NZ723317B2 - Freight restraint - Google Patents

Abstract

restraint gate for an open sided vehicle or container having a roof and a floor, the gate including a rigid frame supported by a post; the post having an upper end adapted to be hung from the roof at an open side of the vehicle or container; a lower end of the gate adapted to engage the floor or a coaming associated with the floor to locate the gate in position between the roof and the floor or coaming so that the gate acts as a restraint against lateral displacement of a load on the vehicle or container; and a biasing means connected between the post and the frame, the biasing means adapted to bias the frame in a upwardly direction relative to the post to facilitate disengagement of the lower end of the gate from the floor or coaming. coaming associated with the floor to locate the gate in position between the roof and the floor or coaming so that the gate acts as a restraint against lateral displacement of a load on the vehicle or container; and a biasing means connected between the post and the frame, the biasing means adapted to bias the frame in a upwardly direction relative to the post to facilitate disengagement of the lower end of the gate from the floor or coaming.

Description

FREIGHT RESTRAINT Introduction The present invention relates to a freight restraint for a vehicle, such as a truck or trailer, or for a container. The restraint is particularly adapted for use on large curtain sided semi-trailers and truck bodies, and will hereinafter be generally described in this context, although other applications are also envisaged.

Background of Invention In curtain sided semi-trailers for example, the curtains are not sufficiently strong to prevent loads from falling laterally off the trailer during transit and regulations require additional restraints for this purpose. It has long since been known to use fixed gates along the side of the trailer to provide lateral load restraint. The gates have "spades" at the bottom edge that fit into pockets in the floor to retain the gates in position, and in order to provide access to the load it is necessary to lift the gates off the trailer. This cumbersome task of lifting the gates off the trailer was addressed several decades ago by hinging the gates to sliding side posts spaced along the side of the trailer. The sliding side posts were well known at the time and initially used as roof supports on longer trailers. The posts have a "knee joint" towards the bottom of the post which enables the post to be detached from a locating slot in the floor (typically the coaming rail), and a carriage at the top which runs in a rail along the roof of the trailer. By disconnecting the post at the bottom the post is able to move along the rail to an end of the trailer to provide clear access to the load or load space. This hinging of the gates avoided the need to lift the gates from the trailer but it was not all that convenient to slide the post towards an end of the trailer with the hinged gates thereon. This problem has been addressed more recently by providing the gates as a rigid structure on the post. In other words the gates become fixed wings on either side of the "knee joint" post and the restraint can be readily slid to an end of the trailer to provide clear access to the load space.

One problem of existing restraint gates noted by the applicant is the manual effort required in handling the gates and when moving them into and out of their restraining position. Even with the current “knee joint” gate designs, the gates can be physically difficult to manoeuvre into position given that manual lifting and/or <filename> tilting of each gate is required to disengage the gate spades from the coaming rail.

Moreover, it can be difficult physically to slide the gates towards the front or rear of the vehicle or container to provide access for loading or unloading of freight. This, in turn, presents occupational health and safety issues for the individuals (such as the drivers) tasked with moving the gates into and out of their restraining positions.

This problem is exacerbated by the fact that multiple gates are typically used with a given freight vehicle or container.

It would therefore be desirable to provide a way of at least reducing to amount of manual effort and difficulty required to move restraint gates into and out of their freight restraining positions.

Summary of Invention According to a broad aspect of the present invention, there is provided a restraint gate for an open sided vehicle or container having a roof and a floor. The gate includes a rigid frame supported by a post. The post has an upper end adapted to be hung from the roof at an open side of the vehicle or container. A lower end of the gate is adapted to engage the floor or a coaming associated with the floor to locate the gate in position between the roof and the floor or coaming, so that the gate acts as a restraint against lateral displacement of a load on the vehicle or container.

The gate further includes a biasing means connected between the post and the frame. The biasing means is adapted to bias the frame in an upwardly direction relative to the post to facilitate disengagement of the lower end of the gate from the floor or coaming. The frame may be slidably mounted to the post.

Such an arrangement is considered by the applicant to be very desirable because, in effect, the biasing means may be configured to “lift” the frame relative to the post to allow for ease of movement of the gate along the side of the vehicle or container, and allow for ease of engagement of the gate with the floor or coaming when required. The arrangement provides a considerable improvement in the manual handling of gates. This is because the biasing means can be configured to bear the weight of the frame, providing a light-weight gate handling feel for the driver or operator when manoeuvring of the gates is necessary. <filename> In a preferred form, a connecting member is provided, with the connecting member pivotably (or hingedly) connected between the post and the frame. The connecting member may be pivotably connected to a lower end of the frame. The connecting member may be configured to provide an over-centre arrangement between the post and frame.

Preferably, the frame is slidably mounted to the post at or proximate an upper end of the frame. In one form, the slidable mounting between the frame and the post includes a bracket provided on the frame and slidably retained about or through the post.

The biasing means preferably includes a tension spring, such as a coiled metal tension spring. It is to be appreciated, however, that other spring types and configurations may also be utilised in the invention. As previously stated, the bias provided by the biasing means is preferably sufficient to bias the frame into a “lifted” position relative to the post with minimal manual effort required from for the driver/operator.

It is envisaged that the post would preferably include a roller assembly adapted for hanging and slidably (or movably) mounting the gate from an overhead rail provided along one side of the roof. Preferably, the roller assembly would be provided at an upper end of the post.

The gate preferably includes a releasable retainer adapted to releasably retain the gate in an engaged position with the floor or coaming. In one form, the releasable retainer includes a releasable latch provided on one of the post and frame for relaseable engagement with the other of the frame and post. More preferably, the releasable latch is provided on lower end of post and engageable with the frame.

In a preferred form, the frame includes spaced spades (or tabs) releasably engageable with floor. Preferably, the spades are rigidly mounted in position to the frame. In a more particular form, the gate includes two spades of different lengths.

This may assist when manually locating the frame into position relative to the floor or coaming. <filename> As previously stated, the restraint gate restrains freight from transversely movement during transport. The gate may also be utilised to support the roof, and in numerous embodiments contemplated by the applicant would do so. However, embodiments are also contemplated wherein the gate doesn’t provide roof support.

So far, the invention has been described in the context of a restraint gate for a freight vehicle or container. However, it is to be appreciated that the invention also pertains to a vehicle or container including at least one restraint gate of the type generally described above.

Brief Description of Drawings It will be convenient to hereinafter describe a preferred embodiment of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. The particularity of the drawings is to be understood as not limiting the preceding broad description of the invention.

Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a restraint gate according to one embodiment of the present invention when in a restraining mode.

Figure 2 is a front perspective view of the restraint gate shown in Figure 1, when in a non-restraining mode.

Figure 3 is a magnified front perspective view of a central portion of the restraint gate shown in Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a partly sectional side view of a central portion of the restraint gate shown Figure 1.

Detailed Description Referring to the drawings, there is shown a restraint gate 10 for an open sided freight vehicle (or container) having a roof and a floor. The gate 10 is for restraining freight from transverse movement during transit.

The illustrated gate 10 also acts to support the roof, although other embodiments contemplated by the applicant don’t provide roof support. <filename> The gate 10 includes a rigid frame 14 supported by a post 16. The post 16 has an upper end 13 to which is mounted a roller assembly 12. The roller assembly 12 is adapted for hanging and slidably mounting the gate 10 from an overhead rail (not shown) provided along one side of the roof.

A lower end 15 of the gate 10 includes a pair of gate spades 18, 20 rigidly mounted in position to the frame 14. The spades 18, 20 are adapted for receipt in suitably positioned apertures in the floor (or coaming rail), such that the gate 10 is then secured in position between both the floor and the roof in order to act as a restraint against lateral displacement of a load on the vehicle or container during transit. It is to be appreciated that the spade 18 is longer than the spade 20. It is considered that having spades of different lengths will assist a driver or operator locating the frame 14 in position relative to the floor. In this regard, it is intended that the spade 18, being longer, would first be located within its receiving aperture provided in the floor (or coaming rail). Once this is achieved, the frame 14 can then be pivoted about the spade 18 to align the spade 20 with its associated receiving aperture provided in the floor (or coaming rail). Thus, the spades 18, 20 can be received in the respective receiving apertures one at a time, rather than an operator attempting to align both spades 18, 20 with their respective receiving apertures at the same time while also attempting to lower the frame 14 into its restraining position.

The lower end 17 of the post 16 is also adapted to retain the gate 10 in the restraining position shown in Figure 1. In this regard, a spring loaded latch 21 is provided on the lower end 17 of the post 16 for releasable engagement with the frame strut 23. Release of the latch 21 from engagement with the strut 23 is required to move the gate 10 from the configuration of Figure 1 to that of Figure 2.

It is to be appreciated that the roller assembly 12 includes rollers 22 rotatably mounted to the body 24. When the gate is in the restraint position secured between the floor and the roof the upwardly facing surface 26 of the body 24 is biased into intimate contact with a downwardly facing surface of the overhead rail, and the rollers 22 are raised upwardly from their rolling contact with the rail.

The gate further includes a biasing means in the form of a coiled metal tension spring 28 connected between the post 16 and an upright 19 of the frame 14. <filename> The spring 28 is adapted to bias the frame 14 in an upwardly direction relative to the post 16 to facilitate disengagement of the lower end 15 of the gate 10 from the floor. It can be seen from Figure 3 that the lower end 30 of the spring 28 is mounted to the upright 19 (and within a channel provided in the upright 19) with a bolt, nut and washer assembly 32. A retaining ring 33 is utilised to mount the upper end 34 of the spring to the post 16. The spring 28 remains in tension at all times regardless of whether the gate 10 is in the configuration shown in Figure 1 or Figure 2. It can be seen from Figure 3 that a plurality of mounting apertures 29 are provided. These allow the lower end 15 of the spring 28 to be mounted to the upright 19 in any one of a number of possible locations. This allows the overall operating length of the spring 28 to be selected as desired. In turn, this allows the spring 28 to be configured to a desired operating tension. Once in the lifted position, the gate 10 may be moved along the overhead rail to gain access to the freight receiving space of the vehicle or container.

The provision of a biasing means (shown in the illustrated embodiment as spring 28) is considered by the applicant to be very desirable, because the biasing means is configured to “lift” the frame 14 relative to the post 16 to allow easy movement of the gate 10 along the side of the vehicle, and be easily manoeuvred into a restraining position with the floor when required. The arrangement provides a considerable improvement when compared to the manual handling required with existing restraint gate designs, because the biasing means of the present invention can be utilised to lift the frame clear of the floor when desired to allow for easy handling. Moreover, the biasing means at least substantially bears the weight of the frame 14, making the overall handling by the driver or operator feel very light weight when compared to existing restraint gate designs.

It can be seen in Figures 2 to 4 that a connecting member 36 is provided.

The connecting member 36 is pivotably (or hingedly) connected between the post 16 and the frame 14. The connecting member 36 assists in guiding of the sliding movement of the frame 14 relative to the post 16 when moving between the configurations shown in in Figures 1 and 2. The connecting member 36 also provides an over-centre closure mechanism when moving the gate 10 from the configuration of Figure 2 to the configuration of Figure 1, although it need not necessarily provide an over-centre arrangement. <filename> As most clearly understood when comparing Figures 1 and 2, the position of the upper end 13 of the post 16 relative to the frame 14 is dependent upon whether the gate 10 is in a freight restraining position or a non-restraining position. This is possible by virtue of the post 16 being slidably mounted between the bracket 38 and the frame 14. It can be seen that the frame 14 slides upwardly along the post 16 when moving from the gate restraining position shown in Figure 1 to the non-restraining position shown in Figure 2.

So far, the invention has been described in the context of a restraint gate for a freight vehicle or container. However, it is to be appreciated that the invention also pertains to a vehicle or container including at least one restraint gate of the type generally described above.

It is to be understood that various alterations, modifications and/or additions may be introduced into the construction and arrangement of the parts previously described without departing from the spirit or ambit of this invention. <filename>

Claims (17)

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. A restraint gate for an open sided vehicle or container having a roof and a floor, the gate including: a rigid frame supported by a post; the post having an upper end adapted to be hung from the roof at an open side of the vehicle or container; a lower end of the gate adapted to engage the floor or a coaming associated with the floor to locate the gate in position between the roof and the floor or coaming so that the gate acts as a restraint against lateral displacement of a load on the vehicle or container; and a biasing means connected between the post and the frame, the biasing means adapted to bias the frame in a upwardly direction relative to the post to facilitate disengagement of the lower end of the gate from the floor or coaming.

2. A restraint gate according to claim 1, wherein the rigid frame is slidably mounted to the post.

3. A restraint gate according to claim 1 or 2, including a connecting member pivotably connected between the post and the frame.

4. A restraint gate according to claim 3, wherein the connecting member is pivotably connected to a lower end of the frame.

5. A restraint gate according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the frame is slidably mounted to the post at or proximate an upper end of the frame.

6. A restraint gate according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the slidable mounting between the frame and the post includes a bracket provided on the frame and slidably retained about or through the post. <filename>

7. A restraint gate according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the biasing means includes a tension spring.

8. A restraint gate according to claim 7, wherein the tension spring includes a coiled metal spring.

9. A restraint gate according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the post includes a roller assembly adapted for hanging and slidably mounting the gate from an overhead rail provided along one side of the roof.

10. A restraint gate according to any one of the preceding claims, including a releasable retainer adapted to releasably retain the gate in an engaged position with the floor or coaming.

11. A restraint gate according to claim 10, wherein the releasable retainer includes a releasable latch provided on one of the post and frame for relaseable engagement with the other of the frame and post.

12. A restraint gate according to claim 11, wherein the releasable latch is provided on a lower end of post and engageable with the frame.

13. A restraint gate according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the frame includes spaced spades releasably engageable with floor or coaming.

14. A restraint gate according to claim 13, wherein the spades are rigidly mounted in position to the frame.

15. A restraint gate according to claim 13 or 14, including two spades of different lengths. <filename>

16. A restraint gate according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the gate supports the roof.

17. A vehicle or container including at least one restraint gate according to any one of the preceding claims. <filename>