Apparatus and method for securing objects

Abstract

An improved method and apparatus for securing two or more objects together by controllably wrapping a flexible elongate binding member around said objects is disclosed. Specifically, the present invention provides a rotating apparatus ( 19 ) for connecting objects ( 40 ), ( 42 ), using flexible an elongate binding member ( 32 ) having a first end ( 28 ) and a second end ( 30 ). The rotating apparatus ( 19 ) includes a shaft member ( 24 ) for receiving and applying a machine controllable rotational force to a curved receiver ( 20 ). In this embodiment, rotational force ( 45 ) may be applied by a standard drill motor ( 38 ) having a chuck ( 34 ) for coupling to the shaft member ( 24 ). Thereafter, first end ( 28 ) and second end ( 30 ) of flexible elongate binding member ( 32 ) are coupled to curved receiver ( 20 ) and flexible member ( 32 ) is twisted for securely tying objects ( 40 ),( 42 ) together. The present method provides an automated process for tying together objects using flexible elongate binding member including (step 70 ) of inserting the shaft member into a chuck, (step 72 ) twisting flexible elongate binding member, (step 74 ) coupling the curved receiver to rotating apparatus, (step 76 ) inserting a distal end of rotating apparatus into a drill chuck and (step 78 ) wrapping the flexible elongate binding member until objects are securely bound together.

1 . Apparatus for tying objects together with a flexible elongate binding member having a first end and a second end, said apparatus comprising: 
 a shaft member having an end for receiving a machine controllable rotational force to said distal end;    a receiver disposed at the distal end of said shaft member; and    said receiver adapted to couple to said first end and said second end of said flexible binding member for wrapping and tying together said objects in response to said machine controllable rotational force.    
   
   
       2 . Apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said flexible elongate binding member is selected from a group consisting of cable, string, rope, yarn, and plastic sheeting.  
   
   
       3 . Apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said shaft member connects to a chuck and said machine controllable rotational force is provided by said chuck.  
   
   
       4 . Apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said rotational force is provided by a standard drill motor including multiple user adjustable torsional settings for selectively controlling the machine controllable rotational force applied to said flexible elongate binding member.  
   
   
       5 . Apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , further including a hollow sleeve though which said shaft member extends for providing a non-rotating external grip while machine controllable rotational force is applied to said shaft member.  
   
   
       6 . Apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said receiver has an radius of curvature which longitude length subtends an angle in relation to said shaft member selected from a range of approximately 45 degrees to approximately 120 degrees.  
   
   
       7 . Apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said receiver includes a hook for coupling to said first and said second ends of said flexible elongate building member.  
   
   
       8 . Apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said receiver includes a round base and a hooked tip for coupling to said first flexible elongate binding member at said first and said second ends.  
   
   
       9 . Apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said receiver includes a round base having a diameter selected from a range of approximately 0.8 inches to approximately 2 inches, a hooked tip having a height selected from a range of approximately 0.8 inches to approximately 2 inches and a width selected from a range of approximately 0.8 inches to approximately 2 inches.  
   
   
       10 . Apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said receiver is removably detachable to said flexible elongate binding member for insertion into an additional flexible elongate binding member.  
   
   
       11 . Apparatus for tying at least two objects together using a flexible elongate binding member having a first end and a second end, said apparatus comprising: 
 a shaft member having one end for receiving and applying a machine controllable rotational force provided by a chuck;    a receiver having a radius of curvature that includes a hook coupled to the distal end of said shaft member; and    said receiver is adapted to couple to said first and said second ends of said flexible elongate binding member to turn so as to wrap around said a flexible elongate binding so as to wrap around objects, in response to said machine controllable rotational force.    
   
   
       12 . Apparatus as recited in  claim 11 , wherein said shaft member connects to a chuck and said rotational force is provided by a motor connected to said chuck.  
   
   
       13 . Apparatus as recited in  claim 11 , wherein said rotational force is provided by a standard drill motor including multiple user adjustable torsional settings for selectively controlling the machine controllable rotational force applied to said flexible elongate binding member.  
   
   
       14 . Apparatus as recited in  claim 11 , further including a hollow sleeve though which said shaft member extends for providing a non-rotating external grip while said machine controllable rotational force is applied to said shaft member.  
   
   
       15 . Apparatus as recited in  claim 11 , wherein said shaft member is hexagonally shaped.  
   
   
       16 . Apparatus as recited in  claim 11 , wherein said flexible elongate binding member is selected from a group consisting of cable, string, strap, rope, yarn, and plastic sheeting.  
   
   
       17 . A method for tying together two objects with a first flexible elongate binding member having a first end and a second end using a rotating apparatus, which comprises the steps of: 
 inserting a shaft member of said rotating apparatus into a chuck;    coupling a curved receiver to said distal end of said rotating apparatus, connecting to said first flexible elongate binding member having first and second ends;    rotating said curved receiver that is adapted to wrap said first flexible elongate binding member in response to a machine controllable rotational force applied to said chuck around objects, until said objects are bound together; and    removing said curved receiver from said first and second ends adapted for connection to a second flexible elongate binding member.    
   
   
       18 . A method as recited in  claim 17 , further comprising the steps of: 
 wrapping a second flexible elongate binding member having a first and a second ends around said objects;    connecting said curved receiver adapted to couple to first and second ends of a second flexible member; and    rotating said curved receiver using a chuck connected to a motor until said objects are securely bound together with said second flexible elongate binding member.    
   
   
       19 . A method as recited in  claim 17 , wherein said flexible elongate binding member is selected from a group consisting of cable, string, strap, rope, yarn, and plastic sheeting.