AU2008101058A4 - A wheel stillage - Google Patents

Description

29-10-08;16:01 ;Blake Dawson ;0292585835 3/

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 (Cth) Complete Specification Qantas Airways Limited CHEP Australia Limited Invention Title: A wheel stillage The invention is described in the following statement Level 225 George Street SYDNEY NSW 2000 Australia T 61 2 9258 6000 F 61 2 9258 6999 Our reference: DGC JMOK 02 2001 1865 20544340_2 COMS ID No: ARCS-211559 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:13 Date 2008-10-29 29--10--08;16:01 ;Blake D.--o ;0292585835 4/ 2 00 o A wheel stillage c, FIELD OF THE INVENTION O The present invention broadly relates to the storage and transportation of wheels and relates 0> particularly, although not exclusively, to a wheel stillage.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 00 00 Multiple wheels are often stored in a wheel stillage, which is typically a fixed structure, to prevent O them from falling on their sides or rolling off. There usually exists minimal structural members and a Sgenerally wide access opening in wheel stillages to facilitate loading or unloading of wheels.

00 Meanwhile aircrafts or large vehicles such as dump truck or skid steer loaders may require regular S 10 changing of tyres or wheels. This may involve first unloading a spare wheel from a wheel stillage, Ci and then transporting the wheel to the large vehicle or aircraft that requires the tyre or wheel change. The replaced tyre or wheel may then be transported back to the wheel stillage and loaded on to the wheel stillage. A wheel change therefore may involve the loading, unload and transporting of wheel, which can be time consuming.

Transporting the entire wheel stillage to the desired location, such as next to an aircraft for a wheel change, is either difficult or not recommended. Firstly a generally wide access opening of wheel stillage means that during transportation of the wheel stillage wheels are likely to fall over of roll off the stillage. Secondly a wheel stillage typically stores multiple wheels, not all of which may be required at the same time. Transporting the entire wheel stillage may therefore be a waste of labour.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention there is provided a wheel stillage comprising: a support structure for supporting a wheel; and a retaining member detachably or movably connected to the support structure at an access opening, the retaining member in it closed position being adapted to retain the wheel and in its open position being disposed for loading of the wheel on to the support structure via the access opening.

Preferably the support structure includes a pod to which the retaining member is detachably connected. More preferably the pod is formed predominantly of a plastics material.

Alternatively the support structure includes a framework to which the retaining member is movably connected. In this example the framework is fabricated from metal, typically aluminium.

Preferably the wheel stillage includes a locking mechanism for detachably connecting the retaining member to the support structure. More preferably the locking mechanism includes a retractable pin.

205448340 2 COMS ID No: ARCS-211559 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:13 Date 2008-10-29 29-10--08;16:01 ;Blake Dawson ;0292585835 Al 3 00 O Preferably the wheel stillage further comprises another retaining member detachably or movably C connected to the support structure opposite the retaining member to allow variable separation between said retaining members to accommodate wheels of different widths.

0 0 Preferably the wheel stillage includes a cover for guarding the wheel from moisture or dust and a harness for fastening the cover on the wheel.

Preferably the wheel stillage further comprises transporter access engageable by a transporting 00 device for transporting or manoeuvring the stillage. More preferably the transporter access includes a pair of separated channels located underneath the support structure and adapted to be engaged by lifting tines of the transporting device.

Preferablythe wheel stillage further comprises lifter access accessible by a wheel lifting device for 00 olifting the wheel. More preferably the lifter access is defined by a space defined between the wheel Oand the support structure.

Preferably the support structure is generally elongate and the access opening is located at one of its sides for side loading of the wheel in a direction substantially parallel to the wheel axis.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING FIGURES Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2A shows a top view of a second embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2B shows a side view of the second embodiment.

Fig. 2C shows an end view of the second embodiment.

Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of the first embodiment with two trolleys.

Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of the first embodiment with a cover and harness fitted.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Fig. 1 shows a wheel stillage of one embodiment of the present invention, suitable for use with aircraft wheels or wheels for large-sized vehicle. In this embodiment the wheel stillage 1 comprises a support structure 10 for supporting a wheel 11, and a retaining member 12. The retaining member 12, which in this embodiment is in the form of a elongate bar, is detachably connected to the support structure 10 such that the retaining member 12 can be switched or disposed anywhere between a closed position and an open position. The retaining member 12 in its closed position, such as that shown in Fig. 1 is adapted to retain the wheel 11 and reduce the likelihood of the wheel falling over when it is placed on the support structure, for example, during transportation of the wheel stillage or due to gusty wind on the airport tarmac. The retaining member 12 may be removed, lifted, turned, slid or otherwise manipulated to be disposed in its open position (not 205448340_2 COMS ID No: ARCS-211559 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:13 Date 2008-10-29 29-10--08;16:01 ;Blake Dawson ;0292585835 At 6/ 4 00 o shown) to provide an access opening for loading the wheel on to the support structure 10. For 0 example, one end of the elongate bar 12 may be lifted, allowing the bar 12 to rotate about its other 4 end to provide an opening access. Alternatively, both ends of the bar 12 may be lifted, thereby O detaching the bar 12 entirely from the support structure 10 to provide an access opening.

C*N 5 The detachable connection of the retaining member 12 to the support structure 10 may be achieved via a locking mechanism. One type of locking mechanism may include a retractable pin which secures the retaining member when the pin is extended, and allows release or detachment 00 of the retaining member when the pin is retracted.

In As shown in Fig. 1, the wheel stillage 1 may also comprise another retaining member 16 detachably or movably connected to the support structure 10. The wheel 11 can be located 00 between the two retaining members 12 and 16, which are located opposite each other on opposite sides of the elongate wheel stillage 1 of this embodiment. The detachable or movable connection C of either or both retaining members allows the separation of the two retaining members to be adjusted to accommodate wheels of different widths.

In a preferred embodiment, the wheel stillage 1 includes a pod 14, as shown in Fig. 1, to which the retaining member 12 is connected. In this preferred embodiment the pod 14 is formed predominantly of a plastics material.

Figs. 2A, 2B and 2C show another embodiment of the wheel stillage 2. Uike the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, this embodiment of the wheel stillage 2 comprises a support structure 20 and a retaining member 22. In this embodiment, the retaining member 22 is in the form of a cantilever and is movably connected to the support structure 20 at one end of the cantilever 22. The cantilever 22 in this embodiment is designed so that the other end of the cantilever 22 does not reach the support structure 20. Fig. 2 shows the cantilever 22 in its closed position. To move towards its open position (not shown), the cantilever 22 swings outwardly away from the support structure 20 by rotating or swinging about the end connected to the support structure 20, thereby providing an access opening to load the wheel 21 on to the support structure 20. In this embodiment, the cantilever 22 is one of four cantilevers 22, 26a, 26b and 26c, two on each side of the wheel stillage.

The cantilevers located on the sides of the elongate wheel stillage 2 allows for side loading of the wheel 21 in a direction that is substantially parallel to the wheel axis.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 2A, 2B and 2C the support structure 20 includes a framework 24 to which the cantilever 22, 26a, 26b, and 26c are movably connected. The framework 24 may be fabricated from metal, typically aluminium.

The embodiment of the wheel stillage shown in Fig. 2 also allows for end loading of the wheel 21.

End loading is through another access opening 28 defined by another retaining member in form of a slidable curtain (not shown) at one end 28 of the wheel stillage 2. The slidable curtain in its 205448340 2 COMS ID No: ARCS-211559 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:13 Date 2008-10-29 29-10-08;16:01 ;Blake Dawson ;0292585835 417/ 00 o closed position retains the wheel 21 in the wheel stillage 2, and in its open position allows end 0 loading of the wheel 21 in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the wheel axis.

o Referring back to the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the wheel stillage 1 further comprises a pair of 0 separated channels 30a and 30b located underneath the support structure. Theses channels form the transporter access by which a transporting device such as a forklift may engage. For example, these channels 30a and 30b may be engaged by the lifting tines of a forklift such that the entire wheel stillage 1 may be lifted off the ground and transported elsewhere by the forklift. Similarly, in 00 the embodiment shown in Fig. 2, the wheel stillage 2 also comprises two channels 40a and 0 engageable by a forklift and located underneath the support structure O 10 Fig. 3 shows the wheel stlllage 1 of the first embodiment of Fig. 1 which is designed to be lifted by 00 a trolley 42 having a hydraulically driven arm 44 for lifting the wheel stillage 1. The trolley may include a draw bar 46 for towing and thus manoeuvring the wheel stillage 1. The trolley can be Ci attached to either the stillage or a second trolley to form a carriage effect to enable towing of more than one wheel stillage and/or trolley at a time.

Fig. 4 shows the first embodiment of Fig.s 1 and 3 together with a cover 32 for guarding the wheel 11 from moisture or dust and a harness 34 for fastening the cover 32 on the wheel 11..

The wheel stillage may comprise lifter access accessible by a wheel lifting device, for example, for lifting the wheel or for the loading and unloading of a wheel. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the lifter access is formed by spaces 50a and 50b, into which lifting arms of the wheel lifting device may extend. The lifting arms when raised can therefore lift the wheel 11. The wheel stillage 1 shown in Fig. 1 also includes a pair of channels 60a and 60b for receiving base portions of a suitable wheel lifting device while the lifting arms are extended into the spaces 50 a and 50b. A suitable wheel lifting device to be used with the embodiment of the wheel stillage shown in Fig. 1 is the Semmco Wheel and Brake Changer (hereinafter referred to as the Wheel Changer), which Is a wheel lifting device for lifting aircraft wheels. The lifting arms of the Wheel Changer are supported on a body which includes base portions formed by two elongate members pointing in substantially the same direction as the lifting arms. Caster or roller wheels are also attached on the elongate members for the mobility of the Wheel Changer. Sketches of the Wheel Changer are shown at http://www.Diwdesian.co.ulksemmco2/dfsMWheel-Break-Changer-SEMMCO.pdf Various ways in which a wheel in the wheel stillage may be manipulated using the Wheel Changer are now described.

A wheel in the wheel stillage may be lifted, for example for mounting on an aircraft, with the help of the Wheel Changer in the following procedure. Referring to Fig. 1, as the Wheel Changer (not shown) is moved towards the wheel stillage 1 in a direction substantially parallel to the wheel axis, the two elongate members (not shown) may be received into the two troughs 60a and respectively, while the lifting arms (not shown) of the Wheel Changer are extended into the spaces 2054483402 COMS ID No: ARCS-211559 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:13 Date 2008-10-29 29-10-08;16:01 ;Blake Dawson ;0292585835 4 S/ is 6 o 50a and 50b. The lifting arms may then be raised and lift the wheel 11 off the wheel stillage 1. If O necessary the retaining member 12 may be switched to the open position to provide more room for upward movement of the lifting arms.

0 A wheel in the wheel stillage may also be unloaded from the wheel stillage with the help of the Wheel Changer as follows. Referring to the wheel lifting procedure above, after the lifting arms are raised and the wheel 11 lifted off the wheel stillage 1, the retaining member 12 is detached, providing an access opening for the wheel 11 to be removed. The Wheel Changer may then move 00 away from the wheel stillage 1, thereby unloading the wheel 1 from the wheel stillage 1. To load the Swheel 11 on to the wheel stillage 1, the above procedure for unloading the wheel may be reversed.

This allows for side loading of the wheel 11 on to the wheel stillage 1 in a direction substantially parallel to the wheel axis.

00 O Now that several preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in some Sdetail, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the wheel stillage has at least the following advantages: Transportation of the wheel stillage becomes practicable since the wheel is not likely to fall off the wheel stillage. This may simplify the procedure in loading or unloading the wheel.

The wheel can be both transported and stored in the wheel stillage. This means that transportation of the wheel itself Is not necessary.

Most of the manual handling associated with manoeuvring, transport and storage of the wheel is eliminated. This means reducing the risk of injury.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. For example, the retaining member may be curved rather than straight to provide greater access to the wheel even when the retaining member is in its closed position. The lifter access may be located on top of the support structure rather than underneath the support structure. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

2054483402 COMS ID No: ARCS-211559 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:13 Date 2008-10-29

Claims (1)

1. 29--10-08;16:01 ;Blake Dawson ;0292585835 8/ 7 00 SCLAIMS 1. A wheel stillage comprising: O a support structure for supporting a wheel; and a retaining member detachably or movably connected to the support structure at an access opening, the retaining member in it closed position being adapted to retain the wheel and in its open position being disposed for loading of the wheel on to the support structure 00 via the access opening. C A wheel stillage as claimed in claim 1 wherein the support structure includes a pod or a framework to which the retaining member is detachably or movably connected. 00 10 3. A wheel stillage as claimed in either of claims 1 or 2 wherein the wheel stillage further o comprises another retaining member detachably or movably connected to the support structure Sopposite the retaining member to allow variable separation between said retaining members to accommodate wheels of different widths. 4. A wheel stillage as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the wheel stillage further comprises lifter access accessible by a wheel lifting device for lifting the wheel. A wheel stillage as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the wheel stillage includes a cover for guarding the wheel from moisture or dust and a harness for fastening the cover on the wheel. 205448340 2 COMS ID No: ARCS-211559 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:13 Date 2008-10-29