AU2241492A - Multi-purpose fastener - Google Patents

Description

TITLE: MULTI-PURPOSE FASTENER

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a fastening device. More particularly the invention relates to a fastening device adapted to facilitate the joining of two or more ropes, cables or filaments such as nylon fishing line. It is convenient to hereinafter use the term "line" to refer to any form of elongated flexible member such as a rope, hawser, cable, wire, cord, string, twine, filament, fishing line or the like.

The traditional method of joining two lines to one another has been to tie them using one or more knots. A variety of knots has been developed for particular applications. However, knots require a degree of knowledge and dexterity for best performance and can be difficult to secure and/or to untie particularly when heavy loads are applied or when using synthetic materials particularly mono- filament line.

One particular proposal which has been made to address such problems is disclosed in Australian Patent Application AU-B-43658/79 (DAIWA SEIKO). In the DAIWA SEIKO proposal a fishing line tying device is provided which comprises a shank for winding the fishing line therearound, a protrusion found in an intermediate portic** of the shank and a rewind preventing means found at one end of the shank. The rewind preventing means forms a resilient open loop with the shank. However, one of the drawbacks of this arrangement is that the rewind preventing means requires close manufacturing tolerances for the end portion to operate as a resilient catch with the shank. In addition because the protrusion and rewind preventing means are adapted for one specific application the device provided by the DAIWA SEIKO proposal is restricted to that one particular application.

Another proposal is disclosed in Australian Patent Application AU-A-42986/78 (WOOD) . In the WOOD proposal a clip for a fishing line is provided including an aperture having a neck or restricted passageway. Means are also provided to permit the attachment or engagement of the clip to a fishing line.

The WOOD arrangement is suitable for example for attaching a second line to a fishing line. However, this arrangement is also not suitable for multipurpose application. For example the WOOD proposal is not suitable for the longitudinal joining of a pair of fishing lines.

A need therefore exists for a multi- purpose fastener capable of use in a variety of applications. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention accordingly provides, in one embodiment, a multi-purpose fastener comprising at least three eyelets and at least two shanks, wherein the eyelets are spaced apart from one another and a separate one of the shanks extends between each adjacent pair of eyelets.

Each of the eyelets may be in the form of an open loop. In such an arrangement, the eyelet is formed by the material of the fastener being crossed over itself to form the loop. At the cross-over point the respective end of the loop so formed may be in abutment or spaced apart. This latter arrangement facilitates mounting the fastener intermediate the ends of a line so that the line passes through the eyelet without the need for threading either end of the line through the loop. Substantially circular loops are preferred for forming an eyelet according to the invention. Eyelets of other shapes including oval, key-hole shaped and irregular shapes are also envisaged within the scope of the present invention. In one arrangement according to the invention at least one of the eyelets is in the form of a substantially non- circular loop. It is preferred in this arrangement that at least one of the eyelets includes at least one substantially straight segment. The eyelets of a fastener according to the present invention need not be of uniform size or shape. Fasteners with an enlarged central eyelet, fasteners with a non- circular central eyelet and a pair of circular end eyelets, and other arrangements are all envisaged within the scope of the present invention.

The shanks of a fastener according to the present invention may be substantially straight however curved and other shaped shanks are also envisaged within the scope of the present invention.

The shanks may be substantially in line with one another. In this arrangement the eyelets may also be substantially in line with one another. This arrangement has been found particularly useful when the fastener is used to join a pair of lines or attach an additional line.

In another preferred arrangement according to the present invention the shanks are arranged at an angle to one another. With substantially straight shanks such an angled configuration gives rise to a V-shaped formation. Such a formation may be particularly useful for tying down loads on lorries and trailers and for lifting heavy objects.

The fastener provided by the present invention may be conveniently formed from metal rod or wire. The particular material used to form a fastener according to the invention is dependant upon the intended size and strength required. Materials having a circular cross section are particularly preferred but oval, rectangular and other profiles are also envisaged within the scope of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be further described in relation to the drawings. In the drawings: FIGURE 1 is a side view of a multi-purpose fastener according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a plan view of the multi-purpose fastener Of FIGURE 1; FIGURE 3 is a side view illustrating the use of the fastener of FIGURE 1 for the purpose of attaching a hook or sinker to a line; FIGURE 4 is a side view illustrating the securement of a multi-purpose fastener according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention, to a line;

FIGURE 5 is a side view of yet another embodiment of a multi-purpose fastener according to the present invention;

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view illustrating the use of the fastener of FIGURE 5 for the purpose of securing a load;

FIGURE 7 is a perspective view illustrating the use of a pair of fasteners according to FIGURE 5 for the purpose of load lifting and/or securing;

FIGURE 8 is a side view of yet another embodiment of a multi-purpose fastener according to the present invention; and FIGURE 9 is a side view of a still further embodiment of a multi-purpose fastener according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The preferred fastener 1 shown in Fig. 1 comprises three eyelets 2, 3, 4 and two shanks 5, 6. The shank 5 extends between adjacent pair of eyelets 2, 3 and shank 6 extends between adjacent pair of eyelets 3, 4. As best seen from a consideration of Figures 1 and 2, the loops forming eyelets 2, 3, 4 are open loops formed by the material of the fastener being crossed over itself to form the loop. At the cross-over points, 7, 8 and 9 the respective ends are in abutment in the case of loop 3 but are spaced apart in the case of loops 2 and 4.

Even in the case of eyelet 3, it would be possible to mount the fastener so that a line projects through eyelet 3 without threading either end of the line through eyelet 3. This can be achieved since although the ends of the loop are in abutment at cross-over point 8, they are not fastened to one another so that a line can be readily forced there between with a minimal amount of pressure.

In this embodiment the fastener 1 may be conveniently formed from wire and the fastener may be of relatively small size so as to be suitable for use with fishing tackle. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the actual size of fastener according to the invention may vary considerably even for a specific application such as fishing tackle. For this application fastener 1 would generally be not more than 10mm in overall length and most preferably between 3 and 5mm in overall length. In the arrangement shown in Figure 1 shanks 5 and 6 are substantially in line with one another and eyelets 2, 3 and

4 are also substantially in line with one another. This arrangement facilitates the mounting of the fastener longitudinally with respect to a line as shown in Figures 3 and 4.

In the arrangement shown in Figure 3 a line 10 is mounted on fastener 1 so as to form a line loop 11 which may be used for example for attachment of hoops, traces, sinkers, etc. to line 10 when fastener 1 is used with fishing tackle.

In the fishing tackle application, fastener 1 may be slid longitudinally along line 10 depending upon the number of twists of line 10 about shanks 5 and 6. This can be advantageous in certain applications. However, where the precise location of fastener 1 along line 10 becomes important, an alternative fastening arrangement as shown in Figure 4 may be employed.

In the alternative embodiment shown in Figure 5, shanks

5 and 6 are arranged in an angled configuration with respect to one another. In this arrangement a V-shaped configuration is formed which arrangement may be particularly suitable for tying down loads on lorries, trailers and the like and for the lifting of heavy objects. Figures 6 and 7 show two applications of fasteners 1 of the type shown in Figure 5.

In the arrangement shown in Figure 6, line 10 is fastened about eyelet 3 such as with a clove hitch. The line 10 then passes over rail 12 which may be for example the tie down rail of a trailer or lorry. From rail 12, line 10 passes through eyelet 2, then through eyelet 4 and again over rail 12 before being looped over itself in the portion which extends directly betv n eyelets 2 and 4. By pulling the free end of line 10 in the direction indicated by the arrow, a mechanical advantage will apply so that if the other end of line 10 is passed over a load, a much tighter securing of the load can be achieved. It is to be noted that in this embodiment the free ends of 13 and 14 of the loops forming eyelets 2 and 4 respectively extend on the same side of fastener 1 so as to avoid damage to a load when the fastener lies against a load during use. The respective free ends 13, 14 can be arranged on either side of fastener 1 as shown in Figure 2 and such an arrangement may be preferred in some applications.

Figure 7 shows the use of a pair of fasteners la and lb according to the present invention. In this arrangement fastener la is again attached to line 10 via eyelet 3a and by linking line 10 in the manner indicated via eyelets 4b, 2a, 4a and 2b a mechanical advantage can be achieved so that fasteners la and lb together can serve as a form of "block and tackle" for lifting weight w carried by eyelet 3b.

The example applications shown in figures 6 and 7 illustrate the versatility of the fastener of the present invention in that a plurality of fasteners may be used for tying down a load on a lorry or the like and if it is necessary to lift a weight which is beyond the capacity of the driver by simply removing two of the fasteners and rigging an arrangement as shown in Figure 7 the weight can be easily lifted by the driver.

Figures 8 and 9 illustrate alternative embodiments of fastener 1 in which a central eyelet 3 is non circular. In the embodiment shown in Figure 8, eyelet 3 is keyhole shaped and in the embodiment shown in Figure 9, eyelet 3 includes an enlarged central eyelet 3 having one substantially straight segment 15. Shanks 5 and 6 are slightly curved in the embodiment shown in Figure 9.

When the embodiments shown in Figures 5, 8 or 9 are used for securing a load in the manner illustrated in Figures 6 or 7 the non-circular eyelet 3 facilitates the secure connection of line 10 to the fastener 1. The embodiments shown in Figures 5, 8 and 9 are typically formed i ,om mete.;, rod and when used in the manner illustrated in Figures 6 or 7 the forces applied to eyelets 2 and 4 will tend to force the eyelets toward one another. However, the natural tendency of the fastener 1 will be to resist such pressures and to revert to the untensioned configuration. In this way in applications such as that shown in Figure 6 the fastener also serves as a tensioning device to keep line 10 under tension as it passes over a load even if there is minor slippage or stretching of the line during transportation.

The amount of deformation of fastener 1, gives a visual indication of the tension applied to line 10. A scale may be provided to more accurately record such tensioning. In the example shown in Figure 5 the scale comprises a series of markings 16 which provide a visual indication since the cross-over point moves as the tension is applied/released from eyelets 2, 4.

The fastener provided by the present invention may be used for a variety of purposes. These include for example attachment of fishing hooks or traces to a fishing line, securing a load on a trailer or lorry, lifting a heavy weight and joining a pair of lines without knots.

To join a pair of lines using a fastener according to the present invention the respective ends of the lines are overlapped by a distance preferably in excess of the length of the fastener. The overlapping lines are held together with the central eyelet and then wrapped around shank 5 and passed through opening 7 so as to pass through eyelet 2. The doubled lines may be wrapped around eyelet 3 or may pass through eyelet 3 although this is not essential. The lines may then be wrapped around shank 6 and passed through opening 9 into eyelet 4.

The number of turns of overlapped line around shanks 5 and 6 can be varied depending on the tendency of the particular line material to slip and disengage.

This method of joining a pair of lines without using knots can be advantageously applied to fishing line, electrical wires, ropes and other lines envisaged within the scope of the present invention.

Claims (10)

1. A multi-purpose fastener comprising at least three eyelets and at least two shanks wherein said eyelets are spaced apart from one another and a separate one of said shanks extends between each adjacent pair of said eyelets.

2. A multi-purpose fastener according to Claim 1 wherein each of said eyelets is in the form of an open loop.

3. A multi-purpose fastener according to Claim 2 wherein said eyelets and said shanks are formed from a single piece of rod or wire.

4. A multi-purpose fastener according to Claim 3 wherein said shanks are arranged substantially in line with one another.

5. A multi-purpose f stener according to Claim 3 wherein said shanks are arranged in an angled relationship to one another.

6. A multi-purpose fastener according to Claim 3 wherein at least two of said eyelets are each in the form of a substantially circular open loop.

7. A multi-purpose fastener according to Claim 6 wherein a scale is applied at the cross-over point of the central loop whereby to give a visual indication of the tension applied to said fastener.

8. A multi-purpose fastener according to Claim 6 wherein at least one of said eyelets is in the form of a substantially non-circular loop.

9. A multi-purpose fastener according to Claim 8 wherein at least one of said eyelets includes at least one substantially straight segment.

10. A multi-purpose fastener according to Claim 9 wherein at least one of said eyelets is in the form of a substantially key-hole shaped loop.