On-board device for towing garbage containers

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for pulling a plurality of waste containers (2), notable in that it comprises: - a base (3) including means for securing it (4) in the rear compartment of a utility vehicle; - a support (5) articulated relative to the base (3) to move from a folded position against the base (3) to a deployed position away from the base (3); - a pulling arm (6), mounted to slide on the support (5), and comprising several T-shaped telescopic sections (6a), each end of the transverse portions of the T-shaped sections comprising a hook (7) for attaching it to a waste container. Figure for the abstract: Fig. 13

Description

Title of the invention: On-board device for pulling garbage containers. Technical field.

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of traction devices for garbage containers.

[0002] The invention finds an advantageous application for such a so-called embedded device, in the sense that it is configured to attach to the inside of the rear compartment of a light commercial vehicle, i.e. having a volume of the order of 2m3 for example. Previous art

[0003] Prior art document DE202019106556 is known which describes a garbage container traction device comprising a plurality of crossbars equipped with fixing hooks intended to engage with the containers.

[0004] This device is in the form of a pivoting, deployable chassis with an articulated, telescopic arm capable of moving from a folded storage position to a retracted position for pulling garbage containers. The telescopic arm comprises a plurality of crossbars, for example three, each equipped with two hooks for attaching to the handle of a container, the hooks advantageously being lockable.

[0005] However, the stability of this type of device is not optimal because it requires support from the ground. Consequently, this reduces the device's compactness, making it unsuitable for transport inside a utility vehicle with a compartment of approximately 2m³.

[0006] Furthermore, this device is not configured to compensate for defects or the inclination of the road. Description of the invention

[0007] One of the aims of the invention is therefore to propose a device for pulling rubbish containers, which can be carried in the rear compartment of a utility vehicle with a rear compartment of the order of 2m3, and which is sufficiently stable so as not to require support on the ground.

[0008] The device is designed to be compact and easily transportable in the rear compartment of a utility vehicle, while allowing easy and secure towing of containers over long distances and on varied terrain, including inclined roads or when taking turns.

[0009] To this end, such a remarkable device has been developed, comprising: - a base including means for fixing in the rear compartment of a utility vehicle; - a support articulated relative to the base to move from a folded position against the base to a deployed position away from the base; - a traction arm, mounted to slide on the support, and comprising several telescopic T-shaped portions, each end of the transverse parts of the T-shaped portions includes a hook for fixing to a garbage container.

[0010] From the above, the base is adapted to the rear compartment of a utility vehicle, which allows for stable and secure installation of the device. In the folded position, the device is stored inside the vehicle and can be easily transported.

[0011] The support, articulated relative to the base and capable of moving from a folded position against the base to a deployed position, promotes reduced bulk during transport and easy operation.

[0012] The sliding traction arm, with T-shaped telescopic sections, allows the device to be adapted to different numbers and sizes of containers. The telescoping of the sections is preferably done manually to reduce manufacturing costs, but it can also be motorized, for example, with an electric or pneumatic motor.

[0013] According to a particular embodiment, the base comprises at least one telescopic longitudinal portion having at each end perpendicular and telescopic cross members, the ends of the cross members each being equipped with a lashing loop to a lashing loop present in the rear compartment of a utility vehicle.

[0014] This configuration allows flexible adaptation to the varied dimensions of the rear compartments of different utility vehicles, thus increasing the compatibility and stability of the device.

[0015] Preferably, the base and the support are flat and articulated by means of a set of connecting rods defining a deformable parallelogram, which allows the device to maintain an optimal orientation relative to the ground, while ensuring the device a compact folded storage position.

[0016] Advantageously, each telescopic portion includes locking means to the adjacent portion or support to block or allow the telescoping of the corresponding telescopic portion.

[0017] Thus, this allows control of the extension or retraction of the different telescopic sections depending on the number of containers to be towed. This also ensures safe and precise handling of the traction arm, preventing accidental extensions or retractions during container transport.

[0018] According to a particular embodiment, among the T-shaped telescopic portions, there is a first telescopic portion on the support side, at least one intermediate telescopic portion and an end telescopic portion.

[0019] In particular, the first telescopic portion and the intermediate telescopic portion include at a distal end at least one plate provided with a notch; and the end telescopic portion and the intermediate telescopic portion include, at their proximal end, a projecting element to engage in the notch of the plate of the adjacent telescopic portion during telescoping.

[0020] The connections between these portions are therefore reinforced, in the telescoping position, by the presence of these plates with notches and protruding elements that engage during telescoping, thus providing a robust structure and controlled extension. During the telescoping of the end telescopic portion, the protruding element of this portion comes to rest in the notch of the plate of the preceding telescopic portion.

[0021] Advantageously, the protruding element engaged in the notch forms a pivot link between the telescopic portions, around an axis oriented in a vertical direction, which allows the telescopic portions to pivot relative to each other when the utility vehicle takes a turn.

[0022] Preferably, the support is connected to the connecting rod assembly only at its proximal end so that it can pivot beyond a plane parallel to the base. This feature increases the flexibility of the device and allows it to compensate for road imperfections or inclinations, speed bumps, etc.

[0023] According to a particular embodiment, the fixing hook has a U-shaped section, and a finger articulated at one end of a branch of the U capable of moving from an open position in which it allows the passage of a handle of a garbage container, to a closed position returned by a spring in which it prevents the exit of said handle.

[0024] This configuration allows for effective locking of the containers to facilitate their attachment, and the closed position of the hook secures transport thanks to the spring mechanism. This minimizes the risk of the containers accidentally detaching during transport. Brief description of the drawings

[0025] Other features and advantages of the invention will become clear from the description given below, by way of example and not limitation, with reference to the accompanying figures in which:

[0026] [Fig.1] is a perspective view of the device according to the invention in the folded position.

[0027] [Fig.2] is a perspective view of the mounting base.

[0028] [Fig.3] is a view similar to that of [Fig.1], side view.

[0029] [Fig.4] is a view similar to that of [Fig.1], the device being in position deployed.

[0030] [Fig.5] is a view similar to that of [Fig.4], side view.

[0031] [Fig.6] is a view similar to that of [Fig.4], the arm being slid into position exit.

[0032] [Fig.7] is a view similar to that of [Fig.6], the telescopic end portion being telescoped.

[0033] [Fig.8] is a view similar to that of [Fig.7], the telescopic portion intermediate being telescoped.

[0034] [Fig.9] is a view similar to that of [Fig.8], viewed from below.

[0035] [Fig. 10] is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a traction arm in a telescoped position.

[0036] [Fig. 11] is a side view of the device of the invention with the traction arm telescoped and rotated beyond a plane parallel to that of the base.

[0037] [Fig. 12] is a view illustrating the handle of a garbage container engaged in a fixing hook of the device of the invention.

[0038] [Fig. 13] is a perspective view of the device of the invention in deployed and telescoped position pulling three garbage containers.

[0039] [Fig. 14] illustrates, top view, the pivot joint between the telescopic portions during a turn. Detailed description of the invention

[0040] With reference to figures 1 to 14, the invention relates to a traction device (1) for a plurality of bin containers (2) which is compact and configured to adopt a folded storage position, see figures 1 and 3, in which it can be loaded into the rear compartment of a utility vehicle with a volume of 2m3.

[0041] With reference to [Fig.2], the device (1) includes a base (3) comprising means for fixing (4) in the rear compartment of the vehicle, adaptable to any type of vehicle.

[0042] The base (3) includes, in particular, at least one telescopic longitudinal portion (3a) to adapt to the length of the rear compartment of the vehicle. The telescopic longitudinal portion (3a) has perpendicular and telescopic cross members (3b) at each end to adapt to the width of the rear compartment of the vehicle.

[0043] In order to secure the device (1) to the vehicle, the ends of the cross members (3b) are, for example, each equipped with a lashing loop (4) for attaching to a lashing loop present in the rear compartment of a utility vehicle

[0044] According to the illustrated embodiment, the base (3) consists of a tubular structure preferably made of stainless steel, having an H shape, with at least one telescopic longitudinal member and telescopic cross members.

[0045] The device (1) of the invention also includes a support (5) articulated relative to the base (3) to move from a folded position against the base (3), see figures 1 and 3, to a deployed position away from the base (3), see figures 4 and 5.

[0046] The support (5) receives, in a sliding manner, a traction arm (6) comprising several telescopic portions (6a) in the shape of a T, each end of which includes a hook (7) for fixing to a garbage container (2).

[0047] Preferably, the base (3) and the support (5) are flat, which allows for a compact design. The support (5) is, for example, formed by a rectangular sheet of metal, folded over its two longitudinal edges to form rails for the sliding of the traction arm (6). Rods equipped with rollers (8) facilitate sliding between the support (5) and the traction arm (6).

[0048] The base (3) and the support (5) are articulated by means of a set of connecting rods (9) defining a deformable parallelogram so as to allow passage from the folded compact storage position to the deployed traction position, away from the base (3) and in particular away from the floor of the rear compartment of the utility vehicle.

[0049] The traction arm (6) can be telescoped to several different lengths depending on the number of containers to be towed.

[0050] For this purpose, each telescopic portion (6a) of the arm (6) includes locking means (10) to the adjacent portion or to the support (5) to block or allow the telescoping of the corresponding telescopic portion.

[0051] These locking means (10) are, for example, pins mounted on the telescopic portion and retractable against a spring to engage or disengage from an opening provided in the adjacent telescopic portion or the support (5).

[0052] The telescopic sections (6a) are mounted to slide within one another, thus maintaining a compact configuration. The telescopic sections (6a) are made of tubing, preferably stainless steel, and rods equipped with rollers (8) also facilitate sliding between them.

[0053] With reference to [Fig.8], and among the T-shaped telescopic portions, there is a first telescopic portion (6al) on the support side (5), at least one intermediate telescopic portion (6a2) and an end telescopic portion (6a3).

[0054] The first telescopic portion (6al) and the intermediate telescopic portion (6a2) comprise at a distal end, i.e. on the base side (3), at least one plate (11) provided with a notch, in particular two plates (11) positioned horizontally on either side of the telescopic portion according to the illustrated embodiment.

[0055] And, the telescopic end portion (6a3) and the intermediate telescopic portion (6a2) comprise, at their proximal end, that is to say the end furthest from the base (3), a projecting element (12), see [Fig. 10], for engaging in the notch of the plate (11) of the adjacent telescopic portion during telescoping. In particular, the projecting element (12) is in the form of a shaft whose ends each engage in the corresponding notch of the plate (11).

[0056] Thus, as can be seen in [Fig.8], the notch forms the stop for the protruding element (12) in a maximum extension position of the telescopic portions.

[0057] Moreover, the projecting element (12), in particular the axis engaged in the notches, forms a pivot link between the telescopic portions, around an axis oriented in a vertical direction, in order to allow the pivoting of the telescopic portions for taking turns with the utility vehicle, see [Fig. 14].

[0058] The device (1) of the invention also allows, in a particular embodiment, for compensating for defects or inclination of the road. For this purpose, support (5) is connected to the set of connecting rods (9) only at its proximal end so as to be able to pivot beyond a plane parallel to the base (3), as illustrated [Fig. 11].

[0059] In order to pull the garbage containers (2) in a secure manner, and with reference to [Fig.12], each fixing hook (7) has a U-shaped section, and a finger (13) articulated at one end of a branch of the U capable of moving from an open position in which it allows the passage of a handle of a garbage container, to a closed position returned by a spring in which the exit of said handle is prohibited.

[0060] Each element of this device (1) contributes to an efficient, safe and adaptable traction solution for a variety of situations, simplifying the transport of rubbish containers (2) in a professional context.

Claims

Demands

1. A device (1) for pulling a plurality of garbage containers (2) characterized in that it comprises: - a base (3) including means for fixing (4) in the rear compartment of a utility vehicle; - a support (5) articulated relative to the base (3) to move from a folded position against the base (3) to a deployed position away from the base (3); - a pulling arm (6), mounted to slide on the support (5), and comprising several T-shaped telescopic portions (6a), each end of the transverse parts of the T-shaped portions comprising a hook (7) for fixing to a garbage container.

2. Device (1) according to claim 1 characterized in that the base (3) comprises at least one telescopic longitudinal portion (3a) having at each end perpendicular and telescopic cross members (3b), the ends of the cross members (3b) each being equipped with a lashing loop (4) to a lashing loop present in the rear compartment of a utility vehicle.

3. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the base (3) and the support (5) are flat and articulated by means of a set of connecting rods (9) defining a deformable parallelogram.

4. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that each telescopic portion (6a) comprises locking means (10) to an adjacent telescopic portion or to the support (5) to block or permit the telescoping of the corresponding telescopic portion.

5. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that, among the T-shaped telescopic portions, there is a first telescopic portion (6a1) on the support side (5), at least one intermediate telescopic portion (6a2) and an end telescopic portion (6a3), and in that the first telescopic portion (6a1) and the intermediate telescopic portion comprise at their distal end at least one plate (11) provided with a notch, and in that the end telescopic portion (6a3) and the intermediate telescopic portion (6a2) comprise, at their proximal end, a projecting element (12) to engage in the notch of the plate (11) of the adjacent telescopic portion during telescoping.

6. Device (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the projecting element (12) engaged in the notch forms a pivot joint between the telescopic portions, around an axis oriented in a vertical direction.

7. Device (1) according to claim 3 characterized in that the support (5) is connected to the set of connecting rods (9) only by its proximal end so as to be able to pivot beyond a plane parallel to the base (3).

8. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fixing hook (7) has a U-shaped section, and a finger (13) articulated at one end of a branch of the U capable of moving from an open position in which it allows the passage of a handle of a garbage container, to a closed position returned by a spring in which it prevents the exit of said handle.

Images