Safety arrangement in a covered cargo space of a vehicle and a protective cover of a cargo space

Abstract

The object of the invention is a safety arrangement in a covered cargo space (1) of a vehicle, comprising at least a floor, walls and a roof covered with a protective cover (8). Below the protective cover (8) there is an airtight strip of material (11) fastened, to the protective cover (8) by at least one airtight seam (11a), which material strip, together with the protective cover (8), forms an air space (11b) fillable with air for raising raise the longitudinal center point of the roof to higher than the edges of the roof.

Description

[0001] SAFETY ARRANGEMENT IN A COVERED CARGO SPACE OF A VEHICLE AND

[0002] A PROTECTIVE COVER OF A CARGO SPACE

[0003] The object of the invention is the object of the invention is a safety arrangement in a covered cargo space of a vehicle as defined in the preamble to claim 1 and a protective cover of a cargo space as defined in the preamble to claim 7 .

[0004] The safety arrangement according to the invention is suitable for use in the cargo space of trucks as well as of trailers and semi-trailers where the cargo space is covered with a protective cover . Such cargo spaces may comprise e . g . a floor and solid walls, as well as support members transverse to the longitudinal direction of the cargo space, i . e . cross members that are disposed at regular intervals at the top edge of the walls . The roof is a protective cover that is tightened over the upper edges of the walls . In the following, the term "truck" also refers to the aforementioned combinations wherein the tractor unit is coupled to a semi- trailer, trailer or some other cargo space suited to the purpose . Correspondingly, the term "trailer" may refer to a semi-trailer, a trailer or some other cargo space suited to the purpose, e . g . a railway wagon covered with a protective cover .

[0005] Instead of solid walls, the walls can also be framework structures, in which case the protective cover is adapted as a roof structure both on top of the framework structure of the walls and on top of the cross members located at the top edge of the walls .

[0006] A problem associated with the use of a protective cover is that the support members of the top part of the cargo space are so far apart from each other that a protective cover placed on top of them will sink into dips between the support members, e . g . due to the weight of rainwater, in which dips a very large amount of water can accumulate . As the truck moves, this water can fly off the roof and cause damage .

[0007] Of even greater danger is when the water in the dips of the protective cover is frozen . Even though instructions on how to remove ice are available, this can sometimes be forgotten if e . g . there is a rush to leave or something else that interferes with normal routines . This kind of ice falling from a moving vehicle into traffic poses a very great danger, e . g . to the vehicles behind and otherwise to objects near the truck .

[0008] The solutions known in the art endeavor to eliminate the problem caused by rainwater, snow and ice, such as for example the solution according to Finnish patent no . FI

[0009] 108286 B . In that solution, the roof of the cargo space has longitudinal supports , some of which have round-headed ridges resembling crankshaft bends, and which supports are mounted on bearings to be rotated around their longitudinal axis in such a way that the ridges raise the protective cover higher at the point of the ridges, in which case the water drains away from the protective cover . One problem, among others, in this solution is the complexity and inconvenience of use . According to the publication, the ridges can be turned into different operating positions , e . g . by pushing them from below with a plank or some other long object . The publication also mentions rope-driven or chain-driven operating possibilities . Another problem is the operational wear of the friction bearings mentioned in the publication, in which case the ridges no longer necessarily stay in their upper position .

[0010] German utility model no . DE 202006015345 U1 discloses one solution to the aforementioned problem. It has a tube, inflatable with air, that is fastened to the protective cover by means of a velcro fastening and that has a longitudinal support tube for the cargo space under the air tube, to which the air tube is fastened by means of buckled fastening straps . The support tube is also fastened to the transverse members located at the top part of the cargo space . A problem here is the complex structure and the fact that the protective cover is slow and awkward to secure into position, as well as slow and awkward to open and / or remove, as it then requires the removal of all the fastening straps or of the longitudinal support member . The air tube is not a fixed part of the protective cover integrated into the protective cover, but a detachable component that may not necessarily always be taken along and may e . g . be lost .

[0011] Known in the art is a solution according to EP publication

[0012] No . EP2409869A2 , wherein there is a separate bellows arrangement inside a longitudinal envelope fastened to the underside of the protective cover, which arrangement can be filled with compressed air to raise the longitudinal center line of the protective cover upwards . The envelope on the underside of the protective cover is open at least at one end, so that the envelope as such cannot be used for the same purpose as in the solution according to the present invention . In addition, there is the problem of the additional material necessitated by the bellows arrangement , which causes additional costs and extra weight , and also makes it difficult to handle the protective cover . The aim of the present invention is to eliminate the aforementioned drawbacks and to achieve an inexpensive, operationally reliable and easy-to-use safety arrangement in a covered cargo space of a vehicle, in which safety arrangement a ridge rising higher than the side edges of the cargo space and a sloped surface descending downwards from said ridge towards the side edges can easily and quickly be formed in the protective cover covering a cargo space . A further aim is to provide a safety arrangement that is always taken along and that can quickly be made operational . Another aim is to provide an inexpensive protective cover that can be used to cover many different types of cargo spaces .

[0013] The safety arrangement according to the invention is characteri zed by what is disclosed in the characterization part of claim 1 , and the protective cover according to the invention is characterized by what is disclosed in the characterization part of claim 7 . Other embodiments of the invention are characterized by what is disclosed in the other claims .

[0014] In order to achieve its purpose the solution according to the invention comprises a safety arrangement in a covered cargo space of a vehicle, comprising at least a floor, side walls and cross members connecting the side walls, the safety arrangement comprising a roof of the cargo space formed by a protective cover, a strip of material longitudinal to the protective cover and narrower than the protective cover fastened to the surface of the protective cover, as well as an air space adapted to raise the protective cover at the point of the air space with compressed air, which strip of material and air space are disposed between the protective cover and the cross members . Preferably, the material strip is airtight and adapted to form an airtight, elongated, pressurized air space fillable with compressed air on the underside of the protective cover by means of airtight seams in order to raise the protective cover higher than the upper edges of the side walls of the cargo space at the point of the air space .

[0015] The object of the invention is also a protective cover for covering the cargo space of a vehicle, which protective cover is made from an airtight material , and to the surface of which protective cover is fastened in the longitudinal direction of the protective cover a strip of material that is narrower than the protective cover . Preferably, the material strip is airtight and adapted to form an airtight, elongated, pressurized air space, closed at both ends and fillable with compressed air, on the surface of the protective cover by means of airtight seams .

[0016] One of the major advantages of the solution according to the invention is the prevention of traffic accidents caused by falling water and ice . Another advantage is that since the air tube used in the invention is integrated into the protective cover, the safety arrangement is inexpensive and easy to implement every time a new protective cover is procured, and does not require modification of the existing cargo space . From this also follows the advantage that when installed permanently on a protective cover, the air space of the safety arrangement is always available and always taken along . Another advantage is also that an arrangement wherein the fastening seams of the material strip are at a distance from each other and the protective cover contributes to the wall of the air space, saves material and at the same time the air space folds more easily between the protective cover and the cross members when empty .

[0017] In the following, the invention will be described in greater detail by the aid of some embodiments and by referring to the simplified and diagrammatic drawings attached, wherein

[0018] Fig . 1 presents a side view, shortened at is trailer section, of one truck with its cargo space, in which the safety arrangement and protective cover according to the invention can be used,

[0019] Fig . 2 presents a partially cross-sectioned view of the top part of the cargo space as seen from the rear of the cargo space and from the front of one cross member in a situation in which the protective cover is in its lower position,

[0020] Fig . 3 presents a partially cross-sectioned view of the top part of the cargo space as seen from the rear of the cargo space and from the front of one cross member in a situation in which the protective cover is in its upper position,

[0021] Fig . 4 presents a magnified view of the situation according to Fig . 2 at the center of the top part of the cargo space and, for the sake of clarity, with the cross member detached from the underside of the protective cover,

[0022] Fig . 5 presents a magnified view of the situation according to Fig . 3 at the center of the top part of the cargo space in the solution according to a second embodiment, and

[0023] Fig . 6 presents a part of the roof of the cargo space as viewed from inside the cargo space, wherein the protective cover comprises one safety arrangement according to a third embodiment . Fig . 1 presents a side view of one articulated vehicle in which a safety arrangement according to the invention can be used. The articulated vehicle comprises a tractor unit 2 , to which is coupled a semi-trailer 2a having a covered cargo space 1 .

[0024] The safety arrangement according to the invention comprises an activation mechanism 3 preferably comprising a coupling means 4 provided with a connector, a pressure chamber 5, a valve arrangement 6 and a compressed air supply channel 7 for the essentially enclosed air space lib inside the cargo space 1, the height of which air space can be changed by compressed air . The air space lib is presented in more detail hereinafter .

[0025] The coupling means 4, which is preferably a pressure hose provided with e . g . a connector suited to the purpose, is connectable at its first end to the brake pressure system of the tractor unit or to another pneumatic system on the tractor unit or on the trailer . At its second end the coupling means 4 is preferably connected to the pressure chamber 5, which can be fastened to e . g . the front wall of the cargo space 1 . The pressure chamber 5 is connected via the valve arrangement 6 to the supply channel 7 that is further connected, by means of a connector suited to the purpose or directly, to the air space lib inside the cargo space 1 . The pressure chamber 5 can be an essentially compact vessel adapted to maintain sufficient pressure in the air space lib when the cargo space 1 is out of service, e . g . when it is parked. Without a pressure chamber 5, the pressure in the air space lib may decrease if e . g . there is a leak in the braking circuits of the tractor unit 2 or of the trailer 2a .

[0026] In such a case, the height of the air space lib raised by air pressure could be reduced. In the solution according to the invention, the purpose of the pressure chamber 5 is to lock the pressure inside the air space lib in such a way that if the braking circuit leaks the pressure of the air space lib does not decrease . The valve arrangement 6 is preferably such that via it compressed air can be conducted along the supply channel 7 to the air space lib when the air space is pressurized, and also along the same supply channel 7 away from air space lib when the air space is emptied, e . g . during transportation . One advanatgeous valve arrangement 6 for this purpose is a three-way valve . The safety arrangement can also have a separate discharge valve for emptying the air space lib .

[0027] Raising of the protective cover 8 may not be used when driving, so during a drive the air space lib must always be emptied.

[0028] Figs . 2 and 3 present the top end of the cargo space 1 as viewed from the rear and with the cargo space 1 cross- sectioned. The cargo space 1 comprises a floor, side wall structures forming side walls and a plurality of cross members 10 connecting the side walls, which cross members are at a horizontal distance from each other and extend from the first side wall of the cargo space 1 to the second side wall . Some of the cross members 10 are more visible in Fig . 6. The purpose of the cross members 10 is to keep the side walls firmly in their position and to support a protective cover 8 fitted onto the top edges of the side walls, the protective cover forming the roof of the cargo space 1 . Instead of solid side walls, the side walls can also comprise a framework that is also covered with a protective cover from the sides of the cargo space 1 . In the solutions according to Figs . 2 and 3 the side walls comprise a framework-like side wall structure having vertical members

[0029] 9, horizontal members 9a and preferably also diagonal members .

[0030] The side walls may also comprise a combination of a solid wall part and a framework-like wall part , in which case the lower part is solid and the upper part is framework-like .

[0031] Used in the safety arrangement according to the invention is a protective cover 8 , to the underside of which a material strip 11 is fastened in an airtight manner, which material strip is preferably in the center of the cargo space 1 in the width direction of the cargo space 1 and the length of which material strip is essentially equal to the length of the covered section of the cargo space 1 . The material strip

[0032] 11 forming the air space lib may also be suitably shorter than the length of the covered section of the cargo space 1 .

[0033] In this case, however, the length of the air space lib is dimensioned so that pressurized air space 11b raises the protective cover at the ends of the cargo space in such a way that water can also drain away from the ends of the cargo space 1 .

[0034] Preferably the protective cover 8 is placed on top of the cargo space 1 in such a way that the air space lib is in the longitudinal direction of the cargo space 1 and is located in the center of the cargo space 1 in the width direction of the cargo space 1 . Preferably the air space 11b is also shorter or at most as long as the cargo space 1 .

[0035] In the situation according to Fig . 2 , the air space lib has been emptied, in which case the air space lib is flat between the underside of the protective cover 8 and the transverse support members 10 , on top of the support members 10 , and the protective cover 8 is in its lower position . In the situation presented by Fig . 3 the air space lib has been pressurized, e . g . with compressed air from the braking system of a truck, in which case the protective cover 8 is in its upper position and the air space lib, rounded by compressed air, is pressed between the protective cover 8 and the upper surface of the cross members 10 , whereby a ridge sloping downwards towards the edges of cargo space 1 forms on the center line of the cargo space 1, the ridge draining the water on the roof of cargo space 1 away from and off the protective cover 8 .

[0036] Fig . 4 presents a magnified view of the situation according to Fig . 2 at the center of the top part of the cargo space

[0037] 1, at the point of one cross member 10 and, for the sake of clarity, with the cross member 10 detached from the protective cover 8 and the bottom surface of the air space lib . In reality, the air space lib and the protective cover

[0038] 8 rest upon the cross member when the air space lib is emptied of air pressure . In the arrangement according to the invention the material strip 11 forming the air space lib is fastened in an airtight manner to the surface of the protective cover 8 , suitably precisely to the bottom surface . The fastening is done e . g . by heat sealing, glueing or in some other suitable manner with which the protective cover material can be reliably fastened.

[0039] Preferably the material strip 11 is the same material as the material of the protective cover 8 . The airtight longitudinal fastening seams 11a can be at a distance from each other, as in the structure according to Fig . 4 , but they can just as well be attached to each other and even one on top of the other . In such a case there may be only one longitudinal seam 11a .

[0040] Preferably both ends of the material strip 11 are also closed with airtight seams . In this case the material strip 11, together with the protective cover 8 , forms an airtight air space lib that is connected, by means of a connector suited to the purpose or directly, to the supply channel 7 for compressed air .

[0041] Fig . 5 presents a magnified view of the situation according to Fig . 3 at the center of the top part of the cargo space

[0042] 1 in the solution according to one second embodiment . This solution differs from the solution according to Fig . 3 only in that the solution comprises a plurality of control means

[0043] 12 and 13, through which is threaded a tightening means 14 , such as an elastic rope .

[0044] The control means 12 , 13 are preferably e . g . ring-shaped means, such as grommets . The inner control means 12 are fastened to the outer surface of the air space lib and the outer control means 13 are fastened to the underside of the protective cover 8 . Preferably the control means 12 and 13 are fastened in such a way that they form a pair close to each other when the air space lib is emptied of air pressure and the air space lib rests as widely as possible on the cross members 10 .

[0045] The tightening means 14 is guided to pass under the cross members 10 through two consecutive control means 12 fastened to the air space lib . Preferably in this case, the first control means 12 is on the first side of the air space lib in the width direction of the cargo space 1 and the second control means 12 is on the other side of the air space lib .

[0046] The tightening means 14 is adapted to keep the protective cover 8 and the air space lib suitably tight on top of the cross members 10 so that the protective cover 8 cannot beat against the cross members 10 and the upper edges of the cargo space 1 during transportation . A beating motion quickly wears out the protective cover 8 . The flexing force of the tightening means 14 is dimensioned so that the compressed air can lift the center point of the protective cover 8 high enough to prevent water from collecting .

[0047] Figure 6 shows a part of the roof of the cargo space 1 as viewed looking upwards from the inside of the cargo space 1 , wherein the protective cover 8 comprises a safety arrangement according to a third embodiment of the invention . This arrangement is otherwise similar to the arrangement according to Fig . 5, but the difference now is that the arrangement does not have ring-shaped control means 13 fastened to the underside of the protective cover 8 . The arrangement now comprises only control means 12 fastened to the outer surface of air space l ib, which control means are positioned essentially at the same points as in the solution shown in Figure 4 . In this case, when viewed from below, two cross members 10 remain between two consecutive control means

[0048] 12 , the control means being on different sides of the air space lib to each other, below which cross members the tightening means 14 threaded through the control means 12 is guided to pass .

[0049] The longitudinal distance of the cargo space 1 between two consecutive control means 12 , 13 may also extend over only one cross member 10 or over more than two cross members e . g . over three or four cross members 10 .

[0050] The solution according to the invention may comprise a number of different structures and details, but common to most of them is that below the protective cover 8 there is an airtight strip of material 11 fastened to the protective cover 8 with one or more airtight seams, which material strip, together with the protective cover 8 , forms an airtight air space lib, fillable with compressed air, for raising the protective cover 8 on the longitudinal center line of the cargo space 1 or higher than the edges of the cargo space 1 on at least one longitudinal line, and at the same time for forming, in the cross-section of the cargo space 1 , a surface descending towards the side edges of the cargo space 1 . Water drains easily away from the upper surface of the protective cover 8 inclined in this way, and does not pose a safety risk in traffic .

[0051] Preferably the air space l ib is dimensioned in such a way that when the air space lib is pressurized, the air space lib lifts the protective cover 8 off the cross member 10 on the longitudinal center line of the cargo space 1 so high that, in cross-section, the angle of inclination between the highest point of the protective cover 8 and the upper edge of the side wall of the cargo space is between 3-20 ° , preferably between 10-15 ° .

[0052] It is obvious to the person skilled in the art that different embodiments of the invention are not limited to the examples described above, but that they may be varied within the scope of the claims presented below . Thus, for example, the flexible tightening means can be a belt-like means and the ring-shaped control means can be some other shape than ringlike, e . g . elliptical or rectangular and rounded at the corners .

[0053] It is obvious to the person skilled in the art that instead of the braking system of a truck some other compressed air arrangement in the truck can also be used for f illing the air space, if one exists in the truck . In such a case e . g . a separate compressor or pneumatic circuit may be used.

[0054] It is also obvious to the person skilled in the art that instead of compressed air any suitable pressurized gas whatsoever can also be used.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A safety arrangement in a covered cargo space (1) of a vehicle comprising at least a floor, side walls and cross members (10) connecting the side walls, the safety arrangement comprising a roof of the cargo space formed by a protective cover (8) , and a material strip (ID longitudinal to the protective cover and narrower than the protective cover fastened to the surface of the protective cover, as well as an air space (lib) adapted to raise the protective cover (8) at the point of the air space with compressed air, which material strip (11) and air space (lib) are disposed between the protective cover (8) and the cross members (10) , characterized in that the material strip (11) is airtight and adapted to form an airtight, elongated, pressurized air space (lib) fillable with compressed air on the surface of the protective cover (8) by means of airtight seams in order to raise the protective cover (8) higher than the upper edges of the side walls of the cargo space (1) at the point of the air space (lib) .

2. Safety arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the material strip (11) is fastened in an airtight manner to the underside of the protective cover (8) at both its ends as well as in its longitudinal direction with at least two parallel longitudinal seams (Ha) that are at a distance from each other in such a way that the protective cover (8) forms a part of the air space (lib) .

3. Safety arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the material strip (11) is of the same material as the protective cover (8) .

4. Safety arrangement according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the air space (lib) is dimensioned in such a way that when the air space (lib) is pressurized, the air space (lib) raises the protective cover (8) off the cross member (10) on the longitudinal center line of the cargo space (1) so high that, in cross-section, the angle of inclination between the highest point of the protective cover(8) and the upper edge of the side wall of the cargo space is between 3-20°, preferably between 10-15°.

5. Safety arrangement according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that arrangement comprises an activation mechanism (3) comprising the braking system, or a coupling means (4) connectable to some other pneumatic system, of a tractor unit (2) and / or of a trailer (2a) , a pressure chamber (5) , a valve arrangement (6) and a compressed air supply channel (7) for filling the air space(lib) inside the cargo space (1) with compressed air and for emptying the air space (lib) .

6. Safety arrangement according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the arrangement comprises a plurality of control means (12, 13) and an elastic tightening means (14) that is guided to pass via the control means (12,13) below one or more cross members (10) and to tighten the protective cover (8) as well as the material strip (ID against the cross members (10) of the cargo space (1) .

7. Protective cover for covering the cargo space (1) of a vehicle, which protective cover (8) is made from an airtight material, and to the surface of which protective cover is fastened in the longitudinal direction of the protective cover a strip of material (ID that is narrower than theprotective cover, characterized in that the material strip(11) is airtight and adapted to form an airtight, elongated, pressurized air space (lib) , closed at its ends and fillable with compressed air, on the surface of the protective cover(8) by means of airtight seams.

8. Protective cover according to claim 7, characterized in that the material strip (11) is fastened in an airtight manner to the surface of the protective cover (8) at both ends as well as in its longitudinal direction with at least two parallel longitudinal seams (11a) that are at a distance from each other in such a way that the protective cover (8) forms a part of the air space (lib) .

9. Protective cover according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the material strip (11) is of the same material as the protective cover (8) and is shorter in its longitudinal direction than the protective cover (8) .

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