GB2247656A - Apparatus for securing a load - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus for using a lashing strap to secure a load to a load carrier, particularly the bed of a truck, includes a profiled rail 9 and a tensioning winch 1 which can be longitudinally displaced thereon into any desired lashing position. The tensioning winch 1 includes a profiled slot 21 whose cross-sectional configuration conforms to that of the upper portion of the profiled rail 9 so as to enclose the upper portion and lock the tensioning winch to it. The profiled rail 9 and the profiled slot 21 together form a closed guide. The cross-sectional configuration of the upper portion of the profiled rail 9 is adapted exactly to the profiled configuration of the profiled slot 21. The cross-sectional configurations of the upper portion of the profiled rail 9 and of the profiled slot 21 are asymmetrical, which permits the tensioning winch 1 to be pushed onto the profiled rail 9 only if it is correctly oriented with respect to the rail. <IMAGE>

Description

APPARATUS FOR SECURING A LOAD The present invention relates to an apparatus for securing a load to a load carrier, such as the bed of a truck, and more particularly to an apparatus which includes a profiled rail and a longitudinally displaceable tensioning winch carried by the rail to tighten a lashing strap about the load. Such a tensioning winch is essentially composed of a chassis and a tensioning shaft rotatably mounted within the chassis. The tensioning shaft, in turn, is coupled with a generally known ratchet mechanism (see Brockhaus Enzyklopädie [Brockhaus Encyclopedia], 17th Edition, Volume 17, 1973, published by Brockhaus, Wiesbaden, Germany, page 714).

Such tensioning winches serve as tensioning and tie-down devices for lashing straps, although chains, steel cables, or ropes can be used in lieu of lashing straps. Lashing straps (for example) are used to charge the goods to be transported with the lashing tension necessary to secure the goods on a load carrier. For this purpose, the lashing strap is fixed on the one side of the truck bed by an attachment means, for example a hook, a carbine hook, an eye, a coupling member Qr the like. The tensioning winch is located on the side of the truck bed opposite the attaching means. After being slung around the load, the loose end of the lashing strap is pulled to the extent that this is possible without resistance through a slot that usually extends diametrally over the entire width of the tensioning shaft.Then the shaft is turned in a tensioning direction by pivoting a tensioning lever back and forth, the tensioning lever being connected for movement with the tensioning shaft. The lashing strap is thus wound around the tensioning shaft, which acts in the manner of a wind-up drum, and is charged with an increasing lashing tension. The back and forth movement of the tensioning lever is composed of a load stroke and a return stroke. During the load stroke, the tensioning shaft is rotated in the tensioning direction by a tensioning distance corresponding to the distance traversed by the tensioning lever, while during the return stroke, the ratchet mechanism holds the tensioning shaft in its momentary position and the tensioning lever is returned to its starting position in the manner of a free-wheeling movement.Because of this tensioning movement, composed of a load stroke and a return stroke with the aid of a directional ratchet mechanism, such tensioning winches are frequently called tensioning ratchets.

A tensioning ratchet is disclosed, for example, in German Patent 2,845,227.C2, corresponding to US Patent 4,199,182.

The tensioning winch is customarily screwed or welded to the load carrier. However, it is also known to transport different types of loads, particularly loads having greatly differing dimensions, by fixing the tensioning winch on a profiled rail that is fixed to the load carrier. The final position of the lashing strap relative to the loaded goods can thus be finely adjusted and can be better adapted to conditions determined by the goods being carried. The lashing of the load, and thus also the security of the load against slipping or even dropping from the load carrier, are decisively improved thereby.

It is known to employ T-profiles or double-T profiles or also rods or the like as profiled rails. These are available in the trade as standard components. Such standard components are advantageously economic in price, make special manufacturing costs unnecessary, and can be installed with little effort.

The drawback of such prior art profiled rails is their symmetrical cross-sectional configuration. Profiled slots that are adapted to the cross-sectional configuration of the profiled rail are provided in the chassis of the tensioning winch. The chassis of the tensioning winch is pushed onto the profiled rail, whose cross section is accommodated by the cross section of the profiled slot of the chassis. The profiled rail and profiled slot form a closed guide for movement of the tensioning winch in the longitudinal direction of the load carrier. It is evident that the cross section of the profiled slot in the chassis is just as symmetrical as the cross section of the profiled rail. It is therefore possible to fix the tensioning winch on the profiled rail in a position rotated by 1800.

This is a particular drawback because, in spite of the 1800 turn of the tensioning winch, it is still possible to tie down the load. Since, due to the 1800 turn, access to the ratchet mechanism is greatly restricted, the release may be possible only with difficulty or, in the worst case, not at all. The result is that the release of the lashing strap is labor intensive and, in the case of the complete unreleasability of the ratchet mechanism, the lashing strap must be cut. Such cutting of the lashing strap is dangerous for the operator of the tensioning winch.Cutting the lashing strap releases the lashing forces very suddenly, resulting in the lashing strap whipping around, known as the "whip-lash effect." Additionally, in unfavorable cases in which the load has already slipped a little during transport, there exists the danger of sudden and unexpected dropping of the load.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a profiled rail in combination with a tensioning winch which is carried by the profiled rail in a manner that is operationally reliable and safe to manipulate. This is accomplished by making the cross-sectional configurations of both the profiled rail and the slot in the chassis of the tensioning winch asymmetrical, so that the tensioning winch can be pushed onto the end of the rail only if it is oriented correctly.

On the basis of the asymmetrical cross-sectional configuration of the profiled rail and the profiled slot, a 1800 rotation of the tensioning winch when placed onto the profiled rail is impossible in principle. The asymmetrical cross-sectional configuration of the profiled rail and the profiled slot consequently results in a directional orientation of the tensioning winch so that it can be pushed onto the profiled rail in only one position relative to the profiled rail, with one side wall of the chassis leading.

Fixing of the tensioning winch on the profiled rail is simplified by this asymmetrical cross-sectional configuration of the profiled rail and profiled slot since the operator need not receive special training. Rather, the tensioning winch is adapted to fit onto the profiled rail only if its orientation is correct, so no consideration regarding the relative installation position of the tensioning winch and the profiled rail is needed.

Moreover, under poor visibility conditions, for example due to fog or bad weather or darkness, the pushing on of the tensioning winch is greatly facilitated.

Moreover, since lashing straps no longer need to be cut as a result of improperly installed tensioning winches, inventory requirement and acquisition costs for spare lashing straps are reduced.

Another advantage is that the goods can be unlashed and unloaded in accordance with a predetermined timetable. This is a particular advantage if the present invention is employed on the beds of trucks because the drivers will no longer attempt to compensate for delays encountered during unloading by driving at excessive speeds or in a reckless manner.

The profiled rail may have an upper or guide portion that is generally T-shaped, with the leg members of the T being differently configured. For example, the leg members may have different lengths or widths or geometrical con figurations. This makes it possible to employ standardized T-profiles. These profiles, which actually are symmetrical as standard components, can be cut relatively easily and thus advantageously given an asymmetric profile.

The profiled rail may also have a lower or attachment portion that is generally T-shaped, so that the rail as a whole has a double-T profile. This permits a particularly safe and durable attachment of the profiled rail on the load carrier. Moreover, this embodiment provides greater resistance against bending than if the rail as a whole had a single-T profile.

The profiled slot in the chassis of the tensioning winch may be provided by employing a pair of plate members that are spaced apart by a gap at the bottom of the chassis, and a pair of chassis side walls that are connected to the plates and that have recesses that communicate with the gap. This is particularly simple to manufacture and therefore cost effective. The closed guide thus formed by the profiled rail and the profiled slot constitutes a good positive lock and thus ensures great durability and strength of the connection of chassis and the profiled rail, while simultaneously providing for good longitudinal displaceability of the tensioning winch on the profiled rail without the danger that the tensioning winch might tilt during the longitudinal displacement.

The profiled rail can be easily attached to the load carrying surface by the use of welds, screws, or bolts.

Additional holding elements for preventing longitudinal displacement of the tensioning winch while the load is being transported are unnecessary. After the lashing strap is tightened, friction between the rail and the tensioning winch keeps the latter from being displaced. This simplifies construction and additionally reduces operator efforts. The tensioning winch thus automatically locks itself in its final installed position as soon as the lashing tension is generated.

The present invention and further significant features thereof will now be described with reference to embodiments that are illustrated in the drawing figures, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective overall view of the tensioning winch, showing the tensioning winch as it is being pushed onto the end of the profiled rail.

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the profiled rail and the profiled slot, and additionally shows part of one side wall of the tensioning winch.

Figure 3 is a bottom view of the chassis of the tensioning winch.

Figure 4 is a side view of a truck which employs the apparatus of the present invention to secure loads.

Figures 5-7 are sectional views illustrating examples of alternative configurations for the profiled rail.

Turning first to Figure 4, a vehicle such as truck 50 has a load carrier such as truck bed 52. Truck 50 is shown partially loaded, with three crates 54 having been moved onto bed 52 and with another two crates to go. Each of crates 54 provides a load which must be secured to bed 52 before truck 50 can be safely driven to its destination. An apparatus according to the present invention for securing a load includes a profiled rail 9 and one or more tensioning winches 1A, 1B, and 1C. As will be discussed in more detail, the tensioning winches 1A, 1B, and 1C are threaded onto the end of the profiled rail at the rear of the truck and displaced longitudinally along the profiled rail to desired positions.

Elongated tensioning members such as lashing straps 56 have far ends (not illustrated) that are connected, for example, to eyes (not illustrated) that are welded to bed 52 behind crates 54. Lashing straps 56 are looped over crates 54 and then the near ends of the lashing straps are connected to tensioning winches lA, 1B, and 1C. The tensioning winches are used to tighten the lashing straps and thereby secure the loads.

The tensioning winches 1A, 1B, and 1C all have the same configuration, and for convenience in the following description reference number 1 is employed in Figures 1-3 to identify a tensioning winch generically.

The tensioning winch 1 is essentially composed of two plate members 2 and 2' forming a chassis bottom, side walls 3 and 3', and a tensioning shaft 4 that is rotatably mounted between the side walls. The plate members 2 and 2' and the side walls 3 and 3' form the chassis of tensioning winch 1.

Plate members 2 and 2' are connected to side walls 3 and 3' at welds 5 and 5', respectively. Side walls 3 and 3' are penetrated by a pin 6 which is fixed to the chassis by means of fastening screws 7 inserted from the exterior of side walls 3 and 3'. Screws 7 also mount a bar 8 to the chassis.

Only the end of profiled rail 9 at the rear of truck 4 is shown in Figure 1. Profiled rail 9 includes a vertical member 11, along with a long leg member 13 and a short leg member 14, both of which project at right angles from vertical member 11 in transverse direction 12 of rail 9. The leg members 13 and 14 are provided at the upper or guide portion of profiled rail 9, which carries the tensioning winch 1. The lower portion of profiled rail 9 serves as an attachment portion which is attached to bed 52. In this case the bottom edge 10 of vertical member 11 is welded to bed 52, so that the lower region of vertical member 11 serves as the attachment portion of profiled rail 9. It will be apparent that the upper or guide portion of profiled rail 9 is generally T-shaped.Indeed profiled rail 9 as a whole is generally T-shaped, although it will be appreciated that the lower or attachment portion could be modified to facilitate attaching profiled rail 9 to the bed 52.

From Figure 2 it will be seen that the length 13' of the long leg member 13 is greater than the length 14' of the short leg member 14, measured in each case from the longitudinal center axis 15 of profiled rail 9 to the respective outer edge of leg members 13 and 14 in transverse direction 12. Thus, the length of the short leg member 14 in transverse direction 12 is less than the length of the long leg member 13. Profiled rail 9 itself extends perpendicularly to transverse direction 12.

As is shown in Figures 1-3, recesses 16 penetrate the side walls 3 and 3' of the chassis of tensioning winch 1 in transverse direction 12, between welds 5 and 5' and approximately in the center. Recesses 16 have a rectangular cross section. A gap 18 extends in longitudinal direction 17, which is at a right angle to transverse direction 12, between the two plate members 2 and 2'. Thus gap 18 divides the chassis bottom into two parts, namely the plate member 2 and the plate member 2'. The gap width 19 in the transverse direction 12 of gap 18 is somewhat larger than the width 20 of vertical member 11 in transverse direction 12. Gap 18 and recesses 16 supplement one another to produce a profiled slot 21 that has a generally T-shaped cross section extending in transverse direction 12. Gap 18 lies off center from recesses 16.The cross section formed by recesses 16 and opening gap 18 corresponds exactly to the cross section of the T-shaped guide portion of profiled rail 9. Thus the guide portion of profiled rail 9 cooperates with profiled slot 21 in the manner of a fit.

The described embodiment operates as follows: With reference to Figures 1 and 4, the tensioning winch 1 and its profiled slot 21 are pushed, as shown by arrow 17', in longitudinal direction 17 onto the end of profiled rail 9.

Due to the off-center position of gap 18 relative to recesses 16 and due to the simultaneous off-center position of vertical member 11 caused by the different lengths 13' and 14' of the two leg members 13 and 14, tensioning winch 1 can be pushed onto profiled rail 9 in the direction of arrow 17' only with its side wall 3' leading. By moving it back and forth along profiled rail 9, tensioning winch 1 can be displaced into any position in the longitudinal direction 17 of the load carrier.

It should be mentioned once more that it is not possible to push tensioning winch 1 onto profiled rail 9 in a position rotated by 1800, with its side wall 3 leading. If this were attempted, vertical member 11 and gap 18 would no longer be aligned with one another in longitudinal direction 17 and the plate member 2' of the tensioning winch would hit the vertical member 11 of profiled rail 9.

As soon as tensioning winch 1 has reached its desired position on profiled rail 9, and thus also on the truck bed 52, the lashing strap 56 is guided through a slot 4' passing through the diameter of tensioning shaft 4 and is pulled taut. Tensioning shaft 4 has a shaft extension 22 which penetrates side wall 3 in longitudinal direction 17 and on which a toothed ring 23 is seated so as to be secure against rotation with respect to shaft 4. The teeth on ring 23 are directional in nature and act in the manner of pawls.

Toothed ring 23 can be locked by a ratchet tooth 25 extending from bar 8. The ratchet tooth 25 projects from bar 8, in the manner of an extension in transverse direction 12, toward toothed ring 23 and faces away from the region of bar 8 that extends in longitudinal direction 17. To provide for latching and release, the ratchet tooth 25 is mounted so as to be pivotal about the center longitudinal axis of pin 6, which extends in longitudinal direction 17. The ratchet tooth 25 and toothed ring 23 cooperate in the manner of a directional ratchet mechanism.

A fitting 26 with a polygonal periphery is attached to tensioning shaft 4 at the end thereof remote from toothed ring 23. A tensioning arm 27 (see Figure 1) has a ratchet mechanism (not shown) and a socket (not shown) which can be engaged with fitting 26 in the manner of a ratchet wrench so that tensioning shaft 4 can be rotated. By moving the tensioning lever 27 back and forth in the direction of and opposite to the direction of rotation of tensioning shaft 4, indicated by arrow 24, the lashing strap 56 can be charged with the required lashing tension. Due to the lashing tension acting on tensioning winch 1, the interior sides of plate members 2 and 2' are pressed against the regions of leg members 13 and 14 facing plate members 2 and 2'.This pressure, or more precisely the friction arising from it, cancels the longitudinal displaceability of tensioning winch 1 on profiled rail 9 in the longitudinal direction 17. Thus in the lashed state, tensioning winch 1 is secured in a similarly effective manner as a tensioning winch that is not longitudinally displaceable.

Figures 5-7 are cross-sectional views illustrating examples of modifications of the profiled rail. It is to be understood that the profiled slot 21 of tensioning winch 1 would be modified accordingly.

In Figure 5, profiled rail 9' has leg members 58 and 60 which are the same length, and asymmetry of the upper or guide portion of profiled rail 9' is provided by making leg member 60 thicker than leg member 58. In Figure 6, leg member 62 of profiled rail 9" has a geometrical configuration that is different from that of leg member 64, thus likewise providing asymmetry.

Profiled rail 9"' in Figure 7 has a generally T-shaped guide portion provided by leg members 68 and 70 and by the upper portion of vertical member 72. As in Figures 1 and 2, asymmetry is provided by making leg members 68 and 70 of unequal length. Unlike Figures 1 and 2, however, the attachment portion is also generally T-shaped and includes not only the lower portion of vertical member 72, but also leg portions 74 and 76. This double-T configuration is particularly useful since leg members 74 and 76 can be readily welded or bolted to bed 52.

Although tensioning winch 1 has been described as receiving only one end of the tensioning strap, it is noted that the tensioning strap may have a fixed end with a loop in it and a free end which can be inserted through slot 4' (Figure 1), with the pin 6 extending through the loop in the fixed end.

It will be understood that the above description of the present invention is susceptible to various modifications, changes, and adaptations, and the same are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the appended claims.

Claims (12)

1. An apparatus for securing a load to a load carrier using an elongated tensioning member, comprising: a profiled rail attached to the load carrier, the rail having a guide portion with a cross-sectional configuration that is asymmetrical; and a tensioning winch carried by the rail to tighten the tensioning member around the load, the tensioning winch being longitudinally displaceable along the rail before the tensioning member is tightened, the tensioning winch having a chassis with a profiled slot which is shaped to receive the guide portion of the rail and retain the tensioning winch on the rail, the slot being asymmetrically configured so as to accommodate the guide portion of the rail only if the tensioning winch is placed on the rail while in a predetermined orientation with respect to the rail.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the guide portion of the rail has a generally T-shaped cross section, and includes a vertical member with an upper end and two leg members which project from the upper end of the vertical member, the leg members having different dimensions.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein one leg member has a length that is greater than the length of the other leg member, with the vertical member being connected to the leg members at a position off-centered with respect to the leg members.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein one leg member has a thickness that is greater than the thickness of the other leg member.

5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein one of the leg members has a geometrical cross-sectional configuration that is different from the geometrical cross-sectional configuration of the other leg member.

6. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the rail further comprises an attachment portion with a generally T-shaped cross section, the attachment portion including a vertical segment that merges with the vertical member of the guide portion of the rail and two leg members which project from the lower end of the vertical segment of the attachment portion, at least one of the leg members of the attachment portion being attached to the load carrier.

7. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the chassis of the tensioning winch comprises a chassis bottom having a pair of plate members which are spaced apart by a gap, and a pair of approximately vertical side walls having bottom portions which are connected to the plate members, the bottom portions of the side walls having recesses which communicate with the gap and which, together with the gap, provide the profiled slot of the chassis, the vertical member of the guide portion of the rail extending through the gap and the recesses being shaped to permit passage of the leg members.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the leg members have upper and lower sides, and wherein lower sides of the leg members face the plate members of the chassis bottom and the upper sides of the leg members face the side walls, so that the chassis envelopes the leg members.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the rail is welded to the load carrier.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the rail is screwed to the load carrier.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the tensioning winch is urged by the tensioning member into frictional engagement with the rail when the tensioning member is tightened, the frictional engagement inhibiting longitudinal displacement of the tensioning winch along the rail.

12. An apparatus for securing a load to a load carrier, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.