Abstract:
A tie down assembly includes a winding assembly configured to connect to a load bed, and a length of webbing strap connected at a first end to the winding assembly and extending therefrom. The webbing strap includes an end fastener at or towards the free end attached to the load bed remote from the winding assembly. There is a motor driving the winding assembly to place the strap in tension, when the fastener is connected. A winding assembly activation device located remotely from the winding assembly and webbing strap and configured to activate the motor.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    See Application Data Sheet. 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not applicable. 
       THE NAMES OF PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
       [0003]    Not applicable. 
       INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC OR AS A TEXT FILE VIA THE OFFICE ELECTRONIC FILING SYSTEM (EFS-WEB) 
       [0004]    Not applicable. 
       STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR A JOINT INVENTOR 
       [0005]    Not applicable. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0007]    The present invention relates to a tie down assembly, and in particular to a tie down assembly for vehicles loaded on a vehicle carrier for transport. 
         [0008]    2. Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 37 CFR 1.98 
         [0009]    Tie down straps are commonly used to secure load items onto a carrier for transport or similar, and come in two main types. Loop tie-downs comprise a single piece of webbing looped between the load and the carrier, the two ends of the loop connected via a fastener that shortens and tensions the loop to secure the load. Two-piece tie downs comprise two separate webbing pieces. Each has a securing end that connects to the carrier, and a free end that connect to each other via a fastener. The fastener is used to shorten the overall length to provide tension and secure the load. 
         [0010]    The fasteners are commonly manually-operated lever ratchets that tighten the straps to provide tension. Depending on the location of the load and load bed fixing points, and the size and weight of the load, the fastener may be located in an awkward position. Users can find it difficult to operate the ratchet to provide sufficient tension and may also run the risk of injuring themselves during the tightening or loosening operation. 
         [0011]    The present invention seeks to overcome or substantially ameliorate at least some of the deficiencies of the prior art, or to at least provide an alternative. 
         [0012]    It is to be understood that, if any prior art information is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the information forms part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0013]    According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a tie down assembly, comprising:
       a winding assembly configured to connect to a load bed;   a length of webbing strap connected at a first end to the winding assembly and extending therefrom, and comprising an end fastener adjacent a free end adapted to attach to the load bed remote from the winding assembly; and   a drive means for rotating the winding assembly.       
 
         [0017]    In a preferred embodiment, the drive means comprises a motor adapted to drive the winding assembly. 
         [0018]    In a preferred embodiment, the tie down assembly further comprises a winding assembly activation means located remotely from the winding assembly and configured to activate the drive means. 
         [0019]    In a preferred embodiment, the winding assembly further comprises a winding rod around which the webbing strap is wound as the strap is tensioned. 
         [0020]    In a preferred embodiment, the winding assembly further comprises a releasable ratchet means configured to allow the winding assembly to act to increase the tension in the strap and to prevent the winding assembly from acting to loosen the strap once tightened. 
         [0021]    In a preferred embodiment, the winding assembly further comprises a mounting frame adapted to be attached to the underside of a load bed. 
         [0022]    In a preferred embodiment, the tie down assembly further comprises a plate adapted to be connected to the upper surface of a load bed, the plate having a central aperture with a smoothed edge portion through which the webbing strap extends through. 
         [0023]    In a preferred embodiment, the strap is adapted to extend over and rest flat against a vehicle tire. 
         [0024]    In a preferred embodiment, the motor is reversible. 
         [0025]    In a preferred embodiment, the end fastener is a hook. 
         [0026]    In a preferred embodiment, the winding assembly activation means is a switch attached to the load bed and connected to the drive means. 
         [0027]    In a preferred embodiment, the winding assembly activation means is a wireless transmitter adapted to transmit an activation signal, the winding assembly further comprising a receiver connected to the drive means adapted to receive the activation signal. 
         [0028]    In another preferred embodiment, the wireless transmitter is a handheld portable assembly. 
         [0029]    In a preferred embodiment, the tie down assembly further comprises at least one strap diverter adapted to attach to the load bed and slidable along at least part of the length of the strap between the first end and the free end. 
         [0030]    In a preferred embodiment, the ratchet means comprises a ratchet gear and further comprises a pawl arm biased to an engagement position with the ratchet gear. 
         [0031]    In a preferred embodiment, the tie down assembly further comprises a lock release means for moving the pawl arm to a disengaged position with the ratchet gear. 
         [0032]    In a preferred embodiment, the strap diverter comprises a bar or loop which engages the webbing strap and an attachment means for connecting to the load bed. 
         [0033]    According to a second aspect, the present invention provides a vehicle carrier for transporting vehicles, comprising at least one tie-down strap assembly as described in any one of the preceding statements. 
         [0034]    In a preferred embodiment, the vehicle carrier comprises a flat load bed, wherein the tie-down assembly is mounted to an underside of the load bed. 
         [0035]    In a preferred embodiment, the vehicle carrier comprises a plurality of tie down assemblies, one tie down assembly for each tire of a vehicle 
         [0036]    The present invention also provides a tie down assembly, comprising:
       a winding assembly configured to connect to a load bed;   a flexible elongated tie-down member connected at a first end to the winding assembly and extending therefrom, and comprising an end fastener adjacent a free end adapted to attach to the load bed remote from the winding assembly; and   a drive means for rotating the winding assembly.       
 
         [0040]    In a preferred embodiment, the winding assembly comprises a winding rod rotatably mounted to a mounting frame. 
         [0041]    In a preferred embodiment, the tie down assembly further comprises releasable means for preventing loosening of the tie-down member in use. 
         [0042]    The present invention also provides a load carrier comprising at least one tie-down assembly as described in any one of the above. 
         [0043]    Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0044]    Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0045]      FIG. 1  is a perspective rearwards view of a car loaded on a vehicle carrier load bed showing the car front right wheel strapped down using a tie down assembly according to a first embodiment of the invention. 
           [0046]      FIG. 2  is a perspective rearwards view of the rear right wheel of the car of  FIG. 1  strapped to the vehicle carrier bed using another tie down assembly according to the first embodiment. 
           [0047]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view from the underside of the vehicle carrier bed of  FIG. 1  looking upwards showing the tie down assembly according to the first embodiment bolted to the underside of the carrier bed. 
           [0048]      FIG. 4  is another perspective view from the underside looking upwards and sideways of the vehicle carrier bed of  FIG. 3  with the tie down assembly according to the first embodiment. 
           [0049]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view from the side and rear of the tie down assembly according to the first embodiment. 
           [0050]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view from the rear of the tie down assembly according to the first embodiment. 
           [0051]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a partially disassembled tie down assembly according to the first embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0052]    It should be noted in the following description that like or the same reference numerals in different embodiments denote the same or similar features. 
         [0053]      FIGS. 1 to 7  show a tie down assembly  1  according to a first embodiment of the present invention attached to a carrier bed  16  of a car carrier  17 . The tie down assembly  1  comprises a winding assembly  2  and a webbing strap  3 . 
         [0054]    Referring initially to  FIG. 7 , the winding assembly  2  comprises a mounting frame  20 , a motor  4  and a winding rod  5 . The mounting frame  20  comprises a rectangular mounting plate  6  and a rectangular attachment plate  22  attached perpendicularly to each other at a common lateral edge. The attachment plate  22  comprises an elongated exit slot  24  formed therein. First and second spaced flanges  26   a  and  26   b  are attached to inner surfaces of the mounting plate  6  and the attachment plate  22  and perpendicularly thereto. The flanges  26  each have a central aperture onto which the winding rod  5  is rotatably mounted. The mounting plate  6 , attachment plate  22  and the flanges  26  generally define therebetween a space  30  within which the majority of the winding rod  5  is disposed which will spool the webbing strap  3  in use. 
         [0055]    The winding rod  5  is mounted so as to have one end  5   a  extending externally of the first flange  26   a  and outside of the space  30 . The motor  4  is connected to the one end  5   a  of the winding rod  5  to rotate the winding rod  5  clockwise or anti-clockwise when the motor  4  is activated as required. The motor  4  can be mounted to one or both of the mounting plate  6  and the attachment plate  22   
         [0056]    A ratchet gear  14  is mounted to the winding rod  5  at the opposite end to the motor  4  and adjacent the second flange  26   b  (see also  FIG. 3 ). As also shown in  FIG. 3 , the ratchet gear  14  is engaged by a pawl arm  32  pivotably mounted to the attachment plate  22 . As also shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the pawl arm  32  is biased to an engagement position with the ratchet gear  14  via a spring  34 . The pawl arm  32  when engaging the ratchet gear  14  allows rotation of the winding rod  5  in a first direction only (tightening of the webbing strap  3  in use). Rotation of the winding rod  5  in the second opposite direction (loosening of the webbing strap  3 ) is prevented by the pawl arm  32  engaging the ratchet gear  14 . The pawl arm  32  includes an extension  32   a  which extends externally of the second flange  26   b.  The extension  32   a  is engaged by an air lock  40  in use (see  FIGS. 5 and 6 ) attached to the second flange  26   b.  The air lock  40  is operable to move the pawl arm  32  away from the ratchet gear  14  to a disengaged position, thus allowing the winding rod  5  to rotate in the second opposite direction for unwinding of the webbing strap  3  as required. 
         [0057]    As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the attachment plate  22  is formed to rest flat against the underside of a load bed such as the carrier bed  16  of the car carrier  17  and connected thereto via bolts. The attachment plate  22  is mounted such that its exit slot  24  is aligned with a slot aperture formed in the carrier bed  16 . 
         [0058]    As shown in  FIGS. 1, 2 and 7 , the tie down assembly  1  further comprises a carrier bed plate  11  that locates on the upper surface of the carrier bed  16  directly over the attachment plate  22  of the winding assembly  2 . The carrier bed plate  11  can be held in position over the winding assembly  2  by the bolts that hold the winding assembly  2  in position and which extend through the carrier bed  16 . The plate  11  has a flat upper surface and a central slot aperture  12  that has a smooth rounded edge. The slot aperture  12  is aligned with the exit slot  24  of the attachment plate  22 . 
         [0059]    The webbing strap  3  is a flat flexible ribbon of robust material that is connected at one end  7  thereof to the winding rod  5  (see  FIG. 3 ) so that as the rod  5  rotates in the first or second directions, the webbing strap  3  is wound on or off the rod  5 . The webbing strap  3  extends from the winding assembly  2 , through the aligned slots  24  and  12 , to a free end  8  opposite the connected end  7 . Referring to  FIG. 2 , an end hook  9  is connected to the free end  8  of the webbing strap  3 . 
         [0060]    The motor  4  can be activated by a switch (not shown) such as a rocker switch located away from the tie down assembly  1  and directly connected to the motor  4  by a cable run under the carrier bed  16 , or the winding assembly  2  can further comprise a wireless receiver (not shown) connected to the motor  4  that receives an activation signal and passes this to the motor  4  to activate/actuate the motor  4 . The signal would be transmitted from a remotely located wireless transmitter (not shown) that can be integral to a load bed, or a vehicle that includes the load bed, or the transmitter could be a handheld portable assembly. 
         [0061]    The webbing strap  3  extends from the winding assembly  2  through the central aperture  12 . The smooth edge of the aperture  12  helps to ensure that the webbing strap  3  will not fray, or catch and rip, on the edge of the aperture  12 . 
         [0062]    A preferred use of the tie down assembly  1  will now be described, with reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 . Ideally, at least four tie down assemblies  1  are mounted to the vehicle transporter carrier bed  16  for each vehicle  15 , one tie down assembly  1  for each tire  19  of the vehicle. When a vehicle  15  is loaded onto the load bed  16 , each individual wheel  19  will be substantially adjacent a carrier bed plate  11 . For each tie down assembly  1  and wheel  19  pair, a user positions the webbing strap  3  on the tire  19  so that the webbing strap  3  passes from the central aperture  12  up and over the adjacent car tire  19 , in line with the front-rear axis of the tire, with one face of the strap  3  resting flat against the tire  19 . The end hook  9  is connected to the load bed  16  on the opposite side of the tire  19  via an aperture, eye, or similar formed in the load bed  16 . 
         [0063]    One or more strap diverters  13  are used along the strap  3  if required so that the webbing strap  3  is close to the tire. The strap diverters  13  each comprise a bar or loop which engages the webbing strap  3  and a hook attachment means for connecting to the load bed  16  via an aperture, eye, or similar formed in the carrier bed  16 . The sections of the arch of the webbing strap  3  thus formed over the tire  19  are positioned close in to the tire  19 , rather than splayed out from the tire  19 , ensuring that as much of the tire  19  as possible is in contact with the webbing strap  3 . 
         [0064]    Using the strap diverters  13  ensures that the car  15  does not have to be exactly positioned on the load bed  16  as the strap diverters  13  can be positioned and used to pull the webbing strap  3  in close to the tire  19 . The motor  4  is then activated by way of the switch or wireless transmitter to rotate the winding rod  5  to wind the strap  3  around the winding rod  5 . This pulls the webbing strap  3  through the strap diverters  13  and tensions the webbing strap  3  between the connection of end hook  9  and the connected end  7  at the winding rod  6 . 
         [0065]    The releasable ratchet  14  allows the rod  6  to rotate one way to tighten the strap  3 , but prevents movement in the other direction to loosen the strap  3 . This ensures that the load is secure retained onto the carrier bed  16  and accidental loosening of the webbing strap  3  is prevented. The ratchet  14  can be released by a user to loosen the webbing strap  3  for removal of the strap  3  via the air lock  40 . When the straps  3  on all four tires  19  are tightened, the car  15  is held securely on the vehicle transporter load bed  16 . 
         [0066]    A user is able to easily operate each tie down assembly  1  without having to tighten ratchet straps by hand. Also, it is easy to position the straps  3  with a reduced likelihood of injury, and remote activation also reduces the likelihood of injury. This significantly reduces the physical effort required in securing the load as well as reducing the risk of accident or injury to the operator. 
         [0067]    Whilst preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, it will be apparent to skilled persons that modifications can be made to the embodiments described. 
         [0068]    The preferred embodiment of the present invention thus provides a number of advantages. The preferred embodiment provides an automatic driven tie down system which minuses user physical effort and risk of injury. The tie down system is motor driven which provides consistent and reliable force. The tie down system is also restrained by the motor which assists in retaining the strap in tension. The tie down system is electric driven, which can be 12 or 24 volt driven from a vehicle battery or alternator. The tie down system provides a hands free tie down/restraint once the user places the strap in position. 
         [0069]    It is apparent that other flexible elongated tie-down members can be used such as cables. Also, the strap can be attached directly to the load.