FIELD

The field of the disclosure relates generally to load restraining equipment, and more particularly to a load restraint fastener, such as a tie-down fastener, capable of universal use with different shapes and types of load restraint attachments.

BACKGROUND

In the construction industry, as well as a variety of other manufacturing, production, and related industries, it is often necessary to transport heavy objects or loads, such as heavy machinery and construction materials, from one location to another. Typically, transport is accomplished using vehicles of many types, such as for example, trucks, airplanes, boats, and trains. However, before a load can be safely transported, it is commonly necessary to restrain the load, such as by securing the load using one or more restraints. Known restraints may include, for example, straps, cables, ropes, chains, and the like. In many instances, restraints, such as straps, may include one or more attachments at their respective ends, such as hooks, chain-links, ratchet mechanisms, clamps, and/or other similar attachments.

In some transportation and load hauling applications, one or more tie-downs may be provided on or near a platform intended to support the load. For example, a flatbed truck may include a trailer that includes one or more tie-downs, to which an operator of the truck may attach one or more restraints prior to transporting the load. Commonly, however, the tie-downs available to the operator are only rudimentary or simple-shaped objects, and are not capable of interoperation with different types of load restraint attachments. For example, although the tie-downs may include simple prongs or lateral handles, tie-downs are generally not capable of engagement and/or interoperation with different types of restraint attachments. As a result, the usefulness of at least some known traditional tie-downs may be limited, as many known tie-downs cannot support the attachment of multiple restraint attachments, let alone the attachment of restraints, such as straps and cables, that may include different types of attachments at their respective ends.

A universal load restraint fastener, or tie-down, capable of engagement and interoperation with many different types of restraint attachments, such as flat-hook and other-shaped hook attachments, chains, clamps, and the like is desirable. In addition, a load-bearing structure, such as a trailer bed, fitted with one or more such universal load restraint fasteners is also desirable.

This Background section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of art that may be related to various aspects of the present disclosure, which are described and/or claimed below. This discussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it should be understood that these statements are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art.

Various refinements exist of the features noted in relation to the above-mentioned aspects. Further features may also be incorporated in the above-mentioned aspects as well. These refinements and additional features may exist individually or in any combination. For instance, various features discussed below in relation to any of the illustrated embodiments may be incorporated into any of the above-described aspects, alone or in any combination.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

In one aspect, a tie-down fastener for use with a plurality of load restraint attachments is described. The tie-down fastener includes a body. The body includes a substantially planar portion having a front face and an opposite rear face. The substantially planar portion defines an opening and includes a first receiving portion having a receiving surface. The first receiving portion also defines a first portion of the opening. The substantially planar portion includes, in addition, a second receiving portion having a receiving surface. The second receiving portion is spaced apart from the first receiving portion and symmetric with the first receiving portion (e.g., in a mirrored relationship) about at least one axis of symmetry. The second receiving portion defines a second portion of the opening. The first receiving portion and the second receiving portion are arranged to receive at least a first kind of restraint attachment (e.g., one or more chain-links). The body also includes a projecting portion having a receiving surface. The projecting portion extends outwardly from the rear face of the substantially planar portion. The projecting portion is arranged to receive at least one second kind of restraint attachment (e.g., a flat or planar hook, a tubular or other-shaped hook, and the like).

In another aspect, a load restraint fastener is described. The load restraint fastener includes a body defining an opening arranged to receive at least one type of load restraint attachment. The body includes a first receiving portion having a first end, a second end, and a receiving surface extending therebetween, where the first receiving portion defines a first portion of the opening. The body also includes a second receiving portion having a first end, a second end, and a receiving surface extending therebetween, where the second receiving portion is spaced apart from the first receiving portion and defines a second portion of the opening. The body includes, in addition, a first connecting portion extending between and connecting the first end of the first receiving portion and the first end of the second receiving portion. Moreover, the body includes a second connecting portion extending between and connecting the second end of the first receiving portion and the second end of the second receiving portion, where the second connecting portion is spaced apart from the first connecting portion. The body also includes a projecting portion coupled to the second portion and extending away from the second portion. The projecting portion includes a first end, a second end, and a receiving surface extending therebetween.

In yet another aspect, a load-bearing platform is described. The load-bearing platform includes a bed arranged to carry a load, and a first elongate member extending relative to the bed, where the first elongate member includes at least a first tie-down fastener. The first tie-down fastener includes a body. The body includes a substantially planar portion having a front face and a rear face. The substantially planar portion defines an opening and includes a first receiving portion having a receiving surface. The first receiving portion also defines a first portion of the opening. The substantially planar portion includes, in addition, a second receiving portion having a receiving surface. The second receiving portion is spaced apart from the first receiving portion and symmetric with the first receiving portion about at least one axis of symmetry. The second receiving portion defines a second portion of the opening. The body also includes a projecting portion having a receiving surface. The projecting portion extends outwardly from the rear face of the substantially planar portion.

