AU4478099A - Canopy assembly for a vessel - Google Patents

Description

P/00/011 28/5/91 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Name of Applicants: Actual Inventors CBH Commercial Services Pty Ltd and The Western Australia Government Railways Commission Edward Reginald Lewis and Vaughan Handley r

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Address for service is: WRAY ASSOCIATES 239 Adelaide Terrace Perth, WA 6000 Attorney code: WR Invention Title: "Canopy Assembly for a Vessel" Details of Associated Provisional Application No(s): PP5587 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:- -2- CANOPY ASSEMBLY FOR A VESSEL FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a canopy assembly for a vessel. More particularly, the canopy assembly of the present invention is intended for use in vessels adapted for the transport of particulate or liquid goods.

BACKGROUND ART Vessels for the storage and/or transport of particulate or liquid goods are generally accessible by one or more apertures in the upper surface thereof, and such apertures are closable by way of one or more hand operated hatches.

Typically in the case of road or rail transport, the vessel is divided into a series of compartments to prevent the shifting of any load therein, and at least one hatch provided per compartment. Manually opening and closing these hatches as "'"loading or unloading progresses is an appreciable impediment to the loading or 0% o unloading process.

Further, in the case of road or rail transport, the hatches may be situated an appreciable distance from the ground. This necessitates the provision of gangways and the like about the upper surface of the vessel to allow safer access thereto, adding to the expense Of manufacture and decreasing the aerodynamic efficiency of the vessel. The provision of such gangways and the like has not eliminated workplace incidents involving falls from the upper surface of the vessel.

It is one objective of the present invention to substantially overcome the above mentioned problems associated with the prior art, or at least provide an alternative thereto.

Throughout the specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood i l -3to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The present invention comprises a canopy assembly for a vessel, the canopy assembly comprising at least one canopy, at least one actuator arm and at least one actuating means, wherein the actuating means is arranged to induce movement in the actuator arm which is in turn adapted to move the or each canopy such that it may cover or uncover one or more apertures provided in the vessel.

The canopy assembly may further comprise at least one control means to activate the actuating means.

Preferably, the or each control means is located at a point remote from the or each canopy of the canopy assembly. Preferably still, the canopy assembly is provided with two control means, located at opposite ends of the transport 15 vessel. Further, it is most preferred that the control means are located at diagonally opposite ends of the transport vessel.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a first end of the or each actuator arm is pivotally attached to an end of the transport vessel, with a second end of the or each actuator arm being operatively interconnected with the or each canopy. The or each actuating means is also pivotally attached to the end of the vessel, and acts on a point on the actuator arm located intermediate the *.*first and second ends thereof, thereby causing the movement of the or each canopy.

The weight of the or each canopy may be at least partially borne by a series of wheels distributed along the length thereof and adapted to facilitate the movement thereof. Each wheel is preferably provided upon a reinforcing track adapted to minimise wear on the transport vessel by the action of the wheels thereon.

-4- In a preferred form of the present invention, there are provided two actuator arms and two actuating means, one of each located on each end of the transport vessel. In this form of the present invention, the weight of the or each canopy may also be at least partially borne by a longitudinal member, running the length of the or each canopy, between the actuator arms. Preferably, the operation of the actuating means is at least substantially synchronised, such that the movement of the actuator arms is at least substantially synchronised.

In one form of the invention, the or each actuating means is provided in the form of a pneumatic ram.

The present invention also relates to a transport vessel having multiple apertures for the loading and unloading thereof, fitted with a canopy assembly in accordance with the present invention, the canopy assembly comprising a single canopy adapted to simultaneously cover all of the apertures.

o In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the transport vessel is provided in the form of a railway wagon.

oo BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS to The canopy assembly of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to one embodiment thereof and the accompanying drawings, in which:- 20 Figure 1 is an upper perspective view of a rail wagon to which a canopy .o assembly in accordance with the embodiment is fitted, and in which the canopy assembly is shown in an open position; Figure 2 is also an upper perspective view of the rail wagon of Figure 1, in which the canopy assembly is shown in a closed position; Figure 3 is an alternative upper perspective view of a portion of the rail wagon of Figures 1 and 2, showing in particular a sealing flange extending along a leading edge of a canopy of the canopy assembly; and Figure 4 is a lower perspective view of the canopy of the canopy assembly of the embodiment, showing in particular an arrangement of weight bearing and reinforcing members.

BEST MODE(S) FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION In Figures 1 and 2 there is shown a transport vessel in the form of a rail wagon of approximately cylindrical configuration, to which a canopy assembly 11 has been fitted.

Distributed axially along a flattened upper surface 12 of the wagon 10 are a *a series of apertures 14 adapted to facilitate the loading and unloading of particulate or fluid material therefrom. Provided about the apertures 14 and projecting vertically from the upper surface 12 of the rail wagon 10 is a skirting 15 15. The rail wagon 10 is also provided with a break air receiver 16 in known manner.

An actuator arm 20 is provided about and pivotally attached to each of first and second ends 17 and 18 respectively of the wagon 10 such that it may move S.approximately circumferentially relative thereto.

20 Referring now to Figure 3,further provided at each of the first and second ends 17 and 18 of the wagon 10 is an actuating means, for example a pneumatic ram 26, comprising a cylinder 28 and a piston 30. The cylinder 28 is pivotally attached to the end 17 or 18 of the wagon 10, whilst the piston 30 is pivotally attached to the actuator arm 20 at a point intermediate the first and second ends 22 and 24 thereof.

Pressure is provided to the pneumatic rams 26 by way of an on board air receiver 32 provided about the first end 17 of the wagon 10, such that the -6operation of the pneumatic rams 26 is essentially simultaneous. The pneumatic rams 26 are activated by way of control means, for example switches 34.

Switches 34 are provided at both the first 17 and second 18 ends of the wagon, on diagonally opposite sides thereof. The diagonal placement allows access to the control means from either side of the rail wagon A longitudinal member 36 connects the first ends 22 of the actuator arms The longitudinal member 36 supports a leading portion 38 of a canopy 40 by way of engagement with a series of weight bearing members 39. As can best be seen in Figure 4, the members 39 are oriented transversely relative to the to the wagon 10, and distributed axially beneath the canopy The canopy 40 further comprises a trailing portion 41 and an uppermost convex surface 42 which terminates at a leading surface 44 in one direction and a trailing surface 46 in the other, and encompasses the weight bearing members 39, as is S. best illustrated by Figure 4.

*15 The trailing portion 41 of the canopy 40 is supported by a series of wheels 48 *°rotatably attached to the bearing members 39, each wheel 48 engaging a reinforcing track 50 provided in a circumferential orientation about the upper osurface 12 of the wagon Axially distributed beneath the canopy 40 are reinforcing members 52 adapted to 20 maintain the axial rigidity of the canopy 40, the longitudinal member 36 passing through apertures in the reinforcing members 52 and the bearing members 39, also best shown in Figure 4.

The axial dimension of the canopy 40 marginally exceeds that of the series of apertures 14 such that end portions 54 of the canopy 40 may pass outside the skirting 15 as the canopy 40 is moved thereabove, as can best be seen in Figure 3. The end portions of the canopy 40 overlap with the skirting 15. Further, the width of the canopy 40 is exceeds that of the series of apertures 14 allowing complete coverage thereof without interference by the series of wheels 48 supporting the trailing portion of the canopy -7- Figure 3 shows that the leading surface 44 of the canopy 38 is dimensioned so as not to interfere with the skirting 15 as the canopy 38 is moved. Provided along the length of the leading surface 44 of the canopy 40 is a sealing assembly 56, comprising a mounting flange 58 and a flexible sealing strip The pneumatic rams 26 are configured relative to the actuator arms 20 such that full extension of the pistons 30 causes the actuator arms 20 to traverse an angle of approximately 30 degrees. This corresponds to a change in position of the canopy 40 from the open position, as shown in Figure 1, to the closed position, as shown in Figure 2.

In use, an operator (not shown) would, if required, activate one of the switches 34 causing the air receiver 32 to activate the pneumatic rams 26 causing the pistons 30 thereof to extend therefrom and act on the actuator arms 20. The positioning of the switches is such that it is unlikely that both would be rendered inaccessible by other rolling stock and the like simultaneously.

15 The actuator arms 20in turn cause the longitudinal member 36 to act on the canopy 38, causing such to slide across the upper surface 12 of the rail wagon exposing the apertures 14, the weight of the trailing portion 41 of the canopy 40 being borne by the series of wheels 48, which follow the reinforcing tracks The flexibility of the sealing strip 60 allowing such to be readily drawn across the 20 skirting 15. Goods can then be loaded or unloaded from the rail wagon as desired.

Upon completion of loading or unloading, the user may then activate one of the switches 34, causing the air receiver 32 to withdraw the piston 30 into the cylinder 28 of the pneumatic ram 26. This action causes the actuator arms 20 to act on the longitudinal member 36 and draw the canopy 40 across the apertures 14, with the sealing strip 60 being drawn across the skirting 15 as the canopy reaches the fully closed position. In transit, the overlap of the end caps 54 with the skirting 15 and the sealing strip 60 appreciably prevent interference with the contents of the wagon 10 by air rapidly moving thereby.

-8- It is envisaged that the pneumatic pressure required to activate the pneumatic rams 26 of the present invention may be provided to the on board air receivers 32 by way of a compressor located on or in the hauling locomotive, or other external source.

It is further envisaged that the actuating means may be provided in the form of a hydraulic ram. Similarly, it is envisaged that the series of wheels 48 may be replaced by a series of rollers, skids or other means by which the weight of the canopy 40 may be born in a slidable or otherwise movable manner.

It is still further envisaged that there may be provided in the region of the switches 34 manually operable means by which the canopy 40 may be moved, such means being used as an alternative to, or in the advent of failure of the actuating means.

eo Accordingly, the remotely operable canopy assembly of the present invention overcomes substantially these problems associated with the prior art. In 15 particular, traditional problems associated with the safety of those involved in the loading and unloading of transport vessels are at least substantially avoided.

.*:•Modifications and variations such as would be apparent to the skilled addressee ar c are considered to fall within the scope of the present invention.

Seo

Claims (14)

1. A canopy assembly for a vessel, the canopy assembly comprising at least one canopy, at least one actuator arm and at least one actuating means, wherein the actuating means is arranged to induce movement in the actuator arm which is in turn adapted to move the or each canopy such that it may cover or uncover one or more apertures provided in the vessel.

2. A canopy assembly according to claim 1 wherein the canopy assembly further comprises at least one control means to activate the actuating means.

3. A canopy assembly according to claim 2 wherein the or each control means is located at a point remote from the canopy.

4. A canopy assembly according to claim 2 or 3 wherein the canopy assembly is provided with two control means, the control means being located at opposite ends of the transport vessel.

5. A canopy assembly according to claim 4 wherein the control means are 15 located at diagonally opposite ends of the transport vessel.

6. A canopy assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein a *first end of the or each actuator arm is pivotally attached to an end of the transport vessel, and a second end of the or each actuator arm is operatively interconnected with the or each canopy, the or each actuating means being 20 pivotally attached to the end of the transport vessel and arranged to act on a point on the actuator arm located intermediate the first and second ends thereof, thereby causing the movement of the or each canopy.

7. A canopy assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the weight of the or each canopy is at least partially borne by a series of wheels distributed along the length thereof and designed to facilitate the movement thereof.

8. A canopy assembly according to claim 7 wherein each wheel is provided upon a reinforcing track adapted to minimise wear on the transport vessel by the action of the wheels thereon.

9. A canopy assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein there are provided two actuator arms and two actuating means, one of each on each end of the transport vessel. canopy assembly according to claim 9 wherein the weight of the or each canopy is at least partially borne by a longitudinal member, the longitudinal member running the length of the or each canopy between the actuator arms.

11.A canopy assembly according to either claim 9 or claim 10 wherein the operation of the actuating means is substantially synchronised, such that the movement of the actuator arms is substantially synchronised.

12.A canopy assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the or each actuating means is provided in the form of a pneumatic ram.

13.A transport vessel having multiple apertures for the loading and unloading thereof, fitted with a canopy assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the canopy assembly comprises a single canopy, and the .:*canopy is adapted to simultaneously cover all of the apertures.

14.A transport vessel according to claim 13 wherein the transport vessel is i o 20 provided in the form of a railway wagon. 00 0 canopy assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 4. -11

16.A transport vessel substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 4. Dated this twenty-seventh day of August 1999. CBH Commercial Services Pty Ltd and The Western Australia Government Railways Commission Applicants Wray Associates Perth, Western Australia Patent Attorneys for the Applicant e f e•