Abstract:
A line tightening device with a detachable handle, a hook and a coupler for securing the handle and the hook together while the tightener is being used. After the line tightener is used to achieve the desired tension in the line tightened, the handle and coupler can be quickly and easily disengaged and removed from the hook, thereby leaving only the hook attached to the tightened line. The hook is adapted for tightening the line by forming and fixing convolutions about its shank. A tether secures the hook to adjacent portions of the line to prevent accidental separation of the hook from the tensioned line.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is related to and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to provisional application Nos. 61/391,294, filed Oct. 8, 2010 and 61/436,117, filed on Jan. 25, 2011, which are incorporated into this application in its entirety by this reference. 
     
    
     RELATED ART 
       [0002]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,254,537 to Malacheski, et al., which is hereby incorporated in its entirety by this reference, discloses a device for tightening or increasing the tension of a line, such as a rope or cord, which is already secured at its ends. The device disclosed in the Malacheski &#39;537 patent comprises a single length of wire or rod that is suitably bent or cut to provide, all in one piece, a handle, a shank extending from the handle and a first bend at the distal end of the shank. A transverse extension extends from the first bend, and a second bend is formed on the distal end of the extension. A stub, extending from the bend, has a terminal end. Rotating the handle and interconnected shank pivots the transverse extension, which takes up slack in a section of the line between the two secured ends and winds that slack portion of the line into convolutions around the shank, thereby increasing the overall tension of the line. When the desired tension is achieved, the transverse extension, and the second bend are positioned so that the second bend receives and holds a section of the line spaced apart from the portion wound about the shank, which prevents the shank and transverse extension from rotating and pivoting in the opposite direction, thereby preventing the tensioned line from unwinding. 
         [0003]    The single piece construction of the device disclosed by Malacheski, while apparently simple and inexpensive, nevertheless has some significant shortcomings, which adversely affect its costs and performance. For example, because the handle, shank, extension and stub are all connected as a single piece of metal, the entire device must remain attached to and dangling from the tightened line despite the fact that the handle portion of the single piece tightener is only needed while the line is actually being tightened or released. The handle portion is not needed at all while the tension of the line does not need adjusting and is also not needed while the tightener is being carried or transported but not actually being used. Thus, the handle portion of the single piece tightener adds additional unnecessary weight that users must accommodate. This is particularly disadvantageous when a job or task requires tightening many lines, as would likely be the case when the job comprises pitching a tent or securing cargo. If multiple lines must be tightened while pitching a tent, for example, the camper is forced to obtain and carry multiple tighteners, each one having its own handle. This adds to the load the camper must carry to the camp site. As every hiker knows, a little extra weight can become burdensome over long journeys. For this reason, campers and hikers always look to make their packs as light as possible. Similarly, if many lines must be tightened in order to secure a load of cargo, then a person using Malacheski&#39;s line tightening device would have to leave multiple tighteners, each with its own handle, attached to the multiple lines, which increases the weight of the cargo and likely increases the shipping costs. 
         [0004]    More importantly, however, the dangling handles on the single piece tighteners can swing and gyrate as the load is moved, or may be subject to buffeting by the wind as the load is in transit. These gyrations and vibrations can cause the handle to strike the load or the vehicle carrying the load, thereby causing severe damage to the cargo or the cargo-moving vehicle. In addition, the gyrations may cause the tightener to disengage from the line, thereby compromising the load&#39;s integrity. A tightener that becomes disengaged from a cargo line during transport, such as on a road or highway may become a flying projectile, thereby posing a serious risk of injury or damage to people and property in the vicinity. When a tightener becomes disengaged from the tensioned line, it is also very likely that it will fall to the road or ground and be irretrievably lost. In such cases, it may be very difficult or even impossible to erect a tent or secure the load of cargo without replacing the missing tighteners, thus increasing the costs, time, effort and hassle of using the single piece tighteners. 
         [0005]    Therefore, there exists a need for a lighter, more convenient line tightener, which is easier to carry, store and install, and which is much less likely to become disengaged from the tensioned line during use. 
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention addresses the aforementioned problems and disadvantages by providing an improved line tightening device comprising a hook, a detachable handle and a coupler that secures the detachable handle to the hook while the device is being used to tighten or release a line. The hook is adapted for tightening the line by forming and fixing convolutions thereabout. When a line needs tightening, the handle can be quickly and easily attached to the hook and then rotated, thereby rotating the hook and generating the convolutions, thereby increasing the tension in the line. After the convolutions are wrapped about the hook and the line is sufficiently tight, the handle and hook are pivoted so that a stub on the hook prevents uncoiling of the convolutions and locks the hook to the line. The handle and coupler can then be detached and removed from the hook, thereby leaving only the hook portion of the tightener attached to the tensioned line. An optional tether secures the hook to adjacent portions of the tensioned line, thereby ensuring that the hook will not accidently become separated from the tensioned line. 
         [0007]    Since the handle and coupler can be detached from the hook, a single handle and coupler can service an unlimited number of hooks. Therefore, in situations where many lines must be tightened, one only needs to obtain and use a single handle and a number of hooks corresponding to the number of lines that need tightening. Since the hooks for tighteners of the present invention are smaller, lighter, and more easily carried and secured, embodiments of the present invention provide a more convenient, less costly and less dangerous solution than conventional line tighteners without detachable handles. 
         [0008]    In one embodiment, the line tightener of the present invention comprises a handle for manual operation having a distal end, a hook having a shank portion with a proximal end, and a coupler for removably connecting the proximal end of the shank with the distal end of the handle. An arm extends transversely from a distal end of said shank at an acute angle forming a first bend or bight therebetween. A slack length of line can be located in the first bight and may be wound on the shank forming convolutions thereabout whereby slack in the line is taken up. A distal end of the arm is spaced from the distal end of the shank, and an outer surface of the arm engages the line to form the convolutions about the shank as the handle is rotated in a first direction. A stub extends from the distal end of the arm and forms a second bend or bight spaced from the first bight. The second bight receives a tensioned portion of the line, and the stub extending from the second bight engages the line region in a direction opposite the first direction to thereby resist unwinding of the convolutions from about the shank. 
         [0009]    In another embodiment, the tightener employs a tether to secure the hook to the line. The tether is formed of a strip of resilient material and has end portions each formed with a slotted opening to receive the line. An intermediate portion of the tether has an opening located between the slotted openings. The opening in the intermediate portion receives the proximal free end of the shank therethrough, and the slotted openings receive the line on opposite sides of the convolutions at the ends of the tether which cooperate for securing the line and hook together. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a tightening device according to an embodiment of the invention showing the handle portion attached to the tightening portion. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the tightening device of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the hook. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is an enlarged fragmentary elevation of the handle and hook secured by the coupler. 
           [0014]      FIGS. 5A-5D  are illustrations of the tightener engaged with the line during different phases of tightening. 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is an illustration of a tether for securing the hook to the line. 
           [0016]      FIGS. 7A-7B  are respective side and plan views of the hook secured to the line by the tether of  FIG. 6 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of the tether. 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  is an illustration of a conventional one piece tightener. 
           [0019]      FIG. 10  shows a plan view of still another alternative embodiment of the tether. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
       [0020]    The present invention and various aspects, features and advantages thereof are explained in detail below with reference to exemplary and therefore non-limiting embodiments and with the aid of the drawings, which constitute a part of this specification and include depictions of the exemplary embodiments. 
         [0021]    An embodiment of a tightener  10  for tensioning a slack line is illustrated in  FIGS. 1-4 . As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the tightener  10  comprises a handle  12 , a hook  14 , and a coupler  16  for detachably securing the handle  12  to the hook  14 . The handle  12  typically comprises a closed loop formed of a continuous length of stiff wire or rod. The handle  12  has a leg  20  having an upper end  22 , a lower bend  24  connected to a return leg  26 , disposed more or less parallel to the leg  20 . A bridge  28  connects the upper end of the return leg  26  opposite the bend  24 . The distal end  30  of the bridge  28  is connected to the coupler  16 , thereby closing the loop on the handle  12  as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
         [0022]    As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the hook  14  has a shank  50 , an arm  52  connected to the shank  50  by a smooth curved first bend or first bight  54  and a stub  56  coupled to the arm  52  by a smooth curved second bight  58  having a terminal end  60 . The hook  14  is typically formed of a single piece of stiff metal material, such as aluminum, and extends from the proximal end  62  of the shank  50  to the terminal end  60  of the stub  56 . In an exemplary embodiment, shown in  FIG. 3 , the proximal end  62  of the shank  50  has a chamfered edge  63 , and the terminal end  60  of the stub  56  has a chamfered edge  61 . The shank  50  and the interconnected arm  52  are disposed in a first plane P 1  at an acute angle θ 1 , e.g. 50°, with respect to each other. The arm  52  and the connected stub  56  are typically disposed in a second plane P 2  at an angle θ 2 , e.g., 35°, relative to the first plane P 1 . The first plane P 1  and the second plane P 2  intersect along a common line corresponding to a central axis  80  of the arm  52 . As a result, the shank  50 , arm  52  and stub  56  do not lie in a common plane, which permits the second bight  58  to be disposed such that it hooks about the tensioned line L at the angle θ 2  between the first plane P 1  and the second plane P 2 . See  FIGS. 5B and 5D . 
         [0023]      FIG. 4  shows an enlarged fragmentary elevation of the handle  12  and hook  14  secured by the coupler  16 . The coupler  16  comprises a cylindrical sleeve  32  having a through hole  34  extending between open upper end  36  and open lower end  38 , as shown. A threaded diametric hole  40  is formed in a lower portion of the coupler, and a set screw  42  is threaded into the hole  40 . Upper or distal end  22  of the leg  20  is positioned in the lower portion of the sleeve  32  through the open lower end  38  on the coupler  16 . A sidewall  43  of the leg  20  is disposed in the coupler  16  opposite the threaded hole  40 , and the leg  20  is secured in the coupler  16  by the set screw  42  engaging the sidewall  43 . 
         [0024]    The coupler  16  has a second diametric hole  44  located approximately midway along the length of the coupler  16 . Distal free end  30  of the bridge  28  is secured in the diametric hole  44  by an interference fit. Alternatively, the coupler  16  may be secured to the end of the leg by welding or other suitable method. A radial detent  46  is formed in the inner wall  48  of the coupler  16  in the upper portion thereof. The detent  46  extends radially inwardly of the through hole  34  in the coupler. 
         [0025]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , the proximal end  62  of the shank  50  is formed with an L-shaped slot  64  formed in an outer wall  65 . The slot  64  has an axial portion  66  having an open end  68  at the proximal end  62  of the shank  50  and an inboard end  70  spaced from the open end. The slot has a transverse portion  72  disposed circumferentially in the wall  64  of the shank  50 . The transverse portion  72  is connected to the inboard end  70  of the axial portion  66  and has a closed end  74  spaced therefrom. The radial detent  46  engages the slot  64  for detachably securing the proximal end  50  of the shank in the coupler  14 . 
         [0026]    The handle  12  and shank  50  may be secured and detached by manual operation. The shank  50  may be inserted in the open upper end  36  of the coupler  16  with the slot or groove  64  in alignment with the detent  46 . As the proximal end  62  of the shank  50  is inserted into the upper open end  36  of the coupler  16 , the open end  68  of the axial portion  66  receives the radial detent  46  and guides the shank  50  axially into the coupler  16 . The detent  46  guides the shank  50  until it reaches the inboard end  70  of the transverse portion  72  of L-shaped slot  64 . The handle  12  is then rotated so that the radial detent  46  is guided circumferentially to the closed end  74  thereof, whereby the hook  14  is removably secured in the handle  12 . 
         [0027]    The hook  14  may be separated from the handle  12  by reversing the rotation of the shank  50 , and when the detent  46  reaches the inboard end  70  of the axial portion  66  of the L-shaped slot  64 , the handle  12  is pulled axially away from the shank  50 , whereby the detent  46  is guided through the open end  68  of the axial portion  66 , and the shank  50  is thereby separated. The result is a quick connect/disconnect arrangement for securing the shank  50  to the handle  12 . 
         [0028]    The described arrangement causes the second bight  58  to more firmly engage the tensioned line L, by orienting the shank  50 , the arm  52  and the second bight  58  so that the handle  12  has to be rotated about its axis  82  in a first direction, e.g. counter-clockwise (CCW), so that its axis lies at a slight angle with respect to the line L to thereby allow the terminal end  60  of the stub  56  to pass below the line L as the convolutions  86  are formed. See  FIGS. 5B and 5C . After the final convolution is formed, the handle  12  is rotated or pivoted side to side about the first bight  54 , more or less in a vertical plane P 3  including the line L. See  FIG. 5D . As a result, the terminal end  60  of the stub  56  moves above the line L and the second bight  58  is positioned to receive the tensioned line L as the handle  12  is rotated in the opposite direction, e.g., clockwise (CW), to allow the second bight  58  to engage the line and secure the convolutions. In the arrangement described, in order to disengage the tightener, the handle  12  is rotated in the first direction CCW to cause the shank  50  to rotate in the same direction. The shank  50  is then pivoted side to side about the first bight  54  in the vertical plane P 3  to clear the line L. 
         [0029]    The claimed embodiments provide several advantages over prior arrangements. In the exemplary embodiment, the handle  12  and the coupler  16  secured thereto are separable from the hook  14 . In the discussion below, rather than refer to the handle and coupler separately, when the handle or removable handle is mentioned, it should be understood that the coupler, normally attached to the handle, is included. 
         [0030]    The removable handle  12  allows for a substantial reduction in weight on the line being tightened because, after the line is tightened to the desired tension, the handle  12  and coupler  16  of the tightener are removed, leaving only the hook  14  of the tightener attached to the tensioned line, thereby permitting the device to be used in more line-tightening applications when the weight and number of devices needed to do the job are an important concern. For example, when erecting a tent where multiple lines must be tightened, it is advantageous to reduce the weight of the line tightening tools that must be carried to the campsite. Embodiments of the current invention permit users to operate and install a multiplicity of hooks on a respective multiplicity of lines using a single handle  12  to secure the multiple hooks. 
         [0031]    In order to reduce the possibility of an accidental release of the tightener, a tether is provided for securing the hook to the line L after the handle  12  is removed. As illustrated in FIGS.  6  and  7 A- 7 B, tether  90  is constructed so that the hook  14  remains securely attached to the line L. The tether  90  comprises a strip  92  of resilient, pliable material, such as a polymeric material having ends  94 , a length l, and a width w. The length l of the tether  90  is long enough so that each end  94  can extend from the hook  14  on the tightener to two points along the line L. The strip  92  is formed of a slotted opening  96  at each of the opposite ends  94 . Each slotted opening  96  has a slit portion  98  and an end hole  100  formed near the opposite ends  94  of the strip  92 . The slit portion  98  extends axially from the end  94  of the strip  92  to an inboard end  102 . The end hole  100  is located at the inboard end  102  in communication with the slit portion  98 . Each slotted opening  96  thus forms lateral tabs  104  on each side thereof, which tabs may be deformed to allow the slotted openings to receive therein the line L adjacent to the opposite sides of the installed hook  14  of the tightener  10 . 
         [0032]    The strip  92  has an intermediate portion  110  formed with a center hole  112  between the slotted openings. In the exemplary embodiment, the shank  50  is a rod having a diameter d. The slotted openings  96  receive the line L therein, and the center hole  112  receives the proximal end  62  of the shank  50  therein. The center hole  112  has a diameter d-, slightly smaller than the diameter d of the shank  50 , such that it may receive the proximal end of the shank  50  therethrough. The chamfered portion  63  at the proximal end  62  of the shank  50  allows the shank  50  to be more easily inserted through the center hole  112  which stretches as the chamfered end  63  enters it. Because the diameter d of the shank  62  is slightly larger than the diameter of the hole  112 , and the chamfered end  63  is slightly smaller than the hole, the shank  50  enters the center hole  112  with some resistance, so that once installed on the shank  50 , the tether  90  will not easily slide off the shank  50  without applying substantial pulling force to it. The center hole  112  may be nearer one end of the strip, as shown, because the hook  14  presents a larger profile on one side when installed on the line L. 
         [0033]    After the tether  90  is attached to the installed tightener by pushing the shank  50  through the through center hole  112 , each line portion L on either side of the second bight  58  is pushed into each corresponding slotted opening  96  of the strip. The lateral tabs  104  may be twisted to open the slit portion  98  so that the line L may be pushed through the slit and forced into the end hole  100  connected thereto. Such an arrangement thus secures the shank to the line via the strip forming the tether. 
         [0034]    In another embodiment shown in  FIG. 8 , the tether  120  comprises a strip  122  of resilient material having ends  124  and slotted openings  126  at each end. In this arrangement, the slotted openings  126  comprise a V notch  128  having an apex  130  and a wide marginal opening  132  at the end  124  of the strip  122 . Adjacent each V notch  128 , end holes  134  are formed in communication with the apex  130 . Tabs  136  are thus formed adjacent the end holes  134 . A center hole  138  is formed intermediate from the ends  124 . As noted above, the center hole  112  may be nearer one end of the strip  122  because the hook  14  presents a larger profile on one side as installed on the line L. 
         [0035]    The wide marginal opening  132  of the V notch receives the line L therein more easily and with little or no manipulation of the tabs  136 , thus allowing ease of installation. The tether  120  is similar to the tether  90  described above and operates in essentially the same way to secure the hook to the line L. 
         [0036]    The ability to separate the handle and coupler from the hook improves the effectiveness and reliability of the tightener. In a conventional arrangement, as in the exemplary embodiment, the handle provides leverage to aid the user in tightening the line. However, in a conventional device the handle is not separated from the hook. As a result, the unitary device tends to hang from the tightened line like a pendulum. 
         [0037]    The center of gravity CG of a conventional unitary device  150 , shown in  FIG. 9 , tends to be somewhere along the axis  162  of the device in the handle region  164  below the hook part  166  which is closely secured to the line L. This happens because the handle part  164  is typically larger than the hook part  166 . As a result, the handle part  164 , the shank part  168  and the center of gravity CG of the installed conventional tightener  160  tends to be pulled by the weight of the handle  164  below the line L. This means that the center of gravity CG is spaced from the line by some distance M. Consequently a moment arm  170  having a length M extends between where the hook part  166  engages the line L and where the center of gravity CG is located. The moment arm  170  thus results in a mechanical advantage about the line L. Therefore any lateral motion of the line or the tightener caused by vibrations or wind pressure is amplified by the mechanical advantage caused by the position of the center of gravity CG relative to the line. Thus, the handle is more likely to gyrate or randomly swing more forcefully about the line. Such gyrations may impart a torque T to the hook part  166  as it engages the tightened line. If the motion is excessive, the stub  172  may overcome the torque and cause the stub to jump the tightened line and thereby become disengaged from the tightener causing it to unwind and drop away. With no tightener in place, the line will become slack. 
         [0038]    If there are sufficient lines to keep the load stabilized, this may not result in an immediate hazard. However, if there are not enough lines to provide a margin of safety, or if more than one line becomes slack, the result can cause a dangerous and unsafe condition. This is particularly dangerous when the device is being used to secure or stabilize fragile or a heavy load. A fragile load may be damaged even if it only shifts a little. However, if the load is heavy, people who handle the load or bystanders may be injured if the load moves and strikes them. Such a possibility is not an acceptable risk. 
         [0039]    The exemplary embodiment can reduce this risk considerably because, when the handle  12  is not attached to the hook  14 , as shown in  FIG. 3 , the center of gravity CG′ is within the length of the hook somewhere along the shank  50  and the stub  56 . Thus, the center of gravity is closer to the line and the mechanical advantage and resulting torque applied to the line is significantly reduced. Accordingly, the probability of the stub jumping the line, and thus causing the hook to become a hazard is reduced. 
         [0040]    Another disadvantage of a unitary device is that, in a windy environment, for example when the device is used for securing a load on a moving vehicle, if the wind or vibrations are strong enough the device may not only fall away as noted, but the handle may also fly away in the wind and strike the load or vehicle with such force so as to cause damage to either or both the load or the vehicle. By removing the handle the overall weight and surface area are reduced. As a result, the mechanical advantage noted above is reduced, and the wind resistance is reduced. Embodiments of the current invention may be less likely to be forcefully projected by the wind, because the resulting overall forces on the device are reduced. Consequently the likelihood of damage to the load, the vehicle or a passerby is reduced. 
         [0041]    A smaller device also presents a low visual profile, and it is less likely to attract the attention of unauthorized or curious persons. 
         [0042]    In still another embodiment of the tether, shown in  FIG. 10 , tether  1000  comprises a strip  1005  of resilient material having openings  1015   a  and  1015   b  at each end. In this arrangement, the openings  1015   a  and  1015   b  comprise V notches  1025   a  and  1025   b , which are connected to the openings  1015   a  and  1015   b  by slots  1020   a  and  1020   b . A center hole  1010  is provided at or near the center portion of the strip  1005  to accommodate the shank  50  of the hook  14 . As noted above, the center hole  1010  may be located nearer one end of the strip  1005  because the hook  14  presents a larger profile on one side when it is installed on the line L. 
         [0043]    While the device described above and depicted in the figures is configured for right-handed users, it is understood that it may be suitably reconfigured for left-handed users by, for example, using a hook comprising a mirror image of the hook  14  shown in  FIG. 1 , such that the arm  52  extends from the opposite side the shank  50  and the stub  56  extends from the opposite side of the arm  52  (both offset by 180 degrees). 
         [0044]    While there has been described what at present are considered to be exemplary embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art, that various modifications may be made therein, and it is intended in the appended claims that such modifications fall within the spirit and scope thereof.