US20170274965A1

US20170274965A1 - Systems, Devices, and/or Methods for Managing Securable Objects

Info

Publication number: US20170274965A1
Application number: US15/077,769
Authority: US
Inventors: Lina Beck
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2016-03-22
Filing date: 2016-03-22
Publication date: 2017-09-28

Abstract

Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a system, which can comprise a cable. The cable can comprise a first end and a second end. The first end can define a loop. The loop can be constructed to substantially surround a post coupleable to the cable. The cable can comprise a first anchor loop and a releasably coupleable clasp.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A wide variety of potential practical and useful embodiments will be more readily understood through the following detailed description of certain exemplary embodiments, with reference to the accompanying exemplary drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a top view of an exemplary embodiment of a system 1000;
FIG. 2 is a plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a system 2000;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a system 3000; and
FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an exemplary embodiment of a method 4000.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a top view of an exemplary embodiment of a system 1000, which can comprise a cable 1100. Cable 1100 can comprise strands of fibers and/or wires (e.g., metal wires). Cable 1100 comprises a first end 1110 and a second end 1120. Second end 1120 can be formed via splicing, tying and/or knotting fibers of cable 1100 back over a portion of cable 1100. A region of the splicing, tying and/or knotting fibers can be substantially surrounded by retaining sleeve 1500. First end 1110 defines a loop 1130. Loop 1130 can be formed via tying/splicing/knotting one or more knots in cable 1100. Loop 1130 is constructed to substantially surround an object (e.g., a cleat or other point of fastening of a boat) coupleable to cable 1100. Loop 1130 can be constructed to be coupled to an anchored object (e.g., the boat) such that cable 1100 can be used to couple the boat to a boat dock to restrain motion of the boat relative to the dock.
Cable 1100 comprises a first anchor loop 1200. First anchor loop 1200 can be formed via splicing, tying, and/or stitching an end of a piece of a cable (e.g., a rope). First anchor loop 1200 is slideably coupled to cable 1100. First anchor loop 1200 is capable of sliding along a first portion 1140 of cable 1100 between first end 1110 and second end 1120. First anchor loop 1200 can comprise a metal or plastic liner 1210. Metal or plastic liner 1210 can be constructed to resist damage and/or failure of first anchor loop 1200 when first anchor loop 1200 is coupled to a releasably coupleable clasp 1300.
First anchor loop 1200 comprises an anchor loop sleeve 1220. Anchor loop sleeve 1220 substantially surrounds a portion of a cable segment 1230 of first anchor loop 1200. Anchor loop sleeve 1220 causes friction when sliding along first portion 1140 of cable 1100 between first end 1110 and second end 1120. Anchor loop sleeve 1220 can comprise a protective silicone and/or rubber material that can slide relatively freely along a significant length of cable 1100. A cable segment 1230 between first anchor loop 1200 and anchor loop sleeve 1220 can be formed by splicing, stitching, and/or knotting cable segment 1230 together. Second retaining sleeve 1600 can substantially cover a portion of cable segment 1230 to limit exposure to environmental elements. If any damage occurs to first anchor loop 1200, liner 1210 falls off, then system 1000 becomes unusable.
Cable 1100 comprises releasably coupleable clasp 1300 coupled to second end 1120 of cable 1100. Clasp 1300 is constructed to engage with first anchor loop 1200 to substantially surround an anchor point (e.g., a post of a pier), which makes system 1000 relatively secure when anchoring an object such as a boat, raft, kayak, canoe, and/or a collar coupled to an animal, etc.
System 1000 comprises an anchor loop retainer 1400. Anchor loop retainer 1400 is coupled to, and substantially surrounds, second portion 1150 of cable 1100. Anchor loop retainer 1400 is installed to restrict sliding of first anchor loop 1200 on cable 1100 beyond second portion 1150 of cable 1100. Anchor loop sleeve 1220 is movable along a substantial portion of cable 1100 along with anchor loop retainer 1400. Clasp 1300 attaches to first anchor loop 1200 to secure system 1000 to an anchor point (e.g., a post of a pier such that a boat can be coupled to the pier). Once, fastened and tightened, anchor loop retainer 1400 pushed against anchor loop sleeve 1220 to restrain motion of anchor loop sleeve 1220 along cable 1100.
System 1000 comprises retaining sleeve 1500. Retaining sleeve 1500 is coupled to cable 1100 in proximity to second end 1120 of cable 1100. First retaining sleeve 1500 is constructed to shield cable 1100 from one or more elements of an environment of cable 1100. Second retaining sleeve 1600 is constructed to shield cable segment 1230 from one or more elements of an environment of first anchor loop 1200. In certain exemplary embodiments, first retaining sleeve 1500 and/or second retaining sleeve 1600 can be an elastomeric wrap, which can be resilient to the elements and can cause cable segment 1230 and/or second end 1120 to be substantially permanent unless first retaining sleeve 1500 and/or second retaining sleeve 1600 are destructively removed from cable 1100. In other embodiments, first retaining sleeve 1500 and/or second retaining sleeve 1600 can comprise an adhesive tape, rubber material, and/or plastic.
First anchor loop 1200 is coupled to cable 1100 via anchor loop sleeve 1220 that substantially surrounds cable 1100 where first anchor loop 1200 is coupled to cable 1100. Metal or plastic liner 1210 can comprise substantially entirely metal or plastic.
FIG. 2 is a plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a system 2000, which illustrates a more magnified view of a portion of system 1000 and of elements comprised thereby.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a system 3000, which shows cable 1100 in use in securing a boat 1900. First end 1110 of cable 1100 is coupled to boat 1900 at an attachment point, such as a cleat (not illustrated). Cable 1100 is couplable to an anchor point, which is a pier post 1800 in the illustrated embodiment. Clasp 1300 is coupled to first anchor loop 1200 to secure cable 1100 to pier post 1800. First retaining sleeve 1500 and second retaining sleeve 1600 act to shield portions of cable 1100 from environmental exposure. Cable 1100 can be used as illustrated in system 3000, is a quick and efficient means to couple boat 1900 to pier post 1800.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an exemplary embodiment of a method 4000. At activity 4100, system components can be obtained. A cable of the system can be of a suitable length, strength, and material to operatively couple a boat to a boat dock and restrain motion of the boat relative to the boat dock. At activity 4200, a cable can be fabricated. The cable can comprise:

- a first end;
- a second end, the first end defining a loop, the loop constructed to substantially surround a post coupleable to the cable; the loop can be constructed to substantially surround an tie point of an anchorable object coupleable to the cable (the anchorable object can be a boat);
- first anchor loop slideably coupled to the cable, the first anchor loop capable of sliding along a first portion of the cable between the first end and the second end, the first anchor loop comprising:
  - at least a metal or plastic liner; and
  - an anchor loop sleeve, the anchor loop sleeve substantially surrounding a portion of a cable segment of the first anchor loop, the anchor loop sleeve causes friction of the sliding along the first portion of the cable between the first end and the second end; and/or
- a releasably coupleable clasp coupled to the first anchor loop, the clasp constructed to engage with the first anchor loop to couple the cable to an anchor point.

At activity 4300, the cable can be coupled to a post. For example, the loop can be placed around the post. At activity 4400, the first anchor loop can be coupled to an object. At activity 4500, the clasp can be coupled to an anchored system. In certain exemplary embodiments, the object and the anchored system can be a single system, such as a boat. At activity 4600, the object and/or anchored system can be released from the cable and/or the post.
Cable devices, systems and/or methods disclosed herein can be used to restrain any movable object and/or system. For example, cable devices, systems and/or methods disclosed herein can be used to restrain boats, rafts, ships, sailboats, livestock, horses, dogs, cats, hinged doors, covers, tarpaulins, bicycles, balloons, and/or kites, etc.

Definitions

When the following terms are used substantively herein, the accompanying definitions apply. These terms and definitions are presented without prejudice, and, consistent with the application, the right to redefine these terms during the prosecution of this application or any application claiming priority hereto is reserved. For the purpose of interpreting a claim of any patent that claims priority hereto, each definition (or redefined term if an original definition was amended during the prosecution of that patent), functions as a clear and unambiguous disavowal of the subject matter outside of that definition.

- a—at least one.
- activity—an action, act, step, and/or process or portion thereof.
- adapter—a device used to effect operative compatibility between different parts of one or more pieces of an apparatus or system.
- anchor—something that serves to hold or restrain motion of a coupled object.
- anchorable—capable of being secured to an anchor point via a cable system.
- anchor point—a substantially fixed object to which an anchorable object is securable to via a cable system.
- and/or—either in conjunction with or in alternative to.
- apparatus—an appliance or device for a particular purpose.
- associate—to join, connect together, and/or relate.
- cable—a rope of wire and/or nonmetallic fiber.
- can—is capable of, in at least some embodiments.
- cause—to produce an effect.
- clasp—a device and/or system constructed to couple two or more things or parts of the same thing.
- comprising—including but not limited to.
- configure—to make suitable or fit for a specific use or situation.
- connect—to join or fasten together.
- constructed to—made to and/or designed to.
- convert—to transform, adapt, and/or change.
- coupleable—capable of being joined, connected, and/or linked together.
- coupling—linking in some fashion.
- create—to bring into being.
- define—to establish the outline, form, or structure of.
- determine—to obtain, calculate, decide, deduce, and/or ascertain.
- device—a machine, manufacture, and/or collection thereof.
- elements—atmospheric agencies or forces.
- end—a part of a device and/or system that lies at an extreme portion of the device and/or system.
- engage—to interlock and thereby hold fast.
- environment—physical, chemical, and/or biotic factors that surround and act upon a device and/or system.
- fabricate—to construct from parts.
- friction—surface resistance to relative motion.
- inner—situated on a surface directed towards a center of a loop.
- install—to connect or set in position and prepare for use.
- liner—a full or partial sleeve, usually of a metal or plastic, constructed withstand wear and/or corrosion, fixed inside or outside a component.
- loop—a portion of a cable folded upon itself so as to define an opening between the folded parts
- may—is allowed and/or permitted to, in at least some embodiments.
- metal—any of a class of substances, such as steel, aluminum, gold, silver, brass or copper that are crystalline when solid and many of which are characterized by opacity, ductility, conductivity, and a unique luster when freshly fractured.
- method—a process, procedure, and/or collection of related activities for accomplishing something.
- object—a material thing.
- plastic—any of a group of synthetic or natural organic materials that may be shaped when soft and then hardened, including many types of resins, resinoids, polymers, cellulose derivatives, casein materials, and proteins: used in place of other materials, as glass, wood, and metals, in construction and decoration, for making many articles, as coatings, and, drawn into filaments, for weaving.
- plurality—the state of being plural and/or more than one.
- portion—a part of a larger object, device, and/or system.
- post—a structural piece that is in an upright position such as a stay or support.
- predetermined—established in advance.
- provide—to furnish, supply, give, and/or make available.
- proximity—nearness in location.
- receive—to get as a signal, take, acquire, and/or obtain.
- repeatedly—again and again; repetitively.
- request—to express a desire for and/or ask for.
- restrict—to restrain within bounds.
- retain—to hold something in place.
- retainer—a device or structure that holds something in place.
- segment—a portion of an object.
- select—to make a choice or selection from alternatives.
- set—a related plurality.
- shield—to protect or conceal something from an exposure.
- sleeve—a tubular part constructed to fit over another part.
- slide—to move along in substantially continuous contact with a surface.
- slidably—capable of moving along in substantially continuous contact with a surface.
- store—to place, hold, and/or retain.
- substantially—to a great extent or degree.
- support—to bear the weight of, especially from below.
- surround—to substantially enclose.
- system—a collection of mechanisms, devices, machines, articles of manufacture, processes, data, and/or instructions, the collection designed to perform one or more specific functions.
- tie point—a portion of an object constructed to hold the object relative to an anchor point when engaged via a cable that is coupled to the anchor point. For example, a cleat on a boat is a tie point for the boat.
- via—by way of and/or utilizing.

Note

Still other substantially and specifically practical and useful embodiments will become readily apparent to those skilled in this art from reading the above-recited and/or herein-included detailed description and/or drawings of certain exemplary embodiments. It should be understood that numerous variations, modifications, and additional embodiments are possible, and accordingly, all such variations, modifications, and embodiments are to be regarded as being within the scope of this application.
Thus, regardless of the content of any portion (e.g., title, field, background, summary, description, abstract, drawing figure, etc.) of this application, unless clearly specified to the contrary, such as via explicit definition, assertion, or argument, with respect to any claim, whether of this application and/or any claim of any application claiming priority hereto, and whether originally presented or otherwise:

- there is no requirement for the inclusion of any particular described or illustrated characteristic, function, activity, or element, any particular sequence of activities, or any particular interrelationship of elements;
- no characteristic, function, activity, or element is “essential”;
- any elements can be integrated, segregated, and/or duplicated;
- any activity can be repeated, any activity can be performed by multiple entities, and/or any activity can be performed in multiple jurisdictions; and
- any activity or element can be specifically excluded, the sequence of activities can vary, and/or the interrelationship of elements can vary.

Moreover, when any number or range is described herein, unless clearly stated otherwise, that number or range is approximate. When any range is described herein, unless clearly stated otherwise, that range includes all values therein and all subranges therein. For example, if a range of 1 to 10 is described, that range includes all values therebetween, such as for example, 1.1, 2.5, 3.335, 5, 6.179, 8.9999, etc., and includes all subranges therebetween, such as for example, 1 to 3.65, 2.8 to 8.14, 1.93 to 9, etc.
When any claim element is followed by a drawing element number, that drawing element number is exemplary and non-limiting on claim scope. No claim of this application is intended to invoke paragraph six of 35 USC 112 unless the precise phrase “means for” is followed by a gerund.
Any information in any material (e.g., a United States patent, United States patent application, book, article, etc.) that has been incorporated by reference herein, is only incorporated by reference to the extent that no conflict exists between such information and the other statements and drawings set forth herein. In the event of such conflict, including a conflict that would render invalid any claim herein or seeking priority hereto, then any such conflicting information in such material is specifically not incorporated by reference herein.
Accordingly, every portion (e.g., title, field, background, summary, description, abstract, drawing figure, etc.) of this application, other than the claims themselves, is to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive, and the scope of subject matter protected by any patent that issues based on this application is defined only by the claims of that patent.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1-7. (canceled)

8. A system comprising:

a cable, said cable comprising a first end and a second end, said first end defining a loop, said loop constructed to substantially surround an tie point of an anchorable object coupleable to said cable;

an anchor loop sleeve, said anchor loop sleeve slidably coupled to said cable, wherein said anchor loop sleeve:

is formed by a first retaining sleeve substantially surrounding a cable segment;

substantially surrounds a portion of said cable;

has an inner diameter that is substantially similar to an outer diameter of said cable; and

causes friction sliding along said cable;

said first retaining sleeve;

said cable segment, said first retaining sleeve substantially covering a portion of said cable segment to limit exposure to environmental elements; and

an anchor loop retainer, an inner surface of said anchor loop having substantially the same size and shape as an outer surface of said cable, said anchor loop retainer tightly coupled to and substantially surrounding a second portion of said cable, said anchor loop retainer installed to restrict sliding of said first anchor loop on said cable beyond a predetermined position on said cable.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein:

an amount of said friction is determined by a positioning of said first retaining sleeve relative to said anchor loop sleeve and a tightness of said first retaining sleeve around said cable segment.

10. The system of claim 8, further comprising:

a clasp coupled to said second end of said cable, wherein said clasp is coupled to said second end of said cable via a clasp loop in said cable, wherein a portion of said cable adjacent to said clasp loop is substantially covered by a second retaining sleeve, wherein said second retaining sleeve substantially covers a portion of said cable to limit exposure of said portion of said cable to environmental elements.

11. A method comprising:

fabricating a cable, said cable comprising a first end and a second end, said first end defining a loop, said loop constructed to substantially surround an tie point of an anchorable object coupleable to said cable;

substantially surrounds a portion of said cable;

causes friction sliding along said cable;

said first retaining sleeve;