Patent Application
20250145078
This invention relates to a system for securing a cargo in a truck bed or on a tailgate, and more particularly, a system of anchors and cables that can be used together to secure one item or multiple items of cargo in or around a truck bed or similar structure.
Multiple types of systems have been developed and used to secure cargo in a truck bed. Some systems may be described as relatively simple. For example, rope tied around cargo and to the truck bed, or chains may be used in a similar manner. Also, a cover over the cargo and secured to the truck bed may be preferable in some situations. Adjustable straps may also be used to secure cargo of various types. Elastic cords with hooks may be used singularly or in a series of such cords. Other such systems may be comprised of a combination of these.
These systems may be described as having certain advantages and certain drawbacks. Most can require repeated entrance to or access to the cargo area in question. Sometimes, the points of securement for such a system are not easily accessible, or the securement mechanism can be obscured or difficult to access.
Another system that may be used to secure cargo in a truck bed is a retractable cover. Many such covers can be semi-permanently attached to the truck bed. While they may be lockable and offer a relatively secure way to contain cargo, they are usually inflexible. To be secure, the cover has to be firmly attached at all points. Also, any items to be secured must be contained within the truck bed and under the cover.
It would be an advance in the art to have a cargo securement system that can be accessed and operated easily from the ground and can enable multiple anchoring and/or locking positions. It would also be an advance in the art to have an anchoring system that is easily customizable and adaptable to various cargo or storage situations. It would also be an advance in the art to have an anchoring system that enables securing a wide variety of items.
The system may be described as comprising at least two anchors and at least one cable connector, cord, or rack. The system may configured in multiple ways depending on the intended use and/or cargo to be secured.
Each anchor or device may include a stowed configuration and a functional, engaged configuration. Each anchor may include a pop-up design such that a head or post is extended when in use, or in an engaged configuration. Each anchor may include a pop-up design such that the anchor is low profile when not in use, or in a stowed configuration. Each anchor may include a pop-up design that allows the lock head to be toggled between a stowed position and an engaged position. Each anchor may provide a locking mechanism, which locking mechanism may be controlled or locked by a key, a combination lock, or the like. Each anchor may provide a port, or access point, where one end of a cable may be inserted into and secured to the lock head of the anchor.
A cable or cord may be of any suitable material. A cable or cord may have an insert or head at one or more ends, wherein the head is shaped to fit into the lock head of the anchor in some manner that allows the end of the cable to be secured by the anchor. A cable or cord may be comprised of a flexible material, a stretchable material, a bendable material, or any similar material suitable for securing a cargo by use of this system.
The invention relates to a system for securing a cargo to a cargo area or a container of some sort. In one embodiment, at least two anchors and a cable are used to secure an item to the tailgate of a truck. For example and not by way of limitation, the system may be used to secure a cargo of one or more items within a truck bed. The system may be used to secure one or more items to the tailgate of a truck.
A cargo may be comprised of one or more items. A cargo may be comprised of a variety of similar or disparate items. For example and not by way of limitation, items associated with a cargo may be comprised of a motorcycle, a bicycle, an ice chest, a camping chair, a generator, or virtually any item that includes a way to thread a cable through the item.
In one embodiment, the system includes anchor devices that can be installed in the tops of the sides of truck bed. The anchor may be easy to install and/or uninstall. The anchor provides a means, such as a lock head, to insert one end of a cable into the lock head and lock that end of the cable into the lock head of the anchor. Then the cable can be threaded through bikes, or wrapped around other items, and the other end of the cable can be locked into the other anchor. In this manner, items in the truck bed, or bikes hanging from or near the tailgate, or items on the ground by the truck, can be secured with the cable that is locked to two or more anchors. It is a system for securing and/or locking items in or near the bed of a truck. The system/anchors may be used in other settings. Multiple anchors could be used to provide other securement, i.e., four anchors could be used at the corners of a truck bed to secure a “web” of cable over the bed of a truck.
In one embodiment, anchors may be designed to have a low profile as compared to the top of the sides of the truck bed. The lock component of the anchor is designed to extend upwards during use/locking and be retracted (inserted) inside the anchor during non-use. This extension/retraction may be accomplished using a spring with a cable or a rod to support the lock component. In one embodiment, an anchor may include a rubber cap, or top cover, to keep out road grime, mud, salt, etc.
In one embodiment, an apparatus may comprise a body operably containing a lock head and operably containing a button head screw, wherein the lock head comprises a lock port, a locking mechanism and a cable core, and wherein the button head screw is operably connected to an expansion fastener. The lock head of the apparatus may be capable of being in one of a stowed position and an engaged position. While in an engaged position, the lock head may be rotatable. The locking mechanism in the lock head may be a combination lock, or the locking mechanism may use a key. The cable core may further comprise a core sheath. The apparatus may further comprise a top cover that is removably connectable to the body.
The foregoing and other objects and features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are, therefore, not to be considered limiting of its scope, the invention will be described with additional specificity and detail through use of the accompanying drawings in which:
It will be readily understood that the components of the present invention, as generally described and illustrated in the drawings herein, could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the following more detailed description of the embodiments of the system and method of the present invention, as represented in the drawings, is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, as claimed, but is merely representative of various embodiments of systems and methods in accordance with the invention. The illustrated embodiments will be best understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout.
Referring to
A body 20, may be generally comprised of a top plate 22, a tube 24, a lock bracket 26, and an end bracket 28. The components of the body 20 may be comprised of any suitable material, such as stainless steel, alloy steel, titanium alloy, aluminum alloy, various polymers, or the like. Generally, the body 20 houses and connects the other components of the anchor 10. The body 20 provides a base or foundation for the anchor assembly 10.
A top plate 22 may be essentially flat or planar. The top plate 22 may be rectangular with rounded corners, although other shapes may be possible and acceptable. The top plate 22 may include one or more holes or apertures for allowing positioning of and access to a lock head 30 and/or a button head screw 40. The top plate 22 may have a length of approximately 3.38 inches (approximately 8.5 cm), a height of approximately 2.25 inches (approximately 5.7 cm), and a width of approximately 0.06 inches (approximately 1.5 mm). These dimensions may be altered or adjusted depending on a desired use. For example, a top plate 22 may have a width of approximately 0.13 inches (approximately 3.3 mm).
In a top plate 22, the hole for the lock head 30 may have a diameter of from approximately 1 inch (approximately 25.4 mm) to approximately 0.91 inches (approximately 23.1 mm). Any suitable diameter may be used in order to accommodate positioning and use of the lock head 30. In a top plate 22, the hole for the button head screw 40 may have a diameter of approximately 0.28 inches (approximately 7.1 mm). Any suitable diameter may be used in order to accommodate positioning and use of the button head screw 40.
A tube 24, or lock tube 24, may be essentially cylindrical. The tube 24 may have a length of approximately 3.25 inches (approximately 8.25 cm), and have an outside diameter of approximately 1.25 inches (approximately 3.175 cm). The thickness of the cylinder wall of the tube 24 may be approximately 0.083 inches (approximately 2.1 mm). In another embodiment, tube 24 may have a length of approximately 2.68 inches (approximately 6.8 cm), and have an outside diameter of approximately 1.13 inches (approximately 2.87 cm). The thickness of the cylinder wall of the tube 24 may be approximately 0.11 inches (approximately 2.8 mm).
A tube 24 may be connected to a top plate 22 in any suitable manner, such as welding or the like. The tube 24 may be connected to the underside of the top plate 22 so that the cylinder of the tube 24 is concentric with the hole for the lock head 30 and extends essentially perpendicular to the plane of the top plate 22. A tube cap 25 may be connected to the end of the cylinder of tube 24 at the end opposite of where the tube 24 is connected to the top plate 22. The tube cap 25 may be described as having the shape of a washer that functions to close the end of the tube 24 opposite the top plate 22 while allowing a lock core 36 and/or core cover 38 to pass through the hole in the tube cap 25.
A lock bracket 26 may be shaped as a rectangular plane with two arms that extend orthogonally from each side of the plane, where the width of the arms is less than the length of the plane. The lock bracket 26 may begin as a flat piece that is relatively T-shaped. The arms of the lock bracket 26 may be formed by bending the top of the T-shape perpendicular with respect to the rectangular plane. The top of the rectangular plane of the lock bracket 26 is connected to the underside of the top plate 22 and extends perpendicularly from the top plate 22. A suitable portion of the top of the rectangular plane of the lock bracket 26 may be bent at an angle of 90 degrees to facilitate attachment to the underside of the top plate 22. The arms on each side of the lock bracket 26 extend orthogonally from the rectangular plane and toward the tube 24. Each arm of the lock bracket 26 may be connected to the tube 24 proximate the respective sides of the tube 24. Any suitable connections between the lock bracket 26, the top plate 22, and the tube 24 may be used, such as welding or the like. Once connected, there will be a gap between the underside of the top plate 22 and the top of the arms of the lock bracket 26.
An end bracket 28 may be a rectangular piece that is bent into a U-shape. The bottom of the U-shaped end bracket 28 may include a hole that can allow the bottom end of the button head screw 40 to pass through. The sides of the U-shaped end bracket 28 may be connected to the outsides of each arm of the lock bracket 26. Once connected, the hole in the bottom of the U-shaped end bracket 28 will line up with, or be concentric with, the hole for the button head screw 40 in the top plate 22. The end bracket 28 serves to provide a base or solid end for securing the end of the button head screw 40. Thus, a button head screw 40 may be inserted through an appropriate hole in the top plate 22 and through the hole in the bottom of the U-shaped end bracket 28, and then secured in place with a washer 44 and a pin 46, which pin 46 is inserted through a hole in the end of the button head screw 40. The washer 44/pin 46 combination maintains the positioning of the button head screw 40 while still allowing for the rotation of the screw 40.
A lock head 30 may be considered as a single piece comprised of a head 32 or post 32, a lock 34 or locking mechanism 34 within the head 32, and a lock core 36 or cable core 36 extending orthogonally from the head 32. The cable core 36 may include a core cover 38 or core sheath 38. The head 32, or post 32, may include a lock port 35. The lock port 35 may allow the end of a cable 64 to be inserted into the lock port 35 so that the cable 64 can be locked into the head 32 via the lock port 35 and by use of the locking mechanism 34. The locking mechanism 34 may be activated by use of a key, or a combination lock, or the like.
One example of a lock head 30 and associated cable 64 would be a Bell Sports™ Key Cable Bike Lock, which is commonly used to secure a bicycle. The end of a cable may be locked into the head of the lock. Any suitable, equivalent device may be used and/or modified as described herein.
The overall length of the lock head 30 may be approximately 5.38 inches (approximately 13.67 cm), with the head 32 or post 32 approximately 2.38 inches (approximately 6.05 cm) and the cable core 36 approximately 3.0 inches (approximately 7.62 cm). The lock head 30 may be described as having a proximate end and a distal end. The proximate end of the lock head 30 may be described as the top of the head 32. The distal end of the lock head 30 may be described as the end of the cable core 36.
A lock head 30 may be inserted through an appropriate hole in the top plate 22 and through the hole in the tube cap 25, and then secured in place with a lock cap 58 connected to the distal end of the lock head 30. Generally, a lock head 30 may be described as having two positions: a stowed position, and an engaged position. In a stowed position, the proximate end of the lock head 30, or top of the head 32, is effectively flush with the top surface of the top plate 22 (as shown more particularly in
In one embodiment of an anchor 10, an extension spring 50 may be located along the cable core 36 between the head 32 and the tube cap 25, within the tube 24 (as shown more particularly in
When the lock head 30 is in the stowed position, the extension spring 50 is compressed and the retraction spring 52 is uncompressed (as shown more particularly in
In either the stowed or engaged position, the lock head 30 may be locked into that position. When the locking mechanism 34 of the lock head 30 is activated, the head 32 will not move with respect to the cable core 36. Thus, the head 32, or post 32, may be locked into position, either in the stowed or engaged positions.
The button head screw 40 may be counter-sunk so that the button head screw 40 does not extend above the top plate 22. Thus, when the lock head 30 is in the stowed position, the top plate 22 is essentially flat, with no component pieces extending above the surface of the top plate 22.
An expansion fastener 42 may be connected to the button head screw 40 and positioned so that when the button head screw 40 is turned clockwise to tighten the screw 40, and the wings of the expansion fastener 42 expand, they can expand through the gap between the bottom of the top plate 22 and the top of the arms of the lock bracket 26. Thus, the wings of the expansion fastener 42 will expand and move toward the underside of the top plate 22, and secure any structure between the underside of the top plate 22 and the wings of the expansion fastener 42 in a vice-like, but releasable, hold. Similarly, when the button head screw 40 is turned counter-clockwise to loosen the screw 40, and the wings of the expansion fastener 42 retract, they can retract within and between the arms of the lock bracket 26. Thus, the wings of the expansion fastener 42 will move away from the underside of the top plate 22, and release any structure between the underside of the top plate 22 and the wings of the expansion fastener 42. The wings of an expansion fastener 42 may be configured to spring open when not confined within a lock bracket 26.
Referring to
The distal end of the lock head 30, or end of the cable core 36, may include a lock washer 54 and a lock nut 56 connected or fastened to the end of the cable core 36. In the stowed position, the cable core 36 will extend below the tube cap 25 and the extension spring 50 will be compressed within the tube 24. In the engaged position, the head 32 will extend above the top plate 22 and the extension spring 50 will be uncompressed, which configuration will pull the cable core 36 up through the tube 24, but the lock washer 54/lock nut 56 combination will prevent the extension spring 50 from pulling the cable core 36 too far (as shown more particularly in
The top of the button head screw 40 may sit on the surface of the top plate 22. This may allow easy access to the top of the button head screw 40. The end of the button head screw 40 may be secured in place using an anchor nut 48. The anchor nut 48 maintains the positioning of the button head screw 40 while still allowing for the rotation of the screw 40.
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Once secured into an opening 60, an anchor 10 may be used to secure cargo and/or other items 68 in or near a truck bed. Referring to
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In one embodiment, both ends of a cable 64 will be configured to be inserted into, and locked into, the lock ports 35 in the heads 32 of anchors 10. The cable 64 can be of any suitable length. For example, the cable 64 may have a length that essentially matches the width of the truck bed. Thus, when each end of the cable 64 is locked into place, the cable 64 will be relatively taught. In another example, the cable 64 may have a longer length that allows the cable 64 to be threaded through one or more items, such as bikes, or the handles on ice chests, or the like, before both ends of the cable 64 are locked into place, which items may be located in or near the truck bed. Thus, multiple items may be secured and/or locked in place in or near the truck bed. In another example, the cable 64 may have a longer length that allows the cable 64 to be threaded through one or more connection hooks 66 before both ends of the cable 64 are locked into place, which connection hooks 66 may be found at various points in a truck bed. Thus, when each end of the cable 64 is locked into place, the cable 64 may provide a sort of criss-crossing barrier. In another example, the cable 64 may have a length that is relatively shorter than the width of the truck bed and be comprised of an elastomeric material. Such an elastic cable could be used in a wide variety of truck beds. Thus, when each end of the cable 64 is locked into place, the cable 64 will be relatively taught, albeit stretchable.
One common factor with these different types of cables would be that the ends of the cables are lockable into the lock heads 30 via the lock ports 35. Thus, they would be more secure than other forms of cargo containment. Also, cables can be designed in a variety of configurations. For example, a cable could be configured to include a net-like portion between two or more ends of the cable. Locking the ends of the cables into the lock heads of two or more anchors will enable multiple items to be secured using this system. As another example, a net-like cable configuration could include four ends of cable that are lockable into four anchors, where the anchors are secured at the four corners of a truck bed.
In one embodiment, a method for using an anchor and securing items of cargo may be described in the following steps. Providing a first anchor, wherein the first anchor comprises a first lock head and the first lock head comprises a first lock port. The first anchor may comprise other components, such as a locking mechanism and a button head screw with an expansion fastener, and the first anchor may include other portions of components, such as a head of the lock head. Generally, this step may include providing an anchor that is comprised of various components as described herein and functions essentially and/or effectively as described herein.
Providing a second anchor, wherein the second anchor comprises a second lock head and the second lock head comprises a second lock port. The second anchor may comprise other components, such as a locking mechanism and a button head screw with an expansion fastener, and the second anchor may include other portions of components, such as a head of the lock head. Generally, this step may include providing a second anchor that is comprised of various components as described herein and functions essentially and/or effectively as described herein.
A first anchor and a second anchor may be secured substantially within an opening. Part of using an anchor may be described as inserting the anchor into an opening in a truck bed, or any other structure that has an opening that can accommodate an anchor, and securing the anchor in a manner such that the anchor is substantially within the opening, i.e., the top plate and associated structures may be described as above the opening, but the rest of the anchor may be described as within the opening.
Providing a cable having a proximate end and a distal end, wherein the proximate end comprises a first lock stem that is capable of being inserted into the first lock port and locked to the first lock head, and the distal end comprises a second lock stem that is capable of being inserted into the second lock port and locked to the second lock head. Generally, a cable may be comprised of any suitable material and have any suitable configuration. A cable may include two ends that are both configured with a lock stem that may be inserted into a corresponding lock port, thereby being able to lock the lock stem and accompanying cable to a lock head.
Providing at least one item to be secured may include any item of cargo, or any suitable item, that is intended to be secured using anchors and a cable. Generally, the item may be any item that includes some sort of structure that allows for threading a cable through a structure or component of the item. For example, a cable may be threaded through the frame of a bicycle, or the wheel of a motorcycle, of the frame of a folding chair, or the handle of an ice chest, or the like.
Locking the first lock stem to the first lock head may be described as an initial step in securing one or more items using anchors and a cable. The first end of a cable may be secured to the first lock stem, thus providing the first, secure anchoring point for the cable.
Then, using the cable to secure the item may describe the process of threading the cable through or around one or more items so that all intended items may be secured using the anchors and cable provided. Again, the cable may be threaded or wrapped around any suitable item that allows for the threading or wrapping of the cable.
Locking the second lock stem to the second lock head may be described as a concluding step in securing one or more items using anchors and a cable. The second end of a cable may be secured to the second lock stem, thus providing a secure anchoring point for the cable and “closing” or securing the cable in relation to the items.
The first lock head and the second lock head can be toggled between a stowed position and an engaged position. As described herein, the lock heads in the anchors may be toggled, or shifted, between a stowed position and an engaged position. While in the stowed position, the anchor may be described as having a low profile with respect to the opening, in that there are minimal components and minimal width added to and visible above the opening. While in the engaged position, the first lock head and the second lock head may be rotated, such that lock port within a lock head may be positioned as is advantageous for inserting a lock stem.
Additional anchors may be provided, which anchors will generally comprise the same structures and components, and have the same functions and relations, as described herein. It may be possible to use as many anchors as can be utilized with corresponding openings for the anchors. Similarly, the use of additional anchors may enable more and varied configurations of cables. Such cables may be described as having three or more ends, as the cable may include branches of cable while still being effectively one cable. Such cables may be described as having a web-like, or net-like, portion while still being effectively one cable. Various configurations of cable may be utilized with two or more anchors.
The ends of a cable may be released, or unlocked, from corresponding lock heads, thereby releasing, or unlocking, any items that were secured using anchors and the cable.
The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its fundamental functions or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative, and not restrictive. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the illustrative embodiments are to be embraced within their scope.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/595,680, filed on Nov. 2, 2023, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63595680 | Nov 2023 | US |
