Compressible cargo bar

A cargo bar for retaining loads in a cargo container having opposing side walls. The cargo bar includes telescoping sections and end devices at the opposed ends of the cargo bar. The end devices are elastameric and absorb excessive forces that induce pressure grip extension of the telescoping sections.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the use of extendable cargo bars that are forcibly extended between opposing wall surfaces for pressure induced grip retention of the bars to the walls.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The use of cargo bars for sectioning off cargo loads is well known. Typically, a cargo carrying truck box has opposed side walls and often it happens that a partial load needs to be transported and that cargo load likely needs to be held in place in the truck box. Cargo bars are elongate extendable/contractible members (e.g., telescoping square tubes) having end pads that can be forcibly pressed against the side walls to grip the flat surfaces of the side walls and hold the cargo bars in place. The bar is butted against the partial load and the ends of the cargo bar pressed into the side walls to fix the bar and thereby retain the load. It will be apparent that although such use is a typical use of the “cargo bar” there are many applications and this description is intended to provide an understanding of the inventive concept and is not intended to limit the applicability of the product of this invention.

The cargo bar as explained above relies on opposing pressure gripping end portions and typically encompasses thin rubber or elastameric pads at the opposed ends which function as a slip resistant facing and also to avoid damage to the opposing walls. An important characteristic of truck box application for the cargo bars of the prior art is that the walls will resistively flex to enhance or generate ongoing pressure gripping.

As explained the applications for the cargo bar varies and one important consideration is the use of the bar in applications where the opposing walls do not resistively flex. In such instances the forced expansion can cause damage e.g., to the non-flexing side walls or to the cargo bar itself.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A previously proposed solution to this problem is to incorporate metal springs into the cargo bar ends i.e., between the rigid end of the bar and the elastameric pad. Such incorporated springs has not been deemed satisfactory. The spring components add considerable expense and complexity. Also, the resistive force of the spring must be reliably sufficient to produce the necessary gripping force and yet have a predictable release to avoid buckling of the bar and/or opposing walls. This criteria has not been satisfactorily achieved by existing metal spring mechanism and has prompted the present invention.

The present invention is believed to solve the deficiencies of the metal springs by the provision of molded rubber bar end devices. The molded rubber bar end devices may be referred to as bar end feet and are configured to fit the bar ends and as fitted to the bar ends, may provide varying degrees of resistive deformation. Such devices can be produced of differing durometers for adapting the bars to differing applications. That is, where the structure of the walls and the cargo bar are substantial and the bars are needed to provide equally resistive cargo retention, the devices will accordingly be provided with a durometer that deforms only when subjected to high forces. The durometer will be reduced where the bar and/or walls are more fragile. Further, the design of the devices can be tailored to produce different levels of resistance.

The above invention as briefly explained will be more fully understood and appreciated upon reference to the following detailed description and the drawings referred to therein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1A,1B and1C illustrate the application of a cargo bar10being applied between opposing side walls12,14. The cargo bar10includes telescoping square tubes having a smaller sized tube16slideable into a larger sized tube18. A locking device20is of conventional design and includes a releasable ratchet wheel22and hand lever24. Ratchet teeth formed on the small tube are engaged by the ratchet wheel and as the lever24is manually pivoted e.g., from the position ofFIG. 1Ato the position of1B and then toFIG. 1C, the bar length is extended (compare the bar length ofFIG. 1Ato that ofFIG. 1C).

In operation, the lever24is pivoted to the forward most position (FIG. 1A) where the teeth of the wheel22disengage from the teeth of tube16. The tube section16is manually pulled to extend the bar length until the ends substantially span the distance between walls12,14, and then the handle24is pivoted to force pressure engagement of both bar ends26,28against walls12,14. During this procedure and with lever24only partially thrown, the bar ends will fully engage the walls12,14. A final forced pivoting of the lever24produces pressure retentive locking of the bar to the walls.

FIGS. 2A and 2Brepresent problems that may occur with the cargo bar as generally described above. InFIG. 2Athe walls12A and14A are rigid. Whereas the bar ends have a thin elastameric pad30, they provide insufficient give for the overthrow of lever24, and with the successful forcing of level24to the closed position, such may result in the buckling of the bar as illustrated at reference32.FIG. 2Billustrates a more flimsy wall structure12B,14B. The forced closing of lever24may result in the wall being forced beyond its elastic resistivity and thus formed into a permanent bow (see wall12B), or the wall may fracture as shown at wall14B.

Reference is now directed toFIGS. 3 through 6which illustrate in more detail the improvement of the present invention. InFIG. 3Athe entire bar end26is an elastamer of a determined durometer and includes gripping nodules34formed on the outer face of an elastameric block36and having an elastameric connecting flange38. The flange38is configured to fit the end opening of tubes16,18. A pin or bolt40extends through a hole in the tube end and through an aligned hole42in the flange38for securing the bar end26to the tube end.

FIG. 3Billustrates the reaction of the bar end26to forced engagement of cargo bar10with walls12and14. Whereas the entire bar end26will collapse or compress to some degree, the smaller sections of the segments will at least initially bear the brunt of the compression. Note that nodules34are visibly compressed and hole42is visibly elongated, i.e. flange38is forced further into the tube end. This activity occurs when a wall structure12,14has a greater resistance to the engaging force C then does the elastameric resistance of the bar end28.

From the above it will be appreciated that the bar end26and the design of the bar end (both structural design and durometer of the elastamer) can be varied to produce greater or lesser force absorption as compared to the resistive force of the walls12,14. An example of such design modification structurally is illustrated inFIG. 4. Note that, as compared to the design ofFIG. 3, the flange38includes a shoulder segment44.

InFIG. 4A, prior to forced engagement of the bar end26′ with wall12, there is a space46between the tube end and the shoulder segment44. Following initial engagement and compression of the nodules34and elongation of flange hole42, the space46is closed and the tube end engages the shoulder segment44as shown inFIG. 4B. At this point the resistance to further compression of the bar end26′ is enhanced.

FIGS. 5A and 5Billustrate a modification to the bar end ofFIG. 4whereby the spacing46is eliminated (shoulder44′ is longer and abuts the tube end in the non compressed state). The various segments of the bar ends26,26′ can be reconfigured as desired to have a different pattern of resistance. It is further repeated with the elastamer itself can be modified to have a different durometer and again provide different patterns of resistance.

In conclusion, the concept of the invention is the provision of an elastameric bar end that is tailored to produce a desired compressibility that (a) achieves resistive retention of the cargo bar as applied to opposing walls of a structure, while (b) protecting the wall structure and/or bar structure against a destructively high locking extension via forced closing of the bar's lever.

This concept is believed unique to the design of cargo bars and solves a major concern for users without substantial cost increases. Within the confines of this unique concept, those skilled in the art will likely conceive of numerous modifications and variations without departing from the essence of the invention. Accordingly, such variations and modifications are intended to be encompassed within the broadly defined terms of the claims appended hereto.