Combination eye hook and modified cleat, particularly for cargo tie-down

Abstract

A generally elongate fitting has, at a distal end, a hook for hooking an external object, and, at a proximal end, an eye and a cleat for attaching a rope. An eye hook with an eye at its proximal end, a hook at its distal end, and a connecting shank between the hook and the eye is formed integrally with a modified cleat that has both (i) a pair of projecting arms and (ii) a projecting arm. The pair of projecting arms extends proximally from the region of the eye so as to form a 'V' channel between them. The projecting arm extends distally from the region of the eye at an incline to the shank so as to form another 'V' channel. Both channels are suitable to compressively engage a rope that is forcibly wedged within such channel. A rope slipped through the eye is pulled taught against the eye, and not against either channel, until, a desired tension in the rope having been achieved, the rope is easily, while still held taut, angled into that channel of the cleat which is formed between the two projecting arms. The rope is then pulled tight into the remaining channel, and rethreaded through the eye in an opposite direction. The connection so achieved is both strong and secure despite being easy and extremely quick. A normal connection is typically stronger than the tensile strength of the rope that is connected.