WO2013064149A1

WO2013064149A1 - Means for strapping a load on a transport platform

Info

Publication number: WO2013064149A1
Application number: PCT/DK2012/050191
Authority: WO
Inventors: Lars V. Hansen; Povl Hegelund PEDERSEN
Original assignee: FYNS KRAN UDSTYR AS
Current assignee: FYNS KRAN UDSTYR AS
Priority date: 2011-10-31
Filing date: 2012-06-01
Publication date: 2013-05-10
Anticipated expiration: 2014-04-30

Abstract

The invention concerns an auxiliary means and a method for strapping a load (18) on a transport platform, typically a platform (16) on a lorry, but other platforms on other vehicles apply, such as trailers, rail cars etc. The auxiliary means may consist of a holder (1) with a permanent magnet (4) embedded therein, the holder attached to or at a hook (5) provided at the end of the strap (9). The auxiliary means can hereby temporarily keep the hook (5) at its engageable position at a side member (17) of the platform (16) while the strap is passed over the load (18) and the other end of the strap (9) is secured at the opposite side of the platform (16). Thereby, the problem of the hook (5) falling off the side member (17) is obviated.

Description

MEANS FOR STRAPPING A LOAD ON A TRANSPORT PLATFORM

Background of the Invention

The invention concerns a means and a method for strapping a load on a transport platform, typically a platform on a lorry, but other platforms on other vehicles apply, such as trailers, rail cars etc.

The prior art comprises that the load is placed on the platform and then secured by straps. Each strap is provided with hooks at respective ends of the strap, and one hook is engaged with a side edge of the platform, this being the edge itself, a hole in the edge, or a structure fastened somewhere at the side of the platform. The strap is then passed over the load and the other hook is engaged in a similar way at the opposite side of the platform. After that, the strap is tightened and secured in tensioned condition by a strapping device.

By the prior art means and methods, the hook applied at first tends to be released from engagement at the side edge of the platform when the strap is passed over the load and before the other hook is secured at the opposite side of the platform, due to the fact that tension in the strap is needed to keep the first hook engaged; otherwise gravity will make the first hook fall down and disengage.

The prior art way of strapping loads cause some tedious and time-consuming handling of the strap and reattachment of the hook applied first when this hook is inadvertently released from its engagement from the side of the platform and before the other hook is properly secured and the strap is tightened. For a large load requiring a plurality of straps, these actions have to be repeated many times, further adding to the time used for securing the load on the platform.

Explanation of the Invention

In order to reduce the disadvantages of the prior art, the present invention intends to provide a means and a method that will expedite the strapping of loads on transport platforms. In a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a means which is applied without needing to adapt existing straps and hooks used in the industry. The invention thus provides auxiliary means for a strap with hooks attached at respective ends of the strap for use in strapping loads on a transport platform, e.g. on a lorry, the auxiliary means including magnetic properties provided at a hook. The magnetic properties could be provided by magnetising the first hook itself such that the hook temporarily can be attached to a steel or iron part of the side of the platform close to the hole or edge in which the hook is to engage. Alternatively, the hook can be specially made with an integrated permanent magnet. The magnetic properties can be applied to one or to both hooks at respective ends of a strap, making it easier to apply the strap and hooks on the platform.

The method according to the invention is peculiar by the following steps:

- providing the strap with an auxiliary means which include magnetic properties at the first hook; - temporarily attaching the first end of the strap to the side edge of the platform or a paramagnetic part on the side edge of the platform by the auxiliary means with the magnetic properties such that the auxiliary means retains the first hook at an engageable position at the edge or hole;

- passing the strap over the load on the platform and making the second hook at the second end of the strap engage an edge or a hole at or under an opposing side edge of the platform;

- tightening the strap over the load until the first hook securely engages the edge or hole; and

- securing the strap under tension with a load- strapping device.

By the method according to the invention the temporary attachment of the first hook obviates the risk of the first hook falling off the side edge of the platform while the strap is passed over the load and the second hook is engaged and the strap is tightened. When the strap is tightened, the first hook will engage the side edge or hole at the side of the platform and thus be lodged in its final secured position.

In an aspect of the invention, the auxiliary means comprises a holder in which a permanent magnet is embedded, the holder adapted to be fastened to a hook or a strap. Such a holder can a holder can be made at a low cost in the form of an injection-moulded or pressure-diecast element with the embedded magnet; this embodiment provides the advantage that the holder with magnet can be retrofitted to existing hooks and straps in use. Similarly, in an aspect of the method according to the invention, providing the strap with the auxiliary means with magnetic properties may include the step of fixing the auxiliary means in the form of a separate element containing a permanent magnet to the hook or the strap.

In a further aspect of the auxiliary means according to the invention, the holder is adapted to be fixed to the hook.

In a further aspect of the auxiliary means according to the invention, the holder is designed as two half parts that are clamped around a part of the hook and secured by screw means. Thereby a secure attachment of the holder to the hook is provided by simple means.

In a further aspect of the invention for attaching the auxiliary means to the strap, preferably in the vicinity of the hook, the holder is designed with two slots that are adapted for the strap so that an end of the strap can be passed through the slots so that the auxiliary means can be attached to the strap close to a hook. This embodiment may be advantageous in case that the holder cannot readily be attached to the hook.

The Drawing

Embodiments of the invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 shows an exploded perspective view of a first embodiment of the auxiliary means according to the invention;

Figs. 2 and 3 show a strap end with a hook with and without the auxiliary means of Fig. 1, respectively;

Fig. 4 and 5 show an alternative design of a half part of an auxiliary means in Fig. 1 for fitting on a hook, as seen in perspective view from the inner side and the outer side, respectively; side, respectively;

Fig. 6 shows a perspective view of a holder for a second embodiment of an auxiliary means according to the invention in perspective view;

Fig. 7 shows the second embodiment of the auxiliary means applied to a strap; and

Figs. 8 - 10 show three steps of an embodiment of the method according to the invention.

Description of Example Embodiments

In the first embodiment of the invention, the auxiliary means is a substantially triangular, two- part holder 1 consisting of parts 2 and 3, of which one part 3 has a permanent magnet 4 embedded at side facing the other part 2. The parts 2, 3 can be secured in the space within the structure of a standard hook 5 by means of screws 6. The holder 1 is designed with grooves or cutouts 7 for receiving the round wire-like structures 8 of the hook 5. Reference is made to Fig. 1 for the holder 1 itself; the holder 1 with magnet 4 in assembled condition and secured to the hook 5 appear on Fig. 2. The strap is designated by the number 9.

A slightly alternative design of one of the parts of holder 1 appears on Figs. 4 and 5. The part which is designated 3 ' is provided with a cylindrical cutout 11 for receiving a not shown permanent magnet. The magnet can here be mounted by interference fit or at the moulding or casting of the part 3 ' . Alternatively, the magnet can be mounted by screw connection.

The parts 2, 3, 3' can be made by injection moulding of synthetic materials or by pressure diecasting of e.g. an aluminium alloy. Other materials, e.g. wood, and other ways of manufacturing the holder 1, e.g. machining, are of course within the range of the skilled in the art.

A holder for use in a second embodiment of the auxiliary means according to the invention for securing on a strap is shown on Fig. 6. The holder 12 is a generally flat element with a central cutout 13 provided at one side for receiving a permanent magnet (not shown) and with two parallel slots 14 for receiving the strap 9. Fig. 7 shows the auxiliary means according to the second embodiment when applied to a strap 9 with a hook 5. The strap 9 is passed through the slots 14 in the holder 12 not far from the hook 5 at the end of the strap 9, and a magnet 4 is fitted in the cutout 13 of the holder. The mounting of the magnet 4 can be performed by interference fit, by moulding or in other ways known per se.

Turning to Figs. 8 - 10, three steps of the method according to the invention are depicted schematically. The method can be applied with any of the embodiments of the auxiliary means described above.

Fig. 8 shows one of the initial steps in the method where a first hook 5 is attached at a side of a load platform 16 of a vehicle 15. A load 18 to be strapped and secured is placed on the platform 16. The hook 5 is here loosely attached at a side member 17 of steel or other paramagnetic material under the load platform 16 by means of the not shown magnet 4 in a holder 1, 12. The strap 9 is passed over the load to the opposite side of the platform 16, and during this operation the hook 5 is retained by the auxiliary means according to the invention close to the bottom edge of the side member 17 which the hook 5 is to engage.

Fig. 9 shows the next step of the method, where a hook 5' at the other end of the strap is now brought to engage the bottom edge of the opposing side member 17' on the platform 16. A strapping device known per se is applied for tensioning the strap 9; the first-mentioned hook 5 is still retained in the desired position by the auxiliary means during this step.

Fig. 10 shows the final situation after the last step of the method. The strap 9 is now completely tight and secured by the strapping device and the hooks 5, 5', thereby securing the load 18 to the platform 16. It appears now that the first hook 5 to the left in Fig. 10 has changed its position as the tensioning force in the strap 9 has overcome the magnetic force that temporarily held the hook 5 close to the bottom edge of the side member 17, and the hook 5 is now in proper engagement with the side member 17.

Claims

1. An auxiliary means for a strap with hooks attached at respective ends of the strap for use in strapping loads on a transport platform, e.g. on a lorry, the auxiliary means including magnetic properties provided at a hook.

2. An auxiliary means according to claim 1 , comprising a holder in which a permanent magnet is embedded, the holder adapted to be fastened to a hook or a strap.

3. An auxiliary means according to claim 2, wherein the holder is adapted to be fixed to the hook.

4. An auxiliary means according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the holder is designed as two half parts that are clamped around a part of the hook and secured by screw means.

5. An auxiliary means according to claim 2, wherein the holder is designed with two slots that are adapted for the strap so that an end of the strap can be passed through the slots so that the auxiliary means can be attached to the strap close to a hook.

6. A method for strapping a load on a transport platform, e.g. on a lorry, by applying a strap provided with a first and a second hook at respective ends of the strap, and where a first hook at a first end of the strap is arranged to engage an edge or a hole at or under a side edge of the platform, the method being characterised by the following steps: - providing the strap with an auxiliary means which include magnetic properties at the first hook;

- temporarily attaching the first end of the strap to the side edge of the platform or a paramagnetic part on the side edge of the platform by the auxiliary means with the magnetic properties such that the auxiliary means retains the first hook at an engageable position at the edge or hole;

- passing the strap over the load on the platform and making the second hook at the second end of the strap engage an edge or a hole at or under an opposing side edge of the platform; the platform;

- securing the strap under tension with a load-strapping device.

7. A method according to claim 6, wherein providing the strap with the auxiliary means with magnetic properties includes the step of fixing the auxiliary means in the form of a separate element containing a permanent magnet to the hook or the strap.