Abstract:
Shoulder strap ring hardware is comprised of multiple connected runs made from a hard material such as metal where certain of the runs having a coating or shield of non-abrasive somewhat resilient with an increased effective diameter or radius so that the metal or hard material will be precluded from undesirably engaging against a surface.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     In a principal aspect, the present invention relates to the construction of shoulder strap ring hardware which typically is used in combination with shoulder straps for handbags, luggage and the like.  
         [0002]     Adjustable shoulder straps for luggage items, handbags and the like often include hardware in the form of rings through which an adjustable strap or multiple straps are fitted. Such an adjustment ring generally includes one or more cross-bars or internal rungs. A strap can then be fitted through openings defined by the spaced rungs to permit adjustment of the length of the shoulder strap. Typically, such rings for shoulder straps are in the form of a rectangular closed loop though other configurations such as generally circular, ellipsoid and the like are utilized. Also, typically such rings are fabricated or manufactured from metal or alternatively from rigid molded plastic.  
         [0003]     One of the problems associated with such rings, particularly those manufactured from metal, is the damage caused by engagement of the metal with a surface or fabric or other material. The hard metal may, for example, dent furniture or otherwise damage items which come in contact with the hardware ring. One solution to this problem has been to cover the ring entirely with a fabric or leather material. This solution however is costly and often is ineffective. Moreover, the fabric cover or other material cover may be removed inadvertently from the ring or hardware member. Also, placing the fabric or leather about the rungs of such a hardware member is often difficult and time consuming. Thus, there has developed a need for an improved hardware or ring construction for shoulder straps and the like.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     Briefly, the present invention comprises hardware for luggage and the like, which is in the form of a solid, unitary metal ring member having a generally closed loop configuration and comprised of generally spaced, parallel peripheral, main runs connected at their opposite ends by spaced connecting runs to form a closed loop. The connecting opposite end runs of the loop include an external layer of plastic generally encircling or molded thereon and extending radially therefrom for a distance greater than the radial dimension associated with the remaining main runs. The end runs which receive the molded plastic outer layer are recessed or have a lesser radial dimension than the uncoated or uncovered main runs. Nonetheless and importantly, the plastic covered end runs have a generally radial dimension or diameter in combination which exceeds the similar dimension of the main runs. Because the plastic covered runs have a greater diameter or radial dimension, the metal runs will not be exposed to or engage undesirably with some surface. Various additional features are incorporated in such hardware or rings. For example, runs may be connected by connecting rungs. The runs may include surfaces which are narrowed or configured so as to appropriately interact in a positive manner with the strap. Further, the runs may include projecting tabs which will facilitate there utility.  
         [0005]     Thus, it is an object of the invention to provide improved hardware for use with shoulder straps, luggage straps and the like.  
         [0006]     Another object of the invention is to provide a system of luggage ring hardware which is easily manufactured and susceptible to ease of use or utility.  
         [0007]     Another object of the invention is to provide hardware useful in combination with shoulder straps, luggage straps and the like, which can include decorative features in combination with utilitarian features.  
         [0008]     These and other objects, advantages and features of the invention will be set forth in the detailed description which follows.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING  
       [0009]     In the detailed description which follows, reference will be made to the drawing comprised of the following figures:  
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a top plan view of a ring or hardware element for straps, which includes three runs or rungs connected by two spaced plastic coated runs.  
         [0011]      FIG. 2  is a front end view of the ring of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0012]      FIG. 3  is an end view of the ring of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0013]      FIG. 4  is a top plan view of the metal component of the ring of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0014]      FIG. 5  is a front end or side view of the ring of  FIG. 4 .  
         [0015]      FIG. 6  is a side view of the ring of  FIG. 4 .  
         [0016]      FIG. 7  is a top plan view of the plastic coating element for the ring of  FIG. 4 .  
         [0017]      FIG. 8  is an end view of the plastic element of  FIG. 7 .  
         [0018]      FIG. 9  is a further plastic shroud or coating for the ring of  FIG. 4 .  
         [0019]      FIG. 10  is an end view of the coating of  FIG. 9 .  
         [0020]      FIG. 11  is an end view or side view of the coating of  FIG. 9 .  
         [0021]      FIG. 12  is an isometric view of the ring of  FIGS. 1-3 .  
         [0022]      FIG. 13  is a top plan view of an alternative construction of a ring.  
         [0023]      FIG. 14  is a front end view of the ring of  FIG. 13 .  
         [0024]      FIG. 15  is an end view of the ring of  FIG. 13 .  
         [0025]      FIG. 16  is a top plan view of the metal component of the ring of  FIG. 13 .  
         [0026]      FIG. 17  is a front end view of the metal member of  FIG. 16 .  
         [0027]      FIG. 18  is a side view of the metal member of  FIG. 16 .  
         [0028]      FIG. 19  is a top view of the plastic coating for the ring of  FIG. 13 .  
         [0029]      FIG. 20  is an end view of the coating of  FIG. 19 .  
         [0030]      FIG. 21  is an opposite side view to that of  FIG. 19  depicting the plastic coating.  
         [0031]      FIG. 22  is an end view of the coating of  FIG. 21 .  
         [0032]      FIG. 23  is an isometric view of the ring of  FIG. 13 .  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0033]      FIGS. 1-12  illustrate a first embodiment of the invention.  FIGS. 13-23  illustrate a second embodiment of the invention. Each embodiment, however, includes novel features associated with the invention.  
         [0034]     Referring to the first embodiment of  FIGS. 1-12 , the embodiment is comprised of a metal component which may forged, cast or the like as depicted in  FIGS. 4-6 . Plastic components, which are molded or otherwise formed over the metal component, are illustrated in  FIGS. 7-11 .  
         [0035]     Referring first the metal component, a first main run  30  and a second main run  32  are connected at their opposite ends by connecting cross or end runs  34  and  36 . The main runs  30  and  32  are generally parallel, spaced from one another and include a middle rung  38  generally parallel to and midway between them. The ring depicted in  FIGS. 4, 5  and  6  includes main runs  30  and  32  which have an external diameter or dimension which is typically greater than the radial dimension or diameter of the connecting end runs  34  and  36 .  
         [0036]     That is, plastic coating members  42  and  44  are molded or otherwise applied to the reduced diameter end runs  34  and  36  respectively. The radial dimension associated with the outer surface of each of the plastic members  42  and  44  exceeds the radial dimension of the main runs  30  and  32 . “Plastic” or “plastic material” comprises non-abrasive, generally resilient materials of lesser hardness than the metal ring with which the material is combined.  
         [0037]     The middle run  38  may be of lesser dimension and may also have a non-cylindrical shape for example, as depicted in  FIG. 6 .  
         [0038]     In any event, the component parts are combined to form a ring member, such as illustrated in  FIGS. 1, 2 ,  3  and  12 . The plastic coating or outer layer  42  and  44  thus coats or covers the connecting members or end runs  34  and  36  and, as depicted in  FIG. 2 , provides a radial dimension which maintains a ring member depicted out of contact with a surface. In the embodiment depicted, the end run  32  includes a forwardly extending tab  46  which facilitates gripping of the ring member for adjustment with respect to a strap, for example, as depicted in  FIG. 12 . Additionally, it is to be noted that the runs  30 ,  32 ,  34 ,  36  and  38  are all generally coplanar. As such, the incorporation of the plastic shield or coating  42  and  44 , again serves to protect the ring member from undesirable engagement with a surface because the plastic material is softer and more resilient and will not damage a surface. Additionally, plastic enables easier handling.  
         [0039]     As another feature of the invention, the plastic may be color coded in order to provide a decorative aesthetic feature, or alternatively an indication of size or some other characteristic of the ring member. Thus, the combination depicted provides multiple aesthetic and functional options.  
         [0040]      FIGS. 13-23  illustrate an embodiment of the invention wherein a single closed loop ring is comprised of a first run  50  and spaced generally parallel to run  52  connected by connecting end runs  54  and  56 . The connecting runs  54  and  56  have generally lesser radial dimensions than the main runs  50  and  52  which are designed to interact and engage with straps. The runs  54  and  56  are designed to receive coating or shield material made from plastic. Thus, shield or coating  60  and shield or coating  62  fit over the runs  54  and  56  respectively to provide a construction as depicted, for example, in  FIGS. 13, 14 ,  15  and  23 . The radial dimension associated with the combination runs  54 ,  56  and coatings  60  and  62  therefore exceed the radial dimensions of the other main runs  50  and  52 . Again, the coating material  60  and  62  may be of a different color or design.  
         [0041]     The dimensions of the various types of rings may be varied without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. The particular dimensions of the various runs may be varied, as may the configuration of the runs. In the embodiment depicted, the runs are generally straight runs and thus, provide a generally rectangular shape to the rings or hardware disclosed. Other configurations may be utilized however. In the preferred embodiment, the various runs are all coplanar. Additionally, one or more of the runs which are designed to be engaged with straps, may be serrated or include a roughened surface to interact with the strap. Also, the radial dimension of the runs may be varied and the end runs may comprise a metal internal run having eter equal to or greater than the main runs, since the plastic shield or coating will still in a greater radial dimension, like the embodiment described above for the end runs. so, opposite end runs with a coating or shield are preferred to insure that no part of the will contact a surface. As a consequence, the subject matter of the invention is to be only by the following claims and equivalents thereof.