Patent Publication Number: US-11388971-B2

Title: Travel strap system

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a travel strap system. More specifically, the present invention relates to a travel strap system having a main strap connected to a container strap, wherein each end of the main strap is removably securable to a secondary strap. 
     Many people travel for work, pleasure or both for days or weeks at a time, requiring advance packing preparation for various activity, weather, and the like. Having to travel with luggage, umbrellas, coats, coffee mugs, water bottles, neck pillows of various sizes, among other objects, as well as carrying on one&#39;s person laptop computers, tablets, and other electronic devices is burdensome and causes physical strain on the body. Additionally, travel between obligations throughout the day requires people to leave their home and travel with items such as a briefcase, gym bag, lunch sack, books, coats, and the like. This either requires multiple trips to and from a vehicle or overburdening one&#39;s body by having to carry everything at once, causing strain and resulting in dropped items along the way. 
     In view of the above concerns, it is desirable to provide an embodiment of a travel strap system that includes a main strap configured to secure to a secondary strap on either end thereof for securing multiple type baggage and objects to one another for convenient travel. Particularly, it is desirable to provide the travel strap system having a container strap secured to the main strap for securing book and tablets thereto. Further, there is a need for a system of modular straps and attachment devices, such as fasteners and loops, that are selectively reconfigurable to secure a wide range of accessories and travel equipment. 
     In light of the devices disclosed in the known art, it is submitted that the present invention substantially diverges in design elements and methods from the known art and consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an improvement for a travel strap system. In this regard the instant invention substantially fulfills these needs. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of travel strap systems now present in the known art, the present invention provides a new travel strap system for receiving multiple other objects therein and securing to luggage for convenient carrying and travel. 
     It is an objective of the present invention to provide a travel strap system comprising a container strap extending from a main strap, wherein the container strap is attached to a first end of the main strap and a coupling member extends from a second end of the main strap. The coupling member is configured to receive an object therethrough automatically adjust to a size of the object disposed therein. Each of the ends of the main strap include a fastener securable to a secondary strap or an accessory strap in order to secure more objects within or to the system. The accessory strap includes a pair of coupling member suspended between a first end and a second end thereof. In some embodiments, each coupling member forming a loop and a ring, wherein the ring is freely movably within the loop. 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved travel strap system that has all of the advantages of the known art and none of the disadvantages. 
     Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout. 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the travel strap system. 
         FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of the main strap of an embodiment of the travel strap system. 
         FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of the accessory strap of an embodiment of the travel strap system, wherein the accessory strap is secured to a car seat. 
         FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of the accessory strap of an embodiment of the travel strap system, wherein the accessory strap is secured to rolling luggage. 
         FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the travel strap system in use. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the travel strap system. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for receiving multiple objects and securing to luggage and the like. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a perspective view an embodiment of the travel strap system. The travel strap system  1000  provides a modular series of straps and attachment devices, such as fasteners and loops, that are selectively reconfigurable to secure a wide range of accessories and travel equipment. The travel strap system  1000  comprises a main strap  100  having a first end  130  and a second end  135 . Each end  130 ,  135  of the main strap  100  includes a fastener securable to a secondary strap  200 ,  500 ,  600 ,  700  and/or an accessory strap  300 ,  400  in order to secure more objects within or to the strap system. In this way, the travel strap system provides various configurations with only a limited number of straps that are adapted to affixed to each other. 
     The travel strap system further comprises one or more band attachment member  800  that are adapted to attach the main strap  100 , the secondary straps  200 ,  500 ,  600 ,  700 , or the accessory straps  300 ,  400  to travel bags, back packs, golf bags and purses to carry extra belongings—pillows, scarfs, books, jackets, and the like. The travel strap system  1000  is configured to secure personal items together while allowing for easy access thereof. In the illustrated embodiment, the main strap  100  is adjustable in length via a length adjusting mechanism  116 , such as a slide buckle. In the illustrated embodiment, the travel strap system are composed of nylon. However, in alternate embodiments, the main strap is composed of any flexible and durable material. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the travel strap system  1000  comprises a plurality of secondary straps including: a first secondary strap  200 , a second secondary strap  500 , a third secondary strap  600 , and a fourth secondary strap  700 . Each secondary strap  200 ,  500 ,  600 ,  700  comprises a first end and a second end, wherein each end is configured to secure to a mating fastener. In the illustrated embodiment, a female buckle is disposed on the first end and a male buckle is disposed on the second end, such that ends are configured to removably secure to one another to form a closed loop. In some embodiments, a reflective layer  610  is disposed along a length of the exterior of a secondary strap. In this way, the travel strap system  1000  is configured to alert passersby of the existence of a traveler or luggage when traveling in poorly lit areas. In some embodiments, a D-ring  510  is disposed on the secondary strap or other strap of the travel strap system  1000  in order to secure clips and rings, such as keyrings, thereto. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the band attachment member  800  is secured to an end of an interior side of the secondary strap  200 ,  500 ,  600 ,  700 . The band attachment member  800  comprises arms that are removably securable to one another such that a loop is formed and thereby cooperative secure objects, such as handles, cylinders, and the like, thereto. The arms of the loop attachment  800  comprise any suitable fastener, such as hook and loop material. In the shown embodiment, a center point defined between the two ends is permanently affixed to the strap via any suitable fastener, such as stitching. The loop attachment  800  is configured to secure around a rigid handle or rod, such as rolling luggage handle, for suspending the strap therefrom. In a closed position, the band attachment member  800  forms a channel that is oriented perpendicular to a length of the secondary strap  200 ,  500 ,  600 ,  700 . 
     The accessory straps  300 ,  400  shown in  FIG. 1 , demonstrate two distinct accessory straps. The accessory straps  300 ,  400  are shown simultaneously in use in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . Generally, the accessory straps  300 ,  400  provide a means of securing the main strap  100  to a fixed object and orienting the secured objects thereto such that the objects are suspended therefrom. In the shown embodiment, a coupling strap  110  (also seen in  FIG. 2 ) includes an adjustment member. The adjustment member provides for selective lengthening and shortening of the strap. Thereby, allowing the traveler to secure items of various sizes and shapes to the travel strap system  1000 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , there is shown a perspective view of the main strap of an embodiment of the travel strap system in use. In the shown embodiment, a container strap  110  extends from the first end  130  of the main strap  100  and a coupling member  120  extends from the second end  135 . The container strap  110  comprises a first crossmember  111  intersecting a second crossmember  115 , wherein the crossmembers  111 ,  115  are configured to secure around a book  1200 , tablet, or the like. A first end  112  of each crossmember  111 ,  115  is permanently secured to the main strap  100  and a second end  113  of each crossmember  111 ,  115  is permanently and perpendicularly secured to one another. The first end  112  of the first crossmember  111  is removably securable to the second end  113  thereof and the first end  112  of the second crossmember  115  is removably securable to the second end  113  thereof in order to form two intersecting and perpendicular loops are objects stored thereto. In the shown embodiment, each crossmember is adjustable in length via any suitable adjustment mechanism, such as a slide buckle. 
     In the shown embodiment, the coupling member  120  comprises a first and second closed loop each configured to receive an object, such as a coat or other article of clothing, therethrough. Each loop comprises a fastener that wraps the coupling member  120  to a portion of itself. The fastener is slidably engaged, such as a slide buckle  125 , and configured to self-adjust a size of the loop to secure an item disposed therein automatically. This automatic adjustment occurs due to the weight of the object placed therein applying tension to the loop causing the fastener to slide so as to close the loop until the fastener is unable to slide any further. The first loop is disposed above the second loop, forming a stacked configuration. 
     Each end  130 ,  135  of the main strap  100  is configured to secure to a mating fastener. In the illustrated embodiment, a female buckle is disposed on the first end and a male buckle is disposed on the second end, such that ends are configured to removably secure to one another to form a loop. In the shown embodiment, a band attachment member  800  is disposed at the first end of the main strap  100  so as to allow the main strap to suspend from luggage and the like. In the illustrated embodiment, a D-ring is also secured to the first end of the main strap  100  for receiving clips and rings. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , there are shown perspective views of the embodiments of the accessory strap of the travel strap system, wherein the accessory strap of the embodiments are secured to rolling luggage and secured to a car seat, respectively. In the shown embodiment of  FIG. 3 , the accessory strap  300  includes a pair of coupling members  315 ,  315 A suspended between a first end  325  and a second end  330  thereof. In some embodiments, each coupling member  315  forms a loop  340  that is coupled to a ring  335 , wherein the ring  335  is freely movably along the loop  340 . In some embodiments, the coupling member  315  only comprises a loop member  340 , without the ring secured thereto (as seen in  FIG. 1, 400 ). The first coupling member  315  is positioned adjacent to the first end  325  and the second coupling member  315 A is positioned adjacent to the second end  330 . In some embodiments, each coupling member  315 ,  315 A is positioned equidistant between the ends of the accessory strap  300 . 
     In the shown embodiments, the coupling member  800  is disposed at the first end of the accessory strap  300  in order to removably secure the accessory strap  300  to a handle  1400  of a piece of rolling luggage (as seen in  FIG. 3 ) or to a car seat headrest  1310  (as seen in  FIG. 4 ). The accessory strap  300  is configured to secure to another object in a first position and a second position. In the first position, the accessory strap  300  is suspended longitudinally from the first end thereof such that the first coupling member  315  is positioned above the second coupling member  315 A, as shown in  FIG. 4 . In the second position, the first end and the second end of the accessory strap  300  are secured to one another laterally such that the pair of coupling members are parallel to one another, as shown in  FIG. 3 . In this way, an object (such as an umbrella  1250 ) can be positioned within the rings without risk of falling out while traveling. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , there is shown a perspective view of an embodiment of the travel strap system in use. In operation, the travel strap system  1000  receives travel objects through the coupling members, loop members, container strap, and coupling members. The first end of the main strap  100  is attached to an object, such as the handle  1400  of rolling luggage, and an accessory strap  400  or secondary strap are attached to the second end of the main strap  100  so as to secure all travel items to one another. The straps are each configured to be suspended from any carry bags to provide security and worry-free movement. The travel strap system  1000  easily attaches personal items to a carry bag so as to maintain the personal items within reach without having to pack such items in a travel bag. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, a neck pillow is secured to the travel strap system  1000  via the coupling member  120 . The user may remove the neck pillow during a flight without having to access the interior of the luggage. This is beneficial when traveling as access and to the luggage itself is limited and space to open the large compartment is prohibitive. The travel strap system  1000  is configured to reduce the risk of losing items or having items fall on the ground. The length of each strap is adjustable so the straps can be adapted to the items to be received and secured thereto. In one embodiment, the travel strap system  1000  is secured to the luggage in at least two points. For example, the accessory strap  400  includes an attachment member  800  at a lower end thereof that is secured to a handle of the luggage. In this way, the travel strap system  1000  is restricted from twisting or otherwise freely moving about the luggage. Other accessories, such as key chains, carabiners, hot and cold beverage bottle holders, are configured to be suspended from each strap. 
     The travel strap system  1000  is unisex and adapted to use by users of all ages. In one embodiment, the components of the travel strap system  1000  are designed for any type of light or heavy duty uses. For example, the straps comprise increase thickness and width that allows for increase tension loading, and the fasteners are adapted to remain coupled under increased load. 
     It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
     Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.