AU2015100375A4 - A support for a curtain sided transport structure - Google Patents

Abstract

A support for a curtain sided vehicle is described including a main support member and a curtain guide rail member, capable of allowing guides, from which a curtain can be hung, to move along the support, wherein the main support member and the 5 curtain guide rail member are formed separately and the curtain guide member is removably attachable by securing means.

Description

P1201AU12 A SUPPORT FOR A CURTAIN SIDED TRANSPORT STRUCTURE FIELD This invention relates to a support for a curtain sided transport structure and, particularly, but not exclusively, to a support for a curtain sided vehicle, such as a semi 5 trailer. BACKGROUND Transport of goods in trucks and semi-trailers incorporate many different arrangements depending on the particular nature of the goods being transported. Curtain-sided transport vehicles, typically, have a transport area comprising a floor and corresponding 10 rigid roof supported by a suitable structure in between. Each lateral side of the transport area is capable of supporting curtains, which can slide along the supports to either enclose or provide access to the transport area. Curtain-sided transport vehicles are desirable where access to load the transport area from the side is required, typically by forklift truck. In this manner, palletized products 15 can easily be loaded or unloaded. The purpose of curtain-sided transport vehicles is to allow the security and weather resistance of a fully enclosed rigid box trailer with the ease of loading of a flatbed. To enable the curtain to be drawn open on a curtain sided transport vehicle, a curtain roller enclosure guide, typically, is present along the length of each side of the trailer. 20 The guide allows a number of rollers, which support the curtain, to move along the guide. In use during loading operations, curtain-sided vehicles often receive damage from the loading vehicle, such as a forklift truck. When the product to be transported is being P1201AU12 2 placed in the transport area, the loading vehicle can come into contact with the roof support structure. As the curtain roller guide, typically, faces outmost, the guide can become damaged such that the curtain can no longer be operated. Similar benefits, as described above in relation to curtain-sided vehicles, are also 5 attributable to other curtain sided transport structures, such as curtain sided shipping containers. It is not admitted that any of the information in this patent specification is common general knowledge, or that the person skilled in the art could be reasonably expected to ascertain or understand it, regard it as relevant or combine it in any way at the priority 10 date. SUMMARY In a first aspect, there is provided a support for a curtain sided transport structure including: a main support member; and 15 a curtain guide rail member, capable of allowing guides, from which a curtain can be hung, to move along the support, wherein the main support member and the curtain guide rail member are formed separately and the curtain guide member is removably attachable by securing means. A preferred form of the support includes an integrally formed main support member for 20 supporting a roof of the structure; and a curtain guide rail member, capable of allowing guides, from which a curtain can be hung, to move along the support, wherein the main support member includes a support guide rail into which internal support members are insertable to vertically support the main support member; P1201AU12 3 the main support member and the curtain guide rail member are formed separately; and the curtain guide member is removably attachable, to the main support member, by securing means. 5 Preferably, the main support member and / or the curtain guide rail member have one or more locating elements, which enable the main support member and the curtain guide member to be abutted together at substantially a pre-defined position. Preferably, the main support member has a first meeting face and the curtain guide rail 10 member has a meeting face, being the face of each member that abuts with the other, the locating elements being one or more protrusions and corresponding recesses on the main support member first meeting face and /or the curtain guide rail member meeting face. 15 Preferably, the one or more locating elements include a single protrusion along the length of the main support member first meeting face and had a corresponding recess along the length of the curtain guide rail member meeting face. Preferably, the main support member and curtain guide rail member are made of 20 aluminium. Further preferably, the main support member is substantially rectangular in cross-section. Preferably, the thickness of the walls of the rectangular cross-section is between 4mm to 6mm and, further preferably, substantially 5mm. Preferably, the thickness of the walls of the curtain guide rail member is between 2mm 25 and 4mm and, further preferably, substantially 3mm. In one embodiment, the main support member includes an integrally formed support guide rail. Preferably, the integrally formed support guide rail is on a face opposite to that of the main support member meeting face. Preferably, the integrally formed support P1201AU12 4 guide rail is capable of receiving internal support members to provide additional vertical support to the main support member. Alternatively, the support includes a separately formed support guide rail member, 5 wherein the support guide rail is removably attachable from the main support member by securing means. Preferably, the main support member and / or support guide rail member have one or more locating elements, which enable the main support member and the support guide rail member to be abutted together at substantially a pre-defined position. 10 Preferably, the main support member has a second meeting face and the support guide rail member has a meeting face, being the face of each member that abuts with the other, the locating elements being one or more protrusions and corresponding recesses on the main support member second meeting face and /or the support guide rail 15 member meeting face. Preferably, the one or more locating elements include a single protrusion along the length of the main support member second meeting face and had a corresponding recess along the length of the support guide rail member meeting face. 20 Preferably, the thickness of the walls of the support guide rail member is between 2mm and 4mm and, further preferably, substantially 3mm. According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a curtain sided 25 vehicle support structure including a support member as described in relation to the first aspect of the present invention. According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a curtain sided vehicle including a curtain sided vehicle support structure as described in relation to the 30 second aspect of the present invention.

P1201AU12 5 According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a semi-trailer including a curtain sided vehicle support structure as described in relation to the second aspect of the present invention. 5 According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a shipping container including a support structure as described in relation to the first aspect of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 10 An embodiment of the apparatus will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: " Figure 1 is a curtain sided semi-trailer; " Figure 2 is a cross-section of a prior art support member for a curtain sided vehicle; " Figure 3 is a main support member according to an embodiment of the invention; 15 * Figure 4 is a guide rail member according to an embodiment of the invention; and " Figure 5 is a support according to an embodiment of the invention; and " Figure 6 is a support rail member according to an embodiment of the invention; and " Figure 7 is a support according to an embodiment of the invention.

P1201AU12 6 DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS The following examples are intended to illustrate the scope of the invention and to enable reproduction and comparison. They are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure in any way. 5 The following description is described in relation to a support for curtain sided transport structure where the support is included in a curtain sided vehicle, such as a semi-trailer. It should be appreciated that the support is not limited to curtain sided vehicles but can be utilized in any curtain sided transport structure, such as trucks, trailers and shipping containers. 10 Referring to Fig. 1 and 2, which show a curtain sided semi-trailer 10 and a prior art cut out section of a support member 20 for a curtain sided vehicle. Curtain sided vehicles are useful transport vehicles as they allow the security and weather resistance of a fully enclosed rigid box trailer with the ease of loading of a flatbed. The full length support member 20, depicted in Fig. 2, would, typically, be located at 15 locations 11, as shown in Fig. 1, being support members of the enclosed structure of the semi-trailer 10. To enable a curtain to be drawn open on the semi-trailer 10, a curtain roller enclosure guide 22, typically, is integral to the support member 20, which extends along the length of each side of the trailer 10. The guide 22 allows a number of rollers (not shown), which 20 support the curtain 12, to move along the guide 22 to allow the curtain 12 to be closed for security and weather protection or opened (drawn to one side) to allow loading and unloading. The support member 20 also includes a vertical support guide 24 and structural support beam 26. The vertical support guide 24 allows vertical supporting poles (not shown) to 25 be placed at desired positions along the length of the support member 20. The structural support beam 26 provides the structural strength required to support a roof 14 of the P1201AU12 7 semi-trailer 10 as well as, to some extent, the weight of the curtains 12. However, as mentioned above, supporting poles are also used, especially where the span of the structural support beam 26 is particularly long. For example, semi-trailers are, typically, approximately 14 meters long and, therefore, supporting poles are often used due to the 5 span of the structural support beam 26. Particularly, integral support member 20 is made in the prior art of 3mm extruded aluminium, which requires substantial support. As the curtain roller guide 22 faces outmost, the guide can become damaged during loading operations, such that the curtain 12 can no longer be operated. Once the curtain roller guide 22 of a curtain sided vehicle requires to be repaired, the 10 vehicle has to be taken out of service and, in the case of a vehicle having the support member 20 of Fig. 2, the support member 20 requires to be completely removed and replaced. The actual replacement cost is significant and, typically, the repair to the vehicle takes a week. Together, the replacement costs and loss of revenue due to the vehicle not transporting goods amounts to a significant problem for curtain-sided vehicle 15 owners. Also shown in Fig. 2 is roof support member 28 extending perpendicular from the support member 20. As Fig. 2 is only a section of the support member 20, only one roof support member 28 is shown. However, multiple roof support members would be present spaced apart to suitable support the roof 14. 20 Referring now to Fig. 3, Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, a support 30, in one embodiment, includes a main support member 31 is shown in cross-section including an integrally formed support guide rail 32. The main support member 31 is, in this example, a rectangular box section beam 34 with the support guide rail 32 formed on one side. The main support member 31 and the integrally formed support guide rail 32 are, preferably, made 25 from aluminium and are, preferably, extruded through appropriate dies. The length of the support 30 is dependent on the length required for the intended curtain sided support vehicle. For example, a curtain sided semi-trailer is typically around 14 P1201AU12 8 meters in length, and, therefore, the length of the support 30 would in the region of 14 meters. The rectangular box section beam 34 is, preferably, aluminium with a wall thickness of between 4mm to 6mm and, further preferably, substantially 5mm. Whereas the support 5 guide rail 32 is, preferably, aluminium with a wall thickness of between 2mm and 4mm and, further preferably, substantially 3mm. Having the rectangular box section beam 34 made of aluminium is particularly advantageous, as other metals of comparable or cheaper cost, such as steel, are much heavier than aluminium, which would increase the weight of the curtain sided vehicle. 10 The support guide rail 32 allows vertical support members (not shown) to be added at any point along the length of the main support member 31 to provide additional vertical support, where required. Where large spans are required, such as with a 14 meter curtain-sided semi-trailer, vertical support members are, typically, used. Having a main support member 31 of aluminium with a rectangular box section 34 15 having a wall thickness as described above provides greater strength than prior art aluminum support members (which typically have a wall thickness of 3mm for the rectangular box section of the main support member). Accordingly, a smaller number of vertical supports are required to provide additional vertical support thereby providing greater access to the transported load for fork-lift trucks and the like. 20 It should be appreciated that the support guide rail 32 is not required in all curtain-sided vehicles, especially those of short spans where no vertical supports are required, and Fig. 3 and Fig.5 show particular examples in which the support guide rail 32 is included. The main support member 31 includes locating element 36 in the form of a recess. The recess 36, in this example, extends along an abutment face 38 of the support member 25 31, which is the face opposite to the support guide rail 32.

P1201AU12 9 The support 30 also includes a curtain guide rail member 40 having a first face 42 for abutting against the abutment face 38 of the support member 31. The first face 42 includes a locating element 44 in the form of a protrusion extending along the first face 42, the protrusion 44 corresponding to the recess 36 of the abutment face 38. The 5 curtain guide rail member 40 includes flanges 46, 48 through which the guide rail 40 can be riveted bolted or otherwise attached to the main support member 31. A guide receiving member 50 extends from the first face 42 and allows guides (not shown) to travel along the guide receiving member 50. A roof engaging member 52 extends from the first face 42 and allows roof sheeting (not shown), which is typically constructed from 10 thin and flexible aluminium, to be secured to the support 30. The roof sheeting can be folded around the roof engaging member 52 to secure the roof sheeting to the support 30. The locating elements 36, 44 can be used to ensure that the roof engaging member 52 is positioned as desired with respect to the main support member 31. As shown in Fig. 5, the curtain guide rail member 40 is abutted against the main support 15 member 31, with locating elements 36, 44 ensuring the relative position of the curtain guide rail member 40 and main support member 31. The curtain guide rail member 40 is then attached to the main support member 30 using suitable securing means. For example, the curtain guide rail member 40 can be riveted or bolted on to the main support member 31. 20 Referring to Fig. 6 and 7, an alternative embodiment of a support 60 according to one aspect of the invention is shown. The support 60 includes a curtain guide rail member 62 a main support member 64 and a support guide rail 66. In this embodiment, the support guide rail 66 is formed separately from the main support member 64 and is attached to the main support member 64 using suitable securing means, such as those 25 described in relation to the curtain guide rail member 40 above, to form the support 60. The curtain guide rail member 62 in this embodiment is identical to the curtain guide rail member 40 described above.

P1201AU12 10 Fig. 7 also shows a number of elements which are not part of the support 60. Particularly, a guide 68 and a roof support member 70 are shown. The roof support member 70 is one of a number of roof supports which are required when a support 60 is installed in a curtain sided transport structure to support a roof (not shown). The guide 5 68 has wheels 72 and a curtain attachment member 74. The wheels 72 allow the guide 68 to move along the curtain guide rail member 62 whilst supporting a curtain (not shown) hanging from the curtain attachment member 74. Clearly, multiple guides would be present along the length of the curtain guide rail member 62 when in use. The support guide rail 66, as described above in relation to the equivalent integral 10 support guide rail 32, is provided to enable vertical support members (not shown) to be inserted into the support guide rail 66 to provide additional vertical support for the support 60. The support guide rail 66 includes flanges 76, which are suitable for attaching to the main support member 64 (by riveting, bolting, welding, or the like), a vertical support 15 guide 78, for receiving vertical support members, and a locating element 80. The locating element 80 is in the form of a protrusion, which in this example extends along the length of the support guide rail 66, and a corresponding locating element, in the form of a recess, is present on the main support member 64 on the face which abuts the support guide rail 66. The locating element 80 allows the support guide rail to 66 be 20 positioned quickly and accurately with respect to the main support member 64 before the securing means is applied. The support guide rail 66 is, preferably, aluminium with a wall thickness of between 2mm and 4mm and, further preferably, substantially 3mm. If the curtain guide rail member 40, 62 was to become damaged, it is then a simple 25 process of replacing the curtain guide rail member 40, 62, rather than the whole support 30, 60. The curtain guide rail member 40, 62 can be unattached from the main support P1201AU12 11 member 31, 64 by removing the securing means and then removing the curtain guide rail member 40, 62 and replacing with an undamaged curtain guide rail member 40, 62. In some instances, the support guide rail 66 can also be damaged and require replacement. The support guide rail 66, in a similar manner to the curtain guide rail 5 member 40, 62, can be easily removed from the main support member 64 and replaced separately from the main support member 64 and curtain guide rail member 62. As the curtain guide rail member 40, 62 and support guide rail member 66 can be replaced separately from other components of the support 30, 60, the time to repair a curtain-sided vehicle having a support 30, 60 is drastically reduced (approximately a day 10 for a curtain-sided semi-trailer, compared with a week for a prior art support member). In addition, the costs associated with the materials of the repair are reduced, as only the curtain guide rail member 40, 62 or support guide rail member 66 requires to be replaced. So, a support 30, 60, as disclosed herein, provides cost savings both in terms of time and materials. 15 A curtain-sided transport structure including a support 30, 60 would additionally include, at least: roof support members (as described in relation to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 above), attached perpendicular to the support 30, 60; vertical corner support members, present at each corner of the curtain-sided 20 vehicle support structure and providing support for support 30, 60; a roof. The curtain-sided vehicle may preferably include, in addition to the curtain sided transport support structure: access doors at the rear of the support structure; 25 front panel, covering the front of the support structure; fittings for internal load carrying structures, such as intermediate storage levels.

P1201AU12 12 While the above description refers to one embodiment of a support for a curtain-sided transport structure, it will be appreciated that other embodiments can be adopted by way of different combinations of features. Such embodiments fall within the spirit and scope of this invention. 5 The term "comprises", and its grammatical variants, has a meaning that is determined by the context in which it appears. Accordingly, the term should not be interpreted restrictively unless the context dictates so.

Claims (5)

1. A support, for a curtain sided transport structure, including: an integrally formed main support member for supporting a roof of the structure; and 5 a curtain guide rail member, capable of allowing guides, from which a curtain can be hung, to move along the support, wherein the main support member includes a support guide rail into which internal support members are insertable to vertically support the main support member; the main support member and the curtain guide rail member are formed separately; 10 and the curtain guide member is removably attachable, to the main support member, by securing means.

2. A support as claimed in claim 1, wherein the main support member is a rectangular box section beam with the support guide rail formed on one side thereof. 15

3. A support as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the main support member is formed of aluminium.

4. A curtain sided transport structure including a support as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3; and the internal support members inserted into the support guide rail. 20

5. A curtain sided vehicle including a curtain sided transport structure as claimed in claim 4.