Patent Description:
According to a second aspect the present disclosure relates to a transport arrangement comprising a towing vehicle and a trailer according to the first aspect of the present disclosure.

According to a third aspect, the present disclosure relates to a method for loading and transporting a load such as an intermodal container using a trailer according to the first aspect of the present disclosure.

Trailers are generally used for transporting loads such as ISO container, also referred to as intermodal container or shipping container. The containers may be placed on the trailer using a known lifting apparatus such as container crane, a container lift truck or the like.

For situations wherein such a known lifting apparatus is not available the towing vehicle may be provided for instance with a winch or crane arm for pulling the load onto the trailer in a towing direction of the trailer.

A drawback of such a winch or crane arm is that a relative long length is required for positioning the load onto the trailer. In particular on building sites and industrial areas the space available for loading the load onto the trailer may be rather limited making loading and unloading of the low in the towing direction of the trailer relatively challenging or even impossible.

The trailer according to the present disclosure is arranged for loading and transporting a load such as an intermodal container, wherein said trailer comprises:.

wherein said height adjustment arrangement is arranged for moving said frame between a first height position wherein said frame is resting on said ground surface for said loading of said load onto said trailer and a second height position wherein said frame is in a raised position for said transporting, by said trailer, of said load.

By providing the loading arrangement the need for a relative long length for positioning the load onto the trailer is avoided. The present disclosure relies at least partly on the insight that by loading the load onto the container in a loading direction that is transverse to a towing direction a relative short distance is required next to the load instead of a relative long distance in front of the load. In particular in situations as mentioned previously on building sites and industrial areas a relative small free distance next to the load may be more easily realised than a relative long free distance in front of the load.

In addition, by providing the trailer with the loading arrangement there is no longer a need for using a towing vehicle provided with a winch or a crane arm thereby increasing the flexibility as regards transport planning or even reducing costs for transporting the load.

Preferably, said frame comprises an extension arrangement for varying a distance, in said towing direction, between said front end arrangement and said rear end arrangement for accommodating loads of different lengths. This is beneficial for realising a relative flexible transport solution wherein the trailer may be used for a relative large range of different loads.

Preferably, said frame further comprises a locking arrangement arranged for, in a first state of said locking arrangement, maintaining said distance, in said towing direction, between said front end arrangement and said rear end arrangement, and, in a second state of said locking arrangement, allowing said distance, in said towing direction, to be varied.

Preferably, said frame comprises two frame parts, wherein outer dimensions of a first frame part of said two frame parts are smaller than inner dimensions of a second frame part of said two frame parts and wherein said two frame parts are slidably connected to each other for varying said distance between said front end arrangement and said rear end arrangement.

Preferably, said frame supports said loading arrangement.

Preferably, said frame is removably connected to said front end arrangement and said rear end arrangement. This is beneficial for allowing said frame to be removed, for instance after loading said load and before transporting said load and thereby reducing the weight of the trailer allowing to load a relative heavy load.

In an embodiment of the trailer according to the first aspect of the present disclosure, said frame is an integral part of said load.

According to the invention, the trailer comprises:.

The height adjustment arrangement is arranged for moving said frame between a first height position wherein said frame is resting on said ground surface for said loading of said load onto said trailer and a second height position wherein said frame is in a raised position for said transporting, by said trailer, of said load. Resting said frame on the ground surface during loading of the load is beneficial for stabilizing the trailer thereby avoiding or at least significantly reducing the risk of the trailer tipping over.

In a practical embodiment of the trailer according to the first aspect, said height adjustment arrangement comprises a first height adjustment device for varying a height of said front end arrangement relative to said ground surface for said varying said height of said frame above said ground surface and/or a second height adjustment device for varying a height of said rear end arrangement relative to said ground surface for varying said height of said frame above said ground surface.

Preferably, said loading arrangement comprises a plurality fixation elements for fixating said load during said loading and said transporting.

In this regard, it is beneficial if at least a fixating element of said plurality of fixating elements is arranged for being fixated to a connection arrangement, such as a twist lock, of said load.

It is advantageous, if said loading arrangement comprises a first loading device arranged for loading said load at a side thereof facing said front end arrangement and/or a second loading device arranged for loading said load at a side thereof facing said rear end arrangement.

In this regard, it is advantageous, if said second height adjustment device is arranged for varying a height of a part, such as a subframe, of said rear end arrangement for varying a height of said second loading device relative to said ground surface while said wheels are supporting said rear end arrangement on said ground surface.

Preferably, said first loading device and/or said second loading device comprise a lift device arranged for lifting said load, in vertical direction, from said ground surface and, preferably, wherein said lift device comprises a subset of said plurality of fixation elements.

Preferably, said first loading device and said second loading devices are provided at sides of said front end arrangement and said rear end arrangement that are facing each other.

It is advantageous, if said first loading device and/or said second loading device comprises a first guide element that is movable between a loading position and a transport position, wherein in said loading position said first guide element is arranged for guiding said corresponding lift device in said loading direction. Providing the guide element is beneficial for realising a relative reliable movement of the load in the loading direction.

It is beneficial, if said first loading device and/or said second loading device comprises a second guide element that is movable between a loading position and a transport position, wherein in said loading position said second guide element is arranged for guiding said corresponding lift device in said loading direction, wherein said first guide element and said second guide element are arranged for loading said load from opposite sides of said trailer.

Preferably, said first guide element and/or said second guide element, in said loading position thereof, is/are resting on said ground surface. Resting said first guide element and/or said second guide element on the ground surface during loading of the load is beneficial for stabilizing the trailer thereby avoiding or at least significantly reducing the risk of the trailer tipping over.

Preferably, said first guide element and/or said second guide element, in said transport position, is/are extending in vertical direction for blocking movement of said lift device in said loading direction.

It is advantageous, if said first guide element and/or said second guide element comprise a rail.

Preferably, said first loading device comprises a first displacement arrangement for displacing said first guide element in said loading direction relative to said frame when said first guide element is in said loading position. This is beneficial for allowing loading a load that is at a relative large distance from said frame. In addition, this allows for a relative short first guide element. A relative short first guide element is beneficial for reducing a height of said first guide element, in the transport position thereof, above said ground surface.

Preferably, said second loading device comprises a second displacement arrangement for displacing said second guide element in said loading direction relative to said frame when said second guide element is in said loading position. This is beneficial for allowing loading a load that is at a relative large distance from said frame. In addition, this allows for a relative short second guide element. A relative short second guide element is beneficial for reducing a height of said second guide element, in the transport position thereof, above said ground surface.

It is noted that the total height of the trailer including the first guide element and the second guide element may be limited by local law. The first and second displacement arrangements allow to realise a relative practical trailer while meeting total height requirements.

In an embodiment said first guide element and/or said second guide element are telescopic elements such that a functional length of said first guide element and/or said second guide element is variable between predetermined lengths.

In this regard, it is beneficial if said lift device comprises wheel elements that are arranged for cooperating with said guide element for said moving of said lift device in said loading direction.

Preferably, said guide element is pivotable about a pivot axis for moving said guide element between said loading position and said transport position.

In a practical embodiment of the trailer according to the present disclosure, said loading arrangement is an integral part of said height adjustment arrangement. This is beneficial for realising a relative accurate positioning of the load relative to the frame.

According to the second aspect, the present disclosure relates to a transport arrangement comprising a towing vehicle and a trailer according to the first aspect of the present disclosure, wherein said trailer is coupled to said towing vehicle for transporting said trailer, by said towing vehicle, in said towing direction.

Embodiments of the transport arrangement according to the second aspect correspond to embodiments of the trailer according to the first aspect of the present disclosure. The advantages of the transport arrangement according to the second aspect correspond to advantages of the trailer according to first aspect of the present disclosure presented previously.

Preferably, said transport arrangement comprises an intermodal container, wherein said intermodal container is fixated, by said fixation elements, to said trailer, wherein a stiffness of said combination of said intermodal container and said trailer is larger than a stiffness of said trailer alone.

In this regard, it is beneficial if said fixation elements comprise twist locks, wherein said intermodal container is fixated, via said twist locks, to said trailer.

According to the third aspect, the present disclosure relates to a method for loading and transporting a load such as an intermodal container using a trailer according the first aspect of the present disclosure, wherein said method comprises the step of:.

Embodiments of the method according to the third aspect correspond to embodiments of the transport arrangement according to the second aspect and to embodiments of the trailer according to the first aspect of the present disclosure. The advantages of the method of the third aspect correspond to advantages of the transport arrangement according to the second aspect and to advantages of the trailer according to first aspect of the present disclosure presented previously.

Preferably, said method further comprises the step of:.

It is advantageous, if said method further comprises the step of:.

Preferably, said method further comprises the steps of:.

Embodiments of the trailer, transport arrangement and method according to the present disclosure will next be explained by means of the accompanying schematic figures, wherein:.

The transport arrangement <NUM> comprises a towing vehicle <NUM> and a trailer <NUM> arranged for loading and transporting a load <NUM>. The load <NUM> is for example an intermodal container, as indicated in <FIG>, or a metal frame, as indicated in <FIG>. The trailer <NUM> is coupled to the towing vehicle <NUM> for transporting the trailer <NUM> in a towing direction T. The load <NUM> is fixated to the trailer <NUM> by fixation elements <NUM>, such that a stiffness of the combination of the load <NUM> and the trailer <NUM> is larger than a stiffness of the trailer <NUM> alone. The stiffness of the trailer <NUM> alone is high enough for allowing the trailer <NUM> to be transported when the trailer <NUM> is not loaded.

The trailer <NUM> comprises a front end arrangement <NUM>, a rear end arrangement <NUM>, a loading arrangement <NUM>, and a frame <NUM>. The front end arrangement <NUM> is arranged for coupling the trailer <NUM> to the towing vehicle <NUM> for towing the trailer <NUM> and is arranged for supporting a part the load <NUM> at a frond end side the of load <NUM>. The rear end arrangement <NUM> is arranged for supporting another part the load <NUM> at a rear end side of the load <NUM>. The rear end arrangement <NUM> comprises wheels <NUM> for supporting the rear end arrangement <NUM> on a ground surface <NUM>. The loading arrangement <NUM> is an integral part of the height adjustment arrangement <NUM>.

The loading arrangement <NUM> is arranged for loading the load <NUM> onto the trailer <NUM> in a loading direction L that is transverse to the towing direction T of the trailer <NUM>. The frame <NUM> connects the front end arrangement <NUM> to the rear end arrangement <NUM> and supports the loading arrangement <NUM>. The frame <NUM> may be formed by a single frame bar or alternatively may comprise two frame parts, wherein the outer dimensions of one frame part are smaller than the inner dimensions of the other frame part, such that the two frame parts are slidably connected to each other. By means of a pulling action of the towing vehicle <NUM> onto the front end arrangement <NUM> a distance d can be varied in the towing direction T, between a minimal distance d as indicated in <FIG>, and a maximum distance d as indicated in <FIG>. During said varying of said distance the rear end arrangement is maintained in a predetermined position by braking the wheels <NUM>. By varying the distance d between the front end arrangement <NUM> and the rear end arrangement <NUM>, the trailer is accommodated for different lengths l of loads <NUM>.

The trailer <NUM> is provided with a height adjustment arrangement <NUM> for varying a height h of the frame <NUM> above the ground surface <NUM>. The height adjustment arrangement <NUM> is arranged for moving the frame <NUM> of the trailer <NUM> in a first height position h1, wherein the frame <NUM> is resting on the ground surface <NUM>, as indicated in <FIG>. In the first height position h1, the height h of the frame <NUM> is optimal for loading of the load <NUM> onto the trailer <NUM>. Furthermore, the height adjustment arrangement <NUM> is arranged for moving the frame <NUM> of the trailer <NUM> in a second height position h2, as indicated in <FIG>. In the second height position h2, the height h of the frame <NUM> is in a raised position for transporting the load <NUM>, by the trailer <NUM>. The height adjustment arrangement <NUM> comprises a first height adjustment device <NUM>, designed as an in height adjustable fifth-wheel coupling mechanism <NUM>, for varying a height of the front end arrangement <NUM> relative to the ground surface <NUM>. Furthermore, the height adjustment arrangement <NUM> comprises a second height adjustment device <NUM>, designed as an in height adjustable axis system <NUM> to which the wheels <NUM> are rotatably connected, for varying a height of the rear end arrangement <NUM> relative to said ground surface, wherein the frame <NUM> can be moved between the first height position and the second height position.

The loading arrangement <NUM> is provided with four fixation elements <NUM> for fixating the load <NUM> during the loading and the transporting. Two of the fixation elements <NUM> are provided at the front end arrangement <NUM> and two of the fixation elements <NUM> are provided at the rear end arrangement <NUM>. The loading arrangement <NUM> comprises a first loading device <NUM>, provided at the front end arrangement <NUM> and arranged for loading the load <NUM> at a side thereof facing the front end arrangement <NUM> and a second loading device <NUM>, provided at the rear end arrangement <NUM> and arranged for loading the load <NUM> at a side thereof facing said rear end arrangement <NUM>. The first loading device <NUM> and the second loading device <NUM> are operating in cooperation with each other, for loading the load <NUM> to the trailer <NUM>.

The first loading device <NUM> and the second loading device <NUM> each comprise two lift devices <NUM>. The lift devices <NUM> are arranged for lifting the load <NUM> in a vertical direction V, from the ground surface <NUM>, between a first position v1 of the load <NUM> and a second raised position v2 of the load <NUM>. Each lift device <NUM> is provided with a fixation element <NUM>, for fixating the load <NUM> during the loading and the transporting. Both the first loading device <NUM> and the second loading device <NUM> comprise a first guide element <NUM>, provided at one side of the trailer <NUM>, and a second guide element <NUM>, provided at the other side of the trailer <NUM>. The first guide elements <NUM> and the second guide elements <NUM> are arranged for loading the load <NUM> from opposite sides of the trailer <NUM>.

The first guide elements <NUM> and the second guide elements <NUM> are movable between a loading position, as indicated in for example <FIG> wherein the first guide elements <NUM> and the second guide elements <NUM> are positioned substantially horizontal in relation to the ground surface <NUM>, and a transport position, as indicated in for example <FIG> wherein the first guide elements <NUM> and the second guide elements <NUM> are positioned substantially vertical in relation to the ground surface <NUM>. The first guide elements <NUM> are movable from the transport position into the loading position, by rotating the first guide elements <NUM> about a pivot axis R1 about approximately <NUM> degrees, wherein the pivot axis R1 is parallel to the towing direction T of the trailer <NUM>. The second guide elements <NUM> are movable from the transport position into the loading position, by rotating the second guide elements <NUM> about a pivot axis R2 about approximately <NUM> degrees, wherein the pivot axis R2 is parallel to the pivot axis R1. Each of the respective first guide elements <NUM> and the respective second guide elements <NUM> are actuated between the transport position and loading position by a hydraulic cylinder.

When the first guide elements <NUM> are positioned in the loading position, the first guide elements <NUM> are arranged for guiding the corresponding lift devices <NUM> in the loading direction L from one side of the trailer <NUM>, between a transport position of the lift devices <NUM>, as indicated in <FIG>, and a loading position of the lift devices, as indicated in <FIG>. When the second guide elements <NUM> are positioned in the loading position, the second guide element <NUM> are arranged for guiding the corresponding lift devices <NUM> in the loading direction L, from another, opposite side of the trailer <NUM>. In the loading position of the first guide elements <NUM> and/or the second guide elements <NUM>, the first guide elements <NUM> and/or the second guide elements <NUM> are resting on the ground surface <NUM>, and the load <NUM> is positioned at the first position v1.

When the first guide elements <NUM> and the second guide elements <NUM>, are positioned in the transport position, movement of the first loading device <NUM> and the second loading device <NUM> in the loading direction L is blocked.

For improvement of clarity of the <FIG>, not all corresponding reference numbers are shown in each corresponding figure. However, the skilled person can apply each reference number mutatis mutandis to each corresponding figure.

In the first embodiment of the trailer <NUM> according to the present disclosure as shown in <FIG>, the trailer <NUM> comprises <NUM> wheels that are provided behind second loading device <NUM>. In the second embodiment of the trailer <NUM> according to the present disclosure as shown in <FIG>, the trailer <NUM> comprises <NUM> wheels that are provided, seen in said towing direction T, between said first loading device <NUM> and the second loading device <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a method <NUM> for loading and transporting a load <NUM> using the trailer <NUM> as described above. During a first step <NUM> of the method <NUM>, the distance d is set, by the extension arrangement <NUM>, in the towing direction T, between the front end arrangement <NUM> and the rear end arrangement <NUM> for accommodating the load <NUM>. At the end of the first step <NUM>, the trailer <NUM> is in a state as indicated in <FIG>.

In a second step <NUM> of method <NUM>, the height h of the frame <NUM> above the ground surface <NUM> is adjusted by the height adjustment arrangement <NUM>, such that the trailer <NUM> is in a first height position h1, wherein the frame <NUM> is resting on the ground surface <NUM>. The first guide elements <NUM> are positioned in the loading position, after which the load <NUM> is applied to the trailer <NUM>. At the end of the step <NUM>, the trailer <NUM> is in a state as indicated in <FIG>, wherein the load <NUM> is applied to the trailer <NUM>.

In a subsequent step <NUM> of method <NUM>, the load <NUM> is lifted in the vertical direction V from the ground surface <NUM>, by the first loading device <NUM> and the second loading device <NUM>, from a first position v1 of the load <NUM> to a second raised position v2 of the load <NUM>. At the end of the step <NUM>, the trailer <NUM> is in a state as indicated in <FIG>.

In a next step <NUM> of the method <NUM>, the lift devices <NUM> including the load <NUM> is guided in the loading direction L, by the first guide elements <NUM> in the loading position thereof. During the step of loading <NUM>, the load <NUM> is loaded onto the trailer <NUM> in the loading direction L transverse to the towing direction T of the trailer <NUM>, by the loading arrangement <NUM>. At the end of the step <NUM>, the trailer <NUM> is in a state as indicated in <FIG>.

In a final step <NUM> of method <NUM>, the first guide element <NUM> are moved between the loading position and the transport position, after which the trailer <NUM> is securely loaded with the load <NUM> and ready for transporting the load <NUM>. At the end of the step <NUM>, the trailer <NUM> is in a state as indicated in <FIG> for the trailer <NUM> of the first embodiment, and as indicated in <FIG> for the trailer of the second embodiment.

Claim 1:
A trailer (<NUM>) arranged for loading and transporting a load (<NUM>) such as an intermodal container, wherein said trailer (<NUM>) comprises:
- a front end arrangement (<NUM>) arranged for coupling said trailer (<NUM>) to a towing vehicle (<NUM>) for towing said trailer (<NUM>) and arranged for supporting a part said load (<NUM>);
- a rear end arrangement (<NUM>) arranged for supporting another part of said load (<NUM>) at a side of said load (<NUM>) facing away from said front end arrangement (<NUM>) and comprising wheels (<NUM>) for supporting said rear end arrangement (<NUM>) on a ground surface (<NUM>);
- a loading arrangement (<NUM>) arranged for loading said load (<NUM>) onto said trailer (<NUM>) in a loading direction (L) that is transverse to a towing direction (T) of said trailer (<NUM>);
- a frame (<NUM>) connecting said front end arrangement (<NUM>) to said rear end arrangement (<NUM>);
characterized in that the trailer (<NUM>) comprises:
- a height adjustment arrangement (<NUM>) arranged for varying a height (h) of said frame (<NUM>) above said ground surface (<NUM>), wherein said height adjustment arrangement (<NUM>) is arranged for moving said frame (<NUM>) between a first height position wherein said frame (<NUM>) is resting on said ground surface (<NUM>) for said loading of said load (<NUM>) onto said trailer (<NUM>) and a second height position wherein said frame (<NUM>) is in a raised position for said transporting, by said trailer (<NUM>), of said load (<NUM>).