Buckles – buttons – clasps – etc. – Strap-end-attaching devices – Buckle connected
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-03
2001-07-10
Sandy, Robert J. (Department: 3626)
Buckles, buttons, clasps, etc.
Strap-end-attaching devices
Buckle connected
C410S110000, C024S11500R
Reexamination Certificate
active
06256844
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a tie-down anchor assembly and more particularly to a tie-down anchor assembly which is mounted to the side rail of a pickup truck bed.
DESCRIPTION
One of the advantages of owning a pickup truck is the ability to carry loads within the truck bed or cargo box. Typically, pickup trucks are manufactured and sold without any means by which to secure or restrain a load in the truck bed. Since original equipment providers have opted not to provide such means, the after market has devised various devices which will allow for the securing and restraint of loads being carried in the truck bed. Ropes, straps, bungi cords, or other means (generally referred to as tie-downs) are primarily used to secure these loads.
One type of commercially available tie-down anchor is the stake pocket tie-down anchor. Stake pocket tie-down anchors mount into a stake pocket located in the top surface of the side rail of the pickup truck bed. One drawback of stake pocket tie-down anchors is that they can only be used where a stake pocket is located. Many of the smaller trucks currently available today are produced without stake pockets and, therefore, such stake pocket tie-down anchors are not adaptable to these trucks.
Other tie-down anchors are also available. These are typically designed to be permanently attached to the bed of the pickup truck by bolts or machine screws. As a result, they necessitate the undesirable drilling into the floor of the truck bed or into the side rail itself. As undesirable as drilling is, the possibility remains for machine screws to rip out under the stress of a heavy load.
Another style of tie-down anchor is one which clamps to the side rail, generally at any desired point therealong. Such anchors have been seen to utilize eye-bolts and hooks in conjunction with a generally C-shaped clamping member to provide an anchor point for the tie-down.
A limitation with above styles of tie-down anchors, which either mount within the stake pocket or otherwise clamp to the side rail, is the manner in which the load is transferred to the side rail. By mounting the tie-down anchor into the stake pocket, the anchor or loop of the stake pocket tie down anchor is positioned directly above the stake pocket and above the side rail. When the load is secured to the stake pocket tie-down anchor by a tie-down, a significant bending load is applied to the side rail. This bending load is such that applied forces tend to roll the side rail into the truck bed. Similarly, the clamp-on variety of tie-down anchors have been constructed such that the anchor is positioned above the top surface of the side rail, in a manner very similar to a stake pocket tie-down, or in a position inside the pickup truck bed on a flange extending downwardly from the top surface of the side rail. When mounted down on this flange, a tie-down secured to the anchor also imparts a significant bending load to the side rail.
With the above limitations of the prior art in mind, it is an object of the present invention to provide a tie-down anchor assembly for a pickup truck bed which eliminates or minimizes bending loads applied to the side rail of the truck bed.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a tie-down anchor assembly which does not require drilling into the pickup truck bed in order to mount the assembly thereto.
A feature of the present invention is therefore the ability of the tie-down anchor assembly to clamp to the side rail of the pickup truck bend, generally at any point along the length of the side rail.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a tie-down anchor assembly with a protruding anchor that defines a tie-down, lead-off area that generally coincides with the top surface of the side rail so that when a lateral force is applied from a tie-down, the top surface of the side rail will be substantially loaded in shear as opposed to bending.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a tie-down anchor assembly which is self-positioning when mounted to the side rail of the pickup truck bed so that shear loads will be applied to the side rail as opposed to bending loads.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
In achieving the above and other objects, a tie-down anchor assembly is provided which substantially loads the sidewall of the pickup truck bed in shear when a load is secured thereto by a tie-down. The tie-down anchor assembly clamps to the side rail and can be adjustably positioned along the length of the side rail, so as to accommodate the requirements in restraining a given load.
Accordingly, the tie-down anchor assembly of the present invention is for use attached to a side rail of a pickup truck bed, the side rail having a top surface and a flange downwardly extending from an inner edge of the top surface. The tie-down anchor assembly comprises an anchor plate having an upright portion that defines a side face. The plate also has an upper end, a lower end with the upper end positioned adjacent to the top surface of the side rail when the tie-down anchor assembly is mounted thereto. An anchor protrudes from the side face of the plate and is positioned on the face beneath the upper end and at a distance closer to the upper end than to the lower end of the plate. A mounting means for mounting the plate to the side rail is also provided. In this manner, the side rail is loaded in shear generally at its top when the tie-down anchor assembly of the present invention is mounted thereto and a tie-down member is secured to the anchor of the assembly.
Additional benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present invention relates from the subsequent description of the preferred embodiment and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4762449 (1988-08-01), St. Pierre et al.
patent: 4812093 (1989-03-01), Millar, Jr.
patent: 4850770 (1989-07-01), Millar, Jr.
patent: 4953820 (1990-09-01), Yoder
patent: 5443341 (1995-08-01), Hamilton
patent: 5542367 (1996-08-01), DuBios, III et al.
patent: 5560576 (1996-10-01), Cargill
patent: 6039520 (2000-03-01), Cheng
Harness & Dickey & Pierce P.L.C.
Sandy Robert J.
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