NZ520325A - Improved loader - Google Patents

Abstract

A loader (2) consists of a self powered vehicle (3) rigidly secured to and adapted to move as one with a powered continuous belt conveyor (4), means for adjusting the angle of inclination of the conveyor to the ground, both the vehicle and the conveyor being powered by one or more electric motors, wherein the means for adjusting the angle of inclination of the conveyor to the ground include a frame (11) pivotally secured at one end to the vehicle deck, the other end of the frame being arranged in rolling contact with the conveyor, and means secured between the vehicle and the frame adapted to alter the angle of the frame relative to the conveyor and hence the angle of inclination of the conveyor.

Description

New Zealand Paient Spedficaiion for Paient Number 520325 52 0 3 25 Intellectual Property Office, of NZ 2 2 OCT 2003 New Zealand Patent App. 520325 received Filed: 22nd July 2002 Patents Form No. 5 Patents Act 1953 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION IMPROVED LOADER We, Mactec Aerospace International Limited, C/o 500 Mill Road, Ohoka, R.D. 2, Kaiapoi, Christchurch, New Zealand, a New Zealand company hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: 1 (to be followed by 1 a) Title: Improved Loader Technical Field The present invention relates to an improved loader i.e. a machine for transporting and/or raising a load. The machine the subject of the present invention has been developed especially for loading aircraft, and therefore will be described with particular reference to this application. However, it will be appreciated that the loader also could be used for a wide range of other applications.

Background Art Loaders for moving baggage and bulk cargo from the ground or a transporting truck or trailer into an aircraft hold typically include an endless belt conveyor powered by a petrol or diesel engine.

The conveyor is supported upon a mobile frame, so that it can be moved adjacent an aircraft hold. The angle of the conveyor is adjustable, to accommodate holds at different heights.

The fact that the conveyor is powered by a petrol or diesel engine can give rise to significant pollution problems, given that the baggage handlers are working in close proximity to the conveyor, often for long periods. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a loader which can be used for long periods is necessary without any pollution problems.

A further problem with existing equipment is that the conveyor frame can be difficult to maneuver into position correctly. A further object of the present invention is to provide 1a a loader which can be easily and very accurately maneuvered into position.

Disclosure of Invention.

The present invention provides a loader consisting of: a self powered vehicle rigidly secured to and adapted to move as one with a powered continuous belt conveyor; means for adjusting the angle of inclination of the conveyor to the ground; both the vehicle and the conveyor being powered by one or more electric motors.

Preferably, the conveyor is mounted on the deck of a small electrically powered vehicle, with the vehicle cab alongside the conveyor, so as to optimize visibility for the vehicle driver.

Preferably, the controls of the vehicle, conveyor and conveyor angle of inclination all 15 are mounted in the vehicle cab.

Brief Description of Drawings By way of example only, a preferred embodiment of the present invention is described 20 in detail with reference to the drawings accompanying the provisional specification, in which:- Figure 1 is a diagrammatic side view of a loader in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a rear view of the loader of figure 1; and Figure 3 is a front view of the loader of Figure 1. 2 Best Mode for Carrying out the Invention Referring to the drawings, a loader 2 in accordance with the present invention 5 comprises a small electrically powered vehicle 3 with a conveyor 4 mounted to the deck 6 of the vehicle such that the length of the conveyor extends along the length of the vehicle. The conveyor 4 is substantially longer than the vehicle, as shown in Fig. 1.

The vehicle 3 includes four wheels 5 supporting the flat deck 6 which extends the full length of the vehicle and the full width of the wheelbase. A cab 7 is secured to the left-hand side of the deck, looking forwards. The cab 7 includes a seat for the driver of the vehicle and the controls for the conveyor and for the vehicle, including a steering wheel 8.

The cab 7 is kept as narrow as possible i.e. just wide enough for the driver, to minimize the overall width of the vehicle. However, having the cab offset to one side means that the driver has excellent visibility and can maneuver the loader with great precision.

The conveyor 4 is a continuous belt type conveyor of known type, in which the belt is supported by a series of parallel slats 9 which are secured between a pair of spaced parallel side members 10. The slats 9 support a continuous belt of heavy duty rubber 9a of known type. When the conveyor 4 is driven, the belt slides in the direction of 25 Arrow A.

The conveyor 4 is powered by the vehicle's electric motor, and the stop/start control 3 and the angle of inclination control for the conveyor are located in the cab 7.

Referring especially to Fig.s 1 and 3, towards the rear of the conveyor 4, the conveyor is pivotally secured to the deck 6. The angle of the conveyor 4 relative to the horizontal is controlled by a frame 11 which is pivoted by a pivot 12 at its lower end to 5 the front of the deck 6.

The frame 11 is H- shaped in front view and consists of two spaced parallel side members 13 which are spaced apart by a distance slightly less than the spacing between the side members 10 of the conveyor and are braced by cross-members 14 10 and diagonals 15. The end of each side member 11 remote from the pivot 12 supports a roller 16 which is freely rotatable about a pivot secured to the side member 11 and which is dimensioned and located to bear on the underside of the corresponding side member 10. Each roller 16 is made of an abrasion resistant low friction material, e.g. nylon.

One end of an electrically powered screw jack 17 is secured to the front of the loader 2 by a pivot 18. The other end of the jack 17 is secured by a pivot 19 to a longitudinal brace 20 of the H-frame 11 which extends parallel to, but midway between, the side members 13.

The jack 17 is controlled from the cab 7. As the jack is extended (Arrow B), the H-frame is pivoted in the direction of Arrow C, raising the conveyor 4 in the direction of Arrow D. As the jack is retracted (Arrow E), the H-frame is pivoted in the direction of Arrow F, lowering the conveyor 4 in the direction of Arrow G. As the H-frame is 25 pivoted by the jack 17, the frame moves relative to the conveyor 4 on the rollers 16.

In use, the loader is driven to the required position beside an aircraft; the driver has 4

Claims (1)

1. excellent visibility and therefore can position the loader very accurately. Once in position, the angle of the conveyor is adjusted using the screw jack 17 as described above. The conveyor 4 is then started and the load to be loaded into the aircraft is moved by the conveyor in known manner. The driver can control all operations from 5 the cab 7. However, each end of the conveyor also is provided with emergency stops which can override the driver's controls. The electrically powered screw jack 17 may be replaced by a manual screw jack or a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder. received 5 A loader consisting of: a self powered vehicle rigidly secured to and adapted to move as one with a powered continuous belt conveyor; means for adjusting the angle of inclination of the conveyor to the ground; both the vehicle and the conveyor being powered by one or more electric motors; wherein the means for adjusting the angle of inclination of the conveyor to the ground include a frame pivotally secured at one end to the vehicle deck, the other end of the frame being arranged in rolling contact with the conveyor; and means secured between the vehicle and the frame adapted to alter the angle of the frame relative to the conveyor and hence the angle of inclination of the conveyor. The loader as claimed in claim 1, wherein said conveyor is mounted on the deck of the vehicle, with a vehicle cab alongside the conveyor. The loader as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the controls of the vehicle, conveyor and conveyor angle of inclination all are mounted in the vehicle cab. The loader as claimed in claim 1, wherein said means for altering the angle of the frame are selected from the group: screw jack; electrically powered screw jack; hydraulic cylinder; pneumatic cylinder. A loader substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the drawings accompanying the provisional specification. Eiii ®f mim 6 Intellectual Property Office of N.2. -1 NOV 2004 RECEIVED