Platform trolley for transporting general cargo

Abstract

Platform wagon for the transport of general cargo, in particular platform wagon designed as a trailer for train operation, with a chassis (2), a platform (3) arranged on the chassis (2) and a plurality of swivel casters (5) arranged on the chassis (2) which support the chassis (2), as well as with a fixed caster (6) arranged on the chassis (2) which is movable in the vertical direction of the chassis (2) and is designed to be movable from a working position to a non-working position and vice versa, characterized by a pivot axis (9) which has a base body (14) which is designed to be rotatable about a pivot axis (11) extending transversely to the longitudinal extent (10) of the chassis (2), wherein the fixed caster (6) and a swivel caster (5) are arranged on the base body (14) and wherein the swivel caster (5) and the fixed caster (6) are opposite each other with the pivot axis (11) interposed.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a platform truck for transporting piece goods, in particular a platform truck designed as a trailer for train operation, comprising a chassis, a platform arranged on the chassis and a plurality of steering rollers arranged on the chassis which support the chassis, as well as a fixed roller arranged on the chassis which is movable in the vertical direction of the chassis and is designed to be transferable from a use position to a non-use position and vice versa.

[0002] Platform wagons in general, and those designed as trailers for towing, in particular, are well known in the art, so a separate written reference is not required here. Reference is therefore made, as an example, to DE 10 2010 006 388 A1, which concerns a platform wagon with a platform that can be swiveled upwards from two sides.

[0003] A platform truck of this type has a chassis and a platform supported by it. When used as intended, the platform serves to accommodate the general cargo to be transported by the platform truck.

[0004] The platform truck also features a plurality of swivel casters mounted on the chassis. The swivel casters support the chassis and enable the platform truck to move. "Swivel caster" in the context of the invention refers to casters that are designed to rotate about a pivot axis running vertically along the platform truck. The swivel casters thus enable cornering, including movement of the platform truck in a direction perpendicular to the platform truck's longitudinal extension.

[0005] In addition to the swivel casters, the platform trolley also features a fixed caster, which, like the swivel casters, is mounted on the chassis. "Fixed caster" in the context of the invention refers to a caster that, unlike a swivel caster, is not designed to rotate about a pivot axis running vertically along the platform trolley.

[0006] The fixed caster is designed to be movable in the vertical direction of the chassis and can be moved from a use position to a non-use position and vice versa. When in use, the fixed caster rests on the ground, thus being in contact with the ground just like the swivel casters. When not in use, the fixed caster is moved upwards in the vertical direction of the platform trolley, so that in this position it is not in contact with the ground.

[0007] When used as intended, the fixed castor is designed to ensure that the platform trolley travels straight ahead. Ensuring that the platform trolley travels straight ahead is particularly desirable when the platform trolley is in towing operation, for example as part of a tugger train. Such a tugger train typically has a towing vehicle and several trailers designed as platform trolleys attached in series. In such a tugger train design, the fixed castors of the platform trolleys are each in their position of use, i.e. they are in contact with the ground. As the fixed castors cannot be rotated about a pivot axis running in the vertical direction, straight ahead is ensured, thus preventing individual platform trolleys from breaking away from a moving tugger train.

[0008] If a platform trolley is not in train operation, for example because a tugger train is being terminated after reaching its intended end position, the fixed castor must be moved into its non-use position to enable transverse movement of the platform trolley in relation to the tugger train's alignment. The swivel castors are used for this purpose; they enable cornering, as well as maneuvering in a direction transverse to, for example, orthogonal to, the direction of travel of the tugger train or the longitudinal extent of the platform trolley. The non-steerable fixed castors prevent such transverse movement when they are in the use position, i.e. when they are in contact with the ground. For this reason, the fixed castors are vertically movable and can be moved from their use position into a non-use position, whereby they have no contact with the ground when not in use.In this respect, when the fixed castors are not in use, the platform trolleys can be moved transversely.

[0009] Although platform trucks of the type described above have proven themselves in everyday practical use, there is still room for improvement. In particular, the aim is to enable even better straight-line stability. Therefore, the object of the invention is to further develop the design of a platform truck of the generic type to ensure even further improved driving characteristics, in particular even better straight-line stability.

[0010] To achieve this object, the invention proposes a generic platform trolley which is characterized by a pendulum axle which has a base body which is designed to be rotatable about a pivot axis running transversely to the longitudinal extent of the chassis, wherein the fixed castor and a steering castor are arranged on the base body and wherein the steering castor and the fixed castor are opposite one another with the pivot axis interposed.

[0011] The platform trolley according to the invention has a pendulum axle. This pendulum axle has a base body. The fixed castor and one swivel castor, preferably two swivel castors, are mounted on this base body. The fixed castor and the swivel castor are therefore not mounted directly on the chassis, but rather with the pendulum axle interposed.

[0012] The base body, on which the fixed castor and the swivel castor are arranged, is designed to be rotatable in relation to the chassis, namely around a pivot axis that runs transversely to the longitudinal extent of the chassis.

[0013] According to the invention, it is further provided that the swivel castor and the fixed castor are arranged opposite each other, with the pivot axis interposed. The swivel castor and the fixed castor are thus arranged spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal extent of the chassis, with the pivot axis, around which the base body is designed to pivot, running in the direction of the spacing between the swivel castor and the fixed castor.

[0014] The inventive design provides a number of advantages in a synergistic manner.

[0015] A disadvantage of prior art platform trolleys is that the fixed caster loses contact with the ground when traveling up a ramp. The fixed caster always loses contact with the ground when the front casters (in the direction of travel) are already on the ramp, but the rear casters (in the direction of travel) are not yet on the ramp.

[0016] Such an unintentional lifting of the fixed caster from the ground during ramp travel disrupts the platform truck's safe straight-line travel. This disruption becomes more severe the longer the platform truck's length, i.e., the greater the distance between the front swivel casters (in the direction of travel) and the rear swivel casters.

[0017] The inventive design provides a remedy here. The pendulum axle, with its pivoting base body mounted on the chassis, ensures that a relative twisting movement can occur between the base body and the chassis during operation. This consequently ensures that the rollers carried by the base body always have contact with the ground, even when traveling on a ramp. When traveling on a ramp, the pendulum axle and its base body can rotate relative to the chassis in such a way that the rollers mounted on the base body are aligned towards the ramp surface. Straight-line running is thus ensured in all cases, and unlike the prior art, even when traveling on a ramp. This leads to overall improved driving characteristics. In particular, it prevents a platform truck in train operation from skidding when traveling on a ramp and causing swaying movements or even derailment.

[0018] The pendulum axle provided according to the invention also provides the synergistic advantage of allowing the fixed caster provided by the pendulum axle to be raised when activated by the user. By pivoting the pendulum axle, a distinction can be made between the use position and the non-use position of the fixed caster provided by the pendulum axle. An additional adjustment mechanism for transferring the fixed caster from a use position to a non-use position is therefore unnecessary.

[0019] The pendulum axle provided according to the invention essentially fulfills two functions. Firstly, automatic pivoting ensures permanent ground contact for all rollers provided by the pendulum axle during ramp travel. Secondly, when the platform truck is not in operation, manual pivoting of the pendulum axle is possible, ensuring that only the swivel rollers of the pendulum axle, but not the fixed roller of the pendulum axle, are in contact with the ground, thus allowing subsequent lateral movement of the platform truck to be initiated easily.

[0020] The design according to the invention brings with it another advantage. The contact pressure on the fixed castor is generated by the weight of the platform trolley itself and the weight of the load it transports. According to the prior art, compression springs are used which load the fixed castor in its lowered position. However, the spring pressure is always the same, regardless of the weight of the platform trolley and the weight of any load it transports. The pendulum axle provided according to the invention has the advantage that the contact pressure increases with the weight of the platform trolley and the load, ensuring that a correspondingly higher contact force is provided for correspondingly heavy loads, rather than the constant contact force as with the prior art. This also results in improved driving characteristics, particularly in towing operation.

[0021] The result of the design according to the invention is a platform trolley which, while simultaneously ensuring straight-line travel in the tugger train combination, enables a fixed castor to be easily transferred from the use position to the non-use position for transverse travel.

[0022] According to a further feature of the invention, it is provided that two steering rollers are arranged on the base body, which are arranged at a distance from one another on an axis running parallel to the pivot axis.

[0023] The pendulum axle preferably has two swivel casters. These are mounted on the base body and are aligned with each other along an axis running parallel to the pivot axis of the base body. These two swivel casters form the two front swivel casters when the platform trolley is moving forward.

[0024] The swivel casters are spaced apart from each other, in the direction of the pivot axis. The swivel casters are preferably fully assembled, meaning they are located near the front left corner on the one hand and the front right corner on the other, with respect to straight-ahead travel of the platform trolley.

[0025] According to a further feature of the invention, it is provided that two fixed castors are arranged on the base body, preferably in the form of a double fixed castor.

[0026] The provision of two fixed casters particularly increases the load-bearing capacity of the platform trolley. According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the platform trolley has a total of six wheels, namely four swivel casters on one side and two fixed casters on the other.

[0027] It is particularly preferred to design the two fixed casters in relative proximity to each other, in particular as a double fixed caster. This design provides the advantage of providing additional installation space beneath the chassis for other components and / or functional elements.

[0028] According to a further feature of the invention, it is provided that the fixed castors are arranged centrally between the two spaced-apart steering castors with respect to the pivot axis running transversely to the longitudinal extent of the chassis.

[0029] This creates an overall symmetrical design, which further supports the positive driving characteristics achieved with the invention. In particular, this alignment of the swivel and fixed casters achieves a weight distribution that supports the intended pivoting movement of the base body of the pendulum axle and helps prevent unwanted transverse loads. This creates a particularly low-wear construction during operation.

[0030] According to a further feature of the invention, forklift guides are arranged on the chassis. When used as intended, these serve to accommodate forklift forks, so that a platform truck can be easily repositioned using a forklift. The forklift guides are preferably located opposite the platform provided by the platform truck on the side of the chassis facing the ground. According to an alternative embodiment, the forklift aids can also be arranged between the platform and the chassis. This alternative design is particularly useful when the platform truck is comparatively short in its longitudinal direction, i.e., there is insufficient space below the chassis to provide properly designed and spaced forklift guides.

[0031] According to a further feature of the invention, it is provided that the base body has a cross member and two wheel carriers arranged at each end thereof.

[0032] The base body has two wheel carriers. Each wheel carrier serves to mount a swivel caster on the base body. The two wheel carriers are spaced apart and connected via a cross member. The wheel carriers are preferably attached to the cross member at one end and the other. This results in a robust construction that is also suitable for supporting heavy loads. The permissible transport weight can be correspondingly high.

[0033] According to a further feature of the invention, it is provided that the wheel carriers and the pivot axis are each arranged rotatably on the chassis, for which purpose a wheel carrier has two bearing eyes spaced apart from one another in the pivot axis direction, which receive a bearing journal.

[0034] The wheel carriers of the base body serve to pivot the base body on the chassis. The two wheel carriers are motion-coupled via the cross members arranged between them, ensuring that the two wheel carriers are synchronized during pivoting.

[0035] To enable a wheel carrier to be pivoted onto the chassis, two bearing eyes are provided on the wheel carrier. These are spaced apart from one another in the direction of the pivot axis. In the final assembled state, a chassis-side pin guide is arranged between the two bearing eyes. A bearing pin held by the two bearing eyes of a wheel carrier therefore not only engages through the bearing eyes of the wheel carrier, but also through the pin guide of the chassis arranged between them. This ensures a robust, yet pivoting arrangement of a wheel carrier on the chassis. A further advantage of this design is that it enables simple assembly and disassembly, as only the bearing pins are required to position or remove the corresponding wheel carriers on the chassis as intended.

[0036] According to a further feature of the invention, it is provided that the base support has an extension arranged on the cross member and extending in the longitudinal direction of the chassis, which supports the fixed castors at a distance from the cross member.

[0037] An extension is used to arrange the fixed casters on the base body. This extension is connected to the cross member of the base body. The extension extends transversely to the longitudinal alignment of the cross member, resulting in an overall T-shaped configuration. As previously described, the wheel carriers are arranged at each end of the cross member, and the extension supports the fixed casters with its end region opposite the cross member. This results in a symmetrical and T-shaped configuration with regard to the roller arrangement.

[0038] According to a further feature of the invention, a manually operable pivoting device is provided that interacts with the pendulum axle. This pivoting device allows the pendulum axle to be pivoted manually. Such manually operated pivoting of the pendulum axle serves to transfer the fixed casters provided by the pendulum axle from the use position to a non-use position and vice versa. The pivoting device thus allows the platform trolley to be prepared for traction operation or non-traction operation with the possibility of transverse movement, depending on the position of the fixed casters.

[0039] According to a further feature of the invention, the pivoting device comprises an axle body that can be rotated about a pivot axis running transversely to the longitudinal extent of the chassis. This axle body is to be operated, i.e., rotated, by the user when the pendulum axle is pivoted as desired. As a result, the pendulum axle also rotates, so that, in the manner already described, a distinction can be made between a use position and a non-use position with regard to the fixed caster provided by the pendulum axle.

[0040] According to a further feature of the invention, it is provided that the pivoting device has a lever which interacts with the pendulum axis.

[0041] During operation, the lever of the pivoting device transmits power from the axle body, which is driven by the user, to the pivoting base body of the pendulum axle. The lever fulfills two functions. Firstly, it transmits power from the axle body to the base body of the pendulum axle, which then leads to a pivoting movement of the base body as described above. In addition, the lever ensures that the pendulum axle cannot accidentally pivot back when the fixed castor is in the non-use position, thus securely holding it in place when the fixed castor is not in use. The lever therefore serves both as a power transmission device and as a securing element. The result is a compact design that nevertheless ensures reliable operation.

[0042] According to a further feature of the invention, the axle body serves as the drive mechanism for the lever. The lever is connected to the axle body via a link chain. When used as intended, the link chain serves as a transmission for transmitting power between the axle body and the lever. When a fixed roller is moved into a non-use position, the link chain assumes an over-center position, thus reliably preventing the base body from accidentally rotating backward.

[0043] According to a further feature of the invention, the axle body interacts with a user-operated foot pedal. This allows the user to easily operate the axle body by simply using a foot pedal.

[0044] According to a further feature of the invention, it is provided that the axle body interacts with a push rod, which at the other end is operatively connected to a drawbar pivotably arranged on the chassis.

[0045] This design feature ensures that the fixed castor can be moved from a non-use position to a use position not only by the user actuating the axle beam, but also by pivoting the drawbar provided by the platform truck, specifically when the drawbar is pivoted to move it into a position for towing operation. The push rod coupled to the drawbar ensures that when the drawbar is moved into towing operation, a fixed castor in a non-use position is automatically moved into the use position. This automatically ensures safe straight-ahead travel required for towing operation by lowering the fixed castor. This coupling of axle beam and drawbar eliminates the possibility of incorrect operation by the user. This advantageously increases operational safety.

[0046] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description with reference to the figures. Fig. 1 in a schematic perspective view of a platform trolley according to the invention from above; Fig. 2 in schematic perspective view the platform trolley according to Fig. 1 from the bottom; Fig. 3 in a schematic perspective view of a pendulum axle according to the invention from above; Fig. 4 in schematic perspective view the pendulum axle according Fig. 3 from the bottom; Fig. 5 in a schematic perspective view from below a pendulum axle according to the invention including an adjusting device; Fig. 6 in schematic perspective view from below the adjustment device according to Fig. 5; Fig. 7 shows a schematic side view of a platform wagon according to the invention in train operating position; Fig. 8 in schematic side view the platform trolley according to Fig. 7 in transverse travel position; Fig. 9 in schematic side view the platform trolley according to Fig. 7 in a ramp driving position; Fig. 10 in schematic side view the platform trolley according to Fig. 7 in another ramp driving position; Fig. 11 in schematic side view a transfer of a pendulum axle-side fixed castor from its use position to a non-use position; Fig. 12 in schematic side view a return transfer of the fixed castor to Fig. 11 from a non-use position to the use position and Fig. 13 in a schematic perspective view from below a platform trolley according to the invention according to a second embodiment.

[0047] The Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 each show a schematic perspective view of a platform trolley 1 according to the invention, namely Fig. 1 in a view from above and Fig. 2 in a view from below.

[0048] As can be seen from a summary of the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the platform truck 1 has a chassis 2 and a platform 3 supported by the chassis 2. In the illustrated embodiment, the platform 3 is composed of individual platform elements 4, which are gratings. In its intended use, the platform 3 serves to support a load to be transported by the platform truck 1, for example, a load in the form of a piece goods load.

[0049] As the Fig. 1 and Fig. As can also be seen in Figure 2, the platform truck 1 provides a cutout 42 with respect to both the chassis 2 and the platform 3. This cutout 42 can be used by a user to better access piece goods placed on the platform 3.

[0050] As can be seen particularly from the presentation after Fig. 2, the platform trolley 1 further comprises a chassis 15, which in the illustrated embodiment provides a plurality of swivel casters 5 that support the chassis 2. In the illustrated embodiment, a total of four swivel casters 5 are provided.

[0051] The chassis 15 also has two fixed casters 6, which in the illustrated embodiment are combined to form a double fixed caster 7. The fixed casters 6, like the swivel casters 5, are also arranged on the chassis 2 of the platform trolley 1.

[0052] The chassis 15 has a total of six castors, namely, as described above, four swivel castors 5 on the one hand and two fixed castors 6 on the other.

[0053] The fixed castors 6 are designed to be movable in the vertical direction 8 of the chassis 2 and can be transferred from a use position to a non-use position and vice versa. In the use position, the fixed castors 6 are in contact with the ground. In their non-use position, the fixed castors 6 are moved upwards in the vertical direction 8, thus no longer having contact with the ground, as will be explained below, in particular with reference to the Fig. 8 and Fig. 11 will be explained.

[0054] The platform trolley 1 according to the invention has a pendulum axle 9. This is shown in schematic perspective view in the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 shown.

[0055] The pendulum axle 9 carries the two front swivel castors 5 in the forward direction of travel as well as the two fixed castors 6. These castors are arranged on a base body 14 of the pendulum axle 9, which is rotatable about a pivot axis 11 running transversely to the longitudinal extent 10 of the chassis 2. In the final assembled state, the base body 14 of the pendulum axle 9 can therefore rotate about the pivot axis 11, namely together with the swivel castors 5 and fixed castors 6 carried by the base body 14. This factual connection also results in particular from a synopsis of the Fig. 11 and Fig. 12, which will be explained below.

[0056] In contrast to the prior art, the front swivel castors 5 and the fixed castors 6 are therefore not arranged directly on the chassis 2 of the platform truck 1, but rather with the interposition of the pendulum axle 9. In this case, as can be seen in particular from a summary of the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, the castors 5 and the fixed castors 6 are arranged opposite each other with the pivot axis 11 interposed. With reference, for example, to the drawing plane according to Fig. 3, the swivel castors 5 are located on this side of the pivot axis 11, while the fixed castors 6 are located on the other side of the pivot axis 11.

[0057] As can be seen from a summary of the Fig. 3 and Fig. As can be further seen in Figure 4, the swivel casters 5 are arranged on an axis 16 running parallel to the pivot axis 11, spaced apart from one another. Thus, the two swivel casters 5 are aligned in the direction of the axis 16.

[0058] The fixed casters 6 are arranged centrally between the two spaced-apart swivel casters 5 with respect to the pivot axis 11 running transversely to the longitudinal extension 10 of the chassis 2. This results in a symmetrical, T-shaped arrangement of the swivel casters 5 and the fixed casters 6.

[0059] As the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, the base body 14 has a cross member 18. This cross member 18 carries a wheel carrier 20 for each swivel caster 5, each of which is arranged at the end of the cross member 18. In the exemplary embodiment shown, in addition to the cross member 18, a second cross member 19 is provided, running parallel to the cross member 18, on which the wheel carriers 20 are also arranged at the end. The second cross member 19 serves to additionally stabilize the overall structure. The base body 14 further has an extension 23 extending transversely to the cross members 18 and 19, which supports the fixed casters 6 at a distance from the cross member 18. This construction brings about the T-shaped arrangement of the swivel casters 5 and the fixed casters 6 as already explained above.

[0060] In the illustrated embodiment according to the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, the extension 23 has two flat materials 24 that are connected, preferably welded, to the cross members 18 and 19. A plate 25 serves as a spacer between the two flat materials 24. This plate 25 also serves to reinforce the extension 23. The two fixed casters 6 are arranged in the end region of the extension 23 opposite the cross members 18 and 19. In the illustrated embodiment, these are located between the two flat materials 24, which also provide the axis of rotation around which the fixed casters 6 can rotate during their intended use.

[0061] The extension 23 further provides a rod 26 at the end, which interacts with an adjusting device 27 described below.

[0062] The wheel carriers 20 are used for the pivotable arrangement of the base body 14 on the chassis 2. These are each arranged on the chassis 2 so as to be pivotable about the pivot axis 11, for which purpose a wheel carrier 20 has two bearing eyes spaced apart from one another in the pivot axis direction, which in the final assembled state accommodate a bearing journal. The bearing journal shown with reference to the drawing plane according to Fig. 3 left wheel carrier 20 represents the bearing eyes 21 and with reference to the drawing plane Fig. 3 The right wheel carrier 20 provides the two bearing eyes 22. Since the two wheel carriers 20 are coupled to each other via the two cross members 18 and 19, a synchronized rotational movement of the two wheel carriers 20 and thus also of the base body 14 occurs during intended use.

[0063] The described arrangement of the two front swivel castors 5 and the fixed castors 6 on the pivoting pendulum axle 9 has the advantage that both the swivel castors 5 and the fixed castors themselves always have contact with the ground, even when driving on ramps, so that straight-ahead running in towing operation is ensured, especially when driving on ramps. This factual connection is particularly evident from a synopsis of the Fig. 7 on the one hand and 9 and 10 on the other.

[0064] Fig. Figure 7 shows the platform trolley 1 according to the invention in its towing position. All rollers of the chassis 15 are in contact with the ground, including the front swivel casters 5 in the forward direction and the fixed casters 6 provided by the pendulum axle 9.

[0065] When driving down a ramp, as in Fig. 9, the ground contact of the rollers on the pendulum axle side is advantageously maintained. This is due to the fact that the base body 14 of the pendulum axle 9 is arranged in a Fig. 9 to the left, i.e. counterclockwise, about the pivot axis 11. This pivoting possibility of the base body 14 ensures that the swivel castors 5 and the fixed castors 6 are in contact with the ground.

[0066] The same applies when driving up a ramp, as can be seen from the illustration after Fig. 10. In this case, the base body 14 of the pendulum axis 9 is aligned with respect to the drawing plane Fig. 10 to the right, i.e., clockwise. Consequently, in this case, the swivel casters 5 and the fixed casters 6 of the pendulum axle 9 always maintain contact with the ground 35.

[0067] Ground contact of the fixed casters 6 with the surface 35 is desirable when the platform trolley 1 is being pulled in order to ensure straight-line travel and to prevent unwanted swaying of the platform trolley transversely to the direction of travel. Outside of towing operation, a travel movement transverse to the longitudinal direction of the platform trolley 1 should be possible, including a transverse movement at a 90° angle to the longitudinal extension. This is made possible by the rotatable swivel casters 5. However, fixed casters 6 in the use position block such transverse movement, which is why they must first be transferred from their use position to a non-use position before any transverse movement.Such a transfer of the fixed castors 6 from the use position to a non-use position and vice versa is made possible by means of the pendulum axle 9 according to the invention, namely by means of a corresponding operation of the pendulum axle 9 by the user.

[0068] For this purpose, the platform trolley 1 has an adjustment device 27, as can be seen in particular from a summary of the Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 results.

[0069] The adjustment device 27 has an axle body 28 that can be rotated about a pivot axis that runs parallel to the pivot axis 11 of the base body 14. In the illustrated embodiment, foot pedals 29, which are operatively connected to the axle body 28, are used to initiate a pivoting movement of the axle body 28 by the user. When one of the two foot pedals 29 is actuated by the user, the axle body 28 is transferred into a corresponding rotational movement.

[0070] The axle body 28 serves as a drive means for a lever 30. The lever 30 is operatively connected to the axle body 28 via a link chain 32 serving as a transmission, as is particularly evident in the illustration according to Fig. 6 can be seen.

[0071] The lever 30 is itself designed to be pivotable, so that with the interposition of the articulated chain 32, a twisting movement of the axle body 28 leads to a corresponding twisting movement of the lever 30.

[0072] The lever 30 has a notch 31 on the pendulum axle side. This notch 31 interacts with the previously described rod 26, which is provided by the extension 23 of the pendulum axle 9.

[0073] The functioning of the adjusting device 27 results in particular from a summary of the Fig. 8 and Fig. 11.

[0074] As can be seen from the illustration after Fig. 11, when the platform trolley is in its home position, the user can actuate the adjustment device 27 in accordance with arrow 37. This involves the user actuating the foot pedal 29 provided for this purpose.

[0075] In accordance with arrow 39, the platform trolley 1 is moved to the Fig. 11 right position, in which the fixed castors 6 are raised in the height direction 8 in accordance with the arrow 38. In this position of the fixed castors 6, there is no contact between the fixed castors 6 and the ground 35, and the fixed castors 6 are therefore in a non-use position.

[0076] This non-use position of the fixed castors 6 is also in Fig. 8. This can Fig. 8 in combination with the representation according to Fig. 6 shows that the articulated chain 32 has two articulated levers 33 and 34 that are pivotally coupled to one another. This ensures that the articulated chain 32 is in the non-use position of the fixed rollers 6, reliably preventing the fixed rollers 6 from accidentally pivoting back into the use position.

[0077] Rather, it requires user-side operation, ie return of the fixed castors 6 from the non-use position to Fig. 8 into the use position Fig. 7.

[0078] The transfer of the fixed castors 6 from a non-use position to the use position is shown in a schematic side view Fig. 12.

[0079] When the user actuates the foot pedal 29 in accordance with the arrow 21, the base body 14 of the pendulum axle 9 is pivoted back in the manner already described, with the result that the fixed castors 6 are lowered in the height direction 8 and then return to their position of use, as shown in Fig. 12 shown.

[0080] Alternatively to operating the foot pedal 29, the drawbar 12 can be operated. If this is positioned in accordance with the arrow 40 with reference to the plane of the drawing Fig. 12 is turned to the left, the fixed rollers 6 are simultaneously lowered in the vertical direction 8. This is achieved by the drawbar 12 being coupled to the axle body 28 via a connecting rod 36, as can be seen in particular from the illustration according to Fig. 6 results.

[0081] The lowering of the fixed castors 6 as a result of actuating the drawbar 12 has the particular advantage that when transferring the platform trolley 1 into a traction operating position, as for example in Fig. As shown in Figure 7, the fixed casters 6 are automatically lowered to ensure straight travel. This prevents incorrect operation by the user.

[0082] In order to enable a user-side transverse movement of the platform trolley 1 in a simple manner, the platform trolley 1 furthermore has a corresponding handle 13, as shown in the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 and 8 respectively.

[0083] For a positional movement of the platform trolley 1 using, for example, a forklift, the platform trolley 1 further has forklift guides 17, as can be seen, for example, from the illustration according to Fig. 2. In the example shown, Fig. 2 the forklift guides 17 are arranged on the underside of the chassis 2 facing away from the platform 3.

[0084] Fig. 13 shows in this regard a second, i.e. alternative, embodiment of the platform trolley 1.

[0085] The platform truck 1 to Fig. 13 is in contrast to the design, for example, according to Fig. 2 is shorter in the longitudinal direction 10. Therefore, there is no longer sufficient space below the chassis 2 for the forklift guides 17. For this reason, according to the embodiment according to Fig. 13, it is provided that corresponding forklift guides 17 are formed in the height direction 8 between chassis 2 and platform 3. Reference symbol 1 platform trolley 2 chassis 3 Platform 4 Platform element 5 swivel castors 6 fixed castors 7 double fixed castor 8 Altitude direction 9 Swing axle 10 Longitudinal extension 11 Swivel axis 12 Drawbar 13 Handle 14 basic bodies 15 Chassis 16 Axis 17 Forklift guidance 18 cross members 19 cross members 20 wheel carriers 21 Bearing eye 22 Bearing eye 23 Extension 24 flat material 25 plate 26 bars 27 Adjustment device 28 axle beams 29 Foot pedal 30 levers 31 Fade-out 32 Link chain 33 articulated levers 34 articulated levers 35 Underground 36 push rod 37 Arrow 38 Arrow 39 Arrow 40 Arrow 41 Arrow 42 Excerpt QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 10 2010 006 388 A1

[0002]

Claims

[1] Platform wagon for the transport of general cargo, in particular a platform wagon designed as a trailer for train operation, with a chassis (2), a platform (3) arranged on the chassis (2) and a plurality of steering rollers (5) arranged on the chassis (2) which support the chassis (2), as well as with a fixed roller (6) arranged on the chassis (2) which is movable in the vertical direction of the chassis (2) and can be transferred from a position of use to a position of non-use and vice versa, characterized by a pendulum axle (9) which has a base body (14) which is designed to be rotatable about a pivot axis (11) running transversely to the longitudinal extent (10) of the chassis (2), wherein the fixed roller (6) and a steering roller (5) are arranged on the base body (14) and wherein the steering roller (5) and the fixed roller (6) are opposite one another with the pivot axis (11) interposed. [2] Platform trolley according to claim 1, characterized bythat two steering rollers (5) are arranged on the base body (14), which are arranged at a distance from one another on an axis (16) running parallel to the pivot axis (11). [3] Platform trolley according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that two fixed rollers (6) are arranged on the base body (14), preferably in the form of a double fixed roller (7). [4] Platform trolley according to claim 3, characterized by that the fixed castors (6) are arranged centrally between the two spaced-apart steering castors (5) with respect to the pivot axis (11) running transversely to the longitudinal extent (10) of the chassis (2). [5] Platform trolley according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that forklift guides (17) are arranged on the chassis (2). [6] Platform truck according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the base body (14) has a cross member (18) and two wheel carriers (20) arranged at each end thereof. [7] Platform trolley according to claim 6, characterized by that the wheel carriers (20) are each arranged on the chassis (2) so as to be rotatable about the pivot axis (11), for which purpose a wheel carrier (20) has two bearing eyes (21, 22) spaced apart from one another in the pivot axis direction, which receive a bearing journal. [8] Platform trolley according to claim 6 or 7, characterized by that the base body (14) has an extension (23) arranged on the cross member (18) and extending in the longitudinal extent (10) of the chassis (2), which extension carries the fixed castors (6) at a distance from the cross member (18). [9] Platform trolley according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a manually operable pivoting device (27) which interacts with the pendulum axis (9). [10] Platform trolley according to claim 9, characterized by that the pivoting device (27) has an axle body (28) which can be rotated about a pivot axis running transversely to the longitudinal extent (10) of the chassis (2). [11] Platform trolley according to claim 9 or 10, characterized by that the pivoting device (27) has a lever (30) cooperating with the pendulum axis (9). [12] Platform trolley according to claim 11, characterized by that the axle body (28) serves as a drive means for the lever (30). [13] Platform trolley according to claim 11 or 12, characterized by that the lever (30) is arranged on the axle body (28) with the interposition of a link chain (32). [14] Platform truck according to one of the preceding claims 10 to 13, characterized by that the axle body (28) interacts with a foot pedal (29) that can be operated by the user. [15] Platform truck according to one of the preceding claims 10 to 14, characterized by that the axle body (28) cooperates with a push rod (36) which is operatively connected at the other end to a drawbar (12) pivotably arranged on the chassis (2).

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