Patent ID: 6606764
Filing Date: 2003-08-19
Classification: A44C,Y10T

Abstract:
A connector for connecting beaded type chain ends, the chain having a plurality of beads coupled together by cord, comprising:an internal elongated cavity having a cross section larger than the cross section of a bead of the beaded type chain, the internal cavity adapted to contain at least two beads; an external shell having a cross-section larger than the cross-section of the internal cavity, the external shell formed from a resilient material; a median opening formed from the external shell to the internal cavity, the median opening adapted to receive at least one bead into the internal cavity; a first bore opening formed from the internal cavity to a first longitudinal end of the connector, the bore opening having a cross-section larger than the diameter of the cord; a first channel opening formed over the first bore opening to receive a cord into the bore opening, the first channel opening extending to the median opening, the first channel opening width linearly decreasing as it extends inward to the first bore opening to provide a tapered first channel opening; a second bore opening formed from the internal cavity to a second longitudinal end of the connector, the bore opening having a cross-section larger than the diameter of the cord; and a second channel opening formed over the second bore opening to receive a cord into the bore opening, the second channel opening extending to the median opening, the second channel opening width linearly decreasing as it extends inward to the second bore opening to provide a tapered second channel opening, whereby the first channel opening or the second channel opening expand in response to longitudinal force applied to the beaded type chain that is directed to an end of the connector, the expanding of the first or second channel openings allowing a bead to release from the internal shell when the longitudinal force exceeds a threshold.