GB2608672A - Roller bar handle assembly for a mechanical sheeting system - Google Patents

Roller bar handle assembly for a mechanical sheeting system Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2608672A
GB2608672A GB2206019.8A GB202206019A GB2608672A GB 2608672 A GB2608672 A GB 2608672A GB 202206019 A GB202206019 A GB 202206019A GB 2608672 A GB2608672 A GB 2608672A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
axle
gear
handle assembly
roller bar
shoulder
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
GB2206019.8A
Other versions
GB202206019D0 (en
Inventor
West Stuart
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
ECLATS HOLDINGS Ltd
Original Assignee
ECLATS HOLDINGS Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by ECLATS HOLDINGS Ltd filed Critical ECLATS HOLDINGS Ltd
Publication of GB202206019D0 publication Critical patent/GB202206019D0/en
Publication of GB2608672A publication Critical patent/GB2608672A/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60J—WINDOWS, WINDSCREENS, NON-FIXED ROOFS, DOORS, OR SIMILAR DEVICES FOR VEHICLES; REMOVABLE EXTERNAL PROTECTIVE COVERINGS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES
    • B60J7/00—Non-fixed roofs; Roofs with movable panels, e.g. rotary sunroofs
    • B60J7/02—Non-fixed roofs; Roofs with movable panels, e.g. rotary sunroofs of sliding type, e.g. comprising guide shoes
    • B60J7/06—Non-fixed roofs; Roofs with movable panels, e.g. rotary sunroofs of sliding type, e.g. comprising guide shoes with non-rigid element or elements
    • B60J7/067—Non-fixed roofs; Roofs with movable panels, e.g. rotary sunroofs of sliding type, e.g. comprising guide shoes with non-rigid element or elements sliding and winding up
    • B60J7/068—Non-fixed roofs; Roofs with movable panels, e.g. rotary sunroofs of sliding type, e.g. comprising guide shoes with non-rigid element or elements sliding and winding up for utility vehicles, e.g. of tarpaulin or roller-blind type
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B1/00—Optical elements characterised by the material of which they are made; Optical coatings for optical elements
    • G02B1/04—Optical elements characterised by the material of which they are made; Optical coatings for optical elements made of organic materials, e.g. plastics
    • G02B1/041—Lenses
    • G02B1/043—Contact lenses
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
    • A45C—PURSES; LUGGAGE; HAND CARRIED BAGS
    • A45C11/00—Receptacles for purposes not provided for in groups A45C1/00-A45C9/00
    • A45C11/005—Contact lens cases
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K31/00—Medicinal preparations containing organic active ingredients
    • A61K31/33—Heterocyclic compounds
    • A61K31/335—Heterocyclic compounds having oxygen as the only ring hetero atom, e.g. fungichromin
    • A61K31/35—Heterocyclic compounds having oxygen as the only ring hetero atom, e.g. fungichromin having six-membered rings with one oxygen as the only ring hetero atom
    • A61K31/352—Heterocyclic compounds having oxygen as the only ring hetero atom, e.g. fungichromin having six-membered rings with one oxygen as the only ring hetero atom condensed with carbocyclic rings, e.g. methantheline 
    • A61K31/353—3,4-Dihydrobenzopyrans, e.g. chroman, catechin
    • A61K31/355—Tocopherols, e.g. vitamin E
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K9/00—Medicinal preparations characterised by special physical form
    • A61K9/0012—Galenical forms characterised by the site of application
    • A61K9/0048—Eye, e.g. artificial tears
    • A61K9/0051—Ocular inserts, ocular implants
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60J—WINDOWS, WINDSCREENS, NON-FIXED ROOFS, DOORS, OR SIMILAR DEVICES FOR VEHICLES; REMOVABLE EXTERNAL PROTECTIVE COVERINGS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES
    • B60J7/00—Non-fixed roofs; Roofs with movable panels, e.g. rotary sunroofs
    • B60J7/08—Non-fixed roofs; Roofs with movable panels, e.g. rotary sunroofs of non-sliding type, i.e. movable or removable roofs or panels, e.g. let-down tops or roofs capable of being easily detached or of assuming a collapsed or inoperative position
    • B60J7/085—Non-fixed roofs; Roofs with movable panels, e.g. rotary sunroofs of non-sliding type, i.e. movable or removable roofs or panels, e.g. let-down tops or roofs capable of being easily detached or of assuming a collapsed or inoperative position winding up, e.g. for utility vehicles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60P—VEHICLES ADAPTED FOR LOAD TRANSPORTATION OR TO TRANSPORT, TO CARRY, OR TO COMPRISE SPECIAL LOADS OR OBJECTS
    • B60P7/00—Securing or covering of load on vehicles
    • B60P7/02—Covering of load
    • B60P7/04—Covering of load by tarpaulins or like flexible members
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H75/00—Storing webs, tapes, or filamentary material, e.g. on reels
    • B65H75/02—Cores, formers, supports, or holders for coiled, wound, or folded material, e.g. reels, spindles, bobbins, cop tubes, cans, mandrels or chucks
    • B65H75/34—Cores, formers, supports, or holders for coiled, wound, or folded material, e.g. reels, spindles, bobbins, cop tubes, cans, mandrels or chucks specially adapted or mounted for storing and repeatedly paying-out and re-storing lengths of material provided for particular purposes, e.g. anchored hoses, power cables
    • B65H75/38—Cores, formers, supports, or holders for coiled, wound, or folded material, e.g. reels, spindles, bobbins, cop tubes, cans, mandrels or chucks specially adapted or mounted for storing and repeatedly paying-out and re-storing lengths of material provided for particular purposes, e.g. anchored hoses, power cables involving the use of a core or former internal to, and supporting, a stored package of material
    • B65H75/40—Cores, formers, supports, or holders for coiled, wound, or folded material, e.g. reels, spindles, bobbins, cop tubes, cans, mandrels or chucks specially adapted or mounted for storing and repeatedly paying-out and re-storing lengths of material provided for particular purposes, e.g. anchored hoses, power cables involving the use of a core or former internal to, and supporting, a stored package of material mobile or transportable
    • B65H75/42—Cores, formers, supports, or holders for coiled, wound, or folded material, e.g. reels, spindles, bobbins, cop tubes, cans, mandrels or chucks specially adapted or mounted for storing and repeatedly paying-out and re-storing lengths of material provided for particular purposes, e.g. anchored hoses, power cables involving the use of a core or former internal to, and supporting, a stored package of material mobile or transportable attached to, or forming part of, mobile tools, machines or vehicles
    • B65H75/425—Cores, formers, supports, or holders for coiled, wound, or folded material, e.g. reels, spindles, bobbins, cop tubes, cans, mandrels or chucks specially adapted or mounted for storing and repeatedly paying-out and re-storing lengths of material provided for particular purposes, e.g. anchored hoses, power cables involving the use of a core or former internal to, and supporting, a stored package of material mobile or transportable attached to, or forming part of, mobile tools, machines or vehicles attached to, or forming part of a vehicle, e.g. truck, trailer, vessel
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H75/00—Storing webs, tapes, or filamentary material, e.g. on reels
    • B65H75/02—Cores, formers, supports, or holders for coiled, wound, or folded material, e.g. reels, spindles, bobbins, cop tubes, cans, mandrels or chucks
    • B65H75/34—Cores, formers, supports, or holders for coiled, wound, or folded material, e.g. reels, spindles, bobbins, cop tubes, cans, mandrels or chucks specially adapted or mounted for storing and repeatedly paying-out and re-storing lengths of material provided for particular purposes, e.g. anchored hoses, power cables
    • B65H75/38—Cores, formers, supports, or holders for coiled, wound, or folded material, e.g. reels, spindles, bobbins, cop tubes, cans, mandrels or chucks specially adapted or mounted for storing and repeatedly paying-out and re-storing lengths of material provided for particular purposes, e.g. anchored hoses, power cables involving the use of a core or former internal to, and supporting, a stored package of material
    • B65H75/44—Constructional details
    • B65H75/48—Automatic re-storing devices
    • B65H75/486—Arrangements or adaptations of the spring motor
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
    • C08J—WORKING-UP; GENERAL PROCESSES OF COMPOUNDING; AFTER-TREATMENT NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C08B, C08C, C08F, C08G or C08H
    • C08J3/00—Processes of treating or compounding macromolecular substances
    • C08J3/02—Making solutions, dispersions, lattices or gels by other methods than by solution, emulsion or suspension polymerisation techniques
    • C08J3/03—Making solutions, dispersions, lattices or gels by other methods than by solution, emulsion or suspension polymerisation techniques in aqueous media
    • C08J3/075—Macromolecular gels
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
    • C08K—Use of inorganic or non-macromolecular organic substances as compounding ingredients
    • C08K5/00—Use of organic ingredients
    • C08K5/04—Oxygen-containing compounds
    • C08K5/15—Heterocyclic compounds having oxygen in the ring
    • C08K5/151—Heterocyclic compounds having oxygen in the ring having one oxygen atom in the ring
    • C08K5/1545—Six-membered rings
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E06—DOORS, WINDOWS, SHUTTERS, OR ROLLER BLINDS IN GENERAL; LADDERS
    • E06B—FIXED OR MOVABLE CLOSURES FOR OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS, VEHICLES, FENCES OR LIKE ENCLOSURES IN GENERAL, e.g. DOORS, WINDOWS, BLINDS, GATES
    • E06B9/00—Screening or protective devices for wall or similar openings, with or without operating or securing mechanisms; Closures of similar construction
    • E06B9/02—Shutters, movable grilles, or other safety closing devices, e.g. against burglary
    • E06B9/08—Roll-type closures
    • E06B9/11—Roller shutters
    • E06B9/17—Parts or details of roller shutters, e.g. suspension devices, shutter boxes, wicket doors, ventilation openings
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E06—DOORS, WINDOWS, SHUTTERS, OR ROLLER BLINDS IN GENERAL; LADDERS
    • E06B—FIXED OR MOVABLE CLOSURES FOR OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS, VEHICLES, FENCES OR LIKE ENCLOSURES IN GENERAL, e.g. DOORS, WINDOWS, BLINDS, GATES
    • E06B9/00—Screening or protective devices for wall or similar openings, with or without operating or securing mechanisms; Closures of similar construction
    • E06B9/56—Operating, guiding or securing devices or arrangements for roll-type closures; Spring drums; Tape drums; Counterweighting arrangements therefor
    • E06B9/68—Operating devices or mechanisms, e.g. with electric drive
    • E06B9/76—Operating devices or mechanisms, e.g. with electric drive using crank handles
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
    • C08J—WORKING-UP; GENERAL PROCESSES OF COMPOUNDING; AFTER-TREATMENT NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C08B, C08C, C08F, C08G or C08H
    • C08J2333/00—Characterised by the use of homopolymers or copolymers of compounds having one or more unsaturated aliphatic radicals, each having only one carbon-to-carbon double bond, and only one being terminated by only one carboxyl radical, or of salts, anhydrides, esters, amides, imides, or nitriles thereof; Derivatives of such polymers
    • C08J2333/24—Homopolymers or copolymers of amides or imides
    • C08J2333/26—Homopolymers or copolymers of acrylamide or methacrylamide
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
    • C08J—WORKING-UP; GENERAL PROCESSES OF COMPOUNDING; AFTER-TREATMENT NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C08B, C08C, C08F, C08G or C08H
    • C08J2383/00—Characterised by the use of macromolecular compounds obtained by reactions forming in the main chain of the macromolecule a linkage containing silicon with or without sulfur, nitrogen, oxygen, or carbon only; Derivatives of such polymers
    • C08J2383/04—Polysiloxanes

Abstract

A handle assembly 3 for operating a roller bar comprising an axle 7 having a first end for attachment to a handle 6 for rotating the axle and a second end for attachment to a roller bar 2; a ratchet 11 comprising a gear 18 located on the axle, the ratchet configured to allow gear rotation in a first direction and prevent gear rotation in a second, opposite direction; and a clutch mechanism 12. The clutch mechanism is configured to selectively move between a locked and unlocked configuration, wherein in the locked configuration the axle is locked to the gear of the ratchet so that the axle is prevented from rotating in the second direction by the ratchet; and wherein in the unlocked configuration, the axle is permitted to rotate in the second direction. The handle assembly may comprise a housing 8. The clutch mechanism may be configured to push the gear towards a shoulder 7”,7’’’ on the shaft. A thrust nut 27 may be used to adjust friction applied by the clutch mechanism. Also claimed is a roller bar assembly comprising the handle assembly and method of changing a covering sheet.

Description

Roller bar handle assembly for a mechanical sheeting system Field of invention The present invention relates to a roller bar handle assembly for a mechanical sheeting system providing a retractable cover for commercial vehicles. More especially, the invention relates to a handle assembly for a roller bar, the handle assembly being configured to provide and release tension in a torsional spring of the roller bar.
Background to the invention
io Conventional sheeting/covering systems for commercial vehicles use spring loaded roller bars to allow a cover to be easily pulled or retracted over a load area.
A common problem with systems using spring loaded roller bars is that when tension is applied to the spring in the roller bar, using a rotation tool such as, for example, a /5 spanner, the spring acting against the rotation tool can cause swift counter-rotation of the rotation tool which, if unexpected, can cause injury.
The present invention seeks to provide a handle assembly for a roller bar that has means to safely provide and release tension in a torsional spring of the roller bar.
Statement of Invention
In a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a handle assembly for operating a roller bar, the handle assembly comprising: an axle having a first end for attachment to a handle for rotating the axle and a second end for attachment to a roller bar; a ratchet comprising a gear located on the axle, the ratchet being configured to allow rotation of the gear in a first direction and to prevent rotation of the gear in a second direction, opposite the first direction; and a clutch mechanism configured to selectively move between a locked and unlocked configuration, wherein in the locked configuration the axle is locked to the gear of the ratchet so that the axle is prevented from rotating in the second direction by the ratchet; and wherein in the unlocked configuration, the axle is permitted to rotate in the second direction.
The handle assembly may further comprising a housing, wherein the ratchet and clutch mechanism are disposed within the housing.
The axle may comprise a shoulder, wherein the dutch mechanism is configured to push the gear toward the shoulder to increase the friction between the gear and the shoulder.
The axle may comprise a threaded portion that extends partially along the axle, wherein the clutch mechanism comprises a thrust nut engaged with the threaded portion of the axle, the thrust nut being configured so that relative rotation of the thrust nut in the first direction about the axle causes the thrust nut to move along the threaded portion of the axle toward the shoulder, increasing the friction between the gear and the shoulder.
The clutch mechanism may be configured so that the gear is locked to the axle to prevent independent rotation of the axle and the gear if the friction between the gear and the shoulder exceeds a threshold level of friction.
Relative rotation of the thrust nut in the second direction about the axle may cause the thrust nut to move along the threaded portion of the axle away from the shoulder, reducing the friction between the gear and the shoulder.
The clutch mechanism may be configured so that the axle is permitted to rotate relative to the gear when the friction between the gear and the shoulder is below the threshold level of friction.
The handle assembly may further comprising a handle configured to allow a user to rotate the axle.
In a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a roller bar assembly comprising the handle assembly described above and a roller bar, wherein the roller bar comprises: a drum for attachment to a covering sheet; a roller axle about which the drum can rotate; and a torsional spring attached to the drum and the roller axle, so that rotation of the drum causes a torque to be applied to the roller axle by the torsional spring.
The roller axle and the axle of the handle assembly may be directly attached for co-rotation. -3 -
The threshold level of friction may be that sufficient to resist the torque applied to the axle by the torsional spring.
In a third aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method of changing a covering sheet, the covering sheet being attached to the roller bar assembly described above, the method comprising: moving the clutch mechanism of the handle assembly into the unlocked configuration to allow the axle to rotate in the second direction, releasing tension from torsional spring; and removing the covering sheet from the drum of the roller bar.
Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 shows a handle assembly; Figure 2 shows the handle assembly of figure 1 in an exploded view; Figure 3 shows another handle assembly in an exploded view; Figure 4 is a cross section of the handle assembly of figure 3; Figure 5 shows a roller bar assembly comprising a handle assembly and a roller bar; Figure 6 shows a cross section of the roller bar assembly of figure 5; and Figure 7 is a detail view of a ratchet and pawl mechanism of a handle assembly.
Detailed Description
Figure 5 shows a roller bar assembly 1 for use with a covering sheet. In this example, the roller bar assembly 1 is for use with a covering sheet for covering the load area of a -0or lorry, although it shall be appreciated that covering sheets also exist for other uses, including, for example, covering swimming pools or tennis courts.
The roller bar assembly 1 comprises a roller bar 2 and a handle assembly 3 for rotating the roller bar 2. The roller bar 2 comprises a cylindrical drum 4 and an axle 5 about which the drum 4 can rotate. The drum 4 is provided with means (not shown) for clamping one edge of a sheet to the drum 4 so that rotation of the drum 4 causes the sheet to be wound onto the drum 4 for stowage. A torsional spring 24 is provided between the drum 4 and the axle 5, as shown in the section of figure 6. One end of the torsional spring 24 is attached to the drum 4 and the other to the axle 5 so that the drum 4 is biased to rotate in a direction that winds the sheet onto the drum 4. Therefore, when the sheet is drawn off the drum 4, the torsional spring maintains -4 -tension to keep the sheet taut. The tension also provides the benefit of assisting the rewinding of the sheet back on to the drum 4. The spring tension can be adjusted by rotating the axle 5 relative to the drum 4. in conventional systems, that is, systems without the handle assembly 3 described herein, the spring is tensioned using a rotation tool, such as a spanner, by directly turning the axle while the drum is held in a fixed position. The tension of the spring can cause swift counter-rotation of the rotation tool if released, which, if unexpected, can lead to injury. The handle assembly 3 of the present invention aims to address this issue by allowing for the safe rotation of the axle 5 relative to the drum 4.
Figures i to 4 show different views of a handle assembly 3 for use with the roller bar assembly i of figures 5 and 6. While the handle assemblies 3 of figures i to 4 may differ in some small details, the principal features of each are the same and retain the same reference numbers. Each handle assembly 3 described herein comprises a handle 6, an axle 7, a housing 8 for a safety mechanism 9 and a bracket io for attachment of the handle assembly 3 to a roller bar 2. The handle 6 is arranged to allow a user to rotate the axle 7 and thereby provide or release tension from the torsion spring 24 of the roller bar 2, when attached thereto.
An exploded view of a first embodiment of the handle assembly 3 is shown in figure 3. The same handle assembly 3 is shown in section in figure 4. Figures 3 and 4 illustrate the components of the safety mechanism 9. The safety mechanism 9 is configured to allow tension to be safely applied to, or released from, the torsion spring of a roller bar 2. The safety mechanism 9 comprises a ratchet 11 and a clutch mechanism 12. The ratchet n is configured to allow the axle 7 to be rotated in a first direction to tension the torsion spring; and to prevent rotation in a second direction, opposite the first direction. The clutch mechanism 12 is configured to selectively allow the axle 7 to rotate in the second direction independently of the ratchet n to release tension in the torsion spring. The clutch mechanism 12 is further configured to transfer torque between the axle 7 and the ratchet n to control the speed of rotation of the axle 7 in the second direction. The clutch mechanism 12 is yet further configured to lock the axle 7 to the ratchet n to prevent rotation in the second direction if a user releases the handle 6 of the handle assembly 3.
The housing 8 comprises a front plate 13, a back plate 14 and a cylindrical wall 15 that fits between the front and the back plates 13, 14 to enclose an interior of the housing 8. -5 -
Plain bearings 16a, fhb are provided in respective apertures 17a, 17b of the front plate 13 and back plate 14 to rotatably support the axle 7, which extends all the way through the housing 8 to protrude from the front plate 13 and back plate 14. The portion of the axle 7 disposed within the housing is herein referred to as a mid-region of the axle 7.
The end of the axle 7 that protrudes from the front plate 13 is herein referred to as the first end, while the end of the axle 7 that protrudes from the back plate 14 is herein referred to as the second end.
The axle 7 of the handle assembly 3 is configured for direct attachment to the axle 5 of the roller bar 2, so that the axle 7 of the handle assembly 3 and the axle 5 of the roller bar 2 rotate together when attached. For example, the axle 5 of the roller bar 2 may be connected to the second end of the axle 7 by a connecting sleeve 25 which can be arranged to overlap both axles 5, 7, as shown in the section of figure 6. The connecting sleeve 25 may be pinned through corresponding openings in the axles 5, 7 to rotatably lock the axles 5, 7 together. Alternatively, either axle 5, 7 may comprise a non-circular socket for connection to a correspondingly shaped end of the other the axles 5, 7. Therefore, the axles 5, 7 may be locked together for co-rotation without the use of a separate connecting sleeve 25.
The axle 7 comprises a threaded portion 7' that is partially disposed within the housing.
The threaded portion 7' extends from the mid-region of the axle 7 up to the first end of the axle 7. The mid region of the axle further comprises a shoulder 7" and a plain surface 7-, the plain surface 7-being disposed between the shoulder 7" and the threaded portion 7'. By 'shoulder' 7", it is meant a step in the diameter of the axle 7. The shoulder 7" provides a locating surface for a gear 18 of the ratchet 11 as explained below. By 'plain surface' 7-, it is meant an unthreaded or smooth region of the axle 7.
The gear 18 is provided with a through hole 19 that locates on the plain surface 7-of the axle 7. The gear 18 is rotatably supported by the axle 7 so that, when the clutch mechanism 12 allows, the gear 18 may rotate relative to the axle 7. The ratchet it further comprises a pawl 20. The pawl 20 is fixed to the housing 8 and works with the gear 18 in the usual way. That is, the gear 18 and pawl 20 cooperate to allow rotation of the gear 18 in one direction, but not the other. In this case, the gear 18 is allowed to rotate in the first direction, but not the second. A detailed view of the gear 18 and pawl is shown in figure 7. -6 -
The clutch mechanism 12 is configured to push the gear 18 toward the shoulder 7" to control the friction between the gear 18 and the shoulder 7". Therefore, when the handle assembly 3 is connected to the roller bar 2, the clutch mechanism 12 controls the transfer of torque between the axle 7 (loaded by the torsion spring 24) and the ratchet a When the gear 18 is pushed against the shoulder 7" with enough force, the gear 18 and the axle 7 are effectively locked together so that the torsion spring 24 is unable to rotate the axle 7 in the second direction against the ratchet 11. Therefore, the clutch mechanism 12 is configured to selectively move between a locked and unlocked configuration, wherein in the locked configuration the axle 7 is locked to the gear 18 of the ratchet a so that the axle 7 is prevented from rotating in the second direction by the ratchet 11; and wherein in the unlocked configuration, the axle 7 is permitted to rotate in the second direction.
The clutch mechanism 12 comprises a thrust nut 21 which locates on the threaded portion 7' of the axle. The thrust nut 21 comprises a female threaded inner surface that corresponds with the threaded portion 7' of the axle 7 to allow the thrust nut 21 to be wound along the axle 7. The handle 6 locates over the thrust nut 21 so that rotation of the handle 6 causes rotation of the thrust nut 21 and movement of the thrust nut 21 along the axle 7. For example, the thrust nut 21 may comprise a non-circular outer profile that allows a correspondingly shaped socket 6' of the handle 6 to be rotatably fixed to the nut 21. For example, the thrust nut 21 may comprise a hexagonal profile like a conventional nut. The thrust nut 21 also comprises a region with plain outer surface 21' so that the thrust nut 21 may be rotatably supported by the plain bearing 16a in the front plate 13 of the housing 8. The thrust nut 21 extends into the housing 8 and into contact with the gear 18. In the first embodiment, the thrust nut 21 extends into direct contact with the gear 18. In another embodiment, illustrated by figure 2, the thrust nut 21 is separated from the gear 18 by a clutch plate 22 and thrust bearing 23, details of which are expanded on below.
In use, when the handle assembly 3 is attached to the roller bar 2, turning the handle 6 in the first direction causes the thrust nut 21 to wind onto the axle 7 toward the shoulder 7", trapping the gear 18 between the thrust nut 21 and the shoulder 7". This locks the handle 6, the gear 18 and the axle 7 together, so that rotation of the handle 6 in the first direction causes rotation of the axle 7 together with the handle 6 against the tension of the torsion spring. Tension in the torsion spring is maintained by the ratchet 11 which prevents the torsion spring turning the axle 7 in the second direction. To -7 -release tension in the torsion spring, the handle 6 is turned in the second direction, winding the thrust nut 21 away from the shoulder 7". This releases the gear 18 from the shoulder 7" so that the gear 18 is permitted to rotate relative to the axle 7. With the axle 7 no longer constrained by the ratchet 11, the torsion spring is permitted to unwind by rotating the axle 7 in the second direction. The torsion spring may continue to unwind as long as the handle 6 is rotated in the second direction relative to, or along with, the axle 7. If the handle 6 is released, continued rotation of the axle 7 in the second direction will tighten the thrust nut 21 against the gear 18, trapping it again between the thrust nut 21 and the shoulder 7". This is because the inertia of the handle 6 will hold the thrust nut 21 relative to the axle 7, causing the thrust nut 21 to 'nip tip' against the gear 18. in this condition, the axle 7 is again prevented from rotating in the second direction by the ratchet 11.
It will be appreciated that any relative rotation of the thrust nut 21 in the first direction about the axle 7 causes the thrust nut 21 to move along the threaded portion 7' of the axle 7 toward the shoulder 7", thereby increasing the friction between the gear 18 and the shoulder 7". A defining characteristic of the clutch mechanism 12 is that the gear 18 is locked to the axle 7 if the friction between the gear 18 and the shoulder 7" exceeds a threshold level of friction. When the gear is locked to the axle 7, the axle 7 is prevented from rotating independently of the gear 18 by the pawl zo of the ratchet 11. The threshold level of friction is a level just sufficient to resist the torque applied to the axle 7 by the torsional spring 24. In other words, if the level of friction between the gear 18 and the shoulder 7" is greater than that needed to resist the torque applied to the axle 7 by the torsional spring 24, the torsional spring 24 is unable to turn the axle 7 against the friction between gear 18 and the shoulder 7". In such a state, the clutch mechanism 12 is considered to be in the locked configuration.
It will be further appreciated that any relative rotation of the thrust nut 21 in the second direction about the axle 7 causes the thrust nut 21 to move along the threaded portion 7' of the axle 7 away from the shoulder 7", reducing the friction between the gear 18 and the shoulder 7". The axle 7 is permitted to rotate independently of the gear 18 when the friction between the gear 18 and the shoulder 7" is below the threshold level of friction. Therefore, continuous rotation of the handle 6 in the second direction will allow the axle 7 to rotate independently of the gear 18 as long as relative rotation of the thrust nut 21 does not occur in the first direction and cause the friction between the gear 18 and the shoulder 7" to exceed the threshold level of friction. -8 -
The second embodiment, illustrated by figure 2, is substantially the same as the first embodiment with the exception that the second embodiment further comprises the clutch plate 22 and thrust bearing 23. The clutch plate 22 and thrust bearing 23 may be provided together, as in figure 2, or may each be provided separately. The clutch plate 22 serves to affect the friction and wear between the thrust nut 21 and the gear 18. The clutch plate 22 may be a simple plain washer, or it may have a coated surface to increase the friction between the adjacent components. In the embodiment of figure 2, the thrust bearing is provided in place of bearing 16a. Therefore, the thrust bearing 23 rotatably supports the axle 7 in the front plate 13 of the housing 8. The thrust nut 21 acts directly on the thrust bearing to affect the friction between the thrust nut 21 and the gear 18.
Both first and second embodiments comprise a further plain washer 26 disposed between the gear 18 and the shoulder 7". The washer 26 is not essential, but may help reduce wear on the adjacent components.
In both illustrated embodiments, a lock nut 27 and a spring washer 28 are provided. The lock nut 27 is wound onto the threaded portion 7' of the axle 7. The spring washer 28 is provided between the lock nut 27 and the thrust nut 21. The spring washer 28 is compressed between the lock nut 27 and thrust nut 21 to provide an axial load on the thrust nut 21, irrespective of whether the clutch mechanism 12 is in the locked or unlocked configuration. This ensures some resistance to movement of the handle 6. In the illustrated embodiments, the threaded portion 7' comprises a first region 71 having a first diameter and a second region 72 having a second diameter, less than the first diameter. The second region 72 extends from the first region 71 up to the first end of the axle 7. The thrust nut 21 fits on the first region 71 and the lock nut 27 fits on the second region 72. Therefore, the locknut 27 is prevented from being wound onto the second region 72 due to its incompatibility with the diameter of the second region 72.
This means that the lock nut 27 is prevented from being wound directly up against the thrust nut 21 and interfering with operation of the clutch mechanism 12.
It shall be appreciated that while the illustrated embodiments show the lock nut 27 and spring washer 28, they are not essential and may be omitted without departing the scope of the invention. -9 -
The handle 6 of the illustrated embodiments further comprise a grip 29 that extends perpendicular from a distal end of the handle 6. The grip 29 allows the handle 6 to be rotated in the usual way.
The above described invention advantageously prevents unexpected counter rotation of the handle 6 if the handle 6 is released. The invention further allows tension to be safely and gradually taken out of the torsion spring 24 in a controlled manner so that a covering sheet may be more easily removed from the roller bar 2 for replacement.
It will be appreciated that although the handle assembly 3 described herein includes a handle 6 to allow a user to rotate the axle 7, handle assemblies 3 of the present invention are not limited to including the illustrated handle 6. This is because any suitable rotation tool may be employed in the handle's 6 place without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, a spanner may be used in place of the illustrated handle to the same effect. in such an example, the spanner may be directly applied to the thrust nut 21 to control rotation of the axle 7 in the manner described above. The same advantages of the invention are present regardless of whether the handle assembly 3 is supplied with the illustrated handle 6, or for use with a non-illustrated rotation tool, such as a spanner.
One of the advantages of the roller bar assembly 1 shown in figures 5 and 6 is that the safety mechanism 9 of the handle assembly 3 allows the tension in the torsion spring 24 to be released without risk to an operator or to the roller bar 2 itself. Tension in the torsional spring 24 must be released when a covering sheet attached to the roller bar 2 is to be detached from the roller bar 2, for example to allow the covering sheet to be replaced. In such an operation, the covering sheet is completely unwound from the roller bar so that the end of covering sheet attached to the roller bar is accessible for removal. Without the ability to release the tension in the torsion spring 24, the unwinding of the covering sheet would hold the spring 24 in a high state of tension, applying a large force to the covering sheet and making it difficult to remove.
Furthermore, even if the covering sheet were removed with the spring 24 in a high state of tension, the rapid release of the tension in the spring 24 could cause damage to the roller bar 2 or injury to the operator. Therefore, the present invention also provides a method of changing a covering sheet of a roller bar assembly 1 as described herein. The method comprises moving the clutch mechanism 11 of the handle assembly 3 into the unlocked configuration to allow the axles 5, 7 to rotate in the second direction, releasing -10 -tension from torsional spring 24; and removing the covering sheet from the drum 4 of the roller bar 2. In the illustrated embodiments, this method further comprises rotating the thrust nut 21 in the second direction relative to the axle 7 to reduce the friction between the gear 18 and the shoulder 7" below the threshold level of friction.

Claims (12)

  1. Claims 1. A handle assembly for operating a roller bar, the handle assembly comprising: an axle having a first end for attachment to a handle for rotating the axle and a 5 second end for attachment to a roller bar; a ratchet comprising a gear located on the axle, the ratchet being configured to allow rotation of the gear in a first direction and to prevent rotation of the gear in a second direction, opposite the first direction; and a clutch mechanism configured to selectively move between a locked and /o unlocked configuration, wherein in the locked configuration the axle is locked to the gear of the ratchet so that the axle is prevented from rotating in the second direction by the ratchet; and wherein in the unlocked configuration, the axle is permitted to rotate in the second direction.
  2. 2. A handle assembly according to claim 1 further comprising a housing, wherein the ratchet and clutch mechanism are disposed within the housing.
  3. 3. A handle assembly according to claim 2, wherein the axle comprises a shoulder, and wherein the clutch mechanism is configured to push the gear toward the shoulder to increase the friction between the gear and the shoulder.
  4. 4. A handle assembly according to claim 3, wherein the axle comprises a threaded portion that extends partially along the axle, and wherein the clutch mechanism comprises a thrust nut engaged with the threaded portion of the axle, the thrust nut being configured so that relative rotation of the thrust nut in the first direction about the axle causes the thrust nut to move along the threaded portion of the axle toward the shoulder, increasing the friction between the gear and the shoulder.
  5. 5. A handle assembly according to claim 4, wherein the clutch mechanism is configured so that the gear is locked to the axle to prevent independent rotation of the axle and the gear if the friction between the gear and the shoulder exceeds a threshold level of friction.
  6. 6. A handle assembly according to claim 5, wherein relative rotation of the thrust nut in the second direction about the axle causes the thrust nut to move along the -12 -threaded portion of the axle away from the shoulder, reducing the friction between the gear and the shoulder.
  7. A handle assembly according to claim 6, wherein the clutch mechanism is configured so that the axle is permitted to rotate relative to the gear when the friction between the gear and the shoulder is below the threshold level of friction.
  8. 8. A handle assembly according to any preceding claim further comprising a handle configured to allow a user to rotate the axle.
  9. 9. A roller bar assembly comprising the handle assembly of any of claims 1 to 8 and a roller bar, wherein the roller bar comprises: a drum for attachment to a covering sheet; a roller axle about which the drum can rotate; and a torsional spring attached to the drum and the roller axle, so that rotation of the drum causes a torque to be applied to the roller axle by the torsional spring.
  10. 10. A roller bar assembly according to claim 9, wherein the roller axle and the axle of the handle assembly are directly attached for co-rotation.
  11. 11. A roller bar assembly according to claim 10 when dependent on any of claims 5 to 7, wherein the threshold level of friction is that sufficient to resist the torque applied to the axle by the torsional spring.-0or
  12. 12. A method of changing a covering sheet, the covering sheet being attached to the roller bar assembly of any of claims 9 to 11, the method comprising: moving the clutch mechanism of the handle assembly into the unlocked configuration to allow the axle to rotate in the second direction, releasing tension from torsional spring; and removing the covering sheet from the drum of the roller bar.
GB2206019.8A 2021-04-24 2022-04-25 Roller bar handle assembly for a mechanical sheeting system Pending GB2608672A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GBGB2105876.3A GB202105876D0 (en) 2021-04-24 2021-04-24 Roller bar handle assembly for a mechanical sheeting system

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB202206019D0 GB202206019D0 (en) 2022-06-08
GB2608672A true GB2608672A (en) 2023-01-11

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GBGB2105876.3A Ceased GB202105876D0 (en) 2021-04-24 2021-04-24 Roller bar handle assembly for a mechanical sheeting system
GB2206019.8A Pending GB2608672A (en) 2021-04-24 2022-04-25 Roller bar handle assembly for a mechanical sheeting system

Family Applications Before (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GBGB2105876.3A Ceased GB202105876D0 (en) 2021-04-24 2021-04-24 Roller bar handle assembly for a mechanical sheeting system

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Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7278673B2 (en) * 2005-02-28 2007-10-09 John Donovan Enterprises-Florida Container covering apparatus
CN206720499U (en) * 2017-03-27 2017-12-08 马鞍山市双益机械制造有限公司 A kind of cable drum

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7278673B2 (en) * 2005-02-28 2007-10-09 John Donovan Enterprises-Florida Container covering apparatus
CN206720499U (en) * 2017-03-27 2017-12-08 马鞍山市双益机械制造有限公司 A kind of cable drum

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Publication number Publication date
GB202206019D0 (en) 2022-06-08
GB202105876D0 (en) 2021-06-09

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