Aircraft tie-down device

Abstract

A tie-down device is provided by the present disclosure that includes an elongated member, a pliable cord engaged with the elongated member, the pliable cord having a grounding end portion and a stop end portion. A distal securing member is fixed to the grounding end portion of the pliable cord, and a proximal securing member is slidably engaged along the pliable cord opposite the distal securing member. The grounding end portion is secured to a ground member, the proximal securing member is secured to an object, and the elongated member is slid distally towards the grounding end portion to tighten the device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A tie-down device consisting of:
 an elongated member having an upper surface portion, a lower surface portion, a first end portion, and a second end portion opposite the first end portion;   a pliable cord engaged with the first and second end portions of the elongated member, the pliable cord having a grounding end portion and a stop end portion;   a distal securing member fixed to the grounding end portion of the pliable cord; and   a proximal securing member slidably engaged along the pliable cord between the first end portion and second end portion at the upper surface portion of the elongated member,   wherein the grounding end portion is secured to a ground member, the proximal securing member is secured to an object, and the elongated member is slid distally towards the grounding end portion to tighten the device.   
     
     
         2 . The tie-down device according to  claim 1  wherein the elongated member is hollow. 
     
     
         3 . The tie-down device according to  claim 1  wherein the upper surface portion and the lower surface portion of the elongated member are smooth. 
     
     
         4 . The tie-down device according to  claim 1  wherein each end portion of the elongate member has an aperture extending transversely through the upper and lower surface portions, and the pliable cord extends through the apertures. 
     
     
         5 . The tie-down device according to  claim 1  wherein the elongated member is of a generally cylindrical shape. 
     
     
         6 . The tie-down device according to  claim 1  wherein the hollow elongated member has a polygonal cross-sectional shape. 
     
     
         7 . The tie-down device according to  claim 1  wherein the stop end portion defines a knot. 
     
     
         8 . The tie-down device according to  claim 1  wherein the proximal and distal securing members are rigid hooks. 
     
     
         9 . The tie-down device according to  claim 1  wherein grounding end portion of the pliable cord defines a loop secured by a sleeve. 
     
     
         10 . The tie-down device according to  claim 1  wherein the pliable cord defines a camouflage pattern. 
     
     
         11 . The tie-down device according to  claim 1  wherein the elongated member comprises customized markings on a side surface portion. 
     
     
         12 . The tie-down device according to  claim 11  wherein the object is an aircraft, and the customized markings comprise an N-number of the aircraft. 
     
     
         13 . A tie-down device consisting of:
 an elongated member;   a pliable cord engaged with the elongated member, the pliable cord having a grounding end portion and a stop end portion;   a distal securing member fixed to the grounding end portion of the pliable cord; and   a proximal securing member slidably engaged along the pliable cord opposite the distal securing member,   wherein the grounding end portion is secured to a ground member, the proximal securing member is secured to an object, and the elongated member is slid distally towards the grounding end portion to tighten the device.   
     
     
         14 . The tie-down device according to  claim 13  wherein the stop end portion defines a knot. 
     
     
         15 . The tie-down device according to  claim 13  wherein the proximal and distal securing members are rigid hooks. 
     
     
         16 . The tie-down device according to  claim 13  wherein grounding end portion of the pliable cord defines a loop secured by a sleeve. 
     
     
         17 . The tie-down device according to  claim 13  wherein the elongated member comprises customized markings. 
     
     
         18 . An aircraft tie-down device consisting of:
 an elongated member having a first end portion and a second end portion opposite the first end portion;   a pliable cord engaged with the first and second end portions of the elongated member, the pliable cord having a grounding end portion and a stop end portion;   a distal securing member fixed to the grounding end portion of the pliable cord; and   a proximal securing member slidably engaged along the pliable cord opposite the distal securing member,   wherein the grounding end portion is secured to a ground member, the proximal securing member is secured to the aircraft, and the elongated member is slid distally towards the grounding end portion to tighten the device.   
     
     
         19 . The aircraft tie-down device according to  claim 18  wherein the elongated member comprises customized markings on a side surface portion. 
     
     
         20 . The aircraft tie-down device according to  claim 19  wherein the markings comprise an N-number of the aircraft.