NZ272335A - Vehicle deck drag sheet: roller demountably attached to vehicle, mounting includes anchor strap - Google Patents

Description

PATENTS FORM 5 Number:272335 PATENTS ACT 1953 Dated: June 12, 1995 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION LOAD DISCHARGE APPARATUS We, LORESfG INDUSTRIES LTD, of Burleigh Estate, New Renwick Road, Blenheim, New Zealand, a New Zealand company do hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement. 0 27 2 33 5 This invention relates to a device useful for the handling of materials and in particular for unloading materials from the load area of vehicles such as flat deck trucks, pick-up trucks and the like.

Background to the invention Generally, when carting a load of discrete material such as gravel, sand, earth, cut pieces of timber such as are used for firewood and the like by a motor vehicle, unless the motor vehicle is of the type that the load area is capable of being tipped so the load can be discharged by gravity, it is necessary to manually remove the load. 10 Various implements can be utilised for this purpose, such as shovels, spades and the like. This however is both time consuming and labour intensive.

It is known to utilize a flexible sheet or a belt (called herein a drag sheet) which is placed onto the load area of the vehicle and the load is placed on the sheet. Roller 15 means are provided at the discharge end of the load area so the roller can be manually or mechanically rotated to wind the drag sheet onto the roller. This will move the load on the drag sheet towards the discharge end so the load will eventually fall off the vehicle. Such known load discharge apparatus are designed so they can be attached to the tailgate of a motor truck, but this is not practical for those vehicles which have 20 flat decks, that is vehicles which either have no tail gate, or if they have a tail gate, then the tail gate is designed when opened to fall by gravity so the tail gate assumes an essentially vertical position. Similarly, known load discharge apparatus are generally not suitable for use with a trailer type of load haulage vehicle, particularly when the trailer either does not have a tailgate or if it does have a tailgate, then the 25 tailgate is not hinged to the deck and to gain access to the deck, the tailgate-must be •■■'i r.

I:\RMWWDOCS\WPSHAREVFNWS20325.002 2 * ;bodily removed from the trailer. ;27 2 3 3 5 ;A further difficulty with known load discharge apparatus is that if it is permanently attached to the vehicle then when it is not required, it tends to interfere 5 with other uses of the vehicle. Another disadvantage is that because of the nature of the device, even when the drag sheet is wound onto the roller, the device as a whole is prone to damage by coming into contact with other vehicles, objects and the like. In addition, if the device is left permanently attached to the vehicle then it is also subject to deterioration from the weather. ;Object of the invention ;It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a load discharge device which will minimize the above disadvantages or which will at least provide the public with a useful choice. ;Disclosure of the Invention ;Accordingly, one form of the invention may be said to comprise a load discharge apparatus for use with a load carrying conveyance having a deck with an end face, said apparatus including a drag sheet for covering at least a portion of the 20 deck, said drag sheet sheet being attached to a rotatable reel, means being provided to rotate the reel to wind the drag sheet onto the reel to retract the drag sheet off the deck, wherein the said reel is located in an operative position on the end face of the deck by brackets which support the reel adjacent either end thereof, and wherein each said mounting bracket includes means whereby the bracket may be removably 25 attached to said end face of the deck, each said bracket also including an auxiliary ;10 ;15 ;I:\RMWWDOCS\WPSHAREWW320325.002 ;3 ;27 ? X 7 R ;anchor means to assist in retaining the mounting bracket on the end WBerof tfe dMk V ^ ;In another form the invention may be said to comprise a load discharge apparatus for use with a load carrying conveyance having a deck with an end face, 5 said apparatus including; ;a drag sheet for covering at least a portion of a load carrying surface of the deck, ;10 a reel adapted to be attached to the drag sheet and to be rotated to retract the drag sheet from the deck, and means to locate the reel in an operative position on said end face, ;15 wherein the said means to rotate the reel comprise mounting brackets adapted to support the said reel adjacent either end of said reel, said brackets each including means to removably attach the bracket to the said end face and including an auxiliary anchor means adapted to be tensioned to assist in retaining the mounting bracket in a predetermined location in relation to the end face of the deck. ;20 ;Preferably the auxiliary anchor means comprises a strap which in use will extend between the said mounting bracket and an anchor on the said conveyance. ;Preferably a tension mechanism is associated with the said strap to exert 25 tension between the mounting bracket and the anchor on the conveyance^^T - ;I:\RMWWDOCS\WP3HAREAFNW\S20325.002 - 4 - ;p 7 APR 1997 ;27 2 33 5 ;* Preferably the auxiliary anchor comprises an auxiliary mounting bracket having a face plate and a leg, said face plate being adapted to be anchored to the end face of the deck, the said leg Including means to receive one end of the said strap.

Preferably each mounting bracket includes a face plate, two spaced apart side plates and a sleeve which extends between the side plates and which has a bore to receive the said reel.

Preferably the reel is laterally located in relation to each said bracket by a 10 collar located on the reel and outboard of at least one of the said side plates of the bracket.

Preferably each collar includes a radial slit which can be compressed to lock the collar onto the reel.

Brief Description of the Drawings Preferred forms of the Invention will now be described with the aid of the accompanying drawings wherein: Fig. 1 is an end-on elevation of part the load discharge device showing one form of a mounting bracket according to this invention; and Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the bracket taken along the line A - A of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an end view of the part of the load discharge device illustrated in Fig. 25 1 but showing an additional feature; 4 I:\RMWWDOCS\WPSHARE\FNW\S2Q325.002 - 5 - - r.. v APR 1997 27 2 3 3 5 Fig. 4 Is an end-on elevation of part of the load discharge device utilising another form of mounting bracket of the present Invention: Fig. 5 is a side elevatlonal view of part of the load discharge device taken along 5 the line A - A of Fig. 4; and Fig. 6 is a view of the load discharge device as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 when in use on a flat deck vehicle: Best Mode of Carrying out the Invention Referring to the drawings and particularly as shown in Fig. 1 the load discharge device includes a reel 1 a part of which is shown in this Figure. As indicated in Fig. 6, the reel is of sufficient length that it will span at least the width of a typical load area 2 of a mo tor vehicle. The reel, which may conveniently be formed of metallic 15 tubing or the like, is arranged to be located and to have rotatory movement by means of mounting brackets 3 each of which are comprised by a face plate 3a and spaced apart side plates 4 joined to said face plate. The face plate 3a includes a slot such as the key hole slot 5 to enable the mounting bracket 3 to be attached to the end face of the deck 2 of a motor vehicle. For this purpose a pin such as that indicated at 6 is 20 permanently attached to the deck with sufficient space being left between the head 6a of the pin and end face of the deck so that the mounting bracket 3 can be attached to the deck by placing the key hole slot 5 over the head 6a of the pin and sliding the mounting bracket 3 downwardly to enable the shank of the pin to enter the narrower part of the slot 6 as is known in the art. ' r-yv ,• ' i\ l:\RMWWDOCSWPSHARE\FNW\S2032S.002 - 6 in?97 ] r is 27 2 3 3 While it is preferred to use a key hole slot in the interests of facilitating removal and attachment of the load discharge device, it is to be understood there are many other methods of removably attaching the brackets 3 to the end face of the deck of the vehicle as will be apparent to those skilled in the art and all of those methods are 5 intended to be included In the scope of this invention. Preferably two mounting brackets 3 are utilised, with each mounting bracket being located on the rear face of the deck adjacent either side of the deck. The actual positioning of the mounting brackets will be determined by the width of the deck 2 and by the location of ancillary devices that might have been attached to the deck 2 so that a convenient clear location 10 is first determined on the decking 2 and then the mounting brackets can be appropriately attached to those locations.

In the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the mounting bracket 3 is retained on the pin 6 by applying a downward pressure to the mounting bracket 15 3. This is obtained by providing the mounting bracket 3 with a tall 8 which includes slots 9 so that one end of a strap 10 can be threaded into and so anchored in the slots (see particularly Fig. 2). The other end of the strap 10 terminates in a suitable hook member such as that indicated at 11 which can be removably attached to a suitable anchorage point, such as a bumper bar or a chassis member, on the motor vehicle. 20 Tension means 12 are also provided to exert a tension on the strap when the hook member 11 has been anchored. Various forms of tension means as are known in the art can be utilised.

As can be seen particularly from Fig. 1 each mounting bracket includes a sleeve 15 which spans between the side plates 4 of the bracket and which is suitably , rv-v •C'- ■%.

I:\RMWWDOCS\WPSHARE\FNWsS20325.002 - 7 - 3 { k 9 r . '^97 \ 27 2 33 attached thereto such as by welding or the like. A self lubricating tubular bearing 16 is located within the sleeve 15 and has a bore in which the reel 1 is located so that the reel can be rotated within the sleeve 15 and thus be located by the mounting brackets 3.

In order to provide flexibility in locating the mounting brackets, each mounting bracket is provided with two collars 20, each of which is located on the reel but outboard of the side plates 4. Each collar has a radial slit 21 (see particularly Fig. 2 and Fig. 3) so that the collars which will normally have a sliding fit on the reel 1, can 10 be clamped to the reel 1 by tightening the screws 22 which will effectively shorten the diameter of the bore of the collar. To laterally locate the reel to the mounting brackets 3, the collars are slid on the reel to be adjacent the side plates of the mounting brackets whereupon the screws 22 can be tightened to clamp the collars to the reel 1. If necessary friction reducing washers (not shown) can be interposed between the 15 collars 22 and the side plates 4 of the mounting brackets 3.

A drag sheet 25 (see Fig. 6) is suitably attached to the reel 1 by any known means, with the drag sheet preferably being of a width that it will cover a major portion of the width of the deck 2 of the vehicle and having a length which is 20 preferably greater than the length of the load area of the deck 2. As indicated in Fig. 6, the reel is so located on the mounting brackets 3 that the drag sheet will extend from the top of the reel and can be extended to cover at least a major portion of the load area. Means are provided to assist in the rewinding of the drag sheet onto the reel after it has been extended. Various means, which can be either manual or 25 mechanical can be utilised for this purpose and in the highly preferred form a handle • • ';J>x I:\RMWVTOOCS\WPSHARE\FNW\S203Z5.00a - 8 - , 1997 fl 27 2 3 3 5 as indicated in Fig. 1 is provided. In this form one end (or both ends) of the reel is provided with a land 30 (see Fig. 4) and with a slot 31 that passes diametrically through the reel 1. The handle includes a shaft 32, one end of which is shaped to form an insertion member 33 (see Fig. 3) which can pass through the slot 31 formed 5 in the reel 1 so that movement of the shaft 32 in the direction shown by the arrows in Fig. 3 will result in rotatory movement of the reel 1. Since the drag sheet Is attached to the reel, rotation of the reel in the appropriate direction will result in the drag sheet being wound onto the reel and off the load area 2. A suitable hand grip 34 is attached to the shaft 32 to assist the operation.

To remove the load discharge apparatus from the vehicle, the tension on the straps 10 is released by manipulating the tension devices 12 which will allow the hooks to be removed from the anchorage point on the vehicle. The reel 1 together with the mounting brackets 3 is then lifted slightly so the wider portion of the key 15 hole slot 5 will register with the head 6a of the pin 6 whereupon the load discharge apparatus can be removed from the vehicle. trucks and the like which either have a tail gate which will drop fully down to an 20 essentially vertical position or which do not have a tail gate.

The device as shown in Fig9. 4 and 5 is particularly suitable for use with a vehicle which has a tall gate which when dropped down will lie essentially at right angles to the plane of the deck of the vehicle. In this form of the invention each 25 mounting bracket 43 has a face plate 43a, sides plates 44 and a sleeve 45. The side The apparatus as shown in Figs. 1,2 and 3 is particularly adapted for flat deck I:\RMWWDOCSVWPSHARE\FNWS20325.002 /- ,< 1997 | 27 2 33 5 plates 44 of the mounting bracket 43 are joined such as by welding or the Uke to a first face of an angle member 47 which has an extension 48 which lies substantially at right angle to the first face of the angle member 47. Slots 49 are formed in the extension 48 "which can be the same shape as the slots 9 and which can receive and 5 anchor one end of a strap 50.

An auxiliary mounting bracket 60 is also provided. This bracket has a face plate 61 and a leg 62 in which slots 69 are provided to receive the free end of the strap 50. To attach the load discharge apparatus according to this modification to the 10 vehicle, the face plate 61 of the bracket is passed between the tail gate 63 and the rear of the deck 2 of the vehicle so that the face plate 61 can be anchored to the load area 2. The brackets 43 are attached to the tail gate by utilising the pins 6 and the mounting holes in the brackets (see Figs. 1 to 3). The angle member 47 and extension 48 are located on the tail gate 63 and the strap 50 is joined between the leg 62 and 15 the extension 48. When in this position, the strap 50 can be tensioned by the tension member 65 to maintain the brackets in place on the tail gate.

To utilize the device after it has been located on the vehicle, the drag sheet is wound off the reel so it will cover the required load area of the deck 2. The load can 20 then be placed on top of the drag sheet and when it is desired to discharge the load, the handle is attached to the reel and by rotating the handle the reel will also be rotated which will wind the drag sheet on to the reel and thus discharge the load from the load area.

The foregoing is a description of one preferred form of the invention fejyAJt will I:\RMWWIXK3\WPSHAREFNVAS20325.002 i?97 ) 27 2 33 be understood that modifications and alterations to the specific form as described as will be apparent to those skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of this invention as defined in the appended claims.

I:\RMWWDOCS\WPSHARGVFNWS2032S.002 1997

Claims (9)

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 27 2 33

1. A load discharge apparatus for use with a load carrying conveyance having a deck with discharge end, said apparatus including a drag sheet for covering at least 5 a portion of the deck, said drag sheet sheet being attached to a rotatable reel, means being provided to rotate the reel to wind the drag sheet onto the reel to retract the drag sheet off the deck, wherein the said reel is located in an operative position on the discharge end of the deck by brackets which support the reel adjacent either end thereof, and wherein each said mounting bracket includes means whereby the bracket 10 may be removably attached to said discharge end of the deck, each said bracket also including an auxiliary anchor means to assist in retaining the mounting bracket on the discharge end of the deck.

2. A load discharge apparatus for use with a load carrying conveyance having a 15 deck with an discharge end, said apparatus including; drag sheet from the deck, and means to locate the reel in an operative position on said discharge end, 25 wherein the said means to rotate the reel comprise mounting brackets adapted to a drag sheet for covering at least a portion of a load carrying surface of the deck, 20 a reel adapted to be attached to the drag sheet and to be rotated to retract the l:\RMWWDOCS\WPSHARE\FNWB20328.002 - 12 - support the said reel adjacent either end of said reel, said brackets e; means to removably attach the bracket to the said discharge end and including an auxiliary anchor means adapted to be tensioned to assist in retaining the mounting bracket in a predetermined location in relation to the discharge end of the deck.

3. The load discharge apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or in claim 2, wherein the auxiliary anchor means comprises a strap which in use will extend between the said mounting bracket and an anchor on the said conveyance. 10

4. The load discharge apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein a tension mechanism is associated with the said strap to exert tension between the mounting bracket and the anchor on the conveyance.

5. The load discharge apparatus as claimed in claim 3 or in claim 4, wherein the 15 auxiliary anchor comprises an auxiliary mounting bracket having a face plate and a leg, said face plate being adapted to be anchored to the discharge end of the deck, the said leg including means to receive one end of the said strap.

6. The load discharge apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, 20 wherein each mounting bracket includes a face plate, two spaced apart side plates and a sleeve which extends between the side plates and which has a bore to receive the said reel.

7. The load discharge apparatus as claimed in claim 5 or in claim 6, wherein the 25 reel is laterally located in relation to each said bracket by a collar located on the reel 5 - 13 - I:\RMWWDOCS\WPSHARE\FNWV320328.002 r / Ah< 1997 and outboard of at least one of the said side plates of the bracket. 27 2 3 3 5

8. The load discharge apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein each collar includes a radial slit which can be compressed to lock the collar onto the reel.

9. The load discharge apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. END OF CLAIMS MttHi MtVEMH WtT ATTORNEYS FOR THE APPLICANT I:\BMWWDOCS\WPSHARE\FNW\S20326.002 - 14- ■\ Y >