Attachment apparatus
OwnerMichael J. Lawlerinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A helical member comprises a continuum of coaxial helixes disposed in spaced longitudinal relation which define an axial aperture that is adapted to receive an external connecting device such as a line or anchor pin. An elastic core is disposed within the aperture in frictional engagement with at least one of the helixes. One end of the core is attached to the member and a free end extends out of the aperture. Gripping the free end and stretching the core reduces its cross-sectional dimensions which releases the frictional engagement and provides sufficient space to admit the connecting device. Releasing tension on the core substantially restores its original dimensions and releasably grips the connecting device between the core and at least one helix to provide a simple, yet effective attachment.
Claims31
Attachment apparatus comprising, in combination:
- a helical member having an axial aperture therethrough adapted to receive external connecting means, said member defined by a continuum of uniformly spaced, adjacent coaxial helixes disposed in longitudinally extended relation;
- and
- a folded elastic strip disposed within said aperture in frictional engagement with at least one of the helixes to releasably affix said connecting means thereat, said strip having one end secured to the member and a grippable free end extending outwardly therefrom which, when stretched, releases said frictional engagement by reducing the cross-sectional dimensions of said strip, said dimensions being selected to permit said strip to pass transversely between the spaced helixes and to be wound coincidentally with the spaces therebetween to one end of the helical member, whereby said strip is caused to be disposed in said aperture.
A method for releasably attaching a line to a helical member comprising a continuum of coaxial helixes disposed in spaced longitudinal relation defining an axial aperture adapted to receive said line, and an elastic core disposed in said aperture in frictional engagement with at least one of the helixes, comprising the steps of:
- stretching the core to reduce its cross-sectional dimensions and thereby releasing said frictional engagement;
- inserting the line in said aperture intermediate the core and said member;
- and
- releasing the tension on said core to substantially restore its dimensions and to releasably affix the line intermediate the core and at least one helix.
A method for releasably attaching a line to a helical member comprising a continuum of coaxial helixes disposed in spaced longitudinal relation defining an axial aperture adapted to receive said line, and an elastic core disposed in said aperture in frictional engagement with at least one of the helixes, comprising the steps of:
- folding the line into a loop;
- wrapping the loop coincidentally with the spaces of the helixes and around said core;
- stretching the core to reduce its cross-sectional dimensions, thereby releasing said frictional engagement and shifting the distribution of the wrapped loop;
- and
- releasing the tension on said core to substantially restore its dimensions and to releasably affix the shifted line intermediate the core and at least one helix.
A method for releasably attaching an elongated rod to a helical member comprising a continuum of coaxial helixes disposed in spaced longitudinal relation defining an axial aperture adapted to receive said rod and an elastic core disposable in said aperture in frictional engagement with at least one of the helixes, comprising the steps of:
- inserting the rod into the aperture;
- stretching the core to reduce its cross-sectional dimensions and wrapping the stretched core coincidentally with the spaces of the helixes and around said rod;
- and
- releasing the tension on said core to substantially restore its dimensions and to releasably affix the wrapped rod intermediate the core and at least one helix.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.