Other

Timothy T Tylaska

Thomas W Dixon

Gregory R Kline

Gregory C Moore

Barry L Hull

Patrick D Pollin

A device is presented that can be used as both a pad eye and as a fairlead independently and simultaneously while providing separation between the two modes of use. The device provides the option for multiple attachment points and multiple fairlead passages and reduces the need of requiring both a pad eye and additional hardware such as a pulley in applications such as the implementing of a jib sheet 'in-hauler' system on a sailing vessel. Additionally, the device is configured in a symmetric manner so as to allow the device to be optionally joined and mated to a second but inverted such device allowing for the assembly of two such devices into a single combined unit. Such a combined configuration has the benefit of allowing for pad eye and fairlead functions to take place in a suspended location instead of being constrained to only a fixed surface.

Combination pad eye and fairlead device

Rigging thimble

A tool to aid with pulling a closing loop cord through grommets in closing flaps on a parachute container. The cord is looped in a 'U' shaped arrangement with two pulling 'legs' of equal length being wrapped around a handle to provide a better grip. Only one leg of the cord can be permanently attached to the handle as the other leg must be removable for fishing through the grommets. The handle must have a diameter to permit passage through the eye of the grommet with the two legs of the cord trailing behind. With existing handles, the removable end of the cord slides off the end of the handle when passing through the grommet. An &#x201c;O&#x201d; ring placed on one or both ends of a radial groove in the handle holds the cord captive when passing the handle through the grommets to prevent the cord from sliding off.

Parachute packing tool

A locking quick connect fitting allows for the attachment and detachment of stays and rigging on sailboats and other related applications. The invention eliminates the need to handle clevis pins and cotter pins when setting up or tearing down the rigging of a sailboat, and especially for the standing rigging of a trailer able sailboat. Further, it can be tightened by wrench. In addition, the fitting helps keep the connection secure even if in the unlocked state. The presented invention is also modular and readily connectable to the rigging or fittings on existing sailboats. In order to avoid abandonment of the application, applicant must make these above agreed upon changes.

Locking quick connect fitting

Fastening apparatus

A mechanical knot apparatus for replacing the use of a conventional knot or fitting for fastening or securing a rope or cable to an object. A spool-like body with a slot or two holes bored crosswise across the middle of the spool perpendicular to its axis is provided. A loop is first formed in the rope by either splicing or by simply creating a loop with the use of a knot. The end of the loop is passed through the slot or holes in the spool and then passed around the object to be secured. The loop is then wrapped back over the flanges of the spool to create a hitch-like configuration. When tension is applied, the rope slips through the device until flanges or body of the spool seats against the object being secured. A secondary tightly fitting flexible ring such as a rubber 'O' ring is optionally slipped around the root of the loop and can be slid up against the hitch to act as a 'lock' which prevents the loop from bouncing off the flanges of the spool during severe flogging. To detach the device, the two legs of rope loop initiating from its root are bent back and around the cylindrical body of the spool between the two flanges. The end of the loop is then rolled back over these two legs of rope as in a way similar to &#x201c;breaking the back&#x201d; of a bowline knot. This results in enough free slack to allow the end of the loop to be slipped back over the flanges of the spool whereas the loop can now be slipped off the secured object. Unlike a rope knot, the body of the spool is solid and basically incompressible. This prevents the rope from jamming into itself and allows the device to be easily detached even after tremendous loads.

Mechanical knot apparatus

An improved shackle apparatus and a locking mechanism for the same. The shackle is of a thimble type design and includes a locking mechanism for locking the shackle open and closed. The shackle apparatus allows for secure locking, easier operation, higher strength and less susceptible to problems of wear. The locking mechanism includes a plunger pin connected to a knob that mates with the shackle body to prevent the plunger pin from rotating and/or retracting, and the shackle from opening. This design prevents the plunger from both rotational as well as translational movement during extreme flogging, dragging and impact to prevent accidental opening. The shackle can be operated with one hand for the inside surface of the hook is &ldquo;proud&rdquo; above the surface of the clevis. This arrangement transforms any force applied to the latching side of the shackle into a moment which helps the hook close and allows the plunger pin to be snapped closed with the use of one hand. Higher strength is accomplished by implementing a structural protrusion on the shackle body which interlocks with the hook and reduces shear stress on the plunger pin. Less susceptibility to problems of wear is accomplished by thinning the hook and providing a boss around its pivot so as to increase the clearance between any burrs or deformed metal on the clevis and hook.

Locking shackle apparatus

An improved shackle apparatus that introduces improvements to the basic shackle design to allow for easy attachment to the corner of a flexible membrane such as a sail. The releasable shackle comprises of a body, hook, internal trigger, and mounting lugs. The mounting lugs are located on the shackle body such that the shackle can be attached to the corner of a sail using standard webbing and eliminates the need to install an additional grommet or ring onto the sail. The lugs are oriented such as to position the pivot point of the shackle hook at the projected comer of the sail, or alternatively slightly below the bottom edge of the sail to prevent the foot of the sail from dragging over the deck when connected to a standard deck fitting. The lugs are also arranged in such a manner as to position the pivot point of the shackle hook direct in line with the force vector created by loads on the sail so as to reduce the twisting moment on the shackle body and loadings on the hook and prevent the formation of wrinkles and creases across the sail fabric.

Shackle apparatus

An improved shackle apparatus that introduces improvements to the basic shackle design to allow for easy release under load, a high strength to weight ratio, and low wear on sliding surfaces. Easier release under heavy load is accomplished with a nonsymmetrical trigger hole design. The contour of the trigger hole pushes the fid to the side of the trigger, thus producing greater leverage on the trigger that would have been applied with the same amount of force as originally applied to the fid. Internal design of the improved shackle apparatus has incorporated the trigger spring in the shank resulting in a simplified design while providing for a high strength to weight ratio. Likewise, a reinforced trigger pivot pin hole improves tensile strength and increases the bearing contact area of the trigger. Low wear on sliding surfaces is aided by a new 'cam action' hook design that allows the rope to roll over the hook area instead of sliding. As the hook completely opens, the offset distance of the 'cam action' design decreases until the hook and the shackle casing meet in a smooth transition.

Shackle

A quick release mechanism for releasing two members joined together under tension. The force necessary to release the mechanism is substantially independent of the tension being carried by the device. This is accomplished by providing a contact surface between the latch and its holder such that the moment necessary to release the latch holder must not increase with frictional force or normal force at the point of contact between the latch and latch holder. An equation that provides the configuration necessary to achieve this objective is derived which yields a logarithmic spiral solution set. The spiral expands from zero to infinity, with any portion of the curve being a valid solution to the curve that must machined into either a latch holder surface or a latch surface. The invention may also be used to provide a mechanism that will release once a pre-determined tension has been obtained, i.e., a reusable 'week link' or the inverse 'weak link', i.e. will release when tension has been decreased by a certain amount.

Growing community of inventors

Mystic, CT, United States of America

Timothy T Tylaska