Abstract
A transport trailer having a chassis and at least one floor platform mounting to the chassis and configured to transport a load. The at least one floor platform comprises at least one main plate and a metal sheet mounting to the main plate. The at least one main plate is fabricated from a porous metal material.
Claims
1.-14. (canceled)
15. A transport trailer comprising: a chassis, and at least one floor platform mounted to the chassis, the at least one floor platform configured to transport a load and comprising at least one main plate and at least one metal sheet mounted to a side of the at least one main plate, the at least one main plate fabricated from a porous metal material.
16. The transport trailer of claim 15, wherein the chassis has a front and rear trailer section.
17. The transport trailer of claim 15, further comprising at least one ramp element pivotably mounted to the chassis about a longitudinal axis, the at least one ramp element pivoting from a raised position to a lowered position, wherein the raised position retains the load on the at least one floor platform, and wherein the lowered position permits loading and unloading of the load to and from the at least one floor platform.
18. The transport trailer of claim 15, wherein the at least one main plate is situated between a pair of metal sheets.
19. The transport trailer of claim 15, wherein the porous metal material is a closed-cell aluminum foam.
20. The transport trailer of claim 15, wherein the at least one metal sheet completely covers a flat side of the at least one main plate.
21. The transport trailer of claim 15, wherein the at least one metal sheet is fabricated from one of a steel material and an aluminum material.
22. The transport trailer of claim 15, wherein the at least one main plate has a thickness less than about seventy millimeters (70 mm.)
23. The transport trailer of claim 22, wherein the at least one main plate has a thickness less than about sixty millimeters (60 mm.)
24. The transport trailer of claim 23, wherein the at least one main plate has a thickness less than about fifty millimeters (50 mm.)
25. The transport trailer of claim 15, further comprising one of an electrical and a hydraulic power line integrated within the at least one floor platform, each of the electrical and hydraulic power lines having a connection on a side of the at least one floor platform facing a trailer section.
26. The transport trailer of claim 15, further comprising at least one channel integrated with the at least one floor platform, the at least one channel having an end facing a trailer section.
27. The transport trailer of claim 15, wherein the at least one main plate is segmented to form multiple sections.
28. The transport trailer of claim 15, wherein the at least one main plate is segmented to form multiple sections, and wherein at least one of the sections extends longitudinally between two adjacent sections and is hollow.
29. The transport trailer of claim 15, wherein the floor platform further comprises a frame connected to the at least one metal sheet, and wherein the frame defines multiple areas for receiving the porous metal material.
30. The transport trailer of claim 15, wherein the floor platform further comprises a frame connected to the at least one metal sheet, and wherein the frame defines multiple areas for receiving packed foam material.
31. The transport trailer of claim 15, wherein the load is an inner carriage having a rolling base.
32. The transport trailer of claim 31, wherein each trailer section includes steerable wheels powered by one of the electrical and hydraulic power lines passing through the channels of the floor platform.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a transport trailer according to one embodiment including a floor platform, a metal sheet attached to the floor platform and a ramp element pivotably folded down.
[0020] FIG. 2 is a partially broken-away, perspective view of the chassis to reveal a lifting mechanism disposed between the chassis and the floor platform.
[0021] FIG. 3 is a sectional view through the floor platform depicting a porous metal material disposed between a pair of metal sheets.
[0022] FIG. 4 is a perspective bottom view of an underside of the main plate including a reinforcing frame.
[0023] FIG. 5 is a perspective top view of the main plate having a plurality of hollow cable channels for routing electrical and hydraulic lines through the main plate in a longitudinal direction.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0024] FIGS. 1 and 2 shows a transport trailer 10 having two U-shaped portal arms 12, 14. The portal arms 12, 14 connect a front trailer section 16 with a rear trailer section 18. The front trailer section 16 has a drawbar 20. while the rear trailer section 18 has a trailer coupling (not shown) for accommodating a towing bar of a towed trailer. A level floor platform 22 is located between the front trailer section 16 and the rear trailer section 18. The floor platform 22 has a flat substrate over the entire loading area between the front trailer section 16 and the rear trailer section 18. No additional sections or support beams are situated between the front and rear trailer section. The transfer of force, or ability to react the forces imposed by a steady load, is achieved via the floor platform 22 and/or by the portal arm or arms. The floor platform 22 is delimited laterally by two ramp elements 24 and 26. The ramp elements 24, 26, furthermore, mount to the floor platform 22, or to the chassis 10, by way of a longitudinally-oriented pivot or hinge. The ramp elements 24, 26 may pivot upwardly to retain a load within or on the floor platform 22 or may pivot downwardly to allow access to the floor platform 22 or removal of the load from the floor platform 22. That is, the ramp elements 24, 26 function to retain loads which are disposed within or on the floor platform 22 while also facilitating the loading and/or removal of the load. In FIG. 4, the ramp element 24 is shown in its folded down position to form an access ramp for an inner carriage (not shown in FIG. 4). The ramp element 26 on the opposite longitudinal side of the transport trailer is shown in its raised or upward position. In this position, the ramp element 26 prevents an inner carriage from rolling down from the floor platform 22.
[0025] FIG. 2 depicts the construction of the chassis and the floor platform 22. The front trailer section 16 has a towing bar 20 which is connected to a steering system, (preferably an Ackerman steering system) by means of a coupling rod. The front trailer section 16 has two laterally situated wheels 30, 32. There is a transverse or flange section 34 mounted on the trailer sections 12, 14 in each case. The transverse or flange sections 34 each have angled or L-shaped attachment segments 36 on which the floor platform 22 rests and is connected. In the middle of the vehicle, or along its centerline, is an additional L-shaped attachment section 38 which connects to both the transverse section 34 and the floor platform 22.
[0026] A lifting mechanism 44 can also be seen on the front and rear trailer section 16, 18 of FIG. 2. The lifting mechanism 44 has two vertical lift/guide sections 40, 42 between which a lift cylinder 44 may be situated. The lift cylinder 44 raises the floor platform 22, for example via the middle attachment 38, while the vertical lift/guide sections 40,42 raise the floor platform 22 with the aid of the transverse section 34.
[0027] FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of a cross section through the floor platform 22. In one embodiment, the floor platform 22 has at least one metal sheet bonded, or otherwise secured, to a flat side of the floor platform 22. In another embodiment, the porous metal plate is bonded, connected or otherwise secured between a pair of metal sheets 42, 44. That is, the metal sheets 42, 44 are disposed in combination with the opposite flat sides of the porous metal material 46. Moreover, the metal sheets 42 and 44 may be comprised of aluminum or steel. The porous metal material 46 may, for example, be fabricated from a closed-cell aluminum foam.
[0028] Practical tests have shown that a load of 1000 kg can be supported by a floor platform having a surface area of 1300 mm1100 mm with a compact design and a thickness dimension of less than about 50 mm. By comparison, a platform made of steel having a thickness dimension of 55 mm can only support a load of about 300 kg.
[0029] In FIG. 4, a main plate 50 includes a metal sheet 52 on having a frame 54 attached to the metal sheet 52. The frame 54 comprises four longitudinal sections 56 arranged parallel to one another, which sections 56 are connected by transverse sections 58, 60. The transverse sections 58, 60 are disposed at the end of the metal sheet 52 with the transverse sections 58, 60 having boreholes 62 for attaching the metal sheet 52 and the longitudinal sections 56. Areas 64 are formed between the longitudinal sections 56 and are delimited rectangularly by a longitudinal section on each side and by a transverse section at each end, i.e., at the head and foot of each rectangular area. Each of the areas 64 is delimited on a flat side 52 by the floor of the metal sheet 52 and may be foam-packed with the porous metal material. The second metal sheet may be attached to and completely sealed to the frame 54 such that the porous metal foam material may be introduced into each of the areas 64.
[0030] FIG. 5 shows the finished main plate 50 along with a cover metal sheet 66 on the top side. Cable routing channels 68 may be formed by the longitudinal sections 56. Furthermore, tamp-shaped ascension aids 70 may be provided laterally of the cover metal sheet 66.
