MULTI-USE CLEAT

• US 20110126382A1
• Filed: 12/02/2010
• Published: 06/02/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rapid Medical LLC
• Original Assignee: Jeffrey B. Kirkham
• Inventors: Kirkham, Jeffrey B.
• Granted Patent: US 9,168,044 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 24/16.R
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1322 comprising a flexible encircling member A61B17/135 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16G 11/04 with wedging action, e.g. friction clamps F16G11/02, F16G11/10 take precedence; eyes for grommet-thimble type fastenings F16G11/146
• CPC Class Codes: F16G 11/103 deforming the cable by bending it around or inserting it into the fastener
• CPC Class Codes: F16G 11/14 Devices or coupling-pieces designed for easy formation of adjustable loops, e.g. choker hooks; Hooks or eyes with integral parts designed to facilitate quick attachment to cables or ropes at any point, e.g. by forming loops
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/14 Bale and package ties, hose clamps
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/3989 Snubbers, cleats by dielectric loss

Abstract

A cord assembly including an elongate cord extending between a first end in the form of at least one loop and an opposite free second end and a cleat fixedly attached to the looped end of the elongate cord. The cleat includes at least two recesses for receiving and securing the second end of the elongate cord during use, for example, as a tourniquet or to secure some other item. In use, the free end is passed through the loop so that the cord extends around the limb or other item to which it is being applied, and then the free end of the cord is locked into the cleat using the recesses.

Claims

1. A cord assembly, comprising:

an elongate flat cord, the elongate flat cord extending between a first end in the form of at least one loop and an opposite free second end; and

a cleat fixedly attached to the looped end of the elongate flat cord, the cleat including first and second recesses for receiving and securing the second end of the elongate flat cord during use.

2. The cord assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the elongate flat cord comprises an elastic material.

3. The cord assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the elongate flat cord is at least about 1 foot in length.

4. The cord assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the elongate flat cord has a length greater than about 2 feet.

5. The cord assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the first end of the elongate flat cord includes two loops.

6. The cord assembly as recited in claim 1, further comprising attachment means for forming the first end of the elongate flat cord into the at least one loop.

7. The cord assembly as recited in claim 6, wherein the attachment means comprises at least one clamp.

8. The cord assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein each loop is fixed in size and position relative to the first end of the elongate flat cord.

9. The cord assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein each loop is adjustable in size and position relative to the first end of the elongate cord.

10. The cord assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the recesses of the cleat further comprise locking means for lockingly engaging the elongate flat cord when the elongate flat cord is placed in the recesses.

11. The cord assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the locking means comprises teeth.

12. The cord assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein one end of the elongate flat cord is attached to a tarp or tent.

13. A cleat, comprising:

a body including a base end and a securing end;

a first recess within one side of the body dividing the base end from the securing end of the body, the first recess being configured for receiving and securing a cord, the first recess extending between an outward opening into which a cord is insertable and a closed inward end including a rounded recess at the inward end, the first recess including a plurality of locking teeth formed so as to project into the first recess to aid in locking a cord within recess during use of the cleat; and

a second recess within an opposite side of the body dividing the base end from the securing end of the body, the second recess being configured for receiving and securing a cord, the second recess extending between an outward opening into which a cord is insertable and a closed inward end including a rounded recess at the inward end, the second recess including a plurality of locking teeth formed so as to project into the second recess to aid in locking a cord within recess during use of the cleat.

14. A cleat as recited in claim 13, wherein the recesses of the cleat are outwardly flared at their outward opening to facilitate insertion of a cord during use.

15. A cleat as recited in claim 13, further comprising a pair of cord holes formed through the securing end of the body through which a cord may be inserted during use.

16. A cleat as recited in claim 13, wherein the plurality of teeth in each of the first and second recesses are configured and arranged to accept a cord for securing a tarp or tent.

17. A cleat, comprising:

a body including a base end and a securing end;

a first recess within one side of the body dividing the base end from the securing end of the body, the first recess being configured for receiving and securing a flat cord, the first recess extending between an outward opening into which a flat cord is insertable and a closed inward end including a recess at the inward end, the inward end recess configured to receive a flat cord, the first recess including at least one locking teeth formed so as to project into the first recess to aid in locking the flat cord within recess during use of the cleat; and

a second recess within an opposite side of the body dividing the base end from the securing end of the body, the second recess being configured for receiving and securing a cord, the second recess extending between an outward opening into which a cord is insertable and a closed inward end including a recess at the inward end, the inward end recess configured to receive a flat cord, the second recess including at least one locking tooth formed so as to project into the second recess to aid in locking a cord within recess during use of the cleat.

18. A cleat as recited in claim 17, wherein the recesses of the cleat are outwardly flared at their outward opening to facilitate insertion of the flat cord during use.

19. A cleat as recited in claim 17, further comprising a pair of cord holes formed through the securing end of the body through which the flat cord may be inserted during use.

20. A cleat as recited in claim 17, wherein the first and second recesses are configured and arranged to accept a cord for securing a tarp or tent.