Abstract:
A compact bendable cargo securement device for stabilizing unrestrained items in the bed or cargo area of a pick-up truck or storage area in a motorhome or recreational trailer is disclosed. It may also be used as a stabilizer doing woodwork and other jobs that require stability of the work platform. The device will conform to any surface and has the ability to wrap around objects—both regular and irregular shaped—and will hold them and keep them from shifting. As disclosed, the bendable cargo securement device is composed of a flexible tube loaded with filler material when used and deployed for securing objects. The flexible tube is preferably fabricated from rubber or any material allowing sufficient flexibility for the cargo securement device to wrap around items while having suitable strength to avoid puncture/destruction from deployment. Each end of the device requires a closure to contain the filler material.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Applicant states that this application claims the filing benefit of provisional U.S. Pat. App. No. 62/293,093 filed on Feb. 9, 2016, and said application is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    No federal funds were used to create or develop the invention herein. 
       REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX 
       [0003]    N/A 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The present invention relates, in general, to securing cargo in a cargo area of a motor vehicle and, more particularly, this invention relates to an apparatus for securing various shaped articles in the cargo area of a vehicle which will conform to the regular shapes of individual pieces of cargo and irregular shapes of combinations of cargo. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    Applicant submits herein the published patent application Cargo Snake as described for example in published U.S. Pat. App. No. 20070210569 to Anderson, hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, which generally describes an elongated tubular member made of plastic having each of a first predetermined shape and a predetermined length filled for the purpose of wrapping around and securing cargo. 
         [0006]    Additional Prior Art: The following patents are incorporated by reference for purposes of enablement. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Patent 
                 Applicant 
                 Title 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 U.S. Pat. No. 2,821,941 
                 Gar Wood Ind Inc 
                 Dunnage bar 
               
               
                 U.S. Pat. No. 4,153,089 
                 Veilleux Roger L 
                 Flexible container 
               
               
                   
                   
                 for storing sand 
               
               
                 U.S. Pat. No. 4,339,142 
                 Douglas Tanner 
                 Inner tube 
               
               
                   
                   
                 traction device 
               
               
                 U.S. Pat. No. 5,897,138 
                 Hall; William M. 
                 Vehicle ballast 
               
               
                   
                   
                 receptacle 
               
               
                 U.S. Pat. No. 6,196,287 
                 Robert W. 
                 Courier expressable 
               
               
                   
                 Haberkorn 
                 cargo quilt and 
               
               
                   
                   
                 method therefor 
               
               
                 U.S. Pat. No. 7,523,961 
                 Watkins Travis R 
                 Truck bed ballast 
               
               
                   
                   
                 system 
               
               
                 USD377475 
                   
                 Pickup truck bed 
               
               
                   
                   
                 stabilizer 
               
               
                 USD501313 
                 Bethel 
                 Purse 
               
               
                   
                 International, 
               
               
                   
                 Inc. 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0007]    The incorporation of the prior art references is not an admission by the Applicant as to relevancy as of prior art as to its teaching any particular element or combination of elements as found in the prior art. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    This present disclosure relates to securement of cargo using a bendable tubular type member with further improvements and enhancements over the teachings of Anderson which Applicant has found lacking when deployed for its intended purpose of cargo deployment. Anderson requires the ends of a “flexible” tube to be permanently sealed when in use. Anderson discloses use of plastic for the “flexible” tube which Applicant has found to be insufficiently flexible or bendable i.e. constructed of material too rigid and inelastic to allow proper bending and shaping for sufficient engagement with articles to be stored—particularly those having irregular shapes as disclosed and discussed further herein. Anderson reduces the utility of the flexible tube as a securement structure as the weighted material inside the flexible tube makes it cumbersome to transport or store when not in use. Further, the utility of Anderson is reduced as shown because Anderson teaches interlocking the ends of the flexible tube during deployment or attachment of the ends to the cargo area. The present disclosure is not so limited. 
         [0009]    The compact flexible securement device as disclosed is useful for stabilizing unrestrained items in the bed or cargo area of a pick-up truck or storage area in a motorhome or recreational trailer as disclosed. The bendable and sufficiently flexible securement device may also be deployed in cars, trucks, SUVs and ambulances. In another deployment it may be used as a stabilizer doing woodwork and other jobs that require stability of the work platform. The securement device will conform to any surface and has the ability to wrap around objects—both regular and irregular shaped—and will hold them and keep them from shifting. As disclosed the tube may be fabricated from butyl rubber (synthetic) or natural rubber. The securement device may range in length from 1 foot to 12 foot for deployment. The tube of the securement device may have a stored diameter of 2 inch to 10 inches. The tube should be fabricated from material having sufficient flexibility and bendability to allow the securement device to wrap around items while having suitable strength to avoid puncture/destruction from deployment. Further, the material chosen should not allow absorption or invasion of fluids into the interior of the tube. In one embodiment, the wall thickness of the tube is in the range of 0.9 mm to 4.0 mm and the material for construction is butyl rubber. As disclosed, the securement device is composed of a tube which may be filled with filler material when deployed for increased functionality and clamped at each end as disclosed. Each end of the device requires a closure, to contain the filler material inserted in the tube during deployment and use. Suitable fill materials include pea gravel, rock, crushed rock or dirt. Depending on the length and diameter selected for the securement device the deployed weight can range from 15-100 pounds. As discussed further herein, the clamp system shown herein further enhances the utility of the present disclosure across all deployments allowing compacted unfilled storage and transport prior to and/or after filled use and deployment of the bendable cargo securement device. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments and together with the description, serve to explain and illustrate the principles of the BENDABLE CARGO SECUREMENT DEVICE AND METHOD (hereinafter referred to simply as “Securement Device”) as disclosed herein. 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the Securement Device as disclosed. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2A  is a view of the topside of the clamp of the Securement Device disclosed and deployed with a Securement Device. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2B  is a view of the bottom side of the clamp of the Securement Device disclosed. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a view of the interior face of both the topside portion (upper picture) and the bottom side portion (lower picture) of the clamp. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3A  is a detailed view of the topside of the clamp and particularly the recess positioned in the interior face of the topside of the clamp. 
           [0016]      FIG. 3B  is a detailed view of the bottom side of the clamp and particularly the ridge positioned in the interior face of the bottom side of the clamp. 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the end of the bendable tube prior to installation of the clamp. 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the end of the tube positioned on the bottom portion of the clamp. 
           [0019]      FIG. 5A  is a perspective view of the top and bottom portions of the clamp with the end of the tube positioned therein. 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is an end view of the Securement Device deployed in a pick-up box wherein the tube of the bendable securement device is positioned around and on top of an oil container, a gas container, a chain saw and a toolbox in the cargo section of a pick-up box. 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the Securement Device as deployed to secure a stack of logs within a truck pick-up box. 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the Securement Device as deployed to secure an LP tank and a car battery. 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the Securement Device deployed to secure a combination of items in a pick-up box including a LP tank and various boxes wherein the securement device is positioned over the boxes and in front of the tank in the pick-up box. 
           [0024]      FIG. 10  is a top front perspective view of the Securement Device wherein the tube of the bendable securement device is positioned around chain saw and a box in the pick-up box. 
           [0025]      FIG. 11  is top view of the tube of the securement device as coiled after unboxing and prior to fill material being added or clamps being installed. 
           [0026]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the Securement Device prior to assembly before unboxing illustrating the compact size of the unassembled product. The consumer version is approximately six (6) feet long when uncoiled but may be packaged for shipping or storage coiled in the box as shown having a dimension of approximately 5′% inches by 8 inches with a height of approximately 2 inches for a tube having a length of 72 inches, a diameter of 4 inches and a wall thickness of 1/16 inches. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0027]      
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Element Description 
                 Element Number 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 Pick-up box 
                 1 
               
               
                   
                 End gate 
                 2 
               
               
                   
                   
                 3 
               
               
                   
                 Fill material 
                 4 
               
               
                   
                   
                 5 
               
               
                   
                   
                 6 
               
               
                   
                   
                 7 
               
               
                   
                   
                 8 
               
               
                   
                   
                 9 
               
               
                   
                 Bendable Cargo Securement Device 
                 10  
               
               
                   
                 Flexible tubular section (tube) 
                 11  
               
               
                   
                 Tube wall 
                 11a 
               
               
                   
                 Tube opening 
                 11b 
               
               
                   
                 Tube end 
                 11c 
               
               
                   
                 Tube interior 
                 11d 
               
               
                   
                 Closure device 
                 12  
               
               
                   
                 Clamp 
                 13  
               
               
                   
                 Top (first) portion 
                 13a 
               
               
                   
                 Bottom (second) portion 
                 13b 
               
               
                   
                 Apertures 
                 13c 
               
               
                   
                 Guide tube 
                 13d 
               
               
                   
                 Contact zone 
                 14  
               
               
                   
                 Contact ridges 
                 14a 
               
               
                   
                 Contact recesses 
                 14b 
               
               
                   
                 Locking Zone 
                 15  
               
               
                   
                 Locking Recess 
                 15a 
               
               
                   
                 Locking Ridge 
                 15b 
               
               
                   
                   
                 16  
               
               
                   
                 Fastener 
                 17  
               
               
                   
                   
                 18  
               
               
                   
                   
                 19  
               
               
                   
                 Securable objects 
                 20  
               
               
                   
                 Securable objects perimeter 
                 20a 
               
               
                   
                 Log 
                 21  
               
               
                   
                 Log perimeter 
                 21a 
               
               
                   
                 Chain Saw 
                 22  
               
               
                   
                 Chain saw perimeter 
                 22a 
               
               
                   
                 Tool Box 
                 23  
               
               
                   
                 Tool Box perimeter 
                 23a 
               
               
                   
                 LP Tank 
                 24  
               
               
                   
                 LP Tank perimeter 
                 24a 
               
               
                   
                 Gas container 
                 25  
               
               
                   
                 Gas container perimeter 
                 25a 
               
               
                   
                 Oil container 
                 26  
               
               
                   
                 Battery 
                 27  
               
               
                   
                 Shipping (storage) box 
                 30  
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0028]    Before the various embodiments and deployments of the Securement Device are disclosed and described herein, it is to be understood that the Securement Device as described is not limited to specific methods, specific components, or to particular implementations. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. The present application may refer to the bendable cargo securement device disclosed herein alternatively by applicant&#39;s trademark “Cargo Wrap” without departure from the present disclosure. 
         [0029]    As used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” one particular value, and/or to “about” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the other endpoint. “Optional” or “optionally” means that the subsequently described event or circumstance may or may not occur, and that the description includes instances where said event or circumstance occurs and instances where it does not. Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the word “comprise” and variations of the word, such as “comprising” and “comprises,” means “including but not limited to,” and is not intended to exclude, for example, other components, integers or steps. “Exemplary” means “an example of” and is not intended to convey an indication of a preferred or ideal embodiment. “Such as” is not used in a restrictive sense, but for explanatory purposes. Disclosed are components that can be used to perform the disclosed Securement Device and method of deploying and using or unloading and storing the Securement Device  10  for use with single objects  20  having regular shapes (i.e. a tool box  23 , oil container  26  and battery  27  as shown in  FIGS. 6,8, 9 and 10 ) or irregular shapes (logs  21  or chain as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 10 ) or combinations of logs  21  and tool boxes  26  or battery  27  and LP tank  24  having regular and irregular shapes (as shown in  FIGS. 6-10 ). One of ordinary skill will appreciate that regular shaped securable objects  20  may have sides that are all equal and angles that are all equal. Irregular shapes have sides and angles of any length and size such as for example pentagons, hexagons and or octagons, without restriction or limitation. Irregular means unpredictable, with at least one variation in the dimension of a side or the shape of the side. The perimeter of a chainsaw  22 , as illustrated in  FIG. 10 , is one example of an irregular shape as used herein as it has three sides of unequal length with a fourth side being of a generally varying radiused curve. One perimeter of a stack of firewood logs  21 , as illustrated in  FIG. 7 , is another example of unpredictability as the dimensions (length, width, radius) of the logs  21  as well as the shape can vary from log to log as well as the order or arrangement of any particular combination of pieces due to the amorphous nature of a log  21  which is a natural bio-based product. 
         [0030]    These and other components are disclosed herein, and it is understood that when combinations, subsets, interactions, groups, etc. of these components are disclosed that while specific reference of each various individual and collective combinations and permutation of these may not be explicitly disclosed, each is specifically contemplated and described herein, for all Securement Device  10 . This applies to all aspects of this application including, but not limited to, components of a Securement Device  10 . Thus, if there are a variety of additional components that can be added it is understood that each of these additional components can be added with any specific embodiment or combination of embodiments of the Securement Device  10 . The present Securement Device  10  may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description of preferred embodiments and the examples included therein and to the Figures and their previous and following description. 
       Illustrative Embodiment of Device 
       [0031]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the Securement Device  10  as disclosed. As shown, the Securement Device  10  as constructed is sufficiently bendable and flexible that the clamps  13  positioned at the ends of the tube  11  may touch or almost touch when the Securement Device  10  is wrapped around itself. Further, the bendability of the Securement Device  10  may be modified as needed by increasing or decreasing the amount of fill material  4  positioned in the interior of the tube  11 . Further, removal or addition of fill material  4  also allows for alteration of the flexibility or bendability of the Securement Device  10 . Although not shown, one of ordinary skill will appreciate that suitable fill material  4  may be chosen from the group including pea gravel, rock, crushed rock and dirt, depending on the application desired. Typically, it is preferable to choose a material which is relatively dense, clean and dry such as pea gravel, without limitation or restriction, to avoid the Securement Device  10  losing its flexibility in cold weather due to moisture in the fill material freezing. As shown, the material of fabrication selected for the tube  11  is butyl rubber, without limitation or restriction, which is flexible and relatively impermeable to outside fluid intrusion. 
         [0032]      FIG. 2A  is a view of the topside of the clamp  13  of the Securement Device  10  disclosed and deployed with a Securement Device  10 . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-10  the closure device  12  is a plastic clamp  13  and configured for use and insertion of three (3) fasteners  17  which are shown as self-tapping screws. One of ordinary will appreciate that in no way is the closure device  12  limited to the particular configuration shown herein as clamp  13  and that other closure devices  12  may be used to practice the bendable cargo securement device  10  herein without departure from the spirit and intent of the invention. Variations in the design of the closure device  12  may include inclusion of a living hinge (not shown) along the anterior portion of the clamp  13 , by way of example and without limitation, to keep the top portion  13   a  and bottom portion  13   b  attached without interfering with engagement with the tube end  11   c . As shown the top (first) portion of the clamp  13   a  is positioned over the end of the tube  11   c  and engages directly with the tube wall  11   a . As shown, three (3) apertures are positioned in the top portion of the clamp  13   a  for insertion of fasteners  17  which is disclosed as a self-tapping screw (not shown), without limitation or restriction.  FIG. 2B  is a view of the bottom (second) side  13   b  of the clamp of the Securement Device  10  disclosed. As shown, three (3) guide tubes  13   d  are positioned in the bottom (second) side  13   b  of the clamp. One of ordinary skill will appreciate that the apertures  13   c  and guide tubes  13   d  are aligned. Further, it will be appreciated that the fasteners  17  as disclosed pierce the end of the tube so that the fasteners engage with the end of the tube  11  via tube wall openings  11   b . (not shown) One of ordinary skill will appreciate that the holes may be pre-configured in the tube wall  11   a  or may be created via the fastener  17  having a self-tapping type end as disclosed herein, without restriction or limitation. Further, although applicant has disclosed three (3) fasteners evenly spaced across the face of the clamp  13 , other numbers of fasteners  17 , in other configurations, may work without limitation or restriction, subject to the particular use, deployment or embodiment therein. 
         [0033]      FIG. 3  is a view of the interior faces of both the topside portion (upper picture) and the bottom side portion (lower picture) of the clamp, labeled  13   a  and  13   b , respectively.  FIG. 3A  is a detailed view of the topside of the clamp  13   a  and particularly the locking recess  15   a  positioned in the interior face of the topside of the clamp  13   a . As shown, the face of the top side of the clamp  13   a  has a contact zone  14  comprised of a combination of contact ridges and recesses ( 14   a ,  14   b ) positioned below the locking recess  15   a .  FIG. 3B  is a detailed view of the bottom side of the clamp  13   b  and particularly the locking ridge  15   b  positioned in the interior face of the bottom side of the clamp  13   b . As shown, the face of the bottom side of the clamp  13   b  also has a contact zone  14  comprised of a combination of contact ridges and recesses ( 14   a ,  14   b ) positioned below the locking ridge  15   b . As shown, there are nine (9) ridges having a dimension of 0.0625-0.125 inches and nine (9) recesses having a similar dimension range of 0.0625-0.125 inches. One of ordinary skill will appreciate that other numbers of ridges and recesses with other dimensions may also work for a particular application without restriction or limitation. 
         [0034]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the tube end  11   c  positioned on the bottom portion of the clamp  13   b .  FIG. 5A  is a perspective view of the top and bottom portions of the clamp ( 13   a ,  13   b ) with the tube end  11   c  positioned therein. During attachment of the clamp  13  to the tube  11  for use of the Securement Device  10 , the locking ridge  15   b  is inserted into and engages with the locking recess  15   a . One of ordinary skill will appreciate the locking ridge  15   b  could be positioned on the bottom side of the clamp  13   b  and the locking recess  15   a  on the top side of the clamp  13   a  without departure from the spirit and intent of the disclosure. As disclosed, the locking ridge  15   b  and locking recess  15   a  are configured as a “half-moon” shape positioned towards the apex of the clamp  13  and above the contact zone  14  to engage and lock together for engagement with the tube wall  11   a  and sealing against the open end of the tube  11   b . By way of example, and without limitation or restriction, the locking recess  15   a  disclosed could be configured as a plurality of locking recesses  15   b  to engage with a plurality of locking ridges  15   b . Further, the shape of the locking recesses  15   a  and locking ridges  15   b  could vary from that disclosed. One of ordinary skill will appreciate that although not shown, other configurations, positions and shapes may work to align, engage and fix the position of the tube end with the clamp  13  without limitation or restriction, subject to the particular use, deployment or embodiment therein.  FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the end of the bendable tube  11  prior to installation of the clamp  13 . At least one particular advantage of the securement device  10  disclosed is the clamp  13  having the combination of a contact zone  14  and a locking recess  15   a  and locking ridge  15   a  for aligning, engaging with and fixing the position of the tube wall  11   a , tube opening  11   b  and tube end  12  with the clamp  13  to ensure minimal loss of fill material  4  positioned within tube wall  11   a  during use and deployment. As disclosed in  FIGS. 2-5 , and discussed herein, the tube  11  and clamp  13  arrangement disclosed herein provides at least one particular advantage for the Securement Device  10  disclosed herein when deployed across any and all suitable uses for the Securement Device  10 . (See discussion herein for  FIGS. 6-10 ) Further, one of ordinary skill will appreciate that as disclosed, the clamp  13  may be installed for either temporary or permanent use of the Securement Device  10 , i.e. the clamp  13  may be installed after fill material  4  is added to the tube  11  for deployment with the fill material  4  then removed, after removal of the clamp  13 , and the tube rolled up for efficient storage until the next use, as a temporary use. One of ordinary skill will also appreciate that many others will prefer to permanently attach the clamp  13  with the Securement Device  10  in its filled mode as shown in  FIG. 1 . One of ordinary skill will appreciate that clamp  13  as disclosed is but one type of closure device  12  which may be used with the bendable cargo securement device and methods of its use as disclosed herein. 
         [0035]      FIG. 6  is an end view of the Securement Device deployed in a pick-up box  1  wherein the tube  11  of the bendable securement device  10  is positioned around and on top of, a gas container  25 , an oil container  26 , a chainsaw  22  and a toolbox  23  in the cargo section of a pick-up box  1 , proximate the tailgate (not shown).  FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the Securement Device  10  as deployed to secure a stack of logs  21  within the cargo section of a pick-up box  1 .  FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the Securement Device  10  as deployed to secure an LP tank  24  and a car battery  27 .  FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the Securement Device  10  deployed to secure a combination of items in a pick-up box including a LP tank  24  and various boxes  24  wherein the Securement Device  10  is positioned over the boxes  24  and in front of the LP tank  24  in the pick-up box  1 .  FIG. 10  is a top front perspective view of the Securement Device  10  wherein the tube  11  of the bendable securement device  10  is positioned around a gas container  25  (perimeter  25   a ), a chain saw  22  (perimeter  22   a ) and a box  23  (perimeter  23   a ) in the cargo area of a pick-up box  1 .  FIGS. 6-10  illustrate the advantages that the bendable cargo securement device  10  conveys in that the flexible tubular section (tube)  11  conforms to a perimeter  20   a  of the shape of the securable objects  20 , having either regular or irregular shapes, thereby improving the transmission and distribution of the weight of the filler material  4  allowing securement of the various securable objects  20 . One of ordinary skill will appreciate that any securable object  20  has an infinite number of perimeters  20   a  representing the shape of the securable object  20  at any particular dimension (height, width, length) and combinations therein to which the shape of the flexible tube  11  of the bendable securement device  10  may conform to and engage with to stabilize a securable object  20  having either a regular or irregular shape. One of ordinary skill will appreciate that the various securable objects  20  in no way limit the breadth of the possible uses or applications for deployment of the Securement Device  10  and instead are mere illustrations of potential uses. 
         [0036]    The Securement Device  10 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 6-10 , may range in length from 4 foot to 12 foot for deployment, without restriction or limitation. One of ordinary skill will appreciate a preferred length for a consumer type deployment may be 6-7 feet having a diameter of 3-4 inches. When deployed with aggregate as the fill material  4 , the Securement Device  10  would weigh in the range of 22-26 lbs. 
         [0037]    One of ordinary skill will appreciate a preferred length for a contractor or industrial deployment may be 10-12 feet having a diameter of 4-6 inches. When deployed with aggregate as the fill material  4 , the Securement Device  10  would weigh in the range of 65-85 lbs. One of ordinary skill will appreciate that the proceeding dimensions are providing without restriction or limitation for the Securement Device  10  as disclosed as it may be deployed in a multitude of configurations as suitable for a particular need or deployment. The tube  11  of the Securement Device  10  may have a stored diameter of 2 inches to 10 inches, subject to the length of the tube  11  and the thickness of the tube walls therein.  FIG. 11  provides a top view of the tube  11  of the securement device  10  as coiled after unboxing and prior to fill material  4  being added or clamps  13  being installed. As shown in  FIG. 11 , the coiled dimension of the tube  11  is approximately 5′% inches by 8 inches with a height of approximately 2 inches for a tube  11  having a length of 72 inches, diameter of 4 inches and a wall thickness of 1/16 inches. In other embodiments the wall thickness may be in the range of 1-3.5 mm. 
         [0038]    As discussed, the tube  11  should be fabricated from material having sufficient flexibility and bendability to allow the Securement Device  10  to wrap around items (securable objects  20 ) while having suitable strength to avoid puncture/destruction from deployment. Further, the material chosen should not allow absorption or invasion of fluids into the interior of the tube  11   d . In at least one embodiment, the Securement Device  10  may be constructed of material of sufficient strength and durability to support “bendability” to allow the weight of the fill material  4  positioned within the tube  11  to be transmitted through and against the various securable objects  20  to be secured without allowing the fill material  4  to leave the confines of the tube  11  and not degrade the tube  11  with repeated use as deployed which could allow intrusion of moisture or escape of fill material  4  via abrasions, cuts or punctures. In at least one embodiment, the tube wall thickness  11   a  is in the range of 1 mm to 3.5 mm and the material for construction is butyl rubber which is satisfactory in resisting degradation, avoiding intrusion of moisture and escape of fill material while still being “bendable” to generally conform to the shape of the object(s) to be secured to allow transmission of the weight or heft of the Securement Device  10  to the securable objects  20  to be secured thereby fixing their relative position and increasing their stability. 
         [0039]    As disclosed the tube  11  of the Securement Device  10  may be fabricated from butyl rubber (synthetic) or natural rubber. Applicant has found this particular material, in at least one embodiment, in suitable dimensions and sizes as disclosed, meets the desired requirements of bendability, resistance to puncture and invasion of moisture while transmitting the weight of the fill material to the objects to be secured. Further, the clamp  13  configuration as disclosed works upon and engages satisfactorily with the ends of tube  11 . One of ordinary skill will appreciate that other materials may be satisfactory, subject to the particular needs of a particular configuration and deployment. 
       Illustrative Method of Use and Installation 
       [0040]    In one embodiment the bendable cargo securement device  10  may be sold as a kit which could include a pair (2) of closure device  12 , illustrated as clamps  13 , a number of fasteners  17  (shown as 2-6 self-threading metal screws and a section of flexible tube  11 . (See  FIG. 12  illustrating the consumer version of the flexible tubular section  11  as shipped in its box  30 .) As shown, the consumer type deployment may be 6-7 feet having a coiled diameter of 3-4 inches. In this embodiment, the user would open the box  30 , remove the flexible tube portion  11 , unroll or uncoil it, and lay it on a flat surface. (Not shown) As shown in  FIGS. 1, 5 and 11 , the uncoiled flexible tubular section  11  has both a first and a second end ( 11   d ), and the flexible tubular section  11  is hollow or empty  12 . Typically, the user selects an end of the flexible tubular section  11   d  and engages a first closure device  12  configured for attachment and closure of the end of the flexible tubular section  11   d.    
         [0041]    As shown throughout  FIGS. 1-11  and particularly at  FIGS. 3 and 5A  the clamps  13  have a top  13   a  and bottom  13   a  that are put together to form the closure device  12 . As shown, the bottom half a clamp  13   b  is put under one end of the tube  11   c , with the other half positioned over the top of the tube end  11   c , aligning the tube end with the contact ridges  14   a  and contact recesses  14   b , together the contact zone  14 . As assembled, approximately ⅝″ or 16 mm of the tube  11  should be covered by the clamp  13 . Thereafter, the screws  17  should be inserted into the apertures  13   c  aligned with guide tubes  13   d . The screws will pierce the tube wall  11   a  and go through from top portion  13   a  to the bottom portion  13   b . The screws should be tightened until they are flush with the top of the clamp  13   a  and should not be overtightened. The design of the clamp  13  with contact zone  14  and locking zone  15  ensures that a snug fit is all that is required. The clamp  13  will compress and seal the tube end  11   c . The user then loads a filler material  4  into the flexible tubular section  11  via the second end  11   d . Fill material  4  may be pea gravel, small rock, dirt or a mixture therein and is preferably dry when entered into the flexible tubular section  11  to avoid freezing in colder climates and general degradation. Further, it may be beneficial to lift the flexible tube up (hold inclined to the vertical) and to shake it slightly to assist with induction of the fill material  4  into the flexible tubular section  4 . Typically, the tube  11  is filled up with fill material  4  to approximately 3-6 inches from the open end and the fill material level to ensure the desired level of flexibility of the cargo securement device  10 . Then the user closes the second end of the flexible tubular section  11  with the attachment of a second closure device  12  (clamp  13 ), as previously discussed, to form a bendable cargo securement device  10 . The bendable cargo securement device  10  is now assembled and ready for deployment. 
         [0042]    The following modifications, although not shown, would be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art in view of the present disclosure. The various elements of the Securement Device  10  may be separately formed and later engaged with one another (e.g., via mechanical fasteners, material fusing, chemical adhesives, etc.) or integrally formed with one another therein. The materials used to construct the Securement Device  10  and various elements thereof will vary depending on the specific application of the Securement Device  10 , but it is contemplated that rubber, butyl rubber, plastic, steel, aluminum, polymers, other synthetic materials, natural materials, and/or combinations thereof will be especially useful for some applications in whole or in part. Accordingly, the above-referenced elements may be constructed of any material known to those skilled in the art or later developed, which material is appropriate for the specific application of the Securement Device  10 , without departing from the spirit and scope of the Securement Device  10  as disclosed and claimed herein. 
         [0043]    Having described the preferred embodiments, other features of the Securement Device  10  will undoubtedly occur to those versed in the art, as will numerous modifications and alterations in the embodiments as illustrated herein, all of which may be achieved without departing from the spirit and scope of the Securement Device  10  disclosed herein. Accordingly, the methods and embodiments pictured and described herein are for illustrative purposes only, and the scope of the present disclosure extends to all method and/or structures for providing increased functionality, comfort, longevity, enjoyment and aesthetics in the use and deployment of the Securement Device  10  for holding and securing portable objects during transport in the cargo area of a pick-up truck or any other application requiring securement of objects  20 . Furthermore, the methods and embodiments pictured and described herein are no way limiting to the scope of the Securement Device  10  and method of use unless so stated in the following claims. 
         [0044]    It should be noted that the Securement Device  10  is not limited to the specific embodiments pictured and described herein, but is intended to apply to all similar apparatuses and methods for providing the various benefits and/or features of a Securement Device  10 . Modifications and alterations from the described embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art without departure from the spirit and scope of the Securement Device  10 . It is understood that the Securement Device  10  as disclosed herein extends to all alternative combinations of one or more of the individual features mentioned, evident from the text and/or drawings, and/or inherently disclosed. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the Securement Device  10  and/or components thereof. The embodiments described herein explain the best modes known for practicing the Securement Device  10  and/or components thereof and will enable others skilled in the art to utilize the same. The claims are to be construed to include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted by the prior art. 
         [0045]    While the Securement Device  10  has been described in connection with preferred embodiments and specific examples, it is not intended that the scope be limited to the particular embodiments set forth, as the embodiments herein are intended in all respects to be illustrative rather than restrictive. 
         [0046]    Unless otherwise expressly stated, it is in no way intended that any method set forth herein be construed as requiring that its steps be performed in a specific order. Accordingly, where a method claim does not actually recite an order to be followed by its steps or it is not otherwise specifically stated in the claims or descriptions that the steps are to be limited to a specific order, it is no way intended that an order be inferred, in any respect. This holds for any possible non-express basis for interpretation, including but not limited to: matters of logic with respect to arrangement of steps or operational flow; plain meaning derived from grammatical organization or punctuation; the number or type of embodiments described in the specification. 
         [0047]    It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope or spirit. Other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as illustrative only, with a true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.