DE20004777U1 - Side tarpaulin tensioners as well as commercial vehicles with a tarpaulin structure equipped with such side tarpaulin tensioners - Google Patents

Description

Tarpaulin structure equipped with such Side tarpaulin tensioners

The invention relates to a side tarpaulin tensioner, such as is used for tensioning tarpaulins of a commercial vehicle body. In particular, the invention relates to a side tarpaulin tensioner with a tensioning lever-hook module consisting of a tensioning lever designed as a single-armed lever, pivotably connected about a pivot axis, and a hook for engaging behind a stationary element that serves as an abutment for the tarpaulin to be tensioned, and with means for transmitting a tensioning movement exerted by the tensioning lever to the tarpaulin. The invention also relates to a commercial vehicle with a tarpaulin body equipped with such side tarpaulin tensioners.

Such a side tarpaulin tensioner is known from DE 44 15 042 C1.

The side tarpaulin tensioner described in this document consists of a tension lever-hook module which is arranged at the free end of an adjustable belt welded to the tarpaulin. The tension lever-hook module comprises a tension lever designed as a strap which is pivotably attached to an approximately U-shaped lower part in the area of the two parallel legs of the lower part about a pivot axis. A hook is attached to the lower part.

• B · ·

·

-2-

which serves to grip behind a stationary element that serves as an abutment against the tarpaulin to be tensioned, such as the lower edge of a frame profile of a commercial vehicle body. When the hook is hooked in, in which it grips behind the frame profile, for example, the side of the lower part facing away from the tensioning lever rests on the outside of the tarpaulin and is supported on the outside of the profile. The pivot axis of the tensioning lever is formed by a bolt around which the free end of the belt is folded to form a loop. This end of the belt is connected with its other end to the

&iacgr;&ogr; tarpaulin welded. At a distance from the pivot axis of the tensioning lever, the tensioning lever is assigned a tensioning bar in the area of the lever arm of the tensioning lever, over which the belt loop is guided. When the tensioning lever is moved from its open position to its closed position, the belt is tensioned as a result of the belt being deflected over the tensioning bar spaced from the pivot axis. In its closed position, the tensioning lever is held against unintentional opening or springing open by a locking mechanism.

Even if such a side tarpaulin tensioner can be used satisfactorily and with the necessary safety, some disadvantages must still be accepted. Due to the possibility of manipulation of the tensioning belts used, this side tarpaulin tensioner does not meet the requirements for use as a customs seal. In addition, it can happen that the tensioning lever is not locked in its closed position as intended. When a tarpaulin flaps due to the wind, it hits the tensioning belt, which in turn can cause the tensioning lever to spring open. As a result, the hook is released from its engaging position, so that the entire tensioning lever-hook module arranged at the end of the tensioning belt is no longer fixed and can swing freely on the outside of a commercial vehicle body, for example. To adjust the side tarpaulin tensioner with regard to the tensioning force to be applied to the tarpaulin, the free end of the tensioning belt, which forms the belt loops, is adjusted accordingly. Due to the textile materials used for the tensioning straps, such an installation can only be carried out with difficulty in cold ambient temperatures due to the resulting material stiffness.

tt

-3-

Another disadvantage of this previously known side tarpaulin tensioner is that it can sometimes only be used with two hands. Opening the side tarpaulin tensioner with the tensioning bar locked to the hook must be carried out with two hands, with one hand releasing the lock and the other hand guiding the tensioning lever in order to prevent the tensioning lever from springing open uncontrollably as a result of the tension applied to it. The opened tensioning lever then protrudes from the underside of the tarpaulin or the frame profile.

&iacgr;&ogr; adjacent lower part. Although the tension on the hook is removed in the open position of this side tarpaulin tensioner, so that it can be moved out of its position behind the frame profile, the hook is still in the same plane in which it engages behind the frame profile. If the tarpaulin is to be rolled up to open the commercial vehicle body, for example, the individual side tarpaulin tensioners must first be swung out of their settled position against the frame profile so that the hooks do not engage behind the frame profile when the tarpaulin is lifted.

With such a known side tarpaulin tensioner, when the tensioning lever is turned, the lower part supported on the outside of the tarpaulin is moved vertically from bottom to top, including the hook, which moves the hook into its position behind the frame profile. As a result of this movement, a fold forms in front of the lower part in the tarpaulin to be tensioned, which counteracts the actual purpose of the side tarpaulin tensioner, namely tensioning a tarpaulin over its entire height if possible. Such folds can lead to flapping caused by the wind; this is undesirable.

Based on this discussed prior art, the invention is therefore based on the object of developing a side tarpaulin tensioner of the generic type mentioned at the outset in such a way that not only its handling for opening a side tarpaulin is improved, but with which tensioning of the side tarpaulin is also possible without the formation of folds.

« &igr;

» I

..i4 K ·♦

-4-

This object is achieved according to the invention in that the tensioning lever-hook module of the side tarpaulin tensioner is pivotably articulated relative to a base element and the hook is pivotably articulated on the lever arm of the tensioning lever about a pivot axis spaced from the pivot axis of the tensioning lever and aligned parallel to this, and the means for transmitting the tensioning movement exerted by the tensioning lever to the tarpaulin are connected to the base element.

&iacgr;&ogr; In the side tarpaulin tensioner according to the invention, the entire tension lever-hook module is pivotally connected to a base element. If the side tarpaulin tensioner is mounted on the side tarpaulin, then when the side tarpaulin tensioner is tensioned, the base element is supported on the outside, for example, on the outer frame profile. The hook of the tension lever-hook module is pivotally connected to the lever arm of the tension lever. The two pivot axes are spaced apart from one another, so that the distance between the pivot axes determines the amount of movement with which the hook can be moved to the tension lever to tension the side tarpaulin.

This design of the side tarpaulin tensioner means that when the tensioning lever is turned to close the side tarpaulin tensioner, a mutually directed movement occurs between the hook and the base element, which is supported on the outside of a tarpaulin, for example. This means that the tarpaulin is also moved in this direction by the downward movement of the base element, so that the formation of a fold as in the previously known state of the art is not possible.

In the claimed side tarpaulin tensioner, the interaction between the pivoting tension lever and the hook attached to it is used as the tensioning device, so that a direct connection of the base element to the tarpaulin is possible. This means that in principle no tensioning belts need to be used with this side tarpaulin tensioner. This means that the claimed side tarpaulin tensioner is hardly positioned outside the pendulum axis of the side tarpaulin, so that the hook swings behind the abutment, for example the frame profile, when the side tarpaulin tensioner is open.

-5-

is counteracted. Due to the pivoting arrangement of the hook on the lever arm of the tensioning lever, the hook is also spaced away from the frame profile when the tensioning lever is open, at a distance from the pivot axis of the tensioning lever, so that the hook itself is moved away from the frame profile when the tensioning lever is opened. The tensioning lever is expediently arranged in relation to the tarpaulin so that it only protrudes slightly from the base element. Consequently, this measure also counteracts the hook swinging under the frame profile.

When opening such a side tarpaulin, it is basically only necessary to open the side tarpaulin tensioners themselves; the hooks are - as explained - outside the position that would engage behind the frame profile, for example. The side tarpaulin can then be pulled up or moved sideways without having to worry about the hooks of the side tarpaulin tensioners swinging back into their locking positions.

The base element of the side tarpaulin tensioner can be connected to the tarpaulin in different ways. For example, a design in which the base element is connected to the tarpaulin using rigid bodies is useful. For example, this can be achieved by arranging a threaded rod on the base element, which is screwed into a bracket screwed or riveted to the tarpaulin with an internal thread. After the length of the side tarpaulin tensioner or the tensioning lever hook module has been adjusted with one element of the adjustment unit, for example the threaded rod, to the other element of the adjustment unit, for example the adjustment nut, the tarpaulin is tensioned by pivoting the tensioning lever from a lower open position to an upper closed position. By using a tensioning lever to apply the tensioning force acting on the tarpaulin, the tarpaulin can be provided with a sufficiently high tension so that fluttering is largely prevented.

Such a design of the claimed side tarpaulin tensioner also allows it to be designed as a customs seal. It is expedient that the setting unit in the closed position of the

-6-

clamping lever is covered or concealed by it, so that access to the setup unit is not possible.

When using a threaded rod and an adjustment nut, whereby the latter can also be designed as an internal thread in a bracket, the length of the side tarpaulin tensioner is adjusted by screwing the threaded rod with the tensioning lever-hook module attached to it into or out of the internal thread. Such an adjustment is not made more difficult by temperature fluctuations. Instead of such an adjustment using a threaded rod and an adjustment nut, it can also be provided to equip the adjustment unit with locking means.

The turning of the tensioning lever from its open position to its closed position about its pivot axis can be achieved by the tensioning lever having side cheeks in the area of its pivot axis, which are rounded in their rear area so that these curves form a support on the outside of the tarpaulin. In order to increase the pressure surface, it can also be provided that these side cheeks are connected to one another by a pivot pin which is guided in a cylindrical pressure piece. The radius of the pressure piece is the same as or slightly larger than the radius of the side cheeks of the tensioning lever in the area of its pivot axis. When the tensioning lever is tensioned, it is then supported on the outside of the tarpaulin via the outer surface of the pressure piece.

The provision of a side tarpaulin tensioner in the manner described also allows the tension lever-hook module to be replaced at a later date. This means that a commercial vehicle tarpaulin that is designed with tension lever-hook modules that are not customs-approved can easily be replaced with ones that are suitable for a customs seal. When using a threaded rod and a setting nut, this is done by unscrewing the threaded rod with the tension lever-hook module attached to it from the setting nut attached to the tarpaulin and then screwing in the other modules.

Further advantages of the invention are part of the remaining subclaims and the following description of preferred embodiments.

-7-

games with reference to the attached figures. They show:

Fig. 1: A schematic side view of a side tarpaulin

ners,

Fig. 2: A bottom view of the side tarpaulin tensioner of Figure 1,

Fig. 3: A schematic representation of a tarpaulin with a

side tarpaulin tensioners arranged in the lower area,

Fig. 4: An arrangement corresponding to that of Figure 3 with

a side tarpaulin tensioner of the previously known state of the art,

Fig. 5: Another clamping lever-hook module for a side plate

nenspanner in its open position,

Fig. 6: The clamping lever-hook module of Figure 3 in its

closed position and

Fig. 7: The side tarpaulin tensioner of Figures 5 and 6 attached

on a tarpaulin.

A side tarpaulin tensioner 1 is arranged in the area of the lower end of a tarpaulin 2 of a commercial vehicle body. The commercial vehicle body is indicated by a frame profile 3 and a base plate 4 arranged on it. The frame profile 3 is L-shaped, with the downward-pointing leg serving as an abutment for securing the side tarpaulin tensioner 1. The side tarpaulin tensioner 1 comprises a tensioning lever-hook module 5 and an adjustment unit 6. The tensioning lever-hook module 5 consists of a tensioning lever 7, which is designed like a tab in its end pointing upwards in Figure 1 and comprises two side cheeks 8, 8', so that the tensioning lever 7 is U-shaped in cross section. The two side cheeks 8, 8' are connected to one another in the area of their upper end by a lever plate 9, as can be seen in Figure 2. The clamping lever 7 is arranged to pivot about a pivot axis 10 so that it can be closed or opened according to the direction of the arrow. The side walls 8, 8' also serve to

• ··· t« « ··· • • * * · • ··· · • •

steering of a hook 11 assigned to the clamping lever-hook module 5. The hook 11 is arranged so as to be pivotable about the pivot axis 12 via bearing pins to the clamping lever 7. The pivot axis 12 is spaced from the pivot axis 10 of the clamping lever 7.

The pivot axis 10 of the clamping lever 7 is formed by a pivot pin 13, as can be seen from Figure 2. The pivot pin 13 is mounted in a cylindrical pin 14, which has a larger radius than the radius of a side cheek 8, 8' in the area of the pivot axis 10. The

The bolt 14 rests on the outside of the frame profile 3 and represents the basic element in this embodiment. A threaded rod 15 belonging to the setting unit 6 is screwed into the outer surface of the bolt 14 and secured with a lock nut 16. The threaded rod 15 of the setting unit 6 engages with its other end with a setting nut fastened to the tarpaulin 2, which in the embodiment shown is realized by an internal thread 18 introduced into a bracket 17. The bracket 17 is fastened to the outside of the tarpaulin 2 by two fastening screws 19 using a counter plate 20. The clamping force to be applied to the tarpaulin 2 can be set by adjusting the threaded rod 15 with respect to the bracket 17.

The representation of the side tarpaulin tensioner 1 in Figure 3 makes it clear that by attaching the side tarpaulin tensioner to the tarpaulin 2 essentially in the plane of the outer surface of the tarpaulin 2, the tarpaulin hangs down essentially vertically. The vertical is shown in dashed lines in this figure and designated V. The pendulum axis of the tarpaulin 2 is identified with the reference symbol P. Due to the offset of the two pivot axes 10, 12 to one another, the hook 11 is also spaced apart from the frame profile 3 in contrast to its suspended position. For comparison, Figure 4 shows a schematic side tarpaulin tensioner according to the prior art arranged on a side tarpaulin in its open position. The vertical plane of the tarpaulin is again shown in dashed lines in this figure. In particular, the protruding tensioning lever in its open position is responsible for the lower part with the hook formed on it swinging into its position against the frame profile, so that rolling up the tarpaulin - as shown at the beginning - is not easily possible.

-9-

In its open position, the tensioning lever 7 of the side tarpaulin tensioner 1 is in its fully downward position. In this position, the hook 11 for tensioning the tarpaulin 2 is hooked behind the downward-facing leg of the frame profile 3. When the tensioning lever 7 is then closed, a mutually directed relative movement takes place between the hook 11 hinged to the tensioning lever 7 and the bracket attached to the tarpaulin 2, so that the tarpaulin 2 is pulled downwards during this movement, thus preventing the formation of creases. In its closed position, the

The tensioning lever 7 rests parallel to the tarpaulin 2 on the outside and covers the setting unit 6. In the closed position of the tensioning lever 7, the pivot axis 12 is at a smaller distance from the tarpaulin 2 than the pivot axis 12. The side tarpaulin tensioner 1 shown in the figures is thus designed as an over-center tensioner, so that an additional locking of the tensioning lever 7 is not necessary. Even fluttering of the tarpaulin 2 cannot lead to an opening or an undesired springing up of the tensioning lever 7, since in the event of fluttering, the tarpaulin 2 flutters with the bracket 17 and thus with the tensioning lever 7, so that in such a case the entire side tarpaulin tensioner 1 is moved along with it and not just the tensioning lever as in the previously known prior art.

In order to avoid manipulation of the bracket 17 attached to the tarpaulin 2, it is expedient, as shown in the figures, to arrange the bracket 17 of the setting unit 6 in an area of the tarpaulin 2 which is opposite the outside of the frame profile 3.

The tension lever-hook module 5 shown in Figures 1 and 2 is not permitted for a customs seal in the embodiment shown. Figures 5 and 6 show another tension lever-hook module 21 of a side tarpaulin tensioner, which tension lever-hook module 21 can be used as part of a customs seal on a commercial vehicle body. In principle, the tension lever-hook module 21 is constructed in the same way as that of Figures 1 and 2. A bracket corresponding to the bracket 17 (not shown in Figures 5 and 6) is provided to work together with the tension lever-hook module 21. A threaded rod 22 is provided as a further part of the setting unit to work together with the bracket 17 attached to a tarpaulin. The threaded rod

-10-

The threaded rod 22 continues in a receptacle 23, which can also be referred to as the lower part and represents the basic element in this embodiment. The lower part 23 is U-shaped and has two side cheeks 24, 24', which are connected to one another by a base plate 25. The distance between the side cheeks 24, 24' is slightly greater than the width of the tensioning lever 26 of the tensioning lever-hook module 21. The tensioning lever 26 is pivotally connected to the lower part 23 by means of a pivot pin 27. The receptacle or the lower part 23 represents a rigid extension of the threaded rod 22. 22 and thus the element of the setup unit associated with the clamping lever-hook module 21. As with the subject of the clamping lever-hook module 5 of Figures 1 and 2, the hook 28 of this clamping lever-hook module 21 is pivotally connected to the lever arm of the clamping lever 26.

In a further embodiment, not shown in the figures, the threaded rod is arranged so as to extend away from the base element and be flexible by using a compression spring. Such an arrangement is useful if additional tension is to be applied to the tarpaulin via the compression spring. When using such a side tarpaulin tensioner, springs, which are in the rollers of horizontally movable tarpaulins, can generally be dispensed with.

If, instead of the described setting unit, a tensioning belt is provided for fastening the side tarpaulin tensioner to the tarpaulin, the lower part has two belt slots forming a deflection web through which the tensioning belt is guided to form a loop.

In the side cheeks of the lever arm 26 and in the side cheeks 24, 24' of the lower part 23, there are holes D that are aligned with one another in the closed position of the tensioning lever 26, as shown in Figure 2. In this position, a customs sealing cable can be passed through the holes D that are aligned with one another, so that the opening of the tensioning lever 26 is prevented. From the closed position shown in Figure 4 of the tensioning lever-hook module 21, it is clear that the tensioning lever 26 completely covers the setting device - here only shown by the threaded rod 22 - so that manipulations on the threaded rod 22 are also possible.

acting bracket are not possible. Consequently, a side tarpaulin tensioner with the tensioning lever-hook module 21 of Figures 3 and 4 meets the requirements for use as a customs seal.

The side tarpaulin tensioner 21 of Figures 5 and 6 is arranged in Figure 7 at the lower end of a side tarpaulin 29 of a commercial vehicle body. In this figure, the outer frame 30 and a base plate 31 held by it can be seen from the commercial vehicle body. A profile 32 with a clamping leg 33 projecting downwards is arranged on the outer frame. The clamping leg 33 serves to provide an abutment which the hook 28 engages behind in the tensioned position of the side tarpaulin tensioner 21. The tarpaulin 29 is longer than the lower end of the hook 28, so that this lower tarpaulin section can be provided to form an S-shaped fold and engage in the undercut formed by the clamping leg 33. The hook 28 rests on the inner area of the clamping leg 33 on the outer surface of the tarpaulin, so that when the tensioning lever 26 is turned, the mutually directed relative movement between the lower part 23 and the hook 28 can be used to additionally tension the tarpaulin without having to fear the formation of wrinkles. By clamping the lower section of the tarpaulin to the clamping leg 33 by the hook 28 and the formation of the S-bend, an effective seal against rising spray water is formed.

-12-Compilation of reference symbols

1 Side tarpaulin tensioner 2 Plans 3 Frame profile 4 Base plate 5 Clamping lever hook module 6 Setup unit 7 Clamping lever 8.8' Sidewall 9 Lever plate 10 Pivot axis of the clamping lever 11 Hook 12 Swivel axis of the hook 13 Pivot bolt 14 Bolt, basic element 15 Threaded rod 16 Lock nut 17 Desire 18 inner thread 19 Fixing screw 20 Counter plate 21 Clamping lever hook module 22 Threaded rod 23 Holder, lower part, basic element 24, 24" Side panels 25 Base plate 26 Clamping lever 27 Pivot bolt 28 Hook 29 Plans 30 Outer frame 31 Base plate 32 profile 33 Clamping leg D Breakthrough • · ··· ·«······« · ■ · ···

Claims (12)

1. Side tarpaulin tensioner with a tension lever-hook module ( 5 , 21 ) consisting of a tension lever ( 7 , 26 ) designed as a single-armed lever, pivotably articulated about a pivot axis ( 10 ), and a hook ( 11 , 28 ) for engaging behind a stationary element ( 3 ) serving as an abutment with respect to the tarpaulin ( 2 ) to be tensioned, and with means for transmitting a tensioning movement exerted by the tension lever to the tarpaulin, characterized in that the tension lever-hook module ( 5 , 21 ) of the side tarpaulin tensioner ( 1 ) is pivotably articulated with respect to a base element ( 15 , 22 ), and the hook ( 11 , 28 ) is pivotably articulated about a pivot axis ( 10 ) of the tension lever ( 7 , 26 ) and aligned parallel to the pivot axis (10). Pivot axis ( 12 ) is articulated to the lever arm of the tensioning lever ( 7 , 26 ) and the means for transmitting the tensioning movement exerted by the tensioning lever ( 7 , 26 ) to the tarpaulin are connected to the base element ( 15 , 22 ). 2. Side tarpaulin tensioner according to claim 1, characterized in that the tensioning lever ( 7 ) has, at least in the region of the arrangement of the pivot axes ( 10 , 12 ), two side cheeks ( 8 , 8 ') which are connected to one another by a pivot pin ( 13 , 27 ) representing the pivot axis ( 10 ) of the tensioning lever ( 7 ). 3. Side tarpaulin tensioner according to claim 2, characterized in that the base element is a cylindrical bolt ( 14 ) in which the pivot bolt ( 13 ) connecting the side cheeks of the tensioning lever is mounted, the radius of the pressure piece 14 being larger than the radius of the tensioning lever cheeks ( 8 , 8 ') in the region of the bolt ( 13 ). 4. Side tarpaulin tensioner according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the base element is a receptacle ( 23 ) designed as a lower part with lateral cheeks ( 24 , 24 ') to which the tensioning lever ( 26 ) is pivotally connected, which receptacle ( 23 ) is provided for receiving the tensioning lever ( 26 ) in its closed position. 5. Side tarpaulin tensioner according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the base element for its attachment to a tarpaulin has a deflection web running parallel to the pivot axis of the tensioning lever for deflecting a tensioning belt. 6. Side tarpaulin tensioner according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the side tarpaulin tensioner ( 1 ) has, as a means for transmitting the tensioning movement exerted by the tensioning lever ( 7 , 26 ) to the tarpaulin ( 2 ) via an adjustment unit ( 6 ) consisting of at least two elements ( 15 , 17 , 22 ) designed as rigid bodies which are mechanically in engagement with one another and can be adjusted relative to one another, a first element ( 17 ) of which is assigned to the tarpaulin ( 2 ) and a second element ( 15 , 22 ) of which is assigned to the base element. 7. Side tarpaulin tensioner according to claim 6, characterized in that the adjustment unit ( 6 ) consists of a threaded rod ( 15 , 22 ) and a nut ( 17 , 18 ) cooperating with the latter. 8. Side tarpaulin tensioner according to claim 7, characterized in that the element of the setting unit ( 6 ) which can be fixed to the tarpaulin ( 2 ) is an internal thread ( 18 ) formed in a bracket ( 17 ). 9. Side tarpaulin tensioner according to one of claims 4 to 8, characterized in that aligned openings (D) are made in the side cheeks of the tensioning lever ( 26 ) and in the side cheeks ( 24 , 24 ') of the receptacle ( 23 ), for example for passing through a customs sealing cable in the closed position of the tensioning lever-hook module ( 21 ). 10. Side tarpaulin tensioner according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the setting unit ( 6 ) is covered by the tensioning lever ( 7 ) in the closed position of the tensioning lever-hook module ( 5 , 21 ). 11. Commercial vehicle with a tarpaulin structure comprising at least one side tarpaulin ( 29 ), on which a plurality of side tarpaulin tensioners according to one of claims 1 to 10 are arranged in the region of the lower end of the tarpaulin ( 29 ), characterized in that the lower end of a laterally hanging tarpaulin ( 29 ) is located below the lower end of the hooks ( 28 ) of the side tarpaulin tensioners ( 21 ), so that this lower tarpaulin section is held clamped by the hooks ( 28 ) when the side tarpaulin tensioners ( 21 ) are closed. 12. Commercial vehicle according to claim 11, characterized in that as an abutment for hooking in the hooks ( 28 ) of the side tarpaulin tensioner ( 21 ) is part of a profile ( 32 ) which is arranged on the outside of the outer frame ( 30 ) of the commercial vehicle body and when the side tarpaulin tensioners ( 21 ) are tensioned, the lower section of the tarpaulin 29 is held in the undercut formed between a clamping leg ( 33 ) of the profile ( 32 ) and the outer frame ( 30 ) forming an S-shaped fold.