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US-12617331-B2 - Device for aiding a truck driver in loading or unloading a cargo platform

US12617331B2US 12617331 B2US12617331 B2US 12617331B2US-12617331-B2

Abstract

Device for aiding a truck driver in loading/unloading a cargo platform including a grapple that connects to a telescopic handle. The grapple includes two arms forming grooves at the centre. Each arm includes hooks extending in opposing directions to help receive components used for securing a load to the cargo platform such as a flatbed truck. Components include cargo straps, winch straps, edge protectors, chains, binders, clips, plates, flanges, detents, hooks, cables, and the like. The grapple includes a plate member connecting the arms at one side and sliding along the grapple allowing the truck driver to use the grapple along with the telescopic handle. The plate member in conjunction with the grapple allows to hold/place components at desired location for securing the load to the cargo platform. The truck driver adjusts length of the telescopic handle and uses the grapple to hold components during loading/unloading of the cargo platform.

Inventors

  • Dmitrii Illarionov

Assignees

  • Dmitrii Illarionov

Dates

Publication Date
20260505
Application Date
20220511

Claims (8)

  1. 1 . A device for aiding in loading or unloading a cargo platform, comprising: a grapple having a first arm, a second arm, and a bridge section connecting the first arm and the second arm to form a U-shaped structure; a first hook extending from the first arm; an extended arm extending from the first arm and forming an area for receiving components; a second hook disposed on the second arm; a third hook disposed on the second arm beneath the second hook; and a telescopic handle coupled to the grapple; wherein the U-shaped structure presents a plurality of grooves arranged along a longitudinal axis between the first and second arms, the plurality of grooves having mutually different widths; and wherein each of the first hook, the extended arm, the second hook, and the third hook is configured to receive and hold a component.
  2. 2 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of grooves are located between the first and second arms and spaced along the longitudinal axis.
  3. 3 . The device of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the grooves has a substantially rectangular cross-section.
  4. 4 . The device of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the grooves has a substantially U-shaped cross-section.
  5. 5 . The device of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the grooves has a substantially circular cross-section.
  6. 6 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the telescopic handle includes a handle lock configured to fix a selected length of the telescopic handle during use.
  7. 7 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the second arm defines first and second through-holes respectively adjacent to the second hook and the third hook, each through-hole having an opening sized to receive a bungee-cord hook or a chain link and having rounded or chamfered edges configured to retain the hook or the link without cutting.
  8. 8 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the extended arm, the first hook, the second hook, and the third hook are each configured to receive and hold a cargo-securing component, including at least one of: a cargo strap, a ratchet strap, a winch strap, a tarp, an edge protector or strap corner protector, a chain, a transport chain, a binder, a hook or a grab hook, a cable, or a sheet.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS AND CLAIM FOR PRIORITY The present application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/257,963 filed Oct. 20, 2021, which is incorporated herein by its entirety and referenced thereto. FIELD OF INVENTION The present invention generally relates to accessories for vehicles. More specifically, the present invention relates to a device for aiding a truck driver in loading or unloading a cargo platform such as a flatbed truck. BACKGROUND OF INVENTION It is known that cargo platforms such as flatbed trucks are commonly used to transport heavy loads that usually do not fit on traditional trucks. Typically, the cargo platforms are used to transport heavy pieces of machinery, construction equipment, motor vehicles, sheds, parts of houses and the like. It is important to properly secure the heavy loads or large objects to the tray of the cargo platform. Securing the heavy loads to the tray or platform includes strapping of the objects to the anchor points using straps. Further, edge protectors are placed over the objects to prevent the straps from damaging the objects. It is a common practice for the truck drivers to climb onto the platform, and even onto the loaded objects itself to strap or unstrap during the loading or unloading procedure. This increases the risk of injury to the truck drivers. In order to overcome the above problems, several devices have been disclosed in the past that help the truck drivers to strap the loads at heights. One such example is disclosed in a U.S. Pat. No. 10,081,097, entitled, “Tool for placement of cargo straps and edge protectors” (“the '097 Patent”). The '097 Patent discloses a tool for the placement of cargo straps and edge protectors is configured for use with a flatbed trailer. The tool for the placement of cargo straps and edge protectors is configured for use with a webbing. The webbing is used to secure cargo to the flatbed trailer. The tool for the placement of cargo straps and edge protectors attaches to the webbing. The tool for the placement of cargo straps and edge protectors is used to position the webbing relative to the cargo such that once the webbing is tightened the webbing to be tightened secures the cargo to the flatbed trailer. The tool for the placement of cargo straps and edge protectors comprises a telescopic handle, a spatula, and a threaded connection. Another example is disclosed in a United States Publication No. 20200276928, entitled “A device for strapping a load at heights” (“the '928 Publication”). The '928 Publication discloses a load strapping device comprising a first elongated member having a first end, a second elongated member having a second end and a pivot assembly interconnecting the first and second ends. A strap end receiving assembly is connected to a free end of one of the elongated member. For use, one end of a strap is engaged to the strap end receiving assembly. A load strapping arrangement over a load is formed when a user, located at one side of the load, grips the device and lifts the one end of the strap to a first position just above the height of the load. Although the above-discussed devices are useful for strapping the loads, they have few problems. For example, the above-discussed devices are limited in their functionality in that they can be used only for connecting the straps to the load. However, they cannot be used for holding components such as chains, wrench straps, grab hooks, cables, and the like. As a result, a truck driver has to carry multiple devices and climb on top of the flatbed to place different components for securing the load. This increases the risk of injury to the truck driver. Therefore, there is a need for a device for aiding a truck driver in loading or unloading a cargo platform, the device capable of reducing or eliminating the need for the truck driver to climb on top of the flatbed to strap or unstrap the load. SUMMARY It is an object of the present invention to provide a device for aiding a truck driver in loading or unloading a cargo platform and that avoids the drawbacks of known devices. It is another object of the present invention to provide a device capable of reducing or eliminating the need for the truck driver to climb on top of the flatbed to strap or unstrap the load. It is another object of the present invention to provide a single device capable of holding/harnessing or placing a variety of components required for loading or unloading of the cargo platform such as a flatbed truck. In order to achieve one or more objects, the present invention presents a device for aiding a truck driver in loading or unloading a cargo platform such as a flatbed truck. The device includes a grapple and a telescopic handle. The grapple connects to the telescopic handle. The grapple includes two arms forming grooves at the centre. Here, the grooves extend from one another and come in different shapes and help in holding a variety of components. In the p