Strap apparatus for carrying relatively large objects

• US 5,833,292 A
• Filed: 07/09/1997
• Issued: 11/10/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 07/09/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Thomas F. Lyons Jr
• Original Assignee: Thomas F. Lyons Jr
• Inventors: Lyons, Thomas F. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): KRAMER, DEAN J
• Application Number:
  US08/890,629
• Time in Patent Office: 489 Days
• Field of Search: 294/74, 294/137, 294/141, 294/149, 294/150, 294/152, 294/157, 294/165
• US Class Current: 294/152
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 3/14 Carrying-straps; Pack-carrying harnesses
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 7/12 Load carriers, e.g. hooks, slings, harness, gloves, modified for load carrying

Abstract

At least three straps, each comprising a body portion and a buckle, are linked together to be used in carrying a relatively large object. The middle strap contacts the bottom surface of the relatively large object and the strap connected to each end of the middle strap contacts portions of the bottom surface and portions of relatively large opposite surfaces of the relatively large object. At least the end straps are adjustable to compensate for differences in the physical characteristics of the persons carrying the relatively large object.

Claims

1. Strap apparatus comprising a plurality of straps for use in carrying a relatively large object having at least a bottom surface, opposite side surfaces and relatively large opposite surfaces comprising:

at least three looped straps;

each of said at least three looped straps being adjustable;

each of said at least three looped straps comprising an elongated body portion and a securing buckle for permitting adjustment of the length of said elongated body portion and for holding each of said at least three looped straps at a desired length;

at least one of said at least three looped straps being located so as to contact only said bottom surface;

portions of the remaining at least two adjustable looped straps being located to contact at least portions of said bottom surface and each of said relatively large opposite surfaces; and

at least two of said at least three looped straps being linked to another of said at least three looped straps by securing the elongated body portion of a first one of said at least three looped straps to said securing buckle to form a first looped strap;

threading the elongated body portions of each of the second and third looped straps of said at least three looped straps through said first looped strap and securing said elongated body portions of said second and third looped straps to its associated buckle so that, when a force is applied thereto, any portion of one of said at least three looped straps will move into contact with any portion of another of said at least three looped straps.

2. Strap apparatus as in claim 1 wherein:

each of said plurality of straps is color coded for identification and interchangeability.

3. Strap apparatus as in claim 1 wherein:

each of said looped straps consisting only of said elongated body portion and said securing buckle for permitting adjustment of the length of said elongated body portion and for holding said looped strap at a desired length.

4. Strap apparatus as in claim 3 wherein:

said elongated body portion and said buckle are formed from a non-marring material.

5. Strap apparatus as in claim 4 wherein:

all of said at least three looped straps having elongated body portions of substantially the same length.

6. Strap apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said plurality of straps comprise:

at least four looped straps;

at least two of said at least four looped straps being in contact with only said bottom surface; and

each of said at least four looped straps being linked together with only two adjacent ones of said at least four looped straps.

7. Strap apparatus as in claim 6 wherein:

all of said at least four looped straps are adjustable.

8. Strap apparatus as in claim 7 wherein:

each of said at least four looped straps consisting only of said elongated body portion and said securing buckle for permitting adjustment of the length of said elongated body portion and for holding said looped strap at a desired length.

9. Strap apparatus as in claim 8 wherein:

said elongated body portion and said buckle are formed from a non-marring material.

10. Strap apparatus as in claim 9 wherein:

all of said at least four looped straps having elongated body portions of substantially the same length.

11. Strap apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said plurality of straps comprise:

at least five looped straps; and

only one of said at least five looped straps being linked to the other four of said at least five looped straps.

12. Strap apparatus as in claim 11 wherein:

all of said at least five straps are adjustable.

13. Strap apparatus as in claim 12 wherein:

each of said looped straps consisting only of said elongated body portion and said buckle for permitting adjustment of the length of said elongated body portion and for holding said looped strap at a desired length.

14. Strap apparatus as in claim 13 wherein:

said elongated body portion and said buckle are formed from a non-marring material.

15. Strap apparatus as in claim 14 wherein:

all of said five looped straps having elongated body portions of substantially the same length.

16. Method for carrying a relatively large object having at least a bottom surface, opposite side surfaces and relatively large opposite surfaces comprising:

providing at least three elongated straps, each consisting only of an elongated body portion and a buckle;

connecting said elongated body portion of each of said at least three elongated straps to said buckle thereof to form at least three looped straps;

linking two of said at least three looped straps to the other of said at least three looped straps during said connecting operation so that, when a force is applied thereto, any portion of one of said at least three linked together looped straps will move into contact with any portion of another of said linked together looped straps;

placing at least one of said linked looped straps against only said bottom surface;

placing a second one of said linked looped straps into contact with at least portions of said bottom surface so that a first person, who is to carry the relatively large object, can grasp one portion of said second one of said linked looped straps so that, when said one portion is lifted upwardly, other portions of said second one of said linked looped straps will move into contact with portions of said relatively large opposite surfaces; and

placing a third one of said linked looped straps into contact with at least other portions of said bottom surface so that a second person, who is to carry the relatively large object, can grasp a portion of said third one of said linked looped straps so that, when said portion is lifted upwardly, other portions of said third one of said linked looped straps will move into contact with other portions of said relatively large opposite surfaces.

17. Method as in claim 16 and further comprising:

adjusting said second one and said third one of said linked looped straps to compensate for the physical characteristics of said first and said second persons.

18. Method as in claim 16 and further comprising:

providing at least two additional straps, each having only an elongated body portion and a buckle;

connecting said elongated body portion of each of said at least two additional straps to said buckle thereof to form at least five looped straps;

linking said at least two additional looped straps to said other of said at least three looped straps during said connecting operation so that a fourth one of said linked looped straps will cooperate with said second one of said linked looped straps and a fifth one of said linked looped straps will cooperate with said third one of said linked looped straps;

placing portions of said fourth one of said at least five linked looped straps into contact with said bottom surface at least adjacent to said second one of said linked looped straps so that a third person, who is to carry the relatively large object, can grasp a portion of said fourth one of said linked looped straps so that, when said portion is lifted upwardly, other portions of said fourth one of said linked looped straps will move into contact with portions of said relatively large opposite surfaces; and

placing portions of said fifth one of said linked looped straps into contact with portions of said bottom surface at least adjacent to said third one of said linked looped straps so that a fourth person, who is to carry the relatively large object, can grasp a portion of said fifth one of said linked looped straps so that, when said portion is lifted upwardly, other portions of said fifth one of said linked looped straps will move into contact with portions of said relatively large opposite surfaces.

19. Method as in claim 18 and further comprising:

adjusting said second, third, fourth and fifth linked looped straps to compensate for the physical characteristics of said first, second, third and fourth persons.

20. Method as in claim 16 and further comprising:

providing at least one additional strap having only an elongated body portion and a buckle;

connecting said elongated body portion of said at least one additional strap to said buckle thereof to form at least four looped straps;

linking said at least one additional looped strap to only one of said at least three looped straps during said connecting operation; and

placing portions of at least two of said at least four linked looped straps into contact with only said bottom surface so that, when said relatively large object is lifted upwardly, other portions of said remaining two of said at least four linked looped straps will move into contact with portions of said relatively large opposite surfaces.