Dual drive torque load binder and method of use thereof

Abstract

A torque load binder for changing tension in a chain or strap securing a load to a vehicle or support surface. The load binder includes a housing with an internal gear mechanism and a connector mechanism operatively engaged with the gear mechanism and extending outwardly from the housing. A high speed first driveshaft and a lower speed second driveshaft on the load binder are selectively individually actuated to effect movement between first and second end linkages of the connector mechanism. The first driveshaft effects movement between the first and second end linkages at a first speed and the second driveshaft effects movement between the end linkages at a lower second speed. Rotation of either of the first or second driveshafts actuates the connector mechanism, changing the distance between the first and second end linkages, and thereby changing the tension in the tie-down.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A load binder comprising:
 a housing;   a gear mechanism retained within the housing;   a connector mechanism operatively engaged with the gear mechanism and extending outwardly from the housing, said connector mechanism including a first end linkage and a second end linkage spaced a distance apart from each other; wherein each of the first end linkage and the second end linkage is adapted to be engaged with a tie-down region to retaining a load on a surface;   a first driveshaft coupled to the gear mechanism; and   a second driveshaft coupled to the gear mechanism;   wherein each of the first driveshaft and the second driveshaft is separately actuatable to drive the gear mechanism and thereby change the distance between the first end linkage and the second end linkage of the connector mechanism; and   wherein each of the first driveshaft and the second driveshaft is adapted to be selectively actuated by a powered hand-held drill.   
     
     
         2 . The load binder according to  claim 1 , wherein the first driveshaft, when actuated, effects movement of the first end linkage and the second end linkage relative to each other at a first speed, and the second driveshaft, when actuated, effects movement of the first end linkage and second end linkage to each other at a second speed, and the first speed is different to the second speed. 
     
     
         3 . The load binder according to  claim 2 , wherein the first speed is higher than the second speed. 
     
     
         4 . The load binder according to  claim 1 , wherein the gear mechanism includes a spur gear mechanism, wherein the first driveshaft and the second driveshaft are components of the spur gear mechanism, and the spur gear mechanism further comprises a first spur gear and a second spur gear; and wherein the first driveshaft is coupled to the first spur gear and the second driveshaft is coupled to the second spur gear. 
     
     
         5 . The load binder according to  claim 4 , wherein the first spur gear is of a greater diameter than the second spur gear. 
     
     
         6 . The load binder according to  claim 4 , wherein the spur gear mechanism further includes at least a third spur gear interposed between the first spur gear and the second spur gear. 
     
     
         7 . The load binder according to  claim 4 , wherein the gear mechanism further includes a worm gear mechanism which is driven by the spur gear mechanism; and wherein the connector mechanism is operatively engaged with the worm gear mechanism. 
     
     
         8 . The load binder according to  claim 7 , wherein the worm gear mechanism includes a worm gear and a ring gear that operatively engage each other; wherein the worm gear is coupled to the first driveshaft of the spur gear mechanism and rotates in unison therewith; and wherein the ring gear is coupled to the connector mechanism. 
     
     
         9 . The load binder according to  claim 8 , wherein each of the first driveshaft and the second driveshaft is selectively individually rotated in a clockwise direction to effect a first rotational motion in the worm gear, and wherein each of the first driveshaft and second driveshaft is selectively individually rotated in a counter-clockwise direction to effect a second rotational motion in the worm gear, and the second rotational motion is opposite the first rotational motion. 
     
     
         10 . The load binder according to  claim 8 , wherein the connector mechanism includes a barrel operatively engaged with the ring gear such that the barrel rotates in unison with the ring gear. 
     
     
         11 . The load binder according to  claim 10 , wherein the first end linkage is threadedly engaged with a first end of the barrel and the second end linkage is threadedly engaged with a second end of the barrel. 
     
     
         12 . The load binder according to  claim 11 , wherein each of the first end linkage and the second end linkage is caused to extend further outwardly from the respective first end or second end of the barrel when the barrel is rotated in a first direction and to extend outwardly from the associated first end or second end to a lesser extent when the barrel is rotated in a second direction. 
     
     
         13 . The load binder according to  claim 1 , further comprising a handle integrally formed with the housing and extending outwardly away therefrom. 
     
     
         14 . The load binder according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one cover engageable with the housing; and wherein the housing and the at least one cover bound and define a housing interior within which the gear mechanism is located. 
     
     
         15 . The load binder according to  claim 14 , further comprising a grease port defined in an exterior surface of the housing and wherein the grease port is selectively placeable in fluid communication with the housing interior and is adapted to permit grease to be introduced into the housing interior. 
     
     
         16 . A method of adjusting tension in a tie-down member used to secure a load to a vehicle or a support surface, said method comprising:
 providing a load binder having a connector mechanism operatively engaged with a gear mechanism provided in a housing of the load binder; wherein the connector mechanism extends outwardly from the housing and includes a first end linkage and a second end linkage and is actuated via the gear mechanism;   providing a first driveshaft on the load binder configured to actuate the connector mechanism at a first speed;   providing a second driveshaft on the load binder configured to actuate the connector mechanism at a second speed that is different from the first speed;   engaging the first end linkage with a first region of the tie-down member;   engaging the second end linkage with another region of the tie-down member or with a securement region on the vehicle, the support surface, or the load;   selecting one of the first driveshaft and the second driveshaft for actuating the connector mechanism;   engaging a powered hand-held drill with the selected one of the first driveshaft and the second driveshaft;   actuating the drill;   actuating the connector mechanism;   changing a distance between the first end linkage and the second end linkage of the connector mechanism; and   changing tension in the tie-down member as the distance between the first end linkage and second end linkage changes.   
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the actuating of the drill further comprises:
 rotating the selected first driveshaft or second driveshaft in a clockwise direction;   decreasing the distance between the first end linkage and the second end linkage; and   increasing the tension in the tie-down member.   
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the actuating of the drill further comprises:
 rotating the selected first driveshaft or second driveshaft in a counter-clockwise direction;   increasing the distance between the first end linkage and the second end linkage; and   decreasing the tension in the tie-down member.   
     
     
         19 . A method of raising or lowering a landing gear, said method comprising:
 providing a load binder having a connector mechanism operatively engaged with a gear mechanism provided in a housing of the load binder;   engaging the connector mechanism to a rod extending outwardly from the landing gear, wherein the rod is part of an assembly in the landing gear that is adapted to move a landing gear foot towards or away from a ground surface;   providing a first driveshaft on the load binder configured to actuate the connector mechanism at a first speed;   providing a second driveshaft on the load binder configured to actuate the connector mechanism at a second speed that is different from the first speed;   selecting one of the first driveshaft and the second driveshaft for actuating the connector mechanism;   engaging a powered hand-held drill with the selected one of the first driveshaft and the second driveshaft;   actuating the drill;   actuating the connector mechanism;   rotating the rod with the connector mechanism;   actuating the assembly in the landing gear; and   moving the landing gear foot one of towards the ground surface and away from the ground surface with the assembly.   
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 19 , wherein the actuating the drill further comprises:
 rotating the selected first driveshaft or the second driveshaft in a clockwise direction and lowering the landing gear foot towards the ground surface; or   rotating the selected first driveshaft or the second driveshaft in a counter-clockwise direction and raising the landing gear foot away from the ground surface.