Sealless strap connection means
AssigneeSignode Corporation
InventorLarry J. Simmons
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Overlapping ends of metal strap or the like are connected without the aid of an overlying supplemental seal or fastener by means of longitudinally spaced joints which form a one way interlocking relationship. An integral abutment means comprises juxtaposed protuberances, integral with the overlapping strap segments, which irreversibly override each other as the interlocking relationship is formed and present spaced stops which abut each other before a formed interlock can disengage when the overlapping strap segments are shifted relative to each other in an interlock disengaging direction.
Claims8
A sealless strap connection between overlapped lengths of strap which comprises an array of longitudinally spaced joints and an integral abutment means positioned between a pair of said joints, each joint comprising lengthwise opposed shoulders displaced from the respective planes of said overlapped lengths of strap and shaped to interlock with each other, and said abutment means comprising juxtaposed protuberances shaped to irreversibly override each other while said opposed shoulders are moved into an interlocking position and presenting opposed stops when said shoulders interlock with each other.
In a sealless strap connection between overlapped lengths of metal strap, an array of longitudinally spaced shear lock joints, each joint being defined between nestable strap sections provided by matched integral portions of each length of metal strap, said nestable strap sections that defined each joint being partly offset longitudinally to engage in one way mutually interlocking relationship, each said nestable strap section having a single longitudinally oriented staggered slit comprised of lengthwise slit end regions and a lateral job region joining the slit end regions, each staggered slit defining and being flanked by complementary integral strap web portions offset in opposite normal directions to present lengthwise opposed shoulders bordering the intermediate jog region of the slit, each joint having each of its nestable strap sections presenting a locking shoulder nestable within the jog region of the other strap section and enterable endwise into the opposing slit end region of said other section to establish one way interlocking engagement therebetween, and an integral abutment means situated between a pair of said shear lock joints and comprising an opposing protuberance in each overlapping length of metal strap and arranged so that upon shifting of the joined overlapping lengths of metal strap in a direction to disengage said interlocking engagement said protuberances abut each other before disengagement occurs.
A strap segment applied for forming a sealless strap connection between overlapped lengths of strap which segment, at each terminal portion of said strap segment, comprises an array of longitudinally spaced joint elements and an integral abutment element means positioned between a pair of said joint elements, each joint element comprising a lengthwise shoulder displaced from the plane of the strap segment and shaped to interlock with a superposed joint element, and said abutment element means comprising a protuberance shaped to irreversibly override a superposed protuberance while one of said shoulders is moved into an interlocking position with another shoulder of a superposed joint element and together with said superposed protuberance presenting opposed stops when said shoulders interlock with each other.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.