BAGGAGE ATTACHMENT DEVICE

Abstract

A baggage retention device capable of securing a purse or other bag to another object.

Description

CLAIM TO PRIORITY

The present application claims priority to Provisional Patent Application No. 61/315,858, filed Mar. 19, 2010, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present device relates to the field of baggage accessories, specifically security lanyards and retaining devices.

2. Background

Many persons carry a handbag, purse, or other form of personal baggage to carry their things. When doing certain activities, such as grocery shopping, it is convenient to place a bag in the rear basket of a cart. However, placing a bag here can leave it easily accessible to thieves. When a person turns around to get something from a shelf, a thief can easily slip by and snatch the bag.

In addition, a person may be accompanied by a small child who needs to sit in that area of a shopping cart. A person may want to keep the bag out of reach of the child while still keeping her hands free. Further, a person may also want to keep a bag out of contact with germs on a cart's surface.

What is needed is a device to simply, securely, and attractively attach a baggage item to another object.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of the present device.

FIG. 1a depicts a side view of an embodiment of the present device.

FIG. 1b depicts a perspective view of another embodiment of the present device.

FIG. 1c depicts a perspective view of another embodiment of the present device.

FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of the present device in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of one embodiment of the present device. A flexible elongated member 102 can have two ends. A loop structure 104 can be connected to one end of a flexible elongated member 102. A coupling device 106 can be connected the other end of a flexible elongated member 102. In some embodiments, an additional ring 108 can be connected to a loop structure 104.

In some embodiments, a flexible elongated member 102 can be of a length sufficient to wrap around an average-sized wrist, but in other embodiments can be any known and/or convenient length, as well as any other known and/or convenient width. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 1, a flexible elongated member 102 can be substantially planar. A flexible elongated member 102 can be comprised of cotton, polyester, textile, elastomer, nylon, leather, plastic, polymer, or any other known and/or convenient material. In some embodiments, a flexible elongated member 102 can be made of carbon fibers, metal, or any other cut-resistant material for added security.

In some embodiments, a flexible elongated member 102 can be made of a single material, but in other embodiments can have a multi-layered construction. In some embodiments, a flexible elongated member 102 can have at least one textured surface that can improve grip. In some embodiments, and flexible elongated member 102 can be comprised of at least one material that can allow a flexible elongated member 102 to attach to itself to create a closed loop.

In some embodiments, a flexible elongated member can be comprised of a textile material and can have any known and/or convenient decorative or functional stitching. In embodiments in which a flexible elongated member further comprises a multi-layer construction, as shown in FIG. 1a, layers can be joined together along their planar surfaces by stitching 110, either with or without adhesive between the layers. Stitching can be proximal to the peripheral edge of layers, perpendicular to the surface of layers and can be a lockstitch or any other known and/or convenient stitch. In some embodiments, layers can be stitched together along the peripheral lateral edges of layers, such as with a whipstitch or any other known and/or convenient stitch.

In some embodiments, in which a flexible elongated member 102 can be comprised of a textile material, said material can be cut to shape on the bias, or on any other known and/or convenient alignment. In elastomeric materials, a flexible elongated member 102 can be fabricated such that a desired amount of stretch occurs in the longitudinal direction of a flexible elongated member 102.

A loop structure 104 can be connected to a flexible elongated member 102 by folding one end of a flexible elongated member 102 through a loop structure 104 and attaching the end of a flexible elongated member 102 back to itself or by any other known and/or convenient method. One end of a flexible elongated member 102 can be attached back on itself to secure a loop structure 104 and held by stitching, adhesive, hook-and-loop closure, snaps, buttons, clips, or any other known and/or convenient device or method.

In some embodiments, an additional ring 106 can be connected to a loop structure 104. In some embodiments, and additional ring 106 can be permanently connected to a loop structure 104, but in other embodiments can be removably connected by any other known and/or convenient method. Both a loop structure 104 and a ring 106 can be made of metal, plastic, polymer, fabric, or any other known and/or convenient material. In alternative embodiments, as shown in FIG. 1b, a loop structure 104 can be integrated with one end of a flexible elongated member 102. In such embodiments, a loop structure 104 can be comprised of one end of a flexible elongated member 102 as it is folded over onto itself, or of a separate flexible loop structure 104 integrated with one end of a flexible elongated member 102.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 1, a loop structure 104 can be a “D-ring” configuration. However, other embodiments, a loop structure 104 can be substantially circular, ellipsoid, quadrilateral, or any other known and/or convenient geometry. A ring 106 can be substantially circular, but in other embodiments can be substantially ellipsoid, quadrilateral, or any other known and/or convenient geometry. In some embodiments, a loop structure 104 can be approximately 1.25 inches across and approximately 0.5 inches wide, but in other embodiments can be any other known and/or convenient dimensions.

A coupling device 108 can be connected to the opposite end of a flexible elongated member 102. In some embodiments, a coupling device 108 can be connected to a flexible elongated member 102 by passing the opposite end of a flexible elongated member 102 through a part of a coupling device 108 and attaching the opposite end of a flexible elongated member 102 back on itself or by any other known and/or convenient method. An opposite end of a flexible elongated member 102 can be attached back on itself to secure a coupling device 108 and held by stitching, adhesive, hook-and-loop closure, snaps, buttons, clips, or any other known and/or convenient device or method.

In some embodiments, a coupling device 108 can be a clip, but in other embodiments can be a snap clip, spring clip, hook-and-loop closure, snap, button, or any other known and/or convenient device. As shown in FIG. 1, a coupling device 108 can be a swivel snap hook. In some embodiments having a swivel snap hook as a coupling device 108, a swivel snap hook can be approximately 1.25 inches wide, but in other embodiments can have any other known and/or convenient dimensions.

As shown in FIG. 1c, in some embodiments, at least one surface of a flexible elongated member 102 can further comprise texturing 112. Texturing 112 can be comprised of stitching, raised material, and elastomeric material in a continuous member or distributed pattern, or any other known and/or convenient method.

In use, as shown in FIG. 2, a person can pass the device through the handles or any other known and/or convenient location on a bag. A person can then wrap a flexible elongated member 102 around an object, such as a shopping cart handle as shown in FIG. 2, and then secure the device by coupling a coupling device 108 with a loop structure 104.

When not in use, some embodiments of the present device can be wrapped around a wrist, a bag strap, or attached to a keychain via an additional ring 106.

Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the invention as described and hereinafter claimed is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A baggage retention device, comprising:

a flexible elongated member having two ends;

a coupling device connected to one end of said flexible elongated member;

a loop structure connected to the opposite end of said flexible elongated member.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said flexible elongated member is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of: textile, elastomer, polymer, metal, carbon fiber.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein said coupling device is selected from the group consisting of: snap clip, swivel clip, spring clip, swivel snap hook.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein said loop structure is a D-ring.

5. The device of claim 4, further comprising a ring connected to said loop structure.

6. A baggage retention device, comprising:

a flexible elongated member comprised of a woven textile and having two ends and two surfaces;

a metal swivel snap hook having a snap hook portion rotationally connected to a substantially closed loop portion;

wherein one end of said flexible elongated member is inserted through said substantially closed loop portion and folded upon itself and attached to itself to secure said swivel snap hook to one end of said flexible elongated member;

a metal D-ring connected to the opposite end of said flexible elongated member;

wherein the opposite end of said flexible elongated member is inserted through said substantially metal D-ring and folded upon itself and attached to itself to secure said metal D-ring to the opposite end of said flexible elongated member;

a metal ring permanently connected with said metal loop structure such that said metal ring can move freely while connected with said metal loop structure.

7. The baggage retention device of claim 6, wherein at least one of the surfaces of a flexible elongated member is textured.