Device for loading and unloading goods

Loading and unloading device configured for connection to a truck or a trailer of truck, having a main support frame, a support frame supported in a position adjustable by the main frame and a cradle supported in a position adjustable by the main frame and defining with it a goods storage compartment, and means for handling the secondary frame and the cradle with respect to the main frame along one or more directions of second axes X, Y, Z which are orthogonal to modify the configuration of the compartment.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a device for loading and unloading goods configured for connection to a truck or trailer of a truck.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In general loading and unloading of vehicles and their trailers occurs through devices that provide for the human intervention that must deal with the handling of goods.

In fact, all current known solutions allow only the handling of the goods in the trailer and/or container. The current market solutions provide for the following alternative solutions:Truck or fixed trailer. Loading and unloading takes place via external devices (forklifts, trans-pallets). The trailer remains stationary for the duration of the operation.Container. Loading and unloading takes place in the container by means of external devices. The trailer is free. The container remains stationary for the duration of the operation.Trailer with scraper box. Loading and unloading is carried out by way of external devices. The chassis is discharged from the trailer for ease of operation. The box remains stationary for the duration of the operation.

When the truck, the trailer and/or container is brought to the loading and unloading point, as mentioned above, an employee has to load or unload the goods by way of forklifts or trans-pallets or, in case of containers, usually he will need to use suitable lifting devices (for example a crane) for placing the container on the ground in such a way that the unloading and loading employee can enter and do his job and then reuse the crane to lodge back the container on the truck.

From patent application US2003/0180132 A it is known a mobile lift or device adapted for adjusting its width, length and height.

However, this device is only configured for moving goods on the ground and not for loading and unloading goods on vehicles.

In case the mobile device needs to be transported, it is provided that the device is unloaded and, then, disassembled for being shipped, for instance, inside a container.

It is clear that current techniques and devices for unloading and loading goods have considerable disadvantages.

First of all, the long operating times and therefore the costs that will need to discharge the whole truck, trailer and/or container.

Additionally, for instance, the cost of renting a suitable lifting device to position the container on the ground and then lodge it back on the truck.

Finally, the complication associated with the organization of different subjects to be coordinated in loading and unloading; it's requested a specialist who has got the requirements to manoeuvre a heavy lifting vehicle and specialists who know how to use forklifts and trans-pallets.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The main problem that the invention seeks to solve is the coordination between the loading and unloading specialists and the trucker.

At present, both of them must be present at the same time, as it's not allowed for trucker to load/-unload independently and it's impossible to handle the goods without the presence of the vehicle.

The solution according to present invention releases the two operators.

Part of the work can then be done before or after the trucker presence.

The technical task of the invention is to provide a loading and unloading device that can be removably connected, at least when loaded, to a floor of the truck, trailer and/or container for the automated handling of the truck, trailer and/or container so as to reduce operating times.

Another object of the invention is to provide a loading and unloading device which allows loading and unloading of goods directly without the need for direct support of manual means (forklifts, trans-pallets, cranes).

A further object of the present invention is to provide a loading and unloading device which limits the human intervention.

One final purpose is to facilitate and speed up the locking and stabilizing of the load. The cradle encloses and blocks the goods, for instance, to the floor avoiding the need for anchoring it through ropes or wire ropes.

Load dispersion is more difficult.

The technical task as well as these and other objects of the present invention are achieved by providing a device for loading and unloading goods configured for connection to a floor of a truck or trailer, comprising a main support frame, a secondary frame supported in a position adjustable as regards said main frame, a cradle supported in a position adjustable as regards said main frame and defining with it a goods storage compartment, and means for moving said secondary frame and said cradle relative to said main frame along one or more directions according to X, Y, Z axes orthogonal each other to modify the configuration of said compartment.

The movement means comprise one or more linear actuators.

In particular, the main frame comprises a first set of supporting bars and a second set of supporting bars perpendicular to each other.

Preferably, the secondary frame comprises supports slidingly coupled to said second set of supporting bars.

More particularly, the secondary frame comprises a front portion having a stacked and welded tubular structure.

One or more linear actuators adjust the size along the Y axis of said front portion relative to said main frame.

Preferably, the cradle comprises lateral walls defining said compartment and supports of said side walls slidingly coupled to said first set of supporting bars of said main frame.

Preferably, at least two of said linear actuators adjust the size along the Y axis of said side walls with respect to said main frame.

The loading and unloading device comprises main support legs having an adjustable length along the Z axis and an adjustable position along the X and Y axes.

Preferably, each of said legs is respectively supported by a wheel.

Preferably, the legs are moved by each of at least one of said linear actuators.

Preferably, the cradle comprises elements for supporting the goods, each one hinged to a corresponding side wall.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to the aforesaid figures, a device1for loading and unloading goods is shown configured for connection to a floor of a truck or truck trailer.

The loading and unloading device1according to the present invention comprises a main support frame2, a secondary frame or sub-frame3, a cradle4, and movement means for moving the secondary frame3and the cradle4with respect to the main frame2along one or more directions according to X, Y, Z axes orthogonal to each other.

In particular with reference, for instance, to the trailer floor, the X axis is a horizontal axis oriented in the direction of the trailer length, the Y axis is a horizontal axis oriented in the direction of the trailer width, and the Z axis is a vertical axis oriented in the direction of the trailer height.

The secondary frame3and the cradle4are supported by the main frame2.

In particular, the cradle4defines, together with the main frame2, a goods storage compartment6.

The main support frame2guarantees the structure and support of all other structures that fit on the frame itself.

In particular, the main frame2comprises a first set of supporting bars7, in particular square tubes extending along the direction of the Y axis and a second set of supporting bars8, in particular square tubes, perpendicular to said first set of supporting bars7, extending along the X axis.

The first set of supporting bars7of the main frame2comprises two tubes each comprising a double section bar.

The first set7and the second set of supporting bars8have the dual purpose of creating the structure of the main frame2and allowing the installation:of the secondary frame3, whose supports9, shaped in particular as square tubes, are slidingly and telescopically paired to the second set of supporting bars8.of the cradle4whose supports15, shaped in particular as square tubes, are slidingly and telescopically paired to the first set of supporting bars7.

The main frame2further comprises a frame of horizontal square tubes25in the front side. These tubes are stacked and welded. This allows the installation and sliding of the cradle supporting legs, through the supports26. Movement and sliding are permitted by actuators16. The sliding occurs along the direction of Y axis.

The main frame2further comprises a frame of horizontal square tubes27similar to the frame of the front square tubes25but double by number of tubes.

This allows installation and sliding of:secondary legs36, supporting the cradle4, synchronized with the movement of the front side standing on the frame of front square tubes25, said sliding occurring along the direction of the Y axis;main legs20through the supports28. Movement and sliding are provided through the actuators29, said sliding occurring along the direction of the Y axis.

Both square tube frames25and27have a low profile (height of only 6 stacked tubes) to allow a greater size of the central opening and an easier handling for loading and unloading goods.

The goods loading and unloading device1also comprises main supporting legs17,20. In particular, the device comprises two main legs17positioned frontally to the right and to the left of the secondary frame3and two main legs20respectively positioned in the rear side to the right and to the left of the main frame2.

The main frame2also allows the installation and sliding of the secondary frame3.

As a matter of fact, the secondary frame3comprises supports9slidingly coupled to the second set of supporting bars8of the main frame2.

Movement and sliding of the secondary frame3with respect to the main frame2along the direction of the X axis are provided through actuator12.

The secondary frame3further comprises a front portion10comprising a frame of horizontal square tubes11. This frame11is quite similar to the tube frame25in the main frame2.

The tubular frame11allows the installation and sliding of the main legs17through the supports28. Movement and sliding are provided via actuators29. The sliding is carried along the direction of Y axis.

Advantageously movement means preferably comprise one or more linear actuators12,16,29,30.

In particular, the actuator12allows the movement along the X axis of the secondary frame3with respect to the main frame2, enabling the change of the distance between the front legs17and the rear legs20and a consequent movement “forward and backward”.

Actuators29, however, allow the movement of the main legs17,20with respect to the secondary frame3and to the main frame2along the Y axis for modifying the distance between the right legs and the left legs. This allows crab movement and stabilization of the device by increasing the bearing area on the ground.

The actuators30allow the movement of the main legs17,20along the Z axis to modify the total height of the device and the resulting load height from the base.

The actuators16allow the cradle4to move with respect to the main frame2along the Y axis for modifying the opening existing between the two lateral walls14and consequently for adjusting the size of the goods storage compartment6.

In particular, actuators12,16,29,30may have different lengths.

The main legs17,20allow the movement of the device1along one or more directions according to the X, Y, Z axes.

Each leg17,20comprises a supporting structure31to which the supports28are associated, which extend their length along the Y axis.

The supports28allow for support, installation and sliding within the frame of square tubes27of the main frame2and within the frame of square tubes1011of the secondary frame3.

Each actuator29is positioned on each main leg17,20in a median position between the two supports28and allows the movement of the main legs17,20along the Y axis.

Inside the supporting structure31is inserted a sliding element32, in particular a square tube telescopically coupled to the supporting structure31.

The movement of the sliding element32with respect to the supporting structure31is ensured by the presence of the actuator30which permits the extension along the Z axis of the legs, thus effectively lifting the whole device1with respect to the supporting plane XY.

A corner block33is provided at the base of the sliding element32, which allows that connection devices, for instance twist-lock type devices be removably locked to the truck or trailer floor.

Each leg17,20is supported by a wheel23which allows the movement of the device along the X axis and also along the Y axis as well, by rotating the wheels.

Wheels23can be locked by way of various mechanisms such as brakes or cylinders.

The main part of the device1is the cradle4which carries the true function of loading and unloading goods.

Cradle4comprises lateral walls14delimiting the goods storage compartment6and the supports15of the lateral walls14sliding coupled to the first set of supporting bars7of the main frame2.

Movement of the supports15along the Y axis within the supporting bars7is ensured by the presence of the actuators16.

The actuators16allow the movement of the cradle4along the Y axis by increasing or decreasing the distance existing between the two lateral or side walls14and consequently increasing or decreasing the size of the goods storage compartment6.

Each side wall14of the cradle4comprises vertical and horizontal support elements34welded together to create a vertical wall.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the side wall14may be opened as described in this document, or according to another embodiment of the invention, the side wall14can be completely closed by way of panels installed therein.

Advantageously cradle4comprises two parts24hinged each to a corresponding side wall14, and arranged for supporting the goods from below.

Cradle4may have various configurations (open or closed walls, support for goods through loading platforms or forks) but operation is similar.

Each side wall14of the cradle4comprises:secondary legs36;horizontal supports15of the cradle4configured to be slidingly and telescopically inserted within the second set of supporting bars7of the main frame2;vertical and horizontal support elements34,35;elements24for supporting the goods from below;supports39of the elements24.

Each secondary leg36comprises a vertical supporting structure37at which the supports26are associated, which extend their length along the Y-axis direction.

The supports26allow for support, installation and sliding within the square tube frames25and27.

The actuators16are positioned on each secondary leg36in a median position between the two supports26.

Each actuator16is respectively constrained within the frames25and27of the main frame2and allows the movement of the secondary legs36along the direction of the Y axis.

Advantageously at the base of each secondary leg36it is installed a corner block38, which allows the removable locking of twist-lock devices thereto even when the device1is loaded with goods.

The corner blocks38allow the entire structure to be tied to the truck or trailer floor.

At the base of the structure of the side walls14, which are attached to the lower horizontal support element35, there are more supports39.

These supports39allow the installation of the elements24for supporting the goods from below, for instance, from the base or the bottom.

In this configuration, the supports39comprise a circular hole in which one or more round bars40are inserted which are arranged to constrain the goods support elements24to the lateral walls14in a rotatable manner.

The structure of the side walls14of the cradle4is supported by the secondary legs36and the supports15of the cradle4to which it is constrained by way of welds and/or hinges.

The movement of the entire structure of the cradle4is ensured thanks to the presence of the actuators16.

As a matter of fact actuators16allow the movement of side walls14along the direction of Y axis by increasing or decreasing the existing distance between the two lateral walls14and by consequently modifying the dimensions of the goods storage compartment6.

Goods support elements24will vary depending on the configuration (pallet transport or bulk material).

In all configurations, the support elements24are however constrained to the side walls14by means of the lower horizontal support element35.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the goods support elements24comprise a variable number of forks, each hinged at the base of the side wall14.

FIG. 8shows in detail the configuration with the forks.

Forks can be moved or rotated to a horizontal (goods support) or vertical (goods release) configuration as a function of needs.

This movement can affect all the forks at the same time or just some of them (as shown inFIG. 8).

Movement can also be manual or automatic depending on the configuration required.

Each Fork comprises a load support section42and a section43arranged to be connected to the frame of the cradle4.

Section43in particular comprises a circular hole41arranged to grant rotation of section43around its axis and to grant sliding of the section43along the bars40in the direction of the X axis.

Section43comprises a particular bevel44that allows the forks to rotate without hindrance and a square section45arranged to lock the fork in a horizontal position, stopped against the horizontal support element35of the cradle4.

The device1for loading and unloading goods comprises a power supply system for linear actuators12,16,29,30connected by means of a board and hydraulic pipes to a control unit of the trailer tractor or truck. In absence of a control unit, it is possible to provide for installing a self-powered machine directly on board of the trailer tractor or truck.

The power supply system comprises an air/oil system of known type.

The device for loading and unloading goods1according to the present invention may take several configurations.

The configuration shown inFIG. 2is that used for carrying the device. The size occupied is as small as possible. The cradle is arranged to enclose and secure the goods inside.

Wheels of the device do not touch the truck or trailer floor. Cradle corner blocks are arranged to be twist-locked to the floor at least when the device1is loaded with goods.

The configuration shown inFIG. 3allows for greater stability during shifts.

The configuration shown inFIG. 4allows to move up and down the device from the loading platform or floor of the trailer or truck, or to position the device1above the loading and unloading area.

The configuration shown inFIG. 5allows to move the device forward and back along the direction of the X axis, by means of the secondary frame movement and of the alternate locking of the front and rear wheels.

In the configuration shown inFIG. 6, the cradle is moved by actuators, placed in the support legs and synchronized together. The movement takes place along the axis and allows the increase of the light between the two side walls.

The configuration shown inFIG. 7allows to correctly position the device above the goods to be transported. In this configuration, the elements for supporting goods are in vertical mode.

The method of loading and unloading goods allows to use various movement combinations of the various moving parts and is always very similar.

For the loading phase, in particular in case of goods on pallets, the pallets are placed in advance in the loading area (square or sloping area).

The device is moved by the action of the actuators so that it is positioned above the loading area.

Once in position, the device moves to the level of the goods to be loaded.

The lateral walls14of the cradle protrude from the main frame2along the Y axis and the elements24for supporting goods, are rotated so as to have a horizontal position.

The lateral walls14then extend towards the main frame2so as to feed the goods support elements24into the pallets arranged to support the goods to be loaded from below.

At this point the device1, by keeping the cradle4in the closed position (the smallest possible distance between the two side walls14of the cradle4) will be moved so as to be positioned above the trailer or truck floor and connected to the floor or loading platform.

The device will then be fully seated on the truck or trailer floor or loading platform in a completely closed configuration and then can be twist-locked and transported by comprising goods inside the device1.

In case of unloading the goods, goods are already inserted inside the device.

The truck carries the device near the unloading area of the goods. The device is then disconnected from the floor, moved and positioned above the unloading area.

At this point the side walls14are extended from the main frame2until the goods support elements24are removed from the pallets so as to release the goods into the unloading area. Expediently, goods support elements24are then rotated vertically to avoid collisions with the goods and the device1is moved to return to the truck or trailer floor, and be transported.

It is possible to consider a wide variety of variants by size, capacity and type of use.

In another embodiment of the invention, for example, the device1is designed for the transport of non-palletized material, for example, bulkheads, earth, granaries, etc.

In this case, the load compartment will be delimited by closed container walls. The goods support structure24will create a bottom wall formed of two parts and openable for releasing the goods.

According to another embodiment of the invention it is possible to directly load and unload containers into the load compartment of the device1, which has dimensions suitable for transporting the containers themselves.

In practice, the materials used and the dimensions can be any according to the requirements and state of the art.