Monkey grabs cargo hold

Improvements in a cargo holder are disclosed. The cargo hold is configurable to accommodate a variety of different shapes and sizes to retain cargo or boxes in an essentially fixed secure position. Monkey Grabs cargo hold takes the standard four tied down areas in the bed of a vehicle and convert to 24 optional tied down areas. The cargo hold does not include any metal components. The cargo hold has multiple securing loops along lengths of the straps for a user to connect into the ends and along the length of the strap to create additional securing locations. This makes the cargo hold a far more useful cargo hold. The cargo hold is configured in a rectangular configuration to connect along the sides of the bed of a truck and also placed across the bed for more versatile uses of the monkey grip cargo hold.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to improvements in a holding strap system. More particularly, the present monkey grip cargo hold is a matrix of straps sewn together with open loops of strap material to allow the monkey grip cargo hold to be secured with other strapping materials to retain cargo.

For many truck and vehicle owners cargo needs to be transported in their vehicle at one time or another. Most truck beds are configured with one or more connection or tie-down locations for securing the cargo. These locations are usually placed at locations that are convenient to the manufacturer of the vehicle or at the corners of the bed. While these locations are convenient for manufacturing, the size and shape of the cargo often dictates the ideal location for the securing locations. There are several cargo securing devices or nets that can be placed over the cargo and then secured to the location in the vehicle or truck, but often these devices provide limited support and also limited to the pre-defined connection and securing locations.

A number of patents and or publications have been made to address these issues. Exemplary examples of patents and or publication that try to address this/these problem(s) are identified and discussed below.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,458,447 issued on Oct. 17, 1995 to Richard L. Clason discloses a Cargo Restraint. The cargo restraint comprises of weather resistant straps attached to each other to form a lattice webbing which when coupled with adjustable self-locking buckles and flat hooks. While the cargo restraint can be used to secure cargo, the lattice fixes the straps at specific locations and does not provide for additional loops of material to secure the restraint at other locations.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,673,464 issued on Oct. 7, 1997 to Mark Whittaker discloses a Cargo Securement System and Tie Down Strap. This patent is a main body portion comprising two side members that extend between the two end portions in spaced parallel relation and a plurality of bridge portions that extend between and secure the two side members in their parallel relation. The system has six securing locations that help to hold down a rectangular box or container, but provides limited support to hold multiple items, or irregularly shaped items.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,590,116 issued on Nov. 26, 2013 to Jeffery Dahl discloses a Loop Rope Assembly. The assembly includes a main rope segment having a plurality of rope strands and first and second ends, a first end loop provided on the first end of the main rope segment, a second end loop provided on the second end of the main rope segment and at least one intermediate loop defined by at least one of the rope strands. While this rope provides multiple securing locations along the rope, it is basically a linear device and won't secure broad cargo.

What is needed is a cargo securing mechanism that is used horizontal and vertical to attach to each other to create different lengths, depending on the structure and size of the load. The Monkey Grabs cargo holding Strap discloses in this document provides the solution.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the monkey grip cargo hold to secure cargo. The cargo can be in or on a vehicle, but the cargo could also be secured on a pallet, shelf or rack. Because cargo can take a variety of different configurations the monkey grip cargo hold is configurable to accommodate a variety of different shapes and sizes to retain cargo or boxes in an essentially fixed secure position.

It is an object of the monkey grip cargo hold to eliminate the frustration with other cargo holding systems with only having four tied down areas in a standard truck bed, and cargo nets which do not secure your loads, and are limited to sizes. Monkey Grabs are designed to take the standard four tied down areas in the bed of a vehicle and convert to 24 optional tied down areas. This creates a net affect that makes a much more secure load. Monkey Grabs are designed to be used horizontal and vertical to attach to each other to create different lengths, depending on the structure and size of the load.

It is another object of the monkey grip cargo hold to not include any metal components. Many people have a great deal of pride with their vehicles, and exhort great care to ensure that the paint is not damaged or scratched. When loading a vehicle, truck or trailer, the straps will not scratch, dent, chip or create any damage to the vehicle. The repair costs of a scratch that reaches the base metal can be expensive, the monkey grip cargo hold has no hard surfaces that can cause harm to the exterior or interior of the vehicle.

It is still another object of the monkey grip cargo hold to have multiple securing loops along lengths of the straps for a user to connect into the ends and along the length of the strap to create additional securing locations. This makes the monkey grip cargo hold a far more useful cargo hold. The monkey grip cargo hold is configured in a rectangular configuration to connect along the sides of the bed of a truck and also placed across the bed for more versatile uses of the monkey grip cargo hold.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1shows a perspective view of the monkey grip cargo hold10. The monkey grip cargo hold10is essentially constructed with two horizontal strap members21and22that are sewn two four vertical strap members23,24,25and26. At the extreme ends of all of the straps the end of the strap is looped and sewn back onto itself to form loops30,31,32,33,40,41,42,43,44,45,46and47. In addition to the loops, the strap material at one end is sewn intermittently to provide additional loops48,49,50and51. Where the material is folded, looped or overlaps the strap material is sewn70to prevent movement between the straps. The straps are sewn together to form a lattice.

The monkey grip cargo hold10is preferably fabricated from a nylon mesh or similar material. While nylon mesh is identified as the preferred material, the monkey grip cargo hold10can be fabricated from cotton or other materials based upon the strength requirements and the need to repel fluids such as water, gas. The entire monkey grip cargo hold10is fabricated without any metal components that can cause harm or damage to the interior or exterior of a vehicle. A standard cargo hold only provides four locations to secure the cargo hold to a vehicle. These locations are typically30,31,32and33. The monkey grip cargo hold10increases the number of tie-down locations to 14, namely30-33,40-51, other locations between the sewn straps can also be used to increase the tie-down locations to 24.

Multiple monkey grip cargo hold straps10can be linked together to form a specific or desired length or size. (for example) Can go to 8 ft, 12 ft, 16 ft, etc., in a horizontal or a vertical orientation. The monkey grip cargo hold straps10has uses to hold loads for campers, BMX riders, trash Haulers, weekend movers, recyclers, toy haulers, vacationers, delivery trucks, people with SUV's people with SUV's, MX Riders and anyone looking to have a secure load.

FIG. 2shows a detail perspective view of an end loop of the monkey grip cargo hold10from the area2identified inFIG. 1. This detail shows that the ends of the monkey grip cargo hold10are narrowed to increase the structural strength of the monkey grip cargo hold10in the critical area where a user will hook or otherwise secure the monkey grip cargo hold10to a vehicle, pallet or other hole, hook or eyelet. This detail view also shows that a free end of material60is contemplated. While in the embodiment shown the free end60is fairly short, the free end60can be a sufficient length to secure the free end60is a clamp or tied to something.

FIG. 3shows a top plan view of the monkey grip cargo hold10andFIG. 4shows a right side view of the monkey grip cargo hold10. The monkey grip cargo hold10gives you24extra locations to tie down your load down rather than the standard 430,31,32and33that come stock on a truck bed. The monkey grip cargo hold10, holds load securely in place to keep your stuff from shifting and moving while truck is performing work duties or recreational activities. The grabs30-33,40-51, can be mounted to all four sides of the bed of the truck. The size, shape and multiple mounting location reduces potential cuts or frustration from a user reaching in the bed of a truck after the truck is loaded to put the hook back on after it falls off.

FIG. 5shows a pair of monkey grip cargo holds10installed on a truck100. For clarity, the truck100is shown with the truck bed101and the tailgate102lowered. A monkey grip cargo holds10is installed on each side of the sidewalls of the bed of the truck100where the monkey grip cargo holds10is secured into the holes, hooks or tie-down locations90and92incorporated into a truck bed101or truck bed side walls. The monkey grip cargo holds10are shown secured and folded over the sidewalls of the truck100. In the embodiment shown the monkey grip cargo holds10is secured between the tie-downs90and92with a strap91connected to the tie-downs and passes through the end loops of the monkey grip cargo holds10.FIG. 6shows this in greater detail.

FIG. 6shows a single monkey grip cargo hold100installed on a truck side wall. To install the monkey grip cargo holds10in a truck, an installer lays one monkey grip cargo holds10over the side of the bed101of the truck100. A ratchet strap tied down91of up to a 1″½ in diameter is passed through the four eyes44,45,46and47which are located on the bottom of the four vertical strap23,24,25and26on the monkey grip cargo holds10. The installer then hooks the ratchet strap hooks90and92to each corner on the side and ratchet it until secure in place. This process can then be repeated on the other side of the truck bed.

In addition to the installation that is shown and described, the monkey grip cargo holds10can be secured across the bed101of the truck100between opposing side walls. After installation the monkey grip cargo holds10can be dropped into the bed101of the truck, of cargo can then be secured with the monkey grip cargo holds10. Additional monkey grip cargo holds10can be secured to the free ends of the monkey grip cargo holds10to retain loads that extend above the truck bed.

Thus, specific embodiments of a monkey grip cargo hold have been disclosed. It should be apparent, however, to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims.