WO2012080755A1

WO2012080755A1 - Improvements in or relating to load handling apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2012080755A1
Application number: PCT/GB2011/052510
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hugh Frost
Original assignee: Hugh Frost
Priority date: 2010-12-18
Filing date: 2011-12-19
Publication date: 2012-06-21
Also published as: GB201121747D0; GB2486593B; GB2518995B; GB201421018D0; GB201021484D0; GB2486593A; GB2518995A

Abstract

A load handling apparatus (100) is disclosed. The load handling apparatus comprises a plurality of receptors (101, 20A, 20B, 20C, 30, 41, 50, 60, 260), and a lifting apparatus (103, 122, 74, 200). Each receptor comprises a plurality of support members (2, 3, 21A, 21B, 21C, 44, 61, 262) for supporting an article (9, 72). The support members are spaced from each other and define an access formation (6, 32, 264) between adjacent support members. Each access formation has a top opening (7, 33, 63, 266). The lifting apparatus comprises a plurality of spaced lifting members (3, 38, 68, 216) arranged to be received by the access formations (6, 32, 264) in the receptors. A plurality of spaces are defined between the lifting members. Each access formation (6, 32, 264) is configured to receive one of the lifting members (3, 38, 68, 216) of the lifting apparatus, whereby the lifting members can be inserted into the access formations and thereafter raised through the top opening to lift the article on the support members.

Description

Improvements in or Relating to Load Handling Apparatus

This invention relates to receptors. This invention relates to lifting apparatus. The invention also relates to load handling apparatus comprising receptors and lifting apparatus. More particularly, but not exclusively the invention relates to receptors, lifting apparatus and/or load handling apparatus to support and/or lift packaged consumer goods.

Many consumer goods and other items are supported and transported upon pallets, which are constructed from wood, plastics or metal. The goods are commonly placed on a pallet directly after manufacture, and are carried thereon until the goods are unpackaged at a depot or point of sale. However these pallets are expensive to use because once they have been unloaded, they have to be transported back to the place of manufacture of the goods to be used again, or disposed of at point of destination

According to one aspect of this invention, there is provided a receptor for supporting one or more articles, the receptor comprising a plurality of support members for supporting an article, the support members being spaced from each other and defining access means between the support members, the access means having a top opening, and the access means being configured to receive a plurality of lifting members of a lifting apparatus, whereby the lifting members can be inserted into the access means and thereafter raised through the top opening to lift the article on the support members.

In one embodiment, the support members may be elongate, for example in the form of beams or bars. The support members may be arranged side by side. The elongate support members may be arranged substantially parallel to one another. Each support member may have an upper article support surface.

In another embodiment, the, or each receptor may comprise a plurality of stud members, which may be arranged in a regular array. The stud members may be spaced from one another, and may be arranged in rows and columns, which may be regular rows and columns.

The access means may comprise at least one access cavity extending between the adjacent support members. The access means may comprise a plurality of access cavities. Where the support members are elongate, the access cavities may be elongate, and may extend parallel to one another. Where the support members are in the form of stud members, the access cavities may communicate with one another to provide a network of interconnected access cavities.

The, or each, access cavity may have a top opening. The, or each, access cavity may have at least one side opening at a side of the receptor. Thus, the lifting members can enter the access cavities via the side opening or the top opening. The lifting members may be inserted into the access cavities via the side opening or the top opening.

The receptor may comprise at least three support members, although it will be appreciated that the number of support members may be any suitable number of support members, for example nine or more. If desired, the receptor may be integrally mounted on a vehicle, such as a lorry trailer or a railway wagon during manufacture. Alternatively, a plurality of receptors may be retrofitted to the vehicle, the receptors desirably being in modular format. The receptors may have conventional pallet proportions.

A plurality of the receptors may be arrangeable on a surface adjacent one another. Connecting means may be provided to connect the receptors to one another.

The connecting means may comprise first and second co-operating formations on the receptors, the first co-operating formations on one receptor co-operating with the second co-operating formations on an adjacent receptor to connect the adjacent receptors to each other. The first co-operating formations may comprise projections. The second co-operating formations may comprise holes configured to receive the projections. The holes may be apertures or recesses. The projections may have an L-shaped profile. The holes may have an L-shaped profile.

Alternatively, the connecting means may comprise discrete connecting members co- operable with corresponding connecting formations on the receptors. The connecting formations may comprise holes configured to receive the connecting members. The holes may be apertures or recesses.

Where the support members comprise a plurality of stud members, the access cavities may have side openings at a first, and/or a second, and/or a third, and/or a fourth side of the receptor. In the embodiments described herein, this provides the advantage that lifting apparatus can access the receptor from a first, a second, a third, or a fourth side thereof.

It will be appreciated that, if the lifting members are a suitable size and shape, it will be possible for them to be inserted into the access cavities from any number of different angles. In one embodiment, the stud members may be arranged such that the lifting members can enter the access cavities from a selected one of three or more sides.

The support members may be provided with rolling means to facilitate moving one or more articles across the receptor. Where the support members are elongate, the rolling means may be in the form of in the form of balls or castors having wheels, or in the form of elongate rollers or elongate castors having rollers. Where the support members are in the form of stud members, the rolling members can be in the form of balls or castors. Locking means may be provided to lock the rolling means in a non- rolling condition to prevent or restrict movement of the articles on the receptor, e.g. during transit.. Alternatively, or in addition, the rollers may be retractable into the support members to prevent or restrict movement of the articles on the receptor, e.g. during transit. In another embodiment, each support member may be provided with resilient support means, which may extend over the top of each support member. The resilient support means on each support member may engage the resilient support means on an adjacent support member, thereby providing a continuous support surface for one or more articles.

The resilient support means may have a curved convex upper portion and may be formed of an elastomeric or rubber material.

Where the support members are elongate, the resilient support means may comprise resilient elements, which may have a substantially curved convex cross section. Where the support members comprise stud members, the resilient support means may comprise individual resilient elements mounted on a respective one of the stud members.

This embodiment allows the lifting members to push adjacent resilient support means apart to lift the, or each, article. In the embodiments described herein, this has the advantage of supporting and lifting delicate items, for example human or animals, and may be used in hospitals.

The receptor may comprise a base means for supporting the support members. Support members may extend upwardly from the base means. The base means may comprise a base member, which may be substantially planar, and the support members may be integrally provided on the base member. Alternatively, the base means may comprise at least one elongate base member. In one embodiment, the base means may comprise a pair of elongate base members arranged substantially parallel to each other.

The support members may comprise co-operating means to co-operate with the lifting members of the lifting apparatus. The co-operating means may comprise apertures defined in the support members. The lifting members may have insertion elements thereon for insertion into the apertures. The insertion members may be movable from a retracted position to an insertion position. The apertures may be arranged to co-operate with corresponding insertion elements which can extend from the support members into the apertures when the insertion elements are in the insertion position, thereby allowing the receptor to be lifted when the lifting members are raised.

Where the support members are elongate, the co-operating means may be in the form of elongate slots defined in the support members.

According to another aspect of this invention, there is provided lifting apparatus comprising a plurality of spaced lifting members arranged to be received by access means in a receptor, wherein a plurality of spaces are defined between the lifting members.

The lifting apparatus may comprise at least three spaced lifting members. In one embodiment, the lifting apparatus may comprise nine spaced lifting members. The lifting apparatus may comprise between three and nine lifting members. The lifting apparatus may comprise greater than nine lifting members. The lifting members may be elongate, and each lifting member may comprise a tine.

The lifting apparatus may comprise a lifting unit comprising a carrier and the lifting members. The lifting members may be carried by the carrier. The lifting members may extend side by side from the carrier, and the lifting members may be substantially parallel to each other.

The lifting apparatus may comprise a main driver for moving the lifting unit from place to place. The lifting unit may be detachable from the main driver for movement relative thereto.

The lifting apparatus may comprise a mounting arrangement on the main driver for mounting the carrier on the main driver. In one embodiment, the lifting apparatus may further include co-operating holding means to mount the lifting unit on the mounting arrangement.

The co-operating holding means may comprise a projection on one of the carrier and the main driver, and a receiving member on the other of the carrier and the main driver, the receiving member being configured to co-operate with the projection so that the main driver can lift the lifting unit.

In one embodiment, the projection may be provided on the main driver and the receiving member may be provided on the carrier. In this embodiment, the projection may extend upwardly from the main driver. In another embodiment, the projection may be provided on the carrier and the receiving member may be provided on the main driver. In this embodiment, the projection may extend downwardly from the carrier. The receiving member may receive the projection.

In a further embodiment, the projection may extend at any other suitable angle, such as horizontal, with the receiving member being arranged at a corresponding angle to receive the projection.

The projection may be moveably mounted on the main driver for movement between a received position, in which the projection is received by the receiving member, and a removed position, in which the projection is removed from the receiving member to allow the lifting unit to move separate from the mounting means. The projection may be an upwardly extending projection.

The lifting unit may comprise a drive mechanism to drive the lifting unit separately from the main driver.

The lifting unit may comprise a plurality of raising means, each raising means being provided to raise a set of the lifting members. Each set of lifting members has fewer than the total number of lifting members on the lifting unit. For example, where the lifting unit comprises nine lifting members, the lifting unit may also have three raising means. In this example, each raising means may be connected to a set of three of the lifting members, whereby each raising means can be operated separately from the other raising means to raise the respective set of three lifting members connected thereto. This has the advantage in the embodiments described herein that, where it is desired to lift only a portion of a load on a receptor, one of the sets of lifting members can be operated by the respective raising means to lift only the portion of the load desired to be retrieved.

In one embodiment, the lifting unit may include a processing arrangement to control the drive mechanism and the raising means. In this embodiment, the movement of the lifting unit, and the raising and lowering of the lifting members by the raising means may be controlled by the processing arrangement.

Each raising means may comprise roller support means to support the lifting members. The roller support means may comprise a plurality of rollers on the lifting members to support the lifting members. The rollers may be moveable from a retracted condition to a support condition, whereby when the roller means are in the support condition, the lifting members may be supported thereby, and the lifting members may be raised above the article support surfaces of the support members to an extent to support an article.

The roller support means may be movable to an intermediate condition between the retracted and support conditions. In the intermediate condition, the lifting members may be movable on the roller means. In the intermediate condition, the support members are raised to a lesser extent than in the support condition.

In one embodiment, when the lifting unit is separate from the main driver, the roller support means may be movable from the retracted or the intermediate condition to the support condition to support the lifting members, and to facilitate movement of the lifting unit separate from the main driver. In the support condition, the lifting members of the embodiments described herein are raised sufficiently to provide clearance of the articles above the upper surfaces. The raising means may comprise a roller actuating arrangement to move the rollers between the retracted, the intermediate and the support conditions. The roller actuating arrangement may comprise a main lever assembly upon which at least one of the rollers is mounted. In one embodiment, the main lever assembly may comprise a main lever pivotally mounted on the lifting unit and a power means attached to the main lever for pivotally moving the lever. The power means may extend between the carrier and the main lever.

The main lever may be rotatably mounted on the lifting unit. The lever may be pivotally mounted on the lifting unit at a pivot disposed between the roller and the point of attachment of the power means.

The power means may comprise a hydraulic or pneumatic piston and cylinder arrangement. Alternatively, the power means may be electrically operated, and may be connectable to a mains supply of electricity or to a battery.

The main lever assembly may be mounted at a rear end of the lifting members. In one embodiment, the roller actuating assembly may comprise a subsidiary lever assembly mounted at the opposite end region of the lifting assembly to the main lever assembly. In this embodiment, the subsidiary lever assembly may be mounted at a front end region of the lifting member.

The subsidiary lever assembly may comprise a subsidiary roller and a subsidiary lever to which the subsidiary roller may be rotatably mounted. The subsidiary lever may be pivotally mounted on the lifting member. The lifting member may comprise a lug to which the subsidiary lever is pivotally mounted.

An elongate transmission member may extend from the main lever assembly to the subsidiary lever assembly. The elongate transmission member may be pivotally mounted on the main lever assembly and the subsidiary lever assembly. In the embodiment described herein, the provision of the roller support means on the lifting members provides the advantage that, when the lifting unit is mounted on the main driver, the lifting members can be supported by the roller means, when the lifting members extend over, for example, a support member of a receptor. This has the advantage in an embodiment described herein that when the lifting members are carrying a heavy load, the lifting members can be supported by the roller members, thus removing the need for a counterweight on the main driver. This can be particularly useful where the lifting members are extendable, for example by being telescopic, which would otherwise provide a large moment on the lifting members.

The lifting apparatus may comprise discharge means on the lifting members. The discharge means may be in the form of rollers to facilitate movement of one or more articles on the lifting members. The discharge means may be capable of being locked or retracted to prevent or restrict movement of an article on the lifting members.

In another embodiment, the lifting apparatus may include an umbilical connection between the lifting unit and the main driver. The umbilical connection may be an electrical or hydraulic connection.

In a further embodiment, the lifting unit may include a remote control arrangement to allow remote control of the lifting unit when separated from the main driver. The remote control arrangement may be a wireless remote control arrangement, such as a radio control arrangement.

In another embodiment, the lifting apparatus may further include an extending device to extend the lifting unit forwardly relative to the carrier. The extending device may comprise a scissor arrangement. In this embodiment, the lifting apparatus may include a stabilising assembly below the extending device. The stabilising assembly may extend forwardly of the main driver. In this embodiment, the combination of the extending device and the roller support means may allow loads to be delivered to, or collected from, a receptor so that the roller support means supports the load on the receptor beyond the stabilising assembly when the lifting unit is extended from the carrier over the receptor.

The support of the lifting unit by the roller support means in engagement with the receptor in front of the stabilising assembly negates the need for a counterweight on the rear of the lifting apparatus.

The lifting apparatus may include elevating means to elevate the lifting unit. The elevating means may comprise a scissor lift or telescopic mast, which may be mounted on the support assembly.

A load support member may be mounted on the elevating means. The load support member may comprise a further receptor as described above.

According to another aspect of this invention, there is provided a load handling apparatus comprising a receptor as described above, and a lifting apparatus as described above.

The load handling apparatus may comprise a plurality of the receptors, each being arranged at different locations, wherein the lifting apparatus can transport one or more articles from one of the receptors to another of the receptors.

At least one of the receptors may be provided in a vehicle, such as a lorry trailer or a railway wagon. At least one of the receptors may be provided in a stationary location, such as a building, which may be a warehouse.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figures 1 A shows a first step in the use of a load handling apparatus for transporting articles from a receptor;

Figure 1 B shows a second step subsequent to the step shown in Figure 1 A, but with the articles omitted for clarity;

Figure 1 C shows a third step in which the articles have been removed from the receptor;

Figure 1 D shows a front view of an alternative to the steps shown in Figures 1 B and 1 C, in which only some of the articles are removed;;

Figure 1 E shows a step subsequent to the step shown in Figure 1 D;

Figures 2A shows another embodiment of a receptor;

Figure 2B shows a further embodiment of a receptor;

Figure 2C shows yet another embodiment of a receptor;

Figure 3 is a top view of a further embodiment of the load handling apparatus;

Figure 4 is a side view of an embodiment of a receptor;

Figure 5 is a top view of another embodiment of the support;

Figures 6A to 6C are cross-sectional side views of yet another embodiment of the load handling apparatus;

Figure 7 shows an embodiment of a lifting apparatus comprising a lifting unit, a mounting arrangement and a receptor; Figure 8 is a rear perspective view of the lifting unit shown in Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a front perspective view of a mounting arrangement;

Figures 10A to 10C show the stages for detaching the lifting unit form the mounting arrangement;

Figures 1 1 A to 1 1 C are sectional side views of a lifting unit showing a roller support means and the steps for the movement thereof;

Figure 12 shows an embodiment of a receptor;

Figure 13 shows another embodiment of a reception;

Figure 14 shows a further embodiment of a lifting apparatus;

Figures 15A to 15C show the steps in the operation of another embodiment of a lifting apparatus; and

Figures 16A to 16D show four steps in the operation of yet another embodiment of a lifting apparatus.

A load handling apparatus 100 is shown in Figures 1 A to 1 E, which comprises a receptor 101 (see particularly Figure 1 C). The receptor 101 comprises a plurality of support members 2. The load handling apparatus 100 also includes a lifting apparatus 103 comprising a plurality of elongate lifting members 3 carried by, and extending from a carrier 1 1 . A further example of the receptor is shown in Figure 12 and described in more detail below.

Upper surfaces 4 of the support members 2 define a support platform 5, and the support members 2 are spaced apart such that a plurality of access formations in the form of access cavities 6 are defined between adjacent support members 2. The access cavities 6 comprise a top opening 7 between said top surfaces 4 and at least a first side opening 8 substantially normal to the top opening 7 and extending from it.

In use, articles 9 can be disposed on the support platform 5, as shown in Figure 1 A, and the lifting members 3 can be inserted into the access cavities 6 below the articles 9 through the side openings 8. The lifting members 3 can be raised up through the top openings 7, as shown in Figure 1 B. Although the articles 9 have been omitted from Figure 1 C, so that the support members 2 can be seen more clearly, it will be appreciated that the articles 9 are supported on the lifting members 3 and lifted by the lifting members 3 above the support members 2. Thereafter, the lifting apparatus 103 reverses away from the receptor 101 to the position as shown in Figure 1 C.

The support members 2 comprise spaced apart parallel beams, which extend from a base 10. The support members 2 have a height which is greater than the height of the lifting members 3, such that the lifting members 3 can readily enter the access cavities 6.

The lifting members 3 are in the form of parallel tines, which are spaced apart by a distance that corresponds to the spacing between adjacent access cavities 6. The lifting members 3 are mounted at one end to the carrier 1 1 , which is itself mounted to a main driver such as a driver of a known fork lift truck (not shown), such that the lifting members 3 can be manoeuvred, lifted and lowered in the known fashion to enter the access cavities 6 and lift the articles 9. In addition, once the articles 9 have been lifted, the lifting members 3 can lift the articles 9 clear of the support platform 5, and transport it elsewhere. The main driver can be any other apparatus suitable for lifting articles of the type described herein.

If the articles 9 are carried on the lifting members 3 and it is desired to place the articles 9 on the support platform 5, the reverse of the above described procedure is performed. The lifting apparatus 103 comprises nine lifting members 3, which are divided into three sets of three adjacent lifting members 3, where each set can be raised or lowered independently of the other sets. This is described more fully below, with reference to Figures 7 and 8. The mechanism for effecting the independent raising of the sets of lifting members 3 is also described below. The independent raising of one of the sets of lifting members 3 is shown in Figure 1 D and 1 E and described in the following paragraph.

Figure 1 D and 1 E shows an alternative to the step shown in Figure 1 A to 1 C in a situation where it is desired to lift only some of the articles 9 on the receptor 101 , such as the articles 9 on the right hand side of the receptor 101 , and supported by the support members designated 2A, 2B and 2C. After the support members 3 have been inserted under the articles 9, as shown in Figure 1 A, the three right hand support members 3A, 3B and 3C are raised separately from the other support members 3 to lift the articles 9 supported by the support members 2A, 2B, 2C.

The right hand support members 3A, 3B and 3C constitute a set of the support members 3 described in the immediately preceding paragraph. It will be appreciated that the remaining 6 lifting members 3 constitute two further sets of lifting members, labelled respectively 3D, 3E, 3F and 3G, 3H, 3I. The central lifting members 3B, 3E and 3H of each set are provided with roller support means 243 comprising rear rollers 244 (not shown in Figures 1 A to 1 E) and rear rollers 246 as described in more detail below.

The rollers 244, 246 on each of the lifting members 3B, 3E and 3H can be lowered and lifted independently of each other to raise or lower the sets of lifting members independently of each other. This is described in more detail below.

In Figure 1 D, the right hand set of lifting members 3A, 3B, 3C has been raised by lowering the rollers 244, 246 on the lifting member 3B. This has raised the right hand article 9 so that it can be removed, leaving the other articles 9 on the receptor 101 , as shown in Figure 1 E. In Figures 2A to 2C further embodiments of the receptor are shown. Figure 2A shows a receptor 20A comprising elongate support members 21 A in the form of a plurality of parallel spaced apart substantially L-shaped bars. The support members 21 A are mounted on a substantially planar base member 22A. An upright end portion 24A of each support member 21 A is attached to the base member 22A, and a generally horizontal main portion 25A is cantilevered from the end portion 24A. The main portion 25A defines a support platform 26A upon which articles (not shown in Figure 2A) can be disposed.

Figure 2B shows a receptor 20B comprising elongate support members 21 B in the form of a plurality of spaced apart generally 'C shaped bars. The elongate support members 21 B are mounted at the opposite ends on a pair of elongate substantially parallel base members 22B.

Each support member 21 B comprises two upright end portions 24B and a substantially horizontal elongate main portion 25B extending between the end portions 24B. The portion 25B extending between the end portions 24B. The end portions 24B of each support member 21 B are attached to a respective one of the elongate base members 22B.

Together, the main portion 25B defines a support platform 26B upon which articles (not shown in Figure 2B) can be disposed.

Figure 2C shows a receptor 20C which is similar to the receptor 20B having elongate support members 21 C in the form of spaced apart generally 'C shaped bars. Each support member 21 C comprises two upright end portions 24C and a substantially horizontal elongate main portion 25C extending between the end portions 24C. The main portion 25C defines a support platform 26C upon which articles can be disposed. The receptor 20C differs from the receptor 20B in that, instead of a pair of elongate base members, the receptor 20C comprises a substantially planar base member 22C to which the ends of the support members 21 C are attached.

In Figure 3 load handling apparatus 120 is shown. The load handling apparatus 120 comprises a receptor 30, which operates in a similar manner to the receptors 101 and 20 as described above, except that the receptor 30 comprises a plurality of spaced apart stud members 31 . The stud members 31 are arranged in regular rows and columns.

As is clear from Figure 3 the receptor 30 defines a network of interconnected access cavities 32, a first set extending in one direction, and a second set extending in a direction normal to the first set. (For convenience a first access cavity 32A and a second access cavity 32B which intersects the first access cavity 32A, are outlined in broken lines, and the following references relate to them.)

Each access cavity 32 comprises a top opening 33, a first side opening 34, a second side opening 35, third side openings 36 and fourth side openings 37. Therefore lifting members 38 can enter the access cavities 32 below articles in use from one of four sides, either one side at a time, or from a number of sides simultaneously. In Figure 3 lifting members 38 of a lifting apparatus 122 are shown entering the access cavities 32 from a first side 39 of the apparatus 30, and from a second side 40 in broken lines.

Figure 4 shows a receptor 41 , which is similar in shape to the receptors 101 and 20 shown in Figures 1 A and 2A, except that rollers 42 are mounted at the top 43 of each of the support members 44. With this arrangement, articles 45 can be readily moved across the support platform 46 so it can be positioned for lifting.

Figure 5 shows a receptor 50 which is similar in operation to the receptor 30 shown in Figure 3, except that roller balls 51 are mounted at the top 52 of each stud 53. With this arrangement an articles 54 can be readily moved across the support platform 55 so it can be positioned for storage or retrieval. The receptor 50 is mounted on a support, which could be a trailer bed 56 of a transport vehicle 57. This demonstrates how the receptor of the invention can be disposed to support articles in transit.

Figure 5 shows a single receptor 50 mounted on the trailer bed 56 of the vehicle 57. Such a single receptor 50 would be so mounted during manufacture. Alternatively, if desired, a plurality of modular receptors 50A (shown in broken lines in Figure 5) could be mounted on the trailer bed 56.

Figures 6A to 6C shows a portion of load handling apparatus 130, which comprises a receptor 60 and lifting apparatus 74. The receptor 60 comprises support beams 61 , which are provided with resilient support means in the form of first resilient enveloping elements 62, having first compressible portions 66 providing an upper curved surface. A top opening 63 is defined between each adjacent pair of first compressible portions 66.

The first compressible portions 66 are configured to close the top openings 63 of the access cavities 64 between the support beams 61 , such that a substantially continuous support platform 65 is provided. Each first resilient enveloping element 62 is in the form of an elongate strip comprising the first compressible portion 66 and a first enveloping portion 67. In use the enveloping elements 62 can be removed from the support beams 61 , if desired.

As shown in Figure 6B lifting members 68 (only one of which is shown) are provided with second resilient enveloping elements 69 which are of a similar construction to the first resilient enveloping elements 62, but are smaller in size. The second enveloping elements 69 comprise a second compressible portion 70 and a second enveloping portion 71

In use, a delicate article 72 can be placed on the support platform 65, and the weight of the article 72 compresses the first compressible portions 66 such that the support platform 65 becomes substantially planar. As shown in Figures 6B and 6C the lifting members 68 enter the access cavities 64, and rise up through the top opening 63 by deformation of the first compressible portions 66, and engage the article 72, which thereby compresses the second compressible portion 70. Thus when the article is carried by the lifting members 68 it is still supported in a resilient manner due the article 72 being supported by the second compressible portions 70, although it will be appreciated that in this case there will be gaps between adjacent second compressible portions 70. The resilient first and second enveloping elements 62, 69 are formed of a suitable resilient material, such as rubber or an elastomer.

The load handling apparatus 130 is intended to be used with delicate or non-rigid articles, for example white goods, furniture, bags of liquids. In another arrangement the support and lifting apparatus can be formed as a bed and a lifting platform for supporting and moving human or animal medical patients substantially without creating potentially painful pressure points.

It will be appreciated that the spatial relationship between each support member and each lifting member can vary depending on the intended use, providing the spacings are such that articles can be safely supported. For example if only single large rigid articles are supported and lifted the spaces can be a relatively large distance apart. However, if there are several smaller articles to be carried, or one flexible article, for example bags of liquids, the spaces can be closer together such that no articles or portion of an article falls or sags through the support members or the lifting members. It will also be appreciated that the invention can be in any scale, with any number of support members and lifting members, and with the spatial relationships between the components being from just a few millimetres to tens of metres.

As described above, the invention also includes arrangements in which there are receptors at two or more different locations, such that articles can be lifted from one receptor at one location and transported by means of the plurality of lifting members to a second receptor at a second location. It will be appreciated that any of the support and lifting apparatus shown in the Figures can be used in this way with a second set of support beams or stud members of any of the types described above provided at another location. Indeed, the Figures show an example of a receptor which is intended to work with a number of other support members and lifting members. For example one set can be provided at a factory, where articles can be taken from a production line to the vehicle, and another set can be provided at a depot or retail outlet accessible by road, where the articles can be taken from the vehicle to a storage location.

In addition, the invention also includes the use of a number of receptors at different locations inside a machine, for example a vending machine, an automated parcel delivery and retrieval system, or an automated storage facility. As described above, any of the support and lifting apparatus described herein could be used in such a way, only on a smaller scale.

The embodiments described above can be altered without departing from the invention. In particular some features described above in relation to one embodiment can be incorporated into any of the others. For example, in one alternative embodiment (not shown) an array of stud members are provided with separate resilient sleeve elements, which operate in a similar manner to the resilient sleeve elements 62 shown in Figures 6A to 6C.

In other alternative embodiments (not shown) rollers and roller balls provided at the top of beams and stud members are provided with locking means to prevent motion of the rollers. In one particular arrangement (not shown) roller balls provided at the top of stud members are retractable into the stud members.

Referring now to Figures 7 to 9, 10A to 10C, and 1 1 A to 1 1 C there is shown a lifting apparatus 200, which comprises a lifting unit 210 and a mounting arrangement 212 for mounting the lifting unit 210 on a main driver (not shown), for example the driving part of a forklift truck. The lifting unit 210 comprises a carrier 214 and a plurality of lifting members 216 which extend from the carrier 214.

A rear view of the lifting unit 210 is shown in Figure 8, from which it can be seen that the carrier 214 comprises a horizontal elongate support arrangement 218, and power means 250. The power means is in the form of respective first, second and third hydraulic rams 220A, 220B, 220C, and is used to lift a respective set of three of the lifting members 216, as described below. It will be appreciated that each set of lifting members 216 could comprise any suitable number of lifting members.

The support arrangement 218 comprises an upper horizontal support element 222 and a lower horizontal support element 223. Connecting members 224 extend downwardly from the lower horizontal support element 223. The lifting members 216 are each attached to a respective one of the connecting members 224. Adjacent connecting members 224 define a plurality of gaps 225 beneath the lower support element 223 to allow the lifting unit 210 to move along a receptor 260, as described below.

Two receiving members 226 are mounted on the elongate horizontal support element 222. Each receiving member 226 can receive a respective projection 236 on the mounting arrangement 212, as described below.

Referring to Figure 9, the mounting arrangement 212 is shown. The mounting arrangement 212, as shown in Figure 7 comprises a safety barrier 230, but this has been omitted from the mounting arrangement 212 shown in Figure 9.

The mounting arrangement 212 comprises a support frame 232 which is fixedly mounted to the main driver. The support frame comprises upper and lower horizontal elongate frame members 232A, 232B, and a pair of side uprights 232C, 232D extend between the opposite ends of the frame members 232A, 232B. A pair of central struts 234 extends generally vertically on the support frame 232 between the upper and lower frame members 232C, 232D. Each of the support struts 234 has one of the projections 236 thereon. Each projection 236 extends forwardly of the respective support strut 234 to which it is attached by suitable attaching members 238.

The projections 236 extend upwardly and terminate at their upper end in a point 240. This allows the projections 236 to be received by the receiving members 226. When the projections 236 are received in the receiving members 226, the lifting unit 210 can be carried by the main driver.

The mounting arrangement 212 also includes a cable carrying arrangement 242 in which a suitable electric or hydraulic cable can be wound inside. The electric cable connects the main driver to the lifting unit 210 to provide power to the lifting unit 210.

In operation, the lifting unit 210 is most useful where it is necessary to store or retrieve articles which are arranged on a receptor 260 (shown in Figure 12, and described in more detail below), for example where the articles are arranged at a distance from the edge to be accessed by the lifting apparatus 200. The distance could be, for example, several lengths of the receptor 260 away from the edge. In this situation, the lifting apparatus 200 would not be able to reach if the lifting unit 210 remains attached to the mounting arrangement 212. In such circumstances, the main driver delivers the lifting apparatus 210 to the receptor 260. The main driver can then lower the mounting arrangement 212 so that the projections 236 are removed from the receiving members 226 to separate the lifting unit 210 from the mounting arrangement 212. The lifting unit 210 can then be driven by the operator of the main driver along the receptor 260 to retrieve the distanced load.

This is shown in Figures 10A to 10C. In Figure 10A, the lifting unit 210 is mounted on the mounting arrangement 212, with the projections 236 received in the receiving members 226. In Figure 10B, the lifting unit 210 is lowered by the main driver onto a receptor 260, or other support. The mounting arrangement 212 is then further lowered to withdraw the projections 236 from the receiving members 226.

Figure 10C shows the mounting arrangement 212 moved away from the lifting unit 210. An electric or hydraulic cable (not shown) extends from the cable carrying arrangement 242 to the lifting unit 210.

The central lifting member 216 of each set of lifting members 217A, 217B and 217C is provided with raising means comprising roller support means 243, which comprises rear rollers 244 and front rollers 246. The roller support means 243 is shown more clearly in Figures 1 1 A to 1 1 C.

The raising means further includes a main lever assembly 248 upon which the rear roller 244 is mounted. The main lever assembly 248 is operated by the power means 250, which in Figures 1 1 A to 1 1 C is in the form of the hydraulic ram 220C. The roller support means 243 also includes a subsidiary lever assembly 252 upon which the front roller 246 is mounted.

The main lever assembly 248 comprises a main lever 254, one end of which is pivotally attached to the power means 250. The rear roller 244 is mounted at the opposite end of the main lever 254. A mounting member 256 has an end region attached to the carrier 214. The main lever 254 is pivotally attached to the opposite end of the mounting member 256. The pivotal attachment of the main lever 254 to the mounting member 256 is at a region of the main lever between the two ends thereof.

The subsidiary lever assembly 252 is provided at the distal end region 258 of the lifting member 216. The subsidiary lever assembly comprises a subsidiary lever 270, one end of which is pivotally mounted on a lug 272, the lug being fixedly attached, e.g. by welding, to the lifting member 216 at the distal end region 258 thereof. An elongate transmission member 274 extends between the rear roller 244 and the front roller 246. The transmission member 274 connects the main lever assembly 248 to the subsidiary lever assembly 252, so that movement of the main lever assembly 248 is transmitted to the subsidiary lever assembly 252.

The roller support means 243 is movable between three positions, namely a support position, shown in Figure 1 1 A, a retracted position shown in Figure 1 1 C, and an intermediate position shown in Figure 1 1 C.

In the support position, the roller support means 243 raises the lifting member 216 on which the roller support means 243 is mounted. The other two lifting members 216 in the same set of lifting members 217A, 217B or 217C are also raised.. The lifting members 216 so raised extend above the support members 2 of a receptor 101 to lift articles off the receptor 101 .

In the retracted position, the roller support means 243 are retracted fully into the lifting members 216 so that the lifting members 216 rest on the ground or on a receptor 101 . In the intermediate position, the roller support means 243 extend downwardly from the lifting members 216 just enough to raise the lifting members 216 to allow them to move along on the rollers 244, 246. In this position, the lifting members can be inserted into a loaded receptor 101 beneath the articles 9 thereon.

When the roller support means 243 is moved to the support condition, the lifting members 216 can lift an article from the receptor 101 or 260. When the roller support means 243 is in the intermediate condition, the lifting members can be moved into the access gaps between adjacent support members 2 or 262, and thereafter, the roller support means 243 can be moved to the support condition to lift articles on the receptor.

In addition, articles on the lifting members 216 can be deposited on a receptor 101 or 260, by moving the roller support means 243 from the support condition to the intermediate condition. In Figure 7, the nine lifting members 216 are divided into first, second and third sets of three lifting members 216. Each set is designated respectively 217A, 217B and 217C. The first hydraulic ram 220A is connected to the first set 217A of the lifting members 216 and can lift and lower the first set 217A separately from the second and third sets 217B and 217C, in the manner described above with reference to Figures 1 1 A to 1 1 B. Correspondingly, the second and third hydraulic rams 220B and 220C are connected respectively to the second and third sets 217B and 217C respectively, to allow the two sets 217B and 21 C to be lifted independently of each other and independently of the first set 217A.

The provision of individual hydraulic rams 220A, 220B, 220C to raise and lower separate sets of lifting members 217A, 217B, 217C by actuating the roller support means 243 provides the advantage in the embodiment described herein that individual articles stored on a receptor 260 can be retrieved without also retrieving other articles on the receptor 260.

Figure 12 shows another embodiment of a receptor, which is designated 260. The receptor 260 is the same as the receptor 101 shown in Figures 1 A to 1 E but, for ease of reference, the features of the receptor 260 are given different reference numerals to the same features of the receptor 101 shown in Figures 1 A to 1 E, and are described in more detail below.

The receptor 260 comprises a plurality of elongate support members 262 on a base 263. Each support member has an upper support surface 262A. Together, the upper support surfaces 262A provide a platform to support the articles. If desired, the support members 262 could include studs and/or rollers to facilitate moving the articles across the receptor 260.

Elongate parallel access cavities 264 are defined between adjacent elongate support members 262. Each of the elongate access cavities 264 has a respective top opening 266. Each of the elongate support members 262 has an upper surface 267 and defines a pair of slots 268 therethrough. The slots 268 are intended to cooperate with lifting formations (not shown) on the lifting members 216. The lifting formations are in the form of retractable members which can be extended outwardly from the lifting members 216 to be received in the slots 268. The slots 268 may also be used to allow a known fork lift truck with two tines (not shown) to enter the receptor at 90° to the access cavities 264, so that the fork lift truck can lift the receptor and any load thereon.

Each receptor 260 includes linking formations to link adjacent receptors 260 to one another. The linking formations comprise a plurality of L-shaped projections 300 extending along a first edge 302 of the receptor 260. The first edge 302 extends parallel to the elongate access cavities 264. Each L-shaped projection is L-shaped only in profile. In the embodiment shown in Figure 12, the receptor 260 is provided with three L-shaped projections 300 on the first edge 302.

The opposite second edge 304 of the receptor 260 has further linking formations in the form of L-shaped apertures 306 defined in the opposite edge 304

The second edge 304 has three L-shaped apertures defined therein, which are located thereon in positions that correspond to the L-shaped projections 300 on the opposite first edge 302. This allows the L-shaped apertures 300 defined in the second edge 304 to receive the L-shaped projections of an adjacent receptor 260, when the first edge 302 of one receptor 260 abuts the second edge 304 of the adjacent receptor 260. The receipt of the L-shaped projections 300 in the L-shaped apertures 304 links the adjacent receptors 260 to each other so that an array of linked receptors 260 can be provided.

When the lifting members 216 of the lifting unit 210 are received in the access cavities 264, the lifting formations can be extended from the lifting members to be received in the slots 268. When the lifting formations are in this extended position, the lifting members 216 can be raised, either by the main driver, or by the rear rollers 244 to raise the receptor 260 and transport it to another location.

Figure 13 shows a dolly 310, which comprises a receptor 260 upon which rollers, in the form of castors 312 are mounted at each corner of the dolly 310. The receptor 260, shown in Figure 13 comprises the same features as the receptor 260, shown in Figure 12, and these features have been designated with the same reference numerals as in Figure 12.

Figure 14 shows a pump truck 410, which comprises a lifting arrangement 412 in the form of a plurality of elongate spaced apart lifting members 216 mounted on a carrier 414 in the form of a back plate. A manipulation arrangement 416 is attached to the carrier 414.

The manipulation arrangement 416 comprises a handle 418 mounted on a wheel assembly 420. The manipulation arrangement 416 is constructed, and operates, in the same way as known pump trucks.

The handle 418 is pivotally movable about the wheel assembly 420, as indicated by the arrow X to raise the lifting arrangement 412 and thereby raise the lifting members 216. Although not visible in Figure 14, the pump truck 410 has wheels at the front of the lifting members 216.

The manipulation arrangement 416 includes a hydraulic fluid reservoir 422, which allows a hydraulic fluid to be pumped into a piston (not shown) to raise the lifting arrangement 412. A button (not shown) operates a valve (also not shown) to allow fluid to flow back into the reservoir to lower the lifting arrangement 412. Alternatively, the manipulation arrangement 416 may be electro-hydraulic or electro-mechanical

Operation of the lifting apparatus 200 is shown in Figures 15A to 15C. The lifting apparatus 200 comprises a main driver 280, upon which the lifting unit 210 is mounted. The carrier 214 is mounted on elevating means 282. A stabilising assembly 283 is provided beneath the lifting unit 210.

The lifting apparatus 200 further includes an extending device, in the form of an extendable scissor arrangement 284, to move the lifting unit horizontally from the main driver 280.

In Figure 15A, a load 288 is supported on a receptor 260 spaced above the ground 286 by a rack 285. The scissor arrangement 284 is in an extended condition and the lifting members 216 of the lifting unit 210 are received in the receptor 260 beneath the load 288.

The stabilising assembly 283 comprises a pair of forwardly extending stabilising members 290 which are supported by respective front and rear stabilising wheels 292A and 292B. With the scissor arrangement 284 extended, the load 288 is prevented from tipping the lifting apparatus 200 over by the provision of the roller support means 243.

When the roller support means 243 are in the support position, with the rollers 244, 246 engaging the receptor 260, the weight of the load 288 is supported by the rollers 244, 246, so that there is no turning moment on the lifting apparatus 200 about the front wheels 292A and, therefore, no danger of the lifting apparatus 200 tipping over.

In Figure 15B, the lifting unit 210 is partially retracted and only the front rollers 244 are in engagement with the receptor 260. As a result, the load 288 is only partially supported by the receptor 260. However, the region of the load 288 not supported by the receptor 260 is behind the front wheels 292A. Thus, in the position shown in Figure 15B, there is no turning moment about the front wheels 292A on the lifting apparatus 200. Figure 15C shows the lifting unit 210 fully retracted. In this position, the load 288 is above the stabilising assembly 283 behind the front wheels 292A. The load 288 is fully supported by the lifting apparatus 200.

Figures 16A to 16D show a further embodiment of the lifting apparatus 200 in which the lifting unit is mounted on an elevating means in the form of a scissor lift 294. This is to reach receptors 260 which are arranged on racking 296.

In Figures 16A to 16D, the lifting apparatus 200 includes the extending device in the form of the scissor arrangement 284. A lifting receptor 260A is mounted at the top of the scissor lift 294 to facilitate lifting the load 288.

In Figure 16A, the load 288 is fully supported on the lifting receptor 260A and the weight is borne fully by the lifting apparatus 200.

In Figure 16B, the scissor arrangement 284 is partially extended so that the load 288 is midway between the receptor 260 and the further receptor 260A. The roller support means 243 (not visible in Figures 16A to 16D) are in their support position so that the front rollers 246 (not visible) engage the receptor 260, and the rear rollers 244 (not visible) engage the lifting receptor 260A. Thus, in the position shown in Figure 16B, the load 288 is supported partially by the lifting apparatus 200 and partially by the receptor 260.

In Figure 16C, the scissor arrangement 284 is fully extended, and the load 288 has been transferred to the receptor 260. The rollers 244, 246 engage the receptor 260 and the load 288 is therefore fully supported by the racking 296 via the rollers 244, 246.

Thus, in Figures 16B and 16C, the weight of the load 288 in front of the front wheels 292A is either partially or fully supported by the racking 296, and there is no turning moment about the front wheels 292A on the lifting apparatus 200. In Figure 16D, the load 288 is disposed on the receptor 260 and the lifting unit has been retracted back to the lifting receptor 260A on the scissor lift 294.

Various further modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the embodiment shown in Figures 15A to 15C could include a receptor 260 mounted on the lifting apparatus 200, for example by being attached to the elevating means 282. In a further modification, the scissor arrangement 284 could be replaced by powered rollers or a telescopic boom. In yet a further modification, the roller support means 243 may comprise any suitable number of rollers.

In a still further modification, the movement of the lifting unit 210 away from the carrier 214 may be controlled by a suitable wireless remote control.

Claims

1 . A load handling apparatus comprising:

a plurality of receptors;

a lifting apparatus;

wherein each receptor comprises a plurality of support members for supporting an article, the support members being spaced from each other and defining an access formation between adjacent support members, each access formation having a top opening;

wherein the lifting apparatus comprises a plurality of spaced lifting members arranged to be received by the access formations in the receptors, wherein a plurality of spaces are defined between the lifting members;

and wherein each access formation is configured to receive one of the lifting members of the lifting apparatus, whereby the lifting members can be inserted into the access formations and thereafter raised through the top opening to lift the article on the support members.

2. A load handling apparatus according to Claim 1 , wherein the lifting apparatus comprises a lifting unit comprising a carrier by which the lifting members are carried, the lifting members extending from the carrier substantially parallel to each other.

3. A load handling apparatus according to Claim 2, wherein the lifting unit comprises a plurality of raising means for raising the lifting members, each raising means being provided to raise a set of the lifting members, wherein each set of lifting members has fewer than the total number of lifting members on the lifting unit.

4. A load handling apparatus according to Claim 3, wherein each raising means is operable separately from the other raising means to raise the respective set the lifting members connected thereto.

5. A load handling apparatus according to any of Claims 2, 3 or 4, wherein the lifting apparatus comprises a main driver for moving the lifting unit , the lifting unit being detachable from the main driver for movement relative thereto.

6. A load handling apparatus according to Claim 5, wherein the lifting apparatus comprises a mounting arrangement on the main driver for mounting the carrier on the main driver, and the lifting apparatus further including co-operating holding means to mount the lifting unit on the mounting arrangement.

7. A load handling apparatus according to Claim 6, wherein the co-operating holding means comprises a projection on one of the carrier and the main driver, and a receiving member on the other of the carrier and the main driver, the receiving member being configured to receive the projection so that the main driver can lift the lifting unit .

8. A load handling apparatus according to any of Claims 2 to 7, wherein the lifting unit comprises a drive mechanism to drive the lifting unit separately from the main driver.

9. A load handling apparatus according to any of Claims 2 to 8, wherein the raising means comprises roller support means to support the lifting members, the roller support means comprising a plurality of rollers on at least some of the lifting members, the rollers being arranged to support the lifting members.

10. A load handling apparatus according to Claim 9, wherein the rollers are moveable from a retracted condition to a support condition, whereby when the rollers are in the support condition, the lifting members are supported thereby, and the lifting members can be raised above article support surfaces of the support members to an extent to support an article.

1 1 . A load handling apparatus according to Claim 10, wherein the roller support means is movable to an intermediate condition between the retracted and support conditions in which intermediate condition, the lifting members are movable on the roller support means, and wherein, in the intermediate condition, the lifting members are raised to a lesser extent than in the support condition.

12. A load handling apparatus according to Claim 1 1 , wherein when the lifting unit is separate from the main driver, the roller support means is movable from the retracted or the intermediate condition to the support condition to support the lifting members, and to facilitate movement of the lifting unit separate from the main driver.

13. A load handling apparatus according to Claim 10 or 1 1 , wherein the roller support means comprises a roller actuating arrangement to move the rollers between the retracted, the intermediate and the support conditions, the roller actuating arrangement comprising a main lever assembly upon which at least one of the rollers is mounted.

14. A load handling apparatus according to Claim 13, wherein the main lever assembly comprises a main lever pivotally mounted on the lifting unit and a power means attached to the main lever for pivotally moving the main lever, the power means extending between the carrier and the main lever.

15. A load handling apparatus according to Claim 14, wherein the main lever is pivotally mounted on the lifting unit at a pivot disposed between the roller support means and the point of attachment of the power means.

16. A load handling apparatus according to Claim 13, 14 or 15, wherein the roller actuating arrangement comprises a subsidiary lever assembly, the main lever assembly being mounted at a rear end of the lifting members, and the subsidiary lever assembly being mounted at the opposite end region of the lifting members to the main lever assembly.

17. A load handling apparatus according to Claim 16, wherein the subsidiary lever assembly comprises a subsidiary roller and a subsidiary lever to which the subsidiary roller is rotatably mounted, the subsidiary lever being pivotally mounted on the lifting member.

18. A load handling apparatus according to Claim 16 or 17, wherein the lifting apparatus comprises an elongate transmission member, which extends from the main lever assembly to the subsidiary lever assembly, the elongate transmission member being pivotally mounted on the main lever assembly and the subsidiary lever assembly.

19. A load handling apparatus according to any of Claims 2 to 18, wherein the lifting apparatus comprises discharge means on the lifting members to facilitate movement of one or more articles on the lifting members.

20. A load handling apparatus according to Claim 19, wherein the discharge means comprises a plurality of rollers, and the discharge means is capable of being locked or retracted to prevent or restrict movement of an article on the lifting members.

21 . A load handling apparatus according to any of Claims 2 to 20 including elevating means to elevate the lifting unit.

22. A load handling apparatus according to Claim 21 , wherein the lifting apparatus further includes an extending device to extend the lifting unit forwardly relative to the carrier.

23. A load handling apparatus according to Claim 22, wherein the extending device comprises a scissor arrangement, and the lifting apparatus further includes a stabilising assembly below the extending device, the stabilising assembly extending forwardly of the main driver.

24. A load handling apparatus according to Claim 24, wherein the elevating means is mounted on the stabilising assembly.

25. A load handling apparatus according to any of Claims 21 to 24, wherein a load support member is mounted on the elevating means, the load support member comprising a further receptor.

26. A load handling apparatus according to any of Claims 21 to 25, wherein the elevating means comprises a scissor lift or telescopic mast.

27. A load handling apparatus according to any of Claims 2 to 26, wherein the lifting unit includes a processing arrangement to control the drive mechanism and the raising means, whereby the movement of the lifting unit, and the raising and lowering of the lifting members by the raising means is controlled by the processing arrangement.

28. A load handling apparatus according to any of Claims 2 to 27, including an umbilical connection between the lifting unit and the main driver, the umbilical connection being an electrical or hydraulic connection.

29. A load handling apparatus according to any of Claims 2 to 28, wherein the lifting unit includes a remote control arrangement to allow remote control of the lifting unit when separated from the main driver.

30. A load handling apparatus according to any preceding Claim, wherein the support members are elongate, and are arranged substantially parallel to one another, each support member having an upper article support surface.

31 . A load handling apparatus according to any preceding Claim, wherein the access formation comprises a plurality of elongate access cavities extending parallel to one another between the adjacent support members , each access cavity having a top opening and at least one side opening at a side of the receptor.

32. A load handling apparatus according to any preceding Claim 30 to 32, wherein the support members are provided with rolling means to facilitate moving one or more articles across the receptor.

33. A load handling apparatus according to Claim 32, including locking means to lock the rolling means in a non-rolling condition to prevent or restrict movement of the articles on the receptor,

34. A load handling apparatus according to Claim 32, wherein the support members comprise studs and the rolling means are retractable into the studs to prevent or restrict movement of the articles on the receptor.

35. A load handling apparatus according to any preceding Claim, wherein each support member is provided with resilient support means which extends over the top of each support member, the resilient support means on each support member engaging the resilient support means on an adjacent support member, thereby providing a continuous support surface for one or more articles.

36. A load handling apparatus according to Claim 35, wherein the resilient support means has a curved convex upper portion and is formed of an elastomeric or rubber material.

37. A load handling apparatus according to any preceding Claim, comprising a substantially planar base member, wherein the support members are integrally provided on the base member.

38. A load handling apparatus according to any of Claims 1 to 36, comprising a pair of elongate base members arranged substantially parallel to each other.

39. A load handling apparatus according to any preceding Claim, wherein the support members comprise co-operating means configured to co-operate with the lifting members (216) of the lifting apparatus to enable the receptor to be moved.

40. A load handling apparatus according to Claim 39, wherein the co-operating means comprise apertures defined in the support members, the apertures being arranged to co-operate with corresponding insertion elements which can extend from the lifting members into the apertures, thereby allowing the receptor (260) to be lifted when the lifting members are raised.

41 . A load handling apparatus according to Claim 40, wherein the apertures are in the form of elongate slots defined in the support members.

42. A receptor for supporting one or more articles, the receptor comprising a plurality of support members for supporting an article, the support members being spaced from each other and defining access formation between the support members, the access formation having a top opening, and the access formation being configured to receive a plurality of lifting members of a lifting apparatus, whereby the lifting members can be inserted into the access formation and thereafter raised through the top opening to lift the article on the support members.

43. A receptor according to Claim 42, wherein the support members are elongate, and are arranged substantially parallel to one another, each support member having an upper article support surface.

44. A receptor according to any of Claim 43 wherein the access formation comprises a plurality of elongate access cavities extending parallel to one another between the adjacent support members, each access cavity having a top opening and at least one side opening at a side of the receptor.

45. A receptor according to Claim 42, 43 or 44, wherein the support members are provided with rolling means to facilitate moving one or more articles across the receptor.

46. A receptor according to Claim 45, including locking means to lock the rolling means in a non-rolling condition to prevent or restrict movement of the articles on the receptor,

47. A receptor according to Claim 45 or 46, wherein the rolling means are retractable into the stud members to prevent or restrict movement of the articles on the receptor.

48. A receptor according to any of Claims 42 to 44, wherein each support member is provided with resilient support means, which extends over the top of each support member, the resilient support means on each support member engaging the resilient support means on an adjacent support member, thereby providing a continuous support surface for one or more articles.

49. A receptor according to Claim 48, wherein the resilient support means has a curved convex upper portion and is formed of an elastomeric or rubber material.

50. A receptor according to Claim 48 or 49, wherein the resilient support means comprise resilient elements, which have a substantially curved convex cross section.

51 . A receptor according to any of Claims 42 to 50, comprising a base means for supporting the support members.

52. A receptor according to Claim 51 , wherein the base means comprises a substantially planar base member, and the support members are integrally provided on the base member.

53. A receptor according to Claim 51 , wherein the base means comprises at least one elongate base member.

54. A receptor according to Claim 53, wherein the base means comprises a pair of elongate base members arranged substantially parallel to each other.

55. A receptor according to any of Claims 42 to 54 wherein the support members comprise co-operating means to co-operate with the lifting members of the lifting apparatus to enable the receptor to be moved.

56. A receptor according to Claim 55, wherein the co-operating means comprise apertures defined in the support members, arranged to co-operate with corresponding insertion elements which can extend from the lifting members into the apertures, thereby allowing the receptor to be lifted when the lifting members are raised.

57. A receptor according to Claim 56, wherein the apertures are in the form of elongate slots defined in the support members.

58. A receptor arrangement comprising a plurality of receptors as claimed in any of claims 42 to 57 arranged on a surface adjacent one another, the receptor arrangement further including connecting means to connect the receptors to one another.

59. A receptor arrangement according to Claim 58, wherein the connecting means comprise first and second co-operating formations on the receptors, the first cooperating formations on one receptor co-operating with the second co-operating formations on an adjacent receptor to connect the receptors to each other.

60. A receptor arrangement according to Claim 58, wherein the connecting means comprises discrete connecting members co-operable with corresponding connecting formations on the receptors.

61 . A lifting apparatus comprising at least three spaced lifting members arranged to be received by an access formation in a receptor, wherein a plurality of spaces are defined between the lifting members.

62. A lifting apparatus according to Claim 61 , wherein the lifting members are elongate, and each lifting member comprises a tine.

63. A lifting apparatus according to Claim 61 or 62, comprising a lifting unit comprising a carrier by which the lifting members are carried, the lifting members extending from the carrier substantially parallel to each other.

64. A lifting apparatus according to Claim 62 or 63, wherein the lifting unit comprises a plurality of raising means for raising the lifting members, each raising means being provided to raise a set of the lifting members, each set of lifting members having fewer than the total number of lifting members on the lifting unit.

65. A lifting apparatus according to Claim 64, wherein each raising means is operable separately from the other raising means to raise the respective set the lifting members connected thereto.

66. A lifting apparatus according to any of Claims 62 to 65, comprising a main driver for moving the lifting unit, the lifting unit being detachable from the main driver for movement relative thereto.

67. A lifting apparatus according to Claim 66 comprising a mounting arrangement on the main driver for mounting the carrier on the main driver, and the lifting apparatus further including co-operating holding means to mount the lifting unit on the mounting arrangement.

68. A lifting apparatus according to Claim 67, wherein the co-operating holding means comprises a projection on one of the carrier and the main driver, and a receiving member on the other of the carrier and the main driver, the receiving member being configured to receive the projection so that the main driver can lift the lifting unit.

69. A lifting apparatus according to any of Claims 61 to 68, wherein the lifting unit comprises a drive mechanism to drive the lifting unit separately from the main driver.

70. A lifting apparatus according to any of Claims 61 to 69, wherein the raising means comprises roller support means to support the lifting members, the roller support means comprising a plurality of rollers on at least some of the lifting members, the rollers being arranged to support the lifting members.

71 . A lifting apparatus according to 70, wherein the rollers are moveable from a retracted condition to a support condition, whereby when the rollers are in the support condition, the lifting members are supported thereby, and the lifting members can be raised above the article support surfaces of the support members to an extent to support an article.

72. A lifting apparatus according to Claim 71 , wherein the roller support means is movable to an intermediate condition between the retracted and support conditions in which intermediate condition, the lifting members are movable on the roller means, and wherein, in the intermediate condition, the support members are raised to a lesser extent than in the support condition.

73. A lifting apparatus according to Claim 72, wherein when the lifting unit is separate from the main driver, the roller support means is movable from the retracted or the intermediate condition to the support condition to support the lifting members, and to facilitate movement of the lifting unit separate from the main driver.

74. A lifting apparatus according to Claim 72 or 73, wherein the roller support means comprises a roller actuating arrangement to move the rollers between the retracted, the intermediate and the support conditions, the roller actuating arrangement comprising a main lever assembly upon which at least one of the rollers is mounted.

75. A lifting apparatus according to Claim 74, wherein the main lever assembly comprises a main lever pivotally mounted on the lifting unit and a power means attached to the main lever for pivotally moving the lever, the power means extending between the carrier and the main lever.

76. A lifting apparatus according to Claim 75, wherein the lever is pivotally mounted on the lifting unit at a pivot disposed between the roller and the point of attachment of the power means.

77. A lifting apparatus according to Claim 74, 75 or 76, wherein the roller actuating assembly comprises a subsidiary lever assembly, the main lever assembly being mounted at a rear end of the lifting members, and the subsidiary lever assembly being mounted at the opposite end region of the lifting assembly to the main lever assembly.

78. A lifting apparatus according to Claim 77, wherein the subsidiary lever assembly comprises a subsidiary roller and a subsidiary lever to which the subsidiary roller is rotatably mounted, the subsidiary lever being pivotally mounted on the lifting member.

79. A lifting apparatus according to Claim 77 or 78, comprising an elongate transmission member, which extends from the main lever assembly to the subsidiary lever assembly, the elongate transmission member being pivotally mounted on the main lever assembly and the subsidiary lever assembly.

80. A lifting apparatus according to any of Claims 63 to 79, comprising discharge means on the lifting members to facilitate movement of one or more articles on the lifting members.

81 . A lifting apparatus according to Claim 80, wherein the discharge means comprises a plurality of rollers, and the discharge means is capable of being locked or retracted to prevent or restrict movement of an article on the lifting members.

82. A lifting apparatus according to any of Claims 63 to 81 including elevating means to elevate the lifting unit,

83. A lifting apparatus according to Claim 82, wherein the lifting apparatus further includes an extending device to extend the lifting unit forwardly relative to the carrier.

84. A lifting apparatus according to Claim 83, wherein the extending device comprises a scissor arrangement, and the lifting apparatus further includes a stabilising assembly below the extending device, the stabilising assembly extending forwardly of the main driver.

85. A lifting apparatus according to Claim 84, wherein the elevating means is mounted on the stabilising assembly.

86. A lifting apparatus according to any of Claims 82 to 85, wherein a load support member is mounted on the elevating means, the load support member comprising a further receptor as claimed any of Claims 42 to 60.

87. A lifting apparatus according to any of Claims 82 to 86, wherein the elevating means comprises a scissor lift or telescopic mast.

88. A lifting apparatus according to any of Claims 63 to 87, wherein the lifting unit includes a processing arrangement to control the drive mechanism and the raising means, whereby the movement of the lifting unit, and the raising and lowering of the lifting members by the raising means is controlled by the processing arrangement.

89. A lifting apparatus according to any of Claims 63 to 88, including an umbilical connection between the lifting unit and the main driver, the umbilical connection being an electrical or hydraulic connection.

90. A lifting apparatus according to any of Claims 63 to 88, wherein the lifting unit includes a remote control arrangement to allow remote control of the lifting unit when separated from the main driver.

91 . A receptor substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 A to 1 E of the accompanying drawings.

92. A receptor substantially as herein described with reference to Figure 2A of the accompanying drawings.

93. A receptor substantially as herein described with reference to Figure 2A of the accompanying drawings.

94. A receptor substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 3 to 5 of the accompanying drawings.

95. A receptor substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 6A to 6B of the accompanying drawings.

96. A receptor substantially as herein described with reference to Figure 12 of the accompanying drawings.

97. A receptor substantially as herein described with reference to Figure 13 of the accompanying drawings.

98. A lifting apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 7 to 1 1 C of the accompanying drawings.

99. A lifting apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to Figure 14 of the accompanying drawings.

100. A lifting apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 15A to 15C of the accompanying drawings.

101 . A lifting apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 16A to 16D of the accompanying drawings.

102. A load handling apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 A to 1 E of the accompanying drawings.

103. A load handling apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 3 to 5 of the accompanying drawings.

104. A load handling apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to Figure 7 of the accompanying drawings.

105. A load handling apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 15A to 15C of the accompanying drawings.

106. A load handling apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 16A to 16D of the accompanying drawings.