Elastic deck web

Abstract

A one piece molded elastic deck web is disclosed for securing and retaining items to a surface. The web further includes releasable attachment structure comprising a integrally molded elastic socket which engages a fastener and which may protrude from the retaining surface.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION [0001] This invention relates to the retention of items or other cargo on surfaces, particularly of transportation devices, wherein a one piece elastic net or web is provided to secure those items to the underlying surface. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Securement or retention of items particularly to relatively flat surfaces has long been a problem. A variety of solutions have been proposed with varying degrees of success. Numerous products are on the market such as tie down straps, bungee cords, and even an elastic netting which may overlie some portion of an item to retain the item in a cavity or on a surface. Bungee cords provide a convenient tool for tying down, or maintaining, the position of an article in a given location. They may be made of various stretchable materials and generally have opposite ends with hook shaped fasteners for ready attachment. Particularly challenging is retention of items to articles having convex surfaces such as the stem or...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0014] In a related embodiment, the present invention is further directed at a means for attaching the web to the underlying surface by providing grommets which protrude from the periphery of the underlying surface, and a plurality of integrally-formed elastomeric hollow ends or sockets which are formed at the end of the extensions and engage the grommet tightly, preventing easy detachment (since any tension in the attachment socket at the end of an extension which emanates from the web causes the integrally-molded elastomeric hollow sockets to neck down or reduce in cross-section which provides even greater retention force due to the contraction of the socket around the barbed end of the grommet).

[0015] It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a one-piece molded elastic deck webbing which provides cost, appearance and performance advantages over current products.

[0016] It is a further object to provide an attachment means for the elastic deck webbing to surfaces, particularly of convex shape, the attachment means being easy to install but fairly difficult to detach and being molded of soft plastic or rubber thus not presenting a safety hazard.

[0018] It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a one-piece molded elastic deck webbing which has multiple attachment points which serve to address the retention of various and complex shapes, but also provides securement of the cargo even if one or more of the attachments may come loose.

[0019] It is a still further object of the present invention to provide an attractive one-piece molded elastic deck webbing in a variety of geometric patterns having a spiderweb-like irregular geometric arrangement which may be tailored to a specific surface to be covered or directed at specific shapes of cargo to be retained.

Problems solved by technology

It is a further object to provide an attachment means for the elastic deck webbing to surfaces, particularly of convex shape, the attachment means being easy to install but fairly difficult to detach and being molded of soft plastic or rubber thus not presenting a safety hazard.

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