STRAP SYSTEM FOR MATERIAL HANDLING

• US 3,686,715 A
• Filed: 01/11/1971
• Issued: 08/29/1972
• Est. Priority Date: 01/11/1971
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Anthony F. Brodnicki
• Original Assignee: Anthony F. Brodnicki
• Inventors: Brodnicki, Anthony F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Griffin, Donald A.
• Application Number:
  US05/105,313
• Time in Patent Office: 596 Days
• Field of Search: 24/21A,21D,21R,265CD,170,191,68,69,170,68D,68CD,265CD 105/369A 248/361A
• US Class Current: 24/68.0CD
• CPC Class Codes: A44B 11/125 with strap tightening means
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 7/0838 Tensioning by single movement of an actuating member
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/2175 Cargo tie down
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/4016 Pivoted part or lever
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/45529 Requiring manual force applied against bias to interlock or disengage
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/4773 Cargo tiedown

Abstract

For use in a cargo hauling system including at least one structural member having a predetermined thickness and providing at least one elongated slot therein having a standard length and width, a plurality of straps, at least one connector for connecting an end of one of the straps to one of the said structural members, and at least one buckle for connecting together two of the straps. Each of the connectors comprises an elongated connector member, a portion of which moves longitudinally in such a slot, and a locking member yieldably urged to a locking position effective to prevent such movement, thereby to hold the connector member in the slot. The length of the main body portion or front side portion of the connector member is greater than the length of the slot such that it must move longitudinally within the slot to be removed therefrom. Each buckle comprises a frame including laterally spaced apart frame members receiving therebetween a portion of such a strap and a rigid member providing a gripping surface extending between the frame members and against which such a strap portion rests. A unidirectional gripping member is provided and spring urged against the strap tightly to secure it against movement relative to the gripping surface. Take-up means is provided for pulling the strap through the buckle in the direction of movement permitted by the gripping member, the take-up means being mounted on the buckle frame.

Claims

1. A buckle for fastening a strap, said buckle comprising a frame including laterally spaced apart frame members arranged to receive therebetween a portion of such a strap, and a rigid member providing a gripping surface extending between said frame members and against which such a strap portion rests, a gripping member providing an engaging portion proportioned and designed to engage such a strap portion and to hold it securely against said gripping surface, means mounting said gripping member for pivotal movement on said frames whereby said engaging portion is movable toward and away from said gripping surface, means for yieldably urging said gripping member about its pivot axis to urge said engaging portion into engagement with such a strap portion, and means for moving said gripping member against said urging means to release said strap portion, said moving means being operatively connected to said gripping member, said moving means including a lever mounted on said frame for pivotal movement relative to said gripping member, said lever providing a cam surface extending generally outwardly relative to the axis about which said lever pivots, a cam follower engaging said cam surface, said cam follower being rigidly attached to said gripping member.

2. A buckle for fastening a strap, said buckle comprising a frame including laterally spacEd apart frame members arranged to receive therebetween a portion of such a strap, and a rigid member providing a gripping surface extending between said frame members and against which such a strap portion rests, a gripping member providing an engaging portion proportioned and designed to engage such a strap portion and to hold it securely against said gripping surface, means mounting said gripping member for pivotal movement on said frame whereby said engaging portion is movable toward and away from said gripping surface, means for yieldably urging said gripping member about its pivot axis to urge said engaging portion into engagement with such a strap portion, and means for moving said gripping member against said urging means to release said strap portion, said moving means being operatively connected to said gripping member, said rigid member providing said gripping surface being a trunnion having a part circular bearing cross section, and said moving means including a lever mounted on said trunnion for rocking movement, said lever providing a cam surface extending generally outwardly relative to said rigid member, and a cam follower engaging and following said cam surface, said cam follower being movable with said gripping member.

3. A buckle for fastening a strap, said buckle comprising a frame including laterally spaced apart frame members arranged to receive therebetween a portion of such a strap, and a rigid member providing a gripping surface extending between said frame members and against which such a strap portion rests, a gripping member providing an engaging portion proportioned and designed to engage such a strap portion and to hold it securely against said gripping surface, means mounting said gripping member for pivotal movement on said frame whereby said engaging portion is movable toward and away from said gripping surface, means for yieldably urging said gripping member about its pivot axis to urge said engaging portion into engagement with such a strap portion, and means for moving said gripping member against said urging means to release said strap portion, said moving means being operatively connected to said gripping member, said rigid member providing said gripping surface being a trunnion providing a part circular bearing cross section, said gripping surface being generally flat and parallel to the axis defined by said trunnion, said gripping member being mounted for pivotal movement about an axis generally parallel to said gripping surface and the axis of said trunnion, and said moving means including a lever mounted for rocking movement about said trunnion.

4. The buckle of claim 3 in which said lever is formed to provide laterally space apart ears receiving therebetween such a strap portion, said ears being journal mounted on opposite ends of said trunnion, each of said ears providing a cam surface extending generally toward the axis about which said gripping member pivots, and a cam follower engaging each cam surface, said cam followers being movable with said gripping member.

5. The buckle of claim 4 in which said cam followers are provided by cylindrically shaped pins extending rigidly outwardly from said gripping member and parallel to its pivot axis.

6. The buckle of claim 3 in which the plane defined by said generally flat gripping surface is generally perpendicular to a second plane including the axis of said trunnion and the pivot axis of said gripping member, and in which said engaging portion is inclined relative to said second plane so that, when it is engaged with such a strap portion, it is inclined relative to said gripping surface in such a manner as to prevent movement of said strap portion in one direction and while permitting it to move in the opposite direction.

7. The buckle of claim 6 including take-up means for pulling such a strap portion in said opposite direction, said take-up means being mounted on said frame.

8. The invention of claim 7 in which said take-up means includes a handle mounted on said frame for pivotal movement between a first position a first distance from said gripping surface and a second position a second and further distance from said gripping surface, said handle including a pair of laterally spaced apart arm members receiving therebetween such a strap, a first rod extending rigidly between said arm members, a second rod extending between said arm members and connected thereto for movement toward and away from said first rod, whereby when such a strap portion is trained over said second rod and then between said rods, movement of said handle from its first position to its second position will move said rods together to grip such a strap portion to pull it in said opposite direction.

9. The invention of claim 8 in which said handle is pivotal about an axis extending generally parallel to said gripping surface, in which said first rod is disposed to extend parallel to the last said axis, and in which said arm members are provided with slots receiving the end portions, respectively, of said second rod.

10. The invention of claim 7 in which said take-up means includes rotary means journalled for rotation on said frame, said rotary means being proportioned and designed firmly to grip such a strap portion.

11. The invention of claim 10 in which said rotary means provides a pair of tranversely extending members defining a space therebetween for receiving such a strap portion, whereby, when said rotary means is rotated, said strap portion is wrapped about said members.

12. A buckle for fastening a strap, said buckle comprising a frame including laterally spaced apart frame members arranged to receive therebetween a portion of such a strap, and a rigid member providing a gripping surface extending between said frame members and against which such a strap portion rests, a gripping member providing an engaging portion proportioned and designed to engage such a strap portion and to hold it securely against said gripping surface, means mounting said gripping member for pivotal movement on said frame whereby said engaging portion is movable toward and away from said gripping surface, means for yieldably urging said gripping member about its pivot axis to urge said engaging portion into engagement with such a strap portion, and means for moving said gripping member against said urging means to release said strap portion, said moving means being operatively connected to said gripping member, said engaging portion being inclined relative to said gripping surface in such a manner that it engages such a strap portion and prevents it from moving in one direction while permitting it to move in the opposite direction, take-up means for pulling such a strap portion in said opposite direction, said take-up means being mounted on said frame, said take-up means including a handle mounted on said frame for pivotal movement between a first position a first distance from said gripping surface and a second position a second and further distance from said gripping surface, said handle including a pair of laterally spaced apart arm members receiving therebetween such a strap, a first rod extending rigidly between said arm members, a second rod extending between said arm members and connected thereto for movement toward and away from said first rod, whereby when such a strap portion is trained over said second rod and then between said rods, movement of said handle from its first position to its second position will move said rods together to grip such a strap portion to pull it in said opposite direction.

13. The invention of claim 12 in which said handle is pivotal about an axis extending generally parallel to said gripping surface, in which said first rod is disposed to extend parallel to the last said axis, and in which said arm members are provided with slots receiving the end portions, respectively, of said second rod.

14. For use in a cargo hauling system including a structural member having a thickness and providing an elongated slot therein having a standard lengtH and width, a connector comprising an elongated connector member providing a front side portion and rear side portion, said rear side portion being formed to provide, at spaced apart points intermediate its opposite ends, outwardly extending generally oppositely facing abutment surfaces, said connector member having a width less than the width of said slot and a length greater than the length of said slot, the distance between said abutment surfaces being less than the length of said slot by an amount such that said rear side portion can move longitudinally in said slot to permit one end of said front side portion to be moved transversely through said slot, a locking member, means for connecting said locking member to said connector member for movement toward said rear side to its locking position and away from said rear side to its releasing position, said locking member carrying locking means disposed to overlie one of said abutment surfaces to prevent such longitudinal movement of said rear side portion when said locking member is in its locking position and to be positioned rearwardly of said one abutment surface to permit such longitudinal movement when said locking member is in its releasing position, and means for yieldably urging said locking member to its locking position, said locking member being provided with laterally spaced apart elongated slots, and including a flexible cargo strap formed to provide a closed loop extending about said connector member and through said slots, the width of said strap being less than the distance between said abutment surfaces and said strap being disposed between said abutment surfaces, and in which said urging means includes a leaf spring.

15. The invention of claim 14 in which said locking member is elongated in the direction of elongation of said connector member to provide, extending longitudinally outwardly from each abutment surface, a keeper portion effective to prevent movement of said locking member transversely through said slot.

16. For use in a cargo hauling system including a structural member having a thickness and providing an elongated slot therein having a standard length and width, a connector comprising an elongated connector member providing a front side portion and rear side portion, said rear side portion being formed to provide, at space apart points intermediate its opposite ends, outwardly extending generally oppositely facing abutment surfaces, said connector member having a width less than the width of said slot and a length greater than the length of said slot, the distance between said abutment surfaces being less than the length of said slot by an amount such that said rear side portion can move longitudinally in said slot to permit one end of said front side portion to be moved transversely through said slot, a locking member, means for connecting said locking member to said connector member for movement toward said rear side to its locking position and away from said rear side to its releasing position, said locking member carrying locking means disposed to overlie one of said abutment surfaces to prevent such longitudinal movement of said rear side portion when said locking member is in its locking position and to be positioned rearwardly of said one abutment surface to permit such longitudinal movement when said locking member is in its releasing position, and means for yieldably urging said locking member to its locking position, and a support bracket rigidly fastened to the rear side of said connector member, said support bracket being proportioned and designed to receive and hold the end portion of cargo brace and support member.