Freight accommodation on freight carrier – Load lashing retainer or load lashing adjunct – Anchor
Reexamination Certificate
2002-08-09
2004-10-05
Dayoan, D. Glenn (Department: 3612)
Freight accommodation on freight carrier
Load lashing retainer or load lashing adjunct
Anchor
C410S105000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06799927
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to tie down anchor systems and, more particularly, relates to a tie down anchor system that may be mounted to the sidewalls, siderails, tailgate, or floor of a pickup truck bed.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
As is well known, one of the many 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 means by which to secure or restrain a load in the truck bed. Since original equipment providers have opted not to provide such means, after market suppliers have devised various devices that allow for the securing and restraint of loads being carried in the cargo bed of the pickup truck. Ropes, straps, bungee cords, or other tether means 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 portion of the siderail of the pickup truck bed. One disadvantage 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 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. One such type is designed to clamp to the siderail, generally at any desired point therealong. Such tie down anchors often utilize eye-bolts and hooks in conjunction with a generally C-shaped clamping member to provide an anchor point for the tie down.
Another type of tie down anchor employs a generally C-shaped extrusion that is adapted to slidably receive a tie down therein. This type of tie down anchor is popular in aircraft, boats, and is occassionally employed in trucks.
One of many disadvantages of the above styles of tie down anchors, which either mount within the stake pocket or otherwise clamp to the siderail, is the manner in which the load is transferred to the siderail. 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 siderail. When the load is secured to the stake pocket tie down anchor by a tie down, a significant bending load is applied to the siderail. This bending load is such that applied forces tend to roll the siderail 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 portion of the siderail, 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 portion of the siderail. When mounted down on this flange, a tie down secured to the anchor also imparts a significant bending load to the siderail. Moreover, it is often preferable to have the tie down located at a lower position.
Moreover, the above style of tie down anchors further limits the method of connection with tether connectors. That is, often only a single type of tether connector may be used with a given tie down anchor system. Therefore, if one chooses to haul a light-weight cargo, they may chose a simple bungee cord type connector to couple the tether to the tie down anchor. However, if a heavyweight cargo is to be hauled, many tie down anchor systems are unable to accommodate a more robust connector, such as a retaining rod or oversized hook. In some cases, tie down anchors may only be used with custom tether connectors.
Additionally, due to the size of the cargo to be hauled, it is often necessary to have suitable tie down anchors along the floor of the pickup bed or, alternatively, along the siderails of the pickup bed. If a pickup is only equipped with tie down anchors along a narrow section of the floor of the pickup bed, then the securing of oversized cargo may prove to be difficult as the cargo itself may obscure the preferred tie down locations, and vice versa.
Accordingly, there exists a need in the relevant art to provide a tie down anchor system for a pickup truck that is capable of eliminating or minimizing bending loads applied to the siderail of the pickup bed. Furthermore, there exists a need in the relevant art to provide a tie down anchor system that is capable of providing a robust connection to either a siderail, sidewall, and/or floor of a pickup bed. Still further, there exists a need in the relevant art to provide a tie down anchor system that is capable of accommodating a number of different tether connectors. Additionally, there exists a need in the relevant art to provide a tie down anchor system that is capable of overcoming the disadvantages of the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the principles of the present invention, a tie down anchor system for a pickup truck having an advantageous construction is provided. The tie down anchor system includes a rail member mountable to the cargo bed of the pickup truck. These rails may be mounted in either a transverse or longitudinal direction using fasteners or other fastening means. The rail member includes a pair of raised attachment sections and a base mounting portion extending between the pair of raised attachment sections. A plurality of first attachment apertures are formed in the pair of raised attachment sections and a plurality of second attachment apertures are formed in the pair of raised attachment sections so as to receive any one of a number of tether connectors.
Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
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Dayoan D. Glenn
Gutman H.
Harness & Dickey & Pierce P.L.C.
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