JP2003509315A - Transporter - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Problem] To provide a transporter for delivering goods to a shop located on a shopping street which is crowded and is difficult to access by truck and has no sufficient parking space. A transporter (1) for transporting goods between a truck (32) and a shop located in a narrow and inaccessible place, wherein the transporter (1) includes a frame portion (2) and a transport portion (1) between a lifting position and a lowering position. And a support platform 8 which can be moved up and down by the frame portion 2. The transporter 1 is provided with means for detachably fixing the transporter 1 to the loading / unloading opening of the large article carrier of the truck 32, and the transporter 1 is transported by the truck 32 in such a fixed state.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

The present invention is a transporter for transporting material on a cargo carrier, such as a truck, between a material carrier and a material destination, and a congested destination that is difficult to access, such as a crowded shopping street. On how to deliver goods to.

One problem that is becoming more and more serious is the delivery of goods to shops located on shopping streets that are crowded and difficult to reach by truck and do not have adequate parking and loading / unloading areas.

[0003]   One object of the invention is to solve this problem.

According to a first aspect of the invention, a transporter for transporting material between a material carrier and a material destination, for example a truck, and a shop located in a congested and inaccessible location, The transporter comprises a frame portion and a support platform movable up and down between a lifting position and a lowering position in the frame portion,
The transporter comprises means for removably securing the transporter in a loading / unloading opening of a large carrier for material such as a truck, in which state the transporter can be carried by the carrier. A transporter is provided.

A truck equipped with a transporter according to the invention therefore has the problem of reaching the shop and in front of difficult-to-access shop doors during loading and unloading, which often lead to traffic jams, in addition to the problem of finding a parking lot. You no longer have to stop. In the present invention, it is possible to park the truck in a general parking lot, then load the transporter with the goods, separate them from the truck, and place the goods on the transporter to deliver them to the final destination.

The platform of the transporter preferably comprises one or more wheels, which are attached to the transporter and are foldable between a storage non-use position and a use position. .

[0007]   Since the platform is equipped with wheels, it is easy to handle and operate.

The shape of the platform is preferably formed such that the platform fits within a recess in the floor of a large carrier for materials such as trucks, the platform being fixed to the carrier when secured to the carrier. Can act as part of the floor.

Since the platform can function as part of the floor of the truck, it is very easy to carry items from the truck to the platform.

The possible shape of the support platform is such that the support platform fits within the pallet opening and can be removed from the pallet opening, whereby an item placed on the pallet is loaded. Easy loading and unloading.

[0011]   Further aspects of the invention are described in claims 5-12.

A second aspect of the present invention relates to a cargo carrier comprising the above-mentioned transporter according to claims 13 to 15.

In such a cargo carrier, a larger amount of cargo can be transported to the parking lot, and then the cargo is moved by the transporter between the parking lot and the shop difficult to access by truck. It is possible.

A third aspect of the invention is to drive the load carrier to a suitable parking lot, to unload the goods to be loaded onto the platform of the transporter, and to lower the fork element of the transporter. To bring the fork element into contact with the ground, removing the transporter from the carrier opening, moving the transporter platform downwards, the wheels of the transporter platform. Unloading the wheel to reach the use position of the wheel, which allows the transporter and the goods to be moved to a desired position, for delivering goods using the aforementioned cargo carrier. Regarding the method.

One further aspect of the invention is a method of involving a material carrier, such as a truck, a transporter as described above, and a third carrier, such as a hand truck pallet truck, in which the cargo is loaded onto the carrier. Removed from the space and placed on the platform of the transporter, then the transporter with the cargo and the third means of transport is moved, then the cargo is unloaded from the platform by the third means of transport, And vice versa.

The third carrier and / or the transporter may further comprise fixing means.

If provided with fixing means, the third carrier can be used to wrap the cargo on the rear side of the platform, so that during use of the transporter the cargo falls on the rear side. I don't get it.

[0018]   The invention is explained below on the basis of the following description with reference to the figures.

The transporter 1 of FIG. 1 comprises a frame part 2, a housing 4 for housing a motor (not shown), an upright movable carrier 6, and a support platform 8 mounted on the carrier 6. The fork 10 includes two forks 10 extending from the housing 4, and the fork 10 includes a roller 12 located at a front end of the fork 10.
It has two rear wheels 14 and a steering column 16.

The platform 8 comprises a pivotable flap 18 at the front end. The platform 8 also comprises two folding wheels 20, which are mounted in a wheel suspension 22, which suspension 22 comprises:
Is pivotally arranged in two longitudinal profiles 24 mounted on the underside of the.

The hydraulic piston rod mechanism 26 extends from below the platform 8 and is located below the flap 18 and on the front end of the platform 8.

The carrier 6 is movable in the frame part 2 upwards and downwards, whereby the platform 8 is also movable upwards and downwards.

In the lowered position of the platform 8, the platform 8 contacts the surface of the fork 10 (see FIG. 3). In this position the platform wheels 20 are folded off. When the piston rod is retracted, the front end of the flap 18 contacts the ground, facilitating the transition between the ground and the platform 8, as shown in FIG.

In the extended position of the piston rod 26, the piston rod mechanism 26 moves to the flap 18
Ensure that is aligned with the platform 8 (see FIG. 1).

In one position, not shown, the platform wheels 20 move the platform 8
Is in the lowered position of the platform, it contacts the ground at the folded position of the wheel 20, in which case the wheel 20 functions as the front wheel of the transporter 1. In this state, the rollers 12 of the fork 10 no longer contact the ground.

The platform 8 and front flap 18 have a cross-sectional profile that fits within a recess 26 in the floor 28 of the container space 30 of the truck 32 (see FIGS. 2 and 4).

The transporter 1 can be fixed to the rear side of the track 32 by fixing means (not shown). In this fixed position, the platform 8 and the forks 10 engage the rear side 39 of the truck 32. In this fixed state (see FIG. 6), the transporter 1
Can be moved by truck.

[0028]   The container opening of the truck can be closed in this state (see Figure 6).

[0029]   During use, trucks and transporters can be driven into the parking lot.

The rear side of the truck is then opened, and then the fork 10, the rear wheel 14, the housing 4, the steering column 16, and the frame portion 2 of the transporter 1 are lowered, and the rear wheel 14 and the fork 10 are moved. The front roller 12 of the above-mentioned contact with the ground (see FIG. 4). The pallet truck 38 located in the container space of the truck 32 is then driven to the platform 8 of the transporter 1.

The transporter 1 is then steered away from the truck 32 (see FIG. 5), then the wheels 20 of the platform 8 are folded down and the platform 8 is moved.
Can be lowered and the transporter 1 and pallet truck 38 can be moved to their destination.

The embodiment of FIG. 7 has two upper forks 50 separated from each other. The pallet can thus be loaded directly with the forks 50. The pivotable wheels are in this case mounted on a fork 50, the platform being pushed onto the fork part as if the platform were a pallet, hooked or otherwise fixed. .

In this way, it is possible to utilize the platform and transporter separately.

The platform can be used to cover the recesses in the loading floor of a truck at floor level, even if the transporter is not transported or if the transporter delivers pallets directly onto the forks.

A transporter with an upper fork can be removed from the truck with the platform still in the recess of the freight container.

The lower fork may have a wider width than the platform or the upper fork. Therefore, it is not located exactly below the platform.

[0037]   The lower fork may have a width that is approximately the same as the outer width of the truck.

[0038]   The platform may have a width that is approximately the same as the inner width of the track.

One or more of the pivotable wheels may be oriented transversely to the forks. During disengagement from the truck, the transporter can in this case run backwards on the rollers and laterally on pivotable wheels mounted on the platform.

The pivotable wheels are folded off while the platform is loaded,
Or it can be folded down. The purpose of the fold-down wheels is to combine space with the provision of the option of being able to carry cargo on the platform closer to the ground, e.g. in connection with driving a pallet truck closer or further away. To save money.

Furthermore, it is possible that the entire transporter (including the frame part) is fixed in a recess in the contour of the freight container so that the transporter does not project outside the contour of the freight container at all. is there. If the loading space is closed, the transporter is in this embodiment completely enclosed in the loading space and protected against rain, theft and damage.

[0042]   It is also possible that the platform comprises walls (removable, side walls).

The flap 18 may be lockable in a vertical position. This is to limit the size and / or to enclose the cargo during use as a transporter.

[0044]   The recess in the loading floor of the truck can be closed on the underside.

It is important that the upper surface of the platform or upper fork preferably has a connection which is substantially flush with the surface of the freight container of the material carrier.

The entire transporter can fit into the recess of the (closed) loading space, even on the side of the loading space of the truck (see FIGS. 8 and 9).

In a second preferred embodiment of the transporter 100 of FIGS. 10-12, the lower fork 110 is moveable up and down within the frame portion 112 by a piston rod mechanism 114, which has a piston rod mechanism 114. Mechanism 11
4 on the bottom cross beam 115 of the frame 112, and on the top of the piston rod 114 on the horizontal transverse upper part of the lower fork 110.

An upper fork 124, which also includes front wheels (not shown), extends from the vertically movable cross beam 118.

The cross beam 118 comprises two upstanding sleeves 122 on the ends of the cross beam 118, which sleeves 122 have two lateral arms 126 of the frame 112.
It can be moved up and down around.

The transverse frame beam 128 extends between the upper ends of the side arms 126.

The piston rod assembly 130 is fixed to the frame beam 128 at the upper end of the piston rod assembly 130 and to the cross beam 118 of the upper fork 124 at the bottom end of the piston rod assembly 130. The upper fork 124 is thus movable up and down around the frame 112.

Two recesses 132 corresponding to the upper forks 124 may be provided in the floor 136 of the truck.

The innermost end of the upper fork 124 comprises a hole or slot 140 (FIG. 1).
See also 1).

The locking mechanism 142 is mounted between the recesses 132 in the floor 136 of the truck.

The locking mechanism 142 includes two opposing arms 144 with a nose portion 146.
Have.

[0056]   The spring 148 extends between the two arms 144.

The arm 144 is pivotally mounted on the rectangular body 150 and has a rectangular body 150.
Comprises a rod 152 at the front of the rectangular body 150, the rod 152 being movably mounted in a fixed block 154. This block 154 is fixed to the floor of the truck.

Each arm 144 comprises two cables 156 at the upper end of each arm 144
Two cables 156 are guided through the triangular section 158 to
Together at the top of 58 is one cable 160. When the cable 160 is pulled and tensioned, the two cables 156 are also pulled and tensioned, and the arm 14
The four nose portions 146 are pulled inwardly so that these noses 146 are no longer in the holes 140 of the upper forks 124 and then the upper forks 124 can be removed.

When the cable 156 is strained, the body 150 of the coupling mechanism 142 causes the arm 14 to move.
4 is pushed downwards, which causes the rod 152 to extend into a corresponding recess 162 in the floor of the truck.

When the transporter 100 is mounted on the truck, the upper fork 124 pushes the nose 146 of the arm 144 inwardly, so that the nose is lifted.
Into the hole 140 of the truck, which locks the transporter in the floor of the truck.

After locking the transporter in the floor of the truck, the body 150 of the locking mechanism 142 is placed further forward in the recess in the floor of the truck, which pulls the transporter further into the floor, Good positioning is effective.

The transporter 100 is locked to or removed from the truck as follows.

The transporter can be close to the truck container so that the upper fork 124 is generally aligned with the truck floor recess 132.

It is desirable for the top fork 124 to be able to access the recess 132 in one straight line, otherwise the transporter can access the track “out of line”,
In this case the attachment aligns itself.

The self-weight of the transporter helps to find the correct point of engagement within the floor recess 132.

When the rod 117 of the piston rod combination 114 is moved upwards, the lower fork 110 is pushed towards the housing 4 towards the housing 4, which tilts the transporter 100 as a whole rearward.

When the lower fork 110 is lifted up with respect to the housing 4 as shown in FIG. 10, the transporter as a whole tilts forward.

Taking advantage of this technical possibility, the support point of the transporter moves from the support located at the front end of the fork 110 to the front end of the upper fork 124 during the coupling with the truck and the loading on the truck. It can be moved to a support point located. Lower fork 1
The support point located at the front end of 10 is thus the
It is moved to the support point located at the front end of 24. In this way the transporter
When the transporter and truck are locked together, they cannot be hung from the truck.

The transporter is thus moved forward until the upper fork is locked to the floor of the truck in the above manner.

As shown in FIG. 6, when the housing and lower fork are lifted, they are fully locked and then the transporter is ready to be moved by the truck.

Removal of the transporters is possible in the reverse order. The transporter is removed only when the body 150 of the coupling mechanism 142 is returned (as shown in FIG. 12) and the cables 156, 160 are strained.

The invention is not limited to the previously described preferred embodiments of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims, and many variations are possible within the scope of the claims.

[Brief description of drawings]

[Figure 1]   1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a transporter according to the present invention.

[Fig. 2]   FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a cargo carrier and transporter according to the present invention.

[Figure 3]   FIG. 3 is a further perspective view showing the transporter of FIG. 1 partially cut away.

FIG. 4 is a partial cutaway perspective view of a transporter and truck according to the present invention during pallet unloading.

FIG. 5 is a partially cutaway perspective view of a transporter and truck according to the present invention during pallet unloading.

[Figure 6]   It is a perspective view of the transporter fixed to the truck.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a load carrier and transporter according to the present invention.

[Figure 8]   FIG. 7 is a further perspective view showing the transporter with a part thereof cut away.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a state where the transporter is partially cut away and is enclosed in a truck.

[Figure 10]   FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of a transporter according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view, partially cut away, showing a removable lock mechanism for detachably locking a transporter on a truck, for example.

FIG. 12 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing a removable lock mechanism for detachably locking a transporter on a truck, for example.

[Procedure for Amendment] Submission for translation of Article 34 Amendment of Patent Cooperation Treaty

[Submission date] December 5, 2001 (2001.12.5)

[Procedure Amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Name of item to be amended] Claims

[Correction method] Change

[Contents of correction]

[Claims]

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Claims (19)

[Claims] 1. A transporter for transporting material between a material carrier and a material destination, such as a truck and a shop located in a congested area that is difficult to access, wherein the transporter is a frame portion. And a support platform movable up and down on the frame portion between a lifting position and a lowering position, wherein the transporter is for loading / unloading a large carrier for material such as, for example, a truck.
A transporter comprising removable fixing means for removably fixing the transporter in a shipping opening, wherein the transporter can be carried by the carrier in the fixed state. 2. The platform of claim 1, wherein the platform comprises one or more wheels, the wheels mounted on the transporter and foldable between a storage non-use position and a use position. Transporter. 3. The shape of the platform is realized such that the platform can fit within a recess in the floor of a heavy duty truck for materials such as trucks, the platform being fixed when secured to the carrier. A transporter according to claim 1 or 2 which can function as part of a bed of carriers. 4. The possible shape of the support platform is realized such that the support platform can be inserted into and removed from the pallet opening. Any one up to
The transporter according to item. 5. Further comprising a fork-shaped support element arranged on the frame part, wherein the arrangement of the fork-shaped support element is such that the fork-shaped support element comprises:
The transporter according to any one of claims 1 to 4, which is realized so as to extend forward under the support platform when in use. 6. The transporter of claim 5, wherein the fork element comprises one or more rollers on the front side. 7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising an energy source for moving the platform up and down and / or moving the transporter forward / backward. Transporter. 8. The transporter according to claim 1, further comprising steering means for steering the transporter between a loading location and a loading location. 9. The fixing means comprises the platform and the fork-shaped support, the fork-shaped support being capable of being fixed below an opening of a load carrier, the platform being on a floor of the load carrier opening. 9. The transporter according to any one of claims 1 to 8, which can be fixed, whereby the floor of the load carrier is sandwiched between the fork support and the platform. 10. A transport means, preferably a pallet truck, further comprising: said transport means being capable of being removably coupled to said transporter. Transporter described in. 11. The fork according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the fork element is movable up and down by a piston rod mechanism mounted between the fork element and the frame portion. Transporter. 12. The transporter according to claim 1, wherein the support comprises two projecting upper forks provided with locking holes. 13. A cargo carrier, for example a truck, comprising a transporter according to any one of claims 1-12. 14. The cargo carrier according to claim 13, wherein the floor of the cargo carrier storage location is provided with a recess corresponding to the peripheral cross-sectional contour of the platform. 15. A locking mechanism, the locking mechanism comprising two pivotable lock nose elements located opposite one another, the lock nose element comprising the upper fork of the transporter. First extending into said hole of
13 or 14 pivotable between a locked position of the and a second released position.
The cargo carrier described in. 16. Use of a transporter according to any one of claims 1 to 12 for transporting goods between a load carrier and an inaccessible shipping location. 17. Use of a transporter according to any one of claims 13 to 15 for transporting goods on a carrier. 18. Driving said cargo carrier to a suitable parking lot;
Lowering an item to be unloaded onto the platform of the transporter; moving the fork element of the transporter downward to bring the fork element into contact with the ground; Removing the porter and moving the transporter platform downward to lower the wheels of the transporter platform to reach the position of use of the wheels, whereby the transporter and the item are desired. Claim 13 to Claim 1, which can be moved to
A method of transporting an item using the cargo carrier according to any one of items 5 to 5. 19. Moving cargo from the loading space of the cargo carrier to the transporter; moving the transporter downward; and removably coupled to the transporter, such as a pallet truck. 14. A method according to claims 13 to 1, comprising the step of driving the vehicle away.
A method of transporting an item using the cargo carrier according to any one of items 5 to 5.