Abstract: A tie-down assembly for a pick-up truck bed that includes a cleat including a base having first and second feet defining first and second fastener receiving holes, a body portion extending from an outer side of the feet, and first and second arms extending from the body portion that are spaced from the feet and define tie-down holes. Fasteners inserted into the first and second fastener holes secure the cleat to the pick-up truck bed. A method of making a tie-down cleat for a pick-up truck bed by extruding an elongated bar having a pair of feet portions connected by a body portion to a pair of arm portions. The elongated bar is cut into a plurality of planar cleat blanks and the cleat blanks are drilled to form fastener holes in the feet portions and tie-down holes in the arm portions.

Abstract: A sliding block for a loading rail includes a central part defining a coupling structure along an upper face thereof. The sliding block further includes at least one side part defining an undercut having an inner face directed toward the central part and angled away from the central part in a direction along a central axis of the central part away from the upper face.

Abstract: The front-mounted debris clearing device is a repositionable push frame mounted on the front of a vehicle that can be used to clear debris off of the travel surface of a road. The device utilizes pyrotechnic bolts at several key locations so that a portion of the device may be jettisoned if necessary for umimpeded use of the vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an assembly and method for a fastener assembly for securing a flexible cover over an open enclosure employing corner members coupleable with angled corners of the open enclosure, a plurality of removeably attachable tie down members and fastening members and a strap for securing the flexible cover about the open enclosure and any cargo therein, and is particularly preferred to be used with a tarpaulin cover for a truck bed to provide a user friendly, efficient system for tying down cargo being transported in truck beds.

Abstract: A retention device for physically restraining undesired movement of an article during transport of the article. Retention devices may include a first surface, a first set of protrusions extending outward from the first surface, a second surface, and a second set of protrusions extending outward from the second surface. Each protrusion in the first set of protrusions may be shaped to engage a floor of a transport vehicle. Each protrusion in the second set of protrusions may be shaped to engage an article positioned in the transport vehicle. The first surface and the second surface may be aligned along different planes at an angular offset. During transport of an article, the first set of protrusions engage with a floor of the transport vehicle, and the second set of protrusions engage with the article.

Abstract: A pick-up truck bed having controllably magnetized areas for retaining cargo or attachment devices. A first permanent magnet may be attached below the lower surface of the truck bed with a second permanent being rotatable relative to the first permanent magnet to control the magnetic flux provided to retain objects in the truck bed. Alternatively, one or more electromagnets may be provided that may be turned on to retain objects in the truck bed and turned off to allow removal of objects.

Abstract: A load retaining gate assembly is provided to restrain the movement of items stored in the bed of a vehicle. The load retaining gate assembly is made of two gate members arranged in sliding relationship and has at least one compression spring-loaded assembly. One gate member slides into another gate member. A compression spring is held in place within the gate members for biasing the length of the gate assembly against side walls of a vehicle bed. The gate assembly is held in place by the pressure put by the spring against the side walls of the vehicle bed. The gate assembly can be positioned anywhere across the width of the vehicle bed and can be easily removed from its position when not needed and locked in a compressed state.

Abstract: A product may include a base that may have a first face and an opposite second face. An anchor may be connected to the first face. A pivot may be provided for the base so that the base may be turned on the pivot. The base may be moveable to a first position where the first face may face in a first direction where the first face may be revealed and the second face may be concealed. The base may be moveable to a second position where the second face may face in the first direction where the first face may be concealed and the second face may be revealed.

Abstract: A cargo containment system is disclosed comprising a series of length adjustable anchor straps carried by a truck, a series of rings slidably carried by the anchor straps, and a series of length adjustable lateral straps coupled between adjacent anchor straps about the rings to define an adjustable flexible lattice of cargo containment function.

Abstract: A vehicle spring assembly includes a cylindrical hollow cover defining an opening at each end. A spring is disposed within the cover, and fittings disposed at each end of the cover are configured to contain the spring within the cover. Each fitting defines an aperture. An elongated damper extends in part within the spring along a direction of elongation. The damper includes a pair of opposing end sections each extending through and projecting from the aperture of one of the fittings. Each end section defines a groove. One end section is connectable to a vehicle tailgate, and the other end section is connectable to a vehicle body. Fasteners securing the fittings to the cover are disposed adjacent the grooves defined in the damper end sections.

Abstract: A mechanically actuated cargo restraint system for a vehicle includes a rotatable reel in a frame, first and second flexible tethers, and a mechanical device. The first flexible tether has a first end coupled to the rotatable reel and a second end capable of being coupled to a cargo item, the first flexible tether is windable around the rotatable reel. The mechanical device includes a pawl and cog that are movable with respect to each other, the pawl coupled to the rotatable reel for rotatable movement therewith. Movement of a cargo item attached to the first flexible tether that causes the first flexible tether to move in an unwinding direction on the rotatable reel causes movement of the pawl-containing member relative to the cog. Velocity in the unwinding direction such as that encountered during a crash or free-fall engages the pawl into the cog, thereby inhibiting movement of the first flexible tether in an unwinding direction on the rotatable reel.

Abstract: A cargo rack for transferring loads between a marine vessel and an offshore marine platform (for example, oil and gas well drilling or production platform) provides a frame having a base, a front, a rear, upper and lower end portions and side walls. The lower end of the frame has a floor. Openings in the base align with forklift tine tubes or sockets. The frame includes a pair of fixed side walls extending upwardly from the base that include at least left and right side walls. A plurality of gates are movably mounted on the frame including a gate at least at the front and at least at the rear of the frame, each gate being movable between open and closed positions. The gates enable a forklift to place loads on the floor by accessing either the front of the frame or the rear of the frame. Each gate can be pivotally attached to a corner column.

Abstract: A cargo containment system is disclosed comprising a series of length adjustable anchor straps carried by a truck, a series of rings slidably carried by said anchor straps, and a series of length adjustable lateral straps coupled between adjacent anchor straps about said rings to define an adjustable flexible lattice of cargo containment function.

Abstract: A vehicle body front reinforcement assembly includes: a front side beam connected to a front of a dash panel; a side sill connected to a side end portion of a floor panel; and a torque box extending from the dash panel to the side end portion of the floor panel and connecting a rear end of the front side beam to a front end of the side sill, wherein the side sill includes: a side sill coupler coupled to a rear end of the torque box; and a side sill extension connected to a rear end of the side sill coupler and extending towards the rear of a vehicle, and wherein the side sill coupler is made of a material having a lower tensile to strength than the material of the side sill extension.

Abstract: An assembly for engaging an elongated support for restraining cargo in a container having corrugated or flat walls. The assembly comprises a cargo restraint device having a sleeve member having a base and defining a cavity for receiving an end of the elongated support. The base having a securing surface facing opposite the cavity for securing the sleeve member to the wall. The assembly also includes a bracket engageable with the sleeve member having a securing surface for securing the bracket to the wall adjacent the cargo restraint device.

Abstract: A position-limiting device includes a base and a position-limiting member rotatably provided on the base, the position-limiting device further includes a positioning member. The base has a hollow portion. The position-limiting member is switchable between a position-limiting state and a non-position-limiting state, when the position-limiting member is in the position-limiting state, the positioning member fixes the position of the position-limiting member; and when the position-limiting member is in the non-position-limiting state, the positioning member releases the position-limiting member, and at least a part of the position-limiting member is received in the hollow portion.

Abstract: A top cap for securing items during shipping is disclosed. The top cap consists of a body having one or more features configured to engage the top of the item being shipped. In certain embodiments, the engagements features are adjustable and may accommodate different sizes of items to be shipped. The body also comprises one or more constraint securement features configured to receive constraints such that the top cap may be secured to structural elements of a container in which the item is being shipped. Although not limited to particular applications, the top cap is particularly suited for securing computer racks for shipment.

Abstract: In the present automatic strap retracting mechanism for wheel restraint devices, the wheel restraint device comprises a shell, and a reel is rotatably connected inside the shell. A ratchet is fixed to the reel, and the tooth surface of the ratchet consists of a locating surface and a guiding surface. A locking piece is also hinged to the shell, and the locking piece has a pawl. The automatic strap retracting mechanism comprises a coil spring which is connected to the reel and can drive the reel to rotate in the direction of strap retracting and wind in and retract the fastening strap. The locking piece also comprises a locking rod. When the pawl detaches from the locating surface and the fastening strap is pulled out, the locking piece can swing to allow the locking rod to abut on the guiding surface.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for guide assemblies. A guide assembly may comprise a sliding rail comprising a first channel and a second channel, a first fitting comprising a first retaining rail, wherein the first retaining rail is configured to slide within the first channel, and a second fitting comprising a second retaining rail, wherein the second retaining rail is configured to slide within the second channel.

Abstract: A frame system for supporting an associated vehicle for transport within an existing transportable structure having longitudinally extending side structures. The frame system has a transverse supporting frame supported by two vertical posts located one at each end of the supporting frame. Each post has an attachment for securing the top and bottom of the post at a plurality of locations along the length of the associated side structure and the supporting frame is raiseable with or without a vehicle loaded thereon and once raised is fixable to the posts at a chosen location for transport within the transportable structure. Each end of the support frame has an end plate for sliding up and down an inwardly facing surface on the adjacent vertical post as it is raised and lowered. At least one of the end plates has a telescopic connection with the remainder of the support frame.