Portable tie-down post for use in truck beds

Abstract

A portable, removable tie-down apparatus includes telescoping shafts that can be locked in place at various heights. Arms extend from the shafts onto which ropes or straps can be tied. The post can be installed in a cargo hold area and the ropes tied around various articles to keep the articles from shifting during transportation. The post includes both course and fine adjustments for the height. The course adjustment is accomplished via a pin and holes formed in the telescoping shafts. The fine adjustment is accomplished via a threaded rod attached to a post foot member.

1 . A tie-down apparatus, comprising:
 first and second shaft portions, the second shaft portion being telescopically operatively associated with the first shaft portion;   a foot member extended from a first end of the second shaft portion, wherein the foot member is operatively pivotally connected with respect to the second shaft portion;   at least a first arm extended from one of either the first and second shaft portions; and,   securing means for use in securing associated articles in place.   
   
   
       2 . The tie-down apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a lip the lip connected to the first shaft portion for use in hooking to an associated ledge of an associated wall.   
   
   
       3 . The tie-down apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first shaft portion has at least a first hole, wherein the second shaft portion has at least a first hole; and,
 further comprising a pin, wherein the pin is operatively received within the holes of the first and second shaft portions for use in fixing the position of the first shaft portion with respect to the second shaft portion.   
   
   
       4 . The tie-down apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the securing means comprises a first rope. 
   
   
       5 . The tie-down apparatus of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 A quick release rope locking device for use in holding the first rope.   
   
   
       6 . A method of securing associated articles in place in a cargo hold, the steps comprising:
 providing a tie-down apparatus having one or more ropes;   securing the tie-down apparatus within the cargo hold;   tying the ropes around the associated articles; and,   securing the ropes to the tie-down apparatus.   
   
   
       7 . A tie-down apparatus, comprising:
 first and second shaft portions, the second shaft portion being telescopically operatively associated with the first shaft portion;   a foot member extended from a first end of the second shaft portion, wherein the foot member is operatively pivotally connected with respect to the second shaft portion;   at least a first arm extended from one of either the first and second shaft portions; and,   a rope.   
   
   
       8 . A tie-down apparatus, comprising:
 first and second shaft portions, the second shaft portion being telescopically operatively associated with the first shaft portion;   a foot member extended from a first end of the second shaft portion, wherein the foot member is operatively pivotally connected with respect to the second shaft portion;   at least a first arm extended from one of either the first and second shaft portions; and,   a strap, the strap being made of a plastic material.   
   
   
       9 . The tie-down apparatus of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 a lip connected to the first shaft portion for use in selectively connecting to the ledge of an associated wall.   
   
   
       10 . The tie-down apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the first shaft portion has a first hole and the second shaft portion has a first hole; and further comprising:
 a pin, wherein the pin is selectively operatively received within the hole of the first shaft portion and the hole of the second shaft portion to fix the position of the first shaft portion with respect to the second shaft portion.   
   
   
       11 . The tie-down apparatus of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 A quick release rope locking device for use in holding the first rope in place.   
   
   
       12 . A tie-down apparatus, comprising:
 first and second shaft portions, the second shaft portion being telescopically operatively associated with the first shaft portion, such that the first and second shaft portions are selectively moveable relative to the other along a common longitudinal axis;   a foot member extended from a first end of the second shaft portion, the foot member having a body member and a boot member, the body member of the foot member have a first threaded end received within a threaded portion of the first end of the second shaft portion, the body member also having a ball at a second end of the body member, the ball being received within the boot member, the boot member being made of rubber and being operatively pivotally secureable against an associated floor of an associated cargo hold of an associated vehicle;   a quick release rope locking device attached to the first shaft portion;   at least a first arm extended from one of either the first and second shaft portions; and,   a rope, the rope being selectively attachable to the first shaft portion by the quick release rope locking device.