Tensioning strap

• US 5,819,375 A
• Filed: 12/18/1997
• Issued: 10/13/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Volkswagen AG
• Original Assignee: Volkswagen AG
• Inventors: Kastner, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Reese, Randolph A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SANDY, ROBERT JOHN
• Application Number:
  US08/993,980
• Time in Patent Office: 299 Days
• Field of Search: 24/16 R, 24/16 PB, 24/17 A, 24/17 AP, 24/30.5 P, 24/30.5 R, 248/74.3
• US Class Current: 24/16.0PB
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 3/2332 having a single plastic locking barb
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/141 Plastic bands
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/1498 Plastic band
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/153 Plastic band bag tie

Abstract

A tensioning strap for securing one or more elongate cables, pipes, hoses or similar objects has an elongate, flexible strap part which is provided with arresting elements and a tensioning lock which is affixed at one end of the strap part and is arranged to hold the strap part which is formed as a noose around and engages the objects. In order to form bundles of objects which are sensitive to pinching and have different overall bundle cross-sections without any risk of pinching or reductions in cross-section of the objects, a blocking element is provided in the region of the tensioning lock which comes into blocking engagement with the strap part and prevents further closing of the noose which is formed by the strap part when the strap part surrounds the objects in a closely abutting manner. The blocking engagement between the blocking element and the strap part is brought about by the blocking element and the strap part moving toward one another as a result of a force exerted by the objects on the strap part or the blocking element.

Claims

1. A tensioning strap for securing at least one elongate object, comprising:

an elongate flexible strap part which is wound around in a noose and for engaging the at least one object and has a series of longitudinally spaced arresting elements;

a tensioning lock for receiving and arresting the strap part;

a catch in the tensioning lock for engaging at least one of the arresting elements of the strap part to prevent enlargement of the noose which is formed by the strap part and surrounds the object; and

a blocking element which moves into blocking engagement with the strap part and prevents further closing of the noose formed by the strap part when the strap part surrounds and engages the at least one object in a closely abutting manner, the blocking element being moved into blocking engagement as a result of a force exerted on the strap part or the blocking element by the at least one object.

2. A tensioning strap according to claim 1 wherein the tensioning lock is provided at at least one end of the strap part.

3. A tensioning strap according to claim 1 wherein the tensioning lock has at least one foot part for fastening the tensioning lock on a receiving body.

4. A tensioning strap according to claim 3 wherein the foot part is an integrally formed component of the tensioning lock.

5. A tensioning strap according to claim 3, wherein the foot part can be moved with respect to the strap part.

6. A tensioning strap according to claim 1 wherein the blocking element is provided in the region of the tensioning lock.

7. A tensioning strap according to claim 4 wherein the blocking element is provided in the foot part.

8. A tensioning strap according to claim 1 wherein the blocking element is movable into engagement with at least one of the arresting elements of the strap part.

9. A tensioning strap according to claim 8 wherein the blocking element is movable into engagement with a side of the arresting element which engages the catch.

10. A tensioning strap according to claim 1 wherein the arresting elements are formed by longitudinally spaced webs which extend transversely with respect to a longitudinal direction of the strap part.

11. A tensioning strap according to claim 10 wherein the webs extend between two continuous longitudinal side members of the strap part and form blocking openings for receiving the catch and the blocking element.

12. A tensioning strap according to claim 1 wherein the strap part has a plurality of latching elements for blocking engagement with the blocking element.

13. A tensioning strap according to claim 12 wherein the arresting elements and latching elements are located on opposite longitudinal sides of the strap part.

14. A tensioning strap according to claim 12 wherein the arresting elements and latching elements are formed as teeth each having a steeper flank and a shallower flank.

15. A tensioning strap according to claim 14 wherein the steeper flanks of the arresting teeth and of the latching teeth are oriented essentially in opposite directions.

16. A tensioning strap according to claim 1 wherein the blocking element is located inside of the tensioning lock facing the at least one object and is forced outwardly into engagement with the strap part by the at least one object.

17. A tensioning strap according to claim 16 wherein the blocking element is positioned inwardly beyond the inside of the tensioning lock when no external force is applied to the blocking element.

18. A tensioning strap according to claim 16 wherein the blocking element is pivotably connected to the tensioning lock at a pivot point and includes an engagement part which is located at a distance from the pivot point and which is movable between at least two adjacent arresting or latching elements of the strap part.

19. A tensioning strap according to claim 18 wherein the blocking element is connected to the tensioning lock by a film hinge.

20. A tensioning strap according to claim 1 wherein the blocking element is located outside the noose which is formed by the strap part and wherein the strap part is forced outwardly into blocking engagement with the blocking element by the at least one object within the noose.

21. A tensioning strap according to claim 20 wherein the blocking element is connected rigidly to the tensioning lock.

22. A tensioning strap according to claim 20 wherein the blocking element is a blocking nose which projects inwardly beyond part of the tensioning lock in the direction of the strap part.

23. A tensioning strap according to claim 20 wherein the tensioning lock has at least one guide for the strap part which maintains a distance between the blocking element and the strap part.

24. A tensioning strap according to claim 1 wherein the tensioning strap is a single piece and consists of a plastic material.

25. A tensioning strap according to claim 1 wherein the tensioning lock has an opening to receive the strap part.

26. A tensioning strap according to claim 25 wherein the catch is integrally formed in the opening of the tensioning lock.

27. A tensioning strap according to claim 25 wherein, as the strap part is moved through the opening, it first passes the blocking element and then passes the catch.

28. A tensioning strap according to claim 25 wherein, as the strap part is moved through the opening, the catch is deformed elastically by the arresting elements.

29. A tensioning strap according to claim 1 wherein the arresting elements in the strap are arranged in the form of a ladder.

30. A tensioning strap according to claim 1 wherein the arresting elements of the strap part have a sawtooth-like form.