Accessory system for ATV and method of use

1. A tie-down adapter system comprising:

an adapter having an opening for receiving a hook of a tie-down strap and a base portion defining a plurality of holes;

a threaded shaft attached to or attachable to the adapter;

an engagement member attached to the threaded shaft, the engagement member having at least one hole extending therethrough, the at least one hole being sized and shaped to receive a pin and being alignable with the holes in the base portion of the adapter aligned so that the pin may be inserted through the engagement member and two of the plurality of holes in the adapter; and

wherein the plurality of holes in the adapter comprises four holes in the base portion so that the holes in the base portion can be aligned with the hole extending through the engagement member in 90-degree increments.

2. The tie-down adapter system of claim 1 , wherein the base portion of the adapter is generally tubular and sized to receive the engagement member attached to the threaded shaft.

3. The tie-down adapter system of claim 1 , further comprising a pin extending through two holes of the plurality of holes in the adapter and through the hole extending through the engagement member to hold the adapter to the engagement member.

4. The tie-down adapter system of claim 2 , further comprising a wall extending from the base portion which is generally tubular, the opening being disposed in the wall.

5. The tie-down adapter system of claim 4 , wherein the opening in the wall is larger than each hole of the plurality of holes in the base portion.

6. The tie down adapter system of claim 4 , wherein the opening is generally oblong.

7. The tie-down adapter system of claim 4 , wherein the base portion is cylindrical and wherein the wall extending from the base portion is semi-circular.

8. A tie-down adapter system comprising:

an adapter having an opening for receiving a hook of a tie-down strap;

a threaded shaft attached to or attachable to the adapter; and

a tie-down strap having a hook disposed on the end thereof sized to be received in the opening.

9. A method for securing an ATV for transport, the method comprises:

selecting a tie-down adapter system comprising an adapter having an opening for receiving a hook of a tie-down strap and a threaded shaft attached to or attachable to the adapter, and a strap having a hook disposed on an end thereof, the hook being sized to be received in the opening;

attaching the adapter to a suspension system of an ATV; and

attaching a strap to the adapter and applying force to the strap.

10. The method of securing an ATV for transport of claim 9 , wherein the method comprises selecting an ATV which has an engagement member attached to the suspension system of the ATV and releasably attaching the adapter to the engagement member.

11. The method of securing an ATV for transport of claim 10 , wherein the adapter has a plurality of holes and wherein the engagement member comprises a hole formed therein and wherein the method comprises inserting a pin through the adapter and the engagement member to hold the adapter to the engagement member.

12. The method for securing an ATV for transport of claim 9 , wherein the strap is secured to a trailer to hold the ATV in place.

13. The method for securing an ATV for transport of claim 9 , wherein the suspension of the ATV is attached to two wheels and wherein the method comprises attaching a second adaptor to the suspension of an ATV and wherein the method comprising attaching the adaptors together with a strap and applying force to the strap to apply inward force on opposing sides of the suspension and thereby draw the wheels closer together.

14. An ATV having the tie-down adapter system of claim 8 , wherein the tie-down adapter is attached to a suspension system of the ATV.

15. The ATV according to claim 14 , further comprising a second adapter having an opening for receiving a hook of a tie-down strap and a second threaded shaft attached to or attachable to the second adapter.

16. The ATV according to claim 15 , wherein the strap is attached to the adapter and the second adapter.

17. The tie-down adapter system of claim 8 , wherein the threaded shaft is attached to an engagement member and wherein the adapter has a base portion which is generally tubular and sized to receive the engagement member attached to the threaded shaft.

18. The tie-down adapter system of claim 8 , wherein the threaded shaft is attached to an engagement member and further comprising a pin extending through the adapter and the engagement member.

19. The tie-down adapter system of claim 18 , wherein the adapter has a wall extending from the base portion, the opening being disposed in the wall.

20. The tie-down adapter of claim 19 , wherein the adapter is generally tubular and has a sloped face leading from the wall down to the base portion on a part of the base portion opposite the wall.