WO2022200675A1

WO2022200675A1 - Coupling arrangement

Info

Publication number: WO2022200675A1
Application number: PCT/FI2022/050026
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tero HEIKKILÄ
Original assignee: Heikkilae Tero
Priority date: 2021-03-24
Filing date: 2022-01-14
Publication date: 2022-09-29
Also published as: FI129576B; FI20215330A1

Abstract

The object of the invention is a coupling arrangement between a trailer (P) and a cover on top of it, the coupling is arranged between the outer edges (U) of the trailer's edge structures, in a cross- sectional plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the trailer, for raising the cover from one end to an open position and to lower it to the closed position on top of the lateral structures of the trailer. The coupling arrangement includes: two hinged units (X) mounted on opposite sides of the trailer, by being fixed on top of the upper edges (Y) of the opposite sides of the trailer, and on the opposite sides of the cover (K) above the upper edges (Y) of the trailer (L).

Description

Coupling arrangement

The invention relates to a coupling arrangement as set. forth in the independent claim directed thereto, for cou- pling a trailer and a canopy mounted thereon, extending over the outer edges of the trailer side structures when viewed in a cross-section perpendicular to the longitudi- nal direction of the trailer, for raising the canopy to an open position raised from one end and lowering it to a closed position on the trailer on the top edge of its side structure-

For the above purpose, it is currently conventional to use a coupling arrangement,consisting of hinge units attached either to the inner or outer surface of the opposing side structures of the trailer body.

First of all, the problem with the former solution is that the coupling arrangement reduces the effective interior space of the trailer. In this case, the coupling arrange- ment is "among” the goods being transported in the trailer, which means that the goods can easily get into the artic- ulated arms of the hinge,units, preventing them from mov- ing, which may prevent the canopy from being opened, re- quiring special efforts to open it. On the other hand, the locking arrangement for locking the canopy in its open position is conventionally implemented, for example, by means of a locking bar rotatably attached in connection with the base of the trailer, which also reserves space from the trailer. In this context, a locking pin arrange- ment is also used, e.g., at the articulation point between the short articulation arm of the hinge unit,and the first frame member, where the problem is that, because of the high moment of force exerted on this articulation point when the canopy is open, the locked canopy, can still be lowered accidentally by excessive force without removing the locking pin, causing the locking pin arrangement to break the articulation. Locking of the canopy in its closed position, on its part, is conventionally executed by means of locking latches which are separately attached to it and lock the canopy to the top edge of the trailer side or to locking surfaces which are separately attached to the trailer's sides.

The disadvantage of the latter solution is that, when placed outside the sides of the trailer, the coupling arrangement is continuously exposed to dirt from underside of the trailer. For this reason, in particular due to contaminants such as, for example, road salt and freezing, the hinge units may require special methods to open the canopy, In addition, hinge units also require continuous maintenance and service for this reason.

The common problem to both of these solutions is first of ail that if the hinge units are attached during the man- ufacturing of the canopy, the ready-to-install canopies have to be transported individually and separately. If the canopies are transported stacked on top of each other for logistical advantage, the installation of the coupling arrangement is left to be carried out on-site for example by the customer or the vendor. On the other hand, if the lower edges of the canopies are fitted with a uniform metal profile to make them more rigid, with the solutions described above the problem caused by the different ther- mal expansion of plastic and metal cannot be avoided, which can cause the canopies to break, for example as a result of rapid or severe freezing or continuous direct sunlight,

The purpose of the present coupling arrangement is to achieve a decisive improvement,for the foregoing problems and thereby elevate substantially the existing prior art. In order to attain this objective, the coupling arrange- ment of the invention is essentially characterized by what is set out in the characterizing part of the independent claim directed thereto.

Among the main advantages of the coupling arrangement of the invention are the simplicity and efficiency of its construction and assembly and its use, first of all be- cause it can be preassembled in place at the same time as the canopies are being manufactured, thus enabling effi- cient transportation of several canopies stacked on top of each other, ready to be mounted on the trailer, A further advantage of the coupling arrangement is that it does not restrict the effective interior space of the trailer and, in addition, it is ’encapsulated" inside the trailer, constantly protected from environmental impuri- ties.

Furthermore, the oppositely grooved profiles of line frame members allow effective control of the rotation of the articulated arms so that the second frame member remains constantly in the same vertical plane as the first frame member, In this context, if necessary, it is also possible to use a steering arrangement to maintain the second frame member in the same vertical plane as the first frame member when the canopy is being lowered to the closed position. Furthermore, by utilizing one or more parallel gas springs in the hinge units of the coupling arrangement, they can be coupled to operate, for example, between the first frame member and the second articulated arm, thus allowing the hinge units, pre-assembied for installation in the canopies, to be stored and transported assembled with the gas spring located within the groove profile of the first frarae mernber.

Other preferred embodiments of the coupling arrangement according to the invention are set forth in the dependent claims directed thereto.

In the subsequent specification, the invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which in Figure la is shown as a partial perspective view a preferred hinge unit of the coupling arrangement according to the invention in connection 'with the trailer side structure with the canopy closed, in Figure lb is shown an embodiment of Figure la with the canopy- open, in Figures 2a and 2b is shown the operation of a preferred locking ar- rangement. for locking the canopy in its open po- sition, in Figures 3a and 3b is shown a preferred locking arrangement for lock- • ing the canopy in its closed position, and a per- spective view of the embodiment shown in Figure 3a viewed from inside the trailer with the canopy closed, and in Figure 4 is shown as a perspective view of an embodiment of Figure la equipped with a mechanical lock viewed from the outside of the canopy.

The invention relates to a coupling arrangement for cou- pling a trailer P to a canopy K, placed on top of the trailer P and, when viewed in a cross-section perpendic- ular to the longitudinal direction s of the trailer, ex- tending over the outer edges U of the trailer side struc- ture L, for lifting the canopy, raised from one end to an open position II, and for lowering it to a closed position I on the trailer, on the top edge Y of its side structure

L, The coupling arrangement includes, for example, with reference to Figures la and lb, two hinge units X to be installed on the opposite sides of the trailer. Each hinge unit consists of: a first elongated frame member 1 to be fixed on the trailer side structure L; a second elongated frame member 2 to be fixed in connection with the side wail of the canopy K; an articulation arrangement allowing the frame members 1, 2 to move in the substantially same vertical plane, consisting of articulation arms connected rotatably w in a substantially vertical plane to the frame members 1, 2, wherein the first articulation arm 3a con- nected to the first end of the frame members 1, 2 is substantially shorter than the second articulation arm 3b connected to the said frame members 1, 2; a lightening arrangement for facilitating the movement of the canopy, such as one or more mechanical 4a and/or auxiliary powered spring actuators 4b; and a locking arrangement for locking the canopy K in its open position II and closed position

I. The hinge units X of the coupling arrangement are mounted, for example with reference to Figure 3b, on the one hand above the top edges Y of the opposite side struc- tures L of the trailer, such as on top thereof, and on the other hand on the opposite side walls of the canopy K above the top edges Y of the side structures L of the trailer. With reference to figure 4, the walls of the canopy have projections for the hinge unit.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, referring for example to Figs, 3a and 3b, the first and second frame members 1, 2 of the hinge unit.X are arranged to face each other by means of open U--proflies, to the lateral flanges of which the articulation arms 3a, 3b connecting them are attached rotatably w. In this context, as a further pre- ferred embodiment, the outer dimensions of the articula- tion arms 3a, 3b, are most preferably rectangular in cross-section, and the free inner dimension of the U- profiles of the frame members i, 2 are arranged to provide a sliding fit between the same. In this way, the lateral flanges of the U-profiles effectively control the movement w of the articulated arms 3a, 3b in the vertical plane defined by the first frame member 1, In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the first and second frame members 1, 2 of the hinge unit X have substantially equal length, with the effect that the canopy in particular is significantly strengthened compared to current solutions where the second frame mem- ber is typically clearly shorter than the first frame member. In this context, as a further preferred embodiment, referring to Figures 3a and 3b, the bottom edge of the canopy K, which is placed on the top edge Y of the trailer, is reinforced, with the exception of the location of the hinge unit X, by a stiffening structure J, such as a plastic, metal, composite profile or the like, which is further provided with a seal T underneath. In this way, it is possible to reinforce especially the more massive canopies, in such a way that the problems arising from the different thermal expansion between the canopy and, for example, the metallic stiffening structure used in con- nection with it, can be eliminated by means of expansion joints between the hinge unit X and the stiffening struc- ture J.

Since the first frame member 1 acts as a seal against the top edge Y of the side, it is possible to provide a seal on its top surface against the wall of the canopy K when being closed. In this context, it is possible to further improve the sealing by using a second frame member 2 which is sub- stantially longer than the first frame member 1.

In this context, a further preferred embodiment is to equip the second frame member 2 with, for example, a flat exten- sion part, preferably about 70-100 mm long, in its rear- flange, which is arranged to be pushed, for example, with a tight fitting adjacent to the canopy stiffening structure J, making the hinge unit rigid in the transverse direction. In this case, the first frame member 1 is connected to the canopy stiffening structure in a transversely guiding and yet longitudinally floating manner, thus allowing thermal expansion in different weather conditions. In a further preferred embodiment, referring in particular to Figures 2a and 2b, the locking arrangement for locking the canopy K in its open position II comprises a locking arm 5a pivotally mounted on the second frame member 2 between the articulation points of the articulation arras

3a, 3b and relying in its locked position on the first frame member 1, The locking movement of the locking arm 5a can be seif-directed, e.g., in a by utilizing gravity in a decelerating manner. The locking and release move- ments of the locking arm may also be performed manually or by means of an auxiliary power-operated actuator.

Respectively, the locking arrangement for locking the can- opy K in its closed position I preferably comprises a locking member 5b between the first and second frame mem- bers 1, 2, wherein further preferably with reference to

Figures 3a and 3b, the locking member 5b is arranged with a locking hook pivotally coupled to the end of the second frame member 2, which locks to a locking pin at the end of the first frame member 1 in the closed position of the canopy K. Referring in particular to Figure 4, the locking arrangement 5 further preferably comprises a mechanical and/or electrical locking device 5c. In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the lightening arrangement comprises, for example referring to Figures la, lb, 2a and 2b, one or more parallel gas springs 4b coupled to act between the first frame member 1 and the second articulated arm 3b. In this way, the lifting of heavier canopies can further be significantly facilitated. In this context, it is also possible to pro- vide a plurality of connection points in the first frame member or the second articulated arm to adjust the operation of the gas spring. It is also possible to connect the gas spring directly between the first and second frame members, etc. In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, re- ferring in particular to Figures 3a and 3b, the coupling arrangement further comprises a steering arrangement for keeping the second frame member 2 in the same vertical plane as the first frame member 1, in particular when the canopy K is lowered to a closed position. In this case, the steering arrangement,comprises, for example, a female steering mechanism 01 at the end of the first frame member 1 and a male steering mechanism 02 at the end of the second frame member 2, substantially transverse to it.

The coupling arrangement according to the invention fur- ther allows the hinge units X to be assembled in place on the canopy K during its manufacture, to enable the trans- portation of several canopies with hinge units preassem- bled for installation on trailers, stacked on top of each other.

It is clear that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described or explained above, but can be mod- itiled in many different ways within the framework of the basic idea of the invention, e.g., by using the embodi- ments described in the accompanying drawings, partly in combination with each other, etc. Embodiments of the type shown in the accompanying drawings may also be implemented with structures, profiles and external shapes which differ from those shown in order to achieve the same basic purpose of the invention. The components of the coupling device of the invention may be made of a wide variety of materials, using a wide variety of manufacturing techniques, in ad- dition to the materials mentioned above, for example, any suitable plastic or composite material, or bio-based, re- cyclable or biodegradable synthetic or organic materials, such as for example cellulose, etc. It is also clear that the coupling arrangement can also be used for a canopy rotating about a transverse axis of rotation with respect to the longitudinal axis s, i,e., for the front and rear rails of the trailer instead of the side rails.

Claims

Claims:

1. A coupling arrangement for coupling a trailer (P) and a canopy (K) placed on top thereof, the canopy hanging over outer edges (U) of the trailer's side structures (L) when viewed in a cross-section perpendicular to longitu- dinal direction (s) of the trailer, to lift the canopy to an open, by its one end raised position (II) and to lower down the canopy to a closed position (I) on the trailer on a top edge (Y) of its side structure (L), wherein the coupling arrangement comprises two hinge units (X) mounted on opposite sides of the trailer, each hinge unit con- sisting of: a first elongated frame member (1) to be mounted on the trailer side structure (L); a second elon- gated frame member (2} to be attached in connection with the side wall of the canopy (K); an articulation arrange- ment enabling the frame members (1, 2} to move in the substantially same vertical plane, consisting of articu- lation arms connected to the frame members (1, 2} rotat- ably (w) in a substantially vertical plane, wherein the first articulation arm (3a) connected to a first, end of the frame members (1, 2} is substantially shorter than the second articulation arm (3b) connected to them; a light- ening arrangement to assist in the movement of the canopy, such as one or more mechanical (4a) and/or auxiliary pow- ered (4b) spring actuators; and a locking arrangement for locking the canopy (K) in its open position (II) and in its closed position (I), characte rised in that the hinge units (X) of the coupling arrangement are mounted, on the one hand, above the top edges (Y) of the opposite side structures (L) of the trailer, such as on top thereof, and, on the other hand, on the opposite walls of the canopy {K) above the top edges {Y) of the trailer side structures (L).

2. The coupling arrangement according to claim 1, char- aete rissed in that the first and second frame members {1, 2) of the hinge unit (X) are arranged by means of open towards each other facing U-profiles, to the lateral flanges of which the articulation arms {3a, 3b) connecting the same are attached rotatably (w).

3. The coupling arrangement according to claim 2, char- acterised in that the outer dimension of the cross-sec- tionally preferably rectangular articulation arms (3a, 3b) and the free inner dimension of the ϋ-profiles of the frame members (1, 2) are arranged to provide a sliding fit between the same.

4. The coupling arrangement according to any of the pre- ceding claims 1 - 3, characte rised in that the first and second frame members {1, 2} of the hinge unit (X) are substantially of an equal length.

5. The coupling arrangement according to any of the pre- ceding claims 1 - 4, characterised in that the bottom edge of the canopy (K) being placed on the top edge (Y) of the trailer is reinforced, except at the location of the hinge unit (X), by a stiffening structure (J), such as a plastic, metal, composite profile or a like, being further provided with a seal {T) underneath.

6. The coupling arrangement according to claim 5, char- acte rized in that the outer vertical surface of the first frame member (I) is provided with a seal against the wall of the canopy when being closed.

7. The coupling arrangement according to claim 5 or 6, characterised in that the second frame member (2) is pro- vided with an extension part, in its lateral flange that is adapted to be pushed adjacent to the canopy stiffening structure (J).

8. The coupling arrangement according to any of the pre- ceding claims 1 - 7, characterised in that, a locking ar- rangement for locking the canopy (K) in its open position (I) comprises a locking arm (5a) pivotally mounted on the second frame member (2) between the articulation points of the articulation arms (3a, 3b) and relying in its locked position on the first frame member (1).

9. The coupling arrangement according to any of the pre- ceding claims 1 - 8, characte rised in that the locking arrangement for locking the canopy {K} in its closed po- sition (I) comprises a locking member (5b) between the first and second frame members (1, 2).

10. The coupling arrangement according to claim 9, char- acterired in that the locking member (5b) is arranged at the end of the second frame member (2) by a pivotally coupled locking hook which locks in the closed position of the canopy (K) to a locking pin at the end of the first frame member (1).

11. The coupling arrangement according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the locking arrangement comprises a mechanical and/or electrical locking device (5c).

12. The coupling arrangement according to any of the pre- ceding claims 1- 11, characte rised in that the lightening arrangement comprises one or more parallel gas springs (4b) coupled to act between a first frame member (1) and a second articulation arm (3b).

13. The coupling arrangement according to any of the pre- ceding claims 1 - 12, characterised in that it comprises a steering arrangement for maintaining the second frame member (2} in the same vertical plane as the first frame member (1) when the canopy (K) is lowered to the closed position.

14. The coupling arrangement of claim 13, characterized in that the steering arrangement (0) comprises a female steering mechanism (01) at the end of the first frame member (1) and a male steering mechanism (02) at the end of the second frame member (2) substantially transverse thereto.

15. The coupling arrangement according to any of the pre- ceding claims 1 - 14, characterized in that the hinge units (X) are assembled in place on the canopy (K) during its manufacture, to enable the transport of a plurality of can- opies, pre-assembled with hinge units for mounting on trail- ers, stacked one on top of the other.