Strap Locating Arrangement for High Load Vehicles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Securing loads on vehicle load beds is hazardous due to the difficulty in arranging and throwing heavy straps with metal connectors, which can cause accidents and damage when the connector and strap are thrown over the load, especially in vehicles with open sides and limited height between the load and the vehicle compartment.

Innovation Solution

A strap locating arrangement featuring a receiving arrangement with a straight channel and a slot for guiding and extending the strap, combined with an elongate extension member that secures the strap in place, preventing it from falling and allowing for safe and controlled deployment over the load.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a heavy strap with metal connector is thrown over the load, then the strap can be positioned over the load, but it creates hazards to people or equipment and can damage the load

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestrap positioningVSAvoidhazard to people/equipment and load damage
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The strap system is segmented into a strap portion and a connector portion that can be separately handled. The connector is detached from the strap during the throwing operation, allowing the strap to be thrown safely without the heavy metal connector, and then the connector is attached to the strap end after it lands on the load.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (the strap dispenser device with guide channel and slot) that mediates between the operator and the load. This device guides the strap through a controlled path, ensuring the strap lands precisely on the load without erratic movement that could cause damage or hazard.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the strap is thrown incorrectly, then the strap may not be positioned properly, but it can damage the load itself

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestrap deploymentVSAvoidload integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The guide channel and slot act as an intermediary guiding mechanism that controls the strap's trajectory. The strap is fed through the slot in a specific direction and guided along the channel, ensuring it lands on the load in the correct position and orientation, preventing incorrect placement that could damage the load.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The strap is prepared in advance by coiling it in a specific manner and positioning it in the dispenser device before deployment. The guide channel is pre-configured with the correct geometry to direct the strap along the desired path, so that when deployed, the strap automatically follows the predetermined safe trajectory without requiring precise manual throwing skill.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If the receiving arrangement is attachable to an elongate extension member in vertical position, then the rolled up strap is prevented from falling out, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestrap containmentVSAvoidreceiving arrangement structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The receiving arrangement is designed to be dynamically attachable and detachable from the elongate extension member rather than being permanently fixed. This allows the receiving arrangement to be positioned in a vertical orientation when needed to contain the rolled strap, and can be reconfigured or removed when not in use, maintaining reliability only when the vertical containment position is required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The device is segmented into separate functional components: the receiving arrangement that contains the rolled strap and the elongate extension member that provides structural support. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the receiving arrangement can be designed specifically for containment with minimal complexity, while the extension member provides the necessary structural framework.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3377369B1Strap locating arrangement
Publication Date: 2020.12.16 ABOOD RALPH JUSTIN
  • EP3377369B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3377369B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3377369B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a strap locating arrangement, configured for allowing drivers of large vehicles to locate strapping over especially high loads on a vehicle load bed or to locate strapping through gaps between the top of their loads and the bottom of the vehicle roof, including a receiving arrangement configured for receiving at least part of a rolled up load securing strap; the receiving arrangement including a slot through which an un-rolled portion of the load securing strap is extendable in a direction extending tangentially outward from the rolled up strap; the receiving arrangement being attachable to an elongate extension member.