Abstract:
A load restraint for use in a container is disclosed. The road restraint comprises a support to locate and extend generally vertically within a first locating formation (such as a corrugation in a wall) within a container. A transverse member extends from the support member across the container to engage with a second locating formation (such as another corrugation). A load engaging member is secured to the transverse member to extend from the transverse member to engage a load within the container. The load engaging member is adjustable in position with respect to the transverse member whereby it can contact a load spaced from the transverse member over a range of distances.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION  
         [0001]    This invention relates to load restraints, and particularly to load restraints for fitting into a freight container or a freight-carrying vehicle.  
           [0002]    For convenience, in this description, references to a “container” include the load space of a freight-carrying vehicle, unless the context demands otherwise.  
           [0003]    When freight is packed into a container in many cases, the container is not completely filled. This may be because there is simply insufficient load available to fill the container, or it may be because the density of the load is such that a weight limit is reached before the container is filled. Shippers have a major problem for part loaded containers were there is substantial scope for movement of the product due to transit forces if the cargo is allowed to move longitudinally into free space within the container. Therefore, it is essential that the load be restrained to stop it moving within the container, since this could cause damage to the load or to the container.  
         SUMMARY OF THE PRIOR ART  
         [0004]    Most containers are provided with lashing eyes that are intended to provide a locating point for ropes or straps or other retaining ties to secure a load. However, these have been found to be far from ideal in practice. These eyes are provided in the floor or wall of the container, which means that a tie attached to them is at a significant mechanical disadvantage in relation to the load. The effect of this is that any slack in the tie will result in the load having a proportionally large freedom to move. In practice, it has been found that a tie will always stretch after it has been fitted, so it is practically impossible to restrain the load securely using them. Once the load starts to move, it can cause large forces to be applied to the lashing eyes, especially during rough handling as might, for example, be experienced during a sea voyage. This has resulted in many cases of lashing eyes failing under load or due to fatigue.  
           [0005]    Informal practice has used the vertical corrugations present in the walls of many containers as a location for timber beams to act as a fence for the load. However, these structures still allow the load to move by, on average, half the pitch distance of the corrugations, and up to a maximum of the whole pitch distance. This is still undesirable because preventing the load from moving at all requires less force than stopping it once it has started to move.  
         SUMMARY OF INVENTION  
         [0006]    An aim of this invention is to provide a load restraint system that can be installed in any freight container that has suitable location formations (such as corrugations) and which can fix securely a load of substantially any size within the container.  
           [0007]    From a first aspect, the invention provides a load restraint for use in a container comprising:  
           [0008]    a. a support to locate and extend generally vertically within a first locating formation within a container;  
           [0009]    b. a transverse member to extend across the container to engage with a second locating formation; and  
           [0010]    c. a load engaging member secured to the transverse member that extends from the transverse member to engage a load within the container, the load engaging member being adjustable in position with respect to the transverse member whereby it can contact a load spaced from the transverse member over a range of distances;  
           [0011]    d. in which each of the locating formations is constituted by a corrugation in a wall of the container.  
           [0012]    Thus, the load restraint system can be adapted to secure closely loads of various sizes.  
           [0013]    The transverse member and support member may be interconnected by a hinge element. This can provide a restraint that is convenient to use and store. Alternatively, the transverse member and support member have interengaging portions to locate the transverse member in place.  
           [0014]    The load engaging member may have a supporting leg upon which a load contacting member is carried. In some embodiments, the load engaging member has two supporting legs upon which a load contacting member is carried, the load contacting member extending between the supporting legs.  
           [0015]    In a convenient configuration, the load engaging member includes a supporting leg that lies within a groove in the transverse member. In such cases, the load engaging member is typically secured to the transverse member by a clamping element such as a U-bolt. Alternatively, the load engaging member may include a supporting leg that passes through an aperture in the transverse member. In these embodiments, the load engaging member is typically located within the transverse member by a fastener that passes through the load engaging member and the transverse member.  
           [0016]    Most usually, the support engages with an end portion of the transverse member. Some embodiments, have a further support member that engages with an opposite end of the support member.  
           [0017]    The support member and/or the transverse member and/or the load engaging member may be formed of timber or of metal (steel) section.  
           [0018]    A load restraint embodying the invention may have two similar load engaging members.  
           [0019]    Typically, the load restraint is adapted for use with locating formations (e.g. corrugations) that are spaced along the length of a container. In such cases, the range over which the load engaging member can be adjusted is not less than the spacing between adjacent locating formations.  
           [0020]    The restraint may be adapted for use with additional locating formations, for example, formations that are specifically provided for the purpose.  
           [0021]    From another aspect, the invention provides a kit for constructing a load restraint for use in a container comprising:  
           [0022]    a. a support suitable for location and to extend generally vertically within a first corrugation within a wall of a container;  
           [0023]    b. a transverse member suitable for extending across the container to engage with a second corrugation within an opposite wall of a container; and  
           [0024]    c. a load engaging member that can be secured to the transverse member to extend from the transverse member to engage a load within the container, the load engaging member being adjustable in position with respect to the transverse member whereby it can contact a load spaced from the transverse member over a range of distances. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       [0025]    [0025]FIG. 1 is a side view a load restraint in being a first embodiment of the invention in against a load;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 2 shows a first and second component of the load restraint of FIG. 1;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 3 shows a third component of the load restraint of FIG. 1;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIGS. 3 a  and  3   b  are detailed views of alternative constructions of the component of FIG. 3;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 4 is a plan view of the load restraint of FIG. 1 in place on a container;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 5 shows two load restraints similar to that shown in FIG. 1 installed in a container;  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 6 is a view similar to that of FIG. 2 of a second embodiment of the invention;  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 7 is a transverse view, similar to that of FIG. 1; of the second embodiment of the invention;  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 8 shows an alternative configuration of a transverse beam component for use with embodiments of the invention;  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 8 a  is an enlarged detailed view of an end portion of the component of FIG. 1;  
         [0035]    [0035]FIGS. 9 and 10 show third and fourth embodiments of the invention;  
         [0036]    [0036]FIGS. 10 a  and  10   b  are detailed views of part of the embodiment of FIG. 10;  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 11 is a gang nail component that can be used with embodiments of the invention;  
         [0038]    [0038]FIGS. 12 and 13 are cross-sectional views of alternative embodiments of a load-engaging component of a load restraint embodying the invention; and  
         [0039]    FIGS.  14  to  16  show modifications to the embodiment of FIGS. 9 and 10. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0040]    Embodiments of the invention will now be described in detail, by way of example, and with reference to the accompanying drawings.  
         [0041]    With reference first to FIGS.  1  to  5 , a load restraint being a first embodiment will now be described.  
         [0042]    The load restraint comprises a support member  10 , a transverse member  12  and a load support  14 . Each of these components can be formed from timber or fabricated from steel or other metal, as is convenient.  
         [0043]    The support member  10  is a straight beam that has a flat lower end surface and a stepped upper end surface. The length of the support member is less than the height of a container into which it is to be used, and less than the height of a load that it is intended to restrain. (In embodiments that are made of wood, the height can easily be lessened by cutting the support member as required.)  
         [0044]    The transverse member  12  is rectangular section a beam of length slightly greater than the width of the container into which the restraint will be installed. An end surface of the transverse member  12  is formed with a step that fits into the corresponding step at the top of the support member  10 . An upper surface of the transverse member  12  has two pairs of rectangular section grooves  16  extending across it. To each side of each of the grooves  16  a pair of holes  18  is formed through the transverse member  12 . (Note that the grooves can either be formed in the material of the transverse member, or can be defined between blocks applied to the transverse member.)  
         [0045]    The load support  14  is formed from two rectangular section leg members  20  that are spaced apart and extend generally parallel to one another. The leg members  20  are interconnected by a connecting member  22  for contact with the load. In this embodiment, the connecting member comprises two rectangular section beams  24 ,  26 , one being attached (for example, by nails or by welding, as appropriate) to an end surface of the legs  20  and the other being attached to a surface of the legs  20  that is, in use, directed upwards. The spacing between the legs  20  of the load support corresponds to the spacing between each pair of grooves  16  in the transverse member  12 . The width of the legs  20  is slightly less than the width of the grooves  16 .  
         [0046]    To install the load support, the support member  10  is first placed in a corrugation of a wall of a loaded container as close as possible to the load. It may be held there, for example, by adhesive, an adhesive strip, by magnets, by a strip of magnetic material, and so forth, secured to it. As will be seen, it need be held there with only as much strength to stop it falling while the support is installed.  
         [0047]    The transverse member  12  is then placed on the support member  10  such that the stepped end of the transverse member  12  engages with the stepped top of the support member  10 . The transverse member can then be lowered such that an end portion of it enters a corrugation on the opposite side of the container. Given that its length is greater than the width of the container, the transverse member is angled upwardly from the support member  10  and is effectively wedged across the container. The end surface of the transverse member  12  can be cut at an angle to lie flat against the wall of the container.  
         [0048]    The load support  14  is then placed onto the transverse member  12  with its legs  20  in the grooves  16 . For each leg  20 , a U-bolt  30  is installed, over the leg  20 , shafts of the U-bolt  30  passing through the holes  18 , and nuts  32  (for example, self locking nuts or nuts with locking washers) are applied to threads of the shafts. The load support  14  is then pushed against the load, and the nuts  32  are tightened to clamp the load support  14  against the transverse member. The load support is thereby held in place against the load. A second load support  14  can likewise be installed at the second pair of grooves. In cases where the legs  20  of the load support  14  are formed from wood, the U-bolt  30  will typically bite into the legs, thereby enhancing the grip upon them.  
         [0049]    If necessary, a further load restraint can be installed in the same corrugations vertically above the restraint described, as shown in FIG. 5.  
         [0050]    The innovation includes the scope to manufacture the beam with separate pieces of timber and/or steel positioned along the top of the beam to generate the slots. The innovation to include the option to have the crossbeams without the four cross-slots but still with the eight holes for the four U-bolts.  
         [0051]    The arrangement of load support described is made from four pieces of timber or hollow section steel. This can be reduced to a three pieces, joined together by a coach bolt (see FIG. 3 b ) or a nailed and bolted half lap joint for the timber construction as shown in FIG. 3 a.    
         [0052]    Any excess length of the legs  20  of the load support  14  projecting past the transverse member  12  can be cut flush in situ, if necessary, after the restraint has been installed.  
         [0053]    It has been found that one or two standard lengths of the transverse member  12  should cover the majority of requirements, but the invention includes the option to supply one standard excess length member, which can be cut a required length longer than the container width found at time of fitting, to match a specific container&#39;s dimensions. This would cope with non-standard or damaged containers.  
         [0054]    The section sizes of the components are selected to provide the strength of load restraint required. This will give scope also to provide beam section of smaller size to fit in a single narrow corrugation (compared to the main wider corrugations in the freight container proper) which is typically positioned close to the container door on containers, these being applicable to part loads finishing close to the container doors.  
         [0055]    The restraint described above supports directly against the cargo face but can also be used to secure other dunnage (gates, boards, pallets etc) in position against the cargo face if desired.  
         [0056]    The transverse member  12  can also be used as a lashing point if required for special needs.  
         [0057]    With reference now to FIG. 6, in a second embodiment of the invention, the support member  110  and the transverse member  112  are interconnected by a hinge.  
         [0058]    In a first modification to the embodiment described above, the support member  10  and the transverse member  12  are interconnected by a flexible fabric or metal hinge  140 . The hinge  140  allows the two members to be folded such that they overlie one another; a convenient configuration for storage.  
         [0059]    In this embodiment, instead of grooves  16 , rectangular slots  116  are formed through the transverse member  112 . Bolt holes  118  are formed through the transverse member  112  to intersect with each of the slots.  
         [0060]    To install a load restraint of this embodiment, the legs  120  of the load support  114  are inserted through the slots  116  in the transverse member before the support member  110  and the transverse member  112  are installed in the container. After installation, the load restraint  114  is pushed against the load. The installer then inserts a drill into the bolt bole  116  and drills through the leg  120 . A bolt  142  can then be inserted through the bolt holes  116  and the drilled hole, and then secured by a nut, to retain the load restraint  114  in place against the load. (Alternatively, a self-tapping coach bolt can be used instead, and the drilling step can be omitted.)  
         [0061]    A further hole  144  is provided in this embodiment through the transverse member  112  above the support member  110 . An aligned hole is formed in the upper part of the support member  110 . A bolt or a screw can be inserted into the hole  144  to resist downward folding movement of the transverse member  112  in relation to the support member  110 .  
         [0062]    In order to accommodate a wider range of container widths, one or more optional packing pieces  126  may be secured to one or both end surface of the transverse member  112 . This is applicable to many embodiments as well as to the present embodiment. For instance, the packing pieces may be of wood such as plywood and retained in place by nails  128  driven through them into the transverse member. Application of such packing pieces can adapt the system for use in a container that is wider than would normally be expected with a transverse member of standardized length.  
         [0063]    As shown in FIGS. 8 and 8 a , the transverse member  212  can be formed from hollow steel section. Optionally, to accommodate containers of different widths, inserts  214 , for example of timber, can be inserted into the end portions of the transverse member. A hole is formed through the transverse member, and several holes are formed through the insert  214  through which a bolt  216  can be inserted to retain the insert  214  in position. By providing a plurality of holes in the insert  214 , the position of the insert with respect to the transverse member  212  is adjustable. The timber inserts could be bolted in as shown or nailed in position through the respective holes in the hollow section.  
         [0064]    In the embodiments of FIGS. 9 and 10, a further support member  310 ,  410  is provided to minimize the risk that the transverse member  12  can fall, for example if the container deflects under load.  
         [0065]    A block  346 , shown in FIG. 10, is fitted to the top end portion of the support member  10  to increase the width of the top of the support member  10  for supporting the transverse member. This enables the lower part of the support member  10  to be slimmer, such that it can be contained within the corrugation to as great as possible an extent. This allows further cargo to be positioned below the supporting leg  10  without interfering with the support leg, as might happen if the load restraint is to be installed at an upper level above a fully-occupied floor-level cargo.  
         [0066]    A metal strip, gang-nail or plate  344 , as shown in FIG. 11, may be attached to the top end of the support member  10 . This enables the leg to be secured in the container corrugation when the transverse member  12  is rested on the top of the support member  10 . The attachment on the end is sandwiched in position between the end of the beam and the container corrugation.  
         [0067]    In a modification to this arrangement, shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15. In this embodiment, the support member  10  has a block  510  mounted on its inward-facing surface spaced from its top. An optional second gang nail  348  is mounted on the inward-directed surface above the block  510 . Thus, the transverse member can be supported either on the top of the support member  10  or upon the block. The latter case moves the transverse member towards the opposite side of the container as compared with the former case, thereby providing for additional flexibility of accommodating a wide range of container widths. In further embodiments, more than one block may be provided to further increase the flexibility of the load restraint.  
         [0068]    A yet further embodiment, shown in FIG. 15, provides an additional support leg  512  instead of a block.  
         [0069]    Modifications to the embodiments of the load restraints described above that use a U-bolt to secure the load-support will now be described. In order to reduce the length and projection of the U-bolt  30 , it may be formed with a square section to surround the legs  20  more closely, as shown in FIG. 12. However, it may be more effective to shape the legs  20  (at least in the region of the U-bolts) with a chamfer to accommodate a conventional rounded U-bolt, as shown in FIG. 13.