AU2021101557A4 - Load restraint system - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is a load restraint system 100 comprising a lashing 110 and a pair of mechanical tensioners 120, 120' for tensioning the lashing. Lashing 110 has a first end 112 and an opposite second end 114. Each tensioner 120, 120' has a rotatable axle 122 for engagement by either end of lashing 110. Lashing ends 112, 114 and axle 122 have a relative configuration that: permits either of lashing ends 112, 114 to be anchored to axle 122 without requiring rotation of axle 122; and when so anchored, causes the anchored lashing end to rotate with axle 122 upon subsequent rotation of the axle. 1/5 0 0 Cl 0 - Cl 0

Description

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"Load restraint system"

Technical Field

[0001] The disclosure herein relates to a load restraint system and method and, more specifically, to a "tie-down" load restraint system and method. The load restraint system and method have been developed primarily for implementation on so-called "flat bed" trucks and trailers.

Background

[0002] A tie-down method of securing a load involves securing a load by passing lashings around the load and tightening the lashings to urge the load toward the vehicle and thereby: (i) increase friction between the vehicle and the load; and (ii) prevent loss of contact between the load and the vehicle that may otherwise occur if the vehicle travels over an uneven surface.

[0003] Tie-down lashings include straps and chains. These normally pass over the top of a load and are attached to the vehicle on both sides. The lashings are pre-tensioned to induce sufficient friction between the load and the vehicle to secure the load. The pre-tensioned lashings also restrain the load vertically to withstand a minimum force of 20% of the load's weight to maintain the load in contact with the vehicle, for example during travel over uneven surfaces. Pre tensioning is usually by mechanical tensioners appropriate for the type of lashing being used.

[0004] It is known to mount mechanical tensioners for lashings along one side of a vehicle and to have anchor points on the opposite side of the vehicle to which an end of the lashings can be secured. Often, the lashings have one end permanently affixed to the mechanical tensioners. When performed by one person, a conventional tie-down method of securing a load typically involves: preparing the mechanical tensioner on one side of the vehicle (e.g., securing one end of a lashing to the mechanical tensioner or, if the lashing has one end permanently affixed to the mechanical tensioner, unwinding a sufficient length of the lashing from the mechanical tensioner; passing the free end of the lashing around the load to the other side of the vehicle; moving to the other side of the vehicle and connecting the free end of the lashing to the anchor point; and moving back to the original side of the vehicle and operating the mechanical tensioner to tighten the lashing.

[0005] Similar steps are involved when undoing the lashings to permit unloading.

[0006] In this known tie-down method, significant time is expended by the person having to move back and forth between opposite sides of the vehicle both when securing the load and when undoing the lashings to permit unloading.

[0007] Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like which has been included in the present specification is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present disclosure as it existed before the priority date of each of the appended claims.

[0008] Throughout this specification: the word "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps; and the term "goods platform" will be understood as meaning a portion of a vehicle, such as a tray or so-called "flat bed", that is configured to have goods placed thereon for carriage.

Summary

[0009] Disclosed herein is a load restraint method, comprising: providing a lashing having a first end and an opposite second end; providing a pair of mechanical tensioners, each having a rotatable axle for engagement by one of the ends of the lashing, wherein said one of the ends of the lashing and the axle have a relative configuration that: permits said one of the ends of the lashing to be anchored to the axle without requiring rotation of the axle; and when so anchored, causes said one of the ends of the lashing to rotate with the axle upon subsequent rotation of the axle; fixedly connecting a first of the mechanical tensioners to one side of a goods platform of a vehicle; fixedly connecting a second of the mechanical tensioners to the opposite side of the goods platform; engaging said one of the ends of the lashing with the axle of the first of the mechanical tensioners to anchor said one of the ends of the lashing to the axle of the first of the mechanical tensioners; passing the lashing around a load on the goods platform; engaging the other of the ends of the lashing with the axle of the second of the mechanical tensioners; with said one of the ends of the lashing anchored to the axle of the first of the mechanical tensioners and the other of the ends of the lashing engaged with the axle of the second of the mechanical tensioners, rotating the axle of the second of the mechanical tensioners in a first direction to cause the lashing to spool onto the axle of the second of the mechanical tensioners to reduce a length of the lashing between the mechanical tensioners and tighten the lashing against the load, and subsequently applying a brake to prevent rotation of the axle of the second of the mechanical tensioners in an opposite second direction.

[0010] The method may comprise rotating the axle of the first of the mechanical tensioners in one direction, before or after spooling of the lashing onto the axle of the second of the mechanical fasteners, to cause the lashing to spool onto the axle of the first of the mechanical tensioners. A brake may be applied to prevent rotation of the axle of the first of the mechanical tensioners in a direction opposite said one direction.

[0011] Also disclosed herein is a load restraint system, when used in the method of paragraph

[0009] above, the method optionally including either of the limitations described in paragraph

[0010] above, the system comprising: a said pair of mechanical tensioners and a said lashing, each of the tensioners comprising a body for fixed connection to said one or said opposite side of the goods platform, the rotatable axle being rotatably mounted to the body.

[0012] At least a portion of the axles configured for engagement by said one of the ends of the lashing may be polygonal in transverse cross section. Said one of the ends of the lashing may comprise a hook for engagement with the polygonal portion to anchor the lashing to the axle without requiring rotation of the axle, wherein, when so anchored, engagement between the hook and the polygonal portion causes said one of the ends of the lashing to rotate with the axle upon subsequent rotation of the axle.

[0013] The brake for the second mechanical tensioner may comprise a ratchet. The brake for the first mechanical tensioner may comprise a ratchet. Each said ratchet may have two or more pawls and/or a pawl that engages two or more teeth of the ratchet.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0014] Embodiments of the disclosure will now be described byway of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view a load restraint system embodying principles disclosed herein; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a mechanical tensioner and one end of a lashing of the system of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is an exploded, perspective view of a mechanical tensioner of the system of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 shows a schematic plan view and a schematic elevational view of the system of Fig. 1 in use Fig. 5 shows a first alternative embodiment for the hook and tensioners of the load restraint system of Fig. 1 and Fig. 6 shows a second alternative embodiment for the hook and tensioners of the load restraint system of Fig. 1.

Description of Embodiments

[0015] Referring to the drawings, and initially to Figs. 1-3, there is shown a load restraint system 100 comprising a lashing 110 and a pair of mechanical tensioners 120, 120' for tensioning the lashing. Lashing 110 has a first end 112 and an opposite second end 114. Each tensioner 120, 120' has a rotatable axle 122 for engagement by either end of lashing 110. Lashing ends 112, 114 and axle 122 have a relative configuration that: permits either of lashing ends 112, 114 to be anchored to axle 122 without requiring rotation of axle 122; and when so anchored, causes the anchored lashing end to rotate with axle 122 upon subsequent rotation of the axle.

[0016] In the illustrated embodiment, this relative configuration of lashing ends 112, 114 and axle 122 is provided by at least a portion of axle 122 being polygonal in transverse cross section. Lashing ends 112, 114 comprise a hook 112a, 114a for engagement with the polygonal portion of axle 122 to anchor lashing 110 to axle 122. Hook 112a, 114a is configured with angular surfaces that mate with those of the polygonal portion of axle 122 such that, when hook 112a, 114a is engaged around axle 122, the mated surfaces cause lashing end 112, 114 to rotate with axle 122 upon subsequent rotation of axle 122.

[0017] Tensioners 120, 120' each comprise a body 124 for fixed connection to a side of a goods platform on a vehicle. Axle 122 is rotatably mounted to body 124. A brake, in the form of a ratchet 126, is associated with axle 122. Ratchet 126 comprises a ratchet wheel 126a rotationally interlocked with axle 122 and a pawl 126b engageable with ratchet wheel 126a. Engagement of pawl 126b with ratchet wheel 126a prevents rotation of ratchet wheel, and thereby axle 122, in one direction. In the illustrated embodiment, pawl 126b is a dual pawl that engages two teeth of ratchet wheel 126a and is biased into engagement with the teeth by gravity. In other embodiments, ratchet 126 may, for example, have two or more pawls that each engage different teeth of ratchet wheel 126a and/or may be biased into engagement with ratchet wheel 126a by a spring. A drive boss 128 is rotationally interlocked with axle 122. A crank handle 130 is rotationally interlockable to drive boss 128 to facilitate manual rotation of drive boss 128 and thereby axle 122. In other embodiments, a motor (not shown) may be provided to rotate axle 122. In the illustrated embodiment, tensioners 120, 120' also include a pawl pin 126c, a load distribution bar 132, webbing washers 134 and a square to round bushing 136.

[0018] The portion of lashing 110 extending between hooks 112a, 114a takes the form of webbing strap 116. Hooks 112a, 114a can be formed from any suitable material, such as steel or structural plastics. Ideally, hooks 112a, 114a are formed from a material that is denser than webbing strap 116 to aid in throwing a free end of lashing 110 over a load. Hooks 112a, 114a may be of contrasting colour to webbing strap 116 and/or may be of a high visibility colour to aid in identifying the hooks and in confirming that their engagement with the respective axle 122. Hooks 112a, 114a may be connected to webbing strap 116 using mechanical fasteners 118, such as rivets or threaded fasteners. In the illustrated embodiment, webbing strap 116 is sandwiched between a mounting flange of hook 112a, 114a and a reinforcing plate or washer 119.

[0019] A process of restraining and unrestraining a load on a goods platform 202 of a vehicle 200 using system 100 will now be described with reference to Fig. 4. Tensioners 120, 120' are connected to respective opposite sides 204, 204' of the goods platform 202. Lashing end 112 or 114 can be engaged with axle 122 of either tensioner 120, 120' and, once both lashing ends have been connected to a respective one of tensioners 120, 120', either tensioner can be used to tighten lashing 110. Accordingly, a user may decide which tensioner 120, 120' to engage with lashing 110 first based on matters of convenience or safety, such as which tensioner is closest to the vehicle cabin, which tensioner is closest to the kerb and which side of the goods platform goods will be loaded from. If it is decided to engage tensioner 120 first, end 112 of lashing 110 is engaged with axle 122 of tensioner 120 by engaging hook 112a around axle 122. Maintaining engagement between hook 112a and axle 122, lashing 110 is then passed around a load 300 on goods platform 202 and the other lashing end 114 is engaged, via the associated hook 114a, with axle 122 of the other tensioner 120'. With both lashing ends 112, 114 anchored to a respective axle 122 of tensioners 120, 120', axle 122 of tensioner 120' is rotated in a first direction to cause the lashing 110 to spool onto it. As lashing 110 spools onto axle 122 of tensioner 120', a length of the lashing 110 between tensioners 120 and 120' reduces and tightens the lashing against the load. Engagement of pawl 126b with teeth of ratchet wheel 126a maintain tension in lashing 110 by preventing axle 122 of tensioners 120, 120' from rotating in a direction that would cause the lashing to unspool. Whilst it is not necessary to do so, it can be advantageous to rotate axle 122 of tensioner 120 to spool some of lashing 110 onto it before lashing 110 is passed around the load 300 for engagement of lashing end 114 with tensioner 120'. Doing so results in a portion of lashing 110 being spooled on the axle of each tensioner, which results in it being possible to subsequently loosen lashing 110, for example to unrestrain the load 300, from either side 204, 204' of goods platform 202. However, in some cases it may be advantageous not to spool any lashing 110 onto axle 122 of tensioner 120 before lashing 110 is passed around the load 300 for engagement of lashing end 114 with tensioner 120'. Doing so results in it only being possible to subsequently loosen lashing 110 from side 204' of goods platform 202, but causes lashing end 112 to automatically disengage from axle 122 of tensioner 120 under the influence of gravity, thereby allowing lashing 110 to be completely removed without the user needing to access side 204 of the goods platform 202.

[0020] Whilst the above example of a process of restraining and unrestraining a load 300 on a goods platform 202 of a vehicle 200 using system 100 describes engaging tensioner 120 first with end 112 of lashing 100, it will be appreciated that the symmetrical nature of lashing 110 together with tensioners 120, 120' being identical mean that references to tensioner 120 can be swapped with references to tensioner 120', and vice versa, and references to end 112 and hook 112a can be swapped with references to end 114 and hook 114a, and vice versa.

[0021] Alternative embodiments of hooks 112a, 114a and axles 122 are shown in Figs. 5 and 6. In the Fig. 5 embodiment, a tip portion 112b, 114b of hooks 112a, 114a is angled inwardly toward a shank portion 112c, 114c thereof, the tip portion being configured to engage a slot 122a in axle 122. In the Fig. 6 embodiment, a tip portion 112b, 114b of hooks 112a, 114a defines a key configured to engage a slot 122a in axle 122 via a keyway 122b of the slot.

[0022] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments, without departing from the broad general scope of the present disclosure. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Examples of possible modifications and/or variations include, but are not limited to: only a portion of axle 122 being polygonal in transverse cross section and lashing ends 112, 114 engaging that portion; and/or drive boss 128 may be omitted and crank handle 130 may directly engage axle 122.

Claims (8)

CLAIMS:

1. A load restraint method, comprising: providing a lashing having a first end and an opposite second end; providing a pair of mechanical tensioners, each having a rotatable axle for engagement by one of the ends of the lashing, wherein said one of the ends of the lashing and the axle have a relative configuration that: permits said one of the ends of the lashing to be anchored to the axle without requiring rotation of the axle; and when so anchored, causes said one of the ends of the lashing to rotate with the axle upon subsequent rotation of the axle; fixedly connecting a first of the mechanical tensioners to one side of a goods platform of a vehicle; fixedly connecting a second of the mechanical tensioners to the opposite side of the goods platform; engaging said one of the ends of the lashing with the axle of the first of the mechanical tensioners to anchor said one of the ends of the lashing to the axle of the first of the mechanical tensioners; passing the lashing around a load on the goods platform; engaging the other of the ends of the lashing with the axle of the second of the mechanical tensioners; with said one of the ends of the lashing anchored to the axle of the first of the mechanical tensioners and the other of the ends of the lashing engaged with the axle of the second of the mechanical tensioners, rotating the axle of the second of the mechanical tensioners in a first direction to cause the lashing to spool onto the axle of the second of the mechanical tensioners to reduce a length of the lashing between the mechanical tensioners and tighten the lashing against the load, and subsequently applying a brake to prevent rotation of the axle of the second of the mechanical tensioners in an opposite second direction.

2. The method of claim 1, comprising rotating the axle of the first of the mechanical tensioners in one direction, before or after spooling of the lashing onto the axle of the second of the mechanical fasteners, to cause the lashing to spool onto the axle of the first of the mechanical tensioners, and subsequently applying a brake to prevent rotation of the axle of the first of the mechanical tensioners in a direction opposite said one direction.

3. A load restraint system, when used in the method of claim 1 of claim 2, the system comprising: said pair of mechanical tensioners and said lashing, each of the tensioners comprising a body for fixed connection to said one or said opposite side of the goods platform, the rotatable axle being rotatably mounted to the body.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein at least a portion of the axle configured for engagement by said one of the ends of the lashing is polygonal in transverse cross section.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein said one of the ends of the lashing comprises a hook for engagement with the polygonal portion to anchor the lashing to the axle without requiring rotation of the axle, wherein, when so anchored, engagement between the hook and the polygonal portion causes said one of the ends of the lashing to rotate with the axle upon subsequent rotation of the axle.

6. The system of any one of claims 3 to 5, comprising a ratchet for applying the brake to the axle of the second mechanical tensioner.

7. The system of any one of claims 3 to 6 when dependent upon claim 2, comprising a ratchet for applying the brake to the axle of the first mechanical tensioner.

8. The system of claim 6 or claim 7, wherein each said ratchet has two or more pawls or a pawl that engages two or more teeth of the ratchet.

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