U.S. patent application number 12/372551 was filed with the patent office on 2009-08-20 for strap roller.
Invention is credited to Tom Donovan.
Application Number | 20090208305 12/372551 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40955279 |
Filed Date | 2009-08-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090208305 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Donovan; Tom |
August 20, 2009 |
STRAP ROLLER
Abstract
A device for supplying heavy duty strapping for use in a cargo
area. The device includes a housing, a two-way motor supported
within the housing having a shaft for paying out, winding and
storing the heavy duty strapping and a magnet affixed to the
housing and sized to releaseably affix the device to a magnetically
attractable support.
Inventors: |
Donovan; Tom; (Petaluma,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Bay Area Technology Law Group PC
500 Sansome Street, Suite 404
San Francisco
CA
94111
US
|
Family ID: |
40955279 |
Appl. No.: |
12/372551 |
Filed: |
February 17, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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61029525 |
Feb 18, 2008 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
410/96 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60P 7/083 20130101;
B65H 54/585 20130101; B60P 7/0846 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
410/96 |
International
Class: |
B61D 45/00 20060101
B61D045/00 |
Claims
1. A device for supplying heavy duty strapping for use in retaining
cargo, said device comprising a housing, a two-way motor supported
within said housing having a shaft for paying out, winding and
storing said heavy duty strapping and a magnet affixed to said
housing and sized to releaseably affix said device to a
magnetically attractable support.
2. The device of claim 1 wherein said housing is releaseably
affixed to said magnetically attractable support by said magnet
proximate a cargo area for selectively paying out said heavy duty
strapping for selectively retaining said cargo therein.
3. In the combination of a vehicle having a cargo area and a device
for supplying heavy duty strapping whereby said device comprises a
housing, two-way motor supported within said housing and a shaft
for paying out, winding and storing said heavy duty strapping for
selectively retaining cargo within said cargo area, the improvement
comprising a magnet affixed to said housing and sized to
releaseably affix said device to a magnetically attractable surface
of said vehicle.
4. The combination of claim 3 wherein said motor is powered by said
vehicle.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application relies upon U.S. Provisional
Application Ser. No. 61/029,525 filed on Feb. 18, 2008.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention involves a device for supplying heavy
duty strapping for use in retaining cargo in such environments such
as the cargo area of a vehicle. The device is powered by a two-way
motor for paying out and withdrawing the strapping and is
releaseably affixed to the cargo area by affixing the device to a
magnetically attractable surface thereof.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Heavy duty straps are commonly used in manufacturing,
transporting and storing a variety of products. Equipment such as
trailers or containers may be equipped with these straps to
stabilize the loads being carried. To be effective, there must
often be several straps that reach across the entire length of the
load at different locations. The straps must be sturdy enough to
withstand the loads they bare. The straps must also be long enough
to span the entire length of the load. As a result, these straps
are often long and heavy, and may often become intertwined with
other straps.
[0004] The process of coiling these lengthy and heavy straps after
usage may take considerable time and effort. There is therefore a
need for products that may simplify and expedite the process of
coiling the straps. These products must be powerful and convenient.
These products must also be portable enough to handle the wide
variety of strap arrangements needed to handle a diversity of load
configurations.
[0005] Several prior art approaches have addressed the consumers'
desire for strap rollers. For example, some prior art strap rollers
use manual cranks as coiling devices. One end of the strap is
attached to a roller. The user then turns a hand crank to turn the
roller, coiling the strap as the crank and roller turn. These
devices provide an alternative to coiling straps by hand, but may
be inconvenient, laborious and time consuming. Examples of these
strap rollers appear in the following U.S. Pat. Nos., which are
incorporated herein by reference for their supporting teaching:
U.S. Pat. No. 6,729,604 to Claycomb; U.S. Pat. No. 6,206,317 to
Harverstine; U.S. Pat. No. 5,975,454 to Potter; and U.S. Pat. No.
5,603,589 to Regal.
[0006] Another approach uses a cranking system that utilizes an
external power source. These devices use a cranking system similar
to the manual cranks. These devices, however, offer the option of
using an external motor as a power source. The user attaches one
end of the strap to the coiling device. The user then attaches the
device to an external motor and the motor turns the roller and
coils the strap. The use of motors makes these devices less
laborious and time consuming than manual cranks. However, the need
for an external power source still makes these devices inconvenient
and limits their portability This approach appears in U.S. Pat. No.
7,059,588 to Goulet and U.S. Pat. No. 6,467,755 to Reilly, which
are incorporated herein by reference to for their supporting
teachings.
[0007] Yet another approach uses a handheld, powered coiler. This
approach appears in U.S. Pat. No. 4,588,167 to Finzel, which is
incorporated herein by reference for its supporting teachings. This
product combines a small motor with a crank to make one unified
coiling device. The user attaches one end of the strap to the
spool. The user then holds the device as the motor turns the spool
and coils the strap. This device is more portable and convenient
than coilers that use an external power source. This device is also
more expedient and convenient than manual cranks. However, the
coiling process may still be laborious and time consuming because
of the need for the user to hold the device while it coils. This
device also lacks the ideal stability and convenience needed for
working with heavy straps.
[0008] Traditionally, devices of this nature have been affixed to
key locations within or approximate a cargo area for retaining and
stabilizing cargo therein. In doing so, mounting plates are
provided for the passage of carriage bolts and the like resulting
in permanently established fixed locations for these coilers.
Although a permanent anchoring system provides a secure framework
for paying out, winding and storing heavy strapping, such an
arrangement is not without its drawbacks. For example, holes must
be crafted within or proximate to the cargo area thus defacing such
support structure. Further, although a fixed location for a coiler
may be ideal in some situations, when loads change, it may be
preferable to have such devices in different locations. Fixing the
devices permanently, such as at a fixed location within the side
wall of a vehicle reduces flexibility and thus utility of such
coilers.
[0009] It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a
device capable of paying out, withdrawing and supporting heavy
strapping that can be repositioned at will while retaining the
utilitarian benefits of the prior art.
[0010] These objects will be more readily apparent when considering
the following disclosure and appended claims.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] A device for supplying heavy duty strapping for use in a
cargo area. The device includes a housing, a two-way motor
supported within the housing having a shaft for paying out, winding
and storing the heavy duty strapping and a magnet affixed to the
housing and sized to releaseably affix the device to a magnetically
attractable support.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0012] FIG. 1 is a front plan view of the device of the present
invention.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a side plan view of the device of FIG. 1.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a cargo vehicle having the
present invention used thereon.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0015] As noted, the present invention involves a device for
supplying heavy duty strapping for use in retaining cargo FIG. 1 is
a front plan view of such a device whereby device 10 includes
mounting plate 11 and, spaced therefrom, motor plate 14. As such in
phantom, the present device includes a motor housing 15 containing
a two-way motor for turning spool 23 (FIG. 2) for paying out,
winding and storing heavy duty strapping of the type generally
employed for tying down and retaining cargo.
[0016] Turning to FIG. 2, the device of FIG. 1 is shown in side
view. Again, motor housing 15 is supported between mounting plate
11 and motor plate 14 and held in place by B type connectors
21.
[0017] Emanating through axle hole 13 (FIG. 1) is axle 22 in the
form of a shaft extending from the two-way motor. In its preferred
embodiment, axle 22 fits within spool 23 within centrally
configured bore 26. Spool mounting hole 24 is provided for
receiving a threaded member (not shown) for securing axle 22 within
bore 26. It is upon spool 23 that heavy duty strapping is
wound.
[0018] When motor within motor housing 15 is employed to cause axle
22 to rotate in one direction, heavy duty strapping winds upon
spool 23. When switch 12 is set in an opposite orientation, motor
within housing 15 causes axle 22 to spin in an opposite direction
thus enabling spool 23 to pay out heavy duty strapping as
needed.
[0019] As noted previously, devices of this type generally include,
within their mounting plates, various holes for permanently
retaining the device to a side wall or similar support positioned
proximate the cargo area. This not only defaces the cargo area but
also limits the flexibility of the device as its repositioning is
either cumbersome or impossible carry out.
[0020] The present invention solves this impediment by providing
magnet 25 (FIG. 2) affixed to mounting plate 11. The magnet can be
affixed to the mounting plate either by magnetic attraction or by
passing a bolt through the magnet and through the mounting plate as
desired. In doing so, the device can be repositioned anywhere
within or proximate to a suitable cargo area as long as it is
appended to a magnetically attractable support. An illustration of
this is found in FIG. 3.
[0021] Turning to FIG. 3, vehicle 30 is shown in the form of a
cargo vehicle having a cargo area 50 positioned behind cab 55.
Internal cargo receiving area 35 is shown in which devices 40 and
41 have been arbitrarily attached to side wall 51 through the use
of magnets 38 and 39. Typically, side wall 51 would be made of
metal such that magnets 38 and 39 would readily affix devices 40
and 41 thereto. Devices 40 and 41 are composed not only of magnets
38 and 39 but also of housings 31 and 32 from which spools 36 and
37 emanate. As noted previously, these spools are directly coupled
to two-way motors contained within motor housings and within
devices 40 and 41. Heavy duty strapping 33 and 34 is selectively
wound upon spools 36 and 37 such that upon actuation of motors,
strapping 33 and 34 can be caused to pay out from spools 36 and 37
across cargo area 35 only to attach either by hooks or other means
to the opposite side wall of body 50. Again, because devices 40 and
41 are held to side wall 51 by magnetic attraction, it is quite
easy for these devices to be repositioned on other walls or their
height changed or further devices added to or subtracted from the
tie down matrix in order to optimally strap down loads while not
resulting in any defacement of the truck body.
[0022] It is further noted that a motor contained within housing 15
can be powered by running lines 9 (FIG. 1) to the electrical
service of vehicle 30. Such 12 volt service could conveniently be
employed to power the present devices without need for external
power sources of any kind.
* * * * *