Ratchetless tie-down assemblies and related methods
AssigneeMidsouth Cargo Control LLC
InventorFred Liden Fountain, III
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Tie-down assemblies and methods of their use are provided. In one embodiment, a tie-down assembly may include a buckle, a first strap, and a second strap. The buckle may include a frame, a handle pivotably attached to the frame and configured to pivot about a first axis between an open position and a closed position, and a drum rotatably attached to the handle and configured to rotate about a second axis, wherein the second axis is spaced apart from and extends parallel to the first axis. The first strap may be attached to the frame, and the second strap may be configured to removably attach to the drum.
Claims35
A tie-down assembly comprising:
- a buckle comprising:
- a frame;
- a handle pivotably attached to the frame and configured to pivot about a first axis between an open position and a closed position;
- and
- a drum rotatably attached to the handle and configured to rotate about a second axis, wherein the second axis is spaced apart from and extends parallel to the first axis;
- a first strap attached to the frame;
- and
- a second strap configured to removably attach to the drum;
- wherein the drum comprises a first bar and a second bar spaced apart from one another and defining a slot therebetween, and wherein the second strap is configured to pass through the slot.
A buckle for a tie-down assembly, the buckle comprising:
- a frame;
- a handle pivotably attached to the frame and configured to pivot about a first axis between an open position and a closed position;
- and
- a drum rotatably attached to the handle and configured to rotate about a second axis, wherein the second axis is spaced apart from and extends parallel to the first axis;
- wherein the drum comprises a first bar and a second bar spaced apart from one another and defining a slot therebetween, and wherein the second strap is configured to pass through the slot.
A tie-down assembly comprising:
- a buckle comprising:
- a frame comprising a first side plate and a second side plate spaced apart from one another;
- a handle pivotably attached to each of the first side plate and the second side plate and configured to pivot about a first axis between an open position and a closed position;
- a drum rotatably attached to the handle and configured to rotate about a second axis, wherein the second axis is spaced apart from and extends parallel to the first axis;
- a first end plate attached to a first end of the drum;
- a second end plate attached to a second end of the drum;
- a first link arm pivotably attached to each of the first side plate and the first end plate;
- and
- a second link arm pivotably attached to each of the second side plate and the second end plate;
- a first strap attached to the frame;
- a first hook attached to an end of the first strap;
- a second strap configured to removably attach to the drum;
- and
- a second hook attached to an end of the second strap.
A buckle for a tie-down assembly, the buckle comprising:
- a frame;
- a handle pivotably attached to the frame and configured to pivot about a first axis between an open position and a closed position;
- and
- a drum rotatably attached to the handle and configured to rotate about a second axis, wherein the second axis is spaced apart from and extends parallel to the first axis;
- a first end plate attached to a first end of the drum;
- a second end plate attached to a second end of the drum;
- a first link arm pivotably attached to each of the frame and the first end plate;
- and
- a second link arm pivotably attached to each of the frame and the second end plate.
A buckle for a tie-down assembly, the buckle comprising:
- a frame;
- a handle pivotably attached to the frame and configured to pivot about a first axis between an open position and a closed position;
- and
- a drum rotatably attached to the handle and configured to rotate about a second axis, wherein the second axis is spaced apart from and extends parallel to the first axis;
- a first bearing attached to the handle and positioned about a first end portion of the drum;
- and
- a second bearing attached to the handle and positioned about a second end portion of the drum.
A buckle for a tie-down assembly, the buckle comprising:
- a frame;
- a handle pivotably attached to the frame and configured to pivot about a first axis between an open position and a closed position;
- and
- a drum rotatably attached to the handle and configured to rotate about a second axis, wherein the second axis is spaced apart from and extends parallel to the first axis;
- and
- a latch rotatably attached to the handle and configured to rotate between a locked position and an unlocked position, and wherein the latch is configured to releasably engage the frame when the handle is in the closed position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.