Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
219 words
A unidirectional detent apparatus for flexible elongated members comprising an annular member, slidably mounted on the flexible elongated member so that the annular member encircles the elongated member, and a one-way hook formed from a hollow tubular member wherein the one-way hook further comprises a. a first portion of the tubular member through which the flexible elongated member passes, b. a means for attaching the flexible elongated member to the first portion of the tubular member so that a segment of the elongated member is constrained to remain within a hollow longitudinal region in the first portion of the tubular member, and c. a second portion of the tubular member bent at an obtuse angle with respect to the first portion, which second portion is formed with an aperture in its wall through which a segment of the elongated member exits the hollow longitudinal region in the first portion of the tubular member; whereby, the annular member is free to pass over the first and second portions of the tubular member when sliding along the flexible, elongated member in one direction, and is prevented from passing over the tubular member in a reverse direction by an acute angle hook formed by an intersection of the second portion of the tubular member and a segment of the flexible, elongated member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
219 words
A unidirectional detent apparatus for flexible elongated members comprising an annular member, slidably mounted on the flexible elongated member so that the annular member encircles the elongated member, and a one-way hook formed from a hollow tubular member wherein the one-way hook further comprises a. a first portion of the tubular member through which the flexible elongated member passes, b. a means for attaching the flexible elongated member to the first portion of the tubular member so that a segment of the elongated member is constrained to remain within a hollow longitudinal region in the first portion of the tubular member, and c. a second portion of the tubular member bent at an obtuse angle with respect to the first portion, which second portion is formed with an aperture in its wall through which a segment of the elongated member exits the hollow longitudinal region in the first portion of the tubular member; whereby, the annular member is free to pass over the first and second portions of the tubular member when sliding along the flexible, elongated member in one direction, and is prevented from passing over the tubular member in a reverse direction by an acute angle hook formed by an intersection of the second portion of the tubular member and a segment of the flexible, elongated member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
141 words
The unidirectional detent apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means for attaching the flexible elongated member to the first portion of the tubular member comprises an annular constriction, removably attached to the first portion of the tubular member, which annular constriction narrows the hollow longitudinal region in the first portion of the tubular member through which the flexible, elongated member passes, and an enlargement in the flexible, elongated member of a dimension larger than a central opening in the annular constriction and larger than the aperture formed in the second portion of the tubular member, which enlargement is located inside the hollow longitudinal region in the first portion of the tubular member between the annular constriction and the aperture formed in the second portion of the tubular member, so that the enlargement is constrained to remain within the hollow longitudinal region.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The unidirectional detent apparatus of claim 2 wherein the enlargement in the flexible, elongated member is a knot in the flexible, elongated member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
The unidirectional detent apparatus of claim 2 wherein the annular constriction is formed with threads and the first portion of the tubular member is formed with corresponding threads so that the annular constriction may be screwed onto the tubular member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The unidirectional detent apparatus of claim 2 wherein the annular constriction is formed with a tapered nose which can be partially cut away so that the constriction will accomodate elongated members of different thicknesses.