AU2017265065B2

AU2017265065B2 - A curtain locking mechanism

Info

Publication number: AU2017265065B2
Application number: AU2017265065A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Lindsay Alexander King
Original assignee: Transking Corp Pty Ltd
Current assignee: TRANSKING Corp Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2016-12-22
Filing date: 2017-11-22
Publication date: 2024-02-22
Anticipated expiration: 2037-11-22
Also published as: AU2024203145A1; AU2017265065A1

Abstract

A CURTAIN LOCKING MECHANISM ABSTRACT A curtain locking mechanism (10) for a curtain (16) on a truck or trailer which includes a latch assembly (12) and a lock assembly (14). The latch assembly (12) is actuatable between a tensioned position in which the latch assembly (12) provides tension to the curtain (16), and a released position in which the latch assembly (12) releases tension from the curtain (16). The lock assembly is (14) is operatively associated with the latch assembly (12), wherein after actuation to position the latch assembly (12) in the tensioned position the lock assembly (14) is configured to automatically engage the latch assembly (12) to prevent movement of the latch assembly (12) away from the tensioned position, and after actuation to release the latch assembly (12) from the tensioned position the lock assembly (14) automatically disengages from the latch assembly (12) to allow movement of the latch assembly (12) to the released position. 1/6 K - Fig. 1

Description

1/6

- Fig. 1 K

A CURTAIN LOCKING MECHANISM

Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a curtain locking mechanism for a curtain-sided truck or trailer, and in particular to a curtain locking mechanism for tensioning the curtain on the truck or trailer.

Background

[0002] Curtain restraint systems for restraining cargo in trucks and trailers are known, as are locking mechanisms for tensioning the curtain. One known locking mechanism is a latch assembly that allows a user to simultaneously lock/unlock the curtain by operation of a single switch. The latch assembly is driven by a pneumatic cylinder to engage a series of hooks integrated into the curtain to lock the curtain in place. This system relies on the air in the cylinder to hold the latch in the locked configuration. If pressure is applied to the inside of the curtain, for example by unrestrained cargo pushing against the curtain, the pressure can cause the piston and shaft on the primary cylinder to be pulled out causing movement of the hooks and allowing the curtain to bulge more than the legal requirement, hence not conforming with load restraint requirements.

Object of the Invention

[0003] It is the object of the present invention to substantially overcome or ameliorate one or more of the disadvantages of the prior art, or to at least provide a useful alternative.

Summary of Invention

[0004] The present invention provides a curtain locking mechanism for a curtain on a truck or trailer, the locking mechanism including: a latch assembly actuatable between a tensioned position in which the latch assembly provides tension to the curtain, and a released position in which the latch assembly releases tension from the curtain; and a lock assembly operatively associated with the latch assembly, wherein after actuation to position the latch assembly in the tensioned position the lock assembly is configured to automatically engage the latch assembly to prevent movement of the latch assembly away from the tensioned position, and after actuation to release the latch assembly from the tensioned position the locking mechanism automatically disengages from the latch assembly to allow movement of the latch assembly to the released position.

[0005] In a preferred embodiment the locking mechanism includes an actuator operatively associated with the latch assembly.

[0006] Preferably, the actuator is a single action switch.

[0007] In a preferred embodiment, the locking mechanism includes a primary pneumatic cylinder in communication with the latch assembly, and a secondary pneumatic cylinder in communication with the lock assembly, wherein both cylinders are operatively associated with the actuator.

[0008] Preferably, the secondary pneumatic cylinder is configured to open faster than the primary pneumatic cylinder during actuation to release the curtain locking mechanism.

[0009] In one embodiment a primary conduit connects the actuator with the primary pneumatic cylinder and a secondary conduit connects the actuator with the secondary pneumatic cylinder, and the primary conduit is configured to restrict air flow to the primary pneumatic cylinder during actuation to release the latch assembly.

[0010] In one embodiment the lock assembly includes a claw configured to engage the latch assembly during tensioning of the curtain.

[0011] In one embodiment the latch assembly includes a pin configured for engagement with the claw during tensioning of the curtain.

[0012] In one embodiment the secondary pneumatic cylinder includes an exhaust port configured to release air during actuation to tension the curtain to allow the claw to automatically drop and engage the pin.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0013] A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0014] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a curtain locking mechanism according to the present invention;

[0015] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the curtain locking mechanism of Figure 1 in the unlocked configuration according to the present invention;

[0016] Figure 3 is a schematic of the curtain locking mechanism of Figure 2;

[0017] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the curtain locking mechanism of Figure 1 in the locked configuration;

[0018] Figure 5 is a schematic of the curtain locking mechanism of Figure 3; and

[0019] Figure 6 shows the curtain locking mechanism of Figure 1 in the locked configuration, unlocked configuration and open configuration.

Description of Embodiments

[0020] Figures 1 to 6 show an embodiment of a locking mechanism for a curtain locking system according to the present invention.

[0021] Referring to Figure 1, the locking mechanism 10 includes a latch assembly 12 and a lock assembly 14. As best shown in Figure 6, the latch assembly 12 is configured to tension a curtain 16 suspended from a curtain rail assembly 18 on a truck or trailer (not shown). The curtain 16 includes a series of straps 17 attached to a series of hooks 19. The hooks 19 are configured to receive an extension bar 21 that is fixed to the latch assembly 12. The latch assembly 12 includes a lever 20 pivotably attached 22 to a shaft 24 which is driven by a primary pneumatic cylinder 26. The primary pneumatic cylinder 26 is a dual acting cylinder. Lever 20 includes a pin 28 configured to receive the lock assembly 14 as described below. The lock assembly 14 includes a locking claw 30 attached to a shaft 32. The shaft 32 is pivotably mounted 34 at the opposite end 36 to the locking claw 30. A linkage 38 attaches the shaft 32 to a secondary pneumatic cylinder 40. The secondary pneumatic cylinder 40 is pivotably mounted 42 to the primary pneumatic cylinder 26. The linkage 38 is positioned between the locking claw 30 and the pivot 42.

[0022] The primary pneumatic cylinder 26 is a dual acting cylinder having two air inlets 60, 62. A primary conduit 46 is connected to air inlet 62 and is configured to supply air to one end 58 of the cylinder 26. A second primary conduit 54 is connected to air inlet 60 and is configured to supply air to the other end 56 of the cylinder 26. The secondary pneumatic cylinder 40 also has two air inlets 64, 66. However, only one secondary conduit 48 is connected to an air inlet 64 and is configured to supply air to the cylinder 40.

[0023] The locking mechanism 10 is operated by a single switch 43. As will be described in detail below, the lock assembly 14 is operatively associated with the latch assembly 12 so that after actuation to position the latch assembly 12 in the tensioned position the lock assembly 14 automatically engages the latch assembly 12 to prevent movement of the latch assembly 12 away from the tensioned position, and after actuation to release the latch assembly 12 from the tensioned position the lock assembly 14 automatically disengages from the latch assembly 14 to allow movement of the latch assembly 12 to the released position.

[0024] Figure 2 shows the locking mechanism 10 in the unlocked, or released configuration, and Figure 3 shows the schematic to release the locking mechanism 10. Air is supplied to the primary pneumatic cylinder 26 via a primary conduit 46 and to the secondary pneumatic cylinder 40 via a secondary conduit 48. Air may be supplied in any suitable manner for the actuation of the pneumatic cylinders 26, 40. For example, air may be supplied from an air tank on the truck or trailer (not shown). The primary conduit 46 has a smaller diameter than the secondary conduit 48. Restrictors 50, 52 act to reduce air flow through the primary conduit 46. The reduced air flow to the primary pneumatic cylinder 26 allows the secondary pneumatic cylinder 40 to operate faster than the primary pneumatic cylinder 26. The secondary pneumatic cylinder 40 acts to lift the locking claw 30 out of engagement with the latch assembly 12 before the primary pneumatic cylinder 26 has enough volume of air to operate the lever 20 to rotate and release tension from the curtain 16. A spring 44 attached to the linkage 38 biases the locking claw 30 rearward to facilitate return to the unlocked position.

[0025] Figure 4 shows the locking mechanism 10 in the locked, or tensioned configuration, and Figure 5 shows the schematic to lock the locking mechanism 10. To position the locking mechanism 10 in the tensioned position air is supplied via a second primary conduit 54 to the opposite end 56 of the primary pneumatic cylinder 26. This forces the release of air from the first end 58 and causes the shaft 24 to retract. This, in turn, causes the lever 20 to pivot to tension the curtain 16. At the same time air is released via the secondary conduit 48 through an exhaust port 68 on the switch 43. The unconnected air inlet 66 acts as air bleeder to let the air into the cylinder 40 so that the shaft 32 can move forward to allow the claw 30 to automatically drop and engage the pin 28. A spring 44 may also be used to control movement of the claw 30. The locking claw 30 restricts the movement of the shaft 24 when pressure is applied to the inside of the curtain 16 thus ensuring that tensioning of the curtain 16 is maintained and not altered by significant pressure on the curtain from unrestrained cargo.

[0026] Although the invention has been described with reference to a specific example, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in other forms.

Claims

1. A curtain locking mechanism for a curtain on a truck or trailer, the locking mechanism including: a latch assembly actuatable between a tensioned position in which the latch assembly provides tension to the curtain, and a released position in which the latch assembly releases tension from the curtain; and a lock assembly operatively associated with the latch assembly, wherein after actuation to position the latch assembly in the tensioned position the lock assembly is configured to automatically engage the latch assembly to prevent movement of the latch assembly away from the tensioned position, and after actuation to release the latch assembly from the tensioned position the lock assembly automatically disengages from the latch assembly to allow movement of the latch assembly to the released position.

2. The locking mechanism of claim 1, including an actuator operatively associated with the latch assembly and the lock assembly.

3. The locking mechanism of claim 2, wherein the actuator is a single action switch.

4. The locking mechanism of claim 2 or 3, including a primary pneumatic cylinder in communication with the latch assembly and a secondary pneumatic cylinder in communication with the lock assembly, both cylinders operatively associated with the actuator.

5. The locking mechanism of claim 4, wherein the secondary pneumatic cylinder is configured to operate faster than the primary pneumatic cylinder during actuation to release the curtain locking mechanism.

6. The locking mechanism of any one of claims 2 to 5, including a primary conduit connecting the primary pneumatic cylinder and the actuator and a secondary conduit connecting the secondary pneumatic cylinder and the actuator, the primary conduit configured to restrict air flow to the primary pneumatic cylinder during actuation to release the latch assembly.

7. The locking mechanism of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lock assembly includes a claw configured to engage the latch assembly during tensioning of the curtain.

8. The locking mechanism of claim 7, wherein the latch assembly includes a lever configured for engagement with the claw to prevent movement of the latch assembly from the tensioned position.

9. The locking mechanism of claim 8, wherein the lever includes a pin configured to receive the claw.

10. The locking mechanism of claim 8, wherein the secondary pneumatic cylinder includes a first air inlet for connection with a conduit and a second air inlet configured to release air during actuation to tension the curtain allowing the claw to automatically drop and engage the pin.

Transking Corporation Pty Limited Patent Attorneys for the Applicant SPRUSON & FERGUSON