Patent Application
20070158505
The present invention relates to retaining devices and more particularly, relates to retaining devices having a first end adapted to be secured to a first object and a second end adapted to hold a second object.
A common device for suspending or holding a first object to another object is a bungee cord. The traditional bungee cord includes a length of resilient, stretchable material (such as rubber) having metal hooks disposed at each end. While generally effective, traditional bungee cords suffer from several disadvantages.
One disadvantage of the traditional bungee cords is that the hook design is often limited by size and is awkward and difficult to secure around many objects. For example, in order to secure a traditional bungee cord to a 2×4 piece of wood, the bungee cord must be wrapped around the 2×4 and the hook placed around the cord. This significantly reduces the overall length of the bungee cord, especially on larger piece of wood. Moreover, the hooks commonly come loose when under tension and can easily cause serious injury.
Another problem associates with traditional bungee cords is that the metal hooks are conductive. This is obviously problematic when used around electrical sources. Additionally, the metal hook is susceptible to corrosion, particularly in marine environments.
Moreover, the design of the hook does not allow it to easily secure small objects such as electrical extension cords, ropes, cables, and the like. While these objects typically fit within the hook, the hook does not prevent the object from moving or sliding relative to the bungee cord. This is particularly problematic when used to secure an electrical extension cord above a water source.
According, there exists a need for a retaining device that overcomes the disadvantages of the known bungee cord devices. The device should preferably include two ends that are easily secured around a wide variety of objects. Additionally, the device should preferably not be conductive or corrosive. Finally, the device should preferably prevent small objects from moving or sliding while being suspended.
It is important to note that the present invention is not intended to be limited to a system or method which must satisfy one or more of any stated objects or features of the invention. It is also important to note that the present invention is not limited to the preferred, exemplary, or primary embodiment(s) described herein. Modifications and substitutions by one of ordinary skill in the art are considered to be within the scope of the present invention, which is not to be limited except by the following claims.
According to one embodiment, the present invention features a retaining device including a body made from an elastomeric material and a first and a second holder disposed proximate a first and a second end of the body, respectively. The first holder includes a first means for securing the first holder to a first object and the second holder includes a second means for securing the second holder to a second object.
The first means for securing the first holder to a first object preferably includes a first base adapted to be secured to the first end of the body, a flexible strap extending outwardly from the first base, and means for securing the flexible strap to the first base. The means for securing the flexible strap to the first base preferably include a plurality of apertures sized and shaped to fit at least partially around at least one protrusion.
The second means for securing preferably includes a second base adapted to be secured to the second end of the body. At least one arm extends outwardly from the second base and towards the second end of the body. At least one cavity is disposed between the at least one arm and the second base. The cavity is sized and shaped to accept the second object.
According to one embodiment, the second holder features at least two arms. The two arms are disposed substantially parallel to each other and define a first and a second cavity, respectively, or at an angle less than 180 degrees with respect to each other and define a first and a second cavity, respectively.
Alternatively, the second holder features a single arm. In the preferred embodiment, the second holder includes at least one strap extending outwardly from a distal end of the arm and means for securing the strap to the second base. In another embodiment, the second holder includes a biasing region. The biasing region biases at least a portion of the arm proximate the second base.
The retaining device optionally includes means for adjusting the separation between the first and the second holder. The means includes a cavity disposed through the second base sized and shaped to accept the body and means for locking the position of second holder relative to the body (for example a clamp or the like).
These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood by reading the following detailed description, taken together with the drawings wherein:
According to one embodiment, the present invention features a retaining device 10,
The body 12 of the retaining device 10 is made from a flexible material. In the preferred embodiment, the body 12 includes an elastomeric material such as, but not limited to, rubber, polyurethane, or multi-strand elastomeric materials. The length and thickness of the body 12 will depend on the intended application and is within the knowledge of one of ordinary skill in the art. The body 12 may optionally be color-coded for various applications to aid the identification of the second object 6.
The first holder 14 includes any device known to those skilled in the art for securing the retaining device to the wood stud 5. In the preferred embodiment, the first holder 14 includes a base 21 molded, mounted, bonded, fastened, or otherwise secured to the first end 11 of the body 12. Extending outwardly from the base 21 is a flexible strap or tongue 18. The strap 18 and the base 21 include locking devices 32 for securing the strap 18 to the base 21. The locking devices 32 include any device known to those skilled in the art such as hook and loop fasteners, buttons, snaps, clamps, magnets, and the like. In the preferred embodiment, the locking devices 32 allow the length of the strap 18 to be adjusted to fit snuggly over a wide variety of objects 5.
For example, the locking devices 32 may include a plurality of apertures 20 disposed along the strap 18. The apertures 20 are sized and shaped to fit around one or more protrusions 22 extending outwardly from the base 21. In use, the strap 18 is wrapped around at least a portion of the first object 5. Once the desired fit is achieved, one or more of the apertures 20 is placed over at least one of the protrusions 22. The apertures 20 preferably stretch slightly such that they fit snuggly over the protrusions 22. The protrusions 22 preferably have a mushroom-like shape as is well known to those skilled in the art. Of course, the arrangement of the apertures 20 and the protrusions 22 could be switched. Other possible locking devices 32 are also possible and are considered within the scope of the present invention unless otherwise specifically limited.
As discussed above, the first holder 14 may include any device known to those skilled in the art for securing the retaining device to the first object 5. For example, the first holder 14,
The second holder 16,
Between the arms 28 and the base 26 of the second holder 16 is a first and a second channel, slot, or cavity 30. The channels 30 define a pathway through the second holder 16 sized and shaped to accept the second object 6 and hold is snuggly. According to one embodiment, the arms 28,
Referring specifically to
According to another embodiment, the second holder 16,
In a further embodiment, the second holder 16,
The arm 28 of the second holder 16 may also include a notched region 85. The notched region 85 is sized and shaped to frictionally accept a cord 6 or the like. In the preferred embodiment, the notched region 85 is slightly flexible such that the edges 87 of the notched region 85 may be slightly displaced. Multiple notches may be provided in one or more arms 28.
The length of the strap 36 may be adjusted such that the size and shape of the retaining area 38 fits a wide variety of objects 6. The locking devices 40 is preferably similar to the locking device 32 described above, and preferably includes a plurality of apertures 42 sized and shaped to fit over at least a portion of a protrusion 44.
According to a further embodiment, the second holder 16,
According to yet a further embodiment, the length of the retaining device 10,
Other locking mechanisms 52 such as slip locks, pressure fittings, and the like are also envisioned. Additionally, those skilled in the art will recognize that the first holder 14 may optionally include the above structure such that the length of the retaining device 10 may also be adjusted on either end 11, 13 of the body 12.
Accordingly, the retaining device of the present invention overcomes the disadvantages of the known bungee cord devices. The retaining device is easily secured around a wide variety of objects and is particularly suited for supporting small diameter objects. Additionally, the retaining device prevents small objects from moving or sliding while being suspended and is non-corrosive and non-conducting.
As mentioned above, the present invention is not intended to be limited to a system or method which must satisfy one or more of any stated or implied object or feature of the invention and should not be limited to the preferred, exemplary, or primary embodiment(s) described herein. The foregoing description of a preferred embodiment of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiment was chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as is suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the claims when interpreted in accordance with breadth to which they are fairly, legally and equitably entitled.
