Abstract:
A cargo restraint apparatus for use to secure a load on a vehicle. The apparatus includes a frame assembly, a reel, and an elongated strap. The frame assembly is mountable to the vehicle, and the reel is rotatably mounted on the frame assembly. The elongated strap has a first end and a second end with the second end of the elongated strap being connectable to the vehicle. The elongated strap is adapted to be wound about and withdrawn from the reel. The reel is biased so that the strap is maintained in a wound position on the reel. The reel is lockingly engaged so as to restrict withdrawal of the elongated strap from the reel while permitting automatic retraction of the elongated strap onto the reel.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/324,293, filed Sep. 24, 2001, entitled “RETRACTABLE AND LOCKING SECURING APPARATUS AND METHODS OF USE THEREOF,” the contents of which is incorporated herein in its entirety. 
     
    
     
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
         [0002]    Not applicable.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0004]    The present invention relates generally to a cargo restraint apparatus for securing cargo, and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to an improved cargo restraint apparatus having a locking mechanism.  
           [0005]    2. Brief Description of the Related Art  
           [0006]    Straps, belts, ropes, cables, and other devices have generally been used to secure a cargo to a vehicle. The conventional practice has been to employ tie-down straps or elastic cords having a hook at each end to secure the cargo to a variety of vehicles, such as a truck bed, a golf cart, or a sport-utility-vehicle (“SUV”) cargo compartment. Other securing devices for use as seat belts employ a retractable strap apparatus with an elongated strap positionable about individuals in the vehicle.  
           [0007]    One type of retractable strap apparatus employed as a seat belt is known as an automatic locking retractor (ALR). The ALR is constructed so that if the elongated strap is retracted slightly after having been pulled out to an arbitrary length, further withdrawal of the elongated strap is automatically prevented and the withdrawal prevention state of the elongated strap is released by the elongated strap being substantially retracted to its full length, so that withdrawal of the elongated strap is allowed again.  
           [0008]    One of the problems associated with using the ALR is that the ALR has a tendency to lock prematurely. The ALR can be troublesome if it locks while withdrawing the elongated strap. The elongated strap must then be fully retracted to be able to withdraw the elongated strap, thus adding time and frustration to the process of securing cargo.  
           [0009]    To this end, a need exists for a cargo restraint apparatus for use with a vehicle that permits the cargo to be efficiently and effectively secured and stores itself by retracting the full length of the webbing when not in use. It is to such a cargo restraint apparatus that the present invention is directed.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING  
       [0010]    [0010]FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a truck bed carrying a cargo which is secured in position by a pair of cargo restraint apparatuses constructed in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 2 is a perspective representation of a cargo restraint apparatus shown constructed in accordance with the present invention in an extended position.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the cargo restraint apparatus of FIG. 2.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 4 is an exploded, perspective view of the cargo restraint apparatus of FIG. 2.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 5 is an elevational, cross-sectional view of the cargo restraint apparatus illustrating a locking assembly in an unlocked position.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 6 is an elevational, cross-sectional view of the locking assembly of the cargo restraint apparatus in a locked position.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0016]    Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1, a pair of cargo restraint apparatuses  10  and  12  constructed in accordance with the present invention is shown employed in a truck bed  14  of a vehicle to support a motorcycle  16  in an upright position. It should be understood that though a truck bed  14  is shown supporting the motorcycle  16 , any suitable mounting surface of a vehicle, including a trailer, may be used to secure and transport the motorcycle  16 . In addition, though a motorcycle  16  is shown as the object being transported by a vehicle, it should be understood that the cargo restraint apparatus  10  is not limited to use with a vehicle, but may be used to secure cargo, loads, or other equipment to other structures, such as shelving, in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0017]    Referring now to FIGS.  2 - 4 , the cargo restraint apparatus  10  includes a retractor assembly  22  and a strap assembly  24 . The retractor assembly  22  includes a frame assembly  26 , a biasing assembly  28 , and a locking assembly  30 . A suitable retractor assembly  22  for the cargo restraint apparatus  10 , as shown in FIG. 4 and described hereinafter, is commercially available from Klippan Safety AB, Type 23, Part No. 59921. However, it should be understood that other retractor assemblies may be used in accordance with the present invention. For example, the retractor disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,817,885, which is expressly incorporated herein by reference.  
         [0018]    The frame assembly  26  includes a frame  32 , a shaft  34 , and a reel  36 . The frame  32  has a front end  38 , a rear end  40 , a first side  42 , and a second side  44 . As shown in FIG. 3, the rear end  40  of the frame  32  is provided with an opening  46  which allows the frame  32  of the frame assembly  26  to be mounted to a vehicle permanently by a threaded nut and bolt arrangement (not shown) or to be mounted with a snap hook (not shown) allowing for a quick connection and disconnection of the frame assembly  26  from the vehicle. It should be understood that any suitable attachment of the frame  32  to the vehicle may be used. The frame  32  is preferably constructed from stainless steel, but may also be constructed from a polymeric material or another suitable, rigid material.  
         [0019]    Referring now to FIG. 4, the shaft  34  of the frame assembly  26  has a first end  48 , a second end  50 , and an elongated opening  52  extending therebetween. The shaft  32  may be constructed from any rigid, durable material, such as steel, or a polymer, such as polyethylene or polypropylene. The shaft  34  is positioned between the front end  38  and the rear end  40  of the frame  32  so that the first end  48  and the second end  50  of the shaft  34  each extend outwardly from the first side  42  and the second side  44  of the frame  32 , respectively.  
         [0020]    The reel  36  of the frame assembly  26  has a first end  54 , a second end  56 , and an elongated tubular hub portion  58  extending therebetween. The hub portion  58  is provided with an elongated opening  60 . The reel  36  is positioned between the first side  42  and the second side  44  of the frame  32  so as to be rotatably mounted on the shaft  34 .  
         [0021]    The biasing assembly  28  includes a rotor  62 , a spring bearing subassembly  64 , a spring  66 , and a spring cover  68 . The rotor  62  provides a connection between the shaft  34  and the spring  66  so that as the shaft  34  is rotated, the rotor  62  and the spring  66  rotate in the same direction as the shaft  34  is moved. The spring  66  is positioned between the spring-bearing sub-assembly  64  and the spring cover  68  in a coiled, stored position. The spring cover  68  is connected to the spring-bearing sub-assembly  64  and the frame  32  by screws  74  and  76 . However, it should be understood that any suitable fastener may be used in connecting the spring cover  68  and the spring-bearing sub-assembly  64  to hold the coiled spring  66 .  
         [0022]    The locking assembly  30  has a front cover  78  and a rear cover  80 . The rear cover  80  is provided with an opening  82  so that the first end  48  of the shaft  34  is disposed through the opening  82 . The rear cover  80  is disposed against an inner surface  87  of the frame assembly  26  and positioned so as to face the first end  54  of the reel  36 . A locking wheel  88  is provided with a plurality of teeth  90  along an outer edge  92  and a central opening  94 . The locking wheel  88  is mounted on the first end  48  of the shaft  34  so that the first end  48  of the shaft  34  is disposed through the opening  94  of the locking wheel  88 . The locking wheel  88  is positioned against the rear cover  80 . A rotor  98  is attached to the first end  48  of the shaft  34  so as to rotate in the same direction as the shaft  34  is moved. In addition, a support member  96  is attached inside the rear cover  80  to provide a filler between the front and rear covers  78  and  80 .  
         [0023]    The locking assembly  30  further includes a pair of locking bars  100  and  102  which are each positioned through separate openings  104  and  106  in the frame  32 . A guide disc  108  is attached to the frame  32 . The guide disc  108  is provided with a pair of openings  112  and  114  and has an inner surface  111  provided with teeth-like indentations. The locking bars  100  and  102  are positioned in the openings  112  and  114  of the guide disc  108 . Each opening  112  and  114  includes a guiding member  116  and  117 , shown in FIGS.  4 - 6 , for guiding the locking bars  100  and  102  into the openings  112  and  114 . The guide disc  108  is further provided with an elongated member  118  that extends past the frame  32  into the rear cover  80 . A spring  119  is provided in the rear cover  80  to bias the elongated member  118  of the guide disc  108 .  
         [0024]    The shaft  34  and rotor  98  are positioned so as to extend into the guide disc  108 . A locking wheel  120  having a plurality of teeth  122  around an outer edge  124  of the locking wheel  120  is mounted on the shaft  34  so as to rotate in the same direction as the shaft  34 . A bushing  126  is provided having an opening  127 . The rotor  98  is positioned in the opening  127 . A circular inertia mass  128  is positioned in a ratchet wheel  130 . The ratchet wheel  130  is provided with a plurality of teeth  131  along its outer edge  132 . The bushing  126  is connected to the ratchet wheel  130 . The circular inertia mass  128  provides weight to the bushing  126  and the ratchet wheel  130 . A pivoting lever  133  is attached to the ratchet wheel  130  and is maintained in place by a spring  134 . The ratchet wheel  130 , circular inertia mass  128  and the bushing  126  all rotate together in the same direction as the attached rotor  98 .  
         [0025]    The strap assembly  24  includes an elongated strap  136 , a strap tensioning assembly  137 , and a fastener  138 . The elongated strap  136  may be composed of any natural or synthetic material strong enough to be used in the present invention. The elongated strap  136  has a first end  139  and a second end  140 . The first end  139  of the elongated strap  136  is disposed through the elongated opening  60  of the reel  36  for securing the first end  139  of the elongated strap  136  to the reel  36 . The first end  139  of the elongated strap  136  is provided with a loop  142 . A pin  144  is provided and is slid through the loop  142  at the first end  139  of the elongated strap  136 , so as to be disposed within the elongated opening  60  of the reel  36  thus connecting the elongated strap  136  to the reel  36 . The elongated strap  136  is adapted to be wound about and withdrawn from the reel  36 .  
         [0026]    As shown in FIGS.  2 - 4 , the strap tensioning assembly  137  has a buckle or inline adjuster  146  slidingly attached to the elongated strap  136 . The second end  140  of the elongated strap  136  is provided with a handle  148  to facilitate tightening of the elongated strap  136  about a load. The buckle  146  is also provided with a handle  152  to loosen the elongated strap  136  from about the load. An extension strap  154  is attached to the buckle  146  and is attached to the fastener  138  for attaching the elongated strap  136  to the object, vehicle, or load. The fastener  138  is shown to be a hook with a general S-configuration.  
         [0027]    In use, the frame assembly  26  is connected to the vehicle. The elongated strap  136  is withdrawn from the reel  36  and positioned about the cargo. The shaft  34  and the reel  36  interconnect with the biasing assembly  28  and the locking assembly  30  so that the entire locking assembly  30  rotates against the spring  66  of the biasing assembly  28  as the elongated strap  136  is withdrawn from the reel  36 . The fastener  138  of the strap assembly  24  is then attached to the cargo or the vehicle.  
         [0028]    As the reel  36  moves slowly, the lever  133  mounted to the ratchet wheel  130  is maintained in a stationary condition by the spring  134 . The elongated strap  136  is allowed to be pulled back onto the reel  36  thereby providing a loose tension on the elongated strap  136 . In order to lock the reel  36 , the elongated strap  136  is pulled sharply in a direction generally away from the reel  36 . When the elongated strap  136  is pulled sharply the reel  36  is caused to move quickly, as is the shaft  34 . Centrifugal force drives the pivoting lever  133  to engage the teeth-like indentations on the inner surface  111  of the guide disc  108 . The lever  133  pushes the guide disc  108  which in turn causes the guiding members  116  and  117  to guide the locking bars  100  and  102  into the openings  112  and  114 , thus locking the guide disc  108 . The movement of the locking bars  100  and  102  into the openings  112  and  114 , also causes the locking bars  100  and  102  to engage the plurality of teeth  90  and  122  of the rotating locking wheels  88  and  120 , respectively, attached to the shaft  34 , thus locking the reel  36  and preventing rotation and the withdrawal of the elongated strap  136  (FIG. 6).  
         [0029]    Once the reel  36  is locked into place, the handle  148  of the elongated strap  136  is grasped and the elongated strap  136  is cinched so as to remove any additional slack in the elongated strap  136 , thus securing the load on the vehicle.  
         [0030]    To remove the elongated strap  136  from the cargo, the strap  150  is grasped and pulled sharply in a direction generally away from the reel- 36 , thus releasing the tension on and creating slack in the elongated strap  136 . The lever  133  is disengaged from the teeth-like indentation on the inner surface  111  of the guide disc  108  allowing the guide disc  108  to move so that the locking bars  100  and  102  disengage the plurality of teeth  90  and  122  of the rotating locking wheels  88  and  120 , thus unlocking the reel  36  (FIG. 5).  
         [0031]    The slack in the elongated strap  136  allows the fastener  138  to be unattached from the cargo or vehicle. The bias of the spring  66  rotates the reel  36  so as to wind and draw the elongated strap  136  back into its coiled, stored position. The reel  36  freely rotates so as to permit the winding and withdrawal of the elongated strap  136 .  
         [0032]    From the above description, it is clear that the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objects and to attain the advantages mentioned herein as well as those inherent in the invention. While presently preferred embodiments of the invention have been described for purposes of this disclosure, it will be understood that numerous changes may be made which will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art and which are accomplished within the spirit of the invention disclosed and as defined in the appended claims.