Cargo restraint with RF beacon

• US 10,132,911 B1
• Filed: 08/07/2017
• Issued: 11/20/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mbull Holdings LLC
• Original Assignee: Matthew Bullock
• Inventors: Bullock, Matthew
• Primary Examiner(s): Girma, Fekadeselassie
• Application Number:
  US15/670,506
• Publication Number:
  US 20180335500A1
• Time in Patent Office: 470 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 7/06 Securing of load vehicle retainers B60P3/073
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 7/065 by pressurizing or creating a vacuum in a bag, cover or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 7/0807 Attachment points
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 7/0823 Straps; Tighteners
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 7/0892 by preventing lateral movement of the load, e.g. using stop blocks
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 7/135 Securing or supporting by load bracing means
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 7/14 the load bracing means comprising a movable bulkhead
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 7/15 the load bracing means comprising a movable bar
• CPC Class Codes: B61D 45/00 Means or devices for securing or supporting the cargo, including protection against shocks for vehicles in general B60P7/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 1/68 Marker, boundary, call-sign, or like beacons transmitting signals not carrying directional information

Abstract

A cargo restraint component such as a cargo restraint panel or a component of a load restraint strip system (e.g., a connecting strip or a load restraint strip) may comprise an attached RF beacon. Additional non-limiting examples of cargo restraint components that can comprise an attached RF beacon include a fluid filled member (e.g. an inflatable air bag), a layered structure (e.g. cardboard dunnage material with an internal honeycomb structure), a cargo retaining strap, a bracing member, a portable bulkhead, an non-skid mat, and an expandable load stabilizer. An RF beacon attached to a cargo restraint component can be configured to transmit identifying data. In some embodiments, an RF beacon attached to a cargo restraint component may include one or more sensors that can measure one or more environmental parameters.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

placing a plurality of cargo units into a shipping container;

placing a plurality cargo restraint components in the shipping container;

wherein each of the cargo restraint components comprises an air bag;

wherein, after placement of the cargo units and the cargo restraint components in the shipping container, the cargo units are restrained by the plurality of the cargo restraint components; and

wherein each of the cargo restraint components comprises an attached radio frequency (RF) beacon;

determining, by a first RF beacon attached to one of the cargo restraint components, and based on a measured value of an environmental parameter being outside of an allowable range, an out-of-range condition, wherein the allowable range is defined by one or more threshold values, and wherein the environmental parameter comprises acceleration, temperature, or humidity; and

outputting, by the first RF beacon and based on the determining, a signal comprising data indicating the out-of-range condition and an identification associated with the first RF beacon.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the shipping container is a railcar.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the attached RF beacons comprises a battery.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the attached RF beacons comprises a processor, an RF transmitter, and memory storing machine executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform steps that comprise

transmitting one or more identification codes using the RF transmitter.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the cargo restraint components further comprises a facing sheet attached to at least one of a front face or a rear face of the air bag, wherein the facing sheet comprises a layered structure.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein each of the cargo restraint components further comprises a facing sheet attached to both the front face and the rear face.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the cargo restraint components comprises a layered structure comprising a central member having at least one facing sheet attached to the central member.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the central member is a honeycomb structure.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the central member is made of a corrugated structure.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the layered structure is cardboard honeycomb dunnage.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

placing a plurality of additional cargo units into the shipping container; and

placing an additional cargo restraint component in the shipping container, wherein the additional cargo restraint component comprises a retaining strap and a buckle member, wherein the retaining strap is positioned around at least a portion of the plurality of additional cargo units and the buckle member connects and constrains the retaining strap, and wherein an RF beacon is attached to the retaining strap.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

placing a plurality of additional cargo units into the shipping container; and

placing an additional cargo restraint component in the shipping container, wherein the additional cargo restraint component comprises a retaining strap and a buckle member, wherein the retaining strap is positioned around at least a portion of the plurality of additional cargo units and the buckle member connects and constrains the retaining strap, and wherein an RF beacon is attached to the buckle member.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

placing a plurality of additional cargo units into the shipping container; and

placing an additional cargo restraint component in the shipping container, wherein the additional cargo restraint component comprises a portable bracing system support beam that extends from a first interior wall of the shipping container to a second interior wall of the shipping container opposite the first interior wall, and wherein an RF beacon is attached to the support beam.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

placing a plurality of additional cargo units into the shipping container; and

placing an additional cargo restraint component in the shipping container, wherein the additional cargo restraint component comprises a portable bracing system support beam mounting bracket and a support beam connected to the mounting bracket, and wherein an RF beacon is attached to the mounting bracket.

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

placing a plurality of additional cargo units into the shipping container; and

placing an additional cargo restraint component in the shipping container, wherein the additional cargo restraint component comprises a portable bulkhead system retaining wall extending across the shipping container, and wherein an RF beacon is attached to the retaining wall.

16. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

placing a plurality of additional cargo units into the shipping container; and

placing an additional cargo restraint component in the shipping container, wherein the additional cargo restraint component comprises a non-skid mat, and wherein an RF beacon is attached to the non-skid mat.

17. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

placing a plurality of additional cargo units into the shipping container; and

placing an additional cargo restraint component in the shipping container, wherein the additional cargo restraint component comprises an expandable load stabilizer having a first base plate, a second base plate and an expandable beam positioned between the first base plate and the second base plate, and wherein an RF beacon is attached to the first base plate, the second base plate, or the expandable beam.