Bungee cord with interlocking hooks

摘要

Interlocking hook assemblies for elastic straps include an elastic member 500 including a pair of similar interlocking hook devices 100 connected to each end of elastic member 501. Each interlocking hook device 100, is provided with a connector 300 which is fixedly attached thereon. Each hook device can be connected, preferably in a locking manner, onto the other hook device creating a closed hook assembly thereby disabling the hooks to prevent entanglement of elastic or rigid straps when not in use or during storage and/or transportation. Multiple elastic straps 500 can be connected end-to-end forming an elongated elastic strap of desired length having closed central hooks with open hooks on each end. Interlocking hook assemblies for elastic members include an elastic member with interlocking hook devices 900 including two similar interlocking hook devices 800 with a connector groove 801 and a catch feature 802 and elastic member 811.

主权项

1. A flexible elongated member with interlocking hook devices comprising:
a flexible elongated member having first and second ends, with the first end connected to a first hook device comprising a first hook body connected to a first J-shaped hook and the second end connected to a second hook device comprising a second hook body connected to a second J-shaped hook, the J-shaped hooks each having a semicircular portion and a straight portion; wherein each hook body has an outer circumference and contains an external connector groove which wraps around the outer circumference of the hook body which can receive the J-shaped hook of the other hook device, the connector groove having a contour conforming to the shape formed by the semicircular portion of the J-shaped hook; wherein the two hook devices can be engaged one upon the other by inserting the J-shaped hook of each hook device into the connector groove of the other hook device thereby forming a closed hook assembly; wherein the hook body of each hook device is connected to an end of the flexible elongated member wherein each hook device can be engaged upon the other hook device to form a closed hook assembly and a closed loop of the flexible elongated member hook assembly by means of engaging one hook device upon the other hook device, wherein the connector groove is in the shape of a semicircle in plan and is U-shaped in cross section, substantially the entire semicircular portion of the J-shaped hook fits into the connector groove; wherein the connector groove has a catch feature which allows for snap-locking engagement of one hook device with another hook device, wherein the hook body diameter is substantially equal to the hook diameter, wherein the catch feature includes a protrusion with a smaller cross-sectional area than the J-shaped hook and flexes to allow the hook to pass through the catch feature protrusion thereby allowing each J-shaped hook to have snap-locking engagement into the groove of the other hook device; and wherein each J-shaped hook has a symmetrical plane, and each of the connector grooves has a symmetrical plane, and the plane of each connector groove lies perpendicular to the symmetrical plane of its respective J-shaped hook.