More versatile self-bonding cords

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10472147-B2
Application number	US-201615157393-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 2, 2016
Priority date	Mar 15, 2013
Publication date	Nov 12, 2019
Grant date	Nov 12, 2019

Abstract

New fastening devices and techniques are provided. A self-bonding cord is provided with unlimited possible divisions and self-bonding points. In some embodiments, radially-emanating columns with barbs for self-bonding are provided, where the barbs are angled to promote holding as they are spread by the interposition of other columns during self-bonding of the cord. The columns also define the outer surface of the cord, having outer gripping features that create an outer surface of the cord. In other embodiments, a cord has a memory and conformational structure providing elastic bundling, and encouraging self-bonding and wrapping—with semi-circular semi-ports and outer holding ridges spaced at intervals corresponding with the contact profile of the cord. In a method of use, one wraps various items in at least one loop of the cord, and presses loose ends of the cord together, creating a strong, reversible self-bond. Multiple-strength touch bonding is also provided.

First claim

I claim:

1. A self-bonding cord, comprising:
a plurality of columns connected with and projecting in multiple directions, radially from a central, internal body of said cord at a first end of each of said columns;
wherein at least some of said columns are each connected with at least one of a plurality of inwardly-sloped barbs, each of which at least one of the plurality of inwardly-sloped barbs is at an acute angle relative to a length of a column with which it is connected; and
wherein each of said plurality of inwardly-sloped barbs abuts more than one other of said plurality of inwardly-sloped barbs and creates an outer gripping surface comprising a substantially flush outer profile of said cord.

2. The self-bonding cord of claim 1 , wherein said cord is configured to be self-bonded by a user pressing two sections of said cord together.

3. The self-bonding cord of claim 2 , wherein said central, internal body comprises a flexible, elastomeric outer layer, and wherein said flexible, elastomeric outer layer comprises said columns.

4. The self-bonding cord of claim 3 , wherein said central, internal body also comprises an inner core of flexible, but strong material with a higher tensile strength than said flexible, elastomeric outer layer.

5. The self-bonding cord of claim 2 , wherein said barbs comprise a surface facing away from said cord, and wherein said surface facing away comprises a sloped surface, configured to encouraging pointed objects to penetrate said outer gripping surface.

6. The self-bonding cord of claim 5 , wherein said surface facing away comprises at least one gripping ridge, configured to encourage a strong grip when said cord is gripped by a user.

7. The self-bonding cord of claim 2 , wherein said acute angle is also acute relative to said central, internal body of said cord.

8. The self-bonding cord of claim 2 , wherein said acute angle is substantially flush with another barb of a same form when interposed next to or between at least one of said columns.

9. The self-bonding cord of claim 7 , wherein said acute angle remains acute relative to said central, internal body of said cord when another barb of a same form is interposed next to or between at least one of said columns.

10. The self-bonding cord of claim 2 , wherein said cord comprises a conformational memory comprising semi-circular sections of said cord when said cord is not pulled taut.

11. The self-bonding cord of claim 10 , wherein said cord comprises an elastic material and wherein said memory encourages said cord to wrap around itself when loose ends of said cord are pressed together.

12. The self-bonding cord of claim 2 , wherein said cord comprises multiple barbs at different distances from said central, internal body.

13. The self-bonding cord of claim 2 , wherein said cord comprises at least one portal configured to be penetrated by said barbs, and wherein said at least one portal comprises at least one additional barb.

14. A method for using a self-bonding cord, comprising the following steps:
gathering one or more objects to be bound by said self bonding cord;
wrapping said one or more objects with said self-bonding cord;
pressing two parts of free ends of said self-bonding cord together, forming a holding bond;
wherein said self-bonding cord comprises:
a plurality of columns connected with and projecting in multiple directions, radially from a central, internal body of said cord at a first end of each of said columns;
wherein at least some of said columns are each connected with at least one of a plurality of inwardly-sloped barbs, each of which at least one of the plurality of inwardly-sloped barbs is at an acute angle relative to a length of a column with which it is connected; and
wherein each of said plurality of inwardly-sloped barbs abuts more than one other of said plurality of inwardly-sloped barbs and creates an outer gripping surface comprising a substantially flush outer profile of said cord.

15. The method of claim 14 , comprising the following additional step:
wrapping part of one of said free ends around a shaft of another of said free ends.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein said wrapping said part of one of said free ends around the shaft of another of said free ends is for a length of at least one semi-circular section of said self-bonding cord.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein said wrapping said part of one of said free ends around the shaft of another of said free ends is for the length of at least two semi-circular sections of said self-bonding cord.

18. The method of claim 14 , comprising the following additional step:
said pressing of said two parts of free ends of said cord together is done at a first level of pressure, forming a first strength of holding.

19. The method of claim 18 , comprising the following additional step:
said pressing of said two parts of free ends of said cord together is done at a second level of pressure, forming a second, higher strength of holding.

Assignees

• Beckman Christopher V

Inventors

• Beckman Christopher V

Classifications

• Y10T24/1498

  Plastic band · CPC title

• B65D63/109 Primary

  Application of elastics or like elements · CPC title

• B65D63/1018 Primary

  Joints produced by application of integral securing members, e.g. buckles, wedges, tongue and slot, locking head and teeth or the like · CPC title