AU2010201726A1 - Loading drawer - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Name and Address of Applicant: Consep Pty Limited 8-11 Hallstrom Place Wetherill Park NSW 2164 Actual Inventor[s]: Darren Innes Address for Service: 1 PLACE PATENT ATTORNEYS + SOLICITORS Suite 404 / 107 Walker St NORTH SYDNEY NSW 2060 FOR THE INVENTION ENTITLED: Loading drawer The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: 5 FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to loading platforms for use in the building construction industry. In particular, the invention relates to platforms referred to as retractable loading or deck platforms. 10 The invention has been developed primarily for use as a means for assisting the transfer of materials to or from floors of a multi-storey building under construction. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not restricted this particular field of use. 15 COPYRIGHT NOTICE This document is subject to copyright. The reproduction, communication and distribution of this document is not permitted without prior consent from the copyright owner, other 20 than as permitted under section 226 of the Patents Act 1990. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND PRIOR ART Construction platforms are used to facilitate the removal and delivery of materials and 25 equipment in the construction of multi-storey buildings. They may be "fixed' to extend out from the building or retractable into the line of the building during use. Fixed deck platforms are simpler in construction but have a support structure that cantilevers from the building structure in use. This type of platform suffers the 30 disadvantage that crane load access to platforms is impeded on floors below the cantilever. This is addressed by staggering the platforms over the face of the building. However, this in turn leads to the disadvantage that in order to access all platforms on a single construction site, an expensive long-reach crane is required. 35 Retractable loading platforms overcome the above difficulty of fixed deck platforms, in that they can be arranged one above the other in a single line down the face of a building, enabling access to multiple platforms by a small, fixed and relatively inexpensive crane positioned above the line of platforms. 40 Retractable loading platform systems comprise a two-part, telescoping deck platform and a support frame. In use, the support frame is fixed in position near the perimeter edge of a 5 building floor. The telescoping deck platform extends from the support frame, out from the edge or line of the building floor. When not in use, the deck platform is retracted into the building structure to minimise obstruction to the building face. However, because of the structural strength required to 10 support the load of an extended deck platform, retractable deck platforms may include a degree of permanent projection. This is achieved by cantilevering at least a portion of the (fixed) support frame over the building edge. The loading platform system is thereby rendered only partly retractable, as at least part of the support frame is cantilevered from the building structure at all times during construction. 15 Partly retractable loading platform systems suffer the disadvantage of limiting builder access to the face of the building to complete facade works and associated ground works during construction. 20 Fully retractable loading platforms allow access to the building facade during construction. However, in order to resist the bending moment applied by the deck when it is extended, fully retractable loading platforms: (a) have an inner moveable frame significantly longer in length than an outer static (support) frame; and 25 (b) rely on bracing against undersurface of an adjacent upper floor. This is achieved by the use of adjustable props extending from the support frame to abut the floor slab immediately above. This arrangement suffers the disadvantages that: 30 (a) the beams of the retracted deck protrude beyond the support frame into the work space of the building floor when the deck platform is fully retracted. This interferes with the work space, hinders access to the deck from the building floor and poses an occupational health and safety risk. Therefore, while access to the building facade may be improved compared with partly retractable loading 35 platforms, known fully retractable loading platforms suffer from impeded floor access to the deck and interference with the workspace when the platform is fully retracted; and (b) it needs to be braced against the floor above. This limits the use of known fully retractable loading platforms to floors below the top floor of a multi-level 3 5 building and also requires the floor above to be structurally sound before such platforms can be installed. Traditionally, retractable loading platform assemblies have been operated manually. Prior art fully retractable loading platforms have been described that include either a hand 10 cranked mechanical device or a ratchet and sprocket assembly to drive movement of the moveable deck. However, this prior art does not adequately address the problem of relying on manual handling to move the loading platform, which can pose occupational health and safety risks - particularly when such platforms are fully loaded. 15 None of the prior art loading platform assemblies suggest a fully retractable platform that can be used in the absence of a floor above, and with a mechanical operating means that is able to reduce or relieve the manual aspect(s) involved in moving the inner moveable frame (loading platform). 20 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a fully retractable loading drawer assembly that can be used without intrusion into the internal workspace beyond the length of the support structure. This is achieved by providing an inner loading drawer of 25 the same or shorter length as an outer support structure. It is a further object of the invention to provide a fully retractable loading drawer assembly with the ease of optional mechanical movement. According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a fully retractable 30 loading drawer assembly for receiving construction materials and equipment, the loading drawer assembly comprising: (a) a support structure adapted to be positioned wholly inboard of a building perimeter, the support structure being adapted to be reversibly secured to an underlying supporting surface that forms part of the building; and 35 (b) a loading drawer in relative sliding engagement with the support structure such that the loading drawer is moveable between an extended position and a retracted position, wherein the support structure is reversibly secured to the supporting surface by floor-securing means sufficient to support the loading drawer in the extended position when loaded such that the loading drawer assembly is capable of being used on any storey 4 5 of a multi-storey building including a top storey, and wherein the loading drawer is of a length such that in its retracted position the loading drawer is wholly ensconced within the support structure thereby being fully retractable into the building perimeter while minimising interference with available internal work space. 10 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a perspective view of a loading drawer assembly for use in a multi-level building structure according to one embodiment of the invention. 15 Figure 2 is a side view (in cross section) of three of the loading drawer assemblies depicted in Figure 1. The loading drawers are stacked in vertical alignment on the building structure. Figure 3 is a front view of the three the loading drawer assemblies of Figure 2, with all the 20 loading drawers retracted inside the building line. Figure 4 is a plan view of a typical slab mounting for the loading drawer assembly of Figure 1, shown in cross section. The loading drawer is shown in its inboard position. 25 Figure 5 is a plan view of the loading drawer assembly of Figure 3, with the loading drawer shown in its outboard position. Figure 6 is a side view of the loading drawer assembly of Figure 1 shown in its outboard (extended) position. 30 Figure 7A is a side view of the loading drawer assembly of Figure 1, in cross section showing a wheel (in ghost) mounted on the inboard end of the loading drawer inner frame and a deck panel (in ghost) sitting on ladder frames, forming a base for the loading drawer. The inbound end of the deck panel forms a ramp (in ghost). 35 Figure 7B shows a close-up, front end view of the same loading drawer as in Figure 7A, from the inboard end of the loading drawer. Figure 8 shows close-up detail of a wheel mounted on the outboard end of the support 40 structure in the embodiment shown in Figure 1. 5 5 Figure 8A is a side view of a wheel (shown partially in ghost) on a side beam of the support structure. Figure 8B is a front end view of the wheel and support structure of Figure 8A, from the 10 outboard end of the support structure. Figure 8C is a front end view of a guide wheel or roller mounted on the outboard end of the support structure, from the outboard end of the support structure. 15 Figure 9A is a side view of the wheels of Figures 7 and 8 in a loading drawer assembly, with the loading drawer extended. Figure 9B is a front end view of the loading drawer of Figure 9A showing the relationship of the support or drive wheel on the support structure to the loading drawer. 20 Figure 9C is a front end view of the same loading drawer showing the relationship of the dynamic wheel on the loading drawer to the support structure. Figure 9D is a front end view showing the relationship of the guide roller to the loading 25 drawer. Figure 10 is a side view of the support structure of a second embodiment with a pinion style wheel and drive assembly at the outbound end of the support structure. 30 Figure 11 are side views of the loading drawer (left) and support structure (right), showing the relative positioning of a wheel mounted (shown in ghost) on the inboard end of the loading drawer and a mechanical operating means (here, illustrated as a pinion style wheel and drive assembly at the outboard end of the support structure). 35 Figure 12 is a front end view of the loading drawer assembly showing the mechanical operating means, from the inboard end of the assembly. 6 5 DETAILED DESCRIPTION A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described by reference to the drawings. The following detailed description in conjunction with the figures provides the skilled addressee with an understanding of the invention. It will be appreciated, 10 however, that the invention is not limited to the applications described below. A preferred embodiment Referring to Figure 1, the loading drawer assembly 100 facilitates the delivery, relocation and removal of construction equipment and materials to or from floors of a multi-level 15 building structure. The assembly 100 includes a retractable loading drawer 110 supported by a fixed, inboard support structure 120. The descriptive term "inboard" is used with reference to a building, in the sense that an object designated as "inboard" is positioned within the perimeter of a relevant floor of a 20 building, or inside the building line. In contrast, the term "outboard" is used to designate an object projecting out from the perimeter of a floor of the building, or outside the building line. Each assembly 100 houses a moveable deck panel (the load-receiving part of the assembly 25 - labelled 115 in Figures 1 and 7) fitted with one or more panels (labelled 105 in Figures 1 and 2) toward (that is, at or near) the side perimeters of the deck panel 115 thereby forming side walls of the loading drawer. The loading drawer also includes one or more safety gates (labelled 107 in Figures 1 and 5) toward the perimeter on the outboard end of the deck panel to allow delivery or removal of a load to or from the loading drawer from 30 or in an outboard direction, respectively. The safety gates (107 in Figures 1 and 5) are lockable to prevent accidental egress or removal (movement) of a load or person in an outboard direction. The panels (105 in Figures 1 and 2) and safety gates (107 in Figures 1 and 5) are removable for flat pack storage. In use, they are fixed in place with a bolted connection, to allow safe access of personnel to the outboard area of the assembly 100 35 and to guide or receive materials and equipment. Each loading deck with its perimetral sides thereby forms a drawer 110 for receiving building equipment or materials, hence the term "loading drawer". Figure 2 depicts how 7 5 the loading drawer assembly 100 is designed to operate in a manner analogous to the drawer system of a filing cabinet. When two or more loading drawer assemblies are required for a multi-level building, they are aligned vertically on the building structure (see also Figure 3). This reduces the exposed face of the building structure, enabling faster completion of internal construction works and closure from the elements (e.g. wind, rain 10 and dust). The required loading drawer is extended out from the building structure to allow crane access to that drawer, while the remaining loading drawers remain closed. Mounting of the assembly 15 The loading drawer assembly is mounted on a supporting surface that forms part of a building structure - typically, a concrete floor slab. A slab mounting for the loading drawer assembly 100 is shown in Figure 4 (inboard position) and Figure 5 (outboard position). The stipple in Figures 2 to 5 represents the supporting surface such as a concrete slab. The fixed external support structure 120 is mounted inside the building structure, flush with 20 the perimeter of the building (shown in Figure 4 as a slab edge 130). In other words, the support structure is adapted to be positioned wholly inboard of a building perimeter. When access to the loading drawer 110 is required, the drawer 110 is extended out from the building structure, as shown in Figure 5. This enables building materials and 25 equipment to be placed on or lifted from the base of the drawer 110. When fully retracted, no part of the assembly 100 cantilevers over the slab edge 130. The support structure can be reversibly secured to the floor by floor-securing means such as through bolts to the slab (labelled 145 on Figure 1), for example on each side of the 30 support structure, when no roof is in place. The support structure is configured to receive the through bolts, which secure the support structure rigidly in place on the floor but are removable to enable reuse of the assembly (e.g. for repositioning on the building). The strength of the structure is sufficient to support the resultant loads in use. 35 The arrangement of the floor-securing means depicted at item 145 in Figure 1 comprises means at each end of a side beam (item 140 in Figures 1 and 6) of the support structure to enable the through bolts to pass through the support structure to the underlying supporting surface (floor slab) thereby reversibly securing the support structure to the underlying supporting surface. 40 8 5 On floors below the top floor, the assembly may be secured to the building by bracing means such as height adjustable extendable props (labelled 135 in Figure 1) and screw jacks located on each side of the support structure. The props are extended from the support structure to abut the roof (soffiet) of the floor the assembly is located on, thereby bracing the assembly against the roof. The props are braced laterally, to ensure 10 plumbness, and longitudinally. The ability to secure the assembly to an underlying supporting surface (e.g. a floor slab) enables it to be used on any level of a multi-storey building, even where there is no floor immediately above the floor on which the assembly is mounted (i.e. on a top storey). This 15 is an advantage over known fully retractable loading platform systems, which rely on bracing against the undersurface of a floor immediately above. Sliding engagement of loading drawer to support structure Figure 6 is a side view of the loading drawer assembly 100 in an extended position. The 20 assembly 100 comprises an outer static support structure 120 and an inner moveable loading drawer 110. Two parallel side beams of the loading drawer nest within parallel side beams of the support structure so that the loading drawer acts as an inner frame moveable relative to an support frame, which in turn acts as a fixed outer frame to the moveable loading drawer. 25 Referring to Figure 2, the inner frame is slidingly engaged with the outer frame and can move between an extended position and a retracted position. When the loading drawer 110 is retracted, the assembly sits within the line of the building, flush with the edge of the slab 130. Figure 2 also shows that when retracted, the loading drawer does not protrude 30 beyond the support structure into the internal work space 132 of the building floor thereby minimising interference with the available internal work space 132. Hence the length of the loading drawer 110 is similar to or less than that of the support structure 120 so that the loading drawer 110 is able to be retracted so as to be wholly ensconced within the length of the support structure 120. The "length" is the dimension measured from the 35 perimeter edge of the building structure to the most inboard end of the support structure. A stopper member is located between the inner frame (loading drawer) and outer frame (support structure) on each side of the assembly to inhibit the loading drawer from extending in an outboard direction beyond the end of the support structure. Figure 2 9 5 illustrates a stopper member in the form of a physical stop for inboard travel 170 located on the support structure and a corresponding physical stop for outboard travel 160 on the inner frame (i.e. loading drawer). In the retracted position the loading drawers, as shown at the top and bottom of Figure 2, the stoppers 160, 170 are located towards the inboard and outboard ends of the assembly. In the extended loading drawer in Figure 2, it can be 10 seen that the loading drawer is stopped from further outboard travel when the stopper 160 abuts stopper 170. The advantage of using a stopper to inhibit outboard travel is that the inner frame can be of similar or shorter length than the support frame. The loading drawer assembly does not rely on a significantly longer inner frame to stop an extended loading deck platform from sliding out of engagement with the support frame when 15 extended in an outboard direction. Configuration of the loading drawer In a preferred embodiment, the support structure comprises two side beams (labelled 140 in Figures 1 and 5) held substantially parallel to each other by at least one cross member. 20 The support structure 120 comprises a pair of substantially parallel side beams 140 (see Figures 1, 5 and 6) joined by a rear tie bar (labelled 125 in Figure 5) at the inboard end of the support structure 120 and a cross member from side beam to side beam at the outboard end of the support structure. 25 The rear tie bar (125 in Figure 5) is used during transport, installation and removal of the loading drawer from the building. Its prime purpose is to ensure the support structure does not separate or expand in width at its inbound end, thus preventing the potential release of the loading drawer from the support structure. 30 Referring to Figure 5, the inner frame of the loading drawer 110 comprises a pair of side beams 150 joined by a plurality of ladder frames (labelled 160 in Figure 5). A deck panel (labelled 115 in Figure 1) sits on the ladder frames, forming a base for the loading drawer 110. Referring to Figure 7A, the deck panel 115 is seen (in ghost) sitting on the ladder frames 160. The inbound end of the loading drawer base (deck panel) forms a ramp 250 35 (shown in ghost), which is adjustable to facilitate the loading or unloading of wheeled equipment into or out of the loading drawer. The ramp 250 is adjustable by a lever system. Each side beam of the support frame and loading drawer frame is a channel sectioned joist, preferably in the form of an I-beam comprising an upper and lower flange 10 5 interconnected by a web portion. The I-beams of the inner frame are smaller in cross section than those of the support frame, so that the flanges of the inner frame side beams nest within the flanges of the support frame side beams. Movement of the loading drawer 10 Within the support frame and inner frame are fixed rolling means (i.e. wheels or rollers) to facilitate sliding of the loading drawer in an outbound direction when pushed or an inbound direction when pulled. One pair of rolling means (e.g. wheels) is mounted between the inner and outer frames on each side of the assembly - in an exemplary arrangement, one wheel is on the inbound end of the loading drawer (labelled 180 in 15 Figures 7A and 7B) and one wheel is on the outbound end of the outer support frame (labelled 190 in Figures 8A and 8B). The pair of rolling means sits with one rolling means each on the external side of the loading drawer side beam and internal side of the support structure side beam. The configuration of rolling means (wheels or rollers) facilitates sliding of the loading drawer into and out of the support structure, while bearing the load 20 across both frames rather than on the external frame alone. The relative positioning of the wheels in an extended loading drawer can be seen in Figure 9A. The wheel 180 (Figures 7A, 7B and 9A, 9C) and wheel 190 (Figures 8 A and 8B and 9 A and 9B) of the embodiment in Figures 7 to 9 are parallel to the web of the side beams. In one 25 arrangement, the rolling means (e.g. wheels 180, 190) are of sufficient diameter so that they roll along the top and bottom flange of the respective side beam. The inner frame (loading drawer) side beam (labelled 150 in Figure 7A) has a cut-out portion 185 (in ghost) to allow the diameter of the wheel to pass through the lower flange. 30 Figures 10 and 11 show another embodiment in which the loading drawer assembly is fitted with a mechanical operating means 200 such as a pinion-style drive wheel 190 between the inner and outer frames and a corresponding drive rack (230 in Figure 11). Mechanical operation facilitates movement of the loading drawer while it is loaded to safe working load capacity, thus speeding up access to loading drawers on other levels. Figure 35 12 is a front end view of the loading drawer assembly showing the mechanical operating means 200, from the inboard end of the assembly. Figure 10 indicates that the wheel 190 on the external frame will act as the support or drive wheel when the loading drawer assembly is being moved mechanically. Figures 11 11 5 and 12 show the mechanical operating means 200 on the external side of the loading drawer side beam and internal side of the external support structure side beam. Referring to Figure 11, a control box 210 is shown at an accessible location on the support frame. A mechanical stop means is provided (e.g. a limit switch 260 and limit switch actuators in the form of activation cams, labelled 240) for inboard and outboard movement of the loading 10 drawer. To assist tracking of the loading drawer, a guide wheel is mounted proud of the support structure to the outbound end section of the support structure, on each side of the support structure (see Figures 8A, 8C, 9A, 9C and 10, item labelled 220). The loading 15 drawer shown in Figures 7A, 7B, 9A, 9C and 11 has a dynamic wheel 180 which tracks along the flanges of the support structure side beam as the loading drawer is moved inbound or outbound. Figure 9A shows the configuration of rolling means (e.g. wheels or rollers) in a loading drawer assembly 100. Figure 9B shows the relationship of the support or drive wheel 190 to the loading drawer 110. Figure 9C shows the relationship of the 20 dynamic wheel 180 to the outer support frame 120, and Figure 9D shows the relationship of the guide wheel 220 to the loading drawer 110. The loading drawer assembly includes a locking means to enable the loading drawer to be locked in an inbound or outbound position, positively locating the loading drawer to the 25 support structure. The locking means may be any suitable means. One example is a slide bolt mounted to the rear (inbound end) of the loading drawer and engaging the drawer in an inbound or outbound position by extending to a corresponding hole or latch on the support frame. Alternatively, the locking means may be a spring release shot bolt mounted to the rear of the loading drawer and locking the drawer by engaging a 30 corresponding hole or latch on the support structure. Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many different other forms. 35 Dated this 30 April 2009 Applicant's Name: Consep Pty Limited By 1 Place Patent Attorneys + Solicitors Patent Attorneys for the Applicant 40 12

Claims (22)

1. A fully retractable loading drawer assembly for receiving construction materials and equipment, the loading drawer assembly comprising: (a) a support structure adapted to be positioned wholly inboard of a building 10 perimeter, the support structure being adapted to be reversibly secured to an underlying supporting surface that forms part of the building; and (b) a loading drawer in relative sliding engagement with the support structure such that the loading drawer is moveable between an extended position and a retracted position, 15 wherein the support structure is reversibly secured to the supporting surface by floor-securing means sufficient to support the loading drawer in the extended position when loaded such that the loading drawer assembly is capable of being used on any storey of a multi-storey building including a top storey, and wherein the loading drawer is of a length, such that in its retracted position, the 20 loading drawer is wholly ensconced within the support structure thereby being fully retractable into the building perimeter while minimising interference with available internal work space.

2. A loading drawer assembly according to claim 1 further including a stopper 25 member located between the support structure and the loading drawer to inhibit the loading drawer from sliding out of engagement with the support structure in an outboard direction, wherein the stopper member engages upon movement of the loading drawer in an outboard direction a specified distance along the length of the support structure and disengages by movement of the 30 loading drawer in an inboard direction. 13 5

3. A loading drawer assembly according to claim 2 wherein the stopper member comprises a first element located on the support structure and a second element located on the loading drawer, and wherein the stopper member becomes engaged by the first element abutting the second element. 10

4. A fully retractable loading drawer assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the support structure comprises two side beams held substantially parallel relative to each other by at least one cross member such that the support structure acts as a fixed outer frame to the moveable loading 15 drawer.

5. A fully retractable loading drawer assembly according to claim 4 wherein each side beam of the support structure is configured to receive one or more through bolts, enabling the through bolts to pass through the support structure 20 to the underlying supporting surface such that the through bolts act as floor securing means to reversibly secure the support structure to an underlying supporting surface.

6. A fully retractable loading drawer assembly according to any one of the 25 preceding claims wherein the loading drawer comprises: (a) two substantially parallel side beams, each configured to nest within a side beam of the support structure such that the loading drawer acts as an inner frame moveable relative to the outer support structure; (b) one or more ladder frames extending between the side beams of the 30 loading drawer; and 14 5 (c) a deck panel sitting on the one or more ladder frames, the deck panel forming a base for the loading drawer wherein the loading drawer is moveable between the extended position and the retracted position by sliding movement of the nested side beam of the loading drawer relative to the side beam of the support structure. 10

7. A loading drawer assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the assembly further includes a pair of fixed rolling means on each side of the assembly to facilitate sliding of the loading drawer between the extended position and the retracted position. 15

8. A loading drawer assembly according to claim 7 wherein one fixed rolling means of each pair is mounted on a side beam of the supporting structure and the other fixed rolling means of the pair is mounted on the side beam of the loading drawer nested therein 20 such that a resultant load is borne across both the inner and outer frames.

9. A loading drawer assembly according to claim 7 or 8 wherein the rolling means of the supporting structure and the loading drawer are mounted on opposing ends of the respective side beams. 25

10. A loading drawer assembly according to any one of claims 7 to 10 wherein the nested side beams are nested I-beams, each I-beam having a top flange and a bottom flange, and wherein the rolling means is a wheel of sufficient diameter to extend between 30 the top and bottom flange so that rolling of the wheel along the top and 15 5 bottom flanges facilitates sliding of the loading drawer relative to the support means.

11. A fully retractable loading drawer assembly according to any one of the preceding claims further comprising: 10 (a) one or more panels erected toward the perimeter at the sides of the deck panel thereby forming one or more side walls for the loading drawer; and (b) a safety gate toward the perimeter at an outboard end of the deck panel to enable access to the loading drawer from outside the building for one or more of: 15 i. removal; ii. delivery of a load.

12. A loading drawer assembly according to claim 11 wherein the safety gate is 20 lockable to prevent one or more of the following: (a) accidental egress of a person; (b) accidental removal of a load from the outboard end of the loading drawer. 25

13. A loading drawer assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the assembly further includes mechanical operating means for moving the loading drawer between the retracted and extended positions so as to reduce manual aspect(s) required in moving the loading drawer thereby facilitating movement when the loading drawer is loaded. 30 16 5

14. A loading drawer assembly according to claim 13 wherein the mechanical operating means includes: (a) a drive wheel between the side beam of the support structure and the nested side beam of the loading drawer therein; and (b) a corresponding drive rack for driving the drive wheel. 10

15. A loading drawer assembly according to claim 14 wherein the mechanical operating means is power operated.

16. A loading drawer assembly according to claim 15 wherein the wheel on the side 15 beam of the support frame is configured to act as the drive wheel when the mechanical operating means is in operation.

17. A loading drawer assembly according to any of the preceding claims further including a mechanical stop means for preventing movement in one or more of 20 the following directions: (a) inboard; (b) outboard.

18. A loading drawer assembly according to claim 17 wherein the mechanical stop 25 means includes: (a) a limit switch (b) at least one limit switch actuator.

19. A loading drawer assembly according to claim 18 wherein the limit switch 30 actuator is an activation cam. 17 5

20. A loading drawer assembly according to any of the preceding claims further including locking means for positively locating the loading drawer to the support structure, wherein the locking means enables the loading drawer to be locked in one of the following: (a) an inboard position; 10 (b) an outboard position.

21. A loading drawer assembly according to claim 20 wherein the locking means includes: (a) a bolt mounted on the loading drawer; and 15 (b) a corresponding hole on the support structure wherein the loading drawer is locked when the bolt engages the corresponding hole.

22. A loading drawer assembly substantially as hereinbefore described by reference 20 to the drawings. 18