GB2130549A - Apparatus for lashing goods - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatus for lashing goods (2) such as timber, rails, sheets and the like in which lashing ropes or chains (9) are wound around the goods (2) and are kept taut by retaining devices (41, Figure 8), comprises at least one portable support having connections (8) for the lashing ropes or chains. The support or supports comprise one or more cross- bars (7) and may additionally comprise a pallet (1) which rests on the cross-bar or cross-bars (7). Connection points (11, 11a) for sling chains (12, 13) are provided on the ends on the cross bars. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Apparatus for lashing goods The invention relates to an apparatus for lashing goods such as timber, rails, sheets and the like, with at least one lashing means, which can be wound at least partly around the goods and in the lashed position is kept taut by at least one retaining device.

In a known apparatus of this type, steel bands, chains, wires and the like are used as lashing means, which are wound around the goods to be lashed and held in the taut position by means of the mounting support. The goods to be lashed are generally bulky and unwieldy material, which can only be lashed or made into bundles in a very poor manner. Consequently it frequently happens that the lashed material, particularly when it is transported, slips out of the lashing means and this leads to a high risk of an accident.

It is the object of the invention to provide an apparatus of this type whereby bulky or unwieldy material can be lashed so that it can be stacked, handled and conveyed simply and without risk, also so that the lashing remains unchanged from the manufacturer to the place of use and can be received and conveyed without difficulty by different types of conveying means.

The invention provides apparatus for lashing goods having at least one retaining device and at least one lashing means, which lashing means can be wound at least partly around the goods and in the lashed position is kept taut by said retaining device or devices, further comprising at least one portable support for the goods, which is provided with at least one connection for the or each lashing means.

In the case of the apparatus according to the invention, the goods to be lashed are placed on the portable support, so that they are supported securely for the purpose of lashing. The goods can then be lashed reliably to the support with the lashing means attached to the connection, which means is preferably a belt. Bulky and unwieldy goods can also be stacked on the support in a simple manner and without risk. The goods can be handled and conveyed simply by means of the support. If a pallet is used as a support for example, then the goods lashed on the latter can be conveyed conveniently. In particular, the lashed goods themselves are no longer handled, so that sliding of the lashed goods is precluded.

The invention is described in detail with reference to several embodiments illustrated in the drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of goods lashed with an apparatus according to the invention, Figure 2 is a side view of a pallet, on which the goods to be lashed are deposited, Figure 3 is a plan view of the pallet of Figure 2, Figure 4 is a view in the direction of arrow IV of Figure 1, of a first embodiment of a connection for the lashing means and of a connecting point for a sling chain, to an enlarged scale, Figure 5 is a side view of the connection and of the connection point according to Figure 4, Figure 6 is a view in the direction of arrow VI of Figure 1 of a second embodiment of a connection point for a sling chain, to an enlarged scale, Figure 7 is a side view of the connecting point according to Figure 6, in which case a connection for the lashing means is also provided, Figure 8 is a side view to an enlarged scale of a retaining device of the apparatus of Figure 1, Figure 9 is a plan view of the retaining device of Figure 8, Figure 10 is a diagrammatic illustration of a tensioning device connected to the lashing means for lashing.

Figure 11 is a side view of part of a loosening tool acting on the retaining device of Figures 8 and 9, for releasing the tension of the lashing means, Figure 12 is a view in the direction of arrow X11 of Figure 11, Figure 13 shows the loosening tool of Figure 11 in side view, and Figure 14 is a plan view of the loosening tool of Figure 13.

The present apparatus for lashing goods is particularly suitable for use in mining below ground. In this case, linings, sheets, steel mats, rails, timber, wooden runners, beams, wooden props, pipes and the like must be made into bundles and conveyed on a large scale. This material can be lashed in situ with the present apparatus. The lashed material can be picked up and conveyed without difficulty by diffe renttypes of conveying means. Direct handling of the goods by hand is avoided, so that any danger to personnel is largely precluded. In addition, the apparatus may also be used for lashing goods in aircraft, ships, on lorries, railways and in the case of containers and the like.

The apparatus has a portable support 1, on which the goods 2 to be lashed can be deposited and stacked. A pallet is preferably used for the portable support 1, on which pallet even bulky goods can be deposited conveniently and placed one on the other.

Moreover, the pal lets can be transported conveniently. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the pallets 1 consist of two sectional plates 3, 4, which lie one on the other and are rotated through 90" with respect to each other. Thus, very high rigidity of the pallet 1 is achieved. The sectional plates 3, 4 each have ribs extending at right angles to their longitudinal direction, of which only the ribs 5 of the sectional plate 4 are shown in Figure 2. As a result of the position shifted through 90 , the ribs (not shown) of the sectional plate 3 lie at right angles to the ribs 5 of the sectional plate 4. The ribs are respectively formed by corresponding shaping of the sectional plates, as shown in Figures 4 and 6. The ribs 5 are constructed with a trapezoidal cross-section, so that they are provided with a flat underside 6.Due to this, the support 1 can be deposited safely on a base.

In the embodiment illustrated, a cross-bar7 passes respectively through two of the ribs 5 of the lower sectional plate 4, which cross-bar projects beyond the support 1 at both ends and is inserted loosely in the respective rib. Only one cross-bar is shown in the Figures. More than two cross-bars may be provided according to the length of the support.

They support the support 1 during transportation of the lashed goods 2.

In another embodiment (not shown), the support 1 may also be formed solely from the cross-bar 7. This is possible for example when long goods, such as pipes, bars or the like, are to be lashed.

The cross-bars 7 are provided at each of their ends with a connection 8 for lashing means 9. The connection 8 is formed by an annular member attached to the cross-bar 7, to which the lashing means 9 can be fastened very simply. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the annular member 8 is welded to the cross-bar 7, so that it assumes a position with respect to the cross-bar which is always defined exactly. In order that the lashing means 9 can be attached conveniently to the connection 8, is is spaced from the support 1. In order that the connection 8 can be attached sufficiently securely to the cross-bar 7, it is provided with a flat upper side 10, on which the annular member 8 is attached in an upright manner.If a belt is used as the lashing means 9, the annular member 8 preferably has a flat oval construction (Figure 4), so that a sufficiently wide contact surface is provided for the belt on the annular member.

Apart from being formed by an annular member, the connection 8 may also be formed by a hook or a clip. It is also possible for the connection 8 not to be connected rigidly to the cross-bar, but for example to be suspended in an opening in the cross-bar, so that the connection is able to move with respect to the cross-bar.

Finally, the connection for the lashing means 9 may also be provided by an opening in the cross-bar 7, in which the lashing means constructed as a belt is knotted. A construction of this type can be envisaged in particularforso-called disposable belts used as lashing means, which are thrown away after being used once.

As shown in Figure 1 ,the two lashing means 9 are attached to the connections 8 and their ends are connected to each other, so that the goods 2 are lashed by the lashing means. Several cross-bars may be distributed over the length of the support 1, so that even long goods can be lashed reliably.

In order that the lashed goods can be transported, in particular lifted easily, the support 1 is provided with at least two connecting points 11 for sling chains 12, 13 (Figures 1,4 and 5). The connecting points 11 are provided at the ends of the cross-bar 7.

In Figure 1, for the sake of simplicity, two different embodiments of connecting points are shown at the two ends of the cross-bar illustrated. However, in practice, connecting points of the same construction are provided at the ends of the cross-bar. The connecting points 11 are advantageously formed respectively by a suspension member, preferably a chain link, in which the sling chains 12, 13 can be suspended conveniently. The suspension member 11 is mounted to move on the support 1, so that at the time of lifting it can be aligned in the most favourable position with respect to the cross-bar. In the embodiment, the suspension member 11 is a flat oval chain link, in which a hook 14 of the sling chains 12,13 can be suspended.In place of the hook 14, a shackle 15 (Figure 1) may also be provided at the end of the sling chain 12, 13, which is suspended in the suspension member 11.

As shown in Figure 1, the connecting points 11 are at a greater distance from the adjacent edges of the support 1 than the connections 8 for the lashing means 9. In the embodiment, the cross-bar 7 has a T-shaped cross-section (Figure 4). The connections 8 for the lashing means 9 are provided on the T-web 16 and the connecting points ii for the sling chains 12, 13 are provided on the foot 17 of the T. As a result of the T-shaped cross-sectional construction, the connections 8 and the connecting points 11 can be located very simply on the cross-bars 7.The flat oval chain link forming the connection 8 can be welded securely to the flat upper side 10 of the T-web 16, whereas a suspension opening 18 can be provided in the foot 17 of the T, for the chain link forming the connecting point 1 liThe diameter of the opening 18 is greater than the wire diameter of the chain link 11, so that it may tilt in an unimpeded manner in the suspension opening. Dirtwhich is possibly deposited in the suspension opening 18 is removed automatically as a result of the movements of the suspension member 11.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 6 and 7, the cross-bar 7a is a hollow sectional part, in each of the ends of which a connecting member 19 is inserted. The cross-bar 7a is preferably constructed as a tube of circular cross-section. The connecting member 19 likewise has a circular contour and is inserted in the cross-bar 7a so that it bears against the inner wall of the cross-bar (Figure 7). The cross-bar 7a and the connecting member 19 are connected to each other in an inter-locking manner by a bolt 20, which engages through an opening 21 in the cross-bar in a transverse bore 22 in the connecting member 19.

The connecting member 19 has a plug-in part 23, which is inserted in the cross-bar 7a and comprises the transverse bore 22. The plug-in part 23 constructed as a tubular member is closed off by a disc 24, which has the same outer diameter as the plug-in part 23. Provided on the disc 24 is a hook 25, which extends diametrically over the disc 24 (Figure 6) and whereof the outer edges, seen in the axial direction of the plug-in part 23, lie flush with the periphery of the disc 24. The hook 25 comprises two hook parts 26, 27, which define a suspension opening 28 and an inlet 29. The inlet 29 opens into the end face 30 of the hook 25 and into the suspension opening 28. On the underside, the inlet 29 is defined by the flat edge 31 of the hook part 27 facing the hook part 26. The edge 31 passes into the edge 32 of the suspension opening 28 extending in the shape of part of a circle, which then passes into an edge 33 of the hook part 26 extending parallel to the edge 31.

A suspension member 11a can be suspended in the suspension opening 28, which suspension member forms a connecting point for the sling chains 12, 13. The inside width 34 of the inlet 29 is less than the cross-sectional diameter 35 of the suspension member 1 lea. In order that the suspension member can nevertheless be suspended through the inlet 29 in the suspension opening 28, the suspension member is provided with a narrow section 36, which is formed by flattening the suspension member. The thickness 37 of the narrow portion 36 is slightly less than the inside width 34 of the inlet 29, so that the suspension member 11 a can be pushed over the narrow portion 36 into the suspension opening 28.

Then, the suspension member 11 a constructed as a chain link is rotated for example into the position illustrated in Figure 6, in which the narrow portion 36 lies in the region outside the inlet 29. Consequently, the suspension member 11 a cannot slide out through the inlet 29, because the cross-sectional diameter 35 is greater than the inside width 34 of the inlet. The detachment of the suspension member 11 a from the connecting member 19 is thus ensured in a simple manner with a high degree of certainty.

As in the embodiment according to Figures 4 and 5, a connecting member 19 is provided at both ends of the cross-bar 7a, in which member 19 a suspension member 11 a may be suspended respectively for the sling chains 12, 13. A hook 14 or shackle 15 at the end of the sling chain may likewise be suspended in a simple manner in the suspension member 11 a, so that the support 1 with the lashed goods can be raised conveniently from the floor or from another base and conveyed.

The connecting member 19 is likewise provided with the connection 8 for the lashing means 9, so that the lashing means can also be attached to the connecting member. As shown in Figure 1,the goods 2 lashed by means ofthe lashing means 9 can be lifted by a lifting appliance by way of the sling chains 12 and 13 and the associated cross-bars 7, 7a and deposited for example on transport vehicles or the like. In this case, the lashed goods 2 do not need to be handled by the user, but it is solely necessary to attach the sling chains to the associated suspension members 11,11 a. Due to this any danger to the operator is precluded.

Depending on the length of goods 2 to be lashed, several cross-bars 7, 7a are provided, to which lashing means 9 are respectively connected in the manner described. Now, in order that all the lashing means 9 of the apparatus can be tensioned in a simple manner, the tensioning device 38 provided for this (Figure 10) is constructed as a portable tool, by which the operator is able to tension the individual lashing means 9 conveniently in succession.

Preferably, the tensioning device 38 is a ratchet, by which the lashing means 9 can be tensioned very easily. Ratchets of this type are known and have a reciprocating actuating arm 39, by which a drive roller, over which the lashing means is wound, can be rotated. When using the ratchet 38, the lashing means 9 is appropriately a belt, which can be tensioned very easily by means of the ratchet by continuous rocking of the arm 39.

As Figure 10 shows, for tensioning the lashing means 9 it is sufficient to guide the end 40 of the latter through the ratchet 38. By way of the end 40 the two lashing means 9 connected to each other by a retaining device 41 and attached to the connections 8 of the cross-bar7 are then tensioned. After tensioning, the ratchet 38 is opened and the lashing means 40 withdrawn. The retaining device 41 then keeps the two lashing means 9 under tension.

The tensioning device 38 is provided with an arm bracket 42, in order to obtain the opposing force necessary for tensioning. The arm bracket 42 is connected byway of a flexible intermediate member 43 to the tensioning device 38, so that the arm bracket can be attached at the most favourable point respectively. It is provided with a suspension part 44, which is preferably constructed as a hook. For the purpose of tensioning, the arm bracket 42 may be suspended between the ribs 5 or in the rib 5 of the support 1 which is open towards the outside (Figure 2) in the manner shown diagrammatically in Figure 10. As a result of the flexible intermediate member 43, the tensioning device 38 can be arranged on the goods 2 to be lashed in the most favourable manner for handling, in order to tension the lashing means 9.

The flexible intermediate member 43 may be constructed as a belt, which is connected by an annular member 45 to the arm bracket 42. After completing the tensioning operation, the end of the lashing means 40 is withdrawn from the tensioning device 38 and the arm bracket 42 is removed from the support 1. The arm bracket is then suspended in the region of the next cross member on the base and the next lashing means is tensioned by the tensioning device 38 in the manner described. In this way, all the lashing means can be tensioned conveniently by hand in the most simple manner with a single tool.

The tensioning device 38 does not remain on the lashed goods, so that the lashing means 9 may be constructed as disposable articles.

The retaining device 41 is formed by two rings 46 and 47, through which the lashing means 9 is wound (Figures 8 and 9). The two rings 46 and 47 are of different sizes (Figure 9) and have sides 48, 49 lying parallel to each other, around which the lashing means 9 is wound. As shown in Figure 8, the lashing means 9, which in the embodiment is a belt, is pulled by the end 40 firstly through the two rings 46, 47 and then wound around the side 48 of the larger ring 46.

The end of the belt 40 is then pulled through the smaller ring 47 and wound around its side 49 (Figure 8). This threading of the end 40 of the belt is first of all carried out by hand. Then, as described above, by means of a tensioning device 38, both belts 9 are tensioned up to the maximum tension which can be achieved. After releasing the tensioning device 38, the two rings 46,47 maintain the tension of the belts 9. In the lashed position illustrated in Figure 8, the sides 48,49 around which the belt 9 is wound, lie one above the other. In order that this position is maintained throughout the lashed or tensioned position, the two rings 46,47 are unable to move with respect to each other in the tensioning direction 50. This can be achieved for example due to the fact that the sides 51, 52 located opposite the sides 48, 49 are stitched in the belt 9 so that they can no longer move with respect to each other. However, it is also possible to wrap the two sides 51, 52 by means of sleeves or other parts and thus to hold the rings 46, 47 against each other so that they are not able to move. Under the tensioning force exerted by the belt 9, in the tensioned position, the upper side 48 is pressed with a high force against the lower side 49 as a result of wrapping, due to which it is ensured that the tension applied by the tensioning device 38 is maintained in the belt 9. This is improved further due to the fact that the belt 9 wraps around the sides 48,49 of the two rings 46,47 over an angle of approximately 180 respectively.

In order that the end of the belt 40 can be threaded easily into the rings 46,47, they are able to tilt with respect to each other. This ability to tilt is also necessary in order to release the lashing again. For this purpose a loosening tool 53 is provided (Figures 11 to 14), by which the larger ring 46 can be tilted into a released position against the tensioning force exerted by the belt 9. As shown in Figures 11 and 12, during the loosening operation, the loosening tool 53 acts on the sections 54, 55 of the side 48 of the larger ring 46 projecting beyond the smaller ring 47.

The loosening tool 53 is a bow with sides 56 to 59 lying at an obtuse angle with respect to each other (Figures 13 and 14). The sides 56,57 and 58,59 form arms 60, 61 which extend parallel to each other and are connected to each other by a cross-web 62. In order to achieve high rigidity and strength of the bow-shaped loosening tool 53, the arms 60, 61 and the cross-web 62 have a rectangular cross-section (Figure 13). In this case, the arms 60,61 are arranged edgewise so that they can reliably absorb the force necessary for releasing the retaining device.

Provided respectively at the free ends 63,64 of the sides 56, 58 is a mounting 65, 66 for the sections 54, 55 of the sides of the ring 56. They are constructed as recesses in the sides 56, 58, in which during the release operation (Figure 11) the sections 54, 55 of the sides engage. The depth of the mounting 65,66 preferably corresponds to at least half the crosssectional thickness of the seciton 54, 55 of the sides, so that there is no danger that they will slide out of the mounting at the time of the release operation.

As shown in Figures 11 and 12, the loosening tool 53 is applied to the retaining device 41 so that the sides 56, 58 project through the opening in the ring 46 and the sections 54, 55 of the sides of the ring 46 engage in the mountings 65,66 of the loosening tool. The sides 56, 58 of the loosening tool thus engage below the ring 46. The sides 56,58 of the loosening tool are then supported on the opposite sides 51, 52 of the rings 46,47. For loosening the retaining device 41, the loosening tool 53 is then tilted in the direction of arrow 67 in Figure 11. Since the sides 57,59 of the loosening tool 53 are substantially longer than the sides 56,58, the high force necessary for loosening may be applied effortlessly by the user, in order to tilt the loosening tool against the tensioning force of the lashing means 9.

The sides 56,57 and 58,59 of the two arms 60,61 of the loosening tool 53 pass one into the other in a continuous curve, so that at the time of tilting, the loosening tool does not tip abruptly beyond the transition point, but continuously can be tilted further. At the time of tilting of the loosening tool 53, the ring 46 is tilted about the axis of its side 51 and due to this the tension in the belt 9 is released. The belt may then be pulled out of the two rings 46,47 and the loosening tool can be removed.

The distance between the two arms 60,61 of the loosening tool is at least as great as the width of the smaller ring 47 (Figure 12), but smaller than the inner width of the larger ring 46. In order to provide a large contact surface for the belts 9, the rings 46,47 are constructed as approximately rectangular rings (Figure 12).

The apparatus described and illustrated consists of parts which can be produced simply and economically, which in the case of loss can be replaced cheaply. The goods 2 to be lashed, even if they are bulky and unwieldy, can be stacked, handled and conveyed simply and without risk by the apparatus.

The lashed goods remain in the lashed position until they reach their destination point and can be picked up and conveyed without difficulty by the most varied conveying means, by means of the connec tion points 11, 1 la. Apart from the sling chains 12, 13 illustrated (Figure 1), lifting belts orthe like may also be attached to the connection points 11, 11a. No complicated and expensive tools are necessary for lashing, but solely the tensioning device 38, which is preferably a ratchet. All lashing means can be tensioned one after the other with the latter, since the tensioning device is constructed as a portable tool separate from the lashing means.

Claims (37)

1. Apparatus for lashing goods, having at least one retaining device and at least one lashing means, which lashing means can be wound at least partly around the goods and in the lashed position is kept taut by said retaining device or devices, further comprising at least one portable support for the goods which is provided with at least one connection for the or each lashing means.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the support is a pallet and at least one cross-bar on which the pallet rests, and which comprises the or each connection for the lashing means.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the pallet comprises two sectional sheets located one above the other and offset by 90 one with respect to the other.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the support comprises at least one cross-bar which is provided with the or each connection for the lashing means.

5. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the or each connection is an annular member attached to the or one of the cross-bars.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the annular member is welded to the or one of the cross-bars.

7. Apparatus according to claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the or each cross-bar has a flat upper side to which the or each annular member is attached in an upright manner.

8. Apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the or each annular member has an oval construction.

9. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the or each support comprises at least two connecting points for sling members.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the connecting points are each formed by a suspension member.

11. Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the suspension members are each mounted to move on the support.

12. Apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 11, wherein the or each cross-bar has a T-shaped cross-section comprising a T-web and foot, and that the or each connection for the lashing means is provided on the T-web.

13. Apparatus according to claim 12 when dependent on claim 9, wherein the connecting points for the sling members are provided on the foot of the T.

14. Apparatus according to claim 10 or claim 11, wherein the or each cross-bar is a hollow sectional member, in the ends of which a connecting member is received, which connecting member is provided with the respective connecting point for the sling members.

15. Apparatus according to claim 14, wherein each connecting member comprises a suspension opening for a respective suspension member and that the suspension opening passes into an inlet.

16. Apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the inside width of each inlet is smaller than the cross-sectional diameter of the respective suspension member and at least the same size as the cross-sectional width of a narrow portion of the respective suspension member.

17. Apparatus according to claim 15 or 16, wherein each connecting member is provided with a respective connection for the lashing means.

18. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 17 including a tensioning device which is constructed as a portable tool.

19. Apparatus according to claim 18 wherein said tensioning device is provided with at least one arm bracket.

20. Apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the arm bracket is connected by way of a flexible intermediate member to the tensioning device.

21. Apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the arm bracket comprises a suspension part for the intermediate member.

22. Apparatus according to any one of claims 19 to 21, wherein the arm bracket is constructed as a hook.

23. Apparatus according to any one of claims 18 to 22, wherein the tensioning device comprises a ratchet.

24. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 23, wherein the or each retaining device comprises two rings through which the lashing means is wound.

25. Apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the two rings are of different sizes.

26. Apparatus according to claim 24 or 25, wherein the two rings have sides arranged parallel with each other, around which the lashing means is wound.

27. Apparatus according to claim 25, wherein the sides of the rings around which the lashing means is wound, are located one above the other in the lashed position.

28. Apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the upper side of one ring rests on the lower side of the other ring under the tensioning force exerted by the lashing means.

29. Apparatus according to claim 28, wherein the two rings are not able to move with respect to each other in the tensioning direction or in the opposite direction.

30. Apparatus according to any one of claims 26 to 27, wherein the lashing means wraps around the sides of the two rings over an angle of substantially 180 respectively.

31. Apparatus according to claim 25 or any claim dependent thereon, wherein the two rings are able to tilt relative to each other.

32. Apparatus according to claim 31,wherein the larger ring can be tilted into a released position by a loosening tool against the tensioning force exerted by the lashing means.

33. Apparatus according to claim 32, wherein the loosening tool engages the sections of the side of the larger ring projecting beyond the smaller ring.

34. Apparatus according to claim 32 or 33, wherein the loosening tool is a bow with at least two sides arranged at an obtuse angle one with respect to the other.

35. Apparatus according to claim 34, wherein provided at the free end of one side of said bow is a mounting for the side of the larger ring.

36. Apparatus according to any one of claims 32 to 35, wherein the loosening tool comprises two arms arranged parallel with each other, which arms each comprise two sides arranged at an obtuse angle with respect to each other and which are connected to each other by a cross-member.

37. Apparatus for lashing goods substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in any of the various Figures of the accompanying drawings.