TRAILER FOR TRANSPORTING A LOAD SUCH AS ONE OR MORE PALLET(S) INCLUDING A LOADING PLATFORM WITH INCLINED SURFACE(S)

Abstract

The invention relates to a trailer (1) for transporting a load such as one or more pallets, comprising a chassis (3) mounted on wheels, a loading platform (4) for supporting the load, the platform being fixedly mounted on the chassis (3) and comprising a main section (40) for supporting the load extended by an end section (41) inclined downwards at an angle of inclination between 5 degrees and 18 degrees relative to the chassis (3), the trailer (1) further comprising an auxiliary ramp (5) integral with the chassis (3) having an angle of inclination identical or substantially similar to that of the angle of inclination of the end section (41). Figure to be published with the abstract: Fig. 2

Description

Title of the invention: TRAILER FOR TRANSPORTING A LOAD SUCH AS ONE OR MORE PALLETS COMPRISING A LOADING PLATFORM WITH INCLINED SURFACE(S) TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of towed vehicles.

[0002] The invention relates more particularly to a trailer for transporting a load comprising a chassis mounted on wheels, a loading platform mounted fixedly on the chassis, and means for holding the load on the platform and controlling its ascent and descent from the platform.

[0003] In the present application, the term "trailer" means any assembly that can be pulled by hand, attached to a locomotion device, whether motorized or not, or constituting an integral part of a locomotion device.

[0004] The trailer is intended in particular, but not exclusively, for the transport of loads such as pallets, containers, for their loading and their placing on the ground. STATE OF THE ART

[0005] Patent application FR2552037 discloses a trailer for transporting boats. The trailer comprises a chassis mounted on wheels and topped with an articulated platform intended to support the boat. The boat is unloaded by tilting the platform, the boat being held downhill using a cable operated by a winch.

[0006] The trailer of patent application FR2552037, however, presents a problem of depositing the load on the ground. Indeed, if launching the boat into the water does not present any difficulty, this is not the case in the context of depositing it directly on the ground or on a support where the end of depositing can prove problematic or even impossible depending on the load transported.

[0007] Another problem is also the length of the platform required to allow the load to be deposited, which platform protrudes significantly from the chassis. This therefore leads to a bulky trailer that is not suitable for travel in certain environments, particularly in urban and peri-urban areas.

[0008] The tilting mechanism implemented also requires the provision of a suitable chassis, which does not allow adaptation to standard trailers.

[0009] The invention aims to remedy these problems by proposing a trailer allowing the simple, rapid and effortless loading and unloading of loads such as than pallets, containers, or any similar load, without the use of additional tools.

[0010] The aim of the invention is also to propose a trailer offering moderate bulk in order to allow its use in any environment, and in particular in urban and semi-urban environments.

[0011] The aim of the invention is also to propose an assembly allowing the loading and unloading of a load which is adaptable to standard trailer chassis. SUBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0012] To this end, and according to a first aspect, the invention proposes a trailer for transporting a load such as one or more pallets, comprising a chassis mounted on wheels, a loading platform surmounting the chassis, the trailer being remarkable in that the loading platform, fixedly mounted on the chassis, comprises a main section intended to support the load, extended by a terminal section inclined downwards following a slope whose angle of inclination is between 5 degrees and 18 degrees relative to the chassis and in that it comprises an auxiliary ramp secured to the chassis having a slope whose angle of inclination is identical or substantially similar to that of the slope of inclination of the terminal section.

[0013] The ramp secured to the chassis is designated as an auxiliary ramp in relation to the terminal section of the loading platform which defines a section also forming a ramp.

[0014] Advantageously, the main section has a downward inclination towards the terminal section at an angle of inclination relative to the chassis less than the slope of the terminal section.

[0015] Advantageously, the loading platform has a dimensioning such that the terminal section extends to the periphery of the chassis or in the vicinity thereof.

[0016] Advantageously, the terminal section has a slope whose angle of inclination is between 10 degrees and 16 degrees, and preferably is of the order of 13 degrees relative to the chassis.

[0017] Advantageously, the loading platform comprises a plurality of load drive rollers which are mounted to rotate freely around axes transverse to the longitudinal axis of the chassis.

[0018] Advantageously, the auxiliary ramp comprises rollers for guiding the pallet.

[0019] Advantageously, the auxiliary ramp is mounted to be able to rotate relative to the chassis so as to move from a raised position to a deployed position.

[0020] Advantageously, the trailer comprises means for retaining the pallet on the loading platform making it possible to control its loading and unloading from the platform as well as its loading onto the platform.

[0021] Advantageously, the retaining means comprise, when the load is a pallet, a retaining profile intended to be coupled to the pallet when the latter is unloaded. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0022] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from the detailed description of the invention which follows with reference to the appended figures and in which:

[0023] [Fig. 1] [Fig. 1] represents a front perspective view of a trailer for transporting at least one pallet according to the invention;

[0024] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] represents a rear perspective view of the trailer of [Fig.l];

[0025] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] represents a detailed view of the load plate;

[0026] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] represents a detailed view of the ramp;

[0027] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] represents the stages of unloading the trailer of [Fig.l].

[0028] In the following, the terms front and rear are defined in relation to the trailer. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] In relation to figures 1 to 5, an example of embodiment of a trailer 1 for transporting a load is described, in the example described a pallet 2.

[0030] The trailer 1 comprises a chassis 3 mounted on wheels, a loading platform 4 intended to support the load, said platform being placed on the chassis 3, an auxiliary ramp 5 for the pallet 2 and means 6 for retaining the pallet during its unloading.

[0031] The loading platform 4 is fixedly mounted on the chassis 3. It comprises a main section 40 intended to support the pallet 2, extended by an end section 41 inclined downwards in the opposite direction from the main section 40. The end section 41 thus forms a ramp facilitating the unloading of the pallet 2 from the platform 4, and respectively the loading of the pallet 2 onto the platform 4. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the loading platform 4 has a dimensioning such that the end section 41 extends to the periphery of the chassis or in the vicinity thereof.

[0032] In the illustrated embodiment, the end section 41 is provided to allow unloading at the rear of the chassis 3 of the trailer 1 (respectively loading from the rear of the chassis 3). It is of course obvious that this is an exemplary embodiment and that an arrangement of the platform 4 can be provided so that the loading and unloading are carried out by one of the sides of the chassis 3. In this case, the terminal section 41 will be provided to laterally border the main section 40 of the platform.

[0033] Advantageously, the terminal section 41 has a slope, called the loading / unloading slope, the angle of inclination of which is between 5 degrees and 18 degrees relative to the chassis 3, preferably between 10 degrees and 16 degrees, and preferably of the order of 13 degrees relative to the chassis 3. [Fig. 3] illustrates examples of loading / unloading slopes and associated horizontal distances between the rear edge 41A of the terminal section 41 and the contact points 101 on the ground 100 or on the unloading surface. The angle of inclination is shown in [Fig. 3] relative to a horizontal plane (ground 100) in order to facilitate its representation.We understand that it will be identical with the chassis taken as a reference, and this whether the trailer is on sloping ground or on horizontal ground.

[0034] In the illustrated embodiment, the loading tray 4 comprises a transverse groove 42 extending between its two lateral edges, said groove being interposed between the main section 40 and the terminal section 4L. The transverse groove 42 thus advantageously offers a storage space. The front edge 41B of the terminal section 41 is advantageously arranged at a lower level than the rear edge 40A of the main section 40.

[0035] The loading platform 4 further comprises a plurality of load drive rollers 7 which are mounted to rotate freely around axes transverse to the longitudinal axis of the chassis 3. The drive rollers 7 are located in openings made in the platform 4, projecting from the upper surface of the latter.

[0036] According to an advantageous embodiment, the loading platform comprises cable guide rollers (not shown), in the shape of a diabolo for example, to guide the cable when loading or unloading the pallet.

[0037] The drive rollers 7 are advantageously arranged on the main section 40 so as to have a series of rollers distributed along the lateral edges of the loading plate 4 and a series of rollers distributed along the central axis of the plate 4. In the example illustrated, the drive rollers 7 located along the central axis are offset from the drive rollers 7 located along the lateral edges of the plate, while the drive rollers 7 located along the lateral edges are arranged symmetrically with respect to the central axis.

[0038] The terminal section 41 also comprises drive rollers 7, in example three, each arranged in alignment with a series of the drive rollers 7 of the main section 40.

[0039] In order to facilitate the sliding of the pallet 2 during its unloading, the main section 40 has a downward inclination towards the section terminal 41 at an angle of inclination relative to the chassis 3 less than the angle of inclination of the discharge slope. Advantageously, the angle of inclination of the main section 40 relative to the chassis 3 is of the order of 5 degrees.

[0040] The auxiliary ramp 5 is fixed to the rear of the chassis 3 and is advantageously mounted to be movable in rotation relative to the latter so as to pass from a raised position (Figures 1 and 4) to a deployed position in which the auxiliary ramp extends in a plane substantially coplanar with that of the terminal section 41 of the loading platform 4 (Figures 2 and 5). Thus, the loading / unloading slope has an angle of inclination also between 5 degrees and 18 degrees relative to the chassis, or relative to the support onto which the pallet is to be unloaded, advantageously between 10 degrees and 16 degrees, and preferably of the order of 13 degrees.

[0041] The ramp 5 thus has the function of assisting the pallet 2 during its descent and of maintaining the slope previously induced by the terminal section 41 of the loading platform 4. In the same way, by its arrangement with the terminal section 41, of facilitating the loading of the pallet onto the loading platform 4.

[0042] In the example illustrated, the ramp 5 comprises two fixing arms 50 connected to each other by an arrangement of transverse spacers supporting three series of guide rollers 8, each series comprising three guide rollers arranged behind the others at a determined distance, said rollers being mounted to move freely in rotation along transverse axes, each series of rollers being located to extend in alignment with the series of drive rollers 7 of the loading platform 4 when the ramp 5 is in the deployed position.

[0043] The two fixing arms 50, advantageously provided with rollers 52, are fixed so as to be able to rotate to the end section 41 to allow the passage from a raised position to a deployed position and vice versa. In the example illustrated in [Fig.4], the ramp 5 is fixed to the end section 41 by means of two connecting brackets 9, 10 connected to each other by a pivot connection 11, one of the brackets 9 being fixed to the end section 41 of the platform 4, the other bracket 10 being connected to the fixing arm 50. The distance between the ramp 5 and the end section 41 must be chosen to present a distance less than the length of the pallet 2 to be unloaded.

[0044] The means 6 for controlling the descent of the loading pallet comprise, as illustrated in [Fig. 5], a cable 60 connected to a winch 61 preferably mounted on the front part of the trailer 1, said cable being intended to be fixed to the front part of the pallet 2. The winch 61 is preferably motorized.

[0045] In order to reinforce the control of the ascent and descent of the pallet 2, a retaining profile 12 is provided intended to be placed under the surface of the pallet 2, in the space delimited by the surface of the pallet 2 and the feet thereof, the retaining profile comprising a handle 13.

[0046] [Fig.5] shows the steps of unloading and placing the pallet on the ground. During unloading, the auxiliary lowering system 5 is lowered and placed in its deployed position and the winch 61 is actuated. Under the action of its mass and the inclination of the main section 40, the pallet 2 is driven towards the rear of the trailer 1, towards the terminal section 4L. The pallet being held by the cable 60, its drive is controlled. The pallet 2 then tilts and pivots on the rear edge of the main section 40 and tilts onto the terminal section 41 and continues its movement to reach the ramp 5 ([Fig.5] - (b)). The descent of the pallet 2 continues until it reaches the ground or the unloading support ([Fig.5] - (c)). Once the ground or the unloading support has been reached by pallet 2, the trailer 1 is moved forward until the pallet 2 is completely placed on the ground (or unloading support) (([Fig.5] - (d) to (f)).

[0047] [Fig. 5] illustrates a trailer in the context of unloading a pallet. It is of course obvious that the trailer and the constituent elements of this trailer will be used in the same way in the context of loading a pallet.

[0048] Furthermore, although only one pallet is shown in the figures, the invention is not limited to the transport / loading / unloading of one pallet, the trailer being able to be used for the transport / loading / unloading of a plurality of pallets.

[0049] Similarly, although the foregoing description relates to a trailer for transporting, loading and unloading pallet(s), it is of course obvious that the invention is not limited to this single type of load, and that it can be implemented for loading and unloading any other type of product.

[0050] The invention is described in the above by way of example. It is understood that a person skilled in the art is able to carry out different variant embodiments of the invention without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

Claims

1. Trailer (1) for transporting a load such as one or more pallets, comprising - a chassis (3) mounted on wheels, - a loading platform (4) intended to support the load, said loading platform (4) fixedly surmounting the chassis (3) comprising a main section (40) intended to support the load, extended by an end section (41) inclined downwards following a slope whose angle of inclination is between 5 degrees and 18 degrees relative to the chassis (3), and - an auxiliary ramp (5) integral with the chassis (3) having a slope whose angle of inclination is identical or substantially similar to that of the slope of the end section (41) characterized in that the main section (40) has a downward inclination towards the end section (41) at an angle of inclination relative to the chassis (3) less than the slope of the end section.

2. Trailer (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the loading platform (4) has a dimensioning such that the terminal section (41) extends to the periphery of the chassis (3) or in the vicinity thereof.

3. Trailer (1) according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the end section (41) has a slope whose angle of inclination is between 10 degrees and 16 degrees, and preferably is of the order of 13 degrees relative to the chassis (3).

4. Trailer (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the loading platform (4) comprises a plurality of load drive rollers which are mounted to rotate freely around axes transverse to the longitudinal axis of the chassis (3).

5. Trailer (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the auxiliary ramp (5) comprises rollers for guiding the pallet.

6. Trailer (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the auxiliary ramp (5) is mounted to be movable in rotation relative to the chassis (2) so as to move from a raised position to a deployed position.

7. Trailer (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises means (6) for retaining the pallet on the loading platform (4) making it possible to control its loading and unloading from the platform.

8. Trailer (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the retaining means (6) comprise, when the load is a pallet, a retaining profile intended to be coupled to the pallet when the latter is unloaded.

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