Locking strap with handling structure
AssigneeThomas & Betts International, Inc.
InventorsAndrew Strange, Kimberly Van Horn
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A locking strap comprises a resilient finger grasp for facilitating assembly of the locking strap around one or more articles. The locking strap includes an elongate member at one end, a tail at the other end, and a central flexible strap body therebetween. A resilient finger grasp is located between the tail and the central strap body and facilitates fastening of the locking strap.
Claims20
A flexible locking strap for tightening around one or more articles, comprising:
- an elongate member having a head at one end, a tail at the other end and a central flexible strap body therebetween, said head having a passage therethrough for receipt of said tail;
- said head and said body including cooperative locking members for locking said body within said head passage;
- and
- a resilient finger grasp located between said tail and said central strap body, said grasp being configured to pass through said head passage and resiliently deform therewithin and resume its configuration after passing through said head passage, said grasp facilitating grasping and pulling said strap body tightly around articles.
A flexible locking strap for tightening around one or more articles, comprising:
- an elongate member having a head at one end, a tail at the other end and a central flexible strap body therebetween, said head having a passage therethrough for receipt of said tail;
- said head and said body including cooperative locking members for locking said body within said head passage;
- and
- a flexible pulling tab located between said tail and said central strap body, said flexible tab being cantilever attachment with said flexible locking strap and adapted for pulling said strap body through said head passage.
A flexible locking strap for tightening around one or more article, comprising:
- an elongate member having a head at one end, a tail at the other end, and a central flexible strap body therebetween, said head having a passage therethrough for receipt of said tail;
- said head and said body including cooperative locking members for locking said body within said head passage;
- and
- a finger loop located between said tail and said central strap body, said finger loop being resiliently deformable.
A method of fastening a flexible locking strap about one or more articles comprising the steps of:
- providing an elongate member having a head at one end, a tail at another end and a central flexible strap body therebetween, said locking strap having a resilient finger grasp located between said tail and said central strap body, said head having a passage therethrough for receipt of said tail, and said head and said body including cooperative locking members for locking said body within said head passage;
- inserting said tail through said passage in said head, said finger grasp resiliently deforming within said head passage and substantially resuming its original expanded shape after insertion through said passage;
- and then,
- grasping said finger grasp and pulling said strap body through said head passage to cooperatively lock said locking members on said body and within said head passage.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.