CONCENTRIC COUNTER-COIL TIE DOWN SYSTEM FOR QUICKLY SECURING OBJECTS

• US 20160362040A1
• Filed: 06/09/2016
• Published: 12/15/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 06/09/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: David O. Burton, Jeffrey S. Horwich, Marla E. Orr, Merrill B. Orr, Michele C. Faraci-Horwich, Yvonne E. Burton
• Original Assignee: David O. Burton, Jeffrey S. Horwich, Marla E. Orr, Merrill B. Orr, Michele C. Faraci-Horwich, Yvonne E. Burton
• Inventors: Orr, Merrill B., Orr, Marla E., Burton, David O., Burton, Yvonne E., Horwich, Jeffrey S., Faraci-Horwich, Michele C.
• Granted Patent: US 10,059,248 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 7/0807 Attachment points

Abstract

Systems, devices and methods for securing items with respect to a fixed location using an elongate cord-member include a mounting assembly, a first cylindrical coil having a first radius from a central axis, a second cylindrical coil having a second radius from the central axis and oriented coaxially at least partially around the first cylindrical coil, and the first and second cylindrical coils are each coupled to a surface of the mounting assembly.

Claims

1. An apparatus for securing items with respect to a fixed location using an elongate cord-member, comprising:

a mounting assembly;

a first cylindrical coil having a first radius from a central axis; and

a second cylindrical coil having a second radius from the central axis and oriented coaxially at least partially around the first cylindrical coil,

wherein the first and second cylindrical coils are each coupled to a surface of the mounting assembly.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first cylindrical coil has a first, clockwise helix shape and the second cylindrical coil has a second, counter-clockwise helix shape.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first cylindrical coil and second cylindrical coil have a ninety degree offset in orientation.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising:

a central post coupled with the mounting assembly, located centrally and oriented coaxially with respect to the first and second cylindrical coils.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the mounting assembly further comprises:

a first mounting plate, including;

the surface coupled to the first and second cylindrical coil and a mounting surface.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the mounting assembly further comprises:

a clamp, removably coupled with the mounting surface of the first mounting plate such that it can secure the apparatus to a fixed mounting location.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising:

at least one separator member for separating the clamp, the opposing surface of the mounting plate or both from the fixed mounting location.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising:

a central post slidably coupled with the mounting assembly, located centrally and oriented coaxially with respect to the first and second cylindrical coils,

wherein the clamp, is removably coupled with the mounting surface of the first mounting plate by coupling with the central post.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the mounting assembly further comprises:

a first housing coupled with the mounting surface, having a third radius and oriented coaxially with respect to the first and second cylindrical coils,

wherein the third radius is greater than the second radius.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising:

a central post coupled with the mounting assembly, located centrally and oriented coaxially with respect to the first and second cylindrical coils.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising:

a second housing coupled with the central post, having a fourth radius and oriented coaxially with respect to the first and second cylindrical coils,

wherein the fourth radius is the same as the third radius and wherein a gap separates the first housing and the second housing such that the first and second cylindrical coils are operably accessible through the gap.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the second housing includes at least one drainage hole.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first and second cylindrical coils are permanently coupled at their upper ends.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising:

a central post coupled with the mounting assembly, located centrally and oriented coaxially with respect to the first and second cylindrical coils.

15. A method for securing at least one item with respect to a fixed location using an elongate cord-member, comprising:

orienting the elongate cord-member substantially near the at least one item such that it can affects movement of the item in at least one direction; and

securing the elongate cord-member to a cord-member securing apparatus mounted to the fixed location by tightly wedging the elongate cord-member between at least one loop of a first cylindrical coil and at least one loop of a second cylindrical coil of the cord-member securing apparatus such that the cord-member is at least partially prevented from moving out of position with respect to the fixed location,

wherein the cord-member securing apparatus comprises;

a mounting assembly mounted to the fixed location having a mounting surface and an opposing surface;

the first cylindrical coil having a first radius from a central axis; and

the second cylindrical coil having a second radius from the central axis greater than the first radius,

wherein the second cylindrical coil is oriented coaxially and at least partially around the first cylindrical coil and the first and second cylindrical coils are each coupled to the opposing surface of the mounting assembly.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

after securing the elongate cord-member to the cord-member securing apparatus,

a) extending the cord-member to a next cord-member securing apparatus of a plurality of cord-member securing apparatuses;

b) securing the elongate cord-member to the next cord-member securing apparatus mounted to a next location by tightly wedging the elongate cord-member between at least one loop of the first cylindrical coil and the second cylindrical coil of the next cord-member securing apparatus such that the cord-member is at least partially prevented from moving out of position with respect to the next location; and

repeating a) and b) as necessary until the elongate cord-member has been secured to some or all of the plurality of cord-member securing apparatuses.

17. A system for securing an item near a fixed location using an elongate cord-member associated with a close proximity of the item, comprising:

at least one cord-member securing apparatus, operable to secure a cord-member between at least one loop of a first cylindrical coil and at least one loop of a second cylindrical coil of the cord-member securing apparatus upon a user tightly wedging the elongate cord-member between the loops, such that the elongate cord-member is at least partially prevented from moving out of position with respect to the fixed location and thereby secures the item in close proximity to the elongate cord-member by at least partially preventing the item from moving,

wherein the at least one cord-member securing apparatus comprises;

a mounting assembly mounted at a mounting location;

the first cylindrical coil having a first radius from a central axis; and

the second cylindrical coil having a second radius from the central axis and located coaxially at least partially around the first cylindrical coil,

wherein the first and second cylindrical coils are each coupled to a surface of the mounting assembly.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the first cylindrical coil of the at least one cord-member securing apparatus has a first, clockwise helix shape and the second cylindrical coil of the at least one cord-member securing apparatus has a second, counter-clockwise helix shape.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the first cylindrical coil and second cylindrical coil of the at least one cord-member securing apparatus have a ninety degree offset in orientation.

20. The system of claim 19, further comprising:

a central post coupled with the mounting assembly of the at least one cord-member securing apparatus and located centrally and oriented coaxially with respect to the first and second cylindrical coils.

21. The system of claim 17, wherein the mounting assembly of the at least one cord-member securing apparatus further comprises:

a first mounting plate, including;

the surface coupled to the first and second cylindrical coil and a mounting surface.