RELEASABLE STRAP

Abstract: A releasable strap for use with hauling systems of the kind comprising an elongated element (10) which runs along the transport line and is movable back and forth by means of a drive mechanism, and a plurality of releasable carriers (11) adapted to be releasable attached to the element at any desired locations, and which carriers are adapted to be brought along with the element as this is moved in one direction whereas the slip in relation to the element as this is moved in the opposite direction. The strap comprises a flexible element (15) which is adapted to be connected to a carrier and has an automatically openable locking mechanism (16) for releaseable locking of one end of the flexible element to permit the flexible element to form a load-surrounding loop, said locking mechanism being adapted to be opened to release the load by moving the strap against a stationary actuating means (14). The locking mechanism comprises two mutually movable parts (18, 19), one of which has an opening (20) to receive the end portion (17) of the flexible element and the other one having a locking pin (21) to lock or unlock the opening (21). The lock mechanism portions (18, 19) are spring biased into a locking position and adapted to be pushed into an unlocking position by means of protrusions (22) on the actuating means (14).

Description: Releasable strap. The present invention relates to a releasable strap to be used with a hauling system, particularly for transport of felled trees in the forest. More precisely, the invention relates to a releasable strap for a hauling system of the kind which comprises an elongated element which runs along the transport line and is movable back and forth by means of a drive mechanism, and a plurality of releasable carriers adapted to be attached to the element at any desired positions. The object of the invention has been to provide a releasable strap which enables release of the load at a predetermined location. To the just mentioned end the releasable strap accord- ing to the invention is characterized in that the strap comprises a flexible element which is adapted to be connected to a carrier and is provided with an automatic¬ ally openable locking mechanism for releasable locking of one end of the flexible element in such a manner that the element forms a load-surrounding loop , said locking mechanism being adapted to be opened to release the load by moving the strap against a stationary actuating means. The invention will be disclosed in more details below with reference had to the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of one part of the releasable strap according to the invention ? Fig. 2 is a side view of one portion of a hauling system wherein the releasable strap according to the invention is utilized; Fig. 3 is an end view, corresponding to Fig. 2, of the hauling system. On the drawings there is illustrated one portion of * a hauling system comprising a reciprocating hauling rope 10 to which carriers 11 may be attached at any desired points along the length of the rope. The carriers are designed in such a manner that they are brought along with the rope as the rope is moved in one direction, whereas they slip in relation to the rope as this is moved in the opposite direction. To each one of the carriers there is connected, in a manner not shown, a releasable strap according to the invention, generally denoted 12. The releasable strap 12 is connected to a load, in the present case embodied by a log 13. A releasing means, generally denoted 14, is adapted to actuate the releasable strap to release or open it at the unloading station, so as to release the load. The releasable strap comprises a string 15 or any other similar flexible element which is connected to the carrier 11 in a manner not shown and which is provided with a locking mechanism 16. Preferably, the locking mechanism 16 is movable carried by the flexible element 15 to permit positioning thereof at any desired distance from the outermost end of the element 15. Preferably, the outermost end of the string is provided with a ring 17 or the like for engagement with the locking mechanism 16. The locking mechanism 16 comprises two mutually movable parts 18 and 19, one part 19 of which has an opening 20 to receive the ring 17, whereas the other part 18 is provided with a lock element 21 to either lock or unlock the opening 20. The parts 18 and 19 are spring biased into such a mutual position that the lock element 21 locks the opening 20 with the lock element 21 passing through the ring 17 and with the ring extending into the opening 20. The release means 14 is embodied by a hexagonal ring through which the hauling rope 10 extends and which is provided with protrusions 22 pointing opposite the transpor- t direction. If desired, the protrusions may be comparat¬ ively stiff but still flexible. in operation the releasable strap is placed round a log 13 and then the strap is connected to the hauling rope 10 by means of the carrier 11. In the example shown it is contemplated that the logs are transported from the left to the right as seen in Fig. 2. When the releasable strap has passed partially through the release means 14 the protrusions 22 abut the locking mechanism 18,19 and depress the innermost portion 18 in relation to the outermost portion 19, against the action of the biasing spring (not shown) . This causes the locking pin 21 move downwardly and out of the ring 17 which may freely leave the opening 20 to permit dumping of the log 13. When the hauling system has been in operation for some time a plurality of carriers with releasable straps 12 attached thereto will collect adjacent the end of the hauling rope at the unloading station, and these carriers will move back and forth with the hauling rope 10 without performing any transport job. There, they can easily be picked up and be taken out to the outermost end of the hauling system, to be put in operation again. A plurality of modifications and alterations as to details may be carried out within the scope of the in¬ ventive idea. o

Claims: CLAIMS. 1. A releasable strap for use with hauling systems, particularly of the kind which comprises an elongated element (10) which runs along the transport line and is movable back and forth by means of a drive mechanism, and a plurality of releasable carriers (11) , adapted to be releasable attached to the element at any desired posit¬ ion, said carriers being adapted to be brought along with the element as this is moved in one direction whereas they slip in relation to the element as this is moved in the opposite direction, characterized in that the strap comprises a flexible element (15) adapted to be connected to a carrier (11) and being provided with an automatically openable locking mechanism (16) for releasable locking of one end of the flexible element so as to permit the flexible element to form a load-surrounding loop, said locking mechanism being adapted to be opened to release the load (13) by moving the strap against a stationary actuating means (14) . 2. A releasable strap according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking mechanism comprises two mutually movable parts (18,19), one of which having an opening (20) to receive the end portion (17) of the flexible element and the other part having a locking pin (21) to lock or unlock the opening, and said parts (18,19) being spring biased into a locking position and adapted to bve pushed into an unlocking position by means of pro¬ trusions (22) on the actuating means (14) . f ;.

Inventors: NILSSON STURE, NILSSON, STURE
Applicants: NORDFOR SKOGSDON AB
Application year: 1982
Main classification: B65G7
IPC codes: B65G7, B66C1