US3872797A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Trailer hitch tie-down assembly
Assignee: Thrall Car Manufacturing Co
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Filing: 1974-01-28
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Granted: 1975-03-25
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Expires: 1994-01-28
Abstract
Abstract Tie-down structure for securing a vehicle such as a recreational or commercial trailer on the deck of a transport. The tie-down structure in the specific embodiment disclosed comprises a pivoted support frame which is held in an upright, operative position when in use, and may be swung to a generally horizontal, inoperative position when not in use.
Inventors
- 👤 William R Baker
- 👤 Israel D Peisner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 21:21
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60P; B60P3/00; B60P3/06; B60P3/07; B60P3/073
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
176 words
Tie-down structure for securing a trailer on the elongated deck of a transport, comprising a pair of elongated laterally spaced parallel rails adapted to be anchored lengthwise upon the deck, a support frame having a pair of laterally spaced parallel bars, means for pivotally mounting said frame between said rails in selected positions along the length of said rails for swinging movement from a generally horizontal to an upright position, said pivotal mounting means comprising laterally extending pins carried by the lower ends of said bars, pin-receiving apertures in said rails spaced apart along the length thereof, said pins being received in any opposed pair of apertures in said rails, means for releasably holding said frame in upright position comprising carriages, pins on said carriages receivable in said rail apertures to secure said carriages in adjusted positions on opposite sides of said frame, flexible linear members connected to and extending between said frame and said carriages, and means for securing the trailer to the upper portion of said frame in the upright position of the latter.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
176 words
Tie-down structure for securing a trailer on the elongated deck of a transport, comprising a pair of elongated laterally spaced parallel rails adapted to be anchored lengthwise upon the deck, a support frame having a pair of laterally spaced parallel bars, means for pivotally mounting said frame between said rails in selected positions along the length of said rails for swinging movement from a generally horizontal to an upright position, said pivotal mounting means comprising laterally extending pins carried by the lower ends of said bars, pin-receiving apertures in said rails spaced apart along the length thereof, said pins being received in any opposed pair of apertures in said rails, means for releasably holding said frame in upright position comprising carriages, pins on said carriages receivable in said rail apertures to secure said carriages in adjusted positions on opposite sides of said frame, flexible linear members connected to and extending between said frame and said carriages, and means for securing the trailer to the upper portion of said frame in the upright position of the latter.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The tie-down structure defined in claim 1, wherein said linear members include resiliently extensible elements.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
The tie-down structure defined in claim 1, wherein said means for securing the trailer to said frame comprises mounts disposed adjacent the top of said frame when the latter is upright, and means on said mounts for supporting and securing thereto the crossbar of a fifth-wheel trailer hitch.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
The tie-down structure defined in claim 3, wherein said mounts are pivotally carried by said frame so that they may be turned laterally outwardly for use or laterally inwardly to clear said rails when said frame is swung to its generally horizontal position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The tie-down structure defined in claim 1, wherein said means for securing the trailer to said frame comprises a ball member mounted on said frame.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
174 words
Tie-down structure for securing a trailer on the elongated deck of a transport, comprising a pair of elongated laterally spaced parallel rails adapted to be anchored lengthwise upon the deck, a support frame, means pivotally mounting said frame between said rails in selected positions along the length of said rails for swinging movement from a generally horizontal to an upright position, said pivotal mounting means comprising laterally extending pins carried by the lower end of said frame, pin-receiving apertures in said rails spaced apart along the length thereof, said pins being received in any opposed pair of apertures in said Rails, means for releasably holding said frame in upright position comprising flexible linear members connected at one end to said frame near the upper end thereof, means connecting the other ends of said flexible linear members to said rails on opposite sides of said frame comprising pins received in selected apertures in said rails, and means for securing the trailer to the upper portion of said frame in the upright position of the latter.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
174 words
Tie-down structure for securing a trailer on the elongated deck of a transport, comprising a pair of elongated laterally spaced parallel rails adapted to be anchored lengthwise upon the deck, a support frame, means pivotally mounting said frame between said rails in selected positions along the length of said rails for swinging movement from a generally horizontal to an upright position, said pivotal mounting means comprising laterally extending pins carried by the lower end of said frame, pin-receiving apertures in said rails spaced apart along the length thereof, said pins being received in any opposed pair of apertures in said Rails, means for releasably holding said frame in upright position comprising flexible linear members connected at one end to said frame near the upper end thereof, means connecting the other ends of said flexible linear members to said rails on opposite sides of said frame comprising pins received in selected apertures in said rails, and means for securing the trailer to the upper portion of said frame in the upright position of the latter.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
154 words
Tie-down structure for securing a trailer on the elongated deck of a transport, comprising a pair of elongated laterally spaced parallel rails adapted to be anchored lengthwise upon the deck, a support frame, means for pivotally mounting said frame between said rails in selected positions along the length of said rails for swinging movement from a generally horizontal to an upright position, means for releasably holding said frame in upright position, means for securing the trailer to the upper portion of said frame in the upright position of the latter comprising laterally spaced mounts disposed adjacent the top of said frame when said frame is upright, and means on said mounts for supporting and securing thereto a trailer hitch, said mounts being pivotally mounted on said frame so that they may be turned laterally outwardly for use or laterally inwardly to clear said rails when said frame is swung to its generally horizontal position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
154 words
Tie-down structure for securing a trailer on the elongated deck of a transport, comprising a pair of elongated laterally spaced parallel rails adapted to be anchored lengthwise upon the deck, a support frame, means for pivotally mounting said frame between said rails in selected positions along the length of said rails for swinging movement from a generally horizontal to an upright position, means for releasably holding said frame in upright position, means for securing the trailer to the upper portion of said frame in the upright position of the latter comprising laterally spaced mounts disposed adjacent the top of said frame when said frame is upright, and means on said mounts for supporting and securing thereto a trailer hitch, said mounts being pivotally mounted on said frame so that they may be turned laterally outwardly for use or laterally inwardly to clear said rails when said frame is swung to its generally horizontal position.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3054363A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-03-24 | 1978-09-23 | 1979-03-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-24 | 1982-09-23 | 1983-03-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-24 | 1986-09-23 | 1987-03-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |