The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 27, 2014
Filed:
Mar. 14, 2011
Manuel C. Enriquez, Morton Grove, IL (US);
Ronald L. Smith, Pleasant Prairie, WI (US);
Michael J. Mcmahon, Palatine, IL (US);
Robert G. Kobetsky, Chicago, IL (US);
Paulette Van Erden, Wildwood, IL (US);
Manuel C. Enriquez, Morton Grove, IL (US);
Ronald L. Smith, Pleasant Prairie, WI (US);
Michael J. McMahon, Palatine, IL (US);
Robert G. Kobetsky, Chicago, IL (US);
Don Van Erden, Wildwood, IL (US);
Illinois Tool Works Inc., Glenview, IL (US);
Abstract
A strap having increased column stiffness includes a leading edge and a trailing edge forming a length of the strap, a first outer edge and second outer edge defining a width of the strap, and a first side and a second side defining a thickness of the strap. A crush region is formed in the first or second side, between and generally parallel to the first and second outer edges. The crush region is defined by a thickness that is less than the thickness of the strap adjacent to the crush region. The crush region forms a line along which a bend may be formed in the strap. The bend increases the column stiffness of the strap at least about 67 percent over that of a comparable flat strap. The bend defines an acute angle and an obtuse angle in the strap as viewed in cross-section.