FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a system for holding articles or implements carried by a vehicle, more particularly, to a retaining system and a retention device for a securing implements and articles to a vehicle.

BACKGROUND

This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.

Vehicles such as cars, trucks and all-terrain vehicles are used for hauling various articles such as tools, utensils, coolers and other equipment. Securing the articles to the vehicle while the vehicle is moving to prevent loss or damage is important. This prevents the articles from shifting and reduces the amount of distraction to the vehicle operator. Flexibility for mounting positions as well as the ability to accommodate various sized articles improves the utility of the system.

SUMMARY

This section provides a general summary of the disclosures, and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.

The present disclosure provides a retaining system that allows flexibility in the types of articles and the position of the article relative to the vehicle or mounting structure.

In one aspect of the disclosure, a retainer system for coupling an article includes a retainer. The retainer comprises a housing comprising plunger receiver having a slot disposed therein. The housing comprises an outer wall comprising a lever opening. A plunger has a body at least partially and movably received within the plunger receiver and a foot disposed outside of the plunger receiver. The body comprises a pin opening. A pin is disposed in the pin opening and the slot. A lever rotatably coupled to the housing at the lever opening and operably coupled to the plunger. The lever has a first end extending within the housing and is rotatably coupled to the housing. The lever comprises a second end. The first end rotating relative to the housing within the lever opening. The first end comprising a cam and a pin opening receiving the pin. A spring is disposed between the housing and the plunger within the plunger receiver. The spring urging the foot away from the plunger receiver. A cam engaging surface is disposed within the housing retaining the first end of the lever in the lever opening.

In another aspect of the disclosure, a retainer has a base having a first side having an engagement member extending therefrom and a second side. The base comprising a base opening therethrough. A plunger has a body and a flange extending from the body. A lever member has a lever opening therethrough. The lever opening is sized to receive the body. The lever opening is smaller than the flange. A cover is coupled to the base. The cover comprises a first cover opening. The lever member comprises a first end rotatably coupled to the base or the cover or both. The lever has a second end extending through the first cover opening. A spring is disposed between the cover and the plunger. The spring is retractably urging the plunger into the first cover opening and the base opening.

In yet another aspect of the disclosure, a method of operating a retainer system comprising an outer wall forming a channel having an elongated opening having a first width and a second opening having a second width greater than the first width includes inserting an engagement member into the second opening, sliding the engagement member to engage the outer wall adjacent the elongated opening, retracting a plunger into a base, when the plunger aligns with the second opening, urging the plunger into the second opening and retracting the plunger from the second opening by moving a lever member away from the outer wall and engaging a catch extension of the lever member to a cover that is coupled to the base.

In yet another aspect of the disclosure, a retainer system includes a retainer that has a retainer button comprising a circumferential groove at a first end, an engagement member comprising a threaded portion, and a base having a first side having comprising a threaded recess for engaging the threaded portion. A cover is fixedly coupled to the base. The cover comprises a receiving opening sized to receive the first end of the retainer button therethrough. A rotating member is rotatably coupled between the cover and the base. The rotating member, in a first position urges a securing member into the circumferential groove and in a second position withdrawing the securing member out of the circumferential groove.

Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

