U.S. patent application number 15/397608 was filed with the patent office on 2017-04-27 for securing of sheet material which is in the form of a liner, a cover or a curtain.
This patent application is currently assigned to JF Hillebrand Limited. The applicant listed for this patent is JF Hillebrand Limited. Invention is credited to Pierre Corvisier.
Application Number | 20170113871 15/397608 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51893827 |
Filed Date | 2017-04-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170113871 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Corvisier; Pierre |
April 27, 2017 |
SECURING OF SHEET MATERIAL WHICH IS IN THE FORM OF A LINER, A COVER
OR A CURTAIN
Abstract
A mounting is disclosed for securing in place a sheet (56) which
constitutes a liner, cover or curtain. The sheet has an elongate
attachment zone (60) which is thicker than the material of the
sheet. The mounting including a clip (10.2) which is formed with an
elongate hollow portion (12) having a longitudinal slit (14) along
the length thereof. The attachment zone of the sheet is in the
hollow portion of the clip with the sheet emerging from the clip
through the slit. A cord (62) is connected to a lashing point (64).
The clip (10.2) has a passageway (40) through which the cord (62)
passes thereby to attach the clip and the attachment zone to the
lashing point.
Inventors: |
Corvisier; Pierre; (Beaune,
FR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
JF Hillebrand Limited |
Dublin |
|
IE |
|
|
Assignee: |
JF Hillebrand Limited
Dublin
IE
|
Family ID: |
51893827 |
Appl. No.: |
15/397608 |
Filed: |
January 3, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
14527075 |
Oct 29, 2014 |
|
|
|
15397608 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47H 13/04 20130101;
F16B 5/0692 20130101; B65D 2590/046 20130101; A47H 1/18 20130101;
B65D 90/046 20130101; A47H 13/01 20130101; A47H 23/00 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 90/04 20060101
B65D090/04; F16B 5/06 20060101 F16B005/06; A47H 23/00 20060101
A47H023/00; A47H 1/18 20060101 A47H001/18; A47H 13/01 20060101
A47H013/01; A47H 13/04 20060101 A47H013/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 26, 2013 |
ZA |
2013/08869 |
Sep 29, 2014 |
ZA |
2014/07040 |
Claims
1. The combination of: a liner of sheet material which has an
elongate top wall and elongate side walls; a shipping container
having lashing points; first and second sets of clips attached to
the liner where longer edges of the top wall join the upper edges
of the side walls, the clips having passageways therethrough; hooks
attached to the lashing points and having openings therein; a first
elongate cord passing through the passageways of the first set of
clips and through the hooks that are adjacent the first set of
clips, the clips and hooks alternating along the length of the
first cord; and a second elongate cord passing through the
passageways of the second set of clips and through the hooks that
are adjacent the second set of clips, the clips and hooks
alternating along the length of the second cord, the liner having
attachment zones which are thicker than the sheet material of the
liner and which extend along the liner where the longer edges of
the top wall join the upper edges of the side walls, and the clips
being free to slide along the attachment zones and being positioned
under the lashing points.
2. The combination claimed in claim 1, wherein the passageways are
constituted by the bores of cylinders and wherein each clip
comprises an elongate hollow portion each of which portions has a
longitudinal slit along the length thereof, the liner emerging from
said hollow portions of the clips through said slits and the axes
of the cylinders and the hollow portions being parallel to one
another.
3. The combination claimed in claim 1, wherein the attachment zones
are formed by folding the sheet over on itself with a cord between
the superimposed layers, the layers being secured together to trap
the cord.
4. The combination of: a liner of sheet material which has an
elongate top wall and elongate side walls; a shipping container
having lashing points; two sets of clips attached to the liner
where longer edges of the top wall join the upper edges of the side
walls, the clips having passageways therethrough, each clip having
an elongate hollow portion which is formed with a longitudinal slit
along the length thereof; hooks attached to the lashing points and
having openings therein; and cords passing through the passageways
of the two sets of clips and through the hooks that are adjacent
the sets of clips, the clips and hooks alternating along the
lengths of the cords, the liner having attachment zones which are
thicker than the sheet material of the liner and which extend along
the liner where the longer edges of the top wall join the upper
edges of the side walls, the attachment zones being in the hollow
portions and the sheet material of the liner emerging from the
hollow portions through the slits, and the clips being free to
slide along the attachment zones and being positioned under the
lashing points.
5. The combination claimed in claim 4, wherein the passageways are
constituted by the bores of cylinders and wherein each clip
comprises an elongate hollow portion each of which portions has a
longitudinal slit along the length thereof, the liner emerging from
said hollow portions of the clips through said slits and the axes
of the cylinders and the hollow portions being parallel to one
another.
6. The combination claimed in claim 4, wherein the attachment zones
are formed by folding the sheet over on itself with a cord between
the superimposed layers, the layers being secured together to trap
the cord.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 14/527,075,
filed Oct. 29, 2014, which claims the benefit of South African
Patent Application No. 2014/07040, filed Sep. 29, 2014, and South
African Patent Application No. 2013/08869, filed Nov. 26, 2013, the
disclosures of which are incorporated herein in their entirety by
reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to the securing of sheet material
which is in the form of a liner, a cover or a curtain.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
[0003] It is known to protect goods being shipped in a shipping
container from variations in temperature by providing a liner in
the shipping container. Examples of such liners are disclosed in,
PCT specification WO2010/046790 and EP Specification 1 780 147
A1.
[0004] The fitting of shipping container liners is not a simple
matter as they must be secured to the lashing points of the
shipping container in such manner that an air gap is created
between the walls and roof of the shipping container and the liner.
Also, the liner must not sag down and touch the goods in the
container.
[0005] In WO 2010/046790 the attachment hooks on the liner are
fixed. However the lashing points on containers are not always at
the same location. The number of lashing points and the spacing
between them varies. Consequently, some hooks are found to be
offset from the respective lashing point and this makes
satisfactory installation of the liner difficult or even
impossible. In respect of the liner is disclosed in EP
Specification 1 780 147 A1, using a single piece of webbing on each
side of the container and threading it through a number of hooks
before trying to pull it taut does not, in practice, work very
well. The liner can still sag to an unacceptable extent.
[0006] It is not only shipping containers that need to be fitted
with liners. The load spaces of some transport trucks and trailers
have lashing points. These, if the goods being transported require
it, have to be fitted with liners.
[0007] The term "shipping container" as used herein consequently
encompasses not only the ISO type of container used mainly for sea
transport but also trucks and trailers which have lashing
points.
[0008] There are other circumstances where sheet material must be
secured in place. An example is that of tarpaulins which are used
to cover goods on, for example, an open vehicle. Tarpaulins usually
have eyelets and a cord is threaded through the eyelets and around
hooks or other protuberances on the vehicle. Threading the cord
through the eyelets, then around whatever mountings are provided
can be time-consuming. In other circumstances sheet material has to
be hung to form a curtain.
[0009] In all these situations a rapid method of attaching the
sheet material to a fixed structure is advantageous.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0010] According to one aspect of the present invention there is
provided a mounting securing in place a sheet which constitutes a
liner, cover or curtain, the sheet having an elongate attachment
zone which is thicker than the material of the sheet, the mounting
including a clip which is formed with an elongate hollow portion
having a longitudinal slit along the length thereof, said
attachment zone being in said hollow portion with the sheet
emerging from said portion through the slit, and an elongate
element connected to a lashing point, said clip having a passageway
through which said elongate element passes thereby to attach said
clip and the attachment zone to said lashing point.
[0011] Said elongate element can be a cord which passes through
said passageway, there being a hook on the cord for attachment to
the lashing point. In this form said passageway is preferably
constituted by the bore of a cylinder, the axes of said cylinder
and said hollow portion being parallel to one another.
[0012] In a further form said elongate element is a cable tie
including a block which has a slot through it, a ratchet tooth in
the slot and a strap which has a plurality of transverse ribs, the
strap extending from the block and the ribs and ratchet tooth
coming into interlocking engagement when the strap is pushed
through the slot thereby to prevent the strap being withdrawn from
the slot in the opposite direction, said passageway being
constituted by an aperture of the clip into which said block
fits.
[0013] Said attachment zone is preferably formed by folding said
sheet over on itself with a cord between the superimposed layers,
the layers being secured together to trap the cord.
[0014] According to a further aspect of the present invention there
is provided the combination of: [0015] A liner of sheet material
which has a top wall, elongate sidewalls and attachment zones which
are thicker than the sheet material and which extend along the
liner where the longer edges of the top wall join the upper edges
of the sidewalls; [0016] A shipping container having lashing
points; [0017] Two sets of clips each of which has an elongate
hollow portion which is formed with a longitudinal slit along the
length thereof, said attachment zones of the liner being in said
hollow portions and the sheet material of the liner emerging from
said hollow portions through said slits, said clips being free to
slide along the attachments zones, each clip having a passageway
therethrough; [0018] Hooks attached to the lashing points and
having openings therein; and [0019] Cords extending through said
openings in the hooks and through the passageways of the sets of
clips, the clips and hooks alternating along the lengths of the
cords.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] For a better understanding of the present invention, and to
show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be
made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which:
[0021] FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a liner mounting clip;
[0022] FIG. 2 is an end elevation of the clip of FIG. 1;
[0023] FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the clip of FIGS. 1 and 2:
[0024] FIG. 4 is a side elevation of a further clip;
[0025] FIG. 5 is an end elevation of the clip of FIG. 4;
[0026] FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the clip of FIGS. 4 and 5;
[0027] FIG. 7 is an end view of a third form of clip;
[0028] FIG. 8 is a plan view of the clip of FIG. 7;
[0029] FIG. 9 is a side elevation of the clip of FIGS. 7 and 8;
[0030] FIG. 10 is a side elevation of a hook;
[0031] FIG. 11 is a front elevation of the hook;
[0032] FIG. 12 is a top plan view of the hook; and
[0033] FIG. 13 is a pictorial view illustrating the use of the clip
of FIGS. 7 to 9 and the hook of FIGS. 10 to 12.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0034] The clip illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 is designated 10
and comprises a generally cylindrical portion 12 which has a
longitudinally extending slit 14 therein. The slit 14 enables the
two generally semi-cylindrical portions designated 16, 18 to flex
with respect to one another to increase the width of slit 14.
[0035] A mounting portion 20 is moulded integrally with the portion
12. The portions 12 and 20 are offset with respect to one another
as best seen in the end elevation of FIG. 2.
[0036] The mounting portion 20 extends for most of the length of
the cylindrical portion 12 and has therein a central aperture which
is designated 22. The aperture 22 is closed on three sides. Raised
ribs designated 24, 26 and 28 form the boundary of the aperture 22
on these three sides. On the fourth side of the aperture there is a
bar designated 30 which, as best seen in FIG. 3, partially closes
the fourth side of the aperture 22. One face of the mounting
portion 20, that designated 32 in FIG. 2, is planar and the other
face, that visible in FIG. 1, is provided with raised strengthening
ribs 34 which bound two depressions 36.
[0037] The clip 10.1 shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 is similar to that shown
in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 and where applicable like parts of been
designated with like reference numerals. The clip 10.1 is smaller
than the clip 10 of FIGS. 1 to 3, its cylindrical portion 12 being
approximately half the length of the cylindrical portion 12 of the
clip of FIGS. 1 to 3, with the mounting portion 16 being
commensurately smaller. The aperture 22 in FIGS. 4 to 6 is also of
smaller dimensions than the aperture 22 of FIGS. 1 to 3.
[0038] The clips are used with what are known in the art as "cable
ties". A cable tie conventionally comprises a locking portion which
is in the form of a block which has a slot through it with a
flexible ratchet tooth in the slot. The cable tie further has a
strap which is integral with the block and has a plurality of
transverse ribs. As the strap is pushed through the slot, the
ratchet tooth is deformed by the transverse ribs as they pass it.
The tooth and the ribs are configured so that there is a locking
action between them and the part of the strap that has passed
through the slot consequently cannot be pulled back through the
slot.
[0039] The aperture 22 in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 is sized so that it can
receive the block of a cable tie. The sizing of the aperture 22 is
such that the block is a tight fit in the aperture 22.
[0040] The part of the strap which is immediately adjacent the
block lies against the bar 30 and the remainder of the strap
protrudes upwardly from the clip 10 as the clip 10 is viewed in
FIG. 1. The dashed lines in that Figure indicate the position of
the strap.
[0041] The clips and cable ties can be used to mount a thermally
reflective liner in a shipping container as is described below.
They can also be used to mount any other sheet material such as a
tarpaulin the upper edge of which is to be secured to a fixed
structure so that the tarpaulin hangs down from the fixed structure
to form a curtain.
[0042] The liner for the shipping container is fabricated from
metallized sheet material and comprises side, top and bottom walls.
At one end the liner is closed by an end wall and at the other end
it has a flap which can be pulled to a closed position after the
cargo has been loaded into the liner.
[0043] As the liner is fabricated, cords are incorporated into it.
In the preferred form there are vertical cords where the side walls
join the end wall and horizontal cords where the top and bottom
walls join the sidewalls. The cords can be incorporated by folding
the sheet material around the cord and then sewing the sheet
material along a line parallel to the cord so that the cord is in a
tube constituted by the material of the liner itself.
[0044] Two of the clips of the form shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 are
attached to the vertical cords by pressing the cord through the
slit 14 into the hollow interior of the portion 12. The clips are
slid along the vertical cords to a height which matches that of
what are referred to as the horizontal corner bars of the shipping
container. When the clips have reached the desired level in the
vertical direction, the cable ties which are attached to the clips
are looped around the horizontal corner bars, pushed through the
slots in the blocks and pulled tight thereby to fix the end wall of
the liner to the shipping container.
[0045] Clips of the form shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 are attached, as
described above, to the cords which are positioned where the side
walls meet the top wall. The positions of the clips closest to the
end wall are adjusted in the horizontal direction until they are
aligned with the lashing points closest to the closed end of the
container. The straps of the cable ties which are secured to the
clips are then looped around upper, end lashing points, pushed
through the slots in the blocks of the cable ties and pulled tight.
The parts of the liner's side walls which are closest to the
container's end wall are now hanging from the lashing points.
[0046] Two of the clips illustrated in FIGS. 4 to 6 are then slid
along the cords which are located where the bottom wall of the
liner meets the side walls. The positions of the clips are adjusted
horizontally until they are aligned with the lower lashing points
of the container that are closest to the end wall. The straps of
the cable ties are then looped around these lashing points, pushed
through the slots of the blocks of the ties, and pulled tight.
[0047] Further clips are used to connect the liner to the upper and
lower lashing points along the full length of the container.
[0048] The clips of FIGS. 1 to 3 are of necessity stronger than the
clips of FIGS. 4 to 6 because the liner is hanging from these. The
smaller clips of FIGS. 4 to 6, which are used where the bottom wall
of the liner merges with the side walls, do not carry significant
weight. The cable ties used with the smaller clips are
commensurately smaller and less strong than the ties used with the
upper clips.
[0049] If the clips are to be used to suspend a tarpaulin or other
sheet material which is in the form of a curtain, then the cord is
incorporated into the tarpaulin along its upper edge. Clips of
either of the forms described, depending on the weight of the
tarpaulin which is to form the curtain, are slid along the cord
until they are appropriately positioned with respect to whatever
lashing points are provided and then the ties are used to secure
the upper edge of the curtain to the lashing points.
[0050] Where the clip 10.2 of FIGS. 7 to 9 has parts in common with
the clips of the earlier Figures, like references have been used.
Specifically, the cylindrical portion 12, the slit 14 and the
semi-cylindrical portions 16, 18 have been correspondingly
referenced.
[0051] A triangular flange 38 extends for about half the length of
the cylindrical portion 12 and protrudes radially outwardly from
the portion 12. A short cylinder 40 is moulded integrally with the
flange 38. The axis of the portion 12 and the axis of the cylinder
40 are parallel to one another.
[0052] Turning now to FIGS. 10 to 12, these illustrate a hook
designated 42. The hook is part circular in shape as best seen in
FIG. 10. The lower part 44 of the hook turns back on itself through
almost 360 degrees to form a transverse opening 46 which has a
narrow entrance 48. The hook further includes a straight section
50, the lower part 44 being at one end of the section 50. A
semi-circular section 52 extends from the end of the section 50
remote from the part 44. A guide 54 extends from the free end of
the section 52.
[0053] A plurality of the clips 10.2 of FIGS. 7 to 9 and a
plurality of the hooks 42 of FIGS. 10 to 12 are used to suspend a
thermally insulating liner in a shipping container.
[0054] Part of the side wall of a liner, designated 56, is shown in
FIG. 13. The liner has a top wall, elongate side walls and an end
wall which closes one end of the liner. A flap is provided at the
other end of the liner. One edge of the flap is attached to the
remainder of the liner and a releasable fastener, such as a sliding
clasp fastener, is provided to connect the other three edges of the
flap to the remainder of the liner. The liner can have a floor.
However, it is also possible for the liner to be without a
floor.
[0055] Cords 58 (FIG. 13) extend along the liner where the
longitudinally extending edges of the top wall are sewn or
otherwise secured to the longitudinally extending upper edges of
the sidewalls. The cords are sewn into the seams 60 which are thus
formed. The cylindrical portion 12 of the clip 10.2 has an internal
diameter such that it can receive the seam 60 which has the cord 58
sewn inside it. The portions 16, 18 are sufficiently flexible to
allow the cord 58 to be pressed into the clip 10.2 through the slit
14. The fit of the clip on the seam is such that the clip can
readily slide along the seam.
[0056] Two further cords 62 are provided. Each of these passes
through the cylinders 40 of the respective set of clips 10.2. The
cords 62 are thus external of the seam 60. Between each adjacent
pair of clips 10.2 there is one of the hooks 42. The cords 50 pass
through the passageways 46 in the hooks 42. The hooks 42 can slide
along the cords 62.
[0057] To secure the liner inside the container, the ends of the
cords 62 are tied to anchorages that are provided at the closed end
of the container. At this stage the closed end of the liner hangs
down from the anchorages and the liner lies on the floor along the
length of the container. The first hook 42 on each cord 62 is then
attached to those lashing points which are closest to the closed
end of the container. The clips 10.2 closest to the closed end of
the container are slid along the seams 60 until they are
approximately under the first lashing points and hooks. The lashing
point is designated 64 in FIG. 13. The guide 54 facilitates
attachment of the hook 42 to the lashing point 64.
[0058] The next two hooks are attached to the next two lashing
points and the next two clips are moved to positions approximately
under the hooks. This procedure continues until hooks are attached
to all the lashing points that can be accessed and there are clips
close to the lashing points which have hooks attached to them.
[0059] The ends of the two cords 62 which are at the open end of
the liner are then gripped and the cords are pulled is taut as
possible. This has the effect of lifting the clips 10.2, and hence
the seams 60 to which they are fitted, towards the roof of the
container.
[0060] Starting at the closed end of the container, the first clips
10.2 on each side are slid along the seams 60 so that the lengths
of the parts of the cords 62 between the anchorage points and the
first clips are reduced to a minimum. All the remaining clips 10.2
are moved along the seams 60 to shorten the distances between the
clips and the adjacent hooks 42. This has the effect of pulling the
clips further upwardly and outwardly towards the lashing points.
The clips 10.2 on opposite sides of the liner move apart during
this procedure and the inevitable sag of the top wall of the liner
is reduced. The top wall still sags down under its own weight but
not to an extent such that it interferes with loading of the cargo
into the liner or touches the goods in the loaded container.
* * * * *