GB2175632A - Curtain sided vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

A curtain sided vehicle having a curtain side (2) divided into bays (5) by vertical stiffeners (4) is provided with means for moving the curtain material outwardly into a desired fold configuration as the tension in the curtain side is released to open the curtain side. The moving means comprises a weight (7) located in a pocket adjacent the upper edge of the curtain so that as the curtain opens the weight tips to push the curtain into the desired outward fold. The folding action may be assisted by stiffener strips (10) and/or by a vertical rod (8) which is pivotally connected to the weight (7). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Curtain sided vehicle This invention relates to a curtain sided vehicle, that is to say a vehicle at least one wall of which is formed by a flexible curtain which can be moved aside to gain access to the interior of the vehicle.

In one type of curtain sided vehicle the curtain wall is supported on spaced apart rollers running on a curtain track, each roller hving associated therewith a vertical stiffener which runs from the roller to the lower edge of the curtain. As the curtain is opened the stiffeners move closer to each other and the curtain material is folded, concertina fashion. Curtain arrangements of this type have been found to be unsatisfactory unless some means are provided to cause the curtain to fold outward of the vehicle as the curtain folds.

GB 2106573A suggests the use of resilient biasing strips tending to urge the panels of the curtain outwardly as the curtain pleats or folds.

We have found that a satisfactory alternative to the use of biasing strips is the use of one or more weights secured to the curtain, the weights being positioned to push the curtain into a fqld as the curtain is opened.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a curtain sided vehicle having at least one curtain side which is supported by movable elements running on a curtain track at the upper edge of the curtain, wherein the curtain side is divided into bays by vertically extending stiffeners and wherein at least some of the curtain bays are provided with a weightt secured to the curtain material such that as horizontal tension in the curtain is released to open the curtain side the weights cause the curtain of their associated bays to fold in a predetermined direction.

In one embodiment, each bay of curtain is provided with a weight secured to the top edge of the curtain mid-way between adjacent stiffener strips.

As the curtain becomes slack the weight pulls a fold into the curtain. The size of the weight is not, however, sufficient to prevent the curtain being pulled to a smooth flat configuration as the curtain is tensioned during normal closure of the curtain side.

Whilst a single weight located in each bay at the top edge of the curtain and mid-way between the edges of the bay is at present preferred, other arrangements of weight are possible provided that the effect of the weight is to fold the curtain as required during opening, and the weight does not prevent satisfactory closure of the curtain.

Whilst the use of weights alone may be satisfactory under some circumstances, it is often desirable to provide some auxiliary means to assist in the desired folding of the curtain. Such auxiliary means will improve the operation of the weight, especially under windy conditions, and also enable a smaller weight to be used than would be possible if no such auxiliary means were provided.

In the usual case where the desired fold is along a line extending vertically downwardly from the weight, the auxiliary means may conveniently comprise stiffening means attached to or forming part of each bay and located on each side of but not across the predetermined fold line.

Preferably the stiffening means of each bay comprises a plurality of pairs of stiffening reinforcements, each pair being disposed in vertical spaced relationship from any adjacent pair and each member of each pair extending from adjacent a respective side of the panel to adjacent the fd line.

Advantageously three pairs of stiffening reinforcements are provided, one pair being disposed at or adjacent to the top of each curtain bay a second pair being disposed at or adjacent to the base of the bay, and a third pair being disposed at an intermediate point.

The stfffening reinforcements may each comprise a second layer of flexible material welded or otherwise attached to the curtain material.

The material of the reinforcement may be the same as or different to that of the curtain panel.

Ideally the materials are the same, and may be PVC.

Additionally or alternatively the auxiliary means may comprise a vertical rod which is pivotally connected to the weight and extends to adjacent the lower edge of the curtain where it is constrained to remain in close engagement with the curtain.

The effect of the rod in the preferred embodiment is to prevent the curtain material from billowing inwardly as the tension is released when the curtain side is subject to a side wind. Further, the rod has the effect of imparting some outward motion to the lower edge of the curtain as the weight rotates, thereby helping to ensure that the curtain folds in the desired manner.

The invention will be better understood from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof given by way of example only, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a side view of part of the curtain side of a curtain sided vehicle; Figures 2 and 3 are sections on the line A-A of Figure 1 when the curtain side is fully closed and partially open, respectively.

Figure 4 is a cross-section showing a method of forming a pocket; and Figures 5, 6 and 7 are views corresponding to Figures 1, 2 and 3 respectively showing a second embodiment of the invention.

Referring firstly to Figure 1 a curtain side wall 1 of a curtain sided vehicle comprises a curtain 2 suspended from rollers 3 which, in use, run on a curtain track adjacent the roof of the vehicle. A stiffener 4 extends downwardly from each roller 3 to adjacent the lower edge of the curtain, the stiffeners being secured to the curtain and dividing the curtain into bays 5, each bounded by two stiffeners 4. When the curtain side wall is closed, horizontal tension is applied to the curtain material, and the curtain is taut and flat. This condition is illustrated on the left-hand part of Figure 1. To open the side wall, the tension is released and the stiffeners are moved towards each other as shown on the right hand part of Figure 1. In the fully open condition of the curtain side wall the stiffeners 4 are close packed and the curtain material is folded or pleated concertina fashion.

It will be appreciated that Figure 1 is a composite view and that in practice one bay 5 cannot be taut whilst other bays are partly folded.

Referring now to Figures 2 to 4 it will be seen that a weight 6 is secured to the curtain in the upper central zone of each bay. The weight is conveniently in the form of a length of bar material located within a verically extending pocket 7 secured to the curtain material. When the curtain is under horizontal tension the weight is upright, as shown in Figure 2, but as the tension is released the weight, constrained by the curtain material, rotates to the position shown in Figure 3 thereby moving the extreme upper edge region of the curtain inwardly of the vehicle, but moving the curtain material immediately below the weight outwardly.

The pocket 7 can conveniently be formed by a length of curtain material formed into the shape shown in Figure 4 and secured to the main portion of the curtain 2 by welding or stitching.

Whilst under some circumstances a weight of suitable size and length will provide satisfactory biasing of the curtain material, it is preferable to provide auxiliary means to assist in the desired folding of the curtain. Two such auxiliary means which mayy be used separately or together are illustrated in Figures 5-8. In these Figures parts corresponding to those already described carry the same reference numerals, and the auxiliary means are only illustrated in realtion to one bay of the curtain in the interests.of clarity, it being understood that in practice each bay will be provided with suitable auxiliary means if necessary.

One form of auxiliary means comprise stiffening members 10 secured to the curtain material to extend substantially from each stiffener 4 to a point just short of the vertical center line of each bay.

These strips can conveniently be of the same material as the main curtain, for example PVC, in which case they can conveniently be secured by welding to the main curtain material. It will be appreciated, however, that other stiffening means may be provided. In use, a weight 7 positioned as indicated will tend to fold each panel of curtain outwardly along a vertical center line. The provision of the stiffening memebers 10 which extend to a point adjacent the vertical center line but do not cross the vertical center line will provide improved folding of the curtain material.

In some circumstances, satisfactory folding of the curtain material may be achieved by use of the stiffeners 10 without an associated weight 7, or with a weight of a form different from that illustrated.

Additionally or alternatively auxiliary means may be provided by a rod 8 which is pivotally connected to the weight adjacent the center thereof and extends vertically downwardly to adjacent the lower edge of the curtain where is freely passes through a saddle 9 secured t6 the curtain material.

In this manner, the lowerr end of the rod is constrained to remain in close contact with the material of the curtain, but can move vertically as the weight rotates.

It has been found that the rods 8 resists the tendency of the panels to blow inwardly if the curtain is subject to side winds as the tension is released, and assists in moving the lower edge of the curtain, in the center of each panel, outwardly as tension is released from the curtain, thereby initiating the desired outward folding or pleating of the panels. This action is assisted by the reinforcing strips 10.

Claims (9)

1. A curtain sided vehicle having at least one curtain side which is supported by movable elements running on a curtain track at the upper edge of the curtain, wherein the curtain side is divided into bays by vertically extending stiffeners and wherein at least some of the curtain bays are provided with a weight secured to the curtain material such that as horizontal tension in the curtain is releaved to open the curtain side the weights cause the curtain of their associated bays to fold in a predetermined direction.

2. A curtain sided vehicle according to claim 1 wherein the weight is secured to the tDp edge of the curtain mid-way between adjacent stiffener strips.

3. A curtain sided vehicle according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the weight is an elongate bar the longitudinal axis of which extends vertically when the curtain is pulled to a smooth flat configuration and which is constrained to tilt inwardly of the vehicle as tension is released from the curtain.

4. A curtain sided vehicle according to any preceding claim wherein the weight is a length of bar located in a pocket secured to the curtain.

5. A curtain sided vehicle according to any preceding claim wherein auxiliary means are provided to assist in folding of the curtain, the auxiliary means comprising at least one pair of stiffening members, each stiffening member extending from an associated vertical curtain stiffener to adjacent the vertical center line of a bay to assist the curtain in folding along the vertical center line.

6. A curtain sided vehicle according to claim 5 wherein a plurality of pairs of stiffener members are provided for each bay.

7. A curtain sided vehicle according to any preceding claim wherein auxiliary means in the form of a vertical rod, pivotally connected t6 each weight and extending downwardly from the weight to adjacent the lower edge of the curtain are provided to assist folding of the curtain.

8. A curtain sided vehicle according to claim 7 wherein the lower end of the rod is constrained to remain in close engagement with the curtain.

9. A curtain sided vehicle substantially as herein before described with reference to the accompanying drawings.