Offset hook and fastener system

• US 20110064535A1
• Filed: 09/11/2009
• Published: 03/17/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/11/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lock-N-Load Feed Systems, LLC
• Original Assignee: Lock-N-Load Feed Systems, LLC
• Inventors: Tardif, Thomas A., Lambert, Douglas J.
• Granted Patent: US 8,182,182 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 410/100
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 7/0807 Attachment points
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/4773 Cargo tiedown

Abstract

A tie-down strap system, an offset adapter for use with a tie-down strap or rope and kits therefor are disclosed. A tie-down strap system includes an adjustable tie down strap component having a first strap secured on one end to a strap adjusting mechanism and an anchor point connector on an opposite end and a second strap having a free end removably and operably connected to the strap adjusting mechanism and an anchor point connector on an opposite end, the anchor point connector includes an connector body with an opening formed at a first body end to which a strap end is secured, and an elongated end portion extending longitudinally away from the connector body for a predefined distance and offset from the plane of the connector body. The offset adapter includes a universal hook adapter having an adapter body with an opening formed at a first body end and sized to receive one of a J-hook, a split hook or an S-hook of a conventional tie-down strap system, and an offset elongated end portion that longitudinally extends from a second body end of the adapter body for a predefined distance and offset from the plane of the adapter body.

Claims

1. A tie-down strap system comprising:

an adjustable tie down strap component having a first strap secured on one end to a strap adjusting mechanism and an anchor point connector on an opposite end and a second strap having a free end removably and operably connected to the strap adjusting mechanism and an anchor point connector on an opposite end, the anchor point connector comprising;

an connector body with an opening formed at a first body end to which a strap end is secured; and

an elongated end portion extending longitudinally away from the connector body for a predefined distance and offset from the plane of the connector body.

2. The tie-down strap system of claim 1 wherein the connector body is a substantially flat, elongated member.

3. The tie-down strap system of claim 1 wherein the anchor point connector is formed from a rod wherein the opening at the first body end of the connector body is a loop formed with a portion of the rod.

4. The tie-down strap system of claim 1 further comprising an interconnect adapter having an elongated adapter body with a first adapter opening formed in a first adapter body end and a second adapter opening formed in a second adapter body end wherein the first adapter opening and the second adapter opening are sized for interlockingly receiving the elongated end portion of the anchor point connector.

5. The tie-down strap system of claim 1 further comprising an offset adapter hook having an adapter hook body with a central body portion, a hook that extends from an end of the central body portion, and an anchor point connector end that extends from an opposite end of the central body portion, the anchor point connector end having a connector receiver body that is lateral to the plane of the hook of the first hook end and includes a second hook end aperture.

6. The tie-down strap system of claim 5 wherein the second hook end is offset toward the opening of the hook in the first hook end.

7. The tie-down strap system of claim 5 wherein the second hook end is offset away from the opening of the hook in the first hook end.

8. The tie-down strap system of claim 1 further comprising a flat hook adapter having a substantially flat and planar body with a hook formed at one end and an aperture formed in the second end and sized for interlockingly receiving the elongated end portion of the anchor point connector.

9. An adapter kit for use with conventional tie-down straps or ropes, the kit comprising:

a universal hook adapter having an adapter body with an opening formed at a first body end and sized to receive one of a J-hook, a split hook or an S-hook of a conventional tie-down strap or rope, and an offset elongated end portion that longitudinally extends from a second body end of the adapter body for a predefined distance and offset from the plane of the adapter body; and

instructions for installing the universal hook adapter between an anchor point of a truck bed and the hook of a conventional tie-down strap system.

10. The kit of claim 9 further comprising an offset adapter hook having a central body portion, a hook that extends from one end of the central body portion, and an elongated end portion that longitudinally extends from an opposite end of the central body portion for a predefined distance and is offset from the longitudinal axis of the central body portion, the elongated end portion sized for interlockingly connecting with the opening formed in the first body end of the universal hook adapter or a drain or bolt aperture of a structure.

11. The kit of claim 10 wherein the elongated end portion is offset toward the hook recess of the hook.

12. The tie-down strap system of claim 10 wherein the offset rod is offset away from the hook recess of the hook.

13. A tie-down strap kit comprising:

an adjustable tie down strap component having a first strap secured on one end to a strap adjusting mechanism and an anchor point connector on an opposite end and a second strap having a free end removably and operably connectable to the strap adjusting mechanism and an anchor point connector on an opposite end, the anchor point connector comprising;

a connector body with an opening formed at a first body end to which a strap end is secured; and

an elongated end portion extending longitudinally away from the connector body for a predefined distance and offset from the longitudinal axis of the connector body; and

instructions for installing the elongated end portion of each anchor point connector into a drain or bolt opening of a structure and tightening the tie down strap between each anchor point connector.

14. The tie-down strap kit of claim 13 further comprising an interconnect adapter having an interconnect body and an anchor connector opening at each end wherein the anchor connector opening is sized to receive the elongated end portion of the anchor point connector for interlocking the anchor point connector to the interconnect adapter and to prevent the anchor point connector from premature disengagement with the interconnect adapter during assembly.

15. The tie-down strap kit of claim 13 further comprising a tie-down adapter having an adapter body, an adapter first end that includes a hook that extends from one end of the adapter body forming a hooking recess, and an adapter second end with an anchor connector opening having a size and shape to interlockingly receive the elongated end portion of the anchor point connector for coupling the anchor point connector to the adapter second end and wherein the adapter second end has a length greater than or equal to the length of the elongated end portion of the anchor point connector.

16. The tie-down strap kit of claim 15 wherein the tie-down adapter is one of a J-hook adapter or a flat hook adapter.