AU2016202871A1

AU2016202871A1 - A curtain roller assembly suitable for use on a freight vehicle

Info

Publication number: AU2016202871A1
Application number: AU2016202871A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Daniel David Mcnaulty
Original assignee: Australian Trailer Solutions Group Property Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Freighter Group Property Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2016-05-04
Filing date: 2016-05-04
Publication date: 2017-11-23
Anticipated expiration: 2036-05-04
Also published as: AU2016202871B2

Abstract

A curtain roller 10 assembly suitable for use on a freight vehicle. The assembly 10 includes a pair of rollers 12, 14 rotatably mounted about a roller shaft 16. A support 5 plate 18 is provided for, in use, mounting to a vehicle curtain assembly, such that the curtain assembly can be suspended from the support plate 18. An annular support plate seat 24 is provided about the roller shaft 16 in a position between the rollers 12, 14. The support plate 18 includes a receiving aperture 30. The roller shaft 16 and seat 24 extend through the receiving aperture 30, such that the support plate 18 is 10 mounted to the roller shaft 16 about the seat 24. A clearance fit is provided between the support plate 18 and the seat 24 so as to allow for relative movement between the support plate 18 and the seat 24. The support plate 18 includes a hardened contact surface 38 for contact with a hardened contact surface of the seat 32. <filename> . , . . I'll I : ,:. ',- , ... I . . . I . 11 .. . .. 111- 1 1111, 1'11 1 z,-, , I . ".. ,-, I'll , I'll - -, "I I . .,.. : I ..., : 11 ... I I .. . I .. 1. , I i .:. .:..:.:.:.: :'. " - .1 11, ,,, . * I I . . . I . .. I " , . I . I . . I . I I , I . . . . , I I I . . . . I . I , .. . I 1 . . .. I .. . .. , I.. .. , . .I , -111.1 . .1 .. .- . - * **" *** ** '**** **** ** .::: - :.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.: .:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.,.,.,,.*.*.*.,.,.*.,.*.*.,., *,.*.*. *. -- : " .-

Description

A CURTAIN ROLLER ASSEMBLY SUITABLE FOR USE ON A FREIGHT VEHICLE Introduction [0001] This present invention relates to a curtain roller assembly suitable for use on a curtain sided vehicle, such as a truck or truck trailer or a curtain sided shipping container or a rail car, and will hereinafter be described generally in this context. The invention also pertains to a curtain incorporating the assembly, and to a vehicle incorporating a curtain with the assembly.

[0002] It is to be further appreciated that the assembly may also be utilised in other applications.

Background of Invention [0003] Curtain sided vehicles are widely used in the transport industry, because they generally provide a convenient way of loading and unloading freight into the vehicle. Typically, such vehicles include curtains along both sides of the vehicle, such that freight can be loaded and unloaded from either side of the vehicle once the curtain has been opened. In some cases, such as a shipping container, the curtain might be on one side only. The curtains may be moved between a fully open position(s), so as to allow access to the freight receiving space, and a fully closed position, wherein the curtain completely covers the opening, thereby preventing access to the freight space.

[0004] Each curtain is typically associated with a plurality of roller assemblies that are supported by and moveable along a roller track (or roller guide) mounted to the vehicle above the freight access opening. The roller assemblies are secured in a spaced array to (or proximate to) the top edge region of the curtain, such that the curtain is suspended in a hanging arrangement from the roller track by the roller assemblies. The provision of the curtain roller assemblies and their interaction with the track or guide allows for the opening and closing of the curtain.

[0005] A suitable arrangement between the vehicle and the lower end of the curtain is typically also provided so that the curtain may be tensioned in the vertical direction prior to transport. A suitable arrangement is typically also provided to tension the curtain in the horizontal direction prior to transport.

[0006] The applicant considers that current curtain roller assembly designs can be potentially improved to address deficiencies they have identified. In this regard, they note that existing roller track assemblies tend to cause wear of the associated roller track during use. This wear is, at least in part, attributable to aerodynamic effects whereby the curtain is caused to flutter or vibrate when the vehicle is in motion. This flutter or vibration is transmitted to the contact points between the roller assemblies and the roller track causing wear of the parts, especially the roller track (which is usually manufactured from aluminium). This wear is exacerbated by the often very long hours that freight vehicles spend on the road, and the poor road surfaces often encountered. Eventually, this leads to the roller track requiring replacement, which is undesirable to the vehicle operator because of the associated cost and vehicle downtime.

[0007] It would be desirable to provide a curtain roller assembly that at least partially addresses the above stated deficiency of existing roller assemblies.

Summary of Invention [0008] According to a broad aspect of the present invention there is provided a curtain roller assembly suitable for use on a freight vehicle. The assembly includes a pair of rollers rotatably mounted about a roller shaft. The assembly also includes a support plate (or bracket) for, in use, mounting to a vehicle curtain assembly, such that the curtain assembly can be suspended from the support plate. An annular support plate seat is provided about the roller shaft in a position between the rollers. The support plate includes a receiving aperture, with the roller shaft and seat extending through the receiving aperture, such that the support plate is mounted to the roller shaft about the seat. A clearance fit is provided between the support plate and the seat so as to allow for relative movement between the support plate and the seat.

[0009] The support plate is preferably provided with a hardened contact surface for contact with a hardened contact surface of the seat.

[0010] The provision of a specifically designed clearance fit between the support plate and seat is desirable because it provides an at least small degree of relative movement between the support plate and the seat. This, in turn, has been found by the applicant to reduce the rate of wear of the various components. In particular, it has been found to reduce the rate of wear of the associated roller track at the contact points of the rollers with the curtain in the closed position. This type of wear is known to be associated with conventional roller assemblies due to, for example, curtain vibration or flutter as the vehicle travels along a road. The present invention therefore provides a potentially considerable advantage over existing arrangements, given its design potentially results in a reduced wear rate of the associated roller track. The applicant has determined that the reduced wear rate is due to their design enabling each roller to sit firmly on the roller track without (or at least with significantly reduced) oscillation.

[0011 ] The hardened contact surfaces provide the advantage of reducing the wear rate of the assembly. The provision of hardened contact surfaces is considered by the applicant to be unique to the invention.

[0012] In one embodiment, the hardened contact surface of the seat includes an at least substantially cylindrical, radially outwardly facing surface. In alternative embodiments, this surface may be provided with a different profile such as, for example, a concave or convex annular profile.

[0013] In some embodiments, the hardened contact surface of the support plate includes an at least substantially cylindrical, radially inwardly facing surface. It is envisaged, however, that this surface may have a different profile. For example, it may have a convex or concave profile.

[0014] A clearance fit between the support plate and the seat has previously been referred to. In one form, a clearance of approximately 1 mm may be provided between the hardened contact surface of the support plate and the hardened contact surface of the seat. However, it is to be appreciated that the invention contemplates a larger or smaller clearance between these surfaces in some embodiments.

[0015] In some embodiments, the seat includes at least substantially radially extending first and second sidewall surfaces, with the support plate received between the first and second sidewall surfaces. The distance between the first and second sidewall surfaces may be approximately 1 mm greater than the thickness of the support plate in the region between the first and second sidewall surfaces. However, this relative difference may be larger or smaller than 1 mm in some embodiments.

[0016] It is envisaged that the first and second sidewall surfaces may be hardened contact surfaces. Likewise, it is envisaged that the surfaces of the support plate between the first and second sidewall surfaces may be hardened contact surfaces.

[0017] So far, the curtain roller assembly has been generally described in the context of having a single pair of rollers. However, more typically, the invention contemplates a curtain roller assembly also including a second pair of rollers. In this regard, the curtain roller assembly generally described above may include a second pair of rollers rotatably mounted about a second roller shaft. A second annular support plate seat may be provided about the second roller shaft in a position between the second pair of rollers, with the support plate having a second receiving aperture. In such an arrangement, the second roller shaft and second seat extends through the second receiving aperture, such that the support plate is mounted to the second roller shaft about the second seat. A clearance fit is provided between the support plate and the second seat, so as to allow for relative movement between the support plate and the second seat. The support plate includes a second hardened contact surface for contact with a second hardened contact surface of the second seat. A second pair of rollers is referred to above, although it is to be appreciated that the roller assembly may also include a third (or more) pairs of rollers. The provision of two (or more) pairs of rollers specifically designed to provide relative movement between the support plate and the various seats is considered by the applicant to be unique to their invention.

[0018] So far, the invention has been described in the context of a curtain roller assembly. It is to be appreciated, however, that the invention also pertains to a curtain for a curtain-sided vehicle including one or more curtain roller assemblies of the type described above.

[0019] Further, the invention also pertains to a vehicle incorporating one or more curtain roller assemblies of the type generally described above.

Brief Description of Drawings [0020] It will be convenient to hereinafter describe a preferred embodiment of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. The particularity of the drawings is to be understood as not limiting the preceding broad description of the invention.

[0021] Figure 1 is an upper perspective view of a curtain roller assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 2 is a side view of the curtain roller assembly shown in Figure 1.

[0023] Figure 3 is a magnified sectional side view of a portion of the curtain roller assembly shown in Figure 1.

Detailed Description [0024] Referring to the drawings, there is shown a curtain roller assembly 10 suitable for use on a freight vehicle (not shown).

[0025] In use, the roller assembly 10 is supported by a roller track (not shown) mounted to the vehicle. The roller track would be typically mounted along or proximate an upper edge region of an open side (or open end) of the vehicle, with the roller assembly moveable along the roller track to facilitate opening and closing of the associated curtain.

[0026] The assembly 10 includes a first pairs of rollers 12, 14 rotatably mounted about a roller shaft (or pin) 16. The rollers 12, 14 are provided with a suitable bearing arrangement. The rollers 12, 14 are in contact with the roller track, and roll along the roller track when opening and closing the curtain.

[0027] The assembly 10 also includes a support plate (or bracket) 18 for, in use, mounting to a vehicle curtain assembly (not shown), such that the curtain assembly is suspended from the support plate 18. In Figure 1 it can be seen that the support plate 18 includes circular mounting apertures 20, 22, which are used to mount the support plate 18 to the curtain assembly. The curtain assembly may include not only the curtain material, but also reinforcement ribs, strapping, tightening buckles, securing hooks and the like features typically provided on vehicle curtains.

[0028] It is to be appreciated that only one assembly 10 is shown, although a typical vehicle curtain assembly (such as a side wall curtain assembly) would be associated with a plurality of assemblies 10 mounted to or proximate an upper edge region of the curtain assembly in a spaced arrangement.

[0029] An annular support plate seat 24 is provided about the roller shaft 16 in a position between the rollers 12, 14. The seat 24 is provided in two annular pieces 26, 28, so as to facilitate ease of the assembly process of assembly 10. The seat is press fitted onto the shaft 16, whereas the support plate 18 is moveable relative to the seat 24, by virtue of a clearance fit provided between the plate 18 and seat 24.

[0030] The support plate 18 includes a circular receiving aperture 30. The roller shaft 16 and seat 24 extend through the receiving aperture 30, such that the support plate 18 is mounted to the roller shaft 16 about the seat 24.

[0031] It can be seen in Figure 3 that seat 24 has a cylindrical, radially outwardly facing base surface 32 and a pair of radially upstanding sidewall surfaces 34, 36. The base surface 32 is hardened, as is the inwardly facing cylindrical surface 38 of the support plate 18. The provision of hardened surfaces 32 and 38 is desirable, because it reduces the frictional wear rate of the seat 24 and support plate 18 due to these two components moving relative to (and contacting) one another. The provision of these hardened surfaces is considered unique in the context of existing curtain roller assemblies.

[0032] It is also within the realm of the invention that the sidewall surfaces 34, 36 of the seat 24 may be hardened; along with the support plate surface portions 40, 42. Indeed, these surfaces are hardened in the illustrated embodiment. The provision of hardened surfaces 34, 36 and hardened surface portions 40, 42 also reduces the rate of frictional wear caused by movement between the seat 24 and the support plate 18. The provision of hardened surfaces 34, 36, 40, 42 is also considered to be unique to the present invention.

[0033] Referring to Figure 3, a clearance X of approximately 1 mm is provided between the base surface 32 of the seat 24 and the surface 38 of the support plate 18. This (specifically designed) relatively small clearance is considered unique when compared to existing arrangements, which generally provide no clearance at all. Further, the distance X2 between the first and second sidewall surfaces 34, 36 is also approximately 1 mm greater than the thickness X3 of the support plate 18 between the first and second sidewall surfaces 34, 36. The applicant has determined that the clearances X and (X3 - X2) provide a number of significant advantages over existing arrangements. The relatively small freedom of movement between the seat 24 and the support plate 18 provides an assembly 10 that retains each of the assembly rollers in substantially constant contact with the associated roller track. This, in turn, desirably reduces the vibrational wear rate between the assembly 10 and the roller track that occurs while the vehicle is moving because of the aerodynamic effect on the curtain.

[0034] While the illustrated embodiment shows a clearance X of approximately 1 mm, this clearance may be increased or decreased as required. Similarly the difference between X2 and X3 is approximately 1 mm, although may be larger or smaller in some embodiments.

[0035] It is acknowledged that in Figure 3 the distance X looks different to the difference between X2 and X3, although this is not intended to be so.

[0036] So far, the curtain roller assembly 10 has been generally described in the context of having a single pair of rollers 12, 14. However, it is to be understood (and can clearly be seen in Figure 1) that the assembly 10 includes a second pair of rollers 44, 46. The rollers 44, 46 are rotatably mounted about a second roller shaft (or pin) 48 via a suitable bearing arrangement. The rollers 44, 46 are rotatably mounted to the support plate 18 in an arrangement that is substantially identical to that of rollers 12, 14. In this regard, the support plate 18 includes a second annular support plate seat (not shown) provided about the second roller shaft 48 in position between the second pair of rollers 44, 46. The support plate 18 is provided with a second receiving aperture (not shown), through which the second roller shaft 48 and second seat extend. A clearance fit is provided between the support plate 18 and the second seat, so as to allow for relative movement between the support plate 18 and the second seat.

[0037] Thus, it is to be appreciated that the present invention, in essence, provides a curtain roller assembly having (in at least one embodiment) two or more pairs of rollers that have been specifically designed to provide rotational movement about the longitudinal axis of the track in which the assembly is designed to travel, relative to the roller carriage. This, advantageously, has been found to reduce the rate of track wear from roller contact with the track.

[0038] The support plate includes a second hardened contact surface for contact with a second hardened contact surface of the second seat. These hardened surfaces are substantially identical to those (32, 34, 36 38, 40, 42) shown in Figure 3, that exist between the support plate 18 and the seat 24.

[0037] It is to be understood that various alterations, modifications and/or additions may be introduced into the construction and arrangement of the parts previously described without departing from the spirit or ambit of this invention.

Claims

The Claims Defining The Invention Are As Follows: 1 A curtain roller assembly suitable for use on a freight vehicle, the assembly including: a pair of rollers rotatably mounted about a roller shaft; a support plate for, in use, mounting to a vehicle curtain assembly, such that the curtain assembly can be suspended from the support plate; an annular support plate seat provided about the roller shaft in a position between the rollers; the support plate including a receiving aperture; the roller shaft and seat extending through the receiving aperture, such that the support plate is mounted to the roller shaft about the seat; and a clearance fit provided between the support plate and the seat so as to allow for relative movement between the support plate and the seat.
2. A curtain roller assembly according to claim 1, wherein the support plate includes a hardened contact surface for contact with a hardened contact surface of the seat.
3. A curtain roller assembly according to claim 2, wherein the hardened contact surface of the seat includes an at least substantially cylindrical, radially outwardly facing, hardened contact surface.
4. A curtain roller assembly according to claim 2 or 3, where the hardened contact surface of the support plate includes an at least substantially cylindrical, radially inwardly facing, hardened contact surface.
5. A curtain roller assembly according to any one claims 2 to 4, wherein a clearance of approximately 1 mm is provided between the hardened contact surface of the support plate and the hardened contact surface of the seat.
6. A curtain roller assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the seat includes at least substantially radially extending first and second sidewall surfaces, with the support plate received between the first and second sidewall surfaces. <filename>
7. A curtain roller assembly according to claim 6, wherein the distance between the first and second sidewall surfaces is approximately 1 mm greater than the thickness of the support plate between the first and second sidewall surfaces.
8. A curtain roller assembly according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the first and second sidewall surfaces are hardened contact surfaces.
9. A curtain roller assembly according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the surfaces of the support plate between the first and second sidewall surfaces are hardened contact surfaces.
10. A curtain roller assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, including: a second pair of rollers rotatably mounted about a second roller shaft; a second annular support plate seat provided about the second roller shaft in a position between the second pair of rollers, the support plate having a second receiving aperture, the second roller shaft and second seat extending through the second receiving aperture, such that the support plate is mounted to the second roller shaft about the second seat; a clearance fit provided between the support plate and the second seat so as to allow for relative movement between the support plate and the second seat; and the support plate provided with a second hardened contact surface for contact with a second hardened contact surface of the second seat.
11. A curtain roller assembly according to claim 10, wherein, in use, the curtain roller assembly is moveably retained within a roller track mounted to the vehicle.
12. A curtain roller assembly according to claim 11, wherein the roller track is mounted along or proximate an upper edge region of a side or end of the vehicle.
13. A curtain for use on a curtain sided vehicle, including a curtain roller assembly according to any one of the preceding claims. <filename>
14. A curtain according to claim 13, including a plurality of curtain roller assemblies according to any one of claims 1 to 12.
15. A vehicle including a curtain roller assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 12.
16. A vehicle including a plurality of curtain roller assemblies according to any one of claims 1 to 12. «filename»