WO1998036936A1

WO1998036936A1 - Load bearing decks for vehicles

Info

Publication number: WO1998036936A1
Application number: PCT/GB1998/000527
Authority: WO
Inventors: John Winston Childs
Original assignee: J & A Promotions
Priority date: 1997-02-20
Filing date: 1998-02-19
Publication date: 1998-08-27
Also published as: AU6109098A; GB9703505D0; GB2324278A

Abstract

A wheeled trailer has a load bearing deck (5) which can be moved substantially vertically between a ground engaging position and an elevated position. In one arrangement, the trailer comprises a wheel mounted chassis (1) having a frame which carries a winch (6) operable to impart linear movement to cables (15, 16) connected through pulleys (14) to anchorages (21, 22) of the load bearing deck (5) to raise and lower the same.

Description

LOAD BEARING DECKS FOR VEHICLES

This invention relates to load bearing decks for vehicles. More especially but not exclusively the invention relates to wheeled trailers which include load bearing decks movable between ground engaging and elevated positions.

Co-pending Application GB 9526607.8 discloses a trailer which includes a load supporting platform which is releasably connected at one end to a frame and is mounted towards its other end for pivotable movement relative to the frame about a fulcrum defined by a cross-member positioned to the rear of the frame. The wheels of the trailer are positioned between the reieasable connection and the fulcrum, and the arrangement is such that when the platform is connected to the frame it is supported above ground level by the frame and that when the platform is released from its connection to the frame it can be lowered to the ground engaging position to pivotable movement of the platform relative to the frame about the fulcrum.

These trailers are in practice employed to transport items which required different load bearing platforms. Thus, one particular use of the trailers is to transport motorcycles and in this case the platform comprises one or more spaced channel-sectioned beams each designed to receive the front and rear tyres of a motorcycle. For general use, however, a flat bed platform is normally required.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a trailer of the type described in which the load bearing platform can readily and symmetrically be changed.

According to the present invention in one aspect there is provided a vehicle whose load bearing deck can be moved substantially vertically between a ground engaging position and an elevated position, the vehicle comprising a wheel mounted chassis having a frame which carries lifting means operable to raise and lower the deck relative to the chassis between ground engaging and elevated positions.

The lifting means may comprise a winch operable to impart linear movement to cables connected through pulleys to anchorages of the load bearing deck.

An anchorage may be positioned below each of a plurality of lifting pulleys at locations to each side of a transverse line passing through the centre of gravity of the deck.

The chassis frame may be generally 'U'-shaped in plan and include two side frame members extending rearwardly from a forward transverse cross-member, the rear of the frame being open.

Two lifting pulleys may be carried by each side frame member, each such lifting pulley operating to guide a cable from a pulley wheel carried by the frame cross-member to an anchorage secured to the load bearing deck.

The rotational axes of the pulley wheels carried by the frame cross- member may be either vertically or horizontally disposed.

The winch may be supported on the frame cross-member and above a pulley system carried by the frame cross-member. The pulley system may comprise a pulley positioned below the winch and secured to the frame cross-member with its rotational axis generally horizontally disposed, the pulley including sideways extending pulley shafts connected to impart rotational movement to the pulley wheels. The pulley shafts preferably extend generally parallel to the cross-member and are supported with supports secured to the leading face of the frame cross-member.

In an alternative arrangement, the winch is positioned above a vertically movable anchor block having a lift pulley around which the winch cable passes. Cables are secured to the anchor block which pass around fixed pulleys secured to the frame cross-member below the anchor block and then around side pulleys which direct the cables to the lift and the anchorages of the load bearding deck.

The winch may be manually operated. Alternatively, a drive motor may be provided.

The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which:-

Figure 1 is a perspective view from above of apparatus in accordance with the invention; and

Figures 2 to 4 are respectively front plan and side views of alternative apparatus in accordance with the invention.

The apparatus illustrated in Figure 1 includes a chassis for a wheel mounted trailer which comprises a U-shaped frame 1 having side beams 2, 3 extending rearwardly from a cross beam 4. The frame 1 is open at its rear and borders a load bearing deck 5. As will be described below, the load bearing deck 5 is movable substantially vertically between a ground engaging position and an elevated position in which its side edges are confined by the side beams of the frame. The cross beam 4 carries a winch 6 mounted on a stand 7 above a pulley 8. The cable 9 of the winch 6 passes around the pulley 8 to impart rotational movement thereto. Shafts 1 1 are secured to the side faces of the pulley 8 and are aligned by supports 12. These shafts are connected at their ends remote from the pulley 8 to double track pulleys 14 located one on each end of the cross beam 4. Each pulley 14 is traversed by two cables 1 5, 1 6, one of which tracks over a lifting pulley 1 7 and the other of which tracks over a lifting pulley 1 8. The cables 1 5, 1 6, are attached to anchorages 21 , 22 secured to the load bearing deck 5. The anchorages are positioned with respect to the centre of gravity of the deck 5 to ensure that the deck 5 lies generally horizontal as it is raised and lowered. Thus, the deck is supported by the four cables 1 5, 1 6, and operation of the winch 6 effects raising or lowering of the deck.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 2 to 4, (in which like integers to those illustrated in Figure 1 have the same reference numerals), the cable 9 of the winch 6 passes around a lift pulley 23 mounted for rotation within an anchor block 24. Thus operation of the winch either raises or lowers the anchor block 24. The anchor block is secured to four cables two of which pass around each of two pulleys 25 secured to the front face of the cross beam 4 and thence around twin-track pulleys 26 mounted with their rotational axes disposed vertically on brackets 27 mounted on the front face of the cross beam 4 in line with the side beams 2. After leaving the pulleys 24, the respective cables pass to and around the lift pulleys 1 7, 1 8. The ends of the cables remote from the anchor block are secured to the anchorages 21 , 22 of the load bearing deck.

It will be appreciated that the forgoing is merely exemplary of apparatus in accordance with the invention and that modifications can readily be made thereto without departing from the true scope of the invention as set out in the appended claims.

Claims

1 . A vehicle whose load bearing deck can be moved substantially vertically between a ground engaging position and an elevated position, the vehicle comprising a wheel mounted chassis having a frame which carries lifting means operable to raise and lower the deck relative to the chassis between ground engaging and elevated positions.

2. A vehicle as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the lifting means comprises a winch operable to impart linear movement to cables connected through pulleys to anchorages of the load bearing deck.

3. A vehicle as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein an anchorage is positioned below each of a plurality of lifting pulleys at locations to each side of a transverse line passing through the centre of gravity of the deck.

4. A vehicle as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims wherein the chassis frame is generally 'U'-shaped in plan and includes two side frame members extending rearwardly from a forward transverse cross- member, the rear of the frame being open.

5. A vehicles as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 4 wherein two lifting pulleys are carried by each side frame member, each such lifting pulley operating to guide a cable from a pulley wheel carried by the frame cross-member to an anchorage secured to the load bearing deck.

6. A vehicle as claimed in Claim 5 wherein the rotational axes of the pulley wheels carried by the frame cross-member are either vertically or horizontally disposed.

7. A vehicle as claimed in any one of Claims 2 to 6 wherein the winch is supported on the frame cross-member and above a pulley system carried by the frame cross-member.

8. A vehicle as claimed in Claim 7 wherein the pulley system comprises a pulley positioned below the winch and secured to the frame cross- member with its rotational axis generally horizontally disposed, the pulley including sideways extending pulley shafts connected to impart rotational movement to the pulley wheels.

9. A vehicle as claimed in Claim 8 wherein the pulley shafts extend generally parallel to the cross-member and are supported with supports secured to the leading face of the frame cross-member.

10. A vehicle as claimed in any one of Claims 2 to 6 wherein the winch is positioned above a vertically movable anchor block having a lift pulley around which the winch cable passes.

1 1 . A vehicle as claimed in Claim 10 wherein cables are secured to the anchor block which pass around fixed pulleys secured to the frame cross-member below the anchor block and then around side pulleys which direct the cables to the lift and the anchorages of the load bearding deck.

1 2. A vehicle as claimed in any one of Claims 2 to 1 1 wherein the winch is manually operated.