Buckles – buttons – clasps – etc. – Plural fasteners having intermediate flaccid connector
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-18
2001-11-20
Browne, Lynne H. (Department: 3626)
Buckles, buttons, clasps, etc.
Plural fasteners having intermediate flaccid connector
C024S300000, C024S301000, C024S302000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06317938
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention is an improvement upon elastic straps, cords, and tie-downs. Elastic cords or straps of various types exist for a variety of uses. For example, “Bungee” type cords or straps are commonly used to secure loads in or on vehicles. Heavy duty straps are commonly used to secure loads on trucks or to secure a cover on a load. In addition, such straps are commonly used to secure packages or crates to one another. These are merely examples of the infinite variety of situations where such straps may be used. These straps typically are provided with a hook or fastener on at least one end. Due to the elastic nature of the straps and their use in tying down articles, the straps stretch to great lengths placing them under tremendous pressures. If the strap or fastener fails, or if the user loses grip on the fastener during use, the sudden release makes the hook or fastener a dangerous projectile. Numerous individuals have suffered serious injury including the loss of eyes, disfigurement of the face, and even death.
The present state of the art includes elastic straps with adjustable hooks or fasteners that can be moved to various locations on the strap. A movable fastener allows the user to adjust the length of the strap to avoid the over-stretching and building-up of great force that supports a strong recoil of the strap. Other safety mechanisms include fasteners with safety tongs to prevent the hook from slipping once it is securely affixed. However, these safety mechanisms do not serve to restrain a flying hook or fastener once the user's or the hook's grip has been lost. There is therefore a need for an invention that will aid in the prevention of injury from released hooks and fasteners that, otherwise, pose a grave danger to the users.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a safe elastic strap and a protective attachment for application with elastic straps. The attachment may be either a loop, a protective sheath, a fastener shield, or a combination of these.
In the loop embodiment, the loop is placed in a location such that a user may insert his/her hand, wrist, or arm through the loop while griping the strap or fastener to stretch the strap and attach the fastener. In this fashion, if the strap or the user's grip fails, the loop serves as a tether and limits the distance that the strap and hook or fastener may recoil. This prevents the strap end, hook, or fastener from striking a user in the head, face, or neck where serious injury may result. The invention may be a separate loop attached, directly or indirectly, to the strap, or attached, directly or indirectly, to the fastening device or hook. The device of the invention may also have a portion of the strap itself isolated as a loop through the use of a knot, crimping device, or threading device. Due to the broad array of elastic straps (e.g., anchored tied downs with one free end, simple two ended straps, multi-stranded “spider straps” that contain numerous interconnected strands and ends, etc.) and in order to provide safety to the large number of straps already in use, the protection attachment may be removably or permanently attached to the elastic strap. This allows the invention to be used as either an add-on, aftermarket product or as an accessory or as part of an originally manufactured strap.
The embodiment employing a sheath is a sheath extending over a length of the elastic strap. The recoiling strap draws itself into the sheath upon release, thus limiting the range of motion of the recoiling strap, drawing the fastener or hook into contact with the sheath, and providing a bumper for the fastener or hook. The embodiment employing a shield is similar to the sheath embodiment in that a shield partially covers the fastener or hook. As with the sheath embodiment, the recoiling strap draws the fastener or hook into the shield. The shield embodiment provides protection against direct contact with the fast moving fastener or hook.
It will be apparent to persons of ordinary skill in the art that these various embodiments are non-limiting and that they may be used separately or in combination as redundant safety systems.
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Browne Lynne H.
Nemmers James C.
Rodriguez Ruth C.
Stilwell Douglas J.
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