Patent Abstract:
A loop rope assembly includes a main rope segment having a plurality of rope strands and first and second ends, a first end loop provided on the first end of the main rope segment, a second end loop provided on the second end of the main rope segment and at least one intermediate loop defined by at least one of the rope strands.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The disclosure generally relates to devices for securing an object on a transporting vehicle or the like. More particularly, the disclosure relates to a loop rope assembly which includes a pair of end loops and multiple intermediate loops that can be used as attachment points to secure an object such as during transport of the object, for example. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Various techniques are known for securing objects on a transport vehicle or a tarp or cover on an object such as a boat, for example, during transport of the object. One of the most common methods for securing an object includes tying ropes to attachment points on the transport vehicle and attaching the ropes to the object or tightening the ropes against the object. Bungee cords or the like may be attached to the ropes and to attachment points on the transport vehicle to additionally secure the object on the vehicle. In some applications, tie-down straps fitted with ratchet mechanisms adapted to tighten the straps may be used to secure the object to the vehicle. 
         [0003]    One of the drawbacks of using conventional ropes and bungee cords to secure an object on a transport vehicle is that the ropes must be tied securely to prevent the ropes from inadvertently becoming detached during transport. Therefore, proper securing of the object on the vehicle may require knowledge of how to correctly tie the knots in the ropes to prevent the ropes from inadvertently becoming untied. Furthermore, the bungee cords may not be securely attached to the ropes since the ropes typically lack suitable attachment points for the bungee cords between the ends of the ropes. Moreover, the ratchet mechanisms on many tie-down straps may be complicated and difficult to operate. 
         [0004]    Accordingly, a loop rope assembly is needed which is simple and easy to use and includes a pair of end loops and multiple intermediate loops that can be used as attachment points for bungee cords, ropes or tie-down straps to secure an object on a transport vehicle or a tarp or cover on an object during transport of the object, for example. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The disclosure is generally directed to a loop rope assembly. An illustrative embodiment of the loop rope assembly includes a main rope segment having a plurality of rope strands and first and second ends, a first end loop provided on the first end of the main rope segment, a second end loop provided on the second end of the main rope segment and at least one intermediate loop defined by at least one of the rope strands. 
         [0006]    In some embodiments, the loop rope assembly may include a main rope segment having a plurality of rope strands and first and second ends; a first end loop provided on the first end of the main rope segment; a second end loop provided on the second end of the main rope segment and at least one intermediate loop defined by at least one of the rope strands. At least one of the rope strands can be selectively pulled away from remaining ones of the rope strands to define and adjust the size of the at least one intermediate loop. 
         [0007]    In some embodiments, the loop rope assembly may include a main rope segment having a pair of rope strands and first and second ends; a first end loop provided on the first end of the main rope segment; a second end loop provided on the second end of the main rope segment; a plurality of spaced-apart strand sleeves provided on the main rope segment; and at least one intermediate loop defined by one of the rope strands between the strand sleeves. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    The disclosure will now be made, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view, partially in section, of an illustrative embodiment of the loop rope assembly; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an illustrative embodiment of the loop rope assembly in the securing of a load (illustrated in phantom) in an exemplary application of the loop rope assembly; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view, partially in section, of an illustrative embodiment of the loop rope assembly, more particularly illustrating attachment of one end of the loop rope assembly to a truck bed side (illustrated in phantom) of a pickup truck in an exemplary application of the loop rope assembly; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an alternative illustrative embodiment of the loop rope assembly; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the illustrative embodiment of the loop rope assembly illustrated in  FIG. 4  in the securing of a load (illustrated in phantom) in an exemplary application of the loop rope assembly; and 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view, partially in section, of the illustrative embodiment of the loop rope assembly illustrated in  FIG. 4  in the securing of a tarp or boat cover (illustrated in phantom) on a boat (illustrated in phantom) in an exemplary application of the loop rope assembly. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0015]    The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to practice the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the claims. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description. 
         [0016]    Referring initially to  FIGS. 1-3  of the drawings, an illustrative embodiment of the loop rope assembly is generally indicated by reference numeral  1 . The loop rope assembly  1  may include multiple rope strands  2  which are wound in a braided configuration. In some embodiments, the loop rope assembly  1  may include three braided rope strands  2 , as illustrated. In other embodiments, the loop rope assembly  1  may include four or more braided loop strands  2 . In some embodiments, the rope strands  2  may be a single continuous rope. Each rope strand  2  may be nylon or other suitable material. The loop rope assembly  1  may include a generally elongated main rope segment  3 . A pair of end loops  4  may terminate the respective ends of the main rope segment  3 . In some applications, each end loop  4  may be inserted through the opposite end loop  4  to define an attachment loop  5  in one or both ends of the main rope segment  3 . As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , each rope strand  2  can be selectively pulled away from the other rope strands  2  of the main rope segment  3  or either or both of the end loops  4  to define one or multiple intermediate loops  8  each having an adjustable size. Each intermediate loop  8  may be in-plane (the rope strands  2  which define each intermediate loop  8  may be disposed within the same plane). 
         [0017]    As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , in an exemplary application the loop rope assembly  1  can be used to secure a load  16  to a support surface (not illustrated) which in some applications may be a support surface on a transport vehicle (not illustrated) such as a pickup truck or trailer, for example and without limitation. Multiple anchor plates  12 , each having an anchor hook  13 , may be provided on the support surface in proximity to the load  16 . Accordingly, the main rope segment  3  of the loop rope assembly  1  may be extended generally around the lower portion of the load  16  and the end loops  4  ( FIG. 1 ) attached to one of the anchor hooks  13 . One of the rope strands  2  may then be pulled away from the other rope strands  2  at the appropriate locations along the length of the main rope segment  3  to form the intermediate loops  8 , which may be attached to the remaining anchor hooks  13 . One or multiple bungee cords  14  (illustrated in phantom) may then be used to additionally secure the load  16  by forming additional intermediate loops  8  in the main rope segment  3 , attaching a bungee cord hook  15  on one end of each bungee cord  14  to an intermediate loop  8  on one side of the load  16 , extending the bungee cord  14  over the top of the load  16  and attaching the bungee cord hook  15  on the other end of the bungee cord  14  to an intermediate loop  8  on the opposite side of the load  16 . Thus, the load  16  is secured for transport of the load  16  on the transport vehicle or for other purposes. The load  16  can be unsecured, as desired, by detaching each bungee cord  14  from the corresponding pair of intermediate loops  8 ; detaching the intermediate loops  8  from the respective anchor hooks  13 ; and detaching the end loops  4  ( FIG. 1 ) from the anchor hook  13 . 
         [0018]    As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , in some applications of the loop rope assembly  1 , each end loop  4  may be inserted through the opposite end loop  4  to define an attachment loop  5  in one or both ends of the main rope segment  3 . The attachment loop or loops  5  may be used to fasten the loop rope assembly  1  to one or more attachment points on a transport vehicle or on the object or load which is to be secured. Accordingly, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , in an exemplary application, a first end loop  4  on one end of the main rope segment  3  can be extended through a conventional fastener opening  22  which is provided in a truck bed side  21  of a pickup truck  20 . The opposite end loop  4  ( FIG. 1 ) can then be extended through the first end loop  4  to form the attachment loop  5  which secures the loop rope assembly  1  to the truck bed side  21 , as illustrated. The end loop  4  on the unsecured end of the main rope segment  3  can be fastened to another attachment point (not illustrated) on the pickup truck  20  or to the object or load (not illustrated) which is to be secured. Additional attachment points for bungee cords  14  ( FIG. 2 ) or the like can be provided by forming the intermediate loops  8  in the main rope segment  3  and/or in either or both of the end loops  4 , as was heretofore described with respect to  FIG. 2 . 
         [0019]    Referring next to  FIGS. 4-6  of the drawings, another illustrative embodiment of the loop rope assembly is generally indicated by reference numeral  24 . The loop rope assembly  24  may include a pair of adjacent rope strands  26  which define a main rope segment  27  and a pair of end loops  30  at respective ends of the main rope segment  27 . Each rope strand  26  may be nylon or other suitable material. In some embodiments, the rope strands  26  may be a single continuous rope. The rope strands  26  may extend through a pair of adjacent openings (not illustrated) provided in each of multiple strand sleeves  28 . The strand sleeves  28  may be provided at spaced intervals with respect to each other along the main rope segment  27 . Accordingly, between each pair of adjacent strand sleeves  28 , one rope strand  26  can be selectively pulled through the strand sleeves  28  and away from the other rope strand  26  to form an intermediate loop  32  having an adjustable size. Each intermediate loop  32  may be in-plane (the rope strands  26  which define each intermediate loop  32  may be disposed within the same plane). One or multiple strand sleeves  28  may be provided at each end of the main rope segment  27  to define the end loop  30  in each corresponding end of the main rope segment  27 . 
         [0020]    As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , in an exemplary application the loop rope assembly  24  can be used to secure a load  16  to a support surface (not illustrated) which in some applications may be a support surface on a transport vehicle (not illustrated) such as a pickup truck or trailer, for example and without limitation. Multiple anchor plates  12 , each having an anchor hook  13 , may be provided on the support surface in proximity to the load  16 . Accordingly, the main rope segment  27  of the loop rope assembly  24  may be extended generally around the lower portion of the load  16  and the end loops  30  ( FIG. 4 ) attached to one of the anchor hooks  13 . One of the rope strands  26  may then be pulled through a pair of adjacent strand sleeves  28  and away from the other rope strand  26  at the appropriate locations along the length of the main rope segment  27  to form the intermediate loops  32 , which may be attached to the remaining anchor hooks  13 . One or multiple bungee cords  14  (illustrated in phantom) may then be used to additionally secure the load  16  by forming additional intermediate loops  32  in the main rope segment  27 , attaching a bungee cord hook  15  on one end of each bungee cord  14  to an intermediate loop  32  on one side of the load  16 , extending the bungee cord  14  over the top of the load  16  and attaching the bungee cord hook  15  on the other end of the bungee cord  14  to an intermediate loop  32  on the opposite side of the load  16 . Thus, the load  16  is secured for transport of the load  16  on the transport vehicle or for other purposes. The load  16  can be unsecured, as desired, by detaching each bungee cord  14  from the corresponding pair of intermediate loops  32 ; detaching the intermediate loops  32  from the respective anchor hooks  13 ; and detaching the end loops  30  ( FIG. 4 ) from the anchor hook  13 . 
         [0021]    Another exemplary application of the loop rope assembly  24  is illustrated in  FIG. 6 . Accordingly, the loop rope assembly  24  can be used to secure a tarp or boat cover  37  on a boat  36  (illustrated in phantom). After the boat cover  37  is placed over the boat  36 , the main rope segment  27  may be extended around the edges of the boat cover  37  and against the boat  36 . The end loops  30  ( FIG. 4 ) on the respective ends of the main rope segment  27  may then be attached to suitable attachment points (not illustrated) provided on the boat  36  or on a trailer (not illustrated) on which the boat  36  is supported. Intermediate loops  32  may be formed at selected points along the main rope segment  27  on each side of the boat  36  to provide attachment points for  14  which can be used to additionally secure the boat cover  37  on the boat  36 . Thus, the bungee cord hook  15  on one end of a bungee cord  14  can be attached to an intermediate loop  36  on one side of the boat  36 ; the bungee cord  14  extended over the top of the boat cover  37 ; and the bungee cord hook  15  on the other end of the bungee cord  14  attached to an intermediate loop  36  on the other side of the boat  36 . The bungee cord hook  15  on one end of another bungee cord  14  can be attached to an intermediate loop  36  on one side of the boat  36 ; the bungee cord  14  extended beneath the boat  36 ; and the bungee cord hook  15  on the other end of the bungee cord  14  attached to an intermediate loop  36  on the other side of the boat  36 . The adjacent bungee cords  14  which extend over the boat cover  37  and under the boat  36  may alternate with one another along the length of the boat  36 . Accordingly, the boat cover  37  is securely attached to the boat  36  for transport and/or storage of the boat  36 . The loop rope assembly  24  can be selectively detached from the boat  36  by detaching the bungee cord hooks  15  of the bungee cords  14  from the intermediate loops  32  and detaching the end loops  30  ( FIG. 4 ) from the attachment points (not illustrated) on the boat  36  or trailer (not illustrated) on which the boat  36  is supported. 
         [0022]    It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the loop rope assemblies of the disclosure are effective for tying down tarps or covers or light- to medium-duty loads on a support for transport, storage or other purposes. The loop rope assembly may enable a user to maintain a tight fit of the assembly without the use of hooks or ratcheting-type devices. One size of the loop rope assembly may fit any desired application. Moreover, a user need not have the knowledge or ability to tie secure knots in order to facilitate securing of a cover or load. Using the loop rope assembly, one user can easily secure virtually any size load without assistance. Under circumstances in which a greater length of the loop rope assembly is needed, a pair of the assemblies can be looped together for the purpose. 
         [0023]    While the preferred embodiments of the disclosure have been described above, it will be recognized and understood that various modifications can be made in the disclosure and the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications which may fall within the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

Technology Classification (CPC): 8