U.S. patent application number 10/105357 was filed with the patent office on 2003-10-02 for plastic tie system.
Invention is credited to Walsh, Roger C..
Application Number | 20030186024 10/105357 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 28452419 |
Filed Date | 2003-10-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030186024 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Walsh, Roger C. |
October 2, 2003 |
Plastic tie system
Abstract
A low-cost, light-weight, high strength, resilent plastic
strapping tie is of simple, substantially rectangular extruded
form, used in combination with slip-on adjustable tie attachment
means. One laterally applied/removed slip-on attachment has a
spring ring coil, for applying anywhere along the length of a tie,
or to couple ties together, including embodiments having a hook
portion to secure the tie to a tie-down point. The subject
strapping tie may be knotted, and may be relatively readily
unknotted. Ties of polyolefin and polyurethane can have ultimate
tensile strength of up to 8,000 pounds per square inch of strap
cross section; with a dog-bone, substantially rectangular
cross-sectional profile with enlarged rounded edges. The range of
small, lightweight attachment fittings includes a mini shock cord
equipped with a hook.
Inventors: |
Walsh, Roger C.;
(Belleville, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Douglas W. EGGINS
129 DAPHNE CRESCENT
BARRIE
ON
L4M 2Y7
CA
|
Family ID: |
28452419 |
Appl. No.: |
10/105357 |
Filed: |
March 26, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
428/100 ;
264/210.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B29C 55/06 20130101;
B29K 2023/00 20130101; D01F 6/70 20130101; D01F 6/04 20130101; Y10T
428/24017 20150115; B29K 2075/00 20130101; B65D 63/14 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
428/100 ;
264/210.1 |
International
Class: |
D01D 005/12 |
Claims
1. A light-weight, high strength, thermo-plastic elastomer
strapping tie of extruded form, selected from the group consisting
of polyolefin and polyurethane plastic, wherein said extruded form
is molecularly semi-oriented, possessing high elastic recovery and
an ultimate tensile strength in the range of 6,000 to 8,000 pounds
per square inch, in use to enable utilization thereof as a high
strength elastic tie.
2. The strappimg as set forth in claim 1, said polyurethane plastic
being selected from the group consisting of polyester and polyether
thermosetting elastomers having an original tensile strength in the
range of about 600 to about 8,000 p.s.i.
3. The strappimg as set forth in claim 1, said extruded form being
substantially rectangular and having a width to thickness ratio in
the range from 6 to 1 to 25 to 1.
4. The strappimg as set forth in claim 1, said extruded form being
substantially cylindrical.
5. The strappimg as set forth in claim 1, said extruded form having
a dog-bone section profile with enlarged edge portions.
6. The strappimg tie as set forth in claim 1, in combination with
tie attachment means, enabling ready attachment of the strapping to
an attachment point.
7. The combination as set forth in claim 6, wherein said strapping
tie comprises a first length of said strapping, and said tie
attachment means comprises a separable spring ring device.
8. The combination as set forth in claim 6, wherein said strapping
tie comprises a first length of said strapping, and said tie
attachment means comprises an S-hook portion, providing in use for
lateral sliding insertion of said strapping tie in engaging
relation with said S-hook portion.
9. A unitary hook fastening device having an S-shaped portion to
receive a strapping tie in secured, inserted relation therewith,
and a hook portion extending therefrom, for securing the device to
a strong-point.
10. The unitary hook fastening device as set forth in claim 10,
including a hook portion projecting substantially at rightangles
from said S-hook portion, in use to facilitate access thereto.
11. The unitary hook fastening device as set forth in claim 9,
including a keeper tube slidably mounted upon said hook portion,
being movable into engaging relation with said S-shaped portion,
whereby said strapping tie is retained in engaged relation with
said S-shaped portion.
12. The combination as set forth in claim 7, said spring ring
device having a resilient, re-entrant hook distal end portion
engageable with an arcuate ring portion of said device, by entry
within said arcuate ring portion.
13. A method of making a semi-oriented plastic strap tie, selected
from the group consisting of polyolefin and polyurethane plastics,
including the steps of extruding the plastic through a die of
predetermined size and profile; cooling the extruded plastic;
passing the cooled plastic through a first take-off roll nip
running at a first speed; and passing the cooled plastic through a
second puller roll nip running at a second, higher speed, wherein
said second speed is two to three times faster than said first
speed, to stretch, reduce and semi-orient the molecular structure
of said strap tie.
14. The method as set forth in claim 13, said polyurethane plastic
being selected from the group consisting of polyester and polyether
thermosetting elastomers.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Not Applicable
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable
REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX
[0003] Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] 1. This invention is directed to a plastic tie system, using
semi-oriented polyolefins and polyurethanes that provide great
strength, by way of ties of various sections, including straps
suitable for tying down loads, and including a load tie system
incorporating a resilient tying strap, and convenient strap
attachment means.
[0005] 2. Wide use is made of both natural and synthetic materials
for securing loads, tying objects down, etc. Examples include the
use of plastic sheet wrap, wound by way of multiple layers, to
secure bulk loads upon wooden pallets; high strength braided nylon
straps, used as pull-downs on tractor trailers, to secure heavy
loads to the trailer bed; the use of high strength strapping such
as stainless steel and mild steel strapping with crimped or pinned
fastenings; stiff nylon ribbon strap for securing about packages,
the strap having its ends secured by gluing or stapling; and bungee
cords, used to tension tarpaulins or to resiliently secure load
elements of various forms.
[0006] Referring to the latter two examples, in the case of nylon
strapping, the strapping is extremely strong, but substantially
inelastic, and has sharp edges with a tendency to cut into the
sides, and more particularly the edges of packages. Fastening of
the ends of the nylon strapping usually also requires use of a heat
sealing device, to secure the strap by welding the ends to each
other, or use of a commercial stapler for that purpose.
[0007] In the case of Bungee (.TM.)cords, these usually have an
elastic cylindrical rubber core, possessing a somewhat low tensile
strength of about 1200 pounds per square inch.
[0008] A woven protective "cloth" cover is provided to diminish
abrasion of the rubber, and reduce susceptibility of the rubber to
ultra-violet degradation, while protecting the user against
discolouration of hands, clothing and objects by the black rubber
of the cord core, which is highly prone to such marking.
[0009] The Bungee cord attachment ends generally comprise stiff
wire hooks, each end of the cord being knotted doubled over and
trapped in a wound-wire conical end portion of the base of the
respective hook. These cord ends are known on occasion to escape
from the hook end, releasing the load.
[0010] The Bungee cord structure is complex, relatively expensive,
and subject to failure, due to overload or to becoming
disassembled. A further disadvantage of the Bungee cord as a load
restraint system is the necessity of having to make the cords up in
fixed lengths, the attachment ends and cloth covering being
unsuited to adjusting cord length in the field.
[0011] This also is the case for EPDM rubber straps, which have
moulded end recesses to receive their hook ends, and are not
suitable for convenient shortening. Ecologically, rubber is not
suitable for direct re-cycling, and it breaks down into toxic
by-products as it degrades over time. Aspects of the prior art are
to be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,800,008 Starkweather, March 1974,
--polymer strapping; 4,513,063 Hashi et al, April 1985, bungee-type
cord; 5,525,391 Dipede et al, polyethylene teraphthalate
strapping.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] The present invention provides a low-cost, light-weight,
high strength, resilent plastic tie and strapping of simple,
substantially rectangular extruded form.
[0013] In a preferred embodiment the strapping is used in
combination with adjustable slip-on attachments, which can be
attached anywhere along the length of a tie, thus enabling
adjustment of the effective length of the strapping to form a tie
having a selected and adjustable length characteristic.
[0014] The slip-on attachment embodiments slip sideways onto and
off the strap, and are thus readily attachable and detachable from
the strapping, and do not require end-threading. This also enables
use of a long strap for a short tie, without having to have
recourse to cutting the strap to length, or manipulating an undue
length of strap through an attachment fitting.
[0015] One slip-on attachment, a spiral ring embodiment, may serve
to secure the strap to a tie-down point.
[0016] An embodiment of the spiral ring slip-on attachment may
include a resiliently retractable and deployable hook portion, to
enable anchoring a strap or tie in secured relation to a hold-fast.
The slip-on attachment may also be used to join two lengths of the
strapping, to readily form a strap or tie of extended length.
[0017] Embodiments of the subject strapping may be extruded in a
wide range of widths and thicknesses. For straps having a
thicknesses of up to about one inch thick, the strapping is fairly
readily hand tieable, and can be directly knotted and also untied,
enabling its direct securement to, and ready removal from a
suitable tie point.
[0018] A range of suitable elastomers are available, depending upon
the particular load range and working extensibility required, being
selected from thermosetting polyolefins and polyurethanes, which
can be readily manufactured by way of extrusion.
[0019] The preferred polyurethane materials are the polyether and
the polyester elastomers, having a tensile strength in the range of
5,000 pounds per square inch, and greater.
[0020] A Dow Chemicals Inc. polyester-based polyurethane such as
DOW 2102-90 AE possesses good, inherent resistance to U/V
degradation.
[0021] The subject strapping and ties materials are readily
extruded as a continuous, i.e. endless strap or tie.
[0022] One tie cross-sectional embodiment that has proven to be of
great interest and practical use has modestly enlarged edge
portions, which may be of substantially arcuate form, to give a
so-called "dog bone" cross section profile.
[0023] One unusual and unexpected aspect of polyurethane strapping
has been found, in the unduly strong mutual adhesion that occurs
between adjoining, lightly compressed faces of a tie, when wrapped
about a spiral ring or other form of attachment fitting in
face-to-face mutually compressed relation, or when knotted. The
unduly high degree of "stiction" thus developed appears to be due
to the molecular structure of the material.
[0024] In one embodiment a strap was initially extruded as a
thin-walled somewhat flattened tube, and the tube wall then allowed
to fully collapse into flattened, mutually bonded relation, thereby
forming a unitary, substantially solid strap having radiused
edges.
[0025] The somewhat enlarged and radiused edges appear to play a
role in the unusual and advantageous handling characteristics of
the strapping tie, particularly with regard to knotting and
un-knotting. Hand-tied knots that have been subject to load, have
been found to be readily untied. When tied and under load, the
knots do not appear to be subject to undue tightening, presumably
due to the self-gripping nature of the material, possibly aided by
the cross-section profile of the strapping.
[0026] The polyurethanes, which has natural U/V resistance, may
readily be further U/V stabilized during extrusion, with an
ultraviolet resistive surface.
[0027] A range of suitable thermoplastic materials exists, in a
wide range of cost and ultimate tensile strengths, which can be
extruded in the desired strapping form. These include the
polyolefins and polyether-based and polyester-based elastomers,
including most, if not all polyurethanes.
[0028] The polyurethanes may be extruded in the Shore A durometer
range of 35 to 100, having ultimate tensile strength in the range
600-8,000 psi.
[0029] Owing to its semi-ribbon form, the strap can be readily,
compactly and stably coiled for storage, dispensing and
transportation.
[0030] The strap or tie is relatively low cost and has a wide range
of sizes and uses, including horticulture, where the comparatively
large contact surface area minimizes local surface pressure, and
hence suits use as ties in tree and bush tie-back and
securement.
[0031] Also, the elasticity of the strapping, with the capability
of up to 600% elongation, ensures that no damage can occur due to
growth of the organism.
[0032] Use of the polyolefin and polyurethane groups of the subject
strapping with loads that are subject to shifting, compression or
swelling, benefits greatly from the large extension range the
plastics offer. Thus, by applying the tensile loading to achieve
gross stretching of the tie, to say 400% extension, then the
capability of further extending, to as much as 600% of its initial
length, or of correspondingly shortening elastically, while
maintaining an effective range of tension upon the load, means that
the load restraint force will remain substantially applied, whether
the load expands or contracts, within the residual, wide available
elastic limits of the tie.
[0033] An important aspect of the use of polyurethane in the role
of a strapping tie is that it is recyclable.
[0034] In view of the potentially wide usage of polyurethane ties
in accordance with this invention, and the extreme resistance of
polyurethane to natural degredation, the suitability of
polyurethane for recycling is of significant importance to the
environment; also, its degradation by-products are non-toxic. It
has been found that the strength and elastic memory characteristics
of the selected group of polyolefin and polyurethane plastics can
be dramatically improved by mechanical conditioning in order to
achieve molecular semi-orientation of the plastic.
[0035] In contrast to molecular semi-orientation, full molecular
orientation of these plastics, while greatly enhancing the ultimate
strength of the material, also results in diminished elastic
memory, whereas semi-orientation results in good elastic
memory.
[0036] Full molecular orientation is carried out at high
temperature, usually about 50 F. degrees less than the extrusion
temperature. This normally requires reheating of the extrudate, as
in an oven, prior to carrying out the orientation process.
[0037] Semi-molecular orientation is a so-called "cold" process,
wherein the mechanical processing of the extrudate is performed
while the extrudate is still warm, after its passage through a
cooling bath.
[0038] The mechanical orientation process consists of stretching
the plastic extrudate, by running a set of pinch rolls
significantly faster than the extruder take-off rolls.
[0039] For full orientation the pinch rolls run from as much as
about six to nine times faster than the take-off rolls, with the
plastic at a high temperature, close to that of the extrusion
temperature.
[0040] For semi-orientation, the drawer rolls run usually at
between about two and a half to three times faster than the
take-off puller rolls, with the plastic in a warm condition, being
referred to, however as a cold process.
[0041] The cold extension of the extrudate can be effected directly
by use of the storage drum, the speed of which is controlled to
provide the necessary threefold extension of the extrudate
[0042] The condition of a plastic strand, as to whether or not it
is semi-orientated, can be determined by use of an INTRON (.TM.)
tensile tester, as used for ASTM tests on plastics. The instrument
enables measurement of the load applied to the test piece, the
consequent elongation, and the point at which plastic deformation
commences.
[0043] The effect provided by the approximately 1,000% increase in
strength and elasticity produced by the semi-orientation process is
so marked, the determination of the state of a plastic sample is
readily made.
[0044] As an example of the effects of carrying out the
semi-orientation process, taking an extruded strand of polyurethane
that is subjected to the semi-orientation process, having sensibly
the same final cross section as a strand of rubber band, and
comparing it with a strand of like section of rubber band, and with
an untreated extrudate of the same urethane material and
section:
[0045] 1. the rubber band strand had a breaking load of about one
pound;
[0046] 2. the untreated polyurethane strand had a breaking load of
about five pounds;
[0047] 3. the polyurethane strand subject to the semi-orientation
process has a breaking load of fifty pounds.
[0048] In a mini shock-cord embodiment of the present invention, a
small shock cord plastic hook, Part No.605-3250 manufactured by ITW
Nexus of Desplaines, Ill., having a breaking strength of 125 lbs is
combined with a semi-oriented urethane cord of 150 to 175 mil
diameter (0.150-0.175 inches), having a breaking strength in excess
of 100 lbs.
[0049] The hook is dimensioned to accept a 1/4 inch filament or
cord.
[0050] In another shock-cord embodiment, a dog-bone profiled
urethane cord is doubled over at its end, and inserted into the
open end of the ITW Nexus hook, and locked into place by the
locking sleeve. This profiled cord, having a width of about 200 to
300 mil by 50 mil thick gives a breaking load in excess of 100
lbs.
[0051] In regard to the provision of attachments, an attachment
spring ring may comprise a number of embodiments, one of which has
an open hook-end that can be used to secure the attachment to an
anchor point; a split-ring, helical portion serving to secure the
strapping. The open hook-end may be fixed, or it may be deployed
from, or retracted to the ring.
[0052] A second spiral spring ring embodiment, in threee versions,
has an extended re-entrant hook portion, the free end of which can
be freed from an initial engaged condition within the coils of the
spiral ring, and deployed to open the hook, to engage other items,
such as an anchor point. The third version hooks over the split
spiral rings, by way of a keeper-hook.
[0053] A third spiral spring ring embodiment has a hook portion
forming a closed arc, the free hook end being pressed in closing
relation against the outside surface of the residual closed spiral
rings. This has the appearance of a closed figure "6".
[0054] An "S" shaped attachment hook, which also can be laterally
applied, may have a spring keeper tongue that can be engaged with a
retaining bent, to lock the hook in a closed condition, so as to
retain the tie strap or straps in laterally inserted, secured
relation.
[0055] Another S-hook embodiment may have a plastic tube that is
slid along a first free-end portion of the hook, to bridge the side
gap of the hook, the free end of the plastic tube being engaged in
locking relation with a second free-end of the hook
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0056] Certain embodiments of the present invention are described
by way of illustration, without limitation of the invention
thereto, other than as set forth in the accompanying claims,
reference being made to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0057] FIG. 1 is an enlarged end view of a strapping tie embodiment
in accordance with the present invention;
[0058] FIG. 2 is a diagramatic sketch of a coil of the FIG. 1
strapping tie embodiment;
[0059] FIG. 3 is a plan view of a spiral-ring hooked strapping
attachment for use with the subject system;
[0060] FIG. 4 is a side elevation of the FIG. 3 embodiment, taken
in the direction of the arrow 4.
[0061] FIG. 5 is a plan view a second embodiment spiral ring hooked
strapping attachment,
[0062] FIG. 6 is a section taken at 6-6 of FIG. 5;
[0063] FIG. 7 is a section view similar to FIG. 6, showing an
alternative hook-end portion for the FIG. 5 embodiment;
[0064] FIG. 8 is a plan view of a third embodiment spiral ring
hooked strapping attachment;
[0065] FIG. 9 is a side elevation of the FIG. 8 embodiment, taken
in the direction of the arrow 9;
[0066] FIG. 10 is a top-front perspective view of a spiral ring
anchor, having a keeper-hook at the hook free-end;
[0067] FIG. 11 is a schematic block diagram of the subject
molecular semi-orientation process;
[0068] FIG. 12 is a side view of an S-hook in accordance with the
present invention, having a keeper of plastic tube, shown in the
open, unsecured condition;
[0069] FIG. 13 shows the FIG. 12 embodiment with the the keeper in
an engaged condition;
[0070] FIG. 14 shows an alternative manner of stowing the
keeper;
[0071] FIG. 15 shows a mini shock-cord and associated plastic hook
in pre-assembled relation; and,
[0072] FIG. 16 is an end view, as if from the direction 16, of an
S-hook embodiment, similar to FIG. 14, but wherein the hook portion
is cranked upwardly at right-angles to the S-portion of the
attachment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0073] Referring to FIG. 1, the "dog-bone" cross-section of the tie
20 has a high width to thickness ratio, illustrated as being about
17 to 1. The web portion 22 terminates in thickened end portions
24, illustrated as being substantially cylindrical.
[0074] In one embodiment the tie 20 has a width of 0.625 inches
(5/8"), with the web 22 having a thickness of 0.035 inches, the
rounded edge portions 24 being of about 0.045 inches diameter.
[0075] In FIG. 2, the illustrated three-inch diameter of the coil
26 is the actual diameter of a 20-foot coil of the 5/8" wide tie
down strap embodiment. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the spiral
ring-hook fastener 30 has a hook portion 32 extending from a triple
spiral-ring body portion 34. A tapered sleeve portion 36 slidably
enfolds the hook wire portion 32 and the adjoining one of the
spiral rings. The sleeve portion 36 is shown in part section.
[0076] Engagement, by sliding displacement of the sleeve 36 towards
the hook portion 32 causes wrapping of the hook portion 32 in
coiled relation with the body portion 34.
[0077] Retraction of the sleeve portion 36 permits extension of the
hook portion 32 to a deployed, operational hooking
configuration.
[0078] The remote end of the hook wire portion 32 has a keeper 38,
which protects the sharp end of the hook portion 32 and also serves
to retain the hook portion 32 within the sleeve 36, when the sleeve
36 is engaged.
[0079] The ring body portion 34 has adjoining coil portions 38, 40,
the latter coil 40 being spiralled (i.e. of smaller diameter) and
having a tapered end 42.
[0080] The tapered inner end 42 of the fastener 30 facilitates the
ready insertion of an end, or of a loop of the tie 20 into engaged
relation with the ring turns of the fastener 30.
[0081] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, these illustrate a two
spiral-coil ring anchor 50 having two ring portions 52, 54 and an
extended hook portion 56. The remote bight portion 58 of the hook
portion 56 is of reduced diameter.
[0082] The proximal end 60 of hook portion 56 has an upset
cam-shaped portion 62, which engages the adjoining inside surfaces
of the ring portions 52, 54. This resists the forcing open of the
hook portion 56 under load.
[0083] The cam shape portion 62 is pointed, to facilitate its entry
between the ring portions 52, 54, by spreading them apart
[0084] FIG. 7 shows an alternative, cranked toe portion 64 for the
proximal end 60 of hook portion 56. This cranked toe portion 64 is
inclined outwardly, such that anchor forces acting upon the hook
portion 56 will tend to wedge the toe portion 64 within the rings
52, 54.
[0085] FIG. 10 shows a ring anchor 65 having a keeper-hook portion
67 in the engaged position, to secure the proximal end portion of
the book 56' positively locked.
[0086] Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, these illustrate a two
spiral-coil ring anchor 66 having two spiral ring portions 68, 70
and an extended hook portion 72 The hook portion 72 is shown as
being of substantially the same diameter as the ring portions 68,
70. The proximal end 64" of hook portion 72 has a shaped end, which
presses against the adjoining outer surfaces of the ring portions
68, 70. The use of the spiral ring hook embodiments for other
purposes is contemplated.
[0087] The external leverage afforded by the length of the
respective hook portions has been found to provide facilitated
access to spreading apart the coils of the spiral rings.
[0088] Embodiments of spiral ring-hooks, having ring diameters of
about one and one half inches, made of 0.080-inch diameter
stainless, spring steel wire, is very effective when used in
combination with plastic strapping tie embodiments in accordance
with the invention.
[0089] The use of a 0.060 inch diameter galvanized spring steel
wire has been found to serve effectively for light duty
[0090] Referring to FIG. 11, the polyolefin and subject
polyurethane plastic materials are melted and extruded under
pressure through a suitably shaped and sized die.
[0091] In mechanically treating the extruded plastic to achieve
semi-orientation, it will be understood that if the drawer rolls
are run at three times the speed of the upstream puller rolls, then
the extruded section will be reduced in size as a consequence.
However, owing to the enhanced elasticity of the plastic, resulting
from the semi-orientation process, the reduction in cross section
is not proportional to the increase in speed provided by the drawer
rolls.
[0092] While considerable drawing-down takes place, this change is
mitigated by the enhanced elasticity of the semi-oriented
plastic.
[0093] In light of this, and knowing the desired load capacity,
then the cross-section dimensions of the die are correspondingly
increased, such that the desired, reduced section will be
ultimately obtained when the semi-orientation is completed.
[0094] The puller rolls assist the passage of the extrudate from
the die, after having passed through a cooling bath, where the
temperature of the extruded section is significantly reduced, to a
desired level.
[0095] The drawer rolls, operating usually at a speed between two
and three times that of the puller rolls, draws out the section,
while also partially orienting the molecular structure with the
main axis of the extrudate. This partial orientation increases the
ultimate strength of the material by as much as a factor of ten,
while also significantly enhancing the elastic memory.
[0096] Turning to FIGS. 12, 13 and 14, a substantially planar
S-hook attachment 80 has a hook portion 82 and an S-portion 84 to
receive a tie strap or straps in interwoven buckled relation
therewith.
[0097] A hollow plastic keeper tube 86 is shown in an open position
in FIGS. 12 and 14, and in an engaged, operative condition in FIG.
13. However, the tie strap(s) have been omitted for purposes of
clarity.
[0098] In the FIG. 16, S-hook embodiment 81, the hook portion 82 is
cranked upwardly substantially at rightangles to the plane of the
S-portion 84. The S-portion 84 is shown slightly in perspective, to
better illustrate and identify its presence.
[0099] The FIG. 16 embodiment with the cranked hook 82 has
functional advantages, in that the access for engaging the straps
is enhanced; but much more importantly, the hook is much more
readily engaged with a strongpoint or hook tie-down in the bed of a
truck.
[0100] Referring to FIG. 15, a mini-hook 90 has an attachment
portion 92 that contains two convergent trapping blades 94, and a
tubular keeper 96 that engages the trapping blades 94, to secure
them in engaged relation with the doubled end of miniature tie
strap 98, which is pushed home, past the blades 94, and the keeper
96 then slid into place, to lock-up the assembly. This provides a
mini shock cord, having a load capacity in excess of one hundred
pounds, and with high elastic recovery, as discussed above, but
being exceptionally light and non-bulky
[0101] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that
variations and/or modifications of the present invention may be
made, within the scope of the present claims.
[0102] The strapping can be made from recycled but unused
polyurethane, at low, competitive cost, without sacrifice of
quality.
* * * * *