Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
145 words
An article hold-down device for restraining movement of an article away from a supporting platform, comprising: a lower clamping member having a plurality of serrations and being connected to the platform; an upper clamping member having a plurality of serrations connected to the article; a releasable coupling element slidably movable along the clamping members between a released position at which the serrations of the clamping members are spaced apart and the upper clamping member is movable relative to the platform and a locking position at which the serrations of the clamping members are interlockingly engaged and the upper clamping member is maintained at a preselected position relative to the platform; and cam means effective in the locking position of the coupling element and interacting between the coupling element and the clamping members for resiliently biasing the clamping members together and restraining movement of the article.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
145 words
An article hold-down device for restraining movement of an article away from a supporting platform, comprising: a lower clamping member having a plurality of serrations and being connected to the platform; an upper clamping member having a plurality of serrations connected to the article; a releasable coupling element slidably movable along the clamping members between a released position at which the serrations of the clamping members are spaced apart and the upper clamping member is movable relative to the platform and a locking position at which the serrations of the clamping members are interlockingly engaged and the upper clamping member is maintained at a preselected position relative to the platform; and cam means effective in the locking position of the coupling element and interacting between the coupling element and the clamping members for resiliently biasing the clamping members together and restraining movement of the article.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
The article hold-down device of claim 1 wherein said serrations are ratchet teeth, the teeth being inclined in a direction sufficient for preventing the upper clamping member from moving away from the platform in the locking position of said coupling element.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The article hold-down device of claim 2 wherein the coupling element is a restraining clip encircling the clamping members.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
The article hold-down device of claim 3 wherein said cam means includes a cam element secured to the upper clamping member, and the restraining clip includes a resilient finger engaged with the cam element in the locking position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The article hold-down device of claim 4 including stop means on the upper clamping member for limiting movement of the restraining clip.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The article hold-down device of claim 4 wherein the article is a battery unit and the platform is a supporting frame on a vehicle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The article hold-down device of claim 6 including an anchor joint connected to the platform and wherein the lower clamping member is pivotally connected to said anchor joint.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The article hold-down device of claim 7 wherein said battery unit has a second anchor joint and wherein the upper clamping member is pivotally connected to said second anchor joint.