Buckles – buttons – clasps – etc. – Cord and rope holders – Screw clamp
Reexamination Certificate
2001-06-07
2002-08-27
Brittain, James R. (Department: 3677)
Buckles, buttons, clasps, etc.
Cord and rope holders
Screw clamp
Reexamination Certificate
active
06438802
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND—FIELD OF INVENTION
This invention relates to clamping devices used for securing the ends of resilient tubing and cords in fixed relation to one another, specifically to a two-part locking mechanism, and a method for its use, wherein both clamping members in each locking mechanism have a unitary molded construction and a plurality of channels, and each channel has an open exterior end, at least one ridge adjacent to the open exterior end, an interior hollow space, and a plurality of angled teeth positioned between the hollow space and the innermost ridge. The channels in each clamping member are configured to align with a different one of the channels in a paired clamping member so that when the two clamping members in a pair are joined together, the opposed channels each form an enclosed tubular passage within which the end of one piece of resilient tubing or cord can be tightly secured. The interior hollow spaces are also aligned, with each pair of opposing hollow spaces forming an interior cavity into which the blunt tip of the cord or tubing is positioned. In contrast, the angled teeth and ridges in each tubular passage are offset from one another to produce a zigzag positioning of any cord or tubing placed between them that substantially fills the passage. Thus, when a pair of clamping members is positioned around the ends of resilient tubing or cords, and the two clamping members in the pair are joined together by threaded fasteners, the ends of the tubing and cords are squeezed by the opposed clamping members to become firmly secured against the teeth and ridges therein, whereby each is able to remain securely fixed within its respective tubular passage even when subjected to sudden and substantial forces, such as that from a strong gust of wind or a lunging animal. Applications may include, but are not limited to, the three-way connection of three pieces of resilient tubing or cords so that one is permitted to extend in an opposite direction from the other two, the five-way connection of five pieces of resilient tubing or cords so that three are permitted to extend in an opposite direction from the other two, and the three-way connection of the ends of two pieces of resilient tubing or cord so that one cord or piece of tubing can be formed into a looped configuration and provide a handle for use with the other. In addition, the present invention provides many other applications. When the channels of the present invention are specifically configured for such purpose during manufacture, the present invention would be able to easily and promptly join pieces of resilient tubing and cords of dissimilar size. The present invention is also suitable for joining resilient cords and tubing made from different materials the composition of which might otherwise make then difficult to join. The present invention also provides a compact, neat, efficient, and aesthetically appealing means for cord or tubing connection, and further provides the advantage of easy and prompt cord or tubing replacement when exchange is periodically anticipated as a result of rapid wear or changing need.
BACKGROUND—DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART
When a piece of hose is damaged or cut, such as a garden hose, the damaged section or sections can be removed, with the remaining segments reconnected with reliable coupling devices that can easily be used to re-establish leak-proof fluid communication within the hose. However, when it is desired to temporarily join two or more pieces of rope, other resilient cord, or flexible tubing for any one of a variety of reasons, such as to stably position a tarp or large tent, tie down objects on a trailer or in the back of a pick-up truck to prevent a shifting load, or create a device for anchoring or walking one or more animals, the options for easy, prompt, efficient, readily reproduced, and non-slip connection are limited, particularly when the cords or tubing would be subjected to sudden and substantial forces, such as those resulting from strong gusty winds or a lunging animal.
For example, when a person sets up a tarp to provide shade or shelter from inclement weather, elongated poles are often used to provide a frame over which the tarp will be stretched. Eyelets near the perimeter of the tarp can be used to attach the tarp to the frame. However, the frame and tarp combination will not withstand substantial wind gusts unless parts of the frame are further secured to the ground or nearby stationary objects. Non-stretchable, resilient rope or cord is often used for this purpose. Unless the person attaching the cords is an expert in tying knots, the connections made are usually bulky, look unsightly, make inefficient use of the available rope or cord, and often become prematurely loosened, particularly when the tarp is subjected to sudden and substantial gusts of wind. Also, since rope and other resilient cords are sold in precut lengths, and they almost always need to be further cut into smaller lengths for use, short remnant pieces are often left over and remain unused. The present invention would provide a compact, promptly attached and removed locking mechanism that could be used for the temporary non-slip joining of rope and cords employed to secure a tarp or large tent against strong winds. At least four corner connections would typically be required to anchor a rectangular frame, with two of the present invention locking devices being used for each of the anchoring connections. If the embodiment of the present invention providing a three-way connection is used, the ends of a short cord, even a remnant cord, could be connected into the two adjacent tubular passages on one end of the locking mechanism to form a loop extending around a raised portion of the frame, with the end of an elongated cord or piece of rope connected into the single tubular passage on the locking mechanism's opposite end. A second locking mechanism and a second short cord would similarly create a second loop on the other end of the elongated cord, with the second loop extending through or around a ground anchor, cleat, fence post, or handle of a nearby object that is sufficiently heavy to resist movement by the anticipated wind gusts. Since the ends of each cord or rope are secured within the clamping member channels, no surplus cord would be exposed, providing a neater and more esthetically appealing appearance, as well as a safer environment around the frame with no surplus cord over which people could trip or become entangled. The locking mechanism of the present invention would also provide an efficient connection means, which effectively uses short remnant pieces of cord or rope that would otherwise be left over or discarded. Since the ridges and angled teeth in each channel of the present invention would securely clamp onto the end of the piece of cord inserted therein, the ends of each cord connected to the present invention would remain in fixed relation to the others until deliberately released. Further, the time required for attachment and removal of the present invention would be comparable to that required for tying and untying a tightly secured knot.
Many other common applications of ropes, resilient cords, and flexible tubing require joining of two or more pieces prior to use. Often a rope needed for securing a load on a trailer, or in the back of a pick-up truck, is too short and must be connected to another rope, cord, or piece of tubing for effective use. Animals frequently need to be temporarily tethered. If a leash is unavailable, or the available leash is too short for the intended purpose, several lengths of rope, or a leash and a rope, must be temporarily joined together to accomplish the task. Sports nets are often set up in a back yard for an afternoon, or a weekend, which need to be secured against aggressive players, contact with racquets, and the effects of gusty winds. Being able to form a stable loop in one end of at least one of the ropes, cords, or tubing used would facilitate such connection, particularly when the selection of ropes, cord and tubing
Beeman Randolph Scott
Manzella Joseph Frank
Brittain James R.
Morse Dorothy S.
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