Removable tie-down device

• US 6,129,490 A
• Filed: 03/20/2000
• Issued: 10/10/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 03/20/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: James D. Erskine, James H. Erskine
• Original Assignee: James D. Erskine, James H. Erskine
• Inventors: Erskine, James D., Erskine, James H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gordon, Stephen T.
• Application Number:
  US09/531,032
• Time in Patent Office: 204 Days
• Field of Search: 410/101, 410/106, 410/110, 410/116, 114/218, 24/115 K, 24/265 CD, 248/499
• US Class Current: 410/110
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 7/0807 Attachment points

Abstract

A tie-down device for use with trucks or the like which requires an item or items to be secured to the truck bed by means of a rope, cable, strap, etc. The device is removable and securable without the need for drilling holes and without marring or scratching finished surfaces to which it is attached. Its primary use is, but is not limited to, the downwardly-protruding interior edge of a truck bed cap. This is accomplished by a single-piece design which is cylindrical in shape with a slot that runs the length of the piece forming a hook-like configuration and creating a front and rear portion to the device. At the front portion there is a radius groove at each end of the device with eased edges. This forms a cleat-like configuration to the front portion of the device and accommodates various means of securing items to a truck bed or the like. With the front portion configured as a cleat, and the rear portion as a hook, this allows the device to not only be easily secured to the truck bed cap, but also allows the various means of fastening items to the device at any angle or direction.

Claims

1. A tie-down device that is multi-functional, securable and removable to a vehicle for securing items to or within the vehicle, said device comprising a cylindrical piece comprised of a slot that runs the length of the device forming a hook-type configuration, and creating a front and rear portion to the device which allows the piece to fit up into a downwardly-protruding edge of the vehicle, a nylon tipped set screw threadingly received by the piece, said piece being securable in place by means of said set screw with said nylon tip at the portion of the screw that comes in contact with the downwardly-protruding edge .

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said cylindrical piece has radius grooves that are perpendicular to the length of the piece, said grooves are located at each end of the front portion of the piece with chamfered, eased edges of the radius grooves and thereby forming a cleat-like configuration which accommodates the attaching of a fastening means to the device.

3. The device of claim 1 or 2, wherein said device is a unitary piece of material that is cast or machined, with a threaded hole approximately in the center of the front portion of the device to accommodate said set screw that will secure the device to the vehicle.