Tie down strap

Abstract

A tie down assembly comprising a tension strap, the tension strap comprising a first strap having a first hook, a second strap having a cam-lock buckle, and an extension spring having a first end and a second ends each terminating in a closed loop, wherein the first and second strap are looped through and permanently attached to the first and second closed loop ends of the extension spring respectively.

Description

TIE DOWN STRAPTECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a tie down strap.BACKGROUND

[0002] Tie down straps are used to secure cargo or equipment during transport. They are essentially straps made of strong webbing that are equipped with hooks or buckles on each end. In use, one end of the strap is secured to a solid anchor point on a vehicle, the strap is then looped or passed around and / or through the object being secured, with the other end of the strap being secured to the same or a different solid anchor point, before the strap is tightened using a tightening mechanism such as a ratchet or cam-lock buckle to ensure the cargo is firmly held down.

[0003] In circumstances where the cargo may shift or collapse, the webbing of these tie down straps may lose their tension, and no longer act to ensure the cargo is firmly held down.

[0004] It is against this background that the present disclosure has been developed.SUMMARY

[0005] In a first aspect, there is provided a tie down assembly comprising: a tension strap, the tension strap comprising: a first strap; a second strap; and an extension spring having a first end and a second end each terminating in a closed loop, wherein the first and second strap are looped through and permanently attached to the first and second closed loop ends of the extension spring respectively.

[0006] In one form, the first strap has a first end to which a first hook depends, and a second end which is attached to the extension spring.

[0007] In one form, the first strap is formed from a first webbing section, which is passed through an eyelet formed in the first hook and the first closed loop end of the extension spring, wherein the ends of the first webbing section are overlapped and stitched together to permanently secure the first webbing section to the first hook and the extension spring.

[0008] In one form, the second strap has a first end to which a cam-lock buckle depends, and a second end which is attached to the extension spring.

[0009] In one form, the second strap is formed from a second webbing section, which is passed around a bar formed in the cam-lock buckle and the second closed loop end of the extension spring, wherein the ends of the second webbing section are overlapped and stitched together to permanently secure the second webbing section to the cam-lock buckle and the extension spring.

[0010] In one form, the tie down assembly further comprises a third strap having a second hook, wherein a free end of the third strap is configured to engage with the cam-lock buckle provided on the second strap.

[0011] In one form, the tension strap further comprises a sleeve which extends over the length of the extension spring, the sleeve comprising first and second ends that are secured with respect to the first and second straps respectively.

[0012] In one form, the sleeve is made from a tubular webbing.

[0013] In one form, the tie down assembly further comprises a strap storage bag seemed with respect to the second webbing section.

[0014] In one form, the strap storage bag is removably seemed with respect to the second webbing section.

[0015] In a further aspect there is provided a method of manufacturing a tension strap for a tie down assembly, comprising the steps of: a) providing a first strap and a first hook; b) providing a second strap and a cam-lock buckle; c) providing an extension spring having first and second ends, each end terminating in a closed loop; d) securing the first strap to the first hook and a first looped end of the extension spring; and e) securing the second strap to the cam-lock buckle and the second looped end of the extension spring.

[0016] In a further aspect, there is provided a tie down assembly comprising: a tension strap, the tension strap comprising: a first strap having a first end to which a first hook depends; a second strap having a first end to which a cam lock buckle depends;an extension spring having a first end and a second end each terminating in a closed loop, wherein the first and second straps are looped through and permanently attached to the first and second closed loop ends of the extension spring respectively; wherein the tension strap further comprises a sleeve which extends over the length of the extension spring, the sleeve comprising first and second ends that are secured with respect to the first and second straps respectively, wherein the tie down assembly further comprises a third strap having a second hook, wherein a free end of the third strap is configured to engage with the cam-lock buckle provided on the second strap.

[0017] In a further aspect, there is provided a method of securing an object using a tie down assembly; the method comprising the steps of: a) securing the third strap to a first anchor point using the second hook; b) passing the third strap over and / or through the object to be secured; c) securing the tension strap to a second anchor point using the first hook; d) inserting the free end of the third strap through the cam-lock buckle; and e) pulling the free end of the third strap until a desired extension of the extension spring is achieved.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0018] Embodiments of the present invention will be discussed with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

[0019] Figure 1 is a schematic of a tie down assembly, according to an embodiment;

[0020] Figure 2A is a top view of a tie down assembly, according to an embodiment;

[0021] Figure 2B is a top view of the tie down assembly of Figure 2A, with the protective sleeve removed to reveal the spring and the strap bag removed to reveal the second webbing section;

[0022] Figure 3 is a top perspective view of the tie down assembly of Figure 2A with the protective sleeve removed to reveal the spring;

[0023] Figure 4 is a bottom perspective view of the tie down assembly of Figure 2A with the protective sleeve removed to reveal the spring;

[0024] Figure 5 is a top view of a portion of the tie down assembly of Figure 2A in a relaxed or unextended state;

[0025] Figure 6A is a top view of a portion of the tie down assembly of Figure 2 A in a fully extended state;

[0026] Figure 6B is a top view of a portion of the tie down assembly of Figure 2 A in a fully extended state, with the protective sleeve removed to reveal the spring;

[0027] Figure 7 is an exploded view of a removable strap bag, according to an embodiment; and

[0028] Figures 8A to 8C are perspective views showing the securement of the removable strap bag of Figure 7 to a section of webbing.

[0029] Figure 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example method of manufacturing the tie down assembly; and

[0030] Figure 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example method of using the tie down assembly.DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0031] Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a schematic of a tie down assembly 1, according to an embodiment. The tie down assembly 1 comprises a tension strap 2 comprising a first strap 10, a second strap 40 and an extension spring 20 having a first and second end 21, 22, wherein each end 21, 22 terminates in a respective closed loop end 23, 24, wherein the first and second straps 10, 40 are attached to the first and second closed loop ends 23, 24 of the extension spring 20 respectively.

[0032] In the embodiment shown, it can be seen that the first strap 10 has a first end 12 to which a first hook 13 comprising an eyelet 14 depends, and a second end 15 which is attached to the extension spring 20. The first strap 10 is formed from a first webbing section 11, which is passed through the eyelet 14 in the first hook 13 and the first closed loop end 23 of the spring 20, the ends of the first webbing section 11 are then overlapped to form three layers which are then secured together using stitching 16 to permanently secure the first webbing section 11 to both the first hook 13 and the spring 20. It can also be seen that additional stitching 17 may be performed adjacent to the first end 12 of the first strap 10 so as to form a tight loop around the eyelet 14 of the first hook 13, preventing or reducing translation of the first hook 13 and the first strap 10, but still allowing articulation of the hook 13 and the first strap 10. While in the embodiment shown, the ends of the first webbing section 11 are overlapped to form three layers which are then secured together using stitching 16, it will beappreciated that in an alternate embodiment, the ends of the first webbing section 11 would not be overlapped, and instead, the ends of the first webbing section 11 would overlap so as to form two layers which are then stitched together, with the end result still being that the first webbing section 11 is permanently secured to both the first hook 13 and the spring 20.

[0033] It also be seen that the second strap 40 has a first end 42 to which a cam-lock buckle 50 depends, and a second end 43 which is attached to the extension spring 20. The second strap 40 is formed from a second webbing section 41 which is passed around a bar 51 formed in the cam-lock buckle 50, and the second closed loop end 24 of the spring 20, the ends of the second webbing section 41 are then overlapped to form three layers which are then seemed together using stitching 44 to permanently secure the second webbing section 41 to both the cam-lock buckle 50 and the spring 20. It can also be seen that additional stitching 45 may be performed adjacent to the first end 42 of the second strap 40 so as to form a tight loop around the bar 51 of the cam-lock buckle 50, preventing or reducing translation of the cam-lock buckle 50 and the second strap 40, but still allowing articulation of the cam-lock buckle 50 and the second strap 40. While in the embodiment shown, the ends of the second webbing section 41 are overlapped to form three layers which are then secured together using stitching 44, it will be appreciated that in an alternate embodiment, the ends of the second webbing section 41 would not be overlapped, and instead, the ends of the second webbing section 41 would overlap so as to form two layers which are then stitched together, with the end result still being that the second webbing section 41 is permanently secured to both the cam-lock buckle 50 and the spring 20.

[0034] The tension strap 2 also comprises a sleeve 30 which extends over the length of the extension spring 20. The sleeve 30 has first and second ends 31, 32 that are secured with respect to the first and second straps 10, 40 respectively.

[0035] The sleeve 30 is made from a tubular webbing. It can be seen that the first end 31 of the sleeve 30 is secured to the first strap 10 using stitching 33 through the first webbing section 11, where the stitching 33 may be adjacent to the first closed loop end 23 of the spring 20. Similarly, the second end 32 of the sleeve is secured to the second strap 40 using stitching 34 through the second webbing section 41, where the stitching 34 may be adjacent to the second closed loop end 24 of the spring 20. It will be appreciated that by applying stitching 33, 34 adjacent to the respective closed loop ends 23, 24 of the spring 20, the webbing 11, 41 forms tight loops around the closed loop ends 23, 24, which prevents or reduces translation of the spring 20 and the straps 10, 40, but still allows articulation of the spring 20 and the straps 10, 40.

[0036] While in the embodiment shown, the sleeve 30 extends over the length of the extension spring 20 and has first and second ends that end or terminate shortly after the stitching that secures therespective ends of the sleeve to the respective first and second webbing sections, it will be appreciated that in an alternate embodiment, the first and second ends of the sleeve 30 may instead extend further over the respective first and second webbing sections.

[0037] With reference to Figures 2A and 2B, it can be seen that the length of the sleeve 30 is greater than the length of the spring 20 when the spring 20 is at rest, or in other words, unstretched. It can be seen that when the spring 20 is unstretched (as best shown in Figure 5) the fabric making up the extra length of the sleeve 30 is bunched up, and it will be appreciated that when the spring is stretched (as best shown in Figures 6A and 6B) the fabric will un-bunch until the point where it is taut, at which point, it will be appreciated that by virtue of the sleeve 30 being secured to the first and second webbing sections 11, 41, that the sleeve 30 acts as a spring limiter, transmitting tensile forces between the first and second straps 10, 40 and preventing the spring 20 from over-stretching. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that the sleeve 30 acts as a protective element, protecting cargo and / or the vehicle from being damaged by the spring 20, and by keeping the spring 20 clean and free from debris.

[0038] It can be seen that the tie down assembly 1 further comprises a third strap 70. The third strap 70 has a first end 72 to which a second hook 74 comprising an eyelet 75 depends, and a second free end 73 configured to be inserted through the cam-lock buckle 50 seemed to the second strap 40. The third strap 70 is formed from a third webbing section 71 which is passed through the eyelet 75 in the second hook 74. It can be seen that an end of the third webbing section 71 is then overlapped with itself to form two layers which are then secured together using stitching 76 to permanently secure the third webbing section 71 to the second hook 74. It can be seen that the stitching 76 may be applied adjacent to the first end 72 of the strap so as to form a tight loop around the eyelet 75 of the second hook 74, preventing or reducing translation of the second hook 74 and the third strap 70, but still allowing articulation of the second hook 74 and the third strap 70.

[0039] It will be appreciated that the interaction of the third strap 70 and the cam lock-buckle 50 facilitates tensioning of the tension strap 2, where the second free end 73 of the third strap 70 is pulled to tension the spring 20.

[0040] While in the embodiment shown, a cam-lock buckle 50 is used to tension the tension strap 2, it will be appreciated that in alternative embodiments, different strap tensioning mechanisms may be employed, such as ratchet strap mechanisms, slide buckles, and over-centre buckles.

[0041] It can be seen that the tie down strap 1 further comprises a strap bag 60 configured to hold the second free end 73 of the third strap 70, which can be coiled up and seemed in the bag 60. The bag 60has a zip 61 in order to facilitate storage and removal of the third strap 70 from the bag, and is made from a porous material, such as a UV resistant mesh so as to keep any stored webbing dry.

[0042] While in the embodiment shown, the bag 60 is secured to the second webbing section 41 via stitching 62 (as best shown in Figure 1) it will be appreciated that in an alternative form, the bag may instead be removably attached to any webbing section. For example, Figure 7 shows an alternate version in the form of a removable strap bag 80, comprising two webbing attachment clips 81 configured to removably secure the bag 80 to the webbing.

[0043] In the embodiment shown, it can be seen that the removable strap bag 80 comprises a fourth webbing section 83 which is secured to the back of the bag using stitching 82 so as to form loops through which the webbing attachment clips 81 are secured.

[0044] It will be appreciated that the removable strap bag 80 is able to be removably attached to any webbing section. For example, and with reference to Figures 8A to 8C, it can be seen that the removable strap bag 80 is able to be removably secured to a webbing section 3.

[0045] While in the embodiment shown, the removable strap bag 80 is able to be removably attached to a webbing section by virtue of webbing attachment clips, it will be appreciated that in further embodiments may feature alternate securing means, including but not limited to hook and look fasteners, magnets, buttons, etc.

[0046] While in the embodiment shown, the bag comprises a zip in order to open and close the bag, it will be appreciated that in an alternative form, different means may be employed, for example, in an alternative embodiment, the bag may instead take the form of a pouch, have a narrow or flexible opening through which the strap may be stuffed through.

[0047] Referring now to Figure 9 where there is shown a flowchart illustrating an example method of manufacturing the tension strap.

[0048] At step 101, a first webbing section is passed through an eyelet provided in a first hook and a first looped end of a spring.

[0049] At step 102, the ends of the first webbing section are overlapped so as to form three layers of overlapping webbing section, which are then stitched together to permanently secure the webbing to the first hook and the spring.

[0050] At step 103, a sleeve is placed over the spring, by inserting the second end of the spring into the sleeve.

[0051] At step 104, a first end of the sleeve is stitched to the first webbing section, adjacent to the first looped end of the spring.

[0052] At step 105, a second webbing section is passed around a bar formed in a cam-lock buckle and a second looped end of the spring.

[0053] At step 106, the ends of the second webbing section are overlapped so as to form three layers of overlapping webbing section, which are then stitched together to permanently secure the webbing to the cam-lock buckle and the spring.

[0054] At step 107, a second end of the sleeve is stitched to the second webbing section, adjacent to the second looped end of the spring.

[0055] At step 108, a strap storage bag may be optionally seemed to the second webbing section between the spring and the cam-lock buckle.

[0056] At step 109, a first end of a third webbing section is passed through an eyelet in a second hook, where the first end of the webbing is overlapped with the webbing and stitched together to permanently secure the webbing to the second hook.

[0057] Referring now to Figure 10 where there is shown a flowchart illustrating an example method of using the tie down assembly.

[0058] At step 201, the third strap is secured to a vehicle anchor point using the second hook.

[0059] At step 202, the third strap is passed over and / or through the cargo to be secured.

[0060] At step 203, the tension strap is seemed to a vehicle anchor point using the first hook.

[0061] At step 204, the free end of the third strap is passed through the cam-lock buckle provided in the tension strap.

[0062] At step 205, the free of the third strap is pulled until a desired extension of the spring is achieved.

[0063] At step 206, the free end of the third strap may be optionally wrapped and stowed in the strap storage bag.

[0064] It will be appreciated that by providing a spring 20 with closed loop ends 23, 24 and by stitching the webbing sections 11, 41 in loops around the closed loop ends 23, 24, that the connection formed between the webbing sections 11, 41 and the spring 20 is capable of articulating, which allows the tie down assembly 1 to better conform to cargo. It will also be appreciated that the connection formed between the webbing sections 11, 41 and the spring 20 has a low profile compared to alternative connection arrangements (such as using shrink tube around the connection) which makes the tie down assembly 1 less prone to catching as it is dragged or pulled across cargo. It will further be appreciated that the use of closed loop spring terminations and stitching the webbing around the closed loop spring ends such that complete loops are formed, the webbing cannot become detached from or damaged by the spring (as opposed to if open hooks are used). Furthermore, it will be appreciated that by virtue of the sleeve 30 acting as both a protective element and a spring limiter, that a separate spring limiting strap is not required, where it will be appreciated that arrangements requiring a separate spring limiting strap are more prone to getting caught on cargo, and have to be deployed in such a way that the strap does not get caught, preventing or reducing the efficacy of the spring itself.

[0065] While in the embodiment shown, various stitching arrangements are illustrated in order to provide examples of the manner in which the webbing sections may be secured with respect to components such as the hooks, spring and buckle, and the manner in which components such as the sleeve and bag may be secured with respect to the webbing sections. The stitching arrangements shown are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, and it will therefore be appreciated that alternative stitching arrangements are also intended to fall within the scope of this disclosure. For example, in an alternate arrangement, the position and / or style of stitching that secures the first and second webbing sections to themselves may vary, and still achieve the effect of securing the webbing sections to themselves. In yet another example, the position and / or style of stitching that secures the sleeve to the first and second webbing sections may vary, yet still achieve the effect of seeming the sleeve to both webbing sections.

[0066] Throughout the specification and the claims that follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the words “comprise” and “include” and variations such as “comprising” and “including” will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers, but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

[0067] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement of any form of suggestion that such prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

[0068] In some cases, a single embodiment may, for succinctness and / or to assist in understanding the scope of the disclosure, combine multiple features. It is to be understood that in such a case, these multiple features may be provided separately (in separate embodiments), or in any other suitable combination. Alternatively, where separate features are described in separate embodiments, these separate features may be combined into a single embodiment unless otherwise stated or implied. This also applies to the claims which can be recombined in any combination. That is a claim may be amended to include a feature defined in any other claim. Further a phrase referring to “at least one of’ a list of items refers to any combination of those items, including single members. As an example, “at least one of: a, b, or c” is intended to cover: a, b, c, a-b, a-c, b-c, and a-b-c.

[0069] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention is not restricted in its use to the particular application described. Neither is the present invention restricted in its preferred embodiment with regard to the particular elements and / or features described or depicted herein. It will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to the embodiment or embodiments disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutions without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth and defined by the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A tie down assembly comprising: a tension strap, the tension strap comprising: a first strap; a second strap; and an extension spring having a first end and a second end each terminating in a closed loop, wherein the first and second strap are looped through and permanently attached to the first and second closed loop ends of the extension spring respectively.

2. The tie down assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first strap has a first end to which a first hook depends, and a second end which is attached to the extension spring.

3. The tie down assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first strap is formed from a first webbing section, which is passed through an eyelet formed in the first hook and the first closed loop end of the extension spring, wherein the ends of the first webbing section are overlapped and stitched together to permanently secure the first webbing section to the first hook and the extension spring.

4. The tie down assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second strap has a first end to which a cam-lock buckle depends, and a second end which is attached to the extension spring.

5. The tie down assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein the second strap is formed from a second webbing section, which is passed around a bar formed in the cam-lock buckle and the second closed loop end of the extension spring, wherein the ends of the second webbing section are overlapped and stitched together to permanently secure the second webbing section to the cam-lock buckle and the extension spring.

6. The tie down assembly as claimed in either claim 4 or 5, further comprising a third strap having a second hook, wherein a free end of the third strap is configmed to engage with the cam-lock buckle provided on the second strap.

7. The tie down assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tension strap further comprises a sleeve which extends over the length of the extension spring, the sleevecomprising first and second ends that are secured with respect to the first and second straps respectively.

8. The tie down assembly as claimed in claim 6, wherein the sleeve is made from a tubular webbing.

9. The tie down assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a strap storage bag secured with respect to the second webbing section.

10. The tie down assembly as claimed in claim 9, wherein the strap storage bag is removably secured with respect to the second webbing section.

11. A method of manufacturing a tension strap for a tie down assembly, comprising the steps of: a) providing a first strap and a first hook; b) providing a second strap and a cam-lock buckle; c) providing an extension spring having first and second ends, each end terminating in a closed loop; d) securing the first strap to the first hook and a first looped end of the extension spring; and e) securing the second strap to the cam-lock buckle and the second looped end of the extension spring.

12. A tie down assembly comprising: a tension strap, the tension strap comprising: a first strap having a first end to which a first hook depends; a second strap having a first end to which a cam lock buckle depends; an extension spring having a first end and a second end each terminating in a closed loop, wherein the first and second straps are looped through and permanently attached to the first and second closed loop ends of the extension spring respectively; wherein the tension strap further comprises a sleeve which extends over the length of the extension spring, the sleeve comprising first and second ends that are secured with respect to the first and second straps respectively, wherein the tie down assembly further comprises a third strap having a second hook, wherein a free end of the third strap is configured to engage with the cam-lock buckle provided on the second strap.

13. A method of securing an object using a tie down assembly as claimed in claim 12, the method comprising the steps of: a) securing the third strap to a first anchor point using the second hook; b) passing the third strap over and / or through the object to be secured; c) securing the tension strap to a second anchor point using the first hook; d) inserting the free end of the third strap through the cam-lock buckle; and e) pulling the free end of the third strap until a desired extension of the extension spring is achieved.

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