GB2493928A

GB2493928A - Vehicle stop buffer

Info

Publication number: GB2493928A
Application number: GB201114392A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert Andrew Holt
Original assignee: HOLT STOP Ltd
Current assignee: HOLT STOP Ltd
Priority date: 2011-08-20
Filing date: 2011-08-20
Publication date: 2013-02-27
Also published as: GB201114392D0

Abstract

The present invention provides a vehicle stop buffer 1 for protecting the rear of a vehicle or trailer from impacts when the vehicle is used with a docking bay. The buffer comprises a housing 2, an impact plate 10 and absorption means 20. The housing has an inner side 3 for mounting on a rear wall of the vehicle and an outer side 4, the housing defining an internal volume 6, wherein the outer side of the housing comprises an opening (5, figure 1). The impact plate consists of an outer portion 12 and an inner portion 11, the impact plate being mounted within the housing such that the outer portion extends through the opening of the housing and the inner portion is positioned within the internal volume, wherein the outer portion is shaped to allow it to move through the opening in either direction between the outer and inner sides of the housing and the inner portion is shaped to prevent it passing through the opening. The absorption means is mounted within the housing between the inner portion of the impact plate and the inner side of the housing.

Description

TITLE

Vehicle Stop Buffer

DESCRIPTION

Field of Invention

The present invention relates to buffers for commercial vehicles and trailers.

Specifically, the present invention provides a buffer for the rear of a vehicle or trailer to protect the vehicle or trailer from damage that may be caused when the vehicle or trailer is reversed up to a docking bay.

Background

Many commercial vehicles and trailers are routinely used with docking bays to allow loads to be easily transferred to and from the vehicles and trailers. In order to use a vehicle or trailer with a docking bay the vehicle or trailer is generally reversed up to a docking bay until the rear of the vehicle or trailer impacts the docking bay. This impact can damage the rear of the vehicle or trailer if it is not provided with a stop buffer to protect it from such impacts.

There are a variety of vehicle stop buffers currently available. Specifically, there are three main types of vehicle stop buffer that are currently in widespread use. The first is a buffer that substantially comprises a solid block of resilient material, such as rubber, that is simply bolted to the rear of the vehicle or trailer. The problem with such buffers is that they are susceptible to damage and can easily fall off a vehicle or trailer. Alternatively, a block of more rigid material, such as nylon, is attached to the rear of the vehicle or trailer in the same manner. These buffers are less susceptible to damage but provide less cushioning against impact and are equally prone to falling off a vehicle or trailer. The final type of buffer comprises a ring of resilient material, such as rubber, that is attached to a steel U' shaped support by means of a steel pin. The U' shaped support is mounted on the rear of the vehicle or trailer. This type of buffer also suffers from problems. In particular, it is easy for the ring to be damaged andlor become detached from the support.

In light of the above, there is a need for an improved stop buffer for a vehicle or trailer that is not susceptible to damage but that also acts to absorb and dissipate the energy created when vehicle or trailer is reversed into a docking bay.

Summary of Invention

The present invention provides a vehicle stop buffer comprising: a housing having an inner side for mounting on a rear wall of the vehicle and an outer side, the housing defining an internal volume formed between the outer side and the inner side, wherein the outer side of the housing comprises an opening; an impact plate consisting of an outer portion and an inner portion, the impact plate being mounted within the housing such that the outer portion of the impact plate extends through the opening of the housing and the inner portion of the impact plate is positioned within the internal volume, wherein the outer portion of the impact plate is shaped to allow the outer portion to move through the opening in either direction between the outer and inner sides of the housing and the inner portion of the impact plate is shaped to prevent the inner portion passing through the opening; and absorption means mounted within the housing between the inner portion of the impact plate and the inner side of the housing.

The buffer of the present invention can be fitted to a rear wall of a vehicle or trailer in order to protect the vehicle or trailer from impacts with docking bays. For ease of comprehension the following description discusses the features and use of the buffer of the present invention in relation to vehicles. However, it is to be understood that the present invention is suitable for use with any type of commercial vehicle or trailer that might be used with a docking bay and is not limited to use with any specific type of commercial vehicle or trailer.

The buffer of the present invention is used and operates in the following manner. The buffer is mounted to the rear of a vehicle such that the inner side of the housing is mounted on a rear end of the vehicle. The buffer is mounted in a position and a height on the rear end vehicle at which the vehicle would impact a docking bay when reversed up to such a bay. When mounted in this position the outer portion of the impact plate protrudes out from the rear end of the vehicle, beyond the housing of the buffer. As a result, when the vehicle is reversed up to a docking bay it is the outer portion of the impact plate that impacts the docking bay.

If and when the outer portion of the impact plate impacts a docking bay (or any other object) the force of the impact will be transferred through the impact plate and will compress the absorption means between the impact plate and the inner side of the housing. In most impacts the absorption means will absorb a large proportion of the force of the impact and minimise any damage to the vehicle and/or buffer that would be otherwise caused by the impact.

Importantly, in order to allow the absorption means to absorb the energy of an impact it is necessary to form the housing and the impact plate such that the majority of the force of an impact can be transferred from the impact plate to the absorption means and is not transferred directly from the impact plate to the housing. One way of ensuring this happens is to form the housing and the impact plate such that the inner portion of the impact plate is free to move within the housing in a direction from or to the inner side of the housing from or to the outer side of the housing. Forming the housing and the impact plate in this manner allows the impact plate to slide inwards within the housing when impacted compressing the absorption means between an ilmer side of the impact plate and the inner side of the housing. If the housing and impact plate are formed in this manner the housing may substantially constrain the impact plate against movement in any other direction, in particular against movement in a perpendicular direction. This can be achieved by forming the housing such that the internal volume of the housing is substantially cuboid with a thickness defined between the inner side and the outer side of the housing and forming the inner portion of the impact plate such that it is also substantially cuboid with a thickness less than that of the internal volume of the housing but wherein its dimensions in the two perpendicular directions are only slightly less than the corresponding directions of the internal housing. -4.-

The absorption means of the present invention may be any means that can adequately absorb the energy created when the buffer impacts a docking bay. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the absorption means comprises a block of resilient elastic material, for example rubber. However, it is to be appreciated that the absorption means could comprise a plurality of blocks of resilient material or even completely different absorption means such as a one or more sprung members.

Alternative absorption means include one or more leaf springs, a plurality of elastic blocks or one or more ring springs. Furthermore, the absorption means may comprise a combination of one or more absorbing components. For example, the absorption means may comprise both sprung members and at least one block of resilient elastic material.

If the absorption means comprises a block of resilient elastic material, such as rubber, it may be advantageods that the block comprises a plurality of holes formed through the block from an inner side to an outer side. This can be advantageous as when such a block is compressed air will be squeezed out of the plurality of holes. The work required to squeeze the air out of the plurality of holes can improve the energy absorption properties of a block of resilient material. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention the absorption means is a single block of resilient material and comprises three substantially cylindrical holes formed therethrough.

The housing of the present invention may be any shape that allows the buffer to operate in the manner set out above. However, it may be advantageous that the housing is substantially cuboid. This is preferable as it is a relatively simple shape to manufacture and can allow the buffer to operate in the manner set out above.

Similarly, the opening of the housing can be any shape that allows the buffer to operate in the manner set out above. Preferably, the opening of the housing is substantially rectangular. This shape is preferred as it is a simple shape that can be easily manufactured and a cooperatively formed impact block can be easily formed.

The housing can be formed as a sealed unit such that the impact plate and the absorption means are permanently mounted therein and can not be replaced.

Alternatively, the housing may be formed such that it is possible to remove and replace one or both of the absorption means and impact plate when desired. This can be achieved in any manner apparent to the person skilled in the art. For example, one side wall of the housing formed between the outer and inner side may be removable or hinged to allow that wall to be removed or opened in order to remove the absorption block and the impact plate. If a side wall is hinged or removable it may be formed from the same material as the rest of the housing or may be formed from a different material. Additionally, in order that the housing remains secure at all times, if a side wall is hinged or removable it should be able to be securely fixed in a closed position. This can be achieved by a friction fit, by a suitable locking means, e.g. a locking pin, or by any other suitable means.

A buffer according to the present invention may further comprise a plastic end plate formed as, or attached to, an upper side wall of the housing (i.e. the side wall of the housing that is at an upper end of the buffer when it is attached to a vehicle). A plastic end plate may be advantageous as it can protect the absorption means from degradation caused by the ingress of water into the housing during inclement weather.

A plastic end plate may form the upper side wall of the housing or be fixed over the upper side wall of the housing. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the end plate forms the upper side wall of the housing and is removable, in the manner described above, in order to allow a user to remove and replace the absorption means and the impact plate when desired.

It is to be understood that, in order for the present invention to be secure enough to operate with a vehicle that will travel at significant speeds, it is important that the absorption means and the impact plate are held securely within the housing. In order to achieve this it may be necessary that the housing extends around all sides of the absorption means and none of the side walls of the housing are open. Additionally or alternatively, the absorption means and the impact plate may be secured in position by maintaining the absorption means in a slightly compressed state such that it presses the inner portion of the impact plate against the outer side of the housing.

As will be readily appreciated, in order for the buffer to operate properly, the shape of the inner and outer portions of the impact plate must cooperate with the shape of the housing and the shape of the opening of the housing. In particularly, in order for the inner portion of the impact plate to be retained within the housing at all times it is preferably shaped such that it cannot pass through the opening of the housing. The outer portion of the impact plate should be shaped such that it can pass through the opening of the housing as the impact plate is pushed towards the inner side of the housing. The inner and outer portions of the impact plate can be formed in substantially any shapes that fulfil these requirements. In a preferred embodiment of the invention both the inner portion and the outer portion of the inipact plate are substantially cuboid.

The impact plate of the present invention may be a unitary body or the inner and outer portions of the impact plate may be formed separately and joined together by a suitable fixing means. In preferred embodiments of the invention the impact plate is a unitary body.

The impact plate of the buffer of the present invention can be formed of any suitable material. In particular, the buffer must be capable of repeated impacts with a docking bay without significant damage occurring. The weight of the impact plate is also an issue as it will be supported by the housing of the buffer and must be carried about by a vehicle to which it is attached. For these reasons it is preferable that the weight of the impact plate is minimised as much as possible. In preferred embodiments of the invention the impact plate may be formed of a polymer, for example nylon.

The housing can be formed of any suitable material. Preferably, the housing is formed of sheet metal, for example galvanised steel. This material is preferred as it is relatively cheap, it is easy to form into a suitable shape and is strong enough to resist the forces a buffer will be subject to during its use.

A buffer according to the present invention can be attached to a vehicle in any manner apparent to a person skilled in the art. It is only the housing of a buffet that needs to be rigidly fixed to a vehicle. This is because the absorption means and the impact plate are supported by the housing. A housing may be attached to a vehicle by one or more bolts. Bolts may be fixed through the inner side of the housing or through flanges formed external to the housing. Additionally or alternatively, the housing may be fixed to a vehicle by one or more welds formed around an outer periphery of the inter side of the housing. Alternatively, a housing may be fixed to a vehicle by means of a suitably formed mount.

Further features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the preferred embodiment, which is illustrated in the Figures and is discussed below.

Drawings Figure I is a schematic drawing of a housing of a buffer according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a schematic drawing of an impact plate means of a buffer according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 is a schematic drawing of an absorption means of a buffer according to the preferred embodiment of the invention; Figure 4 is a cross-sectional diagram showing the preferred embodiment of the invention when attached to a vehicle or trailer and not in contact with docking bay; Figure 5 is a cross-sectional diagram showing the preferred embodiment of the invention when attached to a vehicle or trailer and in contact with a docking bay; Figures 6a to 6c are schematic drawings showing three possible alternative constructions of a housing of a buffer according to the present invention.

The housing 2 of a buffer 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in Figure 1. The housing 2 has an inner side 3, an outer side 4 and has an opening 5 formed in its outer side. The housing 2 defines an internal volume 6. The housing 2 is substantially cuboid and is formed of galvanised steel. The opening 5 is substantially rectangular, wherein the sides of the opening 5 are each substantially parallel with an adjacent edge of the housing 2 and are each spaced from the adjacent edge of the housing by approximately the same distance.

The impact plate 10 of a buffer 1 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figure 2. The impact plate 10 comprises an inner portion 11 and an outer portion 12. The impact plate 10 is formed of nylon and is a substantially unitary body. The inner portion 11 and the outer portion 12 are both substantially cuboid. The outer portion 12 is sized and shaped such that it can pass through the opening 5 of the housing 2. In order to achieve this, a rectangular cross-section of the outer portion 12 has the same proportions as, and is slightly smaller than, the opening 5 of the housing 2. The inner portion 11 of the impact plate 10 is sized and shaped such that it conforms to the internal volume 6 of the housing 2. In order to achieve this, a rectangular cross-section of the inner portion 11 has the same proportions as, and is slightly smaller than, a rectangular cross-section of the internal volume 6. As will be readily appreciated, the rectangular cross-sections of the inner portion 11 and outer portion 12 of the impact block 10 and the internal volume 6 of the housing 2 are perpendicular to a thickness of the impact block 10 and the housing 2 respectively.

The absorption means 20 of a buffer I according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figure 3. The absorption means 20 is a substantially cuboid block of rubber having three cylindrical holes 21 formed therethrough. The absorptioh means is sized to conform to the internal volume 6 of the housing in the same manner as the inner portion 11 of the impact plate 10. The cylindrical holes 21 are formed through a thickness of the aborption means 20.

The buffer 1 of the preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in cross-section in Figures 4 and 5. As can be seen in Figure 4, in a normal state, when the buffer us not in contact with a docking bay, the absorption means 20 and the inner portion 11 of the impact block 10 are located within the internal volume 6 of the housing 2 and the majority of the outer portion 12 of the impact block is located outside of the housing 2 and extends outwards beyond the outer side 4 of the housing.

In this position the absorption means 20 pushes the inner portion 11 of the impact block 10 against the outer side 4 of the housing in order to hold the impact block 10 in position and prevent any substantial movement of the impact block if and when the vehicle is being drive around. This prevents the buffer 1 producing unwanted noise and vibration.

When the buffer 1 impacts a docking bay (not shown) a compressive force is applied to the buffer 1. In particular, the impact plate 10 is compressed towards the inner side 3 of the housing 2, as shown in Figure 5. When this occurs the impact plate 10 moves to compress the absorption means 20 against the inner side 3 of the housing. The absorption means 20 acts to absorb a substantial proportion of the energy created by the impact. Specifically, the compression of the absorption means and the action of the air in the each of the cylindrical holes 21 absorb energy created by the impact and acts to cushion a vehicle to which the buffer I is attached. When the vehicle is moved away from the docking bay subsequent to an impact the elastic properties of the absorption block 20 will cause the absorption block to move the impact plate 10 back to the position shown in Figure 4.

A buffer 1 according to the present invention can be attached to a vehicle in a variety of ways. Three possible constructions of a housing 2 of a buffer 1 according to the present invention are shown in Figure 6. Apart from the differences in the construction of the housing 2, the buffers 1 of which these housing form part are substantially identical to the preferred embodiment described above. As will be readily appreciated, the only component of a buffer 1 that needs to be fixed to a vehicle is the housing 2, this is because the other components are held in position by the housing 2.

A housing 2 may be fixed to a vehicle by one or more bolts 40 fixed through a centre line of the inner side 3 of the housing 2. This is shown in Figure 6c.

A housing 2 may be fixed to a vehicle by one or more bolts 40 fixed through external flanges 41 formed at the inner side 3 of the housing. This is shown in Figure 6b. -10-

A housing 2 may be fixed to a vehicle by welds 42 formed around part or all of the outer periphery of the inner side 3 of the housing. This is shown in Figure 6a.

Claims

<claim-text>Claims 1. A vehicle stop buffer comprising: -a housing having an inner side for mounting on a rear wall of the vehicle and an outer side, the housing defining an internal volume formed between the outer side and the inner side, wherein the outer side of the housing comprises an opening; an impact plate consisting of an outer portion and an inner portion, the impact plate being mounted within the housing such that the outer portion of the impact plate extends through the opening of the housing and the inner portion of the impact plate is positioned within the internal volume, wherein the outer portion of the impact plate is shaped to allow the outer portion to move through the opening in either direction between the outer and inner sides of the housing and the inner portion of the impact plate is shaped to prevent the inner portion passing through the opening; and absorption means mounted within the housing between the inner portion of the impact plate and the inner side of the housing.</claim-text> <claim-text>2. A buffer according to claim 1, wherein the absorption means comprises a block of resilient material.</claim-text> <claim-text>3. A buffer according to claim 2, wherein the resilient material is formed of rubber.</claim-text> <claim-text>4. A buffer according to claim 2 or claim 3 wherein the block of resilient material comprises a plurality of holes formed through the block from an inner side to an outer side.</claim-text> <claim-text>5. A buffer according to any preceding claim, wherein a sidewall of the housing is openable to allow access to the internal volume of the housing.</claim-text> <claim-text>6. A buffer according to claim 5, wherein the sidewall is removable.</claim-text> <claim-text>7. A buffer according to claim 6, wherein the sidewall is a plastic end plate.</claim-text> <claim-text>-12 - 8. A buffer according to claim 5, wherein the sidewall is hinged to the housing.</claim-text> <claim-text>9. A buffer according to any of claims 5 to 8 wherein the sidewall is an upper sidewall of the housing when the buffer is in use.</claim-text> <claim-text>10. A buffer according to any preceding claim, wherein the internal volume of the housing is substantially cuboid and the opening is substantially rectangular.</claim-text> <claim-text>11. A buffer according to claim 10, wherein the outer portion of the impact plate is substantially cuboid.</claim-text> <claim-text>12. A buffer according to claim 10 or claim 11, wherein the inner portion of the impact plate is substantially cuboid.</claim-text> <claim-text>13. A buffer according to any preceding claim, wherein the impact plate is formed of a polymer.</claim-text> <claim-text>14. A buffer according to claim 13, wherein the impact plate is formed of nylon.</claim-text> <claim-text>15. A buffer according to any preceding claim, wherein the housing is formed of galvanised steel.</claim-text> <claim-text>16. A buffer according to any preceding claim further comprising a plurality of holes formed through the irmer side of the housing to allow the housing to be bolted to a vehicle.</claim-text> <claim-text>17. A buffer according to any preceding claim further comprising a plurality of external flanges for fixing the housing to a vehicle.</claim-text> <claim-text>18. A buffer substantially as described herein and as shown in the drawings.Amendments to the ctaims have been filed as follows: Claims J. A vehicle stop buffer comprising: a housing having an inner side for mounting on a rear wall of the vehicle and an outer side, the housing defining an internal volume formed between the outer side and the inner side, wherein the outer side of the housing comprises an opening; an impact plate consisting of an outer portion and an inner portion, the impact plate being mounted within the housing such that the outer portion of the impact plate extends through the opening of the housing and the inner portion of the impact plate is positioned within the internal volume, wherein the outer portion of the impact plate is shaped to allow the outer portion to move through the opening in either direction between the outer and inner sides of the housing and the inner portion of the impact plate is shaped to prevent the inner portion passing through the opening; and absorption means mounted within the housing between the inner portion of the impact plate and the inner side of the housing.wherein: the housing extends around all sides of the absorption means and is shaped to prevent the inner portion of the impact plate moving in any direction other than a direction between the outer and inner sides of the housing; and a sidewall of the housing is openable to allow access to the internal volume of the housing.
2. A buffer according to claim 1, wherein the absorption means comprises a block of resilient material.* *. 25 *
3. A buffer according to claim 2, wherein the resilient material is formed of rubber. * . . * **4. A butTer according to claim 2 or claim 3 wherein the block of resilient material comprises a plurality of holes formed through the block from an inner side to an outer side.5. A buffer according to any preceding claim, wherein the sidewall is removable.6. A buffer according to claim 5, wherein the sidewall is a plastic end plate.7. A buffer according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the sidewall is hinged to the housing.8. A buffer according to any preceding claim wherein the sidewall is an upper sidewall of the housing when the buffer is in use.9. A buffer according to any preceding claim, wherein the internal volume of the housing is substantially cuboid and the opening is substantially rectangular.10. A buffer according to claim 9, wherein the outer portion of the impact plate is substantially cuboid.11. A buffer according to claim 9 or claim 10, wherein the inner portion of the impact plate is substantially cuboid.12. A buffer according to any preceding claim, wherein the impact plate is fonned of a polymer.13. A buffer according to claim 12, wherein the impact plate is formed of nylon.* 14. A buffer according to any preceding claim, wherein the housing is formed of galvanised steel.15. A buffer according to any preceding claim fUrther comprising a plurality of holes formed through the inner side of the housing to allow the housing to be bolted to a vehicle.16. A buffer according to any preceding claim fbrther comprising a plurality of external flanges for fixing the housing to a vehicle.17. A buffer substantially as described herein and as shown in the drawings. * * * *S..... * * ** * * . . * ** ** * S * *** ** * * * * * S.</claim-text>