AU2010200529A1

AU2010200529A1 - Modular Truck Tray System

Info

Publication number: AU2010200529A1
Application number: AU2010200529A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Joshua Ian Ridley
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-02-12
Filing date: 2010-02-12
Publication date: 2010-08-26

Description

ORIGINAL AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Invention title: "MODULAR TRUCK TRAY SYSTEM" Applicant: JOSHUA IAN RIDLEY Associated Provisional Application No.: 2009900589 The following statement is a full description of the invention, including the best method of performing it known to me: 2 "MODULAR TRUCK TRAY SYSTEM" Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a modular tray system for a truck or other 5 like vehicle. Background to the Invention Many private companies and government instrumentalities operate a fleet of trucks to transport personnel and equipment to the location of a job. Typically 10 if there is more than one type of service that the business or instrumentality is required to perform, it may require several different types of trucks in the fleet fitted with the necessary equipment. At present if a company wishes to diversify its services in this way it must expand its fleet of vehicles. There is thus a need to provide a means by which companies and instrumentalities, or 15 indeed a small business operator, can diversify or multiply the services it provides without having to expand its fleet of vehicles. The present invention was developed with a view to providing a modular tray system for a truck or other like vehicle that goes some way toward meeting this need. 20 The previous discussion of the background to the invention is provided for illustrative purposes only and is not to be taken as an acknowledgement or admission that any of the material referred to is or was part of the common general knowledge in Australia or elsewhere as at the priority date of this application. 25 Summary of the Invention According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a modular tray system for a truck or other like vehicle comprising: 3 a tray adapted to receive one or more interchangeable modules and having a plurality of first connecting means for releasably attaching a module to the tray; and, an interchangeable module adapted to be received on the tray and having a 5 plurality of second connecting means adapted to engage with the first connecting means for releasably attaching the module to the tray; wherein, in use, a truck or other like vehicle can be quickly equipped for a particular use by installing the required interchangeable module on the tray. Typically the interchangeable module is one of a plurality of interchangeable 10 modules, each module being fitted out for a particular use. According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided an interchangeable module for a modular tray system, the module being adapted to be received on a tray of a truck or other like vehicle, the module having a plurality of connecting means for releasably attaching the module to 15 the tray wherein, in use, the truck or other like vehicle can be quickly equipped for a particular use by installing the required interchangeable module on the tray. Preferably the interchangeable module is provided with a plurality of first connecting means at predefined regularly spaced intervals on a base of the 20 module. Preferably the interchangeable modules come in standard lengths wherein, in use, a plurality of the modules can be mounted end to end on the tray. In one embodiment the modules come in lengths of multiples of 1.2 metres. Typically the first connecting means are provided at 1.2 metre intervals on the base of the module. 25 According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a connecting system for releasably attaching an interchangeable module to a tray of a truck or other like vehicle, the connecting system comprising: a first connecting means provided on the module; 4 a second connecting means provided on the tray and adapted to receive the first connecting means in engagement therewith; and, a locking mechanism provided in connection with the first and second connecting means for locking the first and second connecting means 5 together after engagement whereby, in use, the interchangeable module can be quickly and securely attached to the tray. Typically the first connecting means is one of a plurality of first connecting means provided on the module, and the second connecting means is one of a plurality of second connecting means provided on the tray. Preferably the 10 plurality of first connecting means are provided at predefined regularly spaced intervals on a base of the module, and the plurality of second connecting means are provided at corresponding predefined regularly spaced intervals on the tray. Typically the tray is of rectangular configuration and the plurality of second connecting means is provided at predefined 15 regularly spaced intervals along the sides of the tray. Preferably the first connecting means comprises a projecting portion and the second connecting means comprises a hollow portion adapted to receive the projecting portion therein. Alternatively the second connecting means comprises a projecting portion and the first connecting means comprises a 20 hollow portion adapted to receive the projecting portion therein. Typically the projecting portion is of rectangular cross-section, and the hollow portion is similarly of rectangular cross-section with slightly larger internal dimensions than the external dimensions of the projecting portion. Preferably both the projecting portion and hollow portion are of square cross-section. 25 Preferably the connecting system further comprises shock-absorbing means for providing a cushioning effect between the first and second connecting means when they are engaged. In one embodiment said shock-absorbing means comprises a layer of shock-absorbing material provided between the first and second connecting means. Preferably the layer of shock-absorbing 30 material is a hard rubber material.

5 In a preferred embodiment the locking mechanism comprises an over-centre clamp mechanism, the clamp mechanism having a lever that pivots between a release position and a lock position. Throughout the specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word 5 "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers. Likewise the word "preferably" or variations such as "preferred", will be understood to imply that a stated integer or group of integers is desirable but not essential to the 10 working of the invention. Brief Description of the Drawings The nature of the invention will be better understood from the following 15 detailed description of embodiments of a modular truck tray system, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a top perspective view of a first embodiment of an interchangeable module for a modular tray system in accordance with the present invention; 20 Figure 2 is a top perspective view of a second embodiment of an interchangeable module for a modular tray system in accordance with the present invention; Figure 3 is a top perspective view of a third embodiment of an interchangeable module for a modular tray system in accordance with 25 the present invention mounted on the tray of a truck; Figure 4 illustrates the module of Figure 3 being lifted by a gantry crane; Figure 5 is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of a truck tray for a modular tray system in accordance with the present invention; 6 Figure 6 is a top perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a connecting system for releasably attaching an interchangeable module to a modular tray for a truck or other like vehicle in accordance with the present invention; 5 Figures 7 (a), (b) and (c) are a plan view, end view and side view respectively of a fourth embodiment of an interchangeable module for a modular tray system in accordance with the present invention; Figures 8 (a) and (b) are an end view and side view respectively of a fifth embodiment of an interchangeable module for a modular tray 10 system in accordance with the present invention; Figures 9 (a) and (b) are an end view and side view respectively of a sixth embodiment of an interchangeable module for a modular tray system in accordance with the present invention; Figures 10 (a), (b) and (c) are a top view, end view and side view 15 respectively of a seventh embodiment of an interchangeable module for a modular tray system in accordance with the present invention; and, Figures 11 (a) and (b) are a side perspective view and enlargement respectively of an eighth embodiment of an interchangeable module 20 for a modular tray system in accordance with the present invention. Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments A preferred embodiment of an interchangeable module 10 for a modular tray 25 system in accordance with the invention is illustrated in Figure 1. The module 10 is adapted to be received on a tray of a truck or other like vehicle (not shown). For this purpose, the module 10 has a plurality of first connecting means 12 for releasably attaching the module to the tray wherein, in use, the truck or other like vehicle can be quickly equipped for a particular use by 30 installing the required interchangeable module 10 on the tray.

7 In the embodiment of Figure 1, the module 10 has been temporarily stored on a pallet 14. The pallet 14 is provided with a plurality of second connecting means 16 adapted to receive the respective first connecting means 12 in engagement therewith. Typically the tray of the truck or other like vehicle is 5 likewise provided with a plurality of second connecting means 16 adapted to receive the respective first connecting means 12 in engagement therewith, as will be described in more detail below. Advantageously the module 10 is provided with four lifting eyes 18 with a weight rating relevant to the specific unit 10. This allows the module 10 to be 10 lifted onto or off the tray of a truck via a gantry crane 20, (as illustrated in Figure 4), with a four legged lifting chain for safety. The module 10 illustrated in Figure 1 is 2.4 metres long, and has a width of no more than 2.5 metres and a standard height of approximately 1.5 metres. The modules typically come in two standard lengths, 1.2 metres or 2.4 metres. Each module is 15 preferably provided with fork lift tyne boxes 22 to facilitate ease of pick-up and movement once the module is on the ground. Figure 2 illustrates a second embodiment of an interchangeable module 24 for a modular tray system in accordance with the present invention. The interchangeable module 24 is in the form of a service module of a type 20 suitable for use in the mining and construction industries, having mounted hose reels 25. The module 24 can be fitted with other equipment as appropriate. Figure 3 illustrates a third embodiment of an interchangeable module 30 for a modular tray system in accordance with the present invention mounted on 25 the tray 32 of a truck 34. The interchangeable module 30 is for a water cart for dust suppression and soil compacting. The module 30 is fitted out with a water pump 35 and water tanks 36. Water from the water tanks 36 is pumped out to via a spray head 37 onto the road behind the truck 34. Additional water tanks are provided in a second module 38 mounted on the truck tray 32 30 behind the first module 30. Figure 4 illustrates the manner in which the 8 module 30 can be lifted onto the tray 32 of the truck 34 by using a gantry crane 20. Each of the illustrated embodiments of the interchangeable modules according to the invention, employs a similar connecting system for 5 releasably attaching the interchangeable module to a tray of a truck or other like vehicle. Therefore the same reference numerals will be used to refer to the similar parts of the connecting system in each case. In the embodiment of Figure 3 the module 30 is provided with a plurality of first connecting means 12 provided at predefined regularly spaced intervals on a base of the module. 10 Typically the first connecting means 12 are provided at 1.2 metre intervals along the sides of the module. Module 30 is 2.4 metres in length and therefore there are three first connecting means 16 provided on each side: one at the front, one at the back and one midway between. A plurality of second connecting means 16 (not visible in Figure 3) is 15 provided on the tray 32 and is adapted to receive the respective first connecting means 16 in engagement therewith. A locking mechanism (not visible in Figure 3) is provided in connection with the first and second connecting means 12, 16 for locking the first and second connecting means together after engagement whereby, in use, the interchangeable module can 20 be quickly and securely attached to the tray. The arrangement of a preferred embodiment of the connecting system will be described in more detail below with reference to Figure 6. The plurality of second connecting means 16 are preferably provided at corresponding predefined regularly spaced intervals on the tray 32. In the 25 embodiment of Figure 3, the tray 32 is of rectangular configuration and the plurality of second connecting means 16 are provided at predefined regularly spaced intervals along the sides of the tray. Figure 5 illustrates in plan view a typical arrangement of the second connecting means 16 on the tray of a truck. The tray 32 of Figure 5 is approximately 6 metres in length and the 30 second connecting 16 means are provided at 1.2 metre spaced intervals along the respective sides of the tray 32. In fact, two of the second 9 connecting means 16 are provided side by side at each 1.2 metre interval so that, if desired, two 1.2 metre length modules can be mounted on the tray 32 end to end. (In Figure 3 the 1.2 metre module 38 is mounted directly behind the 2.4 metre module 30.) 5 The illustrated embodiment of the tray 32 is 2.4 metres in width and is specially reinforced to support the weight of the interchangeable modules. To this end, two parallel 150 x 75 mm C-channel steel support beams 40 extend the full length of the tray. Two 50 x 100 mm C-channel steel beams 42 are also provided along the respective sides of the tray 32. A series of transverse 10 50 x 100 mm rectangular steel section (RSS) beams 44 are welded at 500 mm centres between the steel beams 42 to support the upper deck of the tray 32. Each of the second connecting means 16 is in turn welded to the beams 42 and 44 to provide a solid base for releasably attaching the modules to the tray 32. 15 A preferred embodiment of the connecting system 48 of the invention will now be described in more detail with reference to Figure 6. The connecting system 48 comprises a first connecting means in the form of a projecting portion 50 provided on the base of an interchangeable module. In this embodiment the projecting portion 50 is of rectangular cross-section and 20 manufactured from steel which is welded to the base of the module. The connecting system 48 comprises a second connecting means in the form of a hollow portion 52 provided on a tray of a truck or like vehicle and adapted to receive the projecting portion 50 therein. The hollow portion 52 is similarly of rectangular cross-section with slightly larger internal dimensions than the 25 external dimensions of the projecting portion 50. Preferably both the projecting portion 50 and hollow portion 52 are of square cross-section. The hollow portion 52 is formed with a locating taper 54 around its mouth to facilitate the locating of the projecting portion 50 in the hollow portion 52. The connecting system 48 further comprises a locking mechanism provided 30 in connection with the projecting portion 50 and the hollow portion 52 for locking the two portions together after engagement whereby, in use, the 10 interchangeable module can be quickly and securely attached to the tray. In this embodiment the locking mechanism comprises an over-centre clamp mechanism 56, the clamp mechanism having a lever 57 pivotally connected to an external surface of the hollow portion 52, and that is adapted to pivot 5 between a release position and a lock position. The lever 57 has a latch 58 pivotally coupled thereto, and the latch 58 is adapted to engage a catch 59 provided on the projecting portion 50. In use, once the projecting portion 50 has been received in the hollow portion 52 with the lever 57 of the over-centre clamp mechanism 56 in the release 10 position as shown in Figure 6, the latch 58 can be pivoted into engagement with the catch 59 on the projecting portion 50. The lever 57 is then pivoted (downwards in Figure 6) to the locked position. This causes the latch 58 to be drawn downwards onto the catch 59, which in turn exerts a force on the projecting portion 50, pushing it further downwards into the hollow portion 52. 15 Once lever 57 passes its over-centre position it will automatically be retained in its locked position under the resistive force of the projecting portion 52. Preferably the connecting system 48 further comprises shock-absorbing means for providing a cushioning effect between the projecting portion 50 and the hollow portion 52 when they are engaged. In this embodiment the 20 shock-absorbing means comprises a layer of shock-absorbing material 60 provided between the opposed faces of the projecting portion 50 and the hollow portion 52. Preferably the layer of shock-absorbing material 60 is a hard rubber material. The shock-absorbing layer of hard rubber material 60 provides a cushion for some of the weight of the module distributed over the 25 plurality of connecting means, as well as some resistive force for the over centre clamping mechanism. An advantage of the connecting system 48 is that it provides a way to quickly secure and release a module on the tray of a truck. This can be done manually without the need for special tools. Other types of connecting systems may be employed for attaching the 30 modules to the tray of a truck or like vehicle. For example, the connecting 11 system may employ a spring-loaded bolt as the locking mechanism in some applications, rather than an over-centre clamp mechanism. A variety of interchangeable modules may be provided, each module being fitted out for a particular use. Figure 7 illustrates a preferred embodiment of 5 an interchangeable module 64 designed with a boilermaker's kit. The module 64 comes complete with oxygen and acetylene gas bottles 66 for welding and a compressor 68. On a mine site, a truck can be quickly equipped for a boiler- maker to be dispatched to a particular job by installing the required interchangeable module on the tray of the truck. 10 Figure 8 illustrates a preferred embodiment of an interchangeable module 70 fitted out as a high-pressure wash-down unit with a gurney. Figure 9 illustrates a preferred embodiment of an interchangeable module 74 fitted out as a service unit for servicing construction and mining equipment. The module 74 is the standard 2.4 metres in length and is fitted with two side gull 15 doors for easy access to the interior by service personnel. Figure 10 illustrates a preferred embodiment of an interchangeable module 78 fitted out as a tool box. The module 78 is the standard 1.2 metres in length and is provided with a rear roller door and two side gull doors. In its empty condition the tool box 78 weighs about 200 kg; in its fully loaded condition the tool box 20 weighs about 3000 kg. If some applications, fluid-carrying modules, eg. water tanks for fire-fighting, may be joined together in fluid communication using a suitable coupling. Figure 11 illustrates the manner in which two adjacent fluid-carrying modules 80 and 82 and easily joined together in fluid communication be means of a 25 hose coupling 84 (see Figure 11(b)). Other types of interchangeable module envisaged in accordance with the invention include: 1. Potable water cartage - food grade 2. Water tank 12 3. General purpose container 4. Fire fighting unit 5. Diesel distribution and cartage 6. Mini rubbish unit 5 7. Multiple use tippers for rubbish, garden supplies, fire wood and sand 8. Controlled waste recovery unit 9. Module designed for specialised freight (customer specific) Advantageously the interchangeable modules are designed to be joined together to expand capacity and/or to be used in conjunction with other 10 modules to equip the truck for multiple uses. For example, a rubbish collection unit could be installed with a water tank module on the same truck to enable the user to pick-up rubbish at parks or road sides and to water trees/newly planted gardens at the same time. Another possible multiple use scenario is for a mechanic to have a tool box module and high-pressure 15 wash-down unit for washing down equipment after repair. Now that preferred embodiments of the modular truck tray system have been described in detail, it will be apparent that the embodiments provide a number of advantages over the prior art, including the following: (i) The interchangeable modules enable a truck or other like vehicle to 20 be quickly equipped for a particular use by installing the required interchangeable module on the tray of the vehicle. (ii) This means that the same truck can be employed for multiple uses reducing the need to expand the vehicle fleet. (iii) Multiple interchangeable modules can be mounted on the same 25 tray facilitating multiples uses. (iv) The connecting system ensures that the modules can be quickly removed or installed on a truck tray with minimum downtime.

13 It will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the relevant arts that various modifications and improvements may be made to the foregoing embodiments, in addition to those already described, without departing from 5 the basic inventive concepts of the present invention. For example, the external shape and configuration of the modules may quite different from that shown in the accompanying drawings. Therefore, it will be appreciated that the scope of the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described. 10 15 20 25 30

Claims

1. A modular tray system for a truck or other like vehicle comprising: 5 a tray adapted to receive one or more interchangeable modules and having a plurality of first connecting means for releasably attaching a module to the tray; and, an interchangeable module adapted to be received on the tray and having a plurality of second connecting means adapted to engage with the first 10 connecting means for releasably attaching the module to the tray; wherein, in use, a truck or other like vehicle can be quickly equipped for a particular use by installing the required interchangeable module on the tray.

2. A modular tray system as defined in claim 1, wherein the interchangeable module is one of a plurality of interchangeable modules, 15 each module being fitted out for a particular use.

3. An interchangeable module for a modular tray system, the module being adapted to be received on a tray of a truck or other like vehicle, the module having a plurality of connecting means for releasably attaching the module to the tray wherein, in use, the truck or other like vehicle can be 20 quickly equipped for a particular use by installing the required interchangeable module on the tray.

4. An interchangeable module for a modular tray system as defined in claim 3, wherein the interchangeable module is provided with a plurality of first connecting means at predefined regularly spaced intervals on a base of 25 the module.

5. An interchangeable module for a modular tray system as defined in claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the interchangeable modules come in standard lengths wherein, in use, a plurality of the modules can be mounted end to end on the tray. 15

6. An interchangeable module for a modular tray system as defined in claim 5, wherein the modules come in lengths of multiples of 1.2 metres.

7. An interchangeable module for a modular tray system as defined in 5 any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the first connecting means are provided at 1.2 metre intervals on the base of the module.

8. A connecting system for releasably attaching an interchangeable module to a tray of a truck or other like vehicle, the connecting system comprising: 10 a first connecting means provided on the module; a second connecting means provided on the tray and adapted to receive the first connecting means in engagement therewith; and, a locking mechanism provided in connection with the first and second connecting means for locking the first and second connecting means 15 together after engagement whereby, in use, the interchangeable module can be quickly and securely attached to the tray.

9. A connecting system as defined in claim 8, wherein the first connecting means is one of a plurality of first connecting means provided on the module, and the second connecting means is one of a plurality of second 20 connecting means provided on the tray.

10. A connecting system as defined in claim 9, wherein the plurality of first connecting means are provided at predefined regularly spaced intervals on a base of the module, and the plurality of second connecting means are provided at corresponding predefined regularly spaced intervals on the tray. 25

11. A connecting system as defined in claim 9 or claim 10, wherein the tray is of rectangular configuration and the plurality of second connecting means is provided at predefined regularly spaced intervals along the sides of the tray. 16

12. A connecting system as defined in any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the first connecting means comprises a projecting portion and the second connecting means comprises a hollow portion adapted to receive the 5 projecting portion therein.

13. A connecting system as defined in any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the second connecting means comprises a projecting portion and the first connecting means comprises a hollow portion adapted to receive the projecting portion therein. 10

14. A connecting system as defined in claim 12 or claim 13, wherein the projecting portion is of rectangular cross-section, and the hollow portion is similarly of rectangular cross-section with slightly larger internal dimensions than the external dimensions of the projecting portion.

15. A connecting system as defined in claim 12 or claim 13, wherein both 15 the projecting portion and hollow portion are of square cross-section.

16. A connecting system as defined in any one of claims 8 to 15, wherein the connecting system further comprises shock-absorbing means for providing a cushioning effect between the first and second connecting means when they are engaged. 20

17. A connecting system as defined in claim 16, wherein said shock absorbing means comprises a layer of shock-absorbing material provided between the first and second connecting means.

18. A connecting system as defined in claim 17, wherein the layer of shock-absorbing material is a hard rubber material. 25

19. A connecting system as defined in any one of claims 8 to 18, wherein the locking mechanism comprises an over-centre clamp mechanism, the clamp mechanism having a lever that pivots between a release position and a lock position. 17

20. A modular tray system for a truck or other like vehicle substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in any one or more of the accompanying drawings.

21. An interchangeable module for a modular tray system substantially as 5 herein described with reference to and as illustrated in any one or more of the accompanying drawings.

22. A connecting system for releasably attaching an interchangeable module to a tray of a truck or other like vehicle substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in any one or more of the 10 accompanying drawings. 12 February 2010 15 Joshua Ian Ridley by his Patent Attorneys Janet Stead & Associates 20