Articulated pivoting tie-down device

摘要

An articulated pivoting tie-down device for securing a cargo to a vehicle comprises a retainer portion secured to a vehicle, a clevis encircled by the retainer portion, a connector having a hook/cable opening and a strap opening, and a pin interconnecting the clevis and the connector and forming a common pivotal axis therebetween. A modified embodiment comprises a pin connecting a clevis and a retainer portion and forming a common pivotal axis therebetween, a connector, and a link, having a generally elliptical cross-section, which interconnects the clevis and the connector such that the clevis and the connector are generally operably co-planar. The clevis is generally semi-elliptical with its major axis parallel to the common pivotal axis. Each embodiment is adapted to maintain relative alignment to resultant binding and dynamic force vectors such that stresses induced by eccentricity are minimized or avoided in the tie-down device, thereby allowing a smaller material cross-section to be used in manufacture of the tie-down device.