NZ272737A - Truck/trailer canopy; comprises a foldable canopy and floor section that can be extended in association with curtain sides to increase the length of the deck - Google Patents

Description

272 737 Patents Form No. 5 OurRef: RL800828 NEW ZEALAND PATENTS ACT 1 953 Complete After Provisional No. 272737 Filed: 8 August 1995 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOLD-UP TRAILER We, TRAILER MANUFACTURERS LIMITED, a New Zealand company of Shands Road, Hornby, Christchurch, New Zealand hereby declare the invention, for which We pray that a patent may be granted to us and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: PT0594841 I ? 0 m 1996 | 27 2 7 37 FOLD-UP TRAILER OR TRUCK DECK The invention relates to a canopy for a truck, rolling stock and trailer deck which allows for efficient utilisation of the deck while minimising vehicle running costs.

At present one of the major inefficiencies encountered by vehicle transport operators is that on return journeys a vehicle may not be fully loaded. The purchase cost of a trailer unit and truck is such that to maximise return its operator should always carry a full load. For example, New Zealand regulations and transport costs are calculated on the overall Jength of the truck and/or trailer unit. It is therefore inefficient to carry only a part load during a journey. This is particularly the case during the transportation of trucks and trailers by sea when load cost is calculated by vehicle length rather than by weight.

An object of the invention is to provide a curtain side or a canopy truck or trailer unit which alleviates the above-identified disadvantages and offers a useful alternative choice.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a canopy unit for a truck, rolling stock or trailer which includes a deck on a wheeled chassis, the deck having curtain or panel sides, a canopy roof, a chassis which is adjustable in length and a foldable canopy and floor section, the arrangement being such that with the chassis in one position the folded canopy and floor section is in juxtaposition with a 2 <?>- •*>> x. rear or front wall of the deck so that the overall length of the truck or trailer is a standard length, and with the chassis in a second or extended position, the canopy and floor section are extended to be parallel to the deck the overall length of which is extended and optionally the curtain or panel sides are extended to be adjacent the front wall or rear of the deck.

The chassis of the truck or trailer unit can be formed in two sections constructed from parallel l-section beams relative to which the floor section is mounted.

The two sections of the chassis can slidingly move relative to each other.

One of the two sections has mounted relative thereto a wheeled bogie unit.

A gear box is provided to move the section incorporating the wheeled bogie relative to the other chassis section.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a curtain sided or panel truck or trailer unit incorporating a canopy unit as hereinbefore described.

The foldable canopy and floor section can be mounted at the rear of the deck. A storage space can be provided at the other end of the deck for curtain sides. 3 272 737 The curtain sides can be hung on tracks mounted in association with the canopy and are shaped to slide into the storage space if necessary. Alternatively the sides can be panel sections mounted to slide in overlapping tracks along each side of the deck, canopy and/or floor section.

The canopy unit can be incorporated in a truck or trailer at its time of manufacture or fitted as a kit to an existing truck, trailer or vehicle.

Further aspects of the present invention which should be considered in all its novel aspects will become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only.

Examples of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a side view of a trailer unit, in its extended position, incorporating the present invention; Figure 2 shows a side view of the trailer unit, in its retracted position, shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a plan view of the forward end of the trailer deck shown in Figure 2; t, - ^ Figure 4 shows a section on th^s lines A-AyShown in Figure 5 through a second examplVof trailer unit incorporating the present invention; Figure 5 shows a side view of part of trailer unit showing its deck and the method of moving a wheeled bogie and floor section relative to the remaining chassis of the trailer unit; 4 272 7 Figure 6 shows a side view of the rear of the trailer unit shown in Figures 4 and 5; and Figure 7 shows a detail showing the position of an air suspension hanger for initiating raising and folding of the floor.

The example of the invention shown in Figures 1 to 3 will be with reference to a step decked trailer unit with a wheeled bogie unit. This type of trailer unit is designed for towing behind a standard truck tractor unit. It is, however, envisaged that the present invention can be fitted to a standard trailer unit having one or more sets of wheels and/or directly to a truck chassis if this is preferred.

In Figures 1 to 3 is shown a curtain sided trailer unit 1 with a generally standard chassis 2 at the rear 3 of which is mounted a wheeled bogie 4. In this instance, the position of the wheeled bogie 4 relative to the main chassis 2 is adjustable. The manner in which the relative position of the wheeled bogie 4 to the chassis 2 can be adjusted is well known in the industry.

The chassis 2 supports a trailer deck 5 over which a canopy 6 extends. At the rear 7 of the canopy 6 is a rear wall 8. At a forward end 9 of the canopy 6 is a wall 10 associated with which is a storage compartment 11 as herein described.

As is shown in Figure 1, the rear 3 of the trailer unit 1 has a folded canopy 12 and floor section 13 extended so that the floor sections 13 and canopy sections 12 are generally parallel to the chassis 2 and to the other sections of the canopy and floor. The ° 07 0 "v £- / £ / foldable floor 13 and canopy sections 12 are mounted relative to a sub-assembly 14, the position of which, relative to the chassis, can be extended by a suitable mechanical, hand operated, hydraulic or pneumatically operated mechanism. In this position the rear wall 8 of the trailer unit 1 is moved rearward relative to front wall 15 to thereby adjust the overall length of the trailer unit.

In Figure 2, the positions of the foldable canopy 12 and floor 13 section are shown in their folded position. In this position they are in juxtaposition with the rear wall 8 of the trailer unit. The sub-assembly 14 has been retracted and the overall length of the trailer unit has been reduced. In this position, prior to adjusting the canopy 12 and floor 13, the relative position of the wheeled bogie 4 may need alteration.

In Figure 3 is shown a forward end 9 of the trailer unit 1, showing a storage compartment 11 for curtain side sections 16. In practise, the curtain side sections 16 are retracted to allow access to the trailer deck. In this instance, additional sections 16 of curtain side are stored within the storage compartment 11 for use when the trailer deck is extended.

In the example shown in Figures 4 to 7 there is shown a trailer unit of generally the same construction as that shown in Figures 1 to 3. In this example similar parts to those used in the first example are referenced by the same numerals where appropriate.

Figures 4 and 5 show the standard chassis (arrow 2) consisting of a pair of I-beams 17 mounted relative to a bogie unit or the like incorporating a set of wheels 25. 6 272 737 The I-beams 17 are mounted relative to I-beams 18 of the truck and trailer chassis and are free to slidingly move relative thereto by providing a plastics bearing surface 20 such as Teflon™ between the adjacent beams.

The chassis 2 incorporates transverse frame members 19 and 22 designed to maintain in position the floor and other parts of the chassis.

In the example shown in Figure 4 the sides 22 of the deck 28 incorporate rails or channels 23 which allow curtain sides to be slid relative to the deck. In an alternative construction (not shown) it is envisaged that the curtain sides be hung from rails along the side edges of the canopy rather than sliding in the channels 23. In this example there is no need for the curtain sides to retract within a storage compartment 16 as shown in Figure 3.

As is ehown in Figure 5 the I-beams 17 are movable relative to the main chassis members 18 by utilising a drive gear 26 which may be manually or hydraulically/meohanically operated. The chassis members incorporate a locking mechanism 27 which is activated to lock the chassis beams 17 and 18 in whichever position is required.

In Figures 6 and 7 is shown the way in which the overall length of the deck is adjusted.

Initially the bogie unit is moved relative to the chassis and is locked into potion. The curtain sides are moved forward of a hinge 30 (Figures 6 and 7). It is envisaged that retraction of the I-beam 7 27 2 7 37 members may be done at the same time as moving the bogie unit. An air suspension hanger or a suitable raising mechanism 24 is activated and this causes the floor members 28 to buckle about the hinge 29. This same movement hinges the roof members 31 relative to the hinge 32.

Further movement causes the rear wall 8 to moved to be in juxtaposition with the hinged/folded canopy 31 and floor 28 members as shown in Figure 6.

Thus, by this invention there is provided a canopy for a truck or trailer unit which allows an operator to reduce the overall length of the deck to optimise capacity and therefore reduce costs.

Where in the description specific integers are referred to, it is envisaged that known substitutes and variations of these are contemplated as if set forth in detail herein.

Particular examples of the invention have been described and it is envisaged that improvements and modifications can take place without departing from the scope of the attached claims.

Claims (13)

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A canopy unit for a truck, rolling stock or trailer which includes a deck on a wheeled chassis, the deck having curtain or panel sides, a canopy roof, a chassis which is adjustable in length and a foldable canopy and floor section, the arrangement being such that with the chassis in one position the folded canopy and floor section is in juxtaposition with a rear or front wall of the deck so that the overall length of the truck or trailer is a standard length, and with the chassis in a second or extended position, the canopy and floor section are extended to be parallel to the deck the overall length of which is extended and optionally the curtain or panel sides are extended to be adjacent the front wall or rear of the deck.

2. A canopy unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein the chassis of the truck or trailer unit is formed in two sections constructed from parallel l-section beams relative to which the floor section is mounted.

3. A canopy unit as claimed in claim 2 wherein the two sections of the chassis slidingly move relative to each other.

4. A canopy unit as claimed in either claim 2 or claim 3 wherein one of the two sections has mounted relative thereto a wheeled bogie unit. 9 27 2 7 37

5. A canopy unit as claimed in claim 4 wherein a gear box is provided to move the section incorporating the wheeled bogie relative to the other chassis section.

6. A canopy unit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the foldable canopy and floor sections are mounted at the rear of the deck.

7. A canopy unit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein a storage space is provided at one end of the deck for curtain sides.

8. A canopy as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the curtain sides are hung on tracks mounted in association with the canopy.

9. A canopy unit as claimed in claim 8 wherein the curtain sides are shaped to slide into the storage space.

10. A canopy unit as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein the side sections are mounted to slide in overlapping tracks along each side of the deck, canopy and/or floor section.

11. A canopy unit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the canopy unit is incorporated in a truck or trailer at its time of manufacture or fitted as a kit to an existing truck, trailer or vehicle. 10 2 7 37

12. A canopy unit substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

13. A curtain sided truck or trailer unit incorporating a canopy unit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims. trailer manufacturers limited lei r attorneys Baldwin: son & carey CSPEC65785 j^JgNTOFFICEj 30 AUG 199B received