Abstract:
A strap-securing device for use in securing a strap to a shoulder pad worn, for example, on the body of a player in the sport of football. In general, the strap-securing device comprises a strap-engagement member and a catch member joined together by a linkage permitting the members to swivel with respect to each other. The strap-engagement member is secured to a strap free end. The catch member of the strap-securing device is secured to the shoulder pad chest plate. The secured straps firmly hold the shoulder pad in place on the wearer&#39;s body. The strap-securing device advantageously provides a secure strap attachment point, without strap slippage, while simultaneously permitting elongation or shortening of the strap length. The swiveling action of the strap-securing device permits the device to lie flat against the shoulder pad while bending and straightening in concert with the wearer&#39;s movement.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention is related generally to securing devices and, more specifically, to strap-securing devices for use with football shoulder pads and other types of athletic equipment. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Shoulder pads for use in the game of football typically include a pair of padded rigid arches or arch portions each terminating in the front with a chest plate and in the rear with a back plate. The front chest plates are typically connected with laces while the back plates are connected by straps extending between the back plates. Right and left shoulder protective epaulets are commonly secured to the top surface of a respective arch and padding is secured to the arch bottom surfaces to cushion the shoulder pad against the wearer&#39;s shoulder. 
   Two underarm straps are typically provided to further secure the shoulder pad to the wearer&#39;s body. The straps are commonly made of elastic webbing or a combination of elastic and non-elastic webbing. The straps are typically between about 1.5-2 inches in width. Each strap has one end secured to a respective back plate by a connector, such as a rivet. The other end of the strap is attached to the chest plate by a securing device described in more detail below. The shoulder pad is secured to the wearer&#39;s body by leading the straps under the wearer&#39;s arms and securing the second end to a respective chest plate. Tightening of the elastic strap secures the shoulder pad in place on the wearer&#39;s body. 
   The strap second end is typically attached to the respective chest plate by a securing device in the form of a hook or a slide device. In the trade, the hook devices are referred to as “T-hooks” while the slide devices are referred to as “keyhole” slides. The assignee of the application, Athletic Specialties, Inc. of Waucanda, Ill., has supplied these types of strap-securing devices to universities, high school athletic departments and other customers for many years. Representative examples of such devices are shown in  FIGS. 2-4 . 
   Keyhole-style strap-securing devices have a one-piece, unitary body which includes a slotted strap-engagement portion and a keyhole slide portion. The strap second end is led through the slots thereby securing the strap to the device. The keyhole slide portion is mated with a corresponding pin on the chest plate to secure the strap under the wearer&#39;s arm. 
   T-hook style strap-securing devices are available in two configurations. In one such configuration, the T-hook is made of a one-piece body with a slotted strap-engagement portion and a rigid T-shaped hook portion connected to the strap-engagement portion by an elongate rigid neck. The strap second end is led through the slots and is secured to the device as with the keyhole-type securing device. The T-shaped hook is then mated with a corresponding slot in the chest plate. 
   The second type of T-hook configuration comprises a strap-engagement member in the form of a “corset-style” catch and a swiveling T-shaped hook. The strap-engagement member of this type of T-hook consists of a D-shaped ring with a fixed jaw element and an opposed movable jaw element. The movable jaw element is loosely crimped at each end along opposed sides of the D-shaped ring permitting movement toward and away from the fixed jaw element. The strap second end is led behind the movable jaw element and then back between both jaw elements whereupon it is intended that the jaw elements clamp the strap in place. The T-shaped hook is then mated with a corresponding slot in the chest plate. 
   While these conventional securing devices are completely suitable for certain applications, they are not without potential limitations. For example, movement of the corset-style T-hook during use tends to loosen the grip of the movable jaw element causing the elastic strap to slip from the securing device. The wearer must periodically adjust the strap to compensate for the slippage in order to maintain proper fit of the shoulder pad. If the slippage is substantial, the strap may become completely desecured from the hook. Such desecuring disadvantageously requires that the wearer discontinue play while the shoulder pad strap is readjusted. Moreover, any desecuring of the strap-securing device can result in loss of such device rendering the shoulder pad unusable. 
   Typically, the wearer will attempt to prevent strap slippage by wrapping adhesive tape around the jaw elements to hold the jaw elements and strap in place. However, this is extremely disadvantageous because it prevents any adjustment of the strap length. As a result, the strap cannot be tightened should the strap become stretched and elongated after use and the strap cannot be lengthened if the wearer wishes to wear additional clothing, for example, additional layers of garments for playing the sport in cold weather conditions. When the shoulder pad is cleaned or reconditioned, the tape must be manually removed. This can be a laborious and time intensive process particularly where an entire team&#39;s collection of shoulder pads is being cleaned or refurbished. 
   Strap-securing devices with movable jaw elements involve potentially unnecessary manufacturing steps increasing the costs of such components. Separate bending steps are required to secure the movable jaw element to the D-shaped element. Moreover, the swiveling hook portion of such devices may consist of a single piece of metal folded back onto itself and welded together. Plural manufacturing steps are required to fabricate such devices and, of course, any additional manufacturing steps can increase the cost to manufacture the strap-securing device. 
   The strap-securing devices with one-piece body construction are limited in that they do not bend and straighten to conform to the movements of the wearer. Consequently, such devices could become disengaged from the respective slot or mating post during extreme wearer movements. 
   Further, stresses applied to the narrow neck portion of the T-shaped hooks with unitary bodies during extreme use could cause the device to break and fail. Any failure of the strap-securing device may result in the wearer having to withdraw from the game so that the shoulder pad or other equipment can be adjusted. 
   While not likely, it is possible for the rigid neck portions of the T-shaped hooks to become inserted into the slot on the shoulder pad chest pad in such a way that the device protrudes outwardly from the slot rather than lying flat against the chest plate. Any such protrusion could catch on the wearer&#39;s jersey, potentially tearing the jersey. 
   It would be a significant improvement in the art to provide an improved strap-securing device for securing a strap to a shoulder pad or the like which would provide a more secure connection between the shoulder pad straps and the shoulder pad, which would accommodate the wearer&#39;s movement and remain in place during extreme movement, which would lie flat on the wearer&#39;s chest plate and which would be sturdy and economical to manufacture. 
   OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
   It is an object of this invention to provide an improved strap-securing device overcoming problems and shortcomings of the prior art. 
   Another object of this invention is to provide an improved strap-securing device which would provide a more secure connection between a strap and a shoulder pad or other device worn on the body; 
   An additional object of this invention is to provide an improved strap-securing device which would accommodate the wearer&#39;s movement; 
   It is also an object of this invention to provide an improved strap-securing device which would remain in place during extreme wearer movement; 
   A further object of this invention is to provide an improved strap-securing device which would lie flat on the wearer&#39;s chest plate 
   Yet another object is to provide an improved strap-securing device which is sturdy and economical to manufacture. 
   How these and other objects are accomplished will be apparent from the descriptions of this invention which follow. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is an improved strap-securing device, particularly for use in securing a shoulder pad protective device to a wearer&#39;s body. The shoulder pad typically includes two underarm straps provided to secure the shoulder pad to the wearer&#39;s shoulders. Each strap has both a free end and a second end secured to a rear shoulder pad plate. Each strap free end is attached to a respective strap-securing device. Each strap is pulled snug under the wearer&#39;s arm and each strap-securing device is attached to the appropriate shoulder pad chest plate firmly securing the shoulder pad to the wearer&#39;s shoulders. The inventive strap-securing device provides important advantages over strap-securing devices of the prior art as will be apparent from the disclosure which follows. 
   In general, the strap-securing device comprises a strap-engagement member and a catch member. The strap-engagement member is joined to the catch member by a swivelling linkage which permits each such member to move with respect to the other. 
   The preferred strap-engagement member includes first and second ends, side elements and a pair of non-moving posts defining first, second and third elongate slots through the member. Preferably, each of said slots has a slot axis and each slot is positioned in the member, one next to the other, such that the slot axes are substantially parallel one to the other. 
   In highly preferred forms of the invention, the strap-engagement member has a top surface and a bottom surface and the strap-engagement member defined by said surfaces is substantially flat. Preferably, each slot has a length and a width dimension. For reasons which will become apparent, each slot width dimension is preferably substantially the same while the length dimension of the second slot is equal to or less than length dimensions of the first and third slots. 
   The preferred slots are provided to receive the strap inserted therethrough and around the posts. The slots advantageously provide a secure attachment point without slippage yet also permit the strap length to be elongated or shortened. 
   The preferred catch member includes first and second ends. The first end is movably joined to the strap-engagement second end by a mechanical linkage. Most preferably, the catch member first end is positioned through the strap-engagement member third slot and loosely around the strap-engagement member second end. In the most highly preferred form of the invention, the catch member first end has a width dimension less than the width dimension of the third slot and a thickness dimension less than the length dimension of the third slot and the catch hook member first end is positioned entirely through the third slot. In this embodiment, the catch member first end takes the form of an eyelet linkage joining the strap-engagement and catch members and permitting swiveling movement of each member with respect to the other. 
   Other types of mechanical linkages may be provided to join the strap-engagement and catch members. For example, a pair of opposed coaxial male pins may be provided on the catch member to movably mate with corresponding female openings provided on the strap-engagement member. The swiveling linkage advantageously permits the strap-engagement and catch portions to move with respect to the other allowing the device to lie flat against the chest plate during strenuous use. 
   The preferred catch member second end includes a catch element formed integrally in the catch member second end. The catch element is configured to mate with a corresponding mount on the shoulder pad chest plate, for example a mount consisting of a slot or a flanged male pin. 
   The catch element is most preferably a hook and this most highly preferred form of the invention may be characterized as a swivel hook. The most highly preferred form of hook element comprises a “T-shaped” hook element. The preferred T-shaped hook element is joined to the catch member through a neck portion. It is most highly preferred that the catch member has a top side and a bottom side and that the hook element is offset from the catch member second end with the neck portion extending away from the bottom side at an angle of less than 90° and preferably about 45°. Other types of catches, such as keyhole slides configured to mate with a male post on the chest plate may be used. 
   Most preferably, the strap-engagement member and catch member are each unitary members. 
   The strap-securing device of the invention may be made of any suitable material. Metal is most preferred but other materials, such as plastic may be used. Cold rolled 1018 or 1020 carbon steel is a highly preferred material. The steel may be hardened or treated as desired to impart appropriate properties. 
   The strap-securing device of the invention is not limited to use with a football shoulder pad and may be used to secure the straps of other athletic products or devices worn in conjunction with the wearer&#39;s body. 
   The inventive strap-securing device provides important advantages not found in prior art devices. The slotted strap-engagement member provides a non-slip strap attachment point which completely avoids the slippage associated with the corset-style T-hook including the movable jaw element. Such non-slip attachment ensures that the shoulder pad will not loosen during use with the resultant benefit that the athlete will not have to leave the game for adjustment of the shoulder pad. Advantageously, this result is achieved without any necessity to use adhesive tape to hold the strap in place on the strap-securing device. 
   The flexible connection between the strap-engagement and catch members permits the strap-securing device to lie flat against the shoulder pad chest plate and allows the strap-securing device to move in concert with the wearer&#39;s movement. Advantageously, this structure avoids protrusions which could damage the wearer&#39;s jersey and avoids unwanted disconnection of the strap-securing device from the shoulder pad. 
   The simple construction of the strap-securing device requires a minimal number of parts and the parts which are required are sturdy and not prone to failure. Fewer manufacturing steps are required versus corset-style hooks of the prior art reducing costs while providing a superior product. 
   It should be pointed out that, while the present invention represents an improvement in the strap-securing art, neither this device, nor any other device, can remove the risk of injury for those who participate in inherently hazardous activities such as football and the like. Further, no device can prevent the risk of injury when such devices are used in a manner contrary to the rules of the sport or other endeavor, for example to spear or ram an opposing player, person or object. The shoulder pad and securing straps must always be used in an appropriate manner and in accordance with all rules and guidelines. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of two exemplary strap-securing devices according to the invention shown in conjunction with an exemplary shoulder pad of the type used in the sport of football. 
       FIGS. 2-4  are each perspective views of prior art strap-securing devices. 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an exemplary strap-securing device according to the invention. 
       FIG. 6  is a top view of an exemplary strap-securing device according to the invention. 
       FIG. 7  is a side elevation view of an exemplary strap-securing device according to the invention showing an exemplary strap portion led through the strap-securing device. 
     The examples shown in these figures and described herein are intended to be illustrative only and not limiting with respect to the scope of the invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   Referring first to  FIG. 1 , that figure illustrates exemplary strap-securing devices  10 ,  10   a  according to the invention shown in conjunction with a shoulder pad  11  of the type worn on the shoulders of an athlete in the game of football. Shoulder pad  11  includes a pair of padded rigid arches  13 ,  15  terminating in the front with a chest plate  17 ,  19  and in the rear with a pair of back plates  21 ,  23 . Laces  25  are provided to join the chest plates  17 ,  19  and secure the shoulder pad on the wearer&#39;s chest. Right and left protective shoulder epaulets  27 ,  29  are secured along the top surface of a respective arch  13 ,  15 . Padding (not shown) is secured to the arch bottom surfaces  31 ,  33  to cushion the shoulder pad  11  against the wearer&#39;s shoulder. 
   Underarm straps  35 ,  37  are provided to further secure shoulder pad  11  to the wearer&#39;s body. Straps  35 ,  37  are preferably made of elastic webbing and may be of any suitable width with a width of approximately 1.5 to 2 inches being typical. Each strap  35 ,  37  is secured at one end to a respective back plate  21 ,  23  by a rivet (not shown) or other suitable connector. The other strap end  39 ,  41  is removably secured to the respective chest plate  17 ,  19  by a respective strap-securing device  10 ,  10   a  secured to a respective shoulder pad mount, preferably in the form of slots  43 ,  45 . The length of each strap  35 ,  37  can be adjusted as described more fully below. The elastic properties of straps  35 ,  37  provide a snug fit holding shoulder pad  11  in place on the wearer&#39;s shoulders. 
   In order to best understand the improvements provided by the inventive strap-securing device  10 , it will be useful to describe the strap-securing devices  47 ,  49  and  51  of the prior art shown in  FIGS. 2-4 . Such devices are and have been commercially available from Athletic Specialties, Inc. since at least 1976. 
   Device  47  ( FIG. 2 ) is a “T-hook” style strap-securing device and device  51  ( FIG. 4 ) is a “keyhole” style device. Each device  47 ,  51  has a one-piece body  53 ,  55  with three slots  57 - 61 ,  63 - 67  provided to receive a strap, such a strap  35 ,  37 . Device  47  has a rigid T-shaped hook portion  69 . The hook portion  69  is connected to body  53  by an elongate rigid neck  71  and is configured for insertion into a slot, such as slot  43  or  45 . Device  51  has a keyhole  73  which mates with a flanged pin (not shown) on a respective shoulder pad chest plate  17 ,  19 . 
   The rigid construction of devices  47 ,  51  prevents the devices from bending and straightening as the wearer moves making it possible for the devices  47 , 51  to potentially disengage from the respective slot  43 ,  45  or mating post during extreme wearer movement. In addition, it is possible that the rigid narrow neck portion  71  of device  47  could fail under conditions of extreme use or the hook  69  and neck  71  could become seated in the slot  43 ,  45  so that the device  47  would protrude and not lie flat against a respective chest plate  17 ,  19 . In either case, adjustment of the shoulder pad  11  may be required, potentially resulting in withdrawal of the player from the game. 
   Device  49  ( FIG. 3 ) is an example of a T-hook style device including a “corset-style”strap-engagement member  75  and a movably mounted T-shaped hook portion  77 . T-shaped hook  79  is provided to mate with a corresponding slot  43  or  45  in the chest plate. The strap-engagement portion  75  includes a D-shaped ring  81  with opposed fixed and movable jaw elements  83 ,  85 . The movable jaw element  83  is loosely crimped at each end  87 ,  89  along opposed sides of the D-shaped ring  81  permitting movement toward and away from the fixed jaw element  83 . The strap  35  or  37  end is led through opening  84  and down between jaw strap therebetween. 
   A disadvantage of the corset-style strap-engagement member  75  is that the movable jaw element  83  can move away from element  81  thereby loosening the grip of the jaw elements  81 ,  83  on the strap  35  or  37 . To prevent any such slippage, a wearer will wrap adhesive tape around the ring element  81  and strap  35  or  37 . This arrangement is unsatisfactory because the strap length cannot be adjusted and the tape must be cut away in order to recondition the shoulder pad  11 . 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 5-7 , those figures illustrate an exemplary strap-securing device  10  in the form a swivel hook. The exemplary strap-securing device  10  includes a strap-engagement member  89  and a catch member  91 . The strap-engagement member  89  is provided with first and second ends  93 ,  95 , side elements  97 ,  99 , a pair of non-moving posts  101 ,  103  defining first, second and third elongate slots  105 - 109  and top and bottom surfaces  111 ,  113 . Preferably, and as shown in  FIG. 6 , each of slots  105 - 109  has a respective slot axis  115 - 119  each of which is parallel to the other. 
   As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the structure of slots  105 - 109  may differ in order to facilitate secure attachment of strap  35  to member  89 . For instance, each slot  105 - 109  has a length dimension between respective slot edges  121 - 131  and a width dimension between slot end edges  133 - 143 . The width dimension of each slot  105 - 109  is preferably the same while the length dimension of each slot  105 ,  109  is preferably greater than the length dimension of slot  107 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , the greater length dimension of slot  109  facilitates insertion of strap  35  twice through slot  109 . The greater length dimension of slot  105  accommodates both strap  35  and catch member  91  positioned through slot  105 . 
   It is preferred that the slot edges  133 - 143  are smoothed or rounded, providing a “race-track” appearance as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . Such rounding avoids sharp edges which can fray and damage strap  35  inserted through slots  105 - 109 . Other slot  105 - 109  configurations, orientations and length and width dimensions may be used in accordance with the invention. It is not required that engagement member  89  include three slots as other numbers of slots may be provided consistent with the invention. 
   The preferred arrangement of slots  105 - 109  in member  89  provides a secure attachment point for strap  35  while at the same time permitting adjustment of the length of strap  35 . The preferred mode of strap attachment is well-shown in FIG.  7 . As shown, strap  35  is led along a serpentine path from bottom surface  111  through slot  109 , over post  103 , through slot  107 , under post  101 , through slot  105  and back across top surface  111  down through slot  109 . The strap  35  is locked in place when in the configuration shown in FIG.  7 . At the same time, the strap  35  can be loosened for strap length adjustment merely by pushing the leading end  36  of strap  35  back through slot  109  and sliding the strap  35  through member  89  in the desired direction to shorten or lengthen the strap  35 . 
   Strap-engagement member  89  is preferably substantially flat and is made from a single piece of material. For example, member  89  may be stamped in a single operation from a piece of cold rolled 1018, 1020 or 1045 carbon steel. Other materials, such as brass or stainless steel, could be utilized. 
   Referring further to  FIGS. 5-7 , the preferred catch member  91  has first and second ends  145 ,  147  and top and bottom surfaces  149 ,  151 . A linkage  153  movably joins catch member  91  to strap-engagement member  89 . Specifically, end  147  is positioned through slot  105  and is formed by a press to provide an eyelet  155  linkage which is positioned loosely about end  93  (FIG.  7 ). As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , catch member  91  end  147  has a width dimension between edge surfaces  157 ,  159  which is less than the width of slot  105  and a thickness dimension between top and bottom surfaces  149 ,  151  which is less than the length of slot  105 . This preferred arrangement permits swiveling movement of the strap-engagement and catch members  89 ,  91  with respect to the other in the directions represented by the two-headed arrow  161  of FIG.  7 . Such single step forming process is more efficient than the process used to manufacture conventional hooks. 
   Catch member end  145  includes a catch  163 , preferably in the form of the T-shaped hook element with tangs  165  and an elongate neck portion  167  shown in FIGS.  1  and  5 - 7 . The catch  163  is configured to be inserted into a corresponding shoulder pad mount, such as elongate slot  43  in shoulder pad chest plate  17 . The catch  163  is then rotated approximately 90° so that the tangs  165  engage corresponding slot surfaces inside the shoulder pad chest plate (not shown) to hold catch  163  in place on the chest plate  17 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , neck portion  167  is preferably formed so that it extends away from top surface  149  at an angle of less than about 90°, and most preferably about 45°. As a result, catch member end  145  is offset from end  147  to permit catch  163  to be inserted into the slot  43 . It is envisioned that types of catches  163 , other than T-shaped hooks, may be used in connection with the strap-securing device  10 . For example, it is possible that a keyhole slide element could be used to mate with a flanged male post on the chest plate  19  or a hook having a design other than a T-shaped hook could be used in accordance with the invention. 
   Catch member  91  may be stamped in a single operation from a piece of cold rolled 1018, 1020 or 1045 carbon steel and is preferably made from the same material as member  89 . Members  89  and  91  may be deburred or tumbled to remove rough surfaces and such components may be hardened or otherwise treated as appropriate. Optionally, members  89 ,  91  may be coated with resin, nylon or any other suitable material to impart desired properties such as rust resistance or color. 
   In use, the novel strap-securing device  10  is first secured to strap  35  by engagement of strap  35  with strap-engagement member  89 . Strap  35  is led through slots  105 - 109  and between posts  101 ,  103  and is adjusted to an appropriate strap length. Strap-securing device  10  is then grasped and the strap  35  pulled so that the catch  163  is in position to engage the corresponding shoulder pad chest plate mating structure, such as slot  43 . Catch is then engaged with slot  43 . The elastic properties of strap  35  securely hold shoulder pad  11  in place on the wearer&#39;s shoulders. 
   The principles of this invention have been described in connection with specific embodiments. It should be understood clearly that these descriptions are made only by way of example not intended to limit the scope of the invention.