a small saddle for the rollers to fall down and hold. In this operation, the operator typically holds one handle to raise or lower the trolley and brake the pallet movement. When pulling, the pulling force is generally in the direction of the already cranked handle, so the "downward angle" of the pulling handle and ramp saddle keeps the load rising. When pushing, the operator typically pushes the load rather than using the handle. A locking mechanism can optionally be included to prevent cranking while moving.

It will be appreciated that other locking configurations are possible, including those in which a catch, spring-loaded, or other mechanism is used to hold the handle securely in place and allow release of the handle when the trolley is in the lowered position. It will also be appreciated that the above-described embodiments can be used with regular circular cross-section handles for cranking or other handles.

Optional embodiments of the present invention may be understood to include any or all combinations of two or more of the parts, elements, or features referenced or indicated herein, either individually or collectively, and where reference is made herein to specific integers that have known equivalents in the art to which the present invention pertains, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if set forth individually.

Although exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been described, it should be understood that those skilled in the art could make various changes, substitutions, and alterations without departing from the invention, which is defined by the following claims and their equivalents.

Claims (6)

an elongated body for placement under a load, the elongated body having a load receiving top movable relative to the body;
a lift actuation mechanism assembly mounted within the elongated body for raising and lowering the load receiving top relative to the body, the lift actuation mechanism assembly comprising a crank actuated chain drive linkage;
A loading trolley equipped with The lift actuation mechanism includes:
a crank having a sprocket centered on a crank pivot;
a connecting hole for receiving and engaging a removable handle;
Further comprising:
the sprocket is configured to constantly mesh and engage with a corresponding chain of the chain drive and to move along the chain when the crank is operated via a handle in the connecting hole;
2. A loading trolley as claimed in claim 1. A loading trolley as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the connection hole includes a locking position for locking the handle and holding it in a predetermined position for pulling and/or pushing the trolley and for operating the crank. The loading trolley of claim 3, wherein the handle is rotatable between the locked position and the unlocked position, and the handle is removable from the connection hole when in the unlocked position. The loading trolley of claim 4, wherein the handle includes an engagement portion arranged to be within the connection hole when the handle is inserted, and the engagement portion is arranged to misalign with the contour of the connection hole to hold the handle in place when the handle is rotated from the unlocked position to the locked position within the connection hole. 4. A loading trolley as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the chain drive is a dual chain that meshes with corresponding dual sprockets on the crank.