Loadhog Limited

Gripple Limited

Derek Boaler

John Makin

Hugh David Facey

Brian Edward Shawcross

Lee Mark Giemza

Neil Clarke

Leigh Jowett

A device for use on palletized loads of containers for maintaining tension in vertical strapping comprises a rectangle () having outer dimensions commensurate with the dimensions of a pallet or dolly on which. containers are to be stacked in layers, each side of the rectangle comprising upper and lower leaves (L,L) diverging from hinge means at the inner edge of the side, the lower leaves (L) of all four sides being disposed in a common plane, and spring means () urging the outer edges of the upper and lower leaves apart. In one form of the device () the sides of a pair of rectangular frames () constitute the upper and lower leaves (L,L) and conical coil compression springs () are provided between the frames to urge them apart, tethering means () adjacent the inner edges of the frames being such as to form the hinge means between the leaves, while tethering means () adjacent the outer edges of the frames limit the extent to which the leaves (L,L) are caused to diverge. In other forms the spring means is integral with the hinge means.

Palletised loads of containers

A load-carrying dolly having four wheels () adjacent the corners of its platform () is rendered immobile by conversion to a pallet-like condition by lowering bearers () into contact with the floor or ground () and then raising the platform () slightly to raise the wheels () clear of the floor or ground by means of either of two pedals (), one below each end of the platform (), with linkage (of either of two forms, not shown) to bars () connecting in 'slave' pairs of toggle links () by means of which the bearers are suspended through beams () connecting upward extensions () at the ends of the bearers (), the toggle links in each pair becoming locked by mating abutments () coming together when the links have passed slightly beyond in-line position, the mechanical advantage of the depressed pedal (or) being amplified by that of the pairs of toggle links when passing through in-line positions.

Transporting loads

A preferred form of slip sheet () for use between layers (L) of containers, especially bottles (), in a palletised load, comprises a rectangular board () having marginal portions () formed with corrugations () extending perpendicular from their edges and merging into the general plane of the board (), whereby, in use, a 'throat' (TD) is formed between the upward corrugations () on a lower slip sheet () and the downward corrugations () on an upper slip sheet () which prevents 'walking' of the outermost rows of bottles () in the intervening layer. Curved corners of the board () are provided with diverging corrugations (X,X) to prevent &#x2018;walking&#x2019; of bottles () from the corners of layers (L). A plurality of such slip sheets () can be stacked compactly and with great stability by virtue of the corrugations () nesting in the corrugations of neighbouring slip sheets.

Bracket for securing to an overhead structural member and suspending equipment through a wire rope

A cap for use on a palletized load has a main mauling providing housings at a pair or two pairs of opposite sides for a cassette in which a strap passes through a slotted crossbar between a drum and a hook having two prongs for engaging the underside of the platform of a pallet (e.g. at each side of a middle spacer), the strap then being tensioned by a linkage between the slotted crossbar and a lever within a slot for swinging between an inoperative position and an operative position (e.g. up to 90&#xb0; thereto) to rotate the crossbar to wind the strap thereon.

Cap for palletised loads

A cap for use on a palletized load has a main moulding providing housings at a pair or two pairs of opposite sides for a cassette in which a strap passes through a slotted crossbar between a drum and a hook having two prongs for engaging the underside of the platform of a pallet (e.g. at each side of a middle spacer), the strap then being tensioned by a linkage between the slotted crossbar and a lever within a slot for swinging between an inoperative position and an operative position (e.g. up to 90&#xb0; thereto) to rotate the crossbar to wind the strap thereon.

Frame

A mechanism for suspending equipment from an overhead structural member includes a suspension strand, e.g. of wire or wire rope, provided at one end with a screwthreaded portion, together with a locking device having in bores each preferably associated with a wedging mechanism which prevents withdrawal of the free end of the strand in the opposite direction to insertion. The screwthreaded portion may be screwed into the overhead structural member, or into the equipment, the free end of the strand passed through one bore of the locking device, through an eye on the equipment or round the equipment, or through an eye on the overhead structural member or round the overhead structural member, then back through the other bore of the locking device to be secured therein by the wedging mechanism.

Growing community of inventors

Sheffield, United Kingdom

Derek Boaler