Strap with improved column stiffness
View Patent ↗A strap having increased column stiffness includes a leading edge and a trailing edge forming a length of the strap, a first outer edge and second outer edge defining a width of the strap, and a first side and a second side defining a thickness of the strap. A crush region is formed in the first or second side, between and generally parallel to the first and second outer edges. The crush region is defined by a thickness that is less than the thickness of the strap adjacent to the crush region. The crush region forms a line along which a bend may be formed in the strap. The bend increases the column stiffness of the strap at least about 67 percent over that of a comparable flat strap. The bend defines an acute angle and an obtuse angle in the strap as viewed in cross-section.
1. A non-perforated strap having increased column stiffness comprising:
a leading edge and a trailing edge forming a length of the strap;
a first outer edge and second outer edge defining a width of the strap;
a first side and a second side defining a thickness of the strap; and
a crush region formed in the first or second side, between and generally parallel to the first and second outer edges, the crush region defined by a thickness that is less than the thickness of the strap adjacent to the crush region, the crush region forming a continuous line along which a bend is formed in the strap for increasing a column stiffness of the strap, the bend defining a first angle greater than 180 degrees and a second angle less than 180 degrees in the strap as viewed in cross-section,
wherein the non-perforated strap is configured to be disposed about a load, tensioned and sealed and the crush region is present at the second angle.
2. The strap in accordance with claim 1 wherein the second angle is about 110 degrees to about 180 degrees, exclusive of 180 degrees, and the strap is a plastic strap.
3. The strap in accordance with claim 2 wherein the second angle is about 110 degrees to about 175 degrees.
4. The strap in accordance with claim 3 wherein the second angle is about 120 degrees to about 170 degrees.
5. The strap in accordance with claim 1 wherein the crush region has a thickness that is about 76 percent to about 88 percent of the strap thickness adjacent to the crush region.
6. A non-perforated strap having increased column stiffness comprising:
a leading edge and a trailing edge forming a length of the strap;
a first outer edge and second outer edge defining a width of the strap;
a first side and a second side defining a thickness of the strap; and,
a crush region formed in the first or second side, between and generally parallel to the first and second outer edges, the crush region defined by a thickness that is less than the thickness of the strap adjacent to the crush region, the crush region forming a continuous line along which a bend is formed in the strap for increasing a column stiffness of the strap, the bend defining a first angle greater than 180 degrees and a second angle about 120 to 170 degrees in the strap as viewed in cross-section, wherein the bend defines first and second non-coplanar, longitudinally extending sections, and wherein the non-perforated strap is configured to be disposed about a load, tensioned and sealed.
7. The strap in accordance with claim 6 wherein the first and second sections defined by the bend are planar.
8. The strap in accordance with claim 6 wherein the crush region has a thickness that is about 76 percent to about 88 percent of the strap thickness adjacent to the crush region.
9. The strap in accordance with claim 6 wherein the crush region is present at the second angle.
10. The strap in accordance with claim 6 wherein the crush region is present at the first angle.
11. A method of forming a strap having increased column stiffness and is configured to be disposed about a load, tensioned and sealed, comprising:
forming a non-perforated strap having a leading edge and a trailing edge forming a length of the strap, a first outer edge and second outer edge defining a width of the strap, and a first side and a second side defining a thickness of the strap;
crushing a region in the first or second side, between and generally parallel to the first and second outer edges, the crush region defined by a thickness that is less than the thickness of the strap adjacent to the crush region, the crush region forming a continuous line along which a bend is formed in the strap to increase a column stiffness of the strap, wherein the bend, when formed, defines a first angle greater than 180 degrees and a second angle about 120 degrees to 170 degrees in the strap as viewed in cross-section; and
bending the strap along the crush region such that the strap forms first and second non-coplanar, longitudinally extending sections, wherein the first and second sections formed by the bend are planar sections, respectively.