AU2009100536A4 - Vehicle trailer with retractable barrier - Google Patents

Description

Regulation 3.2 AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 INNOVATION PATENT SPECIFICATION (ORIGINAL) Name of Applicant: Vawdrey Australia Pty Ltd of 1-43 Quantum Close, Dandenong South, Victoria 3175, Australia Actual Inventors: Mick Vawdrey Richard Stevenson Address for Service: DAVIES COLLISON CAVE, Patent Attorneys, I Nicholson Street, Melbourne 3000, Victoria, Australia Innovation Patent specification for the invention entitled: "Vehicle trailer with retractable barrier" The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: 0 \0PERUPN\2009\MAY\30791562 I 53INNOV DOC - 2/6109 P:\OPERUPN\VawdeyiCoaming\Fold_up_coming_finl doc.2A6d219 VEHICLE TRAILER WITH RETRACTABLE BARRIER Field of the Invention 5 This invention relates to a vehicle trailer with a retractable barrier which is able to be arranged in different configurations for carting different types of cargo. Background of the Invention 10 It is known to transport cargo in trucks with trailers having curtain sides. In existing vehicle trailers of this type, either gates are utilised or the curtains are provided with load restraining straps at regular intervals along the length of the curtain, on either side of the trailer. The load restraining straps are fastened manually or automatically to the body of the vehicle along a lower edge of the curtained sides. The straps are unfastened 15 then re-fastened each time it is necessary to open the curtain for unloading/loading. These curtained trailers have the advantage that no separate gates are required. However, it is often required to transport different types of cargo on different legs of a journey, on a single trailer. In particular, it may be required to transport trolleys on 20 one leg of a journey, and palletised cargo on another leg. The applicant has identified that carting trolleys within a curtain sided trailer can result in damage to the curtains through rubbing of the trolleys on the curtains as they move on their castors during transportation. Specifically, the applicant has identified a problem in that, with existing trailers, wheeled trolleys can jump over the typically small (20mm "TFB") coaming and would then be 25 resting on the curtain. Examples of the invention seek to solve, or at least ameliorate, one or more disadvantages in carting different types of cargo on a single trailer. 30 P: OPER\PNVawdrefComming\Fold_up_cmingfina dc-2/0,/2009 -2 Summary of the Invention In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle with a cargo carrying space including a floor, and a barrier part extending along at least 5 one side of the floor, wherein the barrier part is adapted to be moved between a deployed condition in which the barrier part extends upwardly from the floor to form a raised barrier along the side of the floor for retaining a first type of cargo on the floor, and a retracted condition in which the barrier part is retracted for carriage of a second type of cargo not requiring a barrier. 10 Preferably, the barrier part is arranged such that substantially the same surface area of the floor is available for supporting cargo when the barrier part is in the deployed condition and in the retracted condition. 15 Preferably, when in the retracted condition, the barrier part lies substantially flat against the floor such that an upwardly facing surface of the barrier part forms a support deck with an exposed part the floor for supporting the second type of cargo. More preferably, when in the retracted condition, the upwardly facing surface of the barrier part lies substantially level with the floor adjacent the barrier part. Even more preferably, the 20 floor is recessed to accommodate the barrier part when in the retracted condition, with the upwardly facing surface of the barrier part lying substantially level with the floor adjacent the barrier part. Preferably, the barrier part is in the form of a wall section which pivots between the 25 deployed condition and the retracted condition, along a pivoting axis which extends along the side of the floor. In a preferred example, the wall section pivots inwardly between the deployed condition and the retracted condition. More preferably, the wall section extends substantially vertically in the deployed condition and substantially horizontally in the retracted condition. 30 In a particular example, the vehicle has a plurality of barrier parts arranged along -3 the side in end-to-end relationship along the length of the cargo carrying space. Preferably, each of the barrier parts is independently operable between the deployed condition and the retracted condition. Advantageously, this may facilitate the simultaneous cartage of both the first and second types of cargo, for example, with trolley 5 cargo located at a front portion of the cargo carrying space, and with palletised cargo at a rear portion of the cargo carrying space. Preferably, the vehicle includes a manual mechanical drive for moving the barrier part between the deployed condition and the retracted condition. More preferably, the 10 mechanical drive includes a wormgear on a shaft of the barrier part, the shaft extending along the pivot axis, and a wormscrew in engagement with said wormgear for rotating the barrier part between the deployed condition and the retracted condition. Even more preferably, the wormscrew is in direct driving engagement with a coupling adapted for engagement with a handheld tool for manual operation by an operator between the 15 deployed and retracted conditions. Alternatively, the vehicle may include a power operated drive for moving the barrier part between the deployed condition and the retracted condition. 20 The first type of cargo may include a plurality of trolleys or the like, and the second type of cargo may include cargo mounted on pallets. In examples, the vehicle may have curtained sides. More particularly, the vehicle may have a curtain along said side, including a track, the curtain arranged to be supported 25 along an upper edge by the track and to be drawn along the track between an open condition providing access to the cargo carrying space and a closed condition enclosing the cargo carrying space. 30 P.XOPER\JPMVa.dreyCoang\Fldupc.n..... doc.2 6121- 9 -4 Brief Description of the Drawings The invention is described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 5 Figure 1 is a front, side perspective view of a curtain-sided trailer fitted with barrier parts in accordance with an example of the present invention; Figure 2 is an internal view of the trailer of Figure 1, shown with the barrier parts 10 in a raised condition for restraining trolley cargo; Figure 3 is a detailed view of the trailer, shown with the barrier parts in a retracted condition for carting palletised cargo; 15 Figure 4 is a detailed top perspective view of one side of the trailer, showing the barrier parts in the deployed condition; Figure 5 is a detailed view of two adjacent barrier parts in the deployed condition; 20 Figure 6 shows a handheld tool near a coupling in the form of a hex-drive which is able to be engaged with the handheld tool for moving the barrier parts between the deployed and retracted conditions; Figure 7 is an end perspective view of one of the barrier parts, shown intermediate 25 the deployed and retracted conditions; Figure 8 is an end perspective view of the barrier part of Figure 7, shown in the retracted condition; 30 Figure 9 shows the handheld tool in engagement with the coupling, after operation of the handheld tool to move the barrier part to the retracted condition; P OPERUPN\VawdrefCoaming\Fld_.p_comming_rn.Idoc.2/062(xM -5 Figure 10 shows a rear portion of the inside of the trailer, with the curtain fastened, the barrier part in the deployed condition, and with a moveable restraining pole in position; 5 Figure 1 I is a detailed view of a pivot shaft of the barrier part, and a worm drive for moving the barrier part between the deployed and retracted conditions; Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view of one side of the trailer floor, showing the worm drive, and the barrier part in the deployed and retracted conditions; 10 Figure 13 shows engineering drawings of the trailer of Figures 1 to 12; Figure 14 is a side perspective view of a curtain-sided trailer fitted with barrier parts in accordance with another example of the present invention, the barrier parts 15 depicted in the deployed condition; Figure 15 shows the trailer of Figure 14, with the barrier parts in the retracted condition; 20 Figure 16 is an underside view of a floor of the trailer of Figures 14 an 15, showing a power operated actuator for moving one of the barrier parts between the deployed and retracted conditions; Figure 17 shows engineering drawings of the floor of the trailer of Figures 14 to 16; 25 and Figure 18 is an engineering drawing of a side view of the trailer shown in Figures 14 to 17. 30 P:\OPER\PN\VawdreACoaming\Fold_up_coaming_inal doc-2102/2t9 -6 Detailed Description With reference to Figure 1, there is shown a vehicle in the form of a trailer 10 with a cargo carrying space 12. The trailer 10 includes a floor 14, and a barrier part 16 5 extending along at least one side 18 of the floor 14. The barrier part 16 is adapted to be moved between a deployed condition (see Figures 1 and 2) in which the barrier part 16 extends upwardly from the floor 14 to form a raised barrier along the side 18 of the floor 14 for retaining a first type of cargo on the floor 14, and a retracted condition (see Figure 3) in which the barrier part 16 is retracted for carriage of a second type of cargo not 10 requiring a barrier. The first type of cargo may be in the form of trolleys 20, as shown in Figure 2, and the second type of cargo may be in the form of palletised cargo 22, as shown in Figure 3. The trailer 10 has curtained sides, with each side having a curtain 24 which is 15 drawn open along an upper track 26 to load the trailer 10, and drawn closed along the track 26 to enclose the cargo carrying space 12 for transportation. Each curtain 24 has tensioning straps 28 at regular spaced intervals along the length of the curtain for creating vertical tension in the curtain 24. A tensioning ratchet mechanism is also provided in the form of a vertical roller 30 at the front of the trailer 10 for creating horizontal tension in the 20 curtain 24. Although the present invention is shown fitted to a curtain-sided trailer of this type, the invention may also be applied to other types of trailers/vehicles. The barrier part 16 is arranged such that substantially the same floor surface area is available for supporting cargo when the barrier part 16 is in the deployed condition as 25 when the barrier part 16 is in the retracted condition. This is achieved by arranging on each of the opposed sides of the floor 14 a barrier part 16 which, when in the deployed condition, extends upwardly from the respective side edge of the floor 14. This arrangement is depicted in the cross-sectional view in Figure 13. Accordingly, near the full width of the floor 14 is available for carrying trolley cargo when the opposite barrier 30 parts 16 are in the deployed condition. Similarly, when the opposite barrier parts 16 are in the retracted condition, the full width of the floor is available for carrying cargo mounted P:\OPER\JPN\Vawdrey\Coming\Fold_up_coming rdoc-2A,/2009 -7 on pallets. As shown in Figure 3, when in the retracted condition, the barrier part 16 is folded to rest substantially flat against the underlying floor 14 such that the palletised cargo 22 is 5 able to be loaded across a support deck comprising an upwardly facing surface 32 of the barrier part 16 and an exposed portion of the floor 14. Advantageously, when in the retracted condition, the upwardly facing surface 32 of the barrier part 16 lies substantially level with the floor 14 adjacent the barrier part 16 such that the weight of the palletised cargo 22 is distributed over the exposed portion of the floor 14 as well as over the 10 upwardly facing surface 32 of the barrier part 16. This is achieved by recessing the floor 14 in the area indicated by reference numeral 34 in Figure 4. With reference to Figures 4 and 5, the barrier part 16 is in the form of a metal wall section 36. The barrier part 16 pivots between the deployed condition and the retracted 15 condition, along a pivoting axis 38 which extends along the side 18 of the floor 14. The wall section 36 pivots inwardly between the deployed condition and the retracted condition, the wall section 36 extending substantially vertically in the deployed condition (Figure 4) and substantially horizontally in the retracted condition (Figure 8). 20 Figures 7 and 8 show the trailer 10 having a plurality of barrier parts 16 arranged along the side 18 in end-to-end relationship along the length of the cargo carrying space 12. Each of the barrier parts 16 is independently operable between the deployed condition and the retracted condition, facilitating simultaneous cartage of different types of cargo. In particular, front barrier parts 16 may be raised on either side of the floor 14 for carting 25 trolley cargo at a front portion of the cargo carrying space 12, and rear barrier parts 16 may be lowered on either side of the floor 14 for carting palletised cargo at a rear portion of the cargo carrying space 12. As shown in Figures 11 and 12, the trailer 10 includes a manual mechanical drive 30 40 for moving the barrier part 16 between the deployed condition and the retracted condition. The mechanical drive 40 includes a wormgear 42 on a shaft 44 of the barrier -8 part 16, the shaft 44 extending along the pivoting axis 38, and a wormscrew 46 in engagement with the wormgear 42 for rotating the barrier part 16 between the deployed condition and the retracted condition. The wormscrew 46 is in direct driving engagement with a coupling 48 adapted for engagement with a handheld tool 50 for manual operation 5 by an operator between the deployed and retracted conditions. In the example shown in Figures I to 13, the coupling 48 is in the form of a hex drive 52 (also at other locations), located in a coaming at the side 18 of the trailer 10. Each of the barrier parts 16 has a respective hex-drive 52 for independent operation of each 10 barrier part 16. Operation of the barrier part 16 between the deployed condition and the retracted condition is shown in Figures 6 to 9. In particular, Figure 6 shows coupling of the handheld tool 50 to the hex-drive 52 with the barrier part 16 in the deployed condition; Figure 7 shows the barrier part 16 moved to a position intermediate the deployed and retracted conditions with the handheld tool 50 coupled to the hex-drive 52; Figure 8 shows 15 the barrier part 16 in the retracted condition wherein the barrier part 16 is received within the recessed area 34 of the floor 14; and Figure 9 shows the handheld tool 50 coupled to the hex-drive 52, with the barrier part 16 in the retracted condition (and an opposite side barrier part 16 in the deployed condition). 20 Figure 10 shows an inside of a rear portion of the trailer 10, with a restraining pole 54 located in receiving apertures 56 formed in the floor 14, and in a longitudinal ceiling beam 58. The restraining pole 54 is able to be moved to different positions by selecting a suitable pair of the apertures 56 so as to restrain the trolley cargo longitudinally. 25 With reference to Figure 13, there is shown technical detail of the trailer 10 having three barrier parts 16 mounted in end-to-end relationship along the length of the cargo carrying space 12. The cross-sectional view shows the opposed barrier parts 16 in both the deployed and retracted conditions. 30 An alternative trailer is shown in Figures 14 to 18 of the drawings and like features are indicated with like reference numerals. The trailer 10 shown in Figures 14 to 18 differs P:\OPERUPMV .dreC-amig\Fld_up_coammg_ i doc.2/(/2009 -9 from the first example as it includes a power operated drive 60 for moving the barrier parts 16 between the deployed condition and the retracted condition. Also, the trailer of Figures 14 to 18 has the barrier parts 16 adjoining along inclined edges 62. Figure 14 shows the barrier parts 16 in the deployed condition; Figure 15 shows the barrier parts 16 in the 5 retracted condition; Figure 16 shows an electric linear actuator 64 of the power operated drive 60 arranged for driving a barrier part 16 between the deployed and retracted conditions; Figure 17 shows construction detail of the trailer 10 depicted in Figures 14 to 18; and Figure 18 shows a side view of the trailer, with dimensions. 10 Advantageously, a trailer 10 fitted with moveable barriers in accordance with the above examples of the present invention assist rear loading of the trolleys into the trailer as the barriers provide a smooth edge for the trolleys to run along. The examples depicted in the drawings allow trolley type cargo to be loaded through rear doors of the trailer, with the barrier parts in the deployed condition. When the barrier parts are in the retracted 15 condition, palletised cargo can be (and is typically) loaded from the side of the trailer through the curtain side (with the curtain opened). Such an arrangement may be particularly beneficial where the trailer is used to transport trolley cargo from one city to another, then to transport palletised cargo on the 20 return journey. In an example scenario, the barrier parts are moved to their deployed condition for loading the trolley type cargo in through the rear doors of the trailer; restraining poles are then fitted in place to restrain the trolleys within the trailer; at the destination the restraining poles are moved to release the trolleys, and the trolleys are unloaded through the rear doors; the trailer may then be transported to a different depot for 25 picking up the palletised cargo for the return journey; the palletised cargo is loaded onto the trailer from the side by a forklift, with the curtain open and the barrier parts in the retracted condition; the curtain is closed and tensioned; the trailer is driven back to the origin with the palletised cargo on board; and the palletised cargo is unloaded from the side of the trailer with the curtain opened and the barrier parts remaining in the retracted 30 condition.

PA OPERUlPN\Vawdrey\Coaminig\Fold_up_cominng_rliadoc-2/6/2009 - 10 While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not by way of limitation. It will be apparent to a person skilled in the relevant art that various changes in form and detail can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope 5 of the invention. Thus, the present invention should not be limited by any of the above described exemplary embodiments. For example, although the examples of the invention shown in the drawings are depicted as being used with curtain-sided trailers having load restraining curtains with tensioning straps, it will be appreciated that in other examples the invention may be used with gates instead of load restraining curtains. 10 The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general 15 knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates. Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group 20 of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

Claims (17)

1. A vehicle with a cargo carrying space including a floor, and a barrier part extending along at least one side of the floor, wherein the barrier part is adapted to be moved 5 between a deployed condition in which the barrier part extends upwardly from the floor to form a raised barrier along the side of the floor for retaining a first type of cargo on the floor, and a retracted condition in which the barrier part is retracted for carriage of a second type of cargo not requiring a barrier. 10

2. A vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the barrier part is arranged such that substantially the same surface area of the floor is available for supporting cargo when the barrier part is in the deployed condition and in the retracted condition.

3. A vehicle as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein, when in the retracted 15 condition, the barrier part lies substantially flat against the floor such that an upwardly facing surface of the barrier part forms a support deck with an exposed part the floor for supporting the second type of cargo.

4. A vehicle as claimed in any one of claims I to 3, wherein, when in the retracted 20 condition the upwardly facing surface of the barrier part lies substantially level with the floor adjacent the barrier part.

5. A vehicle as claimed in claim 4, wherein the floor is recessed to accommodate the barrier part when in the retracted condition, with the upwardly facing surface of the 25 barrier part lying substantially level with the floor adjacent the barrier part.

6. A vehicle as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the barrier part is in the form of a wall section which pivots between the deployed condition and the retracted condition, along a pivoting axis which extends along the side of the floor. 30

7. A vehicle as claimed in claim 6, wherein the wall section pivots inwardly between P:\OPERUPN\Vawdre) Coamingffold_up_coaming_firmil doc-2/fl62iX)9 - 12 the deployed condition and the retracted condition.

8. A vehicle as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the wall section extends substantially vertically in the deployed condition and substantially horizontally in 5 the retracted condition.

9. A vehicle as claimed in any one of claims I to 8, having a plurality of barrier parts arranged along the side in end-to-end relationship along the length of the cargo carrying space. 10

10. A vehicle as claimed in claim 9, wherein each of the barrier parts is independently operable between the deployed condition and the retracted condition.

11. A vehicle as claimed in any one of claims I to 10, including a manual mechanical 15 drive for moving the barrier part between the deployed condition and the retracted condition.

12. A vehicle as claimed in claim 11, wherein the mechanical drive includes a wormgear on a shaft of the barrier part, the shaft extending along the pivot axis, 20 and a wormscrew in engagement with said wormgear for rotating the barrier part between the deployed condition and the retracted condition.

13. A vehicle as claimed in claim 12, wherein the wormscrew is in direct driving engagement with a coupling adapted for engagement with a handheld tool for 25 manual operation by an operator between the deployed and retracted conditions.

14. A vehicle as claimed in any one of claims I to 10, including a power operated drive for moving the barrier part between the deployed condition and the retracted condition. 30

15. A vehicle as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the first type of cargo P.\OPERUPN\Wwdre)ACcaming\Fold_up_coamiqrigialdoc-2/tW(tX) - 13 includes a plurality of trolleys or the like, and the second type of cargo includes palletised or general cargo.

16. A vehicle as claimed in any one of claims I to 15, wherein opposed sides of the 5 floor each have a barrier part.

17. A vehicle with a cargo carrying space substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.