GB2422138A

GB2422138A - Laterally moveable freight restraint

Info

Publication number: GB2422138A
Application number: GB0600910A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Grant Krueger
Original assignee: Krueger Transport Equipment Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Krueger Transport Equipment Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2005-01-17
Filing date: 2006-01-17
Publication date: 2006-07-19
Anticipated expiration: 2026-01-17
Also published as: NZ544767A; GB2422138B; GB0600910D0

Abstract

A restraint gate for an open sided trailer or container to prevent lateral displacement of loads is provided, the gate comprising a rigid gate frame supported by a post having an upper end adapted to be hung from the roof of the trailer or container at an open side thereof. The gate frame is moveable laterally relative to the side of the trailer, to thereby move between an inner and outer position. The gate further comprises a locking means for locking the gate frame in the inner and outer positions. A lower end of the support post is adapted to engage the trailer or container floor.

Description

FREIGHT RESTRAINT

The present invention relates to freight restraints for use with trailers or containers and in particular to restraint gates for use in open sided trailers or Containers.

The background of the present invention relates to the disclosure of the applicant's accepted Australian Patent

Application No. 2003262467, which disclosure is

incorporated herein by reference.

Restraint gates are used on open sided trailers. The side of the trailer can be open on one side or on both sides.

The open sides are usually closed by coverings such as plastics, nylon or canvass curtains, On their own curtains are not sufficiently strong to prevent loads from sliding laterally off the trailer as the trailer negotiates a turn or bend. Restraints are used to restrain the loads on the trailers from lateral displacement.

The restraints are usually gates spaced along the length of the open side of the trailer, On loading and unloading the trailer the restraints may be removed by lifting the restraint out of pockets in the side coaming rails of the trailer. A recent alternative involves sliding the restraint gate along an upper side railing of the trailer to collect the restraint gates at one end of the trailer arid allow access for loading and unloading to the remaining side of the trailer.

Even with installation of restraint gates problems with movement of load or damage from overloading still occur.

The present invention seeks to provide an improved restraint gate.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a restraint gate for an open sided trailer or container having a roof and a floor, the gate comprising a rigid gate frame supported by a post, the post having an upper end that is adapted to be hung from the roof at an open side of the trailer, the restraint gate being movable perpendicularly relative to the side of the trailer to move between an inner position and an outer position, wherein a locking means locks the restraint gate in the inner and outer positions, and a lower end of the post is adapted to engage the trailer or container floor such that the gate acts as a restraint against lateral displacement of loads on the trailer or container.

Preferably, the post is adapted to slide along an overhead rail at the open side of the trailer as a unit towards an end of the trailer or container to provide access to load the trailer or container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An embodiment, incorporating aspects of the invention, will now be described further by reference of the following drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side elevationa]. view of a trailer having restraint gates in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a side elevational view of a restraint gate in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 is a sectional view of the top of a post of the restraint gate taken along section C-C of Figure 1; Figure 4(a) is a cross sectional view of the trailer of Figure 1 taken at section A-A showing the restraint gates positioned for narrow freight; Figure 4(b) is a cross sectional view of the trailer of Figure 1 taken at section A-A showing the restraint gates positioned for wide freight; Figure 5 is an enlarged view of area B of Figure 1 illustrating a means of attaching a lower end of the restraint gate to the trailer floor or coaming; Figure 6(a) is a sectional upper view of a post of a restraint gate in an outer position; Figure 6(b) is a sectional view of a post of the restraint gate in an inner position; Figure 7 is a side elevation of an upper part of the restraint gate; Figure 8 is a sectional view of the top of a post of a restraint gate according to another embodiment of the invention; Figure 9 is a sectional view of the post of Figure 8 in an inner position; Figures 10(a) and 10(b) illustrate sectional views of yet another embodiment of the present invention; Figure 1]. is an enlarged view of the upper components shown in Figure 10(b); Figures 12(a) and 12(b) illustrate sectional views of still another embodiment of the invention; and Figures 13(a) and 13(b) illustrate sectional views of still another embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The accompanying Figures illustrate a curtain sided trailer 10 for use in freight transport. The characteristics and features of the trailer 10 are similar to the trailer described in the applicant's accepted Australian application no. 2003262467 and reference is made to that specification for further information on the trailer.

Essentially, the trailer 10 comprises a trailer base, or floor, 11 surrounded by coa.ming 12 and supported on a wheel structure 15. The trailer 10 has a closed front wall 16 at a front end of the trailer and either closed rear wall 17 or rear doors at a rear end of the trailer.

The trailer sides 18, 19 are open in this embodiment and can be closed by drawing curtains (not shown) across the side openings. While the illustrated embodiment shows a trailer with both sides open, the trailer can be made with only one side open and the opposite side closed by a fixed side wall or doors. A roof structure 22 is supported along the length of the trailer by the end walls and specifically by corner posts 23.

Load restraint gates 25 are provided along the length of the trailer at the open trailer's sides 18, 19 to prevent the lateral displacement of loads in the trailer. In use it is expected that an open side of the trailer will be fitted with a number of gate restraints depending on the length of the trailer and width of the restraints. Figure 1 illustrates an open sided trailer fitted with six gate restraints side by side. It is also expected that typically both sides of a trailer will be open and fitted with restraint gates.

The restraint gates 25 comprise a gate frame 40 supported centrally on a post 30 and are suspended from an overhead rail 27 that runs the length of each side 18, 19 of the trailer. In the preferred embodiment described herein the restraint gates are slidable along the overhead rails 27 to overlap and stack at either end of the trailer to provide a large access opening when loading and unloading freight. However, it is understood that the restraint gates 25 can be immovably fixed to the overhead roof structure 22 and the trailer base 11. In this case access to freight could be achieved by hinging the gate frame 40 to the post 30 such that the gate on either side of the post 30 can be swung outward of the trailer.

Figure 2 and 3 illustrates a first embodiment of a restraint gate 25 having a gate frame 40 centred on post 30. Post 30 is suspended from the overhead rail 27 (not shown in Figure 2) by pairs of spaced rollers 47, 48 mounted onto a carriage 35. A U-shaped bracket 45 on the underside of carriage 35 pivotally supports the top of post 30 by way of hinge 34. A releasable knee joint 31 and a spring loaded latch 32 at the lower end of post 30 locks the post end 33 into a pocket in the coaming 12 of the trailer. Releasable side latches 60, 61 at each side of the lower end of gate frame 40 extend into corresponding pockets (not shown) in the coaming 12 to lock the bottom of the gate to the trailer coaming.

The restraint gates illustrated in the drawings are repositionable to provide effective restraint of freight where the freight does not occupy the full width of the trailer or is a little wider than the standard maximum width. In other words, the restraint gates 25 can be repositioned to suit and effectively restrain loads of varying widths.

Hinge 34 at the top of post 30 permits the post to swing laterally of the overhead rail 27 and inwards of the side of the trailer. The restraint gate can be locked in this inner position to provide a variable restraining surface that is closer to the freight when the freight does not extend the entire width of the trailer.

Figure 4(a) is a cross sectional view of a trailer 10 carrying narrow freight 50. This Figure illustrates posts of restraint gates 25 on both open sides 18, 19 of the trailer where both posts are arranged in an inner position to abut against the narrow freight 50. Inner pockets 52 are provided in the floor 11 inboard of the coaiuing 12.

Inner pockets 52 are provided for each of the releasable latches 60, 61 on the gate frame 40 and the spring latch 32 at the end of the post 30. Depending on the width of the freight one or both opposite restraint gates 25 can be adjusted to an inner position.

Figure 4(b) illustrates an embodiment where a large freight 55 is loaded on the trailer 10. To accommodate the large freight 55 the posts 30 of restraint gates 25 are swung and locked into an outer position where latches 32, 60, 61 are inserted into outer pockets 57 in the coaxning 12. In this position restraint gates 25 provide a vertical restraint against a wide freight.

The distance between the inner and outer positions is about 7onun-95mm and more preferably 8Omni-8simn. With restraint gates provided on both sides of the trailer, in the preferred embodiment, a difference of l6oinm- 170mm can be achieved for load restraint.

Figure 5 illustrates spring loaded latch 32 contained in the lower end of post 30 to release and move the post end 33 into its respective inner or outer pocket. The spring bias of latch 32 is released by lifting up pin 36 which allows post end 33 to swing out of its pocket and allows the post end to be swung inwards or outwards of the side of the trailer as well as longitudinally of the trailer along rails 27.

Figures 3, 6(a) and 6(b) illustrate the top of post 30 when viewed from section c-c of Figure 1. Figures 3 and 6a illustrate the post 30 positioned in an outer position while Figure 6(b) illustrates the post arranged in an inner position of the trailer.

To effect a near vertical restraint post 30 includes a link 38 which is hinged at hinge 34 to U-shaped bracket 45 at an upper end and at a lower end is hinged at pin 37 to straight section 39 of post 30. The bottom of link 38 inserts into the top of straight section 39, which is hollow, where it is pinned by pin 37. Figures 6a and 6b best illustrate this pinned arrangement. The maximum inward and outward swing of post 30 can be controlled by adjusting the spacing between a side surface 42 of link 38 and an inner wall 43 at the top of straight section 39.

As shown in Figure 6(a) the maximum outer position of post is reached when side surface 42 contacts wall 43 at a first contact point 64 below pin 37.

Figure 6(b) shows that the maximum inner position to which the post extends is reached when the side surface 42 contacts wall 43 at a second contact point 65 above pin 37. Accordingly, lateral movement of post 30 is constrained between an extreme outer position and an extreme inner position while still maintaining the gate frame 40 in a near vertical alignment.

The drawings illustrate rotation of link 38 relative to straight section 39 of post 30 being effected by a lower hinge pin 37. However, it is understood that other forms of rotational connections can be used between link 38 and straight section 39. For example, pin 37 may be replaced by a ball or other spherical joint, by a universal joint, or by any other suitable joining means. Similarly, the top of link 38 which, in the embodiments shown, is pin hinged at 34 to U-shaped bracket 45 of roller carriage 35, can be hinged to bracket 45 by other joining means such as by spherical, universal or other conventional joints.

Alternatively, the post 30 may be fixed directly to the roller carriage without any moveable connection. Lateral movement of the post could instead be achieved through rotational movement of the roller carriage 35 in overhead rail 27, if this is allowable by the relationship between carriage 35 and extended rail 27.

Figures 3 and 7 illustrate a first arrangement for locking post 30 in the inner or outer position. Locking rods 70, 71 mounted on opposite sides of an upper end of straight section 39, are used to lock the post in the inner or outer positions. Locking rods 70, 71 are long rods slidably mounted on opposite sides of straight section 39 and slide parallel to straight section 39. The bottom of the rods are turned at right angles into a handle.

Locking rods 70, 71 are adapted to slide upwards into corresponding apertures 72, 73 provided in flanges 74, 75 mounted on opposite sides of the link 38 just above the top of the straight section 39. Flanges 74, 75 are fixed to the sides of link 38 at different inclinations such that one locking rod is used to lock the posts in the outer position while the other locking rod is used to lock the post in the inner position. The need to incline the flanges is brought about because, as illustrated in Figure 3, the locking rods remain substantially vertical while the orientation of the apertures in the flanges change with the movement of link 38.

Figure 3 illustrates the example where the post is locked in an outer position and locking rod 71 extends freely into aperture 73 in flange 75. The angle between link 38 and straight section 39 is thereby fixed.

Figure 7, on the other hand, illustrates a part side elevation view of the restraint gate 25 locked in an inner position where the left locking rod 70 extends up through aperture 72 in left flange 74.

Figures 8 and 9 illustrate another arrangement for locking post 30 in the inner and outer positions. Rather than using lockable rods, the locking arrangement in this embodiment replaces the rods 71 with spring loaded pins 80 located on either side of post 30 and mounted thereto by frame 85. Stop plates 83 welded to opposite sides of link 38, similar to flanges 75 in the previous embodiment, provide a surface against which pins 80 contact.

The upper ends of pins 80 are formed to have a contacting face 86 that bears against respective stop plate 83 to securely lock the angle between link 38 and straight section 39. Similar to flanges 74, 75 in the embodiment of Figures 3 and 7, stop plates 83 are detents fixed to the exterior of link 38 at an angle appropriate for the plates 83 to make full contact with pins 80. Spring- loaded pins 80 are held in position by frame 85 and slide between an engaged position against respective stop plates 83 and a disengaged position within the limitations allowed by a boss and slot connection 81 between each spring-loaded pin and a slot in frame 85.

A cable 84 tied to a lower end of each pin 80 extends down along post 30 to a position where an operator can appropriately and manually lever the cable to pull pin 80 down against the bias of the pin spring 82 and to a disengaged position.

The post may be locked at the link 38 by means other than the above discussed locking rods or spring-loaded pins.

Additionally, there is scope for a locking arrangement - 10 - that allows post locking in not only the wide load and narrow load positions, but also positions inbetween the wide and narrow positions. Locking the post 30 at the link 38 as well as the bottom end 33 provides a stronger and more stable restraining structure against loads.

The top of the post 30 contains a spring loaded latch 67 which is adapted to engage with a bracket 68 containing a recess (not shown) . Brackets 68 are located along and are riveted to the overhead rail. Bracket 68 assists the operator in locating gate 25 in the correct position along rail 27 and ensures the gate is positioned accurately over the corresponding pockets in the coaming 12 or floor 11.

When the gate is slid into position across rail 27, latch 67 engages the recess in bracket 68. To by pass a particular bracket, ie. position, the gate is swung upward as it is moved along the railing such that latch 67 clears bracket 68.

Modifications to the present restraint gate are possible while keeping within the spirit of the invention. One modification is illustrated in Figures 10(a), 10(b) and 11. In this embodiment link 38 forms a rigid part of post and post 30 is attached to carriage 35 by a non-pivotal connection. Therefore, to enable perpendicular movement of restraint gate 25 relative to trailer 10, the restraint gate 25 is constructed so as to slide laterally of the side of the trailer between an outer position and an inner position.

This is effected by providing a short lateral track 90 between post 30 and roller carriage 35. Figure 10(a) illustrates this embodiment of the restraint gate fixed in an outer position of the trailer 10 while Figure 10(b) illustrates the restraint gate fixed in an inner position.

Figure 11 illustrates more closely the overhead mechanisms - 11 - of the restraint gate and more particularly a slip joint head 91 at the top of post 30 slideably located within track 90, which is in turn fixed to the underside of roller carriage 35. Figure 11 illustrates the slip joint between post 30 and carriage 35 when the gate is in an inner position as illustrated in Figure 10(b).

To move the restraint gate 25 to an outer position, post is moved laterally of roller carriage 35 such that head 91 slides to the left of track 90 as illustrated in Figure 11 to assume an outer gate position as illustrated in Figure 10(a). A locking mechanism, while not shown, is provided to lock the slip joint at the inner and outer positions or, as applicable, in a position therebetween.

In the outer position as illustrated in Figure 10(a) post locates in coaming pocket 57 while in the inner position of Figure 10(b) the post 30 locates in inner pocket 52. Pocket location of post 30 in this embodiment is similar to the previously described embodiments.

Figure 11 also illustrates roof track 92 which supports sliding curtains which may be installed across each open side of the trailer.

Figures 12(a) and 12(b) illustrate yet another embodiment of the restraint gate 25. The post 30 is illustrated hinged to the roller carriage 35 although in this embodiment the post may be rigidly connected to roller carriage 35 at a fixed connection. As discussed previously, lateral movement of post to enable insertion into floor pockets and stacking of gates at ends of the trailer may be achieved by rotating carriage 35 relative to overhead rail 27.

In this embodiment post 30 is always placed in an outer position whereby post end 33 is inserted in a coaming - 12 - pocket 57. This is the position illustrated in Figure 11(a) and which is the gate restraint position designed to accommodate a wide load.

In this embodiment the gate structure 40 is not rigidly attached to post 30 but is instead connected to post 30 by short links 94. The figures illustrate two links although more links may be used. To accommodate a narrow load gate structure 40, which in the wide load position is in line and in the same plane as post 30, is swung inwards and downwards of the trailer to the position illustrated in Figure 11 (b). Foot 95 at the lower end of gate structure is inserted and locked into a corresponding inner pocket 52 in the floor of the trailer. Accordingly, the effective restraint in this embodiment has shifted inwards in order to restrain a narrow load even though post 30 remains locked in the outer position.

Another embodiment illustrated in Figures 13(a) and 13(b) is similar in principle to the embodiment of Figures 12(a) and 12(b) whereby the gate structure 40 is not rigidly fixed to post 30 but is relatively moveable. In this embodiment gate structure 40 is pivotally hinged at 97 to post 30 at a lower end and is connected at an upper end to the post 30 by way of short links 94. Accordingly, as illustrated in Figure 13 (a), when restraining a wide load post 30 is placed in the outer position by inserting post end 33 into coaming pocket 57. Gate structure 40 remains in line with post 30 and in the same plane.

For restraining a narrow load post 30 is swung inwards such that post end 33 locates into an inner pocket 52. At this point post 30 is not vertically oriented but displacement of gate structure 40 by swinging the gate structure inwardly of the trailer about pivot hinge 97 produces a vertical restraint suitable for restraining narrow loads as illustrated in Figure 13(b). Gate - 13 - structure 40 is locked in the position illustrated in Figure 12 (b) by a locking means (not shown).

In the embodiments of Figures 13(a) and 13(b) post 30 is a rigid section and is shown in the illustrations as having a bend 98, but not requiring an additional linkage such as link 38 in previous embodiments. Post 30 is, however, pivotally hinged at an upper end to roller carriage 35.

This structure of post 30 also applied to the embodiment of Figures 12(a) and 12(b) where the post may or may not be pivotally connected to roller carriage 35.

The present restraint gate has been described as being capable of locking at an inner position and an outer position relative to a side of a trailer. This has been achieved by several methods including providing a link between the main, straight section of the post which is hinged to the roller carriage. Alternatively, the post may not be hinged but may be movable relative to the roller carriage by way of a slip joint mechanism. In yet another alternative the post does not include a link but is rigid, while the gate structure is linked and/or hinged to the post so to provide a movable restraint relative to the side of the trailer.

It is understood that intermediate locking positions may also be provided by providing additional sets of pockets in the trailer floor between the outer pockets in the coaming and the innermost pockets in the floor inboard of the coazning. This would provide users with more options for restraining varying widths of freight loaded on a trailer. Similarly, the degree of inclination of link 38 is variable to straight section 39, and therefore the distance of displacement of the post 30 inboard of the side of the trailer can be modified to extend as far into the trailer as practicable. it is understood that, unless additional supports are placed outboard of the coaining, - 14 - the outermost position of the restraint gates will generally be placed at the coaming.

In the preferred embodiment this restraint gate is movable in a lateral direction to the side of the trailer in board and outboard to restrain varying widths, but is also slidable along the length of the trailer such that a number of restraint gates can be stacked at the end of the trailer to allow access for loading and unloading.

It will be understood to persons skilled in the art of the invention that many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

- 15 - CLPIMS

1. A restraint gate for an open sided trailer or container having a roof and a floor, the gate comprising a rigid gate frame supported by a post, the post having an upper end that is adapted to be hung from the roof at an open side of the trailer, the gate frame being movable laterally relative to the side of the trailer to move between an inner position and an outer position, wherein a locking means locks the gate frame in the inner and outer positions, and a lower end of the post is adapted to engage the trailer or container floor such that the gate acts as a restraint against lateral displacement of loads on the trailer or container.

2. A restraint gate claimed in claim 1, wherein the gate frame is fixed to the post and in use remains substantially vertical in both the inner and outer positions.

3. The restraint gate claimed in claim 2, wherein the post is pivotally secured to the underside of the roof and a lower end of the post engages with the trailer or container floor at the inner and outer positions.

4. The restraint gate claimed in claim 3, wherein the post is secured to the underside of the roof by an intermediary link which allows a main, straight portion of the post to remain substantially vertical in the inner and outer positions.

5. The restraint gate claimed in claim 4, wherein the locking means locks the position of the link relative to the main portion of the post.

6. The restraint gate claimed in claim 5, wherein the locking means includes a locking rod or a biased pin - 16 - for locking the post in each of the inner and outer positions.

7. The restraint gate claimed in claim 6, wherein the locking rods or biased pins are provided on the main portion of the gate and engage respective detents provided on the link to lock relative movement therebetween.

8. The restraint gate claimed in claim 2, wherein the post is secured to the underside of the roof by way of a sliding joint to allow the post to move laterally of the side of the trailer or container.

9. The restraint gate claimed in claim 8, wherein the sliding joint comprises a short track located on the underside of the roof and a head at the top of the post which slides within the track.

10. The restraint gate claimed in claim 9, wherein the locking means locks the head at opposite ends of the track defining the inner and outer positions of the restraint gate.

11. The restraint gate claimed in claim 1, wherein the frame is moveab].e relative to the post and in use remains substantially vertical in both the inner and outer positions.

12. The restraint gate claimed in claim 11, wherein the frame is connected to the post by linkages such that the frame can be moved out of the same plane as the post and inwardly of the side of the trailer or container.

13. The restraint gate claimed in claim 12, wherein the locking means locks the frame in position by engaging a lower end of the frame to the floor of the trailer or container and/or locks the frame - 17 - relative to the post.

14. The restraint gate claimed in claim 11, wherein the frame is connected to the post by a link and by a hinge such that the frame can be pivoted out of the same plane as the post and inwardly of the side of the trailer and container to an inner position.

15. The restraint gate claimed in claim 14, wherein the locking means locks the frame in the inner position relative to the post.

16. The restraint gate claimed in claim 11, wherein the post is pivotally movable relative to the underside of the roof.

17. The restraint gate claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the top of the post is engaged to a roller carriage for slidably moving the restraint gate along an overhead rail at the open side of the trailer or container.

18. The restraint gate claimed in claim 17, wherein a locator on the restraint gate assists in correctly locating the restraint gate on the overhead rail.

19. The restraint gate claimed in claim 18, wherein the locator is a spring-loaded latch adapted to engage a recess in a bracket fixed to the overhead rail.

20. The restraint gate claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the distance between the inner and outer positions is 80 to 85nim.

21. A trailer or container having a roof, a floor and at least one open side wherein at least one restraint gate as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 20 is provided at the open side.

22. The trailer or container claimed in claim 21, - 18 - wherein both sides of the trailer or container are open and restraint gates are provided on both sides.

23. A trailer or container as claimed in claim 21, wherein one or more pockets in the trailer coaming define the outer position of the restraint gate(s) wherein the lower end of the post is adapted to be inserted into the coaining pocket(s).

24. The trailer or container claimed in claim 23, wherein pockets located in the floor of the trailer or container near the open side of the trailer or container define the inner position of the restraint gate(s) or define an intermediate position, wherein a lower end of the post is adapted to be inserted into the pocket(s).

25. A method of restraining loads of varying widths in an open sided trailer or container, the trailer or container having a roof and a floor, the method including: hanging a restraint gate according to any one of the preceding claims at the open side of the trailer or container; and moving the restraint gate laterally of the trailer or container between an outer position and an inner position as required by the width of the load.

26. The method claimed in claim 25, including sliding the restraint gate along an overhead rail provided at the open side of the trailer.

27. The method claimed in claim 25, including moving the post and frame, which are fixed as a single unit, and locating a lower end of the frame in a pocket in the floor of the trailer or container defining the outer position, the inner position or a position therebetween.

- 19 -

28. The method claimed in claim 25, including moving the frame relative to the post inwardly of the trailer or container and securing the frame at a more inwardly position than the post.

29. The method claimed in claim 25, including moving the frame relative to the post and moving the post relative to the trailer or container, and securing the post and frame in the desired inwardly, outwardly or inbetween position.