U.S. patent application number 09/881623 was filed with the patent office on 2002-01-31 for cargo tie-down rail.
Invention is credited to Anderson, Gregory Paul.
Application Number | 20020012576 09/881623 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26914894 |
Filed Date | 2002-01-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020012576 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Anderson, Gregory Paul |
January 31, 2002 |
Cargo tie-down rail
Abstract
An elongated unitary tie-down rail adapted to fit on the inside
of a pickup box, delivery truck or trailer comprised of an
elongated vertical flange and an elongated horizontal flange. The
horizontal flange terminates in a rounded rub rail and contains a
plurality of holes for the attachment of tie-down hooks and straps.
The rounded rub rail may be hollow to allow for the connection of
multiple cargo tie-down rails through use of a connecting device
such as a roll pin.
Inventors: |
Anderson, Gregory Paul;
(Rapid City, SD) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Gregory P. Anderson
PO Box 272
Rapid City
SD
57709
US
|
Family ID: |
26914894 |
Appl. No.: |
09/881623 |
Filed: |
June 14, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60220453 |
Jul 24, 2000 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
410/106 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60P 7/0815
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
410/106 |
International
Class: |
B61D 045/00 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A tie-down rail for a pickup or the like, where said pickup has
a cargo compartment comprising a pair of sidewalls, said sidewalls
having an elongated top ledge, and said elongated top ledge having
an inside lip which extends downward from its inside edge, said
tie-down rail comprising: (a) a roughly L shaped elongated unitary
member having a coextensive horizontal flange and a coextensive
vertical flange; (b) said vertical flange having an approximately
flat inside face adapted to fit substantially flush against and
along the inside lip of the pickup box; (c) fastener means of
connecting said vertical flange to the corresponding inside lip of
the pickup box; (d) said horizontal flange containing a plurality
of holes which are available for the attachment of hooks and
tie-down lines; (e) an elongated rounded rub rail adjacent to and
communicating with said horizontal flange of said elongated unitary
member;
2. The tie-down rail of claim 1 wherein said tie-down rail is
extruded from aluminum.
3. The tie-down rail of claim 1 wherein said elongated rounded rub
rail is hollow.
4. The tie-down rail of claim 3 wherein multiple said tie-down
rails may be connected together through use of fastener means.
Description
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of Provisional Patent
Application Serial No. 60/220,453 filed Jul. 24, 2000.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field of Invention
[0003] This invention relates to a cargo tie-down rail for the
inside lip of a pickup box sidewall.
[0004] 2. Description of Prior Art
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 4,850,769 to James R. Matthews (Jul. 25, 1989)
discloses a tie-down device with a movable car slidably carried on
a stationary track. Such a device has several inherent
disadvantages. The number of movable cars limits the number of
tie-down points available for use in securing cargo. The movable
cars must be relocated for every cargo to provide the proper
location for tying down cargo. The stationary track is susceptible
to damage that can prevent the proper location of the movable
cars.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 4,650,382 to Harold G. Johnson (Mar. 17, 1987)
describes a unitary tie-down rail with a plurality of longitudinal
slots for tying down cargo that mounts on top of the sidewall of a
pickup truck. This device is inferior for such a mounting is
inherently weaker due to the torque applied to the top of the
sidewall from loads. The longitudinal slots are also less secure
for the mounting of cargo as the mounting hooks or straps may slide
up and down the slot. This device also interferes with the use of
truck topper or cap.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,364,211 to Gary J. Lund (Nov. 15, 1994)
discloses a side rail anchor bar that can be mounted on the top or
the outside of the sidewall of the pickup. This device utilizes
tie-down fingers which extend beyond the normal exterior of the
pickup truck. As such these fingers are susceptible to damage. This
device also interferes with the use of a truck topper or cap.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 4,850,770 to Henry E. Millar, Jr (Sep. 27,
1988) discloses a side rail tiedown anchor comprising a clamp
securable to the upper edge or side rail of a pickup truck box side
wall or the like. A hook providing for the securing of a tie-down
rope extends from the clamp. This device is not permanently
attached, and the anchors need to be repositioned for use with
different cargos.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,302,064 to Jim B. Davis (Apr. 12, 1994)
discloses a cargo tie-down that is permanently attached to the bed
of a pickup truck. This device actually uses up space in the box
that could normally be used for cargo and interferes with the
normal use of the pickup box. This device also provides relatively
few anchor points and its use is limited to thin, flat or narrow
articles.
[0010] None of the above noted patents, taken singly or in
combination, are seen to disclose the specific arrangements of
concepts disclosed by the present invention.
SUMMARY
[0011] In accordance with the present invention, a unitary tie-down
rail that mounts inside the pickup box, accepts removable cargo
pads and guards, does not interfere with the use, mounting, or
dismounting of a truck topper or cap and is expandable.
OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES
[0012] Accordingly, several objects and advantages of my invention
are:
[0013] (a) to provide tie-down points that are readily available
without requiring the repositioning of a movable car or anchor;
[0014] (b) to provide a tie-down rail that can be used in
conjunction with a truck topper or cap and does not interfere with
the mounting or dismounting of a truck topper or cap;
[0015] (c) to provide a tie-down rail that is resistant to impact
damage and that protects the pickup box from damage that can result
from shifting loads;
[0016] (d) to provide a tie-down rail that supplies anchor points
along the entire length of the truck box.
[0017] Other objects and advantages are:
[0018] (e) to provide a tie-down rail that mates with cargo pads
and guards that provide additional protection to fragile and
delicate cargos;
[0019] (f) to provide an expandable tie-down rail that can fit a
large variety of pickup trucks, delivery trucks and trailers.
[0020] Still further objects and advantages will become apparent
from a consideration of the ensuing description and accompanying
drawings.
DRAWING FIGURES
[0021] FIG. 1 is a partial view of a pickup truck with cargo
tie-down rails mounted on each box side. A box is strapped onto one
of the cargo tie-down rails.
[0022] FIG. 2 is an overhead view of a cargo tie-down rail mounted
on the inside of a pickup box, shown partially.
[0023] FIG. 3 is an underneath view of a cargo tie-down rail
mounted on the inside of a pickup box, shown partially.
[0024] FIG. 4 is an inboard side view of a cargo tie-down rail
mounted on the inside of a pickup box, shown partially.
[0025] FIGS. 5 to 7 are enlarged, partial overhead views of the
cargo tie-down rails shown in FIGS. 2 to 4.
[0026] FIG. 8 is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional side view
along the line 8-8 of FIG. 4 showing how a hook, illustrated in
phantom, attaches to the cargo tie-down rail.
[0027] FIG. 9 is a rear view of a conventional pickup truck that is
equipped with both cargo tie-down rails and a truck topper box
cap.
[0028] FIG. 10 is an overhead view of a cargo tie-down rail mounted
on the inside of a pickup box, shown partially, with a cargo guard
mounted on the cargo tie-down rail.
[0029] FIG. 11 is an underneath view of a cargo tie-down rail
mounted on the inside of a pickup box, shown partially, with a
cargo guard mounted on the cargo tie-down rail.
[0030] FIG. 12 is an inboard side view of a cargo tie-down rail
mounted on the inside of a pickup box, shown partially, with a
cargo guard mounted on the cargo tie-down rail.
[0031] FIGS. 13 to 15 are enlarged, partial views of FIGS. 10 to
12.
[0032] FIG. 16 is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional side view
taken along the line 16-16 of FIG. 12.
[0033] FIG. 17 is an overhead view of a cargo tie-down rail mounted
on the inside of a pickup box, shown partially, with a cargo pad
mounted on the cargo tie-down rail.
[0034] FIG. 18 is an underneath view of a cargo tie-down rail
mounted on the inside of a pickup box, shown partially, with a
cargo pad mounted on the cargo tie-down rail.
[0035] FIG. 19 is an inboard side view of a cargo tie-down rail
mounted on the inside of a pickup box, shown partially, with a
cargo pad mounted on the cargo tie-down rail.
[0036] FIGS. 20 to 22 are enlarged, partial views of FIGS. 17 to
19.
[0037] FIG. 23 is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional side view
taken along the line 23-23 of FIG. 18.
[0038] FIG. 24 is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional side view
taken along the line 24-24 of FIG. 25 and discloses a cargo
tie-down rail with a hollow rub rail.
[0039] FIG. 25 is an enlarged, partial overhead view of a cargo
tie-down rail with a hollow rub rail.
[0040] FIG. 26 is an enlarged, partial overhead view of a cargo
tie-down rail with a hollow rub rail with a roll pin or similar
attachment device inserted into the hollow rub rail.
[0041] FIG. 27 is an enlarged, partial overhead view of two cargo
tie-down rails with hollow rub rails that are lined up for
attachment.
[0042] FIG. 28 is an enlarged, partial overhead view of two cargo
tie-down rails with hollow rub rails joined together through the
use of a roll pin or attachment device (disclosed in phantom).
REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWING
[0043] 30 conventional pickup truck
[0044] 31 cab
[0045] 32 truck bed
[0046] 33 storage Space
[0047] 34 box side
[0048] 35 box side
[0049] 36 box top
[0050] 37 cargo tie-down rail
[0051] 38 cargo tie-down rail
[0052] 39 rub rail
[0053] 40 fastener holes
[0054] 41 mounting holes
[0055] 42 mounting bolts
[0056] 43 mounting nuts
[0057] 44 unitary rail
[0058] 45 flange
[0059] 46 tie-down strap
[0060] 47 hook
[0061] 48 truck topper or cap
[0062] 49 cargo guard
[0063] 50 cargo pad
[0064] 51 cargo
DESCRIPTION
[0065] FIGS. 1-23--Preferred Embodiment
[0066] FIG. 1 shows a conventional pickup truck 30. It includes a
cab 31 and a truck bed 32. The bed 32 includes storage space 33
confined by the cab 31 and a pair of opposed box sides 34 and 35.
Each box side has a flat box top 36.
[0067] Mounted on the right box side 34 is a cargo tie-down rail 37
(FIGS. 1,3 and 4). Mounted on the left box side 35 is a cargo
tie-down rail 38 (FIGS. 1 and 2). Both cargo tie-down rails 37 and
38 are made in accordance with this invention. Cargo tie-down rails
37 and 38 are identical in all respects and can be interchanged by
swapping them end for end. This invention also includes variations
in the cut and shape of the cargo tie-down rails 37 and 38 such
that the two rails would not be identical and interchangeable.
[0068] The cargo tie-down rail 37 consists of a unitary rail 44
(FIGS. 1 to 3, 5, 6, and 8) made of a solid, one-piece material
such as aluminum, steel, fiberglass or plastic; a rounded rub-rail
39 (FIGS. 1 to 8) that can be circular, elliptical, half-moon or
other rounded shape; a flange 45 (FIGS. 3, 4, and 6 to 8) that
projects at approximately a ninety degree angle from the rail 44
and that fits approximately flush with the box side 34. Round
fastener holes 40 span the length of the cargo tie-down rail 37 at
two inch intervals, although any combination of shape, number and
spacing of fastener holes can be used. Cargo tie-down rails 37 can
be produced in any length. Mounting holes 41 (FIGS. 4 and 7) are
distributed along the flange 45. Mounting bolts 42 and mounting
nuts 43 or other attachment devices such as screws, rivets or clips
are inserted through the mounting holes 41 into the box side 34 for
mounting the cargo tie-down rail 37 to the box side 34.
[0069] The round rub-rail 39 is designed to mate with a cargo guard
49 (FIGS. 10 to 16) and a cargo pad 50 (FIGS. 17 to 23). Cargo
guards 49 are protective devices made from a relatively hard
material such as plastic or hard rubber. They protect both the
cargo tie-down rail 37 and the cargo 51 (FIG. 1) from scratching,
marring or other damage. Cargo pads 50 are protective devices made
from a relatively soft material such as foam or soft rubber. They
provide extra protection for fragile cargos. Both cargo guards 49
and cargo pads 50 have longitudinal slits that allow them to snap
over the rub-rail 39 in such a manner that they remain secured to
the cargo tie-down rail through friction even at high rates of
speed. Cargo guards 49 and cargo pads 50 are removable and can be
mounted to and removed from the cargo tie-down rail 37 as needed or
they may be permanently attached through the use of glue, clamps or
straps. Cargo guards 49 and cargo pads 50 can be used and applied
in short sections at a specific location on the cargo tie down rail
37 or they may extend the entire length of the cargo tie-down rail
37.
[0070] Cargo tie-down rails 37, in their preferred usage, mount on
the inside of the box side 34 so that the rail 44 is approximately
flush with the box top 36 (FIGS. 1, 8 and 9). Cargo tie-down rails
37 do not interfere with the use of a truck topper or truck cap
48.
[0071] FIGS. 24-28--Additional Embodiment
[0072] An additional embodiment is shown in FIGS. 24 through 28; in
this embodiment the rounded rub rail 39 contains a hollow space 52
that accepts a roll pin 53, solid pin, threaded stud or other
attachment device (FIG. 26). Two or more cargo tie-down rails 37
may be connected by pressing the cargo tie-down rails 37 together
so that the roll pin 53 passes into the hollow space 52 of each
cargo tie-down rail 37 (FIGS. 27 and 28).
[0073] Advantages
[0074] From the description above, a number of advantages of my
cargo tie-down rail become evident:
[0075] (a) the spacing of the fastener holes provide tie-down
points that are readily available without requiring repositioning
of a movable car;
[0076] (b) the cargo tie-down rail mounts inside the pickup box and
therefore can be used in conjunction with a truck topper or
cap;
[0077] (c) the round rub rail and unitary construction of the cargo
tie-down rail make it resistant to impact damage that could result
from shifting loads;
[0078] (d) the number and spacing of fastener holes provide anchor
points along the entire length of the pickup box;
[0079] (e) the cargo tie-down rail mates with cargo pads and guards
that provide extra protection to fragile and delicate cargoes;
[0080] (f) the cargo tie-down rail is expandable, and multiple
cargo tie-down rails can be combined together to form cargo
tie-down rails of varying lengths which may be used for a large
variety of pickup trucks, delivery trucks and trailers.
[0081] Operation--FIGS. 1, 8-23
[0082] When a load is placed in a truck it is secured to the cargo
tie-down rail 37 through the use of a tie-down device such as a
strap, hook, stretch cord, rope, twine, chain, cable, bolts or
other means of attachment. The cargo tie-down rail 37 may also
accept attachments bolted, pegged, pinned, clipped or otherwise
secured through the fastener holes 40 or clamped to the rub-rail
39. FIG. 1 discloses a tie-down strap 46 attached to cargo tie-down
rail 37 securing a cargo 51. A hook 47 attaches through a fastener
hole 40 and secures snugly around the round rub rail 39. FIG. 8
shows in more detail how the hook 47 wraps around the rub-rail 39.
The cargo 51 is then snugged down against the rub-rail 39 which may
or may not have a cargo guard 49 or cargo pad 50 affixed to it. The
rub-rail 39, cargo guard 49 or cargo pad 50 provide protection both
for the cargo 51 and for the box side 34.
[0083] FIGS. 10 to 16 show a cargo tie-down rail 37 with an affixed
cargo guard 49. FIGS. 17 to 23 show a cargo tie-down rail 37 with
an affixed cargo pad.
[0084] A cargo tie-down rail 37 is not limited to use on the box
side 34 of a pickup truck, but can also be used on the entire
perimeter of the pickup box (FIG. 1) as well as on large delivery
trucks, trailers, walls, floors or any other flat surface of a
cargo transportation vehicle where multiple tie-down points are
required.
[0085] FIG. 9 shows cargo tie-down rails 37 and 38 mounted on a
truck with a truck topper or box cap 48. Because cargo tie-down
rails mount inside the box side 34 they can be used in conjunction
with a topper 48 without interfering with the utility of either the
cargo tie-down rails 37 and 38 or the topper 48.
[0086] Conclusion, Ramifications and Scope
[0087] Accordingly, the reader will see that the cargo tie-down
rail of this invention provides tie-down points without requiring
the repositioning of a movable car or tie-down anchor; can be used
in conjunction with a truck topper or cap and does not require
removal to allow for the mounting or dismounting of said topper or
cap; is resistant to, and protects the pickup box from, impact
damage that can result from shifting loads; provides tie-down
points along the entire length of the truck box; mates with cargo
guards and pads that provide additional protection to fragile and
delicate cargos; the cargo tie-down rail is also expandable to fit
pickup boxes of varying lengths, as well as larger transportation
vehicles such as delivery trucks and trailers.
[0088] While the above description contains many specificities,
these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the
invention, but rather as an exemplification of one preferred
embodiment thereof. Many other variations are possible. For
example, the unitary rail can be constructed from plastic,
fiberglass or any of a variety of metals. The ends of the cargo
tie-down rail can be cut to any angle. The cargo tie-down rail can
also be anodized in a variety of colors.
[0089] Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined
not by the embodiments illustrated, but by the appended claims and
their legal equivalents.
* * * * *