Abstract:
An anchor ( 100 ) for securing a rope ( 215 ) while holding tension comprises conjoined hook ( 105 ), foot ( 120, 125 ), and knee ( 115 ) sections. Both feet of the anchor are attached to a surface ( 200 ) where a first foot ( 120 ) forms one or more wedges ( 225, 230 ) with the surface. A rope from an object to be secured ( 220 ) passes beneath the knee, around the first foot and is secured by a knot ( 400 ) to the shank ( 110 ) of the hook. The first wedge ( 225 ) secures the rope and keeps it from slipping while the knot is tied. In an alternative embodiment, only one foot ( 120 ) is attached to the surface. This permits slidable entrance of the rope from the side of the anchor. The result is a firm anchorage which to which a rope can be fastened without the need for strength or dexterity on the part of the user.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
   1. Field of Invention 
   This invention relates to rope anchors, and in particular to rope anchors with a tension-holding capability yet secure and simple construction. 
   2. Prior Art—Rope Anchors 
   Prior-art rope anchors, such as those used on the sides of trucks to anchor cargo tie ropes, have generally taken the shape of posts, hooks, or eyes which are affixed to a surface. The tie rope can be attached to the anchor in various ways, depending upon the anchor. For simple hook or post anchors, a loop, stabilized by one or more knots, is fashioned in a rope and hooked around the post or hook, which holds the loop in place. Alternatively for eye-type anchors, the rope is passed through the eye. The portion of the rope protruding from the eye is then secured with a knot around the portion of the rope entering the eye. Both methods result in a secure anchor. However, ropes secured to these anchors frequently slip and loosen slightly as knots are being tied, despite the user&#39;s strength and dexterity. The result is a less-than-taut tie-down. 
   3. Prior-Art—Lading Band Anchor 
   In U.S. Pat. No. 2,853,959 (1958) Goodwin teaches an anchor for use on railway freight cars. This anchor is of the eye type and is designed to receive lading bands, not ropes. Lading bands are generally secured by means other than knots, including well-known banding buckles and banding clips. 
   4. Prior-Art—Tie-Down Device and Rig for Securing Boat 
   Sherwood, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,332,119 (1967), teaches a resilient tie-down device comprising two back-to-back hooks. The hooks are formed from a single piece of wire. A first hook removably secures the device to the bumper of a vehicle. The second hook is split into two halves. Its two halves form a split hook member as they merge to define “a tightly closed throat from an open mouth entry which converges gradually to the closed throat.” The convergent throat serves to hold the rope in place while it is being secured. Although this device is useful for securing anchor ropes, its construction is complex. In addition, it is intended for only temporary, springable attachment to a vehicle&#39;s bumper. 
   5. Prior-Art—Stake Pocket Tie-Downs 
   U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,595,125 (1971), 3,950,010 (1976), and 4,191,108 (1980) to Jacobs, Robertson, and Jones, respectively, teach tie-down devices which are inserted into stake openings on truck sides. These devices are either single-hook or eye types. While useful, they suffer from the same deficiencies as mentioned above in connection with single-hook or eye-type rope anchors. 
   6. Prior-Art—Side Rail Tie-Downs 
   U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,248,558 (1981) to Lechner, 4,253,785 (1981) to Bronstein, 4,650,382 (1987) to Johnson, 4,850,770 (1989) to Millar, Jr., 5,364,211 (1994) to Lund, 5,533,848 (1996) to Davis, 6,129,490 (2000) to Erskine et al., and 6,821,067 (2004) to Von Loehr all teach tie-downs for use on the sides of pickup and other truck beds. These various configurations employ hook-, pos-, and eye-type tie-downs for securing ropes. Again, while these tie-downs are useful, they suffer from the same deficiencies mentioned above in connection with single-hook, post, or eye-type rope anchors. 
   7. Prior-Art—Load Rod for Vehicles 
   In U.S. Pat. No. 4,398,744 (1983) Schöppel et al. teach a load rod for vehicles which comprises a two joined, bent cylindrical components forming a loop portion, and force-distributing legs that diverge from the loop portion and extend at a distance from each other. The legs are attached to a vehicle body by welding, for example. This load rod is used in pulling or pushing the vehicle to which it is attached. Again, the loop portion of the load rod forms an eye-type anchor. While it is useful in performing the task for which it is intended, it would suffer from the previously-mentioned eye-type anchor deficiencies if used as a tie-down point. 
   8. Objects and Advantages 
   Accordingly, one object and advantage of the present invention is to provide an improved method and apparatus for anchoring tie-down ropes. Other objects and advantages are to provide an inexpensive and simple anchoring apparatus which is compact, easy to use, and simple in construction. Also it permits tensioning of a rope while it is being secured, resulting in a taut anchor. 
   Additional objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. 
   SUMMARY 
   In accordance with the present invention, a method and apparatus are described that provide a simple and sturdy rope anchor with a tension-holding capability. In the preferred embodiment a hook and an eye are joined and function together as a unit. They are mounted to an anchoring surface. A rope is passed through the eye, wedged at the inner edge of the eye, and tied around the shaft of a hook. In an alternative embodiment, one side of the eye is lifted from the anchoring surface. This allows a portion of the rope, away from the end, to be slid into the eye without having to feed the end of the rope through the eye. The rope is pulled taut, wedged into the side of the eye adjacent the hook, and tied around the shank of the hook. The result is a secure, taut anchoring of the rope. 

   
     DRAWINGS 
     Figures 
       FIGS. 1A ,  1 B,  1 C show top, side, and end views of a preferred embodiment of a tie-rope anchor according to the invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a side view of the preferred embodiment with a rope inserted. 
       FIG. 3  is a side view of the preferred embodiment showing different wedge and hook angles. 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  in use. 
       FIG. 5  is a side view of an alternative embodiment showing entrance of a rope from the side and an alternative mounting. 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the preferred and alternative embodiments in use. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 DRAWINGS-Reference Numerals 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 105 
                 Hook 
                 110 
                 Shank 
                 115 
                 Knee 
               
               
                 120 
                 Foot 
                 125 
                 Foot 
                 200 
                 Surface 
               
               
                 205 
                 Attachment 
                 210 
                 Attachment 
                 215 
                 Rope 
               
               
                 220 
                 Object 
                 225 
                 Wedge 
                 230 
                 Wedge 
               
               
                 400 
                 Knot 
                 405 
                 Foot extension 
                 410 
                 Bolt 
               
               
                 415 
                 Weld 
                 500 
                 Bolt 
                 600 
                 Location 
               
               
                 605 
                 Location 
                 610 
                 Location 
                 615 
                 Tie-down 
               
               
                 620 
                 Tie-down 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   Preferred Embodiment 
   FIGS.  1 - 4   
     FIGS. 1A-1C  show top, front, and end views of a tie-down anchor according to the invention. A rod (preferably with a hexagonal cross-section about 8 mm in diameter and 25 cm long) is bent into a shape as follows: 
   Starting at the left or first end  125  in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , a first 90 degree bend or bight is made about 30 percent of the rod length from end  125  to form a first bend or knee  115 . The straight or first section between end  125  and knee  115  lies in a first plane. 
   Then a second bend  120  is made at about 30 percent of the entire rod&#39;s length from knee  115  to form a next or second section between knee  115  to second bend  120 . This second section also lies in the first plane. Second bend  120  also forms and will also be referred to as a first foot  120 . 
   Then a third bend  105  is made at about 20 percent of the length of the entire rod from foot  120  to form a third section or shank  110  between foot or bend  120  and bend  105 . Section  110  lies in the same plane as the first and second sections. 
   Finally, the remaining or fourth section of the rod is bent downward in a second plane at an angle of about 80 degrees to the first plane and the third section, completing the anchor. 
   The size of the anchor is determined by a number of factors, including the load force to be restrained, and the diameter of a rope  215  ( FIG. 2 ) to be anchored. For a rope diameter of 7 mm, the anchor in its bent configuration is preferably 12 cm long, and 7 cm high overall and the rod is 25 cm long before bending. 
   In use, the anchor is attached to a rigid surface  200  ( FIG. 2 ) by one or more welds  205  and  210 , or by a bolt, screw, or other mechanical fastener  500  ( FIG. 5 ). Alternatively, the anchor can be molded (not shown) as a part of rigid surface  200 . 
   The first plane containing knee  115 , and feet  120  and  125 , and the first, second, and third sections is generally perpendicular to the horizontal plane of surface  200  so that section  110  and knee  115  project upward from surface  200 . 
   The anchor is generally made from non-rusting or coated steel, but may also be made of another metal, or even reinforced plastic. The cross-section of the anchor is shown as hexagonal; however many other cross-sectional shapes are possible, including but not limited to square, rectangular, oval, circular, and star-shaped, as indicated in  FIG. 2 . 
   While the second plane containing hook or bend  105  is generally inclined at an angle of 80 degrees with respect to surface  200  ( FIG. 2 ); this angle can vary by ten or more degrees, depending on the diameter of rope  215  being anchored, as explained below. 
   VARIATIONS  
   Similarly the lengths of the first and second sections and the angles of the first and second bends can be adjusted to make knee  115  higher or lower than surface  200 , as required. These variations are shown in broken lines in  FIG. 3 . 
   An optional extension  405  of second foot  125  is shown in  FIG. 4 . Extension  405  provides extra strength when heavier loads are secured by rope  215 . Extension  405  is secured to surface  200  by an optional weld  415 , bolt  410 , or both. 
   OPERATION 
   Preferred Embodiment 
   FIGS.  2  and  4   
   To use the anchor, assume that surface  200  ( FIG. 2 ) is the edge of a side of a pickup truck and rope  215  is attached to or passed over an object  220  (e.g., a stack of lumber) to be secured in the bed of the truck. Rope  215  is then passed beneath knee  115  (i.e., through the loop formed by knee  115 ) and is pulled by the user (not shown) into a first wedge  225  formed to the left of attachment point  205  to prevent slippage. Next tension is maintained in rope  215 , as indicated by arrow  235 , and rope  215  is then moved as indicated by arrow  240  and is looped or tied around shank  110  of hook  105 . 
   Rope  215  is next tied around shank  110  ( FIG. 4 ) in a double-hitch or other convenient knot  400 . Section  110  of the anchor and surface  200  form a second wedge  230  ( FIG. 5 ) to the right of attachment point  205 . Wedges  225  and  230  hold the tension and thus help prevent slippage of rope  215  during and after the tying of knot  400 . 
   I.e., forcing rope  215  into wedge  225  permits the user (not shown) to maintain tension with the left (or right) hand while tying a simple knot around shank  110  with the other hand. After the knot is tied around shank  110 , the user pulls firmly on the loose end of the rope with the right (or left) hand, forcing a portion of the knot to move into wedge  230  on the right side of the anchor. Wedges  225  and  230  provide high-friction, compression points which deform the rope and thus help prevent any slippage of the rope when tying the knot. Thus rope  115  is firmly secured without the need for strength or dexterity on the part of the user. 
   As shown at  610  in  FIG. 6 , discussed in more detail below, the fourth section of the anchor and bend  105  form a hook which can be used as an additional tie-down for a rope  620 , or an elastic cord or the like. 
   DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION 
   Alternative Embodiment 
   FIG.  5   
   In the embodiment of  FIG. 5 , foot  125  is raised above and is not attached to surface  200 . Foot  120  is attached to surface  200  by one of the means described above. This arrangement permits introduction of rope  215  into wedge  225  from the side, instead of threading it beneath knee  115 , as in the preferred embodiment. This is useful when rope  215  is very long. It is still possible to tie two half-hitch knots around shank  110  of hook  105 . 
   OPERATION 
   Preferred and Alternative Embodiments 
   Deployment 
   FIG.  6   
   Multiple anchors will generally be deployed on a vehicle. E.g., if surface  200  ( FIG. 6 ) is a side rail above the bed of a pickup or other truck, the anchors are attached to both side rails. Although three anchors are shown, six or more can be provided. 
   The preferred embodiment of the anchor ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ) is shown at  600  in  FIG. 6 . The alternative embodiment ( FIG. 5 ) of the anchor is shown at  605  in  FIG. 6 . Foot  120  is attached to surface  200 , as above. Foot  125  is raised above surface  200  to permit insertion of rope  215  from the side. A second tie-down rope  615  has also been inserted beneath foot  125  and secures a load (not shown) to anchor  100  at knee  115 . 
   The preferred embodiment of anchor  100  is shown again at  610  ( FIG. 6 ). Foot  120  is attached to surface  200 , as above. In this case, foot  125  is in contact with, but not attached to surface  200  since a single attachment point is adequate in some cases. A second tie-down rope  620  is attached to hook  105 . 
   CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE 
   The present rope anchoring system provides a novel method and apparatus for anchoring a rope firmly to a surface. It provides multiple anchor points and types of anchors. Loads can be independently attached to the knee, hook, and foot of the anchor. These anchor points can be used singly or in combination. 
   One or more wedges formed between the base of the anchor and the surface on which it is mounted help to prevent slippage of a tie-down rope while a knot is being tied for securing the rope to the anchor. 
   Sideways insertion of the rope is facilitated by lifting one foot of the anchor. This is useful when the rope is long and it would be inconvenient to thread it beneath the knee before securing it to the anchor. 
   While the above description contains many specificities, these should not be considered limiting but merely exemplary. Many variations and ramifications are possible. Instead of gentle curves, the knee, anchor points, and hook can be formed from sharp, acute angles. Instead of metal or plastic, the anchor can be made of wood, glass, or other materials. Instead of being made of solid material, the anchor can be made of a tubular material. Instead of being purely functional, the anchor can serve decorative purposes. Rather than being rigidly attached to a surface, the anchor can be hingeably attached for added flexibility in securing various loads or even collapsible for stowage. Instead of the side of a pickup truck the anchor can be attached to a variety of surfaces, including but not limited to flagpoles, docks, boat railings, and the like. 
   The fourth section which completes the hook can be eliminated. The knot which secures the rope is tied around the remaining shank. 
   While the present system employs elements which are well known to those skilled in the art of anchor design, it combines these elements in a novel way which produces a new result not heretofore discovered. Accordingly the scope of this invention should be determined, not by the embodiments illustrated, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.