Device for securing rope in multiple configurations and process of using the same

• US 9,157,505 B2
• Filed: 05/20/2010
• Issued: 10/13/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 05/26/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nite Ize Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Nite Ize Incorporated
• Inventors: Seader, Rex
• Primary Examiner(s): Sandy, Robert J
• Assistant Examiner(s): Do, Rowland
• Application Number:
  US13/322,308
• Publication Number:
  US 20120137475A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,972 Days
• Field of Search: 241/29.R, 241/15.G, 241/15.J, 241/30
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A43C 1/06 tightened by draw-strings
• CPC Class Codes: A43C 7/00 Holding-devices for laces
• CPC Class Codes: F16G 11/046 by bending the cable around a surface
• CPC Class Codes: F16G 11/10 Quick-acting fastenings; Clamps holding in one direction only
• 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 24/3916 One-piece
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

An apparatus for securing a rope includes a device body having a first width, a first length, and a first height, the first width substantially greater than each of the first height and the first length, the device body having a first end and a second end, the first and second ends at opposing ends of the first width of the device body. The apparatus includes a first rope notch, the first rope notch located at the first end of the device body, the first rope notch extending in a first direction parallel to the first height away from the central body. The apparatus includes a second rope notch, the second rope notch located at the second end of the device body, the second rope notch extending in a second direction parallel to the first height away from the device body, wherein the second direction is opposite the first direction.

Claims

1. An apparatus for securing a rope, the apparatus comprising:

(a) a device body having a first width, a first length, and a first height, the first width substantially greater than each of the first height and the first length, the rope wrapped around the device body in the plane of the first height and first width, the device body providing frictional forces to the rope, the device body having a first end and a second end, the first end and the second end at opposing ends of the first width of the device body;

(b) a first rope notch, the first rope notch located at the first end of the device body, the first rope notch extending in a first direction parallel to the first length away from the central body, the rope passing from the device body through the first rope notch, the first rope notch holding the rope in the first rope notch;

(c) a second rope notch, the second rope notch located at the second end of the device body, the second rope notch extending in a second direction parallel to the first length away from the device body, wherein the second direction is opposite the first direction, the rope passing from the device body through the second rope notch, the second rope notch holding the rope in the second rope notch, the rope being held firmly in place by a combination of friction and tension provided by the rope being wrapped around the device body, and the first rope notch and the second rope notch holding the rope, the first rope notch and the second rope notch form a first channel and a second channel, respectively, the first channel having a first opening in a third direction, the third direction having a parallel plane to the first length, and the second channel having a first opening in the third direction, and the first channel and the second channel having a first cross-section in a plane of the first length and height, the first cross-section having a first shape of a narrowed slot terminating in a semi-circular opening.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first cross-section is the same at a plurality of cross-sections along the first rope notch and the second rope notch in the direction of the first width, forming an approximately tubular semi-circular termination having a first diameter and a slot having a second width less than the first diameter.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a width of the semi-circular opening is approximately a width of the rope, and a width of the slot is less than the width of the rope.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a hole passing through the device body from the first end to the second end along the first width.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a hole passing through the device body from along the first height.