Abstract:
A system for securing a line securely around an object, the system comprising a main body with holes to receive ends of the line and a plurality of protrusions within the holes allowing the line ends to enter the holes in a first direction and exit the holes in a second direction.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     This invention relates to a fastening device, and more particularly to a fastening device to assist in securing ends of a piece of binding material, such as a rope together.  
         [0002]     The invention stems from an idea, which occurred while a homeowner was cleaning house, and wanted to quickly fasten line, twine, and/or rope around numerous boxes, piping, shrubs, and other objects. However, easily containing such items with the line was time-consuming, cumbersome and awkward since it was hard to secure the line tightly around the objects.  
         [0003]     From the inventor&#39;s observation, other tying devices to date proved too expensive, mechanized or restricting to accomplish the desired task. Additionally, it was found that time wasted with tying knots in rope was not conducive to ease or productivity. Moreover, it was desired to have an item that could be disposed, or reused in other applications.  
         [0004]     Several devices have been designed for tying and securing lines. However, none possess disposable characteristics, or single-part gripping and staying action of the current embodiment disclosed herein.  
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     The present invention gives a user freedom in selecting any myriad of objects, to be quickly and securely grouped together for storage, transport or disposal. Additionally it affords the user to choose any thickness of common twine or rope, without the need for knotting, looping, wrapping, winding, or tying. The embodiment was fashioned with consumer frugality in mind, whereas it is cost-effective enough to be disposed after a single use, but durable enough to be reused. The invention affords the user the ability to single-handedly group and tie objects, using nearly any given line media. With one-pull action, the line is held tightly in place. As many or as few objects may be grouped together, thus reducing the amount of labor and time involved in the overall binding, moving and storing process.  
         [0006]     Towards this end, a system for securing a line securely around an object, or objects, is disclosed. The system comprises a main body with holes to receive ends of the line and a plurality of protrusions within the holes allowing the line ends to only enter the holes in a first direction and exit the holes in a second direction. In another exemplary embodiment an apparatus for securing a line securely around an object or objects, is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a receptacle for receiving an end of the line, a plurality of protrusions extending from the receptacle preventing the line from exiting the receptacle in a direction the line enters the receptacles, and a main body that holds the receptacles and the protrusions stationary.  
         [0007]     The invention also discloses a leverage device to assist the user with tightly securing the line around an object to be secured. The invention further discloses an insertion device that can be used to assist the user with passing the line through the present invention and with assisting the user to remove the line from within the present invention. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]     The invention will be better understood when consideration is given to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:  
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, showing the line “insertion” side of the embodiment;  
         [0010]      FIG. 2  is an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, showing the line “exertion” side of the embodiment;  
         [0011]      FIG. 3  is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0012]      FIG. 4  is an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, showing hollowed out segments of a main body;  
         [0013]      FIG. 5  is an exemplary embodiment of a spire view from an exertion side of the present invention;  
         [0014]      FIG. 6  illustrates several uses of an exemplary embodiment, and applications thereof of the present invention;  
         [0015]      FIG. 7  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a leverage device;  
         [0016]      FIG. 8  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a leverage device connected to a main body;  
         [0017]      FIG. 9  illustrates a use of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0018]      FIG. 10  is an illustration of an exemplary embodiment of an insert sleeve device being used with a main body of the present invention; and  
         [0019]      FIG. 11  is an illustration of an exemplary embodiment of an insert sleeve device. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0020]     The present invention may be broadly utilized with various types of binding material, such as but not limited to a line, twine, rope, chain, leather, etc. For purposes of illustration, the invention is described herein as it may be applied to a line. Before describing in detail the present invention, it should be observed that the present invention resides primarily in a novel combination of components related thereto. Accordingly, the device has been represented by conventional elements in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to the present invention, so as not to obscure the disclosure with structural details that will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the description herein. Additionally, the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.  
         [0021]     In an exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 &amp; 2 , a main body  100  is symmetrically shaped, with two (semi-circular) arcs, one at each end  111 ,  120 , and perpendicular sides  112  that intersect the tangent of the arcs. The dimensions of the main body  100  are proportionate to its length, width, and thickness or depth, as is necessary to secure a given thickness of line.  
         [0022]     Located at either end of the main body  100  are holes  105 ,  106  which contain unidirectional protrusions, or “spires”,  101 . The spires  101  are narrow, elongated and angled to lock a line  130  securely into place, as further illustrated in  FIG. 3 . In an exemplary embodiment (not shown), the entrance side to the holes,  105 ,  106  that the line is fed through is smaller than the exit side from which the line  130  exits. This is to allow for the line to have room for clearance and expansion when a user is securing ends of the line together with the present invention.  
         [0023]     In an exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the main body  100  is hollowed, either partially or completely for the purpose of conserving material during manufacturing. Additionally, the hollowing may be of a size or shape that will promote consistency during the molding or remolding process of the main body  100 .  
         [0024]     The total number, frequency, amount, size, thickness, and angles of the spires  101  that shall be incorporated into the spire holes  105 ,  106  is neither finite nor infinite, so to accommodate various types of production material used in the manufacturing process thereof. There shall be no preference made to the symmetry of either spire hole  105 ,  106  with respect to the other, or the spires  101  therein. Additionally, neither symmetry nor shape of the preferred embodiment shall be limited, rather it shall assume the most practical appearance as is required to achieve the manufacturing, molding or remolding objective of the present invention.  
         [0025]     In an exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the spires  101  are triangular in shape. Each spire  101  possesses flexibility to it so that during line insertion, each spire  101  is able to bite into the line  130 , thus prohibiting reverse motion of the line  130  once insertion has begun. The spire  101  has a spine  102 , on the exertion side of the spire  101  that gives the spire  101  this locking ability, while the adjoining sides  103 ,  104  provides the spire with strength and staying power. Spacing between the spires  101  allows forward motion to take place during insertion of the line  130 .  
         [0026]     As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , any myriad of objects that can be grouped together with a line  130  can be secured together using the present invention. In operation, the line is wrapped around the objects, and either end of the line is inserted into the holes  105 ,  106  of the main body  100 , and pulled tightly. The gripping action of the spires  101  grips the rope and fastens it automatically. Once the first line is secured in the main body  100 , the second end of the line is inserted in the remaining hole  105 ,  106  of the main body  100  and is similarly secured.  
         [0027]     As illustrated in  FIGS. 7 &amp; 8 , a leverage device  200  is provided where the main body  100  can fit within it. In one embodiment, the leverage device  200  and main body  100  are a single element. In another exemplary embodiment, the leverage device  200  and main body  100  are separate elements that connect together. A cavity  210  is provided in the leverage device  200  to receive and hold the main body  100 . In this embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 9 , once a user uses the leverage device  200 , by placing a foot  151  on it to hold the devices  100 ,  200 , and objects being bundled secure, and finally secures the objects, the leverage device  200  can be disconnected from the main body.  
         [0028]     As illustrated in  FIGS. 10 &amp; 11 , in another exemplary embodiment, the present invention is reusable. An insertion device, or insert sleeve,  300  is provided that fits around the line  130 . The insert sleeve  300  is provided to promote passing the line  130  through the holes  105 ,  106 . The length of the insert sleeve  300  can vary. In one embodiment, the length is approximately an inch long. The insert sleeve  300  is useful when line  130  is used that is not easily passed through the holes  105 ,  106 . In one preferred embodiment, spires  302  are inside of the part of the insert sleeve  300  that connects with the line  130 .  
         [0029]     The insert sleeve  300  is allowed to fully pass through either hole  105 ,  106  that it is fed through. In operation, as further illustrated in  FIG. 11 , the insert sleeve  300  is placed around the line  130  prior to inserting the line  130  into either hole  105 ,  106  of the main body  100 . To be placed around the line  130 , the insert sleeve  300  is opened laterally along a side of the insert sleeve wherein the line  130  is then placed within the insert sleeve  300 . For line  130  that is hard to pass through a hole,  105 ,  106 , the insert sleeve  300  is placed at an end of the line  130 . The line  130 , inside of the insert sleeve  300  is then passed through the hole  105 ,  106 . Once through the hole  105 ,  106 , the user is now able to grab the line  130  to continue pulling it through the hole  105 ,  106  until tightened around an object being bound. The user has the option of leaving the insert sleeve  300  around the line  130  or removing-it once the line  130  has passed through the hole  105 ,  106 . In an exemplary embodiment, the insert sleeve  300  has a solid outer surface or wall.  
         [0030]     As further illustrated in  FIG. 10 , the spires  101  within the holes  105 ,  106  engage an outer surface of the insert sleeve  300 . In a preferred embodiment, the outside surface  307  of the insert sleeve  300  that connects with the spires  101  is permitted to slide easily through the holes  105 ,  106  of the main body  100 . As further illustrated, the insert sleeve  300  can be used with either end of the line  130  to promote easy insertion of the line  130  through either hole  105 ,  106 . Furthermore, in the hole  105 ,  106  that the insert sleeve  300  is used, the spires  101  of the hole  105 ,  106  are not so rigid that they will make direct contact with the line  130 , so that when the user desires to release the insert sleeve  300  from the hole  105 ,  106  the spires  101  will give way to allow the insert sleeve  300  to be released.  
         [0031]     In another preferred embodiment, the insert sleeve  300  can be used in aiding with removing the line  130  from the holes  105 ,  106 . Once an object is bound using the present invention, the user can fit the insert sleeve around the part of the line  130  that has not passed through the hole  105 ,  106 . The insert sleeve  300  is placed around the line  130  so that the spires  302  inside the insert sleeve are in the opposite direction than they would be if the user were using the insert sleeve to insert the line into the hole  105 ,  106 . The user can then guide the insert sleeve  300  into the hole  105 ,  106  until the insert sleeve  300  pushes against the spires  101  side of the hole  105 ,  106 , which will release the spires  101  from the line  130 . Once the spires are released, the user can freely pull the line  130  from the holes  105 ,  106 .  
         [0032]     While the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described herein, it will be obvious that such embodiments are provided by way of example only. Numerous variations, changes and substitutions will occur to those of skill in the art without departing from the invention herein. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention be limited only by the spirit and scope of the appended claims.