Patent Publication Number: US-2006011682-A1

Title: Load stabilizing device

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION  
      This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Paten Application Ser. No. 60/585,741, filed on Jul. 6, 2004, and entitled “LOAD STABILIZING DEVICE.” 
    
    
     BACKGROUND  
      1. Field of the Invention  
      This invention relates to methods and devices for securing a load to facilitate its transport, and particularly to methods and devices for stabilizing a bag against an associated cart or carrier to prevent bag imbalance or content damage during transport.  
      2. Background  
      Golf is one of the most widely enjoyed sports activities in the world, and has strong support at both the recreational and professional levels. While golf has always been a popular game for both novices and professionals, the popularity of the game has exploded in recent years. Record numbers are flocking to beautiful courses worldwide to try their hand at the seemingly arduous task of putting a little white ball in a four inch hole located hundreds of yards away in as few shots as possible.  
      During play, golfers must transport several different clubs, balls, tees, and other accessories a considerable distance. As a result, a golf bag has become an indispensable part of any golfer&#39;s inventory. As a fully loaded golf bag is both heavy and bulky, a motorized golf cart or carrier with wheels is often used to enable a golfer to transport the bag with minimal physical strain. Methods and devices for securing a golf bag to a cart or other carrier are well known in the art. U.S. Pat. No. 5,871,183, for example, teaches golf bag strapping and strapping systems for golf bag carriers.  
      Despite their efficacy in securing a golf bag to its associated cart or carrier, however, known securing devices generally fail to ensure that a bag remains properly balanced during transport. Golf bags pose particular balancing problems due to their cylindrical shape. Prior art securing systems generally require a strap extending around a circumference of the bag and connected to an associated cart or carrier. Such systems thus effectively secure the bag to the carrier, but ignore the tendency of the bag to rotate within the strap. Bag rotation may cause a shift in bag contents, thus resulting in load imbalance and potentially impacting the balance of the cart or carrier generally.  
      This problem is exacerbated by transport over rough or uneven terrain, such as that typically encountered on a golf course. Indeed, transport over uneven terrain tends to further disturb the equilibrium between the bag and its carrier. The resulting uneven distribution of weight both within the bag and with respect to the carrier may damage the bag and bag contents, and may even cause the cart or carrier to topple. In extreme circumstances, load imbalance may cause personal injury to the operator of the cart or carrier where he or she fails to anticipate or counteract the imbalance.  
      Accordingly, what is needed is a load securing device capable of preventing load imbalance during transport. What is also needed is a load securing device that is inexpensive to manufacture and simple to implement. Finally what is needed is a load securing device that is reliable and capable of effectively stabilizing loads of various sizes and shapes relative to an associated cart or carrier.  
      Such devices and methods are disclosed and claimed herein.  
     SUMMARY  
      The present invention is a device capable of quickly and easily stabilizing a load with respect to an associated cart or carrier to facilitate load transport.  
      In accordance with the invention as embodied and broadly described herein, the present invention features a flexible band extending from one point of attachment to a second point of attachment located on a surface of the load. Specifically, the device of the present invention may comprise an elastic perforated strap capable of expanding to accommodate the width or circumference of a securing bar located on an associated cart or carrier.  
      According to another aspect of the present invention, the device may further include attachment means capable of selective engagement with the load surface. In certain embodiments, the device is permanently attached to the load at one point of attachment and removably attached at the second point of attachment. Alternatively, the device may be removably attached at both points of attachment. In either case, the points of attachment are located on the surface of the load such that, upon implementation of the present device, the load maintains a proper balance with respect to its associated cart or carrier. A user may selectively implement the device by extending the device from the first point of attachment to the second point of attachment, over the securing bar of the associated carrier or cart. In this manner, the device of the present invention prevents imbalance between the load and its carrier.  
      These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be set forth or will become more fully apparent in the description that follows. The features and advantages may be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. Furthermore, the features and advantages of the invention may be learned by the practice of the invention or will be obvious from the description, as set forth hereinafter.  
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      In order that the manner in which the above-recited and other advantages and features of the invention are obtained, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:  
       FIG. 1  is an isolated perspective view of a load stabilizing device in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention;  
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the load stabilizing device of  FIG. 1  implemented in connection with a golf bag and associated motorized golf cart;  
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention in connection with a golf bag and associated manually operated carrier;  
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the present invention implemented in connection with a golf bag and associated motorized golf cart;  
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the present invention; and  
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.  
      The presently preferred embodiments of the invention will be best understood by reference to the drawings wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout.  
      As used in this specification, the term “carrier” refers to a motorized vehicle, a manually transportable cart, a trailer, or any other piece of equipment capable of receiving and transporting a load. The term “load” refers to a mass or quantity of material of any type, size, or shape that may be secured to and transported by a carrier. A load may include, for example, any bag, container, box, sack, pack, or similar structure or device.  
      The present invention features a retaining strap capable of restricting relative movement between a load and its associated carrier.  
      Referring to  FIG. 1 , a retaining strap  10  may comprise an elongate member having a length preferably between six and twelve inches, and having tensile properties capable of preventing relative movement between a load  40  and a carrier  60 . A retaining strap  10  may comprise, for example, metal, wood, plastic, rubber, leather, or any other rigid or elastomeric material known to those in the art having properties capable of stabilizing a load  40  with respect to its carrier  60 . Preferably, a retaining strap  10  is capable of quickly and effectively restricting movement of a load  40  with respect to a securing bar  62  of a carrier  60  as disclosed herein, and is also capable of quickly recovering its former shape upon release. A retaining strap  10  in accordance with the present invention may comprise, for example, a band, a spring, a bracket, a rope, a belt, a chain, or any other such mechanism or device known to those in the art.  
      According to one aspect of the present invention, a retaining strap  10  may comprise a substantially flat, elongate material having sides  12  and ends  14 . A semi-fixed end  30  may be first secured to the load  40  at a principle point of attachment  46 , and a detachable end  32  may be guided over or around a securing bar  62  of an associated carrier  60  and secured to a secondary point of attachment  48 , as discussed in more detail with reference to  FIG. 2  below. The sides  12  of the retaining strap  10  may taper such that the second end  32  has a width greater than the first end  30 . In this manner, a user may easily grasp the second, enlarged end  32  to effectuate coupling and releasing the device of the present invention. The enlarged nature of the second releasable end  32  is particularly helpful where the retaining strap  10  of the present invention must be significantly stretched to accommodate and confine the securing bar  62  of the carrier  60 . Indeed, such increased surface area enables a user to confidently apply a significant level of force to effectuate use of the present invention without fear of losing grasp of the retaining strap  10  and causing it to recoil against, and possibly injure, the user.  
      To further facilitate actuating the retaining strap  10  in accordance with the present invention, the second releasable end  32  of the retaining strap  10  may optionally comprise a pull tab  16  integral to the retaining strap  10 , or attached thereto. Where the pull tab  16  is integral to the retaining strap  10 , the pull tab  16  may comprise the same or a similar material as the retaining strap  10 . Alternatively, the pull tab  16  may comprise a material distinct but integrated into the retaining strap  10 .  
      A pull tab  16  in accordance with the present invention may comprise a length, a width, and a depth. The pull tab  16  preferably comprises a length and width sufficient to accommodate the thumb of an average user to facilitate a user&#39;s ability to maintain leverage of the pull tab  16  and associated retaining strap  10 . In certain embodiments of the present invention, a pull tab  16  may comprise a depth greater than a depth corresponding to the retaining strap  10  to facilitate a user&#39;s ability to grasp the tab  16  to effectuate proper securing of the stabilizing device of the present invention. A pull tab  16  may also comprise a textured grip portion  18  to further facilitate this purpose. A textured grip portion  18  may comprise ridges, indents, or other texture integral to the pull tab  16 . Alternatively, a textured grip portion  18  may comprise one or more textured elements coupled thereto, such as embedded beads, ridges, or grids, textured fabric, or any other textured element or combination of elements known to those in the art. The dimensions and textures of the pull tab  16  as disclosed herein combine to render the present invention quickly and easily actuated by a user.  
      A retaining strap  10  may further comprise one or more apertures  20  disposed therein. Apertures  20  may function to increase flexibility and elasticity of the retaining strap  10 . In addition, apertures  20  may provide drainage and/or circulation to the load  40 .  
      A retaining strap  10  may further comprise attachment means  22  for securing the retaining strap  10  to a load  40 . Specifically, attachment means  22  may comprise an engaging element  24  coupled to or integral with the load  40 , and a complementary receiving element  26  coupled to or integral with the retaining strap  10 . In this manner, attachment means  22  may allow selective and releasable actuation of the retaining strap  10  with respect to a load  40  and/or associated carrier  60 .  
      An engaging element  24  may comprise, for example, a hook, a screw, a bolt, a latch, a cinch, hook and loop material, a magnet, or any other engaging device known to those in the art. An engaging element  24  in accordance with the present invention may be integral to a load  40 , or attached thereto. According to certain embodiments of the present invention, an engaging device  24  may be selectively implemented at a variety of locations on a load  40  so as to customize a relationship between the load  40  and a securing bar  62 .  
      A receiving element  26  may comprise an aperture, hook and loop material, a magnet, or any other device complementary to an engaging element  24  and capable of securing a retaining strap  10  to a load  40  as disclosed herein. According to certain embodiments of the present invention, a receiving element  26  may comprise adjustment means in the form of apertures  20  capable of allowing varying tension between the engaging element  24  and receiving element  26 . This feature ensures stability between the load  40  and any of a variety of carriers  60  when the engaging and receiving elements  24  and  26  are properly adjoined.  
      Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a load  40  may be stabilized with respect to an associated carrier  60  according to a three step process. First, a first end  30  of a retaining strap  10  may be coupled to the load  40  by engaging a receiving element  26  located thereon to an engaging element  24  at a first point of attachment  46 . Next, the retaining strap  10  may be directed over a stabilizing bar  62  of an associated carrier. In certain embodiments of the present invention, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the retaining strap  10  is directed upwards from a first point of attachment  46  corresponding to a position below a horizontally disposed securing bar  62  to a second point of attachment  48  corresponding to a position above the same securing bar  62 . In alternative embodiments, as depicted in  FIG. 3 , the retaining strap  10  is directed laterally from a first point of attachment  46  to a second point of attachment  48  to accommodate a vertically disposed securing bar  62 . In still other alternative embodiments of the present invention, as depicted in  FIG. 4 , the retaining strap  10  is directed to entirely circumscribe the securing bar  62  of an associated carrier  60  such that a first point of attachment  46  corresponds to a second point of attachment  48 . Finally, the retaining strap  10  is secured at the second point of attachment  48 , thereby stabilizing the load  40  against the securing bar  62 .  
      Once secured, the retaining strap  10  of the present invention functions to stabilize the load  40  with respect to its carrier  60  by limiting rotational and lateral movement of the load  40  within the securing straps  64  or other securing mechanism provided by or attached to the associated carrier  60 . In this manner, content  50  shifting within an open load  40  may be reduced, and balance maintained between a load  40  and carrier  60 .  
      Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a retaining strap  10  in accordance with the present invention may be secured at more than two points of attachment to further restrict movement between a load  40  and carrier  60 . Specifically, at least one end of a retaining strap  10  may diverge into a plurality of fastening legs  28  corresponding to multiple points of attachment. In one embodiment, the first end  30  of the retaining strap  10  diverges into two fastening legs  28  which are permanently attached to the load  40  at two points of attachment. The second end  32  of the retaining strap  10  is releasable and may be selectively secured to a third point of attachment  52  removed from the first two points of attachment such that a securing bar  62  may be retained therebetween.  
      According to one aspect of the present invention, the structural integrity of the fastening legs  28  may be reinforced by laterally connecting them to form a triangle or other geometric shape at one end of the retaining strap  10 . Alternatively, both ends  14  may diverge into fastening legs  28  and all fastening legs  28  may be interconnected to result in a retaining strap  10  having a geometric appearance distinct from the previously disclosed elongate shape. By delimiting a greater surface area in this manner, the retaining strap  10  may function to significantly restrict movement between a load  40  and carrier  60  without compromising its internal strength and elasticity.