Patent GB-513598-A (GB)
Title: Improvements relating to trailer road-vehicles
IPC: B60P1/64
Filed: 1938-04-14
Abstract: 513,598. Vehicle fittings for loading. GRIFFITH, G. M. L., and ARMSTRONG MANUFACTURING CO., Ltd. April 14, 1938, No. 11499. [Class 78 (iv)] [Also in Group XXXII] A two-wheeled trailer road vehicle comprises a floor tiltably mounted in the wheel-supported frame or body so that, for loading it can be tilted down towards the rear about an axis situated between its ends and the ends of the body or frame, an extension separate from the floor being provided which can be arranged to extend from the rearwardly-tilted floor to the ground. As shown, the main frame of the trailer consists of two longitudinals 1 having converging forward portions supporting a coupling member 2 and parallel rearward portions supporting the trailer body which comprises upper and lower bars 3, 4, welded to front and rear U-shaped members 5, 6 serving both as corner posts and transverse bearers. Transverse members are welded between the longitudinals 1 and upper bars 3 respectively and bracing members 1a, extend between the lower corners of the member 5 and extremities of the longitudinals. The bars 3, 4, may also be extended so as to converge on the coupling member 2. The road wheels 9 are mounted on a downswept axle 10 which supports the body through leaf-springs 11 connected at the ends to the longitudinals. The floor 12 comprises transverse boards secured to a frame 13, 14, mounted by lugs on a shaft 16 suspended from the longitudinals 1 by four triangular brackets 17 the forward end of the frame when horizontal resting on the transverse portion of the body member 5. The rear end of the floor when tilted rearwardly rests on the transverse portion of the body member 6, which is lower than that of the member 5. Tilting of the floor preferably is effected by a hydraulic jack mounted between the front floor frame member 13 and the member 5 and operated by a hand-pump 22, the floor returning to the horizontal position by gravity. Alternatively, the jack may be double-acting. A platform 24 hinged at 23 to the floor frame forms an extension of the floor when tilted or may be swung up behind the body and secured by chains 25. To support the trailer in a horizontal position, a pivoted U-shaped leg 26 or a retractible wheel or a screw or hydraulic jack may be provided at the forward ends of the longitudinals 1 or front corners of the body and hydraulic or screw jacks 32 or retractible legs at the rear end of 'the body. Frames 40 for locating and/or supporting a cable drum are adjustably mounted on the bars 3 and secured by bolts 42, a half-bearing 43 for the drum-shaft being pivotably connected to a bracket 45 slidably mounted on each inclined member 40' of the frames. To load a cable drum 50 on the trailer, the platform 24 is swung down and the floor tilted rearwardly and the drum is then hauled into position by a winch 34 carried in a frame 35 supported by transverse members 36 extending between the longitudinals. When the centre of gravity of the drum is in front of the tilting axis of the floor, the latter is allowed to move back into its horizontal position and the platform swung up. The drum is secured by chocks &c. and/or by locating its shaft in the half-bearings 43. To' unwind cable from the drum, the drum shaft is engaged in the bearings 43, the locking screws 47 of which are released, and the floor is tilted. As the drum is situated forwardly of the shaft 16 it will thus be raised slightly and if the brackets 45 are moved up to re-engage the bearings 43 with the drum-shaft, the drum will be supported free of the floor and ready for unwinding when the floor is moved back into its horizontal position. The drum-supporting means alternatively may comprise hydraulic or mechanical jacks.