Fabric band closure

Abstract

A fabric band closure includes a hollow body having a generally cylindrical sidewall extending between generally axially aligned first and second open ends. A fabric band inlet is formed at the first end of the body and a fabric band outlet is defined by the second end of the body. A fabric catch comprised of ribs spaced around the inner surface of the sidewall is disposed within the body intermediate the fabric inlet and the fabric outlet. The catch is configured to permit insertion of a fabric band through the catch but inhibit removal of the fabric band from the catch.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A closure for a fabric band, comprising:
 a hollow body comprising a generally cylindrical sidewall extending between a fabric band inlet and a fabric band outlet disposed at axially opposite first and second ends of the body;   a fabric band catch disposed within the body intermediate the inlet and the outlet, the catch having a plurality of ribs disposed around an inner surface of the sidewall, wherein a first end of each of the plurality of ribs is connected to the inner surface proximate to the fabric band inlet, and a second end of each of the plurality of ribs extend toward a central axis of the body and project toward the fabric band outlet; and   wherein the second end of each of the plurality of ribs is configured to permit insertion of a fabric band through the catch to the fabric band outlet, but inhibit removal of the fabric band from the catch to the fabric band inlet.   
     
     
         2 . The closure of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of ribs is disposed directly opposite from another of the plurality of ribs about the central axis of the body. 
     
     
         3 . The closure of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of ribs is disposed oppositely offset from another of the plurality of ribs about the central axis of the body. 
     
     
         4 . The closure of either of  claim 2  or  3 , wherein the plurality of ribs are comprised of a resilient material. 
     
     
         5 . The closure of  claim 4 , wherein each of the plurality of ribs comprises a barb on a sidewall-facing surface, said barb configured to contact the inner surface of the sidewall when the barb is bent by fabric inserted through the catch. 
     
     
         6 . The closure of  claim 4 , wherein the fabric band inlet comprises two oppositely disposed inlet apertures in the sidewall adjacent to the first end of the body. 
     
     
         7 . The closure of  claim 4 , wherein the fabric band outlet comprises at least one outlet aperture formed in the sidewall adjacent to the second end of the body. 
     
     
         8 . The closure of  claim 4 , further comprising a crossbar disposed in the second end of the body adjacent to the outlet. 
     
     
         9 . The closure of  claim 8 , further comprising a curved buttress extending from the crossbar to the outlet. 
     
     
         10 . The closure of  claim 8 , wherein the crossbar extends from the second end of the body toward the first end of the body along the central axis, forming a dividing wall between oppositely disposed ribs. 
     
     
         11 . The closure of  claim 10 , further comprising a plurality of matching teeth disposed on the dividing wall, each of the plurality of matching teeth being disposed proximate to the second end of the one of the plurality of ribs. 
     
     
         12 . The closure of  claim 11 , wherein the second end of each of the plurality of ribs comprises a notch that matches one of the plurality of matching teeth. 
     
     
         13 . The closure of  claim 4 , wherein the body has a generally oval shape, with the plurality of ribs disposed along a long axis of the oval shape. 
     
     
         14 . The closure of  claim 4 , wherein the body is comprised of a first shell member and a second shell member. 
     
     
         15 . The closure of  claim 14 , further comprising a case configured to encircle the first and second shell members and hold the same together so as to form a secure body.