Patent Application
20160207382
This invention relates in general to deployable trailer covering systems, such as can be used to create an enclosed cargo area on a flatbed trailer or the like. In particular, this invention relates to a deployable trailer covering system that may utilize a fabric tarp covering having an improved deployment mechanism that indicates when the desired deployed tension is achieved.
Flatbed trailers are often used to haul loads that are bulky or heavy. These loads often have loading and unloading characteristics that rely on access to the open sides of the trailer for loading and unloading. Flatbed trailers provide open access for handling freight but lack a structure for conveniently covering the loads from the elements or for privacy. Tarps are often used to protect freight carried on a flatbed. Sometimes the tarps are applied directly over the loads to guard against the elements. Other flatbed covers rely on bows and other support structures to create a space over the trailer and support one or more tarp sheets. While these structures cover the flatbed trailer and create an enclosed freight hauling space, the structures are difficult or cumbersome to remove in order to gain side access of the trailer for freight handling. In addition, improper deployment of tarp structure may result in overloading or under-loading the covering, such as a fabric tarp covering, which may result in damage to the system. Overloading the tarp structure may result in bending the support bow system or tearing the fabric covering. Under-loading the tarp structure causes the fabric to wrinkle or otherwise fail to be taut. This condition allows the fabric to flap in response to air pressure and wind. As the fabric moves relative to the support structure, excessive wear occurs causing damage to the covering and potentially the cargo inside. Thus, it would be desirable to provide an mechanism to indicate when the tarp system has been properly deployed.
This invention relates to a deployable trailer covering system having a torque responsive deployment mechanism. These deployable trailer covering systems may include a rigid covering or a fabric covering. In a particular embodiment, this invention relates to a fabric based trailer tarp covering system that is deployed by a torque generating device that indicates when the proper load has been applied to deploy the system.
The torque generating device may be in the form of an offset crank handle having a torque indicating capability that produces one of an audible and tactile sensation that alerts a user when the desired or proper tension has been imparted to the fabric trailer cover. This tension level is associated with the torque to actuate the tarp covering system and may be set as a predetermined torque level or may be an adjustable torque level that is set in response to the type of fabric covering used.
Various aspects of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment, when read in light of the accompanying drawings.
Referring now to the drawings, there is illustrated in
The rolling track system 30 includes a pair of guide tracks 32 that respectively extend along opposite sides of the flatbed trailer 10. The guide tracks 32 form channels that accept trolley assemblies 34. The guide tracks and trolleys are similar to those disclosed in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2013-0249237 A1, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The trolley assemblies 34 are configured to roll or otherwise translate relative to the guide tracks 32. The trolley assemblies 34, located on opposite sides of the trailer 10, are interconnected by a bow element 36 to form the various bows 22, 24, and 26. At least one of the trolley assemblies 34 is attached to a tensioning mechanism, shown generally at 40. In the illustrated embodiment, the tensioning mechanism 40 includes a tensioning head 42 having a torque transmitting drive unit 44 and a reaction end 46. An actuator 48, such as an ACME screw, pulley and cable system, hydraulic pump, or any other suitable mechanism configured to move the attached trolley assembly 34 relative to the guide tracks 32, is connected between the tensioning head 42 and the reaction end 46. Movement of the trolley assemblies 34 by the tensioning mechanism 40 causes the plurality of intermediate bows 24 to move along the guide tracks 32 and tension the tarp covering 28 when the front bow 22 is fixed relative to the guide tracks 32.
In the illustrated embodiment, the tensioning mechanism is illustrated as an A-frame tensioning mechanism, having first and second support legs 50 and 52 that connect the tensioning head 42 and the reaction end 46, respectively, to the rear bow 26 by a junction point 54. As the torque transmitting drive unit 44 is rotated, the ACME screw thread actuator 48 drives the tensioning head 42 and the reaction end 46 relative to the trailer 10. The junction point 54 is detachably connected to the rear bow 26. As rotation of the ACME screw actuator 48 causes the support legs 50, 52 and junction point 54 to move the rear bow 26 along the guide track 32, the tarp covering 28 becomes taut. During the tarp tensioning procedure, the tensioning head 44 is rotated by a torque-indicating tensioning actuator, shown generally at 56.
Referring now to
The outer member 68 is pivotally connected at a second end 68b to a torque reaction beam, shown generally at 70. The torque reaction beam 70 is pivotally connected at a fulcrum point 72, illustrated as a spherically shaped pivot point that is received within the outer member 68. The fulcrum point 72 includes a fulcrum mounting aperture 74 that aligns with an outer member aperture 76. The aligned apertures 74 and 76 accept a connection element 78, illustrated as a dowel. The connection element may be any suitable structure such as a roll pin, bolt, rivet, and the like. The torque reaction beam 70 includes a reaction arm 80. The reaction arm 80 includes a biasing stop 82 that prevents a rocking or toggling motion of the reaction arm 80 within the outer member 68 when torque is applied in one direction, but permits motion when torque is applied in the other direction. The reaction arm 80 further includes a first reaction notch 84 that defines a first end of a torque-responsive, indicating mechanism, shown generally at 100 in
A torque sensitive biasing assembly 86 is positioned within the outer member 68 between the first end 68a and the reaction arm 80 at the second end 68b. The torque sensitive biasing assembly includes a stop 88 that may be fixed within the outer member 68. In one embodiment, the stop 88 is a threaded member that is adjustable to set a spring tension set point of a biasing spring 90. Alternatively, the stop 88 may be a press fit attachment or a pinned attachment to the outer member 68. The biasing spring 90 applies an axial load L against a reaction plug 92, that has a second reaction notch 94. The first and second reaction notches 84 and 94 are generally “V”-shaped and include a flat region 94c between V-shaped walls 94a and 94b. In one embodiment, the second reaction notch 94 includes a wider V-shaped notch, though the wider notch may be applied to the first reaction notch 84. A pivot pin 96 mates with the first and second reaction notches 84 and 94. The pivot pin 96 is generally rectangular in shape and includes ends 98 that are configured to rotate within the outer member 68. In the illustrated embodiment, the ends 98 are illustrated as pins that extend from the pivot pin 96 to the inner surface of the outer member 68. Alternatively, the ends may be spherical in shape.
The torque reaction beam 70 further includes a receiver end 102 that couples the driving end 60 to the outer member 68. The receiver end 102 may include an aperture 104 that mates with a similarly shaped mounting end 106 of the driving end 60. In the illustrated embodiment, the mating end 106 and aperture 104 are configured similarly to a conventional ratchet wrench and socket connection, though any suitable shape may be used. Alternatively, the receiver end 102 may be integrally formed with the driving end 60, if so desired.
Referring now to
Referring now to
A biasing spring 174 is disposed within the biasing sleeve 168 and around the shaft portion 160a of the driving end 160. One end of the biasing spring 174 abuts the spring seat 172. The opposite end of the biasing spring 174 abuts a torque-responsive, indicating assembly, shown generally at 176. The torque-responsive indicating assembly 176 includes first and second abutting load disks 178 and 180 and at least one indicating ball 182 disposed therebetween. The illustrated embodiment shows two indicating balls 182 spaced 180 degrees apart, though any suitable number may be provided. Typically the indicating balls 182 may be evenly spaced between the load disks 178 and 180, though such is not required. As shown in
As the torque level adjusting sleeve 164 is rotated relative to the spring biasing sleeve 168, the biasing spring is compressed or relaxed against the mating load disks 178 and 180. The magnitude of axial force against the load disks 178 and 180 determines the torque level required to compress the biasing spring 174 and cause the ball 182 to snap over the peaks 188 and 190. The snapping action of the ball 182 provides at least one of an auditory and a tactile sensation to alter the user that the proper torque level and tarp tension has been achieved.
Referring now to
The principle and mode of operation of this invention have been explained and illustrated in its preferred embodiment. However, it must be understood that this invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically explained and illustrated without departing from its spirit or scope.
