Cargo binder

A cargo binder for use on a cargo carrier on a vehicle, the vehicle having left and right sides, the carrier having an upper surface defining a longitudinal plane and having front, back, and side edges, the upper surface being attached to the vehicle at a first location, the carrier further having left and right side struts connecting the upper surface to the vehicle at second and third locations, respectively, the side struts defining left and right planes generally perpendicular to the longitudinal plane along the left and right sides of the vehicle, the cargo binder comprising:

• secondary tensioning means for securing cargo to the upper surface of the carrier, the secondary tensioning means comprising an elastic top panel for generally extending over the upper surface of the carrier, and left and right elastic side panels attached to the top panel extending along the left and right vertical planes, respectively, the top and side panels being elastic in the directions of two mutually orthogonal axes, at least one of the axes being parallel to the longitudinal plane of the upper surface, the left and right side panels having front and rear portions generally extending toward the second and third locations, respectively;
• primary tensioning means engaged with the forward and rear portions of the left and right side panels for tensioning the forward and rear portions of the left and right side panels at some angle relative to the orthogonal axes;
• a tubular opening containing a shock cord formed along a portion of a perimeter of the secondary tensioning means being interconnected with the secondary tensioning means along a portion of the perimeter so that the shock cord may move freely within the tubular member when cargo items are located between the upper surface and the secondary tensioning means;
• and
• attachment means proximate the second and third locations for releasably retaining the primary tensioning means thereto, so that a network of tensioning forces are created by the cargo binder to releasably secure the cargo between the secondary tensioning means and the upper surface of the carrier.

A method for using a cargo binder for use on a cargo carrier on a vehicle, the vehicle having left and right sides, the carrier having an upper surface defining a longitudinal plane having front, back, and side edges, the upper surface being attached to the vehicle at a first location, the carrier further having left and right side struts connecting the upper surface to the vehicle at second and third locations, respectively, the side struts defining left and right generally vertical planes along the left and right sides of the vehicle, comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing a cargo binder with secondary tensioning means for securing cargo to the upper surface of the carrier, the secondary tensioning means comprising an elastic top panel for generally extending over the upper surface of the carrier, and left and right elastic side panels attached to the top panel extending along the left and right vertical planes, respectively, the top and side panels having at least one axis of elasticity, the left and right side panels having front and rear portions generally extending toward the second and third locations, respectively, primary tensioning means engaged with the forward and rear portions of the left and right side panels for tensioning the forward and rear portions of the left and right side panels at some angle relative to the axis of elasticity, a tubular opening containing a shock cord formed along a portion of a perimeter of the secondary tensioning means and the primary tensioning means, the primary tensioning means being interconnected with the secondary tensioning means along a portion of the perimeter so that the shock cord may move freely within the tubular member when cargo items are located between the upper surface and the secondary tensioning means, and attachment means proximate the second and third locations for releasably retaining the primary tensioning means thereto;
• b) locating a cargo item on the upper surface of the carrier;
• c) locating the cargo binder over the cargo item so the top panel is generally centered over the upper surface;
• and
• d) tensioning the primary tensioning means to releasably engage with the carrier proximate the second and third locations, so that a network of tensioning forces are created by the cargo binder to releasably secure the cargo between the secondary tensioning means and the upper surface of the carrier.

A cargo binder for use on a cargo carrier on a vehicle, the vehicle having left and right sides, the carrier having an upper surface defining a longitudinal plane and having front, back and side edges, the upper surface being attached to the vehicle at a first location, the carrier further having left and right side struts connecting the upper surface to the vehicle at second and third locations, respectively, the side struts defining left and right generally vertical planes along the left and right sides of the vehicle, the cargo binder comprising:

• secondary tensioning means for securing cargo to the upper surface of the carrier, the secondary tensioning means comprising an elastic top panel for generally extending over the upper surface of the carrier, and left and right elastic side panels attached to the top panel extending along the left and right vertical planes, respectively, the top and side panels having at least two axes of elasticity for tensioning in at least two directions, the left and right side panels having front and rear portions generally extending toward the second and third locations, respectively;
• primary tensioning means directly engaging with the forward and rear portions of the top, left and right side panels for tensioning the forward and rear portions of the left and right side panels at some angle relative to the at least two axes of elasticity;
• and
• attachment means proximate the second and third locations for releasably retaining the primary tensioning means thereto, so that cargo may be releasably secured between the secondary tensioning means and the upper surface of the carrier.