Reclosable strap assembly

• US 9,879,823 B2
• Filed: 12/29/2015
• Issued: 01/30/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hand Held Products Incorporated (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hand Held Products Incorporated (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Inventors: Oberpriller, Mark Lee, Bruffey, Robert, Phillips, Marcus Charles, Hu, James
• Primary Examiner(s): Sandy, Robert
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lee, Michael S
• Application Number:
  US14/982,791
• Publication Number:
  US 20160186926A1
• Time in Patent Office: 763 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A41F 9/025 Adjustable belts or girdles
• CPC Class Codes: A44B 11/24 Buckle with movable prong
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 2003/142 Carrying-straps
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 2005/008 Hand articles fastened to the wrist or to the arm or to the leg
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 2200/0516 Portable handheld communication devices, e.g. mobile phone, pager, beeper, PDA, smart phone
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 5/00 Holders or carriers for hand articles; Holders or carriers for use while travelling or camping
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 2/08 using bands
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/04 for supporting on, or holding steady relative to, a person, e.g. by chains , e.g. rifle butt or pistol grip supports, supports attached to the chest or head apparatus or arrangements for taking photographs or for projecting or viewing them G03B
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/141 Plastic bands
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/1498 Plastic band
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/4782 Watch strap

Abstract

A reclosable strap assembly includes an elongate strap having a first end including a plurality of engaging segments. A clasp includes a frame that defines a frame opening for receiving the first end. Each of the plurality of engaging segments is sized to create an interference fit between the individual engaging segment and the frame when the individual engaging segment is inserted into the frame opening.

Claims

1. A reclosable strap assembly, comprising:

an elongate strap having a first end and a second end opposite to the first end, the elongate strap comprising a plurality of engaging segments, a plurality of non-engaging segments, and a plurality of apertures, each of the plurality of engaging segments are separated from each other by one of the non-engaging segments; and

a clasp attached to the second end of the elongate strap, wherein the clasp comprises a frame and a tongue, the tongue pivotably secured to the strap assembly;

where the frame defines an opening configured to receive the first end of the elongate strap and the tongue is configured to interface with one of the plurality of apertures when the frame opening receives the elongate strap; and

wherein each of the plurality of engaging segments is sized such that the elongate strap is releasably secured in the frame opening via an interference fit between an individual engaging segment and the frame opening when the individual engaging segment is inserted into the frame opening.

2. The reclosable strap assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of engaging segments is configured to disengage from the frame upon application of a sufficient pulling force to the first end.

3. The reclosable strap assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of non-engaging segments is sized to pass substantially freely past the frame when inserted into the frame opening.

4. The reclosable strap assembly of claim 1, wherein each non-engaging segment has a chamfered lateral edge.

5. The reclosable strap assembly of claim 1, wherein adjacent engaging segments and non-engaging segments are integral with each other.

6. The reclosable strap assembly of claim 1, wherein adjacent engaging segments and non-engaging segments are hingedly attached to each other.

7. The reclosable strap assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of engaging segments has a chamfered lateral edge configured to

(i) facilitate insertion of the individual engaging segment into the frame opening and (ii) resist withdrawal of the individual engaging segment from the frame opening.

8. The reclosable strap assembly of claim 1, comprising a wearable device attached to the elongate strap.

9. The reclosable strap assembly of claim 8, wherein the individual engaging segment remains releasably attached to the frame via an interference fit when the elongate strap (i) is secured around an object and (ii) is bearing the full weight of the wearable device.

10. The reclosable strap assembly of claim 1, wherein the elongate strap comprises a resilient material.

11. The reclosable strap assembly of claim 1, wherein the elongate strap comprises a resilient material and the frame comprises a rigid material.

12. A reclosable strap assembly, comprising:

an elongate strap having a first end and a second end opposite to the first end, the elongate strap comprising a plurality of engaging segments and a plurality of non-engaging segments, at least some of the non-engaging segments having an aperture; and

a clasp attached to the second end of the elongate strap, wherein the clasp comprises a frame and a tongue, the tongue pivotably secured to the strap assembly;

where the frame defines an opening configured to receive the first end of the elongate strap and the tongue is configured to interface with one of the plurality of apertures when the frame opening receives the elongate strap;

wherein each of the plurality of engaging segments is sized such that the elongate strap is releasably secured in the frame opening via an interference fit between an individual engaging segment and the frame opening when the individual engaging segment is inserted into the frame opening;

wherein each of the plurality of non-engaging segments is sized to pass substantially freely past the frame opening when inserted into the frame opening;

wherein each of the plurality of engaging segments are separated from each other by one of the plurality of non-engaging segment; and

wherein each of the plurality of engaging segments has a chamfered lateral edge configured to (i) facilitate insertion of the individual engaging segment into the frame opening and (ii) resist withdrawal of the individual engaging segment from the frame opening.

13. The reclosable strap assembly of claim 12, wherein each of the plurality of engaging segments is configured to disengage from the frame upon application of a sufficient pulling force to the first end.

14. The reclosable strap assembly of claim 12, wherein the individual engaging segment remains releasably attached to the frame via an interference fit when the elongate strap (i) is secured around an object and (ii) is bearing the full weight of the wearable device.

15. The reclosable strap assembly of claim 12, wherein the elongate strap comprises a resilient material.

16. The reclosable strap assembly of claim 12, wherein the elongate strap comprises a resilient material and the frame comprises a rigid material.

17. A wearable device assembly, comprising:

a wearable device;

an elongate strap attached to the wearable device, the elongate strap having a first end and a second end opposite to the first end, the elongate strap comprising a plurality of engaging segments and a plurality of non-engaging segments, at least some of the non-engaging segments having an aperture; and

a clasp attached to the second end of the elongate strap, wherein the clasp comprises a frame and a tongue, the tongue pivotably secured to the strap assembly;

where the frame defines an opening configured to receive the first end of the elongate strap and the tongue is configured to interface with one of the plurality of apertures when the frame opening receives the elongate strap;

wherein each of the plurality of engaging segments is sized such that the elongate strap is releasably secured in the frame opening via an interference fit between an individual engaging segment and the frame opening when the individual engaging segment is inserted into the frame opening;

wherein each of the plurality of non-engaging segments is sized to pass substantially freely past the frame opening when inserted into the frame opening;

wherein each of the plurality of engaging segments are separated from each other by one of the plurality of non-engaging segment; and

wherein each of the plurality of engaging segments has a chamfered lateral edge configured to (i) facilitate insertion of the individual engaging segment into the frame opening and (ii) resist withdrawal of the individual engaging segment from the frame opening.

18. The wearable device assembly of claim 17, wherein the interference fit between the individual engaging segment and the frame is maintained when the elongate strap (i) is secured around an object and (ii) is bearing the full weight of the wearable device.

19. The wearable device assembly of claim 17, wherein the elongate strap comprises a resilient material.

20. The wearable device assembly of claim 17, wherein the elongate strap comprises a resilient material and the frame comprises a rigid material.