US3709552A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Van bodies
Assignee: Utility Trailer Manufacturing Co
•
Filing: 1970-10-12
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Granted: 1973-01-09
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Expires: 1990-10-12
Abstract
Abstract A van body with an open side closable by a sliding curtain suspended from the roof of the body. One vertical edge of the curtain is detachably secured to an end of the open side and the other vertical curtain edge is detachably connected with a rotary spool element at the opposite end of the open side onto which curtain is wound for horizontal tensioning. Spool locking means is provided to prevent slackening of the tensioned curtain. The curtain is also tensioned vertically by straps which connect between travelling elements by which the curtain is suspended and anchorages on the body.
Inventors
- 👤 E Broadbent
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 02:39
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60J; B60J5/00; B60J5/04; B60J5/06; B60J5/062; B60J5/065
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
119 words
A van body comprising a bed for supporting cargo, a roof supported above the bed at at least two opposed vertical sides, at least one vertical open side for loading and unloading cargo, a guide rail along the roof at the open side, a plurality of travelling elements engaging the rail and movable therealong, a vertical curtain suspended from the travelling elements and movable therewith to close the open side, a rigid connector at each vertical edge of the curtain, securing means at each end of the open side to receive and hold the connectors, and tensioning means at an end of the open side coacting with the securing means to exert a horizontal tensioning force on the curtain.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
119 words
A van body comprising a bed for supporting cargo, a roof supported above the bed at at least two opposed vertical sides, at least one vertical open side for loading and unloading cargo, a guide rail along the roof at the open side, a plurality of travelling elements engaging the rail and movable therealong, a vertical curtain suspended from the travelling elements and movable therewith to close the open side, a rigid connector at each vertical edge of the curtain, securing means at each end of the open side to receive and hold the connectors, and tensioning means at an end of the open side coacting with the securing means to exert a horizontal tensioning force on the curtain.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The van body as claimed in claim 1, in which each connector is a hollow tube accommodated within a sleeve at each vertical edge of the curtain.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The van body as claimed in claim 2, in which each securing means is constituted by upper and lower plugs for engagement in the open ends of the hollow tubes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The van body as claimed in claim 2, including a rotatable spool element engageable with one of the tubes to wind up the curtain and thus apply a horizontal tensioning force thereto.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The van body as claimed in claim 4 comprising locking means associated with the spool element to prevent reverse rotation thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The van body as claimed in claim 5, in which the locking means comprises a drum fixed to the rotary spool element and an adjustable brake band frictionally engaging the drum.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
65 words
The van body as claimed in claim 1, comprising a plurality of horizontally spaced, vertically extending tensioning straps having upper and lower ends, each having the upper end fast with one of said elements, means at the lower end of each strap for securement to said body and means for applying a tensioning force to each strap to restrain the curtain into the vertical plane.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The van body as claimed in claim 7, wherein each tensioning strap is accommodated in a vertical sleeve provided in the curtain.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The van body as claimed in claim 7, wherein each strap is provided adjacent its lower end with a quick release manual tensioning device.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
43 words
The van body as claimed in claim 1, wherein the guide rail comprises a track, means to one side of the track securing the track in a desired position, and means to the other side of the track for attachment of a valance.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
The van body as claimed in claim 10, wherein the means for attachment of the valance comprises a channel in which a beaded upper edge of the valance is slidably engageable.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
127 words
The van body comprising a bed for supporting cargo, a roof supported above the bed at at least two opposed vertical sides, at least one vertical open side for loading and unloading cargo, a guide rail along the roof at the open side, a plurality of travelling elements engaging the rail and movable therealong, a vertical curtain suspended from the travelling elements and movable therewith to close the open side, a plurality of horizontally spaced, vertically extending tensioning straps having upper and lower ends, each having the upper end fast with one of said travelling elements, means at the lower end of each strap for securement to said body, and means for applying a tensioning force to each strap to restrain the curtain into the vertical plane.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
127 words
The van body comprising a bed for supporting cargo, a roof supported above the bed at at least two opposed vertical sides, at least one vertical open side for loading and unloading cargo, a guide rail along the roof at the open side, a plurality of travelling elements engaging the rail and movable therealong, a vertical curtain suspended from the travelling elements and movable therewith to close the open side, a plurality of horizontally spaced, vertically extending tensioning straps having upper and lower ends, each having the upper end fast with one of said travelling elements, means at the lower end of each strap for securement to said body, and means for applying a tensioning force to each strap to restrain the curtain into the vertical plane.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The van body as claimed in claim 12, wherein the tensioning straps are each accommodated in a vertical sleeve provided in the curtain.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
The van body as claimed in claim 12, wherein each strap is provided adjacent its lower end with a quick release manual tensioning device.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
43 words
The van body as claimed in claim 12, wherein the guide rail comprises a track, means to one side of the track securing the track in a desired position, and means to the other side of the track for attachment of a valance.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
31 words
The van body as claimed in claim 15, wherein the means for attachment of the valance comprises a channel in which a beaded upper edge of the valance is slidably engageable.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-01-09 | 1976-07-10 | 1977-01-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-01-09 | 1980-07-10 | 1981-01-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-01-09 | 1984-07-10 | 1985-01-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |