Method and apparatus integral with an article of apparel for tightening a strap

• US 6,170,091 B1
• Filed: 08/26/1998
• Issued: 01/09/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 08/26/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Proline Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Proline Incorporated
• Inventors: Rector, James L., Zide, Robert M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Brittain, James R.
• Application Number:
  US09/140,746
• Time in Patent Office: 867 Days
• Field of Search: 241/71, 241/94--96, 241/36.R, 24/25, 241/15.M, 246/2, 246/5, 232/2, 222/1, 223/7
• US Class Current: 2/462
• CPC Class Codes: A44B 11/10 sliding wedge
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/4019 Sliding part or wedge
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/4079 Sliding part of wedge

Abstract

A method of securing a strap and a strap fastening apparatus integral with an article of apparel includes an article of apparel and a planar surface. The apparatus further includes a wedge having a handle and a surface with a predetermined angle. The wedge also includes projections which engage with a strap. The apparatus also provides a housing where the wedge is contained within the housing. The apparatus also includes an attachment device where the attachment device fastens the housing to the planar surface. The housing and planar surface form a first opening and a second opening. The apparatus further includes a mechanism for reducing contact area between the strap and the planar surface, whereby translational displacement required for locking the wedge and smoothing wear of the wedge are substantially reduced while friction is substantially increased between the wedge and the strap and between the planar surface and the strap.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

an article of apparel in the form of a protective shoulder pad;

a strap attached to said shoulder pad;

a substantially planar surface overlying said shoulder pad;

a housing overlying said substantially planar surface and forming a first opening between said substantially planar surface and said housing and a second opening between said substantially planar surface and said housing;

a wedge contained within said housing, said wedge including a first surface and a second surface arranged at a predetermined angle relative to one another;

a handle associated with said wedge for allowing said wedge to be manually moved in a first direction; and

an engagement surface formed on said second surface for engaging with said strap, wherein said strap passes through said first opening, between said engagement surface and said substantially planar surface, and through said second opening, and wherein a force applied to said strap in a second direction, opposite the first direction, causes a frictional force to occur, as said engagement surface and said substantially planar surface sandwich said strap to prevent movement of said strap in the second direction.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said substantially planar surface is integrally formed on an outer surface of said shoulder pad.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said substantially planar surface is rigidly attached to said shoulder pad.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said substantially planar surface is attached to said shoulder pad by an attachment devices selected from the group consisting of screws, rivets, bolts/nuts, welds and adhesives.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

a bulge portion formed adjacent to said substantially planar surface and adjacent to said second opening.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said bulge portion causes said strap to lift away from said shoulder pad and to engage an edge of said wedge to push said wedge in the second direction.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said strap is non-elastic.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said strap is formed of a material selected from the group consist of plastic coated webbing, nylon webbing, leather, metallic plastic coating strapping, and elastomers.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined angle is between three and ten degrees.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said predetermined angle is substantially seven degrees.

11. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

at least one of discontinuities and grooves formed on or in said substantially planar surface for reducing a contact area between said strap and said substantially planar surface.

12. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said engagement surface includes projections having a conical shape.

13. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said engagement surface includes projections having an angle between 60 and 180 degrees relative to said second surface of said wedge.

14. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said projections have an angle of substantially 90 degrees relative to said second surface of said wedge.

15. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said engagement surface includes projections which are aligned in rows and columns to form a multi-axis symmetrical distribution.

16. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said engagement surface includes projections which are stepped-shaped.

17. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said strap is a first strap and further comprising:

a second strap attached to said shoulder pad and to said substantially planar surface, said second strap having a length such that said substantially planar surface overlies said shoulder pad.

18. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said strap includes a first end and a second end, said first end being attached to said shoulder pad and said second end being a rolled and stitched end.

19. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

an attachment device for connecting said housing to said substantially planar surface, said attachment device being selected from the group consisting of screws, rivets, bolts/nuts, welds and adhesives rivets.

20. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said handle is attached to said first surface of said wedge, and further comprising:

a slot in said housing, said handle projecting through said slot.

21. An apparatus comprising:

an article of apparel;

a strap attached to said article of apparel;

a substantially planar surface attached to said article of apparel;

a housing overlying said substantially planar surface and forming a first opening between said substantially planar surface and said housing and a second opening between said substantially planar surface and said housing;

a wedge contained within said housing, said wedge including a first surface and a second surface arranged at a predetermined angle relative to one another;

a handle associated with said wedge for allowing said wedge to be manually moved;

an engagement surface formed on said second surface for engaging with said strap, wherein said strap passes through said first opening, between said engagement surface and said substantially planar surface, and through said second opening; and

a bulge portion formed adjacent to said substantially planar surface and adjacent to said second opening.

22. The apparatus according to claim 21, wherein said bulge portion causes said strap to lift away from said substantially planar surface and engage an edge of said wedge.

23. The apparatus according to claim 21, wherein said substantially planar surface is integrally formed on said article of apparel.

24. The apparatus according to claim 21, further comprising:

at least one of discontinuities and grooves formed on or in said substantially planar surface for reducing a contact area between said strap and said substantially planar surface.

25. The apparatus according to claim 24, wherein said engagement surface includes projections having a conical shape.

26. The apparatus according to claim 21, wherein said strap is a first strap and further comprising:

a second strap attached to said article of apparel and to said substantially planar surface, such that said second strap attaches said substantially planar surface to said article of apparel.

27. The apparatus according to claim 21, wherein said handle is attached to said first surface of said wedge, and further comprising:

a slot in said housing, said handle projecting through said slot.

28. A strap fastening apparatus integral with an article of apparel comprising:

an article of apparel;

a substantially planar surface;

a wedge having a handle and a surface with a predetermined angle, said wedge further including projections which engage with a strap;

a housing, said wedge being contained within said housing; and

an attachment device, said attachment device fastening said housing to said planar surface, said housing and planar surface forming a first opening and a second opening, whereby translational displacement required for locking said wedge and smoothing wear of said wedge are substantially reduced while friction is substantially increased between said wedge and said strap and between said planar surface and said strap, wherein said projections have a conical shape, and wherein the planar surface includes a base plate and the strap is a first strap, the strap fastening apparatus further comprises a second strap attached to said base plate on a side opposite to said housing, a cushion member is attached to said second strap; and

said second strap is connected to said article of apparel.

29. The strap fastening apparatus of claim 28, wherein said first strap includes two ends, at least one end having a stitched rolled end.

30. A strap fastening apparatus integral with an article of apparel comprising:

an article of apparel;

a substantially planar surface;

a wedge having a handle and a surface with a predetermined angle, said wedge further including projections which engage with a strap;

a housing, said wedge being contained within said housing; and

an attachment device, said attachment device fastening said housing to said planar surface, said housing and planar surface forming a first opening and a second opening, whereby translational displacement required for locking said wedge and smoothing wear of said wedge are substantially reduced while friction is substantially increased between said wedge and said strap and between said planar surface and said strap, wherein the planar surface is disposed on said article of apparel, and further comprising a bulge portion disposed adjacent to said planar surface and adjacent to said second opening.

31. The strap fastening apparatus of claim 30, further comprising a slot in said housing, said handle projecting through said slot.

32. The strap fastening apparatus of claim 31, wherein said article of apparel includes protective shoulder gear.