Elastic cord with safety sleeve
View Patent ↗A connection arrangement between at least one end of a flexible strap and a proximal end of an elastic tube comprises a plug adapted for insertion into the proximal end of the elastic tube, the plug having a tapered distal end and a proximal end that has an enlarged head. A distal end of a flexible sleeve receives the proximal end of the plug and the proximal end of the elastic tube therein. A proximal end of the flexible sleeve receives the at least one end of the flexible strap and is fixed thereto with a first fastener. A second fastener fixes the distal end of the flexible sleeve to the proximal end of the elastic tube and the plug. A safety sleeve is disposed over the elastic tube, the plug, and at least a portion of the flexible sleeve, and fixed thereto with a third fastener.
1. A connection arrangement between at least one end of a flexible strap and a proximal end of an elastic tube, the connection arrangement comprising:
a plug adapted for insertion into the proximal end of the elastic tube, the plug having a tapered distal end and a proximal end having an enlarged head sized such that the proximal end of the elastic tube is stretchable over the enlarged head;
a flexible sleeve open at a distal end thereof and at a proximal end thereof, the distal end of the flexible sleeve adapted for receiving the proximal end of the plug and the proximal end of the elastic tube therein, and the proximal end of the flexible sleeve adapted for receiving the at least one end of the flexible strap therein and fixed thereto with a first fastener;
a second fastener adapted for crimping the distal end of the flexible sleeve to the proximal end of the elastic tube and the plug between the tapered distal end of the plug and the enlarged head of the plug, thereby connecting the at least one end of the flexible strap with the elastic tube; and
a safety sleeve disposed over the elastic tube, the plug, and at least a portion of the flexible sleeve, the safety sleeve fixed to the flexible sleeve with a third fastener.
2. The connection arrangement of claim 1 wherein the tapered distal end of the plug is generally bullet shaped, having a proximal cylindrical section and a distal tapered section having an increasing taper to the tapered distal end of the plug.
3. The connection arrangement of claim 2 wherein the cylindrical section of the tapered distal end of the plug is at least twice as long as the tapered section of the tapered distal end of the plug.
4. The connection arrangement of claim 1 wherein the enlarged head of the plug is generally cylindrical in shape with rounded edges.
5. The connection arrangement of claim 1 wherein the first fastener includes threaded stitching.
6. The connection arrangement of claim 5 wherein the threaded stitching includes an X-box stitch.
7. The connection arrangement of claim 1 wherein the first fastener includes a sonic weld between the at least one end of the flexible strap and the flexible sleeve.
8. The connection arrangement of claim 1 wherein the first fastener includes an adhesive.
9. The connection arrangement of claim 1 wherein the second fastener includes a metallic crimp ring.
10. The connection arrangement of claim 1 wherein the third fastener includes threaded stitching.
11. The connection arrangement of claim 10 wherein the threaded stitching of the third fastener includes an X-box stitch.
12. The connection arrangement of claim 1 wherein the third fastener includes a sonic weld between the at least one end of the flexible strap, the flexible sleeve, and the safety sleeve.
13. The connection arrangement of claim 1 wherein the third fastener includes an adhesive.
14. The connection arrangement of claim 10 wherein the first and third fasteners are unitary threaded stitching.
15. The connection arrangement of claim 14 wherein the unitary threaded stitching of the first and third fastener includes an X-box stitch.