Patent Application
20180281661
The present disclosure relates generally to a tension assembly, and more particularly to a load tension assembly having, among other things, a handle assembly having an ergonomic grip and trigger release for a relatively more efficient, versatile, and easier to use load tension assembly.
Modern load tension assemblies used to secure cargo are usually of two types, specifically, cam buckle or ratching style technologies.
A typical ratchet assembly includes a rotatable hub with a plurality of outwardly-extending teeth for engagement with a spring-loaded pawl. A terminal end of the ratchet assembly is anchored to a first point. As the spool is rotated in one direction, a line, such as a flat webbing attached to a second point is wrapped around the hub to apply a tension to the line. As the hub rotates, the pawl engages the teeth to prevent the hub from rotating in the opposite direction due to the tension from the line.
Cam buckle assembly technology differs in that the cam buckle is depressed to open the teeth of the assembly while manual tension in applied to pull the webbing through the cam buckle. The webbing is typically held in place by a back pressure on the closed teeth of the cam buckle.
Although load tension assemblies are well known, the complicated assembly and working mechanism of known handles and release mechanism make tensioning a load with known load tension assemblies a cumbersome and inefficient task.
As such, it would be desirable to provide an improved load tension assembly having, among other things, a handle assembly having an ergonomic grip and trigger release for a relatively more efficient, versatile, and easier to use load tension assembly.
For purposes of summarizing the disclosure, exemplary concepts have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such concepts may be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment. Thus, for example, those skilled in the art will recognize that embodiments may be carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one concept as taught herein without necessarily achieving other concepts as may be taught or suggested herein.
In one embodiment, a load tension assembly comprises a main body including a rotatable hub having a slot to accept a strap; a single gear connected to the rotatable hub; and a handle assembly having a drive pawl biased by a first spring to engage the single gear, and a trigger release connected to the drive pawl with the entire handle assembly positioned lateral to the rotatable hub.
In another embodiment, a load tension assembly comprises a main body including a rotatable hub; a single gear connected to the rotatable hub; and a handle assembly connected to the main body and positioned lateral to the rotatable hub, the handle assembly having a drive pawl engaged with the single gear, and a trigger release connected to the drive pawl.
These and other embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the various embodiments having reference to the attached figures, the disclosure not being limited to any particular embodiment.
Exemplary embodiments will now be described with references to the accompanying figures, wherein like reference numbers refer to like elements throughout. The terminology used in the description presented herein in not intended to be interpreted in any limited or restrictive manner simply because it is being utilized in conjunction with a detailed description of certain embodiments. Furthermore, various embodiments (whether or not specifically described herein) may include novel features, no single one of which is solely responsible for its desirable attributes or which is essential to practicing any of the embodiments herein described.
The present disclosure relates generally to a load tension assembly, and more particularly to a tension assembly having, among other things, an ergonomic handle and trigger release for a relatively more efficient, versatile, and easier to use load tension assembly.
As used herein, the term “hub” is intended to include a spindle, a spool, a sheave, or a similar type article(s) that is configured or may be adapted to permit rotation of the hub to facilitate tensioning of a “strap” used for the purpose of applying tension to secure a “load”.
As used herein, the term “strap” is intended to include a line, a rope (round synthetic, natural fiber, metal), a cable, a cord, a flat line (webbing), an anchor line or tensioning line, or a similar type of article(s) that may be adapted to be used with the load tension assembly disclosed herein for the purpose of applying tension, herein referred to as a “load tension”, to secure a “load”.
As used herein, the term“load” or “cargo” is intended to include any item or items that are generally secured to prevent movement of the item(s) while in a static position, or while being moved or transport from one position to another position. The load tension assembly described herein provides, among other things, an ergonomic handle and release trigger for a relatively more efficient, versatile, and easier to use load tension assembly.
Various parts, elements, components, etc, of the load tension assmbly disclosed herein may be constructed from metal, plastic, composite, or other suitable material or combination thereof for providing a rigid and sturdy structure to facilitate tensioning of a line for the purpose of securing a load.
The actual size and dimension of any and all of the various parts, elements, components, etc., of the load tension assembly may vary depending on various factors including, among other things, intending application or usage of the tension assembly, as well as the size of the load to be secured or prevented from moving while in a static position, or while being moved or transport from one position to another position.
Connection(s) between the various parts, elements, components, etc., of the load tension assembly may be accomplished using a variety of methods or processes. As such, the connections, whether integral and created via bending, or form molding, for example, or connected via bonding, hardware (nuts, bolts, washers, etc.), welding, or similar techniques, are well known in the art and omitted for simplicity.
In contrast to the known ratchet type load tension assembly, the novel load tension assembly disclosed herein provides a unique and relatively less complicated structural configuration resulting in ease of operation.
The main body 120 of the load tension assembly 105 includes a rotatable hub 140 having a slot 142 to receive or accept a strap 75. The strap 75 typically includes a hook or similar device to anchor or secure one end of the strap 75 to a structure while the opposite end of the strap 75 is placed into the slot 142 (
A handle assembly 155 having a grip 160 and trigger release 165 is attached to the main body 120 and configured to rotate the single gear 150 when the handle assembly 155 is moved in a direction relative to the main body 120 as shown in
The spaced apart first sidewall 166 and second sidewall 167 form a cavity 171 or space for positioning of the drive pawl 170, trigger release 165, and first spring therebetween. Each of the first sidewall 166 and second sidewall 167 include a corresponding sidewall slot 191, 192 for accepting the drive pawl 170 disposed between the first sidewall 166 and second sidewall 167. The first sidewall 166 and second sidewall 167 of the handle assembly 155 are elongated and of a sufficient length to provide improved leverage for ease of one hand operation. The first sidewall 166 and second sidewall 167 are connected to each other at a second end and are formed to receive the grip 160 to cover the second end. The grip 160 may be constructed of a durable material and curved to provide an ergonomic grip. In this regard, the grip 160 is ergonomically sized, shaped and constructed for comfort, proper hand placement, and improved leverage when grasping and moving the handle assembly 155.
The first side 125, the second side 130, the third side 135, the rotatable hub 140, and the knob 145 of the main body 120; and the single gear 150, the first sidewall 166, and the second sidewall 167 of the handle assembly 155 each have a orifice to receive a rod 182 that connects the aforementioned pieces in either a stationary (first side 125, second side 130, third side 135, first sidewall 166, and second sidewall 167) or a rotational position (single gear 150, rotatable hub 140, and knob 145) about the rod 182.
A stop pawl 180 is disposed within slots of the second side 130 and the third side 135 and is biased to engage the teeth 152 of the gear 150 by a second spring 185. As the handle assembly 155 is moved in a direction relative to the main body 120 as shown in
As such, the load tension assembly 105 comprises a main body 120 including a rotatable hub 140 having a slot 142 to accept a strap 75 and a single gear 150 connected to the rotatable hub 140. The load tension assembly 105 further includes a handle assembly 155 having a drive pawl 170 biased by a first spring 175 to engage the single gear 150 of the main body 120, and a trigger release 165 connected to the drive pawl 170. The entire handle assembly 155 is positioned lateral to the rotatable hub 140. Movement of the handle assembly 155 rotates the single gear 150 and the rotatable hub 140 to a position of rotation to wrap the strap 75 about the rotatable hub 140 and apply tension to the strap 75.
Pressure is applied to the trigger release 165 to overcome the bias of the first spring 175 and raise the drive pawl 170 from engagement with the teeth 152 of the gear 150. With the drive pawl 170 in a raised position, the handle assembly 155 is moved relative to the main body 120 in the load tension cycle from the second position to the first position to incrementally move the drive pawl 170 over the individual teeth 152 of the single gear 150. As the drive pawl 170 is disengaged from the teeth 152 and moved over the teeth 152 of the single gear 150 the stop pawl 180 prevents the single gear 150 and the rotatable hub 140 from rotating in a direction opposite to the movement provided by the handle assembly 155 when moved from the first position to the second position. In this regard, the position of rotation of the rotatable hub 140 and the single gear 150 as a result of moving the handle assembly 155 from the first position to the second position is maintained. The process of moving the handle assembly 155 back-and-forth from the first position to the second and the second position to the first position within the load tension cycle repeats to tension the strap 75 and apply a load tension to a load.
In order to release the tension to a load, the handle assembly 155 is moved to a third position within the load tension cycle, as shown in
Accordingly, the subject matter disclosed herein provides for among other things, a handle assembly having an ergonomic grip and trigger release for a relatively more efficient, versatile, and easier to use load tension assembly.
Although the method(s)/step(s) are illustrated and described herein as occurring in a certain order, the specific order, or any combination or interpretation of the order, is not required. Obvious modifications will make themselves apparent to those skilled in the art, all of which will not depart from the essence of the disclosed subject matter, and all such changes and modifications are intended to be encompassed within the appended claims.
