WO2018178514A1

WO2018178514A1 - Arrangement for fastening a load in a vehicle and a vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO2018178514A1
Application number: PCT/FI2018/050227
Authority: WO
Inventors: Antero Kiesiläinen; Jani KIESILÄINEN
Original assignee: Metsä-Kiesit Oy
Priority date: 2017-03-31
Filing date: 2018-03-27
Publication date: 2018-10-04
Also published as: FI129072B; EP3600961A4; EP3600961A1

Abstract

The invention relates to an arrangement for fastening a load in a vehicle with one or more fastening means (13). The arrangement comprises one or more tensioning devices (10) to be fastened to the vehicle for tensioning the fastening means (13). The tensioning device (10) comprises a frame (11) adapted to form a casing structure (18) of closed cross-sectional profile, a traction means (57) movably arranged in the frame (11), the traction means acting on a fastening means (13), an actuator (15) and a screw-driven movement mechanism for moving the traction means (57) with the actuator (15). The traction means (57) is adapted to close the screw-driven movement mechanism inside the casing structure (18). Furthermore, the invention also relates to a vehicle that comprises one or more tensioning devices (10) according to the invention.

Description

ARRANGEMENT FOR FASTENING A LOAD IN A VEHICLE AND A VEHICLE

The object of the present invention is an arrangement as presented in the preamble of claim 1 for fastening a load in a vehicle, and a vehicle as presented in the preamble of claim 12.

Known in the art are various load tensioners, more general^¬ ly load fastening devices. A load is fastened with them during transportation e.g. to the structures of the transport vehicle in such a way that it does not detach from transportation or substantially move during it e.g. endangering safety or damaging the load itself that is be^¬ ing transported.

At its simplest, load fastening can occur with woven fas^¬ tening slings that are tensioned to a suitable tautness with a ratchet tensioner. When the object to be transported is heavy enough, however, a chain that is stronger and can withstand a larger load must be used in the fastening. Ten^¬ sioning the chain to the necessary tautness takes place with a turnbuckle screw. Chains and turnbuckles are gener^¬ ally used e.g. when transporting machinery. The object being transported must typically be fastened to the vehicle structures at a number of different points. In such a case, much time is used in fastening the load. Since the fastening takes place manually and often at the mercy of the weather, the person fastening the load must be able withstand stress and simultaneously take care that the load is properly fastened. In addition, weather factors and op^¬ erating environment factors often affect the operation of load fastening devices. During seasons with subzero temper^¬ atures, fastening devices often freeze and e.g. owing to the salting of highways they jam because of corrosion. The work associated with fastening a load and the aforemen^¬ tioned difficulties associated with it are repeated be^¬ cause, in addition to fastening, the load must also be de^¬ tached from its fastening before being unloaded.

The state-of-the-art is known from the solution disclosed in US patent no. US2773700, in which a special device is used for fastening a load. The device receives its driving force from an electric motor. A special property of the de- vice is the automatic maintenance of tension. This compli^¬ cates the structure of the device and also makes it suscep^¬ tible to faults. The device is also poorly protected against weather stresses owing to the manner in which it is implemented. This impairs its functionality, particularly over time. In addition, the ability of the device to re^¬ ceive forces from different directions is limited.

The aim of the present invention is to provide an arrange^¬ ment for fastening a load in a vehicle with a special ten- sioning device to be fastened to the vehicle, and a vehicle provided with one or more corresponding tensioning devices. Another aim is to provide an arrangement wherein the ten^¬ sioning device to be used has improved durability and bet^¬ ter operating properties. The arrangement according to the invention is characterized by what is disclosed in the characterization part of claim 1. Correspondingly, the ve^¬ hicle according to the invention is characterized by what is disclosed in the characterization part of claim 12. Oth^¬ er embodiments of the invention are characterized by what is disclosed in the other claims.

For implementing the aforementioned aim, the traction means in the tensioning device to be used in the arrangement ac^¬ cording to the invention, said device being based on a screw-driven movement mechanism and said traction means be- ing adaptable to act on a fastening means, is adapted to move inside a casing structure without rotating and to close the screw-driven movement mechanism inside the casing structure having a closed cross-sectional profile formed by the frame of the tensioning device. When the traction means is arranged to close the casing structure in the manner ac^¬ cording to the invention, the forces produced by the fas^¬ tening of the load can be distributed optimally in the frame of the tensioning device. By arranging the traction means according to the invention, the lateral forces exert^¬ ed on the traction means and also on the frame of the ten^¬ sioning device can be mainly eliminated and most of the forces exerted by the fastening of the load are directed in the longitudinal direction of the tensioning device. In this case the aforementioned forces are easy to receive with the frame of the tensioning device without, however, impairing the fastening function itself.

According to a first embodiment, the screw-driven movement mechanism can be implemented in such a way that the nut part arranged rotatably in the frame of the tensioning de^¬ vice is rotated with an actuator and a threaded rod adapted to interoperate with the nut part is fitted into the trac^¬ tion means for moving the traction means in the longitudi- nal direction of the tensioning device with the rotational motion of the nut part. In this case both the screw- threaded rod, i.e. more briefly the threaded rod, and also the nut part are all the time inside the frame of the ten^¬ sioning device sheltered behind the traction means. This improves the functionality of the arrangement and of the tensioning device. The casing structure formed by the frame of closed cross-sectional profile is closed with the trac^¬ tion means, and all the time the nut part and threaded rod are inside the casing structure. In this case water, dirt and salt are not essentially able to act on the nut part and on the threaded rod moving in relation to it.

According to one embodiment, a support is arranged for the nut part, the support being anchored on the frame forming the casing structure of closed cross-sectional profile. There can be anchoring for each side of the casing struc^¬ ture. This distributes the forces evenly into the whole frame .

According to one embodiment, the transmission means, with which the force rotating the nut part is transmitted from the actuator to the nut part, can be connected to them at the end of the nut part and/or of the actuator in a shape- fitted manner. An advantageous way is to implement the transmission means with a shaft of star tubing. A shape- fitted connection, in turn, avoids fatigable welded joints.

According to one embodiment, the highly developed assembly of the tensioning device, formed from machined pieces, makes the tensioning device durable. For example, the trac^¬ tion means, which comprises a grip provided with a fas^¬ tening ring and a slide part being supported on and sealing the frame of the tensioning device, can be a single piece, as can also the nut part and the connection of the trans^¬ mission means adapted to act on it. Very few welded seams that are subject to fatigue in this case remain in the ten^¬ sioning device.

According to a second embodiment, the screw-driven movement mechanism can be implemented also in the opposite way with respect to the first embodiment. In this case the threaded rod arranged rotatably in the frame of the tensioning de^¬ vice is rotated with an actuator and a non-rotating nut part adapted to operate jointly with the threaded rod is fitted into the traction means for moving the traction means in the longitudinal direction of the tensioning de^¬ vice, now with the rotational motion of the threaded rod. In this case, also, the movement mechanism is in all re^¬ spects sheltered inside the frame formed into the casing structure of the tensioning device and also transmission of forces into the frame of the tensioning device occurs ad^¬ vantageously .

Other additional advantages to be achieved with the inven^¬ tion will become apparent in the descriptive section and the characteristic features will become apparent from the attached claims.

The invention, which is not limited to the embodiments pre^¬ sented hereinafter, will be described below with reference to the attached diagrammatic and simplified drawings, wherein presents an embodiment showing the principles of the use of a tensioning device according to the invention for fastening a load, as viewed from the side of a vehicle, presents an embodiment of the tensioning device fastened to the chassis of a vehicle, as viewed obliquely from below, presents an embodiment of the tensioning device as viewed obliquely from the traction means end,

Fig. 4 presents the tensioning device presented in Fig. 3 without the casing, as viewed obliquely from the traction means end, Fig. 5 presents the tensioning device presented in Fig. 3 without the casing, as viewed obliquely from the actuator end,

Fig. 6 presents the tensioning device without the casing, as viewed obliquely from the first end when the traction means is retracted inside the tensioning device,

Fig. 7 presents a cross-section of the tensioning device when the traction means is at the end of the ten- sioning device,

Fig. 8 presents an inset formed from Fig. 7 in connection with the support means,

Fig. 9 presents a cross-section of the tensioning device when the traction means is retracted inside the tensioning device, and

Fig. 10 presents a cross-section of another preferred em^¬ bodiment of a tensioning device used in the ar^¬ rangement according to the invention. Fig. 1 presents a side view of an embodiment showing the principles of the use of the tensioning device 10 used in the arrangement according to the invention for fastening a load 101. Here the tensioning device 10 is used on a ma^¬ chinery transporter 100. More particularly, shown here is the transportation of a forestry machine with a special truck 100 intended for this purpose, often also called a machinery transporter, and which hereinafter is referred to using the more general designation vehicle 100. The vehicle 100 has a chassis 108, on top of which a cargo space with a floor structure 107 is constructed. On the floor structure 107 now is a forestry machine, i.e. the load 101 to be transported . The forestry machine has a frame 106, on which is one or more fixing points 102 for fastening the forestry machine for transportation. A fastening means 13 can be fastened to the fixing points 102. The fastening means 13 comprises now, i.e. in the embodiment according to the example, a chain 103, at the ends of which are fastening detents 104, 105 (Fig. 5) . Preferably the fastening detents 104, 105 are now e.g. fastening hooks. The hook 104 at the first end of the chain 103 is fastened to a lug functioning as a fixing point 102, the lug being fitted to the frame 106 of the forestry machine. The hook 105 functioning as a fastening detent at the second end of the chain 103 is fastened to a tensioning device 10 fastened to the chassis 108 of the ve- hicle 100, in which tensioning device is a traction means 57 comprising a grip 12, for the hook 105, more generally a detent 14, and also a mechanism for tensioning the chain 103, or more generally a fastening means 13. The tensioning device 10 comprising a traction means 57 for fastening a load 101 to be transported and for tensioning the fastening is therefore intended to be firmly fastened to the chassis 108 of a vehicle 100 and also to be immobile with respect to the chassis 108. Fig. 2 presents an embodiment of a tensioning device 10 fastened to the chassis 108 of a vehicle 100, as viewed obliquely from below. According to Fig. 2, the tensioning device 10 is now fastened to the bottom surface of the chassis 108 between the bogies. Preferably the tensioning device 10 comprises an adaptor piece 50 for fastening the tensioning device 10 to the chassis 108 of the vehicle 100 and for bringing a fastening means 13, thus now the chain 103, to the tensioning device 10. The tensioning device 10 is fastenable to a vehicle 100 either directly or via an adapter piece 50. The adaptor piece 50 is a plate profile 51, in which is an aperture 52 at one end for the fastening means 13, now a chain 103, and edge folds 53 on the elon^¬ gated edges. The edge folds 53 stiffen the adaptor piece 50, which is fastenable so as to be immobile to the chassis 108 of the vehicle 100.

A guide 54 is in connection with the aperture 52 for taking a chain 103 to the tensioning device 10. The guide 54 al^¬ lows a large change in direction for the chain 103. The guide 54 is now a bar 55, round in cross-sectional shape, forming a U-profile. Owing to its smooth shape, a large change in direction can be brought about in the chain 103. The thickness of the bar 55 can be adapted e.g. to be suit^¬ able for the link interval of the chain 103 to be used. In this case, the bar 55 settles suitably between two consecu^¬ tive chain links on the same level and thus forms addition^¬ al security for the fastening when the chain 103 turns a corner at the point of the bar 55. In the floor 107 of the vehicle 100 is also an aperture at the point of the U- profile, from which aperture the chain 103 is taken from the load 101 to be fastened to the tensioning device 10.

Fig. 3 presents an embodiment of a tensioning device 10 for fastening a load 101 to a vehicle 100, as viewed obliquely from the end with the grip 12 comprised in the traction means 57 and without the adaptor piece 50 presented in Fig. 2. The main parts of the tensioning device 10 visible in Fig. 3, as also in Fig. 2, are the traction means 57 and the grip 12 comprised in it and the actuator 15 for moving the traction means 57, and therefore also the grip 12, in the longitudinal direction L of the tensioning device 10. Now the actuator 15 is at the opposite end of the tension^¬ ing device 10 with respect to the grip 12 comprised in the traction means 57. Furthermore, the frame 11 of the ten- sioning device 10, to which frame the traction means 57 is movably arranged, is also visible in Fig. 3.

The traction means 57 is adaptable to act on a fastening means 13. The traction means 57 and therefore also the grip 12 comprised in it are adapted to move in the longitudinal direction L of the frame 11 for bringing about the afore^¬ mentioned effect. A fastening means 13 is fittable to the traction means 57 and even more particularly to its grip 12. The fastening means 13 can be fitted to the traction means 57 either directly or indirectly. In a direct connec^¬ tion, the fastening means 13 is attached to the grip 12 of the traction means 7 via a detent 14, here the hook 105, comprised in the fastening means 13. In an indirect connec- tion, e.g. an intermediate piece 56 can be fixedly in^¬ stalled on the grip 12 of the traction means 57, exactly as in the embodiment presented in Fig. 5.

A fastening ring 12a comprising a fixing hole now functions as the grip comprised in the traction means 57, to which ring the hook 105, or more generally the detent 14 of the fastening means 13, on the end of the chain 103 is fas^¬ tened. A connecting link 56, for example, or corresponding intermediate piece, such as e.g. a connecting link of a hoist chain, a hook, shackle, Omega coupling or even a self-made slit-and-tongue connection, can be fastened to the fastening ring 12a. The chain 103 can be permanently attached to the fastening ring 12a or to the connector ring 56 or it can also be detachable from them.

The frame 11 of the tensioning device 10 is formed in this embodiment from the base piece 31 and the beam 32 forming a U-profile, which are joined together for forming a casing structure 18 of closed cross-sectional profile. A plate- shaped part now functions as the base piece 31, in which part are fixing holes 33 via which the tensioning device 10 can be fastened, e.g. with a bolt fixing, to the chassis 108 of the vehicle 100 and/or to an adaptor piece 50. The fixing holes 33 are on the opposite elongated sides of the base piece 31 of the frame 11, e.g. at regular intervals. Preferably the tensioning device 10 is fastened to a vehi^¬ cle 100 therefore by its frame 11.

The beam 32 has three sides 22.1 - 22.3. The edges of the sides 22.1 and 22.3 connect to the base piece 31. The edges of the parallel sides 22.1 and 22.3 connect to the base piece 31, which functions as the fourth side 22.4 of the frame 11. On the edges of the two parallel sides 22.1 and 22.3 of the beam 32 can be one or more tongues 35 (Fig. 3) , e.g. at a distance from each other, for which there are ap^¬ ertures 34 (Figs. 4-6) corresponding to them in the base piece 31. Anchoring of the beam 32 to the base piece 31 with these tongues 35 stiffens the structure. Preferably the beam 32 is fastened to the base piece 31 by welding. Thus, together the beam 32 and base piece 31 form a hollow, tubular frame 11 for the tensioning device 10, the frame having a closed cross-sectional profile that is preferably essentially rectangular. Figs. 4-6 present an oblique view from different directions of the tensioning device presented in Fig. 3, without the U-beam 32 comprised in the casing structure 18 and thus in the frame 11 of the tensioning device 10. Figs. 4 and 6 present the tensioning device 10, as viewed from the end with the traction means 57 and thus also with the grip 12, and Fig. 5 as viewed from the end with the actuator 15. The grip 12 comprised in the traction means 57, or an interme^¬ diate piece 56 functioning as an extension fastened to it, is on the end of the tensioning device 10 in Figs. 4 and 5. In such a case the detent 14, i.e. a hook 105, of the fas- tening means 13 can be fastened to the grip 12 of the trac^¬ tion means 57, or correspondingly the detent 14 can be de^¬ tached from the fastening means 13. If the fastening means 13 is permanently attached to the traction means 57, this configuration also corresponds to the situation when start^¬ ing to fasten a load. In such a case the traction means 57 has play, i.e. slack for tensioning the fastening means 13. Thus, the tensioning device 10 is ready to act, i.e. ten^¬ sion, the fastening means 13 for fastening the load 101. Correspondingly, Fig. 6 presents a situation in which the traction means 57 with its grip 12 is retracted inside the casing structure 18 of the tensioning device 10. In this case a detent 14 of the fastening means 13 is attached to the grip 12, and the traction means 57 of the tensioning device 10 pulls the fastening means 13 for maintaining the tension of the load 101 to be fastened.

The tensioning device 10 comprises a screw-driven movement mechanism 16 fitted between the traction means 57 and the actuator 15, for moving the traction means 57 with the ac^¬ tuator 15. By means of the actuator 15, the traction means 57, i.e. also therefore the grip 12 comprised in it, can be moved reciprocally in the longitudinal direction L of the tensioning device 10, and thus the tensioning means 13 can be either tightened or loosened. Possible implementations of the movement mechanism 16 will be referred to later in this description.

The traction means 57 is adapted to close the screw-driven movement mechanism 16 inside the casing structure 18. In the solution according to the embodiment presented here, the traction means 57 comprises a grip 12 plus fastening ring 12a and, in addition, the traction means 57 is adapted to form a slide part 17 fitted to move without rotation in- side the frame 11. In this case the grip 12 is fitted to the slide part 17 that is movable with the screw-driven movement mechanism 16 inside the frame 11, and more pre^¬ cisely inside its casing structure 18, the slide part being supported at all its side surfaces on the inside wall 30 of the casing structure 18 of the frame 11. A machined metal piece 28 forms the traction means 57, the piece being adapted into the cross-sectional shape of the frame 11 of closed cross-sectional profile, more precisely into the cross-sectional shape of the closed casing structure 18. Therefore, the traction means 57 and more specifically the non-rotating slide part 17 of it, closes the inside space of the casing structure 18 locally on its cross-sectional plane. At the same time the traction means 57, and more particularly its slide part 17, also centers the grip 12 of the traction means 57 in the center of the tubular frame 11. In this case the force exerted on the tensioning device 10 by the fastening means 13 is mainly axial, i.e. in the longitudinal direction L of the tensioning device 10. In such a case the forces exerted on the tensioning device 10 can be distributed more evenly in its frame 11. The trac^¬ tion means 57, i.e. in this solution the slide part 17 and grip 12 comprised in it, can preferably be one integral ma^¬ chined entity 28, i.e. one and the same piece. This, in turn, reduces the number of joints subject to fatigue in the tensioning device 10.

As stated in the preceding, the frame 11 of the tensioning device 10 is adapted to form a tubular casing structure 18 of closed cross-sectional profile, inside which in all sit- uations is the traction means 57, and more particularly its slide part 17. In this solution, the internal cross-section of the casing structure 18 is rectangular, preferably square. When the traction means 57, more particularly the slide part 17 of it, is adapted to correspond to this in- ternal cross-sectional shape of the casing structure 18, the traction means 57 is adapted to move inside the casing structure 18 without turning, i.e. without rotating, re^¬ gardless of the screw-driven movement mechanism 16. According to one preferred embodiment, the screw-driven movement mechanism 16 comprises a nut part 19 provided with an inner thread and a screw-threaded rod provided with an external thread 36, i.e. more briefly a threaded rod 20, fitted to interoperate with each other. The external thread 36 is e.g. a trapezoidal thread. In this case it can be self-locking/self-retaining . The nut part 19 is rotatable around its center axis with an actuator 15. As a result of the trapezoidal thread, the nut part 19 rotates only from the action of an external force, i.e. in this solution, with an actuator 15. The threaded rod 20 is, in turn, pref^¬ erably fastened to the traction means 57, more particularly to the slide part 17 of it. In this case the threaded rod 20 is adapted to pass through the nut part 19. When the nut part 19 is rotated with the actuator 15, the threaded rod 20 moves axially inside the casing structure 18 of the frame 11 as a result of the matching threads. The traction means 57, i.e. in this solution the slide part 17 and grip 12, connected to the threaded rod 20 also simultaneously move in the longitudinal direction L of the tensioning de- vice 10, i.e. in the axial direction of the threaded rod 20.

A power transmission for rotating the nut part 19 with an actuator 15 is fitted between the nut part 19 and the actu- ator 15. Preferably the power transmission is implemented with a transmission means 26, which is preferably e.g. a pipe shaft. The pipe shaft 26 can be in cross-section a shaped pipe shaft 37, such as e.g. a star-shaped, triangu^¬ lar, grooved or lemon pipe shaft. The pipe shaft 26 is, however, hollow for at least a part of its length. In that case there is an axial empty space 38 (Figs. 7 and 9) in^¬ side it. The empty space 38 allows axial movement of the threaded rod 20, i.e. the threaded rod 20 is able to extend to inside the pipe shaft 26, as is presented in Fig. 9.

The pipe shaft 26 functioning as a transmission means is fitted into the nut part 19 and/or into the actuator 15 by means of shape-fitting. In this case a connection 27 the shape of the outer rim of the pipe shaft 26, i.e. shape- fitted, is in connection with the nut part 19 and/or the actuator 15, for connecting the pipe shaft 26 to the nut part 19 and/or to the actuator 15. A shape-fitted connec^¬ tion 27 also simplifies the implementation of the tension^¬ ing device 10.

According to one preferred embodiment, a shape-fitted con^¬ nection 27 for the power transmission, preferably for a pipe shaft 26, is machined into the nut part 19. This, in turn, raises the degree of integration of the tensioning device 10 and reduces the number of joints subject to fa^¬ tigue. With this solution also additional axial length, and therefore a larger threaded area with the threaded rod 20, is obtained for the nut part 19. In connection with Fig. 5, the nut part 19 is presented in principle also as detached from the tensioning device 10. It makes clearly visible a preferred embodiment, with respect to the nut part 19, of the shape-fitted connection 27.

A support 21 is fitted inside the casing structure 18, onto which support the nut part 19 is fitted with bearings, more generally, in a manner allowing rotation. The nut part 19 functions as a part receiving the forces of the screw- driven movement mechanism 16. A flange plate 39 now forms the support 21. The walls 22.1 - 22.4 of the casing struc- ture 18 comprise apertures 25.1 - 25.4 (Figs. 3, 7 and 9) for immovably anchoring the support 21 to the frame 11 in the axial direction of the frame 11. In the support 21, i.e. now in the flange plate 39, on the outer rim of it are shapings suited to these apertures 25.1 - 25.4, the shap- ings in this solution preferably being tongues 40.1 - 40.4, of which there are preferably e.g. one on each side of the rectangular support 21. Owing to the anchoring, the support 21 is supported on each of its sides by the frame 11 of the tensioning device 10, thereby transmitting the axial force formed by the fastening means 13 evenly into the stiffened frame 11 forming the casing structure 18. Furthermore, the anchoring also increases collision security. The tongues 40.1 - 40.4 fitted into the apertures 25.1 - 25.4 ensure that the nut part 19 is certainly not able to move in the axial direction in the event of the vehicle 100 being in^¬ volved in a collision, but instead the fixing must hold in respect of the tensioning device 10 even if its welded joints were to fail. In other words, the support 21 always stays inside the casing structure 18 owing to its tongues 40.1 - 40.4 and to the apertures 25.1 - 25.4 made for them in the frame 11. It is not capable of coming out of the casing structure 18.

A sealing 29 is fitted to the traction means 57, more par- ticularly now to the slide part 17 of it, against the in^¬ side surface 30 of the casing structure 18. The sealing 29 can be implemented e.g. with a sealing ring 41 arranged around the slide part 17. Owing to the sealing 29, the met^¬ al slide part 17, more generally the traction means 57, is not in contact with the inside surface 30 of the casing structure 18. Thus, the sealing 29 also functions as a slide bearing for the slide part 17. The sealing ring 41 can be of e.g. some durable material, such as e.g. plastic. One example worth mentioning here is POM plastic. The seal- ing 29 can be arranged on the grip 12 side. In this case it ensures that dirt and water do not penetrate behind the slide part 17 to act on the movement mechanism 16 imple^¬ mented with a screw thread. When it travels along with the slide part 17, furthermore, the sealing 29 cleans the in- side surface 30 of the casing structure 18 when the grip 12, more generally the traction means 57, moves towards the end of the tensioning device 10. In this case it cleans dirt from the inside surface 30 of the casing structure 18 of the frame 11 and it also removes ice.

The nut part 19 is locked into position on the support 21 with a locking means 42. Now a locking ring 43, which can also be called a shaft collar, forms the locking means 42. The locking ring 43 can preferably be split in the center and formed from two parts. The pieces are connected to each other with bolts. The locking ring 43 prevents the nut part 19 from moving out of its position.

Figs. 7 and 9 present a cross-section of the tensioning de- vice 10 and Fig. 8 presents a magnified view of the struc^¬ ture of the connection of the support 21. In Fig. 7 the traction means 57 and the grip 12 comprised in it are at the end of the tensioning device 10 and in Fig. 9 they are retracted inside the casing structure 18 of the tensioning device 10. Here also the fastening of the actuator 15 to the pipe shaft 26 can be seen, as well as the outfitting arranged in connection with the support 21. The bearings of the nut part 19 can be implemented e.g. with a flange bear^¬ ing 44, which is attached with a press-on fit. The bearing 44 can be replaceable. Between the bearing 44 and the lock^¬ ing ring 43 there is a support plate 45 and an adapter ring that is between the support plate 45 and the support 21. On the opposite side of the support 21 with respect to the locking ring 43 there is an outer shoulder 46 on the nut part 19, via which shoulder the forces are transmitted to the support 21. The bearing 43 extends between the shoulder 46 and the support 21. On the end of the threaded rod 20 there is an arrester 47, with which excessive pushing of the traction means 57, i.e. of the grip 12 and also the slide part 17, out from the casing structure of the frame 11 is prevented (Fig. 7) .

The actuator 15 in the embodiment presented is a hydraulic motor 48. The figures show the couplings from which the outgoing and return lines of the hydraulic motor 48 are connected to it for bringing and taking pressure medium, i.e. now a liquid fluid, e.g. hydraulic oil, to/from the pressure medium arrangement fitted to the vehicle 100, said arrangement preferably comprising at least a pump, a reser- voir, pipelines and a control. A fixing flange 49 for the motor 48 is fitted to the frame 11, to the end of it. A corresponding shape principle can be applied to the fixing flange 49 as was done in the case of the flange plate 39 forming the support 21, i.e. both the flange plate 39 and the fixing flange 49 comprise tongues and correspondingly apertures in the frame 11 on each side of the frame 11. In addition, the fixing flange 49 is welded into attachment with the frame 11. A motor bushing can be around the shaft 60 of the hydraulic motor 48. Around the motor bushing can be an adaptor piece enabling a shape-fitted connection to the pipe shaft 26. The motor bushing and adaptor piece can also be one piece 62, as presented now in the drawings. The piece 62 is con- nected to the drive shaft 60 of the motor 48 with a press- on fit and key. The end of the piece 62 is adapted on its outer rim to be suited to the internal cross-section of the pipe shaft 26. Thus, now connection of the power transmis^¬ sion to the actuator 15 is implemented with a shape-fitted connection also on the actuator 15 side. Instead of a hydraulic motor 48, the actuator 15 can also be e.g. an electric motor. In this case a gear can be used between the actuator 15 and the motor, the gear raising the torque to be suitable.

The tensioning device 10 has welded joints only in the frame 11, in the fastening of the U-beam 32 comprised in it to the base piece 31, in the fastening of the fixing flange 49 of the actuator 15 to the frame 11, and in the fastening of the support 21 to the frame 11. Otherwise the structure of the tensioning device 10 in this embodiment is formed from highly machined pieces. Thus, there are as few as pos^¬ sible welded joints that are subject to fatigue.

Fig. 10 presents yet another way of implementing the ten^¬ sioning device 10 according to the invention. Here the screw-driven movement mechanism 16 comprises a nut part 19 fitted onto the traction means 57 and a threaded rod 20 adapted to pass through the nut part 19 and for being ro^¬ tated with an actuator 15. Therefore, with regard to the movement mechanism 16, the parts 19 and 20 comprised in it have changed places with respect to the embodiment present^¬ ed above. Now the traction means 57 is again formed from the grip 12 and slide part 17 comprised in it. The slide part 17 is now preferably plate work. It comprises ends 65.1, 65.2 and connector means 65.3 connecting the ends to each other, which connector means are preferably e.g. plate-type structures longitudinal to the frame 11.

Again, the slide part 17 can be rectangular in cross- sectional shape. In this case the ends 65.1 and 65.2 are of rectangular cross-sectional shape and preferably similar. Likewise, the connecting means 65.3 form a construction of a rectangular cross-sectional shape. On the end 65.1 is a grip 12 with fastening ring and on the opposite end 65.2 a nut part 19, in which is a through hole with an internal thread. Now the nut part 19 is machined or fastened to the traction means 57, more particularly to the slide part 17 of it.

The slide part 17 is so long that the trapezoidally thread^¬ ed rod 20 fits to rotate inside it. Between the ends 65.1, 65.2 remains an open space 65, in the longitudinal direc- tion of the frame 11, for the threaded rod 20. The actuator 15 is connected to the threaded rod 20 provided with a trapezoidal thread, for rotating the threaded rod around its center axis. A flexible coupling 61 is fastened to the drive shaft 60 of the actuator 15, for fastening the threaded rod 20 to the shaft of the motor 48. Here, also, a support 21 is fitted inside the casing structure 18, onto which support the part receiving the forces of the screw- driven movement mechanism 16, now the threaded rod 20, is fastened in a manner allowing rotation. In connection with the support 21 is a rotating flange 63, on bearings, and its locking ring 64. The threaded rod 20 is connected with a flange 63 mounted on bearings to the frame 11 that holds the axial force. When the threaded rod 20 is rotated with the motor 48, the traction means 57 moves in the longitudinal direction of the frame 11 of the tensioning device 10. The threaded rod 20, that remains axially stationary, now passes to inside the traction means 57 via the through hole fitted into the nut part 19, because when the threaded rod 20 rotates the traction means 57 moves in the axial direction of the threaded rod 20. Also in this solution the traction means 57 closes the movement mechanism 16 inside the casing structure 18 of the frame 11 because the end 65.1 of the traction means 57 closes the inside space of the casing structure 18 on the grip 12 side. Also lateral forces are distributed evenly in the frame 11, because the traction means 57 rests on the frame 11 for a long distance inside the casing structure 18.

The material thickness of the U-beam 32 forming the frame structure and of the base piece 31 can advantageously be e.g. 5-10 mm. The length of the tensioning device 10 can advantageously be e.g. 400-800 mm. The tensioning force formed with the tensioning device 10 can be e.g. 500-6000 daN/nominal strength of binding 5000-40000 daN (kg) . The internal diameter of the casing structure 18 can be adapted in such a way that that an overlarge fastening means 13, or connection link 56, cannot be used with the tensioning de- vice 10. The tensioning device 10 can be adapted e.g. for a 13 mm fastening chain 103. The tensioning play of the ten^¬ sioning device 10 can be e.g. 150 mm. The length of the traction means 57, more particularly the slide part 17 of it, in the axial direction of the tensioning device 10, i.e. in the movement direction M of the traction means 57, can be specified e.g. in such a way that it can be greater than or equal to, the side length H (Fig. 3) in the trans^¬ verse direction of the inside space 66 of the casing struc^¬ ture 18. In this case the traction means 57 is not able to turn inside the casing structure 18 even if torsion forces were exerted on it .

In addition to a tensioning device 10, the invention also relates to a vehicle 100 on which is a load 101 fitted to be transported and to which vehicle is fitted one or more tensioning devices 10 for fastening the load 101. One or more of the tensioning devices fitted to the vehicle 100 is a tensioning device 10 according to the invention. In addi^¬ tion to an automobile, the vehicle 100 can also be an air- plane or a ship. A vehicle can just as well be understood to be also e.g. towable objects, such as e.g. flatbeds and various trailers.

It must be understood that the description above and the figures associated with it are intended purely to illus^¬ trate the present invention. The invention is not limited to just the embodiments presented above or specified in the claims, but instead many different variations and modifica^¬ tions of the invention that are within the scope of the in- ventive concept specified by the claims will be obvious to the person skilled in the art.

Claims

1. Arrangement for fastening a load in a vehicle (100) with one or more fastening means (13), which arrangement com- prises one or more tensioning devices (10) to be fastened to the vehicle (100) for tensioning the fastening means (13), which tensioning device (10) comprises

- a frame (11) adapted to form a casing structure (18) of closed cross-sectional profile,

- a traction means (57) movably arranged in the frame

(11), the traction means being adaptable to act on a fastening means (13),

- an actuator (15),

- a screw-driven movement mechanism (16) for moving the traction means (57) with the actuator (15),

characterized in that the traction means (57) of the ten^¬ sioning device (10) is adapted to move inside the casing structure (18) without rotating, and in that the traction means (57) is adapted to close the screw-driven movement mechanism (16) inside the casing structure (18) .

2. Arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that in connection with the traction means (57) is a slide part (17) and a grip (12), which grip (12) comprises a fastening ring (12a) , and in that the slide part (17) , grip (12) and fastening ring (12a) are adapted to move inside the casing structure (18) without rotating.

3. Arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the slide part (17) comprised in the traction means (57) and the grip (12) with its fastening ring (12a) are one integral entity (28), preferably one machined and inte^¬ grated piece.

4. Arrangement according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that a sealing (29) is fitted to the traction means (57) against the inside surface (30) of the casing structure (18) .

5. Arrangement according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the screw-driven movement mechanism (16) comprises

- a nut part (19) preferably adapted for being rotated around its center axis with the actuator (15),

- a threaded rod (20) adapted to pass through the nut part (19) and preferably fitted to the traction means (57) .

6. Arrangement according to claim 5, characterized in that

- a support (21) is fitted inside the casing structure (18), onto which support the part receiving the forces of the screw-driven movement mechanism (16), such as e.g. the nut part (19), is fitted in a manner allowing rotation,

- in the walls (22.1-22.4) of the casing structure (18) are apertures (25.1-25.4) for anchoring the support (21) to the frame (11) in its axial direction.

7. Arrangement according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that

- a power transmission means (26) is fitted between the nut part (19) and the actuator (15) for rotating the nut part (19) with the actuator (15) for bringing about axial movement of the threaded rod (20),

- the power transmission means (26) is fitted into the nut part (19) and/or into the actuator (15) preferably by means of shape-fitting.

8. Arrangement according to any of claims 5-7, characterized in that the transmission means (26) is at least for a part of its length a hollow pipe shaft.

9. Arrangement according to any of claims 5-8, characterized in that a shape-fitted connection (27) is machined in^¬ to the nut part (19) for the power transmission means (26) .

10. Arrangement according to any of the preceding claims 1- 4, characterized in that the screw-driven movement mecha^¬ nism (16) comprises

- a nut part (19) preferably fitted into connection with the traction means (57),

- a threaded rod (20) preferably adapted to pass through the nut part (19) and for being rotated with an actua^¬ tor (15) .

11. Arrangement according to claim 10, characterized in that the nut part (19) is adapted to move inside the casing structure (18) without rotating.

12. A vehicle, on which is fitted a load to be transported and to which vehicle is fastened one or more tensioning de^¬ vices (10) for fastening the load (101,) characterized in that one or more of the tensioning devices (10) fastened to a vehicle (100) are according to one or more of the preced^¬ ing claims 1-11.