Abstract:
Disclosed is an improved decking beam end assembly for supporting a removable second deck in a cargo container, such as a truck trailer or a rail car. In one aspect, the improved end assembly is less likely to be damaged during use since the spring is well protected by being surrounded by other parts. In one aspect, the improved end assembly has no latch protrusions and can be more easily removed a slotted track due to the axial, non-pivoting spring loaded latch mechanism.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Technical Field 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to a decking beam for supporting a removable second deck in a cargo container, such as a truck trailer, and, more particularly, to an improved decking beam end piece that is less likely to be damaged during use due to its design. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0004]    Because it is often desirable to carry cargo as two-tiered or double-decked loads, decking beams are often utilized, generally in truck trailers and in rail cars, to support a removable second deck on which relatively light-weight cargo can be transported. The prior art is replete with examples of such decking beams, as illustrated by U.S. Pat. No. 4,079,677, U.S. Pat. No. 5,104,269, U.S. Pat. No. 5,338,137, U.S. Pat. No. 5,941,667, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,895,867. There is, however, an ever increasing need to provide decking beam end pieces which can be secured to slots in a container wall with minimal damage to the decking beam end piece over time. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,079,677 discloses an end piece having a finger latch  106  as best depicted by  FIG. 8  that extends upwardly from the body section of the beam. This protrusion, however, is undesirable as this finger latch  106  can be damaged if it is stepped on, caught in pieces of equipment, or dropped. Any of these occurrences can cause the body section  104  to tear away from the end piece. Thus, such configuration often requires frequent repair. Consequently, the need exists for an improved decking beam end piece which minimizes the protrusions extending therefrom. 
         [0005]    Other decking beams, such as the one disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 6,895,867 has a keeper  11  pivotally mounted by means of a bolt  13  and nut  14  to the end of the beam. Unfortunately, because this assembly is exposed and has not protective casing, it is easily and often damaged and, as a result, the manufacturer advertises a replacement channel assembly to permit users to complete the necessary repairs which are, as evidenced by their replacement kit apparently frequently required. 
         [0006]    Another drawback of prior art end pieces can be illustrated by reference to U.S. Pat. No. 5,338,137 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,941,667, which require a pivotally supported latching member. One problem with such devices is that they require a latching member to move in a vertical direction, which makes it more difficult to release the beam and/or latch from the slot from which it is attached. Consequently, a need exists for an end beam latch assembly and an improved decking end piece that overcomes the deficiencies in the prior art outlined above. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The present invention comprises a cargo beam end assembly for attaching an elongated beam to a slotted track. In one embodiment, the assembly comprises an elongated I-beam comprising a substantially flat top section, a spring-loaded beam end locking slider movable only in an axial direction. In one embodiment, the locking slider further comprises a substantially flat top having no protrusions. In one aspect, the beam end assembly the top and/or bottom of the locking slider is recessed from top and bottom of I-beam. The above as well as additional features and advantages will become apparent in the following written detailed description. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is a partial cutaway perspective view of the improved decking beam end piece in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2   a  is a side view of the improved decking beam end piece in a partially mounted position; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2   b  is a side view of the improved decking beam end piece with the slider in the depressed position, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0012]      FIG. 2   c  is a side view of the improved decking beam end piece in the mounted position in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0013]      FIG. 1  is a cutaway perspective view of the improved decking beam end piece in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Depicted in  FIG. 1  is an elongated I-beam  110  comprising a substantially flat top section  112 , a spring-loaded beam end locking slider  114  that is movable only in the axial direction as indicated by arrows  116 , and a beam end spacer  140  directly below the beam end locking slider  114 . The beam end spacer  140  is preferably in the stationary position and is secured into place with rivets  130 . In one embodiment, the beam end spacer  140  comprises a receiving slot  160  for placement into a track  210  that is attached to a wall  200 . The track  200  comprises a plurality of slots (not shown) for placement of the end beam assembly. A track  200  having such slots are well known in the prior art as illustrated by numerals 20 and 20 a  of FIG. 1 of U.S. Pat. No. 6,895,867. 
         [0014]    Referring again to  FIG. 1  of the present invention, the locking slider  114  advantageously comprises a flat top  118  having no upward facing protrusions. In one embodiment, the flat top  118  of the locking slider  114  is recessed slightly in elevation from the flat top section  112  of the elongated I-beam  110 . Such recess advantageously protects the locking slider  114  and the locking slider  114  is less likely to be damaged if the beam assembly is thrown onto the floor, stepped on, or, if various pieces of cargo cause rough physical contact to the beam end assembly. Similarly, in one embodiment, the bottom of the beam end spacer  140  is slightly recessed in elevation from the flat bottom section of the I-beam  110 . 
         [0015]    A coiled spring  120  is disposed between a beam end slider spacer  150 , secured into position by a rivet  130 , and the beam end locking slider  114 . The coiled spring is advantageously bounded on the sides by I-beam  110 . 
         [0016]      FIG. 2   a  is a side view of the improved decking beam end piece in a partially mounted position.  FIG. 2   b  is a side view of the improved decking beam end piece with the slider in the depressed position, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  2   a , and  2   b , to attach the decking beam end piece to the track  210  attached to a wall  200 , the slider pin  122  is pushed in the axial direction, as indicated in the arrows  116  to move the spring-loaded beam end locking slider  114  away from the wall  200 . Once the beam end locking slider has been depressed and the receiving slot  160  has been placed into the bottom of the track  210 , the I-beam  110  can be brought to a substantially horizontal direction, as shown in  FIG. 2   b , and the slider pin  122  can be released. The coiled spring  120  causes the beam end locking slider  114  to move in the direction towards the wall  200  and the cargo beam end assembly will be locked into place as shown in  FIG. 2   c.    
         [0017]    To removed a beam end assembly locked into place, as depicted by  FIG. 2   c , the slider pin  122  is pushed in the axial direction, as indicated in the arrows  116  (as depicted in  FIG. 1 ) to move the spring-loaded beam end locking slider  114  away from the wall  200 . The beam end assembly can then be angled as shown in  FIG. 2   b  and the receiving slot  160  can be removed from the track  210 . 
         [0018]    There are several advantages various embodiments of this invention provides over the prior art. One advantage is that the number of protruding parts is substantially minimized. There is no finger latch that protrudes from the assembly and the recessed beam end locking slider  114  is well protected within the I-beam  110 . Another advantage over the prior art is that, because the spring-loaded beam end locking slider  114  is moveable only in the axial direction, the beam end locking slider  114  facilitates the easy removal of the cargo beam end assembly from the slot  210 . For example, and referring to  FIG. 2   c , when the slider pin  122  is moved in the axial direction, the beam end locking slider  114  also moves only in the horizontal direction. This is unlike many embodiments disclosed in the prior art which require a pivotal latching member, which, when disengaged, necessarily creates a vertical force component up against the top section of the track. Such vertical force component makes it more difficult to move the I-beam from the slotted track. Consequently, the prior art can require beveled latches in an attempt to minimize the vertical force placed on the slot. However, a beveled latch increases costs and a vertical force is still necessarily imparted onto the top portion of the slot when one attempts to disengage the latch. 
         [0019]    The present invention provides an improved cargo beam end assembly for attaching an elongated beam to a slotted track. The design of the present invention is such that the assembly requires little, if any, repair. Any repair required would likely be related to a relatively easy to fix slider pin  122 , since the slider pin  122  is the only member protruding from the decking beam end piece assembly. Further, because the coiled spring  120  is inside the I-beam  110 , it will not become dislodged, even if substantial amounts of force are placed upon it from the end assembly being dropped onto the ground or from being hit by various tools or pieces of cargo. The cargo beam end assembly of the present invention is easy to both attach and detach from the wall, since the beam end locking slider  114  moves only in the axial direction. This invention. 
         [0020]    While this invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to the preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.