GB2091695A - Cargo Container Cover - Google Patents
Cargo Container Cover Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2091695A GB2091695A GB8202309A GB8202309A GB2091695A GB 2091695 A GB2091695 A GB 2091695A GB 8202309 A GB8202309 A GB 8202309A GB 8202309 A GB8202309 A GB 8202309A GB 2091695 A GB2091695 A GB 2091695A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- opening
- curtain
- container
- peripheral
- cover
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 29
- 238000009958 sewing Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000011248 coating agent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000000576 coating method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000004744 fabric Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D88/00—Large containers
- B65D88/02—Large containers rigid
- B65D88/12—Large containers rigid specially adapted for transport
- B65D88/122—Large containers rigid specially adapted for transport with access from above
- B65D88/124—Large containers rigid specially adapted for transport with access from above closable top
- B65D88/125—Large containers rigid specially adapted for transport with access from above closable top by flexible element, e.g. canvas
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Curtains And Furnishings For Windows Or Doors (AREA)
Abstract
A cover for an opening in a cargo container comprises a flexible curtain (1) secured at the top of the opening to the container. The curtain (1) has at its sides and lower portion peripheral tunnels (7) accommodating at least one peripheral strand (6, 6'), and at its back inclined tunnels (9) accommodating at least two bracing strands (8, 8'). The curtain has at its lower portion spaced apart fittings (10), including each guiding means (11) and/or attachment means (12) for the strands (6, 6', 8, 8'), and a first part (13) of a two-part over-centre clip. The first part (13) is engageable with the second part (14) of the clip, the second part (14) being attached to the container within or adjacent the opening. <IMAGE>
Description
SPECIFICATION
A Cargo Container Cover
The invention relates to a cover for an opening in a cargo container, particularly a container to be borne by aircraft.
A cover in the form of a flexible curtain for covering a substantially rectangular opening in a cargo container is known from US Patent
Specification No. 4 046 1 86. The curtain includes a peripheral cable and two diagonal cables. The curtain is at its upper end attached to the container and the diagonal cables are permanently secured at the upper corners of the opening and temporarily secured at the lower corners by fittings which may be manually slipped over posts and serve to fix the bottom end of the curtain to close the opening. The curtain is then firmly sealed in position by tensioning the peripheral cable by a ratchet assembly.
The known cover has the disadvantage that the diagonal cables cannot be tensioned, and the ratchet mechanism is too complicated and costly.
The aim of the invention is to avoid or at least to mitigate these disadvantages.
The invention provides a cover for an opening in a cargo container, the cover comprising a flexible curtain secured at the top of the opening to the container, characterised in that the curtain has at its sides and lower portion peripheral tunnels accommodating at least one peripheral strand, and at its back inciined tunnels accommodating at least two bracing strands, the curtain including at its lower portion spaced apart fittings including each guiding means and/or attachment means for the strands, and a first part of a two-part over-centre clip, said first part being engageable with the second part of the clip, the second part being attached to the container within or adjacent the opening.
In one preferred embodiment the curtain is substantially rectangular and has one said first part of said clip in each bottom corner, each said first part cooperating with a respective one second part in the bottom corner of said opening.
The cover preferably comprises at least two pivotally mounted bellcranks to one arm of each bellcrank being attached one end of one said peripheral strand and to the other arm being connected one end of one said bracing strand.
Advantageously at least one end of at least one of said cables is attached to tension adjustment means.
The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which:
Figure 1 shows in perspective a corner part of a container and a corner part of a cover therefor,
Figure 2 shows a two-part over-centre clip and the manner of its functioning,
Figures 3 and 4 show details of location of a peripheral cable in a channel, and
Figure 5 shows details of a bell-crank used to obtain correct cable tension.
A corner part of a cargo container having a substantially rectangular opening therein, and a corner part of a cover for that opening are shown in Figure 1. The top part of the opening is delimited by a header (not shown), its sides by side rails 2 (only one shown) and its bottom by a bottom rail 3. The header and rails 2, 3 are secured to the container and form a frame defining the opening. The rails 2, 3 have slightly curved flanges 4, 5 which delimit a peripheral channel. Also shown is a flexible curtain 1 which is also substantially rectangular but larger than the opening, and is made e.g. of a suitable fabric made weatherproof by a coating of a suitable plastics.
The curtain 1 is secured across the top of the opening by said header and is at its sides and bottom provided with one or more peripheral tunnels 7 which accommodate a peripheral cable 6.
In the illustrated embodiment the peripheral tunnel 7 is formed by sewing as a casing at the periphery of the curtain 1 which overhangs the flanges 4, 5. At the back of the curtain 1 are attached diagonal tunnels 9 (only one shown here formed by sewing) accommodating diagonal cables 8 (only one shown). Both the peripheral cable 6 and the diagonal cables 8 may be sheathed.
The curtain 1 is at each of its bottom corners provided with a fitting 10 which is firmly secured to the curtain 1 and includes a guide 11 for the peripheral cable 6, a cable attachment 12 for one of the diagonal cables 8, and a male part 13 of a two-part over-centre clip. The male part 13 of the clip is set across the lower corner of the curtain and is adapted to co-operate with a female part 14 formed on a gusset member 1 5 set across the adjacent lower corner of said opening and firmly secured to the frame formed by the rails 2 and 3.
The male and female parts 13, 14 of the clip extend approximately at right angles to the associated diagonal cable 8.
For closing the container, the lower corners of the curtain 1 are bent, the male parts 13 are engaged with the associated female parts 14, and the corners are levered, as shown by the arrow R in Figure 2, to cause the two-part over-centre clips to clamp together. During that movement the peripheral tunnel 7 with the peripheral cable 6 therein enters the channel delimited by the flanges 4, 5 and both the peripheral cable 6 and the diagonal cables 8 are taut, whereby the peripheral cable 6 is tensioned and firmly holds the curtain in a position in which it seals the opening, and the diagonal cables 8 are pulled tight so that they brace, and thus reinforce, both the curtain 1 and the container. In this position the curtain 1 can be secured in a manner known per se, against unwanted or unauthorized opening.
While only one peripheral cable is shown which passes from the top on one side of the curtain 1 to the top on the other side, more cables may be used, e.g. one for each side and one for the bottom, or two cables, each extending from the top of one side to the middle of the bottom.
Instead of two diagonal cables, which act as bracing cables crossing each other, more than two bracing cables may be used, particularly if the opening, and consequently the curtain, are not substantially rectangular as in the illustrated embodiment.
Refinements may be added to improve the ease of operation and/or the distribution of loads in the aforementioned strands, e.g. instead of attaching the top ends of the strands directly to the container structure they may be provided with:
(a) attachments incorporating length adjustment means for the strands to achieve particular tensions in the strands when the door is closed and/or (b) a bellcrank arrangement to allow for easier closing and control of the ratios of tensions in adjacent strands.
These refinements will now be described with reference to Figure 5 on the example of a rectangular flexible curtain 1 for covering a rectangular opening defined by a frame. The corners of the curtain and frame and also the devices situated in these corners will be distinguished for simplicity of explanation by the following letters: LU=left-hand upper, LB=lefthand bottom, RU=right-hand upper and
RB=right-hand bottom. It will be further presumed that the curtain 1 has two peripheral cables 6, 6' and two diagonal cables 8, 8' extending as follows: cable 6 between LU and LB corners, cable 6' between RU and RB corners, cable 8 between LB and RU corners and cable 8' between LU and RB corners.While Figure 1 shows the LB corner (looking from inside the container), Figure 5 shows the LU corner looking from the outside, but for simplicity of explanation
Figure 5 will be deemed to show the RU corner looking from the inside.
An RU bellcrank 16 is attached, via a pivot 17 to the container frame in the RU corner thereof.
The bellcrank 1 6 has a first arm provided with an opening accommodating an adjustment screw 18 to which is attached the peripheral cable 6', and a second arm provided with an opening accommodating an adjustment screw 19 to which attached the diagonal cable 8. The distance between the axis of the opening in the second arm (which is also the axis of the cable 8) and the axis of the pivot 17 will be referred to as offset 20, and the distance between the axis of the opening in the first arm (which is also the axis of the cable 6') and the axis of the pivot 1 7 will be referred to as offet 21.The cables 6' and 8 are so connected by their respective adjustment screws 18 and 19 to the bellcrank 16 that when the curtain 1 is closed and correctly adjusted the ratio of tensions in the cables 6' and 8 is equal to the ratio of the lever offset 20 and 21 ignoring friction. The operation of the curtain 1 to close the lower corners now requires less effort.
On closing the LB corner the tension on its diagonal cable 8 acting through the RU bellcrank causes that bellcrank to rotate because the peripheral cable 6' on that bellcrank is connected to the RB corner which is not closed and therefore provides no reacting tension. Similarly, tension exerted on the peripheral cable 6 in the LB corner causes the LU bellcrank to rotate because the diagonal cable 8' on that bellcrank is connected to the RB corner which is not closed.
On closing the RB corner the tension on its diagonal cable 8' acting through the LU bellcrank causes that bellcrank to rotate, generating a tension in the peripheral cable 6 attached to that bellcrank until that bellcrank is "balanced" with the correct ratio of tensions in the cables 6 and 8', similarly with the peripheral cable 6' from the RB corner to the RU bellcrank balancing the other diagonal cable 8.
Thus the same final tensions are achieved as if the cables had been rigidly attached to the structure at their upper ends, but the closing of the second corner, in the above example the RB corner, requires less effort since each cable has a longer "effective" length through the associated bellcrank so that its effective "stiffness" is reduced.
In order that the diagonal and peripheral cables may still provide their original stiffness to brace the container and provide cargo constraint, each bellcrank is designed so that its angles of rotation either way from its mid-position are kept small by the bellcrank arms contacting the container structure at points 22, 23 (Figure 5) or by providing fixed or adjustable stops. When the bellcrank Is thus prevented from rotation, the cables then act as if they were attached directly to the container structure.
It will be appreciated that instead of a cable some other "strand" may be used, e.g. a wire or rope. The strands may be combined with resilient or non-resilient tensioning means.
Claims (5)
1. A cover for an opening in a cargo container, the cover comprising a flexible curtain secured at the top of the opening to the container, wherein the curtain has at its sides and lower portion peripheral tunnels accommodating at least one peripheral strand, and at its back inclined tunnels accommodating at least two bracing strands, the curtain including at its lower portion spaced apart fittings including each guiding means and/or attachment means for the strands, and a first part of a two-part over-centre clip, said first part being engageable with the second part of the clip, the second part being attached to the container within or adjacent the opening.
2. A cover according to Claim 1 wherein the curtain is substantially rectangular and has one said first part of said clip in each bottom corner, each said first part cooperating with a respective one second part in the bottom corner of said opening.
3. A cover according to Claim 1 or 2 comprising at least two pivotally mounted bellcranks to one arm of each bellcrank being attached one end of one said peripheral strand and to the other arm being connected one end of one bracing strand.
4. A cover according to Claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein at least one end of at least one of said cables is attached to tension adjustment means.
5. A cover for an opening in a cargo container constructed, arranged and adapted to operate substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB8202309A GB2091695B (en) | 1981-01-28 | 1982-01-27 | Cargo container cover |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB8102618 | 1981-01-28 | ||
GB8202309A GB2091695B (en) | 1981-01-28 | 1982-01-27 | Cargo container cover |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
GB2091695A true GB2091695A (en) | 1982-08-04 |
GB2091695B GB2091695B (en) | 1984-06-06 |
Family
ID=26278253
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
GB8202309A Expired GB2091695B (en) | 1981-01-28 | 1982-01-27 | Cargo container cover |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
GB (1) | GB2091695B (en) |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP0127936A1 (en) * | 1983-04-21 | 1984-12-12 | Robert Looker | Cargo container |
US5667002A (en) * | 1996-10-17 | 1997-09-16 | Air Cargo Equipment Corporation | Single-point tensioning door system for containers |
-
1982
- 1982-01-27 GB GB8202309A patent/GB2091695B/en not_active Expired
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP0127936A1 (en) * | 1983-04-21 | 1984-12-12 | Robert Looker | Cargo container |
US5667002A (en) * | 1996-10-17 | 1997-09-16 | Air Cargo Equipment Corporation | Single-point tensioning door system for containers |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
GB2091695B (en) | 1984-06-06 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US4429730A (en) | Cargo container cover | |
AU601931B2 (en) | Vertical shade assembly | |
US6267430B1 (en) | Slide rail for removable vehicle seat | |
CA2084915C (en) | Pleated screen device based on wire tension system | |
FI60057C (en) | ANORDNING VID DOERR | |
US5649390A (en) | Garage door decorative cover | |
PL171448B1 (en) | Roller blind for windows | |
BRPI0902160A2 (en) | screen device | |
US6812407B1 (en) | Door wire routing system | |
BG63404B1 (en) | Universal attachment for the assembly and parallel guiding of a screening device for a window | |
GB2091695A (en) | Cargo Container Cover | |
US20080272612A1 (en) | Covering Device for Glazing in a Vehicle | |
US3882575A (en) | Releasable holddown means for curtains and the like | |
JPS62221914A (en) | Vehicle roof | |
US4825606A (en) | Deformable sealing arrangement for the gap between the edge of an opening in a building and the back end of a vehicle that is driven up to the opening | |
US20060211847A1 (en) | Drive device | |
EP0918118B1 (en) | Screen structure | |
US6874199B2 (en) | Protective cover for guidance device for a flexible-curtain goods-handling door | |
JP2006083521A (en) | Opening and closing device of opening/closing body for vehicle | |
US3845803A (en) | Slat-type venetian blind apparatus | |
JP2513660Y2 (en) | Wiring duct cover mounting structure | |
JP2007151316A (en) | Harness wiring structure and feeder system equipped with it | |
GB2304804A (en) | Vehicle side curtain fastening | |
ITRM950232U1 (en) | WALL GAS BOILER | |
JP3280491B2 (en) | Middle opening screen door device |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
732 | Registration of transactions, instruments or events in the register (sect. 32/1977) | ||
PCNP | Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |