An adjustable link assembly for use with a flat cross-section shock cord or other strap formed of elastomeric material. The adjustable link attaches the cord to a load-bearing member, such as a hook or other fitting, which may be formed integrally therewith. The link assembly includes a body member
An adjustable link assembly for use with a flat cross-section shock cord or other strap formed of elastomeric material. The adjustable link attaches the cord to a load-bearing member, such as a hook or other fitting, which may be formed integrally therewith. The link assembly includes a body member having an entrance/exit passage for the strap, and a sliding crossbar over which the free end of the strap is routed. When the main leg of the strap is tensioned, the crossbar is drawn against a stationary bridge piece of the body member, the crossbar and bridge piece having cooperating sloped surfaces that are angled in a reverse direction from a straight line path from the top of the crossbar to the opening of the entrance/exit passage. The cooperating faces thus force the strap into a reverse bend or kink, which locks the strap in position so long as the main leg of the strap is subjected to tension. When the tension is relieved, the elastomeric material of the strap pushes the crossbar back away from the stationary bridge piece, straightening the kink and releasing the strap so that its length can be adjusted, without the user having to manipulate the link assembly itself.
대표청구항▼
1. An adjustable link assembly with an elastomeric strap having a flattened cross-section, said adjustable link assembly comprising: a body member having a generally rectangular entrance/exit passage comprising first and second end openings and substantially parallel upper and lower walls and first
1. An adjustable link assembly with an elastomeric strap having a flattened cross-section, said adjustable link assembly comprising: a body member having a generally rectangular entrance/exit passage comprising first and second end openings and substantially parallel upper and lower walls and first and second side walls spaced to hold a first, main leg of said strap and a second, free leg of said strap together in parallel closely-spaced relationship atop one another;a sliding crossbar member that is mounted in said body member at a position proximate and offset from said second end opening of entrance/exit passage, said crossbar member comprising an upper surface over which said free leg of said strap is routed, said upper surface having a leading edge from which said strap slopes downwardly to said second end opening of said entrance/exit passage;a stationary sloped face formed on a portion of said body member adjacent said second end opening of said entrance/exit passage engaging a first side of said free leg of said strap that is routed to said opening, said stationary sloped face being angled generally in a plane that extends in a reverse direction from a direct line path between leading edge of said upper surface of said crossbar member and said second end opening of said entrance/exit passage; anda cooperating sloped face formed on said sliding crossbar member engaging a second side of said free leg of said strap that is routed to said opening, said cooperating sloped face on said crossbar member facing towards said stationary sloped face on said body member and extending generally parallel to said stationary sloped face, said cooperating sloped face of said sliding crossbar meeting said upper surface of said crossbar member at an acute angle to form a sharp leading edge,whereby in response to tension being applied to said main leg of said strap in said entrance/exit passage said crossbar member is drawn against said portion of said body member so that said free end of said strap is bent between said sloped surfaces into a generally reverse bend from said direct line path and said sharp leading edge is forced into said elastomeric strap so as to lock said strap within said link assembly, and in response to tension being slackened from said main leg of said strap in said entrance/exit passage said free leg of said elastomeric strap presses said crossbar away from said portion of said body member so that said free leg of said strap is freed from between said sloped surfaces to return to said direct line path so as to release said strap to slip through said link assembly. 2. The adjustable link assembly of claim 1, wherein said body member comprises: first and second substantially parallel sidewall portions that define a generally open interior of said body member; andmeans for supporting said crossbar member in transverse, sliding relationship between said sidewall portions. 3. The adjustable link assembly of claim 2, wherein said means for supporting said crossbar member in transverse, sliding relationship between said sidewall portions of said body member comprising: first and second parallel, generally lengthwise guide channels formed in said sidewall portions of said body member, said guide channels having first and second ends of said crossbar member received for sliding movement therein. 4. The adjustable link assembly of claim 3, wherein said guide channels in said first and second sidewalls portions of said body member comprise: first and second guide slots formed in said sidewall portions of said body member. 5. The adjustable link assembly of claim 4, wherein said crossbar member further comprises: first and second projecting tab portions on said ends of said crossbar member that extend through said guide slots beyond said first and second sidewall portions of said body member, so as to enable a user to manually slide said crossbar member by gripping said tab portions between fingers of a hand. 6. The adjustable link assembly of claim 3, wherein said body member further comprises: a transverse bridge portion that extends transversely between said first and second sidewall portions so as to define said upper wall of said entrance/exit passage. 7. The adjustable link assembly of claim 6, wherein said stationary sloped face comprises: a sloped face formed on said bridge portion that extends transversely between said first and second sidewall portions of said body member. 8. The adjustable link assembly of claim 7, wherein said cooperating sloped face on said crossbar member comprises: a sloped face formed on a side of said crossbar member that faces towards said sloped face on said bridge portion of said body member. 9. The adjustable link assembly of claim 8, wherein said guide channels extend substantially in line with said bridge portion of said body member having said sloped face thereon, and substantially parallel to but offset from said entrance/exit passage of said body member. 10. The adjustable link assembly of claim 1, wherein said crossbar member further comprises: a plurality of teeth formed on said leading edge that press into said elastomeric strap when said strap is bent to said acute angle thereover. 11. The adjustable link assembly of claim 9, wherein said first and second guide channels comprise: end stops that limit travel of said sloped surface on said crossbar member towards said sloped surface on said bridge portion of said body member, at a spacing that prevents said sloped surfaces from crushing said elastomeric material of said strap. 12. The adjustable link assembly of claim 9, further comprising: an attachment fitting formed integrally with said body member. 13. The adjustable link assembly of claim 12, wherein said attachment fitting comprises a hook.
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이 특허에 인용된 특허 (16)
Ono Katsuyasu (Kanagawa JPX), Adjusting device for seat belt.
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