Patent Publication Number: US-2006000068-A1

Title: Non-slip shoulder strap retainer

Description:
REFERENCES CITED  
      U.S. Patent Documents  
                                                              2004/0134606   July, 2004   Falla   156/250           6,827,628   December, 2004   Kaye, et al.   450/86           2003/0040256   February, 2003   Waitz   450/86           6,446,268   September, 2002   Lazarian    2/255           6,179,178   January, 2001   Slegmeyer   224/264           6,135,852   October, 2000   Young   450/86           5,975,984   November, 1999   Tart   450/86           5,803,792   September, 1998   Rousch   450/86           5,666,701   September, 1997   Drummond    24/302           5,201,078   April, 1993   Melton    2/268           5,060,348   October, 1991   Moshier    24/442           4,704,745   February, 1987   Reaver    2/268                      
 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      1. Field of the Invention  
      This present invention relates to a non-slip retainer to be used in conjunction with apparel or luggage having shoulder straps, to prevent or minimize said shoulder straps from sliding down.  
      2. Description of the Prior Art  
      A problem often associated with the wearing of shoulder straps is the tendency of these straps to slip or fall down off the shoulder area onto the upper arm region, causing discomfort and/or embarrassment to the wearer. Therein lies the need for a retainer that is capable of being adapted to various types of apparel or luggage containing shoulder straps, is easily concealed beneath the existing shoulder strap, able to withstand normal laundering methods, simple to attach and remove, inexpensive, yet able to hold the shoulder strap in its proper position.  
      Various devices and attempts have been made in the past for such purposes. Pads have been designed that sit upon the wearer&#39;s shoulder, straps have been made to attach horizontally between the vertical straps located in the back of the garment, and devices proposed that wrap around the shoulder strap itself. See for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,827,628; 6,446,268; 6,179,178; 6,135,852; 5,975,984; 5,803,792; 5,201,078; 5,060,348; and 4,704,745.  
      While these devices satisfy some of these requirements, none of the items satisfy all of these desired features. Most of these devices are cumbersome, bulky, difficult to attach or remove, and clearly visible. Some types of apparel and/or luggage feature wider, padded shoulder straps, and/or straps that contain non slip components. While these may assist to alleviate the problem, they do not address the issue of slipping shoulder straps on apparel or luggage without these features.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      It is accordingly the principal object of this invention to provide a non-slip retainer device for shoulder straps in garments, such as but not limited to, brassieres, bathing suits, slips, that will minimize or prevent slippage of these straps.  
      It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a non-slip retainer device that is comprised of a hook type of fastener adhered to, or coated with, a non-slip material.  
      The retainer device is one single unit, comprised of a flat strip having its upper surface bearing hooks protruding thereof, adhered to, or coated with, a non-slip material of the same dimensions, which resists slipping on the shoulder. The retainer device has tapered ends to prevent irritation or discomfort to the wearer.  
      Another object of this invention is to provide a non-slip retainer device for shoulder straps in luggage such as but not limited to, briefcases, carry-on bags, computer cases, backpacks, handbags, that will minimize or prevent slippage of these straps.  
      Another object of this invention is to enable the retainer to be used for any type of apparel utilizing shoulder straps.  
      It is another object of the present invention to provide a non-slip shoulder strap retainer device that is readily switched from one set of shoulder straps to another.  
      It is a further object of the present invention to provide a non-slip retainer that is concealed from view when applied in the intended fashion.  
      It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a non-slip retainer that has all of the following properties: durable, re-usable, inexpensive, able to withstand normal laundering methods; easily applied.  
      These and other objects and advantages of the present invention are achieved by a retainer that is a stand alone device, which does not need to be permanently attached to the shoulder strap to perform its intended function.  
      When used, the retainer is placed underneath the shoulder strap of the garment or luggage, in line with the shape of the existing shoulder strap, and in the general shoulder area. The hook type fabric is attached to the underside of the shoulder strap, while the non-slip material or coating is placed on the wearer&#39;s shoulder.  
      The non-slip retainer is designed to be of a width no greater than the shoulder strap on which it is to be used, thus providing a non-obstructive, discreet solution.  
      The retainer is held in place by the hook type fabric attached to the underside of the shoulder strap, by the non-slip material placed against the wearer&#39;s shoulder, and by the pressure created from the normal tension of the shoulder strap against the wearer&#39;s shoulder.  
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  shows an upper angular view of the present invention, showing the hook fabric.  
       FIG. 2  shows the opposite side or bottom view, of the retainer, indicating a non-slip surface.  
       FIG. 3  shows the invention retaining a garment shoulder strap on the shoulder of a woman.  
       FIG. 4  shows the invention retaining a shoulder strap of a luggage article. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      Referring to the drawings, and in particular,  FIG. 1 , there is provided an upper angular view of the present invention having a hook type fabric portion, generally represented by reference numeral  10 , and a non-slip material portion  20 .  
      Portion  10  is the surface that will be positioned on the underside of the shoulder strap, using a device no wider than the strap itself. The opposite surface  20  will be placed with the non-slip material or coating against the wearer&#39;s shoulder.  
      In a preferred embodiment, portions  10  and  20  are fabricated with the same dimensions, and joined together by an adhesive compound being applied to their backing.  
      In an alternative embodiment, portions  10  and  20  may be joined together by means of ultrasonic welding, foam lamination, or sewing.  
      In yet another embodiment,  FIG. 3 , the hook type surface  10  may be directly coated, laminated, or embossed with a non-slip material on the underside of the hook material.  
      Portions  10  and  20  are joined together to form a single unit, with all edges the same, and having tapered or rounded ends.  
      The invention,  FIG. 1  is a stand-alone device which does not need to be permanently attached to the shoulder strap to perform its intended function. It can be moved easily from one garment or luggage item to another.  
      In the preferred embodiments, the non-slip retainer is easily concealed beneath an existing shoulder strap of a garment  30 , and the existing shoulder strap of a luggage article  40 .  
      The present invention set forth may be changed, modified, or altered therein without departing from the scope or spirit of the appended claims.