US4229924A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Gripping device and method
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1978-05-24
•
Granted: 1980-10-28
•
Expires: 1998-05-24
Abstract
Abstract The specification discloses a gripping device and method for using it. The gripping device is an elongated flat strip of flexible, elastic material having at least 100 to 300% elasticity and having an enlargement at one end and a slot at the other whereby the strip can be wrapped around objects, easily stretched as it is wrapped so as to tighten it thereagainst, and secured by slipping the enlargement through the slot.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald O. Teachout, Sr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 15:34
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16B; F16B2/00; F16B2/02; F16B2/06; F16B2/08; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T24/00; Y10T24/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
A gripping device comprising: an elongated flat strip of flexible, elastic material having at least 100% elasticity and having two ends, there being an enlargement said strip located near one end thereof, and there being an aperture formed in the vicinity of the other end of said strip, said aperture being just sufficiently large that said enlargement can be fitted therethrough but being sufficiently small that once through said aperture, said enlargement cannot be easily pulled back through, whereby said strip can be wrapped around objects, easily stretched during wrapping so as to tighten there against, and then secured by slipping said enlargement through said aperture.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
106 words
A gripping device comprising: an elongated flat strip of flexible, elastic material having at least 100% elasticity and having two ends, there being an enlargement said strip located near one end thereof, and there being an aperture formed in the vicinity of the other end of said strip, said aperture being just sufficiently large that said enlargement can be fitted therethrough but being sufficiently small that once through said aperture, said enlargement cannot be easily pulled back through, whereby said strip can be wrapped around objects, easily stretched during wrapping so as to tighten there against, and then secured by slipping said enlargement through said aperture.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device of claim 1 in which there is a second aperture spaced from said first aperture and located on said strip near said enlargement.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 2 in which there is a gripping tab extending from said enlargement and defining the end of said strip.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device of claim 3 in which said gripping tab tapers to a point so that the extreme end of said device is pointed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
70 words
The device of claim 4 in which each of said first and second apertures comprises a slot in and through the thickness of said strip, said slot having just sufficient length that it can be enlarged to allow said enlargement to be pushed therethrough, but said slot being significantly narrower than the dimensions of said enlargement such that once through said slot, said enlargement cannot be easily pulled back through.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
49 words
The device of claim 5 in which said slot terminates at least at one end against which pressure would bear in usage of said device in a rounded hole whereby tension forces are distributed around said hole to minimize tearing of said slot during use of said gripping device.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The device of claim 6 in which said strip is wider at said first slot than the typical width of said strip throughout the rest of its length.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
The device of claim 1 or 2 in which said enlargement comprises a button integrally molded with said strip and having a generally flat surface facing away from said one end of said strip.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 1 or 2 in which said enlargement comprises a knot tied in said strip.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
62 words
The device of claim 1 or 2 in which said enlargement comprises a member having an aperture therein which is slipped over said strip and having a generally flat surface facing away from said one end of said strip, there being a knot tied in said strip behind said member to prevent it from slipping off said one end of said strip.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
48 words
The device of claim 1 or 2 in which said enlargement comprises a bead formed of metalized epoxy on and around said strip and said aperture comprises a loop at the other end of said strip, the base end of said loop being held closed by metalized epoxy.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
23 words
The device of claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 in which said strip has an elasticity of at least 250%.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
65 words
The device of claim 1 in which said aperture comprises a slot in and through the thickness of said strip, said slot having just sufficient length that it can be enlarged to allow said enlargement to be pushed therethrough, but said slot being significantly narrower than the dimensions of said enlargement such that once through said slot, said enlargement cannot be easily pulled back through.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
49 words
The device of claim 13 in which said slot terminates at least at one end against which pressure would bear in usage of said device in a rounded hole whereby tension forces are distributed around said hole to minimize tearing of said slot during use of said gripping device.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 14 in which there is a gripping tab extending from said enlargement and defining the end of said strip.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device of claim 15 in which said gripping tab tapers to a point so that the extreme end of said device is pointed.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
28 words
The device of claim 13 in which said strip is wider at said first slot than the typical width of said strip throughout the rest of its length.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 13, 14, 15, 16 or 17 in which said strip has an elasticity of at least 250%.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
122 words
A method for gripping articles comprising wrapping an article with an elongated flat strip of flexible, elastic material having at least 100% elasticity and having two ends, there being an enlargement relative to the lateral cross-sectional dimensions of said strip located near one end thereof, and there being an aperture in said strip located near the other end thereof, said aperture being just sufficiently large that said enlargement can be fitted therethrough, but being sufficiently small that once through said aperture, said enlargement cannot easily be pulled back through it; applying tension to said strip as it is wrapped about said article by stretching the same at least 100%, and inserting said enlargement through said aperture to hold said strip in place.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
122 words
A method for gripping articles comprising wrapping an article with an elongated flat strip of flexible, elastic material having at least 100% elasticity and having two ends, there being an enlargement relative to the lateral cross-sectional dimensions of said strip located near one end thereof, and there being an aperture in said strip located near the other end thereof, said aperture being just sufficiently large that said enlargement can be fitted therethrough, but being sufficiently small that once through said aperture, said enlargement cannot easily be pulled back through it; applying tension to said strip as it is wrapped about said article by stretching the same at least 100%, and inserting said enlargement through said aperture to hold said strip in place.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
104 words
The method of claim 19 in which said article is a gripping tool with two handles and gripping jaws, providing a second aperture in said strip spaced from said first aperture and located near said enlargement, locating said gripping tool such that its gripping jaws are over an object to be gripped, followed by slipping said second aperture over one of said handles of said gripping tool and wrapping said strip around both said handles of said gripping tool so as to draw them together, while applying said tension to said strip, followed by said step of inserting said enlargement through said first aperture.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 20 in which said step of providing said strip with said first and second apertures comprises providing a slot in and through said strip at the location of each of said apertures.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method of claim 21 in which said step of providing said strip with a slot in and through said strip includes providing a hole at that end of said slot which will be in stress during use of said gripping device whereby the tendency of said slot to tear will be minimized.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 21 in which said step of providing said strip includes providing said strip with an enlarged width at the area in which said first slot is located, said width being greater than the typical width of said strip throughout the rest of its length.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 19 in which said step of providing said strip with said aperture comprises providing a slot in and through said strip.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method of claim 24 in which said step of providing said strip with a slot in and through said strip includes providing a hole at that end of said slot which will be in stress during use of said gripping device whereby the tendency of said slot to tear will be minimized.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
65 words
The method of claim 19 in which said object to be gripped is a cord bundle, said method comprising fastening said strip onto said cord, followed by bundling said cord so that said bundle lies adjacent said strip, followed by wrapping said strip in the manner set forth in claim 19 and inserting said enlargement through said aperture in the manner described in claim 19.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 19 in which said step of providing said strip includes providing said strip with a gripping tab projecting from said enlargement and defining said one end thereof.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 27 which includes providing a point on said gripping tab, said point defining the extremity of said strip.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
139 words
A method for tightening the grip of a gripping tool with two handles and gripping jaws, said method comprising: providing an elongated flat strip having at least 100% elasticity and having two ends with a first aperture at one end and a second aperture in said strip spaced from said first aperture and located near said other end of said strip, locating said gripping tool such that its gripping jaws are over an object to be gripped, followed by slipping said second aperture over one of said handles of said gripping tool and wrapping said strip around both said handles of said gripping tool by stretching the same at least 100% so as to draw them together, while applying tension to said strip, followed by slipping said first aperture over the other of said handles of said gripping tool.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
139 words
A method for tightening the grip of a gripping tool with two handles and gripping jaws, said method comprising: providing an elongated flat strip having at least 100% elasticity and having two ends with a first aperture at one end and a second aperture in said strip spaced from said first aperture and located near said other end of said strip, locating said gripping tool such that its gripping jaws are over an object to be gripped, followed by slipping said second aperture over one of said handles of said gripping tool and wrapping said strip around both said handles of said gripping tool by stretching the same at least 100% so as to draw them together, while applying tension to said strip, followed by slipping said first aperture over the other of said handles of said gripping tool.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 29 in which said step of providing said strip with said first and second apertures comprises providing a slot in and through said strip at the location of each of said apertures.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method of claim 30 in which said step of providing said strip with a slot in and through said strip includes providing a hole at that end of said slot which will be in stress during use of said gripping device whereby the tendency of said slot to tear will be minimized.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 30 in which said step of providing said strip includes providing said strip with an enlarged width at the area in which said first slot is located, said width being greater than the typical width of said strip throughout the rest of its length.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 19, 20, 29, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, or 32 in which said step of providing said strip comprises providing a strip having at least 250% elasticity.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-10-28 | 1984-04-28 | 1984-10-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-10-28 | 1988-04-28 | 1988-10-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-10-28 | 1992-04-28 | 1992-10-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |