High strength and reusable zip fastener

Abstract

A zip fastener for supporting one or more objects is provided. The zip fastener is specifically configured so that it can sustain high tensile loads, such as 500 pounds, before deformation begins to occur, and even higher tensile loads, such as 750 pounds, before failure occurs. The zip fastener includes a strap body that has a plurality of strap teeth. The zip fastener further includes a buckle that is connected to the strap body and includes a locking tab. Both the strap body and buckle are made from a nylon material. The locking tab is configured to releasably and selectively engage a portion of the plurality of strap teeth.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A zip fastener for supporting one or more objects, the zip fastener comprising:
 a strap body comprising a plurality of strap teeth; and   a buckle connected to the strap body and including a locking tab configured to releasably and selectively engage a portion of the plurality of strap teeth,   the strap body and the buckle comprising a nylon material and having greater than 250 pounds of tensile strength in an engaged position and in an unengaged position.   
     
     
         2 . The zip fastener for supporting one or more objects according to  claim 1 , wherein, when the portion of the plurality of strap teeth and the locking tab are engaged with one another, the strap body and the buckle are configured to withstand approximately 500 pounds of loading before beginning to deform. 
     
     
         3 . The zip fastener for supporting one or more objects according to  claim 1 , wherein the strap body and the buckle are configured to have approximately 500 pounds of tensile strength. 
     
     
         4 . The zip fastener for supporting one or more objects according to  claim 3 , wherein, when the portion of the plurality of strap teeth and the locking tab are engaged with one another, the strap body or the buckle is configured to fail or break at approximately 750 pounds of loading. 
     
     
         5 . The zip fastener for supporting one or more objects according to  claim 1 , wherein the strap body and the buckle are directly coaxially connected to one another, and a cumulative length of the strap body and the buckle is between 23 and 24 inches. 
     
     
         6 . The zip fastener for supporting one or more objects according to  claim 1 , wherein the locking tab is releasable such that the buckle and the strap body are capable of being connected and disconnected a plurality of times without a significant decrease in the greater than 250 pounds of tensile strength. 
     
     
         7 . The zip fastener for supporting one or more objects according to  claim 6 , wherein the buckle defines a strap receiving opening for receiving the strap body, and the strap body comprises a first end connected to the buckle, the locking tab extending away from the strap receiving opening and towards the first end of the strap body. 
     
     
         8 . The zip fastener for supporting one or more objects according to  claim 7 , wherein the buckle defines a substrate mold opening and the locking tab comprises a plurality of ratcheting locking teeth configured to directly engage the portion of the plurality of strap teeth, the substrate mold opening and the ratcheting locking teeth being disposed adjacent one another. 
     
     
         9 . The zip fastener for supporting one or more objects according to  claim 1 , wherein the locking tab comprises at least four ratcheting locking teeth. 
     
     
         10 . The zip fastener for supporting one or more objects according to  claim 1 , the zip fastener further comprising:
 a guide comprising a strap guide body and defining two openings, the guide being detachably connected to a lateral side of the buckle.