Abstract:
The invention relates generally to an apparatus for use with curtain side trailers, including a pillar with a hydraulic dampening device and two members, and providing a way for the pillar to be locked and released from lateral movement along a railing or framework. The invention is generally used as an intermediary support for the curtain and the roof, and extends from the trailer bed to the roof. Since the pillars can move laterally along the railing or framework once released and opened, the width for loading and unloading is increased. The dampening device of present invention helps with safety issues of prior inventions by decreasing the velocity of the opening pillar.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   Not applicable 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates generally to a post or pillar with a hydraulic dampening device to be used with curtain sided trailers. It extends between the bed of the vehicle and railing or framework near the roof, usually as intermediary support between pillars located at the corners of the trailer bed. When it is in its installed position, it holds the curtain in place and helps to support the load of the roof. Once released, it slides along an upper railing to increase the loading and unloading width. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   Currently, there are existing pillars designed to increase the loading and unloading width. They are generally connected from the trailer bed to a rail near the roof, and slide along or pivot away from the railing. Examples of these inventions are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,861,094 to Krueger and 2005/0231004 to Remmel respectively, which are incorporated herein by reference. 
   One problem with these inventions is that when the pillar is released and opens, there is nothing to control the velocity of the opening pillar, and can therefore be a safety hazard. 
   Another type of pillar exists to increase width of loading and unloading for curtain sided vehicles. This example is U.S. Pat. No. 4,408,793 to Broadbent, which is also incorporated herein by reference. Instead of detaching from the trailer bed, these pillars swing outboard after releasing bolts at the top and bottom of the pillar. This invention does not appear to have the high velocities associated with the opening pillars in previous examples, but it also does not increase the loading and unloading width as significantly as the pillars that can move laterally along the railing or framework. 
   Accordingly there is a need for an alternative device to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art discussed above. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates generally to a post or pillar with a damper cylinder to be used with curtain sided trailers. It extends between the roof and the bed of the vehicle, usually as intermediary support between pillars located at the corners of the trailer bed. When it is in its installed position, it holds the curtain in place and helps to support the load of the roof. Once released, it slides along an upper railing to increase the loading and unloading width. 
   The present invention is unlike prior art, in that it includes a hydraulic dampening device to decrease the velocity of the outer member of the pillar when it is opened. 
   An object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus to facilitate widening the loading and unloading width for curtain side trailers. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a way to decrease the velocity of the opening pillar after it is released from a locked and installed position to aid in making it safer for the operator of the pillar. 
   Other objects, advantages, and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the present invention, showing it located on a trailer in its installed upright position. 
       FIG. 2  is a side view of the pillar, showing the pillar in its open position and the locations of  FIGS. 3 ,  4 ,  5 , and  6 . 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the bottom end of the inner member of the pillar, showing how the locator pin on the end of the pillar would fit into the locator plate. 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the bottom of the installed but unlocked pillar, showing how the locking handle can be pushed down to release the lock mechanism of the pillar. It also shows how the outer member of the pillar, preferably aluminum, can be pulled outward. 
       FIG. 4A  is an enlarged perspective view of the locking handle and locking mechanism, showing how the locking handle can be pushed down to release the locking mechanism of the pillar. 
       FIG. 4B  is a perspective view of the locking mechanism, locking handle and the pillar, showing how the outer member of the pillar can swing outward. 
       FIG. 5  is a side view of the present invention, showing the pillar in its open position in solid lines and the installed position in dashed lines. It shows how both members of the pillar move outward or inward as the outer member is moved outward or inward, respectively. 
       FIG. 5A  is an enlarged side view, showing how the damper cylinder is attached with hinges to each of the members of the pillar; how the outer member of the pillar swings outward or inward; and how the rod of the damper cylinder moves in relation to the tube of the damper cylinder. 
       FIG. 6  is a side view of the top portion of the pillar and the railing or framework, showing how as the outer member of the pillar swings outward, the upper locator pivots and disengages from the pocket. Conversely, as the outer member swings inward, the upper locator pivots and engages into the pocket. The pivot point is located in the center of the centerline shown. 
       FIG. 6A  is an enlarged partial perspective view of the upper portion of the present invention, including the top portion of the pillar and the railing or framework, showing the upper locator engaged in the pocket. This position allows for no lateral movement of the pillar. 
       FIG. 6B  is an enlarged partial perspective view of the upper portion of the present invention, including the top portion of the pillar and the railing or framework, showing the upper locator disengaged from the pocket. This allows for lateral movement of the pillar along the railing or framework. 
       FIG. 6C  is an enlarged partial perspective view of the upper portion of the present invention, including the top portion of the pillar and the railing or framework, showing how the upper locator is moved away from the pocket and how it can slide along the railing or framework. 
       FIG. 7  is an enlarged partial perspective view of the warning decal on the face of the pillar. Even with the lower velocities that the hydraulic dampening device creates, opening the pillar can still cause injury if standing too close. 
       FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  8 - 8  in  FIG. 5A  showing a cylinder wall, a piston with an orifice in it and a piston rod. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Referring now to the drawings wherein like numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views,  FIG. 1  shows a curtain side semi trailer or truck body  1  with intermediary pillars  2  that are connected from the floor  3   f  to the trailer roof  4 . The pillars  2  are connected at their upper end to a rail or upper frame  5  and at their lower end to lower frame  3 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a pillar  2  and an upper railing or upper frame  5  is disposed between the floor  3   f  and the trailer roof  4  constructed in accordance with the present invention. The pillar  2  consists of the outer member or first post member  6 , preferably aluminum; the inner member or second post member  7 , preferably steel; a dampening cylinder  8 , which can be of a type called “standard dampers” available from AVL Industries, LLC as shown in the accompanying invention submission disclosure (IDS) and which IDS prior art is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety; and the locator pin or protuberance  9  located on the end of the inner member or second post member  7 . The outer member or first post member  6  has the inner member or second post member  7  pivotally attached thereto at pivotal axis  16  shown in  FIG. 2 . The dampening cylinder  8  has a first end pivotally attached at axis  19  to the outer member or first post member  6  and a second end pivotally attached at axis  20  to the inner member or second post member  7  for preventing the first and second members  6  and  7  from pivoting from the first to the second pivotal position too quickly. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 3 , the locator pin or protuberance  9  can be inserted into the recess  10   r  of the locator plate  10 , which is located on the edge of the floor  3   f . The locator pin or protuberance  9  of each pillar  2  must be engaged in a recess  10   r  of a locator plate  10  when the vehicle is in motion. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 4 , the locking mechanism ( 11 ,  12 ,  6   a , and  6   b ) attached to the bottom portion of the inner member or second post member  13  can be released by pushing downward on the locking handle  12 . The bottom end of the outer member or first post member  14  can then be pulled outward with minimal pressure to prompt the outward movement of the pillar  2 . It is noted that  FIG. 4  actually shows the bottom of the pillar  2  in the closed position and not in the open position shown in  FIG. 2 , despite the reference back to  FIG. 4  in  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the bottom of the installed but unlocked pillar  2 , showing how the locking handle  12  of the locking mechanism ( 11 ,  12 ,  6   a , and  6   b ) can be pushed down to unlock the pillar  2 . It also shows how the outer member of the pillar or first post member  6 , preferably aluminum, can be pulled outward. 
     FIG. 4A  shows how the locking mechanism ( 11 ,  12 ,  6   a , and  6   b ) will unlock when the locking handle  12  is pulled downwardly.  FIG. 4A  is an enlarged perspective view of the locking handle  12  and the second part of the locking mechanism  11 , showing how the locking handle  12  can be pushed down to unlock the pillar  2 . As the pillar  2  is unlocked, the top end of the locking handle  12  disengages from the opening  6   b  of the plate  6   a  with an opening  6   b . When the pillar  2  is locked, the top end of the locking handle  12  is engaged in the opening  6   b  of the plate  6   a  with an opening  6   b.    
     FIG. 4B  shows the pillar  2  in its open position, wherein the bottom end of the outer member or first post member  14  has been moved outwardly. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 5 , the pillar  2  is again shown in its open position, as well as its installed position (in dashed lines). The rail upper frame  5  is shown as well as the upper locator or connecting member  15 , both of which will be shown and described in more detail below. The outer member or first post member  6  and the inner member or second post member  7  are pivotally attached along a second substantially horizontal axis  16 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 5A , the dampening cylinder  8  has a first end pivotally attached  19  to the outer member or first post member  6  and a second end pivotally attached  20  to the second post member  7  for preventing the first and second members  6  and  7  from pivoting from the first to the second pivotal position too quickly.  FIG. 5A  is an enlarged side view, showing how the dampening cylinder  8  is attached pivotally to each of the members  6  and  7  of the pillar; how the outer member or first post member  6  swings outward or inward; and how the rod  17  of the dampening cylinder  8  moves in relation to the tube  18  of the dampening cylinder  8 . 
   After the pillar  2  is opened, the outer member or first post member  6  is brought back to meet with the bottom of the inner member or second post member  13 . Referring now to  FIG. 6 , the upper rail or upper frame  5  comprises an upper locator or connecting member  15  which is engaged in a pocket or spaced apart flanges  21 . As the outer member or first post member  6  and inner member or second post member  7  together are moved outward away from the vehicle, the upper locator or connecting member  15  disengages from the pocket or spaced apart flanges  21 . The pivot axis or first substantially horizontal axis  22  is at the lower end of the upper locator or connecting member  15 . 
     FIG. 6  is a side view of the top portion of the outer member or first post member  6  of pillar  2  showing how outer member or first post member  6  is attached to the trolley wheel assembly  27  and the railing or upper frame  5 , showing how as the outer member or first post member  6  of the pillar  2  swings outwardly, the upper locator or connecting member  15  pivots and disengages from the pocket or pair of spaced apart flanges  21 . Conversely, as the outer member or first post member  6  swings inwardly, the upper locator or connecting member  15  pivots and engages into the pocket or pair of spaced apart flanges  21 . The pivot axis or first substantially horizontal axis  22  is located in the center of the centerline shown. A second pivotal axis  26  allows the outer member or first post member  6  to pivot from side to side if desired. 
     FIG. 6A  is an enlarged partial perspective view of the upper portion of the present invention, including the top portion of the outer member or first post member  6  of pillar  2  and the upper railing or upper frame  5 , showing the upper locator or connecting member  15  engaged in the pocket or pair of spaced apart flanges  21 . This position allows for no lateral movement of the pillar  2 .  FIG. 6B  is an enlarged partial perspective view of the upper portion of the present invention, including the top portion of the outer member or first post member  6  of pillar  2  and the railing or upper frame  5 , showing the upper locator or connecting member  15  disengaged from the pocket or pair of spaced apart flanges  21 . This allows for lateral movement of the pillar  2  along the railing or upper frame  5 .  FIG. 6C  is an enlarged partial perspective view of the upper portion of the present invention, including the top portion of the outer member or first post member  6  of pillar  2  and the upper railing or upper frame  5 , showing how the upper locator or connecting member  15  is moved away from the pocket or pair of spaced apart flanges  21  and how it can slide along the upper railing or upper frame  5 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 7 , a warning decal  23  is located on the face of the pillar  2 , instructing users to not stand too closely to the pillar  2  as it is opening. 
     FIG. 8  shows a cross-sectional view taken along line  8 - 8  in  FIG. 5A  showing a typical dampening cylinder wall  8   a , a piston  8   b  with an orifice  8   d  in it and a piston rod  8   c . The cylinder  8   a  is filled with hydraulic oil, not shown, and the hydraulic oil can move from one side of the piston  8   b  to the other, as is a preferred way the dampening cylinder  8  slows the velocity of pivoting movement of the outer and inner or first and second members  6  &amp;  7  from the  FIG. 1  to the  FIG. 2  position thereof. 
   In operation, the pillars  2  are initially in the position shown in  FIG. 1  to hold the curtains  30  in place while moving the trailer  1  over a road to deliver goods to be transported. When it is desired to load or unload such goods to or from the trailer  1 , one or more of the pillars  2  are removed by (1) moving the locking handle  12  down as shown in  FIG. 4B  and (2) pivoting the outer member or first post member  6  out to the position shown in  FIG. 2 . At such time, the dampening cylinder  8  will prevent the outer member or first post member  6  from moving out too fast. 
   The pillar  2  is pivoted outwardly from the position shown in  FIG. 6A  to the position shown in  FIG. 6B  about pivotal axis or the first substantially horizontal axis  22  of  FIG. 6 . The pillar  2  can then be rolled using rollers  24  that roll on track  25  of  FIG. 6 . Of course the locator pin or protuberance  9  is moved to the  FIG. 5  position before the pillar  2  is rolled on the track  25  of upper railing or upper frame  5 . Then the goods can be loaded or unloaded on that portion of the trailer  1  where the pillar  2  was removed. Then the process just outlined above is reversed when it is desired to put the pillar  2  back in place to hold the curtain  30  in place while the trailer  1  is being transported down the road. 
   Accordingly it will be appreciated that the present invention does indeed accomplish the aforementioned objects. Obviously many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.