Cord Tensioning Device

Abstract

This cord tensioning device allows for the easy attachment of an item needing to be secured, such as a tent or tarp to various types of anchor points without the ability to tie knots. The device includes: a body portion having a major surface said body portion having a distal section and a proximal section; at least two openings dimensioned to receive a cord, one of said openings located in the proximity the proximal section and the other of said openings located in proximity of the distal section. The proximal section further includes a head section and two arm sections and a slot between each of the head and arm sections. The slots are sized to be smaller than the interior shoulder portion and will frictionally hold a cord within the slot.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A cord tensioning device comprising:
 a body portion having a major surface said body portion having a distal section and a proximal section;   at least two openings dimensioned to receive a cord, one of said openings located in the proximity the proximal section and the other of said openings located in proximity of the distal section;   said proximal section further comprising a head section and two arm sections and a slot between each of the head and arm sections, the slots being smaller than the interior shoulder portion thereof and being adapted to frictionally hold a cord within the slot.   
     
     
         2 . A cord tensioning device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said major surface is curvilinear along an axis extending from the distal section to the proximal section.
 wherein the distal section further comprises two leg sections and a tail section.   
     
     
         3 . A cord tensioning device as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein side portions of the device formed by the arms, body portion and legs, are curved in toward the center of the body portion. 
     
     
         4 . A cord tensioning device as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the device is in the shape of an animal. 
     
     
         5 . A cord tensioning device as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the device is in the shape of a bear. 
     
     
         6 . A cord tensioning device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the device is made from titanium, steel, aluminum or plastic. 
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . A method of organizing a cord on a cord tensioning device comprising:
 providing cord tensioning device comprising,   a body portion having a major surface, said body portion having a distal section and a proximal section,   two openings dimensioned to receive a cord, one of said openings located in the proximity the proximal section and the other of said openings located in proximity of the distal section,   said proximal section further comprising a head section and two arm sections and a slot between each of the head and arm sections, the slots being smaller than the interior shoulder portion thereof and being adapted to frictionally hold a cord within the slot, and   said distal section further comprises two leg sections and a tail section;   providing a cord having a first end extending from one side of the device through the proximal end opening, along the axis extending from the proximal end to the distal end, and through the distal end opening;   wrapping the portion of the cord extending away from the proximal opening around the body portion of the device until substantially all of the cord has been wrapped and a segment remains unwrapped;   bringing the segment under one of the legs between the legs and tail section and up to the proximal section, through one of the slots, across the head section and through the other slot.   
     
     
         16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . A method of anchoring an item to be secured to an anchor point, comprising:
 providing cord tensioning device comprising,   a body portion having a major surface, said body portion having a distal section and a proximal section,   two openings dimensioned to receive a cord, one of said openings located in the proximity the proximal section and the other of said openings located in proximity of the distal section, and   said proximal section further comprising a head section and two arm sections and a slot between each of the head and arm sections, the slots being smaller than the interior shoulder portion thereof and being adapted to frictionally hold a cord within the slot;   providing a cord having a first end extending from one side of the device through the proximal end opening, along the axis extending from the proximal end to the distal end, and through the distal end opening;   securing the first end to the rear of the device to prevent the first end from passing back through the distal opening;   attaching the other end of the cord to an item to be secured;   pulling the portion of the cord that extends between the two openings to form a loop;   extending the loop over a free end of an anchor;   moving the device relative to the cord in a direction toward the item to be secured to tension the cord, whereby when the cord is tensioned the portion of the cord that passes through the proximal opening is kinked and forced to contact the edges of the opening, wherein the friction between the cord and the edges of the opening maintains the cord under tension.   
     
     
         21 . A method as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the item to be secured is a tent. 
     
     
         22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . A method of anchoring an item to be secured to an anchor point, comprising:
 providing cord tensioning device comprising,   a body portion having a major surface, said body portion having a distal section and a proximal section,   two openings dimensioned to receive a cord, one of said openings located in the proximity the proximal section and the other of said openings located in proximity of the distal section,   said proximal section further comprising a head section and two arm sections and a slot between each of the head and arm sections, the slots being smaller than the interior shoulder portion thereof and being adapted to frictionally hold a cord within the slot;   providing a cord having a first end extending from one side of the device through the proximal end opening;   securing the first end to the rear of the device to prevent the first end from passing back through the proximal opening;   attaching the other end of the cord to an item to be secured;   wrapping the device and first end of the cord around an anchor point and extending the device and first end back toward the item to be secured;   inserting the portion of the cord that extends between the item to be secured and the anchor point into each of the slots through the shoulder portion, whereby the portion of the cord between the slots extends across the head section; and   tensioning the cord before or after insertion into the slots, whereby when the cord is tensioned the portion of the cord that passes through the slots and across the head section is kinked and forced to contact the edges of the slots, wherein the friction between the cord and the edges of the slots maintains the cord under tension.   
     
     
         26 . A method as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the item to be secured is a tarp. 
     
     
         27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . (canceled)