TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the transport of particulate material by flat bed vehicles, including road, rail, ship or the like.

BACKGROUND ART

The transport of ores, coal, scrap metal and other particulate material is generally achieved in specially designed railway or road trucks which are difficult to load and discharge.

Containers have limited use in the transport of particulate material for the same reason.

In German patent 203 179, 67 an open top low container has a rectangular shape and includes a double layer construction and pressed vertical ribs on the outer layer.

In CA 2036019 a specialised freight car has a frame and a box mounted on the frame. Various bulk conveyors are provided to assist with the loading and discharge.

Flat bed trucks have been in use for many years particularly for the transport of containers but, once off-loaded, the flat bed trucks are usually returned unloaded which is, at best, non-profitable.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an arrangement whereby a flat bed truck may be easily and inexpensively converted into a truck that is able to transport particulate material when not in use as a container carrier.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention an assembly is provided for a flat bed truck, the assembly including longitudinal walls and end walls; and a series of transverse partitions to divide the resulting rectangular structure into compartments adapted to prevent or at least minimise movement of particulate material and the structure having predetermined dimensions having regard to the angle of repose of the loaded particulate material.

In the preferred form of the invention the dimensions are chosen for the particulate material to form a mound, the lower zone/s of which are well contained by the end and longitudinal walls.

The transverse partitions have dimensions to contain the mound in the structure with minimum slip of the particles in either or both of the longitudinal and transverse directions. They also serve to divide the pressure of the material against the end and longitudinal walls by a factor depending on the number of the transverse partitions. The transverse partitions preferably include on the ends thereof, a T-shaped jointing member, with the ends of the longitudinal walls abutting the jointing element and providing stability to the junction of the partitions.

It has been found that at least the transverse partitions need not have strength characteristics because of the equal pressures on either side thereof. In one form of the invention the transverse partitions include a frame of steel, aluminium or the like with a board of plywood.

The end and longitudinal walls may also be of lightweight material so that the walls and partitions may be assembled and disassembled easily and carried on or under the flat bed truck for use when required for transport of particulate material, and disassembly when required for container transport.

The walls and partitions may be attached to the chassis of the flat bed truck and to each other by ties or the like rupturable members, alternatively by a resilient spring clip. The twist lock elements of the conventional flat bed truck may also be used to effect attachment.

In one form of the invention, the walls may include at the lower end thereof a flap of flexible material. This material may comprise, for example, polyvinylchloride and is adapted to engage to the base of the walls. In one form, the PVC is formed about elongated tubular element, for example, round bar and may be located under the walls. The flexibility of the PVC enables it to better follow may contours in the bed of the vehicle.

It may be important to load the structure along the longitudinal axis of the structure so that the mound is located to avoid unbalance, particularly when transporting heavy ores such as chrome, manganese and the like.

It may be necessary to cover the load with a tarpaulin to prevent loss due to the movement of air, and to guard against the elements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An embodiment of the invention is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is an isometric view of a flat bed truck with the structure before loading,

Figure 2 is a similar view showing the load in position,

Figure 3 is a cross sectional view showing a transverse partition in position,

Figures 4 and 5 illustrate the transverse and longitudinal shapes of the load of material,

Figure 6 is a plan view of the end of a transverse wall intersecting with longitudinal walls,

And

Figure 7 is an isometric view of a wall including a flexible flap. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In the drawings a flat bed 10 is of a truck provided with longitudinal walls 12 and transverse end walls 14. These may be attached to the bed by means of ties (not shown) which may be connected to conventional twist lock elements 18 in the bed. Flexible flaps 16 (Figure 7) are provided to prevent leakage of material under the partitions.

Transverse partitions 20 are provided which, as shown in Figure 3 are attached to the longitudinal walls by means of ties 22. The ends of the transverse partitions include T- shaped jointing elements 24.

In Figure 2 a mound 30 has been formed on the flat bed by dropping from a loader so that it assumes the shape of a dome in cross section, the sloping sides 32 terminating in edges 34 that are substantially level with the flat bed at the longitudinal walls and edges 36 that are substantially level with the flat bed at the end walls. The slope of the sides of the mound will have an angle of repose of the material being transported.

The partitions are submerged in the shape of the load and serve to prevent slipping of the particles during movement.

A tarpaulin is provided to cover the load and this may be affixed to the twist lock elements or the other items of the flat bed truck.

It is envisioned that the assembly as described above may be employed on all types of flat bed trailers, including multiple trailer arrangements.