Patents Examined by Ed Swineheart
  • Patent number: 6672237
    Abstract: A device for securing a rope or cable that may be easily mounted to an object or supporting structure. The device includes a base having a socket for receiving a plunger. A coil spring is located at the bottom of the socket and exerts an upward bias against the bottom of the plunger. Both the upper portion of the base and the plunger have circular apertures that may be selectively vertically aligned by depressing the plunger to permit horizontal passage of a rope through the aligned apertures. By releasing the plunger, a shearing force is applied to the rope due to the misalignment of the apertures, thereby frictionally securing the rope or cable within the device. A foot operated mechanism may be employed to assist the user in depressing the plunger. The plunger may also be selectively and/or releasably locked in a depressed position to maintain alignment of the apertures, facilitating insertion of the rope without the need for maintaining a downward force on the plunger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Inventor: Clyde Hillier