Split strap
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of making a bent split strap (2), comprising:
- (a) providing a generally flat, coiled, elongated strap (2) having a leading end (3) and a trailing end (4), a first elongated side boundary (5) and a second elongated side boundary (6) generally parallel to said first elongated side boundary (5), a body (7) bounded by said first and second elongated side boundaries (5, 6) that define a width (8), and an elongated slit cut (9) generally parallel to said first and second elongated side boundaries (5, 6), said slit cut (9) dividing said body (7) between said first and second elongated side boundaries (5, 6), creating a first body side (10) and a second body side (11), said slit cut (9) being intermittently interrupted by unslit portions (12) that connect said first and second body sides (10, 11);
(b) providing an aperture (13) having a first end (14) and a second end (15) that define a width (16), said width (16) of said aperture (13) being less than said width (8) of said elongated strap (2); and
(c) drawing said elongated strap (2) through said aperture (13) so that said first and second ends (14, 15) of said aperture (13) constrict said elongated strap (2) by bearing on said first and second elongated side boundaries (5, 6), thereby bending said elongated strap (2) along said slit cut (9) to create an elongated bend (17) in said elongated strap (2);
wherein;
i. said elongated strap (2) is provided in a box (18) that contains the majority of said elongated strap (2).
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Accused Products
Abstract
An elongated strap member that is coiled in a box and is bent lengthwise as it is drawn out of the box, providing an economical, light, compact means of connecting multiple structural members without sagging or other disadvantageous deformations between the structural members. The structural members are bridged by strap member. The end of the strap member is bent over.
76 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A method of making a bent split strap (2), comprising:
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(a) providing a generally flat, coiled, elongated strap (2) having a leading end (3) and a trailing end (4), a first elongated side boundary (5) and a second elongated side boundary (6) generally parallel to said first elongated side boundary (5), a body (7) bounded by said first and second elongated side boundaries (5, 6) that define a width (8), and an elongated slit cut (9) generally parallel to said first and second elongated side boundaries (5, 6), said slit cut (9) dividing said body (7) between said first and second elongated side boundaries (5, 6), creating a first body side (10) and a second body side (11), said slit cut (9) being intermittently interrupted by unslit portions (12) that connect said first and second body sides (10, 11); (b) providing an aperture (13) having a first end (14) and a second end (15) that define a width (16), said width (16) of said aperture (13) being less than said width (8) of said elongated strap (2); and (c) drawing said elongated strap (2) through said aperture (13) so that said first and second ends (14, 15) of said aperture (13) constrict said elongated strap (2) by bearing on said first and second elongated side boundaries (5, 6), thereby bending said elongated strap (2) along said slit cut (9) to create an elongated bend (17) in said elongated strap (2); wherein; i. said elongated strap (2) is provided in a box (18) that contains the majority of said elongated strap (2). - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A method of making a bent split strap connection (1), comprising:
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(a) providing a generally flat, coiled, elongated strap (2) having a leading end (3) and a trailing end (4), a first elongated side boundary (5) and a second elongated side boundary (6) generally parallel to said first elongated side boundary (5), a body (7) bounded by said first and second elongated side boundaries (5, 6) that define a width (8), and an elongated slit cut (9) generally parallel to said first and second elongated side boundaries (5, 6), said slit cut (9) dividing said body (7) between said first and second elongated side boundaries (5, 6), creating a first body side (10) and a second body side (11), said slit cut (9) being intermittently interrupted by unslit portions (12) that connect said first and second body sides (10, 11); (b) providing an aperture (13) having a first end (14) and a second end (15) that define a width (16), said width (16) of said aperture (13) being less than said width (8) of said elongated strap (2); (c) drawing said elongated strap (2) through said aperture (13) so that said first and second ends (14, 15) of said aperture (13) constrict said elongated strap (2) by bearing on said first and second elongated side boundaries (5, 6), thereby bending said elongated strap (2) along said slit cut (9) to create an elongated bend (17) in said elongated strap (2); (d) cutting a length of said bent split strap (2); (e) providing a plurality of parallel structural members (24), said structural members (24) each having an interface surface (25); (f) fastening said body (7) of said length of said bent split strap (2) onto each of said interface surfaces (25) of said structural members (24). - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification