Freight accommodation on freight carrier – Load bracing means – Brace bar – wall-to-wall
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-13
2001-05-29
Gordon, Stephen T. (Department: 3612)
Freight accommodation on freight carrier
Load bracing means
Brace bar, wall-to-wall
C410S121000, C410S143000, C410S155000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06238154
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The following invention relates to an apparatus for securing cargo during transportation. More specifically, this invention relates to a vehicle cargo restraint tool that attaches to a laterally extending load lock device to prevent lateral movement of the cargo. Lateral movement is prevented by contact between the cargo and a restraint arm that extends radially outward from a fastener/collar grippably attached to the load lock.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In the cargo restraint arts, a substantial array of devices have been devised to prevent cargo from moving inside a vehicle during transport. These devices are constructed and arranged within the vehicle and about the cargo to substantially prevent lateral, longitudinal, and off-axis movement. This prevents shifting cargo from damaging itself, the transport vehicle and other vehicles, public and private property, and people (should the cargo escape or cause the transport vehicle to become uncontrollable).
Some typical prior art cargo restrain devices include:
Inventor
U.S. Pat. No.
Watters
2,971,797
Foster
2,973,934
Rogers
4,236,854
Barnes
4,343,578
Bartkus
4,772,165
Shannon
5,028,185
Wayne
5,265,993
Wallen
5,472,301
These prior art cargo restraint devices consist of rods or panels that attach to or abut the walls of the transport vehicle. The rods or panels generally contact opposing sides of the cargo and thereby restrain the cargo to movement parallel to the rods or panels. Cross-rod and cross-panel members are generally attached perpendicular to the rods and panels, contact the cargo on opposing sides, and thereby restrain the cargo from movement parallel to the cross-rods and cross-panels. One variation on this approach, taught by Shannon in U.S. Pat. No. 5,028,185, is to use one cross-rod or cross-panel member to contact one side of the cargo and use a wall to restrain the opposing side. Again, in conjunction with the rods or panels the cargo is restrained from moving in the lateral, longitudinal, or off-axis direction.
The prior art approaches have several drawbacks. Some devices come into contact with the cargo over a very narrow range of height. This tends to restrict the cargo being restrained to a single unit, as opposed to restraining several like units of cargo stacked on top of one another. Some devices only restrict longitudinal movement with rods or panels and depend on friction or other means for restraining cargo in the lateral direction. These devices can result in the type of damage described above or lead to the use of unreliable means to restrain the cargo. Furthermore, the prior art cargo restraints are self-contained and do not take advantage of existing laterally extending load lock devices that simply and easily restrain cargo in the longitudinal direction. Such load lock devices are typified by the devices disclosed by Barnes in U.S. Pat. No. 4,343,578 and Wallen in U.S. Pat. No. 5,472,301. Such lateral extending members simply need an effective device that easily attaches to the load lock to prevent movement in the lateral direction.
Accordingly, a need exists for an apparatus and method that restrains cargo laterally with greater versatility, effectiveness, and simplicity than the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The cargo lateral restraint tool of this invention solves the problems of inability to attach to existing laterally extending load locks, cargo restraint limitations, and excessive complexity associated with the prior art. Specifically, the tool incorporates novel design characteristics that address each problem. First, the tool has a fastener that conformably attaches to a laterally extending load lock. The fastener is integrally joined to a rigid restraint arm that makes contact with the cargo and holds the cargo in place. Opposite the fastener is a free end that cantilevers from the fastener, thereby eliminating a need for additional structural members and simplifying the restraining process relative to the prior art. Because the end opposite the fastener is free, the tool can be oriented radially in virtually any direction ranging from substantially horizontal to substantially vertical.
Second, in one form of the invention, the tool includes an extension sleeve that attaches to the free end of the tool. The extension sleeve permits the restraint of cargo over a wide range of heights. As such, multiple units of cargo stacked atop one another can be positively restrained and reliance on friction between cargo surfaces or other unreliable means can be eliminated.
A typical use of the tool is as follows. Cargo is placed within a vehicle for the purpose of transport to another location. The transport process is such that expected acceleration loads induced on the cargo are of sufficient magnitude to cause unrestrained cargo to shift within the vehicle. A laterally extending load lock is affixed between longitudinal side walls of the vehicle such that the longitudinal acceleration loads transmitted from the cargo to the load lock will not be sufficient to cause the load lock to move from its position. The restraint tool is positioned relative to the cargo so that the restraint arm can make contact with the cargo after the tool is attached to the load lock. The fastening end of the tool (in an open position) is then positioned about the load lock with the restraint arm adjacent the cargo. The tool is moved laterally along the load lock until the flat surface of the restraint arm makes firm contact with the cargo. The fastener is then closed about the laterally extending load lock and clamped into place using a clamping feature integral to the fastener.
The opposing lateral side of the cargo can be restrained in one of two ways. One way is to position the cargo immediately adjacent a side wall of the vehicle and allow the vehicle side wall to prevent lateral movement of the cargo. The second way is to leave sufficient space between the side wall nearest the cargo side to be restrained and install another tool as described above. The two tools working in concert with each other and a common or different laterally extending load lock will restrain the cargo from moving laterally and increase resistance against moving longitudinally.
An optional feature of the tool allows two or more tools to be used in concert to restrain multiple units of cargo in the longitudinal direction. This feature consists of a rod, a rod receiving cavity, and a wing nut to hold the rod in place within the receiving cavity. Using this feature requires that an additional load lock be installed either fore or aft of the first load lock. A tool or tools are then installed on the additional load lock(s) as described above. The rod is then inserted into the rod receiving cavity and clamped in place in both tools. All cargo in contact with the rod is now restrained from moving laterally.
To remove the tool, the load locks, and the cargo simply perform the above processes in reverse order.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
According, a primary object of the present invention is to restrain lateral movement of cargo within a vehicle.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a simple and versatile cargo restraint device.
Another object of the present invention is to restrain lateral movement of cargo using a cantilever restraint element.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a restraint tool that can increase the height of cargo that can be actively restrained.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a restraint tool that can increase the number of stacked cargo units that can be actively restrained.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a restraint tool that can reduce damage to cargo, transport vehicles, and property.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a restraint tool that can reduce road hazards associated with shifting loads.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a restraint tool that can increase flexibility of cargo placement within a transport vehicle.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a ca
Gordon Stephen T.
Heisler & Associates
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