Mobile load transport device with simplified holding system.

Abstract

Mobile load transport device (1) comprising a platform (10) comprising movement means (11) in a main direction (X) on a ground, a first face (101) and a second face (102), both arranged on each side of the device (1) in the main direction (X), characterized in that the device (1) comprises on the first face (101) a projecting zone (12) extending in the main direction (X) and on the second face (102) a hollow zone (13) in the main direction (X), the hollow zone (13) and the projecting zone (12) being of complementary shape, aligned in the main direction (X). Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Mobile load transport device with simplified holding system.

[0001] The invention relates to a mobile load transport device, a platform intended to transport several of these mobile devices, an assembly comprising such a platform loaded with several of these devices, as well as a vehicle comprising such an assembly.

[0002] In order to transport loads, it is known to produce containers placed on rollers so that they can be moved on the ground. In order to transport several of these containers at the same time, it is also known to propose vehicles or trailers comprising a platform arranged to receive such containers. In order to be able to mount said containers on the platform, the vehicle or trailer comprises a ramp having an unfolded position in which said ramp extends between the platform and the ground, and a folded position in which this ramp is raised, for example vertically in front of the platform. In order to maintain the containers on the platform while the vehicle or trailer is moving, means for maintaining the containers are provided.

[0003] Document US-A1-20140205404 describes a vehicle comprising a platform receiving wheeled containers, and a ramp movable between a deployed position in which it forms a surface between the platform and the ground so as to allow the loading or unloading of the containers by rolling them on the ramp, and a folded position in which the ramp is vertical, on the edge of the platform and forms a wall retaining the containers loaded on said platform. The ramp pivots around an axis located on one of the edges of the platform. Chocks located on the surface of the platform immobilize containers at the level of their wheels. Document US-B1-7506879 describes a vehicle comprising a platform capable of receiving wheeled containers. The platform comprises a raised part with movable hooks which in a first position hook onto the containers, so as to hold them, and in another position are detached from the containers.

[0004] The disadvantage of such a solution is that it is necessary to manipulate the hooks to move from a situation where the containers are held to a situation where the containers can be moved. The manipulation is time-consuming and must be carried out precisely to ensure that the hooks are correctly positioned. Another disadvantage is that if the hooks are forgotten to be positioned, no support is ensured. In addition, it requires that the platform transporting the containers be equipped with suitable hooks.

[0005] The objective of the invention is to overcome these drawbacks. In particular, one of the aims of the invention is to propose load transport devices capable of ensuring support between them when they are loaded onto a platform in order to move them together while reducing handling.

[0006] This object is achieved according to the invention, thanks to a mobile load transport device comprising a platform comprising means for moving in a main direction on a ground, a first face and a second face, both arranged on each side of the device in the main direction, remarkable in that the device comprises on the first face a projecting zone extending in the main direction and on the second face a hollow zone in the main direction, the hollow zone and the projecting zone being of complementary shape, aligned in the main direction, so that the projecting zone of a first device fits into the hollow zone of a second device when two devices are aligned in the main direction with the first face of the first device facing the second face of the second device.

[0007] Thus advantageously, by placing two identical devices against each other in the main direction, the first face of a first device against the second face of a second device, the projecting area of ​​the first face of the first device is inserted into the hollow area of ​​the second face of the second device, and cooperate together to allow maintenance in at least one direction perpendicular to the main direction. By installing stops on each side of the devices thus stacked, one with a hollow in which the projecting area of ​​the first face of the second device is inserted and the other with a projecting part inserted into the hollow area of ​​the second face of the first device, the two devices are maintained in the main direction and a direction perpendicular to the main direction, or even in a third direction perpendicular to the other two.This holding is achieved simply, without the need for handling hooks, only by stacking the devices against each other in the main direction.

[0008] In a particular embodiment of the invention, the recessed area and the protruding area have a wedge-shaped section, such that the top of the protruding area is narrower than the base of said protruding area at the first face, and the bottom of the recessed area is narrower than the entrance to the recessed area, the entrance to the recessed area being wider than the top of the protruding area, the entrance to the recessed area being the mouth of the recess at the second face.

[0009] The wedge shape is interpreted as a shape narrowing towards its top for the projecting area, and towards the bottom for the hollow area, in the manner of a triangle or a trapezoid. Thus advantageously, the introduction of the projecting area into the recessed area when bringing two devices together is more reliable: even in the event of misalignment, the top of the protruding area of ​​one device will fit into the recessed area of ​​another device due to the greater width of the entrance to said recessed area. The wedge shape then ensures alignment and keeps the two devices against each other without play.

[0010] In another embodiment of the invention, the protruding area and the recessed area are arranged on the platform.

[0011] Thus advantageously, whatever the elements arranged on the platform, several devices can be stacked against each other with the protruding zones inserting into the hollow zones to ensure the devices are held together. For example, a first device comprising vertical walls on the platform to form a closed container can thus cooperate with a second device comprising only a single platform on which a load is directly placed.

[0012] In another embodiment of the invention, the device comprises a loading volume delimited by partitions extending substantially vertically above the platform. Preferably, the recessed area and the projecting area are on the platform.

[0013] Thus advantageously, the device forms a container comprising a loading volume not protruding from the platform in horizontal directions perpendicular to the vertical direction. Several small loads can be stored there without them falling outside the container.

[0014] In another embodiment of the invention, the device comprises on the first and second faces a hollow zone and a projecting zone, arranged symmetrically with respect to a vertical plane median to the first and second faces and parallel to the main direction, the vertical direction being a direction perpendicular to the main direction and to a flat surface on which the device rests by its displacement means, the projecting zone and the hollow zone of the first face being respectively aligned along the main direction with the hollow zone and the projecting zone of the second face, the hollow zones being identical to each other and the projecting zones identical to each other, the hollow zones being of a shape complementary to the projecting zones.

[0015] Thus advantageously, it is not necessary to check the direction in which several devices are placed against each other, the first face of one device against the second face of another device. Indeed, the presence of protruding and recessed zones on the same face and their identical arrangement on the first face and the second face allow cooperation of these zones whatever the stacking direction in the main direction.

[0016] In another embodiment of the invention, the moving means comprises at least three wheels, preferably four wheels.

[0017] The invention also relates to a tray intended to transport devices as described above on a loading surface, the devices being aligned in the main direction, the tray comprising two stops arranged spaced apart from each other in the main direction, one of the stops comprising at least one projecting zone and the other stop a hollow zone, at least one of the stops being movable, so as to allow the installation of at least two devices between said stops.

[0018] In a particular embodiment of the invention, the platform comprises a ramp movable between an unfolded position forming a loading ramp between the ground and the loading surface of the platform, extending from an edge of said loading surface, and a raised position in which the ramp is arranged substantially perpendicular to the loading surface, the ramp in the raised position being arranged opposite the fixed stop in the main direction, the movable stop being arranged on the ramp so as to be aligned with the fixed stop in the main direction with the ramp in the raised position.

[0019] Thus advantageously, the tray is able to transport several devices at the same time, held effectively, without significant handling. The presence of the ramp makes it possible to create support by placing said ramp in the raised position and inserting the hollow and protruding areas of the devices between them.

[0020] The invention also relates to an assembly comprising a tray and several loading devices as described previously loaded on the tray and aligned in the main direction, the first face of a device being against the second face of another device, the fixed stop being against one of the faces of the device located at one of the ends of the alignment of devices and the movable stop against the other face of the device located at the other end of said alignment of devices.

[0021] The invention also relates to a vehicle comprising a platform or an assembly as described above. By vehicle is meant a motor vehicle or a vehicle towed by another motorized vehicle such as a trailer, or even a motorized or non-motorized handling trolley.

[0022] The invention will be better understood on reading the following description, given solely by way of example and with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

[0023] [Fig-1] represents a view of several devices according to the invention stacked according to a main steering on a vehicle.

[0024] [Fig.2] represents a perspective view of one of the faces of a following device the invention.

[0025] [Fig.3] represents a side view of a device according to the invention.

[0026] [Fig.4] shows a side view similar to [Fig.3], the device being against a fixed stop.

[0027] [Fig.5] represents a view of an assembly comprising a device according to the figures previous ones and an access ramp to a plateau in a first configuration.

[0028] [Fig.6] represents a view of the whole of [Fig.5] with the access ramp to the tray in a second configuration.

[0029] [Fig.7] illustrates two devices in top view in an alternative embodiment.

[0030] The drawings are schematic representations to facilitate understanding of the invention. The components are not necessarily shown to scale. The same references correspond to the same components from one figure to another.

[0031] [Fig.l] illustrates an assembly comprising a platform 2 with a loading surface 20 on which several mobile load transport devices 1 are placed against each other. The platform 2 is for example a part of a trailer or a motor vehicle. Each device 1 comprises a platform 10 comprising movement means 11 in a main direction X on a floor, such as wheels 11, a first face 101 and a second face 102. The two faces 101 and 102 are arranged on each side of the device 1 in the main direction X. The device 1 comprises on the first face 101 a projecting zone 12 extending in the main direction X and on the second face 102 a hollow zone 13 in the main direction X. The hollow zone 13 and the projecting zone 12 are of complementary shape, aligned in the main direction X. That is to say, as illustrated in [Fig.l], the protruding zone 12 of a first device 1 is inserted into the hollow zone 13 of a second device 1 when two devices are arranged against each other, the first face 101 of the first device 1 facing the second face 102 of the second device 1 and the devices 1 aligned along the main direction X.

[0032] As illustrated more precisely in [Fig. 2] and 3, the recessed area 13 and the protruding area 12 have a wedge-shaped section, such that the top of the protruding area 12 is narrower than the base of said protruding area 12 at the first face 101, and the bottom of the recessed area 13 is narrower than the entrance to the recessed area 13, the entrance to the recessed area 13 being wider than the top of the protruding area 12. The entrance to the recessed area 13 corresponds to the mouth of the recessed area 13 at the second face 102. For example, the section of the protruding area 12 in a vertical plane and in a horizontal plane is of isosceles trapezoidal shape, the horizontal plane being a plane parallel to the ground on which the device 1 rests, the vertical direction being perpendicular to the horizontal plane. In Figures 2 to 6, the recessed area 13 and the protruding area 12 extend horizontally along of the second wall 102 and of the first wall 101, that is to say in a transverse direction Y perpendicular to the main direction X and the vertical direction Z. Alternatively, the projecting zone 12 is conical in shape. The projecting part is, by way of example and in a non-limiting manner, made of rubber, or as a variant made from the material of a part of the device 1, such as for example the platform.

[0033] As indicated previously, the protruding zone 12 of the first face 101 of a device 1 and the recessed zone 13 located on the second face 102 of the same device 1 are aligned along the main axis X. Thus, by stacking several devices 1 along this main direction X, the first face 101 of a first device 1 against the second face 102 of a second neighboring device 1, the protruding zone 12 of the first device is inserted into the recessed zone 13 of the second device 1 directly, during stacking, as illustrated in [Fig.l].

[0034] The wedge shape allows insertion of the protruding area 12 into the protruding area 13 even when the two areas 12 and 13 are not correctly aligned, and to create the alignment at the time of insertion.

[0035] The height of the protruding area 12, that is to say the dimension of the protrusion relative to the first face 101 along the main direction X, is greater than the depth of the recessed area 13, in order to generate a spacing between two devices 1 located against each other and to prevent their faces 101 and 102 from being against each other. In other words, two devices 1 stacked against each other only touch at the level of the protruding area 12 of one of the devices 1 inserted in the recessed area 13 of the other device 1.

[0036] In the devices 1 illustrated in Figures 1 to 6, the projecting area 12 and the recessed area 13 are arranged on the platform 10. The devices 1 comprise a loading volume delimited by partitions extending substantially vertically above the platform 10. The partitions delimit a loading volume which can be closed in the upper part, opposite the platform 10, by a horizontal closing wall. One or more doors can be provided to close the loading volume. In another variant, the loading volume comprises compartments each closed by specific doors, or comprises shelves.

[0037] In the embodiment variant presented in [Fig. 7], the device 1 comprises, in an identical manner, on its first face 101 and its second face 102 a hollow zone 13a and a projecting zone 12a. These zones 12a, 13a are arranged symmetrically with respect to a vertical plane median to the first face 101 and the second face 102, said vertical median plane being parallel to the main direction X. The projecting zone 12a and the hollow zone 13a of the first face 101 are aligned respectively along the main direction X with the hollow zone 13b and the projecting zone 12b of the second face 102. These hollow zones 13a, 13b are identical to each other and the protruding areas 12a, 12b are also identical to each other. The recessed areas 13a, 13b are of complementary shape to the protruding areas 12a, 12b. In other words, the protruding area 12a of the first face 101 is able to be inserted into the recessed area 13b of the second face 102, and the protruding area 12b of the second face 102 is able to be inserted into the recessed area 13a of the first face 101. Thus, two devices 1 can be stacked against each other, the first face 101 of one of the devices 1 indifferently against the first face 101 or the second face 102 of another device 1, the faces were identical at the level of the protruding areas 12a, 12b and recessed areas 13a, 13b. In this variant, when loading several devices 1 onto the tray 20, it is therefore not necessary to orient said devices 1 so as to have the first face 101 of a device 1 against the second face 102 of another device 1.

[0038] As illustrated in figures 1, 4 and 6, the plate 2 comprises two stops 21, 24 spaced apart from each other in the main direction X, so as to allow several devices 1 to be placed between these two stops 21 and 24. One of the stops comprises a projecting zone and the other stop a hollow zone 22, and at least one of the stops 24 is movable. In the figures, the movable stop 24 comprises a projecting zone arranged so as to be inserted into the hollow zone 13 of a device 1. The movable stop 24 is movable between a holding position in which its projecting zone is in the hollow zone 13 of the device 1, as illustrated in [Fig.6], so as to hold said device 1, and a free position in which the movable stop 24 is outside the hollow zone 13 of the device 1 as illustrated in [Fig.5].In Figures 5 and 6, the platform 2 comprises a ramp 23 movable between an unfolded position forming a loading ramp between the ground and the loading surface 20 of the platform 2 and a raised position in which the ramp 23 is arranged substantially perpendicular to the loading surface 20. In the embodiment presented in Figures 5 and 6, the ramp 23 pivots around an axis arranged on the edge of the loading platform 20, in the transverse direction Y.

[0039] In the unfolded position illustrated in [Fig. 5], the ramp 23 extends from an edge of the loading surface 20 towards the ground. This position allows loading or unloading of the devices 1 by rolling them between the ground and the loading surface 20. In the raised position illustrated in [Fig. 3], the ramp 23 creates a barrier in front of the devices 1, preventing them from descending from the loading surface 20. The movable stop 24 is arranged on the ramp 23 so that when said ramp 23 is in the raised position, the projecting zone of this movable stop 24 is inserted into the hollow zone 13 of the device 1 loaded on the loading surface 20, opposite said ramp 23. The projecting part of this movable stop 24 is for example made of elastic material, such as rubber. The fixed stop 21 is arranged on the loading surface 20, opposite the movable stop 24 when the ramp 23 is in raised position. It comprises a recessed area 22. When loading several devices 1 onto the tray 2, the first loaded device 1 is moved in the main direction X until it comes against the fixed stop 21, the first face 101 facing said fixed stop 21, so that the projecting area 12 of the device fits into the recessed area 22 of the fixed stop 21. The fixed stop 21 is for example fixed to the loading surface 20.

[0040] Alternatively, the ramp 23 may have a more complex movement, combining a vertical translation movement and a rotation movement around an axis parallel to the transverse direction Y.

[0041] Once all the devices 1 have been loaded onto the loading surface, the movement of the ramp 23 towards the raised position pushes the devices 1 against each other and against the fixed stop 21, and the projecting area located on the ramp 23 is inserted into the hollow area 13 of the last device 1 loaded: the stacking of the devices is thus maintained without the need for fixing means to be manipulated on each device 1. In the embodiment described in the figures, the movable stop 24 comprises the projecting area and the fixed stop 21 the hollow area 22. Alternatively, the reverse could be achieved, namely a hollow area for the movable stop and a projecting area on the fixed stop. In another variant not shown, the fixed stop 21 and the movable stop 24 may comprise a projecting area and a hollow area so as to cooperate with devices 1 as shown in [Fig.7].

[0042] In order to allow the devices 1 to rise on the ramp 23 without being hindered by the projecting zone of the movable stop 24 arranged on said ramp 23, the width of this projecting zone, perpendicular to the direction of movement of the devices on this ramp 23 during loading, is less than the spacing of the wheels 11 between them so that said projecting zone passes between its wheels 11, when the devices 1 have four wheels.

[0043] In a variant not shown, the movable stop 24 can be installed on an arm movable relative to the loading surface 20 or a removable support fixed to the platform 2.

[0044] The assembly formed by the platform 2, the stops 21 and 24 as well as the devices 1 loaded on the platform makes it possible to transport several devices 1 together at once. For example, a vehicle comprising such an assembly makes it possible to transport several devices 1 by road. Here, the term “vehicle” means a motor vehicle, such as a truck, or a towed vehicle such as a trailer.

Claims

Claims

1. Tray (2) intended to transport mobile load transport devices (1) on a loading surface (20), the devices (1) each comprising a platform (10) comprising movement means (11) in a main direction (X) on a floor, a first face (101) and a second face (102), both arranged on each side of the device (1) in the main direction (X), the device (1) comprising on the first face (101) a projecting zone (12) extending in the main direction (X) and on the second face (102) a hollow zone (13) in the main direction (X), the hollow zone (13) and the projecting zone (12) being of complementary shape, aligned in the main direction (X),so that the projecting area (12) of a first device (1) fits into the recessed area (13) of a second device (1) when two devices (1) are aligned along the main direction (X) with the first face (101) of the first device (1) facing the second face (102) of the second device (1), the devices (1) being aligned along the main direction (X), the plate (2) comprising two stops (21, 24) spaced apart from each other along the main direction (X), one of the stops comprising at least one projecting area and the other stop a recessed area (22), at least one of the stops (24) being movable, so as to allow the installation of at least two devices (1) between said stops (21, 24), characterized in that it comprises a movable ramp (23) between an unfolded position forming a ramp of loading between the ground and the loading surface (20) of the tray (2), extending from an edge of said loading surface (20),and a raised position in which the ramp (23) is arranged substantially perpendicular to the loading surface (20), the ramp (23) in the raised position being arranged opposite the fixed stop (21) in the main direction (X), the movable stop (24) being arranged on the ramp (23) so as to be aligned with the fixed stop (21) in the main direction (X) with the ramp (23) in the raised position.

2. Assembly comprising a tray (2) according to the preceding claim and several devices (1) for loading on said tray (2) and aligned in the main direction (X), each device (1) comprising a platform (10) comprising movement means (11) in a main direction (X) on a floor, a first face (101) and a second face (102), both arranged on each side of the device (1) in the main direction (X), the device (1) comprising on the first face (101) a projecting zone (12) extending in the main direction (X) and on the second face (102) a hollow zone (13) in the main direction (X), the hollow zone (13) and the projecting zone (12) being of complementary shape, aligned in the main direction (X), so that the projecting zone (12) of a first device (1) fits into the hollow zone (13) of a second device (1) when two devices (1) are aligned in the main direction (X) with the first face (101) of the first device (1) in with respect to the second face (102) of the second device (1),the first face (101) of a device (1) being against the second face (102) of another device (1), the fixed stop (21) being against one of the faces of the device (1) located at one of the ends of the alignment of devices (1) and the movable stop (24) against the other face of the device (1) located at the other end of said alignment of devices (1).,

3. An assembly according to the preceding claim, wherein the recessed area (13) and the projecting area (12) of each device (1) have a wedge-shaped section, such that the top of the projecting area (12) is narrower than the base of said projecting area (12) at the first face (101), and the bottom of the recessed area (13) is narrower than the entrance to the recessed area (13), the entrance to the recessed area (13) being wider than the top of the projecting area (12), the entrance to the recessed area (13) being the mouth of the recessed area at the second face (102).

4. Assembly according to one of claims 2 or 3, the projecting zone (12) and the hollow zone (13) of which are arranged on the platform (10) of each device (1).

5. Assembly according to one of claims 2 to 4, the devices (1) of which each comprise a loading volume delimited by partitions extending substantially vertically above the platform (10).

6. Assembly according to one of claims 2 to 5, each device (1) of which comprises on the first (101) and the second

7.

8. face (102) a recessed area (13a) and a projecting area (12a), arranged symmetrically with respect to a vertical plane median to the first face (101) and to the second face (102), and parallel to the main direction (X), the vertical direction (Z) being a direction perpendicular to the main direction (X) and to a flat surface on which the device rests by its displacement means (11), the projecting area (12a) and the recessed area (13a) of the first face (101) being respectively aligned along the main direction (X) with the recessed area (13b) and the projecting area (12b) of the second face (102), the recessed areas (13a, 13b) being identical to each other and the projecting areas (12a, 12b) identical to each other, the recessed areas (13a, 13b) being of a shape complementary to the projecting areas (12a, 12b). Assembly according to one of claims 2 to 6, each displacement means (11) of which comprises at least three wheels, preferably four wheels. Vehicle comprising a platform according to claim 1, or an assembly according to one of claims 2 to 7.

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