Device with integral insert having strap slot

Abstract

An insert and a device are provided. The device can include a body portion and a slot defined through the body portion. The slot can be configured for receiving a strap that can secure the device in place relative to the strap. The insert can be designed to strengthen the device by being inserted into the device and receiving the strap. The insert can include a main body portion and a projecting body portion. The projecting body portion can include a slot similarly sized to the slot of the device so that when the insert is positioned within the device, the slot of the insert and the slot of the device generally align. The projecting body of the insert can include inward flanges to define part of an upper boundary of the slot and assist in securing the strap within the slot.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An insert adapted to be combined with a device having a device slot configured for receiving a strap, said insert comprising:
 a main body having an upper surface; and   a projecting body extending from said upper surface of said main body and defining an insert slot through said insert;   wherein said insert slot is configured for receiving said strap when said insert is combined with said device.   
     
     
         2 . The insert of  claim 1 , wherein said projecting body comprises at least two projecting walls, each projecting wall positioned on a side of said insert slot. 
     
     
         3 . The insert of  claim 2 , wherein said at least two projecting walls each include an inwardly turned flange extending generally perpendicularly away from said projecting wall. 
     
     
         4 . The insert of  claim 3 , wherein said inwardly turned flanges define at least a portion of an upper boundary of said insert slot. 
     
     
         5 . The insert of  claim 1 , wherein said insert includes an insert outer perimeter, wherein said device includes a bottom end outer perimeter, and wherein said insert outer perimeter is smaller than said device bottom end outer perimeter. 
     
     
         6 . The insert of  claim 1 , wherein said device includes an interior core having a voided region, wherein said voided region is configured for receiving said insert. 
     
     
         7 . The insert of  claim 1 , wherein said insert is configured for being placed fully within said device. 
     
     
         8 . The insert of  claim 1 , wherein said insert slot of said insert is generally aligned with said device slot of said device when said insert is positioned within said device. 
     
     
         9 . The insert of  claim 1 , wherein said main body further includes a connecting means for securing said insert to said device. 
     
     
         10 . The insert of  claim 9 , wherein said connecting means on said main body includes one or more apertures defined through said main body. 
     
     
         11 . The insert of  claim 1 , wherein said insert includes an opening defined through said main body and below at least a portion of said slot. 
     
     
         12 . The insert of  claim 11 , wherein said projecting body comprises:
 at least two projecting walls extending upwardly from said main body and along a perimeter of said opening, said projecting walls including inwardly turned flanges;   at least two cross-bracing walls extending generally upwardly from said main body and generally perpendicular to said at least two projecting walls; and   a cover portion extending between said at least to cross-bracing walls.   
     
     
         13 . A positioner device having an insert positioned therein and configured for receiving a strap therethrough, said device comprising:
 a positioner body having an exterior shell, an inner core and a bottom end;   a positioner body slot defined through said positioner body and forming an interior channel through said inner core;   a first bottom opening defined through said bottom end of said positioner body and extending to said interior channel; and   a strap slot insert positioned at least partially within said inner core of said positioner body, said strap slot insert comprising:
 a main body having an upper surface and a main body aperture extending therethrough; 
 a projecting body extending from said upper surface and at least partially over said main body aperture; and 
 an insert slot defined through at least one of said projecting body and said main body, said insert slot extending generally perpendicular to and over said main body aperture; 
   wherein said insert slot is generally aligned with said interior channel of said positioner body slot.   
     
     
         14 . The positioner device of  claim 13 , wherein said strap slot insert is positioned entirely within said exterior shell of said positioner body. 
     
     
         15 . The positioner device of  claim 13 , wherein said projecting body of said strap slot insert comprises at least two projecting walls extending away from said main body adjacent to an edge of said main body aperture, wherein at least one of said projecting walls includes an inwardly turned flange. 
     
     
         16 . The positioner device of  claim 13 , wherein said strap slot insert has one or more connecting apertures defined through said main body, said connecting apertures configured for receiving therethrough a portion of said inner core of said positioner body. 
     
     
         17 . The positioner device of  claim 13 , wherein said interior channel includes an upper channel boundary and a lower channel boundary, wherein said lower channel boundary is interrupted by said first bottom opening. 
     
     
         18 . The positioner device of  claim 17  further comprising a second bottom opening extending through said bottom end and extending to said interior channel, said first and said second bottom openings forming a strap weaving section therebetween. 
     
     
         19 . The positioner device of  claim 17 , wherein said upper channel boundary includes a channel bulge having rounded sides and extending toward said lower channel boundary. 
     
     
         20 . The positioner device of  claim 17 , wherein said upper channel boundary includes a channel bulge having angled sides and extending toward said lower channel boundary. 
     
     
         21 . The positioner device of  claim 20 , wherein said channel bulge extends at least partially into said first bottom opening to create a narrowed gap region between each angled side of said channel bulge and an edge of said first bottom opening.