Strap with breakaway connector for extending pull chains on switches

• US 5,878,871 A
• Filed: 08/14/1997
• Issued: 03/09/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 08/14/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fred A. Miesner
• Original Assignee: Fred A. Miesner
• Inventors: Miesner, Fred A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Walczak, David J.
• Application Number:
  US08/911,491
• Time in Patent Office: 572 Days
• Field of Search: 200/331, 200/330, 200/329, 200/543, 200/544, 200/545, 200/546, 200/537, 24/602, 24/115 F, 24/DIG. 22
• US Class Current: 200/331
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 17/08 Operating part, e.g. cord
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 23/141 provided with extensions, e.g. for actuation by a child

Abstract

A strap that incorporates a breakaway connector that extends between a chain on a switch contained on a fixture and a bedpost or other fixed or stationary object. The strap has an attachment mean, such as hook and loop fastener, on a lower end for making a loop to attach the strap to the object. The upper end has a breakaway connector with a chain attaching device attached. The chain attaching device attaches the strap with the breakaway connector to the chain on a switch on a fixture. The breakaway connector disconnects the strap from the switch if the strap is pulled to hard, yanked or jerked. The breakaway connector disconnects to protect the switch from breaking. The connector is easily reconnected once disconnected. A shock absorber is also provided for additional protection and to prevent unnecessary disconnects during momentary pulls near or slightly over the disconnect tension.

Claims

1. A strap with breakaway connector for extending pull on switches comprising:

a chain connecting device for attaching said strap with breakaway connector for extending pull on switches to a chain pull on a switch for a fixture;

a breakaway connector having a top portion and bottom portion, said top portion of said breakaway connector attached to a lower end of said chain connecting device, and said lower portion attachable to and disconnectable from said top portion;

said top portion being an inverted U shaped clip and said bottom portion being a pair of tabs insertable and in removable engagement within said U shaped clip;

an elongated strap extending from said bottom portion of said breakaway connector, said breakaway connector disconnecting said elongated strap from said chain connecting device if said elongated strap is pulled too hard; and

an attachment means attached to a lower end of said elongated strap, said attachment means providing a means to attach a lower end of said elongated strap to a fixed or stationary item.

2. The strap with breakaway connector for extending pull on switches as set forth in claim 1 further claiming an extension between said chain connecting device and top portion of said breakaway connector, said extension connecting said chain connecting device to said breakaway connector.

3. The strap with breakaway connector for extending pull on switches as set forth in claim 2 in which said extension comprises a short chain.

5. The strap with breakaway connector for extending pull on switches as set forth in claim 1 further claiming a shock absorbing means, said shock absorbing means attached between said elongated strap and said breakaway connector.

7. The strap with breakaway connector for extending pull on switches as set forth in claim 1 in which said attachment means comprises hook and loop fasteners attached to a lower end of said elongated strap in a spaced relationship that allows a loop to be made at the end of said elongated strap for attachment to a fixed or stationary item.

4. A strap with breakaway connector for extending pull on switches comprising:

a chain connecting device for attaching said strap with breakaway connector for extending pull on switches to a chain pull on a switch for a fixture;

a breakaway connector having a top portion and bottom portion, said top portion having an inverted U shape with inward facing barbs at the inside end of each leg on said U shaped top portion, said bottom portion being a pair of tabs, each of said tabs having at least one opening, said tabs being inserted together as a pair between said legs of said U shaped top portion, said barbs on the inside of said U shaped top portion engaging said opening on said tabs, said legs spreading to allow said tabs to be inserted and released;

an elongated strap extending from said bottom portion of said breakaway connector, said breakaway connector disconnecting said elongated strap from said chain connecting device if said elongated strap is pulled too hard; and

an attachment means attached to a lower end of said elongated strap said attachment means providing a means to attach a lower end of said elongated strap to a fixed or stationary item.

6. A strap with breakaway connector for extending pull on switches comprising:

a chain connecting device for attaching said strap with breakaway connector for extending pull on switches to a chain pull on a switch for a fixture;

a breakaway connector having a top portion and bottom portion, said top portion of said breakaway connector attached to a lower end of said chain connecting device, and said lower portion attachable to and disconnectable from said top portion;

a shock absorbing means, said shock absorbing means attached to said bottom portion of said breakaway connector, said shock absorbing means comprises an elastic strip;

an elongated strap extending from said shock absorbing means, said breakaway connector disconnecting said elongated strap from said chain connecting device if said elongated strap is pulled too hard; and

an attachment means attached to a lower end of said elongated strap, said attachment means providing a means to attach a lower end of said elongated strap to a fixed or stationary item.

8. A strap with breakaway connector for extending pull on switches comprising:

a chain connecting device for attaching said strap with breakaway connector for extending pull on switches to a chain pull on a switch of a fixture;

an extension extending from a lower end of said chain connecting device;

a breakaway connector, said breakaway connector comprises a top portion attached to a lower end of said extension and a bottom portion, said top portion having an inverted U shape with inward facing barbs at the end of each leg on said U shaped top portion, said bottom portion being a pair of tabs, each of said tabs having at least one opening, said tabs being inserted together as a pair between said legs of said U shaped top portion, said barbs on the inside of said U shaped top portion engaging said opening on said tabs, and said legs spreading to allow said tabs to be inserted and to release said tabs;

an elongated strap attached to and extending from a lower portion of an opening on said tabs, said tabs being disconnected from said inverted U shaped top portion if said elongated strap is pulled to hard; and

an attachment means attached to a lower end of said elongated strap, said attachment mean comprising hook and loop fasteners attached in a spaced relation to allow a loop to be made at the end of said elongated strap for providing a means to attach a lower end of said elongated strap to a fixed or stationary item.

9. The strap with breakaway connector for extending pull on switches as set forth in claim 8 in which said extension comprises a short chain.

10. A strap with breakaway connector for extending pull on switches comprising:

a chain connecting device for attaching said strap with breakaway connector for extending pull on switches to a chain pull on a switch of a fixture;

a chain extension extending from a lower end of said chain connecting device;

a breakaway connector, said breakaway connector comprises a top portion attached to a lower end of said chain extension and bottom portion, said top portion having an inverted U shapes with inward facing barbs at the end of each leg on said U shaped top portion, said bottom portion being a pair of tabs, each of said tabs having at least one opening, said tabs being inserted together as a pair between said legs of said U shaped top portion, said barbs on the inside of said U shaped top portion engaging said opening on said tabs, and said legs spreading to allow said tabs to be inserted and to release said tabs;

a shock absorbing means, said shock absorbing means attached to said opening on said tabs of said breakaway connector;

an elongated strap attached to and extending from said shock absorber, said tabs of said breakaway connector being disconnected from said inverted U shaped top portion if said elongated strap is pulled to hard or yanked; and

hook and loop fasteners attached to a lower end of said elongated strap in a spaced relationship to allow a loop to be made at the end of said elongated strap for providing a means to attach a lower end of said elongated strap to a fixed or stationary item.

11. The strap with breakaway connector for extending pull on switches as set forth in claim 10 in which said shock absorber comprises an elastic strip folded through said opening on said tabs and connected to an upper end of said elongated strap.