GB2321883A

GB2321883A - Load control device

Info

Publication number: GB2321883A
Application number: GB9626282A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Frank Geoffrey Stonelake
Original assignee: APEX LOAD CONTROL CO Ltd
Current assignee: APEX LOAD CONTROL CO Ltd
Priority date: 1996-12-18
Filing date: 1996-12-18
Publication date: 1998-08-12
Anticipated expiration: 2016-12-18
Also published as: GB2321883B; GB9626282D0

Abstract

A load control arrangement for use in a vehicle in which there is a standard load-securing track (1) having holes (2) spaced periodically along a central web (3) and at least one and preferably a pair of track-engaging devices (5, 5'); the track-engaging device comprises a plate (6) with a pair of spaced protrusions (8) dimensioned to pass through a pair of the track holes (2); the protrusions have head portions (10) which when the plate is slid longitudinally relative to the track, engage behind the track to retain the plate to the track; between the head portion and plate is a curved surface (14) whose curvature corresponds to the curvature of the track holes. The form of the protrusions in pairs associated with the corresponding curved surfaces prevents the engaging devices from pivoting relative to the track and hence slackening of connecting wires (22).

Description

LOAD CONTROL DEVICE The present invention relates to a load control device such as may be used in a vehicle or particularly a load trailer.

Road trailers commonly have a perforated track running down each internal side of the trailer. The track is used to mount straps, shoring bars and locking beams to prevent loads from shifting within the trailer. The track commonly comprises a pair of longitudinal planar webs which secure to the trailer side between which and standing 12mm or so proud of the securing plane is an intermediate web perforated with 25mm diameter holes every 41mm. Fittable into the holes in the intermediate web of each track are pairs of brackets between which may be tensioned a flexible wire or rod (hereafter referred to and defined as a "strap hanger") on which straps and other fittings can run. In order to ensure the wires remain under tension it is important to ensure that the brackets do not swivel relative to the web and that the wire is as close to the securing plane as possible.

Brackets currently in use are of several designs but most have studs with shanks of a certain circular cross-section having heads of a greater cross-section and usually but not always also of a circular cross-section. In order to prevent the brackets pivoting in the track holes the brackets sometimes have an arm which engages with the side of the intermediate web. The problem with this design is that as the strap load increases the wires between brackets are pulled towards the centre line of the trailer or van causing the bracket arms to disengage from the intermediate web side. The arms then rotate and slacken the wires and hence the straps. To prevent this it has been proposed to provide a pair of studs to fit adjacent track holes but there are still rotational problems. This is because the stud shanks are of a considerably smaller circular diameter than the track holes.

In order to overcome these problems it is proposed according to the invention to provide a load control arrangement for use in a vehicle a standard track having longitudinally spaced holes of a standard diameter, a track engaging device comprising a plate, a pair of protrusions dimensioned to pass through a pair of said track holes, the protrusions having head portions such that when the plate is slid longitudinally relative the track the head portions engage behind the track to retain the plate to the track, wherein between the head portion and plate is a curved surface corresponding dimensionally to the said track holes, the plate having means for attaching a rod, cable or strap for urging the head portions into track engagement.

Preferably the protrusions are formed as studs welded to the plate and preferably the head portions are machined on the stud ends a diameter corresponding to the said track holes, the said curved surface being formed on a shank portion of each stud, the centre of curvature being eccentrically displaced 5 to l0mm from the centre of curvature of the head portion.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:- Fig. 1 is a perspective drawing of a standard vehicle track with a track engaging device according to the invention mounted thereon, Fig. 2 is an elevation of part of the track and a crosssection of the engaging device of Fig. 1 taken on II-II of Fig. 3, Fig. 3 is a cross-section of Fig. 1 taken on III-III, and Fig. 4 is a cross-section of Fig. 2 taken on IV-IV.

The track shown in Figs. 1 and 2 at 1 is a standard track in which holes 2 of 25mm diameter every 41mm or so are formed longitudinally spaced in a central intermediate web 3.

A track engaging device 5 comprises a plate 6 with a pair of spaced protrusions 8 being studs extending therefrom.

The studs 8 have heads 10 formed as head portions of about 24mm diameter and shanks 12 having a curved surface 14 of the same diameter as the holes. The head is formed about an axis 'A' whilst the curved surface 14 is formed about an axis 'B' which is displaced in the longitudinally direction of the studs some 6mm or so. The stud is fixed to the plate by welding an inner projection 16 of each stud into a hole 18 of the plate.

The plate has rolled over tubular portion 20 into which a connecting wire 22 is inserted and tensioned to a corresponding engaging device 5' thus locking the devices 5 to the track. The studs can be formed from punched out parts of plate 6.

Claims

1. A load control arrangement for use in a vehicle having a standard track formed with longitudinally spaced holes of a standard diameter and having a track-engaging device comprising a plate, a pair of protrusions dimensioned to pass through a pair of said track holes, the protrusions having head portions such that when the plate is slid longitudinally relative the track the head portions engage behind the track to retain the plate to the track, wherein between the head portion and plate is a curved surface corresponding dimensionally to the said track holes, the plate having means for attaching a rod, cable or strap for urging the head portions into track engagement.

2. A load control arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein the protrusions are formed as studs welded to the plate.

3. A load control arrangement as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the head portions are formed with a diameter corresponding to the said track holes, the said curved surface being formed on a shank portion of each stud.

4. A load control arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the centre of curvature of the curved portion is eccentrically displaced 5 to 10 mm from the centre of curvature of the head portion.

5. A load control arrangement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the plate is arranged to lie flat on a portion of the standard track in which the spaced holes are provided.

6. A load control arrangement as claimed in any of the preceding claims comprising a pair of track-engaging devices interconnected by a said rod, cable or strap member arranged to be under tension when fitted to the track, and so as to pull the track-engaging devices towards each other.

7. A load control arrangement as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the means for attaching the rod, cable or strap comprises a rolled-over tubular portion of the plate.

8. A load control arrangement substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

9. A vehicle having a load control arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8.