WO2021222973A1

WO2021222973A1 - Strap winder

Info

Publication number: WO2021222973A1
Application number: PCT/AU2021/050406
Authority: WO
Inventors: Edward Joseph Khoury
Original assignee: De Barros, Edgar Joge Abreu
Priority date: 2020-05-05
Filing date: 2021-05-04
Publication date: 2021-11-11
Also published as: AU2021267558A1

Abstract

A strap winder (10) comprising a body (12) having a spool (48) rotated by a motor (20). A slot (54) is provided in the spool (48) for receiving the end of a strap (11) to be wound. A guide arm (68) is provided having a first end pivotally mounted to the body (12) to rotate through a plane perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the spool (48). The guide arm (68) has a strap guide (78) at a second end having a channel (80) for receiving a portion of the strap (11) such that the strap guide (78) guides the strap (11) onto the spool (48). The guide arm (68) also includes a spool guide (86) provided to engage with edges of the wound strap (11) to keep the strap (11) in a cylindrical configuration while winding.

Description

“STRAP WINDER”

Field of the Invention

[001] The present invention relates to a device for winding up tie down straps.

Background to the Invention

[002] In the transport industry, tie down straps are regularly used to secure loads to vehicles. In the case of large loads secured to trucks, such straps are wound up between uses. This allows one end of the strap to be held and the wound strap to then be thrown over the top of a load for securing to the opposite side of the truck. If a throw is not successful, the strap must generally be wound up again for another attempt. Given the large number of straps that may be used to secure down items for transport, a significant amount of time can be spent winding the tie down straps. This time can equate to a significant monetary loss in the industry.

[003] The present invention relates to a winder device to be used with such tie down straps. The winder is easily securable to a vehicle in a manner such that it is readily available for use and is constructed to allow easy winding of straps in order to save time.

Summary of the Invention

[004] According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a strap winder comprising: a body including a motor; a spool mounted on the body and in engagement with the motor such that the spool is rotated by the motor; and a slot provided in the spool for receiving the end of a strap to be wound; and a guide arm having a first end pivotally mounted to the body to rotate through a plane perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the spool, the guide arm having a strap guide at a second end, the strap guide having a channel for receiving a portion of the strap such that the strap guide guides the strap onto the spool as the spool rotates; wherein the guide arm includes a spool guide provided to engage with edges of the wound strap to keep the strap in a cylindrical configuration while winding.

[005] Preferably the guide arm is spring biased such that the second end thereof rotates towards the spool.

[006] Preferably the guide arm includes an axle connected transversely to the first end thereof, the axle being received within tubular mounts provide adjacent a lower end of body.

[007] Preferably the channel of the strap guide is oriented tangentially to the spool.

[008] In a preferred embodiment, the strap guide comprises first and second side walls connected adjacent first ends thereof by an end wall such that the channel is defined between the first and second side walls.

[009] Preferably the first and second side walls are open at second ends thereof to allow a side of the strap to be received between the open second ends into the channel.

[010] Preferably the spool guide comprises first and second tabs extending outwardly from the second end of the guide arm.

[011] Preferably the tabs are parallel to each other and extend transversely outwardly from first and second ends of the first side wall of the strap guide.

[012] In one embodiment, the guide arm comprises first and second J-shaped elongate members connected together at first ends thereof such that the strap guide is received between second ends of the J-shaped elongate members. [013] Preferably the body comprises a motor housing portion and a battery housing portion.

[014] Preferably the motor housing portion comprises an elongate housing having first and second ends such that the spool extends outwardly from the first end thereof.

[015] Preferably the battery housing portion extends downwardly from the motor housing portion.

[016] In a preferred embodiment, a mounting bracket is provided comprising a support arm and a clamp, the support arm being connected to the body such that the clamp is located above an upper wall of the motor housing portion.

[017] Preferably the support arm comprises a first portion secured to rear walls of the motor housing portion and the battery housing portion and a second portion extending along an upper wall of the motor housing portion.

[018] Preferably the clamp extends upwardly from the second portion of the support arm such that the clamp is located generally centrally above the upper wall of the battery housing portion.

[019] Preferably the clamp comprises first and second clamp portions which are connected for relative pivotal movement by a hinge.

[020] Preferably a securing rod is provided to secure together the first and second clamp portions around an object.

[021] In one embodiment, the securing rod comprises a quick release skewer.

[022] In a preferred embodiment, a gear unit is provided between the motor and the spool to control the relative rotational speeds of the motor and the spool.

[023] In a preferred embodiment, an internal rotation controller is provided in connection with the motor such that the internal rotation controller turns off the motor when the motor drive shaft experiences greater than a predetermined torque. Brief Description of the Drawings

[024] The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the following drawings, in which:

[025] Figure 1 is a front upper perspective view of a strap winder in accordance with the present invention;

[026] Figure 2 is a rear upper perspective view of the strap winder of Figure 1 ; [027] Figure 3 is a rear upper perspective view of the strap winder of Figure 1 with the mounting bracket removed;

[028] Figure 4 is an exploded view of the strap winder of Figure 1 ;

[029] Figure 5 is a rear perspective view of the strap winder of Figure 1 with the guide arm removed;

[030] Figure 6 is a cross sectional view of the strap winder of Figure 1 ;

[031] Figure 7 is an upper perspective view of the strap winder of Figure 1 showing an end of a strap engaged with the spool;

[032] Figure 8 is an upper perspective view of the strap winder of Figure 1 showing the strap partially wound onto the spool;

[033] Figure 9 is an upper perspective view of the strap winder of Figure 1 showing the strap fully wound to the spool; and

[034] Figure 10 is an upper perspective view of the strap winder showing opening of the cover to the battery housing portion.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

[035] Referring to the Figures, there is shown a strap winder 10 comprising a body 12 having a mounting bracket 14 such that the strap winder 10 may be secured to a vehicle, such as a truck.

[036] The body 12 comprises generally a motor housing portion 16 and a battery housing portion 18. The motor housing portion 16 houses a motor 20 having a rotatable motor drive shaft 22 provided to rotate a spool 48 on which a strap 11 may be wound. The spool 48 is mounted to an outer surface of the motor housing portion 16.

[037] The motor housing portion 16 comprises an elongate housing having first and second ends 24 and 25. The motor housing portion 16 of the body 12 is to be located uppermost in use when the strap winder 10 is supported from the vehicle by the mounting bracket 14 such that an axis extending between the first and second ends 24 and 25 is generally horizontal. In the embodiment shown, the motor 20 is mounted within the motor housing portion 16 such that the motor 20 is located adjacent the second end 25 of the motor housing portion 16 and the spool 48 extends outwardly from the first end 24 of the motor housing portion 16.

[038] A gear unit 30 is provided in the motor housing portion 16 between the motor 20 and the first end 24. The motor drive shaft 22 engages with a first end of the gear unit 30 and a gear output shaft 28 extends outwardly from a second end of the gear unit 30. The gear output shaft 28 extends through an aperture 26 in the first end 24 of the motor housing portion 16 and engages with the spool 48. The gear unit 30 is provided to control rotation speed of spool 48 relative to the rotational speed of the motor drive shaft 28.

[039] The motor housing portion 16 includes front and rear walls 32 and 33, first and second end walls 34 and 35 and an upper wall 36. In the embodiment shown, the first and second end walls 34 and 35 are planar, as are the rear and upper walls 33 and 36. The front wall 32 is generally semi-cylindrical.

[040] The battery housing portion 18 extends downwardly from the motor housing portion 16. In the embodiment shown, the battery housing portion 18 is a rectangular prism in shape such that the battery housing portion 18 comprises front and rear walls 38 and 39, first and second end walls 40 and 41 and a lower wall 42.

[041] The front and rear walls 38 and 39 are planar in the embodiment shown and extend downwardly from the front and rear walls 32 and 33 of the motor housing portion 16 respectively. The first end wall 40 is planar and extends downwardly from the first end wall 34 of the motor housing portion 16 such that the first end walls 34 and 40 of the motor housing portion 16 and battery housing portion 18 respectively are coplanar. The second end wall 41 of the battery housing portion 18 is planar and is offset from the second end wall 35 of the motor housing portion 16 towards the first end wall 24 thereof.

[042] The front wall 38 comprises a removable cover 44 to allow access to an interior chamber of the battery housing portion 18 for insertion and removal of a battery 46. The battery 46 comprises a rechargeable rectangular prism shaped battery in the embodiment shown. The battery 46 is connected through to the motor 20 such that the battery 46 provides power to operate the motor 20.

[043] The strap winder 10 is provided with a spool 48 onto which a strap 11 may be wound. The spool 48 is connected to the distal end of the gear output shaft 28 such that the spool 48 extends outwardly from the first end wall 24 of the motor housing portion 16.

[044] The spool 48 comprises a cylindrical body 50 extending outwardly from a first side of a disc-shaped base 52. The second side of the base 52 includes an opening for receiving the gear output shaft 28. The cylindrical body 50 includes a slot 54 extending from a distal end thereof toward a proximal end thereof. The slot 54 extends along a diameter of the cylindrical body 50.

[045] The mounting bracket 14 comprises a support arm 56 and a clamp 58. The support arm 56 comprises a first portion 60 secured to the rear walls 33 and 39 of the motor housing portion 16 and the battery housing portion 18. The first portion 60 of the support arm 56 is secured by appropriate means, such as securing screws 62. The second portion 61 of the support arm 56 extends perpendicular to the first portion 60 above the upper wall 36 of the motor housing portion 16.

[046] The clamp 58 extends upwardly from the second portion 61 of the support arm 56 such that the clamp 58 is located generally centrally above the upper wall 36 of the battery housing portion 18. The clamp 58 is provided to engage with a rail of a truck such that the body 12 of the strap winder 10 is supported directly below the rail. The clamp 58 comprises first and second clamp portions 64 and 65 which are connected for relative pivotal movement by a hinge 66. The first clamp portion 64 is integrally formed with the support barck 56 and extends upwardly from the second portion 61. The second clamp portion 65 is pivotally mounted relative to the first clamp portion 64 by a hinge 66 such that the clamp portions 64 and 65 are movable from a closed position, in which the first and second clamp portions 64 and 65 define a tubular opening to engage around the rail, to an open position in which the rail may be received between the clamp portions 64 and 65. The first and second clamp portions 64 and 65 may be secured together in the closed position by a securing rod 63. The securing rod 63 extends through both the first and second clamp portions 64 and 65 and may be operated to engage the first and second clamp portions 64 and 65 around the rail. In the embodiment shown, the securing rod 63 comprises a quick release skewer.

[047] The strap winder 10 includes also a guide arm 68. The guide arm 68 is secured to the body 12 to rotate through a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft 28. A first end 70 of the guide arm 68 is rotatably mounted adjacent a lower end of the body 12 and a second end 71 of the guide arm 68 is rotatable either towards or away from a side wall of the cylindrical body 50 of the spool 48.

[048] The guide arm 68 includes an axle 72 connected transversely to the first end 70 thereof. The axle 72 is received within a tubular mountings 74 extending outwardly from adjacent a lower end of the rear wall 39 of the battery housing portion 18. The axle 72 is received within the tubular mountings 74 such that the axle 72 may rotate about its longitudinal axis, thereby providing the pivotable movement of the guide arm 68 either towards or away from the spool 48.

[049] The guide arm 68 is spring biased to move towards the spool 48. The spring bias is provided by a spring 76 provided around the axle 72 to engage with the body 12 and thereby act against rotation of the guide arm 68 away from the spool 48. [050] The guide arm 68 is provided with a strap guide 78 on the second end 71 thereof. The strap guide 78 defines an elongate channel 80 into which a portion of the strap 11 may be received. The channel 80 is arranged to be generally tangential to the spool 48 such that as the strap 11 passes through the channel 80 it is directed onto the edge of the spool 48. The strap guide 78 comprises first and second side walls 82 and 83 connected adjacent first ends thereof by an end wall 84. The channel 80 is defined between the first and second side walls 82 and 83 and the first and second side walls 82 and 83 are open at second ends thereof such that the strap 11 may be received between the first and second side walls 82 and 83 at the second ends.

[051] The guide arm 68 also includes a spool guide 86 adjacent the second end 71 thereof. The spool guide 86 is provided to engage with the wound portion of the strap 11 on the spool 48 to retain the wound strap 11 in a cylindrical configuration. The spool guide 86 comprises first and second tabs 88 and 89 extending outwardly from the second end 71 of the guide arm 68. The tabs 88 and 89 are parallel to each other and spaced apart to receive and engage with edges of the wound strap 11 to retain the wound strap 11. The tabs 88 and 89 in the embodiment shown extend transversely outwardly from first and second ends of the first side wall 82 of the strap guide 78.

[052] In the embodiment shown, the guide arm 68 comprises first and second elongate members 90 and 91. Each of the elongate members 90 and 91 comprise J-shaped elongate members connected together at first ends thereof. The strap guide 78 is received between second ends of the J-shaped elongate members 90 and 91.

[053] The strap winder 10 includes also an actuator 92 in the form of a button 93. The actuator 92 may be operated to control operation of the motor 20. In the embodiment shown, the actuator 92 is provided on the upper wall 36 of the motor housing portion 16.

[054] In use, the strap winder 10 is secured to a part of a vehicle, such as a horizontal rail on the side of a truck. The strap winder 10 hangs downwardly from the rail by the mounting bracket 14. When the strap 11 is to be wound, the end of the strap 11 is passed through the strap guide 78 and received in the slot 54 of the spool 48.

[055] The motor 20 is then operated by depressing the button 93 on the body 12. The motor 20 rotates the spool 48 such that the strap 11 is wound onto the spool 48. As can be seen in Figures 8 and 9, the tabs 88 and 89 of the spool guide 86 engage with edges of the wound strap 11. The strap 11 may be extended away from the strap winder 10 so it is relatively straight and the strap 11 will be wound onto the spool 48 without any significant control over the strap 11 by the operator.

[056] The strap winder 10 is provided also with an internal rotation controller, provided to turn off the motor 20 when the drive shaft 28 experiences greater than a predetermined torque. Therefore, when the end of the strap 11 , which is likely to include a buckle or other device, engages with the strap guide 78 and thereby applies a force to the spool 48, the motor 20 switches off. The strap winder 10 of the present invention thereby provides a convenient method of quickly winding straps 11. The operator may also save further time by setting up the strap 11 to wind onto the strap winder 10 and then performing other tasks while the strap 11 is being wound.

[057] It will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the relevant arts that various modifications and improvements may be made to the foregoing embodiments, in addition to those already described, without departing from the basic inventive concepts of the present invention.

Claims

1. A strap winder comprising: a body including a motor; a spool mounted on the body and in engagement with the motor such that the spool is rotated by the motor; and a slot provided in the spool for receiving the end of a strap to be wound; and a guide arm having a first end pivotally mounted to the body to rotate through a plane perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the spool, the guide arm having a strap guide at a second end, the strap guide having a channel for receiving a portion of the strap such that the strap guide guides the strap onto the spool as the spool rotates; wherein the guide arm includes a spool guide provided to engage with edges of the wound strap to keep the strap in a cylindrical configuration while winding.

2. A strap winder in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the guide arm is spring biased such that the second end thereof rotates towards the spool.

3. A strap winder in accordance with claim 2, wherein the guide arm includes an axle connected transversely to the first end thereof, the axle being received within tubular mounts provide adjacent a lower end of body.

4. A strap winder in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein the channel of the strap guide is oriented tangentially to the spool.

5. A strap winder in accordance with claim 4, wherein the strap guide comprises first and second side walls connected adjacent first ends thereof by an end wall such that the channel is defined between the first and second side walls.

6. A strap winder in accordance with claim 5, wherein the first and second side walls are open at second ends thereof to allow a side of the strap to be received between the open second ends into the channel.

7. A strap winder in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein the spool guide comprises first and second tabs extending outwardly from the second end of the guide arm.

8. A strap winder in accordance with claim 7, wherein the tabs are parallel to each other and extend transversely outwardly from first and second ends of the first side wall of the strap guide.

9. A strap winder in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein the guide arm comprises first and second J-shaped elongate members connected together at first ends thereof such that the strap guide is received between second ends of the J-shaped elongate members.

10. A strap winder in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein the body comprises a motor housing portion and a battery housing portion.

11. A strap winder in accordance with claim 10, wherein the motor housing portion comprises an elongate housing having first and second ends such that the spool extends outwardly from the first end thereof.

12. A strap winder in accordance with claim 11 , wherein the battery housing portion extends downwardly from the motor housing portion.

13. A strap winder in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein a mounting bracket is provided comprising a support arm and a clamp, the support arm being connected to the body such that the clamp is located above an upper wall of the motor housing portion.

14. A strap winder in accordance with claim 13, wherein the support arm comprises a first portion secured to rear walls of the motor housing portion and the battery housing portion and a second portion extending along an upper wall of the motor housing portion.

15. A strap winder in accordance with claim 14, wherein the clamp extends upwardly from the second portion of the support arm such that the clamp is located generally centrally above the upper wall of the battery housing portion.

16. A strap winder in accordance with claim 15, wherein the clamp comprises first and second clamp portions which are connected for relative pivotal movement by a hinge.

17. A strap winder in accordance with claim 16 wherein a securing rod is provided to secure together the first and second clamp portions around an object.

18. A strap winder in accordance with claim 17, wherein the securing rod comprises a quick release skewer.

19. A strap winder in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein a gear unit is provided between the motor and the spool to control the relative rotational speeds of the motor and the spool.

20. A strap winder in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein an internal rotation controller is provided in connection with the motor such that the internal rotation controller turns off the motor when the motor drive shaft experiences greater than a predetermined torque.