The present invention relates to curtain-sided vehicles, such as trailers and semi-trailers. In particular, the present invention relates to curtain-sided vehicles that have side openings and side curtains that are supported for sliding movement to close the openings and to provide access to the interior of the vehicles via the openings.

Background of the Invention

Curtain-sided trailers are known having a curtain mounted along at least one side of the trailer. The curtain is mounted on rails such that it can be rolled to one side to reveal the trailer contents. However, once rolled to one side, for instance, the rear of the trailer, the curtain then obscures access to the rear of the trailer. The curtain either has to be moved again to gain such access or access has to be obtained by shifting the contents of the trailer to an accessible position.

Statements of the Invention

The present invention provides a curtain-sided vehicle comprising at least one opening in a side of the trailer and a side-curtain assembly that can close the opening and is movable by sliding between an open position and a closed position, the curtain assembly, including a guide track supporting a curtain, extending along said side and also along at least a part of the rear of the trailer so that, in said open position, the curtain can be located at least partially at the rear of the trailer.

In this way the curtain may be moved at least partly into a position at the rear end of the vehicle (between the side walls) so that the entire length of the side wall which has been exposed can be accessed for loading or unloading of goods.

The vehicles with which this invention is concerned may include all types of curtain- closed, commercial rolling stock including articulated and rigid vehicles. Examples include vehicles with drawbars and electrified plant vehicles. Reference will be made hereinbelow to trailers (and semi-trailers) but it should be appreciated that the invention has application to any curtain-sided vehicle.

The guide track may itself be mounted for movement relative to the body of the vehicle. For instance, it may be mounted on a boom which is movable from the side to the rear of the vehicle. Preferably, however, the guide track is fixed to the body of the vehicle and is not movable relative thereto, More preferably, the guide track includes a curved section extending between the side and the rear of the trailer. In this way the curtain can be smoothly rolled with its trailing edge moving from the front of the vehicle along its side round the curved section and into the rear part of the vehicle.

The vehicle may have curtain assemblies down each side so that both sides may be opened and the curtain or curtains are located entirely at the rear. Either a single curtain may be employed or two or more curtains.

By providing curtain assemblies with curved sections between the sides and the rear of the trailer, the result, with the curtain in place, is that the rear corners of the trailer are curved. This reduces the resistance to motion of the trailer and, as a result, there are fuel consumption benefits.

In general, the length of a vehicle is controlled by industry regulations. As a result, the curtain carrying track at the rear end of the vehicle needs to be positioned within the overall permitted length of the vehicle. Preferably, the exterior edge of the track at the read end of the vehicle is located up to 400 mm inwardly from the end of the vehicle and extends inwardly for up to a further 400 mm. Preferably these distances are up to 200 mm and/or preferably about 100 mm. This compares with the useable space in a conventional vehicle which is likely to be at least 500 mm due to the presence of corner posts and rear stanchions.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the vehicle is a trailer or semi-trailer. The curtain-sided may extend about the complete periphery of the trailer, that is to say, about the front of the trailer as well as the sides and rear. This allows loading through both the front and rear as well as at the sides of the trailer.

In a further embodiment, the curtain may be split. This has the advantage that only one part need be replaced if only that part is damaged and also that better tension may be applied more evenly and/or to a greater extent, thereby achieving lower fuel consumption.

Accordingly, the present invention also provides a curtain-sided trailer in which the rear comers are curved. Brief description of the drawings

The accompanying drawings are as follows:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a curtain-side trailer in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the curtain-sided trailer of Figure 1 with the curtain partially drawn back;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the trailer of Figure 1 with the curtains drawn further back;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the trailer of Figure 1 with the curtains drawn back to the rear of the trailer;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the trailer of Figure 1 with the curtain removed; Figures 6A and 6B show the curtain rail corner assembly for the trailer of Figure 1 ; and

Figures 7A and 7B show the support structure for the curtain of the trailer of Figure 1.

Detailed description of the Invention

Referring to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings, there is depicted a curtain-sided trailer 1 having at least one opening 3 in a side of trailer 1 and a side curtain assembly 5 that can close the opening and is movable by sliding movement between an open position and a closed position.

The side curtain assembly 5 includes a side curtain 7 made from a flexible material such as a polymeric material.

The side curtain assembly 5 also includes a guide track 6, part of which is illustrated in Figures 6A and 6B, which is mounted at an upper section of the trailer. The guide track supports the curtain 7 for sliding movement.

Side curtain assembly 5 also includes a plurality of roller assemblies 9 (Figures 7A and 7B) which are mounted to the upper section of curtain assembly 5 at spaced intervals along the length of the curtain. Roller assemblies 9 are located for sliding movement in the guide track to facilitate sliding movement of the curtain 5.

Each roller assembly 9 includes rollers 11 between which is mounted a stem shank 13 and, attached to the stem shank 13, is the curtain 7. Guide track 6 extends in a broadly u-shaped configuration from one front corner of the trailer 15 along the entire side of the trailer, along the back of the trailer and back to the front other corner of the trailer.

The trailer is provided with support rails 17, one being located about two-thirds up from the base of the trailer and another one at the base of the trailer. These support rails lie directly beneath guide track 6 and extend essentially along most of the sides and back of the trailer although at the front portion of the trailer a single support rail 19 is at a level stepped upwardly from lower support rail 17.

The curtain 5 extends around the entire sides and rear of the trailer, as indicated in Figure 1. At the rear corners of the trailer, the curtain is curved to follow the curved guide track 6 and support rails 17. The curtain may be secured in place by means of straps 19.

Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings shows the trailer 1 with the curtain 5 in a partially drawn back position opening up the front portion of the side of the trailer. Figure 3 shows the trailer with the curtain drawn further back, thereby disclosing more of the contents of the trailer.

Referring to Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings, the curtain is now drawn back along both sides and occupies only the rear portion of the trailer. In this position the curtain can be secured by means of straps 21.

Figure 5 shows the trailer with the curtains removed.