Abstract:
A structural support and hinge member for a trailer tarpaulin latching system includes a mounting face, a support bracket, and a pivot defining a pivot axis.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/970,802, filed Mar. 26, 2014, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to the trucking industry and more specifically to tarp systems that can be used for covering flatbeds on trucks and trailers. In particular, this invention relates to a support member having a hinge function to position a hook and latch member used to secure a tarp portion to a fixed member in conjunction with a sliding tarp system. 
         [0003]    Trucks and trailers that have flatbeds are used to transport a wide variety of freight, most of which cannot be loaded into conventional van-type trucks or trailers having walls and a roof. In order to protect the shipped goods from exposure to the outside elements, it is known to cover the flatbed with tarps. A tarp system can be used to secure the tarps to the flatbed to ensure optimal shipping conditions. A typical tarp system comprises a plurality of U-shaped frames or bows which are attached to the truck or trailer and support a covering, such as a tarpaulin (i.e., tarp) sheet or panel member. Enclosing structures, in the form of bulkheads or walls, are attached to the trailer at each end. The tarps are connected to the bulkheads by a latching system that functions to releasably secure the tarp to the bulkhead, stretch the tarp tight to create smooth and taut enclosed trailer sides, and create an environmentally resistant seal. 
         [0004]    Known tarp latching systems can be difficult to latch. A catch or hook is typically attached to a conventional piano hinge that is mounted onto a forward most bow. The bow is attached to the tarp sheet. This arrangement makes it difficult to position the catch to the latch and create a smooth surface with minimal wrinkles. The wrinkles in a tarp fabric create undesirable drag and wear points when subjected to wind loads during highway travel. Conventional hinges, such as piano hinges or strap hinges, are heavy, expensive, and tend to over-constrain the latch system, which prevents the tarp from being stretched properly. Thus, it would be desirable to provide an improved connection for a tarp trailer enclosure that is also easier and faster to connect together. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    This invention relates to a structural support and hinge member that permits a flexibly sided trailer enclosure to be secured to bulkheads and reduce wrinkling by improving the ability to position the tarp prior to latching. 
         [0006]    In a first aspect of the invention, a trailer enclosure includes a plurality of bows where each bow is configured to support a flexible covering, and the plurality of bows define an interior space. A bulkhead, which can be configured as a headboard bulkhead, abuts one of the plurality of bows. A latch assembly has a tensioning fence and a clasp. The tensioning fence is supported for rotation on the bulkhead and the clasp is connected to a hinge panel. The clasp cooperates with the tensioning fence such that the latch assembly is moved from an open state where the clasp can be connected to the tensioning fence to a closed position where the clasp and tensioning fence are secured together. In the closed position, the clasp and tensioning fence are arranged such that tension in the hinge panel creates an over-center condition of the latch assembly. A structural support and hinge member supports a hinge axle connected to the clasp for at least one of rotation and translation relative to the bulkhead. 
         [0007]    In a second aspect of the invention, a tarp enclosure system for a trailer includes a headboard bulkhead assembly. A plurality of frame members, including a generally horizontal frame member and two spaced apart, generally vertical frame members, form a first bow spaced proximate to the headboard bulkhead. A second bow is positioned proximate the first bow and a plurality of cross members extend between the first and second bows. A pair of spaced apart trolleys support the first and second bows for movement relative to the headboard bulkhead. A latch assembly includes a tensioning fence and a clasp. The tensioning fence is supported for rotation on the headboard bulkhead and the clasp is connected to a hinge panel. A structural support and hinge member supports a hinge axle connected to the clasp for at least one of rotation and translation relative to the headboard bulkhead. The structural support and hinge member has a mounting arm attached to the first bow. 
         [0008]    Various aspects of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, when read in light of the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a flatbed trailer with a tarp system in accordance with the invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is an enlarged perspective view of a bulkhead of the flatbed trailer and tarp system shown in  FIG. 1  having a latching system. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3A  is an assembled view of a bow and latching system including a structural support and hinge member, in accordance with the invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3B  is an enlarged view of an embodiment of a portion of a latching system in accordance with the invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of a latching system having a structural support and hinge member, in accordance with the invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a plan view of a portion of the latching system of  FIG. 4 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is an exploded, perspective view of a portion of a latching system of  FIG. 4 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the latching system of  FIG. 6 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a structural support and hinge member. 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of a structural support and hinge member. 
           [0019]      FIG. 10  is an enlarged, perspective view of an embodiment of a portion of a latching system in accordance with the invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a structural support and hinge member. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0021]    Referring now to the drawings, there is illustrated in  FIG. 1  a semi-truck trailer having a flexible enclosure system, shown generally at  10 . The embodiment of the semi-truck trailer is illustrated as a flat bed trailer and provides an exemplary environment in which the various embodiments described herein may be used. Other trailer configurations having a flexible material enclosing at least a portion of the trailer are contemplated as being within the scope of the invention. The enclosed semi-truck trailer  10  includes a flexible enclosure system  12  having a plurality of frame members  14 . The frame members  14  may be part a modular tarp system, such as is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,439,424 to Damsi, et al., the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. The frame members  14  are arranged together to form hoops or bows  16  that define an interior space. The bows  16  may be fixed to the trailer or may be mounted on wheels or trolleys  18  that permit the enclosure system  12  to be moved to expose the interior space to a varying degree. The bows  16  support a covering that, in one embodiment, may be a flexible covering  20 . The flexible covering  20  may be a tarpaulin sheet, polymer sheet, plastic sheet or other flexible material. Alternatively, the covering may be overlapping panels that telescope as the bows  16  are moved. A bulkhead  22  encloses each end of the trailer  10 . The bulkheads may be configured as a headboard  22  or an open, tailgate  24 . The open tailgate  24  may be covered with the flexible covering  20  or may have one or more doors (not shown) mounted thereon. 
         [0022]    In the embodiment of  FIG. 2 , the headboard  22  is illustrated as a generally rigid, planar structure that includes a tarp supporting frame  26 , one or more panels  28  and a door  30  that form an outer wall  32 . The headboard  22 , however, may be a single-piece molded structure of any shape, including non-planar, or a flexible covering similar to the tailgate  24 . The headboard  22  is attached to the leading end of the trailer and is configured to resist wind loads during travel. As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the tarp supporting frame  26  includes a plurality of cross members  34  attached between two bows  16 . The cross members  34  and the bows  16  of the tarp supporting frame  26 , along with other frame supports (not shown), provide resistance against various loads, such as wind loads, tarp stretching loads, and the like. 
         [0023]    Referring to  FIG. 3   a , the outer wall  32  includes a latch assembly, shown generally at  36 , and shown as being mounted in a headboard channel  38 . The latch assembly  36  includes a clasp  40  and a tensioning fence  42 . The clasp  40  includes a hook  44  and a tarp mounting channel  46 . In one embodiment, the clasp  40  is formed as an extrusion and made from, for example, aluminum. Alternatively, the clasp  40  can be a polymer or fiberglass-reinforced pultruded structure. In another embodiment, the clasp  40  may be an extruded or roll-formed steel component, such as a stainless steel component. Alternatively, the clasp  40  may be bent or formed by any suitable process. A latch post  42   a  of the tensioning fence  42  engages an inner surface of the hook  44  to secure the clasp  40  and the associated flexible covering  20 . The tensioning fence  42  rotates about a latch hinge  42   b  to be moved from an unlatched or open position to a latched or closed position. 
         [0024]    As shown in  FIGS. 3A ,  5 , and  6 , a fence mounting bracket  43  engages and supports the latch hinge  42   b  of the tensioning fence  42  for rotation between the open position, where the hook  44  of the clasp  40  can be positioned on the latch post  42   a , and a closed position, where the latch post  42   a  draws the hook  44  in toward the bulkhead  22  and past the center of rotation of the latch hinge  42   b.  The latch post  42   a  and the latch hinge  42   b  are connected together by fence spacers  42   c  that define the amount of movement of the latch post  42   a  past the rotational center of the latch hinge  42   b  and transmit the tensioning forces to the bulkhead  22 . The fence mounting bracket  42   b  is shown attached to the headboard channel  38 . The tensioning fence  42  functions as an over-center clamp and utilizes the tensioning force of the flexible covering  20  to secure the clasp  40  in place. The latch hinge  42   b  of the tensioning fence  42  is supported for rotation relative to the fence mounting bracket  43  by a hinge bushing  43   a.  The hinge bushing  43   a  may be made from any suitable material, such as aluminum, bronze, polymer (including PTFE, fiberglass, polyamide-imide, and any other suitable plastics). In one embodiment, the fence mounting bracket  43  is formed from an aluminum extrusion. Aluminum provides weight reductions over steel components as well as improved corrosion resistance. The extrusion process permits formation of a void  43   b,  as a weight reduction structure, that extends longitudinally through the part. The void  43   b  provides reduced weight without sacrificing strength and fatigue performance. 
         [0025]    As best shown in  FIGS. 3A and 5 , the tarp mounting channel  46  has a generally C-shaped cross section that forms a central cavity  46   a  and defines a slot  46   b.  The tarp mounting channel  46  is configured to accept a first attachment bead  48  that secures a hinge panel  50  to the clasp  40 . The hinge panel  50  further includes a second attachment bead  52  that connects the hinge panel  50  to the frame member  14 . The attachment bead  52  also connects the flexible covering  20  to the frame member  14  in a similar manner. The attachment beads  48  and  52  may be connected to the hinge panel  50 , and also to the flexible covering  20 , in any suitable manner. In one embodiment, the material forming the hinge panel  50  is wrapped around the attachment beads  48  and  52  and secured at an overlapping point. The material may be stitched, glued, stapled, heat bonded, heat or chemically welded together to form the hinge panel  50 . The hinge panel  50  extends through the slot  50 . The slot  46   b  is sized to prevent the attachment bead  48  from being pulled through the slot  46   b  so that the clasp  40  can apply an even tensioning load to the hinge panel  50 , the tensioning fence  42 , and the frame member  14 . In addition, the hinge panel  50  provides environmental protection to the latch assembly  36 . In the illustrated embodiment, the central cavity  46   a  also provides an attachment point for a structural support and hinge member, shown generally at  54 , as will be described below. 
         [0026]    The structural support and hinge member  54  includes a mounting arm  56  and a pivot support  58  having a hinge point  60 . The mounting arm  56  attaches to the bow  16  by way of fasteners  62 , though any suitable fastening structure may be used. The mounting arm  56  is illustrated as attaching to a discrete length section of the frame member  14  that spans the upper width of the enclosure. Alternatively, the mounting arm  56  may span the entire width of the enclosure. The pivot support  58  includes a includes a pivot mount  58   a  and a reinforcing gusset  58   b.  The hinge point  60  is illustrated as an elongated aperture or slot formed through the pivot mount  58   a . The hinge point  60  permits both rotational movement and longitudinal positioning of the clasp  40 . The rotational movement permits the tensioning fence  42  to close the clasp  40 . The longitudinal positioning permits the clasp  40  to maintain proper tension and absorb tolerance variations associated with manufacture of the flexible covering  20 . The reinforcing gusset  58   b  stiffens the cantilevered pivot mount  58   a  against the reaction forces of the clasp  40  and the hinge panel  50 . Additionally, the reinforcement gusset  58   b  stiffens the portion of the mounting arm  56  that extends away from the fasteners  62 . A hinge axle  64  connects to the clasp  40 . In the illustrated embodiment, hinge axle  64  is a bolt that mounts in the central cavity  48  of the clasp  40 . 
         [0027]    In another embodiment shown in  FIG. 3B , a hinge panel  150  includes a hinge axle  164 . The hinge axle  164  includes an attachment bead  152  having an end  166  that extends above the clasp  40 . The hinge axle  164  further includes an end  168  that extends below the clasp  40  and includes a retaining feature  170 , such as a nut, enlarged head, or similar structure to prevent the central cavity  48  from disengaging the attachment bead  52 . The end  166  of the hinge axle  164  may be a threaded end connected to the hinge point  60  with a nut (not shown) or a straight section retained with a cotter pin or the like (not shown). A split bushing (not shown) may be disposed in the slot that defines the hinge point  60  to ease rotation and longitudinal movement of the clasp  40  after the hinge axle  64  is tightened. 
         [0028]    The clasp  40  is suspended by the hinge axle  64  or  164  from the structural support and hinge member  54 . In one embodiment, a single hinge axle  64  is used to mount and support the clasp  40 . In addition, the single hinge axle  64  supports the weight of the clasp  40  and a portion of the flexible covering  20 . The single hinge axle  64  permits the clasp  40  to seek an equilibrium point or orientation that balances the tensioning forces of the hinge panel  50  and the flexible covering  20  so that they are generally evenly distributed over the length of the tensioning fence  42 . Thus, the suspension configuration of the illustrated embodiment reduces or eliminates forces resolved at a conventional hinge, such as the piano hinges described above. By contrast, prior art hinges, such as piano hinges, will resolve some of the tensioning forces along the hinge pin, which deflects and can permanently deform in response to the forces. Once this occurs, subsequent opening of the end connection is difficult because the hinge pin is bent. In addition, the fatigue life of a hinge in such a condition is reduced. 
         [0029]    Referring again to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , in one embodiment, the forward most bow  16 , shown as part of the tarp supporting frame  26 , supports one end of the hinge panel  50 , which may be integrally formed with the flexible covering  20 . The tarp mounting channel  46  supports the other end, as described above. As shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , the hinge panel  50  is a short portion of flexible covering material that is configured generally similarly to the other sections of flexible coverings  20  that span between the bows  16  along the length of the enclosure. In one embodiment, the hinge panel  50  is a flexible covering section in a range of about 1 inch to about 9 inches. In a more specific embodiment, the length of the hinge panel section is in a range of about 2 inches to about 4 inches. The hinge panel  50  is of sufficient length such that one attachment bead  52  may be secured to a frame member  14  of the bow  16  and another attachment bead  48  at the other end can be secured to the clasp  40 . 
         [0030]    Referring now to  FIG. 8 , there is illustrated another embodiment of a structural support and hinge member, shown generally at  100 . The structural support and hinge member  100  includes a mounting arm  102  and a pivot support  104  having a hinge point  106 . The mounting arm  102  includes a plurality of attachment apertures  108 . The pivot support  104  includes a pivot mount  104   a  and a reinforcing gusset  104   b.  The hinge point  106  is formed through the pivot mount  104   a  and is configured as a round hole, though other non-elongated shapes may be used. The hinge point  106  permits rotation but prevents longitudinal positioning of the clasp  40 . The mounting arm  102  is configured to extend along the width dimension of the bow  16 . 
         [0031]    Referring now to  FIG. 9 , there is illustrated yet another embodiment of a structural support and hinge member, shown generally at  200 . The structural support and hinge member  200  includes a mounting arm  202  and a pivot support  204 . The pivot support  204  includes a pivot mount  204   a  and a reinforcing gusset  204   b.  The mounting arm  202  is configured to mount to a vertical portion of the bow  16  and includes an attaching base  202   a  and an offset leg  202   b.  The offset leg  202   b  permits a hinge point  206  to be aligned with the central cavity  38  of the clasp  40 . 
         [0032]    Referring now to  FIG. 10 , there is illustrated an embodiment of a latch assembly, shown generally at  300 . The latch assembly  300  includes a tensioning fence  302  that is similar to the tensioning fence  42 , described above. The tensioning fence  302  includes a latch post  304  and a latch hinge  306 . The latch post  304  and latch hinge  306  are connected together along various positions over the length by a plurality of fence spacers  308 . An actuating connector block  310  is connected to the latch post  304  and latch hinge  306  by any suitable structure. In the illustrated embodiment, the actuating connector block  310  includes attachment holes  312  that may accept bolts (not shown) to secure the post  304  and hinge  306  thereto. Alternatively, the post  304  and hinge  306  may be welded to the block  310 . A locking handle  314  may be connected to the block  310  by a handle mounting aperture  316  and secured by attachment hole  312 . The locking handle  314  may include a groove  318  that retains the handle  314  within the block  310  yet permits rotation of the handle, particularly for stowing and securing. 
         [0033]    Referring now to  FIG. 11 , there is illustrated another embodiment of a structural support and hinge member, shown generally at  400 . The structural support and hinge member  400  includes a mounting arm  402  and a pivot support  404 . The pivot support  404  includes a pivot mount  404   a  and a reinforcing gusset  404   b.  The pivot mount  404   a  includes a slotted hinge point  406  formed therethrough. The reinforcing gusset  404   b  is generally centered in the width of the pivot mount  404   a  and extends from the mounting arm  402  toward the slotted hinge point  406 . The mounting arm  402  is illustrated to mount along the width dimension of the bow  16 , similar to structural support and hinge member  100 , described above. Alternatively, the mounting arm  402  may be configured in a manner similar to structural support and hinge member  200 , if so desired. 
         [0034]    The principle and mode of operation of this invention have been explained and illustrated in its preferred embodiment. However, it must be understood that this invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically explained and illustrated without departing from its spirit or scope.