Patent Application
20230211931
In various scenarios, it is desirable to have a strap for holding and securing various objects. In many scenarios, users desire to bind skis or other items together. A strap that has some elasticity may be used and many times there is a loose end or other non-optimized feature. This may reduce the wear potential of the device and may be annoying to the user.
In one embodiment, a strap system includes a strap, the strap including a plurality of apertures. The strap system further includes a buckle, the buckle located a first end of the strap, the buckle including an aperture and prong, the prong extending beyond the aperture, the prong sized to fit in each of the plurality of apertures. The strap system further includes a sliding holder, the sliding holder located on the strap, such that the sliding holder slides along the strap, the sliding holder including a projection, the projection extending from the sliding holder, the projection sized to fit into each of the plurality of apertures. Alternatively, the prong is bent towards a first side in relation to a plane through which the aperture extends. In one alternative, the strap has a released position where the strap is not secured in the buckle and a holding position where the strap is secured in the buckle by passing a second end of the strap through the aperture and folding the strap back towards the prong and placing the prong through a first one of the plurality of apertures. In another alternative, the holding position further includes placing the projection through a second one of the plurality of apertures, the second one of the plurality of apertures further towards the second end than the first one of the plurality of apertures. In another alternative, in the holding position the sliding holder is slid along the strap in order for the second one of the plurality of apertures to line up with the projection. Alternatively, the projection has a widened tip, such that projection has an interference fit in the second one of the plurality of apertures. In another alternative, sliding holder includes a ring with a loop, the loop sized to fit around the strap, such that loop is sized to smoothly slide on the strap. Alternatively, the buckle is fixed into the first end of the strap, such that the plane maintains an inline position with the first end of the strap. In another alternative, wherein when in the holding position, when the strap is tensioned tightly around an object, the buckle lays flat on the object. Alternatively, the strap includes an end tab on the second end of the strap. In another alternative, the end tab includes a depression configured for ease of gripping by a user. Alternatively, the strap is made of thermoplastic polyurethane.
In one embodiment, a strap system includes a strap, the strap including a plurality of apertures. The strap system further includes a buckle, the buckle located a first end of the strap, the buckle including an aperture and prong, the prong extending beyond the aperture, the prong sized to fit in each of the plurality of apertures. The strap system further includes a sliding holder, the sliding holder located on the strap, such that the sliding holder slides along the strap, the sliding holder including a projection, the projection extending from the sliding holder, the projection sized to fit into each of the plurality of apertures, wherein the strap includes an end tab on the second end of the strap and the end tab includes a depression configured for ease of gripping by a user. Alternatively, the prong is bent towards a first side in relation to a plane through which the aperture extends, the strap has a released position where the strap is not secured in the buckle and a holding position where the strap is secured in the buckle by passing a second end of the strap through the aperture and folding the strap back towards the prong and placing the prong through a first one of the plurality of apertures, holding position further includes placing the projection through a second one of the plurality of apertures, the second one of the plurality of apertures further towards the second end than the first one of the plurality of apertures, and the holding position the sliding holder is slid along the strap in order for the second one of the plurality of apertures to line up with the projection.
In one embodiment, a method of securing an object includes providing a strap system, the strap system. The strap system includes a strap, the strap including a plurality of apertures. The strap system further includes a buckle, the buckle located a first end of the strap, the buckle including an aperture and prong, the prong extending beyond the aperture, the prong sized to fit in each of the plurality of apertures. The strap system further includes a sliding holder, the sliding holder located on the strap, such that the sliding holder slides along the strap, the sliding holder including a projection, the projection extending from the sliding holder, the projection sized to fit into each of the plurality of apertures. The method further includes wrapping the strap around an object. The method further includes running a second end of the strap through the aperture. The method further includes pulling the strap tight around the object. The method further includes placing the prong in a first one of the plurality of apertures. The method further includes placing the projection in a second one of the plurality of apertures. Alternatively, the method further includes sliding the sliding holder along the strap in order to line up with the second one of the plurality or apertures, wherein the second one of the plurality of apertures is near the second end of the strap. Alternatively, the prong is bent towards a first side in relation to a plane through which the aperture extends, the strap has a released position where the strap is not secured in the buckle and a holding position where the strap is secured in the buckle by passing a second end of the strap through the aperture and folding the strap back towards the prong and placing the prong through a first one of the plurality of apertures, holding position further includes placing the projection through a second one of the plurality of apertures, the second one of the plurality of apertures further towards the second end than the first one of the plurality of apertures, and the holding position the sliding holder is slid along the strap in order for the second one of the plurality of apertures to line up with the projection. In another alternative, the projection has a widened tip, such that projection has an interference fit in the second one of the plurality of apertures, the sliding holder includes a ring with a loop, the loop sized to fit around the strap, such that loop is sized to smoothly slide on the strap, and the buckle is fixed into the first end of the strap, such that the plane maintains an inline position with the first end of the strap. Alternatively, the strap includes an end tab on the second end of the strap. In another alternative, the end tab includes a depression configured for ease of gripping by a user.
Certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and is not to be taken as a limitation on the embodiments of the systems and methods for an improved strap including end holder. In many embodiments a strap is provided that includes a buckle. The buckle has an aperture and a prong that bends one way. Since the buckle is fixed in line with the strap, upon tensioning around an item, the buckle lies in-line with the strap. This is way the prong, since it is bend up in relation to the plane of the aperture of the buckle, may mate with one of the holes in the strap and hold the strap in place. Additionally, the loose end of the strap may be attached to a sliding holder (end holder). This sliding holder includes a protrusion that fits in the holes of the strap and therefore may be slide to an optimal position. The sliding holder is advantageous since it is easy to lock down and release the end of the strap. The sliding holder is generally a ring-like structure that conforms to the shape of the strap.
Generally, embodiments of the strap system include a strap portion, a buckle, and a sliding holder. Alternative shapes, sizes and lengths are certainly possible. Generally, buckle 130 is made of aluminum, however alternative materials are possible, including but not limited to, other metals, plastics, wood, polymers, resins, and other materials. In many embodiments, some degrees of rigidness for buckle 130 is important, such that tension may be applied to the strap system 100. In operation, strap portion 110 is passed through aperture 150 and bent back such that prong 140 may be secured in an aperture 155. Then, sliding holder is slid along strap portion 110 such that it may mate with an aperture 155 near the end of the loose end of the strap portion.
While specific embodiments have been described in detail in the foregoing detailed description, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and alternatives to those details could be developed in light of the overall teachings of the disclosure and the broad inventive concepts thereof. It is understood, therefore, that the scope of this disclosure is not limited to the particular examples and implementations disclosed herein but is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope thereof as defined by the appended claims and any and all equivalents thereof.
