Abstract:
A restraining device that is mountable on a track, has an elongated member and an attachment mechanism connected to an end of the elongated member, to mount the member on a track. The elongated member has a tubular core with an upper end and a lower end and a tubular sleeve having an upper-end opening and a lower-end opening. The core is received within the sleeve such that the sleeve is axially movable relative to the core, and the upper end of the core is connected to the attachment mechanism through the upper-end opening of the sleeve. A spring provides spring-loading for the sleeve such that the upper end of the sleeve is urged against the track to resist motion of the elongated member on the track. The attachment mechanism has a mount for slidably mounting the elongated member on the track, and a pivoting joint connected between the elongated member and the mount, such that the pivoting joint allows the elongated member to be pivoted relative to the track.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
   Applicants claim priority of provisional application Ser. No. 60/349,597, for “Product Restraining Device”, filed on Jan. 18, 2002, which is incorporated herein by reference. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to the field of storage and restraining of products or cargo in storage bays. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Restraining devices are used to restrain objects such as products or cargo in storage bays, such as shelves, for storage. Many conventional restraining devices include a netting supported by cable or wire hangers and various types of holders. However, such restraining devices are expensive and difficult to use, requiring many attachments and elaborate, time-consuming, connections. 
   Other types of restraining devices use removable bars that are placed in a frame to maintain cargo in place for transport. However, such restraining devices require at least two attachments to the frame and must be removed for access. Once removed, such restraining devices can be easily misplaced. Further, in circumstances where implements are needed to prevent products/cargo positioned on tall racks from falling and causing damage and/or injury, existing restraining devices require difficult maneuvering and do not provide a reliable stopping mechanism in the proper position to stop the products/cargo from falling. This can lead to scenarios wherein existing restraining devices are positioned in such a way that they will not function properly to restrain objects on racks in case of accidental dislodgment or seismic events, for example. 
   There, is therefore, a need for a self-contained restraining device that is easy to operate and functions to safely and reliably maintain objects in storage bays such as on racks in warehouses, stores and transports. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention addresses the above problems. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a restraining device for restraining objects, wherein the restraining device is simple to operate, and prevents objects from falling due to, for example, either seismic events or by dislodgment of the objects by an accidental impact of material handling equipment. 
   In one example, the restraining device comprises an elongated member and an attachment mechanism connected to an end of the elongated member, to mount the elongated member on a support track. The attachment mechanism includes: a mount for movably mounting the elongated member on the track; a stopper that when engaged resists motion of the elongated member on the track; and a pivoting joint connected between the elongated member and the mount, wherein the pivoting joint allows the elongated member to be pivoted relative to the track. 
   The mount comprises a slider for slidably mounting the elongated member on the track. The stopper, when engaged, resists sliding motion of the elongated member on the track. The stopper comprises a spring-loaded element that frictionally engages the track. Further, the pivoting joint includes a locking mechanism for maintaining the elongated member in a pivoted position. 
   In another embodiment, a restraining device according to the present invention, has an elongated member and an attachment mechanism connected to an end of the elongated member, to mount the member on a track. The elongated member has a tubular core with an upper end and a lower end, and a tubular sleeve having an upper-end opening and a lower-end opening. The core is received within the sleeve such that the sleeve is axially movable relative to the core, and the upper end of the core is connected to the attachment mechanism through the upper-end opening of the sleeve. A spring provides spring-loading for the sleeve such that the upper end of the sleeve is urged against the track to resist motion of the elongated member on the track. The attachment mechanism has a mount for slidably mounting the elongated member on the track, and a pivoting joint connected between the elongated member and the mount, such that the pivoting joint allows the elongated member to be pivoted relative to the track. 
   The restraining device is self-contained and need not be removed to access the objects on a rack, restrained therewith. The restraining device is slidably positioned in a track to block objects positioned on the rack from shifting position and/or falling. The position of the restraining device on the track relative to the objects on the rack can be adjusted using a friction stop, which alleviates the need for exact placement in the track for proper engagement and operation. The restraining device can be pivoted/rotated relative to the track, and includes a locking mechanism to lock it into a pivoted position relative to the track, so that objects can be removed from, or placed on, the rack without removing the restraining device from the track. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become understood with reference to the following description, appended claims and accompanying figures where: 
       FIG. 1A  shows a front view of an embodiment of a restraining device according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 1B  shows a side view of the restraining device of  FIG. 1A  as slidably placed in a top track; 
       FIG. 2  shows an example operation of rotating the restraining device of  FIG. 1B  from a vertical position to a horizontal position relative to the top track, 
       FIG. 3A  shows side view of a main tube of the restraining device of  FIG. 1A ; 
       FIG. 3B  shows a cross-section view of the main tube of  FIG. 3A   
       FIG. 4A  shows a side view of a sleeve of the restraining device of  FIG. 1A ; 
       FIG. 4B  shows a top view of the sleeve of  FIG. 4A , 
       FIG. 5A  shows a top of a holding plate of the restraining device of  FIG. 1B  that can be slidably positioned in a top track; 
       FIG. 5B  shows a side view of the holding plate of  FIG. 5B ; 
       FIG. 6A  shows a view of a yoke of the restraining device of  FIG. 1B  for attachment to the holding plate; 
       FIG. 6B  shows a side view of the yoke of  FIG. 6A ; 
       FIG. 7A  shows a view of a bracket for the yoke of the restraining device of  FIG. 1B ; 
       FIG. 7B  shows a side view of the bracket of  FIG. 7A ; 
       FIG. 8  shows a side view of a spring in the restraining device of  FIG. 1B ; 
       FIG. 9  shows a side view of a shoulder bolt and nut in the restraining device of  FIG. 1B ; 
       FIG. 10  shows a side view of a spring stop in the restraining device of  FIG. 1B ; 
       FIG. 11A  shows a bottom view the top track for the restraining device of  FIG. 1B ; 
       FIG. 11B  shows a side view the top track of  FIG. 11A , 
       FIG. 11C  shows a cross-section view of the top track of  FIG. 11B ; 
       FIG. 12A  shows a side view of a beam clamp for holding the top track of  FIG. 1B ; 
       FIG. 12B  shows a top view of the beam clamp of  FIG. 12A ; 
       FIG. 13  show a side view of a beam clamp bolt for the top track of  FIG. 1B ; 
       FIG. 14A  shows a front view of another embodiment of a restraining device according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 14B  shows a side view of the restraining device of  FIG. 14A  slidably positioned in a top track, illustrated in a vertical position relative to the top track; and 
       FIG. 15A  shows a side view of a main tube of the restraining device of  FIG. 14B ; 
       FIG. 15B  shows a top view of the main tube of  FIG. 15A ; 
       FIG. 16  shows an example mechanism for slidably positioning the restraining device of  FIG. 1B  in a top track; 
       FIG. 17  shows the restraining device of  FIG. 1B  illustrated in a rotated, horizontal position relative to the top track; and 
       FIG. 18  shows a side view of the restraining device of  FIG. 1B  with the sleeve pulled down to clear the track and allow sliding and/or pivoting the restraining device relative to the track. 
   

   In the drawings, like elements have like reference numbers. 
   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail, preferred embodiments of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspects of the invention to the embodiments illustrated. 
   As noted above, in one embodiment, the present invention provides a restraining device (SLR) for restraining objects that may be e.g., loose or palletized. The restraining device is simple to operate, and prevents objects from falling from storage bays/racks due to either seismic events or by dislodgment by accidental impact or by equipment such as lifts. 
   As shown in  FIGS. 1A–B , an example restraining device  10  according to the present invention, includes a substantially cylindrical main tube (core)  12 , a cylindrical sleeve  14 , a plate  16 , a yoke  18 , a bracket  20  for the yoke  18 , a cylindrical spring  22 , a shoulder bolt  24  and a spring-stop  26 .  FIG. 3A  shows a side view of the main tube  12  and  FIG. 3B  shows a cross-section view of the main tube  12 . In one example, the restraining device  10  is assembled by positioning the spring-stop  26  along the length of the main tube  12  at a desired position, such that at least a portion of the spring-stop  26  protrudes from the periphery the main tube  12 .  FIG. 8  shows a side view of the spring  22  and  FIG. 10  shows a more detailed view of the spring stop  26  which comprises a nut  26   a  and bolt  26   b , for connection to an opening along the length of the main tube  12 . Then the main tube  12  is inserted into an opening at a bottom end  22   b  of the spring  22 , wherein said bottom end  22   b  of the spring  22  rests against the spring stop  26 . The spring stop  26  prevents the spring  22  from sliding down towards the bottom end  12   b  of the main tube  12  past the spring stop  26 . 
   Then the sleeve  14  is slidably positioned over the main tube  12  such that the bottom end  14   b  of the sleeve  14  is in contact with the top end  22   a  of the spring  22 . So assembled, the main tube  12 , the sleeve  14  and the spring  22  are essentially axially concentric.  FIG. 4A  shows a more detailed side view of the sleeve  14  and  FIG. 4B  shows a top view of the sleeve  14 . 
   The diameter of the bottom end  14   b  of the sleeve  14  is smaller then the diameter of the top end  22   a  of the spring  22 , such that spring  22  is “trapped” between the spring stop  26  and the bottom end  14   b  of the sleeve  14 . Exerting a force on the sleeve  14  to move it down on the main tube  12  towards the bottom end  12   b  of the main tube  12 , compresses the spring  22  and causes the spring  22  to exert an opposing force on the bottom end  14   b  of the sleeve  14 . When the exerting force is remove from the sleeve  14 , the spring  22  decompresses (expands) to slide the sleeve  14  back up towards the top end  12   a  of the main tube  12 . 
   The yoke  18  and the bracket  20  are pivotably connected with the bolt  24 , and form a pivot joint. As shown in more detail in  FIG. 7A , in one embodiment the bracket  20  has a top end  20   a  and a bottom end  20   b , wherein the bottom end  20   b  of the bracket  20  is attached to the top end  12   a  of the main tube  12 , such that the sleeve  14  can glide over the bracket  20  as the sleeve  14  moves up the main tube  12 .  FIG. 7B  shows a side view of the bracket  20 . In this example, the bottom end  20   b  of the bracket  20  is partially inserted inside an opening at the top end  12   a  of the main tube  12  and fixedly connected thereto. 
   As shown in more detail in  FIG. 6A , in one embodiment the yoke  18  has a top end  18   a  and a bottom end  18   b .  FIG. 6B  shows a side view of the yoke  18 . The bottom end  18   b  of the yoke  18  is pivotally attached to the top end  20   a  of the bracket  20  by inserting the bolt  24  ( FIG. 9 ) through openings  18   c ,  20   c  in the bottom end  18   b  of the yoke  18  and the top end  20   a  of the bracket  20 , respectively. As shown in  FIG. 17 , the yoke  18  can pivot relative to the bracket  20 . The dimensions of the yoke  18  and the bracket  20  are selected such that the sleeve  14  can glide over them as the sleeve  14  moves up the main tube  12 . 
     FIGS. 5A–B  show top and side views of the plate  16 , respectively. The plate  16  is attached to the top end  18   a  of the yoke  18 , wherein the plate  16  can be slidably mounted in a track  28  for suspending the restraining device  10  therefrom.  FIG. 16  shows another embodiment of the bracket  20  attached to the main tube  12 , and the yoke  18  attached to the plate  16 , wherein the plate  16  is slidably mounted in the track  28 .  FIGS. 11A–C  show bottom, side and cross-section views the top track  28 , respectively. 
   The restraining device  10  is shown in  FIGS. 1B and 2 , mounted in the top track  28  of a storage bay/shelf/rack  33 . A beam clamp  30  can be attached to the storage bay&#39;s upper beam  36  wherein the beam clamp  30  is attached to the track  28  with a clamp bolt  32  for holding the track  28  against the upper beam  36 .  FIGS. 12A–B  show side and top views of the beam clamp  30 , respectively. Further,  FIG. 13  shows a clamp bolt  32  that includes a bolt  32   a  and two nuts  32   b ,  32   c , such that the bolt  32   a  passes through an opening  30   a  in the beam clamp  30 , and the beam clamp  30  is held to the bolt  32   a  between the two nuts  32   b ,  32   c  as shown in  FIG. 1B . 
   As shown by example in  FIGS. 1B ,  2  and  16 , the plate  16  is sized and shaped to be mounted in the track  28  such that the plate  16  can slide in the track  28 . The restraining device  10  can slide front to back (e.g., right to left in  FIGS. 1A and 2 ) in the track  28 , and vice versa.  FIG. 1B  further shows that once the restraining device  10  is suspended from the track  28  using the plate  16 , expanding pressure from the spring  22  cause the top end  14   a  of the sleeve  14  to be pushed up against the track  28  and generate a friction stop effect between the top end  14   a  of the sleeve  14  and the track  28 . To slide the restraining device  10  in the track  28 , a user can grasp the sleeve  14  with one hand and pull down on the sleeve  14 , thereby gliding/sliding the sleeve  14  down the main tube  12  and compressing the spring  22 , such that as shown by example in  FIG. 18 , the top end  14   a  of the sleeve  14  moves away from the track  28  in a substantially vertical direction, thereby reducing or eliminating said friction stop effect against the track  28 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 2 , while still pulling down on the sleeve  14 , the user can then slide the restraining device  10  with the same hand by exerting a force on the sleeve  14  in a substantially horizontal direction relative to the track  28  to slide the plate  16  in the track  28  (e.g., shown by the arrow marked “slide” in  FIG. 2 ). Once the plate  16  slides to a desired position in the track  28 , the user can then release the sleeve  14 , and the spring  22  expands (decompresses) to push the sleeve  14  back up the main tube  12 , such that top end  14   a  of the sleeve  14  comes in frictional contact with the track  28  again and holds the restraining device  10  in the desired position relative to the track  28 . Therefore, the position of the restraining device  10  relative to the track  28  can be adjusted using the friction stop effect. This alleviates the need for exact placement of the plate  16  in the track  28  for proper engagement and operation in a storage bay  33  of  FIG. 2 . 
   In  FIG. 2 , a side view of the example bay  33  is shown as having a shelf/rack  33   a  and the track  28 , wherein the restraining device  10  is slidably mounted in the track  28 . Objects such as boxed products  33   b , are placed on the shelf  33   a  in a column from the back end  33   c  of the shelf to the front end  33   d  of the shelf (i.e., left to right in  FIG. 2 ). The restraining device  10  is then moved in the track  28  as described above, such that it is positioned in front of the boxes  33   b , and functions as a stopping mechanism to block and prevent the boxes from shifting position and/or falling off the front end  33   d  of the shelf  33   a.    
   Referring to  FIGS. 1A–B and 2 , the restraining device  10  is normally located in the vertical or “restraining” position relative to the track  28  to blocking the boxes  33   b  from falling off the front end  33   d  of the shelf  33   a . While the restraining device  10  is in the “restraining” position, the restraining device  10  resists sliding in the track  28 , and resists rotation towards a horizontal position relative to the track  28 , because the sleeve  14  is pushed up against the track  28  by the spring  22 . The top end  14   a  of the sleeve  14  is flared outward from the axis of the sleeve  14  such that the flared-out section of sleeve  14  blocks rotation/pivoting of the main tube  12  towards a horizontal position relative to the track  28 . 
   In effect, the flared-out section  14   a  acts as a rigid beam in a transverse direction relative to the main tube  12  and relative to the track  28 , that is positioned between the sleeve  14  and track  28  to resists/prevent rotation of the main tube  12  in a horizontal direction. By resisting such rotation, the main tube  12  prevents the boxes  33   b  that push against the restraining device  10  from moving past the restraining device  10  toward the front  33   d  of the shelf  33   a , and are therefore restrained from shifting position and/or falling off. 
   As shown in  FIG. 2 , to “open” the restraining device  10 , the sleeve  14  is grasped with one hand and pulled down as described above, thereby compressing the spring  22 . As the sleeve  14  slides down the main tube  12 , when the top end  14   a  of the sleeve  14  essentially clears the yoke  18  ( FIG. 18 ), and while still pulling down on the sleeve  14 , the user can then exert a rotating force on the sleeve  14  (shown by a curved arrow in  FIG. 2 ) with the same hand. This causes the restraining device  10  to pivot upward relative to the track  28  to a substantially horizontal position ( FIG. 17 ). 
   Compressing pressure against the spring  22  is maintained by the sleeve  14  while rotating the restraining device  10  upward to the horizontal position. Then the sleeve  14  is released whereby the expanding spring  22  slides the sleeve  14  back to its home position, engaging a “step”  18   d  in the yoke  18  ( FIG. 17 ), and secures/locks the restraining device  10  in the horizontal position. The restraining device  10  remains in the horizontal position to allow unrestricted access to the previously restrained boxes  33   b.    
   To return the restraining device  10  to the vertical “restraining” position again ( FIG. 11B ), reverse of the above process is performed. As such, the user grasps the sleeve  12  of the restraining device  10  in  FIG. 17 , and exerts a force on the sleeve  14  to move it relative to the main tube  12  and compress the spring  22 , thereby moving the top end  14   a  of the sleeve  14  away from the step  18   d  in the yoke  18 . This unlocks the restraining device  10  such that the restraining device  10  can be rotated towards a vertical position as in  FIG. 1B . 
   Therefore, when the restraining device  10  is in the vertical position relative to the track  28  ( FIG. 1B ), and one or more boxes  33   b  are to be removed from, or placed into, a storage bay shelf  33   a , the user simply pulls down on the sleeve  14  and then rotates (e.g., lifts up) the restraining device  10  from a vertical position to a horizontal position to provide access to the boxes  33   b . This maneuver can be accomplished with one hand and requires little strength due to the unique spring action of the restraining device  10 . Once a desired box is removed or placed, the restraining device  10  can be easily lowered back into the protective (i.e., vertical) position and automatically locks into place (i.e., sleeve  14  is urged up against the track  28  by the expanding spring  22 ) when the sleeve  14  is released. As such, the restraining device  10  is self-contained and need not be removed to access the boxes restrained therewith. Further, the restraining device  10  is easy to lock into a horizontal/open position in the track  28 , so that boxes can be removed without removing the restraining device  10  from the track  28 . Conventional restraining devices do not lock into an open position that allows easy product retrieval as in the present invention. Instead, the conventional restraining parts must be removed from the system, and such parts can be lost. 
   Other embodiments and variations of a restraining device according to the present invention are possible. For example,  FIG. 14A  shows another embodiment of the restraining device  10  using a spring stop protrusion  31  that is part of the main tube  12  instead of the spring stop  26  above. The protrusion  31  has the same function as the spring stop  26 . Further a end cap  34  is attached to the bottom end of the main tube  12 .  FIGS. 15A–B  show side and top views of this embodiment of the main tube  12 , respectively. Further,  FIG. 14B  shows the restraining device  10  mounted in a track  28 , wherein the track  28  is held in place on a beam  36  using a clamp  30  at each end. 
   If the restraining device  10  requires repositioning closer to the stored products (e.g., for safety purposes), the sleeve  14  is pulled down by hand and while essentially in its vertical position, the restraining device  10  is then pushed along track  28  with the plate  16  sliding in the track  28 , and then self-locking into position when the sleeve  14  is released. To provide more room for the stored boxes, the procedure is reversed. The example restraining device  10  shown herein utilizes friction stop on the track  28 , and has a back up final stop using the existing storage bay cross beam  36 . The spring loaded releasing design provides to easy and simple operation of the restraining device  10 . Further, the free sliding friction stop further simplifies ease of operation, encouraging use of the restraining device  10  and decreasing the time and cost of proper positioning of the restraining device  10  relative to the objects to be restrained. 
   Though cylindrical shapes are used for the main tube  12 , the sleeve  14  and the spring  22 , as is known to those skilled in the art other shapes and geometries (e.g., rectangular, etc.) are also possible. Further other mechanisms (e.g., ball joint, hinge, etc.) for pivotally attaching the main tube  12  to the plate  16  are possible as is known to those skilled in the art. Though in the drawings, the example restraining device is shown mounted in a track  28  via a plate  16 , other mounting mechanisms such as a wheel, etc. in a channel, etc. can also be used. Further, the restraining device can be used for restraining objects in other environments such as for restraining cargo for transport in a vehicle, etc. 
   In addition, in another aspect, the present invention provides a restraining system that includes one or more restraining devices  10 , tracks  28 , clamps  30  and bolts  32 , for attachment to existing beams  36  of a storage or cargo bay. Such a restraining system protects against products falling off racks in homes, retail and industrial warehouses, transport vehicles, etc. Such a restraining system is inexpensive, easily installed, user friendly, pleasing to the eye and safely restrains the products. The restraining system can be used in multiple applications and can be accessorized to be more product specific. The restraining device  10  can be used in a downward or upward relative position, and requires little strength to operate with simple maneuvering, as described. The restraining system can be made from steel or other material with dimensions that suit each particular application at hand. 
   The present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred versions thereof, however, other versions are possible. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained herein.