Tug-resistant link

A tug-resistant unit comprising:

• a first member having an inextensible portion and a surface;
• a second member having an inextensible portion overlapping the surface of said first member and arranged for shearing movement with respect to the surface of said first member;
• a shear-thickening composition disposed between said first member and said second member so as to apply a variable resistance to shearing movement of said second member relative to said first member as a function of shear forces exerted upon said shear-thickening composition;
• and
• an enclosure for holding said shear-thickening composition therein and connected to said first and second members so as to return said first and second members to a non-tensioned state with respect to one another after removal of an external force that has moved said members with respect to one another.

A tug-resistant unit comprising:

• a first member having an inextensible portion and a surface;
• a second member having an inextensible portion overlapping the surface of said first member and arranged for shearing movement with respect to the surface of said first member;
• a shear-thickening composition disposed between said first member and said second member so as to apply a variable resistance to shearing movement of said second member relative to said first member as a function of shear forces exerted upon said shear-thickening composition;
• and
• an enclosure for holding said shear-thickening composition therein and connected to said first and second members.

A strap comprising:

• an elongated extensible enclosure;
• a first member having an inextensible portion connected to a first end of said elongated enclosure;
• a second member having an inextensible portion connected to a second end of said elongated enclosure opposite from the first end and extending within said enclosure so as to overlap said first inextensible member;
• and
• a shear-thickening composition enclosed within said enclosure and between said first and second inextensible members.

A strap comprising:

• an elongated enclosure having an inextensible portion and an extensible portion;
• a member having an inextensible portion and extending from one end of said enclosure through the extensible portion of said enclosure and into the inextensible portion of said elongated enclosure;
• and
• a shear-thickening composition disposed between said inextensible member and the inextensible portion of said enclosure.

A tug-resistant unit comprising:

• an elongated inextensible enclosure;
• an inextensible member extending from within said inextensible enclosure for translational movement of said member relative to said inextensible enclosure;
• means for connecting said inextensible member to an end within said inextensible enclosure;
• and
• a shear-thickening composition disposed between said inextensible enclosure and said inextensible member so as to apply variable resistance to translational movement of said member relative to said enclosure as a function of shear forces exerted upon said shear-thickening composition.