US20050249568A1

US20050249568A1 - Container securing system

Info

Publication number: US20050249568A1
Application number: US10/839,324
Authority: US
Inventors: James Gormly; Janice Gormly
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-05-04
Filing date: 2004-05-04
Publication date: 2005-11-10

Abstract

A container securing system for providing secure anchoring of containers upon a truck or trailer. The container securing system includes a perimeter strap, a first cross strap secured across opposing portions of the perimeter strap, a second cross strap secured across opposing portions of the perimeter strap traverse to the first cross strap, and a plurality of securing members attached to the distal ends of the cross straps for receiving a corresponding plurality of securing straps. The perimeter strap is formed to snugly fit about an upper portion of a container in an upright position. The distal portions of the cross straps extend a finite distance from the perimeter strap and are secured upon themselves with the securing members retained within.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable to this application.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable to this application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to container securing devices and more specifically it relates to a container securing system for providing secure anchoring of containers upon a truck or trailer.
2. Description of the Related Art
Securing devices for securing containers have been in use for years. Tie down straps are the most common type of securing device utilized for securing containers within the bed of a truck or upon a trailer. However, Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations require a more secure method of securing containers without anchor locations such as but not limited to barrels. Barrels typically have a cylindrical structure as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 of the drawings. The barrels have an upper circular end and a sidewall. The barrels do not any location typically upon them for securing a tie-down strap to. To comply with DOT regulations, many individuals transporting barrels must install fixed racks to support the barrels which is expensive and reduces the flexibility of vehicle usage.
Examples of patented devices which are related to the present invention include U.S. Pat. No. 5,259,524 to Eckert; U.S. Pat. No. 4,799,840 to Van Gompel; U.S. Pat. No. 4,607,990 to Eggers; U.S. Pat. No. 4,487,537 to Morse; U.S. Pat. No. 3,217,892 to Goodell; U.S. Pat. No. 5,154,556 to Wappel; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,423,590 to Scullin.
While these devices may be suitable for the particular purpose to which they address, they are not as suitable for providing secure anchoring of containers upon a truck or trailer. Conventional tie-down straps do not securely retain a container within a truck or trailer.
In these respects, the container securing system according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of providing secure anchoring of containers upon a truck or trailer.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of securing devices now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new container securing system construction wherein the same can be utilized for providing secure anchoring of containers upon a truck or trailer.
The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new container securing system that has many of the advantages of the securing devices mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new container securing system which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art securing devices, either alone or in any combination thereof.
To attain this, the present invention generally comprises a perimeter strap, a first cross strap secured across opposing portions of the perimeter strap, a second cross strap secured across opposing portions of the perimeter strap traverse to the first cross strap, and a plurality of securing members attached to the distal ends of the cross straps for receiving a corresponding plurality of securing straps. The perimeter strap is formed to snugly fit about an upper portion of a container in an upright position. The distal portions of the cross straps extend a finite distance from the perimeter strap and are secured upon themselves with the securing members retained within.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and that will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.
In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not be regarded as limiting.
A primary object of the present invention is to provide a container securing system that will overcome the shortcomings of the prior art devices.
A second object is to provide a container securing system for providing secure anchoring of containers upon a truck or trailer.
Another object is to provide a container securing system that allows for the usage of tie down straps for retaining containers within a vehicle or trailer.
An additional object is to provide a container securing system that is affordable and scalable.
A further object is to provide a container securing system that securely retains awkward containers within a vehicle or trailer.
Another object is to provide a container securing system that allows for the secure transportation of containers storing hazardous materials.
A further object is to provide a container securing system that reduces the amount of shifting of containers during transporting thereby reducing damage to the vehicle and containers.
Another object is to provide a container securing system that allows for the transportation of containers in an upright position.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become obvious to the reader and it is intended that these objects and advantages are within the scope of the present invention.
To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, this invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that changes may be made in the specific construction illustrated and described within the scope of the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:
FIG. 1 is an upper perspective view of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an upper perspective view of the present invention securing a container upon a bed of a truck.
FIG. 3 is a magnified upper perspective view of the present invention attached to the upper end of a container.
FIG. 4 is a top view of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 1.
FIG. 6 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention attached about four containers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, FIGS. 1 through 6 illustrate a container securing system 10, which comprises a perimeter strap 20, a first cross strap 30 secured across opposing portions of the perimeter strap 20, a second cross strap 40 secured across opposing portions of the perimeter strap 20 traverse to the first cross strap 30, and a plurality of securing members 50 attached to the distal ends of the cross straps for receiving a corresponding plurality of securing straps 18. The perimeter strap 20 is formed to snugly fit about an upper portion of a container 16 in an upright position. The distal portions of the cross straps extend a finite distance from the perimeter strap 20 and are secured upon themselves with the securing members 50 retained within.
As shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4 of the drawings, a perimeter strap 20 is provided that may be positioned upon the upper portion of the container 16 while in an upright position. The perimeter strap 20 is a closed structure having a circular structure as best shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 of the drawings.
The perimeter strap 20 is preferably comprised of a flexible material such as nylon strap or similar material. However, the perimeter strap 20 may be comprised of a rigid material and structure that is formed to the shape and size of the container 16. As best illustrated in FIG. 3 of the drawings, the perimeter strap is formed to snugly fit about the upper portion of the container 16. The container 16 may have a tapered upper portion which allows for the perimeter strap 20 to slip about the narrower upper end and then be snugly received upon the broader portion thereof as shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings.
As further shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4 of the drawings, a first cross strap 30 is attached across the perimeter strap 20. The first cross strap 30 preferably extends through a center point within the perimeter strap 20 as best illustrated in FIG. 4. The first cross strap 30 is preferably comprised of a material similar to the perimeter strap 20. The first cross strap 30 is preferably secured to the perimeter strap 20 by conventional securing means such as threading, adhesive, fasteners or other securing mechanism.
The first cross strap 30 has a first end 32 and a second end 34 that extend a finite distance past the perimeter strap 20. The ends 32, 34 of the first cross strap 30 preferably extend through a receiver slot 54 within the securing members 50, then about the inside surface of the perimeter strap 20 upwardly and then following the inside of the first cross strap 30 as shown in FIG. 5 of the drawings. The ends 32, 34 are then secured to the inside portion of the first cross strap 30 as shown in FIG. 5 of the drawings. The ends 32, 34 are preferably extend back along the horizontal portion of the first cross strap 30 thereby reinforcing the inside corner portions of the first cross strap 30 to prevent wearing when retaining a container 16 upon a bed 14 of a truck 12. The first cross strap 30 is preferably secured on opposing sides of the perimeter strap 20 as further shown in FIG. 5 of the drawings.
As further shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4 of the drawings, a second cross strap 40 is attached across the perimeter strap 20 and the first cross strap 30. The second cross strap 40 preferably extends through a center point within the perimeter strap 20 as best illustrated in FIG. 4. The second cross strap 40 is preferably traverse with respect to the first cross strap 30 as best illustrated in FIG. 4 of the drawings. The second cross strap 40 is preferably comprised of a material similar to the perimeter strap 20. The second cross strap 40 is preferably secured to the perimeter strap 20 and the first cross strap 30 by conventional securing means such as threading, adhesive, fasteners or other securing mechanism.
The second cross strap 40 has a first end 42 and a second 44 end that extend a finite distance past the perimeter strap 20. The ends 42, 44 of the second cross strap 40 preferably extend through a receiver slot 54 within the securing members 50, then about the inside surface of the perimeter strap 20 upwardly and then following the inside of the first cross strap 30 as shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings. The ends 42, 44 are then secured to the inside portion of the second cross strap 40 similar to the first cross strap 30 as shown in FIG. 5 of the drawings. The ends 42, 44 are preferably extend back along the horizontal portion of the second cross strap 40 thereby reinforcing the inside corner portions of the second cross strap 40 to prevent wearing when retaining a container 16 upon a bed 14 of a truck 12. The second cross strap 40 is preferably secured on opposing sides of the perimeter strap 20 as further shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings.
The securing members 50 may be comprised of any structure capable of receiving the securing straps 18. The securing members 50 preferably include a receiver opening 52 that allows for the insertion or attachment of the securing members 50 within. Various other structures may be utilized to construct the securing members 50 as can be appreciated.
In an alternative embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6 of the drawings, the perimeter strap 20 has been enlarged to a rounded square shape for receiving four containers 16. The first cross strap 30 and the second cross strap 40 cross one another between the perimeter strap 20 similar to the main embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6 of the drawings, a first strap 60 and a second strap 62 extend from one end of the perimeter strap 20 between opposing ends of the cross straps 30, 40. The first strap 60 and the second strap 62 are preferably positioned parallel to one another as shown in FIG. 6 of the drawings. The first strap 60 and the second strap 62 also preferably extend a finite distance past the perimeter strap 20 for receiving the securing members 50 similar to the cross straps 30, 40. The distal portions of the first strap 60 and the second strap 62 are also preferably secured upon themselves similar to the cross straps 30, 40. As further shown in FIG. 6 of the drawings, a third strap 70 and a fourth strap 72 extend from one end of the perimeter strap 20 between opposing ends of the cross straps 30, 40 preferably traverse with respect to the first strap 60 and the second strap 62. The third strap 70 and the fourth strap 72 are preferably positioned parallel to one another as shown in FIG. 6 of the drawings. The third strap 70 and the fourth strap 72 also preferably extend a finite distance past the perimeter strap 20 for receiving the securing members 50 similar to the cross straps 30, 40. The distal portions of the third strap 70 and the fourth strap 72 are also preferably secured upon themselves similar to the cross straps 30, 40. The straps 60, 62, 70, 72 are preferably attached to one another in locations where crossing over occurs and attached to the perimeter strap 20 similar to the cross straps 30, 40. Additional variations of the present invention may also be achieved by enlarging the perimeter strap 20.
In use, the user positions the container 16 in an upright position upon the bed 14 of the truck 12 in a desired location. The user then positions the container 16 securing system 10 about the upper portion of the container 16 such that the perimeter strap 20 is snugly positioned about the upper perimeter of the container 16. The user then secures the securing straps 18 to the four securing members 50 and then secures the opposite ends of the securing straps 18 to a hook or other structure upon the bed 14 of the truck 12. The user then tightens the securing straps 18 until the desired amount of downwardly force is applied to the container 16 thereby securing the container 16 in an upright position on the bed 14 of the truck 12 as shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings. If additional containers 16 are desired to be secured, additional units of the container 16 securing system 10 may be interconnected to one another via shackles, clevis or other similar devices. The user then transports the container 16 to the desired location. When the user desires to remove the container 16 from the bed 14 of the truck 12, the user simply loosens the securing straps 18 and then removes the container 16 securing system 10 from the container 16.
As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided.
With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed to be within the expertise of those skilled in the art, and all equivalent structural variations and relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A container securing system, comprising:

a perimeter strap;

a first cross strap attached about opposing sides of said perimeter strap, wherein said first cross strap has opposing ends extend a finite distance past said perimeter strap;

a second cross strap attached about opposing sides of said perimeter strap, wherein said second cross strap has opposing ends extend a finite distance past said perimeter strap; and

a plurality of securing members attached to said opposing ends of said first cross strap and said second cross strap.

2. The container securing system of claim 1, wherein said first cross strap and said second cross strap are attached to one another at an intersection thereof.

3. The container securing system of claim 1, wherein said first cross strap and said second cross strap each pass through a center point of said perimeter strap.

4. The container securing system of claim 1, wherein said perimeter strap is comprised of a flexible material.

5. The container securing system of claim 4, wherein said perimeter strap is comprised of a nylon material.

6. The container securing system of claim 1, wherein said securing members include a receiver slot for receiving said first cross strap and said second cross strap, and a receiver opening for receiving a corresponding plurality of securing straps.

7. The container securing system of claim 1, wherein said first cross strap and said second cross strap each are secured about an outside portion and an inside portion of said perimeter strap forming a loop structure receiving said securing members.

8. The container securing system of claim 7, wherein said opposing ends of said first cross strap and said second cross strap are attached to a vertical portion thereof.

9. The container securing system of claim 7, wherein said opposing ends of said first cross strap and said second cross strap are attached to a vertical portion and a horizontal portion thereof forming reinforced inner corners.

10. The container securing system of claim 1, wherein said first cross strap and said second cross strap are traverse to one another.

11. A container securing system, comprising:

a perimeter strap;

a first cross strap attached about opposing sides of said perimeter strap, wherein said first cross strap has opposing ends that extend a finite distance past said perimeter strap;

a second cross strap attached about opposing sides of said perimeter strap, wherein said second cross strap has opposing ends that extend a finite distance past said perimeter strap;

a first strap and a second strap extending from a first side of said perimeter strap to a second side of said perimeter strap, wherein said first strap and said second strap have opposing ends that extend a finite distance past said perimeter strap;

a third strap and a fourth strap extending from a third side of said perimeter strap to a fourth side of said perimeter strap, wherein said third strap and said fourth strap have opposing ends that extend a finite distance past said perimeter strap;

wherein said first side and said second side are between said third side and said fourth side; and

a plurality of securing members attached to said opposing ends of said first cross strap, said second cross strap, said first strap, said second strap, said third strap and said fourth strap.

12. The container securing system of claim 11, wherein said first cross strap, said second cross strap, said first strap, said second strap, said third strap and said fourth strap are attached to one another at an intersection thereof.

13. The container securing system of claim 11, wherein said first cross strap and said second cross strap each pass through a center point of said perimeter strap.

14. The container securing system of claim 111, wherein said perimeter strap is comprised of a flexible material.

15. The container securing system of claim 14, wherein said perimeter strap is comprised of a nylon material.

16. The container securing system of claim 11, wherein said securing members include a receiver slot for receiving said first cross strap and said second cross strap, and a receiver opening for receiving a corresponding plurality of securing straps.

17. The container securing system of claim 11, wherein said first cross strap, said second cross strap, said first strap, said second strap, said third strap and said fourth strap each are secured about an outside portion and an inside portion of said perimeter strap forming a loop structure receiving said securing members.

18. The container securing system of claim 17, wherein said opposing ends of said first cross strap, said second cross strap, said first strap, said second strap, said third strap and said fourth strap are attached to a vertical portion thereof.

19. The container securing system of claim 17, wherein said opposing ends of said first cross strap, said second cross strap, said first strap, said second strap, said third strap and said fourth strap are attached to a vertical portion and a horizontal portion thereof forming reinforced inner corners.

20. The container securing system of claim 11, wherein said first cross strap and said second cross strap are traverse to one another, wherein said first strap and said second strap are parallel to one another, wherein said third strap and said fourth strap are parallel to one another, and wherein said first strap is traverse to said third strap.