EP4223610B1 - Platform for storing and / or loading semi-trailers, and method for loading semi-trailers - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a platform for storing and/or loading semi-trailers, as well as a method for loading semi-trailers.

From the WO 2016/141399 A1 A carrying device for loading semi-trailers is known. The carrying device has in particular a carrying frame with upwardly projecting side parts, which are connected by means of a plurality of cross beams as support surfaces and also by means of at least one support device. Two cross beams are spaced apart from each other in such a way that the wheels of the semi-trailer can be placed between them. It is also disclosed that the carrying device can be set up directly on a terminal corridor using the support surfaces.

From the DE 20 2021 100307 U1 A support device is also known which is designed for arrangement in a pocket wagon of a rail vehicle. The support device has a support frame which is made up of two longitudinal beams which are connected to one another crosswise. A drivable support is formed between the longitudinal beams which has two separate tracks so that the support device can be designed to be drivable. In addition, it is possible for a middle part to be provided between the tracks which is designed to be stepped in relation to the tracks.

From the RU 2 700 943 C1 A platform for receiving and loading semi-trailers is known. The platform has two tracks extending in a longitudinal direction, which are formed in one piece with a reinforced middle section. It is further disclosed that wedges can be arranged on the tracks, with which any wheels of semi-trailers can be secured on the tracks.

Furthermore, the EP 3 623 244 A1 a method for loading a semi-trailer onto a flat wagon is known. The semi-trailer is driven forwards or backwards directly into a support frame using a tractor. The support frame is then placed onto the flat wagon using a lifting device. The support frame has longitudinal elements which are connected by a plurality of crossbeams. Two crossbeams spaced apart from one another form pockets between each other for accommodating the wheels of one axle. Four crossbeams are provided for three axles of a semi-trailer, with the wheels remaining held in the pockets after the support frame has been positioned on the flat wagon.

Finally, the EP 3 699 058 A1 A support device is known which has two transversely connected side parts. A drivable support is formed between the side parts, which can have a transverse bend in a certain area. Furthermore, a centrally arranged recess can be provided on the underside of the support device.

Carrying devices of the already known type have a high dead weight. They have separate pockets for each axle of a semi-trailer to accommodate the wheels, whereby the pockets are formed by a plurality of cross members. Accordingly, such carrying devices also have a low efficiency, since the maximum loading weight is also reduced in view of the increased dead weight. Finally, known carrying devices are also complex to handle. In particular, additional means are generally required to secure the semi-trailer on the carrying device when it is resting on a flat or pocket wagon.

The invention is therefore based on the object of providing a platform which has a low dead weight and is at the same time easy and safe to handle and flexible to use.

The invention solves the problem with a platform according to claim 1 and a method according to claim 12. The dependent claims relate to advantageous embodiments.

The platform according to the invention for storing and/or loading semi-trailers has two side elements that extend parallel to one another in a longitudinal direction and are spaced apart from one another in a transverse direction transverse to the longitudinal direction. Within the scope of the invention, the side elements can be designed in particular as beam supports, profile supports, cross members or in particular as support plates.

According to the invention, a plurality of stop elements are arranged on each of the side elements. In the context of the invention, stop elements can be understood as connecting means such as gripping edges or similar, which can be brought into operative connection with a stop means in order to lift the platform. The platform can be lifted and loaded using the stop elements, in particular by crane or in another way. The stop elements can be understood as an integral part of the respective side element, as well as a part connected separately to the respective side element.

The platform according to the invention further comprises a first floor element and a second floor element, by means of which the two side elements are connected to one another in the transverse direction. Within the scope of the invention, the floor elements can be formed as one piece with the side elements, or can be separate and thus securely connected to one another.

According to the invention, the first floor element also has a wheel recess adjacent to one of the side elements and a raised center tunnel between the two wheel recesses. Within the scope of the invention, the wheel recesses are designed as openings in the first floor element.

The platform according to the invention has a low dead weight and therefore enables the efficient storage and/or loading of semi-trailers, even with increased loads. The platform is particularly simple in design and achieves the advantages mentioned in particular by mounting a semi-trailer on just one Pair of wheel recesses. Thanks to the central tunnel, the platform is also flexible enough to be loaded onto pocket wagons in a particularly safe manner.

The side elements can in particular be designed such that they extend away from the first and the second floor elements. The side elements can preferably be designed as longitudinally elongated support plates as mentioned above, which extend at a corresponding height away from the first and the second floor element.

The center tunnel can be characterized, for example, by the material thickness of the first floor element being less in the area of the center tunnel than in the areas in which the wheel wells are formed. The first floor element can then have a flat surface. Furthermore, the first floor element can also be designed in particular such that the center tunnel is designed as a tunnel-like bulge or profile of the first floor element. The first floor element can preferably be formed from one or more carrier plates.

In a cross-section through the first or second floor element, the platform can preferably have a bowl-like or trough-like shape. The first floor element can have an indentation due to the central tunnel, which can be designed like a tunnel in the longitudinal direction. The platform is preferably designed to be axially symmetrical to a central longitudinal axis. The central tunnel is therefore particularly preferably arranged centrally between the two side elements. If the first floor element is made from a carrier sheet, for example, as mentioned above, it is possible for the first floor element to be "W"-shaped in the aforementioned cross-section view, with the central tunnel, in particular in a flattened form, forming the middle tip of the "W". The first floor element can be connected to the side elements accordingly at the outer ends. The side elements can in turn preferably be connected to the first floor element in such a way that the entire platform is "W"-shaped in the aforementioned cross-section view. In a cross-section view analogously through the second floor element, the platform can then in turn preferably be "U"-shaped. It is also conceivable that the first floor element consists of e.g. a pair of beam supports or similar, wherein the beam supports particularly preferably have the central tunnel centrally between the side elements.

The distance between the side elements of the platform in the transverse direction can be based in particular on the width of the semi-trailer to be accommodated and also on the width of common pocket wagons onto which the platform including the semi-trailer stored on it can be loaded. The platform is made in particular from steel or a similarly resilient material. The side elements can preferably be made from the same material as the first and second floor elements, but also from a different material. This also applies, for example, to the two floor elements among each other. The two floor elements can preferably be materially connected to the side elements. In an embodiment in which the side elements and the two floor elements are made in one piece, it is possible, for example, for the platform to be made from a correspondingly formed carrier sheet.

The first floor element and/or the second floor element are further preferably arranged so as to terminate at the end of the side elements in the longitudinal direction. This means that the side elements can terminate with their longitudinal ends with the longitudinal ends of the first or second floor element when viewed in the transverse direction. The side elements thus form, for example, a final front of the platform with the first and/or the second floor element when viewed in the longitudinal direction. It is particularly conceivable that the second floor element has an extended section which protrudes beyond a longitudinal end of the side elements.

The second floor element can preferably be formed from one or more carrier sheets, which are formed into a preferred embodiment. If several carrier sheets are provided, the individual sheets can be connected to one another in a material-locking manner. The second floor element can particularly preferably be bent up at its lateral ends towards the side elements, and thus connected to the side elements in a material-locking manner. It is also possible for the second floor element to be essentially flat between the aforementioned bent ends. Furthermore, the second floor element can be designed in such a way that a The semi-trailer with its support winches and/or other support structure can be safely parked on it.

The second floor element can preferably have a lower side which lies in a common base plane with the lower side of the first floor element in the area of the wheel wells. The lower side of the first floor element in the area of the center tunnel is spaced apart in height from the base plane.

The base level of the floor elements makes it possible, for example, to park the platform directly on a surface, e.g. a terminal corridor. It is then also possible to drive a semi-trailer directly onto the platform using a towing vehicle, i.e. without an additional ramp. If the semi-trailer has three axles at the rear, the wheels of the middle axle are preferably accommodated in the wheel recesses. The wheels of the front axle can each be supported on a front outer side of the corresponding wheel recess in the area of their tread facing backwards towards the middle axle. The wheels of the rear axle can in turn be supported on a rear outer side of the corresponding wheel recess with their tread facing forwards towards the middle axle. The rear of the semi-trailer can therefore, for example, overhang backwards over the platform. If the platform rests with its base on a terminal corridor, a semi-trailer loaded on the platform can be parked with the running surfaces of its wheels on the terminal corridor, while it is still supported on the second floor element with its support winches and/or additional support structure. The wheel recesses therefore preferably have a dimension such that the wheel recesses only come into contact with the running surfaces of the wheels during loading, i.e. when the platform is lifted, as mentioned above. When the platform is lifted, the wheels can preferably be accommodated in the wheel recesses in a form-fitting manner. If the wheel recesses are in particular rectangular, the wheel recesses can each have a width in the transverse direction in the range of 500 mm to 800 mm, preferably 550 mm to 700 mm, particularly preferably 625 mm to 675 mm. The wheel recesses can each have a length in the longitudinal direction in the range of 550mm to 850mm, preferably 600mm to 750mm, particularly preferably 675mm to 725mm. This makes it possible, for example, despite the efficient design of the wheel recesses, to equip semi-trailers with twin tires using the platform to store and/or load.

Particularly when loading a semi-trailer, the wheel recesses can be subjected to large weight forces by the wheels of an axle of the semi-trailer accommodated therein. It can therefore be advantageous if the load of the wheels in the wheel recesses can be diverted directly to the first floor element or to the corresponding side element on all sides. According to the invention, the two wheel recesses are therefore designed as openings in the first floor element, which are each delimited in the longitudinal direction by a pair of transverse struts of the first floor element running in the transverse direction, and in the transverse direction on the outside by one of the side elements and on the inside by the center tunnel.

As mentioned above, the central tunnel can advantageously be designed to be able to be placed safely on a central support of a pocket wagon. The first floor element can then rest laterally on this central support in the area of the wheel recesses. According to a further preferred embodiment, the first floor element therefore has a lower side which, in the area of the central tunnel, is spaced apart in height by a tunnel height from the lower side in the area of the wheel recesses.

Analogous to the aforementioned case of a platform with a semi-trailer parked on a terminal corridor, for example, it can be advantageous if the tunnel height is designed in such a way that a semi-trailer loaded onto a pocket wagon using the platform can support itself with the running surfaces of its wheels on the floor of the pocket wagon. This also has the advantage that the platform does not increase the load height of the semi-trailer on the pocket wagon. According to a further preferred embodiment, the central tunnel therefore has a tunnel height in a range of 3 cm to 12 cm, preferably 4 cm to 10 cm, very particularly preferably 5 cm to 8 cm. The platform can be viewed as a dead unit, for example. This means that the platform on the terminal corridor and/or on the pocket wagon, for example, has neither an influence on the load height of the corresponding semi-trailer, nor a detrimental influence on the load securing. In particular, no additional means for load securing on a pocket wagon are necessary, for example due to the use of the platform.

It is also advantageous for the flexible positioning of the platform on a pocket wagon if the center tunnel has lateral play on the aforementioned center support of the corresponding pocket wagon. According to a further preferred embodiment, the center tunnel therefore has a width measured in the transverse direction in a range of 80 cm to 120 cm, preferably 85 cm to 110 cm, particularly preferably 90 cm to 100 cm.

It can also be advantageous for the stability of the platform and for loading a semi-trailer onto the platform if the first and/or the second floor element have an upper side which lies in one plane. In this case, it can be particularly advantageous to build up the first floor element in the area of the wheel recesses up to the height of the upper side of the first floor element in the area of the center tunnel. According to a further preferred embodiment, attachment elements are therefore arranged on the first floor element and/or on the second floor element.

If the second floor element has, for example, an upper side which is in the same plane as the upper side of the first floor element in the area of the wheel wells, then attachment elements can advantageously also be arranged on the upper side of the second floor element. The attachment elements can be designed, for example, as beam supports, as hollow profile supports or similar. Two such attachment elements can preferably be provided for each wheel well on the first floor element on the corresponding cross struts which limit the wheel wells in the longitudinal direction. The upper sides of the attachment elements at least on the first floor element are particularly preferably in the same plane as the upper side of the first floor element in the area of the center tunnel. The upper sides of the attachment elements on the second floor element can also be arranged in the same plane, if necessary, even more preferably. The attachment elements can each be trapezoidal on the platform, preferably in section along the longitudinal direction. However, it is particularly possible for the attachment elements of the second floor element to have a different trapezoidal shape than the attachment elements of the first floor element, in particular in the form of a parallelogram. Trapezoidal attachment elements facilitate, for example, loading the semi-trailer onto the platform without an additional ramp. At the same time, it can help to position the wheels, i.e. in particular to protect the tires of the semi-trailer during loading.

It can also be advantageous if semi-trailers of different designs can be supported on the second floor element with their support winches and/or corresponding individual additional support structure in a safe and flexible manner. According to a further preferred embodiment, the attachment elements of the second floor element therefore have recesses, in particular elongated holes, for the passage of support elements of the semi-trailer. On the one hand, the support elements can be flexibly positioned along the width. On the other hand, it is also possible to balance the support elements more easily in terms of height. The support elements can in particular be guided through the attachment element of the second floor element and supported on the top of the second floor element. It is also possible for the second floor element to have recesses similar to the attachment element. Support elements can then also be pushed through the second floor element, so that the semi-trailer, for example in the pocket wagon, can then also be additionally supported on the pocket wagon with its own support structure.

For precise and safe positioning of the platform in a pocket trolley, it can also be advantageous if the transition from the first and/or the second floor element to the side elements is continuous, i.e. in particular not, for example, abruptly at a right angle. Right-angled transitions are subject to increased mechanical and abrasive stress, for example, so that they can also be more susceptible to mechanical failure or damage. A continuous transition can accordingly also further increase the durability of the platform. According to a further preferred embodiment, the side elements and the first and/or the second floor element therefore each merge into one another by means of a rounded, or at least a beveled, transition section. It is conceivable that the side elements and the two floor elements are formed in one piece from a carrier sheet, for example, as mentioned above. The transition section can be easily folded out into the desired configuration when the carrier sheet is formed. However, it is also possible for the side elements and the two floor elements to be separate and at least one of the elements to have a corresponding transition section. In the transition section, the separate side or floor elements can then be firmly connected to one another.

If the side elements are designed as support plates as described above, it can be advantageous to design them in a lattice-like manner, in particular to further reduce the weight of the platform. According to a further preferred embodiment, the side elements therefore have recesses. The recesses can be designed as circular, pill-shaped and/or oval holes, which is particularly advantageous from a static point of view. It is also conceivable to provide other shapes of recesses, e.g. polygons. These preferably have rounded tips, which in turn can increase the durability of the platform.

In order to be able to use the platform even more efficiently and flexibly, it can also be advantageous to be able to stack temporarily unused platforms on top of and/or inside each other in a space-saving manner. According to a further preferred embodiment, stacking hooks are therefore provided on the side elements. The stacking hooks can be arranged in particular on the stop elements, in particular gripping edges, of the platform. Preferably, at least one or more stacking hooks can be provided per stop element. For better load distribution and stability, the stop elements can be arranged in the area of the two floor elements in relation to the longitudinal direction. Preferably, two stop elements, in particular gripping edges, can be provided per side element.

The stacking hooks preferably point inwards from the side elements, i.e. in the direction of the central longitudinal axis. It is then possible for a platform to be supported with part of its underside of the first floor element and with part of its underside of the second floor element on at least one stacking hook of another platform. Furthermore, it is also possible for a platform to be supported at the aforementioned transition sections on stacking hooks of another platform in the manner described above. The second platform stacked on a first platform can be arranged with at least part of its two floor elements between the side elements of the first platform.

It can also be advantageous to design the stacking hooks in such a way that damage to loaded semi-trailers can be avoided. It can be taken into account that the platform is not then increased in width because of the stacking hooks. According to a further preferred embodiment, the stacking hooks are therefore designed to be pivotable between a use position and a rest position. The stacking hooks can be mounted in particular in an articulated manner on the stop elements of the side elements. In the rest position, the stacking hooks can in particular rest on an outer side of the respective stop elements, so that there is no risk of collision with a semi-trailer to be loaded. It is also conceivable to pivot the stacking hooks upwards into another rest position. In the use position, the stacking hooks point inwards as mentioned above. The stacking hooks can in particular be pivoted manually between the rest and use positions. It is also conceivable to automate this. It is also conceivable that, for example, the stacking hooks on a side element are operatively connected to one another and can then be pivoted together, in particular manually.

It can also be advantageous if the stacking hooks can be secured so that they do not swing out into the use position at will, for example. According to a further preferred embodiment, the stacking hooks are therefore also assigned securing means for locking the stacking hooks in the rest position. The stacking hooks can be locked to the respective stop elements or side elements using locking pins or similar. It is also conceivable that the stacking hooks can be attached to the stop elements in a locking manner. Finally, it is possible that receiving elements are provided on the stop elements, in which the stacking hooks can in turn be locked.

A platform stack is also conceivable. Depending on the design, the above characteristics and definitions may also apply to the platforms mentioned below.

The platform stack, for example, has a first and a second platform for storing and/or loading a semi-trailer. The first and the second platform each have two side elements extending in the longitudinal direction, which are connected to one another by means of a plurality of floor elements in a transverse direction.

A plurality of stacking hooks can be formed on the side elements of at least the first platform, wherein the second platform rests on the stacking hooks of the first platform with undersides of the side elements and/or the base elements.

As explained above, it is possible for the stacking hooks to be arranged so that they can pivot between a rest position and a use position on stop elements, in particular gripping edges, of the respective side elements. The stacking hooks can also be designed so that they can be locked in the rest position.

According to a preferred embodiment, the first and/or the second platform have a first floor element, which has a wheel recess adjacent to one of the side elements and a raised center tunnel between the two wheel recesses.

Finally, the invention relates to a method for loading semi-trailers onto pocket wagons by means of a platform having two side elements extending in the longitudinal direction and having stop elements, which are connected to one another in a transverse direction by means of a first and a second floor element, wherein the first floor element has a wheel recess adjacent to one of the side elements and a raised central tunnel between the two wheel recesses, wherein the two wheel recesses are designed as openings in the first floor element, which are each delimited in the longitudinal direction by a pair of transverse struts of the first floor element, and in the transverse direction each delimited on the outside by one of the side elements and on the inside by the central tunnel.

In a first step of the method according to the invention, the semi-trailer is loaded and/or secured on the platform. The semi-trailer can in particular be driven onto the platform using a tractor unit. The wheels of one axle of the semi-trailer are placed in the wheel recesses, with the wheels resting preferably on the ground beneath the platform so that the semi-trailer can support itself on it with the treads of its wheels.

In a second step of the method according to the invention, the platform is then lifted using the stop elements. If the stop elements are designed as gripping edges, for example, lifting can be carried out using a crane, in particular a gantry crane, or with a mobile device. When lifting, the wheels of the semi-trailer that were previously placed in the wheel wells come into contact with the boundary surfaces of the wheel wells. In the case of a semi-trailer with three rear axles, this can be the wheels of the middle axle in particular.

In a third step of the method according to the invention, the platform is placed on the pocket wagon in such a way that the platform with the central tunnel is placed on a central support of the pocket wagon and the semi-trailer with its tires is placed independently on a base of the pocket wagon. The semi-trailer can be further supported on the platform, in particular on the second base element, for example with its support winches and/or further support structure. The kingpin of the semi-trailer can in turn be supported on a support frame of the pocket wagon, for example.

Features and definitions previously made for the platform or platform stack can also be transferred to the method according to the invention by way of example.

• Fig. 1 eine perspektivische Ansicht einer Plattform gemäß einer Ausführungsform;
• Fig. 2 eine Seitenansicht der Plattform gemäß Fig. 1;
• Fig. 3a eine Frontalansicht auf die Plattform gemäß Fig. 1 in Richtung des ersten Bodenelements;
• Fig. 3b eine Frontalansicht auf die Plattform gemäß Fig. 1 in Richtung des zweiten Bodenelements;
• Fig. 4a eine Seitenansicht einer Plattform gemäß einer Ausführungsform mit Sattelauflieger auf einem Taschenwagen im Schnitt entlang einer Längsachse;
• Fig. 4b eine Frontalaufsicht auf die Plattform mit Sattelauflieger auf einem Taschenwagen gemäß Fig. 4a.

Embodiments of the invention are explained below with reference to figures. The figures show:

• Fig. 1 a perspective view of a platform according to an embodiment;
• Fig. 2 a side view of the platform according to Fig. 1 ;
• Fig. 3a a frontal view of the platform according to Fig. 1 in the direction of the first floor element;
• Fig. 3b a frontal view of the platform according to Fig. 1 in the direction of the second floor element;
• Fig. 4a a side view of a platform according to an embodiment with a semi-trailer on a pocket wagon in section along a longitudinal axis;
• Fig. 4b a front view of the platform with semi-trailer on a pocket wagon according to Fig. 4a .

Fig. 1 shows, by way of example, a support platform 10, consisting of two side plates 12 extending in a longitudinal direction L, which are cross-connected in the transverse direction Q by means of a first base element 16 and a second base element 18. The support platform 10 is here, for example, made entirely of steel. The side plates 12 and the two base elements 16, 18 are each made of carrier plates which have been formed accordingly. The side plates 12 are welded to the two base elements 16, 18 in the region of a transition section 32, not shown in detail here.

The side plates 12 have recesses 34, in particular for weight reduction. The recesses 34 are of different shapes, for example circular, pill-shaped, oval or triangular. The triangular recesses 34 have rounded tips.

Gripping edges 14 are formed on the side panels 12 in the longitudinal direction L in the area of the two floor elements 16, 18. The gripping edges 14 can be gripped, for example, by means of a gantry crane and the support platform 10 can be lifted and loaded both empty and loaded with a semi-trailer 40 (also not shown in detail here). A stacking hook 36 with a securing device (not shown in detail here) is also arranged on the gripping edges 14. The stacking hooks 36 can be pivoted between a use position and a rest position. For this purpose, the stacking hooks 36 are mounted in an appropriately articulated manner on the gripping edges 14. There are Fig. 1 For example, the stacking hooks 36 in the area of the second floor element 18 are in the use position and the stacking hooks 36 in the area of the first floor element 16 are in the rest position. The pivoting of the stacking hooks 36 takes place here, for example, in a horizontal plane. In the rest position, the stacking hooks 36 are here, for example, each in contact with an outer side of the corresponding gripping edges 14.

How Fig. 1 Further illustrated, the first floor element 16 is designed here as a one-piece carrier plate. Two continuous wheel recesses 20 are formed in the first floor element 16 adjacent to the respective side plate 12. In the longitudinal direction L, the wheel recesses 20 border on both sides on cross struts 24 of the first floor element 16. In the transverse direction Q, the wheel recesses 20 are each delimited on the outside by a side plate 12 and on the inside by a center tunnel 22. The wheel recesses 20 here have a width in the transverse direction Q of, for example, 653 mm and a length in the longitudinal direction L of, for example, 700 m.

The first floor element 16 has a lower side 28 which is raised in the area of the central tunnel 22 compared to the lower side 28 in the area of the wheel recesses 20. The height difference is characterized here in particular by a tunnel height H, which here is 61 mm, for example. The central tunnel 22 here also has a tunnel width B of 930 mm, as seen in the transverse direction. The lower side 28 in the area of the wheel recesses 20 lies in a horizontal plane.

Fig. 1 further illustrates that the center tunnel 22 has an upper side which lies in a horizontal plane with the upper sides of the attachment supports 30, the attachment supports 30 being arranged on the cross struts 24 of the first floor element 16. In addition, two cover plates are arranged on the upper side of the center tunnel 22, which function in particular to secure the attachment supports 30. The attachment supports 30 each have a trapezoidal shape in section in the longitudinal direction L, for example. The attachment supports 30 each have slanted outer sides in relation to the longitudinal direction L, which are set at an angle of 60° to a horizontal plane. The attachment supports 30 are designed here as hollow profile supports. The hollow profile supports are welded to the first floor element 16, for example. It is also conceivable that a screw or snap-in connection is selected as the type of connection.

Fig. 1 further illustrates that the second floor element 18 is also designed as a one-piece carrier plate. However, in other embodiments it is possible for at least one of the two floor elements 16, 18 to be designed in several parts. On the second floor element 18, for example, two attachment supports 30 are arranged here. These each have a trapezoidal shape in section along the longitudinal direction L, namely the shape of a parallelogram in contrast to the attachment supports 30 on the first floor element 16. The two attachment supports 30 of the second floor element 18 are mirror-symmetrical to the central longitudinal axis A. The two attachment supports 30 each have an extension 19 which projects in the longitudinal direction L beyond the side plates 12 and beyond the second floor element 18.

Fig. 2 shows an example of the support platform 10 in a side view. Here, the extension 19 is particularly illustrated, which continues over the front of the support platform 10, which is formed by the second base element 18 and longitudinal ends of the side plates 12.

The design of the side panels 12 is also illustrated. Starting from the area of the first floor element 16, the side panels 12 taper in the longitudinal direction L up to the second floor element 18. The lower edge of the side panels 12 is arranged lower in the area of the first floor element 16 than in the area of the second floor element 18. The underside 28, however, lies in a plane with an underside of the second floor element 18. The second floor element 18 is designed to be correspondingly deeper in order to compensate for the aforementioned offset of the lower edge of the side panels 12. The side panels 12 have a groove 35 here, for example, between the first and second floor elements 16, 18.

Fig. 2 also illustrates that the side plates 12 each have a securing lug 37 in the area of the second floor element 18. If the support platform 10 is placed in a loaded or unloaded state, for example in a pocket wagon (not shown in detail here), the securing lug 37 serves in particular as a stop for the support platform 10 against at least part of the pocket wagon. This can in particular ensure that the support platform 10 cannot slip in the longitudinal direction L, for example due to impacts and/or acceleration or braking of the pocket wagon, to the extent that it comes into conflict with the bogies of the pocket wagon.

Fig. 3a illustrates a frontal view of the support platform 10, with the first floor element 16 arranged in the foreground of the image plane. A part of the second floor element 18 can also be seen through the central tunnel 22. It is clear that the support platform 10 forms a W shape here, with the central tunnel 22 being recognizable in a flattened manner as the middle tip of the W. On the sides in relation to the transverse direction Q, the second floor element 16 has a transition section 32 beveled at an angle of approximately 45°. The gripping edges 14 in the area of the first floor element can be seen here as structures placed on the side plates 12 and extending outwards from them at an angle. The stacking hooks 36 in the area of the first floor element 16 are, for example, in the use position here.

Fig. 3b shows an analogous frontal view of the support platform 10, whereby the second floor element 18 is arranged in the front image plane. It is clear that diagonal reinforcements 27 are provided on the outer edges in the area of the transition sections 32 for additional stabilization. It is also noticeable that the transition sections 32 in the area of the second floor element 18 have a more rounded bevel.

Fig. 4a illustrates in a longitudinal sectional view a pocket wagon 42, onto which a support platform 10 with a schematically indicated semi-trailer 40 was loaded, for example with a gantry crane. The semi-trailer 40 has here, for example, three axles at the rear with a corresponding number of wheels 46 and a support winch 47 on both sides in the front. The Fig. 4a The platform 10 shown here also has the exemplary special feature that, in addition to the safety lug 37, a lug-like additional safety device 39 is provided on the side plates 12 in the area of the not clearly visible groove 35. The additional safety device 39 also serves the purpose of preventing the platform 10 from slipping, for example in the event of an impulse on the pocket carriage 42, in particular by stopping on the intermediate supports 48 shown here. The intermediate supports 48 can also support the side plates 12 in the area of the groove 35.

How about this Fig. 4b illustrated here is the supporting platform 10 with the central tunnel 22 supported on a central support 44 of the pocket carriage 42. As well as Fig. 4b As further illustrated, the wheels 46 are supported on the floor of the pocket wagon 42. Even those wheels which, as is not shown in more detail here, are arranged in the wheel recesses 20 can rest on the floor of the pocket wagon 42 thanks to the central tunnel 22. The transition sections 32 are also in contact with correspondingly inclined side surfaces of the pocket wagon 42. In the connection area between the side plates 12 and the gripping edges 14, the support platform 10 can be in contact with support lugs 50 formed on the pocket wagon 42, for example.

The support platform 10 here has, for example, a deadweight of only about 2450kg. The deadweight can differ in other embodiments. A different material, a different material thickness of the support plates, for example, and/or the design of the recesses can in particular have an influence on a different deadweight.

list of reference symbols

10 support platform B tunnel width 12 side panel H tunnel height 14 gripping edge L longitudinal direction 16 first floor element Q transverse direction 18 second floor element 19 appendix 20 wheel well 22 center tunnel 24 cross brace 26 slot 27 diagonal reinforcements 28 bottom of the first floor element 30 attachment carrier 32 transition section 34 recess 35 groove 36 stacking hooks 37 safety lug 38 securing means 39 additional security 40 semi-trailer 42 pocket wagon 44 center support 46 wheel 47 landing gear 48 intermediate support 50 support lugs A longitudinal center axis

Claims (12)

1. Platform (10) for storing and/or reloading semi-trailers (40), with

   - two side elements (12) extending parallel to each other in a longitudinal direction (L) and spaced apart from each other in a transverse direction (Q) transverse to the longitudinal direction (L),

   - in each case a plurality of lifting elements (14) arranged on the side elements (12),

   - a first floor element (16) and a second floor element (18), by means of which the two side elements (12) are connected to one another in the transverse direction (Q), wherein

   - the first floor element (16) has a wheel recess (20) in each case adj acent to one of the side elements (12) and a raised center tunnel (22) between the two wheel recesses (20),

   characterized in that

   - the two wheel recesses (20) are formed as openings in the first floor element (16), which openings are each bounded in the longitudinal direction (L) by a pair of cross bars (24) of the first floor element (16) extending in the transverse direction (Q), and in the transverse direction (Q) are each bounded on the outside by one of the side elements (12) and on the inside by the center tunnel (22).
2. Platform (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first floor element (16) has a lower face (28) which, in the region of the center tunnel (22), is spaced apart in height by a tunnel height (H) from the lower face (28) in the region of the wheel recesses (20).
3. Platform (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that the center tunnel (22) has a tunnel height (H) in a range from 3 cm to 12 cm, preferably 4 cm to 10 cm, most preferably 5 cm to 8 cm.
4. Platform (10) according to one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that the center tunnel (22) has a width (B) measured in the transverse direction (Q) in a range from 80 cm to 120 cm, preferably 85 cm to 110 cm, particularly preferably 90 cm to 100 cm.
5. Platform (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that attachment elements (30) are arranged on the first floor element (16) and/or on the second floor element (18).
6. Platform (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second floor element (18) has recesses, in particular elongated holes (26), for the passage of supporting elements of the semi-trailer (40).
7. Platform (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the side elements (12) and the first or second floor element (16, 18) each merge into one another by means of a rounded, but at least by means of a chamfered transition section (32).
8. Platform (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the side elements have recesses (34).
9. Platform (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that stacking hooks (36) are provided on the side elements (12).
10. Platform (10) according to claim 9, characterized in that the stacking hooks (36) are designed to be pivotable between a use position and a rest position.
11. Platform (10) according to claim 10, characterized in that the stacking hooks (36) are moreover assigned locking devices (38) for locking the stacking hooks (36) in the rest position.
12. Method for reloading semi-trailers (40) onto pocket wagons (42) by means of a platform (10), having two side elements (12) which extend in the longitudinal direction (L), have lifting elements (14) and are connected to one another in a transverse direction (Q) by means of a first and a second floor element (16,18), wherein the first floor element (16) has a wheel recess (20) adjacent to one of the side elements (12) and a raised center tunnel (22) between the two wheel recesses (20), the two wheel recesses (20) being designed as openings in the first floor element (16), which openings are each bounded in the longitudinal direction (L) by a pair of cross bars (24) of the first floor element (16) extending in the transverse direction (Q), and in the transverse direction (Q) are each bounded on the outside by one of the side elements (12) and on the inside by the center tunnel (22), comprising the steps of

    - Loading and/or securing the semi-trailer (40) on the platform (10),

    - Lifting the platform (10) using the lifting elements (14),

    - Placing the platform (10) on the pocket wagon (42) in such a way that the platform (10) with the center tunnel (22) is placed on a center support (44) of the pocket wagon (42) and the semi-trailer (40) with its tyres (46) is placed independently on a base of the pocket wagon (42).

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