GOOD LIFFTING/MOVING DEVICE

Abstract: The device (2) which is the subject of the invention is provided with a deck (4) for the location of any form of goods, such as packages, white goods, persons in wheelchairs and herein referred to generally as goods. Said deck (4) is connected to a movement mechanism on a support assembly (8) for raising or lowering of the deck (4) relative to the support assembly (8) and the said deck (4) and/or movement mechanism are provided with wheels or rollers (16) such that when the deck (4) and/or movement assembly are in a substantially lowered position the wheels (16) contact the surface (40) to allow the device (2) to be moved therealong and when the deck (4) and/or movement mechanism are raised, the wheels (16) leave the surface (40) and are replaced with the support assembly (8) contacting the surface (40) which prevents movement of the device (2) along the surface (40) and thereby provides a secure base. The invention therefore provides an adaptable flexible and relatively simple movement device (2) and does not require a braking system as in conventional devices thereby reducing the risk to safety caused by failure.

Description: Goods Lifting/Moving Device The invention which is the subject of this application relates to a goods lifting and moving device for use in any goods movement or storage area and also for use in the transport, loading and unloading of goods from one storage area to another, such as, for example, between a warehouse and a transportable goods storage area, such as a trailer of an articulated vehicle. The goods can be any transportable items such as packages, barrels, kegs, white goods, tyres and even persons in wheelchairs. At the present time there are several ways in which goods are moved in goods storage areas. In large storage areas, such as warehouses, fork lift trucks and other, similar, vehicle type devices are utilised and their use is further enhanced by the ability to tailor the layout of the goods storage area to suit the specific type of device and the goods to be stored. These systems are of use and advantage in large scale, regimented, storage areas but are relatively inflexible due to the size constraints and this lack o f manoeuvrability means that they are not used in transportable goods storage areas to any great extent, or in areas where many different types o f goods are required to be moved and/ or stored. In transportable goods storage areas it is known for there to be incorporated movable decks which can be moved along guide means provided in the area. These decks are however restricted to movement as determined by the provision o f the guide means in the storage area and are therefore relatively inflexible and cannot be moved between goods storage areas. Furthermore in areas where movement o f goods is required and of goods of different sizes and types there is typically only a standard form of manuallv actuable trollev lift available In this type of device the trollev is provided with wheels mounted on the supporting frame to contact the surface In order to provide stability when loading and unloading relatively complex mechanical brakes are required to act on the wheels thereby increasing the cost and weight of these trolleys which are required to be provided. There is therefore a lack of suitable equipment for the transport of goods between storage areas and this type of equipment is frequently required when loading and unloading goods to and from and in transportable goods storage areas. This problem is increased when the frequency of loading and unloading operations is relatively high such as, for example, in vehicles which supply supermarkets or other retail outlets where relatively frequent deliveries take place. Although the problem has, to an extent been recognised, the current solutions are not appropriate. One solution for transportable storage areas is to provide a semi-collapsible forkhft truck which can be mounted to the rear of the transportable goods storage area, but, even then, the fork lift truck is still not well suited for use in storage areas with restricted size Other solutions for the loading and movement of goods tend towards the "D.I.Y." variety wherein the person loading the goods has a box, table or other structure upon which they stand to be able to reach the top parts of the goods storage area to allow goods to be loaded and unloaded. These methods are unsatisfactory both in terms of the low speeds of loading and unloading which can be achieved and also in terms of the safety of the persons. Loading platforms are also known to be provided but these are either too small to allow the person handhng the goods and the goods to be placed thereon and also are typically provided in fixed positions or are difficult or inconvenient to move therefore leading to the same being unused. The aim of the present invention is to provide a goods lifting and/or moving device which can be provided of a size, if required, to allow the handling person to stand on the deck of the same along with goods as the same is lifted and lowered and which is easily movable between required positions and which can be locatable in a fixed position when it is required that the deck is to be lifted or lowered. In a first aspect of the invention there is provided a goods lifting and lowering device, said device comprising a support assembly and movement mechanism connected to move a deck between raised and lowered positions, and wheels or rollers to selectively allow the device to move along a surface and wherein said wheels are located on either or both of the deck or movement mechanism. Thus, in use, when the deck is in a substantially lowered position, the wheels or rollers contact with the surface to allow movement of the device along the surface and when the deck is raised above a certain level the wheels or rollers leave the surface and the support assembly contacts the surface thereby rendering the device immovable and in a stable position so that a braking system is not necessary. In one embodiment the deck is movable between lifted and lowered positions and has mounted thereon a plurality of wheels or rollers to allow the device to be moved when the deck is in a substantially lowered position so that the wheels o f the deck contact the surface to allow the device to be moved and, when the deck is moved away from the lowered position, the wheels are removed from the surface and the support assembly, contact the floor to maintain the device in a fixed position. In a further embodiment of the invention there is provided a movement mechanism connected to the deck which is movable between raised and lowered positions, and a support frame, said movement mechanism including a number o f rollers and/or wheels to allow said device to be movable across a surface when said wheels are in contact with said surface when the deck and movement mechanism is in a substantially lowered position and when the deck is moved from the lowered position, the support assembly contacts with the surface to locate and secure the lifting means in a fixed position . In one embodiment the wheels and/or rollers are held in a retained, withdrawn, position such that the deck can be moved fully to the lowered position adjacent the surface to allow goods to be unloaded from or loaded onto the deck and, once loaded or unloaded, the deck can be raised shghtlv to allow the wheels or rollers to be moved from a retained position to an operational position thereby allowing the lifting means to be moved. Thus, the deck can be moved to a loading position close to the surface to allow improved removal and/or loading of goods before the wheels for movement are then contacted with the surface. In one embodiment the wheels and/or rollers are provided on the deck and are held in a retained position thereon In an alternative embodiment the wheels and/or rollers are provided on the support frame and operable in a similar manner Typically a mechanical linkage is provided to move the wheels and/or rollers between the retained and in use positions. Tvpicallv, the movement mechanism can be moved by any of manual, electrical drive, hydraulic, pneumatic or any suitable lifting means. In one embodiment the deck is movable between lifted and lowered positions by powered movement. In a preferred embodiment the powered drive means are provided on the deck. Preferably, the powered movement is controllable by a person standing on the deck as it moves. In one embodiment the support assembly comprises a frame with a lower subframe upon which there is provided a plurality of upstanding members which act as guide means for the movement of the deck between lifted and lowered positions and positions intermediate the same. The height of the guide means determines the maximum height to which the deck can be lifted and the height can be determined by the customer to suit specific purposes. For example if the device is to be used in transportable goods storage areas the height of the guide means will be required to be less than the height of the opening into the same or if the device is to be used in a warehouse environment the guide means may be required to be of a height comparable with the stack shelving provided in the same and upon which goods are loaded and unloaded. In one embodiment the guide means can be provided to be telescopic thereby allowing variations in the height of the same to be achieved and thereby varying the maximum lifting height of the deck for specific environments. In one embodiment the guide means include, mounted therealong, drive means locators in a fixed position and along which, rotatable members connected to the drive means on the deck, move, to move the deck relative to the guide means and hence the frame. Typically a fail safe locking system is provided to prevent unauthorised movement of the deck, to maintain the deck in a fixed position when the power is not applied and to prevent movement of the deck if the power supply fails. In a further embodiment, the deck and support assembly are linked by means of lifting members which are movable in relation to one another to move the deck between the raised and lowered positions. In one embodiment the lifting members include or are acted upon by a hydraulic or pneumatic ram and the lifting members are hydraulically or pneumatically actuated to bring about the movement of the deck between raised and lowered positions. In a preferred form the deck is of a size to fit within the envelope defined by the frame and/or the wheels are positioned to pass within the frame envelope thereby allowing the same to be lowered to a position to an extent that the wheels or rollers contact the floor and continued movement of the deck relative to the support assembly so that at that time the frame is raised from the floor. With the deck held in this position the device can then be moved on the wheels to the desired location for loading or unloading of the goods as well as being used for moving goods about the storage areas on the deck. When the desired location is reached the deck is raised and, as it does so, the frame contacts the floor to lock the device in the fixed position so that a secure locked position is provided for the person to commence handling the goods from the deck. Preferably, suitable mechanically and/ or electrically actuated safety means are provided to prevent the trapping of any part of the person, such as feet, between the subframe and the floor during the movement of the same in the transition between the device being movable and fixed positions on the surface. In a preferred embodiment the device o f the invention is collapsable to lie in a substantially planar form for storage either in a goods storage area or attached to the rear of a transportable goods storage area during transit. In one embodiment the device can be mounted on the trailer to act as the required underrun bar at the rear of the trailer. In a further aspect of the invention there is provided a lifting device as hereinbefore described which is transportable with a transportable goods storage area, said device movable to a position for storage underneath the area with the deck in a lowered position, and then moved from a lowered to a raised position to contact deck location means, mounted on the underside of the vehicle trailer, locking the deck onto the location means, moving the support assembly towards the deck with the deck held in the raised position thereby removing the device from contact with the surface and allowing the lifting means to be moved as an integral part of the vehicle trailer. Thus it will be readily seen that the ability to move the lifting means with a transportable goods storage area such as a vehicle trailer is o f considerable advantage and allows the operator of the vehicle to ensure that they can load and unload the goods safely at any location. It is envisaged that this invention will be of specific advantage where frequent stops for loading and unloading are undertaken. It should also be appreciated that reference to vehicle trailers should be taken to include vans, railway carriages and the like and anv area where goods are stored on a vehicle. It should also be appreciated that the ability to store the lifting means in this manner may also be possible where fixed guide means are provided as opposed to movable lifting members with the guide means perhaps including telescopic means therein in order to keep the length of the guide means at a minimum thereby providing the required clearance between the surface and the lifting means when in the stored position on the vehicle trailer. The device can also in whichever form be provided to be attached to the side or rear of the vehicle trailer to allow the same to form an external movable platform therealong. In one embodiment, the wheels or rollers may be provided at one edge of the deck or side of the movement mechanism and the movement mechanism preferably at the same common edge thus allowing a person to wheel the device to the required position in a manner similar to a sack barrow. It is envisaged that this embodiment is of particular use with vehicles making frequent deliveries and the device may also be attachable to the side of the trailer as indicated previously. In whichever embodiment the device may also be provided with means whereby the same can be lifted and moved by a forklift truck for movement over longer distances so that in some instances the device is not used as a replacement for forklift trucks but rather as a device which can be used in conjunction with forklift trucks or other conventional fixed position or movement devices to allow all the space in the goods storage area to be filled and accessed. Specific embodiment of the device will now be descπbed with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein; Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of the device according to the invention in one embodiment. Figure 2 illustrates the perspectiλ'e view of the device of Figure 1 with the top surface of the deck removed to illustrate the drive means arrangement; Figure 3 illustrates a sectional end elevation o f the device of Figure 1 in a fixed position to allow handling of goods therefrom; Figure 4 illustrates a sectional end elevation of the device of Figure 1 in a position for movement; Figure 5 illustrates a view o f the device in use in a transportable goods storage area; Figure 6 illustrates a schematic side view o f a vehicle trailer with the lifting device in a further embodiment being moved to the required position for storage thereon; Figure 7 illustrates the vehicle of Figure 6 with the lifting means in an unloading position; Figure 8 illustrates the lifting device in a position for movement of the goods; Figures 9A-9C illustrate the method for moving the lifting device of Figures 6-8 to a storage position on a vehicle trailer from a rear view; Figure 10 illustrates an elevation of the device of Figures 6-9C; Figure 1 1 illustrates a variation of the device of Figure 10, Figure 12 illustrate a further embodiment o f the device of the invention; Figure 13 illustrates a further embodiment of the device according to the invention, Figure 14 illustrates the device of Figure 13 in a movable position along a surface; and Figure 15 illustrates the device of Figure 13 in a position for loading and unloading of goods. Referring firstly to Figure 1 there is illustrated a device 2 according to the invention which comprises a deck 4 mounted on a movement mechanism of a series of guide means 6 which are attached to a support assembly comprising a subframe 8 and frame 10. The deck is movable along the guide means as shown by arrow 12 between lifted positions, one of which is shown, and a lowered position 14 which is indicated in broken lines. The deck 4 is provided with a plurality of wheels 16, which are indicated in greater detail in Figures 3 and 4, drive means 18 shown in Figure 2 and safety rails 22 which prevent goods and the person standing on the deck falling from the deck. As many rails can be provided as are required and may also be fitted in any desired location and configuration. The frame 10 is also provided with safetv means 20 which prevent the trapping of feet between the subframe 8 and the floor by preventing further movement o f the deck if triggered. Referring now to Figure 2 the top surface of the deck 4 has been removed to illustrate the drive means arrangement 18. The arrangement comprises a motor 26 which is linked to a plurality of rotatable shafts 28 which in turn are connected to members 30 which are held in engagement with drive means locators 32 provided along at least one o f the guide means but preferably each of the guide means. As the motor is powered to rotate the shafts 28 the members 30 are caused to rotate to move the deck 4 up or down along the guide means 6. Figure 3 illustrates a cross sectional end elevation along line A-A of the apparatus as shown in Figure 1 wherein the deck 4 is in a raised position for handling goods. In this raised position the wheels 16 are clearly removed from the surface 40 and the subframe 8 is in contact with the floor acting to locate and, due to the weight of the same, effectivelv secure the device to the floor to provide a safe and steady base for the device so that the person on the deck can operate with confidence and the deck 4 can be moved along the guide means without affecting the stability of the same. Figure 4 illustrates a cross sectional end elevation along line A-A o f the device in a position with the deck in a lowered position as shown in broken lines in Figure 1 and, in this position, the deck 4 is in a fully lowered position wherein the wheels 16 are in contact with the floor 40 and the subframe 8 is raised off the floor. Thus, in this position the wheels allow the device to be moved about, or from and to the goods storage area to the desired position for loading and unloading or for moving goods held on the deck. Although in this embodiment the device is pushed or pulled to move the same it is also possible that the device can be powered so that the movement o f the wheels is powered when the same are in contact with the surface. When moving the deck, as the deck approaches the lowered position, the wheels contact with the surface so that for an instant both the wheels and support assembly contact the surface. However, continued movement downwardly of the deck relative to the support assembly causes the support assembly to raise relative to the surface and so only the wheels then contact the surface, thus allowing movement of the device. Figure 5 illustrates the device 2 in use in a transportable goods storage area 40 such as a vehicle trailer wherein the deck 4 is provided for supporting goods and the person handling the same at a suitable level for loading goods to and from the trailer In the embodiment shown the goods are supplied to the person on the deck via a conveyor 42; the person unloads the same and then stacks them in position onto the trailer The control of the height of the deck can be bv the person via the remote control 44 while remaining on the deck 4 thereby allowing the person to adjust the height of the deck to suit without requiring the person to dismount from the deck Thus the person can ensure that they have the optimum height for loading and unloading goods at all times thereby minimising their effort and strain. Referring now to Figures 6 to 8 there is illustrated a vehicle 102 which includes a vehicle trailer 104 which is shown in part section to show the goods 106 which are stored therein. Figure 6 illustrates the driver or warehouse operator 108 with the lifting device 1 10 in position for movement of the lifting device to a position for unloading goods from the trailer 104 The lifting device 1 10 comprises a deck 1 14, wheels 116 and a support assembly 1 18. In Figure 6 the wheels 1 16 which, in this embodiment, are shown in an in-use position on the deck, are located on the surface 120 to allow the lifting device to be moved to the required position bv the driver 108 and in this form the deck 1 12 is provided in a lowered position Figure 7 illustrates the same vehicle and trailer with the lifting means 1 10 moved to an unloading position and the deck 1 14 is moved to a raised position level to the floor o f the trailer 104 to allow the goods to be unloaded onto the deck 1 14 bv the driver 108 as shown. A s the deck is moved to a raised position the wheels 1 16 mounted on the deck are no longer in contact with the surface 120 and hence the support frame 1 1 8 is located on the surface as shown and this acts to maintain the lifting device in a fixed position to ensure that the goods can be safeh unloaded without risk o f movement o f the lifting means With the goods on the deck 1 14, the deck is then lowered to a position shown in Figure 8 such that the wheels 1 16 again come in contact with the surface 120 and then the support assembly is raised thereby allowing the driver 108 to move the lifting device and the goods 106 stored thereon to the desired location whereupon the goods can be removed from the deck and /or the deck can be used to raise the goods to a storage position. Figures 9A-9C illustrate the method for loading the lifting device 1 10 into a storage position for transportation with the vehicle trailer 104. In this arrangement, the lifting device 1 10 is moved to a position underneath a location means in the form of a harness 122 provided as part of the chassis of the vehicle as shown in Figure 9A. The deck is then raised as shown in Figure 9B such that the deck 1 14 is brought into contact with the harness 122. The deck is locked into position on the harness and then the lifting members are moved in a reverse direction such that the support frame 1 1 8 is moved towards the deck 1 14 thereby moving the support frame from contact with the surface 120 to a storage position as shown in Figure 9C thereby allowing the lifting device 1 10 to be carried along with the vehicle trailer 104 to the next location for the unloading of goods. Thus the lifting device can be transported with the vehicle ensuring that a loading and unloading capability is provided at each stop of the vehicle. Referring now to Figure 10 there is shown the lifting device of Figures 6-9C in more detail. The device comprises a deck 1 14 which is connected to a support assembly 1 18 by a movement mechanism 121 which comprises a series of members 131 each being pivotally movable in relation to another member around a pivot point 133 at approximately the midpoint of said members. The movement o f the members 131 is achieved by providing an actuating means 135 in the form of hydraulic rams 137 which allow movement o f the members 131 and hence deck 1 14 in relation to the support assembly 1 18 to move the deck to the required level. In this embodiment the wheels 1 16 are shown attached to the deck 1 14 so that thev contact the surface when the deck is in the lowered position and thereby raising the support assembly from contact with the surface. Figure 1 1 illustrates a similar device with the wheels 1 16 this time mounted on the members 131 thereby allowing contact of the wheels with the surface without the need to fully lower the deck. Figure 12 illustrates a yet further variation whereupon a hydraulic ram 137 is provide to act between the support assembly and the deck with the members 131 provided to follow the movement of the ram 137 and provided the necessary support for the deck weight. Turning now to Figure 13, there is shown a further embodiment of the device 202, and in this view the deck 214 is in a slightly raised position. The deck 214 in this embodiment is provided to be movable along a movement mechanism 250 including telescopic guide means 252 and a hydraulic ram 253 mounted at or adjacent a common edge 254 o f the deck 214. The bottoms o f the guide means are mounted on a support assembly 21 8 including a frame and includes movable members 231 which allow weight bearing support to the deck 214. The deck is also provided with wheels 216 which are provided on or adjacent to the same edge 254 as the guide means 252. In this embodiment the frame can be provided with stops 256 and the support assembly also includes handle portions 260, to allow the device to be easily moved as described below Turning now to Figure 14, the device 202 o f Figure 12 is shown in a position for movement with the deck 214 in a lowered position and the wheels 216 in contact with the surface. However, it will be seen that in this embodiment the device is provided to be wheeled by a person gripping the handles 260 in a manner similar to a sack barrow. Thus it is envisaged that this embodiment is particularly suited to relatively smaller devices. Once moved into position the device can be moved to bring the deck 214 to a horizontal position and the deck is raised to disengage the wheels from the surface and the device then rests on stops 256. An alternative use when in position is shown in Figure 15 wherein the device 202 is provided in position for use along the side of a vehicle such as a brewery delivery vehicle and the deck can be moved in a conventional manner to allow the loading and unloading o f kegs. The additional feature is that the device is mounted on the vehicle by means of engagement with a location means 262 mounted as part o f the vehicle chassis and preferably the device can slide along said means 262 with the wheels 216 contacting the surface to allow access to all parts of the storage area. The embodiments herein shown provide advantages which are inventive in their own right and it should also be noted that a further possible use for a lifting means of this type is that it can be used to allow articles such as wheelchairs to be moved between for example, doorways o f train carriages or minibuses and the surface of, for example, a platform or a pavement and this is a yet further possible use of this extremely advantageous invention. It is also possible that the wheels are provided to be movable between an in-use position whereupon the lifting means can be moved across a surface and a retained, withdrawn position on either of the deck or support frame and, in this position the deck can be moved significantly closer to the surface to allow improved loading and unloading of goods to and from the deck with the support assembly still in contact with the surface. Furthermore, as the wheels can be arranged to be relatively close together the device is considerably more manoeuvrable than existing devices. This closeness can be achieved as the support assembly, and not the wheels as in conventional devices, forms the secure base when the device is located in a fixed position and so the wheels of the current invention are not required to be spaced apart to provide a stable base when braked as is the case with conventional devices. The device of the invention therefore provides a means whereby the handling of the goods can be improved and the safety o f the handling persons is significantly improved. Furthermore where no loading dock is provided a vehicle trailer storage area may be loaded with goods from the ground and the device moved to the required location for loading and unloading.

Claims: Claims 1. A goods movement device, said device comprising a support assembly and movement mechanism connected to move a deck between raised and lowered positions, and wheels or rollers to selectively allow the device to move along a surface and wherein said wheels or rollers are located on either or both of the deck or movement mechanism. 2. A device according to claim 1 wherein the deck is movable between lifted and lowered positions and has mounted thereon a plurality of wheels or rollers to allow the device to be moved when the deck is in a substantially lowered position with the wheels of the deck contacting the surface and when the deck is in a raised position the support assembly contacts the surface to maintain the device in a fixed position. 3. A device according to claim 1 wherein the movement mechanism includes a number of rollers and/or wheels to allow said device to be movable across a surface when said wheels are in contact with said surface when the movement mechanism is in a substantially lowered position and when the mechanism is moved from the lowered position, the support assembly contacts with the surface to locate the device in a fixed position. 4. A device according to any of the preceding claims wherein the wheels and/or rollers are held in a retained, withdrawn, position such that the deck can be moved fully to the lowered position adjacent the surface to allow goods to be unloaded from or loaded onto the deck and, once loaded or unloaded, the deck can be moved slightly to move the wheels or rollers from a retained position to an operational position. 5. A device according to claim l wherein the movement mechanism is moved by any of manual, electrical drive, hydraulic, pneumatic or any suitable lifting means . 6. A device according to claim 5 wherein the power drive means are provided on the deck. 7. A device according to claim 6 wherein the support assembly is provided with at least one upstanding member which act as a guide means for the movement o f the deck between lifted and lowered positions and positions intermediate the same. 8. A device according to claim 7 wherein the guide means are telescopic thereby allowing variations in the height of the same to be achieved and thereby varying the maximum lifting height of the deck for specific environments. 9. A device according to claim 7 wherein the guide means include, mounted therealong, drive means locators in a fixed position and along which rotatable members connected to the drive means on the deck, move, to move the deck relative to the guide means. 10. A device according to claim 5 wherein the deck and support assembly are linked by means of lifting members which are movable in relation to one another to move the deck between the raised, intermediate and lowered positions. 1 1. A device according to claim 10 wherein the lifting members include or are acted upon by a hydraulic or pneumatic actuating means and the lifting members are actuated to move the deck between the required positions. 12. A device according to any of the preceding claims wherein the deck is o f a size to fit within the envelope defined by the frame o f the support assembly. 13. A device according to any of the preceding claims wherein mechanically and/or electrically actuated safety means are provided to prevent the trapping o f any part o f the anatomy between the surface and the support assembly during the movement of the same in the transition between the device being in movable and fixed positions on the surface. 14 A device according to any of the preceding claims wherein the same is collapsible to lie in a substantially planar form for storage either in a goods storage area or attached to a transportable goods storage area during transit. 15. A device according to any of the preceding claim wherein the device is provided with location means to allow the same to be attached to matching engagement means along the side or rear of the vehicle trailer to allow the same to form an external movable platform.. 16. A device according to any of the preceding claims wherein the wheels or rollers are provided at one edge of the deck or side of the movement mechanism thus allowing the device to be tilted and wheeled when the deck and/or movement mechanism are in a substantially lowered position.. 17 A device according to any o f the preceding claims wherein the device is provided with location points to allow the device to be lifted and moved by another device for movement over longer distances. 18. A device for moving goods, comprising a deck mounted for movement between raised and lowered positions in relation to a support assembly and incorporating wheels or rollers to allow same to be selectively movable along a surface, wherein said device is adapted to be transportable with a transportable goods storage area, said device being movable to a position for storage with the deck in a lowered position, and then being moved from a lowered to a raised position to contact location means mounted on the underside of the area, locking the deck onto the location means, moving the support assembly towards the deck with the deck held in the raised position thereby removing the device from contact with the surface to be carried with the area.

Inventors: ADAMS WILLIAM MARK, ADAMS, WILLIAM, MARK
Applicants: ADAMS WILLIAM MARK, ADAMS, WILLIAM, MARK
Application year: 1996
Main classification: B66F7
IPC codes: B66F7