STORAGE ATTACHMENT DEVICE

Abstract

A storage attachment device includes a primary strap and a secondary strap. The primary strap includes a first primary end and a second primary end. The primary strap further includes a first primary fastener disposed on a first primary side at the first primary end and a second primary fastener disposed on a second primary side at the second primary end. The secondary strap includes a first secondary end and a second secondary end. The secondary strap further includes a first secondary fastener disposed on a first secondary side at the first secondary end and a second secondary fastener disposed on a second secondary side at the second secondary end. A center portion of the secondary strap is rotatably and detachably mounted to a counterpart center portion of the primary strap.

Description

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

This disclosure relates generally to storage equipment and, more particularly, to storage equipment for mounting to an article of equipment.

2. Background Information

In many situations, it may be desirable to conveniently retain or store an item for rapid recovery and use. For example, when walking a dog, it may be desirable to bring along items such as a raincoat, cold-weather clothing, or other equipment for the dog and/or the dog walker. Such items may become suddenly necessary based on a change of weather or other condition. However, the dog walker may not wish to personally carry the items, especially if the dog walker is walking multiple or large dogs. Accordingly, a device for addressing one or more of the above-noted concerns would find utility.

SUMMARY

It should be understood that any or all of the features or embodiments described herein can be used or combined in any combination with each and every other feature or embodiment described herein unless expressly noted otherwise.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a storage attachment device includes a primary strap and a secondary strap. The primary strap includes a first primary end, a second primary end opposite the first primary end, and a first length defined between the first primary end and the second primary end. The primary strap further includes a first primary side and a second primary side opposite the first primary side. Each of the first primary side and the second primary side extends between the first primary end and the second primary end. The primary strap further includes a first primary fastener disposed on the first primary side at the first primary end and a second primary fastener disposed on the second primary side at the second primary end. The second primary fastener is configured to engage with the first primary fastener. The secondary strap includes a first secondary end, a second secondary end opposite the first secondary end, and a second length defined between the first secondary end and the second secondary end. The secondary strap further includes a first secondary side and a second secondary side opposite the first secondary side. Each of the first secondary side and the second secondary side extends between the first secondary end and the second secondary end. The secondary strap further includes a first secondary fastener disposed on the first secondary side at the first secondary end and a second secondary fastener disposed on the second secondary side at the second secondary end. The second secondary fastener is configured to engage with the first secondary fastener. A center portion of the secondary strap, disposed between the first secondary end and the second secondary end, is rotatably and detachably mounted to a counterpart center portion of the primary strap, disposed between the first primary end and the second primary end.

In any of the aspects or embodiments described above and herein, the center portion of the secondary strap is disposed approximately halfway between the first secondary end and the second secondary end.

In any of the aspects or embodiments described above and herein, the counterpart center portion of the primary strap is disposed approximately halfway between the first primary end and the second primary end.

In any of the aspects or embodiments described above and herein, the center portion of the secondary strap is mounted to the counterpart center portion of the primary strap with a center fastener.

In any of the aspects or embodiments described above and herein, the secondary strap is rotatable relative to the primary strap about the center fastener.

In any of the aspects or embodiments described above and herein, the second length is less than the first length.

In any of the aspects or embodiments described above and herein, the primary strap is made from a first material and the secondary strap is made from a second material which is different than the first material.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a storage system includes a harness and at least one storage attachment device attached to the harness. The at least one storage attachment device includes a primary strap and a secondary strap. The primary strap includes a first primary end, a second primary end opposite the first primary end, and a first length defined between the first primary end and the second primary end. The primary strap further includes a first primary side and a second primary side opposite the first primary side. Each of the first primary side and the second primary side extends between the first primary end and the second primary end. The primary strap further includes a first primary fastener disposed on the first primary side at the first primary end and a second primary fastener disposed on the second primary side at the second primary end. The second primary fastener is configured to engage with the first primary fastener. The secondary strap includes a first secondary end, a second secondary end opposite the first secondary end, and a second length defined between the first secondary end and the second secondary end. The secondary strap further includes a first secondary side and a second secondary side opposite the first secondary side. Each of the first secondary side and the second secondary side extends between the first secondary end and the second secondary end. The secondary strap further includes a first secondary fastener disposed on the first secondary side at the first secondary end and a second secondary fastener disposed on the second secondary side at the second secondary end. The second secondary fastener is engaged with the first secondary fastener so as to form a first enclosed loop around a portion of the harness, thereby mounting the at least one storage attachment device to the harness. A center portion of the secondary strap, disposed between the first secondary end and the second secondary end, is rotatably and detachably mounted to a counterpart center portion of the primary strap, disposed between the first primary end and the second primary end.

In any of the aspects or embodiments described above and herein, the storage system further includes an item. The second primary fastener is engaged with the first primary fastener so as to form a second enclosed loop around a portion of the item, thereby retaining the item within the primary strap of the at least one storage attachment device.

In any of the aspects or embodiments described above and herein, the at least one storage attachment device includes a first storage attachment device and a second storage attachment device, and the item is retained by each of the first storage attachment device and the second storage attachment device.

In any of the aspects or embodiments described above and herein, the center portion of the secondary strap is disposed approximately halfway between the first secondary end and the second secondary end.

In any of the aspects or embodiments described above and herein, the counterpart center portion of the primary strap is disposed approximately halfway between the first primary end and the second primary end.

In any of the aspects or embodiments described above and herein, the center portion of the secondary strap is mounted to the counterpart center portion of the primary strap with a center fastener.

In any of the aspects or embodiments described above and herein, the secondary strap is rotatable relative to the primary strap about the center fastener.

In any of the aspects or embodiments described above and herein, the primary strap is rotatable relative to the harness.

In any of the aspects or embodiments described above and herein, the second length is less than the first length.

In any of the aspects or embodiments described above and herein, the primary strap is made from a first material and the secondary strap is made from a second material which is different than the first material.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a method for mounting a storage attachment device to a harness is provided. The method includes rotatably and detachably mounting a primary strap of the storage attachment device to a secondary strap of the storage attachment device. The primary strap includes a first primary end, a second primary end opposite the first primary end, and a first length defined between the first primary end and the second primary end. The primary strap further includes a first primary side and a second primary side opposite the first primary side. Each of the first primary side and the second primary side extends between the first primary end and the second primary end. The primary strap further includes a first primary fastener disposed on the first primary side at the first primary end and a second primary fastener disposed on the second primary side at the second primary end. The secondary strap includes a first secondary end, a second secondary end opposite the first secondary end, and a second length defined between the first secondary end and the second secondary end. The secondary strap further includes a first secondary side and a second secondary side opposite the first secondary side. Each of the first secondary side and the second secondary side extends between the first secondary end and the second secondary end. The secondary strap further includes a first secondary fastener disposed on the first secondary side at the first secondary end and a second secondary fastener disposed on the second secondary side at the second secondary end. The method further includes mounting the storage attachment device to the harness by engaging the second secondary fastener with the first secondary fastener so as to form a first enclosed loop around a portion of the harness.

In any of the aspects or embodiments described above and herein, the method further includes retaining an item within the primary strap of the storage attachment device by engaging the second primary fastener with the first primary fastener to form a second enclosed loop around a portion of the item.

In any of the aspects or embodiments described above and herein, the primary strap is rotatable relative to the harness.

The present disclosure, and all its aspects, embodiments and advantages associated therewith will become more readily apparent in view of the detailed description provided below, including the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a top view of two storage attachment devices, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates a bottom view of the storage attachment devices of FIG. 1 with the secondary straps rotated ninety degrees, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a storage system including the storage attachment devices of FIG. 1 mounted to a harness, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the storage system of FIG. 3 including a retained item, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a storage attachment device 10 includes a flexible primary strap 12. The primary strap 12 includes a first primary end 14, a second primary end 16 opposite the first primary end 14, and a length L1 defined between the first primary end 14 and the second primary end 16. The primary strap 12 further includes a first primary side 18 and a second primary side 20 opposite the first primary side 18. Each of the first primary side 18 and the second primary side 20 extend between the first primary end 14 and the second primary end 16 of the primary strap 12. The primary strap 12 further includes a first primary fastener 22 disposed on the first primary side 18 at the first primary end 14 and a second primary fastener 24 disposed on the second primary side 20 at the second primary end 16. The second primary fastener 24 is configured to engage with the first primary fastener 22. In various embodiments, the first primary fastener 22 and the second primary fastener 24 may each include more than one fastener (see, e.g. FIG. 1). The first primary fastener 22 and the second primary fastener 24 may be any suitable type of fastener such as, for example, snap fasteners, hook-and-loop fasteners, button fasteners, quick-release strap fasteners, buckle fasteners, etc.

The storage attachment device 10 further includes a flexible secondary strap 26. The secondary strap 26 includes a first secondary end 28, a second secondary end 30 opposite the first secondary end 28, and a length L2 defined between the first secondary end 28 and the second secondary end 30. The secondary strap 26 further includes a first secondary side 32 and a second secondary side 34 opposite the first secondary side 32. Each of the first secondary side 32 and the second secondary side 34 extend between the first secondary end 28 and the second secondary end 30. The secondary strap 26 further includes a first secondary fastener 36 disposed on the first secondary side 32 at the first secondary end 28 and a second secondary fastener 38 disposed on the second secondary side 34 at the second secondary end 30. The second secondary fastener 38 is configured to engage with the first secondary fastener 36. Similar to the first primary fastener 22 and the second primary fastener 24, the first secondary fastener 36 and the second secondary fastener 38 may be any suitable type of fastener such as, for example, snap fasteners, hook-and-loop fasteners, button fasteners, quick-release strap fasteners, buckle fasteners, etc.

A center portion 40 of the secondary strap 26 is disposed approximately halfway (e.g., +/−10 percent of the length L2) between the first secondary end 28 and the second secondary end 30. Similarly, a counterpart center portion 42 of the primary strap 12 is disposed approximately halfway (e.g., +/−10 percent of the length L1) between the first primary end 14 and the second primary end 16. The center portion 40 of the secondary strap 26 is mounted to the counterpart center portion 42 of the primary strap 12, for example, with center fasteners 44. In various embodiments, the center portion 40 of the secondary strap 26 may be rotatably and/or detachably mounted to the counterpart center portion 42 of the primary strap 12. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the center portion 40 and the counterpart center portion 42 may be detachably and rotatably mounted to one another with corresponding snap fasteners as the center fasteners 44. Accordingly, the secondary strap 26 may be rotatable relative to the primary strap 12 about the center fasteners 44. However, alternative center fasteners 44 may be used to mount the center portion 40 to the counterpart center portion 42 such as, for example, hook-and-loop fasteners, button fasteners, stitching, etc.

In various embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 for example, the length L2 of the secondary strap 26 may be less than the length L1 of the primary strap 12. However, it should be understood that the lengths L1, L2 of the respective straps 12, 26 are not limited to such a configuration and that the length L2 of the secondary strap 26 could be equal to or greater than the length L1 of the primary strap 12. The straps 12, 26 may be made from any suitable material such as, for example, fabric (e.g., polyester), leather, plastic, etc. In various embodiments, the primary strap 12 may be made from a first material which is different than a second material from which the secondary strap 26 is made.

Referring to FIG. 3, the storage attachment device 10 may be mounted to an article of equipment 100 (e.g., wearable equipment). As shown in FIG. 3, the article of equipment may be, for example, a harness (e.g., a dog harness). However, it should be understood that the article of equipment 100 may be any article of equipment to which the storage attachment device 10 may be attached including, but not limited to, backpacks, belts, items of clothing, etc. The second secondary fastener 38 is engaged with the first secondary fastener 36 so as to form a first enclosed loop 46 around a portion of the article of equipment 100, thereby mounting the storage attachment device 10 to the article of equipment 100. In various embodiments, more than one storage attachment device 10 may be mounted to the portion of the article of equipment 100. As previously discussed, the center portion 40 of the secondary strap 26 and the counterpart center portion 42 of the primary strap 12 may be rotatably mounted to one another. Accordingly, with the storage attachment device 10 mounted to the article of equipment 100, the primary strap 12 may be rotatable relative to the article of equipment 100.

Referring to FIG. 4, the storage attachment device 10 may be used to retain at least one item 200. As shown in FIG. 4, the item 200 may be, for example, an item of clothing such as a rain coat. Accordingly, the item 200 may be retained by at least one storage attachment device 10 mounted to the article of equipment 100 until use of the item 200 is required or desired. The second primary fastener 24 is engaged with the first primary fastener 22 so as to form a second enclosed loop around a portion of the item 200, thereby retaining the item 200 within the storage attachment device 10. As previously discussed, the center portion 40 of the secondary strap 26 and the counterpart center portion 42 of the primary strap 12 may be detachably mounted to one another. Accordingly, the primary strap 12, with the item 200 retained therein, may be detached and/or attached from/to the secondary strap 26 with the secondary strap 26 mounted to the article of equipment 100. As previously discussed, the first primary fastener 22 and the second primary fastener 24 may each include more than one fastener (see, e.g. FIG. 1). Accordingly, a user may be able to adjust a circumference of the second enclosed loop 48 based on a size of the item 200 to be retained.

The storage attachment device 10, according to embodiments of the present disclosure, may provide for secure retention of items 200 while permitting easy storage and retrieval of the items 200. For example, the rotatable mounting of the primary strap 12 to the secondary strap 26 may provide a range of possible orientations of the retained items relative to the article of equipment 100 to which the storage attachment device 10 is mounted. Further, the detachable mounting of the primary strap 12 to the secondary strap 26 may allow the retained item 200 to be detached from the article of equipment 100 while still being neatly retained within the primary strap 12. Similarly, the item 200 can be installed into the primary strap 12, at the user's convenience, while the primary strap 12 is detached from the secondary strap 26 and, hence, the article of equipment 100. This feature may be especially useful where the article of equipment 100 is, for example, a harness attached to a dog or other animal.

While various aspects of the present disclosure have been disclosed, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the present disclosure as described herein includes several aspects and embodiments that include particular features. Although these particular features may be described individually, it is within the scope of the present disclosure that some or all of these features may be combined with any one of the aspects and remain within the scope of the present disclosure. References to “various embodiments,” “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “an example embodiment,” etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to effect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described. Accordingly, the present disclosure is not to be restricted except in light of the attached claims and their equivalents.

It is noted that various connections are set forth between elements in the following description and in the drawings. It is noted that these connections are general and, unless specified otherwise, may be direct or indirect and that this specification is not intended to be limiting in this respect. A coupling between two or more entities may refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection. An indirect connection may incorporate one or more intervening entities. It is further noted that various method or process steps for embodiments of the present disclosure are described in the following description and drawings. The description may present the method and/or process steps as a particular sequence. However, to the extent that the method or process does not rely on the particular order of steps set forth herein, the method or process should not be limited to the particular sequence of steps described. As one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate, other sequences of steps may be possible. Therefore, the particular order of the steps set forth in the description should not be construed as a limitation.

Furthermore, no element, component, or method step in the present disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether the element, component, or method step is explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element herein is to be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112(f) unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for.” As used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.

Claims

1. A storage attachment device comprising:

a primary strap comprising a first primary end, a second primary end opposite the first primary end, and a first length defined between the first primary end and the second primary end, the primary strap further comprising a first primary side and a second primary side opposite the first primary side, each of the first primary side and the second primary side extending between the first primary end and the second primary end, the primary strap further comprising a first primary fastener disposed on the first primary side at the first primary end and a second primary fastener disposed on the second primary side at the second primary end, the second primary fastener configured to engage with the first primary fastener; and

a secondary strap comprising a first secondary end, a second secondary end opposite the first secondary end, and a second length defined between the first secondary end and the second secondary end, the secondary strap further comprising a first secondary side and a second secondary side opposite the first secondary side, each of the first secondary side and the second secondary side extending between the first secondary end and the second secondary end, the secondary strap further comprising a first secondary fastener disposed on the first secondary side at the first secondary end and a second secondary fastener disposed on the second secondary side at the second secondary end, the second secondary fastener configured to engage with the first secondary fastener;

wherein a center portion of the secondary strap, disposed between the first secondary end and the second secondary end, is rotatably and detachably mounted to a counterpart center portion of the primary strap, disposed between the first primary end and the second primary end.

2. The storage attachment device of claim 1, wherein the center portion of the secondary strap is disposed approximately halfway between the first secondary end and the second secondary end.

3. The storage attachment device of claim 2, wherein the counterpart center portion of the primary strap is disposed approximately halfway between the first primary end and the second primary end.

4. The storage attachment device of claim 2, wherein the center portion of the secondary strap is mounted to the counterpart center portion of the primary strap with a center fastener.

5. The storage attachment device of claim 4, wherein the secondary strap is rotatable relative to the primary strap about the center fastener.

6. The storage attachment device of claim 1, wherein the second length is less than the first length.

7. The storage attachment device of claim 1, wherein the primary strap is made from a first material and the secondary strap is made from a second material which is different than the first material.

8. A storage system comprising:

a harness; and

at least one storage attachment device attached to the harness, the at least one storage attachment device comprising: a primary strap comprising a first primary end, a second primary end opposite the first primary end, and a first length defined between the first primary end and the second primary end, the primary strap further comprising a first primary side and a second primary side opposite the first primary side, each of the first primary side and the second primary side extending between the first primary end and the second primary end, the primary strap further comprising a first primary fastener disposed on the first primary side at the first primary end and a second primary fastener disposed on the second primary side at the second primary end, the second primary fastener configured to engage with the first primary fastener; and a secondary strap comprising a first secondary end, a second secondary end opposite the first secondary end, and a second length defined between the first secondary end and the second secondary end, the secondary strap further comprising a first secondary side and a second secondary side opposite the first secondary side, each of the first secondary side and the second secondary side extending between the first secondary end and the second secondary end, the secondary strap further comprising a first secondary fastener disposed on the first secondary side at the first secondary end and a second secondary fastener disposed on the second secondary side at the second secondary end, the second secondary fastener engaged with the first secondary fastener so as to form a first enclosed loop around a portion of the harness, thereby mounting the at least one storage attachment device to the harness; wherein a center portion of the secondary strap, disposed between the first secondary end and the second secondary end, is rotatably and detachably mounted to a counterpart center portion of the primary strap, disposed between the first primary end and the second primary end.

9. The storage system of claim 8, further comprising an item, wherein the second primary fastener is engaged with the first primary fastener so as to form a second enclosed loop around a portion of the item, thereby retaining the item within the primary strap of the at least one storage attachment device.

10. The storage system of claim 8, wherein the at least one storage attachment device includes a first storage attachment device and a second storage attachment device and wherein the item is retained by each of the first storage attachment device and the second storage attachment device.

11. The storage system of claim 8, wherein the center portion of the secondary strap is disposed approximately halfway between the first secondary end and the second secondary end.

12. The storage system of claim 11, wherein the counterpart center portion of the primary strap is disposed approximately halfway between the first primary end and the second primary end.

13. The storage system of claim 11, wherein the center portion of the secondary strap is mounted to the counterpart center portion of the primary strap with a center fastener.

14. The storage system of claim 13, wherein the secondary strap is rotatable relative to the primary strap about the center fastener.

15. The storage system of claim 14, wherein the primary strap is rotatable relative to the harness.

16. The storage system of claim 8, wherein the second length is less than the first length.

17. The storage system of claim 8, wherein the primary strap is made from a first material and the secondary strap is made from a second material which is different than the first material.

18. A method for mounting a storage attachment device to a harness, the method comprising:

rotatably and detachably mounting a primary strap of the storage attachment device to a secondary strap of the storage attachment device, the primary strap comprising a first primary end, a second primary end opposite the first primary end, and a first length defined between the first primary end and the second primary end, the primary strap further comprising a first primary side and a second primary side opposite the first primary side, each of the first primary side and the second primary side extending between the first primary end and the second primary end, the primary strap further comprising a first primary fastener disposed on the first primary side at the first primary end and a second primary fastener disposed on the second primary side at the second primary end, and a secondary strap comprising a first secondary end, a second secondary end opposite the first secondary end, and a second length defined between the first secondary end and the second secondary end, the secondary strap further comprising a first secondary side and a second secondary side opposite the first secondary side, each of the first secondary side and the second secondary side extending between the first secondary end and the second secondary end, the secondary strap further comprising a first secondary fastener disposed on the first secondary side at the first secondary end and a second secondary fastener disposed on the second secondary side at the second secondary end; and

mounting the storage attachment device to the harness by engaging the second secondary fastener with the first secondary fastener so as to form a first enclosed loop around a portion of the harness.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising retaining an item within the primary strap of the storage attachment device by engaging the second primary fastener with the first primary fastener to form a second enclosed loop around a portion of the item.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the primary strap is rotatable relative to the harness.