AU750833B2

AU750833B2 - Leg-rope connection device

Info

Publication number: AU750833B2
Application number: AU59554/00A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Brian Whitty
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-07-26
Filing date: 2000-07-26
Publication date: 2002-08-01
Anticipated expiration: 2020-07-26
Also published as: AU5955400A

Description

PCT/AUO/O0893 "*Received 11 April 2001 -1- Leg-rope Connection Device Technical Field The present invention relates to a leg-rope connection device, and in particular, to a surfboard leg-rope connection device which can be used in a variety of environments, for example in the ocean or on land.

If the urethane rubber of a surfer's leg-rope is broken then the leg-rope connection device can be utilised to rejoin the broken urethane rubber portions whilst the surfer remains in the water if so desired.

Background Art A leg-rope is a device often used when riding a surfboard. The leg-rope is attached to a surfer's leg via a neophrene velcro strap or similar material at one end of the leg-rope, and to the surfboard via a velcro strap or similar at the other end of the leg-rope. Thus, the leg-rope causes the surfboard to remain within the vicinity of the surfer if the surfer falls from the surfboard. It is desirable that the surfboard remain within the vicinity of the surfer for the safety of the surfer, and to prevent the surfer having to chase the surfboard by swimming. Additionally, a leg-rope prevents the surfboard travelling to the beach or onto rocks or reef which may result in the surfboard being damaged.

A leg-rope is typically manufactured from a long cylindrical strip of urethane rubber approximately 6 to 8 mm in diameter and 2 m in length with the velcro/neophrene straps disposed at the ends. When a surfer falls from a surfboard substantial forces may be applied to the urethane rubber cylindrical strip as water IQY

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b ~M~Ef~!DSID PCT/AU00/00893 -Received 11 April 2001 -2movement in the ocean acts to pull the surfboard away from the surfer or vice versa. This can result in the urethane rubber cylindrical strip being snapped.

Furthermore, various other situations encountered whilst surfing may result in or require the urethane rubber strip to be broken or cut.

Presently, if the urethane rubber strip of the leg-rope is snapped, broken or cut, the leg-rope is rendered useless as a surfboard retaining aid. The surfer must then exit the ocean to obtain a replacement. In many cases this can be difficult when surfing at remote locations such as outside ocean reefs or rocky points. At present, there is no known method of repairing or joining the urethane rubber strip of the leg-rope whilst remaining in the ocean.

This identifies a need for a leg-rope connection device capable of being utilised by a surfer without requiring the surfer to exit the ocean.

Summary Of Invention The present invention seeks to provide a device which can be carried by a surfer whilst surfing and may be used to rejoin a leg-rope in the event that the surfer's leg-rope is snapped.

The present invention further seeks to provide a device which can be carried by a surfer whilst surfing and may be used to rejoin a leg-rope in the event that the surfer's leg-rope is snapped, in addition to providing means for the adjustment or operation of various mechanisms associated with a surfboard, for example surfboard fin retention mechanisms.

The present invention seeks to provide a leg-rope connection device, for connecting two portions of broken leg-rope, including a housing which encloses an end part of ach of the two portions of broken leg-rope, and two clamping members operatively AMENDED SHEET PE.g Aii PCT/AUOO/00893 -'~...-Received 11 April 2001 -3associated with the housing, whereby a first clamping member associates with a first portion of broken leg-rope and a second clamping member associates with a second portion of broken leg-rope in a manner such that each end part of the first and second portions of broken leg-rope are retained within the housing when subjected to typical forces applied to a leg-rope when in use.

The present invention also seeks to provide that each end part of the two portions of broken leg-rope are inserted into the housing from opposite ends of the housing.

In a specific embodiment, each clamping members is separately rotatable with respect to the housing.

Broadly, the device may be additionally provided with at least one tool member incorporated into the device.

In accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, there is sought to be provided a leg-rope connection device, for connecting two portions of broken leg-rope, including: a housing which encloses an end part of each of the two portions of broken leg-rope; a leg-rope guide integrally formed within the housing; a first arm member operatively associated with the housing, the first arm member able to be rotated about a first hinge; a second arm member operatively associated with the housin, the second arm member able. to be rotated about a second hinge; first clamping means associated with the first arm member for retaining an end part of a first portion of broken leg-rope within the housing when the first arm member is rotated to cause the first clamping means to engage the first portion of broken leg-rope; and second clamping means associated with the second arm member for SAMENDED SHEET

!PEAIAV

PCT/AUOO/00893 Received 11 April 2001 -4retaining an end part of a second portion of broken leg-rope within the housing when the second arm member is rotated to cause the second clamping means to engage the second portion of broken leg-rope.

In a preferred, but non-limiting form, the leg-rope guide is substantially semicircular in cross-section.

Also preferably, but not necessarily, the first clamping means is integrally formed as part of the first arm member and the second clamping means is integrally formed as part of the second arm member.

According to another specific aspect, additional clamping means may be provided on the internal surface of the leg-rope guide.

According to another embodiment, the first arm member and the second arm member are identical but disposed at opposite ends of the housing.

In a specific embodiment of the present invention, the first clamping means includes at least one cleat, hump, tenon, lip, protrusion, sawtooth, wedge, angled surface, incline, pin, tapered member, spike, serration or the like which acts to compress part of the first portion of broken leg-rope when the first arm member is closed.

In a further specific embodiment of .the present invention, the second clamping means includes at least one cleat, hump, tenon, lip, protrusion, sawtooth, wedge, angled surface, incline, pin, tapered member, spike, serration or the like which acts to compress part of the second portion of broken leg-rope when the second arm member is closed.

In a yet a further specific embodiment of the present invention, the first hinge /or the second hinge mechanism is a pin or protrusion, and, hole or recess V AMENDED SHEE

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PCT/AUOO/00893 Received 1 April 2001 arrangement.

In a yet a further specific embodiment of the present invention, the first arm member holds a first tool member.

In a yet a further specific embodiment of the present invention, the second arm member holds a second tool member.

According to one aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, either of the tool members is interchangeable with an alternate tool member.

Specifically, the tool member may be a screwdriver, alani-key or blade.

Broadly, at least part of the device may be manufactured from a rigid polymeric material.

Also broadly, any of the surfaces of the device can be provided with a textured, roughened, teethed, jagged, serrated or similar surface.

According to a further specific embodiment of the present invention there is sought to be provided a method of repairing a broken leg-rope, including the steps of: inserting an end part of a first portion of broken leg-rope into one end of a leg-rope connection device; inserting an end part of a second portion of broken leg-rope into an opposite end of the leg-rope connection device; closing a first arm member provided with a first clamping member, the first arm member operatively associated with a housing of the leg-rope connection device, whereby the first clamping member engages the end part of the first portion of broken leg-rope in a manner such that the end part of the first portion of broken leg-rope is retained within the housing; and AMENDED 8HE-T

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PCT/AUOO/0893- Received 11 April 2001 -6 closing a second arm member provided with a second clamping member, the second arm member operatively associated with the housing of the leg-rope connection device, whereby the second clamping member engages the end part of the second portion of broken leg-rope in a manner such that the end part of the second portion of broken leg-rope is retained within the housing.

In accordance with a specific embodiment of the present invention, the present invention provides a leg-rope connection device, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying figures..

In accordance with a specific embodiment of the present invention, the pre,,ent invention provides a method of repairing a broken leg-rope, substantially as he'-ein described with reference to the accompanying figures.

Brief description Of Drawings The present invention will become better understood from the following detailed description of preferred but non-limiting embodiments thereof, described in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the present invention wherein, the figure shows a perspective view of the leg-rope connection device.

Figure 2 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the present invention wherein, the figure shows a rotated perspective view of the leg-rope connection device.

Figure 3 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the present invention wherein, the figure shows a top view of the leg-rope connection device.

Figure 4 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the present invention wherein, the figure shows a cross-sectional view of the leg-rope connection device.

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PCT/AU00/00893 Received 11 April 2001 -7- S Figure 5 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the present invention wherein, the figure shows an end view of the leg-rope connection device.

S Figure 6 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the present invention wherein, the figure shows a representation of the leg-rope connection device with one swing member open.

Figure 7 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the present invention wherein, the figure show's a representation of the leg-rope connection device with one swing member open and the leg-rope portions inserted.

Modes For Carrying Out The Invention The present invention provides a leg-rope connection device. In the figures, incorporated to illustrate the features of the present invention, like reference numerals are used to identify like parts throughout the figures.

A preferred, but non-limiting, embodiment of the present invention is shown in figure 1. In the figure the leg-rope connection device 1 includes a housing 2 which is adapted to receive a first arm member 3 and a second arm member 4. Said arm members could alternatively be described as swing cleat members. A first hinge associates the first arm member 3 with the housing 2 in a manner whereby the first arm member 3 can rotate about the axis of the first hinge 5. Similarly, a second hinge 6 associates the second arm member 4 with the housing 2 in a manner whereby the second arm member 4 can rotate about the axis of the second hinge 6.

The first hinge 5 and the second hinge-6 can be provided as pins or the like which are received by orifices, holes or bores in the housing 2 and the arm members 3 and 4. Alternatively, the arm members 3 and 4 can be provided with lateral cylindrical protrusions, said lateral cylindrical protrusions being received by orifices, holes, bores or recesses in appropriate positions in the housing 2. Numerous other mechanisms providing for the arm members 3 and 4 to be in rotational association with the housing 2 can be provided to work the present invention.

MSNDEN-DEO SVSH tFEAIAiJ PCT/AU00/00893 Received 11 April 2001 -8- Integrally formed as part of the housing 2 is a leg-rope guide 7. The leg-rope guide 7 receives a first broken portion of a leg-rope 11 via a first leg-rope orifice 8, and a second broken portion of a leg-rope 12 via a second leg-rope orifice 9. Before the portions of broken leg-rope 11 and 12 can be inserted into the leg-rope orifices 8 and 9 said orifices must be exposed by rotating be first arm member 3 and the second arm member 4 into open positions.

By lifting the first arm member 3 away from the housing 2 the first arm member 3 is caused to rotate about the axis of the first hinge 5. This action causes the first arm member occlusion 10 to swing into the first leg-rope orifice 8. When the first arm member 3 is in an open position, as illustrated in figure 6, then the first legrope orifice 8 is fully exposed and a first broken portion of a leg-rope 11 may be inserted into the leg-rope guide 7 via the first leg-rope .orifice 8. This is further illustrated in figure 7. In figures 6 and 7, the first arm member 3 is highlighted and presented unobscured by the housing 2 for the purposes of illustration.

This process can then be repeated for the second arm member 4 so that a second broken portion of a leg-rope 12 can be inserted into the leg-rope guide 7 from the opposing end, that is the second leg-rope orifice 9. With reference to figure 7, once a broken portion of leg-rope has been inserted into the leg-rope guide 7, the corresponding arm member is then closed upon the inserted broken portion of legrope. This has the effect of clamping the inserted broken portion of leg-rope within the leg-rope guide 7/housing 2.

In a preferred embodiment, the second arm member 4 is provided with an inner second arm cleat 13 or similar clamping member and an outer second arm cleat 14 which are adapted to clamp the inserted broken portion of leg-rope 12 against the inner surface of the leg-rope guide 7, thereby preventing be inserted broken portion leg-rope 12 from being removed from the leg-rope guide 7/housing 2 when the SAMSNDEaDSHEET IpWV4AU PCT/AUOO/00893 Received 11 April 2001 -9broken portion of leg-rope 12 is subjected to forces attempting to separate the broken portions of leg-rope 12 and 11. Similarly, the first arm member 3 is provided with an inner first arm cleat 15 or similar clamping member and an outer first arm cleat 16 which are adapted to clamp the inserted broken portion of legrope 11 against the inner surface of the leg-rope guide 7.

When the broken portions of leg-rope 11 and 12 have been appropriately inserted into the leg-rope guide 7 and the arm members 3 and 4 have subsequently been closed, then the broken portions of leg-rope 11 and 12 are fixedly held in proximity to each other. Hence, a surfboard will be held in proximity to a surfer with the aid of the leg-rope connection device 1 even though the leg-rope has been broken.

It should be noted that although cleats 13, 14, 15 and 16 have been described in a preferred embodiment for clamping broken portions of leg-rope 11 and 12 within the leg-rope guide 7/housing 2, numerous other retaining or clamping mechanisms could be used. For example, the cleats may be provided as or with humps, tenons, lips, protrusions, sawteeth, wedges, angled surfaces, inclines, pins, tapered members, spikes, serrations or any other similar type of device/s. Additionally, the location and number of cleats can be varied. For example, each arm member may be provided with any number of cleats, and/or the inner surface of the leg-rope guide 7 may also be provided with any number of cleats or similar features as identified herein.

The internal surface of the housing of any of the embodiments of the present invention may additionally be provided with a textured, roughened, teethed, jagged, serrated or like surface thereby improving the retention of the broken portions of the leg-rope 11 and 12 within the housing.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the first arm member 3 can be provided with a first tool member 17 and/or the second arm member 4 can be provided with a second tool member 18. As illustrated in the figures, said tool PCT/AU00/00893 Received 11 April 2001 members 17 and 18 are provided on the ends of the arm members 3 and 4 respectively, and are adapted to be received within the leg-rope connection device 1 when the said arm members 3 and 4 are in a closed position.

It should be noted that tool members 17 and 18 can be provided as interchangeable tool members, that is, the tool members 17 and 18 can be provided with a mechanism which fixedly associates each tool member with an arm member but allows the tool member to be exchanged for another tool member. As a nonlimiting example this could be achieved by providing the tool member with a thread which can be received by a threaded orifice or hole integrally formed within an arm member. Either zero, one, two or more tool members can be provided with the legrope connection device 1.

The tool members 17 and 18 are illustrated as alan-keys, however, each tool member could be provided as any other type of tool. For example, at least one tool member could be provided as a screw driver or blade. Generally, any type of tool which could be of use to a surfer can be provided.

Shown in figure 2 is a rotated view of the leg-rope connection device 1. Shown in figure 3 is a top-view of the leg-rope connection device 1, also a cross-sectional line A-A is defined. In figure 4 is shown a cross-section of the leg-rope connection device 1 along the line A-A. In figure 5 an end view of the leg-rope connection device 1 is illustrated.

Hence, not only can a surfer use and operate the leg-rope connection device 1 whilst remaining in the ocean, the leg-rope connection device 1 can be further provided with tool members 17 and/or 18 which may be of use to a surfer, for example to reattach or replace surfboard fins.

AAeDE SIASS d *ENAIJEE PCT/AU00/00893 Received 11 April 2001 -11- Any of the embodiments of the present invention may be manufactured from a variety of materials, for example, the housing or any other component of the legrope connection device 1 may be manufactured from a rigid polymeric material, metal, natural material or any other material. The present invention is not limited to manufacture from a single material but may be comprised of numerous materials which provide a sufficient degree of clamping of the leg-rope connection device 1 to the urethane rubber of the leg-rope.

Furthermore, the exterior surface of the leg-rope connection device may be of a shape which aids in reducing the frictional drag on the connection device while moving in the water.

Thus, there has been provided in accordance with the present invention, a leg-rope connection device which satisfies the advantages set forth above and overcomes the problems hereinbefore discussed.

The invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, in any or all combinations of two or more of said parts, elements or features, and where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which the invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth.

The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be_taken as, an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that that prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in Australia.

Although the preferred embodiment has been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions, and alterations can be made herein 33 AMENDED S"F'E ~b pP, IPENAU PCT/AU00/00893 S. Received 11 April 2001 12by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention as hereinbefore described and as hereinafter claimed.

Various alternate embodiments of the present invention have been proposed by the Applicant in the document AU PQ1829/99, all disclosures therein are within the scope of the present invention and are to be considered as disclosed herein.

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Claims

1. A leg-rope connection device, for connecting two portions of broken leg- rope, including a housing which encloses an end part of each of the two portions of broken leg-rope, and two clamping members operatively associated with the housing, whereby a first clamping member associates with a first portion of broken leg-rope and a second clamping member associates with a second portion of broken leg-rope in a manner such that each end part of the first and second portions of broken leg-rope are retained within the housing when subjected to typical forces applied to a leg-rope when in use.

2. A leg-rope connection device as claimed in claim 1, wherein each end part of the two portions of broken leg-rope are inserted into the housing from opposite ends of the housing.

3. A leg-rope connection device as claimed in either claim 1 or claim 2, wherein each clamping members is separately rotatable with respect to the housing.

4. A leg-rope connection device as claimed in any one of the claims 1 to 3, wherein the device is additionally provided with at least one tool member incorporated into the device.

A leg-rope connection device, for connecting two portions of broken leg- rope, including: a housing which encloses an end part of each of the two portions of broken leg-rope; a leg-rope guide integrally formed within the housing; a first arm member operatively associated with the housing, the first arm member able to be rotated about a first hinge; a second arm member operatively associated with the housing, the AMENDED SHEST IPEA/AU PCT/AUOO/00893 Received 11 April 2001 -14- second arm member able to be rotated about a second hinge; first clamping means associated with the first arm member for retaining an end part of a first portion of broken leg-rope within the housing when the first arm member is rotated to cause the first clamping means to engage the first portion of broken leg-rope; and second clamping means associated with the second arm member for retaining an end part of a second portion of broken leg-rope within the housing when the second arm member is rotated to cause the second clamping means to engage the second portion of broken leg-rope.

6. A leg-rope connection device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the leg-rope guide is substantially semi-circular in cross-section.

7. A leg-rope connection device as claimed in either claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the first clamping means is integrally formed as part of the first arm member and the second clamping means is integrally formed as part of the second arm member.

8. A leg-rope connection device as claimed in any one of the claims 5 to 7, wherein additional clamping means are provided on the internal surface of the leg- rope guide.

9. A leg-rope connection device as claimed in any one of the claims 5 to 8, wherein the first arm member and the second arm member are identical but disposed at opposite ends of the housing.

A leg-rope connection device as claimed in any one of the claims 5 to 9, wherein the first clamping means includes at least one cleat, hump, tenon, lip, protrusion, sawtooth, wedge, angled surface, incline, pin, tapered member, spike, serration or the like which acts to compress part of the first portion of broken leg- AMENDED S-HE' tpEiM, L t PCT/AU00/00893 Received 11 April 2001 rope when the first arm member is closed.

11. A leg-rope connection device as claimed in any one of the claims 5 to wherein the second clamping means includes at least one cleat, hump, tenon, lip, protrusion, sawtooth, wedge, angled surface, incline, pin, tapered member, spike, serration or the like which acts to compress part of the second portion of broken leg-rope when the second arm member is closed.

12. A leg-rope connection device as claimed in any one of the claims 5 to 11, wherein the first hinge and/or the second hinge mechanism is a pin or protrusion, and, hole or recess arrangement.

13. A leg-rope connection device as claimed in any one of the claims 5 to 12, wherein the first arm member holds a first tool member.

14. A leg-rope connection device as claimed in any one of the claims 5 to 13, wherein the second arm member holds a second tool member.

A leg-rope connection device as claimed in either claim 13 or claim 14, wherein either of the tool members is interchangeable with an alternate tool member.

16. A leg-rope connection device as claimed in any one of the claims 13 to wherein the tool member is a screwdriver, alan-key or blade.

17. A leg-rope connection device as claimed in any one of the claims 5 to 16, wherein at least part of the device is manufactured from a rigid polymeric material.

18. A leg-rope connection device as claimed in any one of the claims 5 to 17, wherein any of the surfaces of the device can be provided with a textured, 0, AMENDED. SHE F IPEAIAU PCT/AU00/00893 Received 11 April 2001 16- roughened, teethed, jagged, serrated or similar surface.

19. A method of repairing a broken leg-rope, including the steps of: inserting an end part of a first portion of broken leg-rope into one end of a leg-rope connection device; inserting an end part of a second portion of broken leg-rope into an opposite end of the leg-rope connection device; closing a first arm member provided with a first clamping member, the first arm member operatively associated with a housing of the leg-rope connection device, whereby the first clamping member engages the end part of the first portion of broken leg-rope in a manner such that the end part of the first portion of broken leg-rope is retained within the housing; and closing a second arm member provided with a second clamping member, the second arm member operatively associated with the housing of the leg-rope connection device, whereby the second clamping member engages the end part of the second portion of broken leg-rope in a manner such that the end part of the second portion of broken leg-rope is retained within the housing.

A leg-rope connection device, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying figures.

21. A method of repairing a broken leg-rope, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying figures.- AMENDED 2HE APEA-IA.L