AU672985B2

AU672985B2 - Improvements in & relating to bolster assemblies

Info

Publication number: AU672985B2
Application number: AU44997/93A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Graeme Owen Kelly
Original assignee: KRAFT ENGINEERING Ltd
Current assignee: KRAFT ENGINEERING Ltd
Priority date: 1992-08-31
Filing date: 1993-08-31
Publication date: 1996-10-24
Anticipated expiration: 2013-08-31
Also published as: NZ244163A; AU4499793A

Description

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1

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT Name of Applicant(s): Actual Inventor(s): Address for Service: Invention Title: KRAFT ENGINEERING LIMITED GRAEME OWEN KELLY CULLEN CO., Patent Trade Mark Attorneys, 240 Queen Street, Brisbane, Qld. 4000, Australia.

IMPROVEMENTS IN RELATING TO BOLSTER ASSEMBLIES The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us:

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IMPROVEMENTS IN RELATING TO BOLSTER ASSEMBLIES TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention is directed towards the transport industry. More specifically the invention is directed to load retaining bolster units such as commonly used on road and rail vehicles. The specification describes bolster units which may be pivoted out of the way when not required.

BACKGROUND ART Various means may be used for retaining loads on trucks, trailers and other vehicles.

For other than loose or flowing material, the flat deck finds widespread use and allows the ready loading and unloading of goods by various means. Load movers such as forklifts have virtually unrestricted access to the deck from the sides and consequently flat decks are widespread.

For loads such as pipes and logs, a flat deck vehicle may be modified through the provision of upright side arms. These serve to retain the logs (or other loads) from 15 spreading outwardly while still providing for the ready access of a forklift from the side for the purposes of loading and unloading. However the provision of side arms may interfere with the loading and unloading of other goods. Consequently a flat bed vehicle fitted with side arms will not normally be as versatile (depending on the particular load) as a flat bed vehicle.

S 20 The provision of individually removable side arms is not a practicable proposition as the relatively strong outward force expressed by a full cargo of (for instance) logs would necessitate a relatively secure mounting system to the vehicle. Due to the potential load that this connection must withstand, and possible leverage effects by the side arm, such connections are likely to be bulky and/or tedious to connect/disconnect.

One alternative of which the applicant is aware, has attempted to provide a folding bolster assembly. This assembly comprises a base unit with the side arms hinged to the base. When the assembly is erect then it will be substantially 'U'-shaped in appearance.

When it is folded down, the side arms are folded towards each other.

3 However there are several problems inherent with this design. For instance, the height of the side arms is determined by the width of the deck (as the side arms fold towards each other). In many cases the side arm height ends up being substantially less than the desired height. This represents a reduction in the cartable load though this has been addressed by the use of extension pills to increase the arm height. However this increases the complexity of use and of the apparatus. In addition, some timber mills do not allow extension pins to be used.

A further problem is that injury has resulted to operators during the erection of the folding arms before they are able to pin them into the raised position. The main injury has been the arms falling on the operator. In addition, some concern has been raised regarding safety and whether a side arm which is hinged to rotate in a direction comparable to the applied force from a load, is adequate. A welded or fixed side arm (to a vehicle or base portion) will be stronger than a side arm hinged to pivot substantially about an axis longitudinal to the vehicle.

It is an object of the present invention to address the foregoing problems or at least to provide the public with a useful choice.

20 Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the ensuing description which is given by way of example only.

Disclosure of Invention According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a bolster assembly for a vehicle deck comprising: a load retaining assembly comprising a base portion situated between two side arm portions, and mounting means for mounting the load retaining assembly to said deck, said mounting means allowing for said load retaining assembly to be fixed in an erect position such that a load can be positioned between said side arm /RA~l portions, the mounting means also allowing for said load retaining assembly

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4 to be pivoted about an axis of pivoting substantially transverse to the deck and into a lowered position in which the load retaining assembly is substantially below the level of the deck characterised in that pivoting of the load retaining assembly between the erect and lowered positions is achieved without increasing the distance separating the side arm portions at their base.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a vehicle deck including at least one bolster assembly as described in the foregoing paragraph for a deck which comprises: a load retaining assembly comprising base and side arm portions, and mounting means for mounting the load retaining assembly to said deck and said mounting means allowing for said load retaining assembly to be fixed in an erect position, the mounting means also allowing for said load retaining So o assembly to be pivoted about an axis of pivoting and into a lowered position ii' which the load retaining assembly is substantially below the level of the deck.

According to yet a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of providing a bolster assembly on a deck comprising mounting the bolster assembly in a manner that it may be repositioned between erect and lowered positions by rotation about an axis substantially transverse to the deck, the bolster o when lowered being substantially below the level of the deck, and when erectable to accommodate a load between provided side arm portions.

Most embodiments of the present invention will comprise a bolster assembly which in turn comprises a retaining assembly and provision for mounting of the retaining assembly to the deck or load carrying portion. The retaining assembly generally comprises a frame suitable for retaining a load. This will often comprise a base portion from which extend, usually but not necessarily perpendicularly, side arm portions. A side arm may be provided near or at each end of the base portion though it is envisaged that many variations are possible including the use of single or multiple base portions and side arms.

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4a Various construction methods may be used to form the retaining assembly.

Generally the retaining assembly is a single rigid unit i.e. the side arms do not fold, at least near their base, with respect to the base portion. Individual side arms may comprise means allowing their height to be extended or altered a folding m-idsection or telescoping arrangement) but in each of these cases there will be at least a reasonable length of side arm which remains fixed with respect to the base portion even when the side arm is in a folded state. In other words this may be expressed as there being no folding connection between the side arm and base portion near the base of the side arm.

Mounting provision is also provided to allow the retaining assembly to be connected to the deck of a vehicle or other suitable mounting position. This connection is pivotable and allows the retaining assembly to be alternated between at least raised and lowered positions. Typically, when in a lowered position, the retaining assembly will lie substantially flat with respect to the deck. In this position, the side arms will normally be substantially horizontal.

The deck may be modified so that there is an arrangement where the retaining assembly fits into a recess in the deck. Embodiments where the lowered retaining assembly is flush with the deck, or stowed substantially beneath deck level, are envisaged.

When the retaining assembly is in a raised or erect position, this is generally that position in which a load may be placed and retained within the retaining assembly. While there may be various raised positions, typically the side arms will be orientated substantially upright. Locking or retaining means may be provided to maintain the retaining assembly in an erect position.

While the retaining assembly may be attached to the vehicle in different ways, it is generally connected so that the base portion is substantially transverse, i.e. perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the deck or other mounting surface.

While bolster assemblies may be provided for connection to existing vehicles, more evolved embodiments of the present invention may comprise a deck and bolster assembly combination in which the deck is modified to co-operate with the action of the S 15 bolster assembly. Here, recesses in the deck may present an almost perfect flush surface when the bolster assembly is lowered into position.

Various modifications may be made to the present invention. For instance locking or retaining means may be provided to secure the retaining assembly in a desired position.

This may involve locking pins, components, or braces or other mechanisms.

Power means may also be provided to help raise or lower the retaining assembly. Links or connections between adjacent bolster assemblies on a deck, may also be provided to synchronise their movement.

S' Biasing means may also be provided to assist in the raising and lowering of retaining assemblies. Typically this bias will be towards the erect position. Many means, including telescoping cartridges (of the type such as commonly used for lifting vehicle bonnets and boot lids), may be employed.

Various other modifications may be made to the basic principles of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Further aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the ensuing description which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings: Figure 1: is a side diagrammatic view of a truck-trailer unit having bolster assemblies, according to one embodiment of the present invention, illustrated in raised and lowered positions, and Figure 2: is a partial plan diagrammatic view of the embodiment of Figure 1, viewed from above, Figure 3: is a partial cross-sectional diagram, of the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2, showing detail of the base portion and pivoting assembly, and Figure 4: is a side diagrammatic view of a vehicle with deck incorporating several of an embodiment of a bolster assembly.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION With reference to the drawings and by way of example only there is provided a bolster assembly (generally indicated by arrow 1) comprising: a retaining assembly 2 including base 3 and side arm 4 portions; i provision 5 for the pivotable mounting of said retaining assembly 2 to a deck 6 or load carrying portion.

The retaining assembly comprises a base portion 3 which in the illustrated embodiment comprises a hollow rectangular beam. At either end of the base portion 3 is a substantially perpendicular side arm 4 which also comprises a beam (typically hollow) of a suitable material such as steel. A reinforcing gusset or fillet 7 may also be provided between the base and side arm portions.

On the whole, retaining assembly 2 is substantially 'U'-shaped in appearance. It is normally orientated so that the base portion 3 is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the deck 6. The retaining assembly 2 is mounted to the deck 6 so that it may be alternated between at least the illustrated lowered and raised positions.

This may be achieved through the use of a hinged assembly 5 which comprises a swing arm 8 to which the base portion 3 is attached. The swing arm will swivel about pivot point 9. This pivoting axis (through 9) is orientated substantially transverse to the deck.

While the base portion 3 itself may be directed pivoted, the swing arm 8 allows the retaining assembly 2 to be accommodated in a suitable recess (generally indicated by arrow 10) in the deck. This allows the retaining assembly to be housed so as not to protrude above the normal level of the deck 6.

To maintain the retaining assembly 2 in an upright position, a pin may be placed through a suitable aperture 11 in the swing arm 8, which aperture will align with a similar aperture in the deck assembly (different apertures may be provided for different positions). In use, there is not normally a great forward/backward load placed on the bolster assembly (generally most force is exerted outwardly against the side arms) though additional means for locking the bolster assembly into an upright position may be provided on other embodiments.

In figure 4 is illustrated a vehicle with deck utilising several bolster assemblies. In this S 15 figure all assemblies do not fold in the same direction though in other embodiments they S. may well do.

Use of the present invention may allow the advantages of both flat deck and bolstered vehicles to be realised. It should be appreciated that aspects of the present invention 9 have been described by way of example only to illustrate various features and that 20 various other embodiments employing further modifications may be constructed.

e o Aspects of the present invention have been described by way of example only and it o should be appreciated that modifications and additions may be made thereto without ideparting from the scope thereof as defined in the appended claims.

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Claims

2. A bolster assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the side arm o. portions of the load retaining assembly are substantially fixed with respect to the base portion.
3. A bolster assembly, as claimed in either claim 1 or claim 2 in which the load retaining assembly, when in an erect position, is substantially 'U'-shaped in configuration.
4. A bolster assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the side arm portions are extendable. A bolster assembly as claimed in claim 1, or either of claims 3 and 4 when dependent upon claim 1, in which a side arm portion is pivotable with respect to the base portion.
6. A bolster assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the mounting means allows for the load retaining assembly to be positioned flush with, or lower than, deck level when in a lowered position.
7. A bolster assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the axis of pivoting is offset from the base portion when the load retaining assembly is in an erect position.
8. A bolster assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the axis of pivoting is below the level of said deck's top surface. oo
9. A bolster assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims which includes locking means for maintaining the load retaining oa o assembly in an erect position. ao S" 10. A bolster assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims which includes locking means for maintaining the load retaining *:*....assembly in a lowered position.
11. A bolster assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims which includes power means for assisting in the raising and/or lowering of said load retaining assembly.
12. A bolster assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which includes biasing means for assisting in the raising and/or lowering of said load retaining assembly.
13. A bolster assembly as claimed in claim 12 in which said biasing means is biased towards the erect position.
14. A vehicle deck including at least one bolster assembly as claimed in claim 1 for a deck which comprises: a load retaining assembly comprising base and side arm portions, and mounting means for mounting the load retaining assembly to said deck, said mounting means allowing for said load retaining assembly to be fixed in an erect position, the mounting means also allowing for said load retaining assembly eeoo to be pivoted about an axis of pivoting and into a lowered position in which the load retaining assembly is substantially below the level of the deck.
15. A vehicle deck as claimed in claim 14 wherein said bolster assembly is a bolster assembly as claimed in any one of claims 3 through 14. a 16. A vehicle deck as claimed in either claim 14 or claim 15 in which a bolster assembly is orientated such that its axis of pivoting is substantially transverse to the deck.
17. A vehicle deck as claimed in any one of claims 14 through 16 in which there is more than one bolster assembly, and said assemblies do not all fold in the same direction when transferring from an erect to lowered state. V R ~0 4.,
18. A vehicle deck as claimed in any one of claims 14 through 17 in which the side arm portions are aligned substantially with the side edges of the deck.
19. A vehicle deck as claimed in any one of claims 14 through 18 in which the deck is recessed to accommodate a lowered load retaining assembly. A method of providing a bolster assembly on a vehicle deck comprising mounting the bolster assembly in a manner that it may be repositioned between erect and lowered positions by rotation about aih axis substantially transverse to the deck, the bolster when lowered being substantially below the level of the deck, and when erectable to accomodate a load between provided side arm portions.
21. A method as claimed in claim 20 in which means is provided for locking the bolster assembly in an erect position.
22. A method as claimed in either claim 20 or claim 21 in which the deck is modified to allow the said bolster assembly to be lowered flush with, or below the level of, the deck. 11 5, t 7 12
23. A bolster assembly, substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.
24. A vehicle deck, substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.
25. A method of providing a bolster assembly on a deck, substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. DATED THIS 12TH DAY OF AUGUST 1996 KRAFT ENGINEERING LIMITED By their Patent Attorneys CULLEN CO 09 0*R* a o o Eo oa a a LA -e7- 0 *1 on\ e we^ so^ o~ ABSTRACT The present invention relates to bolster assemblies for use on the deck of transporters i such as road and rail vehicles. A typical embodiment may assume an erect position, and a lowered position in which it is typically flush with or below the level of the deck. In a preferred embodiment there is provided a bolster assembly for a deck comprising: a retaining assembly comprising base and side arm portions, and mounting means for the retaining assembly to said deck, said mounting means allowing for said retaining assembly to be fixed in an erect position, and also allowing for said retaining assembly to be pivoted about an axis of pivoting parallel to the general plane of the retaining assembly and into a lowered position.