GB2129377A - Truck catwalk - Google Patents

Abstract

The catwalk 20 is mounted behind the cab 10. The catwalk is supported on side members 14 and extends to one side of the truck and over components such as the battery 18. To permit access to the battery and possibly other components, the catwalk can be pivoted from its normal position either about a horizontal axis or about a vertical axis. Since the whole of the catwalk is pivoted, the structural integrity and strength of the catwalk is retained whilst permitting access to components located beneath it. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Truck catwalk This invention relates to a truck which has a catwalk mounted behind the cab. The purpose of the catwalk is to allow access to components mounted at the rear of the cab. The invention is particularly, but not exclusively, intended for use on the traction units of articulated trucks, and in this specification the term "truck" is to be interpreted as including such traction units.

Since these catwalks extend from the side of the vehicle across the centre line to allow proper access, they inevitably extend over other vehicle components to which access may be required.

According to the present invention, there is provided a truck having a catwalk mounted behind the cab and supported on the chassis side members, the catwalk being mounted on the side members in a manner which allows it to be pivoted from its normal position to permit access to components which are located below the catwalk when this is in its normal position.

The catwalk may be pivoted about either a horizontal or a vertical axis. The pivot axis in either case preferably lies adjacent the side member most distant from the side of the truck to which the catwalk extends.

If the pivot axis is horizontal a stay may be provided to hold the catwalk in its raised position.

The invention will now be further described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a rear view of a truck cab showing a first form of pivoted catwalk; and Figure 2 is a plan view of the rear of a truck cab showing a second form of pivoted catwalk.

In Figure 1, a truck cab is indicated at 10. The cab has wheels 1 2 and main chassis side members 14. On one side of the truck a fuel tank 16 is mounted. On the other side, a battery 18 is mounted.

A catwalk 20 is shown in solid lines in its lowered position and in chain dotted lines in its raised position. In its lowered position, the catwalk bridges the two side members 14, extends over the battery 1 8 and to the side of the truck, as can be seen in the figure. At the edge of the catwalk, a rung 22 is mounted to make it easy to climb on to the catwalk.

As can be seen in the figure, the catwalk extends over the top of the battery 1 8. Whilst modern batteries require very little attention, in some particular applications they do tend to need regular maintenance, for example if ancillary electrical equipment such as electric tail lifts are used on the truck. When such maintenance is necessary, the catwalk can be raised from its normal position to the raised position shown in chain-dotted lines. To do this a catch at the outboard end of the catwalk 20 is released (this catch is not shown in the drawing), and the outer end is then raised about a pivot axis 24 which is positioned adjacent the side member 14 most distant from the outboard end of the catwalk. A stay 26 is used to support the catwalk in its raised position, whereupon the battery 1 8 is easily accessible.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, which is a plan view, corresponding parts are given the same reference numerals as they have in Figure 1.

In this figure however the pivot axis 28 of the catwalk is vertical, and the catwalk 20 is swung in a horizontal plane from its normal position shown in solid lines to its temporary position shown in chain-dotted lines. Again, when the temporary position is taken up access is obtained to the battery 1 8.

Suitable catches will be provided to lock the catwalk in its normal position and, if necessary, in its temporary position. These catches are not however shown in the drawings.

Since the whole of the catwalk is pivoted, the structural integrity of the catwalk platform is retained, and none of its inherent strength is sacrificed.

Claims

1. A truck having a catwalk mounted behind the cab and supported on the chassis side members, the catwalk being mounted on the side members in a manner which allows it to be pivoted from its normal position to permit access to components which are located below the catwalk, when this is in its normal position.

2. A truck as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the catwalk is mounted for pivoting movement about a horizontal axis.

3. A truck as claimed in Claim 2, wherein a stay is provided to hold the catwalk in a raised position.

4. A truck as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the catwalk is mounted for pivoting movement about a vertical axis.

5. A truck substantially as herein described with reference to either Figure 1 or Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (5)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Truck catwalk This invention relates to a truck which has a catwalk mounted behind the cab. The purpose of the catwalk is to allow access to components mounted at the rear of the cab. The invention is particularly, but not exclusively, intended for use on the traction units of articulated trucks, and in this specification the term "truck" is to be interpreted as including such traction units. Since these catwalks extend from the side of the vehicle across the centre line to allow proper access, they inevitably extend over other vehicle components to which access may be required. According to the present invention, there is provided a truck having a catwalk mounted behind the cab and supported on the chassis side members, the catwalk being mounted on the side members in a manner which allows it to be pivoted from its normal position to permit access to components which are located below the catwalk when this is in its normal position. The catwalk may be pivoted about either a horizontal or a vertical axis. The pivot axis in either case preferably lies adjacent the side member most distant from the side of the truck to which the catwalk extends. If the pivot axis is horizontal a stay may be provided to hold the catwalk in its raised position. The invention will now be further described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a rear view of a truck cab showing a first form of pivoted catwalk; and Figure 2 is a plan view of the rear of a truck cab showing a second form of pivoted catwalk. In Figure 1, a truck cab is indicated at 10. The cab has wheels 1 2 and main chassis side members 14. On one side of the truck a fuel tank 16 is mounted. On the other side, a battery 18 is mounted. A catwalk 20 is shown in solid lines in its lowered position and in chain dotted lines in its raised position. In its lowered position, the catwalk bridges the two side members 14, extends over the battery 1 8 and to the side of the truck, as can be seen in the figure. At the edge of the catwalk, a rung 22 is mounted to make it easy to climb on to the catwalk. As can be seen in the figure, the catwalk extends over the top of the battery 1 8. Whilst modern batteries require very little attention, in some particular applications they do tend to need regular maintenance, for example if ancillary electrical equipment such as electric tail lifts are used on the truck. When such maintenance is necessary, the catwalk can be raised from its normal position to the raised position shown in chain-dotted lines. To do this a catch at the outboard end of the catwalk 20 is released (this catch is not shown in the drawing), and the outer end is then raised about a pivot axis 24 which is positioned adjacent the side member 14 most distant from the outboard end of the catwalk. A stay 26 is used to support the catwalk in its raised position, whereupon the battery 1 8 is easily accessible. In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, which is a plan view, corresponding parts are given the same reference numerals as they have in Figure 1. In this figure however the pivot axis 28 of the catwalk is vertical, and the catwalk 20 is swung in a horizontal plane from its normal position shown in solid lines to its temporary position shown in chain-dotted lines. Again, when the temporary position is taken up access is obtained to the battery 1 8. Suitable catches will be provided to lock the catwalk in its normal position and, if necessary, in its temporary position. These catches are not however shown in the drawings. Since the whole of the catwalk is pivoted, the structural integrity of the catwalk platform is retained, and none of its inherent strength is sacrificed. Claims

1. A truck having a catwalk mounted behind the cab and supported on the chassis side members, the catwalk being mounted on the side members in a manner which allows it to be pivoted from its normal position to permit access to components which are located below the catwalk, when this is in its normal position.

2. A truck as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the catwalk is mounted for pivoting movement about a horizontal axis.

3. A truck as claimed in Claim 2, wherein a stay is provided to hold the catwalk in a raised position.

4. A truck as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the catwalk is mounted for pivoting movement about a vertical axis.

5. A truck substantially as herein described with reference to either Figure 1 or Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings.