Band Seal With Selectively Deployable Locking Member

Abstract

A seal having wings provided that are adapted to engage a portion of a wrapped band. The wings have an enlarged distal end for engagement with an individual's thumb or finger to facilitate deflection of the same.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A seal adapted for interconnection with a band, comprising:
 a first portion;   a second portion separated from said first portion that defines a space adapted for receiving an end of a band; and   at least one wing protruding from said second portion that is adapted to be folded over a portion of the band, said wing having a distal end possessing a rounded shape such that the width of said at least one wing is not continuous.   
     
     
         2 . The seal of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one wing is folded upon an application of about 10 lb f  to the distal end of said wing. 
     
     
         3 . The seal of  claim 1 , wherein the distal end of said at least one wing has a width of about 0.184 inches and the wing has a minimum width of 0.068 inches. 
     
     
         4 . The seal of  claim 1 , wherein said first portion or said second portion includes a slot spanning the length thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The seal of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one wing has an hourglass shape. 
     
     
         6 . The seal of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said first portion and said second portion includes a stiffening member. 
     
     
         7 . A seal having a first portion spaced from a second portion, said second portion having a first wing and a second wing that are capable of folding adjacent to the first portion, the improvement comprising:
 said first wing and said second wing having distal ends possessing a rounded shape such that the widths of said first wing and said second wing are not continuous.   
     
     
         8 . The seal of  claim 7 , wherein said first wing and said second wing is folded upon an application of about 10 lb f  to the distal ends thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The seal of  claim 7 , wherein the distal ends of said first wing and said second wing have a width of about 0.184 inches and said first wing and said second wing have a minimum width of about 0.68 inches. 
     
     
         10 . The seal of  claim 7 , wherein said first portion or said second portion includes a slot spanning the length thereof. 
     
     
         11 . The seal of  claim 7 , wherein said first wing and said second wing have an hourglass shape. 
     
     
         12 . The seal of  claim 7 , wherein at least one of said first portion and said second portion possess a stiffening member. 
     
     
         13 . A system for binding objects comprising:
 a band having a first end and a second end;   a seal secured to said first end of said band having a first portion, a second portion separated from said first portion that defines a space adapted for receiving an end of a band, a first wing and a second wing that extends from second portion that are capable of folding over a portion of the band, said first wing and said second wing having distal ends possessing a rounded shape such that the widths of said first wing and said second wing are not continuous.   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein said first end of said band is folded about said second portion of said seal such that the remaining portions of said band are positioned in said space and said second end of said band extend from a leading edge of said seal that is located on an opposite end of said seal away from said first and second wings. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein said second end of said band is folded over said first portion and wherein said first wing and said second wing are positioned over said second portion. 
     
     
         16 . A method of binding objects, comprising:
 providing a seal having a first portion, a second portion separated from said first portion that defines a space adapted for receiving an end of a band, a first wing and a second wing that extends from second portion that are capable of folding over a portion of the band, said first wing and said second wing having distal ends having a rounded shape such that the widths of said first wing and said second wing are not continuous;   providing a band having a first end and a second end;   positioning said first end of said band within said space;   folding said first end of said band about said second portion of said seal;   wrapping said band about the objects;   inserting said second end of said band within said space;   tensioning said band;   folding said second end of said band about said first portion of said seal;   folding said first wing and said second wing over said second end of said band; and   cutting excess from said second end of said band.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 curling the cut end of said band to engage at least a portion of said first wing or said second wing.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein folding of said first wing and said second wing is achieved without tools. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein folding of said first wing and said second wing is achieved by applying about 8 lb f  thereto.