US20120125797A1

US20120125797A1 - Organizing strap set

Info

Publication number: US20120125797A1
Application number: US13/292,121
Authority: US
Inventors: Lisa Foye; Peter Foye
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-11-19
Filing date: 2011-11-09
Publication date: 2012-05-24

Abstract

An organizing device is designed to be arranged to surround sides or edges of one or more items to securely hold the items together. The organizing device includes a first strap and a second strap. The first and second straps are held together at an attachment area in the mid-section of each strap. The organizing device also includes connection means located at each end area of the first and second straps. The connection means allow the areas of the first strap and end areas of the second strap to connect together and form an engaged closure around a group of items. The organizing strap device also features a method of identifying the group of items contained within the straps, such as a pre-printed label, a small pocket configured to hold an insert or an area on which may be written the contents of the organizing device.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. Provisional Patent No. 61/415,505 for “Organizing Strap Set”, which was filed on Nov. 19, 2010, which is incorporated fully herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an organizing strap device and more particularly, relates to a two part strap designed for holding multiple objects together in a group or set.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

There are many items that day in and day out are used as a group or set such as, for example but not limited to, bed sheets (typically a 3 or 4 piece set consisting of a fitted sheet, top sheet and one or more pillowcases), towels sets (typically a bath towel, and towel and facecloth), two or three previously wrapped packages destined for the same individual or location, or even clothing particularly for children or those who find it difficult to select a “set” of clothing such as pants or slacks, a shirt or top, socks, underwear and perhaps other clothing items that should be or are desired to be worn together.
Ties, straps, ribbons and other materials have frequently been used to tie together various items such as luggage, and various groupings of items. These materials often require the use of knots or other fastening devices to lock the materials in place. Many individuals find it difficult if not impossible to tie or untimely together such items and thus the use of these materials is difficult, these materials are often not reusable, and do not provide secure means of keeping multiple items together.
In addition, these prior art packaging items do not allow the user to identify the contents of the grouping so that later on, the grouping can be identified without the need to completely take apart a grouping and try to identify as in the case of that sheets wherein it is also required that the user completely unfold a sheet and try to examine the tag to determine its size.
Accordingly, what is needed is a new device that is capable of grouping multiple items together in a simple, efficient and effective manner and design. The device should be easy to use, provide a secure means of keeping multiple items together and come in various sizes to accommodate different items. Moreover, such a device should have a means of identifying the contents of the grouping.

SUMMARY

The present invention features an organizing device including a first strap, comprising a mid-section, and two end areas, one end area located on each side of said mid-section. A second strap comprising a mid-section and two end areas, one end area located on each side of the mid-section is also provided. The mid-section of the first strap and the mid-section of the second strap are configured to intersect at an attachment area.
Connection means are located at the first and second end areas of the first and said second straps, wherein the connection means is configured to allow attachment of the first and second end areas of the first strap to one another and attachment of the first and second end areas of the second strap to one another, for forming a generally “X” or “+” shape. The connection means can be a buckle, hook and loop closure, snaps, buttons, or any other connection means capable of securing the four strap ends together. Also included is at least one organizing strap device identification area or device, disposed on the mid-section of at least one of the first or second straps, and configured for identifying a contents of one or more items enclosed by the organizing device.
The organizing device may further include a strap attachment device disposed in the attachment area, and configured for connecting the mid-section of the first strap to the midsection of the second strap. The strap attachment device may include an attachment device that allows the first strap to pivot relative to the second strap such that the first strap can be positioned generally directly over the second strap. The at least one organizing strap device identification area or device may include a see through writable insert holder, configured to hold an insert on which a user may write item identifying information to describe the contents held by the organizing device.
In this manner, the organizing device is configured to wrap around four sides of a group of items and to securely hold the group of items.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood by reading the following detailed description, taken together with the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the organizing strap device of the present invention when not in use;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the organizational device when in use; and

FIG. 3 is a view of the label and pocket/insert feature of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention features an organizing strap device 10, FIG. 1, that is designed to surround four (4) edges or sides of a group of items (two or more items) such as, but not limited to, sheets, clothes, towels and/or wrapped packages, thereby holding the group of items together in a secure manner. The organizing strap device 10 includes a first strap 12 and a second strap 14. Each strap 12/14 is made out of an inexpensive yet durable and easy to manufacture material such as vinyl (similar to hospital patient identification bands), plastic, a composite material, stretchable or elastic material such as rubber or silicone (the type of material used for wristbands often warn by individuals supporting a particular cause) or the like, although the invention is not limited by these types of materials. It is within the scope of the invention that the material may also be a cloth, ribbon, or other suitable material of suitable width and of any color desired.
The strap material may feature one material on an inner side 30 of the strap and a different material on an outer side 32 of the strap. In this embodiment, the inner side 30 of the straps 12/14 that comes in contact with the group of items may feature a slightly tacky or gripping material and/or surface to snuggly hold the group of items 28. Alternatively, the material on both the inner and outer sides 30/32 of the straps 12/14 may be the same. The strap material could be of any color or any plurality of colors. Each strap may be of the same or different colors. In addition, the straps 12/14 may be imprinted with a pattern, logo or the like.
The straps 12/14 can be of any length, and would preferably be configured to be long enough to surround the intended group of items. The straps 12/14 may be cut to a desired length or adjustable (not shown), such that they can be lengthened or shortened to accommodate larger and smaller groups of items.
Each strap includes an end portion 20. The straps 12/14 may be fixably coupled together in an “X” or “+” configuration at an attachment area 16 by some generally permanent or semi-permanent attachment means such as hook and loop, glue, vinyl welding, sewed, bolted, clasp attachment, etc. The method of attachment of the first strap 12 with the second strap 14 can also be any other suitable attachment means. The attachment area 16 serves to establish a generally permanent or semi-permanent connection between the first strap 12 and the second strap 14.
Alternatively, the straps 12/14 may be moveably coupled together by means of a single point attachment device 17 such as a pin or the like, which pin allows the two straps 12/14 to be pivot and move toward and away from one another in the direction of arrows 21 allowing the two straps 12/14 to be stored, shipped and sold one on top of each other (not shown). This configuration serves to allow for easy storage of the organizing strap device 10 when not in use.
The organizing strap device 10, FIG. 2, further includes end connection means 18. The connection means 18 are located at the end areas 20 of the first and second straps 12/14. The connection means 18 may be a clasp, buckle, snaps, a hook and loop closure, or any other suitable connection means. The connection means 18 allow the end areas 20 of the first strap 12 to be fastened together around the items 28 to be organized together and similarly the end areas 20 of the second strap 14 to connect together and thus form a 4 sided engaged closure around a group of items 28.
As shown in FIG. 2, when the connection means 18 are fully engaged the first strap and second strap form an “X” or “+” design around the group of items 28, thereby holding the items securely in place. The connection means 18 can be easily engaged and easily disengaged. The nature of the connection means permits the organizing strap device 10 to be used disengaged and then reused repeatedly over and over again.
The organizing strap device 10, FIG. 3 preferably also features a label 22 or other identification device, region or location. The label 22 may feature one or more preprinted words or the lines or may be blank. The label 22 identifies the contents of the grouping or will allow a user to write a description that is preferably removable, such that the label 22 can be used multiple times. For example, label region 22 may be preprinted with information concerning the grouping of items 28 that is being stored within the organizing strap device 10 such as, for example, the size of the sheets (i.e. “king” or “queen” or “twin” or the like), or words like “bath towel set”, all of which can be utilized by hotels or Inns or the like or individual users as well.
In another embodiment, a clear pocket or holder 24 may be used on one of the straps, wherein the pocket would be configured to hold an insert 26. A user could then write details on the insert 26 and then place the insert 26 into the clear or see through pocket 24. The insert 26 material can be paper, cardboard, plastic or any other material with a writable surface. The insert may be reusable or may be disposable and replaceable.
For example, a user could personalize the organizing strap device 10 for a room (“guest room sheets”); for a person (“Sarah's sheets”, “David's gifts”); for a day of the week (Tuesday) whereby a traveling or working mother or father could prepare “groups” of clothing for their children for each day of the week to help eliminate an early morning crisis wherein a child does not know or cannot decide what to wear; or for any other reason or purpose that a user can envision.
The organizing strap device 10 can be used to surround a group of items 28, preferably a group of items that are related to one another. For example, a set of sheets that includes a fitted sheet, a full sheet and two pillowcases. In this example, the sheets can be folded as usual and placed in a pile on the inner side 30 of the straps 12/14, with the center of the group of items placed approximately where the attachment area 16 is located. The first and second strap 12/14 are then wrapped around and over the set of sheets in an “+” configuration and connected with the connection means 18. This method allows the organizing strap device 10 to hold the set of sheets in a secure bundle for transport and storage. A user can also write information about the sheets on the label 22 or the insert 26. For example, a user could write the size of the sheets, the date they were washed, the room where they should be used, the person they belong to, or any other details.
Accordingly, the organizing strap device 10 is designed to accommodate many purposes and uses in place of or in addition to that described above. For example, the organizing strap device 10 could be used to surround a towel set (bath towel, hand towel and washcloth), a set of clothes (pants, shirts, undergarments), an assortment of books or notebooks for a class (text book, study guide and notebooks), or any other “group” of generally related items that would benefit from being held tightly together in an organized manner.
Modifications and substitutions by one of ordinary skill in the art are considered to be within the scope of the present invention, which is not to be limited except by the allowed claims and their legal equivalents.

Claims

1. An organizing device comprising:

a first strap, comprising a mid section, and two end areas, one end area located on each side of said mid-section;

a second strap, comprising a mid section, and two end areas, one end area located on each side of said mid-section, wherein said mid-section of said first strap and said mid section of said second strap are configured to intersect at an attachment area;

connection means located at said first and second end areas of said first and said second straps, wherein said connection means is configured to allow attachment of said first and second end areas of said first strap to one another and attachment of said first and second end areas of said second strap to one another, for forming a generally “X” or “+” shape; and

at least one organizing strap device identification area or device, disposed on said mid-section of at least one of said first or second straps, and configured for identifying a contents of one or more items enclosed by said organizing device.

2. The organizing device of claim 1, further including a strap attachment device disposed in said attachment area, and configured for connecting said midsection of said first strap to said midsection of said second strap.

3. The organizing device of claim 2, wherein said strap attachment device includes an attachment device that allows said first strap to pivot relative to said second strap such that said first strap can be positioned generally directly over said second strap.

4. The organizing device of claim 1, wherein said at least one organizing strap device identification area or device includes a see through writable insert holder, configured to hold an insert on which a user may write item identifying information.