RU2784834C2 - Truck loading system - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: loading devices.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to a device for loading and unloading cargo. A loading and unloading system for a related platform of a truck contains the first and the second rails of the truck, a mechanical loader unit, the first and the second engines, a measuring unit. Rails are spaced from each other in a transverse direction and are made with the possibility of placement in a related body of the truck. The mechanical loader unit contains the first and the second support units. Support units contain, respectively, the first and the second guiding rails. Guiding rails functionally interact, respectively, with the first and the second rails of the truck. The first and the second engines are located, respectively, in the first and the second support units and are made with the possibility of selective lifting and lowering of the first and the second guiding rails. The measuring unit is functionally installed on guiding rails for tracking of a position of the first guiding rail relatively to the second guiding rail. The measuring unit is functionally connected to the first and the second engines for retention of guiding rails at the same height relatively to each other.

EFFECT: simplification of loading of cargo into a truck body or unloading of the body.

29 cl, 93 dwg

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This application is related to U.S. Patent No. 9,545,869, issued January 17, 2017, and priority is claimed by the filing date of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/664,918, filed April 30, 2018, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. .

[0002] The present invention relates to a device for loading and unloading goods, equipment, materials, tools, mulch, topsoil, debris, etc. (commonly referred to as cargo hereinafter) from the space or body of a truck (commonly referred to as truck body hereinafter), off-road vehicle, hatchback vehicle, etc. (commonly referred to hereinafter as a vehicle). There is a need for a vehicle platform, container, storage container, or the like, which can be easily loaded into or unloaded from a truck body, or, alternatively, rotated relative to the vehicle to dump its contents. US Pat. No. 9,545,869 describes a related system and apparatus for loading/unloading or dumping cargo from a truck bed. However, there is a need to provide an apparatus that also provides additional improvements and other features and benefits.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The advantages and disadvantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading and understanding the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004] FIG. 1-14 are views that illustrate a series of successive steps for unloading or moving a load carrier or cargo platform from a truck body (and similarly, in reverse, the figures from Fig. 14 to Fig. 1 illustrate successive steps for loading a load carrier or container into the body truck).

[0005] FIG. 15-30 illustrate the successive steps of loading a transport vehicle/container loaded onto a truck bed.

[0006] FIG. 31-32 illustrate how the vehicle/container can be selectively tilted relative to the truck body.

[0007] FIG. 33-38 illustrate how cargo or materials can be unloaded, loaded, or rearranged at the job site.

[0008] FIG. 39 shows the carrier/container in dump mode to unload the platform/container at the job site.

[0009] FIG. 40-41 illustrate how a load can be automatically delivered without human intervention.

[0010] FIG. 42-45 illustrate the unloading of cargo from the back of a truck.

[0011] FIG. 46-92 are detailed views of various structural and functional features of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] In FIG. 1 shows the rear of a motor vehicle, such as a light truck 100, although it should be noted that the vehicle could also be an SUV, van, or other type of vehicle with increased storage space and easy rear access. The tailgate in Fig. 1 is removed from the vehicle 100, which provides access to the space or to the body 102 of the truck. The loading / unloading system 110 is installed in the body of the truck 102 and includes, for example, TR rails of the truck, a PLA assembly of a power-driven loader (hereinafter, mechanical loader) and a cargo platform / (cargo container in other embodiments) APP/B, which will be individually and collectively described in more detail below. Fig. 1 illustrates the initial movement of the power loader PLA assembly backwards from the inserted, stowed position in the truck bed 102, and in particular the truck inserted into the TR rails and APP/B cargo bed/cargo container of the system 110. Appropriate controls (not shown) for operation loading / unloading systems 110, including for pulling / retracting the PLA assembly of a mechanical loader from the truck bed 102 can be located in the vehicle 100 next to the truck bed, or they can be provided using a remote controller, for example, wired or wireless controller, tablet/phone app, etc.

[0013] Also as shown in FIG. 1 and additionally in FIG. 2-8, the PLA assembly of a mechanical loader includes first and second elongated straight guide rails 120, 122. The guide rails 120, 122 are transversely spaced, parallel, and secured in this position by connecting both sides of the cross rails 124 (which actually interconnect the supports, as will become more apparent later) (see Fig. 4). The first guide rail 120 is of the same construction as the second guide rail 122, so that the description of one of them is fully applicable to the other, unless otherwise indicated, and also each cross rail 124 is essentially the same as the other cross rails that connect the guides. rails. In the preferred embodiment, the guide rails 120, 122 are essentially inverted U-shaped profiles, such as extruded aluminum profiles for light weight, strength, simplicity of design and functionality. Of course, this does not preclude the use of other structures, other materials, or other ways of forming the guide rails 120, 122.

[0014] From a fully inserted storage position within the truck body 102, the power loader PLA assembly can be selectively controlled to load and unload an APP/B loading platform/cargo container configured to receive or sized to receive various types of cargo. With the help of the driving force node PL A mechanical loader is moved back relative to the remainder of the system 110 loading / unloading. As shown in FIG. 1 and 2, the guide rails 120, 122 and associated support assemblies 130, 132 of the mechanical loader assembly are moved rearward from the truck body 102. Initially, the support nodes 130, 132 are in a folded position, and thus the guide rails 120, 122 and the support nodes are arranged in a straight line and in parallel (FIG. 2). On FIG. 3 movement of the PLA assembly of the mechanical loader is temporarily suspended/stopped while the first or rear legs 134, 136, and in particular the rear ends of the half legs 134a, 136a, which are connected to each other by the first cross rail 124a, pivot downward from the guide rails 120, 122 (Note the gradual rotation or rotation shown in FIGS. 3-5). On the end parts 134a, 136a of the semi-supports are rollers or wheels 138, which allow the support units 130, 132 to roll on the surface of the earth. Thus, after the legs 134a, 136a have fully rotated and the rollers 138 are in contact with the ground, the power loader PLA assembly moves further back out of the truck body 102 (compare FIG. 5 and FIG. 6).

[0015] At this point in the unloading process, the second or front legs 140, 142 begin to turn from a position parallel to the guide rails 120, 122 to engage with the ground. Comparing Fig. 7 and FIG. 8, it is apparent that the guide rails 120, 122 and the first ends of the front legs 140, 142 that remain connected to the guide rails move a distance relative to each other when the opposite ground contacting end of the front legs moves toward the ground. At the ground contact end of the front legs 140, 142, there are skid shoes 150. The skid shoes 150 are on the ground when the PLA assembly of the power loader is lifted. This prevents the PLA assembly of the mechanical loader from rolling when unloading and loading the load. When the PLA assembly of the power loader is lifted a short distance from the ground, the rollers/wheels 152 adjacent to or behind the skids 150 come into contact with the ground, causing the power loader assembly to roll back and forth on the ground.

[0016] In particular, FIG. 9-11 illustrate the movement of the loading platform/cargo container APP/B from the truck bed 102 along the first and second guide rails 120, 122 of the PLA assembly of the power loader. Fig. 9 and FIG. 10 illustrates the rearward movement of the APP/B cargo bed/cargo container on guide rails 120, 122, with the cargo bed/cargo container rails 160, 162 being slidable along the guide rails. The cargo bed/cargo container rails 160, 162 are preferably inverted U-shaped extruded profiles sized to receive guide rails 120, 122. Guide rollers are provided along the rails 160, 162 to provide sliding acceptance of the cargo bed/cargo container rails. relative to the guide rails 120, 122. Between the rails 160, 162 passes (yat) floor panel(s) 164, which(s) is (s) installed along opposite side edges in the grooves made on the facing surfaces of the rails of the cargo platform / cargo container. This creates an all-aluminum platform / container assembly APP / B without welds and fasteners. In addition, grooves 166 may be formed on the outer sides of the rails 160, 162 of the cargo platform/cargo container to receive the side supports of the container or to receive mounting brackets, which are described below. The grooves 166 also receive rollers 168 which slide on the rails 160, 162. Thus, when the loading platform/cargo container APP/B is rolled into and out of the truck on the rails TR of the truck, the rollers 168 can move a limited distance relatively rails 160, 162 so as not to interfere with the movement of the loading platform/cargo container APP/B in case of engagement of the rollers with the wheel wells of the truck, which protrude into the truck body 102. As a result, the loading platform/cargo container APP/B moves completely from the truck body onto the guide rails 120, 122 of the PLA assembly (FIG. 11).

[0017] When the PLA assembly raises or lowers its front legs 140, 142, the guide rails 120, 122 remain fixed to the rails TR of the truck. Thus, in order for the front supports 140, 142 not to hit the bumper of the vehicle 100, the PLA assembly of the mechanical loader must move back a short distance (FIG. 12). To perform this action, a sliding mechanism is installed in the guide rail, which is connected to the rear support to allow the mechanical loader to move backward and provide clearance between the front supports 140, 142 and the truck bumper. This retractable mechanism may have a motor and a lead screw mounted therein to automatically move the front legs 140, 142 back and forth. Preferably, the retractable mechanism has two axles, with the front axle cooperating with the upper latch of the inner rear leg during normal lifting, and the rear axle cooperating with the latch at the end of the rear outer legs to dump the load. These fasteners are described below.

[0018] When the cargo platform/cargo container APP/B is fixed on the guide rails 120, 122 (FIG. 13), the support units 130, 132 are folded (FIG. 14) in order to lower the cargo platform/cargo container to the ground surface. The fully lowered APP/B cargo bed/cargo container rollers 168 are in contact with the ground because a latch 170 on each roller keeps the rollers from sliding in the grooves 166 of the respective rails 160, 162 as the cargo bed/cargo container moves across the ground (FIGS. 15 and Fig. 16). Similarly, when the APP/B cargo bed/cargo container is rolled onto the truck TR rails, this latch 170 is moved or lifted up by the truck rails, disengaging the rollers from the cargo bed/cargo container and thereby allowing the rollers 168 to slide inside the truck grooves. platforms 166.

[0019] FIG. 17, which shows load C placed on a loading platform/cargo container APP/B, illustrates the loading platform/cargo container being rolled onto the PLA assembly of a mechanical loader. After being secured to the PLA assembly of the power loader by the detents 170 associated with each of the rollers 168 (FIG. 18), the support units 130, 132 lift the floor panel and load C (FIG. 19), while the loading platform/cargo container with the cargo is loaded into the body of the truck (Fig. 20 and Fig. 21) until the loading platform / cargo container is fully inserted into the body of the truck (Fig. 22 and Fig. 23). Fig. 23 is a plan view of the rear surface 172 of the container C (not the loading platform shown in the other drawings). The PLA assembly of the mechanical loader is then loaded into the body 102 in the manner illustrated in the drawings of FIG. 24 to FIG. 30 and is the reverse process to that shown in the drawings of FIG. 1 in FIG. eight.

[0020] FIG. 31 and FIG. 32 illustrates the operation of a PLA assembly of a mechanical loader in a swivel or dump mode with respect to a truck body. It should be noted that even if the tailgate of the truck 100 is removed, in the dump mode, the loading platform / cargo container APP/B must move a certain distance back so that the rear end edge of the loading platform / cargo container does not interfere with the rear bumper of the truck.

[0021] The drawings of FIG. 33 to FIG. 39 illustrates the unloading of a container B from a truck body 102 at a job site and the acceptance of another APP cargo container filled with cargo C loaded onto the truck bed. Specifically, the disconnection of the first container B from the power lifter PLA assembly is completed (FIG. 34), the second cargo platform or cargo container APP is moved to the power lifter PLA assembly (FIG. 35), the power lifter assembly raises the second cargo platform or cargo container to a height truck bed 102 (FIG. 36), the second container is moved into the truck bed (FIG. 37), while the mechanical loader assembly is loaded into the truck bed so that the truck 100 can drive away from the work area (FIG. 38). On FIG. 39 shows that the cargo C on the second cargo platform or cargo container APP then falls out of the truck body 102 at the second work site.

[0022] FIG. 40 and FIG. 41 illustrate the possible use of the features of the present invention in relation to a delivery vehicle, delivery van or trailer of a tractor/tractor 100 with a trailer, in particular such a vehicle 100 that is autonomous or self-driving. In this case, the loading platform/cargo container APP/B is modified so that the floor panels shown in the previous drawings are located under the drive conveyor belt 180. Thus, cargo C is preloaded onto the loading platform/cargo container APP/B of the loading system 110 / unloading, for example, in a warehouse (not shown), and the vehicle 100 completes delivery to a work site, a commercial establishment, a residential area, and the like. The doors 104 of the vehicle 100 may be opened automatically as part of the autonomous vehicle, and then the power loader PLA assembly may retrieve the cargo bed/cargo container APP/B from the space 102 of the vehicle, position the cargo bed/cargo container at a predetermined location on the job site, In this case, the conveyor belt 180 comprises one or more pressure elements or blocks 182 integrated into the belt, or push elements or push rods 184, which can, for example, extend from one or both sides of the profiles to the rails 160, 162 of the loading platform/cargo container for selective interaction with the load C, while the push rods move along with the load relative to the cargo platform / cargo container to a predetermined place in the working area. After the load C is removed from the loading platform/cargo container APP/B, the loading platform/cargo container APP/B is loaded into the space 102 of the vehicle to be returned to the warehouse for the next delivery.

[0023] The drawings of FIG. 42 to FIG. 45 illustrates the movement of the loading platform/cargo container APP/B from the PLA assembly of the power loader to the powered track device 200. For example, the track device 200 includes first and second continuous tracks or belts 202, 204 mounted on a frame 206. A loading platform is placed on the frame 206 / cargo container APP/B, while if the cargo platform / cargo container contains rollers, then the frame is made with the possibility of supporting the rollers above the ground. Frame 206 may include upwardly facing roller bearings or the like to move the APP/B cargo bed/cargo container from the PLA assembly of the power loader to the track 200. features on a site having an uneven surface, which is usually difficult for wheels. By modifying the frame to provide different performance properties, the track 200 can be used in other applications, such as in agriculture, where the frame 206 separates the belts 202, 204 from each other to move along the aisles on both sides of the rows of plants.

[0024] Additional specific structural elements are listed and described below.

[0025] Supports and rails are made of aluminum extruded profiles. For a variety of purposes, channels are extruded in parts. In the support assembly, the shape of the channel allows batteries to be placed to power the motors to power the mechanical loader assembly. Preferably, the batteries are connected together to power the engines. The person skilled in the art will also appreciate that the batteries do not need to be mounted in the supports/rails of the assembly, they may be mounted separately at different locations on the vehicle or on the mechanical loader assembly or, alternatively, plug-in power may also be used, either powered by the vehicle or other power source.

[0026] The aluminum extruded parts of the cargo platform/cargo container rails are channeled for the floor panels to slide in them, thereby achieving an all-aluminum assembly without welds or bolts (FIG. 46).

[0027] Channels are extruded into the rails of the loading platform for attaching the side supports of the freight container or for installing mounting brackets (FIG. 47).

[0028] The extruded cargo bed/cargo container rails have roller sliding channels to allow the front rollers to slide backwards when the cargo bed/cargo container is rolled into the truck. Without this property, the rollers will get caught in the wheel wells of the truck preventing the loading platform/cargo container from being placed in a standard light truck body (FIG. 47).

[0029] The guide rail has grooves for the rolling bearings of the top support of the mechanical loader (FIG. 48).

[0030] To increase strength, the outer supports include ribs running along the entire length. On the inner side of these ribs there is a channel for sliding the latch slider 14 (Fig. 49).

[0031] The rails of the truck have a channel for moving the carriage in it. This carriage is used to pull the loading platform and mechanical loader into or out of the truck bed (FIG. 50).

[0032] Guide rails are installed in the truck bed to roll up both the mechanical loader and the loading platform/cargo container (FIG. 2 and FIG. 51). When the rear outriggers are raised to the stowed position, they are in a suspended position supported by the rails of the truck.

[0033] Preferably, there are four motors in the legs of the mechanical loader to provide independent control of each leg. This makes it possible to adjust the angle of inclination forward and backward, as well as from side to side to correct different levels of the ground surface (Fig. 52). The motors are preferably located in a middle mount which consists of two flat bars bolted together using motor mounts and a leadscrew end support block. Each motor rotates a lead screw which drives a push block which travels in a channel made mechanically in the sides of the inner support. The drive blocks have links that connect them to the outer supports (Fig. 53). This is similar to what is shown in Fig. 12 in US Pat. No. 9,545,869, where this design uses a single motor, the lead screw has a different pitch at each end and drives both outer supports simultaneously. In the present invention, each leg has two motors with separate lead screws, so that each leg is controlled independently. The expansion nut shown in Fig. 25 in US Pat. No. 9,545,869 is not used in this device.

[0034] The fifth motor is preferably mounted in the guide rail to move the legs back so that the front leg can be raised without hitting the bumper (FIG. 53).

[0035] A sixth motor is mounted on the rails of the truck and drives a chain, which in turn drives a carriage to move the PLA assembly of the mechanical loader and the loading platform APP/B into and out of the truck 100. Instead of a chain, a lead screw can be used (Fig. 54).

[0036] As the cargo bed APP/B rolls onto the truck rails, the rollers 168 roll onto the leaf springs 250 near the truck rails, with the leaf springs slowing the roller slightly to reduce friction between the roller slider and the channel in which they slide. This support, represented by a leaf spring, has a recess to hold the roller in the bed of the truck when the truck rolls out, so that the roller returns back to the front of the truck bed (FIG. 55).

[0037] The rollers have a latch that keeps them from sliding in the channel when moving the loading platform on the ground. When the load bed APP/B is rolled onto the rails of the truck, this latch at one end is lifted up by the guide rails, disengaging the rollers from the load bed and allowing the rollers to slide back into the load bed channel 1C (FIG. 56A and FIG. 56B).

[0038] At the entrance to the rails of the truck, rollers are installed to guide the guide rail and the cargo bed/cargo container onto the rails. These rollers have a tapered top surface, so if the guide rail or loading platform is slightly lower, when directed inward, they will rise up the guides along with the rails of the truck (Fig. 57).

[0039] The front legs of a mechanical loader have support shoes instead of wheels, which are on the ground when the loader is lifted. This prevents the mechanical loader from rolling when loading and unloading the loading platform (Fig. 58). When the power loader is lifted a short distance from the ground, the wheels mounted behind the chocks contact the ground, allowing the power loader to roll back and forth with or without the load platform (Figure 59).

[0040] Rollers are installed on the front and side of the guide rail, which guide it inward and keep it centered on the rails of the truck. These rollers are spring loaded in the outward direction. Truck rails have grooves to interact with these rollers. When the rollers interact with these recesses, the solenoid pins are aligned with their locking holes (Fig. 60).

[0041] Solenoids are used throughout the mechanical loader to secure parts in or on the rails. Two solenoids (D and G) of these solenoids are standard push type solenoids. Nine of these solenoids are specially designed pull-type solenoids whose stem acts as a pin that enters a hole to lock the parts in place. They differ in that they are made as a single unit with a spring-loaded rod and a coil in one housing. Another distinguishing feature is that a small cable is attached to the stem so that if electrical activation is not possible, the cable can be manually pulled to unlock the solenoid (see Fig. 61). These solenoids perform the following functions. First, solenoids A and B actuate pins that are located at the front of the guide rail (Fig. 62) and secure it to the truck rails in three places: (a) at the back of the truck rails to hold the guide rails on the truck rails. vehicle when rolling in and out of the cargo platform / cargo container; (b) at a point in the middle of the truck rails to hold the guide rail and power loader in place when the rear outriggers are raised to the suspended and inserted position; and (c) on the front of the rails of the truck to hold the guide rail and the mechanical loader in the truck while the latter is moving (FIG. 63). In each of these positions, the pins fit into holes or recesses in the rails of the truck. In this case, the holes in positions 1 and 2 on the left side have inclined surfaces on their leading edge (Fig. 64), and the holes on the right side do not have such surfaces (Fig. 65). This allows the guide rail to be moved from position 1 to position 2 and from position 2 to position 3 without actuating solenoid A. This is so that when parking the truck on a backward slope, both solenoids A and B do not need to be deactivated to move the guide rail forward. Deactivating both Solenoids A and B at the same time in this situation could cause the guide rail and the mechanical loader to roll back undesirably and out of the truck.

[0042] Second, solenoids C (two) operate pins in the guide rails that lock the APP/B to the PLA during raising and lowering and dumping (FIG. 66).

[0043] Thirdly, the solenoid D (push type) is used to disable the drive mechanism of the motor 5 in the dump mode (Fig. 50, also see Fig. 79).

[0044] Fourth, solenoid E operates a pin that attaches the mechanical loader to the carriage (FIG. 68).

[0045] Fifth, solenoids F (two) operate pins that secure the cargo bed/cargo container to the rails of the truck as it moves (FIG. 69).

[0046] Sixth, solenoid G (push type) is used to release the cargo bed/cargo container lock from the carriage when the cargo bed/cargo container is in the truck (FIG. 70). This allows the carriage to return to the rear of the truck rails to be secured with the mechanical loader and to be pulled onto the truck rails.

[0047] Seventh, when the power loader raises the front of the load bed/cargo container to drop the load, it first rolls back a short distance so that the wheels do not hit the bumper, the H solenoid holds it in this position in the load drop mode (Fig. 71).

[0048] When the power loader raises or lowers its front legs, the guide rails remain fixed to the rails of the truck, creating a situation in which the power loader must move back a short distance so that the front legs do not hit the vehicle's bumper. The guide rail has a retractable mechanism that is connected to the rear leg, which allows the mechanical loader to move backwards and provides the front legs with clearance from the truck bumper. This retractable mechanism may have a motor (motor 5) and a lead screw mounted therein to automatically move the front legs back and forth. This retractable mechanism has two axles, with the front axle in normal lift contacting the upper latch of the inner rear leg (Fig. 72), the rear axle contacting the latch at the end of the rear outer legs to dump the load. These retainers are described below with reference to FIGS. 73 and FIG. 74.

[0049] A latch is installed at the top of the rear inner support to secure it to the front axle in the sliding mechanism during normal lifting. When the legs are inserted, this lock will automatically disengage, allowing the guide rails and the loading platform/cargo container to be raised to load and dump the load (Fig. 75).

[0050] At the top of the rear outboard support is a sliding latch for dumping the load, which interacts with the rear axle of the telescopic mechanism to keep the mechanical loader from bouncing when tilted (in the mode of dumping the load) and when driving the truck on uneven ground (Fig. 74) .

[0051] A spring steel latch is installed in the guide rail, which fixes the guide rail with the upper axis of the front outer support in the load dumping mode. The spring tension is sufficient to hold the guide rail against the top support bearing when the load is dumped, but it weakens when the mechanical loader is lifted vertically up and down (Fig. 75).

[0052] In order to hold the cargo bed/cargo container while the truck is moving, slots in the tailgate pivot bracket engage pins in the rails of the truck (FIG. 76).

[0053] Truck rails have a carriage that is driven by a motor and a chain for moving a mechanical loader or loading platform/cargo container into a truck. Both have a latch and carriage release mechanism so that they can be connected to the truck independently of each other (Fig. 68, Fig. 77 and Fig. 78).

[0054] The retractable mechanism (with the fifth motor) which is installed in the guide rail and connected to the mechanical loader can be selectively attached to and detached from the guide rail. For this, a mechanism containing solenoid D is used (Fig. 79).

[0055] A light truck manufacturer can make a truck with channels built into the truck body instead of into the rails of the loading platform. In this case, the loading platform will be flat without side channels. The same mechanical loader system and electronic controls can be used.

[0056] A light truck manufacturer can make a truck with channels built into the truck body instead of into the rails of the loading platform. In this case, the loading platform will be flat without side channels. The same mechanical loader system and electronic controls can be used.

[0057] A light truck manufacturer may design the truck so that the entire body of the truck rolls off the frame of the truck (FIGS. 80-81). The same mechanical loader system and electronic controls can be used.

[0058] With the mechanical loader system of the present invention, the load is in the loading platform/cargo container and thus never comes into contact with the body of the truck. Therefore, a light truck manufacturer can produce trucks without a body or with a sufficiently simplified body made of plastic to prevent water and dirt from entering from below the road. This allows the manufacturer to both save money and reduce weight.

[0059] To move the cargo platform / cargo container on a construction site that has too uneven a surface for conventional wheels to roll on it, a special crawler device with rubber tracks can be used. Such a device has ball-bearing rollers in the crossbars for rolling up the loading platform (Fig. 82).

[0060] When the cargo platform/cargo container rolls on an incline, a brake system is required that is automatically applied to prevent the cargo platform/cargo container from rolling downhill uncontrollably. The brake pads are mounted over the rear wheels (Fig. 83). The rear wheels are stationary and do not slide on track 1C like the front wheels. A cable is attached to the brake shoes to keep the shoes up (disengaged) when the loading platform/cargo container is moved (Fig. 84). This brake release cable runs along the side of the loading platform into the control handle (Fig. 85). The operator must hold it by pulling the cable up (Fig. 85) or by using the lever device (Fig. 86) or by turning the rotary handle (Fig. 87). If the operator releases it, the brakes are applied, i.e. are used automatically.

[0061] An embodiment of the loading platform for delivering packages includes an integrated mechanical conveyor belt for removing cargo or packages from it (Fig. 88). The conveyor belt may have push blocks attached to it to ensure that all packages are ejected from the loading platform (FIG. 88). A view of a preferred engine drive system is shown in FIG. 89. As an alternative to the conveyor belt, the pressure plate can move through channels on each side of the loading platform and is driven by a motor to push the packages off the loading platform (FIG. 90).

[0062] For rolling on a guide rail under its channel, the cargo platform / cargo container contains rollers. These rollers are flanged on one side so that the two rollers surround a protrusion on the guide rail. This keeps the load bed centered over the guide rail, guiding it into the truck rails (FIG. 91).

[0063] In FIG. 92 shows a measuring assembly operatively mounted on the guide rails to monitor the position of the first guide rail relative to the second guide rail. The measuring unit is connected to the first and second motors to hold the guide rails at the same height relative to each other. In one embodiment, the measurement assembly is an optical sensor (eg, a laser transmitter and a laser receiver), although other types of sensors may be used. The position of the guide rails relative to the rails of the truck can also be monitored/measured with a measuring unit (preferably by placing the transmitter on one rail/truck body or on the guide rails and the receiver on the other guide rails or on the rail/truck body).

[0064] In the foregoing description, examples, including the best embodiment, are used to disclose the essence of the invention, which also enable a person skilled in the art to make and use the invention. Other examples that are encountered by those skilled in the art are within the scope of the invention if they have structural elements that do not differ from the same principle or if they include equivalent structural elements having minor differences.

Claims (32)

1. A loading/unloading system for an associated truck platform, comprising: first and second rails of the truck, spaced from each other in the transverse direction and made with the possibility of placement in the body of the truck associated with them, and a mechanical loader assembly, comprising (i) first and second support assemblies, which contain, respectively, (ii) first and second guide rails that are functionally interacting, respectively, with the first and second rails of the truck, (iii) first and second engines, located, respectively, in the first and second support units and configured to selectively raise and lower the first and second guide rails, and (iv) a measuring unit, functionally mounted on the guide rails, for monitoring the position of the first guide rail relative to the second guide rail, while the measuring unit is operatively connected to the first and second motors to hold the guide rails at the same height relative to each other. 2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a centering assembly that tracks the position of the mechanical loader assembly relative to its associated truck body. 3. The system of claim. 2, in which the centering node contains an optical transmitter and receiver. 4. The system of claim. 1, in which the transmitter is located on at least one of the following: (i) on the node of a mechanical loader and (ii) on the associated body or rails of a truck, and the receiver is located on the other of the same elements: (ii) on the associated body or rails of the truck, (i) on the mechanical loader assembly. 5. The system of claim. 4, in which the first and second rails of the truck installed in the body of the truck are made with the possibility of sliding insertion into them, respectively, the first and second guide rails. 6. The system of claim. 5, further comprising at least one transmission motor that selectively slides the first and second guide rails relative to the truck body. 7. The system of claim. 5, in which the first and second guide rails and the first and second rails of the truck are extruded profiles, made in such a way that provides a sliding connection of the first and second guide rails, respectively, with the first and second rails of the truck . 8. The system of claim. 3, in which the measuring node and the centering node are wireless. 9. The system of claim. 8, further comprising a first battery installed in the first reference node, and a second battery installed in the second reference node. 10. The system according to claim 1, additionally containing the third and fourth engines, while each of the first and second support nodes contains the first and second parts, while the first part of the first support node is sized to accommodate the first engine, the second part of the first support of the assembly is sized to accommodate a second engine, the first part of the second support assembly is sized to accommodate a third engine, and the second part of the second support assembly is sized to accommodate a fourth engine. 11. The system of claim. 1, further comprising the first and second rails of the truck, which are installed in the body of the truck and interact with and slidably receive, respectively, the first and second guide rails, and a load/unload motor that is located in each of the rails of the truck and enables the mechanical loader to be loaded and unloaded from the truck bed. 12. The system of claim. 11, further comprising a first holding mechanism that temporarily prevents the first and second guide rails from sliding relative to the first and second rails of the truck, respectively. 13. The system according to claim. 1, in which each support node contains a support shoe and the first and second rollers spaced apart from each other, and the support shoe of each support node is hinged to the corresponding support node, while the support shoe of each support interacts with a horizontal surface of another before the first roller comes into contact with a horizontal surface. 14. The system according to claim. 1, further comprising at least one engine for reciprocating movement of the container relative to the rails of the truck for loading / unloading the container, and the engine, which is located in parts of the front supports and selectively tilts the container relative to the rails of the truck, in resulting in the system being used to dump the load. 15. The system of claim 14, wherein the combined loading/unloading motor is configured to reciprocate the container relative to the truck body, regardless of the inclination of the container. 16. The system of claim. 1, further comprising either a container or a loading platform having first and second rails that slidably interact with the rails of the truck, and a motor that selectively moves the container or loading platform relative to the rails of the truck. 17. The system of claim. 16, in which the first and second rails selectively and slidably interact, respectively, with the first and second guide rails. 18. The system of claim. 17, further comprising a second locking mechanism that selectively prevents the container or loading platform from sliding relative to the first and second guide rails. 19. The system of claim. 18, further comprising a third locking mechanism that selectively prevents the container or loading platform from sliding relative to the truck body. 20. The system according to claim 16, further comprising rollers mounted on a loading platform. 21. The system of claim. 20, in which the rails of the truck are sized to receive the rollers. 22. The system according to claim. 21, in which the rollers are installed with the possibility of limited sliding movement relative to the loading platform when loading the loading platform. 23. The system of claim. 22, further comprising a latch that ensures the interaction of the corresponding roller with the corresponding first or second rail of the loading platform, when the loading platform is separated from the power loader assembly. 24. The system according to claim 16, in which the cargo platform contains a movable conveyor belt that facilitates the loading of cargo onto the cargo platform / unloading cargo from the cargo platform. 25. The system of claim. 24, further comprising a drive motor configured to move the conveyor belt. 26. The system of claim. 25, further comprising one of the following: (i) a push block attached to the conveyor belt, or (ii) a push rod driven by a drive motor and configured to move relative to the load platform to push the load from the conveyor belt ribbons. 27. The system of claim. 16, further comprising a mechanized caterpillar device having first and second continuous tracks, while the mechanical loader unloads the container or cargo platform onto the caterpillar device. 28. The system of claim 27, further comprising first and second crossbars extending between the tracks, and roller surfaces provided on the crossbars to facilitate loading of the loading platform onto the track and unloading it from the track. 29. The system of claim. 1, in which the first and second guide rails are mounted with the ability to move relative to the first and second support nodes, respectively, when loading the mechanical loader assembly into the truck body and unloading the mechanical loader assembly from the truck body.

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