Convertible adjustable strap and harness system

Abstract

A system of attachments whereby the wearer may easily change the way the system or device is configured and attached to a carrier to change the way the carrier is worn from a strap and/or hip belt to a shoulder or neck harness, a back pack; or to a chest or front pack.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the technical field of carrier devices such as purses, packs, bags, cases and other containers and carriers for carrying equipment, supplies, ect, for various reasons; but it also relates more specifically to making it possible to carry a single carrier or carriers in different ways. A few examples of such configurations include a sling for shoulder wear; suspension from a strap from the neck; suspended from the neck but also supported by a hip belt, or attached to a shoulder harness for use as a front or backpack.

Which configuration used is dependent on several things such as personal preference, ease of back and body strain, heaviness of the item or items to be carried; the need for ease of access; and whether more than one carrier is needed to hold everything for a certain activity.

There are many everyday activities in which the bearer of a bag, purse, pack or carrier would benefit from a versatile system that could be interchanged; converted or adjusted to suit the needs of the specific individual and the task at hand and to switch the area of the body most impacted by the burden. Such versatility would reduce the need for more than one type of bag or multiple carriers for different situations. Active individuals would benefit from such a system; but, even casual pedestrians or commuters would find such features extremely useful.

DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART

The following named invention has a belt designed to be worn at the chest or waist of the wearer. It also allows use of a strap that is attached to a camera carried inside the case. It does not allow the wearer to interchange between types of uses as does the present invention.

[11] Patent Number: U.S. Pat. No. 5,172,838 [45] Date of Patent: Dec. 22, 1992

[76] Inventor: Galen A. Rowell

The following named invention allows the wearer only the choice of a strap attached to a pack. It is not interchangeable or readily removable as the present invention though the strap length is adjustable.

[11] Patent Number: U.S. Pat. No. 6,662,984 [45] Date of Patent: Dec. 16, 2003

[76] Inventor: Avichay Mor

The following named invention consists of a versatile pack which can be worn as a waist pack, daypack or shoulder bag but its functions and operations differ from the present invention in that the carrier system is not designed to carry a chest pack and as the present invention.

[11] Patent Number: U.S. Pat. No. 5,887,770 [45] Date of Patent: Mar. 30, 1999

[76] Inventor: John F. Covell

The following named invention is a harness and also it converts to a basic neck strap by use of a series of attachments and straps it differs from the present invention in a number of ways including ease of use and function. It does not incorporate any padding system or harness capability for carrying substantial weight with any stability and adjustability and it does not allow for backpack and front pack configurations.

[11] Patent Number: U.S. Pat. No. 4,033,488 [45] Date of Patent: Jul. 5, 1977

[76] Inventor: Robert A Brewer

The following named invention may operate as a backpack, a side sling or shoulder strap or as a front pack but it utilizes a different system of attachments which would not easily transfer as a system for universal use with other carrying devices.

[11] Patent Number: U.S. Pat. No. 5,577,652 [45] Date of Patent: Nov. 26, 1996

[76] Inventor: Cheryl G. Cooper

The following named invention has a dual strap system is designed to be attached to a bag, such as a computer bag and enable an individual to carry it as a backpack. It does not allow for the integration of all the options which the present invention offers and it utilizes a completely different configuration to function as a strap or harness.

[11] Patent Number: U.S. Pat. No. 6,311,884 [45] Date of Patent: Nov. 6, 2001

[76] Inventor: Justin Johnson

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

THE PRESENT INVENTION IS A VERSATILE AND SIMPLE HARNESS AND STRAP FOR ATTACHING DIFFERENT CONFIGURATIONS FOR USE WITH CARRIERS, SUCH AS A PURSE, BAG OR PACK TO BE WORN ON THE CHEST OR BACK OF THE BEARER OR TO OPERATE AS A SLING OR SIMPLE HARNESS.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1: is a drawing of the system in a harness configuration as seen from above.

FIG. 2: is a drawing of the system from above showing the system without its top cover and with internal construction shown.

FIG. 3: is a drawing showing the underside of the system.

FIG. 4: is a drawing showing the system in use as a harness for a camera bag.

FIG. 5: is a drawing of the system in a strap or shoulder harness configuration as seen from above with the bottom side internal construction exposed as in an x-ray.

FIG. 6: is a drawing of the system in use as a strap or shoulder sling for a camera bag.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This invention allows the wearer to convert various items for as configured for a shoulder sling, neck strap, neck strap and hip belt, or as a back or front harness.

Referring to FIG. 1, the device 100 is constructed of a soft material, fabric, padding, foam molding, or other suitable material. It may be padded and or quilted or otherwise molded and/or shaped for comfort to the wearer. It is cut or stamped into the desired shape; here it is the shape of a wide figure eight, but almost any shape could be utilized so long as it accommodated the strap system and a second piece is sewn after the internal construction referenced at Figure two is completed. The top piece is able to conceal the buckle or buckles when they are not in active use. The top piece is sewn over the bottom piece at dotted lines and the edge is finished. Referring to FIG. 2 the edge 8 is shown finished.

Referring to FIG. 1 again, here, the main piece 100 of the system is depicted in the shape of a figure eight or with a funnel shape on either side to sleekly accommodate buckles two fixed 3 and two adjustable 2 and extra belt, strap or webbing when not in use. Two belts, straps or webbing of a flexible but not highly elastic fabric are used to form the attachment points at buckles 2, 3 or other suitable attachment devices. The lengths of webbing or other belt or strap material should be long enough to accommodate ample adjustment from a strap or sling to a harness system. Extra length of adjustable belt, strap or webbing is tucked into the main piece for neatness. The system depicted in FIG. 1 is configured for use as a back or front harness.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the drawing is shown with the top cover of the main piece cutaway. The internal construction of the piece is exposed. Two D rings 1 are attached to the lower portion of the piece on opposite sides and opposing each other by means of webbing or other sturdy material and bar tacking or other adhesions on each side 6. One continuous length of belting, webbing or other strap or belt material 7 is threaded through each of the D rings as shown and then a buckle, hook or other closure 2 is attached to the ends of the belts, straps or webbing material. One buckle or other closure 2 and 3 is attached to each of the ends of each strap, belt or webbing 7.

One buckle or other closure/attachment that is attached on one side of each side to the belt, strap or webbing 7 is fixed, meaning the belt, strap or webbing 7 material running through the buckle or other attachment 2 is sewn to itself refer to FIG. 1 at 5; and one buckle or other attachment on each side having the strap, belt or webbing 7 threaded through the buckle, or other attachments 3 leaving the belt, strap or webbing ends extending through so that they may be pulled out or in make them adjustable longer or shorter.

Referring now to FIG. 5, the cover piece 9 (missing in FIG. 2) is then affixed to the lower main piece of the system over the D-rings 1 and once the cover is sewn or otherwise affixed in place over the top of the figure eight shape thus covering the internal mechanism 10 the buckles will not pull all the way through and will function easily by pulling on the non-affixed buckle 2 inside to convert the harness into a sling or strap. The fixed buckles 2 pulled inside are hidden nicely under the cover and the sling or strap can be adjusted by means of pulling the webbing or strap on the unfixed buckle 3 side.

Referring to FIG. 3, the bar tacks 6 (or other type attachment or adhesion) are visible as resulting from the sewing or other adhesion of the D Rings sewn or affixed to the opposite side of the piece.

All buckles or other attachments used are compatible with each other; with the Convertible Adjustable Strap and Harness system having, unless other compatible connectors are used such as magnets, the female style ends or connectors and the male style buckles, connectors or loops being affixed, either sewn in or added after construction by sewing or other mode or means, on the carrier, bag or pack to which the Convertible Adjustable Strap and Harness will be attached.

The wearing configurations include, but are not limited to: As seen in FIG. 4 a harness which is attached to a carrier 200 (here a camera bag) to the main piece of the Adjustable Convertible Strap or Harness.

The main piece may be attached either vertically or turned 90* horizontally and attached to corresponding buckles or other attachment devices. It may also be worn in this configuration on either the front or back of the wearer. A pouch or second carrier system may be a part of the back or top cover of the main piece.

The straps remain adjustable by means of the unfixed buckles or other connectors.

Referring again to FIG. 4, here, the Carrier 200, in this instance a camera bag, is equipped with sewn in D rings attached to belting, strapping or webbing and having male connectors compatible with the Convertible Adjustable Strap and Harness system. These should be sewn in or otherwise affixed in four places: two in the top and top at the bottom of the carrier 100. Alternatively, the attachments for the Carrier 200 may be sewn in, riveted or otherwise attached after first construction. The straps or webbing and rings may be tucked into the bottom corners of the Carrier 200 itself for stowage, when not in use as seen in FIG. 7. Having corresponding attachment points is a key feature to the operation of the system whether they are sewn or otherwise attached.

Referring now to FIG. 5; showing the main piece of the system now configured for use as a strap or sling which could be hung from a shoulder or the neck. Referring to FIG. 6, the adjustable sides of the belt, strap or webbing 4 fitted with non-fixed adjustable buckles, closures or attachments have been pulled out and the side with the fixed buckles closures or attachments 2 are conveniently parked inside the main piece now shown with the cover attached but with x-ray like drawings revealing the construction and configuration underneath one side of the main piece. There may also be a keeper loop 7 to help control extra adjustable belting, strap, or webbing and the end of the adjustable belting, strap or webbing may also be tucked up into the main piece 8.

The Strap or Sling configuration is shown in use as a camera bag or carrier strap or sling in FIG. 6. Referring to FIG. 6, the large shaded arrow on FIG. 6 shows how the buckles or other attachments are attached to the carrier with compatible buckles or other connective device(s). The small shaded arrows in FIG. 6 demonstrate movement for stowage of extra belting, straps or webbing. The upper small arrow shows the movement in stowing the two unused straps (for this configuration), one on each side, which are pulled through into the main piece of the system and extra adjustable belt, strap or webbing is stowed in the main piece as well. The lower arrow shows the optional stowage loop and webbing attachment in place on the carrier 200 for attachment to the system in a harness configuration.

Referring to FIG. 6 which shows the system configured for use as a sling or strap and in use as a sling or strap with a camera bag or carrier 200, in this configuration the lower attachment on the carrier 200 could be used for attachment to a hip belt for further stability and ease of carrying, but here, the bottom attachments of the Pack 200 are shown as stow-able when not in use with a hip belt or the harness configuration.

In broad embodiment, the present invention is a useful and easy way to customize a carrier or carriers every time it is used so to be worn quickly and easily in a variety of configurations suited to use and preferences of the wearer.

This invention enables a simple carrier to become portable in a variety of configurations. It helps insure that equipment may be taken along securely and safely while also creating the ability to use the equipment quickly and easily. It will help to stabilize straps, cases, bags, and packs that may be unstable and insecure and to insure safe, secure and efficient carriage of equipment. An additional benefit in being able to change configurations for carrying is that it will help ease back and body strain by distributing weight in different ways. Active individuals will benefit from such a system; but, even the casual pedestrian or commuter would find the system would make his or her experience a much better one.

While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should therefore not be limited by the above described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention as claimed.

Claims

1. A device that is functional as a harness or strap or sling and convertible between usages when affixed or attached to a bag, pack or case allowing the wearer to quickly change between wearing configuration from a sling on the shoulder or over the neck to a harness with a bag, pack or case carried in the front or on the back of the wearer as a front or chestpack or as a backpack by means of:

Two straps or lengths of webbing each of which is run through an internal rings affixed inside a central holder; the webbing of which has buckles or other connective devices attached to each end for a total of four with the sets capable of being pulled through the D-rings which allows the device to have four buckle ends usable for attachment for use as a harness or only two buckle ends showing for use as a sling or strap.