QUICK RELEASE SUPPORT SYSTEM
Some embodiments provide a support system for using, transporting, or otherwise engaging a structure to be supported. The support system includes a support apparatus that defines a first end and a second end. In some embodiments, the support apparatus includes a plurality of coupling members, positioned such that at least one of the plurality of coupling members can be movably engaged to the support apparatus. The support apparatus may also include a plurality of receiving members, such that at least one of the plurality of receiving members may be disposed adjacent to the first end of the support apparatus. In addition, the plurality of receiving members can be configured and arranged to engage at least one of the plurality of coupling members. Moreover, in some embodiments, the support apparatus can be configured and arranged to be reversibly coupled to the structure to be supported.
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The present invention generally relates to systems and methods for supporting, carrying, or otherwise transporting and using devices, items or other cargo, and in particular to an adjustable, quick-release, drop-proof apparatus that is capable of facilitating the transport of one or more personal items or other devices.
BACKGROUNDMany conventional support systems can be can be difficult to use or adjust such that the items being supported may be at risk for being damaged. Some conventional support systems may be configured such that an individual is substantially or completely incapable of adjusting the conventional support system while it is in use. For example, if an individual is wearing or otherwise engaged with or to the conventional support system (e.g., a shoulder strap-based system), the weight of the item being supported (e.g., a bag, sack, case, etc.) will prevent the individual from disengaging portions of the support system to perform adjustments while in use. Moreover, to the extent that the individual attempts to adjust the support system, if the individual does not exercise extreme care, the item being supported may be dropped and damaged. Similarly, if the conventional support system is closely engaged to the individual (e.g., a tightly worn strap), it may be difficult or impossible for the individual to access the items that they are carrying and/or transporting.
SUMMARYSome embodiments provide a support system for using, transporting, or otherwise engaging a structure to be supported. The support system includes a support apparatus that defines a first end and a second end. In some embodiments, the support apparatus includes a plurality of coupling members, positioned such that at least one of the plurality of coupling members can be movably engaged to the support apparatus. The support apparatus may also include a plurality of receiving members, such that at least one of the plurality of receiving members may be disposed adjacent to the first end of the support apparatus. In addition, the plurality of receiving members can be configured and arranged to engage at least one of the plurality of coupling members. Moreover, in some embodiments, the support apparatus can be configured and arranged to be reversibly coupled to the structure to be supported.
Some embodiments provide a support apparatus that is capable of reversibly engaging a structure to be supported. The support apparatus can define a first region and a second. In some embodiments, the first region includes a first end of the support apparatus and the second region includes a second end of the support apparatus. The support apparatus can also include a plurality of coupling members. For example, at least some of the plurality of coupling members can be disposed (e.g., movably or immovably disposed) within the first region. In particular, in some embodiments, at least one of the plurality of coupling members can be engaged to the first region at a position substantially adjacent to the first end.
In some embodiments, the support apparatus may include a plurality of receiving members. For example, a portion of the plurality of receiving members can be positioned in the first region and another portion of the plurality of receiving members can be positioned in the second region. In some aspects, at least one of the plurality of receiving members can disposed substantially adjacent to the first end of the support apparatus. Furthermore, the plurality of receiving members can be configured and arranged to engage at least one of the plurality of coupling members.
Some embodiments provide a method of manufacturing a support system for using, transporting, or otherwise engaging a structure to be supported. The method includes providing a support apparatus that defines a first end and a second end and engaging a plurality of coupling members to the support apparatus. For example, at least one of the plurality of coupling members can be movably engaged to the support apparatus. The method can also include coupling a plurality of receiving members to the support apparatus such that at least one of the plurality of receiving members may be disposed substantially adjacent to the first end of the support apparatus. In some embodiments, the plurality of receiving members can be configured and arranged to engage at least one of the plurality of coupling members.
Additional objectives, advantages and novel features will be set forth in the description which follows or will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the drawings and detailed description which follows.
Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding elements among the view of the drawings. The headings used in the figures do not limit the scope of the claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTIONReferring to the drawings, embodiments of a support system are illustrated and generally indicated as 100 in
As shown in
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
In some embodiments, the first and second coupling members 110, 112 may include a first support loop 114 and a second support loop 116 (
In addition, in other embodiments, the first and second coupling members 110, 112 may take other suitable configurations. For example, the first and second coupling members 110, 112 may be configured as biased or non-biased hooks, clasps, fasteners, catches, latches, or any other device, apparatus, or structure that is capable of engaging another element of the support system 100, as discussed below. In particular, in some embodiments, one or both of the first and second coupling members 110, 112 may be configured as L-shaped hooks, D-shaped hooks, C-shaped hooks, carbineers, or any other device that is capable of engaging the first and second ends 106, 108 to other portions of the support system 100.
Referring back to
In some embodiments, one or both of the third and fourth coupling members 118, 120 can be configured to be movably engaged to the support apparatus 102. In particular, the third and fourth coupling members 118, 120 may include a third support loop 122 and a fourth support loop 124, respectively. The third and fourth support loops 122, 124 may be configured to provide the movable engagement between the third and fourth coupling members 118, 120 and the support apparatus 102. For example, the third and fourth support loops 122, 124 can be configured in a manner similar to the first and second support loops 114, 116 such that the support apparatus 102 is disposed through the third and fourth support loops 122, 124. Particularly, the third and fourth support loops 122, 124 can receive a portion of the support apparatus 102 and are further configured to enable the individual using the support system 100 to move (e.g., slide) the third and fourth support loops 122, 124 and, correspondingly, the third and fourth coupling members 118, 120 along the length of the support apparatus 102.
In some embodiments, the third and fourth coupling members 118, 120 can be configured such that the first and second coupling members 110, 112 prevent removal of the third and fourth coupling members 118, 120 from the support apparatus 102 and vice versa. As illustrated in
Referring back to
In addition, in other embodiments, the third and fourth coupling members 118, 120 may take other suitable configurations. For example, the third and fourth coupling members 118, 120 may be configured as biased or non-biased hooks, clasps, fasteners, catches, latches, or any other device, apparatus, or structure that is capable of engaging another element of the support system 100, as discussed below. In particular, in some embodiments, one or both of the third and fourth coupling members 118, 120 may be configured as L-shaped hooks, D-shaped hooks, C-shaped hooks, carbineers, or any other device that is capable of engaging other portions of the support system 100.
Referring now to
In some embodiments, the first surface 126 of the support apparatus 102 may include one or more receiving members 130. For example, the first surface 126 defines a plurality of receiving members 130. In some embodiments, the support apparatus 102 may include two receiving members 130; however, in other embodiments, the support apparatus includes more than two receiving members 130. By way of example only, in some embodiments, the support apparatus 102 includes six receiving members 130. In other embodiments, the support apparatus 102 includes any other number of receiving members 130.
Moreover, in some embodiments, the plurality of receiving members 130 may be engaged to the support apparatus 102. For example, one or more of the receiving members 130 can be substantially or completely integral with the support apparatus 102 such that these elements are manufactured together as one structure. In other embodiments, one or more of the plurality of receiving members 130 are autonomous structures that are coupled to the support apparatus 102 after manufacture. For example, one or more of the plurality of receiving members 130 can be coupled to the first surface 126 of the support apparatus 102 via any conventional coupling method, including adhesives, sewing, stitching, brazing, welding, the use of fasteners, etc. In addition, the coupling method used can be at least partially correlated with the materials used to fabricate the plurality of receiving members 130 and/or the support apparatus 102. For example, if the plurality of receiving members 130 and/or the support apparatus 102 are both fabricated from an animal hide-based material (e.g., leather), then the plurality of receiving members 130 can be sewn onto the support apparatus 102.
As seen in
In other embodiments, the plurality of receiving members 130 can take any other configuration that can engage and remain engaged with the first and/or second coupling members 110, 112. For example, at least some of the plurality of receiving members 130 can be configured as a hook, clasp, or other structure that engages the first and/or second coupling members 110, 112. In addition, in some embodiments, the first and/or second coupling members 110, 112 and at least some of the plurality of receiving members 130 can include a male and female configuration, respectively, which can also enable coupling of these elements. In yet other embodiments, the first and/or second coupling members 110, 112 and at least some of the plurality of receiving members 130 can be configured as hook-and-loop fasteners (e.g., VELCRO®). Moreover, in some embodiments, not all of the plurality of receiving members 130 have the same configuration (e.g., some of the plurality of receiving members 130 have a loop-like configuration and some of the plurality of receiving members 130 have a hook-like configuration).
As illustrated in
In some aspects of the support system 100, the first through sixth receiving members 132, 134, 136, 138, 140, 142 can be generally equidistantly positioned along the length of the support apparatus 102 such that the plurality of receiving members 130 are positioned at regular intervals over the length on the first surface 126 of the support apparatus 102. In other embodiments, the first through sixth receiving members 132, 134, 136, 138, 140, 142 can be positioned at irregular intervals such that at least some of the plurality of receiving members 130 are closer together than other receiving members 130.
Furthermore, in some embodiments, at least some of the plurality of receiving members 130 can exhibit different orientations. In particular, in order to provide for improved ease of use, at least some of the plurality of receiving members 130 can be oriented such that a portion of the plurality of receiving members 130 that receives the first and/or second coupling members 110, 112 can be generally oriented toward the first and/or second ends 106, 108, respectively. For example, as illustrated by the embodiment of
Referring back to
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In some embodiments, once the individual engages the first structure receiving member 148 to the third coupling member 118 and the second structure receiving member 150 to the fourth coupling member 120, the support system 100 can be configured for use. In other embodiments, the support system 100 can be configured for use prior to engagement of the support apparatus 102 with the supported structure 104. Further, the configuration of the support system 100 for use does not necessarily occur in the following steps, but it may occur in the following steps.
In some embodiments, the individual can configure the elements in the second region 146. In particular, the individual can engage the second coupling member 112 to either the fifth or the sixth receiving members 140, 142. For example, if the individual desires the available or wearable length of the support apparatus 102 to be larger size, the individual can couple together the sixth receiving member 142 and the second coupling member 112. On the other hand, if the individual desires the available or wearable length of the support apparatus 102 to be lesser in size, the individual can couple together the fifth receiving member 140 and the second coupling member 112. Moreover, either before or after engaging the second coupling member 112 to the fifth or the sixth receiving members 140, 142, the individual can engage the fourth coupling member 120 to the second structure receiving member 150.
By way of example only, after configuring the second region 146 and engaging the first structure receiving member 148 to the third coupling member 118 and the second structure receiving member 150 to the fourth coupling member 120, respectively, the individual can don the support system 100. In some embodiments, the second surface 128 of the support apparatus 102 can be placed against the individual so that a position near an intersection of the first and second regions 144, 146 is substantially adjacent to a shoulder of the individual and the supported structure 104 is substantially adjacent to a portion of the torso of the individual (e.g., the hip or portions of the back, including the mid-back or lower-back regions). In addition, when the individual dons the support system 100, the first region 144 can be generally positioned adjacent to the chest of the individual and the second region 146 can be generally positioned adjacent to the back of the individual. As a result, some embodiments of the support system 100 can function as a shoulder-mounted support system 100.
Before or after configuration of the elements in the second region 146 or the individual donning the support system 100, the individual can configure the elements of the first region 146. In an exemplary embodiment, the individual can configure the elements of the first region 144 after donning the support system 100. For example, the individual can engage the first coupling member 110 to one of the first through the fourth receiving members 132, 134, 136, 138 to provide for a comfortable fit of the support apparatus 102. In particular, should the individual wish for the available or wearable length of the support apparatus 102 to be larger in size, the individual can couple together the first or second receiving members 132, 134 and the first coupling member 110. On the other hand, if the individual desires the available or wearable length of the support apparatus 102 to be lesser in size, the individual can couple together the third or fourth receiving members 136, 138 and the first coupling member 110. Moreover, either before or after engaging the first coupling member 110 to one of the first through the fourth receiving members 132, 134, 136, 138, the individual can engage the third coupling member 118 to the first structure receiving member 148.
After configuring the elements of the first and second regions 144, 146 and coupling the support apparatus 102 to the supported structure 104 via the third and fourth coupling members 118, 120 and the first and second structure receiving members 148, 150, the individual can transport the supported structure 104. In addition, during use of the support system 100, the individual can make adjustments to the length of the support apparatus 102 to provide for increased comfort, to access the supported structure 104, or for any other reason.
For example, the individual can disengage the first coupling member 110 from the receiving member to which it is engaged (i.e., one of the first through the fourth receiving members 132, 134, 136, 138). Upon disengagement, the individual can either engage another receiving member 132, 134, 136, 138 to either tighten or loosen the fit of the support apparatus 102 or the individual can allow the first coupling member 110 to remain unengaged. As mentioned above, the first, second, third, and fourth coupling members 110, 112, 118, 120 can be configured so that these elements cannot pass over, around, or through the other coupling members 110, 112, 118, 120. In other words, the first through fourth coupling members 110, 112, 118, 120 are configured and arranged to prevent disengagement of the support apparatus 102 from the supported structure 104, as well as disengagement of the support system 100 from the individual using the support system 100. As a result, the supported structure 104 will remain coupled to the support apparatus 102 even if the individual intentionally or unintentionally releases the first coupling member 110 because the first coupling member 110 will be prevented from passing around, over, or through the third coupling member 118. Accordingly, short of the individual doffing the support system 100 or the structural integrity of the support apparatus 102 becoming compromised, the supported structure 104 will be prevented from falling and being potentially damaged. Furthermore, the second coupling member 112 can be adjusted in a similar manner also without concern for the support apparatus 102 becoming unintentionally disengaged from the supported structure 104 or the individual.
In addition, the supported structure 104 may be accessible during the use of the support system 100. In some embodiments, due to the fact that the support system 100 is supported by the shoulder of the individual, the individual can grasp the supported structure 104 and rotate the support system 100 so that the supported structure 104 is substantially adjacent to the field of view of the individual. When the individual has completed use of the supported structure 104, the supported structure 104 can be released and allowed to fall back to position or the individual can physically reposition the supported structure 104 to a desirable location. Further, in some embodiments, before using, viewing, or accessing the supported structure 104, the individual can disengage the first coupling member 110 to provide for a greater length of the support apparatus 102 to enable relatively easy movement of the supported apparatus 104 and supported structure 102 along the body of the individual. Moreover, as mentioned above, should the individual intentionally or unintentionally drop the first coupling member 110, the support system 100 will remain engaged to the body of the individual because of the inability of the first coupling member 110 to pass over, around, or through the third coupling member 118. Overall, as a result of these features, the support system 100 can provide individuals with the capability to transport the supported structure 104, while simultaneously being able to adjust the support apparatus 102, access the supported structure 104, and not be concerned about potentially dropping the supported structure 104.
It should be understood from the foregoing that, while particular embodiments have been illustrated and described, various modifications can be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications are within the scope and teachings of this invention as defined in the claims appended hereto.
Claims
1. A support system comprising:
- a support apparatus comprising a first end and a second end;
- a plurality of coupling members being engaged to the support apparatus, wherein at least one of the plurality of coupling members is movably engaged to the support apparatus;
- a plurality of receiving members being engaged to the support apparatus, wherein at least one of the plurality of receiving members is disposed substantially adjacent to the first end of the support apparatus, and further wherein the plurality of receiving members are configured and arranged to engage at least one of the plurality of coupling members; and
- a supported structure that is capable of being engaged to the support apparatus.
2. The support system of claim 1 and further comprising at least one structure receiving member being coupled to the supported structure.
3. The support system of claim 2, wherein at least one of the plurality of coupling members is capable of engaging the at least one structure receiving member.
4. The support system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of coupling members is coupled to the support apparatus at a position substantially adjacent to the first end and at least another of the plurality of coupling members is coupled to the support apparatus at a position substantially adjacent to the second end.
5. The support system of claim 1, wherein the support apparatus defines a first region and a second region.
6. The support system of claim 5, wherein the first region comprises at least two of the plurality of coupling members and at least one of the plurality of receiving members.
7. The support system of claim 5, wherein the second region comprises at least two of the plurality of coupling members and at least one of the plurality of receiving members.
8. The support system of claim 1, wherein the support apparatus comprises a first surface and a second surface.
9. The support system of claim 8, wherein at least some of the plurality of receiving members are disposed on the first surface.
10. The support system of claim 1, wherein the support apparatus comprises a first coupling member engaged to the first end, a second coupling member engaged to the second end, a third coupling member movably engaged to the support apparatus, and a fourth coupling member movably engaged to the support apparatus.
11. The support system of claim 10, wherein the first coupling member and the second coupling member are configured and arranged so that the third coupling member and the fourth coupling member are incapable of being removed at the first end and the second end of the support apparatus, respectively.
12. A support apparatus comprising:
- a first region and a second region, wherein the first region comprises a first end of the support apparatus and the second region comprises a second end of the support apparatus;
- a plurality of coupling members, wherein some of the plurality of coupling members are movably disposed within the first region, and further wherein at least one of the plurality of coupling members is engaged to the first region at a position substantially adjacent to the first end;
- a plurality of receiving members, wherein a portion of the plurality of receiving members are positioned in the first region and another portion of the plurality of receiving members are positioned in the second region, wherein at least one of the plurality of receiving members is disposed substantially adjacent to the first end of the support apparatus, and further wherein the plurality of receiving members are configured and arranged to engage at least one of the plurality of coupling members; and
- wherein the support apparatus is configured and arranged to reversibly engage a supported structure.
13. The support apparatus of claim 12 and further comprising a first surface and a second surface.
14. The support apparatus of claim 13, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of receiving members are engaged to the first surface.
15. The support apparatus of claim 12 and further comprising a first coupling member engaged to the first end, a second coupling member engaged to the second end, a third coupling member movably disposed within the first region, and a fourth coupling member movably disposed within the second region.
16. The support apparatus of claim 15, wherein the first coupling member and the second coupling member are configured and arranged so that the third coupling member and the fourth coupling member are incapable of being removed at the first end and the second end of the support apparatus, respectively.
17. The support apparatus of claim 12 and further comprising at least one structure receiving member being coupled to the supported structure.
18. A method of manufacturing a support system, the method comprising:
- providing a support apparatus that defines a first end and a second end;
- engaging a plurality of coupling members to the support apparatus, wherein at least one of the plurality of coupling members is movably engaged to the support apparatus;
- coupling a plurality of receiving members to the support apparatus, wherein at least one of the plurality of receiving members is disposed substantially adjacent to the first end of the support apparatus, and further wherein the plurality of receiving members are configured and arranged to engage at least one of the plurality of coupling members; and
- providing a supported structure that is capable of being engaged to the support apparatus.
19. The method of claim 19 and further comprising:
- coupling a first coupling member to the first end;
- coupling a second coupling member to the second end; and
- movably coupling a third coupling member and a fourth coupling member to the support apparatus.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein the first coupling member and the second coupling member are configured and arranged so that the third coupling member and the fourth coupling member are incapable of being removed at the first end and the second end of the support apparatus, respectively.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 31, 2013
Publication Date: Feb 5, 2015
Applicant: The Pill Golf LLC (Teaneck, NJ)
Inventor: Paul A. Nagi (Teaneck, NJ)
Application Number: 13/955,125
International Classification: A45F 3/14 (20060101);