GB2360017A

GB2360017A - Pillar and sideboard arrangement

Info

Publication number: GB2360017A
Application number: GB0005559A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Reginald George Hill; Gary Hill
Original assignee: R G TRADE SUPPLIES AND ENGINEE
Current assignee: R G TRADE SUPPLIES AND ENGINEE
Priority date: 2000-03-09
Filing date: 2000-03-09
Publication date: 2001-09-12
Also published as: GB0005559D0

Abstract

The arrangement for mounting on an open bodied vehicle has a pillar 10 that can be removably mounted on a plate (36, figure 4). The plate is mounted on the vehicle side via countersunk holes (38, figure 4). The pillar may be located between two sideboards (72, figure 11) that are mounted by hinges on the vehicle body. The pillar is a hollow, square-section tube 12 with a lower end that locates on a dowel (42, figure 4). A slam plate 16 is provided on the tube which engages with a raised sideboard. A pair of fixing lugs 18 are provided for an anti-luce arrangement (20, figure 24) to be mounted. Two transversely extending pins (46, figure 3) extend through a slot 32 in the pillar to guide the pillar toward its mounted position on the dowel. The sideboard has two spaced sides 74 and 76 interconnected by webs 78 and 80. A channel is defined between the bottom edge 82 and web 80 to receive a hinge. A recess 84 is provided in the sideboard into which a locking part (87, figure 12) is located. The anti-luce arrangement provided on the pillar can extend through a hole (94, figure 12) and be contained wholly within the locking part such that it does not extend outwardly beyond the sideboard.

Description

2360017 1 Containment Arrangement This invention concerns containment

arrangements, and particularly but not exclusively sideboard assemblies usable on vehicles such as open bodied vehicles or trucks, and also vehicle bodies and vehicles incorporating such an assembly.

Sideboard assemblies for vehicles such as open bodied vehicles or trucks typically comprise one or more sideboards which are pivotally mounted to the vehicle so that they can hang down from the vehicle to permit loading, and can subsequently be raised to be upstanding from the vehicle to contain a load. A number of upstanding pillars are usually provided on the vehicle body to which the sideboards are releasably mountable in the raised condition. The releasable mounting is usually provided by an antiluce extending through a hole or holes. The anti-luce usually comprises a pin member with a pivotally mounted end part which permits release when in a parallel alignment, but when extending transversely retains the pin member extending through a hole or holes.

According to the present invention there is provided a pillar arrangement for a containment arrangement for a vehicle body, the arrangement comprising a mounting member mountable on a vehicle, and a pillar member which is releasably engageable with the mounting member; the mounting member comprising a base part mountable on the vehicle, a locating part extending outwardly from the base part to receive a lower end of the pillar member when engaged on the mounting part, and guide means engageable with the pillar member.

The pillar member is preferably hollow and may be of square crosssection.

The base part of the mounting member may comprise a plate, and mounting holes may be provided on the base part.

2 The locating part may include an upstanding projection engageable in the interior of the pillar member. The upstanding projection may be of circular cross-section.

The pillar member may comprise a slot with which the mounting member guide means is engageable. Transverse support means may be provided extending across the interior of the pillar member in the vicinity of the slot to prevent the slot from widening.

The guide means may be extendible through the slot in the pillar member. The guide means may comprise a link part which extends from the base part, and which is extendible through the slot in the mounting member, and a head part provided on the free end of the link part which is too large to pass through the slot. Two or more guide means may be provided, which guide means may be located adjacent each other, and desirably immediately above one another.

The pillar member may comprise one or more flange plates against which a sideboard can slam. The pillar member may comprise one or more plates upon which an anti-luce arrangement is mountable.

The invention also provides a sideboard arrangement for a vehicle, the arrangement comprising a board member and a locking part, the locking part being mounted to the board member so as to provide a recess with a hole therein to receive the end of a locking arrangement such as an anti- luce, with the end of the locking arrangement locatable wholly within the recess so as to not extend outwardly beyond the board member.

The locking part preferably comprises a base with upstanding walls, with a hole provided in the base. The base may comprise a plate of greater strength than the side walls. A flange or pair of spaced flanges may be provided on the side walls for mounting on the board member, and desirably by rivetting through the flange.

3 The board member preferably has inner and outer faces, and where a pair of spaced flanges are provided, each is preferably mountable respectively to one of the inner and outer faces.

The locking part may be mounted to a recess extending into the outer face of the board member from an end of the board member. In some instances the recess extends to both the outer and inner faces of the board member. Alternatively the locking part may be mounted to an opening in the outer and perhaps also inner face of the board member.

The locking part may be connected to an end section which closes the board member. The end section may be of channel section with the end of the board member slidingly located within the channel.

The board member may comprise an extrusion, which is desirably of aluminium. Alternatively, the board member may be formed of shaped sheet material, which material may comprise steel, and the board member may comprise two connected pieces of shaped material.

The two pieces of sheet material may be of channel shaped section, with each channel facing the other, and one channel of a slightly smaller size to slidingly fit in the other. The larger channel section may have an inwardly turned lip on a one limb to secure the other channel section therein.

A strengthening member or members may extend between the two pieces. The strengthening member may comprise a length of smaller channel crosssection material, which is mounted to extend transversely between the two pieces with the channel facing upwardly or downwardly.

Means are preferably provided at a lower part of the board member to permit hinges to be mounted thereon. A downwardly open channel may be provided which may be formed as part of the extrusion of the board member.

4 Alternatively, a plurality of holes may be provided through a bottom face of the board member. A thread may be provided in or above the holes, and may be provided by captive nuts. The nuts may be provided on an elongate plate extending along the bottom of the interior of the board member.

As a further alternative a plurality of slots may be provided through a bottom face of the board member. A captive bolt or bolts may extend downwardly through each slot, and be slidingly movable therealong. The bolt or bolts may be mounted on one or more plates.

The invention also provides a sideboard assembly for a vehicle, the assembly comprising one or more pillar arrangements and one or more sideboard arrangements according to any of the preceding eighteen paragraphs.

The invention also provides a vehicle body, the body comprising a sideboard assembly according to the above paragraph.

The invention yet further provides a vehicle, the vehicle comprising a body according to the above paragraph.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:Fig. 1 is a side view of a pillar according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a front view of the pillar of Fig. 1; Figs. 3 and 4 are respectively side and front views of a mounting arrangement usable with the pillar of Fig. 1; Figs. 5 and 6 are respectively rear and side views of a similar pillar to Fig. 1, but usable in a corner; Fig. 7 is a plan view of the pillar of Fig. 5 in use; Figs. 8 and 9 are respectively front and side views of a mounting arrangement usable with the pillar of Fig. 5; Fig. 10 is a plan view of the arrangement of Fig. 8 in use; Fig. 11 is a diagrammatic perspective view of part of a first sideboard arrangement according to the invention; Figs. 12 and 13 are respectively front and side views of a further part of the first sideboard arrangement of Fig. 11; Fig. 14 is a diagrammatic side view of a second sideboard arrangement according to the invention; Figs. 15 and 16 are respectively sectional views on the lines Y-Y and X-X of Fig. 14; Figs. 17 and 18 are respectively front and side views of part of the second sideboard arrangement; Fig. 19 is a diagrammatic side view of a third sideboard arrangement according to the invention; Fig. 20 is a sectional view along the line W-W in Fig. 19; Figs. 21 and 22 are front and end views respectively of a component of the third sideboard arrangement; Fig. 23 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view along the line Z-Z of Fig. 19; and 6 Fig. 24 is a diagrammatic view of a typical anti-luce arrangement.

The drawings shown various arrangements for providing sideboard assemblies usable on a van or truck and the like, which permit the sideboard or sideboards to be dropped to permit loading, and subsequently raised to contain a load.

Figs. 1 and 2 show a pillar 10 suitable for locating between two sideboards. The pillar 10 comprises a length 12 of square section tube closed by a plastic end cap 14. A slam plate 16 is provided on the rear face of the tube 14 for approximately the upper two thirds thereof. When a sideboard is pushed to a raised position this will engage against the slam plate 16. The slam plate 16 is interrupted towards the upper part thereof by a pair of fixing lugs which extend outwardly beyond the slam plate 16 on each side of the tube 14. The lugs 18 are of heavier duty material and can mount an anti-luce arrangement 20 as shown in Fig. 24.

It is intended once an arrangement according to the invention is installed on a lorry, the particular position for fitting of the anti- luce arrangement 20 can be determined and appropriate holes drilled in the lugs 18. The anti-luce arrangement 20 comprises a pin 22 which pivotally mounts a locking member 24, which provides for locking engagement when transverse to the pin 22. The pin 22 provides a thread 26 which extends through a hole provided in the lug 18, and can be mounted to the lug 18 by a washer 28 and nut 30.

A slot 32 is provided in the rear face of the tube 12 a short distance below the bottom of the slam plate 16, and extending to the bottom of the tube 12. A pair of transverse dowels 34 extending within the tube 12 between the sides thereof adjacent the slot 32 to prevent widening thereof.

Figs. 3 and 4 show a mounting arrangement 34 usable with the pillar 10. The mounting arrangement 34 comprises a base plate 36 with four countersunk mounting holes 38. A further plate 40 extends outwardly from the lower edge 7 of the plate 36 at the middle thereof and mounts an upwardly extending dowel 42. Located spaced above the dowel 42 are a pair of guide studs 44, each comprising a pin 46 with an enlarged head 48 spaced from the plate 36.

In use, the base plate 36 will be mounted on a vehicle side at an appropriate point. When not required the pillar 10 will be stored separately therefrom. When required the pillar 10 can readily be mounted on the base plate 36 by locating the slot 32 such that the pins 46 can pass thereinto and the pillar 10 dropped until the dowel 42 engages in the bottom of the pillar 10. This provides for easy, yet secure mounting of the pillar 10, and ready removal thereof from the vehicle.

Figs. 5-7 show a similar pillar 50, but for use at the rear corner of a vehicle, and Figs. 8-10 show a corresponding mounting arrangement 52 for the pillar 50. On the rear face 54 of the pillar a tailboard 56 will extend directly thereagainst and accordingly no slam plate is required, but a lug 58 is provided which is mounted flush with the rear face 54 of the pillar. The side 60 of the pillar is comparable to one of the sides of the pillar 10. On the mounting arrangement 52 the rear face 62 is plain except for mounting holes 64, but the side face provides a similar dowel 68 and pins 70 close to the corner thereof.

Figs. 11-13 show a first sideboard arrangement usable with the above described pillars. The sideboard arrangement comprises a sideboard member 72 made from an aluminium extrusion. The extrusion comprises two spaced sides 74,76 interconnected at their top by a top face, and interconnected by two intermediate webs 78 and a bottom web 80 spaced a short distance above the bottom edges 82 of the board member. Beneath the bottom web 80 a channel is defined by the bottom edges being inwardly turned to permit mounting of hinges thereto. A recess 84 is provided extending from the end of the board member 72 a short distance below the top face 86 thereof to locate a locking part 87 which will now be described.

The locking part 87 comprises a heavy duty square base plate 88 from 8 which upstanding side walls 90 extend. A mounting flange 92 is provided around the edge of the side walls 90 spaced from the base plate 88 and also around the edge of the side walls 90 adjacent the base plate 88. A hole 94 is provided through the base plate for mounting an anti-luce arrangement 20 as described above. The mounting flanges 92 are such that the locking part 87 can be located in the recess 84 in the sideboard member 72, with the mounting flanges 92 overlapping, and being mounted by rivetting or the like to the inner and outer faces 76,74 of the sideboard member.

An end cover 96 for the sideboard member 72 extends from the locking part 87 and comprises a length of channel section which slidingly accepts the end of the sideboard member 72 to close same. The end member 96 can be mounted on to the side wall faces 74,76 by rivetting.

In use when the anti-luce arrangement 20 extends through the hole 94, whilst easy access is provided to the anti-luce arrangement 20, it is contained wholly within the locking part 87 such that it does not extend outwardly beyond the sideboard member 72.

Figs. 14-18 show a second sideboard member 98. In this instance the sideboard member 98 is formed from two sheets 100,102 of steel, with each having a generally channel shape cross-section. The sheet 100 which forms the inner side is of a slightly smaller size so as to slidingly fit in the outer sheet 102. The two sheets 100,102 can be fastened together by welding, rivetting or any other suitable arrangement. A stiffening member 104 in the form of a downwardly facing length of channel section is provided substantially at midheight between the inner and outer faces 100, 102. The stiffening member 104 is again mounted to the inner and outer faces by any suitable means. A generally similar locking part 106 is provided which locates within an opening in the outer face 102. In view of this, only a mounting flange 108 spaced from the base plate 110 is required. An appropriate hole will require to be drilled through the inner face to correspond with the hole 112 in the base plate 110 of the locking part 106.

9 A plurality of holes 114 are drilled through the bottom face of the sideboard member 102. A heavy duty elongate strip 116 is provided within the board member 102 immediately above the base thereof with holes 118 therethrough corresponding to the holes 114 in the bottom face. Captive nuts 120 are mounted on the strip 116. This arrangement permits hinges to be attached to the sideboard member 102 by virtue of bolts extending through the respective holes 114,118 to engage with the captive nuts 120.

Figs. 19-23 show a third sideboard arrangement which is somewhat of a hybrid between the first and second arrangements. Again the sideboard member 122 is made from two sheets 124,126 of steel with a stiffening member 128. In this instance the inner and outer forming sheets 126,124 simply have a channel shape cross-section, and no upturned lip at the bottom edge. A recess is provided in an upper part of the outer sheet 124 extending from the end thereof, which recess locates a locking part 130 and end member 132 which is similar to those shown in Figs. 12 and 13. As the recess is only in the outer sheet 124, only an outer mounting flange 134 is provided on the locking part 130. In this instance the end member 132 has a double channel arrangement as shown in Fig. 23, with the ends of the inner and outer plates 124,126 engageable between the two pieces of channel section to provide extra strength.

A different arrangement is provided for mounting hinges. A plurality of slots 136 are provided through the base of the sideboard member. Through each slot one of a pair of spaced captive bolts 138 extend. The captive bolts 138 are mounted on plates 140 which can be slid along the base. The spacing of each pair of bolts 138 is such as to correspond with the mounting on a hinge. The captive bolts 138 can readily engage with a hinge and corresponding nuts.

There are thus described a number of embodiments of the invention which provide for considerable advantages. A neat and rigid way of mounting the pillars is provided. A number of ways of providing a neatly recessed locking arrangement which can readily be accessed by an operator are provided.

All of the above arrangements can be relatively inexpensively and robustly manufactured.

It is to be realised that various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For instance, any combination of the above features can be selected.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

1. A pillar arrangement for a containment arrangement for a vehicle body, the arrangement comprising a mounting member mountable on a vehicle, and a pillar member which is releasably engageable with the mounting member; the mounting member comprising a base part mountable on the vehicle, a locating part extending outwardly from the base part to receive a lower end of the pillar member when engaged on the mounting part, and guide means engageable with the pillar member.

2. A pillar arrangement according to claim 1 in which the pillar member is hollow.

3. A pillar arrangement according to claim 2, in which the pillar member is of square cross-section.

4. A pillar arrangement according to any of the preceding claims in which the base part of the mounting member comprises a plate.

5. A pillar arrangement according to claim 4 in which mounting holes are provided on the base part.

6. A pillar arrangement according to claim 2 or any of claims 3-5 when dependent on claim 2, in which the locating part includes an upstanding projection engageable in the interior of the pillar member.

7. A pillar arrangement according to claim 6 in which the upstanding projection is of circular cross-section.

8. A pillar arrangement according to claim 2 or any of claims 3-7 when dependent on claim 2, in which the pillar member comprises a slot with which the mounting member guide means is engageable.

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9. A pillar arrangement according to claim 8 in which transverse support means are provided extending across the interior of the pillar member in the vicinity of the slot to prevent the slot from widening.

10. A pillar arrangement according to claims 8 or 9 in which the guide means is extendible through the slot in the pillar member.

11. A pillar arrangement according to claim 10 in which the guide means comprises a link part which extends from the base part, and which is extendible through the slot in the mounting member, and a head part provided on the free end of the link part which is too large to pass through the slot.

12. A pillar arrangement according to any of the preceding claims in which two or more guide means are provided.

13. A pillar arrangement according to claim 12 in which the guide means are located adjacent each other.

14. A pillar arrangement according to claim 13 in which the guide means are located immediately above one another.

15. A pillar arrangement according to any of the preceding claims in which the pillar member comprises one or more flange plates against which a sideboard can slam.

16. A pillar arrangement according to any of the preceding claims in which the pillar member comprises one or more plates upon which an anti- luce arrangement is mountable.

17. A sideboard arrangement for a vehicle, the arrangement comprising a board member and a locking part, the locking part being mounted to the board member so as to provide a recess with a hole therein to receive the end of a locking arrangement such as an antiluce, with the end of the locking 13 arrangement locatable wholly within the recess so as to not extend outwardly beyond the board member.

18. A sideboard arrangement according to claim 17 in which the locking part comprises a base with upstanding walls, with a hole provided in the base.

19. A sideboard arrangement according to claim 18 in which the base comprises a plate of greater strength than the side walls.

20. A sideboard arrangement according to claim 19 in which a flange or pair of spaced flanges is provided on the side walls for mounting on the board member.

21. A sideboard arrangement according to claim 20 in which the flange mounted on the board member by riveting through the flange.

22. A sideboard arrangement according to any of claims 17-21 in which the board member has inner and outer faces.

23. A sideboard arrangement according to claim 22 when dependent on claims 20 or 21 in which, where a pair of spaced flanges are provided, each is mountable respectively to one of the inner and outer faces.

24. A sideboard arrangement according to claims 22 or 23 in which the locking part is mounted to a recess extending into the outer face of the board member from an end of the board member.

25. A sideboard arrangement according to claim 24 in which the recess extends to both the outer and inner faces of the board member.

26. A sideboard arrangement according to claim 22 in which the locking part is mounted to an opening in the outer face of the board member.

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27. A sideboard arrangement according to claim 26 in which the locking part is also mounted to an opening in the inner face of the board member.

28. A sideboard arrangement according to any of claims 18-27 in which the locking part is connected to an end section which closes the board member.

29. A sideboard arrangement according to claim 28 in which the end section is of channel section with the end of the board member slidingly located within the channel.

30. A sideboard arrangement according to any of claims 18-29 in which the board member comprises an extrusion.

31. A sideboard arrangement according to claim 30 in which the extrusion is of aluminium.

32. A sideboard arrangement according to any of claims 18-29 in which the board member is formed of shaped sheet material.

33. A sideboard arrangement according to claim 32 in which the shaped sheet material is of steel.

34. A sideboard arrangement according to claim 32 or 33 in which the board member comprises two connected pieces of shaped material.

35. A sideboard arrangement according to claim 34 in which the two pieces of sheet material are of channel shaped section, with each channel facing the other, and one channel of a slightly smaller size to slidingly fit in the other.

36. A sideboard arrangement according to claim 35 in which the larger channel section has an inwardly turned lip on a one limb to secure the other channel section therein.

is

37. A sideboard arrangement according to claim 36 in which a strengthening member or members extends between the two pieces.

38. A sideboard arrangement according to claim 37 in which the strengthening member comprises a length of smaller channel cross-section material, which is mounted to extend transversely between the two pieces with the channel facing upwardly or downwardly.

39. A sideboard arrangement according to any of claims 18-38 in which means are provided at a lower part of the board member to permit hinges to be mounted thereon.

40. A sideboard arrangement according to claim 39 in which the hinge mounting means comprise a downwardly open channel.

41. A sideboard arrangement according to claim 40 when dependent on claims 30 or 31 in which the downwardly open channel is formed as part of the extrusion of the board member.

42. A sideboard arrangement according to any of claims 39 to 41 in which a plurality of holes are provided through a bottom face of the board member.

43. A sideboard arrangement according to claim 42 in which a thread is provided in or above the holes.

44. A sideboard arrangement according to claim 43 in which the thread is provided by captive nuts.

45. A sideboard arrangement according to claim 44 in which the nuts are provided on an elongate plate extending along the bottom of the interior of the board member.

46. A sideboard arrangement according to any of claims 39 to 41 in which a 16 plurality of slots are provided through a bottom face of the board members.

47. A sideboard arrangement according to claim 46 in which a captive bolt or bolts extends downwardly through each slot, and is slidingly movable therealong.

48. A sideboard arrangement according to claim 47 in which the bolt or bolts are mounted on one or more plates.

49. A sideboard assembly for a vehicle comprising one or more pillar arrangements according to any of claims 1 to 16, and one or more sideboard arrangements according to any of claims 17 to 48.

50. A vehicle body comprising a sideboard assembly according to claim 49.

51. A vehicle comprising a body according to claim 50.

52. A pillar arrangement substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 110.

53. A sideboard arrangement substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 11 - 13.

54. A sideboard arrangement substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 14-18.

55. A sideboard arrangement substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 19-23.

56. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed herein, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.