Load restraining apparatus and method

Abstract

A load ( 22, 26, 27, 28, 29 ) is restrained against movement by passing a tape or chain ( 21, 31, 39 ) around the load ( 22, 26, 27, 28, 29 ) and passing the tape or chain ( 21, 31, 39 ) through a slot ( 17, 44 ) in a plate or the like ( 14, 41 ).

1 . An apparatus for restraining an object when used in conjunction tape, the apparatus comprising:
 a body, the body comprising
 two sides and a periphery; 
 a first opening passing through the body from one side to the other side; 
 a second opening passing from the periphery of the body and being in communication with the first opening 
 the second opening being adapted to receive a bight of the tape for movement of that bight into the first opening; and 
 the first opening being adapted to receive that bight of tape in a manner in which the bight protrudes to one side of the body and the remainder of the tape protrudes to the other side of the body. 
   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , in which the body further comprises
 a third opening passing through passing through the body from one side to the other side;   a fourth opening passing from the periphery of the body and being in communication with the first opening   the fourth opening being adapted to receive a bight of the tape for movement of that bight into the third opening; and   the third opening being adapted to receive that bight of the tape in a manner in which the bight protrudes to one side of the body and the remainder of the tape protrudes to the other side of the body.   
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , in which the two sides are substantially planar. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , in which the first opening and the second opening together define a slot. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , substantially as described with reference to  FIG. 3 . 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , having dimensions substantially as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , substantially as described with reference to  FIG. 8 . 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , having dimensions substantially as shown in  FIG. 8 . 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , in which the body comprises substantially two hook-shaped components, each hook-shaped components having a first arm and a second arm, each first arm being contiguous with the other first arm and the two hook-shaped components defining the first and second openings between them. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , substantially as described with reference to  FIG. 7 . 
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , having dimensions substantially as shown in  FIG. 7 . 
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , substantially as described with reference to  FIG. 9 . 
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , having dimensions substantially as shown in  FIG. 9 . 
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising means adapted to inhibit movement of the bight of tape out of the second opening into the first opening. 
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , in which the means adapted to inhibit the movement of the bight of tape out of the second opening into the first opening comprises at least one protrusion which is adapted to bear against an edge of the tape. 
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , substantially as described with reference to  FIGS. 10 and 11 . 
   
   
       17 . A process of restraining an object by using apparatus of  claim 1 , the process comprising:
 arranging tape so that a bight of the tape protrudes to the other side of the body and the remainder of the tape protrudes to the other side of the body; and   restraining the object within that bight of tape.