Abstract: A tool for manipulating a ratcheted strap-tightening mechanism such as those associated with cargo securing harnesses. The tool comprises a handle having at a first end a socket adapted to engage the lever of the ratcheting mechanism, and, at an opposite second end, a tongue adapted to unlock the ratcheting mechanism. The socket defines a tapering channel that can accommodate a variety of levers of different shapes and sizes.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a tie-down device for use with small trucks such as pickup trucks having sides. The sides comprise an exterior wall and an interior wall. There is positioned between the exterior wall and the interior wall an elongated member such as a rod or a tube. There is positioned on the elongated member a clamp having an eye bolt. A cargo box or cargo may be positioned on the bed of the pickup truck. A stretchable elastic tie-down device having a hook on each end may be stretched over the cargo box and attached to the eye bolt on one side of the pickup truck and to an eye bolt on the other side of the pickup truck to hold the cargo box in position.

Abstract: A tiedown hitch for trucks and the like includes a medial body portion having a longitudinal axis, with a hook portion extending from one end and an eye portion extending from the opposed end. An interior hook surface is provided with an insert having a relatively large radius, so that the rope or line cannot be abraded or damaged by engagement with the hook. The hook insert may comprise a channel member bent into an arcuate shape and pressed onto the interior hook surface. Alternatively, the interior hook surface may be chamfered to provide a smooth arcuate exterior face to engage the rope or line secured about the hook portion. The eye portion includes a closed interior slot extending generally coaxially with the longitudinal axis and dimensioned to receive the rope or line therethrough. The medial body portion includes an arcuate closed slot formed therein, the slot defining a single finger that serves as a cleat to secure the rope or line passing thereabout.

Abstract: A tonneau cargo net is fabricated of a single length of a low-friction rope formed into a knitted type of array having a substantially rectangular perimeter. The net consists of a multitude of non-jamming interlaced junctures having substantially the configuration of an overhand knot. The junctures are spaced apart by intervening portions of the rope and aligned in a series of parallel rows. The junctures in adjacent rows are staggered such that the adjacent junctures of three successive rows are disposed in a diamond-shaped locus.

Abstract: A strapping system for maintaining a motorcycle in an upright position during transport including two interconnected straps with cuffs engaging the grips of the handle bars.

Abstract: A collapsable bicycle carrier for a vehicle which utilizes the structure of the bicycle frame for its support and is easily adaptable to virtually any vehicle. The carrier uses soft, flexible straps and non-metallic attaching devices to prevent damage to the vehicle or the bicycle. The straps are long enough and are provided with quick release and slide buckles to allow versatility in mounting to various vehicles.

Abstract: An apparatus for securing containers on transport vehicles, especially ships, which comprises a connecting device, a first end of which is connectable to the containers, and a clamping device, a first end of which is equipped with a longitudinally adjustable threaded spindle and connectable to the transport vehicle and a second end of the connecting device comprising a number of fastening stops with which a second end of the clamping device is connectable to said connecting device in suitably chosen increments. The clamping device comprises a sliding carriage which receives the fastening stops and which is essentially freely movable in the axial direction of the clamping device.

Abstract: A cargo hold-down system including hooks for attaching lines of rope or fabric-jacketed elastomeric cord of varying diameters to a variety of polygonal and cylindrical surfaces of a vehicle-mounted luggage rack. The system incorporates four parts, the line, two axial length adjusting end hooks, and an open-eyed hook perpendicularly attachable at any point along the line.

Abstract: A two piece load lashing compression device with tensioner for use on belts, bands and ropes on a freight carrier. Between the two metal pieces is located a compression spring which foreshortens under the load from the two pieces.

Abstract: A cargo restrainer for restraining cargo carried in a vehicle compartment having walls, such as the bed of a pick-up truck, the cargo restrainer including a generally rectangular panel of flexible material having sleeves extending along its opposing edges. A plurality of anchors are mounted at spaced apart locations on at least one wall of the vehicle comaprtment and cords extend through the sleeves of the panel and engage the anchors at their spaced apart locations to suspend the panel between the anchors with the panel opposing a wall of the vehicle compartment such that cargo may be placed between the wall and the panel for restraint of the cargo during transport.

Abstract: A cargo stabilizing device has a channel member with studs extending from one wall to engage keyhole-shaped holes spaced a certain distance apart in a support. A movable member can slide in the channel member and has teeth that can be engaged by a panel on the channel member to lock the movable member in any of the more closely spaced positions defined by the spacing between the teeth. The movable member has a further adjustable member with a surface that engages the cargo to hold it in place. The adjustable member can be moved to any position within a range at least as long as the distance between the teeth on the movable means. Selection of the holes into which to engage the studs, and selection of a specific tooth, and setting the adjustable member allows the surface of the latter to be placed at any point in the entire range of positions possible within the locations available in the entire set of holes in the support.

Abstract: This is a device to be used on motor vehicles to haul various loads. The device has a stabilizer bar with fixed or adjustable pins called isolator pins. These pins are located at various positions along the stabilizer bar to provide a tie down point for the load to be hauled. A strap can then be woven through the desired isolator pins to firmly hold down the load. The stabilizer bar has at one of its terminal ends a securing means for the strap, and at the opposite terminal end of the stabilizer bar is a tension device such as a ratchet which tightens the strap after it is wound around the load.

Abstract: A freight securing device for freight enclosures having sheet metal sidewalls supported by spaced vertical wall stiffeners and lined with plywood panels comprising a synthetic fiber strap one end of which is attached to a ring member or equivalent connecting device and the other end of which is adhesively secured to the plywood liner with a flexible adhesive having an elasticity substantially corresponding to the elasticity of the strap so that forces applied to the anchoring member as a result of longitudinal shocks encountered by the freight enclosure and freight will be spread substantially evenly across the entire adhesive area. The strap is adhesively secured to the leading edge of a plywood panel so that the entire panel will be placed in tension and the fasteners which secure the panel to the rest of the enclosure sidewall will be substantially evenly loaded.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a vehicle includes a telescoping arm member extending the length of the vehicle, inversed v-shaped wheel supports positioned fore and aft of two wheels on a side of the vehicle, attachments to retain the assembly to the vehicle, and support receiving members for supporting the apparatus and vehicle, such as in a semitrailer. The attachments may include a ratchet and a hook.

Abstract: A transport trailer 10 for moving a combine harvester header including a frame 12, support wheels 14 rotatably journalled on the frame 12, and hitch member 26 on the front end of the frame 12 for attaching the trailer 10 to a draft vehicle. One or more generally vertical guides 28 are attached to the frame 12. A generally horizontal guide 30 is attached to the frame 12 and extends outwardly from each generally vertical guide. A header support structure 32 is supported by a generally vertical guide 28 and a generally horizontal guide 30. Attaching devices 66 are provided for attaching a header to the support structure 32. A hydraulic cylinder 60 is attached to the frame 12 and the header support structure 32 to move the support structure 32 along a vertical guide 28 and simultaneously along a generally horizontal guide 30.

Abstract: A resilient hold-down strap for retaining one or more capacitors in position against a housing wall includes substantially rigid end brackets integrally attached to an intermediate strap portion which is elastically extensible. Thickened ends of the intermediate strap portions are securely attached to the end brackets, or unitarily formed therewith, to form a unitary strap member. Holes are provided in the end brackets for fasteners to pass into or through the housing wall so that the capacitor is positioned securely between the fastener locations.

Abstract: A device for loading and transporting elongate objects on vehicle roof-tops. A lower tubular member connected to a vehicle in an upright position and further stabilized by a support disposed between the vehicle and the lower tubular member rotatably receives an upper vertical member so that these members are aligned coaxially. A horizontal load bearing member attached substantially at its midpoint to the upper end of the upper vertical member includes rollers which allow elongate objects to be rolled onto the horizontal load bearing member. A supporting pin is placed through the lower tubular member in one pair of a plurality of pairs of holes located at 180-degree spacing for supporting the upper vertical member and allowing height adjustment of the device. Eyebolts are secured at each end of the horizontal load bearing member in one pair of a plurality of pairs of holes to provide adjustable tie down points for the elongate objects.

Abstract: An open ended tubular anchor member is arranged to be fitted on a conventional shoring beam and has a strap confining opening extending therethrough. A flexible strap passes through the opening and is arranged to engage a load and firmly bind the load relative to the shoring beam. At least two of the strap confining openings may be provided to facilitate the extension of straps in different directions.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a cargo control fitting utilizing webs wherein an identical pair of fittings are used in conjunction with a web loop, and the fittings include locking tabs received within an opening defined in an anchoring support member. The fittings include an outer edge located within the web loop and to protect the web loop from being crushed against this outer edge protecting extensions are defined on the fitting which extend beyond the outer edge a distance at least equal to the web thickness. Further, the extensions are obliquely disposed to the plane of the fitting to laterally extend a distance from the fitting side equal to the web thickness to protect the web from also being crushed against the fitting lateral side.

Abstract: A wheelchair tie-down apparatus is provided for use on buses, vans, and other vehicles with emphasis in the public transportation area. The tie-down apparatus comprises three elongated coffers arranged to define a wheelchair bay, each of these coffers having hinged lids which open to expose an extendable, length-adjustable, flexible strap which is connected to a structural member of the wheelchair and then all three straps are cinched down through use of the length adjustment mechanism.

Abstract: A truck mounted binding post comprised of a shank and a mast having a plurality of laterally extending pads through which a tie pin is secured to form at least one clevis or shackle. The binding post is formed with a parting line between the shank and the mask just beneath the pads permitting the shank to be molded in a variety of shapes and sizes independent of the mast. Threaded mounting holes are provided at a side and bottom of the shank for securing the binding post to a truck body.

Abstract: A device for securing a load on a load carrying vehicle comprises a frame attached to the vehicle, an expandible bellows mounted to the frame, at least one end of the bellows being movable relative to the frame, a balance arm pivotally mounted at its center to the movable end of the bellows, tensioning arms connected to the end portions of the balance arm, the tensioning arms being pivotally mounted to the frame at one end thereof, and a plurality of elongated load securing connecting devices connected to the ends of the tensioning arms, whereby when the bellows is expanded, the balance arm and the tension arms are displaced relative to the frame to draw the elongated connecting devices taut to secure the load to the load carrying vehicle.