Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02577739 2007-02-09
LEVERAGE TOOL FOR TIGHTENING DEVICES
Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a leverage tool for either tightening or releasing a
tension
member mounted to a tightening device.
Description of the Prior Art
Commonly used tie-down devices in the field of cargo handling typically
include a
tension member such as a strap or a chain, and a tightening device such as a
winch,
a ratchet buckle or a chain binder, which is used to adjust the tension in the
tension
member, thereby tying a load down against a traiier. The tension member
typically
has a first end fixed to one side of a trailer, and a second end removably
attached to
the other side of the trailer. Depending on the type of tightening device, it
can be
provided at either side of the trailer, or at an intermediate point along the
tension
member.
Different types of tools are used for leverage with different types of
tightening
devices. Different types of tightening devices are used for different types of
cargo,
and sometimes a single trailer can include two or more types of tightening
devices.
This is sometimes problematic for truck loading workmen which do not always
have
the proper tool for operating a specific tightening device. Further, operating
certain
tightening devices by hand, or with a wrong tool has been known to cause
certain
injuries amongst workmen.
There are needs felt in the field of tightening device operation to facilitate
the
tightening or releasing process, to increase versatility of leverage tools, to
reduce the
risk of injury, and reduce the time required by workmen to operate tightening
devices.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an aim of the present invention to address at least some of
the above
mentioned issues.
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According to an aspect, there is provided a leverage tool for operating a
ratchet
buckle having an operating lever pivotable about a pivot axis. The leverage
tool
comprises: a bar member having a bar axis with a first receiver and a second
receiver spaced-apart from the first receiver along the bar axis, the first
receiver
being engageable with a first ratchet buckle member and the second receiver
being
engageable simultaneously with an operating lever member, spaced-apart from
the
first ratchet buckle member, for pivoting the operating lever about the pivot
axis.
According to another aspect, there is provided a tightening device leverage
tool
comprising: a bar member with a bar axis; a first receiver mounted to the bar
member; and a second receiver mounted to the bar member and spaced-apart along
the bar axis from the first receiver, the first and the second receivers being
simultaneously engageable with a respective one of a first ratchet buckle
member
and a second ratchet buckle member, spaced apart from one another, for
pivoting at
least one of the first and the second ratchet buckle members about a pivot
axis.
According to another aspect, there is provided a tightening device leverage
tool
comprising: a bar member with a bar axis; a ratchet buckle adapter mounted to
the
bar member and engageable with an operating lever of a ratchet buckle for
pivoting
the operating lever about a ratchet buckle pivot axis; and a binder adapter
provided
on the bar member and engageable with a binder handle for pivoting the binder
handle about a binder pivot axis.
According to a further aspect, there is provided a tightening device leverage
tool.
The tightening device leverage tool comprises : a bar having a first end and a
second end; a first receiver having a C-shaped cross-section, the first
receiver being
positioned transversally at first end of the bar with a receiving opening
oriented away
from the first end; a second receiver having a C-shaped cross-section, the
second
receiver being positioned transversally below the bar, at a predetermined
distance
from the first receiver, and with a receiving opening oriented towards the
first end; a
channel defined in the bar, adjacent the first end; a handle retention member
above
a section of the channel; whereby the leverage tool can be used to handle
either a
ratchet buckle by engaging the first receiver and the second receiver onto a
first and
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a second ratchet buckle elements, respectively, or a load binder by engaging a
binder handle in the channel below the handle retention member.
In this specification, the term "tension member" is intended to mean chains,
cables,
straps, bands, and the like, which can be flexible or not. The term
"tightening device"
is intended to mean, without being limitative, strap ratchet buckles, chain
binders,
load tighteners, winches, etc.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a leverage tool in accordance with an
embodiment of
the invention;
Fig. 2 is a side elevation view of the leverage tool shown in Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 is a perspective view, enlarged and fragmented, of a first end of the
leverage
tool shown in Fig. 1;
Fig. 4 is a perspective view the leverage tool shown in Fig. 1 wherein the
leverage
tool is engaged with a binder handle for increasing tension;
Fig. 5 is a perspective view the leverage tool shown in Fig. 1 wherein the
leverage
tool is engaged with the binder handle for releasing tension;
Fig. 6 is a perspective view the leverage tool shown in Fig. 1 wherein the
leverage
tool is engaged with a ratchet buckle; and
Fig. 7 is a perspective view the leverage tool shown in Fig. 1 wherein the
leverage
tool is engaged with a winch.
It will be noted that throughout the appended drawings, like features are
identified by
like reference numerals.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring now to the figures and, more particularly referring to Figs. 1 to 3,
it will be
seen a leverage tool 10, or tightening device leverage tool, in accordance
with an
embodiment. The leverage tool 10 includes a bar member 12 with a length
extending
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along a bar axis 14, a width, and a height. In this example, the bar member 12
has a
rectangular cross-section and is angled along its length at two angle points
16a, 16b,
thus defining a first segment 20a, a second segment 20b, and a third segment
20c.
As it will be described in more details below, the bar member 12 is angled to
ease
the manipulation of the leverage tool 10 by a workman.
A first receiver 22 is mounted to the first end 18 of the bar member 12. The
first
receiver 22 has a C-channel shape with an open end 24 facing the first end 18
and is
mounted substantially perpendicular to the bar axis 14. The first receiver 22
is
designed to engage a first ratchet buckle member 26 at an intermediary point
of a
ratchet buckle 28 (Fig. 6) when operating the leverage tool 10, as will be
described in
more details below.
The bar member 12 also includes, contiguous to the first end 18, a handle
insertion
channel 30 which extends in the first segment 20a of the bar member 12
contiguous
to the first end 18. The handle insertion channel 30 is defined in the
rectangular
cross-section of the bar member 12 and has a longitudinal opening 32 defined
in an
upper wall 34 of the bar member 12. The handle insertion channel 30 and the
longitudinal opening 32 extends continuously in the first receiver 22.
A handle retention member 36 is mounted to the bar member 12 and extends
upwardly above the longitudinal opening 32 proximate to a rear end 38 of the
handle
insertion channel 30. The handle insertion channel 30 is designed to receive
therein
a rear end 40 of a binder handle 42 (Fig. 4), for tie-down, as will be
described in
more details below. The handle retention member 36 prevents the binder handle
42
from sliding outside the handle insertion channel 30 while tightening a
tension
member (not shown) mounted to the binder handle 42.
The leverage tool 10 also includes a second receiver 44, which is mounted to a
lower wall 46 of the bar member 12 and extends substantially perpendicular to
the
bar axis 14 and parallel to the first receiver 22. The second receiver 44 has
a
peripheral wall 48 and a C-shaped bottom wall 50 and defines a cavity 52
therein
with an open end facing the first end 18 of the bar member 12. The second
receiver
44 is designed to engage the end of a ratchet buckle handle 56, or a second
ratchet
buckle member, of the ratchet buckle 28 (Fig. 6) simultaneously while the
first ratchet
CA 02577739 2007-02-09
buckle member 26 is engaged in the first receiver 22, as will be described in
more
details below. The combination of the engagement of the longitudinally distal
first
receiver 22 and second receiver 44 of the illustrated example allows
activation of the
ratchet buckle handle in both directions using the leverage tool 10.
5 The lower wall 62 of the second receiver 44 has a channel 64 defined
centrally
therein, defining a protuberance of the outer face of the second receiver 44,
and
extending substantially parallel to the bar axis 14. The channel 64
facilitates the
withdrawal of the rear end 40 of the binder handle 42 after having pivoted the
binder
handle 42 relatively to a pivot axis for releasing tension in a tension member
mounted to the binder handle 42, as will be described in more details below.
The C-
shaped bottom wall 50 prevents the rear end 40 of the binder handle 42 from
sliding
rearwardly when engaged in the second receiver 44.
Two binder handle lateral stabilizers 66 are mounted to the bar member 12,
proximate to the first end 18. The lateral stabilizers 66 extend substantially
parallel to
one another and are spaced apart. The lateral stabilizers 66 are substantially
parallel
to the bar axis 14 and extend between the second receiver 44 and the first end
18 of
the bar member 12. The spacing defined between the two lateral stabilizers 66
allows the insertion of the binder handle 42 when its rear end 40 is inserted
in the
second receiver 44 (Fig. 5). The lateral stabilizers 66 laterally stabilize
the binder
handle 42 when received in the second receiver 44.
The bar member 12 has a second end 68 opposed to the first end 18. A winch bar
70 is mounted to the second end 68 of the bar member 12. The winch bar 70 is
engageable in a receiving aperture 72 defined in a winding drum 74 of a winch
76
(Fig. 7). In the example, the winch bar 70 has a circular cross-section with a
diameter smaller than the diameter of the bar member 12. However, it is
appreciated
that, in an alternate embodiment, the shape and the size of the winch bar 70
can
vary in accordance with the shape and the size of a corresponding receiving
aperture 72.
As shown in Fig. 2, the winch bar 70 extends substantially parallel to the bar
axis 14
but is not in line with the segment 20c of the bar member 12. The winch bar 70
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defines an angle with the segment 20c. In an alternate embodiment, it could be
in-
line therewith.
The outer surface of the winch bar 70 includes a plurality of circumferential
grooves
77, extending substantially parallel to one another. The grooves 77 provide
slip
resistance to the winch bar 70 when inserted in the receiving aperture 72.
Therefore, the leverage tool 10 includes a plurality of tightening device
adapters
designed to be engaged with tightening devices of different kinds for either
releasing
or tightening a tension member. Proximate to the first end 18 of the bar
member 12,
the leverage tool 10 includes a ratchet buckle adapter, including first
receiver 22 and
second receiver 44, mounted to the bar member 12. The ratchet buckle adapter
is
engageable with an operating lever 86 (Fig. 6) of a ratchet buckle for
pivoting the
operating lever 86 relatively to a ratchet buckle pivot axis 92 (Fig. 6).
Proximate to the first end 18 of the bar member 12, the leverage tool 10 also
includes a binder adapter for activating a binder handle. The binder adapter
has a
first member defined in the bar member 12, i.e. the handle insertion channel
30, and
a second member, i.e. the handle retention member 36, mounted to the bar
member
12 and extending above the handle insertion channel 30. A binder handle 42
(Fig. 4)
is engageable with the binder adapter for pivoting the binder handle 42
relatively to a
binder pivot axis 84 (Fig. 4). The leverage tool 10 includes another binder
adapter,
which includes the channel 64 defined in the second receiver 44 and the binder
handle lateral stabilizers 66, and is engageable with the binder handle 42.
At the second end 68 of the bar member 12, the leverage tool 10 includes a
winch
adapter. The winch adapter includes the winch bar 70 engageable with the
receiving
aperture 72 defined in the winding drum 74 of the winch 76.
A single tool can thus be used for either releasing or tightening ratchet
buckles,
chain binders, and winches, by using the features of the leverage tool 10.
Referring now to Figs. 4 to 7, it will be seen how the leverage tool 10 can be
used to
either tie down or release several tightening devices and, more particularly,
a binder
having a binder handle 42, a ratchet buckle 28, and a winch 76. When mounted
to
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the tightening device, the leverage tool 10 is actuated manually to either
release or
tighten a tension member mounted to the tightening device. Manual activation
of the
leverage tool 10 produces a manual activation of the tightening device. For
instance,
for tightening a tension member, the leverage tool 10 is moved in a counter-
ciockwise direction while, for releasing the tension member, the leverage tool
10 is
moved in a clockwise direction. It is appreciated that, in an alternate
embodiment,
the leverage tool 10 can be moved in a clockwise direction for tightening the
tension
member while, for releasing the tension member, the leverage tool 10 is moved
in
the counter-clockwise direction.
Referring now to Fig. 4, it will be seen how the leverage tool 10 is engaged
with the
binder handle 42, which can be that of either a chain binder or a strap
binder, for
adjusting the tension of a tension member (not shown). The binder handle 42
has a
rear section 80, proximate to the rear end 40, which is engaged in the handle
insertion channel 30 with the rear end 40 abutting the rear end 38 of the
handle
insertion channel 30. When pivoting the binder handle 42 relatively to a pivot
axis 82,
located at a front end 84 opposed to the rear end 40, the leverage tool 10
increases
the force applied at the front end 84. The retention member 36, extending
above the
bar member 78, prevents the binder handle 42 from being released from the
insertion channel 30 while tying down the tension member.
Referring now to Fig. 5, it will be seen how the leverage tool 10 is used for
releasing
the tension of a tension member (not shown). The rear end 40 of the binder
handle
42 is inserted in the second receiver 44. The C-shaped wall member 50 prevents
the
binder handle 42 from sliding rearwardly relatively to the leverage tool 10.
The bar
member 78 of the binder handle 42 extends between the two lateral stabilizers
66.
The lateral stabilizers 66 laterally stabilize the binder handle 42 while
pivoting the
latter relatively to the pivot axis 82.
For releasing the binder handle 42, the leverage tool 10 is typically pivoted
once
relatively to the pivot axis 82. Once pivoted, the binder handle 42 is
released from
the tool 10 by sliding outwardly of the second receiver 44, through the
channel 64,
and the lateral stabilizers 66.
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Referring now to Fig. 6, it will be seen how the leverage tool 10 is used to
adjust
tension with a ratchet buckle 28. The ratchet buckle 28 has an operating lever
86
which is pivotally mounted, at one end 88 thereof, on a strap reel 90 having a
pivot
axis 92. The operating lever 86 includes two limbs 94 rigidly interconnected
by
means of the handle 56 at the other end 96 of the operating lever 86. The
first
ratchet buckle member 26 is mounted to the limbs 94 between the both ends 88,
96.
For either tying down or releasing the tension member, the first ratchet
buckle
member 26 of the operating lever 86 is inserted in the first receiver 22 and
the
handle 56 is inserted in the second receiver 44. The operating lever 86 can
therefore
be pivoted about the pivot axis 92 for either tying down or releasing the
tension
member mounted to the ratchet buckle 28.
It will be appreciated that the first receiver 22 and the second receiver 44
can be
engaged with other components of the ratchet buckle 28 instead of the first
ratchet
buckle member 26 and the handle 56. For example, without being limitative, the
first
receiver 22 can be engaged with a component. of the strap reel 90, or
proximate
thereof, while the second receiver 44 can be engaged with any component of the
operating lever 86 for pivoting the latter about the pivot axis 92. The shape
of the first
receiver 22 and the second receiver 44 can be modified in accordance with the
components they are engaged with.
Referring to Fig. 7, it will be seen how the leverage tool 10 is used for
either tying
down or releasing a tension member (not shown) mounted to a winch 76. The
winch
76 includes a winding drum 74 with a rotation axis 98 and winch bar receiving
apertures 72 therein. For tightening or releasing the tension member, the
winch 76 is
either wind or unwind, i.e. rotated either clockwise or counter clockwise. The
winch
bar 70 of the leverage tool 10 is inserted in one of the winch bar receiving
apertures
72 for rotating the winding drum 74 relatively to the rotation axis 98 for
either tying
down or releasing the tension member. Therefore, the diameter of the winch bar
70
is dimensioned to be inserted into the winch bar receiving apertures 72.
When a tightening device is actuated and the handle 42, the operating lever
86, or
the bar member 12 of the tightening device moves past a dead center position,
the
handle has a tendency to snap into its final position and this snapping action
is quite
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dangerous since it may injure the workman's fingers or hands or other parts of
the
body. The bar member 12 of the leverage tool 10 is designed in three sections,
angled relatively to one another, so that injury to the hand or other parts of
the
workman's body can be prevented. The angle points 16a, 16b are designed to
increase to the spacing between the bar member 12 and the item (not shown) to
which the tightening device is mounted to or the cargo. Therefore, the
leverage tool
is designed to prevent injury to workmen when the handle 42, the operating
lever
86, or the bar member 12 of the tightening device moves past a dead center.
The leverage tool 10 is detachable in that it can mounted to and dismounted
from
10 tightening devices. The leverage tool 10 can be removably mounted to the
tightening
devices at times when required. After the leverage tool 10 has been used for
either
tightening or releasing a tension member mounted to a tightening device, the
tool 10
can be disengaged or removed from the tightening device.
The leverage bar or tool 10 is efficient in operation. For each tightening
device, the
leverage tool 10 increases the force applied to the tightening device while
either
tying down or releasing the tension member mounted to the tightening device.
Moreover, the angled shape of the bar member 12 prevents the workman from
possible injury by having his hands engaged between the tool 10 and the cargo,
which is bound with the tension member. Moreover, the angled shape of the bar
member 12 allows to engage the tool 10 with the tightening device in any
position,
even if the operating lever or the handle is juxtaposed to the tension member.
Moreover, the leverage tool 10 is constructed so that it can be conveniently
gripped
in a hand and facilitating its manual manipulation.
The leverage tool 10 adds leverage to a part of the tightening device, such as
the
handle, so that not only does the leverage tool 10 function as a safety
device, but in
addition it provides a means for increasing leverage of the tightening device.
A single tool is required for either releasing or tightening ratchet buckles,
chain
binders, and winches. Therefore, the workman always has an adequate leverage
tool for tightening devices of three different types.
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In an embodiment, the leverage tool 10 is approximately 40 inches long,
including
the winch bar 70 and the first receiver 22. The spacing between the front ends
of the
first receiver 22 and the second receiver 44 is approximately 4 inches. The
first,
second, and third segments 20a, 20b, 20c are respectively approximately 3, 6,
and
5. 26 inches long. The angles defined between the first and the second
segments 20a,
20b, at angle point 16a, and between the second and the third segments 20b,
20c, at
angle point 16b, are approximately 1700. The width and the weight of the bar
member 12 are approximately 1.2 inches.
The embodiments of the invention described above are intended to be exemplary
10 only.
As it will be appreciated, the leverage tool 10 can be used on several
tightening
devices (or binding device) for rapidly spooling, tightening or releasing the
tension
member of the tightening device.
The leverage tool 10 can be made of any suitable material and in different
shapes.
The shape of the various adapters can vary in accordance with the tightening
devices they are engaged with. Moreover, their locations along the bar member
12
can vary.
Since tightening devices are made in many different sizes, the leverage tool
10 can
be made in different sizes in order to fit these different sizes of tightening
devices.
It is appreciated that the tightening device can be a secured position or it
can be
displaceable along the trailer, for instance. For example, the tightening
device can be
mounted on rails.
The scope of the invention is therefore intended to be limited solely by the
scope of
the appended claims.
