U.S. patent application number 12/492044 was filed with the patent office on 2010-10-21 for device for coupling strap and subordinate item.
Invention is credited to Jisook PAIK.
Application Number | 20100263171 12/492044 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42751153 |
Filed Date | 2010-10-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100263171 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
PAIK; Jisook |
October 21, 2010 |
DEVICE FOR COUPLING STRAP AND SUBORDINATE ITEM
Abstract
A coupling device includes a plug member having a rectangular
rail support part and a rectangular rail connected to an outer end
of the rectangular rail support part; and a socket member having a
rectangular rail groove into which the rectangular rail is fitted
and a slot which is defined through a side wall of the socket
member defining the rail groove to extend in a lengthwise direction
of the rail groove so as to allow the rail support part to pass
therethrough. Of both lengthwise ends of the socket member, one end
is open to define an entrance through which the rectangular rail is
fitted into the rail groove, and the other end is closed.
Inventors: |
PAIK; Jisook; (Seoul,
KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Jae Y. Park
Kile, Goekjian, Reed & McManus, PLLC, 1200 New Hampshire Ave. NW, Suite
570
Washington
DC
20036
US
|
Family ID: |
42751153 |
Appl. No.: |
12/492044 |
Filed: |
June 25, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
24/194 ;
24/612 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 24/4079 20150115;
A45C 13/1076 20130101; A45F 3/047 20130101; A45C 13/30 20130101;
A45F 5/00 20130101; Y10T 24/45513 20150115; A44B 11/25 20130101;
A45F 2003/045 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
24/194 ;
24/612 |
International
Class: |
A44B 11/25 20060101
A44B011/25; A44B 21/00 20060101 A44B021/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 18, 2009 |
KR |
10-2009-0033904 |
Claims
1. A coupling device comprising: a plug member having a rectangular
rail support part and a rectangular rail connected to an outer end
of the rectangular rail support part; and a socket member having a
rectangular rail groove into which the rectangular rail is fitted
and a slot which is defined through a side wall of the socket
member defining the rail groove to extend in a lengthwise direction
of the rail groove so as to allow the rail support part to pass
therethrough, wherein, of both lengthwise ends of the socket
member, one end is open to define an entrance through which the
rectangular rail is fitted into the rail groove, and the other end
is closed.
2. The coupling device according to claim 1, wherein the rail
support part and the rail connected to the outer end of the rail
support part cooperatively define a transverse sectional shape of a
`T`, and the rail has a larger width than the rail support part
when viewed in a transverse section.
3. The coupling device according to claim 1, wherein a stopper is
formed on a side surface of the rectangular rail adjacent to an
upper end of the rail in such a way as to project outward, and an
engagement groove is defined on a surface of the rail groove of the
socket member through which the rectangular rail is fitted, to
correspond to the stopper of the rail.
4. The coupling device according to claim 1, wherein the
rectangular rail and the rail groove of the socket member, through
which the rail is fitted, have linear or curved configurations when
viewed in a lengthwise direction thereof.
5. The coupling device according to claim 1, wherein the plug
member and the socket member are respectively coupled to first ends
of objects, and cord connectors are formed on the objects such that
the objects are connected with each other by a cord.
6. The coupling device according to claim 1, wherein cord
connectors are formed on first ends of the plug member and the
socket member such that the plug member and the socket member are
connected with each other by a cord.
7. The coupling device according to claim 1, wherein the plug
member or the socket member integrally projects from one end of a
strap adjuster as an object to be connected.
8. The coupling device according to claim 7, wherein the strap
adjuster comprises a buckle for a knapsack or a carabiner.
9. The coupling device according to claim 1, wherein a thin
fastening plate extends rearward from the rail support part of the
plug member and is stitched to an object to be stitched, and
another object having the socket member is coupled to the rail of
the plug member which is fastened through stitching.
10. The coupling device according to claim 9, wherein the object to
be stitched comprises a knapsack or a strap which is installed on a
knapsack or a bag.
11. The coupling device according to claim 1, wherein a thin
fastening plate extends rearward from one surface of the socket
member and is stitched to an object to be stitched, and another
object having the plug member is coupled to the rail groove of the
socket member which is fastened through stitching.
12. The coupling device according to claim 11, wherein the object
to be stitched comprises a knapsack or a strap which is installed
on a knapsack or a bag.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a device for coupling a
strap and a subordinate item which allows a strap installed on
knapsacks, bags, clothes, helmets, etc. and each of various
subordinate items to be conveniently coupled to and decoupled from
each other.
[0003] 2. Description of the. Related Art
[0004] In general, a number of subordinate items are mounted to
knapsacks, bags, hats, clothes, etc. as the occasions demand. For
example, a plurality of straps are installed at various places on a
knapsack for mountain-climbing such that they are stitched at their
ends as shown in FIG. 1. Also, variously shaped subordinate items
such as adjusters and carabiners are installed on the straps to
perform their own functions, and belts and buckles for fastening
the belts are installed on the straps as well.
[0005] When taking outdoor activities such as camping or
mountain-climbing, various subordinate items including a lantern, a
cup, an alpine stick, a water bottle, and so forth are carried such
that they are received in or suspended from a knapsack.
[0006] While these numerous subordinate items are carried because
they are necessary for the outdoor activities, since some of them
are carried in the state in which they are unstably suspended, the
outer appearance of the knapsack deteriorates, and since the
remaining subordinate items are unstably received, inconvenience is
caused when using those subordinate items.
[0007] The plurality of straps installed on the knapsack have first
ends which are stitched to the knapsack and second ends which are
freed so that other straps or subordinate items can be connected
thereto. However, it is the norm that most straps are not usually
used. Also, adjusters and subordinate items attached and connected
to the straps deteriorate the outer appearance of the knapsack, and
the subordinate items, which are irregularly suspended from the
straps, interfere with surrounding articles so that inconvenience
is caused or an accident is likely to occur when taking outdoor
activities.
[0008] Further, since the straps or subordinate items which are
fixedly installed or connected to the knapsack perform their
functions at fixed positions, disadvantages are caused in that
compatibility with other subordinate items having different
functions is degraded to some extent.
[0009] Moreover, in the conventional art, in order to couple
subordinate items to the straps, one or more slots are defined in
each of the subordinate items, and the straps are passed through
the slots so that the straps can be wound and fixed in a variety of
ways. Also, in order to connect elements of the knapsack, a female
type buckle and a male type buckle are used. As a consequence, it
is inconvenient to connect or couple the. straps and the
subordinate items or elements of the knapsack with each other, and
the connected and coupled states become unstable.
[0010] Therefore, the conventional coupling structure results in
the increase in the number of elements and costs. Further, the
outer appearance of the knapsack deteriorates since the straps are
not tidily arranged, and inconvenience is caused when using the
subordinate items or elements of the knapsack.
[0011] As a result, in the conventional art, the straps,
subordinate items and elements, which are fixedly installed on and
connected to knapsacks, bags, clothes, and so forth, deteriorate
outer appearances, and since they cannot but be kept mounted even
when they are not necessary, inconvenience is caused in motion.
Therefore, technical means for solving these problems are keenly
demanded in the art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] 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 device for coupling
a strap and a subordinate item, which is structured to allow a
strap installed on knapsacks, etc. and each of various subordinate
items to be coupled to and decoupled from each other and thereby be
selectively used as the occasion demands.
[0013] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
device for coupling a strap and a subordinate item, which is
structured to allow a strap installed on knapsacks, etc. and each
of various subordinate items to be coupled to and decoupled from
each other in a simple and convenient manner.
[0014] Still another object of the present invention is to provide
a device for coupling a strap and a subordinate item, which can
render an aesthetic outer appearance to a knapsack, etc. by
allowing each of various subordinate items for being mounted to the
knapsack to be directly coupled to the surface of the knapsack, so
that it is possible to prevent a strap, etc. from swaying while
being attached to the knapsack, noise generation due to collision
of subordinate items can be avoided, and interference between the
subordinate item and a surrounding article can be minimized.
[0015] In order to achieve the above objects, according to one
aspect of the present invention, there is provided a coupling
device comprising a plug member having a rectangular rail support
part and a rectangular rail connected to an outer end of the
rectangular rail support part; and a socket member having a
rectangular rail groove into which the rectangular rail is fitted
and a slot which is defined through a side wall of the socket
member defining the rail groove to extend in a lengthwise direction
of the rail groove so as to allow the rail support part to pass
therethrough, wherein, of both lengthwise ends of the socket
member, one end is open to define an entrance through which the
rectangular rail is fitted into the rail groove, and the other end
is closed.
[0016] According to another aspect of the present invention, the
rail support part and the rail connected to the outer end of the
rail support part cooperatively define a transverse sectional shape
of a `T`, and the rail has a larger width than the rail support
part when viewed in a transverse section.
[0017] According to another aspect of the present invention, a
stopper is formed on a side surface of the rectangular rail
adjacent to an upper end of the rail in such a way as to project
outward, and an engagement groove is defined on a surface of the
rail groove of the socket member through which the rectangular rail
is fitted, to correspond to the stopper of the rail.
[0018] According to another aspect of the present invention, the
rectangular rail and the rail groove of the socket member, through
which the rail is fitted, have linear or curved configurations when
viewed in a lengthwise direction thereof.
[0019] According to another aspect of the present invention, the
plug member and the socket member are respectively coupled to first
ends of objects, and cord connectors are formed on the objects such
that the objects are connected with each other by a cord.
[0020] According to another aspect of the present invention, cord
connectors are formed on first ends of the plug member and the
socket member such that the plug member and the socket member are
connected with each other by a cord.
[0021] According to another aspect of the present invention, the
plug member or the socket member integrally projects from one end
of a strap adjuster as an object to be connected.
[0022] According to another aspect of the present invention, the
strap adjuster comprises a buckle for a knapsack or a
carabiner.
[0023] According to another aspect of the present invention, a thin
fastening plate extends rearward from the rail support part of the
plug member and is stitched to an object to be stitched, and
another object having the socket member is coupled to the rail of
the plug member which is fastened through stitching.
[0024] According to another aspect of the present invention, the
object to be stitched comprises a knapsack or a strap which is
installed on a knapsack or a bag.
[0025] According to another aspect of the present invention, a thin
fastening plate extends rearward from one surface of the socket
member and is stitched to an object to be stitched, and another
object having the plug member is coupled to the rail groove of the
socket member which is fastened through stitching.
[0026] According to another aspect of the present invention, the
object to be stitched comprises a knapsack or a strap which is
installed on a knapsack or a bag.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0027] 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:
[0028] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a conventional
knapsack;
[0029] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a
coupling device in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0030] FIGS. 3 and 4 are perspective views illustrating the
assembly of the coupling device shown in FIG. 2;
[0031] FIG. 5 is a transverse sectional view illustrating the
assembled state of the coupling device shown in FIG. 2;
[0032] FIG. 6 is a plan view illustrating a variation of a plug
member according to the present invention;
[0033] FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which
the coupling device according to the present invention is applied
to a buckle for a knapsack;
[0034] FIGS. 8 through 14 are perspective views illustrating
various subordinate items to which the plug member according to the
present invention is applied;
[0035] FIG. 15 is a perspective view illustrating another
application of the coupling device according to the present
invention;
[0036] FIG. 16 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which
a cord is used in the coupling device according to the present
invention;
[0037] FIGS. 17 through 20 are perspective views illustrating
examples in which the coupling device according to the present
invention is applied to a strap; and
[0038] FIG. 21 is a perspective view illustrating a knapsack to
which the coupling device according to the present invention is
applied.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0039] 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.
[0040] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a
coupling device in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention, FIGS. 3 and 4 are perspective views illustrating the
assembly of the coupling device shown in FIG. 2, and FIG. 5 is a
transverse sectional view illustrating the assembled state of the
coupling device shown in FIG. 2. Referring to these drawings, a
coupling device according to the present invention generally
comprises a plug member 100 serving as a male type member and a
socket member 200 serving as a female type member. The plug member
100 and the socket member 200 are formed on the facing ends of a
first object 1 and a second object 2 such that they can be coupled
to and decoupled from each other.
[0041] FIGS. 2 through 5 illustrate a coupling relationship of the
plug member 100 and the socket member 200. The plug member 100 has
a rail support part 101 and a rail 102. The rail support part 101
is formed integrally with the first object 1.
[0042] The rail 102 having a rectangular sectional shape is
connected to an outer end of the rail support part 101 having a
rectangular sectional shape. The rail support part 101 and the rail
102 connected to the outer end of the rail support part 101
cooperatively define the transverse sectional shape of a `T`. The
rail 102 has a larger width than the rail support part 101 when
viewed in the transverse section. A stopper 103 is formed on a side
surface of the rail 102 adjacent to the upper end of the rail 102
in such a way as to project outward. While the rail 102 having the
rectangular sectional shape is formed to have a linear
configuration when viewed in the lengthwise direction thereof, it
can be envisaged that the rail 102 can have a curved
configuration.
[0043] The socket member 200 is formed integrally with an end of
the second object 2. The socket member 200 has a rail groove 202
which has a rectangular sectional shape to allow the rail 102 of
the plug member 100 to be fitted therein. A slot 205 is defined
through a side wall of the socket member 200 defining the rail
groove 202 to extend in the lengthwise direction of the rail groove
202 and communicate with the rail groove 202 such that the rail
support part 101 can be fitted into the slot 205. Of both
lengthwise ends of the socket member 200, one end is open to define
an entrance 204 through which the rail 102 having the rectangular
sectional shape is fitted into the rail groove 202, and the other
end is closed.
[0044] Preferably, the entrance 204 to the rail groove 202 is
defined to have the same sectional shape as the rail 102. The width
of the slot 205 is smaller than the width of the rail groove 202
and allows the rail support part 101 to pass therethrough.
[0045] The rail 102 having the rectangular sectional shape and the
rail groove 202 of the socket member 200, through which the rail
102 is fitted, can have linear or curved configurations when viewed
in the lengthwise direction thereof.
[0046] An engagement groove 203 is defined on the surface of the
rail groove 202 of the socket member 200 to correspond to the
stopper 103 of the rail 102. When the rail 102 is completely fitted
into the rail groove 202, the stopper 103 is engaged into the
engagement groove 203 so that the state in which the rail 102 is
fitted into the rail groove 202 can be reliably maintained. The
stopper 103 and the engagement groove 203 are formed and defined at
corresponding positions as shown in FIG. 6.
[0047] The rail 102 is slidingly fitted into the rail groove 202.
At the time when the stopper 103 reaches the engagement groove 203,
resistance force is generated due to the presence of the stopper
103, and then, by pressing the rail 102 with greater force, the
projecting height of the stopper 103 is introduced into the
engagement groove 203, whereby the engagement between the stopper
103 and the engagement groove 203 is completed.
[0048] The end of the rail groove 202 which is opposite the
entrance 204 can be configured to be closed. Since a blocking wall
206 is formed due to the fact that the end of the rail groove 202
opposite the entrance 204 is closed, when the plug member 100 and
the socket member 200 are coupled to each other, it is possible to
prevent the rail 102 from being released out of the rail groove 202
upon pressing the stopper 103 against the resistance force of the
inner surface of the socket member 200. That is to say, when force
is applied to fit the rail 102 into the rail groove 202, the
blocking wall 206 defines a movement limit and functions to
reliably maintain the rail 102 at the coupled position.
[0049] In this way, the first object 1 and the second object 2 as
ring elements having the plug member 100 and the socket member 200
can be simply connected with each other through fitting of the rail
102 into the rail groove 202. By applying force in a direction
opposite to the fitting direction, the rail 102 can be simply
decoupled from the rail groove 202. Straps or other articles can be
connected to the ring elements so that they can be appropriately
used.
[0050] While the first object 1 and the second object 2 are
illustrated and explained as ring elements in the present
embodiment, it is to be understood that the first object 1 and the
second object 2 can comprise various elements.
[0051] FIGS. 7 through 14 illustrate various objects to which the
plug member and the socket member according to the present
invention are applied. It is to be noted that the plug member or
the socket member can be selectively applied to the respective
objects as the occasions demand.
[0052] FIG. 7 illustrates an example to which the present invention
is applied to a buckle. The buckle is mounted to ends of straps
called as belts or webbings attached to knapsacks, bags, helmets,
etc. and functions to allow two belts or webbings to be connected
with and disconnected from each other. While it is illustrated in
the drawing that a plug member 100 is formed on a male type buckle
11, a plug member or a socket member can be formed on a female type
buckle 12. The male type buckle 11 can be coupled to and decoupled
from another female type buckle 12.
[0053] The plug member 110 is formed on the end of the male type
buckle 11 opposite to the end at which the male type buckle 11 is
coupled to the female type buckle 12. The plug member 110 has a
rail support part 111 and a rail 112 which are formed in the same
manner as described with reference to FIGS. 2 through 4. That is to
say, the rail support part 111 is formed integrally with the rear
end of the male type buckle 11. The rail 112 is formed on the outer
end of the rail support part 111 while forming stepped portions.
The rail 112 has a linear configuration with a predetermined width.
A stopper 113 is formed on a side surface of the rail 112 adjacent
to the upper end of the rail 112 to project outward.
[0054] The male type buckle 11 can be coupled to and decoupled from
the female type buckle 12 irrespective of the presence of the plug
member 110. A separate object having a socket member which is to be
coupled to the plug member 110 can be selectively connected to the
plug member 110.
[0055] FIGS. 8 through 14 are perspective views illustrating
objects which have plug members as connection elements according to
other examples of the present invention. The objects 21, 22, 23,
24, 25, 26 and 27 shown in these drawings comprise subordinate
items which are mainly used on straps such as belts and webbings of
bags or knapsacks. While it is illustrated in the drawings that all
objects have plug members 120, it is to be appreciated that these
objects merely constitute examples of the present invention and
other objects having various shapes and functions can be adopted
without departing from the scope and spirit of the present
invention.
[0056] In particular, FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate examples that plug
members are applied to rings or carabiners. Various articles or
items can be conveniently connected by these rings or carabiners.
Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, the present invention can be applied
to strap adjusters for performing various functions such as of
adjusting the length or tension of straps such as belts or webbings
or for fastening straps to articles.
[0057] FIG. 15 illustrates an example in which a first object 31
has a plurality of continuous socket members 230. Optional second
objects 32 having plug members 130 corresponding to the socket
members 230 of the first objects 31 can be selectively fitted into
socket members 230 as desired so as to be carried or kept in a
place.
[0058] It is to be noted that, even when the socket members 230 of
the first objects 31 are replaced with plug members and the objects
32 are formed with socket members, the same functions are
accomplished. Thus, as a plurality of continuous socket members or
plug members are provided in this way, convenience can be provided
when carrying or keeping articles.
[0059] FIG. 16 illustrates another embodiment of the present
invention. Referring to FIG. 16, cord connectors 43 and 44 are
formed on surfaces of a first object 41 and a second object 42
which have a plug member 140 and a socket member 240 to be
detachably coupled to each other, and a cord 45 is connected to the
cord connector 43 and 44. The cord connectors 43 and 44 can
comprise rings. Unlike this, the cord connectors 43 and 44 can
comprise holes which are defined on ends of the first and second
objects 41 and 42.
[0060] In FIG. 16, the first object 41 comprises a male type buckle
which is mounted to a belt and is coupled with a female type buckle
46, and the second object 42 comprises a ring-shaped element. It is
to be noted that these limitations of the first object 41 and the
second object 42 do not have any specific meaning and the cord 45
can be applied to other various objects in the same manner.
[0061] Since the first object 41 and the second object 42 are
connected by the cord 45, even when the plug member 140 and the
socket member 240 of the respective objects 41 and 42 are
intentionally or unintentionally decoupled from each other, the
connected state of the first and second objects 41 and 42 can be
maintained whereby the likelihood of the first and second objects
41 and 42 to be lost can be minimized.
[0062] While it is illustrated in FIGS. 2 through 16 that objects,
to which the coupling device according to the present invention is
applied, comprise subordinate items or articles, it is conceivable
that the coupling device according to the present invention can be
directly mounted to clothes, belts, knapsacks, bags, etc. to be
used. FIGS. 17 through 21 illustrate other embodiments in which the
coupling device according to the present invention is applied to a
knapsack and straps such as belts or webbings installed on a
knapsack.
[0063] The belts or webbings are attached to a knapsack for
mountain-climbing or a school bag. In the case of a knapsack for
mountain-climbing, the belts or webbings are used for various
purposes such as for shoulder straps, chest straps, waist straps,
etc. Hereafter, belts or webbings will be referred to as straps
having a concept that includes the belts used for the various
purposes described above.
[0064] FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a plug
member and a socket member which constitute a coupling device
according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
18 illustrates a state in which the coupling device shown in FIG.
17 is installed on straps. Referring to these drawings, a rail 152
is formed on a side of a plug member 150 which constitutes a male
type member of the coupling device according to the present
invention, to have a linear configuration with a predetermined
width. The rail 152 is connected at the inner end thereof to a rail
support part 151 while forming stepped portions. A stopper 153 is
formed on a side surface of the rail 152 adjacent to the upper end
of the rail 152 to project outward. A thin fastening plate 157
extends from the end of the rail support part 151 which faces away
from the rail 152.
[0065] A rail groove 252 is defined in the socket member 250 which
constitutes a female type member of the coupling device according
to the present invention to correspond to the plug member 150, such
that the rail 152 of the plug member 150 can be fitted into the
rail groove 252. An entrance 254, through which the rail 152 is
fitted into the rail groove 252, is defined at one end of the
socket member 250. A slot 255 is defined through a side wall of the
socket member 250 defining the rail groove 252 to extend in the
lengthwise direction of the rail groove 252 and communicate with
the rail groove 252.
[0066] Preferably, the entrance 254 to the rail groove 252 is
defined to have the same sectional shape as the rail 152. The width
of the slot 255 is smaller than the width of the rail groove 252
and allows the rail support part 151 to pass therethrough.
[0067] The slot 255 can be selectively defined through another side
wall of the socket member 250 in conformity with the coupling
structure of the rail 152 and the rail support part 151.
[0068] An engagement groove 253 is defined on the surface of the
rail groove 252 of the socket member 250 to correspond to the
stopper 153 of the rail 152. When the rail 152 is completely fitted
into the rail groove 252, the stopper 153 is engaged into the
engagement groove 253 so that the state in which the rail 152 is
fitted into the rail groove 252 can be reliably maintained.
[0069] Similarly to the plug member 150, a thin fastening plate 257
extends from the end of the socket member 250 which faces away from
the end at which the slot 255 is defined.
[0070] The fastening plate 157 of the plug member 150 and the
fastening plate 257 of the socket member 250 are respectively
stitched to the free ends of straps so that the straps can be
installed with the plug member 150 and the socket member 250
fastened thereto. As shown in FIG. 18, the plug member 150 and the
socket member 250 are fastened to different straps S1 and S2 to be
detachably coupled to each other.
[0071] By the plug member 150 and the socket member 250 which are
fastened to different straps S1 and S2, the two straps S1 and S2
can be simply connected with each other without using separate
connection elements.
[0072] Referring to FIG. 17, holes 158 and 258 are defined through
the fastening plates 157 and 257 of the plug member 150 and the
socket member 250. When the plug member 150 and the socket member
250 are installed on objects, for example, when the plug member 150
is installed on a strap and the socket member 250 is installed on a
buckle, the holes 158 and 258 can serve as cord connectors for
connecting the cord as shown in FIG. 16.
[0073] According to this fact, in the state in which a strap
connected to a knapsack or a bag is detachably connected with a
subordinate item by the coupling device according to the present
invention, even when the plug member 150 and the socket member 250
are decoupled from each other, the subordinate item is kept
suspended from the strap and is therefore prevented from being
lost.
[0074] The holes 158 and 258 defined in the fastening plates 157
and 257 can be used for other purposes. For example, as shown in
FIG. 19, a separate connection string 159 can be connected to the
fastening plate 157 so that a mobile phone, a portable memory, a
key or other accessories can be connected to be carried.
[0075] FIG. 20 illustrates an embodiment in which the coupling
device according to the present invention is applied to both of a
strap and a subordinate item. Referring to FIG. 20, a socket member
260 and a plug member 160 are respectively formed on the rear ends
of a male type buckle 61 and a female type buckle 62 which are to
be coupled to each other. Also, a plug member 170 and a socket
member 270 are stitched to the first ends of straps S3 and S4 to be
connected with the male type buckle 61 and the female type buckle
62, such that the plug member 170 and the socket member 270 can be
coupled to the socket member 260 and the plug member 160.
Consequently, the male type buckle 61 and the female type buckle 62
can be simply connected to the straps S3 and S4 using coupling
devices according to the present invention. A socket member 280 and
a plug member 180 are stitched to the second ends of the straps S3
and S4 such that the straps S3 and S4 can be detachably connected
with other straps or to a knapsack as shown in FIG. 21.
[0076] FIG. 21 is a perspective view illustrating an exemplary
knapsack 300 for mountain-climbing to which the present invention
is applied. Referring to FIG. 21, buckles 71 and 72 mounted to
waist belts are connected to straps S5 by a plug member 160 and a
socket member 260, and a plurality of plug members 190 are
continuously stitched to shoulder straps 301. A chest strap S6
having socket members 290 can be simply connected to the plug
members 190 of the shoulder straps 301. Therefore, because various
subordinate items to be attached to the knapsack 300 can all be
connected and disconnected by the plug members and the socket
members according to the present invention, unnecessary subordinate
items can be disconnected from the knapsack, and only necessary
subordinate items can be selectively connected to the knapsack to
be used. According to this fact, the number of subordinate items
attached to the knapsack can be decreased so that the weight of the
knapsack is reduced. Also, since the straps drooping in an untidy
manner can be removed, the knapsack can render an aesthetic outer
appearance.
[0077] As is apparent from the above description, in the present
invention, coupling between a strap and a subordinate item can be
executed only through simple fitting manipulation, whereby
convenience in use can be improved.
[0078] Also, in the present invention, it is possible to prevent
various straps, subordinate items, etc. from swaying while they are
attached to a knapsack, etc., and the straps and the subordinate
items can be selectively coupled to each other to be used as the
occasion demands, so that an aesthetic outer appearance can be
rendered to the knapsack, etc. As a consequence, the weight of the
knapsack can be decreased, noise generation due to collision of
subordinate items can be avoided, and interference between
surrounding articles and the human body can be minimized.
[0079] Further, in the present invention, various accessories can
be conveniently carried by mounting them to a knapsack, a bag, etc.
Moreover, since the application range of the prevent invention is
very wide, significant convenience can be ensured when carrying
knapsacks, bags and accessories.
[0080] 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.
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