Patent ID: 8235633
Filing Date: 2012-08-07
Classification: B60P,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A tie-down apparatus which is releasably attachable to a vehicle having an elongated, substantially rigid member, wherein said apparatus is a hinged clamp comprising: i) a first clamp half having a first end and a second end; ii) a second clamp half having a first end and a second end; iii) a hinge pivotally connecting said first clamp half first end and said second clamp half first end, said hinge having an axis of rotation about which said first and second clamp halves are pivotable, wherein said hinge comprises a first hinge bore hole and second hinge bore hole in the first end of the first clamp half and a third hinge bore hole in the first end of the second clamp half; wherein in a closed position, said first clamp half second end and said second clamp half second end overlap, and in an open position said first clamp half second end and said second clamp half second end do not overlap; iv) a first bore hole traversing the second end of said first clamp half; and v) a second bore hole traversing the second end of said second clamp half, wherein said first and second bore holes have a center axis that is substantially parallel to said axis of rotation of the hinge, wherein said first and second bore holes form a tie down attachment point when in the closed position, wherein in said closed position, said first and second bore holes are substantially aligned to each other axially, wherein in said closed position, a recessed interior surface of said clamp generally corresponds in shape to an exterior cross-sectional shape of said elongated, substantially rigid member; and wherein said first and second bore holes and the first, second, and third hinge bore holes are the only holes on the tie-down apparatus.