Fastening element for one end of a band

Claim 1

A fastening element for receiving the beaded end of a knotfree band of rectangular cross-section, comprising: a onepiece rigid body having a channel of a rectangular cross-sectional size complemental to and receptive of the band, said channel extending from an end surface thereof into said body and terminating therein, there being an enlarged recess in said body at the inner end of said channel, said recess opening otherwise only at an adjacent side surface of said body and being of a size receptive of the beaded end of the band, said recess being defined in part by an internal transverse wall in the body facing the inner end of said channel and disposed in proximity thereto, whereby the structure of the fastening element restrains the beaded end of the band against significant movement in either longitudinal direction, and said body having a sloping lead-in surface for the band, said lead-in surface extending from said adjacent side surface and intersecting said transverse wall along a line such that said lead-in surface cannot be engaged by the bead for disconnection with deflection of the band with a tool.