Patent Publication Number: US-6655737-B2

Title: Strap arrangement for a chair

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/303,717 filed Jul. 9, 2001. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
     1. Field of the invention 
     The present invention relates to a strap arrangement constituting a brace having a fan-shaped configuration formed of fixed or adjustable straps for retaining a covering securely to a chair. The strap arrangement is useful for the convenience and enjoyment of a person at the beach, pool or patio. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     A chair cover, such as a towel, a blanket, a spread, a mat, or other such similar item that may be placed on the chair tends to reposition itself when the wind blows and/or other movements occur. Once positioned, the covering is readily subject to disarray from these movement effects. This results in reduced usage area of the covering as well as discomfort to the user. Throughout the years, a number of innovations have been developed which relate to solving these challenges. The following patents are considered representative of some of these innovations. U.S. Pat. No. 5,960,520 to Conway et al. uses a clip and a strap to attach to a chair made of tubular aluminum. Multiple straps/clips must be used at various positions and since the connecting strap is looped over the tubular perimeter, it cannot be secured tightly to the chair. There are several prior art patents directed to various methods of using fitted covers or pads. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,844,540 to Pegram provides straps attached to a covering which is placed over a chair. The covering must be custom made for each type and size of chair. U.S. Pat. No. 5,503,456 to Rossini uses a headrest which comprises three flexible, stretchable straps. U.S. Pat. No. 5,829,832 to Molee et al. uses a headrest wedged over a towel at the top of the chair. Such uses are limited as the opening must accommodate a wide variety of materials and chair designs and the opening in the headrest must provide sufficient gripping force to prevent it from “popping off” during use. It is also impractical for shorter people whose head is not positioned at the right level of the headrest. 
     The prior art, in general, discloses fitted covers for lounge chairs, but such specially designed covers would be needed for each type and size of chair. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 1,178,760 to Sorokin uses an arrangement of straps to keep an ironing board cover in place. It also uses springs to maintain tension and piercing clips to grab the fabric cover. These clips must perforate the cover which can cause wear and makes long term use impractical. This patent is directed to a non-analogous art and therefore is not considered anticipatory. 
     None of the above inventions and patents, taken singly or in combination, are seen to describe the instant invention as claimed. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A principle object of the present invention relates to a strap arrangement constituting a brace having a fan-shaped configuration formed of fixed or adjustable straps for retaining a covering such as a towel securely to a chair. The brace consists of four fixed or adjustable straps which are secured to the chair by suitable fasteners. 
     The present invention presents a solution to the repositioning movements of the chair covering. The present invention provides a solution wherein the brace is mounted on the top and back portions of the chair so that the covering fits securely to the chair. This prevents the wind from repositioning the covering. Further, the instant braced covering has a smooth and attractive appearance on the chair. The strap arrangement is mounted on the underside of the chair&#39;s back so that it does not interfere with the user. The strap arrangement can be either fixed in size or adjustable. The fixed strap arrangement fits most standard chairs and coverings. The adjustable strap arrangement fits substantially all chairs and coverings by varying the length of each strap to allow for a snug fit thereon. 
     Once adjusted for the chair and covering, the strap arrangement can be attached over and over to the chair in the same manner without further adjustments. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a strap arrangement constituting a brace having a fan-shaped configuration for retaining a covering securely to a chair, in accordance with the invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a top view of FIG. 1, showing the straps to be fixed or non-adjustable. 
     FIG. 3 is another top view of FIG. 1, showing the straps to be adjustable. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates generally to a brace for retaining a covering securely to a chair. More specifically, the invention relates to a strap arrangement constituting a brace having a fan-shaped configuration formed of fixed or adjustable straps for retaining a covering securely to a chair. The brace consists of four fixed or adjustable straps which are secured to the chair by suitable fasteners. 
     As defined in this application, the term “covering” refers to a blanket, a spread, a mat, a towel-like covering and other such similar items. 
     FIGS. 1-3 illustrate a strap arrangement constituting a brace or array  14  having a fan-shaped configuration formed of fixed or adjustable straps for retaining a covering  10 . Reference numeral  14  refers generally to the various straps forming the brace structure. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the covering  10  substantially covers the appropriate areas of the front section of a chair  12  which constitutes a conventional beach, pool or patio type chair. The back section of the chair  12  has an upper portion, a lower portion, and a median portion located between the upper portion and a lower portion. The brace  14  that is mounted on the back section of the chair  12  consists of various straps that have been configured to be fan-shaped for providing strength and durability to the brace structure. The strap arrangement  14  includes a first strap  16 , that has first and second ends, extends substantially horizontally at the approximate median section of the chair&#39;s back section. Each of the straps shown in FIG. 2 is fixed as to its respective length. The first end of the first strap  16  attaches to the covering  10 . A second strap  18  and a third strap  20 , each having first and second ends, extend upwardly at oblique angles from the mid-section of the first strap  16  to the upper portion of the covering  10  on the chair&#39;s back section. The respective first ends of the second and third straps,  18 ,  20 , attach to the covering  10 . A fourth strap  22  having first and second ends extends vertically upward from the mid-section of the first strap  16  to the upper portion of the covering  10  on the chair&#39;s back section. The first end of the fourth strap  22  attaches to the covering  10 . The attachment ends of the first, second, third and fourth straps  16 ,  18 ,  20 ,  22  are firmly attached to the covering  10  by suitable fasteners, such as clips, toggles and the like. A hook and loop fastener such as Velcro™ may be used. Each of the straps shown in FIG. 2 is fixed as to its respective length. The second ends of the second, third and fourth straps  18 ,  20 ,  22  are firmly secured to the first strap  16 . Each of the straps  16 ,  18 ,  20 ,  22  is secured to the strap arrangement  14  by being passed through a suitable opening in the strap attachment and the end stitched to the strap at the strap attachment. 
     Each of the straps shown in FIG. 3 is adjustable as to its respective length. The strap arrangement  14  is the same as described in FIG. 2 but each strap has an adjustment bar or buckle  26  to allow the length of the strap to vary to accommodate different size chairs and coverings. One end of each of the straps  16 ,  18 ,  20 ,  22  is passed through a suitable opening in the strap attachment  14  and secured to the strap adjustment buckle  26  by means of a suitable opening in the adjustment buckle  26  and the end stitched to the strap at the bar. Each of the adjustment buckles  26  slides along the strap and is locked in place by the user when the desired length is achieved. There is no need for straps  16 ,  22  to rotate and are therefore fixed in position. 
     Each of the straps  14  includes a conventional attachment ring  24 . The strap arrangement  14  has been positioned on the chair&#39;s back section  50  that it does not interfere with actions by the user. The fixed straps fit most standard beach and patio chairs. Manipulating the individual adjustable straps  16 - 22  by respective adjustment buckles  26  allows the strap arrangement  14  to fit most beach, pool, and patio chairs. A rivet fastener  28  is mounted on the median section for securing the strap arrangement  14  to be an operative unity structure. 
     In summary, the present invention is directed to a strap arrangement constituting a brace having a fan-shaped configuration formed of fixed or adjustable straps for retaining a covering securely to a chair. The brace consists of four fixed or adjustable straps which are secured to the chair by suitable fasteners. The adjustable straps include a rivet member. 
     The strap arrangement of the present invention may be made of any suitable material that preferably is resistant to moisture. The strap arrangement may be made of any suitable color. In a similar manner, another strap arrangement could be used to secure the bottom portion of a covering to the chair&#39;s lower section, if desired. 
     The strap arrangement could be sold commercially with or without the covering. Accordingly, the addition or substraction of certain parts may be readily made and are considered within the scope of the invention. 
     While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to an embodiment thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes of form and detail may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.