Fastener for securing and cutting an object and methods relating thereto

Abstract

The present invention generally relates to fasteners for securing an object to produce a straight line cut of the secured object, including a square cut of a secured pipe. More particularly, the present invention relates to fasteners for securing objects of various sizes and/or shapes where the object may be in almost any location. The fastener has a gap to guide a saw blade to produce a straight-line cut of the secured object. In some instances, the fastener may retain both pieces of a cut workpiece in place after the workpiece is cut. In some instances, the fastener may prevent the saw blade from cutting beyond the fastener.

1 . A fastener assembly comprising:
 a plurality of fastening segments each having a first gripping arm and a second gripping arm, wherein each fastening segment includes a first end and a second end, and wherein a blade access channel is provided between the first gripping arm and the second gripping arm;   a plurality of connectors each configured to pivotably attach a first fastening segment of the plurality of fastening segments to a second fastening segment of the plurality of fastening segments, and wherein each connector is configured to be secured at one of the first end and the second end of the first fastening segment and one of the first end and the second end of the second fastening segment; and   wherein the plurality of fastening segments includes at least two fastening segments pivotably attached to each other by at least one connector of the plurality of connectors to form a chain of fastening segments.   
     
     
         2 . The fastener assembly of  claim 1 , wherein each connector of the plurality of connectors comprises a hinge. 
     
     
         3 . The fastener assembly of  claim 1 , wherein each connector of the plurality of connectors is configured to be removable from at least one of the first fastening segment and the second fastening segment. 
     
     
         4 . The fastener assembly of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first end and the second end of each fastening segment is configured to receive a ball-pin lock through a fastening hole to secure the first gripping arm and the second gripping arm of each fastening segment to each other. 
     
     
         5 . The fastener assembly of  claim 4 , wherein each connector of the plurality of connectors pivotably attaches the first fastening segment to the second fastening segment by:
 receiving the ball-pin lock of one of the one of the first end and the second end of the first fastening segment through one or more first connection holes when the one or more first connection holes are aligned with the fastening hole of the one of the first end and the second end of the first fastening segment, and   receiving the ball-pin lock of one of the one of the first end and the second end of the second fastening segment through one or more second connection holes when the one or more second connection holes are aligned with the fastening hole of the one of the first end and the second end of the second fastening segment.   
     
     
         6 . The fastener assembly of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first gripping arm and the second gripping arm of at least one fastening segment comprises a gripping surface configured to grip an object. 
     
     
         7 . The fastener assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the chain of fastening segments is configured to form a triangular shape. 
     
     
         8 . The fastener assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the chain of fastening segments is configured to form a rectangular shape. 
     
     
         9 . The fastener assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the chain of fastening segments is configured to form a polygonal shape. 
     
     
         10 . The fastener assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a tightening mechanism configured to secure a first unattached end of the chain of fastening segments to a second unattached end of the chain of fastening segments. 
     
     
         11 . The fastener assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the tightening mechanism comprises a ratcheting clip disposed at the first unattached end of the chain of fastening segments and a tensioning belt disposed at the second unattached end of the chain of fastening segments. 
     
     
         12 . The fastener assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the tightening mechanism comprises a male engagement head disposed at the first unattached end of the chain of fastening segments and a female engagement head disposed at the second unattached end of the chain of fastening segments. 
     
     
         13 . A fastener assembly comprising:
 a plurality of fastening segments each having a first gripping arm and a second gripping arm, wherein each fastening segment includes a first end and a second end, and wherein a blade access channel is provided between the first gripping arm and the second gripping arm;   wherein the first end and the second end of each fastening segment is each configured to receive a ball-pin lock through a fastening hole to secure the first gripping arm and the second gripping arm of each fastening segment to each other;   a plurality of connectors each configured to pivotably attach a first fastening segment of the plurality of fastening segments together with a second fastening segment of the plurality of fastening segments wherein each connector is configured to be secured at one of the first end and the second end of the first fastening segment and one of the first end and the second end of the second fastening segment;   wherein each connector of the plurality of connectors pivotably attaches the first fastening segment to the second fastening segment by:
 receiving the ball-pin lock of the one of the first end and the second end of the first fastening segment through one or more first connection holes when the one or more first connection holes are aligned with the fastening hole of the one of the first end and the second end of the first fastening segment, and 
 receiving the ball-pin lock of the one of the first end and the second end of the second fastening segment through one or more second connection holes when the one or more second connection holes are aligned with the fastening hole of the one of the first end and the second end of the second fastening segment; and 
   wherein the plurality of fastening segments includes at least two fastening segments pivotably attached to each other by at least one connector to form a chain of fastening segments; and   a tightening mechanism configured to secure a first unattached end of the chain of fastening segments to a second unattached end of the chain of fastening segments.   
     
     
         14 . The fastener assembly of  claim 13 , wherein each connector of the plurality of connectors is configured to be removable from the first fastening segment and the second fastening segment. 
     
     
         15 . The fastener assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the chain of fastening segments is configured to form a triangular shape. 
     
     
         16 . The fastener assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the chain of fastening segments is configured to form a rectangular shape. 
     
     
         17 . The fastener assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the chain of fastening segments is configured to form a polygonal shape. 
     
     
         18 . The fastener assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the tightening mechanism comprises a ratcheting clip disposed at the first unattached end of the chain of fastening segments and a tensioning belt disposed at the second unattached end of the chain of fastening segments. 
     
     
         19 . The fastener assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the tightening mechanism comprises a male engagement head disposed at the first unattached end of the chain of fastening segments and a female engagement head disposed at the second unattached end of the chain of fastening segments. 
     
     
         20 . The fastener assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the tightening mechanism comprises a ratcheting clip disposed at one of the first unattached end and the second unattached end and a tensioning belt is disposed at the other, and wherein the tightening mechanism further comprises a male engagement head disposed at one of the first unattached end and the second unattached end and a female engagement head at the other.