A tie-down apparatus is disclosed herein having a composite overlying double track on which a car is slideably carried on the topmost track and securement fasteners carried in the lowermost track secure the double track to a supporting rail or truck bed. The car includes a spring-biased plunger having an enlarged head adapted to ride in the uppermost track during positioning of the car along its linear length and to seat in a selected one of a plurality of notches in the rails of the uppermost track for releasably retaining the car in the selected location. The plunger mounts a rotatable ring latch having a first position bearing against the car to prevent displacement of the plunger head from the selected notch and a second position in alignment with lateral car recesses to permit displacement of the head from the selected notch against spring expansion pressure to free the car for sliding along the track.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates to the field of anchoring devices, and more 
particularly to a novel tie-down apparatus having a double track 
arrangement with a slideable car carried on an uppermost track and track 
securement means carried on the lowermost track for securement to the rail 
or truck bed. The car includes an operation latch for selectively securing 
the car in position on the double track. 
2. Brief Description of the Prior Art 
Conventionally, a wide variety of rings, bars and the like have been 
provided for retaining the free end of a rope, strap, chain or other 
securement means along the length of a rail. Such a device usually 
includes a movable car which slides along the track and in some instances, 
a plunger is employed which, when aligned with an aperture in the track, 
permits latching so that the car is retained at that particular place. A 
typical example resides in the disclosure of U.S. Letters Patent 
4,850,769. 
However, problems and difficulties have been encountered when employing 
such a car and track arrangement, which stem largely from the fact that 
the track itself is of a single or unitary construction not permitting 
fastening means to be selectively located along the track's length in 
order to secure the track to a supporting member, such as a truck bed or a 
truck rail. Usually, holes are provided in the single track through which 
bolts are passed in order to engage with the supporting structure; 
however, no provision is made for aligning the securement fasteners at 
selected anchor positions along its length which would be more suitable 
than the hole location arranged in fixed spaced-apart relationship along 
the length of the conventional single track. 
Furthermore, the usual latches employed for releasably securing the car to 
the track sometimes give way and release due to inadvertent shifting of 
the load which is tied down when the securement straps move, jiggle or 
become stretched. Also, when changing cargo configurations, oftentimes 
there is no hook or attached point for securing the cargo. 
Therefore, a long-standing need has existed to provide a novel tie-down 
system or apparatus which employs a sliding lock ring which engages in a 
track at selective anchoring points, and which allows complete flexibility 
in accommodating all cargo configurations. Such accommodation includes not 
only positioning of the car along the track, but in providing selective 
anchoring points on the track for securement to a support member, such as 
a rail or truck bed. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
Accordingly, the above problems and difficulties are obviated by the 
present invention which provides a novel tie-down system employing a 
double track having an uppermost track carried integrally on top of a 
lower track and which incorporates a sliding car movably carried on the 
upper track, having a latch mechanism for releasably engaging with 
selective ones of spaced-apart notches formed in the upper track. The 
lower track includes fastener means slideably arranged along its length to 
desired locations for securement to a supporting truck bed or rail. 
A feature resides in the fact that the car latch mechanism includes a ring 
to which a load may be attached and the ring in the one position bears 
against the car to prevent release while when rotated 90 degrees to a 
second position, it permits release of the car from the track. 
Another object of the present invention provides for a tie-down apparatus 
having the ability to accommodate a variety of cargo configurations such 
that the anchoring means of the track may be specifically located to 
desired locations along the supporting member as well as having a release 
mechanism on the car slideably carried on the track which may be placed 
under load. 
Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel and 
inexpensive anchoring means for securing cargo of various configurations 
to a truck rail or truck bed that includes a double track wherein one 
track is for selectively anchoring the track to the supporting member 
while the other track slideably mounts a movable car having a release 
mechanism and a strap attachment means. 
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a novel tie-down 
system incorporating a novel latch mechanism for a slideable car which 
includes a spring-tensioned plunger prevented from movement by a ring when 
the ring is in one position and wherein the plunger is in a release 
position when the ring has been moved to a 90 degree second position. 
Another object is to provide a unique device having a plunger and ring 
combination in a sliding car which adds locking security to the total 
mechanism when pull pressure or load tension increases. 
A further object resides in providing a complete cargo restraint system 
which is not only ideal for pickup trucks, but adds load flexibility and 
cargo security to trailers, vans, trucks, or any type of cargo platform.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
Referring to FIG. 1, a conventional truck is illustrated in the general 
direction of arrow 10 which includes a rear bed 11 having continuous 
sidewalls terminating in a door 12 shown in a down position. The 
continuous sidewalls of the bed 11 define a storage compartment or cavity 
in which boxes, parcels, odd shaped cargo and the like may be stored. In 
the present instance, numeral 13 indicates a motorcycle which is of 
irregular configuration, and the motorcycle, as cargo is positioned within 
the compartment. The motorcycle is intended to be transported by the truck 
from one place to another. During such transport, the motorcycle 13 will 
generally move about in the compartment, which is undesirable. Therefore, 
a means is required for releasably holding or tyinq the motorcycle to the 
truck bed or other support medium, such as the sidewalls of the 
compartment, so as to inhibit the undesired movement. 
The novel tie-down apparatus or device of the present invention is employed 
in combination with the truck bed 11 for such a purpose. Other 
applications and usages may be employed without departing from the 
inventive concept and such other applications may include a tie-down for 
block and tackle purposes in connection with other vehicles such as boats, 
trailers or the like. 
In general, numeral 14 illustrates the tie-down means of the present 
invention which includes an elongated length of double track 15 on which a 
car 16 is slideably carried. The double track 15 is retained on supporting 
structure, such as the top of the sidewall of the truck bed 11, by 
selective anchoring means to be described later. It is important to note 
that the double track 15 may also be carried on the floor 17 of the bed 11 
so that the track may be placed in a more suitable position to tie down 
cargo of other configurations. In the present instance, the motorcycle 13 
is secured to the double tracks located on opposite sides of the truck bed 
by means of straps, such as strap 18 having its opposite ends detachably 
secured to the motorcycle itself and the car 16 of the tie-down apparatus. 
Referring now in detail to FIG. 2, an enlarged exploded view, in 
perspective, is provided illustrating the tie-down apparatus 14 and its 
primary components being the double track 15 in the car 16. The double 
track 15 is an elongated length of track having an uppermost guide track 
indicated by numeral 20, and a lowermost guide track indicated by numeral 
21. The tracks are arranged on top of one another so as to be in alignment 
along the length of the track. The uppermost guide track is defined by 
opposing side rails 22 and 23 while the lowermost guide track is defined 
by opposing rails 24 and 25. Opposite surfaces of a common central member 
26 completes the definition of the respective upper guide track 20 and 
lower guide track 21. It is also noted that the opposing rails 22 and 23 
are provided with a plurality of notches 27 and 28 which are arranged in 
pairs and spaced along the length of the upper track 20. It is of 
particular import to note that the central member 26 includes a relief 30 
bordered by opposite shoulders for ease of car movement in order to keep 
debris from being trapped between the car and the track. 
Continuing with the description of FIG. 2, it can be seen that the car 16 
includes a central recess 31 opening through the top of the car and 
providing a pair of lateral recesses opening on opposite sides of the car. 
A central opening 32 accommodates the sliding passage of an elongated 
shank 33 carried on a plunger 34 with an enlarged flange 35 terminating 
one end of the shank. The opposite end of the shank includes a hole 36 
through which the body of a ring 37 is slideably carried. Initially, the 
ring 37 is spread apart so as to permit one end of the body to be passed 
through the opening 36 followed by closure which retains the ring in the 
opening 36. A compression spring 38 has its opposite ends bearing against 
the underside of ring 37 and a land 39 surrounding the opening 32. 
FIG. 2 also illustrates that the car 16 includes outwardly projecting 
elements 41 and 42 which define lateral slots on each side of the car in 
combination with elements 43 and 44. The upper rails 22 and 23 are 
slideably disposed in the lateral slots defined by the respective 
elements. 
Referring now in detail to FIG. 3, the car 16 is illustrated in its latched 
position to prevent sliding along the track 15. This is achieved by 
permitting the expansion of spring 38 to bear against the underside of the 
ring 37 which is arranged in longitudinal alignment with the longitudinal 
axis of the track 15. Since the ring 37 passes through the opening 36 of 
the plunger 34, the plunger is biased upwardly so as to raise the enlarged 
flange 35 into a selected notch composed of notch pairs 27 and 28. Since 
the enlarged head 35 resides between the pair of semicircular notches, no 
movement of the car is permitted. It is important to note that when a load 
is placed on the ring 37, even further tension is placed to prevent 
release of the car 16 from the track 15. 
Referring further to FIG. 3, it can be seen that the guide track 21 is 
occupied by a flange 45 carried on the end of a bolt 46. Washers, such as 
washer 47, are included and a nut 48 is employed for securing the fastener 
or bolt 46 in place. It is to be understood that when the fastener is 
loosened, the fastener or bolt may be readily slid through the guide track 
21 to any selected or critical location along the length of the double 
track 15. In this manner, the securement fastener or bolt may be slid 
along the underside of the track to a desired location such as where an 
opening or a suitable retention or anchoring location is found on the 
truck bed floor 17 or on the sidewall, as illustrated in FIG. 1. 
Referring now in detail to FIG. 4, the car is shown in its unlatched 
position wherein the ring 37 has been depressed in the direction of arrow 
50 so that the spring 38 is compressed and the plunger 34 has been pushed 
downwardly from the broken line position to the solid line position so 
that the enlarged flange 35 is below the semicircular notches 27 and 28 so 
as to be disposed within the guide track 20. When the enlarged head 35 is 
in the guide track 20, the car may now be slid from one location to 
another along the length of the track. Upon the car's reaching a selected 
notch in the track, the ring 37 is permitted to be biased upwardly due to 
the expansion of spring 38 which causes the plunger to rise letting the 
expanded flange 35 enter the selected notch for retention of the car. At 
this time, the ring 37 can be rotated, as indicated by arrow 51, so that 
the ring assumes the position shown in FIG. 3 and the car is now latched 
in retention with the double rail 15. 
Regarding FIG. 5, it can be seen that a strap, such as strap 18, may be 
attached to the ring 37 such as by a conventional S hook 52. When a load 
is applied to the strap, the load will be carried through the ring, 
plunger, car, track into the supporting structure. The more load that is 
placed on the car ensures retention since release requires downward 
displacement of the ring 37 and the load tension will further augment the 
bias of spring 38 upwardly. 
Referring now in detail to FIG. 6, another version of anchoring means is 
illustrated wherein the bolt shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is replaced by a screw 
fastener 53 which has a shaped head 54 residing or disposed within the 
guide channel 21. The fastener 53 may be screwed into the supporting 
structure 11 without the necessity of washers and a nut. 
Therefore, in view of the foregoing, it can be seen that an adjustable 
tie-down system for use in connection with trucks, trailers and vans is 
provided. The inventive system employs a sliding car 16 which employs an 
action ring 37 that engages in a track at spaced-apart intervals 
represented by the spacing of the plurality of notches in the uppermost 
guide track. This allows for complete flexibility on all cargo 
configurations. The sliding lock ring incorporated by the ring 37 and car 
16 via the plunger 34 cannot be moved when engaged because the force on 
the ring keeps the plunger and enlarged head 35 engaged in the track 
relief or notches. The harder the pull, the more secure the engagement 
becomes. When the ring is turned parallel to the track the insert or 
enlarged head 35 keeps the ring from being depressed which keeps the 
assembly engaged in the track. The track is relieved, as indicated by 
numeral 30, in the bottom of the uppermost guide track for ease of 
movement and to keep debris from being trapped between the car and the 
guide track. The lowermost guide slot 21 in the double track allows for 
two features which are: (1) Holes can be placed anywhere for ease of 
installation; and (2) Through-holes can be eliminated in the track so that 
debris, dirt and sand can be pushed out of the track by the car 16 without 
jamming on the edges or any drill holes or screw heads. The inventive 
track system of the present invention is provided with suitable 
adjustments at tie-down points and features smooth sliding lock mechanisms 
to replace old-fashioned hooks and rings. The tie-down system is designed 
to secure cargo of any size, shape or location on trailers, trucks, pickup 
beds or any other platforms. The unique concept allows the user to change 
cargo configurations and always have a tie-down point available where it 
is most needed. 
While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and 
described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and 
modifications may be made without departing from this invention in its 
broader aspects and, therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover 
all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and 
scope of this invention.