Self-tensioning tie down system

• US 20070269285A1
• Filed: 05/17/2004
• Published: 11/22/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/17/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Okanagan Innovation Fund Inc.
• Original Assignee: Traction Technologies
• Inventors: Leggett, Timothy
• Granted Patent: US 7,972,099 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 410/100
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 7/083 Tensioning by repetetive movement of an actuating member
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 7/0861 Measuring or identifying the tension in the securing element

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.

Claims

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. The assembly of claim 1 further comprising a display unit connected to a circuit, said circuit being mounted to said bracket, wherein said circuit sends a signal to said display to indicate when said actuator is being actuated.

3. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said actuator being adapted to operate automatically to tighten said winch until said retaining member reaches a desired tension.

4. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said winch includes a spool, a ratchet wheel and a pawl, said linkage being connectable to said ratchet wheel of said winch.

5. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said actuator comprises a piston in a cylinder, said piston having a rod connected to said linkage.

6. The assembly of claim 5 wherein said actuator further comprises a pair of magnetic sensors positioned on said cylinder, said sensors adapted to sense the position of the piston within said cylinder and to send a corresponding signal to said power source.

7. The assembly of claim 5 wherein said linkage comprises a connector arm connected to said rod of said piston and a torque arm connectable to said winch.

8. The assembly of claim 7 wherein said torque arm comprises an arm portion and a socket portion, said arm portion connected to said connector arm and said socket portion connectable to said winch.

9. The assembly of claim 8 wherein said socket portion is selectively rotatable relative to said arm portion.

10. The assembly of claim 9 wherein the direction of rotation of said socket portion relative to said arm portion being selectable.

11. The assembly of claim 10 wherein said power source comprises a source of pressurised air and a control panel for controlling the release of said pressurised air.

12. The assembly of claim 11 wherein said control panel comprises a pressure regulator and valve to adjust and activate said pressurised air.

13. The assembly of claim 12 wherein said pressure regulator is adjustable, and once adjusted, the pressure regulator controls the resultant tension in said retaining element.

14. The assembly of claim 11 wherein said cylinder has a pair of chambers, a first chamber being positioned on one side of said piston and a second chamber being positioned on the opposite side of said piston, the size of said chambers being alterable by movement of said piston within said cylinder.

15. The assembly of claim 14 wherein said control panel alternates between first directing pressurised air into said first chamber and venting air from said second chamber thereby forcing said piston towards said second chamber and second directing pressurised air into said second chamber and venting air from said first chamber thereby forcing said piston towards said first chamber.

16. The assembly of claim 15 wherein said actuator further comprises a pair of magnetic sensors positioned at opposite ends of said cylinder, said sensors adapted to sense when said piston is in proximity to said sensor.

17. The assembly of claim 16 wherein said sensors send a signal to said control panel when they sense said piston, said control panel upon receiving said signal from one of said sensors acting to direct pressurised air and vent air as necessary.

18. The assembly of claim 17 wherein said piston continues its reciprocating linear action within said cylinder until a state of equilibrium is reached between the tension in said retaining element and the pressure applied to said piston.

19. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said linkage comprises a connector arm connected to said actuator and a torque arm connectable to said winch.

20. The assembly of claim 19 wherein said torque arm comprises an arm portion and a drive ratchet portion, said arm portion connected to said connector arm and said drive ratchet portion being releasably connectable to a socket, said socket being connectable to said winch.

21. The assembly of claim 20 wherein said winch comprises a ratchet wheel and said socket being connectable to said ratchet wheel by welding.

22. The assembly of claim 21 wherein said drive ratchet portion is selectively rotatable relative to said arm portion in a clockwise or counter clockwise direction.

23. The assembly of claim 22 wherein the direction of rotation of said drive ratchet portion relative to said arm portion being selectable.

24. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said power source comprises a source of pressurised air and a control panel for controlling the release of said pressurised air.

25. The assembly of claim 24 wherein said pressurised air is contained within a reservoir.

26. The assembly of claim 25 wherein said reservoir is fillable from said carrier.

27. A self-tensioning tie down assembly for use with a winch for tensioning a tie down securing cargo to a carrier comprising:

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.

28. The assembly of claim 27 wherein said actuator being adapted to operate automatically to tighten said winch until said tie down reaches a desired tension.

29. The assembly of claim 28 further comprising a monitoring system having a display panel positionable adjacent a driver of said carrier and a sensor, wherein said sensor being adapted to sense when said tie down assembly is acting to tighten said tie down and to activate an indicator on said display.

30. The assembly of claim 29 further comprising a second indicator on said display, said indicator being activated when said actuator is receiving power

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:

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.

32. The monitoring system of claim 31 further comprising a second indicator on said display, said indicator being activated when said tie down assembly is receiving power.

33. The monitoring system of claim 32 wherein said tie down assembly:

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.

34. A self-tensioning tie down assembly for use in automatically tightening retaining elements securing cargo to a carrier comprising:

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.

35. The assembly of claim 34 further comprising a monitoring system having a display panel positionable adjacent a driver of said carrier and a sensor, wherein said sensor being adapted to sense when said tie down assembly is acting to tighten said tie down and to activate an indicator on said display.

36. The assembly of claim 35 further comprising a second indicator on said display, said indicator being activated when said tie down assembly is receiving power.