Abstract:
A carrier having two adjustable straps which encircle an object to be carried by the carrier and a cover for said carrier is provided herein.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to a strap-type carrier for objects. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Outdoor activities often require individuals to carry equipment from location to location. For example, individuals who practice yoga, go to the beach, or have a picnic may have to transport yoga mats, beach towels, or picnic blankets, amongst other objects. There are currently several strap-type carriers on the market, configured in such a fashion that objects are secured by a plurality of straps and the slung over a user&#39;s shoulder, or across a user&#39;s chest. However, the currently available strap-type carriers do not offer any protection to the object being carried, and, conversely, should the object being carried be soiled, does not offer the user, or other cargo, any protection from becoming soiled. 
         [0003]    It is therefore desirable to provide a strap-type carrier with multiple carrying means and a removably disposed cover for the carrier. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The present invention fills the foregoing need. In one embodiment, the strap-type carrier comprises a handle strap, a shoulder strap, a plurality of securement straps, and a shoulder pad with integrated cover for cargo. In a preferred embodiment, the securement straps are substantially orthogonally disposed along opposing regions of the handle strap. It is also preferred that the securement straps are disposed in such a way that the securement straps will have opposing sides relative to the handle strap. The shoulder strap is preferably longitudinally disposed relative to the handle strap. The shoulder pad with integrated cover is preferably removably disposed on the shoulder strap and capable of being deployed around the cargo while the cargo is held by the securement straps. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the carrier. 
           [0006]      FIG. 2  is a bottom view of the shoulder pad with integrated cover turned inside out. As shown, the shoulder pad is affixed to the interior bottom of said cover. 
           [0007]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the shoulder pad with the integrated cover depicted in  FIG. 2 , configured for use as a cover. 
           [0008]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the carrier holding a cylindrical object. 
           [0009]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the carrier of  FIG. 1  in use with the cover of  FIG. 2 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    The present invention relates to a strap-type carrier with a removably disposed cover for the carrier. In one embodiment of the invention, the strap-type carrier comprises a handle strap, a shoulder strap, a plurality of securement straps, and a shoulder pad with integrated cover. The securement straps are substantially orthogonally disposed along opposing regions of the handle strap. Further, the securement straps are disposed in such a way that the securement straps will form substantially orthogonally extending opposing sides relative to the handle strap, said extending opposing sides being removably fastenable to one another. Preferably, the shoulder strap is substantially longitudinally disposed relative to the handle strap and is of a length greater than that of the handle strap. In a preferred embodiment, the shoulder pad with integrated cover is removably disposed on the shoulder strap. 
         [0011]    A strap-type carrier  100  in an open configuration is shown in  FIG. 1 . Handle strap  101  is longitudinally disposed. A shoulder strap  301 , having length greater than that of handle strap  101 , extends from one end  102  of handle strap  101  to the opposite end  103 . Preferably, shoulder strap  301  is longitudinally disposed and substantially parallel to handle strap  101 . In a preferred embodiment, shoulder strap  301  is integral with the ends of handle strap  101  such that the two straps form a continuous loop. In alternative embodiments, shoulder strap  301  may be connected to handle strap  101  at points other than the ends of handle strap  101 . In such embodiments, the first end of shoulder strap  301  may connect to handle strap  101  at any point between the first end and the midpoint of handle strap  101 , and the second end of shoulder strap  301  may connect at any point between the second end and the midpoint of handle strap  101 . Handle strap  101  and shoulder strap  301 , when not continuous and integral, may be connected by any of various fastening means known in the art, including but not limited to stitching, glue, buckles, clasps, rivets, buttons, snaps, Velcro, cinching mechanisms, and the like. In certain embodiments where shoulder strap  301  is not integral with handle strap  101 , shoulder strap  301  may be removably connected to handle strap  101 , and may optionally be adjustably connected to handle strap  101 , such as by multiple fastening means positioned at various locations along the length of handle strap  101 . 
         [0012]    In certain embodiments, handle strap  101  and shoulder strap  301  may be made of a completely flexible material, such as a natural or synthetic fabric or fibrous weave. In alternative embodiments, sections or the entirety of handle strap  101  or shoulder strap  301  may contain rigid or stiffening components, such as a metal, plastic, or composite bar or rod. In another alternative embodiment, the handles may be stiffened not by the addition of rigid or stiffening components but rather by the fabrication of the material composing the handle. For example, in a handle made of leather, the leather could be folded over on itself or rolled until the desired stiffness is attained. 
         [0013]    Shoulder strap  301  may optionally have a cinching mechanism  601  to adjust the length of shoulder strap  301 . Any suitable cinching mechanism known in the art may be used. Securement straps  201  are substantially orthogonally disposed on opposing ends  102  and  103  of handle strap  101 . In an alternative embodiment, securement straps  201  are disposed along the length of handle strap  101  other than on the opposing ends  102  and  103 , such as anywhere between an opposing end and the midpoint of the handle strap. Securement straps  201  and handle strap  101 , when not integral with one another, may be connected by any of various fastening means known in the art, as described above. In certain embodiments, securement straps  201  may be removably connected to handle strap  101 , and may optionally be adjustably connected to handle strap  101 , such as by multiple fastening means positioned at various locations along the length of handle strap  101 . Region  202  of securement straps  201  is detachably fastenable to region  203  of securement straps  201  via fastener  501 . Fastener  501  may comprise any suitable fastening means known in the art, such as those described above. In a preferred embodiment, fastener  501  comprises Velcro. 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  also shows a removably disposed shoulder pad with integrated cover  401  configured for use as a shoulder pad, disposed on shoulder strap  301 . As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , shoulder pad  401  may be converted into a cover for the carrier  100 . Shoulder pad  401  comprises a base  410 , which is removably connectable to shoulder strap  301 , and a shell  420 , which forms a cavity for receiving carrier  100 . Base  410  is depicted as being substantially rectangular, however any desirable shape that is connectable to shoulder strap  301  may be used, such as a circle or oval. Shell  420  can be made of any suitable flexible material, such as cloth, nylon, canvas or any other synthetic or natural woven fiber. Shell  420  may be of a tight or loose weave as may be desires. For example, in one embodiment, shell  420  may be mesh, whereas in another embodiment is may be a substantially tight weave. In some embodiments, shell  420  may be waterproof. In other embodiments, shell  420  may be absorbent. Detachably fastening mechanism  415  is disposed on or near end  413  of top surface  411 , and on or near end  414  of bottom surface  412 , such that rectangular base  410  can be circumferentially fastened around shoulder strap  301 . Any suitable fastening mechanism known in the art may be used. In some embodiments, fastener  415  comprises Velcro. 
         [0015]    Bottom surface  412  of base  410  is affixed to interior surface  421  of shell  420 . When configured as a shoulder pad, shell  420  is folded into the area directly over the bottom surface  412  of base  410 . When base  410  is circumferentially fastened around shoulder strap  301  and used as a shoulder pad, the folded shell  420  may act as additional padding. 
         [0016]      FIG. 3  shows the shoulder pad with integrated cover  401  configured for use as a cover. Shell  420  depicted in  FIG. 2  is turned inside-out, revealing exterior surface  422 . Opening  424  allows access to cavity  423 , which can receive the carrier and the object the carrier is holding. The perimeter of opening  424  may optionally comprise an elastic material. Further, opening  424  may comprise a means for opening and closing access to the cavity. Any means known in the art, such as zippers, snaps, ties, cinch cords, buttons, Velcro, and the like may be used. 
         [0017]      FIGS. 4 and 5  shows the strap-type carrier in use.  FIG. 4  shows the shoulder pad with integrated cover  410  configured for use as a shoulder pad. Securement straps  201  are circumferentially fastened around an object. A user may carry the object and carrier by handle strap  101 , or by using shoulder strap  301 , and slinging the carrier and object over one&#39;s shoulder.  FIG. 5  shows the shoulder pad with integrated cover  410  configured for use as a cover. The carrier and object are received in cavity  423 . In this manner, the cover  410 , depending on the material and purpose, may serve to protect the object being carrier, protect the user from being soiled by a dirty or wet object, protect other cargo or items from being soiled by a dirty or wet object when the carrier is set down or stowed, and additionally secure the object in the carrier or serve to secure or hold other loose objects not wrapped in the securement straps. 
         [0018]    The above-described exemplary embodiments are intended to be illustrative in all respects, rather than restrictive, of the present invention. Thus the present invention is capable of many variations in detailed implementation that can be derived from the description contained herein by a person skilled in the art. All such variations and modifications are considered to be within the scope and spirit of the present invention as defined by the following claims.