U.S. patent application number 09/793171 was filed with the patent office on 2001-10-04 for pigtail fishhook.
Invention is credited to Kuslich, Stephen D., Peterson, Francis C..
Application Number | 20010025401 09/793171 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 23492656 |
Filed Date | 2001-10-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010025401 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kuslich, Stephen D. ; et
al. |
October 4, 2001 |
Pigtail fishhook
Abstract
The present invention includes an inventive pigtail fastener and
the associated method of attaching line thereto. The pigtail
fastener is comprised of an elongated shaft at the proximal end of
the device and a tightly coiled portion of the shaft at the distal
end of the device. The pigtail fastener is constructed and arranged
in such a manner so as to provide an amount of tension sufficient
to pinch and thereby secure a quantity of line between the coiled
portion and the shaft. The tension being provided as a result of
the narrow confines of the space between the shaft and the coiled
portion or alternatively as a result of the coiled portion being
biased against a portion of the shaft.
Inventors: |
Kuslich, Stephen D.;
(Stillwater, MN) ; Peterson, Francis C.;
(Prescott, WI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
VIDAS, ARRETT & STEINKRAUS, P.A.
6109 BLUE CIRCLE DRIVE
SUITE 2000
MINNETONKA
MN
55343-9185
US
|
Family ID: |
23492656 |
Appl. No.: |
09/793171 |
Filed: |
February 26, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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09793171 |
Feb 26, 2001 |
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09378320 |
Aug 20, 1999 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
24/129R |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01K 83/00 20130101;
Y10T 24/392 20150115; A01K 91/047 20130101; F16G 11/046 20130101;
Y10T 24/3998 20150115; F16G 11/14 20130101; Y10T 24/3916 20150115;
Y10T 24/1494 20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
24/129.00R |
International
Class: |
A44B 001/04 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A pigtail fastener comprising a shaft having a proximal end and
a distal end, the distal end including a coiled portion which
extends from and is adjacent to said shaft, said coiled portion
defining an arc of about 540 degrees or more.
2. The pigtail fastener of claim 1 wherein the pigtail fastener is
composed of spring steel.
3. The pigtail fastener of claim 1 wherein the coiled portion is
constructed and arranged to provide a biasing force against the
shaft.
4. The pigtail fastener of claim 1 further comprising a line which
is biasly secured within the coil.
5. The pigtail fastener of claim 4 wherein the coiled portion has a
line receiving lip portion which protrudes away from the shaft, the
lip portion constructed and arranged to receive a portion of the
line therein.
6. The pigtail fastener of claim 1 further comprising a line which
is looped around said shaft and held between the shaft and the
coiled portion.
7. The pigtail fastener of claim 6 wherein the coiled portion and
the shaft are separated by a gap, said line being biasedly trapped
in said gap.
8. The pigtail fastener of claim 1 wherein the shaft has a
predetermined diameter, a region of the coiled portion having a
diameter less than the predetermined diameter of the shaft.
9. The pigtail fastener of claim 1 wherein the coiled portion is
characterized as having an initial diameter region and a reduced
diameter region, the reduced diameter region having a diameter less
than the initial diameter region, the reduced diameter region
defining about 400 degrees of the arc of about 540 degrees or more
which are furthest away from the shaft.
10. The pigtail fastener of claim 1 wherein a region of the coiled
portion is characterized as being flat.
11. A pigtail fastener comprising a shaft having a proximal end and
a distal end, the distal end including a coiled portion which is
adjacent to said shaft, said coiled portion defining an arc not
less than about 450 degrees.
12. An implement for attaching a line thereto comprising: a pigtail
fastener having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end
including a shaft, the distal end including a pigtail fastener,
said pigtail fastener including a coiled portion which is adjacent
to said shaft, said coiled portion defining an arc of about 540
degrees or more, the coiled portion providing a biasing force of
sufficient strength to receive and removably retain a predetermined
amount of line therein.
13. A method for attaching line to a pigtail fastener comprising
the following steps: (a) providing a pigtail fastener characterized
by having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end
defining a shaft, the distal end including a coiled portion which
defines an arc of about 540 degrees or more, the coiled portion
being immediately adjacent to said shaft; (b) providing a length of
line having a free end and a secured end; (c) winding the line
about the shaft so that the secured end is positioned toward said
proximal end of said pigtail fastener and the free end is
positioned toward said distal end of said pigtail fastener, thereby
producing a plurality of wound loops about the shaft; (d) crossing
said free end of the line and said secured end of the line in
opposing directions across the wound loops, relative to the
fishhook; (e) pulling the secured end of the line toward the distal
end of the fishhook while providing tension upon the free end of
the line so as to prevent unwinding of the line from said shaft;
and (f) pulling the secured end of the line and the wound loops
between the shaft and the coiled portion thereby securing the wound
loops therebetween.
14. A method for attaching line to a pigtail fastener comprising
the following steps: (a) providing a pigtail fastener characterized
by having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end
defining a shaft, the distal end including a coiled portion of the
shaft which defines an arc of about 540 degrees or more, the coiled
portion having an eyelet which passes therethrough, the coiled
portion being adjacent to said shaft, the coiled portion further
having a line receiving lip portion which protrudes away from the
shaft, the lip portion constructed and arranged to receive a
portion of the line therein; (b) providing a length of line having
a free end and a secured end; (c) threading the free end of the
line through the eyelet; (d) wrapping the free end of the line
against the shaft; (e) winding the secured end of the line around
the shaft and free end of the line one or more times; and (f)
pulling the secured end of the line back toward the coiled portion
and inserting the secured end of the line in between the coiled
portion and the line receiving lip portion thereby securing the
secured end of the line.
15. A method for attaching line comprising the following steps: (a)
providing an implement having a pigtail fastener, the pigtail
fastener having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end
defining a shaft, the shaft having a predetermined length and being
connected to the device, the distal end including a coiled portion
of the shaft which defines an arc of about 540 degrees or more, the
coiled portion being adjacent to the shaft; (b) providing a length
of line having a free end and a secured end; (c) securing the line
to the pigtail fastener so that the secured end is received and
removably retained within the coiled portion and the free end is
substantially entangled with the shaft and the coiled portion, the
line being removable from the pigtail fastener intact.
16. The method of attaching line of claim 15 wherein the implement
is a fishhook.
17. A fishhook comprising a proximal end and a distal end, the
proximal end defining a hook region, the hook region including a
distally extending shaft, the distal end defining a pigtail
fastener, the pigtail fastener including a coiled portion extending
from the shaft, the coiled portion being adjacent to the shaft,
said coiled portion defining an arc of about 540 degrees or
more.
18. The fishhook of claim 17 wherein the coiled portion is
constructed and arranged to provide a biasing force against the
shaft.
19. The fishhook of claim 18 further comprising a line which is
looped around said shaft and held between the shaft and the coiled
portion.
20. The fishhook of claim 19 wherein the coiled portion and the
shaft are separated by a gap, said line being biasedly trapped in
said gap.
21. The fishhook of claim 17 wherein the pigtail fastener is
composed of spring steel.
22. The fishhook of claim 17 wherein the coiled portion has a line
receiving lip portion which protrudes away from the shaft, the lip
portion constructed and arranged to receive a portion of a line
therein.
23. A pigtail fastener comprising a rod having a proximal end and a
distal end, the distal end including a coiled portion which extends
from and is adjacent to the rod, the coiled portion being defined
by an arc of about 540 degrees or more, the coiled portion having
an initial diameter region and a reduced diameter region, the
reduced diameter region extending from the initial diameter region,
the reduced diameter region defining about 400 degrees of the arc
of about 540 degrees or more, the initial diameter region having a
predetermined diameter, the reduced diameter region having a
diameter less than that of the diameter of the initial diameter
region.
24. The pigtail fastener of claim 23 wherein the reduced diameter
region is characterized as being flattened relative to the initial
region.
25. A universally adjustable securement strap comprising a flexible
bungee cord and at least one pigtail fastener attached thereto,
each pigtail fastener characterized as having a proximal end and a
distal end, the proximal end defining a hook region, the hook
region including a distally extending shaft, the distal end
including a coiled portion of the shaft which defines an arc of
about 540 degrees or more.
26. A method of forming a universally adjustable securment strap
comprising the teps of: (a) providing at least one pigtail
fastener, the at least one pigtail fastener characterized as having
a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end defining a hook
region, the hook region including a distally extending shaft, the
distal end including a coiled portion of the shaft which defines an
arc of about 540 degrees or more, the coiled portion having an
eyelet which passes therethrough, the coiled portion being adjacent
to said shaft, the coiled portion further having a line receiving
lip portion which protrudes away from the shaft, the lip portion
constructed and arranged to receive a portion of the line therein;
(b) providing a line, the line having a predetermined length, the
line further characterized as having a first end and a second end;
and (c) attaching the at least on pigtail fastener to any point
along the length of the line with the process of threading a first
end of the line through the eyelet, holding the first end of the
line against the shaft, winding a second end of the line around the
shaft and the first end of the line one or more times, and pulling
the second end of the line back toward the coiled portion and
inserting the second end of the line in between the coiled portion
and the line receiving lip portion thereby securing the second end
of the line.
27. The method of making a universally adjustable securement strap
of claim 26 further comprising the step of: attaching a second
pigtail fastener at any point along the length of the line not
occupied by the at least one pigtail fastener in the same manner as
the at least one pigtail fastener.
28. The method of making a universally adjustable securement strap
of claim 27 further comprising the step of: securing the respective
first ends of the line to the line located between the at least one
pigtail fastener and the second pigtail fastener utilizing one or
more line retaining devices.
29. The method of universally making a securement strap of claim 26
wherein the line is characterized as being a flexible and
stretchable cord.
30. The method of universally making a securement strap of claim 26
wherein the hook regions of each pigtail fastener have blunted
ends.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Not Applicable
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH
[0002] Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] This invention relates to a method and apparatus for
attaching line to a unique fastener device. The inventive fastener
has a unique line attachment portion which is constructed by
shaping the end or ends of a shaft of metal or other material into
a coiled or pigtail configuration. The pigtailed or coiled
end-portion(s) may be provided with a springing action which would
allow the coiled portion to be biased toward the shaft thereby
frictionally engaging any line which has been attached to the
fastener using the unique line attachment methods which will be
described in detail below.
[0004] Previous line fastener devices typically required the user
to have somewhat fine motor skills and manual dexterity in order to
quickly and properly thread and knot the line to the fastener.
Furthermore, in addition to requiring skill and dexterity, in order
to properly thread and tie a line to prior fastener types, the user
of the hook must use both hands to properly complete the tying
procedure. In addition, the nature and function of most fastener
devices require that any knot formed between the fastener and the
line be permanent, thus necessitating a cutting of the line in
order to subsequently remove the fastener therefrom. Besides the
damage associated with cutting the line, these fastener devices may
otherwise place undesirable wear and tear on line as a consequence
of their use. Finally, many fasteners are known which may allow
line to slip or loosen which may be undesirable as well as
dangerous.
[0005] The present pigtail fastener overcomes all of the well known
shortcomings described above. The present pigtail fastener is
designed to allow a user to quickly and easily tie a line to the
fastener in a manner which results in a secure, non-slip line
attachment which may just as quickly and easily be untied with
minimal damage to the line.
[0006] The art described in this section is not intended to
constitute an admission that any patent, publication or other
information referred to herein is "prior art" with respect to this
invention, unless specifically designated as such. In addition,
this section should not be construed to mean that a search has been
made or that no other pertinent information as defined in 37 C.F.R.
.sctn.1.56(a) exists.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The invention provides for a shaft, particularly a shaft of
a metal implement such as a fishhook, tent stake, carabineer or
other device which one may desire to have a line attached to. The
shaft has an end which is shaped into a pigtail configuration. The
unique pigtail fastener will typically include a tightly coiled end
portion of the implement shaft which is configured so that at least
one point from the coiled portion contacts or is immediately
adjacent to the shaft.
[0008] The attachment device may allow for a space between the
coiled portion and the shaft or the coiled portion and shaft may be
pressed together as a result of the tension provided by the coiled
portion. Where a space is provided for, the space may be uniformly
narrow or may include a more constricted portion. The space
provided must be sufficiently narrow so that when line is drawn
into the space as described herein, the various loops of line will
be tightened against one another as a result of the close proximity
of the coiled portion and the shaft. In this later embodiment the
coiled portion and the shaft may exhibit some springing
characteristics but will preferably be fairly rigid relative to one
another.
[0009] The attachment device is constructed so that the coiled
portion exhibits a sufficient amount of tension toward the shaft so
that when line is drawn between the coiled portion and the shaft
the line will be pinched and securely held as a result of the
tension provided. The present pigtail fastener allows the user to
secure line to the attachment device without the need to form a
permanent knot with the line. An example of an appropriate material
from which to construct the pigtail fastener is spring steel.
[0010] In the various alternative embodiments of the pigtail
fastener, the fastener may be further configured to include a lip
or line guide to further assist a user in attaching a line to the
fastener. In such an embodiment at least a section of the coiled
portion is spaced slightly outward from the shaft, thereby
providing an initial enlarged opening between the coiled portion
and the shaft wherein the line will more readily be received into.
The opening which receives the line then narrows to pinch the line
in between the coiled portion and the shaft. The coiled portion may
also be configured to include a line securement area which is which
functions to lock line into a predetermined position.
[0011] In all of the embodiments of the present pigtail fastener, a
line attachment device is provided for which allows a user to
quickly affix a line to the fastener without the need to tie a
permanent knot with the line. The pigtail fastener and the
associated methods for affixing a line thereto also provide the
user with the ability to secure a line to the attachment device
with only limited manual dexterity and skill.
[0012] The present pigtail fastener is designed to facilitate a
uniquely user friendly, highly effective method of affixing a line
thereto simply by winding a length of line around the implement
shaft and then pulling the wound line into the coiled portion in
the manners described below.
[0013] The present attachment device may be utilized with other
devices besides those mentioned above. For example, in the
embodiment wherein the pigtail fastener is applied to a fishhook,
other fishing related devices such as lures, weights, floats, etc,
may be constructed to include the present attachment device. As a
result, one or more devices could be attached to a given length of
fishing line. On a larger scale, tent stakes, which may include
pigtail fastener ends, could be secured to one end of a line while
the other end is secured to a pigtail fastener or other device
located on the tent surface. The pigtail fastener may be affixed to
the ends of securement straps, ropes or cords to provide a strap
which may be readily adjusted in length by securing an end pigtail
fastener along the length of the strap. Many other devices may be
incorporated or used in combination with the present pigtail
fastener. Such devices will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in
the art and are included within the scope of the present
invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] A detailed description of the invention is hereafter
described with specific reference being made to the drawings in
which:
[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fishhook embodiment of the
present pigtail fastener;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a close up view of a preferred embodiment of the
pigtail fastener;
[0017] FIGS. 3-7 show the various steps of a first inventive method
for securing a line to the pigtail fastener shown in FIG. 2;
[0018] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of
the pigtail fastener and the line secured at the apex of the
pigtail fastener;
[0019] FIG. 9 is a side view of the pigtail fastener shown in FIG.
8 showing the line in cross section;
[0020] FIG. 10 is a side view of an embodiment of the pigtail
fastener wherein the coils of the coiled portion are spaced apart a
predetermined distance and the coiled portion includes an outwardly
raised coil lip to assist in receiving line into the coiled
portion;
[0021] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the
pigtail fastener having a line securement area at the apex of the
coiled portion;
[0022] FIG. 12 is a top down view of the embodiment of the pigtail
fastener shown in FIG. 11;
[0023] FIGS. 13-16 show in a rear perspective, the various steps of
a second inventive method for securing a line to an embodiment of
the pigtail fastener having a raised coil lip to assist in
receiving line into the coiled portion;
[0024] FIGS. 17-20 show in a front perspective, the various steps
of the line securing method shown in FIGS. 13-16;
[0025] FIG. 21 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the
pigtail fastener which includes two coiled portions;
[0026] FIG. 22 shows the embodiment of the pigtail fastener shown
in FIG. 22 with separate line ends secured to each coiled
portion;
[0027] FIG. 23 shows a side view of an embodiment of the pigtail
fastener wherein the shaft is bent or molded to include line
diameter guides along a length of the shaft;
[0028] FIG. 24 shows a perspective view an embodiment of the
pigtail fastener wherein the shaft has a flattened region, the
flattened region including line diameter guides incorporated;
[0029] FIG. 25 shows a side view of an embodiment of the pigtail
fastener wherein the coiled portion has a narrowed end region which
as a reduced diameter relative to the remaining region of the
coiled portion;
[0030] FIG. 26 shows a perspective view of the embodiment of the
pigtailed fastener shown in FIG. 25;
[0031] FIG. 27 shows a top down view of an embodiment of the
pigtail fastener wherein part of the coiled portion is shaped to
form a line securement area at the apex of the coiled portion;
[0032] FIG. 28 shows an embodiment of the present invention wherein
a cord length may be adjusted with pigtail fasteners located at
each end of the cord, the pigtail fasteners being equipped with
hooks having blunted ends;
[0033] FIG. 29 shows a close up view of an end of the cord and a
respective pigtail fastener shown in FIG. 28; and
[0034] FIG. 30 shows a close up view of a clip used in conjunction
with the embodiment shown in FIG. 28 wherein the clip may retain
excess cord which may result from the length of the cord being
shortened.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0035] The inventive aspect of the present pigtail fastener focuses
upon a unique coiled region located at the distal end of an
elongate shaft which is constructed to pinch and secure a line
therein. As shown in the various figures, the pigtail fastener is
preferably a coiled shaft portion of a metal implement. However, it
should be noted that an implement could be retrofitted to include a
pigtail fastener. The pigtail fastener is preferably constructed
from a metal such as spring steel which has been tightly coiled and
is immediately proximate to the shaft.
[0036] FIG. 1 shows the present pigtail fastener as incorporated
into a fishhook embodiment. The fishhook 10 has a hook or barbed
portion 12, a shaft 14 and a pigtail fastener 20. As better seen in
FIG. 2 the preferred embodiment of the pigtail fastener 20 includes
a shaft 14 that has been configured into a coil 22. The terms coil
or coiled portion herein defines an extension of the shaft that has
been shaped or molded or otherwise formed into an arc of at least
450 degrees. Preferably, the coil defines an arc which is 540
degrees or more. The arc which defines the coil may also be
described as being roughly 11/2 turns or loops of material
extending from shaft 14. A coil which is within the parameters
described provides a biasing force throughout the length of the arc
defined and ensures that the apex 28 of the fastener has sufficient
tension force to biasedly trap the line therein.
[0037] A first method for attaching a line to the pigtail fastener
may be broken up into a series of steps as shown in FIGS. 3-7. FIG.
3 shows the initial step of winding a length of line 30 around the
shaft 14 to form a plurality of loops 32 thereabout. FIG. 4 shows
the second step which includes crossing the first end of the line
34 (the end of the line which may be secured to a fishing pole or
other device) and the second end of the line 36 (the free end of
the line) across each other relative to the loops 32 upon the shaft
14. This step may be accomplished by simply flipping the
orientation of the fishhook 180 degrees relative to the initial
placement of the first end of the line 34 and the second end of the
line 36. Alternatively, if the fishhook is held in place by the
user, the second end of the line 36 may be drawn toward the barb 12
and held against the fishhook by the user's thumb or finger(s)
leaving the first end of the line 34 free to be drawn across the
loops 32.
[0038] The third step of the line attachment method is shown in
FIG. 5 and includes pulling the first end of the line 34 along the
shaft 14 toward the pigtail fastener 20. A sufficient amount of
tension must be placed upon the second end of the line 36 in order
to prevent the line 30 from simply unwinding from the shaft 14 as
the first end of the line 34 is pulled.
[0039] FIG. 6 shows the continued pulling of the first end of the
line 34 toward the pigtail fastener 20. FIG. 6 also illustrates the
tendency of the loops 32 to begin to entangle or bunch-up as the
first end of the line 34 is pulled.
[0040] In FIG. 7, it can be seen that loops 32 have become bound
together as a result of crossing and pulling both ends of the line,
as well as a result of the tension provided by coil 22 pushing
against the line and shaft 14. As a result of this tension or
pinching action, and in combination with the constriction of loops
32, the line 30 begins to form a somewhat entangled mass 38 that is
secured within coil 22 or between coil 22 and shaft 14.
[0041] In FIG. 8 the line is pulled taut in a direction toward coil
22 (away from shaft 14) and the line is continuously held tight by
the pigtail fastener 20. The pinching action between the coil 22
and the shaft 14 secures allows the line 32 to be held securely
within the pigtail fastener 20. Continued pulling upon the line 30
away from the shaft 14 will cause the entangled mass 38 to advance
toward the apex 28 of the pigtail fastener 20 and to further
tighten itself within the coil 22.
[0042] It should be noted that because of the unique shape and
construction of the present invention, in all embodiments of the
pigtail fastener, line may be pinched within the coil itself or
between the shaft and that part of the coil immediately adjacent to
the shaft. Where it is stated that the line is located or pinched
between the coil and shaft it should be understood that the line
may just as easily be held directly within the confines of the
coil.
[0043] FIG. 9 further shows a cross-sectional view of the entangled
mass 38 and helps to illustrate the tightening effect upon the
various loops 32 resulting from continued pulling on the line.
[0044] As previously stated, the pigtail fastener may be embodied
in several different forms incorporating a wide range of features.
FIG. 10 shows an embodiment of the pigtail fastener which includes
a lip portion 24 of coil 22 which is bent outward and protrudes
away from the shaft 14. Lip portion 24 functions as a line guide
which allows the coil 22 to readily catch and receive line which
the user may desire to have pinched within the coil 22 but not
necessarily against the shaft 14. As seen and described above, the
method of attaching the line to the fastener shown in FIGS. 13-20,
may employ a pigtail fastener having a lip portion such as is
shown, or may employ alternative embodiments of the pigtail
fastener such as the embodiment shown in FIG. 2.
[0045] It should also be noted that in an alternative embodiment
the entire coil, as opposed to a lip portion alone, may be
configured to be initially spaced away from the shaft to more
readily catch and receive line between the coil and shaft.
[0046] The pigtail fastener shown in FIG. 10 also includes a coil
22 which is spaced away from the shaft 14 at apex 28 to define a
gap 26. The gap 26 has a width which may be determined based on the
diameter of line which is to be used with the pigtail fastener. An
entangled mass of relatively large diameter line, such as described
in the line tying methods above may require a larger gap 26 to
ensure that the line will be pinched and held within the coil 22
without damaging the line or distorting coil 22. In a preferred
embodiment where the pigtail fastener is constructed from spring
steel, the coil 22 is intended to hold entangled mass of line 38 by
providing a biasing force toward shaft 14. An undesirably large
diameter line inserted into the pigtail fastener as described
herein could distort and damage coil 22. By providing a gap 26 of
appropriate width such potential damage and wear to the line and
coil is avoided.
[0047] Turning now to FIGS. 13-20, a second inventive tying method
is shown which is best utilized with a pigtail fastener having a
lip portion as described above. FIGS. 13-16 show the various steps
of the tying method from a rear perspective view of the pigtail
fastener, while FIGS. 17-20 show the corresponding steps in a front
perspective view of the pigtail fastener.
[0048] Unlike the previously discussed tying method shown in FIGS.
3-7, the present method does require that the line be threaded
through the eyelet 42 of the coil 22. However, because the present
tying method is highly suitable for use with relatively large
embodiments of the pigtail fastener such as could be used with tent
stakes, boating cleats, carabineers, etc, the eyelet 42 will
typically be of such size that the speed and ease of tying the line
to the fastener will not be reduced.
[0049] As seen in FIGS. 13 and 17 the first step in tying a line 30
to the pigtail fastener 20 is to insert or thread the line 30
through the eyelet 42 of the coil 22. Preferably the first end of
the line 34 is inserted into the eyelet 42 from the shaft-side of
the pigtail fastener to the coil side as shown.
[0050] FIGS. 14 and 18 show the second step in the present tying
method. The first end of the line 34 is pulled through the eyelet
42 to provide a length of line sufficient to lie against a portion
of the shaft 14 below the coil 22. The user may secure the first
end of the line 34 against the shaft 14 by any means. For example:
if the user is holding the pigtail fastener by the shaft, the user
could simply slide the first end of the line between his or her
finger or thumb and press the line against the shaft. Once the
first end of the line 34 is laid against the shaft 14, the second
end of the line 36 is wound about the shaft 14 and the first end of
the line 34 one or more times, preferably two or three times, as
best seen in FIGS. 15 and 19.
[0051] FIGS. 16 and 20 show the final step in the present tying
method. After winding the second end of the line 36 about the shaft
14 and the first end of the line 34 as shown, the second end of the
line 36 is drawn over the wound loops of line 44 and upward toward
the coil 22. The second end of the line 36 is inserted into the
coil 22 by being pulled between the lip portion 24 and the coil 22.
The second end of the line 36 is drawn to its final position at the
apex 28 of the coil 22.
[0052] The line 30 is easily removed from the coil 22 by pulling
the second end of the line 36 downward from the lip portion 24.
Once the second end of the line 36 is no longer retained by the
coil 22 the line is simply unwound.
[0053] The tying method shown in FIGS. 13-20 and described above is
especially appropriate when used with larger embodiments of the
pigtail fastener which would utilize line such as relatively thick
rope or cord.
[0054] The pigtail fastener and tying methods described above are
an improvement over prior art fastener devices and tying methods.
The embodiment disclosed provides a device which can be fastened to
a line with relative ease requiring little manual dexterity or
coordination from the user while still providing a strong secure
connection between the fastener and line. In addition, the method
of tying a line to the present pigtail fastener allows a user to
tie a line to the fastener in just a few seconds regardless of
external conditions.
[0055] In a further embodiment of the pigtail fastener as shown in
FIGS. 11 and 12, a line securement area 40 is notched or otherwise
formed at a predetermined point within the coil 22. The line
securement area provides a widened area which helps to secure the
line 30 (seen only in FIG. 11). In the embodiment shown, the line
securement area 40 corresponds with the apex 28 to ensure that the
line 22 is guided in the direction opposite to the orientation of
the shaft 14. The line securement area 40 is sized appropriately to
retain a predetermined diameter of line therein. The location of
the line securement area 40 at the apex 28 also helps secure the
line within the coil 22 by reventing the line 22 from slipping in
either direction away from the line securement area 40 even when
force is not applied to the line as described in the tying method
described above. In FIG. 27, an alternative embodiment is shown
where line securment area 40 is formed by shaping or molding coil
22 to a desired shape and diameter, rather than forming the line
securment area by notching the coil as previously shown in FIGS. 11
and 12. An advantage of the embodiment shown in FIG. 27 is that
possible damage to the line resulting from friction and compression
is further minimized as a result of the relatively smooth surface
and contour of the shaped line securement area 40.
[0056] In the preferred embodiment where the coil is constructed
from spring steel, the line may be slid into the line securement
area by pulling the line upward toward the apex to momentarily
distort the diameter of the line securement area so it may flexibly
receive the line. The line may be removed from the line securement
area by pulling on the line in a direction away from the line
securement area with sufficient force to overcome the biasing force
of the coil, thereby sliding the line out of the line securement
area without damage to either the line or to the coil.
[0057] FIG. 21 shows an embodiment of the pigtail fastener wherein
two coiled portions 46, 48 have been joined along a common shaft
50. Such an embodiment can be used to join multiple lines together.
The embodiment shown can be used to connect an initial line 52 to a
secondary line 54 as best shown by FIG. 22. The initial line 52 may
be tied to the coiled portion 46. The secondary line 54 is tied to
the coiled portion 48. The respective coiled portions and lines may
be tied utilizing any tying method known but preferably with the
methods described herein.
[0058] It should be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art
that a multiple coiled portion embodiment of the pigtail fastener
is not limited to only joining two coiled portions as described and
shown herein. It may be desirable to attach numerous implements or
lines to a common location. As such it is possible to join several
coiled portions together around a common axial point or around a
support ring or other device (not shown) either fixedly or moveably
to provide for such common joining.
[0059] FIGS. 23 and 24 show in detail a line sizing feature which
could be incorporated into nearly any embodiment of the present
pigtail fastener. The line sizing feature includes one or more
sizing areas 56 which correspond to the diameter of line which may
or may not be properly used with the coiled portion (not shown) as
described above. In FIG. 23 the sizing areas 56 are the result of
bending the shaft 14 to the diameter desired. In the embodiment
shown in FIG. 24 the shaft 14 has a flattened area 58 which
includes the sizing areas 56. The sizing areas 56 may be cut,
etched or otherwise placed into the flattened area 58. In the
embodiment shown in FIG. 24 the sizing areas 56, may also be
utilized as line cutters or trimmers by simply applying downward
pressure against a line as it rests against the sizing area 56.
[0060] In certain applications of the present invention. It may be
desirable to use relatively fine or small diameter line with the
pigtail fastener. An example of such an application may include the
fishhook embodiment such as shown in FIG. 1. In such an
application, coil 22 may have insufficient flexibility to
adequately secure the reduced diameter line to the pigtail fastener
10 because the coil may be fairly rigid as a consequence of having
a uniform and relatively large diameter when compared to the line.
In order to provide the coil with adequate flexibility and
springiness the coil may be equipped with an end region which has
been flattened or reduced in diameter as illustrated in the
embodiment shown in FIGS. 25-26.
[0061] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 25 and 26 coil 22 is
characterized has having a reduced diameter region and an initial
region. Reduced diameter region 60 is characterized as being more
flexible and more springy relative to initial region 62. As a
result of these characteristics, the reduced diameter region will
be more prone to push against initial region 62 than a coil having
a larger uniform diameter. In the preferred embodiment shown
reduced diameter region 60 defines an arc of at least 400 degrees
however, in alternative embodiments this value may vary greatly
depending on the diameter of the line, the physical characteristics
of line being used, the method of attaching the line to the
fastener, etc. Alternatively, it may be possible to retain reduced
diameter line in an embodiment of the pigtail fastener which has a
coil or region of the coil, whether reduced in diameter or not,
manufactured from a material which is more flexible and springy
than either the shaft or the initial region.
[0062] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, an
adjustable length securement strap, indicated generally at 70, is
formed by combining a line with two pigtailed fasteners as shown in
FIGS. 28 and 29. The line is preferably a shock or bungee cord 72
having a predetermined length, and is equipped with two pigtail
fasteners 74, 76. The length of the securement strap may be
infinitely adjusted by attaching the pigtail fasteners at desired
points along the length of the bungee cord. In the embodiment
shown, the bungee cord 72 is attached to the pigtail fasteners 74,
76 utilizing the method of attachment shown in FIGS. 13-20 and
described above. However any method of attachment may be used.
Excess cord 78 may be allowed to hang freely or is more preferably
retained substantially parallel to bungee cord 72 by one or more
retaining clips such as clip 80 shown in FIGS. 28 and 30.
[0063] As seen in FIGS. 28 and 29 the pigtail fasteners used in the
securement strap embodiment preferably are equipped with a blunted
hook 82 at the end of shaft 14. By providing the pigtail fasteners
74, 76 with blunted hooks 82 the securement strap may be hooked to
a variety of surfaces without scratching or otherwise damaging such
surfaces. In order to further ensure that the blunted hooks do not
scratch or harm surfaces to which they are hooked, each blunted
hook 82 may be equipped with a protective cap 84. Protective cap 84
may be constructed out of any suitable material such as plastic,
rubber, etc.
[0064] It should be understood that in the embodiment shown in
FIGS. 28-30 any type of line, pigtail fasteners and clips can be
utilized.
[0065] This completes the description of the preferred and
alternate embodiments of the invention. Those skilled in the art
may recognize other equivalents to the specific embodiment
described herein which equivalents are intended to be encompassed
by the claims attached hereto.
[0066] While this invention may be embodied in many different
forms, there are shown in the drawings and described in detail
herein specific preferred embodiments of the invention. The present
disclosure is an exemplification of the principles of the invention
and is not intended to limit the invention to the particular
embodiments illustrated.
* * * * *