Cargo restraint anchor device for pick-up trucks
Herein is disclosed an improvement for a tie-down and attach-point anchor device for pickup truck beds that clamps to the downward protruding flange of a pickup truck's inner side rail or other similar available surface having an exposed edge. The anchor incorporating a slotted head capable of swiveling to accommodate different angles at which straps, bungees, ropes, and rigid members may be placed to secure or support cargo.
The present application is a continuation-in-part of the patent application entitled “Cargo Restraint Anchor Device for Pick-Up Trucks”, having application Ser. No. 11/365,425, filed on Mar. 1, 2006 and claims priority from this application.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to a cargo anchor device designed to allow the restraint of articles that are loaded into the cargo bed of a pick-up truck, and specifically addresses a novel device that attaches anywhere along the downward protruding flange of the inner side rail of the cargo box and functions as an anchor for a cargo restraining strap, bungees, ropes, leashes, solid members, and the like.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONPickup trucks are typically purchased to provide a means for transporting cargo. Cargo can be anything loaded into the truck's bed from large commercial palleted loads, building supplies purchased at the local lumber yard, and everything in between. Ideally, to be safe, when cargo is carried in a pickup truck's bed it should be restrained from movement. Restraint is often accomplished by tying the cargo down with a strap or rope utilizing a conveniently located tie-point or accomplished by tying the cargo down with a strap or rope utilizing a conveniently located tie-point or attach-point. However, most manufactures of pickup trucks do not incorporate convenient tie-points or attach-points within the bed or along the bed's side rails to aid in the securing cargo from movement within the bed. In addition, the advent of bed liners used to protect the surface of the bed, side panels, and rails from damage by cargo have further complicated the addition or availability of tie-points if factory installed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention solves these problems by providing an aftermarket, easily installable tie-point that can be positioned anywhere along the pickup truck bed's downward protruding flange portion of the inner bed side rail. The present invention can be installed in minutes, and incorporates a swiveling, slotted head for attaching a strap, rope, leash, bungee cord, solid member, and the like. By allowing the head to swivel, a strap or straps threaded through the head can cross at any angle thus providing optimal restraint without bunching or twisting the strapping material.
The present invention is directed at anchoring cargo to the side rail(s) of a pickup truck's bed. The present invention may also be mounted on any a sheet surface similar to that available on the downward protruding flange of the inner side rail of a pickup truck's bed. The invention consists of a combination of an L-body portion, a C-body portion, and a slotted, swivel head. The inventive cargo anchor's L-body portion and a C-body are tied together with a threaded bolt and nut that nut that cooperate to form a compression clamp, clamping the anchor device on opposing sides of a downward protruding flange of a pickup trucks inner side rail or similar solid sheet surface with an exposed edge. Typically, one or more of the inventive cargo anchors would be mounted to one or both bed side rails. The inventive anchors would then be used to secure cargo within the bed. The inventions unique swiveling head allows optimal stress relief when straps are strung at acute angles to the bed rails.
The above and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more clear from the detailed description of a specific illustrative embodiment thereof, presented below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
The following discussion focuses on the preferred and other inventive embodiments of the Cargo Restraint Anchor Device for Pick-up Trucks. However, as will be recognized by those skilled in the art, the disclosed Cargo Restraint Anchor Device for Pick-up Trucks is applicable to a wide variety of situations beyond those discussed. It will be readily apparent that this device will mount on any flat surface with an exposed edge and can be used as a cargo restraint, tie-point for pets, attach point for solid members, as well as many other single-point and multi-point tie-down applications.
Preferred EmbodimentThe preferred embodiment is illustrated in
Thus there has been described universal tie-down that is easily an installable tie-point that can be positioned anywhere along the pickup truck bed's downward protruding flange portion of the inner bed side rail. The present invention can be installed in minutes, and incorporates a swiveling, slotted head for attaching a strap, rope, leash, bungee cord, solid member, and the like. By allowing the head to swivel, a strap or straps threaded through the head can cross at any angle thus providing optimal restraint without bunching or twisting the strapping material.
While the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alterations, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications, and variations in the appended claims.
Claims
1. An anchor device, comprising:
- a clamping system releasably attaching to a flange; and
- a swiveling head attached to the clamping system.
2. The anchor device of claim 1, wherein the swiveling head contains an opening though which a cargo restraint may be attached.
3. The anchor device of claim 1, wherein the clamping system includes an L-body having a slot.
4. The anchor device of claim 3, wherein the clamping system has a C-body that engages the L-body.
5. The anchor device of claim 4, further including a bolt extended from the C-body through the slot in the L-body.
6. The anchor device of claim 6, further including a lever attached to the bolt.
7. The anchor device of claim 6, wherein the lever has a slot.
8. An anchor device, comprising:
- a clamping system releasably attaching to a flange; and
- a lever attached to the clamping system.
9. The anchor device of claim 8, wherein the lever has a slot.
10. The anchor device of claim 8, further including a swiveling head attached to the clamping system.
11. The anchor device of claim 10, wherein the clamping system includes a L-body and a C-body.
12. The anchor device of claim 11, wherein the L-body has a slot.
13. The anchor device of claim 11, further including a bolt attached to the C-body, extending through the slot in the L-body and attached to the lever.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 9, 2007
Publication Date: Sep 6, 2007
Inventor: Warren Roh (Littleton, CO)
Application Number: 11/704,859
International Classification: B61D 45/00 (20060101);