Patent Publication Number: US-2022228623-A1

Title: Tensioning Tool, Tensioning System, And Method For Deploying The Tensioning System

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates, in general, to tensioning tools and tensioning systems and, in particular, to a tensioning tool and a tensioning system for connecting two objects. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Tools for securing cordage or webbing between two objects or points of attachment are of interest in many applications. In particular, such tools are used to quickly set, maintain, or adjust tension in cordage or webbing for camping equipment, such as tents, tarpaulins (tarps), hammocks, flys, and similar shelters or other structures. 
     Tensioning tools that set, maintain, and adjust the tension in cordage or webbing are preferably not bulky, weighty, or cumbersome, and often include various hooks, eyes, cleats, grips, pulleys, and the like, which require multiple knots to function. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A tensioning tool, constructed in accordance with the present invention, includes a body and first and second hooks. The body has a grip opening extending through the body and a throughhole extending through the body. The first hook extends radially outward from the body and the second hook extends tangentially of the body. 
     A tensioning system, constructed in accordance with the present invention, includes the tensioning tool described immediately above, a first cord extending through the throughhole in the body of the tensioning tool and the second hook of the tensioning tool, and a second cord extending through the first hook of the tensioning tool. 
     A method for deploying a tensioning system, constructed in accordance with the present invention, comprises the steps of: (1) providing the tensioning tool described above; (2) providing a first cord; (3) passing the first cord through the throughhole in the body of the tensioning tool; (4) fitting the cord into the second hook of the tensioning tool; (5) providing a second cord; (6) capturing second cord in the first hook of the tensioning tool; and (7) removing slack in the second cord and making taut the second cord. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings of which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective front view of a tensioning tool, constructed in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective rear view of the  FIG. 1  tensioning tool. 
         FIG. 3  is a sectional view of the  FIG. 1  tensioning tool with cordage passing through the tensioning tool. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a tensioning system, constructed in accordance with the present invention, at a first stage of deployment of the tensioning system. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the  FIG. 4  tensioning system at a second stage of deployment of the tensioning system. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the  FIG. 4  tensioning system at a third stage of deployment of the tensioning system. 
         FIG. 7  is a side view of the  FIG. 4  tensioning system at the third stage of deployment of the tensioning system. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the  FIG. 4  tensioning system at a fourth stage of deployment of the tensioning system. 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the  FIG. 4  tensioning system at a fifth stage of deployment of the tensioning system. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 , a tensioning tool, constructed in accordance with the present invention, includes a body  10 , a first hook  12 , and a second hook  14 . Body  10  has a grip opening  16  extending through the body and a throughhole  18  extending through the body. First hook  12  extends radially outward from the body  10 . Second hook  14  extends tangentially of body  10 . 
     First hook  12  has an open end  12   a  at body  10  and a closed end  12   b  remote from body  10 . Second hook  14  has a closed end  14   a  in proximity to the throughhole in the body  10 . Open end  12   a  of first hook  12  projects outwardly from the longitudinal axis of the first hook. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4 through 9 , a tensioning system, constructed in accordance with the present invention, includes the tensioning tool described above in connection with  FIGS. 1, 2 , and  3 , a first cord  20  extending through throughhole  18  in body  10  of the tensioning tool, and a second cord  22  extending through hook  12  of the tensioning tool. 
     Cord  20  is secured to the tensioning tool by being threaded through throughhole  18 , as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , and then pressed into hook  14 , as shown in  FIGS. 6, 7, and 9 . More specifically, as shown in  FIG. 8 , after cord  20  is threaded through throuhhole  18  in the tensioning tool, cord  20  is pulled away from the throughhole as indicated by arrow A. Then cord  20  is fitted into hook  14  of the tensioning tool as indicated by arrow B in  FIG. 9 . 
     Cord  22  extends between the first hook  12  of the tensioning tool and, for example, webbing for camping equipment, such as tents, tarpaulins (tarps), hammocks, flys, and similar shelters or other structures, as represented by a handle  24 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, a method for deploying a tensioning system, constructed in accordance with the present invention, includes the following steps: (1) providing a tensioning tool having a body  10  having a grip opening  16  extending through the body and a throughhole  18  extending through the body, a first hook  12  extending radially outward from body  10  and having a closed end  12   b  remote from the body  10  and an open end  12   a , a second hook  14  extending tangentially of body  10  and having a closed end  14   a  and an open end  14 , and (2) providing a first cord  20 , (3) passing first cord  20  through the throughhole in body  10  of the tensioning tool as shown in  FIG. 4 , (4) fitting first cord  20  into second hook  14  of the tensioning tool as indicated by arrows A and B in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , respectively, (5) providing a second cord  22 , (6) capturing the second cord  20  in first hook  12  of the tensioning tool, and (7) removing slack in the second cord  22  as indicated by arrow C in  FIG. 5 . 
     The foregoing illustrates some of the possibilities for practicing the invention. Many other embodiments are possible within the scope and spirit of the invention. It is, therefore, intended that the foregoing description be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting, and that the scope of the invention is given by the appended claims together with their full range of equivalents.