NL2015713B1 - Strap-based load securing system for bale transport. - Google Patents

Abstract

The load securing system for securing a load to a trailer generally includes first and second upright loadcontainment structures, a pair of rotating arms, a carrier line and a plurality of strap carriers for holding a strap. The first and second upright structures are configured to be mounted to a trailer. The pair of rotating arms is respectively mounted to a corresponding one of the first and second upright structures. Each rotating arm is rotatably carried by the corresponding first and second upright structure associated therewith. The carrier line spans between the rotating arms. Each strap carrier is individually positionable on the carrier line, with each strap carrier carrying a corresponding roll of strap material. The rotation arms are configured to bring the mounting line spanning between the arms from one side of the trailer, around the load, and then to other side .of trailer.

Description

STRAP-BASED LOAD SECURING SYSTEM FOR BALE TRANSPORT

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to a system for securing cargo to a transport trailer. In particular, the securing system relates to a load, securing system including or using multiple flexible elements (e.g., straps or cables) to secure a load such as multiple bales of a g r i c u 11 u r a 1 p r o du o t,

BACKGROUND

[0002] It is common for loads to be secured to a trailer bed by use of a plurality of straps, tie-don*ns or other securing elements, with those securing elements often being deployed by hand (Figs 1-2). Deploying those straps across the load typically involves throwing them over the load manually, which can cause the straps to not be properly aligned on a load. Improper alignment can occur, for example, due to the wind catching the straps, the throw being misaligned and/or the shape of the bales causing the straps to slide to one side. Improper alignment may require the cargo straps to be thrown over the load more than once. Additionally, the operator may climb onto the bales to correct the strap placement, 'which also takes time, [0003] This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of art that may be related it various aspects of the disclosure, which are described and/or claimed below. This discussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various a spects of the present d isc.1 osure . Accordingly, it should be understood that these statements are to be read In this light, and not as admissions of prior art.

SUMMARY

[0004] The present strap-based load securing system provides a mechanism for carrying multiple tie-down straps across a load. The securing system, at the same time, is able to stabilize a portion of the forward and rear load using the structure that delivers the tie-down straps across the load. Advantageously, the strap-based system provides for both longitudinal and lateral load stability, maximum openness for loading, and a relative simple strap delivery system.

[0005] The present load securing system, is designed to be used to bring cargo straps or other securing devices from one side of the trailer around and over a load (e.g., a plurality of bales of forage/biomass material; or other s sac table objects) so they can. be then secured on the other side of the trailer, in addition to being attached, to a first side of the trailer. It allows for the precise and simultaneous placement of all the securing devices needed to secure the load. This system helps prevent misplacement and twisting of the securing devices and, thus, possibly having to crawl on the load to correct their placement and/or to retrieve them if throwing them over the load did not 'work properly. The system is conducive to use with different sizes and types of trailers, and it can be used to secure any of a wide variety of loads (e.g., round bales of different sizes, square bales, and other types of cargo), Further, because the system involves a nominally minimal amount, of structure and resulting weight, more material be transported without increasing the total weight of the load.

[0006] In one aspect of the present system, a load securing system for securing a load to a truck bed generally includes first and second removable upright load-containment structures, a pair of rotating arms, a carrier line, a plurality of rolls of strap material, and a plurality of strap carriers. The first and second upright load-containment structures are configured to be mounted to a trailer and, more particularly, removably secured therefrom. The pair of rotating arms is respectively mounted to a corresponding one of the first and second upright structures. Each rotating arm has a first arm end and a second arm end. The first arm end of a rotating arm is rotatably carried by the corresponding first and second upright structure associated therewith. The carrier line is attached to both of the second arm ends and thereby spans between the rotating arms. Each strap carrier is individually mounted and positionable on the carrier line, with each strap carrier carrying a corresponding roll of strap material.

Further., at least one of the rotation arms is configured to rotate, relative to the corresponding first and second upright structure associated therewith, bring the mounting line spanning between the arms from one side of the trailer, around the load, and then to other side of trailer.

[Ö0Ü7] There sire mult ip le potential advantages associated with the present securing system. The simultaneous deployment of the plurality of straps should reduce the time needed to secure a load. The automated deployment system should minimize or possibly eliminate the need for a user to climb on the load, and it will eliminate the need to throw the straps as part of the deployment process. By being able to place the upright load-containment structures where desired and by being able to choose a corresponding length of the carrier line to be used, the system can universally fit on any various fiat-deck and/or step-deck trailers (including varying lengths thereof), Further, the system is able to accommodate different sizes and types of bales/loads and can work with partial loads, as well. The securing system, uses existing tie-down straps for its main wear parts, and such straps are cost, effective and easily replaced. Finally, as stated above, the provision of a lighter frame allows more of the total weight that, can be carried to be dedicated to the load. It is to be understood, however, that this list of advantages is not intended to be exhaustive and that other advantages of the system may be made apparent by the detailed description thereof that is to follow.

[0008j Various refinements exist of the features noted in relation to the above"mentioned aspects of the present disclosure. Further features may also be incorporated in the above-mentioned aspects of the present disclosure as well.

These refinements and additional features may exist individually or in any combination, For instance, various features discussed below in relation, to any of the illustrated embodiments of the present disclosure may foe incorporated into any of the above-described aspects of the present disclosure, alone or in any combination,

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Figure 1 is a side perspective photographic view of one prior art system for securing round hay bales to a truck trailer using tie-down straps, [0010] Figure 2 is a side perspective photographic view of a second prior art system for securing round hay bales to a truck trailer using tie-down straps, [0011] Figure 3 is a side view of the present load securing system, shown, for ease of illustration, without the strap and strap holders being delivered by the carrier line, [0012] Figure 4 is a side photographic view of a group of the straps and strap holders of the present load securing system being delivered by the carrier line, [0013] Figure 5 is a side view of the present load securing system, with the straps in place across the load.

[0014] Figure 6 is a top view of the present load securing system, with the straps in place across the load, [0015] Figures 7A-7D are a series of rear views of the present load securing system, showing stages of movement of a rotating arm .from ore lateral side of a load to the other lateral side thereof, [0016] Figure 8 is a top, side perspective photographic view of a strap and corresponding strap holder of the present load securing system, with an end of the strap being hooked onto a trailer bed and the strap holder being carried by the carrier line.

[0017] Figure 9 is a side perspective photographic view of one embodiment of a strap holder of the present load securing system, with the strap holder being shown, mounted to a carrier line.

[0018] Fi gures 10A-10B a re si de, pe r spe ct ive vi e w s of another embodiment of a strap holder of the present load securing system, with the two portions thereof first shown being detached from one another in Figure 10A and connected to one another in Figure 103.

[0ü19j Figures 11A-11B are side, front perspective view's of yet another embodiment of a strap holder of the present load securing system, this embodiment being provided with spring-loaded retraction mechanism., with the two portions thereof first shewn being latched to one another in Figure 11A and disconnected from one another in Figure 11B.

[0020] Figures 12A and 12B are top and side views, respectively, of an embodiment of the present load system that provides a cargo net along with the strapping to help secure the load in place .

[ 0 0 21 ] F i g: u r e s 13 A a n d 13 B a r e p h o t o g r a p h i c v i e w s that show the use of a clam-shell hook retainer, with Figure 13A being a side perspective view of. the clam-shell hook retainer snapped in plaice on a carrier line and Figure 13B being a side perspective view of a hook associated with a strap being hooked .into place on a hook retainer.

[0022] Figures 14A and 14B are photographic views that, together, show the drive system of present load securing system, with Figure 14A being a front, side photographic view of one embodiment of the forward bulkhead and the related main portion of the drive system of the present load securing system and Figure 14B being a rear, side photographic view of the rearward bulkhead and the related portion of the drive system for moving the associated rotating arm.

[0023] Figure 15 is schematic illustration of the drive system shown in Figure 14, [0024] Figure 16 is a schematic view of a pneumatic to hydraulic drive conversion kit available for driving the movement of the rotatable arms of the present load securing system.

[0025] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] In one aspect of the present system, as seen from Figures 3-6, a load securing system 4 for securing a load to a truck bed B generally includes a first upright load-containment structure 1 and a second removable upright load-containment structure 2 a pair of rotating arms 12, 14 a carrier line 20, and a plurality of strap carriers 25 (which may also be referred to herein as ''strap holders") for holding a corresponding strap. The strap may be in the form of a roll ("strap roll") or the strap may unfurled or may be incorporated into a net-type structure. The first and second upright load-containment structures 1, 2 are configured to be mounted to a trailer and, more particularly, removably mounted therefrom.

The pair of rotating arms 12, 14 is respectively mounted to a corresponding one of the first and second upright structures 1, 2, Each rotating arm 12, 14 has a first arm end 28 and a second arm end 30. The first arm end 28 of a rotating arm 12, 14 is rotatably carried by the corresponding first and second upright structure 1, 2 associated therewith. The carrier line 20 is attached to both of the second arm ends 30 and thereby spans between the rotating arms .12, 14, Each strap carrier 25 is individually mounted and positionable on the carrier line 20, with each strap carrier 25 carrying a corresponding roll of strap material S. The rotating arms 12, 14 are configured to rotate relative to the corresponding first and second upright structures 1, 2 so as to bring the mounting line spanning between the arras from one side of the trailer, around the load, and then to the other side of trailer. Each strap; S in a roll may be provided with a hook H on at least one distal end thereof to facilitate connection thereof with, for example, a truck trailer bed, frame, and/or another structural element.

[0027] The first and second upright load-containment structures 1, 2 are able to be mounted to an existing "open--bed" trailer (e.g., a drop-deck, a flat-bed), with the trailer being capable of being towed by a pulling vehicle V such as a semi" tractor, a tractor, or a truck, or, alternatively, to a flat-bed truck. The first and second upright load-containment structures 1, 2 (e.g., brackets, braces, stands) may, in one variation, be respectively mounted at a forward and rearward end of the trailer (per Figures 3f 5, & 6), but it is understood that they can be mounted anywhere on the trailer bed (via the bed and/or the underlying frame), as desired. For example, for a heavier load situation where the load might be limited to covering only a portion of the trailer area, the first and second upright load-containment structures 1, 2 might be placed, closer to one another (e.g., closer to the midale of the trailer deck). In the illustrated variations, the first and second upright load-containment structures 1, 2 are removably mounted to the trailer bed (either directly to the trailer deck or bed or indirectly via the trailer frame), such as by tie-down straps (not shown), A strap may be connected thereto, for example, either directly (e.g, , tied), via a hook corresponding to a distal end of a strap, or by a winch. However, but it is to be understood that, in certain instances, the first and second upright, load- containment structures 1, 2 could be permanently mounted to the trailer deck as part of a "purpose-built" trailer, and such a permanent mounting situation is considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure. In any mounting situation, a one of the first arui second upright load cental ament structures 1, 2 is to be arranged across a width of the trailer bed B (possibly being approximately as wide as the trailer but. not. necessarily; and thus arranged to face one of a front and a rear end of the trailer, such as seen in Figures 3, 5, and 6. The first and second upright load-containment structures 1, 2 may or may not be directly contacted by a portion of the load being hauled on a trailer,, but they' can serve to contain a portion of the load nonetheless, as each, provides a distinct longitudinal limit stop relative to the possible travel distance of a load.

It is to be understood that, while the bed B may be depicted as a continuous or nearly continuous support surface, any/ sort of support bed that provides an adequate base support (e.g., a skeletal bed, such as in the form of a series of longitudinally-oriented pipes or in the form of an open lattice) would, be deemed to be within the scope of the present system, so .long as, for example, the straps S and/or the upright load-containment structures 1, 2 could be sufficiently secured thereto, [0028] The first and second upright load-containment structures 1, 2 serve an additional purpose beyond providing a distinct longitudinal limit stop relative to the possible travel distance of a load, The first and second upright load-containment structures 1,2 each respectively has a pivotably/ mounted and powered rotating arm 12, 14 (Fig. 3) associated therewith. Each rotating arm 12, 14 has a corresponding first arm end 28 and a second arm end 30, with the first arm end 28 being operatively/ attached to a. respective one of the first and second upright load-containment structures 1, 2 and the second arm end 30 supporting and retaining a respective end of the carrier fine 20, Figures 7A-7D together illustrate the movement, of a rotating arm 14 associated with a second (e.g., back or rearward) upright load-containment structure 2, moving the second arm end 30 of the rotating arm 14 from adjacent one side of the bed, up and around the load, and to a location adjacent the opposite side of the bed. It is to be understood that the rotating arm 12 associated with the first (e.g., front or forward) upright load-containment structure 1 may, in one embodiment, generally track a similar path as the second rotating arm 14, as the motors/actuators for moving may work generally in unison.

[0029] The carrier line 20, in turn, as seen from Figures 4 and 8, is able to pivotably receive one or more strap carriers 25. The carrier line 20, while shown to be a cable, may also take the form, for example, of a rope, a heavy-gauge wire, or a tube. Each strap carrier 25 is able to support and contain a respective roll of strap S thereon. In spool-style embodiments, such as shown in Figures 4 and 8-11, a strap carrier 25 may include a strap-roll receiving spindle 33 or shaft and a pair of strap-retaining side 'walls 37, 39 mounted to opposing ends of the receiving spindle, To facilitate loading/unloading of a roll of strap S, it is advantageous to have at least one of the strap-retaining side walls 37, 39 be releasably attachable to the receiving spindle 33, such as shown in Figures 9, 10A & 3, 11Ά SiIB, such as by a connective notch 44 (Fig. 11.8,1 in a side wall 37. The receiving spindle 33 may be molded or otherwise permanently attached to the other strap-retaining side wall 39 to simplify the construction and to promote the stability and stiffness of the construction.

However, it may be desirable to .make both strap-retaining side wails 37, 39 to be releasably attachable to the receiving spindle 33, and such a variation is considered to be within the seope of the present disc1osure.

[0030] The strap carrier 25 includes a through-hole 47 that extends through the side walls 37, 39 to allow the carrier line 20 (Figs. 8 and 9} to be fed through the carrier 25. Once mounted in such a manner, the strap carrier 25 is able to rotatably move about the carrier line 20, e.g., through a full 360°, which, in part, permits the carrier line 20 to stay ahead of the roll of strap S while deploying the strap 20 over t he c a r g o t h e re b y r e d u c i n g t he 11 k e 1 i h o c d o f e n t ang 1 erne n t between the strap S and the carrier line 20, The through-hole 47 also allows a strap carrier 25 to be slidably positioned along the carrier line 20, facilitating; relatively easy alignment of tine straps S. To facilitate the ability of the carrier 25 to rotate and/or slide relative to the carrier line 20 the side walls ,37, 39 and spool 33 made of a reasonably low-friction, wear-resistant material such as a plastic or rubber material. A certain amount of friction may be desired to generally maintain that lateral position or the carrier 25 d a r i n g s t r a p d. e 1 i y e r y.

[0031] As seen from the version of the strap carrier 25 shown in Figure 8, a strap-retaining side wail may Pe further provided with an access slot 52 in communication with the wall through hole 47. The provision of such an access slot permits a s 1 i d e, s n a p -fit a c c e s s t o t h e s i d e w a .1.1 t h r o u gh h o I e 47, inste a d of requiring the carrier line 20 to be fed through a wail through hole 47. Providing that sort of snap, slide-fit access facilitates, among other things, easy addition/removal of a strap carrier 25 once the strap carriers/receptacles are generally in place, [0032] As seen from Figures 10A & 10B; and 11Ά & 113, the strap carrier 2 5 may be provided with other additional, features. For one, the free end of the receiving spindle 33 (i,e., the end of the spindle not molded or otherwise permanently connected to a strap-retaining side 'wall) may be f u r t h e r ρ r o v i d e d w i t h a r e t a i n e r c a p o r .1 i p 51 . T h e r e t a i n e r lip 51 prevents or at least greatly reduces the risk of the strap-rstaining- wail 37 that is snap-fitted onto that general end of the spindle 33 via a cor responding connective notch 41 in the strap-retaining wall 37 from simply axially sliding off that free end of the spindle 33. Alternatively or m addition, at least one of the strap-retaining side walls 37, 39 (in the illustrated version, the same wail 39 as molded with the spindle) may be provided, with an extension 55 having a line-mounting through-hole 59 for receiving the carrier line 20 (Fig, 8 and 9). The extension 55 increases the stability of the connection with the carrier line 20, reducing the opportunity for flexing in the corresponding strap-retaining wall 39 relative to the carrier line 20, and increases the contact surface area with the carrier line 20 and thus the overall amount of friction between the carrier line 20 and the strap carrier 25, [0033j In the process of developing the present system 4, it has been found advantageous to slow or brake the release of the strap S from the strap carrier 25 to achieve steady, controlled release of the strap S. There are a variety of ways to provide that desired slowing ./braking. In one embodiment, a strap carrier 25 may further define a brake to slow release of the stra'p S from the strap carrier 25, In one variation, the outer surface of the spindle 33 or the strapfacing surface of a strap-retaining side wail 37, 39 may be provided with a textured (for. example, roughened, cross-hatched, or gnarled) surface to promote friction and a slower release of the strap S, In another variation, the pair of strap-retaining side walls 37, 39 may provide the brake surface by being spaced from one another by such a distance so as to promote a friction fit relative to the roll of strap;, thereby reducing the release speed relative to a free-spooling roll of strap, [0034] In yet a further variation, as illustrated in Figures IIA & 11B, the strap carriers 25 may be provided with a spring-based rewind mechanism 60. In such an instance the spindle 33 would extend through the strap-retaining side wall 39 to be in communication with the rewind mechanism 60, with at least the housing of the rewind mechanism 60 being permanently attached to the outer face of the related strap-retaining side wall 39. Strap rewind mechanisms 39 to selectably deploy the strap are commercially available from, for example, JEGS (Columbus, Ohio) and Quick.load.er (Ry virtue a, Finland) , It is to be understood that by its very nature that such a rewind mechanism 60, if employed, would also serve to slow/brake the outfeed of the strap material (i.e,, essentially applying a constant "reverse" force on the strap). The rewind mechanism 60 could also serve to wind up the straps S when unloading, as the spring, in such an instance, would be able to spool a strap;· onto a strap carrier 25 as it is carried back over the load.

[00351 As seen from Figures 12Ά and 12B, a cargo net 65 may further be provided to help secure the load in place.

The cargo net 65 may be affixed to one or more of the straps S.

In embodiments in which a cargo net 65 is used, the exact placement of the straps S relative to the cargo elements may vary as the cross-net pattern of the cargo net 65 allows greater contact with the load. The cargo net 65 may be comprised of bungee-type elastomeric cords, thus allowing the cargo net 65 to reduce to a smaller size when not deployed and facilitate storage , [0036] In some embodiments, a hook retainer (Figs, 13A, 13b) may be used as the strap carrier 25, One end of the strap 5 is affixed to the bed. by a hook or other connection) and the free end of the strap having a hook 71 is attached to the hook retainer 25 such, as by a general force/fir. let ion fit. The cable 2 0 brings all of the straps S (each strap having been attached to a correspond!ng hook retainer,' around to secure the load. Tension placed on the cargo strap S during deployment across the cargo acts to secure the hook 71 on the hook retainer 25. After the cable 20 has been carried over the cargo, the hook 71 is removed from the hook retainer 25 and placed onto the trailer or trailer bed to secure the load, [0037] The hook retainer 25 may snap over the carrier line 20 (e.g., in a clam-shell-type configuration) and may slide along the length of the cable for the desired strap/securing device placement. The cargo hook 7! and hook retainer 25 may be sized for a conventional cargo strap setup. Hook retainers 25 may be used in combination with a cargo net 65 (Figs, 12A and 123) as the cargo is typically not spooled in s uoh a r r a n g erne n t s , [0038] As seen from Figures 14A, 14B and 15, the r o t a t i n g a rms 12 , 14 a s s ο c i a t e d w i t h t h e f i r s t a nd s e c οn d upright load-containment structures 1, 2. are provided with a drive system to power the movement of the rotating arms from one side of the trailer to the other. In some embodiments, the motors /actuators for drivincj the movement of the rotating arms 12, 14 are hydraulically driven. An on-board engine is able to pump hydraulic fluid to arm-drive motors associated with a respective one of the forward and rearward rotating arms 12, 14, While the control system as shown is located proximate the drive system as a direct or wired control system, it is to be understood that the control system instead could be wireless, which would, for example, al_ow for control of the deployment of the straps and/or cargo net from the pulling vehicle V,

Further, alternatively, the hydraulic power for driving the arm-drive motors 12, 14 could be provided from a truck provided with a wet/hydraulic kit. Finally, as shown schematically in Figure 16 it is contemplated that the driving force for the operation of the hydraulic arm-drive motors could instead be supplied via a pneumatic drive system (e.g., pneumatic/air pressure from the same source used for air brakes of a truck being used to drive the movement of hydraulic fluid in the arm-drive motors), It is to be understood that hydraulic or air cylinders (i.e., generally, fluid-based cylinders) could also be used to drive the rot siting arms, [0039.! One embodiment of the operation of the present, load securing system 4, in terms of deploying the straps, is summarized via Figures 3-70, First, hook ends of the various straps S to be deployed may be hooked in place on a trailer bed 8. The rotating arms 12, 14 of the first and second upright load-containment structures 1, 2 are actuated, thereby causing the carrier line 20 to proceed up, over, and down the other side of the load elements (e.g„, round bales). Given the connection of the strap carriers 25 and their related straps S to the carrier line 20, the straps S may likewise also be moved up, over, and around the load. Once the straps S are delivered to the opposite side, the straps may be tightened down. Winches or other known securing mechanisms may be used to help secure either end of a chosen strap S to the trailer bed B and/or frame, once a strap is deployed across the load.

[0040] The various embodiments described above are provided by way of illustration only and should not be construed to limit the claims attached hereto. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize various modifications and changes that may be made without following the example embodiments and app1ications illustrated and described herein, and without departing from the true spirit and scope of the disclosure.

[0041] As used herein, the terms "about," "substantially," "essentially" and "approximately" when used in conjunction with ranges of dimensions, concentrations, temperatures or other physical or chemical properties or characteristics is meant to cover variations that may exist in the upper and/or lower limits of the ranges of the properties or characteristics, including, for example, variations resulting from rounding, measurement methodology or other statistical variation, [0042] When introducing elements of the present disclosure or the embodiment is) thereof, the articles "a", "an", "the" and "said" are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms "comprising," "including," "containing" and "having" are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. The use of terms indicating a particular orientation (e.g., "top", "bed tom", "side", etc.) is for convenience of description and does not require any particular orientation of the item described.

[0043] As various changes could be made in the above constructions and methods without departing from the scope of the disclosure, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawing[s] shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Claims (1)

A load securing system for securing a load to a vehicle loading surface with a plurality of tires, comprising: first and second upright load containment structures adapted to be mounted on a vehicle loading surface, a pair of rotating arms attached to a corresponding copy of the vehicle first and second upright load containment structures are mounted, each rotating arm having a first arm end and a second arm end, the first arm end of a rotating arm being rotatably supported by the corresponding corresponding first and second upright loading containment structure; a carrying line attached to both second arm ends and thereby extending between the rotating arms; and a plurality of tape carriers, each tape carrier being adapted to mount a tape thereto, wherein at least one of the rotating arms is adapted to rotate with respect to the corresponding corresponding first and second charge containment structure, so as to extend between the arms carrying line from one side of the vehicle, around the load, and then to the other side of the vehicle loading surface.