US 5,331,722 AGranted

Strap tensioning system

OwnerAlexander R. Allen, Richard A. Allen +1inventors

InventorsAlexander R. Allen, Richard A. Allen, Christopher B. Allen

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Abstract

A method and apparatus involving a mounting system for securing a carrier for carrying one or more bicycles on a motor vehicle. The mounting system, which is connected to both the motor vehicle and the carrier, includes a strap and a tensioning assembly that is connected intermediate the ends of the strap. In one embodiment, the tension assembly includes a frame, a slidable member and a compression spring that is positioned between the frame and slidable member. In another embodiment, the tension assembly includes a frame, a slidable member and a tension spring that is positioned between the frame and the slidable member. As the strap is tightened for securing the carrier to the motor vehicle, the tension assembly maintains the strap in tension when the strap would otherwise become slack due to jarring of the carrier.

Claims4

Dependent claims

A tension assembly for securing a carrier to a motor vehicle, said tension assembly comprising:

a securing means, said securing means being attachable to, and detachable from, the carrier and motor vehicle and providing a means for securing said tension assembly between the carrier and the motor vehicle, said securing means including a first member and a second member, said first member and said second member interconnected for slidable movement relative to each other, said first member having a body including a first opened end and a second closed end, said first opened end of said body having an integral head for attaching said body to one of either the carrier or the motor vehicle, said first opened end being continuous with a guideway channel oriented substantially parallel to an longitudinal axis of said body, an opening being formed in said second end of said body, said second member having an elongated leg that is bent at one end to form a foot, said foot including a tab sized and shaped to be slidable on and along said guideway channel in said body, an opposite end of said leg having means for attaching said leg to the other of either the carrier or the motor vehicle, said leg slidably received in said body, said leg sized and shaped to pass freely in said opening formed in said second end of said body, said tab of said foot limiting movement of said leg in said body, and
a tension means, said tension means being held between said second closed end of said body of said first member of said securing means and said foot of said second member of said securing means, said tension means having expanded and contracted states, said tension means being in tension when contracted,
whereby said tension assembly is under tension when said tension means is in tension, said tension assembly securely mounting the carrier to the motor vehicle when said tension assembly is under tension, said tension assembly operative to secure under tension the carrier to the motor vehicle.

A tension assembly for securing a carrier to a motor vehicle, said tension assembly comprising:

securing means and tension means, said securing means attachable to the carrier and motor vehicle for securing said tension assembly between the carrier and the motor vehicle, said securing means including a first member and a second member, said first member and said second member interconnected for slidable movement relative to each other, said first member having a body that is opened at one end and closed at an opposite end, said opened end of said body having an integral head for attaching said body to one of the carrier and motor vehicle, an opening formed in said opposite end of said body, said second member having an elongated leg that is bent at one end to form a foot, an opposite end of said leg having means for attaching said leg to the other of the carrier and motor vehicle, said leg slidably received in said body, said leg sized and shaped to pass freely in said opening formed in said opposite end of said body, said foot limiting movement of said leg in said body, a guideway formed in said body, said foot including a tab that is sized and shaped to be slidably received in said guideway, said body being a sheet that is folded into a substantially rectangular shape in right cross section, the sides of said body forming a channel, said leg sized and shaped to be slidably received in said channel, said guideway for said tab formed in one of said sides of said body, said tension means being held between said closed end of said body and said foot, said head being formed in another one of said sides of said body, said guideway formed in a side of said body opposite said side in which said head is formed, said tension means having expanded and contracted states, said tension means being in tension when contracted, said tension assembly being under tension when said tension means is in tension, said tension means securely mounting the carrier to the motor vehicle when said tension assembly is under tension, said tension means operative to secure under tension the carrier to the motor vehicle.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 07/934,913Filed 25 Aug 1992 · continuation in part
Priority: 2 Dec 1991
Granted: 26 Jul 1994
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification8 codes

B60R 9/06
Supplementary fittings on vehicle exterior for carrying loads, e.g. luggage, sports gear or the like: at vehicle front or rear
B60R 9/10
Specially adapted for sports gear: for cycles
F16B 45/026
And having means biasing the closing member about the pivot: and including a coil type spring
F16B 45/029
And having position-locking means for the closing member: the position-locking means being slidably mounted