GB2395694A

GB2395694A - Trailer/container having pivotal side pillars

Info

Publication number: GB2395694A
Application number: GB0302039A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Andrew Richardson
Original assignee: DON BUR SERVICE Ltd
Current assignee: DON BUR SERVICE Ltd
Priority date: 2002-11-30
Filing date: 2003-01-29
Publication date: 2004-06-02
Anticipated expiration: 2023-01-29
Also published as: GB0228000D0; GB0302039D0; GB2395694B

Abstract

A trailer or container has a plurality of pillars 2 suitable for supporting loading decks that can be raised or lowered on the pillars (see figure 1), where at least one of the pillars may be moved from a supporting position to an out of the way position 2' thus allowing changed access to the space within the trailer/container. The pillar/s may be pivoted about their vertical axis at upper and lower positions, and may be locked at said positions when supporting the loading deck. An upper locking mechanism may be operated by a handle from a lower position by means of an elongate rod passing through the length of the pillar. The loading deck may be secured to the pillar/s by means of latch members, which may be prevented from latching with the pillar/s when the loading decks are at their lowermost position therefore allowing the pillar/s to be swung out.

Description

r ll\lPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO TRAILERS OR CONTAINERS This invention

relates to improvements in or relating to trailers or containers and is more particularly concerned with vehicle trailers or containers.

Vehicle trailers are known having supporting pillars spaced along the length thereof which are co-operable with loading decks that can be raised or lowered on the support pillars, usually by means of a fork lift truck. The fork lift truck has a lifting fork with prongs that are able to engage in purpose-made slots in the lifting decks so that the 10 forklift truck can be used to raise or lower a particular deck to a pre- determined height location on the pillars, in which location the deck can be locked in place by pivotable, triangular latch pieces or members. Although it is believed that such a trailer, equipped with a number of loading decks along the length that can be raised or lowered to cater for different heights of load or cargo, has a very versatile and 15 efficient load carrying arrangement, there tend to be problems sometimes in carrying various types of bulky cargo due to the presence of the pillars themselves. It should be evident that the presence of the loading decks being adjustable to varying heights on the trailer allows an efficient stacking of cargo in the height direction but, occasionally, cargo needs to be carried which is bulky in the lateral direction and the 20 load capacity of the trailer may be affected by the presence of the pillars, which may obstruct an efficient loading of such cargo into the trailer.

It is an object of the present invention to at least alleviate the aforementioned problem, or other problem, associated with loading trailers or containers.

According to the present invention there is provided a trailer or container having a plurality of pillars suitable for supporting loading decks that may be raised or lowered on the pillars, at least one of said pillars being moveable from a support position on the trailer or container to an out of the way position allowing changed access to the 5 space within the trailer or container.

By embodiments of the present invention, a trailer or container may be provided having a number of loading decks that can be set to a number of varying height positions to allow efficient loading of cargo in the height direction of the trailer or 10 container, said arrangement being such that at least one of said pillars can be temporarily moved to the out of the way position in which cargo can be loaded into the container or trailer from the side, thus giving greater access to said space, in a way which could not be accomplished if the pillar were present, said pillar being moveable into its original support position once said cargo has been loaded.

Usually, each support pillar for a particular loading deck (usually four pillars) will be pivotally mounted on the trailer or container to swing from a support position to an out of the way position.

20 Preferably, the angle between the support position and the out of the way position is at least 90 degrees and may be 135 degrees plus or minus 10 degrees.

The moveable pillar may be mounted on upper and lower angled swing arms.

Preferably, said at least one pillar is lockable in the support position and is preferably lockable to both the top and lower portion of the trailer or container.

In one embodiment of the present invention said at least one pillar comprises two 5 lengths of square generally U-shaped angle iron provided back to back with a gap there-between which, preferably, accommodates a locking mechanism. Said locking mechanism may incorporate a rod or elongate member and preferably incorporates a rack and pinion or the like. A handle may be provided which may be connected to the pinion where provided. The locking mechanism may be operated by the handle to 10 reciprocate the rod or elongate member into and out of locking engagement with an upper portion or roof of the vehicle or trailer.

Preferably, a lower spring loaded latching mechanism is provided to lock the lower end of the pillar to the floor of the trailer or container and said mechanism may 15 comprise a spring loaded plunger or piston which may be urged to the locking position. The spring- loaded plunger or piston may extend through a plate in a floor of the trailer and into a receiving hole in the pillar andlor lower swing arm. The lower spring loaded latching mechanism may be disengaged by means of a lower handle.

20 In one embodiment of the present invention, one or more of the loading decks may be retained in a lowered position relative to said at least one moveable pillar, whilst said pillar is moved between the support position to the out of the way position. One or more of said loading decks may be provided with at least one moveable or retractable latch piece or member, which latch piece/member is held in a retracted position by 25 guide means as the moveable pillar is moved between support and out of the way

positions or to allow said movement. The guide means may comprise a plate, preferably, extending upwardly from a floor of the trailer or container. Each loading deck may comprise four latch pieces/members and four associated guide means /plates. Each latch piece/member may be located at a corner of the associated loading 5 deck. Preferably, a lower end of the moveable pillar is provided with an inclined guide ramp, preferably, leading to a lower vertical guide surface ensuring the correct orientation of the latch member prior to engagement with said guide means.

It is possible that the trailer or container is modified in an alternative manner to allow a loading deck to be retained on said trailer in a lowered position whilst the moveable pillar is moved between the support and out of the way positions.

15 Many other advantageous features of the present invention will be apparent from the following description and drawings.

An embodiment of a vehicle trailer or container will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying FIGURES of the drawings in 20 which: FIGURE I shows a side view of a known trailer; FIGURE 2 shows a much simplified, diagrammatic plan view of a vehicle 25 trailer carrying cargo;

s FIGURE 3 shows a diagrammatic sectional view of the trailer taken on line Ill - III in FIGURE 2; 5 FIGURES 3a and 3b show details of parts shown in FIGURE 3; FIGURE 4 shows a diagrammatic part-sectional side view of the trailer looking in direction of arrow A on FIGURE 2; 10 FIGURE 5 shows a diagrammatic plan view of a pivotable pillar assembly of the trailer; FIGURE 6 shows a perspective view of part of the pivotable pillar assembly shown in FIGURE 5; FIGURE 7 shows a partial front view of the pivotable pillar assembly in which the pillar has been moved to an out of the way position; FIGURE 8 shows a partial front and side perspective view of the trailer shown 20 in FIGURE l; FIGURE 9 shows a partial diagrammatic perspective view of a known arrangement with a loading deck including latch member and operating lever;

FIGURES lea and lob show in section known stages in engagement of two latch members on respective loading decks with pillar support steps; FIGURE 11 shows a partial front view of a modified pillar assembly and 5 modified floor/side rave area of a trailer or container in accordance with the present invention; FIGURE 12 shows a view of the side rave shown in FIGURE I with the pivotable pillar of the modified pillar assembly swung to an out of the way 10 position; FIGURE 13 shows a perspective view of the side rave shown in FIGURE 12 looking generally in the direction of arrow C in FIGURE 12; 15 FIGURE 14 shows a detail of the free end of the pivotable pillar adjacent a second loading deck; FIGURE 15 shows a view of the side rave and loading decks without guide plates, with pivotable pillar in an out of the way position; FIGURE 16 shows a partial, upwardly angled view of one loading deck on the trailer/container shown in FIGURES I I to 15; FIGURE 17 shows a view of a guide-plate and modified pillar assembly in the 25 support position;

FIGURE 18 shows a front diagrammatic view of the modified pillar assembly; FIGURE 19 shows a diagrammatic side view of the modified pillar assembly; FIGURE 20 shows mounting details of the modified pillar assembly, and FIGURE 21 shows enlarged detail views of parts of the modified pillar assembly. Referring to FIGURE I of the drawings, a known vehicle trailer 100 is provided with support pillars 101 spaced in pairs along the length of the trailer and arranged to support loading decks 102 (only three loading decks 102 shown in FIGURE 1) that can be set to a chosen pre-set height location in known manner by means of a fork lift 15 truck (not shown). The fork lift truck has a fork with prongs that are able to engage in associated pairs of rectangular receiving holes 103 in decks 102, in order to raise or lower the deck accordingly as required, once a locking mechanism has been disabled.

Each pillar 101 consists substantially of two lengths of square U-shaped angle iron arranged back to back with internal, V-shaped steps lOla (see FIGURE 8) being 20 spaced from one another in the height direction, in use, acting to support the loading decklO2. Loading deck 102 at the far right on the trailer is shown in the lower-most position on the support pillars 101, at floor level, whilst the other two decks 102 shown are at staggered height positions.

Whilst the afore-described arrangement of loading decks 102 being moveable to varying height positions in the trailer to cater for stacking of variable height cargo works well in practice, it is believed that such an arrangement can be improved. On occasion, cargo items which may be relatively bulky in the lateral dimension need to 5 be loaded onto the trailer through the open side.

As shown in FIGURE 1, side curtain 104 has been pulled to the rear end of the vehicle trailer 100 thereby opening the side giving access to the space within the trailer.

Although only three decks are shown in FIGURE 1, it is to be appreciated that more 10 decks 102 could be included or located above or below the decks already shown.

Where cargo is to be loaded on the trailer 100 which is bulky in the lateral dimension, the pillars 101 may well impede the easy loading of such cargo into the space of the trailer or indeed obstruct loading to such an extent that less cargo can be loaded onto the trailer than would otherwise be the case. This disadvantage will be explained later 15 on in relation to a trailer in accordance with the present invention shown more particularly in FIGURE 2 of the drawings.

In any event, usually the decks 102 are lowered/raised to the lowermost or uppermost positions, when cargo which is bulky in the lateral dimension is to be carried or, 20 indeed, the decks 102 could be removed completely.

FIGURE 2 of the drawings shows a vehicle trailer 1 having pairs of vertical support pillars 2 capable of supporting loading decks 3 at varying height positions in a manner generally known per se. In the arrangement as shown in FIGURE 2, the trailer I has 25 three loading decks or sets of loading decks 3 arranged along the length of the vehicle

and four internal support pillars 2 but, in practice, any chosen number of support pillars 2 could be provided together with appropriate numbers or sets of loading decks 3. S Each support pillar 2 is pivotally mounted on a swing axis 4 in an associated pillar assembly 5 and may be swung from a support position at the left of the associated pillar assembly to an out of the way position 2' to the right of the associated pillar assembly 5, as shown in FIGURE 2. Each vertical pillar 2 is mounted on upper and lower angled swing arms 6 pivotable about swing axis 4 from the support position to 10 the out of the way position 6 ' as shown in FIGURE 2.

As shown in FIGURE 2 the trailer 1 is loaded with a plurality of cylindrical cargo items C which are bulky in the lateral dimension (i.e., of bulky diameter).

15 It should be evident that cargo items Cl, C2, C3 and C4 can be loaded directly into position from the associated side of the trailer after moving or swinging pillars 2 from their support position, supporting loading decks 3, outwardly in the directions of arrows X to a position in which the pillars 2 are at least at right angles to the trailer l or preferably all the way to the out of the way position 2'. It should be clear from 20 FIGURE 2 of the drawings that if the pillars 2 were fixed in the support positions cargo items Cl to C4 could not be loaded directly into the trailer space in correct location from an associated open side of the vehicle and, in any event, loading of the cargo items Cl, C2, C3, C4 would be much more difficult requiring considerable movement longitudinally of the trailer in addition to movement transverse of the 25 trailer.

It is envisaged that, when the cargo items C are to be loaded onto the trailer, the loading decks 3 are completely removed or raised and/or lowered to out of the way height positions on the trailer. The pillars 2 can be swung from their support positions 5 as shown in FIGURE 2 and, once the cargo items C have been correctly loaded onto the trailer, pillars 2 can be swung from their out of the way positions 2' about the associated swing axis 4 to their original support positions. Support pillars 2 may be locked in their support positions in a manner to be described and released therefrom to be swung about their associated swing axis 4 to the out of the way position in a 10 manner to be described.

Referring more particularly to FIGURES 3, 4 and 6 of the drawings, each pillar 2 consists of two lengths 2a, 2b of square U-shaped angle iron arranged in back to back relationship except for a gap g between the Ushaped lengths. The part-circular chain t5 dotted lines shown in FIGURE 4 represent wheel arches of a trailer. Each length of square generally Ushaped angle iron 2a,2b is provided with a number of generally V-

shaped steps 2c of known form utilised for supporting the loading decks 3 horizontally (or at least parallel to the floor of the trailer 1) in a manner which should be self-

evident. Gap g is provided in between the back plates of the angle iron lengths 2a,2b, 20 unlike in known pillar arrangements for supporting loading decks, in order to accommodate a locking mechanism L (see FIGURES 3, 6 and 7 of the drawings) for locking and unlocking the upper end of the pillar 102 to an upper part or roof R of the trailer. It is to be noted that the locking mechanism L has been omitted from FIGURE 4 for ease of illustration.

The lower ends of the pillar angle iron sections 2a and 2b are welded to the lower swing arm 6 as most clearly illustrated in FIGURE 6, said swing arm 6 being of square tubular cross-section. The upper ends of the pillar angle iron sections 2a and 2b are welded to the upper swing arm 6 in a similar manner. Thus the gap g may be 5 formed between the fixed lengths 2a,2b as the lengths are welded as aforesaid; also cross bars or rods ( not shown) can be welded across the lengths at intervals for support before or after welding the lengths to the swing arms 6.

The locking mechanism L includes a rod 7 extending along the gap g and journalled in 10 support blocks 8 that allow the vertical reciprocation of the rod 7 in a manner which should be evident from the FIGURES of the drawings. At the lower end of rod 7 a rack 7a is provided (see FIGURES 3 and 3a) which is co-operable with a pinion wheel 9 meshing with rack 7a. A handle H is mounted on pinion axis 9a (see FIGURE 3b) such that upward movement of handle H. from the position as shown in FIGURE 3, 15 about pinion axis 9a (i.e., in the direction of arrow Y) rotates pinion wheel 9 thereby moving rack 7a and rod 7 in a downward position relative to the pillar 2 thereby disengaging the upper rod end 7b from its locking location in a matching receiving hole in angle section 10 in the roof R as should be evident from FIGURE 3 of the drawings. It should be noted that the pillar 2 is locked both at the top of the trailer to roof R by means of the upper rod end 7b as shown in FIGURE 3, and is also locked at the lower end to the floor of the trailer by means now described. FIGURES 3, 6 and 7 show a lower spring loaded latching mechanism L2 including a spring loaded plunger or 25 piston 11 which is naturally urged to the position shown in FIGURES 3, 6 and 7 with

an uppermost portion extending through plate 12 of the floor of the trailer 100. For ease of illustration, the lower latching mechanism L2 is not shown in FIGURE 4.

As shown in FIGURES 3 and 6, the upper end of the plunger 11 extends through a 5 receiving hole in the swing arm 6 thereby locking the lower swing arm 6 in the position shown in FIGURES 3 and 6 which, together with locking mechanism L locking the top of the pillar 2 to the roof R. securely maintain the pillar 2 in a support position for supporting loading decks 3 on steps 2c of the pillar in a manner which should be self-evident.

Locking mechanism L2 can be disengaged to free the lower swing arm 6 from being locked, simply by pulling downwardly on cross member I la attached to plunger 11 against springs means, until the top of the plunger 11 drops to the upper level of plate 12 and below the lowest level of the swing arm 6. Whilst latching mechanism L2 is 15 disengaged, or beforehand, handle H can be rotated in direction of arrow I urging rod 7 downwardly thereby disengaging the upper rod end 7b from angle section 10 of the roof R thus allowing the pillar 2 to be swung freely about the pivot axis 4 in the direction of arrow X to the out of the way position 2' as shown more particularly in FIGURE 7. It should be evident from FIGURES 3, 4, 5 and 7 of the drawings how 20 the upper and lower swing arms 6 are pivotally mounted in the roof R and floor F of the trailer.

FIGURE 5 is in a larger detailed view of one of the swing pillar assemblies 5. The angled line Z represents the out of the way position of the pillar and swing arm 2', 6.

FIGURE 5 shows stops S 1 and S2 that help support the pillar 2 and swing arm 6 in the supporting position and out of the way position respectively.

Advantageously, the pillars 2 are pivotally mounted to swing outwardly towards the 5 rear of the trailer. In this way, once the pillars 2 are locked in the support positions, should the vehicle pulling the trailer decelerate quickly or brake hard, the tendency will be for the pillars to move inwardly rather than outwardly thus reducing strain on the locking mechanisms.

10 Whilst in the afore-described embodiment, the side pillars are moveable, it is possible that one or more rear pillars could be movable or swingable instead of, or in addition to, one or more side pillars.

The Applicant has made further modifications to the trailer or container in order to be 15 able to move at least one of the pillars from the support position on the trailer or container to an out of the way position (allowing changed access to space within the trailer or container) whilst a deck that is normally supported by the pillar is in a lowered position and without a moveable latch member on the deck impeding or being an obstacle to said movement of the pillar.

FIGURE 8 shows a partial view of a known vehicle trailer 100 and FIGURES 9 and 10 show views of a known loading deck 102 and known triangular, pivotable latch member 200.

Since FIGURES 8 - 10 relate to a known arrangement, the loading decks 102 and respective triangular latch members 200 will not be described in detail. However, FIGURES 10a and 10b illustrate what happens to the pivotable latch members 200 as a loading deck 102 is raised upwardly relative to a pillar 101 and in particular relative 5 to V- shaped steps 101a. As loading deck 102 is moved upwardly past a V-shaped step 101a, latch member 200 contacts the sloping surface z of the step 10la (see FIGURE 10a) and is urged to swing inwardly and upwardly in direction of arrow B about axis 201. Once the latching end 202 of latch member 200 passes upwardly beyond the horizontal portion l01b of the step 101a counterweight or counterbalance 10 203 of the latch member 200 causes latch member to swing in the reverse direction of arrow B in the angular orientation shown relative to the deck 102 as shown in FIGURE lob. Initially, latch member 200 may be spaced a little above horizontal portion 101b of the V- shaped seat 101a until the loading deck 102 is lowered slightly by the forklift truck onto the correctly latched and seated position as shown in 15 FIGURE lob.

Thus, it should be evident how loading decks 102 can be raised from a particular supporting position on V- shaped steps 10la on the pillars l0l to an upper level.

However, in order to lower a particular loading deck 102 to a lower level it is first 20 necessary to raise the loading deck 102 upwardly beyond the uppermost V-shaped step 101a until associated control lever 204 operatively connected to the latch member 200 (via transverse rod extending along axis 201) contacts the underside of associated triangular block or retraction means/member 205 located at the upper end of pillar l 01 (see FIGURE 8). As the loading deck 102 is moved passed the block 205, 25 control lever 204 is pivotably activated to rotate the associated latch member 200

about axis 201to a fully retracted position in which the front edges 206 of the latch member are generally vertical with the rear surface 207 of the latch member being generally horizontal and being retained thereby by the counterbalance 203. In this position, it should be self- evident that the loading deck can now be lowered 5 downwardly to a lower V-shaped step without the latch member contacting the intermediate V- shaped steps on the way down, which contact would prevent such downward movement of the loading deck. As the loading deck approaches the floor of the trailer, a guide wheel (not shown) located underneath the loading deck and operatively connected to the latch members 200 via a counterbalance mechanism 10 contacts the floor prior to the loading deck itself and the latch members 200 are gently pivoted to the extended position as shown in FIGURE 9. From that position, the loading deck 102 can be raised by a forklift truck so that each latch member 200 can once again be swung inwardly generally to the position shown in lea as it is moved passed the first, lowest V- shaped step. Thus, it should be evident how a loading deck IS can be raised and lowered to a particular, desired set height level on pillar 101.

A difficulty arises in accordance with the present invention where a moveable or pivotable pillar assembly (e.g.5) is provided in conjunction with a loading deck (eg,102) which is to be retained in a lower position on the vehicle whilst the pillar is 20 moved or pivoted between a support position and an out of the way position. The problem arises in the first described embodiment that where loading decks 102 are moved to a lowered position (floor level) on the trailer or container on each side of the moveable or pivotable pillar assembly, the triangular latch members 200 will each extend into the respective square U-shaped angle iron recessed portion of the pillar 2, 25 thereby preventing the pillar 2 from being swung to an out of the way position.

FIGURES I 1 - 21 show a modified embodiment of the present invention in which each pillar 2 has been modified to the form of pillar 2' and the floor and side rave of the trailer/container have been modified to allow the moveable pillar 2' to be swung 5 from a closed support position on the trailer/container to an out of the way position without latch members 200 impeding or being an obstacle to such movement, when the loading decks 102 are in a lowered position on the floor of the trailer/container.

Referring to FIGURES 11 - 14, the floor F of the trailer/container l' has been 10 provided with guide means in the form of two, vertical, parallel, upwardly-extending plates 300 which act to engage the latch members 200 when the loading decks 102 are in the fully lowered position resting on the floor of the trailer/container; thereby ensuring that the latch members do not extend beyond the ends of the loading deck 102 within the U-shaped cross section of the pillar 2, thus allowing free movement of 15 the pillar 2' between the closed support position and the out of the way position.

FIGURE 15 shows the position in which the latch members 200 would naturally rest without the provision of the guide means 300 and it should be clear that there would be a distinct overlap with the pillar 2', the latch members 200 extending deeply into 20 the U- shaped cross sections on the pillar 2', thereby preventing movement of the moveable pillar to an out of the way position.

In addition to providing the floor of the trailer/container with appropriately positioned upwardly extending guide-plates 300 the inner configurations of the lower portions of 25 the lengths2a', 2' of the pillar 2' have been amended to co-operate with the associated

latch member 200, to ensure that the latch members 200 are retained in the correct angular orientation as they are moved downwardly to contact the guide-plates 300.

Said amended inner configurations also ensure a smooth angular movement of the latch members outwardly relative to the associated loading deck as the loading deck is 5 moved upwardly beyond the guide-plates 300.

FIGURES 14 and 17 show the modification made to each member 2a', 2b' of the pillar 2', each said member 2a', 2b' now being provided with a downwardly sloping plate 301 (see FIGURES 18 and 21) and vertical portion 302 positioned in use above 10 the guide-plate 300).

FIGURES 18 - 21 show the modifications made to the pillar 2 and mounting to the trailer/container. 15 FIGURE 14 of the drawings shows a view of the loading deck 102 having the latch member 200 contacting the surface 300a of guide plate 300 prior to the side rave of the vehicle being cut away to accommodate the newly downwardly angled position of the latch member 200 that should be similar to that shown in FIGURE 11.

20 It is to be understood that the scope of the present invention is not to be unduly limited by the particular choice of terminology and that a specific term may be replaced or supplemented by an equivalent or generic term. For example, the term 'rod' could be replaced 'member'. Further it is to be understood that individual features, method or functions relating to the trailer or container, upper and/or lower latching mechanism, 25 or pillar might be individually patentably inventive. The singular may include the

plural and vice versa. Additionally, any range mentioned herein for any parameter or variable shall be taken to include a disclosure of any derivable sub-range within that

range or of any particular value of the variable or parameter arranged within, or at an end of, the range or sub-range.

s

Claims

l] CLAIMS

1. A trailer or container having a plurality of pillars suitable for supporting loading 5 decks that can be raised or lowered on the pillars, at least one of said pillars being moveable from a support position on the trailer or container to an out of the way position allowing changed access to the space within the trailer or container.

2. A trailer or container as claimed in Claim 1 having a number of loading decks that

10 can be set to a number of varying height positions to allow efficient loading of cargo in the height direction of the trailer or container, said arrangement being such that at least one of said pillars can be temporarily moved to the out of the way position in which cargo can be loaded into the container or trailer from the side, said pillar being moveable into its original support position once said cargo has been loaded.

3. A trailer or container as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 in which each support pillar for a particular loading deck is pivotally mounted on the trailer or container to swing from a support position to an out of the way position.

20

4. A trailer or container as claimed in Claim 3 having four support pillars for a loading deck.

5. A trailer or container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the angle between the support position and the out of the way position is at least 90 25 degrees.

2o

6. A trailer or container as claimed in Claim 5 in which said angle is 135 degrees plus or minus 10 degrees.

7. A trailer or container as claimed in any of the preceding claims in which said at 5 least one moveable pillar is mounted on upper and lower angled swing arms.

8. A trailer or container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which said at least one moveable pillar is lockable in the support position.

10

9. A trailer or container as claimed in Claim 8 in which the moveable pillar is lockable to both the top and lower portion of the trailer or container.

10. A trailer or container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which said at least one moveable pillar comprises two lengths of square generally U-shaped angle 15 iron provided back to back with a gap there-between.

11. A trailer or container as claimed in Claim 10 in which said gap accommodates a locking mechanism.

20

12. A trailer or container as claimed in Claim 11 in which said mechanism incorporates a rod or elongate member.

13. A trailer or container as claimed in Claim 12 in which the locking mechanism incorporates a rack and pinion or the like.

14. A trailer or container as claimed in any one of Claims 1 I to 13 incorporating a handle.

15. A trailer or container as claimed in Claim 14 when dependent from Claim 13 in 5 which the handle is connected to the pinion where provided.

16. A trailer or container as claimed in Claim 14 or Claim 15 in which the locking mechanism can be operated by the handle to reciprocate the rod or elongate member into and out of locking engagement with an upper portion or roof of the vehicle or 10 trailer.

17. A trailer or container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which a lower spring loaded latching mechanism is provided to lock the lower end of the pillar to the floor of the trailer or container.

18. A trailer or container as claimed in Claim 17 in which said latching mechanism comprises a spring loaded plunger or piston which can be urged to the locking position. 20

19. A trailer or container as claimed in Claim 18 in which the spring- loaded plunger or piston extends through a plate in a floor of the trailer and into a receiving hole in the pillar and/or lower swing arm.

20. A trailer or container as claimed in any one claims 17 to 19 in which the lower 25 spring loaded latching mechanism can be disengaged by means of a lower handle.

21. A trailer or container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which one or more of the loading decks can be retained in a lowered position relative to said at least one moveable pillar, whilst said pillar is moved between the support position to 5 the out of the way position.

22. A trailer or container as claimed in Claim 21 in which more of said loading decks is provided with at least one moveable or retractable latch piece or member, which latch piece/member is held in a retracted position by guide means as the moveable 10 pillar is moved between support and out of the way positions or to allow said movement.

23. A trailer or container as claimed in Claim 22 in which the guide means comprises a plate.

24. A trailer or container as claimed in Claim 23 in which the plate extends upwardly from a floor of the trailer or container.

25. A trailer or container as claimed in any one of Claims 22, 23 or 24 in which each 20 loading deck comprises four latch pieces/members and four associated guide means /plates.

26. A trailer or container as claimed in Claim 25 in which each latch piece/member is located at a corner of the associated loading deck.

27. A trailer or container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which a lower end of the moveable pillar is provided with an inclined guide ramp.

28. A trailer or container as claimed in Claim 27 in which the ramp leads to a lower 5 vertical guide surface ensuring the correct orientation of the latch member prior to engagement with said guide means.

29. A trailer or container substantially as herein described with reference to FIGURES 2 to 7 of the accompanying drawings or when modified in accordance with FIGURES 10 1 1 to 21 of the accompanying drawings.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. A trailer or container having a plurality of pillars suitable for supporting loading 5 decks that can be raised or lowered on the pillars, at least one of said pillars being moveable from a support position on the trailer or container to an out of the way position allowing changed access to the space within the trailer or container.

2. A trailer or container as claimed m Claim 1 having a number of loading decks that 10 can be set to a number of varying height positions to allow efficient loading of cargo in the height direction of the trailer or container, said arrangement being such that at least one of said pillars can be temporarily moved to the out of the way position in which cargo can be loaded into the container or trailer from the side, said pillar being moveable into its original support position once said cargo has been loaded.

20 4. A trailer or container as claimed in Claim 3 having four support pillars for a loading deck 5. A trailer or container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the angle between the support position and the out of the way position Is at least 90 25 degrees.

10 9. A trailer or container as claimed in Claim 8 in which the moveable pillar is lockable to both the top and lower portion of the trailer or container.

20 l 2. A trailer or container as claimed in Claim 11 in which said mechanism incorporates a rod or elongate member.

(

- 7 14. A trailer or container as claimed in any one of Claims] 1 to 13 incorporating a handle. ]5. A trailer or container as claimed in Claim 14 when dependent from Claim 13 in 5 which the handle is connected to the pinion where provided.

16. A trailer or container as claimed in Claim 14 or Claim 15 in which the locking mechanism can be operated by the handle to reciprocate the rod or elongate member into and out of locking engagement with an upper portion or roof of the vehicle or 1 0 trailer.

18. A trailer or container as claimed in Claim 17 in which said latching mechanism comprises a spring loaded plunger or piston which can be urged to the locking position. 20 19. A trailer or container as claimed in Claim 18 in which the springs loaded plunger or piston extends through a plate in a floor of the trailer and into a receiving hole in the pillar and/or lower swing arm.

22. A trailer or container as claimed in Claim 21 in which more of said loading decks is provided with at least one moveable or retractable latch piece or member, which latch piece/member is held in a retracted position by guide means as the moveable 10 pillar is moved between support and out of the way positions or to allow said movement. 23. A trailer or container as claimed in Claim 22 in which the guide means comprises a plate.

25. A trailer or container as claimed in any one of Claims 22, 23 or 24 in which each 20 loading deck comprises four latch pieces/members and four associated guide means /plates. 26. A trailer or container as claimed in Claim 25 in which each latch piece/member is located at a corner of the associated loading deck.

i 5 27. A trailer or container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which a lower end of the moveable pillar is provided with an inclined guide ramp.

29. A trailer or container substantially as herein described with reference to FIGURES 2 to 7 of the accompanying drawings or when modified in accordance with FIGURES 10 11 to 21 of the accompanying drawings.

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30. A trailer or container having a plurality of pillars suitable for supporting loading decks that can be raised or lowered on the pillars, at least one of said pillars being displaceable from a support position on the trailer or container to an out of the way position spaced frown the support position or said at least one pillar being swingable about an axis parallel with said support pillars, allowing changed access to the space within the trailer or container.

31. A trailer or container having a plurality of pillars suitable for supporting loading decks that can be raised or lowered on the pillars at least one of said pillars being moveable from a support position on the trailer or container to an out of the way position allowing changed access to the space within the trailer or container, said moveable pillar being lockable to both top and lower portion of the trailer or container.