Adjustable strap

[57] ABSTRACT

An adjustable strap assembly is connectable between two variably spaced points to provide a holding tension therebetween. The strap assembly includes two buckles and an elongated belt connected to the buckles to provide three strands between the buckles. The relative spacing between the buckles is selectively adjustable to alter the effective length of the strap assembly.

Claims, 4 Drawing Figures

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PATENTED JUH 2 71972 3,672,004

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77/OMA 5 &amp; 777

INVENTOR.

BY

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AGENT

3,672,004

ADJUSTABLE STRAP

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention is related to holding straps and more particu- ³larly to an adjustable holding strap for applying holding tension between two variably spaced points.

2. Description of the Prior Art

There are many uses for a holding strap including holding an automobile trunk lid down on a load which prevents complete closing; holding a variable-sized load on a car top carrier; and holding a tarpaulin on a truck load, to name a few. The most commonly used holding strap includes a length of molded rubber or elastomer having a hook at each end. The stretch of the rubber accommodates some variation in the spacing between connection points but a selection of sizes is essential to properly and easily connect between the points when the variations in spacing are greater than minimal. This requirement for a plurality of straps is both costly and inconvenient.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an improved adjustable strap.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved holding strap adjustable over a wide range of lengths.

It is a still further object of the instant invention to provide an improved adjustable holding strap having a unitary strip of 30 material forming a plurality of selectively variable lengths of strap between a pair of buckles.

The instant invention achieves these objects in a holding strap having a pair of buckles interconnected with an elongated belt and forming a plurality of strands extending 35 between the buckles wherein the buckles are selectively movable on the belt to alter the relative spacing of the buckles and effectively vary the useful length of the strap.

Operation of the device and further objects and advantages thereof will become evident as the description proceeds and ⁴θ from an examination of the accompanying sheet of drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings illustrate a preferred embodiment of the in- 45 vention with similar numerals referring to similar parts throughout the several views wherein,

FIG. 1 shows a face view of the adjustable strap of the instant invention;

FIG. 2 shows a side view of the adjustable strap of FIG. 1; 50

FIG. 3 shows an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of one of the buckles included in the adjustable strap of FIGS. 1 and 2; and

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view similar to FIG. 3 and showing a modified buckle for an adjustable strap. 55

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 there is shown an adjustable holding strap assembly comprising an elongated belt member 11, a pair of hooks 12 and 112 connected at the ends of the ⁶⁰belt member 11 and a pair of buckles 13 and 113 on the belt member between the end hooks 12 and 112. In this specification, end hooks 12 and 112 are similar, as are buckles 13 and 113. Separate numerals are assigned for these parts, and other ¢5 parts also, for purposes of clarity of explanation in the specification.

The belt member 11 is in the form of an elongated unitary strip of polyurethane elastomer. The cross section of the belt 11 is generally rectangular with a relatively wide base, as 70 viewed in FIG. 1, so that it may be considered a thin flat belt though other shapes could be used in an adjustable strap embodying the instant invention. Other belt materials, such as leather or a woven strip, could also be used in this novel adjustable strap. 75

As best shown in FIG. 2, the ends 15 and 115 of the polyurethane belt 11 are folded over and joined at the contacting surfaces by heat or solvent welding to form loops 16 and 116 substantially at the ends of the belt 11 for fixing the hooks 12 and 112 to the belt.

The hook 12, for example, is formed in the embodiment shown from a strip of metal rod, heavy wire, or light bar stock to include a generally oval portion 19, as in FIG. 1, for receiving the belt loop 16 and an open hook portion 20, as in FIG. 2, for detachably fastening the strap assembly between spaced connection points.

Referring primarily to the enlarged FIG. 3 and also to the overall views of FIGS. 1 and 2, the buckle 13 is shown as a relatively thin flat plate having three slots 23, 24, and 25 ¹⁵ formed therein to receive the belt 11 and defining four cross arms or bars 28-31 engageable with the belt 11 and joined at the ends by side bars 33. The corners of the cross arms, such as at 34 in FIG. 3, engageable with the belt are beveled, __ formed with a radius, or otherwise formed without sharp edges ^M to avoid cutting of the belt 11.

The belt 11 is uniquely threaded into particular slots of the pair of buckles 13 and 113 to provide three strands of belt, such as 36, 37, and 38, between the spaced-apart buckles 13 and 113 while keeping the ends free for connection to spacedapart points.

The overall threading of the belt 11 into the buckles 13 and 113 to provide three belt strands 36-38 therebetween is shown in the side view of FIG. 2, but reference to the enlarged view of FIG. 3 is helpful in considering the specific threading of each buckle of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the belt 11 enters a first slot 23, nearest the end of the belt, from one side of the buckle 13, and reverses and enters the second slot 24 from the other side of the buckle 13 and then extends toward the second buckle 113 so that one side 39 of the belt 11 is in frictional engagement with the first and third cross bars 28 and 30 while the other side 40 of the belt 11 is in frictional engagement with the second cross bar 29. This threading of the belt 11 effectively forms a loop around cross arm 29 and locks the belt portion to one buckle 13 in a substantially no-slip frictional engagement, especially when a tension load is applied to the strap assembly.

Referring to FIG. 2, the belt extends from the first buckle 13 to and is threaded through one slop 125 of the second buckle 113 then reverses direction to form a loop 41 engageable with a cross bar 131 of the second buckle 113. The belt then extends back to and is threaded into a slot 25 of buckle 13 and reverses direction to form a loop 42 engageable with the fourth cross bar 31 of the first buckle 13. The belt extends toward buckle 113 and a second portion of the belt is finally engageable with the second buckle 113 in a substantially noslip manner as previously described for the first buckle 13. There is thus formed a strap assembly having three strands of belt 36-38 extending between a pair of buckles 13 and 113 wherein the buckles are selectively movable along the belt 11 to vary the length of the strands 36-38 between the buckles 13 and 113. Generally, for each inch increase in spacing between the buckles 13 and 113 there is a two inch net decrease in overall length of the strap assembly.

The adjustable limits of the strap assembly are determined by the initial length of the belt member 11. FIGS. 1 and 2 show the strap assembly in approximately the shortest possible overall length since the buckles 13 and 113 are adjacent the end hooks 12 and 112. To adjust the length, at least one of the buckles may be moved so that the buckles 13 and 113 are increasingly closer together to achieve longer effective length of the strap assembly.

When the strap assembly is put under a tension load it will assume substantially the configuration shown in FIG. 2. When an increasingly heavy tension is placed on a strap assembly having a polyurethane belt there, may be some stretch of the belt 11 along its length and some depression or indentation of the belt surface at the buckle cross bars. This indentation will provide additional resistance to slippage of the belt relative to the buckle.

3,672,004

To adjust the length of the strap, the belt may be loosened from the second cross bar 29 so that the buckle 13 may be moved relative to the belt 11. The strands 36-38 between the buckles may then be adjusted so that they are approximately equal. The strap assembly is then ready to connect between 5 spaced points.

Referring to FIG. 4, the use of a simplified buckle 45 is shown. The buckle 45 includes three cross bars 46-48 so the locking of the belt 11 to the buckle is achieved by engagement of the belt with the first and second cross arms 46 and 47, as 1° with buckle 13 of FIG. 3, and with the surface of the belt at the belt loop 49 extending around the other cross bar 48. This buckle 45 is operable in an adjustable strap assembly where the size and frictional characteristics of the belt achieves substantially no-slip engagement relative to the buckles. ' 5

It is clear that the adjustable strap assembly described hereinabove provides an improved, low cost, versatile holding or clamping strap. Each adjustable strap is useful over a wide range of lengths. Furthermore, belt characteristics may be selected to fit the required operating conditions. The adjusta- ²⁰ble strap is thus useful for holding automobile trunk lids, truck tarpaulins, and various loads in or on automobiles, trucks, other vehicles, pallets, or containers.

In the foregoing drawings and specification, there has been set forth a preferred embodiment of the invention and ²although specific terms are employed, these are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Changes in form and the proportion of parts as well as the substitution of equivalents are contemplated as circum- 3Q stances may suggest or render expedient without departing from the spirit or scope of this invention.