CARGO SUPPORT

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cargo support comprising a pair of sections (1, 2), which are telescopically displaceable relative to one another, an actuator (6, 7) mounted on said sections (1, 2) in order to produce a relative movement of said sections, and locking means (5) for blocking the sections in the desired relative position. The characterising features of the invention are that the actuator comprises a gas spring (6, 7) and that the locking means comprises a shut-off valve (5), which is connected with the gas-actuated spring and which, when in its closed position, locks the gas-actuated spring (6, 7) in the then position of said spring but when in its open position allows expansion and contraction of said spring (6, 7).

Description: CARGO SUPPORT Technical Field The present invention relates to a cargo support comprising a pair of sections, which are telescopically displaceable relative to one another, an actuator mounted cr. said sections in order to produce a relative movement of said sections, and locking means for blocking the sections in the desired relative position. Cargo supports of the kind defined above are used to anchor and separate cargo on vehicle loading platforms, in the holds or cargo spaces of ships, and so on. The supports are secured between facing walls or between the ceiling and floor in the cargo space. One example of a cargo support of this kind is disclosed e.g. in SE 463 810. The problem experienced with the solution suggested in this publication is that the resulting device is comparatively bulky and complex, in addition to which it is relatively inconvenient to place in position and requires considerable force and the use of both hands of the operator. Prior-art constructions, having pivotal levers and the like, are also hazardous to the user due to the considerable risks of clamping injuries. In addition, the mechanisms of these constructions are often un-prctected and exposed towards the user, thus increasing the risk of damages to the mechanism when the cargo support is subjected to impacts or other violence. In addition, several prior-art constructions forced the user to operate in an uncomfortable position when applying cr removing the support . Obiect of the Invention It is consequently an ob ect of the present invention to provide a cargo support of the kind defined above, which is more convenient to handle than those of prior-art structure. This object is achieved by means of a cargo support as defined m the appended claims. Brief Description of the Drawing Figures The invention will be described in more detail m the following by means of one embodiment and with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein Fig 1 is a front view of the cargo support in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the support being shown m its retracted position; Fig 2 is a lateral view of the cargo support of Fig 1, the support being shown partly in cross-section; Fig 3 is a view of the cargo support of Fig 2, the support being shown in its extended position; and Fig 4 is a view of the cargo support of Fig 1, certain parts being however, shown on a larger scale and m cross-section. Description of Preferred Embodiments One embodiment of a cargo support m accordance with the present invention illustrated in the drawing figures comprises two sections 1, 2, which are arranged to be telescopically displaceable relative to one another. The ends suitably support pads 3, preferably of rubber or some other at least somewhat elastically resilient material providing satisfactory friction against walls, floors or ceilings m the cargo space. Furthermore, the cargo support comprises an actuator 4 arranged to cause a relative movement between the displaceable support sections 1, 2 and preferably located in the interior thereof . In accordance with the invention, the actuator is a gas spring, wnich preferably comprises a gas-operated piston 6 and a gas chamber. A partition wall (not shown) divides tne cnamber into two parts, said wall being united with the piston rod 7 and arranged for movement inside the chamber. In this manner the mutual sizes of the chamber parts may be altered wnile at the same time the total chamber volume is Kept constant. Furthermore, one of the chamber parts is formed with an opening, which may be opened or closed according to choice by means of a valve 5. By arranging an excess pressure m the other chamber part the operator is then acle to control, by means of the valve 5, the amount of a r to be evacuated from (or allowed into) one of tne cnamber parts and thus to control tne amount of displacement of the piston rod 7 relative to the piston 6. The valve 5 then acts as a locking means which, when open, allows retraction, i.e. contraction, as well as extension, viz. expansion, of the gas-actuated piston but which, m the closed position, locks the piston m its present position. Although the type of gas piston of the type described above is the preferred one m the present embodiment, several other types of gas springs exist that provide similar functions and that obviously could oe used m the place of the one descrioed aoove . Preferably, the valve 5 is an automatically closing valve, which opens when a valve pin 8 is depressed. This valve pm preferably is activated via an operating means 9 provided on the external face of the cargo support for the purpose of convenient handling thereof. Preferably, the operating means 9 is also displaceable transversely relative to the lengthwise extension of the support. In order to achieve this, a force transmitting member 10 may be provided intermediate the operating means 9 and the valve pm 8. This force transmitting member could be a component arranged to pivot about a shaft 11, as in the case of the embodiment shown m the drawings . The cargo support m accordance with the invention further comprises means for retraction of the displaceaole sections from the expanded position. Preferably, these means comprise a sliding groove 16 formed m one of the displacement sections and a shaft spindle 12, which is joined to the other displaceable section and received m said groove for sliding movement therein. The shaft spindle may be actuated manually m order to compress the gas spring, when the valve is opened, thus to cause the telescopic sections to slide into one another. Preferably, the shaft spindle is mounted on a sliding piece 13 located m the interior of one of the displaceable sections. In accordance witn this embodiment, this sliding piece is connected to the other telescopically displaceable section via a rod 14. In addition, the shaft spindle may be provided with a downwards foldable handle 15, which m its lower position offers the operator an improved grip thereon, for instance when the operator uses his foot to depress the shaft spindle, but which m its upwards-folded position only projects slightly away from the cargo support. Obviously, other varieties of means to contract the telescopically displaceable sections are possible. As an example may be mentioned different varieties of gearing mechanisms designed to reduce the force required for the displacement . In accordance with one preferred embodiment a gas- actuated piston is used, the stroke of which amounts to at least 10 cm, preferably to 30 cm, and which exerts a force of at least 50 kg and preferably about 75 kg. When m use, the cargo support initially assumes its compressed, contracted position illustrated m Fig 2. The cargo support is placed m the desired position m the cargo space, whereupon the operating means 9 is depressed. When the operating means is depressed, which may be effected by means of one hand only, the valve 5 is opened via the force transmitting means 10. As a result, the gas-actuated piston expands, because the excess pressure m one of the chamber parts urges the partition wail in the direction towards the other part, thus forcing air out of this other chamber part through the valve. Upon expansion of the gas-actuated piston, i.e. when the piston rod 7 is pushed out of the piston 6, the telescopically displaceable sections 1, 2 are forced to move away from one another, whereby the cargo support is secured between walls on either end thereof. As the displaceable sections 1, 2 are displaced, also the shaft spindle 12 is displaced inside the sliding groove 16. The operating means is then released, causing the valve to close, whereby the cargo support is locked m its tightened position. When the cargo support is to be removed, the operating means 9 is again depressed, whereupon the shaft spindle 12 manually by the operator, is pushed rearwardly along the sliding groove 16. Preferably, the cargo support is arranged in such a manner that the shaft spindle is to be forced downwards, allowing the operator to use his feet to assist in the depressing movement. When the shaft spindle is displaced, the displaceable sections, and consequently also the gas piston, are again contracted. This contraction causes the partition wall of the gas-actuated piston to move towards the closed chamber part, increasing the pressure inside this part while at the same time fresh air is sucked into the other chamber part. Following contraction of the cargo support, the operating means 9 is released, causing the valve to close and the gas-actuated piston to be locked m the contracted, tightened position. The telescopically displaceable sections 1, 2 could of course be manufactured to various lengths, and in addition the gas-actuated piston could be located at different levels therein. In this manner, it becomes possible to adjust the cargo supports to cargo spaces of different dimensions. Possibly, the length of one or both displaceable sections could be adjustable. The invention provides a cargo support, which is easy to apply m position, also with one hand only, while simultaneously allowing the user to assume a comfortable working position. In addition, clamping- injury hazards are minimised, since the operating means is built into the structure. This feature likewise reduces the risks that the mechanism be damaged when exposed to impacts, blows or other violence. The invention has been described above with reference to one embodiment. However, numerous varieties are possible. For instance, other gas-operated piston constructions than the one suggested herein may be used, provided they have an essentially identical function. Furthermore, other types of retraction means are conceivable, and some type of gearing mechanism may for instance be provided to reduce the force that the user has to apply to operate the means . These and other obvious solutions must be regarded as embraced by the scope of protection of the invention as the latter is defined in the appended claims .

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A cargo support comprising a pair of sections (1, 2), which are telescopically displaceable relative to one another, an actuator (6, 7) mounted on said sections (1, 2) m order to produce a relative movement of said sections, and locking means (5) for blocking the sections m the desired relative position, c h a r a c t e r i s e d m that the actuator comprises a gas spring (6, 7) and m that the locking means comprises a shut-off valve (5), which is connected with the gas-actuated spring and which, when m its closed position, locks the gas-actuated spring (6, 7) m the then position of said spring but when m its open position allows expansion and contraction of said spring (6, 7) . 2. A cargo support as claimed m claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i s e d m that the gas-actuated spring comprises a gas-actuated piston (6) , wherein a chamber is divided into two parts by means of a partition wall, which is united with a piston rod (7) , said valve (5) arranged to open or close to allow or prevent, respectively, a fluid flow into one of said chamber parts . 3. A cargo support as claimed m claim 1 or 2 , c h a r a c t e r i s e d m that the length of the stroke of said gas-actuated piston (6, 7) amounts to at least 10 cm and preferably to about 30 cm. 4. A cargo support as claimed m any one of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i s e d m that when the valve (5) is opened, the gas-actuated piston (6, 7) exerts a force amounting to at least 50 kg and preferably to about 75 kg. 5. A cargo support as claimed m any one of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i s e d m that one of the displaceable sections (2) is formed with a sliding groove (16) and a shaft spindle (12) , which is received m said groove (16) for movement tnerein and which is connected with the other displaceable section (1) , said shaft spindle (12) arranged to be actuated manually m order to compress said gas-actuated spring (6, 7), when the valve (5) is opened, thus causing sliding movement of said telescopically displaceable sections (1, 2) one inside the other. 6. A cargo support as claimed m any one of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i s e d m that a force transmitting system (10, 11) is arranged to operate the valve (5) , said valve arranged to open via an operating means (9), which is displaceable transversely relative to the longitudinal direction of the cargo support . 7. A cargo support as claimed m any one of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i s e d m that it supports at least somewhat resilient pads (3) at least at one of its ends.

Inventors: BERG STURE, BERG, STURE
Applicants: BERG STURE, BERG, STURE
Application year: 1999
Main classification: B60P7
IPC codes: B60P7, B63H25