Securement and release device for webbing

Abstract

A securement and release device for webbing (SRDFW) comprised of two design configurations. Both configurations of the SRDFW allow a length of webbing to be quickly and securely attached to or removed from a structure. Both designs essentially function as a quick secure/release device into which webbing is inserted. Both configurations of the SRDFW are comprised of a securing and release assembly having a first side member, a second side member, an upper jaw, a center wedge and a lower jaw. Pivot rods extend outward from the jaws and the wedge. The pivot rods allow the jaws and the wedge to pivot into an open configuration to allow webbing to be inserted into/through the first assembly, and then to pivot into a closed position that locks the webbing within the assembly. The jaws and wedge can then pivot to remove the webbing.

Claims

1. A method comprising: inserting webbing into an assembly, the assembly comprising: a first side member comprising: a first slot; a first upper pivot rod opening; and a first lower pivot rod opening; a second side member comprising: a second slot; a second upper pivot rod opening; and a second lower pivot rod opening; an upper jaw comprising an upper pivot rod extending from a first and second side of the upper jaw and through the first and second upper pivot rod openings; a lower jaw comprising a lower pivot rod extending from a first and second side of the lower jaw and through the first and second lower pivot rod openings; and a center wedge comprising a wedge rod extending from a first and second side of the center wedge and through the first and second slot; the inserting of the webbing further comprising: inserting the webbing between one of the lower and upper jaw and the center wedge; feeding around a rear edge of the center wedge; and feeding between the other of the lower and upper jaw and the center wedge.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the upper and lower jaws pivot in a position that locks the webbing within the apparatus when the webbing is pulled around the center wedge.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the upper and lower jaws are laterally stationary around the upper and lower pivot rods respectively.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the lower jaw pivot rod is integral with the lower jaw and the upper jaw pivot rod is integral with the upper jaw.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a rear orthographic view showing a first design configuration of a securement and release device for webbing (SRDFW) with a length of webbing in a functional position within the SRFDW.

(2) FIG. 2 is a rear orthographic view showing a first design configuration of the SRDFW.

(3) FIG. 3 is a front orthographic view showing a first design configuration of the SRDFW.

(4) FIG. 4 is a roar elevational view showing a first design configuration of the SRDFW.

(5) FIG. 5 is a front elevational view showing the first design configuration of the SRDFW.

(6) FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view showing the first design configuration of the SRDFW.

(7) FIG. 7 is a top plan view showing the first design configuration of the SRDFW.

(8) FIG. 8 is a rear orthographic view showing the design configuration of the SRDFW with a cut-away section in a first side member showing a clip spring that maintains a retaining clip in a closed position over a slot.

(9) FIG. 9 is an exploded view showing the separated elements of the first design configuration of the SRDFW.

(10) FIG. 10 is a rear orthographic view showing a second design configuration of the SRDFW.

(11) FIG. 11 is a front orthographic view showing a second design configuration of the SRDFW.

(12) FIG. 12 is a rear elevational view showing a second design configuration of the SRDFW.

(13) FIG. 13 is a front elevational view showing a second design configuration of the SRDFW.

(14) FIG. 14 is a bottom plan view showing a second design configuration of the SRDFW.

(15) FIG. 15 is a top plan view showing a second design configuration of the SRDFW.

(16) FIG. 16 is an exploded view showing the separated elements of the second design configuration of the SRDFW.

(17) FIG. 17 is a front orthographic view showing the second design configuration of the SRDFW with a length of webbing in a functional position within the SRDFW.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

(18) The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms that disclose a preferred embodiment with two design configurations of a securement and release device for webbing (SRDFW). There are many scenarios in which an object such as a stage truss must be secured in an operable or required location/position. One method of accomplishing this is by using webbing (either nylon or fabric) which is wrapped around the object and then either manually or assisted by a ratcheting device tightened to hold the object in the required location/position. While the method of using webbing is effective it can be difficult to perform and time-consuming. There is also a concern if webbing is not properly scoured around an object and adequately tightened there could be safety issues.

(19) The SRDFW 10, as shown in FIGS. 1-17, provides a means by which a length of webbing can be quickly and correctly secured around an object, and released when necessary. The first design configuration of the SRDFW 10, as shown in FIGS. 1-9, is comprised of the following major elements: a first securing and release assembly 12 comprising a first side member 14, a second side member 50, an upper jaw 84, a center wedge 104, and a lower jaw 126. The first side member 14 has an outer surface 16, a inner surface 18, an upper edge 20, a lower edge 22, a front vertical edge 24, a rear angled edge 26, a rear vertical 28, a curved slot 30, a web attachment opening 32, a retaining clip 34 that preferably utilizes a clip spring 36 and a clip stop 38 to maintain the retaining clip 34 in a position that closes the slot 30 while also allowing the retaining clip 34 to be manually placed in a position that opens the slot 30 and then forces the retaining clip 34 back into the closed slot position when released, an upper pivot rod opening 40, and a lower pivot rod opening 42.

(20) The second side member 50 is configured parallel to the first side member 14 and also has an outer surface 52, an inner surface 54, an upper edge 56, a lower edge 58, a front vertical edge 60, a rear angled edge 62, a rear vertical edge 64, a curved slot 80, a web attachment opening 68, a retaining clip 70 that preferably utilizes a clip spring 72 and a clip stop 74 to maintain the retaining clip 70 in a position that closes the slot 80 while also allowing the retaining clip 70 to be manually placed in a position that opens the slot 80 and then forces the retaining clip 70 back into the closing slot position when released, an upper pivot rod opening 76, and a lower pivot rod opening 78.

(21) The upper jaw 84, as shown in FIGS. 1-5 and 7-9, is located adjacent and below the upper edge 20, 56 of the two parallel side members 14, 50, and includes an upper surface 86, a lower surface 88, a front edge 90, a rear edge 92, a first side edge 94, a second side edge 96 and a pivot rod 98 that extends outward from the two side edges 94, 96 and through the respective upper pivot rod openings 40, 76 on the two side members 14, 50. As its name implies, the pivot rod 98 facilitates the upward and downward pivoting of the upper jaw 84 when the upper jaw is located between the two side members 14, 50.

(22) As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 4, 5, 8 and 9, located below the upper jaw 84 is the center wedge 104 which has an upper surface 106, a lower surface 108, an upper front edge 110, a rear edge 112 that is rounded to allow webbing to easily slide about the rear edge 112, a first side edge 114, a second side edge 116, a pivot rod bore 118 extending through the center wedge 104 from the first side edge 114 to the second side edge 116, and a pivot rod 120 that is inserted through the pivot rod bore 118 while also being removable. The pivot rod 120 allows the center wedge 104 to pivot upward and downward when the center wedge 104 is located between the two side members 14, 50 within the assembly 12.

(23) The lower jaw 126, as shown in FIGS. 1-6, 8 and 9, is located below the center wedge 104 adjacent to ther lower edges 22, 58 of the two side members 14, 50 and has an outer surface 128, an inner surface 130, a front edge 132, a rear edge 134, a first side edge 136, a second side edge 138 and a pivot rod 140 that like the pivot rod 98 on the upper jaw, extends outward from the two side edges 136, 138, and through the respective lower pivot rod openings 42, 78 on the side members 14, 50. The pivot rod facilitates the upward and downward pivoting of the lower jaw 126 when the lower jaw is located between the two side members 14, 50.

(24) In order to use the first design configuration of the SRDFW 10, one end of a length of webbing is inserted into the assembly 12 from the front, below the upper jaw along the upper surface of the center wedge. The webbing continues around the rear rounded edge and then outward toward the front of the assembly between the lower surface of the center wedge and the upper surface of the lower jaw. When the webbing is pulled, the upper and lower jaws and the center wedge pivot into a position that locks the webbing within the assembly.

(25) The second design configuration of the SRDFW 10, as shown in FIGS. 10-17, is comprised of the following major elements: s second securing and release assembly 150 having a first side member 152, a second side member 182, an upper jaw 212, a center wedge 232, and a lower jaw 252. The second design configuration is structurally and functionally similar to the first design configuration with a couple of structural differences.

(26) The first side member 152, as shown in FIGS. 10-17, includes an outer surface 154, an inner surface 156, an upper edge 158, a lower edge 160, a front vertical edge 162, a front rounded corner 164, a rear upper angled edge 166, a rear lower angled edge 168, a slot 170 that is horizontally configured in the side member 152, an upper pivot rod opening 172, a lower pivot rod opening 174, and a rear pivot rod opening 176.

(27) The second side member 182, as shown in FIGS. 10-17, is configured parallel to the first side member 152 and also has an outer surface 184, an inner surface 186, an upper edge 188, a lower edge 190, a front vertical edge 192, a front rounded corner 194, a rear upper angled edge 196, a rear lower angled edge 198, a slot 200 that is horizontally configured in the side member 182, an upper pivot rod opening 202, and a lower pivot rod opening 204.

(28) The upper jaw 212, as shown in FIGS. 10-13 and 15-17, is located between the two parallel side members 152, 182 below the upper edges 158, 188 of the side members and has an upper surface 214, a lower surface 216, a front edge 218, a rear edge 220, a first side edge 222, a second side edge 224, and a pivot rod 226 that extends outward from the side edges 222, 224 and into the respective upper pivot rod openings 172, 202 on each side member 152, 182.

(29) The center wedge 232 as shown in FIGS. 10, 13, 16 and 17, is located below the upper jaw 212 and has an upper surface 234, a lower surface 236, a front edge 238, a rear edge 240 that is rounded to allow webbing to easily slide about the rear edge, a first side edge 242, a second side edge 244, a first pivot rod 246 that extends outward from the first side edge 242 and through the slot 170 on the first side member 152, and a second pivot rod 248 that extends outward from the second side edge 244 and through the slot 200 on the second side member 182. It should be noted the two pivot rods 246, 248 are integrally attached to the center wedge 232 and therefore a single, removable pivot rod, as in the first securing and release assembly does not exist in the second securing and release assembly.

(30) The lower jaw 252, as shown in FIGS. 10-14, 16 and 17, is located below the center wedge 232 adjacent the lower edges 160, 190 of the two side members 152, 182, and has an upper surface 254, a lower surface 256, a front edge 258, a rear edge 260, a first side edge 262, a second side edge 264, a first pivot rod 266 extending outward from the first side edge 262 and through the lower pivot rod opening 174 on the first side member 152, and a second pivot rod 248 that extends outward from the second side edge 264 and through the lower pivot rod opening 204 on the second side member 182. In order to use the second design configuration the same steps are followed as for the first design configuration.

(31) While the invention has been described in detail and pictorially shown in the accompanying drawings it is not to be limited to such details, since many changes and modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and the scope thereof. Hence, it is described to cover any and all modifications and forms which may come within the language and scope of the claims.