WO2013097864A1

WO2013097864A1 - Strap for securing the boot lid of a car during transport of larger object

Info

Publication number: WO2013097864A1
Application number: PCT/DK2012/050499
Authority: WO
Inventors: Thomas POPPENBØLL HELMS
Original assignee: Bootstrap Inventions Aps
Priority date: 2011-12-29
Filing date: 2012-12-21
Publication date: 2013-07-04

Abstract

A boot strap (A, B, C), i.e. a strap for securing the boot lid of a car during transport of larger objects, comprising a first buckle (A) with a loop (1), which can engage the active part of the car locking mechanism, a second buckle (B) with a hook (6), which can engage the passive part of the car locking mechanism and a strap (C) connecting the two buckles (A, B). The boot strap (A, B, C) can be used together with a pipe (D), through which the strap (C) and the buckles (A, B) can be pulled. The pipe (D) can act as a spacer between the boot lid and the edge of the car boot. The effect is, that the car boot lid can easily be secured, either by being pulled tight against an object protruding from the car boot (e.g. a wooden beam) or, by being pulled tight against the pipe (D), so the boot lid does not touch the object(s) being transported. The boot strap (A, B, C), the pipe (D) and the system comprising the boot strap (A, B, C) and the pipe (D) is disclosed.

Description

Strap for securing the boot lid of a car during transport of larger objects

Field of the invention

This invention, The Boot Strap, relates to a device for securely fastening the boot lid of a car during transport of objects that are so large, that the boot lid can not be closed normally. The device can be used in a large number of situations, for example, when transporting pipes, wooden beams and other long objects, when transporting larger plants, furniture, moving boxes etc. and when transporting a bicycle, or a pram to name a few. The device can be installed and removed easily and quickly, it fits all cars regardless of make or model, and requires no modifications or permanent attachments to the car, as it simply utilizes the cars locking mechanism.

Background of the invention

Practically all car owners have experienced situations where they needed to transport larger objects, such as for example pipes, wooden beams and other long objects, larger plants, furniture, moving boxes, a bicycle, a pram etc. to name just a few, and where the boot lid of the car could thus not be closed. The usual means of solving this problem are for example to use a piece of string, rope, or an elastic cord. The problem is however, that cars lack appropriate attachment points for string etc., so the process of trying to secure the lid is tedious, time consuming and sometimes even dangerous. Furthermore, these methods seldom work very effectively; If string or rope is used, it is very difficult to tighten it properly and just a centimetre or two of slack is enough to create problems. If an elastic cord is used, the forces induced when the car drives over even small bumps or holes in the road will inevitably stretch the elastic cord. In either situation the result is that the lid bounces heavily up and down during transport, which often leads to damage to the transported goods, and sometimes even to the car. Also, the lid may suddenly jump open, blocking the driver's view to the rear, and creating a risk of spilling the transported goods on the road, both of which can create very dan- gerous situations for both the person transporting the object(s), and for other people on the road.

Summary of the invention

The present invention solves the above stated problems by providing a system comprising a boot strap and a spacer pipe for use in connection with the boot strap. The boot strap for securing the boot lid of a car during transport of larger objects, comprises a strap having a first buckle arranged in a sliding manner on the strap by means of strap attachment means provided in a body part of the first buckle, the first buckle further comprising a loop mounted at an upper end of the body part of the first buckle, which loop is intended to engage an active part of the cars boot locking mechanism, and a second buckle attached to an end of the strap, which second buckle has a hook arranged at an upper end of a body part of the second buckle, which is intended to engage a passive part of the cars locking mechanism, the body of the second buckle is provided with a slot arranged substantially orthogonally to the length axis of the second buckle and through which slot the other end of the strap is threaded after being passed through the strap attachment means of the first buckle.

The effect is that the cars boot lid can easily be secured either by being pulled tight against an object protruding from the car boot (e.g. a wooden beam) or by being pulled tight against the pipe mentioned below, so the boot lid does not touch the object(s) being transported. In addition, when the buckles are inserted in the respective parts of the cars locking mechanism the strap can be tightened by pulling the free end of the strap in practically any direction, because the force will always be directed in a way so the two buckles are pulled towards each other, forcing the boot lid to close.

The boot strap according is preferably provided with two pins which extend from the first buckle on each side and wherein the two pins are arranged in order to have a common length axis which is substantially perpendicular to the length axis of the first buckle. These pins allow the spacer pipe (see below) to click onto the first buckle, so the user can use one hand to pull the strap tight and the other to adjust the item(s) being transported etc. during closing of the boot lid, once the pipe is set into place. The bootstrap preferably further characterized by the hook having a circular cut-out in the inner side of the hook, which result in that the boot strap can be used on all car models irrespective of the model of the boot locking mechanism.

The boot strap attachment means of the first buckle preferably comprise a bar which is substantially perpendicular to the length axis of the first buckle and which separates a first and a second slot in the body of the first buckle. Due to the shape of said slots, which are commercially known as a "ladderloc" (US pat. 4.171.555), the boot lid will automatically be held in position when the strap is tightened by pulling the free end of the strap.

As mentioned above, the present invention also provides a spacer pipe intended for use in connection with the boot strap discussed above. A first end of the pipe comprises two slots extending from the first end of the pipe in a lengthwise manner and wherein the slots are arranged on opposite sides of the pipe, and that a second end of the pipe is cut at an angle, wherein the cut extends from approximately the middle of the pipe end and to the edge of the pipe at a distance from the pipe end. When the spacer pipe is used in connection with the boot strap the boot lid can be pulled tight against the spacer pipe, so the boot lid does not touch the object(s) being transported The angled cut in the second end allows the free en of the strap to be pulled, while the slots allow the spacer pipe to click onto the pins of the first buckle of the boot strap so the user can use one hand to pull the strap tight and the other to adjust the item(s) being trans- ported etc. during closing of the boot lid, once the pipe is set into place.

It is preferred that the width of the lengthwise slots in the spacer pipe is reduced at the open end of the slots, which allows the spacer pipe to be attached to the first buckle without the user holding it.

The spacer pipe preferably further comprises two cut-outs in the first end of the pipe which further comprises each being arranged at a distance from the lengthwise slots, and which enables the boot lid to rest against the spacer pipe; and/or a number of cut- outs arranged around the remaining circumference of the second pipe end in order to enable the spacer pipe to rest against the edge of the car, and/or a lengthwise hole arranged diametrically opposite to the angled cut off, which enables that the free end of the strap can be pulled out through this hole and tightened, when the spacer pipe is mounted with the angled cut towards the interior of the car.

The present invention also provides the system for securing the boot lid of a car during transport of larger objects, comprising a boot strap as discussed above and a spacer pipe as discussed above wherein the interior of the pipe is intended to allow passage of at least the strap and the second buckle in order to mount the spacer pipe around the boot strap.

The present invention, The Boot Strap, is a strap for securing the boot lid of a car during transport of larger objects, comprising:

A buckle with a loop, which can engage the active part of the cars locking mechanism A second buckle with a hook, which can engage the passive part of the cars locking mechanism

A strap connecting the two buckles

A pipe, through which the strap and the buckles can be pulled, that can act as a spacer between the boot lid and the edge of the car boot

The effect is, that the cars boot lid can easily be secured, either by being pulled tight against an object protruding from the car boot (e.g. a wooden beam) or, by being pulled tight against the pipe mentioned above in point d), so the boot lid does not touch the object(s) being transported.

The strap for securing the boot lid of a car during transport of larger objects, may be further characterized by means of the strap, which is threaded through the buckle (buckle (a)) with the loop. The strap is held into place once tightened, and which can be clicked together with the pipe mentioned below. A second buckle (buckle (b)) is mounted on the strap which can engage the passive part of the cars locking mechanism, and to which one end of the strap can be secured, and with a slot through which the other end of the strap can be pulled, so the force of the pull is directed as intended.

A piece of strap connects the two buckles.

A pipe, through which the strap and the buckles can be pulled, that can act as a spacer between the boot lid and edge of the boot and that by means of a number of cut-outs can rest securely against the edge of the boot and the boot lid. In the preferred embodiment, the pipe is round in cross section but it may have any other shape (square, hexagonal, triangular etc.)

The effect is, that the cars boot lid can easily be secured, either by being pulled tight against an object protruding from the car boot (e.g. a wooden beam) or, in cases when it is not desirable that the car boot lid rests on the object(s) being transported (e.g. a bicycle), by being pulled tight against the pipe mentioned above.

In one embodiment, The strap further comprises a buckle (buckle (a)), which can en- gage the active part of the cars locking mechanism, characterized by a loop in one end, and by two slots in the opposite end, through which the strap can be pulled. The loop can be orthogonal or parallel to the plane of the buckle, or any angle in between these two extremes. Furthermore, while in the preferred embodiment, the loop is oval shaped, other shapes are possible, both closed (e.g. a ring, square or triangle) or open (e.g. a hook).

Furthermore buckle (a) is characterized by two pins extending from the buckle on each side. These pins allow the pipe to click onto the pipe, so the user can use one hand to pull the strap tight and the other to adjust the item(s) being transported etc. during closing of the boot lid, once the pipe is set into place

In another embodiment, the strap further comprises a buckle (buckle (b)), which can engage the passive part of the cars locking mechanism, characterized by a hook with a circular cut-out, and a slot in the opposite end. The hook in itself is used in cases when the cars locking mechanism consists of a loop, and the circular cut-out in the hook is used when the locking mechanism consists of a pin. One end of the strap is permanently attached to buckle (b), and the other end is threaded through buckle (a), and then back through the slot in buckle (b). The effect is, that when the buckles are inserted in the respective parts of the cars locking mechanism the strap can be tightened by pulling the free end in practically any direction, because the force will always be directed in a way so the two buckles are pulled towards each other, forcing the boot lid to close.

The strap according another embodiment further comprises a pipe, through which the strap and the buckles can be pulled, so the pipe can be inserted as a spacer between the cars boot lid and the edge of the car boot. The pipe is characterized by a number of cut-outs in one end, that allows the pipe to rest securely against the edge of the car boot, and that allows the free end of the webbing to pass freely even when the pipe is declining to a flat angle as the boot lids is being pulled downwards. In addition the pipe is characterized by a hole through which the strap can be pulled. Furthermore it is characterized by a number of cut-outs in the opposite end, which the cars boot lid can rest securely against, as well as two slots which allows the pipe to click onto buckle (a). When the strap is tightened, the pipe will sit securely in place no matter the car make, model or the specific shape of the cars locking mechanism due to the mentioned cut-outs. The combination of the pipe, which stops the boot lids downward motion, and the tightened strap, which prevents any upwards motion, effectively locks the boot lid into position, allowing the transported objects to protrude freely from the car boot.

List of figures

The invention is explained in further detail below, with reference to the following figures:

Figure la: Overview picture of the invention

Figure lb: The invention in use, without the pipe

Figure lc: The invention in use, with the pipe

Figure 2a: Buckle (a), Figure 2b Buckle (a), cross section view

Figure 3a: Buckle (b)

Figure 4a: The Pipe

Figure 4b Detail view of one end of the pipe

Figure 4c: Detail view of the opposite end of the pipe

Figure 4d The pipe connected to buckle (a)

Figure 5a: Car boot locking mechanism - active part

Figure 5b Buckle (a) engaging the locking mechanisms active part

Figure 5c: Car boot locking mechanism, "loop type" - passive part

FFiigguurree 55dd: Buckle (b) engaging the "loop type" locking mechanism

Figure 5e: Car boot locking mechanism, "pin type" - passive part

Figure 5f: Buckle (b) engaging the "pin type" locking mechanism

Detailed description of the invention

The invention consists of three parts, buckle (a), buckle (b) and the pipe (see figure la). The invention can be used either with or without the pipe inserted (figures lb and lc).

Buckle (a) (see fig 2a and 2b) has a loop in one end (1), which fits into the active part of the cars locking mechanism(figure 5a). In the preferred embodiment the loop is orthogonal to the rest of the buckle, but the ring could also be in the same plane or at any angle in between the two extremes. In the preferred embodiment the loop is oval shaped, but it could be circular, hexagonal or any other shape. Buckle (a) also has a hole in the middle, with a bar 5 across resulting in the formation of two slots 2a, 2b orthogonal to the lengthwise axis. The bar 5 and the opposite, parallel edge(3) are shaped as described in US 4.171.555 (commercially know as a "lad- derloc buckle"), so the buckle secures the strap in a tightened position. The lower end of the buckle(4) has, in the preferred embodiment, a rounded shape allowing the user to easily manipulate it upwards, which releases the strap. Several other shapes than the shown, rounded form are however possible. Buckle (a) finally has two pins (3) extending from the buckle to each side in opposite directions. The pins ar arranged in order to share a mutual length axis. These pins allow the buckle to engage with the pipe (see fig 4d). Once buckle (a) is inserted into the cars locking mechanism, the pipe can therefore be clicked onto the buckle, so the user can still have both hands free to pull the strap tight and ensure the transported objects stay in place etc.

Buckle (b) (see fig. 3) has a hook (6), that can engage the passive part of the car boots locking mechanism (fig. 5c and 5e). In cases where the locking mechanism is of the loop type (fig. 5c) the hook simply catches onto the loop (see fig 5d). In cases when the cars locking mechanism is of the pin type (fig 5e.) a circle shaped groove on the inside of the hook (7), ensures that the hook can still engage the locking mechanism (fig. 5f). The groove has a diameter that is slightly larger than that of the pin, but smaller than the diameter of the disc on top of the pin. This means that the hook can be moved horizontally to engage/disengage the locking mechanism. But once the hook has engaged the locking mechanism, it can resist a vertical pull, and will thus stay engaged with the locking mechanism during the intended use.

Furthermore buckle (b) has a bar (8) orthogonal to the lengthwise axis, to which one end of the strap is secured by sewing, riveting or other appropriate means. And finally the end of the buckle opposite the hook has a slot (9) with rounded inner edges, through which the other end of the strap is threaded after being passed around the bar 5 and through the slots 2a, 2b in buckle (a). Alternatively, the second buckle comprises an additional bar (not shown) in parallel to the orthogonal bar (8). This embodiment of the second buckle is slightly longer than the embodiment shown in fig. 3 can provide increased tensile strength to the second buckle. In addition it is possible to increase the width of the orthogonal bar(s) (8) in order to increase the tensile strength of the second buckle (b). The pipe (fig. 4 a,b,c and d) has a number of cut-outs in each end. In one end the pipe has two lengthwise slots (10) opposite each other. Each slot has a narrow point near the top (1 1) and widens at the end (12). At the narrow point (1 1) the width of the slot is slightly less that the diameter of the pins (3) on buckle (a), which means that the pins can be forced past the narrow point, but will allow the pipe to stay attached to buckle (a) without the user holding it (fig 4d). When the strap is tightened and the boot lid is forced down towards the end of the pipe, buckle (a) is pulled downwards relative to the pipe. The wider holes at the end of the slot means that buckle a will automatically release from the pipe, as the width of the buckle measured from the end of one of the two pins (3) to the other is slightly less than the inside diameter of the pipe. Furthermore the pipe has two cut-outs (13), one on each side of the pipe arranged at a straight line in parallel to the diameter of the pipe, which allows the boot lid/the cars locking mechanism to rest securely against the end of the pipe, so the pipe stays in place during transport.

In the opposite end, the pipe is cut at an angle from the widest point of the pipe towards a point around the middle of the pipe (14). Around the edge at the end of the pipe a number of cut-outs (15) are made. The wall opposite the aforementioned angu- lar cut-off a lengthwise hole is cut in the pipe wall (16). The cut-outs (15) allow the end of the pipe to rest securely against the edge of the car boot, regardless of the car make or model. Depending on the exact shape of the edges against which the pipe shall rest, the pipe is inserted with the angular cut-off (14) facing downwards or upwards. If the cut-off is facing downwards, it allows the user to freely pull the strap tight even as the boot lids nears closing, and the angle between the car and the pipe decreases. If the cut-off is facing upwards, the free end of the strap is pulled through the hole (16) on the opposite side of the pipe, which again allows the strap to move freely.

Claims

1. A boot strap for securing the boot lid of a car during transport of larger objects, comprising :

a strap (C) having a first buckle (A) arranged in a sliding manner on the strap (C) by means of strap attachment means (2, 2a, 5) provided in a body part (4) of the first buckle (A), the first buckle (A) further comprising a loop (1) mounted at an upper end of the body part of the first buckle (A), which loop (1) is intended to engage an active part of the cars boot locking mechanism (17), and a second buckle (B) attached to an end of the strap (C), which second buckle (B) comprises a hook (6) arranged at an upper end of a body part of the second buckle (B), which is intended to engage a passive part of the cars locking mechanism (18a, 18b), the body of the second buckle (B) is provided with a slot (9) arranged substantially orthogonally to the length axis of the second buckle (B) and through which slot (9) the other end of the strap (C) is threaded after being passed through the strap attachment means (2, 2a, 5) of the first buckle (A).

2. A strap according to claim 1, characterized that two pins (3) extend from the first buckle (A) on each side and wherein the two pins (3) are arranged in order to have a common length axis which is substantially perpendicular to the length axis of the first buckle (A).

3. A strap according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the hook (6) has a circular cut-out (7) in the inner side of the hook.

4. A strap according to any of the claims 1-3, characterized in that the strap attachment means (2) of the first buckle (A) comprises a bar (2a) which is substantially perpendicular to the length axis of the first buckle (A) and which separates a first (2b) and a second slot (5) in the body of the first buckle(A).

5. A spacer pipe (D) intended for use in connection with the strap according to any of claims 1-4, characterized in that a first end of the pipe (D) comprises two slots (10) extending from the first end of the pipe (D) in a lengthwise manner and wherein the slots (10) are arranged on opposite sides of the pipe (D), and that a second end of the pipe is cut (14) at an angle, wherein the cut (14) extends from approximately the middle of the pipe end and to the edge of the pipe at a distance (d) from the pipe end.

6. A spacer pipe (D) according to claim 5, characterized in that width of the slots (10) is reduced at the open end of the slots (10).

7. A spacer pipe (D) according to any of the claims 5-6, characterized in that the pipe (D) further comprises two cut-outs (13) in the first end of the pipe (D) further com- prises each being arranged at a distance from the lengthwise slots (10), and/or a number of cut-outs (15) arranged around the remaining circumference of the second pipe end, and/or a lengthwise hole (16) arranged diametrically opposite to the cut off (14).

8. A system for securing the boot lid of a car during transport of larger objects, com- prising :

a boot strap having a first buckle (a) arranged in a sliding manner on the strap (C) by means of strap attachment means (2, 2a, 5) provided in a body part (4) of the first buckle (a), the first buckle (A) further comprising a loop (1) mounted at an upper end of the body part of the first buckle (a), which loop (1) is intended to engage an active part of the cars boot locking mechanism (17), and a second buckle (B) attached to an end of the strap (C), which second buckle (B) has a hook (6) arranged at an upper end of a body part of the second buckle (B), which is intended to engage a passive part of the cars locking mechanism (18a, 18b), the body of the second buckle is provided with a slot (9) arranged substantially orthogonally to the length axis of the second buckle (B) and through which slot (9) the other end of the strap (c) is threaded after being passed through the strap attachment means (2, 2a, 5) of the first buckle (A), and

a spacer pipe in which a first end of the pipe (D) comprises two slots (10) extending from the first end of the pipe (D) in a lengthwise manner and wherein the slots (10) are arranged on opposite sides of the pipe (D), and that a second end of the pipe is cut (14) at an angle, wherein the cut (14) extends from approximately the middle of the pipe end and to the edge of the pipe at a distance (d) from the pipe end, and wherein the interior of the pipe (D) is intended to allow passage of at least the strap (C) and the second buckle (B) in order to mount the pipe (D) around the boot strap.

9. A system according to claim 8, characterized that the boot strap further comprises two pins (3) extend from the first buckle (a) on each side and wherein the two pins (3) are arranged in order to have a common length axis which is substantially perpendicular to the length axis of the first buckle (a).

10. A system according to claim 8 or 9, characterized that the second buckle (B) of the bootstrap boot strap further comprises that the hook (6) has a circular cut-out (7) in the inner side of the hook (6).

11. A system according to any of the claims 8-10, characterized that the boot strap further comprises strap attachment means (2) of the first buckle (A), which comprises a bar (2a) is substantially perpendicular to the length axis of the first buckle (A) which separates a first (2b) and a second slot (5) in the body of the first buckle(A).

12. A system according to any of the claims 8-11, characterized that the width of the slots (10) in the spacer pipe (D) is reduced at the pipe end (11) of the slots (10).

13. A system according to any of the claims 8-12, characterized that the spacer pipe (D) further comprises two cut-outs (13) in the first end of the pipe (D) further comprises each being arranged at a distance from the lengthwise slots (10), and/or a number of cut-outs (15) arranged around the remaining circumference of the second pipe end, and/or a lengthwise hole (16) arranged diametrically opposite to the cut off (14).