Abstract:
A multi-component binding-strap fastener for binding volumetric objects with a strap tension a strap around the volumetric objects is described. The strap may engage the binding-strap fastener by bending an end of the strap to secure the strap through a plurality of apertures in the binding-strap fastener, by friction, by pressure, by any combination of the foregoing, or other suitable manner. A binding-strap fastener may lock in a closed position using a locking device, such as an over-center mechanism, a retaining clip, or a strap-engaging portion. The A binding-strap fastener has a hinge located thereon between a first end of the binding-strap fastener and a second end of the binding-strap fastener, where the axis of rotation is coincident with the hinge and the axis of rotation is located above the volumetric object.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/117,825, filed Nov. 25, 2008; and is a Divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/622,091, filed Nov. 19, 2009. Each aforementioned application is incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The field of the present disclosure relates to binders used with straps and methods for using binders with straps. 
         [0003]    Straps, such as steel banding or poly straps, are commonly used to bind items to objects, such as a lid to a crate for shipping, a water heater to a wall, goods to a pallet, and various other applications. There are various tools used to tension straps around items, for example, tensioning brackets tensioned by screws turned by a screwdriver or wrench, ratchet assemblies, and crimping tools that crimp a clip in place after another tool has been used to apply tension to the strap. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    Devices and methods for binding items with straps are described. In one configuration, a device for binding items with a strap is a lever that is not attached to an item to be bound and is not attached to any other object. The lever includes an axis of rotation that is proximate to an axis end of the lever, and includes a strap-retaining feature. The strap-retaining feature is used to secure a first free end of a strap proximate, that is, near, the axis end of the lever. The strap-retaining feature is also used to secure a second free end of a strap in a position where the second free end of a strap engages the lever at a point that is distal from the axis end of the lever. The lever also includes a locking device that is configured to maintain tension on a strap and to lock the lever in a closed position when the first free end of a strap and the second free end of a strap are secured to the lever and the lever is rotated from an open position to a closed position. 
         [0005]    In one method for securing an item to an object with a strap, the strap is engaged with the object, then placed around the item. A first free end of the strap is secured to a lever so that the first free end engages proximate to an end of the lever. The lever may contact the item and/or the object, but is not attached to either. A second free end of the strap is secured to the lever so that the second free end engages the lever distal from where the first free end engages the lever. The lever is rotated from an open position to a closed position to tension the strap, and is locked in the closed position. 
         [0006]    Additional aspects and advantages will be apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1A  is a top left isometric view of a lever for binding items. 
           [0008]      FIG. 1B  is a top left isometric view of a protective boot. 
           [0009]      FIG. 1C  is a top left isometric view of another lever for binding items. 
           [0010]      FIG. 1D  is a top left isometric view of another lever for binding items. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2A  is a top left isometric view of an embodiment of an extension piece. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2B  is an end view of the extension piece of  FIG. 2A . 
           [0013]      FIG. 3A  is a top view of the lever of  FIG. 1C  used with the extension piece of  FIG. 2A . 
           [0014]      FIG. 3B  is a side view of the lever of  FIG. 1C  used with the extension piece of  FIG. 2A . 
           [0015]      FIG. 3C  is a top left isometric of the lever of  FIG. 1C  used with the extension piece of  FIG. 2A . 
           [0016]      FIG. 4A  is a top left isometric view of another lever for binding items. 
           [0017]      FIG. 4B  is an end view of the lever of  FIG. 4A . 
           [0018]      FIG. 5A  is a top left isometric view of a retaining clip. 
           [0019]      FIG. 5B  is a top left isometric view of another retaining clip. 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a top left isometric view of another retaining clip. 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is a top left isometric view of another retaining clip. 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  is a top left isometric view of another lever for binding items. 
           [0023]      FIG. 9A  is a top left isometric view of a slidable block used with the lever of  FIG. 8 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 9B  is a left side view of the slidable block of  FIG. 9A . 
           [0025]      FIG. 10A  is a top left isometric view of the lever of  FIG. 8  assembled with the slidable block of  FIG. 9A . 
           [0026]      FIG. 10B  is a top left isometric view of the assembly of  FIG. 10A  including straps retained to the lever of  FIG. 8 . 
           [0027]      FIG. 11  is a top left isometric view of another lever for binding items. 
           [0028]      FIG. 12A  is a top left isometric view of the lever of  FIG. 11  assembled with slidable blocks. 
           [0029]      FIG. 12B  is a top left isometric view of the assembly of  FIG. 12A  including straps retained to the lever of  FIG. 11 . 
           [0030]      FIG. 13  is a top left isometric view of another lever for binding items. 
           [0031]      FIG. 14  is a top left isometric view of the lever of  FIG. 13  assembled with slidable blocks. 
           [0032]      FIG. 15A  is a top left isometric view of another lever for binding items in an open position. 
           [0033]      FIG. 15B  is a top left isometric view of the lever of  FIG. 15A  in a closed position. 
           [0034]      FIG. 16  is a top left isometric view of the lever of  FIG. 15A  with straps retained to the lever. 
           [0035]      FIG. 17A  is a top left isometric view of another lever for binding items. 
           [0036]      FIG. 17B  is a top left isometric view of another lever for binding items. 
           [0037]      FIG. 17C  is a top left isometric view of the lever of  FIG. 17B  with straps retained to the lever. 
           [0038]      FIG. 18A  is a top left isometric view of another lever for binding items. 
           [0039]      FIG. 18B  is a top left isometric view of a base used with the lever of  FIG. 18A . 
           [0040]      FIG. 18C  is a top left isometric view of the lever of  FIG. 18A  assembled with the base of  FIG. 18B . 
           [0041]      FIG. 19A  is a top left isometric view of another lever for binding items. 
           [0042]      FIG. 19B  is a top left isometric view of another base used with the lever of  FIG. 19A . 
           [0043]      FIG. 19C  is a top left isometric view of the lever of  FIG. 19A  assembled with the base of  FIG. 19B . 
           [0044]      FIG. 20A  is a top left isometric view of a cam device. 
           [0045]      FIG. 20B  is a top left isometric view of another cam device. 
           [0046]      FIG. 20C  is a top left isometric view of another lever for binding items. 
           [0047]      FIG. 20D  is a top left isometric view of the lever of  FIG. 20C  assembled with the cam device of  FIG. 20A . 
           [0048]      FIG. 20E  is a top left isometric view of the assembly of  FIG. 20D  with straps attached. 
           [0049]      FIG. 21A  is a top left isometric view of another lever for binding items. 
           [0050]      FIG. 21B  is a top left isometric view of a slidable block used with the lever of  FIG. 21A . 
           [0051]      FIG. 21C  is a top left isometric view of the lever of  FIG. 21A  assembled with two slidable blocks of  FIG. 21B  and with straps retained to the lever. 
           [0052]      FIG. 22A  is a top left isometric view of another lever for binding items. 
           [0053]      FIG. 22B  is a top left isometric view of a slidable block used with the lever of  FIG. 22A . 
           [0054]      FIG. 22C  is a top left isometric view of the lever of  FIG. 22A  assembled with two slidable blocks of  FIG. 22B . 
           [0055]      FIG. 22D  is a top left isometric view of another lever for binding items. 
           [0056]      FIG. 22E  is a top left isometric view of the lever of  FIG. 22D  with straps retained to the lever. 
           [0057]      FIG. 23  is a top left isometric view of another lever for binding items with straps retained to the lever. 
           [0058]      FIG. 24  is a side view of the lever of  FIG. 23 . 
           [0059]      FIG. 25  is a top left isometric view of the lever of  FIG. 23  with other straps retained to the lever. 
           [0060]      FIG. 26  is a side view of the lever of  FIG. 25 . 
           [0061]      FIG. 27  is a top left isometric view of a lever used to bind an item with straps. 
           [0062]      FIG. 28  is a detailed view of the lever of  FIG. 27 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0063]    Certain embodiments will now be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiments will be described in terms of a lever that is not attached to an item to be secured or bound, and is not attached to another object. But, alternate configurations may be employed with levers of different construction. Some embodiments may overcome the above noted problems associated with using current tools to tension straps, or may have other advantages. 
         [0064]    The present inventor has recognized that using the various, commonly available tools to tension straps is expensive, bulky, and may be cumbersome. The present inventor therefore recognized a need for an improved device for tensioning straps. 
         [0065]    Referring to  FIGS. 1D ,  27 , and  28 , using an embodiment of a lever  80  ( FIG. 1D ) to bind an item  1000  to an object  1005  is illustrated. Generally, an object is something that an item is bound to. The lever  80  may be shaped to conform to the surface of the item  1000 . A strap  6 ,  7  is engaged with the object  1005 . Engaging a strap to an object may involve attaching or suitably securing the strap to the object, passing a strap through the object, or passing the strap around the object. For example, the object  1005  may be a wall and an end of the strap  6  and an end of the strap  7  may be attached to the wall. Alternately, the strap  6 ,  7  may be a single strap and may pass through holes in the wall, or otherwise be placed around the object  1005 . The strap  6 ,  7  is passed around the item  1000  for binding the item  1000  to the object  1005 . 
         [0066]    A first free end  8  of strap  6  may be retained in apertures  95  ( FIG. 1D ) so that the first free end  8  is proximate the axis end  90  ( FIG. 1D ). A second free end  9  of strap  7  may be retained in apertures  95  so that the second free end  9  engages the lever  80  distal from the axis end  90 . In accordance with the teachings set forth herein, other suitable arrangements for securing a free end of a strap to a lever may be used. 
         [0067]    Once the first free end  8  and the second free end  9  are secured to the lever  80 , the lever  80  is rotated from an open position (depicted) to a closed position, for example where both the axis end  90  and the distal end  100  of the lever  80  contact (but are not attached to) the item  1000 . The lever  80  may be locked in place by the locking device  105 . For example, when the distal end  100  of the lever  80  contacts the item  1000 , the bent portion of the lever resulting from including the locking device  105  may act as an over-center device to lock the lever  80  in the closed position. Alternatively, or in addition to the locking device  105 , a retaining clip  140  ( FIG. 5A ) may be located so that it is between the item  1000  and the strap  6 . When the lever  80  is rotated to the closed position, the lever  80  engages the retaining clip  140 , and due to the strap  6  between the retaining clip  140  and the lever  80 , the retaining clip  140  locks the lever  80  in the closed position. 
         [0068]      FIG. 1A  illustrates another embodiment for a lever for binding items using straps. The lever  5  has an axis end  15 , and is made from a rigid material such as steel, high strength plastic, or other suitable material. The lever  5  rotates about the rotational axis  10 , which is proximate to the axis end  15  of the lever  5 . In certain embodiments, the rotational axis  10  may be parallel to and tangent to the axis end  15  of the lever  5 . The lever  5  is a free standing device, in other words, the lever  5  is not attached to an item that is to be bound or secured by straps, and the lever  5  is not attached to an object that an item is being bound or secured to. 
         [0069]    One arrangement for a strap-retaining feature is to include a plurality of apertures  20  spaced along the length of the lever  5 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 23-26 , apertures  555  may be used to frictionally secure a first free end of a strap  560  and a second free end of a strap  565  to a lever  550 . The first free end and the second free end may be ends of one strap, or may be ends of different straps.  FIGS. 23 and 24  illustrate one manner for securing a strap in the plurality of apertures  555 . For example, the straps  560  and  565  may be poly straps, for example, straps made from polypropylene, polyester, nylon straps, or other straps, that are relatively smooth, may readily slide over another material, or may not readily deform.  FIGS. 25 and 26  illustrate an alternative manner for securing a strap in the plurality of apertures  555 . For example, the straps  570  and  575  may be straps made from metal, or other suitable materials, that do not readily slide over another material, or may readily deform. When a readily deformable strap is used, such as steel banding, an end of the strap may be bent to readily fit into an aperture  555  and use the “hook” formed by the bend to assist holding the strap in place. 
         [0070]    An alternate to securing straps directly to a lever (such as lever  45  for example) is to secure a strap  3010  to an extension piece  3000  and to secure the extension piece  3000  to a lever, such as lever  45  for example, using a tab  3005 , or other suitable structure for releasably securing the extension piece  3000  to a lever. Using an extension piece  3000  may permit a user to repeatedly bind and unbind items of a similar, but slightly variable, size without requiring a user to repeatedly lace or otherwise secure a strap  3015  to the lever  45 . 
         [0071]    Other alternate arrangements for securing a second free end of a strap in a position where the second free end of a strap engages a lever distal from the axis end include those illustrated in  FIGS. 10B  (where strap  275  is illustrated engaging the lever  240  in the housing  250 ),  12 B (where strap  310  is illustrated engaging the lever  280  in the housing  290 ), and  FIG. 21C  (where strap  492  is illustrated engaging lever  470  distal from the axis end  480 ). 
         [0072]    Alternate strap-retaining devices are illustrated in  FIGS. 8-10B ,  11 - 12 B, and  21 A-C. In  FIG. 8 , a lever  240  is illustrated with a housing  250 . Housing  250  may include sidewalls  252 , a roof  253 , and a floor that includes the portion of the top surface  251  that underlies the roof  253 . A slidable block  265  fits in the housing  250 , and is retained to the lever  240  by arm  254 . The slidable block  265  may have a rough surface  266 ,  267  on the top and bottom of the block  265 . A first free end of strap  270  may be placed between the slidable block  265  and the floor of the housing  250  when the slidable block is in a first position. Likewise, a second free end of strap  275  is placed between the slidable block  265  and the roof  253  of the housing  250  when the slidable block is in the first position. Sliding the block  265  to a second position secures the first free end of the strap  270  and the second free end of the strap  275  in positions where the first free end of the strap  270  is secured proximate the axis end  241  and the second free end of the strap  275  is secured distal from the axis end  241 . Referring to  FIG. 10B , a release mechanism  255  may be included. For example, the release mechanism  255  may include a slot through the roof  253  that permits an object to be inserted through the roof  253  to move the block  265  away from the axis end  241 . 
         [0073]    Alternatively, two housings  285 ,  290  ( FIGS. 11-12B ) may be used to secure the first free end of a strap  315  proximate the axis end  281  and to secure the second free end of a strap  310  distal from the axis end  281 . For example,  FIGS. 13-14  show another lever  320  with two housings  325 ,  330  and two blocks  340 ,  345  that are slidable toward a centrally located aperture  321 . 
         [0074]    In  FIGS. 21A-C , the housings include sidewalls  475  and the portion of the top surface  471  of the lever  470  that lies between the sidewalls  475 . Slots  476  are not parallel with the top surface  471 . Sliding the blocks  485 , that are retained in the slots  476  by pins  490 , moves the blocks  485  between a first position where straps  490  and  495  may be inserted between the blocks  485  and the top surface  471  and a second position where the straps  490  and  495  are secured between the blocks  485  and the top surface  471 . 
         [0075]    Other configurations, illustrated by lever  500  in  FIGS. 22A-22C  and by lever  525  in  FIGS. 22D and 22E , may wrap straps  540 ,  545  around blocks  530  that have pins  522  to retain the blocks  530  in slots  506  of sidewalls  505 . As shown in  FIG. 22E , for example, the blocks  530  slide to and pinch the straps  540 ,  545  between the blocks  530  and pins  535  due to the force resulting from tensioning the straps  540 ,  545  when the lever  525  is rotated to a closed position. While the pins  535  are illustrated as being round, the pins  535  may include flat surfaces, or other shaped surfaces, and the surfaces may match the opposing surface of the block  530 . Another alternate embodiment to secure a free end of a strap uses a cam or other locking mechanism to secure a strap to the lever. For example, referring to  FIGS. 20A-20E , a cam device  700 ,  705  (or other configuration) may be retained between wings  711 . The cam device  700 ,  705  is rotated to a first position to permit a strap  715  to be placed between the cam device  700 ,  705  and the upper surface  712  of the lever  710 . The cam device  700 ,  705  is then rotated, using an actuation portion  701 ,  706 , to a second position to lock the strap  715  in place. Another strap  720  is folded around an endmost aperture. 
         [0076]    Referring to  FIG. 1A , the lever  5  may also include a locking device. The lever  5  is illustrated with locking device  30 , which includes a bent portion of the lever  5  near the axis end  15 . The lever  5  is also illustrated with a locking aperture  35 , which engages with a retaining clip, such as the retaining clip  155  illustrated in  FIG. 5B , as described below. 
         [0077]      FIG. 1B  illustrates a protective boot  40  that may be placed over the axis end  15  of the lever  5  to protect the surface of an item to be bound by straps. The boot  40  may be made from a soft material such as rubber, nylon, wood, or other suitable material. A protective boot is a device or structure that operates to protect the item being bound from being marred by the lever, and may take other forms, such as plate  440  or  437 , shown in  FIGS. 18B and 19B , respectively. 
         [0078]    Alternate embodiments may include a hinge  360 , as illustrated by a lever  350  of  FIGS. 15A-16 ,  18 A-C, and  19 A-C. When the hinge  360  is used, the axis of rotation may move from being proximate to an item being bound with the strap to a location above the item being bound with the strap, as illustrated in  FIGS. 18C and 19C , for example. In  FIGS. 18B and 19B , the plate assembly  435 , and  439 , respectively, may serve to protect an item from being marred when the lever  430  or  427 , respectively, is rotated to a closed position. The device  425 ,  426  illustrated in  FIGS. 18C and 19C , respectively, may therefore include an over-center locking device that operates by rotating the lever  430  or  427  in the direction of arrow  431  or  438 , respectively, to a closed position. 
         [0079]    Another configuration, illustrated in  FIG. 17A , may use a flexible material for the lever  385 , such as spring steel, nylon, high density polyethylene, or other suitable material, that may permit the lever  385  to flex. Such a configuration may use one end  386  as an axis end and end  387  as a distal end. When the lever  385  is rotated to a closed position, the axis end  386  may be maneuvered so that a portion of the axis end  386  underlies the strap secured distal from axis end  386 . Placing the axis end  386  under the strap that is secured distal from the axis end  386  may lock the lever  385  in place.  FIGS. 17B and 17C  show another lever  395  for binding items, with straps  415 ,  420  shown retained to the lever  395  in  FIG. 17C . 
         [0080]    Another alternative may be to use a retaining clip  155  ( FIG. 5B ) that engages the lever  80  using the locking aperture  110  ( FIG. 1D ) instead of engaging the sides of the lever  80  as the retaining clip  140  does. An alternative retaining clip  190  may engage the sides of a lever in a manner where the retaining clip  190  is not readily released from the lever. 
         [0081]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , for example, the retaining clip  190  may include a release feature, such as a screwdriver slot defined by walls  200 ,  205 , and  210 , where a screwdriver may be used to pry wings  195  away from one another to release the retaining clip  190  from a lever. Readily engageable and releasable clips, such as those illustrated in  FIGS. 5A ,  5 B, and  7 , may or may not include a release feature. 
         [0082]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , for example, another alternative retaining clip  220  may engage a lever using arms  230  and  235 . Arms  230  may contact one side of the lever when in the closed position and the arm  235  may contact the opposite side of the lever. A retaining clip such as the retaining clip  220  may be useful to lock a lever in a closed position when a lever does not contact an item, for example when the lever is suspended in the air because of the tension on the strap. 
         [0083]    Other configurations include a locking device, such as the locking device  135  ( FIG. 4A ), that is configured as a strap-engaging portion on the lever. For example, when the lever  115  is rotated to a closed position, the locking device  135  is maneuvered so that ramp portion  136  ( FIG. 4B ) engages a strap (not illustrated) and used to push the strap to rest in cradle  137 . Another example is illustrated in  FIG. 12B  where strap  315  is resting in cradle  296  of locking device  295 . Note that the locking device  295  does not include a ramp, but it may in alternative configurations. 
         [0084]    It will be obvious to those having skill in the art that many changes may be made to the details of the above-described embodiments, including, but not limited to, mixing different types of locking devices and strap-retaining features on a lever, without departing from the underlying principles of the invention. The scope of the present invention should, therefore, be determined only by the following claims.