Abstract:
A carrying apparatus operable to be worn over the shoulder and around the torso of a user wherein the carrying apparatus includes a plurality of pockets operable to receive and retain an item therein. The carrying apparatus includes a first strap portion and a second strap portion being rectangular in shape each having a first end and a second end. Fasteners are secured to each first end and second end of the first strap portion and the second strap portion so as to facilitate the mateable coupling thereof. A third strap portion including one pocket is provided and is configured to operably couple intermediate the first strap portion and second strap portion so as to increase and/or specialize the capacity and capability of the carrying apparatus.

Description:
PRIORITY UNDER 35 U.S.C. SECTION 119(e) &amp; 37 C.F.R. Section 1.78 
       [0001]    This nonprovisional application claims priority based upon the following prior U.S. Provisional Patent Application entitled: Strap Bag, Application No.: 61/856,627, filed Jul. 19, 2013, in the name of Dionta Hunter, which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to carrying apparatus, more specifically but not by way of limitation, a carry strap having at least two portions that include a plurality of pockets that are specifically constructed to accommodate a particular item and wherein the carry strap is expandable with individual pocket portions. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Millions of people utilize apparatus to carry belongings or other items on a daily basis. By way of example but not by way of limitation, women utilize a purse to carry a variety of personal items and hikers utilize backpacks and/or fanny packs to carry items they may need during a hike. The aforementioned apparatus as with many other similar apparatus typically include one or two large pockets so that a user may dispose a plurality of objects therein. Some backpacks further includes a specialized pocket or two that are operable to carry a water bottle or a radio/mp3 player. 
         [0004]    One problem with existing carrying apparatus is their inability to provide organization of all of the items disposed therein. As a user disposed objects into the main storage compartment of these types of apparatus, the objects become more difficult to access and subsequently use. Another issue is that these conventional carrying apparatus are not equipped to carry specialty equipment and provide instant access thereto. Medical personnel, firefighters and many other types of workers typically need to utilize specialized tools and have expeditious access to them. Conventional carrying apparatus does not provide a technique to organize and provide expeditious access to equipment for the aforementioned fields as well as many others. 
         [0005]    Accordingly, there is a need for a carrying apparatus that is operable to provide discrete organization of a plurality of objects and further be constructed so as to provide expeditious access thereto. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    It is the object of the present invention to provide a carrying apparatus that is operable to retain a plurality of objects wherein the carrying apparatus provides discrete organization of the objects and further provides expeditious access thereto. 
         [0007]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a carrying apparatus that is operable to retain a plurality of objects that includes a base strap that is configured to be worn on the torso of a user in a sling manner. 
         [0008]    A further object of the present invention is to provide a carrying apparatus that is operable to carry a plurality of objects and provide discrete organization thereof wherein the base strap includes a first portion and a second portion. 
         [0009]    An additional object of the present invention is to provide a carrying apparatus that includes a base strap having a first portion and a second portion wherein the first portion and the second portion are releasably secured to each other. 
         [0010]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a carrying apparatus that is configured to provide discrete organization of the objects secured thereto utilizing a plurality of integrally formed pockets. 
         [0011]    Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a carrying apparatus that includes a base strap having a first portion and a second portion that further includes a plurality of single pocket straps for adding either capacity or specialization to the carrying apparatus. 
         [0012]    To the accomplishment of the above and related objects the present invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact that the drawings are illustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being a part of the present invention, limited only by the scope of the claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    A more complete understanding of the present invention may be had by reference to the following Detailed Description and appended claims when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings wherein: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view on an embodiment of the present invention engaged with a user; and 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a front view of a first strap portion of the present invention; and 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a front view of a specialized strap portion of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0017]    Referring now to the drawings submitted herewith, wherein various elements depicted therein are not necessarily drawn to scale and wherein through the views and figures like elements are referenced with identical reference numerals, there is illustrated a carrying apparatus  100  constructed according to the principles of the present invention. 
         [0018]    An embodiment of the present invention is discussed herein with reference to the figures submitted herewith. Those skilled in the art will understand that the detailed description herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes and that it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that alternative embodiments are plausible. By way of example but not by way of limitation, those having skill in the art in light of the present teachings of the present invention will recognize a plurality of alternate and suitable approaches dependent upon the needs of the particular application to implement the functionality of any given detail described herein, beyond that of the particular implementation choices in the embodiment described herein. Various modifications and embodiments are within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0019]    It is to be further understood that the present invention is not limited to the particular methodology, materials, uses and applications described herein, as these may vary. Furthermore, it is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. It must be noted that as used herein and in the claims, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include the plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to “an element” is a reference to one or more elements and includes equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art. All conjunctions used are to be understood in the most inclusive sense possible. Thus, the word “or” should be understood as having the definition of a logical “or” rather than that of a logical “exclusive or” unless the context clearly necessitates otherwise. Structures described herein are to be understood also to refer to functional equivalents of such structures. Language that may be construed to express approximation should be so understood unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. 
         [0020]    References to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “exemplary embodiments”, and the like may indicate that the embodiment(s) of the invention so described may include a particular feature, structure or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular feature, structure or characteristic. 
         [0021]    Referring in particular to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  herein, the carrying apparatus  100  further includes first strap portion  5  having a body  10 . The body  10  is generally rectangular in shape and flexible being manufactured from a suitable durable material such as but not limited to nylon. The body  10  includes a first end  11  and a second end  12 . While no particular width of the body  10  is required, good results have been achieved utilizing a body  10  that is at least two inches in width. The aforementioned width of the body  10  provides sufficient surface for the plurality of pockets  15 . 
         [0022]    The body  10  includes a first fastener  20  proximate first end  11  and a second fastener  30  proximate second end  12 . The first fastener  20  and second fastener  30  are secured to the body  10  utilizing suitable durable techniques such as but not limited to stitching and/or chemical adhesion. The first fastener  20  and second fastener  30  are configured in a male/female manner wherein the first fastener  20  and second fastener  30  are operable to coupled with a mateable fastener secured to a second strap portion  50 . The first fastener  20  and second fastener  30  illustrated herein are illustrated as conventional parachute buckles which are know in the art to facilitate operable connections using a male/female type of connection. While the first fastener  20  and second fastener  30  have been illustrated herein as parachute buckles, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the first fastener  20  and the second fastener  30  could be manufactured from numerous types of mechanical or magnetic fasteners. 
         [0023]    Secured to the first strap portion  5  and second strap portion  50  are a plurality of pockets  15 . Each of the plurality of pockets  15  are configured to receive and retain a specific item and/or items. It is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the pockets  15  are configured such that they are secured in a first manner and/or a second manner. In the first manner, the pockets  15  are secured to the body  10  utilizing suitable permanent methods such as but not limited to stitching and/or chemical adhesion. In the second manner the pockets  15  are releasably secured to the body  15  using a fastener such as but not limited to a hook and loop fastener. In the second manner, a user could interchange the pockets  15  on the body  10  of either the first strap portion  5  or second strap portion  50 . 
         [0024]    Pocket  60  is an exemplary pocket  15  that is operable to be secured to either the first strap portion  5  or second strap portion  50 . Pocket  60  includes an outer wall  61  forming an interior volume (not illustrated herein). An opening  62  is present providing access to the interior volume. Distal to the opening  62  is aperture  63 . Aperture  63  is operable to provide access to one component and/or piece of an item that has been disposed within pocket  60 . Pocket  60  as described herein is operable to function as a dispenser wherein an item containing a plurality of pieces is disposed therein and a user can access one of the pieces of the item via aperture  63 . Illustrated in the figures herein are a plurality of pockets  15  being constructed to receive and retain a particular object. By way of example but not by way of limitation, the pockets  15  could include at least the following configurations and/or functionalities: zippered pocket, key pocket, identification card pocket, cellular phone pocket, currency pocket and music player pocket. Furthermore, the pockets  15  could be configured to receive and retain items required by personnel such as but not limited to medical personnel, firefighters and police. It is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the first strap portion  5  and second strap portion  50  have at least two pockets  15  thereon. 
         [0025]    A third strap portion  70  is illustrated herein in  FIG. 3 . The third strap portion  70  includes body  71  that is generally rectangular in shape having a first end  72  and second end  73 . The body  71  is manufactured from a suitable durable material such as but not limited to nylon. Integrally secured to the body  71  are a first fastener  75  and a second fastener  80 . The first fastener  75  and second fastener  80  are configured to operable couple with the first fastener  20  and second fastener  30  of the first strap portion  5  and/or the second strap portion  50 . As with the first fastener  20  and second fastener  30 , it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the first fastener  75  and second fastener  80  could be manufactured utilizing numerous types of mechanical and/or magnetic fasteners so as to provide a releasable connection. The third strap portion  70  is specifically designed to have one pocket  90 . This provides a technique to expand the capacity of the carrying apparatus  100  in a discrete amount wherein the expansion of the carrying apparatus  100  by adding the third strap portion  70  has a specific purpose. Illustrated in  FIG. 3  herein, the pocket  90  is configured to receive and retain an exemplary music player having headphones. It is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the pocket  90  be constructed to receive and retain a specific object supporting numerous desired functionalities. By way of example but not limitation, the pocket  90  of the third strap portion  70  could be configured to receive and retain medical apparatus, safety equipment and/or law enforcement aids. The third strap portion  70  is coupled intermediate the first strap portion  5  and the second strap portion  50  in order to expand and provide specialization of the carrying apparatus  100 . It is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the carrying apparatus  100  contain at least one third strap portion  70  and could include a plurality thereof. 
         [0026]    In the preceding detailed description, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments, and certain variants thereof, have been described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is to be understood that other suitable embodiments may be utilized and that logical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. The description may omit certain information known to those skilled in the art. The preceding detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.