Abstract:
A quick-release securing device is constructed of nylon strap having an openable loop at one end, and snap hook at the other end. The distance between the openable loop and the snap hook, and the circumference of the openable loop, is adjustable. The loop can be opened and closed using a buckle. A supplemental strap may be employed for releasably attaching items, such as boat fenders, to the securing device.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 62/358,656, entitled QUICK-RELEASE SECURING DEVICE, filed on Jul. 6, 2016, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to securing hardware, and more specifically, to an adjustable strap system for securing boat fenders. 
       Related Art 
       [0003]    Many boaters carry fenders on their boats, which are used to protect the hull from damage if the boat rocks back and forth while docked. These fenders are typically secured to a boat by a rope fender line that is tied to the fender at one end and tied to a line, rail or other hardware mounted on a boat at the other end. Conventionally, one will adjust the length of the fender line when tying the rope at the boat end in order to raise and lower the fender and secure it over the side of the boat at the proper point of contact for mooring. 
         [0004]    Oftentimes a boater will have to untie, adjust and retie a rope to a boat several times before the fender will hang at the proper height and be tightly secured in position. 
         [0005]    Unfortunately, knots in the rope are sometimes difficult to untie, and determining the proper knot placement and retying the rope while the boat is in the water can be challenging, so the boater may waste valuable time making these adjustments while trying to dock their boat. Additionally, if the boater does not tie a secure knot, there is risk of the rope detaching and the fender being lost. 
         [0006]    As can be seen, there is a need for an efficient device for quickly and easily securing fenders in the proper position on a boat. It is preferred that this device is simple, adjustable, easy to use, and inexpensive to manufacture and transport. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    A quick-release securing device of the present invention is constructed of nylon strap having an openable loop at one end, and snap hook at the other end. The distance between the openable loop and the snap hook, and the circumference of the openable loop, is adjustable. The loop can be opened and closed using a buckle. A supplemental strap may be employed for releasably attaching items, such as boat fenders, to the securing device. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  depicts a securing device; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  depicts a securing device, with a supplemental securing device attached; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  depicts an alternative securing device; 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  depicts a supplemental securing belt; 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  depicts side of a boat with a securing device hanging from the boat rail and suspending a supplemental strap attached to the top portion of a boat fender; 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  depicts the snap hook end of a securing device suspending a supplemental securing device attached to a boat fender; and 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  depicts a securing device restraining a dog. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0015]    The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
         [0016]    The following structure numbers shall apply to the following structures among the various FIGS.:
     10 —securing device;     15 —primary strap;     17 —secondary strap;     19 —interface;     20 —openable loop;     25 —buckle;     26 —supplemental securing device;     27 —D-ring;     28 —closed loop;
         28 ( a )( 1 )—primary proximal closed loop;     28 ( b )( 1 )—primary distal closed loop;     28 ( a )( 2 )—secondary proximal closed loop;     28 ( b )( 2 )—secondary distal closed loop;   
         30 —snap hook;     35 —fender;     40 —slider;
         40 ( a )—proximal slider;     40 ( b )—distal slider;   
         50 —supplemental securing belt; and     60 —alternative embodiment.   
 
         [0037]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , securing device  10  is constructed of primary strap  15 , with openable loop  20  at the proximal side, and snap hook  30  at the distal side. As used herein “proximal side” and “distal side” identify regions or ends of the device when the device is stretched out, for example when a device is suspending an item. Openable loop  20  is opened and closed with buckle  25  having two mating sides, thereby allowing device  10  to be attached to a variety of objects by encircling them, for example a boat rail as shown in  FIG. 5 , or the arm of a chair as shown in  FIG. 7 . The length of the device can be adjusted using distal slider  28 . The circumference of the openable loop can be adjusted using proximal slider  40 . Using either slider will adjust the overall length of the securing device because increasing/decreasing the circumference of the openable loop likewise increases/decreases the distance between the proximal side and distal side of device. Primary strap  15  is one continuous strap segment terminating in two closed loops  28 , preferably formed by stitching strap portions together at interface  19 . Interface  19  is preferably substantially permanent such that separating is possible but would be difficult and/or is likely to damage straps. Closed loops  28  of primary strap  15  are located at proximal slider  28  and at buckle  25 . Secondary strap connects distal slider  28  to other end of buckle  25 . 
         [0038]      FIG. 2  depicts securing device  10  with supplemental strap  26  attached thereto. Ends of supplemental strap terminate in closed loops  28 , and approximately equidistant between the two closed loops  29  is D-ring  27 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , supplemental strap  26  is particularly well suited for threading through boat fender  35  which has a longitudinal channel there through. Supplemental strap  26  can be “looped back through itself” so the protruding loop provides an attachment site for snap hook  30  of securing device. D-ring  27  protruding from bottom of fender  35  can also provide attachment site for snap hook  30  of securing device, particularly where horizontal orientation of fender  35  is desired by employing two securing devices. 
         [0039]    Alternative embodiment  60  is shown in  FIG. 3 , and differs from securing device  10  insofar as snap hook  30  is engaged with openable loop  20 ; there are no sliders  40 ; there is no secondary strap  17 ; and distal side terminates in closed loop  28 . End-to-end length of alternative embodiment  60  and circumference of openable loop is varied by adjusting length of primary strap  15  through buckle  25 . 
         [0040]    Supplemental securing belt  50  of  FIG. 4  includes a section of primary strap with terminal side secured at interface  19 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , supplemental securing belt can be “looped back through itself” to provide a protruding loop which serves as an attachment site for snap hook  30  of securing device  10 . 
         [0041]    The length of securing device  10  is preferably 8″-24″; 24″-36″; or 35″-72″, with the first length indicating the length of the device in the completely shortened state, and the second length indicating the length of the device in the completely extended state, as adjusted by sliders  40 . Length of alternative embodiment  60  is preferably 16″-24″ in the shortened to lengthened state, respectively. 
         [0042]    Primary strap  15  is preferably 1″ nylon flat webbing, having a breaking strength of &gt;4,300 pounds, which is commercially available from a variety of sources including Tapecraft Corporation of Oxford, Ala. Snap hook  30  is commercially available from a variety of sources including Prime Industries, Inc. of Virginia Beach, Va. Snap hook is preferably stainless steel. Slider  40  is preferably a tri-glide, which is commercially available from a variety of sources including American Cord and Webbing Inc. of Woonsocket, R.I. Buckle  25  is preferably a Side Release Buckle which is commercially available from a variety of sources including John C. Tucker Co., Inc. of Fort Worth, Tex. It is preferred to use marine grade materials in constructing the device. The breaking strength of the securing device is approximately 200-225 pounds. 
         [0043]    Supplemental strap  26  is preferably constructed of the same flat webbing as primary strap  15 . D-ring  27  is preferably stainless steel D-ring for 1″ strap which is commercially available from a variety of sources including Prime Industries, Inc. of Virginia Beach, Va. 
         [0044]    Specifications of certain structures and components of the present invention have been established in the process of developing and perfecting prototypes and working models. These specifications are set forth for purposes of describing an embodiment, and setting forth the best mode, but should not be construed as teaching the only possible embodiment. Rather, it should be understood that all specifications, unless otherwise stated or contrary to common sense, are +/−10%. It should also be understood that ranges of values set forth inherently include those values, as well as all increments between.