Device for quick fastening and tension adjustment of multiple cord configurations

• US 7,464,443 B2
• Filed: 08/22/2005
• Issued: 12/16/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Miguel Martinho Lopes Praca
• Original Assignee: Miguel Martinho Lopes Praca
• Inventors: Lopes Praca, Miguel Martinho
• Primary Examiner(s): Lavinder; Jack W.
• Application Number:
  US11/209,381
• Publication Number:
  US 20060054070A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,212 Days
• Field of Search: 241/15.R, 241/29.R, 241/30, 114/218
• US Class Current: 24/129.00R
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 7/0823 Straps; Tighteners
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 21/04 Fastening or guiding equipment for chains, ropes, hawsers, or the like means for fastening cables or ropes in general F16G11/00
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 21/08 Clamping devices in general F16B; means for fastening cables or ropes to one another or to other objects in general F16G11/00
• 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

Abstract

Free-standing anchoring devices are provided for use with lines such as cords and ropes. The anchoring devices include various combinations of clam and boat cleats in unitary parts. One exemplary embodiment includes a boat cleat, a clam cleat, and a post proximate to the clam cleat. Another includes two clam cleats between two posts. A variation of this embodiment adds a boat cleat to the underside of the part.

Claims

1. A free-standing line anchoring device,comprising:

a base having a top surface and first and second ends;

a boat cleat extending from the first end of the base; and

a clam cleat disposed on the top surface near the second end of the base;

said boat cleat comprising an elongated shape with two opposing noses and narrowing under said opposing noses to a foot where said boat cleat attaches to the base, and an opening traversing the body of said boat cleat through which a loop from a first line can be fed and bent over the said noses to constrict and retain the body of said boat cleat as tension is applied to said first line;

said claim cleat comprising a guiding recess for bending a second line through an angle between ninety and one hundred and eighty degrees,leading to a retaining feature comprising a v-shaped groove, with one or more guiding teeth disposed on the wall of the v-shaped groove, said teeth oriented with a slant to guide said second line towards the apex of the v-shaped groove.

2. The anchoring device of claim 1 further comprising a post disposed on the top surface proximate to the second end of the base.

3. The anchoring tensioning device of claim 2 wherein the post comprises a mushroom-shaped knob.

4. The anchoring tensioning device of claim 2 wherein a longitudinal axis of the boat cleat is parallel to, and offset from, a plane defined by the axes of the clam cleat and the post.

5. The anchoring tensioning device of claim 2 further comprising an eyelet disposed on the post.

6. The anchoring tensioning device of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of grooves defined into base.

7. The anchoring device of claim 1 wherein the boat cleat includes a V-shaped ridge longitudinally disposed in the recess under one or both noses of the boat cleat.