Patent Application
20190226239
The present invention generally relates to doors used in long bed trailers. More particularly the invention relates to the rear door of a long bed trailer having a live floor.
Rectangular long bed trailers are commonly used to transport all kinds of materials in the transportation industry. The unique challenges associated with transporting and unloading particulate materials such as sawdust, wood chips, grains, corn, mulch and other such particulate materials having a fluidizable or liquid characteristic has resulting in the development and use of unique long bed trailers better suited to the transport of such particulate materials. Often called live floor trailers, these trailers have a retractable top to allow a front loader to dump the particulate material into the trailer and live floors to unload the particulate material through a rear opening. Typically, the rear opening is closed with hinged metal doors secured to the sides of the trailer.
As the particulate material is loaded into the live floor trailer, the material spreads out over the length of the bed and is supported by the rear doors. Because the particulate material is supported by the rear doors, when the rear doors are opened to unload the material, a portion of the particulate material typically falls out of the trailer. This can be very problematic for truck drivers. Often the particulate material is unloaded into barns or other structures with very tight spaces that barely fit the size of the trailer. Such tight spaces often prevent the rear doors from swinging into a fully opened position to allow the particulate material to be unloaded. Thus, the truck drivers are left with a choice when unloading the particulate material. The truck drivers can fully open the doors before backing into the delivery space where the material is to be unloaded. This can result in a portion of the particulate material falling from the trailer outside the delivery space. Such material must then be transported into the delivery space or go to waste. The second option is to back the trailer into the delivery space, open the rear doors as much as possible to allow the particular material that is supported by the rear doors, to fall into the delivery space. The truck driver will then have to pull forward and open the doors the rest of the way, which typically involves rotating and securing the doors to be alongside the exterior of the trailer sidewalls. Once the rear doors are secured in the open position, the truck driver can then back the trailer back into the delivery space and unload the particulate material using the live floor.
A door and locking system for a rear opening of a long bed trailer, the rear opening having a top edge, a bottom edge and first and second side edges, the door and locking system generally comprising a canvas door configured for mounting adjacent to the rear opening of the long bed trailer. The canvas door is configured to move between a closed position in which the canvas door moves to close the rear opening and an open position in which the canvas door moves to open the rear opening. A locking system secured to the edges of the rear opening is configured to move between a locked position, in which the locking system is in locking engagement with the canvas door in the closed position to secure the canvas door against the edges of the rear opening to close the opening for retaining fluidizable product in the long bed trailer and an unlocked position, in which the locking system is free from locking engagement with the canvas door to allow the canvas door to move into the open position.
Other objects and features of the present invention will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.
Corresponding parts are indicated by corresponding reference characters throughout the several views of the drawings.
Referring to
The door and locking system 10 is connected to the exterior of the trailer 14 and includes a canvas or tarp door 40 connected to a shaft 50 (
The locking mechanism 100 is attached to the trailer 14 along the first and second side edges 24, 26 and the bottom edge 22 (i.e. first, second and third edges of the rear opening). Along each of the first edge, the second edge and the third edge, the locking mechanism 100 includes a locking subassembly 104L, 104R, 102 having a clamp and a mounting flange. Each mounting flange is attached to the exterior of the trailer 14 around the rear opening 12. Each clamp is attached to a respective mounting flange. The canvas door 40 is positioned such that the door's first, second and lower edge margins passes in-between a clamp and a mounting flange as the door is raised and lowered. In the locked position, each clamp secures or presses a respective edge margin of the canvas door 40 against a respective mounting flange.
Referring to
As best seen in
The clamp 120 is movably secured over the side mounting flange 110 adjacent to the first side edge 24. As seen in
The leg 121 of the clamp 120 and leg 111 of the side mounting flange 110 define the door receiving channel 189 adjacent to the first side edge 24. A clamp bar 114 is secured to the leg 111 of the side mounting flange 110 and extends into the door receiving channel 189. The clamp bar 114 is a continuous strip that extends along the side mounting flange 110. The clamp bar 114 is made of extruded aluminum that is essentially non-deformable, however, any suitable material can be used. In one embodiment, the clamp bar 114 is formed with teeth (not shown) extending lengthwise of the clamp bar that engage the tarp door 40 to grip the door and hold it in place when clamped. Other ways of gripping the tarp door 40 may be used within the scope of the present invention. A vertical rubber seal 116 is positioned between the clamp bar 114 and side mounting flange 110. The seal 116 extends along the side mounting flange 110. The seal 116 is a thin sheet of rubber folded back onto its self. The fold or bend of the seal 116 extends into the rear opening 20. Fasteners (not shown) connect the clamp bar 114 and seal 116 to the leg 111 of the side mounting flange 110.
The clamp 120 is movably connected to the side mounting flange 110 by a plurality of levers 180. In the illustrated embodiment, three levers 180 located near the top, middle and bottom of the first side edge 24 are used to connect the clamp 120 to the side mounting flange 110. Each lever 180 has an opening at one end thereof configured to receive a pin 123 extending from the leg 122 of the clamp 120. Another opening near the middle of each lever 180 receives a pin 113 extending from the leg 112 of the side mounting flange 110. A third opening is located at the other end of the lever 180. As explained in more detail below, the third opening connects the lever 180 to a spring 192 or linear actuator 190. The lever 180 may rotate about pin 113. While the lever 180 is connected to the clamp 120 and side mounting flange 110 with pins, it is to be understood that any means of connection between the clamp, side mounting flange and levers, is within the scope of the present invention.
A linear actuator 190 is connected to one of the levers 180 to move the clamp 120 between the locked position, as seen in
A plurality of guides 186 are fixed to the side mounting flange 110. The guides 186 guide movement of the clamp 120 when the clamp moves between the locked and unlocked positions. Each guide 186 is a flat metal plate fixed to but off set from the leg 112 of the side mounting flange 110. The guide 186 and leg 112 of the side mounting flange 110 define a channel 188 (
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
To move the clamp 120 into the unlocked position, the linear actuator 190 extends the piston rod 191, which in turn, rotates the lever 180 counterclockwise and moves the clamp away from the side mounting flange 110. The linear actuator 190 must overcome the biasing force of the springs 192 that hold the clamp 120 in the locked position. Once the piston rod 191 is fully extended, the clamp 120 is in the unlocked position and free from locking engagement with the canvas door 40. In the unlocked position, there is enough space between the leg 121 of the clamp 120 and leg 111 of the first side mounting bracket 110 to allow the canvas door 40 and rod 42 to pass through. To move the clamp 120 into the locked position, the linear actuator 190 retracts the piston rod 191 which rotates the connection bracket 180 in the opposite direction (clockwise) and moves the clamp toward the side mounting flange 110. Once the piston rod 191 is retracted, the clamp 120 is in the locked position and in locking engagement with the canvas door 40. The levers 180 not connected to the linear actuator 190 act as supports for the clamp 120 and are rotated by the clamp as it moves between the locked and unlocked positions. The springs 192 assist in the movement of the clamp to the locked position and maintains the clamp 120 in the locked position.
As best seen in
The third clamp 320 is pivotably secured by hinges 323 (
A linear actuator 390 is connected to the third clamp 320 and the frame 18 of the trailer 14 below the third mounting flange 310. The linear actuator 390 moves the third clamp 320 between the locked position, as seen in
Referring to
In the locked position, the rod 42 is securely held within the pocket 389 and prevents the canvas door 40 from breaking free of the third clamp 320 when the canvas door supports the particulate material (not shown) in the trailer 14. The particulate material pushes against the canvas door 40 and could pull the lower edge margin of the canvas door 40 out from engagement with the third clamp 320. However, because the rod 42 is held within the pocket 389, the canvas door 40 is able to resist the forces placed on it by the particulate material and remain in the closed position.
When the locking system 100 is in the locked position, the bottom portions 124 of the clamps 120 overlap and engage each end of the third clamp 320. More specifically, the bottom portions 124 compress or push each end of the leg 321 of the third clamp 320 against the side mounting flanges 110. This further secures the third clamp 320 in the locked position, taking advantage of the closing force of the springs 192. Because the clamps 120 are biased toward the locked position and engage the third clamp 320 when in the locked position, separate springs are not required to bias the third clamp in the locked position. In the illustrated embodiment, each leg 122 of the clamps 120 extend along the bottom portions 124 to close off the open ends of the third clamp 320 in the locked position. This protects the bottom edge of the canvas door 40 and the rod 42 from the elements when the canvas door is in the closed position. Closing off the open ends of the third clamp 320 also prevents the particulate material from escaping.
Referring to
To move the third clamp 320 into the unlocked position, the linear actuator 390 retracts the piston rod 391, which rotates the third clamp downward and away from the mounting flange 310. Once the piston rod 391 is fully retracted, the third clamp 320 is in the unlocked position and free from locking engagement with the canvas door 40 and rod 42. In the unlocked position, there is enough space between the leg 321 of the third clamp 320 and the third mounting bracket 310 to allow the canvas door 40 and rod 42 to pass out of the pocket 389. To move the third clamp 320 into the locked position, the linear actuator 390 extends the piston rod 391 which rotates the third clamp upward and toward the third mounting flange 310. Once the piston rod 391 is extended, the third clamp 320 is in the locked position capturing the rod 42 within the pocket 389 and sealing the canvas door 40 at the lower edge 22.
The canvas door 40 may include one or more metal rings (not shown) secured to the door's exterior surface adjacent to each side edge margin. The rings can engage a hook of a ratchet strap (not shown) to further secure the canvas door 40 to the trailer 14. Ratchets (not shown) can be fixed to the side mounting flanges 110. The ratchet strap hooks onto the ring at one end and wraps around the corner of the trailer 14 over the first or second locking subassembly 104R, 104L and connects one of the ratchets fixed to the side mounting flanges 110. It is appreciated that multiple metal rings and ratchets can be secured about edges of the rear opening 12. The ratchet straps prevent the edge margins of the canvas door 40 from breaking free of engagement with the clamps 120 due to the forces placed on the canvas door by the particulate material. However, the clamps 120 can be sufficient to secure the edges of the canvas door 40 on their own without the use of the ratchet straps.
A control panel (not shown) is connected to the door and locking system 10. The control panel can be connected to the truck's electrical system and can be used to link the truck's electrical system to the door and locking system 10. The control panel can be located anywhere on the trailer. The control panel can have a series of control features the user can activate to operate the door and locking system 10. The control panel is connected to the motor 54 and the linear actuators 190 and 390 connected to the clamps 120 and 320. To move the canvas door 40 between the open and closed positions, the user activates control features on the control panel. Once a control feature is activated, the control panel sends a signal to the motor 54 which turns the shaft 50 to raise or lower the canvas door into the open or closed position. The control panel can automatically stop the motor 54 once the canvas door 40 is in the open or closed position or the user can manually position the door. To move the locking system 100 into the locked and unlocked positions, the user actuates the corresponding control feature(s) on the control panel. The control panel can have a single set of control feature(s) that operates the entire locking system 100 or a series of control features that operates each clamp individually. Once a control feature is actuated, the control panel sends a signal to the linear actuators 190 and 390 to move the locking system 100 into the locked or unlocked position. In the preferred embodiment, the third clamp 320 operates independently from the clamps 120 so that the third clamp 320 can be moved into the locked position before the clamps 120. Securing the third clamp 320 in the locked position first allows the user to operate the motor 54 to pull the canvas door taught (i.e. remove the slack by attempting to raise the canvas door) before the clamps 120 are moved into the locked position.
It is appreciated that the door and locking system 10 described above can be sized to fit the rear rectangular opening of any trailer. To attach the door and locking system 10 to an existing trailer 14, the original doors of the trailer are removed along with any hinges or other components that protrude from the trailer frame 18 and would prevent the installation of the door and locking system 10. Then, the components of the door and locking system 10, such as the side mounting flanges 110, the clamps 120, the canvas door 40, the shaft 50, the third mounting flange 310 and third clamp 320, are all constructed to fit the rear opening 12 of the particular trailer 14. Once constructed, the side mounting flanges 110 and third mounting flange 310 are mounted on the trailer, as described above, followed by the clamps 120, the third clamp 320 and the canvas door 40. The linear actuators 190 and 390 are then connected to the truck's pneumatic system and the control panel. The motor 54 is also connected to the control panel. Finally, the control panel is connected to the truck's electrical system.
In view of the above, it will be seen that the several features of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results obtained.
The door and locking system 10 is able to completely open in confined spaces because in the open position, the canvas door 40 is wrapped around the shaft 50 near the top edge 20 of the rear opening 12. This arrangement conveniently stores the canvas door 40 in a compact raised position that can be obtained regardless of the delivery space size, unlike traditional doors which need space to swing open along the sides of the trailer. The control panel provides the user with the ability to open the rear opening 12 remote from the rear of the trailer 14. This eliminates the need for two people to unload the trailer if the delivery space is so tight that once the trailer has backed into the delivery space, a person cannot access the delivery space to open the doors unless they were already in the delivery space before the trailer was backed in. The locking system 100 provides a strong seal around the edges of the rear opening 12 to resist the forces placed on the canvas door 40 by the particulate material and prevent any particulate material from escaping.
In addition, the canvas door 40 can remain in the open position once the trailer 14 is unloaded as the trailer returns to pick up another load. Keeping the door 40 in the open position reduces air resistance or drag on the trailer, increasing fuel efficiency. The retractable top on the trailer 14 can be in its stored position on the return trip, leaving the top of the trailer open. This allows air to enter the trailer 14 and contact the rear doors that close the rear opening 12. Thus, the doors closing the rear opening 12 act as a giant wind screen, forcing any air that enters the trailer 14 to move up and over the doors. By keeping the canvas door 40 in the open position on the return trip, any air that enters the trailer 14 through the open top can pass through the rear opening 12. Thus, the air no longer contacts the rear doors of the trailer 12, reducing air resistance and increasing fuel efficiency.
Having described the invention in detail, it will be apparent that modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention defined in the appended claims.
When introducing elements of the present invention or the preferred embodiment(s) thereof, the articles “a”, “an”, “the” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising”, “including” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements.
As various changes could be made in the above products without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
This application is the nonprovisional of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/616,745, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference as if set forth fully herein.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62616745 | Jan 2018 | US |
