Shielded strap system

Abstract

A shielded strap system for binding loose materials while resisting damage to the materials. The strap system includes a high tensile strength elongated core having an outer protective sleeve. The core can comprise a flat metal strap capable of being stretched to tightly bind the loose materials into a stable bundle. The outer protective sleeve can comprise a coating which partially or completely covers the core. The outer protective sleeve can be shaped to provide extra protection at the core edges for protecting the loose materials against breakage or abrasive wear.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An apparatus for binding a material, comprising: 
 an elongated core resistant to tensile separation, wherein said core is sufficiently flexible to be placed into engagement with the material, and wherein said core has an end capable of being attached to another portion of said core to bind the material; and    a sleeve engaged with said core and positioned between said core and the material.    
     
     
         2 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said core is positionable into engagement with at least two materials to bind the materials.  
     
     
         3 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said sleeve comprises a plurality of discontinuous dimples between said core and the material.  
     
     
         4 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said sleeve comprises a linear ridge substantially parallel to said elongated core.  
     
     
         5 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said sleeve substantially covers said core.  
     
     
         6 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 5 , wherein said sleeve has a surface in contact with the material, and wherein said surface is shaped so that only a portion of said sleeve surface contacts the material.  
     
     
         7 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said core comprises a metallic strap having two substantially flat surfaces and two opposing edges.  
     
     
         8 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 7 , wherein said sleeve is engaged with said opposing edges of said core.  
     
     
         9 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 7 , wherein said sleeve is engaged with said opposing edges of said core and with at least one substantially flat surface, and wherein said sleeve portion engaged with said core opposing edges as a cross-section thicker than the sleeve portion engaged with said core flat surface.  
     
     
         10 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said sleeve resists movement between said core and the material when said core is engaged with the material.  
     
     
         11 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said sleeve substantially covers said core, and wherein said sleeve is partially removable from engagement with said core to permit attachment of said core end to the other portion of said core.  
     
     
         12 . An apparatus for binding materials together, comprising: 
 a band resistant to tensile separation, wherein said band is sufficiently flexible to be placed around the materials, and wherein said band has an end capable of being attached to another portion of said band to bind the materials together; and    a protective sleeve engaged with said band and positioned between said band and the materials.    
     
     
         13 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 12 , wherein said sleeve is capable of resisting damage to the materials caused by said band.  
     
     
         14 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 12 , wherein said sleeve is capable of protecting said band by resisting corrosion of said band.  
     
     
         15 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 12 , wherein said band comprises a metal material and said sleeve comprises a plastic material.  
     
     
         16 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 12 , wherein said sleeve is attached to said band.  
     
     
         17 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 12 , wherein said sleeve is moveable relative to said band when said band end is attached to the other portion of said band.  
     
     
         18 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 12 , further comprising an adhesive material attached to said sleeve for contacting the materials and for resisting movement between said sleeve and the materials.