Abstract:
A system and method for securing a container to a railing of a transport surface is disclosed. The system includes a capture member and a locking member. The locking member is configured to be attached to the surface and to securely engage one end of the capture member. The capture member includes one end configured to securely engage the locking member and a second end configured to securely engage the container. The locking member is optionally configured to require a key to disengage the capture member from the locking member. The method includes attaching the locking member to the surface, disposing a container on the surface next to the locking member, and positioning the capture member such that it securely engages the locking member at one end and securely engages the container at the other end, and thereby secures the container to the surface.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/369,543, filed on Aug. 1, 2016. This application is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/284,339, filed on Oct. 3, 2016, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/369,543, filed on Aug. 1, 2016. These referenced applications are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    This invention generally pertains to systems and methods for securing a transport container to a transport surface. More specifically, it pertains to a device that can be readily installed on a transport surface, such as the bed of a pickup truck, and that binds the container to the surface and thereby limits the movement of the container relative to the surface during transport and can further be used to lock the container in place to prevent or deter theft of the container. The invention can also be adapted to be readily installed to generic transport racks or rails, such as a cargo rack or rails on an automobile, watercraft, all-terrain vehicle (ATV), utility-transport vehicle (UTV), aircraft, or cargo trailer. 
         [0003]    The use of securing devices to secure containers to a surface is well known. Typically, part or all of the securing device is attached to the surface and a portion of the securing device is attached to the container. 
         [0004]    Prior-art container-securing devices generally suffer from one or more of three main failings. First, the securing device may be difficult or cumbersome to install. Installation may require specialized skills or tools, or the efforts of multiple workers. Second, the securing device may require significant modifications to the transport surface. Third, the securing device may operate with only specialized or modified containers. 
         [0005]    For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,473,062 to Michel Laflamme (“Laflamme”) discloses a cargo-restraint system having a floor structure consisting of slats that are installed on a transport surface, the slats having a number of holes to accept elbowed fasteners that in turn hold rails to the slats. The slats, holes, fasteners, and rails are configured such that the rails may be fastened in a customized position and orientation so as to keep a cargo item from sliding on the surface of the slats while it is in transport. The device of Laflamme undesirably requires the installation of the specialized slats to the transport surface and does not provide any mechanism to lock the cargo down to the surface to deter shifting or theft. 
         [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 8,777,531 to Massicotte et al. (“Massicotte”) discloses another example of a prior-art securing device. The device consists of a rack having multiple apertures each aperture configured to receive an anchor. Containers and the like that are specially configured for the anchor can be secured to the rack by attachment via the anchor. Or generic containers and the like can be secured to the rack by a bungee cord or the like hooked to one or more anchors. The anchors may be placed in various apertures to provide for securing a variety of containers. The device of Massicotte undesirably requires installation of the specialized rack to the transport surface or vehicle and does not provide any mechanism to lock the container to deter theft. 
         [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,575,679 to Bourgault et al. (“Bourgault&#39;) discloses another example of a prior-art securing device. The device consists of two anchor beams installed front-to-back in the box of a pick-up truck such that there is a left-to-right open space between the beams. The beams are configured to capture the lower edges of a container as the container slides into the truck box from the back, or tail, of the truck box. Flat members with edges equivalent to the lower edges of the container are placed between the anchor beams and in front of or in back of the container such that the container and flat members fill the open space between the beams. These “locking” members are then secured into place by closing the tail gate or fastening a stop member to the tail-end of one or both anchor beams. The device of Bourgault undesirably requires installation of the specialized anchor beams to the transport surface, requires a specialized container, and does not provide any mechanism to lock the container to deter theft. 
         [0008]    U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0223952 to Smith et al. (“Smith”) discloses another example of a prior-art securing device. The device is a magnet that is attached to the base of the container (in this instance, a cooler). The magnetic force between the magnet and the appropriate transport surface secures the container to the surface (in this instance, the bed of a truck). The device of Smith undesirably requires installation of the magnet to the container and does not provide any mechanism to lock the container to deter theft. 
         [0009]    Accordingly, there is a need for a container-securing device that is relatively simple to install to a transport surface, has minimal impact on the transport surface, and does not require a specialized or modified container. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0010]    The present invention is directed to systems and methods that satisfy the need for a device to secure a transport container to a surface. 
         [0011]    In one aspect of the invention, the container-securing device has a capture member, a locking member, and a fastener by which the locking member may be attached to a transport surface. The capture member has a pin extending down from one end and an arm extending out from the other end. The locking member includes a box shaped to receive the capture member&#39;s pin and a locking mechanism configured to securely engage the capture member&#39;s pin. The locking mechanism includes a bolt that is configured to engage the pin, such as by entering into a hole or groove in the pin. The locking mechanism also includes an actuator that is configured to move the bolt to engage or disengage the pin, such as when the actuator is pushed, pulled, or rotated. The locking mechanism may be keyed, such that a key is necessary to engage or disengage the bolt from the pin. The fastener may include a threaded bolt and a magnetized nut. The fastener may include a plate with a projecting pin, this plate may be magnetized 
         [0012]    In another aspect of the invention, the container-securing device has a capture member, a locking member, and a fastener by which the locking member may be attached to a transport surface. The capture member has a locking mechanism with a box extending down from one end and an arm extending out from the other end. The locking member includes a pin shaped to enter the locking mechanism&#39;s box and to securely engage the capture member&#39;s locking mechanism. The locking mechanism includes a bolt that is configured to engage the pin, such as by entering into a hole or groove in the pin. The locking mechanism also includes an actuator that is configured to move the bolt to engage or disengage the pin, such as when the actuator is pushed, pulled, or rotated. The locking mechanism may be keyed, such that a key is necessary to engage or disengage the bolt from the pin. The locking member fastener may include a threaded bolt and a magnetized nut. The fastener may include a plate with a projecting pin, this plate may be magnetized. 
         [0013]    In another aspect of the invention, a method for securing a container to a transport surface includes fastening a locking member to the surface, placing the container next to the locking member, and positioning a capture member such that it securely engages the locking member at one end and securely engages the container at the other end. 
         [0014]    In another aspect of the invention, a method for attaching a locking member to a transport surface includes providing a ferromagnetic transport surface, finding or drilling a hole through the surface, placing a magnetized nut or a magnetized plate with a projecting pin on the underside of the surface below the hole, placing the locking member on the topside of the surface above the hole, and placing a threaded bolt through a hole in the locking member and into the magnetized nut or placing a pin or threaded bolt into the projecting pin. 
         [0015]    Through practice of various aspects of the invention, a container-securing device that can be readily installed to a transport surface, requires minimal modification of the surface, and is adaptable for various container shapes and sizes can be constructed and used. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
         [0016]    These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will be become better understood with reference to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where: 
           [0017]      FIG. 1 a    is a perspective view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a container-securing device. 
           [0018]      FIG. 1 b    is a perspective view illustrating another exemplary embodiment of a container-securing device. 
           [0019]      FIGS. 2 a -2 g    are various views illustrating various exemplary embodiments of the capture member of a container-securing device. 
           [0020]      FIGS. 3 a -3 c    are side views illustrating various exemplary embodiments of the locking member of a container-securing device. 
           [0021]      FIGS. 4 a -4 b    are perspective views illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a push (or plunger) locking mechanism. 
           [0022]      FIGS. 4 c -4 e    are side views illustrating various exemplary embodiments of a push (or plunger) locking mechanism. 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view illustrating an exemplary capture member securely mated with an exemplary locking member comprising a push locking mechanism. 
           [0024]      FIGS. 6 a -6 b    are side views illustrating an embodiment of a rotating locking mechanism. 
           [0025]      FIGS. 7 a -7 e    are various views illustrating an embodiment of a rotating locking mechanism. 
           [0026]      FIGS. 8 a -8 c    are various views illustrating embodiments of a locking member of a container-securing device. 
           [0027]      FIGS. 9 a -9 b    are perspective views illustrating an exemplary capture member mated with an exemplary locking member. 
           [0028]      FIGS. 10 a  and 10 b    are, respectively, front and perspective views illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a container-securing device for use with a transport surface having rails. 
           [0029]      FIGS. 11 a  and 11 b    are, respectively, front and perspective views illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a container-securing device for use with a transport surface having rails. 
           [0030]      FIGS. 12 a -12 c    are various views illustrating embodiments of a railing-mounted locking member of a container-securing device. 
           [0031]      FIGS. 13 a  and 13 b    are front and back views, respectively, illustrating an embodiment of a railing-mounted locking member of a container-securing device. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0032]    In the summary above, and in the description below, reference is made to particular features of the invention in the context of exemplary embodiments of the invention. The features are described in the context of the exemplary embodiments to facilitate understanding. But the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments. And the features are not limited to the embodiments by which they are described. The invention provides a number of inventive features which can be combined in many ways, and the invention can be embodied in a wide variety of contexts. Unless expressly set forth as an essential feature of the invention, a feature of a particular embodiment should not be read into the claims unless expressly recited in a claim. 
         [0033]    Except as explicitly defined otherwise, the words and phrases used herein, including terms used in the claims, carry the same meaning they carry to one of ordinary skill in the art as ordinarily used in the art. 
         [0034]    Because one of ordinary skill in the art may best understand the structure of the invention by the function of various structural features of the invention, certain structural features may be explained or claimed with reference to the function of a feature. Unless used in the context of describing or claiming a particular inventive function (e.g., a process), reference to the function of a structural feature refers to the capability of the structural feature, not to an instance of use of the invention. 
         [0035]    Except for claims that include language introducing a function with “means for” or “step for,” the claims are not recited in so-called means-plus-function or step-plus-function format governed by 35 U.S.C. §112(f). Claims that include the “means for [function]” language but also recite the structure for performing the function are not means-plus-function claims governed by §112(f). Claims that include the “step for [function]” language but also recite an act for performing the function are not step-plus-function claims governed by §112(f). 
         [0036]    Except as otherwise stated herein or as is otherwise clear from context, the inventive methods comprising or consisting of more than one step may be carried out without concern for the order of the steps. 
         [0037]    The terms “comprising,” “comprises,” “including,” “includes,” “having,” “haves,” and their grammatical equivalents are used herein to mean that other components or steps are optionally present. For example, an article comprising A, B, and C includes an article having only A, B, and C as well as articles having A, B, C, and other components. And a method comprising the steps A, B, and C includes methods having only the steps A, B, and C as well as methods having the steps A, B, C, and other steps. 
         [0038]    Terms of degree, such as “substantially,” “about,” and “roughly” are used herein to denote features that satisfy their technological purpose equivalently to a feature that is “exact.” For example, a component A is “substantially” perpendicular to a second component B if A and B are at an angle such as to equivalently satisfy the technological purpose of A being perpendicular to B. 
         [0039]    Except as otherwise stated herein, or as is otherwise clear from context, the term “or” is used herein in its inclusive sense. For example, “A or B” means “A or B, or both A and B.” 
         [0040]    Except as is otherwise clear from context: (1) the term “up” is used herein to denote the direction away from the container-side of a transport surface or toward the side of the transport surface that is opposite the container side and (2) the term “down” is used herein to denote the direction toward the container-side of the transport surface or away from the side of the transport surface that is opposite the container side. 
         [0041]    The terms “push locking mechanism” and “plunger locking mechanism” are used herein to denote the class of locks in which the actuator of the locking bolt or recess is controlled by pushing or pulling. Push (or plunger) locking mechanisms are well-known and are described in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,046,831 and No. 5,447,049. Commercial embodiments of such locking mechanisms include, for example, the Tubular Push Locks FJM-2610 by FJM Security (http://www.fjmsecurity.com/Push-Locks.php). 
         [0042]    The term “rotating locking mechanism” is used herein to denote the class of locks in which the actuator of the locking bolt or recess is controlled by rotating. Rotating locking mechanisms are well-known and are described in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,664,445, No. 5,992,187, and No. 7,448,236. Commercial embodiments of such locking mechanisms include, for example, Model No. 2847DAT by Master Lock (http://www.masterlock.com/personal-use/product/2847DAT). 
         [0043]    In the context of a locking mechanism, the term “bolt” refers to the component of the locking mechanism that can be moved to engage another component or a workpiece to prevent something from moving or opening (activate) or to disengage another component or a workpiece to allow something to move or open (deactivate). In the context of a locking mechanism, the term “actuator” refers to the component of the locking mechanism that activates or deactivates the bolt. 
         [0044]    An exemplary container-securing device is shown in  FIG. 1 a   . A capture member  10  has a pin at one end, which end is oriented down toward a transport surface  16 , and an arm at the other end, which other end is oriented up away from the transport surface  16 . The pin is configured to mate with a box in a locking member  12 . The arm is configured to fit snugly against the top of a container  14  when the pin is mated with the box of the locking member  12 . The top of the container  14  is the surface of the container  14  that is oriented away from the transport surface  16 . The locking member  12  is fastened to the transport surface. The locking member  12  is configured to selectively secure the pin in the box so that the pin will not substantially move relative to the box. As such, capture members  10  and locking members  12  may be placed about the container  14  to keep the container from moving relative to the transport surface  16  during transport. The locking member  12  is optionally configured with a keyed locking mechanism such that a key is needed to secure or release the pin of the capture member  10  from the box of the locking member  12 . With such a key-controlled locking member  12 , the container  14  may be secured both against movement during transport and against theft. Alternatively, the capture member  10  may be configured with a box end instead of a pin end and locking member  12  may be configured with a pin instead of a box. 
         [0045]    Another exemplary container-securing device is shown in  FIG. 1   b.  Capture member  110  can be substantially understood with reference to the description of the capture member  10  of the  FIG. 1 a    embodiment. In  FIG. 1 b   , the capture member  110  is further configured to fit snugly against a feature  116  of a side surface of a container  114 . Here, the feature  116  is a handle, such as may be used on the side of a chest or a cooler. The feature  116  can also be a hook or a slot, such as may be used to engage a strap or rope, among other things. 
         [0046]    Exemplary capture members are shown in  FIGS. 2 a   - 2   g.    FIG. 2 a    is a perspective view of an exemplary capture member  20  roughly in the shape of an inverted “L.” An arm  21  extends out from the body of the capture member  20 , shown here extending at a substantially right angle from the body. A pin  23  includes a hole  25  that engages a bolt in the box of the locking member  12  to selectively secure the pin  23  in the box of the locking member  12 . For example, the locking member  12  may comprise a push (or plunger) locking mechanism to control the positioning of a bolt within the hole  25  and secure it in place using a key, thereby preventing movement of the bolt, and any capture member engaged with the bolt, without a key.  FIG. 2 b    is a sectional view of section A-A′ of the capture member  20 . 
         [0047]      FIG. 2 c    is a perspective view of an exemplary capture member  20   c.  In this embodiment, the arm  21   c  includes a downward oriented portion at its end farthest from the body of the capture member  20   c.  This downward oriented portion serves as a hook to better secure a feature of a side surface of the secured container, such as the handle  116  shown in  FIG. 1   b.  The pin  23   c  in this embodiment is shown as including a groove that engages a bolt(s) in the box of the locking member  12  to selectively secure the pin  23   c  in the box of the locking member  12 . For example, the locking member  12  may comprise a push or rotating locking mechanism to control the positioning of a bolt(s) in the groove and secure the bolt(s) in place using a key, thereby preventing movement of the bolt(s), and any capture member engaged with the bolt(s), without a key.  FIG. 2 d    is a sectional view of section B-B′ of the capture member  20   c.    
         [0048]      FIG. 2 e    is a side view of an exemplary capture member  20   e.  In this embodiment, the capture member  20   e  is segmented into two pieces joined by a turn-buckle  27   e.  The turn-buckle  27   e  can be tightened or loosened to change the length of the capture member  20   e.  Thus, the capture member  20   e  is configurable to work with containers of different sizes. 
         [0049]      FIG. 2 f    is a perspective view of an exemplary capture member  20   f.  In this embodiment, the capture member  20   f  is segmented into two pieces that are joined by a fastener  29   f  that runs through slots  28   f,    28   f ′ cut into the two pieces of the capture member  20   f.  The fastener  29   f  may be a bolt, cotter pin, or the like, and it may be keyed, such as a locking lug nut on an automobile wheel is keyed. The capture member  20   f  can be lengthened or shortened by loosening the fastener  29   f,  moving the two pieces of the capture member  20   f  relative to each other, and then tightening the fastener  29   f.  Thus, capture member  20   f  is configurable to work with containers of different sizes.  FIG. 2 g    is a sectional view of section C-C′ of the capture member  20   f.    
         [0050]    The capture arm may be made from various materials. For example, the capture arm may be made entirely from metal or plastic or from some combination thereof and it may be made entirely from solid or tubular material or from some combination thereof. The material of the capture arm is not a limiting factor of the invention. 
         [0051]    Exemplary locking members are shown in  FIGS. 3 a   - 3   c.    FIG. 3 a    is a side view of an exemplary locking member  32  fastened to a transport surface  36 . An “L” shaped bolt  31  is fed up through a hole in the surface  36 . Locking member  32  has a threaded hole that is used to thread the locking member  32  onto the bolt  31  to secure the locking member  32  to the surface  36 . Alternatively, the bolt  31  may feed through a hole in the locking member  32  and a nut within the locking member  32  can be threaded onto the bolt to fasten the locking member  32  to the transport surface  36 . The surface of the bolt  31  that engages the bottom side of the transport surface  36  is preferably serrated such that as the locking member  32  is threaded onto the bolt  31  the serrated surface digs into the bottom side of the transport surface  36  so that the bolt  31  does not rotate with the locking member  32 . In this manner, a single person with minimal tools can install the locking member  32  to the transport surface  36  or remove the locking member  32  from the surface  36 . 
         [0052]      FIG. 3 b    is a side view of an exemplary locking member  32   b  fastened to a transport surface  36 . In this embodiment, a bolt  35  within the locking member  32   b  is fed down through a hole in the locking member  32   b,  through a hole in the transport surface  36 , and into a nut  33  on the underside of the transport surface  36 . Alternatively, the bolt  35  may be an integral portion of the locking member  32   b.  The nut  33  that the bolt  35  threads into is preferably bonded to the bottom side of the transport surface  36  such that the nut  33  does not have to be held in place and does not rotate with the bolt  35  as the bolt  35  threads into the nut  33 . For example, the nut  33  may be made of magnetized material, or embedded in magnetized material, such that it can be bonded to the bottom side of a ferromagnetic transport surface  36  through a magnetic force. In this manner, a single person with minimal tools can install the locking member  32   b  to the transport surface  36  or remove the locking member  32   b  from the surface  36 . Alternatively, the nut  33  may be bonded to the transport surface  36  with glue, epoxy, or the like, or may be welded to the surface  36 . 
         [0053]      FIG. 3 c    is a side view of an exemplary locking member  32   c  fastened to a transport surface  36 . In this embodiment, a bolt  39  is fed up through a hole in the transport surface  36 , through a hole in the locking member  32   c,  and into a nut  37  within the locking member  37 . Alternatively, the nut  37  may be an integral part of the locking member  32   c  (e.g., a threaded hole in the locking member  32   c  or a nut bonded to the locking member  32   c ). The bolt  39  that feeds into the nut  37  is preferably bonded to the bottom side of the transport surface  36  such that the bolt  39  does not have to be held in place and does not rotate with the nut  37  as the nut  37  threads onto the bolt  39 . For example, the bolt  39  may be made of magnetized material, or embedded in magnetized material, such that it can be bonded to the bottom side of a ferromagnetic transport surface  36  through a magnetic force. In this manner, a single person with minimal tools can install the locking member  32   c  to the transport surface  36  or remove the locking member  32   c  from the surface  36 . Alternatively, the bolt  39  may be bonded to the transport surface  36  with glue, epoxy, or the like, or may be welded to the surface  36 . 
         [0054]      FIG. 4 a    is a perspective view of an exemplary push (or plunger) locking mechanism  44  that can be included in a locking member. The locking mechanism  44  is shown in the relaxed position. The locking mechanism  44  includes a keyed inner cylinder  45  (the actuator), a bolt  46 , and a spring  47  all deployed within an outer cylinder  48 . The outer cylinder  48  may be an integral piece of the locking member, or it may be separate from but affixed within the locking member. The bolt  46  is attached to, or is originally formed as an integral member of, the inner cylinder  45 . The inner cylinder  45  may slide within the outer cylinder  48  and the spring  47  is deployed such as to compress when the inner cylinder  45  slides into the outer cylinder  48  such that the spring generates a force to push the inner cylinder  45  back toward the relaxed position. When the inner cylinder  45  slides into the outer cylinder  48 , the bolt  46  extends from the outer cylinder  48  through a hole in the outer cylinder  48  such that it can engage a box or hole in a capture member&#39;s pin. The inner cylinder  45  may be rotated within the outer cylinder  48  by inserting a key into the key hole and turning. In this way, the inner cylinder  45  may be locked into position thereby locking the bolt  46  into position.  FIG. 4 b    depicts the exemplary push (or plunger) locking mechanism  44  locked in a bolt-extended position. 
         [0055]      FIG. 4 c    is a side view of an exemplary push (or plunger) locking mechanism  44  in the relaxed position.  FIG. 4 d    is a side view of an exemplary push (or plunger) locking mechanism  44  in the bolt-extended position.  FIG. 4 e    is a side view of an exemplary push (or plunger) locking mechanism  44   e  in the bolt-extended position wherein there are two bolts  46   e  that are configured to engage a groove in a capture member&#39;s pin end. 
         [0056]    Push (or plunger) locking mechanisms are well-known and are described in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,046,831 and No. 5,447,049. Commercial embodiments of such locking mechanisms include, for example, the Tubular Push Locks FJM-2610 by FJM Security (http://www.fjmsecurity.com/Push-Locks.php). Such prior-art push (or plunger) locking mechanisms may be used within the container-securing device with or in lieu of the exemplary push (or plunger) locking mechanisms described herein. Further, while the above embodiments are described with a keyed inner cylinder  45 , the inner cylinder  45  need not be keyed for applications where deterring theft is not important. In such an unkeyed locking mechanism, the inner cylinder  45  may be rotated without a key and moved from the locked, bolt-extended position by, for example, slightly pushing or pulling the inner cylinder  45  into or out of the outer cylinder  48  to unlatch the cylinders. 
         [0057]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an exemplary capture member  20  mated with an exemplary locking member  12  via a hole in the capture member&#39;s pin  23  engaging with the bolt of an exemplary push locking mechanism  44  included in the locking member  12 . 
         [0058]      FIGS. 6 a -6 b    are top views of an exemplary rotating locking mechanism  64  that can be included in a locking member. In  FIG. 6 a   , the locking mechanism  64  is shown in the relaxed position. In  FIG. 6   b,  the locking mechanism  64  is shown in the locked position. The locking mechanism  64  includes a keyed inner cylinder  65  (the actuator), bolt-plates  66  (the bolts), and springs  67  all deployed within an outer cylinder  68 . The outer cylinder  68  may be an integral piece of the locking member, or it may be separate from but affixed within the locking member. The inner cylinder  65  may rotate within the outer cylinder  68  when the appropriate key is used. The bolt-plates  66  each include a protrusion  63  shaped to engage the groove of the capture member&#39;s pin. The inner cylinder  65  includes tabs  69  shaped to rotate to fit between the bolt-plates  66  and the outer cylinder  68  when the locking mechanism  64  is place in the locked mode. The pin of a capture member enters the locking mechanism  64  through an aperture  61 . When the grooves of the capture member&#39;s pin engage the protrusions  63 , the bolt-plates  66  spread apart to accept or release the capture member&#39;s pin. Preferably, the edges of the capture member&#39;s pin are beveled to allow a smooth transfer of force from the pin to the bolt-plates  66 . Once the protrusions  63  are mated with the grooves of the capture member&#39;s pin, the inner cylinder  65  can be rotated to move the tabs  69  between the bolt-plates  66  and the outer cylinder  68  to keep the bolt-plates  66  from spreading apart and thereby locking the capture member in place. This exemplary embodiment is shown with two moving bolt-plates and tabs, but may comprise one or more moving bolt-plates and tabs. 
         [0059]      FIGS. 7 a -7 b    are top views of an exemplary rotating locking mechanism  74  that can be included in a locking member. In  FIG. 7 a   , the locking mechanism  74  is shown in the relaxed position. In  FIG. 7 b   , the locking mechanism  74  is shown in the locked position. The locking mechanism  74  includes a keyed inner cylinder  75 , bolt-plates  76 , and springs  77  all deployed within an outer cylinder  78 . The outer cylinder  78  may be an integral piece of the locking member, or it may be separate from but affixed within the locking member. The inner cylinder  75  may rotate within the outer cylinder  78  when the appropriate key is used. The bolt-plates  76  each include a protrusion  73  shaped to engage the groove of the capture member&#39;s pin. The inner cylinder  75  includes tabs  79  shaped to rotate to fit between the bolt-plates  76  and the outer cylinder  78  when the locking mechanism  74  is place in the locked mode. The inner cylinder  75  further includes a cam  72  shaped to spread the pin-plates  76  apart when in the relaxed mode and allow them to come together when in the locked mode. The pin of a capture member enters the locking mechanism  74  through an aperture  71 . Rotating the inner cylinder  75  from the relaxed to the locked position will: (1) rotate the cam  72  to allow the bolt-plates  76  to move together and the protrusions  73  on the bolt-plates  76  to engage the grooves on the pin of the capture member and (2) move the tabs  79  into a position between the bolt-plates  76  and the outer cylinder  78  to keep the bolt-plates  76  from moving apart and thereby lock the capture member in place. Rotating the inner cylinder  75  from the locked to the relaxed position will: (1) move the tabs  79  away from between the bolt-plates  76  and the outer cylinder  78  and (2) rotate the cam  72  to spread the bolt-plates  76  apart to accept or release the pin of the capture member.  FIG. 7 c    is an end sectional view of section D-D′ of  FIG. 7 a    when the locking mechanism  74  is in the relaxed position, and the capture member&#39;s pin may be inserted into the locking mechanism.  FIG. 7 d    is an end sectional view of section E-E′ of  FIG. 7 b    when the locking mechanism  74  is in the locked position, and the capture member&#39;s pin is secured in place within the locking mechanism  74 .  FIG. 7 e    is an end sectional view of section F-F′ of  FIG. 7 b    when the locking mechanism  74  is in the locked position, and the capture member&#39;s pin  23   c  is secured in place within the locking mechanism  74 . This exemplary embodiment is shown with two moving bolt-plates and tabs, but may comprise one or more moving bolt-plates and tabs. 
         [0060]    Rotating locking mechanisms are well-known and are described in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,664,445, No. 5,992,187, and No. 7,448,236. Commercial embodiments of such locking mechanisms include, for example, Model No. 2847DAT by Master Lock (http://www.masterlock.com/personal-use/product/2847DAT). Such prior-art rotating locking mechanisms may be used within the container-securing device with or in lieu of the exemplary rotating locking mechanisms described herein. Further, while the above embodiments are described with a keyed inner cylinder, the inner cylinder need not be keyed for applications where deterring theft is not important. In such an unkeyed locking mechanism, the inner cylinder may be rotated without a key and moved from the locked position by, for example, slightly pushing or pulling the inner cylinder into or out of the outer cylinder to unlatch the cylinders. 
         [0061]    Exemplary locking members are shown in  FIGS. 8 a   - 8   c.    FIG. 8 a    is a perspective view of an exemplary locking member  82  showing a hole  84  for positioning and retaining a locking mechanism. This exemplary locking member  82  may be fastened to a transport surface using a plate  83  which retains a bolt  81 . The locking member  82  is placed above the transport surface and the plate  83  and bolt  81  are placed below the transport surface such that the bolt  81  feeds up through the transport surface and into the locking member  82 , securing the locking member to the transport surface. The plate  83  may be magnetized so as to adhere to the transport surface or may otherwise be held in position to fasten the locking member  82 . The locking member  82  may be fastened to the transport surface using more than one bolt  81 .  FIG. 8 b    is a top view of the exemplary locking member  82  showing a box  86  configured to mate with a pin of a capture member. 
         [0062]      FIG. 8 c    is side view of an exemplary locking member  82   b,  viewing the side of the locking member  82   b  that is opposite the side from which the locking mechanism is accessed by the user. This exemplary locking member  82   b  includes a hole  87  to accept the bolt of a push locking mechanism. The locking member  82   b  may be fastened to a transport surface using a plate  88  that includes upward protruding pins  89  that feed up through the transport surface and into the locking member  82   b.  Pins (e.g., bare or threaded bolts) are fed through holes  85  in the locking member  82   b  and into holes  89 ′ in the upward protruding pins  89  of the plate  88 . The plate  88  may include one or more upward protruding pins  89 . The plate  88  may be magnetized so as to adhere to the transport surface or may otherwise be held in position to fasten the locking member  82   b.  In this embodiment, the means used to fasten or remove the locking member  82   b  to the transport surface will not be accessible when a container is secured to the transport surface—access to the fastening/removing means is blocked by the container. Other views of exemplary locking members are included in U.S. design-patent applications Ser. No. 29/594,140 and Ser. No. 29/594,142, both of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0063]      FIGS. 9 a -9 b    are perspective views of an exemplary capture member  90  and locking member  92 .  FIG. 9 a    shows the capture member  90  and the locking member  92  as separated.  FIG. 9 b    shows the capture member  90  and the locking member  92  mated such as to secure a container to a transport surface. 
         [0064]    An exemplary container-securing device is shown in  FIGS. 10 a  and 10 b   .  FIG. 10 a    is a front-side view illustrating a container  14 * secured to a transport surface  16 * having rails  13 *, such as might be found on a watercraft, for example.  FIG. 10 b    is a perspective view of the container  14 * secured to the surface  16 *. Capture members  10 * are configured at one end to engage a locking member  12 * and at the other end to engage a slot in the container  14 *. The locking members  12 * may be mounted to the rails in a manner akin to how the locking members  32 ,  32   b,    32   c  are mounted to the transport surface  36  as shown in  FIGS. 3 a   - 3   b.  For example, a locking member  12 * may be bolted to a rail  13 * using a bolt placed through a hole in the rail  13 * or the using a U-shaped bolt placed around the rail  13 *. 
         [0065]    Another exemplary container-securing device is shown in  FIGS. 11 a    and  11   b.    FIG. 11 a    is a right-side view illustrating a container  114 * secured to a transport surface  116 * having rails  113 *, such as might be found on the roof of a sport utility vehicle, for example.  FIG. 11 b    is a perspective view of the container  114 * secured to the surface  116 *. Capture members  110 * are configured at one end to engage a locking member  112 * and at the other end to engage a feature  117 * of a side surface of the container  114 *, such as a handle on a chest or cooler, for example. The locking members  112 * may be mounted to the rails in a manner akin to how the locking members  32 ,  32   b,    32   c  are mounted to the transport surface  36  as shown in  FIGS. 3 a   - 3   b.  For example, a locking member  112 * may be bolted to a rail  113 * using a bolt placed through a hole in the rail  113 * or the using a U-shaped bolt placed around the rail  113 *. 
         [0066]    Exemplary railing-mounted locking members are illustrated in  FIGS. 12 a   - 12   c.    FIG. 12 a    is a perspective view of an exemplary locking member  92  mounted to a railing  123  comprising a circular tube.  FIG. 12 b    is a perspective view of an exemplary locking member  92 * mounted to a railing  123  comprising a circular tube. The locking member  92 * depicted in  FIG. 12 b    includes a feature of the bottom surface that is configured to nest with the railing  123 .  FIG. 12 c    is a perspective view of an exemplary locking member  122  mounted to a railing  123  comprising a circular tube. The locking member  122  depicted in  FIG. 12 c    includes a feature of the bottom surface that is configured to nest with the railing  123 . The railing  123  is depicted as a circular tube, but it could equivalently be of any cross-sectional shape and be solid or tubular. A surface of a locking member is “configured to nest” with the railing when the contour of the surface of the locking member is complementary to the contour of the surface of the railing. For example, if the railing  123  is a circular tube, the locking member  122  would be configured to nest with railing  123  if it included a cut-out in the shape of a circle (or part of a circle) of roughly the same diameter as the outer diameter of the railing  123 . 
         [0067]    Another exemplary railing-mounted locking member is illustrated in  FIGS. 13 a   - 13   b.    FIG. 13 a    is a front-side view of a locking member  82   b  mounted to a railing  133  comprising a rectangular solid member. A pin  88 * is configured to nest with the railing  133  and is used to attach the locking member  82   b  to the railing.  FIG. 13 b    is a back-side view of the locking member  82   b  mounted to the railing  133 . The locking member  82   b  is as previously described and depicted in  FIG. 8 c   . To mount the locking member  82   b  to the railing, pin  88 * is placed around the railing  133  and into the locking member  82   b  and secured using pins inserted through holes  85 , as described with reference to  FIG. 8   c.    
         [0068]    Exemplary benefits of the container-securing device can be understood with respect to  FIG. 1   b.  Using the device, a container  114 , such as a cooler, can be secured to a transport surface  16 , such as the bed of a pick-up truck. By running capture members  110  through side features  116  (e.g., handles, slots, hooks, etc.) on the container  114  to locking members  12  attached to the transport surface  16 , the container-securing device prevents the container  114  from moving side-to-side or up-and-down with respect to the surface  16 . By using locking members  12  having keyed locking mechanisms to hold the capture members  110  in the locking members  12 , the container-securing device prevents removal of the container  114  from the surface  16  without a key, thereby deterring theft of the container  114 . 
         [0069]    While the foregoing description is directed to the preferred embodiments of the invention, other and further embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art and may be made without departing from the basic scope of the invention. And features described with reference to one embodiment may be combined with other embodiments, even if not explicitly stated above, without departing from the scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is defined by the claims which follow.