Load tension alert device

• US 6,847,290 B2
• Filed: 03/14/2003
• Issued: 01/25/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Maurice Tardif
• Original Assignee: Maurice Tardif
• Inventors: Tardif, Maurice
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffrey
• Assistant Examiner(s): Previl, Daniel
• Application Number:
  US10/387,399
• Publication Number:
  US 20030174055A1
• Time in Patent Office: 683 Days
• Field of Search: 340/425.5, 340/426.1, 340/431, 340/438, 340/686.1, 340/687, 340/445, 340/440
• US Class Current: 340/440
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 7/0861 Measuring or identifying the tension in the securing element

Abstract

Tension alert device is used with a load secured to a vehicle load bed, which has a securing belt having a connector portion and an attachment link. The device includes a connector sleeve, with an axial bore and a sleeve end portion, which is connected to the link. A first contacter connects to an inner end portion of the sleeve and faces into the axial bore. A second contacter slides in the bore along a restricted path of travel and has a second load bed connector. The second contacter faces the first contacter and is urged away from it when the belt has a first tension threshold value. The first contacter has an electrical signal generator for producing an electrical signal, which is activated when the second contacter is biased against it when the belt attains a second threshold tension value.

Claims

1. Tension alert device for use with a load secured to a vehicle load bed, said device having a first elongate securing member having a first vehicle load bed connector and a first attachment link, said device comprising;

a connector sleeve having an axial bore and a sleeve end portion connected to said first attachment link;

a first contacter connected to an inner end portion of said connector sleeve and facing into said axial bore;

a second contacter mounted to slide in said axial bore along a restricted path of travel and having a second vehicle load bed connector connected to said vehicle load bed, said second contacter facing said first contacter and being urged away therefrom when said first elongate securing member has a first tension threshold value;

said second contacter being biased towards said first contacter when said first elongate member attains a second tension threshold value, said first contacter having an electrical signal generator for producing an electrical signal, said electrical signal generator being activated when said second contacter is biased thereagainst.

2. The device, according to claim 1, in which said connector sleeve includes a connector sleeve sidewall and a central column connected to an end sidewall and continuous therewith, said column having an axial column bore.

3. The device, according to claim 2, in which said central column includes a stop end portion directed into said axial bore.

4. The device, according to claim 3, in which said second contacter includes a plunger having a plunger head for contacting said stop end portion of said column and a plunger shaft, said plunger shaft being sized to slide in said axial column bore.

5. The device, according to claim 4, in which a biasing means is connected to said plunger head and to said base sidewall.

6. The device, according to claim 5, in which said biasing means is a tension spring.

7. The device, according to claim 1, in which said first contacter includes a push button activatable by said second contacter when said second threshold tension value is attained.

8. The device, according to claim 7, in which said push button is electrically connectable to an emitter when said second threshold tension value is attained.

9. The device, according to claim 8, in which said emitter is connected to said inner end portion of said sleeve.

10. The device, according to claim 9, in which said emitter includes an emitter casing surrounding said emitter, said emitter casing connected to said sleeve sidewall.

11. The device, according to claim 10, in which an end plate is connected to said emitter and to said sleeve sidewall so as to center said push button in said axial bore.

12. The device, according to claim 1, in which a signal receiver is located in a cab of said vehicle.

13. The device, according to claim 12, in which said signal receiver is calibrated to alert an operator to said second tension threshold.

14. The device, according to claim 12, in which said signal receiver is wirelessly connected to said device.