Connectors for long, flexible components

Abstract

A connector for a long, flexible component includes an annular assembly comprising a first connecting ring and a second connecting ring. The first connecting ring is formed by alternating connections of a plurality of first parts and a plurality of second parts, and the second connecting ring is formed by alternating connections of a plurality of third parts and a plurality of fourth parts. Each second part and each fourth part is detachably connected, forming a through-hole between each first part and each third part. A plurality of connectors are connected to the annular assembly, each connector having a neck that passes through a corresponding through-hole. The inner end of each neck is connected to a head, which abuts against the periphery of the inner end of each through-hole. The outer end of each neck is connected to a ring for attaching a long, flexible component. Thus, the present invention can be used to connect two or more different ropes or straps.

Claims

1. A connector for a long, flexible component, comprising: A ring-shaped assembly has a central axis and includes a first connecting ring and a second connecting ring, the first connecting ring and the second connecting ring being coaxially arranged along the central axis; the first connecting ring is formed by an equal number of first parts and a equal number of second parts alternately connected around the central axis; the second connecting ring is formed by an equal number of third parts and a equal number of fourth parts alternately connected around the central axis; each second part and its corresponding fourth part are detachably coupled, forming a through-hole between each first part and its corresponding third part; And a plurality of connectors, each connector including a neck, a head and a collar; each neck is attached to a rod and passes through a corresponding insertion port, each head is connected to the inner end of each neck near the central axis, each head stops at the periphery of the inner end of each insertion port, and each collar is connected to the outer end of each neck away from the central axis.

2. A connector for a long, flexible member as described in claim 1, wherein two directions along the central axis are defined as a first direction and a second direction; a first reference plane is defined on the first connecting ring, the first reference plane being perpendicular to the central axis and dividing the first connecting ring into two halves; more than 50% of each of the first portions protrudes from the first reference plane along the first direction; more than 50% of each of the second portions protrudes from the first reference plane along the second direction; a second reference plane is defined on the second connecting ring, the second reference plane being perpendicular to the central axis and dividing the second connecting ring into two halves; more than 50% of each of the third portions protrudes from the second reference plane along the second direction; and more than 50% of each of the fourth portions protrudes from the second reference plane along the first direction.

3. A connector for a long, flexible member as described in claim 2, wherein the middle portion of each of the first portions forms a first arc plate, each first arc plate having two first ends; the middle portion of each of the second portions forms a second arc plate, each second arc plate having two second ends, each second end being connected to its corresponding first end, and the arc length of each first arc plate being greater than the arc length of each second arc plate; the middle portion of each of the third portions forms a third arc plate, each third arc plate having two third ends; the middle portion of each of the fourth portions forms a fourth arc plate, each fourth arc plate having two fourth ends, each fourth end being connected to its corresponding third end, and the arc length of each third arc plate being greater than the arc length of each fourth arc plate; the arc length of each first arc plate is equal to the arc length of each third arc plate, and the first arc plate and the third arc plate are arranged parallel to each other.

4. A connector for a long, flexible member as described in claim 3, wherein each of the second arc plates has a first fixing hole and each of the fourth arc plates has a second fixing hole; a first fixing member is provided through each of the first fixing holes and the corresponding second fixing holes to connect each of the second parts and each of the fourth parts.

5. A connector for a long, flexible member as described in claim 3, wherein a first protrusion is formed inwardly on each of the second arc plates, and a second protrusion is formed inwardly on each of the fourth arc plates; each second protrusion overlaps with the corresponding first protrusion along the central axis; two adjacent first protrusions and two corresponding second protrusions stop on both sides of each head.

6. A connector for a long, flexible member as described in claim 1, wherein each of the heads is a disc or a ball.

7. A connector for a long, flexible member as described in claim 2, wherein a first cover is provided in conjunction with the first connecting ring, the first cover has a first cover plate, the periphery of the first cover plate abuts against the first portions, and each of the second portions is respectively connected to a first insert at the periphery of the first cover plate, each first insert being embedded between two adjacent first portions corresponding to each of the second portions, forming a first intermediate hole in the center of the first cover plate; a second cover is provided in conjunction with the second connecting ring, and the annular assembly is clamped to the first cover. Between the second cover and the second cover, the second cover is provided with a second cover plate. The periphery of the second cover plate abuts against the third parts, and each of the fourth parts is connected to a second insert at the periphery of the second cover plate. Each second insert is embedded between two adjacent third parts of the corresponding fourth part. A second intermediate hole is formed in the center of the second cover plate. A second fixing member passes through the first intermediate hole and the second intermediate hole, and the second fixing member is used to connect the first cover and the second cover to both sides of the annular assembly along the central axis.

8. A connector for a long, flexible member as claimed in claim 7, wherein a first spherical groove is formed on the first cover plate corresponding to each of the heads; a second spherical groove is formed on the second cover plate corresponding to each of the heads, the opposite sides of each head are respectively accommodated in the first spherical groove and the second spherical groove, and each head is slidable along the inner wall of the first spherical groove and the inner wall of the second spherical groove.

9. A connector for a long, flexible member as described in claim 8, wherein the first connecting ring includes three first portions and three second portions; the annular assembly has three of the aforementioned through-holes; the second connecting ring includes three third portions and three fourth portions; and the connectors include three connectors.

10. A connector for a long, flexible member as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first connecting ring includes four first portions and four second portions; the second connecting ring includes four third portions and four fourth portions; the annular assembly has four of the aforementioned through-holes; the connectors include two connectors, and the two connectors pass through two through-holes located on opposite sides of the annular assembly, respectively, with their necks passing through the two through-holes.

11. A connector for a long, flexible member as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first connecting ring includes four first portions and four second portions; the second connecting ring includes four third portions and four fourth portions; the annular assembly has four of the aforementioned through-holes; and the connectors include four connectors.

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