Clamp for adjustably joining the ends of a strap
First Claim
1. A combination of a clamp and flat strap for use with a respirator mask for adjustably joining the ends of the flat strap to adjust the fit of the respirator mask to the face of a user, includinga flat strap having ends,a clamping structure having top and bottom members,at least one of the top and bottom members having a groove extending from one side to the other side of the at least one of the top and bottom members and with the groove for receiving the ends of the flat strap so that first portions of the ends of the flat strap are within the groove and at least one other second portion of the ends of the flat strap extends outward from the sides of the clamping structure,complementary portions located on the top and bottom members to align the top and bottom members together to capture the first portions of the ends of the flat strap by friction within the groove formed within the clamp and with the length of the flat strap adjusted to be shorter or longer to adjust the fit of the respirator mask by the at least one other second portion of the ends of the flat strap that extend outward from the sides of the clamping structure, andmeans for locking the aligned top and bottom members together while still allowing the adjustment of the length of the flat strap to be shorter or loner to adjust the fit of the respirator mask.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A clamp for adjustably joining the ends of a strap having ends. The clamp has top and bottom members, and at least one of the top and bottom members has a groove extending from one side to the other side of the clamp. The groove receives the ends of the strap so first portions of the ends of the strap are within the groove and at least one other second portion of the strap extends outward from the sides of the clamp. Complementary aligning portions are located on the top and bottom members to align the top and bottom members to capture the first portions of the ends of the strap by friction within the groove formed within the clamp. The length of the strap is adjusted by the second portion of the strap that extend outward from the sides of the clamp.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. A combination of a clamp and flat strap for use with a respirator mask for adjustably joining the ends of the flat strap to adjust the fit of the respirator mask to the face of a user, including
a flat strap having ends, a clamping structure having top and bottom members, at least one of the top and bottom members having a groove extending from one side to the other side of the at least one of the top and bottom members and with the groove for receiving the ends of the flat strap so that first portions of the ends of the flat strap are within the groove and at least one other second portion of the ends of the flat strap extends outward from the sides of the clamping structure, complementary portions located on the top and bottom members to align the top and bottom members together to capture the first portions of the ends of the flat strap by friction within the groove formed within the clamp and with the length of the flat strap adjusted to be shorter or longer to adjust the fit of the respirator mask by the at least one other second portion of the ends of the flat strap that extend outward from the sides of the clamping structure, and means for locking the aligned top and bottom members together while still allowing the adjustment of the length of the flat strap to be shorter or loner to adjust the fit of the respirator mask.
Specification