Apparatus and method for stabilizing loads with ratchet strap

Abstract

An apparatus and method for stabilizing loads being transported with a ratchet strap including lateral locking assemblies disposed along the ratchet strap between the ratchet assembly and the mounting hook.

Description

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR STABILIZING LOADS WITH RATCHET STRAPBACKGROUND

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS: This Application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63 / 518,157, filed August 8, 2023, entitled APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR STABILIZING LOADS WITH RACHET STRAP, whereby the contents of the referenced priority application are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0002] FIELD: This technology as disclosed herein relates generally to load stabilizing systems and, more particularly, to ratchet strap systems.

[0003] BACKGROUND OF ART Ratchet strap apparatuses are commonly used for tying down cargo and loads on vehicles, trailers, etc., and for cargo strap tensioning purposes as needed or desired to secure a load. These apparatuses essentially include a mechanism having a wind-up drum rotatably mounted between two walls, and a handle engaging and rotatably driving the drum. A flat tensioning strap is selectively wound onto the drum and unwound therefrom for tightening and loosening the strap about the cargo item. The flat strap, referred to as a cargo strap, is also secured to the apparatus. The terminal ends of the straps include hooks whereby the strap ends can be hooked onto each other, the cargo / load, or parts of the vehicle, trailer, or other structure for anchoring opposing ends of the strap to hold the cargo item in place during transport. By winding the tension strap onto the drum, the straps are placed in tension and the cargo / load is thereby secured and / or tension is placed at the hook mounting locations.

[0004] In most ratchet strap apparatus, the cargo strap is relatively short and is permanently affixed to the ratchet mechanism. The tensioning strap is relatively longer and must be inserted through a slot in the drum, pulled taught and then, by rotatably driving the drum, the longer strap is caused to become wound around the drum and thereby also become frictionally engaged and tensioned around items on which it makes contact.

[0005] However, there remain shortcomings and drawbacks in such a ratchet strap apparatus and in the securement of the cargo strap about the cargo because often the top portion of the cargo item may slip with respect to the strap. This is particularly true for cargo items that have panel-like structures having narrow edges and are typically transported resting on the narrow edges and extending vertically upward. Because cargo items of this nature are only supported by the narrow edge as a base, the cargo item may have the tendency to laterally shift because of the weight distribution of the item, therefore the top-facing narrow edge may slip with respect to the strap. Plastic comer pieces about the top portion of the cargo items have been utilized, but are generally ineffective. A better apparatus and / or method is needed for reducing shifting and slippage of the cargo item with respect to the ratchet strap.SUMMARY

[0006] The technology as disclosed herein includes a method and apparatus for stabilizing a cargo item with a ratchet strap including a lateral stop locking mechanism.

[0007] One implementation of the apparatus includes a ratchet assembly having a spool about which a first end of a strap is wound, where said spool has an end hub having circumferential detents into which a pivotable pawl drops in a first direction thereby imparting one directional rotation of the spool for winding the strap about the spool thereby tensioning thestrap, whereby the pawl pivotally disengages in a second direction allowing opposite directional rotation for unwinding the strap.

[0008] One implementation further includes a hook attached to a second end of the strap for anchoring said second end of the strap; and a lateral locking assembly disposed along the strap between a ratchet main body and the second end of the strap, where said lateral locking assembly has an opening through which the strap extends, and where lateral locking assembly has a clamp pivotable from a first engaging position that clamps against the strap thereby preventing movement along the strap, to a second disengaging position that unclamps the strap.

[0009] The features, functions, and advantages that have been discussed can be achieved independently in various implementations or may be combined in yet other implementations further details of which can be seen with reference to the following description and drawings. These and other advantageous features of the present technology as disclosed will be in part apparent and in part pointed out herein below.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0010] For a better understanding of the present technology as disclosed, reference may be made to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0011] Fig. 1 is an illustration of a ratchet assembly having two lateral locking assemblies;

[0012] Fig. 1A is an illustration of the ratchet drum assembly;

[0013] Fig. 2 is an illustration of two lateral locking assemblies;

[0014] Fig. 3 is a further illustration of two lateral locking assemblies;

[0015] Fig. 4 is a further illustration of two lateral locking assemblies;

[0016] Fig. 5 is a further illustration of a lateral locking assembly;

[0017] Fig. 6 is an illustration of a lateral locking assembly;

[0018] Fig. 7 is a further illustration of a lateral locking assembly;

[0019] Fig. 8 is a further illustration of a lateral locking assembly;

[0020] Fig. 9 is another implementation of a lateral locking assembly having an angle adjustment mechanism;

[0021] Fig. 9A is a further illustration of another implementation of a lateral locking assembly having an angle adjustment mechanism;

[0022] Fig. 10 is a further illustration of another implementation of a lateral locking assembly having an angle adjustment mechanism;

[0023] Fig. 11 is a further illustration of another implementation of a lateral locking assembly having an angle adjustment mechanism;

[0024] Fig. 12 is a further illustration of another implementation of a lateral locking assembly having an angle adjustment mechanism;

[0025] Fig. 13 is a further illustration of another implementation of a lateral locking assembly having an angle adjustment mechanism; and

[0026] Fig. 14 is a further illustration of another implementation of a lateral locking assembly having an angle adjustment mechanism.

[0027] While the technology as disclosed is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific implementations thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the drawings and detailed description presented herein are not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular implementations as disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the present technology as disclosed and as defined by the appended claims.DESCRIPTION

[0028] According to the implementation(s) of the present technology as disclosed, various views are illustrated in Fig. 1-14 and like reference numerals are being used consistently throughout to refer to like and corresponding parts of the technology for all of the various views and figures of the drawing. Also, please note that the first digit(s) of the reference number for a given item or part of the technology should correspond to the Fig. number in which the item or part is first identified. Reference in the specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment”; “one implementation” or “an implementation” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment or implementation is included in at least one embodiment or implementation of the invention. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” or “in one implementation” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment or the same implementation, nor are separate or alternative embodiments or implementations mutually exclusive of other embodiments or implementations.

[0029] One implementation of the present technology as disclosed, including a ratchetassembly having lateral stop assemblies teaches a novel apparatus and method for stabilizing loads being transported with a modified ratchet strap.

[0030] The details of the technology as disclosed and various implementations can be better understood by referring to the figures of the drawing. Referring to Fig. 1 an illustration of a ratchet assembly having two lateral locking assemblies is provided. One implementation of the apparatus includes a ratchet and strap assembly 100 having a ratchet main body 112, a spool 109 about which a first end of a strap 110 is wound, where said spool 109 has an end hub 107, See Fig. 1 A, having circumferential detents into which a pawl 105, See Fig. 1 A, pivotally drops in a first direction, thereby imparting one directional rotation of the spool for winding the strap 110 about the spool, thereby tensioning the strap 110, and whereby the pawl 105, See Fig. 1A, pivotally disengages in a second direction allowing opposite directional rotation for unwinding the strap.

[0031] One implementation includes a hook 108 attached to a second end of the strap 110 for anchoring said second end of the strap; and a lateral locking assembly 102 and / or 104 disposed along the strap 110 between the ratchet main body 112 and the second end of the strap. The lateral locking assemblies 102 and 104 have an openings 101 and 103, respectively, through which the strap extends. The lateral locking assemblies 102 and 104 each have a clamp 128 and 126, respectively, that are pivotable from a first engaging position (as shown) that clamps against the strap 110, thereby preventing movement of the lateral locking assembly with respect to and along the strap 110, to a second disengaging position that unclamps the strap allowing for repositioning the lateral locking assembly along the strap 110.

[0032] A fixed length strap 1 11 extends between the ratchet main body and the hook 106. The “fixed length” nomenclature indicates that the distance along strap 111 between the ratchet main body 112 and the hook 106 is fixed in that the strap 111 is not wound and unwound to thereby lengthen or shorten the distance along the strap 111 from the ratchet main body 112 to the hook 106. One implementation as illustrated in Fig. 1 includes a first lateral lockingassembly 102 and a second lateral locking assembly 104 that are spaced apart along the strap 110 and between the main ratchet body 112 and the hook 108. Fig 1 illustrates the main body 122 of the lateral locking assembly 102 and the lateral stop 118. Fig 1 further illustrates the main body 124 of the lateral locking assembly 104 and the lateral stop 120. The ratchet assembly includes a lever for reeling in the strap 110 to wrap around the spool. Such a ratchet strap as disclosed and claimed is useful for stabilizing vertical loads such as granite slabs and window units in order to limit shifting and potential damage to the load being transported. This is accomplished by adjusting the lateral locking assemblies along the length of the strap 110 to positions where the lateral stop 118 and the lateral stop 120 abut against either side of the item being secured.Positioning the lateral locking assemblies in such a manner resists lateral movement and slippage of the item being secured with respect to the strap 110. Fig. 1A illustrates the ratchet main body 112 and the spool 109. A first end of a strap 110 is wound, where said spool 109, which has an end hub 107 having circumferential detents into which a pawl 105 pivotally drops or shifts in a first direction, as indicated by directional arrow 130, thereby imparting one directional rotation of the spool for winding the strap 110 about the spool, thereby tensioning the strap 110, and whereby the pawl 105 pivotally disengages in a second direction, as indicated by directional arrow 132, allowing opposite directional rotation for unwinding the strap.

[0033] Referring to Fig. 2, an illustration of two lateral locking assemblies is provided. A lateral locking assembly 102 and / or 104 disposed along the strap 110 between the ratchet main body and the second end of the strap, where said lateral locking assembly 104 or 102 each have an opening, 103 and 101 respectively, through which the strap 110 extends, and where lateral locking assembly has a clamp 128 and / or 126 pivotable from a first engaging position (as shown) that clamps against the strap 110 thereby preventing movement of the lateral locking assembly with respect to and along the strap 110, to a second disengaging position that unclamps the strap allowing for repositioning the lateral locking assembly. Clamp 128 pivots about 202 and clamp 126 pivots about 204 for pivoting from a locked position for transporting an item to a unlocked position for adjusting the position of the lateral locking assembly. The two lateral locking mechanisms 122 and 124 are shown each having a stopping bracket 206 and 208 respectfully andthe stopping brackets each have lateral stop pads 118 and 120 respectively.

[0034] Referring to Fig. 3, a further illustration of two lateral locking assemblies is provided. A lateral locking assembly 102 and / or 104 disposed along the strap 110 between the ratchet main body and the second end of the strap, where said lateral locking assembly 104 or 102 has an opening 103 through which the strap 110 extends, and where lateral locking assembly has a clamp 128 and / or 126 pivotable from a first engaging position (as shown) that clamps against the strap 110 thereby preventing movement of the lateral locking assembly with respect to and along the strap 110, to a second disengaging position that unclamps the strap allowing for repositioning the lateral locking assembly. Clamp 128 pivots about 202 and clamp 126 pivots about 204 for pivoting from a locked position (as shown) for transporting an item to an unlocked position for adjusting the position of the lateral locking assembly. The two lateral locking mechanisms 122 and 124 are shown each having a stopping bracket 206 and 208 respectively and the stopping brackets each have stop pads 118 and 120 respectively. The pads 118 and 120 are configured to adjustably abut against opposing sides of the transported item adjacent to the top edge of the transported item. The lateral locking assembly’s claim is released to adjustably position the lateral locking assembly along the length of strap 110. When securing the item being transported, the lateral locking assembly is adjustably positioned along the strap to a position where the pad abuts the side of the item being transported.

[0035] Referring to Fig. 4, a further illustration of two lateral locking assemblies is provided. Strap guide brackets 402 and 404 have a flat plate portion where opposing sides of the flat plate portions have perpendicular sides 408 and 406 extending from opposing edges of the plate portion that guides the strap through the lateral locking assembly. The plate portion also provides a backstop thereby providing a surface against which the strap can be pinched for locking in place to thereby hinder lateral movement of an item being shipped.

[0036] Referring to Fig. 5, a further illustration of a lateral locking assembly is provided. Clamp 128 (not fully shown in this view) pivots about 202 for pivoting from a locked position(as shown) for transporting an item to an unlocked position for adjusting the position of the lateral locking assembly. The bearing for the lateral locking mechanisms 122 is shown and each assembly has a stopping bracket 206 and the stopping brackets each have stop padsl 18. The pad 118 is adjustably abut against opposing sides of the transported item adjacent to the top edge of the transported item by traversing the lateral locking assembly along the length of the strap 110 until the pad securely abuts the item being transported. The lateral locking assembly’s clamp is released to adjustably position the lateral locking assembly along the length of strap 110. When securing the item being transported, the lateral locking assembly is adjustably positioned along the strap to a position where the pad abuts the side of the item being transported and is locked in place with respect to the strap 110.

[0037] Referring to Fig. 6, an illustration of a lateral locking assembly is provided. Clamp 128 pivots (as illustrated by directional arrow 601) about 202 for pivoting from a locked position (as shown) for transporting an item to an unlocked position for adjusting the position of the lateral locking assembly. The bearing for the lateral locking mechanism 128 is shown and each assembly has a stopping bracket 206 and the stopping brackets each have stop pads 118. The pad 118 is configured to adjustably abut against opposing sides of the transported item adjacent to the top edge of the transported item. The lateral locking assembly’s clamp is released to adjustably position the lateral locking assembly along the length of strap 110. When securing the item being transported, the lateral locking assembly is adjustably positioned along the strap to a position where the pad abuts the side of the item being transported. The lateral locking mechanism 128 for one implementation is spring loaded to pivot, as indicated by directional arrow 601, about hub and axle assembly 202. The spring loading is biased to urge rotation of the locking mechanism in a clockwise direction to engage strap 110 to lock the strap in place as shown in Fig. 6. A user can press downward in the area 610 of the locking mechanism 128 as indicated by directional arrow 612 of Fig. 6 to thereby cause the locking mechanism 128 to rotate in a counter-clockwise direction about the hub and axes assembly 202 to disengage the strap thereby allowing the position of the main body 112 to be adjusted along the length of the strap 110. The lateral locking assembly’s main body for one implementation includes a retainingplate 602, which holds the strap in alignment regardless of the mounting angle of the lateral locking assembly. For this implementation using the retaining plate, optionally there are no holes 606 and 608. For one implementation, the retaining plate 602 is not utilized and a fixed or a rotatable rod is rotatably or fixedly mounted through holes 606 and 608 as indicated by 604.

[0038] Referring to Fig. 7, a further illustration of a lateral locking assembly is provided. Clamp 126 pivots about 204 for pivoting from a locked position (as shown) for transporting an item to an unlocked position for adjusting the position of the lateral locking assembly. The bearing for the lateral locking mechanisms 126 is shown and each assembly has a lateral stopping bracket 208 and the stopping brackets each have lateral stop pads 120. The pad 120 is configured to adjustably abut against opposing sides of the transported item adjacent to the top edge of the transported item. The lateral locking assembly’s clamp is released to adjustably position the lateral locking assembly along the length of strap 110. When securing the item being transported, the lateral locking assembly is adjustably positioned along the strap to a position where the pad abuts the side of the item being transported.

[0039] Referring to Fig. 8, a further illustration of a lateral locking assembly 124 is provided. Clamp 126 pivots about 204 for pivoting from a locked position (as shown) for transporting an item to an unlocked position for adjusting the position of the lateral locking assembly. The bearing for the lateral locking mechanisms 126 is shown and each assembly has a lateral stopping bracket 208 and the stopping brackets each have lateral stop pads 120. The pad 120 is configured to adjustably abut against opposing sides of the transported item adjacent to the top edge of the transported item. The lateral locking assembly’s clamp is released to adjustably position the lateral locking assembly along the length of strap 110. When securing the item being transported, the lateral locking assembly is adjustably positioned along the strap to a position where the pad abuts the side of the item being transported.

[0040] Referring to Figs. 9 and 9A, another implementation of a lateral locking assembly 900 having an angle adjustment mechanism 914 is provided. For one implementation, the angleadjustment mechanism 914 is a quarter of a wheel having a hub 911 and a distal, with respect to the hub, arcuate edge having inclined teeth 918. The hub 911 of the quarter wheel 914 is pivotally attached by an axle bearing 912 to the main body 909 of the lateral locking assembly 900. Also attached to the main body is a spring-loaded pawl assembly 904 having a spring- loaded pawl 916 that engages the inclined teeth 918 to lock the angle between the main body 909 of the lateral locking assembly and the quarter wheel 914. The spring 908 is biased to urge the pawl to engage the inclined teeth 918. The spring-loaded pawl 916 can be disengaged from the inclined teeth and the angle between the main body 909 of the lateral locking assembly and the quarter wheel 914 can be adjusted. The adjustable angle enables the user to make adjustments to assure that the lateral side stop pads 910 are contacting the item being transported. This may be advantageous due to the mounting locations of mounting hooks at the end of the strap 902 in order to assure the side pads are engaging properly.

[0041] For the implementation as shown there is a second quarter wheel 914 also having a hub 911 mounted on the axle 913. Clamp 920 pivots about 922 for pivoting from a locked position (as shown) for transporting an item to an unlocked position for adjusting the position of the lateral locking assembly. The bearing 922 for the lateral locking mechanisms 920 is shown and each assembly has a stopping bracket and the stopping brackets each have stop pads 910. The pad 910 is configured to adjustably abut against opposing sides of the transported item adjacent to the top edge of the transported item. The lateral locking assembly’s claim is released to adjustably position the lateral locking assembly along the length of strap 902. When securing the item being transported, the lateral locking assembly is adjustably positioned along the strap to a position where the pad abuts the side of the item being transported. Also illustrated in Fig. 9A is the quarter wheel 915 that is pivotally attached to axle bearing 913.

[0042] The lateral locking mechanism 900, lateral locking assembly 920 for one implementation is spring loaded to pivot, as indicated by directional arrow 926, about the hub and axle assembly 922. The spring loading is biased to urge rotation of the locking mechanism 920 in a counter-clockwise direction to engage strap 902 to lock the strap in place as shown inFig. 9A. A user can press downward in area 924 of the locking mechanism 920 to thereby cause the locking mechanism 920 to rotate in a clockwise direction about the hub and axes assembly 922 to disengage the strap thereby allowing the position of the main body to be adjusted along the length of the strap 902. The lateral locking assembly’s main body for one implementation includes a fixed or a rotatable rod 928 is rotatably or fixedly mounted.

[0043] Referring to Fig. 10, a further illustration of another implementation of a lateral locking assembly having an angle adjustment mechanism is provided. Strap guide brackets 906 and 907 (see Fig. 9A) extend to a flat plate portion 909 where opposing sides of the flat plate portion 909 has opposing edges of the plate portion that connect to the guides 906 and 907 (see Fig. 9A) that guide the strap through the lateral locking assembly. The plate portion also provides a backstop thereby providing a surface against which the strap can be pinched for locking in place the lateral locking assembly with respect to the strap to thereby hinder lateral movement of an item being shipped.

[0044] Referring to Fig. 11, a further illustration of another implementation of a lateral locking assembly having an angle adjustment mechanism is provided. Also attached to the main body is a spring-loaded pawl assembly 904 having a spring-loaded pawl 916 that engages the inclined teeth 918 to lock the angle between the main body 909 of the lateral locking assembly and the quarter wheel 914. The spring is biased to urge the pawl to engage the teeth. The spring-loaded pawl 916 can be disengaged from the inclined teeth and the angle between the main body 909, See Fig. 10, of the lateral locking assembly and the quarter wheel 914, See Fig. 12, can be adjusted.

[0045] Referring to Fig. 12, a further illustration of another implementation of a lateral locking assembly having an angle adjustment mechanism is provide. Referring to Fig. 13, a further illustration of another implementation of a lateral locking assembly having an angle adjustment mechanism is provided. Referring to Fig. 14, a further illustration of another implementation of a lateral locking assembly having an angle adjustment mechanism isprovided. The spring bracket 1404 and the spring end stop 1410 are illustrated.

[0046] The various ratchet strap assembly implementations shown above illustrate a novel method and apparatus for stabilizing loads being transported with a ratchet strap. A user of the present technology as disclosed may choose any of the above implementations, or an equivalent thereof, depending upon the desired application. In this regard, it is recognized that various forms of the subject ratchet strap assembly could be utilized without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0047] As is evident from the foregoing description, certain aspects of the present technology as disclosed are not limited by the particular details of the examples illustrated herein, and it is therefore contemplated that other modifications and applications, or equivalents thereof, will occur to those skilled in the art. It is accordingly intended that the claims shall cover all such modifications and applications that do not depart from the scope of the present technology as disclosed and claimed.

[0048] Other aspects, objects and advantages of the present technology as disclosed can be obtained from a study of the drawings, the disclosure and the appended claim.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An apparatus comprising: a ratchet assembly having a spool about which a first end of a strap is wound, where said spool has an end hub having circumferential detents into which a pivotable pawl drops in a first direction thereby imparting one directional rotation of the spool for winding the strap about the spool thereby tensioning the strap, whereby the pawl pivotally disengages in a second direction allowing opposite directional rotation for unwinding the strap; a hook attached to a second end of the strap for anchoring said second end of the strap; and a first lateral locking assembly disposed along the strap between a ratchet main body and the second end of the strap, where said first lateral locking assembly has a first opening through which the strap extends, and where the first lateral locking assembly has a first clamp pivotable from a first engaging position that clamps against the strap thereby preventing movement of the first lateral locking assembly along the strap, to a second disengaging position that unclamps the strap allowing movement along the strap.

2. The apparatus as recited in Claim 1, comprising: a second lateral locking assembly disposed along the strap where the first lateral locking assembly is between the ratchet main body and the second lateral locking assembly, where said second lateral locking assembly has a second opening through which the strap extends, and where the second lateral locking assembly has a second clamp pivotable from a first engaging position that clamps against the strap thereby preventing movement of the second lateral locking assembly along the strap, to a second disengaging position that unclamps the strap allowing movement along the strap.

3. The apparatus as recited in Claim 2, where the first lateral locking assembly and the second lateral locking assembly each having a stopping bracket and each stopping bracket having stop pads.

4. The apparatus as recited in Claim 3, comprising: a quarter wheel angle adjustment mechanism having a hub 911 and an arcuate edge distal with respect to the hub, the arcuate edge having inclined teeth, where the hub is pivotally attached by an axle bearing a main body of the first lateral locking assembly; and a spring-loaded pawl assembly attached to the main body having a spring-loaded pawl hat engages the inclined teeth to lock the angle between the main body of the first lateral locking assembly and the quarter wheel adjustment mechanism, where the spring loaded pawl is biased to urge the pawl to engage the inclined teeth, and where the spring-loaded pawl 916 is operable to be disengaged from the inclined teeth whereby the angle between the main body 909 of the lateral locking assembly and the quarter wheel is adjustable based on a spacing of the inclined teeth.

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