Cargo restraint apparatus

Abstract

A cargo restraint apparatus for use to secure a load on a vehicle. The apparatus includes a frame assembly, a reel, and an elongated strap. The frame assembly is mountable to the vehicle, and the reel is rotatably mounted on the frame assembly. The elongated strap has a first end and a second end with the second end of the elongated strap being connectable to the vehicle. The elongated strap is adapted to be wound about and withdrawn from the reel. The reel is biased so that the strap is maintained in a wound position on the reel. The reel is lockingly engaged so as to restrict withdrawal of the elongated strap from the reel while permitting automatic retraction of the elongated strap onto the reel.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An apparatus in combination with a vehicle for restraining the movement of a cargo of the vehicle, the apparatus comprising: 
 a frame assembly connected to the vehicle;    a reel rotatably mounted on the frame assembly;    an elongated strap having a first end and a second end, the first end of the elongated strap connected to the reel and the second end of the elongated strap attached to the cargo, the elongated strap adapted to be wound about and withdrawn from the reel;    means for biasing the reel in a strap winding position; and    means for locking the reel at a selected position to prevent withdrawal of the elongated strap from the reel while permitting automatic retraction of the elongated strap onto the reel thereby maintaining the strap in a taut condition to restrain movement of the cargo.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising adjustment means attached to the elongated strap for cinching the elongated strap into the taut condition when the reel is locked.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the adjustment means comprises: 
 a buckle slidably connected to the second end of the elongated strap; and  
 an extension strap having one end connected to the buckle and another end connected to the cargo.  
 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the adjustment means further comprises a hook attached to the extension strap for connecting the extension strap to the cargo.  
     
     
         5 . An apparatus in combination with a vehicle for restraining the movement of a cargo of the vehicle, the apparatus comprising: 
 a frame assembly connected to the vehicle;    a reel rotatably mounted on the frame assembly;    an elongated strap having a first end and a second end, the first end of the elongated strap connected to the reel and the second end of the elongated strap attached to the vehicle with the elongated strap positioned over the cargo, the elongated strap adapted to be wound about and withdrawn from the reel;    means for biasing the reel in a strap winding position;    means for locking the reel at a selected position to prevent withdrawal of the elongated strap from the reel while permitting automatic retraction of the elongated strap onto the reel; and    adjustment means attached to the elongated strap for cinching the elongated strap into a taut condition to restrain movement of the cargo.    
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein the adjustment means comprises: 
 a buckle slidably connected to the second end of the elongated strap; and  
 an extension strap having one end connected to the buckle and another end connected to the vehicle.  
 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6  wherein the adjustment means further comprises a hook attached to the extension strap for connecting the extension strap to the vehicle.  
     
     
         8 . A cargo restraint apparatus, comprising: 
 a frame assembly connectable to a support surface;    a reel rotatably mounted on the frame assembly;    an elongated strap having a first end and a second end, the first end of the elongated strap connected to the reel and the second end of the elongated strap attachable to the support surface with the elongated strap positioned over the cargo, the elongated strap adapted to be wound and withdrawn from the reel;    means for biasing the reel in a strap winding position;    means for locking the reel at a selected position to prevent withdrawal of the elongated strap from the reel while permitting automatic retraction of the elongated strap onto the reel; and    adjustment means attached to the elongated strap for cinching the elongated strap into a taut condition to restrain movement of the cargo.    
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the adjustment means comprises: 
 a buckle slidably connected to the second end of the elongated strap; and  
 an extension strap having one end connected to the buckle and another end connected to the support surface.  
 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the adjustment means further comprises a hook attached to the extension strap for connecting the extension strap to the support surface.  
     
     
         11 . A method of restraining the movement of cargo in a vehicle, the method comprising: 
 connecting a frame assembly to the vehicle;    withdrawing an elongated strap from a reel rotatably mounted on the frame assembly, one end of the elongated strap being connected to the reel;    positioning the elongated strap about the cargo;    attaching the elongated strap to the vehicle;    pulling the elongated strap sharply in the direction away from the reel so that the reel locks at a selected position to prevent withdrawal of the elongated strap from the reel; and    cinching the elongated strap into a taut condition when the reel is locked to restrain movement of the cargo.    
     
     
         12 . A method of restraining the movement of cargo in a vehicle, the method comprising: 
 connecting a frame assembly to the vehicle;    withdrawing an elongated strap from a reel rotatably mounted on the frame assembly, one end of the elongated strap being connected to the reel;    positioning the elongated strap about the cargo;    attaching the elongated strap to the cargo;    pulling the elongated strap sharply in the direction away from the reel so that the reel locks at a selected position to prevent withdrawal of the elongated strap from the reel; and    cinching the elongated strap into a taut condition when the reel is locked to restrain movement of the cargo.