US20050274753A1

US20050274753A1 - Bottled water carrying strap

Info

Publication number: US20050274753A1
Application number: US10/866,409
Authority: US
Inventors: Robert Swentor; Nancy Swentor
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-06-12
Filing date: 2004-06-12
Publication date: 2005-12-15

Abstract

A bottled water carrying strap includes a longitudinally extended strap section and a wrist-engaging loop mounted on one end of the strap section. A bottle neck engagement section is mounted at an opposite end of the strap section which includes at least two generally circular flexible and resilient bottle neck engagement plates each having a center bottle neck engaging hole operative to be stretched to extend around a bottle neck extended therethrough and resiliently attempt to return to its unstretched position to releasably secure the bottle neck therewithin. Each of the bottle neck engagement plates include different inner and outer diameters with each being concentrically mounted generally parallel within each other for use with bottle necks of different diameters. Finally, the bottle neck engagement plates are movably mounted such that upon use of one of them, the other bottle neck engagement plates are movable to generally prevent securement interference.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field
The present invention pertains generally to bottle carrying straps and, more particularly, to bottled water carrying strap including a longitudinally extended strap section, a wrist-engaging loop affixed at one end of the strap section for fitting over the wrist of a user of the present invention, and a bottle neck engagement section mounted at the opposite end of the strap section, the bottle neck engagement section including at least two generally circular bottle neck engagement plates having different diameters to engage and releasably secure bottle necks of different diameters therewithin.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The sale of bottled water is a multimillion dollar industry and the popularity of bottled water continues to grow particularly as the convenience and taste of the bottled water becomes more widely known. In fact, there are many individuals who almost always carry a bottled water container with them for hydration purposes, particularly in hot climates such as Arizona, Nevada, California and Florida. While the availability of the bottled water is positive from a health standpoint, it does have some drawbacks from a convenience viewpoint, specifically in that the person carrying the bottled water must use one of their hands to carry the bottled water at all times or put the bottled water down to use both of their hands for other purposes. This often leads to the bottled water being left behind where it was placed, and thus the benefits of carrying the bottled water are lost. There is therefore a need for an easy-to-use bottled water carrying strap which can be used by the person carrying the bottled water to support the bottled water adjacent the hand of the person yet will still leave the person's hand free for other purposes.
Of course, there are many types of strap devices which are found in the prior art which could potentially be modified for the carrying of a water bottle. In fact, one could merely use a piece of string or rope tied in a knot to form a loop at one end and a loop at the opposite end for attaching to the water bottle, but such a solution hardly addresses the need for such a carrying strap to be easy to use and also comfortable for the wearer. One of the most difficult problems to overcome in fashioning a bottled water carrying strap, however, is how best to accommodate the various sizes and shapes of the water bottles and other liquid refreshment bottles and cans currently on the market. It is clear that merely providing a strap device having a single diameter bottle engaging section is not sufficient to overcome all of the problems presented by the carrying of different sized and shaped water bottles. However, as more sophisticated and intricate designs for adjustable diameter bottle engagement sections are proposed, one loses the intended ease of use and relatively inexpensive construction and design features required to make such an invention useful to the majority of people. Therefore, there is a need for a bottled water carrying strap which can accommodate several different sizes of bottles, yet which is easy to use and relatively inexpensive to manufacture.
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an improved bottled water carrying strap.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved bottled water carrying strap which includes a central strap section, a wrist engagement section, and a bottle neck engagement section mounted at the opposite end of the strap section from the wrist section such that the user may easily carry a water bottle therewith.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved bottled water carrying strap which includes a plurality of bottle neck engagement disks, each having different internal diameters and being mounted generally concentrically with each other such that the user may choose the appropriate size to fit over and onto the bottle neck for support of the bottle.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved bottled water carrying strap which may be used for advertising purposes by affixing logos and/or indicia to the various portions of the carrying strap in order to enhance the saleability of the bottled water carrying strap.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved bottled water carrying strap which can be used not only with a water bottle but with many different kinds of liquid refreshment containers, including sports drinks, alcoholic beverages and sodas.
Finally, an object of the present invention is to provide an improved bottled water carrying strap which is relatively simple in design, is relatively inexpensive to produce, and is safe and efficient in use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a bottled water carrying strap including a longitudinally extended strap section and a wrist-engaging loop mounted on one end of the strap section which is adapted to fit over and onto the wrist of a user of the bottled water carrying strap. A bottle neck engagement section is mounted at an opposite end of the strap section opposite the wrist-engaging loop, the bottle neck engagement section including at least two generally circular flexible and resilient bottle neck engagement plates each having a center bottle neck engaging hole operative to be stretched to extend around a bottle neck extended therethrough and resiliently attempt to return to its unstretched position to releasably secure a bottle neck extended therethrough. Each of the at least two generally circular bottle neck engagement plates include different inner and outer diameters with each being concentrically mounted generally parallel with each other with smaller diameter ones of the at least two generally circular bottle neck engagement plates each movably mounted inside of the next larger of the at least two generally circular bottle neck engagement plates whereby each of the at least two generally circular bottle neck engagement plates are operative to engage and releasably secure bottle necks of different diameters therewithin. Finally, the at least two generally circular bottle neck engagement plates are movably mounted on the bottle neck engagement section such that upon selection of one of the at least two generally circular bottle neck engagement plates to engage and releasably secure a bottle neck therein, the others of the at least two generally circular bottle neck engagement plates are movable to generally prevent interference of the others of the at least two generally circular bottle neck engagement plates with the selected one of the at least two generally circular bottle neck engagement plates.
The present invention provides an invaluable improvement over those carrying devices found in the prior art. For example, because the carrying strap of the present invention may be used in connection with many different sizes of refreshment liquid containers, the beverage types which may be selected by the user of the present invention will not be limited by the design restrictions of the carrying strap. Also, because the wrist section of the present invention may be quickly and easily slid onto the wrist of the user, the carrying strap of the present invention may be easily used under almost any circumstances without requiring a substantial investment of time and/or effort to use the present invention. Furthermore, because the present invention is intended to be constructed as a single unit which will be preferably stamped out of a plastic sheet material, it will be relatively inexpensive to produce yet will satisfy the need for a bottled water carrying device. This in turn means that many more persons will be able to use the present invention as it will fall within their monetary budget, as opposed to some of those devices found in the prior art. Finally, because the bottled water carrying strap of the present invention is designed for the inclusion of advertising indicia to be printed thereon, it is expected that distribution of the bottled water carrying strap in connection with advertising promotions by companies and individuals will be a major element of the success of the present invention. It is therefore seen that the present invention provides a substantial improvement over those devices found in the prior art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the bottled water carrying strap of the present invention being used by a person to support a bottle;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the bottled water carrying strap of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a detail side elevational view of the strap with the bottle neck secured therewithin; and
FIGS. 4 and 5 are detail side elevational views of the strap showing the various diameters of the generally circular bottle neck engagement plates.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The bottled water carrying strap 10 of the present invention is shown best in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 as including three main sections, a strap section 12, a wrist mount section 30, and a bottle mounting section 40. It should be noted, however, that although the bottled water carrying strap 10 is described in terms of these three sections, it is intended that the bottled water carrying strap 10 be constructed as a single piece of generally flexible rubber or plastic material which will be formed by a molding or stamping process understood by one skilled in the art of such construction methods.
In the preferred embodiment, strap section 12 would have a length of approximately three to six inches, a width of approximately one-half to one inch, and a thickness of approximately one-eight to one quarter of an inch, depending on the construction material used and the intended flexibility and resiliency of the bottled water carrying strap 10. Of course, the specific dimensions of the strap section 12 are not critical to the present invention so long as the strap section 12 safely and securely supports a bottled water container 50 on the wrist of a user of the present invention.
Mounted on the upper end of strap section 12 is wrist mount section 30 which, in the preferred embodiment, would be constructed as a ring of flexible material which includes a central, generally circular wrist hole 32 and an outer ring section 34, as shown best in FIG. 2. In the preferred embodiment, the wrist hole 32 would have a diameter of approximately two to five inches, depending on the size of the wrist and hand onto which the wrist hole 32 is to be placed. Also, the outer ring section 34 may be designed to lay flat on the wrist of the wearer and be attached to the strap section 12 at a generally perpendicular joint, should such modification be desirable. Of course, it should be noted that the exact sizes and shapes of the wrist hole 32 and outer ring section 34 are not critical to the present invention so long as the wrist hole 32 may fit over and onto the wrist of the individual carrying the water bottle in a comfortable yet reasonably secure manner. To this end, it may be desirable to line the inside of the wrist hole 32 with a softer material such as fabric or the like to increase the comfort level of the individual wearing the bottled water carrying strap 10 of the present invention, although such modification is not critical to the functionality of the present invention. Also, a slight “rolling” of the inner edge of outer ring section 34 adjacent wrist hole 32 (approximately 10% to 15%) to form a curved inner portion of the outer ring section 34 will also increase the comfort level of the individual wearing the bottled water carrying strap 10 of the present invention, and the process for incorporating such rolling of the construction material is known in the field of art.
Mounted at the opposite end of strap section 12 is bottle mounting section 40 which, in the preferred embodiment, would be formed as a set of concentric discs or plates set in generally coplanar alignment, as shown best in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5. Each of these bottle neck engagement plates 42 a, 42 b, 42 c and 42 d would each include a center bottle neck engagement hole 44 a, 44 b, 44 c and 44 d and an outer bottle securement ring 46 a, 46 b, 46 c and 46 d, thus making each of the bottle neck engagement plates 42 a-c generally identical to one another, except in terms of diameter. The different diameters are designated by the symbols “D₁”, “D₂”, “D₃” and “D₄”, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.
It is further preferred that each of the interior bottle neck engagement plates 42 b, 42 c and 42 d be connected at the upper end thereof to the strap section 12, as shown best in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, such that each bottle neck engagement plate 42 b, 42 c and 42 d may be pivoted at that connection point out of coplanar alignment with the remaining bottle neck engagement plates 42 a-d in order to permit use of each bottle neck engagement plate 42 a-d independently of the other bottle neck engagement plates 42 a-d.
The purpose for this is clearly shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 as the bottle neck engagement plates 42 a-d are adapted to conform to different sized bottle necks 52 on water bottles 50, thus permitting the bottled water carrying strap 10 of the present invention to be used with a wide variety of water bottles 50 and, in addition, other types of liquid containers which would be carried by a person for drinking purposes, such as sport drinks, alcoholic drinks and the like.
In practice, the bottled water carrying strap 10 of the present invention would be used in the following manner. First of all, the bottle neck engagement plate 42 a-d having the appropriately sized bottle securement ring 46 a-d and hence bottle neck engagement hole 44 a-d would be selected and the bottle neck engagement hole 44 a-d would be fitted over and onto the bottle neck 52 of the water bottle 50, as shown in FIG. 3. The flexible nature of the construction material used for the bottle neck engagement plate 42 a-d permits the bottle neck engagement hole 44 a-d to deform and expand to fit over the bottle neck 52 and, once placed over the bottle neck 52, the bottle neck engagement hole 44 a-d resumes its original shape to releasably yet securely mount the bottle neck engagement hole 44 a-d on the bottle neck 52. The user of the bottled water carrying strap 10 would then fit the wrist mount section 30 onto his or her wrist by sliding the wrist hole 32 over their hand onto the wrist where it is securely yet comfortably retained. Finally, due to the length of the strap section 12, the user of the bottled water carrying strap 10 of the present invention may quickly and easily grasp the water bottle 50, yet also merely release the water bottle 50 as shown in FIG. 1 to permit it to dangle from his or her wrist until such time as the water bottle 50 is needed for rehydration purposes.
Finally, it should be noted and emphasized that one of the benefits of the bottled water carrying strap 10 of the present invention is that it may be easily adapted for advertising purposes by having a logo or name of a company printed on the strap section 12 or wrist mount section 30, thus identifying the bottled water carrying strap 10 with a particular company or person. Of course, the inclusion of advertising does not in and of itself add a protectable feature to the present invention, but the inclusion of advertising on the strap section 12 or wrist mount section 30 is expected to greatly increase the saleability of the bottled water carrying strap 10 and improve its use as a promotional tool for companies and individuals. The number of logos and names which may be affixed to the bottled water carrying strap 10 of the present invention is virtually unlimited and such advertising use would be understood by one skilled in the art of affixing advertising logos to products.
It is to be understood that numerous additions, modifications, and substitutions may be made to the bottled water carrying strap 10 of the present invention which fall within the intended broad scope of the above description. For example, the construction materials used in connection with the present invention and the specific size, shape, and appearance of the bottled water carrying strap 10 may be modified or changed so long as the functional characteristics of the present invention are maintained. Furthermore, the number of bottle neck engagement plates 42 a-d which may be included with the present invention is limited only by the intended size of the bottle mounting section 40, and thus it may be advantageous to include five, six, or even more different sizes of bottle neck engagement plates 42 a-d in order to accommodate as many different sizes and shapes of water bottle necks 52 as is practicable. Also, it may be desirable to include a belt loop or the like for releasably securing the bottled water carrying strap 10 on a belt or elsewhere on the wearer, should such a modification prove worthwhile. Finally, although the present invention has been described for use in connection with water bottles, it should be noted that virtually any type of bottle, can, or other such liquid container may be carried by the present invention so long as the bottle neck engagement holes 44 a-d deform and fit over the appropriate securement location on the liquid container.
There has therefore been shown and described a bottled water carrying strap 10 which accomplishes at least all of its intended purposes.

Claims

1. A bottled water carrying strap comprising:

a longitudinally extended strap section;

a wrist-engaging loop mounted on one end of said strap section adapted to fit over and onto the wrist of a user of said bottled water carrying strap;

a bottle neck engagement section mounted at an opposite end of said strap section opposite said wrist-engaging loop;

said bottle neck engagement section including at least two generally circular flexible and resilient bottle neck engagement plates each having a center bottle neck engaging hole operative to be stretched to extend around a bottle neck extended therethrough and resiliently attempt to return to its unstretched position to releasably secure a bottle neck extended therethrough;

each of said at least two generally circular bottle neck engagement plates having different inner and outer diameters with each being concentrically mounted generally parallel with each other with smaller diameter ones of said at least two generally circular bottle neck engagement plates each movably mounted inside of the next larger of said at least two generally circular bottle neck engagement plates whereby each of said at least two generally circular bottle neck engagement plates are operative to engage and releasably secure bottle necks of different diameters therewithin; and

said at least two generally circular bottle neck engagement plates being movably mounted on said bottle neck engagement section such that upon selection of one of said at least two generally circular bottle neck engagement plates to engage and releasably secure a bottle neck therein, the others of said at least two generally circular bottle neck engagement plates are movable to generally prevent interference of said others of said at least two generally circular bottle neck engagement plates with said selected one of said at least two generally circular bottle neck engagement plates.

2. The bottled water carrying strap of claim 1 wherein said wrist-engaging loop comprises a ring of flexible and resilient material having a central wrist hole and an outer ring section.

3. The bottled water carrying strap of claim 2 wherein said wrist-engaging loop further includes advertising indicia imprinted on said strap section for promotion of at least one of a specified entity and event.

4. The bottled water carrying strap of claim 1 wherein said strap section is generally flat and further includes advertising indicia imprinted on said strap section for promotion of at least one of a specified entity and event.

5. The bottled water carrying strap of claim 1 wherein each of said at least two generally circular bottle neck engagement plates of said bottle neck engagement section, excepting the outermost one of said at least two generally circular bottle neck engagement plates, are connected at a pivot location at a section adjacent said strap section to said strap section such that each of said connected at least two generally circular bottle neck engagement plates may be pivoted at said pivot location out of coplanar alignment with the remaining ones of said at least two bottle neck engagement plates such that each of said at least two generally circular bottle neck engagement plates are usable independently of the remaining ones of said at least two generally circular bottle neck engagement plates.

6. The bottled water carrying strap of claim 1 wherein said at least two generally circular bottle neck engagement plates are adapted to conform to different sized bottle necks of a majority of types of liquid containers which would be carried by a person for drinking purposes, such as sport drinks, alcoholic drinks and hydrating drinks.

7. The bottled water carrying strap of claim 2 wherein said outer ring section further comprises a partial curved inner portion on the inner edge of said outer ring section adjacent said central wrist hole to generally prevent said inner edge from uncomfortably engaging the wrist of a wearer of said bottled water carrying strap.

8. A bottled water carrying strap comprising:

a longitudinally extended strap section;

said bottle neck engagement section including at least three generally circular flexible and resilient bottle neck engagement plates each having a center bottle neck engaging hole operative to be stretched to extend around a bottle neck extended therethrough and resiliently attempt to return to its unstretched position to releasably secure a bottle neck extended therethrough;

each of said at least three generally circular bottle neck engagement plates having different inner and outer diameters with each being concentrically mounted generally parallel with each other with smaller diameter ones of said at least three generally circular bottle neck engagement plates each movably mounted inside of the next larger of said at least three generally circular bottle neck engagement plates whereby each of said at least three generally circular bottle neck engagement plates are operative to engage and releasably secure bottle necks of different diameters therewithin; and

each of said at least three generally circular bottle neck engagement plates of said bottle neck engagement section, excepting the outermost one of said at least two generally circular bottle neck engagement plates, being connected at a pivot location to one of said bottle neck engagement section and said strap section such that each of said connected at least three generally circular bottle neck engagement plates are pivotable at said pivot location out of coplanar alignment with the remaining ones of said at least three bottle neck engagement plates such that each of said at least three generally circular bottle neck engagement plates are usable independently of the remaining ones of said at least three generally circular bottle neck engagement plates.

9. The bottled water carrying strap of claim 8 wherein said wrist-engaging loop comprises a ring of flexible and resilient material having a central wrist hole and an outer ring section.

10. The bottled water carrying strap of claim 9 wherein said wrist-engaging loop further includes advertising indicia imprinted on said strap section for promotion of at least one of a specified entity and event.

11. The bottled water carrying strap of claim 8 wherein said strap section is generally flat and further includes advertising indicia imprinted on said strap section for promotion of at least one of a specified entity and event.

12. The bottled water carrying strap of claim 8 wherein said at least three generally circular bottle neck engagement plates are adapted to conform to different sized bottle necks of a majority of types of liquid containers which would be carried by a person for drinking purposes, such as sport drinks, alcoholic drinks and hydrating drinks.

13. The bottled water carrying strap of claim 9 wherein said outer ring section further comprises a partial curved inner portion on the inner edge of said outer ring section adjacent said central wrist hole to generally prevent said inner edge from uncomfortably engaging the wrist of a wearer of said bottled water carrying strap.