U.S. patent application number 15/703430 was filed with the patent office on 2018-03-15 for rope fastening and adjustment device.
This patent application is currently assigned to Quality Innovative Products, LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is Quality Innovative Products, LLC. Invention is credited to Gregory Cordray.
Application Number | 20180070683 15/703430 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 61559340 |
Filed Date | 2018-03-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180070683 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cordray; Gregory |
March 15, 2018 |
ROPE FASTENING AND ADJUSTMENT DEVICE
Abstract
A rope fastening device includes a body including: (i) a neck
that extends along a longitudinal axis; (ii) a connector portion
located at a first end of the neck and including a connector
adapted to be engaged by an associated article; (iii) a rope
attachment portion located at a second end of the neck, the rope
attachment portion adapted to be connected to an associated rope.
The rope attachment portion includes first and second rope
engagement regions including respective first and second rope
receiving apertures defined therein such that the body is adapted
to be connected to an associated rope free end when the associated
rope free end extends through the first rope receiving aperture in
a first direction, around the neck, under itself adjacent the neck,
and through the second rope receiving aperture in a second
direction that is opposite the first direction.
Inventors: |
Cordray; Gregory; (Akron,
OH) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Quality Innovative Products, LLC |
Akron |
OH |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Quality Innovative Products,
LLC
Akron
OH
|
Family ID: |
61559340 |
Appl. No.: |
15/703430 |
Filed: |
September 13, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62394518 |
Sep 14, 2016 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16B 45/04 20130101;
F16B 45/00 20130101; A44B 13/0017 20130101; F16B 45/02 20130101;
A44B 13/0029 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A44B 13/00 20060101
A44B013/00 |
Claims
1. A rope fastening device comprising: a body comprising: (i) a
neck that extends along a longitudinal axis and including opposite
first and second ends; (ii) a connector portion located at said
first end of said neck and comprising a connector adapted to be
engaged by an associated article; (iii) a rope attachment portion
located at said second end of said neck, said rope attachment
portion adapted to be connected to an associated rope; wherein said
rope attachment portion comprises first and second rope engagement
regions that project outwardly from said neck in opposite first and
second directions, respectively, and wherein said first and second
rope engagement regions comprise respective first and second rope
receiving apertures defined therein such that said body is adapted
to be connected to an associated rope free end when the associated
rope free end extends through said first rope receiving aperture in
a first direction, around said neck, under itself adjacent the
neck, and through said second rope receiving aperture in a second
direction that is opposite the first direction.
2. The rope fastening device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said
connector comprises a connector body including an opening defined
therein.
3. The rope fastening device as set forth in claim 2, wherein said
connector body defines said opening to have a perimeter that is
closed.
4. The rope fastening device as set forth in claim 2, wherein said
connector body comprises a slot defined therein that opens through
a perimeter of said opening through the connector body.
5. The rope fastening device as set forth in claim 4, further
comprising a gate connected to said connector body and adapted to
move between a closed position where said gate blocks said slot and
an opened position where said gate is moved away from said slot
such that said slot is opened and communicates with said opening
when said gate is located in its opened position.
6. The rope fastening device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said
body comprises a one-piece metal rod formed to include said neck,
said connector portion, and said rope attachment portion.
7. The rope fastening device as set forth in claim 6, wherein said
neck comprises first and second neck sections of said rod that
extend parallel relative to each other and that are located
adjacent each other.
8. The rope fastening device as set forth in claim 7, wherein said
rod comprises opposite first and second rod ends that are
respectively welded to the first and second neck sections.
9. The rope fastening device as set forth in claim 8, wherein said
first and second neck sections are connected together.
10. The rope fastening device as set forth in claim 6, wherein said
neck comprises four sections of said rod that extend parallel to
each other and that are arranged successively adjacent each
other.
11. The rope fastening device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said
body comprises a one-piece stamped metal structure.
12. The rope fastening device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said
first and second rope receiving apertures are respectively defined
in said first and second rope engagement regions to each have a
closed perimeter.
13. The rope fastening device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said
body is coated with a polymeric coating.
14. The rope fastening device as set forth in claim 1, wherein: the
rope attachment portion comprises a maximum rope attachment portion
width WD1 measured perpendicular to the longitudinal axis; the
connector portion comprises a maximum connector portion width WD2
measured perpendicular to the longitudinal axis; the neck defines a
maximum neck width WD3 measured perpendicular to the longitudinal
axis X; and the maximum neck width WD3 is less than both the
maximum rope attachment portion width WD1 and the maximum connector
portion width WD2 so that the device defines a generally hourglass
shape comprising enlarged opposite axial ends defined respectively
by said rope attachment portion and said connector portion and
comprising said neck located between and connecting said enlarged
opposite axial ends.
15. The rope fastening device as set forth in claim 8, wherein: the
first rope engagement region is defined by a first bent portion of
the rod that extends outwardly from the first neck section toward
the first rod end; and, the second rope engagement region is
defined by a second bent portion of the rod that extends outwardly
from the second neck section toward the second rod end.
16. A method for connecting a rope fastening device to a rope, said
method comprising: inserting a free end of a rope through a first
rope receiving aperture in the rope fastening device from a rear
side of the device toward an opposite front side of the device;
pulling the free end of the rope through the first rope receiving
aperture and diagonally across a neck of the rope fastening device
on the front side of the rope fastening device; wrapping the free
end of the rope around behind the neck adjacent the rear side of
the rope fastening device; bringing the rope free end back to the
front side of the rope fastening device and tucking the free end
under itself adjacent the neck on the front side of the rope
fastening device; passing the free end of the rope through a second
rope receiving aperture from the front side of the device toward
the rear side of the device so that the rope free end extends
outwardly away from the rear side of the device and such that an
X-shaped region is formed by the rope adjacent the neck on the
front side of the rope fastening device where the rope free end is
tucked under itself adjacent the neck.
17. A rope fastening system comprising: a rope fastening device and
a rope engaged with the rope fastening device; said rope fastening
device comprising a body including: (i) a neck that extends along a
longitudinal axis and including opposite first and second ends;
(ii) a connector portion located at said first end of said neck and
comprising a connector adapted to be engaged by an associated
article; (iii) a rope attachment portion located at said second end
of said neck; said rope attachment portion of the rope fastening
device comprising first and second rope engagement regions that
project outwardly from said neck in opposite first and second
directions, respectively, said first and second rope engagement
regions comprising respective first and second rope receiving
apertures defined therein; wherein said rope attachment portion of
the rope fastening device is connected to the rope such that a free
end of the rope extends through said first rope receiving aperture
in a first direction, around said neck, under itself adjacent the
neck, and through said second rope receiving aperture in a second
direction that is opposite the first direction.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority from and benefit of the
filing date of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 62/394,518
filed Sep. 14, 2016, and the entire disclosure of said prior
provisional application is hereby expressly incorporated by
reference into the present application.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Known rope fastening and adjustment devices for attaching an
eye or other connector structure to a rope have been found to be
suboptimal in terms of cost, convenience, ease-of-use, and overall
effectiveness. For example, when suspending a swing or other
suspended article, or when a need otherwise arises to include an
eye or loop or other connector structure on the end of a rope,
known rope fastening devices have required users to tie certain
complicated knots properly. Such devices have not provided
convenient means for adjusting the position of the eye or other
connector structure on the rope. Other devices are costly to
manufacture, complicated to use, and are subject to wear and
breakage. As such, a need has been identified for a new and
improved rope fastening and adjustment device that overcomes the
above deficiencies and others while providing better overall
results.
SUMMARY
[0003] In accordance with a first aspect of the present
development, a rope fastening device includes a body. The body
includes: (i) a neck that extends along a longitudinal axis and
including opposite first and second ends; (ii) a connector portion
located at the first end of the neck and including a connector
adapted to be engaged by an associated article; (iii) a rope
attachment portion located at the second end of the neck, the rope
attachment portion adapted to be connected to an associated rope.
The rope attachment portion includes first and second rope
engagement regions that project outwardly from the neck in opposite
first and second directions, respectively. The first and second
rope engagement regions comprise respective first and second rope
receiving apertures defined therein such that the body is adapted
to be connected to an associated rope free end when the associated
rope free end extends through the first rope receiving aperture in
a first direction, around the neck, under itself adjacent the neck,
and through the second rope receiving aperture in a second
direction that is opposite the first direction.
[0004] In accordance with another aspect of the present
development, a method for connecting a rope fastening device to a
rope includes inserting a free end of a rope through a first rope
receiving aperture in the rope fastening device from a rear side of
the device toward an opposite front side of the device. The free
end of the rope is pulled through the first rope receiving aperture
and diagonally across a neck of the rope fastening device on the
front side of the rope fastening device. The free end of the rope
is wrapped around behind the neck adjacent the rear side of the
rope fastening device, and the rope free end is brought back to the
front side of the rope fastening device and tucked under itself
adjacent the neck on the front side of the rope fastening device.
The free end of the rope is passed through a second rope receiving
aperture from the front side of the device toward the rear side of
the device so that the rope free end extends outwardly away from
the rear side of the device and such that an X-shaped region is
formed by the rope adjacent the neck on the front side of the rope
fastening device where the rope free end is tucked under itself
adjacent the neck.
[0005] In accordance with a further aspect of the present
development, a rope fastening system includes a rope fastening
device and a rope engaged with the rope fastening device. The rope
fastening device includes a body with: (i) a neck that extends
along a longitudinal axis and including opposite first and second
ends; (ii) a connector portion located at the first end of said
neck and including a connector adapted to be engaged by an
associated article; (iii) a rope attachment portion located at the
second end of the neck. The rope attachment portion of the rope
fastening device includes first and second rope engagement regions
that project outwardly from the neck in opposite first and second
directions, respectively, wherein the first and second rope
engagement regions include respective first and second rope
receiving apertures defined therein. The rope attachment portion of
the body is connected to the rope such that a free end of the rope
extends through the first rope receiving aperture in a first
direction, around the neck, under itself adjacent the neck, and
through the second rope receiving aperture in a second direction
that is opposite the first direction.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is an enlarged front view of a rope fastening device
formed in accordance with an embodiment of the present
development;
[0007] FIG. 1A shows a side view of the device of FIG. 1;
[0008] FIG. 2 is an enlarged front view of a rope fastening device
formed in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present
development;
[0009] FIG. 3 is an enlarged front view of a rope fastening device
formed in accordance with another alternative embodiment of the
present development;
[0010] FIG. 4 illustrates the rope fastening device of FIG. 1
operatively connected to an associated rope to provide a rope
fastening system according to the present development;
[0011] FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C respectively show first, second, and
third steps for operatively securing the rope fastening device of
FIG. 1 or FIG. 2 or FIG. 3 to an associated rope to provide the
rope fastening system of FIG. 4.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT DEVELOPMENT
[0012] The present development relates to a rope fastening or
securement and adjustment device that can be used to support a
suspended swing or other suspended article, or that can be used to
connect with any other associated structure, device, connector, or
the like, whether suspended or not suspended. FIG. 1 is an enlarged
front view of a rope fastening device D formed in accordance with
an embodiment of the present development, and FIG. 1A provides a
side view of the device D. The device includes a front side FS and
an opposite rear side RS that is a mirror image of the front side
FS.
[0013] The device D comprises a body B including a generally
elongated neck N that extends axially or longitudinally along a
longitudinal axis X. The body B further comprises a first portion
or connector portion B1 connected to and located at a first or
lower end N1 of the neck N. The body B further comprises a second
portion or rope attachment portion B2 connected to an opposite
second or upper end N2 of the neck N that is axially spaced apart
from the first end N1 of the neck N.
[0014] The connector portion B1 comprises a main connector or
connector C that is adapted to be engaged by any known associated
article such as hook, clip, rope, ring, chain, cable, or any other
known structure for connecting an associated article to the device
D. As shown herein, the connector C comprises a connector body CB
that includes or defines an opening O located at the first end N1
of the neck N and to which an associated swing, another associated
suspended article, or any other associated suspended or
non-suspended article can be connected using any suitable rope,
clip(s), hook(s), fastener(s) or other known attachment or
fastening device(s) or means. The connector body CB preferably
defines the opening O to have a closed or at least substantially
closed perimeter defined by the connector body CB as shown herein
such that the associated article engaged with the connector body
and opening O cannot exit the opening O through any space or break
in the connector body CB.
[0015] In an alternative embodiment, the connector C comprises a
hook, a threaded shank, or any other structure that is adapted to
be engaged by an associated rope, clip(s), hook(s), fastener(s) or
other known attachment or fastening device(s) or means. For
example, FIG. 2 shows a device D2 that is identical in all respects
to the device D except as otherwise shown and/or described herein.
As such, like reference numbers and letters are used for like
components relative to the device D. In FIG. 2, it can be seen that
the connector body CB of the device D is replaced by a connector
body CB2 that includes a slot SL that opens through the connector
body CB2 and that communicates with the opening O. In such case,
the connector body CB2 defines a hook structure, and the slot SL
allows a rope, a mating hook or eye structure or the like to be
received into the opening O and engaged with the connector body CB.
If the optional slot SL is included, the device D2 can also include
an optional gate G connected to the connector body CB and that
pivots, slides, or otherwise moves relative to the connector body
CB between an opened position (as shown in FIG. 2) where the gate G
is moved away from the slot SL so that the slot SL is unobstructed,
and a closed position where the gate G completely or at least
substantially blocks the slot SL to prevent escape of any
associated rope or connector from the opening O through the slot
SL. A spring GS is provided to urge or bias the gate G toward its
closed position.
[0016] Referring again to FIG. 1, as noted, the body B further
comprises a second portion or rope attachment portion B2 located at
the second or upper end N2 of the neck N, axially spaced apart from
the connector C by the neck N. The rope attachment portion B2 is
adapted to be connected to an associated rope, wherein the term
rope is intended herein to include any twisted, braided,
monofilament, and/or otherwise formed natural and/or synthetic
flexible line, cord, string, and/or like structure. The rope
attachment portion B2 comprises first and second enlarged rope
engagement ears or rope attachment regions RR1,RR2 that project
laterally outward from the second end N2 of the neck N in opposite
first and second directions, respectively. The first and second
rope engagement regions RR1,RR2 are preferably identically
conformed and symmetrically defined relative to each other and
relative to the neck N about the longitudinal axis X. The first and
second rope engagement regions RR1,RR2 comprise respective first
and second rope receiving openings or rope receiving apertures
RA1,RA2 located therein. Those of ordinary skill in the art will
recognize that the first and second rope receiving apertures
RA1,RA2 can be fully enclosed as shown with a closed perimeter or
either one of both of the first and second rope receiving apertures
RA1,RA2 can alternatively include an open slot or space in the
perimeter thereof.
[0017] The device D of FIG. 1 is preferably manufactured and
defined as a one-piece construction using a metal rod RD (e.g.,
steel rod or stainless steel rod or an aluminum rod) of circular
cross-section having a diameter in the range of 1/8 inch to 3/8
inch (e.g., 1/4 inch), although other cross-section shapes and
diameters of the rod RD are contemplated. Alternatively, the device
D could be cast as one-piece or otherwise defined or fabricated
from a suitable metal or other material such as aluminum or steel,
or can be injection molded or otherwise formed from a suitable
polymeric material or carved from wood or the like. In another
embodiment, the device D is manufactured as a one-piece metal
stamped part (a "stamping") from flat steel plate or another metal.
The device D is optionally dipped, painted, sprayed, or otherwise
coated with paint, a polymeric or elastomeric coating such as
rubberized coating, a metallic coating, or any other desired
coating to improve aesthetics, corrosion resistance, to reduce
surface roughness, to increase surface friction, or the like.
[0018] In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the rod RD comprises opposite
first and second ends RD1,RD2 that are located adjacent and
preferably but not necessarily welded to the opposite first and
second opposite lateral sides of the neck N by respective welds
W1,W2 to completely enclose the respective rope receiving apertures
RA1,RA2. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the neck N is defined by
first and second adjacent parallel neck segments NS1,NS2 of the rod
RD that each extend axially parallel to the longitudinal axis X.
The first rod end RD1 is welded to the first neck segment NS1 by
the weld W1 and the second rod end RD2 is welded to the second neck
segment NS2 by the weld W2. The first and second neck segments
NS1,NS2 can optionally also be welded together by a weld W3 for
added strength and/or to block access to the opening O between the
neck segments NS1,NS2. In this arrangement, the first rope
engagement region RR1 is defined by a first bent or curved portion
of the rod RD that extends outwardly from the first neck section
NS1 toward the first rod end RD1, and the second rope engagement
region RR2 is defined by a second bent or curved portion of the rod
RD that extends outwardly from the second neck section NS2 toward
the second rod end RD2.
[0019] In one non-limiting example, the device D comprises an
overall length LD of about 3 inches, a maximum rope attachment
portion width WD1 of about 1.75 inches at the rope attachment
portion B2 (measured perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X), and
a maximum connector portion width WD2 of about 1.5 inches at the
connector portion B1 (measured perpendicular to the longitudinal
axis X), but the device D can be provided in any desired size and
proportion and it is not intended to be limited to the illustrated
dimensions or proportions. The neck N defines a maximum neck width
WD3 (measured perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X) that is
less than the rope attachment portion width WD1 and less than the
connector width WD2 so that the device D defines a generally
hourglass or barbell shape with enlarged opposite axial ends
provided respectively by the connector portion B1 and the rope
attachment portion B2 connected together by the central narrow neck
N.
[0020] FIG. 3 is an enlarged front view of a rope fastening device
D' formed in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the
present development. The device D' is identical to the device D
except as otherwise shown or described herein, and like reference
characters including a primed (') suffix are used for like or
corresponding components as between the various embodiments.
[0021] For the device D', the opposite rod ends RD1',RD2' are
preferably not welded to the neck N' but are instead arranged to
extend axially parallel to the respective neck segments NS1',NS2'
of the neck N so that they define or form part of the neck N' so
that the neck N' of the device D' is defined by and comprises four
separate segments NS1',NS2',NS3',NS4' of the rod RD' that are
arranged to be parallel to each other and parallel to the
longitudinal axis X, and that lie successively adjacent each other.
As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the neck N' for the device
D' does not include any welds, but some or all of the neck segments
NS1'-NS4' can optionally be welded to an adjacent neck segment or
segments NS1'-NS4' or otherwise interconnected.
[0022] FIG. 4 illustrates the rope fastening device D of FIG. 1
operatively connected to an associated rope R to provide a rope
fastening system RS according to the present development comprising
the rope R and the fastening device D (or alternatively the device
D') operatively secured to the associated rope R. FIGS. 5A, 5B, and
5C respectively show first, second, and third steps for operatively
securing the rope fastening device D of FIG. 1 or the device D' of
FIG. 3 to the rope R to provide the rope fastening system RS of
FIG. 4. FIG. 4 and FIGS. 5A-5C are explained with reference to the
device D, but those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize
that the description also applies to the device D'.
[0023] In the illustrated example, the rope R is connected at one
end to a support structure such as a tree ST or the like, but the
rope R can be connected to any other structure or not connected to
any other structure without departing from the overall scope and
intent of the present development. The rope R includes a free end
FE to which an associated swing or other associated article is to
be attached by connecting the swing or other article to the
connector C of the device D as described above using an associated
coupling device CD (FIG. 4) such as a hook, clip, rope, ring,
chain, cable, or any other known structure engaged with the
connector body CB and opening O thereof. As shown, the associated
coupling device CD includes a tether TH connected thereto for
engaging the associated swing or other article. Accordingly, it is
desirable to operatively secure the rope fastening device D (or D')
to the rope free end FE as described herein.
[0024] As shown in FIGS. 5A-5C, to install the device D on the rope
free end FE, the free end FE is inserted into the first rope
receiving aperture RA1 from the rear side RS of the device toward
the front side FS of the device D, and free end FE is then pulled
through the first rope receiving aperture RA1 and diagonally across
the neck N on the front side FS of the device D as shown in FIG. 5A
with a dashed line to ensure that the free end FE is long enough to
be operatively engaged with the device D as described herein. The
free end FE is then wrapped around behind the neck N adjacent the
rear side RS of the device D as further shown by the dashed line in
FIG. 5A. As further shown by the dashed line in FIG. 5B, the rope
free end FE is brought back to the front side FS of the device D
and then tucked under itself adjacent the neck N on the front side
FS of the device D and then passed through the second rope
receiving aperture RA2 from the front side FS of the device toward
the rear side RS of the device so that the rope free end FE extends
outwardly away from the rear side RS of the device D.
[0025] The location of the device D on the rope R can be changed by
controlling the length of the free end FE of the rope R that
extends through the second rope receiving aperture RA2, e.g., to
adjust the height of a swing or other article to be suspended from
the device D. Once the device D is operatively installed and
operatively positioned on the rope R at the desired location as
shown in FIG. 5C and, the rope R and the device D are then pulled
away from each other in opposite directions to tighten or "snug"
the connection and constrict the rope R tightly about the neck N,
at which time the device D is be securely operatively attached to
the rope R and will not slide along the length of the rope R when
the rope R is tensioned by the weight or force of a swing or object
connected to the connector portion C of the device D. A swing or
other article to be suspended from or otherwise connected to the
rope R is secured to the connector C and connector opening O of the
device D by any known structure or means such as an associated
coupling device DC or by a direct connection with a knotted rope or
using a chain the like.
[0026] The weight of the swing or other suspended article and/or
any pulling force exerted on the device D serves to further tighten
the connection of the device D to the rope R. In particular, those
of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the device D
allows for creation of an X-shaped overlapped region XR in the rope
free end FE adjacent the front side FS (or alternatively adjacent
the rear side RS) of the neck N, where the rope free end FE is
tucked under itself adjacent the neck N. The device D thus allows
any user to easily form this X-shaped region XR in the rope free
end FE. The X-shaped region XR is self-tightening in that locking
force or locking pressure is exerted by the X-shaped region XR
against the neck N of the body B when tension force is exerted on
the device D by opposite pulling forces exerted on the rope
attachment portion B2 of the body B through the rope R on one end
and on the connector portion B1 of the body B on the other end of
the device D, wherein the locking force in the X-shaped region XR
increases as the tension force applied to the device D increases.
Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the X-shaped
region XR can alternatively be formed adjacent the opposite rear
side RS of the device D by engaging the rope free end FE with the
device D in the opposite direction as described above, or by
flipping over the device D such that the rear side RS becomes the
front side FS and vice versa.
[0027] As noted, the device D need not be used only for a swing or
other suspended article. Instead, the device can be used in any
application where it is desirable to operatively connect any
associated connector, rope, chain, cable, coupling device or the
like to a free end FE of a rope R.
[0028] The present development has been described with reference to
preferred embodiments. Modifications and alterations will occur to
those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present development
pertains, and it is intended that the claims be construed as
broadly as possible to encompass all such modifications and
alterations while preserving the validity of the claims.
* * * * *