U.S. patent application number 09/878008 was filed with the patent office on 2002-03-14 for carrying device.
Invention is credited to Schleifer, Jason E..
Application Number | 20020030072 09/878008 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26907657 |
Filed Date | 2002-03-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020030072 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Schleifer, Jason E. |
March 14, 2002 |
Carrying device
Abstract
A carrying device includes an elongated strap having first and
second ends, at least one clamp at least proximally coupled to one
of the first and second ends of said elongated strap, and a
securement device coupled to a region proximate at least one of the
first and second ends of said elongated strap for coupling together
the regions proximate the first and second ends of the elongated
strap.
Inventors: |
Schleifer, Jason E.; (New
York, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FRISHAUF, HOLTZ, GOODMAN
LANGER & CHICK, P.C.
25th Floor
767 Third Avenue
New York
NY
10017
US
|
Family ID: |
26907657 |
Appl. No.: |
09/878008 |
Filed: |
June 8, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60212965 |
Jun 21, 2000 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
224/257 ;
224/268; 224/269; 224/609 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45F 2003/025 20130101;
A45F 3/14 20130101; A43B 5/0425 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
224/257 ;
224/609; 224/269; 224/268 |
International
Class: |
A45F 005/00 |
Claims
What is claimed:
1. A carrying device comprising: an elongated strap having first
and second ends; at least one clamp at least proximally coupled to
one of the first and second ends of said elongated strap; and a
securement device coupled to a region proximate at least one of the
first and second ends of said elongated strap for coupling together
the regions proximate the first and second ends of the elongated
strap.
2. The carrying device according to claim 1 wherein the carrying
strap further comprises a cushion or pad coupled thereto.
3. The carrying device according to claim 1 wherein the at least
one clamp is a carabiner.
4. The carrying device according to claim 1 wherein a length of the
elongated strap is adjustable.
5. The carrying device according to claim 1 further comprising an
adjustable buckle coupled to the elongated strap for adjusting a
length of the elongated strap.
6. The carrying device according to claim 1 wherein the elongated
strap is made from one of nylon, leather, cloth, plastic, vinyl,
and synthetic rubber.
7. A method of using a carrying strap comprising the steps of:
placing the carrying strap about a user's neck; securing an item to
be carried to at least one end of the carrying strap; and coupling
portions of the carrying strap proximate the ends of the carrying
strap to itself, the carrying strap being behind the user's back to
secure the carrying strap about the user's body and to prevent the
item being carried from swinging about the user's body.
8. The method of using a carrying strap according to claim 7
further comprising the step of: passing the carrying strap under
the user's arm pits prior to securing the carrying strap behind the
user's back.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims priority under 35 USC 119(e)
of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/212,965, the entire
disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to carrying devices, and more
particularly to a carrying device for holding and carrying various
items such as skates and shoes.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
[0003] The roller skating industry has experienced a resurgence
within the last decade with the popularity of in-line skating.
In-line skating is often used as a means of transportation to get
from one place to another instead of for merely circuitous trips
(e.g. exercise). Often when in-line skating is used as a means of
transportation, the person carries his street shoes so that he can
change into the shoes upon arrival at the destination. This
presents two problems. First, the person must carry his shoes while
wearing the skates, and secondly the person must carry his skates
while wearing the shoes.
[0004] Frequently, skaters tie the laces of the shoes together and
carry the shoes over one shoulder while skating. Likewise, once the
person arrives at the destination and puts on the shoes, the skate
laces are tied together in order to carry the skates over the
person's shoulder. This method of carrying skates and shoes has
disadvantages. Skaters frequently move their arms when they skate
to maintain balance and to increase speed. When skates or shoes are
slung over a shoulder, these items tend to swing with the person's
motion. This swinging of the skates or shoes is disruptive. Even
further, the skates or shoes can slip off of the person's shoulder
due to the person's movement. It is important for a skater to keep
his arms and shoulders free of obstruction so as not to affect his
skating. Slinging shoes over the shoulder obstructs arm and
shoulder motion and generates an imbalance in the skater, thereby
increasing the likelihood that the skater will fall. If the skater
were to fall, injury is likely.
[0005] Bags for storing skates have been introduced. These bags,
however, must be either carried by hand or by a shoulder strap and
therefore suffer from some of the same aforementioned disadvantages
of carrying skates or shoes over the shoulder.
[0006] Backpacks have also been introduced for carrying skates or
shoes. Even though backpacks need not be carried by hand, the
backpack is cumbersome, restricts arm movement which is detrimental
to a skater, and raises a skater's center of gravity thereby
increasing the likelihood of a fall.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide a device for carrying skates and shoes over a person's
shoulders without having the skates or shoes swing due to the
person's movement while skating or walking.
[0008] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
skate and shoe carrying strap which overcomes the inherent
disadvantages of known carrying devices.
[0009] In accordance with one form of the present invention, a
carrying device includes an elongated strap having first and second
ends, at least one clamp at least proximately coupled to one of the
first and second ends of said elongated strap, and a securement
device coupled to a region proximate at least one of the first and
second ends of said elongated strap for coupling together the
regions proximate the first and second ends of the elongated
strap.
[0010] In accordance with another form of the present invention, a
method of using a carrying strap includes the steps of placing the
carrying strap about a user's neck, securing an item to be carried
to at least one end of the carrying strap and coupling portions of
the carrying strap proximate the ends of the carrying strap to
itself, the carrying strap being behind the user's back to secure
the carrying strap about the user's body and to prevent the item
being carried from swinging about the user's body.
[0011] A preferred form of the present invention as well as other
embodiments, objects, features and advantages will be apparent from
the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments,
which is to be read in connection with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the carrying device of the
present invention draped around a user's neck;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the carrying device of the
present invention with the strap passing under the user's arm pits
and being secured behind the user's back; and
[0014] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the carrying device of the
present invention in the unsecured state.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0015] Referring initially to FIG. 3, the carrying device of the
present invention is shown. The device includes a strap 2. The
strap is preferably made of a high grade nylon, but may be made of
any durable and flexible material such as, for example, leather,
cloth, plastic, vinyl or synthetic leather. The strap can also be
made from a combination of these materials. The strap can include a
single piece of material or many pieces of material which are
attached together by means of clips 4. The strap is preferably
adjustable so at to conform to the user's needs. In the preferred
embodiment, in order to adjust the length of the strap, frictional
snubbing devices 6 (i.e., adjustable buckles) are included to
adjust the length of the strap on either end thereof. Attached to
each end of the adjustable strap is a clamp 8 for coupling an item
(e.g., a skate or shoe, see FIGS. 1 and 2) to the strap 2. The
clamps are preferably carabiners because of their strength and
durability. Although carabiners are preferred, any type of closable
hook or clamp can be used to secure an item to the strap 2.
[0016] Coupled near the distal end portion of each end of the
adjustable strap are buckles 10, 12. The buckles are preferably
secured to the strap 2 by adjustable straps 14, 15 which are
secured to the distal ends of the strap 2. Preferably a male buckle
10 is secured via adjustable strap 14 to one end of the strap 2,
and a female buckle 12 is secured via adjustable strap 15 to the
other end of the strap 2 so that the male and female buckles can be
coupled together to secure the ends of the strap 2 together.
[0017] The strap 2 may also include a pad 16 which serves to
cushion the strap against the user so that the strap does not cause
the user a great deal of discomfort while the carrying device is
being worn. The pad prevents the main adjustable strap from
excessively "digging in" to the user's body and prevents the strap
from slipping or rotating while secured to a user.
[0018] Referring now to FIG. 1 of the drawings, the carrying device
1 is shown about a user's neck (the user being shown in phantom).
As shown in the figure, the carrying device is secured behind the
user's neck 18 and shoes 20 are attached to the clamp 8 via the
shoe laces 22. The male and female buckles 10, 12 are unsecured in
FIG. 1. However, when they are secured such that the shoes are
proximate the user's belly, the shoes will not significantly move
about the user's body so as not to become a distraction during
skating. The shoes will not swing a great deal due to straps 14, 15
being connected at the ends of strap 2 and being connected together
via buckles 10, 12.
[0019] Referring now to FIG. 2, an alternative use of the carrying
strap is shown. In FIG. 2 the strap is placed about the user's
neck, over and to the front of the user's shoulder and under the
user's arm pit. The buckles 10, 12 are secured together behind the
user's back. As a result, when the user exhibits a great deal of
motion such as when inline skating, the shoes will not interfere
with the skater's movement because they are behind the user's
back.
[0020] It is also foreseen that the carrying strap could be draped
over one shoulder of the user. Thereafter the buckles 10, 12 are
secured together, such that the swinging movement of the items
attached to the clamps 8 is limited. However, it is preferred that
device be secured about the user's body such that the strap 2 is
taut so the attached items do not have the freedom to swing
freely.
[0021] Although illustrative embodiments of the present invention
have been described herein with reference to the accompanying
drawings, it is understood that the invention is not limited to
those precise embodiments and that various changes and
modifications may be affected therein by one of ordinary skill in
the art. For example, while shoes are shown in the drawings, it is
clear that the preset invention can be used in connection with
in-line skates, roller skates and ice skates, or other items
capable of being secured via the clamps. The skates can be coupled
via their laces or via the bottom of the skate. While the invention
was discussed specifically in relation to in-line skating, it is
foreseen that the present invention could be used in other
activities where it is important to prevent obstruction and
interference of arm movement (e.g., rock climbing, cycling, skate
boarding, riding a scooter). Moreover, while the strap 2 is
preferably adjustable, it need not be adjustable and it need not be
a strap but could be a cord or rope.
* * * * *