Abstract:
A cargo securing system for securing and organizing cargo being carried by a vehicle. The cargo securing system includes at least one divider chain assembly and at least one anchor chain assembly. The anchor chain assembly is mountable on one of the spaced walls. The divider chain assembly is removably couplable to the anchor chain assembly. In an embodiment each of the chain assemblies includes a chain comprising a plurality of panels and a plurality of intermediate members alternately linked together.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention relates to securing devices and more particularly pertains to a new cargo securing system for securing and organizing cargo being carried by a vehicle.  
           [0003]    2. Description of the Prior Art  
           [0004]    The use of securing devices is known in the prior art. More specifically, securing devices heretofore devised and utilized are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.  
           [0005]    Known prior art includes U.S. Pat. No. 5,526,972; U.S. Pat. No. 5,590,824; U.S. Pat. No. 5,819,996; U.S. Pat. No. 5,724,778; U.S. Pat. No. 4,917,429; and U.S. Pat. No. Des. 397,322.  
           [0006]    While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not disclose a new cargo securing system. The inventive device includes at least one divider chain assembly and at least one anchor chain assembly. The anchor chain assembly includes a chain that is mountable on one of the walls of the vehicle. The divider chain assembly is removably couplable to the anchor chain assembly at various locations on the anchor chain. Each of the chain assemblies includes a chain comprising a plurality of panels and a plurality of intermediate members alternately linked together.  
           [0007]    In these respects, the cargo securing system according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of securing and organizing cargo being carried by a vehicle.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0008]    In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of securing devices now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new cargo securing system construction wherein the same can be utilized for securing and organizing cargo being carried by a vehicle.  
           [0009]    The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new cargo securing system apparatus and method which has many of the advantages of the securing devices mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new cargo securing system which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art securing devices, either alone or in any combination thereof.  
           [0010]    To attain this, the present invention generally comprises at least one divider chain assembly and at least one anchor chain assembly. The anchor chain assembly includes a chain that is mountable on one of the walls of the vehicle. The divider chain assembly is removably couplable to the anchor chain assembly at various locations on the anchor chain. Each of the chain assemblies includes a chain comprising a plurality of panels and a plurality of intermediate members alternately linked together.  
           [0011]    There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.  
           [0012]    In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.  
           [0013]    As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.  
           [0014]    Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.  
           [0015]    It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new cargo securing system apparatus and method which has many of the advantages of the securing devices mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new cargo securing system which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art securing devices, either alone or in any combination thereof.  
           [0016]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a new cargo securing system which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed.  
           [0017]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new cargo securing system which is of a durable and reliable construction.  
           [0018]    An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new cargo securing system which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such cargo securing system economically available to the buying public.  
           [0019]    Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new cargo securing system which provides in the apparatuses and methods of the prior art some of the advantages thereof, while simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages normally associated therewith.  
           [0020]    Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new cargo securing system for securing and organizing cargo being carried by a vehicle.  
           [0021]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new cargo securing system which includes at least one divider chain assembly and at least one anchor chain assembly. The anchor chain assembly is mountable on one of the walls of the vehicle. The divider chain assembly includes a chain that is removably couplable to the anchor chain assembly at various locations on the anchor chain. Each of the chain assemblies includes a chain comprising a plurality of panels and a plurality of intermediate members alternately linked together.  
           [0022]    Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new cargo securing system that is adaptable to carrying a variety of cargo of different sizes and shapes. The flexible characteristic of the present invention enables it to secure most cargo and prevent it from moving and being damaged in transportation. The flexibility of the present invention also optimizes the cargo storage area. Unlike the prior art that partitions a cargo storage area into defined sections, thus losing cargo space, the present invention partitions a cargo storage area to the size of the cargo being carried. The ability to secure the cargo in a more defined area also reduces the potential that the vehicle or a person will be injured by the unsecured cargo move about the cargo storage area.  
           [0023]    Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a new cargo securing system that is easily disassembled, thereby allowing a user to use the entire cargo storage area when needed. Unlike the prior art that generally uses rigid hard to disassemble partitioning devices, the present invention is disassembled by merely lifting a divider. No tools are required for removing a divider.  
           [0024]    These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0025]    The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a divider chain assembly of the new cargo securing system according to the present invention.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of the present invention particularly illustrating an anchor chain assembly mounted on the perimeter of a vehicle cargo storage area and a pair of divider chain assemblies extending across the cargo storage area.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of the present invention showing the connection of a divider chain to an anchor chain.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the anchor chain taken along line  4 - 4  in FIG. 3.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 5 is a schematic side view of the present invention showing a plurality of divider chains mounted in vertical tiers for use with tall cargo.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 6 is a schematic view taken from the vantage of line  6 - 6  in FIG. 5 showing a vertically extending member permitting securing of a plurality of divider chains in vertical tiers.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the housing of a divider chain showing the housing, spool and biasing spring used to retract a divider chain into the housing.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the spool taken along line  8 - 8  of FIG. 7.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0034]    With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 8 thereof, a new cargo securing system embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral  10  will be described.  
         [0035]    As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 8, the cargo securing system  10  generally comprises a plurality of chains  11 . Each of the chains  11  comprises a plurality of panels  12  and a plurality of intermediate members  14  which are linked together in an alternating manner. Each of the chains  11  includes a first free end  15  and a second free end  16 . Each of the panels  12  preferably includes a first end  17 , a second end  18 , a top edge  19  and a bottom edge  20 . Each of the panels  12  comprises a resiliently flexible material, such as, for example, a cloth or rubber material.  
         [0036]    Each of the intermediate members  14  is coupled to a pair of panels  12  such that each of the first ends  17  of the panels  12  is attached to one of the first side edges  22  of the intermediate members  14  and each of the second ends  18  of the panels  12  is attached to one of the second side edges  24  of the intermediate members  14 . Each of the intermediate members  14  includes a top edge  26  and a bottom edge  28 . Each of the top edges  26  of the intermediate members  14  includes a notch  29  extending from the top edge  26  toward the bottom edge  28 . The notches  29  may have a generally rectangular shape extending approximately half a length of the intermediate member  14 . Each of the intermediate members  14  may comprise a relatively rigid material as compared to the material of the panels  12 , such as a plastic.  
         [0037]    The cargo securing system  10  generally includes at least one divider chain assembly  30  that includes a housing for retractably storing one of the chains  11 . The housing  31  includes a top wall  32  and a bottom wall  33  orientated substantially parallel to each other. The housing  31  also includes a peripheral wall  34  that is integrally coupled to and extends between the top wall  32  and the bottom wall  33  of the housing  31 . The top wall  32  may include a chamber  35  formed therein. The chamber has a generally circular shape with a diameter relatively smaller than a diameter of the peripheral wall  34 . The peripheral wall  34  of the housing  31  includes an elongated slot  36  extending therethrough. The elongated slot  36  extends generally between the top and bottom walls  32  and  33 . The elongated slot  36  has a width and height designed for receiving of one of the chains  11  into the housing  31 . The housing  31  may comprise a substantially rigid material such as, for example, a metal such as steel or aluminum.  
         [0038]    As illustrated in FIG. 7 a spool  38  is rotatably mounted in the housing  31 . One of the ends  15  of the chain  11  is mounted on the spool  38 . The chain  11  is coiled about the spool  38  and is extendable from and retractable into the housing  31 . The spool  38  comprises a pair of disks  39 . A first of the disks  39  is positioned generally adjacent to the top wall  32 . A second of the disks  39  is positioned generally adjacent to the bottom wall  33 . A rod  40  extends between a central portion of the disks  39 . A first end  41  of the rod  40  extends into the chamber  35  and is rotatably mounted on the top wall  32 . A second end  42  of the rod  40  is rotatably mounted on the bottom wall  33 . The spool  38  may comprise a substantially rigid material such as, for example, steel or a plastic.  
         [0039]    As also illustrated in FIG. 7, a biasing means  45  for biasing the chain  11  into a retracted condition is positioned in the housing  31 . The biasing means  45  is positioned in the chamber  35  between the top wall  32  and the first disk  39 . The biasing means  45  preferably comprises a spring having a first end  46  and a second end  47 . The first end  46  of the spring  45  is attached to an inner surface  48  of the chamber  35 . The second end  47  of the spring  45  is securably attached to the rod  40 . The spring  45  most preferably comprises a coil spring. In one embodiment, there is a securing means  49  for securing one of the free ends  15  and  16  of the chain  11  to the rod  40 . The securing means  49  may comprise a pin. The pin extends through the panel  12  and into the rod  40 .  
         [0040]    One of the diver chain assemblies  30  includes a pair of brackets  50 . One of the brackets  50  is coupled to the second free end  16  of the divider chains  11 . Another one of the brackets  50  is coupled to the peripheral wall  34  of the housing  31 . Each of the brackets  50  comprises a first plate  51 . The first plate  51  includes a front surface  52  and a back surface  53 . The first plate  51  may have a generally rectangular shape. A second plate  54  is attached to one of the free ends  15  and  16  of the chain  11 . The second plate  54  includes a first edge  55  and a second edge  56 . The first edge  55  of the second plate  54  is attached to and orientated substantially perpendicular to the front surface  52  of the first plate  51  such that the bracket  50  has a generally T-shape. The second edge  56  of the second plate  54  is attached to the second free end  16  the divider chain assembly  30 . A bottom edge  57  of the second plate  54  includes a slit  58  extending therein toward a top edge  59  of the second plate  54  giving the second plate  54  a generally inverted L-shape. The slit  59  is positioned generally adjacent to the first plate  51 . Each of the brackets  50  preferably comprises a substantially rigid material such as steel or plastic.  
         [0041]    In one embodiment, at least one of the chains  11  is mountable on one of the spaced walls for forming an anchor chain assembly  60 . The anchor chain assembly  60  comprises a fastening means  61  for removably fastening the anchor chain  11  to one of the spaced walls. The fastening means  61  extends through each of the panels  12  and is removably coupled to one of the spaced walls. The fastening means  61  is spaced between a pair of intermediate members  14 . Each of the fastening means  61  may comprise a screw. However, clips or hook and loop fasteners may also be used.  
         [0042]    The anchor chain assembly  60  also includes a plurality of spacing members  62  for spacing the anchor chain  11  away from one of the spaced walls. Each of the spacing members  62  is positioned between one of the panels  12  and one of the spaced walls. In one embodiment, the fastening means  61  is extendable through each of the spacing members  62 . Each of the spacing members  62  may comprise a substantially rigid material such as, for example, steel or a plastic.  
         [0043]    In use, the slit  58  of one of the brackets  58  on the divider chain assembly  30  may be removably engaged in the notch  29  of one of the intermediate members  14  of the anchor chain assembly  60  or the intermediate member  14  of another of the divider chain assembly  30 . The divider chain assembly  30  may be wrapped around a piece of cargo and both ends fastened to an anchor chain assembly  60 , thereby preventing the piece of cargo from moving about the cargo area.  
         [0044]    In one embodiment having a vertically deep cargo area, the anchoring chain  11  may be fastened in a vertical condition such that each end of the chain  11  is adjacent to a roof and a floor of the cargo area. In this embodiment, an anchor strap  69  is provided that extends substantially vertically. Each of the anchor straps  69  of the anchor chain  11  includes a hole  70  extending therein. The hole  70  extends through each of the panels  12  and has a generally T-shape adapted for removably receiving one of the brackets  50 . One of the spacing members  62  is positioned on each side of the hole  70 . The fastening means  61  extends through the spacing members  62  and into one of the spaced walls.  
         [0045]    As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided.  
         [0046]    With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.  
         [0047]    Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.