U.S. patent application number 10/309540 was filed with the patent office on 2004-06-10 for device for use in maintaining a temperature in a vehicle or shipping container.
Invention is credited to Moran, Mark, Pia, John.
Application Number | 20040107712 10/309540 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32467882 |
Filed Date | 2004-06-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040107712 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Moran, Mark ; et
al. |
June 10, 2004 |
DEVICE FOR USE IN MAINTAINING A TEMPERATURE IN A VEHICLE OR
SHIPPING CONTAINER
Abstract
The present invention relates to a device for use in maintaining
a temperature in a vehicle or a shipping container. The device
includes a roller having a sheet attached to the roller. One end of
the sheet is connected to the roller and the sheet can be rolled
around the roller and unrolled from the roller. The sheet has a
size such that the sheet can extend substantially transversely
across the cargo area of the vehicle or shipping container when the
device is mounted on the vehicle or shipping container and the
sheet is unrolled from the roller. The device allows for a user to
simply unroll the unattached end of the sheet from the roller when
the user needs to load or unload goods in the cargo area of the
vehicle or shipping container in which the device is mounted.
Inventors: |
Moran, Mark; (Landenberg,
PA) ; Pia, John; (Landenberg, PA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DEREK S. JESSEN
PAUL & PAUL
2900 TWO THOUSAND MARKET STREET
PHILADELPHIA
PA
19103
US
|
Family ID: |
32467882 |
Appl. No.: |
10/309540 |
Filed: |
December 4, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
62/177 ;
62/329 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25D 23/069 20130101;
B82Y 30/00 20130101; B60P 3/205 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
062/177 ;
062/329 |
International
Class: |
F25D 017/00; F25D
023/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A device for use in maintaining a temperature in a region in a
cargo area of a vehicle, said region being defined by a periphery
and said vehicle having interior surfaces defining a first portion
of the periphery, said device comprising: a) a roller mountable
substantially transversely across the cargo area of the vehicle,
said cargo area extending to a closure at an exterior opening of
the vehicle, and b) a sheet of material connected to said roller
and configured to be rolled and unrolled from said roller, said
sheet of material having a size in an unrolled state sufficient to
extend substantially transversely across the cargo area of the
vehicle thereby forming a second portion of the periphery, said
periphery being formed by the first and second portions of the
periphery, wherein said sheet permits the maintenance of the
temperature of the air in the region.
2. The device for use in maintaining a temperature according to
claim 1 further comprising: a first connecting device for
connecting said roller to the vehicle at one end of the roller and
a second connecting device for connecting said roller to the
vehicle at another end of the roller.
3. The device for use in maintaining a temperature according to
claim 2 wherein each of said first and second connecting devices
comprise a bracket which connects each of said ends of said roller
to the vehicle.
4. The device for use in maintaining a temperature according to
claim 1 further comprising a rolling and unrolling device for
rolling said sheet around said roller into a rolled state and
unrolling said sheet from said roller into the unrolled state.
5. The device for use in maintaining a temperature according to
claim 4 wherein said rolling and unrolling device is an electric
motor which rotates said roller thereby rolling and unrolling said
sheet.
6. The device for use in maintaining a temperature according to
claim 5 further comprising: a sensor device connected to the device
for use in maintaining a temperature, and a remote transmitting
device for transmitting a signal to said sensor device when said
sensor is located at a distance away from said sensor device, said
sensor device being capable of receiving a signal from said remote
transmitting device when said remote transmitting device is located
at a distance away from said sensor device and said sensor device
being capable of activating the electric motor such that the
electric motor rolls and unrolls said sheet into the desired rolled
state or unrolled state.
7. The device for use in maintaining a temperature according to
claim 4 wherein said rolling and unrolling device is a pull chain
which is at least partially wrapped around said roller and which
rotates said roller when said pull chain is pulled.
8. The device for use in maintaining a temperature according to
claim 1 wherein said sheet is provided with a support strip
extending transversely across an unrolled end of said sheet, said
support strip allowing for all portions of the end of said sheet to
be pulled uniformly in a single pulling direction when the end of
the sheet is pulled by the support strip.
9. The device for use in maintaining a temperature according to
claim 1 wherein at least a portion of said sheet is
transparent.
10. The device for use in maintaining a temperature according to
claim 1 wherein a portion of the sheet has releasable fabric loops
which are engageable with hooks on a portion of the vehicle.
11. The device for use in maintaining a temperature according to
claim 1 wherein said roller is connected to a wheel at both ends of
said roller and each of said wheels rolls along one of two opposed
track members, said track members being provided along the cargo
area of the vehicle and extending toward the opening of the
vehicle.
12. The device for use in maintaining a temperature according to
claim 1 further comprising a biasing device connected to the roller
which applies a tensioning force on the sheet on the roller when
the sheet is in an unrolled position, said tensioning force being
opposed to an unrolling force which permits unrolling of the
sheet.
13. The device for use in maintaining a temperature according to
claim 12 further comprising a ratcheting device which engages the
roller in a nonrotating position when the unrolling force no longer
unrolls the sheet, said ratcheting device permitting release of the
roller from a nonrotating position and rolling of the sheet into a
rolled state after application of a threshold force which unrolls
the sheet at a predetermined velocity which allows the ratcheting
device to disengage the roller, thus permitting the tensioning
force applied by the biasing device to roll the sheet into the
rolled state.
14. The device for use in maintaining a temperature in a vehicle of
claim 1 in combination with a vehicle, said device being mounted in
the cargo area of the vehicle in a position such that the roller
extends substantially transversely across the cargo area of the
vehicle.
15. A device for use in maintaining a temperature in a region in a
cargo area of a shipping container, said region being defined by a
periphery and said shipping container having interior surfaces
defining a first portion of the periphery, said device comprising:
a) a roller mountable substantially transversely across the cargo
area of the shipping container, said cargo area extending to a
closure at an exterior opening of the shipping container, and b) a
sheet of material connected to said roller and configured to be
rolled and unrolled from said roller, said sheet of material having
a size in an unrolled state sufficient to extend substantially
transversely across the cargo area of the shipping container
thereby forming a second portion of the periphery, said periphery
being formed by the first and second portions of the periphery,
wherein said sheet permits the maintenance of the temperature of
the air in the region.
16. The device for use in maintaining a temperature according to
claim 15 further comprising: a first connecting device for
connecting said-roller to the shipping container at one end of the
roller and a second connecting device for connecting said roller to
the shipping container at another end of the roller.
17. The device for use in maintaining a temperature according to
claim 16 wherein each of said first and second connecting devices
comprise a bracket which connects each of said ends of said roller
to the shipping container.
18. The device for use in maintaining a temperature according to
claim 15 further comprising a rolling and unrolling device for
rolling said sheet around said roller into a rolled state and
unrolling said sheet from said roller into the unrolled state.
19. The device for use in maintaining a temperature according to
claim 18 wherein said rolling and unrolling device is an electric
motor which rotates said roller thereby rolling and unrolling said
sheet.
20. The device for use in maintaining a temperature according to
claim 19 further comprising: a sensor device connected to the
device for use in maintaining a temperature, and a remote
transmitting device for transmitting a signal to said sensor device
when said sensor is located at a distance away from said sensor
device, said sensor device being capable of receiving a signal from
said remote-transmitting device when said remote transmitting
device is located at a distance away from said sensor device and
said sensor device being capable of activating the electric motor
such that the electric motor rolls and unrolls said sheet into the
desired rolled state or unrolled state.
21. The device for use in maintaining a temperature according to
claim 18 wherein said rolling and unrolling device is a pull chain
which is at least partially wrapped around said roller and which
rotates said roller when said pull chain is pulled.
22. The device for use in maintaining a temperature according to
claim 15 wherein said sheet is provided with a support strip
extending transversely across an unrolled end of said sheet, said
support strip allowing for all portions of the end of said sheet to
be pulled uniformly in a single pulling direction when the end of
the sheet is pulled by the support strip.
23. The device for use in maintaining a temperature according to
claim 15 wherein at least a portion of said sheet is
transparent.
24. The device for use in maintaining a temperature according to
claim 15 wherein said roller is connected to a wheel at both ends
of said roller and each of said wheels rolls along one of two
opposed track members, said track members being provided along the
cargo area of the shipping container and extending toward the
opening of the shipping container.
25. The device for use in maintaining a temperature according to
claim 15 further comprising a biasing device connected to the
roller which applies a tensioning force on the sheet on the roller
when the sheet is in an unrolled position, said tensioning force
being opposed to an unrolling force which permits unrolling of the
sheet.
26. The device for use in maintaining a temperature according to
claim 25 further comprising a ratcheting device which engages the
roller in a nonrotating position when the unrolling force no longer
unrolls the sheet, said ratcheting device permitting release of the
roller from a nonrotating position and rolling of the sheet into a
rolled state after application of a threshold force which unrolls
the sheet at a predetermined velocity which allows the ratcheting
device to disengage the roller, thus permitting the tensioning
force applied by the biasing device to roll the sheet into the
rolled state.
27. The device for use in maintaining a temperature in a shipping
container of claim 15 in combination with a shipping container,
said device being mounted in the cargo area of the shipping
container in a position such that the roller extends substantially
transversely across the cargo area of the shipping container.
28. The device for use in maintaining a temperature according to
claim 15 wherein a portion of the sheet has releasable fabric loops
which are engageable with hooks on a portion of the shipping
container.
29. A device for use in maintaining a temperature in a region
having cargo in a cargo area of a vehicle, said region being
defined by a periphery and said vehicle having interior surfaces
defining a first portion of the periphery, said device comprising:
a) a roller mountable substantially transversely across the cargo
area of the vehicle, said cargo area extending to a closure at an
exterior opening of the vehicle, and b) a sheet of material
connected to said roller and configured to be rolled and unrolled
from said roller, said sheet of material having a size in an
unrolled state sufficient to extend substantially transversely
across the cargo area of the vehicle thereby forming a second
portion of the periphery, said periphery being formed by the first
and second portions of the periphery, wherein said sheet permits
the maintenance of the temperature of the air in the region and
said sheet is adapted to deflect air flowing through the cargo area
onto cargo in the region.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention generally relates to a device for use
in maintaining the temperature in the air in a region in a cargo
area a sheet of the device is unrolled in a position substantially
transversely across the cargo area. The device is mountable in a
cargo area in a vehicle or a shipping container and can regulate
the velocity of air flowing through a cargo area of the vehicle or
shipping container and/or can deflect air onto cargo in the cargo
area. A user can install the device in a vehicle or shipping
container or the device can be included with the original equipment
as sold by the manufacturer of the vehicle or shipping container.
If the device is provided as an aftermarket item, the device can be
installed by a user in one vehicle or shipping container and then
removed from that vehicle or shipping container and then be
installed in another vehicle or shipping container.
[0003] 2. Brief Description of Prior Art
[0004] It is generally well understood that it is desirable to
prevent deterioration in the quality and appearance of consumable
perishable goods, such as fresh fruits, vegetables, cheeses, meats,
fish and the like, during lengthy transportation and holding
operations, up to their final arrival in the market. Other goods
such as chemicals, pharmaceuticals and electronic items such as
integrated circuit chips and nanotechnology also may require an
environment in which the temperature is regulated. Some foodstuffs
that must be shipped long distances to market are shipped packed in
crushed ice in the shipping container or are kept in a refrigerated
environment by an environmental control system. Typically,
refrigerated vehicles or freezer trucks transport the foodstuffs to
the market.
[0005] When the goods arrive by a transporting vehicle or shipping
container at a final destination, the goods must be unloaded from
the cargo area of the vehicle or shipping container. During this
unloading process and during transit, the goods to be consumed
should be kept in the desired temperature controlled environment
for as long as possible.
[0006] Previously, attempts were made to erect a strip curtain
inside the cargo area made up of a plurality of strips hanging down
from a ceiling of the vehicle or shipping container in an attempt
to maintain the temperature of the air in the cargo area where the
goods are stored.
[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view through an opening of a
container showing the interior of the container. Prior art hanging
strips 1 are connected to the interior of the container. The
hanging strips 1 are mounted on either the ceiling 4 or the
sidewall 3 of the container. The cargo area of the container
extends throughout the interior of the container and is partially
enclosed by a floor 2, sidewalls 3, endwall (not shown), and
ceiling 4. The cargo area extends to the opening of the container.
A closure (not shown) is located at an opening of the container.
The closure is located in a position such that when it is desired
to transport cargo located in the cargo area the closure may be
moved into position and cover the opening of the container so as to
secure the cargo therein.
[0008] When the strips are located in a position extending
transversely across the cargo area, the goods could be unloaded
from the cargo area by carrying out the perishable items while the
hanging strips hang freely. Since the strips are free to move from
side to side, individual strips can swing out of the way when
personnel and/or goods are carried through the plane defined by the
hanging strips.
[0009] One drawback with the erection of a plurality of hanging
strips is that the strips can cause injury to personnel who load
and unload the goods in the cargo area. The ends of the strips
sometimes lay upon the goods as the goods are carried underneath
the strips. When the ends of the strips are no longer resting upon
the top of the goods being transported under the strips, the strips
can fall away from the goods and strike the person unloading the
goods, thereby causing injury to that person. In addition,
bystanders who are near the goods being transported can suffer
injuries from the whipping action of the falling and swinging
strips.
[0010] Another drawback with the use of a plurality of hanging
strips to prevent the escape of air from an environmentally
controlled area is that the presence of the strips in the cargo
area made loading and unloading of cargo cumbersome since the
strips remained in a hanging position between the environmentally
controlled zone of the vehicle or container. When a person
transports cargo items from the region on one side of the hanging
strips to the environmentally controlled region on the other side
of the strips, one runs the risk that the strips will interfere
with the cargo or become entangled with the cargo. Contact between
the hanging strips and the cargo items can also move the cargo
items out of their desired configuration as the goods are carried
through the hanging strips. Cargo items can even be knocked down
onto the flooring of the vehicle or container thereby possibly
damaging the cargo.
[0011] Another disadvantage with the use of hanging strips to
prevent the escape of air from an environmentally controlled region
is that when the strips are hanging down between the
environmentally controlled region on one side of the hanging strips
and the region on the other side of the hanging strips air can pass
through the opening between two adjacent strips thereby reducing
the effectiveness of the strips at maintaining the temperature of
the environmentally controlled region.
[0012] Hanging strips have another disadvantage in that the strips
are a high maintenance item and require frequent repair or
replacement when used as described above. The strips themselves can
become damaged and in the case of transparent strips the strips can
become hazy and/or lose their transparency due to scratches,
scuffing or a buildup of debris, dust or dirt on the strips.
[0013] The present invention has been developed in view of the
foregoing and to overcome the deficiencies of the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] The present invention discloses a device for use in
maintaining a temperature in a vehicle or a shipping container. The
device includes a roller having a sheet attached to the roller. One
end of the sheet is connected to the roller and the sheet can be
rolled around the roller and unrolled from the roller. The sheet
has a size such that the sheet can extend substantially
transversely across the cargo area of the vehicle or shipping
container when the device is mounted on the vehicle or shipping
container and the sheet is unrolled from the roller. The device
allows for a user to simply unroll the unattached end of the sheet
from the roller when the user needs to load or unload goods in the
cargo area of the vehicle or shipping container in which the device
is mounted.
[0015] It is an object of the present invention to provide a device
for use in maintaining a temperature in a vehicle or shipping
container which is mountable in the cargo area of the vehicle or
shipping container and in which a user can unroll the sheet and
thereby place the sheet in an unrolled state such that the sheet
extends across the cargo area.
[0016] It is an another object of the present invention to provide
a device for use in maintaining a temperature in a vehicle or
shipping container in which a user can mount the device in the
vehicle or shipping container by means of a first and second
connecting device.
[0017] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide
a device for use in maintaining a temperature in a vehicle or
shipping container which has a rolling and unrolling device for
repeatedly rolling the sheet onto the roller and unrolling the
sheet on the roller.
[0018] It is still another object of the present invention to
provide a device for use in maintaining a temperature in a vehicle
or shipping container which has a remote control device for
activating a rolling and unrolling device which rolls and unrolls
the sheet on the roller.
[0019] Another object is to provide a device for use in maintaining
a temperature in a vehicle or shipping container which has a
ratcheting device on the roller which holds the sheet in an
unrolled position against a tensioning force applied by a biasing
device on the roller.
[0020] These and other objects of the present invention will become
more readily apparent when taken into consideration with the
following description and attached drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prior art strip curtain of
a plurality of hanging strips shown in a container;
[0022] FIG. 2 is a view of a preferred embodiment of the device for
use in maintaining a temperature shown mounted in a vehicle;
[0023] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 2;
[0024] FIG. 4 is a view of a second embodiment of the present
invention shown in a container;
[0025] FIG. 5 is an enlarged detail view of a portion of FIG.
4;
[0026] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the
present invention;
[0027] FIG. 7 is an elevational view partly in section of a fourth
embodiment of the present invention; and
[0028] FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the device of FIG. 7 taken
along line 8-8 of FIG. 7.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0029] Referring now to the drawings in detail, wherein like
reference numerals indicate like elements through the several
views, FIGS. 2 and 3 depict an embodiment of a device 9 for use in
maintaining a temperature according to the present invention shown
mounted in a vehicle 1. The vehicle 1 has a cargo area which
extends throughout the interior of the vehicle 1 from the exterior
opening of the vehicle 1 to a back wall (not shown) of the vehicle
1. The back wall is located on the opposite side of the device 9 as
the opening of the vehicle 1. The vehicle 1 has a closure component
or door 8a which is shown mounted by hinges 8 on the vehicle 1.
Closure component 8a and a similar opposed second closure component
(not shown) can both be placed in the closed position and thereby
cover the exterior opening of the vehicle. In FIG. 2, the closure
component 8a is shown in the open position. The device 9 is shown
attached to a ceiling 4 of the vehicle 1. A sheet 5 is rolled onto
a roller 6. A support bracket 10 is affixed to the interior of the
vehicle 1 by screw 12 and connects the roller 6 to the vehicle 1.
The sheet 5 has a size in an unrolled state sufficient to extend
substantially transversely across the cargo area and also extends
from the roller 6 located at the ceiling 4 to a floor 2 of the
vehicle 1. When the sheet 5 is unrolled such that it extends from
the ceiling 4 to the floor 2, a cargo area is defined by a
periphery formed from interior surfaces of the vehicle which form a
first portion and second portion which is defined by the plane in
which the sheet is unrolled. The region in which it is desired to
maintain a temperature extends from sheet 5 throughout the region
of the cargo area inside of the periphery formed by the plane of
the sheet and the interior surfaces of the vehicle facing the
cargo. Thus, the cargo area is divided by the sheet 5 into a first
and second region of the cargo area.
[0030] When sheet 5 extends transversely across the cargo area, the
sheet 5 maintains a temperature in the air or gas atmosphere
between the first region of the cargo area and the second region of
the cargo area.
[0031] The device for use in maintaining a temperature shown in
FIG. 3 is shown with a support bracket 10 which is connected to the
roller 6 which has a pull chain 7 which is at least partially
wrapped around the pull chain sprocket 11. In this embodiment, pull
chain 7 and pull chain sprocket 11 form a device for rolling and
unrolling the sheet on the roller.
[0032] In FIGS. 4 and 5, a second embodiment is shown. FIG. 5 is an
enlarged view of the designated portion of FIG. 4. The roller 6 is
connected to a wheel 14 which rolls in one of two opposed lengths
of track members 13 which are provided along the cargo area of the
vehicle and extend toward the opening of the vehicle or shipping
container. A single length of track members on one side of the
vehicle or container can be formed from a series of track members
in which the end of one track member is connected to an end of the
next track member in a series of track members. In the embodiment
shown in FIG. 5, the roller 6 is connected to wheel 14 at one end.
Since the roller has wheels 14, the roller 6 can be rolled along
both opposed track members 13. When the roller 6 is positioned by a
user at the desired location along the track members 13, the user
can then affix the roller 6 in position through the use of hooks or
other mechanical means. The roller 6 and sheet 5 can then be
located at any position along the track members 13 and can be
unrolled to maintain a temperature in a region of the cargo area
behind the sheet and the second region of the cargo area between
the sheet and the opening of the vehicle or shipping container.
[0033] In FIG. 6, a support bracket 10 is shown connected to one
end of the roller 6 and a second bracket can be connected to the
other end of the roller 6. Both brackets are connected to the
interior of the vehicle or shipping container thereby providing
support for the device for use in maintaining a temperature 9.
[0034] Also shown in FIG. 6 is a motor 16 which rotates the roller
6 and rolls and unrolls the sheet 5 into the position desired by
the user. The motor 16 can be electrically operated.
[0035] The motor 16 can be equipped with an electromagnetic sensor
device which receives electromagnetic signals transmitted from a
remote transmitting device when the remote transmitting device is
located at a distance away from the sensor device. The sensor
device is connected to the device for use in maintaining a
temperature. The sensor device is capable of activating the
electric motor 16 which rolls and unrolls the sheet 5 on the roller
6. Preferably, the sensor device connected to the device for use in
maintaining a temperature can be activated by the remote
transmitting device when the user is located outside of the vehicle
or shipping container. The ability of a user to operate the remote
transmitting device from a distance away from the device for use in
maintaining a temperature permits greater efficiencies during
operation. A single user can begin rolling and unrolling the sheet
on the roller at the optimum time remotely prior to actually
loading or unloading cargo to and from the cargo area thereby
reducing the amount of manpower needed to transport a load of
cargo.
[0036] The rolling and unrolling of the sheet of the device can
also be activated by a conventional switch or switches. If the
device for maintaining a temperature is provided in the vehicle as
original equipment from the manufacturer, then the switch or
switches can be mounted on the sides of the vehicle or shipping
container. The switch or switches can also be connected to the
vehicle or shipping container by a freely hanging cable. This
allows a user the flexibility to operate the switch or switches
from more than one location.
[0037] In FIGS. 7 and 8, is shown a fourth embodiment of the
present invention. The roller 6 of the device for use in
maintaining a temperature of the present invention is provided with
a biasing device which is shown in the form of a roller spring 20.
A first end of roller spring 20 is connected to square plug 27
which has a square cross section at a location on the square plug
27 which extends through support member 19. The roller 6 can rotate
independently of square plug 27 since the roller is connected to a
spindle 28 which rotates independently of square plug 27.
[0038] Support member 19 is affixed to the interior of the vehicle
or shipping container by support bracket 10. The other end of the
roller spring 20 is connected to the roller 6 in such a manner that
the end turns with the roller. Since the first end of the roller
spring 20 does not rotate because the square plug 27 to which the
roller spring 20 is attached is fixed in place, the roller spring
20 applies a torque to the roller as the roller 6 unrolls.
[0039] The torque applied by roller spring 20 acts to apply a
rolling force on the roller 6 which tends to roll up the sheet 5
from an unrolled position. When a user desires to unroll the sheet
5 and place the sheet 5 in an unrolled position, the user can
attach the free end of the sheet 5 to a fixed object by the use of,
for example, a hook attached to a support-strip on the free end of
the sheet 5. When the user then seeks to roll up the sheet 5 after
unhooking the hook, the torque provided by the roller spring 20
which provides the tensioning force on the sheet 5 acts to roll up
the sheet 5 back to the rolled state. In short, the biasing device,
in this case the roller spring 20 on the roller 6 assists the user
in rolling up the sheet 5.
[0040] FIG. 7 also depicts the ratcheting device on the roller 6
which engages the roller 6 and holds the roller 6 in a nonrotating
position when an unrolling force no longer acts on the sheet 5. The
ratcheting device also permits the release of the roller 6 from a
nonrotating position and allows for the rolling of the sheet 5 into
the rolled state after the application of a threshold force which
unrolls the sheet 5 at a predetermined velocity. The threshold
force which releases the ratcheting device can be described as an
initial jerking motion. The threshold force allows the ratcheting
device to disengage the roller 6, thus permitting the tensioning
force applied on the sheet 5 on the roller 6 to roll the sheet 5
into the rolled state.
[0041] A sectional view of one form of the ratcheting device in the
fourth embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 8 which
is located on an end of roller 6. Disc 26 is connected to roller 6
and rotates in unison with the roller 6. End plug 29 is affixed to
plate 25 and is inserted through a hole in the center of disc 26
into the roller 6. End plug 29 continues through plate 25 to the
nonroller side of plate 25. End plug 29 can have a shape such as a
square shape conforming to a cutout portion of plate 25 where end
plug 29 penetrates plate 25 such that there is no relative rotating
movement between plate 25 and end plug 29.
[0042] During assembly of this embodiment of the device for use in
maintaining a temperature, once the plate 25 and end plug 29 are
inserted into the roller 6, end plug 29 can be set down in between
two prongs of a yoke-like structure at the top end of support
member 19. Support member 19 thereby prevents the end plug 29 from
rotating.
[0043] As a user pulls down on the free end of sheet 5 at a
threshold force at a predetermined velocity the resulting rotation
of the roller 6 and disc 26 allows the lever arm 23 of the
ratcheting device to pivot at pivot peg 30 thereby allowing peg 22
on the lever arm to disengage disc 26. Lever arm spring 24 is
selected such that the lever arm 23 disengages at a predetermined
rotating velocity. Lever arm spring pegs 31 connect the lever arm
spring 24 to the plate 25.
[0044] The device of the present invention can be used in vehicles
such as trucks, in particular, refrigerated trucks or freezer
trucks. The device can also be used in a shipping container such as
a truck trailer, for example. Typically, truck trailers have a
width of 102 inches. If one allows for 2 to 4 inches of insulation
on the interior of the truck, then the width of a cargo area for
which the temperature is to be maintained is 96 inches.
Accordingly, a sheet having a width of 96 inches can be used in
order to extend transversely across the cargo area. The width of
the sheet to be used can vary accordingly with the size of the
cargo area in which the device is mounted. Preferably, the sheet
has a width of 90-96 inches in order that the sheet can allow for
the minimization of air flow from the cargo area region on one side
of the sheet flowing into the cargo area region at the other side
of the sheet.
[0045] In order to minimize the loss of air from the region in
which it is desired to maintain the temperature, the device for use
in maintaining a temperature of the present invention can be
accommodated in a recess such as a groove or channel in
the-ceiling. Typically, a truck-type vehicle or shipping container
in which one wishes to maintain a temperature will have a layer of
insulation located on the ceiling. The device of the present
invention can be located in a recess in the ceiling in order to
minimize the size of the gap above the roller through which air can
escape. If the device for use in maintaining a temperature is
provided in original equipment provided by the manufacturer of the
vehicle or shipping container, then the ends of the roller having
the sheet can be recessed into the sides of the vehicle or shipping
container in order to further minimize the loss of air from the
region in which the temperature is maintained by the device.
[0046] In some instances, depending on the type of cargo being
carried or the environmental conditions, a user of the device may
wish that some air flow into the region where the temperature is
maintained and then have the air flow onto the cargo. Accordingly,
a user can adjust how far down the sheet is unrolled and thereby
control how much air flows through the cargo area and onto the
cargo by the air being deflected off of the sheet.
[0047] In addition, the floor of the trailer can be provided with
grooves or can be ribbed which allows for the escape of air from
the region in which the temperature is maintained even when the
sheet is in an entirely unrolled state. Preferably, the ribs or
grooves have a depth of about 2 to about 3 inches.
[0048] The device can also be used in shipping containers such as
ocean going shipping containers which are used for the
transportation of goods on ocean-going vessels. The shipping
containers can also be refrigerated shipping containers for
transporting refrigerated goods.
[0049] The sheet can be a fibrous or non-fibrous sheet and can be
permeable or impermeable to water vapor. The sheet can comprise a
polymeric material, such as vinyl, polyethylene, or polypropylene.
The sheet can also be a continuous film, or a woven, nonwoven or
spunbonded material. The sheet can be in the form of a sheet having
multiple layers of material. In order to minimize the flow of air
from a temperature controlled side of the sheet to the other side
of the sheet, the sheet can be substantially air-impermeable.
[0050] The sheet can also be provided with a portion or a strap
which has fabric fastening loops which are engageable with hooks
which are located on a portion of the vehicle. A material such as
VELCRO is an example of such a material. Alternatively, the hooks
can be located on the sheet in the form of a strap and the fabric
loops can be on a portion of the interior of the vehicle. When
straps are used to fasten the sheet to the interior of the vehicle
the sheet can be held in the unrolled state and thereby minimize
the loss of air through gaps at the side of the sheet between the
vehicle and the sheet.
[0051] A support strip can be located at a free end of the sheet on
the roller. The support strip provides for the even distribution of
a tensile force along the end of the sheet. The support strip can
also be sewn into the sheet or affixed to the end of the sheet in a
transversely folded portion of the free end of the sheet. Guide
members can be provided on the sides of the vehicle or shipping
container which guide the support strip in the sheet as the sheet
is rolled downwardly.
[0052] The support strip can be metal, plastic or wood or any other
material which provides sufficient rigidity that a user pulling on
the sheet by the support strip attached to the sheet applies a
substantially uniform force on the sheet. The guide members prevent
the sheet from billowing outwardly or inwardly when a difference in
air pressure occurs between the first region and the second region
of the cargo area. Preferably, the guide members are located
vertically on opposite sides of the interior of the vehicle or
shipping container.
[0053] Billowing of the sheet can result in an excessive loss of
air from the region of the cargo area in which the temperature is
being maintained, thereby increasing costs.
[0054] The sheet can have insulating properties sufficient to
maintain a temperature in the region of the cargo area on one side
of the sheet while the remaining portion of the cargo area on the
opposite side of the sheet is at a different temperature.
[0055] Preferably, a least a portion of the sheet is transparent,
thereby allowing a user of the device to be able to see from one
side of the sheet to another when the sheet is in an unrolled
state. Most preferably, the entire sheet is transparent.
[0056] Other forms of rolling and unrolling devices which can be
used in place of the pull chain and pull chain sprocket are
flexible devices such as string, cord, rope or straps which are
wrapped around the roller in a groove. The flexible devices rotate
the roller when a user pulls on the flexible device in the
direction of rolling or unrolling the sheet.
[0057] The pull chain shown in FIGS. 3 and 5 can be a single
continuous closed loop or can be a single length of rope, chain,
string or cord having two free ends. In addition, even when the
device for use in maintaining a temperature is provided with a
motor for rolling and unrolling the sheet, the device can also be
provided with a pull chain to raise or lower the sheet in the event
that the motor is not operational.
[0058] The present invention also provides the user with the option
of installing more than one device in a vehicle or shipping
container. For example, if the user provides a cargo area with two
of the devices of the present invention extended transversely
across the cargo area at different locations, then when the sheets
of each of the devices are extended, the cargo area is divided into
three regions. Each region has a periphery defined by the plane of
the sheet facing the region when the sheet is in an extended
position and the interior surfaces of the vehicle or shipping
container which are exposed in that region of the cargo area. The
temperature of a region so defined in the cargo area can thus be
maintained.
[0059] It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that
changes may be made by the above-described embodiments of the
invention without departing from the broad inventive concepts
thereof. For example, each of the features described above do not
all need to be included in a single device. Rather, one or more
features can be provided in a single device where desired and in
any combination. It is understood, therefore, that this invention
is not limited to the particular embodiment disclosed, but it is
intended to cover all modifications which are within the scope and
spirit of the invention.
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