Extendable Tie-Down Pole for Cargo Strap Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ratchet clamp down straps are difficult to apply, especially over large objects, leading to inefficiencies, safety risks, and potential medical issues due to their lightweight design, which makes it hard to throw one end over the load effectively.
Innovation Solution
A tie down placement device with an extendable pole comprising telescopic sections and attachments that allow for easy manipulation of cargo straps, chains, or tarps, enabling tasks such as tossing, pulling, and lifting, with locking mechanisms to secure the pole in place and prevent collapse.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If ratchet straps are made lightweight for easy handling, then portability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates because it becomes difficult to throw one end over the load
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a pole as an intermediary tool between the operator and the ratchet strap. The pole enables the operator to throw the lightweight strap end over the load by leveraging the pole's length and weight, solving the problem of insufficient throwing distance caused by the strap's lightweight design.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extends the operation into a new spatial dimension by using a long pole (e.g., 8-10 feet) to reach across the load. This allows the operator to apply the strap from a distance, effectively adding a dimensional lever arm that overcomes the limitation of lightweight strap handling.
2Weight of moving object
If ratchet straps are made lightweight, then portability is improved, but application time increases due to repeated tries
Solution Approach 1:
The pole serves as a mediator that enables successful strap application on the first attempt by providing the necessary reach and leverage, eliminating the need for repeated tries that waste time.
Solution Approach 2:
The pole is prepared in advance and positioned to facilitate the throwing motion, allowing the operator to execute the strap application in a single deliberate action rather than through multiple attempts.
3Reliability
If more ratchet straps are used to ensure adequate securement, then safety is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pole enables effective application of the standard number of straps by solving the application difficulty, ensuring that adequate securement is achieved with the recommended strap count rather than requiring additional straps for compensation.
4Ease of operation
If regular ropes are used instead of ratchet straps, then ease of operation is improved, but holding force and reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The pole enables the operator to effectively apply ratchet straps (which provide high holding force) by solving the application difficulty, thus maintaining the advantage of ratchet straps over regular ropes while eliminating the operational challenge.
Data Source
AI summary
A load securement device may comprise an extendable pole and a plurality of attachments. The device may be operable to manipulate a tie down of a cargo trailer. As non-limiting examples, the tie down may be a cargo strap, a cargo chain, or an elastic cord used to secure a cargo or to secure a tarp over the cargo. The extendable pole may be lengthened to reach the top of the cargo. The extendable pole may be shortened to take up less space for storage. The plurality of attachments may alter a distal end of the extendable pole to enable the extendable pole to perform multiple tasks necessary for securing the cargo. As non-limiting examples, the plurality of attachments may enable the extendable pole to toss the cargo strap, to pull the cargo strap, or lift a hard corner.