An apparatus includes a mandrel assembly, an anchor, a strap, a winch, a first pedal, an advancer. The mandrel assembly is positioned on a first side of a tire of a vehicle and to couple to a track assembly of rail car. The anchor is positioned on a second side of the tire and to couple to the track assembly. The strap assembly is coupled to the mandrel assembly and the anchor and wraps around the tire. The winch is coupled to the mandrel assembly. The winch includes a first sprocket. The advancer is coupled to the first pedal and engages the first sprocket such that, when the first pedal is pushed towards the winch, the advancer pushes the winch such that the winch and the mandrel assembly rotate in a first direction.

An occupancy sensor is provided for detecting the occupancy status of a wheeled mobility device securement system. The occupancy sensor may additionally confirm adequate tightness of the wheeled mobility device securement system and/or provide an indication of the magnitude of tightness. In one embodiment, the occupancy sensor comprises a spring-loaded follower that breaks the straight-line path of a wheeled mobility device tie down as it travels between two touch points. The follower is displaceable from an extended position to a compressed position in response to the magnitude of tension applied to the tie down. Proximity sensors are used to detect the displacement distance of the follower, thereby providing an indication of occupancy, adequate securement, and/or the magnitude of tension.

An occupancy sensor is provided for detecting the occupancy status of a wheeled mobility device securement system. The occupancy sensor may additionally confirm adequate tightness of the wheeled mobility device securement system and/or provide an indication of the magnitude of tightness. In one embodiment, the occupancy sensor comprises a spring-loaded follower that breaks the straight-line path of a wheeled mobility device tie down as it travels between two touch points. The follower is displaceable from an extended position to a compressed position in response to the magnitude of tension applied to the tie down. Proximity sensors are used to detect the displacement distance of the follower, thereby providing an indication of occupancy, adequate securement, and/or the magnitude of tension.

A device configured to secure a load to a supporting structure and a method of using the device to secure the load to the supporting structure are provided. The device includes a strap fixed onto itself so as to form a first loop and a pair of free ends. An attachment member includes a body with a pair of support arms disposed on opposite ends of the body. Each of the pair of free ends of the strap are attached to a corresponding support arm, laterally spacing the free ends from each other, giving the device a generally figure 8 dimension. The strap is wrapped around the load and the attachment member is pulled through the first loop and the strap is cinched by pulling on the attachment member. The attachment member is then secured to the supporting structure.

A device configured to secure a load to a supporting structure and a method of using the device to secure the load to the supporting structure are provided. The device includes a strap fixed onto itself so as to form a first loop and a pair of free ends. An attachment member includes a body with a pair of support arms disposed on opposite ends of the body. Each of the pair of free ends of the strap are attached to a corresponding support arm, laterally spacing the free ends from each other, giving the device a generally figure 8 dimension. The strap is wrapped around the load and the attachment member is pulled through the first loop and the strap is cinched by pulling on the attachment member. The attachment member is then secured to the supporting structure.

A truck bed extension assembly includes a first panel that is slidably positionable in a bed of a truck. An object may be positioned on the first panel for transporting the object. The first panel is positionable in a first position having the first panel being contained in the bed. The first panel is positionable in a second position has the first panel extending outwardly from a rear end to support an object that is longer than the bed. A pair of sliding units is each slidably coupled to the first panel and each of the sliding units is fastened to the bed of the pickup. Each of the sliding units facilitates the first panel to be urged between the first position and the second position while retaining the first panel in the bed of the pickup. A second panel is hingedly coupled to the first panel the second panel is positionable to be oriented perpendicular to the first panel to inhibit the object from sliding off of the first panel.

Provided herein is a balanced locking pawl. In particular, the center of gravity of the locking pawl is located at or near the pivot point of the locking pawl. The balanced approach allows for a faster locking response during the rebound (whiplash/return) forces of a crash.

A tie down strap system is provided. The system includes a first flexible strap, a first hook disposed on the first flexible strap, a pair of adjusters disposed on the first flexible strap on each side of the first hook, a first connector attached to a first end of the first flexible strap, and a second connector attached to a second end of the first flexible strap. The system may be used to secure an item, such as a two-wheeled vehicle, to an object, such as a bed of a tow vehicle.

A tie down strap system is provided. The system includes a first flexible strap, a first hook disposed on the first flexible strap, a pair of adjusters disposed on the first flexible strap on each side of the first hook, a first connector attached to a first end of the first flexible strap, and a second connector attached to a second end of the first flexible strap. The system may be used to secure an item, such as a two-wheeled vehicle, to an object, such as a bed of a tow vehicle.

A method for securing a vehicle to a vehicle transport includes placing a first strap about a portion of a vehicle wheel, the first strap intersecting a circumference of the vehicle wheel, positioning a second strap about another portion of the vehicle wheel, the second strap intersecting a circumference of the vehicle wheel, connecting the first strap to the second strap with a connecting strap, and securing the connecting strap to the vehicle transport.