Patent ID: 8393838

Claim:
A side rail apparatus for mounting on a vehicle having a load carrying deck with a support surface and for facilitating the securement of a load to the support surface by a securement device, the apparatus comprising: a side rail including an upper generally horizontal member and a generally vertical member substantially perpendicular to said horizontal member and extending downwardly therefrom, an upper end of said vertical member having a recess formed therein to create a slot with a side opening; said slot including an upper wall and a lower wall spaced apart and joined to one another by an inner side wall, said inner side wall being opposite said side opening and spaced therefrom by said upper and lower walls, entry of an object into said slot through said side opening being gained by moving said object in a direction substantially parallel to a horizontal ground surface supporting the vehicle; and a tie plate having a first end to which a securement device for securing a load to said load carrying deck can be attached and a second end configured to be received in said slot and self-retained therein both before and during placement of a securement device.