Bungee cord with hookless ends

• US 6,490,767 B2
• Filed: 06/09/2001
• Issued: 12/10/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Tommy Strap LLC
• Original Assignee: Tommy Strap LLC
• Inventors: Haiduk, Thomas J.
• Primary Examiner(s): SAKRAN, VICTOR N
• Application Number:
  US09/877,602
• Publication Number:
  US 20010025402A1
• Time in Patent Office: 549 Days
• Field of Search: 242/98, 242/99, 243/00, 243/01, 243/02, 24/16.PB, 24/17.B, 24/17.A, 24/17.R, 292/318
• US Class Current: 24/298
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 7/08 Equipment for securing luggage on carriers
• CPC Class Codes: F16G 11/00 Means for fastening cables or ropes to one another or to other objects; Caps or sleeves for fixing on cables or ropes attaching ropes or cables to lift cars or cages B66B7/08, to winch drums or barrels B66D1/34; ground anchors E02D5/00; anchoring devices for prestressed members E04C5/00; rope clamps in earth drilling E21B19/12
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/1408 Closed loops
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/1498 Plastic band
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/31 Plural fasteners having intermediate flaccid connector
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/314 Elastic connector
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/318 Strap connector

Abstract

A bungee cord with hookless ends includes an elastic body, a first attachment end, and a second attachment end. In a first preferred embodiment, the first and second attachment ends are spade attachment ends. Each spade attachment end includes a lock body, spade end and at least one lock slot. The spade end must be twisted to be inserted into the lock slot. The spade end is then twisted back to its original orientation to lock thereof in the lock slot. In a second embodiment, the first attachment end is a spade attachment end and the second attachment end is a tongue attachment end. The tongue attachment end includes a tongue body, a tongue hole, and a tongue extension. To lock the tongue attachment end, the tongue extension is inserted through a hole in an item until the spade contoured portion prevents further insertion. The tongue extension is then inserted through the tongue hole. In a third preferred embodiment, the first attachment end is a tongue attachment end and the second end is a strap attachment end. The strap attachment end includes a strap body with at least two slots for retention of a strap. In a fourth preferred embodiment, the first attachment end is a tongue attachment end and the second end is a spade attachment end.

Claims

1. A bungee cord with hookless ends comprising:

an elastic body having a first end and a second end;

a first spade end terminating said first end, a second spade end terminating said second end; and

at least one first lock slot being disposed near said first end, at least one second lock slot being disposed near said second end thereof, said first spade end being insertable into one of said first lock slots, said second spade end being insertable into one of said second lock slots.

2. The bungee cord with hookless ends of claim 1, wherein:

said first spade end being twisted to allow insertion into said first lock slot, said second spade end being twisted to allow insertion into said second lock slot.

3. The bungee cord with hookless ends of claim 1, wherein:

said elastic body having a greater width adjacent said first and second lock slots.

4. The bungee cord with hookless ends of claim 1 wherein:

said first spade end being fabricated of an over molded material, said second spade end being fabricated of an over molded material.

5. The bungee cord with hookless ends of claim 1, wherein:

said first spade end being fabricated by bonding a material thereto, said second spade end being fabricated by bonding a material thereto.

6. The bungee cord with hookless ends of claim 1, wherein:

said elastic body having a florescent color.

7. The bungee cord with hookless ends of claim 1, wherein:

said elastic body being fabricated from poly-urethane plastic.

8. A bungee cord with hookless ends comprising:

an elastic body having a first end and a second end;

a first spade end terminating said first end, a second spade end terminating said second end; and

at least one first lock slot being disposed near said first end, at least one second lock slot being disposed near said second end thereof, said first spade end being twisted to allow insertion into one of said first lock slots, said second spade end being twisted to allow insertion into one of said second lock slots.

9. The bungee cord with hookless ends of claim 8, wherein:

said elastic body having a greater width adjacent said first and second lock slots.

10. The bungee cord with hookless ends of claim 8, wherein:

said first spade end being fabricated of an over molded material, said second spade end being fabricated of an over molded material.

11. The bungee cord with hookless ends of claim 8, wherein:

said first spade end being fabricated by bonding a material thereto, said second spade end being fabricated by bonding a material thereto.

12. The bungee cord with hookless ends of claim 8, wherein:

said elastic body having a florescent color.

13. The bungee cord with hookless ends of claim 8, wherein:

said elastic body being fabricated from poly-urethane plastic.

14. A bungee cord with hookless ends comprising:

an elastic body having a first end and a second end;

a first spade end terminating said first end, a second spade end terminating said second end; and

at least one first lock slot being disposed near said first end, at least one second lock slot being disposed near said second end thereof, said first spade end being twisted to allow insertion into one of said first lock slots, said second spade end being twisted to allow insertion into one of said second lock slots; and

said elastic body having a greater width adjacent said first and second lock slots.

15. The bungee cord with hookless ends of claim 14, wherein:

said first spade end being fabricated of an over molded material, said second spade end being fabricated of an over molded material.

16. The bungee cord with hookless ends of claim 14, wherein:

said first spade end being fabricated by bonding a material thereto, said second spade end being fabricated by bonding a material thereto.

17. The bungee cord with hookless ends of claim 14, wherein:

said elastic body having a florescent color.

18. The bungee cord with hookless ends of claim 14, wherein:

said elastic body being fabricated from poly-urethane plastic.