AU8531798A

AU8531798A - Device for securing articles in such a way that they can be released

Info

Publication number: AU8531798A
Application number: AU85317/98A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Rolf Kranen
Original assignee: KRANEN REGINA
Current assignee: KRANEN REGINA
Priority date: 1997-06-13
Filing date: 1998-06-15
Publication date: 1999-01-04
Also published as: ATE224311T1; CA2293406A1; WO1998057823A1; DE59805623D1; DK0988176T3; JP2002504045A; EP0988176B1; EP0988176A1; DE19725254C1; ES2183396T3

Abstract

The device for securing articles (36) in such a way that they can be released is provided with a traction element (5). One end of said traction element (5) is fixed or tied around a reversing sheave (11), the other end being connected to a tightening element (6, 7). Guiding elements (3) are provided for guiding the traction element (5) on the side facing away from the articles (13), said guiding elements being arranged at a distance from each other. Securing elements (4) for securing the end of a loop (14) of the traction element (5) are also provided, said loop encompassing the articles (13). The inventive device ensures that the traction element (5) is always kept taut and ready for securing the articles (13). The articles (13) are easily secured as follows: the traction element (5) is held between two guiding elements (3) and passed around the articles (13) so as to form a loop (14), the end of said loop (14) then being secured in such a way that it can be released. The tightening element (6, 7) keeps the traction element (5) taut. The traction force exerted on the traction element (5) by said tightening element (6, 7) can be increased and maintained by a clamping lock (10).

Description

APPARATUS FOR RELEASABLY SECURING ARTICLES Description 5 The invention relates to an apparatus for releasably securing articles on a supporting surface, having a drawing element which is guided via spaced-apart guide elements and is fastened at one end and connected to a tensioning element at its other end, and having 10 securing means for securing the end of a loop which belongs to the drawing element, is formed by drawing out the drawing element between two guide elements and is brought into abutment against the article. 15 It is known for articles to be secured by means of straps, for example, on the loading surface of a lorry or on the roof rack of a passenger vehicle. In this case, it is always necessary for said straps to be connected to hooks or eyes of the respective support 20 and then to be tied securely. If such straps are no longer required, then either they have to be completely removed from the respective support and stowed away separately or they hang free and are then exposed to soiling and are problematic in other ways. 25 US 4 369 009 has already disclosed a device in the case of which there is provided a band reel which is fastened on a rail and of which the withdrawable tensioning band can be positioned around horizontally 30 projecting pegs, likewise fastened on the rail, and, once it has enclosed the article, can be secured on one of these pegs. Furthermore, it is already known, from DE 44 26 882 C1, 35 to provide [lacuna] tensioning band which can be stored in a vehicle-mounted band reel and can be deflected by means of deflecting fittings distributed in the storage area. In this case, said fittings are mounted by means of rotatable spherical heads such that the deflecting P98584PC.DOC - 2 fittings are aligned relative to the suitable running conditions of the tensioning band. In contrast, then, the object of the present invention 5 is to design an apparatus of the type mentioned in the introduction such that, as well as having a straightforward construction, it is always present in the complete state and is stored such that it does not get in the way. Furthermore, the apparatus according 10 to the invention is to be easy to install and remove. This object is achieved according to the invention, in the case of an apparatus of the type mentioned in the introduction, in that the drawing element runs in, or 15 along, an elongate hollow profile which is provided with guide elements and has openings between these. In the case of this apparatus, the drawing element is always kept taut by the tensioning element and kept 20 directly in the location of use. Situations where one has to search for a strap or the like and the latter becomes tangled are thus done away with. The drawing element may be pulled out from between the guide elements and wrapped around an article, a loop being 25 formed in the process. The end of the loop is then secured by means of a securing means. The tensioning element always ensures taut abutment of the drawing element. 30 It is possible for a plurality of such apparatuses to be arranged one beside the other, one behind the other or at an angle to one another. The guide elements and the securing means may be individual constituent parts of a support, e.g. of a loading surface. The apparatus 35 may be provided in the same way on the floor, on the ceiling or on walls. However, it is also possible for the apparatus to be transported and secured entirely in one piece.

- 3 The apparatus according to the invention may be designed such that the hollow profile has a U-shaped cross section and the guide elements (3) extend between the free borders of the legs of said profile. However, 5 it is also possible for the hollow profile to be of tubular design and for the guide elements to be formed in each case between two cutouts of said profile. According to the invention, the guide elements may be 10 designed as securing means for the end of a loop of the drawing element. It is thus possible for the guide elements to be drawn back, for example, counter to a spring action in order to receive the end of a loop and then to be moved back into the starting position. 15 It may be provided according to the invention that at least one securing means is guided in the hollow profile such that it can be displaced in the longitudinal direction of the hollow profile and can be 20 secured at any desired position. In this case, the securing means may interact with a plug-in element which fixes the securing means releasably in the desired position. However, it is also possible for the securing means to be fixed in a force-fitting manner if 25 a tensile force is exerted on it. Furthermore, the apparatus according to the invention may provide that the securing means can be inserted, and removed, in a direction normal to the longitudinal 30 direction of the hollow profile. This can take place, for example, by the hollow profile being turned in a known manner. It is thus possible for a securing means to be used at any desired location of the hollow profile. 35 The apparatus according to the invention is expediently designed such that the drawing element is a strap, a cable or a chain. In this case, the drawing element may be determined in accordance with the manner in - 4 which it is necessary for absorbing the respective load. Furthermore, the apparatus according to the invention 5 may be designed such that the tensioning element is a spring-activated roller which tightens the drawing element. Furthermore, the apparatus according to the invention 10 may be designed such that the tensioning element has a drive which acts in the tensioning direction of the drawing element. The tensioning of the drawing element can be adapted to the respective requirements, and adjusted correspondingly, via such a drive. Remotely 15 controlled operation is possible here. Furthermore, the apparatus according to the invention may be designed such that the tensioning element is an elastically extensible, prestressed tightening means 20 which is secured on the drawing element at one end and in a stationary manner at its other end. This constitutes a particularly straightforward design. According to the invention, it is also possible for the 25 tightening means to be a helical spring, to consist of an elastically extensible material and to be of band like or strap-like design. Furthermore, the apparatus according to the invention 30 may be designed such that a clamping-action lock is arranged upstream of the tensioning element, on the drawing element. Said clamping-action lock serves on the one hand for securing the drawing element in the tensioned position. It may be combined with a 35 tightening means which increases the tensioning on the drawing element by hand or by motor.

- 5 The apparatus according to the invention may be designed such that the hollow profile forms a support for the article or is positioned in such a support. 5 Furthermore, the apparatus according to the invention may be designed such that the securing means are bars arranged on the outside of the rail. The apparatus according to the invention may be 10 designed such that the guide elements, for securing the end of a loop, are exposed at one end or can be moved into such an exposed position. In this case, the loops can be pushed on over an exposed end of a guide element. It is also possible for the guide elements to 15 be designed such that, for introducing the loop, they are released and moved into a position in which the loop can be pushed on. The guide element can then subsequently be moved back into its starting position. The guide elements may be of, for example, bar-like or 20 eye-like design. Finally, the apparatus according to the invention may be designed such that 17 [sic] 25 An embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention will be described in the following part of the description with reference to drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a view of one side of an embodiment of 30 the apparatus according to the invention with a firmly tensioned article, Figure 2 shows a side view of the embodiment according to Figure 1, 35 Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the hollow profile with securing means projecting on the outside, - 6 Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a further embodiment of the hollow profile in the case of which the guide elements are designed as plug-in elements, 5 Figure 5 shows the positions of the plug-in elements according to Figure 4, Figure 6 shows a plan view of a securing means, which can be displaced in a hollow profile, in the use 10 position and in the removal position, Figure 7 shows a view of hollow profile and securing means in the direction of the arrow A in Figure 6 in a self-clamping position, and 15 Figure 8 shows a view of hollow profile and securing means in the direction of the arrow A in Figure 6 in a displaceable position. 20 In the case of the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, the hollow profile provided is a rectangular profile 1 which is provided on one side with cutouts 2 between which web-like guide elements 3 remain. Provided on one outer side of the rectangular profile 1 25 are securing means 4 which project in the form of bars and run parallel to the guide elements 3. A strap-like drawing element 5 is secured at its two ends on rollers 6, 7 which are spring-activated in the 30 direction of the arrows 8, 9. The drawing element 5 is guided via a clamping-action lock 10 and runs as far as the remote end of the rectangular profile 1, where it is guided around a deflecting roller 11. The clamping action lock 10 is designed such that it can be used for 35 securing the drawing element 5 in the tensioned position. A lever 12 of the clamping-action lock 10 can be used here to increase the tensile stressing in the drawing element 5, that is to say to tighten the drawing element 5.

- 7 The rectangular profile 1, the clamping-action lock 10 and the rollers 6, 7 are preferably connected to one another to form a unit which can be carried, and installed, in one piece. 5 It is also possible to use just one of the rollers 6, 7. In this case, the drawing element 5 then has to be secured at the remote end of the rectangular profile 1. 10 Otherwise, the action of the rollers 6, 7 can be replaced by elastically extensible tightening means (not illustrated). In order to secure an article 13, the latter is brought 15 into abutment, or supported, against the rectangular profile 1. The drawing element 5 is drawn out of the rectangular profile 1 through a cutout 2, counter to the action of the spring-loaded rollers 6, 7, and positioned around the article 13, a loop 14 being 20 formed in the process. The loop 14 is positioned on a securing means 4 at its end. When the loop 14 is released, the spring-activated rollers 6, 7 immediately result in the drawing element 5 butting against the article 13 in a taut manner. The tensioning of the 25 drawing element 5 can be increased further by means of the lever 12. Figures 4 and 5 show the hollow profile as a U-profile 15. In this case, the guide elements are designed as 30 plug-in elements 16 which are mounted in the two side legs of the U-profile. The plug-in elements 16 can be moved, also counter to the action of a spring element (not illustrated), out of the right-hand position in Figure 5 into the position illustrated on the left, in 35 order then to be able to receive the end of a loop 14. They are then guided back into the position illustrated on the right.

- 8 The apparatus may be provided on any desired base surfaces, e.g. walls, loading surfaces of vehicles and the like. In this case, they may be integrated in such a surface or positioned thereon. It may be 5 advantageous to use a plurality of such apparatuses in any desired combination with one another. The embodiment according to Figures 6 to 8 has a hollow profile 20 and a securing means 21 which can be 10 introduced into the hollow profile 20, removed again therefrom and displaced therein. The hollow profile 20 has in each case one cross-sectionally acute-angled guide channel 22 on its sides. The securing means 21 is adapted to the hollow profile 20 and has a through 15 passage opening 23 for a strap-like drawing element 24 which can be introduced into the through-passage opening 23 through an introduction slit 25. On its two sides, the securing means 21 is provided with tine-like strips 26, of which the cross section is adapted to 20 that of the guide channels 22 and which, upon tensile loading of the drawing element 24, are drawn into the guide channels 22 and cause the securing means 21 to be fixed in a form-fitting manner in the hollow profile 20. 25 In the embodiment illustrated, the securing means 21 is bevelled on two diametrically opposite corners, along parallel edges 26, with the result that it can be moved into the position illustrated on the right in Figure 6, 30 in which it can be removed from the hollow profile 20 or inserted into the same.

Claims

1. Apparatus for releasably securing articles (13) on a supporting surface, having a drawing element (5) 5 which is guided via spaced-apart guide elements (3) and is fastened at one end and connected to a tensioning element (6, 7) at its other end, and having securing means (4) for securing the end of a loop (14) which belongs to the drawing element, is formed by drawing 10 out the drawing element (5) between two guide elements (3) and is brought into abutment against the article (13), characterized in that the drawing element (5) runs in, or along, an elongate hollow profile which is provided with guide elements (3) and has 15 openings/cutouts (2) between these.

2. Apparatus according to Claim 1, characterized in that the hollow profile is formed from the supporting surface itself.. 20

3. Apparatus according to Claim 1, characterized in that it can be transported and secured entirely in one piece. 25

4. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hollow profile has a U-shaped cross section and the guide elements (3) extend between the free borders of the legs of said profile. 30

5. Apparatus according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the hollow profile is of tubular design and the guide elements (3) are formed between in each case two cutouts (2) of said profile. 35

6. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guide elements (3) are designed as securing means (4) for the end of a loop (14) of the drawing element (5). - 11

7. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one securing means is guided in the hollow profile such that it can be displaced in the longitudinal direction of the 5 hollow profile and can be secured at any desired position.

8. Apparatus according to Claim 7, characterized in that the securing means interacts with a plug-in 10 element which fixes the securing means releasably in the desired position.

9. Apparatus according to Claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the securing means can be fixed 15 in a force-fitting manner in the hollow profile.

10. Apparatus according to one of Claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the securing means can be inserted, and removed, in a direction normal to the 20 longitudinal direction of the hollow profile.

11. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drawing element (5) is a strap, a cable or a chain. 25

12. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tensioning element (6, 7) is a spring-activated roller which tightens the drawing element (5). 30

13. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tensioning element has a drive which acts in the tensioning direction of the drawing element. 35

14. Apparatus according to one of Claims Claim [sic] 1 to 11, characterized in that the tensioning element is an elastically extensible, prestressed tightening means which is secured on the drawing - 12 element (5) at one end and in a stationary manner at its other end.

15. Apparatus according to Claim 14, characterized 5 in that the tightening means is a helical spring.

16. Apparatus according to Claim 14, characterized in that the tightening means consists of an elastically extensible material. 10

17. Apparatus according to Claim 16, characterized in that the tightening means is of band-like or strap like design. 15

18. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a clamping-action lock (10) is arranged upstream of the tensioning element (6, 7), on the drawing element (5). 20

19. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hollow profile forms a support for the article (13) or is positioned in such a support. 25

20. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the securing means (4) are arranged on the outside of the hollow profile.

21. Apparatus according to one of Claims 1 to 19, 30 characterized in that the guide elements (3), for securing the end of a loop (14), are exposed at one end or can be moved into such an exposed position.

22. Apparatus according to one of the preceding 35 claims, characterized in that the drawing element (5) is guided over a deflecting element (11) in the vicinity of one end of the hollow profile and the two ends of the drawing element (5) can be secured in the vicinity of the other end of the hollow profile.