Removable tie-down assembly

US8529176B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC · US

Inventors

• Brian J. Jutila · Richmond, US
• David K. Rock · Washington Township, US
• Ronald J. Wojciechowski · Sterling Heights, US
• Srinivasa A. Mandadapu · Sterling Heights, US
• Michael J. Clark · Watford, GB
• Vanessa Menezes Oliveira · Joinville, BR

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 19, 2011
• Grant date: Sep 10, 2013
• Expiry date: Aug 27, 2031

Classification

• Technology area (CPC F): Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
• CPC primary: F16B45/002
• WIPO field: Mechanical elements
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A tie-down assembly for attachment to and detachment from a structure, such as a vehicle pick-up bed, includes a female fastener configured to collapse during insertion of the tie-down assembly into the structure. The female fastener is also configured to expand following the insertion for retention of the tie-down assembly on the structure. The tie-down assembly also includes a male fastener configured to threadably engage the female fastener. Additionally, the tie-down assembly includes a holder configured to retain and rotatably restrain the female fastener when the male fastener is being threaded into the female fastener and when the male fastener is being threaded out of the female fastener. The holder includes an aperture and the male fastener is configured to be inserted into the aperture. The holder is also configured to guide the female fastener to a fixed position for removal of the tie-down assembly from the structure.