US 6,606,765 B2 · Coiled tie-down devices

Abstract

The present invention provides tie-down devices and techniques for securing an object to a structure. The tie-down devices are formed using helix shaped elongate members including multiple coils having substantially the same dimensions and configuration. A double helix elongate member connection is prepared by securing one segment of the elongate member upon another segment. An elongate member can be utilized to secure an object to a structure by stretching the elongate member across the object, and then tying the elongate member to the structure by forming one or more elongate member connections without using fastening elements such as hooks. Separate elongate members can be joined by means of the elongate member connections provided that the elongate members include coils having substantially the same dimensions and configuration. Side surfaces of elongate member coils can be provided with a slip resistant surface. Optimally, elongate member connection retainers are provided to further strengthen the elongate member connection. A variety of materials and techniques can be employed to fabricate elongate members suitable for tie-down devices of the present invention.

Claims22

Dependent claims

A tie-down device comprising:

a) at least a first elongate member including multiple coils wherein the coils have substantially the same dimensions and configuration;
b) the first elongate member having (1) at least a first segment including one or more first segment coils and first segment coil half sections;
and (2) at least a second segment including one or more second segment coils and second segment coil half sections;
c) the first segment secured upon the second segment, wherein a double helix first elongate member connection is formed;
d) the first elongate member connection comprising (1) the one or more first segment coils that alternate with the one or more second segment coils and (2) first segment coil half sections alternating with adjacent second segment coil half sections, wherein each of the first segment coil half sections is substantially parallel to each of the adjacent second segment coil half sections;
and
e) an elongate member connection retainer adapted for retaining at least a portion of the first elongate member therein wherein the retainer comprises:
(1) a tube first half section having an inside layer of flexible foam, and (2) a tube second half section having an inside layer of flexible foam, such that the tube first and second half sections are adapted for fitting together around the first elongate member connection.

5 more elements

A tie-down device comprising:

a) at least a first single strand stretchable elongate member including multiple coils wherein the coils (1) have substantially the same dimensions, (2) have substantially the same configuration, (3) have a substantially circular cross section, (4) have side surfaces that are not permanently attached to side surfaces of adjacent coils, (5) have a coil configuration memory for substantially retaining the configuration of the elongate member, (6) include (i) coil half sections and (ii) a coil stock having a coil stock diameter and (7) are formed around an opening, such that the opening in each coil half section has an inside diameter that is at least equal to the approximate diameter of the coil stock;
b) the first elongate member having (1) at least a first segment including one or more first segment coils and first segment coil half sections, and (2) at least a second segment including one or more second segment coils and second segment coil half sections;
c) the first segment secured upon the second segment, wherein a double helix first elongate member connection is formed;
and
d) the first elongate member connection comprising (1) the one or more first segment coils that alternate with the one or more second segment coils and (2) first segment coil half sections alternating with adjacent second segment coil half sections, wherein each of the first segment coil half sections is substantially parallel to each of the adjacent second segment coil half sections.

2 more elements

A tie-down device comprising:

a) at least a first elongate member including multiple coils wherein the coils have substantially the same dimensions and configuration;
b) the first elongate member having (1) at least a first segment including one or more first segment coils and first segment coil half sections, and (2) at least a second segment including one or more second segment coils and second segment coil half sections;
c) the first segment secured upon the second segment, wherein a double helix first elongate member connection is formed;
d) the first elongate member connection comprising (1) the one or more first segment coils that alternate with the one or more second segment coils and (2) first segment coil half sections alternating with adjacent second segment coil half sections, wherein each of the first segment coil half sections is substantially parallel to each of the adjacent second segment coil half sections;
e) the first elongate member additionally having (1) a third segment including one or more third segment coils and third segment coil half sections and (2) a fourth segment including one or more fourth segment coils and fourth segment coil half sections;
f) the third segment secured upon the fourth segment, wherein a double helix second elongate member connection is formed;
g) the second elongate member connection comprising (1) the one or more third segment coils that alternate with the one or more fourth segment coils and (2) third segment coil half sections alternating with adjacent fourth segment coil half sections, wherein each of the third segment coil half sections is substantially parallel to each of the adjacent fourth segment coil half sections;
h) the first elongate member having (1) a fifth segment including one or more fifth segment coils and fifth segment coil half sections and (2) a sixth segment including one or more sixth segment coils and sixth segment coil half sections;
i) the fifth segment secured upon the sixth segment, wherein a double helix third elongate member connection is formed;
and
j) the third elongate member connection comprising (1) the one or more fifth segment coils that alternate with the one or more sixth segment coils and (2) fifth segment coil half sections alternating with adjacent sixth segment coil half sections, wherein each of the fifth segment coil half sections is substantially parallel to each of the adjacent sixth segment coil half sections.

8 more elements

A method of securing a single strand stretchable elongate member upon itself, wherein the elongate member includes multiple coils that (1) have substantially the same dimensions, (2) have substantially the same configuration, (3) have a substantially circular cross section, (4) have side surfaces that are not permanently attached to side surfaces of adjacent coils, (5) have a coil configuration memory for substantially retaining the configuration of the elongate member, (6) include (i) coil half sections and (ii) a coil stock having a coil stock diameter and (7) are formed around an opening such that the opening in each coil half section has an inside diameter that is at least equal to the approximate diameter of the coil stock, the method comprising:

a) selecting a first segment of the elongate member having one or more first segment coils and first segment coil half sections;
b) selecting a portion of the first segment;
c) selecting a second segment of the elongate member having one or more second segment coils and second segment coil half sections;
d) selecting first and second adjacent coil half sections of the second segment;
e) positioning the first segment portion between the first and second coil half sections;
and
f) twisting the first and second segments together, forming an elongate member connection comprising:
(1) one or more first segment coils that alternate with one or more second segment coils and (2) first segment coil half sections alternating with adjacent second segment coil half sections, wherein the first segment coil half sections are substantially parallel to the adjacent second segment coil half sections.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Coiled tie-down devices

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Coiled tie-down devices

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims22