The present invention relates generally to devices and fasteners used to secure or anchor one or more items to another item. It also relates generally to motorcycles, motor vehicles and accessories for motorcycles and motor vehicles. More specifically, the present invention relates to a self-aligning lug and assembly that can be mounted into certain surfaces of a motorcycle or vehicle for the purpose of attaching items to the motorcycle or vehicle using a rope, strap, bungee cord or other tying means. It also relates to such a lug that has three lobes to it, each lobe being capable of having a tie structure looped through it or secured to it.
Various surface-mountable devices are known in the relevant art. Such devices include tie-down rings, loops and fingers, among other similar structures. Some of those devices allow for movement of a ring, for example, where the ring is secured to a surface mount and allowed to pivot or rotate substantially 180° relative to the surface to which the device is mounted. The problem with such devices, however, is that the tie-down structure is typically secured to a surface in a fixed relationship or position. In the case of the rotatable ring, its inability to pivot or rotate does not allow the ring to maximize its load-bearing capacity. Such side loading could potentially result in the ring failing or the entire device failing due to the stresses that side loading exerts on the tie-down structure due to this fixed placement.
In the view of this inventor, there is a need to provide a tie- down structure in the form of a self-aligning lug which allows the structure to align the lug in a direction that maximizes the lug's load-bearing capacity. There is also a need to provide such a structure whereby the lug is fully rotatable 360° about an axis. There is also a need to provide such a self-aligning lug that is tri-lobed such that up to three securing straps, lines, bungee cord hooks or the like may be secured to the lug or looped through it, all at one time. There is also a need to provide such a structure that is simple in design and easy to use.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a tie-down structure in the form of a self-aligning lug which allows the structure to align the lug in a direction of maximum strength and which allows the lug to rotate 360° about an axis. It is another object of the present invention to provide such a self-aligning lug that is tri-lobed such that up to three securing straps, lines, hooks or the like may be secured to one or more of the lobes of the lug or looped through the lobes of the lug, and all at one time. It is still another object of the present invention to provide such a structure that is simple in design and easy to use.
The device of the present invention has obtained these objects. It provides for tri-lobed lug having a centrally disposed aperture which allows the lug to rotate 360° about its axis. Each lobe of the lug can be used to secure an attachment means to it. This could be a rope, strap or other similar structure. Each lobe can also be used to loop such rope, strap, bungee cord hook or other structure through an aperture defined in the lobe. When such structure is secured to the lug, the lug can align itself in a direction of maximum strength.
The foregoing and other features of the self-aligning lug of the present invention will be apparent from the detailed description that follows.
Referring now to the drawings in detail,
As shown, the self-aligning lug 10 comprises a substantially round and disk-like base portion 2. The base portion 2 has a substantially flat bottom surface 3. See
Referring now to
Below the lug 10 is a first washer-like element 40 on which the bottom surface 3 of the lug 10 rests, after assembly. In this assembly 100, the coefficient of friction between the bottom surface 3 of the lug 10 and the face of the first washer-like element 40 should be low. Similarly, the coefficient of friction between the top surface 5 of the lug 10 should be low in relation to the underside of the head 22 of the bolt-like element 20. Below the first washer-like element 40 is a cushioning layer 42 which is preferably made of a rubber material to prevent scuffing or damage to the surface 110 to which the assembly 100 is attached via the aperture 112, the aperture 112 being sized to receive the lower shaft portion 26 of the bolt-like element 20. The cushioning layer 42 also seals the aperture 112 of the surface 110. Underneath the surface 110, and below that side of the surface 110 that supports the lug 10, a second washer-like element 50 is provided. This second washer-like element 50 similarly includes a cushioning layer 52, also to prevent damage to the surface 110. Lastly, the assembly 100 can be secured by means of securing a like-threaded nut 60 to the threaded lower shaft portion 26 of the bolt-like member 20. In this fashion, the lobes 6a, 6b, 6c of the lug 10 may be used to attach a strap or other securing member (not shown) to the lug 10. When attached, the lug 10 will freely rotate about the upper shaft portion 24 of the bolt-like member 20 and the interposed bushing 30 and orientate itself in a position that exerts the least amount of stress on the lug 10 and the respective lobe 6a, 6b, 6c.
It should also be mentioned that, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the lug 10 portions are integrally formed as a single structure. The lug 10 and its component structures may be made of a metal material, a plastic material or other material that is strong enough to allow the stress of a fastener to be imposed on the lug 10 without a failure of the lug 10 at any one or more of the lobes 6a, 6b, 6c. Further, it is to be noted that the lobes 6a, 6b, 6c and the lobe apertures 7a, 7b, 7c of the lug 10 are formed to be substantially rounded so as to avoid any edges that could otherwise cut into or sever the strap, rope or other structure that could be attached to or looped through the lug portions.
In view of the foregoing, it will be appreciated that the present invention provides a tri-lobed lug having a centrally disposed vertical aperture which allows the lug to rotate 360° about its axis. Each lobe of the lug can be used to secure an attachment means to it. This could be a rope, strap, bungee cord hook or other similar structure. Each lobe can also be used to loop such rope, strap or other structure through an aperture defined in the lobe. When such structure is secured to the lug, the lug can align itself in a direction of maximum strength.
This application claims the benefit and priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/521,108 filed Aug. 8, 2011.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61521108 | Aug 2011 | US |