AU2015101713A4

AU2015101713A4 - A cargo net attachment system

Info

Publication number: AU2015101713A4
Application number: AU2015101713A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Michael Thomas Fletcher; Gene Leon Thompson
Original assignee: TRIPLE M HOLDINGS Pty Ltd
Current assignee: TRIPLE M HOLDINGS Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2014-12-17
Filing date: 2015-11-24
Publication date: 2015-12-24
Anticipated expiration: 2023-11-24

Abstract

A cargo net attachment system comprising at least a pair of opposed elongate channel members located on the inside walls of a tray body of a vehicle; a plurality of sliding hook members captively housed in the channel members; the hook members sliding adjustably within the opposed channel members to support a cargo net from the inside walls without any portion of the net having to drape over the outer perimeter of the tray body.

Description

CARGO NET ATTACHMENT SYSTEM FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a vehicle load securing apparatus, in particular but not exclusively to a novel and inventive cargo net attachment system for attaching a cargo net to a vehicle. For example, a truck or utility having an open tray with drop sides and a tailgate such as used by tradesmen for transporting loose work tools or items of equipment which could fall out of or be thrown from the vehicle while being transported. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Prior art load securing devices are often required by law to be used with vehicles transporting loose work equipment or items which can be a danger to other motorists if they inadvertently leave the vehicle as a result of hitting a rough patch of road or being thrown from the vehicle during an accident. One such prior art device in use which has now become legislatively mandatory, is the cargo net which is secured over the load carrying tray of a commercial vehicle. A major problem of prior art cargo net assemblies is that they are usually fastened by hooks which are required to be attached to hooking points or eyes or tie bar located round the external perimeter of the tray to secure the net. In the alternative, a standard clip attached to the net by shock cord is another method that is also used. In all cases, the cargo net is generally draped over and is attached to the outside of the tray body with limited and usually non-adjustable tie down points. This method of securing a load is untidy and potentially hazardous as there is a possibility that the externally exposed portion securing the net to the tray body could catch on an object while the vehicle is in motion. It is therefore an object of the present invention to seek to eliminate or ameliorate the disadvantages and limitations of the prior art by providing a novel and inventive cargo net attachment system. In the least of its intentions, the present invention seeks to also provide the public with an alternative but useful innovative improvement or choice for restraining loose items on a vehicle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In one aspect, the invention resides in a cargo net attachment system for a tray body of a vehicle comprising: at least a pair of elongate channel members; each channel member adapted to be located on the inside walls of opposed sides of the tray body; a plurality of hook members captively housed in the channel members; the hook members sliding adjustably within the opposed channel members to support a cargo net from the inside walls without any portion of the net having to drape over the outer perimeter of the tray body. In a preferred embodiment, the channel members comprise the extruded drop sides and suitably, tail gate and headboard extrusions of the vehicle tray body. In the alternative, the channel members comprise extrusions which can be retro-fitted to existing style sides, drop sides and tail gates of vehicles. Preferably the channel member in cross section defines a pair of internally facing rails running along the length of the channel and the hook members include complementary outwardly facing slots adapted to engage with and slide along the internal rails. Suitably, the hook members are inserted into an end of a channel wherein they are able to slide along but are captively housed in the channel member. Preferably, the open ends of the hooks face toward the inside wall of the channel member. Preferably, the channel and hook members are extruded from aluminium, however 2 may be made of any other suitable material. As an example, while the channel members are aluminium, the hook members may be manufactured of a resilient polymeric plastic. Preferably, the cargo net is suspended by elasticized cord to the hooks, however may in some applications, be attached directly to the hooks. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order that the invention be understood, reference is made to the accompanying drawings wherein: FIG. 1 shows preferred cargo net attachment system of the invention. FIG. 2 shows a diagrammatic elevation view of the embodiment of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 shows a preferred channel extrusion in cross section. Fig. 4 shows detail of a hinged drop side. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT. As shown in FIG. 1 and diagrammatic elevation view in Fig. 2, the preferred cargo net attachment system comprises at least a pair of opposed elongate channel members 10, 12 located on the inside walls of the extruded tray drop sides 14, 16 and suitably, tail gate 18 of a vehicle. There are a plurality of sliding hook members 20, 22, 24, 26 captively housed in the channel members. The positions of the hook members sliding within the channel members can be adjusted for a cargo net 30 (shown in Fig 2) supported from the inside walls without any portion of the net draping over the outer perimeter of the tray body 32, 34. While the channel members are part of the extrusions of the present tray drop sides, they can comprise extrusions which are then retro-fitted to existing tray drop sides and where suitable, the existing tail gate of a vehicle. Fig. 3 shows a preferred extruded aluminium channel member 36 in cross section defining a pair of internally facing rails 38, 40 running along the length of the channel 36a. The hook member 42 includes complementary outwardly facing slots 44, 46 which are adapted to engage with and slide along the rails. The hook members are inserted into 3 an end of the channel 36a wherein they are captively housed in the channel. As shown by Fig. 3, the open ends of the hooks 42a face toward the inside wall 36a of the extruded channel comprising one tray side from which the cargo net (not shown) is supported. Fig. 4 shows detail of a hinged drop side 48 of a tray with hook members 50, 52 slidingly located in the channel 54. As previously disclosed, the hook members are installed and removed via an open end of the channel. In a preferred example, the channel and hook members are extruded from aluminium, however may be made of any other suitable material. As an example, the hook members may be manufactured of a resilient polymeric plastic while the channels are integrally formed as part of the aluminium tray side extrusions. Preferably, the cargo net is suspended by elasticized cord to the hooks, however may be in some applications, attached directly to the hooks. It will of course be realized that while the foregoing has been given by way of illustrative example of this invention, all such and other modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of this invention as is herein set forth. In the specification the terms "comprising" and "containing" shall be understood to have a broad meaning similar to the term "including" and will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps. This definition also applies to variations on the terms "comprising" and "containing" such as "comprise", "comprises", "contain" and "contains". 4

Claims

1. A cargo net attachment system for a tray body of a vehicle comprising: at least a pair of elongate channel members; each channel member adapted to be located on the inside walls of opposed sides of the tray body; a plurality of hook members captively housed in the channel members; the hook members sliding adjustably within the opposed channel members to support a cargo net from the inside walls without any portion of the net having to drape over the outer perimeter of the tray body.

2. The cargo net attachment system of claim 1, wherein the channel members comprise extruded drop sides, tail gate and headboard extrusions of the vehicle tray body.

3. The cargo net attachment system of claim 1, wherein the channel members comprise extrusions which can be retro-fitted to existing style sides, drop sides and tail gates of vehicles.

4. The cargo net attachment system of claim 3, wherein channel member in cross section defines a pair of internally facing rails running along the length of the channel and the hook members include complementary outwardly facing slots adapted to engage with and slide along the internal rails.

5. The cargo net attachment system of claim 1, wherein the hook members are inserted into an end of a channel wherein they are able to slide along but are captively housed in the channel member.

6. The cargo net attachment system of claim 5, wherein open ends of the hooks face toward the inside wall of the channel member. 5