AU2002300918B2

AU2002300918B2 - Load securing apparatus for vehicles

Info

Publication number: AU2002300918B2
Application number: AU2002300918A
Authority: AU
Inventors: William John Dole
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-09-07
Filing date: 2002-09-06
Publication date: 2003-06-12
Anticipated expiration: 2022-09-06

Description

P/001011 2815/91 Regulation 3.2(2)

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Application Number: Lodged: Invention Title: LOAD SECURING APPARATUS FOR VEHICLES The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us LOAD SECURING APPARATUS FOR VEHICLES This invention concerns apparatus for securing loads on vehicles and in particular apparatus which makes the securing of loads quicker and more convenient.

When loads are carried on such vehicles as trucks, it is generally necessary to secure them in place so that they do not shift unpredictably during cornering, and so that they are not inadvertently lost from the vehicle. A common way of securing a load is to use one or more holding-down straps passed over the load and secured to the vehicle. Trucks and trailers, for example, often have a load-bearing surface with rails or mounting points arrayed along sides of the surface to which the ends of the straps can be secured.

It is to the securing of loads in this way that the present invention is directed. The invention is applicable to such vehicles as trucks, the trailers of socalled "semi-trailers" and the like, but also may have application to rail-mounted vehicles and even cargo-carrying aircraft.

Taking road vehicles as an example, a problem arises that when a comparatively large load is to be secured, holding-down straps need to be passed over the load and then secured by their ends to sides of the vehicle, on either side of the load. Passing each strap over the load can be inconvenient for a person standing at ground level, and he or she may in fact climb onto the load surface to do this. This in itself can be hazardous. The invention provides for the strap to be suspended above the load surface with ends hanging down on either side of the surface, so that a load can be positioned on the surface, and then ends of the strap simply pulled down and secured on either side. When the load is to be taken off the vehicle, each end of each strap is released and the strap is simply and automatically lifted at least partially clear of the load.

It should be emphasised that the invention is not limited to simple holding down straps. It may also be applied, for example, to nets or other flexible covers intended to cover a load. The invention is particularly suitable for vehicles having a roof structure or coaming above a load bearing surface and which are end- or side-loaded. Some vehicles of this type are known as "Tautliners". Their suitability is based on the fact that components of the inventive apparatus are suspended above the load surface, and the roof or coaming structure can be suitable for this.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the invention, there is provided, in a first aspect, apparatus for securing a load to a vehicle, including: load securing means adapted to be positioned over at least part of the load and to be secured to said vehicle thereby to secure said load to said vehicle; at least one auxiliary strap connected by connecting means at one end thereof to said load securing means and extending from said one end to a storage unit mounted to said vehicle and associated with said auxiliary strap; said storage unit including a reel having an at least approximately vertical axis of rotation, on which reel said auxiliary strap is wound and said storage unit being adapted to allow a variable length of the auxiliary strap associated with said storage unit to be pulled under tension from said reel and to retract said variable length onto said reel on release of said tension; wherein the or each said storage unit is so positioned that when said load securing means is released from the vehicle, said load securing means is at least partially withdrawn from said load by retraction of the or each auxiliary strap into its respective storage unit.

Preferably, said load securing means includes one holding down strap or a set of several interconnected holding down straps. However, as mentioned above, the invention is not limited in its application to straps alone.

The connecting means may include a ring secured to said auxiliary strap, with the load securing means or a part thereof passing through the ring.

The load securing means may include a holding down strap having at respective ends thereof means for securing said holding down strap to said vehicle.

It is preferred that the or each said storage unit is mounted to said vehicle above a load bearing part of said vehicle so that when said load securing means is released from said vehicle said load securing means is withdrawn upwards from a load held on said load bearing part.

Preferably, said reel is urged in a winding-on direction by resilient means.

The resilient means may be a spring.

To further increase the convenience afforded by the invention, the or at least one said storage unit may be so mounted to the vehicle as to be movable for positioning of said load securing means relative to loads on said vehicle. An attraction of this is that the load securing means may be stowed away from the position or intended position of a load for convenience when it is being placed in position or removed. Further, it may be advantageous to be able to reposition the load securing means to cope with loads of varying shapes and sizes. To this end, the or said at least one storage unit may be movable along an elongate track means mounted to said vehicle.

In a particularly practical arrangement, there may be provided two track means extending longitudinally in a vehicle such as a trailer and transversely spaced apart and a storage unit associated with each said track means.

In a further aspect, the invention provides a system for securing loads to a vehicle including a plurality of the said apparatus in' any of the forms disclosed above, wherein storage units of at least two said apparatus are mounted on elongated tracks secured to the vehicle, and storage units associated with each said apparatus are mounted to each track. For example, in a "Tautliner" type vehicle with a roof/ coaming structure, two tracks can be provided, each secured to the structure and extending longitudinally. To these, several of the apparatus can be mounted, each able to be moved longitudinally for stowage or advantageous positioning over one or more loads.

In a further aspect, the invention provides apparatus for supporting load securing means on a vehicle including: an auxiliary strap having at one end thereof means for connection to a load securing means; a storage unit adapted to allow a variable length of said auxiliary strap to be pulled under tension from said storage unit and to retract said variable length into said storage unit on release of such tension; and attachment means whereby said storage unit is attachable to a part of the vehicle, and wherein a reel with an at least approximately vertical axis of rotation is included in a said storage unit, and in use the auxiliary strap associated with said storage unit is wound on said reel and said reel is urged in a winding-on direction by resilient means.

Other aspects of the invention are disclosed in the appended claims which are made a part of this summary of the invention.

In this specification, the word "strap" is intended to be broadly interpreted.

It is very common for load holding-down straps to be made of flat strap webbing similar to the type used for seatbelts in automotive practice, for example, although normally of heavier construction. However, the inventive principle is applicable to rope, chain and the like, and the use of these is within the scope of the invention.

Preferred embodiments will now be described in detail, and non-limitingly, by reference to the following diagrams.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a wheeled trailer fitted with a load securing system and apparatus according to the invention.

Figure 2 is a transverse cross-sectional view of a road vehicle fitted with load securing apparatus according to the invention.

Figure 3 is a transverse cross-sectional view of a road vehicle fitted with load securing apparatus according to the invention.

Figure 4 is an elevation, partly sectioned, of a storage unit according to the invention.

Figure 5 is an elevation, partly sectioned, of a further storage unit according to the invention.

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the storage unit shown in Figure taken at Station "AA" in Figure Figure 7 is a plan view of a further storage unit according to the invention.

Figure 8 is an elevation of the storage unit shown in Figure 7.

Figure 9 is an end view of a still further storage unit according to the invention.

Figure 10 is a cross section of the storage unit of Figure 9 taken at station "XX" in Figure 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring first to Figure 1, there is shown a wheeled trailer 1 fitted with a load securing system and apparatus according to the invention. The vehicle 1 would in use be connected to a prime mover (not shown) to form a "semi-trailer" vehicle. The trailer 1 has a tray 2 load bearing surface) of rectangular shape, and (shown in phantom lines for clarity) a coaming or roof structure 3 above the tray 2. Trailers of this type typically have side curtains (not shown) of fabric (or other flexible material) which can be furled to enable side loading and unloading of the trailer.

There is shown on the tray 2 a load 4. This is secured in place by two apparatus according to the invention, generally indicated by the numerals 5 and 6. Apparatus 5 includes a holding-down strap 7, which is located over the load 4 and secured at sides 8 and 9 of the tray by means well known in the art. Also included in apparatus 5 are two storage units 10 and 11 which are respectively mounted on left and right longitudinal tracks 12 and 13. Storage units 10 and 11 are free to be moved by a user along the length of their respective tracks 12 and 13 to suit the location of loads such as load 4.

Auxiliary straps 14 and 15 extend from the strap 7 to storage units 10 and 11 and, in the situation shown in Figure 1, are partially stored therein, by means to be described below. The straps 14 and 15 are kept under a small tension by storage units 10 and 11. If the strap 7 is released from its attachment to sides 8 and 9, auxiliary straps 14 and 15 are retracted into storage units 10 and 11, so that strap 7 is withdrawn generally upwards and away from the load 4. Load 4 can then be removed from the tray 2.

Apparatus 6 is the same as apparatus 5 and includes a holding-down strap 16.

Also shown mounted to the tracks 12 and 13 are two sets of apparatus 17 and 18, again the same as apparatus 5. Apparatus 17 and 18 are shown in the condition they adopt when not securing a load on the tray 2. Apparatus 17 includes a holding-down strap 19 and storage units 20 and 21, which are respectively able to be moved along tracks 12 and 13. The storage units 20 and 21 store auxiliary straps 22 and 23 respectively. These are not visible in Figure 1 because they are fully retracted into storage units 20 and 21. Strap 19 is suspended (by means disclosed below) on the auxiliary straps 22 and 23, so that this retraction of auxiliary straps 22 and 23 causes the strap 19 to be suspended above the tray 2, as shown in Figure 1, in a position which makes it convenient for a user to grasp its ends and pull them downwards for securing to the sides 8 and 9 over a load.

Apparatus 17 and 18, and apparatus 5 and 6 when released from load 4, may all be moved to a front or rear end of (or any other convenient position along) the tracks 12 and 13, and there conveniently secured when not in use.

Referring now to Figure 2, this shows a transverse cross-sectional view of trailer 1 showing the apparatus 5 and load 4. Apparatus 5 is shown in the same configuration as in Figure 1. Load holding-down strap 7 is conventional, and fitted with known apparatus 24 for securing it to sides 8 and 9 and making and holding it tight enough to retain the load 4 securely. The auxiliary straps 14 and 15 have rings 25 and 26 at their ends through which the strap 7 passes slidingly.

However, it is also possible for the auxiliary straps 14 and 15 to be secured at fixed points along strap 7 (eg by buckles or by sewing), if required or convenient.

The tension in straps 14 and 15 is maintained at a low level by storage units and 11.

Figure 3 shows apparatus 5 when released from the load 4 in the same condition as apparatus 17 or 18 in Figure The straps 14 and 15 have retracted into storage units 10 and 11 and strap 7 is suspended above the tray 2.

If a new load was placed on tray 2, strap 7 would be conveniently placed for a person on the ground to grasp its ends and secure them to the sides 8 and 9, without the awkward step of positioning it over the new load. With the strap 7 in the position shown in Figure 3, it is also easy to use it move the storage units fore and aft to any required position.

Figure 4 shows the storage unit 10, partly sectioned. All of the storage units shown in Figure 1 may be the same as the unit 10.) A frame 27 has bushes 28 and a shaft 29 is mounted in said bushes for rotation in the frame 27. Secured on the shaft 29 is a takeup reel 30 on which is wound that part of auxiliary strap 14 that is retracted into storage unit 10. Also secured to shaft 29 is a spiral ("clock-type") spring 31. The inner end of spring 31 is secured to shaft 29 and the outer end to a peg 32 fixed relative to the frame 27. It will be recognised by persons skilled in the art that this arrangement can be reversed without affecting the operation of the unit 10. That is, a spring could be provided with its inner end secured to frame 27 and its outer end secured to a component arranged to rotate with shaft 29.

Yet another spring arrangement is particularly convenient for the storage unit and also within the scope of the present invention. In this arrangement (not shown) a clock-type spring is secured at its outer end to a reel similar to reel the reel being able to rotate freely on a shaft. The inner end of the spring is secured to this shaft, and the shaft can be rotated by a user to a suitable angular position and then locked to the frame, so that a suitable tension in the spring can be set.

Returning to the description of the storage unit 10, one end (not shown) of the strap 14 is secured to the reel 30 and at the other, free end is ring 25 which is flattened in shape and through which can slidingly pass the strap 7. A cover 34 is provided to protect spring 31.

Securing strap 7 to the trailer 1 and over load 4 requires some of auxiliary strap 14 to be pulled clear of storage unit 10, so that reel 30 rotates and tension is maintained in strap 14 by development of a torque in spring 31. If strap 7 is released, spring 31 retracts auxiliary strap 14 into the unit Fitted to frame 27 are stubs 35 on which are mounted rollers 36. Rollers 36 are shaped to engage on track 12 and to enable the unit 10 to be moved along track 12.

The storage unit 10 shown in Figure 4 is simple but has a disadvantage in that the tension in auxiliary strap 14 increases progressively as more of strap 14 is pulled from unit 10, which may be inconvenient to users. Further, it is difficult to design the unit 10 to achieve a satisfactorily long length of strap 14. Figures 5 and 6 show an alternative storage unit 37 which overcomes these problems. The unit 37 has a frame 38 and a takeup reel 39 mounted for rotation about a shaft 42, an auxiliary strap 40 (which performs the same function as auxiliary strap 14 and has a ring 33 at its free end) being wound onto reel 39. A drum 41 is secured to reel 39 and rotates with reel 39. As best seen in Figure 6, a spring 43 is wound helically on a spool 44, of smaller diameter than the drum 41. Spring 43 is formed with a curvature such that it resists unwinding from the spool 44 and tends when unwound to return to the spool 44. Spool 44 is free to rotate about a pin 45. The spring 43 is wound off spool 44 and on to drum 41, as strap 40 is pulled out of the unit 37. This "constant force" or "Neg'ator" (so-called) spring arrangement can provide for an approximately constant tension in strap 40 as even substantial lengths of strap 40 are deployed from the unit 37.

Storage unit 37 is fitted with wheels 46 similarly to unit 10, for engaging with tracks 12 or 13 of the trailer 1.

Figures 7 and 8 show a further storage unit 50 according to the invention.

Storage unit 50 has a takeup reel 51 for winding on an auxiliary strap 52 with a ring 53 on one end thereof. Reel 51, strap 52 and ring 53 have the same functions as components 30, 14 and 25 of storage unit 10. Storage unit 50 has a frame 54 and rollers 55 mounted on stubs 56, so that unit 50 can move along a suitable rail 62 in the same way as unit 10. Reel 51 has an axis of rotation 57 that, in use, is at least approximately vertical. This feature of unit 50 has the advantage that reel 51 can be larger than reel 30 of unit 10, allowing a longer strap 52 to be stored, without unit 50 extending downwardly below its rail by as much as an equivalent-capacity version of unit Frame 54 includes upper and lower plates 58 and 59, which are held apart by spacers 60 and by a shaft 61 on which reel 51 is mounted for rotation. A substantially horizontal-axis roller 62 is mounted between spacers 60 and turns the strap 52 from its orientation as it comes off reel 51 to an orientation such as would be obtained if reel 51 had a horizontal axis. The outline of lower plate 59 in Figure 7 is shown by dotted line where it is obscured, and includes a cutout 66 to avoid rubbing of the strap 52 on plate 59 where, in use, strap 52 is positioned substantially non-vertically.

Internally within a recess (not shown) in reel 51 is spiral (clock form) spring 63 fixed at an inner end to shaft 61 and at an outer end to reel 51. Shaft 61 is fixed in that it does not rotate during winding of strap 52 onto and off reel 51, reel 51 being supported on shaft 61 by rolling-element bearings 65 in known manner.

However, to enable adjustment of the tension of spring 63, shaft 61 may be rotated as required and then locked in place by a transverse locking pin 64 extending through a hole in shaft 61 and itself anchored to upper plate 58. Other arrangements for allowing some rotation, and locking of shaft 61 for spring adjustment will of course suggest themselves to persons skilled in the art.

External spring arrangements (not shown) equivalent to those shown in units and 70 could also be used as variations to units such as unit 50 with vertical axes of reel rotation.

Figures 9 and 10 show yet another storage unit 70 according to the invention. Storage unit 70 is similar to storage unit 10 but has a simpler frame 71 for supporting a reel 72 and stubs 73 fitted with rollers 74 for track mounting as discussed above. Frame 71 consists of a length of tube 75 with two dished ends 76 bolted thereto. Reel 72 stores an auxiliary strap 77 and is able to rotate on a shaft 78 extending between dished ends 76. Strap 77 passes to the exterior of tube 75 via an opening 82 therein. Reel 72 is urged in a winding-on direction by a clock form spiral spring 79 fixed at an inner end to shaft 78 and at an outer end to an extension 80 of reel 72.

Shaft 78 is fixed in that it does not rotate during winding of strap 77 onto and off reel 72. However, to enable adjustment of the tension of spring 79, shaft 78 may be rotated as required and then locked in place by a transverse locking pin 81 extending through a hole in shaft 78 and itself anchored to one of the dished ends 76. As in the case of storage unit 50, other ways to allow adjustment of spring 79 tension will suggest themsleves to persons skilled in the art.

Although the trailer 1 has been used for the purposes of illustration, the invention is not restricted to trailers. As previously mentioned, trucks, rail vehicles and even aircraft can benefit from the invention.

Many variations may be made to the invention without departing from its spirit or scope. The following claims define in part the inventive concepts here disclosed.

Claims

1. Apparatus for securing a load to a vehicle, including: load securing means adapted to be positioned over at least part of the load and to be secured to said vehicle thereby to secure said load to said vehicle; at least one auxiliary strap connected by connecting means at one end thereof to said load securing means and extending from said one end to a storage unit mounted to said vehicle and associated with said auxiliary strap; said storage unit including a reel having an at least approximately vertical axis of rotation, on which reel said auxiliary strap is wound and said storage unit being adapted to allow a variable length of the auxiliary strap associated with said storage unit to be pulled under tension from said reel and to retract said variable length onto said reel on release of said tension; wherein the or each said storage unit is so positioned that when said load securing means is released from the vehicle, said load securing means is at least partially withdrawn from said load by retraction of the or each auxiliary strap into its respective storage unit.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said load securing means includes one holding-down strap or a set of several interconnected load- restraining straps.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 wherein said connecting means includes a ring secured to said auxiliary strap and through which ring said load securing means or a part thereof passes.

4. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein said load securing means includes a holding-down strap having at respective ends thereof means for securing said holding-down strap to said vehicle. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the or each said storage unit is mounted to said vehicle above a load bearing part of said vehicle so that when said load securing means is released from said vehicle said load securing means is withdrawn upwards from a load held on said load bearing part.

6. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein said reel is urged in a winding-on direction by resilient means.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said resilient means is a spring.

8. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the or at least one said storage unit is so mounted to the vehicle as to be movable for positioning of said load securing means relative to loads on said vehicle.

9. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein the or said at least one storage unit is movable along an elongate track means mounted to said vehicle. Apparatus according to claim 9 having two track means extending longitudinally in said vehicle and transversely spaced apart and a storage unit associated with each said track means.

11. A system for securing loads to a vehicle including a plurality of apparatus according to claim 10, wherein storage units of at least two said apparatus are mounted on elongated tracks secured to the vehicle, and storage units associated with each said apparatus are mounted to each track.

12. A system according to claim 11 wherein said tracks are at least approximately parallel and extend longitudinally in said vehicle.

13. A system according to claim 12 having two said tracks each being located approximately above a side of a longitudinal load bearing part of said vehicle.

14. Apparatus for supporting load securing means on a vehicle including: an auxiliary strap having at one end thereof means for connection to a load securing means; a storage unit adapted to allow a variable length of said auxiliary strap to be pulled under tension from said storage unit and to retract said variable length into said storage unit on release of such tension; and attachment means whereby said storage unit is attachable to a part of the vehicle, and wherein a reel with an at least approximately vertical axis of rotation is included in a said storage unit, and in use the auxiliary strap associated with said storage unit is wound on said reel and said reel is urged in a winding-on direction by resilient means. Apparatus according to claim 14 wherein said resilient means is a spring arranged and adapted to apply an at least approximately constant torque to said reel.

16. Apparatus according to claim 14 or 15 wherein said attachment means is adapted to be mounted on, and to be movable along, track means secured to said vehicle.

17. Apparatus according to claim 16 wherein said attachment means includes means for releasably locking said apparatus in a particular longitudinal position on said track means.

18. A vehicle or a trailer for transporting loads, said vehicle or trailer including a system for securing loads thereto according to any one of claims 11 to 13.

24. A vehicle or trailer for transporting loads, said vehicle or trailer including apparatus according to any one of claims 14 to 17. DATED this 6th day of September 2002. WILLIAM JOHN DOLE WATERMARK PATENT TRADEMARK ATTORNEYS 290 BURWOOD ROAD HAWTHORN VICTORIA 3122 AUSTRALIA SKP:DHS:PCP P19065AU00