Patent Application
20160200237
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a system for restraining cargo, and more specifically, to a rolling-type restraining system.
2. Background
In cargo trailers, the load needs to be secured during transport to reduce undesired shifting and damage to the load. In a conventional trailer, container, or boxcar, load restraint enclosures can be secured to the floor or sides using specially fabricated wood framing, floor blocking, rubber mats, steel strapping, or heavy air bags. These conventional means for securing the load have limitations associated with construction cost and lack of strength sufficient to secure heavy load. Further, a trailer may be used for shipping where only a partial load is carried, and the load is positioned within a central location of the trailer. In this case, it may be impractical to construct wooden front and rear restraint enclosures sufficient to secure the load where the front of the trailer is not utilized.
The present invention provides for securing a load in vehicles such as trailers, containers, or boxcars.
In one implementation, a moveable cargo restraint system for restraining a cargo in a trailer is disclosed. The system includes: a rolling system configured for a movement within the trailer, the rolling system configured to restrain the cargo, when fixed in position; a track system configured to enable the movement of the rolling system; and a latch system configured to fix the rolling system in position.
In another implementation, an apparatus for restraining a cargo in a trailer is disclosed. The apparatus includes: means for restraining the cargo within the trailer, when fixed in position; means for enabling the movement of the means for restraining; and means for fixing the means for restraining in position.
Other features and advantages of the present invention should be apparent from the present description which illustrates, by way of example, aspects of the invention.
The details of the present invention, both as to its structure and operation, may be gleaned in part by study of the appended further drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts, and in which:
To overcome the difficulties of securing the load in vehicles such as trailers, containers, or boxcars, several embodiments of a moveable cargo restraint system are proposed. In one embodiment, the moveable cargo restraint system enables repositioning of restraints when partial loads are present in the vehicle.
After reading this description it will become apparent how to implement the invention in various implementations and applications. However, although various implementations of the present invention will be described herein, it is understood that these implementations are presented by way of example only, and not limitation. As such, this detailed description of various implementations should not be construed to limit the scope or breadth of the present invention.
In one embodiment, the rolling system 110 includes an upper member 120, a plurality of attachment rings 122, and a set of straps, netting, or resilient lattice work 124 (hereinafter referred to as “set of straps”). In the illustrated embodiment, the upper member 120 is configured as a bar that stretches from one side wall to another side wall of the trailer. Thus, the upper member 120 is installed onto the side-wall mounted track system 200 using fore and aft rollers on both side walls of the trailer with the upper member 120 separating these pairs of rollers. The upper member 120 is used to hold and guide the set of straps 124 which can be collapsed by sliding (i.e., movement 130) the straps 124 and the attachment rings 122 along the upper member 120, thus placing them on one side or the other for storage. Thus, the rolling system 110 can be readily stored by sliding or collapsing the flexible set of straps to one side of the trailer and securing or tying down the straps.
The upper member 120 is further configured to space the trolleys and hold them apart at a specific distance while the rolling system 110 is moved back and forth (i.e., movement 140) in the trailer throughout its range. While in use, the set of straps 124 is extended from side to side inside the trailer and rolled to a required position. The set of straps 124 is then latched to a pre-determined location within the latch system 500. Once the set of straps 124 is latched, the straps form a barrier that prevents shifting of the load/cargo from the pallet or loading point.
The moveable cargo restraint system 100, when properly fixed using the set of straps 124 and the latch system 500, prevents the cargo or load from scattering inside the trailer. This reduces cargo damage and injury from moving and/or toppling loads. Further, the moveable cargo restraint system 100 maintains a consistent location of the upper member 120 which provides ease of repositioning of the rolling system 110 such that a warehouse person of any height can move the rolling system 110 by simply sliding the upper member 120 to the desired position.
In the illustrated embodiment of
The above description of the disclosed implementations is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the invention. Various modifications to these implementations will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles described herein can be applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. For example, while the implementations above focus on using the moveable cargo restraint system 100, 600 within a trailer, the system 100, 600 can be used in other forms of transportation such as containers, boxcars, or vans. Further, the rolling system 110, 610, 612 can use means other than the strap of sturdy material. For example, the rolling system 110, 610 can use strands of steel or wire. Thus, it is to be understood that the description and drawings presented herein represent a presently preferred embodiment of the invention and are therefore representative of the subject matter that is broadly contemplated by the present invention. It is further understood that the scope of the present invention fully encompasses other embodiments that may become obvious to those skilled in the art and that the scope of the present invention is accordingly limited by nothing other than the appended claims.
