Transport body

Abstract

Transport structure (2), in particular for transporting livestock, comprising - a cargo space (24) bounded by at least one first floor (21) and several side walls (22), - wherein a second floor (25) is arranged within the cargo space (24), by which the cargo space (24) is divided into two superimposed loading levels (24a, 24b), - wherein one side of the cargo space (24) can be closed via a loading ramp (3) pivotably fixed horizontally on a first pivot axis (S1) arranged near the first floor (21), - wherein the loading ramp (3) has a ramp plate (31) which is arranged on a support frame (4) with at least two support rods (41) extending perpendicular to the first pivot axis (S1) and is pivotably attached to the support rods (41) at its underside (36) facing away from a walkable upper surface (35) in the area of ​​an end remote from the first floor (21) and is pivoted in a first loading position at an angle to a plane spanned by the support frame (4) in the direction of the second floor (25), characterized in that - the ramp plate (31) in a second loading position rests with its underside (36) on the support frame (4) in a plane parallel to the plane spanned by the support frame (4), and - at least one support rod (6) with a first end (61) is pivotably attached to the surface of the ramp plate (31) facing the support rods (41), - wherein the support rod (6) is slidably guided at its second end (62) along one of the support rods (41), - wherein the support rod (6) can be locked in the first and second loading positions of the ramp plate (31).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a transport structure, in particular for transporting livestock, according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] A transport structure of this type is known, for example, from GB 2 287 010 A or WO 95 / 21 074 A1. Such a transport structure is used in particular for transporting sheep, which can be transported standing on two levels arranged one above the other.

[0003] The transport structure described in the above-mentioned publications has a pivoting loading ramp on its rear side which serves, on the one hand, to close the transport space and, when pivoted down, with its end remote from the pivot axis resting on a road, meadow or other surface, simultaneously serves as a loading ramp via which the animals can be led into or out of the transport space.

[0004] The loading ramp essentially consists of a ramp plate and a support frame. For loading the lower level, the ramp plate is recessed into the level of the support frame, thus allowing access to the lower loading level.

[0005] In order to make the upper loading area accessible for the animals, the ramp plate can be pivoted up and raised from the support frame. For this purpose, gas pressure springs are attached to the support frame, which push the ramp plate upwards into a loading position at an angle to the support frame. In order to bridge a remaining gap between an end of the ramp plate close to the upper floor and the second floor, in GB 2 287 010 A a pivoting bridge plate, which is pivotally attached to the end of the upper floor, is pivoted downwards from a closed position securing the upper loading area into a loading position until its front end rests on the ramp plate. In WO 95 / 21 074 A1 the ramp plate can either be moved forwards in the support frame towards the loading area or extended using an extension piece in order to reach as far as the upper loading area.

[0006] To secure the ramp plate in its recessed position within the support frame, it is known to attach a rotatable latch to each of the support frame's side webs on top of the support frame. To secure the ramp plate, this latch is rotated so that it protrudes beyond the ramp plate, preventing it from pivoting out of its recessed position within the support frame. Another latch engages a plate pivotally mounted between the inner side edge of the support frame and the side edge of the ramp plate to secure the ramp plate in its raised position out of the support frame.

[0007] A disadvantage of this safety device is the effort required to lock and unlock the ramp plate. This is especially true when the ramp plate is recessed into the support frame, requiring both latches to be manually turned to their unlocked positions. For subsequent locking, the latches must also be manually turned back to the locked position. To do this, the operator must still be standing on the ramp plate to prevent the gas springs from lifting the ramp plate, and must turn the latches while bending or crouching.

[0008] The object of the present invention is to further develop a transport structure of the generic type in such a way that the locking of the ramp plate in its loading positions can be carried out more easily and to achieve improved support of the ramp plate in the raised loading position.

[0009] The stated object is achieved by a transport structure having the features of claim 1.

[0010] The transport structure according to the invention, in particular for transporting livestock, has a loading space delimited by at least a first floor and several side walls.

[0011] A second floor is arranged within the loading space, which divides the loading space into two loading levels arranged one above the other.

[0012] One side of the loading space can be closed by means of a loading ramp which is fixed to the first floor and can pivot about a horizontal first pivot axis.

[0013] The loading ramp has a ramp plate which is arranged on a support frame with at least two support rods extending perpendicular to the first pivot axis and is pivotally attached to the support rods in the region of an end remote from the first floor.

[0014] In a first loading position, the ramp plate is positioned at an angle to a plane spanned by the support frame in the direction of the second floor.

[0015] In a second loading position, the ramp plate rests on the support frame in a plane parallel to the plane spanned by the support frame.

[0016] Furthermore, at least one support rod with a first end is pivotally attached to the surface of the ramp plate facing the support rods.

[0017] This support rod is guided at its second end along one of the support rods and can be locked in the first and second loading positions of the ramp plate.

[0018] By equipping the loading ramp with at least one support rod that can be locked in the loading positions of the ramp plate, it is reliably guaranteed that the ramp plate is reliably supported by the weight of the animals or people, even during a loading process in which a number of animals and / or people are on the ramp plate.

[0019] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the subclaims.

[0020] According to an advantageous embodiment variant, the second end of the at least one support rod is guided in a guide groove of the support rods and a transverse bore is provided in a central region of the support rod for receiving a bolt which can be pushed through transverse bores in the support rod and with which the support rod can also be locked in the second loading position.

[0021] This locking option secures the ramp plate relative to the support frame against unintentional pivoting out of the plane parallel to the support frame via the support rod.

[0022] According to an advantageous development, a bridge plate is pivotally fastened in the region of an end of the second floor near the loading ramp, wherein the bridge plate bridges a gap between the second floor and the ramp plate pivoted into the first loading position in a loading position and is folded over in a driving position (after loading or unloading has taken place) parallel to a driving position of the ramp plate or further in the direction of the second floor.

[0023] For easy locking, according to a preferred embodiment, the bolt has an operating handle and a connecting piece extending at an angle from the operating handle, from which at least one locking bolt extends in a parallel offset manner and can be pushed through into the transverse bore in the support rod.

[0024] In a preferred development, a guide element with a release opening and a locking guide groove through which the connecting piece of the bolt is passed is fastened to an edge-side support rod.

[0025] A thickening of the connecting piece, in particular in the form of a blocking sleeve, is dimensioned such that it dips into the release opening to lock the support rod in a predetermined position and, to release the support rod, the bolt can be pulled out of the release opening parallel to the locking direction in the direction of the actuating handle into the locking guide groove blocking a locking movement.

[0026] The guide element also makes it immediately clear whether the bolt is in the locked or unlocked position.

[0027] In a preferred development, a spring is arranged in the region of the locking bolt to move the locking bolt into its locking position.

[0028] This makes it possible for the bolt to be automatically moved into the locking position when the blocking sleeve engages the release opening when the operating handle is released when the bolt is moved into the locking position.

[0029] According to a further advantageous embodiment variant, in a first predetermined locking position of the ramp plate resting on the support frame, which corresponds to the first loading position of the ramp plate, in which the ramp plate is pivoted upwards out of the support frame, the locking bolt blocks a sliding displacement of the second end of the support rod into the lowered position by locking a sliding head in the receiving groove of the support rod and in a first locking position of the ramp plate resting on the support frame, which corresponds to the first loading position of the ramp plate, the locking bolt is received in the transverse bore in the central region of the support rod.

[0030] In a preferred development, a locking actuating element, preferably in the form of a piece of sheet metal with a recess on the front side adapted to the cross section of the connecting piece of the locking element, is fastened to the underside of the ramp plate, which, when the ramp plate is lowered from the first loading position into the second loading position, presses the connecting piece from the locking guide groove into the release opening and the locking bolt automatically presses it into the transverse bore of the support rod with the aid of the spring.

[0031] This enables the ramp plate to be automatically locked in the lowered second loading position.

[0032] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the ramp plate is designed to protrude beyond the support rods at its end remote from the first floor.

[0033] According to yet another embodiment variant, a support element is arranged on an underside of the at least one support rod facing away from the loading space in the driving position, said support element resting on a ground in the loading positions of the ramp plate.

[0034] An advantage of such a support element, particularly in conjunction with the ramp plate projecting over the support rods, is that the gradient of the ramp plate in the first loading position is less than in a case where the support frame rests with its underside directly on the ground.

[0035] According to yet another embodiment, at least one spring element is arranged between the ramp plate and the support frame to support the pivoting movement of the ramp plate relative to the support frame.

[0036] Furthermore, according to a preferred embodiment, at least one spring element is arranged between the support frame and the first floor to support the pivoting movement of the loading ramp relative to the first floor.

[0037] In a further embodiment of the transport structure according to the invention, the horizontal first pivot axis is fastened on the one hand to the ends of the support rods of the support frame near the ground and on the other hand to a holding rod.

[0038] According to an advantageous further development, one end of the support rod is held in a swivel joint with a vertical pivot pin, wherein a hook insertable into an eyelet attached to the side wall is attached to the underside of the ramp plate, wherein the hook inserted into the eyelet serves as a further swivel joint to enable a pivoting movement of the loading ramp about a vertical pivot axis.

[0039] This also makes it possible to open the loading ramp by pivoting it around a vertical pivot axis if necessary.

[0040] In yet another embodiment of the transport structure according to the invention, drive walls are pivotably attached to the inside of the side walls, with an upper drive wall and a lower drive wall being arranged on each of the side walls and being pivotable independently of one another.

[0041] By installing such driving walls in the transport body, it is possible to prevent the cattle from moving sideways when loading or unloading the transport body and thus, in particular, to avoid injuries to individual animals caused by jumping off the loading ramp.

[0042] Preferred design variants are explained in more detail below using the attached drawings. They show: Fig. 1 a schematic isometric view of a rear section of a transport body according to the invention with a loading ramp folded down into a first loading position for loading an upper loading space, Fig. 2 a schematic isometric view of the transport body with the loading ramp folded down in a second loading position, Fig. 3 a plan view of the side of the transport body closed by the loading ramp, with the loading ramp in its closed position closing the loading space, Fig. 4 a side view of the transport body with loading ramp in a closed position closing the loading space, Fig. 5 a schematic side view of the loading ramp in its open position with the ramp plate resting on the support frame of the loading ramp in the second loading position, Fig. 6 an enlarged detail of the Fig. 5 section marked VI showing the locking of the ramp plate in the second loading position, Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 den Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 corresponding side views of the loading ramp with the ramp plate swung up into the first loading position, Fig. 9 an isometric view of the ramp plate pivoted into the first loading position from a side perspective with the support rods in place, Fig. 10 an enlarged detail of the area of ​​the support frame to which the bolt is attached with the bolt in the unlocked state when the ramp plate is in place, Fig. 11 an enlarged detail of the support frame in the area of ​​the bolt with the bolt in the locked position with the ramp plate lowered, Fig. 12 is a schematic view of the loading ramp viewed from the rear of the transport body, Fig. 13 an enlarged detail of the Fig. 12 section marked XIII showing the guide of the second support rod end in one of the support rods and the spring-loaded locking bolt, Fig. 14 an isometric view of the Fig. 13 showing the locking of the second support rod end in one of the support rods and the locking bolt inserted into a transverse bore of the support rod, Fig. 15 an isometric view of a support rod, Fig. 16 a schematic isometric representation of another variant of the transport body with closed loading ramp, Fig. 17 and Fig. 18 schematic isometric representations of the Fig. 16 shown variant of the transport body with loading ramp pivoted sideways around a vertical axis of rotation, Fig. 19 a schematic isometric representation of a further embodiment of the transport body with the loading ramp folded down in a second loading position and drive walls arranged in the loading space, Fig. 20 a schematic isometric representation of the variant of the transport structure according to Fig. 19 with drift walls swung out of the cargo space, and Fig. 21 a schematic isometric representation of the variant of the transport structure according to Fig. 19 with the loading ramp folded down and the ramp plate raised to the first loading position and the upper drive walls swung out of the loading area.

[0043] In the following description of the figures, terms such as top, bottom, left, right, front, rear, etc., refer exclusively to the exemplary representation and position of the transport body, floor, loading ramp, support bar, support rod, and the like selected in the respective figures. These terms are not to be understood as limiting; i.e., these references may change due to different working positions or mirror-symmetrical design or the like.

[0044] In the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the reference number 2 denotes a transport structure which is used in particular for transporting livestock such as sheep, goats and the like.

[0045] Only a rear area of ​​the transport structure 2 is shown in the figures.

[0046] The term transport body is understood here to mean both a transport body that is attached to a towing vehicle via a trailer coupling and is mounted on a trailer chassis without its own drive, as well as a vehicle body that is permanently installed on a transport vehicle, in particular in the form of a box body.

[0047] The transport body 2 has a loading space 24 defined by a first floor 21 and several side walls 22. The transport body 2 can be closed at the top by a roof 23 connecting opposing side walls 22. However, a design as an open transport body without a roof 23 or with a tarpaulin as a roof covering is also conceivable.

[0048] Within the loading space 24, a second floor 25 is arranged, by which the loading space 24 is divided into two loading levels 24a and 24b arranged one above the other.

[0049] In the preferred embodiment shown here, the upper second floor 25 has a slightly smaller loading area than the lower first floor 21.

[0050] One side of the loading space 24 can be closed by a loading ramp 3 which is fixed to the first floor 21 so as to be pivotable about a horizontal first pivot axis S1. The loading ramp 3 in the closed position is in the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 shown.

[0051] As particularly in the Fig. 1, Fig. 7 and Fig. 9, the loading ramp 3 has a ramp plate 31 which is arranged on a support frame 4 with at least two support rods 41 extending perpendicular to the first pivot axis S1 and is fastened to the support rods 41 in the region of an end remote from the first floor 21.

[0052] While in the embodiment variant of the transport structure 2 shown in the figures, the rear wall of the transport structure 2 is designed as a loading ramp 3, it is in principle also conceivable to design the rear wall as a mere side wall and to attach the loading ramp 3 to the position of one of the side walls 22 or as a partial section of one of the side walls 22 with a correspondingly adapted width viewed in the X direction.

[0053] Fig. 1 shows a (for example in the Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 tightened) pivot axis S1 folded down position of the loading ramp 3 in a first loading position, in which the ramp plate 31 is pivoted at an angle to a plane spanned by the support frame 4 in the direction of the second floor 25.

[0054] Fig. 2 shows the folded-down loading ramp 3 in a second loading position, in which the ramp plate 31 rests on the support frame 4 in a plane parallel to the plane spanned by the support frame 4.

[0055] The Fig. The first loading position of the loading ramp 3 shown in Figure 1 serves to load or unload the upper second loading level 24b.

[0056] In order to bridge a gap between an edge of the ramp plate 31 near the second floor 25 and the front edge of the second floor 25, a bridge plate 8 is preferably used, which is pivotally fastened in the region of an end of the second floor 25 near the loading ramp 3.

[0057] This bridge plate 8 serves, in a driving position in which the bridge plate 8 is preferably positioned vertically, at the same time as a gate for the livestock already standing on the upper loading level 24b or objects stored there to prevent them from falling when the loading ramp 3 is folded down into the loading position.

[0058] In principle, it is also conceivable to attach the bridge plate 8 to the ramp plate 31 as an extension that can be moved in the plane of the ramp plate 31.

[0059] The Fig. The second loading position of the ramp plate 31 shown in Figure 2 is used for loading and unloading the lower loading level 24a.

[0060] The support frame 4 has, as shown in the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, preferably has four such support rods 41 extending perpendicular to the first pivot axis S1.

[0061] Preferably, hinge profiles 33, 44 receiving the pivot axes S1 and S2 are arranged in the region of the ends of the support rods 41. The hinge profiles 33, 44 have a shaft forming the respective pivot axes S1, S2, which are preferably received in sleeves attached to the support rods 41, as well as a profile 331, 441 receiving the shaft.

[0062] The profile 441 of the hinge profile 44 receiving the pivot axis S1 is preferably fastened to a support rod 52, wherein the support rod 52 is fastened to the floor 21 of the transport structure 2.

[0063] The profile 331 of the hinge profile 33 receiving the pivot axis S2 is fastened, in particular screwed, to the underside 36 of the ramp plate 31, so that the ramp plate 31 is fastened to the support frame 4 so as to be pivotable relative to the latter, as shown in the Fig. 7 and Fig. 9 is illustrated.

[0064] Furthermore, in the exemplary embodiment shown, two cross bars 43 are attached, in particular welded, to a side of the support bars 41 facing away from the ramp plate 31, approximately one third of the length of the support bars 41, viewed from the first pivot axis S1.

[0065] The two cross bars 43 attached to the back of the support bars 41 serve to hold spring elements 5, which are preferably designed as gas pressure springs.

[0066] The Fig. 3 lower of the spring elements 5 are attached to the support rod 52 via a coupling part 51 and serve to support the pivoting movement of the loading ramp 3 from the loading position to the closed position and vice versa.

[0067] The Fig. 3 upper spring element 5 serves to support the erection of the ramp plate 31 relative to the support frame 4 for erecting or lowering the ramp plate 31 from the lowered second loading position into the erected first loading position and vice versa.

[0068] How further, especially in the Fig. 7 and Fig. 9, at least one support rod 6 with a first end 61 is pivotally attached to the underside 36 of the ramp plate 31 facing the support rods 41.

[0069] In the preferred embodiment of the transport structure 2 shown here, two such support rods 6 are provided. Each of the support rods 6 is slidably guided at its second end 62 along one of the support rods 41.

[0070] A detailed illustration of such a support rod 6 is shown in Fig. 15. As can be seen here, the first end 61 of the support rod 6 has a bore for receiving a pivot pin fastened to the ramp plate 31. At the second end 62 of the support rod 6, a sliding head 65 is formed or fastened, which slides in a U-shaped guide groove 411 of the support rod 41, as shown in Fig. 14 is shown.

[0071] This guide enables a virtually complete immersion of the support rod 6 in its longitudinal direction into this guide groove 411 of the carrier rod 41 in the second loading position, as shown in the cross-sectional view according to Fig. 6. By moving the sliding head 65 in the guide groove 411 of the support rod 41, the support rod 6 can be set up at an angle to the support rod 41, as shown in the Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 is shown.

[0072] How to continue in Fig. 8, the support rod 6 can be locked in this first loading position of the ramp plate 31 by means of a latch 7.

[0073] How to continue in Fig. 6, the support rod 6 can preferably also be locked in the second loading position of the ramp plate 31.

[0074] For this purpose, the support rod 6 has a bore 64 in a central part 63 through which the cross bores 412 of the support rod 41, shown in Fig. 14, arranged bolt 7 can be pushed through.

[0075] This bolt 7 is simply pushed through the cross holes in the support rod 41 to lock the support rod 6 or the ramp plate 31 in the second loading position, after the sliding head 65 of the support rod 6 has passed over the area of ​​these cross holes in the support rod 41 and by pushing the bolt 7, here in the form of a locking bolt 73 through the cross holes 412 in the support rod 41, a sliding back into the position sunk into the guide groove 411 of the support rod 6 is prevented. This position is in Fig. 14 shown.

[0076] The functionality of the bolt 7 is well explained in the Fig. 9 to 11. The latch 7 preferably has an operating handle 71 and a connecting piece 72 extending from the operating handle 71 at an angle, preferably at a right angle.

[0077] From this connecting piece 72 extends over two further bends, offset in parallel, a locking bolt 73 which can be pushed through the cross hole in the support rod 41, as shown in Fig. 12 is shown as an example.

[0078] The bolt 7 is held on the one hand in the area near the operating handle 71 via a guide element 76 on an edge-side support rod 41 and in the area of ​​the two middle support rods 41, on which the support rods 6 are held, in a bolt receptacle 74 holding the locking bolts 73, wherein the bolt receptacle 74 is fastened to one of the inner cross bars 43.

[0079] Furthermore, a spring 75, designed here as a compression spring, is accommodated in the bolt receptacle 74, which spring encloses the locking bolt 73 and, as a whole, presses the bolt 7 by its spring force into the locking position protruding in the transverse bores 412 of the support rod 41.

[0080] The guide element 76 has, as shown in the Fig. 10 and Fig. 11, a through hole with a release opening 761 and a locking guide groove 762.

[0081] The release opening 761 and the locking guide groove 762 form a common opening through which the connecting piece 72 of the bolt 7 is passed near the operating handle 71.

[0082] In this area of ​​the connecting piece 72 near the operating handle 71, the connecting piece 72 is provided with a thickening, here in the form of a blocking sleeve 77, which is fastened to the connecting piece 72, in particular welded thereto.

[0083] The outer diameter of this blocking sleeve 77 is dimensioned such that it can be passed through the release opening 761, but not through the locking guide groove 762, the groove width of which is designed such that the non-thickened connecting piece 72 can be guided in this locking guide groove 762, but not the blocking sleeve 77.

[0084] This enables unlocking of the support rods 6 in that the bolt 7 can be moved against the force of the spring 75 or springs 75 in the Y direction by pulling on the operating handle 71 until the blocking sleeve 77 is pulled out of the release opening 761, so that the bolt 7 can then be guided into the locking guide groove 762 in the area of ​​the non-thickened connecting piece 72.

[0085] Subsequent release of the operating handle 71 holds the bolt 7 in the unlocked position by the blocking sleeve 77.

[0086] If the ramp plate 31 is pivoted into the intended first or second loading position, the bolt can be guided along the locking guide groove 762 into the release opening 761, where the blocking sleeve 77 dips into the release opening 761 and the locking bolts 73 are thus pressed into the locking position by the spring force of the springs 75.

[0087] In an advantageous embodiment, a locking actuating element 34, preferably in the form of a piece of sheet metal with an approximately semicircular recess on its front side, is fastened to the underside 36 of the ramp plate 31 facing the support rods 41.

[0088] When the ramp plate 31 is lowered from the first, raised loading position into the second loading position, the locking actuating element 34 presses the connecting piece 72 from its unlocking position in the locking guide groove 762 into the release opening 761 shortly before reaching the parallel position with the support frame 4, so that the locking element 7 automatically locks the ramp plate 31 in this position due to the spring force of the springs 75 when the second loading position is reached.

[0089] To lower the ramp plate 31 from the first, raised loading position into the second loading position, it is sufficient for a person to stand on the upper side 35 of the ramp plate 31 after unlocking the first loading position, preferably away from the second pivot axis S2, since the spring force of the spring elements 5 is dimensioned such that they cannot withstand the weight force thus applied.

[0090] In order to make the gradient of the ramp plate 31 as flat as possible in the first loading position, in the preferred embodiment shown here, a support element 42 is arranged on an underside of the support rods 41 facing away from the loading space 24 in the driving position, said support element resting on a ground in the loading positions of the ramp plate 31.

[0091] In principle, a single support element 42 would also be sufficient. Furthermore, the ramp plate 31 is designed to protrude beyond the support rods 41 at its end remote from the first floor 21.

[0092] The width of the ramp plate 31 in the Y direction is slightly smaller than the distance between the side walls 22 of the transport body 2, so that in the closed position of the loading ramp 3 closing the loading space 24, the ramp plate 31 is inserted between the two side walls 22.

[0093] The vertical height of the ramp plate 31, viewed in direction Z in the closed position, as shown in the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 is slightly smaller than the height of the loading space viewed in direction Z, so that in the closed position of the loading ramp 3 an air slot remains in the vertically upper area of ​​the transport structure 2.

[0094] In the Fig. 16 - 18 show a further embodiment of a transport structure according to the invention.

[0095] In the embodiment shown here, the loading ramp 3 is also designed to be pivotable laterally about a vertical pivot axis. For this purpose, one end of the support rod 52 is held in a pivot joint 12 with a vertical pivot pin 13.

[0096] The swivel joint 12 is arranged in a lower corner region of one of the side walls 22 and the base 21, projecting outwards, with a groove-shaped housing into which a coupling piece 14 projects on the support rod 52 perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the support rod 52 and is held in the swivel joint 12 by the vertically aligned pivot pin 13.

[0097] For mounting in the upper area of ​​the loading ramp 3, as shown in the Fig. 16 and Fig. 17, a hook 11 is attached to the underside 36 of the ramp plate 31 and can be inserted into an eyelet 10 attached to the side wall 22. The hook 11 is attached to the underside 36 of the ramp plate 31 so that it can be pivoted into the eyelet 10 about a horizontal axis of rotation.

[0098] It is also conceivable to arrange a further hook-eye arrangement in the area of ​​the opposite side wall 22 in order to additionally secure the upper area of ​​the loading ramp 3 when it is folded down.

[0099] In the closed state of the loading ramp 3, in which the loading ramp 3 closes the loading space 24, the holding rod 52 is preferably received in a U-profile 15 arranged on the underside of the floor 21, which ensures a secure mounting of the holding rod 52 for pivoting the loading ramp 3 about the horizontal first pivot axis S1.

[0100] The holding rod 52 can preferably be locked in the region of the end remote from the pivot joint 12 by means of a spring latch.

[0101] In the Fig. In the further preferred embodiment of the transport body shown in Figures 19 - 21, a drive wall arrangement 9 is additionally fixed in the loading space 24 of the transport body 2.

[0102] The drive wall arrangement 9 consists of a pair of drive walls 91, 92 arranged on each of the insides of the side walls 22, which, viewed in the vertical direction Z, are arranged one above the other on the respective side wall 22 with Fig. 20 and Fig. 21 are attached to the hinges 95 shown.

[0103] Each of the drive walls 91, 92 essentially consists of two longitudinal posts 93, 94 connected to one another by a plurality of transverse webs 96, one of the longitudinal posts 93 being fastened to the side wall 22 via the hinges 95.

[0104] The hinges 95 allow the drive walls 91, 92 to be pivoted out about a vertical pivot axis.

[0105] The crosspieces 96 are mounted on the longitudinal posts 93, 94 and are adjustable around horizontal pivot axes. This allows the drive walls 91, 92 to be moved from a Fig. 19, in which the drive walls 91, 92 are pivoted into the loading space 24, into a position shown in Fig. 20 and Fig. 21 can be swivelled out around a vertical swivel axis.

[0106] Fig. 20 shows the upper and lower driving walls 91, 92 arranged one above the other in a position in which they are aligned parallel to the side edges of the lowered loading ramp 3 and thus prevent the animals to be loaded from jumping down from the side of the loading ramp 3.

[0107] The pivotable mounting of the crosspieces 96 on the longitudinal posts 93, 94 about horizontal pivot axes enables the outer longitudinal post 94 to be lowered such that it rests laterally on the upper side 35 of the ramp plate 31.

[0108] The division of the drive walls 91, 92 into an upper drive wall 91 and a lower drive wall 92 also enables, as in Fig.21 is shown, to leave the lower drive walls 92 in the loading space 24 and to swing only the upper drive walls 91 out of the loading space 24 and place them on the upper side 35 of the ramp plate 31 for loading the upper loading level 24b, in which the ramp plate 31 is pivoted upwards relative to the support frame 4, and thus to create a lateral limitation for the ramp plate 31 for loading the upper loading level 24b.

[0109] It is also conceivable to swing only the lower drive walls 92 out of the loading space 24 and place them on the upper side 35 of the ramp plate 31 for loading the lower loading level 24a. List of reference symbols 2 Transport structure 21 first floor 22 side wall 23 Roof 24 cargo space 24a, b loading level 25 second floor 3 loading ramp 31 Ramp plate 32 crossbar 33 Hinge 34 Locking actuator 35 Top 36 bottom 4 support frame 41 support rod 411 guide groove 412 cross hole 42 Support element 43 Crossbar 44 hinge profile 5 spring element 51 coupling part 52 Grab bar 6 support rod 61 first end 62 second end 63 Middle section 64 bore 65 sliding head 7 bars 71 Operating handle 72 connecting piece 73 locking bolts 74 bolt holder 75 spring 76 Guide element 761 release opening 762 locking guide groove 77 Blocking sleeve 8 Bridge plate 82 crossbar 9 Drive wall arrangement 91 upper drift wall 92 lower drift wall 93 longitudinal posts 94 longitudinal posts 95 Hinge 96 crossbar 10 hooks 11 eyelet 12 Swivel joint 13 bolts 14 Coupling piece 15 U-profile x longitudinal direction y transverse direction z Vertical direction S1 first swivel axis S2 second swivel axis

Claims

[1] Transport structure (2), in particular for transporting livestock, comprising - a loading space (24) delimited by at least a first floor (21) and several side walls (22), - wherein a second floor (25) is arranged within the loading space (24), by means of which the loading space (24) is divided into two loading levels (24a, 24b) arranged one above the other, - wherein one side of the loading space (24) is closable via a loading ramp (3) which is pivotably fixed about a horizontal first pivot axis (S1) arranged near the first floor (21), - wherein the loading ramp (3) has a ramp plate (31) which is arranged on a support frame (4) with at least two support rods (41) extending perpendicular to the first pivot axis (S1) and is pivotally fastened to the support rods (41) in the region of an end remote from the first floor (21) at its underside (36) facing away from a walkable upper side (35) and is pivoted in a first loading position at an angle to a plane spanned by the support frame (4) in the direction of the second floor (25), characterized by , that - the ramp plate (31) in a second loading position rests with its underside (36) on the support frame (4) in a plane parallel to the plane spanned by the support frame (4), and - at least one support rod (6) having a first end (61) is pivotally attached to the surface of the ramp plate (31) facing the support rods (41), - wherein the support rod (6) is guided at its second end (62) along one of the support rods (41) so as to be displaceable, - wherein the support rod (6) can be locked in the first and second loading positions of the ramp plate (31). [2] Transport structure (2) according to claim 1, characterized by in that the second end (62) of the at least one support rod (6) is guided in a guide groove (411) of the support rods (41) and has a transverse bore (64) in a central region (63) for receiving a bolt (7) which can be pushed through transverse bores in the support rod (41), with which the support rod (6) can be locked in the second loading position. [3] Transport structure (2) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized byin that a bridge plate (8) is pivotally fastened in the region of an end of the second floor (25) close to the loading ramp (3), wherein the bridge plate (8) bridges a gap between the second floor (25) and the ramp plate (31) pivoted into the first loading position in a loading position and is folded over in a driving position parallel to a driving position of the ramp plate (31) or further in the direction of the second floor (25). [4] Transport structure (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the bolt (7) has an operating handle (71) and a connecting piece (72) extending at an angle from the operating handle (71), from which at least one locking bolt (73) extends in a parallel offset manner and can be pushed through into the transverse bore in the support rod (41). [5] Transport structure (2) according to claim 4, characterized byin that a guide element (76) with a release opening (761) and a locking guide groove (762) is fastened to an edge-side support rod (41), through which the connecting piece (72) is passed, wherein a thickening of the connecting piece (72), in particular in the form of a blocking sleeve (77), is dimensioned such that it dips into the release opening (761) to lock the support rod (6) in a predetermined position and, in order to release the support rod (6), the bolt can be pulled out of the release opening (761) parallel to the locking direction in the direction of the actuating handle (71) into the locking guide groove (762) blocking a locking movement. [6] Transport structure (2) according to claim 5, characterized by that in the area of ​​the locking bolt (73) a spring (75) is arranged which moves the locking bolt (73) into its locking position. [7] Transport structure (2) according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized byin a predetermined first locking position of the ramp plate (31), in which the ramp plate (31) is pivoted upwards out of the support frame, the locking bolt (73) blocks a sliding displacement of the second end (62) of the support rod (6) into the lowered position by locking a sliding head (65) in the receiving groove (411) of the support rod (41) and in a second locking position of the ramp plate (31) resting against the support frame (4), the locking bolt (73) is received in the transverse bore (64) of the support rod (6). [8] Transport structure (2) according to claim 7, characterized bythat on the underside (36) of the ramp plate (31) there is fastened a locking actuating element (34), preferably in the form of a piece of sheet metal with a recess (341) on the front side thereof which is adapted to the cross-section of the connecting piece (72) of the locking bolt (7), which when the ramp plate (31) is lowered from the first loading position into the second loading position, the connecting piece (72) is pushed out of the locking guide groove (762) into the release opening (761), and the locking bolt (73) can be pressed automatically with the aid of the spring (75) into the transverse bore (64) of the support rod (6). [9] Transport structure according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the ramp plate (31) is designed to protrude beyond the support rods (41) at its end remote from the first floor (21). [10] Transport structure (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat on an underside of the at least one support rod (41) facing away from the loading space (24) in the driving position, a support element (42) is arranged which rests on a base in the loading positions of the ramp plate (31). [11] Transport structure (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that at least one spring element (5) is arranged between the ramp plate (31) and the support frame (4) to support the pivoting movement of the ramp plate (31) relative to the support frame (4). [12] Transport structure (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that at least one spring element (5) is arranged between the support frame (4) and the first floor (21) to support the pivoting movement of the loading ramp (3) relative to the first floor (21). [13] Transport structure (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the horizontal first pivot axis (S1) is fastened on the one hand to the ends of the support rods (41) of the support frame (4) near the floor (21) and on the other hand to a holding rod (52). [14] Transport structure (2) according to claim 13, characterized by that one end of the support rod (52) is held in a swivel joint (12) with a vertical pivot pin (13), wherein a hook (11) insertable into an eyelet (10) fastened to the side wall (22) is fastened to the underside (36) of the ramp plate (31), wherein the hook (11) inserted into the eyelet (10) serves as a further swivel joint to enable a pivoting movement of the loading ramp (3) about a vertical pivot axis. [15] Transport structure (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat drive walls (91, 92) are pivotably attached to the inside of the side walls (22), wherein an upper drive wall (91) and a lower drive wall (92) are arranged on each of the side walls (22) and are pivotable independently of one another.

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