Adjustable tethering system for securing an article

• US 20060045613A1
• Filed: 08/26/2004
• Published: 03/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/26/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Se-Kure Controls Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Se-Kure Controls Incorporated
• Inventors: Leyden, Roger, Surma, Terrance, Frederiksen, Bjarne
• Granted Patent: US 7,204,107 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 403/312
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/06 by tampering with fastening
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1445 with detection of interference with a cable tethering an article, e.g. alarm activated by detecting detachment of article, breaking or stretching of cable furniture, e.g. shelves for displaying merchandise, incorporating tethers to prevent theft A47F7/024, A47F5/0861
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/5781 Bolted
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/409 Shackles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5009 For portable articles

Abstract

A tethering system having an elongate flexible element, with a length, and an anchoring system. The anchoring system has a block defining first and second surfaces. The anchoring system further includes (a) a first anchoring assembly for bearing a first portion of the elongate flexible element against the first surface with the first anchoring assembly in a first state to maintain the first portion of the elongate flexible element substantially fixed against movement relative to the first surface, and (b) a second anchoring assembly for bearing a second portion of the elongate flexible element against the second surface with the second anchoring assembly in a first state to maintain the second portion of the elongate flexible element substantially fixed against movement relative to the second surface. The first anchoring assembly is changeable selectively between its first state and a second state wherein the first portion of the elongate flexible element can move relative to the first surface. The second anchoring assembly is changeable selectively between its first state and a second state wherein the second portion of the elongate flexible element can move relative to the second surface. The elongate flexible element is formable into a loop with a diameter between the first and second portions. The loop is maintainable in a selected diameter with the first and second anchoring assemblies in their first states. The diameter of the loop is variable by placing the first anchoring assembly in its second state and moving the first portion of the elongate flexible element relative to the first surface to produce a changed diameter for the loop. The first anchoring assembly is changeable from its second state into its first state to thereby maintain the changed diameter for the loop.

Claims

1. A tethering system comprising:

an elongate flexible element having a length; and

an anchoring system,

the anchoring system comprising a block defining first and second surfaces,

the anchoring system further comprising (a) a first anchoring assembly for bearing a first portion of the elongate flexible element against the first surface with the first anchoring assembly in a first state to maintain the first portion of the elongate flexible element substantially fixed against movement relative to the first surface, and (b) a second anchoring assembly for bearing a second portion of the elongate flexible element against the second surface with the second anchoring assembly in a first state to maintain the second portion of the elongate flexible element substantially fixed against movement relative to the second surface,

the first anchoring assembly changeable selectively between its first state and a second state wherein the first portion of the elongate flexible element can move relative to the first surface,

the second anchoring assembly changeable selectively between its first state and a second state wherein the second portion of the elongate flexible element can move relative to the second surface,

the elongate flexible element formable into a loop with a diameter between the first and second portions,

the loop maintainable in a selected diameter with the first and second anchoring assemblies in their first states,

the diameter of the loop variable by placing the first anchoring assembly in its second state and moving the first portion of the elongate flexible element relative to the first surface to produce a changed diameter for the loop,

the first anchoring assembly changeable from its second state into its first state to thereby maintain the changed diameter for the loop.

2. The tethering system according to claim 1 wherein the block has first and second openings bounded respectively by the first and second surfaces.

3. The tethering system according to claim 2 wherein the first and second openings are fully spaced, each from the other.

4. The tethering system according to claim 2 wherein the first and second openings are defined by substantially parallel bores through the block.

5. The tethering system according to claim 1 wherein the first surface comprises a sharp edge against which the first portion of the elongate flexible element is borne by the first anchoring assembly.

6. The tethering system according to claim 5 wherein the first portion of the elongate flexible element has an outer surface into which the sharp corner digs with the first anchoring assembly in its first state.

7. The tethering system according to claim 1 wherein the first anchoring assembly comprises a first anchoring element that is movable selectively towards and away from the first surface to thereby change the first anchoring assembly between its first and second states.

8. The tethering system according to claim 7 wherein the first anchoring element is threadably engaged with the block and turnable around a first axis selectively in first and second opposite directions to thereby move the first anchoring element towards and away from the first surface.

9. The tethering system according to claim 8 wherein the first anchoring element has a head that is engageable by a tool through which the first anchoring element can be turned around the first axis.

10. The tethering system according to claim 9 wherein the head has a receptacle for cooperating with a custom designed turning tool.

11. The tethering system according to claim 7 wherein the second anchoring assembly comprises a second anchoring element that is movable selectively towards and away from the second surface to thereby change the second anchoring assembly between its first and second states.

12. The tethering system according to claim 11 wherein the first anchoring element is movable along a first line in changing the first anchoring assembly between its first and second states, the second anchoring element is movable along a second line in changing the second anchoring assembly between its first and second states and the first and second bores are substantially parallel.

13. The tethering system according to claim 12 wherein the first and second lines are substantially coincident.

14. The tethering system according to claim 1 wherein the block comprises a wall, the first surface is defined by the wall and faces in a first direction and the second surface is defined by the wall and faces oppositely to the first direction.

15. The tethering system according to claim 1 wherein the first and second openings are defined by spaced first and second bores through the block, the elongate flexible element has a free end and the free end can be directed fully through each of the first and second through bores.

16. The tethering system according to claim 15 wherein the first bore has a first diameter, the free end of the elongate flexible element has an enlargement thereon with a second diameter that is less than the first diameter, and with the first anchoring assembly in its first state, the diameter of the first bore is effectively reduced to less than the second diameter.

17. The tethering system according to claim 1 in combination with a support to which a part of the elongate flexible element spaced from the loop is attached.

18. The tethering system according to claim 17 wherein the elongate flexible element comprises a hardened metal core.

19. The tethering system according to claim 17 further comprising an article having a portion around which the loop extends and an alarm system for producing a detectable signal in the event that at least one of (a) the article is separated from the loop, (b) the elongate flexible element is separated from the support and (c) the elongate flexible element is severed.

20. The tethering system according to claim 9 wherein the block has a recess for accepting at least a portion of the head on the first anchoring element.

21. The tethering system according to claim 9 wherein the head on the first anchoring element has a free end and the head has a truncated conical shape with a diameter that increases away from the free end of the head.

22. The tethering system according to claim 1 wherein the block comprises a plastic material.

23. The tethering system according to claim 1 wherein the block has a cylindrical shape.

24. A method of forming a loop with a variable diameter in a flexible elongate element with a free end, the method comprising the steps of:

providing an anchoring system comprising a block defining first and second surfaces;

placing a first portion of the elongate flexible element against the first surface and bearing the first portion of the elongate flexible element forcibly against the first surface with a first anchoring assembly; and

placing a second portion of the elongate flexible element against the second surface so that a loop is formed between the first and second portions of the elongate flexible element and bearing the second portion of the elongate flexible element forcibly against the second surface with a second anchoring assembly that is operable independently of the first anchoring assembly.

25. The method of forming a loop according to claim 24 wherein the step of providing an anchoring system comprises providing a block with spaced first and second through bores and the step of placing the first and second portions of the elongate flexible element against the first and second surfaces comprises directing the free end of the elongate flexible element into and through the first through bore and into and through the second through bore.

26. The method of forming a loop according to claim 25 wherein the step of bearing the first portion of the elongate flexible element against the first surface comprises directing a first anchoring element guidingly against the block into the first through bore to against the elongate flexible element.

27. The method of forming a loop according to claim 24 further comprising the step of directing the loop around an article to be secured using the elongate flexible element.

28. The method of forming a loop according to claim 27 further comprising the step of restricting the loop around a necked portion of the article.

29. The method of forming a loop according to claim 25 further comprising the step of directing the free end of the elongate flexible element through an opening in an article to be secured after the free end of the elongate flexible element is directed through the first bore and before the free end of the elongate flexible element is directed into the second through bore.

30. The method of forming a loop according to claim 27 further comprising the step of connecting a part of the elongate flexible element to a support relative to which the article is to be confined in movement by the elongate flexible element.