Patent ID: 7703181
Filing Date: 2010-04-27
Classification: F16G,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A cord tensioning apparatus, comprising: a base; a first guide coupled to the base, the first guide including a first guide channel defined therein adapted to receive a cord; a cord retaining member adjacent to the first guide, the cord retaining member including a cord receiving aperture defined therein adapted to receive the cord; a second guide coupled to the base, the second guide including a second channel defined therein adapted to receive the cord; a cord cleat coupled to the base between the first and second guides, the cord cleat including a groove extending longitudinally between the channels of the first and second guides, the cord cleat adapted to grip a portion of a cord occupying a cord gripping region within the groove; a cord tensioning member coupled to the base and aligned with the channel of the second guide, the cord tensioning member including a cord contacting surface adapted to contact a portion of the cord; and a coupling device fixedly coupled to the cord retaining member, the coupling device adapted to couple the cord tensioning apparatus to an external structure, wherein the channel of the first guide is elevationally disposed between the cord gripping region and an end of the cord receiving aperture, wherein the channel of the second guide is elevationally disposed between the cord gripping region and the cord contacting surface, wherein the channel of the first guide is grooved in a direction horizontally transverse to a first longitudinal axis of the cord receiving aperture and in a horizontal direction relative to a longitudinal axis of the apparatus for minimizing wear of the cord while traveling through the apparatus, wherein the channel of the second guide is grooved in a direction horizontally transverse to a second longitudinal axis of the cord receiving aperture and in a horizontal direction relative to a longitudinal axis of the apparatus for minimizing wear of the cord while traveling through the apparatus, wherein a degree to which the cord is gripped within the cord gripping region comprises a condition selected from a group consisting essentially of: varying in a direction progressing along the length of the groove from the first guide to the second guide; and remaining substantially constant along the length of the groove from the first guide to the second guide, wherein the cord is adjustable while the portion of the cord is disposed in the groove, wherein the cord is biasable into the groove, whereby a biased cord portion is provided, and whereby a degree to which the cord gripping region frictionally engages the biased cord portion increases by pulling the cord in a cord-tensioning direction, and wherein the cord is debiasable from the groove, whereby a debiased cord portion is provided, and whereby a degree to which the cord gripping region frictionally engages the debiased cord portion decreases by pulling the cord in a direction opposite to the cord-tensioning direction.