Patent JPS5336485A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4356592A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle assist strap
Assignee: ANDERSON ACQUISITION Inc
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Filing: 1980-06-05
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Granted: 1982-11-02
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Expires: 2000-06-05
Abstract
Abstract A vehicle assist strap, and more particularly, an improved assist strap having a central metal core with formed ends which cooperate with covers for concealing fasteners utilized for fastening the assist strap to a surface of the vehicle. The covers are locked in their operative positions to prevent tampering and removal thereof during normal use. The covers may however be non-destructively removed to permit access to the fasteners as desired.
Inventors
- 👤 Ronald D. Moore
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 07:27
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60N; B60N3/00; B60N3/02; B60N3/026
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
171 words
An assist strap for attachment to a surface, said strap comprising a strength-imparting substantially flat strap member extending the length of said strap and having at least one end formed to provide an integral base portion and a pair of integral longitudinally-extending flanges, said flanges being disposed on respective sides of said formed end with each flange providing a contiguous axial extension of the surface of said strap member, fastening means associated with said base portion for fastening said strap member to said surface, a cover having a pair of inwardly extending lips slidingly engageable with said longitudinally-extending flanges and movable therealong in one direction to a first position wherein each such lip engages a respective one of said longitudinally extending flanges to secure said cover to said formed end and whereby said cover conceals said fastening means, said cover being slidable along said longitudinally-extending flanges in an opposite direction to a second position wherein said pair of lips disengage said pair of flanges and whereby said fastening means is exposed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
171 words
An assist strap for attachment to a surface, said strap comprising a strength-imparting substantially flat strap member extending the length of said strap and having at least one end formed to provide an integral base portion and a pair of integral longitudinally-extending flanges, said flanges being disposed on respective sides of said formed end with each flange providing a contiguous axial extension of the surface of said strap member, fastening means associated with said base portion for fastening said strap member to said surface, a cover having a pair of inwardly extending lips slidingly engageable with said longitudinally-extending flanges and movable therealong in one direction to a first position wherein each such lip engages a respective one of said longitudinally extending flanges to secure said cover to said formed end and whereby said cover conceals said fastening means, said cover being slidable along said longitudinally-extending flanges in an opposite direction to a second position wherein said pair of lips disengage said pair of flanges and whereby said fastening means is exposed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
An assist strap as set forth in claim 1 further comprising retaining means for removably retaining said cover in said first position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
An assist strap as set forth in claim 1 wherein said cover includes a locking portion which is receivingly engaged by said base portion for retaining said cover in said first position when said cover is moved into said first position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
An assist strap as set forth in claim 3 wherein said locking portion is disengageable from said base portion to permit movement of said cover from said first position to said second position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
An assist strap as set forth in claim 1 wherein said formed end includes a locking means which is receivingly engaged by a locking portion of said cover for retaining said cover in said first position when said cover is moved into said first position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
An assist strap as set forth in claim 5 wherein said locking means is disengageable from said locking portion of said cover to permit movement of said cover from said first position to said second position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
An assist strap as set forth in claim 5 wherein said locking means includes an integral portion of said pair of flanges which is configured cooperatively with said locking portion of said cover.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
58 words
An assist strap as set forth in claim 1 wherein said formed end includes a plurality of projections extending from a surface thereof, said projections being receivably engaged by a like number of recesses in said cover when said cover is moved into said first position to form an engagement for retaining said cover in said first position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
An assist strap as set forth in claim 8 wherein said plurality of projections are formed integrally with said pair of flanges and extend from a surface thereof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
42 words
An assist strap as set forth in claim 1 wherein said cover includes a depending portion on each side thereof which engages a respective one of said pair of flanges to retain said cover against lateral movement relative to said formed end.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
An assist strap as set forth in claim 1 wherein said cover defines an enclosure within which said formed end is received when said cover is moved into said first position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
57 words
An assist strap as set forth in claim 11 wherein said cover includes a depending portion on each side thereof defining said enclosure which slidingly engages a respective one of said pair of flanges to retain said cover against lateral movement relative to said formed end during movement of said cover between said first and second positions.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
96 words
An assist strap as set forth in claim 12 wherein said cover defines an enclosure within which said formed end is received when said cover is moved into said first position, said cover including a first depending portion within said enclosure which slidingly engages said flange portion to retain said cover against lateral movement relative to said formed end during movement of said cover between said first and second positions and an end depending portion also defining said enclosure which is receivingly engaged by said base portion upon movement of said cover into said first portion.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
62 words
An assist strap as set forth in claim 1 wherein said base portion includes a hole, and said cover includes a depending portion which is received within said hole and engaged thereby when said cover is moved into said first position, the engagement between said depending portion and said hole being operative to prevent movement of said cover from said first position.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
68 words
An assist strap as set forth in claim 14 wherein said depending portion has resiliency and is operative to be engaged and deflected from its normal position by said base portion during movement of said cover between said first and second positions, said depending portion being further operative to return to its normal position and snap into said hole upon movement of said cover into said first position.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
35 words
An assist strap as set forth in claim 14 wherein each said depending portions are disengaged from said openings by the application of a force directed to disengage each said locking portion from said opening.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
An assist strap according to claim 1 wherein said strap member is a metal strap.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-11-01 | 1986-05-03 | 1986-11-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-11-01 | 1990-05-03 | 1990-11-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-11-01 | 1994-05-03 | 1994-11-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |