Cargo securement system and tie down strap

• US 5,673,464 A
• Filed: 09/12/1996
• Issued: 10/07/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 11/04/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Philpott Specialty Products Limited
• Original Assignee: Mark Whittaker
• Inventors: Whittaker, Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuomo, Peter M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SANDY, ROBERT JOHN
• Application Number:
  US08/710,168
• Time in Patent Office: 390 Days
• Field of Search: 24/16 R, 24/16 PB, 24/17 R, 24/193, 24/115 F, 24/301, 24/300, 24/602, 24/68 CD, 24/299, 248/499, 410/96-103
• US Class Current: 24/301
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 13/30 Straps; Bands
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 7/0823 Straps; Tighteners
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/2175 Cargo tie down
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/316 Strap connector

Abstract

A tie down strap includes two end portions and a main body portion extending therebetween having a plurality of openings integrally formed therein. The openings extend in a sequential manner linearly aligned along the main body portion intermediate the end portions and are dimensioned to receive therethrough a main body portion of another strap when the main body portion defining the opening is elongated. Specifically, the main body portion comprises two side members that extend between the two end portions in spaced parallel relation and a plurality of bridge portions that extend between and secure the two side members in their parallel relation. Moreover, the end portions have securement members such as hooks and each bridge portion is configured to be received within each securement member in substantially continuous contact therewith.

Claims

1. A tie down strap extendable between attachment locations in at least intermittent abutment with cargo to restrain movement of the cargo, comprising:

two end portions and an elongateable linearly extending elastic main body portion disposed therebetween,

means formed in at least a first said end portion thereof for attaching said main body portion to an attachment location, and

a plurality of openings integrally formed within and extending in a sequential manner linearly aligned along said linearly extending main body portion intermediate said end portions, each said opening being dimensioned for the passage therethrough of a main body portion of a second identical tie down strap for the redirection of the second identical tie down strap when the elastic main body portion defining said opening is elongated.

2. A tie down strap according to claim 1 wherein said main body portion comprises two side members extending in spaced parallel relation between said two end portions, and further comprising bridge portions that are sequentially arranged along said main body portion and extend between and secure in parallel relation said two side members, said bridge portions and said side members thereby defining said openings.

3. A tie down strap according to claim 2, wherein, when a main body portion of an identical second tie down strap is extended through one of said openings, said bridge portions and said side members defining said opening contract about the identical second tie down strap to restrain movement thereof when said elongated main body portion is relaxed.

4. A tie down strap according to claim 2 wherein said attaching means includes a hook at each said end portion having an engaging portion configured to receive therein one of said bridge portions for substantially continuous contact therebetween, each said engaging portion extendable through a first opening adjacent said bridge portion, around said bridge portion, and through a second opening adjacent said bridge portion when said engaging portion receives said bridge portion therein.

5. A tie down strap according to claim 4, wherein said engaging portions are "U"-shaped and said bridge portions are cylindrically shaped and configured to be received within said "U"-shaped engaging portions for substantially continuous contact therebetween.

6. A cargo securement system for restraining movement of cargo, comprising:

a plurality of elongateable straps, each said strap having

two end portions

a elongateable linearly extending main body portion disposed therebetween, and

hook means disposed on each said end portion for removably attaching said end portions to attachment locations, said hook means having engaging portions,

each said main body portion comprising two side members extending in spaced parallel relation between said two end portions and bridge portions that are sequentially arranged along said main body portion and that extend between and secure in parallel relation said two side members, said side members and said bridge portions thereby defining a plurality of openings integrally formed within and extending in a sequential manner linearly along said linear-extending main body portion,

each said strap of the cargo securement system cooperating with other said straps to restrain movement of the cargo, said bridge portions of each said strap being configured to be received within said engaging portions of said hook means of each said strap in substantially continuous contact therewith for providing attachment locations for said strap, said openings of each said strap being dimensioned for the passage therethrough of a main body portion of another said strap for the redirection of said strap extended therethrough.

7. A cargo securement system of claim 6, comprising two straps and a plurality of "S"-hooks having engaging portions, wherein said "S"-hooks join part of said main body portions of said two straps in parallel spaced relation, each said "S"-hook extending through two openings in each said main body portion of each said strap and receiving a bridge portion of each strap within its said engaging portions.

8. A cargo securement system, comprising a plurality of elongateable straps, each strap comprising:

two end portions and an elongateable linearly extending elastic main body portion disposed therebetween having a plurality of openings, said main body portion including two side members extending in spaced parallel relation between said two end portions and bridge portions which are sequentially arranged along said main body portion and which extend between and secure in parallel relation said two side members, said bridge portions and said side members thereby defining said openings,

wherein said openings are dimensioned for the passage therethrough of one of said plurality of straps for the redirection of said one strap extended therethrough.