Patent US4559677A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4559677A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Stretchable tie-down device
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1984-05-31
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Granted: 1985-12-24
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Expires: 2004-05-31
Abstract
Abstract A stretchable tie-down device includes an elongated resilient stretchable tube, which is thin walled and pliable to collapse and flatten readily when pressed against a surface for gripping it frictionally and snugly. At least one hook member is fixed to the tube at one end thereof by means of a plug, which is disposed within the tube and for fixing it to the tube. The tube has a non-circular cross-sectional configuration throughout its length to provide a substantial surface area for facilitating the gripping of surfaces with the cord device. The hook member includes a flat metal hook having an outer coating of thermoplastic material thereon.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard J. Tracy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 22:31
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16G; F16G11/00; B; B62; B62J; B62J7/00; B62J7/08; F16B; F16B45/00; F16B45/005; F16B45/008; F16B45/015; F16G11/04; F16G11/044; F16G11/048; F16G11/05; F16G11/14; F16G11/143; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T24/00; Y10T24/31; Y10T24/314; Y10T24/45; Y10T24/45225; Y10T24/45984
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
262 words
A stretchable tie-down device, comprising: an elongated resilient stretchable tube composed of thermoplastic material, said tube having first and second ends, said tube being thin walled and pliable to collapse and flatten readily when passed against a surface for gripping it frictionally and snugly; at least one hook member fixed to one of said ends; plug means disposed within said one of said ends for fixing said hook member to said tube, wherein said hook member includes a hood portion having a sleeve portion for receiving the end of said tube, and said plug means is insertable through the forward end of said sleeve portion, wherein said sleeve portion includes a tapered bore converging from front to rear to fix securely the end of the tube therein for tending to prevent it from backing out of said sleeve portion, wherein said plug means includes an elongated plug having an outer cross-sectional configuration extending throughout its axial length in a shape complementarily relative to the cross-sectional configuration of the inside surface of the tube, said sleeve portion being molded and integrally connected to and extending from the rear end portion of said hook portion; said sleeve portion having a pair of front and rear unobstructed openings; said front opening being dimensioned to receive the rear end of said plug means; said rear opening being dimensioned to receive an end portion of the tube; said tube being internally dimensioned to receive the rear end of said plug means to compress said end portion of said tube against the inside surface of said sleeve portion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
262 words
A stretchable tie-down device, comprising: an elongated resilient stretchable tube composed of thermoplastic material, said tube having first and second ends, said tube being thin walled and pliable to collapse and flatten readily when passed against a surface for gripping it frictionally and snugly; at least one hook member fixed to one of said ends; plug means disposed within said one of said ends for fixing said hook member to said tube, wherein said hook member includes a hood portion having a sleeve portion for receiving the end of said tube, and said plug means is insertable through the forward end of said sleeve portion, wherein said sleeve portion includes a tapered bore converging from front to rear to fix securely the end of the tube therein for tending to prevent it from backing out of said sleeve portion, wherein said plug means includes an elongated plug having an outer cross-sectional configuration extending throughout its axial length in a shape complementarily relative to the cross-sectional configuration of the inside surface of the tube, said sleeve portion being molded and integrally connected to and extending from the rear end portion of said hook portion; said sleeve portion having a pair of front and rear unobstructed openings; said front opening being dimensioned to receive the rear end of said plug means; said rear opening being dimensioned to receive an end portion of the tube; said tube being internally dimensioned to receive the rear end of said plug means to compress said end portion of said tube against the inside surface of said sleeve portion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
A stretchable tie-down device according to claim 1, wherein said tube includes means defining a sealed chamber disposed therein for confining fluid therein to enable said cord device to be floatable.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
A stretchable tie-down device according to claim 1, wherein said plug includes a series of tapered shaped portions to provide a stepped surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
A stretchable tie-down device according to claim 3, wherein said plug includes a head portion for remaining outside said sleeve portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
A stretchable tie-down device according to claim 3, wherein said plug is completely insertable within said tube and said sleeve portion to enable said plug and said sleeve portion to be heat welded together.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
A stretchable tie-down device according to claim 1, wherein said tube is hollow throughout its length and has a non-circular cross-sectional configuration throughout its length to provide substantial surface area for facilitating the gripping of surfaces with said device.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
A stretchable tie-down device according to claim 4, wherein said cross-sectional configuration includes a plurality of external lobes.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
A stretchable tie-down device according to claim 7, wherein said plurality of lobes comprises four lobes, each one of said lobes is smoothly rounded.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
A stretchable tie-down device according to claim 6, wherein said configuration is rectangular in shape.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
A stretchable tie-down device according to claim 6, wherein said configuration is triangular in shape.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
A stretchable tie-down device according to claim 6, wherein said configuration is oval in shape.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
72 words
A stretchable tie-down device according to claim 1, wherein at least one hook member is fixed to one of said ends, said hook member includes a flat metal hook, and an outer coating of thermoplastic material, said metal hook being composed of hardened material to reinforce said hook member, said hook having a sleeve at the rear end thereof, said sleeve being covered with said outer coating to form said sleeve portion.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
A stretchable tie-down device according to claim 12, wherein said sleeve includes a body portion and is formed of an integrally connected strip of metal formed into a tubular configuration.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
A stretchable tie-down device according to claim 13, wherein said strip includes a distal end portion welded to said body portion.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
A stretchable tie-down device according to claim 12, wherein said outer coating includes a generally flat flange on the underside thereof for load distributing purposes.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
37 words
A stretchable tie-down device according to claim 12, wherein said cord includes a tube, said tube is thin walled and pliable to collapse and flatten readily when pressed against a surface for gripping it frictionally and snugly.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
A stretchable tie-down device according to claim 16, wherein said tube has a non-circular cross-sectional configuration throughout its length.
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GB339696A
Cited
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Cited
FR758355A
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-12-23 | 1989-06-24 | 1989-12-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-12-23 | 1993-06-24 | 1993-12-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-12-23 | 1997-06-24 | 1997-12-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |