Abstract:
An improved line gripping device comprising a spindle ( 11 ) having a gripping aperture ( 12 ) and a spindle shaft ( 14 ) with the gripping aperture ( 12 ) constructed slightly larger than the spindle shaft ( 14 ). The spindle shaft ( 14 ) having a spindle shaft bore ( 18 ) formed at a right angle with respect to the spindle shaft ( 14 ). The spindle shaft ( 14 ) further including two spindle shaft oblique groves ( 16 ) and ( 17 ) that progress obliquely and rotationally away from the spindle shaft bore ( 18 ) and toward the gripping aperture ( 12 ). Other embodiments are described and made known.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Not Applicable 
       FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH 
       [0002]    Not Applicable 
       SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM 
       [0003]    Not Applicable 
       BACKGROUND 
     Prior Art 
       [0004]    The following is a tabulation of some prior art that at present appears relevant: 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 U.S. Patents 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Pat. No. 
                 Kind Code 
                 Issue Date 
                 Patentee 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 5,839,385 
                 B1 
                 1998-10-24 
                 Hersh 
               
               
                 4,843,687 
                 B1 
                 1989-07-04 
                 Kroepelin 
               
               
                 3,744,098 
                 B1 
                 1973-07-10 
                 Bowers 
               
               
                 6,672,237 
                 B2 
                 2004-01-06 
                 Hillier 
               
               
                 7,490,387 
                 B2 
                 2009-02-17 
                 Hiller 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0005]    It is known that line gripping devices for string, chord, or rope are a critical component used, yet not limited to, shipping, boating, aviation, and landscape. It should be understood that the phrase “line” will be denoted hereafter to identify a string, chord, rope, or any linear material capable of being employed with this line gripping device. 
         [0006]    When tying down an article for transport or adjusting a tree tie down, specifically when a line is wet or soiled, it is difficult to obtain a firm grip on the line. After the line is drawn tight, it becomes more difficult to secure the line to a stationary point without pulling the line and tying a knot. Furthermore, as time passes and the line fixes itself into the knot, the knot becomes difficult, if not impossible to untie, thus resulting in wasted time and resources. 
         [0007]    Presently lines are tied to hooks, inserted into cleats, or the line is simply tied to an object for attachment. However, many times consumers have a difficult time removing the line if it is tied directly to an object after the line becomes settled into the knot, making the knot hard to remove as aforementioned. Furthermore, many line cleats currently manufactured are produced with pointed edges and crushing actions that dig into the line, consequently reducing the strength and performance of the line. 
         [0008]    Thereafter, several types of line cleating devices have been designed in an effort to ease the manipulation of lines. With respect to prior art, Hersh U.S. Pat. No. 5,839,385 (1998) discloses a device which can hook onto a line by wrapping the line around two hook members that are attached to a rigid body; however, this cleating device provides limited support for a secured line if the user inadvertently lets go of the device. Furthermore, if the line breaks, this device, specifically its hook members, could become disadvantageous. Kroepelin U.S. Pat. No. 4,843,687 (1989) shows a device with clamping cams that allow the user to attach a line and apply force; however, this cleating device uses teeth to grip the line and a large cumbersome handle. Bowers U.S. Pat. No. 3,744,098 (1973) shows a line gripping device that uses cam and jam as a means for latching onto a rope, also using a teeth locking mechanism. Lastly, Hillier patent(s) U.S. Pat. No. 6,672,237 (2004) and U.S. Pat. No. 7,490,387 (2009) has two devices that use spring actuated mechanisms, one that contains a circular aperture that is based on shearing force to hold the line and one that comprises teeth. 
         [0009]    My device describes a line securing apparatus that incorporates line wrapping and bending with the use of pressure and friction in an effort to eliminate sharp edges that could subsequently damage the line. Having said this, most of the securing devices heretofore known suffer from a host of weaknesses such as:
       (a) The lines are held in position using pointed edges or line wrapping without securing   (b) The lines are not secured in a way that allows the user to release the mechanism while maintaining a movable advantage over the line   (c) The products are cumbersome and cannot be used for multiple purposes such as:
           1. Mechanical advantage of a soiled line while attaching the line to a secure location   2. Pulling a line then attaching and letting go of the device without device separation   3. Releasing the device from a fixed point without removing the line from the device   4. Pinch points   5. Inability to produce tension on a line in multiple directions without removing the line from the device   
               
 
       ADVANTAGES 
       [0018]    Accordingly a number of advantages of one or more aspects are as follows: to provide a means for gripping a line, that can be moved along the line without binding, that can secure the line without damage to the line, that is neat with a uniform appearance, that is relatively inexpensive to produce, that has limited moving parts, that can be easily manufactured with diverse materials, and that can be easily attached to the line and apply tension to the line in multiple directions. Additional advantages of one or more aspects will be apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. Some of these advantages will include, yet not shown, attaching a line to a snow sled, securing a clothes line to a pole, or hooking a tire swing to a rope. Within the drawings there are two examples presented, one using the device on a ladder rung, and the other as a pulling means. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0019]    In accordance with one embodiment a line gripping device comprised of a circular rigid body having a shaft with an annular passage and two oblique groves that are contiguous with the annular passage, further including a gripping aperture at the distal end of the embodiment. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0020]      FIG. 1  shows a device with an enlarged end and a shaft containing a bore and two oblique groves that are contiguous with and start at each side of the bore and progress to some extent half way around each side of the shaft in accordance with one embodiment. 
           [0021]      FIG. 2  shows a similar device as mentioned in  FIG. 1  with the bore turned vertical showing the direction and ending points of the two oblique groves in accordance with another embodiment. 
           [0022]      FIG. 3  shows a similar device as in  FIG. 2  with the bore turned vertical and displaying a line that is passing through the bore and following the two oblique groves that start at each side of the bore in accordance with another embodiment. 
           [0023]      FIG. 4  shows a similar device as in  FIG. 1  further including a hollow shaft that has a bore at a right angle to the surface of the hollow shaft that passes through the hollow shaft in accordance with another embodiment. 
           [0024]      FIG. 5  shows a similar device as in  FIG. 4  with the hollow shaft bore in line with the device bore ready for a line to pass through the embodiment in accordance with another embodiment. 
           [0025]      FIG. 5A  shows a similar embodiment as in  FIG. 5  with a line inserted through the hollow shaft bore and device bore in accordance with another embodiment. 
           [0026]      FIG. 6  shows a similar embodiment with the device seated against the hollow shaft and in line with the hollow shaft bore representing a lockable position in accordance with other embodiments. 
           [0027]      FIG. 7  shows the device disclosed in the subject invention employed into ladder rungs with one end of the ladder rung sectioned thereby showing the line gripping device in a locked position with a line inserted. 
           [0028]      FIG. 8  shows an alternate embodiment of the subject invention integrated into a pulling method for lines where the device is attached to a hollow shaft with locking pins located in multiple areas within the subject invention in accordance with other embodiments. 
           [0000]    
         
           
                 
               
                 
                 
                 
                 
               
             
                 
                     
                 
                 
                   Drawings - Reference Numerals 
                 
                 
                     
                 
               
               
                 
                     
                 
               
            
             
                 
                   11 
                   spindle 
                   12 
                   gripping aperture 
                 
                 
                   13 
                   spindle insertion direction 
                   14 
                   spindle shaft 
                 
                 
                   15 
                   barrel insertion direction 
                   16 
                   spindle shaft oblique grove 
                 
                 
                   17 
                   spindle shaft oblique grove 
                   18 
                   spindle shaft bore 
                 
                 
                   20 
                   spindle stop 
                   22 
                   line 
                 
                 
                   22a 
                   line exiting spindle shaft 
                   22b 
                   line exiting spindle shaft 
                 
                 
                     
                   bore 
                     
                   bore 
                 
                 
                   23 
                   barrel rotating direction 
                   24 
                   spindle rotating direction 
                 
                 
                   25 
                   spindle shaft bore radius 
                   26 
                   barrel 
                 
                 
                   27 
                   line passing through device 
                   28 
                   barrel bore 
                 
                 
                   30 
                   ladder rung 
                   32 
                   locking pins 
                 
                 
                   36 
                   removable locking pin 
                   37 
                   direction of tension 
                 
                 
                   38 
                   fixed locking pin 
                 
                 
                     
                 
               
            
           
         
       
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     First Embodiment 
       [0029]    Referring first to  FIG. 1 , an embodiment of a spindle  11  is illustrated. The spindle  11  consists of rigid material that can be manufactured by milling or injection molding. However, milling or injecting molding is my preferred means to produce this embodiment; other means could be employed such as casting, water jet, or laser cutting. Presently, this embodiment was produced using aircraft grade aluminum, but other rigid materials are suitable. The spindle  11  has an enlarged gripping aperture  12  of uniform size in which the user is able to grasp the spindle  11  and turn the spindle  11  in a clockwise direction as shown in  24  ( FIG. 5 ). Although the enlarged gripping aperture  12  cross section is shown as a round solid shaft, it can have different cross sections that allow the user to grasp with any suitable means, such as a wrench. The spindle  11  also consists of a spindle shaft  14  that can be manufactured as part of the gripping aperture  12  and is of uniform diameter, and to some extent, smaller than the gripping aperture  12 . The spindle shaft  14  consists of a rigid member that has a spindle shaft bore  18  that is formed at a right angle to the surface of the spindle shaft  14 . The spindle shaft  14  has two spindle shaft oblique grooves  16 ,  17  that are contiguous with and start at the entrance of each side of the spindle shaft bore  18  and follow an oblique pattern away from the spindle shaft bore  18  in a rotationally oblique direction toward the gripping aperture  12 . At the entrance of each side of the spindle shaft bore  18  and where the two spindle shaft oblique grooves  16 ,  17  are contiguous with the spindle shaft bore  18 , a spindle shaft bore radius  25  is cut or formed in an anti-snag manner that allows the line  22  ( FIG. 3 ) to transition out of the spindle shaft bore  18  and move along the two spindle shaft oblique grooves  16 ,  17  without encountering any pointed or sharp edges. At the location where the spindle shaft  14  and the gripping aperture  12  meet, a spindle stop  20  is formed to limit the rotation and insertion of the spindle shaft  14 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 2  shows another embodiment of the spindle  11  where the spindle shaft bore  18  is turned vertical in relation to the view in  FIG. 1  and where the spindle shaft bore  18  can be viewed as an annular passage through the spindle shaft  14 . In  FIG. 2  a perspective view with hidden lines present the direction of the two spindle shaft oblique grooves  16 ,  17 . At the entrance of the spindle shaft bore  18  the spindle shaft  14  shows an oblique grove  16  that is concave and allows the line  22   a  ( FIG. 3 ) to pass without contacting any pointed or sharp edges. The oblique groove  17  is formed in the same fashion as the oblique grove  16 , yet communicates with the opposite side of the spindle shaft bore  18 . The spindle shaft oblique grooves  16 ,  17  are cut or formed to a depth that allows the line  22  ( FIG. 3 ) to fit within the spindle shaft oblique groves  16 ,  17  while allowing the line to experience friction from the device chosen to encase the spindle shaft such as shown and will be described hereafter in  FIG. 4  using a barrel  26 . 
         [0031]      FIG. 3  shows another embodiment of the spindle  11  with the line  22  inserted through the spindle shaft bore  18  ( FIG. 2 ) and following the two spindle shaft oblique groves  16 ,  17  ( FIG. 2 ). Now looking at  22   a  and  22   b  the line  22  passes through the spindle shaft bore  18  ( FIG. 2 ) and turns toward the gripping aperture  12  on different sides around the spindle shaft  14  while following the spindle shaft oblique groves  16 ,  17  also outlined in ( FIG. 2 ) for one half the circumference of the spindle shaft  14 . The spindle stop  20  restricts over rotation of the spindle shaft  14 . 
         [0032]    Looking at both  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 , when the line  22  passes through the spindle shaft bore  18  and then turning the line  22  over the edge of the spindle shaft bore radius  25  ( FIG. 2 ) on opposite sides and in same direction around the spindle  14  within the spindle shaft groves  16 ,  17 , the device is able to lock onto the line  22  by use of line bending and friction. This friction is further multiplied by the spindle shaft oblique groves  16 ,  17 , bending the line around the spindle shaft bore radius  25 , and pressing the line against the inside surface of a device employed as a barrel  26  ( FIG. 4 ) (example shown in  FIG. 4 ) that is to some extent larger than the spindle shaft  14 . By moving the line  22  around the spindle shaft  14  in an oblique pattern, the spindle shaft  14  retains its strength by means of shifting the position of the line  22  away from the spindle shaft bore  18  and over a more rigid area of the spindle shaft  14 . This in turn allows the line  22  to be wrapped in an oblique path rather than a strict circumferential path, thus allowing more surface area to contact the line. 
         [0033]      FIGS. 4 ,  5 ,  5 A, and  6  shows perspective views of the spindle  11  ( FIG. 1 ) being incorporated into a barrel  26  that has a barrel bore  28  passing through the barrel  26  at a right angle to the surface of the barrel  26 . However, the barrel  26  outside aspect is formed as a circular member; the outside profile can be formed as any conceivable shape, such as, for example, a hexagon, square, or oval. The inside diameter of the barrel  26  is required to be circular and to some extent, larger than the spindle shaft  14  as to allow the spindle shaft  14  to pass unimpeded through the inside of the barrel  26  and contribute to the total friction of the line  22  ( FIG. 3 ). 
         [0034]    Now looking at  FIG. 4 , the spindle  11  is shown poised in the spindle insertion direction  13  to the barrel  26  and the barrel  26  is shown poised in the barrel insertion direction  15 . As the spindle  11  is initially inserted into the barrel  26  the spindle shaft bore  18  and the barrel bore  28  are to be inline. This annular passage allows a line to pass freely through the barrel  26  and the spindle shaft  14  after the barrel bore  28  and the spindle shaft bore  18  are aligned. This action will further be explained hereafter. 
         [0035]      FIG. 5  shows the spindle shaft  14  inserted into the barrel  26  with the spindle shaft bore  18  aligned with the barrel bore  28 . At this point the device is ready for the line  22  ( FIG. 5A ) to pass unobstructed through the device. As noted in  FIG. 5A , the line  22  is allowed to pass in both directions  27  through the embodiment before any twisting action has occurred. In  FIG. 5  after the line  22  ( FIG. 5A ) is inserted, the gripping aperture  12  is grasped and the barrel  26  is grasped at the distal end of the barrel  26  and the gripping aperture  12  is turned in the spindle rotating direction  24  moving in the spindle insertion direction  13  and the barrel is turned in the barrel rotating direction  23  moving in barrel insertion direction  15  to spindle shaft  14 . As the line  22  ( FIG. 5A ) enters the barrel  26  and travels around the spindle shaft oblique groves  16 ,  17 , the line is pulled into the barrel until the barrel bore  28  is in line with the distal end of the spindle shaft oblique groves  16 ,  17 , away from the spindle shaft bore  18 . At this point the barrel  26  is touching the spindle stop  20  and will be explained hereafter. 
         [0036]    Displayed in  FIG. 6  is a completed rotation of the spindle shaft  14  and the barrel  26 . The barrel  26  is shown touching the spindle stop  20 . When the barrel  26  is touching the spindle stop  20 , this represents a locking position thereafter pins can be inserted into rigid portions of the spindle shaft  14  as will be described in  FIG. 8 . Narrowly looking at and comparing  FIG. 5  with  FIG. 6 , specifically the spindle shaft oblique groves  16 ,  17 , the spindle shaft oblique groves  16 ,  17  are symmetrical, however when the device is rotated ( 23 ,  24 ) using the gripping aperture  12  and the distal end of the barrel  26 , the ending position of the spindle shaft oblique groves  16 ,  17  are on opposite sides of the spindle shaft  14 . At this point the spindle shaft bore  18  is inside the barrel  26  and away from the barrel bore  28 , and the barrel bore  28  maintains the direction of the line  22  ( FIG. 5A ) and provides an exit point for the line  22  ( FIG. 5A ). As aforementioned, the exterior surface of the barrel  26  can take on any conceivable shape, however the inside dimension of the barrel  26  must be in close proximity to the spindle shaft  14  thus allowing friction to develop between the device and a line employed. Furthermore, the entry point of the barrel bore  28  is required to have curved edges to eliminate snagging of the line  22  ( FIG. 5A ). 
         [0037]      FIG. 7  shows one application of the device employed into ladder rungs. The ladder rung  30  is formed similar to the barrel  26  ( FIG. 4 ) such that the inside diameter of the ladder rung  30  is required to be to some extent larger than the spindle shaft  14 . The ladder rung  30  outside dimension can take on any conceivable shape, similar to the barrel  26  ( FIG. 4 ), however it is important that the inside diameter be formed in a manner that allows limited clearance between the outside diameter of the spindle shaft  14  and the inside diameter of the ladder rung  30 . This close tolerance between the inside diameter of the ladder rung  30  and the spindle shaft  14  allows friction of the line  22  to be distributed across the spindle shaft oblique groves  16 ,  17  ( FIG. 1 ) and the inside diameter of the ladder rung  30 . After the line is twisted in place using the twisting action described in  23 ,  24  ( FIG. 5 ) and the ladder rung  30  is touching the spindle stop  20 , a locking pin  32  is inserted through an annular hole in the ladder rung  30  and the spindle shaft  14 . Although the locking pin  32  can be inserted in any position along the spindle shaft  14 , it is preferable that the locking pin  32  be inserted into the strongest portion of the spindle shaft  14 . The locking pin  32  prohibits the spindle shaft from spinning inside the ladder rung  30  when there is vertical pressure employed on the ladder rung  30 . As aforementioned, the line  22  and the bending of the line  22   a ,  22   b  press against the inside of the device employed to encase the spindle shaft  14  creating friction across the spindle shaft  14  and the line  22 . 
         [0038]      FIG. 8  shows the barrel  26  and spindle  11  ( FIG. 1 ) being used as a pulling means. After a line  22  is inserted into the barrel  26  and spindle  11 , twisted as described in  23 ,  24  ( FIG. 5 ) and a locking pin  38  or  36  is in place, the line can be pulled in any direction such as  37  and let go without the device detaching from the line  22 . Furthermore, the device can then be used as a hooking means after the barrel  26  and spindle  11  are locked in place using a locking pin  36  or  38 . For example, the device can be attached to an eye hook in a clothes line pole or slipped through a loop formed in the end of a line. Furthermore, the device can be unlocked quickly by removing the locking pin  36  or  38  and then pulling on both sides of the line  22 . It is not necessary to grasp the gripping aperture  12  or the barrel  26  to unlock the line. This pulling action forces the spindle shaft  14  ( FIG. 7 ) to spin counterclockwise and unlock the line. After the line  22  is unlocked, the device can be moved along the line  22  and relocked in any number of positions. 
       ADVANTAGES 
       [0039]    As described above, many advantages become evident: 
         [0040]    (a) This device provides an easy way to grip onto a line without reducing line performance using sharp edges and crushing moments, thus reduces material waste. 
         [0041]    (b) The device is easy to move along a line and relock in multiple positions without removing the device from the line. 
         [0042]    (c) The device is relatively easy to produce and has limited moving parts that could snag onto a line and inadvertently damage the line. 
         [0043]    (d) Although a variety of line cleat devices are manufactured, this device can be manufactured using multiple methods and materials thus allowing the device to be employed in a number of applications, such as, clothing, aviation, or boating. 
         [0044]    (e) This device has the potential of being manufactured in multiple sizes, depending on the application and the size of the line employed. 
       CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE 
       [0045]    Accordingly, the reader will notice that the line gripping device is practical in many applications from boating to aviation, industry to homeowners. The device can be removed quickly and easily from the line, moved along the line, and reattached and locked with little effort. In addition, the device is relatively inexpensive to produce, neat with a uniform appearance, and can be manufactured from most rigid materials. The description above should be viewed as illustrations and not limit the scope of the embodiments. As an example, the line locking device can take on other shapes, specifically the gripping aperture, such as, for example, a square, oval, hexagon, etc. Therefore, the scope of these embodiments should be determined by the claims, not by the examples provided.