NZ532584A - Stowable tarpaulin for trucks - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatus for draping a flexible cover over the bin of a vehicle is disclosed, which comprises rollup means for unrolling and rolling up a flexible cover and means for elevating the rollup means from a storage position to a feed out position, wherein the cover has a pair of side flaps and flap ties which extend at least partly over the sides of the bin and are rolled up and released by the rollup means, and wherein the rollup and release means have a guide aligned with each longitudinal edge of the tarpaulin capable of folding the side flaps and flap ties to lie coplanar with the tarpaulin during rollup.

Description

3 2 5 8 4 -la - INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFRCE OF N.Z 2 7 APR 200^ RECEIVED TITLE: STOWABLE TARPAULIN FOR TRUCKS FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention concerns apparatus for covering bins with flexible covers such as tarpaulins for ensuring the contents stay within the bin.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION While the apparatus is capable of being used on static installations in windy areas, its chief use is for improving the safety of bins mounted on tipping trucks and tipping 2004-01-29, A:\482bergero.uk. wpd, 1 trailers.

Our attempts to mount multiple hoops which support the cover while allowing the cover to open and close like a concertina have been successful only where the contents of the 5 bin have not interfered with the to and fro operation of the cover and the hoops. When loads containing waste paper are transported, a close, tight fit of the tarpaulin over the bin is a priority for the truck operator. If mixed loads from sorting stations to municipal tips are being transported, the least projecting length of wood, metal spar or piece of plasterboard is sufficient to resist the payout movement of the cover and thereby cancel 10 the electric drive. The electric drive cannot be restarted until the blockage is removed. The driver has no easy means to remove the blockage unless a front end loader or the like can rearrange the load.

Unequal filling of the truck bin is a current problem. The load may shift during the 15 journey. Bouncing on poor roads tend to shake the load and causes spillages over the sides. If the load is pressed down the top of the bin becomes concave allowing loss of load between the bin and the tarpaulin. It is useful to have tarpaulin side flaps for closing of this area but they together with the ties extending from them can produce tangles during rolling and unrolling.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention provides apparatus for draping a flexible cover over the bin of a vehicle, comprising rollup means for releasing and rolling up the flexible cover and means for 25 elevating the rollup means from a storage position to a feed out position.

The rollup means may be axially disposed across the width of the bin and adapted to wind up the cover in a spiral conformation. In its simplest form, the means is a shaft or tube capable of supporting the cover over the width of the bin.

The rollup means may be driven by a motor in both the rollup mode and in the payout mode, but if the shaft or tube is mounted in ball bearings, the cover may be paid out by the operator pulling the leading end of the cover using a line extending backwards over 2004-0 l-29,A:\482bergero.uk.wpd,2 the bin to the ground. If the weather is windy, the vehicle is headed into the wind so that the wind forces assist paying out.

The means for elevating the rollup means may be a rise and fall support capable of 5 raising the rolled up cover above the edge of the bin. It is preferable if the frame elevates the cover sufficiently above the top edge of the bin to hang in a catenary without touching the bin between the leading end and the rollup shaft or tube. This minimises drag and allows side flaps on the cover to hang over the sides of the bin ready to be tied to the horizontal tie bar which runs the length of the bin. The frame is preferably located 10 adj acent the front end of the bin and secured to the vehicle chassis. The frame may have telescoping supports and may have two or more stages each operated by its own ram. In practice, it is preferable to pay out the cover when it is about double the depth of the bin. While it may be lower for just winding in, a height of 0.3-0.4 x length of the bin is useful. The leading end of the cover may be fixed to a lightweight spar and the operator's line 15 is attached centrally to the spar.

The drive to the apparatus may be hydraulic, through hoses wound on a reel which rewinds a hose as the frame descends to a travel position at or below the level of the top of the bin. The space between the truck cab and the apparatus is sufficient to service the 20 apparatus.

The importance of winding in under power is to make it possible to attach the leading end to the end of the bin opposite the rollup means and thereafter to tension the cover. These operations may all be switched ON and OFF by a handheld remote control carried by the 25 operator who can stand at the rear at the truck with a good all round view of his vehicle.

When the tarpaulin has side flaps and rope ties for tying down the side flaps, the entrance to the roll up shaft may be spanned by a guide bar over which the cover passes during rolling and unrolling. The two ends of the bar are radiussed in order to fold in the side 30 flaps and the ties to lie in an orderly manner with the spirally wound cover. 2004-01-29,A:\482bergero.uk.wpd,3 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Certain embodiments of the invention are now described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Figure 1 is a rear view of the elevating frame.

Figure 2 is a side sectional view of the roll up shaft and guide bar.

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic view of a tipper truck with the frame elevated ready to pay out the tarpaulin.

Figure 4 is the same view as Figure 3 with the tarpaulin extended over the bin.

Figure 5 is the same view as Figure 4 with the tarpaulin tied down and the elevated frame lowered to the TRAVEL position.

Figure 6 is an enlarged view of the LH part of Figure 1 showing the guide's action on the side flaps.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION WITH RESPECT TO THE DRAWINGS Referring firstly to Figures 1 and 2, the base 2 is connected to the truck chassis 4. The base supports a pair of pillars 6 in which a lower, inverted U-frame 8 rises and falls under 25 the power of lower ram 10. The lower frame has pillars 12 on which an upper, inverted U-frame 14 rises and falls under the power of upper ram 16. Upper frame 14 supports roll 18 on which is wound a tarpaulin 20 with a pair of side flaps 22 (see Figures 4 and 5). The roll 18 has a chain wheel 24 driven by a sprocket 26 on the shaft of a hydraulic motor 28. Motor 28 receives hydraulic fluid through hose 30 via wheel 32 from pump 30 34. Pump 34 is switched ON and OFF by a controller (not shown). The electronic controller is responsive to ir signals from a handheld remote control 36 carried by the driver 38. 2004-01-29,A:\482bergero.uk.wpd,4 Referring now to Figure 2, the rolled up tarpaulin 20 is covered by a sheet metal housing 40. The leading end has a pocket seam which contains a light aluminium tube 42 and it is to this tube that the driver's line 44 is tied. The tube keeps the leading end at full width. The tarpaulin is an air permeable mesh made of polyester strands.

Referring now to Figures 4 and 5, when the bin needs covering the driver uses the remote to elevate the frame UP to full height. The hydraulic motor is switched to RELEASE and the line 44 is pulled by the driver over the back of the bin. The side flaps appear and drop over the edges of the bin. When the tarpaulin is paid out, the leading end tube 42 10 is secured to the rear end of the bin and the slack is removed by the driver using the remote to signal ROLLUP. The motor tensions the cover and the driver ties the side flaps.

Referring now to Figure 6, the guide bar 46 spans the mouth of the roll up tube. The bar 15 is substantially U-shaped with the radiussed parts 48 lying about 75mm from the cylindrical surface of the full roll and directly in the path of the longitudinal edges of the tarpaulin. The bar is a 10mm round rod bent to a radius of200mm in order to fold in the side flaps and the tie ropes during roll up. During roll up the flaps lie coplanar with the tarpaulin and the ties lie parallel to the longitudinal edge. During unrolling the side flaps 20 and ties progressively hang from the edges of the tarpaulin covering the bin sides and become accessible to the operator even in windy weather.

We have found the advantages of the above embodiment to be:- 1. Parts of the load which project from the bin do not prevent paying out of the tarpaulin. 2. The combination of the payout height of the tarpaulin and the drivers line gives the driver more control than a fully automated apparatus. 3. The gathering bar rolls and unrolls the side flaps and securing lines together with the tarpaulin without tangling. 2004-01-29,A:\482bergero.uk.wpd,5 It is to be understood that the word "comprising" as used throughout the specification is to be interpreted in its inclusive form, ie. use of the word "comprising" does not exclude the addition of other elements.

It is to be understood that various modifications of and/or additions to the invention can be made without departing from the basic nature of the invention. These modifications and/or additions are therefore considered to fall within the scope of the invention. 2004-01 -29,A:\482bergero.uk.wpd,6

Claims (5)

10 15 20 -7- THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. Apparatus for draping a flexible cover over the bin of a vehicle comprising rollup means for unrolling and rolling up a flexible cover and means for elevating the rollup means from a storage position to a feed out position, wherein the cover has a pair of side flaps and flap ties which extend at least partly over the sides of the bin and are rolled up and released by the rollup means and the rollup means has a guide aligned with each longitudinal edge of the cover, capable of folding the side flaps and flap ties to lie coplanar with the tarpaulin during rollup.

2. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the guide spans the rollup means and has a pair of radiussed portions over which the cover is constrained to pass.

3. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the radius is 75-200mm.

4. Apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 1-3, wherein the rollup means is driven by a motor in at least the rollup mode.

5. A vehicle equipped with apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 1-4. Dated this 25th day of August, 2005 SANDERCOCK & COWIE PATENT ATTORNEYS FOR 25 BERGERO CONSTRUCTIONS AND HYDRA TARPS PTY. LTD. '""ttifcCTUAt PHUPtRTY OFFICE] Of N.Z. 1 2 9 AUG 2005 f?EC EIS/fh 2005-08-25,Z:\Specifications\bergero.uk. wpd,7