GB2592606A

GB2592606A - Window member for a load bearing curtain

Info

Publication number: GB2592606A
Application number: GB2003043.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Messenger Lee
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2020-03-03
Filing date: 2020-03-03
Publication date: 2021-09-08
Anticipated expiration: 2040-03-03
Also published as: GB2592606A8; GB202003043D0; GB2592606B

Abstract

A load bearing curtain 100 for a heavy goods vehicle (HGV) comprising at least one window portion 110 located such that when the load bearing curtain is in use, covering the cargo area of a HGV, the window portion is substantially at the eye level of an individual standing outside the HGV. The curtain may comprise a covering flap 112 attached along one edge 116 for selectively covering the window portion. The flap and window portion may comprise releasable attachment means such as rubber-sealed magnetic strips or hook and loop fasteners (115, Fig.2). An opposing free edge of the cover flap may comprise ring holes or buckle loops 117 for receiving an anti-tamper cable 120. The window portion may comprise transparent material. Also claimed is a window portion suitable for fitment to a PVC coated polyester fabric sheet, further comprising an aperture (111) defined by a border of fabric, and a covering flap 112 hinged proximate a first edge of the window portion movable between a raised and lowered positions to selectively cover the window portion.

Description

Window Member for a Load Bearing Curtain [1] The present invention relates to a window member for a load bearing curtain for a vehicle. In particular the present invention relates to a window member for a load bearing curtain for covering the cargo space of a heavy goods vehicle (HGV). Even more particularly the present invention relates to a window portion of a load bearing curtain for a IIGV, so an individual can see the contents of the cargo space of an HGV from the outside.

Background of the Invention

[2] Haulage using HGVs is a fundamental part of our economy. It is rare to see a motorway without a FIG V on it. A darker, less well known side of KG Vs is that they are regularly the target for thieves and criminals. Long haul journeys require HGV drives to park up and sleep at truck stops, laybys, service stations etc. It is while they are parked up at night that criminals often target the HGVs, because there is a good chance there is something valuable inside.

[3] If a HGV driver knows there is nothing in the back of their vehicle, it is a reasonably common practice for them to leave the cargo doors of their HGV open when parked up so prospective thieves know there is nothing of value there to steal. This however makes any closed containers a more prominent target for prospective thieves.

[4] Common practice amongst thieves that target parked up HGVs is to use a knife to cut a hole in a side portion of the load bearing curtain that covers the cargo section of the HGV, and use this hole to have a look at the contents of the LIG V and decide whether or not they are worth stealing. If the thieves determine that the contents are worth stealing, the HG V is robbed and left with a torn curtain. If the thieves determine the contents are not worth stealing, the FIG V is not robbed but it is still left with a torn curtain. More TTGVs will have their load bearing curtains cut open than are robbed on an average evening. Load bearing curtains for ITGVs and vehicles in general are expensive and need to be replaced if cut open.

[5] It is an object of the current invention to greatly reduce the likelihood that a load bearing curtain will be damaged/cut open by a prospective thief This is achieved by providing at least one window region on a HGV load bearing curtain so that a passer by can look into the cargo area of a HGV and view, at least partially, the contents of the cargo area of the HGV.

Statement of Invention

[6] According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a load bearing curtain for a heavy goods vehicle comprising at least one window portion located such that when the load bearing curtain is in use covering the cargo area of a HGV, the window portion is substantially at the eye level of an individual standing outside the I IGV.

[007] An embodiment of the first aspect whereth the at least one window portion comprises a window aperture surrounded by a border of material substantially the same as the material of the load bearing curtain; the window portion further comprising a covering flap hinged at a top edge of the window portion, on an outer side of the curtain, the flap movable between a closed position wherein it covers the window aperture and its border material, and an open position wherein it does not cover the window aperture and border.

[008] An embodiment of the first aspect wherein the at least one window portion further comprises releasable attachment means located on the outer surface of the border material, and corresponding releasable attachment means located on the inner surface of the covering flap.

[9] An embodiment of the first aspect wherein the releasable attachment means 5 comprises rubber sealed magnetic strips.

[10] An embodiment of the first aspect wherein the releasable attachment means comprises strips of corresponding hook and loop fasteners.

[011] An embodiment of the first aspect wherein the covering flap further comprises ring holes at its bottom edge, for receiving anti-tamper cable.

[012] An embodiment of the first aspect wherein the covering flap further comprises buckle loops at its bottom edge, for receiving anti-tamper cable.

[13] An embodiment of the first aspect wherein the window aperture is filled with a substantially transparent material.

[14] According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a window portion suitable for being retrofitted into a PVC coated polyester fabric sheet, the window portion comprising a window aperture surrounded by a border of PVC coated polyester fabric; the window portion further comprising on a first face a covering flap hinged proximate a first edge of the window portion, the flap movable between a closed position wherein it covers the window aperture and its border material, and an open position wherein it does not cover the window aperture and border.

[015] An embodiment of the second aspect, further comprising releasable attachment means located on the first face of the border material surrounding the window aperture, and corresponding releasable attachment means located on the inner surface of the covering flap.

[16] An embodiment of the second aspect wherein the releasable attachment 5 means comprises rubber sealed magnetic strips.

[17] An embodiment of the second aspect wherein the releasable attachment means comprises corresponding hook and loop fasteners.

[018] An embodiment of the second aspect wherein the covering flap further comprises ring holes proximate a second edge, for receiving an anti-tamper cable.

[019] An embodiment of the second aspect wherein the covering flap further comprises buckle loops proximate a second edge, for receiving anti-tamper cable.

[20] An embodiment of the second aspect wherein the window aperture is filled with a substantially transparent material

Brief Description of the Drawings

[21] Figure 1 depicts an embodiment of the invention on an FIGV and a close up of the embodiment of the invention; [022] Figure 2 depicts a closeup view of an embodiment of the invention; [023] Figure 3 depicts a closeup view of an alternative embodiment of the invention.

S

Detailed Description

[24] Definition of terms. When describing the invention, the orientation assumed is that of a loadbearing curtain in use on a I IG V. Down or bottom referring to a direction towards the wheels of the TTGV and ground, up or top referring to a direction towards the roof of the I IGV. When specifically describing the window member the terms outer, outside and so on describe a direction travelling away from the centre of the window member in a plane defined by the load bearing curtain.

[25] The figures disclose a load bearing curtain/tarpaulin 100 for a vehicle such as a HGV. At a position on the tarpaulin 100 such that is it approximately at eye level for an individual standing outside a HGV when the load bearing curtain is in use, there is located at least one window member 110. The window member 110 has a window aperture 111, and allows an individual on the exterior of the HGV to be able to look through the window and at least partially see the contents of a cargo container of the vehicle/HGV.

[26] The window member 110 further comprises a coven* flap 112, for covering the window aperture 111 when not being used. The flap 112 is made from the same material as the load bearing curtain/tarpaulin 100 and has an area slightly larger than the area of the window aperture 111. Such that when in a closed position the flap 112 also covers a margin 113 surrounding the window aperture 111. The flap 112 is connected to the window member 110 along one edge 116 of the flap 112. The flap can be integrally formed with the window member 110 or attached via welding, stitching or any other suitable means known to the skilled person.

[27] The underside of the flap 112 (the side of the flap 112 adjacent the window aperture 111 when the flap 112 is in the closed position), and the margin 113 are lined with securing means 115. Securing means 115 can be heavy duty magnetic strips 115 which have been rubber sealed. The magnetic strips 115 help hold the flap in the closed position when not in use. Securing means 115 can also be in the form of heavy duty hook and loop fasteners, a zip, or any other suitable releasable securing means known to the skilled person.

[28] The window member 110 can be built into load bearing curtains/tarpaulins when the tarpaulins are manufactured. The window members 110 can also be retrospectively fitted to existing load bearing curtains/tarpaulins. This is done by cutting out an appropriately sized hole in the tarpaulin 100 and welding (plastic heat welding) the window in place using additional material located at a border 113 of the window member 110.

[29] Located on flap 112 substantially at corners distal to the connection edge 116 there can be at least one ring hole(s) 117 or buckle.

[30] As can be seen in the figures there is an anti-tamper seal 120 that runs along the length of the tarpaulin 100. Anti-tamper seal 120 is in the form of a metal cable 121. Traditionally these are threaded through the curtain/tarpaulin securing buckles 123. In the current invention the cable 121 is still treaded through securing buckles 123, but can also be threaded through the ring holes or buckle 117, with enough slack in the cable 121 that the flap can still be opened and closed while the cable 121 is threaded through the flap holes 117 or buckle.

[031] In the case where the flap 112 has at least one ring hole 117, there is also at least one nipple swivel (not shown) positioned in the at least one ring hole 117. In use the at least one nipple 122 passes through the at least one ring hole 117, and the cable 121 is threaded through the nipple swivel 122.

[32] Traditional load bearing curtains/tarpaulins for I IG Vs are made from 5 900g/m2 PVC coated polyester fabric. The window member 110 and flap 112 may be made from the same 900g/m2 PVC coated polyester fabric. and [33] The wthdow aperture 111 can be filled with any suitable substantially transparent and flexible material such as transparent PVC etc mounted in the 10 border material 113.

[34] The invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment. The description is intended to enable a skilled person to make the invention, not to limit the scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is 15 determined by the claims.

Claims

Claims 1 A load bearing curtain for a HGV comprising at least one window portion located such that when the load bearing curtain is in use covering the cargo area of a HGV, the window portion is substantially at the eye level of an individual standing outside the HGV.
2. A load bearing curtain according to claim 1 wherein the at least one window portion comprises an aperture surrounded by a border of material substantially the same as the material of the load bearing curtain; the window portion further comprising a covering flap hinged at a top edge of the window portion, on an outer side of the curtain, the flap movable between a closed position wherein it covers the transparent material and its border material, and an open position wherein it does not cover the transparent material and border.
3. A load bearing curtain according to claim 2 wherein the at least one window portion further comprises releasable attachment means located on the outer surface of the border material, and corresponding releasable attachment means located on the inner surface of the covering flap.
4. A load bearing curtain according to claim 3 wherein the releasable attachment means comprises rubber sealed magnetic strips.
A load bearing curtain according to claim 3 wherein the releasable attachment means comprises strips of corresponding hook and loop fasteners.
6 A load bearing curtain according to any one of claims 2 to 5 wherein the covering flap further comprises ring holes at its bottom edge, for receiving anti-tamper cable.
7. A load bearing curtain according to any one of claims 2 to 5 wherein the covering flap further comprises buckle loops at its bottom edge, for receiving anti-tamper cable.
8. A load bearing curtain according to any preceding claim wherein the window aperture is filled with a substantially transparent material.
9. A window portion suitable for being retrofitted into a PVC coated polyester fabric sheet, the window portion comprising an aperture surrounded by a border of PVC coated polyester fabric; the window portion further comprising on a first face a covering flap hinged proximate a first edge of the window portion, the flap movable between a closed position wherein it covers the transparent material and its border material, and an open position wherein it does not cover the transparent material and border.
10. A window portion according to claim 8, further comprising releasable attachment means located on the first face of the border material surrounding the window aperture, and corresponding releasable attachment means located on the inner surface of the covering flap.
11. A window portion according to claim 9 wherein the releasable attachment means comprises rubber sealed magnetic strips.
12.A window portion according to claim 9 wherein the releasable attachment means comprises corresponding hook and loop fasteners.
13. A window portion according to any one of claims 8 to 11 wherein the covering flap further comprises ring holes proximate a second edge, for receiving an anti-tamper cable.
14.A window portion according to any one of claims 8 to 11 wherein the covering flap further comprises buckle loops proximate a second edge, for receiving anti-tamper cable.
15.A window portion according to any one of claims 8-14 wherein the window aperture is filled with a substantially transparent material.