AU2006243878B2 - Curtain restraint system - Google Patents

Abstract

CURTAIN RESTRAINT SYSTEM Abstract 5 A curtain restraint system (10) includes a curtain (12) suspended from a curtain rail assembly (14) via a plurality of rocker assemblies (15). The curtain (12) has an outer panel (22) and an inner panel (24). The outer panel (22) has a plurality of outer straps (30) extending between a top end (26) and a bottom end (28) of the outer panel (22). The inner panel (24) has a plurality of inner straps (36) extending between a top end (32) and io a bottom end (34) of the inner panel (24). A curtain locking assembly (40) is adapted to apply tension to the outer and inner straps (30, 36). Each rocker assembly (15) comprises a pivotally mounted rocker body (56) having an outer bar (58) and an inner bar (64). Each outer strap (30) is attached to an outer bar (58) of the respective rocker body (56) and each inner strap (36) is attached to the inner bar (64) of the respective rocker body is (56). In operation, if cargo presses outwardly on the inner panel (24), then the inner strap (36) is tensioned and pulls downwardly on the inner bar (64) of the rocker body (56). This causes a moment about the pivotal mounting of the rocker body (56), resulting in the outer bar (58) pulling upwardly on the outer strap (30) and increasing the tension in the outer panel (22), which impedes bulging of the outer panel (22). 22 ,--24

Description

S&F Ref: 787860 AUSTRALIA PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT Name and Address Transking Corporation Pty Limited, of Applicant: an Australian company, ACN 114 180 693, of 43-47 Newton Road, Wetherill Park, New South Wales, 2164, Australia Actual Inventor(s): Lindsay Alexander King Address for Service: Spruson & Ferguson St Martins Tower Level 35 31 Market Street Sydney NSW 2000 (CCN 3710000177) Invention Title: Curtain restraint system Associated Provisional Application Details: [33] Country: [31] Appl'n No(s): [32] Application Date: AU 2005906749 01 Dec 2005 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: 5845c(586538_1.DOC) 1 CURTAIN RESTRAINT SYSTEM Field of the Invention The present invention relates to curtain-sided trucks and trailers and in particular to a curtain restraint system for restraining the cargo of curtain-sided trucks and trailers. 5 Deficiencies of the Prior Art Unrestrained cargo in curtain-sided trucks or trailers can press against the curtain causing it to bulge outwards. This can be hazardous since bulging of the curtain increases the external dimensions of the truck or trailer and may lead to damage of the curtain 10 and/or cargo. Conventional curtains can only be practically tightened to a certain extent, being limited by the curtain material and tightening equipment. Further, excessive tightening can damage the curtains. Removable or openable gates or frames are commonly installed in curtain-sided trucks and trailers on the inside of the curtain to prevent cargo pressing directly against 15 the curtain and causing it to bulge. However, the gates and frames complicate the loading and unloading of cargo and often have to be removed completely, which is a time consuming and labour intensive process. The gates and frames also add weight. to the truck or trailer, which would otherwise be available for freight. 20 Object of the Invention 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 the Invention 25 Accordingly, in a first aspect, the present invention provides a curtain restraint system for a curtain-sided truck or trailer, the restraint system comprising: a curtain having an outer panel and an inner panel, each panel having a top end and a bottom end, the bottom ends being securable to the truck or trailer; a rocker assembly, comprising a rocker body having an outer end attached to the 30 top end of the outer panel and an inner end attached to the top end of the inner panel, the rocker assembly including a pivotal mounting, between the outer end and the inner end of the rocker body, for pivotally mounting the rocker body to the truck or trailer; and a curtain tensioning mechanism adapted to apply tension to the inner and outer panels.

2 In a second aspect, the present invention provides a rocker assembly adapted to be mounted between a curtain carrier and a curtain of a curtain-sided truck or trailer, said rocker assembly comprising: a mounting member adapted to be mounted to the curtain carrier; 5 a rocker body having an outer end adapted to be secured to an outer panel of the curtain and an inner end adapted to be secured to an inner panel of the curtain; a pivotal mounting between the outer end and the inner end of the rocker body, pivotally mounting the rocker body to the mounting member. In a preferred embodiment, the rocker body comprises: 10 an outer bar, having first and second ends, located at the outer end of the rocker body; an inner bar, having first and second ends, located at the inner end of the rocker body; a first lateral member extending between the first end of the outer bar and the 15 first end of the inner bar; a second lateral member extending between the second end of the outer bar and the second end of the inner bar; a first flange arranged on the first lateral member and having a first aperture; and a second flange arranged on the second lateral member and having a second 20 aperture opposing the first aperture. In a preferred embodiment, the rocker assembly is mounted to a curtain carrier that is mounted for movement along a curtain rail of the truck or trailer and wherein the pivotal mounting is provided between the rocker body and the curtain carrier. Preferably, the pivotal mounting comprises: 25 a mounting member mounted to the curtain carrier; a tubular sleeve secured to the mounting member; and a bolt passing through the first aperture of the rocker body, through the sleeve and through the second aperture of the rocker body to pivotally mount the rocker body to the mounting member. 30 Preferably, the lateral members are substantially arcuate. In a preferred embodiment, the flanges are arranged closer to the inner end of the rocker body than the outer end. Preferably, the bottom end of the outer panel and the bottom end of the inner panel are joined.

3 Preferably, the system comprises a plurality of the rocker assemblies. Further preferably, the curtain comprises an inner strap and outer strap pair associated with each rocker assembly, the outer strap of each pair provided on the outer panel and being attached to the outer end of each rocker assembly, the outer strap 5 extending from the top end of the outer panel to the bottom end of the outer panel, the inner strap of each pair provided on the inner panel and being attached to the inner end of each rocker assembly, the inner strap extending from the top end of the inner panel to the bottom end of the inner panel. Preferably, the curtain tensioning mechanism includes a curtain hook associated 10 with each inner and outer strap pair, and a latch assembly engageable with each curtain hook. Alternatively, the curtain tensioning mechanism comprises a buckle associated with each inner and outer strap pair. In a third aspect, the present invention provides a curtain-sided truck or trailer employing the curtain restraint system of the first aspect or the rocker assembly of the 15 second aspect. Brief Description of the Drawings A preferred form of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: 20 Fig I is a cross sectional view of an embodiment of a curtain restraint system according to the present invention; Fig 2 is a side view of the curtain restraint system of Fig 1; Fig 3 is a side view of an embodiment of a rocker assembly employed in the curtain restraint system of Fig 1; 25 Fig 4 is a top view of the rocker assembly of Fig 3; and Fig 5 is an end view of the rocker assembly of Fig 3. Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments Referring to the drawings, Figs 1 and 2 depict an embodiment of a curtain 30 restraint system 10 according to the present invention. The system 10 includes a curtain 12 suspended from a curtain rail assembly 14 via a plurality of rocker assemblies 15 (only one shown). The curtain rail assembly 14 includes a curtain rail 16 and a plurality of curtain carriers 18, mounted on the curtain rail 16 by way of rollers 20. Each rocker 4 assembly 15 is mounted on a respective one of the curtain carriers 18. The curtain 12 has an outer panel 22 and an inner panel 24. The outer panel 22 has a top end 26, a bottom end 28 and a plurality of outer straps 30. Each outer strap 30 extends between the outer panel top end 26 and the outer 5 panel bottom end 28. The inner panel 24 has a top end 32, a bottom end 34 and a plurality of inner straps 36. Each inner strap 36 forms a pair with a respective outer strap 30 and extends between the inner panel top end 32 and the inner panel bottom end 34. The bottom end 28 of the outer panel 22 and the bottom end 34 of the inner panel 24 are welded together 1o and attached to a curtain locking assembly 40 via the pairs of outer and inner straps 30, 36. The curtain locking assembly 40 comprises a plurality of hooks 42 and a latch assembly 44. Each hook is associated with a respective pair of the outer and inner straps 30, 36. The latch assembly 44 is adapted to engage the hooks 42, applying tension to the is outer and inner straps 30, 36. Figs 3 to 5, depict one of the rocker assemblies 15 in detail. Each rocker assembly 15 includes a mounting member 52 mountable to the respective curtain carrier 18, a tubular sleeve 54 mounted to the mounting member 52 and a rocker body 56 pivotally mounted to the mounting member 52 via the sleeve 54. The rocker body 56 has 20 an outer end comprising an outer bar 58, having a first end 60 and a second end 62, and an inner end comprising a parallel inner bar 64, having a first end 66 and a second end 68. The first end 60 of the outer bar 58 and the first end 66 of the inner bar 64 are joined by a substantially arcuate first lateral member 70. The second end 62 of the outer bar 58 and the second end 68 of the inner bar 64 are joined by a substantially arcuate second lateral 25 member 72. A first flange 74 is arranged on the first lateral member 70 and provides a first aperture 76. A second flange 78 is arranged on the second lateral member 72 and provides a second aperture 80, opposing the first aperture 76. The rocker body 56 is mounted to the mounting member 52 by aligning the first and second apertures 76, 80 at either end of the tubular sleeve 54, inserting a bolt 82 through the first aperture 76, 30 through the tubular sleeve 54 and through the second aperture 80 and securing a nut 84 on the bolt 82. Returning to Fig. 1, each outer strap 30 is attached to the outer bar 58 of the respective rocker assembly 15 and each inner strap 36 is attached to the inner bar 64 of 5 the respective rocker assembly 15. The mounting member 52 of each rocker assembly 15 is mounted to the respective curtain carrier 18. In operation, if cargo presses outwardly on the inner panel 24, then the inner strap 36 is tensioned and pulls downwardly on the inner bar 64 of the rocker body 56. 5 This causes a moment about the pivotal mounting of the rocker body 56, resulting in the outer bar 58 pulling upwardly on the outer strap 30. This action increases the tension in the outer panel 22, which impedes bulging of the outer panel 22. Accordingly, a much greater outward force is required to cause bulging of the outer panel 22 than in a truck or trailer with a single-panel curtain. The outward force io must not only act against the tension in the inner panel 24, causing it to bulge outwardly and the rocker body 56 to pivot, but also act against the increased tension in the outer panel 22, caused by the pivoting of the rocker body 56. Effectively, the greater the outward force applied to the inner panel 24, the greater the tension in the outer panel 22. This substantially prevents bulging of the outer panel 22 and obviates the need for gates is or frames in curtain-sided trucks or trailers.

Claims (17)

1. A curtain restraint system for a curtain-sided truck or trailer, the restraint system comprising: a curtain having an outer panel and an inner panel, each panel having a top end 5 and a bottom end, the bottom ends being securable to the truck or trailer; a rocker assembly comprising a rocker body having an outer end attached to the top end of the outer panel and an inner end attached to the top end of the inner panel, the rocker assembly including a pivotal mounting, between the outer end and the inner end of the rocker body, for pivotally mounting the rocker body to the truck or trailer; and 10 a curtain tensioning mechanism adapted to apply tension to the inner and outer panels.

2. The curtain restraint system of claim 1, wherein the rocker body comprises: 15 an outer bar, having first and second ends, located at the outer end of the rocker body; an inner bar, having first and second ends, located at the inner end of the rocker body; a first lateral member extending between the first end of the outer bar and the 20 first end of the inner bar; a second lateral member extending between the second end of the outer bar and the second end of the inner bar; a first flange arranged on the first lateral member and having a first aperture; and a second flange arranged on the second lateral member and having a second 25 aperture opposing the first aperture.

3. The curtain restraint system of claim 2, wherein the rocker assembly is mounted to a curtain carrier that is mounted for movement along a curtain rail of the truck or trailer and wherein the pivotal mounting is provided between the rocker body and the 30 curtain carrier.

4. The curtain restraint system of claim 3, wherein the pivotal mounting comprises: a mounting member mounted to the curtain carrier; 7 a tubular sleeve secured to the mounting member; and a bolt passing through the first aperture of the rocker body, through the sleeve and through the second aperture of the rocker body to pivotally mount the rocker body to the mounting member. 5

5. The curtain restraint system of any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the lateral members are substantially arcuate.

6. The curtain restraint system of any one of the claims 2 to 5, wherein the 10 flanges are arranged closer to the inner end of the rocker body than the outer end.

7. The curtain restraint system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bottom end of the outer panel and the bottom end of the inner panel are joined. 15

8. The curtain restraint system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the system comprises a plurality of the rocker assemblies.

9. The curtain restraint system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the curtain comprises an inner strap and outer strap pair associated with each rocker 20 assembly, the outer strap provided on the outer panel and being attached to the outer end of the rocker assembly, the outer strap extending from the top end of the outer panel to the bottom end of the outer panel, the inner strap provided on the inner panel and being attached to the inner end of the rocker assembly, the inner strap extending from the top end of the inner panel to the bottom end of the inner panel. 25

10. The curtain restraint system of claim 9, wherein the curtain tensioning mechanism includes a curtain hook associated with each inner and outer strap pair, and a latch assembly engageable with each curtain hook. 30

11. The curtain restraint system of claim 9, wherein the curtain tensioning mechanism comprises a buckle associated with each inner and outer strap pair.

12. A rocker assembly adapted to be mounted between a curtain carrier and a curtain of a curtain-sided truck or trailer, said rocker assembly comprising: 8 a mounting member adapted to be mounted to the curtain carrier; a rocker body having an outer end adapted to be secured to an outer panel of the curtain and an inner end adapted to be secured to an inner panel of the curtain; a pivotal mounting between the outer end and the inner end of the rocker body, 5 pivotally mounting the rocker body to the mounting member.

13. The rocker assembly of claim 12, wherein the rocker body comprises: an outer bar, having first and second ends, located at the outer end of the rocker body; io an inner bar, having first and second ends, located at the inner end of the rocker body; a first lateral member extending between the first end of the outer bar and the first end of the inner bar; a second lateral member extending between the second end of the outer bar and is the second end of the inner bar; a first flange arranged on the first lateral member and having a first aperture; and a second flange arranged on the second lateral member and having a second aperture opposing the first aperture. 20

14. The curtain restraint system of claim 13, wherein the pivotal mounting comprises: a tubular sleeve secured to the mounting member; and a bolt passing through the first aperture of the rocker body, through the sleeve and through the second aperture of the rocker body to pivotally mount the rocker body to 25 the mounting member.

15. The curtain restraint system of claim 13 or 14, wherein the lateral members are substantially arcuate. 30

16. The curtain restraint system of any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the flanges are arranged closer to the inner end of the rocker body than the outer end. 9

17. A curtain-sided truck or trailer employing the curtain restraint system of any one of claims I to 11 or the rocker assembly of any one of claims 12 to 16. Dated 28 November 2006 5 Transking Corporation Pty Limited Patent Attorneys for the Applicant/Nominated Person SPRUSON & FERGUSON