BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the strap retainer device with an angled slot extension;
FIG. 2 is a flat pattern view of the strap retainer device with the angled slot extension;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the strap retainer device;
FIG. 4 is a flat pattern view of the strap retainer device;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a double ended strap retainer device with the angled slot extension;
FIG. 6 is a flat pattern view of the double ended strap retainer device with the angled slot extension;
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a double ended strap retainer device;
FIG. 8 is a flat pattern view of the double ended strap retainer device;
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the strap retainer device with the angled slot extension showing a strap adjacent to an opposing first end portion;
FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of a sue drawing for the strap retainer device with the angled slot extension with the strap adjacent to the opposing first end portion looping around a first object;
FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of a use drawing for the strap retainer device with the strap adjacent to the opposing first end portion looping around a first object, wherein the second end portion will removably engage a loop on a standard adjustable cargo strap;
FIG. 12 is a perspective use view drawing showing the use of the double ended strap retainer device with a standard dog leash looped around a first object;
FIG. 13 is a perspective use view drawing showing the initial plural strap insertions into the strap retainer devices for the use of two strap retainer devices being joined together;
FIG. 14 is a perspective use view drawing showing the completed plural strap insertions into the strap retainer devices for the use of two strap retainer devices being joined together;
FIG. 15 is a perspective use view drawing showing the completed plural strap insertions into the strap retainer devices for the use of two strap retainer devices being joined together wherein force has been applied along the longitudinal axis of the free end of the strap resulting the strap retainer devices becoming adjacent to one another;
FIG. 16 is a side use view drawing of FIG. 15 showing the completed plural strap insertions into the trap retainer devices for the use of two strap retainer devices being joined together wherein force has been applied along the longitudinal axis of the free end of the strap resulting the strap retainer devices becoming adjacent to one another;
FIG. 17 is a perspective use view drawing of the double ended strap retainer device as shown in FIG. 5 with the angled slot extension portion, wherein a single strap is looped around a first object;
FIG. 18 is a flat pattern view of the strap retainer device with the angled slot extension portion, showing a plurality of strap retainer device second end portions substantially oppositely disposed from a first end portion of the strap retainer device;
FIG. 19 is a flat pattern view of the strap retainer device, showing a plurality of strap retainer device second end portions substantially oppositely disposed from a first end portion of the strap retainer device;
FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the strap retainer device, showing the first end portion being sized and configured to removably engage to a channel on a support surface;
FIG. 21 shows a perspective view of a use drawing for the strap retainer device with the angled slot extension having the strap entering the tortuous access passageway adjacent to the outer periphery;
FIG. 22 shows a perspective view of a use drawing for the strap retainer device with the angled slot extension having the strap proceeding through the tortuous access passageway adjacent to the first and second acute angles;
FIG. 23 shows a perspective view of a use drawing for the strap retainer device with the angled slot extension having the strap entering the slot from the tortuous access passageway adjacent to the second acute angle; and
FIG. 24 shows a perspective view of a use drawing for the strap retainer device with the angled slot extension having the strap entering the angled slot extension, wherein the strap clears the tortuous access passageway for centering of the strap in the slot.
REFERENCE NUMBERS IN DRAWINGS
25 Strap retainer device with angled slot extension portion 60
26 Strap retainer device without the angled slot extension portion 60
27 Strap retainer device that is double ended with angled slot extension portion 60
28 Strap retainer device that is double ended without the angled slot extension portion 60
29 strap retainer device with angled slot extension portion 60 and a plurality of second end portions 44
30 Strap retainer device without the angled slot extension portion 60 and a plurality of second end portions 44
32 First object
34 Second object
36 Flexible strap or ribbon
37 Thickness of flexible strap 36
38 Body
40 Outer periphery portion of body 38
42 First end portion of body 38
44 Second end portion of body 38
46 Longitudinal axis of body 38
48 First 42 and second 44 end slot therethrough
50 Closed proximal end portion of first 42 and second 44 end slot 48 therethrough
52 Closed distal end portion of first 42 and second 44 end slot 48 therethrough
53 Open distal end portion of first 42 and second 44 end slot 48 therethrough
54 First 42 and second 44 end tortuous access passageway
56 First 42 and second 44 end first acute angle portion
58 First 42 and second 44 end second acute angle portion
60 First 42 and second 44 end angled portion slot extension
62 Selected first 42 and second 44 end distance
64 First 42 and second 44 end length of second end angled portion slot extension 60
66 Support surface
68 Channel for the support surface 66
70 Gap
72 Gap 70 width
74 First end 42 closed slot therethrough
76 End portion of first end 42 closed slot
78 Opposing end portion of first end 42 closed slot
80 Standard adjustable cargo strap
82 Loop on the standard adjustable cargo strap
84 Dog leash
86 Force
88 Radius for first acute angle portion 56 second acute angle portion 58
90 Radial movement
91 Lateral movement
92 “L” shaped portion of first end portion 42
94 Thickness of strap retainer devices 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, and 30
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
With initial reference to FIG. 1 shown is a perspective view of the strap retainer device 25 including an angled slot extension portion 60, FIG. 2 shows a flat pattern view of the strap retainer device 25 also including the angled slot extension portion 60, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the strap retainer device 26 without the angled slot extension portion 60. Further, FIG. 4 shows a flat pattern view of the strap retainer device 26 also without the angled slot extension portion 60, FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a double ended strap retainer device 27 with the angled slot extension portions 60, and FIG. 6 is a flat pattern view of the double ended strap retainer device 27 with the angled slot extension portions 60. Continuing, FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a double ended strap retainer device 28 without the angled slot extension portions 60, FIG. 8 is a flat pattern view of the double ended strap retainer device 28 again without the angled slot extension portions 60, and FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the strap retainer device 25 with the angled slot extension portion 60 showing a strap 36 adjacent to an opposing first end portion 42. Note that the strap 36 is preferably defined as a narrow strip of flexible material such as fabric, leather, nylon, and the like wherein the strap 36 has a high flexibility in its lengthwise axis, defined as “lengthwise stiffness” (parallel to the longitudinal axis 46 with strap 36 as shown in FIG. 10) and the strap 36 having reduced flexibility in an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis 36, defined as “lateral stiffness” in referring to FIG. 10. This is as opposed to use of the word “ribbon” that is sometimes used interchangeably with strap 36, wherein a ribbon is preferably defined as a long thin strip of fine material such as silk, satin, rayon, or the like that typically has a high degree of flexibility in both the ribbon's lengthwise axis, defined as “lengthwise stiffness” (parallel to the longitudinal axis 46 comparing to strap 36 as shown in FIG. 10) and in an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis 46, defined as “lateral stiffness” again in referring to FIG. 10. Keeping this distinction in mind between the strap 36 and the ribbon, the present invention relies to some extent on the strap 36 lateral stiffness being higher that the strap 36 lengthwise stiffness, wherein the strap 36 resists going through the tortuous passageway 54 as best shown in FIGS. 22, 23, and 24 as the tortuous passage way 54 requires the strap 36 to flex laterally.
Next, FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of a use drawing for the strap retainer device 25 including the angled slot extension portion 60 with the strap 36 adjacent to the opposing first end portion 42 looping around a first object 32, thereby retaining the first object 32 to a second object 34, FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of the use drawing for the strap retainer device 26 with the strap 36 adjacent to the opposing first end portion 42 looping around a first object 32, thereby retaining the first object 32 to a second object 34, wherein the second end portion 44 will removably engage a loop 82 on a standard adjustable cargo strap 80, and FIG. 12 is a perspective use view drawing showing the use of the doubled ended strap retainer device 28 with a standard dog leash 84 looped around a first object 32, thereby retaining the first object 32 to a second object 34. Yet further, FIG. 13 is a perspective use view drawing showing the initial plural strap 36 insertions into the strap retainer devices 26 for the use of two strap retainer devices 26 being joined together, FIG. 14 is a perspective use view drawing showing the completed plural strap 36 insertions into the strap retainer devices 26 for the use of two strap retainer devices 26 being joined together, and FIG. 15 is a perspective use view drawing showing the completed plural strap 36 insertions into the strap retainer devices 26 for the use of two strap retainer devices 26 being joined together, wherein force 86 has been applied along the longitudinal axis 46 of the free end of the straps 36 resulting the strap retainer devices 26 becoming adjacent to one another as is best shown in FIG. 16. As FIG. 16 is a side use view drawing of FIG. 15 showing the completed plural strap 36 insertion into the strap retainer devices 26 for the sue of two strap retainer devices 26 being joined together within force 86 has been applied along the longitudinal axis 46 of the free ends of the strap 36 resulting the strap retainer devices 26 becoming adjacent to one another.
Furthermore, FIG. 17 shows a perspective use view drawing of the double ended strap retainer device 27 as shown in FIG. 5 with the angled slot extension portion 60, wherein a single strap 36 is looped around a first object 32 thereby retaining the first object 32 to a second object 34. Next, FIG. 18 shows a flat pattern view of the strap retainer device 29 with the angled slot extension portion 60, showing a plurality of strap retainer device 29 second end portions 33 substantially oppositely disposed from a first end portion 42 of the strap retainer device 29. Continuing, FIG. 19 is a flat pattern view of the strap retainer device 30, showing a plurality of strap retainer device 30 second end portions 44 substantially oppositely disposed from a first end portion 42 of the strap retainer device 30. Continuing further, FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the strap retainer device 25 or 26, showing the first end portion 42 being sized and configured to removably engage to a channel 68 on a support surface 66.
Continuing, FIG. 21 shows a perspective view of a use drawing for the strap retainer device 25 with the angled slot extension 60 having the strap 36 entering the tortuous access passageway 54 adjacent to the outer periphery 49 and with FIG. 22 showing a perspective view of a use drawing for the strap retainer device 25 with the angled slot extension 60 having the strap 36 proceeding through the tortuous access passageway 54 adjacent to the first 56 and second 58 acute angles. Proceeding, FIG. 23 shows a perspective view of a use drawing for the strap retainer device 25 with the angled slot extension 60 having the strap 36 entering the slot 48 from the tortuous access passageway 54 adjacent to the second acute angle 58. Further, FIG. 24 shows a perspective view of a use drawing for the strap retainer device 25 with the angled slot extension 60 having the strap 36 entering the angled slot extension 60, wherein the strap 36 clears the tortuous access passageway 54 for centering of the strap 36 in the slot 48.
Thus the strap retainer device 25 for retaining a first object 32 to a second object 34, with the second object 34 preferably being a flexible strap 36, as best shown in FIG. 9, with the strap retainer device 25 including a body 38 that is generally planar with an outer periphery portion 40. The body 38 including a first end portion 42 and a substantially oppositely disposed second end portion 44, also the body 38 having a longitudinal axis 46 spanning between and through the first end portion 42 and the second end portion 44 as best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Where in the first end portion 42 is adapted to attach to the first object 32, and as shown in FIG. 9, the first end portion 42 is adapted to attach to a first object 32 preferably being a flexible strap 36, however, the first end portion 42 could be fastened, welded, glued, removably engaged (as shown in FIG. 20), or adapted to attach in any manner to a desired first object 32.
Further, in referencing FIGS. 1 and 2, the second end portion 44 includes a second end slot 48 therethrough, wherein the second end slot 48 includes a closed proximal end portion 50 and a closed distal end portion 52, with the second end portion 44 also including a second end 44 tortuous access passageway 54 therethrough that extends from the outer periphery portion 40 to be in communication with the second end slot 48. The second end 44 tortuous passageway 54 is defined by a second end 44 first acute angle portion 56 and a second end 44 second acute angle portion 58, wherein the second end 44 first acute angle 56 and the second end 44 second acute angle 58 are substantially oppositely disposed from each other. Operationally, the second end 44 tortuous access passageway 54 is functional to allow the strap 36 to be selectably manually positioned from the outer periphery portion 40 to the second end 44 slot 48 and selectably manually positioned from the second end 44 slot 48 to the outer periphery portion 40, as best shown in looking at the sequence of FIGS. 13 and 14 or in looking at FIGS. 21, 22, 23, 24, and 10 in that order. Wherein the second end 44 tortuous access passageway 54 helps restrict the strap 36 from inadvertently dislodging from the second end 44 slot 48 to the outer periphery portion 40, thereby in an overall sense helping to retain the first object 32 to the second object 34 irrespective of the relative movement or positions of the first object 32 to the second object 34, even if the strap 36 momentarily slackens between the first object 32 and the second object 34.
As an option, the strap retainer device 25 as best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, can further include to the second end 44 slot 48 closed proximal end 50 a second end 44 angled portion slot extension 60 and having the second end 44 tortuous access passageway 54 communication to the second end 44 slot 48 be adjacent to the second end 44 slot 48 closed distal end 52 at a selected second end 44 distance 62. Wherein functionally, the second end 44 angled portion slot extension 60 is operational to help the flexible strap 36 exit the second end 44 tortuous access passageway 54 to allow the strap 36 to reside in the second end 44 slot 48 as best shown in FIG. 10. Preferably distance 62 is about one-quarter (¼) of an inch, however, distance 62 could be more or less depending upon the thickness and width of the strap 36. In addition, the second end 44 angled portion slot extension 60 has a second end 44 length 64 that is substantially equal to the selected second end distance 62.
Again, as an option, the strap retainer device 25 outer periphery portion 40, second and 44 tortuous access passageway 54, specifically the first acute angle portion 56 and the second end second acute angle portion 58, plus the second end 44 slot 48 form a continuous contoured communication, as best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, that is operational to allow the strap 36 to be smoothly selectably manually positioned from the outer periphery portion 40 to the second end 44 slot 48 and to be smoothly selectably manually positioned from the second end 44 slot 48 to the outer periphery portion 40 to minimize damage to the strap 36. Preferably, in referring to FIG. 2, the first acute angle portion 56 and the second end second acute angle portion 58 form a substantially smooth radius transition, wherein the radius 88 at about a mid point in the tortuous access passageway 54 is about three sixteenths ( 3/16) of an inch, however, radius 88 could be more or less depending upon the thickness and width of the strap 36.
Referring specifically to FIG. 20 the strap retainer device 25 or 26 optionally shows the first end portion 42 that is adapted to attach to the first object 32 that includes a support surface 66 having a support surface channel 68, wherein the first end portion 42 is sized and configured to removably engage the support surface 66 channel 68. Operationally, when there is a force 86 acting substantially along the longitudinal axis 46 as shown in FIG. 20, the first end portion 42 remains engaged to the channel 68 and thus the support surface 66 even when there is some degree of radial movement 90 and/or lateral movement 91 both being substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis 46. Thus to remove the first end 42 from the channel 68 requires that movement 90 be sequenced such that movement 90 be toward the “L” shaped portion 92 of the first end portion 42 followed by force 86, and then movement 90 opposite of the “L” shaped portion 92 to disengage the first end portion 42 from the channel 68. A further option for the strap retainer device 29 and 30 in referring specifically to FIGS. 18 and 19 is to have a single first end portion 42 serve a plurality of second end portions 44 that are spaced apart by a gap 70 having a width 72 that is at least equal to or greater than a strap 36 thickness 37 as best shown in FIG. 10.
Additionally, another option for the strap retainer device 27, referring specifically to FIGS. 5 and 6, is wherein the first object 32 is also a flexible strap 36 and the first end portion 42 is basically a mirror image of what the second end portion 44 is with the outer periphery 40, the slot 48, and the tortuous access passageway 54 that communicates between the outer periphery 40 and the slot 48. Thus the first end portion 42 includes a first end slot 48 therethrough, the first end slot 48 having a closed proximal end portion 50 and a closed distal end portion 52, the first end portion 42 also includes a first end 42 tortuous access passageway 54 therethrough that extends from the outer periphery portion 40 to be in communication with the first end 42 slot 48. The first end 42 tortuous passageway 54 is defined by a first end 42 first acute angle 56 and a first end 42 second acute angle 58, wherein the first end 42 first acute angle 56 and the first end 42 second acute angle 58 are substantially oppositely disposed from each other. The first end 42 tortuous access passageway 54 is operational to allow the strap 36 to be selectably manually positioned from the outer periphery portion 40 to the first end 42 slot 48 and selectably manually positioned from the first end 42 slot 48 to the outer periphery portion 40, wherein the first end 42 tortuous access passage way 54 helps restrict the strap 36 from inadvertently dislodging from the first end 42 slot 48 to the outer periphery portion 40.
As an option, also in referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the strap retainer device 27 can further include to the first end 42 slot 48 closed proximal end 50 a first end 42 angled portion slot extension 60 and having the first end 42 tortuous access passageway 54 communication to the first end 42 slot 48 be adjacent to the first ed 42 slot 48 closed distal end 52 at a selected first end 42 distance 62. Wherein functionally, the first end 42 angled portion slot extension 60 is operational to help the flexible strap 36 exit the first end 42 tortuous access passageway 54 to allow the strap 36 to reside in the first end 42 slot 48 as best shown in FIG. 10. Preferably distance 62 is about one-quarter (¼) of an inch, however, distance 62 could be more or less depending upon the thickness and width of the strap 36. In addition, the first end 42 angled portion slot extension 60 has a first end 42 length 64 that is substantially equal to the selected second end distance 62.
Also, as an option, again referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the strap retainer device 27 outer periphery portion 40, first end 42 tortuous access passageway 54, specifically the first acute angle portion 56 and the second end second acute angle portion 58, plus the first end 42 slot 48 form a continuous contoured communication, that is operational to allow the strap 36 to be smoothly selectably manually positioned from the outer periphery portion 40 to the first end 42 slot 48 and to be smoothly selectably manually positioned from the first end 42 slot 48 to the outer periphery portion 40 to minimize damage to the strap 36. Preferably, in referring to FIG. 6, the first acute angle portion 56 and the second end second acute angle portion 58 form a substantially smooth radius transition, wherein the radius 88 at about a mid point in the tortuous access passageway 54 is about three sixteenths ( 3/16) of an inch, however, radius 88 could be more or less depending upon the thickness and width of the strap 36.
Alternatively, in referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the strap retainer device 26 is shown for retaining a first object 32 to a second object 34, with the second object 34 preferably being a flexible strap 36, as best shown in FIG. 13, with the strap retainer device 26 including a body 38 that is generally planar with an outer periphery portion 40. The body 38 including a first end portion 42 and a substantially oppositely disposed second end portion 44, also the body 38 having a longitudinal axis 46 between and through the first end portion 42 and the second end portion 44 as best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Wherein the first end portion 42 is adapted to attach to the first object 32, and as shown in FIG. 13, the first end portion 42 is adapted to attach to a first object 32 preferably being a flexible strap 36, however, the first end portion 42 could be fastened, welded, glued, removably engaged (as shown in FIG. 20), or adapted to attach in any manner to a desired first object 32.
Further, in referencing FIGS. 3 and 4, the second end portion 44 includes a second end slot 48 therethrough, wherein the second end slot 48 includes a closed proximal end portion 50 and an open distal end portion 52, with the second end portion 44 also including a second end 44 tortuous access passageway 54 therethrough that extends from the outer periphery portion 40 to be in communication with the second end slot 48 open distal end 52. The second end 44 tortuous passageway 54 is defined by a second end 44 first acute angle portion 56 and a second end 44 second acute angle portion 58, wherein the second end 44 first acute angle 56 and the second end 44 second acute angle 58 are substantially oppositely disposed from each other. Operationally, the second end 44 tortuous access passageway 54 is functional to allow the strap 36 to be selectably manually positioned from the outer periphery portion 40 to the second end 44 slot 48 and selectably manually positioned from the second end 44 slot 48 to the outer periphery portion 40, as best shown in looking at the sequences of FIGS. 13 and 14. Wherein the second end 44 tortuous access passageway 54 helps restrict the strap 36 from inadvertently dislodging from the second end 44 slot 48 to the outer periphery portion 40, thereby in an overall sense helping to retain the first object 32 to the second object 34 inespective of the relative movement or positions of the first object 32 to the second object 34.
Also, as an option, again referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the strap retainer device 26 outer periphery portion 40, second end 44 tortuous access passageway 54, specifically the first acute angle portion 56 and the second end second acute angle portion 58, plus the second end 44 slot 48 form a continuous contoured communication, that is operational to allow the strap 36 to be smoothly selectably manually positioned from the outer periphery portion 40 to the second end 44 slot 48 and to be smoothly selectably manually positioned from the second end 44 slot 48 to the outer periphery portion 40 to minimize damage to the strap 36. Preferably, in referring to FIG. 4, the first acute angle portion 56 and the second end second acute angle portion 58 form a substantially smooth radius transition, where in the radius 88 at about a mid point in the tortuous access passageway 54 is about three sixteenths ( 3/16) of an inch, however radius 88 could be more or less depending upon the thickness and width of the strap 36.
Additionally, another option for the strap retainer device 28, referring specifically to FIGS. 7 and 8, is wherein the first object 32 is also a flexible strap 36 and the first end portion 42 is basically a mirror image of what the second end portion 44 is with the outer periphery 40, the slot 48, and the tortuous access passageway 54 that communicates between the outer periphery 40 and the slot 48. Thus the first end portion 42 includes a first end slot 48 therethrough, the first end slot 48 having a closed proximal end portion 50 and an open distal end portion 53, the first end portion 42 also includes a first end 42 tortuous access passage way 54 therethrough that extends from the outer periphery portion 40 to be in communication with the first end 42 slot 48. The first end 42 tortuous passageway 54 is defined by a first end 42 first acute angle 56 and a first end 42 second acute angle 58, wherein the first end 42 first acute angle 56 and the first end 42 second acute angle 58 are substantially oppositely disposed from each other. The first end 42 tortuous access passageway 54 is operational to allow the strap 36 to be selectably manually positioned from the outer periphery portion 40 to the first end 42 slot 48 and selectably manually positioned from the first end 42 slot 48 to the outer periphery portion 40, wherein the first end 42 tortuous access passageway 54 helps restrict the strap 36 from inadvertently dislodging from the first end 42 slot 48 to the outer periphery portion 40.
Also, as an option, again referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the strap retainer device 28 outer periphery portion 40, first end 42 tortuous access passageway 54, specifically the first acute angle portion 56 and the second end second acute angle portion 58, plus the first end 42 slot 48 form a continuous contoured communication, that is operational to allow the strap 36 to be smoothly selectably manually positioned from the outer periphery portion 40 to the first end 42 slot 48 and to be smoothly selectably manually positioned from the first end 42 slot 48 to the outer periphery portion 40 to minimize damage to the strap 36. Preferably, in referring to FIG. 8, the first acute angle portion 56 and the second end second a acute angle portion 58 form a substantially smooth radius transition, wherein the radius 88 at about a mid point in the tortuous access passageway 54 is about three sixteenths ( 3/16) of an inch, however, radius 88 could be more or less depending upon the thickness and width of the strap 36.
For all of the embodiments of the strap retainer device 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, and 30 the preferred material of construction is steel plate, alternatively other materials of construction would include aluminum plate, plastics, composites, or other materials that would have similar strength of materials characteristics and environmental considerations (corrosion, weather, and the like) as the aforementioned materials. The preferred thickness 94 for all of the embodiments of the strap retainer device 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, and 30 is about one-eighth (⅛) of an inch, however, the thickness 94 could be more or less than this value depending upon the characteristic of the material. The primary limitation on strength for the strap retainer devices 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, and 30 for force loading along the longitudinal axis 46 is the portion between the closed proximal end 50 and the outer periphery 40 being stressed as a cantilever beam by the strap 36 residing in the slot 48 acting through force 86 as best shown in FIG. 10. The preferred strength for the strap retainer devices 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, and 30 along the longitudinal axis is about fifteen hundred (1,500) pounds force for the materials of construction being steel plate at a thickness 94 of one-eighth (⅛) of an inch. Higher or lower strengths would be acceptable depending upon the conditions of use.
Methods of Use
FIGS. 9-20 show a myriad of uses for the strap retainer devices 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, and 30, the following method of use is for the basic use of the strap retainer device 25 as best shown in FIG. 9 that is a method of selectively retaining a first object 32 to a second object 34, comprising the steps of: Firstly, providing a strap retainer device 25 that includes a body 38 with an outer periphery portion 40, the body 38 including a first end portion 42 and an oppositely disposed second end portion 44, wherein the second end portion 44 includes a second end 44 slot 48 therethrough. The second end 44 slot 48 having a closed proximal end 50 and a closed distal end 52, the second end portion 44 also includes a second end 44 tortuous access passageway 54 therethrough that extends from the outer periphery portion 40 to be in communication with the second end 44 slot 48. The second end 44 tortuous passageway 54 is defined by a second end 44 first acute angle 56 and a second end 44 second acute angle 58, wherein the second end 44 first acute angle 56 and the second end 44 second acute angle 58 are substantially oppositely disposed from each other. Wherein the second end 44 slot 48 closed proximal end 50 further comprises a second end angled portion slot extension 60 and the second end 44 tortuous access passageway 54 communication to the second end 44 sot 48 is adjacent to the second end 44 slot 48 closed distal end 52 at a selected second end 44 distance 62.
A further step is to provide a strap 36, wherein the first end portion 42 is adapted to attache to the strap 36, see FIG. 9, the strap 36 also including an oppositely disposed end that is adapted to attach to the second object 34 as best shown in FIG. 10. Continuing a next step, is in grasping manually the strap retainer device 25 and the strap 36 and then loping the strap 36 around the first object 32 also as shown in FIG. 10. Following is a step of inserting the strap 36 into the second end 44 tortuous access passageway 54 adjacent to the outer periphery portion 40 as best shown in FIG. 21, a nest step is in continuing to feed the strap 36 through the second end 44 tortuous passageway 54 deforming the strap 36 laterally to negotiate the second end 44 first acute angle 56 and the oppositely disposed second end 44 second acute angle 58 until the second end 44 slot 48 is reached as best shown in FIGS. 22 and 23. Continuing, a further step is pushing the strap 36 into the second end 44 slot 48 and continuing to push the strap 36 into the second end 44 angled portion slot extension 60 until the strap 36 clears the second end 44 tortuous passageway 54 as best shown in FIG. 24. Ultimately, then a step of centering the strap 36 in the second end 44 slot 48 by reversibly pushing the strap 36 out of the second end 44 angled portion slot extension 60 until the strap 36 is adjacent to the second end 44 slot 48 closed distal end 52, as best shown in FIG. 10, wherein the strap retainer device 25 substantially retains the strap 36 in the second end 44 slot 48 irrespective of the relevant positions of the first object 32 and the second object 34, even if the strap 36 momentarily slackens.
To disengage the strap 36 from the strap retainer device 25 involves a reversing step of pushing the strap 36 into the second end 44 angled portion slot extension 60 until the strap 36 lengthwise edge is adjacent to the second end 44 tortuous passageway 54, essentially going from what is shown in FIG. 10 to what is shown in FIG. 24 for the positioning of the strap 36. Continuing, the next step involves feeding the strap 36 through the second end 44 tortuous passageway 54 deforming the strap 36 laterally to negotiate the second end 44 second acute angle 58 and the oppositely disposed second end 44 first acute angle 56, essentially going from what is shown in FIG. 24 to what is shown in FIG. 23, proceeding until what is shown in FIG. 22, until the strap 36 reaches the outer periphery portion 40, as best shown in FIG. 21, wherein the strap 36 can be removed from the strap retainer device 25 thus selectively unretaining the first object 32 from the second object 34.
CONCLUSION
Accordingly, the present invention of a strap retainer device has been described with some degree of particularity directed to the embodiments of the present invention. It should be appreciated, though, that the present invention is defined by the following claims construed in light of the prior art so modifications the changes maybe made to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention without departing from the inventive concepts contained herein.
Patent Application
20070289106
