Anti-tip device for single-axle tractors

Abstract

Anti-tip device for a single-axle vehicle, wherein the vehicle has a vehicle axle (A1), characterized in that the anti-tip device has at least one pivot bearing (10), at least one support leg and at least one support pivot axis (A2), wherein a first pivot bearing and a first support leg are arranged in front of or behind the vehicle axle with respect to a direction of travel of the vehicle, wherein the at least one support leg is torsionally rigidly connected to the support pivot axis, wherein the at least one support leg can be fixed in at least one position for the anti-tip device essentially vertically downwards towards the ground and in at least one position for driving operation other than essentially vertically, in particular essentially horizontally, downwards.

Description

[0001] The object of the invention is to provide a cost-effective, lightweight, quick-to-use, one-handed trailer support for single-axle trailers, handcarts and other single-axle vehicles that limits the tipping of the trailer in one or even both directions.

[0002] The vehicle is, in particular, a handcart, a self-propelled vehicle, or a trailer, especially a bicycle trailer. Single-axle means that the vehicle can tip over its axle or double axle, specifically that the vehicle has a single axle, particularly with two wheels. The direction of travel corresponds, in particular, to the intended direction of travel of the vehicle.

[0003] The anti-tip device ensures that the vehicle can be parked securely without tipping over. Specifically, at least one support leg is fixed in the anti-tip position when parked. Anti-tip means, in particular, that movement around the vehicle's pitch axis is restricted. However, the anti-tip device must not be moved into a position where it could touch the ground by vibrations, acceleration, or braking during driving and must therefore be securely held in the driving position as well.

[0004] A tilt protection device is, in particular, a device that is installed on and / or in the vehicle as intended. Specifically, a tilt protection device is a vehicle tilt protection device.

[0005] The state of the art for simple supports without motor, hydraulics or similar is described in detail in DE000002024095A (A) in 1971. The document describes a support leg that can be rotated and locked in the longitudinal axis of the trailer for tipping protection.

[0006] Claim 11 suggests that a suitable device could also be used to actuate a second support with the single operating lever. However, there is no indication whatsoever of how such a device might be designed.

[0007] This problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent claims.

[0008] The invention is based on the following idea: The novel actuation of the basic construction (a support pivot axis typically mounted approximately centrally to the wheel axle at the front and rear of the underside of the trailer, at the ends of which the support legs are arranged parallel to the support pivot axis in a rotationally secured manner) is carried out by pushing or pulling a locking mechanism, the movable part of which is mounted to be displaceable in the direction of the support pivot axis.

[0009] One aspect of the invention relates to a tilt protection device for a single-axle vehicle. The vehicle has one axle. The tilt protection device comprises at least one pivot bearing, at least one support leg, and at least one pivot axis for the support leg to prevent tilting in one direction. The pivot bearing and the support leg are arranged in front of the vehicle axle with respect to one direction of travel.

[0010] To prevent tipping in both directions, a second pivot bearing of the support pivot axis and a second support leg are arranged behind the vehicle axle with respect to one direction of travel. In this case, the support legs are torsionally rigidly connected via the support pivot axis, preferably in a parallel position.

[0011] The support leg's pivot axis is oriented essentially perpendicular to the vehicle's axis and essentially parallel to the direction of travel. The support leg(s) can be optionally fixed in a position for anti-tip protection (parking mode) and in a position for driving mode. For anti-tip protection, the angle of the support legs, viewed from the pivot axis, is fixed essentially perpendicular to the vehicle's axis and pointing towards the ground. In the driving mode, the angle of the support legs, viewed from the pivot axis, is also fixed, but not pointing towards the ground; instead, it is preferably positioned essentially horizontally.

[0012] Preferably, the anti-tip device has exactly two pivot bearings and exactly two support legs.

[0013] The position for the anti-tip device and the position for driving operation can also be described, for example, as the angular positions of the support leg pivot axis. The support legs can be fixed in at least these two angular positions. In particular, the support legs are fixed in the angular position for parking operation in such a way that the fixing can absorb the expected lateral forces.

[0014] The column legs, for example, consist of round tubes or rods between 20 and 60 centimeters long; other profiles are possible. The column legs can also be curved or made of a more flat material. Torsionally rigid column legs can also have a continuous tube structure outside the column's axis of rotation.

[0015] Essentially vertical and / or essentially horizontal includes, for example, a deviation of + / - 10 degrees, in particular of + / - 3 degrees, with respect to the angle around the axis of rotation of the support.

[0016] The support pivot axis is preferably arranged within the two wheels of the vehicle, particularly in the middle.

[0017] In designs with more than one support pivot axis, the support pivot axes are preferably arranged closer to the outer edges of the vehicle.

[0018] The arrangement described above still allows relatively easy tilting movements relative to the axle line through the contact points of the wheels and support legs on the ground if the vehicle is subjected to a heavier load at only one of its outer corners. This can be counteracted by using two essentially parallel support pivot axes, each with two support legs. These two axes can be mounted either essentially parallel or essentially perpendicular to the vehicle axis, close to the outer edges of the typically rectangular vehicles. In the case of support pivot axes arranged essentially transversely to the direction of travel, the terms "direction of travel" and "transversely to the direction of travel," or equivalent terms, should be interchanged in the remaining text.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the support pivot axis includes a concentric, axially displaceable tube at least at one pivot bearing. The pivot bearing can be connected to the displaceable tube in a torsionally rigid manner with minimal angular play. For this purpose, the axially displaceable tube has at least one radial cam. This radial cam can be engaged in at least one groove of the pivot bearing, which is arranged to match the cam, by axial spring pressure or tension on the displaceable tube in the direction of the groove, in the position for preventing the support legs from tilting.

[0020] For example, the at least one groove includes a first groove and a second groove. For example, the at least one cam is engaged in the first groove in the position for tilt protection. For example, the at least one cam is engaged in the second groove in the position for driving operation. This fixes the one or two support legs in the respective position.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the assignment of the at least one cam and the at least one groove to the load-bearing components is reversed. This means, in particular, that the support pivot axis contains grooves and the pivot bearing contains cams.

[0022] Further designs can also be created with at least approximately complementary detent profiles, in which both cams and grooves are provided on both the support pivot axis and the pivot bearing. This embodiment has the particular advantage that identical parts can be used for both sides of the detent.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the column pivot axis has several torsionally rigidly connected parts. This means, in particular, that the relatively long section of the column pivot axis between the pivot bearings can be a simple tube, while the locking mechanism or the connection to the column legs can be implemented using an additional short component (=head section). This embodiment has the particular advantage that the manufacturing costs for the column pivot axis can be significantly reduced because it is based on simple basic elements that each require minimal machining.

[0024] In other versions, the support pivot axis can also be manufactured entirely or partially by forming or in a casting process, thus requiring very few parts and allowing for easy assembly.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the necessary detent is achieved not by a lever as in (A), but by axially displacing a movable tube that is spring-mounted concentrically within the support axis of rotation. A rod, preferably a clamping sleeve, inserted radially (i.e., transversely) into the movable tube, and longer than the diameter of the axle tube, forms opposing cams with its protruding ends. These cams can engage in corresponding grooves in the detent plate of the support axis bearing when the cams of the movable tube have not been manually displaced from the grooves against the return spring. To allow axial movement of the movable tube while still sufficiently limiting rotation of the support axis of rotation relative to the movable tube, appropriately tight-tolerance elongated holes are provided in the support axis of rotation, in which the cams can move axially.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the support legs can be rotated with one hand. For example, the thumb, or possibly a lever, is used to press the sliding tube against the return spring, pushing the cams out of the grooves in the locking plate within the bearing. This allows the hand to rotate the support leg by typically + / -90° into the support or driving position. When the hand releases pressure on the sliding tube, the return spring moves the tube, and thus the cams, back into the bearing grooves. With the sliding tube at the correct angle, the cams engage again in the grooves of the locking plate. If the cams have a round cross-section, for example, and the grooves also have a chamfer, the angle does not need to be precisely matched to enable engagement.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the sliding tube is also made of solid material, i.e., a solid tube. However, other profiles such as square, hexagonal, or similar are also suitable.

[0028] According to one embodiment, in addition to the detent at one end of the support pivot axis, a further detent is provided at the opposite end. This allows for improved lateral force stability because the relatively long connecting tube between the pivot bearings has to absorb less torque. Should it be advantageous for reasons of improved stability to also provide a detent at the opposite pivot bearing, the sliding tube is made correspondingly long so that it can also accommodate cams at the end opposite the operator side.

[0029] The return spring would then advantageously also be provided at the opposite end.

[0030] The cam tube could of course also be operated by pulling, and the handle for pulling could, for example, also be used as a rotary handle for the support pivot axis.

[0031] In one embodiment with a pressure point for the movable tube that is at least partially recessed in the axle head, unintentional actuation, i.e., disengagement of the support device, is avoided.

[0032] In one design variant, the handle for pulling can also be protected against unintentional activation by at least partially burying it in the axle head or under the edge of the trailer.

[0033] Particularly advantageous for the tilt protection (especially the variants in both tilting directions) is the combination of the operating options by pushing on one end and pulling on the other end of the sliding tube of the support pivot axis, because this allows the support device to be operated from both sides of the vehicle.

[0034] In another embodiment, the detent can also be provided at a pivot bearing location between the weight-bearing pivot bearings.

[0035] The return spring can be either a tension spring or a compression spring, or consist of a combination of such springs.

[0036] In another embodiment, the axle heads can be so robustly mounted that the connecting tube is unnecessary to absorb larger forces on the support legs in the direction of travel. In this case, only the sliding tube needs to be long enough to rotate both support legs. If necessary, the sliding tube can also be sufficiently torsionally rigid to absorb the forces acting laterally to the direction of travel on the support attached to the pivot bearing opposite the one with the locking mechanism, which itself has no locking feature.

[0037] According to one embodiment, a connecting tube of a length appropriate to the vehicle length is connected to identical axle heads in a twist-proof manner. For example, screws, cotter pins, or clamping sleeves are used for this twist-proof connection. This embodiment offers the advantage that, on the one hand, less expensive and lighter tubing material can be used for most of the support leg's pivot axis extending from one leg to the other, and on the other hand, the more complex ends of the axis can be manufactured identically, regardless of the specific length of the support leg's pivot axis, or at least the front and rear ends.

[0038] The larger outer diameter of the axle heads, which is simply possible compared to the connecting tube, offers the advantage of smaller shear forces on the cams and smaller pressure loads on the edge of the cam holes of the support pivot axis at the same torque, as well as a smaller rotational angular play of the support pivot axis with the same play of the cams in the detent grooves.

[0039] Another advantage of the larger diameter of the axle heads is that it allows for a more stable connection between the approximately right-angled support legs. To easily achieve the necessary torsional rigidity of the connection between the pivot axis and the support leg, it is advisable to use a suitable profile and mating profile, e.g., a round bore / round tube perpendicular to the pivot axis or toothed profiles parallel to the pivot axis.

[0040] Because the ground beneath a stationary trailer can sometimes have a dip, the support legs must be somewhat shorter than they would be for perfectly level ground, without lifting the trailer's axle. Users who cannot tolerate any remaining tipping can benefit from at least one support leg that is adjustable in length.

[0041] Since the remaining length to be adjusted after the support legs are vertical is not large, a spindle in one of the support legs can be used to quickly compensate for the height difference.

[0042] As an alternative to the spindle mechanism, there are commercially available, one-handed clamping devices for nested tubes that can fix a lower support leg section against an upper one. When the support leg is vertically oriented downwards and the lower support leg section is released with the clamping lever, the now loose lower tube section falls by gravity to the point of contact on the ground, where it can be locked again with the clamping lever.

[0043] To retract the support leg, simply release the clamping lever and gently push down on the side of the vehicle on which the support leg is being operated. This will retract the loose tube, allowing it to be clamped securely. Simultaneous clamping and holding / tilting of the trailer is possible because the operator only needs one hand for each operation.

[0044] Another aspect of the invention relates to a vehicle. The vehicle has a tilt protection device according to the aspect of the invention described above or an embodiment thereof. Advantages and further developments of the vehicle according to this further aspect of the invention result from the advantages and further developments of the tilt protection device according to the aspect of the invention described above, and vice versa.

[0045] The following figures show an embodiment of the invention. They show: Fig. 1 schematically an embodiment of a vehicle according to the invention with an embodiment of a tilt protection device according to the invention in the park operating position with a view towards the vehicle axis; Fig. 2 schematically the exemplary embodiment as in Fig. 1 of a vehicle according to the invention with an embodiment of an inventive tilt protection device in driving position with a view in the direction of travel; Fig. 3 schematically a detailed view of the movable tube and a locking plate of a further embodiment of a tilt protection device according to the invention with a view towards the support pivot axis; Fig. 4 schematically a detailed view according to the Fig. 1 of a tilt protection device according to the invention with a viewing direction perpendicular to the support rotation axis; Fig. 5 schematically a detailed view of a further embodiment of a tilt protection device according to the invention with connecting tube; Fig. 6 schematically a detailed view of a further embodiment of a tilt protection device according to the invention with axle head sleeve; Fig. 7 schematically a detailed view of a further embodiment of a tilt protection device according to the invention with axle head sleeve, bearing angle and support leg; Fig. 8 schematically a complete view of another embodiment of a tilt protection device according to the invention with a viewing direction perpendicular to the support rotation axis;

[0046] The same reference symbols in the drawings indicate functionally equivalent elements.

[0047] Fig. Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a vehicle 13 with an embodiment of a tilt protection device 14. The vehicle 13 has a vehicle axle A1. The tilt protection device 14 has at least one pivot bearing 10, one support leg 11, and a tube 1 in the support pivot axis A2. The pivot bearings 10 for the support pivot axis 1 are located substantially far from the vehicle axle A1 under the vehicle floor such that the support pivot axis 1 is preferably oriented perpendicular to the vehicle axle A1. The support legs 11 are oriented vertically downwards towards the ground B in the parked operating position (tilt protection).

[0048] Fig. Figure 2 shows the embodiment from the Fig. 1, but in the direction of travel of the vehicle 13 and with support legs 11 which are not vertically downwards towards the ground B in a possible driving position, such as horizontally here.

[0049] Fig. Figure 3 shows an embodiment for the locking of the cams 2 of the tube 1 in the grooves 4 of the locking plate 3. The tube 1 is essentially axially centered with respect to the support rotation axis A2. The tube 1 may optionally be a solid tube; the cams 2 are preferably formed by a clamping sleeve inserted transversely into the tube 1, which preferably also represents the point of application for the return spring 5.

[0050] Fig. Figure 4 shows the exemplary embodiment from the Fig. 3 with a viewing direction perpendicular to the support rotation axis A2 with return spring 5, which pushes the cams 2 and thus the tube 1 towards the locking plate 3.

[0051] Fig. Figure 5 shows the previous embodiment supplemented by a connecting tube 6 with elongated holes 7 for the movable cams 2 in the tube 1 and a further clamping sleeve 8 inserted transversely into the connecting tube 6, which forms the counter bearing for the return spring 5.

[0052] Fig. Figure 6 shows the previous embodiment supplemented by an additional axle tube sleeve 9, which is torsionally rigidly connected to the connecting tube via the clamping sleeve 8 and to the tube 1 via the cams 2, which are slidable in the elongated holes 7. The axle tube sleeve 9 also includes the preferably round mating profile 15 for the preferably round support leg 11, which is preferably secured against displacement by means of a clamping sleeve 17 through the support leg mounting bore 16.

[0053] Fig. Figure 7 shows the previous embodiment complete with support head 12, pivot bearing 10, and support leg 11, in which the pivot bearing 10 and the locking plate 3 could also be made from a single piece. The preferably round support leg 11 is preferably fixed in the bore 15 of the axle head sleeve 9 by means of the clamping sleeve 17.

[0054] Fig. Figure 8 shows a complete anti-tipping device for both tipping directions with two support legs 11, 19 in the axle heads 12 at the ends of the connecting tube 6, mounted in the pivot bearings 10 and 12, rotatable about the support pivot axis A2. The pivot bracket 17, preferably bolted to the trailer floor, serves here together with the clamping sleeve 18 and the support leg 19 to tightly limit the axial play of the connecting tube 6, which also supports the return spring. Reference symbol list 1 pipe 2 cams 3 locking slot plate 4 locking grooves 5 Return spring 6 connecting pipe 7 longitudinal groove 8 Axle head fixing 9 Axle head sleeve 10 swivel bearings 11 Support leg 12 axle head 13 followers 14 Support device 15 support leg profile bore 16 support leg mounting holes 17 pivot bearing angles 18 clamping sleeve 19 Support leg A1 vehicle axle A2 Support pivot axis B Floor QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

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

[0000] DE 000002024095A

[0005]

Claims

[1] Anti-tip device for a single-axle vehicle, wherein the vehicle has one axle (A1), characterized by , that the anti-tip device has at least one pivot bearing (10), at least one support leg and at least one support pivot axis (A2), wherein a first pivot bearing and a first support leg are arranged in front of or behind the vehicle axle with respect to a direction of travel of the vehicle, wherein the at least one support leg is torsionally rigidly connected to the support pivot axis, wherein the at least one support leg can be fixed in at least one position for the anti-tip device substantially vertically downwards towards the ground and in at least one position for driving operation other than substantially vertically, in particular substantially horizontally, downwards. [2] Anti-tip device for a single-axle vehicle, wherein the vehicle has one axle (A1), characterized bythat the anti-tip device has at least two pivot bearings (10), at least two support legs and a support pivot axis (A2), wherein a first of the at least two pivot bearings and a first of the at least two support legs are arranged in front of the vehicle axle with respect to a direction of travel of the vehicle, wherein a second of the at least two pivot bearings and a second of the at least two support legs are arranged behind the vehicle axle with respect to the direction of travel, wherein the support pivot axis is oriented substantially perpendicular to the vehicle axle and substantially parallel to the direction of travel, wherein the at least two support legs are connected torsionally rigidly via the support pivot axis (A2), wherein the at least two support legs can be fixed in at least one position for the anti-tip device substantially vertically downwards and in at least one position for driving operation other than substantially vertically downwards, in particular substantially horizontally. [3] Anti-tip device for a single-axle vehicle, wherein the vehicle has one axle (A1), characterized bythat the anti-tip device has at least four pivot bearings (10), at least four support legs and two support pivot axes (A2), wherein two of the at least four support legs and two of the at least four pivot bearings are arranged in front of the vehicle axle with respect to one direction of travel of the vehicle, wherein two of the at least four pivot bearings and two of the at least four support legs are arranged behind the vehicle axle with respect to the direction of travel, wherein two of the at least four support legs and two of the at least four pivot bearings are arranged on the left with respect to one direction of travel of the vehicle, wherein two of the at least four pivot bearings and two of the at least four support legs are arranged on the right with respect to the direction of travel, wherein each pair of the at least four support legs is torsionally rigidly connected via a support pivot axis (A2),wherein the at least four support legs can be fixed in at least one position for tilt protection essentially vertically downwards and in at least one position for driving operation other than essentially vertically downwards, in particular essentially horizontally. [4] Tilt protection according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the support pivot axis (A2) has at least at a pivot bearing (10) a concentric, axially displaceable and rotatable tube (1) which can be connected to the pivot bearing in a substantially torsionally rigid manner by a displacement, wherein the axially displaceable tube has at least one radial cam (2), wherein the at least one radial cam can be engaged in at least one groove (4) of the pivot bearing (3) arranged to match the at least one cam by axial spring pressure or spring tension of a spring (5) on the displaceable tube in the direction of the at least one groove. [5] Tilt protection according to claim 4, characterized by , that the assignment of the cams and grooves to the components that support them is reversed. [6] Tilt protection according to one of claims 4 or 5, characterized by that the support pivot axis has several torsionally rigidly connected parts. [7] Tilt protection according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized by , that at least one axial end of the support pivot axis has an axle head which has the necessary elongated holes for the at least one cam of the movable tube or the at least one cam for the at least one groove of the movable tube. [8] Tilt protection according to claim 7, characterized by , that at least one axle head of the support pivot axis has a profile which, with a corresponding counter-profile in the respective support leg, forms a torsionally rigid connection of the support pivot axis of the axle tube with the support leg. [9] Tilt protection according to claim 8 characterized bythat the profile is preferably oriented parallel or perpendicular to an axis of rotation of the support legs. [10] Tilt protection according to one of the previous claims characterized by that the movable tube has one or more elongated holes stretched in the axial direction. [11] Tilt protection according to any of the preceding claims characterized by , that at least one support leg is adjustable in length. [12] Vehicle comprising a tilt protection device according to one of the preceding claims.

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