Trailer having a self-lifting platform

Claim 2

In a trailer having a self-lifting platform supported by a rack mechanism and guided along a vertical mast consisting of superimposable elements and supported by the trailer, the improvement comprising: two vertical lifting supports which are part of the mast, said lifting supports being spaced in the longitudinal direction of the trailer, a plurality of struts spanning the space between the two vertical lifting supports to join said lifting supports together in the mast, said struts being arranged in regular, vertically spaced intervals along substantially the entire length of the mast, each lifting support including two, spaced, vertical uprights, a toothed rack associated with each lifting support, each toothed rack including a plurality of flat rack teeth, one end of each rack tooth being coupled with one vertical upright of the associated lifting support, the other end of each rack tooth being coupled with the other upright of the associated lifting support, each rack tooth thereby spanning the space between two uprights of each lifting support, the rack teeth of each toothed rack being vertically spaced along the associated lifting support, said platform being provided with two, symmetric, independent lifting mechanisms including two roller stars which are in engagement with the two toothed racks.

Claim 3

A trailer having a self-lifting platform according to claim 1, wherein said two vertical uprights of both of the two lifting supports define a portion of said mast having a rectangular cross-section, said mast also including a fifth upright.

Claim 4

A trailer having a self-lifting platform according to claim 2, wherein said trailer includes a transverse axle defining a forward side and a rearward side of said trailer, the mast being connected with two vertical members of the trailer, two of said uprights of said mast being located on the forward side and two others of said uprights being located at the rearward side of the trailer and carrying at the forward side and at the rearward side said toothed racks the teeth of which cooperate with the rollers of said vertically mounted roller stars of the platform, said platform being guided on each of the five uprights by plural pairs of superimposed rollers.

Claim 5

A trailer having a self-lifting platform according to claim 3, wherein the frame is provided at each of its corners with a stabilizer element adapted to pivot horizontally between a longitudinal position and a stabilisation position inclined at an angle with respect to the trailer, each stabilizer element being provided at its free end with a ground engaging hoist.

Claim 6

A trailer having a self-lifting platform according to claim 3, wherein each of said lifting mechanisms comprises a motor and a speed reducer, each lifting mechanism having a central, longitudinal axis, each lifting mechanism being so disposed that the central longitudinal axis thereof extends transversely with respect to the trailer, the longitudinal axis of one lifting mechanism being disposed forwardly of said two uprights located on the forward side of said trailer and the longitudinal axis of the other lifting mechanism being located rearwardly of said two other uprights located at the rearward side of said trailer.

Claim 7

A trailer having a self-lifting platform according to claim 1, wherein each roller star includes a plurality of radially outwardly extending arms, each arm having a free end at the radially outermost end thereof and a roller mounted on each arm adjacent the free end thereof, whereby rotation of each roller star causes the free ends of said arms to move between the teeth of one toothed rack to effect engagement of said rollers with said teeth.

Claim 8

A trailer comprising: a. an elongated frame; b. a vertically movable platform; c. a rack mechanism supporting said platform; d. a vertical mast along which said platform is guided; e. said trailer including a transverse axle defining forward and rearward sides of said trailer; f. two, spaced, vertical lifting supports in said mast, one being disposed on said forward side of said trailer, the other being disposed on said rearward side, and a plurality of struts spanning the space between the vertical uprights to join said uprights together in said mast, said struts being arranged in regular, vertically spaced intervals along substantially the entire length of said mast; g. each lifting support including a pair of spaced vertical uprights spaced transversely with respect to the trailer frame, said pairs of vertical uprights defining a portion of said mast having a rectangular cross section; h. a first rack mechanism coupled with said pair of uprights of said forward lifting support, said first mechanism including a plurality of flat tooth members, one end of each tooth member being coupled with one vertical upright of said forward lifting support, the other end of each tooth member being coupled with the other upright of said forward lifting support, each tooth member thereby spanning the space between the two uprights of said forward lifting support, the tooth members of said first rack mechanism being vertically spaced along said first lifting support; i. a second rack mechanism coupled with said pair of uprights of said rearward lifting support, said second mechanism including, a plurality of flat, tooth members, one end of each tooth member being coupled with one vertical upright of said rearward lifting support, the other end of each tooth member being coupled with the other upright of said rearward lifting support, each tooth member thereby spanning the space between the two uprights of said rearward lifting support, the tooth members of said second rack mechanism being vertically spaced along said first lifting support; j. first and second lifting mechanisms, each lifting mechanism comprising an electric motor and a speed reducer, each lifting mechanism being mechanically independent of the other and each having a longitudinal axis, both of said lifting mechanisms being symmetrically arranged with respect to said mast and being so arranged that their longitudinal axes extend transversely with respect to the trailer frame; the longitudinal axis of said first lifting mechanism being located forwardly of said forward lifting support and the longitudinal axis of said second lifting mechanism being located rearwardly of said rearward lifting support; k. said first and second lifting mechanisms including, respectively, first and second roller stars, each roller star including a plurality of radially outwardly extending arms, each arm having a roller at the free end thereof; l. said rollers of said first roller star co-operating with said tooth members of said first first rack mechanism, and said roller of said second roller star co-operating with said tooth members of said second rack mechanism to support said platform and move the same vertically along said mast.

Claim 9

A trailer comprising: a. an elongated frame; b. a vertically movable platform; c. a rack mechanism supporting said platform; d. a vertical mast along which said platform is guided; e. said trailer including a transverse axle defining forward and rearward sides of said trailer; f. two, spaced, vertical lifting supports in said mast, one being disposed on said forward side of said trailer, the other being disposed on said rearward side, and a plurality of struts spanning the space between the vertical uprights to join said uprights together in said mast, said struts being arranged in regular, vertically spaced intervals along substantially the entire length of said mast; g. each lifting support including a pair of spaced vertical uprights spaced transversely with respect to the trailer frame, said pairs of vertical uprights defining a portion of said mast having a rectangular cross section; h. a first rack mechanism coupled with said pair of uprights of said forward lifting support, said first mechanism including a plurality of flat tooth members, one end of each tooth member being coupled with one vertical upright of said forward lifting support, the other end of each tooth member being coupled with the other upright of said forward lifting support, each tooth member thereby spanning the space between the two uprights of said forward lifting support, the tooth members of said first rack mechanism being vertically spaced along said first lifting support; i. a second rack mechanism coupled with said pair of uprights of said rearward lifting support, said second mechanism including, a plurality of flat, tooth members, one end of each tooth member being coupled with one vertical upright of said rearward lifting support, the other end of each tooth member being coupled with the other upright of said rearward lifting support, each tooth member thereby spanning the space between the two uprights of said rearward lifting support, the tooth members of said second rack mechanism being vertically spaced along said first lifting support; j. first and second lifting mechanisms, each lifting mechanism comprising an electric motor and a speed reducer, each lifting mechanism being mechanically independent of the other and each having a longitudinal axis, both of said lifting mechanisms being symmetrically arranged with respect to said mast and being so arranged that their longitudinal axes extend transversely with respect to the trailer frame; the longitudinal axis of said first lifting mechanism being located forwardly of said forward lifting support and the longitudinal axis of said second lifting mechanism being located rearwardly of said rearward lifting support; k. said first and second lifting mechanisms including, respectively, first and second roller stars, each roller star including a plurality of radially outwardly extending arms, each arm having a roller at the free end thereof; l. said rollers of said first roller star co-operating with said tooth members of said first first rack mechanism, and said roller of said second roller star co-operating with said tooth members of said second rack mechanism to support said platform and move the same vertically along said mast.