Self-tensioning tie down system
First Claim
1. A self-tensioning tie down assembly for use in automatically tightening a retaining element on a winch securing cargo on a carrier comprising:
- a mounting bracket connected to said carrier adjacent to said winch;
an actuator having an extended and retracted positions, said actuator being mounted to said bracket and when powered providing reciprocating linear motion between said extended and retracted positions;
a linkage, a portion of said linkage being connected to said actuator and another portion of said linkage being connectable to said winch;
a power source for actuating said actuator; and
wherein when said linkage is connected to said winch and when said actuator is actuating, said actuator transmits a tightening torque through said linkage to said winch.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A self-tensioning tie down assembly and safety system for tightening the retaining straps securing cargo on a carrier. Retaining straps are connected to winches connected to the carrier. A ratchet system is used to tighten the winch. A two bar torque linkage has a ratchet arm connectable to the ratchet wheel of the winch via a socket and has a connector arm connected to an actuator. The actuator is connected to a pneumatic/electrical circuit and provides reciprocating linear motion thereby actuating the torque linkage. The torque linkage may be set in a tightening or loosening position. The required tension level of the retaining strap is pre-set. Pressure within the circuit drives the actuator thereby actuating the torque linkage which tightens the strap on the winch until the tension level is reached. Signals are sent to a display panel to indicate when a strap is loose.
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Citations
36 Claims
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1. A self-tensioning tie down assembly for use in automatically tightening a retaining element on a winch securing cargo on a carrier comprising:
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a mounting bracket connected to said carrier adjacent to said winch;
an actuator having an extended and retracted positions, said actuator being mounted to said bracket and when powered providing reciprocating linear motion between said extended and retracted positions;
a linkage, a portion of said linkage being connected to said actuator and another portion of said linkage being connectable to said winch;
a power source for actuating said actuator; and
wherein when said linkage is connected to said winch and when said actuator is actuating, said actuator transmits a tightening torque through said linkage to said winch. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A self-tensioning tie down assembly for use with a winch for tensioning a tie down securing cargo to a carrier comprising:
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a mounting bracket for mounting to a carrier;
an actuator mounted to said mounting bracket, said actuator providing a reciprocating action when actuated;
a power source providing power to said actuator;
a control panel for controlling the power provided to said actuator;
a linkage for converting the action of said actuator into a torque applied to said winch. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30)
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31. A monitoring system for use with a self-tensioning tie down assembly for use in automatically tightening a retaining element on a winch securing cargo on a carrier, said monitoring system comprising:
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a display panel, said display panel being positionable adjacent a driver of said carrier;
a sensor, said sensor being adapted to sense when said tie down assembly is acting to tighten said retaining elements and to activate an indicator on said display. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33)
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34. A self-tensioning tie down assembly for use in automatically tightening retaining elements securing cargo to a carrier comprising:
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a winch having a spool, ratchet wheel and pawl, said winch being connected to said carrier and being adapted to tighten a retaining element connected to said spool;
a mounting bracket connected to said carrier adjacent to said winch;
an actuator having an extended and retracted positions, said actuator being mounted to said bracket and when powered providing reciprocating linear motion between said extended and retracted positions;
a linkage, a portion of said linkage connected to said actuator and another portion of said linkage connected to said winch;
a power source for actuating said actuator; and
wherein when actuating, said actuator transmits a tightening torque through said linkage to said winch, said actuator being adapted to operate automatically to tighten said winch until said retaining element reaches a desired tension. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36)
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Specification