GB2400357A

GB2400357A - Load restraining system

Info

Publication number: GB2400357A
Application number: GB0407639A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Milsom Butler
Original assignee: RIMORCHIO Ltd
Current assignee: RIMORCHIO Ltd
Priority date: 2003-04-07
Filing date: 2004-04-05
Publication date: 2004-10-13
Anticipated expiration: 2024-04-05
Also published as: GB2400357B; GB0407639D0

Abstract

A load restraining system particularly for use with vehicles such as lorries, rail wagons etc. comprises two or more masts 10,12,14,16, support means 18, 20 provided between the masts, and restraining means 22 movable between at least a first and second position. At least one of the masts is provided with a recessed portion 10c, 12c to allow a part of the restraining means to be located therein (figures 3b to 6b). The support means may be wires, ropes or cables which may be tensioned by means of a winch 50, and the restraining means may be a tarpaulin or net. The masts may be telescopic, and may be pivoted to lie flat on a load supporting base (figure 3a). The tarpaulin may be moved to one end of the cables so as to aid access to the load, connecting rings 28 being moved along by means of a shuttle (202, figure 9a). The tarpaulin may be retained in position by means of a magnetic engagement means (figure 8).

Description

Restraining System ['his invention relates to a restraining system.

Although the following description refers almost exclusively to a restraining system for use in securing cargo onto a goods storage area of a vehicle, it will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention can be used for moving a cover or other restraining means from a first required position to a second required position in any location, such as in a warehouse or otherwise.

It is a well known requirement that goods carried by vehicles, such as lorries, rail wagons, boats and/or the like need to be secured or restrained against movement and spillage during transit. ( onventional restraining means typically include netting, tarpaulins, covers, ropes and/or the like. It is also known that the action of locating the restraining means over a cargo load by a user often requires the user to climb onto the vehicle and/or cargo load. problem with this is that the user is at risk of falling off the vehicle or load, thereby resulting in injury to the user. As such, there is a requirement, particularly from the Health and Safety Executive, but also from the user's employers, that the risk of injury to the user is reduced during the loading and unloading of cargo areas.

An example of apparatus for locating restraining means over a cargo load without the requirement of the user mounting the vehicle or load is disclosed in International Patent Application W()()2/066286. Although this patent application is not directed to the specific problem of preventing user's from falling off the vehicle or cargo load during loading or unloading of goods therefrom, it provides a restraining system which could be employed for such use. 'lihe restraining system includes four .. À e

À::: .: À. :. l

masts located at the corners of a cargo storage area. A support wire is located between the tops of the fours posts and corresponds to the perimeter of the cargo storage area. A cover is located over the support wire and the height of the masts is adjustable to allow the wire and therefore the cover to be moved between raised and lowered positions. l'he masts can be telescopic, detachably attached or pivotally mounted to a base of the cargo storage area in order to reduce the height of the masts.

A simple pulley system is used to allow the tension of the support to be adjusted, and thus move the cover between the raised and lowered positions.

Whilst the restraining system in W002/066286 removes the requirement for the user to mount the vehicle or load, location of the cover over a cargo load still requires a large amount of manual effort on the part of the user. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved restraining system which reduces the effort required by a user to locate and/or move restraining means between required positions, and particularly but not necessarily exclusively to move restraining means between required positions relative to a cargo storage or loading area.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a restraining system, said system including two or more masts mounted in a pre-defined area, support means provided between the two or more masts for supporting restraining means therewith, said restraining means movable between at least a first position and a second position and wherein at least one of said masts is provided with at least one recessed portion to allow at least a part of the restraining means to be located therein in said at least first and/or second positions.

À . À À A. À À . À À . Àe. ..

. .. . . . À . . À . À.

À À À A. The recessed portion has the significant advantage of allowing the restraining means to be moved to a position wherein it is sul:, stantially clear in whole or substantial part of the pre-defined area and/or base thereof, thereby increasing the ease with which access to the predefined area can be gained. In addition, removal of the restraining means substantially from the pre-defined area increases the space available in said area. With the restraining means, and also typically the support means moved out of the way, this allows a fork lift truck or other lifting device to be used for loading or unloading goods to/from the pre-defined area.

Preferably at least one of the masts is mounted ' n a base on the predefined area.

Preferably the pre-defined area is a goods storage area, and further preferably the goods storage area is provided on a vehicle.

Preferably the portion of the mast defining the opening of the recessed portion faces inwardly of the pre-defined area in use.

In cone embodiment the recessed portion defined in the mast is in the form of a crank. Alternatively, the recessed portion can be provided in any suitable shape, such as a concave shape, angled and/or the like.

I'referably the support means is substantially flexible and preferably can be any or any combination of one or more wires, rope, cables and/or the like. Further preferably a portion of the support means adjacent the mast is substantially rigid, either as a result ' f the support means itself or due to the provision of a rigid sleeve or cane or more arm members located therewith.

À . . À À :. : : :.e À:. . : À : : : : À . :.

Preferably the substantially rigid portion of the support means is pivotally mounted can the mast and pivotablc relative to the recessed portion, thereby aiding the movement of the restraining means into the recessed portion.

Preferably the mast or masts with said recessed portions are provided adjacent a front edge calf the prc-defined area. The front edge of the vehicle is typically the edge closest to the drivers cab.

In one embodiment the mast or masts with the recessed portions are provided adjacent a rear edge of the prc-defined area in addition to the front edge.

I he masts are typically provided at pre-determined spaced distances apart in the prc-defined area, and preferably are provided adjacent the perimeter of the pre-defined area. In a preferred embodiment at least four masts arc provided, one mast in each corner of the pre-defined area.

lhc term mast refers to any member which is provided in or can be moved to a substantially upright position. However, the term mast is not limited to only vertical mast members.

The rc straining means can by any or any combination of netting, tarpaulin, cover and/or the like and can be integral with the support means, attached thereto car detachably attached thereto.

Prcfcrably in moving the restraining means between the first and second positions (typically corresponding to in use and out of use positions) the support means and/or restraining means are moved between raised and lowered positions with respect to the base calf the pre-defincd area respectively.

À . À À À.

À . . a... . * e À : À . A. . The support means and/or restraining means can be moved between the raised and lowered positions by increasing or dectcasing the tension of the support means respectively.

lihe tension of the support means can be adjusted manually or can he adjusted using tensioning means, such as a winch or pulley.

In one embodiment the restraining means are moved with respect to the support means via one or more rings members, hooks, lockups, clips and/or the like.

In one embodiment movement means are provided in association with the restraining means to increase the ease with which the restraining means can be moved with respect to the support means.

Preferably the movement means includes a portion which gathers together or releases the attachment means via which the restraining means are attached to the support means, such as the curtain rings and/or similar, as the movement means move relative to the support means.

In one example the movement means is in the form of a shuttle device having one or more wheel members or rollers in movable contact with the support means.

Preferably at least one of the masts has an upper portion which is pivotable relative to a lower portion.

lihe advantage of the pivotable upper portion is to increase the ease by which the restraining means can be moved between first and second positions. e @.e

À À e . eee e.- * e À À e À. e Preferably the upper portion is resiliently biased, and further preferably the upper portion is biased to a substantially vertical or upright position.

On increase of the tension of the support means, a pre- cletetmined point is reached wherein the force of same on the upper portion of the mast causes the same to pivot.

Preferably the upper portion pivots in a direction away or outwardly from the pre-defined area.

In one embodiment movement limitation means are provided in association with the support means to limit movement thereof relative to' the mast. As such, further tension applied to the support means typically causes the upper portion of the mast to pivot.

Preferably engagement means are provided, the engagement means maintaining the restraining means in at least one of said first and/or second positions.

In one embodiment the engagement means includes a first magnetic member associated with the support means and a second magnetic member associated with the restraining means, the first magnetic member and said second magnetic member engaging when the restraining means is brought within a pre- determined distance of said first magnetic member.

Preferably the restraining means is pivotally attached to the second magnetic member. Further preferably the pivotal attachment is by way of a lever arrangement.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a restraining system, said system including two or more À . À À.

À À .À À . - À-. ea. -en À À . . À À À À À masts mounted in a pre-defined area, support means provided between the two or more masts for supporting restraining means therewith and wherein at least fine of the masts has an upper portion pivotable relative to a lower portion thereof.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided engagement means for a restraining system, said system including two or more masts mounted in a pre-deGned area, support means provided between the two or more masts for supporting restraining means therewith, said restraining means movable between at least first position and a second position, the engagement means maintaining the restraining means in at least one of said first and/or second positions and wherein said engagement means includes a first magnetic member associated with the support means and a second magnetic member associated with the restraining means, the first magnetic member and said second magnetic member engaging when the restraining means is brought within a pre- determined distance of said first magnetic member.

According to further and independently claimable aspects of the present Invention, there is provided a method of using a restraining system, a mast incorporating one or more features of the present invcution and/or a restraining system including cngagemcut means.

It will be appreciated that any combination of the embodiments descried herein can be provided as required.

Lyle various aspects of the present invention can be retrofitted i-.' existing upright members if required I:,mbodimcnts of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein: : .. : . À.:e A:: A. ::- e.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the present invention in use on a cargo loading area of a vehicle trailer; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the trailer in figure 1 with restraining means; I;igurc 3a is a side view of the masts of the present invention showing the different positions which the masts can adopt during use; l;igurc 3b is a side view of the masts in figure 3a in a lcading/unloading/out of use position; Figurcs 4a-4c and 5 show examples of different shaped recessed portions of masts according to the present invention; I;igurcs 6a and 6b are side views of the masts and retaining means In an in use and out of use/loading/unloading position respectively; Fgurc 7 is a side view of a mast according to a further aspect of the present invention; l;igure 8 is a simplified view of engagement means according to an embodiment of the present invention; and I;igures 9a to 9d illustrate movement means for use with the present invention in one embodiment.

Rcfcrrng to figures 1 and 2, there is illustrated a trailer 2 of a vehicle, such as a lorry. The trailer 2 has wheels 4 (only two of which arc shown for the purposes of clarity) and a goods storage area defined by a base 6 for supporting goods 8 thereon in use.

À À À À À. e A- À À À À À e À À À À.

À ..

Fach corner of base 6 is provided with a mast, 10 and 12 at the front 13 of the goods storage area and 14, 16 at the rear 15 of the goods storage area. Masts 10, 12, 14, 1G can be detachably attached to base 6 via location of an end of a mast in a corresponding shaped aperture provided on the base.

Alternatively, masts 10, 12 14, 16 can be pivotally mounted on base 6, as shown in figure 3a and which will be described in further detail below.

I'he height of the masts and thus the size of the goods storage area can be adjusted by providing a number of telescopic portions 1 Oa, 1 Ob, 12a, 12b, 14a, 14b, 16a, 16b which interconnect to form the masts 10, 12, 14, 16. The height of the masts can be increased by pulling telescoped portions lOb, 12b, 14b, 16b apart from portions lOa, 12a, 14a, 16a or decreased by pushing the telescoped portions together. 'I'he masts can be pivoted inwardly of the goods storage area to a position wherein they are adjacent and substantially parallel with base 6, as shown in figure 3a, thereby increasing the ease with which the masts can be adjusted, and also removing the requirement for the user to mount base 6.

Support means in the form of a wire 18 extending between masts lO and 14 and wire 20 extending between masts 12, 16 are provided for supporting restraining means in the form of netting 22 thereon. Pull cords 24 are attached to the leading edge 26 of netting 22 to allow the netting to be moved relative to wire 18 between out of use/loading/unlcading positions, wherein the netting 22 is moved to a position where it is substantially clear calf the goods storage area and an in use or transit position, wherein the netting 22 is moved cover goods 8 located in the gccds storage area to cover the same and prevent, or at least limit, the goods from moving during transit.

:: À.. .:. . ' . I:: I. ::e.e Netting 22 is typically attached to wire 18 via a series of loops 28 attached to the top edge 30 thereof and which are slidably mounted on wire 18.

In accordance with the present invcution, the front masts 10 and 12 have crank portions 1Oc and 12c respectively. The crank portions 1 Oc and 1 2c comprise arms 30, 32 respectively protruding outwardly of the goods storage area and upright portions 34, 36. This recessed portion is adjacent the top or free end of the masts in the described embodiments, although the recessed portion could be provided in a lower portion of the mast if required.

It is important that when netting 22 is moved to an out of use position it is moved clear of the goods storage area, thereby allowing easy kneading and unloading of base 6 without causing ->bstruction and allowing the entire area of the base to be accessed. This position is also desirable during transit when no goods are loaded on the goods storage area. As such, the recessed portions of cranks 10c, 12c defined between arms 30, 32 and upright portions 34, 36 are used to stow the netting 22 out of the way of the goods storage area, as shown in figures 3b and 6b.

l'hc upper portion of masts 10, 12 can be provided in any shape sufficient to provide a recessed area relative to the remainder or kwcr portion of the masts and examples of some of the shapes are shown in figures 4a-4c, 5. The recessed portion in Figure 4a is defined by an angled member 102 protruding outwardly from the goods storage area. 'lthe recessed portion in figure 4b is defined by angled member 104 and mast 106. 'lihe recessed portion in figure 4c is in the form of a crank as described above and the recessed portion is figure 5 is defined by a partially À . 2 À .. À À2 À.

concave member 108. The shape of the recessed portion is typically limited by the space available bctwccn the rear of the vehicle cab and the mast.

Wires 18 and 20 arc joined to crank portions 1 Oc and 1 2c respectively via annular rings 40 (shown as l 10 -,n figures 4a-4c, 5). 'Lyle ends of wire 18, 20 ad jacent the crank portions are provided with a substantially rigid slccvc 33 thereover to which netting 22 is attached. Sleeve 38 on each wire is pivotally movable on annular ring 40 so that when a user pulls netting 22 using pull cords 24 in a direction towards the front 13 of the storage area, the tension in pull cord 24 is such so as to allow sleeve 38 to pivot in a downwardly direction towards the inner most edge 42 of the crank portion 12c, as shown in figure 6b. In this manner, the netting 22 can be stowed between the crank and sleeve 38 in an out of the way position. 'l'he pull cord can be secured by attaching the same to a hook 44 or other attachment means provided on the mast. In addition, by attaching the netting 22 to sleeve 38 which in turn is attached to mast 10, 12, this prevent the netting from slipping down the wire when the wire is in an out of use position.

In addition, or as an alternative to sleeve 38 being pivotally mounted for movement in a substantially vertical plane, sleeve 38 is also capable of pivotal movement in a substantially horizontal plane. 'thus, for example, sleeve 38 can be pivotally movable inwardly of the good storage area by 30 dcgrccs. The angle about the horizontal and/or vertical axis through which the sleeve can rotate depends on factors such as the size of the netting, the size of the goods storage area and/or the like. The ability of sleeve 38 to rotate in both the horizontal and vertical plane has the significant advantage that it allows the netting to be pulled out of the way of any unloading machinery or vehicle, such as a fork lift truck. It had previously been found by the I i À, applicants that the netting rested forwards of the head board at the front of the vehicle and, as the netting bunched up when it was moved to an out of use position, this netting got in the way of the fork lift trucks. This created significant problems of unloading of the goods storage area and often required the user to mount the goods storage area to move the netting out of the way. This problem has now been avoided by the pivotal sleeve feature calf the present invention.

Movement of sleeve 38 about the vertical and horizontal axes is typically undertaken by movement of cord 24 attached thereto.

The sleeve 38 is typically pivoted inwardly of the goods storage area to move the netting out of the way during loading and unloading.

In addition to the netting being moved to a position clear of the goods storage area, wires 18, 20 are also moved to a position clear of the storage area. 1Y plurality of hooks 46 are provided on the underside surface of base 6 and typically along a side edge thereof to secure the wires clear of the storage area. 'the tension of the wire in this position also aids movement of the sleeve 38 to the out of the way position, as shown in figures 3b and 6h. (once the netting is required to be moved over the goods located on base 6, the wires can be unhooked and tension applied thereto, thereby moving the wire to a relatively taut position between masts 10, 14 and 12, 16, as shown in figures 1 and 2.

In one embodiment sleeve 38 can be pivotally mounted to the mast via resilient biasing means such that the sleeve moves to the out of use position without attaching the wire to the underside surface of the base 6, thereby increasing the ease with which the restraining means can be moved out of the way for loading and/or unloading of the goods storage area.

" i ' 'edits 2. . Rear masts 14, 16 can be provided in the same form as front masts 10, 12 or can be provided in the form shown in the figures. A tcusioning device, such as a winch 50, is provided adjacent or attached to masts 14, 16 to allow wires 18, 20 to be tensioned or to be released/slackened in order to move the wires to raised or lowered positions respectively.

in accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, masts 14, 16 are provided with upper pivotablc portions 14c and 16c respectively. '1hc upper portions 14c and 16c are resiliently biased about a pivot point 55 to a substantially vertical position, such that when the wires arc under low tension the upper portions 14c, 16c are in a vertical position, as shown in figure 7.

A channel 52 (shown by dotted lines in figure 7) is defined in upper portions 14c, 16c to allow the wire to pass therethrough in use. movement limitation device which, in this example is in the form of a ball shaped member 54, is attached to each wire at a required position. The ball member is located on the portion of the wire between masts 10 and 14, 12 and 16. As each wire is placed under tension via winch 50 in order to move the wire from a lowered position to a raised position, ball member 54 is eventually brought into contact with the side walls defining channel 52. Since ball member 54 is of greater dimensions than channel 52, ball member 54 prevents further wire from passing through channel 52. Increased application of tension on the wire thereby causes upper portion 14c, 16c to pivot, with the top of each upper portion moving outwardly of the goods storage area.

In this position, the wire can be made taut and the netting 22 can be moved adjacent the masts and thus substantially cover the entire goods storage area. This would not typically be possible if the upper portion of the mast could not be pivoted outwardly of the goods storage area. In addition, the geometry À:. À. i:: of the wire passing over the now pivoted portion allows for Increased tension to be applied to the wire without undue effort being expended by the user.

An arm 56 is located parallel with and typically attached to the rear masts. Arm 56 has a curved surface 58 over which upper portions 14c, 16c pivot in use to increase the control of the pivoting movement.

A further example of a movement limitation device 60 is shown in figure 8 according to a further embodiment of the present invention in which it is a component of an engagement device.

Device GO includes a non-ferrous or non-magnetic portion 62 and a magnetic portion 64. A channel is defined through pcrticns 62, 64 and wire 18 is located therethrough but is rigidly attached thereto. A further magnetic member 66 is provided attached to pull cord 24 adjacent the leading edge 26 of netting 22. A channel 68 is defined through magnetic member 66 and wire 18 is freely slidable therethrough.

When the netting 22 is moved via pull cord 24 to an in use or transit position, (i.e. in the direction of the rear of the trailer as shown by arrow 70) magnc tic member 66 approaches magnetic portion 64 and the magnetic attraction therebetween causes engagement between member 66 and portion 64. This results in the pull cord 24 and thus the leading edge 26 of netting 24 being engaged in a position ad jacent upright mast 14. In order to release engagement -f the magnetic member 66 and portion 64, the user pulls pull cord 24 in a direction towards the front of the trailer as shown by arrow 72 with sufficient force to break the magnetic attraction between the magnetic portions.

In order to increase the ease with which magnetic member 66 can be moved relative to wire 18 and via which the magnetic À:. À. A: À: attraction force between member 66 and portion 64 can be overcome, a lever arrangement 74 is provided between pull cord 24 and magnetic member 66. Lever arrangement 74 is in the form of an arm member 76 joined at one end 78 to pull cord 24 and pivotally mounted via pivot point 80 adjacent the other end 82.

{he wire passing between the winch car tensioning means and the masts can be continuous or can be formed from two or more sections which are detachably attached. In one embodiment, each wire is detachably attached to the remaining section of wire adjacent the movement limitation device. In order to separate or join the sections of wire together, the tension in the wire is reduced until the wire falls towards the base within range of the user who can then connect or disconnect the sections of wire.

Referring to figures 9a and 9b, there is illustrated movement means in the form calf a shuttle 202 for use in one embodiment calf the present invention in place of pull cord 24. The netting 22 is typically slidably attached to wire 18 via loops 28. In the abovementioned embodiments pull cord 24 is used to move the loops 28 and therefore the netting 22 along wire 18 between first and second required positions. However, if the wire 18 is slack or unlubricated, it can be difficult to use the pull cord 24 to move the loops 28. lis such, shuttle 202 is attached to the wire 18 to increase the ease with which the loops 28 can be moved and a pull cord 203 is attached to the shuttle.

Shuttle 202 includes a channel through which the wire 18 is located. In one example, wheels/rollers within the shuttle are provided to protrude into the channel to allow the shuttle to be more easily moved relative to the wire. Alternatively, the coefficient of friction on one or more surfaces of the channel is A:: Àe e:. À À.:: Àe::e..

such so as to easily allow movement of the shuttle with respect to the wire. I An arm member 204 is provided on the shuttle which is substantially parallel to the wire 18. Arm member 204 gathers the loops 28 thereon as the shuttle and arm member moves along the wire. The free end 206 of arm member 204 can then be moved Into cngagcmcut with a corresponding channel or aperture 208 provided on a guide member 210, thereby holding the shuttle and thus the loops 28 and netting 22 securely when the st-'ragc position of the netting with respect to the mast is rcachcd, as shown in figure 9b.

The guide member 210 is typically attached to or forms part of the mast 212 located at one end of the storage area. The engagement between the free end of the arm member and the aperture ' r channel in the guide member is typically via a friction fit, thereby allowing easy release of the arm member on application of a force to pull cord 203 in a direction away from the mast 212. The lockups move off the arm member 204 as the netting becomes taut in an in use position.

Referring to figures 9c and 9d, a guide member 220 is provided to allow pull cord 203/24 to be looped thcreover. This allows the correct pressure to be placed can the cord making it easier for the person on the ground to pull the netting between in use and out of use positions.

It can therefore be seen that the present invention provides a number of improvemcuts over conventional restraining systems which increases the case with which the system can be used, whilst reducing the risk of accidents associated with the user mounting the goods or goods storage area being loaded.

À.. : : À.. .:. . A:: A. ::. e.

Claims

1 aims: 1. A restraining system, said system including two or more masts

mounted in a prc-defined area, support means provided between the two or more masts for supporting restraining means therewith, said restraining means movable between at least a first position and a second position, and wherein at least one of said masts is provided with at least one recessed portion to allow at least a part of the restraining means to be located therewith in said at least first and/or second positions.

2. 1\ restraining system according to claim 1 wherein the masts are mounted on a base of the pre-defincd area.

3. A restraining system according to claim 1 wherein the pre- dcfincd area is a goods storage area.

4. A restraining system according to claim 3 wherein the goods storage area is provided on a vehicle.

5. A restraining system according to claim 1 wherein the at least one recessed portion has an opening and said opening faces inwardly of the pre-defined area in use.

6. A restraining system according to claim 1 wherein the at least one recessed portion is in the form of a crank.

7. A restraining system according to claim 1 wherein the suppcrt means is substantially flexible and is any or any combination of one or more wires, rope or cables.

ail.. I he À.

8. A restraining system according to claim 7 wherein a portion calf the support means adjacent the mast is substantially rigid.

9. A restraining system according to claim 8 wherein the substantially rigid portion of the support means is pivotally mounted on the mast.

10. A restraining system according to claim 1 wherein the one or more masts with the recessed portions are provided adjacent at least a front edge of the pre-defined area.

11. A restraining system according to claim 1 wherein at least four masts are provided, one mast in each corner of a p re- de fined area. i

12. A restraining system according to claim 1 wherein the restraining means includes any or any combination of netting, tarpaulin and/or cover.

13. A restraining system according to claim 1 wherein the first and second positions between which the restraining means are moved correspond to raised and lowered positions of the restraining means and/or support means respectively.

14. A restraining system according to claim 13 wherein the restraining means and/or support means are moved between said raised and lowered positions by increasing or: decreasing the tension of the support means respectively.

a' I. i ma. '

15. A restraining system according to claim 14 wherein the tension in the restraining means is adjusted manually by a Scar.

16. A restraining system according to claim 1 4 wherein the tension in the restraining means is adjusted using tensioning means.

17. A restraining system according to claim 1 wherein the restraining means is movable with respect to the support means via one or more ring members, hooks, loops and/or clips.

18. 1\ restraining system according to claim 1 wherein m-'vcment means are provided in association with the restraining means to increase the ease with which the restraining means can be moved with respect to the support means.

19. A restraining system according to claim 18 wherein the movement means includes a portion which gathers together or releases the attachment means via which the restraining means are attached to the support means as the movement means moves relative to the support means.

20. A restraining system according to claim 18 wherein the movcmcut means is in the form of a shuttle device i having one or more wheel members or rollers in movable contact with the support means.

21. A restraining system according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the masts has an upper portion which is pivotable relative to a lower portion thereof.

À2' a. À À2 À. '

22. restraining system according to claim 21 wherein the upper portion is resiliently biased to a substantially upright position.

23. A restraining system according to claim 21 wherein 2 the upper portion is caused to pivot when the tension on the support means increases beyond a pre-determined threshold value.

24. A restraining system according to claim 21 wherein the upper portion pivots outwardly of the pre-defined area.

25. A restraining system according to claim 1 wherein m-'vemcnt limitation means are provided in association with the support means to limit movement of the same relatvc to the mast.

26. A restraining system according to claim 25 wherein the movement limitation means are located on the support means in such a position that when the movement 2 limitation means contact the mast, the restraining means attached to the support means substantially cover the pre clcfined area.

27. restraining system according to claim 1 wherein engagement means are provided for maintaining the 2 restraining means in one of said at least first or second positions.

28. A restraining system according to claim 27 wherein the engagement means includes a first magnetic member associated with the support means and a second magnetic member associated with the restraining means, the first magnetic member and said second magnetic member e, . a.: -..

: : . . engaging when the restraining means is brought within a prcdetermined distance -' f said first magnetic member.

29. restraining system according to claim 27 wherein the restraining means is pivotally attached to the second magnetic member.

30. A method of using the restraining system of claim 1.

via'. À'. at's À. 2.