GB2180293A

GB2180293A - Connectors for use with strapping

Info

Publication number: GB2180293A
Application number: GB08622153A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Francis Clark
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1985-09-14
Filing date: 1986-09-15
Publication date: 1987-03-25
Anticipated expiration: 2006-09-15
Also published as: GB2180293B; GB8622153D0

Abstract

The specification discloses a number of embodiments of such connectors - in some embodiments (eg Figures 1, 5) the connector 1 comprises an attachment formation comprising one or, as shown, two apertures 2,3 and bearing means 4. A first portion 7 of the strapping passes through an aperture 2 from the front of the connector to the back. A bight 9 of the strapping, interconnecting the first portion of strapping to a second portion 8 extends through the or an aperture 3 and around the bearing means from the back of the connector to the front. The second portion 8 then extends through the or an aperture 2 from the front to the back of the connector whereby triangular areas of portions 7,8 overlap each other adjacent to bight 9. Aperture 3 may comprise a slot and aperture 2 may be segmental. Figures 1-7 illustrate various connectors for use in a harness comprising one or two lengths of strapping and at least one connector which may be adjustable on the strapping and may form part of a buckle. Connectors may be unitary moulding of plastics material, or metal. In the connector of Figure 8 the connector comprises a first component 45 with a slot through which a bight 51 of strapping can extend and a second component 46 with a bar 48 around which the bight can extend and an attachment portion 49, the bar 48 with bight 51 around it being unable to pass through the slot to trap the strapping. The bar may have a central gap, and the bar 48 can be snapped between jaws 47. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Connectors for use with strapping This invention relates to connectors for use with strapping. It is usual for harness for personal use to comprise an assemblage of strapping and connectors, and the present invention is particularly, although not exclusively, concerned with connectors for use in such forms of harness.

in many existing forms of harness there are lengths or runs of strapping which extend from one connector to another and have end portionsthatare attached to the connectors. For example an end portion of a length of strapping may be passed through a slot in a connector, folded back against an adjacent part of the strapping and sewn to it so that a closed loop of strapping is formed, part of which extends through the slot That form of attachment between a length of strapping and a connector suffers, however, form the disadvantages that the cost of manufacture is relatively high, owing to the sewing that is required, and that the attachment is incapable of adjustment.

One aim ofthe present invention isto provide a form of connectorthat enables those difficulties to be at least partly overcome.

From a first aspect the present invention comprises a connector for use with strapping, the connector incorporating an attachment formation comprising one or more apertures and bearing means so arranged as to enable a length of strapping to be attached to the attachment formation ofthe connector in the following manner, the length of strapping being considered to comprise a first portion and a second portion which are spaced longitudinallyofthestrap- ping and are interconnected buy a bight, the first and second portions lying in or close to a common plane but extending in different directions from the bight, and the first portion extending through the connector from afirstsideto a second side thereof, the bight extending from the first portion,through the connector and around said bearing means so as to return from the second side to the firstsidethereof, and the second portion extending from the bight, on the first side of the connector, through the connectorto the second side thereof, whereby triangular areas of the first and second portions ofthe strapping overlap each other immediately adjacenttothe bight, the passage ofthe strapping through the connector being by way ofsaid aperture or apertures.

From a second aspect the present invention consists in a connector in accordance with the first aspect ofthe present invention in combination with strapping attached to it in the manner described.

From a third aspect the present invention consists in harness for personal use comprising at least one connector and strapping in accordance with the second aspect of the present invention.

Such harness may be used for any of a number of different purposes. It may, for example, be worn by a child and be attached to reins or other restraining means or it may be worn byan adultand be attached to orform partofa load-carrier such as a rucksack.

It will be appreciated that the invention can provide a connector which is adjustable along strapping to which it is attached.

The term strapping is used herein in the most general sense and includes strapping our webbing made from woven or braided textile material as well as strapping madefrom strip material such asfrom leatherstrip.

The bearing means is preferably so shaped as to provide supportforthe bight across all or at least most ofthe width of the strapping; and to this end the bearing means preferably affords a straight bearing surface.

The connector may have afirstapertureforthe passage of the first portion ofthe length of strapping and a second aperture forthe passage of the second portion thereof. Part of the connector can then extend from between the first and second apertures to the bearing means and can thus form a separatorwhich in use extends between the overlapping triangular areas ofthe first and second portions of strapping. The first and second apertures may be reduced to a pairof slots, if desired, these slots extending at an angle to each other and to the bearing means.Each oftheslots is preferably so arranged that in use it extends at right angles orsubstantially at rightanglestothe longitu- dinal centre-line ofthe portion of strapping that extends through it.

In a preferred form ofconnectorthere is a principal aperture for the passage of both the first and second portionsofthe length of strapping edgeto edge. The bearing means preferably comprises a bar which boundsthe principal aperture. The bar is preferably straight or substantially so to afford supportforthe bight across all or at least most ofthe width ofthe strapping. Preferably the principal aperture ofthe attachment formation is oftriangularshape or is so shaped as a segment of a circle or the like, the base of thetriangle orthe chord ofthe segment being defined by an edge of said bar.The bar preferably lies between the principal aperture and a secondary aperture,that second aperture preferably comprising a slot of elongated shape. While the bar is preferably a continuous, unbroken bar it would be possible for thereto be a gap in it.

The connector preferably includes attachment means enabling itto be connected to some component other than the portions of strapping referred to.

Forexamplethe attachment means maycomprise a second attachmentformation of the kind outlined above, whereby the connector can be attached to two lengths of strapping orto two different parts of a single length of strapping orto two different parts of a single length of strapping. In such a connectorthe attachment formations are preferably so disposed that in use one ofthe portions of strapping that extends through one ofthe attachment formations is aligned with one of the portions of strapping that extends through the second attachment formation.

Alternatively the connector may incorporate parts a releasable buckle.

In a preferred arrangementthefirstand second portions of strapping extend away from said bight in directions at an angle of no more than 90" to each other. Atypical angle is about 60 .

Another problem that has also occurred hitherto in the design and manufacture of harness and other assemblies incorporating strapping is that it is awkward to provide a connector which can be attached to a length of strapping in such a mannerthatitcan be adjusted to any desired position along the length of strapping and then retained in that position and which affords an anchorage to which other components such as a rein can be attached.

Another aim ofthe present invention is to provide a connector of that kind.

From afourth aspectthe present invention consists in a connector comprising a first component, formed with a slot th rough which a bight or loop of a length of strapping can extend, and a second component comprising a bar, around which such a bight or loop can extend, and an attachment portion for attachment to some other component, the arrangement being such that in the bar, with the bight or loop of strapping around it, is incapable of passingth rough theslotinthefirstcomponent.

The bar may have a gap in itto enable a bightorloop of strapping to be introduced through itduring assembly ofthe connectorwith strapping.

From a fifth aspect the present invention consists in a connector in accordance with the fourth aspect of the present invention in combination with a length of strapping connected to it in the manner described.

From a sixth aspect the present invention consists in harness for personal use comprising a connector and strapping in accordance with the fifth aspect of the present invention.

The arrangement is preferably such that in use, when tension is applied to the length of strapping the bar is pulled close to the slot and it is generally impossible to slide the whole connector lengthwise of the strapping. When the tension is released, however, and the bar is moved awayfromthefirstcomponent, it is normally possible to manipulate the connector along the strapping to afresh location.

In a preferred form of connectorthe arrangement is such that in use the first and second components can be releasably snapped together so that they assume a position of use in which the bar is adjacent to the slot.

To enable the first and second components to be snapped together in that mannerthe first component may be provided with resilientjaws between which can be releasably snapped the bar and partofthe bight or loop of strapping.

It will be appreciated that a harness or other assembly incorporating strapping may include connectors in accordance with both the first and the fourth aspects ofthe present invention.

Embodiments ofthe present invention are illustrated, by way of example only, in the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure lisa perspective view of a connector incorporating two attachmentformations, each char acteristic ofthefirst aspect ofthe present invention, in combination with two lengths of strapping, Figure 2 is a perspective view of a connector somewhat similarto that shown in Figure 1, Figure 3 is a perspective view of a connector somewhatsimilarto that shown in Figure 2 but in which the attachment portions are spaced further apart, Figure 4 is an elevation of a connector somewhat similartothatshownin Figure 3 but having only-one attachment formation ofthe kind characteristic of the first aspect ofthe present invention, Figure 6 is a perspective view of a buckle incorporating two connectors each in accordance with thefirst aspect of the present invention, Figure 6is a perspective view of two parts of a three-part buckle, one part ofwhich incorporates a connector in accordance with the first aspect ofthe present invention, Figure 7is a perspective view of harness for personal use incorporating a three-part buckle, one part of which incorporates a connector in accordance with the first aspect ofthe present invention, though for clarity another connector in accordance with the first aspect ofthe present invention is not shown, and Figure Sis a perspective view of a connector and strapping in accordance with the fifth aspect of the present invention.

Each ofthe connectors illustrated is made as a unitary moulding of a plastics material. Nevertheless it is to be understood that similarconnectors may be made from other materials, for example from metal such as stainless steel.

The connector 1 shown in Figure 1 isofplatelike form andincorporatestwo attachmentformations, each characteristic of the first apect of the present invention. As those attachmentformations are similar to each other only one will be described in detail. This formation,the left-hand one as viewed in Figure 1, comprises a principal aperture 2, a secondary aperture 3 and bearing means in the form of a bar 4. The principal aperture 2 is of a shape approximating to that of a segment of a circle, having a base defined by one edge ofthe bar4 and an apex 5 opposite the centre of the bar. A length of strapping 6 is attached to the attachment portion ofthe connector.The length of strapping is considered as comprising a first portion 7, a second portion 8, which is spaced longitudinally of the strapping from the first portion, and a bight 9 interconnecting the first and second portions 7 and 8.

The first and second portions 7 and 8 ofthe strapping lie in orclosetoacommon plane,whichisthemain plane ofthe connector 1, but extend in different directions from the bight 9, these directions being at an angle of some 60 . The first portion 7 extends through the principal aperture 2from the front orfirst side ofthe connectorto the back or second side thereof. The bight9 then extends from thefirst portion, through the secondary aperture 3, around the bar so asto return from the backto the front ofthe connector again. Finally the second portion 8 extends from the bight 9 through another part ofthe principal aperture 2 from the front of the connector to the back thereof. In consequence triangular areas ofthe first and second portions 7 and 8 of the strapping overlap each otherimmediatelyadjacenttothe bight9.

A second length of strapping 10is attached to the other attachment portion, and it will be observed that a first portion 11 thereof is aligned with the first portion 7 of the first length of strapping. This arrangement is often convenient and may, for exam ple, enable portions 7 and 11 to constitute parts of a waist strap of harness for personal use.

When the strapping is taut it cannot slide lengthwise relative to the attachment formations but when the strapping is loosened it is possible to effect adjustment by sliding it lengthwise relative to the attachmentformation.

Figure 2 shows a connector 12 somewhatsimilarto that shown in Figure 1. One difference, however, is that the principal apertures 13 are oftriangular rather than of segmental shape. Another difference is that thesecondaryaperturesofthetwo attachment formations are merged togetherto form a common secondaryaperturel4,which is also oftriangular shape. The connector 12 is intended for use in a mannersimilarto the connector 1.

Figure3 shows a connector 15which is in theform of a strip 16 provided at each end with an attachment formation serving a purpose similarto those shown in Figures 1 and 2. Each attachmentformation comprises a principal aperture 17 of triangular shape, a secon daryaperture 18 in the form ofa slot, and a bar 19.

Each oftheconnectorsl,l2andl5shown in 1,12and15shown in Figures 1,2 and 3 may be incorporated in harness for personal use. The connector may be disposed atthe user's front or in the small ofthe user's back. The first portions 7 and 11 ofthe lengths of strapping may constitute parts of a waiststrap, whilethe second portions ofthe lengths of strapping may constitute shoulder straps of which the further ends are connected to the waist strap.

Figure 4 shows another connector 20. it is in the form of an upright strip 21 with, at its upper end, an attachmentformation characteristic of the first aspect ofthe present invention. The attachment formation has a principal aperture 22, a secondary aperture 23 and a bar 24. The attachment formation is symmetrical with respect to the lo n g itudi n a I axis ofthe strip 21 so that in use the first and second portions of strapping attached to the attachmentformations diverge at equal angles on either side of that axis. At its lower end the strip 21 is formed with two spaced, parallel, uprightslots 25 through which another length of strapping can be pased. Here again the connector 20 can form part of harness for personal use and may be disposed atthe user's front or back.The first and second portions ofthe strapping attached to the attachment formation atthe upper end of the connector may constitute end portions ofshoulderstraps, whilethe strapping passing through the slots 25 may form part of a waist strap.

Figure 5 illustrates a buckle comprising two parts each made as a unitary plastics moulding. One part 26 incorporates a socket while the other part 27 incorporates flexible and resilient arms which can enterthe socket and snap into engagement with it. The parts can be released by first pressing the arms towards each otherthrough apertures in the part 26. This type of connection is widely known and as such forms no part ofthe present invention. Each ofthe parts 26 and 27, however, also includes an attachment formation 28 having a principal aperture 29, a secondary aperture 30 and bearing means in the form of a bar 31.

Each ofthe parts 26 and 27 of the buckle can be attached by means of its attachment portion 28 to an associated length of strapping. One portion of each length of strapping may constitute part of a waist strap, while the other portion of each length of strapping may constitute part of a shoulder strap.

Figure 6 shows two parts of a three-part buckle. One part, 32, comprises two sets of laterally projecting arms 33, each set having three arms. The other two parts are similarto each other but only one ofthem, 34, is illustrated. The part 34 includes a socket 35. One set ofthe arms 33 can be snapped into engagement with the socket 35 and released in the manner outlined above with reference to Figure 5. The part 32 also has an attachment portion 36 at the top, similar to that at the top ofthe connector 20 shown in Figure 4. This attachment portion 36 can be attached to a length of strapping of which the two portions may form parts of two shoulder straps. At that end opposite the socket 35, the part 34 is formed with a slot 37 which may be attached to one end of a waist strap.

Figure 7 illustrates a harness for personal use provided with another design ofthree-part buckle.

Here the central part 38 ofthe buckle is formed with two laterally-opening sockets and has an attachment portion 39 at the top. Each ofthe other parts 40 ofthe buckle has a resilient blade41 which can snap into the associated socket. The blades 41 can be released on depression of a button 42 on the part 38. As will be seen,the harness has a single length of strapping the middle of which is attached to the attachment portion 39. Each ofthetwo halves ofthe strapping extending from the central part 38 ofthe buckle then forms a shoulderstrap 43. The halves then pass through a connector (not shown) which maybesimilartoanyof those shown in figures 1,2 and 3, before forming a waist strap 44.The free ends ofthe strapping are adjustably connected to the parts 40 ofthe buckle in a known manner.

One ofthe advantages of the present invention is the fact that it makes it possible to provide harness which is fully adjustable but which incorporates only one continuous piece of strapping. Moreover in the example illustrated in Figure7the strapping does not requireto be sewn to secure it in place. Similarly it will be appreciated that otherforms of harness may incorporate only two pieces of strapping. For example, one piece mayform the shoulderstraps and the other piece may form the waist strap. All thefourfree ends may be adjustably connected to a three-part buckle while the middles may be connected buy a connector of the kind illustrated in Figure4. In an alternative form of harness each piece of strapping constitutes one shoulder strap and half ofthe waist strap.The middle ofthe pieces are attached to a connectorofanyofthe kinds shown in Figures 1,2 and 3 while thefourfree ends are again adjustably connected to a three-part buckle.

Figure 8 illustrates a connector in accordance with the fourth aspect of the present invention. The connector comprisestwo components 45 and 46 each made as a unitary moulding of a plastics material. The first component, 45, comprises a plate of generally rectangularshapeformed with a longitudinal central slot. Resilient jaws 47 project from the plate on either side ofthe slot. Each jaw isformed with a longitudinal- ly extending groove which faces the corresponding groove in the otherjaw. The second component, 46 is shaped like the letter D, having a bar 48 of circular cross-section and a semi-circular attachment portion 49. In use a length of strapping 50 is passed through the central aperture in the component46.The ends of the length of strapping are then passedthrough the slot in the component 45. The length of strapping is puiled taut and the bar 48 is snapped between the jaws 47 so that it and the bight 51 of strapping that embraces it enterthe grooves in the jaws, as illustrated.The arrangement is such that when the connector is in this position of use the bar48 is unable to pass through the slot (it is too long forthat), the strapping is trapped sufficiently tightly to make it impossible or at least very difficult to slide the connector along the strapping, butthe component 46 can rotate relative to the component 45 about the axis ofthe bar48. If it is desired to adjustthe position ofthe connectorthe bar48 can be snapped from between the jaws thereby freeing the strapping. In use the connector may be attached to the waist band of a harness and reins may be attachedto the attachment portion 49 ofthe connector. In a modified construction the bar48 has a central gap in it which enables the assembly ofthe connector with the strapping to be simplified inthata bight ofstrapping can be pushed through the slot in the component 45, and the bar48 can then be introduced into the bight by manipulating the bightthrough the gap in the bar.

Claims

1. A connectorfor use with strapping, the connector incorporating an attachment formation comprising one or more apertures and bearing means so arranged as to enable a length ofstrapping to be attached to the attachmentformation of the connector inthefollowing manner,the length of strapping being considered to comprise a first portion and a second portion which are spaced longitudinaily ofthe strapping and are interconnected bya bight, the first and second portions lying in orcloseto a common plane but extending in different directions from the bight, and the first portion extending through the connector from a first side to a second side thereof, the bight extending from the first portion,through the connec torandaroundsaidbearing means so asto return from the second side to the first side thereof, and the second portion extending from the bight, on the first side ofthe connector, through the connectorto the second side thereof, whereby triangular areas ofthe first and second portions ofthe strapping overlap each other immediately adjacentto the bight, the passage ofthe strapping through the connector being by way of said aperture or apertures.

2. A connector according to claim 1 in which there is a first apertureforthe passage of the first portion of the length of strapping and a second apertureforthe passage ofthe second portion thereof.

3.. A connector according to claim 1 in which there is a principal apertureforthe passage of both the first and second portions ofthe length ofstrapping edge to edge.

4. A connector according to claim 3 in which the bearing means comprises a bar which bounds the principal aperture.

5. Aconnector according to claim 3 in which the principal aperture is oftriangular shape of its shaped as a segmentof a circle orthe like, the base of the triangle or the chord ofthe segment being defined by an edge of said bar.

6. A connector according to either of claims 4 and 5 in which the bar lies between the principal aperture and a secondary aperture.

7. A connector according to claim 6 in which the secondary aperture comprises a slot of elongated shape.

8. A connector according to any one ofthe preceding claims including attachment means enable ing itto be connected to some component othertharr said portions of strapping.

9. A connector according to claim 8 in which the attachment means comprises a second attachment formation ofthe kind referred to in any one of claims 1 to6.

10. A connector according to claim 9 in which the attachmentformations are so disposed that in use one ofthe portions of strapping that extendsthrough one of the attachmentformations is aligned with one of the portions of strapping that extends th rough the second attachmentformation.

11. A connector according to claim 8 in which the attachment means constitutes part of a releasabie buckle.

12.. A connector according to claim 1 and substantiallyas hereinbefore described with reference to any one of Figures 1,2,3,4,5,6 and 7 of the accompanying drawings.

13. A connector according to any one of claims 1 to 12 in combination with a length of strapping comprising a first portion and a second portion which are spaced longitudinally of the strapping and are interconnected bya bight, the first and second portions lying in or close to a common plane butextending in different directions from the bight, the first portion extending through the connector from the first side to the second side thereof, the bight extending from the first portion, through the connector and around said bearing means so as to return from the second side to the first side thereof, and the second portion extending from the bight, on the first side ofthe connector, through the connector to the second side thereof, whereby triangular areas of the first and second portions ofthe strapping overlap each other adjacent to the bight, the passage ofthe strapping through the connector being by way of said aperture or apertures.

14. A connector and strapping according to claim 12 in which thefirstand second portions ofthe strapping extend away from said bight in directions at an angle of no more than 90"to each other.

15. A connector and strapping according to claim 13 and substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of Figures 1,5 and 7 of the accompanying drawings.

16. Harness for personal use comprising at [east oneconnector and strapping according to anyone of claims 13to 15.

17. Harness according to claim 1 6comprising a single piece of strapping or two pieces of strapping - and no more than two pieces of strapping-arranged to provide a waist strap and two shoulder straps.

18. Harness accordingto claim 17substantially as hereinbeforedescribed with reference to Figure 7 of the accompanying drawings.

19. A connector comprising a first component, formed with a slot th rough which a bight or loop of a length of strapping can extend, and a second componentcomprising a bar, around which such a bightor loop can extend, and an attachment portion for attachment to some other component, the arrangement being such that in use the bar, with the bight or loop of strapping around it, is incapable of passing through the slot in the first component.

20. A connector according to claim 19 in which the bar has a gap in itto enable a bight or loop of strapping to be introduced through it during assembly of the connector with strapping.

21. A connector according to either of claims 19 and 20 in which the bar is of circular cross-section to enable itto pivot about its longitudinal axis when in use.

22. A connector according to any one of claims 19 to 21 in combination with a length of strapping of which a bight or loop extendsthroughthe slot in the first component, the bight or loop extending around the bar ofthe second component.

23. Aconnectoraccordingtoclaim 19andsub- stantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 8 of the accompanying drawings.

24. A connector and strapping according to claim 22 in which the first and second components can be releasably snapped together so that they assume a position of use in which the bar is adjacent to the slot.

25. A connector and strapping according to claim 24 in which the first component is provided with resilient jaws between which can be releasably snapped the bar and part ofthe bight or loop of strapping.

26. Aconnectorandstrapping according to claim 22 substantially as herein before described with reference to Figure 8 of the accompanying drawings.

27. Harness for personal use including a connector and strapping according to any one of claims 22 to 26.