Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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LOAD BINDER LOCKING DEVICE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates in general to load binding apparatus for
securing
cargo loaded on transport vehicles, and in particular to devices for
preventing premature
or accidental disengagement of such apparatus.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is well known to use load binding apparatus of some type to secure loads on
transport vehicles such as flatbed trailers and railcars, to prevent shifting
of the loads
during transit. In the field of road transport in particular, it is a common
practice to
secure bulky cargo such as palletized goods and large equipment on a flatbed
trailer by
running one or more heavy steel chains over the load and connecting each end
of each
chain to the trailer frame, typically be means of hooks attached to each chain
end. The
chains must have a certain amount of slack in order to be hooked to the frame,
so they
need to be cinched or tightened around the load in order to hold it in place.
This is typically done using what are known in the field as "load binders", of
which there are numerous known types. Although their design and operation may
differ
to some extent, all load binders are similar in that they each have a pair of
hooks that can
be securely engaged with heavy chain (by slipping each hook over a selected
chain link),
plus a lever or other means which can be actuated to draw the load binder
hooks toward
each other. It is a relatively simple matter to engage the load binder hooks
at appropriate
locations on the chain so as to effectively shorten the length of the chain
around the load
(with any excess slack in the chain being gathered between the load binder
hooks), such
that actuation of the lever will further shorten the chain enough to induce
tension in the
chain so that the chain effectively clamps or binds the load against the
flatbed.
The appropriate locations for engaging the load binder hooks with the chain
will
vary depending on the shape and configuration of the load being secured. If
the hooks
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gather up too much chain slack, it will be impossible to actuate the lever;
conversely, if
they do not gather up enough slack, actuation of the lever will not induce any
chain
tension. Therefore, it may sometimes be necessary to determine the best hook
engagement points by trial and error, but this is typically a quick and easy
process. When
the load binder is engaged with the chain in an optimal configuration,
actuation of the
lever in a first direction will tighten the chain securely around the load,
and the lever will
"snap" into a closed (i.e., tightened) position. In order to slacken the chain
and remove it
from the load, the load binder is released from the closed position by
actuating the lever
in the opposite direction, thereby lengthening the distance between the load
binder hooks
and relieving chain tension. The hooks can then be disengaged from the chain,
and the
chain can be removed from the load.
Unfortunately, load binder levers have been known to become inadvertently
dislodged from the closed position, such as by accidental lever actuation,
vibration during
highway travel, or shock loading (such as when a trailer passes over a large
bump or
depression at excessive speed). These possibilities may be exacerbated by the
fact that
load binders tend to loosen somewhat once a loaded trailer starts traveling,
as the secured
load shifts slightly in response to travel-induced vibrations (and for this
reason it is good
trucking practice to check all load binders periodically during travel and
adjust them as
necessary). In any event, dislodgement of a load binder lever can have serious
consequences. If one or more levers are inadvertently released from the closed
position,
the chains will slacken, which in the worst case can result in the loads
shifting or even
falling off the trailer during transit, creating major collision hazards for
other traffic.
For the foregoing reasons, it is desirable and common to use supplemental
means
for preventing dislodgement of load binder levers from their closed positions.
In fact,
such supplement securement means may be required in order to comply with
regulatory
requirements. For example, the National Safety Code Standard 10 (Canada) and
the
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (U.S.) both require that tiedowns
(such as
load binders) used to secure cargo on or to a vehicle must be attached and
secured in a
manner that prevents the tiedown from slipping, loosening, unfastening,
opening, or
releasing while the vehicle is in transit.
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One known way to provide such secondary securement for a load binder is to run
a length of haywire (i.e., malleable steel wire) through a selected chain link
and around
the load binder handle when it is in the closed position, and then to twist
the ends of the
haywire together using pliers. This crude method is commonly used, but it is
not ideal.
Haywire is comparatively soft and therefore vulnerable to damage and fracture,
such as
by inadvertent impact from tools or equipment. Installation of haywire is time-
consuming, and removed pieces of haywire should or must be discarded. In
addition,
haywire is prone to rusting.
As discussed later in this specification, other known devices for providing
secondary securement of load binders also have particular drawbacks and
disadvantages.
For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for a device that provides reliable
securement for load binders and similar tiedowns, while at the same time being
durable,
inexpensive, and easy to install. There is a further need for such a device
which is easily
removable and which can be reliably re-used many times before requiring
replacement.
The present invention is directed to these needs.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In general terms, the present invention is a reusable device for releasably
locking
a load binder in the closed position and in engagement with chains securing a
load to a
transport vehicle. The device is features a length of steel cable (or other
suitable elongate
flexible material) with one plain or free end and with a loop formed in the
other end. The
cable passes through an opening in an abutment plate (preferably in the form
of a round
metal disc similar to a washer), such that the abutment plate can slide along
the cable
between a pair of spaced stop members fixed to the cable near the free end
thereof, one
on either side of the abutment plate.
The range of sliding movement of the abutment plate is restricted by a pair of
spaced stop members fixed to the cable near the free end thereof, one on
either side of the
abutment plate. The spacing of the stop members may be selected to suit
specific
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applications, but typically will be fairly small (e.g., in the range of 0.5"
to 1.0"). The stop
members are large enough that then cannot pass through the opening in the
abutment
plate.
When a lever-type load binder is engaged with a load-securing chain, the
locking
device of the present invention may be used to lock the lever in the closed
position by
= passing the loop end of the cable through a selected chain link adjacent to
the
lever;
= extending the free end of the cable around the load binder lever; and
= passing the abutment plate and the free end of the cable through the loop
such that
the loop is disposed behind the abutment plate, with the abutment plate
preventing the loop from moving toward the free end of the cable.
The device is easily removed from the load binder by angularly orienting the
abutment plate relative to the cable so that it can be pushed back through the
cable loop,
thus allowing the device to be removed from the load binder and chain - and to
be reused
as desired.
Despite the ease with which the removal procedure can be carried out by the
user,
inadvertent or accidental removal due to impact, vibration, shock loading, or
other
phenomena is virtually impossible due to the fact that when the device is in
place, the
cable loop bears against abutment plate, which is dimensioned such that it
cannot pass
through the loop unless purposely re-oriented for that purpose.
Accordingly, in one aspect the present invention is a device for releasably
locking
a load binder in the closed position, said device comprising:
(a) an elongate flexible member having a first end and a second end, with a
closed loop being formed in the flexible member at said second end;
(b) an abutment plate having an opening, said abutment plate being slidably
retained on the flexible member in a selected region spaced away from the
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loop, with the flexible member passing through the opening in the
abutment plate; and
(c) first and second stop members fixed to the flexible member at a selected
spacing, one on each side of the abutment plate, so as to limit the range of
sliding movement of the abutment plate along the flexible member, said
first stop member being positioned between the abutment plate and the
first end of the flexible member, and said second stop member being
positioned between the abutment plate and the second end of the flexible
member;
wherein the loop and the abutment plate are configured such that the abutment
plate, the
first end of the flexible member, and the first stop member can be passed
through the
loop, allowing the loop to be positioned between the abutment plate and the
second stop
member.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the
accompanying figures, in which numerical references denote like parts, and in
which:
FIGURE 1 illustrates a prior art load binder locking device, in its
disengaged configuration.
FIGURE 2 illustrates the load binder locking device of the present
invention, in its disengaged configuration.
FIGURE 3 illustrates the prior art locking device of Fig. 1, in its engaged
configuration.
FIGURE 4 illustrates the load binder locking device of Fig. 2, in its
engaged configuration.
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FIGURE 5 illustrates the load binder locking device of the present
invention, in its engaged configuration and mounted around the lever of a
lever-type load binder in the closed position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
FIG. 1 illustrates a prior art load binder locking device 50, the main
components
of which are a length of cable 52 having a first end 50A and a second end 50B,
and a
retainer plate 60. Cable 52 passes through a first opening 62 in retainer
plate 60 such that
retainer plate 60 can slide along cable 52 within a region of cable 52 defined
by a first
end stop member 56A and a first intermediate stop member 54A as shown. The
device
also includes one or more additional intermediate stop members 54B and 54C,
plus a
second. end stop member 56B at second end 50B of cable 52. Retainer plate 60
has a
second. opening 64 which is large enough to allow passage of second end stop
member
56B as well as intermediate stop members 54A, 54B, and 54C. Retainer plate 60
also has
a slot 66 contiguous with second opening 64 and oriented in the direction away
from first
opening 62, with slot 66 being wide enough to receive cable 52 but not wide
enough to
allow passage of second end stop member 56B, or intermediate stop members 54A,
54B,
and 54C.
FIG. 3 illustrates how prior art device 50 may be manipulated to encircle an
object (such as a closed load binder). The cable 52 is wrapped around the
object (not
shown), thus forming a loop 70 enclosing the object. Second end stop member
56B is
then passed through second opening 64 of retainer plate 60 to tighten loop 70,
as much as
possible or desired, around the object being secured, while at the same time
passing one
or moi-e of intermediate stop members 54C, 54B, and 54A, in that sequence,
through
second. opening 64 if and as may be required. At this stage, cable 52 is moved
laterally
into slot 66, wherein it will tend to be maintained by the inherent tendency
of the now-
curved cable 52 to spring back to a straight configuration. Depending on which
(if any) of
intermediate stop members 54C, 54B, and 54A have been passed through retainer
plate
60 during this tightening procedure, disengagement of cable 52 from retainer
plate 60
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(and, in turn, disengagement of device 50 from the object in question) will be
inhibited
by the fact that either second end stop member 56B or one of intermediate stop
members
54A, 54B, and 54C will be abutting retainer plate 60 adjacent to slot 66,
through which it
is unable to pass.
While prior art device 50 can be effective, it is prone to inadvertent or
accidental
disengagement if cable 52 should be pushed or deflected toward second opening
64. This
would allow the stop member abutting retainer plate 60 (i.e., end stop member
58 or one
of the intermediate stop members 54A, 54B, and 54C) to pass through slot 66,
thus
causing the device 50 at best to become loosened and at worst to become
completely
disengaged from the object it previously secured.
This problem is entirely eliminated in the present invention. As illustrated
in
FIGS. 2 and 4, the load binder locking device 10 of the present invention
includes a
flexible member 20 having a first end 20A and a second end 20B, with a loop 22
being
formed in member 20 at second end 20B, and with loop 22 having a loop opening
22A.
An abutment plate 30 with cable opening 32 is positioned in a selected region
on flexible
member 20 between a first stop member 26A and a second stop member 26B, which
are
fixedly connected to flexible member 20. The distance between first stop
member 26A
and second stop member 26B may be selected as desired, provided that it is
sufficient
permit angular deflection of abutment plate 30 relative to flexible member 20,
to allow
abutment plate 30 to be passed through loop opening 22A (as will be explained
herein).
Optionally (and by no means necessarily), a terminal stop member 28 may be
fixed to
first end 20A of flexible member 20 if desired. As shown in FIG. 4, first end
20A of
flexible member 20 and abutment plate 30 may be passed through loop 22 such
that loop
is disposed between first stop member 26A and abutment plate 30. Abutment
plate 30
thus prevents loop 22 from moving toward (and off) second end 20B of flexible
member
20.
In a preferred method of use as shown in FIG. 5, locking device 10 may be used
to lock a load binder 80 in the closed position by inserting loop 22 through a
selected link
of a load-securing chain 80 that has been tensioned with a load binder 90
having an
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actuating lever 92. With lever 92 in the closed (tensioned) position as shown
in FIG. 5,
flexible member 20 is then wrapped around lever 92 so that first end 20A of
flexible
member 20, first stop member 26A, and abutment plate 30 may be inserted
through loop
opening 22A. Loop 22 is then disposed between first stop member 26A and
abutment
plate 30, as most clearly seen in FIG. 4.
This procedure will typically entail angularly deflecting abutment plate 30 to
a
position generally as shown in FIG. 2 so that abutment plate 30 may be readily
inserted
through loop opening 22A. Preferably, angular deflection of abutment plate 30
will be
facilitated by making cable opening 32 of abutment plate 30 a reasonable
amount larger
than the diameter of flexible member 20.
Installed as described above, the device 10 of the present invention securely
locks
handle 92 of load binder 90 in the closed position. Loop opening 22A is of
sufficiently
restricted size and configuration that it is virtually impossible for abutment
plate 30 to
pass back through loop opening 22A (thus releasing the device 10 from the load
binder
90). In order for that to happen, a positive and deliberate effort must first
be exerted to
angularly deflect abutment plate 30 so as to align it with loop opening 22A,
and this
cannot happen as a result of mere accidental displacement of first end 20A of
flexible
member 20. Inadvertent disengagement of abutment plate 30 is made that much
more
unlikely (if not already impossible) by the latent elastic energy developed in
flexible
member 20 due to being wrapped or bent around handle 92, creating a tendency
for
flexible member 20 to rebound to a generally linear configuration (as in FIG.
2). This
latent energy biases loop 22 against the face of abutment plate 30, thereby
tending to
orient abutment plate 30 transverse to the axis of flexible member 20, and
also tending to
dispose the outer end of loop 22 against flexible member 20 adjacent to
abutment plate
30.
In the preferred embodiment of locking device 10, flexible member 20 is a
twisted
or braided cable, made of metal or other material suitable for the purpose. In
a
particularly preferred embodiment, flexible member 20 is a galvanized steel
cable.
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Loop 22 may be formed in any suitable fashion. For example, it may be formed
by folding second end 20B of flexible member 20 against an inner portion of
flexible
member 20 and then fixing second end 20B thereto by any suitable means. Such
means
could take the form of a metallic sleeve 24 (preferably an aluminum sleeve)
that is passed
over the portions of flexible member 20 being joined, and then crimped to
prevent
relative movement.
Abutment plate 30 preferably will be in the form of a round or ovate aluminum
disc. However, other materials could also be used, such as galvanized steel,
stainless
steel, or a plastic having suitable structural properties. As well, abutment
plate 30 could
take different geometric shapes without departing from the essence of the
invention; for
example, abutment plate 30 could be of rectilinear or polygonal configuration.
Stop members 26A, 26B, and 28 may be formed by crimping metal sleeves
(preferably aluminum sleeves) over flexible member 20 in desired locations.
It will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that various
modifications
of the present invention may be devised without departing from the essential
concept of
the invention, and all such modifications are intended to come within the
scope of the
appended claims. To provide one particular (and non-limiting) example, locking
device
10 could include one or more additional abutment plates 30, with corresponding
additional stop members, in order to facilitate use in conjunction with chains
and load
binders of different sizes. Such alternative embodiments with two or more
abutment
plates 30 would also provide double security against inadvertent opening of
load binders,
although that should not be necessary so long as the components of locking
device 10
remain in sound physical condition.
Although the present invention has been described in the context of its use
for
releasably locking a load binder, it will also be appreciated that the utility
of the invention
is in no way restricted or limited to use in association with load binders.
Persons skilled
in the art will readily understand that the invention may be used or adapted
for releasable
locking or securement of many different types of objects in many different
practical
applications.
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In this patent document, the word "comprising" is used in its non-limiting
sense to
mean that items following that word are included, but items not specifically
mentioned
are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article "a" does
not exclude
the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the
context clearly
requires that there be one and only one such element.
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