Load securing system

Abstract

A load securing system for securing a load (2) on the loading platform (1) of a means of transport, comprising at least two first securing elements (14) provided on the load (2) and arranged at a distance from each other, which interact with two second securing elements (5) in the area of ​​the loading platform (1) such that the first securing elements (14) come into securing contact with the second securing elements (5) when the load (2) is placed on the loading platform (1), wherein the second securing elements (5) are arranged at a distance from the side edges of the loading platform (1) and have at least one opening (8) into which the first securing elements (14) engage when the load (2) is placed, characterized in that the second securing elements (5) have a pivotable locking flap (7).which, when the first locking element (14) is inserted, is in an open position and, when the first locking element (14) is not inserted, is in a closed position in which the locking flap (7) closes the opening and is flush with the loading surface (1).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a load securing system for securing a load item on the loading platform of a means of transport.

[0002] The cargo could be, for example, a container or a machine that needs to be secured in a predetermined position on the loading platform of a transport vehicle. A truck, particularly a municipal vehicle, could be used as a transport vehicle, on whose loading platform a grit container or spreading device is to be attached. However, it could also be other containers, such as liquid containers, mortar tubs, bitumen tubs, or the like.

[0003] The load securing system must be designed to adequately secure the load against slipping and / or lifting. This is often achieved by securing the load to the loading platform using lashing devices such as straps or chains. However, this solution is relatively complex both when securing and releasing the load. Furthermore, the lashing devices must be stowed appropriately when not in use so that they are readily available when needed.

[0004] In DE 20 2005 020 805 U1, a device for securing a cargo item to be transported is described, which has at least two first securing elements attached to opposite sides of the cargo item, which interact with corresponding second securing elements in the area of ​​the loading surface in such a way that the first securing elements come into securing contact with the second securing elements when the cargo item is placed on the loading surface.

[0005] US Patent 9,663,021 B1 describes a twistlock system specifically designed for securing ISO openings in corner fittings of containers transported on ships. The twistlock system comprises a main body with a T-clamping screw mechanism and two pivoting cams that grip the edges of the ISO opening. It is a system that provides a tight, play-free connection in all directions to distribute the load evenly and ensure the stability of the containers on the ship.

[0006] Document US 2016 / 0101933A1 describes a system for locking and unlocking containers for transportation. It is an automatic locking system that requires minimal human intervention to securely and quickly attach or detach containers to a base. The system includes an actuating unit in the upper corner of a container and a rotating locking unit in the lower corner, connected by a coupling link.

[0007] The invention is based on the objective of providing a load securing system that is easy and convenient to use, but still enables reliable securing of the load on the loading platform of the means of transport.

[0008] According to the invention, this problem is solved by the features of claim 1. Further embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0009] The load securing system according to the invention for securing a load on the loading platform of a means of transport comprises at least two first securing elements provided on the load and arranged at a distance from each other, which interact with two second securing elements in the area of ​​the loading platform such that the first securing elements come into contact with the second securing elements when the load is placed on the loading platform. The second securing elements are arranged in the area of ​​the loading platform at a distance from the side edges of the loading platform and have at least one opening into which the first securing elements engage when the load is placed on the loading platform.

[0010] According to the invention, the second locking elements further feature a pivotable locking flap which is in an open position when the first locking element is inserted and in a closed position when the first locking element is not inserted, in which the locking flap closes the opening and is flush with the loading platform. Since no components protrude upwards in the closed position, the loading platform can also be used for other purposes, such as transporting materials or bulk goods, without the second locking elements hindering loading or unloading in any way. The locking flap is also pivotally hinged, so that it cannot be lost.

[0011] The load securing system according to the invention enables the load to be changed by simply lifting or lowering the load, whereby a (pneumatic or hydraulic) lifting device present on the transport vehicle, a vertically adjustable tripod on the load side or an external crane can be used.

[0012] The second securing elements are preferably mounted on an underside of the loading platform and are flush with an upper surface of the loading platform.

[0013] It can also interact with at least one spring element that is pre-tensioned in such a way that the spring element forces the locking flap into the closed position. This allows the locking flap to close automatically when the load is lifted. Furthermore, it is mounted in such a way that, when the first securing element engages (i.e., when a load is lowered onto the loading platform), it can be pivoted from its closed position to its open position under further compression of the spring element.

[0014] The first securing element is preferably designed as a centering element or centering pin to facilitate lowering the load onto the loading platform. The centering element can, for example, be designed as a conical pin arranged on the underside of the load.

[0015] According to a further embodiment, each of the second securing elements incorporates a locking element that is adjustable between a release position and a locking position and interacts with the locking flap to mechanically block the flap. The locking element thus mechanically blocks the locking flap in its closed position, preventing it from unintentionally opening and sealing the loading area from below when the loading platform is used for other purposes, such as for bulk goods. The locking element can also be used to lock the first securing element within the second securing element. In its release position, it allows the first securing element to be inserted into the second securing element, while in its locking position, it engages the first securing element in a locking manner.According to another option, the first locking element has a recess, for example in the form of an annular groove, into which the locking element engages in its locking position.

[0016] Furthermore, the opening in the second locking element can be designed to widen conically in the insertion direction of the first locking element, resulting in a solution that is less susceptible to dirt accumulation, as any deposits can fall out downwards when the locking flap is opened. The opening in the second locking element is therefore preferably also open downwards in the insertion direction.

[0017] A particularly simple and quick handling of the load securing system results when the locking elements of at least two secondary securing elements can be adjusted together between the release position and the locking position via an operating mechanism. This makes it possible to secure the load by simply flipping an operating lever after setting it down.

[0018] In principle, it may be sufficient to have only two secondary securing elements on the loading platform and two corresponding first securing elements on the cargo. However, within the scope of the invention, three, four, or even more first and secondary securing elements can also be provided. In one embodiment of the invention, two secondary securing elements are arranged spaced apart from each other on the longitudinal center axis of the loading platform, and the first securing elements on the cargo are arranged correspondingly so that they engage with the secondary securing elements when the cargo is set down.

[0019] Further embodiments and advantages of the invention are explained in more detail with reference to the following description and the drawing.

[0020] The drawing shows Fig. 1. A three-dimensional representation of the loading area with secondary securing elements, Fig. 2 a three-dimensional representation of a second locking element, Fig. 3 a sectional view of the second locking element according to Fig. 2 in the closed position of the locking flap, Fig. 4 a sectional view of the second locking element according to Fig. 2 in the open position of the locking flap and with the first locking element inserted, Fig. 5 a three-dimensional underside view of the loading platform with an actuating linkage for joint adjustment of the locking elements between the release position and the locking position.

[0021] Fig. Figure 1 shows an example of a loading platform 1 of a transport vehicle with a schematically depicted load 2 placed on it. The loading platform 1 is limited here only by a front wall 3. Of course, side walls and a rear wall can also be provided if required. On the loading platform 1, two spaced-apart second securing elements 5 are visible in the area of ​​the longitudinal center axis 4, arranged at a distance from the side edges 1a, 1b of the loading platform 1. The second securing element 5 is located in the Fig. 2 to 4 are shown in more detail and is formed by a steel body 6 which has an opening 8 that can be closed by a locking flap 7. The second locking element 5 is mounted or welded to the loading platform 1 from below in such a way that the second locking element 5 protrudes through a bore in the loading platform 1 and is flush with the top surface of the loading platform 1.

[0022] The locking flap 7 is pivotally mounted about an axis 9 in the steel body 6 and between the in the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 shown closing position and the one in Fig. The opening position shown in section 4 is pivotable. It also interacts with at least one spring element 10, which is pre-tensioned such that the spring element 10 moves the closing flap 7 into the closed position as shown. Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 pushes. The pivoting movement of the spring element 10 is limited in the closed position by an adjusting screw 11, with the help of which the locking flap 7 can be aligned flush with the loading surface 1 in the closed position.

[0023] In each of the second locking elements 5 a locking element 12 is provided which is adjustable between a release position (not shown) and a locking position and is connected to the locking flap 7 for mechanical blocking of the locking flap (see Fig. 3) interacts. The locking element 12 is rotated about an axis of rotation 13 from the locking position according to Fig. 3 can be rotated counterclockwise by approximately 70 to 90°, preferably 75°, into its release position. In the release position, however, the locking flap 7 is still held in its closed position by the spring element 10.

[0024] The cargo item 2, which is to be placed on the loading platform 1, is provided on its underside with first securing elements 14, which come into secure contact with the second securing elements 5 when the cargo item 2 is placed on the loading platform 1, as shown in Fig. Figure 4 shows the first locking element 14 as a centering element with a conical pin 14b, which comes into contact with the locking flap 7 when the load 2 is placed on the device and, under further compression of the spring element 10, closes the locking flap 7 into the Fig. The opening position shown in section 4 is pressed. When the load item 2 is lifted from the loading platform 1, the locking flap 7 closes automatically with the help of the spring element 10.

[0025] The locking element 12 serves not only to mechanically block the locking flap in its closed position ( Fig. 3), but also serves to lock the first locking element 14 in the second locking element 5 ( Fig. 4) and thus to secure the cargo item 2 on the loading platform 1 against slipping and lifting. For this purpose, the first securing element 14 has a recess 14a into which the locking element 6, after clockwise rotation from the (not shown) open position to the locked position, is inserted. Fig. 4 intervenes.

[0026] Out of Fig. Figure 4 also shows that the opening 8 in the second locking element 5 widens conically downwards in the insertion direction of the first locking element 14 and is open at the bottom. Both measures ensure that any dirt or deposits can fall out more easily downwards and thus do not impede the movement of the locking flap 7 and the locking element 12.

[0027] Out of Fig. 2 and Fig.Figure 5 further shows an actuating mechanism for the joint adjustment of the locking elements 12 of the two second locking elements 5 between the release position and the locked position. For this purpose, a lever arm 15, pivotable about the axis of rotation 13, is provided on each of the second locking elements 5 and is rotationally fixed to the locking element 12. A groove-and-pin guide 16 limits the rotational movement of the locking element 12 and the lever arm 15. An actuating linkage 18 engages an eyelet 17 spaced from the axis of rotation 13 and is coupled to an actuating lever 19, pivotable between two positions, such that pivoting the actuating lever 19 via the actuating linkage 18 causes a joint rotational movement of the lever arms 15 of the two second locking elements 5 and thus a joint movement of the two locking elements 12 between the release position and the locked position.The operating lever 19 can extend laterally beyond the loading area in the release position to provide an additional visual check as to whether the load item is already locked or the locking flaps are secured.

Claims

[1] Load securing system for securing a load item (2) on the loading platform (1) of a means of transport, comprising at least two first securing elements (14) provided on the load item (2) and arranged at a distance from each other, which interact with two second securing elements (5) in the area of ​​the loading platform (1) in such a way that the first securing elements (14) come into securing contact with the second securing elements (5) when the load item (2) is placed on the loading platform (1), wherein the second securing elements (5) are arranged at a distance from the side edges of the loading platform (1) and have at least one opening (8) into which the first securing elements (14) engage when the load item (2) is placed. characterized by, that the second locking elements (5) have a pivotable locking flap (7) which is in an open position when the first locking element (14) is inserted and in a closed position when the first locking element (14) is not inserted, in which the locking flap (7) closes the opening and is flush with the loading surface (1). [2] Load securing system according to claim 1, characterized by , that the second securing elements (5) are mounted on an underside of the loading platform (1) and are flush with an upper side of the loading platform (1). [3] Load securing system according to claim 1, characterized by , that the locking flap (7) interacts with at least one spring element (10) that is pre-tensioned in such a way that the spring element (10) forces the locking flap (7) into the closed position. [4] Load securing system according to claim 3, characterized by, that the locking flap (7) is mounted in such a way that, when the first locking element (14) engages, it can pivot from the closed position to the open position under further compression of the spring element (10). [5] Load securing system according to claim 1, characterized by , that the first locking element (14) has a centering element (14b). [6] Load securing system according to claim 1, characterized by , that in each of the second locking elements (5) a locking element (12) is provided which is adjustable between a release position and a locking position and cooperates with the locking flap (7) to mechanically block the locking flap (7). [7] Load securing system according to claim 1, characterized by, that in each of the second locking elements (5) a locking element (12) is provided which is adjustable between a release position and a locking position and cooperates with the first locking element (14) to lock the first locking element (14) in the second locking element (5). [8] Load securing system according to claim 6 and / or 7, characterized by , that the locking element (12) is rotatable and engages with the locking cap (7) in the closed position of the locking flap (7) and with the first locking element (14) inserted into the second locking element (5) in the open position of the locking flap (7). [9] Load securing system according to claim 7, characterized by , that the first locking element (14) has a recess into which the locking element (12) engages in its locking position. [10] Load securing system according to claim 1, characterized by, that the opening in the second locking element (5) widens conically in the insertion direction of the first locking element (14). [11] Load securing system according to claim 1, characterized by , that the opening in the second locking element (5) is designed to be open downwards in the insertion direction. [12] Load securing system according to claim 6 and / or 7, characterized by , that the locking elements (12) of the at least two second locking elements (5) are jointly adjustable between the release position and the locking position via an actuating mechanism (15, 18, 19). [13] Load securing system according to claim 1, characterized by, that at least two second securing elements (5) are arranged spaced apart from each other on the longitudinal center axis (4) of the loading area (1) and that the first securing elements (14) are provided accordingly on the load item (2) so that they engage with the second securing elements (5) when the load item (2) is set down.

Images