CA1106578A - Separable cinch fastener - Google Patents
Separable cinch fastenerInfo
- Publication number
- CA1106578A CA1106578A CA284,316A CA284316A CA1106578A CA 1106578 A CA1106578 A CA 1106578A CA 284316 A CA284316 A CA 284316A CA 1106578 A CA1106578 A CA 1106578A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- strap
- main
- main strap
- end portion
- face
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
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- Orthopedics, Nursing, And Contraception (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A separable fastening device is disclosed which is adapted to encompass at least one member in gripped relation and to facilitate the simultaneous application of cinching and fastening forces which place the fastener in tension and are uniquely retained in the fastening device. The fastening device has a first flexible strap having on one surface of a first strap section a plurality of upstanding hook and loop-type engaging elements, a second strap section having on a surface opposite the first surface a plurality of mating upstanding hook and loop-type engaging elements, with means being provided to connect the first and second strap sections, and retaining means connected to the free end of the first strap, the retaining means including a retaining strap and connecting means with the latter defining an opening configured to receive the free end of the second strap section which is remote from the retaining means. The opposed positions of the mating engaging elements are such that when the fastening device is positioned about a member with the free end of the second strap section extended through the opening in the retaining means, at least retaining the retaining means in a fixed position and applying cinching forces to the free end of the second strap, causes the device to grip the member, and simultaneously pressing the surfaces of mating engaging elements in face-to-face relation provides face-to-face engagement of the strap portions to retain the grip thereby applied. In the preferred embodiment the separable fastening device comprises a tourniquet utilizing a retaining means either in the form of a pull-ring or a relatively short retaining strap to retain one end of the fastening strap while the other end is cinched.
Description
657~ ~
1 B~CKGROUND OF T~iE INVENTION
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1 B~CKGROUND OF T~iE INVENTION
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2 1, Field of the Invention - -This invention relates to a separable fastener which is 4 in the form of a cinch strap.
2. Descri tion of the Prior Art _ P
6 Separable fasteners such as those described in U. S.
7 Patent Nos. 2,717,437 and 3,009,23$ which are marketed under the 8 registered trademark VELCRO brand hook and loop fasteners by 9 Velcro Corporation, 681 Fifth Avenue, New ~ork, ~.Y. have gained 10 wide acceptance because of the properties of the mating hooks 11 and loops which permit their attachment by merely placing a 12 surface defined by the hooks into face-to-ace relationship with 13 a surface defined by the loops so that a large number of hooks 14 engage a large number of loops which resist separation parallel 15 to the interfacial plane o engagement but are readily separable 16 by peeling forces applied substantially normal to this inter-17 facial plane. These fastening devices are generally formed of a 18 sheet of synthetic woven or knitted fabric having raised threads 19 of synthetic material, such as nylon, which are napped or unnapped 20 to provide a pile surface defined by a plurality of loops, and 21 which may be thermally treated to become semi-rigid. Certain of 22 the loops may then be cut along-~o~e~side near their outer extremit 23 to form hooks.
24 These fasteners have been utilized in numerous applica-25 tions in many fields of use, particularly because of their unique 26 touch and close fastener capability às well as their fastening 27 strength~ The patents which-have-issued are legion in which the 28 unique astening capability of these hook and loop-type engaging . ~9 elements have been applied to particular uses to create new and ~0 unobvious fastener arrangements~
..._ .,...~ _ ..
....~,_~ ....
1 One field of use in which these fasteners have been 2 utilized in the past pertains to straps of several types~
2. Descri tion of the Prior Art _ P
6 Separable fasteners such as those described in U. S.
7 Patent Nos. 2,717,437 and 3,009,23$ which are marketed under the 8 registered trademark VELCRO brand hook and loop fasteners by 9 Velcro Corporation, 681 Fifth Avenue, New ~ork, ~.Y. have gained 10 wide acceptance because of the properties of the mating hooks 11 and loops which permit their attachment by merely placing a 12 surface defined by the hooks into face-to-ace relationship with 13 a surface defined by the loops so that a large number of hooks 14 engage a large number of loops which resist separation parallel 15 to the interfacial plane o engagement but are readily separable 16 by peeling forces applied substantially normal to this inter-17 facial plane. These fastening devices are generally formed of a 18 sheet of synthetic woven or knitted fabric having raised threads 19 of synthetic material, such as nylon, which are napped or unnapped 20 to provide a pile surface defined by a plurality of loops, and 21 which may be thermally treated to become semi-rigid. Certain of 22 the loops may then be cut along-~o~e~side near their outer extremit 23 to form hooks.
24 These fasteners have been utilized in numerous applica-25 tions in many fields of use, particularly because of their unique 26 touch and close fastener capability às well as their fastening 27 strength~ The patents which-have-issued are legion in which the 28 unique astening capability of these hook and loop-type engaging . ~9 elements have been applied to particular uses to create new and ~0 unobvious fastener arrangements~
..._ .,...~ _ ..
....~,_~ ....
1 One field of use in which these fasteners have been 2 utilized in the past pertains to straps of several types~
3 Although the prior art dealing with straps and the like includes
4 numerous other fastener devices to secure the straps in theix intended environment, the applications o ~hese separable hook and loop-type fasteners have in many respect:s, eliminated the 7 need for the traditional strap fastening devices such as buckles 8 and the like. To the extent that the early fastening devices 9 did not generally facilitate variable and precise fastening, the application of these separable fasteners to the strap art has 11 proven to provide substantial advantages.
1 U.S. Patent No. 721,162 to Denain relates to a hemo-13 static bandage of a relatively complex and eXpensive construction 14 and which utilizes a relatively complex buckle for fastening the device in position. U.S. Patent No. 2,S14,796 to Rishcoff 16 relates to a support belt which incorporates a relatively complex 17 device for securing it in position. U.S. Patent No. 2,815,752 18 to Forman relates to a circular adhesive bandage. U.S. Patent 19 No. 3,535,718 to Murcott relates ~o a restraint device for mounting upon wrist and ankles and utilizes coupling members to 21 5ecure the device in position. U.S. Patent No. 3,603,316 to 2 Lehman relates to an abdominal belt having an elastic portion and 23 elastic draw strips.
2 U.S. Patent No. 1,473,041 to Henderson relates to a 2 Tourniquet having an interior integral surface bar f or conveying 26 localized pressure. U.S. Patent No. 3,000,384 to Piers, Jr.
2 relates to a Fastener Tie to retain a bank or lock of hair 2 in a desired design or arrangment. In one embodiment, portions 2 of ~he tape are longitudinally elastic. U.S. Patent No. 3,086~52 to Munz et al. relat~s to Constrictors comprising a length of 1 elastomer adapted to be stretched about a human limb with VELCRO
2 brand fasten2r tapes adapted to secure the constrictor in position 3 ~ S~ Patent No. 3,190,444 to Kelson relates to Rotating Tourni 4 quets which are placed about three of a patient's limbs and
1 U.S. Patent No. 721,162 to Denain relates to a hemo-13 static bandage of a relatively complex and eXpensive construction 14 and which utilizes a relatively complex buckle for fastening the device in position. U.S. Patent No. 2,S14,796 to Rishcoff 16 relates to a support belt which incorporates a relatively complex 17 device for securing it in position. U.S. Patent No. 2,815,752 18 to Forman relates to a circular adhesive bandage. U.S. Patent 19 No. 3,535,718 to Murcott relates ~o a restraint device for mounting upon wrist and ankles and utilizes coupling members to 21 5ecure the device in position. U.S. Patent No. 3,603,316 to 2 Lehman relates to an abdominal belt having an elastic portion and 23 elastic draw strips.
2 U.S. Patent No. 1,473,041 to Henderson relates to a 2 Tourniquet having an interior integral surface bar f or conveying 26 localized pressure. U.S. Patent No. 3,000,384 to Piers, Jr.
2 relates to a Fastener Tie to retain a bank or lock of hair 2 in a desired design or arrangment. In one embodiment, portions 2 of ~he tape are longitudinally elastic. U.S. Patent No. 3,086~52 to Munz et al. relat~s to Constrictors comprising a length of 1 elastomer adapted to be stretched about a human limb with VELCRO
2 brand fasten2r tapes adapted to secure the constrictor in position 3 ~ S~ Patent No. 3,190,444 to Kelson relates to Rotating Tourni 4 quets which are placed about three of a patient's limbs and
5 rotated periodically from limb to limb. U. S. Patent No. 3,586,00:
to Sanderson relates to a Medical Compress which utilizes VELCRO
7 brand fasteners in combination with a cushion to constrict the 8 flow of blood in a limb of a wearer. U. S. Patent No~ 3,827,107 9 to Moore relates to an Adjustable Strap Assembly which utilizes 10 VELCRO~ brand fasteners in combination with a pad having hooking 11 elements on both sides to eliminate the requirement for an 12 excessively long length of looped strap portion. Other prior art 13 patents include: .
14 U.. S. Patent No. 2,519,712 to Stegeman U. S. Patent No. 3,279,45g to Schenker 16 U. S. Patent No. 3,430,299 to Copen 17 U. S. Patent No. 3,372,438 to Rinecker .
18 U. S. Patent No. 3,376,865 to Gamper 19 U. S. Patent No. 3,390,680 to Marcum U. S- Patent No. 3,416,516 to Cohen et al.
21 U. S. Patent No. 3,467,077 to Cohen 2 .U. S. Patent No. 3,570,495 to Wri~ht 23 U. S, Patent No. 3,633,567 to Sarnoff 2 U. S. Patent No 3,669,096 to Hurwitz 2 ~. S. Patent No. 3,880,161 to Fossell In the prior art applications of VELCRO~brand fasteners 2 to straps and the like, the structure has always been adapted such 2 that the hook and loop-type fasteners are secured by a touch and 2 close action. Non~ oE these patents disclose a cinch fastener 3 hich is so constructed and arranged to facilitate fastening the _4_ .
1 hook and loop-type fastener materials With multidirecti.onal opposed cinching forces with a single movement in which the 3 ¦gripping tension forces as well as the retention o said forces 4 ¦is accomplished without loss of grip.
5 ISUMMARY OF THE IN~ENTION
I
¦ The present invention relates to a separable fastening 7 device adapted to encompass at least one member in gripped 8 relation which comprises a first flexible strap portion having 9 on a first surface portion a plurality of engaging elements upstanding therefrom and a second strap portion having on a ll ¦surface portion opposite said first surface portion a plurality 12 ¦of mating engaging elements upstanding therefrom. The invention 1~ ¦further comprises means to connect the first and second strap 14 porti.onsand retaining meanS connected to the free end portion of 15 ¦ said first strap portion, the retaining means defining an opening 16 configured to receive the free end portion of the second Strap 17 portion. The opposed positions of the mating engaging elements 18 are such that when the device is positioned about the member with 19 the free end portion o the second strap portion extending through the retaining means, at least retaining the re~aining means in 21 a substantially ixed position and applying cinching forces to 22 the free end portion of the seco~d strap portion will cause the 23 device to grip at least a portion o the member, and substantially 24 sîmultaneously pressing the surfaces of mating engaging elements 25 in face-to-face relation provides face-to-face engagement of the 26 strap portions to retain the grip thereby applied. -27 The pre~erred embodimen~ of the invention in one of its 28 broadest orms relates to a separable fastening device adapted 29 to encompass at least one member in gripped relation which com-prises a cinch strap including a main flexible strap portion 1 j having on one surface portion a plurality of resilient engaging 2 ¦ elements upstanding thererom and on an opposite sur~ace of a 3 ¦ strap portion adjacent thereto, a plurality of mating engaging 4 ¦ elements upstanding therefrom, retaining means being connected 5 ¦ to the main strap portion at one end portion thereof and the
to Sanderson relates to a Medical Compress which utilizes VELCRO
7 brand fasteners in combination with a cushion to constrict the 8 flow of blood in a limb of a wearer. U. S. Patent No~ 3,827,107 9 to Moore relates to an Adjustable Strap Assembly which utilizes 10 VELCRO~ brand fasteners in combination with a pad having hooking 11 elements on both sides to eliminate the requirement for an 12 excessively long length of looped strap portion. Other prior art 13 patents include: .
14 U.. S. Patent No. 2,519,712 to Stegeman U. S. Patent No. 3,279,45g to Schenker 16 U. S. Patent No. 3,430,299 to Copen 17 U. S. Patent No. 3,372,438 to Rinecker .
18 U. S. Patent No. 3,376,865 to Gamper 19 U. S. Patent No. 3,390,680 to Marcum U. S- Patent No. 3,416,516 to Cohen et al.
21 U. S. Patent No. 3,467,077 to Cohen 2 .U. S. Patent No. 3,570,495 to Wri~ht 23 U. S, Patent No. 3,633,567 to Sarnoff 2 U. S. Patent No 3,669,096 to Hurwitz 2 ~. S. Patent No. 3,880,161 to Fossell In the prior art applications of VELCRO~brand fasteners 2 to straps and the like, the structure has always been adapted such 2 that the hook and loop-type fasteners are secured by a touch and 2 close action. Non~ oE these patents disclose a cinch fastener 3 hich is so constructed and arranged to facilitate fastening the _4_ .
1 hook and loop-type fastener materials With multidirecti.onal opposed cinching forces with a single movement in which the 3 ¦gripping tension forces as well as the retention o said forces 4 ¦is accomplished without loss of grip.
5 ISUMMARY OF THE IN~ENTION
I
¦ The present invention relates to a separable fastening 7 device adapted to encompass at least one member in gripped 8 relation which comprises a first flexible strap portion having 9 on a first surface portion a plurality of engaging elements upstanding therefrom and a second strap portion having on a ll ¦surface portion opposite said first surface portion a plurality 12 ¦of mating engaging elements upstanding therefrom. The invention 1~ ¦further comprises means to connect the first and second strap 14 porti.onsand retaining meanS connected to the free end portion of 15 ¦ said first strap portion, the retaining means defining an opening 16 configured to receive the free end portion of the second Strap 17 portion. The opposed positions of the mating engaging elements 18 are such that when the device is positioned about the member with 19 the free end portion o the second strap portion extending through the retaining means, at least retaining the re~aining means in 21 a substantially ixed position and applying cinching forces to 22 the free end portion of the seco~d strap portion will cause the 23 device to grip at least a portion o the member, and substantially 24 sîmultaneously pressing the surfaces of mating engaging elements 25 in face-to-face relation provides face-to-face engagement of the 26 strap portions to retain the grip thereby applied. -27 The pre~erred embodimen~ of the invention in one of its 28 broadest orms relates to a separable fastening device adapted 29 to encompass at least one member in gripped relation which com-prises a cinch strap including a main flexible strap portion 1 j having on one surface portion a plurality of resilient engaging 2 ¦ elements upstanding thererom and on an opposite sur~ace of a 3 ¦ strap portion adjacent thereto, a plurality of mating engaging 4 ¦ elements upstanding therefrom, retaining means being connected 5 ¦ to the main strap portion at one end portion thereof and the
6 ¦ other being free. The retaining means defines an opening con-
7 ¦ figured to receive the free end portion of t;he main strap portion
8 ¦ while the adjacent opposed positions of the mating engaging ¦ elements are such that when the main strap portion is positioned 10 ¦ about the member with the free end por~ion extending through the ll ¦ retaining means, at least retaining the retaining means in a sub-12 ¦ stantially fixed position and applying cinching face to the free 13 ¦ end portion of the main strap portion will cause the strap to 1~ ¦ grip at least a portion of the member and substantially simul-15 ¦ taneously pressing the surfaces of the mating engaging elements 1~ ¦ in face-to-face relation provides face-to-face engagement of the 17 ¦ strap portions to retain the grip thereby applied.
18 ¦ Although one preferred em~odiment of the fastening de-19 ¦ vice of the invention utilizes a ring like member to transmit 20 ¦ retaining forces to a strap portion, another embodiment includes 21 ¦ a retaining strap connected to a main strap portion to provide 22 transmission of cinching forces thereto. This particular 23 embodiment is also in the form of a separable fastening device 24 comprising a cinch strap assembly adapted to encompass at least 2S on~ member in gripped relation and to provide simultaneous 26 cinching and fasteninq forces which substantially maximize the 27 grip while uniquely retaining the forces applied to the strap.
28 This fastener device comprises a cinch strap assembly which 29 includes a main flexible strap portion having on one surface 30 ¦ portion a plurality of resilient engaging elements upstanding ' ~ ~ ~
1 therefrom, and on an opposite surface of a strap portion adjacent 2 thereto, a plurality of resilient mating engaging elements 3 upstanding therefrom. The invention further comprises a retain-4 ing strap which, in a preferred embodiment, is of sufficient length to provide convenient gripping thereof, and which is pref~
6 erably configured at an end portion to facili.tate gripping r thereof. The retaining strap is connected to the main strap 8 portion at one end portion and the o~her end portion of the main
18 ¦ Although one preferred em~odiment of the fastening de-19 ¦ vice of the invention utilizes a ring like member to transmit 20 ¦ retaining forces to a strap portion, another embodiment includes 21 ¦ a retaining strap connected to a main strap portion to provide 22 transmission of cinching forces thereto. This particular 23 embodiment is also in the form of a separable fastening device 24 comprising a cinch strap assembly adapted to encompass at least 2S on~ member in gripped relation and to provide simultaneous 26 cinching and fasteninq forces which substantially maximize the 27 grip while uniquely retaining the forces applied to the strap.
28 This fastener device comprises a cinch strap assembly which 29 includes a main flexible strap portion having on one surface 30 ¦ portion a plurality of resilient engaging elements upstanding ' ~ ~ ~
1 therefrom, and on an opposite surface of a strap portion adjacent 2 thereto, a plurality of resilient mating engaging elements 3 upstanding therefrom. The invention further comprises a retain-4 ing strap which, in a preferred embodiment, is of sufficient length to provide convenient gripping thereof, and which is pref~
6 erably configured at an end portion to facili.tate gripping r thereof. The retaining strap is connected to the main strap 8 portion at one end portion and the o~her end portion of the main
9 strap portion is free. The strap further comprises means to con-nect the retaining strap to the main strap portion. The connect-l ing mea~s in this embodiment defines an opening configured to 12 receive the opposite - or free end - portion of the main strap 13 when it is wrapped in encompassing relation with the member to be 14 gripped. The mating engaging elements on each mating surface portion of the main strap portion are so arranged that when the 16 strap is positioned about the member to be gripped, with the free 17 end portion extended through the opening of the connecting means, 18 at least retaining the retaining strap in a substantially fixed 19 position, while applying cinching forces to the free end portion of the main strap causes the strap to grip at least a portion of 21 the member while substantially simultaneously pressiny the sur-22 faces of resilient mating engaging elements in face-to-face rela-23 tion provides face-to-face engagement of these strap portions~
24 This mating engagement i5 relatively resistant to forces parallel to, or within the plane of engagement, but the surfaces are 26 readily separable by peeling forces normal to ~he interfacial 2 plane of engagement. This fastening capability retains the strap 2 portions in face-to-face relation to retain the gr-ip thereby 2 applied to the member.
~ Although the cinch fastener strap may be of a unitary 65~
1 ~ nstruction, preFerably it is constructed of VELC~O~ brand 2 separable fastener tape materials suitably secured to each other 3 to provide the desired arrangementO The separable fasteners to 4 which I refer have a base member, woven or knitted of a synthetic 5 heat deformable material such as nylon, and have resilient 6 engaging elements upstanding from the respective base member~
7 In the preferred embodimen~ the engaging elements are constr~cted 8 in the form o hook-like hooking elements which mate with loop-9 like hooking elements on the opposed engaging surface portions.
However, it should be understood tha~ any flexible engaging ele-11 ments, including mushroom-like elements, resilient projec~ions, 12 etc., which are readily securable in face-to-face relation, and 13 which particularly resist forces parallel to the interfacial 14 plane of engagement, are contemplated within the scope of the present invention, provided the fastener strap is flexible. Such 16 mushroom configured hooking elements as the type disclosed in 17 U.S. Patent Nos. 3,138,841 and 3,320,649, both to Naimer, and 18 U.S. Patent Nos. 3,718,725 and 3,770,359, both to Hamano are 19 contemplated. Further examples of knitted form fastener members contemplated within the scope of the present invention are dis-21 closed in U.S. Patent Nos. 3,530,687 and 3,539,436, both to 2 Hamano.
23 In a preerred embodiment the cinch fastener of the 2 invention is constructed particularly for use as a tourniquet to 2 constrict or control the flow of blood through the limb of a 2 human being. Although the main strap portion need not be elastic, 2 it has been found advantageous to construct such a tourniquet as 2 a cinch fastener having strap portions in which the base material 2 is constructed of a woven or knitted yarn and incorporates elas-3 tic filamentary yarns which provide elastic retention forces to 1~ 578 1 ¦constrict the flow o blood in the limb. The advantages of an el-¦a~tic stray are particularly apparent when combined with the unique 3 ¦cinching and fastening capabillty of the invention. Also, the 4 ¦"knitted base" embodiment is particularly useful for use as a blood 5 ¦flow control device, because the mechanical elasticity o the knit-¦ted base material provides sufficient elasti.c restraint to the 7 ¦cinch fastener strap. Further, when the kni.tted base material is 8 ~onstructed at least in part, of an elastic yarn material, the re-9 ~ultant elastic properties axhibited by the cinch fastener strap lO ~re due to both the inherent mechanical elasticity of the knitted ..
11 ~onstruction, as well as the basic elasticity of the elastic yarn 12 ~aterials, both of which render the strap stretchable and elastic.
13 ¦ Since in its preferred form the retaining means is in the 14 ~orm of a generally endless pull ring defining an opening there-15 ¦through, it has been found that in the adapation of the strap for 16 ~se as a tourniquet, a flat relatively short strap of plastic mat-17 ~rial may be connected to the end portion of the strap to which 18 he pull ring is connected to provide a barrier between the pull 19 ing and the skin of the limb which is being gripped by the XO ourniquet. .
21 Since in ano~her preferred form the retaining means is in 22 he form of a retaining strap connected to a generally endless ring 23 ike member, it has been found that in the adaptation of the strap 24 or use as a tourni~uet, the generally endless connecting ring pro-25 uces pinching orces on surface portions of the skin of the limb 26 hich are contiguous to the ring-like member when the strap is tigh 27 y gripped about the limb. Thus, in this embodiment of the inventi 28 t has also been found to be particularly advantageous to pro~ide a 29 elatively ghort strap portion connected to the main strap portion 30 he endl~ss ring connection. This short strap portion is configure 1 ¦and dimensioned to extend across the ring opening to provide a 2 ¦protective barrier for the skln.
3 ¦ The free end portion of the short strap is arcuately 4 ¦configured by olding it upon itsel and securing it -thereto 5 ¦preferably by ultrasonic welding. This arcuate eonfiguration is 6 ¦ provided to smooth excessive skin portions of the human limb as 7 ¦ the tourniquet is cinched thereabout thereby providing a signi~i-8 ¦ cant anti-pinch feature by accumulating the excessive skin forward 9 ¦ of the short strap and away from the ring-like member.
24 This mating engagement i5 relatively resistant to forces parallel to, or within the plane of engagement, but the surfaces are 26 readily separable by peeling forces normal to ~he interfacial 2 plane of engagement. This fastening capability retains the strap 2 portions in face-to-face relation to retain the gr-ip thereby 2 applied to the member.
~ Although the cinch fastener strap may be of a unitary 65~
1 ~ nstruction, preFerably it is constructed of VELC~O~ brand 2 separable fastener tape materials suitably secured to each other 3 to provide the desired arrangementO The separable fasteners to 4 which I refer have a base member, woven or knitted of a synthetic 5 heat deformable material such as nylon, and have resilient 6 engaging elements upstanding from the respective base member~
7 In the preferred embodimen~ the engaging elements are constr~cted 8 in the form o hook-like hooking elements which mate with loop-9 like hooking elements on the opposed engaging surface portions.
However, it should be understood tha~ any flexible engaging ele-11 ments, including mushroom-like elements, resilient projec~ions, 12 etc., which are readily securable in face-to-face relation, and 13 which particularly resist forces parallel to the interfacial 14 plane of engagement, are contemplated within the scope of the present invention, provided the fastener strap is flexible. Such 16 mushroom configured hooking elements as the type disclosed in 17 U.S. Patent Nos. 3,138,841 and 3,320,649, both to Naimer, and 18 U.S. Patent Nos. 3,718,725 and 3,770,359, both to Hamano are 19 contemplated. Further examples of knitted form fastener members contemplated within the scope of the present invention are dis-21 closed in U.S. Patent Nos. 3,530,687 and 3,539,436, both to 2 Hamano.
23 In a preerred embodiment the cinch fastener of the 2 invention is constructed particularly for use as a tourniquet to 2 constrict or control the flow of blood through the limb of a 2 human being. Although the main strap portion need not be elastic, 2 it has been found advantageous to construct such a tourniquet as 2 a cinch fastener having strap portions in which the base material 2 is constructed of a woven or knitted yarn and incorporates elas-3 tic filamentary yarns which provide elastic retention forces to 1~ 578 1 ¦constrict the flow o blood in the limb. The advantages of an el-¦a~tic stray are particularly apparent when combined with the unique 3 ¦cinching and fastening capabillty of the invention. Also, the 4 ¦"knitted base" embodiment is particularly useful for use as a blood 5 ¦flow control device, because the mechanical elasticity o the knit-¦ted base material provides sufficient elasti.c restraint to the 7 ¦cinch fastener strap. Further, when the kni.tted base material is 8 ~onstructed at least in part, of an elastic yarn material, the re-9 ~ultant elastic properties axhibited by the cinch fastener strap lO ~re due to both the inherent mechanical elasticity of the knitted ..
11 ~onstruction, as well as the basic elasticity of the elastic yarn 12 ~aterials, both of which render the strap stretchable and elastic.
13 ¦ Since in its preferred form the retaining means is in the 14 ~orm of a generally endless pull ring defining an opening there-15 ¦through, it has been found that in the adapation of the strap for 16 ~se as a tourniquet, a flat relatively short strap of plastic mat-17 ~rial may be connected to the end portion of the strap to which 18 he pull ring is connected to provide a barrier between the pull 19 ing and the skin of the limb which is being gripped by the XO ourniquet. .
21 Since in ano~her preferred form the retaining means is in 22 he form of a retaining strap connected to a generally endless ring 23 ike member, it has been found that in the adaptation of the strap 24 or use as a tourni~uet, the generally endless connecting ring pro-25 uces pinching orces on surface portions of the skin of the limb 26 hich are contiguous to the ring-like member when the strap is tigh 27 y gripped about the limb. Thus, in this embodiment of the inventi 28 t has also been found to be particularly advantageous to pro~ide a 29 elatively ghort strap portion connected to the main strap portion 30 he endl~ss ring connection. This short strap portion is configure 1 ¦and dimensioned to extend across the ring opening to provide a 2 ¦protective barrier for the skln.
3 ¦ The free end portion of the short strap is arcuately 4 ¦configured by olding it upon itsel and securing it -thereto 5 ¦preferably by ultrasonic welding. This arcuate eonfiguration is 6 ¦ provided to smooth excessive skin portions of the human limb as 7 ¦ the tourniquet is cinched thereabout thereby providing a signi~i-8 ¦ cant anti-pinch feature by accumulating the excessive skin forward 9 ¦ of the short strap and away from the ring-like member.
10 ¦ It will be seen further that in the tourniquet embodi-
11 ¦ ment of the inventionl although the hook and loop-type fastener
12 ¦ sections permit adjustability to the size of the strap, the
13 ¦ strap may also be provided in several sizes so as to accomodate
14 ¦ human limbs of various sizes and take into considerat.ion the size
15 ¦ variations between arms and legs and the individual body size
16 ¦ variations between patients
17 ¦ Further, it will be seen that although the preferred
18 embodiment of the invention relates to the provision of a blood
19 ¦ constriction device for parts of the human body such as arms,
20 ¦ legs, etc., in its broadest sense the inventive concept may be
21 ¦ utilized to secure any device to any member by connecting
22 a first strap portion configured as one end of the inventive
23 fastening device to a first part of the device to be secured
24 and a second strap portion configured as the other end of the inventive fastening device to another part of the device to be 26 secured. This arrangement will utilize the inventive fastening 27 embodiment herein in a similar manner as is utilized in the 28 ir~ventivç tourniquet. For example, preformed casts :Eor human 29 limbs and the like may be secured therearound with the inventive ~trap arrangement. Alternately, structural devices and the like 31 may be secured about any member quite readily by attaching the 32 strap portions disclosed herein to opposed end portions of the 3 member to be secured.
., 6571~1 ~
1 ¦ BRIEF DFSCRIPTION OF THE D~WINGS
2 ¦ Preferred embodiments of the in~ention are described 3 ¦ hereinbelow with re~erence to the drawings wherein:
4 ¦ Fig. 1 is a perspective view of ~he cinch fastener strap 5 ¦ assembly of the present invention;
¦ Fig. 2 is a side view of the cinch fastener strap assem-7 bly of Fig. 1 illustrating the preferred cinching technique ¦ utilized to tightly grip a member therewithin;
9 ¦ Fig. 3 is a side view of a human arm illustrat:ing the 10 ¦ use of the cinch fastener strap assembly as a tourniquet;
11 ¦ FigO 4 is an illustration of an alternate use of the 12 ¦ cinch fastener strap assembly to secure an oxygen tank to a 13 ¦ handcart;
14 ¦ Fig. 5 is a v.iew of an illustration of an application of 15 ¦ two cinch fastener strap assemblies of the invention to releasabl 16 ¦ secure a limb of a human being to an intraveneous (I.V~) board;
17 ¦ Fig. 6 is a view taken along lines 6-6 of Fig. 3;
1 Fig. 7 is a perspective view of an alternate preferred 19 embodiment of the cinch fastener strap of the invention;
2 Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the cinch 21 fastener strap of Fig. 7 illustrating the preferred cinching 2 technique utilized to tightly grip a member therewithin; and Z3 Fig. 9 is a perspective view illustrating another 24 alternate embodiment of the cinch fastener strap of the invention DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF T~E PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
26 Referring initially to Fig. 1 there is illustrated a 27 fastener 10 in the form of a cinch strap assembly. The strap 28 assembly is comprised of a main flexible strap section 12 which 29 has on a first section 18, a surface portion having a plurality of upstanding loop-type engaging elements 14, and on an opposite 65~ 3 1 surface portion of a section 20 adjacent the first section, matinc 2 hook-type engaging elements 16 upstanding therefrom and facing a 3 direction opposite the direction of elements 14. The main flex-4 ible strap section 12 may be entirely integrally constructed, or it may be sectioned and attached to a separate device to be 6 secured as will be described later in connection with Fig. 9. In 7 its preferred form, the strap is constructed of a first length of ~¦ VELCRO brand loop fastener tape 18 connected at 22 to a second 9 ¦ length of VELCR0~ brand hook fastener tape 20 such that the 10 ¦ loops 14 of the first tape section 18 and the hooks 16 of the 11 ¦ second tape section 20 face in opposite directions.
12 ¦ Since VELCR0 brand fastener tapes are generally con-13 ¦ structed of a synthetic material, such as nylon, which softens 14 ¦ under the action of heat or ultrasonic energy, it has been found 15 ¦ that these astener tapes are best assembled by ultrasonically 16 ¦ welding the sections together at 22 as shown in Fig. 1. However, 17 ¦ other known securing techniques such as sewing, gluing, etc., 18 ¦ are also contemplated.
19 ¦ A retaining strap 24 is secured to the main strap assem 20 ¦ bly at one end as shown in Fig. 1, by a generally endless metal-21 ¦ lic ring 26 - which is preferably of stainless steel. The ring 22 26 is secured to an end portion of the main strap by laying the 23 strap on a flat surface, placing the ring in position against the 24 hook surace over backwardly through the ring to form an arcuate loop-like end portion 28 and a short strap extension 35 as illus-26 trated in the drawings. The tape portions at 32A and 34A are 27 then ultrasonically welded together. Since the folded tape 28 portion includes hook surfaces which are folded in face-to-face 29 relation, the ultrasonic welding, or other securing technique will actually secure the surfaces of hooking elements together in 31 face-to-face relation at 32A and 34A.
, i~
1 In a similar manner the end portions of the retaining 2 strap ~9 are folded upon -themselves and ultrasonically welded ln 3 position at 37A and 38A, leaving end loops 36 and 39 as shown.
4 The free end portion of the main strap is also folded upon itself and secured as shown at 40A to form a loop-like gripping end 40 i 6 Fig. 1. Although cinching forces may be applied to retaining 7 strap 24, this strap is intended primarily to provide retaining 8 forces to one end of the main strap by gripping it and at least 9 holding it in a fixed position while cinching forces are applied to the main strap assembly 12.
11 Referring now to Fig. 2, the fastening device of Fig. 1 12 is placed in encircling relation about one member, or it may be 13 placed in encom~assing relation with two or more members (not 14 shown). The member may be cylindrical, or ik may have any cross sectional shape which is suitably encircled by the flexible strap 16 10, or it may have a uniform or varying cross section along its 17 length. It should be noted that the specific configuration or 18 relative flexibility or rigidity of the member to be gripped does 1~ not affect the gripping capability of the fastening device, since the cinch strap assembly is not only flexible and resilient, but 21 uniquely structured to facilitate the application of the cinch 2~ forces to members of any configuration or shape. It can be seen 23 further that the loop-like end portions 36 and 40, combined with 24 the arrangement of hook and loop tapes as shown, provide conven-ient gripping means which make it possible to apply the improved ~6 cinching forces about the member - whether it is flexible or 27 rigid - and to retain these cinching forces without loss of 28 tension forces in the strap.
29 Although in the preferred embodiments illustrated in the awings the retaining strap ,4 is illust~a~ed as s separabl ~ 7~3 l ~ ~astener tape, it should be understood that any strap may be used 2 ¦ as a retainer strap provided it is of sufficient strength to 31 withstand the forces applied. However, the use of a loop 4 ¦ fastener tape as shown in FigO 2 has the advantage in that it 5 ¦ may be stored by securing it to section 18 of the main strap 6 ¦ portion 12 after cinching by pressing it against hook tape 25 7 ¦ which is secured to the xeverse side base member of the tape 8 ¦ section 18 as shown.
9 ¦ In Fig. 3, the fastener strap assembly 10 of Figs. l and 10 ¦ 2 is illustrated for use as a tourniquet to constrict or control 11 ¦ the blood flow through a human arm by encircling the portion of 12 ¦ the arm as shown. For the purposes of illustration, the tourniqu~
13 ¦ is shown with the ring 26 positioned adjacent the side of the 14 ¦ limb muscle~ However, in practice, -the ring is generally 15 ¦ positioned at the forward portion of the limb - i.eO 90 from 16 ¦ the position shown - so as to provide contacting relation between 17 ¦ the strap portions and the side and lower portions of the limb.
18 ¦ The free end portion 40 of the main strap i.s then thxeaded throug~
l9 ¦ the endless ring 26. One end portion of the main strap is 20 ¦ maintained in fixed position by gripping and retaining strap 24 21 ¦ while cinching forces are applied to the main strap assembly by 22 ¦ gripping and orcing end portion 40 in the direction illustrated 23 ¦ by arrow "A" in Fig. 2. Strap 24 is gripped and retained by 24 ¦ gripping arcuate end portion 36. Strap 24 may either be ~eld in a fixed position to merely oppose the forces on end portion 40 of 26 the main strap 12, or alternately, cinching forces may be applied 27 ~o retaining strap 24 along the general direction illustrated by 28 arrow "B". By simultaneously placing the engaging elements of Z9 the VELCRO brand fastener members in face-to~face relation while applying the requisite cinching forces to the gripping ends .. . .
~.~ ~ 7B ~
1 ~ 36 and 40 respectively, the grip created by the fastener about ~¦ the arm is progressively and simultaneously applied and maintained 31 by a single fastening action~ The simultaneous pressing and 4 ¦ cinching technique is particularly made possible by the relative ~ ¦ resilient flexibility of the engaging elemerlts upstanding from 6 ¦ opposed surfaces wherein in practice, portions of the hook element s 7 ¦ of one surface are resiliently flexed while the loop elements of 8 ¦ the other surface are pressed thereagainst while simultaneously 9 ¦ being shifted longitudinally thereacross by the cinching forces.
10 ¦ Therefore, it will be seen that prior to achieving full surface-11 ¦ to~surface engagement of the faskening surface of the members, son e 12 ¦ relative shifting and rubbing of the mating surfaces may take 13 ¦ place as a result of the cinching forcas along the interfacial 14 ¦ plane therebetween while they are substantially in face-to-face 15 ¦ relation and some hooking elements may actually be r~siliently 1~ ¦ forced past each other. Howevex, once the fastener materials 17 ¦ are fully engaged they will be separable by peeling forces 18 ¦ normal to the interfacial plane of engagement but will resist 19 forces in a plane substantially parallel to the interfacial plane of engagement.
21 Referring once again to Fig. 3, when the fastener is 22 used as a tourniquet, the relatively short starp portion 35 23 functions as a unique anti-pinch device by protectiny the skin 24 of the human limb from being "pinched" upwardly into the opening of the ring 26 as the main strap 18 is tightened about the limb.
26 Short strap 35 blocks the openiny of the ring 26 and provides a 27 protective barrier between the skin of the arm and the ring 26.
28 In addition to providing a physical barrier between the 29 opening of ring 26 and the adjacent skin portior. of the limb, the short strap 35 is arcuately configured at its free end portion to - ~
1 ~ form a looped end 2~ which smooths over excessive skin portions 2 ¦ as the main strap 18 is tightened about the limb. Thus, referr.in 3 ¦ to Fig. 6, when the main strap 18 is tightened, the short strap 3 is in contiguous relation with the skin and as the strap section 12 moves in the direction of arrow "A", the loop-like end portion 6 28 of the short strap 35 smooths the excess skin and causes an 7 accumulation 37 thereof immediately forward of the loop-end 28.
81 While this accumulation of skin will somewhat approach a "pinch"
91 condition, it nevertheless is preferred to the pinched skin con-10 ¦ dition which would otherwise occur without the short strap 28.
11¦ Thus, the strap ~8 may be appropriately referred to as an "anti-12¦ pinch skin roll protector".
13 ¦ In practice, when the inventive strap is adapted for use 14 ¦ as a tourniquet, it has been Eound advantageous to merely grip 15 ¦ and retain retaining strap 24 in a stable fixed position - or to 16 ¦ apply forces primarily in a direction away from the limb surface 17 ¦ while applying cinching forces only to the end portion 40 of the 18 ¦ ma.in strap 12. This procedure lifts the endless ring member 26 19 ¦ away from the skin and minimizes discomfort to the patient, while 20 ¦ permitting the accumulation, or "rolling" of excessive skin por-21 ¦ tions by the looped end as previously described. Alternatively, 22 ¦ cinching forces may be applied to the retaining strap 24, in addi 23 ¦ tion to the lifting forces directed away from the limb with the 24 resultant force vector being in the direction illustrated by arrow "B" in F.ig. 2.
26 Fig. 4 illustrates the use of the cinch strap to secure 27 an oxygen tank 42 to a handcart 44. It will be seen that to 2~ secure rigid members of varying dimensions and uneven shapes 29 together it was generally di.fficult with prior art straps to provide sufficient cinching forces substantially simultaneously 1 ¦ with fastening forces to achieve the precise degree o strap 21 tension required without any loss of the gr.ip. This was 31 particularly the case when rigid members were strapped together 4 ¦ because of the absence of resilience or flexibility in the 5 ¦ members. Also, with prior art locking devices such as buckles, 6 ¦ clasps, etc., precise fastening was not possible. The present r ¦ cinch stxap assembly makes it possible to apply and retain such 8 ¦ cinching forces and this advantage is considered as a significant 9 ¦ feature of the present invention.
10 ¦ Referring now to Fig. 5, two straps 10 constructed in 11 ¦ accordance with the invention are used to secure an intraveneous 12 ¦ (I.V.) board to the arm of a patient. It can be seen in Fig. 5 13 ¦ that the cinch straps 10 are capable of firmly securing the arm 14 ¦ of a patient to the I.V. board as shown. Thus it is apparent 15 ¦ that whether the members are two rigid members as in Fig. 4, 16 ¦ or one rigid member and one relatively non rigid member (as in 17 ¦ Fig. 5), the cinch stxap of th~ invention is capable of applying 18 ¦ and securing the fastening forces, precisely as may be required 19 ¦ in a given arrangement.
20 ¦ Fig. 7 illustrates an alternate preferred embodiment 21 ¦ of the invention which avoids the use of the re~taining strap 22 ¦ of the previous embodiments. A cinch fastener strap 50 is 23 ¦ comprised of a first VELCR0 brand hook fastener tape 52 connect-24 ed by an ultrasoni.c welded portion 54 to a second length of VELCR0 bxand loop fastener tape 56. The free end portion of the 26 loop fastener tape 56 is folded upon itself and ultrasonically 27 welded thereto at 58 to form a convenient gripping member 60~
2 A pull ring 62 - which is preferably split at 64 to receive the 2 tape section 56 - is secured to the other end portion of the 3 hook tape section 52 and maintained in position within a portion ~ 3 ~1¦ of the tape section which is folded through the ring, looped 2¦ upon itself, and ultrasonically welded at 70 to form an attach 31 ment 68. The portion of the tape section 52 which is looped 41 upon itself is secured by an ultrasonically welded portion 70 51 seen clearly in Fig. 8.
~¦ Referring further to Fig. 8, a protective barrier 7 ¦ member 72 in the form of a relatlvely shorter sheet of plastic 8 ¦ material such as polyethylene, polypropylene, nylon and the like, ~ ¦ is attached to the end portion,of the tape section S2'at the 10¦ ring connection end and provides protection for the skin surace 11 ¦ of a human limb when the fastener strap is utilized as a tournique 12 ¦ and cinched therearound. Fig. 8 clearly shows the preferred ,, 13 ¦ application of the requisite cinch fast~ner orces to the cinch 14 ¦ fastener member, which forces may conveniently be applied by lB¦ gripping the ring member 62 with the thumb or forefinger and by 16¦ pulling in the direction of arrow C while simultaneously gripping 17 ¦ and pulling tape section 56 in the direction of arrow D. Thus, 18 ¦ the retaining - or pull-ring 62 provides a convenient retaining 19 ¦ means for the cinch fastener strap of the invention.
20 ~ Fig. 9 illustrates an alternate use of the invention.
21 ¦ As can be seen in the drawing, one end portion of the inventive 22 ¦ cinch fastener strap may be attached to a device which is to be 23 ¦ secured and the other inventive end portion may be attached to 24 ¦ another section of the device ~o be secured. For example, Fiy.
., 6571~1 ~
1 ¦ BRIEF DFSCRIPTION OF THE D~WINGS
2 ¦ Preferred embodiments of the in~ention are described 3 ¦ hereinbelow with re~erence to the drawings wherein:
4 ¦ Fig. 1 is a perspective view of ~he cinch fastener strap 5 ¦ assembly of the present invention;
¦ Fig. 2 is a side view of the cinch fastener strap assem-7 bly of Fig. 1 illustrating the preferred cinching technique ¦ utilized to tightly grip a member therewithin;
9 ¦ Fig. 3 is a side view of a human arm illustrat:ing the 10 ¦ use of the cinch fastener strap assembly as a tourniquet;
11 ¦ FigO 4 is an illustration of an alternate use of the 12 ¦ cinch fastener strap assembly to secure an oxygen tank to a 13 ¦ handcart;
14 ¦ Fig. 5 is a v.iew of an illustration of an application of 15 ¦ two cinch fastener strap assemblies of the invention to releasabl 16 ¦ secure a limb of a human being to an intraveneous (I.V~) board;
17 ¦ Fig. 6 is a view taken along lines 6-6 of Fig. 3;
1 Fig. 7 is a perspective view of an alternate preferred 19 embodiment of the cinch fastener strap of the invention;
2 Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the cinch 21 fastener strap of Fig. 7 illustrating the preferred cinching 2 technique utilized to tightly grip a member therewithin; and Z3 Fig. 9 is a perspective view illustrating another 24 alternate embodiment of the cinch fastener strap of the invention DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF T~E PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
26 Referring initially to Fig. 1 there is illustrated a 27 fastener 10 in the form of a cinch strap assembly. The strap 28 assembly is comprised of a main flexible strap section 12 which 29 has on a first section 18, a surface portion having a plurality of upstanding loop-type engaging elements 14, and on an opposite 65~ 3 1 surface portion of a section 20 adjacent the first section, matinc 2 hook-type engaging elements 16 upstanding therefrom and facing a 3 direction opposite the direction of elements 14. The main flex-4 ible strap section 12 may be entirely integrally constructed, or it may be sectioned and attached to a separate device to be 6 secured as will be described later in connection with Fig. 9. In 7 its preferred form, the strap is constructed of a first length of ~¦ VELCRO brand loop fastener tape 18 connected at 22 to a second 9 ¦ length of VELCR0~ brand hook fastener tape 20 such that the 10 ¦ loops 14 of the first tape section 18 and the hooks 16 of the 11 ¦ second tape section 20 face in opposite directions.
12 ¦ Since VELCR0 brand fastener tapes are generally con-13 ¦ structed of a synthetic material, such as nylon, which softens 14 ¦ under the action of heat or ultrasonic energy, it has been found 15 ¦ that these astener tapes are best assembled by ultrasonically 16 ¦ welding the sections together at 22 as shown in Fig. 1. However, 17 ¦ other known securing techniques such as sewing, gluing, etc., 18 ¦ are also contemplated.
19 ¦ A retaining strap 24 is secured to the main strap assem 20 ¦ bly at one end as shown in Fig. 1, by a generally endless metal-21 ¦ lic ring 26 - which is preferably of stainless steel. The ring 22 26 is secured to an end portion of the main strap by laying the 23 strap on a flat surface, placing the ring in position against the 24 hook surace over backwardly through the ring to form an arcuate loop-like end portion 28 and a short strap extension 35 as illus-26 trated in the drawings. The tape portions at 32A and 34A are 27 then ultrasonically welded together. Since the folded tape 28 portion includes hook surfaces which are folded in face-to-face 29 relation, the ultrasonic welding, or other securing technique will actually secure the surfaces of hooking elements together in 31 face-to-face relation at 32A and 34A.
, i~
1 In a similar manner the end portions of the retaining 2 strap ~9 are folded upon -themselves and ultrasonically welded ln 3 position at 37A and 38A, leaving end loops 36 and 39 as shown.
4 The free end portion of the main strap is also folded upon itself and secured as shown at 40A to form a loop-like gripping end 40 i 6 Fig. 1. Although cinching forces may be applied to retaining 7 strap 24, this strap is intended primarily to provide retaining 8 forces to one end of the main strap by gripping it and at least 9 holding it in a fixed position while cinching forces are applied to the main strap assembly 12.
11 Referring now to Fig. 2, the fastening device of Fig. 1 12 is placed in encircling relation about one member, or it may be 13 placed in encom~assing relation with two or more members (not 14 shown). The member may be cylindrical, or ik may have any cross sectional shape which is suitably encircled by the flexible strap 16 10, or it may have a uniform or varying cross section along its 17 length. It should be noted that the specific configuration or 18 relative flexibility or rigidity of the member to be gripped does 1~ not affect the gripping capability of the fastening device, since the cinch strap assembly is not only flexible and resilient, but 21 uniquely structured to facilitate the application of the cinch 2~ forces to members of any configuration or shape. It can be seen 23 further that the loop-like end portions 36 and 40, combined with 24 the arrangement of hook and loop tapes as shown, provide conven-ient gripping means which make it possible to apply the improved ~6 cinching forces about the member - whether it is flexible or 27 rigid - and to retain these cinching forces without loss of 28 tension forces in the strap.
29 Although in the preferred embodiments illustrated in the awings the retaining strap ,4 is illust~a~ed as s separabl ~ 7~3 l ~ ~astener tape, it should be understood that any strap may be used 2 ¦ as a retainer strap provided it is of sufficient strength to 31 withstand the forces applied. However, the use of a loop 4 ¦ fastener tape as shown in FigO 2 has the advantage in that it 5 ¦ may be stored by securing it to section 18 of the main strap 6 ¦ portion 12 after cinching by pressing it against hook tape 25 7 ¦ which is secured to the xeverse side base member of the tape 8 ¦ section 18 as shown.
9 ¦ In Fig. 3, the fastener strap assembly 10 of Figs. l and 10 ¦ 2 is illustrated for use as a tourniquet to constrict or control 11 ¦ the blood flow through a human arm by encircling the portion of 12 ¦ the arm as shown. For the purposes of illustration, the tourniqu~
13 ¦ is shown with the ring 26 positioned adjacent the side of the 14 ¦ limb muscle~ However, in practice, -the ring is generally 15 ¦ positioned at the forward portion of the limb - i.eO 90 from 16 ¦ the position shown - so as to provide contacting relation between 17 ¦ the strap portions and the side and lower portions of the limb.
18 ¦ The free end portion 40 of the main strap i.s then thxeaded throug~
l9 ¦ the endless ring 26. One end portion of the main strap is 20 ¦ maintained in fixed position by gripping and retaining strap 24 21 ¦ while cinching forces are applied to the main strap assembly by 22 ¦ gripping and orcing end portion 40 in the direction illustrated 23 ¦ by arrow "A" in Fig. 2. Strap 24 is gripped and retained by 24 ¦ gripping arcuate end portion 36. Strap 24 may either be ~eld in a fixed position to merely oppose the forces on end portion 40 of 26 the main strap 12, or alternately, cinching forces may be applied 27 ~o retaining strap 24 along the general direction illustrated by 28 arrow "B". By simultaneously placing the engaging elements of Z9 the VELCRO brand fastener members in face-to~face relation while applying the requisite cinching forces to the gripping ends .. . .
~.~ ~ 7B ~
1 ~ 36 and 40 respectively, the grip created by the fastener about ~¦ the arm is progressively and simultaneously applied and maintained 31 by a single fastening action~ The simultaneous pressing and 4 ¦ cinching technique is particularly made possible by the relative ~ ¦ resilient flexibility of the engaging elemerlts upstanding from 6 ¦ opposed surfaces wherein in practice, portions of the hook element s 7 ¦ of one surface are resiliently flexed while the loop elements of 8 ¦ the other surface are pressed thereagainst while simultaneously 9 ¦ being shifted longitudinally thereacross by the cinching forces.
10 ¦ Therefore, it will be seen that prior to achieving full surface-11 ¦ to~surface engagement of the faskening surface of the members, son e 12 ¦ relative shifting and rubbing of the mating surfaces may take 13 ¦ place as a result of the cinching forcas along the interfacial 14 ¦ plane therebetween while they are substantially in face-to-face 15 ¦ relation and some hooking elements may actually be r~siliently 1~ ¦ forced past each other. Howevex, once the fastener materials 17 ¦ are fully engaged they will be separable by peeling forces 18 ¦ normal to the interfacial plane of engagement but will resist 19 forces in a plane substantially parallel to the interfacial plane of engagement.
21 Referring once again to Fig. 3, when the fastener is 22 used as a tourniquet, the relatively short starp portion 35 23 functions as a unique anti-pinch device by protectiny the skin 24 of the human limb from being "pinched" upwardly into the opening of the ring 26 as the main strap 18 is tightened about the limb.
26 Short strap 35 blocks the openiny of the ring 26 and provides a 27 protective barrier between the skin of the arm and the ring 26.
28 In addition to providing a physical barrier between the 29 opening of ring 26 and the adjacent skin portior. of the limb, the short strap 35 is arcuately configured at its free end portion to - ~
1 ~ form a looped end 2~ which smooths over excessive skin portions 2 ¦ as the main strap 18 is tightened about the limb. Thus, referr.in 3 ¦ to Fig. 6, when the main strap 18 is tightened, the short strap 3 is in contiguous relation with the skin and as the strap section 12 moves in the direction of arrow "A", the loop-like end portion 6 28 of the short strap 35 smooths the excess skin and causes an 7 accumulation 37 thereof immediately forward of the loop-end 28.
81 While this accumulation of skin will somewhat approach a "pinch"
91 condition, it nevertheless is preferred to the pinched skin con-10 ¦ dition which would otherwise occur without the short strap 28.
11¦ Thus, the strap ~8 may be appropriately referred to as an "anti-12¦ pinch skin roll protector".
13 ¦ In practice, when the inventive strap is adapted for use 14 ¦ as a tourniquet, it has been Eound advantageous to merely grip 15 ¦ and retain retaining strap 24 in a stable fixed position - or to 16 ¦ apply forces primarily in a direction away from the limb surface 17 ¦ while applying cinching forces only to the end portion 40 of the 18 ¦ ma.in strap 12. This procedure lifts the endless ring member 26 19 ¦ away from the skin and minimizes discomfort to the patient, while 20 ¦ permitting the accumulation, or "rolling" of excessive skin por-21 ¦ tions by the looped end as previously described. Alternatively, 22 ¦ cinching forces may be applied to the retaining strap 24, in addi 23 ¦ tion to the lifting forces directed away from the limb with the 24 resultant force vector being in the direction illustrated by arrow "B" in F.ig. 2.
26 Fig. 4 illustrates the use of the cinch strap to secure 27 an oxygen tank 42 to a handcart 44. It will be seen that to 2~ secure rigid members of varying dimensions and uneven shapes 29 together it was generally di.fficult with prior art straps to provide sufficient cinching forces substantially simultaneously 1 ¦ with fastening forces to achieve the precise degree o strap 21 tension required without any loss of the gr.ip. This was 31 particularly the case when rigid members were strapped together 4 ¦ because of the absence of resilience or flexibility in the 5 ¦ members. Also, with prior art locking devices such as buckles, 6 ¦ clasps, etc., precise fastening was not possible. The present r ¦ cinch stxap assembly makes it possible to apply and retain such 8 ¦ cinching forces and this advantage is considered as a significant 9 ¦ feature of the present invention.
10 ¦ Referring now to Fig. 5, two straps 10 constructed in 11 ¦ accordance with the invention are used to secure an intraveneous 12 ¦ (I.V.) board to the arm of a patient. It can be seen in Fig. 5 13 ¦ that the cinch straps 10 are capable of firmly securing the arm 14 ¦ of a patient to the I.V. board as shown. Thus it is apparent 15 ¦ that whether the members are two rigid members as in Fig. 4, 16 ¦ or one rigid member and one relatively non rigid member (as in 17 ¦ Fig. 5), the cinch stxap of th~ invention is capable of applying 18 ¦ and securing the fastening forces, precisely as may be required 19 ¦ in a given arrangement.
20 ¦ Fig. 7 illustrates an alternate preferred embodiment 21 ¦ of the invention which avoids the use of the re~taining strap 22 ¦ of the previous embodiments. A cinch fastener strap 50 is 23 ¦ comprised of a first VELCR0 brand hook fastener tape 52 connect-24 ed by an ultrasoni.c welded portion 54 to a second length of VELCR0 bxand loop fastener tape 56. The free end portion of the 26 loop fastener tape 56 is folded upon itself and ultrasonically 27 welded thereto at 58 to form a convenient gripping member 60~
2 A pull ring 62 - which is preferably split at 64 to receive the 2 tape section 56 - is secured to the other end portion of the 3 hook tape section 52 and maintained in position within a portion ~ 3 ~1¦ of the tape section which is folded through the ring, looped 2¦ upon itself, and ultrasonically welded at 70 to form an attach 31 ment 68. The portion of the tape section 52 which is looped 41 upon itself is secured by an ultrasonically welded portion 70 51 seen clearly in Fig. 8.
~¦ Referring further to Fig. 8, a protective barrier 7 ¦ member 72 in the form of a relatlvely shorter sheet of plastic 8 ¦ material such as polyethylene, polypropylene, nylon and the like, ~ ¦ is attached to the end portion,of the tape section S2'at the 10¦ ring connection end and provides protection for the skin surace 11 ¦ of a human limb when the fastener strap is utilized as a tournique 12 ¦ and cinched therearound. Fig. 8 clearly shows the preferred ,, 13 ¦ application of the requisite cinch fast~ner orces to the cinch 14 ¦ fastener member, which forces may conveniently be applied by lB¦ gripping the ring member 62 with the thumb or forefinger and by 16¦ pulling in the direction of arrow C while simultaneously gripping 17 ¦ and pulling tape section 56 in the direction of arrow D. Thus, 18 ¦ the retaining - or pull-ring 62 provides a convenient retaining 19 ¦ means for the cinch fastener strap of the invention.
20 ~ Fig. 9 illustrates an alternate use of the invention.
21 ¦ As can be seen in the drawing, one end portion of the inventive 22 ¦ cinch fastener strap may be attached to a device which is to be 23 ¦ secured and the other inventive end portion may be attached to 24 ¦ another section of the device ~o be secured. For example, Fiy.
25 ¦ 9 illustrates the use of the separable cinch astener to secure
26 a preformed cast 74 about a human limb such as leg 76. The
27 separable cinch fastener 76 is comprised of hook fastener tape
28 SeCtiQn 78 attached to one end portion of the cast 74 and pull
29 ring 62 attached to the hook fastener section in the same manner as illustrated in the embodiment of Fig. 7. A sheet o plastic ~.~n~
1 material 64 provides a barrier between the pull ring 62 and the 2 cast 74 and a section of VELCR0 brand loop fastener tape 80 3 is attached to the other end portion of the cast. The fastener is cinched by forces directed along arrows C and D as described 5 previously. Similarly, any number of fasteners identical to 6 astener 76 may be provided as is illustrated in Fig. 9 by the 7 fastener 82.
8 Referring once again generally to the embodiments illus-9 trated in the drawlngs, the cinch fastener may also be constructed of VELCR0 brand hook and loop-type fastener straps in which the 11 straps exhibit elastic properties in at least one direction.
12 Such a fastener material will be provided with elastic material 13 such as natural or synthetic rubber or rubber base yarn, generally 14 in the warp direction so as to provide elastic.ity at least along the lenyth of the fastener tape. When the cinch fastener is 16 constructed of separable fastener tape members which are elastic 17 at least in the longitudinal direction, its use and function as 18 a tourniquet is particularly enhanced. The unique cinching 19 technique illustrated in Fig. 2, combined with the stretchability of the fastener material in the direction of the arrows "A" and 21 "B" provide residual restraining forces which act to return the 22 material to its original dimension prior to being elongated by 23 the cinching forces. Therefore it can be seen that the cinchi.ng 2 forces provided by this embodiment are useful, particularly 2 because of the resilien~ elongation of the cinch fastener.
2 In addition to the embodiments and applications illus-2 trated, the inventive fastener may be utilized in numerous other 2 applications, particularly due to its particular single action 2 fastening abilit~;. For example, the fastener is suitable for use 3 for stretchers, gas masks, hospital beds, shoes for the ~ 6~3 1 handicapped, wheelchairs, traction straps, splints, spine board 2 straps~ EKG straps, arm slings, wrist and ankle restraints and 3 rib supports, etc. While straps of other types may be used or 4 the above applications, it has been found that the unique single action cinching fastening of the present invention makes it 6 possible to achieve the required fastening with unusual speed 7 while providing fastening capability previously unattainable, 8 notwithstanding the relative 1exibility, resilience, rigidity, 9 softness or hardness of the members to be secured. Further, as can be seen from the foregoing, the securing is accomplished in 11 an impro~ed manner notwithstanding the fact that the members to 12 be secured have irregular nonconforming configurations.
13 The cinch fastener strap substantially reduces the time ~:
14 required to grip the member or members and, in particular, it can be seen that this time factor. may be extremely significant ~:
16 in terms of lie or death of a patient when the fastener is 17 utiliæed as a tourniquet.
1~ . '. '"' lg . . ~
23 .
~5 2 .
2 . .
~ -20-
1 material 64 provides a barrier between the pull ring 62 and the 2 cast 74 and a section of VELCR0 brand loop fastener tape 80 3 is attached to the other end portion of the cast. The fastener is cinched by forces directed along arrows C and D as described 5 previously. Similarly, any number of fasteners identical to 6 astener 76 may be provided as is illustrated in Fig. 9 by the 7 fastener 82.
8 Referring once again generally to the embodiments illus-9 trated in the drawlngs, the cinch fastener may also be constructed of VELCR0 brand hook and loop-type fastener straps in which the 11 straps exhibit elastic properties in at least one direction.
12 Such a fastener material will be provided with elastic material 13 such as natural or synthetic rubber or rubber base yarn, generally 14 in the warp direction so as to provide elastic.ity at least along the lenyth of the fastener tape. When the cinch fastener is 16 constructed of separable fastener tape members which are elastic 17 at least in the longitudinal direction, its use and function as 18 a tourniquet is particularly enhanced. The unique cinching 19 technique illustrated in Fig. 2, combined with the stretchability of the fastener material in the direction of the arrows "A" and 21 "B" provide residual restraining forces which act to return the 22 material to its original dimension prior to being elongated by 23 the cinching forces. Therefore it can be seen that the cinchi.ng 2 forces provided by this embodiment are useful, particularly 2 because of the resilien~ elongation of the cinch fastener.
2 In addition to the embodiments and applications illus-2 trated, the inventive fastener may be utilized in numerous other 2 applications, particularly due to its particular single action 2 fastening abilit~;. For example, the fastener is suitable for use 3 for stretchers, gas masks, hospital beds, shoes for the ~ 6~3 1 handicapped, wheelchairs, traction straps, splints, spine board 2 straps~ EKG straps, arm slings, wrist and ankle restraints and 3 rib supports, etc. While straps of other types may be used or 4 the above applications, it has been found that the unique single action cinching fastening of the present invention makes it 6 possible to achieve the required fastening with unusual speed 7 while providing fastening capability previously unattainable, 8 notwithstanding the relative 1exibility, resilience, rigidity, 9 softness or hardness of the members to be secured. Further, as can be seen from the foregoing, the securing is accomplished in 11 an impro~ed manner notwithstanding the fact that the members to 12 be secured have irregular nonconforming configurations.
13 The cinch fastener strap substantially reduces the time ~:
14 required to grip the member or members and, in particular, it can be seen that this time factor. may be extremely significant ~:
16 in terms of lie or death of a patient when the fastener is 17 utiliæed as a tourniquet.
1~ . '. '"' lg . . ~
23 .
~5 2 .
2 . .
~ -20-
Claims (28)
1. A separable fastening device adapted to encompass a member in gripped relation which comprises a cinch strap including a main flexible strap portion having on one surface of a first strap section a plurality of resilient engaging elements upstanding therefrom, and on an opposite surface of a second strap section adjacent to the first strap section a plurality of mating engaging elements upstanding therefrom such that the engaging elements of each of said surfaces of said strap sections face in opposite directions, relatively rigid connecting means connected to the main strap portion at one end portion thereof, the other end portion of said main strap portion being free, said connecting means including an opening configured to receive the free end portion of the main strap portion, a retaining strap connected to said connecting means and adapted to be gripped by hand, a barrier member connected to the first end portion of said main strap portion and dimensioned to extend across at least a portion of said opening, the adjacent oppositely directed engaging elements of said strap sections being positioned relative to each other such that when the main strap portion is positioned about the member with the free end portion extending through the opening of said connecting means and the engaging elements of the opposed surfaces are placed in face-to-face relation, retaining said connecting means in a substantially fixed position while applying cinching forces to the free end portion of said main strap portion will cause the cinch strap to grip the member, and substantially simultaneously pressing the surface of mating engaging elements of the opposed surfaces together will provide progressively increasing face-to-face engagement of the strap portions to retain the grip thereby applied by said main strap portion, said barrier member providing a separative layer between the opening of said connecting means and the gripped member.
2. The separable fastening device according to Claim 1 wherein said main flexible strap portion comprises at least one of a woven and knitted base material and said engaging elements comprise resilient hook and loop-type engaging elements.
3. The separable fastening device according to Claim 2 wherein said base material comprises at least one of a woven and knitted nylon material.
4. The separable fastening device according to Claim 3 wherein said resilient engaging elements are in the form of resilient hook-type hooking elements upstanding from one surface of the main strap portion and the mating engaging elements are in the form of resilient loop-type hooking elements upstanding from the opposite surface of said main strap portion.
5. The separable fastening device according to Claim 4 wherein said first strap section has hook-type hooking elements upstanding from said one surface and said second section has upstanding loop-type hooking elements which mate with the hook-type hooking elements of the first section.
6. The separable fastening device according to Claim 5 wherein said connecting means comprises a ring-like member.
7. The separable fastening device according to Claim 6 wherein said retaining strap is in the form of at least one of hook and loop-type fastening tape having one end connected to said ring-like member and having its free end portion folded upon itself and secured thereto to provide means to grip the retaining strap while applying cinching forces at least to the main strap portion.
8. The separable fastening device according to Claim 1 wherein portions of said strap sections are positioned in over-lapping relation.
9. The separable fastening device according to Claim 8 wherein said strap sections are connected together by an ultrasonic welded portion.
10. The separable fastening device according to Claim 2 wherein at least said main strap portion includes yarns of an elastic material and the warp yarns extend generally along the length of the main strap portion to provide elastic properties to said strap portion in a longitudinal direction such that encompassing the member with said cinch strap and applying and maintaining cinching forces thereto, causes at least the main strap portion to become elongated from its rest condition and provides elastic restraining gripping forces about said member.
11. The separable fastening device according to Claim 1 wherein said connecting means comprises a generally endless member, and said barrier member comprises a strap portion shorter than said main strap portion connected to said generally endless member, said short strap portion being of sufficient length to extend across at least a major portion of said opening of said generally endless member to provide a barrier between the generally endless member and the member to be gripped when the cinch strap is positioned in gripped encompassing relation therewith.
12. The separable fastening device according to Claim 11 wherein the free end portion of the main strap portion further comprises means to grip said main strap portion and the generally endless member is in the form of a ring-like member.
13. The separable fastening device according to Claim 12 wherein said means to grip said main strap portion to apply cinching forces comprises the free end portion of the main strap portion being folded upon itself and secured to itself.
14. The separable fastening device according to Claim 13 wherein said retaining strap has a substantially arcuate configuration at its free end portion to facilitate gripping.
15. The separable fastening device according to Claim 14 wherein said retaining strap is in the form of at least one of a hook and loop-type fastening tape having its free end portion folded upon itself and secured thereto to provide means to grip the retaining strap while applying cinching forces at least to the main strap portion.
16. The separable fastening device according to Claim 15 wherein said strap portion sections of said main strap portion are positioned in overlapping relation and connected by ultra-sonically welded strap portions.
17. The separable fastening device according to Claim 16 wherein at least said main strap portion includes yarns of an elastic material and the warp yarns extend generally along the length of the main strap portion to provide elastic properties to said strap portion in a longitudinal direction such that encompassing the member with said cinch strap and applying and maintaining cinching forces thereto, causes at least the main strap portion to become elongated from its rest condition and provides elastic restraining gripping forces about said member.
18. The separable fastening device according to Claim 17 adapted for use as a torniquet to tightly grip a human limb in encircling relation to stop or control the flow of blood therethrough, wherein said relatively short strap portion has a free end portion having an arcuate cross-sectional configuration and is positioned and configured to extend across the opening of said ring-like member to provide a barrier between the skin of the limb and the opening defined by the ring-like member, such that when cinching forces are applied at least to the free end portion of said main strap portion, the arcuate end portion of the relatively short strap portion slidably engages skin portions of the limb beneath the ring-like member and clusters excessive portions thereof adjacent the arcuate free end portion to thereby avoid pinching of the skin caused by excess skin portions which would otherwise be forced through the ring opening as gripping forces are applied to the limb.
19. An adjustable cinch strap assembly adapted to be tightly gripped about at least one member which comprises a main flexible strap portion having a first hook and loop-type fastener tape section, a surface portion of said first tape section having a plurality of flexible resilient engaging elements upstanding therefrom, a second hook and loop-type fastener tape section secured in adjacent relation to the first tape section and having a surface portion of a plurality of mating flexible resilient engaging elements upstanding therefrom such that said mating engaging elements of the second tape section face in a direction opposite to the direction of the engaging elements of the first tape section, relatively rigid connecting means connected to a first end portion of the main strap portion, the second end portion of said main strap portion being free, said connecting means defining an opening configured to receive the free end portion of the main strap portion, a retaining strap connected to said connecting means and adapted to be gripped by hand, a barrier member connected to said main strap portion adjacent said connecting means and dimensioned to extend across at least a portion of said opening of said connecting means, said oppositely directed engaging elements being so arranged that with said main strap portion positioned about the member with the free end portion extending through the opening defined by said connecting means, and with the engaging elements of the opposed strap portions placed in face-to-face relation and at least securely gripping said retaining strap, the application of cinching forces at least to the free end portion of said main strap portion produces encompassing gripping forces which tighten the main strap portion about at least a portion of the member, and simultaneously pressing together the mating opposed surfaces of flexible resilient engaging elements causes simultaneously increasing face-to-face engagement thereof to retain the gripping forces about said member thereby applied due to the resistance to separation by said surfaces by forces parallel to the interfacial plane of engagement, and said barrier member provides a separative layer between the opening of said relatively rigid connecting means and the gripped member.
20. An adjustable cinch strap assembly adapted to be tightly gripped about a member which comprises a main flexible strap portion including a first tape section having a plurality of flexible resilient hooking elements of the hook and loop-type upstanding from at least one surface portion, a second tape section secured in adjacent relation to the first tape section and having a plurality of mating flexible resilient hooking elements of the hook and loop-type upstand-ing from an opposed surface portion such that said mating hooking elements of said second tape section face in a direction opposite to the direction of the flexible hooking elements of the first tape section, a relatively rigid retaining ring connected to said main strap portion at one end portion thereof, the other end portion of said main strap portion being free, a retaining strap connected to said retaining ring and dimensioned and configured to be gripped by hand, means to connect the retaining ring to the main strap portion, said retaining ring defining an opening configured to receive the free end portion of the main strap portion, a barrier member connected to said main strap portion adjacent said retaining ring and dimensioned to extend across said opening of said relatively rigid retain-ing ring, said hooking elements being so arranged that with said main strap portion positioned about the member with the free end portion extending through the opening defined by said retaining ring and with the hooking elements placed in face-to-face relation, the simultaneous application of generally opposed cinching forces to said retaining strap and to the free end portion of said main strap portion produces encompassing gripping forces which tighten at least the main strap portion about the member and simultaneously pressing the mating opposed surfaces of flexible resilient hooking elements together simultaneously provides progressively increasing face-to-face engagement of said surfaces to retain the encompassing gripping forces about said member and retains the main strap portion in tension due to the resistance to separation by said surface portions of mating hooking elements by forces parallel to the interfacial plane of engagement, and said barrier member provides a separative layer between the opening of said relatively rigid retaining ring and the gripped member.
21. A separable fastening device which comprises an adjustable cinch strap assembly adapted to substantially uni-formly encircle a portion of a human body to constrict or control the blood flow, which comprises a main flexible strap portion having on a first surface portion a plurality of first flexible resilient hooking elements upstanding therefrom and on an opposite surface portion adjacent the first surface portion, a plurality of second complementary hooking elements such that said hooking elements of the first and second surface portions face in opposite directions, said second complementary hooking elements capable of mating with the first hooking elements when the mating opposed strap surface portions are placed in face-to-face engaged relation, a relatively rigid substantially endless connecting ring connected to the main strap portion at one end portion thereof, the other end portion of said main strap portion being free, said connecting ring defining an opening configured to receive the free end portion of the main strap portion when said main strap portion is wrapped in encircling relation with the human body portion, a retaining strap connected to said connecting ring and dimensioned and configured to be gripped by hand, a barrier member connected to the main strap portion adjacent to said connecting ring and dimensioned to extend across said opening of said connecting ring, said mating hooking elements being so arranged that extending the main strap portion about the human body portion in encircling relation therewith with the free end portion extending through the opening of the connecting ring and placing said engaging hooking elements of the opposed surface portions in face-to-face relation, the application of cinching forces to the main strap portion while gripping the retaining strap and applying forces hereto generally away from the human body portion and generally opposed to the cinching forces applied to the main strap portion, while substantially simultaneously pressing the hooking elements of the mating sur-faces together to tighten the grip of the strap about the human body portion causes the main strap portion to tightly grip the human body portion while the hooking elements of the mating opposed surfaces of the strap portions become simultan-eously progressively increasingly engaged in face-to face relation to retain the gripping forces applied to the main strap portion, and said barrier member provides a separative layer between said opening of said connecting ring to prevent pinching of the layers of skin of said human body portion into said opening.
22. An adjustable separable fastening device in the form of a cinch strap assembly adapted to encircle a human limb and the like to constrict or control the blood flow there-through which comprises a main flexible strap portion having on one section a first surface portion having a plurality of flexible resilient loop-type hooking elements upstanding therefrom and on a section connected to the first section a second surface portion opposite the first surface portion, said second surface portion having a plurality of complementary flexible resilient hook-type hooking elements such that said hooking elements of the first and second strap portion face in opposite directions, said complementary hook-type hooking elements mate with the loop-type hooking elements of the first section when the strap portions are placed in face-to-face engagement, a relatively rigid generally endless ring member connected to the main strap portion at one end portion thereof, the other end portion of said main strap portion being free, said ring member defining an opening configured to receive the free end portion of said main strap portion when said strap is wrapped in encircled relation to the human limb, a retain-ing strap connected to said ring member and dimensioned and configured for gripping, said generally endless ring member having relatively smooth side portions to prevent snagging of said hooking elements thereagainst when the free end portion of said main strap portion is inserted into said opening, a short strap extension of said main strap portion at the ring member connection configured and positioned to extend across the ring opening to provide a protective barrier between skin portions of the limb and said ring member, said opposing hook and loop-type hooking elements being so positioned and arranged that encircling the main strap portion about the human limb with the free end portion extending through the opening of said generally endless ring member and placing the opposed hooking elements of the first and second strap portions in face-to-face relation, the application of generally opposed cinching forces to the retaining strap and to the free end portion of the main strap tighten the grip of the strap about the limb while the free end portion of said main strap extension engages and smooths excessive skin portions while accumulating such skin portions adjacent the free end portion as the grip is tightened, and simultaneously pressing the mating surfaces in face-to-face engagement will securely adhere said mating surface portions of the main strap portion together to resist forces parallel to the interfacial plane of engagement and thereby retain the grip applied by said generally opposed cinching forces.
23. The adjustable separable fastening device according to Claim 22 wherein said sections of said main flexible strap portion are connected at respective end portions in reversed relation to each other by an ultrasonic welded portion in a manner that the loops face in a direction opposite the direction of the hooks.
24. The adjustable separable fastening device according to Claim 23 wherein said generally endless ring is a cylindrically configured metal bar configured as a substan-tially rectangular ring member with the end portions of said bar facing each other in close proximity therewith.
25. An adjustable separable fastening device in the form of a cinch strap assembly adapted to encircle a human limb in tightly gripped relation to control the flow of blood therethrough which comprises a main strap constructed of nylon filamentary yarn having a first tape section of at least one of nylon hook and loop fastener tape with hooking elements, a second tape section having hooking elements in the form of at least one of mating nylon hooks and loops upstanding from one surface connected to the first tape section, the hooking elements of the first tape section facing in a direction opposite to the direction of the hooking elements of the second tape section, the second tape section connected in ultrasonic welded overlapping relation to the first tape section, a respectively rigid endless ring member connected to one end portion of the main strap at one end portion thereof, the other end portion of the main strap being free, said ring member defining an opening configured to receive the free end portion of said main strap when said main strap is wrapped in encircled relation with said limb, a retaining strap connected to the main strap at one end and dimensioned and configured to be gripped by hand, said generally endless ring member having relatively smooth side portions to prevent snagging of said hooking elements thereagainst when the free end of said main strap is inserted into said opening, a relatively short third tape section secured to said first tape section at the ring connection, said short third tape section having a free end portion folded upon itself and secured thereto to form an arcuate free end portion, said short third tape section being at least of a length sufficient to extend across the ring opening to provide a protective barrier between surface portions of the skin of the limb and the ring member when the cinch strap is tightened about the limb, said opposed hook and loop hooking elements being so positioned and arranged that when the main strap is encircled about the limb with the free end portion extending through the endless ring member and the opposed hook and loop hooking elements are placed in face-to-face relation, the application of cinching forces to the free end portion of the main strap while forces are applied to said retaining strap in a direction at least generally away from the limb and opposed to the cinching forces applied to the main strap portion, will place said main strap in tension while the short third tape section provides a protective barrier between the skin and the ring member and the arcuate free end portion smooths the skin and clusters excessive skin portions forwardly of said short tape section, while simultaneously pressing the hook and loop mating surfaces in face-to-face engagement will securely adhere said mating tape sections together to resist forces parallel to the interfacial plane of engagement and thereby retains the grip applied by said generally opposed cinching forces.
26. The adjustable separable fastening device according to Claim 25 wherein said retaining strap is comprised of at least one of hook and loop fastener tape.
27. The adjustable separable fastening device according to Claim 26 wherein said main strap has on an outer surface portion, at least one of hook and loop hooking elements which mate with the hook and loop-type hooking elements of the retaining strap, said hooking elements being positioned such that when said main strap is cinched about a human limb, the retaining strap is securable to said surface of hooking elements.
28. An adjustable separable fastening device in the form of a cinch strap assembly adapted to encircle a human limb in tightly gripped relation to control the flow of blood therethrough which comprises a main strap constructed of filamentary yarn having a first section having at least one hook and loop-type fastener member, a second section having at least one of mating hook and loop-type fastener member connected to the first section, the hooking elements of the first section facing in a direction opposite to the direction of the hooking elements of the second section, the second section being connected to the first section, a relatively rigid retaining ring connected to the main strap at one end and dimensioned to be gripped by hand, the other end of the main strap being free, said retaining ring defining an opening configured to receive the opposite free end portion of said main strap when said main strap is wrapped in encircled relation with a portion of a human body such as a limb, a relatively short section of plastic material secured to said main strap adjacent said retaining ring connection and being of a length at least sufficient to extend across at least a portion of the ring opening to provide a protective barrier between surface portions of the human body and the retaining ring when the main strap is tightened about the human body portion, said opposed hooking elements being so positioned and arranged that when the main strap is encircled about the limb with the free end portion extended through the retaining ring, the application of cinching forces to the free end portion of the main strap while applying forces to said retaining ring in a direction at least generally opposite the direction of the cinching forces will place the main strap in tension while said relatively short section of plastic material provides a protective barrier between the skin and the fastening device, and simultaneously pressing the hook and loop-type mating surfaces in face-to-face engagement will securely adhere said mating fastener members together to resist forces parallel to the interfacial plane of engagement and thereby retain the grip applied by said generally opposed cinching forces.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US715,510 | 1976-08-18 | ||
| US05/715,510 US4149540A (en) | 1975-07-02 | 1976-08-18 | Separable cinch fastener |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1106578A true CA1106578A (en) | 1981-08-11 |
Family
ID=24874322
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA284,316A Expired CA1106578A (en) | 1976-08-18 | 1977-08-08 | Separable cinch fastener |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1106578A (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5390883A (en) * | 1994-04-11 | 1995-02-21 | Songhurst; Ronald W. | Releasable mounting binder for wires and cables |
-
1977
- 1977-08-08 CA CA284,316A patent/CA1106578A/en not_active Expired
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5390883A (en) * | 1994-04-11 | 1995-02-21 | Songhurst; Ronald W. | Releasable mounting binder for wires and cables |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry | ||
| MKEX | Expiry |
Effective date: 19980811 |