Patent Application
20230124146
The present invention generally relates to accessories for vehicles. More specifically, the present invention relates to a device for aiding a truck driver in loading or unloading a cargo platform such as a flatbed truck.
It is known that cargo platforms such as flatbed trucks are commonly used to transport heavy loads that usually do not fit on traditional trucks. Typically, the cargo platforms are used to transport heavy pieces of machinery, construction equipment, motor vehicles, sheds, parts of houses and the like.
It is important to properly secure the heavy loads or large objects to the tray of the cargo platform. Securing the heavy loads to the tray or platform includes strapping of the objects to the anchor points using straps. Further, edge protectors are placed over the objects to prevent the straps from damaging the objects. It is a common practice for the truck drivers to climb onto the platform, and even onto the loaded objects itself to strap or unstrap during the loading or unloading procedure. This increases the risk of injury to the truck drivers.
In order to overcome the above problems, several devices have been disclosed in the past that help the truck drivers to strap the loads at heights. One such example is disclosed in a U.S. granted Pat. No. 10,081,097, entitled, “Tool for placement of cargo straps and edge protectors” (“the '097 Patent”). The '097 Patent discloses a tool for the placement of cargo straps and edge protectors is configured for use with a flatbed trailer. The tool for the placement of cargo straps and edge protectors is configured for use with a webbing. The webbing is used to secure cargo to the flatbed trailer. The tool for the placement of cargo straps and edge protectors attaches to the webbing. The tool for the placement of cargo straps and edge protectors is used to position the webbing relative to the cargo such that once the webbing is tightened the webbing to be tightened secures the cargo to the flatbed trailer. The tool for the placement of cargo straps and edge protectors comprises a telescopic handle, a spatula, and a threaded connection.
Another example is disclosed in a United States Publication No. 20200276928, entitled “A device for strapping a load at heights” (“the '928 Publication”). The '928 Publication discloses a load strapping device comprising a first elongated member having a first end, a second elongated member having a second end and a pivot assembly interconnecting the first and second ends. A strap end receiving assembly is connected to a free end of one of the elongated member. For use, one end of a strap is engaged to the strap end receiving assembly. A load strapping arrangement over a load is formed when a user, located at one side of the load, grips the device and lifts the one end of the strap to a first position just above the height of the load.
Although the above-discussed devices are useful for strapping the loads, they have few problems. For example, the above-discussed devices are limited in their functionality in that they can be used only for connecting the straps to the load. However, they cannot be used for holding components such as chains, wrench straps, grab hooks, cables, and the like. As a result, a truck driver has to carry multiple devices and climb on top of the flatbed to place different components for securing the load. This increases the risk of injury to the truck driver.
Therefore, there is a need for a device for aiding a truck driver in loading or unloading a cargo platform, the device capable of reducing or eliminating the need for the truck driver to climb on top of the flatbed to strap or unstrap the load.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a device for aiding a truck driver in loading or unloading a cargo platform and that avoids the drawbacks of known devices.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a device capable of reducing or eliminating the need for the truck driver to climb on top of the flatbed to strap or unstrap the load.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a single device capable of holding/harnessing or placing a variety of components required for loading or unloading of the cargo platform such as a flatbed truck.
In order to achieve one or more objects, the present invention presents a device for aiding a truck driver in loading or unloading a cargo platform such as a flatbed truck. The device includes a grapple and a telescopic handle. The grapple connects to the telescopic handle. The grapple includes two arms forming grooves at the centre. Here, the grooves extend from one another and come in different shapes and help in holding a variety of components. In the present invention, the device helps to hold and place the components such as, cargo straps, ratchet cargo straps, winch straps, tarps, edge protectors or strap corner protectors, chains, transport chains, binders, bungee tarp, clips, plates, flanges, detents, hooks or grab hooks, cables, and the like.
Each of the arms includes hooks extending in opposing directions. The hooks help to receive components used for securing a load to the cargo platform. In one example, the hooks include teeth portion for gripping the components during loading or unloading of the cargo. The grapple includes a plate member connecting the arms at one side. The plate member slides along the grapple and allows to the truck driver to use the grapple with the telescopic handle. The plate member in conjunction with the grapple allows to hold and place the components at desired location for securing the load to the cargo platform. The truck driver adjusts the length of the telescopic handle and uses the grapple to hold/harness the components needed during loading or unloading of the cargo platform.
In one advantageous feature of the present invention, the device includes the grapple having hooks extending from both sides. The hooks come in various shapes and configurations and allow to hold and place components during loading or unloading of the cargo platform. The grapple includes a plate member. The plate member receives the component and helps to hold it with the help of grapple for placing the components on the load, for example. The device acts as a multipurpose tool for holding and placing the components for use during loading or unloading of the cargo platform. This avoids use of different tools during loading or unloading of the cargo platform.
In another advantageous feature of the present invention, the device includes the telescopic handle. The truck driver adjusts the length of the telescopic handle and uses the grapple to hold and/or place the components for use during loading or unloading of the cargo platform. This ensures the truck driver is at a safe distance from the heavy load during the loading or unloading procedure. Further, the device reduces or eliminates the need for the truck driver to climb on top of the flatbed to strap down the load. This substantially reduces the likelihood of the truck driver from falling and injuring himself.
In another advantageous feature of the present invention, the device allows for use in any type of cargo transportation, including road, air, rail, and water transport.
Features and advantages of the invention hereof will become more apparent in light of the following detailed description of selected embodiments, as illustrated in the accompanying FIGUREs. As will be realised, the invention disclosed is capable of modifications in various respects, all without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and the description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature.
Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in combination with the appended drawings, in which:
It will be noted that throughout the appended drawings, like features are identified by like reference numerals.
Before the present features and working principle of a device is described, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the particular device as described, since it may vary within the specification indicated. Various features of a device might be provided by introducing variations within the components/subcomponents disclosed herein. It is also to be understood that the terminology used in the description is for the purpose of describing the particular versions or embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, which will be limited only by the appended claims. The words “comprising,” “having,” “containing,” and “including,” and other forms thereof, are intended to be equivalent in meaning and be open-ended in that an item or items following any one of these words is not meant to be an exhaustive listing of such item or items, or meant to be limited to only the listed item or items.
It should be understood that the present invention describes a device for aiding a truck driver in loading or unloading a cargo platform such as a flatbed truck. The device includes a grapple that connects to a telescopic handle. The grapple includes two arms forming grooves at the centre. Each of the arms includes hooks for receiving components used for securing a load to the cargo platform. The components include cargo straps, winch straps, edge protectors, chains, binders, clips, plates, flanges, detents, hooks, cables, and the like. The grapple includes a plate member connecting the arms. The plate member slides along the grapple and allows the truck driver to use the grapple along with the telescopic handle. The plate member in conjunction with the grapple allows to hold and place the components at desired location for securing the load to the cargo platform. The truck driver adjusts the length of the telescopic handle and uses the grapple to hold the components during loading or unloading of the cargo platform.
Various features and embodiments of a device for aiding a truck driver in loading or unloading a cargo platform are explained in conjunction with the description of
The present invention discloses a device or tool for aiding a truck driver in loading or unloading a cargo platform such as a flatbed truck such as holding and placing cargo straps and edge protectors on the cargo platform.
As specified above, grapple 20 presents a U-shaped structure. Grapple 20 includes first arm 32 and second arm 34 that connect using bridge section 36. As can be seen from at least
Grapple 20 includes first hook 44. fist hook 44 extends from first arm 32 at first side 25. fist hook 44 includes first teeth 45 at the top i.e., at first end 23. First teeth 45 helps to grip components during loading and unloading of the cargo. In one example, first hook 44 includes tapered section 46 at the top i.e., at first end 23. Further, grapple 20 includes extended arm 48. Extended arm 48 extends from first arm 32 at an angle of about 45 degrees towards second end 24 at first side 25. Extended arm 48 forms area 50 for receiving larger components 18. In accordance with the present invention, extended arm 48 acts as a hook for holding components 18 during loading and unloading of the load.
Grapple 20 further includes second hook 52 extending from second arm 34 at second side 26. Second hook 52 presents first cut section 54 at first end 23. Second hook 52 includes second teeth 53 at the top i.e., at first end 23. Second teeth 53 helps to grip components during loading and unloading of the cargo. Further, second hook 52 presents second cut section 56 at the second side 26. In addition, grapple 20 includes third cut section 58 adjacent to second hook 52. Grapple 20 further includes third hook 60 extending from second arm 34 at second side 26. Third hook 60 positions underneath second hook 52. In one embodiment, second arm 34 includes holes 62 for connecting components 18. In one example, holes 62 position adjacent to second hook 52 and third hook 54, as shown in at least
As specified above, grapple 20 connects to telescopic handle 22.
In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, device 12 aids user 14 in loading cargo platform 16. For example, device 12 aids user 14 in holding and placement of the cargo on cargo platform 16 using components 18. As specified above, components 18 include, but not limited to, cargo straps, ratchet cargo straps, winch straps, tarps, edge protectors or strap corner protectors, chains, transport chains, binders, bungee tarp, clips, plates, flanges, detents, hooks or grab hooks, and the like. In the present embodiment, user 14 holds telescopic handle 22 to connect one or more components 18 using grapple 20 and secures the cargo or load to cargo platform 16. Here, user 14 connects components 18 at one of grooves 38, 40, 42, first hook 44, extended arm 48, second hook 52, cut sections 54, 56, 58, third hook 60, holes 62 and combination thereof. Upon connecting, user 14 adjusts the length of telescopic handle 22 to place components 18 for securing the cargo or load to cargo platform 16.
In one exemplary embodiment, user 14 uses a measurement scale (not shown) in conjunction with device 12 to measure the length and width of components 18, wherever necessary. For example, user 14 uses the measurement scale to measure the length of strap needed to hold components 18 during loading and/or unloading of cargo platform 16.
Based on the above, a person skilled in the art understands that the user or truck driver can use the presently disclosed device for placing a variety of components to secure the load to the cargo platform such as a flatbed truck. The user can adjust the length of the telescopic handle and hold/harness and place the components at desired place to secure the load. The user can stand beside the cargo platform and operate the device for securing the load or stand on the cargo platform to pick up and secure the load using various components. The presently disclosed device provides multiple hooks and grooves. As such, a single device is sufficient to hold many components and avoids the need for multiple tools for securing the load to the cargo platform. When not in use, the user can place the second telescopic member into the first telescopic member and secure it to the cargo platform without requiring an additional storage box for storing it. Further, the user can adjust the length of the telescopic handle to secure the load thereby avoiding an injury during loading of the cargo onto the cargo platform.
A person skilled in the art appreciates that the device may come in a variety of sizes depending on the need and comfort of the user. Further, different materials in addition to or instead of materials described herein may also be used and such implementations may be construed to be within the scope of the present invention. Further, many changes in the design and placement of components may take place without deviating from the scope of the presently disclosed device.
In the above description, numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of some embodiments, specific components, devices, methods, in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present invention. It will be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art that these specific details need not be employed, and should not be construed to limit the scope of the invention.
In the development of any actual implementation, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developer's specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints. Such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but may nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill. Hence as various changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
The foregoing description of embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the novel principles and invention disclosed herein may be applied to other embodiments without the use of the innovative faculty. It is contemplated that additional embodiments are within the spirit and true scope of the disclosed invention.
The present application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/257,963 filed Oct. 20, 2021, which is incorporated herein by its entirety and referenced thereto.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63257963 | Oct 2021 | US |
