Connecting device

{
  "publication_number": "US11221056B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Connecting device",
  "abstract": "A connecting device (10) comprises a first securing arrangement (16) for securing a first elongate article (12) to the connecting device (10). The first elongate article (12) is secured in a first orientation. The connecting device (10) comprises a second securing arrangement (18) for securing a second elongate article (14) to the connecting device (10). The second elongate article (14) is secured in a second orientation. The second orientation is transverse to the first orientation.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A connecting device comprising: a body having a forward region and a rearward region; a first clamping arrangement comprising a passage for a first elongate article, the passage being defined by the body, and the first clamping arrangement including a clamping member and a spring, the clamping member configured to clamp the first elongate article in the passage, and the spring configured to urge the clamping member towards the passage in a direction away from the forward region of the body into clamping engagement with the first elongate article; wherein the first clamping arrangement is positioned to secure the first elongate article to the connecting device in a first orientation of the first elongate article; a second clamping arrangement including a hook formation configured to receive the second elongate article, the hook formation being at the forward region of the body; wherein the second clamping arrangement is positioned to secure the second elongate article to the connecting device in a second orientation, the second orientation being transverse to the first orientation.",
    "2. A connecting device according to claim 1, wherein the connecting device includes a nose formation extending from the forward region of the body.",
    "3. A connecting device according to claim 1, wherein the body defines an internal space in which the urging member is disposed, the internal space communicating with the passage to allow the urging member to urge the clamping member towards the passage.",
    "4. A connecting device according to claim 1, wherein the hook formation comprises either: a pair of hook members arranged side by side, each of the hook members having an opening facing the rearward region of the body; or a single hook member, the hook member having an opening facing the rearward region of the body.",
    "5. A connecting device according to claim 1, wherein either: the body includes cooperating formations which cooperate with the cooperating portion of the movable member, thereby effecting the aforesaid movement of the movable member; or the second securing arrangement includes a discrete fastening member held by the body, the fastening member comprising formations which cooperate with the cooperating portion to effect the aforesaid movement.",
    "6. A method of using a connecting device as claimed in claim 1, said method comprising securing the first elongate article to the connecting device by means of the first clamping arrangement, securing the second elongate article to the connecting device by means of the second clamping arrangement.",
    "7. A method according to claim 6, wherein the step of securing the first elongate article to the first clamping arrangement comprises moving the first elongate article through the passage in one direction to move the clamping member away from the passage, and thereafter comprises moving the first elongate article in an opposite direction to cause the clamping member to clamp the first elongate article.",
    "8. A method according to claim 7, wherein the first clamping arrangement includes a clamping surface for engaging the first elongate article, and the first clamping arrangement further includes a reaction surface to provide a reaction force on the clamping member, and wherein the step of clamping the first elongate article comprises arranging the first elongate article and the clamping member between the clamping surface and the reaction surface.",
    "9. A method according to claim 6, wherein the step of securing the first elongate article to the first securing arrangement comprises holding the first elongate article under tension when the second elongate article is secured to the second securing arrangement.",
    "10. A method according to claim 6, wherein the hook formation is configured to extend around the second elongate article, and wherein the step of securing the second elongate article to the second securing arrangement comprises arranging the second elongate article in the hook formation.",
    "11. A method according to claim 6, wherein the second securing arrangement comprises a movable member, the movable member including a clamping portion for clamping the second elongate article, and wherein the step of securing the second elongate article to the second securing arrangement comprises moving the movable member to clamp the second elongate article with the clamping portion."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "This invention relates to connecting devices. More particularly, but not exclusively, this invention relates to connecting devices for connecting flexible elongate articles in a transverse or cross relationship to one another. This invention also relates to methods of using connecting devices.\n\nThe growing of various agricultural produce, for example fruit trees, such as vine, involve arranging the trees in rows, around which wires are arranged. Some of the wires are disposed around or between the rows to support the trees, whereas others are arranged over the rows to support netting covers. Some of the wires or cables extend cross wise, or transverse, to one another. It is often necessary to join these wires or cables. Such joining can be carried out by twisting short lengths of wire around the two cross wires.\n\nAccording to a general aspect of this invention, there is provided a connecting device comprising a first securing arrangement for securing a first elongate article thereto, and a second securing arrangement for securing a second elongate article to the connecting device.\n\nAccording to one aspect of this invention, there is provided a connecting device comprising: a first securing arrangement for securing a first elongate article to the connecting device in a first orientation of the first elongate article; and a second securing arrangement for securing a second elongate article to the connecting device in a second orientation of the second elongate article; wherein the second orientation is transverse to the first orientation.",
  "cpc": [
    "F16G 11/06",
    "A01G 17/06",
    "A01G 2017/065",
    "A01G 9/128",
    "F16G 11/108"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "F16G 11/06"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Gripple Ltd"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Simon Davis"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2019-07-17",
  "publication_date": "2022-01-11",
  "grant_date": "2022-01-11",
  "priority_date": "2018-08-24",
  "application_number": "US-201917258052-A",
  "family_id": "67700185",
  "cited_by_count": 1,
  "citations": [
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    "GB2446501A",
    "WO2010012989A1",
    "WO2013159756A1",
    "US20160029575A1",
    "GB2535605A",
    "CN204907336U",
    "GB2561979A"
  ]
}