OBJECT SECURING DEVICE

Description

The present application claims priority to Provisional Application, Ser. No. 60/696,563, filed on Jul. 5, 2005, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The above-identified invention involves the field of securing closure devices in general and specifically relates to a method and device for securing a bungee cord to an S hook closure. According to an embodiment of this invention, the device comprises a plastic block. The invention further comprises a substantially tubular receiving aperture. According to an embodiment of the invention the receiving aperture is capable of stably positioning an S hook, thereby facilitating closure of the S hook by striking the hook with a hammer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Securing members such as ropes, chains and cords are important devices for securing a variety of objects. Bungee cords are often used to secure coverings into place, on land or on vehicles. For example, bungee cords are often used to secure a tarp onto a truck. One end of the bungee cord is attached to the tarp while the other end of bungee cord is attached to the truck bed using an S hook. In order to secure the bungee cord to the S hook it is necessary to crimp one end of the S hook to form an enclosed area. Crimping the S hook is difficult and can be dangerous if the S hook is held improperly. One may strike a finger or hand while attempting to crimp the S hook. Therefore, it is desirable to provide a device that assists in stabilizing an S hook, which will enable a safe and efficient way to crimp the S hook.

Devices for attaching a bungee cord to a fastener have been described. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,187,852) Further, tools for crimping have also been described. (U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,365,501; 6,421,861; 4,216,668; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,704,246). The prior art fails to provide a device that allows a simple and efficient means to stabilize an S hook. Furthermore, the prior art fails to provide safe securing device that stabilizes an S hook and allows a user to strike it without striking a finger or hand.

Similarly, other attachments, such as hooks may need to be crimped to securely close the hook around a rope, chain or other securing member.

The present invention provides distinct advantages over the prior art and solves numerous problems described and understood in the field.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a device for fastening a securing member to an object comprising: (a) a stabilizing block body, said body having a first end, a second end, a top side, a bottom side, a front face and a back face; (b) a slot positioned in the top side, forming a channel from the front face to the back face, the slot comprising a slot floor parallel with the top side; and (c) a receiving aperture, capable of receiving an end portion of a securing member, the receiving aperture positioned on the slot floor and penetrating into the body, capable of stabilizing the securing member in the vertical plane.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method of fastening a securing member to an object using the provided device comprising the following steps: (a) inserting the insertion prong of the S hook into the receiving aperture, thereby allowing the center portion of the S hook to lay substantially flat on the top of the stabilizing block; (b) striking the striking prong of the S hook with a striking means, causing the striking prong of the S hook to move towards the center portion of the S hook causing the striking prong of the S hook and the center portion of the S hook to substantially meet, the striking prong of the S hook thereby circumscribing an inner area; and (c) inserting an object into the inner area.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1A shows a front view of the device in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 1B shows a front view of the S Hook used in coordination with the device in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the device in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3A shows a top view of the device in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3B shows a bottom view of the device in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the device indicating receiving apertures in groove and stabilizing block body in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows in detail an example of the device in a preferred embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a device for fastening a securing member to an object comprising: (a) a stabilizing block body, said body having a first end, a second end, a top side, a bottom side, a front face and a back face; (b) a slot positioned in the top side, forming a channel from the front face to the back face, the slot comprising a slot floor parallel with the top side; and (c) a receiving aperture, capable of receiving an end portion of a securing member, the receiving aperture positioned on the slot floor and penetrating into the body, capable of stabilizing the securing member in the vertical plane.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the securing member is an S-hook. According to another embodiment of this invention, the object is a cord. According to a further embodiment of this invention, the cord is a bungee cord.

The present invention specifically contemplates a wide variety of sizes and shapes for the device. The device may be of irregular or regular shape. The device may be integral with other devices. The device may be of any geometric design. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the device is a rectangle. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the device is between 0.1 inch and 1 foot in length. According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the device is between 0.1 inch and 1 foot in width. According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the device is between 0.1 inch and 1 foot in height. According to a more preferred embodiment of the invention, the slot is between 0.1 inch deep and 1 foot deep. According to a most preferred embodiment, the slot is about approximately ¾ inches deep. According to a preferred embodiment the device is about approximately 6 inches wide. According to a more preferred embodiment, the device is about approximately 3.5 inches high. According to a more preferred embodiment, the device is about approximately 1.5 inches deep. According to one embodiment of the invention, the receiving aperture is 0.1 inch to 1 foot in diameter. According to a more preferred embodiment, the receiving aperture is ¼ inch in diameter. According to a preferred embodiment, the receiving aperture is at a vertical depth of ¼ to ½ the measure of the height of the device. According to a most preferred embodiment, the slot is 3/16 inches wide. According to a most preferred embodiment, the receiving aperture is about ¼ inches in diameter. According to a most preferred embodiment, the receiving aperture is about 1½ inches deep.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the S hook comprises an insertion prong, a striking prong, a center portion and a substantially S shape. It is specifically contemplated that the device of the present invention may be comprised from a wide variety of materials including wood, plastic, metal, composite material, fiberglass, masonry and ceramic. According to a most preferred embodiment of the present invention, the device comprises plastic. According to another preferred embodiment, the device comprises wood. According to another preferred embodiment, the device comprises metal.

Further still, according to another embodiment of the present invention, the device is further comprising at least one mounting aperture, the mounting aperture extending completely through the body from the front face to the back face, the mounting aperture capable of accepting therethrough an anchor device. According to one embodiment of this invention, the mounting aperture is threaded.

Still yet another embodiment of the present invention provides a method of fastening a securing member to an object using the provided device comprising the following steps: (a) inserting the insertion prong of the S hook into the receiving aperture, thereby allowing the center portion of the S hook to lay substantially flat on the top of the stabilizing block; (b) striking the striking prong of the S hook with a striking means, causing the striking prong of the S hook to move towards the center portion of the S hook causing the striking prong of the S hook and the center portion of the S hook to substantially meet, the striking prong of the S hook thereby circumscribing an inner area; and (c) inserting an object into the inner area.

According to one embodiment of this invention, the object is a cord. According to one embodiment of this invention, the securing member is an S hook. According to one embodiment of this invention, the object is a bungee cord. According to one embodiment of this invention, the striking means is a hammer. According to an alternative embodiment of this method, the step of inserting an object into the inner area precedes the step of striking the striking prong.

Thus, the present invention provides a device to secure a bungee cord to a S-hook comprising a stabilizing block body, said stabilizing block body having a first end, a second end, a top and a bottom; a receiving aperture, said receiving aperture is proximal to the first end of the stabilizing block and is capable of accepting an S-hook; a slot, said slot is proximal to the first end of the stabilizing block and is in communication with the receiving aperture, wherein the slot extends from the top of the stabilizing block to the bottom of the stabilizing block, and is capable of stabilizing the S hook from lateral rotation; and an S hook, having a insertion prong, a striking prong, a center portion, said S hook having a substantially S shape. According to one embodiment of the invention the stabilizing block is solid. According to another embodiment of the invention the stabilizing block is rigid. According to still another embodiment of the invention the stabilizing block is durable. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention the stabilizing block is made of high-impact plastic. According to another embodiment the stabilizing block is made of wood. According to still another embodiment of the invention the stabilizing block is made of metal. The stabilizing block is also preferably strong enough to support striking by a hammer.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the receiving aperture is sufficient to accept there through an end of an S-hook. According to another embodiment of the invention, the receiving aperture is substantially tubular. According to an embodiment of the invention, the receiving aperture extends from the first end of the stabilizing block toward the second end of the stabilizing block. According to another embodiment of the invention, the receiving aperture extends through the stabilizing block from the first end to the second end of the stabilizing block.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the slot is sufficient to accept there through an end of an S-hook. According to another embodiment of the invention, the slot has a rectangular cross section.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the slot extends from the first end of the stabilizing block toward the second end of the stabilizing block.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the S-hook has a insertion prong, a striking prong, a center portion and is substantially S in shape. According to another embodiment of the invention the S-hook has a polygonal cross section. According to still another embodiment of the invention the S-hook has a oval cross section. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention the S-hook has a circular cross section. According to another preferred embodiment of the invention the cross section has a diameter of 0.1 inches to 1 inch. According to an embodiment of the invention the insertion prong of the S-hook has a length of 0.5 inches to twelve inches. According to another embodiment of the invention the insertion prong of the S-hook has a length of 0.5 inches to two inches. According to an embodiment of the invention the striking prong of the S-hook has a length of 0.5 inches to twelve inches. According to another embodiment of the invention the striking prong of the S-hook has a length of 0.5 inches to two inches. According to an embodiment of the invention the center portion of the S-hook has a length of 0.5 inches to twelve inches. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention the center portion of the S-hook has a length of 0.5 inches to two inches.

According to an embodiment of the invention the mounting aperture extends through the top of the stabilizing block to the bottom of the stabilizing block. According to another embodiment of the invention there are at least one mounting aperture. According to an embodiment of the invention the diameter of the mounting aperture is 0.1 inches to 6 inches. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention the diameter of the mounting aperture is 0.1 inches to 1 inch. According to another embodiment of the invention the mounting aperture is capable of accepting a member there through. According to an embodiment of the invention the mounting aperture is threaded. According to another embodiment of the invention the mounting aperture is capable of accepting a threaded member there through. According to yet another embodiment of the invention the member is a tack, nail, bolt or screw. According to still another embodiment of the invention the threaded member is a screw or bolt.

Referring now to the figures. The device 100 is shown in front view in FIG. 1A and perspective view in FIG. 2. FIG. 3A shows a top view of the device indicating the slot 107 and the receiving aperture 110 positioned in the slot floor 108. FIG. 3B shows a bottom view. FIG. 4 shows a perspective view indicating aperture position within the body. The S-Hook 200 is shown in front view in FIG. 1B. The S hook comprises an insertion prong 201, a striking prong 202, a center portion 203 and overall a substantially S shape. The device is comprising: (a) a stabilizing block body 100, said body having a first end 101, a second end 102, a top side 103, a bottom side 104, a front face 105 and a back face 106; (b) a slot 107 positioned in the top side, forming a channel from the front face to the back face, the slot comprising a slot floor 108 parallel with the top side; and (c) a receiving aperture 110, capable of receiving an end portion of a securing member, the receiving aperture positioned on the slot floor and penetrating into the body, capable of stabilizing the securing member in the vertical plane. As shown in FIG. 2, a perspective view, the device further comprises a left mounting aperture 121 and a right mounting aperture 122, the mounting apertures extending completely through the body from the front face to the back face, the mounting aperture capable of accepting there through an anchor device.

Throughout this application, various publications and patents and patent applications are referenced. The disclosures of these publications in their entireties are hereby incorporated by reference into this application in order to more fully describe the state of the art This invention may be embodied in other forms or carried out in other ways without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present disclosure is therefore to be considered as in all respects illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended Claims, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency are intended to be embraced therein.