Patent ID: 7866321
Filing Date: 2011-01-11
Classification: A61F,E05B,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A restraining apparatus for restraining an object, comprising: a housing defining a strap channel through an entire length of the housing, the housing defining a key aperture; a first and second strap each including teeth along a substantial surface of each strap, each strap, having a first end and a second end, configured to move through the entire length of the housing in unison in the same direction during movement through the strap channel; the first end of each strap being fixed inside the housing; the second end of each strap being slidably routed through an aperture defined in a bottom portion of the housing, through entire length of the housing, and exiting an aperture defined in a top portion of the housing; the first and second strap each being made of flexible material, whereby the first strap and second strap form a pair of loops capable of encircling two objects; the first and second straps being movable through the entire length of the housing in a first direction and a second direction; a single handle; the second end of the first and second strap both being connected to the single handle for pulling both the first and second strap in unison and in the same direction through the strap channel, the single handle being suitable for grasping by one hand of a user for one-handed operation; a first locking mechanism configured to prevent movement of the first and second straps in the first direction, the first locking mechanism including a first lower spring-biased locking cleat and a second lower spring-biased locking cleat engagable with teeth on the first and second straps, a lower carriage enclosing the first and second lower spring-biased cleats, the lower carriage engagable with the first lower spring-biased locking cleat and the second lower spring-biased locking cleat so the first lower spring-biased locking cleat and the second lower spring-biased locking cleat operate in unison; a second locking mechanism configured to prevent movement of the first and second straps in the second direction, the second locking mechanism including a first upper spring biased locking cleat and a second upper spring-biased locking cleat engagable with the teeth on the first and second straps, an upper carriage enclosing the first and second upper spring-biased cleats, the upper carriage engagable with the first upper spring-biased locking cleat and the second upper spring-biased locking cleat so the first upper spring-biased locking cleat and the second upper spring-biased locking cleat operate in unison; and button connected to the upper carriage whereby movement of the button causes the movement of the upper carriage, whereby when the first locking mechanism is disengaged and the second locking mechanism is engaged, the size of the encircling loop is only permitted to increase, and whereby when the first locking mechanism is engaged and the second locking mechanism is disengaged, the size of the encircling loop is only permitted to decrease.