Section-member assembly for forming truck side-boards

Abstract: There is disclosed a section member assem­ bly for forming, in a simple and quick way, side-­ boards for trucks and the like. This section member assembly comprises a plurality of section members which are provided, at the end portions thereof which are to be mutual­ ly coupled, with snap engaging tooth members. These latter, in particular, in addition to providing a firm coupling of the single section members, also afford the possibility of recovering possible small clearances and are so designed and arranged as to allow for the section members to be mutually connected either by a fixed joint type of coupling or by means of a rotary joint type of coup­ ling.

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a section member assembly for making side-boards for trucks and the like. As is known, the truck bodies are usually provided with side and rear boards, either of the tiltable or not tiltable type, which can be advantageously made by using metal section members to be suitably mutually coupled. Also known is the fact that presently available section members for the above mentioned use can be assembled, depending on their perimetrical cross-sections, either by rotation or by mutual fixedly restraining them. This fact makes rather difficult both the assembling of the section members and the removal of possible damaged section members for replacing purposes. The document FR-A-1 497 184, which is considered the most pertinent background art, and on which the preamble of the main claim has been based, discloses a section member which has an end portion having an open part and an opposite end portion having a closed part of less width so as to provide the possibility of connecting two like section members by introducing the closed part of a section member into the open part of the other. On the outer sides of the closed part and on the inner sides of the open part there are herein provided teeth for restraining the connected section members. In this document, both the teeth on the outer side of the closed portion and the teeth of the inner side of the open portion are symmetrical and have the same configuration. Because of this configuration, the connection of two section members as taught in this prior document can be exclusively performed by translating a section member with respect to the other after having perfectly aligned the closed part of a section member with the open part of the other section member. In order to connect two section members of the type taught by this prior art document, it is accordingly necessary to exert a force directed in the approaching movement direction of the two mutually aligned section members. Such a connection operation, on the other hand, may be easily performed only when the height or level at which is arranged the overlaying section member is small for the operator who, on the other hand, would not be able of exerting on the section members a sufficient force to properly connect them. Moreover, if dirt or other materials enter inside the open portion, then the force necessary for coupling the section members could be excessive, and would impair the effort which should be provided by such a connection. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the present invention sets out to overcome the above mentioned drawbacks, by providing a section member assembly which can be advantageously used for making side-boards of trucks and the like. Within the scope of the above mentioned aim, a main object of the present invention is to provide such a section member assembly the individual section members of which can be assembled either by a rotary or a restraining or threading method. Another object of the present invention is to provide such a section member assembly which can be easily disassembled for replacing portions of the truck side-boards. According to the present invention, the above mentioned aim and objects, as well as yet other objects, which will become more apparent hereinafter are achieved by a section member assembly for making side-boards of trucks and the like, having the features of the characterizing part of the main claim. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Further characteristics and advantages of the section member assembly according to the present invention, will become more apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof which is illustrated, by way of an indicative but not limitative example, in the figures of the accompanying drawings, where: Figures 1 and 2 show two types of section members the end portions of which are provided with snap engaging teeth providing a male-female type of snap connection; further section member types including a male snap engaging or latching element; Figure 3 shows, on an enlarged scale, one of the two teeth formed at one end of a section member and providing said male connection element; Figures 4 and 5 show, on an enlarged scale, the two teeth forming the female connection or coupling element; Figures 6 and 7 show two possible methods for mutually engaging the above mentioned section members; DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With reference to the figures of the accompanying drawings, the section member assembly according to the invention comprises section members consisting of tubular parts 1 in an intermediate position of which there is arranged a flat portion 2 which is preferably decorated by one or more pluralities of ridge lines 3. At the end portions, in the longitudinal direction, of said section members there are respectively provided a closed portion, of less width, 4 and an open portion 5. More specifically (as is shown in figures 1 and 2) on the two sides of the mentioned closed portion there are formed corresponding latching or snap engaging teeth 6 whereas, on the inner faces of the two sides of said open portion 5 there are formed restraining teeth having a suitably differentiated profile, respectively indicated at 7 and 8. In this connection it should be pointed out that the mentioned restraining tooth bearing sides are slightly convergent so as to provide a firmer coupling with the snap engaging or latching teeth the simmetry of which, moreover, affords the possibility of reversing the function of the section members. In particular, the section members shown in figures 1 and 2 can be mutually coupled either by a restraining method, as is shown schematically in figure 6, or by threading a side thereof and then by rotation (see figure 7). Thus, from the above disclosure, it should be easily apparent that the subject section members can be easily and quickly coupled so as to provide a side board having a desired height. Another feature of the invention is that the mentioned teeth have been specifically designed to also provide a clearance recovering function. The disclosed latching and snap engaging teeth, moreover, also provide, in the side-board assembled condition, a slight tension which can eliminate possible vibrations of the truck during the driving thereof. From the above disclosure and figures of the accompanying drawings it should be apparent that the invention fully achieves the intended aim and objects. While the invention has been disclosed with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it should be apparent that the disclosed embodiments are susceptible to several modifications and variations all of which will come within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims: A section member assembly for making side-boards of trucks and the like, comprising section members including, at one end portion thereof, an open portion (5) and, at an opposite end portion thereof, a closed portion (4) having a width less than that of said open portion and provided for snap engaging in the open portion (5) of a like section member, characterized in that on the two opposite sides of said closed portion (4) there are provided latching teeth (6), whereas on the inner face of the two sides of said open portion (5), provided for receiving said closed portion (4) of a like section member, there are provided two restraining teeth (7, 8) having suitably differentiated profiles which can be engaged with said two latching teeth (6) to couple the section members while recovering possible clearances, said two restraining teeth (7, 8) having a contour different from that of said latching teeth and being arranged for coupling with said latching teeth (6) both by causing a section member to translate with respect to the other and by causing a said section member to partially rotate with respect to the other section member. A section member assembly according to Claim 1, characterized in that said section members consist of tubular elements with an intermediate flat portion (2). A section member assembly according to Claims 1 and 2, characterized in that said sides of said open portion (5) bearing said restraining teeth (7, 8) are provided with a slightly converging portion for making a firm connection with said latching teeth (6) having a shape symmetry which allows said section members to be reversed in their functions.

Inventors: GIACOMELLI MARIO, GIACOMELLI, MARIO, GIACOMELLI, MARIO METRA METALLURGICA
Applicants: METRA METALL TRAFILATI ALLUMIN, METRA METALLURGICA TRAFILATI ALLUMINIO S.P.A.
Application year: 1989
Main classification: B62D33
IPC codes: F16B5, B62D33