RU2684249C1 - Rack railroad car vehicle restraint apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: vehicles.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to automotive industry vehicle securing devices. Vehicle securing system for automobile car railway car includes active shoe and anchor shoe, adapted for interaction for fixation of vehicle in said car car-car. In various embodiments, each shoe comprises a shoe housing, comprising a substantially rhombic elongated tube, which includes four elongated walls integrated into an integral part. In various embodiments for each shoe various elements of this shoe extend substantially along longitudinal axis, which is located in the same or substantially the same vertical plane as the uppermost part and the lowest part of the said substantially rhomb shaped elongated tube of the shoe. Active and anchor shoes: (a) have smaller height than known commercially available vehicle fasteners; (b) have smaller width, than known commercially available vehicle fasteners; (c) placing the belt and the torsion closer to the wheel wheel than any known commercially available vehicle attachments; (d) occupying a smaller area of each safe area near the wheel than known commercially available vehicle attachments; (e) providing a higher strength-to-size ratio than known commercially available vehicle attachments; and (f) are simple for operation, installation and removal.

EFFECT: result is preventing “exit” of vehicles from tethered belts during sudden car stops, sudden deceleration, during maneuvering.

189 cl, 43 dwg

Description

A priority

[0001] This application claims priority to US patent application No. 14 / 319,147, filed June 30, 2014, and US patent application No. 14 / 084,081, filed November 19, 2013, which is a partial continuation and has the advantage and Priority on U.S. Patent Application No. 29 / 466,654, filed September 10, 2013, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

State of the art

[0002] In the railway transportation industry, a variety of rail car carriers are used to transport new vehicles, such as cars, vans and trucks. Railroad carriages, known in the rail industry as carriages, often travel thousands of miles across a changing terrain. One common type of car carrier is divided into tiers containing two or three floors or decks, two side walls, a pair of doors at each end, and a roof. New vehicles are loaded into and unloaded from a car carrier for transportation by a person (sometimes referred to as a “loader”), who drives vehicles into or rolls them out of the car truck.

[0003] One of the problems associated with car-wagons is the possibility of damage to new vehicles being transported in them, which may occur in the car-wagon as a result of the unintended movement of one or more transported vehicles that are not properly secured in the car-wagon . To prevent the movement or displacement of these vehicles during transportation, various vehicle mounts have been developed for securing vehicles transported in automobile wagons. The loader usually operates with these vehicle mounts.

[0004] When using various known commercially available vehicle mounts, various problems arise in connection with new types or designs of vehicles with a different body and in particular with other profiles of bumpers, moldings or caps. For example, different cars include relatively low bumpers, moldings or a hood (compared to some trucks, vans and SUVs) and accordingly include relatively small safe areas on the front and rear sides of the wheels. The safe area on each of the front and rear sides of the vehicle wheel is the area in which the vehicle mount can pass and can act without coming into contact with the bumper, molding, or hood of the vehicle. The closer the vehicle mount or part of the vehicle mount to any of the boundaries of the safe zone, the greater the likelihood that the mount of the vehicle will come into contact and possibly damage the bumper, molding, or hood of the vehicle.

[0005] Various known commercially available fastening systems for three-tier car carriers include two fasteners, respectively located on the front and rear sides of the wheel. One of the fasteners includes a belt or sling that is worn around the tire of the wheel and attached to another fastener. The belt is tightened on the tire. Under certain conditions, the vehicles move or literally “exit” the data belts of various well-known commercially available three-level vehicle locking systems at various time periods (for example, during the movement of car-wagons and during sudden stops of a car-wagon or a sharp deceleration car truck). Such cases include sudden stops only in emergency cases or in combination with loosening of the belt. Such cases also occur during maneuvering at the railway freight station, when car-wagons are disconnected from and connected to other railway cars in different freight trains on a regular basis. During such a connection, a car-carrier may be subjected to sharp jolts with increasing speeds of up to 8-10 mph, although regulatory requirements (and signs on railway freight stations and railway cars) limit the speed in these freight stations to no more than 4 mph . Such shocks can have an extreme effect on vehicles relative to car-wagons and thus force vehicles to literally exit known vehicle restraint systems. When the vehicle exits the vehicle restraint system, the vehicle may come into contact with another vehicle in a car-wagon, one of the side walls of a car-wagon, or one or more end doors of a car-wagon.

[0006] Vehicle manufacturers issue very stringent instructions that warn in advance of any contact or collision between anything in car carriers and new vehicles, as vehicle manufacturers want to deliver new vehicles to dealers and their customers in the best possible condition. Any damage, such as scratches or dents on bumpers, moldings or caps or other parts of the vehicle, may prevent or deter the customer from buying or accepting delivery of the vehicle and should usually be fixed before selling the vehicle. As noted above, such damage to vehicles necessitates the replacement of a damaged part or parts and possibly other parts of the vehicle. Such damage is very expensive for vehicle manufacturers who usually blame railway companies for such damage.

[0007] Another problem associated with various known vehicle mounts is that for some vehicles, manufacturers cannot install spoilers on non-vehicle vehicles in a vehicle manufacturing plant, since various known vehicle mounts can damage the spoilers. Thus, for such vehicles, manufacturers are forced to deliver spoilers to dealerships for installation.

[0008] These problems are exacerbated for vehicle manufacturers when the damaged vehicle is a specially ordered vehicle (rather than a standard vehicle) for a particular customer. The customer can expect a specially ordered vehicle for one, two, three or more months. If a specially ordered vehicle is damaged during transportation, the customer must wait for another specially ordered vehicle to be manufactured. This may be detrimental to the business of the dealer and the manufacturer.

[0009] Thus, it must be recognized that although many vehicle mounts are serially produced for securing vehicles carried in automobile wagons, in many cases, the known vehicle mounts inappropriately protect vehicles or prevent vehicles from moving and thus prevent damage to vehicles or vehicle mounts themselves.

[0010] In this regard, there is a continuing need for improved vehicle mounts that are simple to install and remove, which more securely hold vehicles that are less likely to be damaged and that occupy less space in safe areas, thereby minimizing potential damage to transported vehicles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The present invention solves the aforementioned problems by providing a vehicle securing device that includes interacting wheel shoes that are adapted to come into contact with both sides of a vehicle wheel in a car-wagon for more securely securing a vehicle carried in a car- a car carrier, and reducing or eliminating the movement of a vehicle carried in a car truck. In various embodiments, said vehicle securing device includes an active shoe and an anchor shoe. In other embodiments, said vehicle securing device includes two active shoes.

[0012] The present invention assumes that for most vehicles, two interacting wheel shoes, including an active shoe and an anchor shoe, of the present invention will be placed next to each wheel on one side of the transported vehicle (ie, for securing one vehicle use only four wheeled shoes). After loading the vehicle in a car-wagon, each wheel shoe is placed directly next to each respective wheel on one side of the vehicle and attached to a rail next to that wheel. An active shoe belt is put on the tire and attached to the anchor shoe. Then the belt is tightened on the tire. It should be understood that the vehicle securing device of the present invention can be used in other transport technical means, such as towing vehicles with a trailer and containers for shipping.

[0013] In various embodiments, the active wheel shoe of the present invention includes: (a) a shoe body including a substantially diamond-shaped elongated pipe that includes four integral elongated walls and a guide saddle connected to said elongated pipe; (b) a guide engagement device supported by and attached to the shoe body; (c) a belt tensioning mechanism for a wheel attached to a shoe body; and (d) a seat belt for the wheel, adapted to interact with the wheel of the vehicle and connected to the tension mechanism of the seat belt for the wheel. In various embodiments, said active shoe guide engaging device includes a locking pin extending substantially along a first longitudinal axis passing through the guide seat and at a portion near the lowermost portion of said substantially diamond-shaped elongated shoe body pipe, and said mechanism the belt tension for the active shoe wheel includes a torsion bar extending substantially along a second longitudinal axis passing through a portion near the uppermost part the aforementioned substantially rhomboid elongated tube. In various embodiments, said first longitudinal axis, said second longitudinal axis, the uppermost part of the shoe body and the lowest part of the shoe body are located in a vertical or substantially vertical plane.

[0014] In various embodiments, the anchor wheel shoe includes: (a) a shoe body including a substantially diamond-shaped elongated pipe that includes four integral elongated walls and a guide saddle connected to said elongated a pipe; (b) a guide engagement device attached to said shoe body; and (c) a seat belt anchor for the wheel protruding from the shoe body. In various embodiments, said engagement device with an anchor shoe guide includes a locking pin extending substantially along a first longitudinal axis passing through said guide saddle and at a portion near the lowermost portion of said substantially diamond-shaped elongated shoe body pipe. In various embodiments, the first longitudinal axis, the uppermost part of the shoe body and the lowest part of the shoe body are located in a vertical or substantially vertical plane.

[0015] In other various embodiments, the anchor wheel shoe includes: (a) a shoe body including a substantially diamond-shaped elongated pipe that includes four integral elongated walls and a guide saddle connected to said elongated pipe; (b) a guide engagement device attached to said shoe body; and (c) a seat belt anchor for the wheel formed by said shoe body. In some such various embodiments, said anchor shoe engaging device includes a locking pin extending substantially along a first longitudinal axis passing through said guide saddle and at a portion near the lowermost portion of said substantially diamond-shaped elongated shoe body pipe. In various embodiments, the first longitudinal axis, the uppermost part of the shoe body and the lowest part of the shoe body are located in a vertical or substantially vertical plane.

[0016] The active and anchor shoes of the present invention provide many advantages over various known commercially available vehicle securing systems. More specifically, the active and anchor shoes of the present invention: (a) have a lower height than the known commercially available vehicle mounts; (b) are narrower than the known commercially available vehicle mounts; (c) placing the belt and torsion closer to the tire of the wheel than any known commercially available vehicle mounts; (d) occupy a smaller area of the safe zone near the wheel than any known commercially available vehicle mounts; (e) provide a greater strength to size ratio than known commercially available vehicle mounts; and (f) are simple to operate, install, and remove.

[0017] Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like details.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a rail car truck for transporting a plurality of vehicles.

[0019] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of an active wheeled shoe in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] FIG. 2A is a perspective front view of an active wheel shoe in accordance with FIG. 2, shown with all of its assembled components and including a safety belt for a wheel.

[0021] FIG. 3 is a perspective front view of an active wheel shoe case according to FIG. 2, shown without elements of a guide engagement device, a safety belt for a wheel, and a safety belt tension mechanism for an active shoe wheel.

[0022] FIG. 4 is a perspective rear view of an active wheel shoe case according to FIG. 2, shown without elements of a guide engagement device, a safety belt for a wheel, and a safety belt tension mechanism for an active shoe wheel.

[0023] FIG. 5 is a view from the front (or calcaneal) end of the active wheel shoe housing according to FIG. 2, shown without elements of a gear engaging device with a guide, a seat belt for a wheel and a belt tension mechanism for an active shoe wheel.

[0024] FIG. 6 is a view from the rear (or forefoot) end of the active wheel shoe casing according to FIG. 2, shown without elements of an engagement device with a guide, a seat belt for a wheel, and a belt tension mechanism for an active shoe wheel.

[0025] FIG. 7 is a view on the right side of the active wheel shoe casing according to FIG. 2, shown without elements of a guide engagement device, a safety belt for a wheel, and a safety belt tension mechanism for an active shoe wheel.

[0026] FIG. 8 is a view from the left side of the active wheel shoe housing according to FIG. 2, shown without elements of a guide engagement device, a safety belt for a wheel, and a safety belt tension mechanism for an active shoe wheel.

[0027] FIG. 9 is a plan view of an active wheel shoe case according to FIG. 2, shown without elements of a guide engagement device, a seat belt for a wheel, and a seat belt tension mechanism for an active shoe wheel.

[0028] FIG. 10 is a bottom view of an active wheel shoe case according to FIG. 2, shown without elements of a guide engagement device, a seat belt for a wheel, and a seat belt tension mechanism for an active shoe wheel.

[0029] FIG. 11 is a perspective front view of an active wheel shoe in accordance with FIG. 2, with a majority of the shoe body shown by a dashed line to better show elements of a guide engagement device, a wheel tension belt, and a safety belt tension mechanism for active shoe wheels.

[0030] FIG. 11A is a perspective front view of an active wheel shoe in accordance with FIG. 2, with most of the shoe body shown by a dashed line, and with removed elements of the engagement device with a guide, a tension belt for a wheel, and a safety belt tension mechanism for active shoe wheels.

[0031] FIG. 11B is a front perspective view of the ratchet mechanism of the active wheel shoe in accordance with FIG. 2, shown removed from the body of the active shoe.

[0032] FIG. 12 is a perspective rear view of the active wheel shoe in accordance with FIG. 2, with a majority of the shoe body shown by a dashed line to better show elements of a guide engagement device, a seat belt for a wheel, and a seat belt tension mechanism for active shoe wheels.

[0033] FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of an anchor wheel shoe according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Fig. 14 is a perspective front view of the housing of the anchor wheel shoe in accordance with Fig. 13, shown without engagement device elements with the guide of the anchor shoe.

[0035] FIG. 15 is a perspective rear view of the housing of the anchor wheel shoe in accordance with FIG. 13, shown without engagement device elements with the guide of the anchor shoe.

[0035] Fig.16 is a view from the front (or calcaneal) end of the housing of the anchor wheel shoe in accordance with Fig.13, shown without elements of the engagement device with the guide of the anchor shoe.

[0037] Fig.17 is a view from the rear (or forefoot) end of the housing of the anchor wheel shoe in accordance with Fig.13, shown without elements of the engagement device with the guide of the anchor shoe.

[0038] Fig. 18 is a view on the right side of the housing of the anchor wheel shoe in accordance with Fig. 13, shown without elements of the engagement device with the guide of the anchor shoe.

[0039] FIG. 19 is a view from the left side of the housing of the anchor wheel shoe in accordance with FIG. 13, shown without elements of the engagement device with the guide of the anchor shoe.

[0040] FIG. 20 is a top view of the body of the anchor wheel shoe in accordance with FIG. 13, shown without elements of the engagement device with the guide of the anchor shoe.

[0041] Fig.21 is a bottom view of the housing of the anchor wheel shoe in accordance with Fig.13, shown without elements of the engagement device with the guide of the anchor shoe.

[0042] FIG. 22 is a front perspective view of the anchor wheel shoe in accordance with FIG. 13, with most of the shoe body shown by a dashed line to better show elements of the engagement device with the guide of the anchor shoe.

[0043] FIG. 23 is a perspective view of an active wheel shoe in accordance with FIG. 2 and an anchor shoe in accordance with FIG. 13, each shown fixed on a guide on the floor of one of the levels in a three-level car carrier and in contact with a transport wheel means in a motor vehicle, said view being shown from the rear side of the vehicle.

[0044] FIG. 24 is a perspective view of an active wheel shoe in accordance with FIG. 2, shown fixed on a guide on the floor of one of the levels in a three-tier automobile car and in contact with the rear side of the vehicle wheel in the automobile car.

[0045] FIG. 25 is a perspective view of an anchor wheel shoe in accordance with FIG. 13, shown fixed on a guide on the floor of one of the levels in a three-tier automobile car and in contact with a front side of the vehicle wheel in the automobile car.

[0046] FIG. 26 is a perspective view of an active wheel shoe in accordance with FIG. 2 and an anchor shoe in accordance with FIG. 13, each shown fixed on a guide on the floor of one of the levels in a three-level car carrier and in contact with a transport wheel means in a motor vehicle, said view being shown from the front of the vehicle.

[0047] FIG. 27 is a side view of an active wheel shoe in accordance with FIG. 2 and an anchor shoe in accordance with FIG. 13, each shown fixed on a guide on the floor of one of the levels in a three-level car carrier and in contact with a transport wheel funds in a car truck.

[0048] FIG. 28 is an exploded perspective front view of an anchor wheel shoe according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention and a local perspective view of a belt and a mounting plate according to an alternative embodiment of an active shoe.

[0049] FIG. 29 is a front perspective view of the housing of the anchor wheel shoe in accordance with FIG. 28, shown without elements of the engagement device with the guide of the anchor shoe.

[0050] FIG. 30 is a perspective rear view of the housing of the anchor wheel shoe in accordance with FIG. 28, shown without elements of the engagement device with the guide of the anchor shoe.

[0051] Fig.31 is a view from the front (or calcaneal) end of the housing of the anchor wheel shoe in accordance with Fig.28, shown without elements of the engagement device with the guide of the anchor shoe.

[0052] Fig. 32 is a view from the rear (or forefoot) end of the housing of the anchor wheel shoe in accordance with Fig. 28, shown without elements of the engagement device with the guide of the anchor shoe.

[0053] Fig. 33 is a view on the right side of the housing of the anchor wheel shoe in accordance with Fig. 28, shown without elements of the engagement device with the guide of the anchor shoe.

[0054] Fig. 34 is a view on the left side of the housing of the anchor wheel shoe in accordance with Fig. 28, shown without elements of the engagement device with the guide of the anchor shoe.

[0055] Fig. 35 is a plan view of the housing of the anchor wheel shoe in accordance with Fig. 28, shown without elements of the engagement device with the guide of the anchor shoe.

[0056] FIG. 36 is a bottom view of the housing of the anchor wheel shoe in accordance with FIG. 28, shown without elements of the engagement device with the guide of the anchor shoe.

[0057] Fig. 37 is a perspective front view of the anchor wheel shoe in accordance with Fig. 28, with most of the shoe body shown by a dashed line to better show elements of the engagement device with the guide of the anchor shoe.

[0058] Fig. 38 is a perspective view of an anchor wheel shoe in accordance with Fig. 28, shown fixed on a guide on the floor of one of the levels in a three-tier automobile car and in contact with a front side of the vehicle wheel in the automobile car.

[0059] FIG. 39 is a perspective view of an active wheel shoe in accordance with FIG. 2 and an anchor shoe in accordance with FIG. 28, each shown fixed on a guide on the floor of one of the levels in a three-level car carrier and in contact with a transport wheel means in a motor vehicle, said view being shown from the front of the vehicle.

[0060] FIG. 40 is a side view of an active wheel shoe in accordance with FIG. 2 and an anchor shoe in accordance with FIG. 28, each shown fixed on a rail on a floor of one of the levels in a three-level car carrier and in contact with a transport wheel funds in a car truck.

Detailed description

[0061] Referring to the drawings, and in particular in FIG. 1, a conventional car carrier 10 includes a frame 12 supported by trolleys 14a and 14b, each of which comprises several wheels 16 adapted for rolling along conventional railway tracks 18. The frame 12 supports two opposing side walls 20a and 20b and a roof 22. The car-wagon 10 includes a pair of interacting swing doors 24 and 26 secured to each end of the car-wagon 10. Doors 24 and 26 are opened to allow loading and unloading of transport vehicles PTS in and out autorack 10 and closed during transportation or storage of vehicles.

[0062] The side walls 20 include a series of steel uprights 28 that are secured to and extend upward from the frame 12. The roof 22 is secured to and supported by these uprights. Vertical racks are evenly spaced along the entire length of both side walls 20 of the car-wagon 10. Between each pair of vertical racks 28 there are many rectangular galvanized steel side wall panels 30 that are horizontally and vertically spaced. These side wall panels are supported in their corners by means of brackets (not shown) which are appropriately attached to said uprights. The middle side wall panel comprises a plurality of circular holes 23 of the wall panel. These openings 23 of the side wall panels provide the car truck with natural light and proper ventilation. Proper ventilation prevents the negative effects of vehicle toxic gases on a person or people (i.e., loaders) loading or unloading vehicles into or out of a carriage.

[0063] The vehicle securing device of the present invention is particularly adapted for three-tier automobile wagons comprising first, second and third levels. Eighteen passenger vehicles, six at each level, can usually be transported in one three-tier automobile carriage. The vehicle securing device of the present invention can also be used on a two-tier car-wagon, which contains the first and second levels, or on a single-level car-wagon.

[0064] Each level of a conventional three-level car carrier contains an elongated guide 50 (which is partially shown in FIGS. 23, 24, 25, 26 and 27) attached to the floor 80 of a given level of the car. The guides 50 extend substantially along the entire length of the automobile car 10. The vehicles are loaded onto each level so that the wheels on one side of the vehicle (for example, wheel 1002) of each vehicle are located adjacent to the guide 50, as also partially shown in FIG. 23, 24, 25, 26, and 27. Thus, when vehicles are loaded onto a car carrier, a guide is located on the outside of each of the wheels on one side of each of the vehicles.

[0065] Referring to FIGS. 2-26, one exemplary embodiment of a vehicle securing device of the present invention is shown, which includes an active wheel shoe, indicated generally at 100 (fully or partially shown in FIGS. 2, 2A, 3 , 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 11A, 11B, 12, 23, 24, 25, 26 and 27), and an anchor wheel shoe, indicated generally by the reference numeral 600 (fully or partially shown in Fig.13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 and 27). The active wheel shoe 100 and the anchor wheel shoe 600 each typically comprise a heel and a toe. The heel is adapted to be selectively placed on and fixed on the guide 50. When placed, the wheel shoes 100 and 600 each extend substantially perpendicular to the guide 50, with the toe of the shoe protruding beneath the vehicle 1000 so that the wheel shoes 100 and 600 are located in front and behind the wheel 1002 of the vehicle, as shown in FIGS. 23, 24, 25 and 26. More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 23, 24, 25, 26 and 27, the active wheel shoe 100 is adapted to be placed along one side of the wheel 1002 of the vehicle 1000 , and the anchor wheel shoe 600 is adapted to be placed on the opposite side of the wheel 1002 of the vehicle 1000. The active wheel shoe 100 is adapted for secure attachment with the possibility of removal to the guide 50, which is located next to the wheel 1002 and which is attached to the floor 80 of the corresponding level of the car 10 The anchor wheel shoe 600 is also adapted for secure attachment with the possibility of removal to the guide 50, which is located next to the wheel 1002. The active wheel shoe 100 including t a seat belt wheel 400 which is adapted to fit over and wrap the tire tread 1006 1004 1002 and a wheel attaching removably to said anchor wheeled shoe 600, as described more fully below. For brevity, the active wheeled shoe is sometimes referred to as the active shoe, and the anchor wheeled shoe is sometimes called the anchor shoe.

Active wheel shoe

[0066] More specifically, in this embodiment shown, as best seen in FIGS. 2, 2A, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 11A, 11B, 12, 23, 24 , 25, 26 and 27, the active shoe 100 includes a shoe body 200, a guide engaging device 300 supported by and attached to the shoe body 200, a wheel harness 400 for engaging with the wheel 1002, and a harness tension mechanism 500 for wheels supported by and attached to the shoe body 200 and coupled to a wheel harness 400.

[0067] Turning first to the fixed parts of the active wheel shoe 100, the shoe body 200 includes a heel 202, a toe 204, and an intermediate portion 206 extending between the heel 202 and the toe 204. In this shown embodiment, the shoe body 200 includes: ( a) essentially a diamond-shaped elongated pipe, which includes integrally elongated walls 210, 220, 230 and 240; (b) the heel lateral transverse end wall 250, connected integrally (for example, by welding) to the end edges of the heel sections of the elongated walls 210, 220, 230 and 240; (c) an inverted U-shaped guide saddle 260, connected integrally (for example, by welding) with elongated walls 210, 220, 230 and 240; (d) a first transverse intermediate wall 270 (best seen in FIG. 11A) located in said substantially diamond-shaped elongated pipe and connected integrally (for example, by welding) with the inner surfaces of the elongated walls 210, 220, 230 and 240; (e) a second transverse intermediate wall 280 (best seen in FIG. 11A) located in said substantially diamond-shaped elongated pipe and connected integrally (for example, by welding) with the inner surfaces of the elongated walls 210, 220, 230 and 240; and (f) a third transverse intermediate wall 290 (best seen in FIG. 11A) located in said substantially diamond-shaped elongated pipe and connected integrally (e.g. by welding) with the inner surfaces of the elongated walls 210, 220, 230 and 240 It must be understood that these walls can be connected in a different way and that each of said transverse walls does not have to be connected to each of said elongated walls.

[0068] The elongated walls 210, 220, 230, and 240 of said substantially diamond-shaped elongated pipe each comprise an inner and an outer surface, a heel edge, and a toe edge. More specifically, (a) the elongated wall 210 comprises an outer surface 212 in contact with a tire tread, an inner surface, a heel edge, and a toe edge; (b) the elongated wall 220 comprises an outer surface 222, an inner surface, a heel edge, and a toe edge; (c) the elongated wall 230 comprises an outer surface 232, an inner surface, a heel edge, and a toe edge; and (d) the elongated wall 240 comprises an outer surface 242, an inner surface, a heel edge, and a toe edge. It should be understood that in this shown embodiment, walls 210, 220, 230, and 240 comprise or are connected by means of curved or radius angles, and that the present invention is not limited to the presence of such curved or radius corners.

[0069] In the elongated walls 210, 220, 230, and 240 of said substantially diamond-shaped elongated pipe, a plurality of cuts or holes are formed which: (a) provide access to the inner portions of the pipe of the shoe body 200; (b) provide access to the internal elements of the active shoe 100 for assembly; (c) allow parts connected to the internal elements of the active shoe 100 to exit out of the elongated pipe, as described in more detail below; and (d) release any water in the shoe body 200. More specifically: (a) the walls 210 and 220 partially form the first heel opening 221; (b) the walls 210 and 220 form an opening 223 for the belt in the intermediate part; (c) the walls 220 and 230 form a hole or groove 225 for the activation lever of the engagement device with the guide; and (d) walls 210, 220, 230, and 240 form an opening 227 receiving a guide saddle.

[0070] The heel transverse end wall 250 is connected integrally (for example, by welding) with the heel edges of the elongated walls 210, 220, 230, and 240. A plurality of cuts or holes are formed in the end wall 250 that: (a) provide access to internal sections of the pipe body 200 shoe; (b) provide access to the internal elements of the active shoe 100 for assembly; and (c) allow parts connected (for example, by welding) to the internal elements of the active shoe 100 to exit the pipe of the shoe body 200, as described in more detail below. More specifically, in the end wall 250 are formed: (a) an opening 253 receiving a torsion block; (b) an opening 255 for the release lever to loosen the belt tension; and (c) an opening 257 for fastening means for securing the release lever to loosen the belt tension. The end wall 250 also supports some elements of the active shoe 200, as described in more detail below.

[0071] The inverted U-shaped guide seat 260 is located in the hole 227 receiving the guide seat and is connected integrally (for example, by welding) with the edges of the elongated holes 210, 220, 230 and 240 that form the hole 227 receiving the guide seat . The inverted U-shaped guide seat 260 includes an upper wall 262, a first side wall 264, a second side wall 266, each of which extends across the pipe of the shoe body 200 and specifically across the elongated walls 210, 220, 230, and 240. The inverted U-shaped guide the seat 260 is adapted to be mounted on and supported on the guide 50. Specifically, the upper wall 262 is adapted to contact the upper part of the guide 50, the first side wall 264 is adapted to abut one side of the guide 50, and the second side wall 266 is attached provided for abutting to the other side of the guide 50, as generally shown in FIGS. 23, 24, 25, 26 and 27. It should be understood that the presence of the upper wall 262 resting on the guide 50 allows the shoe body 200 to be at the lowest point in safe area.

[0072] An opening 265 is formed in the first side wall 264 receiving the locking finger (best seen in FIGS. 11 and 12), and a hole 267 is formed in the second side wall 266 receiving the locking finger (best seen in FIGS. 11 and 12 ) located in line with the hole 265 receiving the locking finger. It should be understood that in this exemplary embodiment, the locking finger 310 (described below) does not extend into the opening 265 receiving the locking finger, but in other embodiments, the locking finger may extend into the opening 265 receiving the locking finger. You must also understand that the hole 265, receiving the locking finger, is formed in the first side wall 264 of the guide seat 260 to simplify the manufacture, and in particular in order to allow the installation of the guide seat 260 in the elongated pipe in any direction.

[0073] The first intermediate wall 270 is located approximately in the middle in said essentially diamond-shaped elongated pipe of the shoe body 100. In the first intermediate wall 270, a first torsion-receiving hole 273 is formed (best seen in FIG. 11A), which is in line with a hole 253 receiving a torsion bar formed in the end wall 250. An opening 275 is also formed in the first side wall 270. receiving the locking finger (best seen in FIGS. 11A and 12), which is in line with the hole 267 receiving the locking finger, and which is also in line with the hole 265 receiving the locking finger.

[0074] The second intermediate wall 280 is located farther to the toe end 204 in said essentially diamond-shaped elongated pipe of the shoe body 200 near the heel side of the belt opening 223. In the first intermediate wall 280, a torsion receiving hole 283 is formed (best seen in FIGS. 4 and 11A), which is in line with the torsion receiving hole 273 formed in the first intermediate wall 270 and with a hole 253 receiving the torsion assembly, formed in the end wall 250.

[0075] The third intermediate wall 290 is located farther to the nose end in the substantially diamond-shaped pipe of the shoe body 200 adjacent to the front side of the belt opening 223. In the third intermediate wall 290, a torsion receiving hole 293 is formed (best seen in FIGS. 3 and 11A), which is in line with a torsion receiving hole 283 formed in the second intermediate wall 280, with a torsion receiving hole 273 formed in a first intermediate wall 270, and with an opening 253 receiving a torsion block formed in the end wall 250.

[0076] In this shown embodiment: (a) aligned holes 253, 273, 283 and 293 are located in and adjacent to the uppermost part or the uppermost part of the substantially diamond-shaped pipe of the shoe body 200; and (b) aligned holes 265, 267 and 275 are located at and adjacent to the lowermost part or the lowest part of the substantially diamond-shaped pipe of the shoe body 200. The aligned holes 253, 273, 283 and 293 have a central axis that extends in the same vertical plane or substantially the same vertical plane as the central axis of the aligned holes 265, 267 and 275.

[0077] It should be understood that the active shoe body in accordance with this shown embodiment of the present invention: (a) occupies a smaller area of the safe area near the wheel than any known commercially available vehicle mount; and (b) provides a greater strength-to-size ratio than the body of any known commercially available vehicle mount. You must also understand that the tubular configuration of the body of the active shoe provides significant rigidity when using relatively thin walls. You must also understand that this configuration of the essentially diamond-shaped tube of the active shoe body has a maximum height at the point at which it is closest to the tire, and then deviates from the tire.

[0078] Turning to the movable elements of the active shoe 100, which are best shown in FIGS. 2, 11, 11A, and 12, the guide engaging device 300 is supported by the shoe body 200 and is adapted to be removably attached to the active shoe 100 to the guide 50. The guide engaging device 300 mainly includes a locking pin 310 (best shown in FIGS. 2, 11 and 12), an activation lever 320 (best shown in FIGS. 2, 2A, 11 and 12) connected to and extending across the locking pin 310, and the displacement element I, such as a coil spring 330 (best shown in FIGS. 2, 11 and 12) located around the locking pin 310.

[0079] More specifically, the locking finger 310 is located in said substantially diamond-shaped pipe of the shoe body 200 in a portion near the lowest part and in the same or substantially the same vertical plane as the upper part and the lowest part of said substantially diamond-shaped pipe body 200 shoe. The locking finger 310 passes through: (a) the hole 267 receiving the locking finger of the side wall 266 of the guide seat 260; and (b) a hole 275 receiving the locking finger of the first intermediate wall 270. The locking finger 310 is supported by the side wall 266 of the guide seat 260 and by the first intermediate wall 270.

[0080] The activation lever 320, which is connected to and which extends across the locking finger 310, includes a rod 322 and a head 324. One end of the rod 322 passes through the locking finger 310, and the other end of the rod is connected to the head 324. In this shown embodiment of implementation, the end of the shaft 322 extending through the locking finger 310 contains or forms a groove for contacting the spring, and the locking finger 310 includes a through hole 312 (best shown in FIG. 2) adapted to receive the end of the shaft 322 to facilitate assembly at troystva 300 engage with the guide. The activation lever 320 and specifically the rod 322 passes through an opening or groove 225 for the activation lever of the engagement device with the guide.

[0081] The coil spring 330 is positioned or supported around the locking pin 310 between the shaft 322 and the first intermediate wall 270. The ends of the coil spring 330 respectively come into contact with the shaft 322 and the wall 270, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. It should be understood that in this configuration, the coil spring 330 biases the locking pin 310 from one of the two retracted positions (described below) and to the extended position (which is shown in FIG. 11). In this shown embodiment, as mentioned above, in the locked position, the locking finger 310 does not extend through the hole 265 receiving the locking finger. It should be understood that in other embodiments, in the locked position, the locking finger 310 may extend through an opening 265 receiving the locking finger. In any of the retracted positions, the end of the locking finger engaged with the guide is configured to not engage with the guide 50 so as to allow the shoe body 200 and the entire active shoe 100 to be placed on the guide 50 or to remove it from the guide 50. Mentioned two retracted positions include retracted latched position and retracted latched position. The hole or groove 225 for the activation lever of the engaging device with the guide has a L-shape that is turned laterally and includes an upper part of the groove adapted to receive the activation lever 320 and specifically the rod 322 of the activation lever 320 to prevent the activation lever 320 from moving towards heel of the body 200 shoes. Thus, this upper part of the hole or groove 225 for the activation lever of the gear engagement device provides a retracted locking position. When the activation lever 320 is moved downward from a given upper part of the hole or groove 225 for the activation lever of the guide engagement device, the activation lever 320 is in the retracted release position and will be displaced by the coil spring 330 to the extended position and, accordingly, to the heel 202 and the attachment position to the guide . In the extended or attached position to the guide, the heel end of the locking finger 310, which engages with the guide, passes through one of the holes in the guide 50 and attaches the shoe body 200 and the entire active shoe 100 to the guide 50, as shown in FIGS. 23 and 24 This configuration provides a simple and effective mechanism for attaching the active shoe 100 to the guide 50.

[0082] The belt 400 (best shown in FIGS. 2A, 23, 24, 25, 26, and 27) includes a belt comprising a working portion 410 comprising: (a) a central portion 420; (b) a first end portion 430 adapted to be connected to the torsion bar 510 of the belt tensioning mechanism 500 for the wheel, which is described below; and (c) a second end portion 440 connected to the mounting plate 450, which is adapted for secure connection with the possibility of a connector with the anchor shoe 600 and specifically with the anchor belt 900 for the wheel of the anchor shoe 600, as shown in Fig.25, 26 and 27 and as described below. The mounting plate 450 includes a substantially flat member 452 in which a somewhat T-shaped hole 454 is formed, adapted to receive and secure to the anchor 900 a seat belt for the wheel extending from the anchor shoe 600, as shown in FIGS. 25, 26 and 27 and as described below.

[0083] As best seen in FIGS. 2, 2A, 11, 11B and 12, the seat belt tensioning mechanism 500 for the wheel mainly includes a hollow torsion bar 510, a ratchet mechanism 530 connected to the torsion bar 510, and a release lever 550. The belt 400 is connected to the torsion bar 510 (as best shown in FIGS. 2A and 23), and the torsion bar 510 is adapted to rotate counterclockwise to wind the belt 400 around the torsion bar 510. The ratchet mechanism 530 is adapted to rotate the torsion bar 510 to wind the belt around the torsion bar 510, which in turn tightens the belt 400 around the tire 1004 of the wheel 1002. The release lever 550 is adapted to: (a) detachably engage the ratchet mechanism 530 to prevent unwanted rotation of the ratchet wheel 532 clockwise (and accordingly obviously unwanted rotation of the torsion bar 510 and unwanted unwinding of the belt 400) by engagement with (one or more) teeth 531 of the ratchet wheel 532; and (b) disengaging and disengaging the ratchet mechanism 530 when the user desires to loosen the tension of the belt 400 and unwind the belt 400 to remove the belt 400 or remove the belt 400 and remove the active and anchor shoes 100 and 600 with the guide 50 after use and before unloading the vehicle from a car truck.

[0084] The torsion bar 510 extends longitudinally, is supported by and rotationally fixed inside the shoe body 200, and specifically passes through openings 253, 273, 280 and 290 arranged in a single line, supported by the walls 250, 270, 283 and 293, and is adapted to rotate relative to walls 250, 270, 283 and 293. In this shown embodiment, the torsion bar 510 and the holes 253, 273, 283 and 293 extend along the upper central axis of the shoe body 200, as mentioned above. In this embodiment, the torsion bar 510 extends over a portion near the uppermost portion of the substantially diamond-shaped pipe of the shoe body 200 and in the same or substantially the same vertical plane as the uppermost portion and the lowest portion of the substantially diamond-shaped pipe of the housing 200 shoe. The torsion bar 510 includes: (a) a first end extending to the toe 204 of the body 200 of the active shoe 100; and (b) a second end extending to the heel 202 of the body 200 of the active shoe 100 and connected to the ratchet mechanism 530, as described in more detail below. The torsion bar 510 also contains corresponding slots (which are best shown in FIGS. 2, 2A and 11) to allow the end 430 of the belt 400 to be threaded through it and thus attached to the torsion bar 510 so that the belt 400: (a) is attached to torsion bar 510; and (b) will wrap around the torsion bar 510 while rotating the torsion bar 510 counterclockwise. You must understand that the belt can be attached to the torsion bar by other suitable methods in accordance with the present invention.

[0085] The ratchet mechanism 530 in accordance with this shown embodiment, which is best shown in FIGS. 2, 11, 11B and 12, includes: (a) a first or outer cylindrical axis 534; (b) a ratchet wheel 532 attached to an axle 534; and (c) a second or inner cylindrical axis 536 extending from the first cylindrical or outer axis 534. The ratchet wheel 532 is appropriately connected to the first or outer axis 534 so that when the first or outer axis 534 rotates, the ratchet wheel 532 rotates. The second or inner axis 536 is also appropriately connected to the first or outer axis 534 so that when the first or outer axis 534 rotates, the second or inner axis 536 rotates.

[0086] The first or outer axle 534 includes a heel first end that is adapted to extend through an opening 253 in the end wall 250 and be rotatably supported by the end wall 250. More specifically, the wheel tension belt tensioning mechanism 500 includes: ( a) an inner washer 540 (best shown in FIG. 2) located on the first or outer axis 534 between the front side surface of the end wall 250 and the ratchet wheel 532; (b) an outer washer 542 (best shown in FIGS. 2, 11 and 12) located on the first or outer axis 534 near the heel side surface of the end wall 250; and (c) a locking or holding ring 544 (best shown in FIGS. 2 and 12) that fits into the corresponding annular groove 535 (best shown in FIG. 11B) near the end of the first or outer axis 534, for fixing the first or outer axis 534 in place, while still allowing the first or outer axis 534 to rotate. The first or outer axis 534 also includes a corresponding tool engagement member. More specifically, in this shown embodiment, the first or outer axis 534 includes a receptacle 537 receiving a tool (best shown in FIGS. 2A, 11 and 11B) adapted to receive a tool (not shown), such as a socket wrench ( not shown) to allow the user to rotate the ratchet mechanism 530 and thus rotate the torsion bar 510. In this shown embodiment, socket 537 is a predominantly square groove receiving tool adapted to receive a standard head half an inch socket wrench (not shown).

[0087] The second or inner axis 536 comprises a second-sized toe end adapted to fit in the open heel side of the torsion bar 510 and to be attached to the torsion bar 510 by means of a suitable fastening means such as a locking pin 558 (best shown in FIGS. 2 and 12 ) This configuration prevents lateral movement of the torsion bar 510 toward the toe 204 of the active shoe 100 housing 200. It should be understood that in this shown embodiment, the second or inner axis 536 has a smaller outer diameter than the first or outer axis 534, and that the present invention contemplates that the outer diameters of these axes may be the same or that the second or inner axis 536 may have a larger outer diameter than the first or outer axis 534.

[0088] The release lever 550 (best shown in FIGS. 2, 11 and 12) of the seat belt tension mechanism 500 includes a dog 560 adapted to engage the teeth 531 of the ratchet wheel 532 to prevent unwanted rotation of the torsion bar 510 and unwanted unwinding the belt 400. More specifically, the release lever 550 includes a housing comprising: (a) a fastening end 552 that is adapted to be attached to the end wall 250 by means of a suitable fastening means, such as a locking bolt 580 with a nut 582 ( best shown in FIG. 2); (b) a raised dog 560 adapted to mesh with the teeth 531 of the ratchet wheel 532; and (c) an activation lever 556 extending outwardly through an opening 255 and adapted to be moved by a loader using an active shoe 100. The belt tensioning mechanism 510 for the wheel further includes a corresponding spring 590 (best shown in FIGS. 2, 11 and 12 ), adapted to hold the release lever 550 and specifically the dog 560 in the engaged position with one of the teeth 531 of the ratchet wheel 532, except when the activation lever 556 is moved down by the loader from its normal or initial upper position to the lower disengaged position, which causes the dog 560 to detach so as to detach from any of the teeth 531 of the ratchet wheel 532. It should be understood that the disengagement lever 550 (and in particular the activation lever 556) is configured so that the loader can move the activation lever 556 downward by his legs, while tightening the belt with any one of his free hands.

[0089] Thus, it should be understood that the release lever 550, axles 534 and 536 and the ratchet wheel 532 provide a ratchet gear mechanism that operates to lock the torsion bar 510 from unwanted movement in one direction and in particular from unwinding the belt 400 when it is tightened or after it is completely tightened. In this exemplary embodiment, the ratchet wheel 532 and the torsion bar 510: (a) are rotated counterclockwise to tighten the belt 400; and (b) rotated clockwise to reduce the tension of the belt 400. It should be understood that in other embodiments, this configuration can be reversed.

[0090] From the above, it is necessary to understand that: (a) the locking finger of the guide engaging device extends substantially along a first longitudinal axis passing through a portion near the lowermost part of the substantially diamond-shaped elongated active shoe casing pipe; (b) the torsion bar tension mechanism for the wheel extends substantially along a second longitudinal axis passing through a portion near the uppermost portion of said substantially diamond-shaped elongated tube of the active shoe body; and (c) said first longitudinal axis and said second longitudinal axis are located in the same vertical or substantially vertical plane with the uppermost part and the bottom of the lowermost part of said substantially diamond-shaped pipe. This configuration provides an essentially compact and efficient placement of these elements in the shoe body. This configuration also places the torsion bar and belt closer to the tire than any commercially available vehicle securing device.

[0091] In this shown embodiment, each of said elongated walls of said substantially diamond-shaped tubular body of the active shoe is made of steel and in particular is formed entirely of one piece of tubular steel turned 45 ° in its direction to form a substantially diamond-shaped body of the active shoe. More specifically, in this shown embodiment, said elongated active shoe casing pipe is initially formed of tubular steel with a substantially square section in which the width of each wall is approximately 3.00 inches, the height from the top to the bottom is approximately 3.775 an inch, a width of approximately 3.775 inches, a thickness of each wall of 0.125 inches and a length of approximately 17.00 inches.

[0092] In this shown embodiment, said inverted U-shaped guide seat of the active shoe body is made of a steel plate profile. In one embodiment, holes are formed that receive a locking pin, and then the plate is folded to form side walls. Then, the formed guide seat is welded to the walls of the elongated pipe. The heel lateral transverse end wall and the transverse intermediate walls are made of steel plates and welded to the walls, which form an elongated shoe body tube. This configuration and manufacturing method gives the shoe body an additional significant strength. It must be understood that the transverse walls give structural rigidity to the shoe body (both active and anchor shoe). It must also be understood that additional transverse walls and other structural supports may be added to the shoe bodies.

[0093] It should be understood that the active shoe body may be made of other suitable materials and other suitable methods in accordance with the present invention. For example, the shoe body can be made of molded plastic having a sufficiently high impact strength in a wide temperature range, under the influence of which there are usually car-wagons. You must also understand that in some alternative embodiments, the implementation of the active shoe body can be made in other suitable forms that provide the same or essentially the same advantages as the mentioned essentially diamond-shaped shoe body. For example, in alternative embodiments, the shoe body has a round, oval, or triangular configuration.

[0094] In this shown embodiment, the locking pin is made of steel, the activation lever is made of steel, and the coil spring is also made of steel. However, it must be understood that one or more of these elements may be made of other suitable materials.

[0095] In this shown embodiment, the torsion bar, ratchet and release lever are also made of steel. However, it must be understood that one or more of these elements may be made of other suitable materials.

[0096] In this shown embodiment, the belt anchor plate is made of steel. However, it must be understood that this element may be made of other suitable materials.

[0097] In this shown embodiment, the working portion of the belt is made of a suitable woven material, such as nylon, having adequate strength. For example, in some embodiment, the belt is made of a material similar to the material used in seat belts for cars and aircraft. You must understand that the working part of the belt can be made of alternative materials in accordance with the present invention. You must also understand that in the vehicle securing device of the present invention belts can be used to grip tires of other suitable types. For example, in some alternative embodiments, the belt includes a tow with a plurality of sections (not shown) that are adapted to grip the tire of the wheel. In other exemplary alternative embodiments, the belt includes a plurality of spaced apart gripping units (not shown) that include one or more longitudinally extending ribs (not shown) protruding from the lower side to engage the treads 1006 of the tire 1004, to prevent lateral movement of the belt along the treads 1006 of the tire 1004. Said blocks may be made of suitable resilient material, such as natural or synthetic rubber or any other type of plastic, otorrhea increases the frictional engagement, preferably in contact with the wheel tire.

[0098] It should also be understood that the guide engagement device and the safety belt tension mechanism for the wheel of the active shoe may be different or may include other elements or other arrangements of elements than those described above in accordance with the present invention.

Anchor wheel shoe

[0099] More specifically, in this embodiment shown, which is best seen in FIGS. 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 and 27, the anchor the shoe 600 includes a shoe body 700, a guide engaging device 800 attached to the shoe body 600, and a seat belt anchor 900 for the wheel protruding from the shoe body 700.

[00100] Turning first to the stationary parts of the anchor wheel shoe 600, the shoe body 700 includes a heel 702, a toe 704 and an intermediate portion 706 extending between the heel 702 and the toe 704. The shoe body 700 includes: (a) a substantially diamond-shaped an elongated pipe, which includes four integrally elongated walls 710, 720, 730 and 740; (b) the heel lateral transverse end wall 750 connected integrally (for example, by welding) with the heel lateral ends of the elongated walls 710, 720, 730 and 740; (c) an inverted U-shaped guide saddle 760, connected integrally (for example, by welding) with elongated walls 710, 720, 730 and 740; and (d) a first transverse intermediate wall 770 (best seen in FIG. 22) located in said substantially diamond-shaped elongated pipe and connected integrally (e.g. by welding) with the inner surfaces of the elongated walls 710, 720, 730 and 740 It should be understood that wall 770 can be connected in other ways and that this transverse wall does not have to be connected to each of the elongated walls 710, 720, 730 and 740.

[00101] Each of the elongated walls 710, 720, 730 and 740 of said substantially diamond-shaped elongated pipe comprises an inner and an outer surface, a heel edge and a toe edge. More specifically, (a) the elongated wall 710 comprises an outer surface 712 in contact with a tire tread, an inner surface, a heel edge, and a toe edge; (b) the elongated wall 720 comprises an outer surface 722, an inner surface, a heel edge, and a toe edge; (c) the elongated wall 730 comprises an outer surface 732, an inner surface, a heel edge, and a toe edge; and (d) the elongated wall 740 comprises an outer surface 742, an inner surface, a heel edge, and a toe edge. It should be understood that in this shown embodiment, the walls 710, 720, 730 and 740 comprise or are connected by means of curved or radius corners, but the present invention is not limited to the presence of such curved or radius corners.

[00102] In the elongated walls 710, 720, 730 and 740 of the substantially substantially diamond-shaped elongated pipe, a plurality of cuts or holes are formed which: (a) provide access to the interior pipe portions of the shoe body 700; (b) provide access to the internal elements of the anchor shoe 600 for assembly; (c) allow parts connected to the internal elements of the anchor shoe 600 to exit the pipe, as described in more detail below; and (d) allow the release of any water in the shoe body 700. More specifically: (a) a hole or groove 725 is formed in the walls 720 and 730 for the activation lever of the engagement device with the guide; and (b) an opening 727 is formed in the walls 710, 720, 730 and 740 to receive a guide saddle.

[00103] The heel lateral transverse end wall 750 is connected integrally (for example, by welding) with the heel edges of the elongated walls 710, 720, 730 and 740. A plurality of cuts or holes are formed in the end wall 750 that: (a) provide access to internal sections of the pipe; and (b) provide access to the internal elements of the anchor shoe 600 for assembly. More specifically, in this shown embodiment, in the end wall 750, are formed: (a) an opening 753 (which is best shown in FIGS. 14 and 16) to provide access to the inside of the shoe body 700; and (b) an outlet 755 (which is also best shown in FIGS. 14 and 16) to permit the discharge of any water that enters the shoe body 700. It should be understood that although the end wall 750 gives added strength to the shoe body 700, the present invention contemplates that the end wall 750 can be removed from the shoe body 700.

[00104] The inverted U-shaped guide seat 760 is located in the hole 727 receiving the guide seat and is connected integrally (for example, by welding) with the edges of the elongated walls 710, 720, 730 and 740, which form the hole 727, receiving the guide seat . The inverted U-shaped guide seat 760 includes an upper wall 762, a first side wall 764 and a second side wall 766, which each extend across the tubular body and in particular across the elongated walls 710, 720, 730 and 740 of the tubular body. The inverted U-shaped guide seat 760 is adapted to fit onto and support the guide 50. Specifically, the upper wall 762 is adapted to contact the upper surface of the guide 50, the first side wall 764 is adapted to abut one side of the guide 50, and the second side wall 766 is adapted for placement on the other side of the guide 50, as shown in FIGS. 25 and 26. It should be understood that the presence of an upper wall 762 resting on the guide 50 allows the shoe body 700 to be at the lowest point safe area near the wheel.

[00105] An opening 765 receiving the locking finger is formed in the first side wall 764, and a locking finger opening 767 is formed in the second side wall 766 in line with the opening 765 receiving the locking finger (as best shown in FIG. 22 ) It should be understood that in this exemplary embodiment, the locking finger 810 (described below) does not extend into the hole 765 receiving the locking finger, but in other embodiments, the locking finger may extend into the hole 765 receiving the locking finger. You must also understand that the hole 765, receiving the locking finger, is formed in the first side wall 764 of the device 760 meshing with the guide to simplify the manufacture and in particular in order to allow the installation of the guide seat 760 in the elongated pipe in any direction.

[00106] The first intermediate wall 770 is located approximately in the middle in said substantially diamond-shaped pipe (as best shown in FIG. 22). A hole 775 is received in the first intermediate wall 770 to receive a locking finger, which is in line with a hole 767 receiving a locking finger, and in line with a hole 765 receiving a locking finger.

[00107] In this shown embodiment, aligned openings 765, 767 and 775 are located at and near the lowermost part or bottom of the substantially diamond-shaped pipe of the shoe body 700.

[00108] Anchor 900 of a seat belt for a wheel extends transversely from a shoe body 700. Anchor 900 of a seat belt for a wheel includes a head 910 and a neck 920 containing a first end attached to the head 910 and a second end attached to the housing and specifically to the walls 720 and 730. It should be understood that the anchor can be connected together (for example, by welding) with one or more of these walls or connected by other suitable methods.

[00109] it Should be understood that in accordance with this shown embodiment of the present invention, the housing of the anchor shoe: (a) occupies a smaller area of the safe zone near the wheel than any known commercially available vehicle mount; and (b) provides a greater strength-to-size ratio than the body of any known commercially available vehicle mount. It should be understood that the tubular configuration of the housing of the anchor shoe provides significant rigidity when using relatively thin walls. It should also be understood that this configuration of the substantially diamond-shaped pipe of the anchor shoe body has a maximum height at the point at which it is closest to the tire and then deviates from the tire.

[00110] Referring to the movable elements of the anchor shoe 600, which are shown in FIGS. 13 and 22, the guide meshing device 800 is supported by the shoe housing 700 and adapted to detachably attach the anchor shoe 600 to the rail 50. The rail meshing apparatus 800 advantageously includes a locking finger 810, an activation lever 820 connected to and extending laterally from the locking finger 810, and a biasing element such as a coil spring 830 located around the locking finger 810.

[00111] More specifically, the locking pin 810 is located in the substantially diamond-shaped pipe of the shoe body 700 in a region near the lowest part and in the same or substantially the same vertical plane as the upper part and the lowermost part of the substantially diamond-shaped pipe body 700 shoe. The locking finger 810 passes through: (a) the hole 767 receiving the locking finger of the side wall 766 of the guide seat 760; and (b) a hole 775 receiving the locking finger of the first intermediate wall 770. The locking finger 810 is supported by the side wall 766 of the guide seat 760 and the first intermediate wall 770.

[00112] The activation lever 820, which is connected to and which extends laterally from the locking finger 810, includes a shaft 822 and a head 824. One end of the shaft 822 passes through the locking finger 810, and the other end of the shaft 822 is connected to the head 824. In one In an embodiment, the end of the shaft 822 extending through the locking pin 810 comprises or forms a groove for contacting the spring, and the locking pin 810 includes a through hole 812 adapted to receive the end of the shaft 822 to facilitate assembly of the engagement device 800 with the guide. The activation lever 820 and specifically the rod 822 passes through the hole 725 for the activation lever of the engagement device with the guide.

[00113] The coil spring 830 is positioned or supported around the locking pin 810 between the shaft 822 and the first intermediate wall 770. The ends of the coil spring 830 respectively come into contact with the shaft 822 and the wall 870, as shown in FIG. 22. It should be understood that in this configuration, the coil spring 830 biases the locking pin 810 from one of the two retracted positions (described below) and to the extended position (as shown in FIG. 22). In this shown embodiment, as mentioned above, in the locked position, the locking pin 810 does not extend through the hole 765 receiving the locking pin. It should be understood that in other embodiments, in the locked position, the locking finger 810 may extend through an opening 765 receiving the locking finger. In any of the retracted positions, the end of the locking pin 810 that engages with the guide 50 is adapted to engage with the guide 50 to allow shoe shoe 700 and the entire active shoe 600 to be placed on guide 50 or removed from guide 50. Mentioned two retracted positions include the retracted locking position and the retracted locking position. The hole 725 for the activation lever of the guide engaging device 800 has a L-shape predominantly turned laterally and includes an upper portion of the hole adapted to receive the activation lever 820 and specifically the shaft 822 of the activation lever 820 to prevent the activation lever 820 from moving to the body heel 700 shoes. Thus, this upper part of the hole 725 provides a retracted locking position. When the activation lever 820 is moved down from this upper part of the hole, the activation lever 820 is in the retracted release position and will be shifted by means of the coil spring 830 to the extended position and accordingly to the heel 702 and the fixation position on the guide. In the extended or locked position on the rail, the heel lateral end of the locking pin 810 engaged with the rail is adapted to pass through one of the holes in the rail 50 and attach the shoe body 700 and the entire anchor shoe 600 to the rail 50, as shown generally in 25 and 26. This configuration provides a simple and effective mechanism for attaching the anchor shoe 600 to the rail 50.

[00114] From the above, it should be understood that: (a) the locking finger of the guide engaging device extends in an elongated pipe substantially along a first longitudinal axis passing through a portion near the lowermost part of the substantially diamond-shaped elongated pipe of the anchor shoe body, and (b ) said first longitudinal axis is located in one vertical or substantially vertical plane together with the uppermost part and the bottom of the lowermost part of said substantially diamond-shaped pipe. This configuration provides an essentially compact and efficient placement of these elements in the shoe body.

[00115] In this shown embodiment, each of the elongated walls of said substantially diamond-shaped tubular body of the anchor shoe is made of steel, and in particular is formed entirely of a piece of tubular steel turned 45 ° in its direction to form said essentially diamond-shaped shape . More specifically, in this embodiment, the elongated tube of the anchor shoe body is initially formed of tubular steel with a substantially square section in which the width of each wall is approximately 3.00 inches, the height from the top to the bottom is approximately 3.775, the width is approximately 3.775 inches, the thickness of each wall is 0.125 inches and the length is approximately 17.00 inches.

[00116] In this shown embodiment, the inverted U-shaped guide seat of the anchor shoe body is made of a steel plate profile. In one embodiment, holes are formed that receive a locking pin, and then the plate is folded to form side walls. Then, the formed guide seat is welded to the walls of the elongated pipe. The heel lateral transverse end wall and the transverse intermediate wall are made of steel plates and welded to the walls, which form an elongated shoe body tube. This configuration and manufacturing method gives the housing of the anchor shoe an additional significant strength. It must be understood that the transverse walls give structural rigidity to the shoe body (both active and anchor shoe). It must also be understood that additional transverse walls or other structural supports may be added to the shoe body.

[00117] It should be understood that the housing of the anchor shoe may be made of other suitable materials and other suitable methods in accordance with the present invention. For example, the shoe body can be made of molded plastic having a sufficiently high impact strength in a wide temperature range, under the influence of which there are usually car-wagons. You must also understand that in some alternative embodiments, the implementation of the housing of the anchor shoe can be made in other suitable forms, which provide the same or essentially the same advantages as the mentioned essentially diamond-shaped body of the shoe. For example, in alternative embodiments, the shoe body has a round, oval, or triangular configuration.

[00118] In this shown embodiment, the seat belt anchor for the wheel is made of steel. However, it must be understood that this element may be made of other suitable materials.

[00119] In this shown embodiment, the locking pin is made of steel, the activation lever is made of steel, and the coil spring is also made of steel. However, it must be understood that one or more of these elements may be made of other suitable materials.

[00120] It should also be understood that the engagement device with the guide of the anchor shoe may be made differently or may include other elements or other arrangements of elements than those described above in accordance with the present invention.

The principle of operation of the vehicle securing device

[00121] To use the active and anchor shoes of the present invention, after placing the vehicle 1000 in a car carrier 10, the loader installs: (a) the anchor shoe 600 on one side of the wheel 1002 and secures the anchor shoe to the guide 50; and (b) an active shoe 100 on the other side of the wheel 1002 and secures the active shoe on the guide 50, as shown generally in FIGS. 23, 24, 25, 26 and 27. The loader then puts the belt on the tire 1004 of the wheel 1002 and connects the anchor plate 450 with anchor shoe 900 of anchor shoe 700. Then, the loader rotates the belt tension mechanism 500 and specifically the ratchet mechanism counterclockwise to tighten the belt 400 on the tire 1004 of the wheel 1002. It must be understood that: (a) in FIGS. 23, 24, 25, 26 and 27, the anchor shoe 600 is located adjacent to the front of the wheel 1002, and the active shoe 100 is placed next to the rear side of the wheel 1002, and (b) the vehicle can be rolled into the carriage in the opposite direction, in which case the anchor shoe 600 will be located near the rear side of the wheel, and the active shoe 100 will be located next to the front side of the wheel .

[00122] In order to remove the active and anchor shoes, the loader activates the release lever 556 of the lever 550 to release the dog 560 from the teeth of the ratchet wheel 532, which allows the torsion bar 510 to rotate clockwise and remove tension on the belt 400. Then, the anchor plate 450 is removed from anchor 900. Then, the active and anchor shoes are each disconnected from the rail 50 and removed from their respective positions in front and behind the wheel 1002.

Inverted configuration of active and anchor shoes

[00123] The above exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes an active shoe and an anchor shoe, wherein: (a) the active shoe is adapted to be placed on the right side of the anchor shoe, and (b) the anchor shoe is adapted to be placed on the left side of the active shoe, as shown in FIGS. 23, 24, 25, 26 and 27. It should be understood that in alternative embodiments of the present invention, (a) the active shoe is adapted to be placed on the left side of the anchor shoe, and (b) the anchor shoe is adapted En for placement on the right side of the active shoe. In such embodiments, each of the active shoe and the anchor shoe will be in an inverted configuration. For example, in such an inverted configuration, (a) when viewed from the heel end of the anchor shoe, then the anchor 900 and the lever 820 for activating the locking finger of the anchor shoe will extend from the right (and not left) side of the shoe body 700; and (b) when viewed from the heel end of the active shoe, the lever 320 for activating the locking finger of the active shoe will extend on the left (and not right) side of the shoe body 200. In this inverted configuration, the torsion bar will rotate clockwise to tighten the belt, and counterclockwise to loosen the belt.

A vehicle securing device comprising a plurality of active shoes

[00124] The above-described exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes an active shoe and an anchor shoe, wherein the active shoe includes a belt tension mechanism and the anchor shoe does not contain a belt tension mechanism. It should be understood that in alternative embodiments of the present invention, both shoes used are active shoes with belt tension mechanisms. In some such embodiments, one or more connectors (not shown) may be used to connect the belts or the ends of the belts.

Safe area

[00125] It should also be understood that each of the active and anchor shoes of the present invention occupies smaller areas of safe areas in front and behind each wheel than any known commercially available shoe or vehicle securing system.

Alternative Anchor Wheel Shoe

[00126] Another alternative embodiment of the anchor shoe of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 28, 29, 30 ,, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39 and 40 and is generally indicated by 2600. Anchor the shoe 2600 includes a shoe body 2700, a guide engaging device 2800 attached to the shoe body 2600, and a seat belt anchor 2900 for the wheel formed by the shoe body 2700. This alternative embodiment of the anchor shoe is adapted to interact with an alternative mounting plate 2450 (shown in FIGS. 28, 38, 39 and 40), which is attached to the active shoe belt 400 (which may be the same as the active shoe 100, except for this alternative mounting plate).

[00127] More specifically, in this shown embodiment, an alternative mounting plate 2450 includes a substantially flat, substantially I-shaped body 2452 including a head 2454, a neck 2456 extending downward and transverse to head 2454, and tabs 2458 and 2460 engagement, each extending outward and across relative to the neck 2456. An opening 2455 is formed in the head 2454 to secure attachment to the belt 400. The engaging tabs 2458 and 2460 are each adapted to engage with the inner surface of a portion of one of the elongated walls to an anchor shoe body 2700, such as the inner surface of an elongated wall 2720, which is generally shown in FIGS. 28, 38, 39, and 40, and as described in more detail below. You must understand that the shape and size of the head, neck and legs of the mounting plate may vary in accordance with the present invention. You must also understand that the number of mounting tabs may vary in accordance with the present invention.

[00128] Turning first to the stationary parts of the anchor wheel shoe 2600, the shoe body 2700 includes a heel 2702, a toe 2704 and an intermediate portion 2706 extending between the heel 2702 and the toe 2704. The shoe body 2700 includes: (a) a substantially diamond-shaped an elongated pipe, which includes four integrally elongated walls 2710, 2720, 2730 and 2740; (b) the heel lateral transverse end wall 2750 connected integrally (for example, by welding) with the heel lateral ends of the elongated walls 2710, 2720, 2730 and 2740, (c) an inverted U-shaped guide saddle 2760, connected as a whole ( for example, by welding) with elongated walls 2710, 2720, 2730 and 2740; and (d) a first transverse intermediate wall 2770 (best seen in FIG. 37) located in said substantially diamond-shaped elongated pipe and connected integrally (e.g. by welding) with the inner surfaces of the elongated walls 2710, 2720, 2730 and 2740 You must understand that the wall 2770 can be connected in other ways and that this transverse wall does not have to be connected to each of the elongated walls 2710, 2720, 2730 and 2740. You must also understand that in this alternative embodiment, in one or more its elongated walls 2710, 2720, 2730 and 2740 are formed by suitable notches to facilitate mounting wall 2770.

[00129] Each of the elongated walls 2710, 2720, 2730, and 2740 of said substantially diamond-shaped elongated pipe comprises an inner and an outer surface, a heel edge, and a toe edge. More specifically, (a) the elongated wall 2710 comprises an outer surface 2712 in contact with a tire tread, an inner surface, a heel edge, and a toe edge; (b) the elongated wall 2720 comprises an outer surface 2722, an inner surface, a heel edge, and a toe edge; (c) the elongated wall 2730 comprises an outer surface 2732, an inner surface, a heel edge, and a toe edge; and (d) the elongated wall 2740 comprises an outer surface 2742, an inner surface, a heel edge, and a toe edge. It should be understood that in this shown embodiment, the walls 2710, 2720, 2730, and 2740 comprise or are connected by means of curved or radius corners, but the present invention is not limited to the presence of such curved or radius corners.

[00130] In the elongated walls 2710, 2720, 2730 and 2740 of the substantially substantially diamond-shaped elongated pipe, a plurality of cuts or holes are formed which: (a) provide access to the interior pipe portions of the shoe body 2700; (b) provide access to the internal elements of the anchor shoe 2600 for assembly; (c) allow parts connected to the internal elements of the anchor shoe 2600 to exit the pipe, as described in more detail below; and (d) allow the release of any water in the shoe housing 2700; (e) facilitate the fixing of internal elements; and (f) form part of the anchor 2900. For example: (a) the walls 2720 and 2730 form a hole or groove 2725 for the activation lever of the engagement device with the guide; (b) the walls 2710, 2720, 2730 and 2740 form an opening 2727 receiving a guide saddle; and (c) walls 2710 and 2720 form an anchor 2900 in which grooves or holes 2910 and 2920 are formed.

[00131] The heel lateral transverse end wall 2750 is connected integrally (for example, by welding) with the heel edges of the elongated walls 2710, 2720, 2730, and 2740. A plurality of cuts or holes are formed in the end wall 2750, which: (a) provide access to internal pipe sections; (b) provide access to the internal elements of the anchor shoe 2600 for assembly. More specifically, in this shown embodiment, in the end wall 2750 are formed: (a) an access hole 2753 (best shown in FIGS. 28, 29, 31 and 40) to provide access to the inside of the shoe body 2700; and (b) an outlet 2755 (also best shown in FIGS. 28, 29, 31, and 40) to allow for the release of any water that enters the shoe body 2700. It should be understood that although the end wall 2750 gives added strength to the shoe body 2700, the present invention contemplates that the end wall 2750 can be removed from the shoe body 2700.

[00132] The inverted U-shaped guide seat 2760 is located in the hole 2727 receiving the guide seat and is connected integrally (for example, by welding) with the edges of the elongated walls 2710, 2720, 2730 and 2740, which form the hole 2727, receiving the guide seat . The inverted U-shaped guide seat 2760 includes an upper wall 2762, a first side wall 2764 and a second side wall 2766, which each extend across the tubular body and specifically across the elongated walls 2710, 2720, 2730 and 2740 of the tubular body. The inverted U-shaped guide seat 2760 is adapted to fit onto and support the guide 50. Specifically, the upper wall 2762 is adapted to contact the upper surface of the guide 50, the first side wall 2764 is adapted to abut one side of the guide 50, and the second side wall 2766 is adapted for adjoining to the other side of the guide 50, as shown in Figs. 38, 39 and 40. It should be understood that the presence of the upper wall 2762 resting on the guide 50 allows the shoe body 2700 to be in the lowest t point in a safe area near the wheel.

[00133] An opening 2765 receiving the locking finger is formed in the first side wall 2764, and an opening 2767 receiving the locking finger is formed in a second side wall 2766 in line with the opening 2765 receiving the locking finger (as best shown in FIG. 37 ) It should be understood that in this exemplary embodiment, the locking finger 2810 (described below) does not extend into the hole 2765 receiving the locking finger, but in other embodiments, the locking finger may extend into the hole 2765 receiving the locking finger. You must also understand that the hole 2765, accepting the locking finger, is formed in the first side wall 2764 of the guide seat 2760 to simplify manufacture, and specifically in order to allow the installation of the guide seat 2760 in the elongated pipe in any direction.

[00134] The first intermediate wall 2770 is located approximately in the middle in said essentially diamond-shaped pipe (as best shown in FIG. 37). A hole 2775 is received in the first intermediate wall 2770, receiving a locking finger, which is located in line with a hole 2767, receiving a locking finger, and in line with a hole 2765, receiving a locking finger.

[00135] In this shown embodiment, aligned holes 2765, 2767 and 2775 are located at and near the lowermost part or bottom of the substantially diamond-shaped pipe of the shoe body 2700.

[00136] A seat belt anchor 2900 is formed by a shoe body 2700. In this shown embodiment, the wheel anchor anchor 2900 is formed by, or forms part of, the elongated walls 2710 and 2720 and forms a groove 2910 receiving the engaging tabs, and a groove 2920 receiving the neck extending across the groove 2910 receiving the engaging legs. These grooves extend in walls 2710 and 2720, however, it should be understood that the location, dimensions and shape of these grooves may vary in accordance with the present invention.

[00137] In use, the engaging tabs 2458 and 2450 and part of the neck 2456 of the attachment plate 2450 are inserted through a groove 2910 receiving the engagement tabs, and the neck 2456 is moved upward into the groove 2920 receiving the neck, to the uppermost part of the anchor shoe body 2700, so that meshing tabs 2458 and 2460, and in particular the upper edges of meshing tabs 2458 and 2460, are arranged to engage with the inner surface of wall 2710, or wall 2720, or walls 2710 and 2720, or the inner surface of the upper edge or the topmost portion formed through the wall to 2710 and 2720 (it all depends on the exact location, size and shape of the grooves 2910 and 2920). Thus, the fixing plate 2450 is attached to the housing 2700 of the anchor shoe and, respectively, to the anchor shoe 2600, as generally shown in FIGS. 38, 39 and 40. Thus, it must be understood that the anchor 2900 can be formed by one or more elongated walls shoe cases. You must also understand that instead of forming the anchor by means of elongated walls, as shown, an anchor (not shown) can be attached to one or more walls of the shoe body.

[00138] it Should be understood that in accordance with this shown embodiment of the present invention, the housing of the anchor shoe: (a) occupies a smaller area of the safe area near the wheel than any known commercially available vehicle mount; and (b) provides a greater strength-to-size ratio than the body of any known commercially available vehicle mount. It should be understood that the tubular configuration of the housing of the anchor shoe provides significant rigidity when using relatively thin walls. It should also be understood that this configuration of the substantially diamond-shaped pipe of the anchor shoe body has a maximum height at the point at which it is closest to the tire and then deviates from the tire.

[00139] From the above, it should also be understood that in this shown embodiment, the mounting plate 2450 and the belt 400 are detachably connected to the anchor shoe body 2700 in the uppermost part of the shoe body or substantially adjacent to the uppermost part of the shoe body. This places the end of the belt very close to or next to the tire whenever possible, as generally shown in FIGS. 38, 39 and 40. Thus, this alternative configuration further protects the belt from contact with any parts of the vehicle.

[00140] Referring to the movable elements of the anchor shoe 2600, which are shown in FIGS. 28 and 37, the guide meshing device 2800 is supported by the shoe body 2700 and adapted to releasably attach the anchor shoe 2600 to the guide 50, similar to the above-described anchor shoe. The guide engaging device 2800 mainly includes a locking finger 2810, an activation lever 2820 connected to and extending laterally from the locking finger 2810, and a biasing member such as a coil spring 2830 located around the locking finger 2810.

[00141] More specifically, the locking finger 2810 is located in said essentially diamond-shaped pipe of the shoe body 2700 in a portion near the lowest part and in the same or substantially the same vertical plane as the upper part and the lowest part of said essentially diamond-shaped pipe body 2700 shoe. The locking finger 2810 passes through: (a) the hole 2767 receiving the locking finger of the side wall 2766 of the guide seat 2760; and (b) a hole 2775 receiving the locking finger of the first intermediate wall 2770. The locking finger 2810 is supported by the side wall 2766 of the guide seat 2760 and the first intermediate wall 2770.

[00142] The activation lever 2820, which is connected to and which extends laterally from the locking finger 2810, includes a shaft 2822 and a head 2824. One end of the shaft 2822 passes through the locking finger 2810, and the other end of the shaft 2822 is connected to the head 2824. In one In an embodiment, the end of the shaft 2822 extending through the locking pin 2810 contains or forms a contact groove for the spring, and the locking pin 2810 includes a through hole 2812 adapted to receive the end of the shaft 2822 to facilitate assembly of the guiding device 2800 Yayoya. The activation lever 2820 and specifically the rod 2822 passes through the hole 2725 for the activation lever of the engagement device with the guide.

[00143] The coil spring 2830 is positioned or supported around the locking pin 2810 between the shaft 2822 and the first intermediate wall 2770. The ends of the coil spring 2830 respectively come into contact with the shaft 2822 and the wall 2770, as shown in FIG. 37. You must understand that in this configuration, the coil spring 2830 biases the locking pin 2810 from one of the two retracted positions (described below) and to the extended position (shown in FIG. 37). In this shown embodiment, as mentioned above, in the locked position, the locking finger 2810 does not extend through the hole 2765 receiving the locking finger. It should be understood that in other embodiments, in the locked position, the locking finger 2810 may extend through a hole 2765 receiving the locking finger. In any of the retracted positions, the end of the locking pin 2810 engaging with the guide is adapted to engage with the guide 50 to allow the shoe body 2700 and the entire active shoe 2600 to be placed on the guide 50 or removed from the guide 50. The two retracted positions include retracted locking position and retracted locking position. The hole 2725 for the activation lever of the guide engaging device 2800 has a predominantly L-shape laterally turned and includes an upper portion of the hole adapted to receive the activation lever 2820, and specifically the shaft 2822 of the activation lever 2820 to prevent the activation lever 2820 from moving to the heel body 2700 shoes. Thus, this upper part of the hole 2725 provides a retracted locking position. When the activation lever 2820 is moved downward from this upper part of the hole, the activation lever 2820 is in the retracted unlocked position and will be biased by the coil spring 2830 to the extended position and accordingly to the heel 2702 and the fixation position on the guide. In the extended or locked position on the rail, the heel lateral end of the locking pin 810 engaged with the rail is adapted to pass through one of the holes in the rail 50 and attach the shoe body 2700 and the entire anchor shoe 2600 to the rail 50, as shown generally in 38, 39 and 40. This configuration provides a simple and effective mechanism for attaching the anchor shoe 2600 to the guide 50.

[00144] An anchor shoe in accordance with this alternative exemplary embodiment further includes a safety end plate 3000 (best shown in FIG. 28) attached to the toe 2704 of the shoe body 2700. This safety end plate 300 is inserted into the opening or open end of the toe 2704 of the shoe body and is adapted to prevent damage to the vehicle by the end of the anchor shoe 2600. In this embodiment, the safety end plate 3000 is made (for example, by injection molding) of linear low density polyethylene, however, it should be understood that the safety end plate 3000 may be made of any other suitable material. In this embodiment shown, the safety end plate 3000 includes one or more mounting legs, such as fixing legs 3004 and 3006, which are adapted to fit (e.g., snap into) into respective receiving grooves 2792 and 2794 formed in the elongated walls of the shoe body as generally shown in FIGS. 28, 33, 34, 35, 36, and 37.

Other Alternative Embodiments

[00145] In various alternative embodiments, the end plate 250 extends downward or includes a downwardly extending stand (not shown) that is adapted to be placed on the floor of a rail car next to a rail to provide additional support for the anchor shoe body. In other embodiments, said support (not shown) extends downward from the heel end of the pipe of the anchor shoe body.

[00146] In various alternative embodiments, the end plate 750 extends downward or includes a downwardly extending stand (not shown) that is adapted to be placed on the floor of a rail car next to a rail to provide additional support for the anchor shoe body. In other embodiments, said support (not shown) extends downward from the heel end of the pipe of the anchor shoe body.

[00147] In various alternative embodiments, a safety end plate (such as safety end plate 3000 shown in FIG. 28) is attached to the toe end of the active shoe body. In other various alternative embodiments, an end cap (not shown) is attached to the edges of the forefoot of the active shoe body. In various embodiments, said end cap is made of a suitable rubber material or a suitable plastic.

[00148] In various alternative embodiments, a safety end plate (such as safety end plate 3000 shown in FIG. 28) is attached to the nose end of the anchor shoe body. In other various alternative embodiments, an end cap (not shown) is attached to the edges of the fore end of the anchor shoe body. In various embodiments, said end cap is made of a suitable rubber material or a suitable plastic.

[00149] In some such embodiments, the active shoe body also includes a downwardly extending stand (not shown) that is adapted to be placed on the floor of a rail car and that is located at a distance from the rail to provide additional support for the active shoe body .

[00150] In some such embodiments, the anchor shoe body also includes a downwardly extending pedestal (not shown) that is adapted to be placed on the floor of a rail car and that is spaced apart from the rail to provide additional support for the anchor shoe body .

[00151] In various alternative embodiments, the anchor shoe is provided without an end plate 750. In other various alternative embodiments, the end plate 750 has a different configuration or other openings.

[00152] In various alternative embodiments, the active shoe includes one or more handles (not shown) attached to the shoe body, which makes it easier to carry and move the active shoe. In various alternative embodiments, the active shoe includes one or more holes in the shoe body, which makes it more convenient to carry or move the active shoe.

[00153] In various alternative embodiments, the anchor shoe includes one or more handles (not shown) attached to the shoe body, which makes it easier to carry and move the anchor shoe. In various alternative embodiments, the anchor shoe includes one or more holes in the shoe body, which makes it easier to carry or move the anchor shoe.

[00154] It should be understood that modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of new ideas of the present invention, and it should be understood that this application is limited only by the scope of the claims.

Claims (270)

1. A vehicle securing device, comprising: active wheel shoe, including: (a) a shoe body including a substantially diamond-shaped elongated pipe that includes four integrally elongated walls; (b) a guide meshing device attached to the shoe body; (c) a belt tensioning mechanism for a wheel attached to a shoe body; and (d) a seatbelt for a wheel configured to interact with a vehicle wheel and coupled to a wheel seatbelt tension mechanism; and Anchor wheel shoe, including: (a) a shoe body including a substantially diamond-shaped elongated pipe that includes four integrally elongated walls; (b) a guide meshing device attached to the shoe body; and (c) a seat belt anchor for a wheel formed by a shoe body. 2. The vehicle securing device according to claim 1, wherein the engaging device with the active wheel shoe guide includes a locking pin extending substantially along a first longitudinal axis passing through a substantially diamond-shaped elongated tube of the active wheel shoe housing at a portion near the lowermost parts of a substantially diamond-shaped elongated tube of the active wheel shoe body. 3. The vehicle securing device according to claim 2, wherein the tensioning mechanism of the safety belt for the wheel of the active wheel shoe includes a torsion bar extending substantially along a second longitudinal axis passing through a substantially diamond-shaped elongated tube of the active wheel shoe casing in a portion near the the upper part of the essentially diamond-shaped elongated tube of the active wheel shoe casing. 4. The vehicle fixing device according to claim 3, wherein the first longitudinal axis and the second longitudinal axis are located in a vertical or substantially vertical plane. 5. The vehicle securing device according to claim 3, wherein the first longitudinal axis, the second longitudinal axis, the uppermost part of the substantially diamond-shaped elongated pipe of the active wheel shoe housing and the lowermost part of the substantially diamond-shaped elongated pipe of the active wheel shoe housing are arranged in a vertical or essentially vertical plane. 6. The vehicle securing device according to claim 1, wherein the safety belt tension mechanism for the wheel of the active wheel shoe includes a torsion bar extending substantially along a second longitudinal axis passing through a substantially diamond-shaped elongated tube of the active wheel shoe casing at a portion near the upper part of the essentially diamond-shaped elongated tube of the active wheel shoe casing. 7. Anchor wheel shoe of the vehicle securing device, comprising: (a) a shoe body including a substantially diamond-shaped elongated pipe that includes four integrally elongated walls; (b) a guide engagement device attached to the shoe body, wherein the guide engagement device includes a locking pin extending substantially along a first longitudinal axis passing through a substantially diamond-shaped elongated tube of the shoe body at a portion near the lowermost portion of the substantially diamond-shaped elongated pipe; and (c) an anchor formed by the shoe body and adapted to engage with the anchor plate of the seat belt for the wheel. 8. Anchor wheel shoe according to claim 7, in which the anchor plate includes an I-shaped meshing element, wherein the anchor is configured to receive an I-shaped meshing element. 9. Anchor wheel shoe according to claim 7, in which the anchor is formed by at least one of the four integrated elongated walls. 10. Anchor wheel shoe according to claim 7, in which the anchor forms a groove receiving the meshing foot and a groove receiving the neck extending across the groove receiving the meshing foot. 11. Anchor wheel shoe according to claim 7, in which the aforementioned four integrally elongated walls have essentially the same width. 12. Anchor wheel shoe according to claim 7, in which the shoe body includes a transverse end wall connected to a plurality of the aforementioned four elongated walls. 13. Anchor wheel shoe according to claim 7, in which the shoe body includes a transverse intermediate wall connected to a plurality of the aforementioned four elongated walls. 14. Anchor wheel shoe according to claim 7, in which the elongated walls contain curved or radius angles of mutual intersection. 15. Anchor wheel shoe according to claim 7, in which the elongated walls form a hole receiving a guide saddle. 16. Anchor wheel shoe according to clause 15, which includes an inverted U-shaped guide saddle located in the hole receiving the guide saddle, and connected with the elongated walls. 17. Anchor wheel shoe according to clause 16, in which the locking finger of the engagement device with the guide is at least partially supported by the guide saddle. 18. Anchor wheel shoe according to claim 7, which includes a safety end plate attached to the fore part of the shoe body. 19. Anchor wheel shoe according to claim 18, wherein the safety end plate is made of linear low density polyethylene. 20. Anchor wheel shoe according to claim 18, wherein the safety end plate is snapped into receiving grooves formed by a plurality of the four elongated walls joined together. 21. Anchor wheel shoe according to claim 7, in which the shoe body includes a transverse intermediate wall connected to a plurality of the four integrated elongated walls, the locking finger of the guide engaging device being at least partially supported by transverse intermediate wall. 22. Anchor wheel shoe of the vehicle securing device, comprising: (a) a shoe body including a substantially diamond-shaped elongated pipe that includes four integrally elongated walls; (b) a guide meshing device attached to the shoe body; and (c) an anchor formed by the shoe body and adapted to engage with the anchor plate of the seat belt for the wheel, wherein the anchor plate includes an I-shaped engagement element, wherein the anchor is configured to receive the I-shaped engagement element. 23. Anchor wheel shoe according to item 22, in which the anchor is formed by at least one of the elongated walls. 24. Anchor wheel shoe according to claim 22, wherein the anchor forms a groove receiving the meshing foot and a groove receiving the neck extending across the groove receiving the meshing foot. 25. Anchor wheel shoe according to claim 22, wherein the shoe body includes a transverse intermediate wall connected to a plurality of said four elongated walls, wherein the guide engaging device includes a locking pin, at least least partially supported by a transverse intermediate wall. 26. Anchor wheel shoe according A.25, in which the locking finger extends essentially along the first longitudinal axis passing through the essentially diamond-shaped elongated pipe in the area near the lowest part of the essentially diamond-shaped elongated pipe. 27. Anchor wheel shoe of a vehicle securing device, comprising: (a) a shoe body including a substantially diamond-shaped elongated pipe that includes four integrally elongated walls; (b) a guide meshing device attached to the shoe body; and (c) an anchor formed by the shoe body and adapted to engage the anchor plate for the wheel, the anchor forming a groove receiving the engaging tabs and a groove receiving a neck extending across the groove receiving the engaging tab. 28. Anchor wheel shoe according to claim 27, wherein the anchor plate includes an I-shaped meshing member, wherein the anchor is configured to receive an I-shaped meshing member. 29. Anchor wheel shoe according to item 27, in which the anchor is formed by at least one of the elongated walls. 30. Anchor wheel shoe according to claim 27, wherein the shoe body includes a transverse intermediate wall connected to a plurality of said four elongated walls, wherein the guide engaging device includes a locking pin, at least least partially supported by a transverse intermediate wall. 31. Anchor wheel shoe according to item 27, in which the locking finger extends essentially along the first longitudinal axis, passing through a substantially diamond-shaped elongated pipe in a region near the lowermost part of the substantially diamond-shaped elongated pipe. 32. Anchor wheel shoe of a vehicle securing device, comprising: (a) a shoe body including a substantially diamond-shaped elongated pipe that includes four elongated walls joined together, the elongated walls forming an opening receiving a guide saddle; (b) an inverted U-shaped guide saddle located in the hole receiving the guide saddle and connected integrally with the elongated walls; (c) a guide meshing device attached to the shoe body; and (d) an anchor formed by the shoe body and adapted to engage with the anchor plate of the seat belt for the wheel. 33. Anchor wheel shoe according to claim 32, wherein the anchor is formed by at least one of said elongated walls. 34. Anchor wheel shoe according to claim 32, wherein the anchor forms a groove receiving the meshing foot and a groove receiving the neck extending across the groove receiving the meshing foot. 35. Anchor wheel shoe according to Claim 32, wherein the shoe body includes a transverse end wall connected to a plurality of the aforementioned four elongated walls. 36. Anchor wheel shoe according to claim 32, wherein the guide engaging device includes a locking pin at least partially supported by the guide seat. 37. Anchor wheel shoe according to Claim 32, wherein the shoe body includes a transverse intermediate wall connected to a plurality of said four elongated walls, wherein the guide engaging device includes a locking pin, at least least partially supported by a transverse intermediate wall. 38. Anchor wheel shoe according to clause 37, in which the locking finger extends essentially along the first longitudinal axis passing through the essentially diamond-shaped elongated pipe in the area near the lowest part of the essentially diamond-shaped elongated pipe. 39. Anchor wheel shoe of a vehicle securing device, comprising: (a) a shoe body including a substantially diamond-shaped elongated pipe that includes four integrally elongated walls; (b) a safety end plate attached to the fore part of the shoe body, wherein the safety end plate is made of linear low density polyethylene; (c) a guide meshing device attached to the shoe body; and (d) an anchor formed by the shoe body and adapted to engage with the anchor plate of the seat belt for the wheel. 40. Anchor wheel shoe according to clause 39, in which the anchor plate includes an I-shaped meshing element, and the anchor is configured to receive the I-shaped meshing element. 41. Anchor wheel shoe according to clause 39, in which the anchor is formed by at least one of the elongated walls. 42. Anchor wheel shoe according to claim 39, wherein the anchor forms a groove receiving the meshing foot and a groove receiving the neck extending across the groove receiving the meshing foot. 43. Anchor wheel shoe according to claim 39, wherein the shoe body includes a transverse end wall connected to a plurality of the aforementioned four elongated walls. 44. Anchor wheel shoe according to claim 39, wherein the safety end plate is snapped into receiving grooves formed by a plurality of the four integrated elongated walls. 45. Anchor wheel shoe according to claim 39, wherein the shoe body includes a transverse intermediate wall connected integrally with a plurality of said four elongated walls, wherein the guide engaging device includes a locking pin, at least least partially supported by a transverse intermediate wall. 46. Anchor wheel shoe according to item 45, in which the locking finger extends essentially along the first longitudinal axis passing through the essentially diamond-shaped elongated pipe in the area near the lowest part of the essentially diamond-shaped elongated pipe. 47. Anchor wheel shoe of a vehicle securing device, comprising: (a) a shoe body including a substantially diamond-shaped elongated pipe that includes four integrally elongated walls; (b) a safety end plate attached to the fore part of the shoe body, wherein the safety end plate is snapped into receiving grooves formed by the plurality of said elongated walls; (c) a guide meshing device attached to the shoe body; and (d) an anchor formed by the shoe body and adapted to engage with the anchor plate of the seat belt for the wheel. 48. Anchor wheel shoe according to clause 47, in which the anchor plate includes an I-shaped meshing element, and the anchor is configured to receive the I-shaped meshing element. 49. Anchor wheel shoe according to clause 47, in which the anchor is formed by at least one of the said elongated walls. 50. Anchor wheel shoe according to clause 47, in which the anchor forms a groove that accepts the claws, and a groove that accepts a neck extending across the groove that takes the claws. 51. The anchor wheel shoe according to clause 47, in which the shoe body includes a transverse intermediate wall connected to a plurality of the four elongated walls, the gearing device with the guide includes a locking pin, at least partially supported by transverse intermediate wall. 52. Anchor wheel shoe according to claim 51, wherein the locking pin extends substantially along a first longitudinal axis extending through the substantially diamond-shaped elongated pipe in a portion near the lowermost portion of the substantially diamond-shaped elongated pipe. 53. Anchor wheel shoe of a vehicle securing device, comprising: (a) a shoe body comprising a substantially diamond-shaped elongated pipe, which includes four integral elongated walls, the shoe body including a transverse intermediate wall connected to a plurality of said elongated walls; (b) a guide engagement device attached to said shoe body, wherein the guide engagement device includes a locking pin at least partially supported by a transverse intermediate wall, the locking finger extending substantially along a first longitudinal axis passing through the substantially a diamond-shaped elongated pipe in a region near the lowermost part of the substantially diamond-shaped elongated pipe; and (c) an anchor formed by the shoe body and adapted to engage with the anchor plate of the seat belt for the wheel. 54. Anchor wheel shoe according to item 53, in which the anchor plate includes an I-shaped meshing element, and the anchor is configured to receive the I-shaped meshing element. 55. Anchor wheel shoe according to claim 53, wherein the anchor is formed by at least one of said elongated walls. 56. Anchor wheel shoe according to claim 53, wherein the anchor forms a groove receiving the meshing foot and a groove receiving the neck extending across the groove receiving the meshing foot. 57. Anchor wheel shoe according to item 53, in which the elongated walls form a hole that receives a guide saddle. 58. Anchor wheel shoe according to clause 57, which includes an inverted U-shaped guide saddle located in the hole receiving the guide saddle and connected integrally with the said elongated walls. 59. Anchor wheel shoe according to claim 58, wherein the locking pin of the guide engaging device is at least partially supported by the guide seat. 60. The housing of the anchor wheel shoe for securing the vehicle, comprising: (a) a substantially diamond-shaped elongated pipe including four integrally elongated walls; and (b) an anchor formed by the shoe body and adapted to engage with the anchor plate of the seat belt for the wheel, wherein the anchor plate includes an I-shaped engagement element, wherein the anchor is adapted to receive the I-shaped engagement element. 61. The housing of the anchor wheel shoe for securing the vehicle according to item 60, in which the anchor is formed by at least one of the four integrated elongated walls. 62. The housing of the anchor wheel shoe for securing the vehicle according to item 60, in which the anchor is formed by two of the four integrated elongated walls. 63. The housing of the anchor wheel shoe for securing the vehicle according to claim 60, wherein the anchor forms a groove receiving the meshing foot and a groove receiving the neck extending across the groove receiving the meshing foot. 64. The housing of the anchor wheel shoe for securing a vehicle according to claim 60, wherein said four elongated walls joined together have substantially the same width. 65. The housing of the anchor wheel shoe for securing the vehicle according to claim 60, which includes a transverse end wall connected to a plurality of the aforementioned four elongated walls. 66. The housing of the anchor wheel shoe for securing the vehicle according to claim 60, which includes a transverse intermediate wall connected to a plurality of the aforementioned four elongated walls. 67. The housing of the anchor wheel shoe for securing the vehicle according to item 60, in which the elongated walls contain curved or radius angles of mutual intersection. 68. The housing of the anchor wheel shoe for securing the vehicle according to item 60, in which the elongated walls form a hole that receives a guide saddle. 69. The housing of the anchor wheel shoe for securing the vehicle according to § 68, which includes an inverted U-shaped guide seat located in the hole receiving the guide seat, and connected with the elongated walls. 70. The housing of the anchor wheel shoe for securing a vehicle according to claim 60, wherein a plurality of said four elongated walls joined together form receiving grooves configured to receive the tabs of the safety end plate. 71. The housing of the anchor wheel shoe for securing the vehicle according to item 60, which forms a hole for the activation lever of the engagement device with the guide. 72. The housing of the anchor wheel shoe for securing the vehicle, comprising: (a) a substantially diamond-shaped elongated pipe including four integrally elongated walls; and (b) an anchor formed by the shoe body and adapted to engage the anchor plate for the wheel, the anchor forming a groove receiving the engaging tabs and a groove receiving a neck extending across the groove receiving the engaging tab. 73. The housing of the anchor wheel shoe for securing the vehicle of claim 72, wherein the anchor plate includes an I-shaped meshing member, wherein the anchor is configured to receive an I-shaped meshing member. 74. The housing of the anchor wheel shoe for securing the vehicle of claim 72, wherein the anchor is formed by at least one of said elongated walls. 75. The housing of the anchor wheel shoe for securing the vehicle according to paragraph 72, in which the anchor is formed by the two mentioned elongated walls. 76. The housing of the anchor wheel shoe for securing the vehicle according to claim 75, wherein said two elongated walls that form the anchor form a groove receiving the meshing foot and a groove receiving the neck extending across the groove receiving the meshing foot. 77. The housing of the anchor wheel shoe for securing a vehicle according to claim 72, wherein said four elongated walls joined together have substantially the same width. 78. The housing of the anchor wheel shoe for securing the vehicle according to claim 72, which includes a transverse end wall connected to a plurality of the aforementioned four elongated walls. 79. The housing of the anchor wheel shoe for securing a vehicle according to claim 72, which includes a transverse intermediate wall connected to a plurality of the aforementioned four elongated walls. 80. The housing of the anchor wheel shoe for securing the vehicle according to paragraph 72, in which the elongated walls contain curved or radial angles of mutual intersection. 81. The housing of the anchor wheel shoe for securing the vehicle according to item 72, in which the elongated walls form a hole that receives a guide saddle. 82. The housing of the anchor wheel shoe for securing the vehicle according to Claim 81, which includes an inverted U-shaped guide seat located in the hole receiving the guide seat and connected integrally with said elongated walls. 83. The housing of the anchor wheel shoe for securing the vehicle of claim 72, wherein the plurality of said four elongated walls connected together form receiving grooves adapted to receive the tabs of the safety end plate. 84. The housing of the anchor wheel shoe for securing the vehicle according to paragraph 72, which forms a hole for the activation lever of the engagement device with the guide. 85. The housing of the anchor wheel shoe for securing the vehicle, comprising: (a) a substantially diamond-shaped elongated pipe comprising four integral elongated walls, the elongated walls forming an opening receiving a guide saddle; (b) an inverted U-shaped guide saddle located in the hole receiving the guide saddle and connected integrally with the elongated walls; and (c) an anchor formed by the shoe body and adapted to engage with the anchor plate of the seat belt for the wheel. 86. The housing of the anchor wheel shoe for securing the vehicle of claim 85, wherein the anchor plate includes an I-shaped meshing member, wherein the anchor is configured to receive an I-shaped meshing member. 87. The housing of the anchor wheel shoe for securing the vehicle of claim 85, wherein the anchor is formed by at least one of the elongated walls. 88. The housing of the anchor wheel shoe for securing the vehicle of claim 85, wherein the anchor is formed by the two elongated walls. 89. The housing of the anchor wheel shoe for securing the vehicle according to claim 85, wherein the anchor forms a groove receiving the meshing foot and a groove receiving the neck extending across the groove receiving the meshing foot. 90. The housing of the anchor wheel shoe for securing a vehicle according to claim 85, wherein said four elongated walls joined together have substantially the same width. 91. The housing of the anchor wheel shoe for securing the vehicle according to claim 85, which includes a transverse end wall connected to a plurality of the aforementioned four elongated walls. 92. The housing of the anchor wheel shoe for securing the vehicle according to Claim 85, which includes a transverse intermediate wall connected to a plurality of the aforementioned four elongated walls. 93. The housing of the anchor wheel shoe for securing the vehicle according to item 85, in which the elongated walls contain curved or radius angles of mutual intersection. 94. The housing of the anchor wheel shoe for securing the vehicle of claim 85, wherein a plurality of the four elongated walls referred to together form receiving grooves adapted to receive the tabs of the safety end plate. 95. The housing of the anchor wheel shoe for securing the vehicle according to claim 85, which forms a hole for the activation lever of the engagement device with the guide. 96. A vehicle securing device, comprising: active wheel shoe, including: (a) a shoe body including an elongated pipe that includes a plurality of connected elongated walls; (b) a guide meshing device attached to the shoe body; (c) a belt tensioning mechanism for a wheel attached to a shoe body; and (d) a seatbelt for a wheel configured to interact with a vehicle wheel and coupled to a wheel seatbelt tension mechanism; and Anchor wheel shoe, including: (a) a shoe body including an elongated pipe that includes a plurality of connected elongated walls; (b) a guide meshing device attached to the shoe body; and (c) a seat belt anchor for a wheel formed by a shoe body and comprising an opening formed in an elongated pipe. 97. The vehicle securing device of claim 96, wherein the engaging device with the active wheel shoe guide includes a locking pin extending substantially along a first longitudinal axis passing through the elongated active wheel shoe casing pipe in a portion near the lowermost portion of the elongated pipe active wheel shoe housings. 98. The vehicle securing device of claim 97, wherein the safety belt tension mechanism for the wheel of the active wheel shoe includes a torsion bar extending substantially along a second longitudinal axis passing through the elongated tube of the body of the active wheel shoe in a portion near the very top of the elongated pipes of the housing of the active wheel shoe. 99. The vehicle securing device according to claim 98, wherein the first longitudinal axis and the second longitudinal axis are located in a vertical or substantially vertical plane. 100. The vehicle securing device according to claim 98, wherein the first longitudinal axis, the second longitudinal axis, the uppermost part of the elongated active wheel shoe casing pipe and the lowermost part of the active casing wheel shoe casing are located in a vertical or substantially vertical plane. 101. The vehicle securing device according to claim 96, wherein the safety belt tension mechanism for the wheel of the active wheel shoe includes a torsion bar extending substantially along a second longitudinal axis passing through the elongated tube of the wheel body of the active wheel shoe in a portion near the top of the elongated pipes of the housing of the active wheel shoe. 102. Anchor wheel shoe of a vehicle securing device, comprising: (a) a shoe body including an elongated pipe that includes a plurality of connected elongated walls; (b) a guide engagement device attached to the shoe body, wherein the guide engagement device includes a locking pin extending substantially along a first longitudinal axis passing through the elongated shoe body pipe in a portion near the lowermost portion of the elongated pipe; and (c) an anchor formed by the shoe body and adapted to engage with the anchor plate of the seat belt for the wheel, wherein the anchor comprises an opening formed in an elongated pipe. 103. Anchor wheel shoe according to claim 102, wherein the anchor plate includes an I-shaped meshing member, wherein the anchor is configured to receive an I-shaped meshing member. 104. Anchor wheel shoe according to claim 102, wherein the anchor is formed by at least one of the elongated walls. 105. Anchor wheel shoe according to claim 102, wherein the anchor forms a groove receiving the meshing foot and a groove receiving the neck extending across the groove receiving the meshing foot. 106. Anchor wheel shoe according to claim 102, wherein the shoe body includes a transverse end wall connected to a plurality of said connected elongated walls. 107. Anchor wheel shoe according to claim 102, wherein the shoe body includes a transverse intermediate wall connected to a plurality of said connected elongated walls. 108. Anchor wheel shoe according to paragraph 102, in which the elongated walls contain curved or radial angles of mutual intersection. 109. Anchor wheel shoe according to claim 102, in which the elongated walls form an opening receiving the guide saddle. 110. Anchor wheel shoe according to claim 109, which includes an inverted U-shaped guide saddle located in the hole receiving the guide saddle and connected with the elongated walls. 111. Anchor wheel shoe according to claim 110, wherein the locking pin of the guide engaging device is at least partially supported by said guide saddle. 112. Anchor wheel shoe according to claim 102, which includes a safety end plate attached to the fore part of the shoe body. 113. Anchor wheel shoe according to Claim 112, wherein the safety end plate is made of linear low density polyethylene. 114. Anchor wheel shoe according to Claim 112, wherein the safety end plate is snapped into receiving grooves formed by a plurality of connected elongated walls. 115. The anchor wheel shoe of claim 102, wherein the shoe body includes a transverse intermediate wall connected to a plurality of connected elongated walls, wherein the locking pin of the engaging device with the guide is at least partially supported by the transverse intermediate wall. 116. Anchor wheel shoe of a vehicle securing device, comprising: (a) a shoe body including an elongated pipe that includes a plurality of connected elongated walls; (b) a guide meshing device attached to the shoe body; and (c) an anchor formed by the shoe body and adapted to engage with the anchor plate of the seat belt for the wheel, wherein the anchor plate includes an I-shaped engagement element, wherein the anchor is configured to receive the I-shaped engagement element. 117. Anchor wheel shoe according p, in which the anchor is formed by at least one of the elongated walls. 118. Anchor wheel shoe according to claim 116, wherein the anchor forms a groove receiving the meshing foot and a groove receiving the neck extending across the groove receiving the meshing foot. 119. The anchor wheel shoe according to Claim 116, wherein the shoe body includes a transverse intermediate wall connected to a plurality of said connected elongated walls, wherein the guide engaging device includes a locking pin at least partially supported by the transverse intermediate wall. 120. Anchor wheel shoe according p, in which the locking finger extends essentially along the first longitudinal axis passing through the elongated pipe in the area near the lowest part of the elongated pipe. 121. Anchor wheel shoe of a vehicle securing device, comprising: (a) a shoe body including an elongated pipe that includes a plurality of connected elongated walls; (b) a guide meshing device attached to the shoe body; and (c) an anchor formed by the shoe body and adapted to engage the anchor plate for the wheel, the anchor forming a groove receiving the engaging tabs and a groove receiving a neck extending across the groove receiving the engaging tab. 122. Anchor wheel shoe according p, in which the anchor plate includes an I-shaped meshing element, and the anchor is configured to receive the I-shaped meshing element. 123. Anchor wheel shoe according to Claim 121, wherein the anchor is formed by at least one of the elongated walls. 124. Anchor wheel shoe according to Claim 121, wherein the shoe body includes a transverse intermediate wall connected to a plurality of said elongated connected walls, wherein the guide engaging device includes a locking pin at least partially supported by the transverse intermediate wall. 125. Anchor wheel shoe according to Claim 121, wherein the locking pin extends substantially along a first longitudinal axis passing through the elongated pipe in a portion near the lowermost portion of the elongated pipe. 126. Anchor wheel shoe of a vehicle securing device, comprising: (a) a shoe body including an elongated pipe that includes a plurality of connected elongated walls, the elongated walls forming an opening receiving a guide saddle; (b) an inverted U-shaped guide saddle located in the hole receiving the guide saddle and connected integrally with the elongated walls; (c) a guide meshing device attached to the shoe body; and (d) an anchor formed by the shoe body and adapted to engage with the anchor plate of the seat belt for the wheel. 127. Anchor wheel shoe according p, in which the anchor is formed by at least one of the elongated walls. 128. Anchor wheel shoe according p, in which the anchor forms a groove that accepts the claws, and a groove that accepts a neck extending across the groove that takes the claws. 129. Anchor wheel shoe according p, in which the shoe body includes a transverse end wall connected to the whole with many connected elongated walls. 130. Anchor wheel shoe according p, in which the device engages with the guide includes a locking pin, at least partially supported by a guide saddle. 131. Anchor wheel shoe according p, in which the shoe body includes a transverse intermediate wall, connected integrally with many connected elongated walls, and the engagement device with the guide includes a locking pin, at least partially supported by a transverse intermediate the walls. 132. Anchor wheel shoe according to item 131, in which the locking finger extends essentially along the first longitudinal axis passing through the elongated pipe in the area near the lowest part of the elongated pipe. 133. Anchor wheel shoe of a vehicle securing device, comprising: (a) a shoe body including an elongated pipe that includes a plurality of connected elongated walls; (b) a safety end plate attached to the fore part of the shoe body, wherein the safety end plate is made of linear low density polyethylene; (c) a guide meshing device attached to the shoe body; and (d) an anchor formed by the shoe body and adapted to engage with the anchor plate of the seat belt for the wheel. 134. Anchor wheel shoe according to p, in which the anchor plate includes an I-shaped meshing element, and the anchor is configured to receive the I-shaped meshing element. 135. Anchor wheel shoe according to p, in which the anchor is formed by at least one of the elongated walls. 136. Anchor wheel shoe according to p, in which the anchor forms a groove that accepts the claws, and a groove that accepts a neck extending across the groove that takes the claws. 137. Anchor wheel shoe according to p, in which the shoe body includes a transverse end wall connected to one with many connected elongated walls. 138. Anchor wheel shoe according p, in which the safety end plate is made with the possibility of clicks into the receiving grooves formed by many connected elongated walls. 139. Anchor wheel shoe according to p, in which the shoe body includes a transverse intermediate wall, connected integrally with many connected elongated walls, and the engagement device with the guide includes a locking pin, at least partially supported by a transverse intermediate the walls. 140. Anchor wheel shoe according to p. 139, in which the locking pin extends essentially along the first longitudinal axis passing through the essentially diamond-shaped elongated pipe in the area near the lowest part of the essentially diamond-shaped elongated pipe. 141. Anchor wheel shoe of a vehicle securing device, comprising: (a) a shoe body including an elongated pipe that includes a plurality of connected elongated walls; (b) a safety end plate attached to the fore part of the shoe body, the safety end plate being snapped into receiving grooves formed by a plurality of elongated walls; (c) a guide meshing device attached to the shoe body; and (d) an anchor formed by the shoe body and adapted to engage with the anchor plate of the seat belt for the wheel. 142. Anchor wheel shoe according p, in which the anchor plate includes an I-shaped meshing element, and the anchor is configured to receive the I-shaped meshing element. 143. Anchor wheel shoe according p, in which the anchor is formed by at least one of the elongated walls. 144. Anchor wheel shoe according to claim 141, wherein the anchor forms a groove receiving the meshing foot and a groove receiving the neck extending across the groove receiving the meshing foot. 145. Anchor wheel shoe according to claim 141, wherein the shoe body includes a transverse intermediate wall connected to a plurality of connected elongated walls, wherein the guide engaging device includes a locking pin at least partially supported by the transverse intermediate the walls. 146. Anchor wheel shoe according to item 145, in which the locking pin extends essentially along the first longitudinal axis passing through the essentially diamond-shaped elongated pipe in the area near the lowest part of the essentially diamond-shaped elongated pipe. 147. Anchor wheel shoe of a vehicle securing device, comprising: (a) a shoe body including an elongated pipe that includes a plurality of connected elongated walls, the shoe body including a transverse intermediate wall that is integral with the plurality of elongated walls; (b) a guide engagement device attached to the shoe body, wherein the guide engagement device includes a locking pin at least partially supported by a transverse intermediate wall, wherein the locking pin extends substantially along a first longitudinal axis passing through the elongated pipe on a plot near the bottom of the elongated pipe; and (c) an anchor formed by the shoe body and adapted to engage with the anchor plate of the seat belt for the wheel, the anchor comprising an opening formed in an elongated pipe. 148. Anchor wheel shoe according to claim 147, wherein the anchor plate includes an I-shaped meshing member, wherein the anchor is configured to receive an I-shaped meshing member. 149. Anchor wheel shoe according to item 147, in which the anchor is formed by at least one of the elongated walls. 150. Anchor wheel shoe according to claim 147, wherein the anchor forms a groove receiving the meshing foot and a groove receiving the neck extending across the groove receiving the meshing foot. 151. Anchor wheel shoe according to claim 147, wherein the elongated walls form an opening receiving the guide saddle. 152. Anchor wheel shoe according to Claim 151, which includes an inverted U-shaped guide saddle located in the hole receiving the guide saddle and integrally connected with the elongated walls. 153. Anchor wheel shoe according to Claim 152, wherein the locking pin of the guide engaging device is at least partially supported by the guide seat. 154. Anchor wheel shoe housing for securing a vehicle, comprising: (a) an elongated pipe including a plurality of elongated walls joined together; and (b) an anchor formed by the shoe body and adapted to engage with the anchor plate of the seat belt for the wheel, wherein the anchor plate includes an I-shaped engagement element, wherein the anchor is configured to receive the I-shaped engagement element. 155. The housing of the anchor wheel shoe for securing the vehicle according to p. 154, in which the anchor is formed by at least one of the elongated walls. 156. The housing of the anchor wheel shoe for securing the vehicle according to p. 154, in which the anchor is formed by two elongated walls. 157. The housing of the anchor wheel shoe for securing the vehicle according to p. 154, in which the anchor forms a groove receiving the meshing tabs and a groove receiving the neck extending across the groove receiving the meshing tab. 158. The housing of the anchor wheel shoe for securing the vehicle according to p. 154, in which the elongated walls integrally joined have essentially the same width. 159. The housing of the anchor wheel shoe for securing the vehicle according to p. 154, which includes a transverse end wall connected together with a plurality of elongated walls. 160. The housing of the anchor wheel shoe for securing the vehicle according to p. 154, which includes a transverse intermediate wall, connected integrally with a plurality of elongated walls. 161. The housing of the anchor wheel shoe for securing the vehicle according to p. 154, in which the elongated walls contain curved or radial angles of mutual intersection. 162. The housing of the anchor wheel shoe for securing the vehicle according to p. 154, in which the elongated walls form a hole receiving a guide saddle. 163. The housing of the anchor wheel shoe for securing a vehicle according to Claim 162, which includes an inverted U-shaped guide seat located in said hole receiving the guide seat and connected to the elongated walls. 164. The housing of the anchor wheel shoe for securing the vehicle according to p, in which a plurality of elongated walls connected together form receiving grooves configured to receive the tabs of the safety end plate. 165. The housing of the anchor wheel shoe for securing the vehicle according to p, which forms a hole for the activation lever of the engagement device with the guide. 166. The housing of the anchor wheel shoe for securing the vehicle, comprising: (a) an elongated pipe including a plurality of elongated walls joined together; and (b) an anchor formed by the shoe body and adapted to engage the anchor plate for the wheel, the anchor forming a groove receiving the engaging tabs and a groove receiving a neck extending across the groove receiving the engaging tab. 167. The housing of the anchor wheel shoe for securing the vehicle according to p, in which the anchor plate includes an I-shaped meshing element, while the anchor is configured to receive the I-shaped meshing element. 168. The housing of the anchor wheel shoe for securing the vehicle according to p, in which the anchor is formed by at least one of the elongated walls. 169. The housing of the anchor wheel shoe for securing the vehicle according to p, in which the anchor is formed by two elongated walls. 170. The housing of the anchor wheel shoe for securing the vehicle of claim 169, wherein said two elongated walls that form the anchor form a groove receiving the engaging tabs and a groove receiving a neck extending across the groove receiving the engaging legs. 171. The housing of the anchor wheel shoe for securing the vehicle according to p, in which the elongated walls integrally joined have essentially the same width. 172. The housing of the anchor wheel shoe for securing the vehicle according to p, which includes a transverse end wall connected to the whole with a plurality of elongated walls. 173. The housing of the anchor wheel shoe for securing the vehicle according to p, which includes a transverse intermediate wall, connected integrally with a plurality of elongated walls. 174. The housing of the anchor wheel shoe for securing the vehicle according to p, in which the elongated walls contain curved or radius angles of mutual intersection. 175. The housing of the anchor wheel shoe for securing the vehicle according to p, in which the elongated walls form a hole that receives a guide saddle. 176. The housing of the anchor wheel shoe for securing the vehicle according to claim 175, which includes an inverted U-shaped guide seat located in said hole receiving the guide seat and connected to one another with elongated walls. 177. The housing of the anchor wheel shoe for securing the vehicle of claim 166, wherein the plurality of elongated walls joined together form receiving grooves adapted to receive the legs of the safety end plate. 178. The housing of the anchor wheel shoe for securing the vehicle according to p, which forms a hole for the activation lever of the engagement device with the guide. 179. Anchor wheel shoe housing for securing a vehicle, comprising: (a) an elongated pipe including a plurality of elongated walls joined together, the elongated walls forming an opening receiving a guide saddle; (b) an inverted U-shaped guide saddle located in the hole receiving the guide saddle and connected integrally with the elongated walls; and (c) an anchor formed by the shoe body and adapted to engage with the anchor plate of the seat belt for the wheel. 180. The housing of the anchor wheel shoe for securing the vehicle according to 179, in which the anchor plate includes an I-shaped meshing element, while the anchor is configured to receive the I-shaped meshing element. 181. The housing of the anchor wheel shoe for securing the vehicle according to 179, in which the anchor is formed by at least one of the elongated walls. 182. The housing of the anchor wheel shoe for securing the vehicle according to 179, in which the anchor is formed by the two mentioned elongated walls. 183. The housing of the anchor wheel shoe for securing the vehicle according to 179, wherein the anchor forms a groove receiving the meshing foot and a groove receiving the neck extending across the groove receiving the meshing foot. 184. The housing of the anchor wheel shoe for securing the vehicle according to 179, in which the elongated walls integrally joined have essentially the same width. 185. The housing of the anchor wheel shoe for securing the vehicle according to 179, which includes a transverse end wall connected to the plurality of said elongated walls. 186. The housing of the anchor wheel shoe for securing the vehicle according to 179, which includes a transverse intermediate wall, connected integrally with a plurality of elongated walls. 187. The housing of the anchor wheel shoe for securing the vehicle according to 179, in which the elongated walls contain curved or radial angles of mutual intersection. 188. The housing of the anchor wheel shoe for securing the vehicle according to 179, wherein the plurality of said elongated walls connected together form receiving grooves adapted to receive the legs of the safety end plate. 189. The housing of the anchor wheel shoe for securing the vehicle according to 179, which forms a hole for the activation lever of the engagement device with the guide.

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