GB2181345A - Load carrying straps - Google Patents

Abstract

A holding strap of webbing or metal strip (10) for securing a load to a pallet, comprises a first, elongate resilient strap (11) which is attached at spaced locations (12, 13) to the strap and is a shorter length than the length of the strap between said locations and a secondary strap (15) which is attached to the straps (10) at (16) and at (12, 13). The resilient element (11) provides a degree of resilience in the strap (10) in tension which can be limited by the secondary strap (17) which can be arranged to provide a "weak" link to rupture when subjected to excessive load to allow the full load to be taken by the strap (10). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to load carrying straps This invention relates to straps and is particularly applicable to straps for fixing loads to pal lets or other load carrying structuresfortransit.

The invention provides a holding strap having, in its length, an extendible resilient element connected to the strap at spaced locations along its length, the resilient element in its relaxed condition being shorter than the length of strap between said locations and a secondary strap attached to the first mentioned strap at or adjacent said spaced locations.

The following is a description of some specific embodiments of the invention, reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which; Figure lisa side view of strap in relaxed condition; Figure 2 is a side view of the strap in tensioned condition; and Figure 3 is a plan view of the strap.

The drawings show a strap of webbing or metal strip 10 for securing with other similar straps a load to a pallet or other load carrying memberfortransit such as a load carried on a pallet in an aircraft. At a suitable location in the strap, an elongate resilient element 11 is attached at spaced locations 12, 13 to the strap. In its relaxed condition, the resilient element is made shorterthan the length of strap between locations 12, 13so that the strap then hangs in a loop 14 when un-tensioned as illustrated in Figure 1. The resilient element 11 may be a rubbercord, a tension spring or similar member.

A secondary strap 15 is attached to the primary strap 10 immediately beyond the end of the resilient element 11 at 16 and also at the locations 12, 13 where the primary strap is attached to the element. The length of the secondary strap is also greaterthan the un-tensioned length ofthe resilient element so that the secondary strap also forms a loop indicated at 17 when the primary strap is un-tensioned.The righthand end of Figure 1 shows an alternative arrange mentfor securing the end of the secondary strap in which the end of the strap is attached to the end of the resilientelementanda reinforcing piece 18is also attachedto the end of the secondary strap and to the resilient element and to the primary strap at 19 adjacent the endofthe resilient element.

The length ofthe secondary strap is set either so that it does not act as a loadcarrying strap in which case it is made longerthan the lengths of the loop 14 ofthe primary strap in which case it never comes under the full loadoftheprimarystrnpAfternaivelythefree loop of the secondary strap can be made shorter than the corresponding free loop ofthe primary strap and with weakened attachments to the primary strap so thatthe secondary strap then forms a "weak" link whichwill come undertensionfirst when the primary strap is tensioned to stretch the resilient element 11 and will resist further stretch of the strap until its attachments rupture meeting the primary strap to then takethe full load.Figure 2 shows a strap constructed in accordance with the first of the above arrangements with the resilient element stretchedto its limit and the full tension taken by the primary strap 10 with the secondary strap not carrying load.

It will be appreciated thatthe degree of tension control provided by the strap will be determined by the spring ring of the element 11, the length L1 and the relationship of L1 to length L2 as indicated on the drawings. Length L1 is the length ofthe resilient element in its relaxed condition and length L2 is the length of the resilient elementtensioned to predetermined extension as permitted bythe primary or secondary straps whichever is the shorter.

1. A holding strap having, in its length, an extendible resilient element connected to the strap at spaced locations along its length, the resilient element in its relaxed condition being shorter than the length of strap between said locations and a secondary strap attached to the first mentioned strap at or adjacent said spaced locations.

2. A strapas claimed in claim 1 wherein the length ofthe secondary strap is greater than that ofthe primary strap between said spaced locations so that the primary strap limits the extension of the resilient element.

3. A strap as elaimed in claim 1 wherein the secondarystrap is shorterthan the length ofthe primary strap between said locations whereby the secondary strap limits the extension of theresi lient element between said locations.

4. A strap as claimed in any ofthe preceding claims wherein the resilient element comprises a length of elastic material such as rubber cord or comprises a tension spring.

5. A strap as claimed in any of the preceding claims and formed from metai strip or webbing.

6. Astrap substantially as described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (6)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to load carrying straps This invention relates to straps and is particularly applicable to straps for fixing loads to pal lets or other load carrying structuresfortransit. The invention provides a holding strap having, in its length, an extendible resilient element connected to the strap at spaced locations along its length, the resilient element in its relaxed condition being shorter than the length of strap between said locations and a secondary strap attached to the first mentioned strap at or adjacent said spaced locations. The following is a description of some specific embodiments of the invention, reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which; Figure lisa side view of strap in relaxed condition; Figure 2 is a side view of the strap in tensioned condition; and Figure 3 is a plan view of the strap. The drawings show a strap of webbing or metal strip 10 for securing with other similar straps a load to a pallet or other load carrying memberfortransit such as a load carried on a pallet in an aircraft. At a suitable location in the strap, an elongate resilient element 11 is attached at spaced locations 12, 13 to the strap. In its relaxed condition, the resilient element is made shorterthan the length of strap between locations 12, 13so that the strap then hangs in a loop 14 when un-tensioned as illustrated in Figure 1. The resilient element 11 may be a rubbercord, a tension spring or similar member. A secondary strap 15 is attached to the primary strap 10 immediately beyond the end of the resilient element 11 at 16 and also at the locations 12, 13 where the primary strap is attached to the element. The length of the secondary strap is also greaterthan the un-tensioned length ofthe resilient element so that the secondary strap also forms a loop indicated at 17 when the primary strap is un-tensioned.The righthand end of Figure 1 shows an alternative arrange mentfor securing the end of the secondary strap in which the end of the strap is attached to the end of the resilientelementanda reinforcing piece 18is also attachedto the end of the secondary strap and to the resilient element and to the primary strap at 19 adjacent the endofthe resilient element. The length ofthe secondary strap is set either so that it does not act as a loadcarrying strap in which case it is made longerthan the lengths of the loop 14 ofthe primary strap in which case it never comes under the full loadoftheprimarystrnpAfternaivelythefree loop of the secondary strap can be made shorter than the corresponding free loop ofthe primary strap and with weakened attachments to the primary strap so thatthe secondary strap then forms a "weak" link whichwill come undertensionfirst when the primary strap is tensioned to stretch the resilient element 11 and will resist further stretch of the strap until its attachments rupture meeting the primary strap to then takethe full load.Figure 2 shows a strap constructed in accordance with the first of the above arrangements with the resilient element stretchedto its limit and the full tension taken by the primary strap 10 with the secondary strap not carrying load. It will be appreciated thatthe degree of tension control provided by the strap will be determined by the spring ring of the element 11, the length L1 and the relationship of L1 to length L2 as indicated on the drawings. Length L1 is the length ofthe resilient element in its relaxed condition and length L2 is the length of the resilient elementtensioned to predetermined extension as permitted bythe primary or secondary straps whichever is the shorter. CLAIMS

1. A holding strap having, in its length, an extendible resilient element connected to the strap at spaced locations along its length, the resilient element in its relaxed condition being shorter than the length of strap between said locations and a secondary strap attached to the first mentioned strap at or adjacent said spaced locations.

2. A strapas claimed in claim 1 wherein the length ofthe secondary strap is greater than that ofthe primary strap between said spaced locations so that the primary strap limits the extension of the resilient element.

3. A strap as elaimed in claim 1 wherein the secondarystrap is shorterthan the length ofthe primary strap between said locations whereby the secondary strap limits the extension of theresi lient element between said locations.

4. A strap as claimed in any ofthe preceding claims wherein the resilient element comprises a length of elastic material such as rubber cord or comprises a tension spring.

5. A strap as claimed in any of the preceding claims and formed from metai strip or webbing.

6. Astrap substantially as described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.