EP1651459A1

EP1651459A1 - Cover apparatus for a container

Info

Publication number: EP1651459A1
Application number: EP04743152A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Steven William Hines
Original assignee: Transcover Engineering Ltd
Current assignee: Transcover Engineering Ltd
Priority date: 2003-07-09
Filing date: 2004-06-28
Publication date: 2006-05-03
Also published as: WO2005005186A1

Abstract

A cover apparatus for a container (11) having a generally rectangular opening (12) therein, said opening (12) having four edges (13,14,16,17), said apparatus comprising roller means (21) for extending between a first edge (13) and the opposite, second, edge (14) a cover comprising two cover sections (22, 26), said roller means mounting a first edge (23, 27) of each of said tow cover section (22, 26), the second edge (24, 28) extending to the third and fourth edge (16, 17) said roller means being connected to resilient means (40) to roll from a position intermediate said third (16) and fourth (17) edges of the opening (12) when said cover is closed to a position adjacent said third edge (16) when said cover is open, said second edge (28) of the second cover section (26) being connected by arm means (36, 37) connected to rotate by a rack (30) and pinion (31) drive means between a first position in which said second edge (28) is adjacent said fourth edge (17) of the opening (12) to a second position adjacent the third edge (16) of said opening (12).

Description

COVER APPARATUS FOR A CONTAINER

The present invention relates to a cover apparatus for a container, for example, an open top container of a road truck for containing material, such as sand, ballast, asphalt, or an open top container of a railway truck.

Open top road trucks having covers are well known. The covers may be of a type in which a simple flexible sheet material is mounted on a roller at the forward edge of the open top container and is pulled backwards to the rear edge of the container and secured thereto. Whilst this is useful in many circumstances, there are problems, particularly when the container is full of asphalt, when it is desirable to space the cover from the asphalt both for purposes of maintaining the underside of the cover clean, and also to provide an air gap that insulates the asphalt and reduces heat loss.

There has been described an arrangement, see for example, GB 2084241, in which the cover is rolled back from one side of the open top container to the other side and the material of the cover comprises two sheet sections which extend from a central roller to the opposite sides of the container, the roller being rotated to wind up the two cover sections in superposition as it moves from a position generally extending along the middle of the open top container through to one side of the open top container. Whilst such an arrangement has worked quite well, there are a number of technical problems. Firstly, the linkage arrangement described is complex and requires a number of shafts and gear boxes to operate.

It would therefore be advantageous to provide a simple arrangement that reduces the weight and therefore either allows an increased payload of the track or alternatively reduces fuel consumption and wear and tear on the truck. Simpler arrangements also tend to be more reliable.

The present arrangement provides a cover apparatus for a container having a generally rectangular opening therein, said opening having four edges, said apparatus comprising roller means for extending between a first edge and the opposite, second, edge of said opening, a cover comprising two cover sections, said roller means mounting a first edge of each of two cover sections, a first cover section having a second opposite edge extending to a third edge of the opening, and the second cover section having a second opposite edge extending to a fourth edge of the opening when said opening is closed by said cover, said roHer being connected to spring means to cause said roller to roll from a position intermediate said third and fourth edges of the opening when said cover is closed to a position adjacent said third edge when said cover is open, and said second edge of the second cover section being connected by arm means connected to rotate by a rack and pinion drive means between a first position in which said second edge of said second sheet is in a position generally adjacent and substantially parallel to said fourth edge of the opening when said cover is closed to a second position generally adjacent and substantially parallel to the third edge of said opening when said cover is open and/or between said second and said first positions.

The arm means is preferably connected to the pinion and a drive means such as a pneumatic or hydrauUc ram is provided to move the rack and thereby rotate the pinion means. Rotation of the pinion means causes said arm means to move between said first and said second positions.

Such an arrangement is simple to operate.

The pinion is preferably mounted generally adjacent the middle of the first and/or second edge of the opening so as to cause said second edge of the second cover section to be lifted as it moves from the first (closed) position to the second (open) position, which allows the cover to readily pass over any material within the container if it is slightly over-laden.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which :- Figure 1 is a perspective view from the rear and to one side of a road truck having an open top container body with cover apparatus showing first and second embodiments of the invention, Figures 2 (a) - (b) show details of a rack and pinion mechanism in position on a first or second edge of the container for opening and closing the cover apparatus, Figure 3 shows a front edge of the c -jtainer with a detail of a spring arm, roller, rack and pinion and two cover sections in a closed position of the first embodiment of the invention, and Figure 4 shows a view from the rear of a container of a second embodiment of the invention using curved arms, Figure 5 shows a detail of the rear end of the container 11 showing the second embodiment of the invention with the curved arms and roller in an open position, and Figures 6(a)-6(c) show an end view of the truck of Figure 1 showing the cover apparatus of the second embodiment in respectively open, half open, and fully closed positions, and showing the arm and curved arms. Figures 7(a)-7(c) shown an end view of the truck of Figure 1 showing the cover apparatus of the first embodiment in respectively open, half open, and fully closed positions, showing the arms and wheel.

Referring to Figure 1 there is disclosed a road truck 10 mounting an open top container 11 the container being intended to contain sand, ballast or asphalt or like material which is loaded into the container through the open top. The top opening 12 is generally rectangular and comprises four edges, the first edge 13 towards the front of the truck 10, the second rear edge 14 at the rear end of the truck, and the third, 16 and fourth, 17 edges being on opposite sides of the truck. The first and second edges,

13, 14, each include flat member 20 and an arched member 18, the arched member 18 having a flat upper surface 19 which extends between the third and fourth edges 16, 17.

A roller means 21 extends longitudinally parallel to the axis of the truck 10 between the front edge 13 and rear edge 14 of the opening 12 and extends so that the opposite ends of the roller means 21 over lie the flat upper surfaces 19 of the arched members 18. For convenience, a first embodiment of the cover apparatus is shown at the first edge 13 towards the front of the truck and a second embodiment of the cover apparatus is shown at the second edge 14 at the rear of the truck.

Referring to Figure 2(a) and 2(b), a rack 30 and hydraulic or pneumatic ram 32, are mounted on the flat member 20 beneath the arched member 18 on the first 13 and second 14 edges of the container 11. The rack 30 may be positioned on flat member 20 with the toothed edge of the rack facing away from flat member 20 as in Figure 2(a), or in a preferred embodiment may be positioned parallel to and above flat member 20 with its toothed edge facing flat member 20 as in Figure 2(b). A pinion 31 engages with the rack 30 and both rack and pinion are concealed within a housing 49 (not shown), the housing being attached to side edges 13, 14 of the container 11 by means of a plate 48.

A hexagonal drive shaft 35 extends from each pinion 31 and rotates with the pinion when the ram 32 drives (moves) the rack 30. A first end 60 of each drive shaft 35 is coupled to a respective arm 36, 37 which engages with respective ends of the rod 29, each arm performing a semi-circular motion with the respective drive shafts 35, when the ram 32 drives the rack 30.

Figure 3 provides a front view of the container 11 with the cover apparatus in the closed position and shows the first embodiment of the invention in which a conventional spring cartridge 40 is attached to one end 43 of spring arms 41, the other end of which is pivotally attached to rod 44, the pivotal attachment permitting a degree of free movement of the upper end 43 of arm 41. Rod 44 is attached to a wheel 45, constrained to run along a channel 46 parallel to and attached to first edge 13 of the container 12. Spring cartridge 40, which acts between the roller 21 and the spring arm 41 and urges the roller to rotate in a direction to roll up the cover, is pre- tensioned when the cover is open and as the cover is pulled closed and the roller rotates, this provides further tension in the spring cartridge. The mechanism as seen from the second edge 14 of the container is similar.

As can be seen more clearly in Figure 4, the cover for the opening 12 is provided in the form of two cover sections, a first cover section 22 which has a first edge 23 engaged with the roller 21 along its length, -iqd a second opposite edge 24 which in normal use is permanently engaged with the third edge 16 of the opening. The second cover section 26 has a first edge 27 engaged with the roller means 21 along its length and a free second edge 28 which includes a pocket (or other means) in which is mounted a rod 29. The rod 29 is preferably cylindrical and hollow and extends up to or out of each end of the pocket. The roller 21 has conventional spring cartridge 40 inserted into each end.

With the cover apparatus in the closed position, i.e. the cover closing the opening 12, the roller means 21 is situated generally across the middle of the opening 12 from the first front edge 13 to the second rear edge 14, the free edge 28 of the second cover section 26 being maintained in the closed position by means of the rod 29 being urged into that position by means of the arms 36, 37 (see Figures 1, 2(a), 2(b) and Figures 6 (a) - (c)) (and held by a latch or other means).

Figure 4 provides a rear view of the container 11 with the cover apparatus in the closed position and shows the second embodiment of the invention in which a second end 61 of each drive shaft 35 is coupled to a first end 51 of respective curved arms 71,73, the arm being driven to perform a semi-circular motion by the respective drive shaft 35 when the ram 32 drives (moves) the rack 30. A second end 53 of respective curved arm 71, 73 is pivotally connected to a first end 52 of respective second curved arms 72, 74, the pivotal connection including a sliding means 62 whereby second arms 72, 74 rotate about, and move generally axially with respect to, the pivot point 54. Spring cartridge 40, inserted in the roller 21, is attached to second end 55 of second arm 72, 74. Spring cartridge 40, which acts between the roller 21 and curved arms 71, 72 and urges the roller to rotate in a direction to roll up the cover, is pre- tensioned when the cover is open and as the cover is pulled closed and the roller rotates, this provides further tension in the spring cartridge. The second end 55 of second arms 72, 74 engage respective ends of the cartridge 40 to maintain the spring 40 under tension.

The roller means 21 (or that part of the cover<wound up on the roller) will roll across the flat upper surfaces 19 of arched member 18 of first and second edges 13, 14 when the cover is moving between an open and a closed position. The spring cartridge 40 is held under tension by its attachment to the container 11 via spring arm 41, rod 44 and wheel 45 in the first embodiment, or via curved arms 71, 72, 73, 74 in the second embodiment, and retains the spring cartridge of the roller under tension sufficient, when the cover is moving from a closed to an open position, to wind both sections of cover around roller 21.

When the cover moves from an open to a closed position, the roller means (or that part of the cover wound up on the roller) will roll across the flat upper surface 19, if urged by the action of the rack and pinion on arms 36, 37, until both of the cover sections 22, 26 have been fully unwound from the roller means 21.

Figure 5 shows the second embodiment with the cover in an open position, i.e. the cover is rolled around roller means 21 and at rest adjacent third edge 16. In this position arms 36, 37 lie generally parallel with edges 13, 14. As also shown in Figure 2, a respective end 38 of each arm 36, 37 is connected to one end 60 of the drive shaft 35 of respective pinion means 31 and the end 39 of each arm 36, 37 remote from the drive shaft 35 is connected a respective end of rod 29 on which the second edge 28 of the second cover 26 is mounted.

The mechanism as seen from the first edge 13 of the container is similar. In that way when the cover is closed the load within the container is completely covered and remains dry and also, in the case of asphalt, the heat is retained by means of the air gap between the underside of the cover and the top surface of the asphalt.

When it is desired to open or close the top of the container, each hydraulic or pneumatic ram 32 is actuated to move its rac\30 and rotate the respective pinion 31 and drive shaft 35.

The second embodiment of the invention is shown in operation in Figures 6(a)- 6(c) which show a second (rear) edge 14 of the container 11 showing the arms 36, 37 on the interior surface of edge 14 as dashed lines. The position of arms 36, 37 are shown when the cover is in an open, half open, and closed position respectively.

The attached ends 38 of respective arms 36, 37, rotate when the drive shaft 35 rotates such that ends 39 of arms 36, 37 attached to rod 29 urge the second edge 28 of second cover 26 from its position adjacent third edge 16, when the cover is in an open position towards fourth edge 17, raising said edge 28 above arched member 18.

During this operation the arms 36, 37 perform a semi-circular motion around the axis of the drive shaft 35, from the first position of Figure 6 (a) generally parallel to first 13 (not shown) and second 14 edges of the opening when the cover is open, to the intermediate position of Figure 6 (b) after 90° rotation of the pinion when the arms 36,

37 are perpendicular to said first 13 and second 14 edges and the cover is half open, and on to the second position of Figure 6 (c) after 180° rotation of the pinion when the arms 36, 37 are once again generally parallel to first 13 and second 14 edges of the opening when the cover is fully closed.

Figures 7(a)-7(c) show details of the first embodiment of the invention showing a second (rear) edge 14 of the container, and spring arm 41, rod 44 and wheel 45 when the cover is in an open, half open, and a closed position, respectively. Both cover sections 22, 26 are rolled around the roller means 21 when the cover is in the open position seen in Figure 7(a), and unwind from the roller as the cover moves to the closed position seen in Figure 7(c). While the cover is unrolling from the roller means 21, the spring cartridge 40 is held under tension by its attachment to the container 11 via the spring arm 41, rod 44 and wheel 45.

Figures 6(a)-6(c) also show details of the second embodiment of the invention showing the curved arms 71, 72, 73, 74 on afi -outer surface of edge 14 as bold lines, when the cover is in an open, a half open, and a closed position, respectively. In Figures 6(a) - 6 (c) ends 51 of respective arms 71 , 73 engage end 61 of the drive shaft 35, and rotate when the drive shaft rotates, such that ends 53 of arms 71, 73 attached to ends 52 of arms 72, 74 at pivot 54 urge ends 53 of arms 72, 74 away from their position adjacent third edge 16 when the cover is in an open position shown in Figure 6(a) towards a position generally midway between third 16 and fourth 17 edges when the cover is in a closed position seen in Figure 6(c). As the second edge 28 of the second cover 26 is urged from its open position adjacent third edge 16 towards its closed position adjacent fourth edge 17 the covers 22, 26 are unwound from the roller means 21, and roller means 21 is urged from its open position adjacent and parallel to third edge 16 towards its closed position generally adjacent the middle of the opening 12, parallel to third and fourth edges 16,17.

In order to open the cover the arrangement moves in reverse through those positions shown in Figures 6(a)-6(c) each hydraulic or pneumatic ram 32 being actuated to move its rack 30 to rotate its pinion 31 and arms 36, 37 such that arms 36, 37 rotate from an closed position generally parallel to edges 13, 14 through 180° to an open position when they are again generally parallel to edges 13, 14. The second edge 28 of said second cover 26 moves from a position parallel to and adjacent with fourth edge 17 when the cover is closed, to a position parallel to and adjacent with third edge 16 when the cover is fully open During this process ends 39 of arms 36, 37 attached to rod 29 urge the second edge 28 of second cover 26 from its position adjacent fourth edge 17 towards third edge 16, raising said edge 28 above arched member 18. The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment.

For example, in the first embodiment, end 44 of spring arm 41 may be attached to a slide means, rather than wheel 45, permitting roller 21 to be held under tension while rolling or unrolling cover sections 22, 26.

In the second embodiment the respective arms 71, 72, 73, 74 retaining the spring cartridge 40 under tension may be straight, not curved, where appropriate.

The hydraulic ram may be integral with the hydraulic system of the truck 10, or may comprise a separate hydraulic unit independent of the hydraulic system of the truck A separate hydraulic system may be particularly useful if the cover section is provided separately to a truck, and may in addition be desirable if the truck contents are sensitive to contamination by the hydraulic fluids used in a truck, as an alternative fluid may be used, such as vegetable oil.

In a further embodiment the spring means could comprise a flat coil spring, the outer end of which is connected to third edge 16 of the container 11, and the inner end of which is connected to the roller means 21 such that when the roller 21 is in a position generally midway between the third and fourth edges 16, 17, each coil spring is uncoiled and when the roller means 21 is adjacent the third edge 16 each flat coil spring 31,32 is coiled around the roller means 21.

In addition, the drive means may not be a hexagonal shaft, but may form a triangular or rectangular or other non-circular shape, and the hydraulic or pneumatic ram, rack, pinion and arms 36, 37 shown on the side of back walls 47 adjacent to the open container may be provided on the opposite side of the back wall 47.

Claims

1° mm, 1 0CLAIMS

1. A cover apparatus for a container (11) having a generally rectangular opening (12) therein, said opening (12) having four edges (13,14,16,17), said apparatus comprising roller means (21) for extending between a first edge (13) and the opposite, second, edge (14) of said opening (12), a cό\er comprising two cover sections (22, 26), said roller means mounting a first edge (23, 27) of each of said two cover sections (22, 26), a first cover section (22) having a second opposite edge (24) for extending to a third edge (16) of the opening (12), and the second cover section (26) having a second opposite edge (28) for extending to a fourth edge (17) of the opening

(12) when said opening (12) is closed by said cover, said roller means being connected to resilient means (40) to cause said roller means to roll from a position intermediate said third (16) and fourth (17) edges of the opening (12) when said cover is closed to a position adjacent said third edge (16) when said cover is open, said second edge (28) of the second cover section (26) being connected by arm means (36,

37) connected to rotate by a rack (30) and pinion (31) drive means between a first position in which said second edge (28) of said second sheet (26) is in a position generally adjacent and substantially parallel to said fourth edge (17) of the opening (12) when said cover is closed to a second position generally adjacent and substantially parallel to the third edge (16) of said opening (12) when said cover is open and/or between said second and said first positions.

2. A cover apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said rack and pinion drive means is adapted to open and close the cover.

3. A cover apparatus as claimed in claim 1 and claim 2 wherein said rack and pinion drive means are provided along said first (13) and second (14) edges of said container (11).

4. A cover apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3 wherein said rack (30) and pinion (31) drive means is driven by a ram (32).

5. A cover apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4 wherein said drive means includes a drive shaft (35), extending from each pinion (31) said drive shaft (35) rotating with the pinion when the ram (32) drives the rack (30).

6. A cover apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein said arm means comprises, on respective first (13) and second (14) ei of container (11), an arm (36; 37) pivotally connected between a second end (60) of said drive shaft (35) and the second edge (28) of the second cover section (26), said respective arm adapted, as the cover is moved from an open to a closed position, to cause said second edge of the second cover section to be lifted which allows the cover to readily pass over any material within the container if it is slightly over-laden.

7. A cover apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein said arm on each of said first (13) and second (14) arms is telescopic.

8. A cover apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the resilient means comprises a coil spring cartridge mounted with said roller.

9. A cover apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein one end of a coil spring of the coil spring cartridge is attached to the roller (21) and the other end to arm means

(41; 72; 74) mounted between the end of the roller and respective first (13) and second (14) edges of container (11), there being provided pre-tension in the coil spring cartridge when the cover is open, further tension being applied to the coil spring cartridge as the cover is pulled closed and the roller (21) rotates.

10. A cover apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the resilient means comprises a torsion spring mounted with said roller.

11. A cover apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein said arm means comprises, for respective first (13) and second (14) edges of said container (11), an arm (41) pivotally connected to a rod (44), said rod attached to a wheel (45) constrained to run along a respective channel (46) adjacent said first (13) and second (14) edges.

12. A cover apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein said arm means comprises, for respective first (13) and second (14) edges of said container (11), a first arm (71;

73) pivotally connected to a second arm (72; 74), a first end (51) of said first arm (71; 73) connected to a respective edge (13,14) of said container (11) at a first end (61) of said drive shaft (35).

13. A cover apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein said first end (51) of said arm (71; 73) performs a semicircular motion and said second arm (72; 74), pivotally attached to second end (53) of said first arm (71; 73) at a pivot point (54), rotates about and moves axially with respect to pivot point (54), maintaining said coil spring under tension, when said drive shaft (35) rotates, and said roller is moved between a first and a second position by action of said drive means (35) on said arm (36; 37).

14. A cover apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein said ram comprises a pneumatic ram.

15. A cover apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein said ram is mounted to said roller means.

16. Cover apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 15 substantially as hereinbefore described.