LIFTING THE LOAD FROM THE GROUND.
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Three Types of Rapid Loading and Unloading Devices.
WE HAVE already, in the columns of 'The Commercial Motor, referred to patent loading devices which were being developed by Swiss Berna, Ltd. (whose London address is Short Street, New Cut, Southwark, SEA), but the three different types of tipping and loading devices which are now being marketed by the company have not pre
viously been fully described. • The system is known as the VonnezJacquemot, and is devised in order that loads may be stacked . on platforms placed on the ground in any convenient position, and to which the vehicle used for their transport can have ready access. Any number of these platforms may be used, the number entirely depending on the class of employment, the length of the hauls, etc. They are in themselves cheap, because they consist merely of girder frames-suitably cross-membered with emallAlia•• meter rollers carried on spindles at the rear end, and provided with hauling hook and check hooks. The height of the upper surface of the platform is approximately 10 ins, from the ground, the frame itself being about 7 ins, deep, and faced with wood.
This typo A can be used for almost any kind of material—timber, building stone, small articles or refuse in collecting bodies, furniture in pantechnicons —can all be accommodated without the slightest difficulty.
Disposed at the forward end of the body space of the chassis, and immediately behind the driver's cab is a winch, driven by the engine, and eon
trolled from the driver's seat. From the winch, a wire cable is led to the hook on the forward part of the load•id platform. Power being applied, the front end of the platform, with its load, is lifted up a sufficient height to allow the guide rails fixed on the under-side of the platform to engage with the rollers, which are mounted on a spindle at the rear end of the chassis frame. So soon as the loaded platform is in this position, the chassis, being lighter than the load, will be drawn by the action of winch under the load, the brakes being, of course, released for the purpose. At the point where the centre of gravity is passed, the load will itself assume a horizontal position., and be drawn forward on to the chassis framework to the proper position for transportation. No ramps or inclined planes are necessary, and the operation can be carried out by employing the minimum amount of labour and in quite a confined space. Loads up to 5 .tons can be handled by this 'method with ease.
In the case of type B, considerable similarity will he found to a method which some months ago was suggested in The Commercial Motor, and to which reference was made on a subsequent occasion.
A steel frame is hinged at the rear of the chassis, in such a position that, when tipped, the horizontal supporting rails at its rear end will be hist clear of the ground. The load being placed on the ground, as, for instance, in some form of container, the lorry is backed so that the rear rails of the tipping device pass under the load, the winch being then brought into operation to tilt the framework and its load over at right angles on to the framework of the chassis.
Unloading is equally easy, and if the container has a rear swing door any angle of tip may be attained and the loose load can be discharged wherever it is required. Type C consists Of an extension of the platform of the vehicle with a strong end at right angles—virtually a fixed tailboard. This is mounted on brackets pivoted at the rear end of the frame,
and is operated by means of a .wire cable. When the tilting device is lowered, the end of the fixed tailboard is parallel to, and just slightly above, ground level. Casks can now be rolled on to it, the power can be applied from the winch, and the platform, with its load, tilted until the tailboard is now standing vertical, when the casks can be rolled on to the platform of the lorry.
This deVice is particularly useful for brewers, as the winch can be used to hoist the barrels from cellars, and the platform, being of the same width as the body of the lorry, two barrels, hand to hand, can be rolled on at the same time.