Secure baggage fastener

Abstract

A baggage fastener includes a first snapping member, a second snapping member and a strap. The first snapping member includes a first crossbar and a second crossbar. The second snapping member includes a tongue extended to the first crossbar when the second snapping member is engaged with the first snapping member. The strap includes a fixed portion attached to the second snapping member and a movable portion directed between the first and second crossbars so that the movable portion of the strap takes a sharp turn because of the first crossbar and a side of the second crossbar, wound around the second crossbar so that the movable portion of the strap forms a loop and directed past the first crossbar again so that the strap takes a less sharp turn because of another side of the second crossbar. The loop is sandwiched between the tongue and the first crossbar.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE

[0001] The present application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/998647 (the "parent application") of which the disclosure is incorporated herein.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to a secure baggage fastener.

[0004] 2. Description of Related Art

[0005] Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10 of the parent application, a conventional baggage fastener includes a first snapping member 41, a second snapping member 40 detachably connected to the first snapping member 41 and a strap 5 connected to the first snapping member 41 on one hand and to the second snapping member 40 on the other hand. A first end of the second snapping member 40 defines a first passage 401 and a second passage 402 spaced from the first passage 401. A second end of the second snapping member 40 is detachably inserted into and locked in a first end of the first snapping member 41. The strap 5 includes a fixed portion 50 at an end and a movable portion 51 at an opposite end. The fixed portion 50 of the strap 5 is secured to a second end of the first snapping member 41. The movable portion 51 of the strap 5 is movably inserted through the first and second passages 401 and 402 of the second snapping member 40 and extended beyond the first end of the second snapping member 40.

[0006] In operation, the strap 5 is wound around baggage 60. The second snapping member 40 is locked to the first snapping member 41. Then, the movable portion 51 of the strap 5 is tightened. The strap 5 is retained tight by the second snapping member 40. Thus, the baggage 60 is fastened.

[0007] However, referring to FIG. 10, if the baggage fastener is pivoted so that the first snapping member 41 is lifted from the baggage 60, the movable portion 51 of the strap 5 will be released from the second snapping member 40. For the stress in the strap 5, the movable portion 51 of the strap 5 will be moved and loosened as indicated by arrow heads B. Thus, the baggage 60 will not be fastened.

[0008] Other conventional baggage fasteners are found in U.S. Patent Application Publication 2005/0055810, U.S. Pat. No. 6,016,675 and Taiwanese Patent Publication Nos. 188582, 457855 and 514121. However, none of these conventional baggage fasteners ensures the fastening of the baggage.

[0009] Therefore, the present invention is to mitigate and/or obviate the disadvantage of the conventional baggage fastener.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0010] The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a baggage fastener for securely fastening baggage.

[0011] In accordance with the present invention, a baggage fastener includes a first snapping member, a second snapping member and a strap. The first snapping member includes a first crossbar and a second crossbar. The second snapping member includes a tongue extended to the first crossbar when the second snapping member is engaged with the first snapping member. The strap includes a fixed portion and a movable portion. The fixed portion of the strap is attached to the second snapping member. The movable portion of the strap is directed between the first and second crossbars so that the movable portion of the strap takes a sharp turn because of the first crossbar and a side of the second crossbar, wound around the second crossbar so that the movable portion of the strap forms a loop and directed past the first crossbar again so that the strap takes a less sharp turn because of another side of the second crossbar. The loop is sandwiched between the tongue and the first crossbar.

[0012] Further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after a careful study of the detailed description with reference to the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0013] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a baggage fastener in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the baggage fastener shown in FIG. 1.

[0015] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a baggage fastener in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the baggage fastener shown in FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0017] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, according to a first embodiment of the present invention, a baggage fastener includes a strap 10, a first snapping member 12 and a second snapping member 14. The strap 10 is connected to the first snapping member 12 on one hand. The strap 10 is connected to the second snapping member 14 on the other hand. The first snapping member 12 can be engaged with the second snapping member 14. The details of the engagement of the first snapping member 12 with the second snapping member 14 will not be described in detail for having been disclosed in the parent application.

[0018] The first snapping member 12 includes a strap-holding device 16 at an end and a hook 18 at an opposite end. The strap-holding device 16 is used to hold the strap 10. The hook 18 is used for engagement with the second snapping member 14.

[0019] The strap-holding device 16 is formed with a first crossbar 20, a second crossbar 22 and a wall 24. The first crossbar 20 is separated from the second crossbar 22 by a first gap 26. The second crossbar 22 is separated from the wall 24 by a second gap 28. The first crossbar 20 is formed with a comer 21.

[0020] The second crossbar 22 is formed with a first side 30, a second side 32 and a comer 31 between the sides 30 and 32. The comer 31 is preferably chamfered. The comer 31 is located higher than the comer 21. The width of the first gap 26 is marginally larger than the thickness of the strap 10.

[0021] The strap 10 includes a movable portion 34 at an end and a fixed portion 36 formed at an opposite end. The movable portion 34 of the strap 10 is moved past the first crossbar 20, inserted through the first passages 26, wound around the second crossbar 22, inserted through the second passage 28 and moved past the first crossbar 20 again. The fixed portion 36 of the strap 10 is secured to the second snapping member 14. The movable portion 34 of the strap 10 forms a loop when it is wound around the second crossbar 22.

[0022] Because of the comer 21 of the first crossbar 20 and the first side 30 of the second crossbar 22, the movable portion 34 of the strap 10 takes a first turn around the first crossbar 20. The first turn is smaller than the right angle so that there can always be large friction between the movable portion 34 of the strap 10 and the first crossbar 20 once the strap 10 is fastened tight around baggage.

[0023] Because of the corner 21 of the first crossbar 20 and the second side 32 of the second crossbar 22, the movable portion 34 of the strap 10 takes a second turn around the first crossbar 20. The second turn is marginally larger than the right angle so that adequate friction always exists between two points of the movable portion 34 of the strap 10 once the strap 10 is fastened tight around the baggage.

[0024] The second snapping member 14 includes a hook-receiving device 38 at a first end, a tongue 40 at the first end and a strap-holding device 42 at a second end opposite to the first end. The hook-receiving device 38 is used to receive the hook 18. How the hook-receiving device 38 receives the hook 18 will not be described in detail for having been disclosed in the parent application. How the strap-holding device 42 holds the fixed portion 36 of the strap 10 will not be described in detail for having been disclosed in the parent application.

[0025] The tongue 40 extends for a distance so that the tip thereof extends beyond the corner 21 of the first crossbar 20 of the first snapping member 12. More preferably, the tip of the tongue 40 extends beyond the entire first crossbar 20 of the first snapping member 12. Hence, the tongue 40 firmly pushes the movable portion 34 of the strap 10 against the first crossbar 20. That is, the loop formed by the movable portion 34 of the strap 10 is sandwiched between the tongue 40 and the first crossbar 20.

[0026] An upside of a skid-proof element 43 is attached to the underside of the second snapping member 14 by adhesion for example. An underside of the skid-proof element 43 is formed with a plurality of ridges for skid-proof contact with the baggage.

[0027] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, there is shown a baggage fastener according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The second embodiment is like the first embodiment except a few things. Firstly, the first crossbar 20 is enlarged. Secondly, a corner 44 is formed on the first side 30 of the second crossbar 22. These two changes further ensure that the movable portion 34 of the strap 10 is held by the strap-fastening device 16 of the first snapping member 12. Thirdly, the second snapping member 14 includes a cover 46 for covering the second crossbar 22 and the movable portion 34 of the strap 10 around the second crossbar 22.

[0028] Although the invention has been explained in relation to the embodiments, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. It is, therefore, contemplated that the appended claim or claims will cover such modifications and variations that fall within the true scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A baggage fastener comprising: a first snapping member comprising a first crossbar and a second crossbar formed with a first side and a second side next to the first side; and a second snapping member comprising a tongue at least extended to the first crossbar when the second snapping member is engaged with the first snapping member; and a strap for wrapping baggage, the strap comprising a fixed portion attached to the second snapping member and a movable portion directed between the first and second crossbars so that the movable portion of the strap takes a sharp turn because of the first crossbar and the first side of the second crossbar, wound around the second crossbar so that the movable portion of the strap forms a loop and directed past the first crossbar again so that the strap takes a less sharp turn because of the second side of the second crossbar, wherein the loop is sandwiched between the tongue and the first crossbar.

2. The baggage fastener in accordance with claim 1 wherein the tongue of the second snapping member is extended beyond the first crossbar of the first snapping member when the second snapping member is engaged with the first snapping member.

3. The baggage fastener in accordance with claim 1 wherein the second crossbar of the first snapping member comprises a comer formed on the first side thereof.

4. The baggage fastener in accordance with claim 1 wherein the second snapping member comprises a cover for covering the loop.

5. The baggage fastener in accordance with claim 1 comprising a skid-proof element attached to the second snapping member for skid-proof contact with baggage.