WO1991003411A1

WO1991003411A1 - Cargo handling apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO1991003411A1
Application number: PCT/AU1990/000379
Authority: WO
Inventors: Douglas Alan Rogan
Original assignee: QUALITY INSTALLATIONS Pty Ltd
Current assignee: QUALITY INSTALLATIONS Pty Ltd
Priority date: 1989-08-30
Filing date: 1990-08-28
Publication date: 1991-03-21
Anticipated expiration: 1992-02-29

Abstract

Cargo handling apparatus (1) of a cargo handling vehicle (V) for non-destructive handling of cargo items (I). The apparatus (1) includes a receiving station (2) for receiving cargo items (I) to be handled and a loading station (3) remote from the receiving station (2) and at which the cargo itmes (I) are deposited into a cargo container (C) of vehicle (V). Conveying means (7) operates to non-destructively move the cargo items (I) from the receiving station (2) to the loading station (3) so that the cargo items (I) are deposited in the cargo container (C). Press means (43) is operable to compact the cargo items (I) received in the container (C).

Description

CARGO HANDLING APPARATUS

This invention relates generally to cargo handling apparatus, and in particular to such apparatus for loading of compressible cargo into, and unloading the cargo from, enclosed containers of cartage vehicles. The apparatus is applicable to road trucks used for non-destructive collecting of compressible cargo items, such as linen, manchester, garbage and the like, for transportation in a compressed condition and subsequent discharge for processing or use. It will be convenient to hereinafter describe the invention in relation to this exemplary application, although it is to be appreciated that the invention is not limited to that application. Laundering or commercial and industrial quantities of linen and manchester, such as bedding and towelling from hospitals and hotels, is often conducted off-site so that truck load quantities of linen and manchester are collected and transported to a laundry plant for cleaning and subsequent return for re-use. Typically, the linen and manchester to be laundered is bundled in disarray into flexible bags which are then loosely loaded into trucks for their transportation to the laundry plant. However, the loose and open but bulky nature of the linen and manchester often means that only relatively small quantities of linen and manchester can be collected in any one truck load. This results in substantial and inefficient collection and transportation of the linen and manchester, with attendant cost penalties being associated therewith. In the collection and removal of domestic and commercial loose garbage it is common practice to use trucks having generally enclosed storage bins for holding the garbage, and incorporating garbage loading and unloading apparatus which progressively compacts the garbage as it is loaded into the bin. In dumping the compacted garbage, the apparatus utilises a pusher device to engage and push the garbage through an opening in the bin. Compaction of the garbage has the advantage of providing the truck with a much greater cargo carrying capacity than would otherwise be possible. However, the apparatus is usually at least partially destructive to the garbage during loading and compaction. Whilst this is not a problem for non-reusable garbage, such apparatus is not suitable for non-destructive loading and compaction is required for cargo such as linen and manchester being transported for laudering.

It is an object of the present invention to provide apparatus suitable for non-destructive compacted loading of cargo into and unloading from containers of cartage vehicles.

With that object in mind, the present invention provides cargo handling apparatus for non-destructive handling of cargo items, the apparatus being constructed for installation on a cargo carrying vehicle having a cargo container, and including: a receiving station for receiving cargo items; a loading station at which the cargo items are deposited into the cargo container; conveying means for non-destructively moving the cargo items from the receiving station to the loading station so that the cargo items are deposited in the cargo container; and, press means operable to compact cargo items received in the cargo container. Preferably, the receiving station is positioned adjacent a rear end of the cargo container. Moreover, the loading station is preferably positioned on top of the container. Preferably, the loading station is positioned toward or adjacent a front end of the container. In one preferred embodiment, the cargo container has a roof with at least one loading opening and the loading station is positioned at the loading opening. In this way, cargo items conveyed to the loading station by the conveying means fall through the loading opening into the container. Preferably, the conveying means includes at least one conveying unit.

One conveying unit is preferably mounted at the rear end of the container so as to extend from the receiving station to adjacent the top of the container. This conveying unit is operable for lifting cargo items up from the receiving station. This conveying unit preferably includes a series of support platforms successively movable through the receiving station to collect cargo items and carry them to the top of the container. The conveying unit also preferably includes at least one drive mechanism. The series of support platforms are connected to this drive mechanism in spaced apart relation, and the drive mechanism is operable to move the platforms between the receiving station and the top of the container. Another conveying unit is preferably mounted on the - A - top of the container so as to extend from adjacent the one conveying unit to the remote loading station. This other conveying unit is operable for receiving the cargo items from the one conveying unit and moving them to the loading station for depositing into the container. Preferably, the other conveying unit is elongate and includes an endless conveying member mounted for circulation between the one conveying unit and loading station. This other unit receives cargo items on the conveying member from the one conveying unit and supports those items for movement to the loading station.

Preferably, the press means includes a press member operable to engage cargo items in the container and compact the items. The press member is preferably located adjacent a front end of the cargo container in a non-compacting position. The member is movable from this position toward a rear end of the cargo container to a compacting position in order to compact the cargo items.

Preferably, the press means is also operable to eject cargo items from the container. To that end, the container has a discharge outlet at the rear end which is closed during compaction of the cargo items and the press member is movable on opening of the discharge outlet to push the items out through the discharge outlet. The following description refers to a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention. To facilitate an understanding of the invention, reference is made in the description to the accompanying drawings where the apparatus is illustrated. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiment as hereinafter described and as illustrated.

In the drawings:

Fig 1 is a general side view of a vehicle incorporating the cargo handling apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Fig 2 is a detailed side view of the part of the vehicle showing the cargo handling apparatus of Fig 1;

Fig 3 is a detailed plan view of the cargo handling apparatus of Fig 2; and, Fig 4 is a detailed plan view of part of the cargo handling apparatus of Fig 2.

Referring to the drawings there is generally shown cargo carrying apparatus 1 installed on or incorporated into a cargo container C of a cargo carrying vehicle V. In this embodiment, vehicle V is a road truck having a chassis H, a cabin A mounted at a forward end of the chassis H with the cargo carrying container C mounted on the chassis H behind the cabin A. This container C provides a generally enclosed carrying space P, and has a base B over the chassis H, a pair of side walls S and opposed front end wall F and rear end wall E upstanding from the base B, and a roof R extending between the walls S, F and E and overlying the base B.

Roof R, in this embodiment has a loading opening 0 adjacent front end wall F and through which cargo items I are loaded into space P by apparatus 1. Although not shown, one or more additional openings 0 may be provided spaced along roof R. This provides the opportunity of loading items I into space P at various locations along container C and may further increase the carrying capacity of that container C by ensuring that all space P is loaded. Each opening O can be closed, when not in use, by one or more removable covers L.

Rear end wall E also functions as a discharge door by being movable so as to open space P for discharge of cargo items I therein. To that end, rear end wall E is connected for pivotal movement about axis X adjacent roof R so as to raise and lower rear end wall E and, respectively open and close space P. It will be convenient to further describe apparatus 1 with reference to this particular truck construction, although it should be appreciated that the apparatus 1 is not limited to that construction.

Apparatus 1 provides a receiving station 2 at which cargo items I are received for loading into container C, and a loading station 3 at which those items I are received into container C.

Receiving station 2 is positioned at the rear of container C adjacent rear end wall E and chassis H. This station 2 is particularly positioned so that cargo items I can be readily manually placed therein. In this embodiment, receiving station 2 is defined by structure 4 including a pair of side walls 5, carried by and extending rearwardly from rear end wall E. Side walls 5 are arranged in spaced apart relation and structure 4 has a front opening 6 therebetween through which items I are introduced into receiving station 2. Although not shown, in an alternative embodiment, receiving station 2 may be provided by a receiving bin, such as a hopper-type bin with an open top through which the cargo items I pass into receiving station 2.

Loading station 3 is positioned at opening O so that cargo item I fall or drop through opening 0 into space P.

Apparatus 1 includes conveying means 7 mounted on container C and operable to convey cargo items I received in receiving station 2 to loading station 3 where they pass through opening 0 into space P.

Conveying means 7 includes one conveying or elevating unit 8 for lifting cargo items I in the receiving station 2 up the rear end wall E to a transfer station 9 adjacent roof R.

Elevating unit 8 is located between side walls 5 and rear end wall E, and includes a series of support platforms 10 which are movable between receiving station 2 and transfer station 9, each support platform 10 being arranged to support cargo items I thereon during movement from the receiving station 2 to the transfer station 9. In particular, support platforms 10 move along an endless path 11, passing through stations 2 and 9 , each platform 10 in succession picking up cargo items I in the receiving station 2 and offloading them at transfer station 9.

Each support platform 10 is generally planar, at least when supporting cargo items I, although other shapes such as bucket-like may be equally suitable, as will be well appreciated by those skilled in the relevant art. However, endless path 11 is curved and, to accomodate smooth support platform movement along path 11, each platform 10 is flexible in the direction of movement along that path 11. In this embodiment, each platform 10 is elongate across rear end wall E and, with endless path 11 extending generally up and down in wall E, each platform 10 is flexible in a lateral extent.

Each support platform 10 includes a plurality of elongate, rigid support slats 12 arranged side-by-side and movably interconnected at opposite end regions thereof by flexible connection members 13. Each connection member 13 has a series of link elements 14, each secured to an end region of a respective support slat 12, with adjacent link elements 14 being pivotably interconnected for relative pivotal movement. It is this pivotal movement between link elements 14 that provides support slats 12 with their ability to relatively move and thereby achieve support platform flexibility.

Elevating unit 8, also includes drive assembly 15 for controllably moving support platform 10 along endless path 11. In particular, drive assembly 15 operates so that each support platform 10 is orientated horizontally and upright during movement from receiving station 2 to transfer station 9. In this way, platforms 10 can support cargo items I thereon. Return movement of platforms 10 from transfer station 9 during non-support of cargo items I may involve alternative orientations of platforms 10 and, as in this embodiment, may include generally vertical and inverted orientations. Such orientations assist in reducing the overall space requirements of elevating unit 8.

Drive assembly 15 includes a pair of drive mechanisms 16 mounted in spaced apart relation so that support platforms 10 extend between and are connected to them. Drive mechanisms 16 are mounted for operative movement which, in turn, moves support platforms 10 along endless path 11.

Each drive mechanism 16 includes a pair of flexible, endless drive members 17, 18 mounted for circulating movement. Those drive members 17, 18 are mounted on rotatable drive elements 19 for movement thereabout. In this embodiment, drive members 17, 18 are drive chains while drive elements 19 are drive sprockets, although it should be appreciated that alternative arrangements such as drive belts and pulleys may be equally suitable.

Drive members 17, 18 of each drive mechanism 16 are mounted in parallel, closely spaced apart planes. In addition, drive elements 19 are arranged so that those drive members 17, 18 are offset from one another within their respective planes when moving support platforms 10 from receiving station 2 to transfer station 9. Those drive members 17, 18 may remain offset during their return movement although, as in this embodiment, to reduce space requirements drive members 17, 18 move at least substantially side-by-side in their respective planes during that return movement.

Each support platform 10 is connected at opposite end regions adjacent one longitudinal edge to drive member 17 through connecting elements 20, and at opposite end regions adjacent the other longitudinal edge to drive member 18 through connecting elements 21. In this way, as respective drive members 17, 18 circulate about their drive elements 19, support platforms 10 are moved therewith, orientations of those platforms 10 being dictated by the extent of offsetting between each pair of drive members 17, 18. Thus, as in this embodiment, platforms 10 are maintained in a horizontal, upright orientation during movement from receiving station 2 to transfer station 9, but progressively re-orientate generally vertically and then horizontally invert during return movement before re-entering receiving station 2 in a horizontal upright orientation.

Drive assembly 15 further includes drive motor 22, such as an hydraulic, pneumatic or electrical motor selectively actuable to move drive members 17, 18. Motor 22 is indirectly connected to one (as shown) or more (not shown) drive elements 19 of each drive mechanism 16 through drive transmission 23. Drive transmission 23 may include a drive chain and sprocket or belt and pulley arrangement 24 extending between motor 22 and drive shaft 25 on which one drive element 19 of each drive mechanism 16 is mounted.

Conveying means 7 also includes another conveyor or transporting unit 26 for moving cargo items I at transfer station along roof R of container C to loading station 3. Transporting unit 26 is mounted on roof R although roof R may be recessed to accommodate unit 26 therein.

Transporting unit 26 includes conveying member 27 arranged to support cargo items I thereon, and movable to move those items I to loading station 3. Conveying member 27 includes endless conveying belt 28 mounted for circulation along an endless path. Conveying belt 28 is sized so as to extend from within transfer station 9 immediately adjacent elevating unit 8 to within loading station 3. In this way, cargo items I can be smoothly transferred from support platforms 10 onto conveying belt 28 and moved into loading station 3 where the cargo items I fall from conveying belt 28 through opening 0 into space P. Transporting unit 26 also includes drive assembly 29 for supporting and moving conveying member 27. Drive assembly 28 includes a unit frame 30 and a series of drive elements 31 rotatably mounted on frame 30. Conveying member 27 is mounted on drive elements 31 for movement thereabout. In this embodiment, drive elements 31 are drive rollers for supporting conveying belt 28, although alternative drive elements 31 may be equally suitable, particularly with another conveying member 27.

Drive assembly 29 further includes drive motor 32 selectively actuable to move conveying member 27. Drive motor 32 may be of the same type as drive motor 22. Motor 32 is indirectly connected to one (as shown) or more (not shown) drive elements 31 through drive transmission 33, which may include a drive chain and sprocket or drive belt and pulley arrangement 34.

In this embodiment, transporting unit 26 is mounted for limited longitudinal movement along roof R. This movement is to ensure that unit 26 is clear of rear end wall E when pivoted to raise end wall E for opening cargo P to discharge cargo items I from container C. The clearing movement is achieved by mounting transporting unit 26 onto roof R through a series of mountings 35. Each mounting 35 includes undercarriage 36 connecte.d to unit frame 30 and having rotatable rollers 37 arranged to roll along guide track 38 provided by guide rail 39 secured to roof R.

Movement of transporting unit 26 is co-ordinated with rear end wall E movement through connecting strut 40 which extends between unit frame 30 and bracket 41 projecting from rear end wall E. In this way, as rear end wall E is raised and lowered, forces act through strut 40 to roll transporting unit 26 forwardly and rearwardly, respectively, along roof R. Forward movement ensures transporting unit 40 is clear of the pivoting rear end wall E, whilst rearward movement positions transporting unit 26 in transfer station 9 and adjacent elevating unit 20 so that cargo items I are smoothly transferred from support platforms 10 to conveying member 27.

Although not shown, transporting unit 26 may also be extendible and/or movable where there are more than one opening O provided, so as to extend to each opening O for dropping cargo items I therethrough.

Apparatus 1 further includes press means 42 operable to compact cargo items I received in space P. Press means 42 can also be operable to move the compacted cargo in bulk from cargo space P when rear end wall E is raised. This ensures that container C is filled to a maximum capacity and can be relatively rapidly unloaded of that capacity cargo. Press means 42 includes press member 43 movable to engage cargo items I in space P and compact them between press member 43 and walls S, F and E and roof R. Press member 43 is linearly movable in a rearward direction toward rear end wall E for compacting cargo items I in that direction between press member 43 and rear end wall E. Press member 43 also moves in that direction during discharge of cargo items I through the open rear end wall E. Press member 43 is locatable in a non-compacting position forwardly of loading opening 0 and in that position, cargo items can be freely loaded into cargo space S for subsequent compaction upon rearward movement of press member 43.^"

Press member 43 includes press plate 44 having press face 45 for engaging cargo items I. Plate 44 is of any suitable shape and size. In this embodiment, plate 44 is at least substantially the same shape and size as the cross sectional shape and size of the cargo space P. Press face 45 may be planar, or concave or convex shape in alternative embodiments, to facilitate cargo compaction. Press means 43 also includes drive means 46 operable for moving press member 43. In this embodiment, drive means 46 includes at least one drive motor 47 which may be one or more hydraulic or pneumatic piston and cylinder actuators. Conveniently controls 48, 49 for drive motors 22, 32 and 47 are provided for manual actuation by an operator.

The apparatus of the present invention provides for rapid and efficient non-destructive loading and unloading of compressible cargo into and from cartage vehicles such as trucks. The non-destructive compression of the cargo ensures that the cargo carrying capacity of vehicles is maximised, thereby minimising cargo transporation costs.

The apparatus of the present invention has the ability to be incorporated into cartage vehicles during their manufacture, as well as being installed on many existing vehicles, with only minor modifications to those vehicles. This, combined with the relatively simple construction of the apparatus, provides for low capital cost to install the apparatus in a vehicle, as well as minimal maintenance expenditure.

Finally, it is to be appreciated that various modifications and/or alterations may be made to the apparatus without departing from the ambit of the present invention as defined in the claims appended hereto.

Claims

CLAIMS :

1. Cargo handling apparatus of a cargo handling vehicle for non-destructive handling of cargo items, the vehicle having a cargo container, and the apparatus including: a receiving station for receiving cargo items to be handled; a loading station remote from the receiving station and at which the cargo items are deposited into the cargo container; conveying means for non-destructively moving the cargo items from the receiving station to the loading station so that the cargo items are deposited in the cargo container; and, press means operable to compact cargo items received in the cargo container.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the receiving station is positioned adjacent a rear end of the cargo container, and the loading station is positioned on top of the container.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the cargo container has a roof with at least one loading opening therein, the loading station being positioned at the loading opening so that cargo items conveyed to the loading station by the conveying means fall through the loading opening into the container.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 or 3 wherein the loading station is positioned adjacent a front end of the container.

5. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the conveying means is mounted at least substantially externally of the cargo container.

6. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the conveying means includes at least one conveying unit for moving the cargo items from the receiving station to the loading station.

7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6 when appended to claim 2, wherein one conveying unit is mounted at the rear end of the cargo container so as to extend from the receiving station to adjacent the top of the cargo container and operable for lifting cargo items up from the receiving station.

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the one conveying unit includes a series of support platforms successively movable through the receiving station to collect cargo items and carry those items to the top of the cargo container.

9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the one conveying unit includes at least one drive mechanism, the series of support platforms being connected to the drive mechanism in spaced apart relation, and the drive mechanism being operable to move the support platforms between the receiving station and the top of the cargo container.

10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein a pair of drive mechanisms are mounted in spaced apart relation, each drive mechanism including at least one endless drive member for circulating between the receiving station and the top of the cargo container, and the series of support platforms extend between the drive mechanisms and are connected to the drive members thereof for movement therewith.

11. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the loading station is remote from the one conveying unit.

12. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein another conveying unit is mounted on the top of the cargo container so as to extend from adjacent the one conveying unit to the loading station remote therefrom and operable for receiving the cargo items from the one conveying unit and moving them to the loading station for depositing into the cargo container.

13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein the other conveying unit is elongate and includes an endless conveying member mounted for circulation between the one conveying unit and loading station, the other conveying unit receiving cargo items on the conveying member from the one conveying unit and supporting the cargo items thereon for movement to the loading station.

14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the conveying member includes a conveying belt.

15. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the press means includes a press member operable to engage cargo items in the cargo container and compact that cargo within the container.

16. Apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein the press member is located adjacent a front end of the cargo container in a non-compacting position and is movable toward a rear end of the cargo container to a compacting position in order to compact the cargo items within the container.

17. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the press means is also operable to eject cargo items, received within the container, from the container.

18. Apparatus as claimed in claim 17 when appended to claim 15 or 16, wherein the container has a discharge outlet at the rear end thereof, the outlet being closed during compaction of the cargo items, and the press member being movable on opening of the discharge outlet to push cargo items in the container out through the discharge outlet.

19. Cargo handling apparatus of a cargo handling vehicle for non-destructive handling of cargo items, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to what is shown in the accompanying drawings.