AU2017251819B2

AU2017251819B2 - Strap Winder

Info

Publication number: AU2017251819B2
Application number: AU2017251819A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Andrew Bissett
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2016-10-28
Filing date: 2017-10-27
Publication date: 2022-03-10
Anticipated expiration: 2037-10-27
Also published as: AU2017251819A1

Abstract

A device for winding a cargo strap into a roll, the device configured to be mountable to a side of a truck trailer by engaging a tie down rail and a side frame member. The device includes a rotatable handle coupled to a spool for rolling the strap, an elongate housing having a recessed end to receive the tie down rail, and an upturned extension for engaging the side frame member when the housing is received against the rail with the rail within the recess whereby pivoting of the housing and dislodgement from the rail is prevented. The device provides a relatively simple but effective mechanism by which cargo straps can be formed into rolls after use tying down a load to prevent tangling, causing a traffic hazard and unintentional catching. 0 17 19 14 12 16 -16a FIGURE 1

Description

19

14 12 16 -16a

FIGURE 1

STRAP WINDER FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a strap winder, which is a device for winding a cargo strap into a roll. In a preferred form, the strap winder is mountable to a truck trailer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is desirable to roll cargo straps into rolls after use tying down a load to prevent tangling, causing a traffic hazard and unintentional catching. Manual rolling of straps is a time consuming exercise and some previous strap winders have been complicated, difficult to use, or inconvenient to fit to a vehicle, particularly a truck trailer.

Examples of the invention seek to solve, or at least ameliorate, one or more disadvantages of previous strap winders.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, there is provided a device for winding a cargo strap into a roll, the device configured to be mountable to a side of a truck trailer by engaging a tie down rail and a side frame member, the device including a rotatable handle coupled to a spool for rolling the strap, the rotatable handle and spool being mounted on an elongate body having at one end a support structure adapted to receive the tie down rail and support the device thereon, and an upturned extension for engaging the side frame member when the rail is received by the support structure whereby pivoting of the housing and dislodgement from the rail is prevented.

In an embodiment of the invention, support structure is arranged to support the body on the rail by contact with the rail across at least two locations along the rail, transverse to the longitudinal extent of the body.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the spool has a transverse slot for receiving an end of the strap.

In one embodiment the body comprises a housing that is formed from folded sheet steel. The support structure may comprise aligned recesses formed in opposite side walls of the housing.

The device can be formed with a plurality of mounting holes for the handle, whereby straps of different lengths can be wound with the device.

The upturned extension preferably projects from the body transverse to the longitudinal extent thereof. Preferably, the upturned extension is configured to hook under the side frame member. In embodiments, an end portion of the upturned extension bears against an inboard surface of the side frame member when the device is mounted for use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will be further described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a strap winder of one embodiment of the invention; and Figure 2 is a perspective view of the strap winder mounted to the side of a truck trailer; Figures 3 and 4 are perspective views of the strap winder mounted to the truck and a strap in different stages of winding; Figure 5 is a perspective view of a wound strap removed from the winder; Figure 6 is a close side perspective view of the winder mounted to the trailer; Figure 7 is a close rear perspective view of the winder mounted to the trailer; and Figures 8 to 10 illustrate the process of mounting the winder to the trailer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figure 1 illustrates a device 10 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in Figure 2, the device 10 is configured for winding a cargo strap 26 (see Figure 3) into a roll and is mountable to a side of a truck trailer 20 by engaging a tie down rail 22 and a side frame member 24.

The device 10 includes a rotatable handle 12 coupled to a spool 14 for rolling the strap 26. The rotatable handle and spool are mounted on a body in the form of an elongate housing 16 having an end 17 with a support structure configured to receive the tie down rail 22, and an upturned extension 18. In the illustrated embodiment the support structure comprises a recess formed in the end 17 of the housing 16 into which the tie down rail 22 can be at least partially received for supporting the device 10. The upturned extension 18 is provided for engaging an underside or inboard surface of the side frame member 24 when the rail 22 is located in the support structure recess, whereby pivoting of the housing 16 and dislodgement from the rail 22 is prevented.

The handle 12 preferably extends through the housing 16 so that the spool 14 is mounted directly onto an end of the handle 12. An end of the handle 12 may be threaded to allow the spool 14 to be easily fixed thereto, though those skilled in the art will appreciate that other forms of attachment are also possible. In one form the handle 12 may be bent from a simple bar which is engageable at one end, and in other forms a grip may be provided on the handle. The housing 16 may be formed with a plurality of mounting holes for the handle 12 so that straps of different lengths can be wound with the device 10.

In use, an end of an unwound strap 26 will be inserted into transverse slot 19 formed in the spool 14, as illustrated in Figure 3. Once inserted, the handle 12 can be rotated to wind the strap 26 around the spool 14 and into a neat roll. As illustrated in Figure 5, once wound the strap 26 can be lifted from the spool 14 with the end of the strap 26 sliding out of the slot 19 ready for storage. Although the slot 19 is illustrated as extending into a base of the spool 14, in other embodiments it preferably only extends partially through a side wall of the spool. It will be appreciated that the spool may also take other forms, such as a fork or spaced apart members for example.

Although different materials may be used, such as plastic, aluminium or composites for example, in a preferred form the housing 16 is formed from folded sheet steel and recess in end 17 is formed by forming openings in opposite side portions 16a, 16b of the housing 16. The side wall portions 16a and 16b are spaced from one another in a dimension transverse to the longitudinal extent of the device, such that the recess formed by the openings has an extent along the direction of the rail. Accordingly, when the device is mounted on a truck trailer the support structure supports the device by contact with the rail 22 at more than one location, corresponding to the housing side walls (Figure 7). The housing 16 may be formed from a laser cut blank that is welded together once folded. By folding the blank and welding the device 10 once folded, the device 10 can be provided with sufficient strength to support the strap 26 and enable winding of the strap 26 on the spool 14. Preferably, the blank is cut from a material having a material strength and thickness to provide the device 10 with sufficient strength.

As illustrated in Figures 6 and 7, the upturned extension 18 is configured to hook under the side frame member 24 to allow the housing 16 to be securely mounted to the trailer 20. By configuring the device 10 in this way, the weight of the strap 26 acts to urge the upturned extension 18 against the side frame member 24 to prevent accidental pivoting and dislodgement of the device 10. The side wall structure that defines the recess in end 17 may include additional extensions 13 (which may be a single of double extension such as that shown) that partially project underneath the rail 22 (Figure 7) so that once the upturned extension 18 engages the side frame member 24, the device 10 is effectively fixed to the trailer 20, though may be easily removed as required.

Figures 8 to 10 illustrate the process of fitting the device 10 to a side of the trailer 20. Firstly, upturned extension 18 is inserted into the space between side frame member 24 and the tie down rail 22 as shown in Figure 8. End 17 is then brought into engagement with the rail 22, as can be seen in Figure 9, with the rail 22 received within the recess. As illustrated in Figure

10, the device 10 is then pivoted to bring the upturned extension 18 into engagement with the side frame member 24, thereby releasably locking the device 10 to the trailer 20.

As can be seen in Figure 10, the device 10 hooks behind or onto an inner side of the side frame member 24 to fix the device 10 to the trailer 20. In other embodiments, the device 10 may fit to an underside of a load carrying area of the trailer.

In use, the device 10 can be mounted and demounted as required so as to be moved around the trailer 20 for winding of straps in different locations. Once the straps are wound and stored, the device 10 can be removed and stored with the straps. Advantageously, the device 10 can be constructed of a relatively light weight to enable portability and use as required.

The embodiments have been described by way of example only and modifications are possible within the scope of the invention disclosed. For example, the disclosed strap winder may be configured for use with other types of load carrying vehicles.

Throughout this specification the word "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps. Where directional terminology such as upward, downward, inward, outward and the like are used, unless the context of use clearly requires otherwise it is to be understood that the directions referred to are with respect to the orientation of the device in ordinary use.

Claims

1. A device for winding a cargo strap into a roll, the device configured to be mountable to a side of a truck trailer by engaging a tie down rail and side frame member of a load bed, the device including a rotatable handle coupled to a spool for rolling the strap, the rotatable handle and spool being mounted on an elongate body having at one end a support structure adapted to receive the tie down rail and support the device thereon, and an upturned extension for engaging the side frame member when the rail is received by the support structure whereby rotation of the body and dislodgement from the rail is prevented.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the support structure is arranged to support the body on the rail by contact with the rail across at least two locations along the rail, transverse to the longitudinal extent of the body.

3. A device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the body comprises a housing that is formed from folded sheet steel.

4. A device according to claim 3, wherein the support structure comprises aligned recesses formed in opposite side walls of the housing.

5. A device according to any preceding claim, formed with a plurality of mounting holes for the handle, whereby straps of different lengths can be wound with the device.

6. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the upturned extension projects from the body transverse to the longitudinal extent thereof.

7. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the upturned extension is configured to hook under the side frame member.

8. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein an end portion of the upturned extension bears against an inboard surface of the side frame member when the device is mounted for use.