Holding device and method

• US 6,393,670 B1
• Filed: 12/11/2000
• Issued: 05/28/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Brad M. Bealmear
• Original Assignee: Brad M. Bealmear
• Inventors: Bealmear, Brad M.
• Primary Examiner(s): SAKRAN, VICTOR N
• Application Number:
  US09/734,083
• Time in Patent Office: 533 Days
• Field of Search: 24/129 R,129 W,115 H,300,30.5 P,17 AP,16 R,16 PB
• US Class Current: 24/129.00R
• CPC Class Codes: F16G 11/046 by bending the cable around a surface
• 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 24/1498 Plastic band
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/3916 One-piece
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/3924 Sheet material
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/3987 Loop, adjustable

Abstract

A device is provided for gathering, securing, or bracing objects using a tightened coil of flexible cord element. The device includes a positioner element to which is attached a flexible cord element. The cord element is looped once and pulled through a cavity in the positioning element. The looped cord element is placed around one or more objects, and tightened by pulling the free end of the cord element, which is then looped around the objects one or more additional times, the additional loops being formed adjacent to the positioner element. The coiled assembly is locked in place by returning the uncoiled portion of the cord element to the positioner element and pushing a section of cord element into a clip on the unit.

Claims

1. A holding device comprising:

a. a cord element having a first end and a second end;

b. a positioner element having a front side and a back side and incorporating an anchoring cavity, a coupling cavity, and a clip;

said cord element to be attached by its first end to said positioner element at said anchoring cavity so that the cord element extends from the front side of the positioner element, the cord element to be looped below the positioner element and drawn through said coupling cavity from the positioner element back side and to emerge from the front side, the coupling cavity being generally parallel to the anchoring cavity, both cavities being situated in the lower part of the positioner element, the resultant cord element loop being variable in diameter when pulled from either side of the coupling cavity, the loop to be placed around one or more objects positioned below the positioner element, the loop to be tightened when the cord element is pulled, the cord element to be wrapped one or more times around said object or objects with the additional cord element loops being adjacent and parallel to the initial cord element loop while not incorporating the positioner element, the remaining uncoiled cord element to be returned to the positioner element and a section of the cord element to be pushed into and held by said clip, the clip being integrated into the top of the positioner element.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the coupling cavity is bisected by a slot, opening the length of said cavity to the exterior of the positioner element.

3. A method for gathering, securing, or bracing one or more objects, said method comprising:

placing a loop created of a cord element around said object or objects, said loop created by affixing an end of said cord element within an anchoring cavity pierced into a positioner element so that the cord element projects from the front side of said positioner element, the positioner element being pierced through with a coupling cavity parallel to said anchoring cavity, both cavities being situated in the lower part of the positioner element, the cord element being looped below the positioner element and threaded through said coupling cavity from the back side of the positioner element to project from the front side of the positioner element and produce the loop of cord element, the loop being adjustable in size by pulling the cord element on either side of the coupling cavity, the loop being placed loosely around the object or objects and tightened, the cord element being then wrapped around the object or objects one or more additional times while not incorporating the positioner element in said additional loops, the remaining cord element being pulled back to the positioner element and pushed into and held by a clip integrated into the top of the positioner element.