AU2008100477B4

AU2008100477B4 - Utility motor vehicle. Tray divider

Info

Publication number: AU2008100477B4
Application number: AU2008100477A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Jeffrey Michael Atholwood
Original assignee: JEFFREY ATHOLWOOD
Current assignee: JEFFREY ATHOLWOOD
Priority date: 2008-05-23
Filing date: 2008-05-23
Publication date: 2009-02-05
Anticipated expiration: 2016-05-23
Also published as: AU2008100477A4

Description

A UTILITY MOTOR VEHICLE TRAY DIVIDER FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a tray divider for a vehicle with a load tray. This invention also extends to a vehicle including a tray divider.

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This invention relates particularly but not exclusively to a tray divider for a vehicle 00 0 that is a road vehicle in the form of a pick-up or "ute", a utility vehicle having a rear S 10 load carrying tray. It will therefore be convenient to hereinafter describe the invention with reference to this example. However at the same time it must be recognized that the invention is capable of broader application. For example the invention could be applied to vehicles other than utility vehicles.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION A vehicle with a rear load carrying tray behind a driver's cabin is a well known vehicle in Australia and other countries.

The vehicle is used to carry goods or cargo from one location to another by stowing it on the tray. Typically, the tray includes a generally flat load bed and a tail gate that can be lowered and side walls that may be adapted to be folded down. The side walls may be pivotally mounted along side edges of the load bed so that the sidewalls can pivot between an operative upstanding position and a downwardly pivoted or hanging position when required to load or unload articles from the load bed.

The side walls may be latched in the upstanding operative position with a latching arrangement. The latching arrangement may be robust and interacting parts of the latching arrangement may cooperate with each other so that when latched some play between the parts causes slight relative movement between the sidewalls.

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p When cargo is loaded onto the load bed of the vehicle for transportation, then it is preferable that the cargo is secured against uncontrolled movement during transportation. There may be provided fixed tie-down points in the tray, to which may be affixed load straps and cargo nets. However, load straps need to be skillfully installed to account for each item. Cargo nets allow considerable "give" under horizontal loads. It is accordingly desirable to provide a barrier wall

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preventing a part-load from sliding horizontally along the load tray deck.

00 oO N 10 One way of securing cargo is to tether the cargo with a rope strung between the two sidewalls. See Fig 1 which shows a rope being used for this purpose. Using a rope for securing cargo requires some skill by a user to ensure that the rope is tight and properly tied to the load tray with a knot that can be undone when needed.

The limitation of a rope extending between the tops of the sidewalls as in Fig 1 is where the article has a lower profile than the height of the sidewalls. The lowprofile article is not braced by the rope to resist rearwards sliding movement of the article on the load bed surface. Thus, the article can slide roll or tumbled uncontrollably along the load bed surface.

Clearly therefore it would be advantageous if a contrivance could be devised to brace articles or a load of cargo that is easy to use, and also to cater for at least to some degree for different sizes and shapes of articles, cargo, and also for articles having different heights.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the invention provides a tray divider for a vehicle having a load tray that has laterally spaced opposing side walls, which tray divider includes: a divider body extending between opposed ends; and a clamping arrangement towards each end of the body for clamping attachment to an upper edge of an associated side wall.

The divider body may be elongated and lengthwise extendible and contractible.

The body may have a transverse width selected so that at least part of the body extends adjacent a load deck of the load tray when the body is mounted onto the sidewalls, in use.

00 The clamping arrangement towards each end of the body may include two clamping parts defining opposing clamp surfaces that are displaceable towards and away from each other, so at to clamp, in use, onto a horizontally projecting part of an upper edge of the side wall of the tray.

The divider body may be lengthwise extendible and contractible. The elongated divider body may include two cooperating body parts that are longitudinally displayable away and towards each other, so that the body is lengthwise extendible and contractible.

The one body part may define a longitudinal passage and the other body part may be shaped and sized so that it is snugly receivable lengthwise within the passage defined by the one body part and displaceable along the passage, so that the two parts are telescopically displaceable relative to each other.

The one body part may include a pair of longitudinally extending parallel spaced apart side members that each defines an open ended longitudinal passage, and the other body part may include two parallel spaced apart side members having cross sections complementary shaped and sized to the transverse sections of the longitudinal passages so that they are snugly received for telescopic displacement within the passages of the side members of the one body part.

O Each body part may include at least one cross brace member extending transversely between the side members for retaining the side members in their spatial relationship. Each body part may include a plurality of cross brace members that are longitudinally spaced apart relative to each other.

Thus, the elongate divider body has a longitudinal length that increases and decreases as the body is extended and contracted, in use. The length may be 0 between 2m and 2.5m when the divider body is retracted and between 2.5m and 03.5m when the divider body is extended.

The elongated divider body also has a transverse width that may be defined by the transverse spacing of the side members. The transverse width may be between 0.3m and 0.75m. The transverse width may correspond more or less to a depth of the load tray.

Each clamping arrangement towards an end of the divider body may include a clamp having two clamping parts defining opposing clamp surfaces that are operatively displaceable towards and away from each other. The clamping arrangement may be arranged so that the clamp surfaces are displaceable vertically towards and away from each other, so at to clamp, in use, onto vertically directed surfaces of a horizontally projecting part of an upper edge of the side wall of the tray.

The tray divider may include a hinge arrangement towards each end of the elongated divider body, for attaching the clamp arrangement hingedly towards its associated end of the divider body about a transverse hinge axis.

The hinge arrangement may include a transverse elongated hinge sleeve towards an end of the divider body, and two spaced apart cooperating hinge lug members projecting from the clamp member for straddling the hinge sleeve with hinge apertures registering, and a hinge pin projecting trough the apertures. The hinge

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pin may be a bolt, for example an Allen-bolt, or the like for cooperating with a nut screw-threadedly for securing the bolt.

The one clamp member may include a vertically extending elongated clamp member part and a clamp formation towards an operatively upper end of the clamp member part, the clamp formation projecting away from the clamp member part and defining an operatively downwardly facing clamping surface for abutting, in use, an upper surface of an upper edge of the side wall of the tray.

00 S 10 The clamp formation may include a downwardly projecting stop formation towards its free end, so that the upper edge of the side wall may be straddled, in use, by the downwardly projecting stop formation and an opposing portion of the elongated clamp member part.

The elongated clamp member part may define lengthwise a guide passage that is lengthwise open along a side facing towards the retainer member, and the other clamping member may include a guide formation receivable within the guide passage, a remaining part projecting out of the guide passage away form the elongated clamp member part, forming another clamping formation defining a clamping surface opposing the clamping surface of the one clamping formation.

The side wall may include an upper edge defined by a laterally inwardly projecting edge flange having a downwardly projecting lip towards its free end so as to form a downwardly open channel along the upper edge of the sidewall of the tray, in which case, the other clamping formation may include a hook-shaped clamping formation having an upwardly projecting formation for projecting into the channel for clamping abutment with the underside of the sidewall edge flange.

The clamping arrangement may include a clamp adjusting arrangement for adjusting the clamp parts relative to each other. The adjusting arrangement may include a rotatable screw-threaded shank that projects lengthwise into the guide passage and the other clamping part may include a screw-treaded aperture O defined by the guide formation within the guide passage for cooperating with the shank, so that rotation of the shank displaces the other clamping member axially along the shank towards and away from the one clamping formation.

According to another aspect of this invention there is provided a vehicle having a load tray, the vehicle including: an onboard tray divider extending between opposed ends, the tray divider 00 including selectively releasable securing means adapted to detachably secure an end of the divider body adjacent a load deck of the load tray.

The securing means may be adapted for securing the elongate body between laterally spaced side walls of the load tray. In addition, the securing means may be adapted for securing both ends of the elongate body to one sidewall, so that the divider body extends coextensive along the side wall, for example to stow the tray divider when not in use.

The tray divider may include any one or more of the features of the tray divider described above in the first aspect of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED

EMBODIMENTS

A tray divider and a vehicle including the tray divider in accordance with this invention may manifest itself in a variety of forms. It will be convenient to hereinafter describe at least one embodiment of the invention in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The purpose of providing this detailed description is to instruct persons having an interest in the subject matter of the invention how to carry the invention into practical effect. However it is to be clearly understood that the specific nature of this detailed description does not supersede the generality of the preceding broad description. In the drawings: O Figure 1 is a three dimensional view of a load tray carrying cargo that is being tethered in a manner known in the prior art; (Figure 2 is a three dimensional view of a load tray and a tray divider in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; Figure 3 is a three dimensional view the load tray and tray divider of Figure 2 0 shown in a different orientation on the load tray and carrying different cargo to that 00 0shown in Figure 2; Figure 4 is a front view of the tray divider shown in Figure 2 separate from the load tray to which it is mountable; Figure 5 is a front view of an end region of the tray divider of Figure 2; Figure 6 is an exploded front view of part of the tray divider showing how the tray divider frame components can slide relative to each other to adjust the overall length thereof; Figure 7 is a three dimensional exploded view of a clamping arrangement for clamping an end of the tray divider of Figure 2 to an associated side wall of the load tray; Figure 8 is a top plan view of the clamp shown in Figure 7 and an end region of the frame showing how the frame can pivot relative to the clamp.

Figure 1 is a three dimensional view of a load tray 10 of a utility vehicle in accordance with the prior art. This known type of vehicle that is a ute with its ute load tray 10 is discussed in detail in the background to the invention set out in the earlier part of the specification. Accordingly it will not be described again in the following detailed description.

Q- Figure 2 also shows a load tray, generally indicated by reference numeral 10. The

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load tray includes two laterally spaced sidewalls 12 and a load bed 14 extending between lower long edges of the sidewalls 12. Cargo that is illustrated in the form of two boxes 16 is loaded onto the load bed 14 towards a front portion of the load bed 14. Reference numeral 20 indicates generally a tray divider, in accordance with the invention, that is mounted on the side sidewalls 12 across the load bed 14, for bracing the cargo 16.

00 0 The tray divider 20 includes and elongated divider body, generally indicated by c, 10 reference numeral 22, extending between opposed ends, at 24 and at 26. The tray divider 20 also includes selectively releasable securing means, generally indicated by reference numeral 28 and 30, adapted to detachably secure an end 24, 26 of the divider body 22 adjacent the load deck 14 of the load tray Moreover, the securing means 28 is adapted to detachably secure the elongated divider body 22 with its operatively lower edge 27 adjacent the load deck 14.

The securing means 28 includes two clamping arrangements 28 and 30 towards each end 24, 26 of the divider body 22 for clamping attachment of the divider body 22 to the side walls 12 of the load tray The elongated divider body 22 is lengthwise extendible and contractible, see arrow 32. The elongated divider body 22 is generally in the form of a frame including two cooperating body parts or frame parts 34, 36 that are longitudinally displayable away and towards each other, so that the divider body 22 is lengthwise extendible and contractible.

The one frame part 34 includes a pair of longitudinally extending parallel spaced apart side members in the form of elongated hollow square tube sections 36, 38, each defining an open ended longitudinal passage. The other frame part 36 also includes two parallel spaced apart side members in the form of square tube sections 40, 42 having cross sections complementary shaped and sized to the transverse sections of the one longitudinal passages of the one frame part 34.

Q- Thus, the side members 40, 42 are snugly receivable within associated side frame

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members 38, 36 of the one frame part 34, so that the two frame parts 34, 36 are telescopically displaceable relative to each other.

The one frame part 34 includes longitudinally spaced brace members 44 extending transverse between the side members 36, 38 for retaining the side members 36, 38 in their spatial relationship. Similarly, the other frame part 36 includes a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart brace members 46 extending o00 transversely between its side members 42, 46.

In this example, the elongate divider body 22 has a longitudinal length that increases and decreases as the divider body 22 is extended and contracted, in use. The length is about 2.4m when the divider body 22 is contracted and is extendable to a length of about 3.4m before the body parts 34, 36 would dislodge from each other.

The elongated divider body 22 has a transverse width that is defined by the transverse spacing of the side members 36, 38. The transverse width of the divider body 22, in this example, is about The clamping arrangements or mounting brackets 28, 30 at either end 24, 26 of the divider body 22 are essentially identical.

Each clamping arrangement 28 includes a clamp 48 having two clamping parts 52, 54 defining opposing clamp surfaces 51, 53 that are operatively displaceable towards and away from each other. The clamping arrangement 28 is arranged so that the clamp surfaces 51, 53 are displaceable vertically towards and away from each other, so at to clamp, in use, onto vertically directed surfaces 56, 58 of a horizontally projecting part of an upper edge of the side wall 12 of the tray The tray divider 20 also includes a hinging arrangement, generally indicated by reference numeral 60, towards each end of the elongated divider body 22, for O attaching the clamp arrangement 28 hingedly towards its associated end of the divider body 22 about a transverse hinge axis 62.

The hinge arrangement 60 includes a transverse elongated hinge sleeve 64 towards an end of the divider body 22. The hinge sleeved is attached lengthwise to an end brace member 46. Two spaced apart cooperating hinge lug members 66 project from the one clamp member 54 for straddling the hinge sleeve 64 with hinge apertures registering, and a hinge pin 68 projects trough the apertures. In 0this example, the hinge pin 68 is in the form of an Allen-bolt that cooperates with a nut 70 screw-threadedly for securing the bolt. The nut is in the form of a Nylocknut.

The one clamp member 54 includes a vertically extending elongated clamp member part 72 and a clamp formation 50 towards an operatively upper end of the clamp member part 72. The clamp formation 50 projects away from the clamp member part 72 and define the operatively downwardly facing clamping surface 51 for abutting, in use, the upper surface 56 of the upper edge of the side wall 12 of the tray The clamp formation 50 is formed from a square tube section and defines a bore 74 there through towards its end merging with the elongated clamp member part 72. A downwardly projecting stop formation 76 is provided towards a free end of the clamp formation 50, so that the upper edge of the side wall 12 is straddled, in use, by the downwardly projecting stop formation 74 and an opposing portion of the elongated clamp member part 72.

The elongated clamp member part 72 is formed by a channel section defining lengthwise a guide passage 78 that is lengthwise open along a side facing towards the retainer member 76. The other clamping member 52 is formed from a flat bar and has a guide formation 80 that is received within the guide passage 78. A remaining part of the clamp member 52 projects out of the guide passage away form the elongated clamp member part 72. The clamping member 52 defines the O clamping surface 53 opposing the clamping surface 51 of the one clamping formation The other clamping formation 52 is generally hook-shaped so that an upwardly curved part projects into a downwardly open channel defined by the upper edge portion of the sidewall 12, for clamping abutment with an underside of the sidewall edge flange.

0 The clamping arrangement 28 further includes a clamp adjusting arrangement 82 S 10 for adjusting the clamp parts 50, 52 relative to each other. The adjusting arrangement 28 includes a rotatable screw-threaded shank 84 in the form of an Allen-bolt that projects lengthwise into the guide passage 78 though the bore 74.

The guide formation 80 of the other clamping part 52 includes a screw-threaded aperture or bore 86 for cooperating with the Allen-bolt 84. Thus, rotation of the Allen-bolt 84 displaces the other clamping member 52 axially along the Allen-bolt towards and away, as the case may be, from the one clamping formation In use, if a user whishes to transport articles 16 with a utility vehicle having the load tray 10, then the user loads the articles 16 onto the load bed 14 of the load tray 10. The user positions the articles 16 towards a front portion of the load bed 14.

By rotating the adjusting bolt 84 in the appropriate direction, the user opens the clamp 48, and mounts the one clamping formation 50 onto the upper edge of the side wall 12. The bolt 84 is then rotated in the other direction for closing the clamp 48, for clamping attachment of the end of the divider body 22 onto the horizontally projecting flange of the side wall 12.

The divider body 22 is then telescopically extended or contracted so that the other clamping arrangement at the other end of the divider body 22 reaches the opposing side wall for mounting the other clamping arrangement on the opposing sidewall 12.

Conveniently, the clamping arrangements or mounting brackets 28, 30 hinge relative to the divider body 22, so that the tray divider 20 can be mounted at selected angles diagonally across the load bed, see Figure 3.

The lower edge of the tray divider 20, when mounted, is adjacent the load bed.

This way, items of cargo having a lower profile than that of the side wall are _braced by the tray divider 00 When the tray divider is not required then it can be stowed by hinging the mounting brackets 28, 30 so that both of them projects at right angles away from the divider body 22 towards the same direction, so that the divider body 22 can be mounted onto the same sidewall 12, so that the tray divider is stowed coextensive with the sidewall 12.

The divider body 22 and the clamp part 52, 54, and also the other part of the tray divider 20 can be formed from many types of materials. In one embodiment, the divider body 22 and clamp parts 52, 54 are formed from an aluminum alloy. The divider body 22 or clamp parts 52, 54 can also be formed from a steel alloy.

In this example, the clamping arrangements or mounting brackets 28, 30 are pivotal about their respective hinge axis through at least 90 degrees towards either side, in other words through at least 180 degrees, see Figure 8.

Advantageously, the tray divider 20 has a transverse width selected so that the divider body 22 projects downwardly into the loading space with its lower ling edge adjacent the load bed 14 of the load tray 10. This way articles that has a profile lower than that of the side walls are braced by the tray divider 20, in use.

Also, the tray divider 20 is securely clamped to the sidewalls 12. This is because the tray divider is clamped to the horizontally extending clamping surface provided O by the upper edge of the sidewalls 12. Therefore, relative movement of the

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sidewalls 12 would not cause the tray divider 20 to dislodge from the sidewalls 12.

To this end, advantageously, the tray divider 20 is extendible so that it is suitable for use with load trays of different lateral widths, and so that the tray divider 20 is mounted diagonally across the load tray 10 at selected angles across the load bed 14 for accommodating cargo of different sizes and shapes.

0Another advantage of the tray divide 20 is that it is formed from a relative light weight material, such as an aluminum alloy, which facilitates handling of the tray divider by a user while still affording structural integrity to the divider body 22.

Another advantage of the hinging ability of the mounting arrangements is that they can be hinged towards the same direction for mounting the body 22 coextensively adjacent and onto one sidewall 12 for stowing the tray divider 20 when not in use, so as not to obscure the load space of the load tray It will of course be realised that the above has been given only by way of illustrative example of the invention and that all such modifications and variations thereto, as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art, are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of the invention as is herein set forth.

Claims

1. A tray divider for a vehicle having a load tray that has laterally spaced S 5 opposing side walls, which tray divider includes: a divider body extending between opposed ends, in which the divider body is elongated and lengthwise extendible and contractible, the body having a transverse width selected so that at least part of the body extends adjacent a load S 10 deck of the load tray when the body is mounted onto the sidewalls, in use; and 0 c a clamping arrangement towards each end of the body, in which each clamping arrangement includes two clamping parts defining opposing clamp surfaces that are displaceable towards and away from each other, so as to clamp, in use, onto a horizontally projecting part of an upper edge of the side wall of the tray.

2. A tray divider as claimed in claim 1, which includes a hinging arrangement towards each end of the elongated body, for attaching the clamp arrangement hingedly towards its associated end of the body about a transverse hinge axis.

3. A tray divider substantially as herein described and illustrated with reference to Figures 2 to 8. COMS ID No: ARCS-220566 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:09 Date 2009-01-20