Mobile load transport device with simplified support system

Abstract

A platform for transporting mobile devices includes a first hook (31) that rotates about an axis (33) parallel to the plane of the platform between an unlocked position and a locked position. When the rod (23) of a device is positioned above the hook in the unlocked position, and the hook is moved to the locked position, the hook catches the rod (23) of the device and applies a force directed towards the platform, thus locking the device in position. A mobile device and a motor vehicle comprising the platform are also described. Figure to be published with the abbreviation: Fig 4

Description

Title of the invention: Mobile load-carrying device with simplified retention system. Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a mobile load transport device, a platform for transporting at least one of these mobile devices, an assembly comprising such a platform loaded with at least one of these devices, and a vehicle comprising such an assembly. State of the art

[0002] To transport loads, it is known to manufacture containers mounted on casters so that they can be moved on the ground. To transport several of these containers at the same time, it is also known to provide vehicles or trailers with a platform designed to receive such containers. To load the containers onto the platform, the vehicle or trailer has an access ramp having a deployed position in which the ramp extends between the platform and the ground, and a retracted position in which the ramp is raised, for example, vertically above the platform. To keep the containers on the platform while the vehicle or trailer is moving, container securing means are provided.

[0003] US patent 2014 / 0205404 describes a vehicle comprising a platform for wheeled containers and a ramp that can be moved between a deployed position, in which it forms a surface between the platform and the ground to allow the containers to be loaded or unloaded by rolling them onto the ramp, and a folded position, in which the ramp is vertical, on the edge of the platform, and forms a wall to retain the containers loaded onto the platform. The ramp pivots about an axis located on one of the edges of the platform. Chocks located on the surface of the platform immobilize the containers at the level of their wheels.

[0004] US patent 7506879 describes a vehicle comprising a platform adapted to receive wheeled containers. The platform has a raised section with movable hooks which, in a first position, hook onto the containers to hold them in place, and in another position are detached from the containers.

[0005] Finally, document CN107444229 describes a load transport vehicle for transporting multi-axle trolleys. The vehicle includes a lashing hook for hoisting the trolleys into the vehicle. The trolleys are secured to the vehicle's platform by means of jacks that engage in holes in the trolleys.

[0006] All these solutions for securing trolleys are either long to implement, for example For example, installing shims involves a manual operation, is either expensive (such as installing multiple jacks per trolley), or requires elevated infrastructure (such as installing raised hooks). Some prior art solutions even combine several of these drawbacks.

[0007] There is therefore a real need for a trolley securing system on a vehicle platform which resolves all or part of the aforementioned disadvantages. Description of the invention

[0008] To resolve one or more of the aforementioned drawbacks, according to a first embodiment, a mobile load transport device comprising a platform includes means of movement on a support surface such that the platform is at a determined height of the support surface, said platform comprising a rod substantially parallel to the platform and disposed at a distance from the platform less than the determined height.

[0009] Thus, the trolley has fastening means, in the form of a rod, which do not interfere with the rolling of the trolley.

[0010] Specific features or embodiments, usable alone or in combination, are: • the rod is placed in a hollow in the platform; • the hollow of the platform forms a cylinder with a generatrix parallel to the rod; and / or • the platform comprises two hollows with stem e, the stem of each hollow being formed by a common stem or by two stems having the same axis.

[0011] In a second embodiment, a tray for transporting a device as described above comprises a first rotatable hook movable along an axis parallel to the plane of the tray between an unlocking position and a locking position such that, when the rod of the device is disposed above the hook in the unlocking position, and the hook is moved to the locking position, the hook hooks the rod of the device and applies a force directed towards the tray, thereby locking the device in position.

[0012] Specific features or embodiments, usable alone or in combination, are: • It further comprises a second hook similar to the first hook for hanging the rod of the device at a distance from the first hook; • the two hooks are positioned so as to hook the rod of the device on each side of it; and / or • when the device comprises two hollows, each hook is positioned so that each hook corresponds to a hollow and its rod.

[0013] In a third embodiment, an assembly comprises a tray as described above and at least one device as described above.

[0014] In a fourth embodiment, a motor vehicle comprises a platform according to the second embodiment or an assembly according to the third embodiment. Brief description of the figures

[0015] The invention will be better understood on reading the following description, given solely by way of example, and with reference to the appended figures in which: • [Fig.l] represents a side view of a vehicle comprising a platform and wheeled trolleys according to one embodiment; and • [Fig.2] represents in perspective the underside of a wheeled cart from [Fig.1]; • [Fig. 3] shows in perspective a part of the underside of the vehicle's platform of the [Fig.l]; • [Fig.4] shows the detail of the lashing elements of the trolley of [Fig.2] on the platform of [Fig. 3] in the unlocked position (A) and in the locked position (B); and • [Fig.5] represents in perspective the underside of a wheeled cart according to another embodiment. Methods of implementation

[0016] The embodiments presented below refer to a van or pickup truck. However, those skilled in the art understand that these embodiments are also usable with other types of vehicles as long as they have a platform area for loading rolling trolleys.

[0017] The terms “front”, “rear”, “top”, “bottom”, “transverse” are understood in relation to the vehicle.

[0018] With reference to [Fig.1], a motor vehicle 1 includes a platform 3 on which are arranged several mobile load transport devices 5.

[0019] Each mobile device 5, hereinafter referred to as a trolley, comprises a platform 7 on which are fixed means of movement 9 consisting in this embodiment of wheels.

[0020] The casters 9 maintain the platform 7 at a height h of the support surface, here the platform 3.

[0021] Figure 2 shows a trolley 5 in a perspective view from below. The platform 7 includes a recess 21 in which a rod 23 is fixed. The recess 21 is particularly cylindrical in shape, one generatrix of which is a straight line parallel to the axis of the rod 23 and the leading curve of which is an arc of a circle. In this embodiment, the rod 9 is fixed to the flat sides of the recess 21 perpendicular to the generatrix.

[0022] Thus, the hollow 21 and the fixing of the rod 23 on the sides of the hollow 21 allow the latter, advantageously, to be at a higher level than the level formed by the platform and therefore to limit the risks of blocking the trolley when it rolls on uneven ground.

[0023] The rod 23 is rigid and made of a strong material such as steel or aluminum. It can have the shape of a cylinder of revolution or any shape allowing a part to slide on the rod in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the rod, for example with an oval cross-section.

[0024] The plate 3 comprises, [Fig. 3], hooks 31 that rotate about an axis 33 parallel to the plate 3, i.e., substantially horizontal. The axis of rotation 33 is located under the plate 3 and is fixed to the plate by means such as ball bearings (not shown).

[0025] The hooks 31 have a snail-like or cam-like shape and are formed, for example, from thick sheet metal so as not to deform when a centrifugal force is applied to the finger 35 of the hook. They are fixed to the shaft 33.

[0026] Slots 37 are arranged in the tray to allow fingers 35 to pass through the tray 3 and emerge on the upper surface of the tray 3.

[0027] The operation of the system is as follows, [Fig.4]. Note that for clarity of the drawing, plate 3 is not shown.

[0028] The hooks are in the unlocked position, as shown in Figure A, when there is no carriage or when the carriage needs to be moved. In this unlocked position, the finger 35 points upwards. Advantageously, the hook does not protrude from the platform 3, thus allowing the carriages to move without obstruction.

[0029] When a carriage 5 is to be locked onto the platform, sub-figure B, it is positioned so that its rod 23 is vertically aligned with the hook 31. The hook 31 then rotates so that the finger 35 passes over the rod 23. The inner surface of the finger having a helical shape, the finger 35 gradually applies a downward vertical force to the rod 23 until the carriage 5 is locked in position.

[0030] The rotation of the hook 31 is carried out by rotating the axis 33 either via a motor or via a crank (not shown).

[0031] Although it is possible to lock the carriage 5 with a single hook positioned approximately in the center of the carriage platform, it is advantageous for it to be locked by two hooks fixed on the same axis and spaced apart to grip the carriage rod 23 at each end. This provides better stability for the carriage, particularly to limit lateral or rotational movements about a vertical axis.

[0032] The invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and description The previous one should be considered illustrative and given by way of example, and not as limiting the invention to this single description. Numerous embodiments are possible.

[0033] In a first embodiment, [Fig. 5], the platform 7 comprises two recesses 21 on each side of the platform. Each recess 21 has its rod 23. However, to ensure symmetrical locking, it is advantageous for the two rods to be either two sections of the same rod or aligned on the same axis. In this embodiment, the platform then comprises two hooks such that each hook corresponds to a recess and its rod.

[0034] In a second, unshown variant, the trolley platform does not have a recess, and the rod 23 is then fixed to the platform on lugs so that it is located at a distance from the platform less than the height h, thus allowing the trolley to roll freely. It should be noted that in the main embodiment described, the rod 23 is also at a distance from the platform less than the height h, the distance being negative when considering a downward-directed vertical axis originating at the level of the platform.

Claims

Claims

1. Mobile load transport device (5) comprising a platform (7) comprising means (9) for movement on a support surface such that the platform is at a determined height (h) from the support surface, said platform comprising a rod (23) substantially parallel to the platform and arranged at a distance from the platform less than the determined height.

2. Device according to claim 1, in which the rod is arranged in a hollow (21) of the platform (7).

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, in which the hollow (21) of the platform (7) forms a cylinder whose generator is parallel to the rod.

4. Device according to claim 2 or 3, in which the platform comprises two hollows (21) with rod (23), the rod of each hollow being formed by a common rod or by two rods having the same axis.

5. Tray (3) for transporting a device (5) according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, comprising a first rotating hook (31) movable along an axis (33) parallel to the plane of the tray between an unlocking position and a locking position such that, when the rod of the device is arranged above the hook in the unlocking position, and the hook is moved towards the locking position, the hook hooks the rod (23) of the device and applies a force directed towards the tray, thus locking the device in position.

6. A tray according to claim 5, further comprising a second hook similar to the first hook for hanging the rod of the device away from the first hook.

7. A tray according to claim 6, wherein the two hooks are positioned so as to hook the rod of the device on each side thereof.

8. A tray according to claim 6, wherein, when the device is according to claim 4, each hook is positioned so that each hook has a corresponding hollow and its stem.

9. Assembly comprising a tray according to one of claims 5 to 8 and at least one device according to one of claims 1 to 4.

10. Motor vehicle comprising a platform according to one of claims 5 to 8 or an assembly according to claim 9.

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