Cargo bar with force limitation mechanism
AssigneeMultiprens C.A.
InventorGian Carlo Oliviero
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A cargo bar equipped with an adjustable mechanism for limiting the force that can be exerted by a ratchet that serves to secure the cargo bar in place extending between opposing surfaces of a truck body. The ratchet mechanism extends one of the two in-line bars of the cargo bar. The other bar is carried on a plunger. A compression spring is located between the plunger and ratchet housing to compress when the ratchet handle is reciprocated to wedge the cargo bar in place. A stop moves with the plunger to a position where the stop interferes with actuation of the ratchet handle when the spring has been compressed to an extent coincident with the desired maximum force. The stop is adjustable to vary the force limitation.
Claims19
A cargo bar assembly for restraining cargo in a vehicle body, comprising:
- first and second bars arranged in line between opposite ends of the cargo bar assembly;
- a ratchet housing from which said first bar extends;
- a ratchet mechanism having a handle pivoted to said ratchet housing for reciprocation to activate said ratchet mechanism in a manner to extend said first bar out of said ratchet housing;
- a plunger connected with said second bar;
- a compression spring acting between said ratchet housing and said plunger to allow compression of said plunger toward said housing upon application of compressive force to said opposite ends sufficient to compress said spring;
- and
- a stop movable with said plunger and situated to move therewith into a position preventing reciprocation of said handle when said spring has been compressed to a predetermined extent.
A cargo bar assembly for restraining cargo, comprising:
- first and second bars arranged in line to extend between opposing surfaces;
- a ratchet housing from which said first bar extends;
- a ratchet mechanism in said ratchet housing, said mechanism including a reciprocating handle pivotal on said housing for actuation of said mechanism to extend said first bar progressively upon successive reciprocating strokes of said handle;
- a barrel interfitting with said ratchet housing, said second bar extending from said barrel;
- a compression spring acting between said ratchet housing and barrel to normally maintain said housing and barrel at established relative positions, said spring being compressible to allow said housing to retract toward said barrel when compressive force is applied to said bars;
- and
- a mechanical stop on said barrel located to interfere with reciprocation of said handle when said spring has been compressed to a predetermined extent.
A cargo bar for restraining cargo, comprising:
- a ratchet housing;
- first and second bars extending from said ratchet housing in opposite directions, said first bar having a surface presenting teeth;
- a ratchet assembly in said ratchet housing having a reciprocating handle and a pawl mechanism interacting with said teeth to progressively extend said first bar out of the ratchet housing in response to successive reciprocating strokes of said handle;
- and
- a projection comprising an indentation in said ratchet housing acting between said ratchet housing and pawl mechanism to maintain the pawl mechanism in position to interact with said teeth when said ratchet housing is in an orientation wherein said handle extends sidewardly therefrom.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.