POST FOR VEHICLE CARGO BOXES

Abstract

Post (1) for vehicle cargo boxes (2), characterized in that it comprises an outer casing (3) inside which is arranged a mechanism for joining the post (1) to a support (4) fixed to the cargo box (2), said mechanism comprising at least one wedge (5) movable by means of a lever (6) against a retaining strip (7), the at least one wedge (5) being able to move between an upper release position and a lower retention position in which it is inserted into housings (8) of the support (4) to secure the post (1) in an upright position; the post (1) having at its lower end a curved termination configured to rest on a cradle (13) of the support (4) of the cargo box, allowing the folding and removal of the post (1) when the at least one wedge (5) is released; and incorporating the post (1) at least one movable claw (9) by means of a handle (10) between a release position and a retention position, which, in the retention position, secures a plate (11) to the post (1), the lever (6) and the at least one handle (10) being independent elements.

Description

POST FOR VEHICLE CARGO BOXES TECHNICAL SECTOR The present invention falls within the field of truck trailers, and more specifically within the side structure that defines the cargo box in cases where the trailer lacks a structural roof. More specifically, the invention relates to a post that is anchored to the trailer and serves as a support for the side panels that define the cargo box and which, under certain circumstances, must be folded down to load or unload cargo. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The use of posts around the perimeter of a truck trailer's cargo box is common. These posts are movable so they can be attached to and detached from the cargo box as needed. These posts incorporate means to hold the side panels that make up the outline of the truck box so that a side panel is fixed between two posts. For practical use of the cargo box, the side panels incorporate means that allow them to be easily removed so that the trailer can be loaded and unloaded easily, most often having a hinged connection with the cargo box at the bottom which allows them to be folded down if necessary. To lower the sideboards, they must first be unanchored from the posts. Once freed, they can be tilted. This process requires that the unanchoring from the posts be ergonomic and safe to prevent accidents to the operator. Currently, posts are used that incorporate two levers, one on each side, so that each one releases the panel attached by the side where the lever is located, and they have the particularity that only by activating both simultaneously is the post unanchored from the cargo box. This configuration means that, in order to simply release the side panels, the levers are positioned in a protruding position from the trailer and, since they must be sized to also attach the post to the trailer, their length is considerable, making the lever a protruding object from the vehicle, elongated and rigid, which can easily cause accidents. In this system, it is not possible to unanchor the post without first releasing the brackets. If more than one consecutive bracket needs to be lowered, it becomes problematic because it requires three steps: releasing and lowering one bracket, releasing and lowering the second bracket, and finally releasing and removing the post. This slows down the process and creates hazardous situations by subjecting the operator to multiple actions where heavy elements can fall, and metal levers protrude from the structure, posing a risk of cuts. Given the limitations described in the currently proposed solutions, a solution is needed that reduces the tasks to be performed and avoids risky situations for the operator. EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve this objective and solve the technical problems discussed so far, as well as provide additional advantages that may arise later, the present invention relates to a post for cargo boxes that has at least three independent anchors. This post, the subject of the invention, comprises a structural assembly consisting of an outer casing, inside of which is housed a mechanism for joining the post to the cargo box, composed of at least one wedge, preferably two, which are movable by means of an actuating lever against a retaining strip, from an upper release position to a lower position in which the wedges are inserted into corresponding housings of the fixing element permanently attached to the cargo box, causing the retention of the post. At its lower end, the post has a curved termination that rests on a cradle of the cargo box's own fixing element, so that, when the wedges are released, the post can be folded down with respect to said cradle. The post also incorporates two anchors for the carcasses, the system of which consists of a sliding claw. We call it this for clarity and to distinguish it from the wedge of the lower mechanism, as both have similar characteristics: they are operated by an actuating lever against a retaining strip. In this case, the carcass is retained in the upper position and released in the lower position. The sideboard retention system levers can rotate more than 135º, so in the open position they barely protrude from the cargo box. Furthermore, since they require less force, these levers are significantly shorter than the lever that secures the post to the cargo box. To avoid confusion in the rest of the document, each of the levers that operate the retention of the side panels will be called a handle, and the main lever that manages the fixing of the post to the cargo box will be called a lever. In a complete system where there are posts at the ends of the cargo box, these can incorporate means of securing the sideboards only on one of their faces. This configuration ensures that releasing the sideboards does not result in a metal arm protruding perpendicularly from the cargo box, minimizing the risk of accidents for operators working around the trailer during loading and unloading operations. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a vehicle with a cargo box showing the posts that are the subject of the invention and the panels that make up the enclosure. Figure 2 shows a closer view of a set of posts according to the invention, and cartouches. Figure 3.1 shows a perspective view of the post that is the subject of the invention in the closed position. Figure 3.2 shows a perspective view of the post that is the subject of the invention in the open position. Figure 3.3 shows a perspective view of the post that is the subject of the invention in the closed position without the casing. Figure 4.1 shows a detailed view of the lower drive of the connecting post to the cargo box in the connected position. Figure 4.2 shows a detailed view of the lower drive of the connecting post to the cargo box in the release position. Figure 5.1 shows a detailed view of the upper drive for locking the cartons in the clamping position. Figure 5.2 shows a detailed view of the upper drive for locking the cartons in the clamping position. PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION In view of the aforementioned figures, and in accordance with the numbering adopted, an example of a preferred embodiment of the invention can be observed, which comprises the parts and elements indicated and described in detail below. The present description refers, in a sufficiently clear and complete manner, to a post (1) for cargo boxes (2) of vehicles, configured to allow its fixing, release and folding with respect to the cargo box itself (2), as well as to incorporate one or more sideboard retention systems (11). The post (1) that is the subject of the invention has an outer casing (3) that constitutes the main structural element and defines within it a space intended to house a connection mechanism with a support (4) attached to the loading box (2). This support (4) forms part of the fixed element of the box and comprises the housings (8) and the cradle (13) on which the post (1) acts. Inside the outer casing (3) is a mechanism comprising at least one wedge (5), and preferably two symmetrical wedges (5), configured to move vertically when a lever (6) is actuated. The lever (6) acts against a retaining strip (7) that maintains constant pressure on the pivoting base of the lever (6) and prevents free movement of the lever (6) when it is in its two extreme positions. The displacement of at least one wedge (5) between an upper release position and a lower retention position allows said wedge (5) to be inserted into the housings (8) of the support (4), securing the post (1) in an upright position during normal use operations. The configuration of the retaining strap (7), working against the tilting base of the lever (6), results in an automatic locking when the wedge (5) reaches its retaining position, facilitating both the locking operation and its stability in service. At its lower end, the post (1) has a curved end designed to rest on the cradle (13) of the support (4). Thanks to this curved end, when at least one wedge (5) is in its upper release position, the post (1) can be folded outwards from the cargo box (2), facilitating the removal or opening of the side enclosure. The post (1) also incorporates at least one claw (9) for securing the end plates (11). The claw (9) is moved by means of a handle (10) that allows selection between a release position and a retention position. In the retention position, the claw (9) is inserted into the corresponding housing of the end plate (11), securing it to the post (1). The release or locking of the cartridge (11) occurs thanks to the combined action of the handle (10) and an upper spring (12), which acts on the tilting base of the handle (10) to provide a reliable lock in both positions. According to a preferred embodiment, the handle (10) is configured to rotate more than 135°, so that when in the release position it is substantially retracted and barely protrudes laterally from the post (1) or the cargo box (2), reducing risks during loading, unloading and movement around the vehicle. In a preferred embodiment, each handle (10) simultaneously actuates more than one claw (9) on the same plate (11). In this way, the plate (11) is fixed to the post at several points, resulting in greater security, but the fixing process is carried out by the action of a single handle (10), making the process quick and easy. In a further embodiment, the post (1) comprises two handles (10), each associated with a distinct claw (9), allowing the independent fixing of two panels (11) in opposite or lateral positions, and adapting to cargo box configurations (2) that include multiple sections of enclosure. Furthermore, the lever (6) of the main mechanism is longer than the handles (10) of the sideboard retention mechanisms (11), due to the greater torque required to move the wedges (5) that secure the post (1) to the loading box (2). Since they are independent elements, the handles can be small and barely protrude from the perimeter, preventing accidents to the operator. Likewise, the figures correspond to a non-limiting example of practical realization, and variations in the configuration of the complement may occur as long as the essence of the complement is not altered.

Claims

1. A post (1) for vehicle cargo boxes (2), characterized in that it comprises an outer casing (3) inside which is arranged a mechanism for joining the post (1) to a support (4) fixed to the cargo box (2), said mechanism comprising at least one wedge (5) movable by means of a lever (6) against a retaining strip (7), the at least one wedge (5) being movable between an upper release position and a lower retention position in which it is inserted into housings (8) of the support (4) to secure the post (1) in an upright position; the post (1) having at its lower end a curved termination configured to rest on a cradle (13) of the support (4) of the cargo box, allowing the folding and removal of the post (1) when the at least one wedge (5) is released; and the post (1) incorporating at least one claw (9) movable by means of a handle (10) between a release position and a retention position which,In the fixed retention position, a bracket (11) is attached to the post (1), the lever (6) and the at least one handle (10) being independent elements.

2. Post (1) for vehicle cargo boxes (2) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one handle (10) is configured to rotate more than 135° from the release position to the retention position.

3. Post (1) for vehicle cargo boxes (2) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the lever (6) of the main mechanism is longer than the at least one handle (10) of the bracket (11) retention mechanism.

4. Post (1) for vehicle cargo boxes (2) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one wedge (5) of the main mechanism consists of two symmetrical wedges (5).

5. Post (1) for vehicle cargo boxes (2) according to any of the preceding claims,where the insertion and removal of at least one wedge (5) into the housings (8) produces an automatic locking by action of the retaining strap (7) on the pivoting base of the lever (6).

6. Post (1) for cargo boxes (2) of vehicles according to any of the preceding claims, where the insertion and removal of at least one hook (9) into the tray (11) produces a locking by action of an upper strap (12) on the pivoting base of at least one handle (10).

7. Post (1) for cargo boxes (2) of vehicles according to any of the preceding claims, which houses two handles (10), each handle (10) being related to at least one different hook (9) to retain each different handle (10) and hook (9) assembly on trays (11).