Methods for shortening a line, extracting stuck vehicles, belaying objects, joining lines together and forming a v-bridle using a device

Abstract

A device for use with one or more lines that includes a unitary rigid body having an annular portion surrounding a central opening and at least four finger sections that extend from the annular portion of the rigid body. A first finger section and a second finger section curve toward each other on one end of the rigid body and terminate in blunt tips that are spaced apart from each other by a gap. Similarly, a third finger section and a fourth finger section curve toward each other on an opposite end of the rigid body and terminate in blunt tips that are spaced apart from each other by a gap. The device maximizes the pulling strength of lines while reducing the possibility of line failure. Also disclosed are methods of using the device for shortening a line, belaying an object, joining two lines together and for forming a V-bridle.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device for use with one or more lines, said device comprising a unitary rigid body having an annular portion surrounding a central opening and at least a first finger section that extends from the annular portion of the rigid body, a second finger section that extends from the annular portion of the rigid body, a third finger section that extends from the annular portion of the rigid body, and a fourth finger section that extends from the annular portion of the rigid body, wherein the first finger section and the second finger section curve toward each other on one end of the rigid body and terminate in blunt tips that are spaced apart from each other by a gap, and wherein the third finger section and the fourth finger section curve toward each other on an opposite end of the rigid body and terminate in blunt tips that are spaced apart from each other by a gap. 
     
     
         2 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the device is devoid of sharp edges. 
     
     
         3 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the central opening is circular. 
     
     
         4 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the first, second, third and fourth finger sections all have the same dimensions. 
     
     
         5 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the device has a total of four finger sections. 
     
     
         6 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the rigid body comprises aluminum. 
     
     
         7 . A device for use with one or more lines, said device comprising:
 a rigid body provided with a central opening through which said one or more lines are able to pass; and   a plurality of sections around which said one or more lines are able to be wrapped;   wherein at least two of said plurality of sections extend from one end of the rigid body, and   wherein at least two other of said plurality of sections extend from end that is opposite to the one end of the rigid body.   
     
     
         8 . The device according to  claim 7 , wherein the device is in the form of a unitary rigid body having no moving parts. 
     
     
         9 . The device according to  claim 7 , wherein the plurality of sections extend from an annular portion of the rigid body that surrounds the central opening. 
     
     
         10 . The device according to  claim 7 , wherein the at least two of said plurality of sections that extend from the one end of the rigid body are in the form of finger sections. 
     
     
         11 . The device according to  claim 10 , wherein the at least two other of said plurality of sections that extend from the end that is opposite to the one end of the rigid body are also in the form of finger sections. 
     
     
         12 . The device according to  claim 11 , wherein all of the finger sections have blunt ends. 
     
     
         13 . The device according to  claim 11 , wherein the blunt ends of the finger sections that extend from the one end of the rigid body are curved toward each other but separated by a gap configured to allow said one or more lines to pass through. 
     
     
         14 . The device according to  claim 13 , wherein the blunt ends of the finger sections that extend from the end that is opposite to the one end of the rigid body are curved toward each other but are also separated by a gap configured to allow said one or more lines to pass through. 
     
     
         15 . The device according to  claim 8 , wherein the device is constructed entirely of metal. 
     
     
         16 . The device according to  claim 15 , wherein the metal is an aluminum alloy. 
     
     
         17 . The device according to  claim 8 , wherein the device is constructed entirely of a non-metal material. 
     
     
         18 . The device according to  claim 17 , wherein the non-metal material is a polymeric material. 
     
     
         19 . The device according to  claim 17 , wherein the non-metal material is a carbon fiber composite material. 
     
     
         20 . The device according to  claim 7 , wherein the device is devoid of sharp edges.