Tie-down Cleat With Rotating Retainer for Limited Clearance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleats for securing loads in vehicle beds are difficult to reliably and easily secure due to the need for extensive clearance for rotation, limiting their use in space-constrained areas.
Innovation Solution
A tie-down cleat with a body and fastener assembly featuring a rotatable retainer system, including stop and limit surfaces, that allows the retainer to rotate at least 80 degrees, enabling secure engagement with the cleat body and track without requiring the entire cleat to be rotated, thus accommodating limited clearance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the entire cleat body is rotated to secure the cleat, then the cleat can be reliably secured, but extensive clearance is required which limits the space available for installation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the rotation function into two separate components: the cleat body remains stationary while only the fastener assembly (specifically the retainer) rotates. This segmentation allows the securing function to be achieved without requiring the entire cleat body to rotate, thereby reducing the clearance space needed from 180 degrees to approximately 80 degrees.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastener assembly is designed with dynamic rotational capability, allowing the retainer to rotate relative to the cleat body during installation and operation. This dynamic feature enables the fastener to engage and disengage the track without moving the entire cleat body, resolving the contradiction between reliable securing and space requirements.
2Ease of operation
If the cleat body is rotated extensively, then the fastener can engage properly, but the installation becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer is pre-configured with engagement features that automatically engage with the track as the fastener assembly rotates only 80 degrees. This preliminary configuration of engagement surfaces and geometries ensures that proper engagement occurs naturally during the reduced rotation, simplifying the installation process and reducing time required.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring full 180-degree rotation of the entire cleat body, the invention uses partial rotation (approximately 80 degrees) of only the fastener assembly to achieve sufficient engagement. This partial action is excessive enough to ensure reliable securing while being significantly less time-consuming than full rotation.
3Volume of moving object
If the cleat is designed for compact dimensions, then it fits better in limited spaces, but the fastener assembly may not have sufficient rotation clearance
Solution Approach 1:
The invention resolves the space conflict by changing the dimension of rotation from the horizontal plane (requiring lateral clearance) to a more compact rotational path around the fastener assembly axis. This dimensional change allows the retainer to achieve the necessary 80-degree rotation within the compact confines of the reduced-size cleat body, maintaining both compact dimensions and rotation capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A tie-down cleat includes a body having at least one stop surface and a wall with an opening, and a fastener assembly having a first retainer extending through the opening and having a head, and a second retainer operable to actuate the first retainer. The first retainer is rotatable relative to the body and includes a stop surface oriented to selectively engage the stop surface of the body to limit rotation of the first retainer relative to the body.