Rubber strap device

• US 8,910,347 B1
• Filed: 06/13/2013
• Issued: 12/16/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alliance Rubber Products
• Original Assignee: Alliance Rubber Products
• Inventors: Wilcox, Brian
• Primary Examiner(s): Sandy, Robert J
• Assistant Examiner(s): Do, Rowland
• Application Number:
  US13/916,718
• Time in Patent Office: 551 Days
• Field of Search: 24/16.R, 24/305.R, 242/65.EC, 242/65.CD, 242/65.C, 243/00, 242/65.AL, 243/02, 241/30
• US Class Current: 24/16.R
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 63/109 Application of elastics or like elements
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 63/16 Joints using buckles, wedges, or like locking members attached to the end of the element
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/14 Bale and package ties, hose clamps
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/15 Bag fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/314 Elastic connector
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/4745 End clasp

Abstract

A rubber strap device is provided that includes a post that may be selectively attached to a flexible strap for securing the ends of the flexible strap when the strap is wrapped around one or more objects. The post may be configured to maintain a selected position on the flexible strap when mounted thereon.

Claims

1. A rubber strap device for securing objects, the device comprising:

a post having an elongated body with prongs extending from an axial end of said body, each prong terminating in an outwardly extending tab formed with a notch, said prongs defining a slot for axially receiving widthwise a portion of an elastomeric band, and a tubular retaining sleeve encircling said prongs and axially engaging said notches of said tabs, and

an elastomeric circular band having a first end that is threaded through said slot of said post and held in place by said retaining sleeve, and a second end that may be wrapped around one or more objects and coupled to said first end of said elastomeric band by inserting said post through said second end to secure the objects.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said body has a circumference and said prongs define a circumference, and wherein the circumference that is defined by said prongs is smaller than the circumference of the body.

3. The device of claim 1, said prongs having an axial length from said body to said tabs, and said sleeve having an axial length that is approximately equal to the axial length of said prongs.

4. The device of claim 1, said body having a circumference and said sleeve having a circumference that is approximately equal to the circumference of said body.

5. The device of claim 1, said elastomeric band having a thickness W_T of from about 0.060 to about 0.075 inches, and said slot having a width W_D of about 0.040 to about 0.075.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein said slot extends into said body a distance L_C, and wherein said strap has a width W_S that is approximately equal to said distance L_C.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein said elastomeric band is coupled end-to-end by inserting said post carrying said first end, in button-hole fashion, through said second end to attain a secured position.