GB2372967A

GB2372967A - Storage under a trailer platform

Info

Publication number: GB2372967A
Application number: GB0204911A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Arne Skovgaard Soerensen
Original assignee: Brenderup Trailers AS
Current assignee: Brenderup Trailers AS
Priority date: 2001-02-28
Filing date: 2002-02-28
Publication date: 2002-09-11
Also published as: DK174078B1; GB0204911D0; DE10209062A1; DK200100328A

Abstract

A holder comprising parallel guides 26 is fixed at its front and rear below the platform 4 of a trailer. The guides comprise a front end stop, front linear sections 24 above the level of a trailer axle 6 and rear linear sections 30 below the front 24 level and fixed to the rear 18 of the platform. One or more objects 52 are retained by the holder and secured by locking means 34,36,40,42,46. The objects may typically be ramps, a toolbox or a spare wheel. The holder preferably comprises a beam 48 which may slide along the guides 26 by means of eyelets 50 at the beam's ends to enable the suspended objects to slide backwards and downwards to facilitate access and removal. The eyelets and guides may have a circular cross-section. Alternatively, the guides may comprise grooves for rollers or sliding parts. A rubber fender (60) may prevent noisy contact between objects and the platform 4.

Description

The present invention concerns a holder for use in suspending one or more objects within a defined space under the loading platform of a trailer.

When using trailers, loading ramps are often used for loading small machines, rotary cultivators, garden tractors etc. which are transported on the trailer. Furthermore, there is frequently a need for storing other items, e. g. a spare wheel for the trailer or a toolbox associated with the trailer, in a place which does not limit the loading area of the trailer or in other ways is impeding access to it It is prior art to store a spare wheel for such trailers under the loading area in a rack, which is provided at the underside of the rear part of the loading area, where the rack is connected to the platform with a hinge, and where the rack is fastened with a releasable fitting to the underside of the loading area close to the light bar of the trailer, whereby the rack is capable of being swung down in case need for the spare wheel arises.

Concerning loading ramps, it is also prior art to store such under the loading surface in

the case of track ramps, i. e. ramps constituted by at least two uniform parts on which the said vehicles or machines may be pulled up from the ground onto the loading sur face of the trailer. Frequently, the holding means for the ramp parts are constituted by U-shaped fittings protruding down from the underside of the loading surface and by corresponding fittings, however provided with a locking device, close to the side limitation of the loading surface at the front or at the rear. The holding fittings may, however, imply problems with inserting first end parts of the ramps into the U-shaped fittings far under the loading surface, often leading to the ramps only being laid up on the loading surface during transport, sometimes fastened with ropes.

Furthermore, it appears that the hollow space under the loading surface of a trailer

between the axle (s) and the front or rear limitation is an overlooked space that may be utilised for many other purposes than those indicated above. Particularly between the back side of the light bar and the axle area, this hollow space is particularly pronounced and provides really good storage opportunities for auxiliary equipment for the trailer. However, due to the risk of strong fouling, great emphasis is laid upon the construction of the suspending facilities for ensunng an =problematic use. Further- more, the access conditions for the said hollow are not considered ideal, why utilisa tion of this space is only considered in connection with storing a spare wheel in the above indicated way.

It is the purpose of the invention to improve the possibility for utilising the hollow space delimited by the underside of the loading surface of the trailer, the light boom of the trailer, and the area about the axle (s) oriented transversely to the loading surface of the trailer, respectively.

According to the invention, this purpose may be achieved by a universal holder comprising guide units oriented in parallel and including n-ont linear sections and rear lin

ear sections which are mutually off-set in parallel in a largely vertically oriented plane in relation to the platform, and with the rear linear sections at greater distance below the underside of the platform than the front linear sections, the rear sections being fixed at the side limits of the platform and the n-ont sections being fixed at the underside of the platform in a horizontal plane situated over the upper edge (s) of the trailer axle, and where locking means are provided at the fixing of the rear sections for releasable retention of one or more objects suspended on the guide units, and where an end stop is provided at the fixing of the front sections.

Hereby, a considerably improved possibility of placing and accessing objects in the space under the loading surface of the trailer is achieved, as the objects, only by pro

viding these with gripping devices interacting with the guide units and sliding on the latter at a front end and with projecting means at the rear end for fixing in the locking means so that the object, after insertion of the gripping devices in the guide units, are displaced slidingly on the guide units in under the loading surface or platform, where the object is elevated by displacing along the parallel off-set of the guide units between the rear and front linear guide sections, to its end stop, so that the underside of the object is substantially situated over the horizontal plane defined by the rear linear sections of the guide units. Conversely, particularly easy access will also be provided

for the objects stored under the platform and carried by the guide units, as the objects, after releasing the locking means, are drawn out by a rearward pull relative to the longitudinal axes of the guide units similar to the operation performed by opening a drawer, so that free access to the object from above and from at least three sides is hereby provided.

In certain cases it may be preferred that the object to be provided under he platform and carried by the guide units does not comprise gripping devices sliding on the guide units, since such sliding gripping devices may be exposed to strong fouling which may impair their sliding ability on the guide units. Of course it is to be mentioned that measures for counteracting the fouling may be provided, thus eliminating the problem,

but such solutions are most likely to give an appreciable increase in cost of using the holder according to the invention.

For a simple and less costly solution to this problem in connection with the holder according to the invention, the guide units my furthermore be mutually connected with a sliding beam with ends being sliding connected to the guide units so as to make the beam sliding between the front and rear ends of the guide units. A preferred em bodiment of the sliding beam is constituted by a rod having ends with eyelets in which respective guide units are accommodated so that the sliding beam is displaceable sliding on the guide units between their front and rear ends.

Hereby is achieved, for example, a possibility of providing suspension of an object which only at the front end comprises means of interacting engagement with the slid

ing beam so that this may be secured in the holder, however, under the conditions that the rear end has a part interacting with the locking mechanism.

With the purpose of minimising friction between the guide units and the eyelets of the sliding beam. the eyelets may be made of a material with a circular cross-section. At the outset, the cucular cross-section will have a relatively small contact surface at the top sides of the guide units.

In order to further minimise friction between the sliding beam and the guide units, the latter may be made of a rigid material, however without abandoning other embody ments, whereby the contact surface between the top sides of the guide units and the sliding beam obtains point-like character.

It is to be noted that the guide units included in the universal holder may assume other shapes than actual rod/tube sections with circular cross-sections. The guide units may thus be constituted by parallel offset U-sections forming guide grooves for rollers, or sections with a longitudinal undercut groove for receiving therein interacting and sliding holding means which are mounted on the object to be suspended under the platform by means of the universal holder.

The invention is explained in more detail in the following with reference to the drawmg wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view from below of a detail of a trailer, comprising a univer sal holder according to the invention for attaching objects during transport, Fig. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the holder according to the aven tion, Fig. 3 is a side view of the trailer on Fig. 1, comprising a holder according to the invention carrying a ramp, Fig. 4 shows the same as Fig. 1, but illustrates how a ramp or slide placed in the holder may be displaced rearwards for dismounting from the holder, Fig. 5 shows m principle the same as Fig. 4, but where the ramp is detached from the holder, Fig. 6 shows the holder according to the invention with a storage box, Fig. 7 is a lateral, sectional view of a trailer with the universal holder shown in Fig.

4, and where the storage box is placed in the transport position, Fig. 8 shows the same as Fig. 7, but where the storage box is under displacement, Fig. 9 shows a further embodiment of the universal holder according to the evention with a holder for spare wheels,

Fig. 10 shows the spare wheel holder of Fig. 9 placed in the universal holder in a transport position under the platform of a trailer, and Figs. 11 and 12 show different embodiments and optional combinations of different embodiments.

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a trailer 2 as seen obliquely from below with a uni versal holder according to the invention.

The trailer 2 in the shown embodiment comprises a plane loading surface or platform 4 supported by a wheel supported axle 6 which is connected with draw bar members 8 being continuous at a coupling mechanism (not shown) outside the front end of the platform. The platform 4 also comprises upright sides 12 at the side edges 10, and at the rear end 14 a pivoting rear flap 16 under which a light bar 18 is situated.

Appearing on Fig. 1, at the underside of the platform 4 there is itted a Z shaped secw tion 20 where the upper part 22 is fastened to the platform 4 and the intermediate part 23 comprises holes 25 through which is passed a first upper linear section 24 of two tubular guide units 26 extending in parallel and which, via a largely S-shaped parallel off-set 28, are contInued in a second lower located linear section 30, the ends 32 of which comprising upright angular fittings 34 at which they by fastening means (not

shown are secured to the underside 36 of the light bar 18 of the trailer, so that there is a distance between the underside 36 of the light bar 18 and the top side of the guide unit tubes. The angular fittings 34 comprise holes 38 for receiving a catch 40, one end 42 of which is angular, and the free end 44 of which including a transverse hole 46 for accommodating a retainer pin (not shown) for preventing drawing out the catch 40. The retainer pin may be substituted by a simple locking unit, e. g. a padlock, in case it is desired to safeguard against unauthorised removal of the objects provided m the universal holder.

The guide units 26 are mutually connected by a rod-shaped sliding beam 48 with ends comprising eyelets 50 for accommodating the guide units 26 so that the sliding beam

is displaceable between the Z-shaped section 20 and the angular sections 34 by sliding on the top sides of the guide units 26.

As it appears from the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the universal holder according to the invention is here used for storing a ramp 52, the front end 54 of which comprises downward directed flaps 56 extending in parallel and between which the sliding beam 48 is accommodated. The rear end 58 of the ramp is supported by the catch 40 which secures the ramp against being drawn out or sliding during transport.

The universal holder according to the invention also comprises a rubber fender 60 which is mounted at the underside of the platform 4 and against the upper side of which objects in the form of various accessories placed in the holder are bearing. Hereby rattling noises dt) rmg transport and driving with the trailer coming from the impact of the object against the underside of the platform 4 and other rattling between the guide tubes 26 and sliding beam eyelets 50 are eliminated as the object placed in the universal holder is held fixed.

Fig. 3 shows how the ramp 52 is provided secured in the transport position under the platform 4. Note that the upper side of the ramp is bearing against the rubber fender 60.

Fig. 4 shows how the ramp 52, by releasing the catch 40 from the fittings 34, is displaceable rearwards and forwards, where the front end 54 is carried on the sliding beam 48 on the guide units 26, and where the sliding beam is suspended between the downward directed flaps 56 at the front end 54 of the ramp.

In Fig. 5, the ramp 52 is shown completely detached from the sliding beam 48, ready for use, or ready for being placed in the universal holder according to the invention.

Fig. 6 shows the universal holder according to the invention with a storage box 62. The storage box 62 comprises a press plate 66 at the iront end 64 for pressing against the rubbcr fender 60 at the underside of the platform 4. As it also appears, the storage

box 62 comprises two rearward directed plate-shaped rods 70 at the rear end 68, the ends 72 of which are mutually connected with a crossbar 74 constituting a handle. The plate-shaped rods 70 furthermore comprise holes 76 for receiving the catch 40 whereby the storage box 62 is arrested in the universal holder without the press plate 66 being moved forward to the iN-shaped section 20 as the catch 40 blocks axial displacements of the storage box 62. As indicated in Figs. 7 and 8, the storage box 62 compnses a downward directed flap 78 at the front end 64 of the press plate 66, between which flap and the n'ont side flaps 80 of the storage box, whIch end at some distance therefrom, the sliding beam 48 is accommodated, and on which the front end 64 of the storage box is supported.

Fig. 7 shows the storage box 62 placed under the platform 4 in the transport position,

and Fig. 8 shows the storage box during displacement between the transport position and a position where putting items into the storage box compartment 82 is possible.

It is also to be noted that in a particularly preferred embodiment, the storage box 62 is thus designed with flexible sealing lists (not shown) at the upper edges 84 of the side

limitations of the compartment 82 and thus adapted to the parallel off-set 28 of the universal holder, so that this in the transport position shown in Fig. 7 is tightly pressed against the underside 86 of the platform 4. In this embodiment, the rubber fender 60 is thus placed within the side limits of the compartment 82.

In Fig. 9, a further application of the universal holder according to the invention is shown, namely for storing a spare wheel 88. The spare wheel 88 is here placed on a holder 90 adapted thereto and constituted by a frame 92 with a parallel off-set section 94, the ends of which comprising downwardly directed flaps 96 for accommodating a sliding beam 48' (having greater length due to the greater distance between the guide units 26, and which, as shown, may have a bend 49 with the purpose of providing space for a possibly occurring longitudinal carrying beam at the underside of the plat form 4), the ends of which comprising eyelets 50 through which the guide units 26 are passed. At the rear end 98 of the frame there are upright plates 100 at each side with apertures 102 for receiving the catch 40' (which is longer here due to greater distance

between the guide units 26), so that the frame may be arrested m the transport portion under the platform as shown in Fig. 10. For ergonomic reasons, in connection with handling of the holder 90, the part of the he 92 extending between the plates 100 may advantageously be constituted by a rod with a preferably circular cross-section.

Between the longer side members of the frame there is a support plate 104 for carrying the spare wheel SS. On the parallel off-set 106 of the frame there is a plate shaped crossbar 108, and the parallel off-set is furthermore projecting a distance below the lower edge of the sections 30 of the guide units 26 so that between the support plate 104, the crossbar 108, the back side of the light bar 18, and the sections 30 there is formed a lateral limitation for the spare wheel 88 placed in the holder 90. It is to be noted that the universal holder according to the invention, when used as spare wheel holder, is mounted in the same way as indicated hithertofore, however, with the difference that the spacing between the guide units 26 is greater, and that, for fastening the front sections 24 of these, rwo Z-shaped fastening Rttmga 20 are used. In that connection it can also be mentioned that the Z-shaped fitting may be constituted by a long fitting with the same cross-section but where holes 25 are established with spacing fitting the use of the universal holder for other purposes, e. g. for storing the items ap

pearing in the above described embodiments.

In that connection, there may be envisaged a releasable and movable fastener 34 for the lower sections 30 of the guide units 26 where these are fastened to the underside 36 of the light bar IS. Hereby, changing the universal holder according to the invention from e. g. a spare wheel holder to a ramp holder, or to a holder for storage box, may be performed relatively fast.

Figs. 11 and 12 show how the universal holder according to the invention is usable for canying two ramps 52, and a ramp 52 and a storage box 62, respectively.

By the invention it has been realised that the universal holder for storing items under a platform on a trailer may assume other forms than indicated with the above embodiments. However, this does not alter the inventive aspect which inter alia consist in realising that by a suitable and simple construction it is possible to facilitate the ac

cess to and the placing of items in the free space located under the platform on a. trailer as these items may be placed and removed by the user by perfuming an operation similar to the opening and closing of a drawer by utili sing the universal holder according to the invention.

Claims

1. A holder for use in suspending one or more objects within a defined space under a platform (4) of a trailer, characterised in that the holder comprises guide units (26) oriented in parallel and including front linear sections (24) and rear linear sections (30) which are mutually off-set in parallel in a largely vertically oriented plane in re.

laden to the platform and with the rear linear sections (30) at greater distance below the underside of the platform than the front linear sections (24), the rear sections (30) being fixed at the side linuts (18) of the platform and the front sections (24) being fixed at the underside of the platform (4) in a horizontal plane situated over the upper edge (s) of the trailer axle (6), and where locking means (34, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46) are pro vided at the fixing of the rear sections (30) for releasable retention of one or more objects (52, 62) suspended on the guide units (26), and where an end stop (23) is provided at the fixing of the front sections.

2. A holder according to claim 1, characterised in that the guide units (26) are mutually connected by a sliding beam (28), the ends of which are slidingly connected to the guide units so as to make the beam (28) sliding between the front and rear ends (24, 30) of the guide units.

3. A holder according to claim 2, characterised in that the sliding beam (48) is constituted by a rod with ends having eyelets (50) aceommodatmg respective guide units (26), so that the sliding beam (48) is sliding on the guide units (26) between their front and rear ends (24, 30).

4. A holder according tQ claim 3, characterised in that the eyelets (50) are made in a material with circular cross-section.

5. A holder according to any of claims 1-4, characterised in that the guide its (26) are made in a rigid material with circular cross-section.

6. A holder according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the guide units (26) are constituted by U. sections off-set in parallel and forming guide grooves for rollers, or sections with a longitudinal, undercut groove, for receiving interacting and displacing suspending means which are fined on the object to be suspended under the platform by means of the holder.

7. A holder according to any of claims 1-5, c h a r act e r is e d in that the item (s) (52,62, 90) carried by the holder includes retaining means interacting with the guide units (26) on the front ends of the item (s) for suspension on the sliding beam (48) and locking means interacting with the locking means (34,38, 40, 42,44, 46) at the rear sections (30) of the guide units for releasable retention of the item (s) (52, 62, 90) suspended on the guide units (26) during transport.

S. A holder according to any of claims 2-5, characterised in that the item (s) (52, 62, 90) suspended by the holder includes retention means (56, 78) at the front end of the item (s) (52, 62) for suspending on the sliding beam (48) and locking means interacting with the locking means (34, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46) at the rear sections (30) of the guide units for releasable retention of the item (s) (52, 62,90) suspended on the guide units (26) during transport.

9. A holder according to any of claims 1-8, characterised in that it comprises a fender (60) that can be mounted at the underside of the platform (4), preferably a rubber fender, against which the upward facing side of an item (52,62), which is inserted and carried by the guide units (26), is bearing against

10. A holder according to claim 7, characterised m that me item (s) may be constituted by a toolbox (62), and/or a slide (52), or a spare wheel holder (90).