Abstract:
A wraparound portable holder with protective inserts that is closeable and openable, allowing for the storage or use of a restraint device. A restraint device is enclosed, and protected, by the wraparound portable holder. Further, the wraparound portable holder may be closed or opened during use of the restraint device.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a non-provisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 61/891,215 filed on Oct. 15, 2013, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not applicable. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0004]    The field of invention is directed to protecting and storing cargo fasteners, and more specifically protecting cargo, cargo fasteners, and transportation vehicles from damage during transportation or storage. 
         [0005]    2. Background of the Invention 
         [0006]    When transporting goods and other objects, there is a need to safely secure these items to a transportation device. Fasteners of all shapes and sizes have been invented to secure such goods and objects safely. While there are a multitude of fasteners on the market, the ratchet strap is one of the most heavily used fasteners for safely securing objects during transportation. 
         [0007]    A ratchet strap typically includes a metal frame that houses a ratcheting mechanism, which is used to tighten any suitable form of strap through tension. The strap is placed around goods or objects and then tensioned along a single direction. Tension exerted on the strap is transferred as pressure upon the cargo, holding it in place. Drawbacks to the conventional use of a ratchet strap in transportation are the mechanisms themselves. Due to their metal frame and bulky size, the conventional ratchet strap often inadvertently causes damage to the cargo or the transportation device (i.e., causes scratches to the vehicle). When not in use, the operator is usually left with very few options to effectively store the long straps and ratchet mechanism in a small space. 
         [0008]    Consequently, there is a need for protecting the cargo and transportation vehicle from damage when using the ratchet strap. Further needs include an ability to easily handle a ratchet mechanism as well as an efficient means in which to store the ratchet mechanism and strap. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF SOME OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0009]    These and other needs in the art are addressed in one embodiment by a wraparound portable holder comprising a body, a protective insert, a fixed end guide, and a connection means. Wherein an attachment means connects a restraint device to the connection means. Without limitation, the portable holder provides users with an efficient way to store and use a restraint device. Further, without limitation, the case provides protection against damaging cargo or the transportation device. In other embodiments, a wraparound portable holder comprises a body, a protective insert, a closure means, a fixed end guide, a connection means, and a storage means. The protective insert is disposed within the body. 
         [0010]    The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be described hereinafter that form the subject of the claims of the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and the specific embodiments disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other embodiments for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent embodiments do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    For a detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  illustrates a front view of an embodiment of the wraparound portable holder in an open position; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  illustrates a side perspective view of an embodiment of the wraparound portable holder in a closed position; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  illustrates an embodiment of the wraparound portable holder with a fastening device; and 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  illustrates an embodiment of a wraparound portable holder with a fastening device in the storage position. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0016]    Embodiments of the wraparound portable holder provide the benefit of efficiently storing fastening devices and protecting cargo as well as transportation devices from damage. Embodiments may also lessen wear and extend the operating service of fastening devices. 
         [0017]    In embodiments as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , holder  1  is in an open position. In this position, the distinct parts of holder  1  may be identified as shown. Holder  1  comprises a body  5 , a fixed end guide  20 , a closure means  10 , a connection means  15 , and a storage means  40 . Body  5  may be made of any suitable materials. Suitable material may be, but is not limited to, neoprene, woven threads, canvas, leather, fabric, and the like, or any combination thereof. As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , body  5  may protect restraint devices  30  housed in holder  1  from wear and tear. It may also keep restraint devices  30  from damaging cargo and/or the transportation vehicle. For example, body  5  may provide a layer of protection between a restraint device  30  and the body of a transportation vehicle. This may prevent restraint device  30  from removing paint, puncturing the vehicle, denting the vehicle, or harming the vehicle while restraining cargo. Furthermore, body  5  may comprise flame retardant and/or fluid resistant materials. In some embodiments, body  5  is coated with flame retardant and/or fluid resistant materials. In addition, without limitation, the fluid resistant materials protect contents that are covered by body  5  from fluids (i.e., the fluid resistant materials protect restraint devices from potential damage from harmful fluids such as grease or oil). In some embodiments, body  5  is coated with flame retardant and/or fluid resistant materials. In some embodiments, body  5  is comprised of materials that reduce ultraviolet light damage and/or may have a coating of an ultraviolet light protection material. Without limitation, holder  1  therefore may be suitable for any environmental conditions and temperatures. To strengthen body  5 , stitching  3  may run along the outside edges of body  5 . Stitching  3  may be, but is not limited to, nylon, thread, plastic, and the like, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, stitching  3  encloses padded insert  25 . 
         [0018]    Padded insert  25  may be placed within body  5 . In embodiments, padded insert  25  is disposed within the entire breadth and length of body  5 . Padded insert  25  may add additional protection between a cargo restraint device  30  and the cargo itself. Additional padding may prevent and/or lessen the transfer of energy between a restraint device  30  and the vehicle and/or the cargo. Preventing the transfer of energy may prevent the scuffing of surfaces, denting of surfaces, and/or puncturing of surfaces. Padded insert  25  may be made of any suitable material. Suitable material may be, but is not limited to, neoprene, wool, fair, feathers, polyester staple fiber, non-woven material, foam, rubber, and the like, or any combination thereof. Furthermore, padded insert  25  may comprise flame retardant and/or fluid resistant materials. In some embodiments, padded insert  25  is coated with flame retardant and/or fluid resistant materials. In addition, without limitation, the fluid resistant materials protect contents that are cushioned by padded insert  25  from fluids (i.e., the fluid resistant materials protect restraint devices from potential damage from harmful fluids such as grease or oil). Fluid and flame protection prevent extreme wear and tear from occurring to an enclosed restraint system. 
         [0019]    As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , body  5  may further comprise a left flap  6 , a mid-section  7 , and a right flap  8 . Stitching  3  may be used to separate left flap  6  from mid-section  7 , and mid-section  7  from right flap  8 . Left flap  6  and right flap  8  are attached in a closed position, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , which may form a protective barrier around a restraint device  30 . While illustrated in  FIG. 2  as a circular protective barrier, left flap  6  and right flap  8  may faun any suitable shape for protection. Suitable shapes may include, but are not limited to, rectangular, square, polyhedral, triangular, and the like, or any combination thereof. Left flap  6  and right flap  8  may form a protective barrier using a closure means  10 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , closure means  10  may be, but is not limited to, clasp-locker, clasp, hookless fastener, snap fastener, button, buckle, hook and loop fastener (i.e., Velcro®), grommet, clips, latch, strap, threaded fastener, or any combinations thereof Please note that Velcro® is a registered trademark of Velcro Industries, B.V. Closure means  10  may attach to left flap  6  and right flap  8  by stitching  3 , as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . A fixed end guide  20  and a connection means  15  may be enclosed by left flap  6  and right flap  8 , while attached to left flap  6 . 
         [0020]    Connection means  15  may be used to attach a restraint device  30  to holder  1 . Connection means  15  may be free standing material. Suitable material may be, but is not limited to, neoprene, woven threads, canvas, leather, fabric, and the like, or any combination thereof. Furthermore, connection means  15  may comprise flame retardant and/or fluid resistant materials. In some embodiments, connection means  25  is coated with flame retardant and/or fluid resistant materials. Connection means  15  may be of any suitable shape. A suitable shape may be, but is not limited to, rectangular, circular, square, polyhedral, triangular, and the like, or any combination thereof. Furthermore, connection means  15  may be any suitable length and width. A suitable length my about one inch to about six inches, about two inches to about five inches, or about three inches to about six inches. In embodiments, the length of connection means  15  may be about one inch, about two inches, about three inches, about four inches, about five inches, or about six inches. A suitable width for connection means may be about a quarter inch to about two inches, about half an inch to about one and a half inches, or about three quarters of an inch to about three inches. In embodiments, the width of connection means  15  may be about a quarter inch, about half an inch, about three quarters of an inch, about an inch, about an inch and a half, about two inches, or about three inches. 
         [0021]    An end of connection means  15  may be attached to body  5 , while the opposite end of connection means  15  may have a fastening means  16 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 3 .  FIG. 3  illustrates a grommet with a screw as fastening means  16 . However, in embodiments, fastening means  16  may be, but are not limited to, clasp-locker, clasp, hookless fastener, snap fastener, button, buckle, hook and loop fastener (i.e., Velcro®), grommet, clips, latch, strap, threaded fastener, nuts and bolts, and the like, or any combinations thereof. The end of connection means  15  opposite of attachment means  16  may be stitched to body  5 . Stitching  3  may be, but is not limited to, nylon, thread, plastic, and the like, or any combination thereof. To strengthen connection means  15 , stitching  3  may run along the outside edges of connection means  15  and around attachment means  16 . Furthermore, stitching  3  may be in any pattern to reinforce and strengthen the bond between body  5  and connection means  15 . Patterns may include a parallel stitching  3  pattern, an “X” stitching  3  pattern, and the like. Adjacent connection means  15  is a fixed end guide  20 . Fixed end guide  20  and connection means  15  may be used together to restrain, hold, and guide a restraint device  30 . 
         [0022]    As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , a restraint device  30  is attached to connection means  15 . A ratchet strap is illustrated as a restraint device  30 . However, restraint device  30  may include but is not limited to a cam fastener, an over-center fastener, threaded buckle, or snap buckle. Fixed end guide  20  may be free standing material that forms a loop. Suitable material may be, but is not limited to, neoprene, woven threads, canvas, leather, fabric, and the like, or any combination thereof Furthermore, fixed end guide  20  may comprise flame retardant and/or fluid resistant materials. In some embodiments, fixed end guide  20  is coated with flame retardant and/or fluid resistant materials. Fixed end guide  20  may be of any suitable shape. A suitable shape may be, but is not limited to, rectangular, circular, square, polyhedral, triangular, and the like, or any combination thereof In embodiments, fixed end guide  20  may be any suitable length or width. A suitable length may be about one inch to about six inches, about two inches to about five inches, or about three inches to about six inches. In embodiments, the length of fixed end guide  20  may be about one inch, about two inches, about three inches, about four inches, about five inches, or about six inches. A suitable width for connection means may be about a quarter inch to about two inches, about half an inch to about one and a half inches, or about three quarters of an inch to about three inches. In embodiments, the width of fixed end guide  20  may be about a quarter inch, about half an inch, about three quarters of an inch, about an inch, about an inch and a half, about two inches, or about three inches. 
         [0023]    Illustrated in  FIG. 1 , fixed end guide  20  may attach to body  5  at both ends of fixed end guide  20 , forming a loop, using stitching  3 . Stitching  3  may be, but is not limited to, nylon, thread, plastic, and the like, or any combination thereof. To strengthen fixed end guide  20 , stitching  3  may run along the outside edges of fixed end guide  20 . Furthermore, stitching  3  may be in any pattern to reinforce and strengthen the bond between body  5  and fixed end guide  20 . Patterns may include a parallel stitching  3  pattern, an “X” stitching  3  pattern, and the like. 
         [0024]    At least a portion of restraint device  30  may fit within fixed end guide  20 , which may guide and restrain the different parts of restraint device  30 . Connection means  15  and fixed end guide  20  may secure restraint device  30  along mid-section  7 . Furthermore, connection means  15  and fixed end guide  20  may be placed in parallel with each other and separated by an appropriate distance. An appropriate distance may be about a quarter inch to about five inches, about an inch to about four inches, or about two inches to about five inches. In embodiments, the distance may be about a quarter inch, about half an inch, about three quarters of an inch, about an inch, about two inches, about three inches, about four inches, or about five inches. 
         [0025]    An embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 4  shows restraint device  30  in a storage position secured to holder  5  by connection means  15 . In a storage position, restraint device  30  is gathered within holder  1 . Left flap  6  and right flap  8  are connectable using attachment means  10 . Please note that  FIG. 4  shows left flap  6  and right flap  8  not connected for illustrative purposes. Once secured, body  5  may protect the entirety of restraint device  30  from excessive wear and tear from the outside elements. During storage, storage means  40  may be used to store holder  1 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 1-4 , storage means  40  may be attached to mid-section  7  of body  5 . 
         [0026]    Storage means  40  may be made of any suitable material. Suitable material may be, but is not limited to neoprene, woven threads, string, parachute cord, elastic, canvas, leather, fabric, and the like, or any combination thereof. Furthermore, storage means  40  may comprise flame retardant and/or fluid resistant materials. In some embodiments, storage means  40  is coated with flame retardant and/or fluid resistant materials. Storage means  40  may be free standing material that is circular. In embodiments, suitable shapes for storage means  40  may be, but are not limited to, square, triangular, polyhedral, rectangular, and the like, or any combination thereof In embodiments, storage means  40  may be any suitable length or width. A suitable length may be about one inch to about six inches, about two inches to about five inches, or about three inches to about six inches. In embodiments, the length of storage means  40  may be about one inch, about two inches, about three inches, about four inches, about five inches, or about six inches. A suitable width for storage means  40  may be about a quarter inch to about two inches, about half an inch to about one and a half inches, or about three quarters of an inch to about three inches. In embodiments, the width of storage means  40  may be about a quarter inch, about half an inch, about three quarters of an inch, about an inch, about an inch and a half, about two inches, or about three inches. As illustrated in  FIGS. 1-4 , storage means  40  may be stitched at both ends to mid-section  7 , forming a loop, using stitching  3 . Stitching  3  may be, but is not limited to, nylon, thread, plastic, and the like, or any combination thereof Stitching  3  may be in any pattern to reinforce and strengthen the bond between mid-section  7  and storage means  40 . Patterns may include a parallel stitching  3  pattern, an “X” stitching  3  pattern, and the like. Stitching  3  may be, but is not limited to, nylon, thread, plastic, and the like, or any combination thereof. 
         [0027]    Although the present invention and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations may be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.