Clamp for adjustably joining the ends of a strap

• US 20130091668A1
• Filed: 10/14/2011
• Published: 04/18/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/14/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Moldex-Metric Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Moldex-Metric Incorporated
• Inventors: Turdjian, Crest
• Granted Patent: US 9,622,546 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 24/579.11
• CPC Class Codes: A44B 11/06 with clamping devices
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/45084 for safety belt buckle, strap, harness, etc.

Abstract

A clamp for adjustably joining the ends of a strap having ends. The clamp has top and bottom members, and at least one of the top and bottom members has a groove extending from one side to the other side of the clamp. The groove receives the ends of the strap so first portions of the ends of the strap are within the groove and at least one other second portion of the strap extends outward from the sides of the clamp. Complementary aligning portions are located on the top and bottom members to align the top and bottom members to capture the first portions of the ends of the strap by friction within the groove formed within the clamp. The length of the strap is adjusted by the second portion of the strap that extend outward from the sides of the clamp.

Claims

1. A clamp for adjustably joining the ends of a strap, including

a strap having ends,

a clamping structure having top and bottom members,

at least one of the top and bottom members having a groove extending from one side to the other side of the at least one of the top and bottom members and with the groove for receiving the ends of the strap so that first portions of the ends of the strap are within the groove and at least one other second portion of the ends of the strap extends outward from the sides of the clamping structure,

complementary portions located on the top and bottom members to align the top and bottom members together to capture the first portions of the ends of the strap by friction within the groove formed within the clamp and with the length of the strap adjusted by the at least one other second portion of the ends of the strap that extend outward from the sides of the clamping structure, and

means for locking the aligned the top and bottom members together.

2. The clamp of claim 1 wherein both ends of the strap include second portions that extend outward from the sides of the clamping structure.

3. The clamp of claim 1 wherein at least one of the top and bottom members includes an opening through the at least one of the top and bottom members into the groove so that the ends of the strap can pass through the opening into the groove and be locked in place by the top and bottom members.

4. The clamp of claim 1 wherein the strap has a particular width and the groove has a complementary width to receive the ends of the strap along a single axis.

5. The clamp of claim 1 wherein the strap has a particular width and the groove has a width greater than the particular width to receive the ends of the strap along parallel axes.

6. The clamp of claim 1 wherein one of the top and bottom members include protrusions that extend partially within the groove to increase the friction within the groove of the captured portions of the ends of the strap.

7. The clamp of claim 1 wherein one of the top and bottom members include protrusions that extend partially within the groove and the other of the top and bottom members include recesses complementary to the protrusions to increase the friction within the groove of the captured portions of the ends of the strap.

8. The clamp of claim 1 wherein the top and bottom members are formed as one piece interconnected by a hinge portion so that after the strap is received within the groove, the top and bottom members may be aligned using the complementary portions by pivoting the top and bottom members around the hinge portion.

9. The clamp of claim 1 wherein the top and bottom members are formed as two pieces so that after the strap is received within the groove, the top and bottom members may be aligned using the complementary portions by placing the top member on top of the bottom member.

10. The clamp of claim 1 wherein the complementary portions include interlocking members as part of means for locking the aligned top and bottom members together to hold the top and bottom members together in the locked position

11. The clamp of claim 1 wherein means for locking the aligned top and bottom members together in the locked position includes using one or more of the following, an ultrasonic weld, a hot weld, glue or a snap lock.