GB2507165A

GB2507165A - Load restraint system

Info

Publication number: GB2507165A
Application number: GB201315062A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ian Davis
Original assignee: YARBOROUGH Ltd
Current assignee: YARBOROUGH Ltd
Priority date: 2012-08-22
Filing date: 2013-08-22
Publication date: 2014-04-23
Anticipated expiration: 2033-08-22
Also published as: GB201214977D0; GB2507165B; GB201315062D0

Abstract

A tether 12 is provided for restraining a load 16 within a loading area (20, Figure 2). A control arrangement 14 is provided for positioning the tether 12 relative to a load 16 to be restrained in the loading area (20). The control arrangement 14 includes a pull cord 24, 26 arrangement which extends from the tether 12 and may be configured in communication with the runner elements 28 on the opposing supports, for moving the tether from a fastening position, in which the tether is arranged proximal a load to be restrained, to an elevated position (Figure 2), in which the tether is suspended at an elevated location relative to said fastening position. A method is also claimed, the method including the steps of providing the above, positioning the tether 12 above a load 16, lowering the tether 12 using the control arrangement 14 and using a fastener arrangement 18 to tension the tether 12 over the load16.

Description

Load restraint system The present invention relates to a load restraint system, more particularly, but not exclusively, to a load restraint system for a vehicle.

It is known to transport loads by vehicle and to secure the loads against movement within the vehicle prior to transportation. A restraint such as a strap is commonly used to tether loads relative to a load support (such as a flatbed suiface or pallet) in the loading area of the vehicle.

Typically, the strap extends over the load, and is used to pull down on the load to secure the load against movement.

There are difficulties and problems with fitting straps over loads, particularly for high or elevated loads, e.g. on curtain-sided lorries -where the flatbed surface of the lorry is elevated from the ground, and loads can reach up to around 4.2rn from ground level (or higher if, the Ioriy has a double-deck). A common practice is to attempt to throw the strap over the load, which can be both difficult and dangerous, and in some instances may cause the operator to climb onto the vehicle (against health and safety regulations).

It is particularly difficult and time consuming to fit a strap over a high load single-handedly.

There is a need for an improved load restraint system.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a load restraint system, as set forth in claim i.

In exemplary embodiments, the control arrangement includes a control member configured to be pufied in order to move the tether from the fastening position to an elevated position.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of restraining a load, as set forth in claim 19.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a vehicle, as set forth in claim 20.

According to a yet further aspect of the invention, there is provided a vehicle, as set forth in claim 21.

The invention is advantageous in that it allows the tether to be easily positioned relative to a load to be secured, and/or allows the tether to be easily moved out of the way of the loading area, in a controlled manner, This obviates the need for throwing a tether across a toad and allows the operator to stay on the ground when using the system. Hence, the system overcomes a number of safety problems associated with conventional load restraining practices.

Other aspects and features of the invention will be apparent from the claims and following description of embodiments, made by way of example, with reference to the following drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side view of aload restraint system according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the system of the embodiment of Figure 1 in a loading position; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the system of the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2 in a fastening position; Figure 4 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the invention, incorporating mulfiple load restraints in deployed positions; and Figure 5 is a perspective view of one end of the system of Figure 4, with the load restraints in a stowed position.

With reference to Figure 1, a load restraint system is indicated generally at 10. The system 10 includes a load-restraining tether 12. a control arrangement 14 for positioning the tether relative to a load 16, and a fastener arrangement for fastening the tether 12 in a load-restraining state.

In the illustrated embodiment of Figure 1, a load 16 is provided on a flatbed 20 of a curtain-sided loriy (part of which is indicated generally at 22). The control arrangement 14 is configured for raising and lowering the tether 12 relative to the load 16, with each end of the tether 12 alTanged on a respective side of the load 16 (i.e. with the tether extending in a direction generally transverse to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle), In this embodiment, the fastener arrangement includes two fasteners 18, one on either side of the flatbed 20, for engaging respective free ends of the tether 12, and tightening the tether 12 across the load 16 (i.e. in order to pull down on the load 16, and restrain the load 16 against significant movement relative to the flatbed 20).

In this embodiment, the tether 12 takes the form of a standard fabric strap. The fasteners 18 are standard ratchet fasteners. both of a form commonly used in load-restraining applications.

The control arrangement 14 includes a pull cord arrangement for use in raising and lowering the tether 12. In this embodiment, the pull cord arrangement has two cords 24, 26. A first end 24a, 26a of each cord 24, 26 is attached to the tether 12 at a respective position 27a, 27b (spaced from one another) on the tether 12. A second end 24b of the first cord 24 extends from the tether 12, over a runner 28a at a position elevated above one side of the flatbed 20, and defines a free end 24c of the pull cord arrangement. A second end 26b of the second cord 26 extends over a runner 28b at an elevated position on an opposite side of the flatbed 20, then over the other runner 28a, and is connected to the free end 24c of the first cord 24 at point 26c.

The control arrangement 14 is configured such that when the free end 24c of the first cord 24 is pulled downwards, the tether 12 is raised (e.g. to an elevated loading position). Releasing the free end 24c of the first cord 24 causes the tether 12 to be lowered (e.g. to a fastening position).

The free end 24c of the first cord 24 may include a handle to be gripped by a user, and may extend a distance suitable to be handled by a user from ground level when the tether is in a lowermost fastening position.

In other embodiments, the pull cord arrangement consists of a single length of cord connected to the tether at one or two points, and extending over one or more elevated runners arranged so that a free end of the cord can be pulled or released to raise or lower the tether 12.

The runners 28a, 28b may be of any form suitable to allow the cord to run during movement of the tether from the fastening position to the elevated position. For example, the runners 28a, 28b may take the form of a hook, ring, loop or pulley element having a surface over which the cord can pass and be pulled in order to raise the tether 12.

Figure 2 shows the load restraint system fitted inside the loading area 30 of a loriy (e.g. a curtain-sided lorry), part of which is indicated generally at 22. In this embodiment, elongate runner supports 32, e.g. in the form of tracks, rails or tensioned wires, extend along the longitudinal axis of the loading area 30 (in the direction of arrow z'), one on either side of the loading area 30. The runner supports 32 are secured at an upper end of the loading area 30, e.g. to the upper part of the frame of the loading area 30.

In this embodiment, the runners 28a, 28b take the form of loops which are fitted onto the runner supports 32, so as to be movable along the runner supports 32. The loops 28a, 28b may take the form of a carabiner or like device having a latch which can be operated to releasably secure the loop to one of the runner supports 32, or may take the form of a continuous ring or hoop which is pre-fitted to move along the runner supports 32.

Pufling the free end 24c of the first cord 24 in the direction of arrow x' causes the tether 12 to be raised towards the loops 28a, 28b, in order to create a space for loading cargo into the loading area, e.g+ onto the flatbed 20. As shown in Figure 3, releasing the free end 24c of the first cord 24 (e.g. to move in the direction of arrow y') causes the tether 12 to lower towards the flatbed 20 and any load 16 positioned thereon, with the free ends of the tether 12 hanging generally on opposing sides of the load area 30 (i.e. beneath a respective loop 28a, 28b).

In addition, the control alTangement 14 can be moved along the loading area 30 in a longitudinal direction, as indicated by arrows 2 in Figure 2, in order to position the tether 12 at a desired location along the longitudinal axis of the loading area 30. Typically, this will be achieved by pufling the free end 24c of the first cord 24 in the relevant direction, to allow the runners 28a, 28b to move along the runner supports 32. The tether 12 is lowered to a desired fastening position and fasteners 18 are then used to tighten the free ends of the tether 12, to thereby tension the tether 12 over the load 16 and restrain the load 16 against movement.

The free end 24c of the cord 24 is effectively a control member, by means of which the tether 12 can be raised an lowered in a controlled manner. In the illustrated embodiment, the free end is disposed on one side of the load area, and the load restraint system is configured so that the tether can be moved from a lowered position to a raised position in one operation carried out from one side of the load area by pulling on said free end.

As illustrated in Figure 4, a plurality of tethers 12, each with a respective control arrangement 14, may be fitted to a single loading area 30, for restraining loads throughout the length of the loading area 30. The tethers 12 may be stored at one or both ends of the loading area 30, e.g. as shown in Figure 5. A retainer 34, e.g. in the form of a strap fastened with hook and ioop fastening material (not shown), may be used for holding the respective control arrangements 14 in one place until they are required, e.g. at one end of the loading area 30. In alternative embodiments. the retainer 34 may be in the form of a hook, or some other suitable formation.

When the tethers 12 are required for load securement, one or more of them can be released from the retainer 34, and deployed as described above.

In the illustrated embodiment, the tethers can be independendy raised/lowered, and each associated pull cord arrangement can be used to independently position its respecrive tether at a desired location within the load area. In alternative embodiments, a single control arrangement i 4 may be used to control multip'e tethers 12.

The above system allows safe and efficient, single-handed fitting of a strap or straps for securing a load in a load area. The straps can easily be moved along the load area to the required position, and can be safely stowed away. The system can be retro-fitted to lorries or other load areas. An operator is able to stay on ground when using the system, without needing to throw the straps over the load. Hence, the system overcomes a number of safety problems associated with conventional load restraining practices. Furthermore, the system enables loads to be restrained securely, avoiding damage to the load during transit. For curtain-sided vehicles, the system ensures that the curtain is not used to restrain the load.

Although the illustrated embodiment is described as having a pull cord arrangement having one or more cords (e.g. made from rope, string or twine), interpretation of the term pull cord alTangement' described herein should not necessarily be restricted to rope-or string-type cords.

The pull cord arrangement may comprise any suitable elongate flexible element capable of extending over an elevated runner for operation of the control arrangement in order to bring about movement of the associated tether between a fastening position and an elevated position.

This includes elongate flexible elements such as straps or the like, or wires and cables or the like.

Claims

Claims 1, A load restraint system comprising: a tether for restraining a load within a load area.and a control arrangement for positioning the tether relative to a load, wherein the control arrangement includes a pull cord alTaligement configured for moving the tether from a fastening position, in which the tether is arranged proximal a load to be restrained, to an elevated position, in which the tether is suspended at an elevated location relative to said fastening position.
2. A load restraint system according to claim I wherein the tether has first and second ends intended to be arranged on opposite sides of a load for a load restraining operation.
3. A load restraint system according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the pull cord arrangement comprises an elongate flexible element coupled with the tether and having a free end which extends over a runner at an elevated location.
4. A load restraint system according to claim 3 wherein the free end of the elongate tiexible element hangs down from the runner and is intended to be pulled downwards for movement of the tether from the fastening position to an elevated position.
5. A load restraint system according to claim 4 wherein the free end of the elongate flexible element is disposed on one side of the load area, and the load restraint system is configured so that the tether can be moved from a lowered position to a raised position in one operation calTied out from one side of the load area by pulling on the free end of the elongate flexible element.
6. A load restraint system according to claim 4 or claim 5, configured so that the tether can be lowered in a controlled manner by allowing the free end of the elongate flexible element to raise.
7. A load restraint system according to any of claims 3 to 6 wherein the control arrangement includes an elongate runner support located at an elevated location, and said runner is arranged for movement along a portion of the runner support, and wherein the elongate flexible element can be used to change the location of the runner along said portion of the runner support, hi order to move the tether within the load area.
8. A load restraint system according to any preceding claim wherein the pull cord arrangement includes a free end arranged to be pulled downwards in order to raise the tether.
9. A load restraint system according to claim 8 wherein the free end is disposed on one side of the load area, and the load restraint system is configured so that the tether can be moved from a lowered position to a raised position in one operation carried out from one side of the load area by pulling on said free end.
10. A load restraint system according to claim 8 or claim 9 wherein the control arrangement includes a runner located at an elevated location, and wherein the pull cord arrangement includes a control member which extends over the runner, and defines a free end disposed downwards from the runner and intended to be pulled downwards in order to raise the tether.
ii. A load restraint system according to claim 10 wherein the free end of the control member is disposed on one side of the load area, and the load restraint system is configured so that the tether can be moved from a lowered position to a raised position in one operation carried out from one side of the load area by pulling on the free end of the control member.
12. A load restraint system according to claim 10 or claim 11, configured so that the tether can be lowered in a controlled manner by allowing the free end of the control member to raise.
13. A load mstraint system according to any of claims lO to i2 wherein the control arrangement includes an elongate runner support located at an elevated thcation, and said runner is arranged for movement along a portion of the runner support, and wherein the control member can be used to change the location of the runner along said portion of the runner support, hi order to move the tether within the load area.
14. A load restraint system according to claim 7 or claim 13 wherein the elongate runner support comprises a wire, track or rail along which the runner is movably attached.
15. A load restraint system according to claim 3, claim 4, claim 7, claim 10, claim 13 or claim 14 wherein the runner comprises a ring, loop, hook, carabiner or pulley wheel located at an elevated position.
16. A load restraint system according to any of claims 1 to 15 wherein the pull cord alTangement comprises first and second cords, each alTanged for pulling a respective part of the tether for movement from the fastening position to an elevated position.
17. A load restraint system according to any preceding claim, further comprising at least one fastener arrangement for tensioning the tether over a load when the tether is in the fastening positioning.
18. A load restraint system according to claim 17 comprising a ratchet fastener for receiving a free end of the tether.
19. A load restraint system according to any preceding claim, comprising: a plurality of said tethers, each having an associated control arrangement with an independently controllable pull cord arrangement; first and second runner supports, tracks, wires or rails extending in a spaced relationship at an elevated location above a load area; a plurality of runners mounted for movement along said first runner sup port/track/wire/rail; and a p'urality of runners mounted for movement along said second runner support/track! wire/rail; wherein each pull cord arrangement is associated with a runner on said first and second runner supports/tracks/wires/rails, and is independenfly movable along the runner supports/tracks/wires/rails within the load area.
20. A method of restraining a load within a load area, the method comprising the steps of: a) providing a tether for restraining a load within a load area b) providing a control arrangement for positioning the tether relative to a load, wherein the control arrangement includes a pull cord arrangement which extends from the tether and is configured for moving the tether from a fastening position, in which the tether is arranged proximal a load to be restrained, to an elevated position, in which the tether is suspended at an elevated location relative to said fastening position; c) loading the load area with a load to be restrained; d) using the control arrangement to position the tether at an elevated position over the load; e) lowering the tether from the elevated position to a fastening position proximal the load; and using a fastener arrangement to tension the tether over the load, and thereby restrain the load against movement,
21. A vehicle comprising a loading area incorporating a load restraint system according to any of claims ito t5.
22. A vehicle according to claim 21 wherein the loading area includes first and second supports in the form of tracks, wires or rails extending in a first direction at an elevated location within the loading area and separated from one another in a direction transverse to said first direction, wherein a runner is provided on each of said supports for movement along said supports in said first direction, and wherein the control arrangement includes a flexible control element which extends from the tether and is arranged in communication with the runners on the opposing supports for operation of the tether between the fastening and elevated positions.
23. The vehicle according to claim 21 or claim 22 wherein the tether has opposing free ends arranged to suspend on opposite sides of the loading area in the elevated and fastening positions.
24. A vehicle having a curtain-sided loading area, the loading area including first and second supports in the form of wires, tracks or rails extending in a first direction at an elevated location within the loading area and separated from one another in a direction transverse to said first direction, wherein runner elements are provided on each of said supports for movement along said supports in said first direction, wherein a tether is provided for restraining a load within the loading area, and a control arrangement is provided for positioning the tether relative to a load to be restrained in the loading area, wherein the control arrangement includes a pull arrangement which is attached to, extends from or is otherwise coupled with the tether and is configured in communication with the runner elements on the opposing supports, for moving the tether from a fastening position. in which the tether is arranged proximal a load to be restrained, to an elevated position, in which the tether is suspended at an elevated location relative to said fastening position.
25. A vehicle according to claim 25 wherein the pull arrangement comprises an elongate flexible element which is attached to, extends from or is otherwise coupled with the tether and has a free end which extends over and hangs down from the runner and is intended to be pulled downwards for movement of the tether from the fastening position to an elevated position.
26. A load restraint system comprising: a tether for restraining a load within a load area, and a control arrangement for positioning the tether relative to a load.wherein the control arrangement includes a pull arrangement configured for moving the tether from a fastening position, in which the tether is arranged proximal a load to be restrained, to an elevated position, in which the tether is suspended at an elevated location relative to said fastening position.
27. A load restraint system according to claim 26 wherein the pull arrangement comprises an elongate flexible element attached to, extending from or otherwise coupled with the tether and having a free end which extends over a runner at an elevated location.
28. A load restraint system according to claim 27 wherein the free end of the elongate flexible element hangs down from the runner and is intended to be pulled downwards for movement of the tether from the fastening position to an elevated position.
29. A load restraint system according to claim 28 wherein the free end of the elongate flexible element is disposed on one side of the load area, and the load restraint system is configured so that the tether can be moved from a lowered position to a raised position in one operation carried out from one side of the load area by pulling on the free end of the elongate flexible element.
30. A load restraint system according to claim 27 or claim 28, further configured so that the tether can be lowered in a controlled manner by allowing the free end of the elongate flexible element to raise.
31. A load restraint system according to any of claims 26 to 30 wherein the tether has first and second ends intended to be arranged on opposite sides of a load for a load restraining operation.
32. A load restraint system or method substantially as described herein andlor with reference to the accompanying figures.