VEHICLE FOR TRANSPORTING ELONGATE CONTAINERS IN A HORIZONTAL POSITION, AND AN ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A LOADING AND UNLOADING TERMINAL AND A VEHICLE OF THIS NATURE

Abstract: The invention concerns a container loading and unloading assembly comprising a vehicle (1) with a container frame (7) that is attached to the superstructure (6) of the vehicle (1) and a loading and unloading terminal. The pivotable container frame (7) comprises on each longitudinal side a laterally extendable support wheel (11). The loading/unloading terminal comprising a drive-on drive-off platform (20) and a floor (21) which is at a lower level than the drive-on drive-off platform (20). Above the floor (21), in line with the platform, there is a set of rails (22) on which the support wheels (11) of the container frame (7) can be supported in order to move the vehicle (1) above the floor (21) while supported on the rails (22).

Description: Vehicle for transporting elongate containers in a horizontal position, and an assembly comprising a loading and unloading terminal and a vehicle of this nature Description The invention relates to a vehicle, such as a lorry or trailer, for transporting elongate interchangeable containers in a substantially horizontal position, which containers are loaded from a vertical position and/or are put down in a vertical position, the vehicle comprising: a superstructure which is supported on at least one wheel set via a suspension system; a container frame which is attached to the superstructure in such a manner that it can rotate about a horizontal rotation axle extending transversely to the direction of travel, it being possible to rotate the container frame between a substantially horizontal transport position and a loading and/or unloading position at an angle of at least 60° to 90° with respect to the horizontal; and pulling means for moving the interchangeable container along the container frame. A vehicle of this nature, in particular in the form of a trailer, is very widely known, with the exception of the loading from the vertical position and putting the container down in the vertical position and the associated steep loading and/or unloading position of the container frame. Reference may be made, for example, to WO 95/11 1543. It has proven desirable for it to be possible for interchangeable containers of elongate shape which, owing to the elongate shape, have to be transported horizontally nevertheless to be put down in the vertical position, preferably directly from the vehicle, and/or to be picked up from a vertical position directly by the vehicle. In this context, elongate containers are understood to mean, inter alia, seagoing containers and so-called ISO containers, as well as so-called tanker containers, containers in silo form and the like. Particularly if interchangeable containers of this nature are of great length, such as for example the standard length of 30 feet [approximately 9 metres] and approximately 40 feet [approximately 12 metres], this can lead to stability problems when loading and unloading using the vehicle directly, in which case a separate lifting crane or other crane installation or manipulating device is not being used. The object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle which is particularly suitable for loading and unloading interchangeable containers which are in a vertical position or are to be placed in a vertical position and are to be transported in the horizontal position using the said vehicle, in a completely automatic arrangement without further handling installations. In particular, the object of the invention is to provide a vehicle of this nature with which the loading and/or unloading operations can be carried out in a stable way. According to the invention, the abovementioned objects are achieved by the fact that the vehicle furthermore comprises, on each longitudinal side, at least one optionally removable, rotatable support wheel, the axis of rotation of which runs parallel to the rotation axle of the container frame, and in that the said support wheels are attached to the superstructure rigidly or in such a way that they can be made rigid. In this context, the term rigid or can be made rigid is understood to mean that the support wheels are attached to/hung from the superstructure without the intervention of a suspension or shock- absorbing system. This has the advantage that, in particular, the lateral stability of the vehicle can be increased by supporting the support wheels on a base and allowing them to move along this base, thus completely deactivating at least the suspension system of the at least one wheel set and, if appropriate, also deactivating the wheel set itself. The lateral stability of the vehicle is further increased by the fact that the support wheels are attached to the longitudinal side of the vehicle, which means that the track between the said support wheels is (at least) approximately equal to the width of the vehicle. Since this attachment to the superstructure is rigid or can be made rigid, it will in fact be this track between the support wheels which determines the stability. In the case of the wheel set which is hung by means of a suspension system, the lateral stability is not determined by the track between the wheels of the wheel set, but rather the gap between the wheel suspension means as seen in the transverse direction of the vehicle. By using side support wheels, the vehicle according to the invention is furthermore able to move in the direction of travel while loading or unloading an interchangeable container which is in a vertical position or is to be placed in a vertical position. When unloading, this makes it possible for the interchangeable container which is to be unloaded, after a bottom transverse edge thereof has been placed on the ground, to be pushed into a vertical position by, as it were, driving the vehicle, with the container frame in the meantime being rotated into a steep unloading position. When loading a vertically positioned interchangeable container, the fact that the support wheels can rotate offers the advantage that the interchangeable container can, as it were, be pulled over while, in the meantime, the container frame can be pivoted back from a steep position into a less steep position, for example an intermediate position between the transport position and the loading and/or unloading position, in which intermediate position the pulling means can then pull the interchangeable container completely or at least further onto the container frame. In the device according to the invention, the pulling means may be of relatively lightweight design. Within the context of the present invention, pulling means are understood to mean either winch means, comprising, for example, a hook for hooking onto the interchangeable container and a cable which can be wound up and unwound, as well as gear mechanisms which can displace the interchangeable container along the container frame, for example in combination with a rack arranged beneath the interchangeable container. According to the invention, the lateral stability of the vehicle can be improved further during loading and/or unloading if the support wheels can be moved inwards and outwards, for example telescopically, in the transverse direction of the vehicle, laterally with respect to the vehicle, and/or if the track of the support wheels is greater than the width of the vehicle. It is thus possible to ensure that during loading and/or unloading the track of the support wheels is greater than the width of the vehicle itself. In the case of support wheels which are fixed to the vehicle in such a manner that they can be moved inwards and outwards, in the retracted position these wheels may rest inside the width of the vehicle, so that they do not project from the vehicle during transport along public roads. According to the invention, the track of he support wheels will preferably be at least approximately 2.5 metres (which is generally the standard width of standard lorries), and will preferably be about 3 metres or more, in particular in the case of support wheels which can be moved inwards and outwards in the lateral direction. To prevent the front of the vehicle from being moved upwards when loading an interchangeable container, it is advantageous, according to the invention, if, as seen in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, the axis(es) of rotation of the support wheels lie(s) at substantially the same level as the rotation axle or behind the rotation axles. To ensure that forces which act on the rotation axle during loading and/or unloading are transmitted to the support wheels while as far as possible avoiding unfavourable loads in the container frame or other parts of the vehicle, it is advantageous, according to the invention, if the axis(es) of the support wheels and the axis of rotation of the container frame lie substantially above one another or coincide. If the axes of rotation and the rotation axle lie substantially above one another or coincide, moment loads in the container frame are completely or almost completely avoided, which loads would arise if the axes of rotation and the rotation axle were to be positioned apart from one another, as seen in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Moreover, if the axes of rotation and the rotation axle substantially coincide, at the same time the possibility of the front of the vehicle moving upwards during loading or unloading is ruled out altogether. To ensure that the support wheels are as far as possible positioned in the vicinity of the rotation axle, it is advantageous, according to the invention, if the support wheels are arranged behind the driving wheels, i.e. the wheels which are active during normal transport. In view of design engineering and practical considerations, it is particularly advantageous, in a vehicle according to the invention, if the support wheels are each arranged on a support axle, if the superstructure is provided with support-axle-holding means for holding the support axles, and if the support-axle-holding means are designed in such a manner that the support axles can be pushed in and out of the support-axle-holding means, transversely to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, for fitting or removing the support wheels. It is thus possible for the support wheels to be fitted to the vehicle just before an interchangeable container is loaded or unloaded and for these support wheels to be removed from the vehicle immediately after loading and unloading. Moreover, a design of this nature is particularly simple in construction terms. The support-axle-holding means may, for example, be hollow tubes into which the support axles bearing the support wheels can be fitted. The support wheels with support axles can then be stored at the loading and unloading site and do not have to be transported with the vehicle. This also offers the option of using support wheels with support axles for different vehicles. Furthermore, the invention also relates to a loading and/or unloading assembly for an elongate interchangeable container which is to be transported in a substantially horizontal position and is to be loaded from a vertical position or put down in a vertical position, the assembly comprising: a vehicle according to one of the invention; and a loading and/or unloading terminal for loading and/or unloading the interchangeable container, the loading and/or unloading terminal comprising: - a drive-on drive-offplatform for the vehicle to be driven onto and off; a floor which is at a lower level than the drive-on drive-off platform and on which the interchangeable container may be positioned projecting vertically and above the drive-on drive-offplatform; two parallel, elongate running surfaces, such as rails, which; lie at a level above that of the drive-on drive-offplatform; and are at a horizontal distance apart and, at their ends which are directed towards the drive-on drive-off platforms are at a vertical distance from the said platform, in such a manner that the support wheels of the vehicle can roll along the running surfaces, if appropriate after they have been extended in the lateral direction. By arranging the interchangeable container in a vertical position on a floor which is at a lower level than the drive-on drive-off platform for the vehicle, the centre of gravity of the interchangeable container with respect to the vehicle is lowered, which is of very great benefit to the lateral stability of the vehicle during loading and/or unloading of the interchangeable container. In this case, it will be clear that the lower the floor is with respect to the drive-on drive-offplatform, the greater this advantage relating to the lateral stability of the vehicle becomes. On the other hand, as the floor becomes lower with respect to the drive-on drive-of platform, the interchangeable container has to be displaced a greater distance along the container frame in order for the interchangeable container to be placed entirely on the vehicle. According to an advantageous embodiment, the floor will be at least one metre lower than the drive-on drive-offplatform. According to a further advantageous embodiment of the assembly according to the invention, the floor has a standing position for the interchangeable container, which is at a horizontal distance from the drive-on drive-of platform, which horizontal distance is at least equal to one metre, preferably is at least equal to the vertical distance between the floor and the loading and/or unloading platform, and in which the running surfaces extend over or along the floor in line with the drive-on drive-off direction. The horizontal distance between the standing position and the drive-offplatform determines the angle to which the container frame can be pivoted back from a steep unloading position before the interchangeable container has to be pulled up along this container frame. This angle to which the container frame can be pivoted back is partly determined, as will be obvious, by the vertical distance between the floor and the loading and/or unloading platform. To ensure that the container frame can be pivoted back to an angle of 45° or less with respect to the horizontal, it is preferable for the horizontal distance between the standing position and the drive-on drive-offplatform to be at least equal to the vertical distance between the floor, in particular the standing position, and the loading and/or unloading platform. The use of elongate running surfaces which extend over or along the lowered floor, in each case extending at a level above the lowered floor, to the standing position has the advantage that the vehicle can be driven to very close to the vertically positioned interchangeable container, or even until it is touching this container, for the purpose of loading and/or unloading. In order to prevent the interchangeable container having an insufficient grip on the ground beneath it while the interchangeable container is being tilted during loading and/or unloading, and to prevent it from being able to slide off the vehicle, it is advantageous, according to the invention, if the standing position in the assembly according to the invention is provided, on the side facing towards the loading and unloading platform with a tilting channel which extends transversely to the drive-on drive-off direction and in which the interchangeable container can be supported by means of a tilting support. It will be clear that a tilting channel of this nature can equally be employed to good effect if a loading and unloading terminal with a floor which is at a lower level than the drive-on drive-off platform is not being used. In the following text, the present invention will be explained in more detail with reference to an exemplary embodiment which is diagrammatically depicted in the drawing, in which: Figs. 1-3 show several phases involved in loading an interchangeable container using a vehicle and assembly according to the invention; Fig. 4 shows a diagrammatic, detailed view of a loading and/or unloading terminal according to the invention; Fig. 5 shows a diagrammatic view from behind, partially in section, of an assembly according to the invention; and Fig. 6 shows a view from behind, partially in section, of a variant of the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1-5. In Figures 1-5, 1 denotes a lorry cab, 2 denotes a trailer and 3 denotes an interchangeable container, in this case an ISO container with a length of 40 feet (approximately 12 metres). The lorry cab 1 is coupled to the trailer 2 in a conventional, releasable manner allowing it to pivot to the left and right. As is known per se, the trailer 2 comprises a superstructure 6 with three rear wheel sets 4 which are resiliently hung from the superstructure via one or more suspension systems. Furthermore, on the superstructure 6 there is a container frame 7 which is attached to the said superstructure 6 in such a manner that it can rotate/pivot about a rotational axle 5 by means of piston-cylinder units 8 and 9 and a linkage 10. With the aid of the piston-cylinder units 8 and 9 and linkage 10, the container frame 7 can be pivoted about rotational axle 5 between a substantially horizontal transport position (not shown), in which the container frame 7 lies substantially parallel to the superstructure 6, and a steep loading and/or unloading position, in which the angle α (shown in Fig. 2) is at least 60° and will preferably be approximately 90° or at least between 85° and 90°. A steep loading and/or unloading position of this nature, preferably, therefore, a virtually vertical loading and/or unloading position, of the container frame, makes it possible to move the container frame 7 until it virtually bears against an interchangeable container which is in a vertical position, which is guided out of the said vertical position into a horizontal position on the vehicle, in order to be moved from a horizontal position, or a position resting on the vehicle, into a vertical position. According to the invention, the vehicle 2 is provided, on both longitudinal sides, with a rotatable support wheel 11, the axis of rotation of which in the exemplary embodiment illustrated in Figures 1-5 coincides with the axis of rotation/tilting of the rotational axle 5 about which the container frame 7 can tilt/rotate with respect to the superstructure 6. However, it is not necessary for these axes of rotation to coincide. Referring in particular to Fig. 5, the support wheels 11 are designed in such a manner that they can be moved inwards and outwards in the lateral direction with respect to the vehicle 2 by means of a telescopic structure, in the direction indicated by double arrow 13. In Fig. 5, the support wheels 11 are shown in a position of use. If it is desired for the support wheels to be attached permanently to the vehicle and therefore for them to be moved with the vehicle even during its normal transporting operation, it is highly advantageous if the support wheels can be retracted from the position of use until they are completely within the width of the vehicle. However, according to the invention it is also very advantageous, in particular, if the support wheels can be removed from the vehicle altogether, so that they can be left behind at the loading and/or unloading point. The support wheels 11 can be made removable by mounting them on support axles 40 and providing the superstructure with support-axle-holding means 41, for example in the form of tubes into which the support axles 40 can be fitted in the direction indicated by double arrow 13, so that they can then be pulled out again. The support wheels 11, apart from the fact that they can be rotated and moved inwards and outwards in the lateral direction with respect to the vehicle, are rigidly attached to the vehicle, in particular the trailer 2. It will be clear that this improves the lateral stability of the vehicle, in particular if the centre of gravity of the load which is to be manipulated is relatively high. This is because, on the one hand, the position of the vehicle is disengaged as a result of the suspension systems being switched off, at least in the vicinity of the tilting point of the container frame, and, on the other hand, the resistance of the vehicle to tilting in the lateral direction increases due to the greater track between the support wheels 11 with respect to the active track of the trailer 2, which is actually determined by the points where the force of the suspension systems acts. The loading and unloading terminal according to the invention comprises a drive-on drive-offplatform 20, a floor 21 which is at a lower level than this platform, two parallel running surfaces 22, formed by rails, for the support wheels 11 of the vehicle, and optionally, and in fact preferably, a tilting channel 23 formed in or possibly on the floor 22. The floor 21, which is at a lower level than the drive-on drive-off platform 20, may be a base of a pit, but may equally well be a platform or the ground level, in which case the drive-on drive-offplatform is at a higher level than the said platform or ground level. Part of the floor 22 can be referred to as the standing position 24, where it is intended for the interchangeable container to stand in a vertical position. In order to provide a point of engagement for the interchangeable container 3 when it is being tilted onto the floor 22, a channel, the so-called tilting channel 23, is formed in the floor on that side of the standing position 24 which faces towards the drive-on drive-offplatform 20. The rear/bottom transverse edge (as seen from the direction of travel of the vehicle) of the interchangeable container or a tilting member 25 which is provided in the vicinity of this bottom/transverse edge 26 (for example in the form of a substantially cylindrical bar or cylindrical bar sections) can engage in the tilting channel 23, so that a point of engagement on the floor 22 is thus created during tilting of the interchangeable container 3, thus preventing the interchangeable container 3 from sliding away backwards, i.e. in the opposite direction to that indicated by the arrow 12, during tilting. Referring in succession to Figures 1, 2 and 3, a sequence of operations involved in loading an elongate interchangeable container which is in a standing position, in this case an ISO container with a length of 40 feet, will now be outlined. Referring once again to Fig. 1, the vehicle, i.e. the trailer 2, is driven along a drive-on drive-offplatform 20 towards the interchangeable container 3 in the opposite direction to that indicated by arrow 12, with the aid of a lorry cab 1. During this movement, the rear wheel sets 4 initially roll along the drive-on drive-offplatform 20, until (see also Fig. 5) the support wheels 11, which have already been extended in the transverse direction of the vehicle by means of the telescopic device, begin to run along the rails 22. As soon as the support wheels 11 begin to run along the rails 22, at least the suspension system of the rear wheel sets 4 becomes inactive. The vehicle 2 continues to reverse, until the back end of the trailer 2 bears against the interchangeable container 3, which is virtually upright. Before the back end of the vehicle 2 comes to bear against the interchangeable container 3, or after this has taken place, the container frame 7 is pivoted upwards in the direction of arrow 27, with the aid of the piston-cylinder units 8 and 9 and the linkage 10, until it reaches a vertical, or at least almost vertical, position. In this vertical or almost vertical position, the upright interchangeable container 3 is coupled to the container frame 7, which may involve the use of pulling means which are not shown but are generally known per se from the prior art. Then, as shown in Fig. 2, the interchangeable container 3 is, as it were, pulled over by the vehicle, the interchangeable container 3 being supported in the tilting channel 23 in order to stop it slipping away. The pulling means will be paid out slightly in order to allow the interchangeable container 3 to be temporarily supported on the floor 21. While the container is being pulled over, the trailer 2 together with lorry cab 1 drives forwards, as indicated by the arrow 12. This movement will initially be powered by the engine, but as soon as the interchangeable container 3 has been pulled over sufficiently, its weight can be used to push the vehicle forwards, which pushing in the forwards direction can be decelerated by means of the brake system of the vehicle. Whilst the container is being pulled over, the container frame 7 will be pivoted back in the direction of arrow 28, towards its horizontal position. As soon as the angle α has become sufficiently small, generally less than 55 to 50°, more preferably in the range from about 40 to 50°, this backwards pivoting movement (indicated by arrow 28) will be interrupted and the interchangeable container 3 is pulled further up from the container frame 7 by means of the pulling means, as indicated by arrow 29. It will be clear that this interruption to the backwards pivoting movement 28 before the interchangeable container 3 is pulled up is not absolutely necessary. If appropriate, the backwards pivoting indicated by arrow 28 may continue while, in the meantime, the interchangeable container 3 is being pulled up by the container 7 as indicated by the arrow 29. Furthermore, it will be clear that, in connection with the work which has to be done by the pulling means, it may be advantageous for the interchangeable container 3 to be pulled up only a small distance in the direction of arrow 29, after which the container frame 7 can be pivoted back completely into its substantially horizontal position, and only then will the interchangeable container 3 be pulled forwards further along the container frame 7 in the direction of arrow 29 until it has been pulled completely onto the container frame 7. It will be clear that the interchangeable container 3 can be unloaded in the reverse order. Figure 6 shows a variant of the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1-5. Apart from one difference, Figure 6 is identical to Figure 5. For corresponding aspects, the reference numerals used in Figure 6 are identical to the reference numerals used in Figures 1-5. The difference between the variant shown in Figure 6, on the one hand, and the embodiment shown in Figures 1-5 on the other hand, is that in the variant shown in Figure 6 the rotation axle 5 of the interchangeable-container frame is arranged above the support wheels 1 1, specifically vertically above the axis of rotation (not shown) of the support wheels. In this example, the distance between the tube 41 for holding the support axles 40 and the rotation axle 5 is approximately 30 cm. However, it will be clear that this distance may also be longer or shorter.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. Vehicle, such as a lorry or trailer, for transporting elongate interchangeable containers in a substantially horizontal position, which containers are loaded from a vertical position and/or are put down in a vertical position, the vehicle comprising: - a superstructure which is supported on at least one wheel set via a suspension system; a container frame which is attached to the superstructure in such a manner that it can rotate about a horizontal rotation axle extending transversely to the direction of travel, it being possible to rotate the container frame between a substantially horizontal transport position and a loading and/or unloading position at an angle of at least 60° to 90° with respect to the horizontal; and pulling means for moving the interchangeable container along the container frame; characterized in that the vehicle furthermore comprises, on each longitudinal side, at least one optionally removable, rotatable support wheel, the axis of rotation of which runs parallel to the rotation axle of the container frame, and in that the said support wheels are attached to the superstructure rigidly or in such a way that they can be made rigid. 2. Vehicle according to Claim 1, characterized in that said support wheels can be pushed inwards and outwards, for example telescopically, in the transverse direction of the vehicle, laterally with respect to the vehicle. 3. Vehicle according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the track of the support wheels is more than about 2.5 metres, preferably about 3 metres or more. 4. Vehicle according to Claims 1-3, characterized in that the track of the support wheels is greater than the width of the vehicle. 5. Vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, as seen in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, the axis(es) of rotation of the support wheels lie(s) at substantially the same level as the rotation axle or behind the rotation axles. 6. Vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the axis(es) of rotation of the support wheels and the rotation axle of the container frame lie substantially above one another or coincide. 7. Vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support wheels are arranged behind the driving wheels. 8. Vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support wheels are each arranged on a support axle, in that the superstructure is provided with support-axle-holding means for holding the support axles, and in that the support-axle- holding means are designed in such a manner that the support axles can be pushed in and out of the support-axle-holding means, transversely to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, for fitting or removing the support wheels. 9. Loading and/or unloading assembly for an elongate interchangeable container which is to be transported in a substantially horizontal position and is to be loaded from a vertical position or put down in a vertical position, the assembly comprising: - a vehicle according to one of Claims 1-8; and a loading and/or unloading terminal for loading and/or unloading the interchangeable container, the loading and/or unloading terminal comprising, a drive-on drive-offplatform for the vehicle to be driven onto and off; - a floor which is at a lower level than the drive-on drive-off platform and on which the interchangeable container may be positioned projecting vertically and above the drive-on drive-offplatform; two parallel, elongate running surfaces, such as rails, which; lie at a level above that of the drive-on drive-offplatform; and are at a horizontal distance apart and, at their ends which are directed towards the drive-on drive-offplatform, are at a vertical distance from the said platform, in such a manner that the support wheels of the vehicle can roll along the running surfaces, if appropriate after they have been extended in the lateral direction. 10. Assembly according to Claim 9, in which the floor is at least one metre lower than the drive-on drive-of platform. 11. Assembly according to Claim 9 or 10, in which the floor has a standing position for the container, which is at a horizontal distance from the drive-on drive-offplatform, which horizontal distance is at least equal to one metre, preferably is at least equal to the vertical distance between the floor and the loading and unloading platform, and in which the running surfaces extend over or along the floor in line with the drive-on drive-off direction. 12. Assembly according to Claim 11, in which the standing position is provided, on the side facing towards the loading and unloading platform, with a tilting channel which extends transversely to the drive-on drive-off direction and in which the interchangeable container can be supported by means of a tilting support. 13. Loading and/or unloading terminal for an assembly according to one of Claims 9-12.

Inventors: NIJENHUIS DERK, NIJENHUIS, DERK
Applicants: N C H HYDRAULIC SYSTEMS B V, NIJENHUIS DERK, N.C.H. HYDRAULIC SYSTEMS B.V., NIJENHUIS, DERK
Application year: 2000
Main classification: B60P1
IPC codes: B60P1