Patent Publication Number: US-6655052-B2

Title: Strap bracket

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a strap bracket useful for securing a removable electrical component to footwear, such as a boot. The strap bracket is particularly useful for securing an external battery pack and electronics of an electrically heated insert sole to the outside of a ski boot. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Snow skiing and similar cold weather outdoor sports can be enjoyed for as long as the feet and toes stay warm. Battery powered, adjustably heated insert soles or liners are often used to supply heat for the feet and toes. Such units extend the enjoyable duration of exposure to cold environments and have proven to be quite durable. 
     The external battery pack is typically mounted on the user&#39;s boot in an area that is out of the way. Typically, users will mount the battery pack on the top front, top side, or top back of the boot with a bent wire clip secured to one face of the generally rectangular battery pack. Unfortunately, the back of the boot is often subject to bumps and scrapes from chair lifts, street curbs and stair treads which cause damage to the battery pack. As well, mounting the battery pack on the front or side of the boot often obstructs the operation of any top closure mechanism or system, such as a buckle or power strap. It would be helpful to have a system for securing the battery pack to the outside of a boot in a manner that does not obstruct the operation of any top closure mechanism or system, such as a buckle or power strap, on the boot and in a location that does not often hit curbs, chair lifts, or the like. Additionally, securing the battery pack to the user&#39;s leg or arm would also substantially prevent damage to the pack. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a bracket that supports an electrical component, such as a battery pack, and that easily attaches to a strap. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a bracket that can be positioned as desired along a footwear strap, particularly on the outer lateral side of the footwear, thereby avoiding damage to the bracket and an electrical component supported by the bracket and avoiding obstruction of any top closure mechanism or system. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a bracket that supports an electrical component and attaches to a strap worn on a user&#39;s leg or arm. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a bracket that supports an electrical component that is simple in design and can be formed as a unitary one-piece member, thereby reducing manufacturing costs. 
     The foregoing objects are basically attained by a bracket comprising a main plate that includes a mounting portion and a retaining portion; a mounting extends from the mounting portion of the plate with the mounting supporting an electrical component; and a strap is releasably coupled to the retaining portion of the main plate. 
     The foregoing objects are also attained by a bracket, comprising a main plate with opposing first and second surfaces, a mounting portion, and a retaining portion. A mounting extends from the mounting portion of the main plate, and supports an electrical component. A first support leg extends from the main plate with a first slot defined between the retaining portion and the first support leg. 
     The foregoing objects are also attained by a bracket assembly, comprising a bracket including a main plate that has opposing first and second surfaces, a mounting portion, and a retaining portion. The bracket also includes a mounting that extends from the mounting portion of the main plate, and the mounting supports the electrical component. A first support leg extends from the main plate with a first slot defined between the retaining portion and the first support leg. A strap is received in the first slot of the bracket. 
     The foregoing objects are also attained by footwear comprising a footwear upper that has an outer surface and a strap attached to the footwear upper. A bracket is coupled to the strap and includes a main plate that has opposing first and second surfaces, a mounting portion, and a retaining portion. The bracket also includes a mounting that extends from the mounting portion of the main plate. The mounting supports an electrical component. A first support leg extends from the main plate with a first slot being defined between the retaining portion and the first support leg. 
     Other objects, advantages and salient features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with annexed drawings, discloses the preferred embodiments of the present invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Referring to the drawings which form a part of this disclosure: 
     FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a strap bracket in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, showing the bracket attached to footwear, such as a ski boot, without an electrical component or battery pack supported thereon; 
     FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the strap bracket illustrated in FIG. 1, showing a strap in dashed lines; 
     FIG. 3 is an enlarged, partially exploded, sectional view of the strap bracket illustrated in FIG. 1, showing the bracket and strap, and fasteners for coupling the bracket and strap; 
     FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the strap bracket illustrated in FIG. 1, showing the first step in attaching the battery pack to the bracket; 
     FIG. 5 is front elevational view of the bracket illustrated in FIG. 1, showing the second step in attaching the battery pack to the bracket; and 
     FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of the bracket illustrated in FIG. 1, showing the third step in attaching the battery pack to the bracket. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to FIGS. 1-6, a strap bracket  10  in accordance with the present invention supports an electrical component  12 , such as a battery pack, on a strap  14  coupled to a piece of footwear  16 , for example a ski boot. Strap bracket  10  provides a mechanism for attaching the battery pack  12  to the ski boot  16  in a location that both minimizes damage to the battery pack and avoids obstruction of the boot buckles. In particular, strap bracket  10  can be disposed on a lateral side of boot  16  along strap  14  to avoid obstacles, for example chair lifts and curbs, and near the top of the boot to avoid the boot&#39;s top buckle. Also, bracket  10  and strap  14  can be disposed on the user&#39;s leg or arm (not shown) rather than the user&#39;s boot  16 . 
     As seen in FIGS. 1-4, strap bracket  10  generally includes a main plate  18 , a mounting  20  for supporting electrical component  12 , and first and second support legs  22  and  24  for engaging strap  14 . Main plate  18  includes first and second opposing surface  26  and  28 , and a longitudinal axis  30 . First or front surface  26  is substantially planar and defines the plane of main plate  18  and bracket  10 . Second or rear surface  28  is generally curved with respect to the longitudinal axis  30  of plate  18 , as best seen in FIG.  3 . The terms front and rear are used only to facilitate understanding of the invention, so that first and second surfaces  26  and  28  could be either a front or rear surface. 
     Main plate  18  has a general T-shape with first and second opposing sides  32  and  34 , third and fourth opposing ends  36  and  38 , a mounting portion  40  disposed at the head of the T-shaped plate  18  near end  36 , and a retaining portion  42  disposed at the stem of the T-shaped plate  18  near end  38 . Although a T-shape is preferable, main plate  18  can have a various polygonal or circular shapes, including a square, rectangular, or circle shape. 
     A mounting  44  extends from the front surface  26  of main plate mounting portion  40 , preferably in a direction traverse to the main plate longitudinal axis  30 , as seen in FIG.  4 . Mounting  44  includes an extension member  46  and a mounting plate  48 . Mounting plate  48  is substantially planar and defines a plane that is axially spaced from and parallel to the plane of main plate  18 , as best seen in FIG.  4 . The outer or front surface  50  of plate  48  abuts electrical component  12  when component  12  is supported thereon, and the rear surface  52  connects to extension member  46 . 
     Mounting plate  48  is generally rectangular or square in shape and includes first and second sidewalls  54  and  56  and first and second endwalls  58  and  60 . First and second sidewalls  54  and  56  are substantially parallel to the main plate first and second sides  32  and  34 . Likewise, first and second endwalls  58  and  60  are substantially parallel to first and second ends  36  and  38  of main plate  18 . However, mounting plate  48  can be any shape that will support electrical component  12 , such as circular or trapezoidal. Also, instead of a mounting plate  48 , mounting  44  can use any type of attachment, such as a hook member or an adhesive applied to extension  46 . Alternatively, mounting plate  48  can be molded to create a surface for the battery pack  12  to slide over and attached thereto. 
     Extending from main plate  18  are first and second co-axial support legs  22  and  24 . First and second slots  62  and  64  are defined between each of support legs  22  and  24 , respectively, and first and second sidewalls  66  and  68 , respectively, of the main plate retaining portion  42 , so that slots  62  and  64  and support legs  22  and  24  are preferably generally parallel to the main plate longitudinal axis  30 . However, support legs  22  and  24  are not required to be parallel. Slots  62  and  64  define first and second strap receiving areas  70  and  72  between first and second support legs  22  and  24 , respectively, and retaining portion  42  of main plate  18 , as seen in FIGS. 2 and 3. Also, each of first and second support legs  22  and  24  have an off-set section  74  that slopes and extends away from front surface  26  of main plate  18 , as best seen in FIGS. 2-4. The off-set sections  74  of legs  22  and  24  define a third strap receiving area  76  between legs  22  and  24 , as seen in FIG. 3. A fourth strap receiving area  83  is defined between surfaces  81  of legs  22  and  24  and footwear  16 . Support legs  22  and  24  also each include generally planar first and second surfaces  80  and  81  extending from their off-set sections  74  that face generally the same direction as the front and rear surfaces  26  and  28  of bracket main plate  18 . 
     Although, legs  22  and  24  are preferably off-set from main plate  18 , they can be aligned or planar with main plate  18 , or behind plate  18  by extending from the plate second or rear surface  28 , as long as strap  14  can be received in slots  62  and  64 . Also, the ends  78  of each support leg  22  and  24 , respectively, are generally aligned with bracket retaining portion end  38 . However, legs  22  and  24  can be shorter than or extend beyond retaining portion  42 . 
     Bracket  10  is preferably formed as a one-piece unitary member. However, the components of bracket  10  can be formed separately and integrally attached. Also, bracket  10  is preferably formed of a plastic material but can be formed of other materials, such as metal. Rear surface  28  is not required to be curved and thus can be generally planar. 
     Strap  14  is received in first, second, and third receiving areas  70 ,  72 , and  76  of bracket  10  for engaging bracket  10  and strap  14 , as seen in FIG.  3 . Strap  14  can be any flexible or semi-flexible member, such as a band, cord, rope, ribbon, lace or tape. Strap  14  includes a fastener hole  82  that corresponds to a fastener hole  84  of the bracket retaining portion  42 , as seen in FIG.  2 . Fastener hole  84  is preferably centrally disposed in retaining portion  42 . First and second fasteners  86  and  88 , are preferably a screw and T-nut, and extend through each fastener hole  82  and  84 , thereby attaching strap  14  to bracket  10 . Additional fasteners may be used. Also, any known attachment mechanism may be used instead of first and second fasteners  86  and  88 , such as adhesive, hook and loop, snaps, or the like. 
     Strap  14  is typically wrapped and secured around the outer surface  94  of footwear upper  90 , by inserting one end of strap  14  through a D-ring (not shown) at the opposite end folded back upon itself and preferable attached by a hook and loop attachment. A portion of strap  14  can also be attached either to the center back of an upper  90  of footwear  16 , such as an inner boot of a ski boot or an outer shell  95  of footwear in any known manner. 
     Alternatively, strap  14  can be supported on the leg or arm of the user rather than on the boot. This would allow the user to support the battery pack  12  on either their leg or arm instead of on their boot. An end of strap  14  would have any known attachment, such as hook and loop, adhesive, snaps, or the like, allowing the user to wrap the strap  14  around their leg or arm, and secure the end of the strap  14  to the wrapped body of the strap, thereby securing the strap  14  to the user. Also, strap  14  can be tied around the leg or arm of the user. 
     Assembly 
     Referring to FIGS. 1-6, assembly of bracket  10  and strap  14  initially requires that strap  14  be placed in first, second, and third receiving areas  70 ,  72 , and  76  of bracket  10 , as best seen in FIG.  3 . Strap  14  weaves through bracket  10  with strap  14  abutting or being slightly spaced from the front surface  26  of the bracket retaining portion  42 , and with strap  14  abutting or being slightly spaced from the support legs  22  and  24  second surfaces  81 . If strap  14  is located on a footwear upper  90 , one end of strap  14  would have to be released before inserting strap  14  in bracket receiving areas  70 ,  72 , and  76 . If strap  14  is to be attached to the leg or arm of the user, strap  14  is assembled with bracket  14  prior to attaching strap  14  to the leg or arm. 
     Corresponding fastener holes  82  and  84  of strap  14  and bracket  10 , respectively, are aligned, and first and second fasteners  86  and  88  are inserted therethrough, so that first fastener or screw  86  is received in second fastener or nut  88 , thereby securing the two fasteners together and securing strap  14  to bracket  10 . As mentioned above, strap  14  and bracket  10  can be attached by other attachment mechanisms such as adhesive, hook and loop, snaps, or the like. Also, although it is preferable to use one fastener  86  and one nut  88  extending through one strap fastener hole  82  and one bracket fastener hole  84 , more than one fastener and more than one corresponding fastener holes in strap  14  and bracket  10  can be used. 
     Once bracket  10  and strap  14  are assembled, the strap bracket assembly is attached to the footwear upper  90  simply by wrapping the body of the strap around upper  90 , with one end already attached to upper  90 , and attaching its other end the strap body by a hook and loop attachment or the like. Strap  14  will be located between bracket support legs  22  and  24  and the outer surface of upper  90 . Also, bracket retaining portion  42  is between the outer surface of upper  90  and strap  14 . Bracket  10  can be placed anywhere along the lateral side of upper  90 , as desired. For example, bracket  10  can be placed either more to the front or back of boot  16 , or centrally located on the side of boot  16 . Curved rear surface  28  of bracket  10  allows bracket  10  to generally conform to the outer side curvature of boot  16  resulting in a closer fit of bracket  10  to boot  16 . 
     Alternatively, the strap bracket assembly can be attached to the leg or arm of the wearer, by wrapping strap  14  around the leg or arm, and attaching the strap end using a D-ring and using hook and loop or a like attachment. Strap  14  will be located between bracket support legs  22  and  24  and the user&#39;s leg or arm. Also, bracket retaining portion  42  will be between strap  14  and the user&#39;s leg or arm. 
     Referring to FIGS. 4-6, once the strap bracket assembly is secured to either a footwear upper  90  or the leg or arm of the user, electrical component or battery pack  12  can be mounted to bracket  10 . Battery pack  12  includes a first or outer surface  96  and an opposite or second surface  98  having a pair of spring wire loops  100  and  102 , which are flexible and resilient, extending therefrom. To mount battery pack  12 , it is first rotated to a horizontal position so that the body  104  of battery pack  12  is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis  30  of bracket  10 . By tilting battery pack  12  at an angle away from mounting  44  of bracket  10 , first loop  100  of battery pack  12  can be placed over mounting plate  48  at its first endwall  58 . Since loop  100  is flexible and resilient, it will flex to accommodate mounting plate  48  forming a substantially tight fit therebetween. 
     Once the first loop  100  of battery pack  12  is attached to mounting plate  48 , second loop  102  can be snapped onto mounting plate  48  at its opposite endwall  60  by pushing battery pack  12  toward bracket  10  and opposite endwall  60 . Specifically, the flexible and resilient nature of loop  102  allows loop  102  to cam over the mounting plate outer surface  50  and snap onto endwall  60 . In this position, both loops  100  and  102  extend across mounting plate  48  from its first sidewall  54  to its second sidewall  56 . 
     With both loops  100  and  102  attached to mounting plate  48  of bracket  10 , battery pack  12  can be rotated from its horizontal position, as seen in FIG. 5, to a vertical position, as seen in FIG. 6, with battery pack body  104  being generally aligned with bracket longitudinal axis  30 . The flexible and resilient nature of loops  100  and  102  allows battery pack  12  to be rotated by flexing to the shape of mounting plate  48  and extension  46 , thereby maintaining a secure engagement therewith. In this position, loops  100  and  102  extend across mount plate  48  from its first endwall  58  to its second endwall  60 . Removing battery pack  12  simply requires reversing the above steps. Although, this is the preferred method for attaching battery pack  12  to bracket  10 , other methods of attachment can be used such as an adhesive attachment, hook and loop attachment, or the like. 
     Although, strap bracket  10  is preferably used with a ski boot to support a battery pack for powering a heatable inner sole or liner, bracket  10  can be employed with any type of footwear or shoe using a strap or lace of the shoe. Also, as mentioned above, the strap bracket  10  does not have to be used with a shoe at all, but can be wrapped on a person&#39;s leg or arm. Additionally, the strap bracket  10  is not limited to supporting a battery pack, but can support any component that can be attached to mounting plate  48  of bracket  10 . 
     While a particular embodiment has been chosen to illustrate the invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.