Patent ID: 7331909

Claim:
A method, comprising: providing an elastomeric tension element operable to elongate from a first length to a second length during use, the tension element having a first cross-sectional size associated with the first length and a second cross-sectional size associated with the second length, the second length being longer than the first length and the second cross-sectional size being less than the first cross-sectional size, the elastomeric tension element having a collar region at a first point therealong; pre-stressing the collar region of the elastomeric tension element so that the collar region has a third cross-sectional size less than the second cross-sectional size; providing a collar having receptacle therein to receive the collar region of the elastomeric tension element, the receptacle including a fourth cross-sectional size less than the second cross-sectional size of the elastomeric tension element; and fixedly attaching the collar receptacle to the collar region.