Freight accommodation on freight carrier – Load lashing retainer or load lashing adjunct – Wraparound
Reexamination Certificate
1998-04-17
2001-11-27
Gordon, Stephen T. (Department: 3612)
Freight accommodation on freight carrier
Load lashing retainer or load lashing adjunct
Wraparound
C410S096000, C410S103000, C410S156000, C007S166000, C254S025000, C016S114100, C074S544000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06322302
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
Field of Invention
This invention relates to strap tightening mechanisms such as those associated with securing cargo packages and, more particularly, to a snap buckle device for tightening a woven strap about an object such as a ceramic mold; and a tool for engaging and disengaging the snap buckle device.
So-called snap buckles for tightening a woven strap or belt about a cargo package or various other objects are well known to those skilled in the art. The snap buckle is fixedly attached to the belt at one end thereof and the opposite end of the belt is fed through the belt tightening mechanism of the snap buckle device so as to encircle and secure the object.
In a slackened condition, the belt is drawn through the snap buckle and around the object to be secured. Thereafter, the snap buckle is typically folded 180° to a tightened condition which takes up the slack in the belt in order to secure the object.
In the conventional practice such a snap buckle is difficult to operate manually. Typically, the snap buckle tightening mechanism requires that a user pivot the so-called “tongue” of the snap buckle using the hand and fingers. This tightening action can become very painful to the user even in the best of conditions due to the pressure required to operate the snap buckle. Further, there is a transition point in the tightening process at which the snap buckle actually “snaps” closed and the user has no control over the buckle at all. In the worst case scenario, the user can injure their hand or finger during the tightening process.
Thus, the present invention has been developed to provide the user with a safe and effective tool for controlling the snap buckle tightening operation.
DESCRIPTION OF RELATED PRIOR ART
U.S. Pat. No. 4,236,427 to Larry H. Becnel discloses a toggle latch opening and closing tool for use with at least two different types of container toggle latches. This tool comprises a generally L-shaped shank portion having first and second diverging legs integrally joined together at one end and a handle secured to the free end of the first leg.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,549,429 to Delores A. Sergent discloses a ratchet operating tool for a strap tightening mechanism such as those associated with cargo securing harnesses. The tool comprises a handle having a first end a socket adapted to engage the lever of the ratching mechanism and, at an opposite second end, a tongue adapted to unlock the ratcheting mechanism. A U.S. Pat. No. 3,864,769 to Monroe H. Hamilton discloses a buckle operating means for moving a ski boot buckle into and out of holding positions. The device comprises a lever body having spaced-apart gripper sides formed at one end thereof for engaging an extremity of a buckle prong. A lever arm portion extending outwardly from one of the gripper sides provides a handle part through which manually applied pressure can be exerted to move a buckle prong.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,510,651 to Ernest Prete Jr., et al. discloses a ratchet buckle with a removable operating lever for tightening and tensioning straps. The ratchet buckle has a bifurcated frame member with a pair of oppositely positioned parallel arms between which a reel member and ratchet wheels are rotatably mounted and employs a bifurcated handle member having a pair of oppositely positioned parallel arms rotatably mounted on the reel. The handle has a ratchet drive plate which engages the teeth of the ratchet wheels such that when the handle is actuated, the reel is rotatably driven.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,583,429 to Daniel E. Kroeger et al. discloses a unitary opener device for tab-type cans comprising a handle portion adapted to be gripped by a user, and a working end portion having a pair of relatively inflexible nose portions, the nose portions being separated by slot dimensioned to receive the exposed portion of the can opening tab.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,362,071 to Jess M. Coker discloses a can opener for opening tab-type closures comprising a body portion, a head portion, and a handle. A lower lip member and an upper lip member are connected to the proximal end of the head portion. To open the closure of the can, the lower lip member is inserted under the ring member of the closure. The handle is grasped and the body portion is pivoted on the rim of the can to pull the ring member away from the can to completely remove the weakened portion of the closure from the can thereby producing an opening in the end of the can.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
After much study of the above mentioned problems, the present invention has been developed to provide an improved tool for the manual operation of a snap buckle of the type utilized to secure various shipping containers.
In the conventional practice such a packaging strap is drawn about the container to be secured and inserted through a so-called snap buckle in a slackened condition.
Thereafter, the snap buckle is folded to a closed condition to take up slack in the packaging strap which secures the container to a pallet or directly to a truck or other conveyance for shipping.
Although the opening and closing of such a snap buckle is often carried out by hand or by using common hand tools, injuries often result to a user because the snap buckle literally snaps shut to a closed position and the user has no effective control of the device.
Thus, the improved tool of the present invention is designed to provide controlled operation of the snap buckle during opening and closing thereof.
In view of the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved tool for the operation of a so-called snap buckle used to tighten packaging straps during shipping and handling.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved tool for operating a snap buckle which is configured to provide a user with optimum control and leverage during operation of the snap buckle.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved tool for opening and closing a snap buckle which reduces the likelihood of injury to a user thereof.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent and obvious from a study of the following description and the accompanying drawings which are merely illustrative of such invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: D. 199019 (1964-08-01), Marson
patent: 1486820 (1924-03-01), Wilder
patent: 3119278 (1964-01-01), Simpson
patent: 3864769 (1975-02-01), Hamilton
patent: 3893200 (1975-07-01), Wanciak
patent: 4112530 (1978-09-01), Lecce et al.
patent: 4236427 (1980-12-01), Becnel
patent: 4297916 (1981-11-01), Burroughs
patent: 4362071 (1982-12-01), Coker
patent: 4510651 (1985-04-01), Prete, Jr. et al.
patent: 4583429 (1986-04-01), Kroeger et al.
patent: 5429463 (1995-07-01), Howell
patent: 5433565 (1995-07-01), Chan
patent: 5494387 (1996-02-01), Ruegg
patent: 5524505 (1996-06-01), Lawrence
patent: 5549429 (1996-08-01), Sergent
Gordon Stephen T.
Mills Law Firm PLLC
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