Quick release hook device for trailers

A hook device for securing or releasing a deck panel used in a cargo section of a trailer, the hook device including: a guide bracket configured with at least first and second sides, the guide bracket including a groove formed on the first side and extending to the second side; and a hook configured to operate within the groove to secure or release the deck panel, the hook configured to secure the deck panel in a stored position when the hook is on the first side of the guide bracket and to release the deck panel in a work position when the hook is on the second side of the guide bracket.

BACKGROUND

Field of the Invention

The present disclosure relates to a quick-release hook device, and more specifically, to a quick-release hook device for securing and releasing a deck panel used in a cargo section of a trailer and from the side of the cargo section.

Background

A trailer may include a deck system in its cargo section. The deck system may include one of more deck panels including a conveyer deck panel. Each of the deck panels can be moved to a work position or stored position.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure describes a quick-release hook device for securing and releasing the deck panel from the side of the cargo section.

In one embodiment, a hook device for securing or releasing a deck panel used in a cargo section of a trailer is disclosed. The hook device includes: a guide bracket configured with at least first and second sides, the guide bracket including a groove formed on the first side and extending to the second side; and a hook configured to operate within the groove to secure or release the deck panel, the hook configured to secure the deck panel in a stored position when the hook is on the first side of the guide bracket and to release the deck panel in a work position when the hook is on the second side of the guide bracket.

In another embodiment, an apparatus for a cargo section of a trailer is disclosed. The apparatus includes: a bracket coupled to a sidewall of the cargo section, the bracket configured with a plurality of sides; a groove formed on a first side of the plurality of sides and extending into a second side adjacent to the first side, the groove configured along a vertical angle and turning into a slanted angle on the first side of the bracket, and the groove configured to continue in the slanted angle on the second side but substantially perpendicular to the groove on the first side; and a hook disposed within the groove, the hook configured to secure a deck panel when the hook is on the first side of the bracket and to release the deck panel when the hook is on the second side of the bracket.

In yet another embodiment, an apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes: means for securing and releasing a deck panel into and from a stored position on a sidewall of a cargo section of a trailer, the means for securing having at least first and second sides; and means for guiding the means for securing along a vertical angle and turning into at least a first slanted angle on the first side, and continuing on the first slanted angle on the second side but substantially perpendicular to the first side.

Other features and advantages of the present disclosure should be apparent from the present description which illustrates, by way of example, aspects of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As stated above, a deck panel in the cargo section of a trailer, for example, can be moved to a work position or stored position. However, when the deck panel is moved to the stored position, the panel can fall off that position and cause injury to personnel or damage to the cargo, unless the deck panel is securely locked. Further, when the deck panel is to be moved to the work position, the panel should be easily movable from the stored position to the work position.

Several embodiments of a quick-release hook device for securing and releasing the deck panel from the side of the cargo section are described in the present disclosure. In one embodiment, the quick-release hook device is configured with a hook movably attached to a guide bracket. The hook is moveable between a secured position (which secures the deck panel in the stored position) and a released position (which releases the deck panel from the hook to the work position). The guide bracket guides the hook to swing away from the cargo section as the hook is moved from the secured position to the released position.

After reading this description it will become apparent how to implement the present disclosure in various embodiments and applications. However, although various embodiments of the present disclosure will be described herein, it is understood that these embodiments are presented by way of example only, and not limitation. As such, this detailed description of various embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope or breadth of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1Ais a perspective view of a trailer130having a cargo section140in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG. 1Bis a detailed view of the cargo section140shown inFIG. 1Aand including a quick-release hook device100.

In the illustrated embodiment ofFIG. 1B, the cargo section140also includes at least one deck panel110and a conveyor panel120. Although the deck panels110are shown on one side of the cargo section only, deck panels can also be configured on the other side as well. The deck panels110are configured to provide an additional surface on which the cargo can be stowed. The conveyor panel120includes rollers to easily move the cargo in and out of the cargo section140.

In the illustrated embodiment ofFIG. 1F, the cargo section140also includes side rails112coupled to the inner surface114. In one embodiment, the deck panels110are coupled to the side rails112and can be moved between the work position and the stored position. In another embodiment, the deck panels110are coupled to the inner surface114(or the wall) directly. The cargo section140further includes at least one vertical post116coupled to the inner surface114of the cargo section140.

In one embodiment, each of the deck panels110couples to the quick-release hook device100which is configured with a hook movably attached to a guide bracket. The hook is moveable between a secured position and a released position.FIG. 1Bshows the quick-release hook100in a secured position which secures the deck panel110in the stored position. The guide bracket guides the hook to swing away from the cargo section as the hook is moved from the secured position to the released position.

FIG. 2is a detailed view of the cargo section140showing the quick-release hook100in a released position in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. Thus, moving the quick-release hook100to the released position releases the deck panels210from the hook100and the deck panels210are lowered into the work position.

When the deck panels210are in the work position, the deck panels provide an additional surface on which the cargo can be placed and/or moved in and out of the cargo section. When the deck panels210are in the stored position, the cargo section can be configured differently to store the cargo differently or keep the cargo section empty.

FIG. 3is a detailed view of a quick-release hook device300in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. In the illustrated embodiment ofFIG. 3, the quick-release hook device300is attached to the vertical post330and is configured with a hook310movably attached to a guide bracket312. The configuration ofFIG. 3shows the quick-release hook device300in a secured position wherein the hook310is securely holding the deck panel320in a stored position. In this configuration, a groove302in the guide bracket312keeps the hook310facing the cargo section, while the hook310is holding the deck panel320in the stored position.

FIG. 4is a detailed view of the quick-release hook device400in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure. In the illustrated embodiment ofFIG. 4, the quick-release hook device400is attached to the vertical post430and is configured with a hook410movably attached to a guide bracket412. The configuration ofFIG. 4shows the quick-release hook device400in the released position, while the deck panel (not shown) is in the work position. In this configuration, the groove402in the guide bracket412guides the hook410to swing away from the cargo section as the hook410is moved from the secured position (shown inFIG. 3) to the released position (shown inFIG. 4). The hook410in the released position is facing away from the cargo section, which clears the area in front of the quick-release hook device400so that it will not interfere with the transfer of cargo in and out of the cargo section. Further, this avoids potential damage to the cargo or injury to the personnel.

In the illustrated embodiment ofFIG. 4, the hook410of the quick-release hook device400is attached to a long lift-able rod420. The length and weight of the lift-able rod420provides stability and allows the hook410to securely lock the deck panel in the stored position and provide the downward pressure needed to move the hook410from the secure position to the released position. Further, the slanted or sloped groove402in the guide bracket412guides the hook410to swing away from the cargo section as the hook410is moved from the secured position to the released position.

InFIG. 4, a lift handle414or416can be used to lift the quick-release hook device400up so that it can engage and secure onto the deck panel or it can be lifted up to move the quick-release hook device400from the secured position to the released position. Thus, the hook410turns approximately 90 degrees between the lifting and the lowering of the quick-release hook device400(and the deck panel) due to the configuration of the groove402in the guide bracket412.

FIG. 5is a perspective view of the quick-release hook device500including the guide bracket512, the hook510, and the lift-able rod520in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG. 5also shows the groove502formed on the guide bracket512.

FIG. 6is a close-up view of the quick-release hook device600including the guide bracket612and the hook610in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. The illustrated embodiment ofFIG. 6shows the perpendicular turn made in the groove602and the guide bracket612.

FIG. 7shows a front view700, a side view710, and an unfolded view720of the guide bracket in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. When the hook (not shown in this figure) is in the front groove702, the hook faces the cargo section. However, as the groove702turns and the hook moves into the side groove712, the groove702,712guides the hook to swing away from the cargo section and to stow the hook to the side of the guide bracket. The unfolded view720shows that the front groove702stays vertical and then changes its direction in a slanted or sloped angle to guide the hook through the approximately 90-degree turn into the side groove712. The turn is made from left to right at the dotted line722where the guide bracket is folded perpendicularly so that the hook in the groove turns to the right.

FIG. 8is an unfolded view800and a front perspective view810of the guide bracket in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure. In the illustrated embodiment ofFIG. 8, the guide bracket is configured with a vertical groove802that splits into two slanted grooves804,806so that the hook808can be moved to either groove804or806to stow away the hook808to the left or right side. The decision whether to move the hook808to the left or the right can depend on which side of the bracket has obstructions.

The descriptions of the disclosed embodiments are provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the disclosure. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles described herein can be applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure. For example, although the illustrated embodiments of the present disclosure show the long lift-able rod attached to the hook, the rod can be of different shape, size, or eliminated entirely. In another example, although the illustrated embodiments of the present disclosure show a guide bracket as having a groove that can turn the hook in a perpendicular direction, elements other than a bracket can be used to move the hook. For example, a gear box shaped element can be used in place of the bracket to guide the hook. Thus, it is to be understood that the description presented herein represent embodiments representative of the subject matter which is broadly contemplated by the present disclosure.

Additional variations and embodiments are also possible. Accordingly, the technology is not limited only to the specific examples noted herein.