WO2011129761A1

WO2011129761A1 - Device for checking the tension in straps

Info

Publication number: WO2011129761A1
Application number: PCT/SE2011/050455
Authority: WO
Inventors: Lennart Lindblad
Original assignee: Tenmet Ab
Priority date: 2010-04-15
Filing date: 2011-04-14
Publication date: 2011-10-20
Also published as: SE1051051A1; EP2558833A4; SE535527C2; EP2558833A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for checking the tension in straps (2) and other lashing members comprising strap-actuation fingers (3-4) situated at a mutual distance (A, B, C) from each other and a display part (6) that indicates the tension in the strap (2). According to the invention, three strap-actuation fingers (3-5) are mutually distributed along the strap (2) extending transverse (7) to the length extension (8) of the strap. A central strap-actuation finger (5) is situated on the side (I) of the strap (1) opposite where laterally positioned counter-supporting strap-actuation fingers (3, 4) are arranged to act. An arrestable turnable actuation arm (9) is connected with said central strap-actuation finger (5), whereby detection and indication of acting tension in the strap (2) are provided on a gauge indicator (10), depending on the motion impact and depression of the strap (2) by said central actuation finger (5) between the outside counter-supporting strap-actuation fingers (3, 4). The actuation fingers may also be arranged reversely, i.e., that a central finger is arranged on the upper side of the strap, while laterally positioned fingers are situated on the opposite side of the strap.

Description

L25 P17PCT LG/ASL

DEVICE FOR CHECKING THE TENSION IN STRAPS

The present invention relates to a device for checking the tension in straps and other lashing members comprising strap-actuation fingers situated at a mutual distance from each other and a display part that indicates the tension in the strap.

There are many different kinds of devices to determine and measure the tension in straps and other pulling members that are utilized to lash cargo and in that connection to be able to check the tension in the strap. As examples of known tension checking devices, US 3,608,371 A, US 3,174,334 A, US 6,237,413 Bl, US 6,209,401 Bl and US 5,390,550 A may be mentioned. These known devices are, among other things, not arranged and intended to be able to be permanently attached to the strap at the proper strap check, but are only intended to be hooked on the strap upon the proper checking of the tension in the strap.

Therefore, the main object of the present invention is primarily to solve, among other things, the above-mentioned problems as well as to provide a device that is simple to use and produce as well as that is reliable to utilize in a simple and efficient way.

Said object is achieved by means of a device according to the present invention that essentially is characterized in that three strap-actuation fingers are mutually distributed along the strap extending transverse to the length extension of the strap, that the strap is arranged to extend alternately past said strap-actuation fingers so that a central movably arranged strap-actuation finger is situated on one side of the strap, while laterally positioned counter- supporting strap-actuation fingers are arranged to act on the opposite side of the strap, and that an arrestable turnable actuation arm is connected with said central strap-actuation finger, whereby detection and indication of acting tension in the strap are provided on a gauge indicator or another display part, depending on the motion impact and depression of the strap by said central actuation finger between the

laterally situated counter- supporting strap-actuation fingers.

The present invention is described below in the form of a number of preferred embodiment examples, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which

Fig. 1 shows the checking device as seen in perspective obliquely from the side without a strap,

Fig. 2 shows the checking device having a strap received therein and ready for checking,

Fig. 3 shows the checking device applied to the strap in a checking position,

Fig. 4 shows the checking device from its opposite side and with a detailed shown example of a indicating mechanism,

Fig. 5 shows a side view of the checking device in a non restrained position at a strap and in a partly sectioned state,

Fig. 6 shows the checking device in a restrained position and with a shown over- centre mechanism in an active position,

Fig. 7 shows a checking device with an actuation arm in an inactive position with a released ratchet , Fig. 8 shows the checking device with the actuation arm in an active tightened position and the ratchet in an active lock position,

Fig. 9 shows a variant of a checking device with a strap in a received position and ready for checking,

Fig. 10 shows the checking device in a checking position,

Figs. 11-14 show an additional variant of a checking device, wherein

Fig. 11 shows a side view of the device in its not yet set-up position,

Fig. 12 shows a view from above of the device,

Fig. 13 shows a side view of the device in a set-up position and where the stretching in a strap can be read on the device,

Fig. 13A shows the tension measuring device in question in side view with only its tensioning arm in the shown dotted position,

Fig. 14 shows in perspective the device ready for the application to and use at a strap for tension checking,

Fig. 15 shows in perspective the checking device in an applied position prepared for measuring, and

Fig. 16 shows the checking device in an active measuring position on a strap.

In contrast to known embodiment, the present device should be pinched onto the strap in three points, by means of one finger on one side of the strap and fingers on the other side of the strap and placed laterally. By, e.g., an over-centre set spring, the finger is pressed on the underside of the strap against the restrained strap, and the deflection of the strap in relation to the two superjacent fingers that then occurs, or vice versa, i.e., one finger on the upper side of the strap and two fingers on the underside of the strap, is read from a dial mechanism. The measuring function is naturally not only possible by setting a spring into a fixed position by an over-centre locking, but this may also be accomplished by locking the tensioning arm by another type of ratchet .

According to the invention, the invention according to a first embodiment example is comprised of a device 1 that is arranged and intended for the checking of the tension in straps 2 and other suitable lashing members for cargo and similar purposes. The device 1 comprises a number of strap-actuation fingers 3, 4, 5 situated at a mutual distance A, B, C from each other and a display part 6 that is arranged to indicate the current tension in the strap 2.

Said three strap-actuation fingers 3-5, which are mutually distributed along the strap 2 and extending transverse 7 to the length extension 8 of the strap, have the central strap-actuation finger 5 thereof situated on the side I of the strap 2 that is opposite the side II of the strap 2 on which the other paired laterally positioned counter-supporting strap-actuation fingers 3, 4 are arranged to act.

Furthermore, an arrestable turnable actuation arm 9 is connected with said central strap- actuation finger 5, whereby detection and indication of acting tension in the strap 2 are provided on a gauge indicator 10, depending on the motion impact and

depression of the strap 2 by said central actuation finger 5 between the two counter-supporting strap-actuation fingers 3, 4 situated at a distance B, C from the central depressing actuation finger 5.

Said central strap-actuation finger 5 is movably actuatably carried by a swinging arm 11 and that is arranged to be received on the underside I of the strap, as seen along the lashing position of the strap, i.e., the side 2A of the strap 2 that is facing the object that is surrounded entirely or partly by said strap 2.

Said strap-actuation finger 5 is connected with and projects perpendicularly from the free end 11A of the pivotably mounted arm 11.

In order to allow displaying obtained measured values, said swinging arm 11 is connected with a mechanical display part 12, which in the example shown, among other things, consists of a pointer 13 that, depending on the swinging impact of the swinging arm 11, is arranged to be actuated to move along a measuring scale

14.

In the example shown, between the

actuation arm 9 and the swinging arm 11, there is arranged to act a spring 15 that, upon the swinging of the

actuation arm 9, is arranged to activate the tension checking by actuating the swinging arm 11 to be swung into a checking position K. Said spring 15, which preferably is formed of a helicoidal tension spring, acts between a fixed attachment 16 on the swinging arm 11 and a movable attachment 17 on the actuation arm 9 and which movable attachment 17 is adjustable. A holder 18 for the movable spring retainer 17 is connected with the actuation arm 9 via an adjustable screw mechanism 19. A ratchet 20 for the locking of the actuation arm 9 may be formed of an over- centre mechanism or another ratchet device, such as a manually actuatably lockable link lever mechanism 120. The ratchet 20 in the form of an over- centre mechanism may be understood from the example described above and shown in the drawings, while a ratchet 120 in the form of a link lever mechanism may be formed as shown in Figs . 7 and 8.

Such a ratchet 120 formed as a link lever mechanism may be formed by the actuation arm 9 working as a tensioning arm having been provided with a protuberance 21 in which a pivot rivet 25 is received to form

attachment for one end 22A of a ratchet plate 22, which preferably is produced from a resilient material. In the opposite end 22B of the ratchet plate, a rivet 23 is fixed, which in the set-up checking position K is hooked on into a hole 24 in a base frame 26. Common to all embodiment examples in Figs. 1-10 of the device 1 and the appurtenant variants is, however, that the laterally positioned strap-actuation fingers 3-4 project laterally 7, preferably in a common direction 27 from a base frame 26 formed as a body while the central strap-actuation finger 5 is supported by said body 26 via said swinging arm 11 that is journalled to the body 26 via a swinging shaft 28. The actuation arm 9 and the gauge indicator 6, which is in the form of a pointer 13 having a scale 14, are also supported by said body 26 on a common side of the same. Said device 1 is arranged to be temporary or permanently attachable to the strap 2, as is shown in the drawings .

The embodiment example of the device 101 shown in Fig. 9 and Fig. 10 is equal as according to the above, although the strap 102 now is drawn reversely around three actuation fingers 103, 104 and 105 that extend laterally 107 out from a common body 126 transverse to the length extension 108 of the strap 102, i.e., that the central strap-actuation finger 105 is situated on the upper side CII of the strap 102 and the two laterally positioned counter- supporting strap-actuation fingers 103, 104 are situated on the underside CI of the strap 102. Also these three actuation fingers 103, 104 and 105 are situated at a mutual distance CA, CB, CC from each other.

By means of an arrestable, turnable actuation arm 109, the swinging arm 111 is actuated to be swung around the swinging shaft 128 thereof and the pointer 113 is actuated to turn into the correct value on the measuring scale 114 of a display part 106 in the form of a gauge indicator 110 and be positioned at the intended achieved measured value .

Between the actuation arm 109 and the swinging arm 111, a spring 115 is arranged, and one of the attachments 116, 117 is movably adjustable by means of a holder 118 and a screw mechanism 119. In the set-up checking position CK, which is shown in Fig. 10, the pointer 113 stops at the intended measured value on the measuring scale 114 after the spring 115 having actuated the swinging arm 111 to be swung around the swinging shaft 128 and actuated the pointer 113 to be turned into the correct measured value and stop there as long as the actuation arm 109 is held in the turned-up checking position CK.

The function and nature of the invention should have been understood from the above mentioned and the accompanying drawings .

In the unloaded position, the strap 2 extends essentially straight through and between said fingers 3, 5, 4, i.e., inside two of the fingers 3, 4 on a common side and inside the other finger 5 situated on the opposite side of the strap 2. Embodiment examples of the device 201 that are shown in the drawings in Fig. 11-Fig. 16 are similar to the devices described above, although the central actuation arm, by the end 209A thereof facing the strap 202, forms a supporting part for an actuation finger, which, as in other embodiment examples of the invention, also is formed of a rolling member 205. More precisely, a central strap-actuation finger is formed of a rolling member 205 situated at the outer end 209A of the spring-force actuatable 215 actuation arm 209 facing the strap 202, and the actuation arm 209 is turnably

journalled around a swinging bearing shaft 217 that is displaceably received in a slot-shaped opening 250 in said actuation arm 209. Said rolling member 205 is more

precisely formed of a spherical roller that is rotatable on a shaft 277 and, with the central thicker portion 205A thereof, abuts against the strap 202 along the central elongate portion thereof. Thanks to said spherical design of the roller 205, a more precise and better measuring sensing of the strap 202 is achievable than if the roller would have been fully cylindrical.

Furthermore, a pivotably mounted pointer 213 is actuatable by said rolling member 205, and which, depending on the swinging impact of the actuation arm 209 and the motion impact of the rolling member 205, is arranged to move along a measuring scale 214.

In the drawings in Figs. 11, 12 and 13A, there is shown how the pointer 213, which is spring-force actuated by a tensioning arm spring 275 that is threaded onto the bearing shaft 276 of the pointer and, by the respective free spring legs 275A, 275B thereof, acts against each a holder-on 278, 279 of the base plate 226 and on the pointer 213, respectively, is actuated upon the swinging of the actuation arm 209. An extension 280 of the shaft 277 of the rolling member 205 affects the pointer 213 to be swung upon contact between the same, i.e., between the shaft extension 280 and the holder-on 279.

The distance CCA between the two strap- actuation fingers 203, 204 situated on a common side CCI of a strap 202 is constant, while the distance CCB, CCC between the central actuation finger 205 on the opposite side CCII of the strap and the respective laterally positioned actuation finger 203 and 204, respectively, is variable .

For the manual setting of the spring force, a spring 215 is arranged, which is connected with the swinging bearing shaft 217 by one end 215A thereof and with a fixed or movably adjustable attachment 251, 252 by its opposite end 215B.

There are small movements of the proper depression of the runner 205 on the strap 202. For

instance, at the measured value around 400-500 daN, it is about approx. 0,3 mm. Therefore, a real gearing has been arranged as for enlarging and transmitting movement provided from the runner 205 via the projecting shaft part 280 to the pointer 213. In the example shown, the gearing is between 1:7 and approx. 1:10. This allows accurate reading on the measuring scale 214. That is, that the movement is considerably enlarged from application between the roller shaft 280 and the point of application 279 of the pointer arm to the bearing 276 of the proper pointer 213, see for instance Fig. 13A, and between the pointer tip 213A and the bearing 276 of the pointer.

Accordingly, the function is according to the following: When the tensioning arm 209 is pulled into the upright position, Fig. 13A, the spherical runner 205 is pressed against the tensioned strap by means of the spring 215 and the elongate hole 250 in the tensioning arm 209. The pointer 213 is then lifted corresponding to the extension of the spring thanks to actuation by the projecting part 280 of the shaft 277 of the runner 205.

The invention, which allows to be able to easily determine and check if lashing straps have been tightened properly upon loading or if the strap has lost tension during travel, is formed of a stretch indicator that is simple and efficient. Accordingly, for safer vehicular traffic, it is necessary to easily be able to determine if the cargo is correctly lashed and secured on/in the vehicle or other locations where it is desired to be able to secure objects.

Depending on accessibility, strength of arm and the amount of strap in a winch, the tightening force in a lashing strap varies up to 50 %. It is now checked in this simple way that the strap is sufficiently tightened:

When the tension checking device according to the

invention is in the ready position, the tensioning arm is raised approx. 30°. The deflection fingers are introduced on the underside of the strap up to stop from one side of the strap. The roll-off ball in the end portion of the tensioning arm is now above and in the middle of the strap. The tensioning arm is then smoothly brought to its end stop and the grip of the tensioning arm is released. The pointer now points at a marking on the dial, which by a figure (x 100 daN) indicates the force by which the strap is set-up. It is then possible to repeat the latest action for confirming the measurement. The measurement only gives an indication of the approximate clamping force. Variations arise due to different strap types and free strap length, etc.

Figs. 15 and 16 show in perspective the device in the prepared measuring position and in the measuring position, respectively, with the actuation arm 209 thereof in the turned-down position ready for

measuring the strap tension, Fig. 15, and in the turned-up position, Fig. 16, respectively, in the measuring position where the ball-shaped actuation finger 205 is pressed down into the strap 202 and the pointer 213 of the gauge indicator indicates the measured value of the tension in the strap on the measuring scale 214. In that connection, the actuation arm 209 has reached its end position against a stopper 290, which may consist of an adjustable screw.

Naturally, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and shown in the

accompanying drawings. Modifications are feasible, particularly as for the nature of the different parts, or by using an equivalent technique, without departing from the protection area of the invention, such as it is defined in the claims.

Claims

L25 P17PCT LG/ASL CLAIMS

1. Device (1; 101; 201) for checking the tension in straps (2; 102; 202) and other similar lashing members comprising stra -actuation fingers (3-5; 103-105; 205-205) situated at a mutual distance (A; CA; CCA, B; CB; CCB, C; CC; CCC) from each other and a display part (6; 106; 206) that indicates the tension in the strap (2; 102; 202), characterized in that three strap-actuation fingers (3-5; 103-105; 203-2051) are mutually distributed along the strap (2; 102; 202) extending transverse (7; 107) to the length extension (8; 108) of the strap, that the strap (2; 102; 2021) is arranged to extend alternately past said strap-actuation fingers (2-3; 103-105; 203-205) so that a central movably arranged strap-actuation finger (5; 105; 205) is situated on one side (I; CI; CCI) of the strap (2; 102; 202), while laterally positioned counter- supporting strap-actuation fingers (3, 4; 103, 104; 203, 204) are arranged to act on the opposite side of the strap (2; 102; 202), and that an arrestable turnable actuation arm (9; 109; 209) is connected with said central strap- actuation finger (5; 105; 205), that the actuation arm (209) is turnably journalled around a swinging bearing shaft (217) that is displaceably received in a slot- shaped opening (250) in said actuation arm (209) , that a spring (215) is connected with the swinging bearing shaft (217) by one end (215A) thereof and with a fixed or movably adjustable attachment (251, 252) on the actuation arm (209) by its opposite end (215B) , that the central

actuation finger (5; 105; 205), which provides depression of the strap (2; 102; 202), is formed of a rolling member (205) in the form of a spherical roller that is rotatable on a shaft (277) and, with the central thicker portion (205A) thereof, arranged to abut against the strap (202) along the central elongate portion of the strap, whereby detection and indication of acting tension in the strap (2; 102; 202) are provided on a gauge indicator (10; 110), depending on the motion impact and depression of the strap (2; 102; 202) by said central actuation finger (5; 105; 205) between the laterally situated counter- supporting strap-actuation fingers (3, 4; 103, 104; 203, 204).

2. Device (201) according to claim 1,

characterized in that the central strap-actuation finger (205) is situated at the outer end (209A) of the spring- force actuatable (215) actuation arm (209) facing the strap (202) .

3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that a pivotably mounted pointer (213) is actuatable by said rolling member (205) and is, depending on the

swinging impact of the actuation arm (209) and the motion impact of the rolling member (205) , arranged to move along a measuring scale (214) .

4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the shaft (277) of the rolling member (25) is arranged to actuate the pointer (213) to be swung around the bearing shaft (276) thereof.

5. Device according to any one of claims 2-4, characterized in that the distance between the two strap- actuation fingers 203, 204 situated on a common side (CCI) of a strap (202) is constant, while the distance (CCB; CCC) between the central actuation finger (205) on the opposite side (CCII) of the strap and the respective laterally positioned actuation finger (203 and 204, respectively,) is variable.

6. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said central strap-actuation finger (5; 105) is movably actuatably carried by a swinging arm (11; 111) .

7. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that said central strap-actuation finger (5; 105), which is arranged to be received on one side of the strap (I; CI), as seen along the lashing position of the strap, is connected with the free end (11; 111) of the pivotably mounted arm.

8. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that said swinging arm (11) is connected with a

mechanical display part (12) .

9. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the mechanical display part (12) consists of a pointer (13) that, depending on the swinging impact of the swinging arm (11) , is arranged to be actuated to move along a measuring scale (14) .

10. Device according to any one of the

preceding claims 6-9, characterized in that, between the actuation arm (9; 109) and the swinging arm (11; 111), there is arranged to act a spring (15; 115) that, upon the swinging of the actuation arm (9; 109), is arranged to activate the tension checking by actuating the swinging arm (11; 111) to be swung into a checking position (K; CK) .

11. Device according to claim 10,

characterized in that the spring (15; 115) , which is formed of a helicoidal tension spring, acts between a fixed attachment (16; 116) on the swinging arm (11; 111) and a movable attachment (17; 117) on the actuation arm (9; 109) and which movable attachment (17; 117) is adjustable .

12. Device according to claim 11,

characterized in that a holder (18; 118) for the movable spring retainer (17; 117) is connected with the actuation arm (9; 109) via an adjustable screw mechanism (19; 119) .

13. Device according to any one of claims 1-

12, characterized in that a ratchet (20) for the locking of the actuation arm (9) is formed of an over-centre mechanism or another ratchet device, such as a manually actuatably lockable link lever mechanism (200) .

14. Device according to any one of claims 1-

13, characterized in that the laterally positioned strap- actuation fingers (3-4; 103-105; 203, 204; 205) project laterally (7; 107) from a body (26; 126; 226) while the central strap-actuation finger (5; 105; 205) is supported by said body (26; 106) indirectly via said swinging arm (11; 111) or directly by said actuation arm (209) , and that the actuation arm (9; 109) and the gauge indicator (6; 106) in the form of a pointer (13; 113; 213) having a scale (14; 114; 214) also is supported by said body (26; 126; 226) on a common side, and which device (1; 101) is arranged to be temporary or permanently attachable to the Strap (2; 102; 202) .

15. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pointer (213) of the gauge indicator is geared in relation to the point of application on the pointer by the application part (280) of the actuation finger in question (205) , for instance enlarged by approx. 1:10.