Connecting Strip Apparatus

Abstract

An apparatus is provided including an elongated strip having a plurality of spaced apart segments, each segment defining a through opening, and a plurality of connecting zones, each connecting zone located between and separating two adjacent spaced apart segments. The plurality of spaced apart segments are sized and structured to allow at least one segment to be passed into, through and out of the through opening of at least one other segment. Methods of using such apparatus are also disclosed.

1 . An apparatus comprising:
 a strip comprising a plurality of spaced apart segments, each segment defining a through opening, and a plurality of connecting zones, each connecting zone located between and separating two adjacent spaced apart segments, the plurality of spaced apart segments being sized and structured to allow at least one segment to be passed into, through and out of the through opening of at least one other segment, and at least one of the connecting zones is structured to be more flexible than the adjacent spaced apart segments between the at least one connecting zone.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the strip has a length along which the plurality of spaced apart segments and the plurality of connecting zones extend side by side, and a width and a thickness which are perpendicular to each other and to the length, wherein the length is larger than the width and the width is larger than the thickness. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the segments and the through openings have a larger maximum dimension along the width of the strip than along the length of the strip. 
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each of the segments has substantially the same size and shape and each of the through openings has substantially the same size and shape. 
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the segments and the through openings are substantially ovoid or substantially elliptical in shape. 
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each of the segments has an inner wall defining the through opening and an oppositely disposed outer wall, and at least a portion of the inner wall is chamfered. 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , which is structured to allow at least one segment to be passed into, through and out of the through openings of two or more other segments manually, without the use of a separate tool. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each of the connecting zones includes a through hole. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the through hole is substantially circular or substantially oblong. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each of the segments and each of the connecting zones has a maximum thickness, and the maximum thickness of each of the connecting zones is substantially equal to or reduced relative to the maximum thickness of the adjacent spaced apart segments between each connecting zone. 
     
     
         16 - 21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the strip is a unitary, molded structure comprising a polymeric material. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the strip further comprises at least one portion which is devoid of segments and connecting zones. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the strip further comprises at least one end portion located at an end of the strip which is devoid of segments and connecting zones. 
     
     
         25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . An apparatus comprising:
 an elongated strip comprising a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart segments and a plurality of connecting zones, each connecting zone coupled to, and located between two adjacent segments, each of the segments including an outer rim and a through opening defined by the outer rim, both the outer rim and the through opening of each segment having substantially ovoid shapes, the segments being sized and structured to allow one segment to pass into, through and out of the through opening of at least one other segment, and at least one of the connecting zones structured to be more flexible than the adjacent spaced apart segments between the at least one connecting zone.   
     
     
         27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 26 , wherein the strip has a length along which the plurality of spaced apart segments and the plurality of connecting zones extend side by side, and a width and a thickness which are perpendicular to each other and to the length, wherein the length is larger than the width and the width is larger than the thickness. 
     
     
         29 . The apparatus of  claim 28 , wherein each outer rim and each through opening has a major diameter substantially aligned with the width of the strip and a minor diameter substantially aligned with the length of the strip. 
     
     
         30 . The apparatus of  claim 26 , wherein each of the outer rims has substantially the same size and each of the through openings has substantially the same size. 
     
     
         31 - 33 . (canceled) 
     
     
         34 . The apparatus of  claim 26 , wherein each of the plurality of connecting zones includes a through hole. 
     
     
         35 - 41 . (canceled) 
     
     
         42 . The apparatus of  claim 26 , wherein the strip comprises a thermoplastic polymeric material, and is a unitary molded structure. 
     
     
         43 . (canceled) 
     
     
         44 . The apparatus of  claim 26 , wherein the strip further comprises at least one portion which is devoid of segments and connecting zones. 
     
     
         45 - 65 . (canceled)