Freight accommodation on freight carrier – Load lashing retainer or load lashing adjunct – Anchor
Reexamination Certificate
2002-05-24
2004-07-20
Gordon, Stephen (Department: 3612)
Freight accommodation on freight carrier
Load lashing retainer or load lashing adjunct
Anchor
C410S106000, C410S111000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06764259
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a retractable anchor device which can be used to tie-down articles. The anchor is particularly useful when mounted to vehicles or boats. The anchor may also be used on military vehicles such as trucks, transport aircraft and ships, as well as, on vehicles which are designed to operate in the near zero gravity of space.
In one embodiment, the anchor device is attached to a surface and has a retractable U-shaped member to which a rope, strap, wire or other tension member (flexible or otherwise) can be secured. The U-shaped member is biased towards a retracted position and the anchor uses a locking system which holds the U-shaped member in the extended position. If the U-shaped member experiences a sufficient external force, (i.e., a sufficient to disengage the locking system) the U-shaped member is automatically caused to retract towards the retracted position. In another embodiment of the anchor, an actuator/sensing system is utilized to facilitate this safety retracting function. In still another embodiment of the anchor, the rear portion of the anchor, i.e., the part which seats into the surface, is enclosed by a sealed housing or dust cover. In still another embodiment of the anchor, each of two cylindrical portions of the anchor, which seat into the surface, is enclosed by a sealed housing or dust cover. In still another embodiment of the anchor, the anchor has a fixed outer portion which is fixedly mounted to the surface and a rotatable inner portion which rotates with the U-shaped member. In still another embodiment of the anchor, a flange plate is mountable to the anchor. In still another embodiment, the anchor uses a rotational locking system
2. Discussion of Background Information
Various types of anchoring devices are known. It is also known to utilize anchors which have portions that are retractably mounted to a surface.
Thus, for example U.S. Pat. No. 2,609,761 discloses a cargo securing mechanism. U.S. Pat. No. 2,614,871 discloses an anchor for cargo tie-down devices. U.S. Pat. No. 2,729,417 and U.S. Pat. No. 2,719,418 both discloses retractable lashing attachment devices. U.S. Pat. No. 3,102,708 discloses a retractable rope hook. U.S. Pat. No. 3,142,264 discloses panel mounted tie-down terminals. U.S. Pat. No. 3,252,681 discloses a fastening device. U.S. Pat. No. 3,275,284 discloses an extensible and retractable tie-down fitting. U.S. Pat. No. 3,365,162 discloses flush seating, watertight and airtight anchorages for tie down gear and other equipment. U.S. Pat. No. 3,377,039 discloses a tie down anchor. U.S. Pat. No. 3,412,693 discloses a cargo anchoring device. U.S. Pat. No. 3,917,213 discloses an adjustable tie down device. However, none of these documents disclose a U-shaped member which can slidably retract and/or which is either biased towards a retracted position or is movable towards a retracted position via an actuator.
Additionally, U.S. Pat. No. 3,960,091 describes a rope hook mount for attachment to the body of a vehicle. The device is described as having a mounting flange with a face conforming generally to the contour of the portion of the body of the vehicle upon which the mount is to be secured. The flange includes a raised portion integral therewith and extending outwardly away from the face of the flange. An aperture is formed in the raised portion and an elongated lip member extends inwardly from the raised portion toward the aperture. The lip member has an outer surface which is generally flush with the outer surface of the raised portion and an inner surface spaced from the face of the flange so that a rope or the like may be looped around the lip member and retained in position by both the lip member and the walls of the aperture.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,072,113 describes a cargo tie down anchor unit which can be attached to automotive vehicles, or the like, featuring a slidable anchoring element which can be retracted into the anchor unit housing wherein the slidable anchoring element is positioned out of sight when not in use.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,126,095 describes a tie-down fitting comprising a body for attachment to fixed structure. The body includes a recess within which an elongated tang is pivotally fitted. A rope or line may be laid in transverse depressions in the body. One end of the tang can be pressed to project the opposite end above the transverse depressions. On release, the tang is biased toward the depressions to hold the line. A strain on the line moves the tang to its projected, tie-down position.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,315,707 describes a load carrying vehicle. A plurality of back-up assembly mounted on beam members which support the load. Each back-up assembly includes an upright support member mounted on one of the beams, an upright sliding member slidably mounted on the support member for up and down sliding movement and a cap plate at an upper end of the sliding member for movement between a lowered position and a raised position. Timbers supported by the beams can engage sliding members of the back-up assemblies. Cap plates of a selected pair of back-up assemblies rest on each timber and the timer can engage sliding members of the pair of back-up assemblies.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,672,909 describes a cleat which is adapted to be moved between a stored position substantially flush with the deck of a marine vessel and an operative position projecting above the deck. The cleat is supported on a stem slidably mounted in a cylindrical opening in a housing member. The inner end of the stem is provided with a pin projecting laterally into a groove cut into the wall of the cylindrical opening in the housing. The grooves define a pathway for the pin to travel of such a configuration that the cleat can be moved from one position to another by partially withdrawing the stem from the housing and rotating it about its longitudinal axis to a predetermined degree in order to assume the second position. The cleat and housing are free of moving parts, are characterized by remarkable ease of operation and can be readily fabricated from corrosion resistant materials.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,715,754 describes in a flat bed cargo vehicle having a series of upwardly-opening pockets spaced there along, and cargo tie-down anchor members swingably disposed therein. Each pocket has a porous bottom wall permitting water to drain out of the pocket and each bottom wall comprises a series of baffles preventing flames in the zone beneath the pocket from traveling directly upwardly through the pores dead y the baffles, to detonate ammunition located on the bed.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,741,653 describes a plurality of securing devices which are attached to a supporting member for use in securing cargo to the supporting member. Each device includes a body member for being attached to the supporting member and an arm member pivotally attached to the body member for movement between a down position in which all of the arm member is positioned below the support plane of the supporting member so as not to interfere with the use of the supporting member and an up position in which a portion of the first end of the arm member extends above the support plane of the supporting member to allow the cargo to be secured relative thereto.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,762,449 describes a tie down fitting adapted to fit within a stake hole in wall section of a pickup truck. The fitting includes a clamping plate dimensioned for insertion through the stake hole for engagement with the underside of the wall section. A cover plate engages the upper side of the section and is secured to the clamping plate by threaded fasteners. Aligned slots in the plates receive a hook member for pivotal movement between a recessed position flush with the wall section to a projected position where it is adapted for engagement by a cargo securing line or the like. A number of such fittings enable securement of cargo on the truck bed. In its recessed position the fitting is pressed to pivot it toward its projected position. Its center of gravity tends to maintain it
Gordon Stephen
Preta John
LandOfFree
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