AU2011224000A1

AU2011224000A1 - A tarp assembly for tipping trailers

Info

Publication number: AU2011224000A1
Application number: AU2011224000A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Frank Spiegel
Original assignee: TRISTAR IND Pty Ltd
Current assignee: TRISTAR INDUSTRIES Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2010-09-21
Filing date: 2011-09-13
Publication date: 2012-04-05

Abstract

A tarp assembly for tipping trailers, including a cover supported by a plurality foldable lateral cross section members supported at each end to longitudinal lengths, a pair of foldable lateral end members having a first and a second side 5 divided by a fold, a hydraulic ram located at the front and rear end of the trailer to engage the first side of the foldable lateral end members, such that when a rod of the hydraulic ram is extended it raises the first side of the foldable lateral end member about the central fold so that the second side of the foldable lateral end member is able to be rotated and collapsed up against the first side of the 10 foldable lateral end member so that the cover is withdrawn to provide open access to the trailer. co N f' 0c cc too Is C1c CY)

Description

1 [001] A TARP ASSEMBLY FOR TIPPING TRAILERS [002] This invention relates to a tarp assembly for tipping trailers including those for doorless side tippers and door-side tippers. [003] As roadways and trucks have improved upon performance in order to 5 haul larger tonnage, there has been an increasing demand to match this with trailer sizes adequate enough in dimensions to be easily loaded and then dumped as efficiently as possible so that delays do not incur during the loading and unloading of product. [004] While the loading and dumping of product from the trailer is of important 10 consideration so too is the tarp system used in order to cover the load during storage and transport within the trailer. [005] While conventionally sheeted type material was simply thrown across the trailer and then roped or fastened down, as the size of these tipping trailers increased it became impractical and unsafe for such a laborious task to be 15 maintained. [006] There has been a move towards more automated assembly arrangements of trying to place platforms and/or door flaps across the opening of the trailer. [007] Nonetheless thus far these arrangements have presented their own 20 particular problems. [008] For example if one was to simply add a hingeable type automatic motor or hydraulic driven flap arrangement of a platform across the open trailer which could then be hinged into open and closed positions, the problem with these kinds of arrangements is that for those trailers that have a large lateral or 25 breadth dimension so too the door or platform to which it must cover the trailer opening and if this door, flap or platform then needs to be raised in order to 2 open up access to the trailer significant height clearance is required in order to have the door, flap or platform extended out correctly away from the opening of the trailer to allow adequate access for both loading and dumping of the load to and from the trailer. 5 [009] As one would expect by having just one single flat structure the ability to first of all extend the platform or door away from the trailer opening and then balance it correctly in position, places great stress on the structure and brings about difficult design considerations. [010] For example if the trailer needs to unload in a windy environment there 10 would be the requirement then to lift up the tarp to present its entire platform or flap directly to cross winds making the whole loading or unloading task potentially full of safety hazards. [011] Therefore there remains a need in the field associated with placing an adequate tarp across the opening of the trailer which can not only allow the tarp 15 to serve its principal function, that is safely securing and housing of the load withinside the trailer during storage and transport but at the same time also present a tarp assembly that is easy and conveniently able to cover and expose the opening as required in the loading and dumping of product into the trailer efficiently but also at the same time safely so that the introduction of automation 20 enhances the safe operation of the tarp assembly rather than introducing any further potential hazards and troublesome considerations for the trailer during loading and unloading. [012] Accordingly in one form of the invention there is provided a tarp assembly for tipping trailers, including those for doorless side tippers and door 25 side tippers, said assembly including: [013] a main support frame with opposing longitudinal sections wherein these longitudinal sections are adapted to rest upon the longitudinal length of the trailer where the trailer is to be covered by the tarp, 3 [014] a plurality of foldable lateral cross sections joining said longitudinal sections together to form the main substantial arrangement of the main support frame, [015] a hydraulic ram configuration having a single hydraulic ram at each of a 5 front and rear end of said trailer wherein each single hydraulic ram engages a single foldable lateral cross-section, [016] a mechanical arm pivotably supported at each front and rear end of the trailer and in pivotable support with the central fold of the hydraulic ram engaged lateral cross-section at each of the respective ends of the trailer, 10 [017] such that when access to an opened storage area of the trailer is required for the loading and/or dumping of content to and from the trailer, the hydraulic ram is extendable such that it raises one side of the foldable lateral cross-section so that through the support of the mechanical arm the other side of the foldable lateral cross-section is able to be collapsed up against the other 15 side of the fold and with the continued extension of the hydraulic ram upon the foldable lateral cross-section retracts the plurality of foldable lateral cross sections away from the opening of the trailer so that the contents of the trailer can be accessed for loading and/or tipping and dumping as required. [018] As the person skilled in the art will appreciate the main support frame 20 which is made up of the opposing longitudinal sections as well as the multiplicity of foldable lateral cross-sections would have an actual covering material thereon. [019] This covering material could be sheeted material, resilient plastic, canvas, rigid platforms divided into longitudinal sections one side each of the 25 fold of the lateral cross-sections and so forth. [020] Nonetheless what is central to this invention is the unique foldability of the lateral cross-sections.

4 [021] Rather than having a simple hydraulic or hingeable operated platform, door or flap which would simply be extended from a flat or closed position up to an extension beyond 900 and so forth for opening and closing positions of the trailer during loading and unloading, thereby presenting both restrictive height 5 considerations, design and safety hazards, in this unique concept the fold means the actual overall dimensions of the tarp assembly across the trailer when it is withdrawn away from the opening of the trailer can be reduced considerably. [022] There are no time delays or safety hazards as the same hydraulic 10 mechanism would need the same amount of time to open and close the tarp assembly as one would expect from a conventional opening and closing flap arrangement as referred to above. [023] Advantageously however through the use of the foldable cross-sections, the mechanical arm and the hydraulic ram at each end of the main support 15 structure means that for the most part the tarp assembly becomes collapsible and retracts into a reduced height by folding each side of the cross-section one against the other and so too when the trailer then needs to be covered again the unfolding of the tarp assembly is equally achieved as the mechanical arm acts upon the central fold and sees the unfolding or expanding out of the 20 foldable lateral cross-sections as the hydraulic ram pulls upon just the one side of the foldable lateral cross-section at each of the front and read ends of the trailer. [024] Advantageously this unique tarp assembly arrangement utilising a main support frame that incorporates the foldable lateral support cross-sections 25 means that the tarp can be withdrawn away from the opening of the trailer as the trailer begins its tipping action to unload its contents. [025] As the tarp is not a single flap or platform the structural and balancing considerations that one would have to envisage from raising up a single unfolded door has now been solved by the introduction of a collapsing foldable 5 tarp assembly arrangement giving the flexibility of an operation that can see the trailer being tipped as well as the tarp being removed all at the same time. [026] Advantageously as the tarp assembly is operated by a hydraulic ram configuration this can also act in conjunction with the overall hydraulic assembly 5 one would require to be able to tip the trailer between its resting and inclined unloading position. [027] Advantageously as the tarp assembly utilises for the most part a skeletal main support frame to which the cover or tarp material can be placed there across makes it easily retro-fittable onto trailers, and as required the material 10 used for the main support frame can be made of high strength lightweight metal offering a lightweight durable design that would require no greasing and so forth, reducing overall maintenance considerations one would normally expect from these kinds of tarp assemblies. [028] Advantageously as the main support frame of the tarp assembly can be 15 collapsed and folded with the foldable lateral cross-sections one against the other, the ram is able to push one side of the foldable lateral cross-section well away from the trailer opening which will allow loader drivers much more clearance in which to load the contents into the trailer. [029] Still further, the flexibility of the tarp assembly as introduced above 20 provides a versatility for it to be usable and useful for both doorless and door side tipping trailers. [030] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [031] In order now to describe the invention in greater detail a preferred embodiment will be presented herewith with the assistance of the 25 accompanying illustrations. [032] Nonetheless it is to be appreciated that this preferred embodiment is simply there to describe one restrictive embodiment of the invention and 6 therefore the disclosures made for the preferred embodiment should not be considered as representing the general scope of the invention. [033] Figures 1a through to le show perspective views of the main support frame of the tarp assembly being retracted into its upright open position. 5 [034] Figures 2a to 2e is an extension of Figure 1 wherein the main tarp assembly is now being installed upon a tipping trailer and the representation is showing a front on view. [035] Figures 3a to 3h show a series of schematic representations of the tarp assembly opening and closing and in working relationship with the tipping 10 function of the trailer. [036] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the trailer and tarp assembly with the tarp assembly in the open position with the trailer tipped up. [037] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [038] Referring to the drawings now in greater detail wherein Figure 1 we are 15 able to view the main support frame shown generally as (10) of the tarp assembly. [039] The main support frame includes two longitudinal sections (12) and (14) which are joined together through the foldable lateral cross-section shown generally as (16). 20 [040] These foldable lateral cross-sections (16) are dividable into two halves (11) and (13) by pivots or folds (26) as best seen in Figure la. [041] The end foldable lateral cross-sections at each end of the main support frame in the illustrations are referred to as (15) and (17) joined at the fold or pivotable support (22).

7 [042] As will be explained in relation to Figures 2, 3 and 4 it is the end foldable lateral cross-sections that engage the hydraulic rams at each of the front and rear end when the main support frame is mounted to the trailer. [043] In the preferred embodiment shown in Figures 1a to le the pivot 5 supports of the foldable cross-sectional lengths (11), (13) that lie in between the main end cross-sectional pieces (15) and (17) have a unique hollow corresponding coupling arrangement (28) and (30) which allows one section to rest or comfortably come together as best seen in Figures 1a and then in Figure 1e the respective pivot support arrangement (26) between the intermediate 10 foldable lateral cross-sections (11), (13) can best be seen in the open configuration. [044] In Figures 2a through to 2e what is illustrated is the opening of the tarp assembly in order to expose the trailer (31) open storage area (40) to which the contents can then be loaded there into. 15 [045] With respect to Figures 3a through to 3h as well as Figure 4 these representations for the most part re-represent a configuration provided for in Figures 2a to 2e but show its working inter-relationship with the trailer (31) as it is able to be tipped into an unloading or dumping configuration. [046] As can be seen from Figures 2a to 2e the rear and front end of the trailer 20 have a frame support (32) ready for a hydraulic ram (34) to which the rod (36) engages one side (17) of the end foldable lateral cross-section wherein this arm (17) of the foldable lateral cross-section is pivotably supported with its opposing arm (15) at (22). [047] There is hinge support (37) at the respective ends of the trailer (31) and it 25 also works in communication with the main pivot supports (22) and (26) to allow the extension and retraction of the foldable lateral cross-section arms to come together and fold out as required.

8 [048] As the rod (36) of the hydraulic ram extends it is able to push back the arm (17) and as the arm (17) is also in pivotable (22) arrangement with the opposing arm (15) is able to draw arm (15) into a folded retracted position as best seen in Figure 2e in order to provide a clear opening (40) for the trailer 5 (31). [049] As can be seen in its folded retracted position in Figure 2e the opening (40) of the trailer can be easily filled and the actual height of the tarp assembly is only half as to one would expect from an unfolded support frame configuration. 10 [050] Therefore height considerations, balance, safety configurations and the ability to adequately open up the storage or open area (40) of the trailer (31) has now been overcome through the use of the unique foldable interaction of the respective sides of the foldable lateral cross-section. [051] Illustrations Figures 3a through to Figure 3h simply reiterate the 15 structural significance as described for illustrations Figures 2a through to 2e however we also see the interaction of the hydraulic ram (42) which is actually able to tilt the tray (31) into its dumping or emptying configuration. [052] In one preferred embodiment of the invention as shown in Figures 3a through to 3c the tarp assembly is retracted and folded away from the opening 20 (40) of the trailer (31) and once this is complete the trailer ram (42) can then extend itself in order to tilt the tray (31) as shown in Figures 3d through to 3e to empty its contents as required. [053] Once the contents have been emptied from the trailer (31) even in its tilted position the tarp assembly is able to be unfolded and commence the 25 covering of the open or storage area (40) of the trailer (31) so for efficiency it is possible to operate both the ram of the tilting functionality of the trailer as well as the folding or extension of the tarp assembly over the opening of the trailer either independently or simultaneously if speed becomes a consideration.

9 [054] In Figure 4 show a cover (50) is positioned on the main structural frame. [055] In this embodiment the cover (50) or tarp is simply a long longitudinal platform length which fits against the foldable portions of the cross-section pieces along the length of the main support structure. 5 [056] Nonetheless the process of the unfolding of the tarp assembly in order to provide open access (40) to the trailer (31) remains consistent which has been discussed precedingly.

Claims

1. A tarp assembly for tipping trailers, including those for doorless side tippers and door-side tippers, said assembly including: a main support frame with opposing longitudinal lengths wherein these 5 longitudinal lengths are adapted to rest upon the longitudinal length of the trailer where the trailer is to be covered by the tarp assembly, a plurality foldable lateral cross section members rotably supported and joined at each end to the longitudinal lengths, said plurality of foldable lateral cross section members supporting a 10 cover, a pair of foldable lateral end members having a first and a second side divided by a fold, a hydraulic ram located at a front and rear end of said trailer wherein each hydraulic ram is adapted to engage the first side of a respective foldable 15 lateral end member, such that when a rod of the hydraulic ram is extended it raises the first side of the foldable lateral end member about the central fold dividing the first and the second side of the foldable lateral end member, so that the second side of the foldable lateral end member is able to be rotated and collapsed up 20 against the first side of the foldable lateral end member so that the cover is withdrawn to provide open access to the trailer.

2. The tarp assembly of claim 1 wherein the foldable lateral end members having a central fold dividing the first and the second side of the foldable lateral end member that engage the hydraulic ram through the first side are hingeably 25 attached to the trailer. 11

3. The tarp assembly of claim 1 or 2 wherein the trailer at each end includes a bracket to rotably support the hydraulic ram.

4. The tarp assembly of claim 3 wherein the hydraulic ram is in communication with an hydraulic arrangement adapted to tilt the trailer.

5 5. The tarp assembly of claim 4 wherein the hydraulic ram raises the first side of the foldable lateral end member about the central fold dividing the first and the second side of the foldable lateral end member, so that the second side of the foldable lateral end member is able to be rotated and collapsed up against the first side of the foldable lateral end member so that the cover is 10 withdrawn to provide open access to the trailer and wherein once access is provided the hydraulic arrangement adapted to tilt the trailer then commences to tilt the trailer into an unloading position.

6. The tarp assembly of claim 4 or 5 wherein as the hydraulic arrangement commences to rotate or tilt the trailer back into a resting position the hydraulic 15 ram is adapted to have the rod retracted so that the first and second sides of the foldable lateral end members return to an extended position with the cover over the trailer.

7. The tarp assembly of anyone of claims 1 to 6 wherein the cover is made from sheeted material, resilient plastic, canvas, or a rigid platforms divided into 20 longitudinal sections one side each of the fold of the lateral cross-section members.

8. The tarp assembly of anyone of claims 1 to 7 wherein the assembly is retrofittable on to an existing trailer.

9. The tarp assembly of anyone of claims 1 to 8 wherein the foldable lateral 25 cross-section members are dividable into two halves by a central pivot or fold. 12

10. The tarp assembly of claim 9 wherein the foldable lateral cross-section members include a coupling arrangement allowing engaging edges of each half one to rest one within the other.

11. A tarp assembly as described with references to the embodiment shown 5 in the accompanying illustrations.