Patent Publication Number: US-6666363-B2

Title: Shoulder and luggage strap

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In a principal aspect, the present invention relates to a shoulder strap for luggage which typically is used in combination and incorporated with luggage of the type, including a luggage case with wheels mounted on the case and a telescoping handle integrated into the case. 
     Travelers employ luggage which, nowadays, typically includes wheels and a telescoping handle to facilitate movement of the luggage. Airline carryon luggage often includes such a luggage construction to facilitate ease of movement and storage of the luggage. Such luggage may further include a shoulder strap attached to the sides of the luggage to facilitate carrying of the luggage, particularly up and down stairs or steps or in other circumstances where use of the luggage handle and the wheels is inconvenient. Changing from use of a shoulder strap to use of a telescoping handle often involves, however, necessary removal or detachment of the shoulder strap since it may otherwise drag on the ground or interfere with the ease of movement of the wheeled luggage. Removing the shoulder strap and then replacing it when needed may cause undue delay and interruption in the movement of the individual using the luggage. Therefore, there has developed a need to provide a shoulder strap construction which may be easily converted between use of the shoulder strap to support or carry luggage and storage of the strap in order to accommodate the mode of use of luggage utilizing wheels and a telescoping handle. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Briefly, the present invention comprises luggage of the type including a luggage case having wheels mounted on the case and a telescoping handle projecting from the case wherein the luggage further includes a shoulder strap which is adjustable in length and which includes a mechanism for temporarily connecting the strap to or disconnecting the strap from the telescoping handle. More specifically, the luggage shoulder strap may be temporarily attached or detached from the telescoping luggage handle by means of an auxiliary loop attachment member or mechanism which is preferably positioned on the outside surface or face of the belt comprising the luggage shoulder strap and which includes buckles for effectively connecting and disconnecting the auxiliary loop about the telescoping handle. 
     Various embodiments of the invention are disclosed, including an embodiment which incorporates buckle members for attaching and detaching the auxiliary loop, an embodiment which utilizes hook and loop fasteners for attaching and detaching the auxiliary loop attachment device, an embodiment having a separate attachable auxiliary loop attachment device which may be incorporated with a preexisting shoulder strap construction, and an embodiment with an elastic or loop member which will slip over the entire luggage handle and thus does not require attachment buckle mechanisms or other mechanisms such as a hook and loop mechanism for attaching and detaching the luggage shoulder strap to the telescoping handle. 
     Thus, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved shoulder strap for use in combination with luggage of the type including a telescoping handle. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved luggage strap which may be easily attached and detached to a telescoping luggage handle as needed. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a shoulder strap for luggage of the type including a telescoping handle wherein the shoulder strap includes an economical, inexpensive, rugged and adjustable mechanism for attaching and detaching the shoulder strap from a telescoping handle. 
     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 
     In the detailed description which follows, reference will be made to the drawing comprised of the following figures: 
     FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a first embodiment of the shoulder strap used in combination with luggage of the type including a telescoping handle; 
     FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the shoulder strap of FIG. 1 in combination with a luggage case; 
     FIG. 3 is an isometric view of a first alternative embodiment of the shoulder strap; 
     FIG. 4 is an enlarged isometric view of the auxiliary loop attachment member associated with the embodiment of FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the embodiment of FIG. 3 as incorporated with a luggage item; 
     FIG. 6 is a second alternative embodiment of the invention in an isometric view; 
     FIG. 7 is an isometric view of the embodiment of FIG. 6 incorporated in a luggage item; 
     FIG. 8 is a third alternative embodiment of the invention in an isometric view; 
     FIG. 9 is an isometric view of the embodiment of FIG. 8 incorporated in a luggage item; 
     FIG. 10 is an isometric view of a shoulder strap incorporating the invention in a further embodiment; and 
     FIG. 11 is an isometric view of the embodiment of FIG. 10 incorporated in a luggage item. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to the figures, like numbers refer to like component parts with respect to each of the embodiments. FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a first embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the embodiment comprises an elongate belt  20  having a first distal end  22  which is attached by means of an adjustable buckle  24  to the belt  20  so that the end of the belt  22  overlaps a portion of the belt  20  to permit adjustment of the length of the belt  20  and accommodate various length requirements of the person using the shoulder strap. Similarly, the belt  20  includes a second end  26  which is attached to a buckle  28  whereby the second end  26  overlaps the belt  20  to provide for length adjustment. The loops formed by the first end  22  and the second end  26  have associated therewith respectively a first attachment buckle  30  and a second attachment buckle  32 . The attachment buckles  30 ,  32 , as depicted in FIG. 2, attach to an attachment loop, such as attachment loop  34 , for attachment buckle  32 . 
     The belt  20  further includes a middle or intermediate shoulder pad section  36 . The shoulder pad section may include a cushion pad which is sewn onto the belt  20 . 
     An auxiliary loop attachment member is comprised of a short strap  38  with a connection buckle  40  attached thereto. The strap  38  is sewn to the belt  20  at one edge of the shoulder pad  36 . A second strap  42  is provided with a connector  44 . The connectors  40  and  44  may be attached one to the other to form a closed auxiliary attachment loop. 
     As shown in FIG. 2, a luggage case  50 , includes wheels  52  and  54 , further includes a telescoping handle  56 . The auxiliary loop attachment member, and more particularly, the straps  38  and  42 , may be connected by the connectors  40  and  44  about the telescoping bar  60 . In this manner, the shoulder strap may be retained at its adjusted length, but will be guided and positioned and maintained on handle  56  so that it will not drag on the ground by means of the telescoping handle  56 . 
     The remaining figures depict various alternative embodiments. In FIG. 3, there is depicted a removable auxiliary loop attachment  70  which includes an elongate strap  72  with a male connector  74  at one end and a companion female connector  76  at the opposite end. An attachment band  78  with fasteners  79 ,  81  at its opposite ends, is provided for attaching the auxiliary loop attachment  70  to belt  20  as depicted in FIG.  3 . FIG. 5 depicts the manner by which the strap depicted in FIG. 4 may be attached to the telescoping handle  56  and more particularly to one bar  60  thereof. 
     FIG. 6 illustrates yet a further embodiment wherein a loop and hook mechanism (Velcro) may be used for attachment of an auxiliary strap or band  80 . The band  80  thus includes a hook pad  82  which engages with a loop pad  84  attached to the belt  20 . FIG. 7 illustrates the manner in which this arrangement may be used to attach the shoulder strap to a bar  60 . Note that the auxiliary attachment band  80  is on the outside face of the belt  20  and does not interfere with the comfort of the shoulder strap. That is, it is positioned at one edge of the shoulder pad  36  of strap to avoid interference with the comfort or use of the shoulder strap. This arrangement of positioning of band  80  and its counterparts is preferred with respect to the first three embodiments described in FIGS. 1-7. FIG. 7, of course, shows the manner of use of the embodiment of FIG.  6 . 
     FIG. 8 illustrates another embodiment. In FIG. 8 the shoulder pad  90  is divided into two separable sections or pad sections  92  and  94 . The pad sections  92  and  94  are congruent and overlie one with the other but are separable as depicted in FIG. 9 so that they will fit over a telescoping handle  56  wherein the handle  56  is comprised of a first bar  60  and a second separate bar  62 . In this embodiment, of course, the pad  90  has a dimension so that it will accommodate fitting over the spaced bars  60  and  62  comprising the handle  56  rather than secure attachment to a single one of the bars  60  or  62  as in the prior embodiments. 
     FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate a further embodiment employing the shoulder strap. In the embodiment of FIGS. 10 and 11, the shoulder pad  100  includes an elastic strap  102  which is congruent with the pad  100  and positioned on the outside face of the pad  100  to avoid interference with the cushioning feature of the pad  100 . The elastic belt or member  102  thus fits over the spaced bars  60  and  61  of the telescoping handle  56  as illustrated in FIG.  11  and is not elastically distorted during use of the strap  20  over a shoulder. 
     Various other embodiments of the invention are considered to be within the scope of the disclosure. The position of the auxiliary attachments may be varied without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The means for attaching and fastening the elements comprising the auxiliary attachments may also be varied. The number of sub elements of the auxiliary attachments may also be varied. Thus, the invention is to be limited only by the following claims and their equivalents.