Abstract:
A hook hanger for a cargo trailer includes a body defining (i) a mounting bracket conforming in shape to and slidably engageable with an associated sliding winch track of an associated cargo trailer; (ii) a hook anchor connected to the mounting bracket; and, (iii) a wall that cooperates with the hook anchor to define a channel between the wall and the hook anchor. The channel opens in a side of the body, and the wall limits vertical movement of an associated hook connected to the hook anchor to prevent inadvertent disengagement by vertical movement of the associated hook from the hook anchor. The associated hook is disengageable from the hook anchor only by sliding movement in the channel in a direction transverse to vertical. A retaining member is optionally connected to the body and movable to a locked position where it captures the associated hook in the channel.

Description:
STATEMENT OF RELATED APPLICATION 
   This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/191,808, filed Mar. 24, 2000. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates generally to an improved tie down coupling system for facilitating securing of cargo for transportation. More particularly, the invention relates to a coupling hanger system to provide an adjustable, locking tie down system. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Cargo of various types is transported by a variety of means, including trailers, such as flat bed trailers, which are designed to transport various loads positioned on the trailer bed along its length, or at discrete locations thereon. Other vehicles, such as airplanes or trains, are also used to transport cargo. In many cases, the loads carried by such trailers or other vehicles may be bulky and irregular in shape and/or weight distribution, adversely effecting stability of the load on the trailer. In order to safely transport cargo in such environments, the cargo must be secured against any movement or shifting, and cargo control systems have been developed for this purpose. Such cargo control systems have included retaining straps fixed on one side of a trailer bed and having retaining hooks on a free end which are secured to the other side of the trailer bed over a portion of a load positioned on the trailer bed. The retaining straps may include a ratchet type assembly positioned along its length for tightening down of the strap onto a load. The strap may also be anchored at its one end via a winch assembly for tightening of the strap. Over center buckles are also commonly employed with tensioning straps for cargo tie-down systems to secure cargo on a trailer bed or floor. In the past, the tie down straps may have been situated at discrete intervals along the length of the trailer bed, but were fixed in position, and thus presented problems with properly securing certain loads, depending upon the shape and size of the cargo. More recently, the cargo retaining straps are adjustably positioned by means of movable winches mounted upon elongated tracks fixed to a vehicle bed, floor or vehicle wall. The winches are movable, allowing the tension forces within the cargo-retaining strap to be substantially perpendicular to the axis of the winch track. Different vehicle mounted tracks for use with load bearing winches have been developed, and include a double L track design as well as a C track design as examples. 
   Although adjustable winch position facilitates properly tightening cargo retaining straps about a load positioned on a vehicle or like, various problems continue to exist with respect to cargo tie down systems. As in the case of flat bed trailers, the typical method to secure freight or cargo on a flatbed trailer would require moving the cargo tie down strap winch to a desired location, and unrolling the cargo tie down strap, such as a dacron web, against the cargo positioned on the deck of the flatbed trailer. The web is first placed over the cargo with enough extra length to ensure properly engaging the opposing side of the trailer. If the web includes a hook, the hook is temporarily engaged upon a portion of the trailer on the opposing side of the cargo, and then the user must return back to the winch for tightening of the web to a required tension to secure the freight. Typically, a winch bar may be used in the winch to gain leverage needed to tension the web. In many instances, if the retaining strap includes a hook, the hook will not remain in engagement with the trailer due to its loosened condition, such that upon tightening, the strap is not properly engaged to the opposing side of the trailer over the cargo. As a large number of cargo retaining straps may be used, the inability to effectively secure the distal end of the strap to the trailer in a desired manner over a cargo becomes a significant problem. Further, hooks that are sometimes provided on cargo retaining straps may not provide proper coupling to a portion of the vehicle in a desired manner to properly secure cargo. As an example, hooks typically provided on retaining straps include flat hooks, grab hooks and chain anchors wherein a length of chain is terminated with a grab hook, or a loop or ring is provided as a coupling member associated with the strap. The hook type coupling members are generally susceptible to movement in association with a portion of the vehicle to which they are attached, presenting the possibility of untensioning of the strap which could allow shifting or movement of the cargo. Other types of coupling members or arrangements typically require the user to physically tie or secure the end of the strap to a portion of the vehicle, increasing the labor involved in properly securing a load. 
   Based upon the foregoing, it would be advantageous to provide a tie down hanger system for cargo handling systems which allow positive retention of a tie-down restraining strap in a manner to facilitate properly securing a load. It would further be advantageous to provide a tie down straphanger system for securing tie down straps at an adjustable position depending upon the nature and position of cargo. It would also be desirable to provide a tie down coupling system, which works in conjunction with adjustable winch and track combinations, and to provide a tie down strap coupling system, which eliminates the possible untensioning of the tie down strap. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Based upon the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention to overcome the deficiencies noted in the prior art by providing a tie down hanger system for use with cargo retaining straps or members, which facilitates proper securement of a load. The tie down coupling system according to the invention allows positive retention of the free end of a retaining strap having a coupling member associated therewith. The tie down hanger system comprises a slideable bracket member having a track-engaging portion, which is selectively engaged in mating relationship with a bracket track member. The bracket further comprises an anchor system formed in association with the bracket for positive retention of a coupling member associated with the cargo-restraining device. The tie down hanger system according to the invention is selectively positionable in association with the track in a desired location with respect to cargo to be secured, and the system prevents substantial vertical or horizontal movement of the restraining strap coupling member which would result in untensioning of the strap or other restraining device. 
   These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon a reading of the following description in conjunction with the drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a partial side elevational view of a typical flatbed trailer, representing the type of vehicle with which the present invention may be utilized. 
       FIG. 2  is a partial cross-section of the bed portion associated with the trailer as shown in  FIG. 1 , being representative of a type of flatbed construction known in the art. 
       FIG. 3  is a partial sectional view showing a portion of the trailer floor, rub rail and associated winch track and sliding webbing winch used therewith. 
       FIG. 4  is a top view of a portion of the flatbed trailer as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
       FIG. 5  is a side elevational view of a first embodiment of the tie down system according to the invention. 
       FIG. 5A  is a side elevational view of an alternate embodiment of the tie down system according to the invention. 
       FIG. 6  is a front elevational view of the assembly as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
       FIG. 7  is a side view of the assembly as shown in  FIG. 5  mounted in association with the portion of a flatbed trailer. 
       FIG. 8  is a alternate embodiment of the tie down system according to the invention. 
       FIG. 9  is a further embodiment of the tie down system according to the invention. 
       FIGS. 10A and 10B  are side and front view of a further embodiment of the tie down coupling system according to the invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   By referring to the drawings and  FIG. 1  in particular, it will be seen that a known flat bed trailer structure is disclosed which is preferably formed of aluminum extruded and fabricated sections. The portion of the flat bed trailer seen in  FIG. 1  comprises a portion inwardly of the front end thereof The trailer structure is formed of a pair of longitudinally disposed I-beams  10  comprising web portions  11  with upper and lower horizontally disposed flanges or chords  12  and  13  respectively. The I-beams  10  are each formed of a pair of T-shaped extrusions welded to one another longitudinally on a weld line  14 . The forward portion of the flat bed trailer has the I-beams of reduced height by forming one of the web portions  11  in a tape red shape below the weld line  14 . A retractable double leg support  15  having pivoted ground engaging shoes  16  is attached to the forward portion of the flat bed trailer by semi-triangular mounting brackets  17  which are secured to several of a plurality of transversely positioned tubular frame members  18  which are located in longitudinally spaced transversely registering apertures  19  in the upper portions of the webs  11  of the longitudinally extending I-beams  10  as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2  of the drawings. 
   By referring to  FIG. 1  of the drawings, it will be seen that three of the tubular frame members  18  are shown double welded in three of the apertures  19 , a portion of an outside rail  25  being broken away. Each of the tubular frame members  18  are double welded in position in each of the pairs of transversely registering apertures  19  formed in the upper portions of the webs  11  of the I-beams  10 . Each of the opposite spaced vertical side walls of the tubular frame member  18  are welded by fillet welds to the portions of the I-beam web  11  defining the vertical walls of the aperture  19  therein so as to result in double welds joining the side walls of the tubular frame members  18  to the I-beams  10 . The lower portion of the aperture  19  is cross sectionally curved in a half circular shape matching that of the bottom portion  20  of the tubular frame members  18  which fit snugly therein. 
   By referring now to  FIG. 2  of the drawings, a transverse section, on an enlarged scale, through the flat bed trailer may be seen and by referring thereto one of the transversely positioned tubular frame members  18  will be seen double welded in the apertures  19  in the webs  11  of the I-beams  10 . It will also be seen that the upper transversely disposed portions  12  of the I-beams  10  form a portion of the floor of the flat bed trailer. Several longitudinal extending compartmented hollow flooring sections  26  are positioned longitudinally of the flat bed trailer in abutting parallel relation with the upper transversely disposed portions  12  of the I-beams  10 . The flooring sections  26  are welded to each of the transversely positioned tubular frame members  18  which support the same. 
   The outside rail  25  has vertically spaced inwardly extending right angular sections  27  and  28  on its upper and lower edges and an in-turned flange  29  spaced with respect to the upper flange  27 . The ends of each of the transversely positioned tubular frame members  18  abut the inner surface of the outside rails  25  and are welded thereto and the in-turned longitudinally extending rib  29  rests on the upper straight top portion of each of the transversely positioned tubular frame members  18  and thereby spaces the in-turned flange  27  thereabove on the same level as the upper surfaces of the flooring sections  26  and the upper surfaces of the transversely disposed portions  12  of the I-beams  10 . 
   The known flat bed trailer structure disclosed herein is formed of aluminum extrusions welded to one another in the finished flat bed trailer assembly and the spaced longitudinally extending I-beams  10  are fabricated from two such aluminum extrusions, each of which is T-shaped and which extrusions are arranged with one upright and one inverted and joined together by welding them continuously to one another on the weld line  14  hereinbefore referred to. The assembly of the I-beams from the two T-shaped aluminum extrusion enables the plurality of apertures  19  in each of the web portions  11  of the I-beams  10  to be stamped therein with a controlled size and configuration which insures the accurate and desirable positioning of the transversely positioned tubular frame members  18  where they may be easily and efficiently double welded and serve not only to cross brace the I-beams  10 , but provide continuous side to side supporting structure for the flooring of the flat bed trailer structure. 
   Referring to  FIG. 3 , a portion of the flatbed trailer relating to a portion of the trailer bed outboard of the I-beams, comprising the rub rails  25  secured to an outside flooring section  27 . The flooring section  27  includes an upper surface  40  comprising a portion of the surface used to support cargo on the trailer. There may also be provided a downwardly extending wall portion  42  having a flange  44  at its outer end. The flange  44  provides a mounting rail for a sliding winch assembly  46 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the formation of a mounting track by means of downwardly extending wall section  42  and flange  44  may be integrally formed as part of the trailer assembly, or could be mounted to the trailer as an add on feature. It should also be recognized that although it may be desirable to provide sliding webbing winches on associated tracks such as shown in  FIG. 3 , the tie down system according to the invention does not require such usage. The tie down assemblies according to the invention may also be used with welded on webbing winches or other cargo control systems as previously mentioned. Provided in association with winch  46  is a strap or webbing  48  which is selectively unwound from the winch  46  for tying down cargo mounted on the upper surface of the trailer bed. As seen in  FIG. 4 , the rub rail  25  is positioned in spaced apart relation to the trailer bed indicated by flooring section  27 , by means of mounting assemblies  47  and  49 . The winch  46  is positioned to extend strap  48  through the opening between rub rail  25  and flooring section  27 , so the strap is protected from contact by means of rub rail  25 . A load is secured on the trailer by applying tension to the strap or webbing  48  once the strap is positioned across cargo and attached to the other side of the trailer. As previously mentioned, the attachment of the tie down strap to the other side of the trailer has been attempted by use of a variety of different hooks, chains or simply tying the strap to some structure of the trailer. The present invention is directed at a tie down assembly for use in properly securing cargo in association with a trailer assembly such as shown, or in other similar environments, where cargo is desirably prevented from shifting or movement during transportation. 
   Turning now to  FIG. 5–6 , a first embodiment of the tie down coupling system  50  according to the invention is shown. As seen in  FIG. 7 , the assembly  50  is shown as a hook hanger for engagement of a flat hook  80  type of retaining member positioned on the terminal end of a cargo restraining strap  82  or the like. Hook hanger  50  is slideably attachable to winch rail  84  or other suitable track or mounting structure. The mounting rail or track  84  may be similar to winch tracks used for sliding webbing winches, and may be integrated into a portion of the trailer body  86  or a separate member selectively attached such as by welding to the trailer or other vehicle. The hanger system  50  comprises a body  52  having a mounting bracket  54  having a cross sectional profile conforming to winch rail  84 . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the bracket  54  has a profile conforming to the I-beam type of mounting track  84  in substantially the shape of a “C” and has engaging arms  56  which mount to the track  84  as seen in  FIG. 7 . Once mounted on the track  84 , the system  50  is thus slideable along the track  84  to any desired position along the length of track  84 , depending upon the particular application. To facilitate movement of the body  52  along the length of the track  84 , a cutout portion  58  may be provided in the C-shaped channel, to resist binding when the body  52  is repositioned. 
   Below the mounting bracket  54 , the body  52  comprises a hook hanger  60  further may comprise a hook anchor  62 . The hook hanger  60  is formed into the body  52 , such as by extrusion manufacturing processes, or the hanger  60  could be made to attach to the body  52 . A separable hanger may allow a different retaining fixture to be mounted to body  52  for other types of devices used on the terminal end of the retaining strap or member, making the system adaptable to various types of cargo control systems. In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , hook anchor  62  is generally a wedge-shaped member capable of anchoring hook  80  as seen in  FIG. 7 . It should be noted that due to the construction of the system  50 , it can be properly mounted on either side of the cargo carrying space in conjunction with tracks  84  provided on each side. Generally, when said slideable bracket  54  is mounted on rail  84  and positioned to secure a load on a trailer bed  86  or the like, a hook  80  may be engaged on hook anchor  62  without the hook  80  thereafter being subject to inadvertent disengagement from the hook anchor section of body  50 . This allows the tie down member to be more easily positioned and thereafter tensioned to secure a load (not shown). 
   Of concern when using tie down members to secure cargo is the possibility that the tie down member may shift or otherwise move, which could result in loosening of the tie downs and unsafe transportation conditions. As previously mentioned, the present invention also facilitates properly securing a load by positively engaging the hook or other coupling member, either under tension or when not tensioned. When the tie down member is not tensioned, the hook hanger  60  works to retain the hook  80 , so the user can easily then tension the tie down member without hook becoming disengaged in the tensioning process. Further, during operation when the trailer or other vehicle is moving, it is desirable to prevent hook  80  from fully disengaging from hook hanger  60 , for example, to prevent shifting of the hook  80  or to prevent hook  80  from flying off and becoming a safety hazard. As shown in  FIG. 5 , hook hanger  60  may further comprise a hook retainer assembly  64  to prevent hook  80  from fully disengaging from hook hanger  60 . In this embodiment, the hook retainer assembly  64  may comprise a wall  66 , which is spaced apart from the inside wall  65  of hook hanger  60 . A bottom wall  68  extends toward the hook hanger  60  to form an opening  67  with respect to hook anchor  62 . As should be recognized, the hook  80  when positioned in engagement with the hook hanger  60  as shown in  FIG. 7 , will only have limited vertical movement within space  67  before engaging the bottom wall  68  of retainer assembly  64 . The hook  80  is therefore positively engaged with the hook hanger by sliding the hook into the engagement position as shown in  FIG. 7  from the side of body member  52 , and once in this position, cannot disengage by vertical movement of the hook  80 . Thus, when tie down strap  82  is untensioned, the hook  80  can be positively engaged in the hook hanger to facilitate tensioning thereafter. 
   It is also desirable to prevent horizontal movement of the hook from its proper engagement with the body member  50 . A retaining bar  70  is configured for pivotable movement with respect to a mounting position  72 . In a locking position as shown in solid in  FIG. 5 , the retaining bar  70  extends across the opening  67  on opposing sides of body  52 . In this position, a hook  80  positioned in the opening  67  will be positively retained in space  67 , regardless of the tension applied to the strap  82  or hook  80 . The retaining bar  70  is then easily pivoted to a disengaging position as seen in ghost in  FIG. 5 , for insertion or removal of the hook  80  from space  67 . The bottom wall  68  of the hook retainer assembly  64  may have a stop  69  to position retaining bar  70  in the locking position as shown in  FIG. 5 . An alternative embodiment of the hook retaining features of the invention is shown in  FIG. 5A , wherein a similar body member  152  includes a similar vertical hook retaining structure and an alternative horizontal hook retainer bar  170 . The horizontal-movement retainer  170  comprises first and second retainer leg members  174  and  176 , and a connecting portion  175 . First and second retainer leg members  174  and  176  form a notch in conjunction with the connecting portion  175  which engages the wall  165  of the retainer assembly  164  and a stop or boss  167  formed on the back side thereof. The arm  174  is thus positioned to prevent substantial horizontal movement of hook  80  relative body  152  and to positively engage the hook similarly to the embodiment of  FIG. 5  Retainer leg members  174  and  176  are then privotable upward to the position as shown in ghost to allow mamual insertion and removal of the hook in a manner similar to the prior embodiment. Horizintal-movment retainer  170  is hereby rotatable between open and closed positions. In the closed postion, horizontal-movement retainer  170  may be locked in postion. In the embodiment shown, arm  176  abuts locking ridge  167 . When horizontal-movement retainer  170  is the closed postion, arm  176  is snap fit against locking ridge  167 , thereby locking horizontal-movement retainer in place. Locking arm  176  also serves as a handle to assist in manual movement of horizontal-movement retainer  170  between the open and closed positions. 
   Other embodiments of the hook hanger of the present invention are possible as would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art.  FIGS. 8–10  illustrate possible alternative embodiments of the tie down coupling system according to the invention. In  FIG. 8 , the hook hanger  260  has a mounting bracket profile  262  conforming to a double-L type mounting track  238 . Hook hanger  260  may be similar to the previous embodiments in other respects.  FIG. 9  illustrates an alternative embodiment showing hook hanger  360  having a mounting bracket profile  362  conforming to a C-channel type mounting track.  FIGS. 10A and 10B  illustrate an alternative embodiment as hook hanger  462 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 10A , hook hanger  462  includes a mounting bracket profile  461  conforming to a double-L type mounting track. Hook hanger  462  also includes hook anchor  464 , constructed from bar stock and connected at either end to leg members  474  and  476 . Leg members  474  and  476  form substantially parallel planes on either end of hook anchor  464 . Also included in hook hanger  462  is vertical-movement retainer  468 . Vertical-movement retainer  468  is constructed from bar stock and is positioned with each end connected to leg member  474  and  476  respectively. Hook anchor  464  maybe offset at an angle from a horizontal axis of hook hanger  462  to better accommodate a hook under tension securing a load on a truck. Leg members  474  and  476  function both as a frame to support hook anchor  464  and together as a horizontal-movement retainer to prevent substantial horizontal movement of a hook with respect to hook anchor  464 . Vertical-movement retainer  468  includes surface  469  which functions to block substantial vertical movement of a hook with respect to hook anchor  464 . Hook anchor  464  and vertical-movement retainer  468  are positioned such that sufficient clearance is provided to allow easy accessibility of a hook to hook anchor  464 , and easy manual insertion and removal of a hook from hook anchor  464  upon appropriate manipulation of the hook. Other profiles are possible as would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art. 
   Although several specific embodiments of the invention have been described herein, various modifications or variations will be apparent to one skilled in the art without departing from the principles and teachings herein. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments illustrated, but is only intended to be limited by the scope of the appended claims.