An articulated support arm arrangement for a trailer cover, a trailer cover comprising the same and a trailer comprising the trailer cover

Abstract

The present invention relates to an articulated support arm arrangement (100), a trailer cover (104) comprising the same and a trailer (102) comprising the trailer cover (104). The present invention is an articulated support arm arrangement (100) comprising an upper arm (106), a lower arm (108), and an articulation part (110) to pivotally connect the upper arm and the lower arm to each other for enabling the upper arm and the lower arm to pivot relative to each other between a folded and an extended position, wherein the articulation part (110) further comprises a locking means comprising a bolt (112), at least one corresponding cavity (206), and means (114, 208) to move the bolt (112) into the cavity (206) and out of the cavity for locking the upper arm (106) and the lower (108) arm in a desired position relative to each other and for releasing the locking.

Description

[0001] AN ARTICULATED SUPPORT ARM ARRANGEMENT FOR A TRAILER COVER, A TRAILER COVER COMPRISING THE SAME AND A TRAILER COMPRISING THE TRAILER COVER

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Generally, the present invention relates to an articulated support arm for a trailer cover, a trailer cover comprising the same and a trailer comprising the trailer cover. In particular, the present invention pertains to an articulated support arm for a trailer cover, which is lockable in a desired position of the arm parts and easily releasable.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] Conventional trailer covers are typically molded construction usually made of fiberglass, plastic, metal sheet or aluminium, for example. Usually, the covers are hinged in one end, so that they are openable by lifting the free end.

[0006] However, trailer cover arrangements still suffer from problems. Typically, gas spring solutions are used to help open the lid, and if they are effective enough, it can also be ensured that the lid stays open by them. In this case, however, closing the lid can become laborious.

[0007] Locking solutions, such as a hook, can be arranged in connection with the support arm of the cover, but these usually require separate actions from a user to remember to perform locking and unlocking, which may be inconvenient.

[0008] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The objective is to at least alleviate the problems described hereinabove not satisfactorily solved by the known arrangements, and to provide a feasible articulated support arm arrangement for trailer covers, which is easily and safely locked in a desired position and easily opened.

[0010] The aforesaid objectives are achieved according to the present invention as claimed in claim 1. Accordingly, in one aspect of the present invention, an articulated support arm arrangement comprises an upper arm, a lower arm, and an articulation part to pivotally connect the upper arm and the lower arm to each other for enabling the upper arm and the lower arm to pivot relative to each other between a folded and an extended position, wherein the articulation part further comprises a locking means comprising a bolt, at least one corresponding cavity, and means to move the bolt into the cavity and out of the cavity for locking the upper arm and the lower arm in a desired position relative to each other and for releasing the locking.

[0011] In one embodiment, the bolt moving means comprise a spring arranged to push the bolt into the cavity, and a cable connected to the bolt for releasing the bolt from the cavity by pulling the cable.

[0012] In one embodiment, the articulation part further comprises a hollow part embedding the bolt and at least a part of the bolt moving means.

[0013] In another embodiment, the articulation part further comprises an arch part embedding the cavity and for guiding the bolt, when the upper arm and the lower arm are moved relative to each other.

[0014] In one embodiment, the upper arm comprises the bolt and the lower arm comprises the cavity.

[0015] Yet, in an embodiment, the cavity is arranged in the ach part so as to lock the upper arm and said lower arm in said extended position.

[0016] In one embodiment, the arrangement further comprises another cavity, which is arranged in the ach part so as to lock the upper arm and the lower arm in the folded position.

[0017] Yet, in another embodiment, the upper arm and the lower arm have substantially the same length.

[0018] In another aspect of the present invention, a trailer cover comprising an articulated support arm according to the present invention, wherein the upper arm and the lower arm are arranged between the trailer cover and a trailer enabling the cover to move between a closed position and an open position.

[0019] In one embodiment, the bolt moving means further comprises a handle part for a user to release the bolt by pulling the cable and after that, to pull the cover down. Yet, in another aspect of the present invention, a trailer comprising a trailer cover according to the present invention.

[0020] The utility of the present invention follows from a plurality of factors depending on each particular embodiment. The articulated support arm arrangement according to the present invention is easy and cheap to produce. It can be made of metal, such as stainless steel or aluminum, for example, but not limited to.

[0021] It may provide a firm and secured way to lock a trailer cover in a desired position and to open the locking without an extra maneuver from a user. Especially in solutions, wherein the cable is connected to the handle, the user doesn't even have to remember locking and unlocking the cover, because with the arrangement, it is simply enough to lift the cover to the position where the support arms lock and to pull the handle, when wanting to close the cover.

[0022] The arrangement of the present invention is also easy to install to a cover and a trailer.

[0023] Different embodiments of the present invention are disclosed in the dependent claims.

[0024] The term “pull” is used herein to describe the action on the cable that results in the bolt being released from the cavity.

[0025] As used herein, the term “trailer cover” can be widely understood as a hard cover, usually made of e.g. plastic or fiberglass, for covering and protecting a cargo space.

[0026] As used herein, the term “trailer” can be widely understood as a trailer, a truck bed, a pick-up truck having a truck bed or another device a cargo space.

[0027] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED DRAWINGS

[0028] Next the invention is described in more detail with reference to the appended drawings in which

[0029] Fig. 1 illustrates a sideview of an embodiment of a trailer comprising a trailer cover and an articulated support arm arrangement in accordance with the present invention, Fig. 2 illustrates an exploded side view of an embodiment of an articulation part in accordance with the present invention, and

[0030] Fig. 3 illustrates a top view of an embodiment of a part A in Fig. 2.

[0031] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0032] Figure 1 illustrates a sideview of an embodiment of a trailer 102 comprising a trailer cover 104 and an articulated support arm arrangement 100 in accordance with the present invention. The articulated support arm arrangement is arranged between the trailer cover 104 and the trailer 102 enabling the cover 104 to move between the open position and the closed position.

[0033] The articulated support arm arrangement 100 comprises an upper arm 106, a lower arm 108, and an articulation part 110 to pivotally connect the upper arm 106 and the lower arm 108 to each other, so that the upper arm 106 and the lower arm 108 are enabled to pivot relative to each other between a folded and an extended position.

[0034] Fig. 1 shows the upper arm 106 and the lower arm 108 in extended position, so that the cover 104 is in open position. A skilled person will understand that the cover is typically closed on the upper part of the trailer in the folded position of the upper arm 106 and the lower arm 108.

[0035] The articulation part 110 further comprises a locking means comprising a bolt 112 (depicted with a dotted line, since being inside of the upper arm in Fig. 1), at least one corresponding cavity (not shown in Fig. 1) and means, such as a spring (not shown) and a cable 114 (depicted with a dotted line, since being in connection with the upper arm and the cover) to move the bolt 112 into the cavity and out of the cavity for locking the upper arm and the lower arm in a desired position relative to each other and releasing the locking.

[0036] In an embodiment, the cover further comprises handle part 116, such as a pull chain or loop, for example, attached to the cover for a user to pull the cover down. In an embodiment, the cable 114 is further connected to the handle part to release the bolt and after that to pull the cover down. In an embodiment, the cable is connected to the handle in such a way that the pull applied to the handle first pulls the cable releasing the bolt, and only then the cover. This can be implemented by using a cable with a sleeve, for example. In another embodiment, the cable and the cover need to be pull separately. This embodiment requiring both hands to release the bolt and move the cover may be used for improving security.

[0037] A person skilled in the art understands that the trailer and the cover may also comprises other solutions to help to open or close the cover, such as a conventional gas strut lift, hydraulic gas cylinder, lift support, gas cylinder, and damper, if needed.

[0038] Fig. 2 illustrates an exploded side view of an embodiment of the articulation part 110 in accordance with the present invention and Fig. 3 illustrates a top view of an embodiment of a part A in Fig. 2.

[0039] The articulation part 110 comprises a part A and a part B to connect the upper arm and the lower arm to each other and to lock the arms in a desired position in relation to each other. In an embodiment depicted in Fig. 1, the part A is arranged in the upper arm and part B in the lower arm. However, a skilled person will understand that it is possible to arrange the part A in the lower arm and the part B in the upper arm.

[0040] The length of the upper arm and the lower arm can vary. Fig. 2 shows only the ends of the upper arm and the lower arm, the middle part of both arms being cut away. In an embodiment, the upper arm and the lower arm have substantially the same length. Thus, the articulation part is about in the middle of the support arm arrangement. It has been found out that this embodiment provides the best support for the cover. However, a skilled person will understand that invention is not restricted to this solution, but the upper arm and the lower arm can be formed to have different lengths.

[0041] The part A and part B comprise corresponding openings 202 and 204 to pivotally connect the upper arm and the lower arm to each other. Preferably, the lower arm and the upper arm comprise second openings 212, 214 at the other end of the arm in question for connecting the upper and the lower arms to a cover and a trailer, respectively.

[0042] The articulation part 110 further comprises a locking means comprising a bolt 112, at least one corresponding cavity 206, and bolt moving means to move the bolt 112 into the cavity 206 and out of the cavity for locking the upper arm and the lower arm in a desired position relative to each other and for releasing the locking. The cavity 206 is arranged in the part B to meet the bolt, when the upper arm and the lower arm are pivoted to a desired position in relation to each other. The shape of the cavity corresponds to the shape of the bolt and the depth of the cavity is preferably 5 mm - 15 mm, more preferably 10 mm - 12 mm deep in order to firmly hold the bolt in.

[0043] In an embodiment, the part B comprises an arch part 210 embedding the cavity 206 and for guiding the bolt 112, when moving the upper arm and the lower arm relative to each other. The arch part 210 preferably has a curved shape.

[0044] In an embodiment, the cavity 206 is arranged in the ach part 210 so as to lock the upper arm and the lower arm in the extended position. In another embodiment, the part B further comprises another cavity, which is arranged in the ach part so as to lock the upper arm and the lower arm in the folded position. A skilled person will understand that the arch part may have more than two cavities and / or the cavities can be arranged to lock the upper arm and the lower arm in another than the extended or folded position.

[0045] The bolt 112 and bolt moving means are arranged in the part A of the articulation part 110. Advantageously, the bolt has a cylindrical body, but it can also have another form. The length of the bolt can vary, but preferably it is about 50 mm - 150 mm, more preferably 100 mm - 120 mm, being able to penetrate the cavity 206 so that the other end of the bolt remains firmly in its place.

[0046] In an embodiment, the bolt moving means comprise a spring 208 arranged to push the bolt 112 into the cavity 206, and a cable 114 connected to the bolt 112 for releasing the bolt 112 from the cavity 206 by pulling the cable 114. The cable 114 is depicted with dotted line to the extent that is arranged in connection with the arm.

[0047] In an embodiment, the part A further comprises a hollow part 216 (depicted with the dotted line) embedding the bolt and the bolt moving means. The hollow part 216 can be arranged in the arm in many ways. In an embodiment, the arm is formed as a tube or part of a tube with retaining means 218 arranged to retain the bolt 112 and the spring 208 in the hollow part 216 and enabling the cable to pass from the bolt to the desired location for a user to pull the cable.

[0048] Fig. 3 shows an exemplary situation where the bolt 112 is retracted into the hollow part 216 by pulling the cable and thus released from a cavity, and where it is possible to move the arms relative to each other. Preferably, the spring 208 is then in its compressed form.

[0049] A skilled person will understand that the hollow part 216 as well as the arm can be partly open and / or the cable can be arranged to run along the arm instead of arranging it inside of the arm.

[0050] In an embodiment, the hollow part 216 comprises a slot 220. In another embodiment, the part A is connected to the part B on both sides and the slot part 220 pivots around the arch part of the part B. This enables to guide the bolt 112 along the edge of the arch part, when the upper arm and the lower arm are moved relative to each other.

[0051] Consequently, a skilled person may on the basis of this disclosure and general knowledge apply the provided teachings in order to implement the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims in each particular use case with necessary modifications, deletions, and additions.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An articulated support arm arrangement for a trailer cover characterized in that, the arrangement comprises- an upper arm, a lower arm, and- an articulation part to pivotally connect said upper arm and said lower arm to each other enabling said upper arm and said lower arm to pivot relative to each other between a folded and an extended position, wherein said articulation part further comprises a locking means comprising o a bolt, o at least one corresponding cavity, and o means to move said bolt into said cavity and out of said cavity for locking said upper arm and said lower arm in a desired position relative to each other and for releasing the locking.

2. The articulated support arm arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said bolt moving means comprise- a spring arranged to push said bolt into said cavity, and- a cable connected to said bolt for releasing said bolt from said cavity by pulling said cable.

3. The articulated support arm arrangement according to any preceding claim, wherein said articulation part further comprises a hollow part embedding said bolt and at least a part of said bolt moving means.

4. The articulated support arm arrangement according to any preceding claim, wherein said articulation part further comprises an arch part embedding said cavity and for guiding said bolt, when said upper arm and said lower arm are moved relative to each other.

5. The articulated support arm arrangement according to any preceding claim, wherein said upper arm comprises said bolt and said lower arm comprises said cavity.

6. The articulated support arm arrangement according to any of claim 4-5, wherein said cavity is arranged in said ach part so as to lock said upper arm and said lower arm in said extended position.

7. The articulated support arm arrangement according to any of claim 4-6, wherein said arrangement further comprises another cavity, which is arranged in said ach part so as to lock said upper arm and said lower arm in said folded position.

8. The articulated support arm arrangement according to any preceding claim, wherein said upper arm and said lower arm have substantially the same length.

9. A trailer cover comprising an articulated support arm of any of claim 1-8, wherein said upper arm and said lower arm are arranged between said trailer cover and a trailer enabling said cover to move between a closed position and an open position.

10. The trailer cover according to claim 9, wherein said trailer cover further comprises a handle part for a user to release said bolt via said cable and after that, to pull the cover down.

11. A trailer comprising a trailer cover according to any of claim 9-10.

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