U.S. patent number 3,686,715 [Application Number 05/105,313] was granted by the patent office on 1972-08-29 for strap system for material handling.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Ny Met Industries, Inc.. Invention is credited to Anthony F. Brodnicki.
United States Patent |
3,686,715 |
Brodnicki |
August 29, 1972 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
STRAP SYSTEM FOR MATERIAL HANDLING
Abstract
For use in a cargo hauling system including at least one
structural member having a predetermined thickness and providing at
least one elongated slot therein having a standard length and
width, a plurality of straps, at least one connector for connecting
an end of one of the straps to one of the said structural members,
and at least one buckle for connecting together two of the straps.
Each of the connectors comprises an elongated connector member, a
portion of which moves longitudinally in such a slot, and a locking
member yieldably urged to a locking position effective to prevent
such movement, thereby to hold the connector member in the slot.
The length of the main body portion or front side portion of the
connector member is greater than the length of the slot such that
it must move longitudinally within the slot to be removed
therefrom. Each buckle comprises a frame including laterally spaced
apart frame members receiving therebetween a portion of such a
strap and a rigid member providing a gripping surface extending
between the frame members and against which such a strap portion
rests. A unidirectional gripping member is provided and spring
urged against the strap tightly to secure it against movement
relative to the gripping surface. Take-up means is provided for
pulling the strap through the buckle in the direction of movement
permitted by the gripping member, the take-up means being mounted
on the buckle frame.
Inventors: |
Brodnicki; Anthony F.
(Columbus, IN) |
Assignee: |
Ny Met Industries, Inc.
(Columbus, IN)
|
Family
ID: |
22305125 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/105,313 |
Filed: |
January 11, 1971 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
24/68CD;
24/265CD; 410/121; 24/170; 24/615 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60P
7/0838 (20130101); A44B 11/125 (20130101); Y10T
24/45529 (20150115); Y10T 24/4773 (20150115); Y10T
24/2175 (20150115); Y10T 24/4016 (20150115) |
Current International
Class: |
A44B
11/00 (20060101); A44B 11/12 (20060101); B60P
7/06 (20060101); B60P 7/08 (20060101); A44b
021/00 (); A44b 011/12 (); A44c 005/18 () |
Field of
Search: |
;24/21A,21D,21R,265CD,170,191,68,69,170,68D,68CD,265CD ;105/369A
;248/361A |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Griffin; Donald A.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A buckle for fastening a strap, said buckle comprising a frame
including laterally spaced apart frame members arranged to receive
therebetween a portion of such a strap, and a rigid member
providing a gripping surface extending between said frame members
and against which such a strap portion rests, a gripping member
providing an engaging portion proportioned and designed to engage
such a strap portion and to hold it securely against said gripping
surface, means mounting said gripping member for pivotal movement
on said frames whereby said engaging portion is movable toward and
away from said gripping surface, means for yieldably urging said
gripping member about its pivot axis to urge said engaging portion
into engagement with such a strap portion, and means for moving
said gripping member against said urging means to release said
strap portion, said moving means being operatively connected to
said gripping member, said moving means including a lever mounted
on said frame for pivotal movement relative to said gripping
member, said lever providing a cam surface extending generally
outwardly relative to the axis about which said lever pivots, a cam
follower engaging said cam surface, said cam follower being rigidly
attached to said gripping member.
2. A buckle for fastening a strap, said buckle comprising a frame
including laterally spaced apart frame members arranged to receive
therebetween a portion of such a strap, and a rigid member
providing a gripping surface extending between said frame members
and against which such a strap portion rests, a gripping member
providing an engaging portion proportioned and designed to engage
such a strap portion and to hold it securely against said gripping
surface, means mounting said gripping member for pivotal movement
on said frame whereby said engaging portion is movable toward and
away from said gripping surface, means for yieldably urging said
gripping member about its pivot axis to urge said engaging portion
into engagement with such a strap portion, and means for moving
said gripping member against said urging means to release said
strap portion, said moving means being operatively connected to
said gripping member, said rigid member providing said gripping
surface being a trunnion having a part circular bearing cross
section, and said moving means including a lever mounted on said
trunnion for rocking movement, said lever providing a cam surface
extending generally outwardly relative to said rigid member, and a
cam follower engaging and following said cam surface, said cam
follower being movable with said gripping member.
3. A buckle for fastening a strap, said buckle comprising a frame
including laterally spaced apart frame members arranged to receive
therebetween a portion of such a strap, and a rigid member
providing a gripping surface extending between said frame members
and against which such a strap portion rests, a gripping member
providing an engaging portion proportioned and designed to engage
such a strap portion and to hold it securely against said gripping
surface, means mounting said gripping member for pivotal movement
on said frame whereby said engaging portion is movable toward and
away from said gripping surface, means for yieldably urging said
gripping member about its pivot axis to urge said engaging portion
into engagement with such a strap portion, and means for moving
said gripping member against said urging means to release said
strap portion, said moving means being operatively connected to
said gripping member, said rigid member providing said gripping
surface being a trunnion providing a part circular bearing cross
section, said gripping surface being generally flat and parallel to
the axis defined by said trunnion, said gripping member being
mounted for pivotal movement about an axis generally parallel to
said gripping surface and the axis of said trunnion, and said
moving means including a lever mounted for rocking movement about
said trunnion.
4. The buckle of claim 3 in which said lever is formed to provide
laterally space apart ears receiving therebetween such a strap
portion, said ears being journal mounted on opposite ends of said
trunnion, each of said ears providing a cam surface extending
generally toward the axis about which said gripping member pivots,
and a cam follower engaging each cam surface, said cam followers
being movable with said gripping member.
5. The buckle of claim 4 in which said cam followers are provided
by cylindrically shaped pins extending rigidly outwardly from said
gripping member and parallel to its pivot axis.
6. The buckle of claim 3 in which the plane defined by said
generally flat gripping surface is generally perpendicular to a
second plane including the axis of said trunnion and the pivot axis
of said gripping member, and in which said engaging portion is
inclined relative to said second plane so that, when it is engaged
with such a strap portion, it is inclined relative to said gripping
surface in such a manner as to prevent movement of said strap
portion in one direction and while permitting it to move in the
opposite direction.
7. The buckle of claim 6 including take-up means for pulling such a
strap portion in said opposite direction, said take-up means being
mounted on said frame.
8. The invention of claim 7 in which said take-up means includes a
handle mounted on said frame for pivotal movement between a first
position a first distance from said gripping surface and a second
position a second and further distance from said gripping surface,
said handle including a pair of laterally spaced apart arm members
receiving therebetween such a strap, a first rod extending rigidly
between said arm members, a second rod extending between said arm
members and connected thereto for movement toward and away from
said first rod, whereby when such a strap portion is trained over
said second rod and then between said rods, movement of said handle
from its first position to its second position will move said rods
together to grip such a strap portion to pull it in said opposite
direction.
9. The invention of claim 8 in which said handle is pivotal about
an axis extending generally parallel to said gripping surface, in
which said first rod is disposed to extend parallel to the last
said axis, and in which said arm members are provided with slots
receiving the end portions, respectively, of said second rod.
10. The invention of claim 7 in which said take-up means includes
rotary means journalled for rotation on said frame, said rotary
means being proportioned and designed firmly to grip such a strap
portion.
11. The invention of claim 10 in which said rotary means provides a
pair of tranversely extending members defining a space therebetween
for receiving such a strap portion, whereby, when said rotary means
is rotated, said strap portion is wrapped about said members.
12. A buckle for fastening a strap, said buckle comprising a frame
including laterally spaced apart frame members arranged to receive
therebetween a portion of such a strap, and a rigid member
providing a gripping surface extending between said frame members
and against which such a strap portion rests, a gripping member
providing an engaging portion proportioned and designed to engage
such a strap portion and to hold it securely against said gripping
surface, means mounting said gripping member for pivotal movement
on said frame whereby said engaging portion is movable toward and
away from said gripping surface, means for yieldably urging said
gripping member about its pivot axis to urge said engaging portion
into engagement with such a strap portion, and means for moving
said gripping member against said urging means to release said
strap portion, said moving means being operatively connected to
said gripping member, said engaging portion being inclined relative
to said gripping surface in such a manner that it engages such a
strap portion and prevents it from moving in one direction while
permitting it to move in the opposite direction, take-up means for
pulling such a strap portion in said opposite direction, said
take-up means being mounted on said frame, said take-up means
including a handle mounted on said frame for pivotal movement
between a first position a first distance from said gripping
surface and a second position a second and further distance from
said gripping surface, said handle including a pair of laterally
spaced apart arm members receiving therebetween such a strap, a
first rod extending rigidly between said arm members, a second rod
extending between said arm members and connected thereto for
movement toward and away from said first rod, whereby when such a
strap portion is trained over said second rod and then between said
rods, movement of said handle from its first position to its second
position will move said rods together to grip such a strap portion
to pull it in said opposite direction.
13. The invention of claim 12 in which said handle is pivotal about
an axis extending generally parallel to said gripping surface, in
which said first rod is disposed to extend parallel to the last
said axis, and in which said arm members are provided with slots
receiving the end portions, respectively, of said second rod.
14. For use in a cargo hauling system including a structural member
having a thickness and providing an elongated slot therein having a
standard length and width, a connector comprising an elongated
connector member providing a front side portion and rear side
portion, said rear side portion being formed to provide, at spaced
apart points intermediate its opposite ends, outwardly extending
generally oppositely facing abutment surfaces, said connector
member having a width less than the width of said slot and a length
greater than the length of said slot, the distance between said
abutment surfaces being less than the length of said slot by an
amount such that said rear side portion can move longitudinally in
said slot to permit one end of said front side portion to be moved
transversely through said slot, a locking member, means for
connecting said locking member to said connector member for
movement toward said rear side to its locking position and away
from said rear side to its releasing position, said locking member
carrying locking means disposed to overlie one of said abutment
surfaces to prevent such longitudinal movement of said rear side
portion when said locking member is in its locking position and to
be positioned rearwardly of said one abutment surface to permit
such longitudinal movement when said locking member is in its
releasing position, and means for yieldably urging said locking
member to its locking position, said locking member being provided
with laterally spaced apart elongated slots, and including a
flexible cargo strap formed to provide a closed loop extending
about said connector member and through said slots, the width of
said strap being less than the distance between said abutment
surfaces and said strap being disposed between said abutment
surfaces, and in which said urging means includes a leaf
spring.
15. The invention of claim 14 in which said locking member is
elongated in the direction of elongation of said connector member
to provide, extending longitudinally outwardly from each abutment
surface, a keeper portion effective to prevent movement of said
locking member transversely through said slot.
16. For use in a cargo hauling system including a structural member
having a thickness and providing an elongated slot therein having a
standard length and width, a connector comprising an elongated
connector member providing a front side portion and rear side
portion, said rear side portion being formed to provide, at space
apart points intermediate its opposite ends, outwardly extending
generally oppositely facing abutment surfaces, said connector
member having a width less than the width of said slot and a length
greater than the length of said slot, the distance between said
abutment surfaces being less than the length of said slot by an
amount such that said rear side portion can move longitudinally in
said slot to permit one end of said front side portion to be moved
transversely through said slot, a locking member, means for
connecting said locking member to said connector member for
movement toward said rear side to its locking position and away
from said rear side to its releasing position, said locking member
carrying locking means disposed to overlie one of said abutment
surfaces to prevent such longitudinal movement of said rear side
portion when said locking member is in its locking position and to
be positioned rearwardly of said one abutment surface to permit
such longitudinal movement when said locking member is in its
releasing position, and means for yieldably urging said locking
member to its locking position, and a support bracket rigidly
fastened to the rear side of said connector member, said support
bracket being proportioned and designed to receive and hold the end
portion of cargo brace and support member.
Description
It is a primary object of my present invention to provide, for use
in a cargo hauling system conventionally including structural
members provided with elongated slots having standard lengths and
widths, a simple and inexpensive, but very effective strapping
system for holding cargo in place, the system including connectors
for connecting the ends of some straps to such structural members
having such slots, and buckles for connecting together such straps.
Another object of my present invention is to provide means,
incorporated into such buckles, for taking up the slack of the
straps connected by such buckles.
Conventionally, cargo compartments, including, for instance,
railway and truck vans, are provided with structural members spaced
along their walls, these structural members having a standard
thickness and providing a plurality of vertically elongated slots
therein, each of the slots having a standard length and width. My
present invention provides simple and inexpensive means for
connecting the ends of straps to the structural members as well as
a simple and inexpensive buckle for connecting two such straps, my
strap connecting means and my buckle being considerably improved
over the prior devices of which I am aware.
Further objects and features of my present invention will become
apparent as this description progresses.
To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, my
invention may be embodied in the forms illustrated in the
accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however,
that the drawings are illustrative only, and that change may be
made in the specific constructions illustrated and described, so
long as the scope of the appended claims is not violated.
IN THE drawings
FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing my buckle with its gripping
member in its locking position;
FIG. 2 is a similar sectional view showing my buckle with its
gripping member in its strap releasing position;
FIG. 3 is a plan view partially sectioned and partially cut away
view showing my buckle as well as my preferred means for connecting
an end of a strap to a slotted structural member;
FIG. 4 is a sectional view, partially cut away, showing my buckle
with a take-up means mounted on the frame thereof;
FIG. 5 is another view partially sectioned and partially cut away
showing my buckle with another type of take-up means mounted on the
frame thereof;
FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a cargo space with
such slotted structural members and with a support beam and a strap
utilized therein;
FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the manner in which
my connector is inserted into a slot of a slotted structural
member;
FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of my connector;
FIG. 9 is a sectional view, partially cut away, showing the
connector in place in the slot of a structural member; and
FIG. 10 shows a form of my connector with a bracket mounted thereon
for supporting and holding the end of a support beam.
Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIGS. 1-5, it
will be seen that I have shown my preferred buckle structure,
indicated generally by the reference numeral 10 in FIGS. 1-3, by
the reference numeral 10' in FIG. 4 and by the reference numeral
10" in FIG. 5. In this description, like reference numerals
represent like parts. In FIG. 4, a strap take-up means is added to
the buckle structure of FIGS. 1-3 and in FIG. 5 another type of
take-up means is added to the buckle structure of FIGS. 1-3.
My basic buckle structure includes means for fastening together or
connecting together two straps such as indicated at 12 and 14. The
buckle 10 comprises a rigid frame including laterally spaced apart
frame members 16, 18, arranged to receive therebetween a portion of
the strap 14, i.e., the loose end of the strap 14. The frame also
includes a rigid trunnion-like member 20 extending between the
frame members 16, 18 and about which a loop of the strap 12 is
disposed, and another trunnion-like rigid member 22 also extending
between the frame members 16, 18. The trunnion member 22 is
provided with a generally flat gripping surface 24 against which a
portion of the strap 14 rests. The trunnion 22 has a part circular
bearing cross section for reasons which will be discussed
hereinafter.
Spaced to the right of the gripping surface 24, as viewed in FIGS.
1-5, is a gripping member 26 and means 28 mounting the gripping
member for pivotal movement about an axis generally parallel to the
axes defined by the trunnion member 20 and the trunnion member 22.
The axis defined by the means 28, which may be a trunnion on which
the member 26 rocks or a shaft which rocks with the member, extends
generally parallel to the generally flat gripping surface 24. The
surface 24 lies in a plane which is generally perpendicular to a
plane which includes the axes of the trunnion 22 and the means 28.
The gripping member 26 pivots from its strap releasing position
illustrated in FIG. 2 to its strap gripping position illustrated in
FIG. 1. The gripping member provides an engaging portion 30
proportioned and designed to engage the strap 14 and to hold it
securely against the gripping surface 24. The engaging portion or
engaging edge of the gripping member 26 is inclined and serrated as
illustrated so that, as it pivots counterclockwise (FIGS. 1-5) to
its gripping position illustrated in FIG. 1, its upper edge 30a
grips tightly into the strap 14. This edge 30a is at a distance
from the axis of the means 28 such that it would actually engage
the gripping surface 24 if the member 26 could continue to pivot
counterclockwise from its position shown in FIG. 1. The
configuration of the gripping portion 30 is such that the gripping
member 26 is unidirectional as will be discussed hereinafter.
I provide a spring 36 as means for yieldably urging the gripping
member 26 to its FIG. 1 position, i.e., to the position in which
its engaging portion 30 engages a portion of the strap 14 to hold
it securely against the gripping surface. In the illustrative
embodiment, the spring 36 is a spring wire formed in such a manner
that its end portions coil about the opposite ends of the trunnion
member 20 with its ends 38 extending through slots, respectively,
in the frame members 16, 18. It will be appreciated, however, that
I may use any number of different types of springs to urge the
gripping member 26 counterclockwise as viewed in FIGS. 1-5. For
instance, I may use a flat metal formed leaf spring or the
like.
I provide means for moving the gripping member 26 against the
urging of the spring 36 from its FIG. 1 position to its FIG. 2
position. In the illustrative embodiment, this moving means
includes a lever 40 which provides a cover for the buckle
mechanism, this lever 40 being formed with a pair of depending ears
42, each of which is provided with a circular opening 44 just
slightly larger in diameter than the diameter of the circular
bearing surface of the trunnion 22. Thus, the lever 40 rocks about
the axis defined by the trunnion 22. Each ear 42 is formed with a
projecting portion defining a cam surface 46. A cam follower pin 48
extends laterally outwardly from each side or each end of the
gripping member 26 to engage and follow the adjacent cam surface
46. Thus, when the lever 40 is pivoted for its FIG. 1 position to
its FIG. 2 position, the cam surfaces 46 lift the pins 48, and
consequently the gripping member 26, to their FIG. 2 positions
effective to release the strap 14.
The projection defining each cam surface 46 includes a hook portion
50 at one end of the cam surface and an abutment portion 52.
Between each hook portion 50 and abutment portion 52, the cam
surface 46 is slightly arcuate as illustrated best in FIGS. 4 and
5. This slightly arcuate cam surface provides a smooth and positive
lifting action. It will be appreciated that each pin 48 can move on
its associated cam surface 46 between the hook portion 50 and the
abutment portion 52 at opposite ends of the cam surface.
Because the engaging portion 30 is inclined relative to the
gripping surface 24 as well as to the plane which includes the axes
of the trunnion member 22 and the means 28, the strap 14 is free to
move as indicated by the arrow 60, but restrained from moving as
indicated by the arrow 62. In other words, the gripping member 26
is proportioned and designed to prevent the strap 14 from moving in
one direction (arrow 62) while permitting it to move in the
opposite direction (arrow 60).
The structure of FIG. 4 includes rotary means 64 journal mounted in
extension portions 65 of the frame members 16', 18', only one
portion 65 being shown. This rotary means 64, which rotates about
an axis extending parallel to the aforementioned axes of the
trunnions 22, 20 and means 28, includes a socket head 66
proportioned and designed to be engaged by a conventional socket
wrench, preferably a ratchet-action socket wrench. The rotary means
64 includes a pair of transversely extending spaced apart members
68, 69 defining, therebetween, a space for receiving a portion of
the strap 14. When the rotary means 64 is rotated in a clockwise
direction as viewed in FIG. 4 so that the strap 14 is wrapped about
the two members 68, 69 as illustrated, the strap is tightened or
pulled in the direction of the arrow 60. I may provide a frictional
washer or other similar means operative to provide some frictional
drag resisting the counterclockwise rotation of the rotary means
64. There is a member 70 extending between the extension portions
65 to keep the strap 14 spaced apart from the rotary means 64.
Referring now to FIG. 5, it will be seen that I have illustrated
another take-up means comprising a handle 72 which is mounted on
extension portions of the frame members 16", 18" to be pivotally
movable about a trunnion 74, the axis of which is parallel to the
aforementioned axes of the trunnions 22, 20 and the means 28. while
only an elevational view of the structure of FIG. 5 is shown, the
handle 72 includes a pair of lever-like members laterally spaced
apart to receive therebetween the strap 14. Extending between these
two members is a first rod 76 and a second rod 78. The first rod 76
is rigidly fastened to the handle 72 while the second rod 78 has
its ends loosely connected to the handle by means of elongated
slots 80 so that the second rod can move relative to the handle
toward and away from the first rod 76. When the strap 14 is trained
over the second rod 78 and then between the first and second rods
as illustrated in FIG. 5, movement of the handle from its
solid-line position to its broken-line position initially causes
the second rod 78 to move toward the first rod 76 to grip the
portion of the strap 14 disposed therebetween. Then, further
movement of the handle counterclockwise pulls the strap 14 in the
direction of the arrow 60 past the gripping surface 24 as permitted
by the unidirectional gripping member 26. THe system of FIG. 5 is,
therefore, a buckle 10" and an integrated lever-operated take-up
means which utilizes the unidirectional characteristics of the
buckle 10" as well as the unidirectional characteristics of the
take-up means. Once the strap 14 is extended through the buckle 10"
and then trained over the second rod 78 and between the first rod
76 and second rod 78, the portion of the strap 14 leading to the
buckle can be tightened from its illustrated solid-line position to
its illustrated broken-line position by cranking the handle 72 in a
counterclockwise direction a plurality of times. It will be
appreciated that the handle 72 can be gripped at its end 82 and
that the distance between the pivot axis defined by the trunnion 74
and the gripping portion 82 is significantly greater than the
distance between the first and second rods 76, 78 and the trunnion
74 axis to give the take-up means of FIG. 5 a considerable
mechanical advantage. It will also be appreciated that the slots
80, only one of which is shown, are disposed relative to the axis
of the first rod 76 in such a manner that the initial movement of
the handle 72 in a counterclockwise direction immediately pulls the
second rod 78 toward the radially inner ends of the slots 80. Of
course, the surfaces of the two rods 76, 78 can be conventionally
serrated or knurled to provide a better gripping action for the
strap 14.
In FIG. 3, I have illustrated a connector 110 connecting the strap
12 to a member 112 having a slot 114 formed therein, The strap 14
may also be connected to such a slotted member 112.
Referring now particularly to FIGS. 6-9, the structure of the
connectors 110 will be discussed. In FIG. 6, I show a cargo space
including slotted members 112 on opposite walls of the space. These
members 112 extend vertically, and each member includes a plurality
of vertically spaced apart vertically elongated slots 114, each of
which has a standard width and length as discussed previously. In
FIG. 6, 1 show straps 12 and 14 connected to the two illustrated
members 112 and a buckle 10 connecting the straps together. Also I
show a support beam 116 having its opposite ends connected,
respectively, to the members 112 by means of connectors 110'.
The illustrative connector 110 includes an elongated connector
member 120 providing a front side portion or main body portion 122
and a rear side portion 124, the rear side portion being formed to
provide, at spaced apart points intermediate its opposite ends,
outwardly extending, generally oppositely facing abutment surfaces
126, 128. The connector member 120 has a width less than the
standard width of the slots 114 and a length greater than the
standard length of the slots. The distance between the abutment
surfaces 126, 128 is less than the standard length of the slots 114
by an amount such that the rear side portion 124 between the
abutment surfaces can move longitudinally in the slots 114. In the
illustrative embodiment, the connector member 120 is formed to
provide rearwardly facing longitudinally extending surfaces 130,
132 extending outwardly, respectively, from the abutment surfaces
126, 128. These surfaces 130, 132 engage the inner surfaces or back
surfaces of the members 112 when the connector members 120 are
disposed in the slots 114. Further, each connector member 120 is
preferably formed with inwardly facing, outwardly extending
abutment surfaces 134 on its front side portion 122, these surfaces
134 serving to prevent lateral movement of the strap 12, 14 which
is wrapped about the connector member. It will be appreciated that
the front side portion of the connector member 120 between the
abutment surfaces 134 is rounded and smooth and that the strap 12,
14 is looped about this rounded and smooth surface. The members 120
may be forged or cast or otherwise formed to provide the relatively
sturdy structure thereof.
The connector 110 also includes a locking member 136 which is
elongated and disposed to extend longitudinally along the rear side
portion 124 of the connector member 120. The locking member 136 is
provided with an opening 138 which is in registry with an opening
139 through the connector member 120. The fastening element 140 has
a shank portion 140a smaller in diameter than the opening 138
through which it extends so that the locking member 136 is loosely
connected to the connector member 120 for movement toward and away
from its rear side portion 124. The member 136 provides a locking
means 142 disposed to overlie the abutment surface 126 when the
locking member 136 is in its position shown in FIG. 9 relative to
the connector member 120. In the illustrative embodiment, the
locking means is merely a tang bent forwardly. Further, the locking
member 136 provides keeper portions 146, 148 at each of its ends
which serves to prevent movement of the locking member transversely
through the slots 114, i.e., to the left as viewed in FIG. 9.
I provide means for yieldably urging the upper portion of the
locking member 136 to its locking position close to the rear side
portion 124. In the illustrative embodiment, this urging means is a
leaf spring 150 formed as illustrated with an aperture 152 through
which the fastening element 140 extends to connect the spring to
the member 120.
The locking member 136 is, therefore, movable between its locking
position at which the tang 142 overlies the abutment surface 126
and its releasing position where the tang 142 is disposed to the
rear of and away from the abutment surface 126 as illustrated in
FIG. 7. The locking member 136 can be moved in opposition to the
spring 150 by pulling rearwardly on the keeper portions 146.
As best seen in FIGS. 7 and 9, a loop of the strap 14 is disposed
about the connector member 120 and through elongated slots 154 in
the locking member 136 with the end of the loop, i.e., the end of
the strap, being stitched as indicated at 156. The width of the
strap 14 is preferably less than the distance between the abutment
surfaces 126, 128 and approximately equal to the distance between
the abutment surfaces 134. As illustrated, the abutment surfaces
134, which are preferably disposed intermediate the abutment
surfaces 126, 128, constitute means for holding the strap against
movement so that its lateral edges are disposed, respectively,
inwardly from the abutment surfaces 126, 128 where they could
become frayed and worn by contact with the ends of the slot 114.
This is an important feature of my connector member because a strap
can become very weak as a result of contacting sharp surfaces.
In order to get the connector member 120 through the slot 114,
i.e., from the right-hand side of the section of the member 112 to
its left-hand side as illustrated in FIG. 7, it is necessary to
move one end of the member 120 transversely through the slot, then
to move the member in the direction of that one end so that its
other end can be moved transversely through the slot. Once the
member 120 is in the position illustrated in FIG. 9, the member can
be moved longitudinally in the slot 114 to contact the abutment
surface 126 with the upper end of the slot only when the tang 142
is pulled to the right from its position overlying the abutment
surface 126. Thus, the connector member 120 can be removed from its
position illustrated in FIG. 9 by pulling the locking member 136 to
its releasing position, moving the connector member 120 upwardly
until the abutment surface 126 engages the upper end of the slot
114, and then pulling the lower end of the connector 120
transversely to the right as viewed in FIG. 9. When the locking
member 136 is in its locking position, the connector member 120
cannot move longitudinally in the slot 114 an amount sufficient to
permit either of its ends to be moved transversely through the
slot.
In this description and in the claims appended hereto, the
designations "front side portion" and "rear side portion" are
adopted merely for convenience and are not intended to be
limitative. For instance, in FIG. 9, that portion of the member 120
to the left of the plane defined generally by the surfaces 130, 132
may be considered the front side portion 122 and that portion of
the member 120 to the right of those surfaces may be considered the
rear side portion 124.
Referring now to FIG. 10, it will be seen that the illustrative
connector 110' includes a support bracket 160 rigidly fastened to
the rear side of the connector member 120', the support bracket
being proportioned and designed to receive and hold the end portion
of a cargo brace or support member, such as a conventional 2
.times. 4 wooden brace. In the illustration of FIG. 10, the bracket
160 is provided with apertures 162 in its wall portion 164 which is
disposed between the rear side portion of the connector member 120'
and the locking member 136'. Then, the rear side portion of the
connecting member 120' is provided with rivet portions 166 which
are headed as illustrated to make the rigid connection between the
bracket 160 and the connector member 120'. Also, in the
illustration of FIG. 10, the member 136' is urged to its locking
position by a coiled spring 150'.
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