Personal Accessory Carrier

Abstract

A carrier for a personal accessory comprises a platform 10, attachment means 22, 23 for attaching the platform to a user's body, and a fixing mechanism 19 supported on the platform and arranged for engagement with a co-operating fixing mechanism on the accessory.

Description

This invention relates to personal accessory carriers.

Personal possessions are carried in many ways. For example they can be carried in bags such as handbags, rucksacks, holdalls, shoulder bags, wallets and “bumbags”. Many items of clothing contain pockets in which possessions can be carried, whilst the most simple method of carrying is “in hand”.

However, items carried in bags are generally not instantly accessible, and when items are carried in pockets they tend to cause the pockets to bulge, which can be uncomfortable. Carrying items “in hand” allows instant accessibility, but occupies the hand. This is a recognised problem, giving rise to the increase in “hands-free” items, such as mobile phone kits.

Security is also an issue that needs to be addressed. Pick pockets and bag snatchers can make known methods of carrying items unsafe. Also men have a particular aversion to carrying handbags and generally appreciate something more masculine.

There are certain times when carrying items can cause particular problems. For example whilst training or engaging in sport, or whilst doing certain jobs, where the hands need to be kept free, clothing worn may not have pockets, and a bag would be an undesirable encumbrance.

This invention aims to overcome these problems, and therefore provides a carrier for a personal accessory, the carrier comprising a support, attachment means for attaching the support to a user's body, and releasable fixing means mounted on the support and arranged to engage releasably with a cooperating fixing means on the accessory.

Accordingly the present invention providers a carrier for a personal accessory, the carrier comprising a platform, attachment means for attaching the platform to a user's body, and a fixing mechanism supported on the platform and arranged for engagement with a co-operating fixing mechanism on the accessory.

The attachment means may comprise a strap. The strap may be adjustable in length so as to fit different parts of the user's body. One end of the strap may be connected to the platform by means of a releasable fastening. The releasable fastening may comprise a socket formed in one of the platform and the strap and a tongue formed on the other of the platform and the strap, wherein the tongue and the socket have respective engaging means associated therewith arranged to releasably secure the tongue in the socket. The tongue may be flexible and preferably can be depressed to release the engaging means from each other. The engaging means may comprise a projection and a recess. The releasable fastening may include a release member, for example the tongue, that can be pushed to release the fastening.

The attachment means may comprise two straps. The position of attachment of the strap, or one of the straps, may be adjustable relative to the platform. The platform may have cushioning on its rear surface arranged to rest against the user when the carrier is in use. The carrier may be waterproof.

One of the fixing mechanisms may comprise a pair of side walls with flanges extending inwards from the tops thereof. The fixing mechanism may further comprise further flanges extending outwards from the side walls.

One of the fixing mechanisms may comprise a retaining projection with a top portion extending from either side thereof. Said one of the fixing mechanisms may further comprise side flanges, one on either side of the retaining projection, each of the side flanges having a top portion that extends inwards towards the retaining projection.

The present invention further comprises a carrier and accessory combination comprising a carrier according to any foregoing claim and an accessory having the cooperating fixing mechanism on it, wherein the fixing mechanisms are arranged such that a projection on one of them can slide into a recess on the other to fix the accessory to the carrier. The two fixing mechanisms may be arranged to slide in a direction relative to each other that is substantially parallel to the plane of the platform. The fixing mechanisms may be arranged such that said direction is substantially perpendicular to the length of the strap.

The combination may further comprise locating means arranged to locate the two fixing mechanism in position when they are fully engaged with each other.

The present invention further provides an accessory and carrier kit comprising a combination according to the invention and at least one further accessory having a cooperating fixing mechanism on it so that either of the accessories can be mounted on the carrier.

The platform may be secured to the attachment means by a securing system. The securing system may comprise locating means arranged to locate the platform relative to the attachment means. The locating means may be arranged to locate the platform in any of a plurality of orientations relative to the attachment means. The securing system may include a substantially flat mounting surface on the platform arranged to allow the platform to be attached to a flat surface. The carrier may further comprise adhesive means arranged to secure the platform to the flat surface. The attachment means may include a substantially flat surface arranged to have the platform mounted thereon.

Preferred embodiments of this invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of part of a carrier according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 shows the carrier of FIG. 1 attached to different parts of a user's arm;

FIG. 3 shows a system including the carrier of FIG. 1 and a number of accessories;

FIG. 4 shows the carrier of FIG. 1 attached to further parts of a user's body;

FIG. 5 shows a carrier according to a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 shows part of a strap of the carried of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 shows a fixing mechanism for attachment to an accessory and for cooperation with the carrier of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 shows a box for use with the carrier of FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 shows a carrier according to a further embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 10 shows the carrier of FIG. 9 assembled in a first orientation; and

FIG. 11 shows the carrier of FIG. 9 assembled in a second orientation.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 a carrier 8 according to a first embodiment of the invention comprises a support member lo and pair of straps 12, 14 for attaching the support member 10 to the user's body. The support member 10 is flat and substantially rectangular in shape, and includes a central fixing section 16, and an attachment section 18 at each end. The fixing section has a fixing mechanism 18 on it that is arranged to have one of a number of accessories releasably fixed to it. For example the fixing mechanism may comprise one half of a snap-fit connection, the other half of which is attached to each accessory that is to be used with the carrier 8.

Each attachment section 18 has a pair of parallel longitudinal slots 20 through it. Each of the straps 12, 14 passes through one of the pairs of slots 20 so that the support member lo can be attached to the user's body by the straps 12, 14. The slots 20 are longer than the straps 12, 14 are wider, thereby enabling the position of the straps to be adjusted relative to the support member 10, thereby to adjust the distance between the straps 12, 14.

Cushioning pads 22a, 22b, 22c formed of foam or neoprene are attached to the rear of the support member 10, one at each end and one in the centre, so as to hold the support member 10 clear of the user's body when in use. This improves comfort by providing a soft contact point between the support member 10 and the user's body, and by leaving a gap between the support member 10 and the user's body through which the straps 12, 14 can pass so that they are not pressed against the user's body, as can best be seen in FIG. 2.

Referring still to FIG. 2, the carrier 8 can be attached to the user's upper arm 24, or forearm 26.

Referring to FIG. 3, the carrier 8 can be used with a number of different accessories including a bag 30, a personal stereo 32, a water bottle 34, a torch 36 and a mobile phone or walkie/talkie 38. Each of these accessories has a fixing mechanism 40 connected to it, which is arranged to cooperate with fixing mechanism 9 on the carrier 8 to releasably attach the accessory to the carrier 8.

Referring to FIG. 4, the carrier 8 can be attached to other parts of the user's body apart from the upper arm and forearm. For example it can be attached to the user's thigh 42 or calf 44 as shown. As further option, if the straps 12, 14 are made long enough, it can be attached to the waist, torso or head.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, in a second embodiment of the invention, a carrier 50 comprises a support member 52, with an attachment mechanism 54 mounted on it and a single strap 56 attached at each of its ends to one end of the support member 52. A slot 58 at one end of the support member allows one end of the strap 56 to be attached to it in an adjustable manner so that the length of the strap can be adjusted. The other end of the platform 52 has a socket formed within it that is arranged to receive a tongue 60 projecting from one end of the strap 56. The tongue 60 has an aperture 61 through it that is in the shape of a U having its two ends towards the free end 62 of the tongue 60. The portion 63 of the tongue 60 between the sides of the U-shaped slot has a release button 64 formed at its free end 66, which is furthest from the free end 62 of the tongue 60, and a retaining portion in the form of a rib 66 extending across it between its base 68 and the release button 64. This portion 61 of the tongue therefore forms half of a release catch, as the release button 64 can be pushed to lower the rib 66 thereby releasing it from a co-operating recess, in this case a groove, within the socket in the support member 52. The release catch therefore enables the strap 56 to be fastened around a part of the user's body, and released quickly, once its length has been adjusted as required.

The support member 52 is dual shot moulded. The central portion 52a, which forms the platform on which the attachment mechanism is mounted, is of flexible plastics material, in this case TPR. The two end portions 52b, 52c of the platform that have the slot 58 and the socket formed in them are of harder plastics material, in this case ABS. The fixing mechanism 54 itself is also of harder plastics material, in this case also ABS. These components are moulded together by dual shot moulding to form an integral component. The flexibility of the central portion 52a allows the support member to bend to conform to the shape of the part of the wearer, typically the arm, on which it is supported.

As can be seen in FIG. 5, the attachment mechanism 54 comprises two side walls 70, 72 extending across the platform 52 joined at one end by an end wall 74. Retaining flanges 76, 78 extend inwards from the tops of the side walls 70, 72, leaving a gap 80 between them that is narrower than the spacing between the side walls 70, 72. The gap 80 widens towards one end that is opposite to the wall end 74. A cavity 81 is therefore formed between the side walls 70, 72 and behind the retaining flanges 76, 78, which is open at one end. Further flanges 76a, 78a extend outwards from the tops of the side walls 70, 72.

Referring to FIG. 7, an attachment mechanism 82 that is mounted on an accessory comprises a flat base 84 having a retaining projection 86 and two side flanges 88, 90 formed on it. The retaining projection 86 has a narrow base 92 and wider flat rectangular top 94. Each of the side flanges 88, 90 also has a narrow base 96 running parallel to the base 92 of the projection 86, and top portion 98 extending inwards towards the top 94 of the main projection 86 such that a narrow gap 100 remains between them.

In order to attach the accessory to the carrier 50, the projection 86 is aligned with the open end of the cavity 81 and slid into it so that the top 94 of the retaining projection slides into the cavity 81. The top 94 of the retaining projection 86 is therefore held against the carrier 52 by the flanges 76, 78 so that the accessory is firmly attached to the carrier 50. Similarly the flanges 76, 76a, 78, 78a on the tops of the side walls 70, 72 of the attachment mechanism on the carrier, are held against the base of the attachment mechanism on the accessory by the top portions 94, 98 of the main projection 86 and side flanges 88, 90. A small dome 102 on the top of the projection 86 cooperates with a depression 104 in the carrier 50 to form a snap-fit locating mechanism that retains the accessory in position on the carrier when the projection 86 is fully inserted into the cavity 81.

Referring to FIG. 8, one accessory that can be used with the carrier 50 comprises a box, or compact, 110, have a base 112 and a lid 114. The fixing mechanism 82 is fixed to the underside of the base 112, and the lid 114 is hinged to the base 112. The box can be made waterproof, and the lid 114 can be securable, for example by a lock to provide security so that valuable items can be carried in the box.

It will be appreciated that the fixing mechanism of the second embodiment makes the accessory difficult to remove without the cooperation of the user. This is because the fixing mechanism on the accessory needs to be slid out of that on the carrier in a direction that is parallel to the plane of the carrier, i.e. substantially parallel to the surface of the body part to which the accessory is attached.

For example if the carrier is mounted on the user's arm, the accessory needs to be moved in a direction along the arm to remove it. If the carrier is arranged so that the open end of the cavity 81 faces up the user's arm, then the direction in which the accessory needs to be moved to release it is up the user's arm, toward the elbow is if it attached to the forearm and towards the shoulder if it is attached to the upper arm. This makes it particularly difficult for a thief to snatch the accessory.

Referring to FIG. 9, in a third embodiment of the invention, the carrier comprises a support in the form of a belt clip 200 with an attachment mechanism 254 mounted on it. This attachment mechanism is the same as that of the second embodiment, and corresponding parts are indicated by the same reference numeral increased by 200. The side walls 270, 272 of the attachment mechanism are formed integrally with a flat platform or base 271 as a single moulded unit. The underside of the base 271 is flat to allow the attachment mechanism to be mounted on a number of different support surfaces, as well as the belt clip 200.

A circular self adhesive pad 273 is provided and attached to the under side of the flat base 271 of the attachment mechanism.

The belt clip 200. This comprises a moulded body 201 having substantially flat front and back surfaces 202, 204, with a circular locating ring 206 formed on the front surface. The ring 206 has as substantially flat top surface 208 with a plurality, in this case four, of locating projections 210 formed on it. The body 201 has a slot 212 formed through it from one side to the other parallel to the font and rear surfaces, through which a belt can be passed. The slot is open towards a bottom edge of the body 201 so that it can be clipped over a belt that is already fastened on a user.

The self adhesive pad 273 is arranged to fit within the locating ring 206, and recesses are formed in the underside of the base 271 that are arranged to cooperate with the locating projections 210 to locate the attachment mechanism 254 in any of four positions rotationally relative to the belt clip. This enables the attachment mechanism 254 to be attached to the belt clip in a first orientation as shown in FIG. 10, so that the accessory must be fastened to it and removed from it by movement transverse to the belt, i.e. vertically in normal use, when the belt is fastened around the waist of a user, or in a second orientation as shown in FIG. 11 so that the accessory must be fastened to it and removed from it by movement along the length of the belt, i.e. horizontally in normal use.

Claims

1. A carrier for a personal accessory, the carrier comprising a platform, an attachment mechanism for attaching the platform to a user's body, and a first fixing mechanism supported on the platform and arranged for engagement with a cooperating second fixing mechanism on the accessory.

2. A carrier according to claim 1 wherein the attachment mechanism comprises a strap.

3-4. (canceled)

5. A carrier according to claim 2 wherein one end of the strap is connected to the platform by means of a releasable fastening and wherein the releasable fastening comprises a socket formed in one of the platform and the strap and a tongue formed on the other of the platform and the strap, wherein the tongue and the socket have respective engaging formations means thereon arranged to releasably secure the tongue in the socket.

6. A carrier according to claim 5 wherein the tongue is flexible and can be depressed to release the engaging formations from each other.

7. A carrier according to claim 5 wherein the engaging formations comprise a projection and a recess.

8. A carrier according to claim 5 wherein the releasable fastening includes a release member that can be pushed to release the fastening.

9-10. (canceled)

11. A carrier according to claim 1 wherein the platform has a rear surface and cushioning on the rear surface arranged to rest against the user when the carrier is in use.

12. (canceled)

13. A carrier according to claim 1 wherein one of the fixing mechanisms comprises a pair of side walls with flanges extending inwards from the tops thereof.

14. A carrier according to claim 13 further comprising further flanges extending outwards from the side walls.

15. A carrier according to claim 1 wherein one of the fixing mechanisms comprises a retaining projection with a top portion extending from either side thereof.

16. A carrier according to claim 15 wherein said one of the fixing mechanisms further comprises side flanges, one on either side of the retaining projection, each of the side flanges having a top portion that extends inwards towards the retaining projection.

17. A carrier according to claim 15 wherein the platform is formed of a flexible material.

18. A carrier according to claim 15 wherein the platform is formed as an integral unit with a part of one of the attachment mechanism and the fixing mechanism.

19. A carrier according to claim 18 wherein the integral unit is formed by dual shot moulding.

20. A carrier according to claim 18 wherein said part is formed of a different material from the platform.

21. A carrier and accessory combination comprising a carrier according to claim 1 and an accessory having the cooperating fixing mechanism on it, wherein one of the fixing mechanisms has a projection thereon and the other of the fixing mechanisms has a recess thereon and the fixing mechanisms are arranged such that the projection can slide into the recess to fix the accessory to the carrier.

22. A combination according to claim 21 wherein the two fixing mechanisms are arranged to slide in a direction relative to each other that is substantially parallel to the plane of the platform.

23. A combination according to claim 22 wherein the fixing mechanisms are arranged such that said direction is substantially perpendicular to the length of the strap.

24. A combination according to claim 21 further comprising locating means arranged to locate the two fixing mechanism in position when they are fully engaged with each other.

25. An accessory and carrier kit comprising a combination according to claim 21 and at least one further accessory having a cooperating fixing mechanism on it so that either of the accessories can be mounted on the carrier.

26. A carrier according to claim 1 wherein the platform is secured to the attachment means by a securing system, and the securing system comprises locating means arranged to locate the platform relative to the attachment means.

27. (canceled)

28. A carrier according to claim 26 wherein the locating means is arranged to locate the platform in any of a plurality of orientations relative to the attachment means.

29. A carrier according to claim 22 wherein the securing system includes a substantially flat mounting surface on the platform arranged to allow the platform to be attached to a flat surface.

30. A carrier according to claim 25 further comprising adhesive means arranged to secure the platform to the flat surface.

31. A carrier according to claim 25 wherein the attachment means includes a substantially flat surface arranged to have the platform mounted thereon.

28. (canceled)