Pallet and method for transporting vehicles using the same

Abstract

The present invention provides a pallet that allows vehicles to be easily loaded and lifted without damaging the vehicles, and a method for transporting vehicles using the pallet. [Solution] The present invention relates to a pallet 1a that can be lifted by a lifting machine while a heavy machine 30 (an example of a vehicle) is loaded on it, and the pallet 1a comprises a loading surface 2 for loading the heavy machine 30, a ramp 4 that allows the heavy machine 30 to be easily moved onto the loading surface 2, and a sling attachment part 5 for securing a sling 31 from a lifting machine, and a method for transporting a vehicle using the same.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a pallet and a vehicle transfer method using the same.

Background Art

[0002] Vehicle transfer is often carried out using ships. For example, at large-scale ports equipped with maintenance facilities, a large number of vehicles are transferred at once using RORO ships. However, at many ports, especially on remote islands, vehicle transfer is still carried out using cranes installed at ports, quay walls, and ships.

[0003] When transferring using a crane, it is necessary to attach a wire or the like from the crane to the vehicle. However, when transferring in such a manner, the wire may contact the vehicle, damaging or sometimes even breaking the vehicle. In particular, in the case of a heavy machine with a large weight, the force applied to the wire becomes large, raising concerns about the deterioration of damage to the heavy machine.

[0004] Conventionally, a suspension load pressing fitting capable of binding heavy objects including vehicles has been proposed (see Patent Document 1). In addition, a basket-shaped lifting device has also been proposed (see Patent Document 2).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] However, even with the method disclosed in Patent Document 1, there is a risk that the load pressing fittings and wires may come into contact with the vehicle. Furthermore, in the method disclosed in Patent Document 2, since the lifting equipment has a cage structure, a load transport device is required to pull the vehicle into the cage, which results in a complex structure. This is a problem that is common not only when handling heavy machinery but also when handling other vehicles.

[0007] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a pallet that allows vehicles to be easily loaded and lifted without damaging the vehicles, and a method for transporting vehicles using the pallet. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] (1) A pallet according to one embodiment for achieving the above objective is: A pallet that can be lifted by a lifting machine while a vehicle is loaded on it, A loading surface for loading the aforementioned vehicle, A ramp that allows the vehicle to be easily moved onto the loading surface, It includes a sling attachment section for securing a sling from the aforementioned lifting machine. (2) A palette according to another embodiment is The aforementioned vehicle is heavy machinery, Two loading parts located below the axle side of the heavy machine in its loaded state, The system includes at least a connecting device for connecting the two loading parts, The loading part comprises a loading surface and a ramp at at least one end in the longitudinal direction of the loading surface. (3) A palette according to another embodiment is The system may be provided with at least two of the aforementioned connectors. (4) A palette according to another embodiment is The loading part is positioned on the connector, and at least one of the loading part and the connector is fitted into a recess provided on the other. The sling attachment portion may be provided at the connecting portion. (5) A pallet according to another embodiment is The loading parts and the connecting devices may be fixed together by fasteners in such a way that they are biased toward each other. (6) A palette according to another embodiment is The aforementioned loading part may have a recess on the ground surface side opposite to the loading surface, which extends from the ground surface side toward the loading surface side. (7) A vehicle transport method according to one embodiment for achieving the above objective is: A vehicle transport method that transports vehicles using a pallet as described in any of the above, A first vehicle transfer step of transferring the vehicle onto the loading surface via the aforementioned ramp. A connecting step of connecting the lifting machine and the sling attachment part with the sling, A first pallet moving step involves lifting the pallet on which the vehicle is loaded using the lifting machine and moving the pallet from the point where the vehicle was loaded to another point. Includes. (8) A vehicle transport method according to another embodiment is: The aforementioned vehicle is heavy machinery, The aforementioned pallet is Two loading parts located below the axle side of the heavy machine in its loaded state, The system includes at least a connecting device for connecting the two loading parts, The loading part comprises the loading surface and the ramp at at least one end in the longitudinal direction of the loading surface, Prior to the first vehicle transfer step, the process may further include an assembly step in which the two loading parts and the connector are fixed together to assemble the pallet. (9) A vehicle transport method according to one embodiment for achieving the above objective is: A method of transporting vehicles using a pallet as described in any of the above, A second vehicle transfer step involves transferring the vehicle from the state in which the vehicle is loaded on the loading surface to the outside of the pallet via the ramp, A second pallet moving step of lifting the pallet by the hoisting machine and moving the pallet from the point where the vehicle was lowered to another point; is included.

Effects of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a pallet that can easily load a vehicle and lift the vehicle without damaging it, and a vehicle transfer method using the pallet.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view showing a state when a heavy machine is loaded on and lifted by a pallet according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 shows a plan view (2A), a side view (2B), and a front view (2C) of the pallet of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 shows an exploded perspective view of the pallet of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 shows a plan view (4A), a side view (4B), and a front view (4C) of the loading part of FIG. 3. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 shows a plan view (5A), a side view (5B), and a front view (5C) of the connector of FIG. 3. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 shows a plan view of a variation different from the pallet of FIG. 1. 6A: A pallet using a loading part having a wide loading surface, 6B: A pallet using three connectors. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 shows a plan view of a variation different from each of the pallets of FIGS. 1 and 6, and is a pallet having one loading part. 7A: A pallet using a loading part having a slope at one end in the length direction, 7B: A pallet using a loading part having slopes at both ends in the length direction, and a pallet using three connectors.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments described below are not intended to limit the inventions claimed in the patent claims. Furthermore, not all of the elements and combinations described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the solution of the present invention.

[0012] 1. Palette (1) Palette configuration Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the process of loading heavy machinery onto a pallet according to one embodiment and lifting it.

[0013] Here, "vehicle" refers to all vehicles equipped with wheels and capable of movement. "Heavy machinery," also known as construction equipment, refers to large vehicles used in fields such as construction sites, civil engineering, mining, and agriculture.

[0014] Pallet 1a is a component that can be lifted by a lifting machine while a heavy machine 30, as an example of a vehicle, is loaded on it. Pallet 1a comprises a loading surface 2 for loading the heavy machine 30, a ramp 4 for facilitating the movement of the heavy machine 30 onto the loading surface 2, and a sling attachment part 5 for securing a sling 31 from a lifting machine. The loading surface 2 located above the pallet 1a preferably has a larger area than the ground contact surface of the heavy machinery 30. As a result, even when the pallet 1a is lifted by a hoist with the heavy machinery 30 loaded on it, the risk of the sling 31 coming into contact with the heavy machinery 30 can be reduced. The heavy machinery 30 can be loaded onto the pallet 1a from the ship's deck or the port's quay via the ramp 4, and can also be dismounted from the pallet 1a.

[0015] Pallet 1a is equipped with four sling attachment points 5. The number and position of the sling attachment points 5 are set to maintain balance when pallet 1a is lifted by a hoisting machine. The number and position of the sling attachment points 5 can be appropriately changed according to the weight and center of gravity of the heavy machine 30. In addition, the number and position of the sling attachment points 5 may be changed to suit the specifications of the spreader frame that is suitably used when lifting with a hoisting machine.

[0016] In Figure 1, the heavy equipment 30 loaded on pallet 1a is a hydraulic excavator (commonly known as a "backhoe"). However, the heavy equipment 30 is not limited to a hydraulic excavator; for example, it could be a bulldozer, wheel loader, asphalt finisher, or vibratory roller. Furthermore, pallet 1a can also be used to transport special vehicles such as defense equipment.

[0017] Figure 2 shows the top view (2A), side view (2B), and front view (2C) of the pallet shown in Figure 1.

[0018] Pallet 1a comprises at least two loading parts 10a located below the axle sides of the loaded heavy machinery 30, and a connector 20 for connecting the two loading parts 10a. In this embodiment, there are two connectors 20, but there may be one or three or more. The width of the two loading parts 10a is such that they can contact the wheels, tires, or tracks located on both sides of the axle of the heavy machinery 30. In this embodiment, pallet 1a is disassembled into two loading parts 10a and two connectors 20. Each disassembled part can be stored on the narrow deck of a ship. Alternatively, each disassembled part can be loaded onto a vehicle and transported to the destination port. In this embodiment, the loading part 10a is equipped with ramps 4 at both ends in its longitudinal direction. Therefore, the heavy machinery 30 can enter and exit the pallet 1a from either side in the longitudinal direction of the pallet 1a.

[0019] As shown in (2A), the pallet 1a can be assembled by connecting the loading parts 10a and the connectors 20. One loading part 10a is located at one end of the two connectors 20 in the longitudinal direction. The other loading part 10a is located at the other end of the two connectors 20 in the longitudinal direction. The two loading parts 10a are positioned above the two connectors 20. The loading parts 10a and the connectors 20 are preferably attracted to each other by fasteners 35. That is, the loading parts 10a and the connectors 20 are fixed by the fasteners 35 so as to be biased toward each other. The fasteners 35 fix the connectors 20 and the loading parts 10a on both sides of the width of the loading part 10a. In this embodiment, there are four fasteners 35 attached to the loading part 10a on one side from the middle of the connector 20 in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, one connector 20 and two loading parts 10a are fixed together with a total of eight fasteners 35. In this embodiment, since there are two connectors 20, there are a total of 16 fasteners 35. However, the number of fasteners 35 described above is merely an example, and may be other than 16. For example, turnbuckles can be used as fasteners 35.

[0020] Each connector 20 is equipped with a sling attachment portion 5 at each end. As shown in (2B), when the loading part 10a and the connector 20 are connected, the sling attachment portions 5 located at both ends of the connector 20 are positioned higher than the loading surface 2 of the loading part 10a. This makes it easy to attach and detach the sling 31 to the pallet 1a. Also, as shown in (2C), the loading surface 2 of the loading part 10a and the portion 23 between the two loading parts 10a in the connector 20 (referred to as the "upper flat portion") are preferably approximately flush. This reduces the risk of the heavy machinery 30 tilting even if it is loaded shifted inward on the loading surface 2 of the loading part 10a.

[0021] Figure 3 shows an exploded perspective view of the pallet shown in Figure 1.

[0022] The loading part 10a has two mounting parts 11 for attaching the connector 20. The connector 20 has two recesses 21 into which the mounting parts 11 of the two loading parts 10a can be fitted. The bottom of the recesses 21 is lower than the top surface of the upper flat part 23. The loading part 10a and the connector 20 are connected by a fitting method. The recesses 21 have a shape that widens upwards on the connector 20. The aforementioned fastener 35 has the function of reinforcing the connection between the mounting parts 11 and the recesses 21.

[0023] (2) Loading parts Figure 4 shows the top view (4A), side view (4B), and front view (4C) of the loading parts shown in Figure 3.

[0024] The loading surface 2 of the loading part 10a is the part on which the wheels, tires, or tracks of the heavy machinery 30 rest. As shown in (4A) and (4C), the ramp 4 connected to the loading surface 2 preferably has a surface with irregularities for anti-slip purposes. The irregularities help to prevent the heavy machinery 30 from slipping when moving between the loading surface 2 and the ground. As shown in (4B), the loading part 10a has a recess 12 on the ground surface side opposite to the loading surface 2 that is recessed from the ground surface side toward the loading surface side. This allows the arm of a forklift to be inserted into the recess 12 of the loading part 10a. Therefore, it is easy to move the loading part 10a or pallet 1a with a forklift. The recess 12 also contributes to reducing the weight of the loading part 10a. The mounting part 11 is provided with a projection for fitting into the recess 21 of the connector 20.

[0025] The material of the loading part 10a is not particularly limited, as long as it has sufficient strength to support the heavy machinery 30. Suitable examples include high-strength steel materials with sufficient strength for the loading part 10a. For example, carbon steels such as SPC, SS, SC, and SK, as well as alloy steels such as stainless steel, high-tensile steel, alloy tool steel, machine structural alloy steel, and cemented carbide.

[0026] (2) Connectors Figure 5 shows a plan view (5A), a side view (5B), and a front view (5C) of the connector shown in Figure 3.

[0027] The sling attachment portions 5 at both ends of the connector 20 in the longitudinal direction preferably have holes for attaching hooks or shackles attached to the ends of the sling 31. The connector 20 is fixed below the loading part 10a. The connector 20 is lifted upward by a lifting machine. Therefore, when the connector 20 is lifted by the lifting machine, the loading part 10a and the heavy machinery 30 can be raised together with the connector 20. The connector 20 preferably has an insertion hole 22 for inserting the arm of a forklift. This allows the connector 20 to be easily moved by a forklift. The material of the loading part 10a is not particularly limited as long as it has sufficient strength to load the heavy machinery 30. Suitable materials for the connector 20 are the same exemplary materials as those for the loading part 10a. (3) Others

[0028] Figure 6 shows a plan view of a different variation of the pallet shown in Figure 1.

[0029] As shown in (6A), the pallet 1b is equipped with a loading part 10b having a loading surface 2 larger than the loading part 10a in Figure 2. Therefore, vehicles with wide wheels or tracks can be easily loaded onto the pallet 1b.

[0030] As shown in (6B), the pallet 1c is equipped with loading parts 10a and three connectors 20, similar to the pallet 1a in Figure 1. Increasing the number of connectors 20 makes the connection between the loading parts 10a and the connectors 20 stronger.

[0031] Figure 7 shows a plan view of a pallet that is a variation of the pallets in Figures 1 and 6, and has one loading component.

[0032] As shown in (7A), the pallet 1d comprises one loading part 10c and four sling attachment points 5. The loading part 10c has a ramp 4 at one end in its longitudinal direction. The loading surface 2 of the loading part 10c is larger than the contact area of ​​the heavy machinery 30. Unlike pallets 1a, 1b, and 1c, the pallet 1d does not have a connector 20.

[0033] As shown in (7B), the pallet 1e comprises one loading part 10d and four sling attachment points 5. The loading part 10d has slopes 4 at both ends in its longitudinal direction. Thus, the pallet 1e simplifies its structure while, unlike the pallet 1d, allowing the heavy machinery 30 to be moved in two different directions.

[0034] 2. Vehicle transport method A vehicle transport method according to one embodiment is a vehicle transport method that transports a vehicle using any of the above-described pallets 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e ("1a, etc."), and includes: a first vehicle transport step of transporting the vehicle onto the loading surface 2 via a ramp 4; a connecting step of connecting the lifting machine and the sling attachment part 5 with a sling 31; and a first pallet moving step of lifting the pallet 1a with the vehicle loaded on it using the lifting machine and moving the pallet 1a, etc. from the point where the vehicle was loaded to another point.

[0035] In the first vehicle transfer process, an operator can ride in the vehicle and move it onto the loading surface 2. In the connecting process, since the sling attachment point 5 is located higher than the loading surface 2, the attachment and removal of the sling 31 to the pallet 1a etc. is easy. In the first pallet moving process, the pallet 1a etc. can be moved to another location without damaging the vehicle.

[0036] Furthermore, a vehicle transport method according to another embodiment may further include an assembly step prior to the first heavy equipment transport step, in which the loading parts 10a, 10b and the connector 20 are connected and fixed to assemble the pallets 1a, 1b, and 1c. By using detachable pallets 1a, 1b, and 1c, the disassembled parts can be easily loaded onto a ship. Furthermore, it becomes easy to load the parts onto a vehicle and transport them to the destination port.

[0037] Furthermore, a vehicle transport method according to another embodiment is a method for transporting a vehicle using a pallet 1a or the like described in any of the above, and includes a second vehicle transport step of transporting the vehicle from a state in which the vehicle is loaded on the loading surface 2 to outside the pallet 1 via a ramp 4, and a second pallet transport step of lifting the pallet 1 with a lifting machine and moving the pallet 1 from the point where the vehicle was unloaded to another point.

[0038] In the second vehicle transfer process, an operator can ride the heavy machinery 30 and move it from the loading surface 2 to the ship's deck or the port's quay. In the second pallet transfer process, pallets 1a, etc., can be safely moved to another location. This enables the shuttle transfer of vehicles. [Industrial applicability]

[0039] The present invention can be used, for example, as a pallet for transporting vehicles such as heavy machinery. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0040] 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e... Pallets, 2... Loading surface, 4... Slope, 5... Sling attachment part, 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d... Loading parts, 11... Mounting part, 12... Recess, 20... Connector, 21... Recess, 22... Insertion hole, 23... Upper flat part, 30... Heavy machinery (example of a vehicle), 31... Sling, 35... Fastener.

Claims

1. A pallet that can be lifted by a lifting machine while a vehicle is loaded on it, A loading surface for loading the aforementioned vehicle, A ramp that allows the vehicle to be easily moved onto the loading surface, A pallet characterized by comprising a sling attachment section for securing a sling from the aforementioned lifting machine.

2. The aforementioned vehicle is heavy machinery, Two loading parts located below the axle side of the heavy machine in its loaded state, A connecting device for connecting the two aforementioned loading parts, It has at least the following features: The pallet according to claim 1, characterized in that the loading part comprises the loading surface and the ramp at at least one end in the longitudinal direction of the loading surface.

3. The pallet according to claim 2, characterized in that it comprises at least two of the aforementioned connectors.

4. The loading part is positioned on the connector, and at least one of the loading part and the connector is fitted into a recess provided on the other. The pallet according to claim 2, characterized in that the sling attachment portion is provided in the connecting portion.

5. The pallet according to claim 2, characterized in that the loading parts and the connecting devices are fixed together by fasteners in such a way that they are biased toward each other.

6. The pallet according to claim 2, characterized in that the loading part has a recess on the ground surface side opposite to the loading surface, which extends from the ground surface side toward the loading surface side.

7. A vehicle transport method for transporting vehicles using the pallet described in any one of claims 1 to 6, A first vehicle transfer step of transferring the vehicle onto the loading surface via the ramp. A connecting step of connecting the lifting machine and the sling attachment part with the sling, A first pallet moving step involves lifting the pallet on which the vehicle is loaded using the lifting machine and moving the pallet from the point where the vehicle was loaded to another point. A vehicle transport method characterized by including the following:

8. The aforementioned vehicle is heavy machinery, The aforementioned pallet is Two loading parts located below the axle side of the heavy machine in its loaded state, It comprises at least a connecting device for connecting the two loading parts, The loading part comprises a loading surface and a ramp at at least one end in the longitudinal direction of the loading surface. The vehicle transport method according to claim 7, further comprising an assembly step of fixing the two loading parts and the connector to assemble the pallet prior to the first vehicle transport step.

9. A method for transporting a vehicle using the pallet described in any one of claims 1 to 6, A second vehicle transfer step involves transferring the vehicle from the state in which the vehicle is loaded on the loading surface to the outside of the pallet via the ramp, A second pallet moving step involves lifting the pallet with the lifting machine and moving the pallet from the point where the vehicle was unloaded to another point, A vehicle transport method characterized by including the following:

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