LINEAR ACTUATOR AND LIGHT SYSTEM FOR A TRUCK TRAILER

Abstract

A trailer includes a front section having a first floor approximately between three and six feet above a street level. A rear section has a second floor approximately between three and six feet above the street level. A horizontally-oriented platform is disposed in the middle section. At least one linear actuator is coupled to the platform and selectively raises and lowers the platform between a lower position at most two feet above the street level and an upper position approximately between three and seven feet above the street level. Warning lights indicate a position and state of motion of the platform.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCED TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/980,161 filed on Feb. 22, 2020, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a trailer, container, or other transport vehicle. Trailers typically have a floor that is ±49 inches above street level for unloading cargo onto a loading dock that is also at the same height. A problem is that cargo sometimes needs to be unloaded onto a curb that is less than one foot above street level. Difficulty may be encountered in lowering the cargo from the ±49-inch-high trailer floor onto the curb below.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,051,335 (Bartlett) and U.S. Patent Pub. No. 20030206791 (Wroblewski) each disclose a trailer elevator wherein a floor section at the rear door may be lowered. A problem is that the trailer is not sealed when the floor section is lowered, and thus the floor must be raised while hauling cargo, which limits the volume of cargo that may be hauled.

SUMMARY

The present invention may include a trailer having a rear door providing access to a dock-level floor section that is ±49 inches above street level and a side door providing access to a platform(s) from curb-level elevations. In-trailer elevators may be provided such that the platform is movable between the curb-level position and a dock-level position in which the platform is co-planar with the dock-level floor section. When the platform is raised to the dock-level position, a freight moving device, such as a forklift, clamp truck, or pallet jack may enter the rear door and drive on the platform in order to access another dock-level floor section that is at the front end of the trailer. The platform may be in the curb-level position during transport such that space is available from the ceiling all the way down to the curb-level platform for storing an increased volume of cargo.

The trailer may include a compartment (“belly”) below the ±49-inch-high main floor of the trailer, between the trailer's landing gear and rear wheels, and extending down to curb height. Thus, the trailer has two different floor heights—a vertically movable platform which serves as a floor at curb level in the belly compartment, and a main floor at the standard ±49-inch loading dock height both in front of and behind the belly compartment. A door that also extends down to curb height may be in the sidewall of the trailer to enable unloading of cargo in the belly compartment onto a curb. The belly compartment is accessible from the main compartment of the trailer. Both the belly compartment and the main compartment are sealed from the outside ambient environment. The rear of the trailer also has a standard ±49-inch-high floor and rear door for loading and unloading onto a loading dock.

Conventional monocoque dry freight vans with standard industry recognized (±49 inch) floor heights can have different configurations. One such configuration may include standard industry recognized (±49 inch) floor heights fore and aft, with a deep center drop section of varying heights. Both the belly/center-drop section and the main compartment are sealed from the ambient environment. In an inventive embodiment, drop sections may have self-supporting, clear span, vertical motion platforms that, in one configuration, can be utilized without restriction in standard, widely accepted freight carrying capacities; the secondary configuration, through the use of vertical lifting platforms, provides the flexibility of additional cargo carrying capacity with the ability to load and unload standard or bulky items through the standard height rear entry. Multiple lifting devices may be attached to single or multiple free-span, self-supporting platform(s). A platform may be vertically lowered into and raised out of the belly compartment of the trailer. The platform can be raised to the nominal main floor height. A locking mechanism may secure the platform, providing support at standard floor height for loading and unloading of the front compartment of the trailer with a freight moving device, such as a forklift, clamp truck, or pallet jack. The platform may be lowered to curb height in the belly compartment for supporting increased cargo during transport. Longitudinal and lateral stability may be controlled by frictional, magnetic, hydraulic, pneumatic, or mechanical means and utilize guides, rollers, slides, or other components. In one embodiment, the lifting devices are electric powered linear screw-type actuators. Actuation of the free-span platform may be electric, hydraulic, pneumatic, mechanical, or a combination thereof, which may integrate screws, opposing forces, liquids or gasses as methods or components providing motion. One of the lifting devices may be a master and may control and/or send signals to the other lifting devices utilizing an operator input device located in the interior.

In one embodiment, the invention includes individually-controllable, free-spanning, vertically actuated platforms implemented in a van trailer that, when loaded and actuated in a downward direction, provide additional cubic capacity within the trailer, and/or the ability to take freight from the standard ±49 inch dock/floor height to the lower levels, enabling curb height deliveries out of the side of the trailer.

In one embodiment, linear actuators are attached at each of the four corners of a platform to raise and lower the platform. The platform may be lowered into and raised out of the belly compartment of the trailer. The platform can be raised to the ±49-inch main floor height for supporting a freight moving device, such as a forklift, clamp truck, or pallet jack in loading and unloading the front compartment of the trailer. The platform may be lowered to curb height in the belly compartment for supporting cargo during transport. In one embodiment, the linear actuators are screw-type actuators. The actuators may be electric, hydraulic, or pneumatic, for example. The actuators may all be synchronized with each other. One of the four actuators may be a master and may control and send signals to the other three actuators.

In one embodiment, a multi-colored light warning system informs a user of the position and/or movement of the platform in the belly compartment of the trailer. A green color light indicates that the platform is stationary and has been automatically latched at its upper position at the same vertical level as the main floor of the trailer. Thus, a freight moving device, such as forklift, clamp truck, or pallet jack, may be safely driven onto the platform. A yellow or amber color light indicates that the platform is in motion. A red light indicates that the platform is stationary and is not at its upper, locked, and stowed position. The upper position that enables a freight moving device, such as a forklift, clamp truck, or pallet jack to traverse the platform may be referred to herein as a “locked and stowed position”.

The warning system may be comprised of different colors and may have additional functions. The lights may be mounted on the platform, or interior surfaces of the trailer, such as the floor, sidewalls, or roof.

The invention comprises, in one form thereof, a trailer including a front section having a first floor approximately between three and six feet above a street level, a middle section, and a rear section having a second floor approximately between three and six feet above the street level. A horizontally-oriented platform is disposed in the middle section. At least one linear actuator is coupled to the platform and selectively raises and lowers the platform between a lower position of one to two feet above street level, otherwise known as curb-level, and an upper position of approximately between three and seven feet above street level.

The invention comprises, in another form thereof, a trailer including a platform for supporting cargo. At least one linear actuator is coupled to the platform and selectively raises and lowers the platform.

The invention comprises, in yet another form thereof, a trailer including a front section having a first floor that is approximately between three and six feet above a street level, a middle section, and a rear section having a second floor that is approximately between three and six feet above the street level. A horizontally-oriented platform is disposed in the middle section. The platform is selectively raised and lowered between a lower position of one to two feet above street level, otherwise known as curb-level, and an upper position of approximately between three and seven feet above street level. At least one light-emitting device is disposed within, and is visible within, an interior of the trailer. The at least one light-emitting device emits light the color which is dependent upon vertical position and movement of the platform.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above mentioned and other features and objects of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention itself will be better understood by reference to the following description of an embodiment of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view of one embodiment of a trailer of the present invention;

FIG. 1a is a rear view of the trailer of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary side sectional view of the trailer of FIG. 1a along line 2-2;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one of the elevator assemblies shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of area 4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged side view of one of the platforms and associated lifting mechanisms of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is an overhead view of the three platforms and associated lifting mechanisms of FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is an overhead view of the middle platform and associated lifting mechanisms of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged overhead view of the righthand side of the middle platform and associated lifting mechanisms of FIG. 7.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. Although the drawings represent embodiments of the present invention, the drawings are not necessarily to scale and certain features may be exaggerated in order to better illustrate and explain the present invention. Although the exemplification set out herein illustrates embodiments of the invention, in several forms, the embodiments disclosed below are not intended to be exhaustive or to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention to the precise forms disclosed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The embodiments hereinafter disclosed are not intended to be exhaustive or limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed in the following description. Rather the embodiments are chosen and described so that others skilled in the art may utilize its teachings.

Referring to the drawings, wherein like numerals indicate like elements, FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of one embodiment of a trailer 100 of the present invention. Trailer 100 includes a front wall 102, a left sidewall 104, one or two rear doors 106, a roof sheet 108, a forward main floor section 110, a rear main floor section 112, and a middle curb-level floor section 114. The space in trailer 100 above middle curb-level floor section 114 and below the vertical level of main floor sections 110, 112 may be referred to herein as the “belly” of trailer 100. Forward main floor section 110 and rear main floor section 112 may both be about 49 inches above a street level 116 to facilitate loading and unloading of trailer 100 from and onto a standard-height loading dock. Middle curb-level floor section 114 may be less than one foot, but no more than three feet above street level 116 to facilitate loading and unloading of trailer 100 from and onto a standard-height curb.

A door 118 may be provided in sidewall 104 above middle curb-level floor section 114. Cargo may be loaded into and out of the belly of trailer 100 at curb-height through door 118. Door 118 is shown in a closed position such that the belly and the remainder of the interior space of trailer 100 may be enclosed during transport. However, door 118 may be moved to an open position for loading cargo into and out of the belly of trailer 100.

FIG. 1a is a rear view of trailer 100. Doors 106 may each swing open about respective axis 120, 122. Trailer 100 includes a right sidewall 136.

FIG. 2 illustrates the middle section of trailer 100 above middle curb-level floor section 114 along line 2-2 of FIG. 1a. Immediately above middle curb-level floor section 114 are three elevator assemblies each including a respective one of elevatable platforms 124a-c which are aligned from the front to the rear of the middle section of trailer 100. Each of platforms 124a-c may be individually raised or lowered by a respective set of four lifting devices 126. Only two lifting devices 126 are visible in FIG. 2 as being associated with each of platforms 124a-c on the lefthand side of each of platforms 124a-c. Lifting devices 126 may include electric, hydraulic, pneumatic and/or mechanical components, screws, liquids and/or gasses.

Platforms 124a-b are shown in FIG. 2 in their lowermost positions wherein platforms 124a-b are closest to middle curb-level floor section 114. In contrast, platform 124c is raised by lifting devices 126 above middle curb-level floor section 114 to a vertical level that is ±49 inches above street level 116 such that a top surface of platform 124c is at the same vertical level as the top surface of rear main floor section 112. Platform 124c may be secured at this raised vertical level by a locking mechanism.

Load bars 134 each have a left end latched onto left sidewall 104 and a right end latched onto an opposing right sidewall 136 such that load bars 134 may support freight or cargo 138, 140 at uppermost positions within trailer 100. Other load bars 142 each have a left end latched onto left sidewall 104 and a right end latched onto right sidewall 136 such that load bars 142 may support freight or cargo 144 at middle or intermediate vertical levels within trailer 100. As shown in FIG. 2, right sidewall 136 has a respective set of three vertical posts 146a-c associated with and laterally adjacent each of platforms 124a-c. A rearmost post 146c of each set has a set of vertically aligned lights 148 that are visible to a user who is inside trailer 100, such as a forklift driver.

FIG. 3 illustrates more completely the forwardmost one of the elevator assemblies shown in FIG. 2, and the other two elevator assemblies may be identical to the elevator assembly of FIG. 3. Platform 124a may be lifted and lowered by four lifting devices 126 which are all attached to the same curb level floor 114. Each lifting device 126 includes a stationary body 130 and vertically movable linkage 132. Platform 124a may be attached to movable linkages 132 such that platform 124a follows the up and down movements of movable linkages 132 within the belly of trailer 100.

The lifting devices may be electric powered linear screw-type actuators wherein both the stationary bodies and movable linkages are threaded and are threadedly coupled together. Actuation of the free-span platform may be electric, hydraulic, pneumatic, mechanical, or a combination thereof, which may integrate screws, opposing forces, liquids or gasses as methods or components providing motion. One of the lifting devices may be a master and may control and/or send signals to the other lifting devices utilizing an operator input device located in the interior of the trailer.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of area 4 of FIG. 2, showing lights 148 more clearly. Lights 148 may serve as a warning system that informs a user of the position and/or movement of the platforms 124a-c within trailer 100. A green color light indicates that the respective platform is stationary and has been latched at its uppermost position at the same vertical level as the main floors 110, 112 of trailer 100. Thus, a freight moving device, such as forklift, clamp truck, or pallet jack, may be safely supported by the platform. A yellow or amber color light indicates that the respective platform is in motion. A red light indicates that the respective platform is stationary and is not at its uppermost, stowed and locked position. Each individual light 148 may be capable of selectively emitting red, yellow, or green light. Alternatively, each individual light 148 may be capable of emitting only one color of light.

In another embodiment, a green light indicates that the respective platform as well as any and all platform(s) behind the respective platform is/are stationary and has/have been latched at its/their uppermost position at the same vertical level as the main floors 110, 112 of trailer 100. For example, the light 148 associated with frontmost platform 124a is green only when all three platforms 124a-c are stationary and have been latched at their uppermost position at the same vertical level as the main floors 110, 112 of trailer 100. Thus, a forklift driver sees a green light associated with front platform 124a only if it is safe to drive across platforms 124b-c onto platform 124a. Similarly, the light 148 associated with middle platform 124b is green only when both platforms 124b-c are stationary and have been latched at their uppermost position at the same vertical level as the main floors 110, 112 of trailer 100. Thus, a forklift driver sees a green light associated with middle platform 124b only if it is safe to drive across platform 124c onto platform 124b. The light 148 associated with rear platform 124c is green only when platform 124c is stationary and has been latched at its uppermost position at the same vertical level as the main floors 110, 112 of trailer 100.

The light 148 associated with frontmost platform 124a is yellow only when at least one of platforms 124a-c is in motion and any platform 124a-c that is not in motion is stationary at its uppermost, locked and stowed position at the same vertical level as the main floors 110, 112 of trailer 100. Similarly, the light 148 associated with middle platform 124b is yellow only when at least one of platforms 124b-c is in motion and any platform 124b-c that is not in motion is stationary at its uppermost, locked and stowed position at the same vertical level as the main floors 110, 112 of trailer 100. The light 148 associated with rear platform 124c is yellow only when platform 124c is in motion.

The light 148 associated with frontmost platform 124a is red only when at least one of platforms 124a-c is stationary and is not at its uppermost, locked and stowed position. The light 148 associated with middle platform 124b is red only when at least one of platforms 124b-c is stationary and is not at its uppermost, locked and stowed position. The light 148 associated with rear platform 124c is red only when platform 124c is stationary and is not at its uppermost position.

Signals sent to control lifting devices 126 may be monitored to determine whether each platform is stationary at its uppermost, locked and stowed position, is in motion, or is stationary below its uppermost, locked and stowed position. Alternatively, a position sensor (not shown) and/or a motion sensor (not shown) may be associated with each of platforms 124a-c to detect the position and/or state of motion of the platform. A respective lock sensor (not shown) may be associated with each of platforms 124a-c to detect whether the platform has been locked at its uppermost position.

FIG. 5 illustrates platform 124c and associated platform lifting devices 126 in more detail. It is to be understood that these details may also apply to the other platforms 124a-b. Platform locking mechanisms 147 lock platform 124c at the raised vertical level shown in FIGS. 2 and 5. Platform guide roller mechanisms 149 guide the movement of platform 124c in up and down vertical directions and help to maintain platform 124c in a horizontal orientation while in motion.

FIG. 6 illustrates the three platforms 124a-c and associated lifting mechanisms 126 of FIG. 2. Also visible in FIG. 6 are platform locking mechanisms 147 and platform guide roller mechanisms 149. Middle curb-level floor section 114 is visible between the above-mentioned components.

FIG. 7 illustrates the middle platform 124b and associated lifting mechanisms 126 of FIG. 6. Also visible in FIG. 7 are platform locking mechanisms 147 and platform guide roller mechanisms 149.

FIG. 8 illustrates the righthand side of the middle platform 124b and associated lifting mechanisms 126 of FIG. 7. Also visible in FIG. 8 are platform locking mechanisms 147 and platform guide roller mechanisms 149.

The invention may be applied to a trailer, container, or truck body. Trailers, containers, or truck bodies may be conjunctively referred to herein as “transportation vessels”.

While this invention has been described as having an exemplary design, the present invention may be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains.

Claims

1. A transportation vessel, comprising:

a front section having a first floor approximately between three and six feet above a street level;

a middle section;

a rear section having a second floor approximately between three and six feet above the street level;

a horizontally-oriented platform disposed in the middle section; and

at least one linear actuator coupled to the platform and configured to selectively raise and lower the platform between a lower position of one to two feet above street level, otherwise known as curb-level, and an upper position of approximately between three and seven feet above street level.

2. The transportation vessel of claim 1 wherein the platform includes four corners, the at least one linear actuator comprising four linear actuators, each of the four said actuators being associated with a respective one of the four corners.

3. The transportation vessel of claim 1 wherein the at least one linear actuator comprises at least one electric powered linear screw-type actuator.

4. The transportation vessel of claim 1 wherein the at least one linear actuator comprises at least one electric, hydraulic or pneumatic linear actuator.

5. The transportation vessel of claim 1 wherein the at least one linear actuator comprises a plurality of linear actuators that are all synchronized with each other.

6. The transportation vessel of claim 1 wherein the at least one linear actuator comprises a plurality of linear actuators, and one of the actuators is a master actuator that controls and sends signals to all other said actuators.

7. A transportation vessel, comprising:

a platform configured to support cargo; and

at least one linear actuator coupled to the platform and configured to selectively raise and lower the platform.

8. The transportation vessel of claim 7 wherein the platform includes four corners, the at least one linear actuator comprising four linear actuators, each said actuator being associated with a respective one of the four corners.

9. The transportation vessel of claim 7 wherein the at least one linear actuator comprises at least one electric powered linear screw-type actuator.

10. The transportation vessel of claim 7 wherein the at least one linear actuator comprises at least one electric, hydraulic or pneumatic linear actuator.

11. The transportation vessel of claim 7 wherein the at least one linear actuator comprises a plurality of linear actuators that are all synchronized with each other.

12. The transportation vessel of claim 7 wherein the at least one linear actuator comprises a plurality of linear actuators, and one of the actuators is a master actuator that controls and sends signals to all other said actuators.

13. The transportation vessel of claim 7 wherein the transportation vessel comprises a motor vehicle hauler, and the platform is configured to support a motor vehicle.

14. The transportation vessel of claim 13 wherein the at least one linear actuator is configured to selectively move the platform into a horizontal orientation and a non-horizontal orientation.

15. A transportation vessel, comprising:

a front section having a first floor approximately between three and six feet above a street level;

a middle section;

a rear section having a second floor approximately between three and six feet above the street level;

a horizontally-oriented platform disposed in the middle section, the platform being configured to be selectively raised and lowered between a lower position of one to two feet above street level, otherwise known as curb-level, and an upper position of approximately between three and seven feet above street level; and

at least one light-emitting device disposed and visible within an interior of the transportation vessel, the at least one light-emitting device being configured to emit light the color which is dependent upon vertical position and movement of the platform.

16. The transportation vessel of claim 15 wherein emission of a first color of light by the at least one light-emitting device indicates that the platform is stationary and is at its uppermost, locked and stowed position at a same vertical level as the first floor and/or the third floor, emission of a second color of light by the at least one light-emitting device indicates that the platform is in motion, and emission of a third color of light by the at least one light-emitting device indicates that the platform is stationary and is not at its uppermost, locked and stowed position.

17. The transportation vessel of claim 15 wherein the horizontally-oriented platform comprises a frontmost horizontally-oriented platform disposed in a front of the middle section, the at least one light-emitting device comprising a first light-emitting device configured to emit light the color which is dependent upon movement and a vertical level of only the frontmost horizontally-oriented platform, the transportation vessel further comprising:

a middle horizontally-oriented platform disposed in a middle of the middle section, the middle horizontally-oriented platform being configured to be selectively raised and lowered above the second floor;

a second light-emitting device configured to emit light the color which is dependent upon movement and a vertical level of only the middle horizontally-oriented platform;

a rearmost horizontally-oriented platform disposed in a rear of the middle section, the rearmost horizontally-oriented platform being configured to be selectively raised and lowered above the second floor; and

a third light-emitting device being configured to emit light the color which is dependent upon movement and a vertical level of each of the platforms.

18. The transportation vessel of claim 15 wherein the horizontally-oriented platform comprises a frontmost horizontally-oriented platform disposed in a front of the middle section, the transportation vessel further comprising:

a middle horizontally-oriented platform disposed in a middle of the middle section, the middle horizontally-oriented platform being configured to be selectively raised and lowered above the second floor; and a rearmost horizontally-oriented platform disposed in a rear of the middle section, the rearmost horizontally-oriented platform being configured to be selectively raised and lowered above the second floor, the at least one light-emitting device being configured to emit light the color which is dependent upon movement and a vertical level of each of the platforms.

19. The transportation vessel of claim 18 wherein emission of a first color of light by the at least one light-emitting device indicates that each of the three platforms is stationary and is at its uppermost, locked and stowed position at a same vertical level as the first floor and/or the third floor, emission of a second color of light by the at least one light-emitting device indicates that at least one of the three platforms is in motion and each of the three platforms is either in motion or is at its uppermost, locked and stowed position at a same vertical level as the first floor and/or the third floor, and emission of a third color of light by the at least one light-emitting device indicates that at least one of the three platforms is stationary and is not at its uppermost, locked and stowed position.

20. The transportation vessel of claim 19 wherein the at least one light-emitting device comprises a first light-emitting device, the transportation vessel further comprising a second light-emitting device disposed and visible within an interior of the transportation vessel, the second light-emitting device being configured to emit light the color which is dependent upon movement and a vertical level of the middle horizontally-oriented platform and the rearmost horizontally-oriented platform, wherein emission of the first color of light by the second light-emitting device indicates that both the middle horizontally-oriented platform and the rearmost horizontally-oriented platform is stationary and is at its uppermost, locked and stowed position at a same vertical level as the first floor and/or the third floor, emission of the second color of light by the second light-emitting device indicates that at least one of the middle horizontally-oriented platform and the rearmost horizontally-oriented platform is in motion and both the middle horizontally-oriented platform and the rearmost horizontally-oriented platform is either in motion or is at its uppermost, locked and stowed position at a same vertical level as the first floor and/or the third floor, and emission of the third color of light by the second light-emitting device indicates that at least one of the middle horizontally-oriented platform and the rearmost horizontally-oriented platform is stationary and is not at its uppermost, locked and stowed position.