STORAGE AND TRANSPORT UNIT COMPRISING A SKIP AND A REMOVABLE CRATE

Abstract

The transport and storage assembly comprises a skip (12) with a rear opening (124), a removable container (13), and rotating guide means that allow the container (13) to be placed in the skip (12) and the container (13) to be removed from the skip (12) by longitudinally moving the skip (12) in rolling and / or sliding contact with the container (13) and by passing the container (13) through the rear opening (124) of the skip (12). Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: STORAGE AND TRANSPORT ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A DUMP TRUCK AND A REMOVABLE CRATE technical field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of storage and transport skips for materials or substances. Previous art

[0002] It is common to store and transport bulk materials in a skip mounted on a rolling carrier chassis of an industrial vehicle.

[0003] In this text, the term "industrial vehicle" refers indifferently to a truck, a trailer and a semi-trailer.

[0004] A skip is a container open at the top to allow its gravity loading.

[0005] This container generally comprises a base, two side walls, a front wall, and a rear wall that define a loading volume. The rear wall includes or constitutes at least one rear door, which allows the rear of the container to be opened for unloading.

[0006] The skip can be mounted on the rolling carrier chassis either fixed or preferably tilting, in order to allow its unloading by tipping around an axis which is most often transverse to the front / rear longitudinal axis of the skip.

[0007] For storing and transporting non-aggressive bulk materials such as agricultural materials (wheat, vegetables, etc.) or materials with a small particle size such as sand or gravel, a conventional steel skip, not reinforced or preferably made of aluminum, is generally used.

[0008] Conventional unreinforced steel or aluminum skips generally do not offer sufficient mechanical resistance to impact and wear for transporting heavy and / or abrasive materials, such as backfill or riprap. Therefore, for storing and transporting heavy and / or abrasive materials, such as backfill or riprap, special reinforced steel skips are preferred. These have the advantage of being more resistant, but also the disadvantage of being heavier.

[0009] In order to offer a storage and transport solution adaptable to all types of bulk materials, a storage and transport system has already been proposed comprising a conventional tipper body, in particular made of aluminium and an added body, in particular made of steel, which is adapted to be placed in a removable manner in the conventional tipper body.

[0010] The operations of placing the removable container in the skip and the operations of removing the removable container are typically carried out from above the skip using a bridge to suspend and move the container. Given the significant volume and weight of the container in practice, these operations are very difficult to perform and also require heavy and expensive handling equipment, which makes this technical solution considerably less attractive. Objective of the invention

[0011] An objective of the invention is to provide a technical solution for the storage and transport of materials using a skip and a removable container, which makes it easier and safer to set up and remove the removable container. Summary of the invention

[0012] The invention thus relates to a storage and transport unit comprising a skip with a rear opening and a removable box.

[0013] Characteristically according to the invention, said assembly includes guiding means which allow the crate to be placed in the skip and the crate to be removed from the skip by longitudinally moving the skip in rolling contact and / or sliding contact with the crate and by passing the crate through the rear opening of the skip.

[0014] The material used to make the skip and the material used to make the container are not limiting to the invention and may vary. In practice, they are chosen according to the intended uses of the skip and the container, and in particular the nature of the materials or products being transported.

[0015] Depending on the uses made of the skip and the crate, their constituent materials may be different or identical.

[0016] The skip is generally, but not exclusively, a metal skip, for example and without limitation a skip made of aluminium or in an aluminium alloy, or a skip comprising aluminium or an aluminium alloy, or a skip made of steel or in a steel alloy or a skip comprising steel or a steel alloy.

[0017] For certain uses, and without limiting the invention, the skip may advantageously be lighter than the removable crate and / or have less resistance to shocks and / or wear than the removable crate.

[0018] For example, the skip can be used, without the body, to store and transport all types of light and non-aggressive bulk products or materials and / or of small particle size, such as, for example, but not limited to, bulk agricultural materials (cereals, beets, potatoes, etc.), or soil, sand, waste, etc.

[0019] For certain uses, and without limiting the scope of the invention, the body may advantageously be resistant to impacts and mechanical wear, and may, for example, be made of steel or a steel alloy. It may also be reinforced in the usual way by external and / or internal stiffeners. In this case, this more resistant body may in practice be heavier than the tipper.

[0020] For example, when it is necessary to transport heavy and / or aggressive bulk materials, such as earthmoving materials or riprap, rubble, large stones, a more resistant box mounted in the tipper truck is preferably used.

[0021] The box can also be useful when the thickness of the bin walls is not sufficient for the type of materials transported and a wall thickness greater than that of the bin is required.

[0022] The crate can also be adapted to transport dirty and / or corrosive materials.

[0023] More particularly, and without limiting the invention, the case may for example be made of plastic or include plastic, or be made of stainless steel or include stainless steel.

[0024] In case of wear and tear on the casing, it can also be easily replaced by a new casing.

[0025] Optionally, according to the invention, this assembly may also include the following additional and optional technical features, taken individually or in combination: - Said guiding means comprise or consist of rotating guiding means, which allow the crate to be placed in the skip and the crate to be removed from the skip by longitudinally moving the skip at least in rolling contact with the crate and by passing the crate through the rear opening of the skip. - The rotary guiding means include a first rotary guiding means which is integrated into the body or which is adaptable to the body and which allows the body to roll longitudinally on a bottom wall of the skip during the body placement operations and during the body removal operations. The said first rotary guiding means is mounted or is adapted to be mounted in the front part of the case. The said first rotary guiding means is mounted or is adapted to be mounted at the junction between the bottom wall and a front wall of the case. The said first rotary guiding means is fully positioned or is capable of being fully positioned within the crate's template. The said first rotary guiding means comprises one or more guide rollers or guide rollers. The rotary guiding means include a second rotary guiding means which can be mounted on the skip or which is integrated into the skip and which is adapted to guide and roll the skip relative to the body during the body placement operations and during the body removal operations, and which preferably allows transverse centering of the body relative to the skip. Said second rotary guide means is mounted or adapted to be mounted on the rear part of the skip, preferably close to the rear opening of the skip. Said second rotary guide means is adapted to be mounted removably on the skip, so that it can be removed from the skip when the latter is used without the body. Said second rotary guiding means comprises one or more guide rollers or guide rollers. Said second rotary guidance means comprises at least two lateral guide rollers or lateral guide rollers, which are mounted inside the skip respectively on the side walls of the skip. Said second rotary guiding means includes at least one lower guide roller or at least one lower guide roller, which allows rolling contact with the outer face of the bottom wall of the crate. The box has a back wall, a front wall, and two side walls and is open at the rear. The tipper body is lighter than the crate. The body is more resistant to impacts and / or wear than the tipper and / or is more resistant to corrosion than the tipper. The material(s) used to make the case are chosen from the following list: metal, metal alloy, steel, steel alloy, stainless steel, aluminum, aluminum alloy, plastic. The material(s) used to make the skip are chosen from the following list: metal, metal alloy, aluminum, aluminum alloy, steel, steel alloy. The dimensions of the crate are adapted to the dimensions of the skip so that once the crate is placed in the skip, the crate is fully housed in the skip, the crate is preferably butted against a front wall of the skip, and the crate is held laterally by two side walls of the skip. The said assembly includes support means, which are adapted to support the crate at a height relative to the ground in a static manner during the crate placement operations and during the crate removal operations. The support means include a first support adapted to cooperate with the crate so as to support a rear part of the crate at height during the crate placement operations and during the crate removal operations. The said first support comprises two longitudinal support arms spaced transversely. The crate includes a rear support means having two longitudinal housings into which the two support arms are able to be threaded during the crate placement operations and during the crate removal operations. The rear support means comprises two longitudinal profiles, which are fixed respectively to the side walls of the body and which include said longitudinal housings. The two longitudinal profiles are fixed respectively to the inner faces of the side walls of the box. Each longitudinal housing extends longitudinally from the rear edge of both side walls of the body. The support means include a second support, which is adapted to be positioned under the crate and to support it statically at height during the crate placement operations and during the crate removal operations. The second support includes a transverse support beam adapted to be positioned under the crate. The said assembly comprises a semi-trailer or trailer on which the tipper is mounted, or a carrier truck on which the tipper is mounted. The tipper body is tilting, more specifically it tilts towards the rear.

[0026] The invention also relates to a first method implemented using a storage and transport unit comprising a skip with a rear opening and a removable crate. This method can, in particular, be implemented using the aforementioned storage and transport unit and allows the crate to be placed in the skip of this storage and transport unit. The crate is first supported in a static, upright position, raised above the ground. This method comprises at least the following operations: - we position the tipper at the front of the crate by aligning it longitudinally with the crate and centering it transversely in relation to the crate; - the skip is moved back towards the crate until the crate enters the skip through the rear opening of the skip and the skip is moved back again until the crate is fully housed in the skip, and preferably is placed against the front wall of the skip.

[0027] In a particular variant of this first method, the crate is previously supported in a static waiting position, at a height relative to the ground, with the rear part of the crate supported by a first rear support and with a second support positioned under the crate and supporting the crate, preferably at mid-length of the crate, and said method comprises at least the following operations: - the skip is positioned at the front of the crate, aligning it longitudinally with the crate and centering it laterally in relation to the crate; - we move the skip back towards the crate until the crate enters the skip through the rear opening of the skip and we continue moving the skip back with the crate until a front part of the crate is supported by the skip; - the second support is removed, the body being supported by the first rear support and by the tipper; - we continue to move the skip back until the crate is fully housed in the skip, and preferably is pushed against the front wall of the skip; - remove the first rear support.

[0028] More particularly, the first rear support comprises two longitudinal support arms which are threaded longitudinally into the rear part of the body so as to support the rear part of the body, and preferably on which the rear part of the body is suspended.

[0029] The invention also relates to a second method implemented by means of a storage and transport assembly comprising a skip with a rear opening and a removable body, said method being able in particular to be implemented by means of the aforementioned storage and transport assembly, said method allowing the removal of the crate housed in the skip, and said method comprising at least the following operations: the skip is advanced relative to the crate, so that a rear part of the crate comes out of the skip through the rear opening of the skip and the advancement of the skip is continued until the crate is completely out of the skip.

[0030] More particularly, in a particular embodiment, said second method comprises at least the following operations: - we first position a support as mentioned above in relation to the crate so as to support the rear of the crate in height relative to the ground; - the tipper is moved forward in such a way that a rear part of the body comes out of the tipper through the rear opening of the tipper; - a second support is positioned under the crate and in contact with the crate, preferably at mid-length of the crate, so as to support it in height relative to the ground; - we continue to move the skip forward until the crate is completely out of the skip and is supported by the first support and by the second support.

[0031] More particularly, the first support comprises two longitudinal support arms and, in order to position the first support relative to the crate so as to support the rear of the crate in height relative to the ground, the two support arms are inserted longitudinally into the rear part of the crate, so as to support the rear part of the crate, and preferably so as to suspend the rear part of the crate. Description of the figures

[0032] The features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent upon reading the following detailed description, which is given by way of non-limiting and non-exhaustive example, and with reference to the accompanying drawings on which: - [Fig.l] The [Fig.l] is an isometric perspective view of an example of an industrial transport vehicle comprising a semi-trailer coupled to a tractor vehicle and carrying a tipper inside which is housed an added and removable auxiliary box. - [Fig.2] The [Fig.2] is an isometric perspective view of the rear of the vehicle in [Fig.1], when the body has been removed from the tipper and the rear guide rollers have been removed from the tipper. - [Fig.3] The [Fig.3] is an isometric perspective view of the auxiliary box showing the underside of this box. - [Fig.4] The [Fig.4] is an isometric perspective view of the auxiliary box showing the interior of this box. - [Fig.5] The [Fig.5] is an isometric perspective view of an example of the realization of a first rear support used during the operations of placing the crate in the tipper and removing the crate. - [Fig.6] The [Fig.6] is an isometric perspective view of an example of the realization of a second front support used during the operations of placing the crate in the skip and removing the crate. [Fig.7] [Fig.8] [Fig.9] [Fig. 10] [Fig. 11] [Fig. 12] [Fig. 13] Figures 7 to 13 illustrate different successive operations of placing the crate in the skip. Detailed description

[0033] Examples of storage and transport assemblies - Skip 12 and removable crate 13

[0034] Figure [1] shows an example of an industrial vehicle 1 comprising a tractor vehicle 10 and a semi-trailer 11 coupled in the usual way to the tractor vehicle 10 by means of a coupling system.

[0035] The semi-trailer 11 comprises a rolling carrier chassis lia, on which is mounted a tipper 12 (main body) for the storage and transport of materials or bulk materials.

[0036] In the configuration of [Fig.1], the skip 12 contains an auxiliary storage and transport box 13, which has been placed in the skip 12 and which is removable so that it can be taken out of the skip 12.

[0037] In the accompanying figures, the X-axis represents the longitudinal direction, oriented from front to rear, of the skip 12. The X'-axis represents the opposite longitudinal direction, oriented from rear to front, of the skip 12. The Y-axis represents the transverse direction, oriented from right to left, of the skip 12. The Z-axis, which is perpendicular to the X and Y axes, represents the vertical direction, oriented from bottom to top, of the skip 12. The (Y,Z) plane defines a vertical transverse plane of the skip 12 and the (X,Z) plane defines a vertical longitudinal plane of the skip 12.

[0038] Generally, the auxiliary body 13 and the tipper body 12 (main body) are adapted to allow the body 13 to be placed in the tipper body 12 removably by moving the tipper body 12 backward in the longitudinal direction X relative to the body 13 and passing the body 13 through a rear opening 124 in the tipper body 12, the body 13 being otherwise static and supported at a height relative to the ground during its placement. The auxiliary body 13 and the tipper body 12 (main body) are adapted to allow the body 13 to be removed from the tipper body 12 by moving the tipper body 12 forward in the opposite longitudinal direction X' relative to the crate 13 and by passing the crate 13 through a rear opening 124 of the tipper 12, the crate 13 being otherwise static and supported in height relative to the ground during its removal.

[0039] When the semi-trailer 11 is coupled to the tractor vehicle 10, the rolling carrier chassis 1 of the semi-trailer rests at the rear on one or more axles and at the front on the tractor vehicle by means of said coupling system, so that the tractor vehicle supports part of the weight of the semi-trailer and its load.

[0040] The skip 12 can, indifferently according to the invention, be non-removable or removable relative to the rolling carrier chassis 1la, so as to be able to be placed on the ground.

[0041] The tipper body 12 can preferably be a rear-tipping tipper body, usually articulated in rotation relative to the chassis 1a, around a transverse axis of rotation, which is positioned at the rear of the chassis 1la and is oriented transversely to the vertical longitudinal plane (X,Z). In this case, the semi-trailer 11 is also equipped with one or more hydraulic lifting cylinders which are usually mounted between the chassis 1la and the front of the tipper body 12 and which allow the tipper body 12 to be tilted upwards and backwards around this axis, in order to unload the tipper body 12 by gravity from the rear (a so-called tipping operation).

[0042] In another embodiment of the invention, the skip 12 may not be tilting, but may be mounted in a fixed position on the rolling carrier chassis.

[0043] The invention is not limited to a semi-trailer type industrial vehicle. In another embodiment of the invention, the tipper 12 can also be mounted on a trailer or on a truck.

[0044] In the particular example of the attached figures, this skip 12 is parallelepiped in shape. It is open at the top for gravity loading and has a bottom wall 120 ([Fig.2]), a front wall 121 ([Fig.1]), two side walls 122 and 123 and a rear opening 124 for unloading from the rear.

[0045] This rear opening 124 is usually intended to be closed by a rear door, which, for the sake of clarity and simplification, has not been shown in the figures. This rear door may, for example, have two leaves, right and left, each hinged in rotation about a vertical axis, or have a single, larger leaf hinged in rotation about a vertical axis, or be a hinged rear door hinged in rotation about a horizontal axis.

[0046] In another variant, the bottom wall 120 of the skip 12 may include at least one gravity discharge opening or a gravity discharge hopper, which can be closed by a movable or equivalent hatch.

[0047] The side wall 122, the side wall 123 or the rear door of the skip 12 may also include at least one gravity discharge opening, which can be closed by a movable hatch or equivalent.

[0048] The invention is not limited to a parallelepiped-shaped box, but can be applied to any box geometry and in particular can be applied to a semi-circular tipper-type box.

[0049] Figures 3 and 4 show an example of an auxiliary cash register 13.

[0050] In the particular example of Figures 3 and 4, the auxiliary box 13 is shaped It is parallelepiped-shaped and open at the top for gravity loading. It comprises a bottom wall 130, a front wall 131, and two side walls 132 and 133.

[0051] The case 13 is also open at the rear ([Fig.3] - rear opening 134).

[0052] Alternatively, the bottom wall 130 and / or the front wall 131 and / or the side walls 132,133 of the casing 13 can also be reinforced in the usual way by internal and / or external stiffeners.

[0053] With reference to figures 2 and 4, the external width ln([Fig.4]) of the crate 13 measured transversely (Y axis) is slightly less than the internal width li2 ([Fig.2]) of the skip 12 measured transversely (Y axis) so as to allow lateral support of the crate 13 with a minimum gap between the two side walls 122 and 123 of the skip 12.

[0054] With reference to figures 1 and 4, the external length Li3([Fig.4]) of the crate 13 measured longitudinally (axis X) is less than, and preferably slightly less than, the internal width Li2 ([Fig.1]) of the skip 12 measured longitudinally (axis X).

[0055] The height Hi3([Fig.4]) of the crate 13 measured vertically (Z axis) is less than, and preferably slightly less than, the height measured vertically (Z axis) of the side walls 122, 123 of the skip 12, so that once placed in the skip 12, the crate 13 does not exceed the height of the skip 12.

[0056] When the crate 13 is placed in the skip 12 ([Fig.l]), it is entirely contained within the skip 12; its front wall 131 is blocked longitudinally against the front wall 121 of the skip 12; these two side walls 122 and 123 are held transversely respectively by the two side walls 132 and 133 of the skip 12.

[0057] With reference to [Fig.3], the crate 13 has at the front a first rotary guide means 135, which is adapted to guide and roll longitudinally (axes X and X') the crate 13 on the bottom 120 of the skip 12 during the operations of placing the crate 13 in the skip 12 and removing the crate 13.

[0058] In this particular example, this first rotary guide means 135 comprises two front guide rollers 135a, which are horizontal and oriented transversely (Y-axis). These guide rollers 135a can be replaced by shorter rotary guide rollers.

[0059] These guide rollers 135a are more particularly mounted in the casing 13, each in a housing 135b at the junction between the bottom wall 130 and the front wall 131 of the casing 13.

[0060] Alternatively, these guide rollers 135a in the front part of the crate 13 can each be mounted in a housing provided only in the bottom wall 130 of the crate 13.

[0061] Alternatively, the two front idler rollers 135a can be replaced by a single central front idler roller of greater length, or by a larger number of guide rollers or guide rollers.

[0062] More generally the two front guide rollers 135a can be replaced by any equivalent rotary guide means allowing rolling contact between the body 13 and the tipper 12.

[0063] Preferably, the first rotary guiding means 135 is an integral part of the casing 13, the guide rollers 135a being more particularly permanently mounted.

[0064] In another variant, the first rotary guiding means 135 can nevertheless be designed to be mounted removably on the casing 13.

[0065] Preferably, as illustrated in [Fig.3], said first rotary guide means 135 is entirely positioned inside the frame of the crate 13, so that it does not protrude laterally from the two side walls 132 and 133 of the crate 13.

[0066] With reference to [Fig.4], the crate 13 also includes at least in its rear part and inside the crate 13, a rear support means 136 adapted to cooperate with a rear support, such as for example the support 2 of [Fig.5], which makes it possible to support the rear part of the crate 13 in height relative to the ground during the operations of placing and removing the crate 13.

[0067] This support means 136 extends longitudinally, preferably from the rear edge of the side walls 132, 133 of the case 13.

[0068] More particularly, in the variant of the attached figures, this rear support means 136 comprises two longitudinal hollow metal profiles 136a, which are fixed inside the body 13, for example by welding, respectively to the inner faces of the side walls 132 and 133 of the body 13. These two profiles 130 define two longitudinal housings 136b attached respectively to the two side walls 131 and 132 and adapted to receive each one a support arm 21 of the rear support 2 of the [Fig.5].

[0069] In [Fig.4], the two profiles 136a extend lengthwise along the entire length of the crate 13. In another variant, the 136a profiles can be shorter and positioned only in the rear part of the crate 13.

[0070] Optionally, the container 13 may also include a means for damping and / or compensating for expansion differences, which is fixed under the bottom wall 130 of the container 13 and / or to the outer face of the side walls 132, 133 and / or to the outer face of the front wall 131 of the container 13 and whose function is to absorb shocks in the container 13 during its gravity loading and / or to compensate for expansion differences. This damping means may, for example, include one or more superimposed layers of one or more deformable or compressible materials, and, for example, one or more superimposed layers of elastomeric material(s). The layer(s) may be solid or perforated with a honeycomb structure.

[0071] With reference to the configuration of [Fig.2], the skip 12 has, in the rear part, a second rotary guiding means 125, which is adapted to guide and roll longitudinally (axes X and X') the skip 12 relative to the crate 13 during the operations of placing the crate 13 in the skip 12 and removing the crate 13.

[0072] More particularly, this guiding means 125 advantageously also allows transverse centering of the crate 13 relative to the skip 12 during the operations of removing and placing the crate 13 in the skip 12.

[0073] This second rotary guide means 125 is preferably mounted near the rear opening 124 of the tipper 12.

[0074] In this particular example, this second rotary guidance means 125 comprises: - two free-running lateral guide rollers 125a, which are fixed respectively to the two side walls 122 and 123 of the skip 12 and whose axes of rotation are vertical. - two lower idler guide rollers 125b, whose axes of rotation are horizontal and oriented transversely and which are flush with the upper face of the bottom wall 120 of the skip 12.

[0075] Preferably each guide roller 125a, 125b can be temporarily mounted removably on the skip 12, during the operations of placing the crate 13 in the skip 12 or removing the crate 13 and can be removed when the skip 12 is to be used without the crate 13, in particular so as not to obstruct the closing of the rear opening 124 by means of the rear door of the skip 12. The skip 12 can also advantageously be a conventional skip.

[0076] In another variant, the guide rollers 125a, 125b can be provided to be an integral part of the skip 12, by being permanently fixed to the skip 12.

[0077] More generally the two guide rollers 125a, 125b can be replaced by any equivalent rear rotary guide means allowing rolling contact between the tipper 12 and the body 13.

[0078] Examples of supports 2 for the installation and removal of the crate 13

[0079] Figures 5 and 6 show an example of two supports 2 and 3 that can be used for the placement and removal of the box 13.

[0080] The first support 2 ([Fig.5]) is a gantry comprising a vertical frame 20 on which two cantilevered longitudinal support arms 21 are fixed. These two support arms 21 are horizontal, parallel and spaced transversely.

[0081] These two support arms 21 are more particularly at the same height.

[0082] The section of each support arm 21 is adapted to the section of each longitudinal housing 136b of the aforementioned rear support means 136 of the crate 13, so as to be able to slide the support arms 21 horizontally into these longitudinal housings 136b and to suspend the rear part of the crate 13 in height.

[0083] This first support 2 has at its base two feet 22 allowing it to be placed stably on the ground.

[0084] Alternatively, this first support 2 can also be mounted on casters to facilitate its movement and positioning on the ground.

[0085] Alternatively, the two support arms 21 can advantageously be height-adjustable.

[0086] The second support 3 is independent of the first support 2.

[0087] It consists of a trestle which includes a support beam 30 supported by two vertical uprights 31, and which has at its base two feet 32 ​​allowing it to be placed stably on the ground.

[0088] Alternatively, this second support 3 can also be mounted on casters to facilitate its movement and positioning on the ground.

[0089] Alternatively, the support beam 30 can advantageously be height-adjustable.

[0090] Example of operation s for placing the crate 13 in the skip 12

[0091] A particular example of operations for placing the crate 13 in the skip 12 will now be described with reference to figures 7 to 13.

[0092] In figures 7 to 13, the semi-trailer 11 supporting the tipper 12 is coupled to the tractor vehicle 10, the coupling system known per se not being shown in these figures for the sake of simplification. Figure 7

[0093] The crate 13 is placed in a waiting position at a height on the first support 2 and on the second support 3.

[0094] More particularly, the first support 2 is positioned so as to suspend the rear of the body 13 in height, the two support arms 21 of this first rear support 2 being threaded longitudinally, through the rear of the body 13, into the aforementioned tubes 136a of the rear support means 136 of the body 13.

[0095] The second support 3 is positioned under the crate 13, preferably substantially halfway along the length of the crate 13, the beam 30 of the support 3 being in contact with the outer face of the bottom wall 130 of the crate 13.

[0096] The vehicle 1 is positioned so as to position the tipper 12 in front of the crate 13 by aligning it longitudinally (X axis) with the crate 13 and by centering it transversely (Y axis) with respect to the crate 13. Figures 8 and 9

[0097] The rear opening 124 of the tipper 12 is not closed. The tractor vehicle 10 is reversed in the longitudinal direction X, towards the body 13 in the static waiting position, until a front part of the body 13 enters the tipper 12, through the rear opening 124 of the tipper 12 and is supported by the tipper 12.

[0098] During this movement of the skip 12, the front guide rollers 135a of the body 13 are in rolling contact with the upper face of the bottom wall 120 of the skip 12, and allow the body 13 to be guided and rolled longitudinally on this bottom wall 120 of the skip 12.

[0099] During this movement, the lateral guide rollers 125a at the rear of the skip 12 come into rolling contact with respectively the outer faces of the side walls 132 and 133 of the body 13 and the lower guide rollers 125b at the rear of the skip 12 come into rolling contact with the lower face of the bottom wall 130 of the body 13 and allow the skip 12 to be guided and rolled relative to the body 13.

[0100] [Fig. 10]

[0101] When the tipper 12 is sufficiently moved back, the second central support 3 is removed, the body 13 being supported at the rear by the first rear support 2 and being supported at the front by the tipper 12, itself carried by the semi-trailer 11. Figure 11

[0102] The skip 12 is moved back by means of the tractor vehicle 10 until the front wall 121 of the skip 12 comes to rest against the front wall 131 of the body 13. The body 13 is then entirely housed inside the body 12. Figures 12

[0103] The first rear support 2 is removed.

[0104] The crate 13 rests on the bottom wall 120 of the skip 12 and is held laterally by the two side walls 122 and 123 of the skip 12. Figure 13

[0105] The removable guide rollers 125a and 125b are removed from the skip 12.

[0106] Next, the crate 13 is fixed to the skip 12 by any means of temporary fastening and suitable removable, and for example by bolting and / or screwing the body 13 and the tipper 12.

[0107] The rear opening 124 of the tipper 12 can be closed by means of the rear door of the tipper 12.

[0108] Example of operations for removing the crate 13 from the skip 12

[0109] To remove the crate 13 from the skip 12, the following procedure can be used.

[0110] The rear opening of the tipper 12 is cleared (opening the rear door of the tipper 12).

[0111] The first support 2 is positioned at the rear of the tipper 12, by inserting the arms of support 21 cantilevered in the tubes 136a of the rear support means 136 of the crate 13, so as to support the rear of the crate 13 in height relative to the ground

[0112] We disassemble the crate 13 and the skip 12.

[0113] The guide rollers 125a and 125b are mounted on the tipper 12.

[0114] The tipper 12 coupled to the tractor vehicle 10 is moved forward in the longitudinal direction X', such that a rear part of the crate 13 comes out of the tipper 12 through the rear opening 124 of the tipper 12.

[0115] When the skip 12 is sufficiently advanced, the second support 3 is positioned under the body 13, preferably substantially in the center of the body 13, the beam 130 being in contact with the bottom wall 130 of the body 13, so as to rest the body 13 also on the second central support 3.

[0116] The advancement of the skip 12 continues until the crate 13 is completely out of the skip 12 and is supported on the ground only by the first rear support 2 and by the second central support 3. The crate 13 is then in the static waiting position of [Fig.7].

[0117] Next, the removable guide rollers 125a and 125b can be removed from the skip 12, and the rear opening 124 of the skip 12 can be closed.

[0118] The invention is not limited to the particular embodiment of the attached figures using guide rollers allowing rolling contact between the body 13 and the tipper 12.

[0119] In another variant, the guide rollers can be replaced by guide pads or equivalent which allow sliding contact between the crate 13 and the skip 12 during the operations of removing and placing the crate 13 in the skip 12. This variant can in particular be chosen when the crate 13 is sufficiently light, and is for example made of plastic material.

[0120] It is also possible to combine in the same embodiment guide rollers and guide pads, so as to allow rolling contact and sliding contact between the crate 13 and the skip 12 during the operations of removing and placing the crate 13 in the skip 12.

Claims

Demands

1. Transport and storage assembly comprising a skip (12) with a rear opening (124) and a removable crate (13), characterized in that it comprises guiding means which allow the crate (13) to be placed in the skip (12) and the crate (13) to be removed from the skip (12) by longitudinally moving the skip (12) in rolling contact and / or sliding contact with the crate (13) and by passing the crate (13) through the rear opening (124) of the skip (12).

2. Assembly according to claim 1, wherein said guiding means comprise or are made up of rotary guiding means, which allow the crate (13) to be placed in the skip (12) and the crate (13) to be removed from the skip (12) by longitudinally moving the skip (12) at least in rolling contact with the crate (13) and by passing the crate (13) through the rear opening (124) of the skip (12).

3. Assembly according to claim 2, wherein the rotary guiding means comprise a first rotary guiding means (135) which is integrated into the body (13) or which is adaptable to the body (13) and which allows the body (13) to be rolled longitudinally on a bottom wall (120) of the skip (12) during the body (13) placement operations and during the body (13) removal operations.

4. Assembly according to claim 3, wherein said first rotary guiding means (135) is mounted or is adapted to be mounted in the front part of the casing (13).

5. Assembly according to claim 4, wherein said first rotary guiding means (135) is mounted or is adapted to be mounted at the junction between the bottom wall (130) and a front wall (131) of the case (13).

6. Assembly according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein said first rotary guiding means (135) is fully positioned or is capable of being fully positioned inside the crate template (13).

7. Assembly according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein said first rotary guiding means (135) comprises one or more guide rollers (135a) or guide rollers.

8. Assembly according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the rotary guiding means comprise a second rotary guiding means (125) which can be mounted on the skip (12) or which is integrated into the skip (12) and which is adapted to guide and roll the skip (12) relative to the body (13) during the body (13) placement operations and during the body (13) removal operations, and which preferably allows transverse centering of the body (13) relative to the skip (12).

9. Assembly according to claim 8, wherein said second rotary guiding means (125) is mounted or is adapted to be mounted on the rear part of the skip (12), preferably near or at the level of the rear opening (124) of the skip (12).

10. Assembly according to any one of claims 8 or 9, wherein said second rotary guiding means (125) is adapted to be mounted removably on the skip (13), so as to be able to be removed from the skip (12), when the latter is used without the body (13).

11. Assembly according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein said second rotary guiding means comprises one or more guide rollers or guide rollers.

12. Assembly according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein said second rotary guide means (125) comprises at least two lateral guide rollers (125a) or lateral guide rollers, which are mounted inside the skip (12) respectively on the side walls (122; 123) of the skip (12).

13. Assembly according to any one of claims 8 to 12, wherein said second rotary guiding means comprises at least one lower guide roller (125b) or at least one lower guide roller, which permits rolling contact with the outer face of the bottom wall (130) of the casing (13).

14. Assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the case (13) comprises a bottom wall (130), a front wall (131), and two side walls (132; 133) and is open at the rear.

15. Assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the skip (12) is lighter than the crate (13).

16. Assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the casing (13) is more resistant to impact and / or wear than the skip (12) and / or is more corrosion resistant than the skip (12).

17. Assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the material or materials constituting the case (13) are selected from the following list: metal, metal alloy, steel, steel alloy, stainless steel, aluminum, aluminum alloy, plastic.

18. Assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the material or materials constituting the skip (12) are selected from the following list: metal, metal alloy, aluminum, aluminum alloy, steel, steel alloy.

19. Assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the dimensions of the crate (13) are adapted to the dimensions of the skip (12) such that once the crate (13) is placed in the skip (12), the crate (13) is entirely housed in the skip (12), the crate (13) is preferably butted against a front wall (121) of the skip (12), and the crate (12) is held laterally by two side walls (122; 123) of the skip.

20. Assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 19, comprising support means (2; 3), which are adapted to support the crate (13) in height relative to the ground in a static manner during the operations of setting up the crate (13) and during the operations of removing the crate (13).

21. Assembly according to claim 20, wherein the support means comprise a first support (2) adapted to cooperate with the crate (12) so as to support a rear part of the crate (13) in height during the crate (13) placement operations and during the crate (13) removal operations.

22. Assembly according to claim 21, wherein said first support (2) comprises two longitudinal support arms (21) spaced transversely apart.

23. Assembly according to claim 22, wherein the crate (13) includes a rear support means (136) having two longitudinal housings (136b) in which the two support arms (21) are able to be threaded during the crate (13) placement operations and during the crate (13) removal operations.

24. Assembly according to claim 23, wherein the rear support means (136) comprises two longitudinal profiles (136a), which are fixed respectively to the side walls (131; 132) of the box (13) and which include said longitudinal housings (136b).

25. Assembly according to claim 24, wherein the two longitudinal profiles (136a) are fixed respectively to the inner faces of the side walls (131; 132) of the box (13).

26. Assembly according to any one of claims 23 to 25, wherein each longitudinal housing (136b) extends longitudinally from the rear edge of both side walls (132; 133) of the casing (13).

27. ​​Assembly according to any one of claims 20 to 26, wherein the support means comprise a second support (3), which is adapted to be positioned under the crate (13) and to support it statically in height during the crate (13) placement operations and during the crate (13) removal operations.

28. Assembly according to claim 27, wherein the second support (3) comprises a transverse support beam (30) adapted to be positioned under the crate (13).

29. Assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 28 comprising a semi-trailer or trailer on which the tipper (12) is mounted or a carrier truck on which the tipper (12) is mounted.

30. Assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 29, wherein the skip (12) is tilting, more particularly is rearward tilting.

31. A method implemented by means of a storage and transport assembly comprising a skip (12) with a rear opening (124) and a removable crate (13), said method being in particular able to be implemented by means of a storage and transport assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 30, said method enabling the placement of the crate (13) in the skip (12) of this storage and transport assembly, in which the crate (13) is previously supported in a static waiting position, at a height relative to the ground, and said method comprising at least the following operations:

32. - we position the skip (12) at the front of the crate (13) by aligning it longitudinally with the crate (13) and by centering it transversely with respect to the crate (13); - the skip (12) is moved back towards the crate (13) until the crate (13) enters the skip (12) through the rear opening (124) of the skip (12) and the skip (12) is moved back until the crate (13) is fully housed in the skip (12), and preferably is butted against the front wall (121) of the skip (12). A method according to claim 31, said method being particularly able to be implemented by means of a storage and transport assembly according to any one of claims 21 to 26 and according to any one of claims 27 or 28, in which the crate (13) is previously supported in a static waiting position, at a height relative to the ground, with the rear part of the crate (13) supported by a first rear support (2) and with a second support (3) positioned under the crate (13) and supporting the crate (13), preferably at mid-length of the crate (13), and said method comprising at least the following operations: - we position the tipper (12) at the front of the crate (13) by aligning it longitudinally with the crate (13) and by centering it laterally with respect to the crate (13); - the skip (12) is moved back towards the crate (13) until the crate (13) enters the skip (12) through the rear opening (124) of the skip (12) and the skip (12) is moved back until a front part of the crate (13) is supported by the skip (12); - the second support (3) is removed, the body (13) being supported by the first rear support (2) and by the tipper (12); - the recoil of the skip (12) continues until the crate (12) is fully housed in the skip (12), and preferably is placed against the front wall (121) of the skip (12); - remove the first rear support (2).

33. A method according to claim 32, wherein the first rear support (2) has two longitudinal support arms (21) which are threaded longitudinally into the rear part of the crate (13) so as to support the rear part of the crate (13), and preferably on which the rear part of the crate (13) is suspended.

34. A method implemented by means of a storage and transport assembly comprising a skip (12) with a rear opening (124) and a removable crate (13), said method being able in particular to be implemented by means of a storage and transport assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 30, said method allowing the removal of the crate (13) housed in the skip (12), and said method comprising at least the following operations: the skip (12) is advanced relative to the crate (13), such that a rear part of the crate (13) exits the skip (12) through the rear opening (124) of the skip (12) and the skip (12) is continued to be advanced until the crate (13) is completely removed from the skip (12).

35. A method according to claim 34 comprising at least the following operations: - a first support (2) is positioned relative to the body (13) so as to support the rear of the body (13) in height relative to the ground; - the skip (12) is advanced so that a rear part of the body (13) exits the skip (12) through the rear opening (124) of the skip (12); - a second support (3) is positioned under the body (13) and in contact with the body (13), preferably at mid-length of the body (13), so as to support it in height relative to the ground; - the advancement of the skip (12) is continued until the body (13) is completely out of the skip (12) and is supported by the first support (2) and by the second support (3).

36. A method according to claim 35, wherein the first support (2) comprises two longitudinal support arms (21) and wherein, in order to position the first support (2) relative to the crate (13) so as to support the rear of the crate (13) in height relative to the ground, the two support arms (21) are inserted longitudinally in the rear part of the crate (13), so as to support the rear part of the crate (13), and preferably so as to suspend the rear part of the crate (13).

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