GB2573038A

GB2573038A - A trailer for a heavy goods vehicle and method of manufacture

Info

Publication number: GB2573038A
Application number: GB1902153.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Joshua Gray James; Robin Gilland Neil; Burnett John
Original assignee: Gray and Adams Ltd
Current assignee: Gray and Adams Ltd
Priority date: 2019-02-15
Filing date: 2019-02-15
Publication date: 2019-10-23
Anticipated expiration: 2039-02-15
Also published as: GB201902153D0; GB2573038B

Abstract

A trailer for a heavy goods vehicle and method of manufacture. The trailer comprises a roof comprising a first surface and a second surface adjacent a rear end of the trailer. The first surface is disposed raised relative to the second surface. The roof also includes a third surface bridging the first surface and second surface to form a stepped portion at a rear end region of the trailer.

Description

The present invention relates to a trailer for a Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV). In particular, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to a trailer for a heavy goods vehicle, wherein the trailer includes a roof configured to form a stepped portion at a rear end region of the trailer.

Background

Traditionally, Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) are used to transport goods, for example from supplier to warehouse. Typically, a warehouse or other recipient location e.g. a supermarket, will have specifically designed loading/unloading docks. These docks are designed to receive the rear end of the HGV so that goods may be easily transferred out of or into the HGV. HGVs may be used to transport a variety of goods, this can include refrigerated goods. When HGVs transport goods, and in particular refrigerated goods, it is desirable for the join between the dock and the back of the HGV to be air tight.

There is increasing demand for the transport of higher volumes of goods. Plural deck trailers, for example a double deck trailer or a trailer having two or more decks, are becoming more common place. Plural deck trailers provide the ability to transport a larger quantity of goods with one HGV. However, the current infrastructure means most loading docks are designed to fit only single level trailers.

It would be useful to provide a trailer which has an increased storage volume and is compatible with existing infrastructure.

Summary of Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a trailer for a heavy goods vehicle, wherein the trailer comprises a roof comprising:

a first surface, a second surface adjacent a rear end of the trailer, wherein the first surface is disposed raised relative to the second surface; and a third surface bridging the first surface and second surface to form a stepped portion at a rear end region of the trailer.

Suitably, the trailer is a double decked trailed comprising first and second internal loading docks.

Suitably, the rear end region of the trailer is within the rear 20% of the length of the trailer.

Suitably, the second surface is longer than the third surface.

Suitably, a boundary between the first surface and the third surface of the roof is substantially curved.

Suitably, a boundary between the third surface and the second surface of the roof is substantially curved.

Suitably, the stepped portion extends laterally across a width of the rear end region of the roof.

Suitably, an interior angle a between the first and third surface of the roof is obtuse.

Suitably, an exterior angle β between the third and second surface of the roof is obtuse.

Suitably, the second surface is sloped at an acute interior angle Θ, wherein the acute angle Θ is defined between the second surface and the horizontal.

Suitably, the first surface is substantially horizontal.

Suitably, the trailer further comprises a rear wall extending substantially vertically from the rear end of the second surface of the roof.

Suitably, the boundary between the first surface and the third surface is covered by at least one capping element.

Suitably, the boundary between the third and second surface is covered by at least one capping element.

Suitably, the roof further comprises a fourth surface at the front of the trailer.

Suitably, the fourth surface is sloped at an angle ψ wherein the angle ψ is the angle between the fourth surface and the horizontal.

Suitably, the height of the rear end of the trailer is up to 4.4 meters.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of manufacturing a trailer for a heavy goods vehicle, the method comprising:

assembling a roof of a trailer by:

arranging a first surface of the roof in a raised position relative to a second surface of the roof, the second surface of the roof being provided adjacent a rear end of the trailer; and arranging a third surface of the roof to bridge the first surface and the second surface to form a stepped portion at a rear end region of the trailer.

Suitably, the second surface is arranged to be longer than the third surface.

Suitably, the stepped portion is arranged to extend laterally across a width of a rear end region of the roof.

Suitably, an interior angle a between the first and second surface is arranged to be obtuse.

Suitably, an exterior angle β between the second and third surface is arranged to be obtuse.

Suitably, the second surface is arranged to be sloped at an acute interior angle Θ, wherein the angle Θ is defined between the second surface and the horizontal.

The method of the second aspect may include steps to include any of the features described in relation to the first aspect.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of adapting a trailer of a heavy goods vehicle to resemble the trailer of the first aspect.

Certain embodiments of the invention allow easier use of a plural deck trailer, e.g. a double decked trailer.

Certain embodiments of the invention allow for easier and quicker loading and unloading of a plural deck trailer.

Certain embodiments of the invention provide the advantage that a plural deck trailer can be provided with the ability to dock into single level loading docks.

Brief description of the drawings

Embodiments of the invention are further described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 illustrates a side view of an HGV;

Fig. 2 illustrates a plan view of a trailer;

Figs. 3a and 3b illustrate section A of Fig. 1 in more detail;

Fig. 4 illustrates an example of a front section of a trailer;

Fig. 5 illustrates an example of Figs. 3a and 3b including cappings;

Fig. 6a illustrates a perspective view of the trailer from the front;

Fig. 6b illustrates a perspective view of the trailer from the rear of Fig. 6a; and

Fig. 7 illustrates a method of manufacture of a trailer.

In the drawings like reference numerals refer to like parts.

Detailed Description

As used herein, the term “Heavy Goods Vehicle” encompasses any motor vehicle and having a tractor and a trailer with a gross mass or combination mass (GCM) of over 3,500 kilograms. For example, Heavy Goods Vehicles may include articulated lorries, trucks and the like.

As used herein, the term “plural deck trailer” encompasses any trailer including two or more distinct loading decks. For example, a double deck trailer may include a lower deck and an upper deck disposed above and spaced apart from the lower deck.

As used herein, the term “interior angle” is used to define an angle between two surfaces as taken from within the trailer. In other words, an “interior angle” is located within the interior loading space of the trailer.

As used herein, the term “exterior angle” is used to define an angle between two surfaces as taken from outside (i.e. exterior) to the trailer. In other words, an exterior angle is located outside of the trailer (not within the interior loading space).

As used herein, the term “the horizontal”, indicates a plane or direction parallel to the surface on which the HGV or trailer stands, and 90 degrees to the vertical.

As used herein, the term “the vertical”, indicates a plane or direction at 90 degrees to the surface on which the HGV or trailer stands.

Fig. 1 illustrates a heavy goods vehicle (HGV). The HGV includes a trailer portion 103 and a tractor portion 110. The tractor portion 110 includes the engine and cab for driving the HGV. The cab is located at the front of the HGV (section B in Fig. 1). The tractor portion 110 also includes a coupling region 116 for coupling with the trailer portion 103. The coupling region 116 is located to the rear of the cab (section C in Fig. 1). In this example, the trailer portion 103 is detachable from the tractor portion 110 at the coupling region 116. In other examples the trailer portion 102 may be formed integrally with the tractor portion 110 (e.g. a rigid vehicle).

The trailer portion 103 includes a trailer 102 and a trailer chassis 105 located on an underside of the trailer 102. The trailer chassis 105 may include at least one axis for at least one pair of wheels.

In this example the trailer 102 is a substantially cuboidal shape. The trailer 102 includes a front wall 122 and a rear wall 150 spaced apart from and opposite the front wall 122. The trailer 102 also includes at least one floor portion 124 extending between the front wall 122 and the rear wall 150. The trailer 102 also includes two opposed side walls each extending along the sides of the trailer 102 from the front wall 122 to the rear wall 150. A roof 126 extends along a top of the trailer 102 between the two side walls and the front and rear walls thereby forming an enclosed internal space. In this example the rear wall 150 includes an access door. In other examples, additional or alternative access to the trailer interior may be through a door or the like formed in any one or more of the front wall 122, the rear wall 150, the floor 124, a side wall and/ or the roof 126.

In this example the floor includes a front section and a rear section. The front section is raised relative to the rear section to accommodate the coupling region 116 of the tractor portion 110. A stepped portion couples the front section of the floor to the rear section of the floor. In this way the front section of the trailer 102 (section C in Fig. 1) is raised relative to the middle and end sections of the trailer 112, 114 (sections D and E in Fig. 1).

In this example, the front section of the trailer 102 is raised so as to allow for coupling of the trailer portion 103 to the tractor portion 110. In this example the front section 118 of the trailer forms a front storage space 120. In other examples the front storage space may extend beyond the front section 118 towards the rear of the trailer 102. The front storage space 120 may be from 4000mm to 4500mm in length, for example from 4100mm to 4200mm in length, or 4145mm in length.

In other examples, the floor may include one or more sloped regions in order to accommodate the coupling region 116.

In this example, the middle section D and rear end region E of the trailer forms a main storage space. The main storage space includes a lower main storage space 140 in which goods may be loaded onto the lower deck (floor) and an upper main storage space 130 in which goods may be loaded onto an upper deck 132. In this example, the upper deck 132 is spaced apart from and substantially parallel to the floor.

In some examples, the lower main storage space 140 and the upper main storage space 130 may be combined as one main storage space (i.e. without an upper deck 132).

In this example, the rear end region of the trailer includes a stepped portion 160 formed by the roof as described in detail below with reference to Figs. 2, 3a and 3b. In this example, the upper main storage space 130 is shorter in length than the lower main storage space 140. The upper main storage space 130 may be from 8000mm to 8500mm in length, for example from 8200mm to 8300mm in length, or 8220mm in length. In this example, in the space to the rear of the upper main storage space 130 and below the stepped portion 160 (shown in section E of Fig. 1) forms a rear additional storage space 170. The rear additional storage space 170 is of reduced height compared to the upper main storage space 130. The rear additional storage space 170 may be from 800mm to 1500mm in length, for example from 900mm to 1100mm in length, or 1050mm in length. The rear additional storage space 170 may be integral with or separated from the upper main storage space 130.

Fig. 2 illustrates a plan view of the trailer of Fig. 1. The trailer roof 126 extends along the length of the trailer, from the front wall 122 to the rear wall 150. In this example, the trailer roof includes three sections. A front roof section 210 is located at the front region of the trailer (section C). A middle roof section 220 is located in the middle section of the trailer (section D) and the stepped portion 160 is located in the rear end region of the trailer (section E). In this example the stepped portion 160 extends laterally across a width of the rear end region of the roof 126.

The roof 126 includes a first surface 225 and a second surface 240. The second surface 240 is adjacent the rear end of the trailer. The first surface 225 is disposed raised relative to the second surface 240 (as shown most clearly in Figs. 3a and 3b). The first surface 225 and second surface 240 are bridged by a third surface 230 to form the stepped portion 160. In other words, the third surface 230 is disposed extending between the first surface 225 and the second surface 240 so as to bridge (or couple) the first and second surfaces together.

Figs. 3a and 3b are an enlarged view of section A in Fig. 1 illustrating the stepped portion 160 of the trailer 102. The stepped portion 160 includes the first surface 225 of the roof. In this example, the first surface 225 is formed integrally and is continuous with the main section 220 of the roof 126. The second surface 240 is positioned lower than the first surface 225 (i.e. positioned on a plane lower than the plane of the first surface). 240 The third surface 230 couples the first surface 225 and the second surface 240. The second surface 240 adjoins the rear wall 150 of the trailer. The stepped portion 160 may therefore define the upper rear boundary of the trailer roof and rear wall.

In this example the stepped portion 160 is located within the rear end region of the trailer roof. The “rear end region of the trailer” may occupy up to 20% of the trailer length and is disposed at the rear end of the trailer (i.e. directly adjacent the rear wall of the trailer). For example, the rear end region of the trailer may occupy up to 15% of the trailer length, or up to 10% of the trailer length, or up to 5% of the trailer length. The stepped portion 160 is located at the rear end region of the trailer so as to provide a reduction in trailer height at the rear to allow mating between the rear of the trailer and a loading dock whilst providing the maximum storage space encompassed by the trailer.

In this example the second surface 240 of the roof is substantially longer than the third surface 230. In this example the spacing between the first surface 225 and the second surface 240 is sufficient such that the height of the rear end of the trailer may correspond to the height of a standard loading dock. The trailer can therefore mate with a loading dock while maintaining a maximum transport volume.

In this example, the second surface 240 is sloped. In this example the second surface 240 is sloped upwards from the rear end wall 150 towards the boundary between the second surface 240 and the third surface 230. In this example, the second surface 240 is sloped at an acute angle Θ. The angle Θ is located in the interior of the trailer 350. The acute angle Θ is defined between the second surface 240 and the horizontal 370. In this example the angle Θ is less than 45°, and aptly less than 25°. More aptly the angle Θ is approximately 10°.

The sloped second surface 240 may help to improve the aerodynamics of the rear end of the trailer. A sloped second surface 240 may also provide the advantage that a tight seal between a loading dock and the rear end region of the trailer can be achieved e.g. by inserting the rear end of the trailer into the loading dock until a tight fit against the second surface 240 is achieved. The sloped second surface 240 allows for variance in height between different loading docks.

In this example the rear wall 150 of the trailer is substantially vertical 380. In this example the first surface 225 is substantially horizontal 370. In other words, the rear wall 150 of the trailer lies in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of the first surface 225 of the roof.

In this example, the third surface and second surface meet and an angle β. The angle β is defined on the exterior the trailer 102. In this example the exterior angle β between the third 230 and second surface 240 of the roof is obtuse. In this example the angle β is from 90° to 150°. Aptly, the angle β is from 95° to 120° and more aptly the angle β is approximately 100°. The angle β of the third surface may help to further improve aerodynamic properties of the rear end region of the trailer, whilst also maximising internal loading space in upper main storage space 130.

In this example the first surface 225 and the third surface 230 meet (or join) at an angle a. The angle a is an interior angle. In this example, the interior angle a between the first surface 225 and third surface 230 of the roof is obtuse. In this example the angle a is from 90° to 150°. Aptly, the angle a is from 95° to 120° and more aptly the angle a is approximately 100°.

Aptly, the angles α, β and the interior angle between the second surface and the rear wall (i.e. θ + 90°) are all equal.

The boundary between the first surface 225 and the third surface 230 of the roof may be substantially curved (or rounded). The boundary between the third surface 230 and the second surface 240 of the roof may be substantially curved (or rounded). The curvature of the one or more boundaries helps to improve aerodynamics of the rear end region of the roof and also may generally improve the aesthetics of the trailer.

In this example, the first surface 225 is substantially planar and horizontal. In other examples the first surface 225 may be formed integrally with a curved roof. In other words, in some examples, the first surface 225 may be substantially curved or arcuate in shape.

Fig. 4 illustrates an enlarged view of the front section 118 (section C) of the trailer 102. In this example the front section 118 includes a floor 124, a front wall 122 adjacent the floor 124 and a fourth surface 440 of the roof 126. The front section may also include the two opposed side walls each extending along the sides of the trailer 102 from the front wall 122 to the rear wall 150. The fourth surface 440 extends from the top of the front wall 122 at an angle ψ. The fourth surface 440 forms the roof of the front section of the trailer. In this example the fourth surface 440 is formed integrally with the main section of the roof (section D).

In some examples the fourth surface 440 and first surface 225 may be formed integrally. In other examples the fourth surface 440 and the first surface 225 may be formed separately and coupled together in any appropriate manner.

In this example the fourth surface 440 is sloped upwards from the front wall 122 towards the first surface of the roof (or middle section of the roof). In this example, the fourth surface 440 is sloped at an acute angle ψ. The angle ψ is located in the interior of the trailer. The acute angle ψ is defined between the fourth surface 440 and the horizontal 370. In this example, the angle ψ is less than 45°, and aptly less than 25°. More aptly the angle ψ is approximately 10°.

The angle ψ may be aptly determined to provide the fourth surface 440 with a slope to provide reduced air resistance when the HGV is moving.

Fig. 5 illustrates the stepped portion of the trailer including a plurality of cappings arranged over the boundaries between different surfaces in the region of the stepped portion. In this example, corner capping 502 is disposed over the boundary between the first surface 225 and the third surface 230. Further side corner cappings 504, 506, 508 are disposed over the boundaries between the side surface of the trailer and the first, second and third surfaces of the roof. In general, the trailer may include a plurality of cappings each disposed over any boundary between two surfaces of the trailer. The cappings may help to improve the coupling between two surfaces and/or may help to improve aesthetics and/or aerodynamics by providing a rounded surface over the boundary.

Fig. 6a illustrates a perspective view of the trailer 102. Fig. 6b is a view from the rear. In this example the stepped portion 160 is a substantially smooth step from the roof of the trailer 126 to the rear wall of the trailer 150.

In some examples the front wall 122 may be formed integrally with the tractor. In some examples the trailer 102 may be separate from a chassis. In this example the trailer 102 may be retrofitted to a chassis. In other examples the chassis may be formed integrally with the trailer 102.

Fig. 7 illustrates a flow diagram of a method of manufacture of the trailer described herein. At step S701 the trailer roof is assembled by arranging a first surface of the roof in a raised position relative to a second surface of the roof. The second surface of the roof is provided at a rear end of the trailer, i.e. adjacent a rear surface of the trailer.

At step S702, a third surface of the roof is arranged to bridge the first surface and the second surface to form a stepped portion at a rear end region of the trailer.

The methods of steps S701 and S702 may be performed in any order and are not limited to the order shown in Fig. 7. For example, the first, second and third surfaces may be arranged in their relative positions in any order.

The first, second and third surfaces may be discrete separate parts. In this instance, the method may include coupling of the third surface to each of the first and second surfaces, e.g. by welding.

In other examples, the first, second and third surface may be integral with each other. In this example, the method may include bending of an initial roof surface into first, second and third surfaces to form the stepped configuration described above.

The method may be adapted to provide a trailer having a stepped roof portion according to any of the examples described herein.

In some examples, it may be possible to adapt an existing trailer to include the stepped portion described herein. For example, a trailer having a substantially cuboidal rear end region may be adapted by removing a portion of the rear end region of the roof (e.g. using suitable cutting tools known in the art), cutting the sidewalls to a suitable profile and replacing the cut-out portion with at least the second and third surfaces and optionally the first surface described herein. Any ancillaries, for example doors, may also be adapted to suit the amended shape.

Various modifications to the detailed designs as described above are possible. For example, throughout the description the tractor and the trailer have been described as separate entities however in some examples the tractor may be formed integrally with the trailer (e.g. a rigid vehicle).

With the above-described arrangement there is provided a trailer which has a high volume of storage of goods which is able to mate with a standard loading dock. The trailer may also provide an improved airtight seal with the loading dock.

With the above-described arrangement there is provided a double deck trailer capable of mating with a single deck loading dock.

With the above-described arrangement the angle of the second surface may allow for an improved air tight seal with the loading dock. The sloped second surface may also allow for variance in different loading docks and still allows for a relatively tight sealing.

With the above-described arrangement there is provided a stepped region of a trailer which improves aerodynamics of the rear end region of the trailer.

With the above described embodiment there is provided a trailer with increased load carrying capacity that may still function with current infrastructure.

It will be clear to a person skilled in the art that features described in relation to any of the embodiments described above can be applicable interchangeably between the different embodiments. The embodiments described above are examples to illustrate various features of the invention.

The terms “first”, “second”, “third” and “fourth” have been used herein simply for the purpose of differentiating between different elements. These terms are not intended to limit to any particular order.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the words “comprise” and “contain” and variations of them mean “including but not limited to”, and they are not intended to (and do not) exclude other moieties, additives, components, integers or steps.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the singular encompasses the plural unless the context otherwise requires. In particular, where the indefinite article is used, the specification is to be understood as contemplating plurality as well as singularity, unless the context requires otherwise.

Features, integers, characteristics, compounds, chemical moieties or groups described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment or example of the invention are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described herein unless incompatible therewith. All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. The invention is not restricted to the details of any foregoing embodiments. The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

1. A trailer for a heavy goods vehicle, wherein the trailer comprises a roof comprising:

2. A trailer as claimed in claim 1 wherein the trailer is a double decked trailed comprising first and second internal loading docks.

3. A trailer as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the rear end region of the trailer is within the rear 20% of the length of the trailer.

4. A trailer as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the second surface is longer than the third surface.

5. A trailer as claimed in any preceding claim wherein a boundary between the first surface and the third surface of the roof is substantially curved.

6. A trailer as claimed in claim 5 wherein a boundary between the third surface and the second surface of the roof is substantially curved.

7. A trailer as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the stepped portion extends laterally across a width of the rear end region of the roof.

8. A trailer as claimed in any preceding claim wherein an interior angle a between the first and third surface of the roof is obtuse.

9. A trailer as claimed in any preceding claim wherein an exterior angle β between the third and second surface of the roof is obtuse.

10. A trailer as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the second surface is sloped at an acute interior angle 9, wherein the acute angle θ is defined between the second surface and the horizontal.

11. A trailer as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the first surface is substantially horizontal.

12. A trailer as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the trailer further comprises a rear wall extending substantially vertically from the rear end of the second surface of the roof.

13. A trailer as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the boundary between the first surface and the third surface is covered by at least one capping element.

14. A trailer as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the boundary between the third and second surface is covered by at least one capping element.

15. A trailer as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the roof further comprises a fourth surface at the front of the trailer.

16. A trailer as claimed in claim 13 wherein the fourth surface is sloped at an angle ψ wherein the angle ψ is the angle between the fourth surface and the horizontal.

17. A trailer as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the height of the rear end of the trailer is up to 4.4 meters.

18. A method of manufacturing a trailer for a heavy goods vehicle, the method comprising:

assembling a roof of a trailer by:

19. A method as claimed in claim 18 wherein the rear end region of the trailer is within the rear 20% of the length of the trailer.

20. A method as claimed in any of claims 18 to 19 wherein the second surface is arranged to be longer than the third surface.

21. A method as claimed in any of claims 18 to 20 wherein the stepped portion is arranged to extend laterally across a width of a rear end region of the roof.

22. A method as claimed in any of claims 18 to 21 wherein an interior angle a between the first and second surface is arranged to be obtuse.

23. A method as claimed in any of claims 18 to 22 wherein an exterior angle β between the second and third surface is arranged to be obtuse.

24. A method as claimed in any of claims 18 to 23 wherein the second surface is arranged to be sloped at an acute interior angle Θ, wherein the angle Θ is defined between the second surface and the horizontal.

25. Adapting a trailer of a heavy goods vehicle to resemble the trailer of any of claims 1 to 17.