Patent ID: 7112023

Claim:
A tension alert device removably attachable to an elongate securing member between opposing member ends thereof for alerting a user situated in a vehicle for towing a load bed extending generally therebehind and to which the member is attached on the member ends thereof for securing a load thereupon when the securing member enters a low tension state in which tension in the securing member is below a pre-determined tension threshold level, said device comprising: a housing having opposing end apertures on opposing housing ends thereof, and a first internal wall and a generally opposed second internal wall extending between said apertures, said second internal wall curving generally away from and extending substantially longitudinally over said first internal wall; a strip of resilient material attached to said first internal wall in proximity to one said end aperture and having a curved portion curving away from said first internal wall and extending substantially longitudinally thereover to the other said end aperture, thereby defining a generally curved channel with said second internal wall extending longitudinally between said end apertures for passage of the securing member in general alignment with said curved portion therein through said housing for attachment of said device thereby; a signaling means actuable for generating a tension alert signal for alerting the user when the securing member is in the low tension state; and a proximity actuation means connected to said housing and connected to said signaling means for actuating said signaling means when said curved portion enters a proximity actuation state of proximity relative said first internal wall corresponding to the low tension state, said curved portion being resiliently moved towards and away from said first internal wall by the securing member as the tension, respectively, increases and decreases, said proximity being thereby defined by the tension.