Reformable Closure Device Strap

Abstract

Various mechanical closure systems and securing systems are disclosed, such as snowboard bindings and car rack systems. The systems include a mechanically reformable strap. The strap includes a wire disposed along a longitudinal axis of the strap. The wire maintains the strap in a desired geometry that is different from a previous geometry of the strap. In other embodiments, a wire-core strap can include transverse ridges, holes, or other types of grooves or apertures.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for stabilizing a body part of a person, the apparatus comprising:
 a stabilization member that is sized and configured for overlaying the body part of the user; and   one or more closure devices coupled with the stabilization member for securing the stabilization member over the body part of the user, at least one of the one or more closure devices comprising:
 a strap having at least one aperture at one end by which the strap is connectable to the stabilization member; and 
 a wire embedded in the strap, the wire having a U-shaped bend that partially circumscribes the at least one aperture about a first axis and spaced-apart parallel arms that extend in parallel along a major portion of a longitudinal axis of the strap, the spaced-apart parallel arms being reformable about a second axis that is orthogonal to the first axis to temporarily maintain the strap in a desired geometry that is different from a previous geometry of the strap. 
   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the stabilization member is a stabilization boot for being worn on a foot of the user. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the stabilization member is a spine stabilizer for being worn around the user's back. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the strap further comprises a substantially flat top face and a plurality of transverse ridges on the top face. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 4 , wherein the strap further comprises an aperture through the top face at a first end of the strap, and wherein the U-shaped bend of the wire at least partially circumscribes the aperture. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 4 , wherein the strap is formed of a thermoplastic. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 4 , wherein the strap is elongated such that a length of the strap is more than twice a width of the strap. 
     
     
         8 . A system for stabilizing a body part of a user, the system comprising:
 one or more stabilization members that are sized and configured for overlaying the body part of the user; and   one or more closure devices coupled with the one or more stabilization members for securing the one or more stabilization members over the body part of the user, at least one of the one or more closure devices comprising a flexible body and a wire embedded in and disposed along a longitudinal axis of the flexible body, the wire for temporarily maintaining the flexible body in a desired geometry that is different from a previous geometry of the flexible body, the wire having a U-shaped bend about a first axis with spaced-apart arms that extend along a major portion of the longitudinal axis of the pliable body, the spaced-apart arms being reformable about a second axis that is orthogonal to the first axis.   
     
     
         9 . The system in accordance with  claim 8 , wherein the flexible body further comprises a substantially flat top face and a plurality of transverse ridges on the top face. 
     
     
         10 . The system in accordance with  claim 9 , wherein the flexible body further comprises an aperture through the top face at a first end of the flexible body, and wherein the U-shaped bend of the wire at least partially circumscribes the aperture. 
     
     
         11 . The system in accordance with  claim 8 , wherein the flexible body is formed of a thermoplastic. 
     
     
         12 . The system in accordance with  claim 8 , wherein the flexible body is elongated such that a length of the flexible body is more than twice a width of the flexible body. 
     
     
         13 . The system in accordance with  claim 8 , wherein the one or more stabilization members form a boot for being worn on a foot of the user. 
     
     
         14 . The system in accordance with  claim 8 , wherein the one or more stabilization members form a spine stabilizer for being worn over the user's back. 
     
     
         15 . The system in accordance with  claim 8 , wherein the one or more stabilization members form a prosthetic for being worn over a limb of the user. 
     
     
         16 . A medical device for application to a body part of a user, the medical device comprising:
 one or more members that are sized and configured for overlaying the body part of the user; and   one or more closure devices coupled with each of the one or more members for securing the one or more members over the body part of the user, at least one of the one or more closure devices comprising a flexible body and a wire embedded in and disposed along a longitudinal axis of the flexible body, the wire for temporarily maintaining the flexible body in a desired geometry that is different from a previous geometry of the flexible body, the wire having a U-shaped bend about a first axis with spaced-apart arms that extend along a major portion of the longitudinal axis of the pliable body, the spaced-apart arms being reformable about a second axis that is orthogonal to the first axis.