SECURITY STRAP

• US 20100043186A1
• Filed: 06/26/2009
• Published: 02/25/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/26/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Yakima Products Incorporated (Kemflo International Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Yakima Products Incorporated (Kemflo International Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Lesley, Kevin E.
• Granted Patent: US 8,234,757 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 24/68.CD
• CPC Class Codes: A44B 11/16 Strap held by spring action
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 7/0823 Straps; Tighteners
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 9/04 Carriers associated with vehicle roof B60R9/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 9/052 Carriers comprising elongate members extending only transversely of vehicle B60R9/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 9/08 specially adapted for sports gear vehicles specially adapted for carrying aeroplanes, for carrying boats B60P
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 67/003 Chain, wire or cable locks alarms therefor E05B45/005; E05B69/006 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/2175 Cargo tie down
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/4016 Pivoted part or lever
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/409 Shackles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5009 For portable articles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5982 Accessories

Abstract

A theft resistant strap and buckle assembly for securing cargo on a vehicle rack includes a strap and a buckle. The strap is reinforced to resist cutting. The buckle has a lock and pawl device that operates to prevent loosening of the strap when the buckle is locked.

Claims

1. A binding device for securing cargo on a rack comprising

a strap having continuous cut-resistant strands running between first and second end portions,

a buckle including a housing having a fixed connection to the first end portion of the strap, and a passage for sliding the second end portion of the strap through the housing,

a spring biased pawl, in the housing, having a frictional surface configured to engage the strap as it passes through the passage, the pawl being biased against the strap in an orientation that allows tightening of the strap and prevents loosening of the strap,

a control surface being biased in a first position and pressable to a second position, wherein pressing of the control surface to the second position causes the pawl to disengage the strap, allowing the strap to be loosened, and

a lock connected to the housing, the lock being operable between locked and unlocked positions to move a follower into a position blocking the control surface from moving to the second position.

2. The binding device of claim 1, wherein the control surface is on the pawl.

3. The binding device of claim 1, wherein the control surface is on a bottom member that acts on the pawl to disengage the strap when the button member is pressed.

4. The binding device of claim 1, wherein the pawl and control surface are in a first chamber of the housing, the lock being contained in a second chamber of the housing, the follower being moveable between the first chamber and the second chamber.

5. The binding device of claim 1, wherein the frictional surface of the pawl has teeth structures for gripping the strap.

6. The binding device of claim 1, wherein the follower is eccentrically connected to the lock.

7. The binding device of claim 1, wherein the lock requires a key for rotation to the unlocked position.

8. The binding device of claim 1, wherein the lock requires entry of a combination code for rotation to the unlocked position.

9. A binding device for securing cargo on a rack comprising

a strap having continuous cut-resistant strands running between first and second end portions,

a buckle including a housing having a fixed connection to the first end portion of the strap, and a passage for sliding the second end portion of the strap through the housing,

a spring biased pawl, in the housing, having a frictional surface configured to engage the strap as it passes through the passage, the pawl being biased against the strap in an orientation that allows tightening of the strap and prevents loosening of the strap,

a control surface being biased in a first position and pressable to a second position, wherein pressing of the control surface to the second position causes the pawl to disengage the strap, allowing the strap to be loosened, and

a cover pivotally connecting to the housing, wherein the cover blocks access to the pawl and control surface when the cover is closed, and

a lock operable between locked and unlocked positions, wherein the cover is prevented from opening when the lock is in the locked position.

10. The binding device of claim 9, wherein the lock is integrated with the cover,

11. The binding device of claim 9, wherein the lock is maintained on the housing separate from the cover when the cover is open.

12. The binding device of claim 9, wherein the control surface is on the pawl.

13. The binding device of claim 9. wherein the control surface is on a bottom member that acts on the pawl to disengage the strap when the button member is pressed.

14. The binding device of claim 9, wherein the frictional surface of the pawl has teeth structures for gripping the strap.

15. The binding device of claim 9, wherein the lock requires a key for rotation to the unlocked position.

16. The binding device of claim 9, wherein the lock requires entry of a combination code for rotation to the unlocked position.