Abstract:
An anchor ( 10 ) with a shaped aperture ( 15 ) that receives various and multiple types of tie straps ( 25 )( 32 )( 33 ) and strap hardware end comprised of straps of woven webbing with or without a hook or pin end, or straps of the one-time useable steel banding type. The tie strap ( 25 )( 32 )( 33 ) being held in place by the appropriate anchor provision and the said anchor being contained within a pocket in the wall ( 21 ) or floor ( 20 ) of railway box or flat car ( 84 ). Various industry lading tie straps, bands, strap end pin or strap end hooks already in use are allowed to be connected to the shaped aperture anchor. An appropriate ratchet inherent to the specific type of tie strap being used is operated to remove any remaining slack in the lading ties ( 25 )( 32 )( 33 ) and then apply the desired tension thereon to secure the lading to the railway car.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/550,788 filed Mar. 5, 2004. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Loads on railway cars need to be restrained from shifting under the various loads imposed by draft, buff, and rocking of the car. For particular types of loads, such as large rolls or coils of sheet material, or palletized loads, tensioning mechanisms using straps and anchors are advantageous.  
         [0003]     To avoid the limitations with present practices of prior art the invention relates generally to the improvement in lading tie anchor systems for railway cars. Prior art is specific to a particular type of strap, hook, pin or anchor fitting and is limited to its own inherent arrangement. The invention combines several distinct elements into an improved cargo lading tie anchor system so as to offer the user more versatility in securing cargo.  
         [0004]     This novel multipurpose anchor has multiple provisions and adapted to receive various different types of straps and cargo lading tie hardware that correspond to their particular attachment features.  
         [0005]     The invention also provides a lading tie anchor system and method of using the same which can use various lading tie straps, bands, strap end pin or strap end hooks already in use and practice with various railway cars.  
         [0006]     The anchor fitting is mountable in a wall, deck or support of a vehicle so that the fitting can be adapted to different load conditions including a different mix of lading.  
       DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART  
       [0007]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,422,794 teaches a cargo snugger strap and hook mechanism with an anchor with a “L” shaped aperture, where said system is dependant upon cargo straps and hook mechanism tailored to fit the specific “L” shaped aperture anchor. The disclosure in this patent is incorporated by reference in the instant application as if fully set forth herein.  
         [0008]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,402,446 teaches a lading tie anchor system with a strap and a specific rigid hook body that respectively is retained and dependant upon a specifically shaped tie anchor aperture. The disclosure in this patent is incorporated by reference in the instant application as if fully set forth herein.  
         [0009]     Application Publication No. 2003/0133767A1 published Jul. 17, 2003, shows two apertures, one for a pin and one for a plain woven strap. The unique capability of multipurpose anchor  10  allows enhanced usability for the railway car  34 . Different arrangements, size and shaped lading  22  call for particular lading tie anchor system scenarios. The applicant&#39;s invention is intended to offer multiple lading tie hardware usage options so as to result in the railway car  84  being more versatile than what is disclosed within the prior art that has been previously discussed.  
         [0010]     The forgoing prior art teaches certain parameters for lading tie anchor and lading tie strap systems and uses specific solutions to meet the needs. The instant invention departs from the limited functionality in its use of the anchors being specific to a limited selection of tie straps. Additionally, the prior art typically uses specific hardware that is dedicated for its specific use and is not versatile in its nature. The instant invention utilizes simple, yet offers an anchor with provisions to accept multiple strap configurations and not limited to the specific “L” shaped or bar shaped aperture anchor which offers a real advantage for the user so the user is not limited to usage of a limited strap hardware provision. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]      FIG. 1  is a largely schematic perspective view of support surfaces to which the indicated anchors and lading tie straps have been applied, and several cargo pallet loads to be supported thereon, which support surface may be, for instance, the wall or deck of a railway box car.  
         [0012]      FIG. 2  is a diagrammatic perspective view showing a multipurpose anchor disposed to receive the various types of conventional lading tie straps and/or connecting hardware.  
         [0013]      FIG. 3  is a front elevational view of the multipurpose anchor disposed to receive the various types of conventional lading tie straps and/or connecting hardware.  
         [0014]      FIG. 4  is a side elevational view of the multipurpose anchor.  
         [0015]      FIG. 5  is a back elevational view of the multipurpose anchor.  
         [0016]      FIG. 6  is a horizontal view of the multipurpose anchor.  
         [0017]      FIG. 7  is a sectional view taken on line  35  of  FIG. 3 .  
         [0018]      FIG. 8  is a sectional view taken on line  34  of  FIG. 3 .  
         [0019]      FIG. 9  is a horizontal view of the multipurpose anchor showing that the back surfaces have been and are allowed to be tailored to fit and interface the railway car as the user desires.  
         [0020]      FIG. 10  is a side elevational view of the multipurpose anchor showing that the surfaces have been and are allowed to be tailored to fit and interface the railway car as the user desires.  
         [0021]      FIG. 11  is a front elevational view of the multipurpose anchor showing that the front surfaces have been and are allowed to be tailored to rearrange the features so as to receive the various types of conventional lading tie straps and/or connecting hardware in the railway car as the user desires.  
         [0022]      FIG. 12  is a side elevational view of the multipurpose anchor showing that the surfaces have been and are allowed to be tailored to fit and interface the railway car as the user desires.  
         [0023]      FIG. 13  is a sectional view taken on line  36  of  FIG. 11 .  
         [0024]      FIG. 14  is a back elevational view of the multipurpose anchor showing that the back surfaces have been and are allowed to be tailored to rearrange the features so as to receive the various types of conventional lading tie straps and/or connecting hardware and to fit and interface the railway car as the user desires.  
         [0025]      FIG. 15  is a front elevational view of the multipurpose anchor showing an another example that the front surfaces have been and are allowed to be tailored to rearrange the features so as to receive the various types of conventional lading tie straps and/or connecting hardware in the railway car as the user desires.  
         [0026]      FIG. 16  is a front elevational view of the strap and anchor during the step of aligning the pin with the multipurpose anchor.  
         [0027]      FIG. 17  is a front elevational view of the strap properly seated within the multipurpose anchor.  
         [0028]      FIG. 18  is a sectional view taken on line  37  of  FIG. 17 .  
         [0029]      FIG. 19  is a back elevational view of the strap properly seated within the multipurpose anchor.  
         [0030]      FIG. 20  is a sectional view taken on line  35  of  FIG. 3  illustrating the arrangement of steel banding or a woven strap in relation with the lading tie receiving provision of the multipurpose anchor.  
         [0031]      FIG. 21  is a sectional view taken on line  35  of  FIG. 3  illustrating the arrangement of a lading tie strap with a hook type clip in relation with the lading tie receiving provision of the multipurpose anchor. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0032]     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , there is illustrated in somewhat of a diagrammatic manner a support  20  upon which a cargo pallet  23  with lading  22  is to be secured by Applicant&#39;s improved multipurpose anchor  10  by way of use of a typical industry cargo lading tie strap  25 ,  32  or  33  that, in this regard, are arranged in accordance with the principles of the present invention herein disclosed. The wall support  21  upon which a cargo lading tie strap  25 ,  32  or  33  is to be secured by Applicant&#39;s improved multipurpose anchor  10  that, in this regard, are arranged in accordance with the principles of the present invention herein disclosed. The support  20  may, for instance, be a deck or floor of a railway flat car or other rail transport vehicle  84 , or support  20  may be another type of vehicle to which the device  10  is applied in multiples for the usual application thereof to lading  22  with or without cargo pallets  23 . The wall support  21  may, for instance, be a wall or bulkhead of a railway boxcar or other rail transport vehicle  84 , or wall support  21  may be another type of vehicle to which the device  10  is applied in multiples for the usual application thereof to lading  22  with or without cargo pallets  23 .  
         [0033]     The principles of the present invention are applicable to securing various types of lading  22  to various types of supports  20 ,  21  and  24 . In the  FIG. 1 , illustrated embodiment of the invention, the cargo lading  22  is of a cylindrical container  26  configuration that is involved in containing various types of commodities within. Illustrated are four containers  26  arranged upon a pallet  23 , but containers  26  may be of any number or configuration as deemed desired by the user and industry practice. The cargo lading  22  need not be cylindrical in form and may be of any size and shape deemed desired by the user and industry practice.  FIG. 1  illustrates various pallets  23  arranged as desired by the user which may include stacking upon support  20 . It is to be noted that pallets  23  are not necessary for securing lading  22  by Applicant&#39;s improved multipurpose anchor  10  by way of use of a typical industry cargo lading tie straps  25 ,  32  or  33  that, in this regard, in accordance with the principles of the present invention herein disclosed. Lading  22  and lading tie straps  25 ,  32  or  33  may be of the type specified by the standards of the Association of American Railroads. The interface between multipurpose anchor  10  and support  20  and/or wall support  21  is tailorable so as to assure proper securement of lading  22 , modifications thereto will be apparent to those skilled in the art. In  FIG. 1 , multipurpose anchor  10  is mountable to a side wall stake post  24  illustrating one example of said proper support. In accordance with the present invention, the multipurpose anchors  10  are intended to be mounted to achieve securement of the respective lading  22  as hereinafter disclosed.  
         [0034]     Applicant&#39;s improved multipurpose anchor  10  is shown in various locations of support  20  and/or wall support  21  in  FIG. 1 . The number and location of said anchor  10  is tailorable to provide the desired securement options desired by the user and thereto will be apparent to those skilled in the art.  
         [0035]     The multipurpose anchor  10  of the present invention is illustrated in detail in  FIGS. 2 through 21 , which will be described in detail hereinafter.  
         [0036]     The improved multipurpose anchor  10  is comprised of front surface  11 , a lading tie receiving section  12 , a lading tie clearance cavity  13 , back contoured surface  14  and a lading tie aperture  15 . A perspective view is shown in  FIG. 2 . The multipurpose anchor  10  has side edges  16 ,  17 ,  18 ,  19 ,  30  and  31  which extend outwardly from the multipurpose anchor face  11  which interface with a vehicle support  20  or wall support  21  and is tailorable to provide the desired attachment options desired by the user and thereto will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The actual size and shape of the side edges are allowed to be varied as desired by the user and is not dependant upon the function of the applicant&#39;s invention. The back contoured surface  14  is tailorable to provide the desired attachment options and car clearances desired by the user and thereto will be apparent to those skilled in the art.  
         [0037]     The illustrations in  FIGS. 3, 11  and  15  show a typical front view of three alternative different front arrangements of the multipurpose anchor. The views show the surface  11  of said multipurpose anchor  10  that is typically exposed and ready for acceptance of the various cargo lading tie straps  25 ,  32  or  33 .  FIG. 3  illustrates a scenario of aperture  15  and lading tie receiving section  12  in which they are offset partially horizontally and vertically. Lines  34  and  35  represent their relative horizontal centers.  FIG. 11  shows an embodiment in which aperture  15  and lading tie receiving section  12  are both aligned along line  36 .  FIG. 15  illustrates an embodiment where aperture  15  and lading tie receiving section  12  are vertically aligned about line  40 . Each of these embodiments can receive a variety of load securement connectors such as pins, hooks, clips, woven straps or metal binding. The embodiments of a pin end tie strap  25 , steel or woven synthetic loop-end tie strap  32  or hook end tie strap  33  are all usable with the multi-purpose anchor.  
         [0038]     A side elevational view of multipurpose anchor  10  is shown in  FIG. 4 . Typically all the surfaces shown would be hidden from view of the user, as the anchor is imbedded in a wall, or floor, and are not all necessary for the function of the securing of the preferred lading tie straps  25 ,  32  or  33 .  FIGS. 10 and 12  illustrate respective side views of alternate front surface  11  view of  FIG. 11  where different front arrangements of said multipurpose anchor  10  is allowed.  
         [0039]     A back elevational view of multipurpose anchor  10  is shown in  FIG. 5 . As with  FIG. 4 , the surfaces would be hidden from view. Surfaces  38  and  39  are the respected areas where pin ends  27   a  and  27   b  of lading tie strap  25  rest on during securement of lading  22 . All other exterior surfaces in  FIG. 5  are tailorable so as to interface with railway car  34  support surfaces  20 ,  21  and/or  24  as desired.  
         [0040]     An alternate back elevational view of anchor  10  is shown in  FIG. 14  which is the back of the embodiment of  FIG. 11 . As with the other views, the interior surfaces shown would be hidden. Surfaces  41  and  42  are the respected areas where pin ends  27   a  and  27   b  of lading tie strap  25  rest on during securement of lading  22 . All other viewable surfaces in  FIG. 14  are tailorable so as to interface with railway car  34  support surfaces  20 ,  21  and/or  24  as desired. Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 14  it may also be recognized that the nonfunctional areas in aperture  15  are tailor able as desired.  
         [0041]      FIGS. 6 and 9  are horizontal views of two different arrangements of anchor  10  relative to the front surface  11  view of  FIGS. 3 and 11  where different front arrangements of anchor  10  is allowed. Typically the surfaces shown would be hidden, and are not necessary for the function of the securing of the desired lading tie straps  25 ,  32  or  33 .  
         [0042]      FIG. 7  is a sectional view taken on line  35  of  FIG. 3  which more clearly illustrates a horizontal view of clearance cavity  13 . Clearance cavity  13  is to offer a path for the proper securement of lading tie straps  32  or  33 .  
         [0043]      FIG. 13  is a sectional view taken on line  36  of  FIG. 11  which more clearly illustrates a horizontal view of an alternate clearance cavity  13  and aperture  15 . Alternate clearance cavity  13  and aperture  15  is tailorable but is to offer a path for the proper securement of lading tie straps  25 ,  32  or  33 .  
         [0044]      FIG. 8  is a sectional view taken on line  34  of  FIG. 3  showing a horizontal view of aperture  15  opening. Aperture  15  provides a path for the proper securement of lading tie strap  25 .  
         [0045]      FIG. 16  illustrates a plan view of lading tie strap  25  and multipurpose anchor  10  during the step of aligning pin ends  27   a  and  27   b  into aperture  15 . Aperture  15  opening in said multipurpose anchor  10  is to be shaped appropriately so as to allow proper insertion of pin ends  27   a  and  27   b.    
         [0046]      FIG. 17  is a plan view of lading tie strap  25  secured in said multipurpose anchor  10 . Pin collars  28  and  29  aid in keeping lading tie strap  25  properly aligned within aperture  15  of said multipurpose anchor  10 .  
         [0047]      FIG. 18  is a sectional view taken on line  37  of  FIG. 17  illustrating pin end  27   a  and pin collar  28  seated on area  38  and aperture  15  of anchor  10 . The flexible part of lading tie strap  25  is shown seated and supported against shoulder  43  of said multipurpose anchor  10 .  
         [0048]      FIG. 19  is a back elevational view of said multipurpose anchor  10  with lading tie strap  25  properly secured. Pin ends  27   a  and  27   b  are respectively shown seated onto surfaces  38  and  39  of said multipurpose anchor  10 .  
         [0049]      FIG. 20  is a sectional view taken on line  35  of  FIG. 3  illustrating a lading tie band  32  seated around lading tie receiving section  12  appropriately. Loop end lading tie band  32  represents industry standard steel banding. Alternatively, other conformable and/or flexible securement material such as a woven synthetic fiber-strap could be used. Clearance cavity  13  and receiving section  12  is allowed to be tailored so as to allow the various types of industry lading tie strap or band  32  to be utilized with said multipurpose anchor  10 . Notably, the proportions illustrated for cavity  13  would receive a fiber-strap and actually exceed the height needed for a steel band.  
         [0050]      FIG. 21  is a sectional view taken on line  35  of  FIG. 3  illustrating a lading tie strap with a hook-type clip  33  seated around lading tie receiving section  12 . Hook  33  is an industry flexible strap with one or both ends having typically metallic hook-type clips. Clearance cavity  13  and receiving section  12  is allowed to be tailored so as to allow the various types of industry lading tie strap clips  33  to be utilized with anchor  10 .  
         [0051]     Anchor  10  has the capability to accept various different types of cargo lading straps  25 ,  32  and  33  unlike the prior art.  
         [0052]     The applicant&#39;s multipurpose anchor  10  is different from U.S. Pat. No. 6,422,794 in that it is not limited to receiving only the lading tie strap  25  with pin ends  27   a  and  27   b  disclosed. The applicant&#39;s invention of said multipurpose anchor  10  allows the use of the prior art strap  25  and has an additional enhancement feature  12  which allows other types of lading tie straps  32  and/or  33  to be used by the user.  
         [0053]     The applicant&#39;s multipurpose anchor  10  is different from U.S. Pat. No. 6,402,446 discussed above in that it is not limited to receiving only the lading tie strap  33  with the rigid hook body disclosed. The applicant&#39;s invention of said multipurpose anchor  10  allows the use of the prior art strap  33  and has an additional enhancement feature  15  which allows lading tie strap  25  to be used by the user.  
         [0054]     Although the invention is described with respect to a preferred embodiment, modifications thereto will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the scope of the invention is to be determined by reference to such claims as may be submitted.