Locking cargo tie-down

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9896018-B2
Application number	US-201514858269-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 18, 2015
Priority date	Sep 18, 2015
Publication date	Feb 20, 2018
Grant date	Feb 20, 2018

Abstract

A retaining apparatus includes a base member having a first protrusion engaging an edge of a fixed plate and a floating hinge connected to the base member. The retaining apparatus also includes a pivotable plate member pivotally connected to the hinge. The pivotable plate member also defines a second protrusion engaging an opposing edge of the fixed plate. The pivotable plate member actuates to clamp the fixed plate between the first protrusion and the second protrusion.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A retaining apparatus comprising:
a base having a first protrusion engaging an edge of a fixed plate;
a hinge connected to the base;
a pivotable plate connected to the hinge, defining a second protrusion engaging an opposing edge of the fixed plate, wherein the pivotable plate clamps the fixed plate between the first and second protrusions; and
a lock disposed on the pivotable plate to restrict clamping of the pivotable plate relative to the base.

2. The retaining apparatus of claim 1 wherein the pivotable plate defines an opening and the base includes an anchor loop protruding through the opening.

3. The retaining apparatus of claim 2 wherein the pivotable plate defines a hole and the base includes a crowned portion protruding through the hole, and the anchor loop is pivotably coupled to the crowned portion.

4. The retaining apparatus of claim 1 wherein the hinge includes a hinge link having a first pivot coupled to the base and a second pivot coupled to the pivotable plate, and the first pivot reverses position relative to the second pivot when the pivotable plate is actuated.

5. The retaining apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least one of the first protrusion and the second protrusion is a hooking flange that wraps around an edge of the fixed plate.

6. The retaining apparatus of claim 1 wherein the lock comprises a rotating lock post and a tab coupled to the pivotable plate, the lock post configured to cooperate with a keyway on the fixed plate.

7. A retaining apparatus comprising:
a base member arranged to hook an edge of a fixed plate;
a pivot member coupled to the base member arranged to hook an opposing edge of the fixed plate, wherein the pivot member defines a release position such that the retaining apparatus is disengaged from the fixed plate and a secured position such that a relative distance between hooks of the base member and the pivot member is reduced causing a compressive force across opposing edges of the fixed plate to secure the retaining apparatus; and
a lock disposed on one of the base member and the pivot member, the lock configured to hold the pivot member in the secured position.

8. The retaining apparatus of claim 7 further comprising a hinge link operatively coupling the pivot member to the base member, wherein the hinge link defining a first hinge axis on the base member and a second hinge axis on the pivot member, and the second axis is shifted relative to the first axis when the pivot member is actuated from the release position to the secured position.

9. The retaining apparatus of claim 7 further comprising a hinge link pivotally coupled to each of the base member and the pivot member, wherein in response to actuation of the pivot member to the secured position the hinge link operates as a cam to translate the pivot member relative to the base member to clinch the fixed plate.

10. The retaining apparatus of claim 7 wherein the lock includes a rotating lock post in cooperation with a keyway on the base member.

11. The retaining apparatus of claim 7 wherein the pivot member defines an opening and the base member includes a retention ring protruding through the opening.

12. A vehicle comprising:
a cargo area having a fixed plate affixed to a panel; and
a retaining apparatus adapted to removably secure to the fixed plate, the retaining apparatus comprising:
a base member having a first hook adapted to engage an edge of the fixed plate;
a hinge connected to the base member,
a pivotable plate member pivotally connected to the hinge and defining a second hook to engage an opposing edge of the fixed plate, wherein the pivotable plate member is adapted to reduce a distance between the first and second hooks to clinch opposing edges of the fixed plate when actuated; and
a lock disposed on one of the pivotable plate member and the base member the lock adapted to restrict pivoting of the pivotable plate member relative to the base member.

13. The vehicle of claim 12 wherein the fixed plate includes a mounting flange and an offset section, and the retaining apparatus is adapted to clinch opposing edges of the offset section.

14. The vehicle of claim 12 wherein the fixed plate is an elongate track and the retaining apparatus is configured to secure to a user-selected location along a length of the elongate track.

15. The vehicle of claim 12 wherein the pivotable plate member defines an opening in a center portion and the base member includes a retention ring disposed protruding through the opening in the pivotable plate member.

16. The vehicle of claim 15 wherein the base member includes a crowned portion protruding through the opening in the pivotable plate member, and the retention ring is pivotably coupled to the crowned portion.

17. The vehicle of claim 12 wherein the hinge is a floating hinge having two pivots that reverse position relative to each other when the pivotable plate member is actuated.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Hemphill Joshua Robert
• Marchlewski Jack

Classifications

• B60P7/0807 Primary

  Attachment points · CPC title