AU2012101889A4 - A System for Moving a Cover - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a system for moving a cover relative to a trailer, the system including movement means for moving the cover from a covered position to an uncovered position, and guide means for guiding the moving cover around a corner of the trailer.

Description

A SYSTEM FOR MOVING A COVER TECHNICAL FIELD [00011 The present invention generally relates to a system for moving a cover relative to a trailer. [00021 The present application has particular, although not exclusive application to truck trailers used in the mining industry. BACKGROUND ART 100031 A conventional trailer cover includes a flexible sheet, which can be manually placed over an opening of the trailer. The flexible sheet may be secured in place by using ropes or elastic cords. When removing the flexible sheet from the trailer, the ropes or elastic cords have to be manually removed to free the flexible sheet from the trailer. This process can be inconvenient and time consuming, especially for large trailers carrying large loads. [00041 In the mining and transport industry, large side tipping trailers are often used to transport large amounts of mining material. Conventionally, a flexible sheet is used to cover an opening at the top of the trailer. The flexible sheet is attached to a winding mechanism having a handle. The handle can be manually turned in one direction to extend the flexible sheet over the opening so as to cover the top of the trailer. The handle can also be turned in an opposite direction to wind the flexible sheet around an axle so as to expose the opening of the trailer. The manual operation of the conventional winding flexible sheet can be inconvenient, labour intensive and time consuming. In addition, health and safety issues may be associated with the operation of the winding flexible sheet as it is necessary for an operator to climb onto the trailer and manually turn the handle, which may cause injury to the operator. 100051 Embodiments of the present invention provide an improved system for moving a trailer cover. 100061 It will be clearly understood that, if a prior art publication is referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms part of the common general knowledge in the art in Australia or in any other country. SUMMARY OF INVENTION [00071 According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for 2 moving a cover relative to a trailer, the system including movement means for moving the cover from a covered position to an uncovered position, and guide means for guiding the moving cover around a corner of the trailer. [00081 The movement means may move the cover from the covered position at a top of the trailer to the uncovered position at a side of the trailer. [00091 The guide means may include a roller assembly. 100101 The system may include a guide member attachable to the cover, the guide member providing a side rail for engagement with the roller assembly. [00111 In some embodiments, the guide means may include a further roller assembly, the roller assemblies being respectfully arranged on two opposite sides of the cover, each opposite side of the cover having a side rail, and each roller assembly being configured for engagement with a corresponding side rail. 100121 Typically, the guide means includes a guide roller for rolling along a side rail of the cover, and a support portion for supporting the moving cover as it is guided around the corner of the trailer. The support portion may include a support roller. Preferably, the guide means is configured to allow the side rail of the cover to move between the guide roller and the support portion. [00131 The guide means may include a pivot arm pivotally connected to a support portion. The pivot arm may orbit a guide roller about the support portion to guide the cover around the corner of the trailer. 100141 The movement means may include a ram for pushing the cover from the covered position to the uncovered position. The movement means may further include an arm for connecting the cover to the trailer, the ram causing the arm to pivot and move the cover. [00151 The system may further include the cover, the cover including a frame and a flexible sheet covering the frame. [00161 According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a guide for guiding a moving cover around a corner of a trailer. [00171 The guide may include a roller assembly. In one embodiment, the guide may include 3 a guide roller for rolling along a side rail of the cover, and a support portion for supporting the moving cover as it is guided around the corner of the trailer. Further, the guide may be configured to allow the side rail to move between the guide roller and the support portion. The support portion may include a support roller. [00181 The guide may include a pivot arm pivotally connected to a support portion. The pivot arm may orbit a guide roller about the support portion to guide the cover around the corner of the trailer. 100191 According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a kit for retrofitting to a trailer, the kit including movement means for moving a cover from a covered position to an uncovered position, and guide means for guiding the moving cover around a corner of the trailer. 100201 Any of the features described herein can be combined in any combination with any one or more of the other features described herein within the scope of the invention. [00211 The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 100221 Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows: 100231 Figure 1 is a perspective view of a trailer assembly having a system for moving a cover and showing the cover in a covered position according one embodiment of the present invention; 100241 Figure 2 is a side view of the trailer assembly of Figure 1 showing the cover in an uncovered position; [00251 Figure 3 is a plan view of a guide of the system of Figure 2 showing a pivot arm in a horizontal position; [00261 Figure 4 is a rear view of the guide of Figure 3 showing the pivot arm in an upright 4 position when the cover is in a covered position as shown in Figure 1; and 100271 Figure 5 is a side view of the guide of Figure 4. DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS [00281 Figures 1 and 2 show a trailer assembly having a system 10 for moving a cover 12 relative to a trailer 14. The system 10 includes movement means 16 having a ram 18 and an arm 20. The ram 18 is pivotally connected at one end to an intermediate point along the arm 20. The arm 20 is pivotally connected to the cover 12 and the trailer 14 so that upon extension and retraction of the ram 18, the arm 20 moves the cover 12 from a covered position as shown in Figure 1 to an uncovered position as shown in Figure 2. [00291 The system 10 further includes guide means 22 for guiding the moving cover 12 around a corner of the trailer 14. The guide means 22 includes two roller assemblies 24 (only one shown in Figures 1 and 2). The roller assemblies 24 are respectfully arranged at two opposite sides of the cover 12. In addition, the system 10 includes guide members attachable to the cover 12 for providing a side rail 26 on each opposite side of the cover 12. Each roller assembly 24 is configured for engagement with a corresponding side rail 26. [0030] Each roller assembly 24 includes a guide roller 28 for rolling along the respective side rail 26 of the cover 12, and a support roller 30 for supporting the moving cover 12 as it is guided around the corner of the trailer 14. When the cover 12 is moved from the covered position to the uncovered position, each side rail 26 moves between the guide roller 28 and the support roller 30 of the corresponding roller assembly 24. [00311 As more clearly shown in Figures 3 to 5, the guide roller 28 is connected to the support roller 30 via pivot arm 32. The guide roller 28 is rotatable about a guide axle 34 and the support roller 30 is rotatable about a support axle 36. Pivot arm 32 is pivotally connected to the support axle 36 and is pivotable with respect to the support axle 36 between a generally horizontal position as shown in Figure 3 and a generally upright position as shown in Figures 4 and 5. [00321 Connector plates 38a, 38b are used to connect the roller assembly 24 to the end of an end beam 40 of the trailer 14 such that the roller assembly 24 is located adjacent the corner of the trailer 14. A spacer 42 may be disposed between the pivot arm 32 and a corresponding connector plate 38a to space the pivot arm 32 from the connector plate 38a so as prevent lateral movement of the pivot arm 32.

5 100331 When the cover 12 is in the covered position, the guide roller 28 is in a generally upright position as shown in Figures 4 and 5. Each side rail 26 is generally parallel with and abutting against a top edge of the trailer 14. The guide roller 28 is positioned on or near one end of the side rail 26. [00341 As ram 18 is extended, the arm 20 pivots in one direction (clockwise in Figures 1 and 2) with respect to the trailer and lifts a front side of the cover 12. At the same time, the guide roller 28 holds a rear side of the cover close to the corner of the trailer 14. As the cover 12 becomes angled with respect to the trailer 14 during the lifting motion, the rear side of the cover drops downwardly. At the same time, the guide roller 28 of each roller assembly 24 holds each side rail 26 proximate the corner of the trailer 14. As the angle between the cover and the trailer increases, the pivot arm 32 pivots about the support roller 30 and the guide roller 28 rolls along the corresponding side rail 26 to guide the movement of the cover 12 around the corner of the trailer 14. The support roller 30 partially supports the weight of the cover 12 as it moves around the corner of the trailer 14. Further, the support roller 30 rolls along an underside of the side rail 26 to assist the movement of the cover 12 relative to the trailer and to guide the cover 12 around the corner of the trailer 14. When the ram 18 is fully extended, the cover 12 is moved to the uncovered position and orientated generally vertically at the side of the trailer 14, and the pivot arm 32 is moved to a generally horizontal position. 100351 As the ram 18 is retracted, the arm 20 pivots in an opposite direction (counter clockwise in Figures 1 and 2) with respect to the trailer and pulls the front side of the cover 12 towards a front edge of the trailer 14. The guide roller 28 continues to hold the corresponding side of the cover 12 proximate the corner of the trailer 14. The guide roller 28 and the support roller 30 respectively roll along an upper and lower side of the side rail 26 to guide the cover 12 around the corner of the trailer 14 as the cover 12 is moved from a generally vertical uncovered position at the side of the trailer 14 to a generally horizontal covered position at the top of the trailer 14. At the same time, the pivot arm 32 is moved from a generally horizontal position to a generally upright position. 100361 Advantageously, system 10 may be controlled from within the vehicle towing the trailer 14. Alternatively, the system 10 may be operated remotely using a remote control. In comparison with conventional covering systems for trailers, system 10 provides a safer system for moving a trailer cover as the operator no longer needs to climb onto the trailer and manually move the cover. The system 10 is also less labour intensive and more convenient to use.

6 [00371 In alternative embodiments, the movement means 16 may include one or more motors for moving the cover 12. For example, the movement means 16 may include one or more motorized arms. The motorized arms may be pivotable with respect to the trailer 14 for moving the cover 12. [00381 In a further embodiment, the support roller 30 may be replaced by a support portion having a low friction surface for supporting the cover 12 as the cover 12 moves around the corner of the trailer 14. For example, a Teflon support portion may be used. [00391 In other embodiments, the cover 12 may be movable between a generally horizontal covered position to an uncovered position which is angled with respect to the trailer. Further, the system may move a portion of the cover from a closed position to an open position. [00401 In the present specification and claims (if any), the word "comprising" and its derivatives including "comprises" and "comprise" include each of the stated integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers. [00411 Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations. [00421 In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims (if any) appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.

Claims (21)

1. A system for moving a cover relative to a trailer, the system including movement means for moving the cover from a covered position to an uncovered position, and guide means for guiding the moving cover around a corner of the trailer.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the movement means moves the cover from the covered position at a top of the trailer to the uncovered position at a side of the trailer.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the guide means includes a roller assembly.

4. The system of claim 3, the system including a guide member attachable to the cover, the guide member providing a side rail for engagement with the roller assembly.

5. The system of claim 3, wherein the guide means includes a further roller assembly, the roller assemblies being respectfully arranged on two opposite sides of the cover, each opposite side of the cover having a side rail, and each roller assembly being configured for engagement with a corresponding side rail.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the guide means includes a guide roller for rolling along a side rail of the cover, and a support portion for supporting the moving cover as it is guided around the corner of the trailer.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the support portion includes a support roller.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein the guide means is configured to allow the side rail of the cover to move between the guide roller and the support portion.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the guide means includes a pivot arm pivotally connected to a support portion.

10. The system according to claim 9, wherein the pivot arm orbits a guide roller about the support portion to guide the cover around the corner of the trailer.

11. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the movement means includes a ram for pushing the cover from the covered position to the uncovered position.

12. The system of claim 11, further including an arm for connecting the cover to the trailer, 8 the ram causing the arm to pivot and move the cover.

13. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, further including the cover, the cover including a frame and a flexible sheet covering the frame.

14. A guide for guiding a moving cover around a corner of a trailer.

15. The guide of claim 14, the guide including a roller assembly.

16. The guide of claim 14, the guide including a guide roller for rolling along a side rail of the cover, and a support portion for supporting the moving cover as it is guided around the corner of the trailer.

17. The guide of claim 16, wherein the support portion includes a support roller.

18. The guide of claim 16, wherein the guide is configured to allow the side rail to move between the guide roller and the support portion.

19. The guide of claim 14, wherein the guide includes a pivot arm pivotally connected to a support portion.

20. The guide of claims 19, wherein the pivot arm orbits a guide roller about the support portion to guide the cover around the corner of the trailer.

21. A kit for retrofitting to a trailer, the kit including movement means for moving a cover from a covered position to an uncovered position, and guide means for guiding the moving cover around a corner of the trailer.