Bracket for cargo strap winders and winches

Abstract

The universal mounting bracket can be mounted to both “standard” and “combination” rails as part of a strap winder or winch. The bracket includes a flat top and two spaced parallel legs. The bracket has a rectangular central opening cut at the top of each bracket leg and a long slot is cut laterally across the bracket top, which extends between the center openings. The bracket also has a second rectangular opening cut in at the top of each bracket leg along one side. A pair of notches is also cut into the sides of each bracket leg.

Description

This invention relates to a mounting bracket for cargo strap winders and winches, and specifically a mounting bracket that can be mounted to both standard and combination style rails.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Tie-down cargo webs or straps are often used to secure cargo atop flat bed tractor trailer bed. Many flat bed tractor trailers are equipped with tie-down strap systems that include a number of winches and winders hung from rails mounted to the underside of the trailer bed. The rails allow the winches and winders to be moved and positioned along the length of the rails as needed to secure the cargo atop the trailer. The Kinedyne Corporation of Lawrence Kans. manufactures and sells a variety of such tie-down systems and products for flat bed trailers, including straps, winches, winders and rails.

Heretofore, conventional winches and winders, particularly the ones available from Kinedyne Corporation, have been specifically designed for use with only one of two styles of rail: a “standard” rail or a “combination” rail. While both rail styles are constructed from lengths of sturdy metal U-channel, they are generally distinguished by end flanges extending from the rail sides. A “standard” rail has opposing angled (diagonal) flanges. A “combination” rail has generally flat horizontal flanges that extend from the rail sides in the same direction. The different rail configuration prevent winches and winders from being interchangeable on different rails. Winches and winders that can be readily fitted to both “standard” and “combination” rails without modification are desirable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The mounting bracket of this invention can be adapted for use in either strap winders or winches and allows the winder or winch to be mounted to both “standard” and “combination” rails. The bracket can be fitted with a removable crank to function as a strap winder as illustrated herein, or fitted with a ratchet mechanism to function as a strap winch as desired. The U-shaped mounting bracket includes a flat top and two spaced parallel legs. The bracket has a rectangular central opening cut at the top of each bracket leg and a long slot cut laterally across the bracket top, which extends between center openings. The bracket also has a second rectangular opening cut in at the top of each bracket leg along one side. A pair of notches are also cut into the sides of each bracket leg. When fitted to a “standard” style rail, the angled flanges extend into notches formed in the side of the mounting bracket, which support the bracket within the rail. When fitted to a “combination” rail, the horizontal flanges extend through rectangular openings in the bracket legs so that the mounting bracket is supported by the bracket top resting atop the rail flanges. The slot in the bracket top between the first rectangular openings allows one of the rail sides to pass through the bracket slot.

Accordingly, the mounting bracket of this invention can be mounted to both “standard” and “combination” rails in a tie-down cargo strap system.

Another advantage of this invention is that the bracket can be mounted to both “standard” and “combination” rails without modification or additional hardware.

Another advantage of this invention is that the bracket can be adapted for use as part of a strap winder or a strap winch.

Other advantages will become apparent upon a reading of the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A preferred embodiment of the invention has been depicted for illustrative purposes only wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the mounting bracket of this invention used as part of a strap winder mounted to a “standard” rail;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the mounting bracket of this invention used as part of a strap winder mounted to a “standard” rail;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the mounting bracket of this invention;

FIG. 4 is a side elevated view of the mounting bracket of this invention;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the mounting bracket of this invention;

FIG. 6 is a side elevated view of the mounting bracket of this invention fitted to a “standard” rail; and

FIG. 7 is a side elevated view of the mounting bracket of this invention fitted to a “combination” rail.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The preferred embodiment herein described is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. It is chosen and described to best explain the invention so that others skilled in the art might utilize its teachings.

FIGS. 1-7 shows the mounting bracket of this invention (designated generally as reference numeral 10) as part of a cargo strap winder 20. Winder 20 includes a removable crank 22, which is fitted to mounting bracket 10 and around which a cargo strap 2 is wound. While the mounting bracket of this invention is illustrated as part of a strap winder with a simple removable crank, the bracket may be incorporated as part of a strap winch within the scope of this invention. The shaft of the crank replaced by the ratchet drum of a winch mechanism.

Mounting bracket 10 is stamped and bent into a U-shape from a band of sturdy sheet metal, such as steel or aluminum, which can be hardened and treated to increase rigidity and durability and reduce rust and corrosion. Alternatively, mounting bracket 10 may be constructed from reinforced polymers and fiberglass, or any other suitable material that provides sufficient strength and durability for rugged commercial use. As shown, the metal band that forms mounting bracket 10 is cut, stamped, forged and/or bent to have a flat top 12 and two spaced parallel legs 14. A rectangular central opening 13 is cut or formed at the top of each bracket leg 14. A second rectangular opening 15 is cut or formed at the top of each leg along one side. A slot 11 is cut or formed laterally across bracket top 12, which extends into opposite center openings 13. The sides of each bracket leg 14 have two opposed notches 17 formed by two angled edges 16 and 18. Each bracket leg also has a keyhole 19 cut or formed at its distal end.

Crank 22 is constructed of a steel or aluminum rod stock, which can be welded as well as, hardened and treated to increase rigidity and durability and to reduce rust and corrosion. Crank 22 has two bends that form a crank shaft 24 and a handle 26. A J-shaped strap bar 28 is welded to crank shaft 24 so that the length of the strap bar is spaced from and parallel to the crank shaft. An annular stop 27 is welded to crank shaft 24 between handle 26 and strap bar 28. As shown, crank 22 is inserted through keyholes 19 of bracket legs 14.

Mounting bracket 10 is designed to be mountable to both “standard” and “combination” style winch rails, such as the ones manufactured by Kinedyne Corporation of Lawrence Kans. Both styles of winch rails are constructed from lengths of sturdy metal U-channel, which have a flat back 4 and two spaced sides 6 and form a longitudinal track 5 within which winder 20 is supported. As generally shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, winder 20 hangs from the winch rail with mounting bracket. 10 slidably supported within rail track 7 so that the winder can move easily in both directions along rail track 5, but lock firmly in place when tension is applied to cargo strap 2.

While “standard” and “combination” style winch rails typically share a similar U-channel construction and configuration, they are generally distinguished by the flanges extending from the ends of the rail sides 6. FIG. 6 shows mounting bracket 10 fitted to a “standard” style winch rail 30. Rail sides 4 of the standard rail terminate in opposed angled flanges 32. Angled flanges 32 are reflectively symmetrical about a vertical axis (S) through rail back 4. Bracket top 12 is seated within rail track 5 juxtaposed between rail sides 6. As shown, angled flanges 32 restrictively protrude into notches 17 so that bracket 10 is supported by top edges 16 resting atop the angled flanges. FIG. 7 shows mounting bracket 10 fitted to a “combination” style rail 40. Rail sides 4 of the “combination” rail 40 terminate in generally flat horizontal flanges 42. Flat flanges 42 are extended from the rail side 6 in the same direction and are generally translationally symmetrical above a vertical axis (C) through rail back 4. As shown, mounting bracket 10 is hung from the “combination” rail 40 with one rail side 6 abutted against bracket top 12 and the other rail side 6 passed through slot 11 in bracket top 12. Horizontal flanges 42 extend through rectangular openings 13 and 15 so that mounting bracket 10 is supported by bracket top 12 resting atop the horizontal flanges.

FIG. 1 illustrates how the mounting bracket 10 used as part of strap winder 20 is used to wind cargo strap 2. Crank 22 is attached to mounting bracket 22 by inserting it through keyholes 19. One end of cargo strap 2 is secured to strap bar 28. Manually turning crank 22 winds cargo strap 2 into a coil around crank shaft 24. Once the entire length of cargo strap 2 is wound, the newly coiled strap can be removed from winder 20 by withdrawing crank 22 from mounting bracket 10.

ADVANTAGES

One skilled in the art will note that the universal mounting bracket of this invention can be mounted to both “standard” and “combination” rail systems. The configuration of the slot, notches and rectangular openings of the mounting bracket allows the winder to be mounted to either rail system without modification or additional hardware. In addition, the mounting bracket can be used as part of a simple strap winder with a removable crank or as part of a strap winch.

It is understood that the above description does not limit the invention to the details given, but may be modified within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A mounting bracket adapted to be fitted to one of a first elongated rail, which includes a pair of spaced rail sides and a pair of reflectively symmetrical opposed flanges extending inward from each of the pair of rail sides, and a second elongated rail, which includes a pair of spaced rail sides and a pair of translationally symmetrical flanges extending from the rail sides,

the mounting bracket comprising: a top and a pair of legs extending downward from opposite ends of the bracket top,

each bracket leg having opposed side edges, a notch formed in each side edge for receiving the pair of reflectively symmetrically opposed flanges of the first rail, such that the opposed side edges rest atop the pair of reflectively symmetrical opposed flanges of the first rail to support the mounting bracket between the pair of rail sides of the first rail when the apparatus is fitted to the first rail,

each bracket leg also having an opening therein adjacent the bracket top,

the bracket top having a slot extending into and between the opening of each bracket leg, such that one of the pair of translationally symmetrical flanges of the second rail passing through the opening in each of the bracket legs and one of the pair of spaced rail sides of the second rail extending through slots to allow the bracket top to rest atop the one of the pair of translationally symmetrical flanges of the second rail when the apparatus is fitted to the second rail.

2. An apparatus for winding a cargo strap and adapted to be fitted to one of a first elongated rail, which includes a pair of spaced rail sides and a pair of reflectively symmetrical opposed flanges extending inward from each of the pair of rail sides, and a second elongated rail, which includes a pair of spaced rail sides and a pair of translationally symmetrical flanges extending from the rail sides,

the winding apparatus comprising:

a mounting bracket; and a crank part mountable to the bracket for winding the cargo strap,

the bracket including a top and a pair of legs extending downward from opposite ends of the bracket top,

each bracket leg having opposed side edges, a notch formed in each side edge for receiving the pair of reflectively symmetrically opposed flanges of the first rail, such that the opposed side edges rest atop the pair of reflectively symmetrical opposed flanges of the first rail to support the mounting bracket between the pair of rail sides of the first rail when the apparatus is fitted to the first rail,

each bracket leg also having an opening therein adjacent the bracket top,

the bracket top having a slot extending into and between the opening of each bracket leg, such that one of the pair of translationally symmetrical flanges of the second rail passing through the opening in each of the bracket legs and one of the pair of spaced rail sides of the second rail extend through slots to allow the bracket top to rest atop the one of the pair of translationally symmetrical flanges of the second rail when the apparatus is fitted to the second rail.

3. The winding apparatus of claim 2 wherein each leg has a keyhole therein for receiving a crank part, the crank part includes an elongated shaft, which extends between the legs through the keyholes and a handle part.

4. An apparatus for winding a cargo strap and adapted to be fitted to one of a first elongated rail, which includes a pair of spaced rail sides and a pair of reflectively symmetrical opposed flanges extending inward from each of the pair of rail sides, and a second elongated rail, which includes a pair of spaced rail sides and a pair of translationally symmetrical flanges extending from the rail sides,

the winding apparatus comprising:

a mounting bracket; and means operatively connected to the bracket for winding the cargo strap,

the bracket including a top and a pair of legs extending downward from opposite ends of the bracket top,

each bracket leg having opposed side edges, a notch formed in each side edge for receiving the pair of reflectively symmetrically opposed flanges of the first rail, such that the opposed side edges rest atop the pair of reflectively symmetrical opposed flanges of the first rail to support the mounting bracket between the pair of rail sides of the first rail when the apparatus is fitted to the first rail,

each bracket leg also having an opening therein adjacent the bracket top,

the bracket top having a slot extending into and between the opening of each bracket leg, such that one of the pair of translationally symmetrical flanges of the second rail passing through the opening in each of the bracket legs and one of the pair of spaced rail sides of the second rail extending through slots to allow the bracket top to rest atop the one of the pair of translationally symmetrical flanges of the second rail when the apparatus is fitted to the second rail.

5. The winding apparatus of claim 2 wherein the winding means includes a shaft part rotatable between the pair of bracket legs and around which the cargo strap is wound.