Abstract:
Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a retainer comprising a connecting member and a connector. The connector comprises a body having a first end and a second end, a first holding member, and a second holding member. The first holding member removably holds the first end of the connecting member, and the second holding member removably holds the second end of the connecting member.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    Straps and other materials have various uses in today&#39;s world. For example, straps can be used in conjunction with a ratchet to hold down objects in the bed of a truck. In this instance, the straps can be of varying length but generally an excess amount of strap is left over after the strap is cinched to hold down the desired object. This excess is not contained in any manner. Other types of straps or materials in various applications also may not be contained and/or may hang freely from the application. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0002]      FIGS. 1A-B  are perspective view of one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0003]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention as applied to a roll of flat belt. 
           [0004]      FIG. 3  is an exploded view of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0005]      FIG. 4A  is an exploded view of one embodiment of a connector. 
           [0006]      FIG. 4B  is a cross sectional view along the longitudinal length of the connector of  FIG. 4A . 
           [0007]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a holding member. 
           [0008]      FIG. 6A  is an exploded view of an embodiment of a connector with flanges. 
           [0009]      FIG. 6B  is a cross sectional view along the longitudinal length of the connector of  FIG. 6A . 
           [0010]      FIG. 7A  is an exploded view of one embodiment of a connector with a stiffening collar. 
           [0011]      FIG. 7B  is a cross sectional view along the longitudinal length of the connector of  FIG. 7A . 
           [0012]      FIG. 8  depicts two embodiments of a strap core. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0013]    Certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and is not to be taken as a limitation on the invention. For example, words such as “upper,” “lower,” “left,” “right,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “upward,” “transverse,” and “downward” merely describe the configuration shown in the Figures. Indeed, the individual components may be oriented in any direction and the terminology, therefore, should be understood as encompassing such variations unless specified otherwise. 
         [0014]    Referring now to the Figures, wherein like reference numbers refer to like elements in each of the several views,  FIGS. 1-3  show an embodiment of an adjustable retainer  10 . The adjustable retainer  10  may include a connector  12  and a connecting member  14 . In some other embodiments, the adjustable retainer  10  may also feature a strap core  16  and a terminator  18 . As shown in  FIG. 1A , the adjustable retainer  10  may secure a strap  19  or belt securely to the adjustable retainer  10 . 
         [0015]      FIG. 4  depicts one embodiment of the connector  12 . The connector  12  may include a body  41 , a first holding member  42 , and a second holding member  43 . In one embodiment, shown in  FIG. 4A , the connector  12  has a generally cylindrical shape; however, one skilled in the art can appreciate that other geometric shapes may be utilized, such as a box-like shape, hour-glass shape, shape such that the body has two separate portions and any other shape. 
         [0016]    The body  41  of the connector  12  has at least one sidewall, a first passageway  44 , a second passageway  45 , a first end  46 , and a second end  47 . A first sidewall of the body  41  defines the first passageway  44  in the body  41 . A second sidewall may define the second passageway  45  in the body  41 . In one embodiment, the first sidewall may also define the second passageway  45 . The first and second passageways  44 ,  45  may extend through at least a portion of the body  41  of the connector  12  so as to allow the connecting member  14  to pass therethrough. In one embodiment, the first passageway  44  is located at the first end  46  of the connector  12 , while the second passageway  45  is located at the second end  47  of the connector  12 . In another embodiment, the first and second passageways  44 ,  45  are located adjacent to the edges of the of the first end  46  and the second end  47 , respectively such that the first and second passageways are separated from each other. Although the body heretofore has been described with passageways  44 ,  45 , however, the body may not include any passageways but instead, may include other means that will allow the connector  12  to attach to the body  41 . The crosssection of the body  41  may be of any shape at any location on the connector  12 , such as substantially circular, square, triangular, pentagon-shape, hexagon-shaped, any combination thereof. 
         [0017]    The connector  12  also includes two holding members  42 ,  43 . The holding members  42 ,  43  may be located at any point on the connector, such as at each end  46 ,  47  of the body  41 , at each passageway  44 ,  45 , or at any other position on the connector  12 . The holding members  42 ,  43  may be any device or item configured to engage, or to hold and release the connecting member  14  to the body  41  of the connector  12  via, e.g., the passageways  44 ,  45 . For example, a holding member  42 ,  43  may be a spring-loaded button, clamp, buckle, pin, screw, crimping device, an adjustable passageway, adhesive, or any other device where the connecting member  14  will be held to the connector body  41 . 
         [0018]    In one embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 4A , the holding members  42 ,  43  are release buttons  50 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , each release button may include a head  52  and body  54 . The head  52  of each button  50  may be flat or have any other type of shape so as to be capable of being depressed by a user. In addition, the button head  52  may have a diameter that is greater than the diameter of the interior cavity of the connector body  41 . The button head  52  is attached to the button body  54 . The button body  54  may be generally cylindrical but alternatively may be of any other shape that allows the button body  54  to be inserted into the interior cavity of the connector body  41 , such as triangular, square, or any other shape so that the button body  54  may be releaseably inserted into the interior cavity of the connector body  41 . The button body  54  has a diameter less than that of the interior cavity of the connector body  41  so as to allow the button body  54  to freely slide back and forth into and out of at least a portion of the interior cavity of the connector body  41 . Each button body  54  has a sidewall that defines a hole  56  in the button body  54 . The button body hole  56  may be configured so as to align with a passageway in the connector body  41 , such as when the button body  54  is inserted into the interior cavity of the connector body  41 . The button body hole  56  may be roughly the same size as its respective passageway  44 ,  45  in the connector body  41 . However, it should be understood that the size of the button body hole  56  may be larger or smaller than the respective passageway  44 ,  45 . 
         [0019]    As previously mentioned, the first and second release buttons  42 ,  43  may be located or releaseably connected to the interior cavity of the first and second ends  46 ,  47  of the connector body  41 , respectively. In one embodiment, the buttons  50  may mate with the interior cavity of the connector body  41  so that the button body  54  is substantially flush with an internal surface of the interior cavity. The head  52  of each button  50  may be located outside of the interior cavity of the connector body  41  and each button head  52  may be located apart from the connector body  41 . Although  FIGS. 4A and 5  depict one embodiment in which release buttons  50  are utilized as holding members  42 ,  43 , one of skill in the art will be aware that other holding members  42 ,  43 , such as clamps, magnets, clips, and the like, that releaseably connect the connecting member  14  with the connector body  41  may be employed in conjunction with or instead of at least one button  50 . Further, systems where the connecting member  14  and the holding member  42 ,  43  mate may be used, such as an adjustable belt and buckle system, a gear and brake system, a clamp system and the like. 
         [0020]    In one embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the connector  12  may incorporate one or more interference flanges, such as an internal flange  62  and an external flange  64 . The internal flange  62  may be a lip or other protrusion located on the first end  46  and/or second end  47  of the connector body  41  and may extend inwardly toward the interior cavity of the connector body  47  or outwardly away from the interior cavity. The external flange  64  may include a lip or protrusion on an edge of the holding member  42 ,  43 . The internal flange  62  and the external flange  64  are configured so as to geometrically interfere with each other. This interference causes the holding members  42 ,  43  to be captured by the connector body  41  so that, in the absence of a connecting member  14 , the holding members  42 ,  43  will not disconnect from the connector body  41 . It is to be understood that other reinforcement devices, materials, methods, or objects may be employed to prevent separation of the connector body  41  and the holding members  42 ,  43 , and embodiments of the present invention is not only limited to flanges  62 ,  64 . 
         [0021]    The connector  12  may be spring-loaded by any device applying a force onto the holding member  42 ,  43 , which in turn applies force to the connecting member  14 , or the holding member may itself generate a force to apply to the connecting member  14 . In one embodiment, a compression spring  48  may be inserted into the interior cavity of the connector body  41  to spring-load the connector  12 . The compression spring  48  may be housed in the connector body  41 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 4 , a spring  48  of a length to allow one end of the spring  48  to contact and apply force to one holding member  42 , while the other end of the spring is aligned to contact and apply force to the other holding member  43 . Examples of the spring  48  may include a steel compression spring, injected molded plastic spring, a material having a spring constant, or any other device or object capable of applying force to the connecting member  14 . 
         [0022]    In one embodiment, two or more springs may be employed where each spring contacts a single holding member  42 ,  43 , as shown in  FIG. 6B . An internal  65  wall may be integral with or placed in the connector body  41  with each spring  67 ,  69  and each spring  67 ,  69  may be positioned such that one end of each spring  67 ,  69  contacts the internal wall  65  and the other end contacts and applies force to a holding member  42 ,  43 . This two-spring arrangement may apply a greater amount of force than a single spring, in some scenarios where, for example, an adjustable retainer  10  is being used on a strap, belt, or other material with a very large width or diameter where a greater amount of force is needed to be applied to the strap, belt, or other material to hold such items to the connector  12 . 
         [0023]    In another embodiment, the connector  12  may include at least one stiffening collar. A two-collar embodiment is shown in  FIG. 7 . In the depicted embodiment, each collar  72 ,  74  is configured to reinforce each respective passageway  44 ,  45  by providing extra support around the passageway  44 ,  45 . Each collar  72 ,  74  may have an increased amount of material integrated with or connected to the connector body  41 . The size of the collar  72 ,  74  may be dependent on the amount of force or stress that will be placed on the connector  12 . For example, the higher amount of stress that will be placed on the connector  12 , the larger the collar size should be to provide greater amount of support and stress distribution. The collar  72 ,  74  may be provided for each passageway opening, as shown in  FIG. 7 . It should be understood that other reinforcement devices, materials, methods, or objects may be employed to reinforce the passageways  44 ,  45  or holding members  42 ,  43  and the illustrated embodiments should not only limited to collars  72 ,  74  to reinforce the connector passageways  44 ,  45  or holding members  42 ,  43 . 
         [0024]    The connector  12  may be connected to the connecting member  14  such that the connector  12  makes a loop with the connecting member  14 , forming a passageway therethrough such that a belt, strap and the like may pass therethough. Although, the connector is describe heretofore as making a loop, the connector need not form a loop to function, and instead only one end of the connecting member may be connected to the connector. Further, only one end of the connecting member may be moveable along the connector so that the other end of the connecting member may be fixed to the connector. 
         [0025]    In one embodiment, the connecting member  14  may be any type of material capable of connecting to the connector  12 , such as a line, rope, metal strip, plastic, any elastomeric material, wire, wood, leather, or any other material capable of forming a loop with the connector  12 . In one embodiment, a line such as an elastic cord, rope, bungie line, and the like may be employed. Such an elastic line may be single or multi-stranded and may further include external shielding. The connecting member  14  may have a diameter capable of fitting through the holes of the connector  12 . The connecting member  14  may be substantially conformable. 
         [0026]    The ends  46 ,  47  of the connecting member  14  may be attached together in one embodiment by a terminator  18 . By way of example, the ends  46 ,  47  may be manually tied together or may be held together using the terminator  18 , such as a ball-tie, pin, clamp, glue, adhesive material, magnets, or any other means for attaching the ends  46 ,  47  together. In one embodiment, the ends  46 ,  47  of the connecting member  14  may be integral with each other  46 ,  47  such that the connecting member  14  is one intergral piece forming a loop with itself. 
         [0027]    As shown in  FIG. 8 , embodiments of the adjustable retainer  10  may include a strap core  16 . The strap core  16  may be a generally cylindrical object, but may have other shapes, such as a triangular or rectangular prism, any other polygon having any number of sides, or any other shape where a strap or belt can wrap around. The strap core  16  may include a sidewall that defines an internal cavity  82 . The internal cavity  82  of the strap core  16  is such that the connecting member  14  can be placed therethrough. The strap core  16  may be configured such that it is capable of free movement, such as rolling, on the connecting member  14 . In one embodiment, a spring (not shown) may be employed in the internal cavity  82  of the strap core  16  to facilitate rotation of the strap core  16  about the connecting member  14 . 
         [0028]    In some embodiments, the strap core  16  includes a means for adhering  84  the end of the strap or belt to the strap core  16 , such as double sided core adhesive, a mechanical pin, a locking pin, a recess in the connector body, and the like, as shown in  FIG. 8 . For example, as shown in the lower illustration of  FIG. 8 , adhesive may be employed on the outer surface of the strap core  16 . By way of another example, as shown in the upper illustration of  FIG. 8 , a recess or groove  84  in the strap core  16  may be employed so that an end of a belt may be inserted therein to attach the belt to the strap core  16 . It should be understood that any other devices to secure a strap or belt to the strap core  16  may be employed and the present invention should not be limited only to the embodiments described above. 
         [0029]    The strap core  16 , connector body  41 , and holding members  42 ,  43  may be made out of one or more plastics, composites, epoxies, metal, wood, polymers, any combination thereof or any other material possessing sufficient mechanical strength. In one embodiment, the material of the connector  12 , including the connector body  41 , holding members  42 ,  43 , other possible elements of the connector  12 , and the strap core  16 , may be made of one or more materials, such as any thermoplastic material, including acetal copolymer, capable of withstanding high temperatures, including temperatures up to 160 degrees F., so that the connector will substantially not deform after being exposed to such temperatures. It is to be understood that the scope of the invention is not intended to be limited by the materials listed here, but may be carried out using any material which allows the construction and operation of the connector described herein. 
         [0030]    Embodiments of the present invention may be used to retain, secure and/or store at least a portion of a belt, a strap or any other item, as previously mentioned. For example, a user may adhere the end of a belt to the core  16 , or the connecting member  14 . As previously mentioned, a means for facilitating the strap to adhere or connect to the strap core  16  or the connecting member  14  may be employed. The user may then roll or wrap the belt onto the strap core  16  or the connecting member  14 . In one embodiment, as the user wraps the belt or strap around the strap core  16 , the strap core may freely rotate about the connecting member  14 . The strap is connected to the strap core  16  and the strap core  16  operates as an axis about which the strap rotates on. Continual rotation of the strap core  16  or the connecting member  14  so that the strap is accorded onto the strap core  16  and/or the connecting member  14  results in the strap being contained by the adjustable retainer  10 . The amount of strap wrapped onto the retainer  10  may be variable as desired by the user. 
         [0031]    Once the belt is rolled onto the core  16  to a desired amount, the user may hold the belt or strap in place with one hand, while actuating or compressing the holding members  42 ,  43  from a relaxed state to a compressed state, compressing the spring  48  inside the interior cavity of the connector body  41 . Keeping the holding members  42 ,  43  in the compressed position, the user may slide and/or cinch the connector  12  via the connector body passageways  44 ,  45  along the connecting member  14  until the connector  12  rests snuggly against the rolled belt, or to a desired position. The user then releases the holding members  42 ,  43  from the compressed state back to the relaxed state to hold the connecting member  14  by compressing the connecting member  14  between an edge of the passageway openings with an edge of the button holes. Such compression temporarily deforms the material therebetween causing the connecting member  14  to remain in its held position (as shown in  FIG. 2 ), thus retaining the belt or strap as wrapped onto itself by the user. The belt or strap is held to the adjustable retainer  10  by a predetermined force. The greater the force applied by the connector  12  to the connecting member  14 , the stronger the adjustable retainer  10  holds the wound strap in place. 
         [0032]    To initially assemble the adjustable retainer  10 , a machine or user depresses the buttons  50  so that the passageways  44 ,  45  align with the button holes. In the case that a holding member  42 ,  43  other than a button  50  is employed, the force being applied by the holding members  42 ,  43  is deactivated, such as by opening a clamp, disconnecting a clip, and the like. Once a passageway  44  is created, an end of the connecting member  14  is inserted therethrough and force of the holding member  42  is then reapplied, such as closing a clamp, connecting a clip, releasing the buttons so that the springs force compression of the connecting member  14  between the button  50  and the connector body  41 , and any other way to active application of force by the holding member  42 . This connects the one end of the connecting member  14  to the connector  12 . The other end of the connecting member  14  is attached into the other holding member  43  in a similar manner to connect the other end of the connecting member  14  to the connector  12 . Since two ends of the connecting member  14  are attached to the connector  12 , a loop, which a strap, belt, and the like may pass therethrough, is created. The ends of the connecting member  14  may optionally, be attached together via the terminator  18 . 
         [0033]    It should be understood that the method of using embodiments of the present invention is offered by way of illustration and by no means is meant to limit the use of the adjustable retainer described herein. It should be understood by one of skill in the art that the method described in this example may be modified, including additions and omissions, without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the invention. 
         [0034]    Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described in considerable detail with respect to only a few/particular exemplary embodiments thereof, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that it is not intended to limit embodiments of the invention to the disclosed embodiments since various modifications, omissions, and additions may be made to the disclosed embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the invention, particularly in light of the foregoing teachings.