Abstract:
The present invention includes an inventive pigtail fastener and the associated method of attaching line thereto. The pigtail fastener is comprised of an elongated shaft at the proximal end of the device and a tightly coiled portion of the shaft at the distal end of the device. The pigtail fastener is constructed and arranged in such a manner so as to provide an amount of tension sufficient to pinch and thereby secure a quantity of line between the coiled portion and the shaft. The tension being provided as a result of the narrow confines of the space between the shaft and the coiled portion or alternatively as a result of the coiled portion being biased against a portion of the shaft.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not Applicable 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a method and apparatus for attaching line to a unique fastener device. The inventive fastener has a unique line attachment portion which is constructed by shaping the end or ends of a shaft of metal or other material into a coiled or pigtail configuration. The pigtailed or coiled end-portion(s) may be provided with a springing action which would allow the coiled portion to be biased toward the shaft thereby frictionally engaging any line which has been attached to the fastener using the unique line attachment methods which will be described in detail below. 
     Previous line fastener devices typically required the user to have somewhat fine motor skills and manual-dexterity in order to quickly and properly thread and knot the line to the fastener. Furthermore, in addition to requiring skill and dexterity, in order to properly thread and tie a line to prior fastener types, the user of the hook must use both hands to properly complete the tying procedure. In addition, the nature and function of most fastener devices require that any knot formed between the fastener and the line be permanent, thus necessitating a cutting of the line in order to subsequently remove the fastener therefrom. Besides the damage associated with cutting the line, these fastener devices may otherwise place undesirable wear and tear on line as a consequence of their use. Finally, many fasteners are known which may allow line to slip or loosen which may be undesirable as well as dangerous. 
     The present pigtail fastener overcomes all of the well known shortcomings described above. The present pigtail fastener is designed to allow a user to quickly and easily tie a line to the fastener in a manner which results in a secure, non-slip line attachment which may just as quickly and easily be untied with minimal damage to the line. 
     The art described in this section is not intended to constitute an admission that any patent, publication or other information referred to herein is “prior art” with respect to this invention, unless specifically designated as such. In addition, this section should not be construed to mean that a search has been made or that no other pertinent information as defined in 37 C.F.R. §1.56(a) exists. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention provides for a shaft, particularly a shaft of a metal implement such as a fishhook, tent stake, carabineer or other device which one may desire to have a line attached to. The shaft has an end which is shaped into a pigtail configuration. The unique pigtail fastener will typically include a tightly coiled end portion of the implement shaft which is configured so that at least one point from the coiled portion contacts or is immediately adjacent to the shaft. 
     The attachment device may allow for a space between the coiled portion and the shaft or the coiled portion and shaft may be pressed together as a result of the tension provided by the coiled portion. Where a space is provided for, the space may be uniformly narrow or may include a more constricted portion. The space provided must be sufficiently narrow so that when line is drawn into the space as described herein, the various loops of line will be tightened against one another as a result of the close proximity of the coiled portion and the shaft. In this later embodiment the coiled portion and the shaft may exhibit some springing characteristics but will preferably be fairly rigid relative to one another. 
     The attachment device is constructed so that the coiled portion exhibits a sufficient amount of tension toward the shaft so that when line is drawn between the coiled portion and the shaft the line will be pinched and securely held as a result of the tension provided. The present pigtail fastener allows the user to secure line to the attachment device without the need to form a permanent knot with the line. An example of an appropriate material from which to construct the pigtail fastener is spring steel. 
     In the various alternative embodiments of the pigtail fastener, the fastener may be further configured to include a lip or line guide to further assist a user in attaching a line to the fastener. In such an embodiment at least a section of the coiled portion is spaced slightly outward from the shaft, thereby providing an initial enlarged opening between the coiled portion and the shaft wherein the line will more readily be received into. The opening which receives the line then narrows to pinch the line in between the coiled portion and the shaft. The coiled portion may also be configured to include a line securement area which is which functions to lock line into a predetermined position. 
     In all of the embodiments of the present pigtail fastener, a line attachment device is provided for which allows a user to quickly affix a line to the fastener without the need to tie a permanent knot with the line. The pigtail fastener and the associated methods for affixing a line thereto also provide the user with the ability to secure a line to the attachment device with only limited manual dexterity and skill. 
     The present pigtail fastener is designed to facilitate a uniquely user friendly, highly effective method of affixing a line thereto simply by winding a length of line around the implement shaft and then pulling the wound line into the coiled portion in the manners described below. 
     The present attachment device may be utilized with other devices besides those mentioned above. For example, in the embodiment wherein the pigtail fastener is applied to a fishhook, other fishing related devices such as lures, weights, floats, etc, may be constructed to include the present attachment device. As a result, one or more devices could be attached to a given length of fishing line. On a larger scale, tent stakes, which may include pigtail fastener ends, could be secured to one end of a line while the other end is secured to a pigtail fastener or other device located on the tent surface. The pigtail fastener may be affixed to the ends of securement straps, ropes or cords to provide a strap which may be readily adjusted in length by securing an end pigtail fastener along the length of the strap. Many other devices may be incorporated or used in combination with the present pigtail fastener. Such devices will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art and are included within the scope of the present invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
     A detailed description of the invention is hereafter described with specific reference being made to the drawings in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fishhook embodiment of the present pigtail fastener; 
     FIG. 2 is a close up view of a preferred embodiment of the pigtail fastener; 
     FIGS. 3-7 show the various steps of a first inventive method for securing a line to the pigtail fastener shown in FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the pigtail fastener and the line secured at the apex of the pigtail fastener; 
     FIG. 9 is a side view of the pigtail fastener shown in FIG. 8 showing the line in cross section; 
     FIG. 10 is a side view of an embodiment of the pigtail fastener wherein the coils of the coiled portion are spaced apart a predetermined distance and the coiled portion includes an outwardly raised coil lip to assist in receiving line into the coiled portion; 
     FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the pigtail fastener having a line securement area at the apex of the coiled portion; 
     FIG. 12 is a top down view of the embodiment of the pigtail fastener shown in FIG. 11; 
     FIGS. 13-16 show in a rear perspective, the various steps of a second inventive method for securing a line to an embodiment of the pigtail fastener having a raised coil lip to assist in receiving line into the coiled portion; 
     FIGS. 17-20 show in a front perspective, the various steps of the line securing method shown in FIGS. 13-16; 
     FIG. 21 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the pigtail fastener which includes two coiled portions; 
     FIG. 22 shows the embodiment of the pigtail fastener shown in FIG. 22 with separate line ends secured to each coiled portion; 
     FIG. 23 shows a side view of an embodiment of the pigtail fastener wherein the shaft is bent or molded to include line diameter guides along a length of the shaft; 
     FIG. 24 shows a perspective view an embodiment of the pigtail fastener wherein the shaft has a flattened region, the flattened region including line diameter guides incorporated; 
     FIG. 25 shows a side view of an embodiment of the pigtail fastener wherein the coiled portion has a narrowed end region which as a reduced diameter relative to the remaining region of the coiled portion; 
     FIG. 26 shows a perspective view of the embodiment of the pigtailed fastener shown in FIG. 25; 
     FIG. 27 shows a top down view of an embodiment of the pigtail fastener wherein part of the coiled portion is shaped to form a line securement area at the apex of the coiled portion; 
     FIG. 28 shows an embodiment of the present invention wherein a cord length may be adjusted with pigtail fasteners located at each end of the cord, the pigtail fasteners being equipped with hooks having blunted ends; 
     FIG. 29 shows a close up view of an end of the cord and a respective pigtail fastener shown in FIG. 28; and 
     FIG. 30 shows a close up view of a clip used in conjunction with the embodiment shown in FIG. 28 wherein the clip may retain excess cord which may result from the length of the cord being shortened. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The inventive aspect of the present pigtail fastener focuses upon a unique coiled region located at the distal end of an elongate shaft which is constructed to pinch and secure a line therein. As shown in the various figures, the pigtail fastener is preferably a coiled shaft portion of a metal implement. However, it should be noted that an implement could be retrofitted to include a pigtail fastener. The pigtail fastener is preferably constructed from a metal such as spring steel which has been tightly coiled and is immediately proximate to the shaft. 
     FIG. 1 shows the present pigtail fastener as incorporated into a fishhook embodiment. The fishhook  10  has a hook or barbed portion  12 , a shaft  14  and a pigtail fastener  20 . As better seen in FIG. 2 the preferred embodiment of the pigtail fastener  20  includes a shaft  14  that has been configured into a coil  22 . The terms coil or coiled portion herein defines an extension of the shaft that has been shaped or molded or otherwise formed into an arc of at least 450 degrees. Preferably, the coil defines an arc which is 540 degrees or more. The arc which defines the coil may also be described as being roughly 1½ turns or loops of material extending from shaft  14 . A coil which is within the parameters described provides a biasing force throughout the length of the arc defined and ensures that the apex  28  of the fastener has sufficient tension force to biasedly trap the line therein. 
     A first method for attaching a line to the pigtail fastener may be broken up into a series of steps as shown in FIGS. 3-7. FIG. 3 shows the initial step of winding a length of line  30  around the shaft  14  to form a plurality of loops  32  thereabout. FIG. 4 shows the second step which includes crossing the first end of the line  34  (the end of the line which may be secured to a fishing pole or other device) and the second end of the line  36  (the free end of the line) across each other relative to the loops  32  upon the shaft  14 . This step may be accomplished by simply flipping the orientation of the fishhook 180 degrees relative to the initial placement of the first end of the line  34  and the second end of the line  36 . Alternatively, if the fishhook is held in place by the user, the second end of the line  36  may be drawn toward the barb  12  and held against the fishhook by the user&#39;s thumb or finger(s) leaving the first end of the line  34  free to be drawn across the loops  32 . 
     The third step of the line attachment method is shown in FIG.  5  and includes pulling the first end of the line  34  along the shaft  14  toward the pigtail fastener  20 . A sufficient amount of tension must be placed upon the second end of the line  36  in order to prevent the line  30  from simply unwinding from the shaft  14  as the first end of the line  34  is pulled. 
     FIG. 6 shows the continued pulling of the first end of the line  34  toward the pigtail fastener  20 . FIG. 6 also illustrates the tendency of the loops  32  to begin to entangle or bunch-up as the first end of the line  34  is pulled. 
     In FIG. 7, it can be seen that loops  32  have become bound together as a result of crossing and pulling both ends of the line, as well as a result of the tension provided by coil  22  pushing against the line and shaft  14 . As a result of this tension or pinching action, and in combination with the constriction of loops  32 , the line  30  begins to form a somewhat entangled mass  38  that is secured within coil  22  or between coil  22  and shaft  14 . 
     In FIG. 8 the line is pulled taut in a direction toward coil  22  (away from shaft  14 ) and the line is continuously held tight by the pigtail fastener  20 . The pinching action between the coil  22  and the shaft  14  secures allows the line  30  to be held securely within the pigtail fastener  20 . Continued pulling upon the line  30  away from the shaft  14  will cause the entangled mass  38  to advance toward the apex  28  of the pigtail fastener  20  and to further tighten itself within the coil  22 . 
     It should be noted that because of the unique shape and construction of the present invention, in all embodiments of the pigtail fastener, line may be pinched within the coil itself or between the shaft and that part of the coil immediately adjacent to the shaft. Where it is stated that the line is located or pinched between the coil and shaft it should be understood that the line may just as easily be held directly within the confines of the coil. 
     FIG. 9 further shows a cross-sectional view of the entangled mass  38  and helps to illustrate the tightening effect upon the various loops  32  resulting from continued pulling on the line. 
     As previously stated, the pigtail fastener may be embodied in several different forms incorporating a wide range of features. FIG. 10 shows an embodiment of the pigtail fastener which includes a lip portion  24  of coil  22  which is bent outward and protrudes away from the shaft  14 . Lip portion  24  functions as a line guide which allows the coil  22  to readily catch and receive line which the user may desire to have pinched within the coil  22  but not necessarily against the shaft  14 . As seen and described above, the method of attaching the line to the fastener shown in FIGS. 13-20, may employ a pigtail fastener having a lip portion such as is shown, or may employ alternative embodiments of the pigtail fastener such as the embodiment shown in FIG.  2 . 
     It should also be noted that in an alternative embodiment the entire coil, as opposed to a lip portion alone, may be configured to be initially spaced away from the shaft to more readily catch and receive line between the coil and shaft. 
     The pigtail fastener shown in FIG. 10 also includes a coil  22  which is spaced away from the shaft  14  at apex  28  to define a gap  26 . The gap  26  has a width which may be determined based on the diameter of line which is to be used with the pigtail fastener. An entangled mass of relatively large diameter line, such as described in the line tying methods above may require a larger gap  26  to ensure that the line will be pinched and held within the coil  22  without damaging the line or distorting coil  22 . In a preferred embodiment where the pigtail fastener is constructed from spring steel, the coil  22  is intended to hold entangled mass of line  38  by providing a biasing force toward shaft  14 . An undesirably large diameter line inserted into the pigtail fastener as described herein could distort and damage coil  22  . By providing a gap  26  of appropriate width such potential damage and wear to the line and coil is avoided. 
     Turning now to FIGS. 13-20, a second inventive tying method is shown which is best utilized with a pigtail fastener having a lip portion as described above. FIGS. 13-16 show the various steps of the tying method from a rear perspective view of the pigtail fastener, while FIGS. 17-20 show the corresponding steps in a front perspective view of the pigtail fastener. 
     Unlike the previously discussed tying method shown in FIGS. 3-7, the present method does require that the line be threaded through the eyelet  42  of the coil  22 . However, because the present tying method is highly suitable for use with relatively large embodiments of the pigtail fastener such as could be used with tent stakes, boating cleats, carabineers, etc, the eyelet  42  will typically be of such size that the speed and ease of tying the line to the fastener will not be reduced. 
     As seen in FIGS. 13 and 17 the first step in tying a line  30  to the pigtail fastener  20  is to insert or thread the line  30  through the eyelet  42  of the coil  22 . Preferably the first end of the line  34  is inserted into the eyelet  42  from the shaft-side of the pigtail fastener to the coil side as shown. 
     FIGS. 14 and 18 show the second step in the present tying method. The first end of the line  34  is pulled through the eyelet  42  to provide a length of line sufficient to lie against a portion of the shaft  14  below the coil  22 . The user may secure the first end of the line  34  against the shaft  14  by any means. For example: if the user is holding the pigtail fastener by the shaft, the user could simply slide the first end of the line between his or her finger or thumb and press the line against the shaft. Once the first end of the line  34  is laid against the shaft  14 , the second end of the line  36  is wound about the shaft  14  and the first end of the line  34  one or more times, preferably two or three times, as best seen in FIGS. 15 and 19. 
     FIGS. 16 and 20 show the final step in the present tying method. After winding the second end of the line  36  about the shaft  14  and the first end of the line  34  as shown, the second end of the line  36  is drawn over the wound loops of line  44  and upward toward the coil  22 . The second end of the line  36  is inserted into the coil  22  by being pulled between the lip portion  24  and the coil  22 . The second end of the line  36  is drawn to its final position at the apex  28  of the coil  22 . 
     The line  30  is easily removed from the coil  22  by pulling the second end of the line  36  downward from the lip portion  24 . Once the second end of the line  36  is no longer retained by the coil  22  the line is simply unwound. 
     The tying method shown in FIGS. 13-20 and described above is especially appropriate when used with larger embodiments of the pigtail fastener which would utilize line such as relatively thick rope or cord. 
     The pigtail fastener and tying methods described above are an improvement over prior art fastener devices and tying methods. The embodiment disclosed provides a device which can be fastened to a line with relative ease requiring little manual dexterity or coordination from the user while still providing a strong secure connection between the fastener and line. In addition, the method of tying a line to the present pigtail fastener allows a user to tie a line to the fastener in just a few seconds regardless of external conditions. 
     In a further embodiment of the pigtail fastener as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, a line securement area  40  is notched or otherwise formed at a predetermined point within the coil  22 . The line securement area provides a widened area which helps to secure the line  30  (seen only in FIG.  11 ). In the embodiment shown, the line securement area  40  corresponds with the apex  28  to ensure that the line  30  is guided in the direction opposite to the orientation of the shaft  14 . The line securement area  40  is sized appropriately to retain a predetermined diameter of line therein. The location of the line securement area  40  at theapex  28  also helps secure the line within the coil  22  by preventing the line  30  from slipping in either direction away from the line securement area  40  even when force is not applied to the line as described in the tying method described above. In FIG. 27, an alternative embodiment is shown where line securement area  40  is formed by shaping or molding coil  22  to a desired shape and diameter, rather than forming the line securement area by notching the coil as previously shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. An advantage of the embodiment shown in FIG. 27 is that possible damage to the line resulting from friction and compression is further minimized as a result of the relatively smooth surface and contour of the shaped line securement area  40 . 
     In the preferred embodiment where the coil is constructed from spring steel, the line may be slid into the line securement area by pulling the line upward toward the apex to momentarily distort the diameter of the line securement area so it may flexibly receive the line. The line may be removed from the line securement area by pulling on the line in a direction away from the line securement area with sufficient force to overcome the biasing force of the coil, thereby sliding the line out of the line securement area without damage to either the line or to the coil. 
     FIG. 21 shows an embodiment of the pigtail fastener wherein two coiled portions  46 ,  48  have been joined along a common shaft  50 . Such an embodiment can be used to join multiple lines together. The embodiment shown can be used to connect an initial line  52  to a secondary line  54  as best shown by FIG.  22 . The initial line  52  may be tied to the coiled portion  46 . The secondary line  54  is tied to the coiled portion  48 . The respective coiled portions and lines may be tied utilizing any tying method known but preferably with the methods described herein. 
     It should be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that a multiple coiled portion embodiment of the pigtail fastener is not limited to only joining two coiled portions as described and shown herein. It may be desirable to attach numerous implements or lines to a common location. As such it is possible to join several coiled portions together around a common axial point or around a support ring or other device (not shown) either fixedly or moveably to provide for such common joining. 
     FIGS. 23 and 24 show in detail a line sizing feature which could be incorporated into nearly any embodiment of the present pigtail fastener. The line sizing feature includes one or more sizing areas  56  which correspond to the diameter of line which may or may not be properly used with the coiled portion (not shown) as described above. In FIG. 23 the sizing areas  56  are the result of bending the shaft  14  to the diameter desired. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 24 the shaft  14  has a flattened area  58  which includes the sizing areas  56 . The sizing areas  56  may be cut, etched or otherwise placed into the flattened area  58 . In the embodiment shown in FIG. 24 the sizing areas  56 , may also be utilized as line cutters or trimmers by simply applying downward pressure against a line as it rests against the sizing area  56 . 
     In certain applications of the present invention It may be desirable to use relatively fine or small diameter line with the pigtail fastener. An example of such an application may include the fishhook embodiment such as shown in FIG.  1 . In such an application, coil  22  may have insufficient flexibility to adequately secure the reduced diameter line to the pigtail fastener  10  because the coil may be fairly rigid as a consequence of having a uniform and relatively large diameter when compared to the line. In order to provide the coil with adequate flexibility and springiness the coil may be equipped with an end region which has been flattened or reduced in diameter as illustrated in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 25-26. 
     In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 25 and 26 coil  22  is characterized has having a reduced diameter region and an initial region. Reduced diameter region  60  is characterized as being more flexible and more springy relative to initial region  62 . As a result of these characteristics, the reduced diameter region will be more prone to push against initial region  62  than a coil having a larger uniform diameter. In the preferred embodiment shown reduced diameter region  60  defines an arc of at least 400 degrees however, in alternative embodiments this value may vary greatly depending on the diameter of the line, the physical characteristics of line being used, the method of attaching the line to the fastener, etc. Alternatively, it may be possible to retain reduced diameter line in an embodiment of the pigtail fastener which has a coil or region of the coil, whether reduced in diameter or not, manufactured from a material which is more flexible and springy than either the shaft or the initial region. 
     In yet another embodiment of the present invention, an adjustable length securement strap, indicated generally at  70 , is formed by combining a line with two pigtailed fasteners as shown in FIGS. 28 and 29. The line is preferably a shock or bungee cord  72  having a predetermined length, and is equipped with two pigtail fasteners  74 ,  76 . The length of the securement strap may be infinitely adjusted by attaching the pigtail fasteners at desired points along the length of the bungee cord. In the embodiment shown, the bungee cord  72  is attached to the pigtail fasteners  74 ,  76  utilizing the method of attachment shown in FIGS. 13-20 and described above. However any method of attachment may be used. Excess cord  78  may be allowed to hang freely or is more preferably retained substantially parallel to bungee cord  72  by one or more retaining clips such as clip  80  shown in FIGS. 28 and 30. 
     As seen in FIGS. 28 and 29 the pigtail fasteners used in the securement strap embodiment preferably are equipped with a blunted hook  82  at the end of shaft  14 . By providing the pigtail fasteners  74 ,  76  with blunted hooks  82  the securement strap may be hooked to a variety of surfaces without scratching or otherwise damaging such surfaces. In order to further ensure that the blunted hooks do not scratch or harm surfaces to which they are hooked, each blunted hook  82  may be equipped with a protective cap  84 . Protective cap  84  may be constructed out of any suitable material such as plastic, rubber, etc. 
     It should be understood that in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 28-30 any type of line, pigtail fasteners and clips can be utilized. 
     This completes the description of the preferred and alternate embodiments of the invention. Those skilled in the art may recognize other equivalents to the specific embodiment described herein which equivalents are intended to be encompassed by the claims attached hereto. 
     While this invention may be embodied in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings and described in detail herein specific preferred embodiments of the invention. The present disclosure is an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the particular embodiments illustrated.