Securing loads on vehicles
AssigneeExpress Hire (Dorset) Limited
InventorAnthony Morland
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A sensing device 26 is attached to a tensioned strap 20 holding a load on a vehicle. A probe 44 engages the strap 20 and causes a signal lamp 28 to light up if the tension in the strap 20 is below a predetermined threshold value. The sensing device 26 helps the vehicle operator to set the tension correctly before a journey and also provides a visible warning if a strap becomes loose during the journey. The warning is visible beyond the vehicle, to alert other road users to a possible hazard.
Claims20
A vehicle for transporting a load by road, which vehicle comprises a cab for a driver of the vehicle and holding apparatus for holding the load on the vehicle during transport of the load, wherein the holding apparatus comprises a tether arranged to be secured to the vehicle and applied to the load, tensioning means operable to tension the secured tether into holding engagement with the load, a sensor for monitoring tension in the tether and a signalling device operatively associated with the sensor and operative to produce a warning signal when the tension is below a threshold value, to cease said warning signal when the tension reaches the threshold value during operation of the tensioning means and to produce said warning signal again if the tension subsequently falls below the threshold value, wherein said warning signal is visual and directed towards both the tensioning means, to be visible thereat by an operator of the tensioning means prior to transport of the load, and the cab of the vehicle, to be visible thereat by the driver of the vehicle during transport of the load.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.