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

• US 9,750,308 B2
• Filed: 10/13/2015
• Issued: 09/05/2017
• 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:
  US14/882,037
• Publication Number:
  US 20160066654A1
• Time in Patent Office: 693 Days
• Field of Search: 24129 R, 24115 G, 24115 J, 24130
• 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. A device for tensioning shoe laces, comprising:

a rope device, the rope device including;

a first raised surface and a second raised surface, the first raised surface located at a first end of the rope device and the second raised surface located at a second end of the rope device, the second end distal from the first end;

a wrapping area located between the first raised surface and the second raised surface, the first raised surface and the second raised surface raised in relation to the wrapping area;

a third surface located on a back side of the second raised surface;

a first opening, the first opening approximately perpendicular to the second raised surface and the third raised surface, the first opening being wider toward a first end of the rope device and narrower toward a second end of the rope device;

a fourth surface located on a back side of the first raised surface;

a second opening at the second end of the rope device, the second opening approximately perpendicular to the first raised surface and the fourth surface, the second opening including a side gap, the side gap located along a side of the device; and

a raised sidewall, the raised sidewall located in the side gap, the raised sidewall approximately perpendicular to the first raised surface, the fourth surface and the second opening, the raised sidewall forming a narrowed entrance to the side gap.

2. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

a protrusion on a back side of the wrapping area, the protrusion located between the first opening and the second opening.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the protrusion is angled towards the first opening, forming an acute angle with the back side of the wrapping area.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein a depression is formed in the back side of the wrapping area proximate to a vertex of the acute angle.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the wrapping area includes side edges, and the side edges are narrowed in comparison to the side edges of the first raised surface and the second raised surface, such that a width of the wrapping is less than that of the first raised surface and the second raised surface.

6. A lace and device tensioning system, the system comprising:

a rope device, the rope device including;

a first raised surface and a second raised surface, the first raised surface located at a first end of the rope device and the second raised surface located at a second end of the rope device, the second end distal from the first end;

a wrapping area located between the first raised surface and the second raised surface, the first raised surface and the second raised surface raised in relation to the wrapping area;

a third surface located on a back side of the second raised surface;

a first opening, the first opening approximately perpendicular to the second raised surface and the third raised surface, the first opening being wider toward a first end of the rope device and narrower toward a second end of the rope device;

a fourth surface located on a back side of the first raised surface;

a second opening at the second end of the rope device, the second opening approximately perpendicular to the first raised surface and the fourth surface, the second opening including a side gap, the side gap located along a side of the device;

a raised sidewall, the raised sidewall located in the side gap, the raised sidewall approximately perpendicular to the first raised surface, the fourth surface and the second opening, the raised sidewall forming a narrowed entrance to the side gap; and

laces, the laces located such that they are passed through the first opening from the first end of the rope device toward the second end of the rope device, the laces further located such that they are wrapped from a back side of the wrapping area, around the wrapping area, back to the back side of the wrapping area, and through the side gap, such that they are located in the second opening.

7. The lace and device tensioning system of claim 6, further comprising:

a protrusion on the back side of the wrapping area, the protrusion located between the first opening and the second opening.

8. The lace and device tensioning system of claim 7, wherein the protrusion is angled toward the first opening, forming an acute angle with the back side of the wrapping area.

9. The lace and device tensioning system of claim 8, wherein a depression is formed in the back side of the wrapping area proximate to a vertex of the acute angle.

10. The lace and device tensioning system of claim 9, wherein the wrapping area includes side edges, and the side edges are narrowed in comparison to the side edges of the first raised surface and the second raised surface, such that a width of the wrapping is less than that of the first raised surface and the second raised surface.

11. A lace and device tensioning system, the system comprising:

a rope device, the rope device including;

a first raised surface and a second raised surface, the first raised surface located at a first end of the rope device and the second raised surface located at a second end of the rope device, the second end distal from the first end;

a wrapping area located between the first raised surface and the second raised surface, the first raised surface and the second raised surface raised in relation to the wrapping area;

a third surface located on a back side of the second raised surface;

a first opening, the first opening approximately perpendicular to the second raised surface and the third raised surface, the first opening being wider toward a first end of the rope device and narrower toward a second end of the rope device;

a fourth surface located on a back side of the first raised surface;

a second opening at the second end of the rope device, the second opening approximately perpendicular to the first raised surface and the fourth surface, the second opening including a side gap, the side gap located along a side of the device;

a raised sidewall, the raised sidewall located in the side gap, the raised sidewall approximately perpendicular to the first raised surface, the fourth surface and the second opening, the raised sidewall forming a narrowed entrance to the side gap;

a protrusion on the back side of the wrapping area, the protrusion located between the first opening and the second opening; and

laces, the laces located such that they are passed through the first opening from the first end of the rope device toward the second end of the rope device, the laces further located such that they are passed over the protrusion and through the second opening.

12. The lace and device tensioning system of claim 11, wherein the protrusion is angled toward the first opening, forming an acute angle with the back side of the wrapping area.

13. The lace and device tensioning system of claim 12, wherein a depression is formed in the back side of the wrapping area proximate to a vertex of the acute angle.

14. The lace and device tensioning system of claim 13, wherein the wrapping area includes side edges, and the side edges are narrowed in comparison to the side edges of the first raised surface and the second raised surface, such that a width of the wrapping is less than that of the first raised surface and the second raised surface.