GB2342379A - Curtain-sided vehicle incorporating a mechanically operated curtain tensioning system - Google Patents

Abstract

A curtain-sided load carrying vehicle has a tensioning system for securing a lower edge of the side-curtain (13) relative to a chassis side member (2, figure 1) of the vehicle. The tensioning system includes tightening devices (19) mounted at spaced apart positions relative to the vehicle chassis and ties (14) which are attached at one end to the lower edge of the curtain and at the other end to the tightening devices. Preferably the ties are permanently fixed to the curtain and detachably engageable with a hook (30) on each tightening device. The tightening devices are preferably manually operated by a lever (31) and comprise a longitudinal element (24), for example a rod, which is displaceable and to which the ties are secured. A ratchet mechanism (39, figure 3) may be provided to hold the lever and, hence, longitudinal element in a selected position, the element preferably operating against the action of a spring (28, figure 3).

Description

LOAD-CARRYING VEHICLES This invention relates to curtain-sided load-carrying wheeled road vehicles.

Curtain-sided load haulage vehicles can be loaded and unloaded through open sides and have curtains which can be drawn across the sides for closure purposes. Typically, the curtains are formed from strong plastics sheeting or fabric and are secured in the closure position by means of straps at intervals along the bottom edge region of the curtain. The straps extend between the curtain and a horizontal edge member, or rave, of the vehicle chassis. A buckle and over-centre or toggle mechanism is provided for each strap so that the curtain can be secured and firmly tensioned vertically downwards. This tensioning is important to ensure that the curtain ties flat even when the vehicle is travelling at speed. If the curtain is not adequately tensioned it may become unduly creased and may flap or billow when travelling which gives an unsightly appearance and may lead to ripping or other damage to the curtain.

Whilst the known strap-and-buckle tensioning system is effective it can be inconvenient to use in so far as it is necessary for a person to engage and tighten the buckle and then apply final tensioning with the over-centre or toggle mechanism for each of a large number of straps along the sides of the vehicle. Also, the straps, buckles and tensioning mechanisms overlie a lower edge region of the curtain to an appreciable vertical extent which visually disrupts the appearance of the closed curtain and can be unsightly particularly having regard to the tendency for the straps and buckles to trap dirt and cause staining of the curtain. It is common practice to apply advertising material to the curtains whereby an unsightly appearance can be considerably disadvantageous.

An object of the present invention is to provide a tensioning system for a curtain of a curtain-sided load haulage vehicle which is convenient to use and need not spoil the appearance of the curtain.

According to the invention therefore there is provided a curtain-sided load-carrying wheeled road vehicle having a curtain which can be drawn across an open side of the vehicle, and a tensioning system incorporating ties for securing a lower edge region of the curtain relative to a chassis side member of the vehicle, characterised by the provision of a plurality of tightening devices mounted relative to the vehicle chassis at spaced positions longitudinally of the side member, the ties being detachably interconnectable respectively between the curtain and the tightening devices whereby the tightening devices can be operated to secure and tension downwardly the curtain.

With this arrangement, tensioning of the curtain can be achieved in a convenient manner by operating the tightening devices and, having regard to the location of these devices on the chassis rather than the curtain, the devices need not present an unsightly view or spoil the appearance of the curtain.

The ties may comprise straps or tapes or wires or any other suitable links preferably of an elongate flexible nature.

The ties are preferably permanently fixed to the edge region of the curtain at spaced intervals therealong, particularly equally spaced intervals.

Thus, the ties may comprise tapes or straps which hang down from the bottom edge of the curtain. The curtain may be formed with incorporated spaced apart reinforcing tapes extending in upright disposition throughout all or most of the vertical extent of the curtain in which case the ties may consist of downward integral or attached extensions to these incorporated reinforcing tapes.

The invention is not however restricted to the use of ties permanently fixed to the edge region of the curtain. Other arrangements are possible and thus for example the ties may be detachably fixed to the edge region of the curtain as for example by engagement of a hook on each tie with a respective eye in the curtain, or otherwise.

With regard to the detachable interconnection of the ties between the curtain and the tightening devices, in a preferred embodiment, especially (but not necessarily) where each tie is permanently fixed at one end to the edge region of the curtain, each tie has an incorporated eye or attached ring or the like at a free end remote from the curtain which is detachably engageable with a hook or the like on the respective tightening device.

Alternatively, a different kind of detachable engagement may be provided between the free end of the tie and the tightening device for example comprising a hook on the tie engageable with an eye or ring of the tightening device.

The detachable interconnection may also be provided by a detachable coupling of any suitable kind between separable parts of the tie. In this case, such parts may be permanently fixed respectively to the curtain and the tightening device, or if desired one or both parts may also be detachably fixed to or engaged with the curtain and/or tightening device.

It is also possible to rely on detachable fixing of one end of the tie to the curtain as the detachable interconnection.

Whilst it is preferred that each tie consists of an elongate element attached or attachable at opposite ends to the curtain and the tightening device, it is also possible to use other arrangements, for example a looped element passing round hooks or eyes on the curtain and tightening device or otherwise.

The path of each tie between the curtain and the tightening device may be straight or may follow a curved or bent path. In the latter case, the tie may run around an edge of the chassis side member or other structure.

With regard to the tightening devices these preferably comprise manually operable mechanical devices incorporating a lever or other means of providing mechanical advantage.

In a preferred embodiment, each tightening device comprises a longitudinally displaceable element connected to the respective tie and coupled to a manually operable lever whereby movement of the lever in one direction displaces the element to tighten the tie. A releasable ratchet or other catch or locking arrangement may be provided to hold the displaceable element releasably in a selected position.

Tightening movement of the displaceable element may take place against the action of a spring thereby to facilitate return of the element to a slack or release position of the tie when the element is released and/or to take up play in the mechanism e. g. to ensure operation of the ratchet or other catch or locking arrangement.

Manual operation of the lever may be facilitated by provision of a handle at a free end thereof.

Most preferably, each tightening device is mounted beneath and/or inwardly of the side member of the vehicle chassis with the element displaceable in a transverse direction inwardly and outwardly of the vehicle side, the respective tie thereby extending through a bent path, e. g. around a lower edge of the side member, to link the element and the curtain.

Preferably also, the lever is manually operable transversely forwardly and rearwardly of the vehicle side. With this arrangement, the tightening device need require only relatively shallow vertical dimensions whereby fouling of wheels or other under-chassis structures can be avoided or minimise.

Conveniently, the devices may be adjustably mounted on an elongate member fixed relative to the chassis side member to facilitate installation of the tightening devices at required locations relative to the curtain.

The invention is not however restricted to the use of a tightening device having a lever and displaceable elongated element. Other manually operable mechanical devices and also power operated or assisted devices may also be used.

The vehicle incorporating the tensioning system of the invention may be a road trailer or a lorry or any other suitable kind of vehicle.

The curtain may be formed from flexible plastics sheeting and/or fabric as desired and may be surface finished and/or formed from appropriate materials to provide a surface having required properties such as waterproofing, colour, smoothness, especially having regard to desirability of providing an attractive surface to support printed or otherwise applied advertising material.

There may be a single curtain on one side, or two curtains on opposite sides with like tensioning systems.

The tensioning system may be appropriately constructed to ensure secure closure as for example by locking of the tightening devices or interconnection of the ties with a locked cable or otherwise.

The invention will now be described further by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic side perspective view of a road trailer incorporating a tensioning device in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view through part of the vehicle showing one of the tensioning devices; Figure 3 is a diagrammatic part sectioned plan view of the device of figure 2; and Figure 4 is a diagrammatic sectional view on the line IV-IV of Figure 3.

Referring to figure 1 a road trailer has a body 1 mounted on a chassis 2 having the usual linkage 3 at one end for connection to a tractor unit, and road wheels 4.

The chassis 2 has transverse metal l-beams 5 and, along each side a respective attached channel section side member 6, or rave, with a vertical web 7 and inwardly directed top and bottom flanges 8,9 which are located spaced above and below the top and bottom flanges 10, 11 of the 1-beams.

A floor 12 is supported on top of the 1-beams and extends between the top flanges 8,10 of the channel-section members 6 and the l-beams 5.

The trailer body 1 has a frame including upright corner posts supporting a roof, a front end wall, and rear end doors. The two sides of the body are open and in conventional manner are provided with curtains 13 which are supported at their upper edges on respective slide tracks whereby the curtains can be drawn across the openings for closure purposes.

The curtains 13 are formed from flexible plastics and/or fabric sheet material and incorporate vertical reinforcing tapes 14 made from webbing which run throughout the entire vertical extent of the curtains 13, from the top edge to the bottom edge, at equally spaced side-by-side positions.

Each tape 14 has an integral downwardly projecting extension 15 beyond the bottom edge of the curtain and terminates in a free end 16 to which a D-ring 17 is securely fixed as shown in the enlarged detail view of figure 1 a. As shown in figure 2, the length of the extension tape 1 5 is such that the ring 17 can be passed under the side rave 6 to a position slightly inwardly of the inner end of the bottom flange 9.

Beneath the transverse 1-beams 5, spaced inwardly of each side rave 6 there is fixed a respective flat metal bar 18 which runs along substantially the entire length of the chassis 1 paraliei to the side rave 6.

Beneath this bar 18 are fixed tightening devices 19, one for each of the tapes 15. Each tightening device 19 has top and bottom plates 20,21 fixed in spaced apart disposition with opposed flanges 22,23 fixed on opposite forward and rearward edges of the top surface of the top plate 20.

The flanges 22,23 have free edge regions spaced above the top plate 20 which are directed towards each other. These flanges 22,23 fit on opposite sides of the metal bar 18 to hold the tightening device 19 securely in position beneath the bar 18. The flanges 22,23 permit adjustment movement of the tightening device along the bar 18 and the flanges 22,23 can then be fixed in position by welding or by the tight fit of the flanges on the bar or otherwise.

Between the plates 20,21 there is a rod 24 extending towards the side member 6 at rights angles thereto. The rod 24 can slide longitudinally within guide sleeves 25,26 fixed at outer and inner positions between the plates 20,21.

An inner end portion 27 of the rod 24 terminates within the inner sleeve 26 between the plates 20,21 and is stepped and bears against a captive coil spring 28. The opposite outer end portion of the rod 24 projects from the outer sleeve 25 beyond the plates 20,21 and terminates in a free end 29 having an upwardiy directed hook 30.

A lever 31 is pivoted at one end portion 32 between the plates 20,21 and projects at its opposite free end portion 33 beyond the plates 20,21 at an angle from one side, i. e. transversely to the rod 24. The lever 31 is formed from two rigid strips 34,35 which are spaced apart between the plates 20,21 so as to straddle the rod 24. One of the strips 34 is stepped at the free end portion 33 so as to contact the other strip 35. The two contacting parts of the strips 34,35 at the free end portion 33 are secured together and covered with a rubber sleeve or the like to define a handle.

In the region of the rod 24 the two strips 34,35 have opposed parallel slots 36 which extend axially of the strips 34,35. These siots 36 engage a pin 37 fixed to and projecting transversely from the rod 24 on opposite sides. The iever 31 can be moved from a forward position shown in the drawings, in which the handle 33 is directed towards the side rave 6, through an arc to a rearward position. As a consequence of the engagement of the pin 37 with the slots 36 this movement causes the rod 24 to be moved longitudinally against the force of the spring 28.

A pawl 38 is pivotally mounted between the spaced strips 34,35 between the plates 20,21 and engages a curved toothed ratchet 39. The pawl 38 is angled in relation to the teeth of the ratchet 39 so that the pawl 38 can ride over the teeth 39 as the lever 31 is moved rearwardly but the pawl 38 engages the teeth to prevent forward movement of the lever 31 under the action of the spring 28. A link 40 is connected to the pawl 38 alongside the lever handle 33 whereby the pawl 38 can be moved out of engagement with the teeth 39 by thumb operation of the link 40, if desired against the action of a spring at the pivotal mounting of the pawl.

The positions of the various tightening devices 19 on the two bars 18 on opposite sides of the chassis 2 are set so that the rods 24 coincide with the positions of the tapes 15 when the curtains are closed.

In use, the secure and tension the curtains 13, each tightening device 19 is initially set in the position shown in the drawings with the rod 24 extended to a forward limit position under the action of the spring 28. In this position, the hook 30 at the end of the rod 24 is closely behind and below the rave 6 and the handle 33 is close to, but spaced from the hook 30 slightly below the level of the hook 30 projecting forwardly towards the rave 6.

The respective tape 15 is passed beneath the bottom of the rave 6 and the D-ring 17 at the end of the tape 15 is slipped over the hook 30.

The handle 33 is then moved rearwardly to displace the rod 24 and thereby tighten the tape 15. When adequate tightening has been achieved the handle 33 is released and it retains its position by engagement of the pawl 38 with the ratchet 39.

When it is desired to release the curtain 13, the pawl link 40 is pressed to disengage the pawl 38 from the ratchet 39 whereby the rod 24 is pushed forwards by the spring 28 and the handle 33 can be easily moved to the forwards limit position. The hook 30 is then returned to its position close to the rave 6 and the D-ring 17 can be slipped off the hook 30. The forwards limit position of the lever 31 may be defined by the position of the pin 37 at one end of the slots 36 and/or by abutment of a projection at the inner end of the rod 24 with the inner sleeve 26.

With this arrangement, secure attachment and tight tensioning of the curtain can be achieved in a particularly convenient manner. It is only necessary to slip the D-ring 17 on the hook 30 and then move the lever 33 for each tape 15. Similarly, to release the curtain it is only necessary to release the pawl 38 from the ratchet 39 and then disengage the D-ring 17 from the hook 30 for each tape 15.

Each tape 15 can be tensioned to a desired extent by appropriate positioning of the respective lever 31 whereby even, tight tensioning can be achieved throughout the curtain 13 to give a smooth curtain surface.

Essentially the entire tensioning system, namely the projecting tapes 15, D-rings 17 and tightening devices 19, are located behind the raves 6 clear of the surfaces of the curtains. The tensioning system does not visually intrude upon, or render unsightly, the curtain surfaces which can therefore provide support for an attractive advertising display.

The movement of the main operational parts of the tightening devices, namely the rods 24 and the levers 31, takes place in horizontal planes whereby the tightening devices can be constructed with compact vertical space requirements. This ensures that the tensioning system is not visually obtrusive and there is little risk of the system fouling the wheels or suspension or other under-chassis structures and also there is little likelihood of the system being damaged during mounting and unmounting on a tractor unit or during maintenance or otherwise. Moreover, the handle 33 can be readily operated without risk of strain or injury in so far as it can be readily moved in a free space without undue risk of contact with sharp edges or other structures.

It is of course to be understood that the invention is not intended to be restricted to the details of the above embodiment which are described by way of example only.

Claims (12)

1. CLAIMS 1. A curtain-sided load-carrying wheeled road vehicle having a curtain which can be drawn across an open side of the vehicle, and a tensioning system incorporating ties for securing a lower edge region of the curtain relative to a chassis side member of the vehicle, characterised by the provision of a plurality of tightening devices mounted relative to the vehicle chassis at spaced positions longitudinally of the side member, the ties being detachably interconnectable respectively between the curtain and the tightening devices whereby the tightening devices can be operated to secure and tension downwardly the curtain.
2. 2. A vehicle according to claim 1 wherein each tie is permanently fixed to the curtain and has an attached ring at a free end of the tie remote from the curtain which is detachably engageable with a hook on the respective tightening device.
3. 3. A vehicle according to claim 1 or 2 wherein each tightening device comprises a manually operable mechanical device.
4. 4. A vehicle according to claim 3 wherein each tightening device comprises a longitudinally displaceable element connected to the respective tie and coupled to a manually operable lever whereby movement of the lever in one direction displaces the element to tighten the tie.
5. 5. A vehicle according to claim 4 wherein a releasable ratchet is provided to hold the displaceable element releasably in a selected position.
6. 6. A vehicle according to claim 4 or 5 wherein tightening movement of the displaceable element takes place against the action of a spring.
7. 7. A vehicle according to any one of claims 4 to 6 wherein the displaceable element is movable in a transverse direction inwardly and outwardly of the vehicle for tightening and releasing the respective tie.
8. 8. A vehicle according to any one of claims 4 to 7 wherein the lever is manually operable transversely inwardly and outwardly of the vehicle.
9. 9. A vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein each tightening device is mounted beneath and inwardly of the chassis side member.
10. 10. A vehicle according to any one of claims 1-9 wherein the tightening devices are adjustably mounted on an elongate member fixed relative to the chassis side member.
11. 11. A curtain-sided load-carrying wheeled road vehicle according to claim 1 substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
12. 12. A tightening device for a curtain-sided vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 11 comprising manually operable apparatus, mounting means for mounting the apparatus relative to a vehicle side member, connecting means for detachably connecting the apparatus to a curtain tie, and a manual operating device for operating the apparatus to displace the connecting means inwardly relative to the vehicle side member thereby to apply a tensioning force to the tie.