AU2019100138A4 - Transport load restraint aid - Google Patents

Abstract

TRANSPORT LOAD RESTRAINT AID Abstract A transport load restraint aid 50 used for transporting crushable loads such as paper on a flat bed or tray bodies to eliminate or minimize damage, a unitary body with two main body parts of a top plate 55 and a side plate 65 joined by a waterfall connecting part 60 such that it can fit around the top corner 49 of and be spaced from the crushable loads 23 such as rolls of paper. 41 46 55 71 49 60 t/75 *-23 TOP STRAP SUPPORT 87 SIDE STRAP SUPPORT 92

Description

TRANSPORT LOAD RESTRAINT AID

Field of the Invention [001] The present invention relates to transport load restraint aid and in particular to 5 transport load restraint aid for transporting large crushable material.

[002] The invention has been developed primarily for use in/with transporting crushable loads such as large rolls of paper and will be described hereinafter with reference to this application. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to this particular field of use.

Background of the Invention [003] Large loads are transported by road and rail and air on a range of platforms including on flat bed or tray bodies on trucks or trains trays and or on large pallets on [004] Tie-down restraint is the most common form of load restraint and involves the use 15 of lashings. The load is prevented from moving by friction between the load and the vehicle. The friction force prevents the load moving forward, rearward and sideways. The lashings are tensioned to clamp the load to the vehicle and to prevent the load from moving upwards.

[005] Referring to the prior art drawings of Figures 1 to 4, the friction force comes from 20 both the weight of the load 21,22 and the clamping force of the lashings 31. This provides horizontal force HF being mainly frictional caused by the vertical force downward being the combination of weight and clamping force. When the surfaces of the flat bed or tray bodies 15 are slippery, the friction forces can be very low. Lashings that clamp the load onto the vehicle are called ‘tie-down lashings’.

[006] Friction cannot be taken into account unless the tensioned lashings provide adequate clamping of the load on the deck. Unrestrained loads, even on high friction surfaces, can bounce when travelling over uneven road surfaces and then shift during changes in speed, direction or slope.

[007] Fully tensioned tie-down lashings will increase the stability of the load. Care should 30 be taken when using rope or webbing straps to stablise a load, because of the amount that these lashings can stretch. Ropes may stretch up to 20% and some webbing straps

2019100138 08 Feb 2019 may stretch up to 13% of their length, before reaching their Lashing Capacity. This amount of stretch may allow the load to tip over. Chains are much more effective in preventing unstable loads tipping, because they don’t stretch as much (about 1% of their length, up to their Lashing Capacity). Lashings can be attached directly to the load to 5 prevent tipping. These lashings are most effective if attached to the upper half of the load and angled no more than 60 degrees to the horizontal, in the opposite direction to tipping.

[008] All loads must be restrained to meet a performance standard, which is a way of defining what is required, but not how to do it. For example, braking performance is defined as a stopping distance, not by the size of the brakes. Performance standards 10 allow you to choose the way to do it. Many different types of load restraint systems can be used to meet the load restraint performance standards. For example, webbing straps with rubber load mat can be used instead of chains for restraining smooth steel. During all expected operating conditions, which can include minor collisions, the load restraint system must ensure that:

a) The load does not dislodge from the vehicle; and

b) Unacceptable load movement does not occur. Limited load movement is acceptable under conditions where the vehicle’s stability and weight distribution are not adversely affected and the load cannot become dislodged from the vehicle.

[009] The following are examples of acceptable load movement under these conditions:

i) Limited vertical movement of loads that are restrained from moving horizontally (by vehicle sides or gates, for example);

ii) Limited movement of very lightweight objects, loose bulk loads and bulk liquids that are contained within the sides of enclosure of a vehicle body; and iii) Limited forward (or rearward) movement of loads that are tied down, where the maximum tension that develops in each tie-down does not exceed its Lashing

Capacity.

[0010] For loads that do not move on the vehicle, the performance standards will be met if the load restraint system is capable of providing each of the following:

i) Restraining forces equal to 80% of the weight of the load to prevent the load 30 shifting forwards (e.g. braking in the forward direction);

2019100138 08 Feb 2019 ii) Restraining forces equal to 50% of the weight of the load to prevent the load shifting rearward (e.g. braking in reverse); and iii) Restraining forces equal to 50% of the weight of the load to prevent the load shifting sideways (e.g. during cornering), combined with restraining forces equal to 20% of the weight of the load (additional to the load’s own weight) to prevent the load moving vertically relative to the vehicle.

[0011] Where limited vertical movement is permissible for loads that are restrained from moving horizontally, only the above forward, rearward and sideways restraining forces must be provided by the load restraint system. Where limited forward or rearward 10 load movement of loads that are tied down is permissible, the required restraining forces will be greater than the above and must be determined by testing or calculation.

[0012]

When transported on their end, rolls, reels, coils and drums 23 should be

lashed to the deck 15 to increase frictional restraint and if necessary, blocked to help prevent forward movement or completely contained. Unless unitised on a pallet or 15 contained in a suitable body or container, every roll, reel, coil or drum should be restrained on the vehicle by at least one lashing

[0013] of:	It can be seen that known prior art transport load restraint aid has the problems a) Separate load restraint to load location
20	b) Crushing of load if too tight or clamping force too high relative to the compression integrity of load c) Loss of load if too loose
[0014]	As seen in Figs 3 and 4 the loads 23, 24 can be compressible. This includes

rolls of paper or bales of material. Tie strap 31 still needs to have a clamping force down 25 onto the tray 15 so as to hold the loads and prevent them falling off. The straps can be held in position [0015] The greatest place of the crushing 40 is the top corners of the load where the straps 31 extend substantially at right angles and provide the greatest force. If extra clamping force is needed not necessarily due to the weight of the load 23, 24 but due to 30 the need to retain the load in place) the top corner is the place for most damage to the loads. There can be placement strips 32 and these can even have overhangs over the

2019100138 08 Feb 2019 edge of the load and help to locate the strap 32 in position. However, these are for stopping abrasive damage to the load as it is tightened and does not assist the prevention of compressive crushing 40.

[0016] The present invention seeks to provide transport load restraint aid, which will 5 overcome or substantially ameliorate at least one or more of the deficiencies of the prior art, or to at least provide an alternative.

[0017] It is to be understood that, if any prior art information is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the information forms part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

Summary of the Invention [0018] According to a first aspect of the present invention, transport load restraint aid is provided by a transport load restraint aid and the structure that allows for minimising crushing damage to rolls of paper.

[0019] The invention in one form provides a transport load restraint aid fortransporting crushable loads such as paper on a flat bed or tray bodies, the transport load restraint aid comprising:

a) a body member having a top plate and a side plate joined by a connecting part;

b) the top plate and the side plate having an inner top load engaging surface and inner upright load engaging surface respectively for engaging a top and side of a load when in position;

c) the connecting part shaped to connect the top plate and the side plate at an angle to each other to form a waterfall corner from the horizontal top plate to the substantially vertical side plate when in use; and

d) the connecting part further shaped and formed to space the inner top load engaging surface and inner upright load engaging surface away from the waterfall corner;

e) wherein the transport load restraint aid when in position around the top corner of the load is substantially not in contact with the corner of the load.

[0020] Preferably the transport load restraint aid is a unitary body.

[0021] Preferably the transport load restraint aid is formed as a moulded body.

2019100138 08 Feb 2019 [0022] The transport load restraint aid can be formed as the top plate as a moulded body, the side plate as a moulded body and the connecting part interfitting with the top and side plate to connect at an angle and to allow the inner top load engaging surface and the inner upright load engaging surface respectively for engaging the top and the 5 side of the load when in position while providing the transport load restraint aid when in position around the top corner of the load to be substantially not in contact with the corner of the load.

[0023] In a preferred form the transport load restraint aid can be formed as a unitary body having the top plate and the side plate moulded integral with the connecting part 10 such that the connecting part interfitting with the top and side plate to connect at an angle and to allow the inner top load engaging surface and the inner upright load engaging surface respectively for engaging the top and the side of the load when in position while providing the transport load restraint aid when in position around the top corner of the load to be substantially not in contact with the corner of the load.

[0024] The connecting part can have a cutaway in the underside and the inner top load engaging surface and inner upright load engaging surface are substantially planar and stop at the cutaway such that the structure spaces the inner top load engaging surface and inner upright load engaging surface that allows a corner cavity such that the transport load restraint aid when in position around the top corner of the load is 20 substantially not in contact with the corner of the load for minimising crushing damage to the top corners of the load.

[0025] The side plate can be curved. However, the curvature of the side plate can be multi-faceted or it can be a continuous curve.

[0026] In one form the curvature of the side plate is multi-faceted with each facet being 25 substantially planar and with the multi-faceted curvature of the side plate having each facet at constant angle to adjacent facets.

[0027] However, in another form the multi-faceted curvature of the side plate has each facet at different angles to adjacent facets.

[0028] The transport load restraint aid can have the top plate with at least one channel 30 on the outer side for receiving straps for restraining over the load and down to the flat bed or tray bodies.

2019100138 08 Feb 2019 [0029] Preferably the top plate has a plurality of channels on the outer side for receiving straps for restraining over the load and down to the flat bed or tray bodies.

[0030] Also, preferably the side plate has a plurality of channels on the outer side for receiving straps for restraining over the load and down to the flat bed or tray bodies.

[0031] The plurality of channels on the outer side of the top plate and/or the side plate can be defined with parallel raised ridges for receiving straps for restraining over the load and down to the flat bed or tray bodies.

[0032] Preferably the plurality of channels on the outer side of the top plate are angled relative to each other such that straps extending along the channels will intersect over 10 the load.

[0033] The curvature of the side plate are angled to provide a substantially continuous abutment to a curved side of a circular roll load. The angle of the plurality of channels on the outer side of the top plate can be at an angle to ensure that straps extending along the channels extend radially and straps extending along the channels will intersect over 15 the centre of the circular load.

[0034] The plurality of channels on the outer side of the top plate and/or the side plate are defined with parallel raised ridges for receiving straps for restraining over the load and down to the flat bed or tray bodies and further including strap supports straddling the channels.

[0035] Strap supports extend across the channel to retain the strap within the channel.

[0036] Preferably the strap supports straddle the channel to retain the strap within the channel. Preferably the straddling strap supports extend over matching strap openings such that a strap extending along a channel is deflected and held below the straddling strap support at least partially within the matching strap openings to frictionally hold the 25 strap in position and provide a clamping force on the load.

[0037] The invention also provides a method of restraining a load onto a flat bed or tray bodies with a trucking load restraint aid including the steps of:

a) Providing a transport load restraint aid;

b) Weaving a restraining strap around the outer side of the transport load restraint aid;

2019100138 08 Feb 2019

c) Providing an extension member receiving receptacle on the outer side of the side plate;

d) Using the extension member inserted in the extension member receiving receptacle to raise and locate the wherein the straps located and extended from the transport load restraint aid at a top corner of the load are used to provide a restraining force to the load.

[0038] A method of placing, removing and storing trucking load restraint aid wherein the steps of providing an extension member receiving receptacle on the outer side of the side plate with a downwardly open cavity.

[0039] The invention further provides a method of transport load restraint for transporting crushable loads such as paper including the steps of:

a) Providing an inner top load engaging surface and an inner upright load engaging surface;

b) Locating and orientating the inner top load engaging surface and the inner upright load engaging surface at an angle similar to the angle of the top surface and side surface of the load to be retained;

c) Spacing the inner top load engaging surface and the inner upright load engaging surface away from each other and the corner of the load;

d) Providing a strapping force at an angle across the load and over the inner top load engaging surface and the inner upright load engaging surface so as to be substantially radially aligned across the load; and

e) Fasten the end of the strapping force to the tray or flat bed.

[0040] Preferably the step of providing a strapping force at an angle across the load and over the inner top load engaging surface and the inner upright load engaging surface 25 so as to be substantially radially aligned across the load includes a plurality of linear strapping forces that extend at an angle to each other over the but intersect substantially over a centre of a load.

[0041] Preferably the method uses a shaped curved or multifaceted inner contact surface to at least partially match the outer shape of the load and provide a wide contact 30 area for the wherein the shaping not only provides clamping pressure but the curved shape aids fixed location on the tray or flat bed.

2019100138 08 Feb 2019 [0042] The strapping force can be provided at an angle across the load and over the inner top load engaging surface and the inner upright load engaging surface so as to be substantially radially aligned across the load includes providing directional channelling to ensure correct angling of the strapping force relative to the load.

[0043] The step of providing a strapping force can include use of strap supports and preferably matching cut-outs to hold the straps in position and aid transfer force by the strapping to the required location of the inner top load engaging surface and inner upright load engaging surface and aid location of the non-rectilinear load.

[0044] Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed.

Brief Description of the Drawings [0045] Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a load supported on a tray of a truck in accordance with the requirements of the prior art with restraining means showing various forces; Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view of a load supported on a tray of a truck in accordance with the requirements of the prior art with restraining means at an angle to the load due to the load being narrower than the tray of a truck;

Figs. 3 and 4 are diagrammatic view of a load supported on a tray of a truck in accordance with the prior art showing the crushing deformation points at the top corner of the load;

Fig. 5 is a perspective diagrammatic view of a transport load restraint aid for transporting crushable loads such as paper on a flat bed or tray bodies in 25 accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 6 is a reverse perspective diagrammatic view relative to Fig. 5 of a transport load restraint aid for transporting crushable loads such as paper on a flat bed or tray bodies in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

Fig 7 is a vertical cross section through a middle part of the transport load restraint 30 aid of Figs 5 or 6;

Figs. 8 and 9 are overhead and underneath plan views of the top plate of the transport load restraint aid of Figs 5 or 6;

2019100138 08 Feb 2019

Figs 10 and 11 are diagrammatic views of the placement of the transport load restraint aid Figs 5 or 6 on a load being a laid down circular roll of paper;

Fig. 12 is a diagrammatic view of a stack of two laid down circular rolls of paper with a cross section of the transport load restraint aid Figs 5 or 6 on the load showing the 5 corner cavity when the transport load restraint aid is in position around the top corner of the load and substantially not in contact with the corner of the load;

Figs 13 and 14 are diagrammatic view and detail of a single strap load supported on a tray or flat bed with a transport load restraint aid for transporting crushable loads such as paper on a flat bed or tray bodies in accordance with an embodiment 10 of the invention;

Figs 15 and 16 are diagrammatic view and detail of a double strap load supported on a tray or flat bed with a transport load restraint aid for transporting crushable loads such as paper on a flat bed or tray bodies in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 17 is a diagrammatic cross section of a strap around a transport load restraint aid around a load for restraining crushable loads such as paper on a flat bed or tray bodies in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

Figs 18 and 19 are diagrammatic view and detail of a triple strap load supported on a tray or flat bed with a transport load restraint aid for transporting crushable loads 20 such as paper on a flat bed or tray bodies in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and

Fig. 20 is a perspective diagrammatic view of a further embodiment of a transport load restraint aid for transporting crushable loads such as paper on a flat bed or tray bodies in accordance with the invention.

Description of Preferred Embodiments [0046] It should be noted in the following description that like or the same reference numerals in different embodiments denote the same or similar features.

[0047] Referring to the drawings there is shown transporting of crushable loads 23 such as rolls of paper laid and stacked on their side such that the curved sides 47 are on the outer side and flat top 46 on the upper side. A transport load restraint aid 50 can be

2019100138 08 Feb 2019 used for transporting crushable loads such as paper on a flat bed or tray bodies to eliminate or minimize damage.

[0048] The transport load restraint aid 50 has two main body parts forming a body 5 member having a top plate 55 and a side plate joined by a connecting part.

[0049] The form of the transport load restraint aid 50 as disclosed in the Figures is a unitary body and more particularly is formed as a moulded body. The shapings are made so as to eliminate negative or internal cavities such that the product can be moulded in 10 minimal parts and even in a single unitary body.

[0050] The transport load restraint aid 50 has two main body parts forming a body member having a top plate 55 and a side plate 65 joined by a connecting part.

[0051] In the unitary body of Figure 5 the connecting part is a part of the two main body parts being the top plate 55 and the side plate 65. The connecting part includes the 15 joining edge 60 between the top plate 55 and the side plate 65 to form a waterfall edge such that it can fit around the top corner 49 of the crushable loads 23 such as rolls of paper.

[0052] As particularly shown in cross sectional form of the transport load restraint aid 50 in Figure 7, the top plate 55 and the side plate 65 have an inner top load engaging 20 surface 71 and an inner upright load engaging surface 72 respectively for engaging a top and side 47 of a load 23 when in position such as shown in Figs 12 and 17.

[0053] The connecting part formed from parts of the top plate 55 and the side plate within the section identified as C in Figs 12 and 17 are shaped to connect the top plate 25 55 and the side plate 65 at an angle to each other to form a waterfall corner from the horizontal top plate to the substantially vertical side plate when in use. The connecting part is further shaped and formed to space the inner top load engaging surface and inner upright load engaging surface away from the waterfall corner.

[0054] The connecting part has a cutaway 75 in the underside and the inner top load engaging surface 71 and inner upright load engaging surface 72 are substantially planar and at right angles to each other and extend towards the corner but stop at the cutaway 75. Therefore the structure spaces the inner top load engaging surface 71 and inner

2019100138 08 Feb 2019 upright load engaging surface 72 from each other that allows a corner cavity on an inner side of the corner 60 such that the transport load restraint aid 23 when in position around the top corner 49 of the load 23 is substantially not in contact with the cutaway 75 at the inner corner of the transport load restraint aid 23 for minimising crushing damage to the 5 top corners 49 of the load 23.

[0055] In this way as particularly shown in Figure 12 the transport load restraint aid when in position around the top corner 49 of the load 23 is substantially not in contact with the corner of the load 49. Instead the inside corner 70 of the transport load restraint 10 aid 50 is spaced from the corner 49 of the load 23 and leaves a cavity therebetween. In use therefore, pressure is applied by an engaging force over a large surface of the top 46 of the load 23 by the engaging inner top load engaging surface 71 and over a large surface of the side 47 of the load 23 by the engaging inner side load engaging surface 72 but not at all on the corner of the top corner 49 of the load 23. The integrity of the load is 15 much stronger over a wide space and distanced from the corner than at the corner and therefore greater load strapping forces can be applied without damage to the transporting crushable loads such as paper on a flat bed or tray bodies.

[0056] The cavity may not be empty but include a resilient material to further protect 20 the corner 49. However still further a resilient rubber or foam sheeting or the like could be located between the load restraining aid 50 and the the load 23 so that the cioontact of the inner top load engaging surface 71 and inner upright load engaging surface 72 to the load 23 is cushioned to stop any abrasive damage to the load.

[0057] The example in the Figures shows the transport load restraint aid is formed as 25 the top plate as a moulded body, the side plate as a moulded body and the connecting part interfitting with the top and side plate to connect at an angle and to allow the inner top load engaging surface and the inner upright load engaging surface respectively for engaging the top and the side of the load when in position while providing the transport load restraint aid when in position around the top corner of the load to be substantially 30 not in contact with the corner of the load. It has the transport load restraint aid is formed as a unitary body having the top plate and the side plate moulded integral with the connecting part such that the connecting part interfitting with the top and side plate to connect at an angle and to allow the inner top load engaging surface and the inner upright load engaging surface respectively for engaging the top and the side of the load when in

2019100138 08 Feb 2019 position while providing the transport load restraint aid when in position around the top corner of the load to be substantially not in contact with the corner of the load. However other forms of the invention are possible.

[0058] In particular the top plate and the side plate can be separate items held by a separate connecting part which interfits in order to hold the inner top load engaging surface 71 and inner upright load engaging surface 72 substantially planar and at right angles to each other and spaced away from the corner such that the transport load restraint aid 23 when in position around the top corner 49 of the load 23 is substantially not in contact with the cutaway 75 at the inner corner of the transport load restraint aid 23 for minimising crushing damage to the top corners 49 of the load 23.

[0059] The transport load restraint aid 23 of the invention can include further novel improvements as shown in the drawings. These include:

a) In one embodiment the side plate is curved or shaped or multifaceted to engage non-rectilinear shaped loads such as the curved sides 47 on a curved side of a circular roll load 23. Usually such roll loads 23 are rested and stacked on the tray on their flat side resting side to decrease slide or roll and increase frictional engaging surface to the tray or flat bed.

b) In one embodiment the top plate and preferably also the side plate include channels for retaining and holding straps in required orientation particularly for non-rectilinear loads;

c) In one embodiment the top plate includes strap supports and preferably matching cut-outs to hold the straps in position and aid transfer force by the strapping to the required location of the inner top load engaging surface 71 and inner upright load engaging surface 72 and aid location of the non-rectilinear load;

d) It should be noted that it is a combination of some or all of the above that provides an even further substantial synergistic and unexpected improvement in performance. In particular by the curvature of the side plate and the matching angled non-parallel channels that provide Further by the combination of the improved transfer force by the strapping to the required location of the inner top load engaging surface 71 and inner upright load engaging surface 72 and not to the corner while also the angular channelling and ability to preassemble the fitting of the straps to the transport load restraint aid before raising it to the high location

2019100138 08 Feb 2019 of the top corner 49 of the stacked load 23 on the tray or flatbed provides a substantial improvement to the user such that they do not take short cuts and damage the load.

[0060] An important element of the effectiveness of holding loads 23 with a clamped 5 force by straps 31 is to be able to provide an engaging force over a large surface of the load 23 by the engaging inner top load engaging surface 71 and over a large surface of the side 47 of the load 23 by the engaging inner side load engaging surface 72 but not at all on the corner of the top corner 49 of the load 23. There is also the aspect of retaining circular or curved bodies in location on the tray or flat bed.

[0061] As shown in Figure 9 the curvature of the side plate 65 is shaped to provide a substantially continuous abutment surface 72 to a curved side of a circular roll load 23. the curvature of the side plate is a continuous curve and can match the curve 47 of the load to provide continuous engagement of the engaging inner side load engaging surface 72. A benefit is not only the spreading of the force of a wide contact area but also directional entrapment of the curved load to keep it in position on the tray or flat bed.

[0062] In another form, the curvature of the side plate is multi-faceted. This can be with each facet being substantially planar. Such multi-faceted curvature of the side plate 65 can have each facet at constant angle to adjacent facets. By the constant angle and number of the facets then the curved shape simulates a curved surface and still provides 20 a large contact area for applying the positioning and holding strapping force, a benefit of the multifaceted approach is the reduction of the need to accurately match the curved surface to the curve 47 of the load while still maintaining contact surfaces. It also allows for variations in load.

[0063] In a further particular preferred form, the multi-faceted curvature of the side 25 plate has each facet at different angles to adjacent facets. In this way different curvature of loads can be used with the same restraining aid 50 while still retaining the substantial area of contact of the engaging inner side load engaging surface 72 to the outer curve 47 of the load 23.

[0064] Preferably it is the inner upright load engaging surface 72 which is curved or 30 multifaceted and need not be the entire side plate 65.

[0065] Referring to Figs 5 and 6, the top plate 55 has at least one channel on the outer side for receiving straps for restraining over the load and down to the flat bed or tray

2019100138 08 Feb 2019 bodies. However, in this preferred form there are three channels 56, 57, and 58. As shown in Figs 13 and 14 there can be selective use of one strap 31, or as shown in Figs 15 and 16 there can be selective use of two straps 31, or as shown in Figs 18 and 19 there can be selective use of three straps 31 in the three channels 56, 57, and 58.

[0066] In the most preferred use the straps extend along channels 56, 57 and 58 on the outer side of the top plate 55 and proceed around the outer corner 60 in a waterfall arrangement to then proceed along the corresponding channels 91, 92 and 93 respectively. This occurs when the load width is substantially similar to the width of the tray or flat bed. If the load 23 is substantially smaller in width than the width of the tray or 10 flat bed then the straps could extend only in channels 56, 57, and 58 of the top plate 50 and then splay out to engage and be connected with restraining force to the side of the tray or flat bed.

[0067] The top plate 50 has a plurality of channels 56, 57, and 58 on the outer side for receiving straps 31 for restraining over the load and down to the flat bed or tray bodies.

These channels are formed with parallel raised ridges and are angled relative to each other such that straps extending along the channels will intersect over the load 23. As shown in Figs 13, 15, and 18 when used with circular load 23, the selection of the middle channel 57 for single strap or two outer channels 56, 58 for two straps 31 or all three channels 56, 57, 58 for three straps will have the straps passing over the centre of the 20 circular roll load 23. Therefore, there is also no deformation of the load in the lateral direction as the restraining straps 31 do not provide a sliding shearing force such as when straps are fastened directly from side to side of the tray or flat bed.

[0068] Therefore, the plurality of channels on the outer side of the top plate and/or the side plate are defined with parallel raised ridges for receiving straps for restraining over 25 the load and down to the flat bed or tray bodies and further including strap supports straddling the channels. Preferably the angle of the plurality of channels 56, 57, 58 on the outer side of the top plate 55 and 91,92 and 93 on the outer side of the side plate 65 are at an angle to ensure that straps 31 extending along the channels extend radially and straps extending along the channels will intersect over the centre of the circular load.

[0069] The transport load restraint aid of Figs 5 and 6 includes strap supports 86, 87, straddling the channels 56, 57, 58 respectively and having matching openings 81, 82, 83 so that straps 31 in the channels are deflected below the strap supports into the

2019100138 08 Feb 2019 matching openings and return to the channel on the other side. This deflection of the strap 31 as shown in cross section in Fig 17 retains the strap within the channel.

[0070] The straddling strap supports extend over matching strap openings such that a strap extending along a channel is deflected and held below the straddling strap support 5 at least partially within the matching strap openings to frictionally hold the strap in position and provide a clamping force on the load. In this way the straps can be inserted into the channels in the transport load restraint aid while the user is on the ground and then lifted up to position on the top of the stacked load. This is done by a rod inserted into the extension member receiving receptacle 90 on the outer side of the side plate 65 between 10 the channels 92 and 93. The extension member receiving receptacle 90 on the outer side of the side plate has a downwardly open cavity for receiving the elongated rod.

[0071] Figure 20 shows a further embodiment of a transport load restraint aid for transporting crushable loads such as paper on a flat bed or tray bodies. The transport load restraint aid 150 has two main body parts forming a body member having a top plate 15 155 and a side plate 165 joined by a connecting part. The connecting part includes the joining edge 160 between the top plate 155 and the side plate 165 to form a waterfall edge such that it can fit around the top corner 49 of the crushable loads 23 such as circular rolls of paper.

[0072] The transport load restraint aid 150 is formed as a unitary body having the top 20 plate 155 and the side plate 165 moulded integral with the connecting part 160. The connecting part has a cutaway in the underside and the inner top load engaging surface and inner upright load engaging surface are substantially planar and stop at the cutaway such that the structure spaces the inner top load engaging surface and inner upright load engaging surface that allows a corner cavity such that the transport load restraint aid 25 when in position around the top corner of the load is substantially not in contact with the corner of the load for minimising crushing damage to the top corners of the load.

[0073] A transport load restraint aid according to claim 1 wherein the top plate has the plurality of channels 156, 157, 158 angled relative to each other such that straps extending along the channels will intersect over the load. Also, the inside curvature of 30 the side plate provides a substantially continuous abutment to a curved side of the circular roll load.

2019100138 08 Feb 2019 [0074] The transport load restraint aid 150 has a top plate 155 and side plate 165 with continuous three channels 156, 157 and 158 on the outer side for receiving straps for restraining over the load and down to the flat bed or tray bodies. Similar to the previous embodiment, there can be selective use of one strap 31, or as shown in Figs 15 and 16 5 there can be selective use of two straps 31, or as shown in Figs 18 and 19 there can be selective use of three straps 31 in the three channels 56, 57, and 58.

[0075] The three channels 156, 157, and 158 on the outer side for receiving straps for restraining over the load and down to the flat bed or tray bodies are formed with parallel raised ridges 159 and are angled relative to each other such that straps extending 10 along the channels will intersect over the load 23 so that when used with circular load 23, the selection of the middle channel 157 for single strap or two outer channels 56, 58 for two straps 31 or all three channels 156, 157, 158 for three straps will have the straps passing over the centre of the circular roll load 23. Therefore, there is also no deformation of the load in the lateral direction as the restraining straps 31 do not provide a sliding 15 shearing force such as when straps are fastened directly from side to side of the tray or flat bed.

[0076] The transport load restraint aid of Fig 20 includes strap supports 188, 193 for each channel 156, 157, 158 so that straps 31 in the channels are deflected below the strap supports 188, 193into the matching openings and return to the channel on the other 20 side and retains the strap within the channel. It can be seen that the strap supports in this embodiment are further down the channel than the first embodiment in order to retain the straps in better position. Further the channels 156, 157, 158 include longitudinal corrugations 162 to resist slippage of the straps.

[0077] It can be seen that the invention therefore allows the method of restraining a 25 load onto a flat bed or tray bodies with a trucking load restraint aid including the steps of:

a) Providing a transport load restraint aid

b) Weaving a restraining strap around the outer side of the transport load restraint aid;

c) Providing an extension member receiving receptacle on the outer side of the side plate;

d) Using the extension member inserted in the extension member receiving receptacle to raise and locate the

2019100138 08 Feb 2019 wherein the straps located and extended from the transport load restraint aid at a top corner of the load are used to provide a restraining force to the load.

[0078] In a particular form there is provided a method of transport load restraint on vehicles with tray or flat bed for transporting crushable loads such as paper including the 5 steps of:

a. Providing an inner top load engaging surface and an inner upright load engaging surface;

b. Locating and orientating the inner top load engaging surface and the inner upright load engaging surface at an angle similar to the angle of the top surface and side surface io of the load to be retained;

c. Spacing the inner top load engaging surface and the inner upright load engaging surface away from each other and the corner of the load by providing a shaped cutaway around the corner;

d. Providing a plurality of strapping forces at an angle to each other across the load 15 and over the inner top load engaging surface and the inner upright load engaging surface so as to be substantially intersect across the top of the load; and

e. Fasten the ends of the strapping force to the tray or flat bed;

wherein the method of restraint of circular load on truck tray under pressure to minimise crushing deformations includes using a shaped curved or multifaceted inner contact 20 surface to at least partially match the outer shape of the load and provide a wide contact area for the wherein the shaping not only provides clamping pressure but the curved shape aids fixed location on the tray or flat bed.

[0079] It can be seen that the transport load restraint aid has many novel features and various combinations providing synergistic unexpected improvements.

Interpretation

Embodiments:

[0080] Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in 30 connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment”

2019100138 08 Feb 2019 in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments.

[0081] Similarly, it should be appreciated that in the above description of example embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various 10 inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments are hereby expressly 15 incorporated into this Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention.

[0082] Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some but not other features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different 20 embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form different embodiments, as would be understood by those in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.

Different Instances of Objects [0083] As used herein, unless otherwise specified the use of the ordinal adjectives “first”, “second”, “third”, etc., to describe a common object, merely indicate that different instances of like objects are being referred to, and are not intended to imply that the objects so described must be in a given sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking, or in any other manner.

Specific Details [0084] In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without

2019100138 08 Feb 2019 these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description.

Terminology [0085] In describing the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar technical purpose. Terms such as forward, 10 rearward, radially, peripherally, upwardly, downwardly, and the like are used as words of convenience to provide reference points and are not to be construed as limiting terms.

Comprising and Including [0086] In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising” are used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the 20 invention.

[0087] Any one of the terms: including or which includes or that includes as used herein is also an open term that also means including at least the elements/features that follow the term, but not excluding others. Thus, including is synonymous with and means 25 comprising.

Scope of Invention [0088] Thus, while there has been described what are believed to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that other and further 30 modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to claim all such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the invention. For example, any formulas given above are merely representative of procedures that may be used. Functionality may be added or deleted from the block

2019100138 08 Feb 2019 diagrams and operations may be interchanged among functional blocks. Steps may be added or deleted to methods described within the scope of the present invention.

[0089] Although the invention has been described with reference to specific 5 examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms.

Industrial Applicability [0090] It is apparent from the above, that the arrangements described are applicable 10 to the transporting crushable loads such as paper industries.

2019100138 08 Feb 2019 io

Claims (5)

1. A transport load restraint aid for transporting crushable loads such as paper on a flat bed or tray bodies, the transport load restraint aid comprising:

a. a body member having a top plate and a side plate joined by a connecting part;

b. the top plate and the side plate having an inner top load engaging surface and inner upright load engaging surface respectively for engaging a top and side of a load when in position;

c. the connecting part shaped to connect the top plate and the side plate at an angle to each other to form a waterfall corner from the horizontal top plate to the substantially vertical side plate when in use; and

d. the connecting part further shaped and formed to space the inner top load engaging surface and inner upright load engaging surface away from the waterfall corner;

e. wherein the transport load restraint aid when in position around the top corner of the load is substantially not in contact with the corner of the load.

2. A transport load restraint aid according to claim 1 wherein the transport load restraint aid is formed as a unitary body having the top plate and the side plate 20 moulded integral with the connecting part such that the connecting part interfitting with the top and side plate to connect at an angle and wherein the connecting part has a cutaway in the underside and the inner top load engaging surface and inner upright load engaging surface are substantially planar and stop at the cutaway such that the structure spaces the inner top load engaging surface and inner 25 upright load engaging surface that allows a corner cavity such that the transport load restraint aid when in position around the top corner of the load is substantially not in contact with the corner of the load for minimising crushing damage to the top corners of the load.

3. A transport load restraint aid according to claim 1 wherein the top plate has a

30 plurality of channels on the outer side for receiving straps for restraining over a circular roll load and down to the flat bed or tray bodies and the side plate has a

2019100138 08 Feb 2019 plurality of channels on the outer side for receiving straps for restraining over the load and down to the flat bed or tray bodies wherein the plurality of channels on the outer side of the top plate are angled relative to each other such that straps extending along the channelswill intersect over the load and wherein the curvature 5 of the side plate provides a substantially continuous abutment to a curved side of the circular roll load.

4. A transport load restraint aid according to claim 1 wherein the plurality of channels on the outer side of the top plate and/or the side plate are defined with parallel raised ridges for receiving straps for restraining over the load and down to the flat

10 bed or tray bodies and including strap supports in the channel and at least partially straddling the channel to retain the strap within the channel.

5. A method of transport load restraint for transporting crushable loads such as paper including the steps of:

a. Providing an inner top load engaging surface and an inner upright load

15 engaging surface;

b. Locating and orientating the inner top load engaging surface and the inner upright load engaging surface at an angle similar to the angle of the top surface and side surface of the load to be retained;

c. Spacing the inner top load engaging surface and the inner upright load

20 engaging surface away from each other and the corner of the load by providing a shaped cutaway around the corner;

d. Providing a plurality of strapping forces at an angle to each other across the load and over the inner top load engaging surface and the inner upright load engaging surface so as to be substantially intersect across the top of the

25 load; and

e. Fasten the ends of the strapping force to the tray or flat bed;

wherein the method of restraint of circular load on truck tray under pressure to minimise crushing deformations includes using a shaped curved or multifaceted inner contact surface to at least partially match the outer shape of the load and provide a wide contact area for the wherein the shaping not only provides clamping pressure but the curved shape aids fixed location on the tray or flat bed.