Abstract:
A device for restraining payloads to a surface, particularly heavy objects being transported by various modes of transportation, such as a flat bed trailer. The device includes a tensionable member with loops at opposite ends that is secured to the front to rear frame rails which run lengthwise on the underside of a flat bed trailer. The device further includes chains or other restraining elements that are secured to the loops at the opposite extremities of the tensionable member, pass over or through the side rails of the flat bed trailer and over or through the payload. The device also has ratchet binders or other tightening means to achieve tightening of the restraining elements. The device, which is relatively light in weight, achieves increased restraint of payloads during transportation without significantly adding to the total weight of the payload.

Description:
[0001]    This is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 09/528,779, filed on Mar. 17, 2000, which claims the benefit thereof. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND  
         [0002]    The shipping industry is vital to commerce in the United States and in most nations around the world. In particular, the trucking industry is one of the most important branches of this industry. It is estimated that at least thirty to forty percent of all goods transported in the United States are hauled by trucks pulling flat bed trailers. The types of materials and commodities hauled on flat bed trailers vary dramatically. For instance, flat bed trailers are often used to transport heavy equipment, wood products, oil field materials, and steel. Many such goods can be hauled safely and with relative ease of securement to the flat bed trailer. However, some materials present difficulties for those in the shipping industry to transport securely and efficiently.  
           [0003]    In particular, various types of payloads are difficult to transport on a flat bed trailer because of their large weight and unconventional shapes. On many occasions, payloads such as timber, steel coils, pipes and other cylindrical objects become dislodged from the bed of trailers despite the best efforts of those responsible for shipping such objects. When these massive loads become loose, there is great risk for property damage and accidents causing injury to persons.  
           [0004]    Problems frequently occur because the payload becomes loose as a result of large lateral forces that act on the payload when the vehicle engages in a sharp turn. In addition, a payload can become unsecured over time as the vehicle undergoes routine turns and sustains vibrations and natural swaying forces while traveling great distances over roadways. Further, payloads may shift during transit due to the sudden application of the vehicle&#39;s brakes. Payloads can also become loose after the vehicle hauling it reaches a roll over or other extremely unstable situation.  
           [0005]    At present, the United States Department of Transportation (“DOT”) regulates the trucking industry. Among other things, the DOT places restrictions on the total weight of a vehicle and its payload that can be transported on roadways. For example, under 23 C.F.R. Section 658.17, the maximum gross weight of a vehicle is limited to 80,000 total pounds and 20,000 pounds per axle. Thus, when heavy payloads are being transported, it is important that the mechanisms used to restrain those payloads do not add unnecessary weight to the total payload.  
           [0006]    There are presently several devices employed in the trucking industry for securing and shipping heavy payloads. Information relevant to attempts to address these problems can be found in Reitnouer, U.S. Pat. No. 5,425,608; and Borda, U.S. Pat. No. 5,538,376. However, these references suffer from several disadvantages. For instance, the devices rely on the strength of the side rails of the flat bed trailer which are often made of aluminum and have limited capacity to restrain significant weights and forces. The holding chains utilized in these devices can exert forces on the side rails causing the side rails to yield and the chains to become loose. Further, these devices generally do not prevent the payload from becoming unrestrained should the flat bed trailer reach an overturned or other unstable position.  
           [0007]    Furthermore, existing devices for restraining payloads also present difficulties in complying with DOT weight limitations. Some devices employ various combinations of holding chains, brackets and tie downs to secure the payload and, as a result, can add significantly to the overall weight of the shipment. The additional weight of these securing devices can result in violations of DOT regulations. This is particularly true where adequate securement of the payload requires multiple securement devices or the device itself requires a large number of heavy holding chains.  
           [0008]    This is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 09/528,779, filed on Mar. 17, 2000. application Ser. No. 09/528,779 claimed and described another invention that has been in use since that time. The general object of the present invention is to provide restraint of heavy payloads under all circumstances, including when the vehicle transporting the payload reaches a turned over or other unexpected position. It is further an object of this invention to provide a securing device that is relatively light in weight. The instant device will not add significantly to the weight of the payload and therefore facilitates compliance with DOT weight requirements. Further, it is an object of this device to provide a securing device that can be placed at a variety of positions on a vehicle, and, thus, permit the improved restraint of many types of payloads. It is also an object of this invention to provide a device that is simple to use, thus reducing the risk of human error, and a device that is affordable to manufacture and purchase.  
         SUMMARY  
         [0009]    The present invention is directed to a device that satisfies these needs. The device comprises a tensionable member, such as ungalvanized steel wire rope, with a loop on each end. In the preferred embodiment, the tensionable member is partially encased in a conduit with openings on each end, with said tensionable member extending through and beyond the openings at the ends of the conduit. Said conduit is attachable by connecting means to the front to rear frame rails which run lengthwise on the underside of a vehicle such as a flat bed trailer. These frame rails are generally steel I-beams and provide the primary support for the trailer bed. It is widely known that the frame rails are much stronger than the side rails relied upon by other devices and methods currently used in the industry.  
           [0010]    The device further includes a plurality of restraining elements such as transport chains. Said transport chains restrain the payload by passing over or through the payload, by passing over or through the side rails of the flat bed trailer, and by being secured to the tensionable member by passing through the loops at the opposite extremities of the tensionable member. The loops of the tensionable member may be encased in what is commonly referred to in the industry as wire rope thimbles to provide protection against wear and deformation of the loops. Each of said loops may be formed by wrapping a free end of the tensionable member around one of said thimbles and coupling said free end of the tensionable member with a portion of the tensionable member in between the loop and the opening of the conduit. To further secure the coupling, said free end may be crimped against or wrapped around said tensionable member. To achieve still further securement, said coupling may be encased in a durable sleeve. It will be appreciated that said sleeve will provide protection against wear and deformation of the coupling. According to tests performed by the inventor, the load limit of the present invention substantially exceeds the requirements applicable in the industry. At the same time, the total weight of the device is about  45  pounds which is believed to be significantly less than other devices currently used to restrain payloads.  
           [0011]    Tightening of said transport chains over the payload and to the tensionable member is achieved by using ratchet binders or other tightening means. Said tightening means may be located adjacent to the surface of the trailer bed and are therefore more easily accessed by the driver for periodic examination to ensure proper restraint of the payload, thereby achieving advantages over other methods currently used.  
           [0012]    The present invention can be adapted for use on various types and sizes of flat bed trailers and potentially other vehicles without significant modifications to such vehicles. In addition, the present invention is adjustable and can be used at most any desired location on the flat bed trailer. More than one of the devices may be used on a flat bed trailer to provide additional restraint to the particular payload being hauled. In addition, because it has relatively few parts, the present invention is easy to use and install and is affordable. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]    These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood by reference to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings, where:  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 1 is a three-dimensional view of the apparatus bolted in place.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 2 is an exploded, three-dimensional view of the conduit, tensionable member, plates, and spacers.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 3 is a partial three-dimensional view of the present invention in use on a flat-bed trailer.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 4 is a partial side view of the apparatus bolted in place. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION  
       [0018]    Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and  3 , the apparatus for securing payloads is illustrated. Although the field of application of the present invention will include various modes of transportation, it is anticipated that the present invention will find its most widespread use in connection with the transportation of heavy payloads on flat bed trailers. The apparatus comprises a conduit  2  that is attachable to the front to rear frame rails  14  which run lengthwise on the underside of a vehicle such as a flat bed trailer, as will be described further below. Said frame rails  14  are generally much stronger than the side rails of flat bed trailers relied upon by other devices and methods currently used in the industry.  
         [0019]    As shown most clearly in FIG. 2, conduit  2  comprises an elongated portion  3 , with openings  6  and  7  at a first extremity  4  and a second extremity  5 , respectively, extending from opposite ends of elongated portion  3 . Tensionable member  9  passes through conduit  2  and extends beyond said openings  6  and  7 , said tensionable member  9  having an end comprising a first loop  10  and an opposing end comprising a second loop  11 . Said loops  10  and  11  provide a means for connecting said tensionable member  9  to a plurality of restraining elements  13 , such as transport chains, ropes or straps, which bind the payload to the surface of the flat bed trailer. In the preferred embodiment, it is recommended that Grade  70  transport chains be utilized to achieve the most effective restraint. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art of transporting heavy loads that optimum restraint requires utilizing ratchet-type binders  15  or other means for tightening said restraining elements  13 . It will be further appreciated that said loops  10  and  11  should contain openings sufficient to receive a plurality of said restraining elements  13 .  
         [0020]    The shape and dimensions of said conduit  2  need not be defined exactly. In the illustrated preferred embodiment, said conduit is of circular cross section of approximately 1¾ inches in dimension. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that said elongated portion  3  of conduit  2  should be of sufficient length to span the front to rear frame rails  14  on the underside of the flat bed trailer, and that said first extremity  4  and said second extremity  5  should be of sufficient length to permit the loops of the tensionable member  9  to accommodate said restraining elements  13  without extending beyond the planes defined by the sides of the flat bed trailer. In the illustrated preferred embodiment, said first and second extremities,  4  and  5  respectively, are at an angle to said elongated portion  3  to prevent chafing of said tensionable member  9 . It is recommended that the optimum angle is approximately  45  degrees, as shown in FIG. 2. It is further emphasized that conduit  2  can be adaptably sized and shaped to mate with the underside of most any vehicle that may be used for transporting objects.  
         [0021]    It will be further appreciated that said conduit  2  should be comprised of material of sufficient strength to permit said conduit to withstand any forces exerted upon it by said tensionable member  9  and to permit said conduit to be connected to frame rails  14  by connecting means. In the preferred embodiment, it is recommended that said conduit  2  is made of at least schedule  40  pipe. It will be appreciated that said conduit  2  may contain grease fittings and weep holes to prevent said tensionable member  9  from rusting.  
         [0022]    Similarly, the shape and dimensions of said tensionable member  9  need not be defined exactly. As illustrated in the preferred embodiment, said tensionable member  9  should be of sufficient length to pass through said conduit  2  and extend beyond the openings  6  and  7  of said conduit  2 . In the preferred embodiment, said tensionable member should be of sufficient length such that the location of said loops  10  and  11  will be sufficiently below the surface  1  of the flat bed trailer and such that said loops can accommodate said restraining elements  13  without extending beyond the planes defined by the sides of the flat bed trailer. To best mate with most frames of a tractor trailer, it is envisioned that the length of the tensionable member  9  will be approximately 80 inches. However, it is further emphasized that tensionable member  9  can be adaptably sized and shaped to mate with the underside of most any vehicle that may be used for transporting objects.  
         [0023]    Said tensionable member  9  should be comprised of material that is sufficiently durable to provide significant restraining forces for securing heavy payloads in compliance with governmental regulations. In the preferred embodiment, it is recommended that the tensionable member  9  be made of at least ⅞ inch ungalvanized steel wire rope.  
         [0024]    It will be further understood by referring to FIG. 3 that, when the device is assembled and in use, the location of said loops  10  and  11  will be sufficiently below the surface  1  of the flat bed trailer, such that there will be a sufficient length of the restraining elements  13  extending from said loops to the surface  1  of the flat bed trailer. This feature of the device permits said ratchet binders  15  to be attached to said restraining elements  13  at a point below the surface  1  of the flat bed trailer, as shown in FIG. 3. Consequently, utilization of the present invention results in superior accessability to the ratchet binders  15  by the individuals responsible for assuring the proper restraint of the payload. It will be further understood that such accessability will exist whether or not the payload is covered.  
         [0025]    As best depicted in FIG. 4, said loop  11  may be formed by wrapping a free end of the tensionable member around a wire rope thimble  12  and coupling the free end of the tensionable member with the a portion of the tensionable member in between said loop  11  and said opening  7  of the conduit  2 . It will be further appreciated that said coupling can be further secured by encasing said coupling in a durable sleeve  8 .  
         [0026]    The apparatus is further c omprised of a means for connecting said conduit  2  to the front to rear frame rails  14  which run lengthwise on the underside of the flat bed trailer or other vehicle as will now be further explained. In the preferred embodiment, referring now to FIG. 2, said means comprises an interior L-shaped plate  17  and an exterior L-shaped plate  18 , said L-shaped plates each having a base  24  and a flange  25 , with the base of each of said L-shaped plates having at least one matching bolt hole  19  and a matching aperture  20 . Said conduit  2  passes through said aperture  20  in said plates  17  and  18  and is secured in position by bolting means  21 .  
         [0027]    Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, and  4 , front to rear frame rails  14  are steel I-beams having an interior lower lip  22  and an exterior lower lip  23  of generally uniform thickness protruding in perpendicular fashion from opposing sides of said frame rails  14 . Said interior plate  17  is positioned on said interior lip  22  and said exterior plate  18  is positioned on said exterior lip  23  such that flanges  25  of interior plate  17  and exterior plate  18 , clamp onto said lower lips  22  and  23 , respectively, as the interior plate  17  and exterior plate  18  are tightened by said bolting means  21 . It will be appreciated that, upon assembly, said conduit  2  is secured to the underside of said frame rail  14 , providing stabilizing support for plates  17  and  18  upon tightening of bolting means  21 . Said bolting means  21  must be of sufficient length to extend through said plates  17  and  18 . In the preferred embodiment, spacers  16  may be used to encase the portion of said bolting means  21  in between said plates  17  and  18  to maintain a proper distance between said plates  17  and  18  as they are tightened.  
         [0028]    It is further envisioned that in the preferred embodiment, the surfaces of conduit  2  and the flanges  25  are knurled or otherwise coarsened to provide additional frictional forces upon tightening by bolting means  21 . It is also anticipated that other means can be developed to achieve clamping of plates  17  and  18  on lips  22  and  23 .  
         [0029]    It will be appreciated that because said conduit  2  passes through said matching aperture  20  in plates  17  and  18  and is not permanently affixed to said plates  17  and  18 , said plates  17  and  18  can be adjusted to secure said conduit  2  to said frame rail  14  at most any position on said conduit  2 . Consequently, it will be appreciated that the present invention is able to be adapted to various sizes and spacing of trailer frame rails with relative ease. It will be further appreciated that, when attached and tightened, said plates  17  and  18  reduce the risk of slippage or movement of the apparatus in relation to the trailer bed.  
         [0030]    It will also be appreciated that said conduit  2  need not be a single continuous member. A plurality of conduits, which only encase the portions of the tensionable member  9  that would otherwise come into contact with frame rails  14  may be used.  
         [0031]    Having described the basic concept ofthe present invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing detailed disclosure is intended to be presented by way of example only, and is not limiting. Various alterations, improvements and changes will occur and are in the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention is limited only by the following claims and equivalents thereto.