Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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SAFETY ACCESSORIES FOR AN ELASTIC/HOOK
COMBINATION FASTENER
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.
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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.
Thus in accordance with an aspect of the invention there is provided a safe
elastic strap
for protecting a user who grasps the strap with a hand to extend the strap or
to release
an already extended strap, the safe elastic strap comprising:
an elastic strap that tends to retract when extended;
a loop combined with the elastic strap through which loop a user's hand can
extend to
grasp the strap; and
a fixed, loop-attachment means for combining the loop with the elastic strap.
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In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a safe
elastic strap
for protecting a user who grasps the strap with a hand to extend the strap or
to release
an already extended strap, the safe elastic strap comprising:
an elastic strap that tends to retract when extended;
a strap fastener combined with the elastic strap; and
a separate loop combined with the strap fastener, said loop being adapted to
receive
a user's hand and said loop being adapted to generally maintain its dimensions
when
the strap is exposed to increasing tensile load.
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.
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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.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is an embodiment of the invention showing a protective loop attached to
a
relaxed strap near a fastening end.
Fig. 2 is a view showing the protective loop attached to a taut strap.
Fig. 3 is a view showing a user's arm inserted through a protective loop
during
manipulation of a fastening end.
Fig. 4 is a view of the device of Figs. 1 and 2 and showing a recoiling strap
tethered
to a user's arm by means of a protective loop.
Fig. 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention showing a
molded
loop having a permanent tie down and detachable clamps.
Fig. 6 is side view of the device of Fig. 5.
Fig. 7 is a top view of the device of Fig. 5.
Fig. 8 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention similar to the
embodiment of Fig. 5 and showing a molded loop having a permanent tie down and
detachable strap.
Fig. 9 is a detailed end view of the detachable strap shown in Fig. 8 and
showing the
male/female fastener.
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Fig. 10 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention showing a
molded
loop having a suction cup element integral with the loop for attachment to a
smooth
surface.
Fig. 11 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention showing a
molded
loop having a flexible pincer element combined with the loop for secondary
attachment to elastic straps.
Fig. 12 is a perspective view showing the molded loop having a hook element
combined with the loop for secondary attachment to elastic straps.
Fig. 13 is a perspective view showing the molded loop having a clamping
element
combined with the loop for secondary attachment to elastic straps.
Fig. 14 is a perspective view of an independent secondary attachment loop
clamp.
Fig. 15 is a perspective view of a loop combined with a detachable strap
having a
male/female fastener for secondary or primary attachment.
Fig. 16 is a perspective view of a portion of an elastic strap and a knot-type
primary
loop fastener.
Fig. 17 is a perspective view showing a slotted, molded loop in a relaxed,
unattached
state.
Fig. 18 is an end view showing an elastic strap inserted through the slotted,
molded
loop of Fig. 17.
Fig. 19 is a perspective view of an elastic strap inserted through the
slotted, molded
loop.
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Fig. 20 is a perspective view of an embodiment showing an elastic strap
threaded
through a loop-forming collar.
Fig. 21 is a perspective view partially cut-away to show the loop-forming
collar.
5
Fig. 22 is a perspective view of an embodiment and showing a combination
safety
hook and loop-forming collar.
Fig. 23 is a perspective view of an embodiment and showing a single sheath
elastic
strap protective device.
Fig. 24 is a perspective view of a capped, double sheath elastic strap
protective
device.
Fig. 25 is a perspective view of a capped, multiple sheath elastic strap
protective
device.
Fig. 26 is a perspective view of a shield-type elastic strap protective
device.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
Figs. 1-4 demonstrate a first preferred embodiment of the invention. In Figs.
1-4, a
loop 1 is attached to a length of elastic strap 2. The loop 1 illustrated in
Figs. 1-4 is
formed of a separate length of strap and is attached to the elastic strap 2
with a
crimping or cinching element 3. As is well known, a hook-type fastening device
4 is
suitably attached to the elastic strap 2. The crimping element 3 may be an
integral
part of the hook or fastener 4, or it may be a separate component as
illustrated. Figs.
3 and 4 demonstrate how a user grasps the hook 4 by placing his/her hand
through
the loop 1. The loop 1 is of a sufficiently small diameter and is located
sufficiently
near the hook 4 such that, if the elastic strap 2 is stretched and the hook 4
is
released as shown in Fig. 4, the loop 1 constrains the recoil of the elastic
strap 2 and
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hook 4. Although Figs. 1-4 illustrate the attachment of a loop formed of a
separate
length of elastic strap, the present invention encompasses a design in which
the loop
is formed from the strap that is being constrained. A loop so formed may be
isolated
from the rest of the continuous length of strap by any durable means such as a
knot,
crimping element, or a collar as illustrated in the later embodiments
described
hereinafter.
In this first embodiment, the loop 1 may be detachable or permanently attached
to
the elastic strap 2 or hook 4. The benefit of allowing either a detachable or
a
permanently attached loop is that the invention may, as in the presently
preferred
embodiment, serve as an original part of a new elastic strap, or as an after-
market
add-on. Because of the great number of elastic straps currently in use without
any
such safety mechanisms, a removable loop will provide safety to the users of
these
dangerous, existing straps. Therefore, the present invention clearly
encompasses an
add-on loop or an elastic strap wherein the loop is part of the original
product.
Fig. 16 illustrates a detachable loop 1 that is simply connected through a
knot 21 to
the strap 2 near the end of the strap 2 that contains the hook 4. This knotted
embodiment is the most preferred embodiment due to its simple and inexpensive
design. This embodiment, like the others disclosed, may be an original
component of
a new elastic strap or an add-on, after market accessory.
The loop may removably engage the elastic strap in at least one secondary
location
or engage the hook and the elastic strap. Embodiments wherein the loop engages
the elastic strap in at least one secondary location typically have a primary
attachment that uses a relatively stronger or "secure" attachment capable of
holding
the loop to the elastic strap during recoil of the strap, and a relatively
weaker
secondary attachment. The relatively weaker secondary attachment may be
disengaged from the loop before use, or it may be a sacrificial attachment
that
automatically disengages from the strap when the strap cross-sectional
diameter
decreases or the strap recoils. Fig. 14 illustrates a clamp 26 for use as a
removable
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or sacrificial attachment of the loop to the strap 2. A loop so attached
allows for the
convenient storage of the loop in parallel with the elastic strap, where it is
less likely
to catch on nearby objects when not in use. Also, if the strap is used as a
tie-down
for objects being carried by a vehicle, attachment of the loop will prevent
the loop
from flapping in the wind and creating noise while the vehicle is moving.
In each of the variations of the second preferred embodiments illustrated in
Figs. 5-
15, a molded, elastomeric, semi-rigid or rigid loop is formed. These molded
loops
may have any of a variety of attachment elements combined with the loop. In
Figs.
5-7, the loop 1 is permanently attached to an elastic strap 2 through the use
of tie-
downs 5. C-clamps 6 are provided for the secondary attachment of the loop to
the
elastic strap. Redundant C-clamps 6 of different diameters may be provided to
allow
the secure, secondary attachment of the loop to the strap 2 when the strap 2
is
extended, and therefore of lesser diameter, and when the strap 2 is relaxed
and of
greater diameter.
Figs. 8-15 demonstrate that the secondary attachment element is not limited to
C-
clamps 6. In Figs. 8, 9 and 15, the secondary attachment element is a strap 7
combined with the loop 1 and having a male/female 8 attachment means. Figs. 10-
14 demonstrate a variety of secondary attachment elements combined with a
molded loop 1. Fig. 10 illustrates an elastomeric suction cup 27 that may be
attached
to a smooth surface to prevent the loop from catching on nearby objects. Fig.
11
illustrates a flexible pincer 9 having a narrow throat that may be opened by
bending
the pincer arms. Fig. 12 demonstrates a molded, flexible hook-type fastener 10
combined with the loop 1 and having an opening sufficiently narrow to secure
the
loop 1 to the elastic strap 2. The opening of the flexible hook-type fastener
10 may
be expanded for attachment to the elastic strap 2 by bending the hook 10. Fig.
13
illustrates that a C-clamp 11 may serve the same function as the pincer 9 or
hook 10
shown in Figs. 11 and 12 respectively.
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Figs. 17-19 demonstrate yet another version of the second preferred embodiment
having a molded elastomeric loop 1. In these figures, the loop 1 has formed at
one
end a plurality of slots 12 through which the elastic strap 2 may be threaded
and
securely attached. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the
slots 12 will
more effectively constrain a recoiling strap 2 if the slots 12 provide a tight
grip on the
elastic strap 2 and do not allow the strap 2 to easily slip through the slots
12. Fig. 17
illustrates a molded loop 1 in a relaxed-state and having slots 12. Fig. 18 is
an end
view showing an elastic strap 2 threaded through the slots 12. Figure 19
further
illustrates the elastic strap 2 threaded through the slots 12 in the molded
loop 1. The
slot-type secure or primary attachments may be used in combination with any of
the
means for secondary attachment.
Figs. 20 and 21 illustrate a third preferred embodiment wherein the tethering
loop 1
may be formed of a continuous length of the elastic strap 2 that is being
constrained
through the use of a knot, crimping element, or collar. Figs. 20 and 21
illustrate a
collar 13 with elastic straps 2 threaded through openings 14 in the collar 13
to form a
tethering loop 1. Fig. 21 illustrates that the openings in the collar 14 may
contain
ridges or teeth 15 to minimize slippage of the elastic strap 2 through the
collar. In
Figs. 20 and 21, the collar 13 is formed integral with the fastening device or
hook 4;
however, the collar 13 may be separate from these end fastening devices 4.
A fourth preferred embodiment of the invention combines the features of the
collar-
type loop forming device 13 with a safety hook 22. Figure 22 illustrates an
elastic
strap safety hook 22 having a spring action tong 23 to close the hook opening
and
secure the hook 22 in its anchored stated. The spring action of the tong 23 is
driven,
in whole or in part, by the elastic strap 2, which, through the use of a
collar-type loop
forming device, is threaded around the tong 23.
In the embodiment illustrated by Fig. 22, the collar-type loop forming device
contains
anchoring channels 24 and guidance channels 25. The elastic strap 2 may be
threaded through the anchoring channels 24 which are smaller in diameter than
the
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guidance channels 25 and which pinch against the elastic strap 2 to minimize
slippage. The length of elastic strap 2 isolated between the anchoring
channels 24
forms the safety loop 1 described above. A length of elastic strap 2 extends
from an
anchoring channel 24, around the safety tong 23 and away from the collar 13.
The
length of strap 2 that extends away from the collar 13 is under tension while
the
strap 2 is stretched. This pulls the strap 2 against the tong 23 providing the
spring
action needed to hold the tong 23 closed both through the elastic properties
of the
strap 2 and through the application of pressure on the tong 23. The use of the
channels 24 and 25 also provides for varying the length of the elastic strap 2
according to the needs of the user.
Figs. 23-25 illustrate a fifth preferred embodiment. This embodiment encases
the
elastic strap 2 in one continuous sheath 15 or a plurality of sheaths 16. The
sheath
or sheaths 16 shown in this fifth embodiment are longitudinally coaxial with
the
15 elastic strap 2. The sheaths 15,16 are of sufficient rigidity to
effectively constrain the
recoil of the elastic strap 2. For a short elastic strap 2, it may be
preferable to employ
only one sheath 15. However, for application with an elastic strap 2 of
variable length
(an elastic strap having adjustable collars or adjustable hook-ends), it is
preferable to
use a series of shorter sheaths 16 that may be removed to allow a shortening
of the
strap. Therefore, like the loops 1, the sheaths 15, 16 may be either
permanently or
removably affixed to the elastic strap 2. Removably affixed sheaths 17, as
demonstrated in Fig. 23, will typically contain a longitudinal seam or opening
18 of
sufficient strength to retard the recoil of the elastic strap 2 prior to
sacrifice or
detachment of the sheath 17. In order to strengthen a sheath 17 having such a
seam
18, this embodiment includes sheath caps 19. These caps 19 may be perforated
to
allow the elastic strap 2 to pass through, or they may simply be a wrapped or
sealed
length of the seam 18.
Fig. 26 demonstrates yet another embodiment of the invention. In this
embodiment, a
shield 20 is used to prevent the hook or fastener 4 from directly impacting
the user
when the elastic strap 2 recoils. In Fig . 26, the shield 20 is placed
directly on the
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hook or fastener 4. The shield 20 can serve the same function if it is affixed
to the
elastic strap 2. If affixed to the elastic strap 2, the shield 20 serves as a
guard into
which the hook or fastener 4 may retract if the elastic strap 2 suddenly
recoils. It will
be apparent to one of skill in the art that the shield 20 in this embodiment
may be
5 slidably attached to the elastic strap 2 and/or the hook or fastener 4.
It will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the present
invention
relates to each of the above described embodiments applied individually or in
any
combination to enhance the safety of elastic straps. For example, a loop 1 may
be
10 attached to a loop, a fastener, a longitudinally coaxial strap sheath 15-17
or a shield
20. A shield 20 may be used in combination with, or affixed to a
longitudinally coaxial
strap sheath 15-17, and any combination of these may contain permanently or
removable attached components.
The loops or sheaths may, of course, be made of any suitable material, such as
metal, plastic, wood, woven fibers, or a composite material. The preferred
material
for the loop is a soft, flexible, and durable material that is comfortable
when pulled
against the skin of the user. However, comfort is secondary to the protective
function
and the present invention encompasses any material, rigid or flexible, that
may serve
as a tether, sheath, or shield. An elastic strap with a woven cover is the
presently
preferred loop material. The preferred material for molded loops is a flexible
and soft,
yet durable, plastic. A flexible and durable plastic, or rubberized plastic is
the
preferred material for the sheaths. This material allows the sheath to bend
around
corners with the elastic strap, yet its resistance to compressive forces is
sufficient to
prevent undue compression of the sheath when exposed to a recoiling elastic
strap.
Further, it is durable enough to serve as a bumper to absorb the force of a
speeding
hook or fastener.
The invention therefore broadly encompasses the use of any material capable of
serving the protective functions of the sheath or the loop. The examples
provided are
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illustrations based on the favorable characteristics of the recited materials,
but they
are by no means limiting.
Having thus described the invention in connection with preferred embodiments
thereof, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that various revisions
and
modifications of the illustrated embodiments can be made without departing
from the
spirit and scope of the invention. It is my intention, however, that all such
revisions
and modifications as are obvious to those skilled in the art will be included
within the
scope of the following claims.
