Locking Mechanism for A Tie Down

Abstract

A locking device and system for a tie down includes elements that positively secure a securing strap within a locking housing to hold one or more objects in place. In one embodiment, the locking housing includes a sloped housing having a cavity adapted to receive one end of the securing strap. The locking housing includes at least a user actuable lever and a gripping element. When the securing strap is threaded through the cavity of locking housing and the securing strap is in a desired positioned within the locking housing, the locking device enables a user to pivot the lever to cause the gripping element to press against the strap and positively secure the position of the strap within the housing. In one embodiment, the strap is a cogged belt having teeth and the gripping element includes a surface with teeth that mesh with the teeth of the strap.

1 . A locking device for securing an object, the locking device comprising:
 a sloped housing having a base, two sides, and a top, wherein the base, two sides, and the top form a first opening and a second opening, the second opening being opposite from the first opening, and the top having a channel;   a lever pivotally coupled to the housing, wherein the lever is positioned partially within the first opening of the sloped housing;   an arm pivotally coupled to the lever, wherein the arm is positioned within the sloped housing; and   an angle block having a bottom surface with a gripping element, the angle block pivotally coupled to the arm, wherein the angle block is at least partially positioned within the sloped housing.   
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein one end of the lever is formed in the shape of a cam. 
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the base of the sloped housing includes at least two securing apertures for securing the position of the sloped housing. 
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the channel in the top of the sloped housing extends through the entire length of the top. 
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the lever is pivotally coupled to the housing with a pin, the arm is pivotally coupled to the lever with a second pin, and the arm is pivotally coupled to the angle block with a third pin. 
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 1 , further including a strap, wherein at least part of the strap is positioned within the housing and the strap includes ridges and grooves. 
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the strap is a cogged belt. 
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the gripping element of the angle block includes ridges and grooves such that the ridges of the angle block fit within the grooves on the cogged belt and the ridges of the cogged belt fit within the grooves of the angle block when the angle block is pressed against the strap. 
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein when the strap is positioned within the sloped housing and the lever is pivoted towards the base of the sloped housing, the lever causes the arm to push the angle block towards the second opening of the sloped housing and the channel of the sloped housing causes the angle block to slide towards the base of the housing such that the ridges and grooves of the angle block fit within the ridges and grooves of the strap to secure the strap within the sloped housing. 
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein if a load is applied to the strap, the movement of the strap causes the lever to further pivot towards the based of the sloped housing and increases the pressure of the gripping element of the angle block on the strap. 
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the gripping element of the angle block includes a plurality of ridges and grooves. 
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the gripping element is coupled to the bottom of the angle block. 
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the gripping element is integrally formed with the bottom of the angle block. 
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the angle block further includes a top surface having at least two guide pins, the guide pins slidably coupled to the channel of the sloped housing 
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the guide pins are coupled to the top of the angle block. 
   
   
       16 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the guide pins are integrally formed with the top of the angle block. 
   
   
       17 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the strap is coupled to a load buckle. 
   
   
       18 . A method of securing a strap, the method comprising:
 inserting a strap into a desired position within a sloped housing, the sloped housing having a base, two sides, and a top, wherein the base, two sides, and the top form a first opening and a second opening, the second opening being opposite from the first opening, and the top having a channel;   pivoting a lever towards the base of the sloped housing, wherein the lever is pivotally coupled to the sloped housing and positioned at least partially within the first opening of the sloped housing;   pivoting and pushing an arm to move in the direction of the second opening of the sloped housing based on the pivoting motion of the lever, wherein the arm is pivotally coupled to the lever and positioned within the sloped housing, and   pushing the angle block towards the second opening of the sloped housing and sliding the angle block into the strap such that the angle block at least temporarily secures the position of the strap within the sloped housing based on the pivoting and pushing of the arm, wherein the angle block is pivotally coupled to the arm, and a guide pin coupled to the top of the angle block enables the angle block to be slidably coupled within the channel of the sloped housing.   
   
   
       19 . A locking system to removably secure objects, the locking device comprising:
 a sloped housing having a base, two sides, and a top, wherein the base, two sides, and the top form a first opening and a second opening, the second opening being opposite from the first opening, and a channel formed in the top;   a lever pivotally coupled to the housing, wherein the lever is positioned partially with the first opening of the sloped housing;   an arm pivotally coupled to the lever, wherein the arm is positioned within the sloped housing;   an angle block positioned within the sloped housing and pivotally coupled to the arm and slidably coupled to the top of the sloped housing, the angle block having a guide pin and a gripping element, wherein the gripping element is coupled to the bottom of the angle block, the guide pin coupled to the top of the angle block opposite of the gripping element, and the guide pin being slidably coupled within the channel of the top of the sloped housing; and   a strap having a plurality of ridges and grooves, wherein at least part of the strap is configured to be positioned within the housing such that the ridges and grooves of the strap are parallel to and facing the gripping element of the angle block;   wherein when the strap is positioned within the sloped housing and the lever is pivoted towards the base of the sloped housing, the lever causes the arm to push the angle block towards the second opening of the sloped housing and the channel of the sloped housing causes the angle block to slide towards the base of the housing such that the gripping element of the angle block is pressed against the ridges and grooves of the strap, securing the strap within the sloped housing.