Present invention relates to a pre-locking system maintaining rear bumper assemblies on vehicle platforms of trailers, semi-trailers and trucks that are used for road haulage at lifted position once they are lifted prior to main locking. Background of the Invention

In the current state of the art curtainsider trailers are not fitted with a bumper lifting mechanism. On the other hand, bumper lifting mechanisms on box type trailers are not fitted with a pre-locking mechanism. Lacking a pre-locking system, bumper must be locked in lifted position by two persons.

Examining vehicles that are fitted with a pre-locking system in the current state of the art, shows that the pre-locking system is easily affected by external factors failing to function, since the components of pre-locking mechanism are located on the bumper arm. It is highly difficult to service the mechanism that is located on the bumper brace. Furthermore pre- locking mechanism may be damaged when the bumper is impacted.

In an alternative system, the operator is required to lift the bumper and rotate the pre-locking mechanism at the same time in order to lock the bumper at lifted position. This is very difficult and not ergonomic. In another system a metal bar located on the bumper is inserted to the slot drilled on the bumper brace to lock the bumper in lifted position. However, a bumper brace with a slot drilled on it will create notch effect during an impact causing the bumper to be deformed easily at that area.

A literature screening revealed similar applications related to pre-locking systems maintaining rear bumper assemblies on vehicle platforms of trailers, semi-trailers and trucks that are used for road haulage at lifted position once they are lifted prior to main locking.

Patent with application number TR 2008/06023 relates to a trailer with a sliding and/or lifting roof, towed by a tractor truck to be used for road haulage purposes, incorporating an upper profile attached to vertical profiles, an actuation mechanism attached to a rail located on the upper profile, and a sliding profile attached to the actuation mechanism, an upper bumper connected to the sliding profile by a connection rod, a minimum of one upper lock slot located on the upper bumper at certain intervals and a minimum of one upper lock attached to upper lock slots.

Utility model bearing application number TR 201 1/1 1920 relates to trailer beds with a sliding and/or lifting roof, towed by a tractor truck to be used for road haulage purposes, incorporating a saddle bumper with lock slots at five different height levels, making it possible to raise or lower the roof of the trailer bed with sliding and/or lifting roof, where the cargo is loaded, at five different positions, a panel connecting the roof to the floor profile during lifting or lowering operations, locking the bumper by positioning the hooks on the lids, eliminating the requirement to replace the struts or the saddle.

In conclusion, improvements are made regarding pre-locking systems maintaining rear bumper assemblies on vehicle platforms of trailers, semi-trailers and trucks that are used for road haulage at lifted position once they are lifted prior to main locking and thus new structures to eliminate above mentioned disadvantages and provide solutions to current systems are needed.

Objective of Invention

Present invention relates to a pre-locking system maintaining rear bumper assemblies on vehicle platforms of trailers, semi-trailers and trucks that are used for road haulage at lifted position once they are lifted prior to main locking.

Primary objective of present invention is to make it possible to maintain the bumper at lifted position easily through input by one person only.

Another objective of present invention is to position the components of the mechanism, that are of vital importance for the functioning of the pre-locking system, at a location where they will be affected less from external factors compared to competition, with a view to ensuring problem-free functioning of the system and protecting it against external factors.

One other objective of present invention is to make it possible to clean the components of the mechanism of the pre-locking system easily from external factors such as mud, snow or ice.

A further objective of present invention is to facilitate serviceability of the components of the mechanism of the pre-locking system by minimizing their exposure to impact of factors such as mud or snow. Another objective of present invention is to make it easily possible deactivate the lock externally thanks to the simple structure of the pre-locking system.

A further objective of present invention is to minimize damages sustained by the mechanism of the pre-locking system when the bumper is impacted by installing it not on the bumper arm but elsewhere.

Present invention is a pre-locking system maintaining rear bumper assemblies on vehicle platforms of trailers, semi-trailers and trucks that are used for road haulage at lifted position once they are lifted prior to main locking, aiming at achieving above mentioned objectives, incorporating a housing bracket secured to the vehicle platform, a lock assembly attached to the housing bracket, locking the rear bumper assembly at lifted position and then releasing it, a lock assembly housing connecting the housing bracket and the lock assembly and enabling the lock assembly to rotate around its axis, a mounting bracket securing the lock assembly housing to the housing bracket and a lock housing spring inside the housing bracket.

Mounting holes are provided on the housing bracket to secure it on the vehicle platform detachably in order to achieve the objectives of present invention. Rear bumper assembly is fitted with a lock striker, engaging to the lock assembly to lock the bumper in order to achieve the objectives of present invention. Lock assembly contains a locking jaw engaging to the lock striker to lock the bumper. Lock assembly also contains a jaw lever to release the lock striker to unlock the bumper. Diagrams Describing Invention

Dagram-1 , a general perspective dismounted view of pre-locking system.

Diagram-2, a general perspective mounted view of pre-locking system.

Diagram-3, a general view of pre-locking system showing the rear bumper assembly in lowered position. Diagram-4, a general view of pre-locking system showing the rear bumper assembly in lifted position.

Diagram-5, a general view showing the position of pre-locking system inside the vehicle. Drawings are not necessarily scaled and details that are not absolutely required to describe present might have been omitted. Additionally components that are substantially identical or that have substantially identical functions are referred to under the same number.

Description of References

A. Pre-locking system

1. Housing bracket

1.1. Mounting holes

2. Lock assembly

2.1. Locking jaw

2.2. Jaw lever

3. Lock housing spring

4. Lock assembly housing

5. Mounting washer

6. Mounting nut

20. Vehicle platform

21. Rear bumper assembly

21.1. Lock striker

Detailed Description of Invention

Present invention relates to pre-locking system (A) maintaining rear bumper assemblies (21 ) on vehicle platforms (20) of trailers, semi-trailers and trucks that are used for road haulage at lifted position once they are lifted prior to main locking.

Diagram-1 ,depicts a vehicle platform (20) constituting the main body of a trailer that is used for road haulage and carrying the components that form the trailer as well as the cargo. Rear bumper assembly(21 ) is attached to the vehicle platform (20). Rear bumper assembly (21 ) is fitted with a lock striker (21 .1 ), engaging to the lock assembly (2) to lock the bumper. Lock striker (21 .1 ) is either welded to the rear bumper assembly (21 ) or secured detachably by fasteners.

As seen in Diagram-1 , the pre-locking system (A) constituting the subject of present invention incorporates a housing bracket (1 ) that is secured to the vehicle platform (20), housing the components of the pre-locking system (A). Pre-locking system is secured to the vehicle platform detachably, preferably by fasteners, through the mounting holes (1 .1 ) on the housing bracket (1 ). As seen in Diagram-1 , the housing bracket (1 ) contains a lock assembly (2), locking the rear bumper assembly (21 ) at lifted position and then releasing it. A locking jaw (2.1 ), engaging to the lock striker (21 .1 ) to lock the bumper and a jaw lever (2.2) releasing the locking jaw (2.1 ) to unlock the bumper are located on the lock assembly (2).

As seen in Daigram-1 , a lock housing spring (3), located inside the housing bracket (1 ), winds the lock assembly (2) to generate the kinematic energy required for locking the bumper. A lock assembly housing (4) is provided, connecting the housing bracket (1 ) and the lock assembly (2) and enabling the lock assembly (2) to rotate around its axis.

As seen in Diagram-1 , a mounting washer (5) and a mounting nut (6) are used as fasteners to secure the lock assembly housing (4) to the housing bracket (1 ).

The pre-locking system (A) that constitutes the subject of present invention operates as follows based on the information provided in the foregoing.

As seen in Diagram-1 , the pre-locking system (A) constituting the subject of present invention incorporates a housing bracket (1 ), lock assembly (2), lock housing spring (3), lock assembly housing (4), mounting washer (5) and mounting nut (6). The lock assembly (2) is connected to the lock assembly housing (4), mounting washer (5) and mounting nut (6), on the housing bracket (1 ), together with the lock housing spring (3), to form the pre-locking system (A). The pre-locking system is secured to the vehicle platform (20) by fasteners through mounting holes (1 .1 ) located on the housing bracket (1 ).

The lock striker (21 .1 ), secured to the rear bumper assembly (21 ), engages to the locking jaw (2.1 ) located on the lock assembly (2) when the rear bumper assembly (21 ) is lifted, to perform locking. In order to lower the rear bumper assembly (21 ) back from its lifted position, the jaw lever (2.2) of the lock assembly (2) is moved to release the lock striker (21 .1 ) secured on rear bumper assembly (21 ) from the locking jaw (2.1 ).

The components constituting the pre-locking assembly (A) of present invention may be manufactured from steel, aluminum, metal casting, plastics or derivatives thereof.

The pre-locking system (A) does not obstruct the operation of rear bumper assembly (21 ) that can be lifted or the vehicle platform (20). The said system (A), does not create any operational difficulties or any hazards regarding load safety, environmental safety or ride safety and offers perfect safety.

Advantages of using a pre-locking system (A) are listed here below.

• It is very difficult for a single person to engage the main lock on the bumper assembly (21 ) or a second person is needed to help him. The pre-locking system makes is very easy to maintain the bumper in lifted position by a single person (functionality). · The components of the mechanism, that are of vital importance for the functioning of the pre-locking system (A), are located at a position where they will be affected less from external factors compared to competition, with a view to ensuring problem-free functioning of the system (protected against external factors). · It is possible to clean the components of the mechanism of the pre-locking system (A) easily from external factors such as mud, snow or ice (easily cleaned).

• Simple design and installation of pre-locking system (A) facilitates serviceability (easy and fast serviceability).

• Components of the mechanism of the pre-locking system (A) are not affected by impacts sustained by the bumper since they are not located on the bumper assembly (endurance). · The systems fulfills its functions easily thank to its simple structure (ergonomic design).

• Pre-locking is provided for lifting bumper assemblies (21 ), introducing a feature that is not currently available at the market. · It is possible to use the lifting rear bumper assembly (21 ) with a pre-locking system (A) on curtainside vehicles.

Contrary to applications that are currently available in box type vehicles, the bumper is locked as soon as it is lifted and the main lock may be engaged by the same person.

The pre-locking system (A) can be easily serviced thanks to the simple structure of the components of its mechanism and its location outside the reach of external factors. The lock can be easily deactivated externally thank to the simple structure of the pre-locking system (A). Since the mechanism of pre-locking system (A) is not located on the bumper arm, it is affected minimally from impacts sustained by the bumper.