Strap and Buckle System

Abstract

An apparatus designed to bundle a plurality of objects. The apparatus includes a buckle with a body and a cavity formed therein. The body has a first end with an opening and a second end with a strap passageway therethrough. The buckle also includes a metal strip retained in the cavity of the body. The metal strip has a first end with a first barb and a second end with a second barb. The first barb of the metal strip is positioned at the first end of the body and the second barb of the metal strip is positioned at the second end of the body. A strap is secured to the buckle body by the barbs extending from the metal strip. The strap secures the plurality of objects to the buckle.

1 . An apparatus for bundling a plurality of objects, the apparatus comprising:
 a buckle having a body with a cavity formed therein, a first end with an opening and a second end with a strap passageway therethrough;   a metal strip retained in the cavity of the body, the metal strip having a first end with a first barb and a second end with a second barb; wherein the first barb of the metal strip is positioned at the first end of the body and the second barb of the metal strip is positioned at the second end of the body; and   a strap secured to the body by the barbs extending from the metal strip.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the cavity is formed in the center of the body and extends along the length of the body. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the barbs of the metal strip extend in opposite directions toward a center of the buckle. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first end of the body having a stop, the strap abuts the stop when inserted in the first end of the body. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first barb grips a first end of the strap thereby securing the first end of the strap to the buckle. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a free end of the strap is inserted into the second end of the body and through the strap passageway. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the second barb grips the strap thereby securing a second end of the strap to the buckle. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the strap is positioned in the first end of the body and through the second end of the body. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first end of the body having ramps for facilitating the strap to be fed through the strap passageway at the second end of the body. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the cavity of the body having at least one rectangular portion with at least one boss located in the cavity in the at least one rectangular portion. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one boss extends from a center of the at least one rectangular portion. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the metal strip having at least one rectangular portion with a hole therethough, wherein the rectangular portion of the metal strip is positioned in the rectangular portion of the cavity and the hole in the metal strip receives the boss extending from the cavity. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the buckle is flexible and conforms to a non-flat surface. 
     
     
         14 . A method of assembling a strap and buckle system for securing a bundle, the method comprising:
 providing a buckle having a body with a cavity formed therein, a first end with an opening and a second end with a strap passageway therethrough; and a metal strip retained in the cavity, the metal strip having a first end with a first barb positioned at the first end of the body and a second end with a second barb positioned at the second end of the body;   positioning a first end of a strap in the opening of the first end of the body;   inserting the first end of the strap until the first end of the strap engages a stop at the first end of the body;   wrapping the strap around the bundle;   inserting a free end of the strap into the second end of the body and feeding the second end of the strap through the strap passageway; and   tensioning the free end of the strap and cutting the excess strap close to the body.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the first barb grips the first end of the strap thereby securing the first end of the strap to the buckle. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the second barb grips the strap thereby securing the second end of the strap to the buckle. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the cavity of the body having at least one rectangular portion with at least one boss located in the cavity in the at least one rectangular portion. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the metal strip having at least one rectangular portion with a hole therethough, wherein the at least one rectangular portion of the metal strip is positioned in the at least one rectangular portion of the cavity and the hole in the metal strip receives the at least one boss extending from the cavity.