AU2009101078A4

AU2009101078A4 - Tie-down strapping

Info

Publication number: AU2009101078A4
Application number: AU2009101078A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Dean Beardmore
Original assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc
Current assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc
Priority date: 2009-10-23
Filing date: 2009-10-23
Publication date: 2009-11-26
Anticipated expiration: 2017-10-23

Description

AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR AN INNOVATION PATENT Name of Applicant: Illinois Tool Works Inc. Actual Inventor: Dean Beardmore Address for Service: DAVIES COLLISON CAVE, Patent Attorneys, of I Nicholson Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia Invention Title: "Tie-down strapping" The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: C:WfRPortb\DCC\PLBX165190_ 1 DOC-21/10/2009 TIE-DOWN STRAPPING The present invention relates to tie-down strapping for use as load restraints for tying down or strapping loads to vehicles for transportation. 5 Tie-down strapping in the form of straps consisting of a length of strong webbing with couplings at each end is used to temporarily secure loose loads to vehicles to prevent movement of the loads during transportation. Typically one or both of the couplings at the end of the webbing includes a ratchet or cam system which enables the webbing to be put 10 under tension so as to properly secure the load. Usually the strapping is produced in a range of different maximum load capacities, known as the lashing capacity, and Australian Standards require the lashing capacity to be printed on a label sewn into one or both ends of the webbing. A disadvantage with this required labelling system is that during manufacture, a label identifying a particular maximum lashing capacity could inadvertently 15 applied to webbing of reduced capacity and moreover the label can be removed as a result of "wear and tear" during use or even by deliberate action whereby the lashing capacity is thereafter no longer identifiable. According to the present invention there is provided a tie-down strap comprising webbing 20 with lashing capacity indicia permanently incorporated within the structure of the webbing. Advantageously the webbing is constructed by weaving of yam and the indicia is formed by yarn of a contrasting colour so as to be visible on the face of the webbing. 25 Advantageously the indicia is provided by one or more lines of contrasting colour visible on the surface of the webbing, with the or each line preferably extending longitudinally of the webbing. In practice, each line may provide the appearance of a row of stitches on the face of the webbing. 30 Alternatively, or in addition, the capacity indicia comprises the colour of the webbing.

C :\RPonbflCC\PLBN165I190 1.DOC-21/3O/2009 -2 Further according to the invention there is provided a range of tie-down straps of different lashing capacity, wherein the lashing capacity of individual straps within the range is indicated by one or more rows of indicia incorporated in webbing of the strap during manufacture, wherein an increased number of rows of such indicia is indicative of a higher 5 capacity within the range and the indicia is formed from yam of a contrasting colour to that forming the basic structure of the webbing so as to be readily visible to a user of the strap. Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 10 Figures IA to IE show schematically webbing with indicia relevant to a range of tie-down straps of different lashing capacity. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, a tie-down strap comprises webbing fabricated in substantially conventional manner by a weaving process. The webbing 15 incorporates at the time of manufacture indicia as to the lashing capacity of the strap which will be formed from the webbing. The indicia is incorporated within the structure of the webbing during the weaving process so as to be visible on the surface of the webbing and as the indicia is bound within the structure of the webbing it will remain as an integral part of the webbing essentially for the working life of the strapping. The basic structure of the 20 webbing itself will normally be fabricated from yam of a single colour with the indicia being fabricated from yarn of a contrasting colour so as to be readily visible. For example if the webbing is basically fabricated from yarn of a colour such as blue, yellow, red or green as a relatively "bright" colour, load capacity indicia from yarn coloured black or other relatively dark colour will be easily visible against the basic colour of the webbing. 25 In the preferred embodiment, the lashing capacity indicia is formed by one or more lines of contrasting colour, the number of lines being indicative of the lashing capacity, with the greater the number of lines being representative of increasing capacity. In the preferred embodiment the or each indicia line extends longitudinally of the webbing and is formed 30 using warp yams of contrasting colour. In a practical example, a range of tie-down straps of capacities from "light duty" (100kg capacity) to "light truck" (1800kg capacity) can be C:WRPortbl\DCC\PLBXI658190 I.DOC-2 /012009 -3 accommodated using one to five rows of indicia lines, with the single row being used to identify the 100kg capacity and the five row the 1800kg capacity with intermediate capacities of, say, 200kg, 450kg, and 800kg being identified by two, three, and four rows of indicia respectively. This is indicated substantially in Figures 1A to IE. It will be seen 5 from these Figures that although the indicia lines are incorporated within the webbing as part of the regular weaving process, on the face of the webbing they give the appearance of rows of stitches applied to the webbing. For additional, or alternative, capacity indication particularly at "point of sale", each strap 10 of different capacity within the range is formed from webbing fabricated in terms of its basic structure from a colour different to that of straps of each other capacity. The embodiment has been described by way of example only and modifications are possible within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A tie-down strap comprising webbing with lashing capacity indicia permanently incorporated within the structure of the webbing. 5

2. A strap according to claim 1, wherein the webbing is constructed by weaving of yarn and the indicia is formed by yam of a contrasting colour so as to be visible on the face of the webbing. 10

3. A strap according to claim 2, wherein the indicia yarn is permanently bound within the structure of the webbing.

4. A strap according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the indicia is provided by one or more lines of contrasting colour visible on the face of the webbing. 15

5. A strap according to claim 4, wherein the or each row of indicia extends longitudinally of the webbing and is formed by the use of warp thread of contrasting colour. 20

6. A strap according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the capacity indicia comprises the colour of the webbing.

7. A range of tie-down straps of different lashing capacity, wherein the lashing capacity of individual straps within the range is indicated by one or more rows of indicia 25 incorporated in webbing of the strap during manufacture, wherein an increased number of rows of such indicia is indicative of a higher capacity within the range and the indicia is formed from yam of a contrasting colour to that forming the basic structure of the webbing so as to be readily visible to a user of the strap. 30

8. A range of tie-down straps according to claim 7, wherein the lashing capacity of individual straps in the range is also indicated by forming the basic structure of the C.\NRPonbWlCC\PLB)I65819o.I.DOC-2I/ I/2009 -5 webbing in a colour different to that of straps of other capacity in the range.