RETRACTOR CORD ASSEMBLIES FOR CARRIED ARTICLES
First Claim
1. A retractable strap system for a container to be carried, comprising:
- a partially enclosed retractor housing having a first end and a second end, said retractor housing having an aperture entering said first end and an aperture entering said second end;
a first retractor mechanism housed in said retractor housing and including a first pulley attached at said first end of said housing and a second pulley attached via a first extension spring to the second end of said housing; and
a second retractor mechanism housed said retractor housing and including a third pulley attached at said second end of said housing and a fourth pulley attached via a second extension spring to the first end of said housing;
microfine line of substantially circular cross-section wound about all of said first, second, third and fourth pulleys of both said first and second retractor mechanisms, and exiting said retractor housing through said first and second apertures;
a handle suspended by said microfine polymer line, said handle being retractable to a normally home position lying flush against one side of said container to be carried, and an extended position for wear about a user'"'"'s shoulder.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A low-profile retractable cord system in which a line is attached to a pair of retractor mechanisms located in the sides of an article to be carried (such as a briefcase, a purse, a handbag, suitcase, tote, bag, knapsack, sports bag, gym bag, etc.). The line is high-tensile braided line threaded out through eyelets which are offset inwardly and downwardly from the upper corners of the article to be carried. This way, the line and shoulder pad attached thereto lie flat along the carried article. Various retractor mechanisms are shown, including an opposed pair of coil-spring-biased reels, opposed independent pulley mechanisms, or a common pulley mechanism. An alternate embodiment employs a single retractor mechanism and line for a single loop-handle is also shown.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. A retractable strap system for a container to be carried, comprising:
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a partially enclosed retractor housing having a first end and a second end, said retractor housing having an aperture entering said first end and an aperture entering said second end; a first retractor mechanism housed in said retractor housing and including a first pulley attached at said first end of said housing and a second pulley attached via a first extension spring to the second end of said housing; and a second retractor mechanism housed said retractor housing and including a third pulley attached at said second end of said housing and a fourth pulley attached via a second extension spring to the first end of said housing; microfine line of substantially circular cross-section wound about all of said first, second, third and fourth pulleys of both said first and second retractor mechanisms, and exiting said retractor housing through said first and second apertures; a handle suspended by said microfine polymer line, said handle being retractable to a normally home position lying flush against one side of said container to be carried, and an extended position for wear about a user'"'"'s shoulder. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A retractable strap system for an article to be carried, comprising:
a pair of retractor mechanisms both mounted internally of said article to be carried and each attached on one side of said article to be carried, and each further comprising, a disk-shaped housing defined by an aperture entering said housing; a spool rotatably mounted inside said housing; a spiral spring contained within said disk-shaped housing and engaged to said spool and biasing said spool against rotation; and microfine line formed of braided filaments in a substantially circular cross-section wound about the spools of said retractor mechanisms and exiting said disk-shaped housings through said apertures; a handle suspended by said microfine line, said handle being retractable to a normally home position lying flush against one side of said article to be carried, and an extended position for wear about a user'"'"'s shoulder. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10)
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11. A carry case, comprising:
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a clamshell enclosure including an upper flap portion hingedly connected to a lower flap portion along a spline; and a retractor assembly including a first retractor mechanism and a second retractor mechanism; micro-fine line connected to both of said first and second retractor mechanisms, and a handle suspended by said micro-fine line, said handle being retractable to a normally home position lying flush across and against said carry case, and an extended position for wear about a user'"'"'s shoulder. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A carry case for an article to be carried, comprising:
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an enclosure for said article to be carried; and a first retractor assembly including a housing affixed inside said article and a first retractor mechanism mounted in said housing; a first length of micro-fine line connected at one end to said first retractor mechanism, and a handle attached to another end of said micro-fine line, said handle being retractable to a normally home position lying flush against said enclosure, and an extended position. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification