WO2005037603A1

WO2005037603A1 - Side loadable semi-trailable vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO2005037603A1
Application number: PCT/AU2004/001424
Authority: WO
Inventors: Malcolm William Olle; Christopher Michael Grieger; Andrew Peter Strobel; Donna Seaman; Tennyson Wickam
Original assignee: Malcolm William Olle; Christopher Michael Grieger; Andrew Peter Strobel; Donna Seaman; Tennyson Wickam
Priority date: 2003-10-20
Filing date: 2004-10-18
Publication date: 2005-04-28

Abstract

A side-loadable semi-trailable vehicle (10) including a base (20), a roof (115), first and second side assemblies (40, 140) being parallel and spaced apart to support the roof (115) over the base (20), each side assembly (40, 140) includes: a pair of parallel spaced apart opposed corner posts (80, 90), each post (80, 90) connecting the base (20) to the roof (115), a roller (60) extending along a side of the roof (115), a flexible curtain (42) connected to the roller (60) and extendable from a retracted position wrapped around the roller (60) to an extended position spanning from the roller (60) to a side of the base (20), and a drive means operable to drive the curtain (42) from the extended position to the retracted position.

Description

SIDE LOADABLE SEMI-TRAILABLE VEHICLE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to vehicles for transporting various goods by road, rail, sea and/ or by air. In particular, the present invention relates to semi-trailable vehicles, including shipping containers and semi-trailers.

BACKGROUND

Vehicles adapted for transportation must on the one hand be designed to securely carry goods over long distances and on the other hand be designed for ease of loading and access. Often these two design criteria conflict. Shipping containers are generally accessible via an end or both ends and can be difficult to load. Semi-trailer trailers come in various forms including flat-bed trailers which are readily loadable but are not as secure and do not protect the goods during transport adequately in some circumstances.

A commonly used semi-trailable vehicle is the "curtainsider" trailer. A curtainsider trailer typically has fixed front and rear walls between a base or floor and a roof. Sliding curtains are used to form side walls. The sliding curtains slide horizontally to the ends of the trailer to allow easy access from the side of the trailer. There are numerous drawbacks with this design. For instance, bundled curtains restrict access to the interior of the trailer even when the curtains are fully opened. Tensioning of the curtains which is necessary to prevent flapping during transport, can be a time consuming task. Typically a curtainsider curtain is tensioned vertically by a series of buckles spaced at 500 mm intervals along its base. Seat-belt webbing is used as the tensioning medium. The webbing is embedded in the curtain and provides extra strength. The webbing terminates in buckle hooks which are hooked under a coaming rail. A driver typically walks along and does up each buckle tensioning the middle buckle on each side first, so as to get even pressure, and then progresses around the vehicle, tightening each buckle as he goes and then finally tucking in the excess webbing so that it does not flap. This process generates considerable tension effectively pulling the roof and floor closer together. Struts are needed to prevent excessive deflection of the roof towards the floor.

With curtainsider trucks, as compared to flat bed trucks for instance, with or without load, the overall height of the vehicle with or without load is fixed. When travelling empty or partly loaded the additional height of the trailer significantly increases wind-drag and hence causes the prime mover to use considerably more fuel than would otherwise be the case. The height of a typical curtainsider semi-trailer is less than optimum both from the point of view of the vehicle accessing buildings with low roofs and from the point of view of loading the trailer as well.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved side loadable semi- trailable vehicle that overcomes at least some of the before mentioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Broadly, according to the invention there is provided a vehicle including: an elongate base; an elongate roof; a first side assembly and a second side assembly, the first and second side assemblies parallel and spaced apart to support the roof over the base, each side assembly including: a pair of parallel spaced apart opposed corner posts, each post connecting the base to the roof; a roller extending along a side of either the roof or the base and supported by either the roof or the base; a flexible curtain connected to the roller and extendable from a retracted position wrapped around the roller to an extended position spanning from the roller to a side of the other of the roof or the base, the curtain having a pair of opposite side edges and a distal edge; and a primary drive means operably connected to the curtain, the primary drive means operable to drive the curtain from the extended position to the retracted position, wherein a load space between the base and the roof and the first and second side assemblies is readily loaded with goods when the curtain is retracted and is enclosed for transportation when the curtain is extended.

Preferably each post of the side assembly includes an edge receiving portion for receiving and laterally restraining a respective side edge of the curtain.

Preferably at least one of the receiving portions is movable to tension the extended curtain between the opposed posts.

Preferably each post includes a curtain track, the track C-shaped in cross-section and defining the edge receiving portion.

Preferably each side assembly further includes an actuator, the actuator operable to tension the extended curtain between the opposed posts.

Preferably the actuator is a telescopic actuator mounted between each post and its track.

Preferably the vehicle further includes a plurality of telescopic actuators mounted between each post and its track.

Preferably each post is telescopic and includes lower and upper post portions, whereby the spacing between the base and the roof can be adjusted, thereby adjusting the roof height.

Preferably the roof height can be adjusted to three positions including a standard maximum travelling height position to allow maximum load volume, a super- extended height to facilitate loading and a minimum travelling height for travelling empty or with a reduced load.

Preferably the vehicle further includes a secondary drive means for driving the telescopic posts from a lowered position to a raised position.

Preferably the secondary drive means includes a ball screw shaft mounted to the base adjacent to each of the posts and a ball screw nut mounted to the respective upper post portions.

Preferably each lower post portion is a hollow section member mounted to the base and each upper post portion is a C-section member mounted to the roof, each C- section member partially enclosing its corresponding hollow section member.

Preferably each C-section member faces away from the C-section member on the other side assembly, thereby holding the roof between hollow section members pairs.

The vehicle preferably further includes wheel assemblies and a tow hitch assembly, the vehicle cormectable to a prime mover to form a semi-trailer. Alternatively the vehicle can be a rigid body truck, a shipping container, (for instance a standard ISO shipping container), or a rail freight container.

While the rollers can extend along the sides of either the roof or the base, preferably the rollers extend along the sides of the roof and are supported by the roof. With this configuration, the flexible curtains connected to the rollers extend from a retracted position wrapped around the roller to an extended position spanning from the roller to a side of the base. Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described in some further detail with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying figures. These embodiments are illustrative, and are not meant to be restrictive of the scope of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying representations in which:

Figure 1 shows a cut-away perspective view of a trailer in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention looking from above the front left hand side of the trailer;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the trailer of Figure 1 from behind and above the right hand side of the trailer and with numerous components removed to reveal the structure of the trailer;

Figure 3 is a side view of the trailer of Figure 1; Figures 4 and 5 are side and perspective views respectively of the railer of Figure 1 with the roof lowered;

Figures 6 and 7 show respectively a rear view and an internal rear view of the trailer of Figure 1;

Figures 8 and 9 are detailed views of the areas 8-8 indicated on Figure 6 and 9-9 indicated on Figure 1 respectively;

Figure 10 is a plan view of the trailer of Figure 1;

Figures 11 and 12 are detailed cross-sectional views of areas indicated 11-11 and

12-12 respectively on Figure 10;

Figure 13 is a detailed view of the area indicated as 13-13 on Figure 1; Figure 14 is a detailed cross-sectional partial view of component shown in Figure 11;

Figures 15 and 16 are detailed views of the areas indicated as 15-15 and 16-16 respectively on Figures 6 and 1 respectively;

Figure 17 is a partial perspective view of a trailer according to a second aspect of the invention; Figures 18 and 19 are perspective views of a telescopic post assembly component of the trailer of Figure 17 shown at half height and full height respectively; Figure 20 is a front view of the post assembly of Figure 19;

Figure 21 is a sectional view of the post assembly shown in Figure 20 through section lines A- A;

Figure 22 is a further detailed perspective view of the trailer of Figure 17; Figure 23 is a part view of the base of the trailer shown in Figure 17, this view showing the positioning of the coaming rails and the load binders; Figure 24 is a detailed side view of the left hand side of the coaming rail shown in Figures 22 and 23;

Figure 25 is a cross sectional view through section lines B-B of Figure 24; Figure 26 is a detailed side view of the right hand side coaming rail of Figure 24; Figure 27 is a cross sectional view through section lines C-C of Figure 26.

A first embodiment of the invention is shown in Figures 1 to 16. Referring first to

Figures 1 and 2, a side loadable semi-trailable vehicle in the form of a fully functional semi-trailer 10 is shown. The trailer 10 includes an elongate base 20, a left-hand side assembly 40 and a right hand side assembly 140. The left and right hand side assemblies 40 and 140 are parallel and spaced apart to support the roof 115 over the base 20. The trailer is a conventional trailer below the base 20. It has the usual wheel assembly 25 and hitch assembly 15 for connection to a prime mover as is shown in Figure 3.

Each side assembly includes a pair of parallel spaced apart corner posts, each post connecting the base 20 to the roof 115 as shown most clearly in Figure 2.

The left-hand side assembly 40 includes a pair of parallel spaced apart corner posts 80 and 90 most clearly shown in Figure 1.

The left-hand side assembly 40 includes a roller 60 extending along a side of the roof 115 as can be seen in Figures 1 and 9. The roller 60 is supported by the roof and is driven by a primary drive means in the form of a hydraulic motor 58 through a chain drive or toothed-belt drive 64, best seen in Figure 9. With this embodiment of the invention, a similar drive system is located at the other end of the roller. An identical roller arrangement is also provided on the right hand side assembly 140.

Flexible curtains 42 and 142, shown in Figures 1, 8 and 9 are connected to the rollers 60 on the left hand side and 160 on the right hand side respectively. The flexible curtains 42 and 142 extend from a retracted position wrapped around their rollers 60 and 160 to an extended position spanning from their roller to a side of the base 20. Referring again to Figure 9, the primary drive means, hydraulic motor 58, is operably connected to the curtain 42 by chain drive 64 and roller 60. As stated previously, with this embodiment a pair of hydraulic motors and associated chain drives, one pair at each end of the roller 60, is provided. These hydraulic motors 58 are operable to drive the curtain from the retracted position for loading the trailer to the extended position where the curtain 42 extends down to the side of the base 20 enclosing the load for transportation. The curtains 42 and 142 have distal edges 54 (shown in Figure 9) and 154, the distal edges connected to receiving portions 72 and 172 respectively as is shown in Figure 15.

Each post of each side assembly includes an edge receiving portion for receiving and laterally restraining a respective side edge of its curtains 42 and 142. While various edge receiving portions can be used, with the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 1 - 16, the edge receiving portions are defined by a C-shaped track. One of the C-shaped tracks 46 is shown in Figures 11 and 14 (these Figures are detailed views of the area generally indicated by 11-11 on Figure 10). Referring first to Figure 14, it can be seen that the C-shaped curtain track 46 comprises two parts, a larger diameter lower part 46' and a smaller diameter upper part 46". The upper part 46" is telescopically movable with respect to the lower part 46'. The curtain 42 is also shown in Figure 14. On the edge 54 of the curtain 42 a curtain tension block 44 is provided. This curtain tension block 44 is captive within the curtain track 46. This laterally restrains the side edge of the curtain 42.

Now referring to Figure 11 a telescopic curtain tensioner 52 in the form of a hydraulic cylinder is shown. As can be seen from Figure 1 and Figure 13, a plurality of curtain tensioners 52 are provided.

Figures 11 and 12 also clearly illustrate the construction of the front and rear left hand side telescopic post assemblies 80 and 90. The front and rear right hand post assemblies are mirror images. Referring to Figure 11, post assembly 80 comprises a lower portion in the form of a post tube 82 connected to the base 20 and an upper portion in the form of a post channel 86 connected to the roof 115. Nylon slides 70 are connected to the post channel 86 for sliding movement along the post tube 82. Other components shown more clearly in Figure 14 include weather seals 83 and 87. Weather seal 83 projects from post 82 to a position in contact with or immediately adjacent the inside of the curtain 42. Similarly, weather seal 87 projects from the upper post channel 86 to a position on or adjacent the inside of the curtain 42. This ensures that when the curtain is extended the trailer is enclosed in such a way so as to minimise the ingress and egress of air, dust and rain.

An infill channel 88, best seen in Figures 11 and 12 is also provided. This infill channel 88 extends downwards from the roof 115 and into the post tube 82. While not essential, this infill improves the appearance of the overall trailer assembly 10.

The telescopic post described above allows the roof 115 to be raised and lowered as required. Figure 7 shows a secondary drive means for driving the telescopic post from a lower position to a raised position. More specifically, the secondary drive means includes a ball screw shaft 35 mounted to the base 20 adjacent one of the posts and a ball screw nut 36 mounted to a respective upper post portion. Approximately 400mm of overlap between the lower post tube 82 and the upper post channel 86 is provided. A roof lift motor 32, for each side, in this embodiment a DC motor, is provided to drive the ball screw shaft 35. This enables the trailer to move from a lowered configuration shown in Figure 5 to a raised configuration shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, 6 and 7. The roof lift assembly 31 also allows the roof to be super extended to facilitate loading.

While with this embodiment of the invention a ball screw is used, in other embodiments hydraulic or pneumatic lifters may be used.

The ability of the roof to be raised and lowered provides a number of benefits. For instance, when travelling unloaded, the roof can be lowered to the position shown in Figures 4 and 5 greatly reducing wind drag and therefor reducing the fuel consumption of the prime mover that tows the trailer 10. With this embodiment of the invention, the ball screw arrangement allows the roof height to be adjusted to any position. A control system can be used to allow the operator to simply select one of three positions. The three positions can be a standard maximum travelling height position to allow maximum load volume, a super extended height to facilitate loading and thirdly, a minimum travelling height for travelling empty or with a reduced load.

Referring now to Figures 15 and 16, air cylinders (these could be hydraulic) 74 and 174 are provided to actuate an edge receiving portion 72 and 172 respectively. These edge receiving portions lockably engage the curtain distal edge members 56 and 156 respectively. Once the edge members 56 and 156 are securely held, torque can be applied to the curtain rollers 60 and 160 by their hydraulic motors 62 and 162 to tension the curtain 42 in a vertical direction. After tensioning, the rollers are locked for travel. Tension in a horizontal direction can be applied to the curtain by telescopic curtain tensioners 52 as described previously. Referring again to Figure 2, a rear roller door 112 is shown. This roller door 112 provides further access to the vehicle 10. Figure 12 shows the rear roller door 112 and its channel 113 in more detail.

The curtains 42 and 142 best seen in Figures 1, 8 and 9, is made form plastic laminate. Other suitable plastic and or composite materials may be used for the curtains.

Again referring to Figures 8 and 9 it can be seen that the rollers 60 and 160 are mounted slightly inwards of the edge of the roof structure 116. Rollers 66 and 166 shown in Figures 8 and 2 are provided to guide the curtains 42 and 142 up and down out of and into the telescopic curtain tracks 46 and 146.

The lower three curtain tensioners 52 most clearly shown in Figure 1 are supported by the post tube 82. The upper curtain tensioner 52, most clearly shown in Figure 9, is supported by the roof structure 116.

The hydraulic motors 58 and 158 that drive the curtain roller 60 and 160 are preferably powered by a power pack mounted under the trailer base. In other embodiments, power can be supplied either exclusively or as an alternative, from the prime mover. The power pack, not shown, includes a hydraulic pump and oil reservoir and is preferably located in a cabinet that can be rolled out for easy access form under the side of the trailer base 20.

The hydraulic pump can be driven by an electric motor which in turn can be powered by batteries or other power storage means. Photo-voltaic or other types of solar panels can be located within the roof 115 to trickle charge the power pack batteries. This allows operation of the trailer curtains while not attached to a prime mover, even where the trailer has been out of service for some time. A second embodiment of the invention will now be described. The second embodiment of the invention is similar to that of the first embodiment but the curtain rollers extend along the sides of the base and are supported by the base. Thus, with the second embodiment of the invention the curtains travel upwards to the roof to enclose goods for transportation and travel downwards towards the base for loading. A further difference with the second embodiment of the invention is that the posts that connect the base to the roof rotate in order to tension the side edges of the curtains.

This second embodiment of the invention is best explained with reference to Figures 17 - 26. Referring first to Figure 17, a three stage telescopic post 80 is shown. Three other identical posts extend upwards from the remaining three corners of the base of the trailer 10. Each telescopic post 80 defines an edge receiving portion 48 for receiving a side edge of the curtain 60 (refer in particular to the sectional view of Figure 21). Each post 80 is operated by a hydraulic ram 72 shown in Figure 21 (a cross-sectional view through section lines A- A on Figure 20). Each hydraulic ram is located inside its post, with swivelling and fixed anchorages, at the top and bottom of each post, and is easily accessible for maintenance and servicing. Post 80 comprising three stages 80a, 80b and 80c is shown in Figures 18 and 19 in half height and full height positions respectively. Hydraulic ram 72 is most clearly shown in Figures 18 and 21.

Each ram is linked in series to a self-adjusting valve, ensuring equal travel, and pressure. This system eliminates skewing, in turn caused by seal leakage, pipe elasticity, and the rams not using all their travel.

The corner posts 80 contain a locking mechanism, which takes all the weight of the roof 115, and attached curtains 60 and 160, when up, or at various other increments, and allows the roof height to vary between 4.35m (when stationary for loading/ unloading), 4.3m when mobile, and down to 2.8m when in the lowered position. This eliminates pressure on the hydraulic system.

Tracks in each corner post guide a flexible looped transmission member that is driven from each end of the curtain rollers 60 and 160 to lift the curtain up and guide it down. These tracks and transmission members also retain the curtain vertically and are small, yet robust in construction, for they hold the curtain against prevailing winds, whilst mobile or stationary.

The corner tracks each turn 45 degrees (clockwise at the front, anti-clockwise at the rear, and vice versa), once the curtain is up and locked in place, to tension the curtain horizontally. Reversing and locking the roller achieves vertical tension. To provide the correct tension, sensors monitor these actions.

The left-hand side assembly includes a coaming rail 210 that houses a roller 160 that extends along a side of the base 20 and is supported by the base 20. More detailed views showing the coaming rail 210 and the roller 160 are provided by Figures 11, 13 and 14. A primary drive means having a driver in the form of a hydraulic motor 62 is shown in Figures 24 and 26. The hydraulic motor 62, the positions of which are shown in Figures 23 and 24, drive respective ends of the distal edge 43 of the curtain 41 up to the roof 30 using the above-mentioned looped transmission member.

Referring to Figures 11 to 16 the curtains 41 and 51 roll up/ down from full length rollers 45 and 55, positioned within the side coaming rails 80 and 90 on respective sides of the trailer 10, directly beneath the outer edges of the load deck 20. The rollers 45 and 55 are recessed 50cm into the coaming to allow the semi-circular enclosure to act as a full-length guide and support for each roller. A flexible roller is jointed at various points, with constant velocity type joints that allow the roller to move with the body, without bending permanently.

The rollers 60 and 160 are suspended at each end by swivel bearings, again to allow for flexibility, and a long service life. They are driven by small, high torque, hydraulic motors 62 at each end as can be seen in Figures 24 and 26. Each roller is encased in a coaming rail that features a full length-bearing device. This device is coated with a low friction material, and is spring, and/ or pressure sensitive to allow for expansion, when the diameter of the curtain increases, as it is rolled up, and reduces, as it is un-rolled.

The full-length bearing is coated with a friction reducing substance, or, contains a replaceable low-friction, bearing device. Swivel bearings, support the rollers at each end to allow for the movement that occurs in the motion and flexing of the trailer.

A one-piece shaft and/ or multiple linked shafts are central to each roller, and are driven at each end by a small, high torque, hydraulic motor. Fixed and flexible pipes link these motors to a 12 V DC, and/ or other voltage, electrically driven hydraulic pump contained with a power pack.

All mechanical systems in/ on the trailer 10 have pressure sensitive devices to stop the function in progress, upon contacting an obstruction, or when minimal undue and irregular operating pressure is encountered. For example, the curtain stops upon contact with the human body, branches, bearers, forklifts etc. The roof stops lowering and/ or rising as soon as it senses a similar obstruction. In the event of a hydraulic or electrical system failure, the hydraulic motors can be neutralised. The curtain can be rolled up and down manually, from the rear of each roller, by means of a geared ratchet. The upper locking mechanism operates manually from ground level using a rod and handle stored under the trailer 10 with the ratchet.

The front bulkhead contains a lower section fixed to the lower half of the two front struts, and is slightly recessed. The upper section of the bulkhead fixes to the top section of the front struts, flush with the front edge. Both these sections keep the structure square, and the top section, passes forward of the lower section, when the roof lowers. A silicone/ rubber seal attaches to the lower edge of the upper section, to eliminate water and dust from penetrating the interior of the trailer.

Rear access to trailer 10 is a two piece door as is shown by Figure 17. The upper section slides over the lower section, as the roof comes down. The door handles and locking mechanism are the same device now used on all curtainsiders, and vans. The four vertical operating tubes slide into each other, and are splined.

A vertically sliding door such as is described above in relation to the first embodiment of the invention is an optional method of rear entry.

The trailer 10 includes a self-supporting roof 115. Construction is a main spine with two outer smaller spines along each side. The central spine is oval with width greater than the height and constructed of aluminium, carbon fibre, wood or manufactured wood product, galvanised light weight steel or any other material. This roof is flexible over its entirety and will move in unison with the deck of the trailer. The roof supports itself by the shape of the central spine, and the two outer spines that all work in conjunction with each other. The aluminium, or carbon fibre sheet, and/ or other roofing material or combination of cladding material will be fixed to this frame, along with the photovoltaic cells, associated wiring, and hydraulic pipes. This roof structure eliminates the need for support struts, from the deck to support the roof, thereby allowing total unrestricted access, and completely clear loading space.

Optionally, the trailer 10 has a mezzanine floor. This option includes roof support struts, as these support the mezzanine floor.

Referring to Figures 22- 26, the load binders 48 are housed in the right hand side coaming rail 210, beneath the roller 160. The roller 160, and the load binders 48, are manufactured as one assembly. The binder straps emerge through a series of slots along the outer edge of the deck, inside the curtain 60. The elongated slots allow for variable strap location and contain a seal. Tightening of the binders is by the vehicle's driver, using the conventional (bar) method, and/ or other appropriate methods. Access to the binders is gained beneath the roller assembly at a safe working height.

On the left side of the trailer's floor base 20, a 'lock in' slot houses the end of the binder strap. This slot is an improved design, as is the mated retainer which is sewn on or otherwise fixed to the end of the binder strap. This locating method allows the strap to remain inside the curtain.

The curtain has a rail sewn/ fixed into the top/leading edge. This rail is carried up and down by the tracks in the corner posts, and this, in turn, carries the curtain for its full length. The rail turns in slightly at the top of the tracks at the roof, and is guided to rest in a full-length weatherproof housing, mounted on the outer edge of the roof, on both sides. A retaining clasp then holds the curtain into the housing. The curtains 60 and 160 can be rolled down when not needed, and locked inside the coaming rail. This allows the vehicle to be driven on a public road, whilst open, in fine weather, and whilst loaded with weather resistant freight in the wet.

With either embodiments of the invention described above a lower ground-to-deck height is achievable by using lower profile tyres, and a reduced chassis height. This allows for increased internal volume. The floor cants toward the middle from both edges; this reduces freight movement. An aluminium checker plate floor reduces tare weight. Maximum (trailer) length is 14.6 metres when used in single trailer application and 13.7 metres as a rear trailer on a B-double and as part of a Road

Train. However, the trailer 10 is manufactured in a length to suit the application, eg, body for rigid truck, front trailer for a B-double /B-triple or to suit any shorter trailer.

The various components of the trailer 10 described above may be used separately of each other, and/ or as a combination of components, in any configuration of container, or truck or trailer attachment to a prime mover. For instance, the first embodiment of the invention can readily become a standard ISO shipping container with the elimination of the wheel assemblies 25, the hitch 15 and other minor changes.

While the present invention has been described in terms of preferred embodiments in order to facilitate better understanding of the invention, it should be appreciated that various modifications can be made without departing from the principles of the invention. Therefore, the invention should be understood to include all such modifications within its scope.

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. A vehicle including: an elongate base; an elongate roof; a first side assembly and a second side assembly, the first and second side assemblies parallel and spaced apart to support the roof over the base, each side assembly including: a pair of parallel spaced apart opposed corner posts, each post connecting the base to the roof; a roller extending along a side of either the roof or the base and supported by either the roof or the base; a flexible curtain connected to the roller and extendable from a retracted position wrapped around the roller to an extended position spanning from the roller to a side of the other of the roof or the base, the curtain having a pair of opposite side edges and a distal edge; and a primary drive means operably connected to the curtain, the primary drive means operable to drive the curtain from the extended position to the retracted position, wherein a load space between the base and the roof and the first and second side assemblies is readily loaded with goods when the curtain is retracted and is enclosed for transportation when the curtain is extended.

2. A vehicle as claimed in claim 1 wherein each post of the side assembly includes an edge receiving portion for receiving and laterally restraining a respective side edge of the curtain.

3. A vehicle as claimed in claim 2 wherein at least one of the receiving portions is movable to tension the extended curtain between the opposed posts.

4. A vehicle as claimed in claim 3 wherein each post includes a curtain track, the track C-shaped in cross-section and defining the edge receiving portion.

5. A vehicle as claimed in claim 4 wherein each side assembly further includes an actuator, the actuator operable to tension the extended curtain between the opposed posts.

6. A vehicle as claimed in claim 5 wherein the actuator is a telescopic actuator mounted between each post and its track.

7. A vehicle as claimed in claim 6 including a plurality of telescopic actuators mounted between each post and its track.

8. A vehicle as claimed in claim 1 wherein each post is telescopic and includes lower and upper post portions, whereby the spacing between the base and the roof can be adjusted, thereby adjusting the roof height.

9. A vehicle as claimed in claim 8 wherein the roof height can be adjusted to three positions including a standard maximum travelling height position to allow maximum load volume, a super-extended height to facilitate loading and a minimum travelling height for travelling empty or with a reduced load.

10. A vehicle as claimed in claim 8 further including a secondary drive means for driving the telescopic posts from a lowered position to a raised position.

11. A vehicle as claimed in claim 10 wherein the secondary drive means includes a ball screw shaft mounted to the base adjacent to each of the posts and a ball screw nut mounted to the respective upper post portions.

12. A vehicle as claimed in claim 11 wherein each lower post portion is a hollow section member mounted to the base and each upper post portion is a C-section member mounted to the roof, each C-section member partially enclosing its corresponding hollow section member.

13. A vehicle as claimed in claim 12 wherein each C-section member faces away from the C-section member on the other side assembly, thereby holding the roof between hollow section members pairs.

14. A vehicle as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13 further including wheel assemblies and a tow hitch assembly, the vehicle connectable to a prime-mover to form a semi-trailer.

15. A side-loadable semi-trailable vehicle including: an elongate base; an elongate roof; a first side assembly and a second side assembly, the first and second side assemblies parallel and spaced apart to support the roof over the base, each side assembly including: a pair of parallel spaced apart opposed corner posts, each post connecting the base to the roof; a roller extending along a side of the roof and supported by the roof; a flexible curtain connected to the roller and extendable from a retracted position wrapped around the roller to an extended position spanning from the roller to a side of the base, the curtain having a pair of opposite side edges and a distal edge; and a primary drive means operably connected to the curtain, the primary drive means operable to drive the curtain from the extended position to the retracted position, wherein a load space between the base and the roof and the first and second side assemblies is readily loaded with goods when the curtain is retracted and is enclosed for transportation when the curtain is extended.

16. A vehicle as claimed in claim 15 wherein each post of the side assembly includes an edge receiving portion for receiving and laterally restraining a respective side edge of the curtain.

17. A vehicle as claimed in claim 16 wherein at least one of the receiving portions is movable to tension the extended curtain between the opposed posts.

18. A vehicle as claimed in claim 17 wherein each post includes a curtain track, the track C-shaped in cross-section and defining the edge receiving portion.

19. A vehicle as claimed in claim 18 wherein each side assembly further includes an actuator, the actuator operable to tension the extended curtain between the opposed posts.

20. A vehicle as claimed in claim 19 wherein the actuator is a telescopic actuator mounted between each post and its track.

21. A vehicle as claimed in claim 20 including a plurality of telescopic actuators mounted between each post and its track.

22. A vehicle as claimed in claim 16 wherein each post is telescopic and includes lower and upper post portions, whereby the spacing between the base and the roof can be adjusted, thereby adjusting the roof height.

23. A vehicle as claimed in claim 22 wherein the roof height can be adjusted to three positions including a standard maximum travelling height position to allow maximum load volume, a super-extended height to facilitate loading and a minimum travelling height for travelling empty or with a reduced load.

24. A vehicle as claimed in claim 22 further including a secondary drive means for driving the telescopic posts from a lowered position to a raised position.

25. A vehicle as claimed in claim 24 wherein the secondary drive means includes a ball screw shaft mounted to the base adjacent to each of the posts and a ball screw nut mounted to the respective upper post portions.

26. A vehicle as claimed in claim 25 wherein each lower post portion is a hollow section member mounted to the base and each upper post portion is a C-section member mounted to the roof, each C-section member partially enclosing its corresponding hollow section member.

27. A vehicle as claimed in claim 26 wherein each C-section member faces away from the C-section member on the other side assembly, thereby holding the roof between hollow section members pairs.

28. A vehicle as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 27 wherein each side assembly further includes: a curtain distal edge member, the edge member mounted on the distal edge of the curtain and receivable by the base; and an edge member retaining means, whereby the retaining means retains the edge member within or adjacent to the base when the curtain is in its extended position.

29. A vehicle as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 28 further including wheel assemblies and a tow hitch assembly, the vehicle connectable to a prime-mover to form a semi-trailer.

30. A vehicle substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying figures 1 to 16.

31. A vehicle substantially as hereinbefore described with reference, to and as illustrated in the accompanying figures 17 to 26.