Patent Document

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to an articulated vehicle. More particularly, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to an articulated vehicle for light agricultural use, such as in distributing feed for animals. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Vehicles for light agricultural use are commonly used as they can reduce manual loading, increase work output and improve efficiency. Highly manoeuvrable vehicles, such as articulated vehicles, are particularly useful as they can be used in tight spaces and can transport loads quickly and efficiently. 
         [0003]    Previous articulated vehicles can been heavy, expensive, difficult to manoeuvre and can cause surface damage to delicate surfaces. Smaller examples of previous articulated vehicles have been unable to support an operator, thereby limiting the distance they can cover for a given time. 
         [0004]    Examples of the invention seek to solve, or at least ameliorate, one or more disadvantages of previous articulated motor vehicles. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    According to the present invention, there is provided an articulated motor vehicle comprising: a body having a forward part and a rearward part, the forward part being articulated to the rearward part; and a load carrier, wherein the load carrier is disposed on the forward part of the vehicle and the rearward part is configured to support an operator, the forward part being engageable by the operator to steer the vehicle. 
         [0006]    According to preferred embodiments, the forward part has a handle fixed thereto and engageable by the operator to steer the vehicle. 
         [0007]    Preferably, the load carrier is configured for tipping, and, more preferably, the load carrier is configured for tipping forwardly of the vehicle. 
         [0008]    Preferably, the load carrier can be engaged by the operator and pushed to cause the load carrier to tip. Preferably, the load carrier is resiliently biased toward a non-tipping condition. The load carrier can be biased by a tension spring extending from the forward part to the load carrier. 
         [0009]    According to preferred embodiments, the handle is used to tip the load carrier. 
         [0010]    Preferably, the forward part and the rearward parts are resiliently biased to return to a non-turning condition. The forward and rearward parts can be resiliently biased by a tension spring extending therebetween. 
         [0011]    Preferably, the load carrier is in the form of an open topped bin. 
         [0012]    According to preferred embodiments, the vehicle further comprises a motor disposed on the rearward part. Preferably, the motor is operated by a foot pedal disposed on the rearward part. 
         [0013]    According to preferred embodiments, the rearward part comprises a coupling for connecting a trailer. 
         [0014]    According to the present invention, there is also provided n assembly of a vehicle of the above described type and a trailer connected thereto. 
         [0015]    Preferably, the trailer has a load carrier configured for tipping. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]    Preferred embodiments of the invention will be further described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  is a side perspective view of a vehicle of one embodiment of the invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a side perspective view of the vehicle in another condition of use; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a side perspective view of the vehicle in another condition of use; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a side perspective view of a vehicle of a second embodiment of the invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is an underneath view of the vehicle of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is a rear perspective view of a vehicle of one embodiment of the invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  is a side perspective view of the vehicle of  FIG. 4  with a trailer fitted thereto; and 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  is a side perspective view of the vehicle and trailer of  FIG. 7  in another condition of use. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0025]    A vehicle  10  according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIG. 1 . The vehicle  10  is articulated and motor operated. The vehicle  10  is configured for light agricultural use and has a capacity of 150 kg. 
         [0026]    The vehicle  10  includes an articulated body having a forward part  12  and a rearward part  14 . In this regard, the forward part  12  is articulated with respect to the rearward part  14 . The forward part  12  is forwardmost in use and the rearward part  14  is rearmost in use. The body is articulated about a joint  16  which allows the forward part  12  and the rearward part  14  to articulate or pivot about the joint  16  so that the vehicle  10  can be turned. The joint  16  may be a simple pin joint which is configured to allow articulation about a single axis, while supporting the forward part  12  and the rearward part  14  so as to reduce or prevent pitching of the forward part  12  and the rearward part  14  of the vehicle  10  about a lateral axis. As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the articulated body allows the vehicle to turn within a small turning circle, thereby improving the manoeuvrability of the vehicle and increasing the practicality of the vehicle, making it suitable for use in confined spaces such as horse stables. 
         [0027]    The vehicle  10  also includes a load carrier  18 . The illustrated load carrier  18  is in the form of an open topped bin having deep sides, similar to a load bed of a utility vehicle or the bin of a wheelbarrow, though it will appreciated that in other forms the load carrier may be a shallow tray or a flat tray with no sides at all. 
         [0028]    The load carrier  18  is disposed on the forward part  12  of the vehicle and the rearward part  14  is configured to support an operator. A seat  20  is provided to support the operator, along with a deck  21  on which the operator can place their feet. The seat  20  may be spring loaded to cushion impact transferred to the operator and may tip forward to improve access to a drive motor. The forward part  12  is engageable by the operator to steer the vehicle. In the illustrated embodiment, the forward part  12  has a handle  22  fixed thereto and which is engageable by the operator to steer the vehicle  10 . In the illustrated embodiment, the handle  22  is fixed to the load carrier  18  and moves with the load carrier  18 . Accordingly, tipping of the load carrier  18  is caused by movement of the handle  22 . Alternatively the handle  22  may be omitted and the load carrier engaged directly by the operator to steer or tip the vehicle  10 . 
         [0029]    The load carrier  18  is configured for tipping so that a load of goods contained in the tray  18  can be expelled therefrom. In one example, the vehicle  10  is used to distribute animal feed to stables. The feed would be loaded into the load carrier  18  and the vehicle driven into the stable and tipped. Owing to the articulated body, the vehicle  10  is highly manoeuvrable and can be turned within the confined space of a stable so as to quickly exit. 
         [0030]    In the described embodiment, the load carrier  18  is configured for tipping forwardly of the vehicle, though it will be appreciated that the load carrier  18  may be configured to tip toward a side of the vehicle, if desired. 
         [0031]    A vehicle  110  according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIG. 4 . Vehicle  110  is similarly configured to vehicle  10  and like features have been provided with reference numerals which are incremented by 100. 
         [0032]    Vehicle  110  has a handle  122  which is fixed to the forward part  112  of the vehicle  110  and remains stationary when the load carrier  118  is tipped. As the handle  122  does not move during tipping, the load carrier  118  is directly engaged by the operator and pushed to cause the load carrier  118  to tip. As the handle  122  is fixed to the forward part  112  of the vehicle  110 , its only function is in turning the vehicle, thereby increasing the stability of the vehicle  110  in use as unwanted tipping movement is reduced. 
         [0033]    The load carrier  118  is resiliently biased toward a non-tipping condition. A return spring  130 , in the form of a tension spring, is provided to this end, though it will be appreciated that other spring biasing configurations, such as torsion springs for example, may be used. The return spring  130  extends from the forward part  112  and is fixed to a lower part of the load carrier  118 . 
         [0034]    As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the forward part  112  and the rearward part  114  are resiliently biased to return to a non-turning condition. To this end, a spring  132  extending between the forward part  112  and the rearward part  114  is provided. The spring  132  is fitted to a bar  134  which extends rearwardly from a frame  136  of the forward part  112  to a mounting  138  which is fixed to the frame  140  of the rearward part  114 . As illustrated, articulation of the vehicle  110  will cause the spring  132  to be tensioned, thereby urging the vehicle  110  to return to a non-turning condition. Although a tension spring is shown, it will be appreciated that alternative biasing means, such as a torsion spring for example, may be used. Although not illustrated, it will be appreciated that vehicle  10  may similarly be biased to return to a non-turning condition. 
         [0035]    Owing to the articulated nature of the vehicle, unintentional turning can be induced when heavily loaded or when driving up an incline. It can also be difficult to pull out of a turn at times, especially when accelerating. Provision of a spring  130  ameliorates these conditions, reducing the strength required to control the vehicle and generally improving handling of the vehicle. 
         [0036]    The construction of the frame members  136 ,  140  is simplified so as to reduce weight of the vehicle. In the illustrated embodiment, the frame members  136 ,  140  are constructed of steel and joined using conventional joining techniques, though it will be appreciated that other materials such as aluminium may be used. 
         [0037]    Each vehicle  10 ,  110  includes a drive  42 ,  142  disposed on the rearward part  14 ,  114 . The drive  42 ,  142  includes a motor and transmission. As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the drive is fitted to the frame  140 . In the illustrated embodiments, the drive  42 ,  142  is removed from a conventional ride-on lawnmower and fitted to the frame  140 , which is constructed so as to readily accept such a drive. 
         [0038]    As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the drive  42 ,  142  includes a 5 hp internal combustion engine, which in the described embodiment has a capacity of 190 cc. It will be appreciated the drives of other sizes, power ratings and configurations may similarly be used. For example, the drive may include an electric motor. The drive  42 ,  142  is operated by a foot pedal  44 ,  144  which is disposed on the deck  21 ,  121  of the rearward part  14 ,  114  of the vehicle  10 ,  110 . The foot pedal  44 ,  144  operates in a manner similar to that of a ride-on lawnmower and pivots about a central transverse axis so that pushing a forward portion of the pedal causes the vehicle to move forward and pushing a rearward portion of the pedal causes the vehicle to reverse. 
         [0039]    The drive  42 ,  142  incorporates a hydrostatic transmission, though a manual transmission may similarly be used. 
         [0040]    As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the rearward part  114  has a coupling  146  for connecting a trailer. 
         [0041]    Although not shown, vehicle  10  may similarly be provided with such a coupling. The coupling  136  extends from the frame  140 .  FIGS. 7 and 8  show the vehicle  110  with a trailer  150  fitted to the coupling  136 . The trailer  150  includes a drawbar  154  which extends from a first end which is configured to engage the coupling, to a second end that is fixed to an axle. The trailer  150  includes a load carrier  152 , which in the illustrated embodiment is configured for tipping. It will be appreciated that a load carrier which does not tip may be provided. 
         [0042]    The vehicle  10 ,  110  is well suited to towing a trailer and the articulated body of the vehicle  10 ,  110  allows the vehicle and trailer to turn within a confined space such as a stable, thereby taking advantage of increased load carrying capacity of the vehicle without compromising practicality of the vehicle. 
         [0043]    Although vehicle  10 ,  110  has been described in relation to distributing feed in stables, it will be appreciated that the vehicle will have application in other industries, such as those which operate in connection with livestock, commercial or market gardens, or farming more generally. 
         [0044]    The embodiments have been described by way of example only and modifications are possible within the scope of the invention disclosed.

Technology Category: 7