Security device for luggage

Abstract

A luggage security device that prevents a sliding fastener from undesirably opening and that allows the sliding fastener to be opened by others without requiring undue effort or destruction of the security device and without requiring wholesale removal of the security device from the sliding fastener.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/494,939 filed Aug. 13, 2003, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/481,227 filed Aug. 13, 2003, which are hereby incorporated in thier entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates generally to sliding fasteners and more particularly to an apparatus, device, and method for preventing a sliding fastener from opening.

BACKGROUND

Recloseable containers such as luggage, briefcases, backpacks, and duffel bags usually employ sliding fasteners for closing their compartments. For each sliding fastener, there are usually two slides that can be moved simultaneously along the same parallel tracks to open or to close a particular compartment. Only when the two slides are in abutting relationship is the compartment closed.

To prevent the compartment from opening, the slides may be locked together using a padlock or other locking device. Padlocks can generally only be opened and removed from the slides when a user enters a combination or uses a key. Other locking devices either cannot be opened by an unauthorized user without destroying the device, or if they can be opened without being destroyed, they are frequently complex to operate. Additionally, padlocks and many locking devices cannot be opened without removing them from the sliding fastener.

Such padlocks are inconvenient in environments, such as public transportation, when a container is likely to be searched. Each time the container is searched, the container's owner must recall and enter the correct combination or retrieve and use a key to remove the padlock. If the owner struggles to find the key or temporarily forgets the combination, the owner, and subsequently other travelers, will be delayed. To avoid such delays, the owner could wait to install the padlock at the very last moment, such as when checking the container with the transportation provider or when placing the container into a storage location. However, if the owner forgets to install the padlock at this time, the container could open.

Additionally, padlocks and other locking devices hamper security efforts by making it difficult for security personnel to open and remove the padlock or other locking device outside the presence of the container's owner. Security personnel must break these locks to search the interior of the container. Upon completion of the search, the sliding fastener can either no longer be locked closed because the lock has been destroyed, or the locking device is complex enough that security personnel are discouraged from attempting to re-lock the container. Even worse, in the usual case when the lock has been removed from the sliding fastener, it may be lost or otherwise not reattached to the container for subsequent use by the owner. In either event, the container could open during subsequent handling.

Therefore, needs remain in this area of technology.

SUMMARY

One aspect of the invention includes a device to secure sliders on a recloseable container, each slider having at least one slider eye. The device includes a flexible elongate member including at least one fastener, wherein at least one of the at least one fastener and the flexible elongate member include at least one portion with a cross section that is smaller than the slider eye.

Another aspect of the invention includes a device for securing two sliders having slider eyes together on a recloseable container. The device includes a strap having a smaller diameter than the slider eyes, the strap having a first end, a second end, and a third end; and at least two fasteners operatively coupled to the strap, wherein the first end and the second end are threaded through the slider eyes and operatively coupled to the third end using the at least two fasteners.

A further aspect of the invention includes a method for securing sliders having slider eyes on a reclosable container. The method includes the steps of passing a flexible elongated member including at least one fastener through the slider eye; and attaching the flexible elongated member to itself using the at least one fastener.

Yet a further aspect of the invention includes a device for advertising on a reclosable container including sliders having slider eyes. The device includes a flexible elongate member having at least one fastener, wherein at least one of the at least one fastener and the flexible elongate member include at least one portion constructed and arranged to pass through the slider eye; and an advertising aid operatively coupled to the flexible elongate member.

Another aspect of the invention includes an apparatus. The apparatus includes a reclosable container having at least two sliders in an abutting relationship, each slider defining a slider eye; and a flexible elongate member including at least one fastener, wherein at least one of the at least one fastener and the flexible elongate member is threaded through the slider eye and removably secured to at least a portion of the at least one fastener and the flexible elongate member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container bearing a sliding fastener and a security device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the security device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a container bearing a security device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a container bearing a security device according to a variation of the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a container bearing a security device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a container bearing a security device according to a variation of the third embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SELECTED EMBODIMENTS

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

Some embodiments are shown in great detail, although it will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art that some features that are not relevant are not shown for the sake of clarity. Additionally, it is not intended that every embodiment include each and every feature described herein.

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a security device 10 as applied to a recloseable container such as a luggage bag 100. The bag 100 has at least one recloseable compartment 101, at least one first slider 12, and at least one second slider 22. The at least one recloseable compartment 101 is closed when the at least one first slider 12 and the at least one second slider 22 are in abutting relationship as shown in FIG. 1. The at least one recloseable compartment 101 is opened by separating the at least one first slider 12 and the at least one second slider 22. A slider flange 14 is attached to the at least one first slider 12 and is used to move the at least one first slider 12. A slider flange 24 is attached to the at least one second slider 22 and is used to move the at least one second slider 22. The slider flange 14 has a slider eye 16. The slider flange 24 has a slider eye 26.

The security device 10 maintains the at least one first slider 12 and the at least one second slider 22 in abutting relationship. The security device 10 is a flexible elongate member. In some embodiments, at least one portion of the flexible elongate member has a cross section that is smaller than slider eye 26. In the illustrated embodiment, the security device 10 is a strap 32 and at least a first fastener 34 and a second fastener 40. The fasteners 34, 40 in some embodiments, have at least one portion with a cross section that is smaller than slider eye 26. In one embodiment, the strap 32 has a number of fasteners equal to the number of sliders on the at least one recloseable compartment 101. The strap 32 is constructed from any material including, but not limited to, fabric, metal, nylon, leather, or plastic.

Referring to FIG. 2, the at least one first fastener 34 has a first binding part 36 and a second binding part 38. The at least one second fastener 40 consists of a first binding part 42 and a second binding part 44. Although the at least one first fastener 34 and at least one second fastener 40 are shown in FIG. 2 as snaps, the at least one first and second fasteners 34, 40 could be other structures including, but not limited to, buttons, magnets, or hook and loop fasteners. Although described as the same structure herein, the at least one first fastener 34 can alternatively comprise a different structure than the at least one second fastener 40.

As shown in FIG. 1, the strap 32 of the security device 10 is threaded through the slider eyes 16, 26. The strap 32 is then folded back over itself and the first binding part 36 is removably secured to the second binding part 38 of the at least one first fastener 34 and the first binding part 42 is removably secured to the second binding part 44 of the at least one second fastener 40. Therefore, there are a plurality of engagement points along security device 10.

The at least one second fastener 40 is positioned on the strap 32 such that the security device 10 may remain secured to the bag 100 when the at least one recloseable compartment 101 is opened and allows the security device 10 to be removed from the bag 100 and used on another recloseable container. In FIG. 1, the at least one second fastener 40 is located on a portion of the strap 32 between the slider flanges 14, 24. For example, to open the at least one recloseable compartment 101, the at least one first fastener 34 is undone by separating the first binding part 36 from the second binding part 38. The strap 32 is removed from the slider eye 16. The at least one first slider 12 and at least one second slider 22 are separated to open the at least one recloseable compartment 101 with strap 32 attached to the slider flange 24. To resecure the at least one recloseable compartment 101 in its closed state, the at least one first slider 12 and the at least one second slider 22 are placed in abutting relationship. The strap 32 is threaded through the slider eye 16 and the at least one first fastener 34 is fastened by removably securing the first binding part 36 to the second binding part 38.

Alternatively, the strap 32 could be permanently attached to the slider flange 24 by permanently securing the strap 32 to itself, wherein the at least one second fastener 40 could comprise such things as adhesive, thread, rivets, staples, or screws. However, the security device 10 could not be conveniently used on another recloseable container.

In a second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the strap 232 has a first end 250 that is threaded through the slider eye 16, a second end 260 that is threaded through the slider eye 26, and a third end 270. The first end 250 is removably secured to the third end 270 by the at least one first fastener 34. The second end 260 is removably secured to the third end 270 by the at least one second fastener 40.

Additionally, a marketing aid 280 may be attached to the third end 270. The marketing aid 280 provides features to motivate consumers to purchase the security device 10. The marketing aid 280 includes, but is not limited to, a pocket to hold personal identification or an indicator to help identify the bag. FIG. 4 shows a variation of the second embodiment wherein the third end 270 is secured to the bag 100 by means including, but not limited to, adhesive, thread, rivets, screws, or staples.

In a third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the strap 532 has a first fastener 534 attached at a first end 550 and a second fastener 540 attached at a second end 560. The first fastener 534 is removably secured to the slider eye 16. The second fastener 540 is removably secured to the slider eye 26. The first fastener 534 and the second fastener 540 may comprise, but are not limited to, such fasteners as hooks, clips, and hook and loop fasteners. FIG. 6 shows a variation of the third embodiment wherein the strap 532 is secured to the bag 100 by means including, but not limited to, adhesive, thread, rivets, staples, or screws.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiment has been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected.

Claims

1. A device to secure sliders on a recloseable container, each slider having at least one slider eye, the device comprising:

a flexible elongate member including at least one fastener, wherein at least one of said at least one fastener and said flexible elongate member include at least one portion with a cross section that is smaller than said slider eye.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said at least one fastener comprises a plurality of fasteners.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein said member includes multiple engagement points.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein said least one fastener can be removably secured.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein said fastener is a button.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein said fastener is a hook and loop.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein said fastener is a snap.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein said fastener is a magnet.

9. The device of claim 1 wherein said flexible elongate member is a strap.

10. The device of claim 9 wherein said strap is composed of fabric.

11. The device of claim 1 further including a marketing aid operatively coupled to said flexible elongate member.

12. The device of claim 1 wherein said flexible elongate member is operatively coupled to said reclosable container.

13. A device for securing two sliders having slider eyes together on a recloseable container, the device comprising:

a strap having a smaller diameter than said slider eyes, said strap having a first end, a second end, and a third end; and

at least two fasteners operatively coupled to said strap, wherein said first end and said second end are threaded through said slider eyes and operatively coupled to said third end using said at least two fasteners.

14. The device of claim 13 further including a marketing aid operatively coupled to said third end.

15. The device of claim 13 wherein said strap is operatively coupled to said reclosable container.

16. The device of claim 13 wherein said fasteners can be removably secured.

17. The device of claim 13 wherein said fasteners are buttons.

18. The device of claim 13 wherein said fasteners are hooks and loops.

19. The device of claim 13 wherein said fasteners are snaps.

20. The device of claim 13 wherein said fasteners are magnets.

21. The device of claim 13 wherein said strap is composed of fabric.

22. A method for securing sliders having slider eyes on a reclosable container, comprising the steps of:

passing a flexible elongated member including at least one fastener through said slider eye; and

attaching said flexible elongated member to itself using said at least one fastener.

23. A device for advertising on a reclosable container including sliders having slider eyes, the device comprising:

a flexible elongate member having at least one fastener, wherein at least one of said at least one fastener and said flexible elongate member include at least one portion constructed and arranged to pass through said slider eye; and

an advertising aid operatively coupled to said flexible elongate member.

24. An apparatus comprising:

a reclosable container having at least two sliders in an abutting relationship, each slider defining a slider eye; and

a flexible elongate member including at least one fastener, wherein at least one of said at least one fastener and said flexible elongate member is threaded through said slider eye and removably secured to at least a portion of at least one of said at least one fastener and said flexible elongate member.

25. The device of claim 24 further comprising a plurality of fasteners.

26. The device of claim 24 having multiple engagement points.

27. The device of claim 24 wherein said fastener is a button.

28. The device of claim 24 wherein said fastener is a hook and loop.

29. The device of claim 24 wherein said fastener is a snap.

30. The device of claim 24 wherein said fastener is a magnet.

31. The device of claim 24 wherein said flexible elongate member is a strap.

32. The device of claim 31 wherein said strap is composed of fabric.

33. The device of claim 24 further including a marketing aid operatively coupled to said flexible elongate member.

34. The device of claim 24 wherein said flexible elongate member is operatively coupled to said reclosable container.