Adjustable link for use with elastomeric straps

Abstract

An adjustable link assembly for use with a flat cross-section shock cord or other strap formed of elastomeric material. The adjustable link attaches the cord to a load-bearing member, such as a hook or other fitting, which may be formed integrally therewith. The link assembly includes a body member having an entrance/exit passage for the strap, and a sliding crossbar over which the free end of the strap is routed. When the main leg of the strap is tensioned, the crossbar is drawn against a stationary bridge piece of the body member, the crossbar and bridge piece having cooperating sloped surfaces that are angled in a reverse direction from a straight line path from the top of the crossbar to the opening of the entrance/exit passage. The cooperating faces thus force the strap into a reverse bend or kink, which locks the strap in position so long as the main leg of the strap is subjected to tension. When the tension is relieved, the elastomeric material of the strap pushes the crossbar back away from the stationary bridge piece, straightening the kink and releasing the strap so that its length can be adjusted, without the user having to manipulate the link assembly itself.

1 . An adjustable link assembly for use with an elastomeric strap, said adjustable link assembly comprising:
 a body member having an entrance/exit passage that holds a first, main leg of said strap and a second, free leg of said strap in closely-spaced relationship atop one another;   a sliding crossbar member that is located at a position offset from said entrance/exit passage, over which said free leg of said strap is routed to an opening of said entrance/exit passage;   a stationary sloped face on a portion of said body member that is located adjacent said opening of said entrance/exit passage, said stationary sloped face being angled in a reverse direction from a direct line path between said crossbar member and said opening; and   a cooperating sloped face on said sliding crossbar member that faces towards and is angled generally parallel to said stationary sloped face;   
       said crossbar member being slideable such that when tension is applied to said main leg of said strap 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 thereby locked within said link assembly, and such that when tension is slackened from said main leg said free leg of said such elastomeric strap presses said crossbar back away from said stationary portion of said body member so that said free leg of said strap is returned to said direct line path and thereby freed to slip through said link assembly. 
     
     
         2 . The adjustable link assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said body member comprises:
 first and second substantially parallel sidewall portions that define a generally open interior of said body member; and   means for supporting said crossbar member in transverse, sliding relationship between said sidewall portions.   
     
     
         3 . The adjustable link assembly of  claim 2 , wherein said means for supporting said crossbar member in transverse, sliding relationship between said sidewall portions of said body member comprising:
 first and second parallel, generally lengthwise guide channels formed in said sidewall portions of said body member, said guide channels having first and second ends of said crossbar member received for sliding movement therein.   
     
     
         4 . The adjustable link assembly of  claim 3 , wherein said guide channels in said first and second sidewalls portions of said body member comprise:
 first and second guide slots formed in said sidewall portions of said body member.   
     
     
         5 . The adjustable link assembly of  claim 4 , wherein said crossbar member further comprises:
 first and second projecting tab portions on said ends of said crossbar member that extend through said guide slots beyond said first and second sidewall portions of said body member, so as to enable a user to manually slide said crossbar member by gripping said tab portions between fingers of a hand.   
     
     
         6 . The adjustable link assembly of  claim 3 , wherein said body member further comprises:
 a transverse bridge portion that extends transversely between said first and second sidewall portions so as to define a side of said entrance/exit passage.   
     
     
         7 . The adjustable link assembly of  claim 6 , wherein said stationary sloped surface comprises:
 a sloped surface formed on said bridge portion that extends transversely between said first and second sidewall portions of said body member.   
     
     
         8 . The adjustable link assembly of  claim 7 , wherein said sloped surface on said crossbar member comprises:
 a sloped surface formed on a side of said crossbar member that faces towards said sloped surface on said bridge portion of said body member.   
     
     
         9 . The adjustable link assembly of  claim 8 , wherein said guide channels extend substantially in line with said bridge portion of said body member having said sloped face thereon, and substantially parallel to but offset from said entrance/exit passage of said body member. 
     
     
         10 . The adjustable link assembly of  claim 9 , wherein said crossbar member comprises:
 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 opening of said entrance/exit passage.   
     
     
         11 . The adjustable link assembly of  claim 10 , wherein said sloped surface of said sliding crossbar member comprises:
 an undercut surface that meets said upper surface of said crossbar member at an acute angle at said leading edge, so that said free leg of said strap is bent through an acute angle thereover when said crossbar member is drawn against said bridge portion of said body member.   
     
     
         12 . The adjustable link assembly of  claim 11 , wherein said crossbar member further comprises:
 a plurality of teeth formed on said leading edge that presses into and engages an elastomeric material of said strap when said strap is bent to said acute angle thereover.   
     
     
         13 . The adjustable link assembly of  claim 11 , wherein said first and second guide channels comprise:
 end stops that limit travel of said sloped surface on said crossbar member towards said sloped surface on said bridge portion of said body member, so as to prevent said sloped surfaces from crushing said elastomeric material of said strap.   
     
     
         14 . The adjustable link assembly of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 an attachment fitting formed integrally with said body member.   
     
     
         15 . The adjustable link assembly of  claim 14 , wherein said attachment fitting comprises a hook.