Device and method for securing loads

Abstract

The Load-Helper™ invention consists of a combination of enclosures, strapping materials, fasteners, and fabric that improves the securement of loads under transport. The invention is also a method and system for securing loads during transport by using adjustable securing mechanisms configured to apply to a variety of loads and transport means, including ladders, dry-wall, lumber, pipe, and trucks. The device wraps around the ends or securing points of items to be hauled and is secured by ropes or straps to prior art tie-down ropes. One version of the invention is Secure-Master™ which secures items for storage. Other versions of the invention include the Ladder-Master™ which secures ladders.

1 . A load securing system to for use with cargo loaded on a transport vehicle, the load securing system comprising: 
 A tie-down rope with means to fasten ends of said tie-down rope to transport vehicle;    An enclosure comprising an open face, wherein a rope is embedded along the said open face of said enclosure, with means for tightening said embedded rope and means for securing said embedded rope; and    A plurality of straps comprising a connected end and a free end, with said connected end fastened to said enclosure and said free end comprising a means for fastening said free end to said prior art tie-down rope.    
   
   
       2 . A method of using the load securing system of  claim 1 , comprising the steps of: 
 Placing said open face of said enclosure over part of the cargo;    Tightening said embedded rope;    Securing said embedded rope;    Connecting said free ends of each of said straps to said tie-down rope; and    Installing said tie-down rope on transport vehicle.    
   
   
       3 . A load securing system for use with prior art tie-down ropes and cargo loaded on a transport vehicle, the improvement comprising: 
 An enclosure comprising an open face, wherein a rope is embedded along the said open face of said enclosure, with means for tightening said embedded rope and means for securing said embedded rope; and    A plurality of straps comprising a connected end and a free end, with said connected end fastened to said enclosure and said free end comprising a means for fastening said free end to said prior art tie-down rope.    
   
   
       4 . A method of using the load securing system of  claim 3  and prior art tie-down ropes, in which the improvement comprises: 
 placing said open face of said enclosure over part of the cargo;    tightening said embedded rope;    securing said embedded rope;    connecting said free ends of each of said straps to said tie-down rope; and    installing said tie-down rope on transport vehicle.    
   
   
       5 . A loading apparatus for use with cargo loaded on a transport vehicle, comprising: 
 means for wrapping enclosure over part of cargo;    means for securing said enclosure;    means for connecting said enclosure to tie-down ropes; and    means for using said tie-down ropes to secure cargo.    
   
   
       6 . A loading apparatus of  claim 5 , further comprising: 
 means expanding size of said loading apparatus with extension straps;    means for connecting said extension straps to said loading apparatus; and    means for connecting said extension straps to said tie-down ropes.    
   
   
       7 . A load securing system of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a pocket attached to said enclosure; and    a warning device retractably attached to said pocket.    
   
   
       8 . A method of using the load securing system of  claim 2 , further comprising: 
 retracting said warning device;    retrieving said warning device;    storing said warning device; and    displaying said warning device.    
   
   
       9 . A method of using the load securing system of  claim 3  and prior art warning device, in which the improvement comprises: 
 a pocket attached to said enclosure;    a warning device retractably attached to said pocket;    a prior art warning device;    retracting said warning device;    retrieving said warning device;    storing said warning device; and    displaying said warning device.    
   
   
       10 . A load securing system of  claim 10 , wherein said warning device is a red flag.  
   
   
       11 . A load securing system of  claim 1 , further comprising an extension strap.  
   
   
       12 . A method of using the load securing system of  claim 2 , further comprising: 
 applying an extension strap to expand said load securing system;    attaching extension strap to said load securing system; and    attaching extension strap to said tie-down rope.    
   
   
       13 . A load securing system of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 an extension strap;    a pocket attached to said enclosure;    a warning device retractably attached to said pocket.    
   
   
       14 . A load securing system of  claim 13 , wherein said warning device is a red flag.  
   
   
       15 . A load securing system of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 an extension strap;    means for attaching extension strap to said load securing system;    means for attaching extension strap to said tie-down rope;    a pocket attached to said enclosure;    a warning device retractably attached to said pocket;    means for retracting said warning device; and    means for retrieving said warning device.    
   
   
       16 . A load securing system of  claim 13  wherein said warning device is a warning flag.  
   
   
       17 . A device having at least one load securing system of  claim 1 .  
   
   
       18 . A device of  claim 1 , having at least two load securing systems.  
   
   
       19 . A device of  claim 1 , having at least three load securing systems.  
   
   
       20 . A device of  claim 1 , having a plurality of load securing systems.  
   
   
       21 . The load securing system of  claim 1 , wherein said enclosure is adjustable between an open position and a closed position.  
   
   
       22 . The load securing system of  claim 1 , wherein said enclosure is configured to receive a plurality of cargo items of varying lengths and dimensions.  
   
   
       23 . The load securing system of  claim 1 , wherein said enclosure is configured to receive a ladder.  
   
   
       24 . The load securing system of  claim 1 , wherein said enclosure is configured to receive plywood.