GB2158115A - Cord attachment - Google Patents

Abstract

A device for altering the length and tension of a line comprises a generally oblong base part (2) and a separate ring (3). The ring is positioned on one face of the base part (2) and located between two raised end stops (6) thereon. A pair of elongate apertures (8) are formed through the base part (2) and intersect respective channels (10) formed in the underside of the base part (2) and provided with indentations (5) in the bottom walls thereof. Two bights (9) of a line (11) or respective lines pass through the apertures (8) and engage around portions of the ring (3) which is thereby held against the base part (2). Portions of the line(s) (11) is/are trapped in the channels (10) and the indentations (5) therein when the line(s) is/are under tension. A quick release is achieved by lifting one end of the base part (2) and at the same time pushing downwardly on the other end thereof. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improved cordage tensioner This invention relates to an improved means of altering the length and tension of Cordage (including synthetic ropes and woven webbing straps).

It is known that many buckles exist which tension belts of all types; however those known buckles for use with ropes require improvement.

The buckles (or Toggles) for tensioning tent guyropes have two apertures but very mediocre tensioning ability. Other known rope buckles provide two (or more) close set apertures of similar size to the diameter of the rope drilled so squarely through the buckle that the cordage cannot easily run (or be adjusted).

The object of this invention is to provide a strong, easily manufactured Buckle 1 for use with ropes which permits it to run very easily through it (even when tensioned under load) and which is readily adjustable and self-locks as the hauling part is released. It is also intended that the new buckle shall be instantly releasable (even when heavily loaded).

My new buckle is principally designed to provide an improved, powerful tensioner for use in the adjustment of lines of tents, tarpaulins, sails and the like and all similar gear requiring a taut set-up with instant release (such as the Outhauls and Downhauls of sailboats and Windsurfers).

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a simple general purpose Purchase Tackle haivng a 4:1 advantage (or more) without using the traditional, expensive stainless steel shackles, sheaves, blocks or cleats normally associated with such tackles.

According to this invention a symmetrical Double Buckle 1 is provided according to Figure 1 (a).

It comprises an oblong Base 2 and a separate Ring 3 (both of which may be of metal or plastics material); alternatively, the Ring 3 may be replaced by a rectangular portion with rollers (or sleeves) around either end in order to accommodate straps. Ring 3 (captive on two Bights 9 of Belt 11) rests upon the upper surface of Base 2 retained there between two raised, shaped Stops 6 each of which has a curved inner face with a central Cutout to fit Ring 3 and allow the passage of rope Bights 9 (which use the Ring to provide each with a crosspiece as seen in Figures 1 (a) and (b).

Under each end of Ring 3 adjacent to Stops 6 are provided two elongated Apertures 8 (which may be shaped as keyholes) which on the upper surface form part of the Cut-outs 8 in the two Stops 6. On the underside, the oval ends of Base 2 are undercut beneath Stops 6 to form open ended Channels 10 which run into the elongated Apertures 8 (Please refer to Figure 1(b)); the width of Channels 10 should approximate to the diameter of Cordage Belt 11 and may be as deep as desired; both Channels 10 are radiused at 12 (beneath Stops 6) to permit cordage to run with little friction; in some applications these radii may differ to give one (anchoring) buckle more friction than the other (tensioning) buckle; for the same reason, the Indentations 5 may only be provided in one Channel 10 (but preferably in both).

Other circular Apertures 7 may be provided in Base 2 (within Ring 3 viewed from above) for the attachment of other cordage (using a Bight or heatformed Stopper) and raised serrations may be provided between these Apertures 7 to increase the friction of the Bight.

The Belt Ends 13 and 14 rove in Bights 8 over opposite sides of Ring 3 which (when made of stainless steel) provides a very strong anchorage (being held in shear).

Figure 2 shows the new Double Buckle stationed at any suitable point upon its Belt 11 (one end of which has been passed through the Clew 15 of a Dinghy Mainsail on its Boom whilst a bight of the Belt 11 has been tied (with any suitable hitch 17) to the eye of a Boom End Fitting 16.

In operation, this simple cordage belt Outhaul provides a 2:1 advantage if Belt End 13 is hauled, but the same arrangement provides a 4:1 purchase when Belt End 14 is pulled; this alternative permits the user to station the Double Buckle correctly (on its Belt) at all times. The Radii 12 in Channels 10 allow the cordage to run with so little friction that it seems to be sheaved and when either Belt End is released it is automatically locked as the hauling part of the rope if pressed hard upwards (in the undercut Channel 10) and trapped by being forced into the Indentations 5 (when provided) or by friction exerted upon it by the lower line in such a confined Channel.The instant trip-release is effected (even under heavy loading) by lifting one end of the Buckle 2 with two fore-fingers (one on either side of the rope) and, at the same time pushing the other end of it (downwards) with the thumb.

Yet more purchase may be gained by reeving a separate line (or pennant) with a "hard cordage eye" or even a metal ring at one end through Clew 15 of a mainsail and then making fast the other end to a Boom End Fitting 16. The Buckle 2 and Belt 11 is rigged (as before) with a suitable hitch to the same Boom End Fitting; however, on this occasion (instead of reeving Belt End 13 through Clew 15) the Belt is rove through the Hard Cordage Eye (or Ring) of the pennant (already in Clew 15) and buckled back. When Belt End 14 is hauled a powerful 8:1 advantage is obtained.

It is also possible to attach Buckle 2 to a brass thimble set in re-inforced canvas or the like; this arrangement is convenient when rigging Swimming Pool Covers, or Canvas Dodgers, Marquees and similar heavy materials. In Figure 3 a small Brass Thimble 18 is set near Clew 15 of a Mainsail.

Belt End 13 of Buckle 2 is heat formed into a stopper 19 and its other End 14 is rove through Thimble 18 in a direction away from the user then passed back through Clew 15 (towards the user) and rove through Buckle 2 (as in Section AA' Figure 1 (b). A Belt 11 is then formed by buckling the cordage into an anchored Sail-Ring 20 (or around any convenient fitting). A 2:1 purchase is provided as Belt End 14 is hauled (the direction of which can be reversed by passing Belt End 14 through the anchored Ring once again with the advantage that the purchase is increased).

Buckle 2 is most versatile. It may be anchored by a line in one of its two buckles to accept and control another (separate) incoming line in the other.

Alternatively, if anchored (as in Figure 2) by a hitched Belt 11 (to any convenient anchorage) Buckle 2 can apply 4:1 purchase directly upon any (ringed) control line enabling the operator to exert the most sensitive control upon that line; he can veer and haul without having to belay; he can instantly trip, slip or lock the line as required.These abilities indicate that Buckle 2 will be extensively used by Dinghies and Windsurfers as Control Line Cleats; both currently use a type of cleat having an open, V-shaped channel with sloping internal ridges meeting near the base of the Vee; it is hard to release loaded cordage from such a cleat and it also requires the use of hard, bulky cordage (of a strength far in excess of that required) to enable the cleat to obtain an adequate grip, but such hard, oversize rope forces apart these flimsy plastic (Windsurfer's) cleats causing them to split and fail; when more suitable, soft, small diameter ropes are used with such cleats they alter shape and slip when wet; however, the new Buckle 2 can use these light, softer lines most successfully and they cannot slip when wet.

Also a Buckle 2 with Ring 3 is able to accept and secure the bights of light lines such as those of Signal or Flag Halyards; if required more than two Channels 10 could be provided for such a purpose.

Instead of using a single Belt 11 a line can be rove upwards through one Aperture 7 over the raised serrations and formed into a Bight by reev ing it downthrough the other Aperture 7. Each end of the Bight can now be used to form separate Belts (one for each end of Buckle 2); one can then be used to anchor Buckle 2 to some convenient fit ting (a pulpit say) whilst the other can secure an object (such as a life-belt perhaps) to it so as to give a quick release when required; awkward shaped items can be secured with multiple turns before finally buckling back.

Buckle 2 may be used as a fashion belt with sail ing coats and Denims; modern synthetic cordage is most colourful and new tool now permits them to be finished attractively with hard, frayproof sealed stoppers; both bases and central Rings of Buckles 2 can be injection moulded in matching (or contrasting) colours to suit the cordage and the sailing gear with which they are to be worn.

It is more suitable to use Braided Cordage with these new Buckles (it being more supple and smooth) however, even Laid Cordage is quite satis factory; of course webbing and straps require a special buckle with a rectangular portion instead of the Ring 3 whilst the shape of the Channels 10 would also require to be rectangular recesses, in stead of being round or U-shaped.

Claims (11)

1. A device for tensioning cordage, straps or the like, comprising a body part and a line anchoring member for positioning against one face of the body part, the member having opposed, spaced apart portions around which two bights of cordage, or of a strap or respecitive straps, can be passed, wherein the body part is formed with apertures so as to allow two such bights to pass therethrough and engage around said portions of the member, respectively, to retain it against the body part when the cordage or strap(s) is/are under tension, wherein a face of said body part opposite said one face thereof is formed with channels leading from said apertures in the body part for receiving portions of said bights respectively, wherein the body part has a pair of end stops upstanding from said one face thereof, the stops being spaced and shaped so as to locate said endless member therebetween, and wherein the opposed faces of the end stops are formed with recesses therein to receive a part of a respective bight of cordage or of a strap when engaging around said endless member as aforesaid.

2. A device as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the intersection between each channel and the respective aperture is radiused.

3. A device as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the radii of said intersections differ from one another.

4. A device as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein the base of at least one of said channels is formed with a series of indentations.

5. A device as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein the body part is a generally oblong strip.

6. A device as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein said member is a ring.

7. A device as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 5, wherein said member is an endless rectangular member.

8. A device as claimed in Claim 7, wherein the rotary member is provided on each of a pair of opposed parts of the rectangular member to accommodate straps.

9. A device as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein said body part is formed with a further pair of spaced apertures through which a line can be reeved.

10. A device as claimed in Claim 9, wherein serrations are formed on the body part between said further pair of apertures so as to grip a line reeved through said further pair of apertures.

11. A device for tensioning cordage, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.