Patent Publication Number: US-2023134833-A1

Title: Ligature attachment device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a Continuation Application of pending U.S. application Ser. No. 16/904,453, filed on Jun. 17, 2020, entitled “Ligature Attachment Device”; U.S. application Ser. No. 16/904,453 is a Continuation Application of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/748,109, filed Jan. 26, 2018, entitled “Ligature Attachment Device”, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,731,728, issued Aug. 4, 2020; U.S. application Ser. No. 15/748,109 is a 371 National Stage Application of PCT App. No. PCT/US2016/043838, filed on Jul. 25, 2016, entitled “Ligature Attachment Device”; PCT App. No. PCT/US2016/043838 claims the benefit of U.S. App. No. 62/365,376, filed on Jul. 21, 2016, entitled “Supplement 03 for: Ligature Attachment Means for Hooks, Eyelets, Pulleys and More”; PCT App. No. PCT/US2016/043838 also claims the benefit of U.S. App. No. 62/358,041, filed on Jul. 3, 2016, entitled “Ligature Attachment Means, Supplement 02; and In-Line ligature Eyelet, Supplement 01”; PCT App. No. PCT/US2016/043838 also claims the benefit of U.S. App. No. 62/213,930, filed on Sep. 3, 2015, entitled “Supplement 01 for: Ligature Attachment Means for Hooks, Eyelets, Pulleys and More”; PCT App. No. PCT/US2016/043838 also claims the benefit of U.S. App. No. 62/195,801, filed on Jul. 23, 2015, entitled “Ligature Attachment Means for Hooks, Eyelets, Pulleys and More”; and all of the contents of each of these applications is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable. 
     INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC OR AS A TEXT FILE 
     Not Applicable. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The present ligature attachment device for hooks and eyelets relates generally to the attachment of ligatures to hardware and equipment used for lifting, pulling, and securing, and more particularly to the simple removable termination of these ligatures without the need to tie or untie them by the incorporation of a cinch configuration. 
     Description of Related Art 
     Standard hardware such as hooks, carabiners, and pulleys require one to be knowledgeable in tying proper knots in order to securely terminate a ligature such as rope, or cord, directly to them in order to make use of these tools without the ligature termination failing. 
     The  FIG.  9    Carabiner ™, patent pending, from Nite Ize Inc. of 5660 Central Ave. Boulder Co., is comprised of a pear shaped wire gate carabiner having a set of hooks depending outwardly in opposite directions from the bottom of a vertical member protruding downward from the opposite side of the carabiner as the wire gate, with all these features formed along the same plane. The hook pointing towards the wire gate of the of the pear shaped carabiner has smooth contours, while the hook facing the opposite direction in contrast, is made up of sharp steep angles to bite into any ligature wedged between these two opposing surfaces. The  FIG.  9    Carabiner&#39;s ™ carabiner portion is first latched onto an anchor point, where a ligature that has been secured at another location is hooked around the smoother of the two opposing hooks and pulled tight, then wrapped around the bottom of the two opposing hooks and then up around and through the second wedge shaped hook and pulled tight so that the ligature is wedged deep into the “V” shaped mouth of the second hook. The ligature will stay taught and in place until pulled out from the “V” shaped wedge first, provided there is a constant static load on the ligature. This device is an open loop termination, unlike an eyelet or quick link that are stronger closed loop terminations, whereas the wire gate only serves to prevent unintended decoupling rather than to enhance structural integrity. 
     The Fish Bone knotless Rope Tie, from Fish Bone knotless Rope Tie, P.O. Box 34595, Las Vegas Nev., is a flat device resembling a fish skeleton which provides a number of channels to wrap and cinch a ligature around at the mid-section and tail, while an eyelet and more channels at the head allow the same ligature, or another ligature, to be fastened there as well. This device is an open loop termination, unlike an eyelet or quick link that are stronger closed loop terminations. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The following summary is included only to introduce some concepts discussed in the Detailed Description below. This summary is not comprehensive and is not intended to delineate the scope of protectable subject matter, which is set forth by the claims presented at the end. 
     The ligature attachment device overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art by providing a simple and secure means for removably cinch terminating a ligature, while also having the ability to removably fasten to almost any type of hardware or tool designed to incorporate a ligature in its function. The ligature attachment device also provides a simple and easy removal of the ligature as well. 
     Because the cinch aperture is a closed loop, no matter what the shape, it is a far stronger ligature termination than any open loop configuration of the same size, shape, and material, for the simple reason that an open loop is like a link in a chain being cut on one side, where when enough tensile force is applied to that chain, the cut link will bend open at its maximum yield strength, and fail long before the uncut links will break at their maximum and much greater tensile strength. 
     One example embodiment of the ligature attachment device for hooks and eyelets, also called a ligature attachment device, generally comprises three sections being: (1) a first ligature spool section with a cinch aperture to frictionally hold a ligature in place, (2) a loop retainer to prevent a looped section of the ligature from slipping off of the spool section and (3) a tool section to function as a tool or to couple the ligature attachment device and ligature to a tool. The first section is the centrally located ligature spool section, also known as the ligature spool, which a ligature can be wrapped around, while having at least one centrally located cinch aperture for frictionally holding and cinch binding a ligature in place. The second section located at the proximal end of the ligature spool section is the loop retainer section, also known as the loop retainer, which prevents a looped section of ligature, which is wrapped around the ligature spool and frictionally engaged, from slipping off the end of the ligature spool which would otherwise cause the ligature cinch termination to fail. The loop retainer section may contain at least one ligature aperture which keeps the cinch termination taught and helps the ligature attachment device hang in a more vertical position. The loop retainer section may also contain at least one ligature guide channel formed onto the loop retainer and adjacent ligature spool which keeps the cinch termination taught and ligatures together and helps the ligature attachment device hang in a more vertical position. The loop retainer section may also contain an alignment pin and socket in order to keep two mating ligature attachment devices aligned with each other and may contain at least one chamfer cut across the proximal end of the loop retainer in order to aid in separating the distal portions of the ligature attachment device. The third section being the tool section, also known as the tool, which may be any one of a variety of linking devices such as but not limited to a hook, or an eyelet. 
     In some embodiments, two ligature attachment devices may be used together as a multi-piece ligature attachment device when configured to do so, and where the tool section is in the form of a hook or eyelet. Where, when the two ligature attachment device&#39;s tool sections are a hook, they are paired together to form an eyelet and increase strength, and where the tool section is an eyelet, they are paired together to increase strength. Any ligature attachment device designed to be paired with another, is equipped with a means for aligning the two, or a means for hinging them, or both. 
     In some embodiments, the ligature spool section is integrally attached to the loop retainer section and the tool section, the loop retainer section has a loop retainer cross-sectional profile larger than a ligature spool cross-sectional profile whereby the loop retainer section retains a loop of the ligature frictionally engaged with the ligature spool section, the cinch aperture has a cinch aperture shape configured to allow a first section of the ligature to be frictionally engaged with a cinch end of the cinch aperture, the cinch aperture shape further configured to allow a second section of the ligature to overlap and be frictionally engaged with the first section of the ligature whereby a tensile force of the second section of the ligature increases the frictional engagement of the first section of the ligature with the cinch end, and the tool section comprises a tool. 
     In some embodiments, the ligature attachment device comprises a proximal section comprising a loop retaining means, a distal section comprising a tool section, a central section comprising a ligature spool section having a cinching means, and the ligature spool section is integrally connected to the loop retainer section and the tool section. In some embodiments, the loop retaining means is configured to retain a loop of the ligature frictionally engaged with the central ligature spool section, the cinching means is further configured to allow at least two sections of a ligature to be removably retained in the cinching means, the cinching means is further configured to allow a first section of the ligature to be frictionally engaged with the cinching means, the cinching means is further configured to allow a second section of the ligature to overlap and be frictionally engaged with the first section of the ligature whereby a tensile force on the second section of the ligature increases the frictional engagement of the first section of the ligature with the cinching means, and the tool section comprises a tool. 
     Where there are a number of ways to use embodiments of ligature attachment devices to removably terminate a ligature, one example method is to first create a loop of a ligature by folding one end of the ligature back on the longer section of ligature. Next take the looped end and thread it through the widest part of the cinch aperture, pull the loop through the cinch aperture, twist the loop ninety degrees so that the ligature sections are aligned along the length of the cinch aperture and bring the loop forward over the tool section and around the spool section. Next, ensure the ligature section leading to the load bearing section of the ligature is overlapping and providing a frictional force to the other ligature section. Then, work out all the slack in the ligature configuration and push the section of the ligature wrapped around the spool section as close to the loop retainer as possible. The ligature is now securely and removably cinch terminated, and removing the ligature is as simple as reversing the steps used to terminate it. 
     The ligature attachment device can be produced for any size ligature a particular application requires, where the ligature for which a particular ligature attachment device is designed, would be the optimal ligature size for that particular size ligature attachment device, but that same ligature attachment device will also be able to accommodate smaller diameter ligatures as well. Where for example, one size ligature attachment device could be designed for 3/4 inch diameter rope that will fit within its cinch aperture, but will also fit smaller diameter ligatures such as but not limited to 1/2 inch rope, 3/16 inch cord, and 1/8 inch string. 
     The advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art when the following description is read in conjunction with the attached drawings and the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In order that the manner in which the above-recited and other advantages and features of the invention are obtained, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of the ligature attachment device incorporating a hook as one example of how the tool section may be configured. 
         FIGS.  2 A,  2 B,  2 C  are a sequence of images illustrating how a ligature is removably cinch terminated to the ligature attachment device incorporating an eyelet as another example of how the tool section may be configured. 
         FIGS.  3 A,  3 B,  3 C  are perspective views of a pair of ligature attachment devices which are designed to align with pins and sockets, while also having the ability to achieve a hinge like motion by rocking on fulcrums created by chamfer cuts into the edge of the loop retainers perpendicular to the devices central axis. 
         FIG.  4    is a perspective view of a pair of ligature attachment devices in  FIG.  3 A  with a ligature cinch termination. 
         FIGS.  5 A,  5 B,  5 C,  5 D,  5 E,  5 F , are a set of  6  plan views of the ligature attachment device in  FIG.  3 A . 
         FIGS.  5 G,  5 H , are two perspective views of the ligature attachment device in  FIG.  3 A . 
         FIGS.  6 A,  6 B  are two perspective views of the ligature attachment device where the loop retainer has a ligature aperture that is cut through most of its center, whereas a ligature guide is formed on the near side of the loop retainer spanning the ligature aperture. 
         FIG.  6 C  is proximal end view A-A of the ligature attachment device in  FIG.  6 A . 
         FIG.  7    is a perspective view of the ligature attachment device in  FIG.  6 A  with a ligature end cinch termination, and a spring hook attached to the eyelet portion of the device. 
         FIG.  8 A,  8 B,  8 C,  8 D,  8 E,  8 F , are a set of  6  plan views of the ligature attachment device in  FIG.  6 A . 
         FIGS.  9 A,  9 B , are two perspective views of the ligature attachment device where the spool, cinch aperture, and eyelet sections are combined to form a shorter ligature attachment device. 
         FIG.  10    is a perspective view of the ligature attachment device in  FIG.  9 A  with a ligature end cinch termination, and a quick link attached to the eyelet portion of the device. 
         FIG.  11 A,  11 B,  11 C,  11 D,  11 E,  11 F , are a set of  6  plan views of the ligature attachment device in  FIG.  9 A . 
         FIGS.  12 A,  12 B,  12 C,  12 D , are a sequence of images illustrating how a ligature end would be cinch terminated to the ligature attachment device in  FIG.  6 A . 
         FIGS.  13 A,  13 B,  13 C,  13 D,  13 E,  13 F , are a sequence of images illustrating how a ligature fixed loop would be cinch terminated to the ligature attachment device in  FIG.  6 A . 
         FIGS.  14 A,  14 B,  14 C,  14 D , are a sequence of images illustrating how a ligature rope switch configuration would be terminated to the ligature attachment device in  FIG.  6 A . 
         FIG.  15    is a perspective view of the ligature attachment device in  FIG.  6 A  with two separate ligature cinch terminations, a fixed loop termination and a rope switch termination used for adjusting the height of objects. 
         FIG.  16    is a set of perspective views of the ligature attachment device shown in five embodiments thereof. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Ligature attachment device for hooks and eyelets and methods of use will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It will be appreciated that the device and methods disclosed herein have wide applicability. For example, the ligature attachment device for hooks and eyelets and methods of use may be readily employed with ligatures such as but not limited to rope, cord, shock cord, webbing, electrical cord, string, or thread. Notwithstanding the specific example embodiments set forth below, all such variations and modifications that would be envisioned by one of ordinary skill in the art are intended to fall within the scope of this disclosure. 
     As used herein, in addition to the definitions used in the art, unless otherwise specified, a length and a width is measured relative to a longitudinal axis of the ligature attachment device where the length runs in parallel to the longitudinal axis and the width runs perpendicular to that axis. A thickness is a thickness of the width as measured perpendicular to the axis and perpendicular to the width. 
     As used herein, in addition to the definitions used in the art, unless otherwise specified, a cross-sectional profile comprises a width and a thickness across a section element referenced. 
     As used herein, unless otherwise specified, a shape represents the length and width of the referenced element similarly related to the length and width of the ligature attachment device. 
     As used herein, unless otherwise specified, a proximal direction or location is a direction or location closest to where a ligature will extend to carry a tensile force applied to the ligature attachment device and a distal direction or location is in the opposite direction, generally in the direction of a tool coupled to the ligature attachment device. 
     One Example Embodiment of a Ligature Attachment Device 
     Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals designates corresponding or similar elements throughout the views herein,  FIG.  1    is a perspective view of one example embodiment of a ligature attachment device  100  comprising a proximal section comprising a loop retainer section  130 , a distal section comprising a tool section  150 , a central section comprising a central ligature spool section  110  having a cinching means, where a centrally located cinch aperture  120  is formed, and the central ligature spool section  110  is coupled to the loop retainer section  130  and the tool section  150 . As shown, the loop retainer section  130  has a loop retainer cross-sectional profile configured to retain a loop of the ligature frictionally engaged with the central ligature spool section  110 , the cinch aperture  120  has a cinch aperture shape configured to allow at least two sections of a ligature to be removably retained in the cinch aperture  120  whereby the cinch aperture  120  can removably retain the loop of the ligature. 
     The ligature attachment device  100  is shown having a slot shaped cinch aperture  120  centrally located within the ligature spool  110  and collinear with the ligature attachment device  100  center longitudinal axis, and where an oval shaped loop retainer  130  is integrally formed at the proximal end of the spool section  110 , while the tool section  150  is integrally formed at the distal end of the spool section  110 , where in this case a hook  151 , which may be of any type, size, shape, or orientation a particular application may require, is shown as a tool incorporated into the design, where any tool which a particular application might require, such as but not limited to, an eyelet, or a carabiner, may be used in place of hook  151 . 
     The ligature spool section  110  is located between, and integrally formed to the loop retainer section  130  and tool section  150 , where all three sections are located along a center longitudinal axis of the ligature attachment device  100 , while at least one cinch aperture  120  is cut through the ligature spool  110  perpendicular to the center longitudinal axis of the ligature attachment device  100 . The side edges  113  of the ligature spool  110  are slightly tapered proximately outwards as they near the loop retainer section  130 , where this is designed to tighten a ligature cinch termination when pushed proximally toward the loop retainer  130 , and alternately loosen a ligature cinch termination when pushed distally toward the hook  151 . However, the ligature spool  110  side edges  113  may alternately be parallel, curved, or any other contour a particular application may require. The ligature spool  110  may also have any type of surface finish such as smooth, knurled, coarse, jagged, or any other surface finish a particular application may require, for this and any other embodiment of the ligature attachment device disclosed herein, which will cause various degrees of friction on any ligature in contact with the ligature spool  110  surface. 
     Located centrally within the ligature spool  110  is at least one cinch aperture  120 , which in this case, is a slot having a first end  121 , a second, cinch end  122 , and linear sides  123  tangent with the first end  121 , and cinch end  122 , where the cinch aperture  120  center longitudinal axis is collinear with the center longitudinal axis of the ligature attachment device  100 . While most slot shaped cinch apertures would typically be formed along the center longitudinal axis of the ligature attachment device  100 , the cinch aperture  120  may be of any orientation and placement a particular application may require. And while a slot shape is incorporated into this embodiment of the ligature attachment device  100 , any shape aperture may be used in place of it, such as but not limited to a circle, rectangle, triangle, tapered slot, teardrop slot, compound slot, or any other shape, size, and combination of apertures, a particular application may require, for this and any other embodiment of the ligature attachment device disclosed herein. The ligature spool  110  may also have any type of surface finish such as smooth, knurled, coarse, jagged, or any other surface finish a particular application may require, for this and any other embodiment of the ligature attachment device disclosed herein, which will cause various degrees of drag on any ligature in contact with the cinch aperture  120  surface. In some embodiments, the cinch aperture  120  is a closed aperture with a continuous aperture interior wall defining the aperture. The cinch aperture is one example embodiment of a cinching means to frictionally engage and retain a section of the ligature with the ligature spool  110 . The cinching means may be any method of frictionally engaging the ligature. 
     The loop retainer  130  is designed to prevent a looped section of a ligature, which is frictionally engaged with the ligature spool  110  and passes through the cinch aperture  120 , from slipping over the proximal end of the ligature spool  110  and back through the cinch aperture  120 . The loop retainer  130  accomplishes this by being wider than the ligature spool  110 , but may be of any type, size, shape, or orientation a particular application may require, such as but not limited to, a circle, semicircle, or rectangle, which are wider than the ligature spool and will keep the ligature loop in place. In some embodiments, the loop retainer may simply be an extension of the ligature spool  110  which will also keep the ligature loop from slipping off the proximal end of the ligature spool  110 . The loop retainer  130  generally provides a loop retaining means to retain the loop on and frictionally engaged with the ligature spool  110 . 
     In this embodiment of the ligature attachment device  100 , the tool section  150 , is in the form of a hook  151 , which may be of any type, size, and orientation a particular application may require, while being integrally part of the ligature attachment device  100 , where the shank of the hook  151  depends outwardly from the distal end of the ligature spool  110 , along the center longitudinal axis of the ligature attachment device  100 , with the bend of the hook  151  being furthest from the ligature spool  110 . 
     The tool section  150  may comprise any type of first tool or coupling device in order to removably join a second tool or coupling device to the ligature attachment device  100 , where some embodiments of the tool section  150  may comprise at least one tool such as but not limited to, an eyelet, carabiner, or quick link of any size, type, and orientation a particular application may require, for this and any other embodiment of the ligature attachment device disclosed herein. The tools section  150  generally provides a means for coupling a tool, or another ligature, to the ligature attachment device  100 . 
     The ligature attachment device  100 , and any other embodiments thereof, may be made of any material a particular application may require such as, but not limited to rigid or semi-rigid materials, metal, polymer, elastomer, wood, or a combination of such. While additionally, the ligature attachment device may be produced by any manufacturing process a particular application may require, such as but not limited to being, stamped or thermally formed from sheet material, machined from thicker material, molded with a shelled interior and structural ribbing, cast as one solid unit, or 3D printed. 
     The overall dimensions of any embodiment of the ligature attachment device may be any dimension that is suitable for that particular ligature and that particular application of the device. Where a ligature attachment device is designed to operate with a particular ligature size, the same ligature attachment device may also be able to accommodate smaller diameter ligatures as well. Where for example only, one size ligature attachment device could be designed for 3/4 inch diameter rope that will fit within its cinch aperture, that device may also fit smaller diameter ligatures such as but not limited to 1/2 inch rope, 3/16 inch cord, and 1/8 inch string. As another example only, where a smaller ligature attachment device could be designed for 1/4 inch rope that will fit within its cinch aperture, that device may also fit 3/16 inch cord and 1/8 inch string. As another example only, where a smaller ligature attachment device could be designed for 3/16 inch cord or less, or where an even smaller ligature attachment device could be designed for 1/8 inch string or less. 
     When the ligatures used are smaller than the optimal size for which the ligature attachment device is designed, the smaller ligature may be looped around the ligature spool section at least one additional revolution when cinch terminating, for each time the size of the smaller diameter ligature is divisible into the size of the optimal diameter ligature. For instance, if a 1/8 inch string is being cinch terminated onto a ligature attachment device designed for 1/4 inch rope, the optimal 1/4 inch diameter rope is divisible by two of the 1/8 inch diameter, therefore the 1/8 inch diameter string would be wrapped two additional revolutions around the ligature spool. As another example, if a 3/16 inch cord is being cinch terminated onto a ligature attachment device designed for 1/4 inch rope, the 1/4 inch diameter rope is divisible by one diameter of the 3/16 inch cord, therefore the 3/16 inch diameter cord would be wrapped one additional revolution around the ligature spool. The extra ligature revolutions are created around the ligature spool the same way in which a rubber band is looped consecutively around a pony tail of hair, where to add additional loops, a looped ligature is rotated 180 degrees and then the loop is passed over either end of the ligature attachment device and seated around the spool section of the device, and then repeated for any additional revolutions around the ligature spool that are required. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  2 A  which is the first of three images in a sequence illustrating how a ligature  9091  would be removably cinch terminated to the ligature attachment device  200 . In this example embodiment of the ligature attachment device  200 , the tool section  150  is in the form of an eyelet  152  where a looped section of ligature  9092  is fed through the slot shaped cinch aperture  220  from the near side  201  to the far side of the ligature attachment device  200 , as indicated by the arrow, with the folded back short lead  9093  closest to the loop retainer  230 . Because the cinch aperture shape is a slot shape, this encourages one of the ligature sections, here section  9093 , to be overlapped by another section, here section  9094 . This overlap, together with the frictional engagement of the ligature section  9093  against the walls of the cinch aperture  220 , provides a frictional resistance to keep the ligature section  9093  from pulling back through the cinch aperture  220 . The ligature section  9094  of ligature  9091  leads to the load bearing section of ligature  9091 . 
     Referring now to  FIG.  2 B  where the looped section  9092  of ligature  9091  is rotated 90 degrees so that the ligature sections  9093 ,  9094  cross and overlap as they pass through the cinch aperture  220 , where the ligature loop  9092  is pulled over the loop retainer  230  from the far side to the near side  201  of ligature attachment device  200 , as indicated by the arrow. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  2 C  where the slack in ligature  9091  is taken out of the cinch termination  9090  by pulling and dressing the slack in ligature  9091  in the direction indicated by the arrows until all the slack is removed, where the load lead  9094  may now have a load applied to it by way of applying a load to the tool section  250 , being the eyelet  252 , provided the free end of the load lead  9094  has been anchored elsewhere. As can be seen, the positioning of the ligature section  9094  against the surface of the ligature loop  9092  also provides additional frictional resistance to keep the ligature section  9093  from being pulled back through the cinch aperture  220 . Following the previous steps in reverse will allow for easy removal of the ligature  9091  from the ligature attachment device  200 . 
     The cinch termination  9090  is afforded its strong grip, by the ligature spool  210  and cinch aperture  220  forcing the ligature  9091  to follow a series of at least seven ninety degree bends, causing a tremendous amount of friction and drag on the ligature  9091 , while the load lead  9094  cinches down against the short free lead  9093  at the proximal end of the slot as a load is applied, forcing the short free lead  9093  to be wedged into the proximal end of the cinch aperture  220  slot, greatly compounding the amount of drag and friction applied to the ligature  9091 , making it difficult for the load lead  9094  to be pulled out of the ligature attachment device  200 . 
     Referring now to  FIG.  3 A , the ligature attachment device  300  is a multi-piece ligature attachment device in the form of a pair of ligature attachment devices  300 A,  300 B which are similar to the ligature attachment device  100  in  FIG.  1    with the exception of less rounded edges and four additional features. The first two additional features comprise a male alignment pin  331  and a female alignment socket  332  which are incorporated into this embodiment  300  of the ligature attachment device for aligning and mating two ligature attachment devices  300 A,  300 B together. Each of the ligature attachment devices have a mating face  302  which can be mated, mating face  302  to mating face  302 , so that both ligature spools  310  and loop retainers  330  align with each other, and are prevented from moving out of alignment when the two ligature attachment devices  300 A,  300 B are mated properly. In this embodiment, the male alignment pin  331  is located on the mating face  302  of the loop retainer  330 , off to the side of the center longitudinal axis of the ligature attachment device  300  while the corresponding female alignment socket  332  is located on the same mating face  302  of the loop retainer  330 , but located on the opposite side of the center longitudinal axis than the male alignment pin  331 , and positioned the same distance from the center longitudinal axis and the most distal edge of the loop retainer, causing both alignment devices to align with, and engage their respective mate, when the two ligature attachment devices  300 A,  300 B are mated together. There is enough draft and tolerance between the alignment pin  331  and alignment socket  332  that they can mate coaxially, and also at an angle without binding. The male alignment pin  331  and female alignment socket  332 , may be of any other shape a particular application may require such as but not limited to a square, rectangle, or oval, provided the male alignment pin  331  fits within the female alignment socket  332 , where alternately the female alignment socket  332  can be cut completely through the loop retainer  330  creating an aperture. 
     A third additional feature shown in the example embodiment of  FIG.  3 A  comprises a chamfer cut  335  into the mating face  302  of the loop retainer  330 , perpendicular to the ligature attachment device  300  center longitudinal axis, and across the proximal end of the loop retainer  330 . The adjoining edge of the chamfer cut  335  and the mating face  302  creates a fulcrum  336  along the vertex of mating face  302  and chamfer cut  335  face. 
     A fourth additional feature shown in the example embodiment of  FIG.  3 A  comprises at least one ligature aperture  333  where the ligature aperture  333  shape comprises a rounded slot shape, but may be of any shape a particular application may require, large enough to fit at least one ligature through, but may be of any size a particular application may require. The ligature aperture  333  may be located anywhere on the loop retainer  330 , but is typically located along the center longitudinal axis of the ligature attachment device  300 . The ligature aperture  333  may serve several functions such as, helping to keep a cinch termination from loosening by creating friction and drag on a load bearing section of the ligature, and causing the ligature attachment device  300  to hang in a more vertical position than without the ligature aperture  333 . 
     While a hook  351  is used as an example of the tool section  350  for this embodiment of the ligature attachment device  300 , any device at all may be used to substitute the hook  351  as a particular application may require, such as but not limited to an eyelet. 
     Some embodiments of the ligature attachment device  300  may also be used singularly as a hook  351 , or for example, an eyelet if the tool section  350  of a single ligature attachment device is an eyelet. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  3 B , a perspective view is shown of the two ligature attachment devices  300 A,  300 B in the mated position, where the chamfer cuts  335  across the proximal edge of the loop retainers  330  are visible, creating a wedge shaped chamfered gap, between the two loop retainers  330 , while the hooks  351  face in opposite directions defining an eyelet shape  352  when mated together properly. The chamfer cuts  335  create a chamfered surface on the mating face  302  of the ligature attachment devices  300 A and  300 B. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  3 C , the loop retainers  330  are pressed together on the outer face  301  at the chamfer  335 , indicated by the opposing arrows, causing the two ligature attachment devices  300 A,  300 B to pivot against each other at the fulcrums  336 , which cause two hooks  351  to separate. The hooks  351  are then able to engage and lock onto an object, while the alignment pins  331  and alignment sockets  332  stay partially mated, thus helping to keep the two ligature attachment devices  300 A,  300 B aligned with each other. 
     The hooks  351  may then be brought together by pressing on the outer faces  301  of the ligature attachment devices  300 A,  300 B anywhere there is no chamfer cut  335 , enabling the hooks  351  to lock onto anything that will fit within them, where this can be done before or after cinch terminating a ligature to the ligature attachment devices  300 A,  300 B using the previously shown method at  FIGS.  2 A,  2 B,  2 C . 
     Referring now to  FIG.  4   , an example embodiment of a ligature attachment device  300  comprising two ligature attachment devices  300 A,  300 B is shown with the two devices in the mated position and hanging vertically with a ligature  9091  cinch terminated  9090  to them. The ligature attachment devices  300 A,  300 B incorporate ligature apertures  333  in the proximal portion of the loop retainers  330  in order to help the ligature attachment device  300  to hang in a more vertical orientation, while helping to keep the load lead  9094  of ligature  9091  taught and from allowing the cinch termination  9090  to loosen. This cinch termination  9090  is slightly different from the one shown in  FIGS.  2 A,  2 B,  2 C , where the ligature loop  9092  may be passed over the tool sections  350 , rather than the loop retainers  330 , which allows the load lead  9094  to be threaded through the ligature apertures  333  before or after making the cinch termination  9090 . As shown, the cinch termination  9090  and ligature  9091  are wrapped around and through the two mated ligature attachment devices  300 A,  300 B. This configuration helps keep the two ligature attachment devices  300 A,  300 B from moving out of alignment, and from being pulled apart, provided there is a load applied to the ligature attachment devices  300 A,  300 B and load lead ligature  9094 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS.  5 A,  5 B,  5 C,  5 D,  5 E,  5 F , a set of  6  plan views of the ligature attachment device  300  are shown with  FIG.  5 A  being a right side view,  FIG.  5 B  being a distal end view,  FIG.  5 C  being a front, or outer face  301 , view,  FIG.  5 D  being a proximal end view,  FIG.  5 E  being a left side view,  FIG.  5 F  being a back, or mating face  302 , view. 
     Referring now to  FIGS.  5 G,  5 H , 2 perspective views of the ligature attachment device  300  are shown with  FIG.  5 G  being a perspective view featuring the front face  301 ,  FIG.  5 H  being a perspective view featuring the mating face  302 . 
     Referring now to  FIG.  6 A , a perspective view featuring the front face  401  of another embodiment  400  of the ligature attachment device is shown, where unlike previous embodiments of the ligature attachment device described herein, the loop retainer  430  shape is a rectangular shape and its side edges  438  are tangent with the rectangular ligature spool section  410  edges  411 , which in turn are tangent with the outside edge  455  of the tool section  450  eyelet  452  causing the sides of the ligature attachment device  400  to be linear and parallel with each other. It is anticipated that the sides of the ligature attachment device may be tapered, curved, or any other shape a particular application requires. 
     In the example embodiment of  FIG.  6 B , a large ligature aperture  433  is formed centrally within the loop retainer  430  and is contoured inside the outer perimeter of the loop retainer  430  and along its border with the ligature spool  410 , while being large enough to retain four sections of ligature within. In this embodiment, and as shown in  FIG.  6 C , at least one ligature guide  440  is formed on at least one side of the loop retainer  430 , in the shape of an inverted “U” channel. 
     Referring again to  FIG.  6 A , the ligature guide  440  may be partially formed on the ligature spool  410  as well, in order to enhance the ligature attachment device  400  strength, while centered on, and running parallel to, the center longitudinal axis of the ligature attachment device  400 , straddling the ligature aperture  433 . The ligature guide  440  having a shape large enough to retain at least two optimal size ligatures within, however, the ligature guide  440  may be of any size a particular application may require. A proximal end  441  of the ligature guide  440  may be slightly chamfered and angled towards its center in order to aid in insertion of at least two ligatures. The distal end  442  of the ligature guide  440  may be more aggressively chamfered and angled towards its center so that at least four sections of ligature can be passed through this opening and out through the ligature aperture  433  formed in the loop retainer  430 . The large ligature aperture  433  may serve as an aid in threading ligatures through the ligature guide  440 , while the loop retainer  430 , combined with the ligature guide  440 , helps to keep a cinch termination from loosening by containing ligatures within, while also causing the ligature attachment device  400  to hang in a more vertical position. 
     As shown in  FIG.  6 A , the cinch aperture  420  shape is a compound slot shape formed centrally within the ligature spool  410 , comprising two different width slots connected collinear end to end as one combined slot, with a first slot being a dress slot  426  wide enough to allow at least two sections of an optimal diameter ligature to pass through freely. In this embodiment, the dress slot  426  is located distally from a second slot being a grip slot  427  that is narrow and long enough to lightly grip at least two sections of an optimal diameter ligature. In this embodiment, the grip slot  427  is approximately  60  percent of the width of, and located proximal to, the dress slot  426 , with the total cinch aperture  420  having a length being long enough to allow at least four sections of an optimal diameter ligature to be removably retained within whereby the cinch aperture  420  can removably retain at least two loops of an optimal diameter ligature. The cinch aperture  420  has a smooth transition  425  between the dress slot  426 , and the grip slot  427 , allowing a ligature to be slid from one of the slots to the other without snagging on the transition  425  between the two. 
     As shown in  FIG.  6 A , the tool section  450  shape is an eyelet shape  452 , comprising at least one eyelet  452  having an outer perimeter  455  that is tangent with the side edges  411  of the ligature spool  410 . In this embodiment, the tool section  450  is integrally part of the ligature attachment device  400  where a proximal portion of the eyelet  452  is formed integrally within the tool section  450 , while the distal portion of the eyelet  452  is depending outwardly from the tool section, along the center longitudinal axis of the ligature attachment device  400 . 
     An eyelet  452  is used as an example herein, but any tool may be incorporated into the tool section  450  of the ligature attachment device  400 , as a particular application may require. It is anticipated that the tool section  450  shape may be of any size, shape, or orientation which a particular application may require. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  6 B  a perspective view featuring the back face  402  of the ligature attachment device  400  is shown, where an unobstructed view is afforded of the large ligature aperture  433  that is formed centrally within the rectangular loop retainer  430 . 
     Referring now to  FIG.  6 C , proximal end view A-A of the ligature attachment device  400  is shown, where the ligature guide  440  is formed on the near side  401  of the loop retainer  430 . 
     Referring now to  FIG.  7   , a perspective view of the ligature attachment device  400 , is shown with a cinch termination  9090  of a ligature  9091  securely and removably fastened to the proximal end of the ligature attachment device  400 , while a spring hook  9081  is removably fastened to the eyelet  452  at a distal end of the ligature attachment device  400 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS.  8 A,  8 B,  8 C,  8 D,  8 E,  8 F , a set of  6  plan views are shown of the ligature attachment device  400  with  FIG.  8 A  being a right side view,  FIG.  8 B  being a distal end view,  FIG.  8 C  being a front view,  FIG.  8 D  being a proximal end view,  FIG.  8 E  being a left side view,  FIG.  8 F  being a back view. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  9 A , a perspective view featuring the front face  501  of another embodiment  500  of the ligature attachment device is shown, where this embodiment  500  is similar to the ligature attachment device  400  in  FIG.  6 A , except that the eyelet end  452  and dress slot  426  have been merged in order to form a multi-function compound slot  520  where the distal end radius  521  of the dress slot  526  has been enlarged to the size of the eyelet  452  in  FIG.  6 A . The sides  523  of the dress slot  526  are tangent with the large radius slot end  521  and are also tangent with the smooth transition  525  between the dress slot  526  and grip slot  527 , making the dress slot  526  a tapered dress slot  526  that transitions  525  to the grip slot  527 . This merging of the eyelet  552  and dress slot  526  allows for an overall shorter ligature attachment device  500 , as compared to ligature attachment device  400 . 
     While the tool section  550 , eyelet  552 , ligature spool  510 , and cinch aperture  520  are merged in this embodiment  500  of the ligature attachment device, there still remains a distinct border separating these features which is drawn across the ligature attachment device  500  at the point where the outer curved profile  555  of the eyelet  552  joins the ligature spool  510  linear edge  511 , whereby the tool section  550  and eyelet  552  are located on the distal side of this border, and the ligature spool  510  and cinch aperture  520  are located on the proximal side of this border. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  9 B , a perspective view featuring the back side  502  of the ligature attachment device  500  is shown, where an unobstructed view is afforded of the large ligature aperture  533  that is formed centrally within the rectangular loop retainer  530 . 
     Referring now to  FIG.  10   , a perspective view of the ligature attachment device  500 , is shown with a cinch termination  9090  of a ligature  9091  securely and removably cinch terminated, while a quick link  9082  is removably fastened to the tool section  550  eyelet  552 . 
     One Example Embodiment of Methods of Using a Ligature Attachment Device 
     There are a number of ways to use embodiments of the ligature attachment device described above to removably terminate a ligature to the device. One method is to first take six to eight inches of ligature from a longer length of ligature and fold it back on the longer section of ligature. Next take the looped end and thread it through the proximal end of the ligature guide if applicable, then through the widest part of the cinch aperture from the near side to the far side with the shorter folded back end of the ligature closest to the loop retainer. Pull the loop through the far side of the cinch aperture about four inches, then twist the loop ninety degrees and bring it forward over the tool section to the near side. Next, work out all the slack in the ligature termination and push the termination as close to the loop retainer as possible. Any lose ligature or ligature end, may be threaded into or through any ligature apertures, or guides designed for holding them in place. The ligature is now securely and removably cinch terminated, while removing the ligature is as simple as reversing the steps used to terminate it. 
     Referring now to  FIGS.  11 A,  11 B,  11 C,  11 D,  11 E,  11 F , a set of  6  plan views are shown of the ligature attachment device  500  with  FIG.  11 A  being a right side view,  FIG.  11 B  being a distal end view,  FIG.  11 C  being a front view,  FIG.  11 D  being a proximal end view,  FIG.  11 E  being a left side view,  FIG.  11 F  being a back view. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  12 A,  12 B,  12 C,  12 D , a series of sequential steps are shown to illustrate an example method of removably cinch terminating an optimal size ligature  9091  to the ligature attachment device  400 . In these images, each step is represented by the letter “S” in conjunction with a step number and placed within a circle as not to be confused with reference characters. It is understood that these methods are not limited to the ligature attachment device  400 . For example, these same methods may also be used for creating a ligature end cinch termination to the ligament attachment device  500 . 
     Referring now to  FIG.  12 A  where in step  1  a length  9093  of ligature  9091  approximately six inches long is folded back on a longer length  9094  of the same ligature creating a loop  9092  at the fold. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  12 B  where in step  2  the loop  9092  is passed through the proximal end  441  of the ligature guide  440 , where in step  3  the loop  9092  is passed through the dress slot  426  from the near side  401  to the far side, with the short lead  9093  closest to the loop retainer  430 , where in step  4  the loop  9092  is rotated ninety degrees so that the ligature leads  9093 ,  9094  cross sides as they pass through the cinch aperture  420 . 
     Referring now to  FIG.  12 C  where in step  5  the loop  9092  is pulled up over the eyelet  452 , from the far side to the near side  401 , where in step  6  all the slack is drawn out of the cinch termination  9090  and pulled through the dress slot  426  from the far side to the near side  401 , where in step  7  the load lead  9094  is pulled proximally through the ligature guide  440  to remove the slack. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  12 D  where in step  8  the cinch configuration  9090  is slid proximally toward the loop retainer  430  and into the grip slot  427 , where the grip slot is made only narrow enough to hold the ligature from moving around, and is not designed to grip the ligature very hard, as it is the drag and friction of the cinch termination  9090  itself that prevents the ligature  9091  from being pulled out of the ligature attachment device  400 . While in step  9  both the short lead  9093  and load lead  9094  are pulled proximally through the ligature guide  440  to remove any additional slack, while at this point the ligature  9091  is removably cinch terminated to the ligature attachment device  400 . In order to remove the ligature  9091 , the steps are simply followed in reverse. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  13 A,  13 B,  13 C,  13 D,  13 E,  13 F , a series of sequential steps are shown as a method of removably cinch terminating an optimal size ligature  9091  to the ligature attachment device  400  in order to create a fixed loop configuration which could be used for hanging the ligature attachment device  400 , or for a variety of other applications. In these images, each step is represented by the letter “S” in conjunction with a step number and placed within a circle as not to be confused with reference characters, while this same method may also be used for creating a fixed loop cinch termination to the ligament attachment device  500 . 
     Referring now to  FIG.  13 A , where in step  1  a length of ligature  9091  approximately ten times the length of the ligature attachment device  400  is folded back on itself creating a loop  9092  and two ligature leads  9093 . 
     Referring now to  FIG.  13 B , where in step  2  the loop  9092  is passed through the ligature aperture  433  from the far side toward the near side  401  of the ligature spool  410 , where in step  3  the loop  9092  is passed through the dress slot  426  from the near side  401  to the far side, where in step  4  the loop  9092  is brought around the right side of the ligature spool  410 . 
     Referring now to  FIG.  13 C , where in step  5  the ligature leads  9093  in the dress slot  426  are slid down into the grip slot  427 , where in step  6  the ligature leads  9093  are pulled out from the far side of the ligature aperture  433  to remove any slack. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  13 D , where in step  7  the loop  9092  is wrapped around the ligature attachment device  400 , from right to left and across the near side  401  of the ligature attachment device  400  to the far side, where in step  8  the loop  9092  is fed back through the dress slot  426  from the far side of the ligature attachment device  400  to the near side  401 , where in step  9  the loop  9092  is fed proximally through the distal end of the ligature guide  440 , and out the proximal end. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  13 E , where in step  10  all the slack is drawn out of the fixed loop cinch termination  9095 , where in step  11  the slack is pulled through the dress slot  426 , from the far side of the ligature attachment device  400  to the near side  401 , where in step  12  the loop  9092  is pulled proximally through the ligature guide  440  to remove the slack, while at this point the ligature fixed loop cinch termination  9095  is secured. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  13 F , where in step  13  the fixed loop  9092  of the fixed loop termination  9095  can be used to suspend the ligature attachment device  400 , and where in order to remove the ligature  9091 , these steps are simply followed in reverse order. 
     Referring now to  FIGS.  14 A,  14 B,  14 C,  14 D , a series of sequential steps are shown as a method of removably cinch terminating an optimal size ligature  9091  to the ligature attachment device  400  in order to form a rope switch termination  9096 , having a locked position  9096 A and an unlocked position  9096 B. In these images, each step is represented by the letter “S” in conjunction with a step number and placed within a circle as not to be confused with reference characters. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  14 A , where in step  1  an end  9093  of ligature  9091  is first passed through the dress slot  426  from the far side to the near side  401 , where in step  2  the ligature end  9093  is brought around the left side of the ligature attachment device  400  to the far side, where in step  3  the ligature end  9093  is passed through the eyelet  452  from the far side to the near side  401  and then under the ligature loop  9092  on the left, where the ligature end  9093  is pulled up until the ligature loop  9092  cinches down on ligature end  9093 , creating the rope switch cinch termination  9096  in the locked position  9096 A. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  14 B , which illustrates how once the rope switch cinch termination  9096  in the locked position  9096 A is created using the steps in  FIG.  26 A , where the load lead  9094  is locked from being pulled downward and out of the rope switch cinch termination  9096 . The rope switch  9096  is in the locked position  9096 A as indicated by the downward pointing arrows and the “X”, because the ligature loop  9092  on the left side of the ligature attachment device  400  is cinching down on the ligature end  9093 . However, the ligature end  9093  can still be pulled upward with some force, as indicated by the upward pointing arrows and the check mark, thus retracting the load lead  9094 . 
     Referring now to  FIG.  14 C , which illustrates that when the ligature loop  9092  is moved from the left side of the ligature attachment device  400  to the right side, where the rope switch is in the unlocked position  9096 B, as indicated by the curved arrow, and is no longer resting on top of the ligature end  9093 . Where the load lead  9094  is now easily pulled downward, as indicated by the downward pointing arrows and the check mark, while still allowing the ligature end  9093  to be pulled in an upward direction, as indicated by the upward pointing arrows and the check mark. Where in other words, the ligature  9091  can now be pulled in either direction. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  14 D , which illustrates that in order to set the rope switch configuration  9096  back to the locked position  9096 A, the ligature loop  9092  is simply pushed back to the left side of the ligature attachment device  400 , as indicated by the curved arrow, and the load lead  9094  is once again locked from being pulled out of the rope switch cinch termination  9096 , as indicated by the downward pointing arrows and the “X”. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  15   , the ligature attachment device  400  is shown with two separate ligature terminations, a fixed loop termination  9095  and a rope switch termination  9096 . This combination of cinch terminations with the ligature attachment device  400  would be ideal for hanging and adjusting the height of a fender  9083  for a boat, a green screen background, or anything else that that can be hung from a ligature and requires its height to be adjustable. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  16   , a collection of various embodiments of the ligature attachment device is shown in order to illustrate some of the embodiments of which the ligature attachment device may be configured, depicting one embodiment of the ligature attachment device  100  with a hook as its tool, another embodiment of the ligature attachment device  200  with an eyelet as its tool, and another embodiment of two mating ligature attachment devices  300  which creates an eyelet, still another embodiment of the ligature attachment device  400  having an eyelet as the tool section, while having a rectangular loop retainer with a ligature guide disposed on its front side, and lastly an embodiment of the ligature attachment device  500 , where its eyelet, ligature spool, and cinch aperture, are merged into a combination of these features. 
     Although this invention has been described in the above forms with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention which is defined in the claims and their equivalents.