GB2178795A - A strap fastening - Google Patents

Abstract

A strap fastening suitable for use on a legguard such as a cricket pad comprises a strap 4 carrying on one surface, at spaced positions, pads 6, 7 of interengagable hook and loop material. The strap can be inserted through an aperture 3, the free end of the strap being folded back against the remainder of the strap so that the pads of hook and loop material are brought into engagement to secure the strap. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A strap fastening This invention relates to a strap fastening and more particujarJy, although not exclusively, to a strap fastening suitable for use on a legguard such as a cricket pad.

For many years strap fastenings have been provided consisting of a first strap part provided with an axially spaced series of holes therein, and another strap part carrying a buckle incorporating a pin adapted to be inserted through a selected aperture in the first strap part.

Such strap fastenings have been used on shoes, suitcases, school satchels and on legguards such as cricket pads.

The prior proposed strap fastening has the disadvantage that it is only really practicableto engage the pin on the buckle with an aperture selected from a number of pre-formed apertures in the first strap part.

It m ay be may befound,therefore,thatwhen one aperture is selected the strap is still too loose, whereas when the nextadjacentaperture is selectedthe strap istoo tight. In a case of a cricket pad this can be disadvantageous since if the strap is too tight the pad will be very uncomfortable, and the circulation of blood to the foot may be restricted, whereas if the strap is too loose the pad may flap in an uncontrollable manner when the batsman is running, thus retarding the batsman, making it more difficultforthe batsman to score runs.

Afurther disadvantage of the prior proposed buckle is that it is relatively time consuming to fasten the buckle, since the pin must be inserted in an aperture formed in the first strap part, and it can sometimes be difficultto insert the pin in an appropriate aperture, especially ifthe strap is undertension.

According to this invention there is provided, a strap connection, said strap connection comprising a first strap part carrying, on one surface thereof, at positions spaced axially of the strap, pads of interengageable hook and loop material, and a second part carrying means defining an aperture through which the free end ofthe end constituting the first part may bethreaded,thatfree end then being foldable back againstthe remainder of the strap constitutingthe first part so thatthe pads of hook and loop material are brought into engagement to secure the strap connection.

Preferably the second part is also a strap.

Conveniently the said strap constituting the second partcarries, atfree end thereof, a ring defining said aperture through which the first strap part may be threaded.

Advantageouslythe or each strap part is made of leather.

5. This invention also relates to a legguard, said legguard being provided with a plurality of strap connections, each being a strap connection according to the invention.

In orderthatthe invention may be more readily understood, and so that furtherfeatures thereof may be appreciated, the invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure lisa perspective view of a strap fastening in accordance with the invention; and Figure2isaperspectiveviewofalegguard inthe form of a cricket pad including a plurality of strap fastenings according to the invention.

Referring initiallyto Figure 1 oftheaccompanying drawings a strap fastening in accordance with the invention comprises a first strap portion 1 adapted to be connected to an appropriate element. The first strap portion terminates in a loop 2which embraces part of a ring 3 which may be formed of,forexample, a plastics material.

A second strap portion 4 is provided, adapted to be mounted in position appropriately. The second strap portion 4is arranged so that the free end thereof may be inserted through the ring 3, and may then be folded back upon the portion of the strap 4that has not been inserted through the ring 3.

The upper surface (in the orientation illustrated) of the strap portion 4that has not been inserted through the ring 3 is provided with an element of hook material 6 and the undersurface ofthe free end ofthe strap 5 is provided with a pad of loop material 7. The hook material and the loop material may be such as is sold underthe Registered Trade Mark VELCRO.

It will be appreciated that in fastening the strap connection as described the free end 5 of the strap 4 is inserted through the ring 3 and isthen folded back upon the remaining part ofthe strap 4, thus bringing the pad of loop material 7 into contact with the pad of hook materialS. The pad of loop material will thus become firmly engaged with the pad of hook material,thusfastening the free end portion5 ofthe strap to the remainder ofthe strap 4.

It will be appreciated that the pads of hook and loop material may be interengaged at any selected position.

Since the free end ofthe strap 5 is first introduced through the ring 3, by pulling on the free end portion 5 of the strap 4 it is possible to apply a selected tension to the strap portion 1, if so desired. Since the free end 5 of the strap 4 passes through the ring 3, the ring 3 effectively acts as a "pulley" thus facilitating the application of tension to the strap portion 1.

The described strap connection can be established relatively rapidly, without the need for aligning a pin to be inserted through a pre-formed aperture, and also when desired, the strap connection can be undone without undue difficulty.

Figure 2 illustrates a cricket pad 10 provided with three strap connections 11,12, 13, which are all of the same design as illustrated in Figure 1 but, by virtue of the design of the cricket pad, of slightly different sizes.

It will be appreciated that when a cricket pad in accordance with the invention is utilised the player wearing the cricket pad may select the precise tension in each ofthe strap connections 11, 12, 13, and may also put on the cricket pad relatively rapidly, since it is not necessary, as in connection with conventional cricket pads, to locate pins in apertures formed in strap portions at a position behind the leg of the person wearing the cricket pad where it is difficu It to see precisely where the pin and the aperture in the strap portion actually are.

Claims (8)

1. A strap connection, said strap connection comprising a firststrap part carrying, on one surface thereof, at positions spaced axially of the strap, pads ofinterengageablehookand loop material, and a second part carrying means defining an aperture through which the free end of the end constituting the first part may be threaded, that free end then being foldable back againstthe remainder of the strap constituting the first part so thatthe pads of hook and loop material are brought into engagement to secure the strap connection.

2. Astrap connection according to claim 1,wherein the second part is also a strap.

3. A strap con nection according to claim 2, wherein the said strap constituting the second part carries, atfree end thereof, a ring defining said aperture through whichthefirst strap part may bethreaded.

4. Astrap connection according to any one ofthe preceding claims, wherein the or each strap part is made of leather.

5. A legguard, said legguard being provided with a piurality of strap connections, each being a strap connection according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. A strap connection substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

7. A cricket pad substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

8. Any novel feature or combination offeatures disclosed herein.