WO2016024252A1

WO2016024252A1 - Integrated post for a drop side door

Info

Publication number: WO2016024252A1
Application number: PCT/IB2015/056203
Authority: WO
Inventors: Edward Charles BOTHA
Original assignee: Botha Edward Charles
Priority date: 2014-08-15
Filing date: 2015-08-14
Publication date: 2016-02-18

Abstract

This invention concerns an integrated post (10, 60) for use with a drop side door (102) of a vehicle (100). The integrated post (10, 60) includes a body (12) which is mountable adjacent the drop side door (102) and at least one locking mechanism (16). The locking mechanism (16) comprises a latch (18) which is movable between a first, locking position and a second, releasing position. The latch (18) is arranged to engage the door (102) when in its locking position and disengage the door (102) when in its releasing position. The latch (18) is biased towards its locking position so as to lock the drop side door (102) to the integrated post (10, 60) when the latch (18) engages the door (102).

Description

INTEGRATED POST FOR A DROP SIDE DOOR

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an integrated post for a drop side door. In particular, but not exclusively, the invention relates to an integrated drop side post for a drop side door including a self-locking mechanism.

Drop side trucks are well-known and commonly used to transport a wide range of loads. An advantage of a drop side truck is that it has side doors located at the longitudinal sides of its loading bay that are collapsible so that the load being transported can be easily unloaded over the sides of the loading bay. The drop side doors are typically connected to the loading bay of the truck body in a position that allows them to be pivoted from an upstanding position wherein they close off the loading bay to a collapsed position wherein they hang substantially vertically down from the loading bay. In order to mount the drop side doors in their upright positions the truck also carries posts extending vertically upright from the sides of the loading bay. The doors are fixed to the upright posts when in their upright positions so as to close off the loading bay, thereby preventing the load from falling off during transport. The drop side doors carry handles which are used to lock the doors to the upright posts. Each handle is typically carried pivotally on its associated door so that it can be moved from a locked position wherein it locks the drop side door to the post to a released position wherein the drop side door is allowed to pivot into its collapsed position.

On some drop side trucks the posts are fixed in their upright positions while on others they are also allowed to collapse similarly to the drop side doors. A locking pin is typically used to lock a drop post in its upright position. The pin is then operable between different positions in which movement of the drop post is allowed and prevented respectively.

When using the current posts it is at times difficult for a single person to lock and unlock the drop side doors. The current drop side door locking mechanism must be operated manually by gripping a handle on the door and moving it by hand. It is often required to apply pressure on the door while trying to align the handle with the slot in which it is received in the upright post. This is often worsened when the handles or doors have suffered some damage and, accordingly, do not align properly.

In the current drop side door locking mechanism the handles protrude from the side and rear doors of the loading bay. This is yet another drawback as it detracts from the overall aesthetics of the truck.

It is an object of this invention to alleviate at least some of the problems experienced with existing drop side door locking mechanisms.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an integrated post that will be a useful alternative to existing posts. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the invention there is provided an integrated post for a drop side door of a vehicle, the integrated post including:

a body which is mountable adjacent the drop side door;

at least one locking mechanism comprising a latch which is movable between a first, locking position and a second, releasing position, the latch being arranged to engage the door when in its locking position and disengage the door when in its releasing position;

wherein the latch is biased towards its locking position.

Preferably, the integrated post includes two locking mechanisms, the latches of which are independently operable between their locking and releasing positions.

Each latch may carry a catch which protrudes from the body when in its locking position such that it can engage the adjacent drop side door. In the preferred embodiment the catch is retracted completely into the body of the integrated post when in its releasing position, thereby allowing the door to be released from the drop side post when the latch is in its releasing position.

The latch may be connected to the body by means of a fastener located in an elongate hole formed in the latch, thereby allowing the fastener to move along the length of the hole when the latch is moved between its locking and releasing positions.

Each locking mechanism may include a sliding arm for manipulating the associated latch between its locking and releasing positions. In the preferred embodiment the movement of the sliding arm is guided by at least one guide, preferably two guides. The sliding arm may also be pivotally connected to the latch to allow for rotational movement of the latch while the sliding arm is moved substantially linearly, preferably vertically in use.

The latch may be biased into its locking position by means of a tension spring acting between the sliding arm and the body of the integrated post. In the preferred embodiment, one end of the spring is fixed to the body while its other end is carried by the sliding arm.

The body may carry attachment means for attaching the integrated post to the truck. The attachment means is preferably in the form of a hinge which allows the body of the integrated post to be attached pivotally to the vehicle such that the post may be moved between an upright position wherein the door may be connected thereto and a collapsed position.

The integrated post may be fixable in its upstanding position by using a locking arm which is operable between two positions wherein movement of the drop side post is allowed and prevented, respectively. The movement of the locking arm may again be guided such that the locking arm is movable in a substantially linear direction of movement.

In one embodiment the integrated post includes a restraint for restraining movement of the or each locking mechanism. The restraint being moveable between a restraining position in which movement of the locking mechanism is obstructed and a releasing position in which movement is allowed.

The or each restraint may be biased into its restraining position, preferably under the force of gravity. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: shows a perspective view of an integrated post in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention in use mounted on a truck;

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the integrated post of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 shows a front view of the integrated post of Figure 1 in which its cover is removed and its locking mechanism is in a first, locked configuration; and

Figure 4 shows a front view of the integrated post of Figure 1 in which its cover is removed and its locking mechanism is in a second, released configuration;

Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional front view of an integrated post in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention in which its locking mechanism is in a first, locked configuration;

Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional front view of the integrated post of

Figure 5 in which its locking mechanism is in a second, released configuration; and

Figure 7 shows a front view of the integrated post of Figure 6. DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the drawings, in which like numerals indicate like features, a non-limiting example of an integrated post in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention is generally indicated by reference numeral 10. The term "integrated post" should be understood to refer to a post into which a locking mechanism has been integrated.

In Figure 1 the integrated post 10 is shown mounted on a vehicle such as a drop side truck 100. The post 10 is mounted substantially upright between two drop side doors indicated by the numerals 102 and 104 respectively. In the accompanying drawings the doors 102 and 104 are located at one of the longitudinal sides of the truck's loading bay 106. From the accompanying drawings it can be seen that the truck also has drop side doors 108 and 110 located along the other longitudinal side of the loading bay 106. Again, an integrated post 10 is mounted upright between the pair of doors 108 and 110. In this description the integrated post 10 will be described with reference to its interaction with the drop side doors 102 and 104 only in view of the fact that the integrated post located between the doors 108 and 110 is identical to the one mounted between the doors 102 and 104.

As described above, each door 102, 104 is collapsible from an upstanding position wherein it extends vertically from the edge of the loading bay to a collapsed position wherein it hangs substantially vertically down from the edge of the loading bay. The integrated post 10 is preferably also collapsible from an upright position shown in Figure 1 to a position in which it is suspending substantially vertically downward, similar to the doors 102 and 104. In an embodiment in which the integrated post 10 is collapsible it may also be referred to as an integrated drop side post.

Referring now to Figure 2, the drop side post 10 has a body 12 which is mountable adjacent one of the drop side doors and in particular between the two doors 102 and 104. The body 12 is rectangular in plan view and has two flanges 14.1 and 14.2 running along its longitudinal sides. In the illustrated embodiment the body 12 is formed by a pressed 'C channel section including flanges 14.1 and 14.2 running along the longitudinal sides of a rectangular sheet metal section best shown in Figures 3 and 4.

The body 12 carries at least one locking mechanism for locking one of the drop side doors in use in its upright position when it engages the drop side post 10. It is envisaged that the position of the integrated post will determine the number of locking mechanisms it includes. For example, an integrated post located at the end of or in the corner of the loading bay 106 of the truck 100 might only have a single locking mechanism to lock a single door in its upright position. However, the integrated post 10 illustrated in the accompanying drawings includes two locking mechanisms to lock both drop side doors 102 and 104 in their upright positions. The locking mechanisms are best seen in Figures 3 and 4 and are indicated by the reference signs 16.1 and 16.2. From the description of the locking mechanisms 16.1 and 16.2 below it will become apparent that they are independently operable to lock the doors 102 and 104 independently of each other.

In Figure 3 both locking mechanisms 16.1 and 16.2 are shown in a first, locking configuration wherein the doors 02 and 104 are typically locked to the drop side post 10. In turn, Figure 4 shows the locking mechanisms 16.1 and 16.2 in a second, releasing configuration wherein the doors 102 and 104 may be released from the drop side post 10.

To lock the doors 102 and 104 to the drop side post 10 each locking mechanism has a movable latch 18. The latch 18 defines a catch 20 for engaging a portion 112 of the door when in its upright position. As shown in Figures 3 and 4 the latch 18 is movably carried on the body 12 so that the catch 20 is retractable into the body when the mechanism is operated to move into its releasing configuration. Although the locking mechanisms 16.1 and 16.2 are described as being movable between a locking configuration and a releasing configuration it must be understood that it is in fact the latches 18 that move between a locking position in which the catch 20 protrudes from the body 12 and a releasing position in which the latch is retracted, preferably completely, into the body.

Each latch 18 has a notch 22 in which the portion 112 of one of the doors 102, 104 is received when locked and its upright position. The notch is positioned such that the portion 112 of the door 102, 104 is received therein and held between the catch 20 and the flange 14.1 , 14.2 of the body 12 when the door is in its upright position. In order to release the door from the notch 22 the latch is movable in a substantially pivoting movement about a fastener 24 connecting it to the body 12. To allow the catch 20 to be received completely in the body 12 when it is in its releasing position the fastener 24 extends through an elongate hole or slot 26 in the latch 18. When moving the latch 18 between its locking position and releasing position the fastener effectively moves along the length of the slot. It should be understood that the latch both pivots and translates when moving between its locked and released positions.

Each locking mechanism 16.1 , 16.2 includes a sliding arm 28 for manipulating the latch 18 between its locking and releasing positions. One end of the sliding arm carries a connecting formation 30 for connecting the sliding arm to the latch 18 by means of a fastener 32. In the illustrated embodiment the fastener 32 is again in the form of a bolt and nut. The fastener 32 allows for pivotal movement of the latch 18 relative to the sliding arm 28. In use, the movement of the sliding arm 28 is guided by spaced apart guides 34.1 and 34.2 through which the sliding arm runs. In the illustrated embodiment of the drop post 10 the guides 34.1, 34.2 guide the sliding arm 28 along a substantially linear travel path. It should be clear that the travel path of the sliding arm 28 is substantially vertical when the drop side post 10 is in its upright position.

The other end of the sliding arm 28 which is, in use, its lower end carries a handle 36 for a user to grip when moving the sliding arm to operate the locking mechanism between its locking and releasing positions. From Figure 2 it can be seen that the handle 36 extends through a cover 38 of the body 12 so that an operator can grip it. A slot 40 in the cover 38 runs substantially in line with the travel path of the handle so as to allow the handle to be moved in order to operate the locking mechanism.

Returning to Figures 3 and 4, the locking mechanism includes biasing means for biasing it into its locking configuration. From these figures it can be seen that a tension spring 42 is connected between the sliding arm 28 and a fixed position on the body 12. An end of the spring 42, which is its upper end when the drop post 10 is in its upright position, is connected to a bar 44 extending laterally from the lower end of the sliding arm 28 where the handle 36 is located. The other end of the tension spring is fixed to the body 12 using a stationary pin 46. It must be understood that the tension spring 42 acting between the sliding arm 28 and the body 12 urges the latch 18 back into its locking position after having been moved into its releasing position. In other words, after the operator releases the handle 36 the locking mechanism 16.1 , 16.2 automatically moves back into its locking configuration.

The body 12 further carries attachment means for attaching the drop side post 10 to the truck 100, typically to the loading bay 106 of the truck. In the illustrated embodiment the attachment means is a hinge which allows the body 12 to be attached pivotally to the vehicle 100 such that the drop side post 10 is collapsible from its upright position to a collapsed position. The hinge includes aligned holes 48 located in the flanges 14.1 and 14.2 of the body 12. A pivot pin (not shown in the attached drawings) is received in the aligned holes to connect the body 12 of the drop side post 10 to the vehicle. When moving the drop side post 10 from its upright position to its collapsed position the body 12 is pivoted about the pivot pin such that it is suspended substantially vertically downwardly from the loading bay 106.

The drop side post 10 is fixable in its upright position by means of a locking arm 50 which is operable between a first position wherein movement of the drop side post is allowed and a second position wherein movement of the drop side post is prevented. Similarly to the sliding arms 28, the locking arm 50 is in the form of an elongate piece of laser cut square bar. A handle 52 is again located on the locking arm 50 which extends through an opening in the cover 38. Movement of the locking arm 50 is again guided by means of spaced apart guides 54.1 and 54.2 through which the locking arm extends. The guides 54.1 and 54.2 guide the locking arm 50 along a substantially linear path of travel when moving it between its first and second positions. From Figure 2 it can be seen that the path of travel of the locking arm 50 is substantially parallel to the path of travel of the sliding arms 28 of the locking mechanisms. A slot 56 in the cover 38 again allow the handle 52 of the locking arm 50 to move up and down its path of travel.

Referring now to Figures 5 to 7 a non-limiting example of an integrated post in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention is generally indicated by reference numeral 60. Again, like numerals indicate like features. The integrated post 60 is substantially similar to the integrated post 10 in accordance with the first embodiment of the invention and, accordingly, only the most significant differences will be described herein.

The integrated post 60 has latches 62 which each defines a catch 64 that is similar in shape to the catches 20 but defines a larger notch 66. It has been found that the larger notches 66 facilitate improved engagement of the catches 64 with the portions 112 of the doors 102, 104. From Figure 6 it can be seen that each of the notches 66 is shaped to receive a flange 14.1 , 14.2 and a portion 112 of one of the doors 102, 104 in it. In other words, the notches 66 are shaped so as not to obstruct the catches 64 from moving into their locking positions wherein they engage the portions 112 of the doors 102, 104.

The integrated post 60 further carries at least one restraint 68 for restraining movement of one of the handles 36. In the second embodiment illustrated in Figure 7 two restraints are carried by the body 12, and in particular the cover 38, of the integrated post 60. i.e. one for each handle 36. Each restraint 68 is movable between a restraining position wherein movement of the associated handle 36 is prevented and a free position wherein movement of the handle is allowed. In the embodiment of Figure 7 the restraints are pivoted when moving them between their restraining and free positions. From this figure it should be clear that the restraints 68 pivot about pins 70 when moving between their restraining and free positions. In Figure 7 the one restraint is shown in its restraining position while the other restraint is shown in its free position. It should however be understood that the integrated post 60 could carry one, two or three restraints depending on whether each of the handles located thereon has a corresponding restraint.

Still referring to Figure 7, each restraint 68 defines a recess 72 in which the associated handle 36 is received when the restraint is in its restraining position. When located in the recess 72 the handle 36 is obstructed from moving upwards. Accordingly, prior to moving the handle 36 upwards to release the catch 64 the restraint 68 has to be pivoted from its restraining position into its free position so as to remove the handle 36 from its recess 72.

From the above description is should be understood that the restraints prevent accidental movement of the handles 36, thereby preventing accidental release of the doors 102, 104 from the catches 64. It is accordingly preferred to bias the restraints into their restraining positions so that they have to be manipulated manually when moving them from their restraining positions. In other words, the restraints 68 are biased so that they move back into their restraining positions automatically when released. In this second embodiment of the integrated post 60 the restraints are automatically moved into their restraining positions under the force of gravity seeing that they are pivoted to the cover 38 at their ends which are, in use, their top ends.

Although the integrated posts 10, 60 are described above as drop side posts it is envisaged that in an alternative embodiment not illustrated in the accompanying drawings they could be fixed in an upright position on the loading bay. In this alternative embodiment the body 12 is not hinged to the vehicle and therefore does not require a locking arm.

It is further envisaged that in yet another embodiment not illustrated in the accompanying drawings the latches 18 of the locking mechanism 16.1 and 16.2 could be designed such that the doors 102, 104 are automatically locked when they are moved back into their upright positions. This will eliminate the need to move the locking mechanism into its releasing configuration manually by using the handle 36 prior to moving the door back into its upright position. In this alternative embodiment the latches will be pushed into their releasing configurations by the doors 102, 104 as the doors are being closed.

From the above description it should be clear that the drop side doors 102, 104 are lockable in their upright positions by the locking mechanisms 16.1 and 16.2 located on the body 12 of the drop side post 10. The use of the drop side post 10, 60 therefore eliminates the need of bulky handles located on the drop side doors 102, 104. It is believed that the integrated post 10, 60 improves the ease of operation of the drop side doors for a single man operation. It is further believed that the overall aesthetic appearance of the truck is improved by the use of the integrated post 10, 60 and in particular by eliminating the need for exterior handles on the drop side doors. There is also a weight saving on each drop side door by eliminating the need for the exterior handles.

Claims

1. An integrated post for a drop side door of a vehicle, the integrated post including:

a body which is mountable adjacent the drop side door;

wherein the latch is biased towards its locking position.

2. An integrated post according to claim 1 , including two locking mechanisms, the latches of which are independently operable between their locking and releasing positions.

3. An integrated post according to claim 2, wherein each latch carries a catch which protrudes from the body when in its locking position such that it can engage the adjacent drop side door.

4. An integrated post according to claim 3, wherein the catch is retracted completely into the body of the integrated post when in its releasing position, thereby allowing the door to be released from the drop side post when the latch is in its releasing position.

5. An integrated post according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the or each latch is connected to the body by means of a fastener located in an elongate hole formed in the latch, thereby allowing the fastener to move along the length of the hole when the latch is moved between its locking and releasing positions.

6. An integrated post according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the or each locking mechanism includes a sliding arm for manipulating the associated latch between its locking and releasing positions.

7. An integrated post according to claim 6, wherein the movement of the or each sliding arm is guided by at least one guide.

8. An integrated post according to claim 6, wherein the movement of the or each sliding arm is guided by two guides.

9. An integrated post according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the or each sliding arm is also pivotally connected to the latch to allow for rotational movement of the latch while the sliding arm is moved substantially linearly.

10. An integrated post according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the or each latch is biased into its locking position by means of a tension spring acting between the sliding arm and the body of the integrated post.

11. An integrated post according to claim 10, wherein one end of the spring is fixed to the body while its other end is carried by the sliding arm.

12. An integrated post according to any one of claims 1 to 11 , wherein the body carries attachment means for attaching the integrated post to the truck.

13. An integrated post according to claim 12, wherein the attachment means is in the form of a hinge which allows the body of the integrated post to be attached pivotally to the vehicle such that the post may be moved between an upright position wherein the door may be connected thereto and a collapsed position.

14. An integrated post according to claim 13, wherein the body is fixable in its upright position by using a locking arm which is operable between two positions wherein movement of the drop side post is allowed and prevented, respectively.

15. An integrated post according to claim 14, wherein the movement of the locking arm is guided such that the locking arm is movable in a substantially linear direction of movement.

16. An integrated post according to any one of claims 1 to 15, including a restraint for restraining movement of the or each locking mechanism, the restraint being moveable between a restraining position in which movement of the locking mechanism is obstructed and a releasing position in which movement is allowed.

17. An integrated post according to claim 16, wherein the or each restraint is biased into its restraining position.

18. An integrated post according to claim 17, wherein the or each restraint is biased into its restraining position under the force of gravity.