Apparatus and method for restraining an object in a vehicle

#The present invention relates generally to restraint systems for transportation vehicles, and more specifically to apparatuses and methods for restraining objects in transportation vehicles.

#Various mechanisms and apparatuses are known for restraining objects in vehicles. It is desirable to provide such mechanisms and apparatuses with an object restraining structure that allows an object to be easily received within and removed from the mechanism or apparatus under quasi-static conditions, and that retains the object within the mechanism or apparatus under dynamic loading conditions such as may occur during vehicle crash events.

#The present invention may comprise one or more of the features recited in the attached claims, and/or one or more of the following features and combinations thereof. An apparatus for restraining an object in a vehicle may comprise a frame mounted within the vehicle, a clamp member movably mounted to the frame and a blocking member movably mounted to the frame. The frame may have a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The clamp member may be movable relative to the frame under quasi-static conditions to allow the object to be received between, and removed from between, the clamp member and the second end of the frame. The blocking member may be configured to move relative to the frame under dynamic loading conditions to a position that blocks movement of the clamp member sufficiently to retain the object between the clamp member and the second end of the frame under the dynamic loading conditions.

#FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of one illustrative embodiment of an apparatus for restraining an object in a vehicle illustrated with a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) tank retained therein.

#FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

#FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2.

#For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to a number of illustrative embodiments shown in the attached drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same.

#Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, one illustrative embodiment of an apparatus 10 for restraining an object 11 in a vehicle is shown. In the illustrated embodiment, the apparatus 10 includes a frame 14 that is configured to be mounted within a vehicle. The frame 14 includes an upper frame member 20 that is configured to be mounted to the vehicle and to which a pair of gripping arms 16 and 18 are movably mounted, and a lower frame member 26. One end of the object 11 is supported by the lower frame member 26, and an opposite end of the object extends through and between the gripping arms 16 and 18 as shown.

#The upper frame member 20 has a top plate 20A and a back plate 20B that form substantially a right angle between the two. Illustratively, the top plate 20A and the back plate 20B may be integral and of unitary construction, although the top plate 20A and the back plate 20B may alternatively be provided as separate components that are attached together in a conventional manner. In any case, the gripping arms 16 and 18 are movably mounted to the top plate 20A, and each define a free end that extends at least partially about the object 11 when the object 11 is positioned within the gripping arms 16 and 18 as shown.