GB2049568A

GB2049568A - Load vehicle body

Info

Publication number: GB2049568A
Application number: GB8010515A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: SOUTHFIELDS COACHWORKS Ltd
Current assignee: SOUTHFIELDS COACHWORKS Ltd
Priority date: 1979-04-02
Filing date: 1980-03-28
Publication date: 1980-12-31
Also published as: BE882561A; DE3012010A1; SE8002456L; NL8001756A

Abstract

The body (particularly for a road vehicle of the tilt type) has a side frame comprising two upstanding corner posts 2, 3 between which there extends a cant rail 4a and one or more upstanding intermediate posts 4-7 each of which is moveable along the side of the vehicle, being adapted to engage the bed 1 of the vehicle (in which position it can provide support for the cant rail) and being provided with means including a flexible link 42 whereby it can be slidably suspended from the cant rail for movement along the side to facilitate loading and/or unloading of the vehicle. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to vehicle bodies This invention relates to vehicle bodies and in par titular to road vehicle bodies of the tilt type.

Such bodies may be used, for example, on rigid chassis cabs, articulated flat bed trailers, draw-bar trailers and stepframe trailers. They normally comprise four fixed vertical side posts, (normally located at the corners of the bodily) and a roof framework defining a rectangular outline, have a flexible covering sheet to fit over the rectangular outline to protect the load and have intermediate, vertically-extending posts spaced apart along each side of the body to subdivide the assembly and provide additional support, thereby forming a series of entry bays through which loading and unloading may be carried out.

The intermediate posts provide attachment points for load retention members used to close off the bays and retain the load, and conventional practice is to use a series of spaced-apart, detachable struts of wood or metal attached between adjacent intermediate posts and between end intermediate posts and the adjacent side posts. When unobstructed access is required to the vehicle interior the individual intermediate posts are detached and lifted down clear of the vehicle.

The object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle body having a more convenient load access system.

According to a first aspect of the present invention a vehicle body has, on at least one side thereof, two upstanding side posts extending upwardly from the bed of the vehicle, a cant rail extending between said side posts, and intermediate said posts, at least one upstanding intermediate post; said intermediate post being adapted to engage the bed of the vehicle whereby it can provide support for the cant rail, and being provided with means including a flexible link whereby it can be slidably suspended from the cant rail for movement along said side to facilitate loading and/or unloading of the vehicle.

The invention is of particular value where the vehicle body is of the TIR tilt type, and it is with particular reference to such vehicle bodies that the description hereinafter particularly relates.

The flexible link is itself conveniently supported by a trolley or other wheeled means mounted for movement along a track, and it is with particular reference to this form of the invention that the description hereinafter particularly relates.

The flexible link can be, for example a link of textile material, for example a polyester material. In a preferred form of the invention the link is an endless loop of textile material suspended from the trolley or other wheeled means and enveloping a support member which is a part of, or carried by, the intermediate post. The support member is conveniently mounted inside the intermediate post (where the latter is hollow), and can, for example, be a bar or other elongated support extending across the intermediate post.

Where the trolley has one or more pairs of wheels running along a pair of spaced apart tracks, one means of suspending the flexible link from the trolley is by use of a trolley having a plate or other structure centrally disposed between tracks and having a slot or other suspension means for the flexible link, preferably such that the link is captive within it.

Preferably the intermediate post may be locked into a fixed position along the vehicle side. The locking means may be provided at the attachment to the cant rail and in addition a second locking means may be provided at the lower end of the intermediate post. The second locking means may be provided by means of a pocket in the edge of the flat bed of the body and a co-operating spigot or bolt at the end of the intermediate post.

The upper locking means may comprise a pocket or socket formed in or attached to the cant rail and a vertically projecting plate or other spigot attached to the top of the intermediate post, which is moved upwards to engage the socket or pocket and prevent longitudinal' movement of the intermediate post.

Preferably the spigot is rigidly attached to the intermediate post and engagement is effected by vertically lifting the post and' maintained by engaging the lower end of the post on the bed of the body.

The suspension of the intermediate post is preferably by means of a railway type system such as a roller hanger and a support rail or track, on which the roller hanger runs. The support rail' may be attached to the cant rail or be formed integrally with the cant rail and in a preferred embodiment the cant rail carries a rail shaped in cross section so as to provide an internal track and the roller hanger is retained within the rail.

In most applications more than one intermediate post is used to subdivide the side of the vehicle into a series of bays. To obtain full open access to the side of the vehicle all the intermediate posts are then unlocked and slid to one end of the body. Following loading, the posts are slid back to their respective positions, locked in place, the load retention means are positioned between the posts and finally the flexible cover is fastened over the entire body.

Inter-connecting members may be provided between successive intermediate posts to assist and speed the moving and repositioning operations.

Suitable' members are lengths of cord or rope each length being such that the posts are all correctly spaced for locking when the end post is pulled along the body into its place. A cord system' may be pro vided in the manner of curtains to assist in moving the posts to one end for unloading.

Preferably the inter-connecting' members form in addition load retention members between the posts including the corner posts. Such an arrangement may comprise a vertically spaced apart series of horizontally extending flexible straps or cords each of which is connected at either end to a vertical post or corner post. Thus when the intermediate posts are spaced apart and locked the horizontal straps are straightened and form a series of bars across the bays. Buckles, turnbuckles or other tensioning means may be provided to allow better tensioning of the members. It is preferred also to utilise vertical flexible straps which may be woven between the horizontal straps. The strap cross-over points may be connected for example by stitching.

The flexible straps are preferably of strip material and a suitable material is the polyester webbing used for vehicle seat belts. The material is preferably a low elongation' material to provide effective load retention.

The horizontal straps or strips may, for example, each be directly attached to the intermediate or corner posts or may be attached to rigid vertical connecting struts which themselves are attached to the posts. This construction simplifies the attach ment and allows ready changes of the load retention system to replace damaged section orto change the spacing of the intermediate posts for use with alter native loads.

In the case of a load retention system using vertical strips to form a mesh vertical tensioning may also be provided. One method of providing this is to have tensioning means from the lower edge of the mesh to the bed of the body or to the dropside of the body. Additional support for the mesh at the top edge may be obtained by means of additional rollers on the track in the cant rail each of which is attached to an extension of the mesh.

There is now described, by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, an articulated vehicle body of the TIR tilt type.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a side elevation of the vehicle body; Figure 2 is, on an enlarged scale, an elevation of the suspension of one of the intermediate posts of Figure 1; Figure 3 corresponds to Figure 2 but shows the intermediate post in the raised, locked position; Figure 4 is a cross section on the line IV - IV of Figure 2 showing the intermediate post in the lowered, unlocked position; Figures 5 to 8 show the intermediate post used, by way of example, in the suspension system described with reference to Figures 1 to 4, this intermediate post itself being novel.

Figure 5 is an elevation of the intermediate post as seen from the outside of the vehicle body; Figure 6 is an elevation, on an enlarged scale, showing the bottom portion of the intermediate post of Figure 5; Figure 7 is an elevation, on an enlarged scale, of the top portion of the intermediate post of Figure 5 as seen from the inside of the vehicle body; Figure 8 is an elevation of the top portion of the intermediate post as seen from direction X in Figure 7; Figures 9, 10 and 11 show respectively three other load retention means alternative to that shown in Figure 1; and Figures 12, 13 and 14 show a second embodiment of the invention using an intermediate post different from that of the first embodiment.

The vehicle body of Figure 1 comprises a flat bed 1 with running gear. An upstanding, vertical corner post is mounted at each corner of the bed (only two posts 2 and 3 being shown in Figure 1) and a hollow cant rail 4a extends between the posts 2 and 3 to define the top edge of the body. The side shown of the body is subdivided into five bays by four vertically extending rigid intermediates posts 4, 5,6 and 7.

Dropsides 8 are provided between adjacent inter mediate posts or between an end intermediate post and a corner post, respectively, each of the posts being mounted so that when the dropside is lowered the dropside swings down clear of the frames. Each of the intermediate posts 4, 5, 6 and 7 is suspended from the cant rail 4a such that it can be slid along the rail as is described below with reference to inter mediate post 6.

Referring to Figure 1 the load retention' means is a mesh 18 comprising interwoven strips of seat belt polyester webbing provided in each of the bays. The mesh 18 can be tensioned, when the intermediate posts are all locked in place, by the buckles 19 pro vided atthe rear of the body to allow an operator correctly to tension the load retention'meshes 18.

The meshes 18 are of a height such thatthey come to the top edge of the dropsides, but in the case of a body without dropsides the load retaining meshes 18 may extend down to the bed of the body.

Intermediate post 6 comprises an elongate steel post having a hollow rectangular cross-section and formed from a length of channel steel 30 (Figure 4) having a C-shaped cross-section closed by an elongate steel plate 31 welded to it, the plate providing the face of the post intended to face inwardly of the vehicle body. This plate does not extend as far as the upper end of the channel steel, thereby providing in the upper portion of support 6 a rectangular cut out or recess 32. Along the edges of recesses 32 extend two like flanges 33 each extending frdm the upper end of the support, and along the vertical edges of the recess 32. The upper portion of the post has disposed between opposed sides thereof a horizontal bolt, washer and self-locking nut assembly 34 the purpose of which is described below.A vertically directed spigot plate 35 is carried by the outer edge of the flanges 33.

The cant rail 4a comprises an outer rail 4b of G-shaped cross-section which has attached thereto, for example by welding, an inner rail 4c of inverted U-shaped cross-section whose edges are shaped inwardly and upwardly as shown in Figures 3 and 4 to form a pair of rail tracks 36. These rail tracks carry a trolley 37 cdmprising two like wheels 38 mounted, by way of a bush (not shown), in the upper portion of a plate 39 of a generally truncated triangular shape, the wheels being spaced apart from the plate by two like spacer tubes 40 which am mounted on the bush.

The lower portion of the truncated triangular plate has a horizontal elongated slot 41 which carries an endless loop 42 of flexible material, for example woven polyester fibre. Besides passing through the slot this endless loop passes round the bolt of assembly 34, and thereby provides a means by which the post 6 can be suspended from the cant rail 4a. The cant rail has attached thereto, for example by welding, a rectangular recessed' member 43 providing a downwardly facing recess or socket 44 to accommodate the spigot plate 35.

Referring to Figures 5 to 8, Figure 5 shows the intermediate post 6 which is provided at its lower end with a retractable spigot 45 for engagement with a socket welded to the side rave. Referring to Figure 6, the lower portion of the post has welded thereto a steel plate 46 which provides a stop for dropsides 8; and said lower portion has formed therein an elongate slot 47 disposed longitudinally of the post, and adjacent the upper end of the slot the post carries a pin 48 for engagement with a shoulder 49 formed in the upper portion of the spigot 45, whose purpose is to prevent the spigot from accidentally sliding out completely from the post 6. Shoulder 49 forms one end of a recess 50 in the spigot to accommodate sliding motion of the spigot with respect to the pin 48.The spigot has formed therein a diametrically disposed circular hole 51 housing a circular pin (not shown) having a length somewhat greater than the respective external width of post 6, said pin providing a lifting handle for the spigot 45.

Operation ofthe suspension means described above is as follows: Figures 1 and 3 relate to the disposition of intermediate post 6 and the other intermediate posts in their operative, locked, load-supporting positions.

With particular reference to post 6, the spigot 45 is in a locked position in the respective spigot socket. In this position post 6 supports cant rail 4a, and post 6 is in consequence under compressive force between the cant rail and the bed ofthe vehicle. The endless loop flexible support 42 suspended from the elongated slot hangs loosely around the bolt inside post 6 and the spigot post 35 is in engagement with the socket 44.

If it is then wished to load or unload the vehicle, post 6 can be moved away from its operative, locked position as follows. The spigot 45 is raised by means of the pin handle inside post 6 so as to disengage from the socket, and the lower part of post 6 can then be pulled outwardly with respect of the vehicle body until it is clear of the socket housing; and the post is then lowered until the bolt of assembly 34 engages the flexible loop 42 which then supports the weight of post 6. Post 6 can then be drawn sideways drawing with it the trolley 37 on its tracks 36 until the post 6 comes into a position adjacent a corner post or one of the other intermediate posts, as the case may be.

Owing to the flexible nature of the loop, movement of post 6 outwards or sidewards with respect to the vehicle body, or even twisting the post, is accommodated by the flexibility of the loop and does not normally result in the trolley being displaced or misaligned on its track. Consequently the trolley is free to move along the track almost irrespective of the way in which the intermediate post 6 is handled during its movement alog the side of the vehicle.

When the loading or unloading of the vehicle has been completed post 6 can be restored to its operative, locked position by pulling it back so that the trolley returns along the track, and when the post has been drawn back as far as the respective socket carried by the side rave the post is lifted manually, thereby disengaging the bolt from the flexible loop, the spigot plate 35 is engaged with its socket 44 and the upper end of post 6 engages the underside of cant rail 4a. Post 6 is then manually pushed upwards against the cant rail until the bottom end of the post can be brought into position overthe side rave socket and the spigot 45 moved downwardly so as to engage the socket.

It will be appreciated that, in the embodiment described with reference to the drawings, the trolley is normally not lifted from its track by upward movement of the post 6.

However, the invention is not limited to the use of a flexible link which is not capable of transmitting compressive force, and if the flexible link is of a material capable of transmitting such a force it is possible that the trolley might be lifted from the track by upward movement of post 6.

Three alternative load retention' means are shown in Figures 9, 10 and 11 respectively. In Figure 9 said means comprises a series of horizontal straps or other elongated' members 20 extending between two adjacent intermediate posts 21 or between an intermediate post and a corner post.

In Figure 10 a mesh or a series of horizontal straps or other elongated members attached to and extending between two rigid rods or bars 22 each of which is suspended on a wheel or other runner from the cant rail 4a and each of which is fastened by fasteners to the adjacent vertical member (intermediate post or corner post as the case may be).

In Figure 11 the load retention' means comprises a mesh of straps or other elongated members, of which four of the vertical straps 23 extend upwardly beyond the upper margin of the mesh each of the extensions being suspended on a wheel or other runner from the cant rail 4a. The lower margin ofthe mesh is attached to the top edge of the body dropside 8 by tensioning fixings 24.

The straps or other elongated' members of the embodiments of Figure 9,10 and 11 can, for example, be of polyester seat belt material or other low extension textile material.

As will be understood, alternative' means may be used for slidably mounting the intermediate posts for locking and for load retention. Furthermore materials other than seat belt material may be used between the posts.

Claims

1. A vehicle body which has, on at least one side thereof, two upstanding side posts extending upwardly from the bed of the vehicle, a cant rail extending between said side posts, and intermediate said posts, at least one upstanding intermediate post; said intermediate post being adapted to engage the bed of the vehicle whereby it can provide support for the cant rail, and being provided with means including a flexible link whereby it can be slidably suspended from the cant rail for movement along said side to facilitate loading and/or unloading of the vehicle.

2. A vehicle body according to Claim 1, in which the body is of the TIR tilt type.

3. A vehicle body according to Claim 1, in which the body is of the curtain-side type.

4. A vehicle body according to Claim 1,2 or 3, in which said intermediate post is carried by the cant rail itself.

5. A vehicle body according to Claim 4, in which the intermediate post is linked by said flexible link at its upper end to a wheel, and the cant rail is provided with a track, extending longitudinally of the cant rail, for the wheel.

6. A vehicle body according to Claim 5, in which the wheel is in the form of a hanger roller.

7. A vehicle body according to any of the preced ing claims, in which engagement means are provided for the intermediate post to hold it in place in a predetermined position with respect to the said side of the vehicle body.

8. A vehicle body according to Claim 7, in which said engagement means comprises means to hold the intermediate post in place with respect to the cant rail.

9. A vehicle body according to Claim 7 or 8, in which said engagement means comprises means to hold the intermediate post in place with respect to the bed ofthe vehicle.

10. A vehicle body according to Claim 8 or 9, in which said engagement means comprises a reces sed' member carried by the cant rail and whose recess faces downwardly, and the intermediate post carries at its upper end a spigot adapted to engage the recessed member when said intermediate post is in its desired position.

11. A vehicle body according to Claim 10, in which engagement of the spigot with the recessed member is effected by upward movement of said intermediate post.

12. A vehicle body according to Claim 11, in which the length of said intermediate post is such that said upward movement permits the lower end of the intermediate post to engage the bed of the vehicle.

13. A vehicle body according to any of the preceding claims, which has two or more intermediate posts each ofwhich is adapted to be retracted from its operative position in the same direction along said vehicle side.

14. A vehicle body according to any of the preceding claims, provided with flexible load retention means carried by and extending between adjacent intermediate posts or between an intermediate post and an adjacent one of said side posts, as the case may be.

15. A vehicle body'according to Claim 14, which has two or more of said intermediate posts all adapted for movement in the same direction whereby the whole length of the load retention means can be moved longitudinally of said vehicle side towards one or other of said side posts.

16. A vehicle body according to Claim 14 or 15, in which said load retention means comprises a mesh of straps or other elongated' members.

17. A vehicle body according to Claim 14 or 15, in which said load retention means comprises a plurality of parallel straps or other elongated members.

18. A vehicle body according to Claim 14 or 15, in which said load retention means comprises a mesh of straps or other elongated members attached to and extending between two parallel frame members the upper ends of which are slidably suspended from the cant rail and provided with fastening means by which they can be fastened to adjacent intermediate posts or between an intermediate post and an adjacent one of said side posts, as the case may be.

19. A vehicle body according to Claim 14 or 15, in which said load retention means comprises a mesh of vertically- and horizontally- extending straps or other elongated' members, at least some of said vertically-extending members being slidably supported from the cant rail.

20. A vehicle body according to Claim 19, in which the lower region of said' mesh is provided with fastening means by which it can be fastened to a dropside or other part of the vehicle body disposed lower than said region.

21. A vehicle body according to Claim 1, substantially as described herein.

22. A vehicle body ofthe TIR tilttype, substantially as described herein and substantially as shown in the accompanying drawings.

23. A post assembly comprising: a post for use as an upright member of the frame of a vehicle body; suspension means for the post, the suspension means being attached to the upper portion of the post and being adapted for movement along an overhead guide, whereby the post can be moved with respect to the frame to facilitate loading and/or unloading ofthe vehicle; and retention means to retain the post in an upright position at a predetermined location with respect to the frame.

24. A post assembly according to Claim 23, in which said suspension means comprises a roller or other wheel adapted to run on a track carried by or constituted by an overhead horizontal' member of said frame.

25. A post assembly according to Claim 23 or 24, in which said suspension' means is a trolley having at least one pair of wheels and providing an attachment member by means of which the post can be attached to the trolley.

26. A post assembly according to Claim 23,24 or 25, in which the suspension means includes a flexible link to facilitate movement of the post.

27. A post assembly according to Claim 26, in which the flexible link comprises a strap of high tensile strength textile material.

28. A post assembly according to Claim 27 as dependent from Claim 25, in which disposition of the strap is such that the post can be lifted to disengage the lower portion of the post from the vehicle body without the trolley being lifted from its track.

29. A post assembly according to Claim 28, in which the strap is in the form of a loop captive in a slot in the attachment member and passing around a support disposed transversely in the upper portion of the post

30. A post assembly according to any of Claims 23 to 29, in which said retention means comprises a member carried by the upper portion of the post for engagement with an overhead engagement means.

31. A post assembly according to Claim 30, in which the retention means comprises an upstanding spigot and the engagement means comprises a downwardly-facing socket in the region of the overhead guide.

32. A post assembly according to any of Claims 23 to 31, in which the retention means comprises a spigot retractable within the lower portion of the post for engagement with a recess in the frame or other part of the vehicle body.

33. A post assembly according to Claim 23, substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.