Abstract:
The present invention relates to an adjustable, locking cargo control system for a vehicle such as a flat bed trailer, van type trailer, train, airplane or the like. The tie down system comprises at least one groove within the floor of the truck trailer. Each groove has a flange extending inward on either side of the groove. One of the flanges has a plurality of notches formed in it. The system includes at least one tie down member comprising an anchor hook insertable into the groove wherein the hook registers against an anchor flange opposite the flange having the plurality of notches. Each tie down member further comprises at least one boss extending therefrom which is positioned and sized to engage at least one of the notches in the notched flange in a manner preventing the tie down member from sliding along the groove. A tie down chain or cable is attached to the tie down member in a manner to secure a load to the floor of the or other portion of the vehicle.

Description:
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/191,808 filed on Mar. 24, 2000. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to an improved cargo control for facilitating securing of cargo for transportation. More particularly, the invention relates to a tie down system and coupling 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. 
     In addition to these types of cargo control systems, some types of cargo or loads are not properly securable using just tie downs straps or the like, due to their weight, shape or other factors. In such situations, it would be worthwhile to provide a cargo control system that allowed more flexibility to properly secure certain types of goods or cargo, particularly with respect to a trailer, such as a flat bed trailer. For example, it is difficult to properly secure a smaller, very heavy object such as a coil of flat-rolled steel and the like. The typical tie down belts fastened to each side of the trailer side rail span the entire width of the trailer. These belts are not convenient, nor effective for securing a coil of flat rolled steel because the length of the coil is short. The belts are typically permanently affixed to the trailer and positioned at predetermined intervals such that only one or possibly two of the belts could be used to attempt to secure the steel coil load. Additionally, the weight of a steel coil load may be beyond the capacity of one or two belts to secure the load. To overcome these types of problems, some trailer manufacturers have incorporated a channel or groove into the floor of the trailer. The channel is generally formed with a flange on either side of the groove opening and typically runs the length of the trailer. The channel is used in conjunction with a tie down anchor. The tie down anchor includes a large end piece, which fits within the channel but is too large to fit past, and thus is retained by, the channel flanges. The tie down anchor body extends up through the channel flanges and provides an anchor for a tie down cable, chain, or the like. The large end configuration requires that the tie down anchor is inserted into the channel opening at the end of the channel. This often requires that a section of the trailer end be temporarily removed to gain access to the end of the channel. The tie down can be slid along the channel until it is in the proper location to secure a load. The end of the tie down protruding from the groove typically has a hole or slot to engage a steel cable or chain used to secure the load in conjunction with other like tie downs. The trailers can have multiple grooves, which can accommodate a plurality of tie downs to secure the load. 
     Unfortunately, the current groove/tie down system still has problems. The tie downs are designed to slide within the channel, which can lead to hazardous results. The tie down can slide from its initial position due to vibration or directional tension or forces exerted by the securing cable or chain. This can result in the loss of tension in the cable or chain, which can in turn allow the tie down to slide more, and eventually result in the loss of the load. This requires that the tie down be secured by using blocks, bars, boards or other means to prevent the tie downs from sliding in the channel. 
     Based upon the deficiencies of the prior attempts at improving cargo control systems, it would be advantageous to provide a cargo control system integrated into a cargo carrying floor assembly, such as in a floor of a flat bed trailer, van type trailer, train or airplane as examples. The cargo control system should be adjustable and lockable and easily accessed and used for properly securing cargo. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention overcomes these deficiencies noted in the prior art by providing a novel tie down system for use with a vehicle such as a truck trailer, train or airplane, wherein the tie down system is incorporated into the floor or wall of the vehicle. The tie down system comprises at least one groove within the floor of the vehicle. Each groove has a flange extending inward on either side of the groove. One of the flanges has a plurality of notches formed in it. The system includes at least one tie down coupling member comprising an anchor hook insertable into the groove wherein the hook registers against an anchor flange opposite the flange having the plurality of notches. Each tie down member further comprises at least one boss extending therefrom which is positioned and sized to engage at least one of the notches in the notched flange in a manner preventing the tie down member from sliding along the groove. A tie down chain or cable is attached to the tie down member in a manner to secure a load to the floor of the vehicle. The tie down system allows for selective placement of tie downs with respect to a load to properly secure the load. The system also positively prevents withdrawal of the anchor hook from the channel if a tie down is coupled thereto. 
     It is therefore an object of the system to provide a locking cargo control system, which facilitates properly securing some types of loads. This and other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon a reading of the following description in conjunction with 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 sectional view showing a floor assembly of a flat bed trailer incorporating the cargo control system of the invention. 
     FIG. 4 is a sectional view of an end portion of the trailer floor, rub rail and associated winch track and sliding webbing winch used therewith. 
     FIG. 5 is a top view of a portion of the flatbed trailer as shown in FIG.  4 . 
     FIG. 6 is a sectional view of an extruded floor end portion of the trailer floor. 
     FIG. 7 is a sectional view of an extruded floor channel for incorporation into the floor assembly of a trailer. 
     FIG. 8 is a side view of a notch assembly in accordance with the embodiment shown. 
     FIG. 9 is a partial sectional view of an anchor hook assembly according to an embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG. 10 is a front view of the anchor hook assembly as shown in FIG.  9 . 
     FIGS. 11 and 12 show coupling of the anchor hook member with the retention channels formed in the floor or wall of a vehicle. 
    
    
     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  10  of reduced height by forming one of the web portions  11  in a tapered 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 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 see 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 sectional view of a new floor, wall or like assembly  50  for use in construction a trailer or for use in another vehicle floor or wall. The floor system  50  is shown to comprise a plurality of extruded floor sections  52  as previously described, but also comprises at least one retention channel  54  therewith. In the embodiment shown, the retention channels  54  are positioned directly adjacent the outside of I-beams  10 , as well as at the outside portion of the floor assembly  50 . The retention channels  54  may be extruded, and as such may extend along the entire length of the trailer bed or be positioned at discrete locations if desired. 
     As seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, a retention channel may be provided in the outside portion of the floor assembly 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 . In a portion of the floor assembly, the retention channel is provided, which may be suitably formed along with the floor assembly during extrusion as an example. The channel  54  is formed by an opening  56  in the upper surface  40 . The channel  54  thus includes an upper wall section  58  on one side of the opening  56  and an upper flange  60  on the opposing side of the opening  56 . Two side walls and a bottom wall  62  form the remainder of the channel  54 . Within the channel  54  on the bottom surface  62 , a seat  64  for insertable notches  66  is provided. As shown in FIG. 5, the notches  66  may be positioned at any desired location along the channel  54 , and preferably may be positioned at regular intervals along the channel  54 . 
     Turning now to FIGS. 6-7, the outside retention channel shown in FIG. 4 is shown in more detail, with the seat  64  seen more distinctly. Similarly, other retention channels may be positioned at other locations within the floor assembly, and in the embodiment of FIG. 3, inside channels are provided adjacent the I-beams  10 . The inside channels are shown in FIG. 7, and may comprise a similar structure to the outside channels  54  shown in FIG.  6 . The flange  60  in the channels  54  is shown to be formed with a slight downward angle, and is radiused to facilitate coupling with an anchor hook to be described hereafter. The flange ensures proper retention of the anchor hook in the retention channel  54  and prevents binding of the hook in the channel  54 . 
     Turning to FIG. 8, the insertable notches  66  are shown in more detail. The notches  66  are formed to be seated within the channel  54  as shown in FIG. 4, and may be secured in a desired position by welding, adhesive, mechanical fastening or other suitable means. The notches  66  in conjunction with the channels  54  and anchor hooks to be described, provide a lockable cargo control system as desired. As can be seen in FIG. 8, the notches  66  may comprise a bottom wall  68  which engages seat  64  formed in the channels  54 . A side wall  70  is contoured to follow the inside side wall of a channel  54 , and includes a tapered section  72  terminating in a mounting slot  74 . The mounting slot  74  engages the top edge of the top wall  58  associated with the channel  54  as described in FIG.  4 . There is further included an outwardly extending notch head which extends into the opening  56  a predetermined distance, as seen in FIGS. 4 and 5. 
     Once the notches  66  are positioned and secured in place, the retention channel  54  is ready for use with an anchor hook assembly as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. Although the invention is described as providing snap in insertable notches  66 , the notches are provided as separable elements to facilitate manufacture by extrusion processes. In an extrusion process, the formation of integral notches  66  is not possible, but it should be recognized that the notches  66  could be formed integrally with the channels  54  if desired. The anchor hook assembly  80  may comprise an upper section  82  having an aperture  84  formed therein. The aperture  84  can be used to secure a cargo retention member (not shown) such as a chain, strap or the like. A lower hook section  86  is provided, which is configured to be inserted into a retention channel  54  as described. Within the hook section  86 , a slot  88  is provided, which mates with a notch  66  to lock the anchor hook in position at the location of a notch  66 . 
     The anchor hook assembly  80  further is configured to positively be retained in association with a retention channel  54  when a retention member (such as a chain, strap or the like) is attached thereto through aperture  84 . The hook section  86  of the anchor member  80  includes a surface  90  which is angled outwardly from the hook  92 , and forms a land surface. The upper section  82  then is angled again with respect to the surface  90 . As seen in FIGS. 11 and 12, when the member  80  is inserted into a channel  54 , the section  86  is inserted at an angle to allow the hook  92  to slide into the channel  54 . Upon upward rotation of the anchor  80 , the hook portion  92  engages the flange to be retained in association with the channel  54  as seen in FIG.  11 . Once retained with the channel, a retention member can then be secured to the anchor  80  through the aperture  84 . When secured through the aperture  84 , it should be recognized that a portion of a retention member, such as a chain or the like, will extend outwardly of the section  82 . Once a retention member is secured to the anchor  80  in this fashion, the retention member itself will interfere with an adjacent portion of the floor assembly such that the anchor cannot be laid down with the land surface  90  against the floor  40  as seen in FIG.  12 . In this manner, the anchor  80  cannot be disengaged from the channel  54  unless the retention member is removed from engagement with the aperture  84  to allow the anchor  80  to be angled to the position with land  90  resting on floor  40 , at which time the hook portion  92  can be released from engagement with flange  60  and from the channel  54 . This provides an extremely secure and safe system that cannot loosen or shift, and will better secure a load. 
     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.