Back to results
US 11,958,400 B1Granted
Cargo strap with load status transmitter
AssigneeTolley Technologies, LLC
InventorsCory L. Tolley, Darcy N. Tolley, Daphne M. Johnson, Paul E. Johnson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A strap system comprising a first strap extending between a first end and a second end. The first end is connected to a first attachment mechanism. The strap system further comprises a second strap extending between a third end and a fourth end. The fourth end is connected to a second attachment mechanism. The strap system comprises a load transmission device connected to the second end of the first strap and to the third end of the second strap. The load transmission device is arranged to transmit a signal in response to a tension force in the first and second straps falling below a threshold force.
Claims17
A strap system comprising:
- a first strap extending between a first end and a second end, the first end connected to a first attachment mechanism;
- a second strap extending between a third end and a fourth end, the fourth end connected to a second attachment mechanism;
- and
- a load transmission device connected to the second end of the first strap and to the third end of the second strap, wherein the load transmission device includes:
- an enclosure having a base portion;
- first and second stops affixed to the base portion;
- a first shaft extending through the base portion and through the first stop;
- a second shaft extending through the base portion and through the second stop;
- a plate positioned within the enclosure and coupled to the first and second shafts, the plate arranged to translate unidirectionally via translation of the first and second shafts through the base portion and through the first and second stops;
- a unitary switch positioned within the housing and having an on state and an off state;
- a spring arranged to apply a spring force biasing the plate towards the unitary switch;
- wherein, when a tension force between the first strap and the second strap is less than a first threshold tension force, the spring forces the plate to translate via the first and second shafts to contact the unitary switch such that the unitary switch is retained in the off state causing the load transmission device to transmit a signal;
- and
- wherein, when the tension force between the first strap and the second strap is greater than, or equal to, a second threshold force, the plate is in contact with the first and second stops such that a gap is defined between the unitary switch and the plate, and wherein the unitary switch is retained in the on state.
11 more elements
A tensioning system, comprising:
- a strap apparatus;
- and
- a load transmission device coupled to the strap apparatus and including:
- an enclosure having a base portion;
- first and second stops affixed to the base portion;
- a first shaft extending through the base portion and through the first stop;
- a second shaft extending through the base portion and through the second stop;
- a plate positioned within the enclosure and coupled to the first and second shafts, the plate arranged to translate unidirectionally via translation of the first and second shafts through the base portion and through the first and second stops;
- a unitary switch having an on state and an off state;
- a spring arranged to apply a spring force biasing the plate towards the unitary switch;
- wherein, when a tension force in the strap apparatus is less than a first threshold tension force, the spring force forces the plate to translate via the first and second shafts to retain the unitary switch in an on state;
- and
- when the tension force in the strap apparatus is greater than a second threshold tension force, the tension force forces the plate away from the unitary switch such that the unitary switch is retained in an off state for all tension forces greater than the second threshold tension force.
10 more elements
A method of monitoring tension in a strap apparatus, the method comprising:
- attaching the strap apparatus to a structure, wherein the strap apparatus includes a load transmission device comprising:
- an enclosure having a base portion;
- first and second stops affixed to the base portion;
- a first shaft extending through the base portion and through the first stop;
- a second shaft extending through the base portion and through the second stop;
- a plate positioned within the enclosure and coupled to the first and second shafts, the plate arranged to translate unidirectionally via translation of the first and second shafts through the base portion and through the first and second stops;
- a unitary switch having an on state and an off state;
- and
- a spring arranged to apply a spring force biasing the plate towards the unitary switch;
- applying a tension force to the strap apparatus via a tensioning mechanism;
- when the tension force is less than a threshold tension force:
- retaining the unitary switch in the on state via the plate that translates via the first and second shafts;
- and
- transmitting a first signal from the unitary switch in response to the tension force;
- when the tension force is greater than, or equal to, the threshold tension force:
- retaining the unitary switch in the off state via the plate that translates via the first and second shafts;
- and
- transmitting a second signal from the unitary switch in response to the tension force.
15 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.