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Tie-down cleat for a moving vehicle

Inactive Publication Date: 2011-03-10
OGDEN WILLIAM J
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012]Thus, the cleat-like member secured to the vehicle permits the trunk lid to be quickly and easily secured when there are items stowed or otherwise disposed in

Problems solved by technology

When an automobile trunk or cargo area (collectively referred to as “trunk”) is overfilled or contains a large object, it often becomes difficult to fully close the tick lid or cargo door hatch (collectively referred to as “trunk lid”).
Often the second securem

Method used

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  • Tie-down cleat for a moving vehicle
  • Tie-down cleat for a moving vehicle
  • Tie-down cleat for a moving vehicle

Examples

Experimental program
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Effect test

Example

[0029]A first embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 1a though FIG. 1e and is generally designated as vehicle secured cleat-like member 20. Cleat-like member 20 includes a base portion 24 having a top surface 26, a bottom surface 28, a first end 30 and a second end 32. An aperture 34, which can be threaded, is defined through base portion 24. A nub or protrusion, or other downward member 36, can extend downward from bottom surface 28 and is preferably located by or adjacent aperture 34. In one non-limiting embodiment protrusion 36 can be a square-like member extending from bottom surface and having a circular passageway in communication with aperture 34 to effectively expand the length of aperture 34. Protrusion 36 helps to prevent or minimize rotation or turning of cleat-like member 20 when it is secured to the vehicle by one of the license plate screws 50 (with “screws” being defined as noted above). When cleat-like member 20 is properly attached, protrusion 36...

Example

[0033]As seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, a second embodiment is shown as cleat-like member 200, which is provided with similar flange members 40 and 42 disposed at first end 30 and second 32 of base 210. Base 210 is provided with a bottom surface 212 and top surface 214. A slot 216 is formed in base 210 to define a first or bottom portion 220 and a second or top portion 230. Bottom portion 220 is preferably extended in length as compared to top portion 230, and along with slot 216, base 210 can be substantially J-shaped, and when secured to vehicle 150 can be a substantially inverted “J” in shape. It should be recognized that other shapes can be used for base 210 (i.e. substantially “U” shaped, etc.) and all are considered within the scope of the invention. An aperture 222 can be provided through bottom portion 220.

[0034]To secure cleat-like member 200 to a vehicle 150, the relevant license plate screw 50 is unscrewed (if currently screwed in) and aperture 222 is aligned with the chosen rece...

Example

[0036]As seen in FIGS. 4 and 6, a third embodiment is shown as cleat-like member 300 which eliminates aperture 34 or aperture 222. Cleat-like member 300 is provided with similar flange members 40 and 42 disposed at first end 30 and second 32 of base 310. Base 310 is provided with a bottom surface 312 and top surface 314. A slot 316 is formed in base 310 to define a first or bottom portion 320 and a second or top portion 330. Bottom portion 320 is preferably extended in length as compared to top portion 330, and along with slot 316, base 310 can be substantially J-shaped, and when secured to vehicle can be a substantially inverted “J” in shape. It should be recognized that other shapes can be used for base 310 (i.e. substantially “U” shaped, etc.) and all are considered within the scope of the invention.

[0037]To secure cleat-like member 300 to a vehicle 150, the relevant license plate screw(s) 50 is(are) at least partially unscrewed (if currently screwed in) to loosen license plate 6...

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Abstract

A tie-down cleat removably secured at the vehicle's license plate area with the same screw used for securing the license plate. The cleat serves as an attachment point for a rope, etc. that is being used to maintain a vehicle's trunk lid or cargo hatch door in a substantially fixed unlatched position with respect to the vehicle when the trunk or cargo area is overfilled or otherwise preventing the lid or door from being latched and in a fully closed position. In another embodiment the cleat is provided with a slot for insertion of a top license plate portion for securing the cleat, with or without attachment also by the license plate screw. The slot can also be sized to receive the top of a vehicle window for securing the cleat at the vehicle window to serve as rope attachment points for securing an item to the vehicle's roof.

Description

1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to a cleat-like device for tying down the lid of an automobile trunk.2. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]When an automobile trunk or cargo area (collectively referred to as “trunk”) is overfilled or contains a large object, it often becomes difficult to fully close the tick lid or cargo door hatch (collectively referred to as “trunk lid”). In such scenarios, the user secures a rope, cord, twine, string, cable, etc. (collectively referred to as “rope”) to a portion of the trunk lid and attempts to also secure the rope to another part of the automobile. Often the second securement position is not easily accessible and not designed for securing a rope around. In addition to being cumbersome to tie-down the truck lid, the actual securement is often not tight, which causes the trunk lid to move up and down while the automobile is moving. The present invention is directed to overcoming these above-described problems one experien...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): B61D45/00
CPCB60R13/105B60P7/0807
Inventor OGDEN, WILLIAM J.
Owner OGDEN WILLIAM J
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