U.S. patent application number 12/465861 was filed with the patent office on 2010-07-08 for strap adjuster.
Invention is credited to Jisook Paik.
Application Number | 20100170065 12/465861 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42263046 |
Filed Date | 2010-07-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100170065 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Paik; Jisook |
July 8, 2010 |
STRAP ADJUSTER
Abstract
A strap adjuster has a quadrangular frame; a plurality of slots
defined in the frame to extend in a transverse direction such that
a strap can be fitted through the slots; and at least one support
bar formed between the slots, wherein recessions are formed on both
widthwise side surfaces, respectively, of the frame such that the
frame can be easily grasped using fingers.
Inventors: |
Paik; Jisook; (Seoul,
KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Muncy, Geissler, Olds & Lowe, PLLC
4000 Legato Road, Suite 310
FAIRFAX
VA
22033
US
|
Family ID: |
42263046 |
Appl. No.: |
12/465861 |
Filed: |
May 14, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
24/163R |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 24/40 20150115;
A44B 11/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
24/163.R |
International
Class: |
A44B 11/00 20060101
A44B011/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 8, 2009 |
KR |
10-2009-0001517 |
Claims
1. A strap adjuster comprising: a quadrangular frame; a plurality
of slots defined in the frame to extend in a transverse direction
such that a strap can be fitted through the slots; and at least one
support bar formed between the slots, wherein recessions are formed
on both widthwise side surfaces, respectively, of the frame such
that the frame can be easily grasped using fingers.
2. The strap adjuster according to claim 1, wherein inclined
surfaces are formed on an upper surface of the frame to extend from
a center portion of the frame adjoining the slots toward side
surfaces of the frame.
3. The strap adjuster according to claim 2, wherein distal ends of
the inclined surfaces, which are formed in a direction parallel to
an extending direction of the strap, extend further outward in such
a way as to define close contact parts.
4. The strap adjuster according to claim 1, wherein an auxiliary
frame is formed on one widthwise side or each of both widthwise
sides of the frame in such a way as to define a slot between the
auxiliary frame and the frame so that a strap can be fitted through
the slot.
5. The strap adjuster according to claim 4, wherein a recession is
formed on a widthwise side surface of the auxiliary frame.
6. The strap adjuster according to claim 5, wherein a lower surface
of the frame is formed as a rounded surface to be concentric in a
lengthwise direction of the frame, and a lower surface of the
auxiliary frame is also formed as a rounded surface to be
concentric in the lengthwise direction of the frame.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates, in general, to a strap
adjuster which is used to be mounted to a strap installed on
knapsacks, bags, clothes, helmets, etc. so as to adjust the
effective length of the strap or fix the strap adjuster at a
desired position on the strap, and more particularly, to a strap
adjuster which is configured to be conveniently moved on a strap
and has improved adhesibility to the strap to be stably maintained
in a fixed state without substantial protrusion.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] In general, straps are installed on knapsacks, bags, hats,
clothes, etc. as the occasion demands. A strap adjuster is mounted
to a strap so that the strap can be tightened or the effective
length of the strap can be adjusted by virtue of the strap
adjuster.
[0005] The strap adjuster has a frame which has a substantially
rectangular configuration. A support bar is formed in the frame in
such a way as to connect both widthwise side walls of the frame and
extend in a horizontal direction across the space defined in the
frame such that slots are defined between the support bar and the
frame. A strap is passed through the slots such that the strap is
saddled on the support bar. In this way, the strap adjuster can be
fixedly maintained at a desired position on the strap. If desired,
the strap adjuster can be moved in the lengthwise direction of the
strap so that the effective length of the strap can be
adjusted.
[0006] FIGS. 1 through 3 illustrate an example of a conventional
strap adjuster, wherein FIG. 1 is a perspective view, FIG. 2 is a
front view of FIG. 1 and FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of FIG. 1.
Referring to these drawings, a strap adjuster 1 has a frame 2 which
defines the contour of the strap adjuster 1. A support bar 3 is
formed to connect both widthwise side walls of the frame 2 and
extend in a horizontal direction across the space defined in the
frame 2. As a consequence, slots 4 are defined between the support
bar 3 and the frame 2 so that a strap S can be passed through the
slots 4.
[0007] Since most straps are made thin and have a width that is
greater than a thickness, the slots 4 through which the strap S is
passed have a rectangular sectional shape.
[0008] The support bar 3 is differently structured depending upon
the function thereof. In the case where the strap S is simply
placed on the support bar 3, the support bar 3 has a slim and
simple rectangular configuration. In the case where the strap S is
wound or tensioned so that durability capable of sustaining a
considerable pressure is required, the support bar 3 should have a
substantial thickness.
[0009] In order to increase friction between the strap adjuster 1
and the strap S, knurls or depressions and protuberances can be
formed on the surface of the support bar 3 so that the strap
adjuster 1 can be firmly fixed with respect to the strap S.
[0010] As the strap S is passed through the slots 4 as if it
saddles on the support bar 3, the strap adjuster 1 can maintain its
fixed position without fluctuation by the frictional force between
the frame 2 including the support bar 3 and the strap S. When the
strap S is straightened, maximum frictional force can be
obtained.
[0011] When it is necessary to move the strap adjuster 1, the strap
adjuster 1 can be easily slid on the strap S by bending the strap
S. By forcefully tensioning the strap S in the lengthwise direction
thereof, which is adjusted in the effective length thereof or on
which the position of the strap adjuster 1 is changed, the strap
adjuster 1 can be fixed in its position by the friction between the
frame 2 and the strap S which is passed through the slots 4 and is
saddled on the support bar 3.
[0012] The support bar 3, which supports the strap S and provides
frictional force, should have sufficient strength. To this end, the
support bar 3 should have a predetermined thickness or over, and
accordingly, the side walls of the frame 2, to which the support
bar 3 is connected, should be formed to have a substantial
thickness.
[0013] However, in the conventional strap adjuster 1, inconvenience
is caused due to the substantial thickness of the frame 2 when the
strap adjuster 1 is employed in knapsacks or clothes. In
particular, in the case where the strap adjuster 1 is employed in
the shoulder strap of a knapsack, as the strap adjuster 1 comes
into contact with the human body, interference is caused between
the strap adjuster 1 and the human body, and damage to the clothes
which are placed under the strap adjuster 1 can be caused.
[0014] Also, the strap adjuster 1 may not be kept fixed on the
strap S and is likely to be easily moved due to contact with the
human body or an external item so that the fixed state of the strap
adjuster 1 cannot be stably maintained.
[0015] Meanwhile, the strap adjuster 1, which is installed on the
strap S, is slid on the strap S by being grasped using fingers so
as to adjust the effective length of the strap S. In this regard,
even though the strap adjuster 1 has a substantial thickness even
causing the interference as described above, the strap adjuster 1
is structured so that it is inconvenient to grasp the strap
adjuster 1 using fingers.
[0016] That is to say, while it is the norm that both side surfaces
of the strap adjuster 1 are grasped and the strap adjuster 1 is
moved in the lengthwise direction of the strap S, since the strap
adjuster 1 is small-sized and the side walls of the strap adjuster
1 are thin and have insufficient length, it is inconvenient to
grasp the strap adjuster 1 using fingers. Moreover, since the strap
S is passed through the slots 4 in such a way as to be brought into
firm contact with the support bar 3 and the frame 2, it is
difficult to slide the strap adjuster 1 due to the frictional
between the strap S and the frame 2 including the support bar
3.
[0017] FIG. 4 is a front view illustrating another conventional
strap adjuster. Referring to FIG. 4, a strap adjuster 11 has a
frame 12 which defines the contour of the strap adjuster 11. Two or
more support bars 13 are formed in the frame 12 to connect both
widthwise side walls of the frame 12. Slots 14 are defined between
the support bars 13 and between each support bar 13 and the frame
12 so that a strap can be passed through the slots 14. This type of
strap adjuster 11 also suffers from drawbacks in that it is
inconvenient to grasp and move the strap adjuster 11 using fingers,
interference between the strap adjuster 11 and the human body or an
external item is likely to be caused, and the fixed state of the
strap adjuster 11 on the strap may not be stably maintained.
[0018] That is to say, although various strap adjusters, which are
structured in such a way as to define slots by the presence of one
or more support bars as shown in FIGS. 1 through 4 so as to allow a
strap to be passed through the slots have been disclosed in the
art, they encounter the problems as described above.
[0019] As a result, in the conventional strap adjusters, sliding
manipulation of the strap adjusters is inconvenient, the fixed
state of the strap adjusters cannot be stably maintained due to the
interference between the strap adjusters and the human body or an
external item, and annoyance is likely to be caused due to the
contact with the strap adjusters and the human body. Therefore, a
strap adjuster capable of solving these problems is keenly demanded
in the art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0020] Accordingly, the present invention has been made in an
effort to solve the problems occurring in the related art, and an
object of the present invention is to provide a strap adjuster
which is formed with recessions on both widthwise side surfaces
thereof so that the strap adjuster can be easily grasped and moved
by fingers, thereby ensuring manipulation convenience.
[0021] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
strap adjuster in which protrusion is minimized so that, when the
strap adjuster is coupled to a strap, interference between the
strap adjuster and the human body or an external item can be
reduced, thereby preventing inconvenience or annoyance from being
caused to a user due to the interference.
[0022] Still another object of the present invention is to provide
a strap adjuster which has close contact parts to stably press a
strap so that the fastened state of the strap can be reliably
maintained.
[0023] In order to achieve the above objects, according to one
aspect of the present invention, there is provided a strap adjuster
having a frame in which one or at least two rectangular slots are
defined so that a strap can be passed through the slots to adjust
an effective length of the strap or fix the strap adjuster at a
desired position on the strap, wherein recessions are respectively
formed on both widthwise side surfaces of the frame which are
opposite to each other.
[0024] It is preferred that the recessions are respectively
positioned at both lengthwise ends of the slots.
[0025] Accordingly, when it is necessary to move the strap adjuster
in the lengthwise direction of the strap, by grasping the strap
adjuster in the recessions formed on the widthwise side surfaces of
the frame using fingers, the fingers are prevented from slipping
outward on the strap adjuster, whereby the stable manipulation of
the strap adjuster can be ensured.
[0026] In order to achieve the above objects, according to another
aspect of the present invention, there is provided a strap adjuster
having a frame in which one or at least two rectangular slots are
defined so that a strap can be passed through the slots to adjust
an effective length of the strap or fix the strap adjuster at a
desired position on the strap, wherein portions of an upper surface
of the frame define inclined surfaces which extend downward from an
inner upper end of the frame adjoining the slots to both lengthwise
ends of the frame.
[0027] According to this fact, since the protruding corners of the
frame are substituted by the inclined surfaces, in the state in
which the strap adjuster is coupled to the strap, interference
between the strap adjuster and the human body or an external item
can be reduced, whereby it is possible to prevent inconvenience
from being caused to a user.
[0028] Also, due to the fact that the distal ends of the inclined
surfaces project outward in such a way as to define close contact
parts, the contact area between the strap adjuster and the strap
can be increased due to the presence of the close contact parts,
whereby the fixed state of the strap adjuster can be stably
maintained.
[0029] In order to achieve the above objects, according to still
another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a strap
adjuster having a frame in which one or at least two rectangular
slots are defined so that a strap can be passed through the slots
to adjust an effective length of the strap or fix the strap
adjuster at a desired position on the strap, wherein a lower
surface of the frame is formed as a rounded surface to be
concentric in the lengthwise direction of the frame.
[0030] Accordingly, in the strap adjuster according to the present
invention, adhesibility between the lower surface of the strap
adjuster and an object to be contacted can be improved. Also, as
the strap which is brought into contact with the lower surface of
the frame is efficiently pressed, the fastened state of the strap
can be reliably maintained.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0031] The above objects, and other features and advantages of the
present invention will become more apparent after a reading of the
following detailed description taken in conjunction with the
drawings, in which:
[0032] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a conventional
strap adjuster;
[0033] FIG. 2 is a front view of FIG. 1;
[0034] FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line A-A' of FIG.
2;
[0035] FIG. 4 is a front view illustrating another conventional
strap adjuster;
[0036] FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a strap adjuster
in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0037] FIG. 6 is a front view of FIG. 5;
[0038] FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line B-B' of FIG.
6;
[0039] FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a strap adjuster
in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;
[0040] FIG. 9 is a front view of FIG. 8;
[0041] FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a strap adjuster
in accordance with still another embodiment of the present
invention;
[0042] FIG. 11 is a front view of FIG. 10; and
[0043] FIG. 12 is a front view illustrating a strap adjuster in
accordance with a still further embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0044] Reference will now be made in greater detail to preferred
embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in
the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference
numerals will be used throughout the drawings and the description
to refer to the same or like parts.
[0045] FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a strap adjuster
in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6
is a front view of FIG. 5, and FIG. 7 is a side sectional view
illustrating a state in which a strap is fitted through the strap
adjuster. Referring to these drawings, a strap adjuster 101 has a
quadrangular frame 102 which defines a space therein, and a support
bar 103 which is formed in the middle of the space defined in the
frame 102 to extend in a transverse direction. Slots 104 are
defined between the support bar 103 and the frame 102 over and
under the support bar 103 so that a strap S can be fitted through
the slots 104.
[0046] The slots 104 defined in the strap adjuster 101 extend in
the widthwise direction, that is, the transverse direction of the
frame 102. Generally, the strap S is made thin and has a width that
is greater than a thickness. Recessions 105 are formed on both
widthwise side surfaces of the frame 102 of the strap adjuster 101
so that the frame 102 of the strap adjuster 101 can be easily
grasped using fingers. The recessions 105 define curved surfaces.
In order to increase the friction between the frame 102 of the
strap adjuster 101 and the fingers, the curved surfaces can be
knurled, or depressions and prominences can be formed on the curved
surfaces.
[0047] Inclined surfaces 106 are formed on the upper surface of the
frame 102 in four directions. The inclined surfaces 106 are
inclined downward from the center portion of the frame 102
adjoining the slots 104 toward the side surfaces of the frame
102.
[0048] The distal ends of the inclined surfaces 106, which are
formed in the direction parallel to the extending direction of the
strap S, extend further outward in such a way as to define close
contact parts 107. The close contact parts 107 are formed such that
the widthwise middle portions thereof project outward and the outer
ends thereof are rounded.
[0049] The lower surface of the strap adjuster 101 is formed as a
rounded surface. That is to say, the lower surface of the frame 102
of the strap adjuster 101 is rounded such that the lower surface
defines the sectional shape of an arc and is concentric in the
lengthwise direction of the frame 102.
[0050] The strap S is passed through the strap adjuster 101 as
shown in FIG. 7. That is to say, the strap S is introduced under
one lengthwise end portion of the frame 102, is upwardly passed
through one slot 104, and extends over the support bar 103. Then,
the strap S is downwardly passed through the other slot 104, and is
discharged under the other lengthwise end portion of the frame 102.
In the case where three or more slots are defined by forming at
least two support bars in the frame 102, the strap S can be further
passed through one or more slots.
[0051] When it is necessary to move the strap adjuster 101 placed
on the strap S, by grasping the strap adjuster 101 in the pair of
opposite recessions 105 using fingers, the strap adjuster 101 can
be slid on the strap S. Even though the strap adjuster 101 may not
be easily slid on the strap S due to the fact that the strap S is
passed through the slots 104 multiple times, since the force can be
applied with the fingers placed in the recessions 105, the movement
of the strap adjuster 101 can be easily implemented.
[0052] Also, because the close contact parts 107 can press two
additional portions of the strap S with the strap adjuster 101 is
fixedly maintained on the strap S in such a way as to increase the
contact area between the strap adjuster 101 and the strap S, the
strap adjuster 101 can be stably kept fixed on the strap S. The
close contact parts 107 can ensure stable close contact between the
strap S and an object to be contacted or the human body.
[0053] Moreover, the lower surface of the frame 102 is formed as a
rounded surface in such a way as to define the sectional shape of
an arc so that the strap adjuster 101 can come into close contact
with the human body or the object on which the strap S is
installed. In particular, considering the fact that maximum
frictional force is applied to the upper surface of the support bar
103 and the lower surface of the frame 102 due to the passage of
the strap S, since the lower surface of the frame 102 is formed as
a rounded surface, the distance between the support bar 103 and the
lower surface of the frame 102 can be increased, and the frictional
force applied to the strap S is increased, whereby fixing force can
be increased.
[0054] Further, due to the presence of the inclined surfaces 106
which are formed on the upper surface of the frame 102, protrusion
on the upper surface of the strap adjuster 101 can be minimized so
that the strap adjuster 101 can have a slim configuration. As a
result, when the strap adjuster 101 is coupled to the strap S,
interference between the strap adjuster 101 and the human body or
an external item can be reduced, thereby preventing inconvenience
or annoyance from being caused to a user and minimizing damage to
clothes or the external item.
[0055] FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a strap adjuster
in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, and
FIG. 9 is a front view of FIG. 8. Referring to these drawings, a
strap adjuster 111 according to this embodiment of the present
invention includes a frame 112 which defines the contour of the
strap adjuster 111, and a support bar 113 which is formed to
connect both widthwise side walls of the frame 112 and extend in a
horizontal direction across the space defined in the frame 112. As
a consequence, slots 114 are defined between the support bar 113
and the frame 112 so that a strap can be passed through the slots
114. Recessions 115 are formed on both widthwise side surfaces of
the strap adjuster 111 which extend in a direction parallel to the
strap, and inclined surfaces 116 are formed on the upper surface of
the frame 112.
[0056] An auxiliary frame 122 is integrally formed on a widthwise
side of the frame 112 in such a way as to define an auxiliary slot
124 between the frame 112 and the auxiliary frame 122.
[0057] The auxiliary frame 122 is formed to extend in a direction
that does not correspond to the direction in which the strap
extends through the frame 112. Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11 which
illustrate still another embodiment of the present invention,
auxiliary frames 122 can be respectively formed on both sides of
the frame 112 such that auxiliary slots 124 are defined between the
frame 112 and the auxiliary frames 122.
[0058] A recession 125 is formed on the outer side surface of the
auxiliary frame 122, and an inclined surface 126 is formed downward
from the inner upper end of the auxiliary frame 122 to the
recession 125.
[0059] The lower surface of the frame 112 is formed as a rounded
surface such that the lower surface defines the sectional shape of
an arc and is concentric in the lengthwise direction of the frame
112, and the lower surface of the auxiliary frame 122 is formed as
a rounded surface such that the lower surface defines the sectional
shape of an arc and is concentric in the lengthwise direction of
the auxiliary frame 122.
[0060] Accordingly, with the strap passed through the slots 114 of
the frame 112, an additional strap can be connected through the
auxiliary slot 124 of the auxiliary frame 122.
[0061] In the embodiment, the convenient manipulation of the strap
adjuster 111 can be ensured due to the presence of the recessions
115 and 125. Since the lower surface of the frame 112 and the lower
surface of the auxiliary frame 122 are formed as rounded surfaces
to define the sectional shape of arcs, adhesibility of the strap
adjuster 111 can be improved, and the stably coupled state between
the strap and the strap adjuster 111 can be reliably
maintained.
[0062] As is apparent from the above description, in the present
invention, due to the fact that recessions are formed on both side
surfaces of a strap adjuster so that the strap adjuster can be
easily grasped by fingers, when moving the strap adjuster on a
strap, the fingers are prevented from slipping outward on the strap
adjuster and the strap adjuster can be easily moved on the strap,
whereby manipulation convenience can be provided.
[0063] Also, in the present invention, since inclined surfaces are
formed on the upper surface of a frame to downwardly extend in
outward directions, the protruding portions of the strap adjuster
are minimized so that, when the strap adjuster is coupled to the
strap, interference between the strap adjuster and the human body
or an external item can be reduced, whereby it is possible to
prevent inconvenience or annoyance from being caused to a user due
to the interference.
[0064] Further, in the present invention, because close contact
parts are formed to stably press the strap, the area over which the
strap is pressed by the strap adjuster can be sufficiently
increased. As a consequence, the coupled state between the strap
and the strap adjuster can be stably maintained, and the strap can
stably come into close contact with the human body or an object to
be contacted.
[0065] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have
been described for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art
will appreciate that various modifications, additions and
substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and
the spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying
claims. For example, the present invention can be applied to a
strap adjuster of FIG. 12, which is differently configured to have
increased numbers of support bars and slots. That is to say, the
present invention can be applied to all kinds of strap adjusters
through which straps are passed.
* * * * *