Abstract: A safety net assembly for selectively blocking and exposing an opening in a cargo container having a wall assembly bounding a storage space. A flexible net is selectively placed in: i) a first state wherein the net spans a substantial height and width of an access opening; and ii) a second state wherein the opening is further exposed. In the first state, the net has a first length between spaced first and second locations that spans a width portion of the opening along a horizontal line at a first height. The net is extensible to allow the first location on the net to be lowered while maintaining the second location on the net at the first height so that the line between the first and second locations is angled from horizontal and has a second length between the first and second locations that is greater than the first length.

Abstract: An elongate beam assembly for supporting cargo is provided. The beam assembly includes an elongate beam extending between first and second ends, the beam comprising a bottom wall with a downward facing surface and extending across a bottom width. A top wall includes an upwardly facing surface and extends across a top width between right and left edges and opposite right and left side walls extend between the bottom and top walls. The bottom width is smaller than the top width. Each of the right and left edges of the top wall define respective right and left side surfaces. Right and left ribs extend from a bottom edge of each respective right and left side surface to the respective right and left side wall.

Abstract: An elongate beam assembly for supporting cargo is provided. The beam assembly includes an elongate beam extending between first and second ends, the beam comprising a bottom wall with a downward facing surface and extending across a bottom width. A top wall includes an upwardly facing surface and extends across a top width between right and left edges and opposite right and left side walls extend between the bottom and top walls. The bottom width is smaller than the top width. Each of the right and left edges of the top wall define respective right and left side surfaces. Right and left ribs extend from a bottom edge of each respective right and left side surface to the respective right and left side wall.

Abstract: An elongate beam that supports an object in a storage space. The elongate beam has: i) a bottom wall with a downwardly facing surface; ii) a top wall having an upwardly facing surface and laterally spaced first and second side edges; and iii) laterally spaced first and second side walls with oppositely facing substantially flat surfaces. The top wall has lengthwise ends defined by edges and projects in cantilever fashion laterally beyond the flat surface on the first side wall to define a first flange with a first width between the flat surface of the first side wall and the first edge. The end edges do not extend orthogonally to a lengthwise center line for the top wall between the first and second side edges fully between the first and second side edges.

Abstract: A strap tensioning system is provided. The system includes a frame comprising a first side wall that retains a ledge. A core shaft retains a flexible shaft and is rotatable by a drive shaft as urged by a crank handle. The crank handle supports an arm that is pivotable with respect to the crank handle, between a stowed position where the arm is substantially parallel to the crank handle, and a locking position where the arm is substantially perpendicular to the crank handle. The crank handle and arm are configured such that the arm disposed within the ledge when the crank handle is in registry with the ledge and the arm is in the locked position, thereby preventing rotation of the crank handle with respect to the frame.

Abstract: A hook assembly made up of a hook subassembly with a hook having a first axis, a support subassembly, and an indexing mechanism. The indexing mechanism: a) releasably biasably maintains the hook and support subassemblies in a first operative relationship wherein the hook has a first angular orientation around the first axis; and b) permits the hook and support subassemblies to be changed from the first operative relationship to be releasably maintained in a second operative relationship, wherein the hook has a second angular orientation around the first axis.

Abstract: A system for supporting webbing is provided. The system includes an elongate track configured to be fixedly mounted upon a wall of a cargo compartment, the track comprising a back surface, a left lip, a right lip, a right recess disposed between the back surface and the right lip, a left recess disposed between the back surface and a left lip, and a central opening disposed between the left and right lips, wherein the track is defined from a continuous material. A strap end fitting is configured to be removably disposed upon the track, the strap end fitting comprising a base, a left finger and a right finger extending from opposite sides of the base, a keeper arm pivotably attached to the base, and a retention structure extending from the base.

Abstract: A variable height support with a platform and a base supporting the platform and reconfigurable to selectively change a height of a support surface on the platform relative to a subjacent surface. A control assembly is operable to selectively: a) maintain the support surface at a selected height; and b) release the platform to allow the base to be reconfigured to change the height of the support surface. The control assembly has a ratchet subassembly that, with the control assembly in a first state, allows the base to be reconfigured by exerting a continuous upward force upon the platform that causes the platform to elevate and be blocked within a range at a plurality of different vertical locations against downward movement. The control assembly further has an actuator that is repositionable to change the control assembly into a second state wherein the platform can be lowered over the range.

Abstract: A variable height support with a platform and a base supporting the platform and reconfigurable to selectively change a height of a support surface on the platform relative to a subjacent surface. A control assembly is operable to selectively: a) maintain the support surface at a selected height; and b) release the platform to allow the base to be reconfigured to change the height of the support surface. The control assembly has a ratchet subassembly that, with the control assembly in a first state, allows the base to be reconfigured by exerting a continuous upward force upon the platform that causes the platform to elevate and be blocked within a range at a plurality of different vertical locations against downward movement. The control assembly further has an actuator that is repositionable to change the control assembly into a second state wherein the platform can be lowered over the range.

Abstract: A safety net assembly for selectively blocking and exposing an opening in a cargo container having a wall assembly bounding a storage space. A flexible net is selectively placed in: i) a first state wherein the net spans a substantial height and width of an access opening; and ii) a second state wherein the opening is further exposed. In the first state, the net has a first length between spaced first and second locations that spans a width portion of the opening along a horizontal line at a first height. The net is extensible to allow the first location on the net to be lowered while maintaining the second location on the net at the first height so that the line between the first and second locations is angled from horizontal and has a second length between the first and second locations that is greater than the first length.

Abstract: A hook assembly made up of a hook subassembly with a hook having a first axis, a support subassembly, and an indexing mechanism.

Abstract: The combination of a cargo carrying vehicle and a deck panel. The cargo carrying vehicle has a storage space and a plurality of parallel elongate load beams in the space. A lower surface of the deck panel engages each of the first and second elongate load beams. The body has a plurality of discrete components depending from the lower surface that are abuttable to the load beams to thereby limit shifting of the deck panel. The upper surface has at least a first opening and the lower surface has at least a first complementary projection. A second deck panel, the same as the first deck panel, can be stacked on the first deck panel so that a corresponding at least first projection on the second deck panel extends into the at least first opening to maintain the first and second deck panels in a predetermined stacked relationship.

Abstract: A strap tensioning system having a frame and a core shaft on the frame. The system further has first and second separate lengths of flexible strap extending generally oppositely away from the frame, a drive shaft, and a gear assembly with a worm and a worm gear that are driven by the drive shaft. The drive shaft is operable to drive the gear assembly to thereby cause the first length of flexible strap to be wrapped around the core shaft to thereby vary a combined effective length of the first and second lengths of flexible strap.

Abstract: A beam assembly is formed from a hollow beam member which has a pair of slidable channel units installed therein and extend from the opposite ends thereof. The ends of the channel units have guide shoes forming latching assemblies pivotally supported thereon, each guide shoe having a spring loaded lock key mounted pivotally mounted thereon. A pair of tracks are spaced from each other in opposing relationship by a distance equal to the longitudinal extent of the beam member. The tracks have a plurality of aligned apertures and C-shaped runners running along their longitudinal extent. The lock keys of the beam member each has a pair of latching fingers extending therefrom which fit into a pair of adjacent track apertures. The latching fingers may be locked in place in the opposing track apertures by the spring action of their associated springs and may be withdrawn from the apertures by way of a hook shaped tab attached thereon.

Abstract: A hook and rail for use with tensioned webs and the like wherein the hook is defined by an opening in a stamped plate body having a throat through which a rail is received when the hook is angularly oriented to the rail in a particular manner. The hook body has a tension axis and the dimension of the hook throat parallel to the tension axis is less than the dimension of the rail in the direction of the tension axis during hook operation. The hook opening includes a recess and a guide surface whereby upon release of the tension in the web, and movement of the hook under gravity, positions the rail in the opening recess maintaining the anchor captured within the hook opening and the rail configuration prevents disengagement of the hook unless the hook is rotated through a specific motion.

Abstract: A quick release two piece buckle of economical construction for use in situations where rapid release of a strap is required such as for example a buckle for a strap holding a scuba air tank to a back pack. The buckle has a handle member with a pair of oppositely positioned side arm portions extending therefrom. The arm portions have slots formed on the outer walls thereof, there being a detent at the entry portion of each slot. Detents are further formed on the outer walls of the arms adjacent to the bottoms of each of the slots. One end of the strap is attached to a cross arm extending between the two side arm portions. The other end of the strap is connected to an attachment member which has a pair of opposing arms. Each of the arms has an inwardly extending post member at the end thereof which is adapted to slidably fit into a respective one of the slots of the main body portion.

Abstract: A two piece buckle has a frame member and a bale member which is pivotally supported on the frame member. The frame member includes a central elongated substantially flat piece and a pair of arm members extending from the edges of the central piece at an angle of substantially 90 degrees. These arm members have a pair of apertures formed therein which provide sockets into which the opposite ends of the bale fit. A pair of detents which are in the form of protrusions extend outwardly from the frame arm members. The bale member is resilient such that the bale member can be pivotally moved over the detents and thus positioned on either side thereof. The central piece of the frame has a first cross arm with an elongated slot formed on either side thereof and a second cross arm spaced from the first cross arm by one of said slots, a clamp member being slidably mounted on the second cross arm.

Abstract: A cam buckle assembly has a main body portion fabricated of a suitable resilient material such as a resilient plastic. A cam member is pivotally assembled in the main body portion and is resiliently urged towards the main body portion by a resilient arm member which extends from the main body portion and abuts against the cam member. A strap is wound around a cross arm formed in the main body portion at one end thereof, this strap being adjustable as to its effective length and once so adjusted retained in such position by means of the cam member. Means are provided at the other end of the body portion, for attaching the body portion to securing means which in one embodiment comprises a resilient hook and in another embodiment a cross bar for receiving an attachment strap.

Abstract: A two piece buckle has a frame member and a bale member which is pivotally supported on the frame member. The frame member includes a central elongated substantially flat piece and a pair of arm members extending from the edges of the central piece at an angle of substantially 90 degrees. These arm members have a pair of apertures formed therein which provide sockets into which the opposite ends of the bale fit. A ramp is formed directly beneath each one of these apertures to facilitate the installation of the bale member in the apertures in a snap fit. A pair of detents which are on the form of projections extending outwardly from the frame arm members are located forward of the apertures in which the bale member is pivotally supported. The bale and arm members are both resilient such that the bale member can be pivotally moved over the detents and thus positioned on either side of the detents.

Abstract: An anchor fitting for removably securing a load to a slotted track member at preselected positions therealong, such as for example for securing cargo, passenger seats, etc. in various positions along the floor of an aircraft. The fitting has flat surface pads with shoulders extending therefrom and a post portion extending along an axis substantially normal to the flat surfaces of the pads. A latching plunger is slidably mounted on the post portion for motion along the longitudinal axis thereof. The fitting is removably retained in the track which has a plurality of notched portions separated by narrow neck portions with the plunger member seated in one of the notched portions of the track and with the surface pad shoulders of the fitting beneath the flanges. A clamp member having a U-shaped portion which slidably fits over the body of the fitting has flanges which extend outwardly therefrom.