摘要 |
<p>A sealless strap connection is provided between a first and second overlapped length of strap (222,220) and comprises an array of longitudinally spaced joints (30,32,34,36,38) with each joint comprising lengthwise opposed protuberances displaced from their respective planes of the overlapped lengths of strap and interlocked with each other. The protuberances on the first length of strap (222) are longitudinally spaced in a first and second group with the protuberances of the first group (240,244,248,252) equally spaced from each other and with the spacing of the adjacent protuberances of the second group (256,260) progressively increased in the direction away from the first group. The protuberances on the second length of strap (220) are longitudinally spaced in first and second groups with the protuberances of the first group (292,296,300,3041 equally spaced from each other and with the spacing of the adjacent protuberances of the second group (284,288) progressively increasing in the direction away from the first group. The first (240,244,248,252) and second group (256,260) of protuberances on the first length of strap (222) are interlocked with the second (284,288) and first (292,296,300,304) groups of protuberances, respectively, on the second length (220) of strap whereby, when the connection is initially formed, the protuberances intermediate the ends of the connection interlock before the protuberances (256,260; 284,288) at the ends of the connection.</p> |