Tie down systems for securing cargo within vehicle cargo spaces

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10894502-B2
Application number	US-201815972289-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 7, 2018
Priority date	May 7, 2018
Publication date	Jan 19, 2021
Grant date	Jan 19, 2021

Abstract

This disclosure details tie down systems for securing cargo within vehicle cargo spaces. An exemplary tie down system may include a corner bracket mounted in a corner of the cargo space. The corner bracket may include a plurality of openings for tying down cargo at different heights within the cargo space.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A tie down system for a vehicle, comprising:
a first corner bracket;
a first opening formed in the first corner bracket and disposed at a first height of the first corner bracket;
a second opening formed in the first corner bracket and disposed at a second height of the first corner bracket;
a second corner bracket; and
a tying device connecting between the first corner bracket and the second corner bracket,
wherein the tying device hooks or clamps within openings of each of the first corner bracket and the second corner bracket,
wherein the first corner bracket includes an outer face, a first side face, and a second side face, and the first side face and the second side face curve toward one another,
wherein the first side face and the second side face of the first corner bracket join together to establish a closed triangular shape.

2. The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the tying device includes a strap, a cable, or a cord.

3. The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the first opening and the second opening extend through the outer face.

4. The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein a gap extends between a first end of the first side face and a second end of the second side face.

5. The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the first corner bracket includes a hollow passage.

6. A method, comprising:
positioning a cargo item within a vehicle cargo space;
tying down the cargo item with a first tying device and a second tying device that connect between a first corner bracket and a second corner bracket of a tie down system;
wherein the first and second tying devices are connected to the first and second brackets at different heights relative to a floor of the vehicle cargo space.

7. The method as recited in claim 6 , wherein tying down the cargo item includes:
connecting the first tying device within a first opening of the first corner bracket;
routing the first tying device through or around the cargo item; and
connecting the first tying device within a first opening of the second corner bracket.

8. The method as recited in claim 7 , wherein tying down the cargo item includes:
connecting the second tying device within a second opening of the first corner bracket;
routing the second tying device through or around the cargo item; and
connecting the second tying device within a second opening of the second corner bracket,
wherein the second openings are positioned at a different height than the first openings.

9. A tie down system for a vehicle, comprising:
a first corner bracket;
a first opening formed in the first corner bracket and disposed at a first height of the first corner bracket;
a second opening formed in the first corner bracket and disposed at a second height of the first corner bracket;
a second corner bracket; and
a tying device connecting between the first corner bracket and the second corner bracket,
wherein the tying device hooks or clamps within openings of each of the first corner bracket and the second corner bracket,
wherein the first corner bracket is triangular shaped or rectangular shaped and includes a hollow passage; and
an end cap attached to the first corner bracket and configured to close-off the hollow passage.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Marchlewski Jack
• Chimento Vince Anthony
• Reiners Robert
• Gray Jeffrey

Classifications

• B60P7/0815 Primary

  Attachment rails or trellis · CPC title

• B60P1/003

  vehicles with loading gates (B60P1/43 takes precedence) · CPC title

• B60Y2200/14

  Trucks; Load vehicles, Busses · CPC title

• B60P7/0807 Primary

  Attachment points · CPC title