JPS6111818B2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] This invention provides a first and second
a transfer device for transferring a load unit between vehicles, the first and second vehicles having at least two upwardly open channels extending perpendicularly to their longitudinal direction; The channel relates to a transfer device that is communicated by the load unit when the load unit is positioned on the first and second vehicles. the transfer device is disposed on the second transport vehicle and has at least two separate transfer arms;
Each said transfer arm has a lifting device for moving from the channel of the second vehicle to the channel of the first vehicle and vice versa, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the first and second vehicles. Possibly, the transfer arm is adapted to be accommodated in the channel of the second transport vehicle when inactive.

Transfer devices of this type are known, for example, in US Pat. No. 2,854,158.
It is known by the No.

However, this known transfer device has a number of deficiencies, the most important being its inability to efficiently transfer and support load units of different sizes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to overcome the deficiencies of conventional devices and to provide a transfer device that operates efficiently.

This object is achieved according to the invention in that the loading plate for the loading unit formed by the support chassis of the first and second transport vehicle consists of a plurality of partial loading plates;
The partial loading plates on the first and second transport vehicles are located between and on both sides of a plurality of recessed-shaped channels in the support chassis, each having a rectangular shape when viewed from above; said partially loaded plate extends in the longitudinal direction of the support chassis between the sides of adjacent channels or between the ends of the support chassis and the side of the channel adjacent thereto; each transfer arm is formed by a support chassis portion extending from one longitudinal side of the other at right angles to the longitudinal direction of the support chassis;
This is achieved by a transfer device characterized in that it is provided with its own separate actuation mechanism for moving the transfer arms individually between the channels of the transport vehicle.

Next, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

In Figures 1 to 3, 1 is the first shape of the railway vehicle.
The conveying vehicle 2 is a second conveying vehicle in the shape of a truck, which is positioned side by side with the first conveying vehicle 1 so that its longitudinal axis is substantially parallel to the first conveying vehicle 1. A load support 3 in the form of a load plate is arranged on the first transport vehicle 1 in FIG. The load support 3 may have four side walls and a roof, as shown in broken lines.
The transfer device provided on the second transport vehicle 2 is arranged at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the first transport vehicle 1 from the second transport vehicle 2 to the first transport vehicle 1 and back to the second transport vehicle 2. It is equipped with two transfer arms 4 movable in the directions. Transport vehicles 1 and 2 have support chassis 5 and 6, respectively.
and each support chassis 5, 6 is provided with two upwardly open-shaped channels 7 which are bridged by the support 3 when the support 3 is positioned on the chassis 5, 6. . That is, the support 3 is extended so as to straddle (crosslink) the channel 7. The spacing between the channels 7 of the transport vehicles 1, 2 corresponds to each other. The transfer arm 4 can be moved in the channel 7 from the second transport vehicle 2 to the first transport vehicle 1 and back towards the second transport vehicle 2 . The transfer arm 4 constitutes a transfer mechanism together with a lift device to be described later. The lifting device lifts the support 3 and transfers it to the other transport vehicle 1 or 2 and lowers it onto its chassis 5 or 6. Transfer arm 4
is stored in the channel 7 of the chassis 6 of the second transport vehicle 2 when inactive.

FIG. 4 shows the detailed structure of the support 3. The support 3 consists of two longitudinal side beams and two
It consists of a self-supporting structure with book end beams and reinforcing beams extending between the end beams. A sheet metal member is attached to the upper surface of the support body 3. A transverse beam 2 is provided in the region of the support 3 against which the transfer arm 4 abuts in order to lift the support 3.
7, 8 and a transverse beam 2 in the longitudinal direction of the support 3
An extra reinforcement in the form of a beam 9 extending between 7 and 8 is provided. A sheet metal member may be applied to the underside of the support 3 between the transverse beams 27, 8. Other areas of the lower surface of the support 3 may be open downward. A coupling device 10 may be provided for lifting the support 3 in a known manner by means of a crane, cables or the like.

The support 3 comprises two recesses 11 (only one is shown in FIG. 4). The recess 11 is formed by the protrusions 12 of the transport vehicles 1 and 2 when the support body 3 is lowered (see Figures 5 and 6).
It is adapted to receive and hold the support 3 relative to the transport vehicle 1 or 2. The protrusion 12 is the recess 1
It has a tapered shape so that it can be easily inserted into the body. The support body 3 has a total of four locking shoulders 13, two on each side. Four hits 14 are arranged on the transport vehicles 1, 2, which are spring-loaded towards the locking device. The hitch 14 is rotatable with respect to the chassis 5, 6 and engages the locking shoulder 13 while holding the support 3 when the support 3 is lowered onto the conveyor vehicle 1, 2. The locking shoulder portion 13 allows rotation in the separating direction. Each hitch 14 is connected to a piston-cylinder mechanism 15 for disengaging the hitch 14 while overcoming the spring force when lifting the support 3. The spring loading effect is carried out by one or more springs arranged in the piston-cylinder mechanism 15.

As shown in FIG. 5, the railway vehicle, ie, the first transport vehicle 1, includes a support chassis 5 made of a frame having a plurality of reinforcing beams and support beams. The channel 7 receiving the transfer arm 4 is defined by planar upright side walls and a planar horizontal base plate. When the support 3 is lowered onto the carrier 1, the part of the support 3 located between the transverse beams 27, 8 (see FIG. 4) is located above the channel 7.

FIG. 6 shows the structure of the second transport vehicle 2, in which the transfer arm 4 is in an inoperative position, being accommodated in the channel 7 of the support chassis 6 of the transport vehicle 2.

The loading plates of the support 3 formed by the support chassis 5, 6 of the first conveyor 1 and the second conveyor 2 each consist of three partial loading plates. The partially loaded flat plate of the support chassis 5, 6 is
They are located on both sides and in the middle of the channel 7, which has a concave shape, and have a rectangular shape when viewed from above. Each said partially loaded plate has a longitudinally extending portion of the chassis 5, 6 between the sides of adjacent channels 7 or between the ends of the support chassis 5, 6 and the sides of the channel 7 and the support chassis 5. , 6 extending perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the chassis 5, 6 from one longitudinal side to the other longitudinal side. support chassis 5,
The partially loaded plate 6 is located in the horizontal plane and accepts and supports the load over its entire length. The support chassis 6 of the second transport vehicle 2 is preferably completed by an additional transverse beam extending parallel to the channel 7, and the upper surface of the support chassis 5, 6 has a sheet metal shape interrupted by the channel 7. A member may be applied.

The support chassis 6 of the second transport vehicle 2 comprises two chassis parts 16, 18 (see FIG. 6) that are movable vertically relative to each other. First chassis portion 16
has a front coupling device for coupling to the rear wheel assembly 17 and to the traction unit of the second transport vehicle 2, the second chassis portion 18 being located above it and capable of providing support. I am learning to accept body 3. The channel 7 and the transfer arm 4 mentioned above are arranged in the second chassis part 18.
Between the parts 16, 18 there is a power device, e.g.
A cylinder mechanism 49 (see FIG. 7) is provided.

FIG. 7 shows a limited portion of the support chassis 6 of the second transport vehicle 2, ie the area around the front channel 7. In FIG. In addition to the two piston-cylinder arrangements 49 placed between the chassis parts 16, 18, at least two extra piston-cylinder arrangements are arranged at the rear of the second transport vehicle 2. Control of the supply of working fluid to these piston-cylinder mechanisms will be described later. The transfer arm 4 has two arm parts 19, 2 as shown in FIGS.
0, and the upper arm part 19 can be moved up and down with respect to the arm part 20 by means of a power device, for example a piston-cylinder mechanism 21. arm part 19,
20 consists of a U-shaped beam with mutually opposing flanges, one arm part 19 being received between the flanges of the other arm part 20 to define a cavity for accommodating a piston-cylinder mechanism 21. The webs of the arm part 19 form a contact surface for engaging the support 3, and the webs of the arm part 20 are directed downwardly towards the bottom surface of the channel 7.
Piston-cylinder mechanism 21 may be connected to arm portion 19 by a suitable quick-action joint arrangement. The transfer arm 4 can be moved back and forth in the channel 7 by means of a piston-cylinder mechanism 22. One end of the piston-cylinder mechanism 22 is attached to a horizontal pivot 2 on the arm portion 20 near the outer portion of the transfer arm 4.
Connected by 3. The piston-cylinder mechanism 22 projects through the cavity defined by the arm parts 19, 20 and is connected at its other end by a horizontal pivot 24 to the second chassis part 18, more particularly to one side of the second chassis part 18. It is connected at the point of a second shaft part 18 which limits the extent of the channel 7. On the underside of the transfer arm 4, or on the web of the arm section 20, a trochanter or ball 25 may be arranged which engages the bottom surface of the channel 7.

Each transfer arm 4 is connected to the first and second carriers 1,
It is provided with a piston-cylinder mechanism 22 as its own separate actuation mechanism for moving the transfer arm 4 separately between the two channels 7. Therefore, only one transfer arm 4 can be used to transfer a small load unit or support 3 between the transport vehicles 1,2.

The tube unit 28 is associated with the second part 18 of the second transport vehicle 2. A bar 28 in the form of a tube unit guides 2 transversely to the transport vehicle 2.
6 to compensate for pitch movements caused by the transport of the support 3. The tube unit 28 consists of two tube elements 29, 30 of rectangular cross section. Tube element 30 is inserted into tube element 29 and connected thereto. The guide 26 is the palm part 1
This is the empty space formed at 8. One end of the piston-cylinder mechanism 31 is connected to the bottom of the cavity. The piston-cylinder mechanism 31 includes a tube element 29,
30 and its other end is connected to the tube element 30 near its outer end. The other end of the tube element 30 is closed off by an end wall. The tube element 30 is inserted into the guide 32 of the first conveyor 1 by extension of the piston-cylinder mechanism 31 so that the outer end of the tube element 29 is inserted into the guide 32 of the first conveyor 1.
It can be inserted until it hits the peripheral part of 2. Since the gaps between the tube element 30 and the guide 32 and between the tube element 29 and the guide 26 are relatively small, at least in the vertical direction, the tube unit 28
It compensates for pitch movements of the vehicles 1, 2 during the transport of the support 3 and provides a rigid connection between the vehicles 1, 2.

The tube unit 28 is equipped with a rotatable hitch 33. The hitch 33 has an arm with a claw and a rod 34 that projects through the through hole of the tube unit 28.
It is in the form of a lever with the other arm rotatably connected to the lever. A helical spring 35 wound around rod 34 acts between tube unit 28 and one end of hitch 33 to bias hitch 33 toward the closed position. The rod 34 is pivotally connected to a guide disk 36 which is pivotally supported in the tube element 28. The piston-cylinder mechanism 37 is connected at one end to the guide disk 36 and at the other end to the tube unit 28. The hitch 33 cooperates with a locking shoulder consisting of a part defining a recess 38 located close to the guide 32 of the transport vehicle 1 (see FIG. 5). The hitch 33 has an inclined front surface 39;
9 engages with the locking shoulder when the tube unit 28 is inserted into the guide 32 and swings against the action of the spring 35. The hitch 33 engages with the locking shoulder when the pipe unit 28 is completely inserted, and
2 with a predetermined distance maintained between them. To release the hit 33, the piston-cylinder mechanism 37 is retracted, thereby pivoting the hit 33 from the locked position against the action of the spring 35.

Two sets of pipe units 28 and hitches 33
Further, two sets of corresponding guides 32 and recesses 38 are provided in the first carrier 1 . The guide 32 and the recess 38 may also be provided on the other side of the first carrier 1 so that the support 3 can be transferred from the other side. Each pipe unit 2
8 and a guide 32 are provided below the channel 7 of the second transport vehicle 2 , and each guide 32 and recess 38 is provided below the channel 7 of the first transport vehicle 1 .

In FIG. 9, arm portion 1 of transfer arm 4 is shown.
9 is shown in a raised position, and part of the transport vehicle 1 is shown in broken lines. Pipe unit 2
8 is inserted into the guide 32 of the carrier 1, the transfer arm 4 connects the gap between the carriers 1 and 2, and a part thereof is located in the channel 7 of the first carrier 1.

FIG. 5 shows an instruction member 4 provided on the first transport vehicle 1.
0 is schematically illustrated. The transfer arm 4 includes a detection device (not shown) responsive to the indicating member 40.
is provided. The indicating member 40 and the detection device are such that when the transfer arm 4 occupies a position on the transport vehicle 1 suitable for the vertical movement of the support 3, a signal is supplied to the appropriate actuating device, thereby causing the piston-cylinder mechanism 22 to be activated. and are configured relative to each other such that the supply of working fluid to is interrupted. The support 3 is thereby centered on the first transport vehicle 1.
The support 3 assumes the correct position on the second transport vehicle 2 when the transfer arm 4 is retracted to its extreme position. The detection device and indicating member 40 may be of any type.

In order to determine the longitudinal position of the chassis section 18 of the second transport vehicle 2 with respect to the first transport vehicle 1, two separate indicator members 41 are arranged on the transport vehicle 1;
Two detection devices (not shown) provided on the second transport vehicle 2 respond to these instruction members 41. The pointing member 41 extends in a generally vertical direction. The detection device is an optical, acoustic or electrical detection device, and the indicating member 4
1 shall have an appropriate configuration in response to it. The detection device is connected to a signaling device for indicating to the driver when it is aligned with the indicating member 41 and thus the second vehicle 2 is correctly positioned relative to the first vehicle 1. There is.

The detection device that responds to the pointing member 41 also responds to two other pointing members 42 provided on the same first carrier 1. The indicating member 42 has a linear shape and is located above the indicating member 41.
This is because the chassis section 18 of the second vehicle 2 is normally at a level below the first vehicle 1 and must be raised to the level of the vehicle 1 . The two rear piston-cylinder mechanisms 49 are controlled by a rear detection device of the chassis part 18, and the front piston-cylinder mechanism 49 is controlled by a front detection device. Once the raising of the chassis part 18 is started, the raising continues until both sensing devices are at the same level as both indicator members 42, and then the two piston-cylinder mechanisms 49 controlled by these sensing devices The supply of working fluid to is interrupted. Supply of working fluid to the other piston-cylinder mechanism continues until the other sensing device is at the same level as the other indicator member 42. These sensing devices are thus configured to cooperate with the pointing member 42 to control the piston-cylinder mechanism 49 and to precisely position the chassis part 18 with respect to the first transport vehicle 1 in the vertical direction.

Piston-cylinder mechanism 1 of second carrier 2
5, 21, 22, 31, 37, and 49 are operated by working fluid from the working fluid system of the second transport vehicle 2. The piston-cylinder mechanism 15 of the first vehicle 1 for actuating the pitch 14 is also operated from the working fluid source of the second vehicle 2. The second transport vehicle 2 has a male fast-motion coupling device 43 which can be connected to a female coupling device (not shown) of the transport vehicle 1 . A female coupling device communicates with the piston-cylinder mechanism 15. When it is necessary to supply power to the instruction members 41 and 42, the coupling device 43
is configured like that. Channel 7 of transport vehicle 1
has at least a somewhat larger width than the channel 7 of the transport vehicle 2 so that no jamming occurs during the transfer of the transfer arm 4.

The support 3 can have various configurations. In FIG. 10, the support 3 comprises a reservoir 44 supported on the support 3 by a support 45 connected thereto. In FIG. 11, the support 3 has two end walls 47 and two side walls 47 suitably connected thereto. The support 3 may also be formed with holding members, such as posts, for holding timber or other rectangular objects. The support 3 can also be configured as a closed container with one or more doors. The transfer device according to the invention is not limited only to the transfer of load units based on the support 3, but can also be used for the transfer of any other load units, for example of smaller length.

Transfer of the support 3 from the first carrier 1 to the second carrier 2 is performed as follows. The carrier 2 is driven to a position parallel to the side surface of the carrier 1. The detection device cooperates with an indicating member 41 to indicate this to the driver of the transport vehicle 2, for example on a gauge, when the correct longitudinal position has been reached. The chassis part 18 of the carrier 2 is then moved into the piston-cylinder mechanism 49 until it is registered by the above-mentioned detection device cooperating with the indicating member 42 of the carrier 1 that both carriers 1, 2 are on the same level. Lifted up. The supply of working fluid to the piston-cylinder mechanism 49 is then interrupted. Fast-motion coupling device 4 of the second carrier 2
3 is probably already in the transport vehicle 1 at an earlier stage.
is connected to the connecting device. The tube unit 28 is moved into the guide 32 of the carrier 1. Hituchi 3
3 automatically engages with the locking shoulder of the carrier 1. Transport vehicles 1, 2 are now moored to each other. The transfer arm 4 is then transferred from the channel 7 of the transport vehicle 2 into the channel 7 of the transport vehicle 1 by means of the piston-cylinder mechanism 22 . The detection device of the transfer arm 4 stops the movement of the transfer arm 4 as soon as the detection device reaches the pointing member 40 and the transfer arm 4 is in the correct position with respect to the transport vehicle 1. The piston-cylinder mechanism 15 is supplied with working fluid, which causes the hit 14 to disengage from the support 3. Next, support 3
is lifted by a piston-cylinder mechanism 21 acting on the chassis portion 19 of the transfer arm 4.
The support body 3 has at least the protrusion 12 of the carrier 1 in the recess 1.
It is lifted up to leave 1. The double-acting piston-cylinder mechanism 22 then draws the transfer arm 4 and the support 3 onto the transport vehicle 2. When the transfer arm 4 is fully retracted into the transport vehicle 2, the support 3 is lowered into the chassis part 18 by means of the retracting piston-cylinder mechanism 21. The projections 12 and the hits 14 of the carrier 2 automatically engage with the corresponding recesses 11 and locking shoulders 13 of the support 3. Next hitchi 33
is separated from the carrier 1 by the piston-cylinder mechanism 37, and then the pipe unit 28 is moved to the guide 26.
drawn inside. The chassis section 18 of the transport vehicle 2 is then lowered into the transport position, the chassis section 18 rests on the chassis section 16 and the quick coupling device 43 is disengaged. The transport vehicle 2 can now be driven to the destination together with the support 3 and the cargo thereon.
The transfer of the support 3 from the transport vehicle 2 to the transport vehicle 1 can also take place in the same way.

The transfer arm 4 and the tube unit 28 are driven synchronously when transferring a load of very large length. When transferring loads of small length, such as containers, only one transfer arm 4 can be used for transfer.

In order to compensate for the level difference between the transport vehicles 1 and 2 due to the compression of the spring suspension when transferring heavy loads,
The piston-cylinder mechanism 49 can be continuously controlled by the detection device, which constantly cooperates with the pointing member 42 so as to maintain the correct alignment of the vehicles 1, 2.

The operation of transferring the load unit can be automatically controlled by a suitable control device, apart from driving the second transport vehicle 2 into position and further coupling the fast-motion coupling device 43. .

The advantage of the invention is clear in that load units of many different sizes can be supported by the chassis 5, 6 of the transport vehicles 1, 2. Each transfer arm 4 is provided with its own individual actuation mechanism, so that only one transfer arm 4 can be used to transfer short length load units from one vehicle 1 or 2 to the other vehicle 2 or 1. A transport arm 4 can be used, the load unit of which is effectively supported by the transport vehicles 1, 2 under all circumstances.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above.
Taking the lengths of the transport vehicles 1 and 2 into consideration, two or more transfer arms 4 may be used if necessary. In this case, depending on the length of the loading unit, the transfer arms 4 can be operated individually or in groups of transfer arms each comprising two or more transfer arms 4. The operating device of the transfer arm 4 may be modified so that the transfer arm 4 can be moved to both sides of the transport vehicle 2. Transfer arm drives other than piston-cylinder mechanisms 22 may also be used.
Instead of the piston-cylinder mechanism 49, a ground-contact support device connected to the chassis portion 18 may be used. The support device is provided with a power device for raising the chassis portion 18 above the ground. Piston-cylinder mechanism 2
2 may be of a multi-stage type if necessary depending on the moving distance. The piston-cylinder mechanism 22 shown in FIGS. 7 and 9 is of a two-stage type. The bottom surface of the channel 7 may be inclined with respect to the sides of the carriers 1, 2, as indicated by broken lines in FIG. It can also be used as something.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1 to 3 are explanatory diagrams showing the transfer device according to the present invention in three stages of transferring a load unit, FIG. 4 is a partially cutaway perspective view of a load support, FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a railway vehicle, and FIG. 7 is an enlarged scale partially cutaway perspective view of the track shown in FIG. 6, FIG. 8 is a side sectional view of the pipe unit shown in FIG. 7, and FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the track shown in FIG. 7, and FIGS. 10 and 11 are perspective views of two alternative embodiments of the load support. In the figure, 1 and 2 are first and second transport vehicles, 4 is a transfer arm, 5 and 6 are support chassis, 7 is a channel, 18 and 19 are chassis portions, and 22 is an operating mechanism.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A transfer device for transferring a load unit, comprising a transfer mechanism for transferring the load unit in a lifted state between a first and a second transport vehicle; Each of the first and second vehicles has at least two upwardly open channels extending perpendicularly to its longitudinal direction, each channel including a channel in which the load unit is mounted on the first and second vehicles. When positioned, the transfer mechanism is bridged by the loading unit, and the transfer mechanism
is disposed on the second transport vehicle and has at least two separate transfer arms and a lifting device for raising and lowering the respective transfer arms, each transfer arm being disposed on the second transport vehicle. a power device for moving transversely to the longitudinal direction of the first and second vehicles from the channel to the channel of the first vehicle and vice versa; An arm for the load unit formed by the support chassis of the first and second transport vehicles in a transfer device adapted to be stowed in the corresponding channel of the second transport vehicle when inactive. a loading plate comprising a plurality of partial loading plates, the partial loading plates on the first and second vehicles being positioned between and on either side of a plurality of recessed channels in the support chassis; having a rectangular shape when viewed from above, each said partially loaded plate extending in the longitudinal direction of the support chassis between the sides of adjacent channels or between the ends of the support chassis and the side of the channel adjacent thereto; each transfer arm is formed by a support chassis section and a support chassis section extending transversely to the longitudinal direction of the support chassis from one longitudinal side of the support chassis to the other longitudinal side; the first and second
A transfer device, characterized in that it is provided with its own separate actuation mechanism for individually moving said transfer arms in the transverse direction between the channels of the transport vehicle. 2. each said transfer arm having at least two arm parts, an upper first said arm part being liftable with respect to a lower second said arm part, for moving said transfer arm in a transverse direction; Claim 1, wherein said actuating mechanism comprises at least one piston-cylinder mechanism, said piston-cylinder mechanism being pivotally connected to a second said arm portion about a generally horizontal axis. Transfer device as described. 3. A transfer device according to claim 2, wherein the lifting device is constituted by at least two piston-cylinder mechanisms arranged between and connected to the first and second arm portions. 4. A patent having a detection device for detecting that the transfer arm has reached a movement position suitable for lifting or lowering a load unit with respect to any of the conveyance vehicles and interrupting the transverse movement of the transfer arm. A transfer device according to claim 1. 5. At least one bar is associated with one of the vehicles and is movable in the guide transversely to the length of the vehicle, said bar being adapted to compensate for pitch forces during the transport of the load unit. 2. A transport device according to claim 1, wherein the transport device is adapted to be inserted into a corresponding guide in the other transport vehicle in a direction transverse to the length of the transport vehicle. 6 said bar is associated with a hit, said hit being spring-loaded towards a locked position to move said bar into a first position;
When the bar is inserted into the transport vehicle, it is rotated by the locking shoulder, and when the bar is fully inserted, it engages with the locking shoulder and separates the first and second transport vehicles with a predetermined distance between them. Claim 5, wherein the hitch is combined with an actuating device for disengaging the hitch by overcoming a spring force when retracting the bar. Transfer device as described. 7. The transfer device according to claim 5, wherein the bar and each guide are disposed below the movement trajectory of the transfer arm. 8. The support chassis of the second transport vehicle comprises at least two relatively vertically movable chassis parts, namely a lower chassis part and a movable upper chassis part for receiving a load unit; a power device for adjusting the part relative to a first vehicle in a position suitable for transporting the load unit, the first vehicle being provided with at least one indicating member; The detection device provided on the movable upper chassis portion detects the relative position in the vertical direction between the first carrier vehicle and the movable upper chassis portion of the second carrier vehicle in response to the instruction member. The transfer device according to claim 1, wherein the supply of electric power to the power device is automatically controlled. 9. At least two of the detection devices are installed at a distance from each other on the upper chassis portion, and corresponding to the detection devices, at least two indicating members are installed at a distance from each other on the first carrier. 9. A transfer device according to claim 8, which is installed in a vehicle. 10 The detection device cooperates with at least one second indicating member installed on the first conveying vehicle in addition to the first indicating member, and the detecting device cooperates with at least one second indicating member installed on the first conveying vehicle, and 9. Transfer device according to claim 8, further adapted to detect that the vehicles are in the correct relative longitudinal position with respect to each other. 11 The detection device is an optical, acoustic or electrical device, and the first and second indicating members have a linear shape, the first indicating member being oriented substantially horizontally, and the second indicating member being substantially vertically oriented. 11. The transfer device according to claim 10, wherein the transfer device is adapted to extend in a direction.