Tie down tensioning device

• US 20060096067A1
• Filed: 11/08/2005
• Published: 05/11/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/08/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Harmony Tie Boss, LLC
• Original Assignee: Tie Boss LLC
• Inventors: Fontaine, Norston, Maire, Paul
• Granted Patent: US 7,428,769 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 24/130
• CPC Class Codes: F16G 11/103 deforming the cable by bending it around or inserting it into the fastener
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/3916 One-piece
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/3918 Wedge slot

Abstract

A simple and inexpensive device for a reliable tie down tensioning which device enables the tie-down to be quickly and easily applied and the flexible element tensioned and just as quickly and easily removed.

Claims

1. A jamming cleat device for holding a line under tension comprising:

a groove for receiving a flexible elongated element, said groove being defined between opposed side walls each of which is provided with a plurality of ridges for gripping such a flexible elongated element received in the groove, said ridges being inclined with respect to a base of the groove in an axial direction of the groove away from an end of said groove base;

a locking feature for the flexible elongated element located near the output end of the jamming cleat device.

2. The jamming cleat of claim 1, wherein the jamming cleat includes at least one aperture for a hook or other equivalent securing element.

3. The jamming cleat of claim 2, wherein the jamming cleat includes an opening for ingress of the flexible elongated element into the jamming cleat, and into a channel that guides the flexible elongated element around at least one of the apertures used for a hook.

4. The jamming cleat of claim 1, wherein the jamming cleat includes an opening for ingress of the flexible elongated element into the jamming cleat housing, and a channel that guides the flexible elongated element to the plurality of ridges used for gripping said flexible elongated element.

5. The jamming cleat of claim 1, wherein the jamming cleat groove is generally V-shaped in transverse cross-section.

6. The jamming cleat of claim 1, further comprising one or more apertures, which allow the cleat to be secured to a support.

7. The jamming cleat of claim 1, wherein the shape of the base is not flat.

8. A tie down tensioning device comprising:

a housing with a jamming cleat feature;

said housing having an opening for ingress of a flexible elongated element into said housing and through a channel, the channel along at least a portion of its length completely surrounding at least a portion of the length of the flexible elongated element, the channel guides the flexible elongated element into the jamming cleat feature before passing through the output end of said housing; and

housing having at least one aperture for the mounting of a hook or equivalent securing element.

9. The tie down tensioning device of claim 8, wherein the jamming cleat feature incorporates a locking feature for the flexible elongated element.

10. The locking feature of claim 9, wherein the locking feature is located near the output end of said housing.

11. The tie down tensioning device of claim 8, wherein the flexible elongated element wraps around at least one aperture in the housing used for the mounting of the hook or equivalent securing element.

12. The tie down tensioning device of claim 8, wherein the housing contains a feature that secures the removable hook to the housing and prevents unintended separation of the hook from the housing when the device is not under tension.

13. The tie down tensioning device of claim 8, wherein the hook contains a feature that secures itself to the housing and prevents unintended separation of the hook from the housing when the device is not under tension.

14. The tie down tensioning device of claim 8, wherein the housing incorporates at least two apertures for a hook or other equivalent securing element.

15. The tie down tensioning device of claim 8, wherein the channel for the flexible element is enclosed for the channel'"'"'s entire length.

16. The tie down tensioning device of claim 8, wherein the channel for the flexible element is, in plan view, generally U-shaped.

17. The tie down tensioning device of claim 8, wherein the housing is made from plastic, metal, or any other suitable material.

18. The tie down tensioning device of claim 8, wherein the housing is made from one or more pieces, and is fastened together to form a complete unit.