Adjustable Loop Device

Abstract

An adjustable loop device comprises a line arrangement having a first loop 22 formed between a first end 18 of the line arrangement and a moveable first coupling point at which the first end 18 is sli

Description

The present invention relates to an adjustable loop device for attachment to an object and to a method of using the device. Various types of knots, such as hitches and nooses, can be used to attach a flexible line, such as a rope, to an object. These knots can vary greatly in construction and complexity, but will typically include some form of loop which is tied around the object. In some cases, the loop may be adjustable in size, with the loop often being self-tightening to ensure that a tight grip on the object is maintained. In order to use a knot successfully, one must know what sort of knot works well for a particular situation and remember how to tie that knot. The process of successfully tying an adjustable loop knot around an object can be difficult, if not impossible, for those who lack sufficient experience and dexterity. It is therefore desired to provide improvements relating to adjustable loops for attachment to objects. Thus, according to an aspect of the present invention there is provided an adjustable loop device for attachment to an object, the device comprising a line arrangement having a first loop formed between a first end of the line arrangement and a moveable first coupling point at which the first end is slidably coupled back on to the line arrangement, the line arrangement further having a second loop formed between a second end of the line arrangement and a second coupling point at which the second end is coupled back on to the first loop of the line arrangement, wherein the size of the first loop is adjustable by sliding the first end along the line arrangement so as to move the location of the first coupling point. According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of using a device as described herein in any aspect or embodiment, the method comprising placing the first loop around an object, decreasing the size of the first loop so as to secure the device to the object, wherein decreasing the size of the first loop comprises sliding the first end along the line arrangement so as to move the location of the first coupling point, and applying a force to the second loop so as to transfer a force to the object. As will be appreciated, the present invention provides a pre-tied adjustable loop device which is suitable in many situations and which is extremely simple to use. In particular, the first loop can be placed around an object and then reduced in size so as to secure the first loop tightly around the object. This can be achieved simply by sliding the first end along the line arrangement, i.e. such that the first coupling point is moved to be closer to the first end longitudinally along the length of the line arrangement. The construction of the device is also such that the first loop will tend not to increase in size upon application of a force to the second loop. The second loop can therefore be used to transfer a (e.g. pulling or lifting) force to the object without relaxing the grip of the first loop on the object. Furthermore, the second loop has two sides through which to transfer force to the first loop, thereby balancing the distribution of force and increasing the robustness of the device. The construction of the device is also such that the first loop will tend not to decrease in size upon application of a force to the second loop, thereby preventing overtightening and potential damage to the object. The first loop can, however, later be deliberately increased in size so as to release the object. This can be achieved simply by sliding the first end along the line arrangement in the opposite direction, i.e. such that the first coupling point is moved to be further from the first end longitudinally along the length of the line arrangement. In embodiments, the device can be used for any desired and suitable situation in which a force needs to be applied to an object, such as when pulling, lifting, carrying, suspending, tethering, etc., the object. One example situation is pulling a tight-fitting and / or awkward object out of engagement with another object. For example, the device could be used to pull a tight-fitting, awkwardly shaped, and awkwardly placed component (such as a bolt) out of a vehicle. The device could even be used as a tourniquet. However, it will be appreciated that the device has a large number of potential applications and is not limited to use in any particular situation. In embodiments, the line arrangement may comprise a double-line arrangement. Thus, the line arrangement may comprise a first line section and a second line section running substantially alongside one another. The first line section and second line section may form part of the same line which is folded back on itself. The first end may be formed at the point where the line is folded back on itself (or where terminal ends of the line are joined together, e.g. with a knot). The moveable first coupling point may be a point at which the line arrangement passes back through itself, e.g. between the first line section and second line section (or where the terminal ends are joined together). The second end may be formed where terminal ends of the line are joined together, e.g. with a knot (or where the line is folded back on itself). The second coupling point may be a point where the line arrangement passes through itself, e.g. where the terminal ends are joined together (or between the first line section and second line section). The second end (e.g. knot) (or first end) may be covered, for example with heat shrink tubing, to increase resistance to sliding and / or to help to prevent the knot becoming untied. In embodiments, the line arrangement may be any desired and suitable length (i.e. when measured from the first end to the second end longitudinally along the line arrangement and / or when the line is folded back on itself). For example, the length of the line arrangement may be at least 25cm, at least 50cm, or at least 100cm. The line arrangement may be constructed of any desired and suitable (flexible and / or single) line, such as string, rope, webbing strap, cord, cable or wire. The length of the line (i.e. when not folded back on itself) may be at least 50cm, at least 100cm, or at least 200cm. The line arrangement may also be constructed of any desired and suitable material, such as plastic or metallic material. For example, the line arrangement may be constructed of polyethylene, for example ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMwPE) fibre, such as Dyneema ® fibre. In embodiments, the device may comprise a stopper slidably coupled to the second loop of the line arrangement. The stopper may comprise a hole through which the line arrangement passes. There may be a friction fit and / or interference fit between the stopper and the line arrangement, e.g. which substantially resists inadvertent sliding, but allows deliberate sliding, of the stopper along the line arrangement. In use (e.g. once the first loop is secured around the object), the stopper may be slid so as to be adjacent to (e.g. in contact with) the first end. The stopper may be appropriately sized to substantially prevent the first end passing over the stopper in use, i.e. once the first loop is secured around the object and the stopper is adjacent to the first end. The stopper may then resist the first end being moved along the string arrangement, i.e. may substantially resist movement of the first end and thus substantially resist longitudinal movement of the first coupling point further away from the first end, thereby resisting an unwanted increase in the size of the first loop. The stopper may be formed of any desired and suitable material, such as plastic, metal or rubber material. In embodiments, the second coupling point may be moveable around the first loop of the line arrangement. Thus, the second end may be slidably coupled to the first loop of the line arrangement. There may be a friction fit and / or interference fit between the second end and the first loop of the line arrangement, e.g. which substantially resists inadvertent sliding, but allows deliberate sliding, of the second end along the first loop of the line arrangement. These embodiments can allow the second end to be moved towards and / or away from the first end. For example, in use (e.g. once the first loop is secured around the object), the second end may be moved around the first loop so as to be substantially opposite to the first end (i.e. on the opposite side of the first loop). In this configuration, applying a force to the second loop may transfer approximately half the force to the first end at one side of the first loop and approximately half the force to the second end at the opposite side of the first loop. Thus, a balanced force may be applied on either side of the object. This may be particularly useful, for example, when pulling an object, such as a component out of a vehicle. For another example, in use (e.g. once the first loop is secured around the object), the second end may be moved so as to be adjacent to (e.g. in contact with) the first end. In this alternative configuration, applying a force to the second loop may also tend to move and / or hold the second end adjacent to the first end. The second end may then hold the first line section and second line section tightly together at the first end, thereby causing the first end to grip the line arrangement at the first coupling point. These embodiments can accordingly help to maintain the size of the first loop in use so as to secure the object. Conversely, in use (e.g. once the force no longer needs to be applied to the object), the second end may be moved so as to be away from the first end. The second end may then no longer hold the first line section and second line section tightly together at the first end, thereby causing the first end no longer to grip the line arrangement at the first coupling point. These embodiments can accordingly facilitate increasing the size of the first loop in use so as to release the object. In embodiments, the device may comprise a handle coupled to the second loop of the line arrangement. The handle may have a substantially cylindrical and / or tubular and / or hollow body. These embodiments can assist with gripping the second loop to apply a force to the object. The handle may be slidably coupled to the second loop. These embodiments can allow the handle to be located at an appropriate position to balance the force applied via the two sides of the second loop. The handle may be detachably coupled to the second loop. These embodiments can facilitate assembly of the device and can allow the various components of the device to be repaired and / or replaced. In embodiments, the handle may be coupled to the second loop via a coupling element. The coupling element may form an aperture through which the second loop passes. The coupling element may be substantially U-shaped. The coupling element may be, for example, a U bolt. The coupling element may have first and second legs. The first and second legs may pass respectively through first and second openings in the handle. The coupling element may be (e.g. removably) attached to the handle, for example using one or more fixings (e.g. one or more nuts). One or more plates or washers may be provided between the one or more fixings and the handle for the one or more fixings to bear against. The one or more fixings may be internal to the handle. These embodiments can help to provide a smooth handle without protruding fixings. The handle may have an aperture for accessing the fixings therein. The handle may comprise a tool (e.g. a key) for manipulating (e.g. turning, tightening and / or loosening) the fixings. The tool may be stored in one end of the handle. These embodiments can provide a convenient way in which to manipulate the fixings. By way of example only, an embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows an adjustable loop device according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 shows the adjustable loop device of Figure 1 when attached to an object; and Figure 3 shows the adjustable loop device of Figure 1 when attached to a different object. Figure 1 shows an adjustable loop device 10 in a loosened state prior to attachment to an object. The device 10 comprises a double-line arrangement 12 having a first line section 14 and a second line section 16 running alongside one another. The first line section 14 and second line section 16 are constructed from the same flexible line 17 which is doubled back on itself. In this embodiment, the line 17 is a length of Dyneema ® fibre string which is 80cm long but folded in half to give a 40cm long line arrangement 12, although other materials and lengths could be used in other embodiments. A first end 18 is formed at the point where the line 17 is folded back on itself and a second end 20 is formed where the terminal ends of the line 17 are joined together with a knot. The knot is not visible since it is covered with heat shrink tubing to prevent the knot becoming untied. The line arrangement 12 forms a first loop 22 between the first end 18 and a moveable first coupling point where the line arrangement 12 passes back through itself between the first line section 14 and second line section 16. The size of the first loop 22 can be adjusted by sliding the first end 18 along the line arrangement 12 so as to move the location of the first coupling point, as indicated by arrow A. The line arrangement 12 also forms a second loop 24 between the second end 20 and a second moveable coupling point on the first loop 22 at the point where the line arrangement 12 passes back through itself where the terminal ends of the line 17 are joined together. The second end 20 can be slid along the first loop 22 so as to move the location of the second coupling point, as indicated by arrow B. There exists a friction fit and / or interference fit between the second end 20 and the line arrangement 12 which resists inadvertent sliding, but allows deliberate sliding, of the second end 20 around the first loop 22. The device 10 further comprises a stopper 26 slidably coupled to the second loop 24. In this embodiment, the stopper 26 is metallic, although other materials could be used in other embodiments. The stopper 26 has a hole through which the line arrangement 12 passes. There exists a friction fit and / or interference fit between the hole and the line arrangement 12 which resists inadvertent sliding, but allows deliberate sliding, of the stopper 26 along the line arrangement 12, as shown by arrow C. The device 10 further comprises a handle 28 which is slidably and detachably coupled to the second loop 24. The handle 28 comprises a cylindrical tubular hollow body 30. The body 30 is coupled to the second loop 24 via a coupling element 32, which in this embodiment is a U bolt that forms an aperture 34 through which the second loop 24 passes. The coupling element 32 has first and second legs which pass respectively through first and second openings 36 in the body 30. The coupling element 32 is removably attached to the body 30 using internal fixing nuts 38 which bear against a plate 40. The nuts 38 are accessible for tightening and / or loosening through an aperture 42 in the body 30. The handle 28 also comprises a key tool 44 for turning the nuts 38. The tool 44 is not fully visible since it is stored in one end of the handle 28. Figure 2 shows the device 10 in a tightened state when secured to an object 46. In this embodiment, the object 46 is a bolt to be pulled from an awkward place in a vehicle, although the device 10 could be used for many different situations in other embodiments. In use, in order to transition from the loosened state of Figure 1 to the tightened state of Figure 2, the first loop 22 is placed around the object 46 and then reduced in size so as to secure the first loop 22 tightly around the object 46. This is achieved by sliding the first end 18 along the line arrangement 12 such that the first coupling point is moved to be longitudinally closer to the first end 18. Once the first loop 22 is secured around the object 46, the second end 20 is slid so as to be opposed to the first end 18 and the stopper 26 is slid so as to be adjacent to the first end 18. The opposed locations of the first end 18 and second end 20 on the first loop 22 allow a balanced pulling force to be applied to opposed sides of the object 46, and the stopper 26 is sized to prevent the first end 18 passing over the stopper 26. The stopper 26 can then resist the first end 18 being moved along the line arrangement 12 and so resist an unwanted increase in the size of the first loop 22. The handle 28 can then be used to transfer a pulling force to the object 46 via the two sides of the second loop 24, as shown with arrows F, without relaxing the grip of the first loop 22 on the object 46 and without overtightening and potentially damaging the object 46. The first loop 22 can later be deliberately increased in size so as to release the object 46 by moving the stopper 26 away from the first end 18 and then sliding the first end 18 along the line arrangement 12 in the opposite direction such that the first coupling point is moved to be longitudinally further from the first end 18. Figure 3 shows the device 10 in a different tightened state when secured to a different (non-specific) object 48. In use, in order to transition from the loosened state of Figure 1 to the different tightened state of Figure 3, the first loop 22 is again placed around the object 48 and then reduced in size so as to secure the first loop 22 tightly around the object 48. This is again achieved by sliding the first end 18 along the line arrangement 12 such that the first coupling point is moved to be longitudinally closer to the first end 18. However, in this configuration, once the first loop 22 is secured around the object 48, the second end 20 and the stopper 26 are both slid so as to be adjacent to the first end 18. The second end 20 causes the first end 18 to grip the line arrangement 12 and the stopper 26 is sized to prevent the first end 18 passing over the stopper 26. The stopper 26 can then resist the first end 18 being moved along the line 5 arrangement 12 and so resist an unwanted increase in the size of the first loop 22. The handle 28 can again then be used to transfer a pulling force to the object 48 via the two sides of the second loop 24, as shown with arrows F, without relaxing the grip of the first loop 22 on the object 48 and without overtightening and potentially damaging the object 48. The first loop 22 can again later be 10 deliberately increased in size so as to release the object 48 by moving the second end 20 and stopper 26 away from the first end 18 and then sliding the first end 18 along the line arrangement 12 in the opposite direction such that the first coupling point is moved to be longitudinally further from the first end 18.

Claims

1. An adjustable loop device for attachment to an object, the device comprising a line arrangement having a first loop formed between a first end of the line arrangement and a moveable first coupling point at which the first end is slidably coupled back on to the line arrangement, the line arrangement further having a second loop formed between a second end of the line arrangement and a second coupling point at which the second end is coupled back on to the first loop of the line arrangement, wherein the size of the first loop is adjustable by sliding the first end along the line arrangement so as to move the location of the first coupling point.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the line arrangement comprises a double-line arrangement.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the line arrangement comprises a first line section and a second line section running substantially alongside one another.

4. A device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first line section and second line section form part of the same line which is folded back on itself.

5. A device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the first end is formed at the point where the line is folded back on itself.

6. A device as claimed in claim 4 or 5, wherein the second end is formed where terminal ends of the line are joined together.

7. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device comprises a stopper slidably coupled to the second loop of the line arrangement.

8. A device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the stopper comprises a hole through which the line arrangement passes.

9. A device as claimed in claim 7 or 8, wherein there is a friction fit and / or interference fit between the stopper and the line arrangement.

10. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second coupling point is moveable around the first loop of the line arrangement and the second end is slidably coupled to the first loop of the line arrangement.

11. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein there is a friction fit and / or interference fit between the second end and the first loop of the line arrangement.

12. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device comprises a handle coupled to the second loop of the line arrangement.

13. A device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the handle has a substantially cylindrical and / or tubular and / or hollow body.

14. A device as claimed in claim 12 or 13, wherein the handle is slidably coupled to the second loop.

15. A device as claimed in claim 12,13 or 14, wherein the handle is detachably coupled to the second loop.

16. A device as claimed in any one of claims 12-15, wherein the handle is coupled to the second loop via a coupling element.

17. A device as claimed in claim 16, wherein the coupling element is attached to the handle using one or more fixings.

18. A device as claimed in claim 17, wherein the one or more fixings areinternal to the handle.

19. A device as claimed in claim 17 or 18, wherein the handle comprises a tool for manipulating the fixings.

20. A method of using a device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, the method comprising placing the first loop around an object, decreasing the 5 size of the first loop so as to secure the device to the object, wherein decreasing the size of the first loop comprises sliding the first end along the line arrangement so as to move the location of the first coupling point, and applying a force to the second loop so as to transfer a force to the object.15

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