WO2013131144A1

WO2013131144A1 - Securing arrangement for transport vehicles

Info

Publication number: WO2013131144A1
Application number: PCT/AU2013/000229
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dimitrios TRAMBAS
Original assignee: Trambas Dimitrios
Priority date: 2012-03-09
Filing date: 2013-03-12
Publication date: 2013-09-12

Abstract

A securing arrangement for transport vehicles, including a structure (20) for connection to a deck (10) on which an object (11) can be loaded for transport. The connection is a pivotable connection between an open position where objects can be loaded onto the deck (10), and a closed position. In the closed position, the structure (20) extend from the pivotable connection to overlie one or more of the objects (11) and the structure supports at least once strap (21). The arrangement is such that in the closed position of the structure (20), the structure (20) is spaced from the one or more objects (11) and the strap (21) bears under tension against surface of the objects (11), to exert a securing load on the objects (11) tending to secure the objects (11) to the deck (10).

Description

SECURING ARRANGEMENT FOR TRANSPORT VEHICLES

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a securing arrangement for transport vehicles and in particular relates to an arrangement for securing objects which are being transported by road or rail transport, and which need to be secured on the road or rail vehicle against substantial movement. The invention applies for example, to securing bundles of metal reinforcing bars, or metal wire or plate coils. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Objects that are transported by road or rail are usually secured to the deck of the road or rail vehicle before transport can commence, so that the objects are not displaced from their loaded position as the vehicle moves. For example, movement of a vehicle to accelerate or decelerate, or to travel around a bend or corner, can cause objects loaded on the vehicle to shift. In addition, vibration which can occur through the deck of the vehicle can also cause shifting movement of objects being transported.

Some trailers define a containment area by a solid wall and roof structure to contain objects being transported within the containment area. The objects being transported are placed in a loading position on the transport deck within the containment area of the transport vehicle and are contained within the containment area principally by the walls. That is, any objects that move on the deck are contained by the wall if they move sufficiently to come into contact with the wall. Other transport vehicles include flexible side walls that are usually retractable along the length of the deck to facilitate loading of objects onto the deck of the vehicle, and such side wall also have a containment effect, although the level of containment is less than where rigid or solid walls are provided as the flexible walls tend to be of reduced strength.

The above arrangements are generally appropriate for transporting objects which are unlikely to shift very far during transport, and which are likely to be contained by the solid or flexible walls in the event that they do move into engagement with the walls. Thus they can be used for objects which are being transported over only a short distance, or which can be loaded onto the transport vehicle in a very stable manner. For example, objects which are loaded onto pallets and which are shrink wrapped onto those pallets often require little further containment during transport.

However, the above forms of transport vehicle do not suit all objects being transported. For example, the above arrangements are not suitable for extremely heavy objects that would not be contained by the solid or flexible walls discussed above. With such objects, the potential danger they pose if they were to shift or fall off the transport deck is significant and is relevant to people, other vehicles or buildings or other structures in the immediate vicinity where the fall takes place. For example, metal plate is normally transported as a circular coil and can have a diameter of 1400mm to 2200mm and weigh in the region of 25 tonne. By their circular nature, the coils can readily roll and accordingly if they are not properly secured and they fall from the transport vehicle, it can easily be imagined the significant danger the unsecured coil can cause.

Likewise, reinforced steel bars ("rebar") are often bundled together and transported lengthwise of a vehicle and these can be up to about 12 metres in length. Improper securing of such bundles of bars to the transport vehicle can see these shift on the transport deck and if the displacement of the bars is sufficient, they can fall from the transport vehicle, likewise potentially causing significant damage and danger to people and property in the immediate vicinity.

Securing arrangements have been proposed in the past which employ strapping that is passed over or about the objects being transported and which is secured to the transport deck, such as to either side or to either end of the deck. Strapping is sometimes combined with specific deck formations suitable to secure specific objects, such as coils or rebar. These strapping arrangements often include ratchet mechanisms so that the straps can be tensioned. While these arrangements can provide a more secure location of objects on a transport surface, the current arrangements which are available are time consuming to apply. This is because the straps are permanently fixed to one side of the vehicle and the person loading the vehicle (usually the driver) must throw the straps over the load on the deck from one side of the vehicle to the other and must then move to the other side of the vehicle and secure the straps in place. There are often five to ten straps to be secured so that the process can be time consuming. In addition, many objects to be transported are required to be covered for weather protection and thus the driver is often required firstly to cover the objects with a tarpaulin or the like and to then secure the straps in the manner discussed above. The application of a tarpaulin or cover increases the time taken to secure the load. It is not uncommon for a truck driver to spend approximately two hours on this task before transport of the load can commence.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an alternative arrangement which provides advantages over one or more of the prior art arrangements discussed above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a securing arrangement for transport vehicles, including a structure for connection to a deck on which an object can be loaded for transport, the connection being pivotal between an open position, in which objects can be loaded onto the deck for transport, and a closed position, in the closed position, the structure extends from the pivotal connection to overly one or more of the objects loaded onto the deck, the structure supporting at least one strap, the arrangement being such that in use in the closed position, the structure overlies and is spaced from contact with the one or more objects loaded on the deck and the strap bears under tension against a surface of one or more of the objects, to exert a securing load on the objects, tending to secure the objects to the deck. The invention can be applied to the deck of a transport vehicle and in that form of the invention, the present invention can provide a securing arrangement which includes a structure which is pivotally connected adjacent a first side or end of a transport vehicle and which has an open position, in which objects can be loaded onto a transport surface of the vehicle, and a closed position, in the closed position, the structure extends from the pivotal connection, over the transport surface and is secured adjacent a second side or end of the vehicle opposite the first side or end at which the structure is pivotally connected, the structure supporting at least one strap, which in the closed position of the structure extends over the transport surface, the arrangement being such that in the closed position, the structure overlies and is spaced from contact with objects positioned on the transport surface and the strap bears under tension against a surface of one or more of the objects, to exert a securing load on the objects, tending to secure the objects to the transport surface.

The invention can also be applied to a deck which is separate to the transport vehicle on which one or more objects are loaded and which is then loaded onto the transport vehicle. That form of the invention covers decks such as used for metal coils, on which the coil is mounted and which is then loaded onto the deck of the transport vehicle. An advantage of the invention is that pivoting of the structure can be made by hydraulic or pneumatic rams or the like, or by a pulley arrangement, or by loading equipment such as a forklift, so that the structure can be moved easily and/or automatically between the open and closed positions. That automatic movement also advantageously automatically brings the strap or straps supported by the structure into bearing engagement with the objects loaded onto the transport surface, so that the vehicle driver or operator is not required to manually apply and fix the strap or straps to the side of the vehicle to which the straps are not already permanently fixed as required in the prior art. Advantageously, as the structure moves to the closed position, each strap is brought to a position of bearing engagement, so that upon the cover structure reaching the closed position, the strap or straps are properly positioned as required and no further activity is required of the loading personnel.

It might be that the strap or straps are required to be tensioned once the structure is in the closed position, although the tension might already be set when the structure is in the open position and before the strap or straps engage the surface of the objects supported on the transport surface. Alternatively, initial tension might be introduced into the strap or straps while the structure is in the open position and final tension is introduced once the cover has been pivoted to the closed position. Tension can be introduced manually or automatically. For example, the strap tension could be controlled by an automatic tensioner that maintains a certain pre-set tension in the strap or straps at all times. Alternatively, the tension could be introduced by loading personnel when required either manually, such as by pulling the strap through a ratchet arrangement, or automatically by actuating a motor or ram to pull on the strap. The level of the tension can be indicated by appropriate measuring devices. As the invention is most likely to be used in practice with more than a single strap, hereinafter reference will be made to "straps" rather than "strap". However, it is to be appreciated that the invention could be employed with a single strap, particularly if the transport surface is small or the strap is quite wide.

Movement of the structure to the open position from the closed position can be a manual operation but more preferably it can be mechanised such as by a pneumatic or hydraulic actuator or the like which is push button actuated, after which the load can be loaded onto the transport surface with the structure in the open position. Once loading is complete, the same push button actuation can be made to cause the structure to pivot to the closed position and that pivoting movement can bring all of the straps of the arrangement into bearing engagement with objects loaded on the transport surface. As the straps will be held in tension, the bearing engagement can be such as to secure the objects against significant movement on the transport surface as the transport vehicles transits between loading and delivery locations.

The structure of the securing arrangement can be an open structure, such as a frame, which supports the straps in the manner required, but which otherwise provides no further significant purpose. Alternatively however, the structure can form a cover, so that it provides for weather protection for objects loaded onto the transport surface. The structure could include a flexible cover, such as a flexible liner, or it can include a hard cover, such as a metal sheet cover. In these forms of the invention, with the structure in the closed position, objects to be transported by the transport vehicle are secured by the bearing load of the straps, and are protected from the weather by the closed form of the structure. Moreover, where the structure has a flexible of hard cover, the cover can increase the security of the load by providing a second impediment, in addition to the straps, to dislodgement of a load from the transport surface. The structure needs to have sufficient rigidity for the purpose of maintaining the straps in a tensioned state when they are in bearing contact with objects on the transport surface.

In some forms of the invention, the structure is curved or concave such as part circular in cross-section or profile, such as half circular and extends in a tubular manner for part or fully of the length of the transport surface. Other shapes can include part square or rectangular cross-sectional shapes, such as half square or rectangular. The structure effectively forms a cavity to overly a transport surface.

The cover can be open at either end, or it can be closed at one or both ends. The cover can pivot about an axis which extends across the transport surface or lengthwise of the transport surface. The axis can be located on the transport surface or on or at the sides or ends of the transport surface. In some forms of the invention, the axis can be inboard of the sides or ends of the transport surface, so that the structure can be inboard of the sides or ends of the transport surface, such as centrally of the surface and with sections of the surface on either side of the structure.

The strap described above can be of any suitable material, and can include flexible and/or elastic materials, as well as inelastic materials. For example, in some forms of the invention, the strap can be a metal chain. In other forms of the invention, the strap can be an inelastic fabric or polymer material or it can be a flexible material, such as of the kind already used for securing objects to transport vehicles in the manner discussed in the prior art discussion above.

The strap can be supported in any suitable manner by the structure to bring the strap into tensioned bearing engagement against a surface of one or more of the objects on a transport surface. In some forms of the invention, the strap is fixed to the structure at a first end thereof and extends across the structure to a tensioning arrangement, whereby tension in the strap can be introduced and relieved as required. Alternatively, opposite ends of the strap can extend to separate tensioning arrangements so that the loading personnel can tension the strap from either end or both ends of the strap. The strap can extend from bottom edges of the structure, such as the edge at which the structure pivots and the opposite end. Alternatively, the strap can extend from other parts of the structure. What is required is that the strap be supported by the structure in a manner both to overly the transport surface when the cover is in the closed position and to engage and bear against under tension, the outside surface of an object or objects supported on the transport surface. The straps be supported by the structure to extend in a direction which is perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the structure or parallel to the axis, or at an angle to the axis. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the invention may be more fully understood, some embodiments will now be described with reference to the figures in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the invention in a closed position.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the invention in an open position. Figure 3 is a schematic view of the invention in the open position.

Figure 4 is a schematic view of the invention in the closed position.

Figure 5 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the invention schematically, in an open condition.

Figure 6 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the invention schematically, in a closed condition.

Figures 7 and 8 are schematic representations of an example actuating arrangement of the present invention.

In order that the invention may be more fully understood, some embodiments will now be described with reference to the figures in which: DETAILED DESCRI PTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figures 1 and 2 represent embodiments of the present invention and show the invention as applied to a cradle 10 for use in transporting metal coils such as the coil 1 1 shown in Figure 2. The cradle 10 is specifically formed for the coil 1 1 and includes a base structure 12 defined in a rectangular form as having side 13 and end walls 14, corner uprights 15 and bracing beams 16. The cradle 1 0 is intended to be loaded with a coil 1 1 and then lifted onto a transport vehicle by a forklift in this example. The side walls 13 include tyne openings 17 for forklift entry.

The construction of the cradle 10 is not unique, and such cradles are already used for the transport of coils. The cradles 10 are configured to include a contoured bed 18, within which the coil 1 1 is a secure fit, and a cross-sectional view showing the shape of the bed 18 is shown in Figure 3.

The cradle 10 is intended to extend lengthwise of the deck of a road or rail vehicle, so that the cradle 1 0 is loaded via the side of the vehicle rather than through the end. This is how the cradle is depicted in Figures 1 and 2. However, the cradle could be oriented perpendicular to the position shown in a modified arrangement.

The cradle 10 includes a structure 20, which in Figures 1 and 2 is formed as a weather proof cover (hereinafter cover 20). The cover 20 has a metal frame that supports metal sheet or a flexible sheet and is pivotably attached to the cradle 22 along one bottom edge, to pivot about that connection between open and closed positions. Figure 1 shows the cover 20 in a closed position, while Figure 2 shows the same cover 20 in the open position.

In the open position of Figure 2, it can be seen that the coil 1 1 can be loaded into the cradle 10 onto the bed 1 8. With the coil 1 1 in place as shown in Figure 2, the cover can then be shifted from the open position to the closed position and the cradle 10 can then be lifted onto a transport vehicle for transport. The closed position is shown in Figure 1 and in that position, it can be seen that the coil 1 1 is completely protected from the weather by the cover 20.

As evident in Figure 2, the cover 20 supports a pair of straps 21 , which in Figure 2, extend from the leading edge 22 of the cover 20 to the trailing edge 23, which is shown in Figure 3. In the position of the straps 21 shown in Figure 2, it will be readily apparent, that as the cover 20 moves from the open position of Figure 2 to the closed position of Figure 1 , the straps 21 will engage the upper surface 24 of the coil 1 1 . As will become apparent from the discussion hereinafter, the straps 21 are held in tension and as they engage the upper surface 24 of the coil 1 1 , they impose a downward load on the coil 1 1 tending to push it into firm engagement with the bed 1 8 of the cradle 1 0.

With reference to Figures 3 and 4, the position of the straps 21 is illustrated between the open and closed positions of the cover 20. In Figure 3, the single strap 21 which is shown extends in a direct line between the leading and trailing edges 22 and 23 of the cover 20, while in Figure 4, the strap 21 extends from the leading end 22, about the upper surface 24 of the coil 1 1 and back to the trailing end 23 of cover 20. It can be seen from Figure 4, that contact between the strap 21 and the upper surface 24 of the coil 1 1 is significant and up to approximately 25% of the entire outside circumference of the coil 1 1 . Thus, a significant securing load is applied to the coil 1 1 by the strap 21 . The other strap 21 shown in Figure 2 operates in the same way as the strap 21 discussed in relation to Figure 3. The strap 21 of Figure 3 is not fixed to the trailing end 23 of the cover 20, but rather, extends through an adjustment or tensioning facility, which comprises a directional sprocket 25 and a locking pawl 26. Movement of the pawl towards and away from the sprocket 25 is by a pneumatic cylinder 27. By the inclusion of a sprocket 25, the strap 21 can be formed as a metal chain. It is to be appreciated however, that the strap could take other forms and be formed of other materials.

The pawl 26 is in a released position relative to the sprocket 25 in Figure 3. In that position, the strap 21 is free to move relative to the sprocket 25 by the sprocket rotating.

The strap 21 continues past the sprocket 25 to a further sprocket 28 about which it extends to an anchor 29. The anchor 29 could be a part of the cradle 1 0 or it could be part of the transport vehicle and could take any form such as a cleat. The sprocket 28 is connected to a spring 30, which is fixed at the rear end 31 to another anchor which again can be a part of the cradle 1 0 or part of the transport vehicle. By this arrangement, the strap 21 can be retained under tension between the leading and trailing ends 22 and 23 of the cover 20, but the length of the strap 21 between the leading and trailing ends 22 and 23 can increase as required to extend about the upper surface 24 of the coil 1 1 . It will be readily apparent from the comparison between Figure 3 and 4, that the length Li between the leading and trailing ends 22 and 23 of the cover 20 of Figure 3 is less than the length l_₂ of Figure 4.

With reference to Figure 4, the cover 20 has been lowered to the closed position shown in Figure 1 and the strap 21 is engaged against the outer surface 24 of the coil 1 1 . In order for the length of the strap 21 to increase between the leading and trailing ends 22 and 23 of the cover 20, it can be seen that the spring 30 has extended. This allows the sprocket 28 to shift in a direction toward the coil 12 so that the length L₂ between the cover ends 22 and 23 increases. Despite that increase in length, tension in the strap 21 is maintained by the spring 30 continuing to apply a biasing load in a direction away from the coil 1 1 .

While the tension in the strap 21 is maintained by the spring 30 as the cover 20 closes, close to the final closure position of the cover 20, the pawl 26 is engaged with the sprocket 25 so that further travel of the strap 21 past the sprocket 25 is prevented. This fixes the length of the strap 21 between the leading and trailing ends 22 and 23 of the cover 20 so that in the final rotation of the cover 20 to the final closure position, the tension in the strap 21 increases and applies a higher load to the upper surface 24 of the coil 1 1 than the load that would apply just under the influence of the spring 30, which would be the load if the pawl 26 was not activated as described above. The pawl 26 is activated close to the final closure position of the cover 20, such as at about 95 to 98% of the total rotation of the cover to the closure position. This process of actuating the pawl 26 can be manual or automatic and suitable tension measuring devices can be employed to monitor tension in the strap 21 to ensure the appropriate tension is introduced into the strap 21 .

When the cover 20 has reached the closed position of Figures 1 and 4, the pneumatic cylinder 27 can be extended to bring the pawl 26 into engagement with the teeth of the sprocket 25. Upon that engagement, the sprocket 25 is prevented from rotating and so the load applied to the coil 1 1 is maintained constant. That is, any movement of the spring 30 does not cause the load applied to the upper surface 24 of the coil 1 1 to vary during transport.

It will be appreciated that the adjustment facility illustrated in Figures 3 and 4 is shown schematically only and that it is not intended for the arrangement to be assembled in the manner shown on a transport vehicle or on a cradle 10. Each of the sprocket 28, the anchor 29 and the spring 30 can be positioned where appropriate on a transport vehicle or cradle and it could be that the portion of the strap 21 between the sprocket 25 and the anchor 29 is routed about the vehicle or cradle to a point at which it is appropriate to mount the spring. It is likely for example, that the spring 30 might be mounted underneath the loading deck of a transport vehicle so that space requirements for the arrangement of the invention are minimised.

To maintain the cover 10 in the closed position of Figures 1 and 4, a locking catch 32 can be employed which is operated by a pneumatic cylinder 33. The catch 32 can be driven to overlie a locking element 34 of the cover 20 in the closed position of the cover 20. It will be appreciated that more than a single catch 32 can be provided along the length of the leading end 22 and as such, a plurality of such catches can be individually actuated by individual pneumatic cylinders, or one or two cylinders can actuate the entire catch assembly, such as through a suitable linkage assembly.

The arrangement of Figures 1 to 4 is shown in relation to a cradle 10 on which a coil 1 1 is loaded and thereafter the cradle 10 is lifted onto the loading deck of a transport vehicle. However, the present invention is applicable for direct application to the loading deck of a transport vehicle, so that the cover 20 could be applied to a transport vehicle rather than a separate cradle. Thus, the cover 20 could be hingedly attached to the loading deck of a trailer or railway wagon so that objects loaded onto the loading deck of such vehicles can thereafter be secured in place by a like arrangement to that shown in Figures 1 to 4. The surface of the loading deck might include customised features such as the bed 1 8, or it could be a flat deck with the only securing load applied to objects loaded onto the deck being the downward pressure applied by the straps of the cover. Thus, while the application of the invention direct to a transport vehicle differs in construction to the arrangement shown in Figures 1 to 4, the general concept remains the same.

As a conceptual example of how the invention could be applied directly to the loading deck of a truck for example, Figures 5 and 6 illustrate a cover 40 in open and closed positions respectively. The cover 40 supports a strap 41 extending between leading and trailing edges 42 and 43 of the cover 40 and the strap 41 extends about a sprocket 44 which is controlled by a pawl 45 in the manner discussed in relation to Figures 3 and 4. The strap 41 extends about further sprockets 46 and 47 and to anchor 48. The sprocket 47 is connected to spring 49 the end 50 of which is fixed. In the example of Figures 5 and 6, a bed 51 is provided on the loading deck of a transport truck (both of which are not shown), to support two separate bundles 52 and 53 of rebar.

The bundles 52 and 53 are loaded on an upper surface of the loading deck, while each of the sprocket 47, the anchor 48 and the spring 49 are positioned below the loading deck. The sprockets 44 and 46 are mounted to one side of the loading deck.

With reference to Figure 6, the cover 40 has been lowered to a closed position and in that position, the strap 41 extends about both of the bundles of rebar 52 and 53 and exerts a downward pressure on the upper surfaces 54 and 55 of those bundles. The length of the strap 41 between the leading and trailing edges 42 and 43 is greater than the length shown in Figure 5.

The manner in which the strap 41 reacts upon closure of the cover 40 in Figures 5 and 6 is effectively the same as the strap 21 in the earlier figures. Thus, the pawl 45 is spaced from the sprocket 44 and allows the strap 41 to shift further into the cover 40 between the leading and trailing ends 44 and 43, with a consequential increase in the length of the spring 49 away from the fixing point 50. Likewise, the tension in the strap 41 is maintained by the spring 49 as the cover 20 closes, but close to the final closure position of the cover 40, the pawl 45 is engaged with the sprocket 44 so that further travel of the strap 41 past the sprocket 44 is prevented. This fixes the length of the strap 41 between the leading and trailing ends 42 and 43 of the cover 40 so that in the final rotation of the cover 40 to the final closure position, the tension in the strap 41 increases and applies a higher load to the upper surfaces 54 and 55 of the bundles of rebar 52 and 53 than the load that would apply just under the influence of the spring 49. The pawl 45 is activated close to the final closure position of the cover 40, such as at about 95 to 98% of the total rotation of the cover to the closure position.

The advantages provided by the arrangements illustrated in Figures 1 to 6 include that the covers 20 and 40 can be automatically opened and closed, and by closing movement, the straps 21 and 41 are automatically brought into bearing engagement with the respective coil 1 1 and rebar bundles 52 and 53. Moreover, engagement of the coil and rebar bundles by the straps is under tension, which can be controlled, and so there is no requirement for loading or driving personnel to position the straps as required in the prior art, or to tension them as also required in the prior art. Both of these steps can be automatic outcomes of use of the present invention, although manual tensioning is within the scope of the present invention.

Moreover, if the cover is of a solid construction, as can be the case in relation to the cover 1 0 of Figures 1 and 2, the cover provides weather protection for objects it overlies, and so loading personnel are also relieved of the job of applying a tarpaulin or the like to cover the objects. As a consequence, a transport vehicle can be loaded more quickly. In addition, the quicker loading does not compromise security of positioning of objects on a transport vehicle, because the straps provide security of positioning by imposing a downward load on the objects tending to maintain the position at which they have been loaded onto the loading deck.

It is to be noted in Figures 5 and 6 that the same locking arrangement for locking the cover 20 to the cradle 10 is employed and comprises locking catch 56 and pneumatic cylinder 57. The catch 56 and the cylinder 57 operate in the same manner as the catch 32 and the cylinder 33 of Figures 3 and 4.

It will also be appreciated that operation of the covers 20 and 40 can be automatic, by virtue of pneumatic or hydraulic or even electric operation. With reference to Figures 7 and 8, the cover 40 of Figures 5 and 6 is illustrated in the open and closed positions of Figures 5 and 6 respectively, but these figures show the inclusion of a lever arm 60 and a pneumatic cylinder 61 which are not shown in Figures 5 or 6. The lever arm 60 is connected to the trailing end 43 of the cover 40 by a solid or rigid connection 62 and the cylinder 61 acts on the distal end 63 of the lever arm 60 to open and close the cover 40. In Figure 8, it can be seen that the ram 64 of the cylinder 61 is extended and this has moved the cover 40 to the closed position.

The connection 62 forms the hinge point of the cover 40 and also forms the rotation point about which the sprocket 44 of Figures 5 and 6 is rotatable. Thus, from Figures 7 and 8, it can be seen that the cover 40 can be rotated automatically between the open and closed positions via a relatively simple arrangement. Moreover, the locking catches 32 and 56 of the arrangements of Figures 1 to 6 can also be operated automatically. Thus, the loading personnel are free from much of the manual labour they have previously required to undertake and the process of securing loads onto a transport surface is significantly reduced in terms of complexity and time.

It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the covers 20 and 40 disclosed in the figures could be open framed structures, rather than the closed covers disclosed. In that form of the invention, the objects secured to the transport surface will be exposed to weather, but this could be suitable for many objects being transported.

The invention described herein is susceptible to variations, modifications and/or additions other than those specifically described and it is to be understood that the invention includes all such variations, modifications and/or additions which fall within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

Future patent applications may be filed in Australia or overseas on the basis of or claiming priority from the present application. It is to be understood that the following provisional claims are provided by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of what may be claimed in any such future applications. Features may be added to or omitted from the provisional claims at a later date so as to further define or re-define the invention or inventions.

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1 . A securing arrangement for transport vehicles, including a structure for connection to a deck on which an object can be loaded for transport, the connection being pivotal between an open position, in which objects can be loaded onto the deck for transport, and a closed position, in the closed position, the structure extends from the pivotal connection to overly one or more of the objects loaded onto the deck, the structure supporting at least one strap, the arrangement being such that in the closed position, the structure is spaced from the one or more objects loaded on the deck and the strap bears under tension against a surface of one or more of the objects, to exert a securing load on the objects, tending to secure the objects to the deck.

2. A securing arrangement according to claim 1 , wherein a drive arrangement is provided to move the structure between the open position and the closed position.

3. A securing arrangement according to claim 2, the drive arrangement including a hydraulic or pneumatic ram that acts on the structure proximate.

4. A securing arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the at least one strap being fixed at the first end to a portion of the structure remote from the pivotal connection of the structure.

5. A securing arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the structure including an adjustment facility to adjust the length of the at least one strap extending over the transport deck.

6. A securing arrangement according to claim 5, the adjustment facility being located proximate the pivotal connection of the structure and the strap extending through the adjustment facility to an anchor.

7. A securing arrangement according to claim 5 or 6, the adjustment facility including a releasable lock whereby in a released condition, the adjustment facility allows the length of the at least one strap extending over the transport deck to be increased or decreased and in a locked condition, the adjustment facility prevents adjustment of the length of the at least one strap extending over the transport deck.

8. A securing arrangement according to claim 7, the anchor including a biasing arrangement that maintains tension in the at least one strap between the open position and the closed position of the structure when the releasable lock is in the released condition.

9. A securing arrangement according to claim 8, the biasing arrangement including a spring and a wheel about which the strap extends, the spring and the wheel being connected and moving together in a spring extending direction when the strap bears against a surface of one or more of the objects to allow the length of the strap extending over the transport deck to be increased.

10. A securing arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 9, the at least one strap being supported by the structure under tension.

1 1 . A securing arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 1 0, the transport deck being separate from a transport vehicle.

12. A securing arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 1 1 , the structure being an open structure.

13. A securing arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 1 1 , the structure being a closed structure to form a cover to provide weather protection for objects loaded onto the transport deck.

14. A securing arrangement according to claim 1 3, the structure being closed by a flexible cover, such as a flexible liner, or by a hard cover, such as a metal sheet cover.

15. A securing arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 14, the structure being part circular in cross-section.

16. A securing arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 15, the structure being open at either end.

17. A securing arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 15, the structure being closed at one or both ends.

18. A securing arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 1 7, the strap being of flexible and/or elastic material, or inelastic material.

19. A transport vehicle including a securing arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 18.

20. A transport vehicle including a transport deck and a securing arrangement, the securing arrangement including a structure which is pivotally connected adjacent a first side or end of the transport deck and which has an open position in which objects can be loaded onto the transport deck, and a closed position, in the closed position, the structure extends from the pivotal connection, over the transport deck and is secured adjacent a second side or end of the transport deck opposite the first side or end at which the structure is pivotally connected, the structure supporting at least one strap which, in the closed position of the structure, extends over the transport deck, the arrangement being such that in the closed position, the structure overlies and is spaced from contact with objects positioned on the transport deck and the strap bears under tension against a surface of one or more of the objects to exert a securing load on the objects, tending to secure the objects to the transport deck.