Adjustable holding device and associated adjustable connection mechanism
OwnerMenno Mulholland, Matt Hunsbergerinventors
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The adjustable holding device includes an elongate cord which may be elastomeric. The holding device has a first connection mechanism that is operatively connected to the elongate cord. In addition, an adjustable connection mechanism is also operatively connected to the elongate cord and configured to be movable along the length of the cord. The adjustable connection mechanism includes a cam system configured to engage the elongate cord at a desired location. In addition, the adjustable connection mechanism is configured to move along the elongate cord when the first connection mechanism and the adjustable connection mechanism are operatively connected to desired connection points.
Claims13
An adjustable holding device comprising:
- a) an elongate elastomeric cord having a length and a cross sectional area;
- b) a first connection mechanism operative with the elongate cord;
- c) an adjustable connection mechanism operatively connected to the elongate cord and movable along the length of the cord, the adjustable connection mechanism including a housing and a cam system configured to engage the elongate cord at a desired location, wherein the adjustable connection mechanism is configured to move along the elongate cord when said first connection mechanism and adjustable connection mechanism are operatively connected to desired connection points along the length of the cord;
- and
- d) the cam system operating as a safety mechanism, the safety mechanism configured to limit rotation of a cam of the cam system rotatable during tensioning movement of the cord, such that the cam system further comprises two abutments which engage with the housing, thereby defining a predetermined threshold for the cross sectional area which correlates to a predetermined tensile force, wherein when an applied tensile force exceeds the predetermined tensile force, the cross sectional area of the elongate elastomeric cord is less than the predetermined threshold thereby disengaging the cam system from the elongate elastomeric cord thus limiting the applied tensile force within the elongate elastomeric cord during use.
An adjustable connection mechanism for use with an elongate elastomeric cord having a cross section area and the connection mechanism comprising:
- a) a channel for receiving a section of the elongate elastomeric cord;
- b) a cam system disposed within the channel and shiftable between an engaged position and a disengaged position, wherein the cam system is configured to grippingly engage the section of the elongate elastomeric cord when in the engaged position, and wherein the elongate elastomeric cord is moveable along a length thereof through the channel when the cam system is in the disengaged position;
- c) a connection device configured for operatively connecting the connection mechanism to a desired connection point;
- d) an actuation mechanism operatively coupled to the cam system and configured for shifting the cam system between the disengaged position and the engaged position when the connection mechanism is operatively connected to the desired connection point;
- and
- e) a cam system operating as a safety mechanism, the safety mechanism configured to limit rotation of a cam of the cam system rotatable during tensioning movement of the cord, such that the cam system further comprises two abutments which engage with a housing, thereby defining a predetermined threshold for the cross sectional area which correlates to a predetermined tensile force, wherein when an applied tensile force to the elongate elastomeric cord exceeds the predetermined tensile force, the cross sectional area of the elongate elastomeric cord is less than the predetermined threshold thereby disengaging the cam system from the elongate elastomeric cord thus limiting the applied tensile force to the elongate elastomeric cord during use.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.