Abstract:
New fastening devices and techniques are provided. A new self-ratcheting cord is provided, with unlimited possible divisions and insertion points for self-threading and -ratcheting along its length. In some embodiments, the insertion points have ports through which an end of the cord can be threaded. Ridges perpendicular to the length of the cord line the exterior and have an appropriate size, shape and material permitting the cord to move in the direction of insertion through the ports, but limiting reversal. In some embodiments, ridges also line the inside of each port, parallel to the port, and perpendicular to a length of cord at points threaded through the port. In some embodiments, the ports themselves have an exterior shape to lock the cord. Some embodiments also have periodic scoring and other built-in devices to permit snapping the cord by hand at any desired length.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/852,120, filed Mar. 15, 2013, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference into the present application. 
    
    
     COPYRIGHT NOTICE 
     © Copyright 2013-2014 Christopher V. Beckman. A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to tapes, cords, zip ties and other flexible fasteners. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Zip ties and other flexible synthetic cords and adhesive tapes have been used to fasten together loose items for many decades. Most fastening cords hold items together with knots and friction. Zip ties implement a one-way looped ratchet at one end of a length of cord, through which the other end may be inserted and, due to sloped teeth along the length of the cord interfacing with the ratchet, tightened and locked in place. In general, adhesive tapes are flatter along their length than synthetic cords, and often include an adhesive on at least one side. As a result, tape is well-suited for jobs binding flat, smooth items. 
     It should be understood that the disclosures in this application related to the background of the invention in, but not limited to, this section titled “Background,” are to aid readers in comprehending the invention, and do not set forth prior art or other publicly known aspects affecting the application; instead the disclosures in this application related to the background of the invention may comprise details of the inventor&#39;s own discoveries, work and work results, including aspects of the present invention. Nothing in the disclosures related to the background of the invention is or should be construed as an admission related to prior art or the work of others prior to the conception or reduction to practice of the present invention. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     New devices and techniques for fastening loose items together are provided. In some aspects of the invention, a new uniform, self-ratcheting cord is provided, with unlimited possible divisions (for example, by cutting the cord at any point along its length), and with unlimited potential insertion points for self-threading and ratcheting along its length. In some embodiments, the points of insertion comprise compressible ports through which a loose end of the cord, and a length of cord following it, can be self-threaded. Complementarily-shaped ridges, pawls and/or other ratcheting aspects, approximately perpendicular to the length of the cord, may line the exterior of the cord, and may be an appropriate size, shape and compressibility to permit the cord to move through the ports when so inserted and threaded, but to lock against and prevent backing out. Preferably, the ports are compressible to a limited degree by the act of self-threading, changing conformation preferably chiefly due to pivoting flexibility along the length of the cord material. This design allows the circumference of a port to be squeezed and pass through another port, when inserted through that other port, while maintaining tight holding or ratcheting. Preferred cord embodiments are composed of a sturdy material with bendability, limited flexibility and, especially, limited compressibility and limited stretchability. Hard plastics with a high tensile strength and some bendability, such as nylon, are preferred. 
     In some embodiments, ridges or a ratchet device are also comprised in the ports, in a parallel configuration to the length of the cord at such ports, but perpendicular to a length of cord threaded through the ports. In some embodiments, the ports themselves may have an exterior shape to assist in locking the cord when threaded. Some embodiments also comprise periodic scoring and/or other built-in devices to permit snapping the cord by hand at any desired length by sufficient bending, twisting, lever-pulling, or other forms of actuation. In still other embodiments, the cord may be released by a button, lever, or by changing the direction or pressure of the cord relative to the port through which it is threaded, at the point where it is threaded through a port. Differential ridge angles and locations within the ports cause then cause these embodiments of cord to release, such that they may be backed out. 
     CANONS OF CONSTRUCTION AND DEFINITIONS 
     Where any term is set forth in a sentence, clause or statement (“statement”), each possible meaning, significance and/or sense of any term used in this application should be read as if separately, conjunctively and/or alternatively set forth in additional statements, as necessary to exhaust the possible meanings of each such term and each such statement. 
     It should also be understood that, for convenience and readability, this application may set forth particular pronouns and other linguistic qualifiers of various specific gender and number, but, where this occurs, all other logically possible gender and number alternatives should also be read in as both conjunctive and alternative statements, as if equally, separately set forth therein. 
     Unless otherwise stated, all trademarks disclosed in this patent document and other distinctive names, emblems, and designs associated with product or service descriptions, are subject to trademark rights. Specific notices related to copyright also accompany the drawings incorporated in this application; the material subject to this notice, however, is not limited to those drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a spool of self-ratcheting cord, in accordance with aspects of the present invention, including a paid out length of said cord. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of parts of the same form of self-ratcheting cord discussed with reference to  FIG. 1 , above, but larger, to illustrate details of a self-threading and self-ratcheting mechanism of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the same form of self-ratcheting cord discussed with reference to  FIG. 2 , above, with part of the cord pulled through one of many self-threading, self-ratcheting ports along the length of the cord. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a self-ratcheting cord, in accordance with aspects of the present invention, in which exterior features of self-threading ports further comprise additional, larger locking barbs. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of a self-ratcheting cord, in accordance with aspects of the present invention, comprising scoring for snapping open lengths of the cord without tools. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of a self-ratcheting cord, in accordance with aspects of the present invention, configured for freely selecting and breaking off lengths of the cord by twisting the cord, with no need to use auxiliary tools. 
         FIG. 7  is a front view of an exemplary ramifying harness comprising self-threading cord, with multiple potential points of insertion, self-threading and ratcheting, in accordance with aspects of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a roll of tape or cord  801 , in which camber material  861  lifts and exposes a loose end of the tape or cord. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a spool  100  of self-ratcheting cord  101 , in accordance with aspects of the present invention, including a paid out length  103  of said cord. Cord  101  comprises numerous uniformly distributed ports, such as those examples pictured as  105 , along its length, which serve as potential insertion points for threading cord  101  through itself (“self threading), as demonstrated by directional path arrow  107 , which shows a threading motion path of the loose end  109  of cord  101 , through port  111  (one of ports  105 ). As will be explained in greater detail below, as cord  101  is threaded through any of ports  105 , one-way locking ridges  113 , lining the circumference of the roughly cylindrical cord  101 , interface with and lock against ridges or a ratchet  115 , which line the inside of each port  105 . Preferably, one-way locking ridges  113  are sloped on at least some of their sides or profile facing a port during and just prior to insertion for self-threading, permitting the compression of ridges  113  during insertion. However, on the opposite sides of ridges  113 , facing in a direction away from a port during and just prior to insertion through it, ridges  113  are either flat or barbed in that direction, preventing cord  101  from backing out of a port  105  once self-threaded through it. In some embodiments, ridges or ratchet  115  comprise complementarily-shaped flat or barbed edges, facing the flat or barbed sides of ridges  113  once ridges  113  have been threaded past ridges or ratchet  115  due to self-threading. 
     In some such embodiments, ridges or ratchet  115  also comprise sloped surfaces, on at least some of their sides or profile facing the end of the cord  101  just prior to and during self-threading. Because such embodiments require threading in one direction only for proper function, these embodiments may further comprise a camber, natural bend or “memory”, causing a tendency of cord  101  to curl in a direction generally toward a proper orientation for self-threading when slack, as shown by curling direction arrow  117 , which generally demonstrates the direction of neighboring curl  118  in cord  101 . In this way, errors in insertion direction are reduced or eliminated for users of cord  101 . In some embodiments, however, in which at least either ridges or ratchets  115  do not comprise the sloped sides or profiles set forth above, cord  101  may be threaded through ports  111  in any direction, and such a camber, natural bend or memory need not be provided in cord  101 . 
     As shown in the figure, ports  111  of cord  101  expand and/or bulge outward from the length of cord, at least during self-threading, in order to accommodate the insertion of an end  109  through a port  111 . Preferably, ports  111  maintain at least part of that expansion or bulge prior to insertion, to aid in locating ports  111 , and in guiding an end  109  through ports  111 . To ease the passage of cord  101  through a port  111  during self-threading, however, ports  111  are compressible, preferably due to the use of a flexible cord material which turns easily along its length. However, to provide a tight fit, and effective ratcheting, the cord material preferably has limited compressibility, or is even not substantially compressible. Furthermore, preferably, when any of ports  111  are compressed during self-threading through another port  111 , a central hole or void  121  is substantially eliminated because the combined, compressed material  123  comprising ports  111  comprises a combined, circumference or other perimeter complementary in size and/or shape to, and substantially filling or abutting, a central hole or void  121  of the port  111  through which the cord is being self-threaded. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of parts of the same form of self-ratcheting cord, now  201 , discussed with reference to  FIG. 1 , above, but larger, to illustrate details of a self-threading and self-ratcheting mechanism of the present invention. An end  209  of cord  201  is shown facing an open port  205 , similar in nature to ports  105  of  FIG. 1 . Directional path arrow  207  shows the potential movement of cord end  209  through port  205  when self-threaded through that port. As can be seen more clearly in the present figure, exemplary outer ridges  213  of cord  201  comprise a flat or barbed trailing edge  214 , for interlocking with flat edges  216 , lining the inside surface of port  205 . Flat edges  216  face in the same direction as the direction of threading shown by arrow  207 , which direction faces interlocked edges  214  once threaded through port  205 . As also shown in greater detail, sloped leading edges  218 , facing the direction of port  205  prior to threading end  209  through it, are also comprised in ridges  213 , and permit the threading of end  209  through port  205 . Similarly, sloped edges  220  also permit and ease threading end  209  through port  205 . 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the same form of self-ratcheting cord, now  301 , discussed with reference to  FIG. 2 , above, with part of cord  301 , namely, cord section  302 , pulled through one of many self-threading, self-ratcheting ports, now shown as  305 , along the length of the cord. As discussed above, as one of ports  305 , namely  325 , is threaded through another port  305 , namely  327 , port  325  becomes compressed, and its central hole or void  321  is reduced to a slit. The comprised material  323  of port  325  is pressed together, and substantially occupies, with its outer surface ridges, such as the example shown as  329 , the entire port  327  through which the material  323  is threaded. In this way, the outer surface ridges of port  325  fully interface with the complementary interior ridges of port  327  as the cord  301  is self-threaded, and cord section  302  is prevented from backing out of port  327  in the direction shown by hypothetical attempted motion arrow  331 . Furthermore, as also can be seen in  FIG. 3 , a subsection  333  of section  302  does not comprise a port  305 , yet occupies a substantially identical circumference or space, also complementary to the inner voids of all ports  305 , as compressed material  323  of port  325 . 
     As a result, cord  301  may be threaded through any of ports  305 , to a wide variety of required degrees of self-threading and ratcheting between the inner ridges or ratchets of ports through which self-threading and ratcheting occurs and the outer ridges of cord  301 , such as the examples shown as  313 . Threading, ratcheting and locking against backing out is not limited to particular lengths or parts of cord  301 , such as parts with or without ports  305 . However, as improved in the embodiment discussed immediately below, additional force and features associated with ports  305  may enhance the holding force of cord  301  when self-threaded and fastening together items. 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of parts of an alternative embodiment of a self-ratcheting cord,  401 , in accordance with aspects of the present invention, in which exterior features of self-threading ports further comprise additional larger locking barbs, such as those examples shown as  435 . As shown in the figure, larger locking barbs  435  further enhance the holding power of the self-threading, ratcheting cord  401  by opposing and holding the outer surface of a port  405  through which it has been self-threaded. Preferably, larger locking barb  435  is present on the trailing end of each of ports  405 , and, as with several of the locking ridges discussed in embodiments above, comprises a flat surface, in this instance, the examples shown as  436 , which face a port through which they have been threaded, and prevent backing out of cord  401  through such a port. For example, larger locking barb  438 , which is shown having been threaded through port  427 , opposes the attempted movement of cord  401  in the direction shown by arrow  431 , preventing cord section  402  from backing out in that direction, by holding the outer surface of port  427  (if pulled against it, in the direction shown by arrow  431 ) that locking barb  438  faces. 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of a self-ratcheting cord  501 , in accordance with aspects of the present invention, comprising scoring  541  for snapping open lengths of the cord by hand, without the need for tools. To assist in such selective snapping, a lever  543  rooted in one of two sections of load-bearing connecting material  523 , is embedded in a body pocket  545 . Due to the body pocket  545 , lever  543  does not substantially extend outward beyond the remaining outline or profile of surrounding material of cord  501 , unless and until lever  543  is actuated. When a user pulls lever  543  outward, as shown by lever action arrow  544 , connecting material  523  is pulled taught across a tensioning stanchion  546 . As a result, if lever  543  is sufficiently pulled along the path shown by arrow  544 , the connecting material  523  will break completely into two separate pieces, and will no longer hold port  505  closed. If a section of cord  501  is currently held within port  505  when such a lever action breaking connecting material  523  is carried out, that section  502  will then be released, and items held together by cord  501  may no longer be held together. 
     Due to the size and edges of scoring  541 , and the leverage applied by lever  543 , the amount of force required to sufficiently pull lever  543  to cause connecting material  523  to break is low enough to be applied by hand by an average person, and far lower than the amount of lengthwise holding force of cord  501  (the holding force resulting from the tensile strength of cord  501 ). 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of a self-ratcheting cord  601 , in accordance with aspects of the present invention, configured for freely selecting and breaking off lengths of the cord by twisting the cord, with no need to use auxiliary tools. As mentioned previously, uniformly distributed ports, now  605 , preferably bulge slightly when not currently threaded through another port. As one of several added benefits to this design, ports  605  may be used for leverage and grip in twisting part of cord  601  (for example, in the rotational direction indicated by motion arrows  649 ), which can be used to carry out further aspects of the invention. In one embodiment, load-bearing straps, such as the examples shown as  647 , may be completely broken into separate pieces by such twisting. As port  605  is twisted clockwise (in the perspective of the figure), slicing edges  651  are pushed through straps  647 , and into cutting blocks  653 . As a result, each of straps  647 , which otherwise comprise a complete link between two separate parts,  654  and  655 , of cord  601 , are completely severed, and cord  601  is broken in two at a break point to the left of the port  605  used as a twisting handle. 
       FIG. 7  is a front view of an exemplary ramifying harness  701  comprising self-threading cord sections  703 , with multiple potential points of insertion, self-threading and ratcheting, in accordance with aspects of the present invention. As in several of the embodiments set forth above, the cord sections comprise uniformly distributed ports, such as the examples now shown as  705 , along their length, and further comprise ratchets, barbs or ridges to cause self ratcheting and locking in accordance with aspects of the invention discussed throughout this application. Also as with several of those previously-discussed embodiments, loose ends, now shown as  709 , of those cord sections may be threaded through any and several such ports  705 , as a user&#39;s election, to cause such self-ratcheting and locking. In addition, harness  701  comprises a main body section  710 , which may comprise additional, albeit fewer, ports, such as the examples shown as  757 , the voids or holes of which are identical in shape and features as the voids or holes of any of the other ports set forth above in this application. By threading the ends  709  of sections  703  through various ports  705  and/or  757 , a wide variety of holding configurations for several items, or complex items requiring more than one holding point. In fact, each of ends  709  may be threaded through more than one port  705  and/or  757 , creating several more holding loops than would otherwise be possible, at the election of the user. As another potential aspect, a central cord  759  may extend away from the remaining plane of the harness, and therefore may be useful for fastening multiple harnesses together. Of course the number of ends  709 , loops and body components, and shapes depicted in  FIG. 7  are exemplary only, and a wide variety of complex cord arrangements with multiple ends, sections and body shapes are possible and fall within the scope of the present invention. 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a roll of tape or cord  801 , in which camber material, such as that shown as elevating strips  861 , lifts and exposes a loose end  803  of the tape or cord. Regardless of where tape or cord  801  is cut, producing a loose end such as  803 , at least a corner  863  of the tape or cord at the loose end  803  will be raised, rather than laying flat against roll  801 . In this way, corner  863  and end  803  may be more easily located, and a user may extract tape or cord from the roll  801 . While the roll of tape or cord  801  may include an adhesive, for example, on the side facing roll  801 , preferably, the surface of a section  863  of tape or cord abutting each strip  861 , in sections  870 , contains less adhesive, a weaker adhesive, or has been bound to the roll  801  less completely or effectively (for example, with less force), such that the upward pressure from the camber of elevating strips  861  is able to overcome it. As a result, corner  863  is lifted away from the remainder of roll  801 . To enhance the visual impact of corner  863 , lighting or coloring may be trained on or caused by corner  863 &#39;s position, lifted away from roll  801 . For example, without contact with roll  801 , and its collective color, a translucent tape (and especially, a fluorescent translucent tape) may reveal corner  863  with greater contrast. If camber is used on only one side of roll  801 , preferably, the side may be switched periodically along the length of cord or tape, to maintain a flat profile for roll  801 .