MXPA00001999A - Load trays for personnel carrying vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

A multi-task capable work assist vehicle (10) is designed for transporting an operator (50) and items to be handled by the operator and for elevating the operator with such items supported upon a load tray (90, 90', 90'') elevated with the operator. Preferably the load tray is mounted for positioning along a telescoping mast (30) which supports and elevates the operator. A load deck or load platform (27) is provided on a body (20) of the vehicle (10) in addition to the load tray so that items such as packages, tools, parts, merchandise and the like can be carried by the vehicle. Load shelves (390, 390') may also be provided adjacent the load deck (27) to add flexibility and capacity to the load carrying capability of the vehicle. Uses of the vehicle include order picking, in-house service maintenance, stock management, cargo delivery and the like. It is designed to be compact in size and highly maneuverable for use in narrow storage aisles and tight quarters.

Description

CARGO TRAYS FOR VEHICLES CARRYING PERSONNEL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to electrically driven personnel transporting vehicles, which are particularly useful for transporting items recovered from shelves in a warehouse, or as a work platform which allows an operator to rise to approximately 1.8 m (6 feet). ) or more in the air, for example to retrieve or place merchandise items on shelves in a retail store and, more particularly, to load trays which can be used in such vehicles to hold items that are to be handled by operators that use such vehicles. The collection of small parts is commonly performed by personnel who manually push carts equipped with several shelves and a low level ladder in which the operator climbs to reach stored items up to 2.7 m (9 feet high). A top elevation for placement, up to 3.6 m (12 ft), is carried out with movable ladder supports that are placed in their place manually. Both trolleys and escalator supports require the operator to climb up and down while manually holding the items.

A compact aerial lifting article can be used to place parts as described in U.S. Patent No. 5,273,132. The vehicle is separable into several parts for storage and can be controlled by a operator supported on a platform which can be raised along a vertical pole member remouletically mounted on a vehicle body. Unfortunately, the overhead lifting vehicle of the '132 patent is of limited utility since only a basket of small size is provided for the operator, so that the operator must still manually retain articles too large to be placed in the basket. In addition, there is no provision for support articles in the body of the vehicle for transportation of these items using the vehicle. Accordingly, there is a need for an improved vehicle that carries personnel which includes a load tray mounted on and movable with an expandable vehicle post so that the vehicle operator does not need to manually hold any item which may be handled by the operator who uses the vehicle. Alternatively or preferable in addition to the load tray mounted to the pole, the vehicle could include a loading plate or loading platform for transporting articles in the vehicle for transportation of the articles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The need is satisfied by the invention of the present application wherein an auxiliary work vehicle capable of performing multiple tasks to transport an operator and articles that are to be handled by the operator and to lift the operator with the articles held on a high load tray with the operator so that the operator does not have to manually hold the items during the movement, lifting or descending. Preferably, the loading tray is mounted to be positioned along a telescopic pole which supports and lifts the operator. A loading plate or loading platform may be provided on the vehicle body in addition to the loading tray or only such that articles such as packaging, tools, parts, merchandise and the like may be transported by the vehicle. Cargo shelves adjacent to the loading plate can also be provided to add flexibility and capacity to the vehicle's cargo carrying capacity. The utility of the vehicle is optimized by providing both a load tray and a loading plate and / or load shelves in the vehicle which forms the preferred vehicle configurations. The use of the vehicle includes the orderly lifting, the maintenance of service in the place, the handling of materials, the supply of load and similars. It is designed to be compact in size and highly maneuverable for use in narrow storage aisles and low-space accommodations. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a personnel carrying vehicle comprising an addressable and self-propelled body, a post attached to, and extending up the body, a personnel compartment attached to the post and a tray of Load mounted to the pole to hold items during the movement of the vehicle and lift or lower of the operator; providing a personnel carrying vehicle comprising a self-driving addressable body, a pole attached to and extending up the body, a personnel compartment attached to the post and a loading platform in the body of the vehicle for holding articles during the movement of the vehicle; providing a personnel transporting vehicle comprising a self-propellable addressable body, a post attached to, and extending upward from the body, a personnel compartment attached to the post and a vertically movable loading tray, mounted to the post to hold articles during moving the vehicle and raising or lowering the operator; and, to provide a personal transport vehicle comprising a self-driving addressable body, a pole attached to, and extending upwardly from the body, a personnel compartment attached to the pole, a load tray mounted to the pole for holding articles during the movement of the vehicle and raising or lowering the operator; and a loading plate on the body of the vehicle to hold articles during the movement of the vehicle. Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle transporting personnel, including the invention of the present application; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the vehicle of Figure 1, with the operator platform or compartment and the associated cargo tray in the raised position; Figure 3 is a side elevational view of the vehicle of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a plan view of the vehicle shown in Figure 1; Figure 5 is a perspective view of a portion of an upper section of a vehicle post of Figure 1 showing a preferred embodiment of the cargo tray and an arrangement for mounting the cargo tray to the upper section of the post; Figure 5A is a perspective view corresponding to Figure 5, but with the loading tray stowed in its vertical storage position; Figure 6 is a partially sectioned side view of the mounting arrangement of the loading tray of Figure 5; Figure 7 is an exploded view of the loading tray and the loading tray assembly of Figure 5, with some parts removed for illustration clarity purposes; Figure 8 is an exploded view of a lift assembly of the load tray mounting arrangement as seen from the vehicle pole along line of sight 8-8 of Figure 7; Figure 8A is a perspective view of a collapsible cargo tray embodiment of the present application; Figure 9 is a side view of a vehicle transporting personnel that includes a cargo shelf arrangement of the present application; Figure 10 is a perspective view of the front part of a vehicle carrying personnel, illustrating the load-bearing arrangement of Figure 9; Fig. 11 is a perspective view illustrating the fastening devices used for the load-bearing array of Figs. 9 and 10; Figure 12 is a perspective view of an open cargo tray retention mechanism for receiving a removable cargo tray of the present application; Figure 12A is a perspective view of the open cargo tray retention mechanism with a removable cargo tray received within the mechanism; Figure 13 is a perspective view of the retention mechanism of the loading tray of Figures 12 and 12A without a loading tray but with the mechanisms shown in their closed tray retention position; Figure 14 is a plan view of the retention mechanism of Figure 12A in its closed position; and Figure 15 is a side elevation view of the retention mechanism of Figures 12A and 14 with a tray received within the mechanism and the mechanism in its closed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now to Figures 1-4, a personal transport vehicle 10 includes a self-driving, addressable body 20 having a front portion 21 and a rear portion 22. A pair of drive wheels 24 are mounted near the rear portion 22 of the vehicle. body 20, and a pair of steerable wheels 26 are mounted near the front part 21 of the body 20. A load plate or platform 27 is removably positioned at the front end of the vehicle 10. A post 30 is attached, and extended towards up from the body 20. As shown in Figure 2, the post 30 includes three sections 31, 32 and 33 fitted. A hydraulic cylinder is used to extend the post 30 from its retracted position, shown in Figure 1, to its fully extended position, as shown in Figure 2. Although three post sections are illustrated, the number of sections of post that are actually used, may vary. A personnel compartment 40 is attached to the post 30, and specifically to the exterior or upper section 31 of the post 30. The personnel compartment 40 includes a floor 41 removably attached to the post 30, a rail member 42 mounted to the post 30 and extending around the sides and in the front of the personnel compartment 40, and a pair of gate members 43, 44 pivotally attached to the rail member 42 at numerals 45 and 46, respectively, and to the 47th and 48th floors, respectively. The floor 41 is hinged at the front of the compartment to allow access to the electrical connection terminal blocks and other equipment below the floor 41 without requiring the compartment 40 to rise. The gate members 43, 44 can be moved from a closed position, as shown in FIG. 1, to an open position where the gate members extend into the personnel compartment 40. As shown in Figures 1-3, the rail member 42, as well as the upper part of the post 30, are positioned approximately at the waist height of an operator 50 (Figure 3) who is standing inside the compartment 40. of personal. The post 30 does not extend substantially above the rail 42, thereby providing the operator 50 unobstructed access to everything above the upper edge of the rail 42. As shown in Fig. 2, the member 33 is attached. of the lower post to the body 20 and extends upwards and forwards of the vehicle at an angle of approximately 5o with respect to the vertical, see Figure 3. As the post 30 extends, the personnel compartment 40 moves upwards and forward. The personnel compartment 40 or the operator compartment benefits from the 5 ° inclination of the post 30 in that the upper portion of the compartment, close to the operator's waist, is larger than the floor, and therefore accommodates the operator comfortably , without increasing the length of the vehicle 10. Referring again to Figure 1, a removable rail guide assembly 60 is mounted on the body 20 between the front and rear wheels. A rail guide assembly 60 is mounted on each side of the vehicle and is used to help guide the vehicle in and through a aisle between storage shelves with little separation. The operator 50 is provided with a pair of control handles, a steering control assembly 70 and a traction control assembly 80. When the vehicle is in operation, the operator must have one hand (the left hand as shown in figure 1) in the steering control, and the other hand (the right hand, as shown in figure 1) in the traction control, and both feet on the floor of the operator compartment, and especially on the DMSL and DMSR crash arrest switches, shown in Figure 2. This ensures a four-point placement, which provides stability the operator and the operator's hands and feet are inside the operator's compartment any time the vehicle moves or during the lifting or lowering operations. With reference to Figure 2, a pair of traction motors 82, 83 are mounted in a traction motor compartment located within the body 20 and below the floor 41 of the operator's compartment. A cover plate, which normally closes the traction motor compartment, has been removed to show the contents of the compartment. The traction motors are connected to an arrow of the wheels 24 through the gearboxes 85, of which only one is shown. As shown in Figure 2, the central axis of each traction motor is below the axis of the wheels 24, whereby the floor 41 of the compartment 40 is allowed to be placed as close to the level of the floor as possible, at a height H of about 18 cm (7 inches) above the floor F, see Figure 3. A loading tray 90 can also be mounted on the post 30. As illustrated in Figure 3, the loading tray 90 it can be attached to the post 30 by using a connecting strip 92 which extends downwards from the top of the top section 31 of the post, and is provided with separate bolt openings which allow easy connection of the load tray 90 to different levels relative to the upper rail 42. The loading tray 90 can acquire various configurations. The load tray 90 illustrated includes outer or peripheral members and a plurality of interior wires 93. Generally, the interior wires 93 are designed to help support a load while at the same time, the wires 93 are positioned to facilitate the operator's view of any material on the loading platform 27. The attachment of the loading tray 90 to the post as illustrated in Figure 3 allows the loading tray 90 to turn upward if it is inadvertently lowered over an obstacle which is placed on the loading platform 27.

Reference is now made to Figures 5, 5A and 6-8 which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the loading tray 90 of the present invention. Shown is the load tray 90 attached to a link mechanism 100, which includes a C-shaped member 110, and an elevator or elevator assembly 120. The C-shaped member 110 includes a rear wall member 112, side wall members 114 and a pair of partial front wall members 116. The rear wall member 112 includes several separate openings or slots 118 and a chain inspection opening which allows access to the cover plate 119. The elevator assembly 120 includes a main frame member or plate 122 having mounted thereon several rollers, especially a pair of upper rollers 124 and a pair of medial rollers 126, which are placed between the rear wall member 112 and members 116 of partial front wall; these rollers 124, 126 allow the elevator assembly 120 to move freely vertically and at the same time hold the assembly within the rail formed between the front and rear wall members 116, 112. The elevator assembly 120 also includes a pair of rollers. Upper guide 128 and a pair of lower guide rollers 130. The rollers 128, 130 engage the interior surface of the partial front wall members 116 and prevent twisting of the elevator assembly 120.

The springs 140 extend between the bolts 142 attached to the C-shaped member 110 and the bolts 144 attached to the elevator assembly 120. The springs 140 help overcome the weight of the loading tray 90 and the elevator assembly 120. The loading tray 90 is supported on the elevator assembly 120 by a bolt 150 that extends through the openings 152 in the brackets 154 that extend outwardly from the plate 122. This arrangement allows the loading tray 90 to rotate to starting from the horizontal position, where the arms 156 engage the front wall members 116, to a vertical position, for storage and for vertical repositioning. The loading tray 90 is supported in a position selected by a loaded spring support mechanism 160 which includes a loading tray support bolt 162, a spring 164 for biasing the bolt 162 into the slots 118 in the housing member 112. rear wall, and an arm or articulation 157 extending outward, to a drive mechanism 170 that is attached to the loading tray 90 near, or at the midpoint on the bolt 150. The drive mechanism 170 is provided. with an arched slot 172. One bolt 174 of the link 157 extends through the slot 172 while the other bolt 176 of the link 157 engages the bolt 162. In this way, the loading tray 90 can rotate upward toward the vertical position, the end of the slot 172 engages with the pin 174 and removes the support pin 162 from one of the slots 118 with which the support pin 162 currently engages, thereby allowing the vertical elevation of the tray to be changed 90 of load with respect to the compartment 40 of the operator. A shaft 180 extends downwardly from the elevator assembly 120. A spring 182 drives the shaft 180 downwards. The axis 180 deflected by a spring serves two purposes: the first is to provide a mattress when the elevator assembly 120 reaches the lowermost part of its displacement and is in the vicinity to engage an end plate 185 at the lower end of the member 110 in the form of C, and the other is to provide additional resistance when the loading tray 90 is lowered in preparation for stowing the loading tray 90 in a vertical position. The C-shaped member 110 is provided with a lid 190 having a lip 192 extending downwardly. The loading tray 90 is provided with a plate 195 for engagement with the lip 192. As shown in Figure 5Athe loading tray 90 can be stowed in the upright position by pushing down on the loading tray 90, placing the plate 195 behind the lip 192 and allowing the springs 140, 182 to move the loading tray 90 upwards in a manner the plate 195 is trapped behind the lip 192. To remove it from its stowed position, the load tray 90 is pushed down against the force of the springs 140, 182 and pivoted down to one of its horizontal service positions along the post 30. As shown in Figure 8A, an alternative embodiment of the loading tray 90 'is formed into three sections: a central section 90A and a pair of exterior sections 90B, 90C that fold. A pair of hinges H are placed between the central section 90A and each of the outer sections 90B, 90C to allow either or both of the outer sections 90B, 90C to bend at the top of the center section 90A. In some freight transport situations, it may be necessary or desirable to place a tall object directly on the loading platform 27 while placing smaller packages on the loading tray 90 ', or the operator may need less restricted access to a load. object or container on the loading plate, which is easily possible with the folding load tray 90 ', as illustrated. Although the outer or side sections 90B, 90C of the foldable load tray 90 ', as illustrated, are hinged so that they are bent, it is also possible to have any half of the load tray 90, ie, up to about 50% of the load. the loading tray 90, hingedly supported relative to the other half of the loading tray 90 which may allow a slightly larger load to be accommodated on the loading platform 27. Therefore, the front half or a side half of the load tray can be mounted so that it is bent over the remaining half of the load tray. In Figs. 9-11 another type of loading shelf is shown, wherein the loading shelf 390 is placed in a fixed position and is supported by a pair of support members 400 extending upwardly from the loading platform 27 . Openings 405 are provided in the loading platform 27, and below these openings 405 are placed receptacles 410 which receive the ends of the members 400, see Figure 9. The vertical components 415 of the support members 400 adjacent the post 30. they terminate at curved lower ends 416 and the remaining portions of the vertical components 415 are inclined to coincide with the inclination of the post 30. The curved lower ends 416 and the angular inclination of the remaining portions of the vertical components 415 provide space or clearance for the Loading tray 90 when stowed in a standing or vertical position as described above. The vertical components 417 to the left or to the front of the vehicle are straight, but may also be inclined to coincide with the inclination of the post 30. The upper sections 420 of the support members 400 are horizontal and each is provided with two elongated and fixed rings, or enlargements 422 which appropriately place a load shelf 390, which is placed on top sections 420. The loading shelf 390 is preferably made of heavy wire with vertical sides extending upwards. As shown, the spacing of the wires forming the load shelf 390 is approximately 4 cm (1 inch and a half), but any separation can be used. In addition, the floor of the load shelf 390 'can be made of solid material, if desired. Four securing devices 430 are mounted on the load shelf 390, see Figures 9-11. The fastening devices 430 are molded of plastic material and include an upper portion having the same diameter as the upper horizontal sections 420 of the support members 400. A band 434 extends from one side of each fastening device 430 around the bottom of one of the upper horizontal sections 420 and pressurizes the fastening device 430 on the other side of the upper section to retain the load carrying magazine 390. safe way instead. The rings 422 have a diameter greater than the inside diameter of the fastening devices 430, making it impossible to install the fastening devices 430 over the rings 422. This arrangement ensures that the load shelf 390 is properly positioned before being fixed in place. In Figures 9 and 10, second horizontal rail members 440 are also used. The rail members 440 are each provided with bolt 442 protruding from one end thereof, and a spring loaded bolt 444 extending from the other end thereof. One bolt can be received within an opening in the vertical member 415, the other is received in a corresponding opening in the vertical member 417 5. In this way, a second load shelf 390 'can be installed on the intermediate rail members 440. The second load shelf 390 'may in addition to the load shelf 390, be installed on the top rail or the upper sections 420. As illustrated in Figure 9, the vertical components 415, 417 of the support members 400 include holes 435 so that the shelf 390 'can be mounted in any of the three positions corresponding to the holes 435. Of course, all the holes 435 must be used to hold up to three shelves 390 'load, in addition to the shelf 390 load installed on the top rail or on the top 420 sections. Although it is possible to place up to three load shelves 390 ', as illustrated, it will be apparent that the number of load shelves 390' may vary from one to a reasonable number for a given application for the vehicle. As shown in Figures 9 and 10, recesses 450 are formed near the front of the loading shelf 390 ', one of the recesses 450 is formed on each side of the loading shelf 390'. The recesses 450 have a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the vertical component 417 of the members 400 of support, by which they allow the load shelf 390 'to be installed at any or all of the intermediate levels along the support members 400. The recess 450 also places the load shelf 390 'appropriately with respect to the post 30 when the load shelf 390' is installed on the rail members 440. The vertically movable load tray 90 can also be installed on the post 30 while the loading shelves 390 'are installed on the vehicle. If the movable load tray 90 is horizontal and is in its highest or highest position, it will be above the topmost load shelf 390. The movable loading tray 90 can also be lifted or stowed in its near vertical, or storage, position against the post 30, as shown in Figure 5A and as described above, in which case there is sufficient space between the tray 90 of movable load and the vertical components 415 of the support members 400 and the loading shelves 390, 390 '. Figures 12, 12A and 13-15 show a modality including a removable load tray lift 520. A horizontal axis 500 is fixed to the tray 90"with the shaft 500 received within a latching mechanism 510 mounted on the elevator assembly 520. The latching mechanism 510 includes a pair of fixed receptacles 525, which are half cylindrical partial members welded to the elevator assembly 520. A rotatable member 530 is mounted for rotation to the fixed receptacles 525 and is provided with a handle 540 so that it can be moved from a position shown in Figures 12 and 12A, where it is open to receive the shaft 500, to the position shown in figures 13-15, where it is closed and surrounds the shaft 500, so that it retains the shaft 500, and the tray 90", securely to the assembly 520 elevator. In this embodiment, the elevator assembly 520 can be moved vertically by releasing a retaining bolt 550. Having thus described the invention of the present application in detail and with reference to the preferred embodiments thereof, it will be apparent that modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention defined in the appended claims.

Claims (26)

1. A vehicle transporting personnel, comprising: an addressable and self-propelled body, having a front part and a rear part; a post attached to, and extending upwardly from the body and behind the center of the body, the post is extendable between a retracted position and a fully extended position; a personnel compartment attached to the post and extending over the rear of the body, the personnel compartment can be moved with the post between a retracted position and a fully extended position; and a load plate mounted on the body and extending over the front portion of the body to hold articles that are to be transported by the vehicle transporting personnel.

2. The vehicle transporting personnel, as described in claim 1, wherein the vehicle further comprises a load tray mounted on and movable with the post.

3. A vehicle transporting personnel, as described in claim 2, wherein the cargo tray is removably mounted.

4. A vehicle transporting personnel, as described in claim 2, wherein the loading tray comprises: a first section; and a second section pivotally mounted in relation to the first section so that the second section can be folded over the first section.

5. A vehicle transporting personnel, as described in claim 4, wherein the loading tray comprises a third section pivotally mounted relative to the first section so that the third section can be folded over the first section, the first section it is central to the loading tray and the second and third sections are pivotally mounted on opposite sides of the first section.

6. A vehicle transporting personnel, as described in claim 2, wherein the cargo tray can be moved vertically along the length of the post.

7. The personal transport vehicle, as described in claim 6, wherein the loading tray is movable vertically to one of a plurality of vertical positions along the pole.

8. The vehicle transporting personnel, as described in claim 2, wherein the loading tray is pivotally mounted to the post, the loading tray is pivoted towards the post for vertical storage of the loading tray and is rotated away from the post to be substantially horizontal for deployment of the loading tray.

9. The vehicle transporting personnel, as described in claim 8, wherein the loading tray is rotated upward for vertical storage.

10. The personal transport vehicle, as described in claim 1, wherein the post is attached to a first end of the body, and the load plate is mounted on the second end of the body.

11. The vehicle transporting personnel, as described in claim 10, wherein the vehicle further comprises a load tray mounted on and movable with the post.

12. The vehicle transporting personnel, as described in claim 10, wherein the vehicle further comprises at least one shelf (390, 390 ') supported above and spaced from the loading plate.

13. The vehicle transporting personnel, as described in claim 12, further comprising a pair of support members having a generally inverted U-shape extending upwardly from the loading plate, and wherein at least one of the load shelves comprise a load shelf supported on a closed end of the pair of support members.

14. The vehicle transporting personnel, as described in claim 13, further comprising a pair of members (440) of horizontal rails, the first of the pair of rail members extending between the legs (415, 417) extending to above the first of a pair of support members (400), and the second of the pair of members (440) of rails extend between the legs (415, 417) extending upwardly of the second of the pair of members (400) of support, at least one shelf (390, 390 ') further comprises a shelf (390') of supplementary load supported on the pair of members (440) of horizontal rails.

15. The vehicle transporting personnel, comprising: a body (20) addressable and self-driven, having a front part (21) and a rear part (22); a pole attached to, and extending up from the body and behind the center of the body; a personnel compartment (40) attached to the post and extending over the rear part of the body; and a load tray mounted on, and movable with the post, the load tray extends over the front portion of the body.

16. The vehicle transporting personnel, as described in claim 15, wherein the cargo tray is removably mounted.

17. The vehicle transporting personnel, as described in claim 16, wherein the cargo tray can be moved vertically along the post.

18. The personal transport vehicle, as described in claim 17, wherein the loading tray is movable vertically to one of a plurality of vertical positions (118) along the pole.

19. The vehicle transporting personnel, as described in claim 15, wherein the load tray is pivotally mounted to the post, the load tray is rotatable towards the post for vertical storage of the load tray and can be rotated away from the post to be substantially horizontal for unfolding of the loading tray.

20. The personal transport vehicle, as described in claim 19, wherein the loading tray is pivoted upward for vertical storage.

21. A vehicle that transports personnel, comprising: an addressable and self-propelled body; a post attached to, and extending upward from the body; a personnel compartment attached to the post; a loading tray; and a mechanism mounted on and movable with the post to hold the loading tray, the mechanism comprises; an elevator; and a member mounted on and movable with the post, the elevator is mounted to the member for movement along the member and the loading tray is mounted to the elevator.

22. The vehicle transporting personnel, as described in claim 21, wherein the cargo tray is removably mounted to the elevator.

23. The vehicle transporting personnel, as described in claim 21, wherein the load tray support mechanism further comprises at least one spring extending between the member and the elevator.

24. The vehicle transporting personnel, as described in claim 21, wherein the load tray is pivotally mounted to the elevator, the elevator is pivoted to allow movement of the elevator along the member.

25. The vehicle transporting personnel, as described in claim 24, wherein the elevator further comprises a load tray support bolt which engages an opening in the member when the tray is horizontal, and is removed from the tray. opening in the member when the tray is pivoted to a release position.

26. The personal transport vehicle, as described in claim 25, wherein the member includes a plurality of openings defining a corresponding plurality of positions for the loading tray along the member.