Strap lock for adjusting loops

• US 5,074,011 A
• Filed: 05/18/1990
• Issued: 12/24/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 05/18/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Radio Systems Corporation
• Original Assignee: Alpha-M, Inc.
• Inventors: Carlson, Bertyl W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sakran, Victor N.
• Application Number:
  US07/525,893
• Time in Patent Office: 585 Days
• Field of Search: 24/170, 24/191, 24/193, 24/194, 24/68 CD, 24/68 E, 24/69 ST, 54/24, 54/15, 119/130
• US Class Current: 24/170
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 27/00 Leads or collars, e.g. for dogs
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 27/002 Harnesses
• CPC Class Codes: A44B 11/12 turnable clamp
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/4016 Pivoted part or lever
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/4072 Pivoted lever

Abstract

A strap lock device has a base and sidewalls that receive a strap and a pivoting lock plate mounted on the sidewalls for engaging a strap held on the base to prevent sliding of the straps. A cam is provided to be operable to bear on and lock the locking plate down against a strap. The cam has a lever that permits one hand operation to quickly release the lock for adjustment.

Claims

1. A locking device for adjustably holding two overlying aligned strap lengths of a loop relative to the locking device comprising:

a housing defining a base wall for supporting a pair of overlying strap lengths, including a first strap length supported on the base wall and a second strap length supported on the first strap length;

a plurality of sharp teeth projecting from the base wall toward the first strap length;

a pair of sidewalls for containing the strap lengths;

a lock plate pivotally mounted about a first pivot axis relative to the sidewalls, and pivotal to engage the second strap length supported on said first strap length and the base wall;

a plurality of sharp teeth projecting from the lock plate toward the second strap length; and

cam locking means supporting by said sidewalls at a location different from the first pivot axis and comprising an over center cam lock engaging the lock plate for locking the lock plate firmly against the second strap length to force the teeth on the lock plate into the second strap length and to force the first and second strap lengths toward the base wall and the teeth on the base wall into the first strap length.

2. The locking device of claim 1 wherein said cam locking means comprises a cam member and a lever fixed to the cam member, said cam member and said lever being pivoted about a pivot axis spaced above the lock plate with respect to the base, the lever having an actuator end extending laterally beyond the side walls for access for operation.

3. The locking device of claim 1 wherein said lock plate is mounted about a pivot axis spaced above strap members on the base and having an end to engage such straps spaced away from its pivot axis to tend to pivotally tighten toward the base as supported strap lengths are loaded in a first direction.

4. The locking device of claim 1 wherein the strap lengths extend along the base wall in a longitudinal direction, and wherein the teeth on the base wall and the teeth on the lock plate are offset from each other in the longitudinal direction.