Abstract:
A utility strap includes a pliant strap with an upper hanging device to be suspended from a surface. An adjustable, noose-like loop is formed from an upper connector that slidably engages the pliant strap, a mating lower connector that securely engages the pliant strap and a section of the pliant strap therebetween. The lower connector may be fixedly or adjustably connected to the strap. Optionally, a lower hanging device may be provided.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     This invention generally relates to a utility strap, and more particularly, to a hanger for articles which includes a pliant strap with a releasable, size-adjustable, self-tightening loop portion of the strap configured to clutch and hold an article on the strap, and a hanger.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     Adjustable straps are well known in the art. Such straps typically utilize one or more manually adjustable loops, buckling devices, ring elements, snap fit arrangements and/or hook and loop type fasteners. While such straps are generally suitable for their intended purpose, they have drawbacks relating specifically to adjustability and/or ease of use. In particular, many of these designs frequently are difficult to adjust, requiring substantial dexterity and patience to achieve a desired size. Additionally, the prior art designs typically lack the range of adjustability to securely clutch and hold a wide range of articles. Consequently, such prior art adjustable straps are not be suitable for all users or for clutching a wide range of articles.  
         [0003]     Thus, a need exists for an adjustable, self-tightening utility strap that is suitable for hanging and versatile and quick and easy to use. Such an adjustable strap should be adjustable to securely clutch and hold a variety of articles.  
         [0004]     The invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems and solving one or more of the needs as set forth above.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     To solve one or more of the problems set forth above, in an exemplary implementation of the invention, a utility strap is provided. The utility strap includes a pliant strap with an upper hanging device to be suspended from a surface. An adjustable, noose-like loop is formed from an upper connector that slidably engages the pliant strap, a mating lower connector that securely engages the pliant strap and a section of the pliant strap therebetween. The lower connector may be fixedly or adjustably connected to the strap. Optionally, a lower hanging device may be provided.  
         [0006]     In one aspect of the invention, the utility strap includes an elongate strap of pliant material having an upper end zone and a lower end zone. A hanging device, such as a D-ring, is attached to the upper end zone of the elongate strap of pliant material. The hanging device is adapted for suspended engagement of the strap on an engageable structure, such as a hook. A pair of spaced mating connectors operably engaged the strap. The connectors include a lower connector on the lower end zone of the strap and an upper connector on the upper end zone of the strap. The upper connector is configured to slidably engage the elongate strap between the upper end zone and the lower connector. The lower connector is adapted to securely engage the pliant strap. The upper connector, lower connector and pliant strap form a self-tightening noose-like loop when the upper connector mates with said lower connector.  
         [0007]     In another aspect of the invention, the lower connector and upper connector comprise mating lower and upper buckle pieces. The lower and upper buckle pieces may comprise mating side release or center release buckle pieces.  
         [0008]     In yet another aspect of the invention, a portion of the lower end zone of the pliant strap is fastened to said lower connector. Alternatively, the lower connector may include a plurality of slots. A portion of the lower end zone of the pliant strap may be adjustably weaved through the plurality of slots of the lower connector.  
         [0009]     In yet another aspect of the invention, the utility strap may include a lower hanging device. The lower hanging device may be attached to a portion of the lower end zone of the pliant strap. The lower connector may be disposed between the lower hanging device and the upper connector. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]     The foregoing and other aspects, objects, features and advantages of the invention will become better understood with reference to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings, where:  
         [0011]      FIG. 1  conceptually illustrates a an exemplary utility strap with a releasable, self-tightening loop portion and a hanger according to principles of the invention; and  
         [0012]      FIG. 2  conceptually illustrates a an exemplary utility strap with a releasable, size-adjustable, self-tightening loop portion and a hanger according to principles of the invention. 
     
    
       [0013]     Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the figures are not intended to be drawn to any particular scale; nor are the figures intended to illustrate every embodiment of the invention. The invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments depicted in the figures or the shapes, relative sizes, ornamental aspects or proportions shown in the figures.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0014]     The invention relates to a utility strap comprised of a pliant strap with a releasable, self-tightening loop portion of the strap configured to clutch and hold an article on the strap, and a hanger. Referring to  FIG. 1 , an exemplary utility strap with a releasable, self-tightening loop portion and a hanger according to principles of the invention is conceptually illustrated. The exemplary utility strap comprises an elongate strap  145  of pliant material that, for reference purposes, may be conceptually divided into an upper end zone  155  and a lower end zone  160 . By way of example and not limitation, the strap  145  may be comprised of polypropylene, nylon or polyester webbing or other material suitable for a support strap. The material is preferably durable, weather resistant, relatively inexpensive and suitable for use in conventional manufacturing operations. To prevent fraying, the edges of the strap  145  may be melted, folded over and sewn into place, and/or covered with a sewn binding tape.  
         [0015]     The upper end zone of the exemplary utility strap includes a hanging device  110  for suspending the utility strap from a hook  100  or the like mounted on a wall  105  or other structure. The hanging device  110  may be comprised of a ring, such as the D-ring shown in  FIG. 1 , an O-ring or a ring have another shape. A D-ring  110  is preferred because it is self-centering on a hook and includes a straight section for engagement by the strap  145 . The straight section avoids stress concentrations and bunching. As an alternative, a snap hook, snap ring, swivel hook, pole strap hook, carabiner, grommets or other device adapted for engaging a hook and suitable for use with the strap  145  may be used.  
         [0016]     To secure the hanging device  110  to the strap  145 , the upper end  125  of the strap  145  is passed through the D-ring  110  and folded over and stitched  120  onto the strap  145 . Other means of securement, such as melting, chemical bonding, rivets  115  and or grommets, could be used in lieu of or in addition to stitching.  
         [0017]     The lower end zone of the exemplary utility strap includes a connector, e.g., half of a two-piece buckle assembly  140 . A mating connector, e.g., the other half of the two-piece buckle  135  is slidingly disposed on the strap  145  between the hanging device  110  and the lower end half of the two-piece buckle assembly  140 . In a preferred implementation, the buckle assembly is a center release or side release snap buckle that is sized appropriate to the strap.  
         [0018]     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the lower end half of the two-piece buckle assembly  140  is secured to the lower end  150  of the strap  145 . To secure the lower end half of the two-piece buckle assembly  140  to the strap  145 , the lower end  150  of the strap  145  is passed through a slot in the buckle piece  140 , and then folded over and stitched onto the strap  145 . Other means of securement, such as melting, chemical bonding, rivets and or grommets, could be used in lieu of or in addition to stitching.  
         [0019]     In use, an object is inserted in a loop formed by joining lower buckle piece  140  to upper buckle piece  135 . The loop is comprised of the adjoined buckle pieces  135  and  140 , and the interposed portion of the strap  145 . The utility strap is suspended from a hook  100  by the hanging device  110 . The lower buckle piece  140  remains stationary, while the upper buckle piece  135  slides along the length of the strap  145  under the weight of the suspended object, causing the loop to tighten around the object in a noose-like fashion—the heavier the object, the greater the downward force. Thus, the clutching force exerted on the object is proportional to the weight of the object.  
         [0020]     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , an exemplary utility strap with a releasable, adjustable, self-tightening loop portion and a hanger according to principles of the invention is conceptually illustrated. The exemplary utility strap comprises an elongate strap  230  of pliant material that, for reference purposes, may be conceptually divided into an upper end zone  255  and a lower end zone  260 . By way of example and not limitation, the strap  230  may be comprised of polypropylene, nylon or polyester webbing or other material suitable for a support strap. The material is preferably durable, weather resistant, relatively inexpensive and suitable for use in conventional manufacturing operations. To prevent fraying, the edges of the strap  230  may be melted, folded over and sewn into place, and/or covered with a sewn binding tape.  
         [0021]     The upper end zone of the exemplary utility strap includes a hanging device  210  for suspending the utility strap from a hook  200  or the like mounted on a wall  205  or other structure. The hanging device  210  may be comprised of a ring, such as the D-ring shown in  FIG. 2 , an O-ring or a ring have another shape. A D-ring  210  is preferred because it is self-centering on a hook and includes a straight section for engagement by the strap  230 . The straight section avoids stress concentrations and bunching. As an alternative, a snap hook, snap ring, swivel hook, pole strap hook, carabiner, grommets or other device adapted for engaging a hook and suitable for use with the strap  230  may be used.  
         [0022]     To secure the hanging device  210  to the strap  230 , the upper end  220  of the strap  230  is passed through the D-ring  210  and folded over and stitched onto the strap  230 . Other means of securement, such as melting, chemical bonding, rivets  215  and or grommets, could be used in lieu of or in addition to stitching.  
         [0023]     The lower end zone of the exemplary utility strap includes a connector, e.g., half of a two-piece buckle assembly  240 . A mating connector, e.g., the other half of the two-piece buckle  225  is slidingly disposed on the strap  230  between the hanging device  210  and the lower end half of the two-piece buckle assembly  240 . In a preferred implementation, the buckle assembly is a center release or side release snap buckle that is sized appropriate to the strap.  
         [0024]     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the lower end half of the two-piece buckle assembly  240  is adjustably attached to the strap  230 . To secure the lower end half of the two-piece buckle assembly  240  to the strap  230 , the lower end  245  of the strap  230  is weaved through slots in the buckle piece  240 . This configuration allows cinch-type adjustment of the lower buckle piece  240  by sliding motion of the buckle piece  240  along the length of the strap  230 . Other means of adjustable securement, such as cam locks could be used in lieu of weaving through slots. Advantageously, the lower piece of the buckle  240  can be readily moved when the strap  230  is loose, but will maintain its adjusted length when supporting weight.  
         [0025]     Optionally, the lower end zone of the exemplary utility strap may include a lower hanging device  250  for suspending an object from the utility strap. The lower hanging device  250  may be comprised of a ring, such as the rectangular ring  250  shown in  FIG. 2 , a D-ring or a ring having another shape. To secure the lower hanging device  250  to the strap  230 , the lower end  245  of the strap  230  is passed through the rectangular ring  250  and folded over and stitched onto the strap  230 . Other means of securement, such as melting, chemical bonding, rivets and or grommets, could be used in lieu of or in addition to stitching.  
         [0026]     In use, an object is inserted in a loop formed by joining lower buckle piece  240  to upper buckle piece  225 . The loop is comprised of the adjoined buckle pieces  225  and  240 , and the interposed portion of the strap  230 . The utility strap is suspended from a hook  200  by the hanging device  210 . The lower buckle piece  240  remains stationary, while the upper buckle piece  225  slides along the length of the strap  230  under the weight of the suspended object, causing the loop to tighten around the object in a noose-like fashion—the heavier the object, the greater the downward force. Thus, the clutching force exerted on the object is proportional to the weight of the object. The position of the lower buckle piece  225  may be adjusted to accommodate suspended objects having various sizes and/or to maintain a suspended object a determined distance from the hanging device  210 .  
         [0027]     Concomitantly, the lower hanging device  250  may be utilized to suspend one or more additional objects or to engage the same hook  200  as the hanging device  210 . In the latter mode of use, the lower hanging device  250  carries some load, thereby relieving the stress exerted on the buckle pieces  225  and  240 . This mode of use is particularly useful for securing a heavy object for an extended period of time.  
         [0028]     The buckles may be comprised of any material suitable for carrying the intended loads, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, acrylics, cellulosics, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene terpolymers, urethanes, nylons, thermo-plastic resins, thermo-plastic elastomers (TPE), acetal resins, polyamides, polycarbonates and polyesters, as well as metals, alloys and composites. By way of example and not limitation, plastics such as acetal resins, nylon, and polypropylene are suitable for use in quick-snap buckles according to principles of the invention. Acetal resins such as such as Dupont&#39;s Delrin® and/or Hoechst Celanese Celcon® provide relatively high stiffness and tensile strength and resists moisture absorption. Consequently, acetal resins perform very well under humid, freezing and arid conditions. Nylon offers excellent impact resistance under normal operating temperatures, is light, flame retardant and provides a softer feel than acetal for side release buckles. Depending upon the manufacturing process, nylon may provide a 20-30% increase in tensile strength over acetal. However, nylon absorbs water and under freezing conditions can become embrittled. Polypropylene is relatively inexpensive and suitable for use where load bearing and impact strength are not key considerations. While many other materials may be used alone or in combination with the aforementioned materials and/or other materials, without departing from the scope of the present invention, preferably the material is relatively inexpensive and durable, easy to use in manufacturing operations and results in an aesthetically acceptable product. The material may further include additives to provide desired properties such as desired colors, structural characteristics, glow-in-the-dark (phosphorescent) properties and thermal reactivity (e.g., color changes according to heat).  
         [0029]     The buckles may be may be produced using any suitable manufacturing techniques known in the art for the chosen material, such as (for example) injection, compression, structural foam, blow, or transfer molding; polyurethane foam processing techniques; vacuum forming; and casting. Preferably, the manufacturing technique is suitable for mass production at relatively low cost per unit, and results in an aesthetically acceptable product with a consistent acceptable quality.  
         [0030]     While the invention has been described in terms of various embodiments, implementations and examples, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the appended claims including equivalents thereof. The foregoing is not intended to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described. Alternative embodiments of the invention, including variations in size, materials, components, shape, form, function, manner of operation, assembly and use that are obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be encompassed by the invention. Accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.