GB2358173A - Tractor activated tiltable load carrying trailer - Google Patents

Abstract

A trailer 10 for a tractor unit 11 that can be tilted relative to the wheels 12 to ease loading is provided. The front of the trailer can be raised by raising the variable suspension at the rear 32 of the chassis of the tractor unit. The trailer support means 22 is normally inclined at 2.4 degrees, and is horizontal when the tractor is in it's raised position. Alternatively, or additionally, air bag elements (20 figure 4) on the trailer may be lowered to tilt the rear of the trailer. A further aspect of the invention relates to loading ramps (41, 42 figure 6) which are stored and transported within the trailer and are lockable to the rear when deployed (figures 6 -8). Also disclosed is varying the orientation of the load with respect to the load carrying part by operating auxiliary air bags (73 figure 9) acting on the rear of the load so that the load is horizontal during transport.

Description

2358173 PATENTS ACT 1977 Title: Load Carrying Vehicle

Description of Invention

The present invention relates to load carrying vehicles, and particularly but not exclusively to trailers to be pulled by tractor units.

In load carrying vehicles, and in particular for trailers to be pulled by tractor units, the vehicle conventionally comprises a load carrying part to receive a load and ground engaging means, usually in the form of a plurality of wheels. In general, considerations of carrying capacity and vehicle length dictate that the load carrying part be placed above the wheels, to ensure that the load carrying part is unobstructed by the wheels and extends along the greater part of the length of the vehicle. Such a configuration results in a raised load carrying part which imposes particular requirements in terms of loading the vehicle. Where the load consists of palleted or crated items, the load may be lifted on to the load carrying part of the vehicle by, for example, a forklift truck or a crane. Alternatively, a hydraulic or electric hoist may be provided mounted on the vehicle, or access means such as a free standing structure may be provided.

The use of all such means can extend the time taken to load or unload the vehicle.

In the particular application of transporting cars or other vehicles, it is known to use specialised vehicles, commonly referred to as car transporters. When transporting cars from the factory to the point of sale, particularly where a sea journey is involved, a large number of loading steps are required. For example, it may be envisaged that a specialised car transporter carries a load of cars from the factory to a rail head; the cars are then transferred to a train comprising specialised rolling stock for carrying the cars; if the cars are meant 2 rom the train, ad to be transported by sea, the cars would then be unloaded f 1 1 loaded into specialised car carrying containers which are of a size and strue ' re 1 to conform to ISO standards for shipping containers. Each transhipping t - .p entails time and expense in transferring the load of, in this example, cars, a id the risk of damage to the cars in transit increases with each transhipping stel. 1 An aim of the invention is to provide a new or improved load carr.ll, g vehicle.

According to a first aspect of the invention we provide a load cartyiig 1 vehicle comprising a load carrying part, ground engaging means and actuai ig means operable to move the load carrying part relative to the ground betwei a travelling position and a loading position.

Preferably the load carrying part is moved relative to ground engal 9 means by varying the inclination of the load carrying pail relative to the gre d engaging means such that a rearward portion of the load carrying pm, is lowered relative to the ground.

Of course, said movement of the load carrying part relative to th d results from movement of the load carrying part relative to the ground enga:g means between a travelling position and a loading position.

According to a first alternative of the first aspect of the inventioil, e load carrying vehicle may comprise a trailer provided with said load car g part and said ground engaging means, the trailer further comprising a coul 9 means for engagement with a coupling part of a tractor unit, the tractor lit' being provided with actuating means, the coupling means being provided a support part of the trailer such that operation of said actuating means ca, es said movement of the load carrying part between the travelling position ari( 1 e loading position.

Preferably, said support part comprises an element inclined to said ad carrying part, said coupling means being provided on said inclined element.

i 3 The actuating means may comprise a variable suspension provided on said tractor unit.

Said variable suspension may be varied between a first, lowered, position wherein the trailer is in its travelling position and a second, raised, position in which the trailer is in its loading position.

The inclined element of the support means may be disposed such that when the trailer is in its loading position, the inclined element is substantially horizontal.

The trailer may thus be moved between its loading and unloading positions by operation of the variable suspension of the tractor unit. Such movement is facilitated by the shape of the inclined element.

The coupling may comprise a conventional fifth wheel coupling. Conventional fifth wheel couplings are able to accommodate relative movement between a trailer and a tractor about a generally horizontal axis and so would be particularly appropriate.

According to a second alternative of the first aspect of the invention, the load carrying vehicle may comprise actuating means connected between the ground engaging means and the load carrying part, the actuating means being operable to move the load carrying part between its travelling position and its loading position.

The actuating means may comprise a fluid pressure means.

The fluid pressure means may comprise a conventional pneumatic suspension element. The vehicle may be provided with manually operable control to control the supply of pneumatic pressure to said suspension element.

Where the load carrying vehicle comprises a suspension, said actuating means may comprise part of said suspension.

The loading carrying vehicle may comprise a trailer adapted to be drawn by a tractor unit. Fluid pressure may be supplied to said actuating means from 4 a conventional fluid pressure supply, in particularly air brake supply, provio d on the tractor unit.

It will be apparent that a load carrying vehicle may be provided vi means according to one or both alternatives of the first aspect of the inventio i. In each case, the effect of operating the actuating means is to incline the l, d carrying part of the load carrying vehicle such that a rearward part of the 1(d carrying part is lowered. This lowering of the load carrying part facilitgts loading and unloading of the vehicle.

The second alternative is particularly appropriate when the traileil 5 provided with smaller wheels, thus allowing the rear portion of the trailerl I'o 1 ' descend flirther whilst avoiding engagement with the upper surfaces of,e wheels.

According to a second aspect of the invention, we provide a ramp mes for a load carrying vehicle, the ramp means being carried by the vehicle u a stored position and being movable to a deployed position to facilitate loading( r unloading of the load carrying vehicle.

1 11 1 5 1 j 1 The ramp means may comprise a first part and a second part, the sec ', part being slideable relative to the first part when in the stored position aii j being extendable to extend in a longitudinal direction from the first part in 1, e deployed position. Stop means may be provided to prevent separation of sl'd first part and said second pail.

The second pail may be slidably received within the first part in stored position.

The ramp means may be provided with intermediate support meansi engage the ground to support the ramp means.

Said support means are preferably provided pivotally attached to s first part.

The ramp means may comprise a raised part disposed on one or 1)( edges of at least one of the first part and the second part.

The ramp means may comprise engagement means to engage a part of the load carrying part of the vehicle or of the load when the ramp means is its deployed position.

The ramp means may comprise a guide element engageable with guide means provided on the load carrying vehicle to guide the rwnp means.

The guide element may comprise a roller and the guide means may comprise a track engageable by said roller.

Where the ramp means is provided on a load carrying vehicle having an underrun bumper, the ramp means in its stored position may rest on said underrun bumper. Said underrun bumper may be provided with ancillary guide means to engage said ramp means.

When the ramp means is its stored position, said intermediate support means may engage said underrun bumper.

The vehicle may be provided with a pair of said guide means.

Such a ramp means provide a ramp which is stored on the vehicle in a compact fashion but which provide a sufficiently long ramp to provide access to and from the load carrying part. In particular, the provision of a pair of ramp means permits vehicles to be driven onto the load carrying part of the load carrying vehicle, the guide tracks provided on the ramp means serving to maintain the wheels of the vehicle on the ramp means to facilitate loading and unloading. Where the ramp means are provided on a vehicle according to at least one alternative of the first aspect of the invention, the combination of the ramp means and the means to lower the rearward portion of the load carrying part results in a reduced angle between the ramp and the load carrying part, reducing the possibility of damage to the underside of a vehicle being driven on to or off the load carrying part.

In particular, where a car-carrying container is provided disposed on the load carrying part, a vehicle according to the first aspect of the invention may comprise a ramp means according to the second aspect of the invention and 6 may be loaded and unloaded without the need for, for example, a crane, hst or free standing or permanent ramp structure. As such, no separate unloadi#g means or facilities are required.

According to a third aspect of the invention, we provide a load canyi g vehicle comprising a load carrying part and ancillary lift means movze : 1 between a retracted position and an extended position to vary the orientatioi f a load disposed on the load carrying part relative to the load carrying 1 1 Preferably, the ancillary lift means is disposed such that when in its retragt (d position, the load is supported on the load carrying part, and in its extendd position the inclination of the load relative to the load carrying part is varied The ancillary lift means preferably comprises a fluid pressure operatd element and preferably a pair of such elements disposed one at each side of! e vehicle. Ancillary control means may be provided to control the supply of duid pressure to said ancillary lift means.

When the load carrying part is in its inclined position, the ancill suspension means permits a load disposed on the load carrying part to e moved to a generally horizontal position. In the particular example where I'e load comprises a car container having one or more movable decks, such a horizontal disposition of the car carrying container may be necessary to p('lkit movement of the decks of the container.

A load carrying vehicle may be provided according to the third asped Of the invention and at least one of the first and second aspects of the invention, 'li According to a fourth aspect of the invention, we provide a methoc f transporting vehicles comprising providing a load carrying vehicle accordin 00 said first aspect of the invention with a load comprising a car-cari) i I'g container, operating said actuating means to move the load carrying part t ' ts loading position, driving a vehicle into said car carrying container aj d operating said actuating means to raise said load carrying part to its travellig position.

7 Where the vehicle is provided with ramp means according to the second aspect of the invention, said method may comprise the additional step of moving said ramp means to its deployed position prior to loading said vehicle, and moving said ramp means from its deployed position to its stored position where said loading or unloading is complete.

Where the vehicle is provided with ancillary lifting means according to the third aspect of the invention, the method may comprise the further step of operating said ancillary lifting means to vary the orientation of the load.

The invention will know be described by way of the example only, in reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 shows a load carrying vehicle according to the present invention comprising a trailer in its travelling position, Figure 2 is the vehicle of Figure 1 in its loading position, Figure 3 is a top view of part of the vehicle of Figure 1, Figure 4 is a side view in part section of the suspension means of the vehicle of Figure 1, Figure 5 is a perspective view of a rear part of the vehicle of Figure 1, Figure 6 is a perspective view of a rear part of a vehicle according to the second aspect of the invention, Figure 7 is a perspective view from the underside of the ramp means in its deployed position, Figure 8 is a side view in part section of the ramp means of Figure 7, Figure 9 is a side view of a vehicle according to the third aspect of the invention, Figure 10 is a perspective view of a rear part of the vehicle of Figure 9 in an intermediate configuration, Figure 11 is a side view of the rearward portion of the vehicle in Figure 9, Figure 12 is an end view of the vehicle of Figure 9, and c) 1, 8 Figure 13 is an end view of the vehicle of Figure 9 in a fur J er configuration As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the load carrying vehicle in the pre (nt example comprises a trailer 10 which is drawn by a tractor unit 11 as show in Figure 1. The trailer 10 comprises a plurality of ground engaging elementIs in the form of a plurality of wheels 12 arranged in conventional manner. T ie trailer 10 further comprises a load carrying part 13. In conventional ma-n,,:,,.r, the load carrying part 13 comprises a pair of transversely conne ted longitudinal beams 14 provided at each end with transverse beams 15. Eacb f the transverse beams 15 is provided with end mounting means 16 of stan4aIrd ISO twist-lock type to engage a shipping container in a conventional man W. Intermediate mounting means 17 are provided towards the midpoint of tie longitudinal beams 13 such that the load carrying part may receive a sing'e, double length, shipping container or two, single length, shipping containers. A pair of side bars 11 a of conventional type are disposed one at each side of 1 t ie vehicle. The tractor unit 11 is of conventional type comprising a plurality f wheels 30, a cab 31 and a rearward part 32. The rearward part 32 of the tray r 11 which is provided with a connecting means in the form of a conventicrl fifth wheel connection 33.

In a first alternative which embodies the first alternative of the I b st aspect of the invention, the forward part of the trailer 10 comprises a neck] 21 comprising support means 22 on which connecting means are provided lto engage a connecting means of the tractor 11. The support means 22 compri S Cs a lower part of the neck 2 1. As best seen in Figures 1 to 3, the support me alis 22 is inclined relative to the load carrying part 13 at an angle of 2.4',td preferably in the range 1' to 4'. The tractor 11 comprises a conventi 1 11 al variable suspension (not shown) such that the elevation of the rearward part.12 relative to the wheels 30 is controllable. As a result a forward part of the ld 9 carrying part 13 may be raised from a travelling position shown in Figure 1 to a loading position shown in Figure 2.

In a second alternative which embodies the second alternative of the first aspect of the invention, as best seen in Figure 4, the wheels 12 of the trailer I I are each mounted on a trailing link 18 pivotally connected by a pivot 19 to a longitudinal beam 14. Disposed between each trailing link 18 and the longitudinal beam 4 is an actuating means comprising a pneumatic suspension element 20 of conventional type, in the present example referred to as an 'air bag'. The elements 20 are supplied with pneumatic pressure by a supply means (not shown). Preferably the pneumatic pressure is supplied by the tractor I I via a pneurriatic coupling in conventional manner although it may be envisaged that fluid pressure could be supplied from a reservoir or other source provided on the trailer 10. It will be apparent that other actuating means may be provided in addition to or separately from the suspension elements 20.

By exhausting air from the pneumatic suspension elements 20 the rearward part of the trailer supported by the wheels 12 may be lowered from the transport position shown in Figure I to the loading position shown in Figure 2.

In the present example, the vehicle carries a load in the form of a container 34 for carrying cars or other vehicles. As shown in Figure 1, the container comprises a pair of end frames 35 and a pair of decks 36a, 36b. The upper deck 36a is movable relative to the lower deck 36b to permit loading and unloading of the upper deck 36a and to accommodate desired number and configuration of vehicles. The container 34 is further provided with end ramps 37. The container is provided with mounting points 38 in the form of ISO boxes which engage the end mounting means 16 provided on the trailer 10 in conventional manner. In the present example, the container 34 is of a standard size and configuration to enable it to be lifted and moved using conventional container handling facilities.

i:1 i I Referring to Figures 5 to 9 the vehicle further comprises ramp MI ' s generally indicated at 40. The ramp means 40 comprises a first part 41 arl' a i! second part 42, the second part 42 being telescopically receivable in the irst part 41 in its stored position as shown in Figures 5, 7 and 8. The ramp m"IS 40 is movable to a deployed position as shown in Figure 6. The first part 414 lis provided at one end with engagement means to engage a part of the I, 64d carrying part 13 or, as in the present example, the container 34. e engagement means comprises a pin 43a and a plurality of holes 43b provi,d on a projecting part 43c of the first part 41. A plurality of correspon apertures 44a, 44b are provided on the access ramp 37 of the container 34. e of the corresponding apertures 44a, 44b receives the pin 43a whilst a sepaf te locking pin 45 is inserted though of one said apertures 43b into corresponcii g aperture 44b.

Pivotally attached to the other end of the first part 41 is an intermedike support 46. The intermediate support 46 comprises a pair of vertical elemits 47 each pivotally attached adjacent one end to the first part 41, and connem-d at their lower ends by a transverse part 48 which rests upon the ground w m the ramp means 40 is in its deployed position. The first part 41 is provil.-d with outwardly projecting rollers 49 to engage a guide provided on the vehi ',e.

The first part 41 is generally channel-shaped in cross section, comprisin upper surface 50 with upwardly projecting edge guides 51 disposed either i e of the upper surface 50. Below the upper surface 50, the first part 4 provided with lower channels 52 to receive the second part 42. The sec part 42 is similarly channel shaped in cross section, with an upper surfac, 3 and side parts 54 which are slidably received in the lower channels 52 ofli e first part 4 1. 1 To facilitate sliding movement of the part 42 in the first part 4 1, the second part 42 is provided with rollers 55 which are received in the loWer channels 52. Locating means 57 and first stop means 58 engage the rollens 1 5 11 and second part 42 respectively when the second part 42 is in its fully withdrawn position inside the first part 41. Second stop means 59, in the present example comprising a bolt head projecting into the channel 52, engage the rollers 55 when the second part 42 is in its deployed position to prevent disengagement of the first part 41 and second part 42.

As best seen in Figure 9, to locate the ramp means in its stored position, the vehicle is provided with guide elements 60, 61 which engage the rollers 49 provided adjacent an end of and projecting outwardly of the first part 41. The first elements 60 comprise a "L" shaped guide rail, whilst the second guide element 61 comprises an inverted 'T' shape. The guide elements 60, 61 are disposed such that a pair of ramp means 40 are disposed side by side in a stored position as seen in Figure 5.

The vehicle further comprises an underrun bumper 62 connected to the vehicle 10 by longitudinal arms 63. Disposed on the upper surface of the unden-un buinper 62 are a pair of rollers 64 separated by a lug 65. As seen in Figure 5, in the stored position the ramp means 40 rest on the rollers 64 adjacent to one another separated by the lug 65. Suitable clip means 66 are provided on the underrun bumper 62 to engage the intermediate support 46 and hold the ramp means 40 in its stored position.

The longitudinal aims 63 are slidably mounted on the vehicle 10 such that the position of the underrun bumper 62 can be varied. In conventional manner, the underrun bumper 62 can be disposed in one of the two positions shown in broken outline in Figure 5, depending on the length of the container or other load disposed on the load carrying part 13. The underrun bumper 62 is movable to a third position shown in full in Figure 5 when it is required to deploy the ramp means 40. The beams 63 may be provided with a plurality of holes (not shown) engagable by a spring mounted pin located on the vehicle to hold the unden-un bumper 62 in a selected one of the alternative positions.

12 Referring now to Figures 9 to 13, an ancillary lifting means is providd disposed towards the rear of vehicle 10. The rear transverse beam I is connected by a pair of arms 70 each connected by a pivot 71 to one of the longitudinal beams 14. The longitudinal beams are inter-connected by a loWer transverse beam 72. Connected between the lower transverse beam 72 and ffle rear transverse beam 15 are a pair of fluid pressure actuating elements 73, in this example in the form of pneumatic "air bags" similar to the air bags 20. s seenfrom Figures 9 to 13, the actuating elements 73 are operable to H4e transverse beam 15. The range of movement of the actuating elements 7 lis such that in an extended position the container 34 is in a generally horizo,lal position as best shown in Figure 9. The end connecting means 16 d 1 mounting means 38 have sufficient relative freedom of movement for A j container 34 and transverse beam 15 to be able to rotate relative to one anoghr 1 over the range of movement of the actuating elements 73.

As best seen in Figure 9, the longitudinal beams 14 are provided wig a 1 recess 75 shaped to receive the transverse beam 15 such that the upper surfe of the transverse beam 15 is generally coplanar with the upper surface oflit c longitudinal beams 14 when the ancillary means is in a retracted position. te actuating elements 73 may be supplied with pneumatic pressure, in the prt. ,celt example from the compressor provided in conventional manner on the trat ', r units 30 by suitable manually operated controls, although it may be envisa), d that fluid pressure could be supplied from a reservoir or other source provilld j 1 on the trailer 10.

An ancillary lifting means is particularly desirable where the contai r 34 comprises one or more movable decks such that cars or other vehicles to,', e transported may be carried on two or more decks to maximise use of I e Y volume of the container. When the movable deck 36b is being moved. it be desirable for the container 34 to be in a generally horizontal position.

0 raise the load carrying part 13 of the vehicle 10 simply using the support meos 11 13 is not desirable, since as discussed below, it is preferable that in the travelling position, the air bags 20 are at the top of their range. The provision of the lift means thus permit the container 34 to be moved to a generally horizontal position without the need to, for example remove the container 34 from the load carrying part 13 on the vehicle 10 and place it on horizontal surface.

In operation, when the trailer 10 is being drawn by a tractor unit 11, as shown in Figure I the load carrying part 13 exhibits a rearward tilt. Where the trailer is provided with an inclined support means 22, the rearward tilt is greater than would be present in a conventional trailer. The suspension elements 20 are disposed in their uppermost position. The rearward part 32 of the tractor unit I I is at its travelling height and the actuating elements 73 are in their lowermost position. The underrun bumper 62 is in a selected one of its alternative positions such that it is generally in line with the end of the container 34 disposed on the load carrying part 13. In this position, the transverse beam 15 is received in the recesses 75 of the longitudinal beams 14. The container 34 rests on the longitudinal beams 14 and on the transverse beams 15.

When it is desired to load or unload the vehicle, it is desirable to lower the rear part of the vehicle as far as possible and this may be achieved by use of one of the following alternatives.

In a first alternative which embodies the first alternative of the first aspect of the invention, the variable suspension provided on the tractor unit 11 is operable to raise the rear part 32 of the tractor unit 11, liffing the neck 21 of the trailer 10, causing trailer 10 to pivot about in horizontal axis and lowering the rearward part of the load carrying part 13. This is facilitated by the inclined support means 22. The support elements 20 accommodate the movement of the load carrying part 13 relative to the wheels 12.

In a second alternative which embodies the second alternative of the first aspect of the invention, the air bags 20 are deflated to lower the load carrying 14 part 13 relative to the wheels 12. The trailer 10 will pivot about a horizo,ial axis passing through the fifth wheel connection 33. Preferably, when the trlir 10 is in its travelling position the air bags 20 are fully inflated to provide,e maximum. range of downward movement in the loading position.

Either or both of these alternatives may be used to lower the rear part,' f the load carrying surface as far as possible.

When it is desired to use a ramp means which embodies the seci aspect of the invention, the underrun bumper 62 is moved to its most exten d position. The first parts of the ramp means 40 are then slid out from t ir stored position such that the rollers 48 are released from the guide means 60 1 and such that the intermediate support 46 rests on the ground. The first part 1 can then be lifted such that the pin 43a is received in the aperture 44a provi d on the container 34. A locking pin 45 is inserted through apertures 43h, z The second part 42 is extended from the first part 41 such that the free ei14 f the second part 42 rests on the ground providing a continuous ramp. The tip means 59 prevents the second part 42 being completely withdrawn from t e i 1 first part 4 1. As in the present illustration, where a pair of ramp means 401 1 e 1 tl provided, the ramp means may be deployed spaced from one another a suitably desired spacing, and the ramp means 40 may be connected to provid d a measured spacing, for example using a flexible connecting means such a cord.

Where it is desired to load cars or other vehicles to be transported o 0 a car container of the type shown at 29, the spacing of the ramp means 40 i iy be set according to the spacing on the vehicle's wheels. It may alternatively)e envisaged that it is intended to provide, for example, a material handli ig vehicle with access to the load carrying part of the load carrying vehicl lto facilitate loading and unloading, and the spacing of the ramps can be, et accordingly.

When it is desired to return the ramp means 40 to its stored position, the reverse operation takes place. The locking pin 45 is removed and pin 43a is released from the aperture 44a. The first part 41 is then lowered such that it rests on the roller 64. The second part 42 is returned to its stored position inside the first part 41, such that the rollers 55 engage the stop 57 and the second part contacts the stop 58. The first part 41 is slid in a forward direction on the roller 64 until the rollers 48 engage the guide elements 60, 6 1. The ramp means 40 will then be slid into its stored position until the intermediate support means 45 engages the underrun bumper 62.

The intermediate support means 46 then engage the clip means 66 and theunderrun bumper is returned to a travelling position.

The load carrying vehicle as described herein has particular advantages in transport of cars or other vehicles(hereinafter referred to as 'cars' for convenience). Conventionally cars to be distributed on the factory are first loaded onto specialised car transporters for movement by road or rail. Where the cars are then to be transported by sea the cars are transferred to a car container of the type shown at 34 which has the same dimensions and standard fittings and may be handled in the same way as a standard cargo container. On arrival at the destination, the cars and other vehicles have be removed from the car container 34 driven onto specialised road or rail vehicles for onward travel. It will be apparent that several other transhipping stages may be required at different points of the journey through the distribution of network. At each loading and unloading stage, the cars are at risk of damage.

By contrast, a load carrying vehicle according to the present invention has permits cars to be transported to be carried from source to destination without the need to remove the cars from the container 34.. Thus, at the factory, the cars may be loaded into a car container 34 and the car container 34 placed on a standard load carrying vehicle, for example a trailer as in the present example, or on a standard railway vehicle as desired. The load carrying 16 vehicle according to the first aspect of the invention may be provided iv,ih means to lower the rearward pail of the load carrying part of the vehicle ar4 a ramp means according to the second aspect of the invention permits cars to e loaded on to a car container 34 provided on a load carrying part of the lid carrying vehicle without a need for separate hoist means, free-standirig rf"P means or crane means.

Where the cars are to be transferred to another form of transport,A r example, to a ship, the container 34 may be treated as a standard shipli g container for loading and unloading without the need to unload the indivi(I4al cars from the container 34.

For their onward journey, the containers 29 can then be transferre( o another load carrying vehicle of the type according to the present invention. J o deliver the cars to the dealer or other sale point from which they are to be sOd, a load carrying vehicle according to the present invention provided with a, 4ar carrying container 34 may unload the vehicles from the car carrying conta er e 34, again without the need for any facilities other than the means to lowerl rear part of the load carrying pail of the vehicle and the ramp means 40.

It could then be envisaged that car on the vehicles could be transhipod from the factory to the point of sale in one container, only needing to be dOV n onto the container at factory and unloaded from the container at the poin!of sale with no other loading and unloading steps in between. This ability to 11 e the cars to their destination with a minimum of loading and unloadin is particularly advantageous It will be apparent that a load carrying vehicle according to the prepnt invention may be used to transport other loads. It may be envisaged,i: or example, that the load carrying part could be suitably adapted to carrying lk cargoes, or palleted cargoes and that the ramp means 40 may provide acce.js to load carrying part for suitable material handling vehicles, for example, vellilc es having a loading bucket or forks to engage palleted loads. This would e 17 particularly advantageous when it is desired to move palleted or other loads from a standard closed cargo container disposed on a load carrying part 13 without the need to move the container from the load carrying part 13 prior to unloading. In such a case, the ramp means may be used by a means for unloading the container, for example a fork lift truck or other load handling vehicle or other means.

It will be apparent that a vehicle according to any aspect of the present invention may be provided by suitably modifying or adapting a conventional vehicle.

In the present specification "comprise" means "includes or consists of' and "comprising" means "including or consisting of'.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terins of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims (45)

1. A load carrying vehicle comprising a load carrying part, gro,l'id engaging means and actuating means operable to move the load carrying])1n i relative to the ground between a travelling position and a loading position.

2. A load carrying vehicle according to Claim 1 wherein the load cari) part is moved relative to ground engaging means by varying the inclinationtf j the load carrying part relative to the ground engaging means such tht a rearward portion of the load carrying part is lowered relative to the ground.

3. A load carrying vehicle according to Claim 2 wherein the load cany g vehicle comprises a trailer provided with said load carrying part and s d ground engaging means, the trailer further comprising a coupling means f or engagement with a coupling part of a tractor unit, the tractor unit bbLg provided with actuating means, the coupling means being provided on a supoc part such that operation of said actuating means causes said movement oflifl e load carrying part between its travelling position and its loading position.

4. A load carrying vehicle according to Claim 3 wherein said support comprises an element inclined to said load carrying part, said coupling m S being provided on said inclined element.

1 1,

5. A load carrying vehicle according to Claim 3 or Claim 4 wherein'4e actuating means comprises a variable suspension provided on said tractor unt

6. A load carrying vehicle according to Claim 5 wherein said variEtte suspension is movable between a first, lowered, position wherein the trail&, is 19 in its travelling position and a second, raised, position in which the trailer is in its loading position.

7. A load carrying vehicle according to Claim 6 wherein the inclined element of the support means is disposed such that when the trailer is in its loading position, the inclined element is substantially horizontal.

8. A load carrying vehicle according to Claim 3 wherein the coupling part comprises a fifth wheel coupling.

9. A load carrying vehicle according to Claim 2 wherein the load carrying vehicle comprises actuating means connected between the ground engaging means and the load carrying part, the actuating means being operable to move the load carrying part between its travelling position and its loading position.

10. A load carrying vehicle according to Claim 9 wherein the actuating means comprises a fluid pressure means.

11. A load carrying vehicle according to Claim 10 wherein the fluid pressure means comprises a pneumatic support element.

12. A load carrying vehicle according to Claim 11 wherein the vehicle is provided with a manually operable control to control the supply of pneumatic pressure to said support element.

13. A load carrying vehicle according to any one of Claims 9 to 12 wherein the load carrying vehicle comprises a suspension and said actuating means comprise part of said suspension.

14. A load carrying vehicle according to any one of Claims 9 to 13 wh(. ile the loading carrying vehicle comprises a trailer adapted to be drawn by a tr,,t(,tr unit.

15. A load carrying vehicle according to Claim 14 where dependent diret,y L - or indirectly on Claim 10 wherein fluid pressure is supplied to said actualiffin means from a fluid pressure supply provided on the tractor unit.

16 A load carrying vehicle according to any one of Claims 1 to 8 'd according to any one of Claims 9 to 15.

17. A ramp means for a load carrying vehicle, the ramp means being cand by the vehicle in a stored position and being movable to a deployed positiolxj!.o facilitate loading or unloading of the load carrying vehicle.

18. A ramp means according to Claim 17 wherein the ramp me 1 comprises a first part and a second part, the second part being slidable relai" e 1 ' to the first part when in the stored position and being extendable to extend a j longitudinal direction from the first part in the deployed position.

19. A ramp means according to Claim 18 wherein the second part is slid,bl, y received within the first part in the stored position.

20. A ramp means according to Claim 18 or Claim 19 wherein stop MCis are provided to prevent separation of said first part and said second parl

21 21. A ramp means according to any one of Claims 18 to 20 wherein the ramp means is provided with intermediate support means to engage the ground to support the ramp means.

22. A ramp means according to Claim 21 wherein said support means is provided pivotally attached to said first part.

23. A ramp means according to any one of Claims 17 to 22 wherein the ramp means comprises a raised part disposed on one or both edges of at least one of the first part and the second part.

24. A ramp means according to any one of Claims 17 to 23 comprising engagement means to engage a part of the load carrying part of the vehicle or of the load when the ramp means is its deployed position.

25. A ramp means according to any one of Claims 17 to 24 wherein the ramp means comprises a guide element engageable with guide means provided on the load carrying vehicle to guide the ramp means.

26. A ramp means according to Claim 25 wherein the guide element comprises a roller and the guide means comprises a track engageable by said roller.

27. A ramp means according to any one of Claims 17 to 26 provided on a load carrying vehicle wherein the vehicle comprises an underrun bumper and the ramp means in its stored position rests on said underrun bumper.

28. A ramp means according to Claim 27 wherein said unden-un bumper is provided with ancillary guide means to engage said ramp means.

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29. A ramp means according to Claim 27 or Claim 28 where depen(Int 1 directly or indirectly on Claim 20 wherein when the ramp means is its stOFd position, said intermediate support means engage said underrun bumper.

A ramp means substantially as described herein with reference toope accompanying drawings.

31. A load carrying vehicle comprising ramp means according to any onp i i of !I Claims 17 to 30.

I I

32. A load carrying vehicle comprising a load carrying part and ancill lifting means movable between a retracted position and an extended positio -1 Ito vary the orientation of a load disposed on the load carrying part relative t6 e load carrying part.

33. A load carrying vehicle according to Claim 32 wherein the ancilarv T" 1 lifting means is disposed such that when in its retracted position, the load, is 1 " supported on the load carrying part, and in its extended position the inclinafi' n of the load relative to the load carrying part is varied.

34. A load carrying vehicle according to Claim 32 or Claim 33 whereinj e ancillary lifting means comprises a fluid pressure operated element 44d preferably a pair of such elements disposed one at each side of the vehicle.

35. A load carrying vehicle according to Claim 34 wherein ancillary conol means are provided to control the supply of fluid pressure to said ancillary lifting means.

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36. A load carrying vehicle comprising ancillary lifting means substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

37. A load carrying vehicle according to any one of Claims 32 to 36 and/or according to any one of claims 1 to 16 and/or comprising a ramp means according to any one of Claims 17 to 30.

38. A method of transporting vehicles comprising providing a load carrying vehicle according to any one of claims I to 16 with a car- carrying container, operating said actuating means to move the load carrying part to its loading position, driving said vehicle in to said car carrying container and operating said actuating means to raise said load carrying part to its travelling position.

39. A method according to Claim 38 wherein the vehicle is provided with ramp means according to any one of claims 17 to 30, said method may comprise the additional step of moving said ramp means to its deployed position prior to loading said vehicle, and moving said ramp means from its deployed position to its stored position where said loading or unloading is complete.

40. A method according to Claim 38 or Claim 39 wherein the vehicle comprises a vehicle according to any one of Claims 31 to 36 and wherein the method comprises the further step of operating said ancillary lifting means to vary the orientation of the load relative to the load carrying part.

41. A vehicle according to any one of Claims 1, 31 and 32 substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

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42. A vehicle substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to e accompanying drawings.

43. A ramp substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to e accompanying drawings.

44. A method of transporting vehicles substantially as hereinbe0 described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

45. Any novel feature or combination of features disclosed herein.