GB2100597A

GB2100597A - Display turntable

Info

Publication number: GB2100597A
Application number: GB08119321A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Clifford Entwistle
Original assignee: BRITISH TURNTABLE Co LIMI; BRITISH TURNTABLE CO Ltd
Current assignee: BRITISH TURNTABLE Co LIMI; BRITISH TURNTABLE CO Ltd
Priority date: 1981-06-23
Filing date: 1981-06-23
Publication date: 1983-01-06
Also published as: GB2100597B; BE893613A; DE3223310A1; FR2510369A1; FR2510369B1; DE3223310C2

Abstract

A turntable (10) for displaying goods such as a motor car comprises a resiliently deformable domed steel plate (11) carrying a spindle (19) on which the load carrying structure is rotatably mounted and, beneath the domed plate, a flat plate (25) which is clear of the ground (17) when the turntable (10) is unloaded, but on loading assists in supporting the load through resilient deformation of the domed plate. The load carrying structure comprises a main beam having cradles at each end thereof, the cradles being positionally adjustable to accommodate differently sized loads. A drive motor is pivotally mounted on the main beam and biassed downwardly so that a drive pulley engages the upper surface of the domed plate. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Turntable This invention relates to turntables for use in displaying goods, and has particular application to turntables for the displaying of motor vehicles and the like.

Such devices have been known and used for many years and generally comprise a rigid base unit in the form of a ring and having an upstanding spindle mounted thereon, a load support structure in the form of a main beam rotatably mounted on the spindle and a cradle at each end of the main beam, each cradle having a pair of wheel pads thereon on which the wheels of the vehicle may be supported clear of the ground. A motor is mounted on the main beam and drives a pulley which is frictionally in engagement with the edge of the base unit ring.

Such a turntable is described in U.K. patent number 1434336.

However with an arrangement as above described the wheel pads are at a height above the floor such that ramps are required in order to drive the vehicle onto the turntable. The provision of such ramps adds to the cost of the turntable. Furthermore, since it is intended that such turntables be moved frequently from place to place the ramps are an added item to be transported and may be mislaid and/or damaged.

Another disadvantage of such turntables is its overall height and this latter disadvantage is not overcome by positioning the wheel pads lower relative to the cradles in order to overcome the need for ramps. A further disadvantage of the aforementioned type of turntable is that the rigid base unit may not settle securely and safely on an uneven floor, and the provision of adjustment of the base unit adds further to its cost.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a turntable with which the aforementioned disadvantages are avoided or mitigated to a substantial extent.

The invention provides a turntable comprising a base unit and a load support structure rotatably mounted thereon, said base unit comprising first support means extending outwardly and downwardly from a spindle on which said load support structure is mounted, and second support means secured to said spindle and disposed at that side of the first support means remote from said load support structure, said first support means being adapted to support said second support means out of contact with a floor surface on which said first support means is placed whilst no load is carried by said load support structure, and to resiliently deform so as to allow said second support means to contact said floor surface when a load is carried by said load support structure.

Preferably the first support structure comprises a domed plate which may be of steel and may be, for example, 3mm thick and a disc of 1m diameter. The plate may have an edging strip applied thereto of a relatively soft and resilient material such as rubber ora plastics material.

Preferably the second support structure comprises a flat plate which may also be of steel and may be, for example 1 2mm thick and of 50cm square planform.

Both of the plates may be secured to the spindle for example by welding.

The load support structure may comprise a main beam rotatably mounted on said spindle and a cradle carried by said beam at each end thereof.

Preferably a drive motor is mounted on said beam and has a drive pulley connected therewith and disposed so as to drivingly engage an upwardly facing surface of the base unit. Preferably the drive motor is mounted on the beam within the vertical extent thereof and may be pivotally so mounted and resiliently biassed downwardly whereby said drive pulley is biassed into contact with said upwardly facing surface. The drive pulley may be of furstoconical shape.

The main beam may be mounted on said spindle at a location offset from the longitudinal centre of said beam, and said cradles may be positionally adjustable towards and away from said location. The main beam may comprise a tube and each of said cradles may be of T-shaped configuration having a centre limb slidable within said tube. Each cradle may have a transverse limb which is of tubular form and a wheel pad mounted on a wheel pad arm may be retained in each end of said tubular transverse limb with said arms slidable therein. Said beam, centre and transverse limbs and said arms may all be of rectangular cross section. Each tube may have, secured to an internal surface adjacent the or each end thereof, a transversely disposed restricting member of a thickness ensuring that the respective limb or arm is a close sliding fit within said tube.The restricting members may be round bars, which may be secured by welding to the tubes.

One embodiment of turntable according to the invention will now be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view Figures 2 and 3 are sectional elevations showing the unloaded and loaded positions respectively, Figure 4 is an underplan, Figure 5 is an enlarged view of the motor, and Figure 6 is an enlarged sectional elevation of one end of a cradle and a wheel pad.

Referring now to Figure 1 there is shown a turntable 10 comprising a circular domed plate 11 and a main beam 12 rotatably mounted thereon. A motor 13 is mounted on beam 12 and a pulley 14, secured to the shaft of motor 13, engages the domed plate 11 so as to cause rotation of beam 12 when the motor 13 is running. At each end of beam 12 there is a cradle 15 which comprises wheel pads 16. A vehicle (not shown) may be positioned with its wheels resting on pads 16 and then motor 13 driven so as to cause the vehicle to rotate.

Referring now to Figure 2, the turntable 10 is shown resting on a floor or other substantially flat level surface 17 in the configuration adopted when there is no vehicle on the turntable 10. In this configuration domed plate 11 rests with its periphery, around which a relatively soft rubber edging strip 18 is provided, on floor 17. Welded to the plate 11 at its centre is a spindle 19 on which beam 12 is rotatably mounted by means of upper and lower bearings 20. Non rotatably mounted on spindle 19 is a bush 21 having a pair of copper slip rings 22 extending around its cylindrical outer surface. The outer races of bearings 20 are retained in a sleeve 23 which is itself retained in beam 12. A pair of electrical contacts or brushes (not shown) extend through sleeve 23 so as to contact slip rings 22.In this way electric power may be transmitted from a source remote from the turntable 10 to the motor 13. A mains cable 24 (Figure 1) is connected to slip rings 22 for this purpose.

The spindle 19 extends through plate 11 to the underside thereof and has welded to its lower end a flat plate 25. As seen more particularly in Figure 4, plate 25 is of square planform and has a pad 26 at each corner, pads 26 contacting, but not being secured to, domed plate 11 when in the unloaded configuration of Figure 2. In this configuration plate 25 is held out of contact with floor 17. Plate 11 may be, for example, of steel, 3mm thick and 1 m in diameter. Plate 25 may be, for example, of steel, 12mm thick and 50cm square, and in the unloaded configuration of Figure 2, plate 25 may be about 3mm from the floor 17.

When a vehicle is moved so that its wheels rest on wheel pads 16 and the vehicle is supported by the turntable 10, the weight of the vehicle causes domed plate 11 to deform. Firstly such deformation will be such as to compensate for any irregularities in the floor 17 that edging strip 18 is set against the floor 17. Further deformation of plate 11 causes plate 25 to come into contact with the floor 17 and the turntable 10 is then in the loaded configuration shown in Figure 3. Pads 26 are clear of plate 11. Most of the weight of the vehicle is carried by the plate 25 which is sufficiently rigid for this purpose.However the resilience of plate 11 will allow plate 11 to contribute to the support of the vehicle and will aid the stability of the turntable 10 with the vehicle thereon, particu larly as regards any fluctuating loading caused by the rotation of beam 12 and the vehicle or by persons opening the doors and or getting in or out of the vehicle. Plate 11 is still domed when in the loaded configuration and this enhances the stability of the turntable 10.

Referring now to Figure 5 there is shown motor 13 mounted on beam 12 within the vertical extent thereof. Motor 13 is secured to a carrier 27 which is mounted on beam 12 so as to pivot about a horizontal axis 28. Afrusto-conical pulley 14 is secured to drive shaft 29 of motor 13 and carrier 27 is biassed by spring 30 in a downward direction so that pulley 14 is in driving engagement with the domed plate 11. A bracket 31 is welded to beam 12, spring 30 being disposed between bracket 31 and carrier 27.

The motor 13 may be a 12 volt DC motor, in which case the source of electrical power could be the battery of the vehicle supported by the turntable, which is particularly convenient for use outdoors.

Alternatively motor 13 may be a 220-240 volt AC motor in which case cable 24 is connected to a mains supply. As a further alternative, if the motor 13 is a 12 volt DC motor as described above, a mains supply could be connected to a transformer 32 mounted on the beam 12 (as shown in Figure 1) and connected to motor 13.

In order that the turntable 10 can accommodate vehicles of differing wheel bases and tracks the relative positions of wheel pads 16 are adjustable. To faciliate such adjustment beam 12 is tubular and, as shown in Figure 5 in particular, of rectangular cross-section. Each cradle 15 is of T-shaped configuration having a centre limb 33 also of rectangular cross-section and slidable longitudinally within main beam 12. Each cradle 15 also has a transverse limb 34 which is of tubular form and of rectangular cross-section. At each end of each transverse limb 34 there is provided a wheel pad 16 welded to a wheel pad arm 35 as shown in Figure 6. Each arm 35 is also of rectangular cross-section and is slidable longitudinally within transverse limb 34.In order that rectangular section tube of standard dimensions may be used for beam 12, centre and transverse limbs 33,34 and arms 35 instead of tubes manufactured specifically for use in the turntable 10 rods 36 of suitable diameters are welded inside beam 12 and transverse limbs 34 to extend transversely thereof adjacent the open ends. The diameters of rods 36 are chosen so that centre limbs 33 and arms 35 are each a close sliding fit within the respective beam 12 or transverse limb 34. By this means the cost of manufacture of the turntable is reduced by comparison with such cost as would be incurred in the manufacture of accurately dimensioned tubes speci ficallyforthis purpose.

Sleeve 23 is offset longitudinally from the centre of beam 12 so as to provide approximately even loading on plates 11 and 25 when a vehicle is supported on turntable 10. The offset compensates approximately for the uneven weight distribution of the vehicle, that end of the vehicle containing the engine being positioned nearer to spindle 19 than the other end of the vehicle.

The drive provided between pulley 14 and domed plate 11 can be overcome if required and relative slip will occur. In this way rotation of the vehicle can be stopped abruptly in an emergency, so that use of the turntable is relatively safe.

The turntable of the invention provides that the wheel pads 16 are closer to the floor 17 than is the case with turntables known heretofore, thus obviating the need for ramps. In this way the cost of the turntable and the transportation costs are reduced by comparison with known turntables. Furthermore since plate 11 is relatively thin and plate 25 is relatively small the overall weight of the turntable is less than that of known turntables, thereby reducing initial costs and transportation costs further, and facilitating the portability of the turntable. The configuration of the present turntable, with a relatively shallow domed base and the motor 13 mounted within the vertical extent of beam 12, ensures that the overall height of the turntable is of the order of half of that of known turntables, thus enabling up to twice as many to be loaded in a container. This reduces the transportation cost per turntable particularly in the case of exported turntables.

Alternative embodiments of turntable will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the art. For example domed plate 11 may have apertures therein or be of spoke and rim construction to reduce the weight further, consistent with retaining sufficient strength and resilience to enable the plate to contribute to the support of the vehicle and stability of the assembly. Also plate 25 could be of circular or other planform. Means may also be provided for locating cradles 15 and wheel pads 16 in any position of adjustment, for example pegs and holes, grooved undersides of centre limb 33 and arms 35 to cooperate with rods 36 or other like means.

CLAIMS (Filed on 2lstjune,81) 1. A turntable comprising a base unit and a load support structure rotatably mounted thereon, said base unit comprising first support means extending outwardly and downwardly from said load support structure, and second support means disposed at that side of the first support means remote from said load support structure, said first support means being adapted to support said second support means out of contact with a surface on which said first support means is placed whilst no load is carried by said load support structure, and to resiliently deform so as to allow said second support means to contact said surface when a load is carried by said load support structure.

2. A turntable according to claim 1 wherein said load support structure is rotatably mounted on a spindle which is secured to said first support means.

3. A turntable according to claim 2 wherein said second support means is secured to said spindle.

4. A turntable according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein said first support means comprises a domed plate.

5. Aturntable according to claim 4 wherein said domed plate is of steel.

6. Aturntable according to claim 4 or claim 5 wherein said plate has an edging strip applied thereto of a relatively soft and resilient material.

7. Aturntable according to claim 6 wherein said edging strip is of rubber.

8. Aturntable according to claim 6 wherein said edging strip is of a plastics material.

9. A turntable according to any one claims 1 to 8 wherein said second support structure comprises a flat plate.

10. A turntable according to claim 9 wherein said flat plate is of steel.

11. A turntable according to claim 3 wherein said domed plate and said flat plate are of steel and are secured to said spindle by welding.

12. A turntable according to any one of claims 1 to 11 wherein said load support structure comprises a main beam and a cradle attached to said beam at each end thereof.

13. Aturntable according to claim 12 comprising a drive motor mounted on said main beam and having a drive pulley connected therewith and disposed so as to drivingly engage said base unit.

14. Aturntable according to claim 13 wherein said drive motor is mounted on said main beam within the vertical extent thereof.

15. A turntable according to claim 13 wherein said drive pulley engages an upwardly facing surface of said base unit.

16. Aturntable according to any one of claims 13 to 15 wherein said drive motor is pivotally mounted on said main beam and is resiliently biassed towards said base unit.

17. A turntable according to any one of claims 13 to 16 wherein said first support means comprises a domed plate and said drive pulley is of frusto-conical shape so as to drivingly engage said domed plate.

18. A turntable according to any one of claims 12 to 17 wherein said main beam is mounted on a spindle at a location offset from the longitudinal centre line of said main beam.

19. Aturntable according to any one of claims 12 to 17 wherein said cradles are positionally adjustable longitudinally of said main beam.

20. A turntable according to claim 19 wherein said main beam comprises a tube and each of said cradles is of T shaped configuration and comprises a centre limb which is slidable within said tube.

21. Aturntable according to claim 20 wherein each cradle comprises a limb extending transversely of said main beam and having a load-carrying pad at each end thereof.

22. A turntable according to claim 21 wherein each of said transverse limbs is of tubular form and each load carrying pad comprises an arm which is slidable in a transverse limb.

23. A turntable according to claim 22 wherein each tube is of rectangular cross section.

24. A turntable according to claim 23 wherein each tube has a restricting member secured to an internal surface at or adjacent the or each end thereof whereby the respective limb or arm is a close sliding fit within said tube.

25. Aturntable according to claim 24wherein said restricting member comprises a round bar.

26. A turntable substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. Alternative embodiments of turntable will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the art. For example domed plate 11 may have apertures therein or be of spoke and rim construction to reduce the weight further, consistent with retaining sufficient strength and resilience to enable the plate to contribute to the support of the vehicle and stability of the assembly. Also plate 25 could be of circular or other planform. Means may also be provided for locating cradles 15 and wheel pads 16 in any position of adjustment, for example pegs and holes, grooved undersides of centre limb 33 and arms 35 to cooperate with rods 36 or other like means. CLAIMS (Filed on 2lstjune,81)

1. A turntable comprising a base unit and a load support structure rotatably mounted thereon, said base unit comprising first support means extending outwardly and downwardly from said load support structure, and second support means disposed at that side of the first support means remote from said load support structure, said first support means being adapted to support said second support means out of contact with a surface on which said first support means is placed whilst no load is carried by said load support structure, and to resiliently deform so as to allow said second support means to contact said surface when a load is carried by said load support structure.

5. Aturntable according to claim 4 wherein said domed plate is of steel.

7. Aturntable according to claim 6 wherein said edging strip is of rubber.

10. A turntable according to claim 9 wherein said flat plate is of steel.