Patent Application
20050050695
The present invention relates to an improved hook for a bungee cord. Specifically, the improved hook for a bungee cord provides for easy anchoring or attachment of the hook.
Bungee cords typically comprise a stretchable cord and a hook fastened at either end. Bungee cords are used to secure a variety of items. Typically, one of the hooks is fastened to a secure object, or anchor point, and the stretchable cord is then secured over or around the object to be secured. The other hook then connects to a secure object, or anchor point, to maintain the cord in a taut position across or around the object to be secured.
Typical bungee cord hooks include a base portion and a curved hook portion. An object, or anchor point, is secured between the base portion and the curved hook portion. If the object to which the bungee cord hook is to be secured is relatively large, a user may have difficulty in getting the object between the base portion and curved hook portion. In addition, bungee cords need to be resilient to a variety of environmental conditions and easily identifiable so that a user uses the correct length of cord.
The present invention relates to an improved bungee cord hook for a bungee cord that allows for easy anchoring or attachment of the hook to an object. In some embodiments the improved bungee hook provides an environmentally protective coating, a bumper that prevents damage of the anchoring object, or an indicator plate that provides information about the cord to which the hook is attached.
In the accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, embodiments of the invention are illustrated, which, together with a general description of the invention given above, and the detailed description given below serve to illustrate the principles of this invention.
The present invention is directed to an improved bungee cord hook, generally referenced as 10, that includes a reversed hook orientation, a protective outer coating, an angled base, a protective bumper and a size indication plate. While the preferred embodiment includes each of these features, as discussed below, one skilled in the art should recognize that such features may be used individually or in subcombinations to provide an improved bungee hook. As such, embodiments including the individual features and subcombinations of these features are contemplated by this invention and are covered within the scope of this application.
As shown is
The base portion 20 may include a protective bumper 70 that is located along a portion of the circumferential surface 53 that aligns with the first end 54 of the top end 50. The protective bumper 70 aligns with the hook portion 30 and may wrap partially around the circumferential surface 53. As such, when the hook portion 30 is secured to an object and the base portion 20 contacts the object, the contact will occur along the protective bumper 70. By wrapping the protective bumper 70 about a portion of the circumferential surface 53, the protective bumper 70 will contact the object when the bungee hook 10 twists onto its side. The protective bumper 70 may be any material that will not generally scratch or otherwise damage an object it contacts, such as, for example rubber, soft plastic, or other elastomeric composition. Additionally, the protective bumper 70 may include a set of grooves 75 that act as a gripping surface. The protective bumper 70 can be secured to the base portion 20 by any conventional means.
The bungee cord hook 10 generally is made from a rigid metal inner portion and a protective plastic coating applied on top of the metal portion. Typically bungee cord hooks are metal and may, or may not, include a thin elastomeric coating. Such coating is susceptible to tearing or cracking and does not provide protection for the metal portion against all of the environmental elements that a bungee cord is faced with. The protective plastic coating applied to the present invention is a think hardened overmolded plastic that is less susceptible to tearing, cracking or exposure of the metal portion contained therein.
The base of the bungee cord hook 20 further may include an indicator plate 80, preferably located opposite from the hook portion 30. The indicator plate 80 is preferably recessed from the circumferential surface 53. In some embodiments the indication plate 80 includes a protective clear plastic covering. The indicator plate 80 generally provides information about the bungee cord 10, such as, for example, the length of the cord.
The invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiment. Clearly, modifications and alterations will occur to others upon a reading and understanding of this specification. It is intended to include all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.
This application claims the benefit under 35 USC §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent 60/481,334 filed Sep. 4, 2003, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60481334 | Sep 2003 | US |
