Patent GB-471327-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in freight handling systems
IPC: B60P1/64
Filed: 1936-02-26
Abstract: 471,327. Freight transport systems. TENNANT, W. J. (Motor Terminals Co.) Feb. 26, 1936, No. 5775. [Class 78 (iv)] A road vehicle for the transport of transferable freight containers is provided with a pair of parallel guideways on which a container is adapted to be slid, with bridging members independently pivoted to the ends of the guideways, adapted to be coupled to the side of a railway vehicle or a loading platform, and with endless conveyer or propelling members extending parallel with the guideways whereby the container is drawn, or pushed onto or off the vehicle and across the bridging members. Figs. 4, 5, 6, 8 and 9 show the details of a semitrailer adapted to be connected end-on to a platform A, Fig. 6, by bridging members 40 pivoted to the ends of hollow longitudinal beams 26 attached to cross-girders 25 extending beyond the sides of the trailer main frame 20. Fig. 4. The freight container B, Fig. 9, is provided with under-rails 10 adapted to slide on rails 30 extending the length of the beams 26 and on the bridge members 40 and is moved onto or off the trailer by connection to endless chains 50 on either side of the guide rails, the chains passing, at the forward end, round sprocket wheels 51. on a cross-shaft 52 adapted to be driven from the power take-off of the tractor. At the rear end, the chains pass round sprockets 55 at the ends of the bridge members 40, intermediate guide rollers or sprockets 61, 62 being provided at the hinged connection 41 so that the members 40 can hang down, as shown in Fig. 5, when not in use. Each hollow beam 26, Fig. 9, comprises outwardly facing channel girders 27 secured together in spaced relation by an inverted channel member 28 carrying the rail 30 and seatings 33a for the chains 50, with raised guide members 14a at either side. The inside girder 27 is secured to the ends of the cross girders 25 by angle plates &c. and to the frame members 20 by brackets at intervals. Bottom plates 31 complete the box structure and support the lower runs of the chains. Each bridge-member 40 comprises a pair of inwardly facing channel members connected by flat top and bottom plates, the top plate carrying a rail and chainseatings. To the ends are attached projecting side plates 44, 47 serving respectively for pivotal attachment to the beams 26 and temporary connection to the platform A. The pivot rod 41, Fig. 8, extends across the trailer, being mounted in bearing blocks 163, 164, welded to the girders 27. The plates 47 and sprockets 61 are loosely mounted thereon in conjunction with spacing sleeves 160, 161, 162. The ends of the rod are threaded and carry nuts with crank handles 166 by which the assemblage can be tightened so that the initial movements of the conveyer chains can be utilized to raise the bridge members from the hanging position, shown in Fig. 5, to the coupling position, Fig. 6, the sprockets 61 &c. then being loosened while transfer of the container is being effected. For the latter purpose the container is linked to shoes 71, Fig. 16, having lugs 72 to engage alternate chain links 50b which are of inverted U-shape, the lugs being notched, as at 75, to interlock with the links in the direction of progress whilst allowing the shoes to run off as the chains pass round the end sprockets. The sprocket-wheel shaft 52 is driven from the power take-off shaft 83 through bevel &c. gearing and intermediate shafts 98, 121. A modified trailer is also described in which the guideways and conveyer chains are arranged transversely with bridging members 40a, Figs. 12, 15, at each side of the vehicle, the box girder construction &c. being the same as in the previous form. The conveyer chains 50a, extend as shown from end to end of the bridge members. The drive is transmitted thereto from a central longitudinal shaft 121 through a chain 131 to a sprocket wheel 132 on a shaft 133 coupling one pair of bridge members. The bridge members may be secured in the raised or lowered positions by pins passed through holes in extensions 140 of the plates 47 and corresponding holes in the girder members.