Configurable strap

Disclosed herein is a novel configurable strap apparatus that may comprise end clasps attachable to zipper sliders disposed on a zipper edge of the strap. An end clasp may attach to a zipper slider creating a strap loop that facilitates wearing the strap around the neck, or over the shoulder. An accessory, such as a carrying pouch, may be attached to and thereby suspended from an end clasp. Alternatively, an end clasp may attach to a zipper slider creating a strap loop that facilitates capturing and thereby suspending an accessory such as a beverage bottle.

FIELD

The present invention relates to configurable straps. More particularly, the present invention relates to configurable straps comprising end clasps attachable to zipper sliders to create a plurality of wearing and accessory attachment configurations.

BACKGROUND

There has been an unmet need for a strap that has versatility and visual appeal. In particular, there has been a need for a strap that can be configured to be worn in a variety of arrangements on the body while supporting fashion accessories or utilitarian items. Additionally, a strap is desired that, when reconfigured, maintains its configuration stably and reliably. Furthermore, a strap is desired that can serve as an element of a fashion assembly that is visually appealing and designed to be particularly comfortable to wear on one's person. Also, such a strap would benefit from being constructed, in certain embodiments, from components traditionally available in the fashion accessory and apparel fields, such as clasps, zippers, and zipper sliders.

SUMMARY

In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a configurable strap is provided comprising an elongated strap with a zipper along at least one edge. In certain embodiments, the strap also includes clasps, such as “lobster” clasps, at each end of the strap. Furthermore, in certain embodiments, that strap includes one or more zipper sliders disposed on the zipper.

The lobster clasp at one end may clasp to the zipper slider, thereby forming a loop of a selected size, depending upon where the zipper slider is along the zipper length. In certain embodiments, the zipper slider is lockable so that the loop size remains firmly and reliable fixed. The loop can facilitate wearing the strap on one's person, for example, by positioning the loop around one's neck, across one's torso, or around one's shoulder.

In certain configurations, a fashion accessory or utilitarian article can be secured to the clasp at the other end of the strap, thereby being suspended for carrying. Alternatively, the clasp at the other end can be clasped to a second zipper slider disposed along the zipper's length, forming a second loop. That loop can surround and capture tightly an accessory or utilitarian item, such as a beverage bottle, for example, thereby suspending the item for carrying.

In certain configurations, one side of the zipper teeth may be covered by a teeth liner layer interposed between the zipper and the wearer's body. The teeth liner layer enhances visual appearance and comfort when worn.

Also, in certain configurations, the strap may include a second zipper disposed on the strap edge opposite the first zipper. That zipper may include one or more zipper sliders. The slider or sliders may be lockable. The additional zipper and sliders afford additional strap configurations as described in more detail below.

Additionally, a configurable strap, as thus far described, may be coupled to a second similar strap by being zippered together along their respective zipper edges. The double strap can enhance visual appeal, strength, and configuration versatility.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

So that the manner in which the features and advantages of embodiments of methods and systems of the present invention may be understood in more detail, a more particular description of the present invention briefly summarized above may be had by reference to certain embodiments thereof that are illustrated in the appended drawings, which form a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate only certain embodiments of the present invention and are, therefore, not to be considered limiting of the scope of the present invention which includes other useful and effective embodiments as well.

Turning to the Figures,FIG. 1illustrates a strap according to one embodiment of the present invention configured with a strap loop at one end and an accessory attached at the other end. More specifically,FIG. 1illustrates elongated strap105. Strap105may be made from a variety of materials that may be appealing in the fashion context, such as for example leather or denim. Alternatively, strap105may be made from an especially durable material, such as for example, woven nylon, when utilitarian strength is desirable.

FIG. 1further illustrates end clasps110and115. In the illustrated embodiment, clasps110and115are attached at respective ends of strap105. Clasps110and115may comprise a variety of clasp or fastener types.FIG. 1illustrates “lobster” clasps. Alternatively, clasps110and115may be squeeze clasps, screw clasps, simple hooks, or carabiners, as examples.

FIG. 1further illustrates zipper117. Zipper117is attached to strap edge119. zipper sliders120and125are disposed on zipper117. Zipper sliders120and125may comprise locking zipper sliders that can be engaged and disengaged from a locked state. Such locking sliders are well known by those of ordinary skill in the pertinent fields. When in locked state, locking sliders120and125cannot move in at least one direction along zipper117.FIG. 1further illustrates accessory130. Accessory130may be a fashion pouch, as an example.

In the embodiment illustrated onFIG. 1, the inventive strap is configured with a strap loop135formed at one end, and a fashion accessory suspended at the other end. The strap loop facilitates the strap being worn around the neck, as shown, or alternatively around the torso or shoulder, as other examples.

More specifically, strap loop135is formed by clasp110clasping to zipper slider125. The size of the loop can be selected very specifically as defined by the position of zipper slider125along zipper117. In certain embodiments, zipper slider125may be placed into a locked state, preventing the slider from moving in a direction that would increase or decrease the size of loop135. So configured, loop135remains stably and securely fixed in size.

In the configuration ofFIG. 1, accessory130is attached to strap105at the other end by being clasped to clasp115. In the illustrated embodiment, accessory130is a carry pouch. Alternatively, any sort of accessory or utilitarian article may be suspended from clasp115. Consequently,FIG. 1illustrates a particularly useful configuration and embodiment of the present invention whereby a strap loop can be sized exactly as desired and locked in place. And any article can be suspended from the other end of the strap for carrying.

FIG. 2illustrates a more detailed view of zipper sliders120and125disposed on zipper117. As shown inFIG. 2, zipper sliders120and125may further comprise respective slider pulls205and210. In certain configurations of the present invention clasps or accessories may be attached to a zipper slider body itself, slider120for example, or alternatively to the slider's pull, pull205for example.

FIG. 3illustrates a strap configuration according to one embodiment of the present invention including a strap loop at each end formed by clasps attached to respective zipper slider pulls. More specifically, loop135is formed by clasp110clasping to slider pull205. Slider120may in certain embodiments be of the locking variety. In which case, loop135can be sized specifically as desired, and will remain reliably fixed while slider120remains in a locked state. Similarly, loop305is formed by clasp115clasping to slider pull210. Slider125may in certain embodiments be of the locking variety. In which case, loop305can be sized specifically as desired, and will remain reliably fixed while slider125remains in a locked state.

FIG. 4illustrates a strap configuration according to one embodiment of the present invention including a strap loop securing and suspending an article for carrying. More specifically,FIG. 4illustrates one way that the double loop configuration ofFIG. 3may be employed for a particularly useful application. As shown inFIG. 4, loop305surrounds, captures and secures article405. In the illustrated application, article405is a beverage bottle. Alternatively, article405may be any suitable fashion accessory or utilitarian article.

In this application loop135is looped around the wearer's shoulder for convenient carrying. For this application, zipper sliders120and125are preferably of the locking variety. When locked, loops135and305will remain reliably fixed in place and snug.

FIG. 5illustrates a zipper teeth liner layer505according to one embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, teeth liner layer505is interposed between the teeth of zipper117and the wearer's body. The teeth liner layer enhances the visual appearance and comfort of strap105when worn. Liner layer505may be made of a variety of materials including the material comprising the rest of strap105, or a different material. Layer505extends to cover the side of zipper117that will face a wearer when strap105is worn. Preferably layer505extends outwardly as far as or past the edge of the teeth of zipper117. Layer505thereby provides cushioning and prevents potential discomfort or abrasions by preventing zipper teeth from rubbing directly against clothing or skin.

FIG. 6illustrates one embodiment of the present invention incorporating a second zipper605. Zipper605is disposed parallel to, and on a second edge602opposite to zipper117. In the illustrated embodiment, additional zipper sliders610and615are disposed on zipper605. Additional zipper605together with sliders610and615facilitate a variety of additional strap configurations. These include, as examples, configurations that suspend additional accessories from sliders, as described in more detail with reference toFIG. 7, and configurations that involved coupling to an additional strap, as described in more detail with reference toFIG. 8.

Turning toFIG. 7,FIG. 7illustrates an additional configuration according to one embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 7further illustrates the significant versatility afforded by the present invention. Particularly, accessories and utilitarian articles may be secured to the inventive strap in a wide variety of ways. As examples, referring briefly toFIG. 1,FIG. 1illustrates accessory130secured to strap105at clasp115. Alternatively, referring briefly toFIG. 4,FIG. 4illustrates article405secured to strap105by being captured in loop305.FIG. 7illustrates yet another configuration. Specifically, in the embodiment ofFIG. 7, accessory705is secured to strap105by being attached to zipper pull205of zipper slider120. Alternatively, accessory705could be secured by attaching to the body of slider120without pull205. Slider120may be locking, which has the effect of securing accessory705in a specified location along zipper117. Alternatively, slider120may be non-locking, allowing accessory705to be positioned at any time anywhere along zipper117.

Turning now toFIG. 8,FIG. 8illustrates two straps coupled to one another according to one embodiment of the present invention. In the illustrated embodiment, strap805comprises zipper820. Strap805is coupled to strap105by zipper sliders120and125joining zippers117and820. This double strap configuration provides a variety of advantages including enhancing visual appeal, strength, and configuration versatility. In certain embodiments, strap805can further include clasps810and815which may be employed in the same variety of ways as clasps110and115described above.

Consequently, a long-felt need for a strap that provides significant wearing and carrying versatility, and visual appeal, is satisfied. Specifically, a strap that can be configured to be worn in a variety of arrangements on the body while supporting fashion accessories or utilitarian articles is provided. Additionally, in certain embodiments, the strap, when reconfigured, maintains its configuration stably and reliably. Furthermore, in certain embodiments the strap can serve as an element of a fashion assembly that is visually appealing and designed to be particularly comfortable to wear on one's person. Also, in certain embodiments the strap is constructed from components traditionally available in the fashion accessory and apparel fields, such as clasps, zippers and zipper sliders.

The foregoing description of the embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purpose of illustration; it is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. The description and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. The language used in the specification has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes. It is therefore intended that the scope of the invention be limited not by this detailed description and drawings, but rather by any claims that issue based on this application. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereunto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention.