CA3223068C - System for allowing access to a covered cargo platform - Google Patents

Abstract

A side access system (38) for an elongated cargo platform (10) from which a frame (28) extends, the side access system (38) including a main covering system (40) including a retractable tarpaulin (44) for covering an upper portion of sides (16 and 18) of the cargo platform (10) and an auxiliary covering system (42) for covering a lower portion of the sides (16 and 18) of the cargo platform (10).

Description

I
TITLE OF THE INVENTION
System for allowing access to a covered cargo platform.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to the field of transportation, and, more particularly, to a system for allowing access to a covered cargo platform.
BACKGROUND

[0002] Many cargo platforms, such as the decks of some semi-trailers, beds of some trucks and some platform train wagons are multi-tiered and include two or more generally flat and horizontal sections that are provided at different levels relative to a surface on which the cargo is to be carried. Such multi-tiered structures are often provided to maximize the cargo carrying capacity of the cargo platform while allowing, for example, the use of large enough wheels to support the cargo platform. Often, a higher tier is provided above the wheels, while a lower tiers is provided in sections provided in front of or at the back of the wheels, or between rear and front wheels. Also, for semi-trailers, a front section of such multi-tiered semi-trailers may be elevated to allow coupling to the relative high fifth wheel of a tractor.

[0003] It is often desirable to access such multi-tiered cargo platform from the side, even when there is a need to enclose the cargo during transportation.
This causes a problem as inexpensive systems usable to enclose the cargo, such as deployable tarpaulins, are misadapted to the task of conforming to the multi-tier shape of the cargo platform. Therefore, complex systems including large doors each allowing access to a section of the cargo platform must be used, with all the associated increases in weight and cost.

[0004] Against this background, there exists a need for an improved system for allowing side access to a covered cargo platform. An object of the present invention is to provide such a system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] In a broad aspect, there is provided a side access system for an elongated cargo platform defining longitudinally opposed platform front and rear ends and platform sides extending therebetween, the cargo platform having a deck, the deck having at least two tiers, the at least two tiers including an upper tier longitudinally contiguous to a lower tier, the cargo platform including a frame structure extending upwardly above the deck, the side access system comprising: a main covering system including: a tarpaulin for covering at least part of the frame on at least one of the platform sides, the tarpaulin being selectively movable between an extended configuration and a retracted configuration to selectively cover a substantially vertically extending area between a lower height and an upper height, the lower height being substantially aligned with the upper tier or above the upper tier, wherein, in the extended configuration, the tarpaulin extends substantially vertically between the lower and upper heights across the area, and in the retracted configuration, the tarpaulin is retracted from the area; a tarpaulin handling system for selectively moving the tarpaulin between the extended and retracted configurations; and an auxiliary covering system configurable between open and closed configurations, wherein, in the closed configuration, the auxiliary covering system covers a gap between the lower tier and the lower height, and, in the open configuration, the auxiliary covering system is retracted from the gap.

[0006] It should be noted that the lower and upper tiers may be the lowest and highest tiers of the cargo platform. However, in alternative embodiments, the lower tier is simply lower than the upper tier, without being necessarily the lowest, and similarly for the upper tier.

[0007] There may also be provided a side access system wherein the auxiliary covering system includes an access door securable to the cargo platform to be configurable between closed and open positions.

[0008] There may also be provided a side access system wherein, when secured to the cargo platform, the access door is pivotable about a substantially horizontal pivot axis and movable between closed and open positions, wherein, in the closed position, at least part of the door extends between the lower tier and the lower height, and, in the open position, the at least part of the door is pivoted below the lower tier.

[0009] There may also be provided a side access system wherein the frame includes a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart substantially vertical posts provided at the at least one of the platform sides, the side access system further comprising a plurality of additional doors, the access door and the additional doors being each pivotally mountable to the cargo platform so as to extend across a respective gap between adjacent ones of the posts, the access and additional doors being each individually movable between respective open and closed positions, wherein, in the respective closed position, the access or additional door extends between the deck and the lower height, and, in the respective open position, the respective access or additional door is pivoted below the deck.

[0010] There may also be provided a side access system wherein the deck defines an intermediate tier having a height between that of the lower and upper tiers, wherein the access and additional doors include doors of at least two different heights so that doors from the access and additional doors positioned in register with the intermediate tier and doors from the access and additional doors positioned in register with the lower tier all close with upper ends thereof at the lower height and bottom ends thereof adjacent the deck.

[0011] There may also be provided a side access system wherein the additional doors include at least one two panel door mountable in register with the lower tier, the two panel door including upper and lower panels located above each other in the closed position, the two panel door being configurable to a partially open position wherein the upper panel is lowered in register with the lower panel while the lower panel remains above the lower tier.

[0012] There may also be provided a side access system wherein the access door includes a lock for selectively locking the access door in the closed position.

[0013] There may also be provided a side access system wherein the tarpaulin includes a fixed end and an opposed mobile end, the mobile end being at the lower height in the extended configuration; and the tarpaulin handling system includes, a rod extending longitudinally along the platform side when the tarpaulin handling system is operatively mounted to the trailer, the rod being secured to the tarpaulin at the mobile end, the rod being rotatable to wind the tarpaulin therearound and unwind the tarpaulin therefrom to move the tarpaulin between the extended and retracted positions.

[0014] There may also be provided a side access system wherein the tarpaulin handling system includes an arm for supporting the rod so that the rod is axially rotatable relative to the arm, the arm being mountable at at least one of the platform front and rear ends; and a motor for selectively axially rotating the rod.

[0015] There may also be provided a side access system further comprising anchors defining a recess facing downwardly when mounted to the cargo platform and mountable to the cargo platform so as to receive the rod in the recess when the tarpaulin is in the extended configuration.

[0016] There may also be provided a side access system wherein the at least one of the anchors is mountable to the frame.

[0017] There may also be provided a side access system wherein at least one of the anchors is mounted to the access door.

[0018] There may also be provided a side access system wherein at least one of the anchors is defined by a profile formed at a top end of the access door.

[0019] There may also be provided a side access system further comprising a rear door mountable to the frame at the platform rear end to allow selective access to the cargo platform from the platform rear end.

[0020] There may also be provided a side access system wherein the frame includes a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart substantially vertical posts, the side access system further comprising horizontal members selectively mountable substantially horizontally to the posts at a plurality of heights above the trailer bed.

[0021] There may also be provided a side access system wherein the area extends from the platform rear end and the platform front end.

[0022] In another broad aspect, there is provided a cargo platform defining longitudinally opposed platform front and rear ends and platform sides extending therebetween, the cargo platform comprising: a deck, the deck having at least two tiers, the at least two tiers including an upper tier longitudinally contiguous to a lower tier; a frame structure extending upwardly above the deck; and a side access system including a main covering system and an auxiliary covering system; the main covering system including a tarpaulin for covering at least part of the frame on at least one of the platform sides, the tarpaulin being selectively movable between an extended configuration and a retracted configuration to selectively cover a substantially vertically extending area between a lower height and an upper height, the lower height being substantially aligned with the upper tier or above the upper tier, wherein, in the extended configuration, the tarpaulin extends substantially vertically between the lower and upper heights across the area, and in the retracted configuration, the tarpaulin is retracted from the area; a tarpaulin handling system for selectively moving the tarpaulin between the extended and retracted configurations; and the auxiliary covering system being configurable between open and closed configurations, wherein, in the closed configuration, the auxiliary covering system covers a gap between the lower tier and the lower height, and, in the open configuration, the auxiliary covering system is retracted from the gap.

[0023] In yet another broad aspect, there is provided a semi-trailer defining longitudinally opposed front and rear ends and sides extending therebetween, the semi-trailer comprising a deck, the deck having at least two tiers, the at least two tiers including an upper tier longitudinally contiguous to a lower tier; a frame structure extending upwardly above the deck; and a side access system provided along one of the sides between the front and rear ends, the side access system including a main covering system and an auxiliary covering system; wherein the main covering system is operable to selectively alternatively cover and be retracted from an upper area extending along the frame structure vertically above a predetermined height at the one of the sides, the predetermined height being at least as high as the upper tier, and the auxiliary covering system is operable to selectively alternatively cover and be retracted from a lower area extending vertically between the predetermined height and the deck at the one of the sides.

[0024] There may also be provided a semi-trailer wherein the predetermined height is substantially level with the upper tier.

[0025] There may also be provided a semi-trailer further comprising rear wheels at the rear end, the deck further defining an intermediate tier over the rear wheels, the intermediate tier being at an intermediate height between the lower and upper tiers, the upper tier being a the platform front end, the lower tier extending between the intermediate and upper tiers.

[0026] There may also be provided a semi-trailer further comprising a racking system including vertical members mountable to the frame and horizontal members selectively mountable to the vertical members at various heights above the deck.

[0027] Advantageously, the proposed system can relatively inexpensively cover the cargo carried by a multi-tier platform during transportation, while allowing access from the side of the cargo platform once at destination.

[0028] Other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading of the following non-restrictive description of some embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] Figure 1, in a perspective view, illustrates a cargo platform;

[0030] Figure 2, in a perspective view, illustrates the cargo platform of FIG.

provided with a frame extending upwardly therefrom;

[0031] Figure 3, in a perspective view, illustrates the cargo platform of FIG.
2 to which is mounted a side access system including a main covering system and an auxiliary covering system, the main and auxiliary covering systems being both shown in respective closed configurations;

[0032] Figure 4, in a perspective view, illustrates the cargo platform of FIG.

shown with the main covering system in an open configuration and the auxiliary covering systems in the closed configuration;

[0033] Figure 5, in a perspective view, illustrates the cargo platform of FIG.

shown with both the main and auxiliary covering systems in the open configuration;

[0034] Figure 6, in a perspective view, illustrates a front portion of a tarpaulin handling system part of the main covering system of FIGS. 3 to 5;

[0035] Figure 7, in a perspective view, illustrates a rear portion of a tarpaulin handling system part of the main covering system of FIGS. 3 to 5, along with a rear door shown closed over the frame;

[0036] Figure 8, in a perspective view, illustrates the rear portion of the tarpaulin handling system with the rear door shown retracted from the frame;

[0037] Figure 9, in a perspective view, illustrates an access door part of the auxiliary covering system, the access door being shown in a closed position;

[0038] Figure 10, in a perspective view, illustrates the access door of FIG.
9, here shown in a partially open position;

[0039] Figure 11, in a perspective view, illustrates the access door of FIG.
9, here shown in an open position;

[0040] Figure 12, in a perspective view, illustrates an alternative access door usable in a side access system similar to the side access system shown in FIG.
3;

[0041] Figure 13, in a side elevation view, illustrates the access door of FIG. 12;

[0042] Figure 14, in a perspective view, illustrates another alternative access door usable in a side access system similar to the side access system shown in FIG.
3;

[0043] Figure 15, in a side elevation view, illustrates the access door of FIG. 14;

[0044] Figure 16, in a perspective view, illustrates a rack system usable with the frame of FIG. 2 and side access system of FIG. 3;

[0045] Figure 17, in a perspective view, illustrates another rack system usable with the frame of FIG. 2 and side access system of FIG. 3;

[0046] Figure 18, in a perspective view, illustrates the attachment of a tension device part of the side access system to the cargo platform of FIG. 1;

[0047] Figure 19, in a perspective view, illustrates the tension device of FIG. 18;
and

[0048] Figure 20, in perspective view with parts removed, illustrates the tension device of FIG. 18.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0049] The term "substantially" is used throughout this document to indicate variations in the thus qualifies terms. These variations are variations that do not materially affect the manner in which the invention works and can be due, for example, to uncertainty in manufacturing processes or to small deviations from a nominal value that do not cause significant changes to the invention. These variations are to be interpreted from the point of view of the person skilled in the art. Also, directional terminology such as below and horizontal, among others, is used in this document and refer to the proposed system used on a cargo platform in a typical operational configuration in which the cargo platform is moved along a generally horizontal surface. This terminology is used for clarity reasons and should not be used to restrict the scope of the appended claims unless explicitly mentioned in the claims.

[0050] Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown an elongated cargo platform 10. The cargo platform 10 is usable to carry cargo. The cargo platform 10 shown in the drawings is in the form of a semi-trailer, but the present invention is usable with other types of cargo platforms, such as the beds of trucks and platform train wagons. The cargo platform 10 defines longitudinally opposed platform front and rear ends 12 and 14 and platform sides 16 and 18 extending therebetween.

[0051] The cargo platform 10 has a deck 20 supported by wheels 21. In the cargo platform 10 shown in the drawings, wheels 21 are only provided at the platform rear end 14, as the cargo platform 10 is intended to be mounted on a fifth wheel of a tractor. However, in alternative embodiments, wheels 21 are also provided at the platform front end 12. In yet other embodiments, the cargo platform 10 is entirely mounted on a truck.

[0052] The deck 20 has at least two tiers. in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the deck 20 has an upper tier 22, a lower tier 24, and an intermediate tier 26.
The upper, lower and intermediate tiers 22, 24 and 26 are portions of the deck 20 that extend along different longitudinal portions of the deck 20, and that are each substantially flat, and typically substantially horizontal. The lower, intermediate and upper tiers 24, 26 and 26 are provided respectively at increasing heights above the ground surface on which the cargo platform 10 is supported. Also, each of the upper, lower and intermediate tiers 22, 24 and 26 typically extends along a whole width of the cargo platforms, although decks 20 that have tiers that extend at different heights for example on each side of a longitudinal vertical midplane of the deck 20 are also within the scope of the invention. The upper, lower and intermediate tiers 22, 24 and 26 are longitudinally contiguous to each other, with the upper and intermediate tiers 22 and 26 provided respectively at the platform front and rear ends 12 and 14, with the lower tier 24 provided therebetween.
The intermediate tier 26 is provided above the wheels 21. However, in alternative embodiments, the order and number of the various tiers can differ from this example. Notably, two-tiers embodiments are also within the scope of the invention.

[0053] Referring to FIG. 2, the cargo platform 10 can be provided with a frame structure 28 extending upwardly from the deck 20. The frame structure 28 is provided so as to be able to enclose any cargo (not shown in the drawings) carried within the frame structure 28, as describe below. The frame structure 28 typically includes a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart substantially vertical posts 30 provided along each of the platform sides 16 and 18. A top structure 32 links the vertical posts 30 to each other opposed to the deck 20. For example, the top structure 32 includes beams forming a generally rectangular horizontal structure.
Cross-beams 34 may be provided at the platform front end 12 so as to extend between some of the vertical posts 30, between the top structure 32 and the deck 20, or between other ones of the cross-beams 34. Finally, in some embodiments, a roof grid 36 including suitably shaped members is mounted to the top structure 32 to support a structure that will act as a roof over the deck 20.

[0054] Referring to FIGS. 3 to 5 collectively, there is shown the cargo platform 10 to which is mounted a side access system 38. The side access system 38 illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 5 is used to cover the space enclosed by the frame structure 28 and the deck 20, while allowing selective access to the deck 20 from both platform sides 16 and 18 of the cargo platform 10. However, similar systems allowing access from only of one the platform sides 16 and 18 are also within the scope of the invention. The side access system 38 is symmetrical in that components used to provide access to each of the platform sides 16 and 18 are similar to each other. Accordingly, only the equipment related to access to one of the platform sides, namely platform side 16, is described below, with the understanding that the components and structure related to the other platform side 18 are similar.

[0055] The side access system 38 includes a main covering system 40 and an auxiliary covering system 42. Generally speaking, the main covering system 40 is operable to selectively cover or allow access to a space located above the deck 20 that is entirely above a predetermined height, and the auxiliary covering system 42 has a similar function for a space that is entirely below the predetermined height.
The predetermined height is at or above a height of the upper tier 22.
Typically, the predetermined height is substantially level with the upper tier 22, but embodiments in which this is not the case are also possible. Thus, the main covering system 40 is operable to selectively alternatively cover and be retracted from an upper area extending along the frame structure 28 vertically above the predetermined height at least one of the platform sides 16 or 18, the predetermined height being at least as high as the upper tier 24, and the auxiliary covering system 42 is operable to selectively alternatively cover and be retracted from a lower area extending vertically between the predetermined height and the deck 20 at the at least one of the platform sides 16 or 18.

[0056] The main covering system 40 includes a tarpaulin 44 and a tarpaulin handling system 50 for handling the tarpaulin 44. The tarpaulin 44 is usable for covering at least part of the frame structure 28 on the platform side 16, so as to form part of an enclosure used for enclosing cargo carried inside the frame structure 28 and on or above the deck 20. The tarpaulin 44 is selectively movable between an extended configuration (seen in FIG. 3) and a retracted configuration (seen in FIGS. 4 and 5) to selectively cover a substantially vertically extending area 45 between a lower height 46 and an upper height 48. The lower height 46 is above the upper tier 22 or substantially aligned with the upper tier 22, this latter configuration being typical. Also, the upper height 48 is typically aligned with the top structure 32, but could be lower or higher than the top structure 32 in other embodiments. In the extended configuration, the tarpaulin 44 extends substantially vertically between the lower and upper heights 46 and 48 across the area 45.
In the retracted configuration, the tarpaulin is retracted from the area 45.

[0057] The tarpaulin 44 includes a fixed end 52 and an opposed mobile end 54.
The fixed end 52 is mounted to the frame structure 28 so as to remain fixed relative thereto when the tarpaulin is moved between the extended and retracted configurations. For example, the fixed end 52 is fixed along a longitudinally extending member provided in the middle of the roof grid 36, between the two platform sides 16 and 18, or to the top structure 32. The mobile end 54 is moved along the platform side 16 when the tarpaulin 44 is moved between the extended and retracted configurations. Thus, the mobile end 54 is at the lower height 46 in the extended configuration. Typically, the mobile end 54 is at the upper height 48 in the retracted configuration.

[0058] In the embodiment shown in the drawings, movement of the mobile end 54 is limited between the lower and upper heights 46 and 48. However, in alternative embodiments, the mobile end 54 can be moved further, for example to retract part of the tarpaulin 44 extending above the roof grid 36. Furthermore, while the tarpaulin 44 is used to cover half of the roof grid 36 in the illustrated embodiments, in alternative embodiments, another structure is used to form a roof over the roof grid 36, and the tarpaulin extends only along the platform side 16 of the cargo platform 10.

[0059] The tarpaulin handling system 50 is used for selectively moving the tarpaulin 44 between the extended and retracted configurations. Any suitable well-known type of tarpaulin handling system 50 is usable to that effect. A
specific example of tarpaulin handling system 50 that has been found to be convenient and cost-effective is briefly described below.

[0060] Referring to FIG. 6, the tarpaulin handling system 50 includes a rod 56 extending longitudinally along the platform side 16 when the tarpaulin handling system 50 is operatively mounted to the cargo platform 10. The rod 56 is secured to the tarpaulin at the mobile end 54 and is rotatable to wind the tarpaulin therearound and unwind the tarpaulin 44 therefrom to move the tarpaulin 44 between the extended and retracted configurations.

[0061] The rod 56 is axially rotatably mounted to an arm 58 at one end thereof, and the arm 58 is mounted at the platform front end 12, for example on a front wall 60 provided at the platform front end 12 opposed to the rod 56. The arm 58 may be secured also to one or more of the cross-beams 34 (not seen in FIG. 6) to provide a more sturdy structure. The arm 58 may be telescopic, or as illustrated, articulated, so that when the arm 58 pivot about its mounting point on the front wall 60, the rod 56 can remain adjacent the platform side 16 of the cargo platform 10. A
motor 62 is provided for selectively rotating the rod 56 relative to the arm 58. The motor 62 is typically coupled to the arm 58 through a gearbox, and a controller 63 is used to selectively energize the motor 62. When the motor 62 is energized with the tarpaulin 44 in the extended position, the tarpaulin 44 is rolled around the rod 56, which retracts the tarpaulin as the rod is lifted by rolling along the tarpaulin 44.
rotating the rod in the opposed direction has the reverse effect of extending the tarpaulin 44. A system similar to the tarpaulin handling system 50 is described in greater details in US Patent 8,641,123 issued to Royer on February 4, 2014.

[0062] The rod 56 may be supported at the platform read end 14 using an arrangement similar to the arrangement described in the previous paragraph.
However, in some embodiments, it would be desirable to allow one to access the interior of the frame structure 28 from the platform rear end 14, and using an arm 58 at this platform rear end would make this task complicated, or would require a complex mechanical arrangement allowing one to move the arm 58 out of the way to allow this access. In such embodiments, a tension device 64 is used to keep the rod 56 adjacent the frame 30. With reference to FIGS. 18 to 20 collectively, the support device 64 includes for example a cable 65 under tension through a biasing element 67, such as a spring, that are both inserted in series inside the rod 56.
The cable 65 protrudes from the rod 56 through a device cap 69 and is terminated by an anchor 71, for example a hook, that is attached to a suitable attachment mounted to the cargo platform 10. The opposed end of the cable 65 and biasing element 67 assembly is attached inside the rod 56 at its other end adjacent the arm 58.

[0063] In some embodiments, referring to FIG. 10 for example, the side access system 38 also includes anchors 66 each defining a recess 68 facing downwardly when mounted to the cargo platform 10 or to any structure extending therefrom, for example to the vertical posts 30, so as to receive the rod 56 in the recess 68 when the tarpaulin is in the extended configuration. For example, the anchors are made of sheet metal folded in an inverted J-shape. More specifically, when the tarpaulin 44 is in the retracted configuration, the rod 56 is located laterally outwardly relative to the cargo platform 10. The anchors 66 are located so that once the rod 56 is totally unwound from the tarpaulin 44 to a level slightly below the recess 68, rotation of the rod 56 is continued so that the tarpaulin 44 starts to be rolled therearound in the opposed direction, with the rod between the frame structure 28 and the tarpaulin 44, until the rod 56 climbs back up and enters the recess 68. A plurality of anchors 66 are typically provided longitudinally along the platform side 16. In alternative embodiments, the anchors 66 are not mounted to the frame structure 28, but are instead mounted to the auxiliary covering system 42, as further described below.

[0064] The auxiliary covering system 42 is configurable between open and closed configurations, seen respectively in FIGS. 5 and 3. In the closed configuration, the auxiliary covering system 42 covers a gap 70 (shown in FIG. 11) between the deck 20 and the lower height 46, typically at the level of the upper tier 22, and, in the open configuration, the auxiliary covering system 42 is retracted from the gap 70.

[0065] The auxiliary covering system 42 includes at least one access door 72 or 72a configurable between closed and open positions when the auxiliary covering system 42 is respectively in the closed and open configurations. FIGS. 9 to 11 collectively illustrate one type of auxiliary door 72a, and FIGS. 3 to 5 can be referred to to see two types of access doors 72 and 72a. The access doors 72 and 72a are pivotally secured to the cargo platform 10 are described hereinbelow.
Each access door 72 or 72a extends between two adjacent vertical posts 30.
However, in alternative auxiliary covering systems, similar access doors 72 and 72a are simply removable to achieve the open configuration, or a single structure, such as a large pivotable access door or a downwardly rollable tarpaulin is used to cover the whole side 16 of the cargo platform 10. In yet other embodiments, access doors are pivotable about a vertical axis, or simply slidable or collapsible up and down along the cargo platform 10.

[0066] The access doors 72 and 72a are similar to each other as they are both pivotable about a substantially horizontal pivot axis 74, for example embodied using a series of hinges 76 extending between the cargo platform 10 and the access door 72 or 72a adjacent the deck 20 to allow movements between closed and open positions. The difference between the access doors 72 and 72a resides in that the access doors 72 include a single substantially rigid panel 78, while the access door 72a includes a pair of substantially rigid panels 78 hinged to each other so as to be pivotable about a generally horizontal axis. However, in both types of access doors, pivoting the access door 72 or 72a about the hinges 76 allows movements between the open and closed positions. In the closed position, the access door 72 or 72a extends between the deck 20 and the lower height 46, thereby closing the gap 70 between the deck 20 and the lower height 46, so that when the tarpaulin 44 is in the extended position, the whole side 16 of the cargo platform 10 can be covered. In the open position, the access door 72 or 72a is pivoted below the deck 20 to allow access to any cargo sitting thereon or supported slightly thereabove, typically coupled with retraction of the tarpaulin 44.
If needed, access doors having more than 2 panels 78 may be used. In some embodiments, the panels 78 are provided with one or more handles 79 for facilitating their manipulation during the opening and closing processes.

[0067] While the use of a single large access door covering the whole longitudinal extend of the cargo platform 10 is possible, it has been found advantageous to use many access doors 72 and 72a that each cover the space between adjacent ones of the vertical posts 30, each access door 72 or 72a being individually movable between open and closed positions independently from the other access doors 72 or 72a. This allows one to easily open and close the access doors 72 and 72a manually and rapidly, which could be difficult is large access doors were used because of their then large dimensions and weight.

[0068] The use of access doors 72 and 72a including different number of panels 78 allows one to easily adapt the side access system 38 to cargo platforms 10 having more than 2 tiers. Indeed, the number of panels 78 for each access door 72 and 72a is selected so that access doors 72a that are mounted in register with lower parts of the deck 20, the lower tier 24 in the drawings, include more panels 78, while access doors 72 mounted in register with sightly higher parts of the deck 20, the intermediate tier 26 in the drawings, include less panels 78.

[0069] While a single larger panel could be used for upper access doors 72, the access doors 72a including more than one panel 78 are advantageous as the two panels 78 can be folded over each other, in a partially open position in which the top panel 78 has been folded down over the bottom panel 78, as seen in FIG.
10, before the full open position is achieved. Therefore, the total height occupied by the access door 72a when open is halved when compared to the height that would be occupied by a single panel access door of comparable dimensions. This may be required so that the access door 72a can hang fully vertically in the open position without being stopped by the ground in a slanted position.

[0070] Typically, the access doors 72 and 72a include a lock 80 for selectively locking the access door 72 and 72a in the closed position. For example, the lock 80 takes the form of a spring loaded latch 83 mounted to the panel 78 and positioned for engaging a catch 84 secured to the cargo platform 10.
Withdrawing the spring loaded latch 83 from the catch 85 allows one to move the panel 78 relative to the cargo platform 10. When the spring loaded latch 83 is engaged in the catch 85, the panel 78 is secured in the closed position.

[0071] In some embodiments, as seen in FIGS. 12 and 13, the anchors 66 are mounted to the access doors 72 or 72a, at an end thereof opposed to the deck 20, so that when the access door 72 or 72a is in the closed position, the anchors are adjacent the lower height 46 so that the rod 56 can be engaged in the recess 68 as described above. In yet other embodiments, as seen in FIGS. 14 and 15, the anchors 66 are replaced by suitable profile 82 formed in the access door 72b opposed to the hinges 76. The profile 82 defines a recess 84 that faces downwardly when the access door 72b is in the closed position, once again to be able to receive the rod 56 thereinto.

[0072] The cargo platform 10 is also typically closed at the platform front and rear ends 12 and 14. For example, a front wall 60 formed by a tarpaulin or a rigid plate covers the cross-beams 34, as seen in FIG. 6 for example, and a rear tarpaulin covers the frame structure 28 at the platform rear end 14, as seen in FIG. 7.
The rear tarpaulin 88 may be selectively removable from across the frame structure at the platform rear end 14 to allow access to the interior of the frame structure 28.
For example, the rear tarpaulin 88 may be rolled up either manually or using any of the well-known devices usable to that effect.

[0073] In some embodiments, referring to FIG. 16, a racking system 90 is provided. The racking system 90 is mounted to the vertical posts 30, and for example includes two racks 92 mounted on vertical posts on opposite platform sides 16 and 18, facing each other laterally. Each rack 92 includes a pair of vertical members 94 mounted to the vertical posts 30, each defining longitudinally spaced apart apertures. Horizontal members 98 extend between the vertical members 94 and include hooks mountable to the apertures of the vertical members, The horizontal members 98 of each rack 92 from one of platform sides 16 are each paired at the same height above the deck 20 with a corresponding horizontal members 98 from the rack 92 provided at the other platform side 18.
As seen by comparing FIGS. 16 and 17, by moving the horizontal members 98 to different positions along the vertical members 94, one can customize the racking system 90 by customizing the vertical distance between the horizontal members 98.

[0074] Although the present invention has been described hereinabove by way of exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be readily appreciated that many modifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this invention.
Accordingly, the scope of the claims should not be limited by the exemplary embodiments, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.

Claims (21)

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS

1. A side access system for an elongated cargo platform defining longitudinally opposed platform front and rear ends and platform sides extending therebetween, the cargo platform having a deck, the deck having at least two tiers, the at least two tiers including an upper tier longitudinally contiguous to a lower tier, the cargo platform including a frame structure extending upwardly above the deck, the side access system comprising:
- a main covering system including:
- a tarpaulin for covering at least part of the frame on at least one of the platform sides, the tarpaulin being selectively movable between an extended configuration and a retracted configuration to selectively cover a substantially vertically extending area between a lower height and an upper height, the lower height being substantially aligned with the upper tier or above the upper tier, wherein, in the extended configuration, the tarpaulin extends substantially vertically between the lower and upper heights across the area, and in the retracted configuration, the tarpaulin is retracted from the area;
- a tarpaulin handling system for selectively moving the tarpaulin .between the extended and retracted configurations; and - an auxiliary covering system configurable between open and closed configurations, wherein, in the closed configuration, the auxiliary covering system covers a gap between the lower tier and the lower height, and, in the open configuration, the auxiliary covering system is retracted from the gap.

2. The side access system as defined in claim 1, wherein the auxiliary covering system includes an access door securable to the cargo platform to be configurable between closed and open positions.

3. The side access system as defined in claim 2, wherein, when secured to the cargo platform, the access door is pivotable about a substantially horizontal pivot axis and movable between closed and open positions, wherein, in the closed position, at least part of the door extends between the lower tier and the lower height, and, in the open position, the at least part of the door is pivoted below the lower tier.

4. The side access system as defined in claim 3, wherein the frame includes a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart substantially vertical posts provided at the at least one of the platform sides, the side access system further comprising a plurality of additional doors, the access door and the additional doors being each pivotally mountable to the cargo platform so as to extend across a respective gap between adjacent ones of the posts, the access and additional doors being each individually movable between respective open and closed positions, wherein, in the respective closed position, the access or additional door extends between the deck and the lower height, and, in the respective open position, the respective access or additional door is pivoted below the deck.

5. The side access system as defined in claim 4, wherein the deck defines an intermediate tier having a height between that of the lower and upper tiers, wherein the access and additional doors include doors of at least two different heights so that doors from the access and additional doors positioned in register with the intermediate tier and doors from the access and additional doors positioned in register with the lower tier all close with upper ends thereof at the lower height and bottom ends thereof adjacent the deck.

6. The side access system as defined in claim 5, wherein the additional doors include at least one two panel door mountable in register with the lower tier, the two panel door including upper and lower panels located above each other in the closed position, the two panel door being configurable to a partially open position wherein the upper panel is lowered in register with the lower panel while the lower panel remains above the lower tier.

7. The side access system as defined in any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the access door includes a lock for selectively locking the access door in the closed position.

8. The side access system as defined in any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein - the tarpaulin includes a fixed end and an opposed mobile end, the mobile end being at the lower height in the extended configuration; and - the tarpaulin handling system includes a rod extending longitudinally along the platform side when the tarpaulin handling system is operatively mounted to the trailer, the rod being secured to the tarpaulin at the mobile end, the rod being rotatable to wind the tarpaulin therearound and unwind the tarpaulin therefrom to move the tarpaulin between the extended and retracted positions.

9. The side access system as defined in claim 8, wherein the tarpaulin handling system includes - an arm for supporting the rod so that the rod is axially rotatable relative to the arm, the arm being mountable at at least one of the platform front and rear ends; and - a motor for selectively axially rotating the rod.

10. The side access system as defined in claim 8 or 9, further comprising anchors defining a recess facing downwardly when mounted to the cargo platform and mountable to the cargo platform so as to receive the rod in the recess when the tarpaulin is in the extended configuration.

11. The side access system as defined in claim 10, wherein the at least one of the anchors is mountable to the frame.

12. The side access system as defined in claim 10, wherein at least one of the anchors is mounted to the access door.

13. The side access system as defined in claim 10, wherein at least one of the anchors is defined by a profile formed at a top end of the access door.

14. The side access system as defined in any one of claims 1 to 13, further comprising a rear door mountable to the frame at the platform rear end to allow selective access to the cargo platform from the platform rear end.

15. The side access system as defined in any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the frame includes a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart substantially vertical posts, the side access system further comprising horizontal members selectively mountable substantially horizontally to the posts at a plurality of heights above the trailer bed.

16. The side access system as defined in any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the area extends from the platform rear end and the platform front end.

17. A cargo platform defining longitudinally opposed platform front and rear ends and platform sides extending therebetween, the cargo platform comprising:
- a deck, the deck having at least two tiers, the at least two tiers including an upper tier longitudinally contiguous to a lower tier;
- a frame structure extending upwardly above the deck; and - a side access system including a main covering system and an auxiliary covering system;
- the main covering system including:
- a tarpaulin for covering at least part of the frame on at least one of the platform sides, the tarpaulin being selectively movable between an extended configuration and a retracted configuration to selectively cover a substantially vertically extending area between a lower height and an upper height, the lower height being substantially aligned with the upper tier or above the upper tier, wherein, in the extended configuration, the tarpaulin extends substantially vertically between the lower and upper heights across the area, and in the retracted configuration, the tarpaulin is retracted from the area;
- a tarpaulin handling system for selectively moving the tarpaulin between the extended and retracted configurations; and - the auxiliary covering system being configurable between open and closed configurations, wherein, in the closed configuration, the auxiliary covering system covers a gap between the lower tier and the lower height, and, in the open configuration, the auxiliary covering system is retracted from the gap.

18. A semi-trailer defining longitudinally opposed front and rear ends and sides extending therebetween, the semi-trailer comprising:
- a deck, the deck having at least two tiers, the at least two tiers including an upper tier longitudinally contiguous to a lower tier;
- a frame structure extending upwardly above the deck; and - a side access system provided along one of the sides between the front and rear ends, the side access system including a main covering system and an auxiliary covering system;
- wherein the main covering system is operable to selectively alternatively cover and be retracted from an upper area extending along the frame structure vertically above a predetermined height at the one of the sides, the predetermined height being at least as high as the upper tier, and the auxiliary covering system is operable to selectively alternatively cover and be retracted from a lower area extending vertically between the predetermined height and the deck at the one of the sides.

19. The semi-trailer as defined in claim 18, wherein the predetermined height is substantially level with the upper tier.

20. The semi-trailer as defined in claim 19, further comprising rear wheels at the rear end, the deck further defining an interrnediate tier over the rear wheels, the intermediate tier being at an intermediate height between the lower and upper tiers, the upper tier being a the front end, the lower tier extending between the intermediate and upper tiers.

21. The semi-trailer as defined in claim 18, further comprising a racking system including vertical members mountable to the frame and horizontal members selectively mountable to the vertical members at various heights above the deck.