US 12,030,424 B2
Automated, wireless, cargo restraint tension control and monitoring system
Michael D. Rainone, Palestine, TX (US); Samuel A. Sackett, Frankston, TX (US); Adam C. Vance, Palestine, TX (US); Scotty J. Bammel, Palestine, TX (US); Thomas E. Crippen, Tyler, TX (US); and Brook Grisham, Palestine, TX (US)
Assigned to SMART SECUREMENT SYSTEMS, LLC, Athens, TX (US)
Filed by SMART Securement Systems, LLC
Filed on Nov. 5, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/520,232.
Application 17/520,232 is a continuation of application No. 16/880,580, filed on May 21, 2020, granted, now 11,180,070.
Application 16/880,580 is a continuation of application No. 15/787,679, filed on Oct. 18, 2017, granted, now 10,814,773, issued on Oct. 27, 2020.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/409,530, filed on Oct. 18, 2016.
Prior Publication US 2022/0126746 A1, Apr. 28, 2022
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. B60P 7/08 (2006.01); G01L 5/04 (2006.01); G01L 5/10 (2020.01)
CPC B60P 7/0861 (2013.01) [B60P 7/083 (2013.01); G01L 5/04 (2013.01); G01L 5/047 (2013.01); G01L 5/10 (2013.01); B65D 2203/10 (2013.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A cargo restraint system comprising:
a body;
a first connecting end and a second connecting end on opposing sides of the body, wherein the first and second connecting ends are each coupled to a securing member which is used to restrain the cargo;
a motor, disposed in the body, coupled to the first connecting end, wherein operation of the motor causes the first connecting end to move toward the body or away from the body;
one or more load sensors coupled to the first connecting end and/or the second connecting end;
a global positioning device, positioned in or on the body; and
a controller coupled to the one or more load sensors and a transmitter, the controller configured to:
receive tension information from the one or more load sensors;
receive location information from the global positioning device;
transmit transport data to a remote device, wherein the transport data comprises the tension information and the location information; and
automatically increase or decrease the tension on the securing member when the tension on the securing member is above or below a predetermined tension by operating the motor to move the first connecting end toward the body, or away from the body, as appropriate, based on the received tension information.