EP2070430A2

EP2070430A2 - Multifunctional band

Info

Publication number: EP2070430A2
Application number: EP08171058A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Ingrid Baron
Original assignee: Sao Paulo Alpargatas SA
Current assignee: Sao Paulo Alpargatas SA
Priority date: 2007-12-10
Filing date: 2008-12-09
Publication date: 2009-06-17
Also published as: EP2070430A3; US20090277938A1; BRPI0705270A2; CN101455473A; AU2008249223A1; CN101455473B

Abstract

A multifunctional band (1) is described, consisting of an elongated body (2), flexible and able to assume a variety of shapes and functions, by means of at least one connection button (3) that links to at least one connection slit (4), the connection button (3) and the connection slit (4) arranged on the elongated body (2).

Description

This invention refers to a multifunctional band consisting of a flexible elongated body, connection buttons and slits, which allow that band to assume multiple shapes and functions.

Description of the Prior art

Flexible or malleable bands are constructed to assume a specific shape and function in the assembly of an object. For instance, we can mention malleable bands composing the straps of purses, others composing backpack straps, and even the bands used in lashing books, among others.
It should be noted, however, that these bands are specific for the function they are intended (purse straps, book lashing, etc.), and do not have characteristics that enable their proper and satisfactory use in functions that are distinct from those they were constructed for. Therefore, several types of malleable bands must be constructed, with different fastening and malleability characteristics, in order to fulfill the users' requests.

Objectives of the invention

The objective of this invention is to provide a multifunctional band that assumes different shapes and applies to different functions in an easy and practical manner, enabling its application in several situations without the need of undergoing plastic alterations.

Brief description of the invention

The object of the invention is a multifunctional band consisting of a flexible elongated body that is able to assume a variety of shapes and functions, by means of at least one connection button that links to at least one connection slit, the connection button and connection slit arranged on the elongated body.

Summary description of the drawings

This invention will be described in greater detail below, based on an example of execution depicted in the drawings. The figures show:

Figure 1 - a frontal view of the multifunctional band object of this invention;
Figure 2 - an elevated view of the multifunctional band object of this invention;
Figure 3 - a rear view of the multifunctional band object of this invention;
Figure 4 - a schematic view of the multifunctional band, object of this invention, assuming the shape of a strap and the function of backpack straps;
Figure 5 - a schematic view of the multifunctional band, object of this invention, assuming a circular shape and the function of a trouser belt;
Figure 6 - a schematic view of the multifunctional band, object of this invention, assuming a circular shape and the function of lashing a pile of books.

Detailed description of the figures

In accordance with a preferential execution and as can be seen under figure 1, the multifunctional band 1, object of this invention, consists of an elongated body 2, flexible at any section, which renders the multifunctional band 1 the ability to assume a variety of shapes and functions, only undergoing elastic strains.
The elongated body 2 consists of a first surface 5, flat, textured or not, and a second surface 6, also flat, textured or not, and arranged oppositely to the first surface 5.
The multifunctional band 1 further consists of at least one connection button 3, which links to at least one connection slit 4. The connection button 3 and the connection slit 4 are arranged in the elongated body 2 so that the connection slit 4 consists of an oblong-shaped through hole, which walls have the same thickness of the multifunctional band 1.
The connection button 3 is arranged on the first surface 5 of the elongated body 2, aligned to the connection slits 4. This connection button 3 is made up of a cylindrical part 7, which is linked to the first surface 5 by means of a linking element 8, slender and with a smaller diameter than that of the cylindrical part 7 so as to make up a "neck". In a preferential execution, the multifunctional band 1 consists of two connection buttons 3 arranged on the ends of the first surface 5 of the elongated body 2 and at least two connection slits 4 placed between the ends of the multifunctional band 1, aligned longitudinally to the connection buttons 3. However, other arrangements for execution can be made with these elements, such as, for instance, the placement of the connection buttons 3 along the length of the elongated body 2 and off of the ends of the first surface 5 and interposed with the connection slits 4. The amount of connection buttons 3 and connection slits 4 can also vary, and the description herein is merely one example.
To link the connection button 3 with the connection slit 4, the cylindrical part 7 of the connection button 3 passes completely through the connection slit 4 so that the linking element 8 is arranged in the gap of the connection slit 4 and the rear walls 9 of the cylindrical part 7 are propped on the first or second surfaces 5, 6 of the elongated body 2, over the connection slit 4.
When this link is made, the multifunctional band 1 assumes a variety of shapes and several functions, due to the position of the connection buttons 3 and the connection slits 4. To this effect, figure 4 displays the links between the connection buttons 3 and the connection slits 4 so as to render the multifunctional band 1 with the shape and function of straps 10 for a backpack 11. In figure 5, the link between the connection buttons 3 and the connection slits 4 render the multifunctional band 1 a circular shape and the function of a belt for trousers, shorts, or skirts. But in figure 6, due to the links between the connection buttons 3 e and the connection slits 4, the multifunctional band is displayed again with a circular shape, but with the function of lashing piles of books for transportation.
Thus, there are various possible links between the connection buttons 3 and the connection slits 4, practically and quickly enabling the use of the multifunctional band 1 in distinct situations of shape and function. Another example worth mentioning is the shape of a large loop, with the function of carrying sandals and shoes, the shape of a small loop to be used as a keyring, among infinite other situations. Therefore, the function of joining the connection button 3 with the connection slits 4 is to regulate the fit and size for the various functionalities of the multifunctional band 1.
To enable adjustments to the different shapes that can be created from the links between connection buttons and connection slits, the multifunctional band 1 is composed of a polymeric material, more specifically thermoplastic elastomers that allow elastic stress during changes in the shape of the multifunctional band 1.
One example of preferred execution having been described, it must be noted that the scope of this invention encompasses other possible variations, being limited solely by the content of the attached claims, which include all possible equivalents.

Claims

Multifunctional band (1), wherein it consists of an elongated body (2), flexible, able to assume a variety of shapes and functions by means of at least one connection button (3) that links to at least one connection slit (4), the connection button (3) and the connection slit (4) arranged on the elongated body (2).
Multifunctional band (1), pursuant to claim 1, wherein at least one connection slit (4) is a through hole in the elongated body (2) and is oblong-shaped.
Multifunctional band (1), pursuant to claim 1, wherein at least one connection button (3) is arranged in a first surface (5) in the elongated body (2), parallel to at least one connection slit (4).
Multifunctional band (1), pursuant to claim 3, wherein the elongated body (2) consists of a second surface (6), that is flat.
Multifunctional band (1), pursuant to claims 3 and 4, wherein the connection button (3) consists of a cylindrical part (7) linked to the first surface (5) of the elongated body (2) by means of a linking element (8).
Multifunctional band (1), pursuant to claim 5, wherein at least one connection button (3) links to at least one connection slit (4) by means of joining at least one connection button (3) into at least one connection slit (4).
Multifunctional band (1), pursuant to claim 6, wherein at the link between at least one connection button (3) and at least one connection slit (4), the cylindrical part (7) of at least one connection button (3) passes through one connection slit (4) so that the linking element (8) is arranged in the gap of the connection slit (4) and the rear walls (9) of the cylindrical part (7) are propped on the first or second surfaces (5, 6) of the elongated body (2), over the connection slit (4).
Multifunctional band (1), pursuant to claim 7, wherein it assumes a variety of shapes and functions by means of the elongated body (2), which is flexible, and the joining of at least one connection button (3) into at least one connection slit (4).
Multifunctional band (1), pursuant to claim 1, wherein it is composed of polymeric material and presents a cross section of any kind.