(54)
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: Philip Bryan HoWes, Braselton, GA
`(US); Neil H. M. Robertson,
`LaWrenceville, GA (US); David
`Trenbeath, Buford, GA (US)
`
`(73)
`
`Assignee: Cottrell, Inc., Gainesville, GA (U S)
`
`(*)
`
`Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`(21)
`
`Appl. N0.: 12/056,594
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Mar. 27, 2008
`
`(51)
`
`(52)
`(58)
`
`Int. Cl.
`(2006.01)
`B60P 7/08
`US. Cl. ....................................... .. 410/103; 410/12
`
`Field of Classi?cation Search ................... .. 410/7,
`410/9*12, 19, 21*23, 97, 100, 103; 254/217,
`254/223, 243, 247, 245, 330, 241, 345, 346,
`254/352, 355, 356, 357, 365, 369, 376; 248/499
`See application ?le for complete search history.
`
`(12) United States Patent
`HoWes et al.
`
`(10) Patent N0.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 7,585,140 B1
`Sep. 8, 2009
`
`US007585140B1
`
`VEHICLE AND CARGO TRANSPORT
`RATCHETING TIE DOWN APPARATUS AND
`SYSTEM
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`4,382,736 A *
`5,101,537 A
`2006/0013667 A1
`
`5/1983 Thomas .................... .. 410/104
`4/1992 Cummings
`1/2006 Ruan
`
`* cited by examiner
`Primary ExamineriStephen Gordon
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm4Cantor Colburn LLP
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A ratcheting tie doWn apparatus and system. Exemplary
`embodiments include a ratcheting tie doWn system, including
`a ratchet assembly a?ixed to an end of a tie doWn shaft having
`a longitudinal axis, a paWl mechanism coupled to the ratchet
`assembly, Wherein the ratchet assembly includes a ratchet
`gear, a ratchet head coupled to the ratchet gear, Wherein an
`inner face of the ratchet gear is positioned in opposition to and
`in mechanical contact With an inner face of the ratchet head,
`and Wherein the ratchet gear, the ratchet head and the shaft are
`con?gured to rotate as a single integral unit When rotated in a
`forWard direction about the longitudinal axis, and the ratchet
`head is con?gured to rotate With respect to the ratchet gear
`and the shaft When the ratchet head is rotated in a reverse
`direction about the longitudinal axis.
`
`8 Claims, 11 Drawing Sheets
`
`425 430 410
`422
`405
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`420
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`/
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`Page 1 of 15
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`FIG.1 PRIORART
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`U.S. Patent
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`Sep. 8, 2009
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`Sheet 2 0f 11
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`US 7,585,140 B1
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`FIG. 2 PRIOR ART
`
`150
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`145
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`106
`145
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`O
`LO
`"
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`US. Patent
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`Sep. 8, 2009
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`Sheet 3 0f 11
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`US 7,585,140 B1
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`mu?
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`m:
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`52 moi“. m .OE
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`US. Patent
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`Sep. 8, 2009
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`Sheet 4 0f 11
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`U S. Patent
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`Sep. 8, 2009
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`Sheet 5 0f 11
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`US 7,585,140 B1
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`400
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`US. Patent
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`Sep. 8, 2009
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`Sheet 6 0f 11
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`US 7,585,140 B1
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`US. Patent
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`Sep. 8, 2009
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`Sheet 7 0f 11
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`US 7,585,140 B1
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`N;
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`@ .OI
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`oww
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`Exhibit A Page 8 of 15
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`US. Patent
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`Sep. 8, 2009
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`Sheet 8 0f 11
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`US 7,585,140 B1
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`FIG. 7A
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`409
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`406
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`US. Patent
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`Sep. 8, 2009
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`Sheet 9 0f 11
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`US 7,585,140 B1
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`406
`
`405
`
`FIG. 75
`
`FIG. 7C
`
`415
`
`\
`\<\ 6, / %/
`411A//
`/
`“Am
`
`411
`
`409 408
`
`407
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`Page 10 of 15
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`U.S. Patent
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`Se .8 2009
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`Sheet 10 of 11
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`US. Patent
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`Sep. 8, 2009
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`Sheet 11 0f 11
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`US 7,585,140 B1
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`Fl G . 8 C
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`424
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`421
`
`FIG. 8D
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`l
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`422
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`A 0
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`422
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`Page 12 of 15
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`US 7,585,140 B1
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`1
`VEHICLE AND CARGO TRANSPORT
`RATCHETING TIE DOWN APPARATUS AND
`SYSTEM
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`The present invention relates generally to automobile and
`cargo transport, and more particularly, to a ratcheting tie
`doWn apparatus and system.
`FIG. 1 illustrates a prior art vehicle transport trailer 100.
`Several vehicles 1 05 can be transported on the trailer. Each of
`the vehicles typically has its oWn platform 110 onto Which
`each vehicle 105 is secured.
`FIG. 2 illustrates a side vieW of a prior art vehicle trailer tie
`doWn system 101. As previously described, each vehicle 105
`is secured to its platform 110. FIG. 2 illustrates the vehicle
`105 tied to its platform 110 by straps 115 arranged around
`each Wheel 106 of the vehicle 105. The vehicle 105 is typi
`cally restrained to the platform 100, and therefore the trailer,
`by arranging the straps 115 to the Wheels 106 of the vehicle
`105 and the platform 110 or otherpart of the trailer. The straps
`115 are placed in tension to prevent movement.
`FIG. 3 illustrates a top perspective vieW of the prior art
`vehicle trailer tie doWn system 101 of FIG. 2. Currently,
`locking mechanisms 120 are implemented to keep the straps
`115 from loosening due to forces acting upon the vehicle 105
`(e. g. gravity, centripetal and other forces asserted on the
`vehicle 105 from the trailer or otherWise). There are many
`types of mechanisms 120 such as ratchet and clamping
`devices that are typically manually tightened. For example,
`one end of the strap 115 can be connected to a ?xed hook 125
`that can be ?xed to multiple slots 130 on the platform 110.
`The strap 115 can then be routed through an intermediate
`hook 135 also placed in one of the multiple slots 130 on the
`platform 110. The strap 115 can then be connected to a shaft
`140 of the mechanism 120. Current ratchet 145 and paWl 150
`mechanisms are implemented to tighten the strap 115 around
`the shall. The overall tie doWn system can include a gear
`casting 146 With ramping surfaces 147 engaged With a paWl
`150. The ramping surfaces alloW gear rotation in one direc
`tion, but stop rotation in the other direction due to engagement
`With the paWl 150. The shaft 140 is a?ixed to the gear casting
`146. Currently, the shaft 140 can be equipped With either a
`chain attachment mechanism, or a strap attachment mecha
`nism. Integral to the gear casting 146 is a protrusion 148 With
`a series of cross-holes 149 that are perpendicular to the rota
`tional axis of the gear casting 146.
`In operation, a tie doWn bar 170 is inserted into these
`cross-holes and force is applied to the tie doWn bar 170, Which
`creates a torque about the shaft 140. The torque is transmitted
`into tension in the chain or strap that is attached to the shaft
`140. Typically, the tie doWn 170 bar can be rotated about 60
`degrees at a time. If this rotation does not take up su?icient
`slack in the chain or strap, then the tie doWn bar 170 is pulled
`out of the current cross-hole 149, reinserted into the next
`convenient cross hole 149, and rotated again. This action may
`be repeated many times.
`
`BRIEF SUMMARY
`
`Exemplary embodiments include a ratcheting tie doWn
`system for a vehicle transporter having one or more vehicle
`platforms, the system including a ratchet assembly a?ixed to
`an end of a tie doWn shaft having a longitudinal axis, the tie
`doWn shaft being a?ixed to one of the one or more vehicle
`platforms, a paWl mechanism coupled to the ratchet assembly,
`Wherein the ratchet assembly includes a ratchet gear; a ratchet
`
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`head coupled to the ratchet gear, Wherein an inner face of the
`ratchet gear is positioned in opposition to and in mechanical
`contact With an inner face of the ratchet head, and Wherein the
`ratchet gear, the ratchet head and the shaft are con?gured to
`rotate as a single integral unit When rotated in a forWard
`direction about the longitudinal axis, and the ratchet head is
`con?gured to rotate With respect to the ratchet gear and the
`shaft When the ratchet head is rotated in a reverse direction
`about the longitudinal axis, the ratchet gear and the ratchet
`head remaining in mechanical contact during both the for
`Ward direction and reverse direction.
`Other systems, methods, and/or computer program prod
`ucts according to embodiments Will be or become apparent to
`one With skill in the art upon revieW of the folloWing draWings
`and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional
`systems, methods, and/ or computer program products be
`included Within this description, be Within the scope of the
`exemplary embodiments, and be protected by the accompa
`nying claims.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
`
`Referring noW to the draWings Wherein like elements are
`numbered alike in the several FIGURES:
`FIG. 1 illustrates a prior art vehicle transport trailer;
`FIG. 2 illustrates a side vieW of a prior art vehicle trailer tie
`doWn system 101. As previously described, each vehicle is
`secured to its platform;
`FIG. 3 illustrates a top perspective vieW of the prior art
`vehicle trailer tie doWn system of FIG. 2;
`FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded perspective vieW of a ratch
`eting tie doWn apparatus in accordance With exemplary
`embodiments;
`FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C illustrate a top plan vieW, a side vieW
`and a cross-sectional side vieW of a ratcheting tie doWn appa
`ratus in accordance With exemplary embodiments;
`FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary assembled ratchet gear and
`ratchet head;
`FIGS. 7A, 7B and 7C illustrate top plan vieW and side
`vieWs of a ratchet gear in accordance With exemplary embodi
`ments; and
`FIGS. 8A, 8B, 8C and 8D illustrate top plan vieW, a per
`spective vieW and side vieWs of a ratchet head in accordance
`With exemplary embodiments.
`The detailed description explains the exemplary embodi
`ments, together With advantages and features, by Way of
`example With reference to the draWings.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`Exemplary embodiments include a ratcheting tie doWn
`apparatus and system for a vehicle or cargo transporter, Which
`alloWs an operator to insert the tie doWn bar once and tighten
`to the desired tension Without continually reinserting the tie
`doWn bar. The conventional ratchet 145 is replaced by a dual
`component con?guration including a ratchet gear and a
`ratchet head With the cross holes for inserting a tie doWn bar.
`FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded perspective vieW of a ratch
`eting tie doWn apparatus 400 in accordance With exemplary
`embodiments. As described above, the apparatus 400 can be
`a?ixed to a platform of a vehicle transporter. In exemplary
`embodiments, the apparatus 400 includes a ratchet gear 405
`having engagement teeth 406 con?gured to engage With a
`paWl mechanism as described herein. The ratchet gear 405
`can further include a series of ramped pockets 407 positioned
`along an inner face 415 of the ratchet gear 405. The ramped
`
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`US 7,585,140 B1
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`3
`pockets 407 each generally include a ramp surface 408 posi
`tioned between an upper-most portion 409 of each ramped
`pocket 407, Which is adjacent and co-planar With the inner
`face 415, and a loWer-most portion 410 positioned at a depth
`Within the ratchet gear 405, thereby de?ning a Wall 41 1 Within
`each of the ramped pocket 407.
`The apparatus 400 further includes a ratchet head 420
`having a series of cross-holes 421 that are perpendicular to a
`rotational axis 401 of and generally positioned around a cir
`cumference of the ratchet head 420. The ratchet head 420 can
`further include a series of depressions 422 positioned along
`an inner face 423 of the ratchet head 420. The depressions 422
`are a ?xed radial distance aWay from the rotational axis 401.
`It is further appreciated that the ramped pockets 407 are also
`a ?xed radial distance aWay from the rotational axis 401. In
`exemplary embodiments, the series of depressions 422 are
`cylindrical holes into Which resilient bodies 425 (e.g., com
`pression springs) are positioned. In exemplary embodiments,
`drive bodies 430 (e.g., cylindrical drive pins) are further posi
`tioned in the series of depressions 422, generally adjacent or
`on top of the resilient bodies 425. In exemplary embodiments,
`the resilient bodies 425 and the drive bodies 430 are parallel
`to the longitudinal axis 401.
`In exemplary embodiments, the drive bodies 430 are fur
`ther con?gured to be positioned in the ramped pockets 407 on
`the inner face 415 of the ratchet gear 405 When the ratchet
`gear 405 and the ratchet head 420 are assembled as noW
`described. The ratchet gear 405 can include a ?rst mating pair
`412 Which can be male or female. Similarly, the ratchet head
`420 can include a second mating pair 424, Which can be either
`male or female. The ratchet gear 405 and the ratchet head 420
`can mate via the ?rst and second mating pairs 412, 424. The
`ratchet gear 405 and the ratchet head 420 are af?xed to one
`another via a retaining pin 450 or other similar device, to
`restrict the relative movement of the ratchet gear 405 and the
`ratchet head 420 to rotational movement about the axis 401
`and With respect to one another. The assembled ratchet gear
`405 and ratchet head 420 can then be a?ixed to an end 481 of
`a shaft 480. In exemplary embodiments, the ratchet gear 405
`is ?xed to the end 481 of the shaft (e.g., via Welding) such that
`the shaft 480 and the ratchet gear 405 can rotate as a single
`integral unit. Furthermore, as described herein, the ratchet
`head 420 is con?gured to rotate as a single unit With the
`ratchet gear 405 and the shaft 480 When rotating in a forWard
`direction to provide tightening of a chain and/ or strap. The
`ratchet head 420 is further con?gured to rotate independently
`With respect to the ratchet gear 405 and shaft 480 When
`rotated in a reverse direction during a ratcheting or “free
`Wheeling” motion as further described herein. The shaft 480
`can be any shaft implemented to tie down a load, such as an
`automobile and equipped With either a chain attachment
`mechanism, or a strap attachment mechanism as described
`herein.
`In exemplary embodiments, once of the ratchet gear 405
`and the ratchet head 420 are assembled, the series of drive
`bodies 430 are constrained and spring-loaded via the resilient
`bodies 425. It is appreciated that the lengths of the resilient
`bodies 425 and the drive bodies 430 can vary in order to vary
`the compression of the drive bodies 430 Within the depres
`sions 422 and the ramped pockets 407. Furthermore, the
`motion of the drive bodies 430 is limited to an inWard and
`outWard motion into and out of the depressions 422 as the
`resilient bodies 425 are compressed.
`In exemplary embodiments, When the resilient bodies 425
`are in a least compressed state, the drive bodies 430 are fully
`inserted into the loWer most portions 410 of the ramped
`pockets 407. In this state, a tie doWn bar as described herein is
`
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`inserted into these cross-holes 421. When a force is applied to
`the tie-doWn bar and a torque is applied to the shaft 480, there
`is no relative motion of the assembled ratchet gear 405 and
`ratchet head 420 because the drive bodies 430, ?xed into the
`loWer most portion 410 of the ramped pockets 407 press
`laterally against each respective Wall 411 Within each of the
`ramped pockets 407. Those skilled in the art appreciate that
`the respective paWl mechanism engages the engagement teeth
`406 during the “forWard” rotation. If the rotation does not take
`up su?icient slack in the chain or strap, then the tie doWn bar
`remains in the same cross-hole 421 and the operator simply
`rotates the opposite rotational direction to the direction
`implemented to apply the torque as described. The opposite
`rotational direction results in relative rotational movement, or
`“free Wheeling” of the assembled ratchet gear 405 and ratchet
`head 420. During the free Wheeling movement, the drive
`bodies 430 ride along the ramp surface 408 of each ramped
`pocket 407 from the loWer-most portions 410 to the upper
`most portions 409. Once the drive bodies 430 ride to the upper
`most portions 409, the drive bodies 430 are then positioned on
`the inner face 415 betWeen adjacent ramped pockets 407.
`Continued opposite rotation then causes the drive bodies 430
`to enter into the loWer-most portions 410 of the next ramped
`pocket 407. When the drive bodies 430 enter into the loWer
`most portions 410 of the next ramped pocket 407, the drive
`bodies 430 expand out of the depressions 422 via the resilient
`force of the resilient bodies 425. It is appreciated that the
`movement of the drive bodies 430 can ride through several
`ramped pockets 407 as described in a ratcheting manner. The
`compression of the resilient bodies 425 and the subsequent
`movement of the driving bodies 430 associated With the com
`pression is in a direction perpendicular to the inner faces 415,
`423 of the ratchet gear 405 and ratchet head 420, respectively
`and parallel to the longitudinal axis 401. When the operator is
`ready to rotate the assembled ratchet gear 405 and ratchet
`head 420 in the forWard direction again to further tighten the
`chain and/ or strap, the operator simply reapplied the force as
`described herein resulting in the rotation of the assembled
`ratchet gear 405 and ratchet head 420 With no relative motion
`betWeen them as described. This process can be repeated as
`necessary.
`It is thus appreciated that rotation of the ratchet gear 405
`and the ratchet head 420 in the forWard direction forces the
`spring loaded drive bodies 430 to ramp out and then reengage
`the ramped pockets 407. This con?guration results in a “free
`Wheeling” condition betWeen the ratchet gear 405 and the
`ratchet head 420. Rotation of the ratchet gear 405 and the
`ratchet head 420 in the opposite direction forces the spring
`loaded drive bodies 430 into the loWer-most portion 410 and
`against and in mechanical contact With the Wall 411 of the
`ramped pockets 407, resulting in a lock up condition betWeen
`the ratchet gear 405 and the ratchet head 420.
`FIG. 5 illustrates a top plan vieW and a cross-sectional side
`vieW of a ratcheting tie doWn apparatus 400 in accordance
`With exemplary embodiments. The side vieW illustrates the
`assembled ratchet gear 405 and ratchet head 420. As
`described and as illustrated in vieW ‘A’-‘A’, the drive bodies
`430 are positioned in the loWer-most portion 410 of the
`ramped pockets 407 and the resilient devices 425 are com
`pressed Within the depressions 422. The mating pairs 412,
`424 betWeen the ratchet gear 405 and ratchet head 420 form
`an outer groove 490, into Which a seal 491 can be installed to
`limit intrusion of Water and contaminates.
`FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary assembled ratchet gear 405
`and ratchet head 420. FIG. 7 illustrates top plan and side
`vieWs of a ratchet gear 405 in accordance With exemplary
`embodiments. FIG. 8 illustrates op plan and side vieWs of a
`
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`US 7,585,140 B1
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`5
`ratchet head 420 in accordance With exemplary embodi
`ments. For illustrative purposes other components as
`described herein are removed from the ?gure. As described
`herein, the ratchet gear 405 includes the ramped pockets 407,
`each having the ramp surface 408, the upper-most portion
`409, the loWer-most portion 410, and the Wall 411. The
`ratchet gear 405 further includes, the engagement teeth 406,
`the inner face 415 and the mating pair 412 as described herein.
`As further described herein, the ratchet head 420 includes the
`cross-holes 421, the depressions 422, the inner face 423, and
`the mating pair 424.
`While the invention has been described With reference to
`exemplary embodiments, it Will be understood by those
`skilled in the art that various changes may be made and
`equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof Without
`departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many
`modi?cations may be made to adapt a particular situation or
`material to the teachings of the invention Without departing
`from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that
`the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments
`disclosed for carrying out this invention, but that the invention
`Will include all embodiments falling Within the scope of the
`claims. Moreover, the use of the terms ?rst, second, etc. do not
`denote any order or importance, but rather the terms ?rst,
`second, etc. are used to distinguish one element from another.
`Furthermore, the use of the terms a, an, etc. do not denote a
`limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at
`least one of the referenced item.
`What is claimed is:
`1. A ratcheting tie doWn system for a vehicle transporter
`having one or more vehicle platforms, the system comprising:
`a ratchet assembly a?ixed to an end of a tie doWn shaft
`having a longitudinal axis, the tie doWn shaft being
`a?ixed to one of the one or more vehicle platforms;
`a paWl mechanism coupled to the ratchet assembly,
`Wherein the ratchet assembly comprises:
`a ratchet gear having engagement teeth coupled to the
`paWl mechanism;
`a ratchet head coupled to the ratchet gear,
`
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`Wherein an inner face of the ratchet gear is positioned in
`opposition to and in mechanical contact With an inner
`face of the ratchet head, and
`Wherein the ratchet gear, the ratchet head and the shaft
`are con?gured to rotate as a single integral unit When
`rotated in a forWard direction about the longitudinal
`axis, and the ratchet head is con?gured to rotate With
`respect to the ratchet gear and the shaft When the
`ratchet head is rotated in a reverse direction about the
`longitudinal axis.
`2. The system as claimed in claim 1 further comprising
`drive bodies disposed in depressions positioned on the inner
`face of the ratchet head.
`3. The system as claimed in claim 2 further comprising
`ramped pockets disposed on the inner face of the ratchet gear.
`4. The system as claimed in claim 3 Wherein the drive
`bodies are con?gured to compress into and expand out of the
`depressions positioned on the inner face of the ratchet head.
`5. The system as claimed in claim 3 Wherein the ramped
`pockets each comprise:
`a ramp surface positioned betWeen an upper-most portion
`of each ramped pocket, said uppermost portion being
`adjacent and co-planar With the inner face of the ratchet
`gear; and
`a loWer-most portion positioned at a depth Within the
`ratchet gear, thereby de?ning a Wall Within each of the
`ramped pockets.
`6. The system as claimed in claim 5 Wherein the drive
`bodies are con?gured to ride along the ramp surface and into
`an adjacent ramped pocket in response to a reverse rotation of
`the ratchet head.
`7. The system as claimed in claim 5 Wherein the drive
`bodies are con?gured to position in the loWer-most portion
`and be in mechanical contact With the Wall in response to a
`forWard rotation of the ratchet head, the ratchet gear and the
`tie-doWn shaft.
`8. The system as claimed in claim 1 Wherein the shaft is
`con?gured to receive at least one of a chain and a strap.
`
`*
`
`*
`
`*
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`*
`
`*
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