Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D71/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans or pop bottles; Bales of material
  • B65D71/02—Arrangements of flexible binders
  • B65D71/04—Arrangements of flexible binders with protecting or supporting elements arranged between binder and articles or materials, e.g. for preventing chafing of binder
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60P—VEHICLES ADAPTED FOR LOAD TRANSPORTATION OR TO TRANSPORT, TO CARRY, OR TO COMPRISE SPECIAL LOADS OR OBJECTS
  • B60P7/00—Securing or covering of load on vehicles
  • B60P7/06—Securing of load
  • B60P7/08—Securing to the vehicle floor or sides
  • B60P7/0823—Straps; Tighteners
  • B60P7/0853—Tools for manipulating straps or tighteners
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60P—VEHICLES ADAPTED FOR LOAD TRANSPORTATION OR TO TRANSPORT, TO CARRY, OR TO COMPRISE SPECIAL LOADS OR OBJECTS
  • B60P7/00—Securing or covering of load on vehicles
  • B60P7/06—Securing of load
  • B60P7/08—Securing to the vehicle floor or sides
  • B60P7/0823—Straps; Tighteners
  • B60P7/0869—Protecting the strap or the load from wear
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
  • B65B13/00—Bundling articles
  • B65B13/18—Details of, or auxiliary devices used in, bundling machines or bundling tools
  • B65B13/181—Details of, or auxiliary devices used in, bundling machines or bundling tools applying edge protecting members during bundling
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D81/00—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
  • B65D81/02—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents specially adapted to protect contents from mechanical damage
  • B65D81/05—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents specially adapted to protect contents from mechanical damage maintaining contents at spaced relation from package walls, or from other contents
  • B65D81/053—Corner, edge or end protectors
  • B65D81/054—Protectors contacting two generally perpendicular surfaces of the packaged article, e.g. edge protectors

Definitions

• the present invention relates to devices for arranging a securing-component on a load and to methods of securing a load to a load surface.
• securing-components such as straps, which are tightened around the load.
• securing-components such as edge and/or corner protectors, which are located on an edge or corner of a load, over which straps are passed and tightened to prevent damage to the edges/corners of the load.
• a device for arranging a securing- component on a load comprising: a retaining means for releasably retaining a securing-component and a means for arranging the securing-component on a load at a distance from an operator, wherein the retaining means comprises an introducing portion to open the retaining means under pressure applied thereto by a securing-component.
• the retaining means comprises at least one gripping means and a support means.
• the securing-component is retained between the gripping means and the support means.
• the gripping means comprises the introducing portion.
• the introducing portion is disposed at a free end of the gripping member.
• the gripping member comprises a gripping portion that is biased towards the support means.
• the gripping portion is spaced from the free end of the gripping member.
• the gripping portion is located adjacent to the introducing portion.
• the gripping member is sprung so that the gripping portion is biased towards the support member in a resting position.
• the gripping portion contacts the support member in a resting position.
• the gripping portion does not contact the support member in a resting position.
• the gripping portion is deflectable from the resting position in which the gripping portion contacts the support member, into a retaining position by pressure applied thereto by a securing-component.
• the gripping portion is deflectable from the resting position in which the gripping portion is biased towards support member the support member, into a retaining position by pressure applied thereto by a securing-component.
• the deflection from the resting position to the retaining position is facilitated by sliding a securing- component between the gripping member and the support member via the introducing portion.
• the gripping member comprises a curved free end.
• a portion of the curved free end is biased towards the support member and comprises the gripping portion.
• the portion of the curved free end comprising the gripping portion contacts, or is biased towards the support member in the resting position.
• the gripping member comprises a flattened part and a curved free end.
• the flattened part comprises the gripping portion.
• the end part of the curved free end comprises the introducing portion.
• the curved free end tapers away from the support member from the gripping portion to the free end.
• the gripping member is an arm, or prong.
• the arm, or prong is attached to a base member at a fixed end opposite to the free end.
• the fixed end is spaced from the support member.
• the arm, or prong inclines towards the support member from the fixed end to the free end.
• the gripping means comprises two gripping members.
• the second gripping member comprises all the attributes of the first described gripping member.
• the support member comprises a plate.
• the base member comprises the means for arranging the securing-component on a load at a distance from the operator.
• the device comprises a means for attaching said device to a reaching member.
• the reaching member comprises pole.
• the reaching member comprises any one of: a broom handle; a telescopic extension pole; and a folding extension member; or any other suitable reaching member.
• the means for attaching said device to a reaching member comprises a threaded portion.
• the threaded portion comprises a threaded bore integral with the base member.
• the screw thread is a screw thread used with conventional reaching members.
• the device comprises plastics material.
• the plastics material comprises polypropylene.
• the support member, base member and gripping members are integrally formed.
• the device is adapted to receive a securing-component in the form of load edge protector.
• the device is adapted to receive an arm of a load edge protector.
• the device is adapted to slidably receive an edge protector by sliding one arm thereof in one direction between the gripping mennber(s) and the support member.
• the device is adapted to release a retained edge protector by sliding the retained arm in a second direction between the gripping member(s) and the support member.
• the second direction is the reverse of the first direction.
• the support member comprises a guide channel to receive a securing component in the form of a strap.
• the guide channel is provided by a recessed portion in an upper edge of the plate.
• a device for arranging a securing-component on a load comprising: a retaining means for releasably retaining a securing-component and a means for arranging the securing-component on a load at a distance from an operator, wherein the device further comprises a guide channel to receive a securing component in the form of a strap.
• the retaining means comprises a support member.
• the support member comprises the guide channel.
• the support member comprises a plate.
• the guide channel is provided by a recessed portion in an upper edge of the plate.
• the upper edge of the plate comprises a bevelled or rounded edge.
• a base wall of the guide channel comprises a bevelled or rounded edge to aid sliding of the strap through the guide channel.
• the guide channel comprises at least one retainer to prevent accidental release of the strap from the channel.
• the retainer protrudes into the guide channel from a side wall of the channel.
• the guide channel comprises two retainers that protrude from opposite side walls of the guide channel.
• the device further comprises a guidance means for a securing strap.
• the guidance means comprises spaced apart guide members for location of a strap therebetween.
• a front facing part of the device comprises the guidance means.
• a third aspect of the invention there is provided a method of arranging an edge or corner protector on an edge of a load using a device according to the first aspect of the invention, the method comprising the steps of:
• the retaining means comprises a gripping member and a support member.
• the edge or the corner protector is retained by sliding the retained arm between the gripping member and the support member.
• the edge or corner protector is released by pulling the device away from the edge protector such that the retained arm is slidably released from the device.
• the device is pulled in a direction substantially perpendicular to the hooked arm, in use.
• the method further comprises securing a load to a load surface, comprising the steps of:
• steps (v) to (viii) comprise using a device according to a second aspect of the invention.
• step (v) comprises manipulating the strap past the retainer(s) to rest against the base wall of the guide channel.
• step (v) further comprises locating the strap within the guidance means.
• a method of arranging a securing-strap over an edge or corner protector on an edge of a load using a device according to the second aspect of the invention comprising the steps of: (i) arranging the securing-strap in the guide channel of the device; (ii) manoeuvring the strap over the edge or corner protector using said device; and (iii) releasing the securing-strap in position over the edge or corner protector.
• steps (i) to (iii) comprise using a device according to a second aspect of the invention.
• step (i) comprises manipulating the strap past the retainer(s) to rest against the base wall of the guide channel.
• step (i) further comprises locating the strap between the guidance means.
• a method of arranging a securing-component on a load comprising: retaining the securing-component in a retaining means of a device, arranging the securing-component on a load at a distance from an operator using the device; and releasing the securing-component from the retaining means.
• Figure 1 shows a load secured on a load surface in combination with edge protectors and securing straps
• Figure 2 is a front view of a device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
• Figure 4 is a rear view of the device shown in Figure 2;
• Figure 5 is a perspective view of the device shown in Figure 2 in use retaining an edge protector
• Figure 6a shows a device according to an embodiment of the present invention in use positioning an edge protector
• Figure 6b shows the device shown in Figure 6a in use positioning a strap
• Figure 7 shows a back view of a device according to a second embodiment of the present invention
• Figure 8 shows a front view of the device shown in Figure 7;
• Figure 9 shows a perspective view of the device shown in Figure 7;
• Figure 12 shows a side view of the device shown in Figure 7.
• a device 10 comprises a means for releasably retaining a securing-component and a means for arranging the securing-component on a load at a distance from an operator.
• the device 10 comprises a base member 20, a support plate 30, two arms 40 and an attachment member 50.
• the base member 20 is substantially cuboidal in shape and comprises front and rear walls 21 , 22, upper and lower walls 23, 24 and end walls 25, 26.
• the attachment member 50 is a cylindrical elongate member connected to the front wall 21 of the base member 20.
• the attachment member 50 extends beyond the lower wall 24 of the base member 20 and comprises a bore 51.
• the longitudinal axis Y of the bore 51 is substantially perpendicular to the upper and lower walls 23, 23 of the base member 20.
• the bore 51 comprises an internal screw thread 52 provided along the longitudinal axis Y of the bore 51.
• the screw thread 52 is configured to engage with a screw thread that is adopted on conventional broom handles.
• the support plate 30 is substantially rectangular and comprises two free side edges, 31 , 32, a free upper edge 33 and a lower edge 34.
• the upper edge 33 of the support plate 30 comprises a guide channel 34.
• the guide channel 34 is provided by a recessed or portion of the upper edge 33, which defines side edges 35, 36 and a base edge 37.
• the base edge 34 is substantially parallel with the upper edge 33.
• each arm 40 is inclined at an angle ⁇ of approximately 120° relative to the upper and lower walls 23, 24 of the base member 20 so that the contact portion 43 contacts a contact region 38 of the support plate 30.
• the upper arm portion 40b of each arm 40 is curved away from the support plate 30, such that the free end 42 and the upper arm portion 40b stands off the support plate 30.
• Each arm 40 is sprung so that the contact portion 43 is biased towards the support plate 30 when at rest in the position of Figures 2 - 4. From the resting position the contact portions 43 of the arms 40 are deflectable away from the contact regions 38 of the support plate 30 into a second position.
• a reaching member 60 such as a screw-on broom handle, or telescopic extension arm is detachably connected to the attachment member 50 to allow elevation of the device 10.
• the base member 200 is an elongate U-shaped member.
• the base member 200 comprises a pair of lugs 210 that protrude from a front facing part of the base member 200.
• the pair of lugs 210 are spaced apart from one another, the distance between the pair of lugs 21 being a distance X, which is corresponds approximately with the width of a securing strap.
• the attachment member 500 is an elongate cylinder member that is connected centrally on the lowermost point of the U-shaped base member 200.
• the attachment member 500 extends perpendicularly to the base member 200 and comprises a bore 510.
• the bore 510 comprises an internal screw thread (not shown) configured to engage with a typical screw thread that is adopted on conventional broom handles and other extendable and unextendable poles.
• the side edges 350, 360 of the guide channel 340 are adapted to form retaining lugs 350a, 360a that protrude into the guide channel 340 by an amount sufficient to allow manoeuvring of a securing strap past the lugs 350a, 360b to rest against the base edge 370 and yet prevent accidental release of a securing strap from the channel 340.
• the base edge 370 of the guide channel 340 is bevelled to facilitate sliding of a securing strap through the guide channel 340.
• each of the arms 400 is shorter in length than the side edges 310, 320 of the support plate 300.
• the arms 400 are arranged in substantially parallel arrangement with, and adjacent to the side edges 310, 320 of the support plate 300. Each arm 400 is sprung so that the flattened portion 430 is biased towards the support plate 30 in the resting position. From the resting position the flattened portions 430 of the arms 400 are deflectable away from the support plate 300 into a second position.
• a reaching member such as a screw-on broom handle, or telescopic extension arm can be detachably connected to the attachment member 500 to allow elevation of the device 100.
• the devices 10, 100 are used to retain one arm 71 of an edge protector 7 comprising perpendicularly arranged arms 71 , 72.
• the devices 10, 100 are also used to retain a securing strap 3, 4.
• one arm 71 of an edge protector 7 is slid between the upper arm portions 40b of the arms 40 and the support plate 30 and pressure is applied to the contact portions 43 by the arm 71 of the edge protector, to open the retaining means and gradually lift the contact portions 43 of the arms 40 away from the contact regions 38.
• the arm 71 of the edge protector 7 is then slid between the contact portions 43 and the contact regions 38 and beyond until the arm 71 abuts the upper wall 23 of the base member 20 and rests against the support plate 30. In this position, bias of the contact portions 43 towards the contact regions 38 of the support plate 30 grips the arm 71 , holding the arm 71 between the contact portions 43 and the contact regions 38.
• the second arm 72 of the edge protector projects substantially perpendicularly to the support plate 30 as shown in Figure 5.
• a strap 3 is passed over the load item.
• the strap 3 is arranged in the guide channel 34.
• the device 10 is then elevated or distanced from the operator, sliding the guide channel 34 along the strap 3 towards the edge of the load item 1. This process is shown in Figure 6b.
• the strap 3 is located over the edge protector 7 and the strap 3 is slidably released from the guide channel 34. The strap 3 is then tightened over the edge protector 7 using securing members 5.
• the lugs 210 provide a further guidance means for a strap located in the guide channel 340.
• the strap is prevented from straying too far to one side of the device 100 during sliding of the strap through the guide channel 340.
• the lugs 210 therefore, resist the twisting of the strap and any resultant accidental disengagement of the strap from the guide channel 340.
• the base member 20, 200, support plate 30, 300, arms 40, 400and attachment member 50, 500 are integrally formed as a single moulded unit comprising plastics material.
• the moulded unit comprises a strong shatterproof plastics material, such as polypropylene, although other suitable plastics may be used.
• the individual members 20, 30, 40 and 50 are formed independently of one another and connected together.
• the base member support plate and attachment member are for example formed from wood and the arms formed from plastics or metal.
• the arms are sandwiched between two parts of the base member to project towards the support plate at a suitable angle.
• an operator can use a device to position an edge protector and a strap on a load, without the operator leaving a secure surface or compromising a stable footing by overstretching. Furthermore, an edge protector and a securing strap can be easily retained in the device, without the operator having to operate a clamping or gripping mechanism first. In addition, because of the lack of a moving-part mechanism, the device is more robust and less susceptible to breakage.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Transportation (AREA)
• Emergency Lowering Means (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Publications (1)

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ID=39537309

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (3)

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• 2008
  • 2008-05-06 GB GBGB0808171.3A patent/GB0808171D0/en not_active Ceased
  • 2008-10-20 GB GBGB0819170.2A patent/GB0819170D0/en active Pending
  • 2008-12-29 GB GBGB0823576.4A patent/GB0823576D0/en not_active Ceased
• 2009
  • 2009-04-29 EP EP09742384A patent/EP2282910A1/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2009-04-29 WO PCT/GB2009/050442 patent/WO2009136188A1/en active Application Filing

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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