Roll-up insulated partitioning system for trailers

Abstract

Improvements in trailer insulation and partitioning system are disclosed. The trailer insulation and partitioning includes one or more roll-up partitions or bulkheads that alter the amount of space in a trailer that is required to be refrigerated. The roll-up partitioning system includes protection mechanisms such as ramps and guides that prevent damage from impact with forklift, pallets and other cargo movement equipment. The roll-up partitions are constructed from a series of horizontal sections that are independently hinged together. A counterweight or spring makes opening or closing the partition easier. The tracks for the partitions are installed in a new trailer or can be retrofit into an existing trailer. The roll-up insulation system allows only a portion of the trailer to be refrigerated thereby reducing the fuel consumption that would be lost by refrigerating the entire trailer shell

1 . A roll-up insulated bulkhead system for a trailer shell comprising:
 a frame structure configured for mounting within a trailer shell;   a bulkhead configured with at least two panels that are pivotally linked to allow said at least two panels to articulate in their horizontal axis;   said frame structure having a first pair of vertical track, a pair of horizontal track and said first pair of vertical and pair of horizontal tracks are linked with a curved track joiners;   each first vertical track, curved track and horizontal track is mountable on opposing side walls of said trailer shell, and   said frame structure allows said bulkhead to transition between said vertical tracks to said pair of horizontal track.   
   
   
       2 . The roll-up insulated bulkhead according to  claim 1  wherein said at least two panels are insulated. 
   
   
       3 . The roll-up insulated bulkhead according to  claim 1  wherein said articulation is with hinges. 
   
   
       4 . The roll-up insulated bulkhead according to  claim 1  wherein said bulkhead is connected to said frame structure with wheels that allows said bulkhead to move along said frame structure in a guided path. 
   
   
       5 . The roll-up insulated bulkhead according to  claim 1  that further includes a retraction system that aids in lifting said bulkhead. 
   
   
       6 . The roll-up insulated bulkhead according to  claim 1  wherein when said bulkhead is positioned in said first pair of vertical track, said bulkhead is effectively divides a volume of said trailer shell. 
   
   
       7 . The roll-up insulated bulkhead according to  claim 1  that further includes a sensor that determines a position of said bulkhead. 
   
   
       8 . The roll-up insulated bulkhead according to  claim 1  that further includes a second pair of curved tracks that are cooperatively coupled with said pair of horizontal tracks and a second pair of vertical tracks that are cooperatively coupled with said second pair of curved tracks that allows said bulkhead to transition from either of said pairs vertical tracks to said pair of horizontal track. 
   
   
       9 . The roll-up insulated bulkhead according to  claim 8  that further includes a retraction system that aids in lifting said bulkhead from either of said pairs of vertical tracks. 
   
   
       10 . The roll-up insulated bulkhead according to  claim 5  wherein said retraction system is a coiled spring that is connected to said bulkhead with a flexible member. 
   
   
       11 . A roll-up insulated bulkhead system for a trailer shell comprising:
 a guide structure configured for mounting within a trailer shell;   said guide structure having an elongated pair of tracks that are mountable along the elongated sides of said trailer shell;   a movable track structure that slides or rolls in said guide structure;   a bulkhead configured with at least two panels that are pivotally linked to allow said at least two panels to articulate in their horizontal axis;   said movable track structure having a first pair of vertical track, a pair of horizontal track and said first pair of vertical and pair of horizontal tracks are linked with a curved track joiners, and   said movable track structure allows said bulkhead to transition between said vertical tracks to said pair of horizontal track.   
   
   
       12 . The roll-up insulated bulkhead according to  claim 11  wherein said at least two panels are insulated. 
   
   
       13 . The roll-up insulated bulkhead according to  claim 11  wherein said articulation is with hinges. 
   
   
       14 . The roll-up insulated bulkhead according to  claim 11  wherein said bulkhead is connected to said movable track structure with wheels that allows said bulkhead to move within said movable track structure in a guided path. 
   
   
       15 . The roll-up insulated bulkhead according to  claim 11  that further includes a retraction system that aids in lifting said bulkhead. 
   
   
       16 . The roll-up insulated bulkhead according to  claim 11  wherein when said bulkhead is positioned in said first pair of vertical track, said bulkhead is effectively divides a volume of said trailer shell. 
   
   
       17 . The roll-up insulated bulkhead according to  claim 11  that further includes a sensor that determines a position of said bulkhead. 
   
   
       18 . The roll-up insulated bulkhead according to  claim 11  that further includes a second pair of curved tracks that are cooperatively coupled with said pair of horizontal tracks and a second pair of vertical tracks that are cooperatively coupled with said second pair of curved tracks that allows said bulkhead to transition from either of said pairs vertical tracks to said pair of horizontal track. 
   
   
       19 . The roll-up insulated bulkhead according to  claim 18  that further includes a retraction system that aids in lifting said bulkhead from either of said pairs of vertical tracks. 
   
   
       20 . The roll-up insulated bulkhead according to  claim 15  wherein said retraction system is a coiled spring that is connected to said bulkhead with a flexible member.