AU2004212527B2 - Retractable cover and cable assembly for an open payload - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Applicants: PREMIUM ROLLATARP PTY LTD Invention Title: RETRACTABLE COVER AND CABLE ASSEMBLY FOR AN OPEN

PAYLOAD

The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: 22/12 2008 13:47 FAX 61 8 9213 8.333 GRIFFITH HACK PERTH [007 -2- 00 (N

TITLE

Retractable cover and cable assembly for an Open Payload.

FIELD3 OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to retractable cover assemblies for open payload bins, such as a trailer bin of a tipper truck and more particularly to a -retractable cover assembly for c-I such payload bins.

BACKGRoUND

ART

0 Retractable cover assemblies for open payload bins such as the type that used for trailers on tipper trucks, waste transfer bins, rubbish skips and trays for utility vehicles ar known in the prior art, see for example Australianu patent AU 680100 and AD 660600.

These patents disclose a retractable cover system for a truck trailer body that has a -cover that is supported by a plurality of bows. The cover is moveable between an open position, where the cover is retracted so that the opening to the bin is exposed, and a closed position where the cover is extended so that the opening to the bin is closed. Motive force is imparted to the cover by an endless cable arrangement by winding a pulley that operates in response to the winding of a winch assembly.

On the ends of the bows axe located guide members that are of a lock down type having a groove. The groove receives an edge of a linear track member. The track member is mounted to an upper edge of the trailer body. During movement of the cover assembly, the guide members slide across the top surface of the track due to the endless cable that passes through the guide members.

The endless cable is formned by joining two ends of single cable back on itself. The join occurs at a guide member located on one of the rear bow ends. The join operates so as to fasten the cable relative to either side of the guide member. As the cable is wound in or out the join abuts the guide member thereby imparting motive force to emilyv/keep/apeci/Fs44o5/sept 04 COMS ID No: ARCS-21 8092 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:00 Date 2008-12-22 22/12 2008 13:48 FAX 61 8 9213 8333GRFIhHC

PET

GRIFFITH HACK PERTH 1)08 -3- O00---rZ W o the bow, which causes the cover to retract into a closed position or to extend into an open position.

0 This arrangement requires the cable to be able to move relative to all of' the guide Cl S members except for the guide member to which it is affixed. This means that motive force can only be imparted to one side of the rear bow, This can cause an imbalance to occur between the farces that are imparted to the guide members on the rear bow- V) This can cause the rear bow to jam on the track.

Ths arrangement also leaves the endless cable exposed on the top surface of the track o along which the guide members slide. Both the leading portion of the cable and the Cl return portion of the cable are exposed on top of the track surface- This means that when the cover is in the retracted position and the bin is receiving a payload from a front end loader, the bucket of the front end loader can impact onto the cable, causing it to be damaged. The damaged portion of the cable can cause it slip off the guide pulleys.

When the cable is damaged in this way, it is necessary to replace the cable- As the cable passes through all of the guide members (there is one guide member on each side of each bow) the replacement process can be time consuming and arduous.

A firther problem caused by the combination of an exposed cable and exposed guide members is that the cover can foul with the guide members and cable as they slide along the track. This necessitates the cover having a narrower width thian the distance between the track members along which the guide members slide so that this fouling is prevented. As the cover ends short of the track, the cover system is not 100% water Proof Thus the cover system can not be used with fine aggregate loads such as agricultural crops and cement powder.

emilyw/keep/speclfPb44 05/Sept 94 COMS ID No: ARCS-218092 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:00 Date 2008-12-22 22/12 2008 13:48 FAX 61 8 9213 8333 GRIFFITH HACK PERTH 0009 -4- 00 DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION According to one aspect, there is provided a retractable cover assembly for an open payload bin, the cover assembly comprising at least: a cover; Clq s a plurality of bow assemblies arranged to support the cover; and a pair of track members adapted to support the bow assemblies between the track members, wherein each bow assembly comprises at least a bow member having IC) two bow ends and a pair of guide means for guiding the bow member along the track members, the guide means being spaced apart from the bow ends; wherein a portion of the bow member overlaps a wall of said bin and operates to support a pelmet oportion of the cover, wherein the pelmet portion drapes substantially downwardly Clq from one of the bow ends.

Because the at least one guide member is spaced apart from the at least one bow end, the guide member can be located away from the top edge of the bin. This reduces fouling between the guide member and the cover, during movement of the guide member along the track member.

Preferably said cover extends across said bow so that at least a portion of said cover overlaps a side portion of said bin so as to form a side pelmet on said bin.

As the guide member is spaced apart from thebow end, the cover can pass across the bow member and form a side pelmet with the bin so as to reduce gaps that may exist between the cover and the side of the bin.

Preferably said at least one track member is located internally to said bin. Preferably a cable assembly having at least one cable imparts motive force to said at least one bow assembly.

Preferably said at least one cable is secured to said at least one guide member whereby said at least one cable is located internally to said bin.

£milyw/keep/speei/P54405/sePt 04 COMS ID No: ARCS-218092 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:00 Date 2008-12-22 22/12 2008 13:48 FAX 61 8 9213 8333GRFIhHC

PET

GRIFFITH BACK PERTH 0~I010 00 Preferably said guide member is a rotatable load bearing member.

0 Preferably said track member comprising a main portion and a sloped portion at a first distal end; the guide means traversing said sloping portion whereby extending said bow at an angle to a plane in which it is located when on the main portion of the track whereby bringing said cover into tension.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a retractable cover assembly for an open payload bin, the cover assembly comprising at least: o a cover; a plurality of bow assemblies arranged to support the cover; and a pair of track members adapted to support the bow assemblies between the track members, wherein each bow assembly comprises at least a bow member having two bow ends and a pair of guide means for guiding the bow member along the track members, the guide means being spaced apart from the bow ends.

Preferably the guide means are located internally to the bin and the bow ends are located externally to the bin.

Preferably the guide means =r rotatable load bearing assemblies.

Preferably the bow assemblies locate a cable assembly that operates to impart motive force to the bow assemblies so as to move cover assembly between a first open position and a second closed position.

Preferably the guide means locate the cable assembly whereby the cable assembly is located internally to the bin.

Preferably the cover assembly extends across the bow mnember so as to overlap with a wall of the bin whereby forming a pelinet.

eMi~yW/kCea/spec±/,Psrtos/eept 04 COMS ID No: ARCS-218092 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:00 Date 2008-12-22 22/12 2008 13:48 FAX 61 8 9213 8333 GIFT AKPRHEhi GRIFFITH HACK PERTH Z011 00 U Preferably a portion of the bow member overlaps said wall of said bin and operates to 0 support said pelmet portion of the cover.

Ci Preferably each said track member comprises a main portion and a second sloping portion Whereby in use said guide member traverses said sloping portion whereby extending said bow assembly at an angle to the angle it assumes when on the main portion of the track so as to increase tensional forces acting on said cover.

According to a Amrber aspect of the present invention there is provided a retractable o cover assembly for open payload bin, the cover assembly comrnpising at least a plurality of bows adapted to support a cover of said cover assembly, wherein said cover extends across said bows and overlaps an at least a portion of said bin thereby forming a side pelmet.

According to a further aspect of the present invention thfere is provided a bow assembly for use in a retractable cover assembly of an open bin, the bow assembly comprising at least one bow end and at least one guide mean, said guide means spaced apart from said bow end.

Preferably said guide means comprises at least one rotatable load bearing member located on an axle assembly, said axle assembly affixed to said bow member.

Preferably said guide means comprises at least one cable guide means for in use receiving a cable of a cable assembly, the cable assembly, in use, imparting motive force to said bow assembly.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a cable assembly for in use imparting motive force to at least one bow assembly having first and second side portions supported by track members of a cover assembly, the cable assembly comprising at least first anud second cables and a winch assembly, wherein said at least first and second cables are, in use, affixed to each side of said at least one enrtlyw/keep/npenifPS44bS f sept 04 COMS ID No: ARCS-218092 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:00 Date 2008-12-22 22/12 2008 13:48 FAX 61 8 9213 8333GRFIhHC

PET

GRIFFITH HACK PERTH Z012 -7- 00 o bow assembly, whereby Operation Of sdid winich imparts motive force to said cables, wherby motive force is imparted to each said side of said bow assembly, 0 Preferably a first end of said cable affixes to said first side portion of said bow Cl B assembly and a second end of said first cable affixes to a second side portion of said bow assembly and a first end of said second cable affixes to said first side of said bow assembly and a second end affixes to said second side of said second portion of said bow assembly.

Preferably said first end of said first cable extends from said first side of said bow o assembly in a first direction towards said second side of said bow assembly and said Cl first end of said second cable extends in a second direction from said first side portion of said bow assembly towards said second side portion of said second bow assembly.

Preferably said first cable passes through a first plurality of guide pulleys as it extends between said first and second side portions of said bow assembly and said second cable passes through a second plurality of guide pulleys as it extends between said first and second side portions of said bow assembly.

Preferably said first plurality of guide pulleys comprises a winch pulley of said winch assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Embodiments of the invention shall now be described by way of example oniy and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a trailer bin with a cover system in a closed arrangement; Figure 2 is a perspective view of a trailer bin with cover system, the perspective views shows the cover removed so as to reveal bow assemblies and guide tracks; Figur 3 is an exploded view of a bow assembly with a rear axle, a centre axle, centre guide means, rea guide means and a support flange; emilyVI/ceep/Spec±/P54405 /sept 04 COMS ID No: ARCS-218092 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:00 Date 2008-12-22 22/12 2008 13:48 FAX 61 8 9213 8333 GRIFFITH HACK PERTH [a 013 -8- 00 o Figure 4 is a sideview of a bow assembly oz-guid tracks; o Figure 5a is a perspective view of a trailer bin showing sections A A and B B; Figure 5b is a perspective view of section A A of Figure Figure 5c is a perspective view of section B B of Figmre Ci 5 Figure 6a is a perspective view of a guide track member; Figure 6b is a side view of the guide track member of Figure 6a; Figure 6c is a perspective view of the guide track member of Figure 6a with a guide pulley assembly in an exploded representation; Figure 7 is a schematic representation of a cable assembly and pulley arrangement for moving the bow assemblies of Figure 2 along the track omembers of Figure 6a, 6b 6c; Figure 8 is a perspective representation of a head board and winch arrangement for imparting motive force to the cable assembly of Figure 7; Figure 9a is an exploded representation of the headboard of Figure 8 and the pulley arrangement in Figure 7; Figure 9b is a top sectional view of the headboard of Figure 8; Figure 9e is a sectional side view of the headboard of Figure 8; Figure 1 Oa is representation of a winch assembly and a cable tensioning assembly with the cable tension assembly set at a first tension level; Figure 10b is a representation of the winch assembly and the cable tensioning assembly of Figure 1 Oa with the cable tension assembly set at a second tension level; Figure 1I is a front elevation of an alternative winch assembly; Figure 12 is a side elevation of the winch assembly of Figure 11; Figure 13a is a cross-sectional view of a winch locking mechanism of section C-C of the winch assembly of Figure 12; and, Figure 13b is a cross-sectional view of the locking mechanism of Figure 13 of the section D-D of Figure 11.

BEST MODE(S) FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Throughout the specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to erilyw/keep/speci/P5440S/aept 04 COMS ID No: ARCS-218092 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:00 Date 2008-12-22 22/12 2008 13:49 FAI 61 8 9213 8333 GRIFFITH HACK PERTH 0014 -9o imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integets but hot The exclusion of Cl any other integer or group of integers.

Preferred embodiments refer to a cover assembly for a trailer bin of a tipper truck.

C' 5 These trailer bins are characterised in that they have a payload space that is typically defined by a front wall, two side walls and a rear wall (which is often a gate), a floor and no roof. Cover assemblies of the present embodiments provide a retractable roof kfor such bins.

The cover assembly may be used on other applications of open bins. Such alternate oarrangements include rail trucks, containers, waste transfer bins and the trays of utility C,1 vehicles.

The bin may alternatively be a frame for supporting a retractable cover assembly, in which case the cover may also be extendable to provide sidewalls and/or end walls.

Referring now to Figure 1, a retractable cover assembly J30 for a trailer bin 125 of a track is represented. The trailer bin 125 defines an open load space by means of front wall 105, two sidewalls 1,10, a floor (not shown) and a rear gate (not shown).

The cover 100, may be a tarpaulin made of canvas, poly-vinyl-chloride (PVC) or some other suitable form of flexible sheet material.

The cover 100 is supported across the load space of the trailer bin 125 by means of a series of bows 115, represented in broken outline. The bows extend between the sidewalls 110, The cover 100 is supported by the bows so as to enable the cover to extend from the bows across at least a portion of the side walls so as to form a pelmet 120 on either side wall 100. The cover 100 may have a series of pockets for receiving the bows 115.

The cover is retractable between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, as represented, the cover 100 extends the length of the load space so as to emilyw/keap/speci/P5a4o5/aept 04 COMS ID No: ARCS-218092 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:00 Date 2008-12-22 22/12 2008 13:49 FAX 61 8 9213 8333 GRIFFITH HACK PERTH [a015 00 form a roofp In fle open position (Kft §h6iwn) the cover assembly 130 is etracted so ci as to, preferably, be located adjacent the front wall 105 of the trailer bin. This exposes the load space of the trailer bin. When the cover is in the closed position, the cover extends the length of the load space so that it is covered. The cover is preferably C,1 5 provided with a length of elastic material sewn into each side to gather the pelmet when it is retracted and help seal the pelmet with the bin when it is in the open position.

Referring now to Figure 2 in which the cover arrangement is represented without the cover 100, so as to show bow assemblies 115. The bow assemblies 115, preferably, o have a convex curvature relative to the top of the side wails 110.

The bow assemblies 115 extend between guide tracks 200 that are located on the sidewalls 110 of the trailer bin 125- The bow assemblies extend to the outer edge 210 of the guide tracks 200. This enables the cover 100 to fall from the bows 115 so as to be located in a plane that is parallel with the side walls 100.

This enables the cover 100 to form a pelmet 120 that extends from the end of the bow assemblies toa point that overlaps at least a portion of the side walls 110. The pelmet formed from the cover 120 extending over the side walls 110 prevents rain from entering the load space of the trailer bin when the cover is in the closed position.

Referring now to figure 3 in which a bow assembly 115 is represented in exploded form. The bow assembly comprises a bow member 300 that is curved. Preferably the bow member 300 is in the form of square tubing commonly known as RHS tube.

Square tube resists rotation inside a pocket of the cover for receiving the bow member 300. Round tube can cause increased wear on the cover due to rotation inside the pocket. Square tube tends to be stronger and thus only requires lighter weight tube than other types of tube used as the bow members. The bow member 300 has two chamfered ends 340. The chamfered ends 340 are chamfered so as to be located in a plane that in use is parallel with the guide tracks 200. This enables the bow assemblies to traverse the guide tracks 200 without the bow ends interfering with the ernamlyw/) ecp/ai/p5C4 P;4405/sept 04 COMS ID No: ARCS-218092 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:00 Date 2008-12-22 22/12 2008 13:49 FAX 61 8 9213 8333 GIF~ AKPRHIhi GRIFFITH HACK PERTH Q016 00 o guid*&iracks 200.

The bow member 300 also has an axle attachment means for securing an axle M assembly 370 to the bow member 300. The axle attachment means comprises axle location apertures 345 that receive an axle assembly 370 and locate a portion of the axle assembly 370 intetually to the bow member 300. A set of affixing apertures 350 on the bow member 300 are aligned with a corresponding set of receiving apertures 355 on the axle assembly 370. An affixing means, such as a rivet or nut and bolt, tthen passes through the affixing apertures 350 and the receiving apertures 315 so as to affix the axle assembly 3 70 with the bow member 3 00.

In an alternative and preferred form of the axle assembly 370, a section of tubing is welded on top of thie corresponding set of receiving apertures 355 through which the bow member -300 passes. A further corresponding set of receiving apertures is located within the section of tubing that align with the fixing apertures 350 of' the bow member 300 through which a fixing means may be located.

A support flange 335 may be located onto the bow members in such a manner that the support flange, in use, is located in a plane that is, preferably, parallel with the sidewall 1 10 of the trailer bin 125. The cover 100 may be secured to the support flange 335 by means, such as a rivet.

The axle assembly 370 is preferably one of either two types of axle assemblies 370, namely either a centre axle assembly 315 or a rear axle assembly 305. The alternative preferred attachment means including the section of tubing may be applied to both the centre axle assembly 3 15 and/or the rear axle assembly 3 The rear axle assembly is located on the rear bow. The rear bow is located on the leading end of the cover assembly that traverses the bin when the cover assembly is moving between the retracted position and the covered position.

OS/aept 04 COMS 0 No: ARCS-218092 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:00 Date 2008-12-22 22/,12 2008 13:49 FAX 61 8 9213 8333GRFIhHC

PEH

GRIFFITH HACK PERTH [017 -12- 00 o ~~Both axle assemblies 170 sulpport giii& iijibet 1 hti prt rvr~h 91 r 10ta n n' track 200. Each guide member 3 10 is Preferably a rotational member that rolls along the track 200. TIhe rotational member preferably has a bearing such as a roller bearing or some other suitable load bearing roller, The guide member 3310 however does not need to be a rotational member. The guide member 3 10 may be a sliding member that slides along a surface of a track 200.

The centre axle assembly 315 supports a single guide member 310 and a single cable locatinig means 320. The cable locating means 320 is preferably a section of tubing, though other members with apertues suitable for locating a cable may be used.

The rear axle assembly 305 is preferably adapted to locate two guide members 310 within a plane that is parallel with the track 200. This may be achieved with a "U" shaped member that forms twin axle stubs 365. Each end 370 of the twin axle stubs 365 locates a rotational guide member 3 The rear axle assembly also has a pair of cable locating members, namely an inner cable locating member 325 and an outer cable locating member 330. Each cable locating member operates to receive a cable and to affix the cable in position relative to the rear axle assembly 305. Thus, each of the inner and outer cable locating members 325 and 330 respectively, locate and affix separate cables.

The rear bow assembly 115S also locates a sweep member 360. The sweep member traverses the track 200 in advance of the rear bow, after the trailer bin has received a load. The sweep member 360 removes debris from the load that may have collected onto the track 200. This prevents the debris from fouling with the guide members when the cover is moved into the closed position form the open position.

Referring now to Figure 4 which represents a bow assembly 115 in location with track members 200, For ease of representation, the bow assembly shows a centre axle assembly 3 15 on the left of the bow as sembly 115 and a rear axle assembly 305 on the right hand side of the bow assembly 115. In operation, a bow assembly will usually ew~ijyW/keep/sper±/PS440S/sepe: 04 COMS ID No: ARCS-218092 Received by P1 Australia: Time 17:00 Date 2008-12-22 22/12 2008 13:49 FAX1 61 8 9213 8333 GIF~ AKPRH'11 GRIFFITH HACK PERTH [a 018 -13- 00 o be fitted with two axle* assemblies of the same type, though this is not essential to operation of the cover assembly.I The guide members 3 10 of the axle assembly are operatively located with the guide CiS track 200. The track 200 is located so as to be internal to the trailer bin 125 whereby the guide members may be located internal to the bin.

Where a guide member 3 10 consists of a roller member, the track 200 has a channel that receives the guide member. The guide member contacts at least one internal surthece of the channel and then rolls across this surface of the track 200.

This use of a bow assembly 115 with a guide member located internally to the trailer bin 125 enables the cable locating members 320 to be located internally to the trailer bin 125. This protects the cable against impact from, say, a bucket of a loader vehicle when it is placing a load into the load space of the trailer bin 125.

This use of a bow assembly 115 with guide members 310 that are located internally to the trailer bin 125 enables the distal ends of the bow members to be located external to the trailer bin 125. This enables the cover 100 to overlap both the; bow member 300 and the side wall 110 of the trailer bin thereby forming a pelmnet without the cover fouling with track or the guide members or the cable, where the cable guides are.

located on the axle assembly.

The above description of figure 4 refers to a centre axle assembly 315. This is not intended to limit the scope of the specifications as the desaription applies equally to a rear axle assembly 305.

Referring now to Figure 5a which is a perspective view of a trailer bin showing the locations of sections A A and B B. Section A A is a reference to Figure 5b and Section B B is a reference to Figure enlilyw/Jeep/speci/Ps44os/eept 04 COMS ID No: ARCS-21 8092 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:00 Date 2008-12-22 22/12 2008 13:49 FAX 61 8 9213 8333 GRIFFITH HACK PERTH -14- 00 o Referring now to Figure 5b which is a perspective representation of section A A in Figure 5a. Section A A shows a preferred arrangement for track member 200. The Preferred arrangement has a lateral support member 510. The lateral support member 0 is located on the side wall 110 of the bin 125. The lateral support member 5 10 and the S track member 200 project vertically from the top edge of the side wall 1 10 and as such the lateral support member 510 and the track member 200 extend the height of the bin. They are therefore considered to be part of the bin and specifically, a part of in and therefore au extension of the side wall 1 10 of the bin.

The track member 200 has an upper track member 515 which has an external surface o 520 that is external to the bin. The track member 200 also has a lower track member 505 that is internal to the bin 125. The upper track member 520 and the lower track member 505 for a trak channel 525 in which a rotational guide member 310 is operatively located. As a rotational guide member traverses the track channel member 520 it rolls against the lower track member 505.

The lower track member 505 is located at an angle, of preferably 1000, relative to the vertical track wall member 515, so that it projects in a downwards directions towards the floor of the bin. The slope of the lower track member provides a tolerance fit for that the rotational guide members so that they may be insered into the track channel member 520 until the outer surface of the roller 310 abuts the internal surface of the upper track member 51:5 and upper surface of the lower track member 505. The slope prevents the rotational gude member from having lateral movement towards the side wall 515 of the track 200. This assists with ease of inserting the rotational guide member 3 The upper track member 520 and the track wall 515 allow the guide member to be located internally to the bin which prevents the cover 100 from fouling with a guide member 3 10 (rotational or otherwise) when it overlaps the side wall 1 10 of the bin.

Referring now to Figure 5b which is a perspective representation of section B B of Figure 5a- It is a headboard 550 that locates guide pulley arrangement (described emi1yw/kep/speci/Ps44o5/sept D4 COMS ID No: ARCS-218092 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:00 Date 2008-12-22 22/12 2008 13:50 FAX 61 8 9213 8333 GRFIhHCPET I02 GRIFFITH HACK PERTH [a 020 00 o below in relation to Figure 7) for the cable assembly that imnpar-ts motive force to the cover assembly 130.

0 The headboard 550 is preferably a cavity that locates series of guide pulley for the ci cable assembly. The walls of the headboard protect the guide pulleys from fouling with foreign bodies (such as an operators fingers) when rotating.

tfl The headboard has a cable guide aperture 530 through which the cable of the cable assembly passes. Jt also has a cable guide panel which assists with deflecting the cable towards the winch mechanism as it exits the headboard 550. It is not essential o that the headboard be a channel with square section.

Referring now to Figure 6a and Figure 6b which are, respectively, a perspective view of a preferred end section of the track 200 and an end view of the preferred end section of the track member 200.

The preferred end section of the track 200 has sloped member 600 that projects downwards, from the end of the lower track member 505 towards the floor of the bin 125.

The sloped member 600 is located at the limit of travel of the rear bow. The length of the cover 100 deffines the limit of travel. The sioped member 600 causes the rear bow to be located at an angle to the vertical so that it slopes towards the rear of the bin- This causes the distance between the rear bow and its adjacent bow to increase over the distance that would occur without the sloped member 600. This assist with placing the cover into tension when the cover assembly is in the closed position- Referring now to Figure 6c which is a perspective view of the track member of Figure 6a with an additional exploded view of a pulley assembly that is located adjacent the end portion of the track 600.

ema-lrWfkeep/speci/P54405/aept 04 COMS ID No: ARCS-218092 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:00 Date 2008-12-22 22'12 2008 13:50 FAX 61 8 9213 8333GRFIH AC PET 02 GRIFFITH HACK PERTH 1 1 021 00 o Thie pulley assembly consists of a bolt 615 that passes through aperture 620. A spacer 610 locates the pulley wheel 605 in alignment with the inner and outer cable guides 325 and 330 respectively. A nut 625 secures the assembly onto the bolt 615.

Washers 630 prevent wear between the pulley 60-5 and the nut 625 and also between the pulley 605 and the spacer 610 and also between the spacer 610 and the side wall 515 of the track member 200.

Referring now to Figure 7 which is a schematic representation of 'a cable assembly 700. The cable assembly 700 has two separate cables, each of which exert pressure on the left hand 740 and right hand 745 rear bow axle assemblies regardless of the o direction of rotation of a winch pulley 760.

The cable assembly comprises a set of right hand cable guide pulleys 750, a set of left hand cable guide pulleys 755, a right hand cable 70$ and a left hand cable 710.

The schematic representation shows a plurality of left hand axle assemblies 720 and a plurality or right hand axle assemblies 725. The right hand axle assemblies 725 are depicted as being located on a right hand side of a bin when looking from the plurality of right hand cable guide pulleys 750 towards the other end of the bin where the left hand rear cable guide pulley 735 and the right hand rear cable guide pulley 736 are located. The left hand axle assemblies 720 are on the left hand side of the bin. The bin is not represented and the bow members that attach to the axle assemblies arc not represented.

The first end 785 of the right hand cable 705 is affixed to the right band rear bow axle assembly 745 from which it passes through a plurality of right hand cable guides 725, each of which is located on a right hand axle assembly 715. The right hand cable 705 then passes through the plurality of right hand guide pulleys 750, which include a winch pulley 760. The right hand cable then passes around the rear left hand cable guide pulley 735. The second end 770 of the right hand cable is then affixed to the left hand rear bow axle assembly 740.

emilyw/keepfapeci/r54405/aept 04 COMS ID No: ARCS-218092 Received by IP Australia: Time (I-Pm) 17:00 Date 2008-12-22 22/12 2008 13:50 FAX 61 8 9213 8.333 GIFIhHCPET GRIFFITH HACK PERTH 0022 -17- 00 o The firs end 775 of te left hand cable 710 is affixed to the left hand rear bow axle assembly 740. It then passes through a plurality of left hand cable guides 730, each of which is located on a left hand axle assembly 720- The left hand cable 710 then 0 passes through the left hand guide pulleys 755 and then around the uight hand rear cable guide 736. The second end of the left hand cable is affixed to the right band rear bow axle assembly 745.

Rotation of the winch 760 in a clockwise direction causes the first end 785 of the right hand cable 705 to exert pressure on the right band rear bow axle assembly 745 so that the right hand rear bow axle assembly 745 is pulled toward the plurality of right hand o cable guide pulleys 750. Simultaneously, the first end 775 of the left hand cable 710 exerts pressure on the left hand rear bow axle assembly 74080o that it is pulled toward the left hand cable guide pulleys 755.

Rotation of the winch in the anti-clockwise direction causes the second end 770 of the right hand cable 705 to exert pressure on the left hand end rear bow axle assembly 740 so that it is pulled toward the left hand rear pulley 735. Simultaneously the second end 780 of the left hand cable 710 exerts pressure on the left hand rear bow axle assenibly 745 so that'it is pulled toward the right hard cable guide pulley 736.

The dual cable system enables force to be exerted simultaneously on the left hand and right hand rear bow axle assemblies 740 745 respectively. This improves the movement of the rear bow along the track 200 as it has equal forces exerted simultaneously on both sides of the rear bow assembly.

Referring now to Figure 8 which is a perspective representation of a headboard 550 as mournted onto a trailer bin of a truck body. The headboard 550 contains the plurality of left hand guide pullies 755 and the right hand guide pullies 750.

Vertically displaced from the headboard 550 on the front wall 1 10 of the trailer bin 125 is a winch mounting assembly 815 that houses a winch 760 that has a winch pulley 810 and a winch handle 805. The right hand guide cable 705 extends from an emilywfkecp/spec±L/Ps44 OS/sept 04 COMS ID No: ARCS-218092 Received by IP Australia: lime 17:00 Date 2008-12-22 22/12 2008 13:50 FAX 61 8 9213 8333GRFIhHC

PET

GRIFFITH BACK PERTH 00I23 00 o aperture in the base of the headboard 550 around the winch pulley 810 and then back into the headboard 550.

0 The winch 760 has a cable tensioning arrangement (not shown) that is described c-i further below in relation to Figure Referring now to Figure 9a which is an exploded perspective representation of the in headboard 550 and the plurality of left hand 755 and right hand 750 cable guide pulleys.

01 o Figure 9b is a sectional top view of the headboard 550 with the cable guide pulleys assembled.

Figure 9c is a front sectional view of the headboard with the cable guide pullies assembled.

Figure l0a is a front view of the winch 760, having winch pulley 810 and winch housing 815.

Located on the winch housing 815 is a first right hand slot 1000 and first left hand slot 1005 whose axes are substantially vertical and substantially parallel. The winch pulley 8 10 is located on an upper mounting plate 105 0 that is adapted so that it can be moved up and down the first left hand 1005 and the first right hand 1000 slots. This operates to move the pulley 8 10 relative to the headboard 55 0 so as increase the path that the cable has to travel as it traverses the winch pulley 810. This operates to increase or reduce the tension in the cable that passes round the winch pulley.

Bolts 1040 and 1045 affix the upper pulley mounting plate 1050 relative to a lower pulley mounting plate 1055. The winch housing 815 is located intermediate the upper and lower pulley mounting plates 1050 1055 respectively. The tension force in the bolts 1040 1045 clamps the upper and loser mounting plates 1050 1055 onto the emilyw/keeplaveei/P544 O5Isiet 04 COMS ID No: ARCS-218092 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:00 Date 2008-12-22 22/12 2008 13:50 FAX 61 9213 8333GRFIH AC PET GRIFFITH HACK PERTH Z024 -19- 00 o winch housing 815. This prevents thle winch pulley from moving relative to the winch housing.

0 Located above the winch pulley 8 10 is a right hand slot 10 10 and a second left hand slot 1015 whose axes are located at substantially equal angles that are opposed in direction relative to the vertical. The second slots 1010 1015 are closer together adjacent the winch pulley than they are at their respective distal ends from the winch In Pulley.

Extending from the upper pulley mounting plate 1050 is a left hand 1025 and a right o hand 1020 adjustment arm. At the distal end of the left hand adjustment ann 1025 is a ci left hand mounting aperture 1035. At the distal end of the right hand adjustment arn 1020 is a right hand mounting aperture 1030.

The left hand mnounting aperture 1035 locates a left hand tensioning pulley (not shown). The right hand mounting aperture 1030 locates a right hand tensioning Pulley (not shown). The cable that is located onto winch pulley 810 is located intennediate the two tensioning pulleys. The cable contacts surfaces of the pulleys that are adjacent each other.

As the upper mounting plate moves up and down the left hand and right hand slots 1005 1000 respectively, the tensioning apertures increase or reduce the lateral distance between them. This increases or reduces the lateral distance between the portions of the tensioning pulleys that the cable contacts.

Reducing the distance between the tension pulley increases the path that the cable must travel as it traverses the winch pulley 810. This increases the tension in the cable.

Increasing the distance between the tensioning pulleys reduces the path of the cable as it traverses the winch pulley 810. This reduces the tension in the cable.

eiallyw/keeD/5peci/P544Q5fse-Pt 04 ARCS-218092 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:00 Date 2008-12-22 22/12 2008 13:50 FAX 61 8 9213 8333 GIF~ AKPRHfI~ GRIFFITH HACK PERTH IRI 025 00 o Figure 10a shows the winch 760 with a iniiumw path for the cable and therefore minimum tension. Figure l Ob shows the winch 760 with maximum path forthe cable an0hrfr aiu tension in the cable.

Both Figures 10a and l0b show a clutch arm 1060 that enables the winch ann 805 to move without moving the winch pulley 810. This enables the winch arm to be relocated to a new position without alterng the position of the cover assembly 130 from where it has been winched to. This clutch mechanism is mainly used to so that the winch ann 805 can be moved to a position where it does not project beyond the front wallll 0 ofthe bin.

Referring to Figure 11, there is shown a preferred winch assembly 1100 which includes a frnt plate 1102, fixing flanges 1104, a pair of pinch rollers 11I10 and a winch drum 1108 around which is engaged the cable 705. The flanges 1104 extend is rearwardly of the face plate 1102 and have a plurality of slots 1106 for adjustably positioning the winch assembly 1100. The adjustment may be used to apply the appropriate tension to cable 705.

Several pairs of holes 1112 and 1114 are spaced apart in relatively decreasing distances. That is, the holes 1112 re frnrther apart than another set of holes (not shown) and the pair of holes 1114. The pair of holes not shown is currently used to mount the pinch rollers 1 100. I-owe.ver, depending on the required distance apart, one pair of these holes would be used to mount the pinch rollers 1100. The pinch rollers "Pinch" together the cable 705 b xtending from either side of die winch drum so as to increase the tension applied Ito the cable 108, as well as increase the circumference of the winch drum 1108 making contact with the cable, thereby ensuring that the winch drum has adec Iuate fraction on the cable 705.

Each of the pinch rolers 1 110 includes a circumferential groove 1148 through which the cable 705 passes- The pinch roller 11I10 is mounted to the face plate 1102 by bearing 1150 through which extends A, bolt 1152 that extends through one of the pairs of holes. The bolt 1152 is secured in place by a nut 1154.

Cm±2lyw/kCeep/SpeC±iPS44O5sept 04 COMS ID No: ARCS-218092 Received by IP Australia: Time (I-Pm) 17:00 Date 2008-12-22 22/12 2008 13:50 FAX 61 8 9213 8333 GRIFFITH HACK PERTH 0~026 -21- 00 The winch drum 1 108 includes a handle 1120 used to rotate the winch drum and apply a motivational force to the cable [705, The winch drum 1108 also includes a 0 circumferential slot 1146 through wJ~ich passes the cable 705. Thbe winch drum 1108 sis mounted to the face plate 1 102 by a threaded member 1140 proj ecting from the face plate 1102 which passes through a beadng 1144 and is secured in place by a nut 1142.

The winch drum includes a locking mechanism better seen in Figures 12, 13a and 13b.

The winch drum includes a plurality Df holes 1122, which extend from the rear of the o circular dnum adjacent the face plate 1102 into the body of the winch drum 1103. The face plate 1102 includes a hole 1124' through which passes a locking pin 1130. The locking pin 1130 is able to project into one of the holes 1122 when aligned with the hole 1124. The locking pin 130 isi movable from a locked position as shown in Figures 12 and 13 ato an unlocked position in Figure 13b. The locing pin is mounted within a sleeve 1164 within which is! provided a spring 1162 which urges the pin to engage with one of the holes 1122.

The pin 1130 is connected by an elbowed joint to a laterally projecting pin 1160 that passes through an L-shaped slot 11321 in a side member 1105 of the winch assembly.

When the pin 1160 is in the positon sh own in Figures 12 and 13 a the pin is caused to project into the hole 1122 thereby locking the winch drum 1108 from rotating. When the pin 1160 is moved to the position shown in Figure 13b the pin 1130 is removed from the hole 1122 thereby freeing the winch drum 1108 to be rotated. The pin 1160 pivots about the pin 1130, and the pin 113 0 rotates about its axis, so that the pin 1160 slides along the si ot 1132. The spring 1162 exerts a force on the pin 1160 so that it engages the edge of the slot 1132 to resist inadvertent movement of the pin 1160 towards the lacked position in Figures 12 and 13a. To lock the winch drum 1108 again the pin 1160 is moved (by overcoming the resistive force of the spring 1162 pushing Pin 1160 against the side off the slot 1132) back to the position shown in Figures 12 and 13a, The spring 11621 urges the pin 1130 towards the winch drum 1108. When. the winch drum 1108 rotates so as to align the hole 1122 with the pin emiayw/keeplspec±L/P56408/ S5t Q4 COMS ID No: ARCS-21 8092 Received by IP Australia: Time (f-tm) 17:00 Date 2008-12-22 22/12 2008 13:51 FAX 61 8 9213 8333 GRIFFITH HACK PERTH -22- Z027 1130 the spring causes the pin 1130 to enter the hole 1122 thereby locking the winch drum 1108 in place.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that modifications and variations can be made to the present invention without departing from the basic inventive concept.

Such modifications are intended to be included in to scope of the present invention, the nature of which is to be determinLd from the foregoing description and appended claims.

emilyw/keep/speci/P544D5s/ept 04 COMS ID No: ARCS-218092 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:00 Date 2008-12-22

Claims (6)

1. A retractable cover assembly for an open payload bin, the cover assembly comprising at least: a cover; a plurality of bow assemblies arranged to support the cover; and a pair of track memberJ adapted to support the bow assemblies between the track members, wherein each bow assembly co prises at least a bow member having two bow ends and a pair of guide means for guiding the bow member along the track members, the guide means being spaced apart from the bow ends; wherein a portion of the bow member overlaps a wall of said bin and operates to support a pelmet portion of the cover, wherein the pelmet portion drapes substantially downwardly from one of the bow ends.

2. A retractable cover syste located internally to the b

3. A retractable cover syste rotatable load bearing assi n according to claim 1, wherein the guide means are n and the bow ends. are located externally to the bin. n according to claim 1, wherein the guide means are nblies. A retractable cover system according to any one of claims I to 3, wherein the bow assemblies locate a cable assembly that operates to impart motive force to the bow assemblies so as to move cover assembly between a first open position and a second closed position. A retractable cover systen the cable assembly wherel

6. A retractable cover systei cover assembly extends ai of the bin whereby formin Saccording to claim 4, wherein the guide means locate y the cable assembly is located internally to the bin. a according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the ross the bow member so as to overlap with said wall g the pelmet portion. P544D5- retractabl cover...-=pt 04- div of P3715 tracled COMS ID No: ARCS-218092 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:00 Date 2008-12-22 22/12 2008 13:51 FAX 61 8 9213 8333 GRIFFITH HACK PERTH 029 24

7. A retractable cover system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein each said track member comprises a main portion and a second sloping portion, whereby as said guide member traverses said sloping portion in use said bow assembly moves to an angle to the angle it assumes when on the main portion of the track so as to increase tensional forces acting on said cover. Dated this 16 th day of September

2004. PREMIUM ROLLATARP PTY LTD By Its Patent Attorneys GRIFFITH HACK Fellows institute-of Patent and rade Mar Attormeys-irfAstralia P54105- rerCGahble ovger-... .epi 4- div a r3B715 tru.~ ed COMS ID No: ARCS-218092 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:00 Date 2008-12-22