CA1331635C - Retractable cover and containment apparatus for flatbed type transport trailer - Google Patents
Retractable cover and containment apparatus for flatbed type transport trailerInfo
- Publication number
- CA1331635C CA1331635C CA 531675 CA531675A CA1331635C CA 1331635 C CA1331635 C CA 1331635C CA 531675 CA531675 CA 531675 CA 531675 A CA531675 A CA 531675A CA 1331635 C CA1331635 C CA 1331635C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- trailer
- arches
- freight
- covering
- arch
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60J—WINDOWS, WINDSCREENS, NON-FIXED ROOFS, DOORS, OR SIMILAR DEVICES FOR VEHICLES; REMOVABLE EXTERNAL PROTECTIVE COVERINGS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES
- B60J7/00—Non-fixed roofs; Roofs with movable panels, e.g. rotary sunroofs
- B60J7/02—Non-fixed roofs; Roofs with movable panels, e.g. rotary sunroofs of sliding type, e.g. comprising guide shoes
- B60J7/06—Non-fixed roofs; Roofs with movable panels, e.g. rotary sunroofs of sliding type, e.g. comprising guide shoes with non-rigid element or elements
- B60J7/061—Non-fixed roofs; Roofs with movable panels, e.g. rotary sunroofs of sliding type, e.g. comprising guide shoes with non-rigid element or elements sliding and folding
- B60J7/062—Non-fixed roofs; Roofs with movable panels, e.g. rotary sunroofs of sliding type, e.g. comprising guide shoes with non-rigid element or elements sliding and folding for utility vehicles
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B61—RAILWAYS
- B61D—BODY DETAILS OR KINDS OF RAILWAY VEHICLES
- B61D39/00—Wagon or like covers; Tarpaulins; Movable or foldable roofs
- B61D39/002—Sliding or folding roofs
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Transportation (AREA)
- Tents Or Canopies (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF DISCLOSURE
In covering 8 flat bed type transport trailer unit for keeping the transported freight protected and secure, it is in common practice to use either a manually operated tarpaulin secured with ropes, or a wooden rack apparatus with tarpaulin, secured to the trailer unit with pockets. In the invention claimed herewith the freight may be protected and secured mechanically. This is done with the introduction of a cable and roller track system. The freight cavity is completely spanned from side to side with a series of arches.
Rollers are attached to the bases of each arch. The assembly is then completely covered with a flexible tarpaulin material, attached firmly along the outer edge of each arch. The assembly can then move freely along the tracks, via the rollers, without interfering with the freight. When the invention is drawn forward, the freight cavity is quickly and completely accessable from both sides and top due to the retracting effect of the arches and tarpaulin. The invention can then easily be extended, covering the freight, and secured at the rear of the trailer unit. By forcing the tarpaulin material tight, containment of the load is also achieved.
In covering 8 flat bed type transport trailer unit for keeping the transported freight protected and secure, it is in common practice to use either a manually operated tarpaulin secured with ropes, or a wooden rack apparatus with tarpaulin, secured to the trailer unit with pockets. In the invention claimed herewith the freight may be protected and secured mechanically. This is done with the introduction of a cable and roller track system. The freight cavity is completely spanned from side to side with a series of arches.
Rollers are attached to the bases of each arch. The assembly is then completely covered with a flexible tarpaulin material, attached firmly along the outer edge of each arch. The assembly can then move freely along the tracks, via the rollers, without interfering with the freight. When the invention is drawn forward, the freight cavity is quickly and completely accessable from both sides and top due to the retracting effect of the arches and tarpaulin. The invention can then easily be extended, covering the freight, and secured at the rear of the trailer unit. By forcing the tarpaulin material tight, containment of the load is also achieved.
Description
~ 33 ~ 635 SPECIFICATION
This invention relates to maintaining freight covered and secure during transit on a flat bed type transport trailer.
It is common in the freight transportation industry to maintain the carried cargo in its original condition/ even though transporting may cause damage to the goods in handling and transit. Conventional manual tarping systems require a considerable amount of time and effort to achieve adequate covering of the freight. Generally, the unit operator is personally -~
responsible for the delivered condition of the cargo, and is subject to a nominal fatigue level on shorter runs. Repeating the uncovering and covering of the unit several times daily also leaves the cargo open and exposed to potentially damaging elements. We have found that utilizing the invention herewith minimizes the time and effort to overcome the problems involved with the conventional systems. The invention herewith is also capable of contai~ing the load within the~
freight cavity of the unit by utilizing the strength common in currently used tarpaulins.
A mechanically operated retractable freight covering for use on a flatbed transport trailer having two sides has a plurality of arches, a track extending along each side of said trailer and a flexible material attached to and interconnecting said arches.
Each arch has two legs, said legs being shaped relative to said track so that said arches are slidably supported by said track in an upright position with one leg on one side of the trailer and the other leg on the other side of the trailer. Each leg of each arch contains a support with at least two rotatable wheels thereon, said wheels being normal to -- 13316~5 one another and being sized and located relative to said track so that each wheel fits snugly within said track, one wheel extending horizontally within said track and the other wheel extending vertically within said track when the arches are properly installed.
There are means for moving said arches along said tracks, said flexible material being sized to cover said trailer when said arches are properly spaced along said tracks.
For reader convenience, drawings are used to explain the invention's function and operation in conjunction with written explanations. In the ~-drawings: ~
Figure 1 is a side view of a trailer with - ~-15 arches spaced apart from one another; --Figure 2 is a side view of the trailer with the arches located at one end thereof;
Figure 3 is a side view of the trailer with the arches and bulkhead located at one end thereof; ~ -Figure 4(a) is an enlarged front view of a base of one arch;
; Figure 4(b) is an enlarged schematic side ~;
view of the base shown in Figure 4(a) in relation to a track; -- -Figure 4(c) is an enlarged end view of ~ wheels of an arch mounted relative to the track;
`~ Figure 5 is an enlarged front view of a crank.
This invention is illustrated in 5 separate Eigures on three drawings. Figures 4 a,nd 5 are close-ups of the designated areas they show. The tarpaulin -~
material is not shown for clarity reasons and to expose the works of the invention. Figures 1, 2, and -~
~ 3 are side views.
.~; ~ ..
. ~ . . , ; ,:
~` ' Figure 1 shows the position of the invention as it would normally be seen in transit.
Figure 2 shows the position of the invention -when retracted for loading and unloading freight.
-i Figure 3 shows the invention secured conveniently to the front of the unit when not desired for use.
In Figure 1 illustrating "A" as the track to which the arches hang and slide along. "B" a side view of the moveable arches. "C" shows where the tarpaulin (not shown) fastens to front bulkhead "D".
"E" shows an adjustable system for securing the invention in the transit position to "F", the moveable rear bulkhead. When the last arch "G" is unfastened from rear bulkhead "F", the series of arches and tarpauline can be retracted mechanically in an accordian type fashion towards the front of the unit.
This motion is accomplished by fastening a continuous looped wire cable, "I", to the rear arch "G" at its base, on each side of the flat bed unit. At the rear of the unit idler pulleys are used to tighten and accommodate the wire rope. At the front of the unit fixed pulleys are used and each side moves equally ~ .
, , .
~ - 4A -:
'~
.
--~ ~331635 when a shaft spans the fixed pulleys at the front.
Cranking means is used to increase mechanical advantage than can be attached to any of the four pulleys to operate the device. As the last arch "G" ~ -is cranked forward, it forces the other intermediate arches forward as it comes into contact. When cranked to the rear, the last arch "G" pulls the other intermediate arches as the attàched tarpaulin material becomes taut. This is only accomplished by the ease of motion the wheels and hanging track provide. The wheels and track also provide sufficient support of the weight of the arches and tarpaulin.
Strength of the side-walls is accomplished by using a high tensile reinforced tarpaulin material 15 stretched tightly by winches "E", from bulkhead "D". ~-~
In the event of the operator not wishing to utilize the device, it can be stored and secured in the front of the unit as shown in Figure 3. When retracted the unit can be secured by moving the rear bulkhead behind the apparatus, then binding it in the same fashion to the front bulkhead. In the event of a loading or unloading problem arising from area lost when unit is ~ -retracted, the tarpaulin material can be detached from the front bulkhead "D". When the series of intermediate arches and tarpaulin are fixed to the last arch "G", free from the front bulkhead, the ~ ~
system can be cranked to the rear, leaving the front ~ -now open for loading or unloading. It can then be refastened before transit.
~ Each leg bf each arch contains a support with at least two rotatable wheels thereon, said -- ~ wheels being normal to one another and being sized and ~
located relative to said track so that each wheel fits -`~ snugly within said track. ~ -~ 5 ~
.~ - ' .
t~ ~ , &i;~
~!~
This invention relates to maintaining freight covered and secure during transit on a flat bed type transport trailer.
It is common in the freight transportation industry to maintain the carried cargo in its original condition/ even though transporting may cause damage to the goods in handling and transit. Conventional manual tarping systems require a considerable amount of time and effort to achieve adequate covering of the freight. Generally, the unit operator is personally -~
responsible for the delivered condition of the cargo, and is subject to a nominal fatigue level on shorter runs. Repeating the uncovering and covering of the unit several times daily also leaves the cargo open and exposed to potentially damaging elements. We have found that utilizing the invention herewith minimizes the time and effort to overcome the problems involved with the conventional systems. The invention herewith is also capable of contai~ing the load within the~
freight cavity of the unit by utilizing the strength common in currently used tarpaulins.
A mechanically operated retractable freight covering for use on a flatbed transport trailer having two sides has a plurality of arches, a track extending along each side of said trailer and a flexible material attached to and interconnecting said arches.
Each arch has two legs, said legs being shaped relative to said track so that said arches are slidably supported by said track in an upright position with one leg on one side of the trailer and the other leg on the other side of the trailer. Each leg of each arch contains a support with at least two rotatable wheels thereon, said wheels being normal to -- 13316~5 one another and being sized and located relative to said track so that each wheel fits snugly within said track, one wheel extending horizontally within said track and the other wheel extending vertically within said track when the arches are properly installed.
There are means for moving said arches along said tracks, said flexible material being sized to cover said trailer when said arches are properly spaced along said tracks.
For reader convenience, drawings are used to explain the invention's function and operation in conjunction with written explanations. In the ~-drawings: ~
Figure 1 is a side view of a trailer with - ~-15 arches spaced apart from one another; --Figure 2 is a side view of the trailer with the arches located at one end thereof;
Figure 3 is a side view of the trailer with the arches and bulkhead located at one end thereof; ~ -Figure 4(a) is an enlarged front view of a base of one arch;
; Figure 4(b) is an enlarged schematic side ~;
view of the base shown in Figure 4(a) in relation to a track; -- -Figure 4(c) is an enlarged end view of ~ wheels of an arch mounted relative to the track;
`~ Figure 5 is an enlarged front view of a crank.
This invention is illustrated in 5 separate Eigures on three drawings. Figures 4 a,nd 5 are close-ups of the designated areas they show. The tarpaulin -~
material is not shown for clarity reasons and to expose the works of the invention. Figures 1, 2, and -~
~ 3 are side views.
.~; ~ ..
. ~ . . , ; ,:
~` ' Figure 1 shows the position of the invention as it would normally be seen in transit.
Figure 2 shows the position of the invention -when retracted for loading and unloading freight.
-i Figure 3 shows the invention secured conveniently to the front of the unit when not desired for use.
In Figure 1 illustrating "A" as the track to which the arches hang and slide along. "B" a side view of the moveable arches. "C" shows where the tarpaulin (not shown) fastens to front bulkhead "D".
"E" shows an adjustable system for securing the invention in the transit position to "F", the moveable rear bulkhead. When the last arch "G" is unfastened from rear bulkhead "F", the series of arches and tarpauline can be retracted mechanically in an accordian type fashion towards the front of the unit.
This motion is accomplished by fastening a continuous looped wire cable, "I", to the rear arch "G" at its base, on each side of the flat bed unit. At the rear of the unit idler pulleys are used to tighten and accommodate the wire rope. At the front of the unit fixed pulleys are used and each side moves equally ~ .
, , .
~ - 4A -:
'~
.
--~ ~331635 when a shaft spans the fixed pulleys at the front.
Cranking means is used to increase mechanical advantage than can be attached to any of the four pulleys to operate the device. As the last arch "G" ~ -is cranked forward, it forces the other intermediate arches forward as it comes into contact. When cranked to the rear, the last arch "G" pulls the other intermediate arches as the attàched tarpaulin material becomes taut. This is only accomplished by the ease of motion the wheels and hanging track provide. The wheels and track also provide sufficient support of the weight of the arches and tarpaulin.
Strength of the side-walls is accomplished by using a high tensile reinforced tarpaulin material 15 stretched tightly by winches "E", from bulkhead "D". ~-~
In the event of the operator not wishing to utilize the device, it can be stored and secured in the front of the unit as shown in Figure 3. When retracted the unit can be secured by moving the rear bulkhead behind the apparatus, then binding it in the same fashion to the front bulkhead. In the event of a loading or unloading problem arising from area lost when unit is ~ -retracted, the tarpaulin material can be detached from the front bulkhead "D". When the series of intermediate arches and tarpaulin are fixed to the last arch "G", free from the front bulkhead, the ~ ~
system can be cranked to the rear, leaving the front ~ -now open for loading or unloading. It can then be refastened before transit.
~ Each leg bf each arch contains a support with at least two rotatable wheels thereon, said -- ~ wheels being normal to one another and being sized and ~
located relative to said track so that each wheel fits -`~ snugly within said track. ~ -~ 5 ~
.~ - ' .
t~ ~ , &i;~
~!~
Claims (7)
1. A mechanically operated retractable freight covering for use on a flatbed transport trailer having two sides, said covering comprising a plurality of arches, a track extending along each side of said trailer, a flexible material attached to and interconnecting said arches, each arch having two legs, said legs being shaped relative to said track so that said arches are slidably supported by said track in an upright position with one leg on one side of the trailer and the other leg on the other side of the trailer, each leg of each arch containing a support with at least two rotatable wheels thereon, said wheels being normal to one another and being sized and located relative to said track so that each wheel fits snugly within said track, one wheel extending horizontally within said track and the other wheel extending vertically within said track when the arches are installed, means for moving said arches along said tracks, said flexible material being sized to cover said trailer when said arches are spaced along said tracks, said flexible material limiting the maximum distance that the arches can separate from one another but permitting the arches to move immediately adjacent to one another.
2. A freight covering as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the trailer has a bulkhead located at one end thereof, said bulkhead being in a fixed position and having a height and shape similar to that of an arch, the flexible material being attached to said bulkhead.
3. A freight covering as claimed in Claim 2 wherein the trailer has a front and a rear and the means for moving the arches along the trailer is connected to the arch located closest to said rear so that when the arch located closest to the rear is moved to the front of the trailer, the remaining arches are pushed forward as well and the flexible material collapses between and around the arches to expose the sides of the trailer.
4. A freight covering as claimed in Claim 3 wherein the means for moving the arches along said tracks are four pulleys, two pulleys being located on either side of said trailer with two pulleys being located at the front of said trailer and two pulleys being located at the rear of said trailer, the pulleys on each side of said trailer being interconnected by a cable of suitable size, the cable on each side of the trailer being connected to the arch that is closest to the rear of said trailer so that as the cable moves forward or rearward, the arch that is located closest to the rear of the trailer also moves forward or rearward.
5. A freight covering as claimed in Claim 4 wherein one of the pulleys from each side are interconnected and have cranking means thereon so that all of the pulleys rotate simultaneously.
6. A freight covering as claimed in any one of Claims 3, 4 or 5 wherein the bulkhead is located at the front of the trailer and the flexible material is a tarpaulin.
7. A freight covering as claimed in any one of Claims 3, 4 or 5 wherein there are two bulkheads, one at each end of said trailer.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 531675 CA1331635C (en) | 1987-03-11 | 1987-03-11 | Retractable cover and containment apparatus for flatbed type transport trailer |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 531675 CA1331635C (en) | 1987-03-11 | 1987-03-11 | Retractable cover and containment apparatus for flatbed type transport trailer |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1331635C true CA1331635C (en) | 1994-08-23 |
Family
ID=4135140
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 531675 Expired - Fee Related CA1331635C (en) | 1987-03-11 | 1987-03-11 | Retractable cover and containment apparatus for flatbed type transport trailer |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1331635C (en) |
Cited By (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US7344178B2 (en) | 2005-04-29 | 2008-03-18 | Roll-Tite, Inc. | Vehicle covering structure |
| CN110451363A (en) * | 2019-09-16 | 2019-11-15 | 华北理工大学 | A kind of harbour miberal powder heap is spread automatically takes covering device |
| CN110615010A (en) * | 2019-10-30 | 2019-12-27 | 马鞍山钢铁股份有限公司 | Install scalable canopy on flatbed |
| US11505046B2 (en) | 2020-01-17 | 2022-11-22 | 6866336 Canada Inc. | Rolling tarp enclosure |
| USD1015122S1 (en) | 2019-10-29 | 2024-02-20 | 6866336 Canada Inc. | Tubing and corner cover for a tarp enclosure |
-
1987
- 1987-03-11 CA CA 531675 patent/CA1331635C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Cited By (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US7344178B2 (en) | 2005-04-29 | 2008-03-18 | Roll-Tite, Inc. | Vehicle covering structure |
| CN110451363A (en) * | 2019-09-16 | 2019-11-15 | 华北理工大学 | A kind of harbour miberal powder heap is spread automatically takes covering device |
| CN110451363B (en) * | 2019-09-16 | 2024-02-23 | 华北理工大学 | Automatic tarpaulin paving device for port mineral powder piles |
| USD1015122S1 (en) | 2019-10-29 | 2024-02-20 | 6866336 Canada Inc. | Tubing and corner cover for a tarp enclosure |
| CN110615010A (en) * | 2019-10-30 | 2019-12-27 | 马鞍山钢铁股份有限公司 | Install scalable canopy on flatbed |
| US11505046B2 (en) | 2020-01-17 | 2022-11-22 | 6866336 Canada Inc. | Rolling tarp enclosure |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKLA | Lapsed |