Abstract:
A carrying device is disclosed. An illustrative embodiment of the carrying device includes a main strap unit having a first loop strap segment and a first shoulder strap segment extending from the first loop strap segment. An attachment strap unit having a second loop strap segment and a second shoulder strap segment extending from the second loop strap segment is detachably carried by the first shoulder strap segment of the main strap unit. An apparatus and a method of carrying a snowboard are also disclosed.

Description:
FIELD 
   The present invention relates to carrying devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to a strap-type carrying device which is particularly suitable for carrying a snowboard in a secure and comfortable manner. 
   BACKGROUND 
   Snowboarding has gained tremendous popularity in recent years. A typical snowboard has an elongated shape and is fitted with straps for attaching the snowboard onto the feet of a snowboarder. The snowboarder slides down a ski slope in a series of back-and-forth movements which requires a level of proficiency. Before and after snowboarding, the snowboarder typically must carry the snowboard to and from the ski slope. However, due to its size, the snowboard is typically awkward to carry. 
   SUMMARY 
   The present invention is generally directed to a carrying device. An illustrative embodiment of the carrying device includes a main strap unit having a first loop strap segment and a first shoulder strap segment extending from the first loop strap segment. An attachment strap unit having a second loop strap segment and a second shoulder strap segment extending from the second loop strap segment is detachably carried by the first shoulder strap segment of the main strap unit. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an illustrative embodiment of the carrying device; 
       FIG. 2  is an enlarged sectional view of a leverage clip attached to a loop strap segment element of the carrying device; 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view, partially in section, of an illustrative embodiment of the carrying device, illustrating a typical manner of attachment of the carrying device to a snowboard; and 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view an illustrative embodiment of the carrying device, attached to a snowboard. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   Referring to the drawings, an illustrative embodiment of the carrying device is generally indicated by reference numeral  1 . The carrying device  1  typically includes a main strap unit  2  and an attachment strap unit  16  which are adapted to be attached to a snowboard  30  ( FIGS. 3 and 4 ), for example, and to each other, typically in a manner which will be hereinafter described, to facilitate secure and comfortable carrying of the snowboard  30 . 
   The main strap unit  2  of the carrying device  1  includes an elongated loop strap segment  3  which may be nylon webbing, for example, and has a proximal end  3   a  and an extending or distal end  3   b . An elongated shoulder strap segment  10  is typically continuous with the distal end  3   b  of the loop strap segment  3 . A shoulder pad  11  may be provided on the shoulder strap segment  10  for purposes which will be hereinafter described. An attachment mechanism is provided on the shoulder strap segment  10  to facilitate detachable attachment of a distal end segment  10   a  to a proximal end segment  10   b  of the shoulder strap segment  10 . For example, complementary hook and loop fasteners  12  and  13 , respectively, may be provided on the proximal end segment  10   b  and the distal end segment  10   a , respectively, of the shoulder strap segment  10  in spaced-apart relationship with respect to each other. 
   A leverage clip  4  is provided on the proximal end  3   a  of the loop strap segment  3 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the leverage clip  4  typically includes a clip arm  5  which is attached to the loop strap segment  3  at a pivot point  8 . A curved clip hook  6  extends from the clip arm  5 . A clip ring  7  is attached to the clip hook  6 . The distal end  3   b  of the loop strap segment  3  extends through the clip ring  7 , imparting a generally loop-shaped configuration to the loop strap segment  3 . 
   The attachment strap unit  16  includes a loop strap segment  17  which may be nylon webbing, for example, and has a proximal end  17   a  and an extending or distal end  17   b . An elongated shoulder strap segment  24  is typically continuous with the distal end  17   b  of the loop strap segment  17 . An attachment ring  25 , the purpose of which will be hereinafter described, terminates the shoulder strap segment  24 . 
   A leverage clip  18 , typically having the same construction as the leverage clip  4  of the main strap unit  2 , is provided on the proximal end  17   a  of the loop strap segment  17 . The distal end  17   b  of the loop strap segment  17  extends through the clip ring  7  of the leverage clip  18 , imparting a generally loop-shaped configuration to the loop strap segment  17 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the shoulder strap segment  10  of the main strap unit  2  can be attached to the shoulder strap segment  24  of the attachment strap unit  16  by extending the shoulder strap segment  10  through the attachment ring  25  provided on the end of the shoulder strap segment  24  and then attaching the hook and loop fastener  13  on the shoulder strap segment  10  to the complementary hook and loop fastener  12  on the shoulder strap segment  10 . 
   As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , in typical application, the carrying device  1  is attached to a snowboard  30  to facilitate carrying of the snowboard  30  in a secure and comfortable manner. Accordingly, the loop strap segment  3  of the main strap unit  2  is extended over one end, and the loop strap segment  17  of the attachment strap unit  16  is extended over the opposite end, of the snowboard  30 . After the main strap unit  2  and the attachment strap unit  16  are positioned in adjacent relationship with respect to each other on the snowboard  30 , the shoulder strap segment  10  of the main strap unit  2  is attached to the shoulder strap segment  10  of the attachment strap unit  16 . This is accomplished typically by extending the distal end segment  10   a  of the shoulder strap segment  10  through the attachment ring  25  of the shoulder strap segment  24  and then attaching the distal end segment  10   a  to the proximal end segment  10   b  of the shoulder strap segment  10 . Accordingly, as shown in  FIG. 4 , the shoulder strap segment  10  of the main strap unit  2  and the shoulder strap segment  24  of the attachment strap unit  16  can be positioned over the shoulder (not shown) of a snowboarder (not shown) to facilitate carrying of the snowboard  30 . The shoulder pad  11  on the shoulder strap segment  10  can be placed on the shoulder of the snowboarder for comfort. Due to the leverage clip  4  provided on the main strap unit  2  and the leverage clip  18  on the attachment strap unit  16 , the loop strap segment  3  and the loop strap segment  17  are tightened around the snowboard  30  by gravity as the snowboard  30  is carried by the carrying device  30 . The carrying device  1  is detached from the snowboard  30  by detaching the shoulder strap segment  10  of the main strap unit  2  from the shoulder strap segment  24  of the attachment strap unit  16  and then sliding the main strap unit  2  and the attachment strap unit  16  from the respective ends of the snowboard  30 . 
   While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been described above, it will be recognized and understood that various modifications can be made in the invention and the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications which may fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.