AU2016340036B2 - Door closure suitable for use on a freight vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

A door closure (110) suitable for use on a freight access door of a freight vehicle. The closure (110) includes a handle body (112) adapted for mounting to a closure rod (114) having a generally vertical or horizontal rotation axis. The closure rod (114) is releasably engageable with respective engagement members provided on the vehicle proximate the door to retain the door in a closed position. The handle body (112) is adapted to rotate with the closure rod (114) about the rotation axis when actuating the closure (110) between a door release position and the closed position. The closure (110) also includes an adjuster (128) for adjusting displacement of the handle body (112) relative to the closure rod (114).

Description

DOOR CLOSURE SUITABLE FOR USE ON A FREIGHT VEHICLE

This application claims priority from Australian provisional patent application no. 2015904225, filed 15 October 2015.

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to improvement of swing-type doors, such as those providing access to the load space of freight vehicles. Such doors are often found on the rear or sides of trucks. The invention particularly relates to a closure mechanism for use with swing-type doors, and will hereinafter be generally described in this context, although other applications are also envisaged.

Background of Invention

[0002] Freight vehicle doors such as those shown in Figure 1 are commonplace in the freight vehicle industry. They are typically found on rigid walled and curtain sided freight vehicles, with each door configured to pivot between the open and closed positions about a vertical axis. They can be utilised in pairs, as shown in Figure 1, but need not be. They can be configured as single doors or multiple doors arranged side-by-side. They can be utilised on the rear of freight vehicles, as shown in Figure 1, but can also be used on the sides of vehicles.

[0003] These types of doors, and the associated door closure mechanisms, generally work quite satisfactorily when new, but often become difficult to use from wear and damage. This wear and damage can occur to the doors as well as the associated closure/locking mechanisms. As a result, the doors can be difficult to open and close or the door can become loose and not seal effectively as the mechanism wears. Closing these types of doors normally involves shutting the door, then rotating the door handle inwardly toward the door, then lowering the handle in a vertical direction, such that the handle sits within a rest mounted to the outer surface of the door. If desired, a padlock can then be fitted to lock the door in the closed position to prevent unauthorised entry to the load or load space. Alternatively, other types of locks or catches are also used to retain the door handle in a locked position. When the door and/or closure mechanism is new and stiff to operate, the operator often has to lean hard against the door while manipulating the handle into the closed position. This can make for difficulty in closing.

[0004] A further undesirability with closures of the type shown in Figure 1 includes rattling that often develops as a result of general wear and damage. Rattling is undesirable from a noise point of view, but it can also lead to further wear and damage of the door and closure components, loss of thermal efficiency and loss of dust sealing, all of which is undesirable.

[0005] It would therefore be desirable to at least partially address the above referred deficiencies with existing freight vehicle doors and closures.

Summary of Invention

[0006] According to a broad aspect of the present invention, there is provided a door closure suitable for use on a freight access door of a freight vehicle. The closure includes a handle body adapted for mounting to a closure rod having a generally vertical or horizontal rotation axis. The closure rod is releasably engageable with respective engagement members provided on the vehicle proximate the door to retain the door in a closed position. The handle body is adapted to rotate with the closure rod about the rotation axis when actuating the closure between a door release position and the closed position. The door closure also includes an adjuster for adjusting displacement of the handle body relative to the closure rod.

[0007] The adjuster is preferably adapted to adjust displacement of the handle body relative to the closure rod in a direction lateral to the rotation axis.

[0008] Preferably, the rotation axis extends in a substantially vertical direction.

[0009] The adjuster includes a spigot welded to or adapted for welding to the closure rod.

[0010] The adjuster includes a screw threaded fastener received in a threaded bore provided in spigot, such that rotation of the threaded fastener within the threaded bore moves the spigot relative to the handle body.

[0011] The closure may also include a door mount portion mounted to or adapted for mounting to an external surface of the door.

[0012] The closure may include a lock or be adapted for receiving a lock for locking the closure when the door is in the closed position. In one possible embodiment, the door mount portion includes a first padlock receiving aperture that at least generally aligns with a second padlock receiving aperture provided on the handle body, with the first and second padlock receiving apertures provided for receiving a padlock to lock the door when in the closed position.

[0013] So far, the invention has been generally described in the context of a door closure. However, it is to be appreciated that the invention also pertains to a door including a closure of the type generally described above. The invention also pertains to a vehicle including a closure of the type generally described above.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0014] It will be convenient to hereinafter describe a preferred embodiment of the invention with reference to the accompanying figures. The particularity of the figures is to be understood as not limiting the preceding broad description of the invention.

[0015] Figure 1 is a rear view of a freight vehicle having two doors, with each door fitted with a closure rod and a conventional closure mechanism.

[0016] Figure 2 is a front perspective view of a door closure according to one aspect of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 3 is a sectional plan view of the door closure shown in Fig. 2.

[0018] Figure 4 is a front perspective, part-sectional view of the door closure shown in Fig. 2.

Detailed Description

[0019] Referring to the Figure 1, there is shown a freight vehicle 10. The vehicle includes two conventional rear swing-type doors (or barn doors) 12, 14. This configuration is also known as a two-panel swing door. Rear doors 12, 14 are shown, but could equally be side doors.

[0020] The door 12 is mounted to the vehicle 10 by hinges 16, and the door 14 is mounted to the vehicle 10 by hinges 18.

[0021] Apart from being mirror images of one another, the doors 12, 14 are substantially identical. Thus, the following description of Figure 1 is provided solely in relation to door 12. However, it is to be understood that the door 14 functions in a substantially identical manner to door 12.

[0022] The door 12 is retained in the closed position by way of upstanding closure rod 20. The rod 20 is provided at each of its upper end 22 and lower end 24 (obscured) with a cam 26 (or pall) mounted thereon. Clockwise rotation of the rod 20 about its longitudinal axis 21 causes each cam 26 (only the upper cam 26 is visible) to engage with a respective engagement member 28 mounted on the vehicle above and below the door 12, such that the door 12 is retained in the closed position shown. It is to be appreciated that in some embodiments, each door 12, 14 may have several rods 20 and associated closure mechanisms/locks. For example, semi-trailers typically have two rods and associated closures mechanisms/locks per door; while smaller vehicles might only have one rod and closure mechanism/lock per door. The invention includes these types of variations.

[0023] To open the door 12, it is necessary to rotate the rod 20 in a counter clockwise direction about its longitudinal axis 21, thereby disengaging each cam 26 from its respective engagement member 28. Rotation of the rod 20 is undertaken manually by way of handle 30, which is welded in position to the rod 20.

[0024] A two-motion movement of the handle 30 is required. Firstly, the handle 30 is manually pivoted in a substantially vertical plane 32 about pivot axis 34. This is done for the handle 30 to vertically clear the catch (or keeper) 36 in which the handle 30 rests. Once the handle 30 is clear of the catch 36, the handle is then manually moved in a substantially horizontal plane 38 (away from the door 12) with the closure rod 20 about the longitudinal axis 21 of the rod 20. This action causes the handle 30 to pivot away from the door 12. Rotation about the longitudinal axis 21 in the order of about 90 degrees is typically required to disengage each cam 26 from its respective engagement member 28 in order to then open the door 12. Once the door 12 is slightly ajar, the handle 30 can then be returned to its at-rest position supported within the catch 36.

[0025] As referred to earlier, this type of arrangement can be problematic. This is, at least in part, due to difficulty experienced when having to close the door 12, particularly if the door 12 is new, warped or ill-fitting. This is because the operator must lean in against the door (often with considerable force) while also manipulating the handle 30 through the horizontal and vertical motions referred to above.

[0026] The closure mechanism also tends to rattle, particularly when the door 12 is damaged, worn, warped or ill-fitting, which is a further drawback with existing doors/closures.

[0027] The present invention, as discussed below in relation to the embodiment illustrated in Figures 2, 3 and 4, seeks to at least partially address the above referred shortcomings of existing arrangements.

[0028] Referring to Figures 2, 3 and 4, there is illustrated a door closure 110 according to the present invention. The door closure 110 is suitable for use on a freight access door of a freight vehicle.

[0029] The closure 110 includes a handle body 112 adapted for mounting to a substantially vertically orientated closure rod 114 having a longitudinally extending rotation axis 116.

[0030] The closure rod 114 is releasably engageable with respective engagement members (not shown) provided on the vehicle above and below the door to retain the door in a closed position.

[0031] The closure 110 includes a handle 118 pivotably mounted to the handle body 112 about a pivot axis 120 extending substantially parallel to the rotation axis 116. The handle 118 and handle body 112 are adapted to rotate with the closure rod 114 about the rotation axis 116 when actuating the closure 110 between a door release position and the closed position. Thus, the handle 118 only moves in a horizontal plane, and not a combination of horizontal and vertical planes like those of existing arrangements. Thus closure of the mechanism is simplified for the operator, when compared to conventional door and closure arrangements. The closure 110 includes a spigot 126 welded to (or adapted to be welded to) the closure rod 114, such that the handle body 112 and handle 118 rotate with the closure rod 114 about the rotation axis 116.

[0032] The spigot 126 is adjustably mounted to handle body 112 so as to facilitate displacement, when required, of the spigot 126 relative to the handle body 112. In this regard, an adjuster 128 having a screw threaded fastener 130 received in a threaded bore 132 is provided in handle body 112. Rotation of the threaded fastener 130 within the threaded bore 132 displaces the spigot 126 relative to the handle body 112. This adjustability is considered by the applicant to be unique, and can be used to address any adjustment of the closure 110 as necessary during the working life of the closure 110. It may be particularly useful for reducing or eliminating any rattling that develops in the door assembly. It may also be utilised to address any door closing difficulties that may occur at any time and thus ensure good sealing of the door and ease of opening and closing.

[0033] A lock bolt 127 provides an adjustable connection between the spigot 126 and the handle body 112.

[0034] A door mount portion 134 is provided. The door mount portion 134 is for mounting to an external surface of the door using threaded fasteners 134a, b. The door mount portion 134 includes a first padlock receiving aperture 136 that aligns with a second padlock receiving aperture 138 provided on the handle body 112. The apertures 134, 136 are provided for receiving a padlock to lock the door when in the closed position. This is desirable, as it can substantially reduce the likelihood of unauthorised access to the load or load space of the vehicle from occurring.

Claims (8)

1. Claims 1. A door closure suitable for use on a freight access door of a freight vehicle, the closure including: a handle body adapted for mounting to a closure rod having a generally vertical or horizontal rotation axis, the closure rod being releasably engageable with respective engagement members provided on the vehicle proximate the door to retain the door in a closed position; the handle body adapted to rotate with the closure rod about the rotation axis when actuating the closure between a door release position and a door closed position; and an adjuster for adjusting displacement of the handle body relative to the closure rod; wherein the adjuster includes a spigot welded to or adapted for welding to the closure rod; and the adjuster includes a screw threaded fastener received in a threaded bore provided in the spigot, and wherein rotation of the threaded fastener within the threaded bore moves the spigot relative to the handle body.
2. 2. A door closure suitable for use on a freight access door of a freight vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the adjuster is adapted to adjust displacement of the handle body relative to the closure rod in a direction lateral to the rotation axis.
3. 3. A door closure suitable for use on a freight access door of a freight vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the rotation axis extends in a substantially vertical direction.
4. 4. A door closure suitable for use on a freight access door of a freight vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims, including a door mount portion mounted to or adapted for mounting to an external surface of the door.
5. 5. A door closure suitable for use on a freight access door of a freight vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims, including a lock or adapted for receiving a lock for locking the closure when the door is in the closed position.
6. 6. A door closure suitable for use on a freight access door of a freight vehicle according to claim 5, wherein the door mount portion includes a first padlock receiving aperture that at least generally aligns with a second padlock receiving aperture provided on the handle body, with the first and second padlock receiving apertures provided for receiving a padlock to lock the door when in the closed position.
7. 7. A vehicle door including a door closure as defined in any one of the preceding claims.
8. 8. A vehicle including a door closure as defined in any one of the preceding claims.