U.S. patent application number 11/054215 was filed with the patent office on 2006-08-10 for cargo strap hook with magnet and cargo strap assembly comprising same.
Invention is credited to Jeremy Blosser.
Application Number | 20060177282 11/054215 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36780101 |
Filed Date | 2006-08-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060177282 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Blosser; Jeremy |
August 10, 2006 |
Cargo strap hook with magnet and cargo strap assembly comprising
same
Abstract
A cargo strap hook comprises a hook body and a magnet. The hook
body includes means for enabling a cargo strap to be attached
thereto and a hook portion configured for enabling the hook body to
be mechanically engaged with a tie-down structure. The magnet is
fixedly attached to the hook body for enabling the hook body to be
magnetically secured to the tie-down structure.
Inventors: |
Blosser; Jeremy; (New
Lexington, OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Raymond M. Galasso;Simon, Galasso & Frantz PLC
P.O. Box 26503
Austin
TX
78755-0503
US
|
Family ID: |
36780101 |
Appl. No.: |
11/054215 |
Filed: |
February 9, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
410/106 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60P 7/0823 20130101;
Y02T 30/30 20130101; Y02T 30/00 20130101; B61D 45/001 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
410/106 |
International
Class: |
B61D 45/00 20060101
B61D045/00 |
Claims
1. A cargo strap hook, comprising: a hook body including means for
enabling a cargo strap to be attached thereto and a hook portion
configured for enabling the hook body to be mechanically engaged
with a tie-down structure; and a magnet fixedly attached to the
hook body for enabling the hook body to be magnetically secured to
the tie-down structure.
2. The cargo strap hook of claim 1 wherein: at least a portion of
the magnet is positioned within a channel defined by the hook
portion.
3. The cargo strap hook of claim 1 wherein: the hook body includes
a magnet-receiving opening therein; and the magnet is secured
within the magnet-receiving opening whereby the magnet is exposed
at front and rear faces of the hook body.
4. The cargo strap hook of claim 1 wherein the hook body includes
means configured for enabling a strap to be attached to the hook
body.
5. The cargo strap hook of claim 1 wherein said means configured
for enabling the strap to be attached to the hook body includes a
passage through the hook body.
6. The cargo strap hook of claim 1 wherein: at least a portion of
the magnet is positioned within a channel defined by the hook
portion; the hook body includes a magnet-receiving opening therein;
the magnet is secured within the magnet-receiving opening whereby
the magnet is exposed at front and rear faces of the hook body; and
the hook body includes means configured for enabling a strap to be
attached to the hook body.
7. A cargo strap assembly, comprising: a cargo strap hook including
an integral magnet; and a cargo strap attached to the cargo strap
hook.
8. The cargo strap assembly of claim 7, further comprising, a winch
assembly attached to the cargo strap and configured for applying
tension to the cargo strap.
9. The cargo strap assembly of claim 7 wherein: the cargo strap
hook includes a hook body; the hook body including means for
enabling a cargo strap to be attached thereto and a hook portion
configured for enabling the hook body to be mechanically engaged
with a tie-down structure; and the magnet is fixedly attached to
the hook body for enabling the hook body to be magnetically secured
to the tie-down structure.
10. The cargo strap assembly of claim 9 wherein: at least a portion
of the magnet is positioned within a channel defined by the hook
portion.
11. The cargo strap assembly of claim 9 wherein: the hook body
includes a magnet-receiving opening therein; and the magnet is
secured within the magnet-receiving opening whereby the magnet is
exposed at front and rear faces of the hook body.
12. The cargo strap assembly of claim 9 wherein: at least a portion
of the magnet is positioned within a channel defined by the hook
portion; and the hook body includes a magnet-receiving opening
therein and the magnet is secured within the magnet-receiving
opening whereby the magnet is exposed at front and rear faces of
the hook body.
13. The cargo strap assembly of claim 7, further comprising, a
winch assembly attached to the cargo strap and configured for
applying tension to the cargo strap, wherein the cargo strap hook
includes a hook body and a magnet, wherein the hook body including
means for enabling a cargo strap to be attached thereto and a hook
portion for mechanically engaging the hook body with a tie-down
structure and wherein the magnet is fixedly attached to the hook
body for enabling the hook body to be magnetically secured to the
tie-down structure.
14. The cargo strap assembly of claim 13 wherein: at least a
portion of the magnet is positioned within a channel defined by the
hook portion.
15. The cargo strap assembly of claim 13 wherein: the hook body
includes a magnet-receiving opening therein; and the magnet is
secured within the magnet-receiving opening whereby the magnet is
exposed at front and rear faces of the hook body.
16. The cargo strap assembly of claim 13 wherein: at least a
portion of the magnet is positioned within a channel defined by the
hook portion; and the hook body includes a magnet-receiving opening
therein and the magnet is secured within the magnet-receiving
opening whereby the magnet is exposed at front and rear faces of
the hook body.
17. The cargo strap assembly of claim 13 wherein: at least a
portion of the magnet is positioned within a channel defined by the
hook portion; the hook body includes a magnet-receiving opening
therein; the magnet is secured within the magnet-receiving opening
whereby the magnet is exposed at front and rear faces of the hook
body; at least a portion of the magnet is positioned within a
channel defined by the hook portion; and the hook body includes a
magnet-receiving opening therein and the magnet is secured within
the magnet-receiving opening whereby the magnet is exposed at front
and rear faces of the hook body.
Description
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0001] The disclosures made herein relate generally to tie-down
strap assemblies and, more particularly, to cargo strap hooks for
cargo strap assemblies.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Cargo is typically tied down to truck and trailer deck
surfaces with conventional cargo strap assemblies. These
conventional assemblies include a cargo strap-having a cargo strap
hook attached at a first end of the cargo strap. The strap assembly
is positioned over cargo located on the deck surface. The cargo
strap hook is engaged with a deck rail on a first side of the deck
surface and the strap is tightened by pulling the second end of the
strap via a particular mechanism on the second side of the deck
surface. One such mechanism is a winch assembly attached to a deck
rail on the second side of the deck surface. Another such mechanism
is a winch assembly attached to the cargo strap and a winch hook
engaged with the deck rail on the second side of the deck
surface.
[0003] A common problem with securing cargo using such a
conventional cargo strap assembly is that the cargo strap hook
unintentionally disengages from the deck rail while the cargo strap
is being positioned or tightened. Quite often, a first person holds
the cargo strap hook in place while a second person positions and
tightens the cargo strap, which makes securing cargo a two-person
job. Otherwise, when a single person is attempting to tie down
cargo, tension from the cargo strap (e.g., associated with the
weight of the cargo strap dangling over the cargo) is used to
initially engage the cargo strap hook with the deck rail until
tension can be mechanically applied. However, it is not uncommon
for the cargo strap hook to unintentionally become disengaged from
the deck rail during positioning/repositioned of the cargo strap or
when tension on cargo strap is momentarily released during
tensioning. This unintentional disengagement often requires the
person (i.e., single person tie-down process) to make several trips
to re-position and/or re-engaged the cargo strap hook. Regardless
of whether one person or a plurality of persons are involved with
securing the cargo straps, the limitations and drawbacks associated
with conventional cargo strap hooks result in frustration and lost
productivity. Accordingly, a cargo strap hook that overcomes the
limitations and drawbacks of conventional cargo strap hooks is
novel, useful and advantageous.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0004] Cargo strap hooks in accordance with the inventive
disclosures made herein assist in the process of tying down cargo
or securing a specific area on a truck or trailer from movement.
Generally, a truck operator uses a tie-down strap or buckle-down
type of strap to perform these tasks. Cargo strap hooks in
accordance with the inventive disclosures made herein include a
magnet, which allows the cargo strap hook to be magnetically
engaged with a deck rail of a truck or trailer until the cargo
strap is positioned as desired and tension is mechanically applied
to the cargo strap. By magnetically securing the cargo strap hook
to the deck rail, the need for multiple people to install cargo
straps and the need for multiple trips to reposition the cargo
strap hook by a single installer is eliminated. Once the cargo
strap hook is positioned as desired, it stays in position until
repositioned or removed. By allowing one person to quickly, simply
and reliably install a tie-down strap, cargo strap hooks in
accordance with the inventive disclosures made herein simplify the
process of securing cargo, save energy and reduce time, whereby
productivity and profitability are increased.
[0005] In one embodiment of the inventive disclosures made herein,
a cargo strap hook comprises a hook body and a magnet. The hook
body includes means for enabling a cargo strap to be attached
thereto and a hook portion configured for enabling the hook body to
be mechanically engaged with a tie-down structure. The magnet is
fixedly attached to the hook body for enabling the hook body to be
magnetically secured to the tie-down structure.
[0006] In another embodiment of the inventive disclosures made
herein, a cargo strap assembly comprises a cargo strap hook and a
cargo strap attached to the cargo strap hook. The cargo strap hook
includes an integral magnet.
[0007] In at least one embodiment of the inventive disclosures made
herein, at least a portion of the magnet is positioned within a
channel defined by the hook portion.
[0008] In at least one embodiment of the inventive disclosures made
herein, the hook body includes a magnet-receiving opening therein
and the magnet is secured within the magnet-receiving opening
whereby the magnet is exposed at front and rear faces of the hook
body.
[0009] In at least one embodiment of the inventive disclosures made
herein, the hook body includes means configured for enabling a
strap to be attached to the hook body.
[0010] In at least one embodiment of the inventive disclosures made
herein, the means configured for enabling the strap to be attached
to the hook body includes a passage through the hook body.
[0011] In at least one embodiment of the inventive disclosures made
herein, a winch assembly is attached to the cargo strap and is
configured for applying tension to the cargo strap.
[0012] These and other objects and embodiments of the inventive
disclosures made herein will become readily apparent upon further
review of the following specification and associated drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 depicts an embodiment of a cargo strap assembly in
accordance with the inventive disclosures made herein.
[0014] FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view taken along the line 2-2 in
FIG. 1.
[0015] FIG. 3 depicts the cargo strap assembly of FIG. 1
magnetically engaged with a deck rail.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIGS. 1 and 2 depict an embodiment of a cargo strap assembly
10 in accordance with the inventive disclosures made herein. The
cargo strap assembly 10 includes a cargo strap hook 12 and a cargo
strap 14 attached to the cargo strap hook 12. The cargo strap hook
10 includes a hook body 16 and a magnet 18 fixedly attached to the
hook body 16. The cargo strap 14 passes through a passage 20 (e.g.,
a slot) in the hook body 16 and is secured in a manner whereby the
cargo strap hook 12 is fixedly attached to the cargo strap 14
(e.g., the cargo strap 14 passing through the passage 20 and being
sew or heat staked to itself). The passage 20 is an example of a
means configured for enabling the cargo strap 14 to be attached to
the hook body 16.
[0017] The hook body 16 includes a hook portion 22 configured for
enabling the hook body 16 to be mechanically engaged with a
tie-down structure (e.g., a steel deck rail of a truck or trailer).
The magnet 18 is fixedly attached to the hook body 16 for enabling
the hook body 16 to be magnetically secured to the tie-down
structure. Preferably, but not necessarily, at least a portion of
the magnet 18 is positioned within a channel 24 defined by the hook
portion 22 of the hook body 16.
[0018] The hook body 16 includes a magnet-receiving opening 26. The
magnet 18 is secured within the magnet-receiving opening 26 by a
means such as, for example, a snap-in configuration, being bonded
with an adhesive or being mechanically attached with a mechanical
fastener (e.g., rivet, screw, etc). Accordingly, the magnet 18 is
exposed at a front face 28 and a rear face 30 of the hook body 16.
Alternately, with the magnet-receiving opening 26 being omitted,
the magnet 18 may be attached to the front face 28 of the hook body
16 by means such as being bonded with an adhesive and being
mechanically attached with a mechanical fastener (e.g., rivet,
screw, etc).
[0019] In some embodiments, the cargo strap assembly 10 includes a
winch assembly (not specifically shown) attached to the cargo strap
14. The winch assembly is configured for applying tension to the
cargo strap 14. In this manner, the cargo strap 14 may be tightened
to secure cargo on a cargo deck of a truck or trailer.
[0020] Preferably, but not necessarily, the hook body 16 is made
from steel and is treated to be corrosion-resistant. Optionally,
the hook body may be made from a polymeric material, aluminium or
other material. Examples of techniques for forming the hook body
include, but are not limited to, stamping, bending, casting,
machining, injection molding and/or die casting. Examples of
treatments for making the hook-body corrosion-resistant include,
but are not limited to, plating, painting, anodizing, epoxy coating
and/or powder coating.
[0021] Referring now to FIG. 3, the cargo strap hook 12 of the
cargo strap assembly 10 is magnetically engaged with a deck rail 32
of a truck or trailer. Advantageously; the magnet 32 allows the
cargo strap hook 12 to be secured in engagement with the deck rail
32. This functionality is advantageous because it allows a single
person to secure cargo. With the cargo strap hook 12 magnetically
held in place, the person may position the cargo strap 14 as needed
over the cargo and then tighten (i.e., tension) the cargo strap 14.
Once sufficient tension is applied, the hook portion 22 of the
cargo strap hook 12 will be pulled into mechanical engagement with
the deck rail 32. Accordingly, by allowing one person to quickly,
simply and reliably install a tie-down strap, cargo strap hooks in
accordance with the inventive disclosures made herein simplify the
process of securing cargo, save energy and reduce time, whereby
productivity and profitability are increased.
[0022] In the preceding detailed description, reference has been
made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in
which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in
which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments, and
certain variants thereof, have been described in sufficient detail
to enable those skilled in the art to practice embodiments of the
inventive disclosures made herein. It is to be understood that
other suitable embodiments may be utilized and that logical,
mechanical, chemical and electrical changes may be made without
departing from the spirit or scope of such inventive disclosures.
To avoid unnecessary detail, the description omits certain
information known to those skilled in the art. The preceding
detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be limited to
the specific forms set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is
intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and
equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and
scope of the appended claims.
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