GB2444548A

GB2444548A - A haulage container curtain wall support arrangement

Info

Publication number: GB2444548A
Application number: GB0624154A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Dale Botham
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-12-04
Filing date: 2006-12-04
Publication date: 2008-06-11
Also published as: GB0624154D0; GB0608917D0

Abstract

The invention defines a method of preventing unauthorised access to a curtain side container after it has been sealed. These containers have access apertures on the sides and/or ends which run the almost the entire length of the unit and are sealed by weather proof curtains. The curtains are closed at the bottom via buckles or other mechanism and are locked by passing a wire through each buckle, which is then secured at it's ends. At each end of the curtain there is an integral pole or hook or similar mechanism which locates into the container structure. In this invention the support roller is positioned on an upper ende of the support beam so that it does not obstruct the loading aperture and in addition the access route over the top of the curtain is sealed by the proximity of the internal roof structure and if necessary a seal which abuts against the top of the curtain below the curtain rollers. This structure can provide support to the roof in addition to closing the aperture between the roller track/roof member and the top edge of the curtain material.

Description

* 2444548 Title: Lightweight3lR compliant Curtain Support System

Field of Invention

This invention relates to improvements to containers in particular to road or rail haulage containers

Backaround to the invention

In the haulage business there is a widely used transport container body used for the carriage of goods known as the curtain side body. This type of container can also be fitted with concertina type sliding side doors or similar opening system.

This type of container has a roof that may be of the fixed or opening type possessing a fixed bulkhead and generally having an entrance at the rear. This entrance may be closed via hinged doors, curtains, roller shutters, tail gate or tail lift. In some case the rear bulked will also be of the fixed type, for example when no end loading or unloading is necessary.

In these types of containers, side access to the interior of the body is made available by opening a curtain or other moveabie device on one or both sides of the container.

Typically the curtain moves along a track at the outside edge of the roof. Such transport containers can be fixed to Lorries, road trailers, rail cars and inter-modal containers.

Tensioner devices are used to secure the curtain to the floor of the chassis when the transport container is in use. During operation the roof assembly is oflen additionally supported by one or more moveable nominally vertical struts.

Brief description of drawings

Figure 1 Illustration of an ISO view of a typical curtain side type container showing the position in the structure and possible alternative construction.

Figure 2. Illustrated several cross sectional forms that the invention may take.

Figure 4 Illustrates a typical cross section with the individual items discussed it the text indicated.

Summary of Invention

The invention forms part of the prefabricated structure of a transportation container which uses side curtains, sliding door, folding doors or other moveable closure device intended to give protection and security to the cargo being transported. The invention will normally form part of the roof structure of the container but could also be a removable item or part of an intermediate height structure and is designed to support the curtain or other closure device along part or all of the side or end loading aperture. (Figure I) This discussion refers for clarity to Figure 4 and the individual items detailed therein.

The invention is formed by a longitudinal nominally horizontal beam which may be of rectangular or square form (item I), but which could also be of open contraction in the form of and I beam, channel, C section or Z section. The curtain (Item 2)01 other closer device will be supported in a roller track or other suitable means (Item 3 and 4) which allows the closer device to be moved along the longitudinal or in the event of end installation along the transverse axis of the container. The curtain support device is positioned to the outside and above the lower extremity of the beam and could incorporate a protective top plate (item 7). A pelmet (Item 6) or other flexible or rigid closing device is also attached at a similar lever and projects in a nominally downwards direction such that is presses against the curtain or closure device to form a water tight seal, below the upper extremity of the material when the container is secured for transport. The bottom extremity of the support beam is below the upper edge of the curtain material or closure device and allows a further component (Item 9) to be added either as a welded metal component or seal of another material that abuts against the internal side of the container closure system preventing access into the interior of the container by pushing material under the pelmet in through the opening which exists between above the upper edge of the curtain or closer system and below the track or other support device. A further roller track (Item 5) to may be incorporated within the beam structure immediately inboard of the curtain support device. In short Figure 2 illustrates that for the invention to work Dimension A' is less than Dimension B' which is less than Dimension C'.

The invention will provide benefits as follows: 1. Provides the maximum possible side access height.

2. Provides a means of eliminating the possibility of unauthorised access without damage to the side closure device or surrounding structure.

3. Optimum strength of the fabricated structure coupled with minimum space requirements.

Claims

Claims I. The configuration which positions the curtain support device

towards the top extremity of the outer edge of the support beam with the pelmet or similar component positioned at a similar height gives optimum geometry allowing the side loading aperture between the container base structure and under side of the beam to be maximised.
2. Allowing the Beam lower extremity to be below the upper position of the side curtain but above the lower extremity of the pelmet allows the support beam to have the maximum possible strength coupled with lightest weight.
3. The secondary seal coupled with the close proximity of the support beam prevents access to the interior of the container giving increased security and compliance with customs regulations.
4. Dimension A' will be less than Dimension B'. The exact values of Dimensions A, B will depend on the strength requirements placed upon the structure but this will remain the basis for the invention.