Tie down harness
A device for securing cargo includes at least first and second anchoring straps, means for adjusting the length of at least one of the first and second anchoring straps, at least two cargo securing straps, at least two hub means for slideably securing an end of each of the anchoring straps and an end of the at least two cargo securing straps. In a preferred embodiment the anchoring straps and cargo straps are formed from a fabric webbed material and the means for adjusting the length of an anchoring strap comprises a ratchet clamp.
The present invention relates generally to a device for securing items for transport, and more particularly, to a device for releasably securing items to a moving vehicle operated under adverse conditions.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONDevices for securing items for transport are fairly well known. For example, simple pieces of twine are commonly utilized to secure items such as oversized boxes, mattresses, Christmas trees and the like on top of, or in the trunk, of automobiles. The use of twine and lengths of rope for securing such items for transport typically occurs when an individual does not foresee that they will need to transport such items.
On the contrary, when an individual intends to transport items, measures are usually taken to properly secure the items to be transported. Typical means and measures for securing cargo usually includes the use of multiple bungee cords, straps, storage racks, cargo nets, tarpaulins, etc. which secure cargo on or in vehicles such as bicycles, motorcycles, automobiles, boats, airplanes, trains, recreational type vehicles, etc. However, while individuals often perceive that the measures they undertake are sufficient for safely transporting their cargo, their measures are often insufficient and/or that they have not used the proper means for securing their cargo. As a result, their cargo may shift or become loose during transport, resulting in damage or loss of the cargo. While damage and loss of cargo is often associated with “common” transport of cargo, that is, over paved roads and highways, increased damage and loss occurs when individuals attempt to secure items to recreational vehicles that are operated under extreme off-road conditions, for example, off-road four wheelers.
Indeed, when attempting to secure items to such types of off-road vehicles, users typically utilize multiple bungee cords, straps or cargo type nets that are not designed for the extreme off-road conditions or rapid and extreme changes in the directional movement/momentum of the vehicle or cargo. As a result, the cargo can shift and become loose, or worse, the means used to secure the cargo may undergo catastrophic failure, which may result in loss or damage to the cargo.
Thus, what is needed then is means for effectively securing cargo to an off-road vehicle such that the cargo remains secured to the vehicle when it is operated under off-road conditions and/or the cargo undergoes extreme changes in directional movement/momentum.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe tie down harness of the present invention broadly comprises at least first and second anchoring straps, means for adjusting the length of at least one of the first and second anchoring straps, at least two cargo securing straps, at least two hub means for slideably securing an end of each of the anchoring straps and an end of the at least two cargo straps.
In a preferred embodiment the anchoring straps include means for securing the tie down harness to a substrate, for example, a vehicle cargo rack, and the cargo straps fit about the cargo. The hub means allow the ends of the anchoring and cargo straps to move thereabout such that the straps may be adjusted about the cargo in order to effectively secure it to the substrate by means of a ratchet clamp, which adjusts the length of one or more of the anchoring straps. The anchoring straps and cargo straps are, preferably, formed from a webbed material, for example a nylon or cotton webbed material, of a type typically associated with cargo straps and/or transporting cargo.
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a tie down harness for securing cargo;
It is another object of the present invention to provide a tie down harness whose means for securing the cargo are adjustable thereabout;
It is still yet another object of the present invention to provide tie down harness which minimizes and/or prevents damage to, or loss of, cargo, when a vehicle transporting the cargo is submitted to extremely adverse conditions, for example, off-road conditions.
The present invention relates to the above features and objects both individually and collectively and these and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon study of the following detailed description in view of the drawings and claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSThe nature and mode of operation of the present invention will now be more fully described in the following detailed description of the invention in view of the accompanying drawing figures, in which:
At the outset, it should be appreciated that like reference numbers on different drawing figures represent identical, or functionally similar, structural elements. It should also be appreciated that the invention as claimed is not intended to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein as the claims define a broader invention that can take many different shapes and structures. In the present disclosure and claims, the terms “up” and “down”, “forward” and “rearward” and “side” to “side” and their likenesses are intended to be taken in relation to the vehicle as illustrated in
Adverting now to the figures, as shown in
As illustrated more clearly in
In a preferred embodiment anchoring straps 18 and 20 comprise a flexible webbed material, such as nylon, cotton or nylon/cotton mix, of substantial tensile strength, whose outer terminal ends may be looped through the substantially closed eyelet of an S-hook and secured thereto by means of stitching 44, or other suitable means. Arranged in this manner, the outer terminal ends of the anchoring straps comprise loops 42 that can slide along the circumference of the substantially closed eyelets of the S-hooks for movement and/or removal of the S-hooks from the loops. Similarly, the inner terminal ends of anchoring straps 18 and 20 may be secured in a like manner to hub means 24. In other words, the inner ends of the anchoring straps may be passed through the hub means and folded and stitched to form loops 42. Thus, the loops of the inner ends of the anchoring straps may be slid about the circumference of the hub means for adjustment. Of course, other appropriate means may be utilized for securing the anchoring straps to hub means 24. Anchoring straps may also be provided with sliding buckles (not shown) of the types typically associated with over the shoulder luggage for adjusting the length of the anchoring straps.
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
Hence, as illustrated in
Thus, it is seen that the objects of the present invention are efficiently obtained, although modifications and changes to the invention should be readily apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art, which modifications are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.
Claims
1. A device for securing cargo comprising:
- at least first and second anchoring straps,
- means for adjusting the length of at least one of said first and second anchoring straps;
- at least two cargo securing straps;
- at least first and second hub means,
- wherein said at least first and second hub means slidably secure each of said at least two cargo securing straps therebetween, each of said first and second hub means secures a first end of each said first and second anchoring straps for rotatable sliding movement therewith, and a second free end of one of said first and second anchoring straps comprises a fastener means.
2. (canceled)
3. The device of claim 2 wherein said anchoring straps comprise loop means for securing said anchoring straps to said substrate.
4. The device of claim 3 wherein said loop means are adapted for slidably securing said fastener means for securing said anchoring straps.
5. The device of claim 4 wherein said fastener means comprises a S-hook.
6. The device of claim 5 wherein said S-hook comprises an open eyelet and a substantially closed eyelet.
7. (canceled)
8. The device of claim 1 wherein said hub means is a closed ringed structure.
9. The device of claim 8 wherein said closed ringed structure is circular and said anchoring straps and said at least two cargo straps are adapted for slidable movement thereon.
10. The device of claim 8 wherein said closed ringed structure is fabricated from metal.
11. (canceled)
12. The device of claim 10 wherein said metal is hardened.
13. The device of claim 1 wherein said means for adjusting the length of at least one of said anchoring straps comprises a ratchet clamp.
14. (canceled)
15. (canceled)
16. The device of claim 1 wherein one of said at least two cargo securing straps is operatively arranged to traverse the sides of said cargo at a position proximate a topside of said cargo.
17. The device of claim 1 wherein one of said at least two cargo securing straps is arranged to traverse the sides of said cargo at a position at or above the center of gravity of said cargo.
18. The device of claim 17 comprising at least three cargo securing straps wherein two of said at least three cargo securing straps is arranged to traverse the sides of said cargo at positions at or above the center of gravity of said cargo.
19. (canceled)
20. (canceled)
21. A device for securing cargo comprising:
- at least two hub means;
- at least two cargo securing straps; and,
- at least first and second anchoring straps,
- wherein at least one of said first and second anchoring straps comprises means for adjusting the length thereof, said at least two hub means slidably secure said at least two cargo securing straps therebetween, each of said at last two hub means slidably secures a first end of each said first and second anchoring straps, and a second free end of each said anchoring strap comprises a fastener means.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 18, 2004
Publication Date: Aug 18, 2005
Inventor: Brian Schneider (West Valley, NY)
Application Number: 10/781,235