Apparatus for loading and unloading a container on to and off a vehicle

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The invention relates to an apparatus for loading and unloading a container on to and off of a vehicle, wherein the container has two symmetrically arranged rollers and a centrally arranged hook in the proximity of its lower edge towards the vehicle.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] Containers of this kind are standardized in the United States of America. In order to move them from a highway onto a load surface of a truck, cable hoists are used, which are engaged into the centrally arranged hooks. In Europe, in contrast, containers are provided with a yoke or stirrup which an angular arm can engage by means of a hook at the wall towards the vehicle, in order to lift the container, whereupon the angular arm together with the container secured thereto is displaced in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The arm is in the form of an angle member with two limbs, and it pivots out at an end of one of those limbs. The limb that is provided with the hook is telescopic. An example of a structure of this kind is shown in DE 25 57 169 A1.

[0006] The present invention is based on the realization that containers of the kind defined in the opening part of this specification can also be loaded and unloaded on to a roll-off tipper truck which in itself is designed for handling European containers, with an angular arm. For this purpose, the invention provides an apparatus that includes an angular arm, at the end of which is arranged a coupling device which is provided with a pair of hooks for engaging behind the rollers and which can be engaged into the hook.

[0007] If the coupling device according to the invention is to be used only for handling the containers defined in the opening part of this specification, it can form a fixed component of the overall apparatus. If containers of the European and US types are to be selectively handled, the coupling device is to be in the form of a removable adaptor, which can be effected by the coupling device being provided with a yoke or stirrup into which can be engaged the hook arranged on the angular arm.

[0008] There are numerous possible options in regard to the structural configuration of the invention and they will be described by way of example with reference to the drawings.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of an end part of a container which is to be handled by the invention.

[0010] FIG. 2 shows a coupling device according to the invention and its relationship with the container shown in FIG. 1 in the working position.

[0011] FIGS. 3 through 5 show a second embodiment of the coupling device according to the invention in three different functional positions in each case together with a detail on an enlarged scale.

[0012] FIG. 1 shows an inclined lower front edge of a container 1. Provided beneath the inclined region at a central position is a hook 4 which can serve to move the container 1 by means of a cable. In addition, two symmetrically arranged rollers 3 are provided for the same purpose.

[0013] FIG. 2 shows a first embodiment of a coupling device 13 which makes it possible for the container shown in FIG. 1 to be securely engaged. An essential part of the coupling device 13 is a pair of hooks 7 which are connected by a transverse member 9. Pivotally mounted to the pair of hooks 7 is a pivotal member 8 in the form of a U-shaped frame which can be engaged by means of a ring 6 or an engagement part into the hook 4. When the pair of hooks 7 are engaged with the rollers 3, the pivotal member 8 is supported by way of struts 10 against the rollers 3. So that this association is securely maintained, the pivotal member 8 can be fixed in its position by locking cylinders 14. Instead of a hydraulic fixing of this kind, it would also be possible to provide a mechanical locking action between the members 8 and 7.

[0014] In order to be able to handle the coupling device 13 by means of a roll-off tipper provided with a pivotable arm, the coupling device 13 is provided with a yoke or stirrup 11. If, in contrast, only containers as shown in FIG. 1 are to be loaded and unloaded, it would also be possible for the coupling device 13 to be permanently connected by way of a hinge joint to an angular arm 5 shown in FIG. 3.

[0015] The coupling device 13 used in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3 through 5 differs from that shown in FIG. 2 by virtue of a hinge joint 15 which pivotably connects the transverse member 9 which carries the yoke or stirrup 11 to the pair of hooks 7 and the pivotal member 8 which is pivotal with respect to the pair of hooks 7.

[0016] FIG. 3 shows the operation for picking up the container 1 by means of the coupling device 13. The fact that the pivotal member 8 is supported against the pair of hooks 7 by means of the struts 10 ensures that the coupling device 13 does not damage the container 1.

[0017] When the container 1 moves from the position shown in FIG. 3 into the position shown in FIG. 4, by being pulled over a pair of rollers 16, the advantage of the hinge joint 15 shows itself, insofar as a length of a telescopic arm 5′ can be kept small. This means that the angle of incidence α which the container 1 reaches before it is tilted on to the load surface of a vehicle 2 is very small.

[0018] FIG. 5 shows the apparatus according to the invention in the travel position and demonstrates how the coupling device 13 can be disposed between a driving cab 17 and the container 1.