Adjustable tethering system for securing an article
First Claim
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,wherein the block has first and second openings bounded respectively by the first and second surfaces,wherein there is a bore through the block that intersects each of the first and second openings,the bore having first and second ends,wherein the first anchoring assembly comprises a first anchoring element that is threadably connected to the block and extended through the first end of the bore in a first direction to force the first portion of the elongate flexible element in the first opening into a portion of the bore that resides between the first and second openings without extending fully through the elongate flexible element,wherein the second anchoring assembly comprises a second anchoring element that is threadably connected to the block and extended through the second end of the bore opposite to the first direction to force the second portion of the elongate flexible element in the second opening into the portion of the bore without extending fully through the elongate flexible element.
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Accused Products
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. 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 to allow the elongate flexible element to be formed into a loop with a variable diameter.
79 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A tethering system comprising:
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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, wherein the block has first and second openings bounded respectively by the first and second surfaces, wherein there is a bore through the block that intersects each of the first and second openings, the bore having first and second ends, wherein the first anchoring assembly comprises a first anchoring element that is threadably connected to the block and extended through the first end of the bore in a first direction to force the first portion of the elongate flexible element in the first opening into a portion of the bore that resides between the first and second openings without extending fully through the elongate flexible element, wherein the second anchoring assembly comprises a second anchoring element that is threadably connected to the block and extended through the second end of the bore opposite to the first direction to force the second portion of the elongate flexible element in the second opening into the portion of the bore without extending fully through the elongate flexible element. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A tethering system comprising:
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an elongate flexible element having a length and an enlargement at or adjacent a free end thereof; and an anchoring system, the anchoring system comprising a block with first and second surfaces, defined respectively by first and second bores, the elongate flexible element extended into and through the first bore and into the second bore to define a loop, 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 having a first state wherein the enlargement is blocked so that the enlargement cannot be withdrawn from the second bore, 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 enlargement can be withdrawn from the second bore, the first anchoring assembly comprising a first anchoring element that is threadably connected to the block and extended into the block in a first direction to be changed from the second state into the first state, the second anchoring assembly comprising a second anchoring element that is threadably connected to the block and extended into the block in a second direction substantially oppositely to the first direction to be changed from the second state into the first state. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24)
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Specification