AU2019201762A1

AU2019201762A1 - Adjustable rack

Info

Publication number: AU2019201762A1
Application number: AU2019201762A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Stephen Hunt; John Krueger
Original assignee: KRUEGER TRANSP EQUIPMENT Pty Ltd; Krueger Transport Equipment Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Krueger Transport Equipment Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2019-03-14
Filing date: 2019-03-14
Publication date: 2020-10-01

Abstract

The invention is directed broadly to an adjustable rack for storing cargo in a truck, comprising: a plurality of upright members, each of the upright members having a series 5 of retainers spaced therealong; and a movable deck including a plurality of lock assemblies configured to engage with the plurality of upright members, each of the lock assemblies having a latch and a biasing member, and each lock assembly is configured to transition between: (i) a first operative mode, in which the latch is biased by the biasing member to engage with one of the retainers of the upright members to support the deck; 10 (ii) a second operative mode, in which the latch is disengaged from the respective retainer to allow the deck to be elevated along the upright members; and (iii) an inoperative mode, in which the latch is locked in the withdrawn position to allow the deck to be lowered along the upright members. 15 11171527_1 (GHMatters) P110870.AU 13/03/19 1/10 A 0 S 4 S 0 4. _ _ 'S 2 UJ cc D aD (V U -5 -n a C

Description

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ADJUSTABLE RACK TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to the field of adjustable racks that, in use, store items, for example cargo and freight. In particular, the invention relates to adjustable racks for installation and use within a truck or trailer.

BACKGROUND

Mezzanine decks are used in warehouses and in trailer to provide the ability to stack a secondary layer of freight above a first without damaging or crushing the layer below it. This allows for a more efficient use of the available storage or freight space. The height of the mezzanine deck is adjustable to suit the height of the freight and to thereby allow a more flexible use of the freight space within the truck or the storage space within a warehouse.

Traditionally, a mezzanine deck is engaged with a plurality of uprights and held in place thereon by a plurality of supports forming a rack. The supports may be releasable to allow the deck to be adjusted upon the rack and thus supported at multiple heights along the uprights. Adjusting the height of the mezzanine deck is a manual operation, whereby a forklift is used to raise the deck to a desired height, while an operator removes the supports and re-locates them to secure the deck to the uprights at the desired height. The task of relocating the supports, which is carried out under the forklift supported deck, is dangerous and puts the operator at risk of injury.

The present invention was conceived with these shortcomings in mind.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In broad terms, the invention provides an adjustable rack for storing items. Particularly, the invention provides an adjustable rack for storing cargo in a truck.

In some embodiments, the adjustable rack does not require the use of auxiliary systems, such as electrical or hydraulic systems, to lock a deck of the adjustable rack at different heights.

11171527_1 (GHMatters) P110870.AU

The term "truck" is understood herein to include truck-beds, decks and other haulage vehicles. The term truck also relates to truck components such as trailers that are attached to a vehicle.

A first aspect of the invention provides an adjustable rack for storing cargo in a truck, comprising: a plurality of upright members, each of the upright members having a series of retainers spaced therealong; and a movable deck including a plurality of lock assemblies configured to engage with the plurality of upright members, each of the lock assemblies having a latch and a biasing member, and each lock assembly is configured to transition between: (i) a first operative mode, in which the latch is biased by the biasing member to engage with one of the retainers of the upright members to support the deck; (ii) a second operative mode, in which the latch is disengaged from the respective retainer to allow the deck to be elevated along the upright members; and (iii) an inoperative mode, in which the latch is locked in the disengaged position to allow the deck to be lowered along the upright members.

An advantage of the invention is that the height of the deck only requires a forklift operator to raise or lower the deck to the desired height as the lock assemblies can automatically engage with the apertures in the upright member. Automatic latching and unlatching of the lock assemblies negates the need for a second person to operate under the deck, reducing both operational costs and injurious hazards.

When the deck is elevated, the lock assembly may transition to the first operative mode from the second operative mode as the latch aligns with each consecutive retainer of the series of retainers. As the deck is elevated, the lock assembly may transition to the second operative mode as the latch moves between the retainers.

In one embodiment, the retainers are apertures spaced along the upright members, such that: (i) in the first operative mode the latch is biased by the biasing member to extend into the aperture; (ii) in the second operative mode the latch is withdrawn from the respective aperture to allow the deck to be elevated along the upright members; and (iii) in the inoperative mode the latch is locked in the withdrawn position to allow the deck to be lowered along the upright members.

11171527_1 (GHMatters) P110870.AU

When the lock assembly is in the first operative mode and the deck is elevated, the latch may pivot out of the respective aperture or retainer and the biasing member may urge the latch to contact an outer face of the upright member in the second operative mode, and upon further elevation of the deck, the lock assembly may transition to the first operative mode as the biasing member urges the latch into the next aperture or retainer in the series of apertures or retainers.

Each of the upright members may have an actuator, and contact between the lock assembly and the actuator may force the lock assembly into the inoperative mode, preventing the latch from engaging any of the plurality of apertures or retainers. In the inoperative mode, the deck can descend unimpeded, for example towards a bed or floor of the truck.

The biasing member may comprise at least one of a torsion spring and a shaft. The biasing member may comprise a central torsion spring and a pair of co-axially engaged end shafts. The plurality of lock assemblies may comprise at least a first and a second lock assembly, the first lock assembly mounted to a first of the pair of end shafts and the second lock assembly mounted to a second of the pair of end shafts. The first and second lock assemblies may be mounted to each end shaft of the biasing member. First and second biasing members may be mounted on opposing edges of the moveable deck, each of the first and second biasing members may support a plurality of lock assemblies. Each of the plurality of latches may be mounted to the end shaft of at least one of the first and second biasing members.

Each latch may comprise a heel and a toe. The toe may be configured to interact with the apertures of the upright members. The heel and toe may be disposed on opposing sides of the end shaft, such that when the toe is rotated away from the upright member, the heel is rotated by an equal amount, in the same direction on an opposing side of the end shaft.

Each of the latches may include a cam surface for transitioning the lock assemblies from the first to the second operative mode, on contact with the outer face of the upright member. Each of the lock assemblies may return to the first operative mode as the latch moves into alignment with any one of the apertures in the upright members. The biasing member(s) may urge the latch into the aperture to support the deck. The cam

11171527_1 (GHMatters) P110870.AU surface may be an inclined edge adjacent the toe of the latch, that forces the latch to rotate on contact with an edge of one of the plurality of apertures.

The actuator of each upright member may be located in an upper region of the upright member. Each actuator may protrude from the upper region of the upright member, such that contact between the cam surface and the actuator transitions the lock assembly into the inoperative mode. Each actuator may comprise a raised block. Contact between the cam surface and the actuator may rotate the toe away from the actuator against the biasing member, transitioning the lock assembly to the inoperative mode in which the latch is locked in the withdrawn position to allow the deck to be lowered.

The latch may be locked in the inoperative mode via a two-part connector, a first part of the two-part connector being disposed on the heel of the latch and a second co operating part of the two-part connector being disposed on the lock assembly.

A first part of the two-part connector may be rotationally fixed relative to the latch, and a second part of the two-part connector may be fixed relative the deck.

The latch may be locked in the inoperative mode via a two-part connector. A first part of the connector may be disposed on the latch and a second co-operating part of the two part connector may be fixedly disposed on the movable deck, such that rotation of the latch to the inoperative mode moves the first and second parts of the two-part connector into engagement.

Engagement of the first and second parts of the two-part connector may lock the latch in the inoperative mode. The two-part connector may comprise a plug and a socket, interchangeably associated with each of the first part and second part, to hold the latch in the inoperative mode. Contact between the latch and a bed of the truck may provide a force sufficient to transition the lock assemblies from the inoperative mode back to the first operative mode.

Another embodiment provides an adjustable rack system for storing cargo in a truck, the system comprising: a plurality of upright members, each of the upright members having a series of apertures spaced therealong; and a movable deck including a plurality of lock assemblies configured for engagement with the plurality of upright members; and a 11171527_1 (GHMatters) P110870.AU biasing member, wherein each of the lock assemblies has a latch and is configured to engage with the biasing member, and each lock assembly is configured to transition between: (i) a first operative mode, in which the latch is biased by the biasing member to extend into one of the apertures of the upright members to support the deck; (ii) a second operative mode, in which the latch is withdrawn from the respective aperture to allow the deck to be elevated along the upright members; and (iii) an inoperative mode, in which the latch is locked in the withdrawn position to allow the deck to be lowered along the upright members.

Another aspect, the invention provides a method of adjusting a rack for storing cargo in a truck, the rack having a movable deck supported between a plurality of upright members, each of the upright members having a series of apertures spaced therealong and the deck having a plurality of lock assemblies, each having a biased latch configured to engage with the plurality of upright members, the method comprising:

(i) moving the deck along the upright members in a first direction, such that each latch assumes a second operative mode not engaged with a respective aperture of the upright members; (ii) aligning each latch with a respective aperture such that the biased latch extends from the deck, in a first operative mode, engaging the respective aperture and thereby supporting the deck on the upright members.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises the step of, repeating step (i) and passing the deck over a plurality of actuators mounted respectively to each of the upright members, the actuator urging each latch into an inoperative mode, where the latch is locked in a withdrawn position, out of engagement with the upright members. The latch in an inoperative mode extends, in part, below the deck.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises the step of moving the deck in a second direction, opposite the first direction, while the plurality of latches is in the inoperative mode. In the inoperative mode, the bias of the biased latches is overcome by a locking means.

11171527_1 (GHMatters) P110870.AU

The method further comprises the step of bringing each of the latches into contact with a bed of the truck, thereby loading the latches to release the locking means, allowing the latches to return to either of the first operative mode or the second operative mode.

Each of the above steps may be automated to eliminate the deck latching system being activated and de-activated manually. The latches may be configured to rotate under gravitational force. The latches may be biased by a resilient element or a spring to bias the latches against rotating under gravitational force. The locking means may operate between a first fixed connector on the deck and a second movable connector engaged with the rotating latches, such that the upwards movement of the deck provides the triggering force for both engaging and disengaging the latches, without manual interaction.

The first direction may be raising the deck away from the bed of the truck. The second direction may be lowering the deck towards the bed of the truck. The deck may be raised and lowered by a forklift truck, crane, winch or other known means.

Various features, aspects, and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following description of embodiments of the invention, along with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals represent like components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

Figure 1 is a side view of a curtain sided truck housing an adjustable deck according to an embodiment of the invention; and Figure 2 is a front view of a pair of upright posts of the adjustable deck, illustrating a plurality of spaced openings for receiving a latch of the deck; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional side view of one of the posts of Figure 2, illustrating the latch orientation when the deck is in a lowermost location and an uppermost location on the upright post; Figure 4 is a front view of the upright posts with the adjustable deck illustrated at various locations along the upright post;

11171527_1 (GHMatters) P110870.AU

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional side view of one of the posts of Figure 4, illustrating the latch orientation when the deck is in the uppermost, the lowermost and two intermediate locations on the post; Figure 6 is an enlarged view of the latch from within circle D of Figure 5, illustrating the latch in the inoperative mode near an uppermost location on the upright post; Figure 7A is a perspective view of a frame member of the deck interposed between the two upright posts, illustrating an engagement mechanism of the deck, according to one embodiment of the invention; Figure 7B is a schematic view of an upright post of the deck having protruding stops for engaging and supporting the lock assemblies of the deck according to one embodiments of the invention; Figure 7C is a schematic view of an upright post of the deck having protruding teeth-like stops for engaging and supporting the lock assemblies of the deck according to one embodiment of the invention; Figure 8A is a perspective view of the frame member and engagement mechanism, illustrating a biasing member of the engagement mechanism; Figure 8B is a cross-sectional view of a compression spring arrangement providing the required biasing mechanism according to one embodiment of the invention; Figure 9 is a perspective view of a locking assembly of the engagement mechanism, for locking the latch in a fixed orientation, the locking assembly comprising a locking plate and a retainer; Figure 10 is an oblique perspective view of the locking assembly, illustrating the locking plate engaged with the retainer to prevent engagement of the latch with the upright posts; Figure 11 is an exploded perspective view of the retainer, supporting a plurality of retaining members; Figure 12 is an exploded perspective view of a retaining member from Figure 11; Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view of the retaining member engaged with a plug; Figure 14A is a partially exploded view of the locking plate supporting a plurality of plugs for engaging with the retaining members of the retainer;

11171527_1 (GHMatters) P110870.AU

Figures 14B and 14C are cross-sectional views of a locking assembly according to one embodiment of the invention, having an over-centre spring arrangement to hold the latch in a fixed orientation; Figure 15A is a cross-sectional side view of the upright post illustrating the locking assembly on the floor of the truck, moving upwardly towards a spaced-opening, engaging with a spaced opening at an intermediate height along the post, and reaching an uppermost location on the post, where the looking assembly has been triggered into the inoperative mode; Figures 15B is a cross-sectional view of the locking assembly at rest on the floor of the truck; Figures 15C is a cross-sectional view of the locking assembly transitioning upwardly along the upright post towards a spaced-opening in the upright post but not in engagement with post; Figures 15D is a cross-sectional view of the locking assembly engaged with a spaced opening of the upright post; Figures 15E is a cross-sectional view of the locking assembly having reached an uppermost location on the post where the locking assembly has been triggered into the inoperative mode by an actuator on the post, to hold the latch out of engagement with the upright post; Figure 16A is a cross-sectional view of the locking assembly having the latch engaged with the upright post at rest on the floor of a truck and the retainer and locking plate disengaged; Figure 16B is a cross-sectional view of the locking assembly, illustrating the plug of the locking plate moving towards the retaining member of the retainer as the latch rotates away from the post to allow movement of the deck; Figure 16C is a cross-sectional view of the locking assembly with the latch in the first operative mode, the latch being engaged with an opening in the post; and Figure 16D is a cross-sectional view of the locking assembly, illustrating the plug engaged with the retaining member to hold the latch in the inoperative mode, as the latch is rotated, by the actuator, away from the upright post.

Embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which various embodiments, although not the only possible embodiments, of the invention are shown. The invention may be embodied in many

11171527_1 (GHMatters) P110870.AU different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments described below.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Whist the adjustable deck is described herein in relation to storage of cargo in a truck, such as a trailer of a truck, it is contemplated that the adjustable deck is applicable to storage structures in general, such as in a warehouse.

The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.

The description of illustrative embodiments according to principles of the present invention is intended to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the entire written description.

With reference to Figure 1, a trailer 10 of a truck is shown having an adjustable rack.13 The trailer 10 has a front end 1Oa and a rear end 1Ob. The adjustable rack 13 also has a movable deck 12. The movable deck 12 is provided with channels 18 through which tines of a forklift can be inserted into. Movement of the movable deck 12, up or down, to accommodate different sized cargo is generally achieved through use of a forklift engaging with channels 18. The movable deck 12 also has a plurality of upright supports in the form of posts 14.

In some embodiments, the movable deck 12 may be moved by a cable lift or chain lift system (not illustrated), operatively engaged with a discrete motor, or operably connectable to be powered by the truck in which the rack 13 is installed. In other embodiments, the movable deck 12 can be moved by a hydraulic system such as an air cylinder or ram arrangement. These powered embodiments to move the deck 12 can be controlled by a control box or by a pendant-style control. In this manner an operator can raise or lower the deck 12 to adjust the rack 13 when taking or making deliveries without the requirement for a forklift truck or alternative machinery. The pendant control or remote control will also allow the user to control the movement of the deck 12 while in visual range of the rack, thereby reducing the risk of injury from the moving deck 12.

11171527_1 (GHMatters) P110870.AU

The adjustable deck 12 can in principle have any number of posts 14. In the embodiment of Figure 1, two posts 14a are provided in each rear corner positioned at the rear 1Ob of the trailer 10. Another two posts 14b are positioned on a respective left or right side of the trailer 10 towards a front 10a of the trailer 10. An intermediary pair of posts 14c is positioned on a respective left or right side of the trailer 10 between posts 14a and 14b.

The movable deck 12 has a plurality of lock assemblies 16. Generally, a lock assembly 16 is provided for each post 14. Each post 14 provides a plurality of retainers, illustrated in Figures 2-7A as a plurality of apertures 20 that are spaced apart from one another. As best seen in Figures 2 to 7A, the lock assemblies 16 engage with apertures 20. In the embodiments depicted in the Figures, the apertures 20 are spaced equidistantly from one another. However, in some embodiments a spacing between each of the apertures 20 is not spaced equidistantly.

Shown in Figures 7B and 7C, are alternative forms of retainers 20' and 20". Figure 7B illustrates the retainers as a series of platforms 20'. Each platform 20' is spaced along the post 14 at fixed intervals, providing a protruding feature upon which to support the locking assemblies 16. Although the platforms 20' have a short, upturned lip at a distal end from the post 14, in some embodiments the platform 20' may be planar having no lip (not illustrated).

Figure 7C provides retainers in the form of teeth 20" (similar to a ratchet tooth arrangement). The teeth 20" have a planar upper surface for supporting the locking assemblies 16 there and a ramped underside to facilitate movement of the latch between different operative configurations.

The locking assemblies 16 interact with the retainers 20' and 20" in much the same manner as described herein in relation to the plurality of apertures 20, albeit the latch of the locking assemblies will not protrude into the upright posts 14. This can provide advantages in some embodiments, as the post 4 is able to withstand higher loads as the posts 14 have not been punched with a plurality of apertures 20. The description primarily focuses on the retainers as apertures 20 for clarity; however, it is understood that any of the described retainers 20, 20', 20" can be utilised without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

11171527_1 (GHMatters) P110870.AU

With reference to Figure 6, the lock assembly 16 has a latch in the form of plate 22. Plate 22 has a foot at a first end 24 and a heel at a second end 26. The plate 22 is connected to a shaft in the form of rod 30. In the embodiments depicted in the Figures, a locking assembly 16 is provided at either end of the rod 30. The plate 22 can be trapezoidal having a linear top surface 29 and a linear bottom surface 23. The top linear surface 29 sitting parallel to the frame 15 when the plate 22 is in the first operative mode. As the plate 22 rotates from the first operative mode, the second end 26 of the plates 22 moves towards the frame 15. In some embodiments, the bottom surface 23 can be joggled, to accommodate the thickness of frame 15, as the plate 22 rotates therein, allowing a portion of the linear bottom surface 23 within the frame 15 to sit flush thereto.

The plate 22 is configured to rotate around an axis defined by the rod 30. The axis of the rod 30 extends into the page in Figure 6. Plate 22 also has a toe in the form of flange 32 extending transversely from a plane defined by the plate 22 at the first end 24. Flange 32 helps to increase a surface area of a portion of the plate 22 that engages with the apertures 20 in the respective posts 14. The plate 22 also has a cam in the form of an inclined edge 28 extending from the first end 24.

The lock assembly 16 is located near or at a perimeter of a frame 15 of the adjustable deck 12. The rod 30 allows the plates 22, connected at either end of the rod 30, to rotate in unison i.e. in a synchronised manner.

As best seen in Figures 7 and 8A, rod 30 is fitted with a biasing member in the form of a torsion spring 34. Torsion spring 34 biases the rod 30, and thus plates 22 to be in an operative mode, as will be described below. Although torsion spring 34 is depicted in the Figures, the biasing member could take other forms. More than one biasing member may be provided. For example, each lock assembly 16 may have its own, dedicated, biasing member. In one embodiment, the torsion spring can have: a minimum tensile strength (TS) of 1400 MPa; a coil body length of 1350mm; a spring rate of 6 Nm/degree; a pitch of 5.9mm; and a coil weight of 8kg. The torsion spring can be formed from a material hard drawn class 2 material. In some embodiments the torsion spring has: a wire diameter of 6mm; and an inner diameter of 44mm. The torsion spring can have plain ends, and be formed as a right-hand helix, having no initial tension. A

11171527_1 (GHMatters) P110870.AU locking assembly 16 is provided at each end of the rod 30, interconnected by the torsion spring 34, to operate synchronously.

In some embodiments of the invention, the torsion spring 34 can be replaced by a compression spring 34'. Illustrated in cross-sectional view in Figure 8B, the shaft 30 engages with the plate 22 of the locking assembly 16 and the torsion on the shaft 30 is applied via a compression spring 34' or a plurality of compression springs 34' in series along the shaft 30.

In some embodiments, an air spring, air cylinder or hydraulic cylinder can be employed to provide a biasing force to the locking assemblies 16, in a similar arrangement to that shown in Figure 8B. The air cylinder can comprise a compression spring housed therein, such that a piston is translated outwardly from the cylinder under influence of the compressions spring 34", the piston can also be retracted back into the cylinder by application of air (or alternative fluid) pressure. The outward movement of the piston is employed to provide the biasing force on the shaft 30 to bias the locking assemblies 16 into engagement with the retainers, or apertures 20 of the upright posts 14.

A pair of locking mechanisms 40 are engaged with the rod 30, positioned inboard from the opposing ends of the rod 30, respectively. Each locking mechanism 40 provides a two-part connector for holding the latch in the inoperative mode.

With reference to Figures 9 to 14, a first part of the locking mechanism 40 comprises a base plate 42. A pair of supports 50 extend transversely away from the base plate 42. A top plate 52 has a pair of flanges 55 that engage with the supports 50 to lock the top plate 52 relative to the base plate 42. In an embodiment, the top plate 52 is secured to supports 50 via bolts. The bolts pass through apertures 53 on flange 55, and through a corresponding channel 54 on the supports 50, to secure the flanges 55 and supports 50 to one another. The channels 54 allow a distance between the top plate 52 and base plate 42 to be adjusted. In some embodiments, the supports and the top plate can be formed in a single piece. In other embodiments the supports 50 and the top plate 52 can be welded together, where no adjustment is required. Together the supports 50 and the top plate 52 form a retainer for holding the latch in the inoperative mode.

11171527_1 (GHMatters) P110870.AU

A sidewall 44 extends from the base plate 42, oriented transversely across the base plate 42. The sidewall 44 is provided with an aperture 31 therethrough which rod 30 passes. A second part of the locking mechanism is a locking plate illustrated by flap 46 that is fixed relative to rod 30 via a pair of arms 48. As such, rotation of the rod 30 causes subsequent, and equal rotation of the flap 46 towards, or away from, the top plate 52.

In some embodiments, arms 48 are connected to an auxiliary rod (not shown), and the auxiliary rod is connectable with the rod 30, for example by way of complementary projections and recesses that rotationally fix the auxiliary rod to rod 30. The plate 22 is then attachable to the auxiliary rod at end.

A plurality of retaining members, illustrated as sockets 58 are attached to the top plate 52 via respective bolts 57 and nuts 59 (as best seen in Figure 11). In one embodiment, the bolt 57 is a M6 bolt. A plurality of plugs 60 are attached to the flap 46 via bolts 64 and nuts 66. In one embodiment, bolt 64 is a M6 bolt (as best seen in Figure 12).

Each plug 60 of the flap 46 is aligned to be engageable with a respective socket 58 of the top plate 52. In an embodiment, the plug 60 and socket 58 are engageable via an interference fit.

With reference to Figure 13, the plug 60 is defined by a head 72 that has an undercut forming a neck region 71. A distal portion of the head 72 that is directed toward the socket 58 has a chamfer, to assist in aligning and inserting the head 72 into the socket 58.

The socket 58 has a blind bore having an opening 68 and a circumferential channel 74 therearound. Channel 74 is delimited by a lip 70. A diameter of the lip 70 is less than a diameter of the circumferential channel 74.

The opening 68 is conical in form and tapers downwardly towards the lip 70. At least one of the socket 58 and the plug 60 is formed from a resiliently deformable material, such as rubber, to allow insertion of the plug 60 into the opening 68 of the socket 58. When the plug 60 is engaged with the socket 58, the neck region 71 of the head 72 abuts the lip 70, and the head 72 is recessed into the circumferential channel 74. The

11171527_1 (GHMatters) P110870.AU lip 70 becomes engaged about the neck 71 of the head 72, holding the plug 60 securely within the socket 58, and thereby overcoming the bias of the torsion spring 34. Because the flap 46 can be rotated relative the top plate 52, this relative rotation causes each socket 58 to engage or disengage with the respective plug 60.

Although Figures 9 to 14 depict the socket 58 as being fixed to top plate 52 and the plug as being fixed to flap 46, in some embodiments the socket 58 can be fixed to the flap 46 and the plug 60 can be fixed to the top plate 52. In some embodiments the sockets 58 are fixed to the top plate 52 and flap 46 with the respective plug 60 being fixed to the other of the top plate 52 and flap 46. Further, although three sockets 58 are fixed to top plate 52 and three plugs are fixed to flap 48, any number of sockets and corresponding plugs can be used.

In some embodiments of the invention the retaining members can be replaced with an over-centre spring arrangement, that will effectively hold the locking assemblies 16 in the locked orientation. For example, illustrated in Figures 14B and 14C, are schematic representations of an over-centre spring 62 that is sufficient to overcome the bias of the torsion spring 34 and hold the plate 22 clear of the apertures 20 to allow the deck 12 to be lowered without interference from the posts 14. The plate 22, upon contacting the deck 11 of the truck will be sufficient to overcome the over-centre spring, releasing the plate 22 and thus the locking assembly 16 to revert to an operative orientation, ready for use. The springs 62 could be replaced by gas struts in some embodiments of the invention.

In some embodiments of the invention the retaining members can be magnetic or electro-magnetic. This arrangement allows a user to selectively urge the locking assemblies between operative and locked orientations, thereby eliminating the requirement for a physical actuator (described herein as block 80). With an electric or electromagnetic actuation, the movable deck 12 can be lowered at will. This is in contrast to the mechanical actuation of the block 80, which requires the movable deck 12 to be raised to the limit of its extension along the posts 14 to effect physical contact between the plates 22 and the blocks 80.

It is further contemplated that solenoids could be used to provide a further actuator to urge the locking assemblies 16 between locked and operative orientations, For

11171527_1 (GHMatters) P110870.AU example a latch style locking system could be electronically controlled, such that a pin or series of pins are operatively moved between a disengaged and an engaged orientation to hold the plate 22 clear of the apertures 20 (or alternative retainers 20', "). A similar system could be incorporated to air activate the locking assemblies 16, again allowing for a near instantaneous transition between locked and operative configurations, without the need to physically traverse the deck 12 through its entire working cycle to effect physical transition of the locking assemblies 16 from operative to locked and vice versa.

The different operating modes of the lock assemblies 16 will now be described with reference to Figures 15 and 16. When the adjustable deck 12 is positioned against a bed 11 of the trailer 10, the first end 24 of the plate 22 extends into one of the apertures of the post 14, as depicted in position B in Figure 15A and as shown in more detail in Figure 15B. The region of the plate 22 that extends into the aperture is shown by dashed lines in Figure 16.

When the adjustable deck 12 is moved upwardly, away from the truck bed 11, for example by a forklift engaging with channels 18, the inclined edge 28 abuts an upper edge 21 (see Figure 7) of the aperture 20. This then causes the plate 22 to rotate, so that the first end 24 extends downwardly towards the bed 11. Where the first end 24 of the plate 22 extends into an aperture 20, the plate is in the first operative mode and held from rotation by the torsion spring 34. Because the plate 22 is fixed to rod 30, and the torsion spring 34 is connected to the rod 30, rotation of the plate 22 so that the first end 24 extends downwards, causes the rod 30 to rotate against the torsion spring 34. Therefore, the plate 22 is biased towards the upright post, defining a first orientation, e.g. a first operative mode, where the first end 24 extends into an aperture 20. A torque applied to the torsion spring when the plate 22 is rotated by engagement of the inclined edge 28 with the upper edge 21 of the aperture 20 in some embodiments ranges from about 1ONm to 20Nm (see Figure 15B).

As the adjustable deck 12 is moved upwards away from the bed 11, the plate 22 is caused to rotate out of the aperture 20. Further movement upwards of the adjustable deck 12 causes the first end 24 to rotate out and withdraw from the aperture 20 so that inclined edge 28 then abuts the outer surface 17, as depicted in position B in Figure 15

11171527_1 (GHMatters) P110870.AU and in Figure 15B, to place the plate 22 in a second orientation e.g. a second operative mode (see Figure 15C).

Rotation of the plate 22 from the first orientation to the second orientation causes the flap 46 to move towards the top plate 52, thereby causing the plug 60 to move towards the socket 58. In the second orientation the head 72 of the plug 60 is proximate the opening 68 of the socket 58 but is not engaged with the socket 58. The specific relative positions of the socket 58 and plug 60 can be adjusted by adjusting a distance of the top plate 52 to the base plate 42. Because the plug 60 and socket 58 are not engaged with one another, the plate 22 is free to rotate towards the first orientation and still biased by the torsion spring 34.

As the adjustable deck 12 is moved further upwards, the inclined edge 28 slides along the outer surface 17 of the post 14 until it encounters a subsequent (i.e. new) aperture that is spaced along the post 14 (see Figure 15D). Because the plate 22 is biased towards the first orientation (i.e. when the first end 24 of plate 22 extends into aperture ), when the inclined edge 28 encounters the subsequent aperture 20, the plate 22 will rotate back towards the first orientation until the first end 24 extends into the new aperture 20, as depicted in position D in Figure 15A and in Figure 15D. Once back in the first orientation, the adjustable deck 12 is supported on the posts 14 by the lock assemblies 16. Therefore, any loads applied to the adjustable deck 12 are transferred through the plate 22 and flange 32, at the first end 24, to the post 14.

To prevent the plate 22 from rotating past the first orientation from the second orientation, the top surface 29 of the plate 22 abuts the frame 15 of the adjustable deck 12 (see Figure 16B, 16C and 16D). However, in some embodiments the top surface 29, or another feature of the plate 22, can abut a limit stop that is provided on the frame 15 and/or adjustable deck 12 to prevent the plate 22 from rotating past the first orientation from the second orientation.

Rotation of the plate 22 between the first orientation and second orientation continues as the adjustable deck 12 is moved up the posts 14 past the plurality of apertures 20, until an operator moves the adjustable deck 12 into a desired position.

11171527_1 (GHMatters) P110870.AU

When the adjustable deck 12 needs to be reset or lowered, the adjustable deck 12 is moved to the top of the posts 14 until the inclined edge 28 of the plate 22 engages with an actuator in the form of block 80, as depicted in Circle E in Figure 15A and in Figure E. Block 80 extends from the post 14, and provides a planar outer surface 82 that is spaced apart from and parallel to the outer surface 17 of the post 14.

In Figure 15E the planar outer surface 82 of the block 80 is parallel to the plane of the outer surface 17 of the post 14, but in some embodiments the plane of the outer face 82 of the block 80 is angled relative to a plane of the outer surface 17 of the post 14.

Because the outer surface 82 is spaced apart from the outer surface 17, upwards translation of the adjustable deck 12 forces the plate 22 to engage with, and rotate past, a lower edge 84 of the block 80 to allow the inclined edge 28 to ride along the outer face 82 of the block 80. Engagement of the inclined edge 28 with the block 80 forces the plate 22 to rotate to a greater degree than when rotating between the first orientation and the second orientation. The increased degrees of rotation of the plate 22 within the frame 15 forces the head 72 of the plug 60 into the circumferential channel 74 of the socket 58, so that the neck region 71 abuts the lips 70, to engage and thereby retain the plug 60 with the socket 58.

The socket 58 and plug 60 are configured so that a required disengagement force to disengage the socket 58 from the plug 60 is greater than a force applied by the torsion spring i.e. the biasing force. This means that when the inclined edge 28 abuts the outer face 82, engagement of the at least one interconnecting socket 58 and plug 60 locks the plate 22 into a position where the first end 24 is spaced from the outer surface 17 of the post. This locked position places the plate 22 into a third, or locked, orientation (i.e. an inoperative mode, as depicted in Figure 15E) that allows the adjustable deck 12 to be moved back towards the bed 11 of the trailer 11 without the first end 24 of the plate 22 engaging with the apertures 20 of the posts 14.

When the plate 22 is in the locked orientation, movement of the adjustable deck 12 towards the bed 11 is unimpeded. It should be appreciated that the number of sockets 58 and respective plugs 60 that are used, can be determined by the required "locking" force to lock the plate 22 into the locked orientation. For example, as the biasing force provided by the torsion spring 34 increases, the number of sockets and respective plugs

11171527_1 (GHMatters) P110870.AU generally increase to overcome the biasing force, to allow the plate 22 to be locked in the inoperative mode.

In one embodiment the actuator or block 80 is provided as a nylon plastic block or plate. However, in some embodiments the block 80 can be provided by a protrusion, ramp or variable cam surface that can engage with the inclined edge 28 and/or first end 24 to causes the plate 22 to rotate sufficiently to allow the sockets 58 and respective plugs 60 to engage with one another.

When the plate 22 is in the locked orientation the first end 24 of the plate 22 extends below the frame 15 of the adjustable deck 12. This means that when the adjustable deck 12 is lowered onto the bed 11, the first ends 24 of the plates 22 contact the bed 11 before the adjustable deck 12. When the plates 22 contact the bed 11 the weight of the adjustable deck 12 is transferred through the first ends 24 of the plates 22 to the bed 11. The disengagement force to disengage the plugs 60 from the sockets 58 is less than a transfer force provided on the locked plates 22 when the weight of the adjustable deck 12 is transferred to the bed 11. Therefore, when the plates 22 (in the locked orientation) contact the bed 11, the transfer force provided by the weight of the adjustable deck 12 transferred to the plates 22 causes the plugs 60 and sockets 58 to disengage with one another, which then allows the biasing force of the torsion spring 34 to rotate the plates 22 back to the first orientation (first operative mode).

In some embodiments, the locking mechanism 40 is omitted and the two-part connector is provided by the sockets 58 being secured to one of the second end 26 and frame 15 and the sockets 58 and plugs 60 being secured to the other of the second end 26 and frame 15. However, in such an embodiment, the engagement of the sockets 58 with respective plugs 60 is as defined above to lock the plate 22 in the inoperative mode (i.e. locked orientation).

An advantage of the adjustable deck 12 is that a height of the deck can be adjusted using only a forklift without the need to operate other auxiliary systems, such as hydraulic or electrical systems, that may be associated with locking the deck at various heights. A user simply needs to move the deck upwards to a desired height where the plates 22 locate and engage with respective apertures 20. To move the deck down, the user moves the deck 12 to its upper most position where the plates 22 engage with the

11171527_1 (GHMatters) P110870.AU block 80 to lock the plates 22 in the inoperative mode, then the deck 12 is moved downwards until it contacts the bed 11 of the trailer to reset. The deck 12 is then free to be moved back up to a new desired height. Further, because the plates 22 are automatically engaged with the respective apertures 20, the need for a second person to work under the deck to lock the adjustable deck 12 to the posts 14 can be negated.

Although the Figures depict the block 80 as being fixed to the posts 14, in some embodiments the actuator e.g. block 80 is supported by one or more of the apertures 20. Such embodiments allow the location of the block 80 to be moved up or down relative the bed 11 as required. Therefore, the height above the deck at which the plate 22 is locked in the inoperable mode can be adjusted.

Additionally, although the Figures depict an adjustable rack with only one adjustable deck 12, the disclosure extends to an adjustable rack having two or more adjustable decks. In such embodiments the posts 14 can have an actuator per adjustable deck, or alternatively, a single actuator can be configured to move a plurality of the plates 20 associated with a post into the inoperable position. Where a single actuator is used, the length of the actuator will be sufficient, that all latch assemblies of the decks 12 within the rack 13 can be placed into the inoperative mode for descent concurrently.

When the adjustable rack 13 has more than one adjustable deck 12, a forklift can engage with and lift the bottom most adjustable deck 12 until it contacts the next adjustable deck 12'. Further upwards movement of the bottom most adjustable deck 12 then also moves the next adjustable deck 12' until both adjustable decks 12, 12' reach the top of the post 14 and make contact with a block 80.

In the description of embodiments of the invention disclosed herein, any reference to direction or orientation is merely intended for convenience of description and is not intended in any way to limit the scope of the present invention. Relative terms such as "lower," "upper," "horizontal," "vertical," "above," "below," "up," "down," "top" and "bottom" as well as derivatives thereof (e.g., "horizontally," "downwardly," "upwardly," etc.) should be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawing under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description only and do not require that the apparatus be constructed or operated in a particular orientation unless explicitly indicated as such.

11171527_1 (GHMatters) P110870.AU

Terms such as "attached," "affixed," "connected," "coupled," "interconnected," and similar refer to a relationship wherein structures are secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectly through intervening structures, as well as both movable or rigid attachments or relationships, unless expressly described otherwise. Moreover, the features and benefits of the invention are illustrated by reference to the exemplified embodiments. Accordingly, the invention expressly should not be limited to such exemplary embodiments illustrating some possible non-limiting combination of features that may exist alone or in other combinations of features; the scope of the invention being defined by the claims appended hereto.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments, without departing from the scope of the following claims. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative of the scope of protection, and not restrictively.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can also be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, a limited number of the exemplary methods and materials are described herein.

It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

11171527_1 (GHMatters) P110870.AU

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. An adjustable rack for storing cargo in a truck, comprising: a plurality of upright members, each of the upright members having a series of retainers spaced therealong; and a movable deck including a plurality of lock assemblies configured to engage with the plurality of upright members, each of the lock assemblies having a latch and a biasing member, and each lock assembly is configured to transition between: (i) a first operative mode, in which the latch is biased by the biasing member to engage with one of the retainers of the upright members to support the deck; (ii) a second operative mode, in which the latch is disengaged from the respective retainer to allow the deck to be elevated along the upright members; and (iii) an inoperative mode, in which the latch is locked in the disengaged position to allow the deck to be lowered along the upright members.

2. The adjustable rack of claim 1, whereby when the deck is elevated, the lock assembly transitions to the first operative mode as the latch aligns with each consecutive aperture of the series of apertures, and the lock assembly transitions to the second operative mode as the latch moves between the apertures.

3. The adjustable rack of claim 1 or claim 2, whereby when the lock assembly is in the first operative mode and the deck is elevated, the latch pivots out of the respective aperture and the biasing member urges the latch to contact an outer face of the upright member in the second operative mode, and upon further elevation of the deck, the lock assembly transitions to the first operative mode as the biasing member urges the latch into the next aperture in the series of apertures.

4. The adjustable rack of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein each of the upright members has an actuator, and contact between the lock assembly and the actuator, forces the lock assembly into the inoperative mode preventing the latch from engaging any one of the plurality of apertures, such that the deck can descend unimpeded.

11171527_1 (GHMatters) P110870.AU

5. The adjustable rack of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the biasing member comprises at least one of a torsion spring and a shaft.

6. The adjustable rack of claim 5, wherein the biasing member comprises a central torsion spring and a pair of co-axially engaged end shafts.

7. The adjustable rack of claim 6, wherein the plurality of lock assemblies comprises at least a first and a second lock assembly, the first lock assembly mounted to a first of the pair of end shafts and the second lock assembly mounted to a second of the pair of end shafts.

8. The adjustable rack of claim 7, wherein first and second biasing members are mounted on opposing edges of the moveable deck, each of the first and second biasing members supporting a plurality of lock assemblies.

9. The adjustable rack of claim 8, wherein each of the plurality of latches is mounted to the end shaft of the first and second biasing members.

10. The adjustable rack of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein each latch comprises a heel and a toe, the toe configured to interact with the apertures of the upright members.

11. The adjustable rack of claim 10, wherein the heel and toe are disposed on opposing sides of the end shaft, such that as the toe is rotated away from the upright member, the heel is rotated by an equal amount, in the same direction on an opposing side of the end shaft.

12. The adjustable rack of any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein each of the latches includes a cam surface for transitioning the lock assemblies from the first to the second operative mode on contact with the outer face of the upright member.

13. The adjustable rack of claim 12, wherein each of the lock assemblies returns to the first operative mode as the latch moves into alignment with any one of the apertures in the upright members, the biasing member urging the latch into the aperture to support the deck.

14. The adjustable rack of claim 12 or claim 13, wherein the cam surface is an inclined edge adjacent the toe of the latch, that forces the latch to rotate on contact with an edge of one of the plurality of apertures. 11171527_1 (GHMatters) P110870.AU

15. The adjustable rack of claim 4, wherein the actuator of each upright member is located in an upper region of the upright member.

16. The adjustable rack of claim 15, wherein each actuator protrudes from the upper region of the upright member, such that contact between the cam surface and the actuator transitions the lock assembly into the inoperative mode.

17. The adjustable rack of claim 16, wherein contact between the cam surface and the actuator rotates the toe away from the actuator against the biasing member, transitioning the lock assembly to the inoperative mode in which the latch is locked in the withdrawn position to allow the deck to be lowered.

18. The adjustable rack of claim 17, wherein the latch is locked in the inoperative mode via a two-part connector, a first part of the connector being disposed on the latch and a second co-operating part of the two-part connector being fixedly disposed on the movable deck, such that rotation of the latch to the inoperative mode moves the first and second parts of the two-part connector into engagement.

19. The adjustable rack of claim 18, wherein the two-part connector comprises a plug and a socket, interchangeably associated with each of the first and second part of the two-part connector, to hold the latch in the inoperative mode.

20. The adjustable rack of any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein contact between the latch and a bed of the truck provides a force to transition the lock assemblies from the inoperative mode back to the first operative mode.

21. The adjustable rack of any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein the retainers are apertures spaced along the upright members, such that: (i) in the first operative mode the latch is biased by the biasing member to extend into the aperture; (ii) in the second operative mode the latch is withdrawn from the respective aperture to allow the deck to be elevated along the upright members; and (iii) in the inoperative mode the latch is locked in the withdrawn position to allow the deck to be lowered along the upright members.

11171527_1 (GHMatters) P110870.AU

1 / 10

A 2 / 10

3 / 10

FIGURE 6

80 80 14 14

14

80 15

’ 20’’ 4 / 10

21 40 34

20 30

40 16 FIGURE 7B FIGURE 7C

FIGURE 7A

15 FIGURE 8B 30

28

52

22 34’ 34

15 5 / 10

30

28

FIGURE 8A 40 22

6 / 10

7 / 10

57 FIGURE 13 FIGURE 14B 58

74 71 72 60

62 66 22 64 64 68 8 / 10

70

60 30 15 FIGURE 14C

48

48 66 FIGURE 14A 46

9 / 10

10 / 10 2019201762

Fig. 16D

Fig. 16C

Fig. 16B

Fig. 16A