GB2393428A

GB2393428A - Trailer having a door and hingedly raisable roof

Info

Publication number: GB2393428A
Application number: GB0321159A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert Francis
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-09-12
Filing date: 2003-09-10
Publication date: 2004-03-31
Anticipated expiration: 2023-09-10
Also published as: GB2393428B; GB0221128D0; GB0321159D0

Abstract

An enclosure (conventionally in the form of a trailer 40) has a door 56 and a hingedly raisable roof 62. The trailer 40 can comprise a chassis (42 Fig 2) and can be supported on wheels (46), a trailer body (52) has walls (54, 56 and 58) and a floor section 60 reinforcing bars 82 can be provided to prevent the sidewalls from distorting, an aerodynamic fairing (64) can be provided at the front of the trailer 40. The rear wall (door) 56 is hinged (66) at the join with the trailer floor 60 so forming a fold down access ramp 56a, lift assist mechanisms (68) can be provided. A side door (70) allowing side access to the trailer 40 can be fitted. The roof is hinged at the front edge 86 and is supported by lift assist means 88. Latches (72) can be provided for securing the roof to the rear door in the closed position and guttering (102) can be provided for the drainage of rain water.

Description

Title: Trailers Descrintion: The present invention relates to trailers

and, in particular, to livestock trailers.

Transporting livestock from a farm to a market or slaughterhouse, for example, is commonly carried out using specially adapted vehicles. For example, cattle may be transported in trucks, whose loading bays have been divided into a plurality of 'pens' to prevent the animals from grouping together thereby unbalancing the vehicle, or from being squashed together as the vehicle corners or brakes. Where only a small number of animals are to be transported, a specially adapted trailer is often used in place of the truck since it is more economical to pull a trailer using a car or pick-up, than to use a truck. Livestock trailers are adapted in a similar fashion to their full-

sized counterparts such that the animals may be transported safely and in a reasonable degree of comfort.

Livestock trailers come in a variety of shapes ends sizes depending on the animals to be transported. For example, a dozen sheep or pigs may be transported in a 3 metre low-walled trailer, whereas a single bull would need a taller but narrower trailer.

Accordingly, trailers are often adapted by means of moveable internal

dividers that allow a variety of animals to be transported using a single vehicle. There are a number of requirements for a livestock trailer including the provision of adequate space and ventilation for the animals whilst protecting them from buffeting, rain and wind-chill.

Furthermore, the animals need to be divided to prevent them from grouping or squashing together and they need to be restrained, so that they cannot escape. Provision must also be made to allow the animals to enter and leave the trailer without causing undue stress.

A typical prior-art livestock trailer 10 is illustrated schematically in Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings, which has a tow hitch 12, wheels 14, a chassis 16 and an enclosure 18, which is accessible via a hinged 20 ramp 22. The enclosure 18 is usually built from welded sheet metal or other suitably robust materials and has a roof 24 for preventing animals 26 from jumping from the trailer 10 and for providing protection from the elements. There are also provided, one or more ventilation apertures 28 in the sidewalls of the enclosure 18, and tail-lights 30 in accordance with local road traffic laws. The floor 32 of the enclosure 18 and ramp 22 normally have a non-slip surface 34, and reinforcing bars 36 are often provided on the roof 24 and walls of the enclosure 18.

Due to the high risk of transmitting animal diseases between farms, markets and slaughterhouses by the transportation of livestock,

it is now necessary to clean and disinfect vehicles, trailers and machinery thoroughly before and after every journey away from the farm. This task is an onerous one and is made more difficult by having inaccessible areas of vehicles and machinery. Particularly difficult areas of low walled trailers to clean include; the inside walls; and the floor region furthest from the access ramp. Because of the access problem (i.e. it is often necessary to crawl into the trailer on hands and knees), these areas are often not cleaned properly or as well as other parts of the trailer.

It would be considerably easier to clean a trailer, particularly a lowwalled trailer, if it were possible to walk around freely within the trailer. The present invention aims to provide a solution to this problem. According to the present invention, there is provided an enclosure for transporting goods, especially animals, mountable on a vehicle, the enclosure having at least one door and a hingedly liftable roof. The vehicle may be a motorised vehicle such as a truck, or more preferably, it is a trailer.

The trailer preferably has a chassis of any suitable type although it is envisaged that a substantially rigid frame manufactured from metal beams or tubes would be the most suitable arrangement. In certain circumstances, the supporting functionality of the chassis may be

incorporated into the construction of the enclosure by the use of suitably placed reinforcement or by the use of a monocoque construction. Two wheels are provided on the trailer, although more wheels may be provided to enable the safe transportation of heavier loads where required. The wheels of the trailer may be mounted on an axle, which is affixed to the chassis directly. Additionally or alternatively, the wheels, axle or axles may be supported on springs to provide suspension. Where provided, the springs may be used in conjunction with dampers or shock absorbers.

The trailer is preferably towed by way of a coupling attached to the intended front end of the trailer. Conveniently, the coupling may be mounted on the front of the chassis of the trailer or on the front wall of the enclosure. Suitable couplings include ball and socket joints, eyes and shackles of the type well known to those skilled in the art.

Preferably, the trailer is fitted with brakes to improve the road handling characteristics. Lights are also preferably fitted to the trailer to improve visibility. Brakes and lights of any suitable type may be used, although it is anticipated that the types employed will vary depending on locally prevailing road traffic laws. Where provided, the brakes and lights are preferably actuated by the driver of the towing vehicle via umbilical links that are commonly used in the art.

s The enclosure may be substantially box shaped and is preferably manufactured from substantially rigid materials such as metals and alloys. Any suitable construction method may be used, although is it anticipated that welding of sheet metal parts and/or mechanically joining sheets to a frame would be preferred construction methods. The enclosure may also be provided with additional reinforcing means where needed in the form of hoops or bars joined to the walls and or edges of the enclosure. Such reinforcement may be provided internally or externally. Where external reinforcement is provided, it may serve a secondary purpose such as for mounting lights, mudguards, storage areas and or aerodynamic features. Also having external reinforcement makes it easier to wash the interior of the enclosure. The enclosure preferably has an aerodynamic front face having, for example, rounded or chamfered edges, or curved surfaces.

Cavities in the structure of the trailer created by such features may be used for storing a spare wheel, jack, tools or other equipment.

The enclosure has at least one door to enable livestock to enter and exit the trailer with relative ease. Preferably, the door is hinged along it lower edge such that it may be folded downwards thereby providing an access ramp for the animals. The door is preferably held in-situ by a suitable latch or locking means.

A lift-assist to aid opening and closing the door may also be provided. Suitably positioned gas-struts, springs or a counter-balance may provide a lift-assist for the door or doors. The door may be provided at any suitable place on the trailer, although having it at the rear of the trailer is often convenient. An additional door or doors may be provided for convenience, for example, located in the sidewall of the trailer. The roof of the trailer is hingedly attached to the enclosure alone one edge. Preferably, the hinged edge is the front edge of the roof such that it will tend to close in the event of accidentally opening in transit. It is also anticipated that a preferred embodiment of the invention sees the main door of the trailer coinciding with the edge of the roof that is furthest from the hinge. Alternatively, the roof may be hinged elsewhere, such as along a side of the enclosure.

The roof is preferably provided with a lift-assist to aid opening and closing the roof. Suitably positioned gas-struts, springs or a counterbalance may provide a lift-assist for the roof. Preferably also, the liftassist is arranged in an over-centred position such that the amount of assistance varies in relation to the angle to which the roof has been opened, such that the likelihood of slamming the roof is minimised. The roof is held in the closed position by one or more suitably positioned latches or locking means. In a preferred embodiment of the

invention, the roof, enclosure and main door have formations, which interlock when the door and roof are closed. Such formations may also be provided with additional locking means such as a pin or bolt to prevent unintentional opening of the door.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the interlocking features comprise one or more pins extending from a front edge of the roof and one or more corresponding apertures in the door or vice-

versa. The pins and apertures are preferably arranged such that when closed, the pins protrude through the apertures and locking means for the door can then hold the roof in its closed position.

The roof preferably has raised ribs on its top surface to channel rain water away from its side edges. Preferably the side edges of the roof are also provided with gutter formations. When the roof is closed there may be ventilation spaces between the roof and the top edges of the enclosure. Flaps may be provided to close the spaces, if desired.

A preferred embodiment of the invention shall now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which; Figure 1 shows a cut-away schematic representation of a prior art livestock trailer in perspective; Figure 2 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention having all doors in closed positions;

Figure 3 is perspective representation of a preferred embodiment of the present invention with its main door and roof in open positions; Figure 4 is a close-up illustration of combined roof and main door latch assemblies; Figure 5 shows an over-centred arrangement of trailer body, roof and lift-assist to prevent slamming of the roof; Figure 6 is a section through a preferred roof for the trailer of Figure 2; and Figure 7 shows an alternative embodiment of the present invention where the roof is hinged along an alternative edge.

Referring to Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings, a trailer 40 according to the present invention is shown. The trailer comprises a supporting chassis 42 that is towable via coupling 44 mounted on the front end thereof. The trailer is supported on wheels 46 that are mounted on springs 48 and have brakes. The brakes and springs 48 improve the road- handling characteristics of the trailer. The trailer is also fitted with lights 50 in accordance with locally prevailing road traffic laws. The brakes and lights 50 are operated by the driver of the towing vehicle (not shown), via an umbilical link 52 provided between the towing vehicle and trailer. The trailer has a body 52 comprising sidewalls 54, a rear wail 56, a front wall 58, a floor 60 and a roof 62 forming an enclosure. There is also provided a fairing 64 located at the

g front of the trailer 40 for improving the aerodynamic properties of the trailer. The space between the fairing 64 and the front wall 58 of the trailer is used for storing a spare wheel, jack and other equipment (not shown). As can be seen there are ventilation spaces between the roof and the enclosure and fold up flaps may be provided to close some or all of these spaces, if desired.

The rear wall 56 of the trailer 40 is hinged 66 along its bottom edge to form a fold-down door. When folded downwards, the door 56 doubles as an access ramp 56a into the trailer 40. The rear door 56 is fitted with a lift-assist mechanism in the form of gas-struts 68 to aid opening and closing of the door. There is also shown, a secondary side door 70. All doors are held shut using latches 72 provided on the exterior walls of the trailer 40.

Turning now to Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings, a trailer 40 according to the invention is shown with the main door 56 folded down to form an access ramp 56a. (The common features appearing in Figure 2 have not all been indicated for clarity). Foldaway guide rails 74 are provided to prevent animals from falling off the edges of the ramp 56a. The floor 60 and access ramp 56a have non-slip formations 76 to facilitate loading and unloading of the trailer 40. There is also shown in Figure 2, a divider 78 that is moveable between desired locating positions 80 within the trailer 40.

A reinforcing bar 82 is provided to prevent the sidewalls 54 form distorting either inwards or outwards. Further reinforcement is provided by way of integrally formed light 50 mountings 84.

The roof 62 is hinged along its front edge 86 and is supported by liftassist means in the form of gas-struts 88 located on the reinforcing bar 82. The roof 62 and rear door 56 have latches 72 that inter-engage when in the closed position but which separate when in the open position as shown. The roof has ribs 100 on its top surface for deflecting rain water away from its side edges and has gutters 102 along its side edges (See Figure 6).

Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings shows details of latching means 72 as shown in Figures 2 and 3. The roof 62 has a pair of bosses 90 protruding from its front edge and the door 56 has plates 92 on opposite sides thereof. When in a closed position, the bosses 90 pass through apertures 94 in the plate 92 such that the roof 62 can no longer lift upwards as indicated by arrow A. The plates 92 have a second aperture 95 for latches 96 for locking the door closed and thereby locking the roof closed also. The latch 96 may be of any suitable type, but will be arranged to prevent the door 56 from opening in the direction indicated by arrow B. In this way, the roof and door are retained in closed positions using a reduced number of latches or locks.

Figure 5 shows the over-centred arrangement of the roof 62 gas-struts 88 that reduces the likelihood of the roof 62 slamming. One end of the gasstrut is pivotally attached to a flange 97 on the roof 62 and the other end is pivotally attached to a flange 98 on the reinforcing bar 82. The first flange 97 is mounted lower than the second flange 98 such that the gas-strut 88 is in its most compressed position when the roof 62 is slightly ajar. Thus, as the roof 62 is opened, the gas-strut 88 first compresses for a small angles of the opening of the roof 62 before expanding. As the gas-strut 88 expands, it imparts an upwards force on the roof 62 assisting its opening. Because the ratio of the distance between the pivot point 86 of the roof 62 and the first flange 97 over the distance between the first flange 97 and the second flange 98 is not linear with respect to the angle of the roof q, the gas-struts 88 are able to supply varying amounts of assistance between the open C and closed D positions, to prevent the roof 62 from slamming shut or spring open violently.

It is to be appreciated that springs or other forms of lift-assist, such as for example, counterweights, may replace the gas-struts 88.

Finally, Figure 7 of the accompanying drawings shows an alternate embodiment of the invention 40a wherein the roof 62a is hinged about its long edge. The main door 56b is located on the sidewall of the trailer 40a and the secondary door 70a is located on the

rear wall of the trailer 40a. Other features of the invention are equivalent to those shown in Figures 2 to 6.

Claims

1. An enclosure suitable for transportation of livestock and having at least one door and a hingedly raisable roof.

2. An enclosure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the enclosure is substantially box-shaped.

3. An enclosure as claimed in claim 2 manufactured from metal.

4. An enclosure as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the enclosure has reinforcing means in the form of hoops or bars joining walls or edges of the enclosure.

5. An enclosure as claimed in claim 4, wherein the reinforcing means is internal of the enclosure.

6. An enclosure as claimed in claim 4, wherein the reinforcing means is external of the enclosure.

7. An enclosure as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, having an aerodynamic front face.

8. An enclosure as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 having cavities for storage of equipment.

9. An enclosure an claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the at least one door is hinged along its lower edge to form an access ramp.

10. An enclosure as claimed in claim 9, wherein the at least one door has a lift-assist.

11. An enclosure as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the at least one door is at the rear of the enclosure.

12. An enclosure as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the at least one door is in a side wall of the enclosure.

13. An enclosure as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the hinged edge of the roof is the front edge of the roof.

14. An enclosure as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the door coincides with the edge of the roof furthest from its hinged connection to the enclosure.

15. An enclosure as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the roof is provided with a lift-assist.

16. An enclosure as claimed in claim 15, wherein the lift-assist is arranged in an over-centre position.

17. An enclosure as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the roof is held in a closed position by one or more latches or locking means.

18. An enclosure as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the roof enclosure and door have formations which interlock when the door and roof are closed.

19. An enclosure as claimed in claim 18, wherein said interlocking formations comprise one or more pins extending from a front edge of the roof and one or more corresponding apertures in the door or vice versa.

20. An enclosure as claimed in claim 19, wherein when closed the pins protrude through the apertures and locking means for the door to hold the roof in its closed position.

21. An enclosure as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein the roof has raised ribs on its top surface.

22. An enclosure as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 21, wherein the roof has gutters on its side edges.

23. An enclosure as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 22, wherein ventilation spaces are provided between roof and top edges of the enclosure.

24. An enclosure as claimed in claim 23, wherein flaps are provided to close the ventilation spaces.

25. An enclosure as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 24 in the form of a trailer having at least two wheels.

26. An enclosure as claimed in claim 25, wherein the trailer has a rigid frame chassis.

27. An enclosure as claimed in claim 25, wherein the trailer has a monocoque chassis.

28. A motorised vehicle having an enclosure as claimed in any one of claims 1 to27.

29. An enclosure suitable for transportation of livestock substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in any one of Figures 2 to 7 of the accompanying drawings.

30. A trailer substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in any one of Figures 2 to 7 of the accompanying drawings.