WO1999032313A1

WO1999032313A1 - Improvements in or relating to trailers or containers

Info

Publication number: WO1999032313A1
Application number: PCT/GB1998/003769
Authority: WO
Inventors: Peter Peters
Original assignee: Don-Bur Service Limited
Priority date: 1997-12-19
Filing date: 1998-12-21
Publication date: 1999-07-01
Also published as: GB2335399B; AU1676099A; GB2335399A; GB9913733D0; GB9821444D0

Abstract

A trailer (100) (see Figure 7) is provided with straps (300) having fastening means in the form of hooks (303) on which a pulley (304) is mounted (see Figure 14). Hooks (303) can be engaged into side rave (306) of the trailer and a cable (C) is threaded onto the pulleys (304) and tensioned by a ratchet mechanism to tension the straps (300) simultaneously.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO TRAILERS OR CONTAINERS

This invention relates to improvements in or relating to goods-carrying vehicles, especially trailers or containers , and is more particularly concerned with tensioned side curtains on vehicle trailers or containers .

BACKGROUND

Vehicle trailers having side curtains that are fastened down by a row of horizontally spaced generally vertically oriented strap and buckle arrangements are well known. However, it is believed that existing strap and buckle arrangements for fastening down the curtain sides on such vehicle trailers tend to be disadvantageous in certain respects. Firstly, the general appearance of the side curtain when fastened down may be more unsightly than need be the case . Apart from the exposed buckle arrangements, the curtain itself tends to be subject to creasing and distortion rather than being pulled down taut as a flat vertical sheet. Owing to the provision and positioning of the buckle arrangements and straps , a reduced amount of space is available on the sides of the vehicle trailer or container for the display of any advertising material, signs or indicia. Still further, owing to the fastening of the individual strap and buckle arrangements a considerable amount of time is required to complete unfastening or fastening of the side curtain correctly . Also , there is a tendency in some designs for a considerable length of strap to be hanging from the buckle when a side curtain is fastened down and, with movement of the trailer, the length of strap is able to swing into contact with the outside surface on the side curtain and may even cause marking of same , more particularly where the curtain is of a light colour, for example white, and the strap is of a dark colour, for example black. Additionally, the positioning of the buckles may not be the most convenient for operation and a person releasing the fastening may possibly need to stretch unduly or be required to exert an excessive amount of dexterity in a relatively awkward position in a repetitive manner to fasten all the buckles or release the side curtain fastenings. Furthermore, the buckles themselves may constitute a relatively high cost item in existing arrangements of curtain fastening systems .

It is an object of the present invention to at least alleviate one or more of the aforementioned problems , or other problems, associated with curtain sided trailers or containers .

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention there is provided a trailer or container having at least one side curtain and a plurality of straps spaced apart from one another and depending generally downwardly in use towards an elongate support member near or under a floor of the trailer or container, each strap carrying a clip or fastening means , the arrangement being such that each strap can be moved or tensioned by a generally downward force in order to move the associated clip or fastening means into a fastening position with the elongate support member, the trailer or container being provided with a cable actuated strap tensioning mechanism or the like adapted to further move or further tension each strap. Preferably, the cable actuated strap tensioning mechanism or the like , herein sometimes referred to simply as the "cable tensioning mechanism" is operable to further move or further tension each of the plurality of straps substantially simultaneously.

Each strap may include a rotatable roller or pulley (or other co-operative means) preferably connected to the associated clip or fastening means (which is preferably in the form of a hook) said roller or pulley (or other co-operative means) being operatively engageable with the cable tensioning mechanism or the like once the clip or fastening means has been moved to said fastening position with the elongate support member.

Preferably, the cable actuated strap tensioning mechanism or the like includes a cable or cord engageable with rollers or pulleys mounted along said elongate support member , preferably on mounting brackets . Said rollers or pulleys mounted along the elongate support member will, usually, be rotatable about a generally vertical axis , in use , and will usually include a shroud in order to retain the cable or cord thereto . Thus , the cable or cord of the cable tensioning mechanism or the like is, preferably, arranged so that it can be engaged onto the rollers or pulleys on the clips or fastening means of the straps, once all the straps have been moved to said fastening position with the elongate support member . After the cable or cord is engaged with the strap rollers or pulleys the cable actuated strap tensioning mechanism or the like can be operated, preferably by a ratchet mechanism, to tension the cable or cord of said mechanism or the like in order to further move or further tension each strap, pulling the straps and/or fastening means further inwardly of the trailer or container .

Usually, the ratchet mechanism will be of a generally known type and preferably operable in a generally horizontal plane (i.e. a plane parallel to the floor of the trailer or container) , the ratchet mechanism thus being operable about a generally vertical axis and winding the cable or cord about said axis. It is believed that it is easier to operate the ratchet mechanism in a horizontal plane from underneath or near the floor of the trailer/container but an alternative ratchet mechanism could be provided at one end of the trailer/container which may be arranged to operate in a vertical plane .

Further according to the present invention there is provided a strap for the side curtain of a trailer or container, said strap being elasticated and carrying a clip or fastening means at one end thereof, said clip or fastening means being provided with a rotatable roller or pulley or other means engageable with a cable actuated strap tensioning mechanism or the like.

Further according to the present invention there is provided a method of fastening and unfastening a curtain of a trailer or container, said method comprising attaching or releasing clips or fastening means on straps to or from an elongate member near or underneath the floor of the trailer/container and further tensioning the straps by means of a cable actuated strap tensioning mechanism or the like for secure attachment, and releasing the cable tensioning mechanism to allow unfastening of the curtain. Still further according to the present invention there is provided a side curtain for a trailer or container, said side curtain including a plurality of straps spaced apart from one another, each strap carrying a clip or fastening means provided with a rotatable roller or pulley, the arrangement being such that in use the side curtain may be attached to the trailer or container and each strap can be moved or tensioned by a generally downward force in order to move the associated clip or fastening means into a fastening position with a support member of the trailer or container, said rotatable roller or pulley being engageable with a cable or cord of a cable actuated strap tensioning mechanism or the like, which tensioning mechanism or the like can be operated to tension the cable and thus further tension or move the straps further inwardly of the trailer or container .

Further according to the present invention there is provided a trailer or container having at least one side curtain and a plurality of straps spaced apart from one another and depending generally downwardly in use towards an elongate support member near or under a floor of the trailer or container, each strap carrying a clip or fastening means, the arrangement being such that each strap can be moved or tensioned by a generally downward force in order to move the associated clip or fastening means into a fastening position with the elongate support member, the trailer or container being provided with a ratchet mechanism or the like adapted to move or tension each strap substantially simultaneously.

Usually, a single ratchet mechanism may be utilised to tension all the straps in the side curtain. The trailer or container may be for a vehicle and the present invention is particularly applicable for tensioning side curtains which are also tensioned in a horizontal direction (i.e. longitudinally of the trailer/container , for example, by a vertical rotatable roller tensioning means) .

By the present invention the side curtain on the trailer or container may be fastened and unfastened much more quickly than in previous arrangements which employ buckles requiring straps to be threaded through or around the buckle before the straps are pulled taut to fasten the curtain, or requiring straps to be undone from the buckles before the curtain can be unfastened.

Preferably, the straps are positioned on said at least one side curtain in such manner that substantially the entire exterior surface area of the curtain is left free for advertising material or indicia.

Preferably the side curtain is pulled flat and taut in a vertical plane when fastened. The side curtain may be tensioned vertically (i.e. the height direction of the container/trailer) and may also be tensioned horizontally

(i.e. longitudinally of the trailer/container).

The straps may extend in pockets inbetween a double layer of material of the side curtain. Advantageously the straps may only be outwardly visible and emerge from side curtain at the bottom thereof.

Each strap may be elasticated for example by the provision of two or more layers of elasticated webbing combined with other material such as polyester webbing, for example by stitching. Preferably, the overall breaking strength of each strap is 1600 kilograms or greater .

Further advantageous features of the present invention will be apparent from the following description and drawings .

An embodiment of a vehicle trailer or container in accordance with the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying simplified and somewhat schematic drawings in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGURE 1 shows an isometric view of part of a prior art vehicle trailer;

FIGURES 2 and 3 show to an enlarged scale views of a strap and buckle fastening arrangement from the prior art trailer in FIGURE 1 in the fastened and open positions respectively ;

FIGURE 4 shows a view from inside and underneath the vehicle trailer shown in FIGURE 1, illustrating the attachment of a clip or fastening means of one of the straps to an elongate support member of the trailer;

FIGURES 5 and 6 show alternative strap and buckle arrangements from the prior art;

FIGURE 7 shows a diagrammatic view of part of a vehicle trailer which is similar to FIGURE 1 , but which is of an embodiment of a trailer in accordance with the present invention; FIGURE 8 shows a sectional side view through a side curtain and strap, attachable, in use, onto one side of a vehicle trailer or container, such as that shown in FIGURE 7, in accordance with the invention;

FIGURE 9 shows a front view of part of the side curtain and strap;

FIGURE 10 shows a sectional side view of the strap, which is similar to FIGURE 8 but with side curtain omitted, in a detached position relative to an elongate support member of the vehicle trailer or container ;

FIGURE 11 shows an enlarged view of an upper part of the strap shown in FIGURE 10;

FIGURE 12 shows the strap located on the elongate support member prior to engagement of a cable actuated strap tensioning mechanism with the strap;

FIGURE 13 shows the strap located on the elongate support member after operative engagement of the cable actuated strap tensioning mechanism with the strap but prior to further movement or further tensioning of the strap being effected by said cable tensioning mechanism;

FIGURE 14 shows the strap located on the elongate support member after the cable actuated strap tensioning mechanism has been operated to fully move or tension the strap;

FIGURE 14a shows an enlarged view of an upper part of the strap in FIGURE 14 ;

FIGURE 15 shows the strap in a safety position relative to the elongate support member; FIGURE 16 shows to a smaller scale a plan view of the elongate member and a plurality of straps located relative thereto , corresponding to FIGURE 12 be ore the cable actuated strap tensioning mechanism is operatively engaged with the straps ;

FIGURE 17 shows a view similar to FIGURE 16, but corresponding with FIGURE 13 where the cable tensioning mechanism is in operative engagement with the straps prior to tensioning, and

FIGURE 18 shows a plan view similar to FIGURES 16 and 17, but corresponding with FIGURE 14 in which the cable actuated strap tensioning mechanism has been operated to further move or further tension the straps.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIGURE 1 shows a vehicle trailer or container 1 , having a series or a plurality of straps 2 , spaced equi- distantly apart from one another and depending generally vertically downwardly towards a generally horizontal, elongate support member 3 (see FIGURE 4 of the drawings) . Each strap 2 has a clip or fastening means 2a (secured thereto by stitching - see FIGURE 4) fastened by a hooking engagement to the elongate support member 3 , said support member being arranged near to and underneath a floor of the trailer 1.

The straps 2 extend on the outside of side curtain C of the trailer 1 and are aligned with associated straps 4 that extend within the double layer material of the side curtain C , within vertical pockets 5 identified by the chain-dotted lines in FIGURE 1. Each strap 4 is secured to the top of the side curtain C by any convenient means such as riveting or a nut and bolt fastener (not shown) . Each strap 4 passes downwardly through a first plastics or metal eyelet 6 mounted on the curtain C (on a lower half thereof) to be visible from outside of the vehicle and then passes back through eyelet 7 to the vehicle inside and out to the exterior again through eyelet 8 , where it is connected (permanently by stitching about cross pin 9a) to a metal buckle 9 (see in particular FIGURES 2 and 3 of the drawings) . The free end of each strap 2 can be looped through the buckle 9 in known manner and through the hinged locking/tensioning element 10 of the buckle element 9 as shown (see FIGURES 2 and 3) . Locking/tensioning element 10 can be moved from the open position as shown in FIGURE 3 to the locked position shown in FIGURE 2 in order to tension the straps 2 and 4. Locking/tensioning element 10 has shaped projections 10b engageable in open slots 9b on the buckle, in the locked position. In FIGURE 2 the free end 2c of the strap 2 is shown dangling from the buckle 9.

For ease of understanding in FIGURE 3 , the clip 2a is shown detached from the support member 3 , although normally, in use, the strap 2 and clip 2a remain attached to the support member 3 while fastening and unfastening the side curtain C. To unfasten the side curtain C, the hinged locking element 10 is moved from the position as shown in FIGURE 2 to that as shown in FIGURE 3 , and the strap 2 is undone from the buckle 9 (and locking element 10) allowing the free end 2 to hang downwardly from the elongate support member 3 ; the buckle 9 remains attached to the strap 4. Once all the straps 4 have been undone from buckles 9 the side curtain C can be raised. In order to fasten the side curtain C in position on the trailer 1 , the straps 2 have to be threaded through the buckle 9 (including element 10 as shown) and pulled tight to tension the side curtain and the locking element 10 moved to the locking position as shown in FIGURE 2.

The aforedescribed arrangement (FIGURES 1 to 3) is a prior art arrangement and, therefore, will not be described in any further detail.

FIGURES 5 and 6 show alternative, but similar, strap and buckle arrangements in which the clip 2a remains connected to elongate support member 3 during fastening and unfastening of the side curtain C. In FIGURE 5, the buckle 9 ' is of a different type to that shown in FIGURE 2 and is attached by a short, looped strap length 4' to a generally rectangular plastics fastener block F fixed directly to the side curtain C (by nut, bolt and washer fasteners fi) so that the strap 4 ' need not extend upwardly to the top of the side curtain C .

FIGURE 6 shows a further prior art embodiment of buckle 9 ' ' which will not be described in f rther detail .

There tends to be a problem with all these known types of strap and buckle arrangements and FIGURE 1 depicts possible crease or stress lines 11 (numbered in FIGURES 2 and 3) that emanate from eyelets 6,7 and 8 over parts of the side curtain C. It is to be appreciated that different crease or stress patterns occur with different strap and buckle arrangements but there is usually some stress or crease pattern which looks unsightly . FIGURE 7 shows part of a vehicle trailer 100 of similar form to the prior art trailer of FIGURE 1 , but differs from FIGURE 1 in that no buckles 9 are provided and the side curtain C is not subject to crease or stress lines in the area shown in FIGURE 1 ; rather the side curtain C is pulled flat and taut in a vertical plane .

As should be evident from the vehicle trailer 100, straps 102 are provided which extend from the top of the side curtain C in pockets 5 in between the double layer of curtain material all the way down to the bottom of the side curtain C, where they may emerge to the exterior of the side curtain, through brass, oval eyelet rings 103.

Referring now to FIGURES 8 to 18 of the drawings which relate to a specific exemplary embodiment, a series of straps 300 are arranged in associated vertical pockets 301 of 100 mm width provided in a side curtain 302 (formed for example by a welded strip or sheet of P.V.C) . Each strap 300 is of the same general form or materials as other side curtain straps depicted in this specification but includes a plated steel hook 303 on which is mounted a rotatable rimmed roller or pulley 304 having a diameter in this particular embodiment of about 42 mm. In FIGURE 8, the roller 304 is of nylon and mounted onto the outside surface of the hook 303 by means of pin 305, with the hook 304 hanging downwardly prior to attachment thereof to a vehicle elongate support member or side rave 306 (see FIGURES 8, 9 and 10). Initially, the axis of the pin 305 extends generally horizontally and generally along or parallel to the transverse axis of the vehicle. The upper part of each strap 301 includes a 50 mm wide vertical main webbing strap length 301a sandwiched between two upper 50 mm wide vertical strips of elasticated webbing 301b. Stitching S of the main webbing strap length 301a between the elasticated strips 301b is carried out with the inner webbing 301a being relaxed approximately 50 mm within the associated strips 301b to allow the sandwiched portion of the strap 301a to stretch approximately 50 mm until the main inner webbing 301a becomes taut. FIGURE 11 shows this arrangement in greater detail .

The elongate member or side rave 306 has a series of mounting brackets B spaced therealong and attached thereto by any appropriate means such as bolts indicated by crosses 306a in FIGURES 16 to 18. Each mounting bracket B is provided with an inner rotatable rimmed roller or pulley 307 mounted to rotate about a horizontal axis by means of a vertically oriented pin 308 secured to the mounting bracket B by nut 309 (see FIGURE 10) . Each roller 307 is of nylon and provided with an inner shroud

310 so that an operating cable C can be threaded and loosely captivated between rollers 307 and their respective shrouds 310 as should be evident from FIGURES

10 and 16 of the drawings. The rollers 307 could be replaced by any means co-operable with the cable (e.g. a guide slot or groove) .

Attachment of the straps 301 and thus the side curtain 302 to the side of the vehicle trailer or container should be generally evident from the schematic form of the FIGURES 8 to 18. Firstly, FIGURE 10 shows a strap 301 (the side curtain 302 is omitted for clarity) in a fully released position with hook 303 depending vertically downwardly and the roller 304 in a vertical plane adjacent the elongate member 306. The upper part of strap 301 is of dimension X of about 260 mm in length in an untensioned state. FIGURE 11 shows an enlarged view of the upper part of strap 301. FIGURES 12, 13, 14 and 15 show the mounting brackets B and associated rollers 307' in dotted lines for ease of illustration.

FIGURE 12 shows how the strap 301 has been stretched by hand (upper part stretched to dimension Y of 285 mm) by a generally downward and inward force allowing the hook to be located and retained on the lower horizontally extending portion 306b of the elongate support member 306. The rotatable roller 304 itself can be used as a handle in order to hold and position the hook 303 on portion 306b of the elongate side member 304 in a manner which should be generally evident. The cable C is a 5 mm diameter steel cable running the full length of the vehicle and being fixed at front and rear (not shown) and tensionable at the centre thereof by a ratchet device 311 of a general form known per se (i.e. hand brake actuator) mounted on block 312 (see FIGURE 16) .

Once all the straps 301 have been located in the position as shown in FIGURE 12 the untensioned cable C can be looped around each rotatable roller or pulley 304 (inside the rim) more particularly as shown in FIGURES 13 and 17. Thus, the rollers 304 form one example of cooperative means with the cable C of the cable actuated strap tensioning mechanism. Alternative co-operation means could be a curved slot or guideway. This can be done merely by gripping the cable C by hand and moving into the position as shown. Next, lever 311a of the ratchet device 311 can be rotated backwards and forwards as indicated by double-headed arrow 312 in FIGURE 18 to tension the cable C until the side curtain straps 301 are fully tensioned more particularly as shown in FIGURES 14 and 18. The upper part of strap 301 has now been fully tensioned and stretched to dimension Z of 310 mm.

FIGURE 15 shows a strap 301 in a safety position with the roller 304 and hook 303 retracted by the "built- in elasticated device or strap tensioner" comprising the main webbing strap 301a and elasticated webbing straps 301b. The hook 303 is fully retracted onto the bottom 306b of the elongate member. Thus, this position would correspond to a cable failure position.

In an alternative embodiment, the cable of the cable actuated strap tensioning mechanism could be carried on the straps (rather than on the elongate member) in an unfastened state (for example by shrouds on rollers on the strap fastening means) said cable being engageable with the rollers along the elongate support member once the strap fastening means has been engaged with the elongate support member .

It is to be understood that the scope of the present invention is not to be unduly limited by the particular choice of terminology and that a specific term may be replaced or supplemented by an equivalent or generic term. For example, the term "curtain" could be replaced by "sheet" or "material"; "strap" could be replaced by "strap means", "tape" or "chord" and so on. Further it is to be understood that individual features, method or functions relating to the trailer or container , side curtain, clip or handle or strap might be individually patentably inventive. It is possible that the elongate support member may be replaced by a series of engagement locations for associated clips/fastening means. The singular may include the plural and vice versa. Also, many other modifications and detail alterations are possible within the scope of the invention as de ined in the appended claims .

Claims

1. A trailer or container having at least one side curtain and a plurality of straps spaced apart from one another and depending generally downwardly in use towards an elongate support member near or under a floor of the trailer or container, each strap carrying a clip or fastening means, the arrangement being such that each strap can be moved or tensioned by a generally downward force in order to move the associated clip or fastening means into a fastening position with the elongate support member, wherein the trailer or container is provided with a cable actuated strap tensioning mechanism or the like adapted to further move or further tension each strap.

2. A trailer or container as claimed in Claim 1 in which the cable actuated strap tensioning mechanism or the like is operable to further move or further tension each of the plurality of straps substantially simultaneously .

3. A trailer or container as claimed in Claim 2 in which each strap includes a rotatable roller or pulley or other co-operative means operatively engageable with the cable tensioning mechanism or the like once the clip or fastening means has been moved to said fastening position with the elongate support member .

4. A trailer or container as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3 in which the roller or pulley or other cooperative means is connected to the associated clip or fastening means .

5. A trailer or container as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 4 in which the clip or fastening means is in the form of a hook.

6. A trailer or container as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 in which the cable actuated strap tensioning mechanism or the like includes a cable or cord engageable with rollers or pulleys mounted along said elongate support member .

7. A trailer or container as claimed in Claim 6 in which the rollers or pulleys are mounted on mounting brackets .

8. A trailer or container as claimed in Claim 6 or 7 in which said rollers or pulleys are rotatable about a generally vertical axis , in use .

9. A trailer or container as claimed in any one of Claims 6 to 8 in which the rollers or pulleys include a shroud in order to retain the cable or cord thereto .

10. A trailer or container as claimed in any one of Claims 6 to 9 in which the cable or cord of the cable actuated strap tensioning mechanism or the like is arranged so that it can be engaged onto the rollers or pulleys on the strap clips or fastening means, once all the straps have been moved to said fastening position with the elongate support member .

11. A trailer or container as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10 in which the cable actuated strap tensioning mechanism or the like can be operated, by a ratchet mechanism, to tension a, or the, cable or cord of said mechanism or the like in order to further move or further tension each strap, pulling the straps and/or fastening means further inwardly of the trailer or container .

12. A trailer or container as claimed in Claim 11 in which the ratchet mechanism is operable in a generally horizontal plane (i.e. a plane parallel to the floor of the trailer or container) .

13. A trailer or container substantially as herein described with reference to FIGURES 1 ' to 11 ' of the accompanying drawings .

14. A strap for the side curtain of a trailer or container, said strap being elasticated and carrying a clip or fastening means at one end thereof, said clip or fastening means being provided with a rotatable roller or pulley or other means engageable with a cable actuated strap tensioning mechanism or the like.

15. A method of fastening and unfastening a curtain of a trailer or container, said method comprising attaching or releasing clips or fastening means on straps to or from an elongate member near or underneath the floor of the trailer/container and further tensioning the straps by means of a cable tensioning mechanism or the like for secure attachment and releasing the cable tensioning mechanism to allow unfastening of the curtain.

16. A side curtain for a trailer or container, said side curtain including a plurality of straps spaced apart from one another, each strap carrying a clip or fastening means provided with a rotatable roller or pulley, the arrangement being such that in use the side curtain may be attached to the trailer or container and each strap can be moved or tensioned by a generally downward force in order to move the associated clip or fastening means into a fastening position with a support member of the trailer or container, said rotatable roller or pulley being engageable with a cable or cord of a cable actuated strap tensioning mechanism or the like, which tensioning mechanism or the like can be operated to tension the cable and thus further tension or move the straps further inwardly of the trailer or container .

17. A trailer or container having at least one side curtain and a plurality of straps spaced apart from one another and depending generally downwardly in use towards an elongate support member near or under a floor of the trailer or container, each strap carrying a clip or fastening means, the arrangement being such that each strap can be moved or tensioned by a generally downward force in order to move the associated clip or fastening means into a fastening position with the elongate support member, the trailer or container being provided with a ratchet mechanism or the like adapted to move or tension each strap substantially simultaneously.

18. A trailer or container as claimed in Claim 17 in which a single ratchet mechanism is utilised to tension all the straps in the side curtain.