Patent Abstract:
A pop-up tie down device includes a body member having an attachment member for securing the body member to the stake hole of a side wall in a vehicle carrier. The anchor member includes a cavity which holds a pop-up tie down device. The pop-up tie down device is movable from a retracted position within the cavity to an extended position wherein a portion of the tie down device protrudes from the cavity.

Full Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATION 
     This application is a Divisional of application Ser. No. 09/372,565 filed Aug. 11, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,231,285. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a pop-up tie down device and method for using same. 
     Various types of tie-down devices have been provided for mounting in the side wall stake holes of a vehicle carrying compartment. An example of such a tie down device is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,476,349 which shows an elongated rail having anchor members that are mounted in the stake holes. The anchor members in U.S. Pat. No. 5,476,349 include a tie-down opening extending there through. 
     Therefore, a primary object of the present invention is the provision of a pop-up tie down device and method for using same. 
     A further object of the present invention is the provision of a pop-up tie down device which includes a pop-up tie down member that can be stored in an inoperative position substantially hidden from view. 
     A further object of the present invention is the provision of a pop-up tie down device having a pop-up tie down member which can be moved from its inoperative position to an extended operative position wherein it is accessible for tying cords or lines to objects in the carrying compartment. 
     A further object of the present invention is the provision of an improved pop-up tie down device which has a good aesthetic appearance, which is durable in use, and which is efficient to manufacture. 
     A further object of the present invention is the provision of a pop-up tie down device which can be easily manually moved from its inoperative position to its operative position. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The foregoing objects may be achieved by a pop-up tie down device for use with a flexible line and a vehicle having a carrying compartment with side walls. The tie down device includes a body member having a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion therebetween. A tie down member is moveably mounted to the body member for movement between an operative position and an inoperative position. The tie down member is retentively connected to the body member when in the operative position and is shaped to permit the flexible line to be attached thereto. A mounting member is connected to the body member and is also adapted to be connected to one of the side walls of the vehicle for attaching the tie-down member and the body member to the side wall of the vehicle. 
     One feature of the present invention is the provision of a slide track in the body member which retentively holds the tie down member and permits the tie down member to slide from its operative to its inoperative positions. 
     Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a slide track which is a cavity within the body member and which permits the tie down device to move from a retracted position located completely within the cavity to an operative position wherein a portion of the tie down member extends outwardly from the cavity for receiving a tie down cord or line. 
     Another feature of the present invention is the provision of upper and lower surfaces to the tie down member, which form continuations of the outer surface of the body member when the tie down member is in its recessed position. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle having the pop-up tie down devices of the present invention mounted thereon. 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one of the end body members or anchor members of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a sectional view of one of the end body members of the present invention. 
     FIG. 4 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 3, but showing the tie down member in its extended position. 
     FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line  5 — 5  of FIG.  3 . 
     FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view taken along line  6 — 6  of FIG.  5 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The description below and the drawings illustrate the preferred embodiment of applicant&#39;s invention. However, many features of the invention may be varied without detracting from the invention, and the description of the preferred embodiment is not intended to limit applicant&#39;s invention to the specific structure described herein and shown in the drawings. 
     Referring to FIG. 1 the numeral  10  generally designates a pick-up truck having a carrying compartment  12  with side walls  14 . A load item  16  is shown in the carrying compartment. 
     Mounted to the side walls  14  are a pair of tie down rails  18  each of which comprises a pair of end bodies  20  mounted in the stake holes  48  (FIGS. 3 and 4) and a tube  22  which extends between the pairs of end bodies  20 . 
     Each of the end bodies  20  include a pop-up tie down member  24  to which can be attached a tie line or bunge cord  26  tied to the load  16  to prevent movement of the load  16  in the carrying compartment  12 . 
     Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4 the end body  20  is elongated and follows a curved center line  28 . Line  28  extends from an anchor end  30  of the body member to a tube receiving end  32  of the body member. The center line  28  curves throughout an angle of approximately 90° as it progresses from the anchor end  30  to the tube receiving end  32 . A mounting plate  34  engages the anchor end  30 , and an elastomeric member  36  fits within the stake hole  48 . Below the elastomeric member  36  is a compression washer  38 . A bolt  42  includes a bolt head  46  which is recessed within a counter bore  44  of the body member, and which is attached to a nut  40  below compression washer  38 . Tightening of the bolt  42  causes compression of the elastomeric member  36  to retentively attach the body member  20  to the stake hole  48 . 
     While the specific attachment member shown in the drawings is a compressible elastomeric member, other means of attachment may be used without detracting from the invention. For example, the anchor member could be clamped to the side wall, it could be bolted to the side wall, or it could be. attached in any of a variety of ways. The method of attachment of the anchor member to the side wall or to the stake hole does not comprise the present invention. 
     The tube receiving end  32  of body member  20  includes a reduced diameter portion  50  and an axially presented shoulder  52 . Tube  22  is telescopically fitted over the reduced diameter portion and abuts against the shoulder  52  to provide a smooth continuation of the outer surface of the body member  20 . 
     Extending vertically through the body member  20  between the opposite ends  30 ,  32  is a slide cavity  54  having an opened lower end  56  and an open upper end  58 . Cavity  54  also includes a front wall  60  and a rear wall  62  as well as opposite side walls  64 ,  66  (FIG.  5 ). At the open upper end  58  of cavity  54  are a pair of inwardly extending lips  68 . 
     In the side walls  64 ,  66  of the cavity, adjacent the lower end thereof, are a pair of lower partial bore indentations  70 , each of which terminate in an inner end or shoulder  72 . Fitted against each of the inner ends  72  is a stop washer  74  which is held in place by a screw  76 . 
     Tie down member  24  includes forwardly and rearwardly extending lower lips  78  at its lower end, and a shank portion  80  extending upwardly therefrom. Extending transversely through the shank portion  80  is an eyelet  82  to which a cord or line may be tied or otherwise attached. Tie down member  24  includes an upper curved surface  84  which, when the tie down member  24  is in its retracted position as shown in FIG. 3 forms a smooth uninterrupted continuation of the outer curved surface of the anchor body  20 . Anchor member  24  also includes a lower curved surface which, when the tie down member  24  is in its retracted position as shown in FIG. 3, forms a smooth continuation of the outer surface of the body member  20 . Thus when the tie down member  24  is in its retracted position shown in FIG. 3, it is completely contained within the cavity  54 , and its upper and lower surfaces  84 ,  86  form smooth continuations of the outer surface of the body member  20 . The sizes of the upper end opening  58  and the lower end opening  56  of the cavity  54  are substantially the same as the sizes of the upper and lower surfaces  84 ,  86  of the tie down member  24 . Consequently, when the tie down member  24  is in its recessed position it is hidden from view, and the upper and lower surfaces  84 ,  86  appear to be part of the outer surface of the body member  20 . 
     A pair of side recesses  88  are formed in the side walls of tie down member  24  as can be seen in FIG.  5 . At the upper ends of each of these side recesses is a downwardly presented stop shoulder  90  which engages the stop washers  74  when the tie down member  24  is in its retracted position shown in FIG.  5 . This engagement prevents the tie down member from sliding downwardly beyond the position shown in FIG.  5 . 
     Extending through the tie down member  24  are a pair of friction bearings  92  which are preferably made of an elastomeric material and which engage the side walls  64 ,  66  of the cavity  54  so as to provide a slight friction between the side walls  64 ,  66  of cavity  54  and the tie down member  24 . This slight friction causes the tie down member  24  to retain its position within the cavity  54 . However, the tie down member  24  can be manually moved from its retracted position shown in FIG. 3 to its extended position shown in FIG.  4 . When in this extended position shown in FIG. 4, the friction bearings  92  hold the tie down member  24  against sliding downwardly in response to gravity. 
     In the drawings and specification there has been set forth a preferred embodiment of the invention, and although specific terms are employed, these are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Changes in the form and the proportion of parts as well as in the substitution of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as further defined in the following claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1