Line connector apparatus and method

Abstract

A knotless connector is formed at the end of a tool to enable a rope or line to be connected thereto without the use of a knot. The knotless connector has an arcuate portion (i.e., a first member), a shank portion (i.e., a second member), and a side retaining portion (i.e., a third member). An eyelet is partially defined by the arcuate portion and a slot is defined between the shank portion and the side retaining portion. The eyelet and the slot both open in the same transverse direction. The tail end of the line may be wrapped around the shank portion and then the main line portion of the line may be passed through the eyelet. Thereafter, the tail end may also be passed through the eyelet to hold the main line portion of the line in place.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A knotless connector comprising:
 a first end opposite a second end defining a longitudinal direction therebetween, a first side opposite a second side defining a transverse direction therebetween, and a top surface opposite a bottom surface defining a vertical direction therebetween;   an arcuate first member defining the first end curving from the second side towards the first side and terminating at a free end;   a vertically extending eyelet formed proximate the first end and partially defined by the arcuate first member, and a transversely extending opening to the eyelet partially defined by the free end of the arcuate first member;   a longitudinally extending second member extending towards the second end from the arcuate first member;   a longitudinally extending third member extending towards the second end from a transverse connection with the second member, wherein the third member is offset from the second member, and the third member terminates short of the second member;   a vertically and longitudinally extending slot formed between the second member and third member, wherein a transverse opening to the slot is defined between the third member terminal end and the second member, wherein the slot is longer longitudinally than vertically.   
     
     
         2 . The knotless connector of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a c-shaped wall defining a portion of the eyelet, wherein the c-shaped wall terminates at projections extending towards the eyelet center.   
     
     
         3 . The knotless connector of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a convexly arcuate wall extending from the third member towards the first end defining a portion of the transversely extending opening to the eyelet.   
     
     
         4 . The knotless connector of  claim 1 , wherein the third member tapers from the transverse connection with the second member towards the third member terminal end. 
     
     
         5 . The knotless connector of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first side surface on the third member and a second side surface on the third member, wherein the first side surface on the third member is angled and not parallel with the second side surface on the third member.   
     
     
         6 . The knotless connector of  claim 1 , further comprising a first end of the slot defined by a concavely curved surface, wherein a center of the first end of the slot is longitudinally aligned with a center of the eyelet. 
     
     
         7 . The knotless connector of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first side surface extending vertically between the top surface and the bottom surface;   a second side surface extending vertically between the top surface and the bottom surface;   a first beveled wall connecting the first side surface to the top surface.   
     
     
         8 . The knotless connector of  claim 7 , further comprising a second beveled wall connecting the second side surface to the top surface. 
     
     
         9 . The knotless connector of  claim 8 , wherein the first and second beveled walls are oriented at a same angle relative to horizontal. 
     
     
         10 . The knotless connector of  claim 9 , wherein the first and second beveled walls are at 45 degrees relative to horizontal. 
     
     
         11 . The knotless connector of  claim 8 , further comprising a third beveled wall connecting the first side surface to the bottom surface and a fourth beveled wall connecting the second side surface to the bottom surface. 
     
     
         12 . The knotless connector of  claim 1 , further comprising at least eight friction points defined by intersecting walls when viewed in cross section, wherein the friction points are adapted to engage a flexible elongated material wrapped around the knotless connector. 
     
     
         13 . The knotless connector of  claim 1 , wherein the second end defines a connection mechanism structured mirroredly identical to that of the first end. 
     
     
         14 . The knotless connector of  claim 1 , further comprising a spring retention clip formed near the second end of the knotless connector. 
     
     
         15 . The knotless connector of  claim 1 , further comprising a handle formed proximate the second end of the knotless connector. 
     
     
         16 . The knotless connector of  claim 1 , further comprising a second eyelet formed proximate the second end of the knotless connector, wherein the second eyelet has a diameter greater than that of the first eyelet. 
     
     
         17 . The knotless connector of  claim 1 , further comprising a shackle formed near the second end of the knotless connector. 
     
     
         18 . The knotless connector of  claim 1 , further comprising a line retaining collar selectively covering a portion of the eyelet.