Patent ID: 7636986

Claim:
A method of tying down an object with a cord and tensioning said cord, said method comprising: providing a tensioning device comprising a first body portion comprising a pair of opposing first surfaces defining a first wedge opening, wherein the first surfaces are fixed relative to each other; a second body portion comprising a pair of opposing second surfaces defining a second wedge opening, wherein the second surfaces are fixed relative to each other and wherein the second wedge opening is spaced apart from the first wedge opening and joined by a neck portion; and a cord block defining a first support surface spaced from the first and second wedge openings; wherein said first body portion has a closed aperture defined in part by said first wedge opening and further defined in part by a second support surface opposite said first wedge opening; disposing a loop portion of the cord about said neck portion; releasably securing a first portion of the cord in the first wedge opening; passing the cord through a tie-down point on said object; tensioning the cord by sliding the cord on the support surface of the cord block; releasably securing by frictionally wedging a second portion of the cord in the second wedge opening, such that the releasably securing prevents movement of the second portion of the cord until released wherein the first and second portions of the cord are positioned on opposite sides of the tie-down point; and inserting the loop portion of the cord through the aperture prior to the disposing the loop portion around the neck and prior to the releasably securing the first portion of the cord in the first wedge opening, and wherein a fourth portion of the cord is supported by said second support surface.