Device for aiding a truck driver in loading or unloading a cargo platform
View Patent ↗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.
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 . 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 . The device of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the grooves has a substantially rectangular cross-section.
4 . The device of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the grooves has a substantially U-shaped cross-section.
5 . The device of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the grooves has a substantially circular cross-section.
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 . 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 . 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.