Patent ID: 8272108

Claim:
An adjustable link assembly with an elastomeric strap having a flattened cross-section, said adjustable link assembly comprising: a body member having a generally rectangular entrance/exit passage comprising first and second end openings and substantially parallel upper and lower walls and first and second side walls spaced to hold a first, main leg of said strap and a second, free leg of said strap together in parallel closely-spaced relationship atop one another; a sliding crossbar member that is mounted in said body member at a position proximate and offset from said second end opening of entrance/exit passage, said crossbar member comprising an upper surface over which said free leg of said strap is routed, said upper surface having a leading edge from which said strap slopes downwardly to said second end opening of said entrance/exit passage; a stationary sloped face formed on a portion of said body member adjacent said second end opening of said entrance/exit passage engaging a first side of said free leg of said strap that is routed to said opening, said stationary sloped face being angled generally in a plane that extends in a reverse direction from a direct line path between leading edge of said upper surface of said crossbar member and said second end opening of said entrance/exit passage; and a cooperating sloped face formed on said sliding crossbar member engaging a second side of said free leg of said strap that is routed to said opening, said cooperating sloped face on said crossbar member facing towards said stationary sloped face on said body member and extending generally parallel to said stationary sloped face, said cooperating sloped face of said sliding crossbar meeting said upper surface of said crossbar member at an acute angle to form a sharp leading edge, whereby in response to tension being applied to said main leg of said strap in said entrance/exit passage said crossbar member is drawn against said portion of said body member so that said free end of said strap is bent between said sloped surfaces into a generally reverse bend from said direct line path and said sharp leading edge is forced into said elastomeric strap so as to lock said strap within said link assembly, and in response to tension being slackened from said main leg of said strap in said entrance/exit passage said free leg of said elastomeric strap presses said crossbar away from said portion of said body member so that said free leg of said strap is freed from between said sloped surfaces to return to said direct line path so as to release said strap to slip through said link assembly.