AU2009227904A1 - Curtained cargo enclosures - Google Patents

Description

P/00/0 11 Regulation 3.2 AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Invention Title: Curtained cargo enclosures The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: 2 Curtained cargo enclosures Field of the invention The invention relates to curtained cargo enclosures such as curtain sided trucks, trailers and shipping containers. 5 The invention is described herein with reference to the curtain sided trailers. The skilled person will appreciate that the invention has broader application. Background of the invention Curtain sided trailers are often used for transporting palletised cargo. A typical trailer floor is approximately 8' 2.5" (2500mm) wide and therefore adapted to receive two 10 approximately 46" (1170mm) square pallets across the width of the trailer. The internal cargo carrying space of certain trailers is about 45' (13700mm) long by about 10' (2540mm) high. Typically the floor includes a coaming rail along each of its long edges. Some trailers include a rope rail suspended under each respective coaming rail. Typically a roof is suspended above the floor and in combination with side mounted 15 curtains serves to protect the cargo from the weather. Each curtain is typically suspended from a respective track running along a respective edge of the roof, and is slidable along the respective track to selectively open and close the side of the trailer. The track and the floor thereby define an opening through which cargo may be accessed from the side of the trailer. 20 Conventional curtains are formed of a heavy PVC woven fabric and include vertical reinforcing members in the form of webbing straps (hereinafter 'reinforcing straps') spaced at a pitch of about 2' (600mm) along the length of the curtain. The upper end of each reinforcing strap is typically connected to a carriage which in turn engages in the track. 25 The carriages are formed by a plate of rigid material (typically steel) carrying two axles which each project from both sides of the plate in directions normal to the plate. Each 3 axle carries a pair of wheels, one wheel of each pair on each side of the plate. The wheels roll along the track when the curtain is opened and closed. Each reinforcing strap is pivotally connected to the carriage to allow the strap to pivot in the fore and aft directions (ie in the plane of the curtain) so that the curtain may be 5 drawn open and closed without lifting the carriage wheels from the track, which may cause the carriage to bind in the track. The PVC woven fabric is typically riveted and/or bolted to each reinforcing strap toward both the upper and lower ends of the reinforcing strap. The lower end of the reinforcing strap is engaged with an overcentre tensioning device 10 which is in turn engaged with a further webbing strap (hereinafter the 'bottom strap') which extends to a hook for engaging with the coaming rail. One or both of the reinforcing strap and the bottom strap engage with the tensioning device by weaving through a serpentine path whereby, when not under significant tension, the respective strap can be threaded through, or withdrawn from, the tensioning device to adjust the 5 length of the complete carriage to hook assembly. The reinforcing straps are typically carried in pockets on the inside of the curtain, with only the lower end of the strap projecting through an aperture in the curtain to the outside of the curtain, whereby the lower end of the strap (and tensioning device etc.) is accessible from the outside of the curtain. 20 To open the curtain, the tensioning devices are 'snapped' open and the hooks disengaged from the coaming rail. A lower edge of the curtain is grasped, pulled outwardly from the cargo, and drawn along the length of the trailer. To close the curtain the process is reversed, with the additional step of threading or withdrawing the straps to/from the tensioning devices to adjust the length of each carriage to hook assembly so 25 that each hook snugly engages the coaming rail. The tensioning devices are then snapped closed to tension the carriage to hook assembly, and in turn the curtain, in the vertical direction.

4 Certain curtain sided trailers also include mechanisms for tensioning the curtain in the longitudinal direction. Some of these mechanisms include tensioning devices toward the front of the trailer. Other mechanisms include tensioning devices toward the rear of the trailer. Indeed some mechanisms include tensioning devices at both ends of the trailer. 5 Typically two or three support posts per side are provided along the length of the trailer. The posts extend from the floor to the roof to support the roof. The posts resist the weight of the roof and the tension in the reinforcing straps to prevent the roof sagging. The posts are positioned towards the outer edge of the trailer, against the inside of the curtain, to maximise the space inside the trailer. 10 The presence of support posts impedes access to the cargo. To address this problem the applicant has developed a support post which can be moved out of the way. The applicant's movable support post is described in their US patent no. 4,861,094, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Conventional curtains flap and deform inwardly and outwardly under the influence of 15 aerodynamic forces when the trailer is in motion. This causes drag, and in turn reduces fuel efficiency. It is estimated that a truck towing a curtain sided trailer can consume as much as 10% more fuel than an equivalent trailer having rigid walls. During transport inertial forces associated with manoeuvring of the vehicle, eg resultant from travelling too fast around a corner, winding road or sharp bend, can cause the load 20 to move about within the trailer (hereinafter 'load shift'). Load shift is of course highly undesirable. Load shift can damage cargo due to impacts within the trailer. Unloading shifted cargo is slow and dangerous. Typically shifted cargo is disorderly and can fall away when the curtain is opened. Load shift therefore leads to both efficiency and safety issues when unloading. Load shift can also lead to cargo items projecting from 25 the footprint of the vehicle and striking fixed objects or other vehicles. In extreme cases load shift can contribute to vehicle roll over. Conventionally the load was restrained using webbing straps (hereinafter 'tie-downs') extending from a ratchet mechanism mounted under a coaming rail at one side of the 5 trailer, passing over the load, and being fastened to a coaming rail at the other side of the trailer, the ratchet mechanism being operable to tighten the tie-downs to clamp down the cargo to the trailer floor. A more recent approach to load restraint involves using removable gates carried 5 between the cargo and the curtain. The gates are typically about 25mm thick. When in the operative condition the gates form a 25mm thick wall along the full length of the trailer. Whilst heavy and cumbersome (and therefore causing both efficiency and safety issues) such gates have the advantage of providing a rigid barrier proximal to the cargo whereby movement of the cargo is substantially restricted. 10 To address the efficiency and safety issues associated with removable gates, the applicant has developed a slidable gate. The applicant's slidable gate is described in their Australian patent no. 2003262467 B1, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Certain transport operators have in the past forgone tie-downs and gates and instead 15 relied on the conventional curtain for load restraint. This has lead to catastrophic results and in turn to official standards for 'load restraint curtains'. The Australian Road Transport Suppliers Association's 'Design of Vehicle Body Systems for Load Restraint Compliance - 2004' specifies that curtain deflection must not exceed 100mm. The National Road - Transport Commission recommendations and guidelines specify similar 20 limitations. Endeavours to meet these new standards have lead to the study of the load restraint behaviour of conventional curtains and a range of new curtains. It has been found that when a conventional curtain is used for load restraint the reinforcing straps deform to a catenary like form and experience very substantial 25 tension. Conventional reinforcing straps have a degree of lengthwise elasticity and therefore extend appreciably under the very substantial tension. This extension leads to the curtain deflecting to well beyond the 100mm limit.

6 Certain new curtains, which are claimed to meet the load restraint standards, incorporate straps having relatively less lengthwise elasticity. Various proposals include thin metal or fibreglass straps. By way of example, one of the new curtains includes a reinforcing strap formed of 8mm thick pultruded fibreglass. 5 Another approach involves substituting a hollow fibreglass section which is about 50mm deep for the reinforcing strap. These new curtains can be difficult to open and close. The reinforcing members of various curtains have been found to snag on the support posts and the cargo (particularly if the load shifts such that the cargo is bearing against the curtain). 0 Moreover, these new curtains have been found to transfer more bending moment (about an axis parallel to the length of the trailer) to the carriage when the curtain is pulled outwardly away from the trailer. Australian patent application no 2008200587 Al entitled 'Roller Unit for Truck Side Curtain' describes a carriage which seeks to address this latter problem. The described carriage includes a hook on which an attachment 5 plate, and in turn in use the reinforcing member fastened to the plate, is allowed to swing freely. The carriage further includes additional wheels mounted for rotation about a vertical axis to resist rotation of the carriage in the track. Curtains incorporating metallic straps are thought to suffer from the straps permanently deforming too readily, meaning that load shift and/or routine accidental contact can 20 damage the straps. It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide an improved curtained cargo enclosure and various components therefor; or at least to provide alternatives for those concerned with enclosing cargo. Summary of the invention 25 Accordingly the various aspects of the invention provide curtained cargo enclosures and various components therefor including curtains, reinforcing assemblies and support 7 posts. The invention also provides various methods of enclosing cargo and minimising snagging of the curtain and its components. One aspect of the invention provides a cargo enclosure including: a floor for carrying cargo; 5 at least one track arranged over the floor to define a respective opening for receiving cargo; at least one curtain engaged with the track and moveable therealong between an open condition and a closed condition for selectively closing the opening; and one or more support posts spaced along the opening for supporting at least the 1O track above the floor; the curtain including substantially vertical reinforcing members spaced along its length; wherein one or both of the reinforcing members and the support post(s) include one or more guides positioned to act on the other of the reinforcing members and the ,5 support post(s) to guide the reinforcing members past the support post(s) during movement between the open condition and closed condition. Optional features of this aspect, and other aspects, of the invention include: - Each post including an inwardly setback portion adjacent the track, and the guides being positioned proximal to a lower extent of the setback portion. 20 . The guides being formed by inclined features along which the other of the reinforcing members and the support post(s) slide during movement between the open condition and closed condition.

8 . The inclined features being respectively formed by wing members projecting fore and aft of respective ones of the one or both of the reinforcing members and the support post(s). . The respective wing members projecting fore and aft being each formed of a 5 shaped strip of material fastened to an outer portion of a respective support post; the strip being shaped so as to project obliquely inwardly toward the cargo for outwardly guiding the reinforcing members past the respective support post during movement of the curtain between the open condition and closed condition. . At least a substantial portion of each reinforcing member being formed of rigid 0 material for resisting load shift and aerodynamic forces. Another aspect of the invention provides a cargo enclosure including: a floor for carrying cargo; at least one track arranged over the floor to define a respective opening for receiving cargo; 5 at least one curtain engaged with the track and moveable therealong between an open condition and a closed condition for selectively closing the opening; and the curtain including substantially vertical reinforcing members spaced along its length, at least a substantial portion of each reinforcing member being formed of rigid material for resisting load shift and aerodynamic forces; and 20 the rigid material of each reinforcing member being connected to a respective carriage via a respective hinge, the carriages cooperating with the track to form said movable engagement, the hinges allowing the reinforcing members to pivot outwardly away from the cargo during movement between the open condition and closed condition; 9 wherein each hinge includes a first linkage and a second linkage, the linkages being pivotally connected by a pin, the first linkage being fastened to the rigid material, the second linkage being connected to the carriage. Another aspect of the invention provides a reinforcing assembly for reinforcing a curtain; 5 the curtain being slidable along a track over a floor of a curtained cargo enclosure to selectively close an opening defined by the track and the floor; the reinforcing assembly including a carriage for slidably engaging the track; a rigid reinforcing member connected to the carriage; 0 an attachment device for attaching the reinforcing assembly to the floor; the attachment device including a flexible strap; the reinforcing member being dimensioned to vertically span at least a substantial portion of the opening to resist load shift and aerodynamic forces. It will be understood that the invention disclosed and defined in this specification J5 extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the invention. Brief description of the drawings Figure 1 is a perspective view of a curtain sided trailer in accordance with an 20 embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a side view of a reinforcing assembly and curtain portion; Figure 3 is an end view of the reinforcing assembly and curtain of Figure 2 and a curtain track; 10 Figure 4 is a horizontal cross section view of the reinforcing assembly and curtain of Figure 2; Figure 5 is a partly exploded end view of an upper portion of the reinforcing assembly of Figure 2; 5 Figure 6 is a close up view of the hinge assembly, carriage and track of the Figure 3; Figure 7 is a perspective view of a carriage and hinge assembly; and Figure 8 is a perspective interior view of a juncture of a roof and curtain of the trailer of Figure 1. Detailed description of the embodiments 10 Figure 1 illustrates a curtain sided trailer 10, forming a cargo enclosure, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention. The trailer 10 includes a roof 12 spaced above a floor 16. A respective track 14 runs along each of the two side edges of the roof 12. Floor 16 and each respective track 14 define an open side 18 on each side of the trailer. A coaming rail 68 runs along the edge of floor 16. Support posts 24 (see figure 8; l5 not shown in figure 1) support the roof 12 above the floor 16. A respective curtain 20 is slidable along each track 14 to selectively close the respective open side 18. Each curtain 20 is formed of heavy PVC woven fabric and includes vertical reinforcing assemblies 22 spaced along its length at a pitch of about 2' (600mm). 20 Turning to figures 2 and 3, each reinforcing assembly 22 includes a carriage and hinge assembly 26, a reinforcing member 32, a tensioning device 34, a bottom strap 36 and a hook 38. The carriage and hinge assembly 26 engages with the track 14 so that the reinforcing assembly 22, and in turn the curtain 20, is suspended from the track 14. The reinforcing member 32 extends between the carriage and hinge assembly 26 and 25 the tensioning device 34. The bottom strap 36 connects tensioning device 34 and hook 11 38. As will be described the hook 38 is selectively engageable with the coaming rail 68, and the reinforcing assembly 22 is length adjustable to apply a tension between the track 14 and coaming rail 68. It is contemplated that engagement means other than hooks might be employed. A 5 variety of formed metal devices are contemplated. As best shown in figure 7, each carriage and hinge assembly 26 includes a carriage 28 and a hinge 30. The carriage 28 includes a central plate 54 carrying rolling elements for engaging the track 14. According to this embodiments the rolling elements include two pairs of wheels 40, one wheel of each pair on each side of the plate. 0 The hinge 30 includes a lower linkage 48 and a pair of upper linkages 56. The linkage 48 is formed by a broadly rectangular steel plate. Two coaxially aligned and axially spaced steel tubes are welded to one end of the plate, so that their common axis lies in the plane of the plate, to define knuckles 64. Each upper linkage 56 is formed by a broadly triangular steel plate. The linkages 56 are arranged parallel to each other in 5 spaced aligned orientation. A steel tube is welded to one edge of each linkage 56, so that its axis lies in a plane central to the spacing of the linkages 56, to define knuckle 66. It is also contemplated that linkage 48 and knuckles 64 might together be integrally formed as a single unit (e.g. by casting or moulding). Similarly, linkages 56 and knuckle 20 66 might be integrally formed. Knuckle 66 is dimensioned to sit within the axial spacing of the knuckles 64. Pin 60 passes through knuckles 64, 66 and 64 to pivotally connect linkages 56 and linkage 48. Knuckle 66 is permanently fastened to the pin 60 thereby preventing disassembly of the hinge 30. Optionally the knuckle 66 might be removably fastened to the pin 60 to permit 25 disassembly. The plate 54 of the carriage 28 is received in the spacing between linkages 56, and the hinge assembly 30 is pivotally connected to the plate 54 of carriage 28 via a pin 62 12 passing through complementary apertures in plate 54 and linkages 56. There is sufficient tolerance in the fitment of these components to facilitate rotation, about a vertical axis, of the hinge assembly (and in turn lower components of the reinforcing assembly) relative to the carriage 28. This has been found to reduce the instances of 5 the carriage 28 binding the track 14. In this embodiment rotation is limited to about 80 to 120. The pivotal connection of the carriage 28 and the hinge 30 allows the reinforcing member 32 to rotate in the fore and aft directions (ie in the plane of the curtain about an axis normal to the curtain). This rotation allows the curtain to be grasped at its lower 0 edge and drawn along the track 14 without lifting either pair of wheels 40 from the track 14. The hinge 30 allows the reinforcing member 32 to pivot outwardly from the trailer (ie about an axis parallel to the plane of the curtain). This pivoting allows the curtain to be pulled away from the cargo and support posts 24 to minimise snagging. As best shown in figures 2 and 5, the fabric of curtain 20 overlies the reinforcing 5 member 32 to sandwich the reinforcing member 32 between the fabric of the curtain 20 and the linkage 48. The linkage 48, reinforcing member 32 and the fabric of curtain 20 are fastened together by a pair of camtainers 42. It is also contemplated that other fasteners, such as bolts or rivets, might be used. The male portion of each camtainer 42 passes outwardly through a respective aperture 50 in linkage 48, through a 20 corresponding respective aperture in the reinforcing member 32, and in turn through a corresponding respective aperture in the fabric of the curtain 20 to cooperate with a female portion of the camtainer outwardly disposed on the curtain. A rivet 44 is also used to fasten linkage 48 and reinforcing member 32. The rivet 44 passes through the aperture 52 in the linkage 48 and a corresponding aperture in the 25 reinforcing member 32. The rivet 44 is arranged so that its smooth domed head is positioned on an outward side of the reinforcing member 32, between the reinforcing member 32 and the fabric of curtain 20, and the flared, deformed, end of the rivet is positioned on an inward side of the linkage 48.

13 Turning to the lower end of the reinforcing assembly 22: The tensioning device 34, bottom strap 36 and hook 38 together form a means for attaching the reinforcing member 32 to the floor 16. As will be described preferred embodiments of the invention do not rely on tensioning the reinforcing member 32 to meet the load restraint 5 requirements. The skilled person will appreciate that there are workable embodiments using other attachment means. By way of example a simple latch, which does not apply tension to reinforcing member 32, could be used to prevent the reinforcing member 32 pivoting outwardly away from the trailer. Indeed the reinforcing member could simply be a rib carried by the fabric of the curtain without any dedicated means of attaching the 0 reinforcing member to the track or coaming rail. According the illustrated embodiment, the lower end of the reinforcing member 32 is fastened to the fabric of curtain 20 and the tensioning device 34 by a pair of bolts 46. The bolts 46 pass through respective apertures in the reinforcing member 32, in turn through respective apertures in the fabric of curtain 20, and finally through respective 15 apertures in the tensioning device 34 to engage with respective nuts to clamp the fabric of the curtain 20 between the reinforcing member and the tensioning device 34. The bottom strap 36 is formed of webbing, and is threaded through the tensioning device 34 whereby, when the assembly 22 is not under significant tension, the bottom strap 36 can be threaded through, or withdrawn from, the tensioning device 34 to adjust 20 the length of the reinforcing assembly 22 (ie the free length from the carriage 28 to the hook 38). The use of a flexible bottom strap is advantageous in that it can be deformed to co operate with the coaming rail, rope rail, or other low mounted formation to attach the reinforcing assembly to the floor. 25 The tensioning device 34, according to this preferred embodiment, is a conventional over-centre arrangement whereby, once the hook 38 has been engaged with the coaming rail 68, and the length of the reinforcing assembly 22 adjusted to apply an initial tension, the tensioning device 34 can be snapped to a closed position to apply significant tension between the track 14 and the coaming rail 68.

14 The bottom strap 36 of this embodiment forms a resilient element. This is advantageous particularly when using a tensioning device as part of the attachment means as in the described embodiment. The resilient element accommodates small variations in the height of the opening relative to the length of the reinforcing assembly whereby, 5 according to this embodiment, the length of the assembly can be imprecisely adjusted to apply the initial tension without difficulting closing the tensioning device or insufficient final tension. The structure of the reinforcing member 32 according to preferred embodiments of the invention represents a significant departure from prior art practice. According to the 0 described embodiment the reinforcing member 32 is formed of a solid (ie not hollow) bar of pultruded fibreglass having a cross section of about 18mm by about 50mm. The reinforcing member 32 thus forms a rigid bar unlike the flexible straps of the prior art. When restraining a load, the reinforcing member 32 functions like a beam, generating internal bending moment in reaction to forces applied by the load to resist 15 deformation, rather than deforming to adopt a cantenary like form wherein the forces applied by the load are resisted wholly, or at least predominantly, by tensile forces in the reinforcing member as in the flexible straps of the prior art. This bar structure desirably presents a high degree of resilience and resistance to permanent deformation. 20 It is desirable that the rigid portion of the reinforcing assembly 22, the reinforcing member 32 in this embodiment, spans at least a substantial portion, say about 80% or more, of the reinforcing assembly 22. It is also desirable that the length of rigid material is substantially continuous. The described curtain 20 can advantageously be supplied as a retro fit to existing 25 conventional curtain sided trailers. There is no requirement to relocate the track or coaming rail in order to position the curtain 20 relative to conventional palletised cargo. With such an arrangement the reinforcing members 32 occupy a substantial portion of 15 the 25mm thick space (along the length of the trailer) previously occupied by load restraint gates and are thereby located proximate to the cargo to minimise load shift. As best shown in figures 2 and 4, the reinforcing members 32 are carried in pockets 70 formed on an interior of the fabric of curtain 20. Each pocket 70 is formed by an 5 elongate strip of heavy woven PVC fabric welded along its two respective long edges 72 to the fabric of curtain 20. Each pocket 70 defines a tubular structure spanning about 70% of the height of the curtain and is more or less centrally mounted midway between the floor 16 and roof 12. It is desirable that the reinforcing member 32 should fit tightly within its respective 0 pocket 70. Desirably, the fit between the pocket 70 reinforcing member 32 is as tight as possible as will allow for the reinforcing member 32 to be inserted during assembly. A tight fit between the pocket 70 and the reinforcing member 32 prevents the fabric of curtain 20 moving relative to the reinforcing member 32 and thereby resists billowing due to aerodynamic forces. This construction has been found to lead to appreciable fuel 5 savings. As best shown in Figure 6 the track 14 is integrally formed as part of an extrusion 72. The extrusion 72, in addition to defining the track 14, also provides structural support to the roof 12. The track 14 is formed by two roller guides in the form of half cylindrical sub-tracks 76 separated by slot 78. The plate 54 of carriage 28 is received within slot 20 78, and each sub-track 76 respectively receives the wheels 40 on a respective side of the carriage 28. The extrusion 72 also includes an extension 74 running alongside the track 14 to define a groove 80 for carrying a weathering strip (not shown). The weathering strip serves to conceal, and shield from weather, the carriage and hinge assembly 26 and prevent water and dust ingression into the trailer. The extrusion also 25 defines a substantially vertical inward surface 100, and a horizontal rib 98 projecting inwardly therefrom. The extrusion 72 also defines a track 90 which runs along the length of trailer 10 for carrying roof support posts 24 (see figure 8). The track 90 and track 14 are parallel, extending along the full length of trailer 10. The track 14 is positioned outwardly of, and 16 immediately above, the track 90. The track 90, like the track 14, includes a pair of roller guides in form of half cylindrical sub-tracks separated by a slot. As will be described, the posts 24 are slidingly engaged with the roof mounted track 90 whereby the posts 24 can be slid along the track 90 to either end of the trailer 10 to 5 permit free access to the cargo. Once the trailer is loaded each post 24 can be slid along the track 90 to its respective in use position and engaged with the floor 16 to fix its position along the length of the trailer. Each post 24 is attached to the track 90 via a carriage 82. The carriage 82 includes a wheeled arrangement (not shown) similar to carriage 28 for cooperating with the track 10 90 so that the carriage 82 can slide therealong. The carriage 82 includes a pair of downwardly depending tabs defining a clevis 96 in which the main body 84 of the post 24 is received. A pin passes in a direction parallel to the length of the trailer through the clevis 96 and the main body 84 of the post 24 to pivotally connect the post 24 and the carriage 82 whereby, when the post is disengaged from the floor 16, the post 24 may be 5 pivoted about the pin outwardly away from the trailer. The upper end of the post 24 terminates with a stop 94. The stop 94 is arranged upwardly of the clevis 96 whereby, when the post 24 is pivoted to the in use position, the stop 94 abuts the inward surface 100 of the extrusion 72. The stop 94 includes a detent mechanism (not shown) adapted to engage an aperture (not shown) formed in 20 the inner surface 100 when the post 24 is correctly aligned for use. When the post 24 is pivoted to the in use position, the carriage 82 is elevated so that its wheels are lifted from the track and its fixed portions bear against an underside of track 90 to support the roof (and in turn track 14) without transmitting upward force through the wheels of carriage 82. 25 The majority of the main body 84 of the post 24 is substantially vertical and bears against an inside surface of the fabric of curtain 20. The posts 24 and the reinforcing members 32 thereby substantially lie in a common plane immediately inward of the fabric of the curtain 20.

17 At the upper end of the post 24, the main body 84 includes a short inclined section 102 extending from an elbow 86 (which may be a welded joint) upwardly at a shallow angle inward from the plane of the curtain to cooperate with the carriage 82 and track 90, which are positioned inwardly from the plane of the curtain. 5 The inclined portion 102 defines a setback in the form of a triangular space wherein the post 24 is setback from the plane of the curtain. The setback provides clearance between the post 24 and each of the hinge assembly 30 and the upper end of the reinforcing member 32. As illustrated, guides in the form of wings 88 are mounted to an outside surface of the '0 post 24 immediately below the elbow 86. The wings 88 are formed by a strip of steel about 250mm long by about 30mm wide by about 4mm thick. This strip of steel is welded to the outer surface of the post 24 so that its free ends project horizontally symmetrically from the post 24 in the fore and aft directions. The last about 50mm at the end of each wing 88 is bent inwardly (ie towards the cargo) at an angle of about 450 to 5 define an inclined feature in the form of a ramp like surface. It is contemplated that the guides could be formed of other constructions, such as pre cast or moulded. A variety of methods might be employed to attach the guides to the reinforcing posts (or reinforcing members); by way example bolting, hinging, pinning or locking might be used. A hinging arrangement would advantageously allow the guides 20 to deflect to clear cargo. The guides might be removable. When the curtain is opened and closed each support post 24 initially remains in place and the reinforcing members 32 must move past each support post 24. As each reinforcing member 32 approaches a post 24 it collides with a respective ramp like surface of a wing 88 and slides along the respective ramp to outwardly drive the 25 reinforcing member 32 around the post 24. Of course the skilled person will appreciate that the guide need not directly act on the reinforcing member 32 as in the illustrated embodiment. By way of example the wings 18 88 could be positioned to directly contact the pocket 70 to cause the reinforcing member 32 in the pocket 70 to slide along the ramp like surface of the wings 88. The wings 88 are positioned adjacent the elbow 86 proximal to the lower extent of the setback defined by the inclined portion 102 to most efficiently guide the reinforcing 5 member past the post 24. It is desirable that the wing members 88 should be mounted high on the support posts 24. If the reinforcing member is deflected outwardly at an angle to clear the upper portions of the support post 24 the reinforcing member 32 will diverge from the post 24 and thereby clear the lower portions of post 24 by some distance. The lower extent of the setback is the main snagging point to be cleared in 0 this embodiment. Geometries in this region of the curtain selected such that each reinforcing member must deflect to an angle of about 20 degrees from vertical to clear each post have been found to be a satisfactory compromise between a long setback portion intruding into the cargo carrying space and an excessive angle making it relatively difficult to lift and 5 manipulate the curtain. It is also contemplated that the interference between the reinforcing assemblies and the upper portions of the support posts could be minimised by one or both of the reinforcing assemblies and the posts having a thin upper portion. By way of example, the reinforcing assemblies might include a short length of webbing connecting the 20 reinforcing member and the carriage. Such a length of webbing would also perform a hinging function.

Claims (33)

1. A cargo enclosure including: a floor for carrying cargo; at least one track arranged over the floor to define a respective opening for 5 receiving cargo; at least one curtain engaged with the track and moveable therealong between an open condition and a closed condition for selectively closing the opening; and one or more support posts spaced along the opening for supporting at least the track above the floor; 10 the curtain including substantially vertical reinforcing members spaced along its length; wherein one or both of the reinforcing members and the support post(s) include one or more guides positioned to act on the other of the reinforcing members and the support post(s) to guide the reinforcing members past the support post(s) during 15 movement between the open condition and closed condition.

2. The cargo enclosure of claim 1 wherein each post includes an inwardly setback portion adjacent the track, and the guides are positioned proximal to a lower extent of the setback portion.

3. The cargo enclosure of claim 1 or 2 wherein the guides are formed by inclined 20 features along which the other of the reinforcing members and the support post(s) slide during movement between the open condition and closed condition.

4. The cargo enclosure of claim 3 wherein the inclined features are respectively formed by wing members projecting fore and aft of respective ones of the one or both of the reinforcing members and the support post(s). 20

5. The cargo enclosure of claim 4 wherein the respective wing members projecting fore and aft are each formed of a shaped strip of material fastened to an outer portion of a respective support post; the strip being shaped so as to project obliquely inwardly toward the cargo for outwardly guiding the reinforcing members past the respective 5 support post during movement of the curtain between the open condition and closed condition.

6. The cargo enclosure of any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the support posts include the guides.

7. The cargo enclosure of any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein at least a substantial 10 portion of each reinforcing member is formed of rigid material for resisting load shift and aerodynamic forces.

8. The cargo enclosure of any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the rigid material is a solid bar.

9. The cargo enclosure of claim 8 wherein the solid bar has a rectangular cross 15 section about 18mm by about 50mm.

10. The cargo enclosure of any one of claims 7 to 9 wherein the rigid material is pultruded fibreglass.

11. The cargo enclosure of any one of claims 7 to 10 wherein the rigid material of each reinforcing member is connected to a respective carriage via a respective hinge 20 mechanism, the carriages cooperating with the track to form said movable engagement, the hinge mechanisms allowing the reinforcing members to pivot outwardly away from the support posts and cargo during movement between the open condition and closed condition.

12. The cargo enclosure of claim 11 wherein each hinge mechanism includes a 25 hinge having a first linkage and a second linkage, the linkages being pivotally connected by a pin, the first linkage being fastened to the rigid material, the second linkage being connected to the carriage. 21

13. The cargo enclosure of claim 12 wherein the second linkage is pivotally connected to the carriage to allow the rigid material to pivot in the fore and aft directions.

14. The cargo enclosure of claim 11, 12 or 13 wherein the carriage includes rolling 5 elements for engaging the track.

15. A cargo enclosure including: a floor for carrying cargo; at least one track arranged over the floor to define a respective opening for receiving cargo; 10 at least one curtain engaged with the track and moveable therealong between an open condition and a closed condition for selectively closing the opening; and one or more support posts spaced along the opening for supporting at least the track above the floor; the curtain including substantially vertical reinforcing members spaced along its 5 length, at least a substantial portion of each reinforcing member being formed of rigid material for resisting load shift and aerodynamic forces; and the rigid material of each reinforcing member being connected to a respective carriage via a respective hinge, the carriages cooperating with the track to form said movable engagement, the hinges allowing the reinforcing members to pivot outwardly 20 away from the support posts and cargo during movement between the open condition and closed condition; wherein each hinge includes a first linkage and a second linkage, the linkages being pivotally connected by a pin, the first linkage being fastened to the rigid material, the second linkage being connected to the carriage. 22

16. The cargo enclosure of claim 15 wherein the second linkage is pivotally connected to the carriage to allow the length of rigid material to pivot in the fore and aft directions.

17. The cargo enclosure of claim 14, 15 or 16 wherein the carriage includes rolling 5 elements for engaging the track.

18. The cargo enclosure of any one of claims 14 to 17 wherein the rigid material is a solid bar.

19. The cargo enclosure of claim 18 wherein the solid bar has a rectangular cross section about 18mm by about 50mm. 10

20. The cargo enclosure of any one of claims 14 to 19 wherein the rigid material is pultruded fibreglass.

21. A reinforcing assembly for reinforcing a curtain; the curtain being slidable along a track over a floor of a curtained cargo enclosure to selectively close an opening defined by the track and the floor; the reinforcing assembly including 15 a carriage for slidably engaging the track; a rigid reinforcing member connected to the carriage; an attachment device for attaching the reinforcing assembly to the floor; the attachment device including a flexible strap; the reinforcing member being dimensioned to vertically span at least a 20 substantial portion of the opening to resist load shift and aerodynamic forces.

22. The reinforcing assembly of claim 21 wherein the flexible strap has at least some elasticity to accommodate small variations in the length of the reinforcing assembly relative to the height of the opening. 23

23. The reinforcing assembly of claim 22 wherein the attachment device includes a tensioning device.

24. The reinforcing assembly of any one of claims 21 to 23 wherein the attachment device includes a hook engageable with a coaming rail mounted to the floor. 5

25. The reinforcing assembly of any one of claims 21 to 24 wherein the reinforcing member is sufficiently rigid to restrain loads without the application of tension.

26. The reinforcing assembly of any one of claims 21 to 25 wherein the rigid member is a solid bar.

27. The reinforcing assembly of claim 26 wherein the solid bar has a rectangular 10 cross section about 18mm by about 50mm.

28. The reinforcing assembly of any one of claims 21 to 27 wherein the rigid member is pultruded fibreglass.

29. The reinforcing assembly of any one of claims 21 to 28 wherein the reinforcing member is pivotally connected to the carriage to allow the rigid material to pivot in the 5 fore and aft directions.

30. The reinforcing assembly of any one of claims 21 to 29 wherein the reinforcing member is pivotally connected to the carriage to allow the rigid material to pivot outwardly.

31. A curtain for a cargo enclosure including one or more of the reinforcing 20 assemblies of any one of claims 21 to 30.

32. A cargo enclosure including a curtain according to claim 31.

33. The cargo enclosure of any one of claims 1 to 20 or 32 being a curtain sided trailer.