Rubber band retainer apparatus

Abstract

A wrap for securing objects having an elastomeric band, a retainer having a body defining a notch for receiving widthwise a portion of the elastomeric band, a band receiving portion of the notch, a first tab extending axially over the band receiving portion of the notch and defining a mouth portion of the notch, wherein the mouth portion has a width less than the width of the elastomeric band.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A retainer to secure ends of an elastomeric band used to bundle objects, said retainer comprising, a body portion defining a notch adapted to receive one side of the band, said body portion defining a mouth portion of said notch that has an axial dimension less than an adjacent band receiving portion of said notch, whereby the band is distorted to fit through said mouth portion and once through said mouth portion expands within said band receiving portion to a dimension greater than that of said mouth portion, thereby radially securing said band within said notch.  
     
     
         2 . The retainer of  claim 1 , wherein said band receiving portion is in the form of a slot oriented substantially parallel to the axis of the retainer.  
     
     
         3 . The retainer of  claim 1 , wherein said notch has a thickness of about 0.045 inches to about 0.075 inches.  
     
     
         4 . The retainer of  claim 1 , wherein said mouth portion is centered with respect to said band receiving portion.  
     
     
         5 . The retainer of  claim 1 , wherein said band receiving portion has a width from about 0.35 inches to about 0.625 inches.  
     
     
         6 . The retainer of  claim 1 , wherein said mouth portion of said notch has a width from about 0.125 inches to about 0.25 inches.  
     
     
         7 . The retainer of  claim 1 , wherein said body portion has a length of about 1.3 inches to about 2.2 inches and a thickness of about 0.25 inches to about 0.375 inches.  
     
     
         8 . The retainer of  claim 1 , wherein at least one tab extends axially from said body portion radially over said notch to define said mouth portion.  
     
     
         9 . The retainer of  claim 8 , wherein said tab portion has a thickness of about 0.035 inches to about 0.05 inches.  
     
     
         10 . The retainer of  claim 8 , wherein said body portion includes a single tab extending axially to define said mouth portion, wherein said tab extends axially over a majority of said band receiving portion.  
     
     
         11 . The retainer of  claim 8 , wherein said body portion includes a first tab and a second tab extending axially toward each other to define said mouth portion.  
     
     
         12 . A wrap comprising, an elastomeric band, a retainer having a body defining a notch for receiving widthwise a portion of said elastomeric band, a band receiving portion of said notch, a first tab extending axially over said band receiving portion of said notch and defining a mouth portion of said notch, wherein said mouth portion has a width less than the width of said elastomeric band.  
     
     
         13 . A wrap of  claim 12 , wherein said body has a second tab extending axially toward but spaced from said first tab to define said mouth portion.  
     
     
         14 . The wrap of  claim 12  further comprising, a second notch located substantially diametrically opposite said first notch.  
     
     
         15 . The wrap of  claim 13 , wherein said first and second notches are symmetrical about an axis of said body of said retainer.  
     
     
         16 . The wrap of  claim 12  further comprising, a second tab extending from said body portion opposite said first tab, wherein said mouth portion is defined between said first and second tabs.  
     
     
         17 . The wrap of  claim 16 , wherein said first and second tabs extend equidistantly from said body portion to define a substantially T-shaped notch.  
     
     
         18 . The wrap of  claim 16 , further comprising a second notch having a mouth defined by at least one tab that is less than said width of a side of said elastomeric band, whereby one portion of said elastomeric band is received within said first notch and another portion of said elastomeric band is received in said second notch and radially retained by the respective tabs.  
     
     
         19 . The wrap of  claim 18 , wherein said second notch includes a pair of spaced tabs extending from said body portion to define said opening.  
     
     
         20 . The wrap of  claim 18 , wherein said notches are symmetrical about an axially extending centerline of said retainer.