Cargo securement, cargo shift stop
A pallet or piece of freight on a surface such as the floor of a dry van or flat bed trailer, will shift or move while in transit. The cargo shift stop will prevent the movement of the pallet or freight much like a door stop that holds open an opened door.
This invention relates to all aspects of moving freight by all modes of transportation. This invention is one that will prevent the movement or shifting of freight or cargo, in or on a vessel, while in transit, thus preventing damage to the freight and equipment being used to move the freight from one point to another.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONSince freight has been moved by vessels such as truck, train, water, or air, there has been the constant problem of the freight moving or shifting while the freight is in transport. This movement is due to the surface on which the freight is being transported on in combination with the movement of the vehicle in which the freight is being transported. With the stopping, starting, turning, and yawing of the vehicle, the freight being transported will slide or tip when a change in direction of the vehicle takes place. Depending on the severity of the event, this dynamic will cause the freight to come in contact with other freight on the same vessel, or will cause the freight to leave the vessel altogether presenting great danger to people and equipment in it's proximity.
Current methods of restraint for cargo require the use of straps to hold the cargo into place, or blocking material nailed to the floor to stop the pallet or piece of freight from moving. Other forms of restraint include the placement of horizontal retaining bars from one side of the trailer to the other that prevents the forward movement of the freight, but does not address the side do side movement of the freight. These processes are manual intensive and can damage the flooring of freight vessel over time. Many other examples of freight movement and restraining systems are evident and are most apparent to those experts in the various fields of transportation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A: OBJECTS OF THE INVENTIONOne object of this invention is to limit the travel of said freight or cargo to a point where it does not move beyond specified points. The will prevent damage to the freight when it comes into contact with other freight on the floor or platform on which it is transported.
Another object of the invention is to prevent a catastrophic outcome of heavy freight shifting on the floor or platform. Whether this be over the road transport or air transport, these extreme weight shifts can cause the operator to loose control of the vehicle
Another object of the invention is to prevent the overloading of an axle of a dry van or flat bed trailer. State and Federal laws allow certain maximum weights on the axles of these trailers which can be exceeded when the cargo shifts forward due to a hard braking event.
Another object of the invention is to substantially reduce the amount of labor required to utilize existing methods cargo restraint. These include the nailing or blocking of wood or other material to the floor or platform. This device is one that may have its best application when installed in the floor of a cargo vessel, such as a dry van or flat bed trailer pulled by a semi truck. When installed in the floor of trailer, be it metal or wood, this retractable, floor protruding device when installed as a system, will stop the movement of the freight as it tries to move across the floor of the cargo vessel. When not needed, the plunger of the device can be retracted and secured inside the collar.
Another object of this invention is to eliminate the need to carry or stock materials and supplies to secure the cargo under current techniques.
The applications of the invention are not limited to the installation in a dry van or flat bed trailer. Other areas in which the device will work are rail cars, cargo ships, airplanes, cargo transport platforms, and barges. This device will work on any surface in which it can be installed.
This device can also be used on surfaces that are not part of a cargo vessel. This device can be installed on any surface in which movement from some outside force is not desired, manmade or natural. This can include warehouse buildings, floors, and dock areas.
Other objects will be apparent from the following SUMMARY, DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS, DRAWINGS AND CLAIMS.
B: SUMMARYIn accordance with the present means of cargo restraint systems, excessive time and money are spent on preventing cargo from shifting on a transportation platform. These current systems, although partially effective, lack the ease of use and certainty of securement that this invention offers.
In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the invention is recessed into an existing floor or platform. This collar/plunger version can be installed as new OEM equipment, but can also be retrofitted back to older floors and platforms.
In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the plunger is part of a strip of metal or composite material recessed into the flooring material. This embodiment can also be installed as new OEM equipment or can be retrofitted back to older floors or platforms.
In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the plunger is part of a strip of metal or composite material recessed into the flooring material, and includes a spring around the plunger. In this embodiment, the plunger is activated and deactivated by an air bag under the plunger.
THE DRAWINGS
This figure is schematic perspective view from the top of the stop strip with possible hole locations.
This figure shows a top view of the stop strips installed between the floorboards in a typical dry van trailer.
On a typical dry van trailer or a platform, this figure shows from the top, the device recessed into the floor or platform.
This figure shows from the top, the same stops recessed into the flooring material as
On some dry van trailers or platforms, the cross members may be installed longitudinally from the front to the rear of the trailer. This figure shows a top view of these cross members.
To give an idea of the benefits of this invention, this figure shows a pallet or piece of cargo from a top view, placed directly on the floor. The stops will prevent the pallet or cargo from moving beyond the stops.
This figure shows from a top view of the trailer floor, the direction of travel that a pallet or piece of cargo can take when in transit.
As an example to the construction of a typical dry van trailer, this figure shows from the side how the van trailer is constructed. The longitudinal supports connect the top and bottom horizontal supports.
As an alternative to this drawing, the device can be made without the screw holes 15 in the collar 5. This device may be inserted directly into the hole in the floor surface if desired.
This version allows for ease of replacement of the stop strips or removal of the device if they are no longer needed in the application.
Claims
1. A cargo shift stop assembly comprising:
- a stop having an outside collar;
- a plunger located inside said collar; and resilient meap, fastening means located in said collar to secure the stop to a structural support.
2. A cargo shift stop assembly according to claim 6 wherein said fastening means comprise screw holes.
3. A cargo shift stop assembly according to claim 6 wherein slots in the top of the plunger are used to rotate said plunger.
4. A cargo shift stop assembly according to claim 6 wherein said device is made without screw holes in said collar.
5. A cargo shift stop assembly according to claim 6 wherein said device is adapted to be inserted directly into a hole in the floor surface.
6. A cargo shift stop assembly according to claim 1 wherein at least one spring is recessed into the bottom of said plunger.
7. A cargo shift stop assembly according to claim 6 wherein said spring is mounted in the flooring of a typical flatbed or dry van trailer
8. A cargo shift stop assembly according to claim 7 wherein said spring is mounted on top of one of the cross members in siad flatbed or dry van trailer.
9. A cargo shift stop assembly according to claim 8 wherein at least one key slot is provided in said collar.
10. A cargo shift stop assembly according to claim 9 wherein a pair of key slots are provided in said collar for a pair of cooperating keys.
11. A cargo shift stop assembly according to claim 1 wherein a tapered bottom is provided in said plunger.
12. A cargo shift stop assembly according to claim 11 wherein said tapered bottom in operation stops said plunger at a pre-determined height.
13. A cargo shift stop assembly comprising:
- a plurality of cargo shift stops mounted in a strip of solid material adapted to be recessed into a preexisting floor.
14. A cargo shift stop assembly according to claim 11 wherein said strip is made of a material selected from steel, aliminum alloy, and composite material and combinations thereof.
15. A cargo shift stop assembly according to claim 14 wherein said strips are mounted in a transportation vehicle.
16. A cargo shift stop assembly according to claim 15 wherein said strips are mounted continuous from the front to the rear,
17. A cargo shift stop assembly according to claim 15 wherein said strips are mounted continuous longitudinally from the front to the rear,
18. A cargo shift stop assembly according to claim 15 wherein said strips are mounted continuous transversely from the front to the rear.
19. A cargo shift stop assembly according to claim 15 wherein said strips are laid side by side next to each over cross-members of the floor.
20. A cargo shift stop assembly according to claim 15 wherein said strips are laid in a way engineered for that particular trailer or flooring platform.
21. A cargo shift stop assembly according to claim 20 wherein said strips are laid longitudinally or parallel to the floorboards and secured into place.
22. A cargo shift stop assembly according to claim 21 wherein said strips recessed into said stop strip.
23. A cargo shift stop assembly according to claim 22 wherein said strips are formed with keyed slots in the wall of the hole the stop strip.
24. A cargo shift assembly comprising:
- a sliding stop strip having tabs on said sliding strip; whereby as said sliding stop strip is moved forward or backward, said tabs on said stop strip activate and deactivate a plunger into active and passive positions.
25. A cargo shift stop assembly according to claim 24 wherein said sliding stop strip is made of a material selected from lightweight metal and composite material. and is
26. A cargo shift stop assembly according to claim 25 wherein said sliding stop strip material is durable enough to last the normal life of the transport vessel.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 2, 2006
Publication Date: May 24, 2007
Inventor: Greg Becker (Foristell, MO)
Application Number: 11/541,016
International Classification: B63B 25/00 (20060101);