Title of Invention

A CLASP, WITH OR WITHOUT A HANDLE, MENT TO SECURELY GRIP A STRAP TIGHTELY WOUND AROUND A PACKAGE

Abstract

1. A luggage strap comprising of two seperate interlocking parts fixed to its either ends, is passed around a package and Interlocked . However, the strap still remains slack even after prior adjustment of •adjuster buckle*. The improved clasp is a single composite unit comprising of sleeve and a body, permanently hinged to each other. To Operate: The free end of the strap is first passed around the package, to be secured, and then through the sleeve. The strap is then tugged to the maximum, and when thrust forward meshes with the resilient material preventing its recoil. The sleeve then interlocks with the catch to sandwich the strap securely until desired. The integral handle is used to carry the package comfortably.

Full Text

This invention relates to a Package Clasp. Presently, big and bulging suitcases are prevented from accidental opening by means of a 'luggage strap' comprising of a clasp and a strap. This clasp has two separate units, a pair of tongs and a receptacle, fixed to the loose ends of the strap. Prior to clasping the length of the strap has to be adjusted by means of an adjuster buckle meant for this purpose. The adjusted length of the strap has to suit the circumferential length of the luggage to be strapped. Now, using both the hands and with all one's might the tongs and receptacle are brought together to interlock. This method is time consuming. Even after the precise pre-adjustment of the adjuster buckle it is impossible to achieve maximum tautness. Further, it is very difficult for ladies to operate this clasps. Also while carrying heavy loads these prongs have been known to break under stress. Another problem occurs while trying to tightly secure a box carton with a rope. Even after tightening the rope, using both the hands and another person's help, it slackens anyway. And for those who are conscious of their status it would be embarassing trudging along a lop-sided box. Presently, there is no known means to comfortably carry a heavy box .carton bound with a rope like carrying •a suitcase* with a handle. Carrying the box by means of the rope is painful. As the rope is rough and its cross-sectional area is less it tends to cut through the fingers making it sore. This can be an exhausting and agonising experience when one has to cover long distances by walk. Further, due to the weight of the box the rope may even cut through it tending to spill its contents. Many a time to obviate the aforementioned discomforts of carrying by means of a rope one has to carry it on their shoulders or under arm. This too can be an embarassing. awkward and excruciating experience. The object of this invention is to secure the box / carton or like with a single composite clasping system comprising of a single clasp and strap. Here the box / carton is bound with a strap and locked into position by a clasp effortlessly. This clasp can be easily operated by a lady. Another object of this invention is to provide the clasp with a handle that is integral with it. Thus this concept makes any corrugated box / carton or like 'A Suitcase* to be carried around with ease and dignity. A further object of this invention is to make the process of tightening and locking the strap in position very simple and unique, i.e. just a 'tug and press* and the strap stays firmly locked in its place untill required. In the known clasping system this is not possible. Prior to tightening the strap over the package the required circumferential length of the strap has to be adjusted by using an adjuster buckle provided for this purpose. Even then the strap cannot be tightened to the maximum extent possible. By this invention, the strap can be tightened infinitely without any pre-adjustment of the strap. The strap releasing process is also very simple -•Just press the restraining clip* and it gets loosened. Another object of this invention is to have a means in the clasp with automatically tightens the strap further just prior to locking the same in position. Yet another object of this invention is to make the clasp in such a way that the frictional grip on the strap increases proportionately with the weight of the carton carried. According to yet another embodiment of this invention the clasp can be secured from unauthorised tampering by incorporating a locking means like a pad lock, key operated lock, combination number lock or the like to the same. For better understanding, this invention will now be illustrated by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which; FIG.I Shows the front view of the clasp with handle. FIG*2 Shows the cross sectional side view of the clasp secured to a package with the strap transport sleeve in the unlocked position, FIG.3 Shows the cross sectional side view of the clasp secured to the same package with the sleeve in the locked position. For the purpose of clarity only those parts actually involved in demonstrating the working of this invention are shown and the contacting parts are also shown as apart. REF. FIG.I; Shows the clasp comprising of a strap transport sleeve 1 hinged by means of pin 4 to the body 2. The strap transport sleeve 1 is interlocked to body 2 by means of two restraining clips 3 preloaded by spring 8, To increase the frictional grip on strap 5 the contacting surfaces of the strap transport sleeve 1 and body 2 are provided with cogs 7 and resilient material 6 respectively. A soft moulded handle 9 is fixed to the clasp assembly. REF. FIG. 2: The clasp comprises of body 2 on to which is hinged the strap transport sleeve 1 by means of pin 4. The strap transport sleeve 1 swings back and forth (see arrow) between two restraining clips 3 fixed to body 2 and is locked and released by th&a accordingly. The underside of the strap transport sleeve 1 is provided with cogs 7, In order to securely sandwich strap 5 between the underside of the strap transport sleeve 1 and resilient material 6 it is essential that their contacting surfaces complement each other. The resilient member 6 also lines the inner surface of the mortise 15 at the rear end of the body 2 to form points A & B. The resilient material 6 too has cogs 7 (a) which alternate with those on the underside of strap transport sleeve 1. These alternating cogs 7 and 7 (a) further help to enmesh and grip the strap 5. TO OPERATE; The clasp is placed on the package 11 that is to be harnessed and carried. The strap 5 is passed around it (see direction of arrow on the strap 5) and then goes through the strap transport sleeve 1 via strap guide 13. The strap 5 is pulled by hand 12 to the maximum extent possible thus tightening the package 11. Here the strap 5 is under continuous tension while the hinge is under friction. When impossible to tighten any further the strap 5 is thrust towards the front side of the clasp taking the strap transport sleeve 1 along with it. REF. FIG.3$ In continuation of this forward movement when the position of the strap transport sleeve 1 is approximately 130° the tenon 8 at its rear end (over which the exposed part of the strap 5 is passing) digs into the resilient member 6 at point B, in the mortise 15, thereby preventing recoil of strap 5. On pressing the strap transport sleeve 1 a little further the friction between the resiliant member 6 and strap 5 is further increased by the leverage gained. Further, movement of strap transport sleeve 1 opens the restraining clips 3 and after that it (restraining clips 3) closes to interlock the strap transport sleeve 1 and body 2 thereby gripping the strap 5# until disengaged intentionally. ThuS/ the strap 5 is securely gripped due to the following factors:- a. As the strap transport sleeve 1 and body 2 are snugly interlocked by restraining clips 3 the entire surface area of the resilient member 6 exerts frictional pressure on strap 5 at points A, B, C & D, b. The alternating cogs 7 and 7 (a) and the minimum permissible gap between them causes the strap 5 to get enmeshed. c. Due to the leverage generated by the strap transport sleeve 1# extreme frictional pressure is exerted on the strap# by the tenon 8 engaging the mortise 15# at points A & B of the resilient member 6. d. The frictional pressure on strap 5 at point B can be enhanced further by means of a pressure adjusting screw 14 (See Figs. 2 and 3), cam or by driving a wedge* e. The Strap 5 is tugged at point D by the weight of the package 11 thereby increasing its frictional grip proportionately as seen in Fig.3. The novelty here is to make this clasp in such a way that5-1. The strap can be tightened at any point without any limitation and that too effortlessly due to the friction between the contacting parts and leverage gained. 2. there is absolutely no need for any pre-adjustment of the strap's length prior to clasping. 3. There are five factors (a to e) herein before described, contributing to its gripping ability hence the clasp is capable of carrying heavy loads safely. 4. as the strap transport sleeve 1 is thrust forward the tenon 8 at its rear end automatically tightens the strap 5 further until it gets locked into position by the restraining clips 3. 5. to gain further frictional resistance, if required (see Figs. 2 & 3), the weight of the package 11 can be transferred via the strap 5 on to the strap transport sleeve 1 (by a means 10 and corresponding means on strap transport sleeve 1). Thus the frictional resistance on all the contacting surfaces increases proportionately with the weight of package carried. 6. by means of the soft handle, this concept makes any corrugaged box / carton or like 'a Suitcase' to be carried around with ease and dignity. With the advent of engineering plastics having fantastic physical, mechanical and hinging properties the configuration and shape of various parts can be veried accordingly to make the clasp more compact and effective without departing from the scope of this invention. While I have described and illustrated the aforesaid embodiments of my present invention of a clasp, I do not wish to limit myself to the exact form shown, described and illustrated. The illustration is intended to show how best the invention can be performed rather than limit the scope of the same. It is also to be expressly understood that this invention is susceptible to such changes and modifications which shall define no material departure from the salient features of this invention herein described and illustrated. I CLAIM: 1. A clasp comprising in combination a strap transport sleeve and a body permanently hinged to each other so that the two when brought to-gether can be inter locked by a means when intendeds the said strap transport sleeve is a guide for the strap passing through it and its rear lower end has a tenon which engages with a corresponding mortise at the rear end of the body when the clasp is in the interlocked position, the inner surface of the said mortise is lined with resilient material. 2. A clasp as claimed in claim 1 where the strap transport sleeve and body are interlocked by means of a catch, spring clip, latch, spring loaded pawl or the like. 3. A clasp as claimed in claim 1 where the contacting surfaces of the strap transport sleeve and body are provided with cogs, projections, ribs, embossings or the like. 4. A clasp as claimed in claim 1 where the interlocked clasp can be secured from unauthorised tampering by means of a safety lock, padlock, safety catch, combi nation numbered lock, safety button or the like. 5. A clasp as claimed in claim 1 where the tension on the strap can be transferred on to the front upper end of the strap transport sleeve by means of a link. 6. A clasp as claimed in claim 1 with or without a handle, hook or staple. 7. A clasp substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated with reference to figures one to three of the accompanying drawings.

Documents:

913-mas-2000-abstract.pdf

913-mas-2000-claims filed.pdf

913-mas-2000-claims grand.pdf

913-mas-2000-correspondnece-others.pdf

913-mas-2000-correspondnece-po.pdf

913-mas-2000-description(complete) filed.pdf

913-mas-2000-description(complete) grand.pdf

913-mas-2000-description(provisional).pdf

913-mas-2000-drawings.pdf

913-mas-2000-form 1.pdf

913-mas-2000-form 13.pdf

913-mas-2000-form 19.pdf

913-mas-2000-form 3.pdf

913-mas-2000-form 4.pdf

913-mas-2000-form 5.pdf

913-mas-2000-other documents.pdf

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