Tie-down ring

Abstract

An articulating tie-down anchor (10) for securing cargo straps or roping includes a base plate (16), a top plate (18) and a knuckle (32) interconnecting the base (16) and top (18) plates. A ring (24) has a shank (26) pivotally journaled in the knuckle (32) and a swinging section (28) which is capable of moving in a 180.degree. arc when mounted on a flat support structure (12). The swinging section (28) of the ring (24) surrounds the smaller top plate (18) when in a compact folded storage position and rests on the larger base plate (16). A bolt (36) passes through aligned receiving holes (20, 22) in the top (18) and base (16) plates to attach the assembly (10) to the support structure (12). A resilient tube (34) is disposed within the knuckle (32) and is partially compressed lengthwise against the shank (26) to restrain the ring (24) in any pivotally articulated position relative to the base plate (16). The tube (34) presses into a groove (30) in the shank (26) to restrain lateral movement of the ring (24) relative to the base plate (16).

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.