U.S. patent application number 14/192509 was filed with the patent office on 2014-09-04 for adjustable securing device and buckle.
This patent application is currently assigned to 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY. The applicant listed for this patent is 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY. Invention is credited to Michele A. Eller, Jon A. Kirschhoffer, Angela L. Pan, Craig D. Thompson.
Application Number | 20140245572 14/192509 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50189564 |
Filed Date | 2014-09-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140245572 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Thompson; Craig D. ; et
al. |
September 4, 2014 |
ADJUSTABLE SECURING DEVICE AND BUCKLE
Abstract
An adjustable securing device includes a strap having opposed
first and second major surfaces wherein at least one of the first
and second major surfaces includes a fastener, and a buckle
attached to the strap, wherein the buckle includes a body
containing a slot for receiving the strap, and wherein the buckle
includes a buckle fastener arranged for refastenable mating
engagement with the strap fastener.
Inventors: |
Thompson; Craig D.; (Inver
Grove Heights, MN) ; Pan; Angela L.; (Woodbury,
MN) ; Kirschhoffer; Jon A.; (Stillwater, MN) ;
Eller; Michele A.; (Stillwater, MN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY |
St. Paul |
MN |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES
COMPANY
St. Paul
MN
|
Family ID: |
50189564 |
Appl. No.: |
14/192509 |
Filed: |
February 27, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61771490 |
Mar 1, 2013 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
24/163R |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 24/40 20150115;
A44B 11/008 20130101; B65D 2313/02 20130101; B65D 63/16
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
24/163.R |
International
Class: |
A44B 11/00 20060101
A44B011/00 |
Claims
1. A securing device, comprising: (a) a strap having opposed first
and second major surfaces and first and second ends, wherein at
least one of the first and second major surfaces includes a
fastener; and (b) a buckle attached to the strap, wherein the
buckle includes a body containing an opening for receiving the
strap, and wherein the buckle includes a buckle fastener arranged
for refastenable mating engagement with the strap fastener.
2. A securing device as defined in claim 1, wherein the body
includes a first body portion, and a second body portion spaced
from the first body portion, thereby defining an opening between
the first body portion and the second body portion.
3. A securing device as defined in claim 2, wherein the body
further includes at least one neck portion extending between the
first portion and the second portion.
4. A securing device as defined in claim 2, wherein the buckle
first body portion and second body portion are generally
coplanar.
5. A securing device as defined in claim 1, wherein the opening is
configured to slidably and removably receive the strap.
6. A securing device as defined in claim 1, wherein the buckle
includes first and second sides, and wherein the opening extends
from one side, thereby forming a slot having a mouth, whereby the
strap can be inserted laterally into the slot via the mouth.
7. A securing device as defined in claim 1, wherein the buckle
further comprises a reinforcing rib portion extending along a side
of the buckle opposite the mouth.
8. A securing device as defined in claim 2, wherein the first body
portion contains a second opening, and further wherein a first end
of the strap is secured to the buckle first portion via the second
opening.
9. A securing device as defined in claim 2, wherein the buckle
fastener is arranged on a surface of the buckle second body
portion.
10. A securing device as defined in claim 1, wherein the strap
fastener comprises a plurality of fastening elements.
11. A securing device as defined in claim 1, wherein the buckle
fastener comprises a plurality of fastening elements.
12. A securing device as defined in claim 2, wherein the second
body portion is arranged at an angle to the first body portion.
13. A securing device as defined in claim 12, wherein the first
body portion is configured to be mounted on a surface, and wherein
when the first body portion is mounted on a surface, the second
body portion extends outwardly away from the mounting surface.
14. A securing device as defined in claim 13, wherein the buckle
further comprises a foot portion extending from the first body
portion in the same direction as the second body portion.
15. A securing device as defined in claim 13, wherein the buckle
includes a reinforcing side wall portion extending between the
first body portion and the second body portion.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The present invention relates generally to bundling,
fastening, or securing devices and, more particularly, to
adjustable strap-like securing devices.
[0002] Ropes, straps, and cords are known for securing and bundling
items. Straps, such as tie-down straps, and elastic cords, such as
bungee cords, are often used to secure or bundle items such as
luggage, cargo, or equipment during transport. Such straps and
cords are also used to secure or close items such as tarps,
clothing, backpacks, duffel bags, chin straps for helmets, pet
collars, or to bundle items such as sleeping bags, yoga mats,
extension cords, yard tools or camping gear. To allow the length of
a strap to be adjusted, the strap may be provided with a so called
"ladder-lock" through which the strap is threaded. In addition, to
allow the ends of a strap to be quickly connected and released, a
strap may be provided with a buckle, such as a side release buckle.
Similarly, the ends of bungee cords may be provided with hooks,
snaps or clips to allow the ends of the cords to be quickly
connected and disconnected from each other or an anchoring
surface.
[0003] Strap and cord devices are also known in the prior art. U.S.
Pat. No. 4,149,540 (Hasslinger) for example, discloses a separable
fastening device adapted to encompass at least one member in
gripped relation having a first flexible strap having on one
surface a plurality of upstanding hook-and-loop type engaging
elements, a second strap having on a surface opposite the first
surface, a plurality of mating upstanding hook-and-loop type
engaging element, with means being provided to connect the first
and second straps, and retaining means connected to the free end of
the first strap, the retaining means defining an opening configured
to receive the free end of the second strap. U.S. Pat. No.
6,345,418 (Bertrand, et. al.) discloses a rope hook comprising a
length of tubular fabric webbing into which a pair of loops has
been formed. U.S. Pat. No. 6,014,794 (McCoy) discloses a reinforced
bungee cord tie down for securing cargo without becoming
over-stretched. And U.S. Pat. No. 6,546,604 (Galkiewicz, et. al.)
discloses a self mating mechanical fastener comprising a base sheet
and a multiplicity of parallel, narrowly spaced, elastically
deformable ribs projecting from the base sheet.
SUMMARY
[0004] Existing straps and cords suffer from numerous drawbacks and
shortcomings. For example, straps with conventional buckles, such
as ladder-lock buckles and side release buckles, are difficult to
thread and adjust, can pinch user's fingers, have a limited range
of adjustability, and tend to slip and, therefore, not hold
securely. In addition, existing straps and cords are complicated
and expensive to make, and are prone to wear and tear and, thus,
are prone to premature failure. Bungee cords have a limited range
of adjustability, recoil violently after being stretched and
released, lose their elasticity over time, and--because of their
elasticity--do not hold securely. The need exists for an adjustable
strap device that is versatile, holds securely, is easy to make,
and is easy to use.
[0005] In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides a
securing device comprising a strap having opposed first and second
major surfaces and first and second ends, wherein at least one of
the first and second major surfaces includes a fastener, and a
buckle attached to the strap, wherein the buckle includes a body
containing an opening for receiving the strap, and wherein the
buckle includes a buckle fastener arranged for refastenable mating
engagement with the strap fastener.
[0006] In a more specific aspect, the body may include a first
portion and a second portion spaced from the first portion, thereby
defining an opening between the first portion and the second
portion. In another aspect, the body may further include at least
one neck portion extending between the first portion and the second
portion.
[0007] In one embodiment, the buckle has first and second major
surfaces, and the first and second major surfaces may be coplanar.
In another aspect, the buckle first body portion and second body
portion may be generally coplanar. In another embodiment, the
buckle may have a generally thin, flat, plate-like configuration.
In another embodiment, the buckle may have a curved
configuration.
[0008] In one embodiment, the opening for adjustably receiving the
strap may be bound on all sides, and the strap may be connected
with the buckle by threading the strap through the opening. The
opening is generally configured to slidably and removably receive
the strap to allow the length and position of the strap to be
readily adjusted. In a specific aspect, the buckle includes first
and second sides, and the opening may extend from one side, thereby
forming a slot having a mouth, whereby the strap may be inserted
laterally into the slot via the mouth.
[0009] In other aspects, the buckle may include a reinforcing rib
portion extending along a side of the buckle opposite the opening,
and/or the first portion may contain a second opening, wherein a
first end of the strap may be secured to the buckle first portion
via the second opening.
[0010] In other aspects of specific embodiment, the buckle fastener
may be arranged on a surface of the buckle second body portion, the
strap fastener may comprise a plurality of fastening elements, the
buckle fastener may comprise a plurality of fastening elements, and
the buckle fastener may comprise a patch of fastening elements
having an area of at least about 1 cm.sup.2 and no greater than
about 25 cm.sup.2, and a length of at least about 1 cm and no
greater than about 8 centimeters as measured along the longitudinal
length of the strap.
[0011] In one embodiment, the buckle fastener may be adhesively
bonded to the buckle second body portion. In other embodiments, the
strap fastener may form a first attachment surface, and the buckle
fastener may form a second attachment surface. In a specific
embodiment, the strap first major surface may be provided with loop
material, and the first major surface of the buckle second body
portion may be provided with hook material. In another embodiment,
strap fastening elements and the buckle fastening elements may be
self-mating.
[0012] In another embodiment, the second body portion may be
arranged at an angle relative to the first body portion. The first
body portion and the second body portion may form an angle of about
45 degrees to about 180 degrees. In addition, the strap and the
second body portion may form an angle of between about 0 degrees
and about 135 degrees. In one embodiment, the first body portion
may be configured to be mounted on a surface such that when the
first body portion is mounted on a surface, the second body portion
extends outwardly away from the mounting surface.
[0013] In other embodiments, the buckle may include a foot portion
extending from the first body portion. The foot portion may extend
outwardly from the first body portion in the same direction as the
second body portion. The foot portion may extend outwardly from an
end of the first body portion opposite the second body portion at
an angle of about 90 degrees, thereby forming a ledge. The foot
portion may include an opening, and one end of the strap may be
secured to the foot portion via the opening. In various
embodiments, the buckle may include a reinforcing side wall portion
extending between the first body portion and the second body
portion.
[0014] In one aspect of the invention, the strap second major
surface may be substantially free of fasteners, and the buckle
second major surface may be substantially free of fasteners.
Fastening elements may be provided on substantially all of the
first major surface of the strap first major surface, and/or
fastening elements may be provided on substantially all of the
first major surface of the second body portion of the buckle.
[0015] In various embodiments, the strap may be threaded through
the second opening of the first body portion of the buckle and
looped back onto itself and secured to itself, thereby connecting
the strap with the first body portion of the buckle.
[0016] Advantages of certain embodiments of the securing device and
buckle described herein include that the device is versatile, it
can be mounted on a surface, it is durable, easy to make and use,
it is highly adjustable, and it holds strongly and securely while
using fewer fasteners and/or less attachment material than
previously known straps.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] The present invention will be further described with
reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0018] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a securing device according to
an embodiment of the invention.
[0019] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a securing device according to
an embodiment of the invention.
[0020] FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the securing device of FIG.
2.
[0021] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a buckle according to an
alternate embodiment of the invention.
[0022] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a buckle according to
another embodiment of the invention.
[0023] FIG. 6 is a side plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 5
except including a strap and mounted to a surface.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference
numerals refer to like or corresponding parts throughout the
several views, FIGS. 1-3, show a securing device 2 including a
strap 4 and a buckle 6. The strap 4 and buckle 6 include fasteners
8, 10, respectively, arranged for refastenable mating engagement,
thereby to allow the strap 4 to be repeatably connected and
disconnected from the buckle 6. The strap 4 includes opposed first
and second major surfaces 12, 14, respectively, and first and
second ends 16, 18, respectively, and the buckle 6 includes first
and second major surfaces 20, 22, respectively, and first and
second ends 24, 26, respectively. In the illustrated embodiment,
the first end 16 of the strap 4 is fixedly connected with the first
end 24 of the buckle 6.
[0025] The buckle 6 comprises the buckle fastener 10 and a body 28.
The body 28 comprises a first portion 28a, and a second portion 28b
spaced from the first portion 28a, thereby defining an opening 30
between the first portion 28a and the second portion 28b. In the
illustrated embodiment, the body 28 includes a neck portion 28c
extending between the first portion 28a and the second portion 28b,
whereby the opening 30 is a slot open at one end and, thereby,
configured to slidably and removably receive the strap 4 from the
side without threading the strap 4 through the opening 30. That is,
the buckle 6 includes first and second sides 32, 34, respectively,
and the opening 30 extends from the first side 32 toward the second
side 34 of the buckle 6 between the first and second portions 28a,
28b, and in the direction of the neck portion 28c, thereby forming
a slot 30 having a mouth 30a, whereby the strap 4 can be inserted
laterally into the slot 30 via the mouth 30a. It will be recognized
that in another embodiment, the opening 30 may be bound on all
sides, whereby the strap 4 is connected with the buckle 6 by
threading the strap 4 through the opening 30.
[0026] In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, the first and
second major surfaces 20, 22 of buckle 6 are generally coplanar,
and the first and second portions 28a, 28b of the body 28 are
generally coplanar. That is, the buckle 6 has a generally thin,
flat, plate-like configuration. It will be recognized that in other
embodiments the buckle 6 may be curved.
[0027] In the illustrated embodiment, the buckle 6 further
comprises a reinforcing rib portion 28d that extends along the
second side 34 of the buckle 6 adjacent the neck portion 28c. It
will be recognized that the reinforcing rib portion 28d need not
extend along the entire length of the second side 34 of the buckle
6 to perform the desired function of providing additional strength.
That is, the reinforcing rib portion 28d may extend along the
second side 34 only along the neck portion 28c and a portion of the
first and second body portions 28a, 28b.
[0028] In the illustrated embodiment, the first body portion 28a
contains a second opening 36, and the first end 16 of the strap 4
is secured to the first body portion 28a of the buckle 6 via the
second opening 36. More specifically, the first end 16 of the strap
4 is threaded through the opening 36 contained in the first body
portion 28a of the buckle 6 and looped back onto itself, and
secured to itself. The strap 4 may be secured to itself using known
fasteners such as, for example, adhesive, a rivet or stitching 38,
thereby providing a generally fixed connection between the first
end 16 of the strap 4 and the first body portion 28a of the buckle
6.
[0029] The strap and buckle fasteners 8, 10 may be, for example, an
adhesive, such as non-tacky adhesive, a permanent or repositionable
adhesive, or a mechanical fastener including snaps, clips, hooks,
buttons, hook-and-loop fasteners, self mating mechanical fasteners,
and the like. In the illustrated embodiment, the strap fastener 8
is arranged on the first major surface 12 of the strap 4, and the
buckle fastener 10 is arranged on the first major surface 20 of the
second body portion 28b of the buckle 6. The buckle fastener 10 may
be, for example, adhesively bonded to the first major surface 20 of
the second body portion 28b of the buckle 6, and the strap fastener
8 may be adhesively bonded or sewn to the strap 4. Alternatively,
the strap fastener 8 may be formed as part of the strap 4 itself
That is, the strap fastener 8, such as a loop material, may be
woven and incorporated directly into the strap 4 itself In the
illustrated embodiment, the strap fastener 8 and buckle fastener 10
comprises a plurality of fastening elements that form an attachment
surface or patch of fastening elements.
[0030] In the illustrated embodiment, the plurality of fastening
elements forming the buckle fastener 10 are provided on
substantially all of the first major surface 20 of the second body
portion 28b of the buckle 6. Depending on the intended end use
application and the amount of holding force desired, the patch of
fastening elements provided on the buckle 6 that form the buckle
fastener 10 may cover a surface area of at least about 1 square
centimeters (cm.sup.2), at least about 2 cm.sup.2 or at least about
3 cm.sup.2, and may cover a surface area of no greater than about
20 cm.sup.2, no greater than about 25 cm.sup.2 or no greater than
about 30 cm.sup.2. One advantage of the present invention is that
is does not require a large amount of fastening elements on the
buckle 6. For example, in various embodiments, buckle fastener 10
may have a length of no greater than about 8 centimeters (cm), no
greater than about 5 cm, no greater than about 2.5 cm, no greater
about 2 cm, or no greater than about 1 cm as measured along the
longitudinal length of the strap 4.
[0031] In the illustrated embodiment, the first major surface 20 of
the buckle 6 second body portion 28b is provided with hook
material, and the first major surface 12 of the strap 4 is provided
with loop material, thereby providing a hook-and-loop type mating
surface between the buckle 6 and the strap 4. In another
embodiment, the positions of the hook-and-loop material may be
reversed. That is, hook material may be provided on the strap 4,
and loop material may be provided on the buckle 6. Other mechanical
fasteners such as self-mating reclosable mechanical fasters may
also be used. Such fasteners are described in, for example, U.S.
Pat. No. 5,077,870 (Melbye et. al.), the entire contents of which
are hereby incorporated by reference.
[0032] The buckle 6 may be formed of a variety of materials. The
particular material selected is not significant to the invention
hereof, so long as it provides the requisite strength and desired
function. Suitable materials include, for example, wood, metal, or
a rigid synthetic plastic material.
[0033] Referring generally to FIGS. 4 and 5, wherein functionally
similar features to those in FIGS. 1-3 are referred to with like
reference numerals incremented by 100, there is shown a bracket or
buckle 106 having a body 128 wherein the second body portion 128b
of the buckle 106 is arranged at an angle relative to the first
body portion 128a of the buckle 106. To allow the details of the
buckle 106 to be seen more clearly, a strap is not shown in FIGS. 4
and 5.
[0034] Referring more specifically to the embodiment illustrated in
FIG. 4, there is shown a buckle 106 including a body member 128 and
a buckle fastener 110. The body 128 includes a first body portion
128a, a second body portion 128b, and a reinforcing side wall
portion 128e. The first body portion 128a contains an opening 136
which is used to secure a strap to the buckle 106, and the buckle
106 contains a slot 130 for adjustably receiving a strap (not shown
in FIG. 4).
[0035] Referring more specifically to the embodiment illustrated in
FIG. 5, there is shown a buckle 106 including a body member 128 and
a buckle fastener member 110. The body 128 includes a first body
portion 128a, a second body portion 128b, a reinforcing side wall
portion 128e, and a foot portion 128f that extends from an end of
the first body 128a portion in the same direction as the second
body portion 128b. In the illustrated embodiment, the foot portion
128f extends outwardly from an end of the first body portion 128a
opposite the second body portion 128b at an angle of about 90
degrees, thereby forming a ledge that can be used to support items
prior to the items being secured or bundled with a strap. The foot
portion 128f contains an opening 136 that is used to secure a strap
to the buckle 106. That is, a strap is secured to the foot portion
128f via the opening 136.
[0036] Referring to FIG. 6, there is shown a securing device 102
mounted on a mounting surface 50. The securing device 102 includes
a bracket or buckle 106 and a strap 104. In the illustrated
embodiment, the first body portion 128a and the second body portion
128b form an angle .alpha. that can range from 0 to about 170
degrees. That is, when the securing device 102 is mounted on a
mounting surface 50 and the first body portion 128a is mounted
flush on the mounting surface 50, the second body portion 128b
extends outwardly away from the mounting surface to allow enough
room so the strap 104 can be maneuvered and secured to the buckle
fastener 110. It has been found that smaller angles .alpha. may
provide increased holding strength. Thus, angles .alpha. ranging
less than 135 degrees, less than 90 degrees, or less than 45
degrees are desirable. In addition, when the strap 104 is secured
to the buckle 106 via the buckle fastener 110 by arranging the
strap 104 in the slot 130 and attaching the strap fastener 108 to
the buckle fastener 110, the strap 104 and the first body portion
128a form an angle .beta. of between about 0 degrees and about 135
degrees.
[0037] The buckle 106 may be mounted to the mounting surface 50 in
a conventional manner using, for example, glue, a hot melt
adhesive, a permanent pressure sensitive adhesive, or a stretch
removable adhesive, such as Command adhesive strips available from
3M Company, St. Paul, Minn. Alternatively, the buckle 106 may be
secured to the mounting surface 50 through openings 52 provided in
the first body portion 128 using mechanical fasteners 54 such as
nails or screws.
[0038] In each of the embodiments described herein, the length of
the strap 4 is not significant to the invention hereof, as long as
it provides the desired function of being able to bundle or secure
one or more items for a given end use application. The strap 4 may
have a length of, for example, at least about 8 inches, at least
about 12 inches, or at least about 16 inches. In addition, the
material used to form the strap 4 is not significant to the
invention as long as it provides the desired properties, such as
strength and/or flexibility, for a given end use application.
Suitable materials include, for example, cotton, nylon,
polypropylene, polyester, and combinations thereof.
[0039] In accordance with an advantage of the embodiments described
herein, the second major surface 14 of the strap 4 may be
substantially free of fasteners elements. That is, in contrast to
known straps that require interlocking fasteners on substantially
all of both opposed major surfaces of the strap to allow for the
desired degree of holding strength and adjustability, the
embodiments described herein may include fasteners on only one
major surface of the strap. That is, one major surface of the strap
may be substantially free of fasteners. Rather than provide the
second, or mating, fastener on the opposed major surface of the
strap, the second, or mating fastener, is provided on the buckle.
In addition, the surface area covered by the fastener on the buckle
is significantly less than the surface area of the fastener
provided on the strap. Surprising, it has been found that even when
the second, or mating fastener or fastening elements are provided
only on the buckle, and the surface area covered by fasteners on
the buckle is significantly less than the surface area covered by
fasteners on the strap, full adjustability and strong holding power
can be maintained. Another benefit of providing the mating
fastening elements on the buckle is that significantly less
fastening material is needed to form the fastener or mating
surface, and, hence, the overall cost of the raw materials used to
produce the securing device is reduced. It will be recognized that
the second major surface 22 of the buckle 6 may be substantially
free of fastening elements.
[0040] Depending on the desired extent of adjustability, the strap
fastener 8 may provided on only a portion of the first major
surface 12 of the strap 4 or, if maximum adjustability is desired,
on substantially all of the first major surface of the strap first
major surface 12.
[0041] Persons of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate that
various changes and modifications may be made to the invention
described above without deviating from the inventive concept. For
example, in one aspect, it will be recognized that a strap, while
useful in forming a securing device, it is not a required element
of the invention. That is, a buckle according to the present
invention may be initially provided without a strap, and straps
having various properties or characteristics such as, for example,
different lengths, colors, or strengths, may be provided
separately. Thus, the scope of the present invention should not be
limited to the structures described in this application, but only
by the structures described by the language of the claims and the
equivalents of those structures.
* * * * *