Patent ID: 8511951

Claim:
A strap hook retainer in combination with a strap hook of a tie down strap for use in securing cargo onto a platform wherein the strap hook comprises a U-shaped member having a base portion extending between a strap portion arranged to be mounted on the tie down strap and being mounted at one end of the base portion and a hook portion comprising a free end and being mounted at the other end of the base portion, the strap hook retainer comprising: a base arranged for securement to the platform; an upright retainer flange portion which is mounted to the base adjacent a top end of the upright retainer flange portion so as to be fixed in relation to the base, the retainer flange portion extending downwardly from the top end to a bottom retainer edge arranged to be received between the strap portion and the hook portion of the U-shaped member of the strap hook in an engaged position of the strap hook; a lower flange portion mounted to the base in fixed relation to the base, the lower flange portion comprising a top free edge which is spaced below the bottom retainer edge; a hook opening having a fixed dimension defined between the bottom retainer edge of the upright retainer flange portion and the top free edge of the lower flange portion and having a height between the bottom retainer edge and the top free edge which is less than a height of the free end of the hook portion from the base portion of the strap hook; and the top free edge of the lower flange portion being offset laterally outwardly away from the base in relation to the bottom retainer edge of the upright retainer flange portion so as to define a supporting surface between the top free edge of the lower flange portion and the base which is arranged to support the base portion of the strap hook thereon when the tie down strap is slack.