WO2012036545A1

WO2012036545A1 - Cargo floor assembly

Info

Publication number: WO2012036545A1
Application number: PCT/NL2011/050591
Authority: WO
Inventors: Frans Arian Heino De Raad; Nicolaas Marc Mater
Original assignee: Cargo Mac B.V.
Priority date: 2010-09-13
Filing date: 2011-08-31
Publication date: 2012-03-22
Also published as: NL2005347C2

Abstract

Cargo floor assembly comprising a cargo floor (2), a support structure (11) that supports the cargo floor, and a drive unit (21) which is fixed to the support structure, wherein the cargo floor comprises a plurality of mutually parallel, elongate slats (4), wherein each slat comprises an elongate top plate (44) and a support guide (45-47) under the top plate which supports the slat on the support structure, wherein the support structure supports elongate primary seals (6) which are in sealing abutment with the top plate along first and second longitudinal side edges (40), wherein the support structure (11) further supports a first secondary seal (8) which is in sealing abutment along a first line of contact with the bottom side (48) of the top plate (44).

Description

Cargo floor assembly

BACKGROUND

The invention relates to a cargo floor assembly comprising a cargo floor with a plurality of mutually parallel, elongate slats.

A known cargo floor assembly comprises a cargo floor, a support structure that supports the cargo floor, and a drive unit which is fixed to the support structure. The cargo floor comprises a plurality of mutually parallel, elongate slats, which are operationally connected to the drive unit to be moved relative to the support structure in the longitudinal direction of the slats in a reciprocating manner. Each slat comprises an elongate top plate with a first longitudinal side edge and a second longitudinal side edge. The cargo floor assembly comprises an elongate seal that seals the gap between two adjacent, mutually facing longitudinal side edges of two adjacent slats.

Due to the reciprocating movement of the slats relative to each other, bulk materials, in particular highly abrasive or fine bulk materials, can get past the seal. This results in quantities of bulk materials being trapped in hard to reach places of the cargo floor assembly, which could obstruct the reciprocating movement of the slats.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a cargo floor assembly which prevents the reciprocating movement of the slats from becoming obstructed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect, the invention provides a cargo floor assembly comprising a cargo floor, a support structure that supports the cargo floor, and a drive unit which is fixed to the support structure, wherein the cargo floor comprises a plurality of mutually parallel, elongate slats, which are operationally connected to the drive unit to be moved relative to the support structure in the longitudinal direction of the slats in a reciprocating manner, wherein each slat comprises an elongate top plate which forms a flat support surface for supporting cargo on the cargo floor and a support guide under the top plate which supports the slat on the support structure, wherein the top plate comprises a first longitudinal side edge and a second longitudinal side edge, wherein the support guide, when viewed in a cross section of the slat, is placed between the first longitudinal side edge and a second longitudinal side edge, wherein the support structure supports a first elongate primary seal which is in sealing abutment with the top plate along the first longitudinal side edge and a second elongate primary seal which is in sealing abutment with the top plate along the second longitudinal side edge, wherein the support structure further supports a first secondary seal which is in sealing abutment along a first line of contact with the bottom side of the top plate, which first line of contact, when viewed in a cross section of the slat, lies between the first primary seal and the support guide. The first secondary seal can prevent bulk materials, which have unintentionally intruded past the first primary seal underneath the top plate, from reaching the support guide which facilitates the reciprocating movement of the slats. In an embodiment the first primary seal and the first secondary seal are distinct from each other. The first primary seal and the first secondary seal can be made of different materials with different sealing, abrasive and/or bearing characteristics.

In an embodiment the first primary seal and the first secondary seal are separate from each other. The first primary seal and the first secondary seal can be made of different materials with different sealing, abrasive and/or bearing characteristics.

In an embodiment the first line of contact of the first secondary seal is spaced apart from the first primary seal and extends substantially parallel thereto. The space between the first primary seal and the first secondary seal can provide an additional sealing effect by forming an air pocket therein.

In an embodiment the first secondary seal is fixed to the support structure. The first secondary seal extends from its fixed attachment to the support structure towards the top plate, where it forms a tensioned, tight sealing abutment .

In an embodiment the first secondary seal is fixed to the top plate of the slat, wherein the first secondary seal is in sealing abutment with the support structure. The first secondary seal extends from its fixed attachment to the top plate towards the support structure, where it forms a tensioned, tight sealing abutment.

In an embodiment the support structure further supports a second secondary seal which is in sealing abutment along a second line of contact with the bottom side of the top plate, which second line of contact, when viewed in a cross section of the slat, lies between the second primary seal and the support guide. The second secondary seal can prevent materials, which have unintentionally intruded past the second primary seal underneath the top plate, from reaching the support guide which facilitates the reciprocating movement of the slats. In an embodiment the second line of contact of the second secondary seal is spaced apart from the second primary seal and substantially parallel thereto. The space between the second primary seal and the second secondary seal can provide an additional sealing effect by forming an air pocket therein.

In an embodiment the second secondary seal is fixed to the support structure. The second secondary seal extends from its fixed attachment to the support structure towards the top plate, where it forms a tensioned, tight sealing abutment.

In an embodiment the second secondary seal is fixed to the top plate of the slat, wherein the second secondary seal is supported on the support structure in sealing abutment with the support structure. The second secondary seal extends from its fixed attachment to the top plate towards the support structure, where it forms a tensioned, tight sealing abutment.

In an embodiment the cargo floor assembly comprises a first tertiary seal which is in sealing abutment along a third line of contact with the bottom side of the top plate, which third line of contact, when viewed in a cross section of the slat, lies between the first line of contact and the support guide, spaced apart from the first line of contact and substantially parallel thereto. The first tertiary seal can prevent bulk materials, which have unintentionally intruded past the first secondary seal underneath the top plate, from reaching the support guide which facilitates the reciprocating movement of the slats.

In an embodiment the cargo floor assembly comprises a second tertiary seal is which is in sealing abutment along a fourth line of contact with the bottom side of the top plate, which fourth line of contact, when viewed in a cross section of the slat, lies between the second line of contact and the support guide, spaced apart from the second line of contact and substantially parallel thereto. The second tertiary seal can prevent bulk materials, which have unintentionally intruded past the second secondary seal underneath the top plate, from reaching the support guide which facilitates the reciprocating movement of the slats.

In an embodiment the first secondary seal and the first tertiary seal are integrally formed as a first seal body which comprises two seal surfaces corresponding to the first secondary seal and the first tertiary seal. With the first seal body comprising two spaced apart seal surfaces, it can be pressed against the top plate, where it provides two tensioned, tight sealing abutments at once.

In an embodiment the second secondary seal and the second tertiary seal are integrally formed as a second seal body which comprises two seal surfaces corresponding to the second secondary seal and the second tertiary seal. With the second seal body comprising two spaced apart seal surfaces, it can be pressed against the top plate, where it provides two tensioned, tight sealing abutments at once.

In an embodiment the first primary seal and the second primary seal of two adjacent, mutually facing longitudinal side edges of two adjacent slats are integrally formed as a third seal body which closes the gap between the two adjacent, mutually facing longitudinal side edges of the two adjacent slats. The third seal body can be in sealing abutment with two adjacent, mutually facing longitudinal side edges at once, thus providing a single seal body per gap, which can reduce the quantities of bulk material intruding past the third seal body.

In an embodiment the cargo floor assembly comprises an elongate seal beam which is part of the support structure and extends along and underneath two adjacent, mutually facing longitudinal side edges of two adjacent slats, wherein the seal beam supports the seals. The seals can therefore be supported on an elevated position, closer to the bottom side of the top plate.

In an embodiment the first secondary seal, in use, seals off the passage space that extends underneath the bottom side of the top plate, from the first primary seal up to the support guide. The first secondary seal can prevent bulk materials, which have unintentionally intruded past the first primary seal underneath the top plate, from reaching the support guide which facilitates the reciprocating movement of the slats.

In an embodiment the primary seal is made of an abrasion resistant material for supporting the top plate in bearing abutment on the primary seal, wherein the secondary seal is made of a different material than the primary seal, for providing a tensioned sealing abutment between the top plates and the secondary seal. The first secondary seal can prevent bulk materials, which have unintentionally intruded past the first primary seal underneath the top plate, from reaching the support guide which facilitates the reciprocating movement of the slats.

In an embodiment the secondary seal is pre-biased to form a sealing abutment against the top plate within the abutment of the top plate on the primary seal. The secondary seal can be elastically deformed within the bearing abutment of the top plate on the primary seal, thereby obtaining a tensioned, tight material on material sealing abutment against the bottom side of the top plate.

In an embodiment the primary seal is made of one or more types of synthetic material or metal or a combination thereof, more in particular of the group comprising steel, stainless steel, steel coded S275 or S355, abrasion resistant steel such as Hardox steel, aluminium such as aluminium AW-6005, high-density polyethylene, polyethylene PE1000, polyamide and polyoxymethylene . These materials can be abrasion resistant to prevent wear of the primary seal as the slats reciprocatively slide over them.

In an embodiment the secondary seal is made of one or more types of synthetic material, rubber, metal or a combination thereof, more in particular of the group comprising polyethylene, polyamide, thermoplastic polyurethanes, nitrile butadiene rubber, heat resistant polysulfone and heat resistant polyether sulfones. Depending on the type of bulk material, the secondary seals can be made of a material that can withstand temperature characteristics and/or abrasive characteristics of the slats and the bulk material.

In an embodiment the secondary seals comprise a synthetic or rubber outer layer and a metal inner core. The secondary seal can support part of the weight of the slat, while the plastic outer layer can be deformed under pressure against the bottom side of the top plate to provide a tensioned, tight sealing abutment.

The various aspects and features described and shown in the specification can be applied, individually, wherever possible. These individual aspects, in particular the aspects and features described in the attached dependent claims, can be made subject of divisional patent applications .

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be elucidated on the basis of an exemplary embodiment shown in the attached drawings, in which :

figure 1 shows a side view of a trailer provided with a cargo floor according to the invention;

figure 2 shows a bottom view of the trailer and the cargo floor according to figure 1;

figure 3 shows a cross section of the cargo floor along the line III-III in figure 2;

figure 4 shows a detail of the cargo floor according to figure 3;

figures 5A-D show four alternative embodiments of the cargo floor according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Figure 1 shows a sideview of a trailer 1 which, when combined with a tractor unit, is part of a transport vehicle such as a truck or a lorry.

The trailer 1 comprises an elongate chassis 11, a straight, flat cargo floor 2 supported by said chassis 11 and a rectangular enclosure 12 covered with canvas or tinplates. The enclosure 12 defines a cargo hold 13 situated on top of the cargo floor 2.

As shown in the bottom view of figure 2, the cargo floor 2 is provided with a drive unit 21 near the front of the chassis 11. In this exemplary embodiment the drive unit 21 comprises a first hydraulic cylinder 22, a second hydraulic cylinder 23 and a third hydraulic cylinder 24 for respectively driving a first drive foot 25, a second drive foot 26 and a third drive foot 27. The drive feet 25-27 extend transversely to the longitudinal direction of the elongate chassis 11.

The cargo floor 2 comprises a plurality of parallel elongate slats 4, arranged which only a small gap distance between them. The slats 4 extend in the longitudinal direction of the chassis 11, preferably along most of the length of said chassis 11. The slats 4 are supported on guidance blocks 28, as shown in figure 3, which are placed in sets of two on the chassis 11 at several intervals along the length of each slat 4. Each guidance block 28 is provided with an upper guide ledge 29 and two guidance surfaces 30 receded at the sides thereof.

Figure 3 shows two adjacent slats 4 in cross section view, each slat 4 comprising an elongate, straight top plate 44 which is made of a type of aluminium, metal, plastic or a combination thereof that can endure heavy duty, such as supporting abrasive materials or a fork-lift truck driving on top of the cargo floor 2. The top plate 44 is provided with a flat bottom side 48 which faces the chassis 11, a flat support surface or top side 49 and longitudinal side ends, side tips or side edges 40 which are partly chamfered. The longitudinal side edges 40 of two adjacent slats 4 facing each other are arranged in close proximity to each other. Each of the slats 4 furthermore comprises an elongate, metal or plastic base duct 45 placed on the bottom side 48 of the top plate 44, and two elongate, flexible foam suspension blocks 47 placed inside the base duct 45. The slat 4 is provided with slide bearings 46 underneath the suspension blocks 47, which, when the slat 4 is fitted on the guidance blocks 28, abut the guidance surfaces 30 on both sides of the guiding ledge 29 of the guidance blocks 28. The top plate 44 extends past both sides of the base duct 45. The top plate 44, the base duct 45, the two suspension blocks 47 and the slide bearings 46 substantially extend along the entire length of their respective slat 4.

The cargo floor 2 is provided with an elongate sealing beam 5. The sealing beam 5 is made of one integral part of metal or plastic, comprising a first leg 51, a second leg 52 which is parallel to the first leg 51, and a bridge portion 53 connecting the first leg 51 and the second leg 52 to each other. The first leg 51 and the second leg 53 are provided with outwardly extending flanges 54, which are suspended on the chassis 11. The bridge portion 53 is substantially centered under the gap between the two adjacent slats 4, at a short distance from the bottom sides 48 of the adjacent top plates 44. The sealing beam 5 substantially extends along the entire length of their respective slat 4.

The bridge portion 53 comprises, in the top plates 44 facing side thereof, a primary seal recess 55. The cargo floor 2 is provided with an elongate primary seal 6 placed in said primary seal recess 55. The primary seal 6 is made of metal, synthetic material or a combination thereof. The material preferably has characteristics that makes it abrasion resistant. Examples of such materials are steel, stainless steel, steel coded S275 or S355, ^xHardox' steel, aluminium coded AW-6005 or synthetics such as high-density polyethylene, polyethylene PE1000, polyamide and polyoxymethylene . The primary has a substantially rectangular cross section. The primary seal 6 extends underneath each of the top plates 44 of the two adjacent slats 4, and is in sealing abutment with the bottom sides 48 thereof. Under influence of the gravitational forces acting on the two slats 4, a material on material pressure seal is obtained between the primary seal 6 and the top plates 44. As a result, the primary seal 6 also supports the slats 4. The primary seal 6 substantially extends along the entire length of the sealing beam 5.

Near the ends of the first leg 51 and the second leg 52 facing the top plates 44, said legs 51, 52 respectively comprise a first elongate secondary seal slot 56 and a second elongate secondary seal slot 57. The cross section of figure 3 shows that the first secondary seal slot 56 and the second secondary seal slot 57 have a through hole which is open at the top of the sealing beam 5. The slots 56, 57 are slightly rotated inwards towards the bridge portion 53. The cargo floor 2 is provided with a first elongate secondary seal 7 and a second elongate secondary seal 8 placed in respectively said first secondary seal slot 56 and said second secondary seal slot 57. The first secondary seal 7 and the second secondary seal 8 are made of flexible synthetic material, rubber, metal or a combination of an outer flexible plastic material and an inner, more rigid metal body. Examples of appropriate materials are polyethylene, polyamide, thermoplastic polyurethanes, nitrile butadiene rubber, heat resistant polysulfone and heat resistant polyether sulfones. The first secondary seal 7 and the second secondary seal 8 substantially extend along the entire length of the sealing beam 5. The first secondary seal 7 and the second secondary seal 8 are identical apart from being mirrored in the vertical plane. Both secondary seals 7, 8 are therefore described in the light of the first secondary seal 7.

As shown in detail in figure 4, the elongate first secondary seal 7 comprises a seal body 71 with a mounting strip 72 having a circular cross section connected thereto. The mounting strip 72 is formed complementary to and is placed in the through hole of the first secondary seal slot 56. The seal body 71 extends through the opening of the first secondary seal slot 56 pointing upwards and inwards towards the primary seal 6 and the top plate 44. At its wide top end, the seal body 71 comprises a seal surface 75. The first secondary seal 7 is slightly overdimensioned in the direction of the top plate 44. Thus, when the top plate 44 rests on the primary seal 6 under influence of the gravitational forces acting on the two slats 4, the flexible first secondary seal 7 is pre-biased to be elastically deformed within the bearing abutment of the top plate 44 on the primary seal 6, thereby obtaining a tensioned, tight second and tertiary material on material sealing abutment of the seal surface 75 along a line of contact against the bottom side 48 of the top plate 44. The bridge portion 53 at one side of the seal body 71 is higher than the first leg 51 at the other side of the seal body 71, thereby supporting the first secondary seal 7 during the sealing abutment. The contact line between the secondary seal 7 and the top plate 44 is in this example located near or next to the seal made by the primary seal 6. In an alternative embodiment, the seals made by the secondary seal 7 can be situated at a spaced apart distance from seal made by the primary seal 6.

In this exemplary embodiment the slats 4, as shown in figure 2, are subdivided into a first slat group 41, a second slat group 42 and a third slat group 43. The slat groups 41-43 are formed by alternately arranging the slats 4, wherein each slat 4, except for the outer slats 4, is surrounded by slats 4 of the two other moveable slat groups. The slats 4 of the first slat group 41, the slats 4 of the second slat group 42 and the slats 4 of the third slat group 43 are connected to respectively the first drive foot 25, the second drive foot 26 and the third drive foot 27. The drive unit 21 is arranged to separately drive the slats 4 of each aforementioned slat group 41-43 in a reciprocating movement, guided by the guidance blocks 28, in respectively a first direction A, a second direction B and a third direction C.

By moving a single slat group 41-43 in relation to the other stationary slat groups surrounding it, transport goods which are spread over several adjacent slats 4 will remain substantially stationary relative to the chassis 11. Thus, when all the slat groups 41-43 are subsequently moved, all the slats 4 have essentially moved a specific distance relative to the transport goods placed on top of them. The actual transport of the transport goods in the loading direction D or the unloading direction E occurs when all slat groups 41-43 move at the same time in the same direction. The aforementioned steps can be repeated to intermittently move the transport goods in or out of the cargo hold 13 in the loading direction D or the unloading direction E.

The cargo floor 2 as described above can be used for loading or unloading packaged materials. The cargo floor 2 is particularly effective when loading or unloading abrasive bulk materials, such as sand, waste, dirt or hot asphalt to or from the cargo hold 13. The primary seal 6 and the secondary seals 7, 8 provide an additional seal in the passage space extending from the primary seal 6 to the bearings 46, in order to prevent that said abrasive or hot materials intrude, during the movement of adjacent slats 4 relative to each other, in the space underneath the top plate 44, specifically, in the space underneath the top plate 44 that holds the bearings 46. The known cargo floor assembly would, in case of obstruction of the reciprocating movement, require an operator to go onto the cargo floor assembly, which, for example in the case of hot asphalt being loaded onto the cargo floor assembly, could be a hazardous environment.

When supporting hot cargo materials such as asphalt, the materials for the primary seal 6, the secondary seals 7, 8 and the top plates 44 are chosen from a group of materials that can withstand temperatures between 180 and 220 degrees centigrade, such as aluminium.

The cargo floor 2 as described above can be adapted, in an alternative embodiment, to be used in a stationary arrangement, for example when it is placed on top of a concrete factory floor instead of on a chassis of a trailer, for in-factory loading and unloading of cargo from transport vehicles.

The cargo floor 2 as described above can be adapted, in an alternative embodiment, to function with two hydraulic cylinders, two drive feet and two groups of moveable slats, wherein a third, fixed slat is added next to two adjacent slats from each group, to alternately add to the surface of an adjacent, stationary moveable slat.

Figure 5A shows in detail an alternative embodiment of sealing beam 105, having a first secondary seal slot 156 and a second secondary seal slot 157 resembling the form of a letter "T", rotated on its side. The cargo floor 2 comprises alternative embodiments of the first secondary seal 107 and the second secondary seal 108 according to the invention. The identical secondary seals 107 and 108 are described in view of the first secondary seal 107. The first secondary seal 107 comprises a seal body 171 and a "T"-shaped mounting strip 172 connected thereto. The mounting strip 172 is formed complementary to and is placed in the first secondary seal slot 156. The seal body 171 extends substantially vertical from the first leg 151 of the seal beam 105 towards the top plate 44. The seal body 171 widens from the mounting strip 172 towards its top end which faces the top plate 44. At its wide top end, the seal body 171 splits into two bodies comprising respectively a first seal surface 175 and a second seal surface 176. The seal surfaces 175, 176 are spaced apart by an elongate air pocket recess 174 with an arcuate cross section, which is located in the top end of the seal body 171.

The first secondary seal 107 is slightly overdimensioned in the direction of the top plate 44. Thus, when the top plate 44 rests on the primary seal 6 under influence of the gravitational forces acting on the two slats 4, the flexible first secondary seal 107 is pre-biased to be elastically deformed within the bearing abutment of the top plate 44 on the primary seal 6, thereby obtaining a tensioned, tight second and tertiary material on material sealing abutment by respectively the first seal surface 175 and the second seal surface 176 along respectively a first line of contact and a second line of contact against the bottom side 48 of the top plate 44. The two seals made by the secondary seal 107 are spaced apart from the seal made by the primary seal 6. More specifically, the two seals made by the secondary seal 107 are situated at a spaced apart distance from the longitudinal edge 40 of the respective slat 4.

Figures 5B-D show further alternative embodiments of the first secondary seal 207, 307, 407 and second secondary seal 208, 308, 408. These alternative embodiments differ from the embodiment shown in figure 5A in that they have alternative sealing bodies with different seal surfaces.

Figure 5B shows the further alternative embodiment of the first secondary seal 207 comprising a straight sealing body 271 that extends vertically from the first leg 251 of the seal beam 205 towards the top plate 44. At its top end, the first secondary seal 207 comprises a straight seal surface 275 that abuts the bottom side 48 of the top plate 44. The flexible first secondary seal 207 is elastically deformed within the bearing abutment of the top plate 44 on the primary seal 6, thereby obtaining a tensioned, tight second material on material sealing abutment by the seal surface 275 along a line of contact with the top plate 44.

Figure 5C shows the further alternative embodiment of the first secondary seal 307 comprising a sealing body 371 that extends substantially vertical from the first leg 351 of the seal beam 305 towards the top plate 44. At its top end, the first secondary seal 307 comprises a tube seal 375 with a circular cross section that tangentially abuts the bottom side 48 of the top plate 44. The flexible first secondary seal 307 is elastically deformed within the bearing abutment of the top plate 44 on the primary seal 6, thereby obtaining a tensioned, tight second material on material sealing abutment by the tube seal 375 along a line of contact with the top plate 44.

Figure 5D shows the further alternative embodiment of the first secondary seal 407 comprising a sealing body 471 that extends substantially vertical from the second leg 452 of the seal beam 405 towards the top plate 44. The sealing body 471 of the first secondary seal 407 comprises a curved top end that curves away from the second leg 452 and the bridge portion 453 of the seal beam 405. At it top end, the sealing body 471 comprises a seal surface 475 that abuts the bottom side 48 of the top plate 44. The flexible first secondary seal 407 is elastically deformed within the bearing abutment of the top plate 44 on the primary seal 6, thereby obtaining a tensioned, tight second material on material sealing abutment by the seal surface 475 along a line of contact with the top plate 44.

It is to be understood that the above description is included to illustrate the operation of the preferred embodiments and is not meant to limit the scope of the invention. From the above discussion, many variations will be apparent to one skilled in the art that would yet be encompassed by the spirit and scope of the present invention .

Claims

C L A I M S

1. Cargo floor assembly comprising a cargo floor, a support structure that supports the cargo floor, and a drive unit which is fixed to the support structure, wherein the cargo floor comprises a plurality of mutually parallel, elongate slats, which are operationally connected to the drive unit to be moved relative to the support structure in the longitudinal direction of the slats in a reciprocating manner, wherein each slat comprises an elongate top plate which forms a flat support surface for supporting cargo on the cargo floor and a support guide under the top plate which supports the slat on the support structure, wherein the top plate comprises a first longitudinal side edge and a second longitudinal side edge, wherein the support guide, when viewed in a cross section of the slat, is placed between the first longitudinal side edge and a second longitudinal side edge, wherein the support structure supports a first elongate primary seal which is in sealing abutment with the top plate along the first longitudinal side edge and a second elongate primary seal which is in sealing abutment with the top plate along the second longitudinal side edge, wherein the support structure further supports a first secondary seal which is in sealing abutment along a first line of contact with the bottom side of the top plate, which first line of contact, when viewed in a cross section of the slat, lies between the first primary seal and the support guide.

2. Cargo floor assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first primary seal and the first secondary seal are distinct from each other.

3. Cargo floor assembly according to claim 1 or

2, wherein the first primary seal and the first secondary seal are separate from each other.

4. Cargo floor assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first line of contact of the first secondary seal is spaced apart from the first primary seal and extends substantially parallel thereto.

5. Cargo floor assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first secondary seal is fixed to the support structure.

6. Cargo floor assembly according to any of claims 1-4, wherein the first secondary seal is fixed to the top plate of the slat, wherein the first secondary seal is in sealing abutment with the support structure.

7. Cargo floor assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the support structure further supports a second secondary seal which is in sealing abutment along a second line of contact with the bottom side of the top plate, which second line of contact, when viewed in a cross section of the slat, lies between the second primary seal and the support guide.

8. Cargo floor assembly according to claim 7, wherein the second line of contact of the second secondary seal is spaced apart from the second primary seal and substantially parallel thereto.

9. Cargo floor assembly according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the second secondary seal is fixed to the support structure .

10. Cargo floor assembly according to claim 7 or

8, wherein the second secondary seal is fixed to the top plate of the slat, wherein the second secondary seal is supported on the support structure in sealing abutment with the support structure.

11. Cargo floor assembly according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a first tertiary seal which is in sealing abutment along a third line of contact with the bottom side of the top plate, which third line of contact, when viewed in a cross section of the slat, lies between the first line of contact and the support guide, spaced apart from the first line of contact and substantially parallel thereto .

12. Cargo floor assembly according to claim 11, comprising a second tertiary seal is which is in sealing abutment along a fourth line of contact with the bottom side of the top plate, which fourth line of contact, when viewed in a cross section of the slat, lies between the second line of contact and the support guide, spaced apart from the second line of contact and substantially parallel thereto.

13. Cargo floor assembly according to claim 11, wherein the first secondary seal and the first tertiary seal are integrally formed as a first seal body which comprises two seal surfaces corresponding to the first secondary seal and the first tertiary seal.

14. Cargo floor assembly according to claims 12 and 13, wherein the second secondary seal and the second tertiary seal are integrally formed as a second seal body which comprises two seal surfaces corresponding to the second secondary seal and the second tertiary seal.

15. Cargo floor assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first primary seal and the second primary seal of two adjacent, mutually facing longitudinal side edges of two adjacent slats are integrally formed as a third seal body which closes the gap between the two adjacent, mutually facing longitudinal side edges of the two adjacent slats.

16. Cargo floor assembly according to any of the preceding claims, comprising an elongate seal beam which is part of the support structure and extends along and underneath two adjacent, mutually facing longitudinal side edges of two adjacent slats, wherein the seal beam supports the seals.

17. Cargo floor assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first secondary seal, in use, seals off the passage space that extends underneath the bottom side of the top plate, from the first primary seal up to the support guide.

18. Cargo floor assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the primary seal is made of an abrasion resistant material for supporting the top plate in bearing abutment on the primary seal, wherein the secondary seal is made of a different material than the primary seal, for providing a tensioned sealing abutment between the top plate and the secondary seal.

19. Cargo floor assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the secondary seal is pre-biased to form a sealing abutment against the top plate within the abutment of the top plate on the primary seal.

20. Cargo floor assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the primary seal is made of one or more types of synthetic material or metal or a combination thereof, more in particular of the group comprising steel, stainless steel, steel coded S275 or S355, abrasion resistant steel such as Hardox steel, aluminium such as aluminium AW-6005, high-density polyethylene, polyethylene PE1000, polyamide and polyoxymethylene .

21. Cargo floor assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the secondary seal is made of one or more types of synthetic material, rubber, metal or a combination thereof, more in particular of the group comprising polyethylene, polyamide, thermoplastic polyurethanes, nitrile butadiene rubber, heat resistant polysulfone and heat resistant polyether sulfones.

22. Cargo floor assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the secondary seal comprises a synthetic or rubber outer layer and a metal inner core.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

RM/FG