GB2405126A

GB2405126A - Vehicle load cover

Info

Publication number: GB2405126A
Application number: GB0418551A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Hall; Peter Wood
Original assignee: REYNOLDS BOUGHTON Ltd
Current assignee: REYNOLDS BOUGHTON Ltd
Priority date: 2003-08-20
Filing date: 2004-08-19
Publication date: 2005-02-23
Anticipated expiration: 2024-08-19
Also published as: GB2405126B; GB0319589D0; GB0418551D0

Abstract

An apparatus for deploying the flexible cover 11 over the upper face of a vehicle body 4 or a container located on a load bed of a vehicle, such as a skip, comprises a pair of adjustable length rotatable arms 6 pivotally mounted to the vehicle 1. The arms, one provided on each side of the vehicle, pivot from a forward, out-of-use position 6a to a rearward, operative position 6b. Each arm includes an upper section 15, a lower section 16, a pivot 17, telescopic struts 21 and 22, and a hydraulic ram 18 to allow the cover to be used with different vertical height containers 5. The flexible cover 11 is at least equal to the length and width dimensions of a load bed 3 and has one side 12 attached to a transverse horizontally extending member 10. The cover is retractable into a receiving means 13 that can be raised or lowered via pylon 14 to accommodate the height of the container 4 or 5. The transverse member 10 and arms 6 may also extend away from the sides of the container via piston cylinder assemblies.

Description

2405 1 26

APPARATUS FOR DEPLOYING A VEHICLE LOAD COVER

AND VEHICLES INCORPORATING SUCH APPARATUS

This invention relates to apparatus for deploying a vehicle load cover and vehicles incorporating such apparatus. Vehicles of this type can incorporate a load carrying frame or chassis on which is mounted an opentopped goods carrying receptacle which, in some constructions, could, for example, be pivoted so that the load can be tipped out. Alternatively the vehicle could incorporate a load bed provided by the frame or chassis and on which is deposited an open-topped container or skip, such a vehicle could be a powered vehicle or a trailer.

European Patent Specification EP O 581512 B1 shows a load covering for use in connection with open-topped goods vehicles or with goods vehicles carrying open-topped containers and discloses a mechanism for deploying a cover over the upper face of the vehicle body or of a container located on the load bed which comprises a pair of rotatable arms pivotally mounted at one of their respective ends to the vehicle body so as to allow the arms to rotate about a horizontal transverse axis situated in the mid-region of the longitudinal extend of the vehicle load bed. The respective other ends of the arms being joined by a generally horizontally extending bar aligned in the transverse direction with relation to the vehicle, a flexible cover having a length dimension at least equal to the length of the vehicle load bed and a width dimension at least equal to the width of the vehicle load bed having one of its sides attached to the bar, and being retractable onto or into a load cover receiving means, the arrangement being such that pivoting movement of the rotatable arms in a rearward direction will draw the load cover from the receiving means over the top of the vehicle body or of a container situation on the vehicle load bed. The invention particularly relates to a construction in which the rotatable arms are also mounted for translational movement in the transverse direction of the vehicle so as to alter the spacing between the rotatable arms.

lt has been found in practice that there are operational limitations to this cover system as it is difficult to maintain complete coverage whilst transporting low height containers, the cover system being unable to effectively close the gap at the rearmost corner and as a result contents of the container can be lost.

The present invention is intended to provide apparatus which overcomes the problem set forth above and provides a system which can be employed on open- topped goods vehicles which have alternative receptacles of different sizes and which, for example, might be employed on tipper trucks and for use with open-topped containers of different heights which can be carried on a standard load bed.

According to the present invention apparatus for deploying a vehicle load cover over the upper open face of a vehicle body or a container located on the load bed of the vehicle comprises a pair of rotatable arms pivotally mounted to the vehicle at one of their respective ends so as to allow the arms to rotate about a longitudinal axis and the respective other ends of the arms being joined by a transverse horizontally extending member, a flexible cover having a length dimension at least equal to the length of the vehicle load bed and a width dimension at least equal to the width of the vehicle body or vehicle load bed and having one of its end sides attached to the transverse horizontally extending member and being retractable onto or into a load cover receiving means, and arranged so that pivotal movement of the rotatable arms in a rearward direction will draw the load cover from the receiving means over the top of the vehicle body or a container located on the vehicle load bed, means for altering the configuration of the arms and for adjusting their lengths to cause the load cover to engage over the rear upper end of the container or load carrying body when using containers or load carrying bodies of different vertical heights.

Thus, due to the alteration of the configuration of the rotatable arms any gap between the cover and rearmost corner of the container or vehicle body is closed to prevent any loss of transported contents from containers of reduced height and the means for adjusting the length of the rotatable arms ensure there is no loss from containers of standard height.

In a preferred construction each of the rotatable arms includes upper and lower sections connected by a pivoted joint and actuation means for moving the respective upper and lower sections from a first position to a second position to alter their angular positions in relation to each other.

The actuation means for changing their angular positions can be provided by a hydraulic ram.

Preferably the actuation means for adjusting the configuration of the upper and lower sections can also be operated to adjust the lengths of the rotatable arms.

The length of each of the lower sections can be adjustable to adjust the length of the rotatable arms.

Each lower section can comprise two struts which can move lengthwise in relation to each other and means for moving them to adjust their combined length.

Conveniently the struts can be telescopic.

The apparatus can also include selective locking means which can be operated to alternatively operate the actuation means or operate the means for adjusting the lengths of the rotatable arms.

The selective locking means can act in a first position to lock the two struts together in a predetermined lengthwise position, and allow the upper section of the rotatable arm to pivot, and in a second position to lock the upper strut to the upper section to allow the struts to be moved lengthwise in relation to each other.

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Means can also be provided for biasing the upper and lower sections towards their first position.

Means are preferably included for adjusting the height of the load cover receiving means.

The invention can also include the construction set forth in EP O 581512 B1 by arranging for the rotatable arms to be mounted for translational movement in the transverse direction of the vehicle so as to alter the space between the rotatable arms.

The invention also includes a motor vehicle incorporating apparatus for deploying a cover as set forth above, and can be a powered motor vehicle or a towed trailer.

The invention can be performed in various ways but one embodiment will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic side elevation of a container carrying vehicle provided with the invention showing the general layout; Figure 2 is an enlarged side elevation of the construction according to the invention shown in three different operating positions with the rotatable arms in two different configurations; Figure 3 is an enlarged side elevation showing the rotatable arms in two different lengths; Figure 4 is a further enlarged view of part of the selective locking means; Figure 5 is a isometric view of the pivot plates shown in Figure 4; and, Figure 6 is a diagrammatic end view of the vehicle showing the means for adjusting the transverse distance between

the rotatable arms.

As shown in the accompanying drawings the general layout of a load carrying goods vehicle incorporating the invention is indicated by reference numeral 1. The vehicle has a frame or chassis 2 on which is a load carrying bed 3. In the construction being described the vehicle is intended for use with removable open- topped containers of different heights. A container of standard dimensions and with a standard height is indicated by reference numeral 4 and a container of reduced height is indicated by chain line 5. Apparatus according to the invention comprises a pair of rotatable arms 6, one arm being provided on each side of the vehicle. In Figure 1 the arms are shown in a forward out of use position, indicated by reference numeral 6a, and in a second rearward or operative position indicated by reference numeral fib.

The rotatable arms 6 are pivotally mounted to the vehicle at one of their respective ends 7 so as to allow the arms 6 to rotate about a transverse axis 8 and the respective other ends 9 of the arms 6 are joined by a transverse horizontally extending member 10. A flexible cover 11, with a length dimension at least equal to the length of the vehicle load bed 3 and of a width dimension at least equal to the width of the vehicle load bed has one of its end sides 12 attached to the transverse horizontally extending member 10 and the cover is retractable into or onto a load cover receiving means 13. The receiving means can include a revolving roller or similar device to accommodate the cover as it is retracted. The construction is arranged so that pivotal movement of the arms 6 from the transverse position shown at 6a in a rearward direction to the operative position shown in 6b will draw the load cover 11 from the receiving means 13 over the top of the container 4 or 5 located on the vehicle load bed 3.

The load cover receiving means 13 is carried on a pylon 14 which can be raised or lowered between an upper position indicated by reference numeral 13a to a lower position 13b to accommodate the height of the container 4 or 5.

Each of the arms 6 includes an upper section 15 and a lower section 16 which are connected together by a pivot 17, as is most clearly shown in Figure 2 and which shows the rotatable arms in two different positions and in two different configurations.

Actuation means for moving the respective upper and lower sections 15 and 16 includes an hydraulic ram 18 and this can alter the configuration of the arms by moving the upper and lower sections from a first position, indicated by reference letter A, in which the sections are substantially in alignment to a second position, indicated by reference letter B. in which the upper and lower sections 15 and 16 are angulated in relation to each other with the upper section 15 of each arm extending rearwardly to alter their relative configuration. It will be seen from Figure 2 that the relative angulation is altered by extending the ram 18 from the position shown in full lines at position B to the position shown in chain lines and indicated by reference numeral 20. This causes the upper section 15 to rotate about the pivot 17.

Each of the lower sections 16 comprises a pair of telescopic struts 21, 22 which, when the rotatable arms sections 15, 16 are in alignment, can be extended and retracted by operation of the hydraulic ram 18 as shown in Figure 3. This Figure shows the arm 6 in two different rotatable positions. In the upper position the arm telescopic struts 21, 22 are retracted and the arm is at its shortest length and in the lower position the struts are extended to extend the arm 6 to its longest length.

Figure 4 shows details of selectable locking means for alternatively locking the telescopic struts 21,22 together or locking the strut 21 to the upper section 15 of the arm, and which comprises a pneumatic ram 23 which is rigidly secured to the side of the upper telescopic strut 21. The pneumatic ram 23 carries a shoulder bolt 24 which extends through an elongated opening 25 in a transversely extending bridge plate 26, the opposed ends of which are connected to a pair of pivot plates 27 which are mounted on each side of the ram 23. The plates 27 are most clearly shown in Figure 5. These pivot plates 27 are of generally triangular shape and carry openings 28 which locate on a pivot pin 29 which extends through the upper strut 21 to locate the plates thereon.

The upper end of each pivot plate 27 is provided with a notch 30 which can engage and capture a pin 31 secured to the lower end of the upper section 15. The lower end of the plates 27 carry a second notch 32 which is shaped to engage and capture a pin 33 carried on the lower telescopic strut 22.

In the position shown in Figure 4 the pneumatic ram 23 is in its extended position and the telescopic struts 21,22 are retracted as shown at C in Figure 3. In this position the notches 30 on the plates 27 engage and capture the ends of the pin 31 and thus lock the upper telescopic strut 21 to the upper section 15. Operation of the hydraulic ram 18 will now cause the upper section 15 and the upper strut 21 to move together away from the lower strut 22 due to the lock connection between the upper section 15 and the upper strut 21. This extended position with the arm at its longest length is shown at D in Figure 3 If the parts are in the position shown in Figure 4 and the pneumatic ram 23 is operated to a lowered position the pivot plates 27 are caused to rotate about the pin 29 so that the upper notches 30 are disengaged from the pin 31 and the lower notches 32 now engage the ends of the pin 33 on the lower telescopic strut 22.

Thus, the upper 21 and lower 22 telescopic struts are now locked together by the pivot plates 27 but the upper section 15 is unlatched. Operation of the hydraulic ram 18 will now cause the upper section 15 to rotate about the pivot 17 to achieve the position shown at B in Figure 2.

The vehicle 1 preferably has a conventional mechanism for picking up and setting down the containers 4 or 5 by means of a pivoting loading arm (not shown).

The vehicle could, alternatively, have a fixed body in which case the container 4 or 5 would be replaced by an equivalent open topped body structure, possibly with tipping capability.

The rotatable arms 6 are carried on a pair of co-axial pivot shafts 35 which extend transversely outwardly from the main chassis members at a point intermediate the longitudinal extent of the load bed.

The pivot shafts 35 are telescopic and can be formed by piston cylinder assemblies with the cylinder fixed to the vehicle chassis 2 and the piston fixed to the rotatable arms 6 on each side. The transverse bar 10 at the other end of the arms may likewise include two piston cylinder assemblies with their cylinders fixed to a central part of the transverse bar 10 and their pistons fixed to the rotatable arms 6 or vice versa. In the retracted condition of the pivot shafts 35 and the transverse bar 10, the arms 6 are positioned closely adjacent the sides of the container 4 or 5.

When the pivot shafts 35 and the transverse bar 10 are extended the rotatable arms 6 are spaced away from the sides of the container by a distance of, for example, 150 mm. Clearly, the change in length of the transverse bar 10 between its retracted and extended conditions is equal to the sum of the changes in length of the pivot shafts between the respectively retracted and extended conditions. This construction is clearly described in EP 0 581512 B1.

Preferably the load cover sheet 11 is attached to the transverse bar 10 and to the ends of the pivotable arms 6 so that when the arms 6 are moved apart to their greatest separation the load cover sheet 11 is taught. The load cover sheet 11 may be a slightly elastic membrane or a mesh of elastic filaments.

ln the unloaded state the pivot shafts 35 and the transverse bar 10 are in their retracted conditions and the arms 6 are swung forward with the load cover sheet 11 coiled on or otherwise stowed in the load cover receiving means 13 which, if the container to be loaded is of the high standard dimensions, is in the position shown by reference numeral 13a.

Before loading the container onto the vehicle the pivot shafts 35 and transverse bar 10 are extended to provide additional clearance in the transverse direction between the arms 6 and to stretch the load cover 11 taught in the transverse direction. The container is loaded onto the vehicle using the vehicle's load handing equipment in a conventional manner.

In order to deploy the flexible load cover 11 over the top of the container 4 with a standard height the pneumatic ram 23 is first operated to unlatch the upper and lower telescopic struts 21, 22 and to latch the upper section 15 to the upper telescopic strut 21. The hydraulic ram 18 is now operated to extend the arms 6. The arms 6 are then actuated preferably either hydraulically or by pneumatic means, spring means or electrically driven means, to rotate about the pivot shafts 35 which provide the pivot 7 so that the transverse bar 10 moves rearwardly over the container to a position beyond the rear upper edge 36 as shown at the right hand end of Figure 1.

The flexible load cover 11 during this time is drawn across the open upper surface of the container effectively sealing it. The pivot shaft 35 and the transverse bar 10 are then retracted to bring the rotatable arms 6 into close engagement with the sides of the container 4 and in order to effectively stretch the cover 11 over the rear upper edge 36 of the container the rotatable arms 6 are shortened by retracting the hydraulic ram 18. This will draw the upper end of the rotatable arms 6 forwardly and downwardly to closely engage the cover over the upper corner of the container.

The pivot shafts 35 and transverse bar 10 are now retracted. The vehicle can now be operated to carry the effectively closed container to its delivery position.

ln order to unload the container it is merely necessary to extend the hydraulic ram 18 to provide clearance between the container 4 and load cover 11 at point 36 and operate the pivot shafts 35 and transverse bar 10 so that they are extended to provide clearance between the arms 6 and the sides of the container 4. The flexible load cover sheet 11 is now retracted by moving the arms 6 to the forward position as shown in Figure 1 so that the flexible load cover sheet 11 is wound into or loaded into the cover sheet receiving means 13.

The container can now be unloaded from the vehicle in a conventional manner.

If the vehicle is to be immediately reloaded with another container then the various parts are left in the position that they take up during unloading and the loading operation is repeated. If, however, the vehicle is to be driven away unloaded then the shafts 35 and transverse bar 10 are retracted to minimize the width of the vehicle.

If the vehicle is to be used with a low container the upper edge of which is indicated by reference numeral 5 the load cover receiving means 13 is adjusted to the position shown at 13b. In order to draw the cover 11 over the lower container 5 the arms 6 are first operated in their lowered position and with the upper and lower struts 21, 22 connected together by the locking plates 27. When the load cover has been drawn over the lower container and over its upper rearmost corner 37 the ram 18 is actuated as shown in chain lines 20 in Figure 2and this causes the upper section 15 of the arms 6 to rotate about the pivot 17 to alter the configuration of the arms and to draw the end of the cover 11 downwardly over the edge corner 37. The remainder of the loading operation is as set forth above.

When unloading the lower container 5 the shaft 35 and transverse bar 10 are again moved to their extended positions, the hydraulic ram 18 is retracted to allow the arms 6 to assume the position shown at A in Figure 2 and the cover 11 again retracted into the load cover receiving means 13. The container can now be unloaded as described above.

From the above description it will be appreciated that the invention provides means for covering containers of different heights and ensuring that the rear corner 36 or 37 of the container is closely covered.

In the arrangements described above the invention is applied to a vehicle which is intended to carry unloadable open-topped containers but it can equally well be applied to vehicles in which an open-topped load carrying body or container, for example a tipping truck, can be provided with the invention.

If desired the apparatus can also include means for drawing the side edges of the vehicle load cover into closer engagement with the top of the load in the manner described in EP O 581512 B1.

Claims

Claims 1. Apparatus for deploying a vehicle load cover over the upper open

face of a vehicle body or a container located on the load bed of a vehicle comprising a pair of rotatable arms pivotally mounted to the vehicle at one of their respective ends so as to allow the arms to rotate about a longitudinal axis and the respective other ends of the arms being joined by a transverse horizontally extending member, a flexible cover having a length dimension at least equal to the length of the vehicle load bed and a width dimension at least equal to the width of the vehicle load bed and having one of its end sides attached to the transverse horizontally extending member and being retractable onto or into a load cover receiving means, and arranged so that pivotal movement of the rotatable arms in a rearward direction will draw the load cover from the receiving means over the top of the vehicle body or a container located on the vehicle load bed, means for altering the configuration of the rotatable arms and for adjusting their lengths to cause the load cover to engage over the rear upper end of the container when using containers of different vertical heights.
2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which each of said rotatable arms includes upper and lower sections connected by a pivoted joint and actuation means for moving the respective upper and lower sections from a first position to a second position to alter their angular positions in relation to each other.
3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 in which the actuation means is provided by a hydraulic ram.
4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3 in which the actuation means for adjusting the relative angular positions of the upper and lower sections can also be operated to adjust the lengths of the rotatable arms.
5. Apparatus as claimed in 4 in which the length of each of the lower sections is adjustable to adjust the lengths of the rotatable arms.
6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 in which each lower section comprises two struts which can move lengthwise in relation to each other and means for moving them to adjust their combined length.
7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6 in which the struts are telescopic.
8. Apparatus as claimed in claims 5 to 7 which includes selective locking means which can be operated to alternatively operate the actuation means or operate the means for adjusting the lengths of the rotatable arms.
9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8, when dependent on claims 6 to 7, in which the selective locking means acts in a first position to lock the two struts together in a predetermined lengthwise position, and allow the upper section of the rotatable arm to pivot, and in a second position to lock the upper strut to the upper section to allow the struts to be moved lengthwise in relation to each other.
10. Apparatus as claimed in claims 2 to 9 including means for biasing the upper and lower sections towards the first position.
11. Apparatus as claimed in claims 1 to 10 including means for adjusting the height of the load cover receiving means.
12. Apparatus as claimed in claims 1 to 11 in which the rotatable arms are also mounted for translational movement in the transverse direction of the vehicle so as to alter the transverse distance between them.
13. A motor vehicle or trailer incorporating apparatus for deploying a cover as set forth in any one of the preceding claims.