ACCESSORY HOLDER

Abstract

The present invention is an accessory holder system that secures to an object and has a plurality of holders constructed and arranges to hold and secure items to the system.

Description

INDEX TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent No. 61/098,297, filed, Sep. 19, 2008, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is often difficult to carry and maintain control of a plurality of items. The task of carrying and maintaining control becomes more difficult when one item is larger than the others.

The present invention addresses this need by providing an accessory strap constructed and arranged to carry and maintain control of many items.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is an accessory holder that has a universal attachment for any object, including, but not limited to coolers.

The article is constructed and arranged to hold various items on the outside of any type or size coolers and other objects. The items to be held may include, but would not be limited to picnic umbrellas, storage containers, insulated beverage holders, Marine items, and the like. The article may be utilized with any daily coolers taken to work, coolers used in outings at the, beach/picnic/boating/camping/workplace/sports or other.

The present invention allows coolers to transform into more than keeping items cold, coolers can now provide a ready means of carrying items such as (not limited to), refillable napkin holder, condiments, eating utensils, Marine items (lures, hooks, fishing rod, knives, pliers, and etc.), tables, storage pouches/containers, keys, wireless phones, personal listening devices, umbrellas, tools, flashlight, skewer holder, portable fan, garbage bag container, suntan lotion, insect repellent, can opener, waterproof pouches and containers, sport racquets and balls, but would not be limited by any of the aforementioned examples.

Attachment and detachment to coolers (or other objects) is quite easy. This is completed with a nylon belt that will encompass the cooler perimeter (or other object), and is adjustable to fit all sizes, additional lengths of nylon belt optional for the extra large coolers/objects. The present invention has an adjustable strap to work with quick-release buckle and ratchet lever for tension. Attached to nylon strap are rubber grips (for non slip function of any cooler or object), rubber spacers (for spacing between strap and cooler (or other object), and optional attachable rubber feet for coolers (for non movement/sliding). Rubber grips allow for gripping of cooler or other object for non-slip function of strap. Rubber spacers allow for proper spacing between cooler and strap to allow for attachments to be inserted and removed. Attachments may be secured to strap with tab activated release clips, non-removable clips, or removable clips for attachments requiring easy removal. A piece of material (plastic or other) is attached to attachment for stabilizing of containment items. Secondary strap attached to cooler or other object, with distance between it and the first attached strap will allow for larger items (not limited to umbrella, fishing rod holder, and sports racquets) to be securely held.

Certain attachments may include, but would not be limited to, for example beverage holders will be tapered on bottom to allow for insertion into others. Stackable fitting attachments such as, but not limited to, utensil container will fit in garbage bag holder or vice versa.

Clips:

A first part of clip will attach to nylon strap with belt loop style attachment. Removable clips attached to attachments will slide into mounted clip on strap with tongue and grove application. Two or more mounted clips will allow for larger items to be attached, requiring only spacing on strap. Tab activated clips will have tab at top, so when attachment is slid into receiving clip it will snap in place and only require pressing of tab to release. Secured clips will have receiver clip mounted to attachment and therefore slid thru strap with belt loop attachment, requiring removal of strap to remove attachment.

Extension Nylon Strap:

This strap will allow for additional length to be added to pre-set length of strap utilizing tab activated 2 part clip. The female clip will attach to existing strap with belt loop type attachment, the male clip will be sewn attached to extension strap, requiring just inserting male end to female clip and tab will lock in place, pressing of tab will release attached clips for removal.

Additional Features:

The attachments can be produced in, but not limited to, multiple colors, logos, themes, sayings, color of flags, and trademarks. Strap can be produced in, but not limited to, multiple colors, various colors, sayings, logos, trademarks, and colors of flags.

Locking Loops:

Attachment has a secure clip with loop attached to for strapping or other means of cooler of object for non-movement. Examples include, but would not limited to, boating to aid in cooler from sliding around, and traveling with cooler, for securing cooler in trunk or bed of truck.

The attachment keeps the cooler being spilled, knocked over, or moving around.

Attachable Feet:

Attachment of rubber feet will be accomplished with either, feet topped with glue activated strap when cover removed, or permanent attachment by means of rivet snap attached to cooler and feet having receiving end of snap.

This attachment will allow for easy access to cooler without removal of tops. Additional features will allow for users to benefit from have cooler transformed into more than just keeping things cold, into a storage unit as well. Many fields will benefit from this, from camping, sports, outings, workplace, and much more. Where ever a cooler is used. The present invention encompasses the additional feature of attaching to any object from poles to coolers. The invention is further useful to help with all aspects, from keeping sand out of objects at beach to aiding in keeping ants from items while picnicking. Allows for users to get full advantage of cooler in respect to access of cooler requires removal of items on top, now items are secure on side and allow for easy access as well more space.

In a preferred embodiment, the strap is constructed of a nylon strap with the width, ranging from a ½″ to 1″, based on a desired usage. The length as well determined by the use, ranges from 2 feet to 12 feet. The thickness is 1/32″ to ½″, depending on use. The colors and designs of strap are unlimited, from any color of the spectrum to design logos of sports teams, consumer products, and much more.

In one embodiment, the buckle is constructed and arranged of a non-corrosive metal with rubber grips over handle. The buckle allows for insertion of strap through the buckle till tight, then the ratchet buckle will tighten to required strength by pulling the handle back and forth. This is a ratchet tensioned buckle. The handle folds down to buckle for slim line design. Spring loaded lock and unlock tab for release of buckle tension and remaining in lock mode until released. The buckle must pull a minimum of 5 lbs of tension.

Attachments for cups, sleeves, and item compartments are (1) made from any form of plastic from PVC to ABS. (2) Waterproof pouches are made from (but not limited to) nylon and rubberized material, pouches have lids made of same material with latch closer. Additional pouches have zipper closing with loop for possible small lock, security. Some attachments have belt loop style backing for non removal of item from strap unless desired to by pulling strap through. Other attachments have clip constructed to them for sliding on and off strap without removal of strap. Sleeves are utilized in different dimensions from 1″ diameter to over 2″ diameter, i.e. umbrella holder, fishing rod holder, tennis/racquetball/and golf ball holders. Drink attachments have both insulated and non insulated. Insulated by foam fabric.

The grips enable the nylon strap to gain grip to the object and keeping the unit from sliding. The spacers allow for the strap to be accessed easily without having to pull the strap away from the object. The grips/spacers are 2 to 6 inches in width, from 4 to 8 inches in length, and from a thickness of ¼ inch to ½ inch piece of rubber, tread-ed on one side, grooved for strap on other, and slotted for strap to enter and leave grip/spacer for grabbing of grip/spacer and securing in place. As well, rubber feet are ½″ in thickness by 2 inch square. The feet can be attached with adhesive to bottom of object for non slip movement of object. The feet are tread-ed on one side and roughened on adhesive side.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an expanded partial perspective view.

FIG. 3 is an expanded partial perspective view.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a buckle.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a buckle.

FIG. 7 cross section along A-A from FIG. 6

FIG. 8 is a plan view of buckle

FIG. 9 is a cross section along section B-B from FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a plan view of a buckle.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Cooler 10 has strap 11 that is positioned around the horizontal perimeter as shown in FIG. 1. Strap 11 has a first end and a second end (not shown) and said first and second end secure to one another with a securing mechanism 13. Strap 11 has supports 12 positioned on or near each vertical corner of cooler 10. Strap 11 supports various holders that include pouch 14, pocket 15 and drink can cooler 16. Drink can cooler 16, in one embodiment is a drink can holder for a conventional drink can as is known. Tubular holders 17, as shown in FIG. 2, are used to hold umbrellas, tennis rackets, and the like. Tubular holder 17, in one embodiment, and shown in FIG. 2, has tubular holder opening 18 that is used to remove articles stored within tubular holder 17. Tubular holder opening 18 is positioned on either or both of the side wall of tubular holder 17 or at the end of tubular holder 17.

FIG. 3 shows ratchet mechanism 35 and ratchet handle 36 for incremental tightening of strap 11 until a desired tension or tightness is achieved.

In one embodiment, a connecting loop 21 is connected to strap 11 to anchor to another surface, as shown in FIG. 4.

In one embodiment, a second strap 21A is connected to strap 11 to anchor to another surface, as shown in FIG. 11.

The invention uses one or more connectors. Any connectors can be used and several examples are depicted herein.

FIG. 5 shows a grip connector 22 which as openings for receiving strap 11 threaded therethrough.

FIGS. 6-7 shows an embodiment whereby accessory clip 23 has holder 26 attached with adhesive 25. holder 26 is attached directly to clip 23 and is any holder for holding an article.

FIGS. 8-9 is tension clip 27 integral and unitary urges strap 11 passing therethrough such that strap 11 does not freely move unless tension is released.

FIG. 10 is a clip 28 with moveable tab 29 integral therewith. Moveable tab 29 grasps strap 11 and secures strap 11 in position and prohibits movement of strap 11.

While the invention has been described in its preferred form or embodiment with some degree of particularity, it is understood that this description has been given only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction, fabrication, and use, including the combination and arrangement of parts, may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. An accessory holder system comprising:

a. a flexible material having a first end and a second end;

b. a connecting mechanism for securing said first end to said second end;

c. a plurality of accessory holders constructed and arranged to secure to said flexible material;

wherein said flexible material is constructed and arranged to be affixed about the perimeter of an object.

2. The accessory holder system of claim 1 wherein said flexible material is a nylon strap having a width between approximately 0.5 to 6 inches.

3. The accessory holder system of claim 1 having more than one flexible material affixed about the perimeter of said object.

4. The accessory holder system of claim 1 wherein said connecting mechanism is a clip, buckle, quick-release buckle-ratchet lever mechanism, and the like.

5. The accessory holder system of claim 1 wherein said accessory holders included holders constructed and arranged to hold and secure any one or combination of refillable napkin holder, condiments, eating utensils, Marine items (lures, hooks, fishing rod, knives, pliers, and etc.), tables, storage pouches/containers, keys, wireless phones, personal listening devices, umbrellas, tools, flashlight, skewer holder, portable fan, garbage bag container, suntan lotion, insect repellent, can opener, waterproof pouches and containers, sport racquets and sports balls.

6. The accessory holder system of claim 1 wherein said flexible material is affixed about the perimeter of a cooler.