Bodywork for road freight transport vehicles equipped with a clamping system

Abstract

The body of a road freight vehicle comprises two vertical sides, a roof and a floor 20 assembled together and partially defining an interior loading space, and a plurality of clamping systems 40 fixed to the floor 20 for securing the body to a chassis. Each clamping system 40 is provided with a base 42 fixed to the floor 20 of the body, a locking means 44 movably mounted on the base between at least one inactive position and an active locking position of the body on the chassis and provided with a contact surface with said chassis, and an actuating means 46 extending transversely, in contact with the locking means 44 and movably mounted on the base to allow movement from the inactive position to the active locking position of said locking means, and vice versa. Figure for the abbreviation: Fig 2

Description

Title of the invention: Bodywork for road goods transport vehicle equipped with a clamping system

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of road vehicles for transporting goods such as carriers, semi-trailers or trailers.

[0002] A road vehicle for transporting goods comprises a chassis and a body mounted on the chassis and delimiting an interior loading space. The chassis generally comprises two longitudinal side members and a plurality of cross members extending transversely between the side members. This is generally referred to as a ladder-type chassis.

[0003] A road vehicle for transporting goods of the carrier type further comprises an auxiliary frame chassis generally called a “sub-frame” which rests on the chassis and on which the bodywork is fixed.

[0004] The connection between the chassis, the auxiliary frame chassis and the bodywork is made by screwing and clamping. The screws used to make this assembly are oriented vertically.

[0005] When assembling the body with the auxiliary frame chassis, access to these screws is quite difficult for operators.

[0006] Furthermore, for a road vehicle for transporting goods of the semi-trailer or trailer type, there is also the problem of access to the screws used to assemble the chassis and the bodywork.

[0007] Furthermore, on electrically powered vehicles, the sometimes bulky batteries are positioned laterally on the chassis. Access to the screws is thus made even more difficult. In addition, the electrical risks that exist near the screws, given the presence of power cables, connectors and batteries, may lead to the application of restrictive safety rules, for example authorized personnel or even switching off the batteries.

[0008] The present invention aims to remedy these drawbacks.

[0009] The subject of the invention is a bodywork for a road vehicle for transporting goods comprising two vertical sides, a roof and a floor assembled together and partly delimiting an interior loading space, and a plurality of clamping systems fixed to the floor for fixing the bodywork to a chassis.

[0010] According to a general characteristic, each clamping system is provided with a base fixed to the floor of the bodywork, and a locking means mounted to move on the base between at least one inactive position and one active position for locking the bodywork on the chassis and provided with a contact surface with said chassis.

[0011] According to another general characteristic, each clamping system is further provided with an actuating means extending transversely, in contact with the locking means and mounted movably on the base to allow movement from the inactive position to the active locking position of said locking means, and vice versa.

[0012] The “transverse” direction is used considering the direction of the width of the bodywork.

[0013] With such a clamping system, actuation can be carried out laterally by an operator, which makes it possible to easily assemble the bodywork with the associated chassis while remaining away from areas where electrical risks exist.

[0014] According to one design, the locking means of each clamping system is mounted to rotate on the base around a geometric axis extending longitudinally.

[0015] The “longitudinal” direction is used considering the length direction of the bodywork.

[0016] According to an alternative design, the locking means of each clamping system is mounted to move in translation transversely along the base.

[0017] Preferably, the actuating means of each clamping system cooperates with the base by screwing. In this case, the actuating means may comprise a screw.

[0018] Preferably, the actuating means of each clamping system extends transversely and projects outwards relative to the base. The actuating means is advantageously offset vertically downwards relative to the floor.

[0019] The invention also relates to a road vehicle for transporting goods comprising a chassis extending longitudinally and supporting at least one axle equipped with wheels, an auxiliary frame chassis fixed to the chassis, and a body as defined previously and fixed to the auxiliary frame chassis.

[0020] The contact surface of the locking means of each clamping system may, in the active locking position, be in contact against a side member of the auxiliary frame chassis, in particular against a lateral wing of said side member.

[0021] The invention also relates to a road vehicle for transporting goods comprising a chassis extending longitudinally and supporting at least one axle equipped with wheels, and a body as defined previously and fixed to the chassis.

[0022] The contact surface of the locking means of each clamping system is, in the active locking position, in contact against a chassis side member, in particular against a lateral wing of said chassis side member.

[0023] The present invention will be better understood upon reading the detailed description of embodiments taken as non-limiting examples and illustrated by the attached drawings in which:

[0024] [Fig-1] is a perspective view of a carrier according to an exemplary embodiment,

[0025] [Fig.2] is a detail view of [Fig.l],

[0026] [Fig.3] is a detail view of [Fig.l] on which clamping systems of the bodywork are shown in an inactive position,

[0027] [Fig.4] is a sectional view along axis IV-IV of [Fig.2],

[0028] [Fig.5] is a sectional view along the VV axis of [Fig.3],

[0029] [Fig.6]

[0030] [Fig.7] are perspective views of a bodywork clamping system according to another exemplary embodiment,

[0031] [Fig.8] and

[0032] [Fig.9] are sectional views of the clamping system of Figures 6 and 7.

[0033] In [Fig.l], a carrier is shown, referenced 10 as a whole, comprising a body 12 and a carrier chassis 14 on which the body is mounted and supporting a plurality of axles 15 each equipped with wheels (not referenced). In the figure, the axles are shown schematically.

[0034] As will be described in more detail later, the carrier 10 also comprises an auxiliary frame chassis 16 interposed vertically between the bodywork 12 and the chassis 14. The auxiliary frame chassis 16 is generally called a “sub-frame”.

[0035] The bodywork 12 comprises two opposite vertical sides 18 extending longitudinally (only one being visible in the figure), a ceiling or roof 19, a bottom or floor 20 and a front face (not visible) which are assembled together to delimit an interior loading space. The sides 18 are identical and symmetrical with respect to each other considering a longitudinal median vertical plane of the bodywork.

[0036] The body 12 also comprises a sliding curtain 21 to allow access to the interior loading space from the rear. Alternatively, the body 12 may comprise one or more rear doors each pivoting to allow access to the interior loading space. Alternatively, the body 12 may comprise a door pivoting on one of the sides 18.

[0037] The carrier 10 also comprises a tractor 22 secured to the chassis 14 and equipped with a propulsion engine.

[0038] In a manner known per se, the chassis 14 comprises two longitudinal side members 24 spaced apart in the transverse direction and extending longitudinally, and a plurality of cross members 26 extending transversely relative to the side members 24 and fixed thereto.

[0039] In a manner also known per se, the auxiliary frame chassis 16 has a structure similar to the chassis 14. The auxiliary frame chassis 16 comprises two longitudinal side members 28 spaced apart in the transverse direction and extending longitudinally, and a plurality of cross members 29 extending transversely relative to the side members 28 and fixed thereto. Each side member 28 of the auxiliary frame chassis is vertically supported against one of the side members 24 of the chassis 14.

[0040] The auxiliary frame chassis 16 is fixed to the chassis 14 and to the floor 20 of the bodywork.

[0041] To achieve the attachment of the auxiliary frame chassis 16 to the chassis 14, a plurality of supports 30 are respectively fixed on the side members 24 and the side members 28 vertically one below the other. In [Fig.l], the supports fixed on the side members 28 of the auxiliary frame chassis are not shown. A plurality of screws (not shown) extending vertically is provided to fix the supports 30 two by two. Alternatively, it could be possible to provide other removable fixing means to ensure the attachment of the auxiliary frame chassis 16 to the chassis 14.

[0042] As illustrated more visibly in [Fig.2], to achieve the fixing of the auxiliary frame chassis 16 to the floor 20 of the bodywork, the latter is provided with a plurality of clamping systems 40 which are fixed to the floor 20. The clamping systems 40 are associated with the side members 28 of the auxiliary frame chassis. The clamping systems 40 are identical to each other.

[0043] For each side member 28, a plurality of clamping systems 40 are provided which are spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction. The clamping systems 40 are fixed to the floor 20 vertically on the side opposite the loading space, and on the outside of the associated side member 28 considering the transverse direction.

[0044] Each clamping system 40 comprises a base 42 fixed to the floor 20, and a locking means 44 mounted to rotate on the base 42 between a plurality of inactive positions and an active position for locking the bodywork relative to the auxiliary frame chassis 16. Each clamping system 40 also comprises an actuating means 46 to allow the movement of the locking means 44. The locking means 44 is rotatable about a geometric axis 50 ([Fig.4]) extending longitudinally.

[0045] As will be described in more detail below, in its active position the locking means 44 ensures the retention of the bodywork relative to the auxiliary frame chassis 16 by clamping against the associated side member 28 of said auxiliary frame.

[0046] The base 42 is fixed to the floor 20 of the body by any suitable means. In the illustrated embodiment, the base 42 is fixed to the floor 20 by means of screws (not referenced). Alternatively or in combination, it is possible to provide other fixing means, for example pins, dowels, glue etc.

[0047] As illustrated in [Fig.4], the base 42 is provided with a concave housing 52 for the rotational mounting of the locking means 44. The housing 52 forms a bearing surface for supporting the locking means 44 and for allowing its rotation. The housing 52 is here open in the vertical direction on the side of the floor 20.

[0048] The actuating means 46 extends transversely. The actuating means 46 extends along a transverse elongation axis 54. The actuating means 46 here extends transversely, projecting outwardly relative to the base 42. The actuating means 46 is accessible from outside the bodywork. The actuating means 46 is movably mounted on the base 42. The actuating means 46 is movably mounted on the base along the elongation axis 54.

[0049] In the illustrated embodiment, the actuating means 46 is a threaded screw. Thus, the actuating means 46 is here movable in rotation and in translation relative to the base 42. Each clamping system 40 also comprises a nut 56 mounted on the base 42 and engaged with the thread of the actuating means 46. Alternatively, it could be possible to provide directly on the base 42 the tapping cooperating with the thread of the actuating means 46.

[0050] The free end of the actuating means 46, which is located transversely on the side of the auxiliary frame chassis 16, bears against the locking means 44. The actuating means 46 makes it possible to obtain the rotation of the locking means 44 between a plurality of inactive positions (one of which is illustrated in [Fig. 5]) in which a contact surface 44a of the locking means remains at a distance from the auxiliary frame chassis 16, and an active position in which the contact surface 44a of the locking means bears against the auxiliary frame chassis 16 as illustrated in [Fig. 4].

[0051] The locking means 44 is in the form of a lever articulated around the axis 50. In the active position, the contact surface 44a of the locking means bears vertically against the associated side member 28 of the auxiliary frame chassis 16. The locking means 44 is clamped against the associated side member 28. The contact surface 44a bears against a lateral wing of the associated side member 28. In its active position, the locking means 44 is located vertically under the lateral wing of the associated side member 28.

[0052] To assemble the bodywork 12 on the auxiliary frame chassis 16, the procedure is as follows.

[0053] In a first step, the clamping systems 40 are fixed to the floor 20 of the bodywork. The actuating means 46 of each clamping system is positioned relative to the associated base 42 so that the locking means 44 extends vertically in the extension thereof as illustrated in Figures 3 and 5.

[0054] Then, in a second step, the floor 20 of the bodywork is brought into support against the auxiliary frame chassis 16. The floor 20 rests against the side members 28 of the auxiliary frame chassis 16.

[0055] Then, in a third step, the actuating means 46 of each clamping system is screwed in to bring the contact surface 44a of the locking means into abutment against the auxiliary frame chassis 16 as illustrated in [Fig.4]. The actuating means 46 of each clamping system can be actuated manually directly or via specific tools so that the operator can remain at a distance from the auxiliary frame chassis 16.

[0056] The locking means 44 of each clamping system is locked against the associated side member 28 of said auxiliary frame. Thus, the bodywork 12 is retained relative to the auxiliary frame chassis 16.

[0057] In the embodiment which has just been described, the locking means 44 of each clamping system is movable in rotation relative to the base 42. Alternatively, it is possible to provide a translationally movable mounting of the locking means relative to the base as illustrated in FIGS. 6 to 9 in which the identical elements bear the same references.

[0058] In this exemplary embodiment, each clamping system 40 comprises a base 62 fixed to the floor 20 of the bodywork, and a locking means 64 mounted to move transversely in translation along the base between a plurality of inactive positions and an active position for locking the bodywork relative to the auxiliary frame chassis 16. Each clamping system 40 also comprises an actuating means 66 to allow the movement of the locking means 64.

[0059] The base 62 is provided internally with a housing 68 extending transversely and inside which is mounted the locking means 64 with the possibility of translation. The housing 68 is open in the transverse direction on the side of the associated side member 28 of the auxiliary frame chassis.

[0060] The actuating means 66 extends transversely. The actuating means 66 extends along a transverse elongation axis 70. The actuating means 66 here extends transversely, projecting outwardly relative to the base 62. The actuating means 66 is accessible from outside the bodywork. The actuating means 66 is movably mounted on the base 42. The actuating means 66 is movably mounted on the base along the elongation axis 70.

[0061] In the illustrated embodiment, the actuating means 66 is a threaded screw. Thus, the actuating means 66 is here movable in rotation and in translation relative to the base 62. The base 62 of each clamping system comprises a thread engaged with the thread of the actuating means 66. A nut 71 is also fixed on the base 62 to cooperate with the thread of the actuating means 66. Alternatively, it could be possible to provide only one of these two means.

[0062] The free end of the actuating means 66, which is located transversely on the side of the auxiliary frame chassis 16, is integral in translation with the locking means 44. The actuating means 66 makes it possible to obtain the sliding of the locking means 64 between a plurality of inactive positions (one of which is illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 9) in which a contact surface 64a of the locking means remains at a distance from the auxiliary frame chassis 16, and an active position in which the contact surface 64a of the locking means is in abutment against the auxiliary frame chassis 16 as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 8.

[0063] In the active position, the contact surface 64a of the locking means bears in the vertical direction against the associated side member 28 of the auxiliary frame chassis 16. The locking means 64 is clamped against the associated side member 28. The contact surface 64a bears against a lateral wing of the associated side member 28. The locking means 64 is in the form of a slide movable in translation along the axis 70.

[0064] The locking means 64 has a proximal portion 72 secured to the actuating means 66, a distal portion 74 provided with the contact surface 64a and a joining portion 76 connecting the proximal 72 and distal 74 portions. The joining portion 76 extends obliquely upwards from the proximal portion 72. As illustrated in [Fig.8], the joining portion 76 is provided to bear against an inclined face 68a of the base in order to obtain contact between the locking means 64 during its sliding and the auxiliary frame chassis 16 and ensure the retention of the bodywork relative to said chassis by clamping against it.

[0065] In the illustrated embodiments, the actuating means of each clamping system is movable in translation and in rotation to obtain the movement of the locking means. Alternatively, the actuating means could be movable in translation or in rotation only.

[0066] The invention has been illustrated on the basis of a road vehicle for transporting goods of the carrier type.

[0067] The invention also applies to a road vehicle for transporting goods of the semi-trailer or trailer type. Such a vehicle is equipped with a supporting chassis of the same type as the supporting chassis 14 described previously and the bodywork is fixed by means of clamping systems directly to this supporting chassis, that is to say without the interposition of an auxiliary frame chassis.

Claims

Claims

1. Bodywork of a road vehicle for transporting goods comprising two vertical sides (18), a roof (19) and a floor (20) assembled together and partly delimiting an interior loading space, and a plurality of clamping systems (40) fixed to the floor (20) for fixing the bodywork to a chassis, characterized in that each clamping system (40) is provided with a base (42; 62) fixed to the floor (20) of the bodywork, a locking means (44; 64) mounted movably on the base between at least one inactive position and an active position for locking the bodywork on the chassis and provided with a contact surface (44a; 64a) with said chassis, and an actuating means (46; 66) extending transversely, in contact with the locking means (44; 64) and mounted movably on the base to allow the moving the inactive position to the active locking position of said locking means, and vice versa.

2. Bodywork according to claim 1, in which the locking means (44) of each clamping system is mounted to rotate on the base (42) around a geometric axis (50) extending longitudinally.

3. Bodywork according to claim 1, in which the locking means (64) of each clamping system is mounted to move transversely in translation along the base (62).

4. Bodywork according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the actuating means (46; 66) of each clamping system cooperates with the base (42; 62) by screwing.

5. Bodywork according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the actuating means (46; 66) of each clamping system extends transversely projecting outwards relative to the base (42; 62).

6. Bodywork according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the actuating means (46; 66) of each clamping system is offset vertically downwards relative to the floor (20).

7. Road vehicle for transporting goods comprising a chassis (14) extending longitudinally and supporting at least one axle (15) equipped with wheels, an auxiliary frame chassis (16) fixed to the chassis (14) and a body (12) according to any one of the preceding claims fixed to the auxiliary frame chassis (16).

8. Vehicle according to claim 7, in which the contact surface (44a; 64a) of the locking means of each clamping system is, in the active locking position, in contact against a side member (28) of the auxiliary frame chassis.

9. Vehicle according to claim 8, in which the contact surface (44a; 64a) of the locking means of each clamping system is, in the active locking position, in contact against a lateral wing of said side member (28) of the auxiliary frame chassis.

10. Road vehicle for transporting goods comprising a chassis (14) extending longitudinally and supporting at least one axle (15) equipped with wheels, and a body (12) according to any one of claims 1 to 6 fixed on the chassis (14).

11. Vehicle according to claim 10, in which the contact surface (44a; 64a) of the locking means of each clamping system is, in the active locking position, in contact against a side member (24) of the chassis.

12. Vehicle according to claim 11, in which the contact surface (44a; 64a) of the locking means of each clamping system is, in the active locking position, in contact against a lateral wing of said chassis side member (24).

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