Abstract:
A system and method for securing a load onto a trailer is described. Specifically, a load-securing device can comprise a first casing mountable to a trailer, wherein said casing comprises a first front driveshaft access orifice and a first plate screw orifice, a first threaded driveshaft mounted in said casing wherein the first end of said first driveshaft is mateable with a first rotation actuator, further wherein the front end of said first threaded drive shaft is accessible by said first front driveshaft access orifice.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    This disclosure relates to a system and method for securing a load onto a trailer. 
         [0002]    Over the years methods of transporting a load and securing it into a trailer has been a great challenge. One of the most popular and commonly used methods uses a lever device such as a 10 pound steel bar also known as cheater bar. As such one or more chains and/or straps are thrown over the load to wrap around the loads and the cheater bar is then used to torque down on a ratchet which has a nylon strap attached to it. This will bind the strap and firmly secures the load. However, this method requires more time and effort since a load can require up to 16 straps or more and tightening the chains firmly would need sufficient amount of force. Also, there will always be risk of injuries and accidents since the current system requires a lot of human force and human interaction. Additionally, such method may not be efficient for loads that are irregular in shape such as logs. Since, during transit loads with varying sizes and shapes tend to move and shift which can cause the chain to loosen and may even cause the loads to fall from the truck. 
         [0003]    As such it would be useful to have an improved system and method for securing a load onto a trailer. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    A system and method for securing a load onto a trailer is described herein 
         [0005]    In one embodiment, a load-securing device can comprise a first casing mountable to a trailer, wherein said casing comprises a first front driveshaft access orifice and a first plate screw orifice, a first threaded driveshaft mounted in said casing wherein the first end of said first driveshaft is mateable with a first rotation actuator, further wherein the front end of said first threaded drive shaft is accessible by said first front driveshaft access orifice. The load-securing device can also comprise a first plate screw mounted to said first casing, wherein said first plate screw passes through said first plate screw orifice, further wherein said first plate screw is perpendicular to said first threaded driveshaft, a first one or more gears configured to transfer rotational motion of said driveshaft to said first plate screw, and a first plate comprising a first threaded plate orifice, said first plate screw partially inside said first threaded plate orifice, further wherein said rotational motion of said first plate screw causes said first plate to move axially along said first plate screw. 
         [0006]    Further, the load-securing device can also comprise a second threaded plate orifice in said first casing, a second plate screw mounted to said first casing, wherein said second plate screw passes through said second threaded plate orifice, further wherein said second plate screw is perpendicular to said driveshaft; furthermore wherein rotational motion of said second plate screw causes said plate to move axially along said second plate screw, and a second one or more gears configured to transfer rotational motion of said driveshaft to said second plate screw. 
         [0007]    Moreover, the load-securing device can further comprise a guide parallel to said first plate screw orifice, a guide-mate connected to said first plate, wherein said guide is mateable with said guide mate, further wherein rotational motion of said first plate screw causes said guide to connectively slide with said guide mate. 
         [0008]    In another embodiment, the load-securing device can comprise a second casing mountable to a trailer, wherein said second casing comprises a second rear driveshaft access orifice and a second plate screw orifice, a second threaded driveshaft mounted in said second casing, wherein the front end of said second drive shaft is accessible by said second front driveshaft access orifice, and a second plate screw mounted to said second casing, wherein said second plate screw passes through said second plate screw orifice, further wherein said second plate screw is parallel to said second threaded driveshaft. The load-securing device can further comprise a second one or more gears configured to transfer rotational motion of said second threaded driveshaft to said second plate screw, and a second plate comprising a second threaded plate orifice, said second plate screw inside said second plate screw orifice, further wherein rotational motion of said second plate screw causes said second plate to move axially along said second plate screw. Further in another embodiment, the load-securing device can also comprise a plate screw guide at least partially around said first plate screw, and a guide support, the first end of said guide support connected to said plate screw guide, and said the second end of said guide support connected to said first casing. 
         [0009]    Additionally, a method for securing a load onto a trailer is disclosed. The method can comprise connecting the first end of a strapping device to one side of a trailer, placing said strapping device over a load on a trailer, and connecting the second end of said strapping device to a plate, said plate comprising a threaded plate orifice, a first plate screw partially inside said first threaded plate orifice, further wherein said rotational motion of said first plate screw causes said first plate to move axially along said first plate screw, said plate screw mounted to a casing, wherein said first plate screw passes through first plate screw orifice in said casing, further wherein said first plate screw is perpendicular to a driveshaft; said driveshaft mounted in said casing wherein the first end of said driveshaft is mateable with a rotation actuator, further wherein the front end of said driveshaft is accessible by a front driveshaft access orifice in said casing. The method can further comprise rotating said drive shaft with said rotation actuator. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1A  illustrates a trailer comprising a load-securing system. 
           [0011]      FIG. 1B  illustrates a hook attached to load-securing device. 
           [0012]      FIG. 1C  illustrates a bottom view of truck load-securing system. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  illustrates a load-securing device comprising two plate screws. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  illustrates a load-securing device comprising a plate screw and a guide. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4A  illustrates bearing system connected to a plate screw. 
           [0016]      FIG. 4B  illustrates a bearing system connecting plate screws to a casing. 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  illustrates an embodiment of a driveshaft. 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  illustrates a load-securing device as a system. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]    Described herein is a system and method for securing a load onto a trailer. The following description is presented to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention as claimed and is provided in the context of the particular examples discussed below, variations of which will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. In the interest of clarity, not all features of an actual implementation are described in this specification. It will be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation (as in any development project), design decisions must be made to achieve the designers&#39; specific goals (e.g., compliance with system- and business-related constraints), and that these goals will vary from one implementation to another. It will also be appreciated that such development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the field of the appropriate art having the benefit of this disclosure. Accordingly, the claims appended hereto are not intended to be limited by the disclosed embodiments, but are to be accorded their widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein. 
         [0020]      FIG. 1A  illustrates load-securing system  100 .  FIG. 1B  illustrates hook  105  attached to load-securing device  106 .  FIG. 1C  illustrates bottom view of a trailer  101 , showing how strapping device  103  can be attached on an anchor  104  and load-securing device  106 . Load-securing system  100  can comprise a trailer  101 , any load  102 , any strapping devices  103 , an anchor  104 , a hook  105  and a load-securing device  106 . For purposes of this disclosure trailer  101  can be any powered and/or unpowered vehicle used to carry and transport any type of goods or materials. Load  102  can be any cargo. Examples include, but are not limited to, steel pipe, tubing, logs, boxes, and/or containers. Load  102  can require one or more strapping devices  103  for load  102  to be tied down securely. Strapping device  103  can be any device used to tie down load  102  to trailer  101 . Strapping device  103  can be made of steel or chain, nylon, webbing, wire or cord. One end of strapping device  103  can be spooled onto or otherwise connected to anchor  104 . While the other end of strapping device  103  can have a hook  105  attached to it or any other connection device known in the art. Hook  105  can be any device used to clasp unto load-securing device  106 . Furthermore, hook  105  can have a safety latch in order to prevent disengagement from load-securing device  106 . 
         [0021]    In one embodiment load-securing device  106  can be mounted permanently underneath a trailer through welding, brazing, cementing, etc. In another embodiment load-securing device  106  can be attached securely underneath the trailer using other fastening devices, such as, but not limited to, rivets, nuts and bolts, or screws. 
         [0022]    Further, for purposes of this disclosure load-securing system  100  can comprise one or more load-securing device  106 . As such, load-securing device  106  can either work as stand-alone or can be linked to one or more other load securing devices  106 , working together as a system. In one embodiment each load-securing device  106  can be powered by an electric motor. In another embodiment load-securing system  100  can also use an electric motor to control load-securing devices  106  in the system. 
         [0023]      FIG. 2  illustrates a load-securing device comprising two plate screws. Load-securing device  106  can comprise a casing  201 , a driveshaft  202 , one or more assorted gears  203 , one or more plate screw  204 , and a plate  205 . Casing  201  can be any enclosed case or materials that houses and protects driveshaft  202 , gears  203 , and plate screw  204 . Outer side of casing  201  can attach load-securing device  106  to trailer  101 . Driveshaft  202  can be any appropriate mechanical tool used for transmitting torque, and rotation to gears  203 . In one embodiment, driveshaft  202  can be made from a metallic or other durable material rod that mounts in casing  201 . In one embodiment, driveshaft  202  can be extended outside casing  201 . For purposes of discussion, driveshaft  202  can comprise several parts including a head  202   a , body  202   b  and a tail  202   c . Head  202   a  and tail  202   c  can be outside casing  201 . Body  202   b  can be enclosed in casing  201 . Further, body  202   b  can comprise teeth, and cogs, or body  202   b  can be threaded, as shown in  FIG. 2 . In another embodiment, driveshaft  202  can be completely enclosed inside casing  201 . As such, head  202   a  and tail  202   c  can also be enclosed in casing  201 . Still in another embodiment, either just head  202   a  or just tail  202   c  can be enclosed in casing  201 . 
         [0024]    Driveshaft  202  can either be operated manually with a turning handle, or operated automatically using an electric motor. In one embodiment head  202   a  of driveshaft  202  can be a turning handle. As such, driveshaft  202  can be operated by manually rotating head  202   a . Further, rotating head  202   a  can rotate driveshaft  202  and tail  202   c  accordingly. In another embodiment wherein driveshaft  202  is operated using an electric motor, driveshaft  202  can be operated automatically by triggering a button or a switch. Thus, when triggered electric motor can operate and rotate driveshaft  202 . 
         [0025]    One or more gears  203  can be any rotating device that comprises cut teeth, or cogs. As such the toothed part of gears  203  can mesh with another toothed part in order to create a rotational motion and transmit torque. For purposes of this device, gears  203  can be any type of gear, or any type of gear-like device such as sprockets. 
         [0026]    Plate screw  204  can be a threaded shaft that can interact with gears  203  or driveshaft  202 . Plate screw  204  can comprise two parts such as an unthreaded portion  204   a  and a threaded portion  204   b . As such head  204   a  and thread  204   b  can be connected together and can be considered as a single device. Unthreaded portion  204   a  of plate screw  204  can comprise gear  203  or connect to gear while thread  204   b  is the helical ridge portion of plate screw  204  where plate  205  is attached. In one embodiment wherein plate screw  204  can be connected to gear  203 . In another embodiment plate screw can comprise only a threaded portion, and can interact with gears  203  that also interact with drive shaft  202 . In one embodiment plate screw  204  can be paired with another second plate screw  204 . Plate screw  204  can be installed parallel to plate screw  204 . As such plate screw  204  can go through a plate screw orifice in casing  201 . In one embodiment, plate screw  204  and second plate screw  204  can be perpendicularly connected to driveshaft  202  by gear  203 . In such embodiments, when driveshaft  202  rotates, plate screw  204  and second plate screw  204  can either rotate to the left or to the right, accordingly. 
         [0027]    Plate  205  can comprise a connection portion  205   a  and a threaded plate orifice  205   b . As such plate  205   a  and threaded plate orifice  205   b  for each plate screw can be attached together and can be considered as a single device. In an embodiment wherein plate screw  204  can be paired with plate screw  204  or a guide  206 , two parallel threaded plate orifice  205   b  can be attached on plate  205 . Plate screw  204  can be inserted through threaded plate orifice  205   b . Further, when plate screw  204  rotates, plate  205  can move up and down, accordingly. Furthermore, strapping device  103  can be attached to connection portion  205   a  through hook  105  or other system and method known in the art. Thus, when plate  205  moves up or moves down, strapping device  103  can loosen or tighten, accordingly. 
         [0028]      FIG. 3  illustrates a load-securing device comprising plate screw  204  and a guide  301 . In another embodiment, plate screw  204  can be paired with guide  301 , as seen in  FIG. 3 . Guide  301  can be a rod parallel to plate screw  204 , passing through a guide rail  302 . In one embodiment, rail  302  can be an orifice. Neither guide  301  nor rail  302  need be threaded or comprise teeth or cogs, however in one embodiment, they can. Guide  301  can be attached to casing  201 . Plate screw  204  can produce rotational force that can move plate  205  upward or downward, while guide  301  can serve as a guide that ensures plate  205  stays in place, thwarting rotational motion of plate  205 , allowing plate  205  to move up and down plate screw  204 . 
         [0029]      FIG. 4A  illustrates a friction reducing connection system  401  connected to plate screw  204 . In one embodiment, plate screw  204  can have a friction reducing connection system  401  where plate screw  204  passes through casing  201 . As such reducing connection system  401  can allow rotational motion of plate screw  204  and can also prevent plate screw  204  from slipping out of casing. In one embodiment, reducing connection system  401  can be a rolling-element bearing that can comprise balls. In such embodiment, bearing  402  can be used to reduce rotational friction and support axial movement of plate screw  204 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 4B  illustrates a friction reducing connection system  401 , a plate screw guide  403 , and a guide support  404  connecting plate screws  204  to casing  201 . In one embodiment casing  201  can comprise plate screw guide  403  and guide support  404 . In such embodiment, plate screw guide  403  and a guide support  404  can be used to secure plate screws  204  in place. Further, plate screw guide  403  and guide support  404  can be made of any hard material such as metals. As such, plate screw guide  403  can be a circular tube that can hold plate screw  204  in place. Guide support  404  can be a bar that can attach plate screw guide  403  to casing  201 . Further, one end of guide support  404  can be permanently attached to the inner surface of casing  201 , wherein the other end of guide support  404  can be attached securely to plate screw guide  403 . Further in such embodiment, plate screw  204  can rotate freely within plate screw guide  403 , as plate screw guide  403  and guide support  404  ensures plate screw  204  can be kept perpendicular with driveshaft  202 . 
         [0031]      FIG. 5A  illustrates an embodiment of driveshaft  202 . In one embodiment, an electric motor can be installed in each load-securing device  106 . In another embodiment, an electric motor can be installed at the front or rear end of a trailer, and connected through an extension device  501  to load securing devices  106 . In an embodiment wherein load-securing system  100  comprises of more than one load-securing device  106 , load-securing devices  106  can be connected through driveshafts  202  using an extension device  501 . In one embodiment, an extension device  501  can be a hard metal, which can be used to connect tail  202   c  of load-securing device  106  to head  202   a  of another load-securing device  106 . In such embodiment, edges of head  202   a  and tail  202   c  of loading devices  106  can be designed as nuts. Further, both ends of extension device  501  can be designed as bolt. As such, head  202   a  of a load-securing device  106  and tail  202   c  of another load-securing device  106  can be screwed securely to extension device  501 . In one embodiment, bolted joints can also be used to connect two or more load-securing devices  106 . Extension device  501  discussed herein can use locking mechanisms on each end to ensure that joined parts of load-securing devices  106  are fastened securely with other devices. 
         [0032]    In one embodiment, extension device  501  can be a long threaded shaft that can go through casings  201  of each load-securing device  106 . Thus, extension device  501  can produce synchronous rotational motion to load securing devices  106 . In such embodiment, extension device  501  is driveshafts  202 . 
         [0033]      FIG. 5B  illustrates a multiple load-securing device  106  system. In an embodiment wherein load-securing system  100  comprises of more than one load-securing device  106 , load-securing devices  106  can be linked together as a system. In such embodiment load-securing device  106  can be connected together with another load-securing device  106  through wires through extension device  501  and wires and cables for power and/or communication. In one embodiment wherein load-securing device  106  uses a turning handle, load-securing device  106  can be connected to another load-securing device  106  through extension devices  501 . As such when the turning handle of load-securing device  106  is rotated, load-securing devices  106  in the system will rotate in the same direction at the same time. 
         [0034]    In another embodiment wherein load-securing device  106  uses an electric motor in a system, an electric motor or a lever can be attached at the back and/or front of trailer  101  and is used to operate load-securing devices  106 . As such, when motor is activated, load-securing devices  106  can rotate in synchronous manner. 
         [0035]    Various changes in the details of the illustrated operational methods are possible without departing from the scope of the following claims. Some embodiments may combine the activities described herein as being separate steps. Similarly, one or more of the described steps may be omitted, depending upon the specific operational environment the method is being implemented in. It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-described embodiments may be used in combination with each other. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. In the appended claims, the terms “including” and “in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms “comprising” and “wherein.”