Abstract:
A cargo bar including first and second bars extending from opposite sides of a grip housing, with distal ends thereof defining a cargo bar length. An advancement pawl moves the first bar away from the second bar to increase the cargo bar length. A holding pawl prevents the first bar from moving back toward the second bar to decrease the cargo bar length. First and second handles are rotatably attached to the housing between folded positions proximate to the housing and operating positions extending away from the housing. The first handle has an engagement portion that engages with and operates the advancement pawl as the first and second handles are squeezed together. The holding pawl includes a release tab that extends from the housing that when pressed, causes the holding pawl to release the first bar and allow it to move to decrease the cargo bar length.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates to cargo restraint, and more particularly to cargo bars used to prevent cargo from shifting in truck bodies and trailers during transit.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Various cargo restraint systems for restraining cargo loads in trucks and trailers are well known in the art. One such device is commonly known as a cargo bar, which typically includes a pair of telescoping bars with ends that bear against opposing truck walls (or opposing truck floor and ceiling) with sufficient tension to hold the cargo bar (and therefore any abutting cargo load) in place. Cargo bars are advantageous over other cargo restraining systems because no other mounting devices or tracks need be mounted to the truck walls. Thus, cargo bars can be quickly positioned and affixed between any opposing fixed surfaces, and later removed without any mounting devices or holes left behind.  
           [0003]    Cargo bars usually employ a ratchet device to lengthen the bar and create the tension that wedges the cargo bar in place. The ratchet device includes teeth and/or engagement pawls to advance and hold one of the telescoping bars relative to the other (see for example U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,186,715 and 6,368,037). The ratchet is operated by reciprocating a lever to lengthen the bar and create the desired tension between the truck walls, and by moving the lever to a release position that releases the cargo bar&#39;s tension and allows the shortening of the bar&#39;s length.  
           [0004]    Prior art cargo bars have several drawbacks. First, once the cargo bar is wedged in place, the lever is left either partially or fully protruding from the ratchet housing, which can be a hazard to any nearby people or cargo. Second, the lever often operates not only the tensioning of the cargo bar, but also the release of its tension, thus increasing the risk of operator error that could accidental release of the cargo bar tension. Moreover, anything or anyone accidentally bumping into a partially or filly protruding lever after the cargo bar is wedged in place may inadvertently release the cargo bar tension. Third, the cargo bar lever is operated in a reciprocating motion that is largely lateral to the length of the bar, meaning that the operator must hold the bar in place to counteract the lateral forces exerted on the bar while the lever is operated.  
           [0005]    There is a need for a cargo bar design that is simple in design, easy to operate with a single hand, and does not employ a lever that protrudes from the ratchet mechanism after the cargo bar in wedged in place.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0006]    The present invention is a cargo bar that includes a housing, first and second bars extending from the housing in opposite directions with distal ends thereof defining a cargo bar length, an advancement pawl disposed in the housing for moving the first bar relative to the second bar to increase the cargo bar length, a holding pawl disposed in the housing for selectively holding the first bar to prevent movement thereof relative to the second bar that decreases the cargo bar length, and first and second handles extending from the housing. The first handle has an engagement portion that engages with and operates the advancement pawl as the first and second handles are squeezed together.  
           [0007]    In another aspect of the present invention, a grip assembly for a rigid bar includes a housing through which a portion of the rigid bar extends, an advancement pawl disposed in the housing for moving the bar relative to the housing in a first direction, a holding pawl disposed in the housing for selectively holding the bar to prevent movement thereof relative to the housing in a second direction opposite the first direction, and first and second handles extending from the housing. The first handle has an engagement portion that engages with and operates the advancement pawl as the first and second handles are squeezed together.  
           [0008]    In yet another aspect of the present invention, a cargo bar includes first and second bars having proximate ends that slide relative to each other in a telescopic manner, wherein distal ends of the first and second bars define a cargo bar length, a housing disposed at an intersection between the first and second bars, wherein the second bar is affixed to the housing and the first bar slides through the housing and inside the second bar, an advancement pawl disposed in the housing for moving the first bar relative to the second bar in a first direction that increases the cargo bar length, a holding pawl disposed in the housing for selectively holding the first bar to prevent movement thereof relative to the second bar in a second direction that decreases the cargo bar length, and first and second handles extending from the housing. The first handle has an engagement portion that engages with and operates the advancement pawl as the first and second handles are squeezed together.  
           [0009]    Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent by a review of the specification, claims and appended figures. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]    [0010]FIG. 1A is a side view of the cargo bar of the present invention, in its open operating position.  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 1B is a side view of the cargo bar of the present invention, in its folded closed position.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 2A is a side view of the inside of the grip assembly of the present invention.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the inside of the grip assembly of the present invention.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 3 is a side view of the inside of the grip assembly of the present invention, with the advancement handle squeezed toward the reference handle.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 4 is a side view of the inside of the grip assembly of the present invention, with the handles folded into their closed positions.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 5A is a side view of the inside of the grip assembly of the present invention, with the top portion of holding pawl hingedly attached to the housing.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 5B is a side view of the inside of the grip assembly of the present invention, with the top portion of holding pawl including a tab that engages with a slot formed in the housing. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0018]    The present invention is a cargo bar  1 , as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, that includes a grip assembly  10 , an inner (first) bar  12 , and an outer (second) bar  14 . The proximate ends of the bars  12 / 14  overlap in a telescopic manner. The outer distal ends of bars  12 / 14  define the cargo bar&#39;s overall length, and engage opposing fixed surfaces  18  (e.g. truck walls). Preferably, pads  16  are attached to the distal ends of bars  12 / 14  to provide an enlarged gripping surface area. Pads  16  can be rigidly attached to bar distal ends, or movably mounted (e.g. hinged, gimbal mounted, etc.) so that the pads  16  can grip fixed surfaces that are not perfectly orthogonal to the bars  12 / 14 .  
         [0019]    The grip assembly  10  is better shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, and includes a housing  20  having a central bore  22  formed therethrough, an optional support ring  24  disposed around inner bar  12 , a pair of handles  26 / 28  pivotally attached to the housing via pins or bolts  30 , a pair of pawls  32 / 34  both disposed around inner bar  12 , a pair of pawl springs  36 / 38 , and a pair of handle clips  40 .  
         [0020]    The housing  20  is disposed around the junction between the inner and outer bars  12 / 14 . The proximal end of outer bar  14  terminates in housing bore  22 , and is securely affixed to the housing  20 . Bar  12  has an outer diameter that is smaller than the inner diameter of bar  14 , so that the proximal end of inner bar  12  extends through housing bore  22  and inside of outer bar  14  in a sliding telescopic manner. Optional ring  24  is preferably made of a low friction material and is disposed in housing bore  22  and around inner bar  12  to provide a smooth surface for inner bar  12  to slide through. The overall length of the cargo bar  1  is increased and decreased by sliding the inner bar  12  further out of and into outer bar  14 .  
         [0021]    The sliding position of inner bar  12  relative to housing  20  and outer bar  14  is controlled by the pair of (advancement/holding) pawls  32 / 34 , which are disposed in the housing bore  22 . Each of the pawls  32 / 34  is a washer-shaped member having an opening through which inner bar  12  is inserted, with a diameter that is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the inner bar  12 . Thus, when the pawls  32 / 34  are aligned square (i.e. perpendicular) to the inner bar  12 , the inner bar  12  can easily slide through the pawls. However, when either of the pawls  32 / 34  becomes skewed to the inner bar  12 , it grips the bar and prevents it from sliding therethrough.  
         [0022]    Housing bore  22  includes an annular shoulder  44  that is oriented orthogonally to the surface of inner bar  12 . Pawl spring  36  resiliently urges advancement pawl  32  into a flat position against annular shoulder  44 , which maintains advancement pawl  32  in a position square to the inner bar  12 . Housing bore  22  also includes a pair of projections  46   a / 46   b  (e.g. opposing sidewalls of a slot) which engage only the top portion of holding pawl  34 . Pawl spring  38  resiliently urges holding pawl  34  toward the outer bar  14 , where the upper portion of holding pawl  34  is held against projection  46   a , and the lower portion of holding pawl  34  is urged beyond projection  46   a  which skews the holding pawl  34  relative to the inner bar  12 . In this skewed position, the holding pawl  34  grips inner bar  12  and prevents it from sliding toward outer bar  14 . The greater the tension on inner bar  12  toward outer bar  14 , the greater the gripping power of the holding pawl  34 .  
         [0023]    Advancement and reference handles  26 / 28  pivot about pins or bolts  30  between operating positions shown in FIGS. 1A, 2A and  2 B, and closed (folded) positions shown in FIGS. 1B and 4. Advancement handle  26  is disposed underneath advancement pawl  32 , and reference handle  28  is disposed under the holding pawl  34 . The housing itself and/or any other rigid member(s) attached thereto engage with reference handle  28  and prevent it from rotating beyond its operating position (i.e. toward advancement handle  26 ). Advancement handle  26  includes an engagement tab  50  that engages with the bottom portion of advancement pawl  32  when advancement handle  26  is positioned in its operating position. Both handles  26 / 28  include apertures  52  that engage with clips  40  to secure the handles  26 / 28  in place when in their closed (folded) positions.  
         [0024]    To lengthen the cargo bar  1 , the operator positions the handles  26 / 28  in their operating positions (see FIG. 2A), and then squeezes them together, as shown in FIG. 3. This squeezing action rotates advancement handle  26  beyond its operating position so that its engagement tab  50  pushes against and moves the bottom of advancement pawl  32  (against the bias of spring  36 ). The movement of the bottom of advancement pawl  32  skews its position relative to inner bar  12 , causing advancement pawl  32  to grip and move inner bar  12  away from outer bar  14  (i.e. increasing the length of cargo bar  1 ). During this movement of inner bar  12 , holding pawl  34  loses its grip on, and slides along, inner bar  12  (either by the force of spring  38  against the upper portion of holding pawl which is no longer supported by protrusion  46   a , or when inner bar  12  moves far enough so upper portion of holding pawl  34  engages with protrusion  46   b ). Once the movement of inner bar  12  ceases, holding pawl  34  is urged back into its skewed position around inner bar  12  and against protrusion  46   a  by spring  38 , where holding pawl  34  grips and prevents movement of inner bar  12  back toward outer bar  14 . Once the operator releases advancement handle  26 , it returns back to its operating position, and advancement pawl  32  is urged by spring  36  back against shoulder  44 . By repeatedly squeezing and releasing handles  26 / 28  in a reciprocating fashion, the length of the cargo bar  1  is increased until the distal ends thereof engage the opposing fixed surfaces  18  with the desired tension. Thereafter, the tension is maintained by holding pawl  34 , and handles  26 / 28  can be rotated to their closed (folded) positions against housing  20  and locked in place by locking tabs  40 , as shown in FIGS. 1B and 4.  
         [0025]    To release the cargo bar tension and shorten its length, the operator rotates the reference handle  28  to its operating position, which exposes release tab  48 . Optional springs  54  can be mounted around pins/bolts  30  to resiliently urge handles  26 / 28  to their operating positions once released from locking tabs  40 . The operator then presses on release tab  48  (e.g. with the operator&#39;s thumb while gripping the reference handle  28 ), which moves the bottom portion of holding pawl  48  to square its orientation relative to inner bar  12 , thus releasing its grip thereon. Thus, with neither of the pawls  32 / 34  gripping inner bar  12 , it can slide back into outer bar  14  to release the tension and shorten the overall length of the cargo bar  1 . Inadvertent engagement of release tab  48  is prohibited while reference handle  28  is in its folded position, where it covers release tab  48 .  
         [0026]    The cargo bar  1  of the present invention allows an operator to conveniently lengthen the cargo bar with a single hand, without any unopposed lateral forces on the cargo bar. The handles then fold away so that the grip assembly  10  has a ergonomic, streamlined shape with no protruding handles or levers that could pose a hazard or cause accidental release of the cargo bar tension.  
         [0027]    It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment(s) described above and illustrated herein, but encompasses any and all variations falling within the scope of the appended claims. For example, teeth (not shown) could be added to the inner bar  12  to better allow pawls  32 / 34  to engage therewith. Additionally, release tab  48  could be replaced with a separate button or lever that pushes on holding pawl  34 . Annular shoulder  44  need not form a continuous annular surface upon which pawl  32  make contact. As used herein, shoulder  44  can be any single or multi-part surface or protrusion that defines a plane at which pawl  32  is positioned. The present invention is not limited for use with trucks or even with cargo, but can be used for any application where a rigid bar is needed between two fixed surfaces. Furthermore, for those applications not requiring a significant amount of adjustment in overall cargo bar length (e.g. less than the length of the housing  20 ), the inner/outer bars need not be telescopically oriented, and in fact the outer bar  14  could be eliminated in favor of allowing the housing  20  or an extremity thereof to directly engage with one of the rigid surfaces. The upper portion of holding pawl  34  need not float between shoulders  46   a / 46   b  to skew its position, but instead could be engaged with the housing using a hinge  56  (as shown in FIG. 5A) or a slot/hole  58  in the housing through which a tab or pin  60  from the holding pawl  34  extends (as shown in FIG. 5B) in order to pivot and skew the holding pawl  34  relative to inner bar  12 . While inner/outer bars  12 / 14  are shown with a round cross-section, as used herein, bars  12 / 14  are any elongated rigid members having any appropriate cross-sectional shape (e.g. triangular, oval, square, etc.). Likewise, while pawls  32 / 34  are shown as having a closed, round aperture through which inner bar  12  extends, as used herein, pawls  32 / 34  are any rigid members having an open or closed aperture (e.g. washer shaped defining closed aperture, U-shaped defining an open slot shaped aperture, etc.) with opposing surfaces thereof that grip the inner bar  12  when the effective spacing therebetween is reduced as the pawls  32 / 34  become skewed relative to the inner bar  12 .