Pass around assist device

{
  "publication_number": "US9363990B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Pass around assist device",
  "abstract": "An assist device includes a plurality of links that are connected to each other at connection junctions. A terminal link of the plurality of links includes a handle connection attached thereon. Another terminal link of the plurality of links includes a connection structure attaching a device to be passed about an object.",
  "claims": [
    "1. An assist device comprising: a plurality of links connected to each other at connection junctions; a terminal link of the plurality of links including a handle connection attached thereon; another terminal link of the plurality of links including a connection structure attaching a device to be passed about an object and the handle connection including a bracket structure attached to the terminal link, the bracket structure including holes on opposing sides allowing passage of a pin wherein the handle connection includes an attachment bracket that is positioned between the bracket structure on the terminal link, the pin passing through the holes in the bracket structure and a hole in the attachment bracket to allow pivotal connection and a pair of flat washers and a torsion washer disposed about the pin on both sides of the attachment bracket providing resistance of the handle connection to movement unless a predetermined force is applied.",
    "2. The assist device of claim 1 wherein the connection junctions include holes formed through the links receiving a pin, a pair of flat washers disposed about the pin and a torsion washer disposed between the flat washers and about the pin, the flat washers applying a frictional force to the links to maintain a rotational positional of the links relative to each other.",
    "3. The assist device of claim 1 wherein the connection junctions include a male component attached at an end of one of the links and a female component attached to an end of another link, the male component including a plurality of protrusions formed on a contact surface and the female component including a plurality of slots formed on a contact surface wherein the protrusions and slots define an angular adjustment position of the links relative to each other.",
    "4. The assist device of claim 3 wherein the female component includes a body including the contact surface and an opposing surface joined by an edge, wherein the body includes a contact portion and a link connecting portion positioned laterally with respect to the contact portion.",
    "5. The assist device of claim 4 wherein the contact portion includes a connection hole formed there through receiving a connecting pin and wherein the plurality of slots are formed on the contact portion about the connection hole.",
    "6. The assist device of claim 4 wherein the link connecting portion includes a pair of opposing walls extending from the edge in a direction above the opposing surface wherein each of the pair of walls includes a radiused portion that extends from the edge and terminates in a planar portion that extends above the opposing surface wherein the radiused portion includes a slot formed therein that guides the links into position relative to the female component.",
    "7. The assist device of claim 3 wherein the male component includes a body including the contact surface and an opposing surface joined by an edge wherein the body includes a contact portion and a link connecting portion positioned laterally and offset vertically with respect to the contact portion and wherein the contact portion includes a connection hole formed there through receiving a connecting pin wherein the plurality of protrusions are formed on the contact surface about the connection hole.",
    "8. The assist device of claim 7 wherein the link connecting portion includes a pair of opposing walls extending from the edge in a direction above the opposing surface wherein each of the pair of walls includes a radiused portion that extends from the edge and terminates in a planar portion that extends above the opposing surface wherein the radiused portion includes a slot formed therein that guides the links into position relative to the male component.",
    "9. The assist device of claim 8 further including a curved spring and washers disposed about the pin.",
    "10. The assist device of claim 3 wherein the links, female component and male component include connection holes formed there through and a pin passing through the connection holes of the links and male and female components allowing angular movement of the links relative to each other.",
    "11. An assist device comprising: a plurality of links connected to each other at connection junctions, the connection junctions include holes formed through the links receiving a pin, a pair of flat washers disposed about the pin and a torsion washer disposed between the flat washers and about the pin, the flat washers applying a frictional force to the links to maintain a rotational positional of the links relative to each other; a terminal link of the plurality of links including a handle connection attached thereon; another terminal link of the plurality of links including a connection structure attaching an object to be passed about an object and the handle connection including a bracket structure attached to the terminal link, the bracket structure including holes on opposing sides allowing passage of a pin wherein the handle connection includes an attachment bracket that is positioned between the bracket structure on the terminal link, the pin passing through the holes in the bracket structure and a hole in the attachment bracket to allow pivotal connection and a pair of flat washers and a torsion washer disposed about the pin on both sides of the attachment bracket providing resistance of the handle connection to movement unless a predetermined force is applied.",
    "12. An assist device comprising: a plurality of links connected to each other at connection junctions; a terminal link of the plurality of links including a handle connection attached thereon; another terminal link of the plurality of links including a connection structure attaching a device to be passed about an object wherein the connection junctions include a male component attached at an end of one of the links and a female component attached to an end of another link, the male component including a plurality of protrusions formed on a contact surface and the female component including a plurality of slots formed on a contact surface wherein the protrusions and slots define an angular adjustment position of the links relative to each other, the female component includes a body including the contact surface and an opposing surface joined by an edge, wherein the body includes a contact portion and a link connecting portion positioned laterally with respect to the contact portion."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The invention relates to devices for passing a medium through or around an object.\n\nWhen positioning a tree stand at an elevated level in a tree, users may need to pass a strap or chain about the tree to secure the tree stand in position. Often, users have a difficult time passing the strap or chain around the tree and maintain a balanced position while hanging the tree stand. There is therefore a need for a device to safely aid in hanging a tree stand. There is also a need for a device that allows a user to pass a strap or chain around a tree while maintaining a secure position. There is a further need in the art for a device that can be utilized in a variety of trees and is adjustable to allow a strap or chain to be positioned about different types and sizes of trees.\n\nIn one aspect, there is disclosed an assist device that includes a plurality of links that are connected to each other at connection junctions. A terminal link of the plurality of links includes a handle connection attached thereon. Another terminal link of the plurality of links includes a connection structure attaching a device to be passed about an object.\n\nIn another aspect, there is disclosed an assist device that includes a plurality of links that are connected to each other at connection junctions. The connection junctions include connection holes formed through the links. The connection junctions also include a male component that is attached at one end of one of the links and a female component that is attached to an end of another link. The male component includes a connection hole and a plurality of protrusions formed on a contact surface.",
  "cpc": [
    "A01M 31/02",
    "B25J 1/02"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "A01M 31/02",
    "B25J 1/02"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Hurricane Safety Systems LLC"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Timothy P. Squires"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2015-01-05",
  "publication_date": "2016-06-14",
  "grant_date": "2016-06-14",
  "priority_date": "2014-01-03",
  "application_number": "US-201514589207-A",
  "family_id": "53494511",
  "cited_by_count": 8,
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  ]
}