“COVERING APPARATUS FOR THE BODY OF A TRUCK, ESPECIALLY A TIPPING SEMI-TRAILER”

Description

DESCRIPTION Attached to a patent application for an INDUSTRIAL INVENTION having by title “COVERING APPARATUS FOR THE BODY OF A TRUCK, IN DETAIL OF A TIPPING SEMI-TRAILER” On behalf of: CRAMARO HOLDING SpA Via Quari Destra 71 / G 37044 Cologna Veneta VR ******* TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a covering apparatus for the body of a truck, especially a tipper semi-trailer. The invention falls within the technical field of roofing systems for the 5 loading of means of transport equipped with a tipping semi-trailer. STATE OF THE ART A tipper semi-trailer is a type of trailer used primarily for the transport of bulk materials, such as sand, gravel, soil, waste and other 10 goods that can be easily unloaded by one movement of tipping of the body. In particular, the semi-trailer includes a container, defining a collection compartment inside which waste is collected the material to be transported, a tipping mechanism for the container, generally of the hydraulic type, and a rear door, hinged in 15 a top portion of the box, which can be rotated to allow the material leaking from the container. The semi-trailers also include a covering apparatus made up of a cover sheet and a deployment device operationally associated with the box to cover or uncover the compartment 20 collection. As is known, there are automated systems that allow the creation of an automatic deployment of the tarpaulin. Such systems include a plurality of support arches tied to the covering sheet and slidingly mounted on the body to move the tarpaulin from one folded configuration to an unfolded configuration. In particular, the movement of the support arches is limited by the presence of the 5 hinge that secures the rear door to the cargo area. Therefore, they are systems have been created featuring a support element, mounted on overhang on the last supporting arch and developing parallel to the direction of movement of the support arches, to which the terminal portion of the cover sheet so as to cover the 10 portion of the box located behind the aforementioned hinge. Disadvantageously, the large bulk generated by this element of support during the folded configuration of the tarpaulin severely limits the available space to allow for loading the material. Industry operators are constantly looking for new solutions 15 to make the coverage devices less bulky so that loading the material into the container is made easier. PURPOSES OF THE INVENTION In this context, it is an object of the present invention to provide 20 arrangement of a covering apparatus for the body of a truck, in in particular a tipper semi-trailer, which is able to make more facilitate the loading of material into the container. Another object of the present invention is to provide a covering apparatus for the body of a truck, in particular a 25 tipper semi-trailer, featuring a marked adaptability. The specified purposes are substantially achieved by an apparatus of cover for the body of a truck, especially a semi-trailer tipper, including the technical characteristics set out in the main claim. 30 Dependent claims correspond to possible forms of advantageous realization of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Further features and advantages of the present invention will appear. made clearer by the indicative, and therefore non-limiting, description, 5 of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of an apparatus cover for the body of a truck, especially a semi-trailer tipper as illustrated in the attached drawings, where: - Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of an apparatus of cover for the body of a truck, especially a semi-trailer 10 tipper, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; - Figures 2A-2B, 3A-3B show a schematic representation partial according to some possible embodiments of the apparatus cover for the body of a truck in accordance with respective 15 operating configurations. DETAILED DESCRIPTION The present invention relates to a covering apparatus for the body of a truck, especially a tipper semi-trailer, which in 20 will hereinafter be referred to as apparatus 1. By way of example and not as a limitation, the apparatus 1 may be advantageously applied to a tipping semi-trailer, a trailer and / or a tractor. The apparatus 1 comprises a covering sheet 2, suitable for covering the compartment of 25 containment defined by the “C” box of a truck, and a device deployment 3 of the tarpaulin 2. The deployment device 3 comprises a succession of arches 4 slidingly mounted or mountable on facing walls of the “C” box (for example, the side walls) and movable between the front end of the 30 box and a limit switch position, placed between the front end and a rear end of the box. Generally, the end position race is arranged in correspondence with the hinge that binds the tailgate rear of the body. It is emphasized that, in this treatment with front end of the box and rear end of the box It is meant to refer to a normal direction of travel of the truck. 5 The sequence of arches 4 includes at least one first arch 401, proximal to the anterior end “C1”, and at least one last arch 402 (also commonly called double bow as it is generally consisting of a pair of single arches mutually constrained), distal from the front end “C1”. 10 The deployment device 3 is operationally associated with the tarpaulin 2 to move it reversibly between a rest configuration (not illustrated in the attached figures), in which the tarpaulin 2 is arranged substantially in a package near the front end of the “C” box, and a partial covering configuration (figs. 1, 2A), in which the tarpaulin 2 is 15 partially deployed covering the compartment of the “C” box from the end front “C1” substantially up to the end-of-travel position. The apparatus 1 comprises an operationally extendable flap 5 associated with a terminal portion 200 of the tarpaulin 2 to switch reversibly the tarpaulin 2 from the partial covering configuration (figs. 20 1, 2A) to a fully covered configuration (figs.2B, 3A, 3B), in where the tarpaulin 2 covers the containment compartment of the box 2 from the end anterior “C1” to the posterior end “C2”. As illustrated in the attached figures, the extendable tip-up table 5 comprises a pair of extendable organs 6 hinged at their respective ends 25 of the last arc 402 of the deployment device 3. In particular, each extendable member 6 comprises a hinged rotating arm 7 to the last arc of the deployment device 3 and rotatable between a inactive configuration (figs. 1, 2A), in which the extendable member 6 is arranged transversely, preferably substantially perpendicularly, to 30 a prevalent development direction of the “C” box, and a operating configuration (Figs. 2B, 3A, 3B), wherein the rotating arm 7 is arranged substantially parallel to the direction of development prevalent of the box to create a cover for the compartment containment. Furthermore, the extendable member 6 comprises a translating arm 8 5 telescopically coupled to the rotating arm 7 and constrained to the portion terminal 200 of the tarpaulin 2. The translating arm 8 is reversible movable with respect to the rotating arm 7 for reversible switching the terminal portion 200 of the tarpaulin 2 between a folded condition (figs. 1, 2A), corresponding to a retracted position of the translating arm 8 10 with respect to the rotating arm 7, and an unfolded condition (figs. 2B, 3A, 3B), corresponding to an extracted position of the translating arm 8 compared to the rotating arm 7. In other words, the movement of the translating arm 8 with respect to the rotating arm 7 generates radial expansion or contraction 15 of the extendable organ 6. The extendable member 6 further comprises a fixed pulley 9 and a movable pulley 10 mounted respectively on the rotating arm 7 and on the translating arm 8. Advantageously, the extendable member 6 comprises flexible means of 20 transmission 11 presenting a first portion, tied to the arm rotating 7, and a second portion, constrained to a penultimate arch 403 of the succession of arches 4 of the deployment device 3 in such a way such that the end-of-travel position is reached by the last one arc determines a tensioning of the flexible transmission means 11 which 25 generates a rotation of the rotating arm from the idle configuration (figs. 1, 2A) to the operational configuration (figs. 2B, 3A, 3B). Furthermore, the means transmission hoses 11 are slidably associated with the pulley fixed 9 and to the movable pulley 10 so that the achievement of the end-of-travel position of the last arch determines a 30 tensioning of the flexible transmission means 11 which generates the sliding of the translating arm 8 from the retracted position (figs. 1, 2A) to the extracted position (figs. 2B, 3A, 3B). In other words, the flexible means of transmission 11 allow the deployment of the terminal portion 200 of the tarpaulin 2 and bring it to cover the rear end of the body “C” under the drawing action imposed by the constraint with the aforementioned succession 5 of 4 strings. In this way, the extendable tip-up 5 allows for an effective covering the containment compartment while ensuring, at the same time, space saving reduced in the rest configuration in which the canvas 2 is folded in such a way so as to facilitate the loading operations of the material inside the 10 “C” box. In fact, in the rest position of the tarpaulin 2 each organ extensible 6 is arranged in inactive configuration strongly limiting the bulk in a direction parallel to the direction of development of the box. In in other words, the extendable member 6 is aligned along a vertical direction limiting the horizontal dimensions in such a way as to guarantee a large 15 operating volume for truck loading. It is also emphasized that in the inactive configuration of the extendable organ 6, the translating arm 8 is arranged in position retracted, limiting the vertical dimensions and contributing to a better absorption of the vibrational stresses to which the tip-up is subjected 20 extendable 5 is subject during the operating life. In this configuration the extendable tip-up 5 is also substantially protected from the aerodynamic stresses thanks to the presence of the succession of arches 4. With particular reference to figures 3A-3B, the telescopic coupling 25 between the rotating arm 7 and the translating arm 8 ensures a marked adaptability of the apparatus 1 to different design specifications allowing, for example, the adaptation of apparatus 1 to caissons having different distances between the tailgate hinge and the end rear of the body. In this case, the terminal portion 200 of the 30 cover tarpaulin 2 can be specially sized and, in addition, help define a limit switch for the sliding of the translating arm 8 which, therefore, adapts to the dimensions of the body. In accordance with some possible embodiments, the flexible means of transmission 11 are constrained and / or have a pre-tension such 5 that the translation of the translating arm 8 is simultaneous with the rotation of the rotating arm 7. Furthermore, some possible embodiments include that the two motions of translation and rotation begin at moments different depending on specific operational needs. In accordance with an advantageous aspect, the flexible means of transmission 11 10 comprise a transmission cord 12 having a first end, connected to the rotating arm 7, and a second end, tied to the penultimate arch 403 of the succession of arches 4. The chord 12 is slidingly associated with the fixed pulley 9 and the movable pulley 10 so that the end-of-travel position is reached by 15 of the last arch 402 determines a tension of the string 12 which generates the sliding of the translating arm 8 from the retracted position to the position extracted. Preferably, the rope 12 is slidably associated with the fixed pulley 9 and to the movable pulley 10 defining an “S” winding. In 20 particular, the sliding of the translating arm 8 from the retracted position in the extracted position it causes the mobile pulley to move closer 10 to said fixed pulley 9. Furthermore, the sliding of the translating arm 8 from the extracted position to the retracted position determines a moving the movable pulley 10 away from the fixed pulley 9. 25 In accordance with an advantageous aspect, the transmission string 12 can be elastic enough to absorb sudden tensile peaks reducing the risk of damage to the extendable tip-up 5. Furthermore, the means flexible transmission hoses 11 may comprise an elastic element (not illustrated in the attached figures), for example a spring, suitable for 30 tie the second end of the transmission rope 12 to the penultimate one arch 403. In other words, the elastic element can be interposed between the second end of the transmission string 12 and the penultimate arch 403, for example, to absorb sudden traction peaks by reducing the risk of damage to the extendable tip-up tray 5. According to a further advantageous aspect, flexible means of transmission 5 11 comprise a drive chain 13 having a first end, connected to the rotating arm 7, and a second end, constrained to the penultimate arc 403 of the succession of arcs 4, so that that the last arc reaches its end-of-travel position 402 determines a tensioning of the chain 13 which generates a rotation 10 of the rotating arm 7 from the inactive configuration to the configuration operational. With particular reference to figures 1, 2A, the last arch 402 has not yet reached the end position and, therefore, the chain 13 is in a loose or less tense state. By doing Referring to figures 2B, 3A, 3B, the last arch 402 reached the 15 end-of-travel position and, therefore, the chain 13 is in a state tension. In accordance with one embodiment, the rotating arm 7 has a connecting portion 14 developing along a transverse direction to the main direction of development of the rotating arm 7 and configured for 20 allow the connection of the chain 13 to the rotating arm 7. Alternatively, drive chain 13 may not be provided and the string 12, following tensioning, can generate a rotation of the rotating arm 7 from inactive configuration to active configuration operational. 25 In accordance with a possible embodiment, the rotating arm 7 It features a sliding guide 15 which develops parallel to a its predominant direction of development. Furthermore, the translating arm 8 comprises a first pin 16 and a second pin 17 inserted inside of the guide 15 to smoothly couple the translating arm 7 and the 30 rotating arm 8. As shown in the figures, the first pin 16 defines the axis of rotation of the movable pulley 10 and the second pin 17 helps define a limit switch for arm movement translating 8 with respect to the rotating arm 7. For example, the first pin 16 and / or the second pin 17 can be made of one piece with the arm translating 8. Alternatively, the first pin 16 and / or the second pin 17 5 can be mounted on the translating arm 8 by means of threaded coupling thus allowing the modification of the length of the translation path of the translating arm 8 with respect to the rotating arm 7 adapting it to the size of the portion of the container to be cover and / or to the size of the tarpaulin 2. 10 With reference to the examples shown in the figures, the translating arm 8 is develops along a longitudinal axis between a first extremity, in correspondence of which said first pin 16 is arranged, and a second end connected to the tarpaulin 2. Furthermore, the second pin 17 is interposed between the first pin 16 and the second end of the arm 15 translating 8. The rotating arm 7, moreover, develops longitudinally between a first end, hinged to the last arch 402 of the device deployment 3, and a second end, opposite to the first end and on which the fixed pulley 9 is mounted. According to a further advantageous aspect, the extendable tip-up 5 20 comprises a connecting crosspiece 18 connected to the translating arms 8 and tied to the terminal portion 200 of the tarpaulin 2 to connect it to the pair of extendable organs 6. In particular, the connecting crosspiece 18 allows to kinematically couple the extensible organs 6 keeping them substantially parallel during movement. 25 In a further advantageous aspect, the apparatus 1 comprises advantageously a return spring, preferably a spring torsional 19, active between the extendable member 6 and the last arch 402 for move the rotating arm 7 from the operating configuration to the inactive configuration. 30 With particular reference to figure 1, the apparatus 1 may comprise a return spring 20 active between the translating arm 8 and the rotating arm 7 to move the translating arm 8 from the extracted position to the retracted position. Alternatively, the return spring 20 may not be foreseen and the return of the translating arm 8 from the extracted position the retracted position can only be entrusted to the strength of 5 gravity acting on the translating arm 8 and, if present, on the crosspiece 18. With reference to the examples illustrated in the figures, the apparatus 1 can comprise a restraining element 21 mounted on the translating arm 8 and / or on the crosspiece 18 and configured to constrain an end portion of the 10 tarpaulin 2 with extendable flap 5. In accordance with a further advantageous embodiment, apparatus 1 comprises handling means (not illustrated in the attached figures), for example chain or belt, configured for reversibly move the above-mentioned succession of arches 4 along the 15 “C” box allowing for complete deployment and coverage of the “C” body of the truck in a fully automated manner. For for example, the handling equipment includes a towing pulley and an idler pulley mounted respectively near the end front “C1” and rear end “C2” of the body “C” or of the 20 above-mentioned end-of-travel position. In particular, the drive pulley is motorized. Furthermore, the handling means include a rope towing operationally associated with the towing pulley and the idler pulley. The tow rope is tied to the last arch 402 of the succession of arches 4 in correspondence with a portion of the constraint to move 25 reversibly slide the succession of arches 4 along the box “C”. In particular, the movement of the last arch 402 towards the rear end “C2” of the box determines the sliding of the succession of arches 4 towards the rear end “C2” of the box “C” under the pulling action imposed by the tarpaulin 2 during the unfolding phase. 30 on the contrary, the movement of the last arch 402 towards the end front “C1” of the “C” box determines the sliding of the succession of 4 arches towards the front end “C1” of the box “C” under the action thrust imposed on the succession of arches 4 from the same last arch 402. THE AGENCY Engineer Gian Matteo Locatelli

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Covering apparatus (1) for the body of a truck, in particular a tipping semi-trailer, comprising: - a covering sheet (2) suitable for covering the containment compartment defined by the body of a truck; - a device (3) for unfolding the sheet (2) comprising a succession of arches (4) which can be slidably mounted on facing walls of the body and moved between a front end (C1) of the body and a limit position, interposed between the front end (C1) and a rear end (C2) of the body (C); said succession of arches (4) comprising at least a first arch (401), proximal to the front end, and at least a last arch (402), distal to the front end;wherein the deployment device (3) is operatively associated with the tarpaulin (2) to reversibly move it between a rest configuration, in which the tarpaulin (2) is arranged substantially in a pack near the front end of the body, and a partial covering configuration, in which the tarpaulin (2) is partially deployed covering the body compartment from the front end substantially up to the end-of-travel position; - an extendable flap (5) operatively associated with a terminal portion (200) of the tarpaulin (2) to reversibly switch the tarpaulin (2) from said partial covering configuration to a complete covering configuration, in which the tarpaulin (2) covers the body compartment from the front end to the rear end;wherein said extendable flap (5) comprises a pair of extendable members (6) hinged to respective ends of the last arch (402) of the deployment device (3), each extendable member comprising: - a rotating arm (7) hinged to the last arch (402) of the deployment device (3), said rotating arm (7) being rotatable between an inactive configuration, in which the extendable member is arranged substantially perpendicular to a prevalent development direction of the body, and an operational configuration, in which the rotating arm (7) is arranged substantially parallel to the prevalent development direction of the body to create a covering of the space of the body;- a translating arm (8) telescopically coupled to said rotating arm (7) and constrained to said terminal portion of the tarpaulin (2), said translating arm (8) being reversibly movable with respect to said rotating arm (7) to reversibly switch said terminal portion of the tarpaulin (2) between a folded condition, corresponding to a retracted position of said translating arm (8) with respect to said rotating arm (7), and an unfolded condition, corresponding to an extracted position of said translating arm (8) with respect to said rotating arm (7); - a fixed pulley (9) and a movable pulley (10) mounted respectively on the rotating arm (7) and on the translating arm (8);- flexible transmission means (11) having a first portion, constrained to said rotating arm (7), and a second portion, constrained to a penultimate arch (403) of said succession of arches (4) of the deployment device (3) in such a way that reaching the end-of-travel position by the last arch (402) causes a tensioning of the flexible transmission means (11) which generates a rotation of the rotating arm (7) from the inactive configuration to the operational configuration; and in which the flexible transmission means (11) are slidably associated with the fixed pulley (9) and the mobile pulley (10) in such a way that the reaching of the end-of-travel position by the last arch (402) causes a tensioning of the flexible transmission means (11) which generates the sliding of said translating arm (8) from the retracted position to the extracted position.; 2. Covering apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said flexible transmission means (11) comprise a transmission cord (12) having a first end, constrained to said rotating arm (7), and a second end, constrained to the penultimate arch (403) of said succession of arches (4); and wherein said cord (12) is slidably associated with the fixed pulley (9) and the movable pulley (10) in such a way that reaching the end-of-travel position by the last arch (402) causes a tensioning of the cord (12) which causes said translating arm (8) to slide from the retracted position to the extracted position.

3. Covering apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said cord (12) is slidably associated with the fixed pulley (9) and the movable pulley (10) defining an “S” winding; wherein the sliding of said translating arm (8) from the retracted position to the extracted position causes said movable pulley (10) to move closer to said fixed pulley (9); and wherein the sliding of said translating arm (8) from the extracted position to the retracted position causes said movable pulley (10) to move away from said fixed pulley (9).

4. Covering apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein said cord (12) is elastic.

5. Covering apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said flexible transmission means (11) comprise a transmission chain (13) having a first end, constrained to said rotating arm (7), and a second end, constrained to the penultimate arch (403) of said succession of arches (4), in such a way that 31.C1239.12.IT.1 Ing. Gian Matteo Locatelli (Registration no. 1889B) reaching the end-of-travel position by the last arch (402) causes a tensioning of said chain (13) which generates a rotation of the rotating arm (7) from the inactive configuration to the operational configuration.

6. Covering apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the rotating arm (7) has a sliding guide (15) developing parallel to a prevalent direction of development of said rotating arm (7); and wherein the translating arm (8) comprises a first pin (16) and a second pin (17) inserted inside said guide (15) to slidably couple said translating arm (8) and said rotating arm (7).

7. Covering apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said translating arm (8) extends along a longitudinal axis between a first end, at which said first pin (16) is located, and a second end connected to said tarpaulin (2); said first pin (16) defining an axis of rotation of said movable pulley (10).

8. Covering apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said rotating arm (7) extends longitudinally between a first end, hinged to the last arch (402) of the deployment device (3), and a second end, opposite to said first end; said fixed pulley (9) being mounted on said rotating arm (7) in correspondence with said second end.

9. Covering apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said extendable flap (5) comprises a connecting crosspiece (18) connected to said translating arms and constrained to said terminal portion of the tarpaulin (2) to connect said terminal portion of the tarpaulin (2) to said pair of extendable members (6). 31.C1239.12.IT.1 Eng. Gian Matteo Locatelli (Registered no. 1889B) 10. Covering apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, comprising a return spring, preferably a torsional spring (19), active between said extendable member (6) and said last arch (402) to move said rotating arm (7) from said operating configuration to said inactive configuration.

11. Covering apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, comprising a return spring (20) active between said translating arm (8) and said rotating arm (7) to move said translating arm (8) from said extracted position to said retracted position.

12. Covering apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, comprising movement means configured to reversibly move the aforementioned succession of arches (4) along the casing (C), said movement means comprising: - a towing pulley and an idler pulley mounted respectively in proximity to said front end (C1) and said rear end (C2) of the casing (C) or said end-of-travel position, said towing pulley being a motorised pulley; - a towing rope operatively associated with said towing pulley and said idler pulley, said towing rope being constrained to said last arch (402) of said succession of arches (4) at a constraint portion to reversibly slide said succession of arches (4) along said casing (C).