Improved end ferrule

Abstract: The invention concerns to an end ferrule (1) comprising a substantially hollow semi-cylindrical body (2), having rounded edges (3), said edges (3)having substantially the shape of ¼ of a hollow sphere, and at least a flap (4), projecting from said substantially semi-cylindrical body (2), provided toward one of the ends of the end ferrule (1), said at least one flap (4) being foldable inward the substantially semi-cylindrical body (2), one end of a cord (5) or like being housed within the substantially semi-cylindrical body (2) and blocked by folding said at least one flap (4).

Description: The present invention relates to an improved end ferrule. More specifically, the invention concerns an end ferrule of the above kind allowing to realise an end ferrule structure not causing wear and tear of the surfaces with which it is in contact. As it is well known, in many cases, such as the realisation of bag handles, elastic for sheet folders, etc., at the ends of the cord, or of the elastic, a stopping element, or end ferrule, is placed that must prevent the exit of the cord from the hole through which it passes. The use of the end ferrule is very useful since it allows to block the cord, or the elastic, without the need of making, for example, a knot, or similar system, that is bulky and not always usable. However, the end ferrules presently available on the market are realised in a rather approximate way, having a half cylinder shape and a half semi-cylinder shape, with the ends having sharp edges. US-A-5926924 discloses such an end ferrule with the features of the preamble of claim 1. Therefore, they can cause a wear and tear of the surface of the material with which they are in contact, being thus completely unacceptable, particularly if used for high quality level products. In view of the above, the Applicant has realised an end ferrule able to solve all the above drawbacks. Main object of the present invention is that of providing an end ferrule without sharped edges and cuts. It is therefore specific object of the present invention an end ferrule comprising a substantially hollow semi-cylindrical body, having rounded edges, said edges having substantially the shape of % of a hollow sphere, and at least a flap, projecting from said substantially semi-cylindrical body, provided toward one of the ends of the end ferrule, said at least one flap being foldable inward the substantially semi-cylindrical body, one end of a cord or like being housed within the substantially semi-cylindrical body and blocked by folding said at least one flap. Always according to the invention, they can be provided two foldable flaps, provided laterally opposed each other on the edges of said substantially semi-cylindrical body. Furthermore, according to the invention, said rounded ends are comprised of ¼ of hollow sphere, said sphere having the diameter corresponding to the diameter of the cylinder generating the substantially semi-cylindrical body. Still according to the invention, said rounded ends and said at least one flap are integrally realised on the substantially semi-cylindrical body. The present invention will be now described, for illustrative but not limitative purposes, according to its preferred embodiments, with particular reference to the figures of the enclosed drawings, wherein: figure 1 is a lateral view of an end ferrule according to the invention; figure 2 is a top view of the end ferrule of figure 1; figure 3 is a front view of the end ferrule of figure 1; and figures 4, 5, and 6 are view of an end ferrule according to the invention applied on a cord. Observing now the figures of the enclosed drawings, it is shown an end ferrule 1 according to the invention, providing a body, comprised of a hollow, semi-cylinder 2, the ends 3 of which are rounded having dimensions corresponding to 1/4 of a hollow sphere, the diameter of which corresponds to the diameter of the cylinder creating the semi-cylinder 2. Along the semi-cylindrical body 2 two lateral projecting and foldable flaps 4 are provided, to block the cord. Obviously, the dimensions of the end ferrule 1 must be such to allow the introduction through the cord passage hole, and where the blocking must occur, and moreover to allow the housing of the cord. As it can be clearly seen from figures 4 - 6, the end of the cord 5 is inserted within the semi-cylindrical body 2 of the end ferrule 1, into its half provided with the two flaps 4. The flaps 4 are then folded, in order to block the cord 5. The particular shaping of the ends 3 of the end ferrule 1 and of the semi-cylindrical body 2 allows its use without any risk of wear and tear for the surfaces on which, during its use, the element 1 rests, forcing on the surface. End ferrule 1, when the cord 5 is pulled, places with its flat portion parallel and corresponding to the surface around the introduction hole, thus preventing the possibility of damaging persons and things, for example when introducing or extracting something from a bag on which the cord has been applied. The present invention has been described for illustrative but not limitative purposes, according to its preferred embodiments, but it is to be understood that modifications and/or changes can be introduced by those skilled in the art without departing from the relevant scope as defined in the enclosed claims.

Claims: End ferrule, which comprises a substantially hollow semi-cylindrical body, and at least a flap, projecting from said substantially semi-cylindrical body, provided toward one of the ends of the end ferrule, said at least one flap being foldable inward the substantially semi-cylindrical body, one end of a cord or like being housed within the substantially semi-cylindrical body and blocked by folding said at least one flap, characterised in that it said substantially hollow semi-cylindrical body having rounded edges, said edges having substantially the shape of ¼ of a hollow spher. End ferrule according to claim 1, characterised in that they are provided two foldable flaps, provided laterally opposed each other on the edges of said substantially semi-cylindrical body. End ferrule according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said rounded ends are comprised of ¼ of hollow sphere, said sphere having the diameter corresponding to the diameter of the cylinder generating the substantially semi-cylindrical body. End ferrule according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said rounded ends and said at least one flap are integrally realised on the substantially semi-cylindrical body.

Inventors: SPAZIANI CARLO, SPAZIANI, CARLO
Applicants: SPAZIANI CARLO, SPAZIANI, CARLO
Application year: 2001
Main classification: A43C9
IPC codes: B65D33, A43C9