GB1250057A - Improvements in and relating to straps - Google Patents

Abstract

1,250,057. Releasable fastenings. AMP Inc. 27 March, 1969 [10 April, 1968 (2)], No. 15985/69. Heading E2B. An elongate flexible strap for tying together a bundle of elongate members (22) comprises a central portion 10 and two resilient wing portions 24 for engaging the bundle, the wing portions being connected one on each side of the central portion and defining with the central portion an hermaphrodite configuration whereby overlapping and overlapped parts of the strap are snap engageable to secure the parts together. In the construction shown the central portion is offset from the two wing portions so that the strap has a rib on one side and a groove in the opposite side, the rib and the groove having complementary dovetail shapes so that the rib can be snapengaged in the groove when the strap is formed into a loop. In addition each wing portion is. connected to the central portion by members 32 equally spaced along the length of the strap so that apertures 34 are provided between the members 32, the width of each member 32 being less than the space 34 formed by the apertures. Each member 32 also includes a tab 36 and when the overlapping and overlapped parts are snap-engaged, the tabs 36 of the overlapping part engage the apertures 34 in the overlapped part to prevent longitudinal movement between the parts. In a modification instead of apertures 34 the strap is formed with recesses between the members 32 which are engaged by the tabs 36. Additional means for preventing longitudinal movement between the overlapping and overlapped parts can be provided. In one form each wing portion is provided with a plurality of hook shaped ears and in the outer edge of each wing portion there are a plurality of recesses which can be engaged by the ears. Alternatively, each of the wing portions is provided with headed studs extending from one surface and in the opposite surface are recesses for engagement by the studs. In an alternative embodiment, Figure 13, the wing portions are curved in crosssections so that only their tips engage the bundle and instead of the rib and groove being of dovetailed shape in cross-section, the rib is provided with longitudinally extending ears 62 and the groove is of complementary shape providing recesses 66 for receiving the ears. The rib has a longitudinally extending slot to facilitate resilient movement of the ears 62. To prevent longitudinal movement of the overlapping and overlapped parts the rib is provided with a plurality of saw-tooth shaped teeth 68 and the groove has a corresponding plurality of saw-tooth shaped teeth 70 for engagement with the teeth 68. To provide identification for the bundles of elongated members an accessory 72, Figure 16, can be provided. This has flanges (74) which cooperate with the outer surface of the strap 20A and a male member (76) which snaps into the groove of the strap. The male member has saw-teeth for engagement with the saw-teeth of the groove. This accessory can be modified so that it can be used for securing the strap to a plate by providing it with a stud which is engageable with an aperture in the plate.