FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for application of a continuous rotational force.

BACKGROUND

Shipping containers are typically secured using lashing rods and turnbuckles. Lashing rods are metal bars of fixed length that typically incorporate turnbuckles configured to vary a length of the lashing rod- turnbuckle assembly. The lashing rod is connected to holes in the corners of the shipping container and fasteners on the ground or ship deck.

As the turnbuckle is rotated to reduce the length of the lashing rod- turnbuckle assembly, the assembly will exert a tensile force. Tensile forces applied by the assembly secure the containers to the ground or ship deck, thereby preventing them from falling off and moving due to wind and/or movement of the ship.

Currently, the turnbuckles are manually rotated by hand (either clockwise or anti-clockwise depending on lashing rod threading), followed by the use of a metal rod, coupled to the turnbuckle to provide additional leverage for the final rotations of the turnbuckle. Due to the constraints placed by a mounting configuration of the lashing rod- turnbuckle assembly, only an 'intermittent rotation' of the turnbuckle is possible. 'Intermittent rotation' occurs when the turnbuckle applies a concentric rotational force in a non-continuous manner (similar to when using an open spanner) due to the need to reposition the metal rod due to blockages. This is inconvenient.

Even thoug h it is possible that a permanent installation of the lashing rod-turnbuckle assembly enables a continuous rotation, but this is undesirable as the permanence of the structure affects versatility of how containers can be arranged .

SUMMARY

There is provided an apparatus for application of a continuous rotation force. The apparatus comprises at least one driving gear mounted to a base; at least two secondary gears, each of the at least two secondary gears being coupled to the at least one driving gear; and a target gear coupled to the at least two secondary gears, the target gear missing a portion of teeth. It is advantageous that at least one of the at least two secondary gears is coupled to the target gear during operation of the apparatus.

It is preferable that the target gear includes a receptor to receive a securing device. The securing device can be either a turnbuckle or a nut.

It is preferable that the base includes a guide portion, and the base includes a mount configured for mounting the target gear. There is also provided an apparatus for application of a continuous rotation force, the apparatus comprises a driving gear mounted to a base; a secondary gear configured to be driven by the driving gear; and a target gear coupled to both the driving gear and the secondary gears, the target gear missing a portion of teeth. It is advantageous that at least one of the driving gear and the secondary gear is coupled to the target gear during operation of the apparatus.

It is preferable that the target gear includes a receptor to receive a securing device. The securing device can be either a turnbuckle or a nut. Preferably, the base includes a guide portion and includes a mount configured for mounting the target gear. In addition, the secondary gear can be either belt-driven or chain-driven. In another aspect, there is provided a method for application of a continuous rotation force. The method comprises locating a securing device at a receptor of a target gear; powering at least one driving gear; actuating at least two secondary gears; and actuating the target gear. It is advantageous that at least one of the at least two secondary gears is actuating the target gear during the method.

There is also provided another method for application of a continuous rotation force, the method comprises locating a securing device at a receptor of a target gear; powering at least one driving gear; actuating at least one secondary gear; and actuating the target gear. Advantageously, at least one of the at least one driving gear and the at least one secondary gear is actuating the target gear during the method. DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

In order that the present invention may be fully understood and readily put into practical effect, there shall now be described by way of non- limitative example only preferred embodiments of the present invention, the description being with reference to the accompanying illustrative figures, in which :

Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of the apparatus.

Figure 2 shows a base of the apparatus.

Figure 3 shows a process flow for a first embodiment of the method. Figure 4 shows a process flow for a second embodiment of the method. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

There is provided an apparatus and method for application of a continuous rotation force. The use of the apparatus and method can be applied for use with lashing rods and turnbuckles, as well as with securing devices.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, there is provided a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of an apparatus 20 for application of a continuous rotation force to a securing device, such as, for example, a turnbuckle, a nut and the like. It should be noted that the application of the continuous rotation force can be for tightening or for loosening the securing device. The apparatus 20 comprises at least one driving gear 22 mounted to a base 24. The at least one driving gear 22 is driven by a bi-d irectional motor mounted to the base 24. The motor can be a DC or an AC motor. The apparatus 20 also includes at least two secondary gears 26(a), 26(b), with each of the at least two secondary gears 26(a), 26(b) being coupled to the at least one driving gear 22. The at least two secondary gears 26(a), 26(b) need not be identical as depicted in Figure 1. It is also possible for each of the at least two secondary gears 26(a), 26(b) to each be coupled to a pair of driving gears 22 which operate in sync with one another (not shown). Furthermore, the position of the at least two secondary gears 26(a), 26(b) with respect to the at least one driving gear 22 need not be in the configuration as shown in Figure 1. For example, an axis of the at least one driving gear 22 can be in-line with axes of the at least two secondary gears 26(a), 26(b).

The apparatus 20 also includes a target gear 28 coupled to the at least two secondary gears 26(a), 26(b), the target gear 28 missing a portion of teeth. The target gear 28 includes a receptor 30 to receive the securing device. The target gear 28 is mounted to a rotatable portion 32 of the base 24. The base 24 also includes a guide portion 34 configured to guide the securing device to the receptor 30.

It should be appreciated that during operation of the apparatus, when the at least one driving gear 22 is driving the at least two secondary gears 26(a), 26(b), and consequently, target gear 28 is driven by the at least two secondary gears 26(a), 26(b), at least one of the at least two secondary gears 26(a), 26(b) is coupled to the target gear 28. This ensures that continuous application of rotational force can be applied to the securing device that is located in the receptor 30 of the target gear 28 since the target gear 28 undergoes continuous rotation .

In a second embodiment of the apparatus 20, the at least one driving gear 22 is removed and one of the secondary gears 26(a) is driven by a motor instead . In addition, the other secondary gear 26(b) is driven by a belt or a chain, and in such a configuration, it should be appreciated that continuous application of rotational force can also be applied to the securing device that is located in the receptor 30 of the target gear 28 since the target gear 28 undergoes continuous rotation.

Referring to Figure 3, there is provided a first method 50 for application of a continuous rotation force. The method 50 can be carried out by the first embodiment of the apparatus 20 as described earlier as well as other apparatus.

The method 50 comprises locating a securing device at the receptor 30 of the target gear 28 (52). The at least one driving gear 22 is then powered (54), and the at least two secondary gears 26(a), 26(b) are then actuated (56). Finally, the method 50 includes actuating the target gear 28 (58). It should be appreciated that at least one of the at least two secondary gears 26(a), 26(b) is actuating the target gear 28 during the method 50, and this ensures that the target gear 28 undergoes continuous rotation.

Referring to Figure 4, there is provided a second method 60 for application of a continuous rotation force. The method 60 can be carried out by the second embodiment of the apparatus 20 as described earlier as well as other apparatus. The method 60 comprises locating a securing device at the receptor 30 of the target gear 28 (62). The at least one secondary gear 26(a) is then powered (64), and the at least one other secondary gear 26(b) is actuated (66) . Finally, the method 60 includes actuating the target gear 28 (68) . It should be appreciated that at least one secondary gears 26(a), 26(b) is actuating the target gear 28 during the method 60, and this ensures that the target gear 28 undergoes continuous rotation.

It should be noted that the apparatus 20 and the methods 50, 60 enable a user to continuously apply a rotation force, particularly to a securing device. The apparatus 20 and the methods 50, 60 can lead to greater convenience for the user in applications, such as, for example, installation/removal of a nut, rotation of a turnbuckle, and so forth. In one particular application, an airgun to install/remove nuts from a wheel can be replaced by the apparatus 20.

Whilst there have been described in the foregoing description preferred embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the technology concerned that many variations or modifications in details of desig n or construction may be made without departing from the present invention.