Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a rope hitch, particularly a mechanical rope hitch for tensioning a rope and a method of securing an item to a tie down point.

Background

Effectively using ropes to secure a load requires knowledge of knots and a certain level of skill to create knots that hold tension and do not untie. Professional drivers that perform such tasks on a daily basis may over time become proficient in tying knots, though for the average person that performs such tasks infrequently or doesn't wish to learn knot tying skills, it is desirable to use devices that assist with securing a load and retaining tension in a rope. Also, it can be difficult for people with injuries or decreased mobility to tie knots.

Various configurations of rope hitches have previously been proposed, though they are often complicated and difficult to use, and can be ineffective at times. A common example of a device for securing a load is a ratchet tie down strap, though these are unpopular, can be slow to tighten, difficult to operate and prone to breakage. Also, they are only suitable for tie down straps.

There is a need to address the above, and/or at least provide a useful alternative.

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a rope hitch for use in tensioning a rope, the hitch including a first body defining a first locking path through which the rope passes and a second body defining a second locking path through which the rope passes, each body having a cam lock impinging on a respective locking path for securing the rope therein, wherein the first and second bodies are positioned adjacent each other.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first locking path and the second locking path are generally parallel.

Preferably, the first body is configured for securing to a portion of the rope spaced from an end to position the hitch on the rope. Preferably, the second body is configured to receive a free end of the rope to allow tension to be applied to and retained in the rope.

Preferably, the first body also defines a return path in which the free end of the rope is received after being fed around a tie down or fixed point and before being fed through the second locking path.

The first and second bodies may be generally flat and secured to each other in a front to back relationship. The rope hitch can further include a release for each cam lock, each release extending to a location external of a respective body so as to be externally operable to release the rope. Locking teeth may be formed in the first and second locking paths, proximal to each cam lock.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of securing a load to a vehicle with a rope, including the steps of: securing an end of a rope to the vehicle and passing the rope over the load at least once; providing a rope hitch of the above described type; feeding a free end of a rope through the first locking path to secure the rope hitch to the rope; passing the free end of the rope around a tie down and then feeding it through the second locking path; and applying tension to the free end of the rope to secure the load to the vehicle. Preferably, the hitch includes a return path in the first body, the rope being fed through the return path in an opposite direction prior to being fed through the second locking path.

Preferably, the hitch is formed with numbered indicators disposed proximal to apertures on the hitch to indicate the order in which rope is to be fed through the hitch.

Brief description of the drawings

In order that the invention may be more easily understood, an embodiment will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is an upper perspective view of a rope hitch according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a lower perspective view of the hitch;

Figure 3 is a first sectional front view of the hitch;

Figure 4 is a second sectional back view of the hitch;

Figure 5 is a front view of a cam for use with the hitch;

Figure 6 is an end view of the cam of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the rope hitch in use;

Figure 8 is another perspective view of the rope hitch in use; and

Figure 9 is a front view of a mounting plate of the hitch.

Detailed description

A rope hitch 10 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in Figure 1. The hitch 10 is configured for tensioning ropes to allow a load to be tied down to a vehicle such as a trailer for example.

The hitch 10 includes a first body 12 and a second body 14. As can be seen in Figures 3 and 4, the first body 12 defines a first locking path 16 and the second body 14 defines a second locking path 18. The first body 12 is configured for securing to a portion of the rope spaced from an end to position the rope hitch 10 on the rope. The second body 14 is configured to receive a free end of the rope to allow tension to be applied to and retained in the rope.

Each body 12, 14 has a locking cam 20 (to be described further below) impinging on a respective locking path for securing the rope (not shown) therein. In use and as can be seen in Figures 1 and 2, the first and second bodies 12, 14 are generally flat are positioned adjacent each other in front to back relationship to form a single unit of a relatively small size which can be easily stored when not in use.

The first body 12 and the second body 14 are preferably formed of polymer materials, using a moulding process such as an injection moulding process for example. The bodies 12, 14 are secured together with threaded fasteners, with a mounting plate 15 disposed between each body. The mounting plate 15 acts to retain the rope in the first and second locking paths 16, 18 and works in combination with the first body 12 to define the first locking path 16, and the second body 14 to define the second locking path 18. The hitch 10 is configured so that when the first body 12 and second body 14 are assembled, the first locking path 16 and the second locking path 18 are generally parallel.

The first body 12 also defines a return path 22 in which a free end of the rope is received after being fed around a tie down and before being fed through the second locking path 18. By passing the rope through the hitch 10 a second time, an increased leverage effect may be obtained whereby increased tension can be applied to the rope.

The locking cams 20 are described further with reference to Figures 5 and 6. Each locking cam 20 has a main body 24, an extension 32 and teeth 34. Being formed with extension 32 extending away from the point of rotation of the cam 20, the cam 20 can apply increased force to the rope. Also, as the size of teeth 34 increase progressing away from the point of rotation, engagement with the rope can be increased. To assist with engagement of the rope, locking teeth 40 are formed in the first and second locking paths 16, 18, proximal to each cam lock 20. This results in engagement on opposite sides of the rope, thereby increasing engagement or locking of the rope within the locking paths 16, 18.

Although locking teeth 34, 40 are shown as being triangular prisms with uneven faces, it will be appreciated that they may take other forms, such as for example having straight, generally equal faces.

In the main body 24 is formed a cam axle recess 26 for receiving a mounting axle 21 (Figures 3 and 4) secured within the hitch 10. A torsion spring (not shown) is received in recess 30 and provided to urge the cam 20 into a locking position in which pressure is applied to the rope.

As can be seen in Figures 3 and 4, each cam 20 is provided with a release 36. Each release 36 extends from cam 20 to a location externally of a respective body 12, 14 so as to be externally operable to release the rope. Each release is operable by pulling, though in other embodiments an alternative release may be provided which is push operated. Providing releases 36 allows the rope to be removed from the load as required.

Figure 9 illustrates mounting plate 15 which is disposed between the first body 12 and the second body 14. Apertures 23 are provided for receipt of axles 21 on which cams 20 are mounted. Apertures 25 are also provided to accept fasteners 27 used to secure hitch 10 together. Extension 29 extends from a periphery of the mounting plate 15 to form a loop to allow the hitch 10 to be hung during transportation or storage.

Figures 7 and 8 illustrate the operation of hitch 10, which will be further described below with reference to securing a load to a trailer, though it will be appreciated that other uses of the hitch are also possible. To assist a user with installing the hitch 10, numbered indicators may be provided on an external surface of the hitch adjacent the apertures through which the rope is to be fed to indicate a feeding sequence.

In use, a first end of the rope is secured to the trailer and the rope passed over the load as least once. A free end of a rope is then inserted into rope hitch at location 1 (Figure 7) and fed through the first locking path 16 to secure the rope hitch 10 to the rope. The rope passes out of the rope hitch 10 at location 2 (Figure 8).

A free end of the rope is then passed around a tie down or securement, which is shown as bar 42, before returning it to the rope hitch 10 and inserting it into the rope hitch 10 at location 3 (Figure 8). The rope is then fed through the return path 22, exiting at location 4 (Figure 7).

The rope is then re-inserted into the rope hitch 10 at location 5 (Figure 7) and fed through the second locking path 18 before exiting at location 6 (Figure 8). The end of the rope can then be grasped and pulled to apply tension to the rope to secure the load to the trailer. Owing to the rope passing through the rope hitch 10 twice, a leverage effect is obtained, resulting in twice the tension being achieved than would be the case if the rope hitch 10 wasn't used.

As the rope hitch is secured to the rope after passing through the first locking path 16, the rope can easily be fed through the return path 22 and second locking path 18.

Many modifications of the above embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, although described in relation to securing loads to trailers, the rope hitch may be used as-is or adapted for use with utility vehicle, trucks or rail vehicles. It may also be used for securing loads for camping sites, sailing boats, storage facilities, rigging systems etc. Also, the bodies may be formed of other materials such as steel or aluminium, or combinations of known materials.

Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps. The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates.