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Publication Number
US-7661178-B2
Publication Date
2010-02-16
Expiration Date
Abstract
A fastener adapter and fastener strap combination includes a first strap member having first and second ends, an outer surface and an inner surface with hook material; and a second strap member having first and second opposing surfaces of hook material. The second strap member is attached to the inner surface intermediately between the first and second ends of the first strap member. The first surface of the second member and a portion of the inner surface of the first member define a first all-hook opening. The second surface of the second member and a portion of the inner surface of the first member define a second all-hook surface. The combination also includes a continuous fastener strap having first and second end portions, the first end portion frictionally attached to the first all-hook opening and the second end portion frictionally attached to the second all-hook surface.
Core Innovation
A fastener adapter uses a first strap member having an outer surface and an inner surface, with the inner surface comprising hook material. A second strap member having opposing surfaces is attached to the inner surface of the first strap member intermediately between the first and second ends of the first strap member, and the first surface of the second member and a portion of the inner surface of the first member define a first all-hook opening, while the second surface of the second member and a portion of the inner surface of the first member define a second all-hook surface.
A continuous fastener strap having first and second end portions is frictionally attached to the hook-defined regions, where the first end portion is frictionally attached to the first all-hook opening and the second end portion is frictionally attached to the second all-hook surface. The cooperation of the hook regions forms first and second all-hook openings or pockets for receiving the continuous complementary loop fastener strap, and the disclosed alternatives include all-loop pockets, all-hook versus all-loop pocket combinations, and mixed hook/loop pocket configurations.
The disclosure further describes a flexible laminated outer layer with embossed or marked indicia including brand/source identification and instruction markings. When the strap ends are connected, the adapter is configured to be substantially flat with respect to the connected strap members, and the adapter is described for use with medical and orthopedic restraining or adjustable support devices.
Claims Coverage
The claim set contains three independent claims. Across the independent claims, the inventive features center on an adapter that cooperates with a continuous fastener strap to define first and second openings or pockets with specified frictional attachment materials, including hook and loop configurations, and in some cases a laminated outer layer with surface indicia and a substantially flat arrangement.
All-hook opening and continuous strap attachment by frictional attachment
A first strap member with an inner surface comprising hook material and a second strap member attached intermediately to define a first all-hook opening and a second all-hook surface; and a continuous fastener strap whose end portions are frictionally attached to the first all-hook opening and the second all-hook surface.
Angled adapter forming same-type frictional openings and complementary strap attachment
An outer member and an inner member attached at an angle to form first and second openings that provide first and second attachment surfaces of the same type of frictional attachment material, loop or hook, with one or more fastener straps including complementary frictional attachment material for attachment to the openings.
All-hook adapter with opening forming opposing attachment surfaces and strap end attachment
An outer member with an outer surface without frictional attachment material and an inner surface with all-hook attachment material, and an angled inner member having first and second opposing surfaces each with all-hook attachment material, where cooperation forms an opening having all-hook attachment surfaces for frictional attachment of a first strap end portion and forms a third all-hook attachment surface for frictional attachment of a second strap end portion.
The independent claims cover an adapter and strap system where shaped openings or pockets defined by cooperating strap members provide all-hook attachment surfaces, with alternatives to loop configurations, for frictional attachment of strap end portions, including continuous strap arrangements and angled member geometry.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
For use with medical and orthopedic restraining or adjustable support devices.
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