WO2017199084A1 - Fastening for elastic band - Google Patents

Abstract

A fastening for an elastic band comprising an attachment for a first end of the band and cleat comprising a cleat slot into which a second end of the band can be jammed, and such fastening in combination with an elastic band, which may constitute a tourniquet.

Description

Fastening for Elastic Band

This invention relates to a fastening for an elastic band. It has particular utility as a fastening for an elastic tourniquet, but can have other applications.

Simple and inexpensive disposable tourniquets comprise an elastic band with a fastening at one end, the fastening being adapted to hold the other end when it has been wrapped and stretched around a limb, for example, an arm, in preparation for phlebotomy. Fastenings are known of more or less complexity, design for ease of fastening, often for single-handed fastening, and for fastening to a certain tension.

One such tourniquet comprises a band with apertures or perforations in an end, and in one of which perforations is located a button with a wide, flat base. In use, the band is wrapped around the limb and the button put through another one of the perforations when the band is stretched to the desired tension. With perforations spaced apart, for example, every centimetre, the tension can be adjusted quite finely.

Whilst the concept is simple and easy to manufacture, the need to drill closely spaced perforations along the band involves a certain manufacturing cost.

Other tourniquets do not have perforations, but rely on a mechanical buckle or clamp that has at least one hinged section and a snap close action, which again, though simple in concept and design, nevertheless involves a certain manufacturing cost.

The present invention provides a fastening for an elastic band, such as a tourniquet, that is easy and inexpensive to manufacture, is easy both to apply and release, has no moving parts, and is easily adjustable for tension.

The invention comprises a fastening for an elastic band comprising a moulded disc having an attachment slot for a first end of the band and a cleat comprising a cleat slot into which a second end of the band can be jammed.

The fastening may comprise a flat base having a base slot comprising the attachment for the first end of the band and, upstanding from the base, two posts defining a slot adapted to receive and retain the second end of the band.

The two posts may define a slot extending at right angles to the flat base. The slot may widen where it adjoins the base, and may there have a triangular shape.

In a second version, easier to mould than a base with upstanding posts, the fastening may comprise a flat base having a first base slot comprising the attachment for the first end of the band and, formed in the flat base, a second base, cleat slot into which a second end of the band can be jammed. The cleat slot may be T-shaped, with the cross of the T parallel to the first base slot and the upright of the T extending in a direction away from the first base slot. The cleat slot may be inclined to the cross of the T or the entry to the cleat slot chamfered to facilitate band entry. The base may in any event be elliptical in shape, having a long axis and a short axis, with the base slot parallel to the long axis. The base slot, in the version with upstanding posts, may have a width substantially equal to half the width of the cleat slot although claim 1 is not limited in this respect. In the other version, the base slot may have a width substantially equal to that of the cleat slot, whilst the length of the upright of the T may be substantially half the width of the cross of the T.

The invention comprises such fastenings in combination with an elastic band attached in the base slot. The elastic band may have a thickness such that it is jammed in the slots or may have a feature that prevents it being pulled through a slot.

For a tourniquet, the long axis of an elliptical base may be between 20-40mm, and preferably between 20mm-30mm, whereby the width of the slots may be 0.5 -2mm, and preferably 1mm.

A fastening for an elastic band and a fastening in combination with an elastic band will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a first embodiment of the fastening;

Figure 2 is a plan view;

Figure 3 is a side elevation;

Figure 4 is a view like Figure 1, showing a band in the fastening;

Figure 5 is a view like Figure 2, showing a band in the fastening;

Figure 6 is a view like Figure 3, showing a band in the fastening;

Figure 7 is a view of a tourniquet comprising a band attached in the fastening ready for use;

Figure 8 is a plan view of a second embodiment;

Figure 9 is a side elevation showing a band being introduced in the fastening;

Figure 10 is a side elevation showing the band jammed in the fastening;

Figures 11a is a side elevation showing the band being introduced in the fastening according to an embodiment;

Figures lib is a side elevation showing the band jammed in the fastening according to the embodiment of Figure 11a; and

Figure 12 is a view of the tourniquet comprising a band attached in the fastening ready for use.

The drawings illustrate a fastening 11 for an elastic band 12 comprising an attachment 13 for a first end 12a of the band and a cleat 14 comprising a cleat slot 15 into which a second end 12b of the band can be jammed. The fastening 11 of Figures 1 to 7 comprises a flat base 16 having a base slot 17 comprising the attachment 13 for the first end 12a of the band 12 and, upstanding from the base 16, two posts 18 defining the cleat slot 15 adapted to receive and retain the second end 12b of the band.

The two posts 18 define the slot 15 extending at right angles to the flat base 16. The slot 15 widens where it adjoins the base 16, and there has a triangular shape.

As depicted in Figures 1-7, the base 16 is a disc and is elliptical in shape, having a long axis LI and a short axis L2, with the base slot 17 parallel to the long axis LI. The base slot 17 has a width W substantially equal to half the width of the cleat slot 15, although in other embodiments the width of the base slot 17 may be equal to or greater to the width of the cleat slot 15. For a tourniquet such as is used on a patient's arm for phlebotomy, convenient dimensions of the base depicted in Figures 1-7 may be LI = 25mm, L2 = 19mm and W = 1mm.

Figures 4, 5 and 6 illustrate the fastening 11 in combination with the end 12a of the elastic band 12 attached in the base slot 17. The elastic band 12 has a thickness substantially equal to the width W of the base slot 17, so that it is jammed in the base slot. The end 12a of the band 12 protrudes below the base slot 17, which arrangement balances torsion forces on the fastening when tightened. In other examples, the end 12a may have a feature (not shown) which is wider than that base slot and which prevents the band 12 being pulled through the base slot 17.

The other end 12b of the band 12 is shown jammed in the cleat slot 15, folded double by being laid flat on top of the posts 18, the tops of which taper down towards the slot 15 so that the band folds into the slot 15 and jams therein. The triangular base profile 15a of which accommodates the fold in the band 12.

Figure 7 shows a tourniquet comprising fastening 11 and attached band 12, ready for use.

The fastening 11 of Figures 8-12 comprises a flat base 16 having a first base slot 17 comprising the attachment for the first end 12a of the band 12 and, formed in the flat base 16, a second base, cleat slot 15 into which a second end 12b of the band 12 can be jammed.

The cleat slot 15 is T-shaped, with the cross of the T parallel to the first base slot 17 and the upright of the T extending in the direction away from the first base slot 17. This embodiment is easier to mould and package than the embodiment of Figures 1 to 7.

The band 12 will be provided of sufficient length to accommodate all limb sizes for which the tourniquet is intended. This will mean that in most cases, there will be a substantial length of band 12 emerging from the cleat slot 15, with, of course, sufficient length to grip for stretching the band 12, but, for clarity's sake, the figures (e.g. Figures 4, 5, 6, 9 and 10) depict the respective bands 12 terminating just beyond the slot 15.

As shown in Figures 11a and lib, the first end 12a of the band 12 may be wider, or may have feature provided thereon which is wider, than the remainder of the band so as to prevent the first end 12a being pulled through the first base slot 17. In embodiments, it is immaterial which way the band 12 is threaded into the slots 15, 17.

The first base slot 17 may be countersunk with respect to the surface of the flat base 16 so as to accommodate the first end 12a, whereby the first end 12a is substantially flush or with, or below, the surface of the flat base 16 when inserted into the first base slot 17. In such a configuration, the first end 12a will not interfere (e.g. protrude into) the patient.

The flat base 16 of the fastening of Figures 8-12 comprises a disc shape, which is shown to be elliptical in shape. For a tourniquet such as is used on a patient's arm for phlebotomy, convenient dimensions of the flat base 16 depicted in Figures 8-12 may be LI = 30mm, L2 = 25mm and H = 2mm. The width of the upright of the T will be such that a band can be jammed therein, and, for example, may be 0.5-2mm. Similarly, the width of the first base slot 17 will be such that the 12 band can be threaded therethrough, and may, for example, be between 0.5-2mm. In examples, the width of the base slot 17 may be less than the width of the cleat slot 15, or in other embodiments the width of the base slot 17 may be substantially equal to or greater than the width of the cleat slot 15.

It will be noted that that the flat base disc shape is not limited to being elliptical, and may be circular, square, rectangular etc.

Figure 12 shows a tourniquet comprising fastening 11 and attached band 12, ready for use.

The action of applying the tourniquet is greatly simplified by either embodiment as compared to prior art tourniquets - it is only required to hold the fastening against the patient with one hand, wrap the band 12 around the limb, and pull it into the cleat slot 15.

In the embodiment of Figures 1 to 7, the free end 12b of the band is simply pulled down into the cleat slot 15. In the embodiment of Figures 8-12, the free end is introduced into the cross of the T of the cleat slot 15 (e.g. from beneath), then, when the correct tension is applied, pulled back into the upright of the T. The entry 15a to the upright of the T of the cleat slot 15 from the cross of the T is chamfered at to facilitate band entry. The upright of the T could also be angled with respect to the cross of the T, as shown in broken line in Figure 8.

Markings, not shown, on the band 12, as disclosed in WO12015/145330, which change shape as the band is stretched, help in judging when the tension is right. In the embodiment of Figures 8-12, as either face of the band 12 might be exposed in use, both faces might have markings.

While the fastening has been described with reference to Figures 1 to 12 in the context of a tourniquet, it will also find utility in other contexts where an elastic band needs to be fastened around something.

The disc may by moulded using a suitable material such as a plastics material, although the claims are not limited in this respect and may be fabricated from any suitable material such as a metal. It will be clear to one skilled in the art that many improvements and modifications can be made to the foregoing exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

Claims:

1 A fastening for an elastic band comprising a disc having an attachment for a first end of the band and a cleat comprising a cleat slot into which a second end of the band can be jammed.

2 A fastening according to claim 1, comprising a flat base having a first base slot comprising the attachment for the first end of the band and, upstanding from the base, two posts defining the cleat slot adapted to receive and retain the second end of the band.

3 A fastening according to claim 2, in which the cleat slot extends at right angles to the flat base.

4 A fastening according to claim 2 or claim 3, in which the cleat slot widens where it adjoins the base.

5 A fastening according to claim 4, in which the cleat slot has a triangular shape where it widens.

6 A fastening according to any one of claims 1 to 5, in which the first base slot has a width substantially equal to half the width of the cleat slot.

7 A fastening according to claim 1, comprising a flat base having a first base slot comprising the attachment for the first end of the band and, formed in the flat base, a second base slot comprising the cleat slot.

8 A fastening according to claim 7, in which the cleat slot is T-shaped, with the cross of the T parallel to the first base slot and the upright of the T extending in a direction away from the first base slot.

9 A fastening according to claim 7 or claim 8, in which the entry to the upright of the T is chamfered to facilitate band entry.

10 A fastening according to claim 8 or claim 9, in which the upright of the T is angled with respect to the cross of the T to facilitate band entry.

11 A fastening according to any one of claims 7 to 10, in which the first base slot has a width substantially equal to the cleat slot.

12 A fastening according to any one of claims 2 to 11, in which the flat base is elliptical in shape, having a long axis and a short axis.

13 A fastening according to claim 12, in which the first base slot is substantially parallel to the long axis.

14 A fastening according to claim 12, in which the first base slot is substantially perpendicular to the long axis.

15 A fastening according to any of claims 7 to 14, in which a portion of the first base slot is countersunk with respect to the surface of the flat base. 16 A fastening according to claim 15, in which the disc is moulded.

17 A fastening according to any one of claims 1 to 16, in combination with an elastic band attached in the first base slot.

18 A combination according to claim 17, in which the elastic band has a thickness substantially equal to the width of the first base slot so that it is jammed therein.

19 A combination according to claim 17, in which the elastic band has a feature with a width wider than the first base slot to prevent being pulled therethrough.

20 A combination according to any of claims 17 to 19, comprising a tourniquet.