Goods storage area

Abstract: The invention relates to a goods storage area such as for use in transporting goods which are compressible and which can be loaded with the roof (16) of the area, or possibly the floor (8), side (12,14) or end walls (6,10) of the same, in an extended position to define an area greater than the goods storage area. The compressible goods (30) are loaded into the greater area defined and the roof (16), side (12,14) wall or floor (8) is returned to the closed position to compress the goods (30) into the goods storage area. In order to allow sufficient strength for compression the invention provides for at least one intermediate support frame (22) between the end walls (6,10) and with means to cause the required movement between extended and closed positions to allow improved use of the storage area and strength of the goods storage area.

Description: The invention which is the subject of this application relates to a goods storage area such as the type which is transportable by vehicles and normally referred to as trailers and, in particular, to the type of storage area which has a roof section which is movable between a first, closed position in which the storage area is defined and a second, extended position for use when loading and unloading said goods. This type of goods storage area is known and in particularly used for the transport of compressible goods wherein the goods can be loaded into the storage area with the roof in the second extended position and can be loaded to the height of the roof in this position. When loading is complete the roof section is then powered to be movable down onto the goods and returns to the first position to define the goods storage area for transport. As the roof moves it acts to compress the goods and this ensures effective use of the available storage space. Conventionally this type of goods storage area is defined by two bulkheads at each end of the storage area, one fixed side wall at the offside of the vehicle between said side walls, a curtain sided side wall at the nearside of the vehicle, a floor and the movable roof. In order to move the roof, hydraulic rams are provided, with two fitted in each of the bulkheads and two further rams, one fitted at each side of the storage area, intermediate the bulkheads and fitted to the outside of the storage area or trailer. However a problem with this conventional arrangement is that the two intermediate hydraulic rams are required to perform the majority of the compressing action of the roof onto the goods when returning the roof to the first position, but, as the rams are located at the extreme sides of the trailer, and hence the roof, it is impossible to provide the rams with the required strength and power without using relatively large and bulky ram assemblies. A further problem is that as the said intermediate rams are normally positioned at approximately the centre of the sides, it is difficult to ensure that the roof, when in a closed position is securely sealed to the side walls at what is, in practice, the weakest point of the seal. Furthermore, the fluid feed pipes to the hydraulic rams are required to be carried underneath the goods storage area, leaving them exposed and vulnerable to damage from the elements during use. A further known type of goods storage area is disclosed in DE2707342 which relates to a transport container for compressible goods. The container is provided with a telescopic intermediate floor and a telescopic roof which are independently moved by separate sets of hydraulic rams. On loading of the container, the lower compartment is first filled and the telescopic intermediate floor is lowered to compress the goods therein. The upper compartment is then filled and the telescopic roof is lowered to compress the goods in the upper compartment. A problem with this type of container is that only one compartment can be loaded/unloaded at any one time and the intermediate floor is required to be lowered/raised in the middle of loading/unloading. This therefore increases the take taken to load/unload the vehicle, which is undesirable. In addition, the provision of two separate sets of independent rams increases the space taken up by the rams in the storage area which is again undesirable and has the problems of the previously mentioned prior art. A yet further known type of goods storage area is disclosed in IE72484 wherein a trailer comprising a container body having a base and side walls is provided with a cover which is movable from a closed position to an open position by a number of rams. The rams are typically provided to connect one of the side walls of the container body to the cover. A problem with this type of container is that the goods may not be compressed evenly due to the cover being attached to one side of the container only and may therefore cause damage to the goods. In addition, there are no ram means on the other of the side walls to ensure the cover is closed firmly enough to engage with the side wall. The aim of the present invention is to provide a goods storage area which allows for improved efficiency in the movement of the roof of the area between extended and closed positions and allows for improved compression of the goods and integrity of the goods storage area. In a first aspect of the invention there is provided a goods storage area, said storage area defined by two spaced end walls and two side walls joining respective edges of the end walls, a floor and roof, said roof movable with respect to the storage area between a first, closed, position substantially in line with the top edges of the side walls, and a second open position where the roof extends above the side walls, by means of hydraulic rams which are located at the end walls and characterised in that there is provided at least one support frame within the storage area which extends substantially across the width of the goods storage area and which is located intermediate the end walls, the at least one support frame forms part of a bulkhead to compartmentalise the goods storage area, and which includes at least one hydraulic ram located to connect the support frame and roof to assist the movement of the roof between the closed and open positions. Typically either but preferably both, of the end walls are provided to act as bulkheads for the goods storage area which typically is a trailer or truck for a road vehicle or a railway wagon so that the storage area may be towable or mounted for transport. In one embodiment the intermediate support frame or frames is/are provided in fixed location or locations relative to the goods storage area and said position can be determined in accordance with the goods to be stored and transported in said area so as to provide optimum use of the storage area. In one embodiment a number of support frames are provided at spaced intervals to compartmentalise the storage area and also provide the required strength and hence improved pull down by the rams on the roof at the required location in the goods storage area to compress the goods when the roof is in the lowered position. The support frame can in one preferred embodiment be mounted and located with the chassis of a goods storage trailer to provide the required strength for the movement means to act against when raising and lowering the roof. Furthermore, as the support frame provides the required strength, the rams need not be mounted directly on the floor of the trailer but can be attached to the support frame at a required height. The support frame or frames preferably extends across the width of the goods storage area. Typically the roof is movable between first and second positions by means of hydraulic rams which are located with respect to the support frame and act to engage and move the roof between positions. In one preferred embodiment three rams are located in each support frame provided intermediate the end bulkheads with a further ram located in each of the end bulkheads. This ensures that the rams can be provided to be located with respect to the chassis of the storage area and therefore act to provide movement force at the required power and strength and at the required location. This is of particular importance when the goods are loaded into the goods storage area to a height defined by the roof at the second extended height and movement of the roof to the first closed position is required to compress the goods to the area defined by the roof in the closed position. Thus the strength of the goods storage area and particularly the roof and support frame and bulkheads is increased by the provision of the additional support frame. Furthermore, as the rams are not located at the edges of the roof, the roof can be more effectively sealed to the side walls when in a closed position. Preferably the rams are located within each intermediate support frame provided and the same can be adapted to act as a bulkhead with relatively smooth outer walls so as not to cause damage to the goods stored in the area. The reduction in the number of rams at the end walls means that the associated control equipment which is mounted at the end walls is reduced and hence can be accommodated on the outer surface of the end wall adjacent the vehicle thereby making available additional space within the goods storage area for the storage of goods. Typically, at least one of the side walls is provided with a curtain side to allow the loading and unloading of the goods therefrom. Reference hereonin to the roof being movable should not be interpreted to limit specific features to only being used when the roof is movable. It is envisaged that the support frame and the advantages and features associated therewith are of equal benefit if the side walls or floor were movable rather than the roof although it is movement of the roof which is preferred. Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:- Figure 1 illustrates a schematic elevation of a goods storage area according to one embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 illustrates the goods storage area of Figure 1 with the roof raised and goods in position; Figure 3 illustrates an elevation of an intermediate support frame of the goods storage area; and Figure 4 illustrates a plan view of a support frame of Figure 3 along line A-A. Referring firstly to Figure 1 there is illustrated a goods storage area in the form of a vehicle trailer 2 from the side which is transported on wheels 4 and pulled by a vehicle (not shown) at end 6. The storage area is defined by a floor 8, end walls 6, 10, side walls 12, 14 and a roof 16. Typically one of the side walls 14 is solid and the other is formed with a curtain sided facility whereby the goods can be loaded and unloaded from the goods storage area at the side of same. In the embodiment shown, the roof 16 is provided to be movable with respect to the side and end walls of the storage area between a first closed position as shown at 18 and a second, extended position 20 as shown in broken lines. The roof is moved between the positions by rams provided in engagement with the roof and fixed to the goods storage area. The end walls 6, 10 are provided to act as bulkheads and each includes one ram. There is also provided a support frame 22 located in a fixed position intermediate the end walls 6, 10 and as many intermediate support frames 22 as required can be provided with regard to the goods to be carried. The support frame 22, which is shown in more detail in Figures 3 and 4, and which is shown in a form to act as a bulkhead, can be attached to the floor and the solid side wall of the goods storage area and has three rams 19 shown in Figure 4 which are fitted to extend between the location points 21 on the support frame and location points 25 on the roof 16 so as to exert the required movement force on the roof. The rams can be wholly enclosed within outer walls attached to the support frame to form the bulkhead and the walls are smooth so as to prevent damage to the goods. Thus the rams are mounted on location points 21 on the support frame which is fabricated and joined to the storage area chassis 29 at the base 23 and so the strength and integrity of the storage area is maintained even when moving the roof of the same via the rams. Furthermore, as the rams are positioned within the goods storage area and at a raised height from the floor, this enables the installation and servicing of the rams and associated control and supply components to be improved and located under the rams in the support frame. Guide means 27 can also be incorporated in the support frame to allow guidance of the roof between the first and second positions and prevent jamming of the movement of the roof. In use, the goods storage area of Figure 1 is required to receive the goods to be carried which in one instance are compressible foam blocks. The roof 16 is therefore powered to raise to the second extended position by operation of the hydraulic rams to the position shown in Figure 2. With the curtain side wall 12 open, the foam blocks 30 are loaded into the goods storage area to the height defined by the roof 16 in the extended position 20 as shown in Figure 2. It will also be readily appreciated that the support frame 22 is positioned along the length of the storage area with respect to the size of the goods to be stored so that the maximum use of the storage space can be obtained, and if required additional intermediate support frames can be provided. With the foam blocks 30 in position the roof 16 is then powered downwardly towards the first closed position by the hydraulic rams. As the roof is moved it contacts with the foam blocks to exert a compressing force on the same. As the foam is compressible it yields to the force applied thereon and so the roof returns to the first closed position at which point it is sealed to the side and end walls and the goods storage area is ready for transport. When unloading the goods, the roof is again raised, the curtain side wall 12 is opened and the goods can be removed in a conventional manner.

Claims: A goods storage area, said storage area defined by two spaced end walls (6, 10) and two side walls (12, 14) joining respective edges of the end walls (6, 10), a floor (8) and roof (16), said roof (16) movable with respect to the storage area between a first closed position (18) substantially in line with the top edges of the side walls, and a second open position (20) where the roof extends above the side walls by means of hydraulic rams which are located at the end walls and characterised in that there is provided at least one support frame (22) within the storage area which extends substantially across the width of the goods storage area and which is located intermediate the end walls (6, 10), the at least one support frame forms part of a bulkhead to compartmentalise the goods storage area, and which includes at least one hydraulic ram (19) located to connect the support frame (22) and roof to assist the movement of the roof between the closed and open positions. A goods storage area according to claim 1 characterised in that the at least one intermediate support frame (22) is provided in a fixed location relative to the goods storage area and said position is determined in accordance with the goods to be stored and transported in said area so as to allow optimum use of the storage area. A goods storage area according to claim 1 characterised in that a plurality of support frames (22) are located intermediate the end walls (6, 10). A goods storage area according to claim 1 characterised in that the at least one intermediate support frame (22) is mounted and located on the chassis (29) of a goods storage area which is transportable. A goods storage area according to claim 1 characterised in that a plurality of hydraulic rams (19) are mounted and/or supported by the at least one support frame (22). A goods storage area according to claim 1 characterised in that the support frame (22) includes guide means (27) which allow the guidance of the roof (16) between the first and second positions. A goods storage area according to claim 5 characterised in that the hydraulic rams (19) which are mounted with the at least one intermediate support frame (12) are mounted within the envelope of the support frame and the support frame is formed into a bulk head so as to provide relatively smooth side walls so as to reduce risk of damage to goods stored in the area. A goods storage area according to any of the preceding claims characterised in that the goods storage area is provided with at least one curtain sided side wall (12) to allow loading and unloading of goods along the said side wall of the storage area.

Inventors: ADAMS MARK WILLIAM, ADAMS, MARK WILLIAM
Applicants: ADAMS MARK WILLIAM, ADAMS, MARK WILLIAM
Application year: 1998
Main classification: B65D88
IPC codes: B65D88, B60P7