U.S. patent application number 12/080237 was filed with the patent office on 2008-09-25 for cargo bracing device.
Invention is credited to Vincent Chang.
Application Number | 20080232922 12/080237 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39774873 |
Filed Date | 2008-09-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080232922 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chang; Vincent |
September 25, 2008 |
Cargo bracing device
Abstract
A cargo bracing device includes a base having two side plates
for rotatably attaching a reel drum, one or more toothed discs
attached to the reel drum and controlled to rotate relative to the
base with a stop, an operating arm having two legs rotatably
attached to the reel drum, a catch device attached to the operating
arm and engaged with the toothed disc, and an anchoring device may
detachably anchor the catch device to the operating arm for
limiting the catch device to slide relative to the legs of the
operating arm and for preventing the operating arm from being
disengaged from the reel drum. The operating arm includes an
opening formed in each leg for detachably engaging with the reel
drum and for preventing the cargo from being stolen by the
unauthorized persons.
Inventors: |
Chang; Vincent; (Changhua,
TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CHARLES E. BAXLEY, ESQUIRE
90 JOHN STREET, SUITE 309
NEW YORK
NY
10038
US
|
Family ID: |
39774873 |
Appl. No.: |
12/080237 |
Filed: |
April 1, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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11725666 |
Mar 20, 2007 |
7350768 |
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12080237 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
410/103 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60P 7/083 20130101;
B25B 25/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
410/103 |
International
Class: |
B61D 45/00 20060101
B61D045/00 |
Claims
1. A cargo bracing device comprising: a base including two side
plates, said side plates each including an orifice formed therein,
a reel drum rotatably engaged in said orifices of said side plates
of said base for rotatably attaching said reel drum to said base,
at least one toothed disc attached to said reel drum and rotated in
concert with said reel drum, and including a plurality of disc
teeth provided thereon, a spring-biased stop slidably attached to
said base and engaged with said disc teeth of said at least one
toothed disc, for limiting said at least one toothed disc and said
reel drum to rotate relative to said base in an active direction
and for preventing said reel drum from being rotated in a reverse
direction relative to said base, an operating arm including two
legs rotatably attached to said reel drum, a spring-biased catch
device slidably attached to said operating arm and engaged with
said disc teeth of said at least one toothed disc, for allowing
said at least one toothed disc and said reel drum to be rotated
relative to said base by said operating arm in the active direction
and for preventing said reel drum from being rotated in the reverse
direction relative to said base by said operating arm, and means
for anchoring said catch device to said operating arm and for
limiting said catch device to slide relative to said legs of said
operating arm and for preventing said operating arm from being
disengaged from said reel drum.
2. The cargo bracing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said
operating arm includes an opening formed in each of said legs for
receiving said reel drum and for attaching said legs of said
operating arm to said reel drum, and said opening of at least one
of said legs includes an open portion for detachably engaging with
said reel drum.
3. The cargo bracing device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said
catch device includes two pawls for selectively engaging into said
open portion of said opening of said legs and for selectively
closing said opened opening of said legs.
4. The cargo bracing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said
anchoring means includes a latch slidably engaged through said
catch device for selectively engaging with said operating arm and
for anchoring said catch device to said operating arm.
5. The cargo bracing device as claimed in claim 4, wherein a spring
member is engaged between said latch and said catch device for
biasing and moving said latch from said operating arm.
6. The cargo bracing device as claimed in claim 4, wherein an
actuating member is attached the catch device and engaged with said
latch for actuating said latch to selectively engage with said
operating arm.
7. The cargo bracing device as claimed in claim 6, wherein said
actuating member is rotatably attached the catch device with an
axle and includes an actuating surface for engaging with said
latch.
8. The cargo bracing device as claimed in claim 7, wherein said
actuating surface is a helical actuating surface having a deeper
portion and a shallower portion.
9. The cargo bracing device as claimed in claim 8, wherein said
actuating member includes a partition provided between said deeper
portion and said shallower portion of said actuating surface.
10. The cargo bracing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said
reel drum includes two drum halves spaced away from each other for
forming a strap receiving slot between said drum halves.
11. The cargo bracing device as claimed in claim 10, wherein said
at least one toothed disc include two apertures formed therein for
receiving said drum halves of said reel drum respectively and for
allowing said at least one toothed disc to be rotated in concert
with said reel drum.
Description
[0001] The present invention is a continuation-in-part of U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 11/725,666, filed 20 Mar. 2007,
allowed.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a strapping device or a
cargo bracing or tie-down or fastening device, and more
particularly to a cargo bracing device including an actuating
handle selectively detached or disassembled or disengaged from the
cargo bracing device for preventing the cargo bracing device from
being operated or actuated by unauthorized persons.
[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0005] Typical cargo bracing or tie-down or fastening device or
strapping devices comprise two arms pivotally mounted about a reel
drum on which are mounted toothed discs which turn with the drum,
the first arm includes a first catch engaged with the teeth of the
disc teeth for preventing the belt and the reel drum from being
rotated reversely and for allowing the belt to be wound onto the
reel drum, and the second arm includes a second catch engaged with
the teeth of the disc teeth for preventing the belt and the reel
drum from being rotated reversely when the belt and the reel drum
are pivoting relative to the arms.
[0006] For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,199,182 to Sunesson, and U.S.
Pat. No. 4,542,883 to Rutzki, U.S. Pat. No. 5,103,536 to Kamper,
U.S. Pat. No. 5,205,020 to Kamper, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,271,606 to
Kamper disclose five of the typical devices for tightening and
locking load-fastening belts each also comprising two arms
pivotally mounted about a reel drum for winding or tighting the
belt with the reel drum by pivoting or rotating the arms relative
to each other.
[0007] However, after the belt is wound or tightened onto the reel
drum by the arms, one of the arms or the pivoting arm may not be
removed or detached or disassembled or disengaged from the
strapping device such that the belt may also be easily unwound or
released from the reel drum with the arms by the unauthorized
persons. For example, it will be dangerous and the cargo may fall
down when the arms are operated or actuated by such as the children
inadvertently.
[0008] The present invention has arisen to mitigate and/or obviate
the afore-described disadvantages of the conventional cargo bracing
or tie-down or fastening devices or strapping devices.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The primary objective of the present invention is to provide
a cargo bracing device including an actuating handle selectively
detached or disassembled or disengaged from the cargo bracing
device for preventing the cargo bracing device from being operated
or actuated by unauthorized persons.
[0010] The other objective of the present invention is to provide a
cargo bracing device including a lock device for selectively
locking the actuating handle and for preventing the actuating
handle from being detached or disassembled or disengaged from the
cargo bracing device inadvertently.
[0011] In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is
provided a cargo bracing device comprising a base including two
side plates, the side plates each including an orifice formed
therein, a reel drum rotatably engaged in the orifices of the side
plates of the base for rotatably attaching the reel drum to the
base, at least one toothed disc attached to the reel drum and
rotated in concert with the reel drum, and including a plurality of
disc teeth provided thereon, a spring-biased stop slidably attached
to the base and engaged with the disc teeth of the toothed disc,
for limiting the toothed disc and the reel drum to rotate relative
to the base in an active direction and for preventing the reel drum
from being rotated in a reverse direction relative to the base, an
operating arm including two legs rotatably attached to the reel
drum, a spring-biased catch device slidably attached to the
operating arm and engaged with the disc teeth of the toothed disc,
for allowing the toothed disc and the reel drum to be rotated
relative to the base by the operating arm in the active direction
and for preventing the reel drum from being rotated in the reverse
direction relative to the base by the operating arm, and an
anchoring device for anchoring the catch device to the operating
arm and for limiting the catch device to slide relative to the legs
of the operating arm and for preventing the operating arm from
being disengaged from the reel drum when required.
[0012] The operating arm includes an opening formed in each of the
legs for receiving the reel drum and for attaching the legs of the
operating arm to the reel drum, and the opening of at least one of
the legs includes an open portion for detachably engaging with the
reel drum.
[0013] The catch device includes two pawls for selectively engaging
into the open portion of the opening of the legs and for
selectively closing the opened opening of the legs.
[0014] The anchoring device includes a latch slidably engaged
through the catch device for selectively engaging with the
operating arm and for anchoring the catch device to the operating
arm.
[0015] A spring member is further provided and engaged between the
latch and the catch device for biasing and moving the latch from
the operating arm.
[0016] An actuating member is further provided and attached the
catch device and engaged with the latch for actuating the latch to
selectively engage with the operating arm. The actuating member may
be rotatably attached the catch device with an axle and includes an
actuating surface for engaging with the latch.
[0017] The actuating surface is a helical actuating surface having
a deeper portion and a shallower portion. The actuating member
includes a partition provided between the deeper portion and the
shallower portion of the actuating surface.
[0018] The reel drum includes two drum halves spaced away from each
other for forming a strap receiving slot between the drum
halves.
[0019] The toothed disc include two apertures formed therein for
stably receiving the drum halves of the reel drum respectively and
for allowing the toothed disc to be rotated in concert with the
reel drum.
[0020] Further objectives and advantages of the present invention
will become apparent from a careful reading of the detailed
description provided hereinbelow, with appropriate reference to the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] FIG. 1 is a partial exploded of a cargo bracing device in
accordance with the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view illustrating the lock
device of the cargo bracing device;
[0023] FIG. 3 is an upper perspective view of the cargo bracing
device;
[0024] FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the cargo bracing device
taken along lines 4-4 of FIG. 3;
[0025] FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view similar to FIG. 4
illustrating the operation of the cargo bracing device; and
[0026] FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view similar to FIGS. 4-5,
illustrating the other arrangement of the cargo bracing device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0027] Referring to the drawings, and initially to FIGS. 1-4, a
cargo bracing device 1 in accordance with the present invention
comprises two arms or a base 10 and an operating arm 30 to be
pivotally coupled together or pivotally mounted about a reel drum
20, for example, the base 10 includes two side walls or plates 11
extended from a lateral or base wall or plate 12, the side plates
11 each include an orifice 13 formed therein for rotatably
receiving the reel drum 20, the reel drum 20 includes two drum
halves 21 spaced away from each other for forming or defining a
strap receiving slot 22 between the two drum halves 21, and one or
more (such as two) toothed discs 23 attached or mounted or secured
onto the reel drum 20.
[0028] For example, the toothed discs 23 each include one or more
(such as two) apertures 24 formed therein (FIG. 1) for receiving
the end portions of the drum halves 21 of the reel drum 20
respectively and for allowing the toothed discs 23 to be turned or
rotated in concert with the reel drum 20. The toothed discs 23 each
further include a number of disc teeth 25 provided or formed
thereon, and one or more (such as two) clamping or retaining rings
26 are attached or engaged with the reel drum 20, such as engaged
with the peripheral depressions (not shown) the reel drum 20 for
engaging with the side plates 11 and for positioning the reel drum
20 to the base 10 and for preventing the reel drum 20 from being
moved laterally relative to the base 10 and for preventing the reel
drum 20 from being disengaged from the base 10.
[0029] The base 10 includes a channel 14 formed in each of the side
plates 11 for slidably attaching or receiving a spring-biased stop
40 which includes one or more (such as two) limbs 41 for engaging
with the disc teeth 25 of the toothed discs 23 and for guiding or
limiting the toothed discs 23 and the reel drum 20 to rotate
relative to the base 10 in one or an active direction only and for
preventing the reel drum 20 from being rotated in a reverse
direction relative to the base 10 and thus for allowing the reel
drum 20 to rotate only in the active direction relative to the base
10. The base 10 includes a spring member 42 attached to the base
plate 12 for engaging with the stop 40 and for biasing or forcing
the limbs 41 of the stop 40 to engage with the disc teeth 25 of the
toothed discs 23 and for guiding or limiting the toothed discs 23
and the reel drum 20 to rotate relative to the base 10, and thus
for allowing the toothed discs 23 and the reel drum 20 to rotate in
the active direction relative to the base 10 step by step.
[0030] The operating arm 30 includes two legs 31 disposed or
arranged parallel to each other, and one or more rods 32 straddled
or secured between the legs 31 for reinforcing the legs 31 and for
forming a stable or solid structure for the operating arm 30. The
legs 31 each include a free end or a mounting portion 33 having an
opening 34 formed therein and an open portion 35 formed in the
outer portion of the opening 34 of the legs 31 in order to form the
opened opening 34 for the legs 31, or the opening 34 of the legs 31
includes an open portion 35, and thus for allowing the end portions
of the reel drum 20 to be engaged into the opened opening 34 of the
legs 31 respectively, and/or for allowing the legs 31 of the
operating arm 30 to be rotatably attached or mounted or secured or
engaged onto the reel drum 20.
[0031] The operating arm 30 further includes a groove 36 formed in
each of the legs 31 for slidably receiving a spring-biased catch
device 50 which may be engaged with the disc teeth 25 of the
toothed discs 23 for allowing the toothed discs 23 and the reel
drum 20 to be forced to rotate relative to the base 10 in the
active direction by the operating arm 30. One or more (such as two)
spring members 52 are engaged or attached or secured to the legs 31
and engaged with the legs 31 of the operating arm 30 and the catch
device 50 for biasing or forcing the catch device 50 to engage with
the disc teeth 25 of the toothed discs 23 and for allowing the
toothed discs 23 and the reel drum 20 to be rotated relative to the
base 10 by the operating arm 30 in the active direction, or for
allowing the operating arm 30 to be rotated freely relative to the
reel drum 20 in the reverse direction, but not to be rotated
relative to the reel drum 20 in the active direction, and thus for
allowing the belt (not shown) to be wound onto the reel drum 20
step by step.
[0032] As shown in dotted lines in FIGS. 4-6, the catch device 50
includes one or more (such as two) pawls 51 for selectively
extending or engaging into the open portion 35 of the opening 34 of
the legs 31 by moving the catch device 50 relative to the legs 31
for selectively closing or blocking the opened opening 34 of the
legs 31, or for selectively and detachably securing or retaining
the legs 31 of the operating arm 30 to the reel drum 20, and for
preventing the legs 31 of the operating arm 30 from being
disengaged from the reel drum 20 and the base 10.
[0033] As shown in FIG. 4, the limbs 41 of the stop 40 may be
biased or forced to engage with the disc teeth 25 of the toothed
discs 23 by the spring members 42 for limiting and allowing the
toothed discs 23 and the reel drum 20 to rotate relative to the
base 10 in the active direction, i.e. clockwise relative to the
base 10, and for preventing the reel drum 20 from being rotated in
the reverse direction, i.e. counterclockwise relative to the base
10, or for preventing the belt and the reel drum 20 from being
rotated reversely, i.e. counterclockwise relative to the base 10.
At this moment, the toothed discs 23 and the reel drum 20 may be
forced to rotate relative to the base 10 in the active direction,
i.e. in the clockwise direction relative to the base 10, by the
operating arm 30 and the catch device 50.
[0034] The operating arm 30 may be rotated reversely, i.e.
counterclockwise relative to the base 10 when the toothed discs 23
and the reel drum 20 are positioned or latched by the limbs 41 of
the stop 40, and thus for allowing the toothed discs 23 and the
reel drum 20 to be forced to rotate relative to the base 10 in the
active direction, i.e. clockwise relative to the base 10, by the
operating arm 30 and the catch device 50 step by step, in order to
wind the belt onto the reel drum 20 step by step. After the belt
has been tightly wound onto the reel drum 20 by the operating arm
30, or when required, the catch device 50 may be moved or pulled
against the spring members 52 to selectively disengage the pawls 51
from the open portion 35 or the opening 34 of the legs 31, and thus
to allow the legs 31 of the operating arm 30 to be selectively
disengaged from the reel drum 20 and the base 10 or separated from
the cargo bracing device 1, and thus to prevent the operating arm
30 of the cargo bracing device 1 from being operated or actuated by
unauthorized persons.
[0035] It is to be noted that the typical cargo bracing or tie-down
or fastening devices or strapping devices failed to provide an
operating arm 30 having two legs 31 selectively disengageable from
the reel drum 20 and the base 10 after the belt has been tightly
wound onto the reel drum 20 by the operating arm 30, for preventing
the cargo bracing device 1 from being operated or actuated by the
unauthorized persons and for preventing the cargo from being stolen
by the unauthorized persons. The above-described structure has been
disclosed in the co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No.
11/725,666, filed 20 Mar. 2007, which may be taken as a reference
for the present invention.
[0036] The cargo bracing device 1 further includes a locking or
securing or anchoring means or device 60 for selectively and
releaseably or detachably anchoring the catch device 50 to the legs
31 of the operating arm 30, and for limiting the catch device 50 to
slide relative to the legs 31 of the operating arm 30, and for
preventing the pawls 51 of the catch device 50 from being detached
or disassembled or disengaged from the open portion 35 or the
opening 34 of the legs 31 of the operating arm 30 inadvertently,
and for preventing the legs 31 of the operating arm 30 from being
disengaged from the reel drum 20 and the base 10 inadvertently. For
example, the anchoring means or device 60 includes an actuating
member 61 rotatably attached or mounted or secured to the catch
device 50 with an axle 62, and the actuating member 61 includes an
inclined or helical actuating surface 63 formed or provided in the
bottom portion of the actuating member 61 (FIG. 2) and having a
deeper end or portion 64, and a shallower end or portion 65, and a
partition 66 formed or provided between the two ends 64, 65 of the
helical actuating surface 63.
[0037] The anchoring means or device 60 further includes a latch 67
slidably engaged into or through an orifice 54 of the catch device
50 for selectively engaging with either of the rods 32 or the
operating arm 30 and for selectively anchoring or securing or
locking the catch device 50 to the operating arm 30 and for
preventing the catch device 50 from being moved relative to the
operating arm 30 and thus for preventing the pawls 51 of the catch
device 50 from being detached or disassembled or disengaged from
the open portion 35 or the opening 34 of the legs 31 and thus for
preventing the legs 31 of the operating arm 30 from being
disengaged from the reel drum 20 and the base 10 inadvertently. A
spring member 68 may be engaged onto the latch 67 and engaged
between the latch 67 and the catch device 50 for biasing and moving
the latch 67 from the rods 32 or the operating arm 30.
[0038] In operation, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the inclined or
helical actuating surface 63 of the actuating member 61 is engaged
with the latch 67 for actuating the latch 67 to selectively engage
with either of the rods 32 or the operating arm 30 (FIG. 5) when
the shallower end or portion 65 of the inclined or helical
actuating surface 63 of the actuating member 61 is engaged with the
latch 67, and for allowing the latch 67 to be selectively
disengaged from the rods 32 or the operating arm 30 (FIG. 4) when
the deeper end or portion 64 of the actuating member 61 is engaged
with the latch 67. The partition 66 may be selectively engaged with
the latch 67 for limiting the rotational movement of the actuating
member 61 relative to the latch 67. It is to be noted that the
engagement of the latch 67 with the rods 32 or the operating arm 30
is arranged to allow the catch device 50 to slightly move relative
to the operating arm 30 and to allow the catch device 50 to be
selectively engaged with or disengaged from the disc teeth 25 of
the toothed discs 23, and is arranged to prevent the pawls 51 of
the catch device 50 from being completely detached or disassembled
or disengaged from the open portion 35 or the opening 34 of the
legs 31.
[0039] Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 6, the latch or latch 67 may
be slidably engaged into or through another orifice 55 of the catch
device 50 for selectively and suitably engaging with either of the
rods 32 or the operating arm 30 and for selectively anchoring or
securing or anchoring the catch device 50 to the operating arm 30
and for preventing the catch device 50 from being moved relative to
the operating arm 30 and thus for preventing the pawls 51 of the
catch device 50 from being detached or disassembled or disengaged
from the open portion 35 or the opening 34 of the legs 31 and thus
for preventing the legs 31 of the operating arm 30 from being
disengaged from the reel drum 20 and the base 10 inadvertently.
[0040] Accordingly, the cargo bracing device in accordance with the
present invention includes an actuating handle selectively detached
or disassembled or disengaged from the cargo bracing device for
preventing the cargo bracing device from being operated or actuated
by unauthorized persons, and includes a lock device for selectively
anchoring the actuating handle and for preventing the actuating
handle from being detached or disassembled or disengaged from the
cargo bracing device inadvertently.
[0041] Although this invention has been described with a certain
degree of particularity, it is to be understood that the present
disclosure has been made by way of example only and that numerous
changes in the detailed construction and the combination and
arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the
spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.
* * * * *