Abstract:
Restraining a cargo in a trailer, including: a rolling system configured for a movement within the trailer, the rolling system configured to restrain the cargo, when fixed in position; a track system configured to enable the movement of the rolling system; and a latch system configured to fix the rolling system in position.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to a system for restraining cargo, and more specifically, to a rolling-type restraining system. 
         [0003]    2. Background 
         [0004]    In cargo trailers, the load needs to be secured during transport to reduce undesired shifting and damage to the load. In a conventional trailer, container, or boxcar, load restraint enclosures can be secured to the floor or sides using specially fabricated wood framing, floor blocking, rubber mats, steel strapping, or heavy air bags. These conventional means for securing the load have limitations associated with construction cost and lack of strength sufficient to secure heavy load. Further, a trailer may be used for shipping where only a partial load is carried, and the load is positioned within a central location of the trailer. In this case, it may be impractical to construct wooden front and rear restraint enclosures sufficient to secure the load where the front of the trailer is not utilized. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    The present invention provides for securing a load in vehicles such as trailers, containers, or boxcars. 
         [0006]    In one implementation, a moveable cargo restraint system for restraining a cargo in a trailer is disclosed. The system includes: a rolling system configured for a movement within the trailer, the rolling system configured to restrain the cargo, when fixed in position; a track system configured to enable the movement of the rolling system; and a latch system configured to fix the rolling system in position. 
         [0007]    In another implementation, an apparatus for restraining a cargo in a trailer is disclosed. The apparatus includes: means for restraining the cargo within the trailer, when fixed in position; means for enabling the movement of the means for restraining; and means for fixing the means for restraining in position. 
         [0008]    Other features and advantages of the present invention should be apparent from the present description which illustrates, by way of example, aspects of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    The details of the present invention, both as to its structure and operation, may be gleaned in part by study of the appended further drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts, and in which: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  is a partial rear view of a trailer showing a moveable cargo restraint system in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a detailed view of the side-wall-mounted track system coupled to the upper member of the rolling system in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a detailed view of the track and the trolley in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a partial view of each of a set of straps coupled to an attachment ring in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a detailed view of the latch system in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is another partial rear view of a trailer showing a moveable cargo restraint system in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0016]    To overcome the difficulties of securing the load in vehicles such as trailers, containers, or boxcars, several embodiments of a moveable cargo restraint system are proposed. In one embodiment, the moveable cargo restraint system enables repositioning of restraints when partial loads are present in the vehicle. 
         [0017]    After reading this description it will become apparent how to implement the invention in various implementations and applications. However, although various implementations of the present invention will be described herein, it is understood that these implementations are presented by way of example only, and not limitation. As such, this detailed description of various implementations should not be construed to limit the scope or breadth of the present invention. 
         [0018]      FIG. 1  is a partial rear view of a trailer showing a moveable cargo restraint system  100  in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. In the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the moveable cargo restraint system  100  includes a rolling system  110 , a side-wall-mounted track system  200 , and a latch system  500  for latching the rolling system  110  onto the side walls of a trailer. 
         [0019]    In one embodiment, the rolling system  110  includes an upper member  120 , a plurality of attachment rings  122 , and a set of straps, netting, or resilient lattice work  124  (hereinafter referred to as “set of straps”). In the illustrated embodiment, the upper member  120  is configured as a bar that stretches from one side wall to another side wall of the trailer. Thus, the upper member  120  is installed onto the side-wall mounted track system  200  using fore and aft rollers on both side walls of the trailer with the upper member  120  separating these pairs of rollers. The upper member  120  is used to hold and guide the set of straps  124  which can be collapsed by sliding (i.e., movement  130 ) the straps  124  and the attachment rings  122  along the upper member  120 , thus placing them on one side or the other for storage. Thus, the rolling system  110  can be readily stored by sliding or collapsing the flexible set of straps to one side of the trailer and securing or tying down the straps. 
         [0020]    The upper member  120  is further configured to space the trolleys and hold them apart at a specific distance while the rolling system  110  is moved back and forth (i.e., movement  140 ) in the trailer throughout its range. While in use, the set of straps  124  is extended from side to side inside the trailer and rolled to a required position. The set of straps  124  is then latched to a pre-determined location within the latch system  500 . Once the set of straps  124  is latched, the straps form a barrier that prevents shifting of the load/cargo from the pallet or loading point. 
         [0021]    The moveable cargo restraint system  100 , when properly fixed using the set of straps  124  and the latch system  500 , prevents the cargo or load from scattering inside the trailer. This reduces cargo damage and injury from moving and/or toppling loads. Further, the moveable cargo restraint system  100  maintains a consistent location of the upper member  120  which provides ease of repositioning of the rolling system  110  such that a warehouse person of any height can move the rolling system  110  by simply sliding the upper member  120  to the desired position. 
         [0022]      FIG. 2  is a detailed view of the side-wall-mounted track system  200  coupled to the upper member  120  of the rolling system  110  in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. The side-wall-mounted track system  200  includes a pair of tracks  220  and a pair of trolleys  210 . A further detailed view  300  of the track  220  and the trolley  210  is illustrated in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0023]    In the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 2 , a track  220  is affixed to each of the side walls of the trailer to guide a trolley  210  to move back and forth, while the trolley  210  includes a platform with an attachment to couple the upper member  120  and wheels for sliding along the track  220 . In other embodiments, the side-wall-mounted track system  200  can be configured differently than as shown in  FIG. 2 , as long as the system enables the upper member  120  to slide or move along the upper side walls so that the rolling system  110  can be moved back and forth in the trailer. 
         [0024]      FIG. 3  is a detailed view  300  of the track  220  and the trolley  210  in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure. In the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 3 , the trolley  210  further includes a platform  310  coupled to an attachment which forms openings  330 ,  332 ,  334  to accept the upper member  120  and axles for front and back wheels  320 ,  322 . The front wheel axle inserts into opening  330 , the back wheel axle inserts into opening  332 , and the upper member  120  inserts into opening  334 . This configuration enables the upper member  120  to smoothly slide along the upper part of the trailer and enables the rolling system  110  to be repositioned to precisely restrain the cargo or load. In other embodiments, the trolley  210  and the track  220  can be configured differently than as shown in  FIG. 3 , as long as the trolley  210  and the track  220  enable the upper member  120  to slide or move along the upper side walls so that the rolling system  110  can be moved back and forth in the trailer. 
         [0025]      FIG. 4  is a partial view  400  of each of a set of straps  410  coupled to an attachment ring  420  in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure. In the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 4 , each of the set of straps  410  is coupled to an attachment ring  420 , which hooks onto the upper member  120 . As mentioned above, the upper member  120  is used to hold and guide the set of straps  410  which can be collapsed by sliding (i.e., movement  430 ) the straps  410  and the attachment rings  420  along the upper member  120 , thus placing them on one side or the other for storage. The set of straps  410  that has been placed on one side can be secured or tied down in one corner. 
         [0026]      FIG. 5  is a detailed view of the latch system  500  in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. In the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 5 , the latch system  500  is configured to latch the set of straps  124  of the rolling system  110  onto the side walls of the trailer. The set of straps  124  is latched to a pre-determined location  510  within the latch system  500  of the side walls. Once each of the set of straps  124  is latched to a pre-determined location  510  on the side wall, the straps form a barrier that prevents shifting of the load/cargo from the pallet or loading point. 
         [0027]      FIG. 6  is another partial rear view of a trailer showing a moveable cargo restraint system  600  in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure. In the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 6 , the moveable cargo restraint system  600  includes a plurality of rolling systems  610 ,  612 , a plurality of side-wall-mounted track systems  620 ,  622 , and a plurality of latch systems  630 ,  632  for latching the rolling systems  610 ,  612  onto the side walls of a trailer. In this embodiment, each of the plurality of sets of straps  124  is latched to a pre-determined location within the side wall. Once the plurality of sets of straps  124  is latched, the straps form barriers on both sides of the load/cargo to prevent shifting of the load/cargo from the pallet or loading point. The moveable cargo restraint system  100  in this configuration can prevent the cargo or load situated in the middle of the trailer from scattering inside the trailer. 
         [0028]    The above description of the disclosed implementations is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the invention. Various modifications to these implementations will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles described herein can be applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. For example, while the implementations above focus on using the moveable cargo restraint system  100 ,  600  within a trailer, the system  100 ,  600  can be used in other forms of transportation such as containers, boxcars, or vans. Further, the rolling system  110 ,  610 ,  612  can use means other than the strap of sturdy material. For example, the rolling system  110 ,  610  can use strands of steel or wire. Thus, it is to be understood that the description and drawings presented herein represent a presently preferred embodiment of the invention and are therefore representative of the subject matter that is broadly contemplated by the present invention. It is further understood that the scope of the present invention fully encompasses other embodiments that may become obvious to those skilled in the art and that the scope of the present invention is accordingly limited by nothing other than the appended claims.