Binding device

An elastic binding device for circumferentially containing a bundle. A closed-loop elastic band is stretched around the bundle and through itself with a pin holding the ends of the band.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
Various forms of binding devices for bundles or packages have been known in 
the prior art, such as those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,030,661, 
1,156,565, 3,081,781 and 3,119,160. In none of these prior art devices, 
however, is there a suggestion of combining a closed-loop elastic band 
with a removable pin as provided by this invention. 
The combination of the invention permits a bundle to be circumferentially 
contained by easy manipulation of a stretchable band and an associated 
pin. The assembly may be detached from the bundle with equal facility, 
without concern for knots, clasps, hooks or the like, merely by 
withdrawing the pin from an end loop portion of the elastic band. The 
binding device of the invention is inexpensive to manufacture and requires 
an irreducible minimum of parts. It can be used for a wide variety of 
applications one of which is as means to be carried in a workman's pocket 
for binding together a folded electrical power tool cord. 
Summary of the Invention 
The invention provides a binding device for circumferentially containing a 
bundle, comprising a closed-loop band disposed around the bundle in 
stretched condition and having first and second end loop portions. The 
first end loop portion of the band extends through the second end loop 
portion. A pin is provided which is removably disposed through the first 
end loop portion to prevent the first end loop portion from withdrawing 
out of the second end loop portion. By this construction the band remains 
contracted about and circumferentially contains the bundle. In a preferred 
form the elastic band is of rubber and the pin is of wooden dowel 
material. 
Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the 
following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
A bundle 10 to be circumferentially contained by the binding device of the 
invention is illustrated in the drawing as a plurality of rods, though it 
is understood that this is only for purposes of example. A closed-loop 
band 11 is provided which is of elastic material such as rubber. It is 
disposed around the bundle as shown in FIG. 1 in stretched condition and 
therefore its unstretched length is preferably somewhat less than the 
circumference of the bundle. The band 11 includes a first end loop portion 
12 and a second end loop portion 13. 
As shown in FIG. 1 the first end loop portion 12 is extended through the 
second end loop portion 13. A pin 14, preferably of wooden dowel material, 
is removably disposed through the first end loop portion 12 to prevent 
that first end loop portion from withdrawing out of the second end loop 
portion. The pin 14 is formed with a somewhat pointed end as shown in the 
drawing to facilitate entry into the first end loop portion. 
After being so assembled the stretched band 11 is allowed to contract about 
the bundle 10 as shown in FIG. 2 so that the second end loop portion 13 
tightens about the pin 14 and the closed-loop band is left 
circumferentially containing the bundle. The assembly may be released 
simply by withdrawing the pin 14 out from the second end loop portion 13 
of the band 11. To maintain the two parts of the assembly in connection 
with one another the pin 14 may be attached to the band 13 by a separate 
string. 
The scope of the present invention is set forth in the following claims 
rather than in the foregoing description of the embodiment thereof.