METHOD FOR TRANSFERRING A PARCEL BETWEEN A VEHICLE AND A DELIVERY PLATFORM, AND A CORRESPONDINGLY DESIGNED CARGO TRANSFER DEVICE FOR A VEHICLE

Abstract

Method for transferring a package (106) between a vehicle (100) and a delivery platform (402, 502, 602), comprising: Extending a lifting platform (202) from a floor (108) of the vehicle (100) over a support structure (208); Moving the package (106) to the lifting platform (202) from one of the ground (108) and the delivery platform (402, 502, 602); Rotating the lifting platform (202) by an angle of rotation; and Moving the package (106) from the lifting platform (202) to the other from the ground (108) and the delivery platform (402, 502, 602); characterized by the fact that the lifting platform (202) is moved along a transverse axis of the vehicle (100) via a sliding rail mechanism (206) coupled to the support structure (208); and / or the lifting platform (202) comprises a central section (212), a front bridge plate (214) which is articulated to the central section (212), and a rear bridge plate (218) which is articulated to the central section (212), the method further comprising rotating at least one of the front bridge plate (214) and the rear bridge plate (218) into a 90-degree position with respect to the central section (212).

Description

INTRODUCTION

[0001] The invention relates to the loading and unloading of packages from a delivery vehicle or truck and in particular to a method for transferring a package between a vehicle and a delivery platform, as well as to a correspondingly designed freight transfer device for a vehicle.

[0002] A method according to the preamble of claim 1 is of a kind disclosed in DE 10 2020 101 682 A1.

[0003] A freight transfer device according to the preamble of claim 4 is of a type known from DE 298 15 729 U1.

[0004] Further state of the art can be found in the documents EP 3 919 322 A1, DE 10 2021 116 805 A1, DE 11 2017 007 291 T5, DE 20 2009 010 472 U1 and CN 1 12 977 230 A.

[0005] Delivery trucks or vans are used to transport and deliver cargo. When delivering a heavy package, a ramp is often used at the rear of the truck to raise and lower the package between the truck floor and the ground. However, in some situations, the delivery platforms for receiving the package are located elsewhere than directly behind the delivery vehicle. Therefore, it is desirable to provide a system that can transfer a package from the rear of the delivery vehicle to a location on one side of the vehicle. SUMMARY

[0006] According to the invention, a method for transferring a package between a vehicle and a delivery platform is proposed, characterized by the features of claim 1.

[0007] The method may further include moving the support structure vertically with respect to the vehicle floor. The method may further include moving the support structure parallel to the floor via a linear actuator to extend the lifting platform from the floor. The method may further include rotating the front bridge plate into a 180-degree position with respect to the center section to form a bridge between the floor and the center section. The delivery platform may be located on either the left or right side of the vehicle.

[0008] According to the invention, a cargo transfer device for a vehicle is further proposed, which is characterized by the features of claim 4.

[0009] The cargo transfer device may further include a rail-mounted lift for moving the support structure vertically relative to the vehicle floor. The cargo transfer device may also include a linear actuator for moving the support structure parallel to the vehicle floor to extend the lift platform from the floor. The front bridge plate may be configured to rotate 180 degrees to form a bridge between the vehicle floor and the center section. The turntable may rotate the lift platform to unload the package at the delivery location from either the left or right side of the vehicle.

[0010] Furthermore, a vehicle is described. The vehicle comprises a cargo area and a cargo transfer device located within the cargo area. The cargo transfer device comprises a lifting platform configured to extend from the vehicle to support a package, a turntable configured to rotate the lifting platform through a rotational angle, and a support structure configured to support the turntable and the lifting platform at a location away from the vehicle.

[0011] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the vehicle further comprises a sliding rail mechanism for moving the lifting platform along a transverse axis of the vehicle. The vehicle further comprises a rail-mounted lifting platform for moving the support structure vertically with respect to a floor of the vehicle and a linear actuator for moving the support structure parallel to the floor to extend the lifting platform from the floor. The lifting platform comprises a central section, a front bridge plate articulated to the central section, and a rear bridge plate articulated to the central section, with at least one of the front bridge plate and one of the rear bridge plate being configured to rotate into a 90-degree position with respect to the central section.The front bridge plate is configured to rotate 180 degrees to form a bridge between the cargo area floor and the center section. The turntable rotates the lifting platform for unloading the package onto a delivery platform on either the left or right side of the vehicle.

[0012] The above features and advantages, and further features and advantages of the invention, are readily apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Further features, advantages and details appear only as examples in the following detailed description, which refers to the drawings in which: Fig. 1 shows a delivery vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment; Fig. 2 shows a rear section of the delivery vehicle; Fig. 3A-3J illustrate the initial steps of a cargo unloading process that can be carried out using the cargo transfer device; Fig. 4A-4E illustrate the final steps of the freight unloading process to unload the package onto a delivery platform on one side of the delivery vehicle; Fig. 5A-5C illustrate the final steps of the cargo unloading process to unload the package onto a road or a delivery platform under the floor 108 of the delivery vehicle 100; and Fig. Figures 6A-6C illustrate the final steps of the cargo unloading process to unload the package onto a delivery platform located vertically above the floor of the delivery vehicle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] The following description is merely exemplary. It is understood that throughout the drawings, corresponding reference symbols denote identical or equivalent parts and features.

[0015] According to an exemplary embodiment, Fig. 1. A delivery vehicle 100. The delivery vehicle 100 comprises a cargo area 102 and a door 104 at the rear of the delivery vehicle. One or more packages, as illustrated by a package 106, can be placed on a floor 108 of the cargo area 102 when it is being transported to a delivery location. The door 104 is shown in a closed position. The door 104 can be raised to an open position 110 to open the cargo area 102 at the rear of the delivery vehicle 100, thereby allowing the package 106 to be removed over the rear end. The package 106 may have a set of rollers on its floor or may be placed on a transport trolley with rollers to allow the package to be rolled out of the delivery vehicle 100. A cargo transfer device 112 is located in the cargo area and is situated next to the door 104 when the door is in the closed position.The cargo transfer device 112 is shown in a retracted position.

[0016] Fig. Figure 2 shows a rear section 200 of the delivery vehicle 100. The rear section 200 is shown with the door 104 in the open position 110, and the cargo transfer device 112 is shown in a position extended from the rear of the delivery vehicle 100. The cargo transfer device 112 comprises a lifting platform 202, a turntable 204, a sliding rail mechanism 206, a support structure 208, and a rail lifting platform 210. A control box 230 is shown inside the cargo area 102 for controlling the operation of the cargo transfer device 112, such as the operation of the rail lifting platform 210, etc. The control box 230 can be fixed in a location within the cargo area 102 or can be a portable handheld device that allows an operator to operate the cargo transfer device 112 while the operator is outside the delivery vehicle 100.

[0017] The lifting platform 202 comprises a central section 212, a front bridge plate 214 which is hingedly attached to the central section 212 at a first end 216 of the central section, and a rear bridge plate 218 which is hingedly attached to the central section 212 at a second end 220 of the central section. To transfer a package, the lifting platform 202 is placed in an extended configuration in which the central section 212 is supported outside the truck, away from the ground 108, with the first end 216 near the ground 108 and the second end 220 distal to the ground.

[0018] The front bridge plate 214 can be rotated through at least a 180-degree range with respect to the center section 212. In a 0-degree position, the front bridge plate is folded onto the center section 212 so that it rests on top of the center section. In a 90-degree position, the front bridge plate 214 is perpendicular to the plane of the center section 212. In a 180-degree position, the front bridge plate 214 is extended away from the center section 212, thereby extending the length of the lifting platform to the length of the center section 212 plus the length of the front bridge plate 214. The front bridge plate 214 can be locked in any angular position, including the 0-degree position, the 90-degree position, and the 180-degree position.During loading into and unloading from the floor 108, the front bridge plate 214 is placed in the 180-degree position and extends from the floor 108 at the rear of the delivery vehicle 100 to the lifting platform 202, thereby creating a bridge through which a package can be transported between the floor and the lifting platform.

[0019] The rear bridge plate 218 can be rotated by at least a 180-degree angle with respect to the central section 212. In a 0-degree position, the rear bridge plate 218 is folded onto the central section 212 so that it rests on top of the central plate. In a 90-degree position, the rear bridge plate 218 is perpendicular to the plane of the central section 212. In a 180-degree position, the rear bridge plate 218 is extended away from the central section 212, thereby extending the length of the lifting platform 202 to the length of the central section 212 plus the length of the rear bridge plate 218. The rear bridge plate 218 can be locked in any angular position, including the 0-degree position, the 90-degree position, and the 180-degree position.

[0020] The front bridge plate 214 and the rear bridge plate 218 can be locked in their respective 90-degree positions when a package is on the center section 212 to prevent the package 106 from rolling off the lifting platform 202. The front bridge plate 214 and the rear bridge plate 218 can be folded into their respective 0-degree positions so that the lifting platform 202 can be retracted into the delivery vehicle 100. In the retracted position, the first end 216 is located near the floor 108 and the second end 220 is located away from the floor.

[0021] The lifting platform 202 is coupled to the turntable 204 and rests on the turntable 204 when in the extended configuration. The turntable 204 has a stationary section and a rotating section that can be rotated relative to the stationary section. The turntable 204 can be operated manually or by means of a command signal input at the control box 230. The central section 212 of the lifting platform 202 is coupled to the rotating section of the turntable 204. The stationary section is coupled to the sliding rail mechanism 206. The turntable 204 allows the lifting platform to be rotated through several angles. In one embodiment, the lifting platform can be rotated through a full 360 degrees. The rotating section of the turntable can be locked at any selected angular position relative to the stationary section.

[0022] The support structure 208 comprises a left support beam 222, a right support beam 224, and a transverse horizontal beam 226 extending between the left and right support beams. The left support beam 222 is slidably coupled to a left section of a rail-mounted lifting platform 210. The right support beam 224 is slidably coupled to a right section of the rail-mounted lifting platform 210. The rail-mounted lifting platform 210 can be operated to move the support structure 208 vertically, thereby raising and lowering the lifting platform 202 as required. The support structure 208 can also be moved horizontally (i.e., parallel to the floor 108) via one or more linear actuators 228.

[0023] The sliding rail mechanism 206 is slidably coupled to the transverse horizontal beam 226 of the support structure 208 and can move along the transverse horizontal beam along a transverse axis of the delivery vehicle 100. The sliding rail mechanism 206 can be controlled by an electrical signal to move to any desired location along the transverse horizontal beam 226.

[0024] Thus, with the lifting platform 202 in its extended configuration, the vertical position of the lifting platform can be adjusted by activating the rail lifting platform 210, the horizontal position of the lifting platform can be adjusted by activating the sliding rail mechanism 206, and the orientation of the lifting platform can be adjusted by activating the turntable 204. The rail lifting platform 210, the sliding rail mechanism 206, and the turntable can be controlled by signals input into the control box 230 by the operator.

[0025] Fig. Figures 3A-3J illustrate the initial steps of a cargo unloading operation that can be performed using the cargo transfer device 112. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 3A, the process begins with the operator opening the door to the cargo area. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 3B, the operator then folds the lifting platform 202 down into a horizontal position. The front bridge plate 214 and the rear bridge plate 218 are in the folded-up position (0-degree position). As shown in Fig. As shown in 3C, the operator then enters cargo area 102. As shown in Fig. 3D and Fig. As shown in Figure 3E, the operator initiates the deployment of the lifting platform 202 by moving the support structure 208 using commands at the control box. The deployment of the lifting platform 202 includes extending the platform away from the cargo area 102 and setting a vertical height. The lifting platform 202 is extended from the cargo area 102 by moving the support structure 208, at least horizontally or vertically.

[0026] As in Fig. As shown in 3F, package 106 is pulled to the rear edge of floor 108. As shown in Fig. As shown in 3G, the operator gets out of delivery vehicle 100 and stands on the street next to the lifting platform 202. As in Fig. As shown in Figure 3H, the operator unlocks the front bridge plate 214 and rotates it into the 180-degree position. As shown in Figure 3H. Fig. As shown in Figure 3l, the operator then unlocks the rear bridge plate 218 and rotates it to the 90-degree position. As shown in Figure 3l. Fig. As shown in Figure 3J, the operator then rolls the package 106 onto the lifting platform 202 via the front bridge plate 214. The rear bridge plate 218 provides a rear stop or guardrail for the package 106. The front bridge plate 214 can be rotated into the 90-degree position once the package 106 is on the center section 212 to provide a front stop or guardrail for the package.

[0027] Fig. Figures 4A-4E illustrate the final steps of the cargo unloading process for unloading package 106 onto a delivery platform 402 to one side of the delivery vehicle 100. The final steps of Fig. 4A-4E are completed according to the steps of Fig. 3A-3J performed or if the lifting platform is in the Fig. The configuration shown in the 3J is as shown. Fig. As shown in Figure 4A, the lifting platform 202 is moved along a transverse axis of the delivery vehicle 100 to one side of the delivery vehicle using the sliding rail mechanism 206. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 4B, the lifting platform 202 is rotated on the turntable 204 to position the rear end of the lifting platform against the delivery platform 402, which may be the sidewalk or the curb. In one embodiment, the turntable can be rotated by 90 degrees. However, any suitable angle of rotation can be achieved to align the lifting platform 202 with a delivery platform 402 located at different positions relative to the delivery vehicle 100.

[0028] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 4C, the lifting platform 202 is lowered to the curb using the rail-mounted lifting platform 210. As shown in Fig. As shown in 4D, the return bridge plate 218 is unlocked from the 90-degree position and rotated into the 180-degree position. In the 180-degree position, an outer edge of the return bridge plate 218 rests on the delivery platform 402 (e.g., the sidewalk or curb). As shown in Fig. As shown in 4E, package 106 is then rolled from the lifting platform 202 onto the delivery platform 402 via the rear bridge plate 218.

[0029] Fig. Figures 5A-5C illustrate the final steps of the cargo unloading process for unloading package 106 onto a road or a delivery platform 502 beneath the floor 108 of the delivery vehicle 100. The final steps of Fig. 5A-5C are completed according to the steps of Fig. 3A-3J or then carried out when the lifting platform is in the Fig. The configuration shown in the 3J is as shown. Fig. As shown in Figure 5A, the lifting platform 202 is lowered to street level. The rear bridge plate 218 and the front bridge plate 214 can be in the 90-degree position when the lifting platform 202 is lowered to prevent the package from rolling off at either end. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 5C, when the lifting platform 202 reaches the road, the rear bridge plate 218 is unlocked from the 90-degree position and rotated into the 180-degree position, so that an outer edge of the rear bridge plate 218 rests on the road. As shown in Fig. As shown in 5C, package 106 is then rolled down from the lifting platform 202 onto the road via the rear bridge plate 218.

[0030] Fig. Figures 6A-6C illustrate the final steps of the cargo unloading process for unloading the package onto a delivery platform 602, which is located vertically above the floor 108 of the delivery vehicle 100. The final steps of Fig. 6A-6C are completed according to the steps of Fig. 3A-3J or then carried out when the lifting platform 202 is in the Fig. The configuration shown in the 3J is as shown. Fig. As shown in Figure 6A, the lifting platform 202 is raised to the level of the delivery platform 602. The rear bridge plate and the front bridge plate 214 can be in the 90-degree position when the platform is raised to prevent the package 106 from rolling off at either end. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 6B, when the platform reaches the height of the delivery platform 602, the return bridge plate 218 is unlocked from the 90-degree position and rotated into the 180-degree position, so that an outer edge of the return bridge plate rests on the delivery platform. As shown in Fig. As shown in 6C, the package 106 is then rolled down from the lifting platform 202 onto the delivery platform 602 via the rear bridge plate 218.

[0031] Although the invention is disclosed and illustrated here as being used to unload a package from the delivery vehicle to a delivery platform, it is obvious that by reversing the sequence of the steps shown here an operator can load a package from the delivery platform onto the delivery vehicle.

Claims

[1] Method for transferring a package (106) between a vehicle (100) and a delivery platform (402, 502, 602), comprising: Extending a lifting platform (202) from a floor (108) of the vehicle (100) over a support structure (208); Moving the package (106) to the lifting platform (202) from one of the ground (108) and the delivery platform (402, 502, 602); Rotating the lifting platform (202) by an angle of rotation; and Moving the package (106) from the lifting platform (202) to the other from the ground (108) and the delivery platform (402, 502, 602); characterized by , that the lifting platform (202) is moved along a transverse axis of the vehicle (100) via a sliding rail mechanism (206) coupled to the support structure (208); and / or the lifting platform (202) comprises a central section (212), a front bridge plate (214) which is articulated to the central section (212), and a rear bridge plate (218) which is articulated to the central section (212), the method further comprising rotating at least one of the front bridge plate (214) and the rear bridge plate (218) into a 90-degree position with respect to the central section (212). [2] Method according to claim 1, further comprising moving the support structure (208) parallel to the floor (108) via a linear actuator (228) to extend the lifting platform (202) from the floor (108). [3] Method according to claim 1, further comprising rotating the front bridge plate into a 180-degree position with respect to the central section to form a bridge between the floor and the central section. [4] Cargo transfer device for a vehicle (100), comprising: a lifting platform (202) configured to extend from the vehicle (100) to support a package (106); a turntable (204) configured to rotate the lifting platform (202) by a rotational angle, and a support structure (208) configured to support the turntable (204) and the lifting platform (202) at a location away from the vehicle (100); characterized by , that the cargo transfer device further comprises a sliding rail mechanism (206) for moving the lifting platform (202) along a transverse axis of the vehicle (100); and / or the lifting platform (202) comprises a central section (212), a front bridge plate (214) which is articulated to the central section (212), and a rear bridge plate (218) which is articulated to the central section (212), wherein at least one of the front bridge plate (214) and the rear bridge plate (218) is configured to be rotated into a 90-degree position with respect to the central section (212). [5] Cargo transfer device according to claim 4, further comprising a linear actuator (228) for moving the support structure (208) parallel to a floor (108) of the vehicle (100) in order to extend the lifting platform (202) from the floor (108). [6] Cargo transfer device according to claim 4, wherein the front bridge plate is configured to rotate into a 180-degree position to form a bridge between a floor of the vehicle and the central section.

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