WO1997028978A1

WO1997028978A1 - Chapel roof for a loading vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO1997028978A1
Application number: PCT/NO1997/000029
Authority: WO
Inventors: Arne Petter Kvinlaug
Original assignee: Arne Petter Kvinlaug
Priority date: 1996-02-07
Filing date: 1997-02-03
Publication date: 1997-08-14
Also published as: NO304178B1; NO960490L; AU1737897A; NO960490D0

Abstract

A loading vehicle chapel roof has a laterally facing coverable/uncoverable loading/unloading access opening at one longitudinal side thereof as known per se. The roof structure comprises longitudinally extending, parallel roof beams (20A, 20, 20B), at least the greater number of which being parallel displaceable in two opposite lateral directions in order to uncover or cover, respectively, a loading space (14), thus making access to the loading space (14) from above in the loading/unloading position of the loading vehicle. All roof beams (20A, 20, 20B) are interconnected by means of flexible rope-like connecting means, one external beam (20A) which, in the covered position of the roof, occupies a position limiting the roof laterally at the side where said access aperture can be uncovered/covered, being assigned a manoeuvering device for its lateral parallel displacement together with at least the greater number of the other roof beams (20) connected thereto and interconnected mutually.

Description

CHAPEL ROOF FOR A LOADING VEHICLE

This invention relates to a chapel roof for a loading vehicle. A chapel roof is defined as being a covering made of "bows" and tarpaulin on a loading area, a trailer or a semi-trailer, said "bows" usually comprising longitudinal and lateral beams which may be mounted with a spacing and which carry an external tarpaulin covering and sealing the loading room above and laterally.

Such lorries having loading area and chapel roof are loaded and unloaded laterally, the longitudinal side beams at one longitudinal side being formed and mounted such that they easily can be removed and put into place again, e.g. by means of hooks or dogs, with which they are suspended from corner columns, from where they can be released and lifted off. The underlying side frame is downwardly pivotable about a horizontal longitudinal axis into a suspending position in which it is out of the way upon loading/unloading, whereafter it may be swung up again into the vertical operative position.

The side beam at roof level and the roof beams of known chapel roofs are often a hindrance to the placing/removal ofload by means of a lifting crane respectively a fork truck for pallets or similar packages. In accordance with the present invention, one has tried to provide a chapel roof formed and arranged such that it enables a significantly larger freeing around the loading room normally covered by the chapel roof, so that loading/ unloading vehicles will have maximum access to the loading room, both laterally and from above.

According to the invention, this object is realized by means of a chapel roof distinguishing itself by the features appearing from the characterizing clause of claim 1.

In a chapel roof in accordance with the invention, the roof structure itself consists of loose, parallel laths or similar elongate, flat roof elements connected to adjacent roof element(s) by means of lateral, bendable, rope-like connecting members, an outer roof element which may constitute the side beam at roof level at that side being uncovered upon loading/unloading, being connected to a manually operated or motor-driven manoeuvring device which, upon starting up, is adapted to move the side beam of the roof structure and, thus, push aside the remaining roof elements, such that these lie garthered, practically side by side at roof level at that chapel roof side located opposite the side from which the loading/unloading is taking place.

In a chapel roof uncovered to such an extent, it is, of course, very easy to reach the load, both laterally as before and, now, also from above in accordance with the invention. Load on a loading area well available like this, is well suited to be loaded/unloaded by means of a motor vehicle provided with a lifting crane or by e.g. a traverser or travelling crane. When transporting very tall load, the transport may, according to the invention, take place with the roof structure withdrawn laterally.

When the loading vehicle is loaded/unloaded, the manoeuvring device is operated again, causing the movement of said outer roof beam (= side beam at roof level) back to the original position thereof. During this movement the latter, through the bendable, rope-like connecting members pull with it the closest roof beam which, in its turn, through said connecting members, pulls with it the closest roof beam thereof and so forth, until all roof beams have arrived at their places again, forming support for the tarpaulin.

The manoeuvring device may consist of at least one endless, horizontally extending chain, wire or the like positioned around turning wheels at the ends and extending with an upper and a lower portion over the entire lateral dimension of the roof structure. For symmetry and balancing purposes, it is suitable to use two endless chains extending along guidances in the form of lying U-shaped profiles, U-apertures thereof facing each other, end portions of the roof beams engaging guidingly into the U-profiles, which may form the front and rear length restricting members for the roof structure.

As the endless chains extend across a longitudinal distance of the roof structure corresponding to or exceeding the length of the roof elements, it is sufficient to utilize the lower portion of the chains for the intended lateral displacement of the roof elements and bringing the same together laterally, so that carriers on the lower portions of the chains do not have to pass over the turning wheel/turning wheels. Then, it is appropriate to connect the outer roof beam (side beam) to the chains through synchronized carriers. All roof beams, also the side beam, engage into the above- mentioned U-shaped profile rails by means of slide means formed with lateral guidance means cooperating with complementary guidance formed on or in the U-profile rails. These carriers on the lower part of the chains may each be connected to one of the slide means of the outer roof beam (side beam) .

As mentioned, the chains of the manoeuvring device are assigned turning wheels in the form of chain wheels. Two such chain wheels, one belonging to each chain, i.e. the wheels located in the longitudinal folding area of the "roof", may be connected to each other by means of a longitudinal shaft, one outer end thereof being equipped with a hand crank. Alternatively, the manoeuvring device may be operated by a motor.

The lateral, bendable, preferably rope-like connecting members may consist of chain pieces or the like, but nothing prevents the provision of special hinges, articulations or pivoting means in various designs and embodiments in lieu of said rope-like connecting members.

A non-restricting example of a preferred embodiment of a chapel roof shaped and designed in accordance with the invention is further explained in the following, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a lorry having a loading area and a chapel roof, the latter being shown in the pulled aside position, freeing the loading/unloading side through the removal of horizontal beams along this longitudinal side, the underlying side frame being swung downwardly;

Figure 2 shows a top plan view of the real roof structure of a chapel roof, shaped and designed in accordance with the invention, here shown in an operative position where the longitudinal roof elements are mutually spaced, forming a support for an outer tarpaulin, not shown;

Figure 3 corresponds to figure 2, but here the longitudinal roof elements are pulled over to that longitudinal side of the vehicle located opposite the side from where loading/ unloading is to take place;

Figure 4 shows, on a larger scale, a cross-sectional view IV-IV in figure 2, where the outer roof beam, corresponding to the socalled side beam at roof level, is shown in engagement with a U-shaped guidance rail through a slide means, and where the roof beam/side beam through the slide means is attached to a carrier on an endless chain's lower portion located at the vehicle's side in question, the device being mirror symmetrically positioned at the opposite lateral side of the vehicle;

Figure 5 corresponds to figure 4, but shows a cross- sectional view V-V in figure 2, illustrating the corresponding slidable mounting of one of the remaining roof elements which has no connection with the chain, but which in other respects is provided with a slide means having guidance members in the form of two opposite, lateral guidance means in the form of gutter-shaped grooves, in which engage narrow square pipes constituting the complementary guidance means for the U-guidance rail.

In the perspective view of figure 1, a typical loading vehicle having a chapel roof is illustrated. The front and rear end wall 10 and 12, respectively, defining the loading room 14 in the longitudinal direction of the loading vehicle, each has stationary horizontal beams 10' and 12', respectively, not intended to be removed upon loading/ unloading. On the other hand, the side from which unloading and loading takes place, has horizontal longitudinal beams (not shown) removed from corner columns 16, 16' formed for the accommodation of hooks or the like on said (not visible) side beams. Moreover, the side frame 18 is swung downwardly occupying an inoperative position, increasing the access to the lower area of the loading room 14. Hooking off (disengaging) the side beams and swinging the side frame down, represent prior art technique.

In accordance with the invention, also the true roof structure of the chapel roof, figures 2 and 3, may be removed temporarily, at least partially, in order to enable access to the loading room 14 from above and to enable transport of very tall load, the vertical dimension thereof in loading position exceeds the distance between the loading area 1 • and the roof structure of the chapel roof, consisting of a number of separate, longitudinal roof elements 20, the outermost element thereof, i.e. the one occupying an upper side beam position in the operative position of the roof structure, figure 2, being denoted at the reference indication 20A.

Said roof structure 20,20A comprises said outer roof element/ side beam 20A and a number of, six in the examplary embodiment, other therewith parallel roof elements 20 in the form of edgewise orientated beams which, in spite of quite large intermediate spaces between adjacent beams, form a satisfactory horizontal support face for a tarpaulin, not shown. The orientation of the beam cross-section gives a high bending strength. Likewise, tarpaulin will cover the side walls and the end walls 10, 12.

Each of the two end walls 10, 12 of the chapel roof has uppermost a guidance rail 10A and 12A having a lying U- profile, the apertures of said U-rails 10A, 12A facing each other and serving the displaceable accommodation of slide means 22, figures 4 and 5, attached to the ends of the roof elements 20, 20A.

The more specific mounting of the roof elements/beams 20,20A within the U-shaped guidance rails 10A and 12A will be described later, subsequently to the explanation of the real roof structure of the chapel roof.

In an end portion, somewhat outside the U-guidance rails 10A and 12A, adjacent roof beams 20, 20A are connected to each other by means of bendable, rope-like connecting elements, e.g. pieces of chains 24. If the outermost roof beam 20A is subjected to a lateral pulling or pushing force acting from the right hand side towards the left hand side according to figure 2, the chain pieces 24 extending between the side beam 20A and the closest roof beam 20 will be slackened and start to sag until the side beam 20A is located at a minimum distance from the adjacent roof beam, only separated by intermediate chain links of the chain pieces now sagging maximum. Thereafter, the side beam 20A together with the closest roof beam 20 are pulled/pushed in the direction towards the next adjoining roof beam, while the chain pieces 24 between the two roof beams are slackened and start to sag; this sequence repeating itself as long as the side beam 20A is subjected to said lateral pull/push force, until all roof beams 20A, 20 are gathered side by side immediately outside the inner side limiting roof beam 20B of the roof structure.

In accordance with the non-restricting examplary embodiment shown in the drawings, the side beam 20A is allotted a pulling force from a conveyor comprising two parallel, endless chains 26, 26' running over turning wheels 28, 28'. Each of the two innermost chain wheels 28, 28' serve as turning wheels for a chain 26, 26' interconnected by means of a longitudinal shaft 30, one end thereof projecting outside the adjacent turning wheel 28 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, being provided with a hand crank 32.

The upper and lower portion of the chains 26, 26' each has a length which can correspond to the dimension of the roof structure 20A,20,20B in the lateral direction of the vehicle. By means of a carrier 34, figure 4, coupled to the side beam 20A through the end slide piece 22 thereof and to the lower portion of the chain 26', the side beam 20A and the remaining roof beams 20 will be displaceable in the lateral direction of the vehicle between the two extreme positions thereof, figures 2 and 3, without the lower portions of the chains 26, 26' having to contact the chain wheels 28, 28' when the carriers 34 are situated in the neighbourhood of the turning wheels in one of said extreme positions.

The invention is not limited to the shown embodiment of the transfer mechanism of the roof structure 20A,20,20B. In lieu of the chains 26, 26', the chain wheels 28, 28' and the shaft 30 carrying the end crank 32, one may e.g. use a transfer device comprising a double-acting piston cylinder operated by means of a pressurized fluid, the piston rod end thereof, through cords attached thereto and running over casters rotatably mounted on the roof structure 20A,20,20B, being connected to the side beam 20A or passed back and attached to the piston rod end, the cord-caster-arrangement being formed such that the stroke of the piston cylinder is multiplied and transferred to the side beam 20A for moving the same between the position shown in figure 2 and the position shown in figure 3, and vice versa.

According to figures 4 and 5, each roof beam 20A and 20 is endwise provided with longitudinally projecting slide pieces 22 with which the roof beams 20A respectively 20 engage slidingly into the U-guidance rails 10A and 12A. As it appears from figure 4,the angular carrier's 34 one leg is attached to the lower portion of the chain 26', while the other leg is fastened to the slide piece 22 by means of a through bolt 36.

On each U-guidance rail 10A, 12A is internally, at the U- mouth, welded two opposing, narrow square pipes 38, 38' engaging into oppositely directed, complementarily shaped chute-like grooves 40, 40' formed into the slide pieces 22. These cooperating guide means 38, 38', 40, 40' secure displacement of the roof means 20A, 20 along the guidance rails 10A, 12A, simultaneously as they efficiently prevent the beam ends from being pulled out of the guidances.

Claims

C l a i m s

1. A chapel roof for a loading vehicle having a loading area (14'), wherein the chapel roof's roof structure proper comprises parallel, longitudinal, substantially horizontally extending roof beams (20A, 20, 2OB) , said chapel roof during transport preferably being covered by means of an external tarpaulin, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that said roof beams (20A,20, 20B) are interconnected by means of preferably bendable connecting members (24) each extending between two adjacent roof beams (20A, 20, 20B) , at least most of the roof beams (20A, 20) being guided in lateral guidances (10A, 12A) , and that the roof beam (2OB) positioned furthest away from a laterally facing access opening may be fixed to the remaining roof structure, a roof beam (20A) in the outer side beam position being assigned a transfer device (26, 26', 28, 28', 30, 32) which, upon activation, is adapted to parallel displace this roof beam (20A) in one of two opposite directions, whereby this roof beam (20A) , possibly through connecting means (24) , brings with it the remaining displaceable roof beams (20) between two main positions, the roof beams (20A, 20, 20B) occupying one of said main positions in operative positions thereof, distributed across a loading room (14) in the lateral direction of the loading vehicle, the roof beams (20A, 20, 20B) in the other main position being positioned next to adjacent roof beams of the roof structure, side by side, close to the longitudinal side (at 20B) of the loading room (14) .

2. A chapel roof as set forth in claim l, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that said lateral guidances (10A, 12A) for the parallel displaceable roof beams (20A, 20) consist of two horizontal, lying U-rails (10A, 12A) , the U-apertures facing each other, each rail being placed along a lateral side defining the chapel roof at roof level in the lateral direction. 10

3. A chapel roof as set forth in claim 1 or 2, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that said bendable, pivotable and movable connecting means consist of rope-like elements, e.g. in the form av chains (24) .

4. A chapel roof as set forth in claim 1, 2 or 3, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that said transfer device comprises at least one endless conveyor device (26,26',28, 28',30,32) having a linear direction of movement parallel to the lateral direction of the loading vehicle, and that said outer roof beam (20A) in an operative side beam position at roof level is connected to the conveyor device (26,26', 28,28• ,30,32) for transfer in one of two opposite, lateral directions.

5. A chapel roof as set forth in any one of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the transfer device comprises two parallel, endless chains (26, 26') each running over two turning wheels (28, 28') and being disposed within said U-guidance rails (10A, 12A) as well as being connected to said outer roof beam (20A) through carriers (34) .

6. A chapel roof as set forth in one or moe of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the displaceable roof beams (20A, 20), at the ends thereof, are provided with slide pieces (22) which engage slideable into the U-guidance rails and formed with lateral guides (40, 40') cooperating displaceably with complementary guides (38, 38') internally within the U-guidance rails (10A, 12A) .

7. A chapel roof as set forth in claim 5, c h a c t e r i z e d i n that one turning wheel (28, 28') of each of the two chains (26, 26'), at the inner, possibly fixed roof beam (20B) furthest away from said laterally facing access opening upon loading/unloading, are interconnected by means of a longitudinal shaft (30) , which is provided with a hand crank (32) or a motor.