Patent Application
20150040359
The present disclosure relates generally to a tensioning assembly, and more particularly to a tensioning assembly having, among other things, a relatively more efficient, adjustable, and compact gear assembly.
Modern tensioning, tie down, or pulley assemblies including ratchet buckles, turn buckles, cam buckles, over-center buckles, winches, and similar devices 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 incrementally engages the teeth to prevent the hub from rotating in the opposite direction due to the tension from the line.
Cam buckle assembly technology requires the same method of line installation as the ratcheting type device, but 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 tensioning assemblies are well known, it would be desirable to provide an improved tensioning assembly having, among other things, a gear assembly for applying a tension to a line in a relatively more efficient, adjustable, and compact manner.
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 tensioning assembly comprising a worm gear having a core and a thread design formed on the core, wherein the core has a catenoidal shape.
In another embodiment, a tensioning assembly comprising a frame having a first end and a second end opposite the first end; and a strap connected to the first end, wherein the second end is configured to interchangeable accept a device to secure the second end.
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 tensioning assembly, and more particularly to a tensioning assembly having, among other things, a relatively more efficient, adjustable, and compact gear 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 “line” used for the purpose of applying tension to secure a “load”.
As used herein, the term “line” is intended to include 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 tensioning assembly disclosed herein for the purpose of applying 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 tensioning assembly described herein provides, among other things, a relatively more efficient, adjustable, and compact gear assembly (a relatively small “footprint”), for manual or motorized tensioning of a line to secure a load.
Various parts, elements, components, etc, of the tensioning assembly 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., may vary depending on various factors including, among other things, intending application or usage of the tensioning 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 tensioning 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.
A terminal or anchor post 56 is disposed between the first sidewall 15 and the second sidewall 20 along a second end 58 of the frame 10 opposite the first end 45 of the frame 10. In this embodiment, the anchor post 56 is configured to receive an end of a second line around the anchor post 56. An end of the second line opposite the end that is around the anchor post 56 may be connected a hook to secure the second end. In another embodiment, the second line may be thread through a device similar to that which is commonly used on book bags to take up the slack of the second line and secure the line in the device.
In still another embodiment, the need for the second line or anchor post 56 may be eliminated as a terminal hook, clamp, or similar device may be interchangeably attached to the second end 58 or integral formed by welding, bolting, or similar means with the second end 58 of the frame 10 of the tensioning assembly 5. In this regard, the second end 58 may be configured to interchangeable accept or permanently accept a device to secure the second end 58 of the tensioning device 5.
As disclosed herein, with the second line of the anchor post 56 secured to a first point, the first line 42 secured to a second point, and the tensioning assembly 5 place about a load, rotation of the hub 35 in one direction wraps the first line 42 around the hub 35 to apply a tension to the first line and second line and secure the load in place.
As best shown in
The gear 50 and the worm gear 90 together form a bi-directional rotation gear assembly or simply a gear assembly 93. As disclosed herein, the gear assembly 93, that is, the gear or first drive gear 50 and the worm gear or second gear drive 90 are just one example of bi-directional rotation gear assemblies that transfer rotational movement from the second axis of rotation “G1” to the first axis of rotation “H1”. Other examples of bi-directional rotation gear assemblies that may be used in the tensioning assembly 5 disclosed herein include, but are not limited to a straight bevel gear assembly, a spiral bevel gear assembly, a hypoid gear assembly, and other bi-directional rotation gear assemblies used in differentials, gear boxes, transmissions and similar structures, but on a smaller scale.
Persons of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the orientation of the core 95, that is, the first post 105 and the second post 110 and the respective connection to the upper ledge 75 or lower ledge 80 may be reversed within the scope of the disclosure. As shown in
As shown in
Returning specifically to
In the embodiment shown in
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Accordingly, upon rotation of either of the first gear 120, the second gear 125, or the third gear 130, the hub 35 is caused to rotate as the hub 35 is operatively connected to the worm gear 90, which in turn is operatively connected to the gear train 115.
In contrast to the audiable clicking heard when applying tension to a ratchet assembly, rotation of the gear train 115 is smooth and substantially silent. In this regard, the tensioning assembly 5 disclosed herein is particularly advantageous for police, military, or tactical applications where stealth and silent operation is desirable. As shown in
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As indicated above, the tensioning assembly 5 described herein provides, among other things, a relatively more efficient, adjustable, and compact gear assembly (a relatively small “footprint”). In this regard, positioning of the handle 140 on the second gear 125 provides a relatively small “footprint” for the entire tensioning assembly 5. In this regard, as best shown in
Rotational torque to the handle 140 positioned at an approximate midpoint between the first sidewall 15 and the second sidewall 20 provides for a relatively more balanced and stable structure when compared to the back-and-forth handle movement associated with the ratchet assembly that tends to drive the entire ratchet assembly up and down.
Adjustability of the tensioning assembly 5, that is, the ability to remove, attach, and operatively connect the handle 140 to either the first gear 120, the second gear 125, or the third gear 130, permits rotation of the handle 140 and tensioning of the lines attached to the tensioning assembly 5 to secure a load even in relatively tight spaces. That is, if placement of the tensiong assembly 5 on the second gear 125 does not permit adequate access to the handle 140 and sufficient torque to be applied due to space limitation along the first sidewall 15, the handle 140 may be removed from the second gear 125 and operatively connected to either the first gear 120 or the third gear 130.
The tensioning assembly 5 disclosed herein applies a bi-directional rotational force to the hub 35 in both the take up (rotational tensioning) and release (de-tensioning) direction without the tension “back off” normally experienced with ratchet type mechanisms. Accordingly, in one embodiment, a dedicated locking mechanism to prevent release of the tension once the load is secured in not required. In this regard, reverse rotation or rotation of the handle 140 in a direction opposite to the direction used to tension the lines and secure the load may be utilized to release the tension and unsecure the load.
In another embodiment (not shown), the handle 140, gear train 115, and bridge 60 may be correspondingly configured or adapted to permit the handle 140 to function as a locking mechanism to lock the gear train 115 in place after application of tension is induced in the lines to secure the load. In this regard, the handle 140, one or more gears 120, 125, 130 of the gear train 115, and the bridge 60 may include a “lock and key” structure having protrusions and corresponding recesses that permit, for example, protrusions of the handle 140 to engage recesses of the gear to permit rotation of the gear train 115 by the handle 140 when the handle 140 is in an up or raised position. After tension is applied to the lines by rotation of the gear train 115, the handle 140 is placed in a down or lowered position to engage protrusions formed on the handle 140 with recesses formed on each of the gear and the bridge 60 to prohibit rotation of the gear train 115, essentially locking the gear train 115 in place with tension applied.
Another benefit of the tensioning assembly 5 is that a precise amount of tension can be applied to the tensioning assembly 5 disclosed herein with relatively greater control, either to increase or decrease tension in smaller amounts in the tensioning assembly 5 not attainable by either the cam buckle or the ratchet style devices. As explain in greater detail below, the fine control of tension could interface with a standard force gauge to indicate the applied manual or motorized force in real-time, and in any unit of measure.
As shown in the aforementioned figures, the tensioning assembly may be combined with an electronic interface to signal or warn of a change in tension, either a loss or an increase in tension. The electronic interface may be enabled via blue tooth or other wireless technology and configured to communicate one of a programmed alert message, a sound or an alarm, activate a strobe or other beacon to another device to visually (LED) and audibly indicate a change in a defined parameter (tension imposed on the tensioning device). In this regard, the interface may provide a read out of a measure of strain imposed on the tensioning assembly. A loss of tension may be attributed to component level assembly failure, anchor point failure, or an unauthorized removal of tension making the tensioning device not only an apparatus and method to secure cargo and prevent unwanted shifting of the cargo, but to also an apparatus and method to serve as a theft deterrent. The electronic interface may include a miniature load cell with force gauge technology and a digital display to allow input of parameters regarding assembly tension.
A further embodiment of the tensioning assembly may include a motor or similar device that allows for an automated motorized tension operation with electronic interface for preprogramming load tension, time (duration of tensioning), spool out speed/time, spool up speed/time, and my include a programmed security code to enable functionality, thus functioning as an automatic tensioning assembly with defined operational parameters/characteristics and as an anti-theft system. The interface may be realized in a mobile device such as a smart phone, PDA, computer, or similar device that would permit input via the interface to communicate the various aforementioned operational parameters to the tensioning assembly and receive load tension parameters from the tensioning assembly.
A method or process of tensioning a load with the tensioning assembly 5 typically includes securing a first line to a relatively stable, secure, or stationary object; passing the line over, around, about, etc. a load that is intended to be secured; and passing the first line through the slot 40 formed in the hub 35 of the tensioning assembly 5. Securing the second line attached to the anchor post 56 of the tensioning assembly 5 to another relatively, stable, secure, or stationary object. Removing excess slack that may be present in the first line and second line by pulling an end of the first line so that the first line is pulled taut through the slot 40 of the hub 35. Rotating the handle 140 of the tensioning assembly 5 in one direction to rotate the drive train 115, the worm gear 90, the gear 50, and the hub 35 to wrap the first line around the hub 35 to apply a tension to the first line and second line and secure the load in place.
Releasing the tension that was placed on the first line and the second line and unsecuring the load is accomplished by rotating the handle 140 in an opposite direction to the direction of rotation used to apply tension to the first line and second line and secure the load.
As such, the subject matter disclosed herein provides for an improved tensioning assembly having, among other things, a relatively more efficient, adjustable, and compact gear 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.
