Book strap

Abstract

A book strap is formed from three elastic elongate strips, secured to each other in cross-like configuration and having fasteners at the ends of the strips to enable the strips to be wrapped about a package such as one or more books or the like and secured at their ends. Two of three straps are arranged so that when fastened to the package, an end portion of each defines a loop which serves as a handle to carry the package.

Description

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

My invention relates to carrying devices and, more particularly, to an improved strap arrangement for carrying a package such as a number of books or the like. The device is made from three elastic straps, two of which define a parallel pair in which an end portion of each overlaps an end portion of the other. The overlapping end of each of the straps is movably connected to the other strap in the pair. A third strap is disposed perpendicular to the pair of first two straps and all three straps are secured to each other at a common point so that they may define a cross-like configuration. The outermost ends of the straps include fastening members which enabled the strap arrangement to be wrapped about the package with the central connection on one side of the package and the ends of the straps connected to each other at the opposite side of the package. The overlapping ends of the straps in the first pair may be arranged in loops to form carrying handles. The straps are preferably fabricated from an elastic material which also has goods surface frictional characteristics to enhance further then on the package.

It is among the objects of the invention to provide an improved package carrying strap.

A further object of the invention is to provide a carrying strap which can easily be attached and detached from the package.

Another object of the invention is to provide a carrying strap which can be stretched to fit the package in size and which will retain a variety of package sizes and shapes.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved book strap which can be folded to a compact size when not in use and which is particularly attractive to children of school age.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the invention will be understood more fully from the following further description thereof, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an illustration of the device spread out in a flat configuration; and

FIG. 2 is an illustration of the manner in which the device is employed to retain a package and provide a carrying handle therefor.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 shows the device with its various strips laid out in a flat configuration. The device is made from three elongate, flat, elastic straps 10, 12, 14. The straps 10, 12 may be considered as defining a "pair." The pair of straps 10, 12 are arranged so that when laid out flat as shown in FIG. 1 their inner ends 16, 18, respectively, overlap each other. The outer ends 20, 22 of the straps 10, 12 extend outwardly beyond their associated inner ends 16, 18. The third strap 14 lies perpendicular to the pair of straps 10, 12 and intersects the pair preferably at a location intermediate the distance between inner end 16 of strap 10 and inner end 18 of strap 12. A suitable fastener 24 such as a riveted button or the like, secures the three straps together at their intersection. In the embodiment shown, the short segment of the second strap underlies the long segment of the first strap and the short segment of the first strap overlies the long segment of the second strap. The first and second straps may be of the same length as may be the short segments of each of the straps.

The outermost ends of the straps 10, 12, 14 include fasteners such as those shown which may consist of a ring 26 secured to the outer end of the strap 12 and hooks 28 secured to the opposite outer ends of the strap 14 and to the outermost end of strap 10. The ring 26 and hooks 28 enable the device to be attached to a package in the manner suggested in FIG. 2 in which the fastened intersection of the straps is disposed on one side of the package 30 and the free outermost ends of the straps are wrapped about the package 30 where the hooks 28 can be easily connected to the ring 26.

The inner ends 16, 18 of the straps 10, 12 each include a slide ring 32 through which is passed the adjacent portion of the other strap in the pair. With this arrangement, as suggested in FIG. 2, when the strap arrangement has been secured to the package, the inner end segments 16, 18 can be drawn upwardly to form carrying loops as shown.

The straps 10, 12, 14 may be made from any appropriate elastic material such as rubber which preferably has relatively high frictional characteristics so that it may provide a still further grip on the articles being carried. Because of the elasticity and flexibility of the straps it may be employed to retain a number of books or like articles which are of different sizes because the straps will conform to the general configuration of the articles which make up the package.

Each of the straps may be of different colors which may enhance its attractiveness to children of school age. The carrying loops formed by the segments 16, 18 are easily and comfortably held.

It should be understood that the foregoing description of the invention is intended merely to be illustrative thereof and that other modifications and embodiments may be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from its spirit.

Claims

Having thus described the invention what I desire to claim and secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A device for carrying a package comprising:

a first strap, a second strap and a third strap, each of said straps being formed from an elastic material;

means securing said first, second and third straps to each other at a common location between the ends of each of said straps;

said first and second straps extending along substantially the same direction, said first strap having an end which extends outwardly from said common location beyond the adjacent end of said second strap, the opposite end of said second strap extending beyond the corresponding opposite end of said first strap;

a looped member secured to the shorter segment of said second strap and receiving the longer segment of said first strap therethrough;

the shorter end of said first strap having a looped member secured thereto and receiving the longer segment of said second strap therethrough;

said third strap extending substantially transverse to said first and second straps; and

fastener means secured to the outermost end of each of said first and second straps and to each of the ends of the third strap to enable said straps to be wrapped about said package and to enable said fasteners to be secured together on the opposite side of said package.

2. A device as defined in claim 1 wherein said fastener means comprises:

a ring secured to the outermost end of one of said straps; and

a hook secured to the outermost end of each of the other straps, said ring and hooks being constructed and arranged to enable said hooks to be detachably connected to said ring.

3. A device as defined in claim 1 further comprising:

the short segment of said first strap overlying the long segment of said second strap and said short segment of said second strap underlying said long segment of said first strap.

4. A device as defined in claim 1 further comprising:

said first and second straps being of substantially equal length.

5. A device as defined in claim 1 further comprising:

the short segments of each of said first and second straps being of substantially the same length.