Load restraint tensioning system

Abstract

Embodiments relate to a load restraint tensioning system for a vehicle, comprising: a tensioning mechanism for tensioning a load restraint; a tension actuator for tensioning the tensioning mechanism; first coupling portions connected to the load restraint; second coupling portions connected to the vehicle chassis via the tensioning mechanism; and catch mechanisms configured to move each second coupling portion to engage and tension each corresponding first coupling portion. Each catch mechanism comprises: a protrusion extending downward from the chassis; a lever connected to the protrusion at a pivot point; a slider guide mounted on the lever above the pivot point; and a sliding element slidably mounted in the slider guide and connecting each second coupling portion to the tensioning mechanism. Tensioning the system draws the sliding element through the slider guide, rotating the lever, and moving each second coupling portion to engage each first coupling portion to tension the load restraint. 20 26 20 15 39 27 F eb 2 02 6 2 7 F e b 2 0 2 6 2 0 2 6 2 0 1 5 3 9 2 / 19 Fi g. 1B 13 0 10 3 10 0 12 0 13 1 13 2 11 0 13 5 10 1 10 5 12 0 11 0 10 5 13 2 13 3 13 3 13 3 13 1 14 4 14 4 14 1 14 5 14 1 14 514 7 14 7 130 103 101 100 144 147 141 145 120 110 105 131 132 133 144 147 141 145 120 110 133 105 Fig.1B 132 133 131 135 20 26 20 15 39 27 F eb 2 02 6 2 0 2 6 2 0 1 5 3 9 2 7 F e b 2 0 2 6

Claims

1. A load restraint tensioning system for a vehicle, comprising:a tensioning mechanism configured to tension a load restraint of a vehicle;a tension actuator fixed to a chassis of the vehicle and configured to selectively tension the tensioning mechanism;a plurality of first coupling portions connected to the load restraint;a corresponding plurality of second coupling portions connected to the chassis of the vehicle via the tensioning mechanism, each of the second coupling portions being configured to selectively engage a corresponding one of the first coupling portions to connect the load restraint to the tensioning mechanism; anda plurality of catch mechanisms each corresponding to one of the second coupling portions and configured to be actuated to move each second coupling portion between a disengaged configuration in which the second coupling portion is not in contact with the first coupling portion, an engaged configuration in which the second coupling portion is engaged with the corresponding first coupling portion, and a tensioned configuration in which the corresponding first coupling portion is drawn towards the catch mechanism to tension the load restraint,each catch mechanism comprising:a protrusion extending downward from the chassis;a lever pivotally connected to the protrusion at a pivot point;a slider guide mounted on the lever above the pivot point; anda sliding element slidably mounted in the slider guide and connecting the corresponding second coupling portion to the tensioning mechanism,wherein actuation of the tension actuator applies tension to the tensioning mechanism thereby drawing the sliding element through the slider guide, rotating the lever, and moving the second coupling portion of each corresponding catch mechanism from the disengaged configuration to the engaged configuration and subsequently to the tensioned configuration to tension the load restraint.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the first coupling portions comprises achassis hook configured to engage part of the chassis in the tensioned configuration.2026201539   27 Feb 20263.      The system of claim 1 or 2, wherein each catch mechanism further comprises abias configured to bias the catch mechanism to the disengaged configuration.

4. The system of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein each second coupling portioncomprises a loop at least partially formed of resiliently flexible material.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the loop comprises a resiliently flexible cable.

6. The system of claim 4 or 5, wherein at least part of the sliding element comprisespart of the loop, andwherein the slider guide is configured to maintain a width of the loop in a substantially horizontal orientation in the disengaged configuration, and as the loop is rotated with the slider guide and lever into the engaged configuration to engage the corresponding first coupling portion, and as part of the loop as is drawn through the slider guide by the tensioning mechanism to achieve the tensioned configuration.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the slider guide is tapered such that the width ofthe loop in the slider guide is gradually reduced as is it drawn through the slider guide by the tensioning mechanism.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein a taper angle of the slider guide is greater than 5°(degrees) relative to a direction of motion of the loop through the slider guide.

9. The system of any one of claims 4 to 8, wherein each corresponding first couplingportion comprises a hook, and the catch mechanism is configured such that, as the loop moves from the disengaged configuration to the engaged configuration, the loop catches the hook.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the hook comprises a groove configured toaccommodate part of the loop and maintain engagement between the hook and loop as the loop moves to the tensioned configuration to tension the load restraint.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the groove extends in an arc around part of thehook to mitigate against kinking of the loop when tensioned.2026201539   27 Feb 202612.     The system of any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the tensioning mechanismcomprises:a primary cable connected to the tension actuator;a plurality of secondary cables branching off from the primary cable, each corresponding to one of the catch mechanisms and connecting the primary cable to the corresponding sliding element and second coupling portion; anda plurality of pulleys, each corresponding to one of the secondary cables and configured to guide and redirect the tension in the secondary cable from the primary cable to the sliding element.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the tensioning mechanism further comprises aprimary cable bias configured to bias the primary cable to the disengaged configuration.

14. The system of any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the tension actuator comprises amanually operated actuator.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the tension actuator comprises a ratcheting handcrank.

16. The system of claim 13 or 14, wherein the tension actuator comprises a quickrelease mechanism configured to release the tensioning mechanism from the tensioned configuration with a single manual action by a user.

17. A kit for a load restraint tensioning system for a vehicle, the kit comprising:a tensioning mechanism configured to tension a load restraint of a vehicle;a tension actuator configured to be fixed to a chassis of the vehicle and configured to selectively tension the tensioning mechanism;a plurality of first coupling portions configured to be connected to the load restraint;a corresponding plurality of second coupling portions configured to be connected to the chassis of the vehicle via the tensioning mechanism, such that each of the second coupling portions are configured to selectively engage a corresponding one of the first coupling portions to connect the load restraint to the tensioning mechanism; and2026201539   27 Feb 2026a plurality of catch mechanisms each corresponding to one of the second coupling portions and configured to be installed on an underside of the chassis such that the catch mechanisms can be actuated to move each second coupling portion between a disengaged configuration in which the second coupling portion is not in contact with the first coupling portion, an engaged configuration in which the second coupling portion is engaged with the corresponding first coupling portion, and a tensioned configuration in which the corresponding first coupling portion is drawn towards the catch mechanism to tension the load restraint,each catch mechanism comprising:a protrusion configured to be mounted on an underside of the chassis extending downward from the chassis;a lever configured to be pivotally connected to the protrusion at a pivot point;a slider guide configured to be mounted on the lever above the pivot point; anda sliding element configured to be slidably mounted in the slider guide and connect the corresponding second coupling portion to the tensioning mechanism,such that actuation of the tension actuator applies tension to the tensioning mechanism thereby drawing the sliding element through the slider guide, rotating the lever, and moving the second coupling portion of each corresponding catch mechanism from the disengaged configuration to the engaged configuration and subsequently to the tensioned configuration to tension the load restraint.

18. A method of installing the components of the kit of claim 17 on a vehicle with aload restraint, the method comprising:installing the tension actuator on the chassis;installing the tensioning mechanism and connecting the tensioning mechanism to the tension actuator;installing the plurality of first coupling portions on the load restraint;installing the plurality of catch mechanisms and second coupling portions on an underside of the chassis and connecting the catch mechanisms to the tensioning mechanism, each catch mechanism comprising:a protrusion extending downward from the chassis;2026201539   27 Feb 2026a lever pivotally connected to the protrusion at a pivot point;a slider guide mounted on the lever above the pivot point; anda sliding element slidably mounted in the slider guide and connecting the corresponding second coupling portion to the tensioning mechanism,such that actuation of the tension actuator applies tension to the tensioning mechanism thereby drawing the sliding element through the slider guide, rotating the lever, and moving the second coupling portion of each corresponding catch mechanism from the disengaged configuration to the engaged configuration and subsequently to the tensioned configuration to tension the load restraint.

19. A system comprising a combination of any two or more of the features, integers,structures, mechanisms, components and / or elements disclosed herein or indicated in the specification of this application individually or collectively.

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