The application relates generally to retractable enclosures, and more particularly to retractable enclosures for vehicle flatbeds or other platforms.
Rolling tarp enclosures typically include a multi-stage, arcuate framework slidably mounted on rails and over which is supported a relatively flexible shell-like tarp. Such typical rolling tarp enclosures can be arranged with respect to various types of cargo-bearing platforms, whether stationary or disposed on a trailer among other examples, over which the framework is displaceable along the rails with the tarp so as to shield the platform and its cargo space. Typical rolling tarp enclosures are thus advantageous for covering specialised merchandise, materials and equipment stored inside their cargo space regardless of their shape and size. In contrast, manual tarping solutions require strapping a loose tarp to the platform and wrapping the tarp around the cargo, an operation that can be challenging and time consuming. Also, typical rolling tarp enclosures are incrementally displaceable so as to conveniently expose the platform as needed, either partially or in full. For instance, exposing the platform can allow full and direct access to the front of the platform and its cargo space, for example allowing to approach the cargo space from either side and from overhead. In the alternative, accessing the rear part of the enclosure and unloading items located rearward of the front part so as to clear the access thereto from the rear would be needed, as would be the case with non-collapsible, box-type enclosures typical of freight trailer. Despite the typical rolling tarp enclosures holding advantages over the rigid and seamless shell of such box-type enclosures, the former may lack some of the protective characteristics of the latter.
There is disclosed a connector for a tubing system comprising: a fitting extending between opposite fitting ends and a peripheral fitting wall, a portion of the peripheral fitting wall being an outer fitting wall; and a cover extending between opposite connector ends and having a peripheral cover wall, the peripheral cover wall including an outer cover wall extending lengthwise away from a first connector end of the connector ends, the peripheral cover wall including a side cover wall adjacent to the outer cover wall, the cover removably attacheable to the fitting via the side cover wall, the outer cover wall overhanging the outer fitting wall and defining four connector tracks between the outer cover wall and the outer fitting wall upon the side cover wall being attached to the fitting, the four connector tracks extending between the connector ends and spaced laterally apart from each other.
There is disclosed a tubing system for a tarp enclosure, the tubing system comprising: a tubing member extending lengthwise between opposite tubing ends, the tubing member having four tubing tracks extending along an outer tubing side thereof, the four tubing tracks sized to slidably receive an edge of a tarp of the tarp enclosure from either of the tubing ends; a tubing connector including: a fitting extending between opposite fitting ends and a peripheral fitting wall, a portion of the peripheral fitting wall being an outer fitting wall; and a cover extending between opposite connector ends and having a peripheral cover wall, the peripheral cover wall including an outer cover wall extending lengthwise away from a first connector end of the connector ends, the peripheral cover wall including a side cover wall adjacent to the outer cover wall, the cover removably attacheable to the fitting via the side cover wall, the outer cover wall overhanging the outer fitting wall and defining four connector tracks between the outer cover wall and the outer fitting wall upon the side cover wall being attached to the fitting, the four connector tracks extending between the connector ends and spaced laterally apart from each other; one of the fitting ends being engageable with one of the tubing ends to align each one of the four connector tracks with one of the four tubing tracks.
There is disclosed a rail system for mounting a tarp enclosure to a platform, the rail system comprising: a rail body extending longitudinally along a rail axis, the rail body having a top rail wall, a bottom rail wall spaced beneath the top rail wall and an inner rail wall extending therebetween and configured to be attached along a side of the platform, a channel defined along the inner rail wall between the top and bottom rail walls, a bumper disposed beneath the channel and extending away from the inner rail wall outward of the channel; and a carriage including a roller disposed inside the channel and displaceable therealong relative to the rail body along the rail axis, a bracket disposed alongside the rail body opposite the inner rail wall and configured to be attachable to the tarp enclosure so as to position the tarp enclosure over the rail body and laterally outward of the inner rail wall, the bracket connected to the roller so as to be displaceable therewith relative to the rail body.
In an embodiment, the rail body is configured to be attached along the side of the platform to position a top planar surface of the top rail wall flush with the platform.
In an embodiment, the top rail wall has ridges projecting from the top planar surface.
In an embodiment, a height of the inner rail wall is equal or lesser than a height of the side of the platform.
In an embodiment, the roller of the carriage includes vertical wheels displaceable along the bottom rail wall, and horizontal wheels displaceable along the inner rail wall.
In an embodiment, the rail body defines a curb adjoining the bottom rail wall and the inner rail wall and further delimiting the channel, the vertical and horizontal wheels being displaceable to be clear of the curb.
In an embodiment, the horizontal wheels space the vertical wheels away from the inner rail wall so as to form a gap therebetween.
In an embodiment, a fastener configured to attach the inner rail wall to the side of the platform, the fastener being disposed in the gap and clear of the vertical wheels upon attaching the inner rail wall with the fastener.
In an embodiment, the rail system comprises a mudguard fastened to the rail body underneath the rail body, the mudguard extending laterally past the bumper underneath the channel.
In an embodiment, the rail system comprises a protector plate disposed on the bottom rail wall and engaging the roller.
There is disclosed a method for assembling a tubing assembly comprising: obtaining a first tubing member having opposite first tubing ends and extending therebetween along a first axis, the first tubing member defining four first tubing tracks extending therethrough along the first axis; obtaining a second tubing member having opposite second tubing ends and extending therebetween along a second axis, the second tubing member defining four second tubing tracks extending therethrough along the second axis; obtaining a corner member having opposite first and second corner ends, the second corner end at a corner angle to the first corner end, the corner member defining four corner tracks extending therethrough between the first and second corner ends; and joining the first and second tubing members to the corner member respectively via the first and second corner ends such that any one of the first tubing tracks is in communication with a one of the second tubing tracks via a one of the corner tracks, the second axis being oriented at the corner angle to the first axis.
Reference is now made to the accompanying figures in which:
In
A tarp enclosure 30 is shown mounted to the platform 20. The tarp enclosure 30 generally includes a tarp 40 (schematically shown) and a plurality of arch-like, tarp-supporting structures referred to as bows 50. The bows 50 are disposed side by side along the longitudinal platform axis 20a. Each bow 50 has two side portions 50a, 50b respectively disposed at the left and right sides 22a, 22b of the platform 20 and extending upwardly from the floor 24 of the platform 20 alongside the cargo space 26. Also, each bow 50 has a top portion 50c supported at its ends atop the cargo space 26 by the side portions 50a, 50b. Each bow 50 includes at least one tubular, arcuate frame 52 having two vertical segments 52a, 52b forming part of the side portions 50a, 50b and a horizontal segment 52c forming part of the top portion 50c. The vertical segments 52a, 52b each define an extremity 52d of the arcuate frame 52 and extend generally parallel to one another therefrom. The horizontal segment 52c is supported at its ends by the vertical segments 52a, 52b so as to form corners 52e of the arcuate frame 52 therewith. In this arrangement of the arcuate frame 52, the horizontal segment 52 is generally rectilinear and perpendicular to the vertical segments 52a, 52b and the corners 52e are right-angle corners, although other arrangements are possible. Each arcuate frame 52 is arranged to lay in a plane and is sized so as to overarch the platform 20 and the cargo space 26 upon its extremities 52d being positioned on either sides of the platform 20 proximate the floor 24.
At least two of the bows 50 have reinforcement elements disposed alongside their respective arcuate frames 52 and mechanically linked thereto at several locations, and may thus be described as reinforced bows 54. In this case, foremost and rearmost bows 50 are respectively front 54a and rear 54b reinforced bows 54. Although reinforcement elements have been omitted from intermediary bows 54c located between the front 54a and rear 54b reinforced bows 54, it is contemplated that any one of them may be similarly reinforced in other implementations. Reinforced bows 54 include, among their reinforcement elements, a reinforcement frame 54d spaced from their arcuate frame 52 and a reinforcement lattice structure 54e interfacing therebetween their arcuate and reinforcement frames 52, 54d. In this arrangement, the reinforcement frame 54d is of a tubular construction substantially similar to that of the arcuate frame 52. The reinforcement frames 54d are spaced inwardly from their corresponding arcuate frames 52, i.e., toward one another. Each of the reinforced bows 54 is arranged to be fitted with a panel so as to close the area circumscribed thereby upward of the platform 20. The bows 50 are arranged such that a panels of various types (e.g., a van-type hinged door panel, a tarp panel, or a fixed rigid panel) can be attached thereto so as to close or partition the tarp enclosure 30. The front reinforced bow 54a is shown fastened to the front side 22c of the platform 22, with its arcuate frame 52 joined to a front wall 30a of the tarp enclosure 30, in this case a rigid headboard. In this case, the rear bow 54b is open, i.e., has no panel attached thereto.
The tarp enclosure 30 is of a retractable type, i.e., is configured to be displaceable between retracted and deployed positions with respect to the platform 20 so as to at least partially cover the cargo space 26 underneath its tarp 40. In
As best seen in
As best seen in
Still referring to
The tarp 40 also includes skirts 46 projecting from the panel 42 along its left and right outer edges. The skirts 46 may be arranged so as to extend away from the panel 42 at an inward angle thereto (i.e., toward the platform 20). The skirts 46 are sized so as to at least partially closw a gap that may appear between the tarp 40 and the platform 20, and via which air, water and/or debris may otherwise enter the cargo space 26. In this exemplary arrangement, the reinforcement strips 42d and the skirts 46 form an integral piece. The skirts 46 are portions of the reinforcement strips 42d extending past the panel 42 and shaped so as to be at the inward angle thereto.
Referring to
Turning now to
Furthermore, the arcuate frame 52 has a plurality of tarp-receiving features via any one of which the tarp 40 is joinable thereto, provided in the form of a plurality of tracks 60. Indeed, the arcuate frame 52 is joinable to the tarp 40 via any one of its tracks 60, which may be selected on the basis of a desired tarp configuration for the tarp enclosure 30. The tracks 60 are disposed next to one another and extend between the extremities 52d of the arcuate frame 52. Depending on the implementation, a given track 60 may extend across the entire length of the arcuate frame 52 from one of the extremities 52d to the other, allowing a sole, suitably sized tarp 40 to be used therewith. On the other hand, some tracks 60 may instead be segmented along their lengths, for example where portions of arcuate frames 52 connect end to end, namely tubing members 70 and tubing connectors 80, as will be described in more detail hereinbelow. In
With reference to
Different arrangements of the cordons 44, for example those described above, may be provided so as to form sliding joints having different properties, for example different degrees of resistance to sliding along the tracks 60. By removing the inserts 44b from inside the casings 44a, for example, a fit between the cordons 44 and the tracks 60 may be made looser, and the resistance to sliding due to friction may be lowered. Thus, under certain circumstances, for example during installation or removal of the tarp 40, it may be desirable to slide the casing 44a into the track 60 without the insert 44b. Sliding the insert 44b into the casing 44a once the casing 44a is received by the track 60 may tighten the fit in the track 60 and hinder the sliding of the cordon 44 relative to the track 60, thus assisting in securing the tarp 40 in place relative to the arcuate frame 52. Therefore, the cordons 44 may be described as means for selectively securing the tarp 40 to the arcuate frame 52. In some arrangements, the cordons 44 are fitted relative to the tracks 60 such that the sliding joint formed thereby provides an impermeable seal between the tarp 40 and the arcuate frame 52.
The tracks 60 each have a channel 60a formed inwardly of a periphery or peripheral surface of the bow 50, and a slot 60b in communication between outside the periphery and inside the channel 60a. The channel 60a has a cross-sectional shape complementary to that of the cordon 44, and sized so as to be wider than a thickness of the panel 42. The slot 60b has a cross-sectional shape sized so as to be wider than the thickness of the panel 42 and yet narrower than the channel 60a. The material surrounding the slot 60b and separating the channel 60a from the periphery of the arcuate frame 52 defines a retentive profile of the arcuate frame 52 that hinders passage of the cordon 44 and allows passage of the panel 42 therethrough. Thus, the tracks 60 may be said to be shaped so as to longitudinally guide and transversely retain the cordon 44 relative to the arcuate frame 52. In the depicted arrangement, the front and rear side tracks 64, 66 respectively have front and rear side channels 64a, 66a and rear side slots 64b, 66b. Each of the outer tracks 62 has an outer channel 62a and an outer slot 62b. The outer slots 62b are contiguous, and may both be described as an elongated single outer slot 62b. In other arrangements, the outer slots 62b are spaced from one another, and form separate passages for communicating with the outer channels 62a of their corresponding outer track 62.
Still referring to
The straps 90 also include a securing strap 94 that is slidingly joinable to the arcuate frame 52 via any one of its tracks 60, in this configuration being the rear side track 66. The securing strap 94 has a retainable end 94a, a band 94b adjoined thereto and a tensioning buckle 94c holding overlapping strands of the band 94b. The securing strap 94 can be used for various purposes, for example to secure cargo to the arcuate frame 52, or to secure the arcuate frame 52 relative to the platform 20 or to the rail system 100. In an alternate embodiment, the strap 94 is used as a lift bow strap 94.
The outer tarp 40a and the utility tarp 40b are joined to the arcuate frame 52 via its front and rear outer tracks 62 corresponds to one of several configurations of tarps 40 rendered possible by the configuration of four tracks 60 in the tubing members 70 and corners 80. In this configuration, the utility tarp 40b is a tarp panel sized so as to span an area corresponding to that circumscribed by the platform 20 and the arcuate frame 52. The utility tarp 40b is joined to the horizontal tubing member 74 via one of its cordons 44 adjoining one of the edges of its panel 42 received by the rear outer track 62. A remainder of the utility tarp 40b can be either positioned in an open position, i.e., rolled up and fastened alongside the horizontal tubing member 74 so as to be clear of the cargo space 26 or in a closed position, i.e., unrolled between the horizontal tubing member 74 and the platform 20 so as to close the cargo space 26. The utility tarp 40b may be described as a rear door of the tarp enclosure 30, although it could instead be joined to the arcuate frame 52 of one of the intermediary bows 54c so as to partition the cargo space 26. The utility tarp 40b could also be joined to the arcuate frame 52 via the rear side track 66. With respect to the outer tarp 40a, it is sized so as to span an area corresponding to both lateral sides and a top of the cargo space 26, so as to completely enclose the cargo space 26. The outer tarp 40a is joined to the arcuate frame 52 via a rearmost one of its cordons 44 received by the front outer track 62 of the rearmost arcuate frame 52. The outer tarp 40a thus extends from the rearmost bow 54b to the foremost bow 54a, where a foremost one of its cordons 44 is received by the rear outer track 62 of the foremost arcuate frame 52. Thus, in an embodiment, the tarps 40 secured in the outer tracks 62 of the four tracks 60 are both outer tarps 40a, or “main” tarps 40.
From the above description, it can be appreciated that the arcuate frame 52 is arranged such that any vacant one of the four tracks 60 can remain unobstructed and accessible irrespective of which one of the other four tracks 60 is occupied by tarps 40 or straps 90. For instance, access to both the front and rear side tracks 64, 66 is maintained even when the outer and utility tarps 40a, 40b are joined to the arcuate frame 52 via its outer tracks 62. Conversely, access to the outer tracks 62 is maintained even when the bracing and securing straps 92, 94 are joined to the arcuate frame 52 via its front and rear side tracks 64, 66. Hence, the four tracks 60 configuration disclosed herein allows two tarps 40 for example be joined to two arcuate frames 52 so as to be deployed therebetween in an overlaid configuration, while also allowing the joining of additional tarps 40 or straps 90 to arcuate frames 52 on either side thereof. For example, a first utility tarp 40b can be joined to any two arcuate frames 52 via their respective front and rear outer tracks 62. A second utility tarp 40b can be joined to the two same arcuate frames 52 via their respective front and rear side tracks 64, 66 so as to underlay the first utility tarp 40b. Moreover, as described with respect to the outer tarp 40a, tarps 40 can be joined to two non-consecutive arcuate frames 52 so as to extend over intermediary bows 54c, and thus can overlap one or more utility tarps 40b joined to the arcuate frames 52 of such intermediary bows 54c. In some such overlapped configurations, one or more utility tarps 40b are disposed in a staggered configuration so as to overlap one another. Thus, the four tracks 60 configuration of the tarp enclosure 30 can be configured in several ways to shield, partition and/or secure the cargo space 26. Under certain circumstances, some configurations of the tarp enclosure 30 may desirably assist in safeguarding the cargo space 26 and its contents from one or more of temperature variations, radiation such as sunlight, precipitations, road spray, forceful impacts, vandalism and theft. The four-tracked frames 52 therefore allow for many different configurations of tarps 40.
Turning now to
Each tubing connector 80 has ends 80′ at which tubing members 70 can be removably attached to be held in position. The ends 80′ are disposed at a corner angle relative to one another, in this case a 90-degree angle. In other implementations of the tubing connector 80, the ends 80′ may be axially opposite to one another or even be at a corner angle other than 90 and 180 degrees. Between the ends 80′, a periphery 86 of the tubing connector 80 includes an outer periphery side 80a (i.e., a side configured for facing away from the cargo space 26), an inner periphery side 80d (i.e., a side configured for facing toward the cargo space 26) opposite the outer periphery side 80a, and lateral periphery sides 80b, 80c disposed therebetween and facing away from one another. Moreover, some alternate implementations of the tubing connector 80 may be provided with more than two ends 80′, for example three to allow interconnecting another structure of the tarp enclosure 30 in addition to the two tubing members 70. Fasteners 98, for example bolts 98a and nuts 98b among other possible attachment means, are used to secure the attachment of the tubing members 70 relative to the tubing connector 80. The tubing connector 80 includes a cover 82 representing an exterior portion of the tubing connector 80 having the ends 80′. The cover 82 has a periphery, or peripheral cover wall, comprising an outer cover wall 82a and side cover walls 82b, 82c extending between the ends 80′, together defining a partially enclosed interior cavity 82d of the cover 82. The cover 82 is constructed of a polymeric material, in this case polycarbonate, and may be manufactured by injection molding, among other possible materials and manufacturing methods. For instance, the cover 82 may be constructed of a metallic or a composite material, and be manufactured by casting or by additive manufacturing techniques such as 3D printing. An interior portion of the tubing connector 80, namely, a fitting 84, is provided as a means for supporting the cover 82 and for attaching the ends 80′ of the tubing connector 80 to the tubing members 70. The fitting 84 is constructed of a rigid material, in this case an aluminum alloy, and is manufactured by a process including extruding, cutting and milling steps, among other possible materials and manufacturing methods. The manufacturing process of the fitting 84 can involve finishing steps, such as milling, cutting and deburring. The fitting 84 has two plugs 84′ and an elbow 84″ positioned between the plugs 84′. The fitting 84 has a periphery, or peripheral fitting wall, comprising an outer fitting wall 84a, one or more side fitting walls 84b, 84c and an inner fitting wall 84d of the fitting 84, extending along or between the plugs 84′. The outer and inner fitting walls 84a, 84d face away from one another, with the side fitting walls 84b, 84c extending transversely thereto on either side. The elbow 84″ is sized and arranged to be receivable into the interior cavity 82d of the cover 82 such that the outer cover wall 82a overhangs the outer fitting wall 84a. When the cover 82 is mounted to the elbow 84″, the plugs 84′ extend away from the interior cavity 82d past the ends 80′. Moreover, the cover 82 and the fitting 84 are arranged to be attachable to one another in this position, in this case via two pairs of complementary formations, i.e., two wedge-shaped protrusions 82e and two recesses 84e. The cover 82 may be resiliently deformable such that the protrusions 82e latch into their corresponding recesses 84e after being pried apart as the cover 82 is slid onto the fitting 84. In implementations, the recesses 84e may be deeper than the protrusions 82e, and in certain cases communicate with one another, i.e., represent opposite sides of a sole opening extending through the fitting 84. The plugs 84′ are arranged to fit inside the interior cavity 70c of each of the two tubing members 70 inwardly from their respective ends 70a, 70b upon the ends 70a, 70b interfacing the ends 80′ of the tubing connector 80. The tubing members 70 and the plugs 84′ define openings 70d, 84e arranged to align so as to be traversable by the fasteners 98 upon the plugs 84′ being received by the interior cavities 70c of the tubing members 70. In other arrangements of the tubing member 70, interior cavities 70c are provided at either ends end 70a, 70b, respectively having a depth corresponding to a length of the plugs 84′. The interior cavity 70c and the plugs 84′ provide means for hindering rotation of the tubing member 70 and the tubing connector 80 relative to one another upon being assembled. Such means also include lips 84f of the fitting 84 projecting from the elbow 84″ and spaced from the plugs 84′ such that a portion of the ends 70a, 70b is receivable therebetween. In other arrangements of the arcuate frame 52, the tubing members 70 and the tubing connectors 80 are arranged such that both translational and the rotational movements are hindered upon being assembled, for example by providing a friction fit or a snap fit therebetween. In yet other arrangements, alternative means for hindering movement between the tubing members 70 and the tubing connectors 80 are provided, some of which omit the interior cavity 70c, the plugs 84′ and the lips 84f.
With reference to
Referring to
The tracks 60 of the arcuate frame 52 have retentive track portions 60c having a profile corresponding to the retentive profile described above, and also have non-retentive portions 60d. Such non-retentive portions 60d may be present in tubing track 78 and in connector track 88 alike. In this arrangement of the arcuate frame 52, the tubing tracks 78 are retentive throughout their lengths (i.e., do not have non-retentive portions 60d). The connector tracks 88 have retentive track portions 60c as well as non-retentive track portions 60d. The non-retentive track portions 60d are located about half way along the connector tracks 88 of the outer side 86a and extend toward either ends 80′. In other arrangements, some of the connector tracks 88 may have non-retentive track portions 60d of different lengths, or may otherwise be non-retentive throughout their lengths. In the non-retentive track portions 60d, the slot 60c is sized for allowing passage of the cordon 44 therethrough. In this arrangement of the connector tracks 88, a diameter of the connector channel 88a and a width of the connector slot 88b are respectively greater in the non-retentive track portion 60d than in the retentive track portion 60c. In this exemplary arrangement of the tubing connector 80, the connector tracks 88 have retentive track portions 60c at the ends 80′, and flare as they extend from either ends 80′ toward the non-retentive track portions 60d disposed therebetween. It can thus be appreciated that the non-retentive track portions 60d provide intermediary locations along the arcuate frame 52 at which the cordons 44 can be received by the tracks 60, or removed therefrom, in addition to those at the extremities 52d.
Another embodiment of the tubing connector 80 will now be described with reference to
Complementary features of the cover 82 and the fitting 84 cooperate to define the connector tracks 88. Namely, the fitting 84 has grooves 88c defined in the outer fitting wall 84a. Each groove 88c forms a portion of one of the connector channels 88a. When the cover 82 is secured to the fitting 84, the outer cover walls 82a of each piece 82′ are spaced apart from the outer fitting wall 84a to enclose the grooves 88c and further contribute to forming the connector channels 88a. The cover 82 has ridges 88d projecting inwardly (i.e., toward the inner periphery side 80d, or toward the outer fitting wall 84a) from the outer cover wall 82a, and extending lengthwise between the ends 80′ of the tubing connector 80. Each ridge 88d of each piece 82′ is disposed between an exterior lateral edge 82a′ and laterally-spaced apart interior lateral edge 82a″ of the outer cover wall 82 so as to extend between two adjacent grooves 88c when a corresponding side cover wall 82b, 82c (i.e., of a same cover piece 82′) is attached to the fitting 84. In this implementation, each side of the ridge 88c contributes to forming one of the connector channels 88a with one of the fitting grooves 88c. A portion of the outer cover wall 82a overhanging a fitting groove 88c further contributes to forming one of the connector channels 88a, and terminates in one of the lateral edges 82a′,82a″ the latter contributing to a corresponding connector slot 88b.
In this implementation, exterior fitting grooves 88c′, namely the fitting grooves 88c being closest to the side fitting walls 84b, 84c, are open toward the closest of the side fitting walls 84b, 84c, and also narrower than the interior fitting grooves 88c located between the exterior fitting grooves 88c′. By “narrower”, it is understood that a width of the exterior fitting grooves 88c′ is less than a width of the interior fitting grooves 88c, where the width is measured along a direction extending perpendicularly between the side fitting walls 84b, 84c. This configuration of the exterior fitting grooves 88c′ may also be described as chamfers connecting the outer fitting wall 84a to the closest of the side fitting walls 84a, 84c. Along the exterior lateral edge 82a′, the side cover wall 82b is spaced inwardly relative to the exterior lateral edge 82a′ so as to form the exterior connector slot 88b. The side cover wall 82b extends laterally toward the exterior fitting groove 88c′ and past the exterior lateral edge 82a′ to form the exterior connector channel 88a with the exterior fitting groove 88c′.
Moreover, in such split-type implementations of the cover 82, a junction between corresponding outer and side cover walls 82a, 82b, 82c may obstruct, or close, exterior connector tracks 88. As such, exterior connector slots 88b may be open at a first one of the connector ends 80′ and closed at a location between the ends 80′. For example, the exterior lateral edge 82a′ and the outer edge 82b′ of a same exterior connector slot 88b′ may be met, or joined, by a closing portion 82g of the cover piece 82′. In this exemplary configuration, the closing portion 82g extends between the exterior lateral edge 82a′ and the outer edge 82b′ to block off the exterior connector slot 88b. The closing portion 82g also extends laterally from the side cover wall 82b, 82c to the ridge 88 (
Referring to
Still referring to
One possible configuration of retaining the tarp 40 in position at the bottom end of the support plate 124 is shown in
In
The rail body 112 also has mounting features 116 disposed proximate its bottom rail wall 112d and beneath the channel 118. The mounting features 116 can for example include a mudguard mounting surface 116a facing generally opposite the top rail wall 112c. A mudguard 116b can be disposed alongside the mudguard mounting surface 116a and held in place via a bar 116c disposed beneath the mudguard 116b and secured thereto via fasteners 116d. The bar 116c is a C-shaped bar, although other shapes of bars are possible, for example a flat bar or an L-shaped bar. The bar 116c can also be provided as a means for joining other elements to the platform, such as reflectors 116e or lights 116e′. The mudguard mounting surface 116a has a vertical slot 116f sized to receive the fasteners 116d, and ridges 116g shaped so as to impinge on the mudguard 116b as it is fastened. The bottom mounting features 116 also include other features such as a horizontal slot 116h. In this arrangement, the horizontal slot 116h is beneath the bottom rail wall 112d and extends toward the bumper 114. The horizontal slot 116h is arranged to join the rail body 112 to another bar (not shown) receivable by the horizontal slot 116h so as to extend therefrom to underneath the platform 20 and be fastened thereto. The bar may provide additional support for the mudguard 116b across its width. The width of the mudguard 116b can be sized such that it extends laterally to past either sides of the rail body 112, and at least from underneath the channel 118 to past the bumper 114. In some embodiments, at least one of the bumper 114 and the bottom mounting features 116 may form a component of the rail assembly 110 being detachable from the rail body 112. The rail assembly 110 also includes a protector plate 110b arranged to line at least a portion of the channel 118 so as to interface between the wheels 122 and the rail body 112. The protector plate 110b can assist in preventing wear of either the rail body 112 or the wheels 122. In embodiments, the protector plate 110b is constructed of a material having a friction coefficient greater than that of the rail body 112. The protector plate 110b can either be a unitary piece or be made of a plurality of segments. The protector plate 110b can extend along an entire length of the rail body 112 or along select portions thereof. In some embodiments, the protector plate 110b is omitted.
Referring to
Still referring to
Turning now to
The above description is meant to be exemplary only, and one skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made to the embodiments described without departing from the scope of the invention disclosed. Still other modifications which fall within the scope of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art, in light of a review of this disclosure, and such modifications are intended to fall within the appended claims.
This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application 62/962,499 filed Jan. 17, 2020, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
3361144 | Folkes | Jan 1968 | A |
3424179 | Minot | Jan 1969 | A |
3592222 | Goss et al. | Jul 1971 | A |
3858358 | Stachowiak et al. | Jan 1975 | A |
3889104 | Smith | Jun 1975 | A |
3986670 | Syveson | Oct 1976 | A |
4028861 | Huddle | Jun 1977 | A |
4644706 | Stafford et al. | Feb 1987 | A |
4649947 | Tury et al. | Mar 1987 | A |
4657062 | Tuerk | Apr 1987 | A |
4667692 | Tury et al. | May 1987 | A |
4683686 | Ozdemir | Aug 1987 | A |
4740029 | Tuerk | Apr 1988 | A |
4841688 | Rinaldi | Jun 1989 | A |
4844109 | Navarro | Jul 1989 | A |
4854630 | Biancale | Aug 1989 | A |
4902064 | Tuerk et al. | Feb 1990 | A |
5050923 | Petelka | Sep 1991 | A |
5080423 | Merlot et al. | Jan 1992 | A |
5092648 | Spears | Mar 1992 | A |
5152575 | Demonte et al. | Oct 1992 | A |
5181352 | Friedman | Jan 1993 | A |
5269106 | Stafford et al. | Dec 1993 | A |
5288123 | Dimmer | Feb 1994 | A |
5320396 | Petelka | Jun 1994 | A |
5487584 | Jespersen | Jan 1996 | A |
5525026 | Demonte et al. | Jun 1996 | A |
5546972 | Wardell et al. | Aug 1996 | A |
5769704 | Henning et al. | Jun 1998 | A |
5924758 | Dimmer et al. | Jul 1999 | A |
5924759 | Demonte et al. | Jul 1999 | A |
6062780 | Petelka | May 2000 | A |
6109283 | Burke et al. | Aug 2000 | A |
6139085 | Templin et al. | Oct 2000 | A |
6347826 | Horner et al. | Feb 2002 | B1 |
6419301 | Tuerk | Jul 2002 | B1 |
6474718 | Henning | Nov 2002 | B1 |
6474719 | Henning | Nov 2002 | B2 |
6513856 | Swanson et al. | Feb 2003 | B1 |
6578897 | White | Jun 2003 | B2 |
6582007 | Gothier et al. | Jun 2003 | B2 |
6695382 | Ciferri et al. | Feb 2004 | B2 |
6712419 | Gothier | Mar 2004 | B1 |
6793273 | Tuerk | Sep 2004 | B1 |
6886879 | Nolan et al. | May 2005 | B2 |
6945865 | Turek | Sep 2005 | B1 |
6976433 | Neumann | Dec 2005 | B1 |
7032950 | Eggers et al. | Apr 2006 | B2 |
7188817 | Henning | Mar 2007 | B2 |
7275780 | Boyd et al. | Oct 2007 | B2 |
7296842 | Growcock et al. | Nov 2007 | B2 |
7325856 | Merlot et al. | Feb 2008 | B2 |
7367606 | Ellis | May 2008 | B2 |
7374225 | Petelka | May 2008 | B2 |
7389785 | Loudermilk et al. | Jun 2008 | B2 |
7445265 | Neumann et al. | Nov 2008 | B1 |
7703833 | Petelka | Apr 2010 | B2 |
7798553 | Beshiri et al. | Sep 2010 | B2 |
7841642 | Schaefer | Nov 2010 | B2 |
7849639 | Sprung | Dec 2010 | B2 |
7931326 | Beshiri | Apr 2011 | B2 |
7971597 | Reyen et al. | Jul 2011 | B2 |
7993041 | Petelka | Aug 2011 | B2 |
8047600 | Leblanc et al. | Nov 2011 | B2 |
8061759 | Conner | Nov 2011 | B2 |
8136306 | Scheps | Mar 2012 | B2 |
8172477 | Damsi | May 2012 | B2 |
8205927 | Eggers | Jun 2012 | B2 |
8267461 | Prince et al. | Sep 2012 | B2 |
8439424 | Damsi | May 2013 | B1 |
8550532 | Reeder et al. | Oct 2013 | B2 |
8567848 | Damsi | Oct 2013 | B2 |
8801077 | Vogel et al. | Aug 2014 | B2 |
8826827 | Dimmer et al. | Sep 2014 | B1 |
8882172 | Reeder | Nov 2014 | B2 |
8888535 | Knight et al. | Nov 2014 | B2 |
9073414 | McKibben et al. | Jul 2015 | B2 |
9079622 | Gan et al. | Jul 2015 | B2 |
9346343 | Knight et al. | May 2016 | B1 |
9499033 | Nixon | Nov 2016 | B1 |
9701348 | Damsi | Jul 2017 | B2 |
9744834 | Damsi et al. | Aug 2017 | B2 |
9812923 | Searfoss | Nov 2017 | B2 |
9815506 | Vogel et al. | Nov 2017 | B2 |
10081234 | Beshiri et al. | Sep 2018 | B2 |
10183559 | De | Jan 2019 | B2 |
10322870 | Knight et al. | Jun 2019 | B1 |
10328777 | Searfoss | Jun 2019 | B2 |
10434851 | Searfoss | Oct 2019 | B2 |
10434852 | Searfoss | Oct 2019 | B2 |
10596885 | McWilliams | Mar 2020 | B1 |
10696312 | Knight et al. | Jun 2020 | B1 |
10864948 | Reeder et al. | Dec 2020 | B2 |
10864952 | Miller et al. | Dec 2020 | B2 |
10899205 | Knight et al. | Jan 2021 | B1 |
10935069 | Searfoss | Mar 2021 | B2 |
10946733 | Demonte et al. | Mar 2021 | B2 |
20020140248 | White | Oct 2002 | A1 |
20020145304 | Henning | Oct 2002 | A1 |
20030067185 | Gothier et al. | Apr 2003 | A1 |
20050173940 | Smith et al. | Aug 2005 | A1 |
20060113820 | Morrow | Jun 2006 | A1 |
20060119128 | Boyd et al. | Jun 2006 | A1 |
20060192407 | Coughtry | Aug 2006 | A1 |
20060261629 | Lowry et al. | Nov 2006 | A1 |
20080148515 | Petelka | Jun 2008 | A1 |
20080217953 | Beshiri | Sep 2008 | A1 |
20080231069 | Petelka | Sep 2008 | A1 |
20090108622 | Damsi et al. | Apr 2009 | A1 |
20090206629 | Damsi | Aug 2009 | A1 |
20100038925 | Conner | Feb 2010 | A1 |
20100078136 | Beshiri et al. | Apr 2010 | A1 |
20100270825 | Beshiri | Oct 2010 | A1 |
20110030575 | Schaefer et al. | Feb 2011 | A1 |
20110078958 | Knight et al. | Apr 2011 | A1 |
20110084517 | Vogel et al. | Apr 2011 | A1 |
20110175390 | Verduyn et al. | Jul 2011 | A1 |
20110221233 | Damsi | Sep 2011 | A1 |
20110265684 | Knight et al. | Nov 2011 | A1 |
20120104788 | Prince | May 2012 | A1 |
20130009421 | Reeder et al. | Jan 2013 | A1 |
20140028049 | Vogel et al. | Jan 2014 | A1 |
20140073180 | Knight et al. | Mar 2014 | A1 |
20140138982 | Petelka | May 2014 | A1 |
20140145466 | Reeder | May 2014 | A1 |
20140217768 | Barley | Aug 2014 | A1 |
20140339850 | Grimes | Nov 2014 | A1 |
20140339854 | Tuerk et al. | Nov 2014 | A1 |
20140361012 | McKibben et al. | Dec 2014 | A1 |
20150246601 | Damsi et al. | Sep 2015 | A1 |
20150274059 | Damsi | Oct 2015 | A1 |
20150321597 | Knight et al. | Nov 2015 | A1 |
20150370135 | Kim et al. | Dec 2015 | A1 |
20160115705 | Hornung | Apr 2016 | A1 |
20160207382 | Damsi et al. | Jul 2016 | A1 |
20160263978 | Damsi et al. | Sep 2016 | A1 |
20170001733 | Larson | Jan 2017 | A1 |
20170144519 | Searfoss | May 2017 | A1 |
20180111461 | Searfoss | Apr 2018 | A1 |
20180264987 | Weschke, Jr. et al. | Sep 2018 | A1 |
20180272847 | Beshiri et al. | Sep 2018 | A1 |
20180319258 | Searfoss | Nov 2018 | A1 |
20190118626 | DeMonte et al. | Apr 2019 | A1 |
20190176906 | Miller et al. | Jun 2019 | A1 |
20190193796 | Miller et al. | Jun 2019 | A1 |
20190217691 | Eggers | Jul 2019 | A1 |
20210016644 | Weschke, Jr. et al. | Jan 2021 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
2002361604 | May 2003 | AU |
2003237438 | Jun 2003 | AU |
2002300170 | Feb 2004 | AU |
2002334946 | Apr 2005 | AU |
2002340213 | Jun 2005 | AU |
2009222484 | Apr 2010 | AU |
2010201746 | Nov 2011 | AU |
2017285712 | Dec 2018 | AU |
2019213386 | Aug 2019 | AU |
1290786 | Oct 1991 | CA |
2073714 | Jul 1992 | CA |
2074607 | Mar 1993 | CA |
1331635 | Aug 1994 | CA |
2143729 | Sep 1996 | CA |
2058001 | Mar 1997 | CA |
2225308 | Jan 1998 | CA |
2226356 | Feb 1998 | CA |
2245753 | Feb 1999 | CA |
2124365 | Apr 1999 | CA |
2275790 | Jun 1999 | CA |
2026344 | Dec 1999 | CA |
2306661 | Apr 2000 | CA |
2159749 | Jan 2001 | CA |
2159749 | Jan 2001 | CA |
2234534 | Jan 2001 | CA |
2403478 | Sep 2001 | CA |
2402083 | Sep 2002 | CA |
2301416 | Feb 2004 | CA |
2499561 | Feb 2004 | CA |
2453622 | Jun 2004 | CA |
2402083 | Jul 2005 | CA |
2526379 | Apr 2007 | CA |
2453622 | Jun 2007 | CA |
2575047 | Dec 2007 | CA |
2621815 | Feb 2008 | CA |
2581059 | Sep 2008 | CA |
2637814 | Sep 2008 | CA |
2641800 | Oct 2008 | CA |
2591012 | Nov 2008 | CA |
2607746 | Jan 2009 | CA |
2641800 | Apr 2009 | CA |
2621815 | Aug 2009 | CA |
2636445 | Dec 2009 | CA |
2636445 | Dec 2009 | CA |
2665408 | Oct 2010 | CA |
2842179 | Jun 2011 | CA |
2732354 | Aug 2011 | CA |
2753738 | Apr 2012 | CA |
2754505 | Apr 2012 | CA |
2775212 | Apr 2012 | CA |
2789819 | Sep 2012 | CA |
2783838 | Sep 2013 | CA |
2812680 | Oct 2013 | CA |
2726670 | Apr 2014 | CA |
2730990 | Apr 2014 | CA |
2595513 | Jul 2014 | CA |
2744164 | Sep 2014 | CA |
2625980 | Dec 2014 | CA |
2801152 | May 2015 | CA |
2663473 | Mar 2016 | CA |
2923142 | Mar 2016 | CA |
2862413 | May 2017 | CA |
2675058 | Oct 2017 | CA |
2998251 | Sep 2018 | CA |
3037773 | Oct 2019 | CA |
3051915 | Feb 2020 | CA |
3023715 | Aug 2020 | CA |
0190071 | Aug 1986 | EP |
1284877 | Feb 2003 | EP |
1384613 | Jan 2004 | EP |
1463648 | Mar 2005 | EP |
1578640 | Sep 2005 | EP |
2814719 | Aug 2013 | EP |
542659 | Aug 1922 | FR |
0708782 | Jun 2007 | GB |
2435017 | Aug 2007 | GB |
3921471 | May 2007 | JP |
2003033299 | Apr 2003 | WO |
2004011316 | Feb 2004 | WO |
2006133202 | Dec 2006 | WO |
2007005293 | Jan 2007 | WO |
2007021365 | Feb 2007 | WO |
2007047586 | Apr 2007 | WO |
2008144911 | Dec 2008 | WO |
20090146533 | Dec 2009 | WO |
2010003515 | Jan 2010 | WO |
2013122911 | Aug 2013 | WO |
2019183119 | Sep 2019 | WO |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20210221202 A1 | Jul 2021 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
62962499 | Jan 2020 | US |