WO2022200626A1

WO2022200626A1 - Trailer for a motor vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO2022200626A1
Application number: PCT/EP2022/058103
Authority: WO
Inventors: Wolfgang Varch
Original assignee: Wolfgang Varch
Priority date: 2021-03-26
Filing date: 2022-03-28
Publication date: 2022-09-29
Also published as: AT523849B1; AT523849A4

Abstract

The invention relates to a trailer (1) for a motor vehicle comprising a trailer frame, having wheels (5) located on the longitudinal frame elements thereof, and a fork-lift apparatus (2), which is mounted in the interior of the trailer (1) and which can be moved inside the trailer (1) between a transport position, in which the load can be transported, and a loading position, in which the load can be raised or lowered using the fork-lift apparatus (2), wherein, in the loading position, the fork-lift apparatus (2) can be lowered to the bottom level at which the trailer (1) is positioned. A bottom wall (11) is provided, which substantially covers a bottom surface (7) and which in the transport position serves as a loading surface, the bottom wall (11) having a bottom element (8) or more than one bottom element (8) movably mounted on the trailer (1) in the region of the bottom surface (7), so that at least a part of the bottom surface (7) is uncovered in the loading position.

Description

TRAILER FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE

The invention relates to a trailer for a motor vehicle with a trailer frame, on the longitudinal frame elements of which wheels are arranged, and a forklift device mounted inside the trailer, which can be moved inside the trailer between a transport position, in which the load can be transported, and a loading position, in the cargo with the

The forklift device can be raised and lowered, is displaceable, wherein the forklift device can be lowered in the loading position down to the floor level on which the trailer is standing, and a floor wall is provided which essentially covers a floor area and which serves as a loading area in the transport position.

Building materials, tools, etc. are usually brought to construction sites by truck transport, which incurs corresponding freight costs for the contractor. Such transports cannot always be carried out in an economically sensible manner, since only the delivery of large quantities of material is economical, but these quantities of material cannot be adequately protected on site, e.g. against theft or weather influences. In addition, there are relatively long lead times for such transports, since the freighters need a delivery time of several days for each order.

Smaller subcontractors, on the other hand, who are only responsible for small-scale construction work on the construction site, often only need relatively little building material, such as sand, tiles, cement or the like, and bring this with them in small vans or trailers because truck transport is too big for this would incur high costs.

Overall, the shipment of small amounts of building material is desirable and useful, but prepares a corresponding amount of time and effort, because the loading areas of vans and trailers are not designed for efficient loading and unloading and therefore a tedious manipulation of the Building material must be accomplished. What a delivery truck could load and unload with a crane in one operation is done with such smaller deliveries, for example by shouldering and carrying sacks or other containers, since small construction sites in particular do not have the appropriate crane or lifting equipment for this type of work.

In GB 2145 995 A there is a single-axle trailer with a U-shaped frame and a mounted therein

Shown lift truck device with longitudinally extending fork arms for receiving cargo.

GB 2153 339 A describes a single-axle forklift trailer for agricultural towing vehicles, the frame of which is essentially composed of two longitudinal elements and two cross-connection elements. For the movable between a transport position and a loading position forklift device, a corresponding counterweight is provided on the trailer tongue, which compensates for the tilting moments that occur during loading, but is to be borne as an additional load by the trailer hitch while driving. During the loading process, the forklift device can be lowered to the ground behind the cross-connecting elements in order to be able to pick up the load to be transported.

WO 95/32917 A shows a trailer with a horizontally movable forklift device for carrying out loading work, which has a U-shaped trailer frame. Thanks to the forklift device integrated in the trailer, it is possible to transport e.g. only one pallet of building material very efficiently by delivering this pallet with the trailer and then with the

Forklift device can be unloaded without requiring a separate crane or forklift on site. Irrespective of whether there are mechanical loading devices at the place of delivery or not, the transport of the load and the unloading or loading can be carried out very quickly.

For example, is there additional material on a construction site is required, it can be picked up immediately from a hardware store without having to consider order times and freight costs. Due to the mobility of the carriage inside the trailer, the

Forklift device are brought into a loading position in which the forklift device can be lowered to ground level. In order to enable the forklift device to be lowered between the side walls of the trailer, the wheels are not mounted on a continuous axle, but on stub axles on the sides of the trailer. In this way, this type of trailer can only be built with excess width, which limits its usability. In addition, the open frame construction results in a relatively heavy construction if sufficient rigidity is to be ensured. However, this has negative effects on the fuel consumption of the towing vehicle and its driving characteristics.

WO 2006/122336 A1 shows a generic trailer that already solves many of the problems described. However, handling has shown that there are many opportunities for improvement with regard to efficient loading and unloading as well as safety aspects.

The object of the invention is therefore to improve the existing trailer with a forklift device.

This object is achieved according to the invention by a trailer having the features of claim 1.

The trailer mentioned at the outset is characterized in that the floor wall has a floor element or more than one floor element, which is/are movably mounted on the trailer in the area of the floor area, so that at least part of the floor area is uncovered in the loading position.

If the floor has at least one movably mounted floor element in order to release the floor at least partially, the lift truck device can be lowered in the area of the floor surface will.

If the forklift device is lowered outside the floor area, leverage arises that can tip the trailer and must be compensated accordingly by supports. This effect is amplified accordingly when the forklift device is loaded with goods to be transported. The closer the forklift device carries out its lifting work to the axle or axles of the trailer, the lower these leverage forces act. Accordingly, the supports can be made smaller.

In the context of the invention, the trailer preferably has two axles, with the axles usually being located essentially in the middle area of the trailer. Accordingly, it is advantageous for the stability during a loading process if the lift truck device performs its lifting work in the center area or as close as possible to the center of the trailer, in particular as close as possible to the axles.

A trailer whose floor area has at least one floor element that can be moved at least in certain areas in order to release part of the floor area allows the forklift device to carry out its lifting work in the loading position close to the axles without reducing the total loading area for transport .

According to the invention, a number of advantages are achieved, in particular the trailer is easier to handle, the manipulation required to produce the loading position is reduced, safety for an operator is increased and parts protruding from the trailer or parts to be temporarily stored near the trailer are avoided.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the trailer has a coupling that is arranged at the front of the trailer, viewed in the direction of travel. The floor element, which is movably mounted on the trailer, is in the transport position in the direction of travel seen in a rear area of the trailer and seen in the loading position in the direction of travel in a middle or front area. The area of the floor surface that is remote from the coupling is thus released. This makes handling the trailer particularly easy when loading. Depending on the nature of the coupling and the vehicle to which the trailer is to be towed, it may even be the case that the trailer does not even have to be uncoupled from the vehicle for loading.

It is thus achieved that essentially the entire floor area is uncovered in the loading position or an area of the floor area which, starting from the area at the rear in the direction of travel, partially extends in the direction of the area at the front in the direction of travel, so that e.g. 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80 or 90% uncovered. Values between these examples are also conceivable.

According to a further preferred development of the invention, the floor element or floor elements are connected to a drive, the drive being able to act in the direction of an adjustment from the transport position to the loading position and/or vice versa. This enables a controlled transition from transport to loading position and vice versa.

The drive itself can be designed differently.

For example, electronic drives, hydraulic drives or also manual drives, for example via a crank, are conceivable.

According to a preferred development of the invention, the trailer has more than one movably mounted floor element. Several floor elements have the advantage that they offer greater freedom when freeing up the floor area, since a larger subdivision with the same floor area automatically leads to smaller floor elements and it is easier to find space for smaller floor elements in which the floor elements are in the loading position on the trailer condition be able. Furthermore, constructions in which more than half of the floor area is to be released can generally only be implemented with several floor elements.

According to a preferred development of this embodiment, the floor elements are connected to one another. This can be done directly, for example via interlocking projections and depressions, or indirectly, for example via spacers. Connected floor elements have the advantage that a drive only has to act on one of the floor elements and the other floor elements can be "moved along".

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the floor element or floor elements is/are guided in a guide, in particular in guide rails arranged laterally on the trailer frame. This measure also improves the transition from transport to loading position and vice versa.

According to a preferred development of the invention, the floor element or floor elements is or are displaceably mounted essentially parallel to the floor surface. This can be realized, for example, by rails on the trailer that run essentially parallel to the floor surface. In this way it can be avoided that the floor elements and possible cargo are in each other's way, in particular when changing from the loading position to the transport position or vice versa.

According to a further preferred development of the invention, the base wall has an immovable part and the base element or the base elements is or are arranged below the immovable part in the loading position. This prevents the floor element or floor elements from impeding loading.

According to a further preferred development of the invention, the floor element or floor elements extend or extend in the loading position essentially parallel to the immovable part. In this way must for the Loading position only little space for the floor element or the floor elements, which releases or release the floor surface in the loading position, be provided.

In an alternative, preferred development of the invention, the floor element or floor elements extend or extend in the loading position essentially perpendicularly to the immovable part. The element or elements therefore hang on or under the hanger. As a result, little or no storage space is required for the floor element or floor elements. A solution with several floor elements hanging one behind the other saves a lot of space, especially when there are several floor elements that would stack up if they were arranged horizontally in the loading position.

In a further alternative preferred development of the invention, the floor elements can be rolled up together to form a roll like a roller shutter. This also enables the floor elements to be stowed away in a space-saving manner, since they are particularly easy to move.

Furthermore, in the case of narrow individual parts of the loading floor that can be rolled up like roller shutters, loose parts can be cleaned by means of a cleaning element, e.g. a scraper or a brush, when they are being rolled up. With cement, for example, it is important to remove it as soon as possible before it hardens. In this way, damage to the trailer can be avoided. However, it is advantageous to ensure that little, preferably no, dirt or cargo can get into the spaces between the floor elements.

A further advantage of this embodiment is that higher loads can be absorbed by the slightly curved shape of such floor elements.

Further preferred embodiments of the invention are the subject matter of the remaining dependent claims. A preferred embodiment of the invention is described in more detail with reference to the drawings. It shows:

1 is an isometric view of a trailer according to the invention in a transport position,

Fig. 2 is an isometric view of the trailer of Fig. 1 in a loading position;

Fig. 3 is a highly schematized side view of a first

Embodiment of the invention in a transport position, Fig. 4 is a highly schematic side view of

embodiment of Fig. 3 partially in a loading position,

5 shows a highly schematized side view of a second embodiment,

6 shows a highly schematized side view of a third embodiment and FIG. 7 shows a detail from FIG.

Fig. 1 shows an isometric view of a trailer 1 according to the invention with a lift truck device 2, which can raise and lower 3 cargo with forks. The trailer 1 has a frame 4 on which the forklift device 2 can be moved horizontally. In the embodiment shown, the trailer 1 is carried by two axles with wheels 5 and has a coupling 6 with which it can be coupled to a motor vehicle (not shown). The clutch 6 is located at the front in a direction of travel of the trailer 1 . A floor surface 7 with two floor elements 8 , 9 can be seen below the forks 3 . The rear floor element 8 is movably mounted and connected to a drive 10 . One or more floor elements 8, 9 can be moved by the drive 10, so that the floor surface 7 is released at least in certain areas and the trailer 1 can be changed into a loading position (see FIG. 2).

Fig. 2 shows the trailer of Fig. 1 in the loading position. The rear floor element 8 (see Fig. 1) is shifted under the floor surface 7 and forward. The forklift device 2 is in moved to the rear of trailer 1. The forks 3 are lowered to ground level. Goods, especially on pallets, can be loaded easily.

3 to 7 show in a highly schematic view in longitudinal section different ways to move multiple floor elements. For the sake of clarity, similar components are also numbered the same in different embodiments.

3 shows a side view of a first possible construction of the device according to the invention. The lift truck device 2 is located in the front area of the trailer 1 (not shown). Several movable floor elements 8 and one immovable floor element 9 together form a floor wall 11 under the fork 3.

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment in which the movable floor elements 8 are arranged partially under the floor wall 11 . The floor elements 8 were moved under the floor wall 11 in such a way that they are arranged essentially perpendicularly to the floor surface 7 .

In order to move the floor elements 8 between the possible positions, they are guided in a guide 12 . The drive 10 can act both directly on the elements themselves and indirectly, for example via a conveyor arranged in the guide 12 which acts on the floor elements 8 .

FIG. 5 shows an alternative embodiment of the device from FIG. 3, in which the floor elements 8 are arranged essentially parallel to the floor surface 7 in the loading position.

FIG. 6 shows a further preferred embodiment of the invention, in which the floor elements 8 are rolled up in a manner similar to a roller shutter. More details can be seen in the detailed view in FIG. The floor elements 8 are also guided in a guide 12 in this embodiment. The drive 10 can act on the floor elements 8 both directly and indirectly. In a particularly simple variant of the embodiment shown in Figures 6 and 7, all the floor elements can also be connected to their neighboring floor elements 8 and only the floor element 8 lying furthest to the front is connected to a rotating axle, so that when the axle is in rotation is offset, the remaining floor elements 8 are pulled along and "wound up". For this purpose, a further, in particular curved, guide 12 can be provided (as shown). Depending on the selected type of drive 10, this can also be completely or partially omitted.

Furthermore, a cleaning element 13 can be seen in the enlarged view of FIG. 7, with which the floor elements 8 can be wiped off. In this way, dirt can be removed. Depending on how the trailer 1 is used, damage to the trailer can also be avoided in this way. If, for example, concrete or cement hardens on the floor elements, it is very difficult to remove them without damaging the floor elements through chemical or kinetic effects.

1 trailer

2 forklift device

3 forks

4 frames

5 (axle with) wheels

6 clutch

7 floor area

8 floor element (movable)

9 floor element (fixed)

10 drive

11 bottom wall

12 leadership

13 cleaning elements

Claims

Expectations:

1. Trailer (1) for a motor vehicle with a trailer frame, on the longitudinal frame elements of which wheels (5) are arranged, and inside the trailer (1) attached lift truck device (2) inside the trailer (1) between a transport position , in which the load can be transported, and a loading position, in which the load can be raised and lowered with the forklift device (2), the forklift device (2) in the loading position up to the ground level on which the trailer (1) is standing , can be lowered, and wherein a floor wall (11) is provided which essentially covers a floor area (7) and which serves as a loading area in the transport position, characterized in that the floor wall (11) has a floor element (8) or more than one floor element (8) which is/are movably mounted on the trailer (1) in the area of the floor area (7), so that at least part of the floor area (7) is uncovered in the loading position.

2. Trailer according to Claim 1, characterized in that the trailer (1) has a coupling (6) which is located at the front when viewed in the direction of travel, and that the floor element (8) is in the transport position in a rear region when viewed in the direction of travel, and that the floor element (8) in the loading position is in a middle or front area as seen in the direction of travel.

3. Trailer (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the floor element (8) or the floor elements (8) with a drive (10) is / are in connection, wherein the drive (10) in the direction of an adjustment of the transport position can act in the loading position and / or vice versa.

4. Trailer (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the drive (10) is a manual drive, an electric drive and/or a hydraulic drive.

5. Trailer (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the trailer (1) has more than one floor element (8).

6. Trailer (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the floor elements (8) are connected to each other.

7. Trailer (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the floor element (8) or the floor elements (8) is or are guided in a guide (12), in particular in guide rails arranged laterally on the trailer frame.

8. Trailer (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the floor element (8) or the floor elements (8) is or are displaceably mounted substantially parallel to the floor surface (7).

9. Trailer (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the bottom wall (11) has an immovable part (9) and that the bottom element (8) or the bottom elements (8) in the loading position below the immovable part ( 9) is or are arranged.

10. Trailer (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the floor element (8) or the floor elements (8) extends or extend essentially parallel to the immovable part (9) in the loading position

11. Trailer (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the floor element (8) or the floor elements (8) in the loading position extends substantially perpendicularly to the immovable part (9).

12. Trailer (1) according to any one of claims 5 to 11, characterized in that the floor elements (8) can be rolled up together into a roller shutter-like manner.

13. Trailer (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that there is a cleaning element (13) on the trailer (1) which can be brought into contact with surfaces of the floor elements (8), the cleaning element (13) being in the loading position located in the area of the roll.

14. Trailer according to claim 13, characterized in that the cleaning element (13) is a scraper or a brush.