Stretchable, elastic tie-down device with fabric fastening means

Abstract

An elastic tie down device having a body comprising an elongated, substantially flat, elastic material with a first end and a second end; a first, flexible hook and loop fastener panel secured to the body along the axis of the elongated body at one end of the body, the first panel extending beyond the length of the body; and a second, flexible hook and loop fastener panel secured to the body opposite the first panel and aligned substantially perpendicularly to the axis of the elongated body, the second panel secured to the body at a same end of the body as the first panel.

That which is claimed: 
     
         1 . An elastic tie down device comprising:
 a body, the body comprising an elongated, substantially flat, elastic material with a first end and a second end;   a first, flexible hook and loop fastener panel secured to the body along the axis of the elongated body at at least one end of the body, the first panel extending beyond the length of the body; and   a second, flexible hook and loop fastener panel secured to the body and aligned substantially perpendicularly to the axis of the elongated body, the second panel secured to the body at a same end of the body as the first panel;   wherein the first panel is folded and secured via a hook and loop mechanism to the corresponding second panel, and the second fastener panel is folded and secured, via a hook and loop mechanism, around the first panel.   
     
     
         2 . The tie down device of  claim 1 , the body further comprising two plies of the elongated, substantially flat, elastic material secured to each other. 
     
     
         3 . The tie down device of  claim 1 , wherein the second panel is secured to the body opposite the first panel. 
     
     
         4 . The tie down device of  claim 1 , wherein the first panel and the second panel are secured to opposite sides of the body. 
     
     
         5 . The tie down device of  claim 1 , further comprising a selectively removable, rigid hook, the rigid hook comprising a rigid hook body and a hook extending from the rigid hook body, the rigid hook body further comprising an aperture through the body; and
 the first panel extending through the aperture in the rigid hook body, the first panel secured via a hook and loop mechanism to the corresponding second panel, and the second fastener panel folded and secured, via a hook and loop mechanism, around the first fastener panel.   
     
     
         6 . The tie down device of  claim 1 , further comprising the ends of the tie down device, including the first and second fastener panels, being free of any rigid mechanical, metal, or plastic structure or tool. 
     
     
         7 . An elastic tie down device comprising:
 a body, the body comprising an elongated, elastic material with a first end and a second end;   a flexible hook and loop fastener panel secured to the body along the axis of the elongated body at at least one end of the body, the fastener panel extending beyond the length of the body;   a portion of the flexible hook and loop fastener panel extending beyond the end of the body being divided into a first arm and a second arm, each arm extending away from the tie down device body substantially along the axis of the body.   
     
     
         8 . The tie down device of  claim 7 , wherein the first arm is wrapped around an anchor point and secured via a hook and loop mechanism to the second arm, and the second arm is wrapped around the tie down device body and secured to the first arm via a hook and loop mechanism. 
     
     
         9 . A method for operating a tie down device comprising:
 providing an elastic tie down device including a body, the body comprising an elongated elastic material with a first end and a second end, a first, flexible hook and loop fastener panel secured to the body along the axis of the elongated body at at least one end of the body, the first panel extending beyond the length of the body, and a second, flexible hook and loop fastener panel secured to the body and aligned substantially perpendicularly to the axis of the elongated body, a second panel secured to the body at a same end of the body as the first panel;   folding the first panel;   securing the first panel to the second panel via a hook and loop mechanism;   folding the second panel; and   following the step of folding the second panel, securing the second panel to the first panel via a hook and loop mechanism.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising the step of selectively securing a removable, rigid hook to the tie down device. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the step of selectively securing a removable hook further comprises the step of passing the first panel through an aperture in a body of the rigid hook. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising the step of ensuring the tie down device, including the first and second fastener panels, are free of any rigid mechanical, metal, or plastic structure or tool. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the body of the tie down device further comprises two plies of the elongated, substantially flat, elastic material secured to each other. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the second panel is secured to the body opposite the first panel.