Device to assist in installing a load securing strap on the platform of a transport vehicle

Abstract

Title: Device for assisting the installation of a load securing strap on the platform of a transport vehicle. Device for assisting the installation of a load securing strap (6) (5) on the platform (40) of a transport vehicle (4). It is in the form of a semi-rigid rod (1), one end (10), referred to as the second end, being equipped with a means (2) for securing one end (60) of the strap (6), while the other end (11) of the semi-rigid rod (1), referred to as the first end, is shaped to be inserted above the load (5), or between the load and the roof (41) of the transport vehicle (4), if present. Figure for the abbreviation: Fig. 4

Description

Title of the invention: Device for assisting in the installation of a load securing strap on the platform of a transport vehicle

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for assisting in the placement of a load securing strap on the platform of a transport vehicle.

[0002] In the field of goods transport, it is generally mandatory to secure the load using straps attached to the vehicle's platform and passing over the load. These straps generally consist of two parts: a short part, comprising at one end a hook for securing to the platform and at the other a ratchet, and a long part, comprising at one end a hook for securing to the platform while the other end is intended to be fastened by the ratchet.

[0003] The installation of these straps can present many disadvantages, particularly when the load is of great height, knowing that it can be several meters.

[0004] Indeed, to strap the load, for each of the straps, it is necessary to throw the entire long part of the strap over the said load while holding its end with the hook, hoping on the one hand to pass between the merchandise and the roof of the trailer if there is one, on the other hand to throw far enough and not get stuck above the load which would require climbing onto the load in order to unhook it, on the other hand to pass the strap in the right place, on the other hand not to risk injuring someone placed on the other side who has not been spotted.

[0005] Moreover, having to throw the straps many times, sometimes several times a day, can generate musculoskeletal disorders.

[0006] For all these reasons, the operation of strapping down a load is dreaded by road professionals, not only because it presents risks of injury, for the driver or a third party, but also because of the time required to implement it since the operation must be repeated many times depending on the type of load.

[0007] The present invention aims to remedy these various drawbacks by proposing a device to assist in the placement of a load securing strap on the platform of a transport vehicle, of simple design and easy to use.

[0008] The device for assisting in the installation of a load securing strap on the platform of a transport vehicle according to the invention is characterized in that it takes the form of a semi-rigid rod, one end of which, called the second end, is equipped with a means of securing one end of said strap, while the other end of said semi-rigid rod, called the first end, is shaped to be able to be inserted above said load, or between the latter and the possible roof of said transport vehicle.

[0009] In practice, the user, namely the vehicle driver, secures one end of the strap by attaching it to the other end of the rod, then raises the rod to the height of the load until the first end is positioned above it, and then pushes the rod over the load until it is lifted. After that, the user simply pulls on the rod to bring the strap to the other side.

[0010] When the vehicle is equipped with a roof, and the load is of a height close to that available under said roof, the first end of the rod can be pushed against the roof, the relative flexibility of said rod allowing it to run along the latter above the load.

[0011] According to an additional feature of the assistance device according to the invention, the first end is provided with an enlargement in the form of a tip with rounded contours.

[0012] This conformation of the first end makes it easier to pass the rod between the roof and the merchandise.

[0013] According to another additional feature of the assistance device according to the invention, the rod is made of a material which has sufficient flexibility to allow its automatic bending over the load when it is held substantially vertically by its second end.

[0014] According to another additional feature of the assistance device according to the invention, the first end is weighted to facilitate the bending of the rod above the load when said rod is held substantially vertically by its second end.

[0015] According to another additional feature of the assistance device according to the invention, the rod has a marker placed at a determined distance from the first end, allowing the user to assess the distance traveled over the merchandise.

[0016] In this way the operator can know when he has to stop pushing on the rod, and go to the other side of the vehicle to proceed with the pulling.

[0017] According to another additional feature of the assistance device according to the invention, the rod is of variable length, adaptable to its use.

[0018] According to a particular embodiment of the assistance device according to the invention, the rod is designed to be telescopic.

[0019] Such a configuration facilitates the storage of the rod, and allows for rapid implementation.

[0020] According to another embodiment of the assistance device according to the invention, the rod is made up of a multiplicity of butted elements.

[0021] The two-to-two joining of the elements can be achieved in several ways, namely, but not limited to, by interlocking, by screwing, by bayonet type fixing.

[0022] Preferably, the elements are tubular and all crossed by a wire element in order to facilitate their joining by making them imperishable.

[0023] In addition to the advantages regarding the easy placement of a strap, the assistance device according to the invention allows this strap to be positioned precisely on the merchandise.

[0024] The advantages and characteristics of the assistance device according to the invention will become clearer from the following description, which relates to the attached drawing, which represents a non-limiting embodiment thereof.

[0025] In the attached drawing:

[0026] [Fig.1]. represents a schematic elevation view of a device for assisting in the placement of a load securing strap on the platform of a transport vehicle according to the invention.

[0027] [Fig.2]. represents a schematic perspective view of a part of the same assistance device according to the invention,

[0028] [Fig. 3]. represents a schematic plan view of another part of the same assistance device according to the invention

[0029] [Fig.4]. represents a schematic view illustrating a first phase of use of the same assistance device according to the invention.

[0030] [Fig. 5]. represents a schematic view illustrating a second phase of use of the same assistance device according to the invention.

[0031] With reference to [Fig.1], a device 1 can be seen for assisting in the placement of a load securing strap on the platform of a transport vehicle according to the invention.

[0032] This device 1 is in the form of a rod, of semi-rigid design, exhibiting a certain degree of flexibility as will be described later.

[0033] This rod 1 is of relatively great length, ideally, to meet all scenarios, from eight to nine meters.

[0034] It comprises an end 10 provided with a means 2 for attaching a strap (not shown), and another end 11 provided, preferably but not limited to, with a tip 3 having rounded contours, and which may advantageously be of a certain weight in order to force the bending of the rod 1 when it is held substantially vertically by its end 10.

[0035] From a design point of view, the rod 1 is made up of several elements 12, which are either telescopic or joined two-to-two by different means of fastening.

[0036] With reference to [Fig.2], the end 11 of the rod 1 can be seen, and more particularly the tip 3 with which it is fitted. The latter can take the form of a sausage made of foam, for example.

[0037] With reference to [Fig.3], we can see the end 10 of the rod 1, and more particularly the means 2 for attaching a strap, which is in the form of a loop 20 with a notched slider 21.

[0038] Now with reference to figures 4 and 5, we can see a transport vehicle 4 on the platform 40 of which is placed a load 5, which is to be secured by means of at least one strap 6, passing over this load 5, between it and the roof 41 of the vehicle 4.

[0039] In a first step, the operator 7, generally the driver, attaches one end 60 of the strap 6 to the end 10 of the rod 1, and more specifically to the means of attachment 2.

[0040] Having done this, the operator 7 can deploy the rod 1 and, with reference to [Fig.2], engage the end 11 of the rod 1, and more precisely the pad 3, in the space E delimited by the top of the load 5 and the roof 41.

[0041] Under the effect of the weight of the rod 1, and / or the pad 3, the rod 1 bends, which facilitates its introduction into space E.

[0042] It should be noted that this ability to bend under the effect of the weight of the rod or valve 1 and / or the pad 3 is very useful when the vehicle 4 does not have a roof, knowing that when there is a roof, it is possible to take support against the lower wall of the latter to force the bending.

[0043] Thus, the operator 7 pushes upwards, in the direction of arrow H, the rod 1 until it crosses the width of the vehicle, and even more, until the operator 7 can grasp the end 11 on the other side of the vehicle 4.

[0044] Now with reference to [Fig.3], we can see a subsequent phase of the implementation of the device according to the invention, namely that the operator 7 has moved to the other side of the vehicle 4, and that he pulls on the rod 1, downwards in the direction of arrow B, to bring the end 60 of the strap 6 to his side.

[0045] At this point, the operator 7 can attach the strap 6 to the platform 40, on each side of it.

[0046] The assistance device according to the invention allows the easy placement of a load securing strap on the platform of a transport vehicle without physical risk to the user or to third parties.

Claims

Demands

1. Device for assisting in the placement of a load securing strap (6) (5) on the platform (40) of a transport vehicle (4), characterized in that it is in the form of a semi-rigid rod (1), one end (10), referred to as the second end, being equipped with a means (2) for securing one end (60) of said strap (6), while the other end (11) of said semi-rigid rod (1), referred to as the first end, is shaped to be able to be inserted above said load (5), or between the latter and the possible roof (41) of said transport vehicle (4), and which consists for this purpose of an enlargement in the form of an end piece (3) with rounded contours.

2. An assistance device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first end (11) is weighted to facilitate the bending of the rod (1) above the load (5) when said rod (1) is held substantially vertically by its second end (10).

3. Assistance device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rod (1) has a marker placed at a determined distance from the first end (11), enabling the user (7) to assess the distance traveled over the goods (5).

4. Assistance device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rod (1) is of variable length, adaptable to its use, being either telescopic or made up of a multiplicity of butted elements (12).

5. Assistance device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rod (1) is made up of a multiplicity of butted elements (12), the two-by-two joining of the elements (12) being achieved either by interlocking, or by screwing, or by bayonet type fixing.

6. Assistance device according to claim 5, characterized in that the elements (12) are tubular and all traversed by a wire element in order to facilitate their joining by making them imperishable.

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