U.S. patent application number 09/965172 was filed with the patent office on 2003-03-27 for shock absorbing strap attachment device.
Invention is credited to Anscher, Joseph.
Application Number | 20030056338 09/965172 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25509564 |
Filed Date | 2003-03-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030056338 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Anscher, Joseph |
March 27, 2003 |
Shock absorbing strap attachment device
Abstract
An attachment device has a frame with two longitudinal sides and
a series of lateral guides disposed along the frame between the two
sides. The guides define openings through which a strap extends.
When the strap is inserted into the device, it is placed through
the openings and over guides. The guides also hold the strap in
place so that the device does not slide off the strap. In the
relaxed state, the attachment device maintains a serpentine
configuration with peaks and valleys. When tension is applied, the
device is stretched out but returns to the original serpentine
configuration when the tension is removed. The shape and material
help absorb the force applied to the strap and reduce its effect on
the strap, to thus reduce breakage of the strap and buckles and
reduce injury to the user.
Inventors: |
Anscher, Joseph;
(Muttontown, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WILLIAM COLLARD
COLLARD & ROE, P.C.
1077 NORTHERN BOULEVARD
ROSLYN
NY
11576
US
|
Family ID: |
25509564 |
Appl. No.: |
09/965172 |
Filed: |
September 27, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
24/71.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 24/2164 20150115;
A45F 3/14 20130101; A45C 13/001 20130101; A45F 2003/142 20130101;
A45F 2003/001 20130101; F16G 11/046 20130101; A01K 27/005 20130101;
A45C 13/30 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
24/71.1 |
International
Class: |
A44B 021/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A device for attachment to a strap, comprising: a frame having
two longitudinal sides and an open center, said two sides being
bent in at least one area and said frame flexing under force; and a
plurality of lateral guides positioned within said frame, each
guide being connected to said two sides of said frame; wherein a
strap is positionable within said frame by threading the strap
around the guides and wherein tension on the strap causes said
frame to flex.
2. The device according to claim 1, wherein said frame is bent in
several areas and has a serpentine configuration.
3. The device according to claim 1, further comprising at least one
flap positioned on at least one of said guides, said flap resting
on a strap when a strap is threaded through the guides and
preventing the strap from slipping out of the device.
4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device is made of
an elastomeric material.
5. The device according to claim 3, wherein there are at least 2
flaps.
6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the guides have teeth
to further grip a strap threaded through the device.
7. The device according to claim 1, wherein the longitudinal sides
are parallel with each other.
8. The device according to claim 1, wherein the guides are
positioned parallel to each other.
9. The device according to claim 4, wherein the elastomeric
material is selected from the group consisting of vinyl, neoprene
and thermoplastic rubber.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates to a device that attaches to a strap
for absorbing shock when the strap is suddenly pulled.
[0003] 2. The Prior Art
[0004] Generally strap assemblies are provided on dog leashes, golf
bags, luggage straps and back packs. However, these strap
assemblies do not absorb shock when a sudden force is applied to
the strap. Therefore, the strap or buckles that are attached to the
strap can break or cause injury to the user.
[0005] Typical strap attachment devices are used for shortening the
strap or for tensioning the strap in place. For instance U.S. Pat.
Nos. 801,502 to Barabasz, 3,021,580 to Rowitz, and 3,203,058 to
Roing disclose such devices.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 3,862,673 to Benson discloses a shock
absorbing attachment unit for a vehicle restraint belt. However,
this device requires permanent attachment to the seat belt before
installation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide a strap attachment device that can absorb the shock of a
sudden force.
[0008] It is another object to provide a device that is
self-contained and is added on to existing strap assemblies without
modifying or altering the strap.
[0009] It is yet another object of the invention to provide a strap
attachment device that is simple and inexpensive to manufacture,
install and remove.
[0010] These and other objects of the invention are accomplished by
providing an attachment device having a frame with longitudinal
side arms and a series of lateral guides disposed along the frame.
The guides define openings through which a strap or rope extends.
When the strap is inserted into the device, it is placed through
the openings and over guides. The guides also hold the strap in
place so that the device does not slide off the strap. In the
relaxed state, the attachment device maintains a serpentine or
sinusoidal configuration, having peaks and valleys. When tension is
applied, the device is stretched out but still maintains a somewhat
serpentine configuration. The device could also have a more
triangular configuration, with sharp peaks. The shape and material
of the device help absorb the force applied to the strap and reduce
its effect on the strap, to thus reduce breakage of the strap and
buckles attached thereto and reduce injury to the user. The device
has a memory, so that even under repeated stretching, it maintains
its original serpentine configuration when in a relaxed state.
[0011] The guides may also comprise additional flaps or teeth to
further grip the strap and keep it from sliding during use. Other
mechanisms to retain the strap could also be used. The device is
preferably made from an elastomeric material, such as thermoplastic
rubber, vinyl, neoprene, etc. Any stiff material with deflection
properties could also be used.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] Other objects and features of the present invention will
become apparent from the following detailed description considered
in connection with the accompanying drawings. It is to be
understood, however, that the drawings are designed as an
illustration only and not as a definition of the limits of the
invention.
[0013] In the drawings, wherein similar reference characters denote
similar elements throughout the several views:
[0014] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the device according to
the invention in its relaxed state;
[0015] FIG. 2 shows a side view of the device in its relaxed
state;
[0016] FIG. 3 shows a top view of the device in its relaxed
state;
[0017] FIG. 4 shows perspective view of the device in a tensioned
state;
[0018] FIG. 5 shows a side view of the device in the tensioned
state; and
[0019] FIG. 6 shows a top view of the device in the tensioned
state.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0020] Referring now in detail to the drawings, FIGS. 1-3 show
device 10 in its relaxed state. Device 10 comprises a substantially
rectangular frame 12 and guides 14 disposed along frame 12. Guides
14 define openings 16 through which a strap 30 extends. When strap
30 is inserted into device 10, it is placed through openings 16
over guides 14. Guides 14 also hold strap 30 in place so that
device 10 does not slide through strap 30. There are flaps 17
positioned on guides 14 to further retain strap 30 during use.
Flaps 17 press on strap 30 and prevent any sliding. Guides 14 or
flaps 17 could also be equipped with teeth 19 to further increase
the friction against strap 30 and further reduce any sliding.
[0021] In the relaxed state, device 10 maintains a serpentine
configuration having peaks and valleys. When tension is applied, as
shown in FIGS. 4-6, device 10 still maintains a somewhat serpentine
configuration as it is stretched out.
[0022] FIGS. 4-6 show device 10 in its tensioned position. In this
case, a force is being applied to strap 30 causing device 10 to
extend, relieving the force on the strap.
[0023] In operation, for example with a dog leash, the strap of the
leash is guided through the attachment device. There is no
requirement for modifying the leash to use it with the attachment
device. The device can be used with any strap, rope or cable, as
long as the width of the strap or rope is the same as or smaller
than the spacing between the longitudinal arms of the frame.
[0024] The shape and material of the attachment device allow it to
absorb a sudden force applied to the other end of the leash but do
not allow the leash to be quickly pulled taut. The elastomeric
properties of the attachment device prevent the strap from
breaking. In addition, the device can prevent the user's arm from
being suddenly pulled and injured. The device can be manufactured
in varying degrees of stiffness by altering the thickness of the
longitudinal arms or the material, to adapt the device for various
uses. In addition to use on a dog leash, the device could be used
in any place where tension is applied to a strap, rope or cable.
For example, the device could be used on luggage, boat moorings and
lines, and golf bags and pull carts.
[0025] Accordingly, while only a single embodiment of the present
invention have been shown and described, it is obvious that many
changes and modifications may be made thereunto without departing
from the spirit and scope of the invention.
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