GB2150088A - Frameworks for vehicle roofs - Google Patents

Abstract

A framework 10 for a vehicle roof 40 has two curved side beams 14 each comprising two L-shaped side members 28, 34. The roof 40 is secured to the framework 10 by means of respective edge brackets 42 to which is also attached respective side curtain assemblies 50. Roof sticks 49 provide additional support for roof panel 48. In order to compensate for the sag created in such a structure due to the weight of the roof and the side curtain assemblies the side beam 14 are curved so that its middle is at a slightly higher level than its ends. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Frameworks for vehicle roofs This invention concerns frameworks for vehicle roofs, more particularly frameworks for supporting the roofs of freight-carrying sections of goods vehicles.

It is well known to provide a supportive framework for the roof of the freight-carrying section of a goods vehicle particularly if the vehicle is of the type known as a curtain-sider.

Curtain-sider vehicles have no fixed side walls for the freight-carrying sections thereof; instead the side walls are of a flexible nonmetallic sheet material, such as canvas, and hang from the roof. As there are no side walls capable of supporting the roof, the latter will have a tendency to sag under its own weight.

To prevent this happening, it is usual to provide several pillars at intervals along the front-to-rear centreline of the freight-carrying section. Each pillar supports a cross-piece positioned so that the pillar and the cross-piece form a T shape, with the cross-piece extending transversely of the vehicle and serving to support the roof. This arrangement, though successful in achieving a roof structure which will not sag. occupies space which could otherwise be used for carrying freight and the central pillars can interfere with loading and unloading operations.

An object of the present invention is to provide a framework, for a vehicle roof, which is capable of supporting the roof without the previously-discussed disadvantages.

Pursuant hereto, the present invention provides a substantially rectangular framework, for a vehicle roof, comprising two side members and two transverse members, said framework being supported over a freight-carrying section of a vehicle with each corner of the framework being positioned on or adjacent to respective corner posts, these corner posts being situated at or near each corner of a base or floor of said freight carrying section with said side members extending front-to-rear with respect to the vehicle, characterised in that each said side memer is L-shaped in cross-section, has its longer limb substantially vertically disposed and depending from its shorter limb which is substantially horizontally disposed, the side member being curved so that its middle is at a slightly higher level than its ends.

The radius of curvature of each side member is preferably such that when a roof and a side curtain assembly are carried by the framework, the weight of these and the weight of the framework itself will cause the side members to assume a substantially linear configuration.

Optionally, one or more cross members may be provided between the side members and parallel to the transverse members to provide improved structural strength.

Advantageously these transverse members are L-shaped in cross-section.

Further the cross members may also be Lshaped in cross-section.

In an advantageous embodiment each side member is provided with a respective second member which is L-shaped in cross-section, said second member being disposed with its longer limb substantially horizontal and its shorter limb substantially vertical and with its said longer limb fastened to the shorter limb of the respective side member. This arrangement improves the structural strength of the side members.

The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a plan view illustrating a practical embodiment of the framework of the invention; Figure 2 is a side elevation of the framework of Fig. 1 showing said framework supported on corner posts over the base of a freight carrying section of a vehicle; and Figure 3 is a cross-section taken along the line Ill-Ill of Fig. 2, to an enlarged scale.

Referring firstly to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the illustrated preferred embodiment of the framework, indicated generally by the reference numeral 10, comprises two curved side beams 12, 14 constructed of a suitable material, preferably steel. These side beams 12, 1 4 are fixed relative to one another by two transverse members 13, 15, thus forming a rectangular framework 10 for supporting a vehicle roof. The framework further includes several cross members 1 6 to provide additional structural strength to the framework 1 0. The framework 10 is supported by four corner posts 18, 20, 22, 24 secured to a base or floor 26, this base or floor 26 being part of a freight-carrying section of a goods vehicle (not shown).Each of the corner posts 18, 20, 22, 24 is of channel section and is disposed so that the channel is open to the outside of said freight-carrying section.

A roof 40 constructed from lightweight materials such as aluminium or plastics, is fixed onto the framework 10. Two side curtain assemblies 50 (see Fig. 3) are fixed to the roof 40 by means of edge brackets 42 so that each side curtain assembly 50 is disposed parallel to a respective side beam 12, 14.

Fig. 3 illustrates one side beam 12, 14 in greater detail. Each side beam 12, 1 4 comprises a respective first side member 28 and a respective second side member 34 each of which is L-shaped in cross-section. The first side member 28 is curved in configuration such that when the side beams 12, 14 are supported on the corner posts 18, 20, 22, 24 the middle of each side beam 1 2, 14 is at a slightly higher level than its respective ends.

The first side member 28 is fixed to its respective second side member 34 so that the short limb 30 of the first side member 28 is secured to the longer limb 38 of the second side member 34 with said longer limb 38 serving to support the roof 40. The roof 40 comprises a roof panel 48, two opposite edges of which are held between respective securing plates 44 and roof edge brackets 42.

In the illustrated embodiment, the securing plates 44 and the roof edge brackets 42 are fastened together by rivets 46, these rivets also passing through the roof panel 48 which is therefore effectively sandwiched between the respective securing plate 44 and the corresponding roof edge bracket 42. Each roof edge bracket 42 is additionally secured to the shorter limb 36 of the respective second side member 34 of respective side beam 12, 1 4.

Thus the roof 40 is securely fixed to the framework 1 0. Additional support for the roof panel 48 is provided by roof sticks 49 arranged transversely relative to the roof 40 between each of the roof edge brackets 42.

A side curtain assenbly 50 comprises a box section 54 having one side extended to form an upright 52 and protruberance 58. The upright and side 52 of the side curtain assembly 50 is fixed to the roof edge bracket 42 with the box section 54 in its lowest position. A channel 56 is provided in the lower face of the box section 54 so that a plurality of gliders 60, to each of which are attached a pair of rollers 62, 64 mounted on a shaft 66 which extends through said glider 60, can pass therealong. A side curtain (not shown) is attached to the gliders 60 which are freely displaceable along the length of the box section 54 by means of said rollers 62, 64.

To protect the plate and rollers a flexible protective guide is provided and this is held to the box section 54 by the protruberance 58.

In a typical construction it has been found that the curvature of the first side member 28 should be such that the following equation will apply: Hm = He + 0.02L where Hm = Height of the middle of each first side member 28 above the base 26; He = Height of either end of the first side member 28 above the base 26; and L = the length of the first side member 28.

When the framework 10 is positioned on the corner posts 18, 20, 22, 24 its own weight will reduce the difference between H, and He by approximately 50%. The addition of the roof 40 to the framework 10 will further reduce this difference by about 25% and the weight of the side curtain assemblies 50 and the side curtains should be such that Hm is approxitately equal to He at which point the side member 28 is substantially parallel to the base 26. It will be understood that the figures given above for the reduction in H are only approximations and the actual figures will depend on the size and weight of the framework, the roof, the side curtain assemblies and the side curtains.

The framework of the invention provides comparable structural strength and integrity to conventional frameworks but does not require the use of extra supports to prevent the roof from sagging. The disadvantages of using such supports are therefore removed and a maximum amount of space is available for carrying freight.

The invention is not restricted to the precise details of the illustrated example and variations may be made thereto. Thus, for instance, although the side members are preferably made of steel and the roof of aluminium any material possessing similar qualities may be used. It is not necessary for the corner posts to be of channel section. any configuration could be used providing the structural strength and integrity are maintained and suitable means are provided for tensioning the side curtain.

In addition although the embodiment shown has side beams each formed from a first side member and a second side member, the second side member is not necessary and the framework may be constructed without it.

Further it is not necessary for the framework to be directly supported by the corner posts. It would be possible, for example, to have the framework supported on transverse beams extending between respective pairs of corner posts. Other variations may also be possible.

Claims (7)

1. A framework for a vehicle roof comprising two side members and two transverse members, said framework being supported over a freight-carrying section of a vehicle with each corner of the framework being positioned on or adjacent to respective corner posts, these corner posts being situated at or near each corner of a base or floor of said freight carrying section with said side members extending front-to-rear with respect to the vehicle, characterised in that each said side member is L-shaped in cross-section, has its longer limb substantially vertically disposed and depending from its shorter limb which is substantially horizontally disposed, the side member being curved so that its middle is at a slightly higher level than its ends.

2. A framework as claimed in claim 1 wherein the radius of curvature of each side member is such that when a roof and a side curtain assembly are carried by the framework, the weight of these and the weight of the framework itself will cause the side members to assume a substantially linear configuration.

3. A framework as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein one or more cross members are provided between the side members and parallel to the transverse members to provide improved structural strength.

4. A framework as claimed in claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein the transverse members are Lshaped in cross-section.

5. A framework as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the cross members are Lshaped in cross-section.

6. A framework as claimed in any preceding claim wherein each side member is provided with a respective second side member which is L-shaped in cross-section, said second side member being disposed with its longer limb substantially horizontal and its shorter limb substantially vertical and with its said longer limb fastened to the shorter limb of the respective side member.

7. A framework for a vehicle roof substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.