Cargo snake

Abstract

An apparatus for securing an article in the cargo area of a vehicle and for adding weight to the vehicle when driving on snow covered roads. The apparatus comprising an elongated flexible tubular member having each of a first predetermined shape and a predetermined length. A filler type material is disposed inside the elongated tubular member for adding a predetermined weight to such apparatus. The apparatus further includes a mechanism disposed at each end of the elongated tubular member for both acting as a handle and for securing such apparatus to a predetermined portion of a cargo area in such vehicle.

1 . An apparatus for securing an article in the cargo area of a vehicle and for adding weight to the vehicle when driving on snow covered roads, said apparatus comprising:
 (a) an elongated flexible tubular member, said elongated flexible tubular member having each of a first predetermined shape and a predetermined length;   (b) a filler type material disposed inside said elongated tubular member for adding a predetermined weight to said apparatus; and   (c) means disposed at each end of said elongated tubular member for both acting as a handle and for securing said apparatus together in a predetermined portion of such cargo area in such vehicle.   
   
   
       2 . An apparatus, according to  claim 1 , wherein said predetermined shape of said elongated tubular member is selected from the group consisting of generally oval and generally round, said generally round elongated tubular member having each of a predetermined inner diameter and a predetermined outer diameter. 
   
   
       3 . An apparatus, according to  claim 2 , wherein said predetermined shape of said elongated tubular member is generally oval. 
   
   
       4 . An apparatus, according to  claim 1 , wherein said predetermined length of said elongated flexible tubular member is between about 2.0 feet to about 3.0 feet. 
   
   
       5 . An apparatus, according to  claim 2 , wherein said predetermined inner diameter of said elongated flexible member is between about 3.0 inches to about 8.0 inches. 
   
   
       6 . An apparatus, according to  claim 1 , wherein said elongated flexible member is formed from plastic tubing. 
   
   
       7 . An apparatus, according to  claim 1 , wherein said filler type material is sand. 
   
   
       8 . An apparatus, according to  claim 7 , wherein said predetermined weight is generally between about 10.0 pounds and about 30.0 pounds. 
   
   
       9 . An apparatus, according to  claim 1 , wherein said means disposed at each end of said elongated tubular member for both acting as a handle and for securing said apparatus together includes a pair of ring like members having a second predetermined shape. 
   
   
       10 . An apparatus, according to  claim 9 , wherein said second predetermined shape is substantially rectangular. 
   
   
       11 . An apparatus, according to  claim 10 , wherein said means disposed at each end of said elongated tubular member for both acting as a handle and for securing said apparatus together further includes a tie means engageable with each rectangular ring like member.