Patent ID: 7905066

Claim:
A connection ( 1 ), comprising: a. a first elongated tension member ( 2 ) having a proximal end ( 3 ) and a distal end ( 4 ), the first elongated tension member ( 2 ) being anchored at the distal end ( 4 ); b. a second elongated tension member ( 5 ) having a proximal end ( 6 ) and a distal end ( 7 ), the second elongated tension member ( 5 ) being anchored at the distal end ( 7 ), and the proximal ends ( 3 and 6 ) of the first and second elongated tension members ( 2 and 5 ) being disposed in close proximity to each other; c. a coupler ( 8 ) attached to the proximal ends ( 3 and 6 ) of the first and second elongated tension members ( 2 and 5 ), connecting the first and second elongated tension members ( 2 and 5 ) together, the coupler ( 8 ) comprising, 1. a surrounding sleeve ( 9 ), having a connection end ( 10 ) and a take-up end ( 11 ), and a central bore ( 12 ) wherein at least a portion of the central bore ( 12 ) is formed as a substantially cylindrical inner surface ( 13 ) and wherein at least a portion of the cylindrical inner surface ( 13 ) is formed with a thread ( 14 ); 2. a first rotational member ( 15 ) having a proximal end ( 16 ) and a distal end ( 17 ), the first rotational member ( 15 ) being received in the central bore ( 12 ) of the surrounding sleeve ( 9 ) and operatively connected to the surrounding sleeve ( 9 ), the first rotational member ( 15 ) having a substantially cylindrical outer surface ( 18 ) formed with a thread ( 19 ) that mates with the thread ( 14 ) of the cylindrical inner surface ( 13 ) of the surrounding sleeve ( 9 ) and is connected to the surrounding sleeve ( 9 ) only by the mating attachment of the thread ( 19 ) on the cylindrical outer surface ( 18 ) with the thread ( 14 ) of the surrounding sleeve ( 9 ), such that the first rotational member ( 15 ) can travel on the threads of the surrounding sleeve ( 9 ); and 3. a torsion spring ( 20 ) connecting the first rotational member ( 15 ) and the surrounding sleeve ( 9 ), the torsion spring ( 20 ) biasing the first rotational member ( 15 ) and the surrounding sleeve ( 9 ) in opposite rotational directions such that the first rotational member ( 15 ) can be drawn into the surrounding sleeve ( 9 ).