Automated system for securing a load to a flatbed truck

Abstract

A system that is adapted for attachment to a flatbed trailer that provides automated tightening of tie down straps for securing the trailer's load. An electric motor is attached to each end of a drive shaft and used to rotate the drive shaft. Tie down straps are uncoiled from around the drive shaft, stretched over the load and attached to the opposite side of the trailer to start the load securing process. The motors are then engaged to rotate the drive shaft and provide automatic tightening of the tie down straps, which completes the securing process. Cotter pins can also be used to provide a backup locking mechanism.

1 . An automated system that is adapted for attachment to a tractor trailer wherein the trailer is a flatbed trailer having a top, a bottom, a front, a back, a right side and a left side, the automated system allowing any user to safely secure a load to the flatbed trailer, the system comprising: 
 an electric motor, the electric motor having a motor bracket for attachment to the bottom of the trailer at a location near the front and right side of the trailer, the electric motor also having a drive shaft that extends out from a housing of the electric motor so that drive shaft runs under the right side of the trailer and parallel to the top of the trailer, wherein the housing of the motor includes a tighten button and a loosen button for controlling a direction of rotation of the drive shaft;    a winch, the winch having a winch bracket for attachment to the bottom of the trailer near the right side of the trailer, wherein the drive shaft is incorporated in the winch so that a portion of the drive shaft extends through a center of the winch and the winch includes an automatic locking mechanism that prevents unwanted turning of the drive shaft; and,    a strap, the strap having a first end that is permanently attached to the portion of the drive shaft that extends through the center of the winch, a length that is initially wound around the portion of the drive shaft that extends through the center of the winch, and a second end that can be temporarily connected to the left side of the trailer, wherein the strap gets wound around the drive shaft when the user pushes the tighten button and the strap is unwound from the drive shaft when the user pushes the loosen button.    
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a second winch, the second winch having a second winch bracket for attachment to the bottom of the trailer near the right side of the trailer, wherein the drive shaft is also incorporated in the second winch so that a second portion of the drive shaft extends through a center of the second winch and the second winch includes a second automatic locking mechanism that prevents unwanted turning of the drive shaft; and,    a second strap, the second strap having a first end that is permanently attached to the second portion of the drive shaft, a length that is initially wound around the second portion, and a second end that can be temporarily attached to the left side of the trailer, wherein the second strap gets wound around the drive shaft when the user pushes the tighten button and the second strap is unwound from the drive shaft when the user pushes the loosen button.    
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 2 , further comprising: 
 a second electric motor, the second electric motor having a second motor bracket for attachment to the bottom of the trailer at a location near the back and right side of the trailer, wherein the second electric motor is attached to an opposite end of the drive shaft and operates in sync with the electric motor.    
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the second electric motor includes a second housing and the second housing includes a second tighten button and a second loosen button for controlling a direction of rotation of the drive shaft.  
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the electric motor is adapted for connection to an electrical system of the tractor trailer.  
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 at least one battery, wherein the at least one battery is electrically connected to the electric motor.    
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the winch further includes a manual locking mechanism comprising a sleeve that surrounds the drive shaft and a cotter pin, the manual locking mechanism being engaged by pushing the cotter pin through holes in the sleeve and a hole in the drive shaft.  
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the housing further includes a tug switch, wherein the electric motor is disengaged from the drive shaft when the tug switch is flipped so that the drive shaft is allowed to rotate freely.  
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the drive shaft includes at least one hole that is adapted for entry of a pole, the at least one hole allowing the drive shaft to be turned manually in the event that power is not available for the electric motor.  
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the drive shaft extends substantially from the front of the trailer to the back of the trailer.