초록 ▼

An apparatus for lifting or moving a partition or panel may in one embodiment include a frame that is mountable to an interior surface of a cargo area and a locking mechanism comprised of smooth and knurled guide and locking pins through which a strap is fed. In preferred embodiments at least one kn

An apparatus for lifting or moving a partition or panel may in one embodiment include a frame that is mountable to an interior surface of a cargo area and a locking mechanism comprised of smooth and knurled guide and locking pins through which a strap is fed. In preferred embodiments at least one knurled locking pin can slide between a locking position which inhibits strap movement and a non-locking position in which the strap is substantially free to slide through the lift mechanism. In certain embodiments a knurled locking pin may be operable to slide into a locking position when a load is placed on a lifting end of the strap, such as when the strap is connected to a panel which is being lifted or moved. The knurled locking pin may also be operable to slide to a non-locking position when a user pulls on the opposite end of the strap.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A method of moving a panel in a cargo space, comprising: moving a panel to an operational position in the cargo space, the panel being movably mounted to a rail assembly attached to an interior surface of the cargo space, operating a lift device to adjust the panel from the o

What is claimed is: 1. A method of moving a panel in a cargo space, comprising: moving a panel to an operational position in the cargo space, the panel being movably mounted to a rail assembly attached to an interior surface of the cargo space, operating a lift device to adjust the panel from the operational position to a stowed position in the cargo space, the lift device comprising: a frame member mounted in the cargo space, a guide member to receive a flexible member having a first end connected to the panel, the guide member being attached to the frame member, and a lock mechanism having a movable locking member which translates between a locked position and an unlocked position, the movable locking member being adjustable to the locked position from the unlocked position by manual adjustment of a second end of the flexible member toward the first end that is connected to the panel. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of operating the lift device comprises pulling upon the second end of the flexible member so as to lift the first end that is connected to the panel. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the lift device is operated to raise the panel to a stowed position proximate to a ceiling of the cargo space. 4. The method of claim 3, further comprising shifting the movable locking member of the lift device to the locked position from the unlocked position by manually adjusting the second end of the flexible member toward the first end that is connected to the panel. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the lift device retains the panel in the stowed position proximate to the ceiling of the cargo space when the movable locking member is shifted to the locked position. 6. The method of claim 4, wherein when the movable locking member is in the locked position, the movable locking member cooperates with an opposing locking member to inhibit movement of the flexible member relative to the lock mechanism. 7. The method of claim 4, further comprising shifting the movable locking member of the lift device to the unlocked position from the locked position by manually adjusting the second end of the flexible member away from the first end that is connected to the panel. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the lift device releases the panel from the stowed position proximate to the ceiling of the cargo space when the movable locking member is shifted to the unlocked position. 9. The method of claim 7, wherein when the movable locking member is in the unlocked position, the flexible member is permitted to move relative to the lock mechanism. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the cargo space comprises a refrigerated trailer having a floor, walls, and a ceiling, wherein the panel extends from adjacent the ceiling to adjacent the floor when the panel is moved to the operational position. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the panel comprises a first panel and further comprising moving a second panel to an operational position in the refrigerated trailer, the second panel being movably mounted to the rail assembly such that the second panel is positionable laterally adjacent to the first panel. 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the flexible member of the lift device comprises a strap, chain, cord, or rope. 13. The method of claim 1, wherein the guide member includes a pin, sleeve, or roller mounted to the frame member and having a substantially smooth circumferential surface. 14. The method of claim 1, wherein the panel comprises a first panel, further comprising moving a second panel to an operational position in the cargo space, the second panel being movably mounted to the rail assembly such that the second panel is positionable laterally adjacent to the first panel. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the lift device comprises a first lift device, further comprising operating a second lift device to adjust the second panel from the operational position of the second panel to a stowed position in the cargo space. 16. The method of claim 14, wherein when the first and second panels are moved to the respective operational positions, the first and second panels are positioned laterally to one another in the cargo space and extend in a direction generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of a trailer. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the first and second panels at least partially define a zone that is maintained at a refrigerated temperature when the first and second panels are moved to the respective operational positions. 18. The method of claim 16, further comprising fastening the first and second panels together in a side-by-side configuration when the first and second panels are moved to the respective operational positions. 19. The method of claim 18, further comprising separating the first and second panels from one another before the step of operating the lift device to adjust the first panel from its operational position to its stowed position in the cargo space. 20. The method of claim 1, wherein the movable locking member comprises an adjustable pin engaged with the frame member such that the adjustable pin is substantially parallel to the guide member, and wherein the lock mechanism further comprises an opposing locking member that cooperates with the movable locking member, the opposing locking member including a stationary locking pin having a generally coarse surface.