US20030097736A1

US20030097736A1 - Article securing strap assembly

Info

Publication number: US20030097736A1
Application number: US09/994,664
Authority: US
Inventors: Willis Blankenship
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-11-28
Filing date: 2001-11-28
Publication date: 2003-05-29

Abstract

An article securing strap assembly for attaching an article to a supporting structure, comprising an adjustable-length article-engaging strap and an adjustable-length article-holding strap. The article-engaging strap includes a releasable connector for selectively configuring the strap between a closed loop configuration for engaging the strap around an article, such as a golf bag, and an open loop configuration for disengaging the strap therefrom, a D-ring slidably supported by the strap, and a length adjustment device. The article-holding strap has a first end provided with a first releasable fastener, a second end provided with a second releasable fastener, a length adjustment device, and a D-ring slidably supported by the strap. The first releasable fastener is releasably attached to the D-ring of the article-engaging strap, while the second releasable fastener is provided for releasably attaching the article-holding strap to the supporting structure, such as a golf cart.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to strap assemblies for securing articles to a supporting structure, and more particularly to an improved adjustable-length article securing strap assembly adapted for conveniently removably securing an article in a luggage compartment of a vehicle to a stationary object such as a fence.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Many vehicles are provided with a cargo compartments for transporting various heavy articles. One example, is a golf cart with a compartment or shelf for carrying a golf bag.

A great deal of attention has been paid to the design of both golf cars and golf bags, in order to enable them to assist golfers in enjoying their game. The basic use of a golf bag is to carry a set of golf clubs and related smaller golf accessories. Presently many different types of golf bags are available to serve this basic purpose. The most common type of golf bag available is formed with an elongated, generally cylindrical body portion with a closed bottom. The top of the bag is open in order to allow golf clubs to be inserted handle first into the elongated body portion of the golf bag. A shoulder strap is adjustably fixed along one longitudinal side of the golf bag allowing it to be carried on the shoulder of the golfer. Several pockets are usually provided about the periphery of the golf bag for storage of the smaller golf accessories such as golf balls and tees. Larger pockets are sometimes also provided on golf bags for storage of other items such as clothing in order to make it easier for the user to change clothes when desired.

Motorized golf carts provide convenient transportation for golfers as well as golf bags, golf clubs and any other items a golfer may wish to bring along while playing golf. However, securing of the golf bags in a golf cart can sometimes be awkward and the bag is sometimes subject to inadvertent detachment.

Currently, special golf cart attachments are employed for reliably securing of the golf bags in the golf cart cargo compartment. However, they are heavy, expensive and cumbersome.

Therefore, there is a need for a device for easily and reliably securing the golf bags or other similarly shaped articles in the cart cargo compartment of the golf carts or other vehicles that is simple, inexpensive, and easy-to-use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention contemplates a novel article securing strap assembly for attaching an article to a supporting structure.

The present invention is applicable to a variety of articles, especially elongated bags, such as golf bags, duffle bags, etc., and adapted to be attached with the article securing strap assembly to various kinds of the supporting structures, such as support bars in cargo compartments of vehicles, like golf carts, or stationary objects such as chain-link fences.

The article securing strap assembly of the present invention comprises a combination of an adjustable-length article-engaging strap and an adjustable-length article-holding strap. The article-engaging strap includes a releasable connector for selectively configuring the article-engaging strap between a closed loop configuration for engaging the strap around the article, such as the golf bag, and an open loop configuration for disengaging the strap therefrom, a D-ring slidably supported by the article-engaging strap, and a length adjustment device for adjusting a length of the article-engaging strap. The article-holding strap has a first end provided with a first releasable fastener, such as a snap hook, a second end provided with a second releasable fastener, a length adjustment device for adjusting a length of the article-holding strap, and a D-ring slidably supported by the article-holding strap. The first releasable fastener is releasably attached to the D-ring of the article-engaging strap, while the second releasable fastener is provided for releasably attaching the article-holding strap to the supporting structure, such as the golf cart.

The article-holding strap of the present invention selectively and releasably engages the supporting structure in one of three different positions:

a first position wherein the article-holding strap is attached to the supporting structure by wrapping the second end of the article-holding strap around the supporting structure, such as the support bar in the cargo compartments of the golf cart or the like, and releasably attaching the second releasable fastener to the D-ring of the article-engaging strap;

a second position wherein the article-holding strap is attached to the supporting structure by wrapping the second end of the article-holding strap around the supporting structure, and releasably attaching the second releasable fastener to the D-ring of the article-holding strap; and

a third position wherein the article-holding strap is attached to the supporting structure by releasably attaching the second releasable fastener to the supporting structure, such as chain-link fence or the like.

Therefore, the article securing strap assembly in accordance with the present invention provides a simple, inexpensive, durable and easily manipulated mechanism readily allowing simple securing and safe transportation of the variety of different articles, such as the golf bags, in the cargo compartment of the vehicle, such as the golf cart, or securing the articles to the various static supporting structures, such as a fence.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a study of the following specification when viewed in light of the accompanying drawings, wherein: [0017]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an article securing strap assembly in accordance with the present invention in an open configuration. [0018]
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the article securing strap assembly in accordance with the present invention in a closed configuration. [0019]
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a golf bag secured on a golf cart by means of the article securing strap assembly in accordance with the present invention engaging a golf cart support bar in a first position of a article-holding strap. [0020]
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a golf bag secured on a golf cart by means of the article securing strap assembly in accordance with the present invention engaging the golf cart support bar in a second position of the article-holding strap. [0021]
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a golf bag secured to a chain-link fence by means of the article securing strap assembly in accordance with the present invention.[0022]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is directed to an article securing strap assembly indicated generally at [0023] 10, for securing an article, such as a golf bag, to a supporting structure, such as a support bar of a golf cart or a fence. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the article securing strap assembly 10 comprises an adjustable-length article-engaging strap 12 adapted for engaging the article (not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2), and an adjustable-length article-holding strap 40 adapted for attaching the article-engaging strap 12 to the supporting structure (not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2).
The article-[0024] engaging strap 12 includes an article-engaging strap portion 14 made of a flexible and durable material, such as fabric or woven plastic web, having a first end 16, a second end 18, and a releasable coupling device in the form of a connector 20. The connector 20 allows the article-engaging strap 12 to be selectively configurable between two configurations: a closed loop configuration, as shown in FIG. 1, wherein the strap 12 is engaged around the article, and an open loop configuration, as shown in FIG. 2, wherein the strap 12 is disengaged from the article. The particular type of the connector 20 employed in this strap assembly 10 may be of any appropriate type known to those skilled in the art. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the connector 20 includes two separate parts: a first connector member 22 provided at the first end 16 of the strap portion 14, and a second connector member 24 complementary to the first connector member 22, provided at the second end 18 of the strap portion 14.
The article-[0025] engaging strap 12 further includes a ring member 28 slidably supported by the strap portion 14. preferably, the ring member 28 is a D-ring made of metal. Alternatively, more than one ring members 28 may be employed. Also, the article-engaging strap 12 includes a plurality of eyelets 30 slidably supported by the strap portion 14. The eyelets 30 are adapted to support variety of auxiliary items, such as a key holder, a container for a water bottle, etc., and may be used for attaching clip fasteners with a key ring, such as depicted by numeral 32
Furthermore, the article-[0026] engaging strap 12 includes a first strap-length adjustment device 34 for adjusting a length of the article-engaging strap portion 14. The strap-length adjustment device 34 shown is of a well known type and does not require detailed description. The length of the article-engaging strap portion 14 of the present invention is infinitely adjustable to an outside perimeter of a variety of articles, such as nearly any gulf bag, because the length is adjusted continuously by the use of the strap-length adjustment device 34.
The article-[0027] holding strap 40 includes an article-holding strap portion 41 made of a flexible and durable material, similar to the material of the article-engaging strap portion 14. The strap portion 41 has a first end 42 and a second end 44. The first end 42 of the strap portion 41 is provided with a first releasable fastener 46 attached thereto. Similarly, the second end 44 of the strap portion 41 is provided with a second releasable fastener 48 attached thereto. It will be appreciated that the particular type of the first and second releasable fasteners 46 and 48 employed in this strap assembly 10 may be of any appropriate type known to those skilled in skilled in the art. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first and second releasable fasteners 46 and 48 are snap hooks well known in the art and therefore will not be discussed herein in detail.
The [0028] first end 42 of the strap portion 41 is releasably attached to the ring member 28 of the article-engaging strap 12 by means of the first releasable fastener 46. The second end 44 of the strap portion 41 selectively and releasably engages the supporting structure in one of three different positions:
first position wherein the article-[0029] holding strap 40 is attached to the supporting structure by wrapping the second end 44 of the article-holding strap 40 around the supporting structure, and releasably attaching the second releasable fastener 48 to the D-ring 28 of the article-engaging strap 12;
second position wherein the article-[0030] holding strap 40 is attached to the supporting structure by wrapping the second end 44 of the article-holding strap 40 around the supporting structure, and releasably attaching the second releasable fastener 48 to the D-ring 52 of the article-holding strap 40; and
third position wherein the article-holding [0031] strap 40 is attached to the supporting structure by releasably attaching the second releasable fastener 48 to the supporting structure. attached to the supporting structure by releasably attaching the second releasable fastener 48 to the supporting structure.
Further in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the article-holding [0032] strap 40 includes a second strap-length adjustment device 50 for adjusting a length of the article-holding strap portion 41 between the first and second ends thereof 42 and 44 respectively. The second strap-length adjustment device 50 is substantially similar to the first strap-length adjustment device 34, and is well known to those skilled in the art.
FIGS. [0033] 3-5 illustrate some of the many possible applications of the invention.
As depicted in FIGS. [0034] 3-5, the article secured to the supporting structure by the article securing strap assembly 10, is a conventional golf bag 6. It would be appreciated that other articles, such as duffle bags, various boxes, etc., are also within the scope of the present invention.
As depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4, the supporting structure to which the [0035] golf bag 6 is secured, is a support bar 4 provided in a cargo compartment 3 of a golf cart 2 by means of the article securing strap assembly 10 of the present invention. It would be appreciated that any appropriate supporting structures in other types of vehicles, such as cars, pickup trucks, vans, etc., are also within the scope of the present invention.
More particularly, FIG. 3 shows the [0036] golf bag 6 secured in the cargo compartment 3 of the golf cart 2 by means of the article securing strap assembly 10, wherein the article-engaging strap 12 is wrapped around the golf bag 6 in the closed loop configuration, and the article-holding strap 40 engages the support bar 4 in the first position in which the second end 44 of the strap 40 is wrapped around the support bar 4 and the second releasable fastener 48 is attached to the D-ring 28 of the article-engaging strap 12. The eyelet 30 of the article-engaging strap 12 supports a key 62.
FIG. 4 shows the [0037] golf bag 6 secured in the cargo compartment 3 of the golf cart 2 by means of the article securing strap assembly 10, wherein the article-engaging strap 12 is wrapped around the golf bag 6 in the closed loop configuration, and the article-holding strap 40 engages the support bar 4 in the second position in which the second end 44 of the strap 40 is wrapped around the support bar 4 and the second releasable fastener 48 is attached to the D-ring 52 of the article-holding strap 40. The eyelet 30 of the article-engaging strap 12 supports a water bottle 60.
As depicted in FIG. 5, the supporting structure to which the [0038] golf bag 6 is secured, is a static structure, such as a chain-link fence 8. It would be appreciated that any other appropriate static supporting structures, such as various fences, gates, some building elements, etc., are also within the scope of the present invention.
The [0039] golf bag 6 may be secured to the static structure by means of the article securing strap assembly 10 in one of the three different positions, as discussed above. In the particular exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, the golf bag 6 is secured to the chain-link fence 8 by means of the article securing strap assembly 10, wherein the article-engaging strap 12 is wrapped around the golf bag 6 in the closed loop configuration, and the article-holding strap 40 engages the chain-link fence 8 in the third position in which the second releasable fastener 48 of the article-holding strap 40 is directly attached to one of the wires of the chain-link fence 8. As shown in FIG. 5, the eyelet 30 of the article-engaging strap 12 supports a cellular phone 64.
Therefore, the article securing strap assembly in accordance with the present invention represents a novel simple, inexpensive, durable and easily manipulated mechanism readily allowing simple securing and safe transportation of the variety of different articles, such as the golf bags, in the cargo compartment of the vehicle, such as the golf cart. [0040]
The foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention has been presented for the purpose of illustration in accordance with the provisions of the Patent Statutes. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments disclosed hereinabove were chosen in order to best illustrate the principles of the present invention and its practical application to thereby enable those of ordinary skill in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated, as long as the principles described herein are followed. Thus, changes can be made in the above-described invention without departing from the intent and scope thereof. It is also intended that the scope of the present invention be defined by the claims appended thereto. [0041]

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An article securing strap assembly for attaching an article to a supporting structure, said strap assembly comprising:

an article-engaging strap including a releasable coupling device for selectively configuring said strap between a closed loop configuration for engaging said strap around an article and an open loop configuration for disengaging said strap from said article; and

an article-holding strap including:

a first end provided with a first releasable fastener attached to said first end; and

a second end provided with a second releasable fastener attached to said second end;

wherein said first releasable fastener is releasably attached to said article-engaging strap, and wherein said second releasable fastener is provided for releasably attaching said article-holding strap to said supporting structure.

2. The article securing strap assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein said article-holding strap is attached to said supporting structure by wrapping said second end of said article-holding strap around said supporting structure and releasably attaching said second releasable fastener to said article-engaging strap.

3. The article securing strap assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein said article-holding strap is attached to said supporting structure by wrapping said second end of said article-holding strap around said supporting structure and releasably attaching said second releasable fastener to said article-holding strap.

4. The article securing strap assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein said article-holding strap is attached to said supporting structure by releasably attaching said second releasable fastener thereto.

5. The article securing strap assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein said article-engaging strap includes at least one ring member slidably supported by said article-engaging strap, and wherein said first releasable fastener is releasably attached to said ring member of said article-engaging strap.

6. The article securing strap assembly as defined in claim 5, wherein said article-holding strap is attached to said supporting structure by wrapping said second end of said article-holding strap around said supporting structure and releasably attaching said second releasable fastener to said ring member of said article-engaging strap.

7. The article securing strap assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein said article-holding strap includes at least one ring member slidably supported by said article-holding strap.

8. The article securing strap assembly as defined in claim 7, wherein said article-holding strap is attached to said supporting structure by wrapping said second end of said article-holding strap around said supporting structure and releasably attaching said second releasable fastener to said ring member of said article-holding strap.

9. The article securing strap assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein said article-engaging strap includes a plurality of ring members slidably supported by said article-engaging strap, and wherein said first releasable fastener is releasably attached to one of said ring member of said article-engaging strap.

10. The article securing strap assembly as defined in claim 9, wherein said article-holding strap is attached to said supporting structure by wrapping said second end of said article-holding strap around said supporting structure and releasably attaching said second releasable fastener to one of said ring members of said article-engaging strap.

11. The article securing strap assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein said article is a golf bag.

12. The article securing strap assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein said supporting structure is a bar member provided on a golf cart.

13. The article securing strap assembly as defined in claim 5, wherein said ring member of said article-engaging strap is a D-ring.

14. The article securing strap assembly as defined in claim 7, wherein said ring member of said article-holding strap is a D-ring.

15. The article securing strap assembly as defined in claim 9, wherein said ring member of said article-engaging strap is a D-ring.

16. The article securing strap assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein said first and second releasable fasteners are snap hooks.

17. The article securing strap assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein said article-engaging strap further including a first strap length adjustment device for adjusting a length of said article-engaging strap.

18. The article securing strap assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein said article-holding strap further including a second strap length adjustment device for adjusting a length of said article-holding strap.

19. The article securing strap assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein said article-engaging strap further including a plurality of eyelets slidably supported by said article-engaging strap for attaching auxiliary items.

20. The article securing strap assembly as defined in claim 19, wherein at least one of said eyelets is provided with a releasable fastener for attaching said auxiliary items thereto.

21. The article securing strap assembly as defined in claim 20, wherein said releasable fastener is a snap hook.

22. An article securing strap assembly for attaching an article to a supporting structure, said strap assembly comprising:

an article-holding strap including:

wherein said first releasable fastener is releasably attached to said article-engaging strap, and

wherein said article-holding strap selectively and releasably engages said supporting structure in one of a first position wherein said second end is wrapped around said supporting structure and said second releasable fastener is releasably attached to said article-engaging strap, a second position wherein said second end is wrapped around said supporting structure and said second releasable fastener is releasably attached to said article-holding strap, and a third position wherein said second releasable fastener is releasably attached to said supporting structure.