U.S. patent application number 12/082106 was filed with the patent office on 2008-10-16 for device for fastening cargo in a transportation means.
Invention is credited to Hartmut Bohlke, Andreas Goebbels, Wolfgang Sitzler.
Application Number | 20080253855 12/082106 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39560933 |
Filed Date | 2008-10-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080253855 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bohlke; Hartmut ; et
al. |
October 16, 2008 |
Device for fastening cargo in a transportation means
Abstract
The invention relates to a device for fastening cargo in a
transportation means comprising at least one guide rail (1) and at
least one fastening element (2) which can be attached to the guide
rail (1) and has a catch element (22), wherein the guide rail (1)
has a substantially C-shaped profile having two shoulders (10) and
a groove (11), the catch element (22) is insertable into the groove
(11) and the catch element (22) which is inserted into the groove
(11) is pivotable about an axis extending substantially parallel to
the longitudinal axis (L) of the guide rail, so at least one catch
lug (23) of the catch element (22) engages with an undercut, formed
by at least one of the shoulders (10), in the guide rail (1) and
the fastening element (2) is arrested on the guide rail (1) at
least in a vertical direction of the guide rail.
Inventors: |
Bohlke; Hartmut; (Wuppertal,
DE) ; Goebbels; Andreas; (Kuerten, DE) ;
Sitzler; Wolfgang; (Wuppertal, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FLYNN THIEL BOUTELL & TANIS, P.C.
2026 RAMBLING ROAD
KALAMAZOO
MI
49008-1631
US
|
Family ID: |
39560933 |
Appl. No.: |
12/082106 |
Filed: |
April 9, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
410/104 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60P 7/0815
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
410/104 |
International
Class: |
B61D 45/00 20060101
B61D045/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 13, 2007 |
DE |
102007018254.8 |
Claims
1. Device for fastening cargo in a transportation means comprising
at least one guide rail (1, 101, 201) and at least one fastening
element (2, 102, 202, 302) which can be attached to the guide rail
(1, 101, 201) and has a catch element (22, 122, 222, 322),
characterized in that the guide rail (1, 101, 201) has a
substantially C-shaped profile having two shoulders (10, 110, 210)
and a groove (11, 111, 211), the catch element (22, 122, 222, 322)
is insertable into the groove (11, 111, 211) and the catch element
(22, 122, 222, 322) which is inserted into the groove (11, 111,
211) is pivotable about an axis extending substantially parallel to
the longitudinal axis (L) of the guide rail (1, 101, 201), so at
least one catch lug (23, 123, 223, 323) of the catch element (22,
122, 222, 322) engages with an undercut, formed by at least one of
the shoulders (10, 110, 210), in the guide rail (1, 101, 201) and
the fastening element (2, 102, 202, 302) is arrested on the guide
rail (1, 101, 201) at least in a vertical direction (H) of the
guide rail (1, 101, 201).
2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the fastening
element (2, 102, 202, 302) is a shackle.
3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the catch
element (2, 102) is formed in one piece with a gripping part (20,
120) of the shackle.
4. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the fastening
element (102, 302) has a holding element (121, 321), the catch
element (122, 322) being swivelably mounted on the holding element
(121, 321).
5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the holding
element (121, 321) has at least one projection (125) which rests on
an outside of at least one shoulder (110) when the catch element
(122) is inserted into the groove (11).
6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the holding
element (123) has at least one holding lug (126) by means of which
the holding element (123) can be attached to an edge (113)
bordering the shoulder (110).
7. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the catch
element (222) is configured in the manner of a fluke of a folding
anchor.
8. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the catch
element (222) for insertion into the groove (211) and/or for
displacement along the groove (211) is received in a housing
(224).
9. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the catch
element (22, 122, 322, 422) is pivotable between a first position
for insertion into the groove (11, 211) and a second position for
reaching behind the undercut, formed by at least one shoulder (10,
110, 210), in the guide rail (1, 101, 201).
10. Device according to claim 9, characterized in that the catch
element (222, 322) is secured in at least one position by a
securing element (224), in particular a closure latch or a
spring.
11. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that the
securing provided by the closure element can be canceled by means
of an operating element, in particular by means of an actuating
button (325) or the like.
12. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the catch
element (322) is pivotable by means of an axially displaceable
actuating element, in particular by means of a button (325) or the
like.
Description
[0001] The invention relates to a device for fastening cargo in a
transportation means comprising at least one guide rail and at
least one fastening element which can be attached to the guide rail
and has at least one catch element.
[0002] Devices for fastening cargo are used, for example, in the
loading region of transport vehicles, utility vehicles or the like.
A device for clamping belts or loads at a plurality of
predetermined locations is known, for example, from EP 1 108 608
B1. The device comprises a U-shaped rail which is arranged on the
wall of a transport vehicle and has recesses defining predetermined
clamping locations. The device further comprises a moving clamping
element which is displaceably arranged in a channel in the U-shaped
rail and has a bolt or positioning part which is tensioned by a
spring such as to become lodged and jammed in one of the recesses.
A position for attaching the clamping element is in this case not
freely selectable but rather determined by an arrangement of the
recesses.
[0003] DE 43 36 762 C1 further discloses a device for fastening
cargo to loading surfaces of transportation means that comprises a
holding rail and fastening elements which can be arrested in the
holding rail. The fastening elements have a clamping part for
insertion into the holding rail, the holding rail having a
substantially trapezoidal profile with a cross section tapering
toward the opening and the clamping part being made of an
elastically deformable material and having a peg shape, the width
of which is less than and the length of which is greater than the
clear width of the opening in the holding rail. For engagement with
the holding rail, the clamping part is rotated through approx.
90.degree. about an axis extending parallel to the vertical
direction of the holding rail, so the clamping part presses against
the trapezoidal profile of the holding rail and is thus
arrested.
[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide a device
for fastening cargo in a transportation means allowing simple,
rapid and flexible fastening of cargo in the transportation
means.
[0005] This object is achieved by a device for fastening cargo to a
transportation means comprising at least one guide rail and at
least one fastening element which can be attached to the guide rail
and has a catch element, wherein the guide rail has a substantially
C-shaped profile having two shoulders and a groove, the catch
element is insertable into the groove and the catch element which
is inserted into the groove is pivotable about an axis extending
substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the guide rail,
so at least one catch lug of the catch element engages with an
undercut, formed by at least one of the shoulders, in the guide
rail and the fastening element is arrested on the guide rail at
least in a vertical direction of the guide rail.
[0006] Along the longitudinal axis of the guide rail, the fastening
element can be arrested on the guide rail at any desired location
thereof. In one configuration, the guide rail is configured without
recesses or the like which define specific fastening locations. The
fastening element is secured to the guide rail by pivoting the
catch element, so a catch lug engages with an undercut in the guide
rail. This prevents at least a movement of the fastening element in
a vertical direction. Displacement of the fastening element along
the guide rail owing to a force, in particular a frictional force,
acting at least between the catch lug and the guide rail, can in
this case also be prevented by applying a tensile force to the
fastening element in the direction of the vertical direction. The
extent of the frictional force depends in this case on a material
pairing used for the guide rail and the catch element and on a
force applied in the vertical direction. In addition, the force can
be influenced by way of a shape of the contact surface between the
catch element and the guide rail.
[0007] In one configuration of the invention, the fastening element
is a shackle. Belts and the like can easily be fastened to
shackles.
[0008] In a further configuration of the invention, the catch
element is formed in one piece with the shackle. The fastening
element is in one embodiment formed from one part. As a result of
pivoting of the shackle, the catch element which is formed in one
piece with the shackle is also pivoted and the fastening element is
arrested on the guide rail for lashing of articles to the
shackle.
[0009] In a further configuration of the invention, the fastening
element has a holding element, the catch element being swivelably
mounted on the holding element. The gripping part of a shackle and
the catch element are in one exemplary embodiment configured in one
piece and jointly mounted on the holding element and jointly
operable. In other configurations, the gripping part or a clip of
the shackle and the catch element are fastened to the holding
element at separate bearing points.
[0010] In a further configuration of the invention, the holding
element has at least one projection which rests on an outside of at
least one shoulder when the catch element is inserted into the
groove. In one exemplary embodiment, the catch element is in this
case arranged in such a way that the shoulder of the rail can be
clamped between the projection and the catch lug. In another
configuration, the fastening element can be arranged on the guide
rail in such a way that the catch element is inserted into the
groove, displacement of the holding element along the groove
allowing the position of the fastening element along the guide rail
to be defined in a suitable manner.
[0011] In a further configuration of the invention, the holding
element has at least one holding lug by means of which the holding
element can be attached to an edge bordering the shoulder. The
holding lug allows the security with which the fastening means is
arrested in the groove to be further increased. Attachment can in
this case be carried out by means of a suitable swiveling movement.
In other exemplary embodiments, the holding lug can be attached to
the guide rail in the axial direction.
[0012] In a further embodiment of the invention, the catch element
is configured in the manner of a fluke of a folding anchor. The
fastening means comprises in this case a fluke or a plurality of
catch elements which are configured as flukes or blades and are
pivotable between a first position, in which they are oriented
substantially parallel to a vertical direction of the guide rail,
and a second position, in which they are oriented substantially
transversely, preferably at about right angles, to the vertical
direction. If the catch elements are arranged in the first
position, the fastening element can be displaced at least along the
guide rail and in one exemplary embodiment can also be removed from
the groove in the guide rail. For arresting the fastening element,
the catch elements are pivoted into the second position.
[0013] In a further configuration of the invention, the catch
element for insertion into the groove is received in a housing. The
housing can be used to secure the catch elements in the first
position, the catch elements being released from the first position
by means of displacement of the housing. In one exemplary
embodiment, the catch elements are prestressed in the direction of
the second position by a forced action means such as a spring or
the like. The housing allows displacement of the catch elements
into the first position counter to the force of the forced action
means, so the arresting can be released.
[0014] In a further configuration of the invention, the catch
element is pivotable between a first position for insertion into
the groove from a vertical direction of the guide rail and a second
position for reaching behind the shoulder of the load rail. The
fastening means can in this case be inserted into the guide rail
and/or removed from the guide rail by arranging the catch element
in the first position at any desired location.
[0015] In a further configuration of the invention, the catch
element is secured in at least one position by a closure element,
in particular a closure latch or the like. The term `closure latch`
refers in this case to a latch which closes, in particular engages,
on movement of a catch element into the latch, thus preventing the
catch element from moving out of the latch.
[0016] In a further configuration of the invention, the securing
provided by the closure element can be canceled by means of an
operating element, in particular by means of an actuating button or
the like. Actuating the operating element, for example pressing a
button, allows the securing of the closure element to be canceled
and, for example, the catch element to be removed from a closure
latch. The button can in this case be configured as what is known
as a push-push element which is both locked and released by
pressing in one direction.
[0017] In a further configuration of the invention, the catch
element is pivotable by means of an axially displaceable actuating
element, in particular by means of a push-button or the like.
Suitable means, which convert an axial movement of the actuating
element into a pivoting movement of the catch elements, are
provided for this purpose on the fastening element.
[0018] Further advantages of the invention will emerge from the
subsequent description of exemplary embodiments of the invention
that are represented schematically in the drawings. Like reference
numerals are used in the drawings for identical or similar
components. All of the features and/or advantages emerging from the
claims, the description or the drawings, including design details,
spatial arrangements and method steps, can be instrumental to the
invention both per se and in a broad range of combinations.
Features described or illustrated as part of an exemplary
embodiment can also be used in another exemplary embodiment to
obtain a further embodiment of the invention.
[0019] In the drawings:
[0020] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a device according to the
invention comprising a guide rail and a fastening element according
to a first exemplary embodiment of the invention;
[0021] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the fastening element
according to FIG. 1;
[0022] FIG. 3 is a simplified sectional view of the device
according to FIG. 1 on arresting of the fastening means;
[0023] FIG. 4 is a simplified sectional view of a device according
to the invention comprising a guide rail and a fastening element
according to a second exemplary embodiment of the invention;
[0024] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a fastening element
according to the invention according to a third exemplary
embodiment of the invention;
[0025] FIG. 6 is a partially cut-away side view of the fastening
element according to FIG. 5 in a first position;
[0026] FIG. 7 is a partially cut-away side view of the fastening
element according to FIG. 5 in a second position;
[0027] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a fastening element
according to the invention according to a fourth exemplary
embodiment of the invention;
[0028] FIG. 9 is a partially cut-away side view of the fastening
element according to FIG. 8 in a first position; and
[0029] FIG. 10 is a partially cut-away side view of the fastening
element according to FIG. 5 in a second position.
[0030] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a device according to the
invention comprising a guide rail 1 and a fastening element 2
according to a first exemplary embodiment of the invention. The
guide rail 1 has a substantially C-shaped profile having two
mutually parallel shoulders 10, a groove 11 extending in the
longitudinal axis L of the guide rail 1 being formed. The guide
rail 1 can, for example, be attached to a floor of a motor vehicle
(not shown) or to a wall of a transporter (also not shown). A
plurality of guide rails 1, which are attached to the floor and/or
to the walls, may in this case be provided. The fastening element 2
can be arrested on the guide rail 1. The fastening element 2 shown
is configured as a shackle having a clip or gripping part 20
comprising an opening 21. The opening 21 serves in this case on the
one hand to facilitate handling and on the other hand to fasten a
load belt or the like.
[0031] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the fastening element 2
according to FIG. 1. The fastening element 2 shown is substantially
L-shaped in cross section, the L shape being formed by the gripping
part 20 and a catch element 22 which is configured in one piece
with the gripping part and has a catch lug 23. The fastening
element 2 can be produced, for example, as an injection-molded
plastics material part or the like.
[0032] FIG. 3 shows schematically attachment of the fastening
element 2 to the guide rail 1. As may be seen in FIG. 3, the
gripping part 20, and thus the catch element 22 which is configured
in one piece with the gripping part 20, is pivotable about a
notional axis (not shown) which extends substantially parallel to
the longitudinal axis L (shown in FIG. 1) of the guide rail 1. For
the purposes of attachment, the fastening element 2 is held by a
user in a first position indicated by broken lines and displaced by
a movement extending substantially parallel to a vertical direction
H of the guide rail 1, so the catch element 22 is inserted into the
groove 11. After insertion, the fastening element 2 is moved by a
user into the second position indicated by solid lines, the catch
element 22 being pivoted in such a way that the catch lug 23 of the
catch element 22 engages with an undercut formed by an associated
shoulder 10 of the guide rail 1. As a result, the fastening element
2 is arrested on the guide rail 1 and removal in the vertical
direction H is prevented. The fastening element 2 rests in this
case against a second shoulder 10, opposing the first shoulder, of
the guide rail 1 via a contact point 25, so the fastening element 2
is clamped in the guide rail 1.
[0033] FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view of a device according
to the invention comprising a guide rail 101 and a fastening
element 102 according to a second exemplary embodiment of the
invention. The guide rail 101 shown is introduced into a
schematically illustrated bodywork wall 3. In one exemplary
embodiment, the guide rail 101 is secured to a bodywork wall 3, for
example welded, riveted or screwed thereto. The guide rail 101 has
a substantially C-shaped profile, shoulders 110, which in the
illustrated embodiment protrude beyond the legs 112 in both
directions, being arranged at ends of legs 112 of the C-shaped
guide rail 101, so the shoulders 110 and the legs 112 are arranged
so as to be substantially T-shaped in cross section. The fastening
element 102 is also configured as a shackle comprising a gripping
part 120. The gripping part 120 is formed in one piece with a catch
element 122 having a catch lug 123. The gripping part 120 and the
catch element 122 are mounted in a holding element 121 so as to be
able to swivel about an axis 124. The holding element 121 has a
projection 125 which rests on an outside of a shoulder 110 of the
guide rail 101 when the fastening element 102 is arranged on the
guide rail 101 as shown. The holding element 121 has, on a second
side opposing the projection 125, a holding lug 126 which can be
used to attach the holding element 121 to an edge 113 which borders
the second shoulder 110 and faces a groove 111. The holding element
121 can, for example, be attached to the guide rail 101 by means of
a swiveling movement, the holding lug 126 first being placed onto
the edge 110. In other exemplary embodiments, the holding element
121 can be pushed onto the guide rail 101 in the longitudinal
direction thereof. The holding element 121 is displaceably fastened
to the guide rail 101. Swiveling of the gripping part 120, and thus
of the catch element 122 which is integrally connected to the
gripping part 120, into the position indicated by broken lines
causes the catch lug 123 of the catch element 122 to engage with
the undercut, formed by one of the shoulders 110, in the guide rail
101, so the fastening element 102 is arrested on the guide rail
101. Arresting is in this case possible at any desired location
along the longitudinal axis of the guide rail 101.
[0034] FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of a fastening
element 202 according to the invention according to a third
exemplary embodiment of the invention. The fastening element 202 is
configured as a shackle having a clip 220. Two catch elements 222
are in each case swivelably arranged on legs 221 of the clip 220 in
the manner of a fluke of a folding anchor, FIG. 5 showing only one
catch element 222. The fastening element 202 further comprises a
housing 224 in which the legs 221 of the clip 220 are displaceably
mounted. The clip 220 is in this case displaceable relative to the
housing 224 between a first position shown in FIG. 6 and a second
position shown in FIG. 7. In the first position shown in FIG. 6,
the catch elements 222 are held by the housing 224 resting against
the legs 221 of the clip 220, so the fastening element 202 can be
inserted into a groove 211 which is formed by shoulders 210 of a
guide rail (not shown). Moving the clip 220 in a vertical direction
H relative to the housing 224 allows the catch elements 222 to be
pivoted into a second position as shown in FIG. 7. This causes
engagement of the catch lugs 223 of the catch elements 222 with the
undercuts formed by the shoulders 210, so the fastening element 202
is arrested on the guide rail (not shown). The fastening element
202 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 also has a holding element 225 which is
arranged on the outside of the shoulders 210 between two guide lugs
212.
[0035] FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 are schematic perspective views of a
fastening element 302 according to a fourth exemplary embodiment of
the invention and partially cut-away side views of the fastening
element 302 in a first and a second position. The fastening element
302 is configured as a shackle and comprises a clip 320 and catch
elements 322 which are each pivotably attached to a holding element
321. The holding element 321 has a substantially T-shaped cross
section, the holding element 321 being insertable into a guide rail
(not shown in FIG. 8 to 10) via a longitudinal beam 324 of the T
shape. For insertion of the fastening element 302 into the guide
rail (not shown), the catch elements 322 are pivotable into the
first position shown in FIG. 9. For pivoting of the catch elements
322, a force, indicated schematically by an arrow, can in the
illustrated exemplary embodiment be applied to an operating element
which is configured as an actuating button 325. If the force is not
applied, the catch elements 322 pivot into the second position
shown in FIG. 10. In other configurations, the catch elements 322
are pivoted by actuation of the actuating button 325 into the first
position shown in FIG. 9, where they are held by a closure element,
for example in the manner of a closure latch. The catch elements
322 remain in this case in the position shown in FIG. 9 even if the
force is not applied. An operating element allows the closure
element to be unlocked. In one configuration, the actuating button
325 can in this case serve as the operating element, wherein
repressing the actuating button 325 causes the catch element 322 to
be rereleased and pivot into the position shown in FIG. 10. The
actuating button 325 operates in this case based on what is known
as the push-push principle.
[0036] In one configuration of the invention, the catch elements
322 are prestressed by forced action elements (not shown), for
example by springs, in the direction of the second position shown
in FIG. 2, the application of a force according to FIG. 9 allowing
the catch elements 322 to be moved counter to the prestressing
force into the first position shown in FIG. 9. In the second
position shown in FIG. 10, catch lugs 323 formed on the catch
elements 322 engage with an undercut in a guide rail (not shown in
FIG. 10), so the fastening element 302 can be arrested on the guide
rail. The fastening element 302 is insertable at any desired
location along the longitudinal direction of a guide rail (not
shown).
[0037] The catch elements 322 shown have additional catch
projections 326 which can engage with recesses which are
complementary thereto and formed at preferred catch locations on
the guide rail. Preferably, the fastening element 302 can however
be attached to any desired location along the longitudinal
direction of a guide rail. For this purpose, in other exemplary
embodiments, the catch elements 322 are configured without catch
projections 326.
[0038] Two catch elements 322, which each interact with one of the
two shoulders 10 of a guide rail 1 shown by way of example in FIG.
1, are provided in the case of the fastening element 302 shown in
FIG. 8 to 10. In other configurations of the invention, merely one
catch element 322 which can be pivoted by means of an actuating
button 325 may be provided. In still other configurations, a
plurality of catch elements 322 are provided, as is illustrated,
opposing one another or in series on the actuating element 302.
* * * * *