CA2465050A1 - Clipped hook for securing additional items to a strap - Google Patents

Abstract

A clipped hook for securing additional items to a strap includes a base hingeably connected to a lid which contains a hook extending from a fastening mechanism towards a hinge. This clipped hook can be attached to a strap such as would be found on a backpack. The hook can be used for securing additional strapped bags by sliding the strap through the slot of the hook.

Description

Field of the Invention The present invention pertains to a hook for attaching strapped bags to a strap, typically on a larger device, for example, a backpack, or any of many similar devices.
Description of the Prior Art In the prior art, it is known to use a clip to couple an object such as a bag or similar device to a backpack or similar device. Such a clip is disclosed in Canadian Patent No. 2,356,803 entitled "Clip for Attaching Pouches and Similar Devices" in 2002. This device is not conveniently removable from the strap on which it is attached.
It also limits the dimensions and number of straps which can be inserted. U.S. Patent No.
5,201,099 entitled "Seat Belt Adjuster", issued in 1993 and U.S. Patent No. 4,815,175 entitled "Strap Fastener", issued in 1989 offer an easily removable clip but displays the same strap size limitations as the previous patent. Another limitation of the three aforementioned references is the weight of the clipped object being able to pull open the clip.
A clip is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,604,958 entitled "Attachment System for Backpack, Vests, Belts and the Like" issued in 1997. This reference discloses a mating system with a key-like structure which is inconvenient to use and requires the mating plastic pieces to remain with the pack when the attachment is detached, thereby resulting in a pack surface which is cluttered in appearance.
Another kind of device to secure a bag is disclosed in U.S. patent No.
4,488,333 entitled "Lash Device", issued in 1984, describing an invention which has to be sewn to a backpack and limits the attached item to have a detachable strap which would be fed through a slit.

,.,.na.x .~xxr N0.V.e.n"o,.kfF.""nn',>...v~rH~~"~:fm9~..ww-,,wwtl~..x...aa~vn#;~!~.~:ai:'k"~MY~xve~:ra. s~>.,~u .,w. .__..........

Other prior art references, including those for attaching a device to a user's belt, include U.S. Patent No. 5,499,429 entitled "Pager Clip Having Aperture for Fastening to an External Article" issued in 1996; Patent No. 4,083,481 entitled "Detachable Mounting Clip Arrangement for Miniature Portable Apparatus or the Like", issued in 1978; U.S.
Patent No. 3,937,373 entitled "Article Carrier with Improved Combination Belt Loop and Clip", issued in 1976 and U.S. Patent No. 2,823,434 entitled "Fastening Device", issued in 1958. However these references do not satisfactorily combine a secure locked position with a simple way for the user to release a pouch from a backpack.
Summary of the invention The present invention provides a clip which can be attached to a strap such as would be found on a backpack. The clip of this present invention is secured on a strap by a fastening mechanism and the strap is further secured by a gripping surface on both inner faces of the clip. The base of the clip is hingeably connected to the upper section of the clip which contains a hook extending from the fastening mechanism towards the hinge, which prevents the clip from opening while holding a bag by its strap.
Description of the drawinss Fig. 1 is a side view of one embodiment of the invention.
Fig. 2 is an elevated side view of the clip in an opened position with a strap in an appropriate position to be secured.
Fig. 3 is an elevated side view of the clip in its closed position engaging a strap and holding an additional strapped bag in the hook.
Fig. 4 is a detailed view of the inner faces on the clip in a fully open position.
Fig. 5 is a side view of the hinge mechanism attaching the lid to the base.

Fig. 6 is a side view of the snap button in a closed position.
Description of the preferred embodiment Referring now to the drawings in detail wherein like numerals referred to Like elements throughout the views. Figure 1 is a side view of clip 10 in a slightly opened position. Clip 10 includes base l and lid 2 on which there is hook 7 all of which can be fashioned out of moulded plastic, though those skilled in the art may recognize that various alternative materials may be used. The inner faces of base l and lid 2 each contain a gripping surface 5 (i.e. rubber, silicone, although those skilled in the art may recognize that various alternative materials may be used) shown in more detail in figure 4. Clip 10 is fastened by 2 snap buttons 3 and 4 located at the inner faces of the clip 10.
The male snaps 3a and 3b on base 1 having shanks 1 la and 11b extending perpendicularly from the bases 12a and 12b with a spherical head which is inserted into female snap 4a and 4b on lid 2 having a shank insertion hole 13a and 13b extending centrally through the bases 14a and 14b. Hereafter the snap buttons 3a/3b and 4a/4b will be referred to collectively as snap buttons 3 and 4. Said snaps 3 and 4 in closed position, as seen in figure 6, are preferentially made from a metal, metal alloy or moulded plastic, although those skilled in the art may recognize that other alternative materials may be used. Said snaps 3 and 4 are also depicted in figures 2 and 4. Although this is the preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that alternative mechanism allowing for securing the base to the lid around a strap can be used.
In the preferred embodiment hinge 6 forms an operative hinged connection between lid 2 and base 1 as shown figures 1 through 5 in varying detail. Base 1 has 2 hinge sleeves 16 with a centrally placed hole 18 for receiving a hinge pin 17, extending perpendicularly up from the base 1. Lid 2 has 3 hinge sleeves 15 with a centrally placed hole 18 for receiving a hinge pin 17, extending perpendicularly down from the lid 2.
Hinge sleeves 15 and 16, which axe moulded on lid 2 and base 1 respectively, interlock as seen in figure 4. When hinge sleeves 15 and 16 are properly aligned a hinge pin 17 can be ., ,w.v.. . . mlmM~ .'GS o.c.".,.w~vYtw .n~'baM'fiw..,..~,~F..n.n?w--~mrmuma ~.BnyXMF.ewe.:.w$SnTAf'"x~S.;zS!'f'::F'.?z;,'Y.r'»fi:3'a:..,~,.p,P~~ysc~~'.G.a.
tW.F~.va",ms..ad~p.Y.~_n;...~...,~....._-.»... ...,..-w~..~......~.ww,.mn..e:r inserted through hole 18. Hinge pin 17, fashioned from metal, metal alloy or plastic, although those skilled in the art may recognize that other alternative materials may be used, is capped on both ends once it has been inserted through hole 18 in hinge sleeves 15 and 16 by cap 19, fashioned in a similar material as hinge 17. Cap 19 will ensure that the hinge pin 17 remains in proper position to secure lid 2 to base 1 while allowing rotation of the hinge sleeves 15 and 16 around the hinge pin 17 to allow opening and closing of clip 10. The height of the hinged sleeves 15 and 16 must allow for the securing of a strap 8 between lid 2 and base 1 further secured by gripping surfaces 5 as seen in figure 2 and 3. Although the hinge has been described as such, it is the preferred embodiment and thus it is to be understood that alternative mechanisms allowing for rotation of the lid relative to the base can be used.
Hook 7 is moulded as part of lid 2 on the opposite face of the gripping surface 5.
Hook 7 extending from the snap buttons 3 and 4 towards the hinge 6 prevents clip 10 from opening while holding a bag by its strap 9 due to its pull from gravity which adds pressure on snap buttons 3 and 4, reinforcing their fastening. Hook 7 is the same width and length as clip 10 with height allowing for insertion of a strapped bag, as seen in figures 2 and 3. Strapped bag 9 can be attached by hook 7 through sliding the strap into slot 20 as shown in figure 3.
The present invention therefore provides a convenient method for transporting a strapped duffel bag while wearing a backpack by clipping the hook on the backpack strap and sliding the duffel bag strap into the hook to prevent the duffel bag from sliding off the shoulder. The duffel bag can be easily removed from the hook without taking the backpack off or removing the clipped hook from the backpack strap. The clipped hook can easily be removed from backpack and used on other bags.
All dimensions can be scaled to the appropriate size to accommodate attachment of a variety of strapped bags to a variety of straps. Although the invention has been described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it should be understood that various modifications, additions and alterations may be made to the invention by one .,-. o. q. , n w,. .fiwbt5< usb.%.."',ewa.,,n2'.4~~'. ~.
~r3~.~,~;.w.,F,mvm.,.n.:'N'SHY,3~N~~:z'~~',R~~~erc.-"F','.wv%p,~'~Tr.~-own.~aeuzv,..mv-........~_~._~._.....~.e...,..~."....»._ a.~w.,~.....a.n..x skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims (10)

1. A clipped hook comprising of a base section, a lid with a hook, a hinge connecting said base and lid allowing their movement about a rotational axis, a fastening mechanism to secure said clip in a closed position.

2. The clipped hook of claim 1 wherein the inner faces of said base and lid include a gripping surface.

3. The clipped hook of claim 2 wherein said gripping surface is inlayed in the inner faces of said base and lid.

4. The gripping surface of claim 2 is located between said hinge and fastening mechanism.

5. The clipped hook of claim 1 wherein the lid has a hook extending from the outer surface.

6. The hook of claim 5 extends from the same end as said fastening mechanism is located.

7. The hook of claim 6 extends towards the same end as said hinge is located.

8. The clipped hook of claim 1 wherein said lid and base are connected by a hinge allowing movement parallel to said rotational axis.

9. The clipped hook of claim 1 wherein said fastening mechanism is affixed to said base and lid.

10. The clipped hook of claim 1 wherein said fastening mechanism and said hinge are on opposite ends of said base and lid.