GB2399741A

GB2399741A - A flexible handle, strap or leash.

Info

Publication number: GB2399741A
Application number: GB0307235A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Chiou Yue Kuen
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-03-28
Filing date: 2003-03-28
Publication date: 2004-09-29
Also published as: GB0307235D0; DE20305241U1

Abstract

A flexible strap or handle 2 comprises a solid portion 20 and two enlarged portions 21, each enlarged portion being connected to a separate planar connecting portion 22 and one end of the solid portion, the strap being manufactured from soft fabric straps and the connecting portions being wider than the diameter of the solid portion. The strip may comprise a plurality of ridges 201 extending from the outer surface of the solid portion and may be provided with hooks 5 or loops at each end. The strap may be used as a luggage handle, a leash or a belt (not shown - see figure 12).

Description

239974 1

ELONGATE AND FLEXIBLE STRIP STRUCTURII

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an elongate and flexible strip that includes at least one solid portion and at least one flexible portion in different diameter and shapes so as to be used in different situations.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTl()lS

A fast conventional handle 11 for luggage is shown in Fig. 1 and generally - includes-tuo-pi--eces-which are fixed to two sides- of the-body 1--ofluggage and the handle 11 is made by weaving fabric strips so that it is soft and flexible. A mediate l 0 portion of the handle l 1 is folded into a planar portion 12 and so that the users have a larger area to hold. The planar portion 12 of the handle 11 is thin and flexible so that when the load of the luggage is heavy, the planar portion 12 is deformed and becomes narrower and a large pressure is applied to the user's hand.

Fig. 2 shows a second conventional handle 1l for luggage and includes a rubber made coat 2 mounted to the planar portion 12 to form a holding portion.

Although the coat 2 improves the shortcoming of the first conventional handle 11, it requires too many processes to make the coat 2 and the folded planar portion 12. In other words, the assemblers have to mount the coat 2 to the handle 11 first and then to fold up the handle 11 to be He planar Portia 12, and then fixing the coat 2 onto the planar portion 2. No much labor is needed to manufacture the handle 1 1.

Fig. 3 shows a third conventional handle tor luggage and generally includes a rubber made sleeve I0l which has a passage defined therethrough and a solid bar 12 is inserted in the passage. The combination of the sleeve 101 and the bar 12 is then enclosed by the Woven handle 10. Because flee bar 120 is not fixed in the sleeve 101 so that when puking the Addle at an angle, the sleeve T0l could slip relative to the bar 12 and this makes the whole assembly deform. Besides, each of the three parts IO, IOI, and 12 needs an individual machine to made so that the rnanufaGturing cost is high and the assembly still requires a lot of labor effort.

The present invention intends to provide art elongate and flexible strip that has strong structural strength and can be used as handles of luggage bags, or be cooperated with hooks and rings to form an enclosed ring.

SUMMARY OF TEE INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect of the present inversion? time Is provided an elongate and flexible strip which comprises a solid portion and two connection portions located at two ends of the handle portion. The solid portion and the connection portions both are made by weaving soft fabric strips as a one-piece member. The To conrection Anions are fixed to the body of luggage.

The present invention will be described in the following description when taken m connection with the accompanying drawings -which show, for pusposes of illustration only, a preferred embodunent in accordance with the present invention

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF TIlE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a perspective view to show a first conventon:al- Ample for luggage; Fig. 2 is a perspective view to show a second conventional handle for luggage; Fig. 3 is m exploded view show a third conven-tioal handle for luggage; Fig. 4 is a perspective view to show the step of the present invention; Fig. 5 shows the strips are sued as handles of a bag; Fig. 6 shows another embodiment of the strips used as handles to a bag; Fig. 7 shows yet another ernbiment of the strip of the present i-nven- ticn; Fig. 8 shows an exploded view to show a further embodiment of the strips used as handles and the fixing members for fixing the handles to a bag; Fig ->shows another cm-bodimcnt-f the- strip users a- leash of the present invention; Fig. 10 shows another embodiment of the strip used as a leash of the present invention; Fig. l l shows a user leashes a dog with the strip used as the leash, and Fig. 12 shows the strip used as a belt.

DICTAIID DICSCItIPTION OF THEE PREli I'D E5IBODIMENTS Referring to Figs. 4 and 5, the elongate and flexible strip 2 used as handles far luggage bag of the present invention crises solid portion and two enlarged portions 21 are connected' to two ends of the solid portion 20. Lee enlarged portions 21 each have a larger width than that of the solid portion 2Q. Each of. the enlarged portions 21 has a cormection portions 22 extending therefrom. The solid Mien- 20, Me enlarged porti-or 21 and the connection portions 22 are made by weaving from soft fabric strips as a one-piece member, and can be made in mass production by machine.

The strip 2 can be used as handles for luggage bags 3 and the connection portions 22 are wide and flat meTrbers. A width of each of the connection portiom 22 is wider than a diameter of the solid portion 20. -line two connection portions 22 are fixed to the bag 3 and the wide and thick enlarged portions 21 provide a strong structural for bearing stress when in practical use.

Fig. 6 shows that a plurality of ridges 2(31 extend radially outward from an outer surface of the solid portion 20 arid these ridges 201 provide a comfortable holding feeling for the usertshand.- Fig 7 shows that the strip 2 can be can be made to be that a wide and flat connection portion 22 located between two solid portions 20 with two enlarged portions 21 connected therebetween as show-e. This arrangement can be -used-as a shoulder strip so that the flat connection portion 22- is placed on the shoulder such that less stress concentration is applied on the user's shoulder.

Fig. 8 sews er-larged end 201 is -Forrest at a distal end of each of the two solid port-ions 2Q and a flat cnect-ion. port-ion 22 is connected between the two" enlarged portions 21 from which two respective solid portions 20 extend. Two fixing members 4 are fixed to a body 3 of luggage bag by rivets. Each fixing member 4 includes a U-shaped plate 40 extending therefrom so that two arms of the IJ-shaped plate 40 -are bent to enclose the solid portion 20. An inner diameter of the enclosed alms of theUnshaped plate 40 is smaller than a- diameter of the enlarged end 201 so as to limit the enlarged end 201 from disengaging therefrom.

Referring to Fig. 9, the elongate strip 2 may include two solid portions 20 and two connection portion 22 are respectively connected to the two solid portions 20, wherein one of the solid portions 20 has ridges 202. An end plate 5 is connected to an end of one of the- two connection portions 22 and a hooking member 5ú is connected to the end plate S. The other connection portion 22 is connected to a loop which is made of a solid portion 20. The loop is formed- by fixing a connection portion 22' connected to solid portion 20 to the connection portion 22.

Fig. l O shows that the elongate strip 2 may include multiple solid portions an-d connection- portions 22, wherem two- sets of end plate 5 and hooking member - 50 arc rcspeetively- connected to the two em of--telgate-strp-2 so as to bused as a leash as shown in Fig. 11.

Fig. 12 shows- that the elong-at@ ship may be used as a belt by malting a tie by two solid portions 20 on two ends of the elongate strip 2.

While we have shown and described the embodiment- in accordance with the present invention, it should be clear to those skilled in the art that Wrier embodiments may be made without lepartirg from the scope vf-the present l invention. s

Claims

1. An elongate strip comprising: a solid portion and two enlarged portions integrally connected to two ends of the solid portion, each enlarged portion being integrally connected to a connection portion, the solid portion, the enlarged portions and the connection portions being made by soft fabric strips, and the connection portions being wide and flat, a width of each of the connection portions being wider than a diameter of the solid portion.

2. A strip as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a plurality of ridges extending radially outward from an outer surface of the solid portion.

3. A strip as claimed in claim 1 or 2 further comprising a hooking member connected to a distal end of each of the two connection portions.

4. A strip as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 further comprising a loop connected to a distal end of each of the two connection portions.

5. An elongate strip comprising: a flat connection portion and two enlarged portions integrally connected to two ends of the connection portion, each enlarged portion being integrally connected to a solid portion, the solid portion, the enlarged portions and the connection portion being made by soft fabric strips, and the connection portion being wide and flat, a width of the connection portion being wider than a diameter of the solid portion.

6. A strip as claimed in claim 5 further comprising a plurality of ridges extending radially outward from an outer surface of each of the solid portions.

7. A strip as claimed in claim 5 or 6 further comprising a hooking member connected to a distal end of each of the two solid portions.

8. A strip according to claim 5, 6 or 7 wherein there are two of said flat connection portions.

9. An elongate strip constructed and arranged to operate substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 4 to 12 of the accompanying drawings.

10. A luggage strap or handle, or a leash or belt comprising an elongate strip in accordance with any of the preceding claims.