US4008669A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Resiliently biased tie-down anchor
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1975-11-28
•
Granted: 1977-02-22
•
Expires: 1995-11-28
Abstract
Abstract A cargo tie-down anchoring apparatus for a refrigerated van and the like comprising series of resiliently biased eye bolts disposed in grooves along opposite sides of the floor of the van, which eye bolts extend through the floor and transverse floor supporting flanged beams, said eye bolts, when not in use, being in retracted position in the respective floor grooves so as not to interfere with loading and unloading of the van with the usual perishable cargo and when in use, being elevated above the floor level and engaged by hooks at the ends of flexible strap assemblies having buckle means for tightening the strap assemblies over heavy cargo such as steel coils.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert Earl Sumrell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 01:03
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60P; B60P7/00; B60P7/06; B60P7/08; B60P7/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
127 words
A cargo tie-down apparatus for a refrigerated van and the like having a longitudinally grooved floor supported by transverse flanged beams therebeneath, said apparatus comprising a flexible strap assembly positioned over cargo on said floor and having downwardly extending end portions secured to anchoring means on said floor; at least one of said anchoring means comprising an eye bolt having an eye at its upper end and having a shank extending downwardly through a hole in a floor groove and through the flanges of one of said beams; and eye bolt retaining means to permit limited vertical movement of said eye bolt from a lowered position in said floor groove to an elevated position whereat one end portion of said strap assembly is engaged with said eye.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
127 words
A cargo tie-down apparatus for a refrigerated van and the like having a longitudinally grooved floor supported by transverse flanged beams therebeneath, said apparatus comprising a flexible strap assembly positioned over cargo on said floor and having downwardly extending end portions secured to anchoring means on said floor; at least one of said anchoring means comprising an eye bolt having an eye at its upper end and having a shank extending downwardly through a hole in a floor groove and through the flanges of one of said beams; and eye bolt retaining means to permit limited vertical movement of said eye bolt from a lowered position in said floor groove to an elevated position whereat one end portion of said strap assembly is engaged with said eye.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said retaining means includes a spring biasing said eye bolt to said lowered position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
58 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said retaining means comprises a coil spring around said shank between one of said flanges and a lateral enlargement on said shank operative to bias said eye bolt to said lowered position, said coil spring being compressed solid between said flange and shank enlargement in the elevated position of said eye bolt.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said enlargement comprises a lock nut screwed onto the lower end portion of said shank.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said one end portion comprises a hook detachably engaged with said eye.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said hook is a flat hook and wherein said eye has a horizontal straight upper portion engaged with said hook.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said eye bolt is rotatable in said hole to position said eye in a vertical plane which is perpendicular to a vertical plane passing through said strap assembly.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said floor groove has a recess to receive the lower portion of said eye in the lowered position of said eye bolt.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
104 words
A cargo tie-down apparatus for a vehicle having a floor supported by transverse flanged beams therebeneath comprising an eye bolt having an eye at its upper end and having a shank extending downwardly through a hole in said floor and through the flanges of one of said beams; and eye bolt retaining means to permit limited vertical movement of said eye bolt from a retracted position in said floor to an elevated position whereat the eye of said eye bolt is above the floor for engagement with the end portion of a flexible strap assembly adapted to be tightened over cargo on said floor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
104 words
A cargo tie-down apparatus for a vehicle having a floor supported by transverse flanged beams therebeneath comprising an eye bolt having an eye at its upper end and having a shank extending downwardly through a hole in said floor and through the flanges of one of said beams; and eye bolt retaining means to permit limited vertical movement of said eye bolt from a retracted position in said floor to an elevated position whereat the eye of said eye bolt is above the floor for engagement with the end portion of a flexible strap assembly adapted to be tightened over cargo on said floor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein spring means biases said eye bolt to such retracted position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said eye bolt is rotatable in said hole to position said eye in a vertical plane which is perpendicular to a vertical plane passing through said strap assembly.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said floor has a recess to receive said eye in said retracted position.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said retaining means comprises a lock nut screwed onto the lower end portion of said shank, and spring means between said lock nut and beam to bias said eye bolt to said retracted position.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said spring means comprises a coil spring which is compressed solid in said elevated position.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said coil spring is made from rectangular cross-section wire to prevent buckling of said spring when compressed solid as aforesaid.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-02-22 | 1980-08-23 | 1981-02-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-02-22 | 1984-08-23 | 1985-02-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-02-22 | 1988-08-23 | 1989-02-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |