US4070802A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Spring-biased take-up clamp assembly for mobile home tie-down straps
Assignee: Hubbell Inc
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Filing: 1976-06-14
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Granted: 1978-01-31
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Expires: 1996-06-14
Abstract
Abstract An improved, spring-biased take-up clamp assembly for elongated tie-down elements such as cables, ropes or mobile home tie-down straps is provided which permits simplified, infinitely adjustable take-up and tightening of the tie-down element with secure locking at any desired position and without the use of conventional turnbuckles or other devices using interference-fit structure for spindle-retaining purposes. In preferred forms the assembly includes a rotatable take-up mandrel or spindle for a tie-down element, an apertured mounting plate fixed to the upper end of an embedded earth anchor, and a motion-checking snubber spring operatively coupled between the strap spindle and mounting plate for holding the strap against loosening under tension loads while at the same time permitting relatively easy, one-man tightening thereof as desired. The snubber spring includes a pair of spaced torsion spring portions in gripping engagement with the wind-up spindle, and a bail portion engageable with the anchor mounting plate for preventing inadvertent slippage of the hold-down element.
Inventors
- 👤 James Thomas Odom
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 09:13
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04B; E04B1/00; E04B1/343; E04B1/34336; E04B1/34347; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S52/00; Y10S52/11; Y10T; Y10T24/00; Y10T24/14; Y10T24/1412; Y10T24/1416; Y10T24/21; Y10T24/2175
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
133 words
A clamp assembly for securing an element such as an elongated cable or strap to anchoring structure, comprising: mounting structure presenting first and second engagement surfaces and adapted to be affixed to said anchoring structure; and axially rotatable spindle means for receiving one end of said element and in engagement with said first engagement surface; spring means operatively coupling said spindle means and mounting structure for precluding significant loosening of the element under tension loads normally experienced thereby, said spring means including a first portion in gripping engagement with said spindle means, and a second portion in engagement with said second engagement surface, said mounting structure being located between said spindle means and the part of said second portion in engagement with said second surface, said second spring portion being loaded in tension.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
133 words
A clamp assembly for securing an element such as an elongated cable or strap to anchoring structure, comprising: mounting structure presenting first and second engagement surfaces and adapted to be affixed to said anchoring structure; and axially rotatable spindle means for receiving one end of said element and in engagement with said first engagement surface; spring means operatively coupling said spindle means and mounting structure for precluding significant loosening of the element under tension loads normally experienced thereby, said spring means including a first portion in gripping engagement with said spindle means, and a second portion in engagement with said second engagement surface, said mounting structure being located between said spindle means and the part of said second portion in engagement with said second surface, said second spring portion being loaded in tension.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The clamp assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said spindle means is configured to present an axially extending, strap-receiving slot for receiving one end of a tie-down strap.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The clamp assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said spindle means is configured to present a tool-engaging opening adjacent one end thereof for receiving a winding tool.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The clamp assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said mounting structure includes spaced, spindle means-engaging legs in contact with said spindle means on opposite sides of said element.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The clamp assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein said mounting structure is configured to present an element-receiving slot therein.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
52 words
The clamp assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said spring means comprises spaced torsion spring portions respectively in gripping engagement with said spindle means, and a bail portion interconnecting said torsion spring portions and in engagement with said second engagement surface of said mounting structure for precluding said element loosening.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
The clamp assembly as set forth in claim 6 wherein said mounting structure includes a plate-like member having opposed first and second surfaces, said spindle means being in engagement with said first surface, said bail portion being in engagement with the opposed second surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
The clamp assembly as set forth in claim 6 wherein said torsion spring portions are configured for loosening when said spindle is rotated in a direction for take-up winding of said element about the spindle means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
42 words
The clamp assembly as set forth in claim 6 wherein one of said torsion spring portions is wound in a clockwise fashion about said spindle means, and the remaining torsion spring portion is wound in a counterclockwise manner about the spindle means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
184 words
A tie-down assembly for securing mobile homes or the like, comprising: an earth anchor adapted to be embedded within the earth and including an elongated shaft having the upper end thereof protruding from the earth, and a generally transversely extending load-bearing member attached to said shaft adjacent the lower embedded end thereof; a mounting plate secured to said protruding end of the anchor shaft; an elongated, axially slotted and rotatable spindle in engagement with one side of said mounting plate; an elongated tie-down strap having one end thereof inserted within said spindle slot and wrapped around the spindle; and spring means including spaced torsion spring portions respectively in gripping engagement with said spindle and on opposite sides of said strap, and a bail portion connected between said torsion spring portions and engaging the side of said mounting plate remote from said spindle, said torsion spring portions being configured for loosening upon axial rotation of said spindle in a direction for takeup winding of said strap about the spindle, and for substantially blocking rotation of said spindle in a direction for loosening of the strap.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
184 words
A tie-down assembly for securing mobile homes or the like, comprising: an earth anchor adapted to be embedded within the earth and including an elongated shaft having the upper end thereof protruding from the earth, and a generally transversely extending load-bearing member attached to said shaft adjacent the lower embedded end thereof; a mounting plate secured to said protruding end of the anchor shaft; an elongated, axially slotted and rotatable spindle in engagement with one side of said mounting plate; an elongated tie-down strap having one end thereof inserted within said spindle slot and wrapped around the spindle; and spring means including spaced torsion spring portions respectively in gripping engagement with said spindle and on opposite sides of said strap, and a bail portion connected between said torsion spring portions and engaging the side of said mounting plate remote from said spindle, said torsion spring portions being configured for loosening upon axial rotation of said spindle in a direction for takeup winding of said strap about the spindle, and for substantially blocking rotation of said spindle in a direction for loosening of the strap.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
The tie-down assembly as set forth in claim 10 wherein said mounting plate is mounted with the longitudinal axis thereof generally transverse of the axis of said shaft.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The tie-down assembly as set forth in claim 10 wherein said mounting plate is slotted for receiving and guiding said strap.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
82 words
A tensioning device for use in a tie-down assembly including anchoring means and an elongated tie-down element, said device comprising: an elongated element-receiving spindle; spring means including a pair of spaced torsion spring portions respectively in gripping engagement with said spindle, and a bail portion interconnected between said torsion spring portions and having a bight section in spaced relationship to said spindle; and means for engaging said bail portion for holding said element against loosening under tension loads experienced by the latter.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
82 words
A tensioning device for use in a tie-down assembly including anchoring means and an elongated tie-down element, said device comprising: an elongated element-receiving spindle; spring means including a pair of spaced torsion spring portions respectively in gripping engagement with said spindle, and a bail portion interconnected between said torsion spring portions and having a bight section in spaced relationship to said spindle; and means for engaging said bail portion for holding said element against loosening under tension loads experienced by the latter.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
42 words
The tensioning device as set forth in claim 13 wherein said bail portion includes spaced legs connected to said bight section on opposite sides of the latter, said legs each being connected to the innermost convolution of a corresponding torsion spring portion.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
40 words
The tensioning device as set forth in claim 14 wherein one of said torsion spring portions is wound in a clockwise fashion about said spindle, and the remaining torsion spring portion is wound in a counterclockwise manner about the spindle.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
26 words
The tensioning device as set forth in claim 13 wherein said spindle is configured to present an axially extending, element-receiving slot between said torsion spring portions.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
106 words
A clamp assembly for securing a tie-down element such as an elongated cable or strap to anchoring structure, comprising: axially rotatable spindle means for receiving one end of said element; mounting structure for said spindle means and adapted to be affixed to said anchoring structure; and spring means operatively coupling said spindle means and mounting structure for precluding significant loosening of the element under tension loads normally experienced thereby, said spring means comprising spaced torsion spring portions respectively in gripping engagement with said spindle means, and a bail portion interconnecting said torsion spring portions and engageable with said mounting structure for precluding loosening of said element.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
106 words
A clamp assembly for securing a tie-down element such as an elongated cable or strap to anchoring structure, comprising: axially rotatable spindle means for receiving one end of said element; mounting structure for said spindle means and adapted to be affixed to said anchoring structure; and spring means operatively coupling said spindle means and mounting structure for precluding significant loosening of the element under tension loads normally experienced thereby, said spring means comprising spaced torsion spring portions respectively in gripping engagement with said spindle means, and a bail portion interconnecting said torsion spring portions and engageable with said mounting structure for precluding loosening of said element.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-01-30 | 1981-08-01 | 1982-01-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-01-30 | 1985-08-01 | 1986-01-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-01-30 | 1989-08-01 | 1990-01-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |