Patent ID: 6939095

Claim:
In combination with a vehicle having an elongated cargo supporting bed having two metal side rails, having upper and lower ends, running longitudinally along outer side areas of the bed and spaced laterally therefrom to define pocket areas therebetween, comprising: a winch assembly including a substantially vertically disposed stem portion, having upper and lower ends; and a winch ratchet mechanism for winding one end of a tie-down strap therearound; said stem portion having a hook member movably mounted thereon which is adapted to selectively releasably engage the lower end of one of said side rails, when said stem portion of said winch assembly is inserted downwardly into one of said pocket areas, at one side of the bed, to anchor said winch assembly to said one side of the bed; and an anchor assembly secured to another side of the bed opposite to said winch assembly for selectively releasably receiving another end of the tie-down strap; said anchor assembly including a substantially vertically disposed stem portion; said stem portion of said anchor assembly having a hook member movably mounted thereon which is adapted to selectively releasably engage the lower end of one of said side rails at said another side of the bed when said stem portion of said anchor assembly is inserted downwardly into one of said pocket areas at said another side of the bed.