LOAD STABILIZER

Abstract

A load stabilizer having telescoping inner and outer tube components with the inner tube threaded and receiving an adjuster are provided. The adjuster may abut the outer tube end for forced extension by turning of the adjuster. Compressible feet may be coupled to the opposed ends and be forced against opposed walls of a load receiving container for retaining a load. Such compression can produce binding of the interengaging threads and with release of such compression, the adjuster can freely turns for rapid adjustment along the threading of the inner tube.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/712,916 filed Aug. 30, 2005, entitled “Load Stabilizer,” the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD

The invention relates generally to load stabilizers and in particular to a load stabilizer adapted for quick, efficient and easy storage, transport and assembly.

BACKGROUND

Load stabilizers typically include an elongate body that can be wedged, or otherwise secured, between two surfaces in a container and used to stabilize cargo during transport. For example, a load stabilizer may be used between the walls, or the floor and a roof of a van, truck, trailer or shipping container. Sometimes several load stabilizers may be necessary to stabilize a load in a transport container. Consequently, various numbers of load stabilizers may be made available in a shipping operation at different times within a single transport container, or among many containers.

Certain applications for such load stabilizers enable repeat usage for multiple loads and the overall cost of the stabilizers is thereby averaged over a number of load stabilizing operations. However there are other applications where load stabilizers are used for a single load shipment and stabilizer cost can be a consideration. Accordingly a low cost but adequately structured stabilizer i.e. adequate to help stabilize a load for load shipments, is desirable.

Further, when not in use, or when being transported for sale, current stabilizers are not readily adapted for efficient and convenient stacking, for example on a pallet, and thus occupy unnecessary space when stacked. Minimizing the shipping volume can be an important component in minimizing cost and transport efficiency. Still further, current load stabilizers require a significant amount of time to set up, as the length may need to be adjusted as the distance between surfaces across which a load stabilizer may span will vary.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the above needs, in various embodiments of the invention, a load stabilizer may be configured to enable rapid assembly and mounting to help secure a load (e.g. in a shipping container), but also have a reduced cost over what is currently available. In some embodiments, the design further may allow for compact stacking to improve storage and shipment of the stabilizer to the loading site.

In brief, in one embodiment, a pair of tubes may be telescopically interfitted, with the inner tube having exterior threading. An adjuster nut (adjuster) may be threadably engaged with the inner tube and turned against the outer tube to adjust the overall length of the tube combination. Elastomeric feet or end members (e.g. those shown in co-pending application Ser. No. 11/218,984, incorporated herein by reference) may be inserted into the opposed ends of the assembled tubes and may be forced compressively against opposing container walls until satisfactory securement of the load is achieved.

As briefly described above and as will be apparent from the detailed description which follows, in various embodiments, interengaging threads of the adjuster and inner tube may be roll-formed to help allow usage of generally thinner walled tubing, while helping to maintain adequate tube strength. In various embodiments, the rolled threads may provide for rapid adjustment of the adjuster nut along the inner tube length, for example by spinning, prior to and/or following some sort of engagement of the bar to the container walls. Further, this may allow the tube thickness and circumference to be minimized for cost and weight consideration. In various embodiments, the components may be disassembled for relatively compact stacking and shipping or storage. These and further modifications and advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art, from the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view illustrating a load stabilizer in accordance with embodiments of the invention;

FIGS. 2a through 2c are side views illustrating partial parts of a load stabilizer in accordance with embodiments of the invention;

FIGS. 3 and 3b are side views illustrating a load stabilizer in accordance with embodiments of the invention;

FIGS. 4a and 4b are side views illustrating end members and adjusters of a load stabilizer in accordance with embodiments of the invention; and

FIGS. 5a through 5c are respective front, side, and top views illustrating load stabilizers in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof and in which is shown by way of illustration embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the following detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of embodiments in accordance with the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Various operations may be described as multiple discrete operations in turn, in a manner that may be helpful in understanding embodiments of the present invention; however, the order of description should not be construed to imply that these operations are order dependent.

The description may use perspective-based descriptions such as up/down, back/front, and top/bottom. Such descriptions are merely used to facilitate the discussion and are not intended to restrict the application of embodiments of the present invention.

The description may use the phrases “in an embodiment,” or “in embodiments,” which may each refer to one or more of the same or different embodiments. Furthermore, the terms “comprising,” “including,” “having,” and the like, as used with respect to embodiments of the present invention, are synonymous.

The phrase “A/B” means “A or B.” The phrase “A and/or B” means “(A), (B), or (A and B).” The phrase “at least one of A, B and C” means “(A), (B), (C), (A and B), (A and C), (B and C) or (A, B and C).” The phrase “(A) B” means “(B) or (A B),” that is, A is optional.

The terms “coupled” and “connected,” along with their derivatives, may be used. It should be understood that these terms are not intended as synonyms for each other. Rather, in particular embodiments, “connected” may be used to indicate that two or more elements are in direct physical or electrical contact with each other. “Coupled” may mean that two or more elements are in direct physical or electrical contact. However, “coupled” may also mean that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other, but yet still cooperate or interact with each other.

Various embodiments of the present invention may include a load stabilizer adapted to be relatively quickly and easily assembled and disassembled. In one embodiment, the load stabilizer, when disassembled, may be configured to increase the density of the number of stabilizers that may be stacked on a pallet by virtue of the groupability of the individual components.

FIG. 1 is an exploded view illustrating a load stabilizer in accordance with embodiments of the invention. A load stabilizer 10 may include an inner member or, inner tube 12, which may include roll threads 14 on the outside surface thereof. Threads 14 may be otherwise applied, including, but not limited to die cut threads. An outer member or outer tube 16 may be adapted to fit over the inner tube 12 in a telescopic manner. An adjuster 18 may be adapted to threadably engage the rolled threads 14 of inner tube 12, and further may act as a stop for the telescopic engagement of the outer tube 16 over the inner tube 12. End members or feet 20 may be adapted to be coupled to each outer end of the respective inner tube 12 and outer tube 16. In some embodiments, a washer may be optionally added between the adjuster and the outer tube to reduce wear and friction. Use of such a washer may be beneficial in applications where the device is intended to be reused several times.

In one embodiment, the rolled threads allow for a low cost thin wall tubing to be used as the inner tube 12. Rolling the threads may be accomplished by indenting the tubing with a spiral indentation along the length of the tube, thus leaving virtually all of the material intact. In one embodiment, the rolled threads may be created using a hard steel wheel, or other suitable device, that travels along the tubing and indents the tube as the tubing is rotated, thereby resulting in a generally helical thread pattern. In another embodiment, a steel wheel or other hardened material may be fixed in place and the rotating tube may be advanced past the wheel.

FIGS. 2a, and 2c are side views illustrating details of various embodiments of components of the load stabilizer embodiment shown in FIG. 1. Each foot 20 may include a main body 22 that may be, for example, disk shaped, square or otherwise. A first side 24 of the main body 22 may include a plurality of protrusions 26, which may increase the frictional engagement of the foot 20 with a wall or other surface. A second side 28 of the foot 20 may include a protrusion 30 adapted to engage an outer end of the inner tube 12 and/or the outer end of the outer tube 16. In one embodiment, the protrusion 30 may include a flared portion 32 which may help accommodate different size tubing and further help retain foot 20 inside the tubes 12/16. The foot 20 may be made from a resilient material, such as rubber, which may add to the frictional engagement of the foot 20 with the wall, and may also aid in securing the foot 20 to the outer ends of the inner tube 12 and outer tube 16.

FIG. 2b illustrates a cut-a-way of an adjuster in accordance with various embodiments of the invention. Adjuster 18 that may include inner threads 15 that are adapted to engage the threads of the inner tube 12, such as rolled thread 14. In various embodiments, the inner threads 15 may be integrally formed within the body. In other embodiments, the inner threads may be a separate nut or other threaded configuration that is adapted to engage the adjuster.

The adjuster 18 may also have an inner recess 17 and shoulder 17′ or other obstruction that allows an end 19 of the outer tube 16 to engage the adjuster a determined amount, and allow rotation of the adjuster about the outer tube end. Thus as the adjuster is rotated, thereby advancing the inner tube, the adjuster 18 may push against the end 19 of outer tube 16 to cause extension of the load stabilizer. In some embodiments, when extended, the force generated between the tubes and possible compression of the end members may produce a slight binding of the interengaging threads to help prevent the adjuster from rotating during transport. As the tension is released the adjuster can freely turns for rapid adjustment along the threading of the inner tube.

In various embodiments, the end 19 may slidingly engage the inner recess 17 such that it may be readily removed there from. This can allow for rapid advancement of the adjuster 18 on the inner tube 12 to make more extreme length adjustments. Once in the generally desired position, the inner tube 12 and adjuster 18 may be reassembled with the outer tube. In other embodiments the adjuster may be recessed on an outer portion, to allow the end of the outer tube to engage the outer portion.

In various embodiments, the outer body of the adjuster may have a grippable surface, such as ridges, knurling, and the like, to assist in increasing the ability to extend the load stabilizers. In various embodiments, the body of the adjuster may be also adapted for engagement by a tool such as a wrench to improve the leverage and torque that may be applied to the adjuster, and thus increase the amount of outward force that may be exerted, thereby improving the amount that feet 20 compressibly engage opposing side walls of a container. It will be appreciated that such compressed engagement helps produce a binding resistance to turning and moving, thus helping to provide securement of the load. The interfit of the adjuster thread and inner tube thread may otherwise provide for free turning that permits rapid adjustment of the adjuster along the inner tube length, e.g. by spinning, to enhance assembly and application of the load stabilizer to a load.

FIGS. 3a and 3b are side views which illustrate the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 in operation. The load stabilizer 10 may be rapidly assembled by engaging the adjuster 18 with the rolled threads 14 on a first end 34 of the inner tube 12, advancing it a desired distance down the inner tube 12 toward the outer end 31. By virtue of advancing the adjuster down the inner tube 12, an overlap portion 36 may be generated where the outer tube 16 overlaps the inner tube 12. The adjuster 18 may act as a stop to keep the outer tube from advancing beyond the overlap portion 38.

Feet 20 may be positioned on opposite ends 31 and 33, and the stabilizer bar 10 may be adjusted to a working distance 40 to fit between, for example, interior walls of a truck or a trailer. When in use, the outer tube should have a sufficient overlap portion 36 of the inner tube provide sufficient strength to avoid the stabilizer bar from buckling. The working distance 40 may be adjusted for different applications from a working distance 40 as shown in FIG. 3a to a minimum working distance as shown in FIG. 3b. When in the minimum working distance, the stabilizer bars may be easily stowed, transported and/or staked.

FIGS. 4a and 4b are side views which illustrate adjusters and end members in accordance with various embodiments. When not in use, the pieces of the load stabilizer may be easily and relatively efficiently packaged and shipped in their component parts. For example, the protrusions 30 on each foot 20 may be adapted to fit inside opposite ends of the adjustment nut 18 forming first unit 42.

As shown in FIGS. 5a through 5c, the inner tube 12 may be fit within the outer tube 16 forming a second unit 44. A plurality of the second units 44 may be stacked in, for example, a general pyramid shaped stack 46. In various embodiments, however, a variety of stacking configurations are possible given the telescoping nature of the tubes of the present invention. In other embodiments, the inner tubes and outer tubes need not be telescoped prior to stacking. A plurality of the first units 42 may be stacked on top of the stack of second units 44. In one embodiment as many as 270, or more, of the stabilizing bars can be loaded onto a pallet, which may be, for example, 2 feet high, 40 inches wide, and 5 feet long. The stack 46 may be formed on, or placed onto, a pallet 48.

In addition to the discussion of various embodiments above, figures and additional discussion are presented herein to further describe certain aspects and various embodiments of the present invention. It is to be understood, however, that a wide variety of alternate and/or equivalent embodiments or implementations calculated to achieve the same purposes may be substituted for the embodiments shown and described without departing from the scope of the present invention. Those with skill in the art will readily appreciate that embodiments in accordance with the present invention may be implemented in a very wide variety of ways. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the embodiments discussed herein.

Claims

1. A load stabilizer comprising:

an outer tube, an inner tube having external threading and adapted to telescopingly engage the outer tube;

end members adapted to engage opposed inner tube and outer tube ends;

an adjuster adapted to threadably engage the external threading of the inner tube and further adapted to rotatably couple to a second end of the outer tube; and

wherein rotation of the adjuster is adapted to cause extension the inner tube with respect to the outer tube and force the opposed tube ends against side members to produce a load retention force.

2. A load stabilizer as defined in claim 1 wherein the inner tube is configured to have roll-formed threading to allow for usage of thinner tube wall thickness and yet resist buckling upon achieving said load retention force.

3. A load stabilizer as defined in claim 1 wherein the end members are elastomeric inserts interchangeably coupled to the opposed tube ends.

4. A load stabilizer as defined in claim 1 wherein the adjuster has an inner portion, an outer portion and opposed first and second ends, said inner portion including threads extending generally inward from a point at or near the first end, and a outer tube receiver at the second end adapted to slidingly receive an end of the outer tube.

5. A load stabilizer as defined in claim 4, wherein the outer wall is patterned to provide enhanced gripping and/or engagement by a tool.

6. A load stabilizer as defined in claim 4, further comprising a threaded insert adapted to nest at least partially in the inner portion of the adjuster.

7. A load stabilizer as defined in claim 1 wherein the adjuster includes threading mated to the inner tube threading such that compression provided by applying said load retentive force produces binding type effect that resists reverse movement of the adjuster and otherwise said threading enabling free movement of the adjuster nut relative to the inner tube as by manual spinning of the adjuster nut.

8. A load stabilizer as defined in claim 1, wherein the end members are adapted to engage a first and/or second end of the adjuster to form a compact arrangement of a first shipping unit, and wherein multiple sets of inner tubes telescopically engaged with outer tubes may be stacked on a shipping pallet, and a corresponding number of said first shipping units may be stacked on top of the stack for shipping purposes.

9. A load stabilizer assembly comprising:

an inner tube, an outer tube, an adjuster and a pair of gripping end members;

said inner tube having external threading that threadably engages the adjuster, the adjuster being located along the threading of the inner tube defining an inner tube section for telescopically engaging the outer tube and defining adjustable spaced apart opposed inner tube and outer tube ends; and

said end members adapted to be forced against side walls of a container by turning of the adjuster nut relative to the inner tube; and

said tubes each having substantially consistent tubular dimension along their lengths and said adjuster being generally tubular with an outer gripping enhanced surface, and said end members having similar inner ends adapted for insertion interchangeably into the tube ends and/or ends of said adjuster whereby multiple quantities of load stabilizer components can be relatively compactly configured for storage and shipment.

10. A method of shipping load stabilizers, comprising:

inserting a plurality of threaded inner tubes telescopically into a corresponding number of outer tubes to form tube shipping units;

inserting a compressible end members adapted to engage ends of the inner and outer tubes in each of a first end and a second end of an adjuster to form adjuster shipping units;

stacking the plurality tube sipping units a desired height and width and leaving a horizontal top portion; and

stacking the plurality of adjuster shipping units on the generally horizontal top portion.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein stacking the plurality of shipping units includes stacking the tube shipping units in a generally stepped fashion.