This invention relates to a device to be used for tending straps and also to be used as a whistle. More particularly, this invention relates to a device for tending straps with a whistle integrated within the device where both the whistling and strap-tending functions are independently operable.
Devices for tending straps take many forms. The buckle on a typical belt is maybe the most recognizable, but fasteners with similar functions encompass a wide range of designs and related functions, see U.S. Pat. No. 5,794,316 for example. The xe2x80x9ctending strapxe2x80x9d function is intended to encompass the various functions performed by devices that are attached to straps, or more specifically to belts, webbing, or cords, and that work to secure the straps under tension (a buckle or webbing adjuster for example), confine them to a particular area (a slider), or limit movement of other items along the strap (a cord lock). The articles utilizing these designs are ubiquitous where one finds hikers, boaters, campers, climbers, and other persons employing similar gear. Many of these activities give rise to emergencies or other situations where the spoken word either does not carry far enough, is not loud enough to be heard over surrounding noise, or is not distinct enough to draw attention. It is often recommended that the participant carry a whistle for safety in activities where emergency situations can exist. Such needs for help, however, tend to be rather unexpected. This unexpected quality results in people not equipping themselves with whistles at all times and thus not having one when such an emergency occurs. If the whistle could be incorporated into an otherwise useful item then a person would be more likely to have one available at all times, particularly during emergencies. Aside from emergency uses, a whistle may be merely a handy means for the user to notify others of his or her presence, or otherwise get attention. There is thus a need for a device that has a function with a utility related to the activity that also incorporates a whistle that can be used relatively quickly when the need arises.
Whistles in general take many forms, for examples see U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,546,887 and 5,507,246. Such whistles undeniably perform the necessary function if they are available. But such whistles are often not available for any number of reasons. A solitary whistle is not an item that most would habitually carry. Therefore a potential user would probably need a reason to include a whistle in the gear for that day. Most of the obvious reasons are related to emergencies and most people do not anticipate having emergencies. This would make a whistle a low priority item on anyone""s packing list. And because emergencies are fortunately rare, the whistle would in fact generally be just another item cluttering up a purse, key-chain, or related devices. This limited need makes it easy and understandable to simply forget to carry a whistle even should one think it a good idea in general.
But many other things are carried constantly and without additional effort. Many of the activities giving rise to the need for a whistle have a particular type of gear associated with that activity. Although the various activities do not necessarily have gear in common, the individual items of gear have common elements. One group of common elements comprises the fasteners used to secure webbing, belts, straps, and cords on this gear. These devices range from your typical belt buckles to the more high tech molded side release buckles, tension adjusters, sliders, and cord locks. They are present in gear ranging from book bags and backpacks, to key-chains, bike helmets, and the cords on the hoods of many jackets.
Buckles have been proposed incorporating tools such as a whistle, however the design has been unsatisfactory and has not gained wide spread acceptance. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,885,250 and 3,903,547 disclose a buckle with a prong that may be fashioned into a whistle. While specific details of how such a whistle might be formed are not disclosed, the general arrangement is not satisfactory because, being on a prong, such a whistle would be hidden and even if known, use would require disengagement of the retained strap or belt. Additionally, the strap must be large enough to house the whistle. This requirement prevents incorporation of a whistle where the strap is of small cross-section because the prong must be accommodated within either a thick strap or two layers of strap. This also means that the strap must be specially manufactured to accept the flange, increasing manufacturing costs and reducing the application of the buckle because it must necessarily be part of a matched set to function. Finally, since the prong is rigid and extends into the strap the areas where the buckle can be located are limited to relatively flat locations that extend the length of the prong and buckle.
Thus there exists a present need for a device with an integral whistle that can function with a variety of strap sizes and shapes to fasten, tension, lock or generally tend the straps and where the whistle is unobtrusive yet apparent and accessible to the user.
The preferred embodiments of the present invention combine the function of a whistle with that of a device for tending straps, cords, belts, or webbing of various shapes and sizes. The whistle is combined with the strap-tending device in a manner that allows the whistle to be used even when the device is tending the straps as designed. Given that a strap runs in a general direction and that the strap-tending device typically performs a function that is oriented along the same general direction, the placement of the whistle is preferably transverse to that direction to facilitate access to the whistle, decrease device dimensions, and improve its manufacturability. The strap-tending functions of the preferred embodiments include: a two-piece side release buckle with the whistle incorporated in the female half and the strap adjusting mechanism in the male half; a single piece strap adjuster with the whistle located opposite the anchor bars and slots from the extension designed to facilitate releasing tension; a cord lock with the whistle integrated into the barrel; and a slider with the whistle integrated to one side of the slots designed to engage the straps. In all cases the whistle is accessible and functional with the intended strap or straps in place and the device performing its intended strap-tending function.