# US 10,480,218 B2 · Security devices and straps therefor > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,480,218 B2 - Document ID: US10480218B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/102,338 - Filed: 2014-12-09 - Published: 2016-12-01 - Granted: 2019-11-19 - Earliest claimed: 2013-12-09 - Assignees: Zeal Innovation Ltd. - Applicants: Zeal Innovation Ltd - Inventors: Neil Anthony Barron - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10480218B2 ## CPC - E05B 73/0005: {using chains, cables or the like (chain- or cable-locks of the padlock type E05B67/003; lockable clothing hangers or hanger racks E05B69/006)} - E05B 67/003: {Chain, wire or cable locks (alarms therefor E05B45/005; E05B69/006 takes precedence)} - E05B 71/00: Locks specially adapted for bicycles, other than padlocks ({locks integral with holders for parking or storing bicycles B62H3/00;} locks integral with cycles B62H5/00) - E05B: LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS ## Abstract A strap for a security device has a core (12,62) within a flexible sleeve (14,64), and the sleeve is extensible independently of the core such that the core is not under tension. Because the core is not under tension, it is more difficult to cut and substantially inhibits, if not prevents, cutting of the sleeve. The core may take various forms which resist cutting in different ways. Examples are elongate, normally metallic planar bodies (12,34,38) having longitudinal flexibility but resistance to lateral flexure, and extensible springs (16,22,26). The sleeve (14,64) can also be designed to complicate any attempt to cut the strap as a whole, and may comprise multiple layers (76,78). ## Claims ### Claim 1 A security device in which a strap with a central core consisting of at least one elongate planar body is contained within a flexible sleeve, with complementary locking units secured at opposite ends of the flexible sleeve, wherein the complementary locking units receive respective ends of the central core, wherein the flexible sleeve is extensible independently of the central core such that the central core is not under tension, and wherein a length of the central core is at least equal to a spacing between the complementary locking units when the flexible sleeve is fully extended. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The security device of claim 1, wherein the flexible sleeve comprises one of woven, knitted, braided and stitch bonded yarns. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The security device of claim 1, wherein the flexible sleeve comprises metallic yarns. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The security device of claim 1, wherein the flexible sleeve comprises yarns formed in a synthetic material. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The security device of claim 4, wherein the synthetic material is elastomeric. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The security device of claim 1, wherein the flexible sleeve is a plastics extrusion. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The security device of claim 1, wherein the flexible sleeve comprises a plurality of layers. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The security device of claim 7, wherein the flexible sleeve has an outer layer comprising multiple yarns and an inner layer comprising a bulk material. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The security device of claim 1, wherein a maximum extended length of the flexible sleeve between the complementary locking units is less than the length of the central core and the respective ends of the central core remain in the complementary locking units when the flexible sleeve is fully extended. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The security device of claim 1, wherein at least one elongate slot is formed at each end of the central core, wherein the at least one elongate slot receives a pin fixed in a respective one of the complementary locking units, thereby allowing lengthwise movement of the central core relative to each of the complementary locking units corresponding to a length of the at least one elongate slot. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The security device of claim 1, wherein a lateral rib is formed at each end of the central core, the lateral rib located behind a shoulder in the respective one of the complementary locking units to prevent withdrawal of the central core therefrom. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The security device of claim 1, wherein an extensible coupling attaches each end of the central core to the respective one of the complementary locking units. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The security device of claim 12, wherein the extensible coupling is elastic. ### Claim 14 A security device in which a strap with a central core comprising at least one elongate planar body with longitudinal flexibility but resistance to lateral flexure is contained within a flexible sleeve, with complementary locking units secured at opposite ends of the flexible sleeve, wherein the complementary locking units receive respective ends of the central core, wherein the flexible sleeve is extensible independently of the central core such that the central core is not under tension, and wherein a length of the central core is at least equal to a spacing between the complementary locking units when the flexible sleeve is fully extended. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The security device of claim 14, wherein the at least one elongate planar body has spaced openings formed therein. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The security device of claim 14, wherein the at least one elongate planar body is metallic. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The security device of claim 14, wherein the at least one elongate planar body is in a form of a ribbed plastics moulding. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The security device of claim 14, wherein the at least one elongate planar body comprises interlinked lateral beams. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The security device of claim 18, wherein the interlinked lateral beams are metallic. ### Claim 20 (depends on 14) The security device of claim 14, wherein the at least one elongate planar body is coated with a cut-resistant material. ### Claim 21 (depends on 14) The security device of claim 14, wherein the central core comprises a plurality of said at least one elongate planar body. ### Claim 22 (depends on 14) The security device of claim 14, wherein the flexible sleeve has an outer layer comprising multiple yarns and an inner layer comprising a bulk material. ### Claim 23 (depends on 14) The security device of claim 14, wherein an extensible coupling attaches each end of the central core to the respective one of the complementary locking units. ### Claim 24 (depends on 14) The security device of claim 14, wherein a maximum extended length of the flexible sleeve between the complementary locking units is less than the length of the central core and the respective ends of the central core remain in the complementary locking units when the flexible sleeve is fully extended. ### Claim 25 (depends on 14) The security device of claim 14, wherein the at least one elongate planar body comprises a series of folds overlapping in a longitudinal direction of the at least one elongate planar body. ### Claim 26 A security device in which a strap with a central core comprising at least one extensible helical spring is contained within a flexible sleeve, with complementary locking units secured at opposite ends of the flexible sleeve, wherein the complementary locking units receive respective ends of the central core, wherein the flexible sleeve is extensible independently of the central core such that the central core is not under tension, and wherein a length of the central core is at least equal to a spacing between the complementary locking units when the flexible sleeve is fully extended. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) The security device of claim 26, wherein the at least one extensible helical spring is a flattened helical spring having a substantially elliptical cross-section. ### Claim 28 (depends on 26) The security device of claim 26, wherein a space within the at least one extensible helical spring contains a filler. ### Claim 29 (depends on 26) The security device of claim 26, wherein the at least one extensible helical spring is enclosed within a flexible tube independent of the flexible sleeve. ### Claim 30 (depends on 26) The security device of claim 26, wherein the central core comprises a plurality of said at least one extensible helical spring. ### Claim 31 (depends on 30) The security device of claim 30, wherein the plurality of said at least one extensible helical spring is braided within the flexible sleeve. ### Claim 32 (depends on 26) The security device of claim 26, wherein the flexible sleeve has an outer layer comprising multiple yarns and an inner layer comprising a bulk material. ### Claim 33 (depends on 26) The security device of claim 26, wherein an extensible coupling attaches each end of the central core to the respective one of the complementary locking units. ### Claim 34 (depends on 26) The security device of claim 26, wherein a maximum extended length of the flexible sleeve between the complementary locking units is less than the length of the central core and the respective ends of the central core remain in the complementary locking units when the flexible sleeve is fully extended.