AU2020327864A1 - A gear assembly for a roll top cover for a vehicle - Google Patents

A gear assembly for a roll top cover for a vehicle Download PDF

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Publication number
AU2020327864A1
AU2020327864A1 AU2020327864A AU2020327864A AU2020327864A1 AU 2020327864 A1 AU2020327864 A1 AU 2020327864A1 AU 2020327864 A AU2020327864 A AU 2020327864A AU 2020327864 A AU2020327864 A AU 2020327864A AU 2020327864 A1 AU2020327864 A1 AU 2020327864A1
Authority
AU
Australia
Prior art keywords
clutch member
gear assembly
gear
top cover
roll top
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.)
Pending
Application number
AU2020327864A
Inventor
Shane FOWLER
Danie RODRIGUEZ
Wolfgang Schollhammer
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Oakmoore Pty Ltd
Original Assignee
Oakmoore Pty Ltd
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from AU2019902898A external-priority patent/AU2019902898A0/en
Application filed by Oakmoore Pty Ltd filed Critical Oakmoore Pty Ltd
Publication of AU2020327864A1 publication Critical patent/AU2020327864A1/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

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
    • B60J7/08—Non-fixed roofs; Roofs with movable panels, e.g. rotary sunroofs of non-sliding type, i.e. movable or removable roofs or panels, e.g. let-down tops or roofs capable of being easily detached or of assuming a collapsed or inoperative position
    • B60J7/12—Non-fixed roofs; Roofs with movable panels, e.g. rotary sunroofs of non-sliding type, i.e. movable or removable roofs or panels, e.g. let-down tops or roofs capable of being easily detached or of assuming a collapsed or inoperative position foldable; Tensioning mechanisms therefor, e.g. struts
    • B60J7/14—Non-fixed roofs; Roofs with movable panels, e.g. rotary sunroofs of non-sliding type, i.e. movable or removable roofs or panels, e.g. let-down tops or roofs capable of being easily detached or of assuming a collapsed or inoperative position foldable; Tensioning mechanisms therefor, e.g. struts with a plurality of rigid plate-like elements or rigid non plate-like elements, e.g. with non-slidable, but pivotable or foldable movement
    • B60J7/141—Non-fixed roofs; Roofs with movable panels, e.g. rotary sunroofs of non-sliding type, i.e. movable or removable roofs or panels, e.g. let-down tops or roofs capable of being easily detached or of assuming a collapsed or inoperative position foldable; Tensioning mechanisms therefor, e.g. struts with a plurality of rigid plate-like elements or rigid non plate-like elements, e.g. with non-slidable, but pivotable or foldable movement for covering load areas, e.g. for pick-up trucks
    • 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
    • B60J5/00—Doors
    • B60J5/10—Doors arranged at the vehicle rear
    • B60J5/12—Doors arranged at the vehicle rear slidable; foldable
    • 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
    • B60J7/04—Non-fixed roofs; Roofs with movable panels, e.g. rotary sunroofs of sliding type, e.g. comprising guide shoes with rigid plate-like element or elements, e.g. open roofs with harmonica-type folding rigid panels
    • B60J7/057—Driving or actuating arrangements e.g. manually operated levers or knobs
    • B60J7/0573—Driving or actuating arrangements e.g. manually operated levers or knobs power driven arrangements, e.g. electrical
    • 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
    • B60J7/067—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 winding up
    • B60J7/068—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 winding up for utility vehicles, e.g. of tarpaulin or roller-blind type
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E06—DOORS, WINDOWS, SHUTTERS, OR ROLLER BLINDS IN GENERAL; LADDERS
    • E06B—FIXED OR MOVABLE CLOSURES FOR OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS, VEHICLES, FENCES OR LIKE ENCLOSURES IN GENERAL, e.g. DOORS, WINDOWS, BLINDS, GATES
    • E06B9/00—Screening or protective devices for wall or similar openings, with or without operating or securing mechanisms; Closures of similar construction
    • E06B9/56—Operating, guiding or securing devices or arrangements for roll-type closures; Spring drums; Tape drums; Counterweighting arrangements therefor
    • E06B9/68—Operating devices or mechanisms, e.g. with electric drive
    • E06B9/74—Operating devices or mechanisms, e.g. with electric drive adapted for selective electrical or manual operation
    • 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
    • B60J7/185—Locking arrangements
    • B60J7/19—Locking arrangements for rigid panels
    • B60J7/198—Locking arrangements for rigid panels for locking tonneau covers such as covers for roof storage compartments or for pick-up truck beds

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Gear Transmission (AREA)

Abstract

A gear assembly for a roll top cover includes: a plurality of interconnected gears configured to move the roll top cover between an open position and a closed position, wherein the plurality of interconnected gears includes a driving gear; a clutch member operatively associated with a motor and configured to engage/disengage the driving gear; and an actuator for activating the clutch member. Disengagement of the clutch member allows free movement of the driving gear to manually open/close the roll top cover.

Description

A GEAR ASSEMBLY FOR A ROLL TOP COVER FOR A VEHICLE
Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a gear assembly. In particular, although not exclusively, the invention relates to a gear assembly for inclusion in a roll top cover for operably covering and securing a cargo bed or tray of a utility vehicle or pickup truck.
Background
[0002] Numerous types of truck bed covers are commonly used over the utility or cargo bed portion of a ute or pickup truck to secure and protect the bed including cargo items disposed therein. In particular, roll top covers generally include a motorized or mechanical drive system for operably covering and uncovering the top of an open cargo bed, truck box or the like by way of an extendable and retractable slat assembly.
[0003] Prior art motorized drive systems can suffer from a number of drawbacks. By way of example, some gearbox assemblies may not be fully weather resistant and/or impervious to moisture. Additionally, the actuation is not ergonomic or intuitive and the design results in a larger gearbox assembly which consumes additional cargo space and can be noisy.
[0004] It is an object of the present invention to overcome and/or alleviate one or more of the disadvantages of the prior art or at least provide a useful alternative.
Summary of Invention
[0005] The present invention provides a gear assembly for a roll top cover, the gear assembly including: a plurality of interconnected gears configured to move the roll top cover between an open position and a closed position, wherein the plurality of interconnected gears includes a driving gear; a motor; a clutch member operatively associated with the motor and configured to engage/disengage the driving gear; and
Substitute Sheet (Rule 26) RO/AU an actuator for activating the clutch member, wherein disengagement of the clutch member from the driving gear allows free movement of the driving gear to manually open/close the roll top cover.
[0006] Preferably, the actuator is a push/pull lever.
[0007] Still preferably, the actuator is illuminated.
[0008] In a preferred embodiment the push/pull lever includes a recess for receiving a portion of the clutch member in the engaged position.
[0009] Preferably, the clutch member is biased toward the engaged position.
[00010] Still preferably, the clutch member is biased using a helical spring.
[00011] In a preferred embodiment the clutch member includes a bevel gear at one end configured to engage the driving gear.
[00012] Preferably, the clutch member includes a recessed portion configured to engage an output drive shaft of the motor.
[00013] Preferably, the output shaft of the motor is configured to lock when the motor is unpowered so that in use the roll cover can be fixedly paused at any position.
[00014] Preferably, the plurality of interconnected gears generates about a 1.00:1.12 gear ratio.
[00015] In a preferred embodiment there is provided a roll top cover for a vehicle, the roll top cover having a gear assembly as described above.
Brief Description of Drawings
[00016] To assist in understanding the invention and to enable a person skilled in the art to put the invention into practical effect, a preferred embodiment of the invention will
Substitute Sheet (Rule 26) RO/AU be described byway of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[00017] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a gear assembly of the present invention included within a roll top cover suitably installed on a vehicle, and shown in an open (i.e. , rolled up) configuration;
[00018] Figure 2 is a perspective environmental view of the gear assembly of Figure 1 ;
[00019] Figure 3 shows a sectioned partial view of the gear assembly of Figure 1 showing a clutch member in the engaged position;
[00020] Figure 4 shows a sectioned partial view of the gear assembly of Figure 1 showing a clutch member in the disengaged position;
[00021] Figure 5 shows a plurality of interconnected gears and a clutch member forming the gear assembly of Figure 1 ; and
[00022] Figure 6 shows an exploded perspective view of the clutch member and driving gear of Figure 5;
[00023] Figure 7 shows a section view of the gear assembly of Figure 1 when the clutch member is disengaged from the driving gear; and
[00024] Figure 8 shows a section view of the gear assembly of Figure 1 when the clutch member is engaged with the driving gear.
Description of Embodiments
[00025] The present invention relates to a gear assembly for a roll top cover for a vehicle. Elements of the invention are illustrated in concise outline form in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are necessary to understanding the embodiments of the present invention, but so as not to clutter the disclosure with excessive detail that will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art in light of the present description.
Substitute Sheet (Rule 26) RO/AU [00026] In this patent specification, adjectives such as first and second, left and right, top and bottom, up and down, upper and lower, rear, front and side, etc., are used solely to define one element or method step from another element or method step without necessarily requiring a specific relative position or sequence that is described by the adjectives. Words such as “comprises” or “includes” are not used to define an exclusive set of elements or method steps. Rather, such words merely define a minimum set of elements or method steps included in a particular embodiment of the present invention.
[00027] Figures 1 to 8 show an embodiment of a gear assembly 10 for a roll top cover (not shown) for a cargo bed of a vehicle in accordance with the present invention. The gear assembly 10 includes a plurality of interconnected spur gears 12 including one driving gear 14, a self-locking motor 16 having an output shaft 20, and a clutch member 18 operatively associated with the motor 16 and configured to engage/disengage the driving gear 14. The clutch member 18 is biased toward the engaged position by a helical spring 22. The clutch member 18 is actuated with a push/pull lever 24 located in the cargo bed of the vehicle. The gear assembly 10 is housed within a gear box 26 and secured within the cargo bed using three fixing points 28. The gearbox 26 is manufactured using lightweight and corrosion resistant aluminium die castings. The motor 16 is fixed to the gearbox 26 using fasteners such as m3 screws.
[00028] The primary function of the gear assembly 10 is to transfer torque from the motor output shaft 20 to the roll cover shaft via the clutch member 18. A secondary function of the gear assembly 10 is to lock the roll cover when the motor 16 is unpowered and to disengage the self-locking motor 16 from the slat assembly (not shown) so that the roll cover can be manually opened in the event of power failure, system failure, or for emergency escape.
[00029] As seen in Figures 1 and 2, the gear assembly 10 is compact and can be mounted in an easy to reach area of the vehicle bed. The gear assembly 10 is housed in a suitable material such as a lightweight corrosion resistant aluminium die casting to protect against environmental elements such as rain, salt, dust and the like.
Substitute Sheet (Rule 26) RO/AU [00030] Referring to Figure 5, the gear assembly 10 includes three interconnected spur gears 12 coupled to the driving gear 14, which generate a 1.00 : 1.12 gear ratio between the output shaft 20 of the motor 16 and a centre shaft 30 of the roll top cover, about which in an open configuration the covering slats of the roll top cover are wound. It will be understood that different gear ratios are achievable depending on the input/output required.
[00031] The gear assembly 10 includes a clutch member 18 which is operatively associated with the motor 16 and configured to engage / disengage one of the four gears, the driving gear 14. Disengagement of the clutch member 18 from the driving gear 14 allows free movement of the driving gear 14 (without receiving rotational force from the motor 16).
[00032] As best seen in figure 6, the clutch member 18 has a generally cylindrical body 32, a collar 34, a bevel gear 36, and a cone-shaped end 38. The cylindrical body 32 is hollow and has a keyed end 40 so as to receive splines of the output shaft 20 of the motor 16. The bevel gear 36 is configured to engage internal gears 42 of the driving gear 14, and the keyed end 40 is configured for engagement with the output shaft 20 of the motor 16. During engagement, the clutch member 18 advances toward the driving gear 14, and the bevel gear 36 engages the internal gears 42 of the driving gear 14. During disengagement the cone-shaped end 38 does not engage the driving gear 14, thus allowing the driving gear 14 to rotate independently of the clutch member 18 and thus independently of the motor 16.
[00033] Referring to Figures 7 and 8, the actuator is a push/pull lever 24 having two off set parallel arms 44, 46 connected by a transverse member 48. One arm 44 extends partially over the gear assembly 10 and transverse to the clutch member 18. The arm 44 includes a recessed portion 50 configured to receive, in an engaged position, the cone-shaped end 38 of the clutch member 18, allowing the bevel gear 36 to engage the driving gear 14 (see Figure 8). In the disengaged position, the lever 24 is extended across the clutch member 18 such that the arm 44 forces the clutch member 18 out of engagement with the driving gear 14 (see Figure 7). By pulling the lever 24 transversely such that the recessed portion 50 of the arm aligns with the clutch member 18, the helical spring 22 urges the clutch member 18 into the recessed portion 50, thus
Substitute Sheet (Rule 26) RO/AU allowing the bevel gear 36 to engage with the driving gear 14 (see Figure 8). The recessed portion 50 also allows the clutch member 18 to be re-engaged automatically when the output shaft 20 is turned by the motor 16.
[00034] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the clutch member 18 defines a recessed portion that receives and engages the output shaft 20. This enables both a reduced-size coupling mechanism and a lower force to disengage the clutch member 18, as disengagement simply requires the clutch member 18 to slide along the output shaft 20. That in turn enables and a reduced-size gear assembly 10 that can be readily removed from the vehicle and serviced, when necessary.
[00035] Figures 3 and 4 show, respectively, engagement and disengagement of the clutch member 18 with the driving gear 14. In Figure 3 the helical spring 22 urges the clutch member 18 toward the lever 24. The lever 24 is actuated such that the recessed portion 50 receives the cone-shaped end 38 of the clutch member 18, and the bevel gear 36 engages the driving gear 14. In Figure 4, the lever 24 forces the clutch member 18 out of engagement with the driving gear 14.
[00036] Advantageously, a gearhead (not shown) of the motor 16 has a 40:1 worm drive gear ratio. Such a high gear ratio worm drive provides a self-locking mechanism, so that when the motor 16 is unpowered, the output shaft 20 is locked and cannot be driven from external rotational forces applied to the centre shaft 30 of the roll cover. This means that the roll top cover can be paused at any position and will remain stationary, even for example when the vehicle is parked on an incline or a decline.
[00037] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various embodiments of the present invention can be made of various materials, or a combination of various materials, including steel, steel alloys, other metal alloys or even high strength plastics or composites.
[00038] The above description of various embodiments of the present invention is provided for purposes of description to one of ordinary skill in the related art. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to a single disclosed embodiment. Numerous alternatives and variations to the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art of the above teaching. Accordingly, while some alternative
Substitute Sheet (Rule 26) RO/AU embodiments have been discussed specifically, other embodiments will be apparent or relatively easily developed by those of ordinary skill in the art. Accordingly, this patent specification is intended to embrace all alternatives, modifications and variations of the present invention that have been discussed herein, and other embodiments that fall within the spirit and scope of the above described invention.
Substitute Sheet (Rule 26) RO/AU

Claims (11)

1. A gear assembly for a roll top cover, the gear assembly including: a plurality of interconnected gears configured to move the roll top cover between an open position and a closed position, wherein the plurality of interconnected gears includes a driving gear; a clutch member operatively associated with a motor and configured to engage/disengage the driving gear; and an actuator for activating the clutch member, wherein disengagement of the clutch member allows free movement of the driving gear to manually open/close the roll top cover.
2. The gear assembly of claim 1 , wherein the actuator is a push/pull lever.
3. The gear assembly of claim 1 or 2, wherein the actuator is illuminated.
4. The gear assembly of claim 2 or 3, wherein the push/pull lever includes a recess for receiving a portion of the clutch member in the engaged position.
5. The gear assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the clutch member is biased toward the engaged position.
6. The gear assembly of claim 4, wherein the clutch member is biased using a helical spring.
7. The gear assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the clutch member includes a bevel gear at one end configured to engage the driving gear.
8. The gear assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the clutch member includes a recessed portion configured to engage an output drive shaft of the motor.
Substitute Sheet (Rule 26) RO/AU
9. The gear assembly of claim 7, wherein the output shaft of the motor is configured to lock when the motor is unpowered so that in use the roll cover can be fixedly paused at any position.
10. The gear assembly of any one of the preceding claims wherein the plurality of interconnected gears generates about a 1.00:1.12 gear ratio.
11.A roll top cover for a vehicle, the roll top cover having a gear assembly according to any one of the preceding claims.
Substitute Sheet (Rule 26) RO/AU
AU2020327864A 2019-08-12 2020-08-12 A gear assembly for a roll top cover for a vehicle Pending AU2020327864A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2019902898 2019-08-12
AU2019902898A AU2019902898A0 (en) 2019-08-12 A gear assembly for a roll top cover for a vehicle
PCT/AU2020/050835 WO2021026603A1 (en) 2019-08-12 2020-08-12 A gear assembly for a roll top cover for a vehicle

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
AU2020327864A1 true AU2020327864A1 (en) 2022-03-03

Family

ID=74570345

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
AU2020327864A Pending AU2020327864A1 (en) 2019-08-12 2020-08-12 A gear assembly for a roll top cover for a vehicle

Country Status (2)

Country Link
AU (1) AU2020327864A1 (en)
WO (1) WO2021026603A1 (en)

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5040843A (en) * 1990-02-01 1991-08-20 E. L. "Jack" Shockey Roll-up pickup bed cover with integral tailgate cover and lock
US20170341494A1 (en) * 2016-05-25 2017-11-30 Bos Automotive Products, Inc. Automated soft tonneau cover
WO2018156921A1 (en) * 2017-02-24 2018-08-30 Bos Automotive Products, Inc. Automated rigid tonneau cover

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2021026603A1 (en) 2021-02-18

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