WO2014080201A1

WO2014080201A1 - Cargo Retention Systems

Info

Publication number: WO2014080201A1
Application number: PCT/GB2013/053067
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stephen John Payne
Original assignee: Freight Securing Systems Limited
Priority date: 2012-11-21
Filing date: 2013-11-21
Publication date: 2014-05-30
Also published as: GB2510325A; GB201220947D0

Abstract

CARGO RETENTION SYSTEMS A cargo storage system (10) has a flat bed (12), a series of alignment members (50) slideably connected by slide bearings (76) to side members (44, 46), and a net (120) and straps (124), the alignment members remaining substantially perpendicular to the side members when a user pulls from one side of the system, the net and joints (145) of cables (68) associated with the alignment member to straps (124) of the net also being maintained in alignment. (Figure 3)

Description

CARGO RETENTION SYSTEMS

The present invention relates to cargo retention systems, in particular those for retaining cargo or freight on a base of a cargo storage area. The invention also relates to cargo systems or freight systems, such as mobile trailers, which incorporate such cargo retention systems.

A known cargo retention system is disclosed in GB-A-2353253, in which a cover with straps may be moved backwards and forwards along the trailer to expose or cover different parts of the cargo storage area. However, to move the cover longitudinally it is in practice necessary to pull the cover from both sides, requiring at least two people or requiring one strong person to alternate pulling between the two sides. This is because the cover is relatively compliant and friction can build up when it is only pulled from one side. It is, however, desirable for lorries pulling trailers to be operated by only one person for cost reasons. Furthermore, loading and unloading can be relatively slow and can therefore be costly or can promote rushing to meet deadlines such as for ferries or for arrival slot times which may be strictly enforced at certain locations such as large good distribution centres.

The present invention aims to alleviate at least to a certain extent the problems of the prior art.

According to the present invention there is provided a cargo retention system comprising positioning means for positioning cargo retention means, such as a strap or network of straps, over a base of a cargo storage area having a longitudinal extent and sides, the positioning means being arranged for moving the cargo retention means along the base, wherein the positioning means includes an alignment means or member configured to extend across the base and to maintain longitudinal alignment of at least part of the retention means.

In this way, it is possible for a single person to move cargo retention means such as one or more straps or a net or cover which may in either case incorporate one or more straps longitudinally along a cargo storage area, such as of an elongate trailer such as for use with a road lorry. The alignment member may comprise a substantially rigid cross member configured to extend across, such as perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the base of, a cargo storage area having a longitudinal extent and sides. A substantially rigid cross member advantageously assists in maintaining longitudinal alignment.

The system may include a side member configured to extend along above a first side of the base of a cargo storage area having a longitudinal extent and sides, the cross member being slidably connected to the side member for sliding therealong. The side member may comprise a substantially rigid support member. Accordingly, the sliding movement path of the alignment member along the side member may be constrained to a predetermined path, which may be advantageous when the alignment member is to slide over goods piled up high inside the cargo storage area since the operator can easily check whether there will be interference by either the alignment member or anything suspended from it before the alignment member is slid along.

The cross member may be slidably connected to the side member by a slide bearing, the slide bearing permitting sliding of the cross member therealong but substantially preventing or preventing twisting of the cross member relative to the side member about a vertical axis. Accordingly, the slide bearing may advantageously maintain the cross member in a fixed configuration relative to the side member, such as perpendicular or substantially perpendicular thereto, but may permit easy sliding.

The side member may comprise a cylindrical member, such as hollow tube, and may be a circularly cylindrical member.

The slide bearing may include at least one wheel configured to engage and roll along the side member. This may therefore advantageously permit a substantially frictionless sliding of the alignment member relative to the side member so that a single user can easily move the alignment member and any attached retention member or means without the use of great strength.

The slide bearing may have a plurality of wheels arranged to engage the side member at spaced locations around a periphery thereof. Accordingly, the slide bearing may advantageously grip around the side member so that it does not easily become disconnected therefrom.

The slide bearing may have at least two wheels configured to engage the side member simultaneously at locations spaced therealong. These wheels may be positioned on opposite sides of the side member and may therefore prevent twisting of the alignment member relative to the side member. In one embodiment, the slide bearing is made up of two races of wheels, each race having at least two or three and preferably four wheels spaced around a periphery of the side member, the two races being spaced relative to one another along the side member. Accordingly, the alignment member may be strongly held against twisting about a vertical axis relative to the side member, which extends longitudinally along the cargo storage area above it, while allowing translation or sliding motion of the alignment member and any attached retention means such as straps/cover etc., without the requirement for pulling work on both sides of the trailer. Advantageously, the positioning means can be operated with the user standing on the ground next to a trailer such that the user does not have to get up onto the base of the cargo storage area, such as a flat bed of a trailer. This minimises therefore the risk of the user falling off the flat bed and sustaining serious or fatal injury.

The slide bearing may be configured only to partially surround the side member, whereby the slide bearing may slide past a support for the side member without interference. For example, the slide bearing may when viewed along a longitudinal direction parallel to the extent of the side member have a jaw-like configuration, for example being generally C- shaped or generally G-shaped. Advantageously, therefore, this allows the provision of one or more supports part way along the side member for supporting the side member relative to or on a support frame member of the cargo system with which the cargo retention system is to be used, thereby providing extra strength to the side member.

The system may include a second said side member and a second said slide bearing configured to extend above a second side of the base of a cargo storage area. In this case, the alignment member may therefor extend between the two slide bearings and side members and may be slideable along both of the side members by virtue of the provision of the slide bearings. It is envisaged that in other embodiments, instead of the two side members and slide bearings for supporting the alignment means, a different number could be used such as a single central support replacing the two side members and a single slide bearing allowing sliding but no rotation of the alignment member.

The positioning means may include a support connector arranged to connect the retention means to the alignment member, the support member preferably including a bias for biasing, and preferably for lifting, the retention means up to or towards the alignment member. Therefore, with the retention means released from a cargo storage area base to which it has been holding down cargo, the retention means may be automatically retracted upwards above the cargo to a position in which it can then easily be slid along over the cargo and accessed from the sides of the cargo base to enable easy loading/unloading, for example by a forklift truck.

The support connector may comprise a cable or strap and, optionally, the cable or strap may be formed of a stretchable elastomeric material. Accordingly, the support cable itself may form the bias for biasing and preferably lifting retention means.

The cable or strap may, alternatively, be substantially un-stretchable, such as by being formed of steel such as steel wire, or of substantially un-stretchable rope or tape or chain or the like.

The alignment member may include a pulley system for the cable or strap. The pulley system may therefore conveniently allow a substantial length of cable or strap to be storable inside or near the alignment member, which may have a pulley block section, the pulley system working like a block and tackle to allow raising and lowering of the retention means using the cable/strap.

In one embodiment, the bias comprises a telescopic strut which is arranged to act upon the cable or strap, such as by pushing on and moving at least one pulley wheel in a pulley system to retract the cable or strap upwards towards the alignment member.

A first said cable or strap may be provided at a first end of the alignment member and the second said cable or strap may be provided at a second end of the alignment member, said cables or straps being arranged to hang retention means up above cargo located thereunder. The cables or straps may be arranged to operate intension, for example so as to tension horizontally the retention means, which may comprise one or more straps which may be connected or placed on a reticulated net or maybe part of a reticulated net, the cables or straps, thereby encouraging the retention means to hang with a generally flat top edge generally parallel and near to or next to or touching the (preferably substantially horizontal) alignment member, plus two generally vertically hanging side surfaces like curtains. The retention means when viewed in a direction along a longitudinal direction of the system may have an upside down U-shaped section, thereby enabling the retention means to be easily moved backwards and forwards along the system without touching cargo spaced just below or inside the retention means.

The system may include a plurality of said alignment members, the alignment members being configured for location in a series along the longitudinal extent of a base of a cargo storage area.

In this case, the alignment members may be attached by a connector, such as a strap, which may be configured to permit movement of the alignment members towards one another and to limit movement of said alignment members away from one another. The strap may conveniently be configured to hold all of the alignment members in a predetermined spaced apart configuration when the system is in a transport motion mode and may prevent significant undesirable longitudinal motion of the alignment members in response to acceleration or deceleration forces as well.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a cargo storage system comprising a cargo storage area having a base and a cargo retention system as set out in the previous aspect of the invention positioned over the base.

The cargo storage system may also include cargo retention means connected to the positioning means, the cargo retention means being configured to engage and bear down upon cargo located on the base to retain the cargo in position, for example, if the cargo storage system is subjected to significant acceleration loads, such as if the system is a trailer and when it is accelerating or decelerating significantly or turning around a corner. The retention means may comprise a cable or strap arranged to extend over the cargo from side to side of the base. The retention means may incorporate at least one net, and may consist of a plurality of said nets, such as three nets, for bearing down on cargo. The net or each net may include at least one integral padding area to arranged to engage cargo. This is advantageous since in some prior art systems individual padding has had to be placed on top of the cargo when straps are about to be loaded down onto the cargo and this is very time consuming to do. The use of integral padding is therefore highly advantageous.

The cargo retention system may have a plurality of said alignment members and each alignment member may be attached to the retention means with a bias for lifting the retention means.

Each said alignment member may be adjustable in length in order to suit the width of the cargo storage area. The alignment member may comprise a first box section and a similar second box section, one of the box sections being slightly smaller than the other for telescoping sliding therein. Preferably, however, the box sections are the same and are adjustably secured together by an intermediate sleeve, which is fitted over each box section and is preferably secured thereto by fasteners. Each of the box sections may include a support connector as described above, which may optionally include a pulley system and/or telescopic strut as described.

The cargo storage area may comprise a flat bed.

The other storage system may be configured for mobile transport. In this case, the cargo storage system may comprise a mobile trailer.

The present invention may be carried out in various ways and the preferred embodiment of a cargo retention system and cargo storage system including the same will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a cargo storage section with a retention system in accordance with the invention in a road-going configuration; Figure 2 is a schematic side view of the trailer of the cargo storage system of Figure 1 from the side;

Figure 3 is a part perspective view of the cargo storage system showing part of the cargo retention system;

Figure 4 is a part perspective view from one side of part of the cargo retention system;

Figure 5 is a schematic section of part of the cargo retention system viewed along a longitudinal direction thereof;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of one box-section member of an alignment member of the cargo retention system;

Figure 7 is an isometric view of a slide bearing of the cargo retention system;

Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 5 but showing pulleys and a telescopic strut of the cargo retention system housed inside a box section of the alignment member;

Figure 9a is a view from above of the apparatus shown in Figure 8, but excluding certain features for the purposes of clarity;

Figure 9b is a view equivalent to Figure 9a but of a slightly modified embodiment.

Figure 1 shows a preferred embodiment of a cargo or freight storage system (10) in the form of a trailer having a flat bed (12) supported by wheels (14) towards a rearward end (16) of the flat bed and either by a foot (18) or via a fifth wheel (20) by a tractor unit (22) in this embodiment in the form of a lorry cab.

Above the flat bed (12) which is elongate and forms a cargo storage area, is a rectangular framework box (24) having two rear vertical members (26, 28) and two front vertical members (30, 32). The framework box (24) also includes a horizontal rear cross member (34) joining the tops of the vertical rear members (26, 28) and a horizontal front cross member (not shown) joining the tops of the front vertical members (30, 32).

A right side curtain (36) is suspended from a right horizontal member (38) extending between the tops of the right rear vertical member (28) and the front right vertical member (32). A similar left curtain (not shown) is suspended from a left horizontal member in a fashion which is substantially a mirror image of the way the right curtain member (36) is suspended from the right horizontal member (38). The curtains (36) may be secured by fasteners (40) to the flat bed and, with the fasteners (40) undone, may be slid along the framework box (24) to enable sideways loading and unloading by forklift truck.

Within the rectangular framework box (24), a cargo retention system (42) is provided and includes right and left side members (44, 46) in the form of hollow tubes which are fixedly secured at their ends to front vertical members (30, 32) and rear vertical members (26, 28). The circular sectioned tubes, i.e. side members (44, 46) are also secured by brackets (48) to the right (38) and left longitudinally extending horizontal members of the rectangular framework box (24).

The cargo retention system (42) also includes a series of substantially rigid metal cross members (50) which act as alignment members. In this embodiment there are fifteen alignment members but they may be fewer or greater in number, for example five being one example of the number of alignment members (50) and some other embodiments having between and three and seven or two and ten alignment members (50).

Each alignment member (50) is made up of two box sections (52, 54) which are either of slightly different sections so as to be telescopically slidable within one another or as shown in this embodiment and for example in figure 3 of the drawings are made up of generally identical left (52) and right (54) box section members which are telescopically slid within and snugly fitted into a central sleeve (56) to permit width adjustment for fitting to trailers with different widths, the central sleeve (56) being securable to the left (52) and (54) box sections by fasteners (not shown) to prevent sliding therebetween. As shown in figure 6, each box section 52 includes a telescopic pulley system (58) having two fixed position pulleys (60, 62) and two movable pulleys (64, 66). A steel cable (68) is anchored at an anchor point (70) to the section (52) and is then wound around pulley (64) then pulley (62) then pulley (66) then pulley (68) so that a free end (72) thereof emerges from the box section (52) (see also Figure 9a). A telescopic strut (74) contains a bias (not shown) for pushing moveable pulleys (64, 66) away from fixed pulleys (60, 62) thereby tending to retract the steel cable (68). However, the steel cable may be pulled down when securing a load to the flat bed (12). Figure 9b shows a modified arrangement with more pulleys. In Figures 3 and 4, the steel cable (68) has been replaced by an elastic one (68). Each alignment member (50) is slidably connected to each of the right and left side members (44, 46) by a slide bearing (76), i.e. one slide bearing for right side member (44) and one slide bearing for the left side member (46). As shown in figure 7, each slide bearing (76) has two axially spaced jaws (78, 80), each jaw having four wheels (82, 84, 86, 88), the wheels being configured with an angle of 90° between each two wheels in the series of four. Accordingly, top wheel (84) is arranged to slide along the top of the respective side member (44, 46) bottom wheel (86) is configured to engage and slide along the bottom surface of the respective side member (44, 46) and the side wheels (82, 88) are figured to engage and slide along the opposite sides of the respective side member (44, 46). The slide bearing (76) is in substantially frictionless engagement with the respective side member (44, 46). Furthermore, the axial spacing of the jaws (78, 80) insures that each slide bearing (76) cannot rotate about a vertical axis when force is applied to it. This maintains the two sides in longitudinal alignment. Each slide bearing (76) incorporates attachment (90, 92) which may be fastened with fasteners (94) to the respective left/right (52, 54) box section of the alignment member/cross member (50).

As shown more clearly in figure (5) the wheels (82, 84, 86, 88) are fixed by bearings (100, 102, 104, 106) in the jaws (78, 80).

As shown in figure 5, each jaw (78, 80) has an open portion (110) in its periphery, the open portion (110) enabling the slide bearing (76) to slide past bracket (48) (see figures 2 and 5) without interference. As shown in figure 2, the cargo retention system (42) is in a mobile transport mode in which a net (120) which is of fine mesh with holes approximately 2-5mm or across or thereabouts is held down upon cargo load (122) by straps by (124) which extend sideways across the cargo (122) from one side of the trailer to the other, each strap being located vertically below a respective alignment member (50). Each strap is secured by a fastener (126) to the flat bed (12) on each side of the load, the fastener (126), for example, including tensioning means such as a lever and ratchet as is known in the art. A longitudinal strap (128) may also be incorporated into the net (120). In this configuration, the cargo (122) is very securely held down on the flat bed. If the trailer (10) is subject to a substantial acceleration or side force, for example during a collision or in braking or accelerating or going around a corner, the cargo (122) is securely held in place and is not liable to fly off the flat bed (12) with potentially dangerous and costly consequences. At times of unloading, the fasteners (126) on both sides of the trailer (10) may be undone in which case the retention means in the form of the net (120) and straps (124) will be automatically lifted up above the cargo (122) by the retraction of the cables (68) of each alignment member (50) due to the spring bias (125) located inside each of the two box sections (52, 54) of the alignment cross member (50). Accordingly, the net (120) and the straps (124) may take up an upside down U-shaped configuration above the cargo (122), with the top edge of the inverted U tensioned and substantially parallel to the alignment cross member (50). The user may undo front (131) or rear (133) end of a webbing strap (135) which is connected and secured to each of the cross members (50) via front (137) and rear (139) pulleys. This may be done by undoing the respective front (131) or back (133) end of the webbing (135) from respective front (141) or rear (143) fastener.

The user may then, while still standing on the ground (145) pull on the respective free end (131, 133). In practice, the apparatus would only have only one pulley (137, 139) at either the front or rear, for example the only the front one (139). Therefore, the free end (133) of the strap (135) may be extending directly from the hand of the user (not shown) to the rear most alignment member (50) with the use of standing on the ground (145). The user may then walk along the ground and pull the free end (133) forwards and even though the user is only pulling from one side of the apparatus, the alignment members (50) may all with substantially no friction slide forwards on the side members (44, 46) to the front of the flat bed (12) thereby exposing the cargo (122) so that it can be removed or supplemented, for example by way of forklift truck with sideways access. As stated above, there maybe fewer than the fifteen alignment members (50) shown in the embodiment, for example five alignment members. Due to the use of the slide bearings (76) at each of each alignment cross member (50), even though the user pulls from the ground at one side of the flat bed (12) each alignment member (50) remains substantially perpendicular to the side members (44, 46) and the associated two cables (68) of each alignment member (50) which are secured at joints (145) to each strap (124) of the net (120) directly below are maintained exactly in longitudinal alignment. The joints (145) and net (120) in the region of them is also maintained in alignment. The user can therefore very easily move the whole net (120) backwards and forwards with very small friction forces encountered, particularly if a lower edge of the net (120) (not shown) is lifted just clear of or nearly clear of the flat bed (12) when the net (120) is fully raised up next to the members (50).

The cargo retention system provides therefore a very fluid movement and great ease of use. It can easily be used from the ground and the user does not have to get onto the flat bed (12) to position to straps (124) so the risk of falling off the flat bed (12) is minimized. The user can also pull the net (120) and straps (124) down from ground level to secure the cargo (122). The net (120) both contains and restrains the cargo (122). The high lifting up of the net (122) to be in contact with the alignment members (50) or just below means that the net (120) does not easily catch on a high load contained within the framework box (124) and extending up to near the roofline (157) thereof. Instead of a single net (120) as shown in figure (2), it is envisaged that several nets, such as three nets could be used. In this case, several control straps (135) may be used accordingly. This will enable the user to strap or unstraps one load while a forklift truck driver is loading or unloading others elsewhere on the flat bed. The cargo retention system of the preferred embodiment minimises stop times for users. This is highly advantageous because when users are also lorry drivers, the "rest periods" which count as part of working time under the European Working Time Directive are minimised. The cargo retention system also enables the net (120) and straps (124) to be easily manipulated by smaller or weaker people.

As shown in figure (2), the net (120) may include an integral padded area (161) associated with each strap (124), only one such padded area (161) being shown in figure (2). The padded areas (161) may be in the region where the straps (124) bear down on the cargo (122) and the integral nature of the padded areas (161) means that it is not necessary to fit individual pads below the straps (124) as the net (120) is fitted, thereby saving time.

Various modifications are envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. A cargo retention system comprising positioning means for positioning cargo retention means, such as a strap or straps, over a base of a cargo storage area having a longitudinal extent and sides, the positioning means being arranged for moving the cargo retention means along the base, wherein the positioning means includes an alignment member configured to extend across the base and to maintain or to substantially maintain longitudinal alignment of at least part of the retention means.

2. A system as claimed in Claim 1 in which the alignment member comprises a substantially rigid cross member preferably configured to extend perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the base of a cargo storage area having a longitudinal extent and sides.

3. A system as claimed in Claim 2 which includes a side member configured to extend along above a first side of the base of a cargo storage area having a longitudinal extent and sides, the cross member being slidably connected to the side member for sliding therealong.

4. A system as claimed in Claim 3 in which the cross member is slidably connected to the side member by a slide bearing, the slide bearing permitting sliding of the cross therealong but substantially preventing or preventing twisting of the cross member relative to the side member about a vertical axis.

5. A system as claimed in Claim 2 or Claim 3 in which the side member comprises a cylindrical member, such as being a hollow tube.

6. A system a claimed in Claim 4 or Claim 5 wherein dependent upon Claim 4 in which the slide bearing includes as least one wheel configured to engage the side member.

7. A system as claimed in Claim 6 in which the slide bearing has a plurality of wheels arranged to engage the side member at spaced locations and a periphery thereof.

8. A system as claimed in Claim 7 or Claim 8 in which the slide bearing has at least two wheels configured to engage the side member simultaneously at locations speed therealong.

9. A systems as claimed in Claim 4 or an preceding claim when dependent upon

Claim 4 in which the slide bearing is configured only to partially surround the side member, whereby the slide bearing may slide past a support for the side member without interference.

10. A system as claimed in Claim 4 or any preceding claim when dependent upon Claim 4 which includes a second said side member and a second said slide bearing configured to extend along above a second side of the base of the cargo storage area.

11. A system as claimed in any preceding claim in which the positioning means includes a support connector arranged to connect retention means to the alignment member, the support member including a bias for biasing, or means for lifting, retention means up to or towards the alignment member.

12. A system as claimed in Claim 11 in which the support connector comprises a cable or strap and optionally in which the cable or strap is formed of a stretchable elastomeric.

13. A material system as claimed in Claim 12 in which the cable or strap is substantially unstrectchable, such as being formed of steel.

14. A system as claimed in Claim 12 or claim 13 in which the alignment member includes a pulley system for the cable or strap.

15. A system as claimed in any one of Claims 11 to 14 which the bias includes a telescopic strut.

16. A system as claimed in Claim 15 when dependent upon Claim 14 in which the bias is arranged to force movement of a pulley of the pulley system.

17. Apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 11 to 16 in which a first said cable or strap is provided at a first end of the alignment member and a second said cable or strap is provided at a second end of the alignment member, said cables or straps being arranged to hang retention members up above cargo located thereunder.

18. A system as claimed in any preceding claim which includes a plurality of said alignment members, the alignment members configured for location in a series along the longitudinal extent of a base of a cargo storage area.

19. A system as claimed in Claim 18 in which the alignment members are attached to a connector, such as a strap which is configured to permit movement of said alignment members longitudinally towards one another and to limit movement of said alignment members away from one another.

20. A cargo storage system comprising a cargo storage area having a base and a cargo retention system as claimed in any preceding claim positioned over the base.

21. A cargo storage system as claimed in Claim 20 which includes cargo retention means connected to the positioning means, the retention means preferably being configured to engage and bear against and/or down upon cargo located on the base to retain the cargo in position.

22. A cargo storage system as claimed in Claim 20 or Claim 21 in which the retention means comprises a cable or strap arranged to extend over and down the sides of cargo from side to side of the base.

23. A cargo storage system as claimed in Claim 20 or claim 21 or Claim 22 in which the retention means incorporates at least one net for bearing down on or bearing against cargo.

24. A cargo storage system as claimed in Claim 23 in which the net includes at least one integral padding area arranged to engage cargo.

25. A cargo storage system as claimed in any one of claims 20 to 24 in which the cargo retention system has a plurality of said alignment members and in which each alignment member is attached to the retention means with a bias or means for lifting the retention means.

26. A cargo storage system as claimed in any one of Claim 20 to 25 in which each said alignment member is adjustable in length in order to suit the width of the cargo storage area.

27. A cargo storage area as claimed in any one of Claims 20 to 26 in which the cargo storage area comprises a flat bed.

28. A cargo storage system as claimed in any one of Claims 20 to 27 which is configured for movable transport.

29. A cargo storage system as claimed in Claim 28 which comprises a mobile trailer.

30. A cargo retention system substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

31. A cargo storage system substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.