Abstract: A device for use on palletized loads of containers for maintaining tension in vertical strapping comprises a rectangle (20) having outer dimensions commensurate with the dimensions of a pallet or dolly on which. containers are to be stacked in layers, each side of the rectangle comprising upper and lower leaves (21L, 22L) diverging from hinge means at the inner edge of the side, the lower leaves (22L) of all four sides being disposed in a common plane, and spring means (23) urging the outer edges of the upper and lower leaves apart.

Abstract: A load-carrying dolly having four wheels (6, 7) adjacent the corners of its platform (1) is rendered immobile by conversion to a pallet-like condition by lowering bearers (9, 10, 11) into contact with the floor or ground (24) and then raising the platform (1) slightly to raise the wheels (6, 7) clear of the floor or ground by means of either of two pedals (25, 32), one below each end of the platform (1), with linkage (of either of two forms, not shown) to bars (23) connecting in “slave” pairs of toggle links (20, 21) by means of which the bearers are suspended through beams (33) connecting upward extensions (12, 13, 14) at the ends of the bearers (9, 10, 11), the toggle links in each pair becoming locked by mating abutments (28) coming together when the links have passed slightly beyond in-line position, the mechanical advantage of the depressed pedal (25 or 32) being amplified by that of the pairs of toggle links when passing through in-line positions.

Abstract: A preferred form of slip sheet (62) for use between layers (L) of containers, especially bottles (20), in a palletised load, comprises a rectangular board (63) having marginal portions (34) formed with corrugations (65, 66) extending perpendicular from their edges and merging into the general plane of the board (63), whereby, in use, a ‘throat’ (TD) is formed between the upward corrugations (66) on a lower slip sheet (62) and the downward corrugations (65) on an upper slip sheet (62) which prevents ‘walking’ of the outermost rows of bottles (20) in the intervening layer. Curved corners of the board (63) are provided with diverging corrugations (65X, 66X) to prevent ‘walking’ of bottles (20) from the corners of layers (L). A plurality of such slip sheets (62) can be stacked compactly and with great stability by virtue of the corrugations (65, 66) nesting in the corrugations of neighbouring slip sheets.

Abstract: A load-carrying dolly having four wheels (6, 7) adjacent the corners of its platform (1) is rendered immobile by conversion to a pallet-like condition by lowering bearers (9, 10, 11) into contact with the floor or ground (24) and then raising the platform (1) slightly to raise the wheels (6, 7) clear of the floor or ground by means of either of two pedals (25, 32), one below each end of the platform (1), with linkage (of either of two forms, not shown) to bars (23) connecting in “slave” pairs of toggle links (20, 21) by means of which the bearers are suspended through beams (33) connecting upward extensions (12, 13, 14) at the ends of the bearers (9, 10, 11), the toggle links in each pair becoming locked by mating abutments (28) coming together when the links have passed slightly beyond in-line position, the mechanical advantage of the depressed pedal (25 or 32) being amplified by that of the pairs of toggle links when passing through in-line positions.

Abstract: A preferred form of slip sheet (62) for use between layers (L) of containers, especially bottles (20), in a palletised load, comprises a rectangular board (63) having marginal portions (34) formed with corrugations (65, 66) extending perpendicular from their edges and merging into the general plane of the board (63), whereby, in use, a ‘throat’ (TD) is formed between the upward corrugations (66) on a lower slip sheet (62) and the downward corrugations (65) on an upper slip sheet (62) which prevents ‘walking’ of the outermost rows of bottles (20) in the intervening layer. Curved corners of the board (63) are provided with diverging corrugations (65X, 66X) to prevent ‘walking’ of bottles (20) from the corners of layers (L). A plurality of such slip sheets (62) can be stacked compactly and with great stability by virtue of the corrugations (65, 66) nesting in the corrugations of neighbouring slip sheets.

Abstract: A device for alleviating slackening of vertical strapping (24) in palletised loads of containers comprises a pair of rectangular frames (32, 33), spring means (34) between the frames urging them apart, and tethering means (47, 48) limiting separation of the frames, which device is preferably placed on top of a slip sheet (22Y) placed on the top layer (L) of containers, especially of bottles (20). The outer edges of the upper frame (32) preferably has shallow grooves (51) from its outer edges to accommodate the vertical strapping (24) and protect it from abrasion. The lower frame (33) preferably has a flared outer skirt (49) to assist in locating the device on a top slip sheet (22Y), and locating a plurality of such devices one on another for return transport.

Abstract: A cap for use on a palletized load has a main mauling providing housings at a pair or two pairs of opposite sides for a cassette in which a strap passes through a slotted crossbar between a drum and a hook having two prongs for engaging the underside of the platform of a pallet (e.g. at each side of a middle spacer), the strap then being tensioned by a linkage between the slotted crossbar and a lever within a slot for swinging between an inoperative position and an operative position (e.g. up to 90° thereto) to rotate the crossbar to wind the strap thereon.

Abstract: A device for use on palletised loads of containers for maintaining tension in vertical strapping comprises a rectangle (20) having outer dimensions commensurate with the dimensions of a pallet or dolly on which. containers are to be stacked in layers, each side of the rectangle comprising upper and lower leaves (21L, 22L) diverging from hinge means at the inner edge of the side, the lower leaves (22L) of all four sides being disposed in a common plane, and spring means (23) urging the outer edges of the upper and lower leaves apart.

Abstract: A cap for use on a palletized load has a main mauling providing housings at a pair or two pairs of opposite sides for a cassette in which a strap passes through a slotted crossbar between a drum and a hook having two prongs for engaging the underside of the platform of a pallet (e.g. at each side of a middle spacer), the strap then being tensioned by a linkage between the slotted crossbar and a lever within a slot for swinging between an inoperative position and an operative position (e.g. up to 90° thereto) to rotate the crossbar to wind the strap thereon.

Abstract: A cap for use on a palletized load has a main moulding providing housings at a pair or two pairs of opposite sides for a cassette in which a strap passes through a slotted crossbar between a drum and a hook having two prongs for engaging the underside of the platform of a pallet (e.g. at each side of a middle spacer), the strap then being tensioned by a linkage between the slotted crossbar and a lever within a slot for swinging between an inoperative position and an operative position (e.g. up to 90° thereto) to rotate the crossbar to wind the strap thereon.

Abstract: A mechanism for suspending equipment from an overhead structural member includes a suspension strand, e.g. of wire or wire rope, provided at one end with a screwthreaded portion, together with a locking device having in bores each preferably associated with a wedging mechanism which prevents withdrawal of the free end of the strand in the opposite direction to insertion. The screwthreaded portion may be screwed into the overhead structural member, or into the equipment, the free end of the strand passed through one bore of the locking device, through an eye on the equipment or round the equipment, or through an eye on the overhead structural member or round the overhead structural member, then back through the other bore of the locking device to be secured therein by the wedging mechanism.

Abstract: A cap (1) for use in securing loads on pallets or dollies comprises a one-piece moulding having integral walls (2,3) depending from the generally rectangular top (4), from which walls skirt portions (5,6) further depend, and longitudinal and lateral ribs (7,8) integral with the underside of the top (4), there being at least two areas (9) of the underside of the top at two opposite sides of the cap (1) devoid of rib portions forming compartments for housing strapping mechanisms. According to another aspect, handholds are provided at each side of the cap (1), formed by rounded-section lengths (19,20), e.g. of alloy tubing, spanning depressions (21,22) in the outside upper edges of the cap moulding, each rounded-section length (19,20) being a close push fit in holes (23) at the ends of the respective depression.

Abstract: A cap for use on a palletized load has a main moulding (4) providing housings (11) at a pair or two pairs of opposite sides (5) for a cassette (12) in which a strap (13) passes through a slotted crossbar (37) between a drum (79) and a hook (14) having two prongs (15) for engaging the underside of the platform of a pallet (e.g. at each side of a middle spacer), the strap then being tensioned by a linkage (39) between the slotted crossbar (37) and a lever (19) within a slot (91) for swinging between an inoperative position (A) and an operative position (B) (e.g. up to 90° thereto) to rotate the crossbar (37) to wind the strap (13) thereon.

Abstract: Means for suspending equipment (21) from an overhead structural member (16) comprises a suspension strand (10), e.g. a length of wire rope, with a nipple (11) at one end, a toggle plate (12) with an aperture (13) through which the strand can pass but not the nipple, together with a locking device (18) having twin bores (17A, 17B) associated with wedging means (19A, 19B), the toggle plate (12) and nipple (11) being pushed through a hole (15 or 34) in the overhead structural member (16) or the equipment (21), for the toggle plate to overlie or underlie the hole, while the free end (14) of the strand (10) is passed through one bore (17A) of the locking device (18), through an eye (20) on the equipment (21) or round the equipment or through an eye (35) on the overhead structural member (16) or round the overhead structural member, and finally through the other bore (17B) of the locking device (18).

Abstract: A method of connecting an electric fence wire (30) to a post (27) comprises providing a wire connector (10) of the type having a body (11) within which twin bores (15A, 15B) are each associated with wedging means (12A, 12B), together with a non-electrically-conducting filament (19), the filament being looped round the post and having a free end (21) inserted into one of the bores, pushed through and pulled for setting of the proximity of the connector (10) to the post (27), then an end (29) of the electrical fence wire (30) is inserted into the other bore, pushed through and pulled to tension the fence wire and also the filament looped round the post. The filament (19) may extend fixedly from the body (11) of the connector (10) or it may be provided with a small loop (41) through which the free end (21) of the filament is passed after looping round the post (27) and before insertion into the connector.

Abstract: A fire-rated wire etc. connector (10) is of the type having within a metal body (11) twin bores (12) at least one of which is associated with wedge means (14) preventing withdrawal of a wire (20) or suspension strand in the opposite direction to insertion, and the wedge means (14) is made of ceramic material.

Abstract: Means for suspending equipment (32) from an overhead structural member (21) comprises a suspension strand (11), e.g. of wire or wire rope, provided at one end with a screwthreaded portion (12), together with a locking device (13) having twin bores (14A, 14B) each preferably associated with wedging means (15A, 15B) preventing withdrawal of the free end (16) of the strand (11) in the opposite direction to insertion.