Resilient strap member

A restraint assembly comprising:

• a first and second strap;
• a resilient member having two ends, one of which is coupled to the first strap and an other of which is coupled to the second strap;
• a limiter having at least two ends, one of which is coupled to the first strap and an other of which is coupled to the second strap;
• a first and second end fitting, the first end fitting coupled to the first strap on an end opposite the resilient member and being connected at a first auxiliary connection point to an auxiliary structure, the second end fitting coupled to the second strap on an end opposite the resilient member and being connected at a second auxiliary connection point to the auxiliary structure, the first auxiliary connection point and the second auxiliary connection point being separated by a fixed distance;
• a fastener device coupled to the restraint assembly, the fastener device being operable to securely engage one of the straps and hold the strap in a taut condition;
• and
• a connecting link having at least an inner connection arm and an outer connection arm, the inner connection arm being spaced from the outer connection arm and extending through an opening formed through an end of the resilient member and the outer connection point extending through an opening formed through the strap, the connecting link thereby maintaining the resilient member and the strap in-line with one another while maintaining the resilient member and the strap spaced from one another;
• wherein
• the limiter is longer than the resilient member when the resilient member is in an un-stretched position, such that the limiter prevents the resilient member from exceeding a maximum predetermined length when the restraint assembly is stretched into a taut condition.

A method of providing a secure connection between two auxiliary connection points on an auxiliary structure, the method comprising:

• connecting a restraint assembly between two auxiliary connection points on an auxiliary structure, the connection points being separated by a fixed distance, the restraint assembly including:
• at least one strap;
• a resilient member oriented in-line with the strap;
• a limiter configured to limit the resilient member to a maximum predetermined length;
• and
• a connecting link having at least an inner connection arm and an outer connection arm, the inner connection arm being spaced from the outer connection arm and extending through an opening formed through an end of the resilient member, and the outer connection point extending through an opening formed through the strap, the connecting link thereby maintaining the resilient member and the strap in-line with one another while maintaining the resilient member and the strap separated from one another;
• and
• tensioning the restraint assembly in order to cause the resilient member to stretch to a length beyond its initial un-stretched length but not to an extent greater than that allowed by the limiter.