# US 10,308,163 B2 · Chain binder and method of operation > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,308,163 B2 - Document ID: US10308163B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/448,784 - Filed: 2017-03-03 - Published: 2018-09-06 - Granted: 2019-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2017-03-03 - Applicants: Steven M. Helline; Dennis Morgan - Inventors: Steven M. Helline; Dennis Morgan - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10308163B2 ## CPC - B60P 7/0853: {Tools for manipulating straps or tighteners} - B60P 7/08: Securing to the vehicle floor or sides ({B60P7/065}, B60P7/13, B60P7/135 take precedence) - B60P: VEHICLES ADAPTED FOR LOAD TRANSPORTATION OR TO TRANSPORT, TO CARRY, OR TO COMPRISE SPECIAL LOADS OR OBJECTS (vehicles with special provisions for transporting patients or disabled persons, or their personal conveyances A61G3/00) ## Abstract A chain binder to connect and apply tension to chains used to secure cargo on a truck bed. The chain binder includes a center body; a first side assembly; a second side assembly; and a power coupling provided on the center body. The first side assembly engages a first chain section and the second side assembly engages a second chain section. The power coupling couples a gear mechanism in the center body to an external power source. Operation of the power coupling moves the first and second side assemblies toward each other when operated in a first direction and moves the first and second side assemblies away from each other when operated in a second direction. As the first and second side assemblies move toward each other, tension in the chains increases and as the side assemblies move away from each other tension in the chain decreases. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A chain binder comprising: a center body; a first side assembly; a second side assembly; and a power coupling provided on the center body; wherein the power coupling may be adapted to couple to an external power source; wherein operation of the power coupling moves the first side assembly and the second side assembly towards each other when operated in a first direction; and operation of the power coupling moves the first side assembly and the second side assembly away from each other when operated in a second direction; wherein the power coupling comprises a worm shaft; a lock sleeve that may be selectively engaged with the worm shaft; wherein the lock sleeve may be movable between a first position where rotation of the worm shaft may be prevented; and a second position where the worm shaft is rotatable; a spring and when a force may be applied to the lock sleeve to move the lock sleeve from the first position to the second position, the spring may be compressed; and when the force may be removed the spring returns to an uncompressed state and the lock sleeve moves from the second position to the first position; a worm provided on the worm shaft. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The chain binder as defined in claim 1, further comprising a worm wheel operatively engaged with the worm. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The chain binder as defined in claim 2, further comprising a tubular member engaged with the worm wheel; wherein the first assembly may be engaged with a first end of the tubular member and the second assembly may be engaged with a second end of the tubular member. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The chain binder as defined in claim 3, wherein the tubular member rotates in unison with the worm wheel. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The chain binder as defined in claim 4, wherein the worm wheel defines a hole therein and the tubular member may be received through the hole; and wherein one or more teeth extend outwardly from an exterior surface of the tubular member and one or more splines are provided on the worm wheel and extend inwardly into the hole; and wherein the one or more teeth are interlockingly engaged with the one or more splines. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The chain binder as defined in claim 4, wherein the tubular member and worm wheel are welded together. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The chain binder as defined in claim 1, further comprising a lever lock extending outwardly from the center body. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The chain binder as defined in claim 7, wherein the center body defines a hole therein that extends from a first surface of the center body to a second surface thereof; and wherein a tubular member extends through the hole and may be rotatable therein around an axis that extends along a length of the tubular member; and wherein the lever lock may be oriented at right angles to the tubular member. ### Claim 9 In combination: a chain binder comprising: a center body; a first side assembly; a second side assembly; and a power coupling provided on the center body; and a power source; wherein the power coupling may be selectively coupled to the power source; and wherein actuation of the power source operates the power coupling; wherein operation of the power coupling moves the first side assembly and the second side assembly towards each other when operated in a first direction; and operation of the power coupling moves the first side assembly and the second side assembly away from each other when operated in a second direction; wherein the power coupling comprises a worm shaft; a lock sleeve that may be selectively engaged with the worm shaft; wherein the lock sleeve may be movable between a first position where rotation of the worm shaft may be prevented; and a second position where the worm shaft is rotatable; a spring and when a force may be applied to the lock sleeve to move the lock sleeve from the first position to the second position, the spring may be compressed; and when the force may be removed the spring returns to an uncompressed state and the lock sleeve moves from the second position to the first position; a worm provided on the worm shaft. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The combination as defined in claim 9, wherein the power source may be a hand-held drill. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The combination as defined in claim 10, wherein the hand-held drill includes a socket driver that may be selectively engageable with the power coupling. ### Claim 12 A method of adjusting a tension in a securing member that secures cargo to a support surface, said method comprising steps of: providing a center body, a first side assembly and a second side assembly; engaging a first securing member section with the first side assembly; engaging a second securing member section with the second side assembly; engaging a power coupling provided on the center body to an external power source; actuating the external power source; operating the power coupling in a first direction to move the first and second side assemblies towards each other; or operating the power coupling in a second direction to move the first and second side assemblies away from each other; wherein the power coupling comprises a worm shaft; a lock sleeve that may be selectively engaged with the worm shaft; wherein the lock sleeve may be movable between a first position where rotation of the worm shaft may be prevented; and a second position where the worm shaft is rotatable; a spring and when a force may be applied to the lock sleeve to move the lock sleeve from the first position to the second position, the spring may be compressed; and when the force may be removed the spring returns to an uncompressed state and the lock sleeve moves from the second position to the first position; a worm provided on the worm shaft. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method as defined in claim 12, further comprising a step of: preventing rotation of a lever lock provided on the center body prior to operating the power coupling in either of the first direction or the second direction. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method as defined in claim 13, wherein the step of preventing rotation of the lever lock comprises: wedging a part of the lever lock between a first region and a second region on one or both of the cargo and the support surface. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The method as defined in claim 12, wherein the power coupling may be the worm shaft and the power source may be a hand-held drill and the step of engaging the power coupling comprises: engaging a socket with the drill; positioning the socket around a head of the worm shaft that extends into an interior of the center body; actuating the drill; and rotating the worm shaft. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method as defined in claim 15, wherein the step of positioning the socket further comprises: contacting the lock sleeve surrounding the head of the worm shaft; pushing the lock sleeve towards the center body; and receiving the head of the worm shaft into a bore defined by the socket. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The method as defined in claim 15, further comprising: rotating the worm located on the worm shaft; engaging the worm with a worm wheel located within the center body; and rotating the worm wheel in response to rotation of the worm. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method as defined in claim 17, further comprising: engaging a tubular member with the worm wheel; where the first side assembly may be provided at a first end of the tubular member and the second side assembly may be provided at a second end of the tubular member; and rotating the tubular member in unison with the worm wheel in either of a first direction or a second direction. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method as defined in claim 18, further comprising: threadably engaging a first eyelet shaft of the first side assembly with the first end of the tubular member; and threadably engaging a second eyelet shaft of the second side assembly with the second end of the tubular member. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method as defined in claim 19, further comprising: reducing a distance between an eyelet on the first eyelet shaft and an eyelet on the second eyelet shaft when the tubular member may be rotated in the first direction. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The method as defined in claim 20, further comprising: increasing tension in the securing member as the tubular member rotates in the first direction. ### Claim 22 (depends on 19) The method as defined in claim 19, further comprising: increasing a distance between an eyelet on the first eyelet shaft and an eyelet on the second eyelet shaft when the tubular member may be rotated in the second direction. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The method as defined in claim 22, further comprising: reducing tension in the securing member when the tubular member may be rotated in the second direction.