AU2017201620A1

AU2017201620A1 - A trailer

Info

Publication number: AU2017201620A1
Application number: AU2017201620A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Michael Joseph Murray
Original assignee: MICK MURRAY WELDING N T Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Mick Murray Welding (nt) Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2016-03-11
Filing date: 2017-03-09
Publication date: 2017-09-28
Also published as: AU2017101939A4

Abstract

A trailer (10) to transport bananas. The trailer (10) receives trolleys (15) on a lowered surface (18), as well as an upper frame (19). The upper frame (19) is movable between a lowered position and a raised position to provide for location of the trolleys on the frame (19), and location of the trolleys on the surface (18). 11277r,,Acq 1-hva

Description

1 2017201620 09 Mar 2017

A TRAILER

FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to trailers, and more particularly to trailers to transport trolleys.

BACKGROUND

[0002] In harvesting of bananas, banana trolleys are employed. The trolleys are frequently referenced to as “tops”. The trolleys are merely a chassis from which there extends side walls to provide a cavity within which the bananas are stacked. Attached to the chassis are small metal wheels that provide for movement of the trolleys.

[0003] Once the trolleys have been filled with bananas, they are moved to a central location where they are mounted on trailers and transported two at a time. The trailers are attached to prime movers.

[0004] The above discussed method of transporting bananas is inefficient as the number of trolleys transported by the prime mover is limited to two.

OBJECT

[0005] It is the object of the present invention to overcome or substantially ameliorate the above disadvantage.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0006] There is disclosed herein an assembly to transport trolleys having wheels, the assembly including: a longitudinally elongated chassis, the chassis having a longitudinally elongated support surface upon which the trolleys are supported and along which the trolleys can move by engagement of the support surface by the trolley wheels; trailer wheels fixed to the chassis to at least partly support the chassis for movement along a road surface; and 112775309 1:hxa 2 2017201620 09 Mar 2017 a longitudinally elongated frame to receive at least one of the trolleys, the frame being mounted on the chassis and maintained generally parallel thereto, the frame being movable relative to the chassis between a lowered position at which the frame is located adjacent the chassis, and a raised position at which the frame is located above the chassis so that a space is provided between the frame and the chassis to provide for location of at least one trolley on the support surface; and motor means to move the frame between the raised and lowered positions.

[0007] Preferably, the assembly includes a plurality of arms pivotally attached to the chassis for angular movement about axes generally transverse of the chassis, and the motor means includes a plurality of rams extending between the chassis and arms to cause angular movement thereof, with the arms also being pivotally attached to the frame so that angular movement of the arms raises and lowers the frame relative to the chassis.

[0008] Preferably, the trolley wheels are arranged in pairs that are transversely spaced, and wherein the frame has a transverse width less than a transverse width between each pair of trolley wheels, so that the frame engages a floor of each of the trolleys to be raised by the frame, with the each trolley to be supported on the frame is moved along the surface to be positioned to be raised by the frame.

[0010] Preferably the chassis has a forward portion, with the assembly having a first catch at the forward portion configured to releasably engage a trolley mounted at the forward portion and supported on said surfaces.

[0011] Preferably the assembly includes a second catch, the second catch being located toward the rear portion from the front portion and operable to engage one of the trolleys to be supported on the frame, to retain the trolley prior to being supported on the frame.

[0012] Preferably the assembly includes a third catch assembly, the third catch assembly being located towards the rear portion from the second catch assembly, to engage a trolley adjacent the rear portion to retain the trolley in position.

[0013] Preferably the third catch assembly is movable between an operative position to engage a trolley, and in an operative position providing for the movement of trolleys thereby. 112775309 1:hxa 3 2017201620 09 Mar 2017 [0014] Preferably, the assembly includes a fourth catch, the fourth catch being mounted on the frame and operable to retain the trolleys on the frame.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0009] Preferred forms of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: [0015] Figure 1 is a schematic side elevation of a trailer to transport trolleys that store bananas; [0016] Figure 2 is a further schematic side elevation of the trailer of Figure 1; [0017] Figure 3 is a schematic end elevation of the trailer of Figure 1; [0018] Figure 4 is a further schematic end elevation of the trailer of Figure 1; [0019] Figure 5 is a schematic isometric view of a front portion of the trailer of Figure 1; [0020] Figure 6 is a further schematic isometric view of the front portion of Figure 5; [0021] Figure 7 is a schematic isometric view of a catch employed in the trailer of Figure 1; [0022] Figure 8 is a schematic isometric view of a further catch employed in the trailer of Figure i; [0023] Figure 9 is a schematic isometric view of the catch of the Figure 8; [0024] Figure 10 is a further schematic isometric view of the catch of Figure 8; [0025] Figure 11 is a still further schematic isometric view of the catch of Figure 8; [0026] Figure 12 is a schematic side elevation of a further catch employed in the trailer of Figure 1; and [0027] Figure 13 is a schematic side elevation of the catch of Figure 12. 112775309 1:hxa 4 2017201620 09 Mar 2017

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0028] In the accompanying drawings there is schematically depicted a trailer 10. The trailer 10 has a forward portion 11 that is intended to be attached to a prime mover via a “5th wheel” assembly. The trailer 10 also has a rear portion 12.

[0029] The trailer 10 includes a longitudinally elongated chassis 13. Supporting the chassis 13 is a plurality of wheel and axel assemblies 14.

[0030] The trailer 10 is intended to receive and transport a plurality of trolleys 15. The trolleys 15 are intended to receive bananas. In particular, each trolley 15 includes a floor 16 to which there is attached a plurality of wheels 17. Extending upwardly from the floor 16 is a plurality of sides that surround a cavity that receives the bananas.

[0031] The chassis 13 includes one or more longitudinally extending surfaces 18. The surfaces 18 are engaged by the wheels 17 to support the trolleys 15 on the chassis 13, and to provide for longitudinal movement of the trolleys 15 along the chassis 13.

[0032] Mounted on the chassis 13 is a frame 19 that is longitudinally elongated and substantially parallel to the chassis 13. The frame 19 is movable relative to the chassis 13 between a lowered position, (as shown in Figure 1) in which the frame 19 is adjacent the chassis 13 and a raised position (as shown in Figure 2) at which the frame 19 is raised above the chassis 13 so as to provide a space that receives two of the trolleys 15 between the frame 19 and the chassis 13.

[0033] When raising and lowering the frame 19 relative to the chassis 13, the frame 19 is held generally parallel to the chassis 13, and more particularly is maintained in a generally horizontal orientation.

[0034] Pivotally attached to the sides of the chassis 13 is a plurality of arms 20, each arm 20 is pivotally movable about a generally horizontal axis, extending generally transverse relative to the chassis 13. Each arm 20 is pivotally mounted intermediate its ends, with one end of each arm 20 engaged by a hydraulic or pneumatic ram 21. Operation of the rams 21 causes angular movement of the arms 20. 112775309_1:hxa 5 2017201620 09 Mar 2017 [0035] Each arm 20 is also pivotally attached to the frame 19, to provide for relative pivoting movement between each arm 20 about a generally horizontal axis, relative to the frame 19. Accordingly, by operation of the rams 21, the frame 19 is moved between the raised and lowered positions as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

[0036] Pivotally attached to the forward portion 11 is a pair of further arms 22 that are each attached to the frame 19 by a bracket 23. Rams 21 extend between the arms 22 and chassis 13 to cause angular movement of the arms 22 in unison with the arms 20, to aid in raising and lowering the frame 19.

[0037] The frame 19, in transverse width, is narrower than the transverse width between the wheels 17. Accordingly, when loading the trolleys 15 on the frame 19, the wheels 17 move along the surfaces 18. Once two upper trolleys are correctly positioned, the rams 20 and 24 are activated to raise the frame 19. The frame 19 engages the floor 16 of each upper trolley 15 so as to raise with the frame 19 the two other trolleys 15.

[0038] Once the frame 19 is in the raised position, two lower trolleys may be loaded onto the chassis 13 by movement along the surfaces 18.

[0039] The trailer 10 has a number of catch assemblies 27, 28 and 29.

[0040] The catch assemblies 27, 28 and 29 assist in retaining the trolleys 15 in position during loading and unloading, particularly when the trailer 11 is on a sloping surface.

[0041] The catch assembly 27 is positioned adjacent the forward portion 11 of the trailer 10 and is intended to engage one of the trolleys 15 supported on the surfaces 18 adjacent the forward portion 11. The catch 27 includes a pivotally mounted shaft 30 operated by means of a handle 31 that is moved angularly about the transverse axis 32.

[0042] Attached to the shafts 30 so as to be moved thereby is a pair of movable catch members 33. Each catch member 33 is operably associated with a fixed catch member 34. Each catch member 34 has a rearwardly facing slot 35 that receives a transverse bar of the associated trolley 15 to be engaged by the catch 27. 112775309 1:hxa 6 2017201620 09 Mar 2017 [0043] The movable catch members 33 are movable between a closed position (Figure 5) and an open position (Figure 6). Initially the movable catch members 33 would be in the open position allowing a transverse bar of the trolley 15 to enter the slot 35. Once the bar is in the slot 35, the handle 31 is operated to move the catch members 33 to the closed position thereby retaining the associated trolley 15 secured in position.

[0044] Rearwardly of the catch 27 is the catch 28. The catch 28 is intended to engage the forward trolley 15 that is to be supported by the frame 19. When the particular trolley 15 is being loaded, the abovementioned transverse bar is moved past the catch 28. The catch 28 then engages the trolley 15 and retains it in position until the frame 19 is raised supporting the upper trolleys 15.

[0045] The catch 28 includes a pivotally mounted catch member 36 that is angularly movable about a generally transverse axis 37. The catch member 36 is movable between an engaging position and a release position, with a spring 38 urging the catch member 36 to the engaging position.

[0046] The catch member 36 has an end barb 39 to engage the abovementioned transverse bar of the associated trolley 15.

[0047] In operation of the catch 28, as the trolley 15 to be supported on the frame 19 at the forward end thereof, is being loaded, the abovementioned bar moves past the catch member 28 by causing deflection of the catch member 28 so that the barb 39 moves downward. Once the bar has moved pasted the barb 39, the spring 38 returns the barb 39 to a catch position preventing rearward movement of the associated trolley 15. When the frame 19 is raised, the trolley bar leaves engagement with the catchment 28 and is merely retained in position by being mounted on the frame 19. During unloading, when the frame 19 is lowered, the forward upper trolley 15 is lowered again engaging the catch 19 and is retained in position. The catch member 36 is moved to the release position to provide for unloading of the trolley 15.

[0048] Spaced rearwardly from the catch 28 is the catch 29. The catch 29 is intended to engage and retain in position the rear trolley 15 supported on the surfaces 18. However, the catch 29 needs to be operable to allow the forward trolleys 15 to pass thereby, including the trolleys 15 to be engaged by the catch 27, and the forward trolley 15 that is to be supported on the frame 19. 112775309_1:hxa 7 2017201620 09 Mar 2017 [0049] The catch 29 includes a lever 40 fixed to a shaft 41. Operation of the lever 40 causes angular movement of the lever 40 and the shaft 41 angularly about the axis 42 to move the catch assembly 29 from an operative position as shown in Figures 10 and 11, to a folded position as shown in Figure 9. A transit position is shown in Figure 8.

[0050] In the folded position (Figure 9) the catch assembly 29 is displaced so as not be engageable with any trolley 50 passing thereby.

[0051] In the operative position as shown in Figures 10 and 11, the catch assembly 29 is positioned to engage a trolley 15 to be retained at the rear portion 50 and resting on the surfaces 18.

[0052] The catch assembly 29 includes first catch members 44, and second catch members 45. The catch members 44 and 45 are arranged in cooperating pairs, with each pair of catch members 44 and 45 being attached to a transverse shaft 47. The linkages 51 cause angular movement of the catch members 44 and 45 about the transverse axis 47 between the operative and retracted positions, by operation of the lever 40.

[0053] The catch members 44 and 45 are also angularly moveable relative to each other about the axis 47, so as to be angularly displaceable to provide for engagement with a transverse bar of an associated trolley 15 to be engaged in the catch 29.

[0054] The catch members 44 each have a slot 48 to receive the bar of the trolley, with the catch members 45 being operable to retain trolley bar secured in positioned. The catch members 44 and 45 are urged to the retaining position by means of springs 49. A user operable release mechanism would provide for displacement of the catch members 44 and 45 to release the trolley bar to thereby release the trolley 15 for movement.

[0055] Mounted adjacent the forward portion 11 is a motor or manually drive winch 25 that is engaged by a belt 26. The remote end of the belt 26 is attached to the end trolley 15, so that upon operation of the winch 25, the belt 26 is tensioned to retain the lower trolleys 15 in position, and if required to move the trolleys 15 longitudinally of the chassis 13. 112775309 1:hxa 8 2017201620 09 Mar 2017 [0056] The upper trolleys 15 rest directly on the frame 19 so that the wheels 17 are not in contact with any supporting surface. Accordingly the frame 19 engages the upper trolleys 15 to retain them in position.

[0057] Preferably, the trolleys 15 are retained on the frame 19 by a catch assembly 51. A catch assembly 51 would be located on each longitudinal side of trailer 10, with each catch assembly 51 being secured to the frame 19.

[0058] Each catch assembly 15 includes a pivotally mounted arm 52 that moves angularly in the direction 53 about a pivot 54. An end portion of the arm 52 includes a pair of recesses 55 that engage flanges 56 of the trolleys 15 to retain the trolleys 15 on the frame 19.

[0059] Each arm 52 is pivotable between an engaging position with respect to the flanges 56 (Figure 13), and a release position (Figure 12).

[0060] Each arm 52 is operatively associated with a pivotally mounted actuator 57 that engages a slot in the arm 52 to move the arm 52 between the engaging position and the release position. The actuator 57 is engaged by a lower frame part to cause angular movement of the actuator 57, to move the arm 52 between the two positions. The actuator 57 is operated to move the arm 52 to the release position, when the frame 19 is moved to its lowered position. Preferably a spring 58 urges the actuator 57 to move the arm 52 to the engaging position. 112775309_1:hxa

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. An assembly to transport trolleys having wheels, the assembly including: a longitudinally elongated chassis, the chassis having a longitudinally elongated support surface upon which the trolleys are supported and along which the trolleys can move by engagement of the support surface by the trolley wheels; trailer wheels fixed to the chassis to at least partly support the chassis for movement along a road surface; and a longitudinally elongated frame to receive at least one of the trolleys, the frame being mounted on the chassis and maintained generally parallel thereto, the frame being movable relative to the chassis between a lowered position at which the frame is located adjacent the chassis, and a raised position at which the frame is located above the chassis so that a space is provided between the frame and the chassis to provide for location of at least one trolley on the support surface; and motor means to move the frame between the raised and lowered positions.
2. The assembly of claim 1, further includes a plurality of arms pivotally attached to the chassis for angular movement about axes generally transverse of the chassis, and the motor means includes a plurality of rams extending between the chassis and arms to cause angular movement thereof, with the arms also being pivotally attached to the frame so that angular movement of the arms raises and lowers the frame relative to the chassis.
3. The assembly of claim 1 or 2, wherein the trolley wheels are arranged in pairs that are transversely spaced, and wherein the frame has a transverse width less than a transverse width between each pair of trolley wheels, so that the frame engages a floor of each of the trolleys to be raised by the frame, with the each trolley to be supported on the frame is moved along the surface to be positioned to be raised by the frame.
4. The assembly of claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the chassis has a forward portion, with the assembly having a first catch at the forward portion configured to releasably engage a trolley mounted at the forward portion and supported on said surfaces.
5. The assembly of claim 4, further including a second catch, the second catch being located toward the rear portion from the front portion and operable to engage one of the trolleys to be supported on the frame, to retain the trolley prior to being supported on the frame.
6. The assembly of claim 5, further including a third catch assembly, the third catch assembly being located towards the rear portion from the second catch assembly, to engage a trolley adjacent the rear portion to retain the trolley in position.
7. The assembly of claim 6, wherein the third catch assembly is movable between an operative position to engage a trolley, and in an operative position providing for the movement of trolleys thereby.
8. The assembly of claim 7, wherein the assembly includes a fourth catch, the fourth catch being mounted on the frame and operable to retain the trolleys on the frame.