Patent ID: 7171729

Claim:
A buckle for fastening opposing ends of an object encircling strap, comprising: a first bridge portion partially defining a first tubular inlet portion; a second bridge portion partially defining a second tubular exit portion, the second bridge portion having an inwardly directed concave surface, wherein the concave surface includes a strengthening rib extending laterally adjacent the concave surface; a retention window provided between the first and second bridge portions; and a deformable retainer extending from the buckle intermediate the first and second bridge portions and deformable from a generally upright first position to a strap engaging second position within the retention window, whereby a free end of the strap is positionable around an object and consecutively passed through the first tubular inlet portion and out the second tubular exit portion, the free end then being bent over the second bridge portion and extended into the retention window, the retainer being deformed to the second position to engage the free end of the strap and keep it under tension.