GB2462281A

GB2462281A - Cargo restraint device

Info

Publication number: GB2462281A
Application number: GB0813960A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mark Reynolds
Original assignee: Hill and Smith Holdings PLC
Current assignee: Hill and Smith Holdings PLC
Priority date: 2008-07-31
Filing date: 2008-07-31
Publication date: 2010-02-03
Also published as: GB0813960D0

Abstract

A restraint device (10, figure 1a) for holding a cargo, for example for transportation or storage, is provided. The cargo may be a road barrier beam 100. The restraint device comprises a support 12 for supporting the cargo. The restraint device further comprises a coupling device (14) provided on the support. In use, the coupling device is operable for engaging with the cargo to couple it to the support. For example, a road barrier beam may comprise an aperture and the coupling device may couple the beam to the support via the aperture 102. The coupling may be movable between a first position and a second position, said coupling device couples cargo to said support when in the first position and said coupling is movable to a second position to release said cargo. The coupling device may comprise a toggle device 16; the toggle may be pivotably mounted 20 to a mount 18 provided on said support.

Description

C

CARGO RESTRAINT DEVICE

The present invention relates to a cargo restraint device. In particular, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to a device for restraining road barrier beams during transportation and/or for storage.

During the transportation of cargo, and in particular of cargo that comprises several discrete articles, it is desirable to package or otherwise secure the articles together, or to a support or within a container. This helps to ensure that the articles are not damaged during transportation. This also assists in quicker loading and unloading of the cargo at the collection and destination points respectively as a number of articles can be handled simultaneously -obviating the need to load/unload one article at a time.

For example, it is known to secure articles together for transportation by packaging them to each other and/or to a pallet using strapping or banding. A disadvantage of this approach is the additional time required when initially packaging the articles together and when unpacking them for use or distribution. It is also known to package articles in a container for transportation or storage. This, again, requires additional time to package/unpack the goods, and the packaging itself adds additional weight and occupies more space than the unpackaged articles alone occupy.

Taking the example of road barriers, and in particular those deployed for non-permanent installations along a road, it is necessary to transport the barriers from site to site, e.g. for delivering to a location for deployment on the road or removing from a site once they are no longer needed. It is known to strap several road barrier beams together, which inevitably suffers from the disadvantage discussed above. In addition, it is desirable to be able to load, unload and deploy road barrier beams as quickly as possible to as to minimise disruption to traffic flow. However, having to apply and/or remove strapping does not lend itself to efficient handling of the barriers.

Another known way to transport road barrier beams is to simply load them onto/into a transportation vehicle, stacking the barriers if necessary. A disadvantage of this approach is that there is a danger that the barriers may move in transit, making it difficult and possibly dangerous to unload and deploy the barriers.

The present invention has been devised with the foregoing in mind.

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a device for holding a cargo as defined in claim 1. In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of restraining a cargo as defined in claim 11. The cargo may be a road barrier beam. In accordance with a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a road barrier restraint system as defined in claim 18.

Advantageously, the invention enables secure storage or transport of a cargo whilst also enabling quick and easy engaging and disengaging of said cargo to and from the support. Furthermore, there is no need for external measures such as banding or strapping to contain the cargo. Banding/strapping has the further disadvantage that is can get tangled or caught/snagged. Preferably, the coupling means are rigid to avoid such problems.

The coupling device is preferably non-removably fixed to the support, to facilitate coupling and decoupling of the cargo to/from the support. In a preferred embodiment, the coupling device is configured to fit into, onto and/or around at least a part of said cargo. For example, an aperture or indentation may be provided in a cargo, and the coupling device couples the cargo to the support via the aperture or indentation. Alternatively, the coupling device may be configured to fit around a protuberance provided on a cargo. The restraint device may be tailored specifically to enhance security when carrying a particular cargo (e.g. to provide a secure fit with/into/onto/around (a part of) the cargo in question).

In an embodiment, the coupling device is moveable between a first position and a second position. In use, the coupling device may thus couple the cargo to the support when in a first position, and be moveable to a second position to release the cargo from the support. It is an advantage that the invention is simple, inexpensive to manufacture and comprises few components.

The coupling device may comprise a toggle device. The toggle may be supported on the support on a mount. Preferably, the toggle is pivotally mounted to the mount.

The restraint device may further comprise means for securing the coupling device in the first position. The means for securing the coupling device in the first position may comprise means for restricting movement of at least a part of the toggle so as to prevent pivotal movement thereof, Preferably, the toggle is configured to drop down into a cavity to help retain it therein, and more preferably the centre of gravity of the pivoted toggle assists in keeping the toggle in the first position. This can help in retaining the toggle in place whilst the cargo is being loaded onto the support, even if it is knocked.

In addition, or instead, the restraint device may comprise means for securing the coupling device in said second position. Preferably, the means for securing the coupling device in the second position comprise a means for frictionally restricting movement of the cargo with respect to the support. For example, means may be provided for clamping the cargo to the support. This provides additional security for storing/transporting the cargo. In an embodiment, the clamp is slideable with respect to the cargo and/or the support to gradually increase or decrease the frictional grip accordingly to further secure the cargo in place or release it for unloading.

In an embodiment, the support is elongate. Advantageously, the support itself does not occupy much space and can e easily stored when not in use. A plurality of supports may be used together to provide additional support e.g. for large and/or heavy cargoes. Alternatively, the support may be substantially square or rectangular, and/or may comprise a framework or a container in which the cargo may be placed. Preferably, the support is formed of a box-section, and is preferably metal.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described with respect to the following drawings in which: Figures la to ic show side, end and isometric views of a restraint device; Figures 2a to 2c show side, end and isometric views of a support that forms part of the restraint device of in Figures la to ic; Figures 3a to 3d show two side views, an isometric and a top view of a mount that forms part of the restraint device of Figures Ia to Ic; Figures 4a to 4c show side, end and isometric views of a toggle that forms part of the restraint device of Figures la to ic; Figures 5 to 7, 8 and 10 show at least a part of the restraint device of Figures 1 a to 1 c in use with one or more road barrier beams; and Figure 9 shows a plurality of road barrier beams suitable for transportation using the restraint device of Figures la to Ic.

Figure 1 shows a cargo restraint device 10 according to embodiments of the present invention. The restraint device 10 comprises a support 12 for receiving a cargo. The support 12 is elongate. In a preferred embodiment, the support 12 is a length of box section. The section may be metal, e.g. formed of stainless steel or aluminium. Although not shown, in an alternative embodiment, the support 12 may take a variety of forms instead of an elongate box section. For example, it may be a square or rectangular flat pallet or a framework. Embodiments of the invention may also be employed in containers.

One or more coupling devices 14 are provided on the support 12. The coupling device 14 enables an article of cargo to be coupled to the support 12 (e.g. as shown in Figures 5 and 6). The coupling device 14 is a locking device that enables an article or a plurality of articles to be engaged with the support 12. In a preferred embodiment, the coupling device 14 comprises a toggle 16 moveable between a first position that engages the article to the support 12 and a second position that releases the article from the support 12. The toggle 16 is mounted to a mount 18. The toggle 16 is pivotable with respect to the mount 18 so as to move between the first position (shown in solid lines) and the second position (indicated by position 16'). The toggle 16 is pivotable around a fulcrum 20, which may be a pin or rod that couples the toggle 16 to the mount 18.

Figures 2a to 2c show the restraint device 10 as in Figures la to Ic, but without the toggle 16 or pin 20.

Referring to Figures 3a to 3d, enlarged views of the mount 18 are shown. The mount 18 may be attached to the support 12, e.g. by welding, or ay be integrally formed therewith. The mount 18 is generally cylindrical in shape. The central portion of the cylinder has been cut away to provide a groove or channel 22 having a base 23. This provides the mount 18 with a two prongs 24a, 24b extending along an axial direction indicated by the line A-A. An aperture 26 is provided through each of the prongs 24a, 24b to provide a passage for the pin 20. The location of the aperture 26 is chosen to be vertically spaced from the lower surface 23 of the groove 22. Alternatively, two separate supports 24a, 24b could be provided mounted on or to the support 12. Alternatively, a single support could be used rather than the two supports 24a, 24b.

In an embodiment, e.g. as shown in Figure 3a, the pin 20 is a headed pin or bolt 27a, which can be secured in place with a washer or nut 27b. Opposed outer surfaces 25 of the mount 18 may be flattened to permit full contact of the head of the pin 20 and the washer/nut on the opposite side.

Figures 4a to 4c show enlarged views of the toggle 16. The toggle 16 is preferably elongate along an axis B-B and comprises an aperture 28. The aperture 28 is also preferably elongate and runs generally in the same direction as the length of the toggle 16. The aperture 28 has long edges 29a, 29b. The pin 20 can pass through the aperture 28 of the toggle 16, and through the apertures 26 of the mount 18 to capture the toggle 16 on the mount 18. The aperture 28 of the toggle is sufficiently large to allow the toggle 16 to move relative to the pin 20 when captive on the mount 18. When captive on the mount 18, the toggle 16 can be moved from a first position wherein the axis B-B of the toggle 16 is substantially perpendicular to the axis A-A of the mount 18, to a second position 16' where the axis B-B of the toggle 16 is substantially parallel with the axis A-A of the mount 18.

At least part of the aperture 28 of the toggle 16 may be angled with respect to the longitudinal axis B-B of the toggle 16. In the embodiment shown in Figures 4a and 4c, each of the long edges 29a, 29b of the aperture are angled at an angle a with respect to the axis B-B. The angling and profiling of the surfaces 29a, 29b of the toggle aperture 28 enables more secure restraint of an article to the restraint device, as will be discussed in more detail below.

In use, the toggle 16 is moved to its second position 16', i.e. such that the axis B-B is substantially parallel with the axis A-A of the mount 18. The vertical spacing between the pivot point 20 of the coupling device 14 and the base 23 of the groove 22 of the mount 18 provides stability helping to ensure that the toggle 16 remains in the second position 16' during loading of a beam 100 onto the support 12. This is because pivoting the toggle 16 at a point at least part way along it's length (i.e. not at or near the end) means that, in it's second position 16', the centre of gravity of the toggle 16 will stabilise the toggle 16 in the second position 16'. That is, the toggle 16 drops down into the second position, as shown in Figure 6, to rest on the surface 23 (indicated by the dotted line). This ensures that in the second position, the toggle cannot pivot and is in a secure position to permit loading/unloading without the toggle 16 from falling over if knocked. The upstanding toggle 16 can pass through an aperture provided on or in an article to be transported. For example, a road barrier beam to be transported is shown in Figure 5. The beam 100 has an aperture 102 in its base. The beam 100 can be placed on the restraint device 10 such that the toggle 16' passes through the aperture 102. To secure a beam 100 to the support 12, the toggle 16 is moved (pivoted) from the second position 16' to the first position 16.

Figure 6 shows an enlarged, more detailed, view of a road barrier beam 100 secured to the support 12 of the restraint device 10. The toggle 16 is shown in its first position, in which the beam 100 is restrained by the restraint device 10.

It can be seen that pushing the toggle 16 toward the outer edge of the support 12 and beam 100 (i.e. towards the left as shown in Figure 6) will force the pin to engage with the angled surface 29b. As the toggle is pushed towards the left, the pin 20 is forced into closer contact with the surface 29a. In the embodiment shown the surface 29b is profiled or ridged, and pushing the pin 20 into a trough of the ridged surface 29b such that there is a close interference fit therebetween helps to ensure that the toggle 16 remains in place for transportation and/or storage of the beam 100. The opposite surface 29a acts to force the wedge while the profile acts as a lock. To release the beam 100 from the restraint device 10, the toggle 16 can be pushed away from the edge thereof (i.e. toward the right of the page as shown in Figure 6) to reduce the interference between the pin 20 and the toggle 16. The toggle 16 can then be moved to its second position 16' (i.e. substantially upright).

For the specific example of storing and/or transporting road barrier beams, it is desirable to stack several beams onto the restraint device 10. For example, several beams may be stacked onto the support 12. Figure 7 shows one possible way of achieving this. In this example, three beams 1 ODa, 1 OOc, 1 OOe are placed onto the support 12. One or more of the beams lOOa, lOOc, lOOe are secured to the restraint device 12 at one or more locations. Figure 8 shows a plan view of the beams 100 of Figure 7, secured to four restraint devices 10.

Each restraint device 10 is provided with coupling means 12 near each end thereof (e.g. as shown in Figures la and ib) and the outer beams lOOa and lOOe are each secured to the restraint devices 10 through apertures 102 provided in their bases (e.g. as shown in Figure 6). Figure 9 shows the group of five beams lOOa-lOOe without the restraint devices 10. It will be appreciated that any number of articles may be secured with one or more coupling devices 14 provided on one or more supports 12. Additional restraints such as strapping may optionally be provided around the load, e.g. around the pack shown in Figure 7, to secure it to the vehicle for transportation.

Once stacked and secured to the restraint device(s) 10, the beams can be loaded on to a vehicle for transporting to the desired location, stored, and/or unloaded from a vehicle etc. Conveniently, and for example, a forklift truck picks up the restrained beams 100 via one or more of the other apertures 104 provided in the base of the beams 100 not being used for coupling.

Alternatively, the pack of beams may be picked up by slings (e.g. by chains to be lifted by a crane) passed through a gap or cavity 202 created between the two centre beams lOb, lOb or through gap/cavity 200; 204 between outer beams lOa, lOb; lOc, lOd. It will be appreciated that any aperture already present in an article may be used for the coupling, or additional apertures may be provided specifically for this purpose. It will also be appreciated that instead of using apertures in an article, the restraint device of embodiments of the invention may couple to indentations or channels provided on or in an article, or to protuberances or projections thereof. It will further be appreciated that the coupling features need not be located immediately on the articles, but may be provided on intermediate packaging instead.

It is an advantage that embodiments of the present invention provide for quick loading, unloading and transporting of articles such as road barriers. The toggle mechanism provides a way of quickly and easily locking the articles in place for storage/transporting and releasing for unloading and/or use. It is a further advantage that the storage/restraint system of embodiments of the invention increase the safety of transporting articles, and especially heavy and bulky items which may otherwise move during transit. The restraint device also provides a way of locking articles together for storage/transportation etc. without the need for strapping extending around the articles (which can be difficult and time-consuming to apply and remove) and without the need for bulky containers.

It will be appreciated that the embodiments shown in the figures are exemplary only. The restraint device according to embodiments of the invention need not be an elongate box section, and may have any number (including one) of coupling devices mounted thereon or thereto. Furthermore, the coupling device need not be a toggle -it may be a clamp, clip or a vice for example.

It will be further appreciated that embodiments of the present invention are not limited to only being suitable for transporting/storing road barrier beams. Any article or its packaging in which there is provided a means for coupling to the restraint device may be transported and/or stored using the restraint device of embodiments of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A restraint device for holding a cargo, the restraint device comprising: a support for supporting said cargo; and a coupling device provided on said support; wherein, in use, said coupling device is operable for engaging with said cargo to couple it to said support.
2. The restraint device of claim 1, wherein said coupling device is configured to fit into, onto and/or around at least a part of said cargo.
3. The restraint device of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said coupling device is moveable between a first position and a second position and, in use, said coupling device couples said cargo to said support when in a first position, and said coupling device is moveable to a second position to release said cargo from said support.
4. The restraint device of claim 3, wherein said coupling device comprises a toggle device.
5. The restraint device of claim 4, further comprising a mount provided on said support for supporting said toggle.
6. The restraint device of claim 5, wherein said toggle is pivotally mounted to said mount.
7. The restraint device of claim 6, further comprising means for securing said coupling device in said first position and/or means for securing said coupling device in said second position.
8. The restraint device of claim 7, wherein said means for securing said coupling device in said first position comprises means for restricting movement of at least a part of the toggle so as to prevent pivotal movement thereof,
9. The restraint device of claim 7 or claim 8, wherein said means for securing said coupling device in said second position comprises a means for frictionally restricting movement of said cargo with respect to the support.
10. The restraint device of any preceding claim, wherein said support is elongate. V
11. A method of restraining a cargo on a support, the method comprising: providing a support comprising a coupling device provided on said support; and engaging said coupling means with said cargo in order to couple said cargo to said support.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein engaging said coupling means comprises fitting said coupling means into, onto and/or around at least a part of said cargo.
13. The method of claim 11 or claim 12, further comprising moving said coupling device between a first position and a second position whereby said coupling device couples said cargo to said support when in said first position and said coupling device is moveable to a second position to release said cargo from said support.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein moving said coupling device comprises pivoting said coupling device between said first and second positions.
15. The method of claim 13 or 14, further comprising securing said coupling device in said first position and/or securing said coupling device in said second position.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein securing said coupling device in said first position comprises restricting movement of at least a part of the coupling device.
17. The method of claim 15 or claim 16, wherein securing said coupling device in said second position comprises frictionally restricting movement of said cargo with respect to the support.
18. A road barrier restraint system comprising: a restraint device according to any preceding claim; and a road barrier beam; wherein, in use, the coupling device of said restraint device is operable for engaging with said road barrier beam to couple it to said support.
19. The system of claim 18, wherein said road barrier beam comprises an aperture and, in use, said coupling device couples said barrier to said support via said aperture.
20. A restraint device for holding a cargo substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any of Figures ito 8 and 10 of the accompanying drawings.
21. A road barrier restraint system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any of Figures 5, 6 to 8 and 10 of the accompanying drawings.