US20100170065A1

US20100170065A1 - Strap adjuster

Info

Publication number: US20100170065A1
Application number: US12/465,861
Authority: US
Inventors: Jisook Paik
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-01-08
Filing date: 2009-05-14
Publication date: 2010-07-08
Also published as: DE102009025763A1; KR20100082159A; KR101016882B1

Abstract

A strap adjuster has a quadrangular frame; a plurality of slots defined in the frame to extend in a transverse direction such that a strap can be fitted through the slots; and at least one support bar formed between the slots, wherein recessions are formed on both widthwise side surfaces, respectively, of the frame such that the frame can be easily grasped using fingers.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates, in general, to a strap adjuster which is used to be mounted to a strap installed on knapsacks, bags, clothes, helmets, etc. so as to adjust the effective length of the strap or fix the strap adjuster at a desired position on the strap, and more particularly, to a strap adjuster which is configured to be conveniently moved on a strap and has improved adhesibility to the strap to be stably maintained in a fixed state without substantial protrusion.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, straps are installed on knapsacks, bags, hats, clothes, etc. as the occasion demands. A strap adjuster is mounted to a strap so that the strap can be tightened or the effective length of the strap can be adjusted by virtue of the strap adjuster.
The strap adjuster has a frame which has a substantially rectangular configuration. A support bar is formed in the frame in such a way as to connect both widthwise side walls of the frame and extend in a horizontal direction across the space defined in the frame such that slots are defined between the support bar and the frame. A strap is passed through the slots such that the strap is saddled on the support bar. In this way, the strap adjuster can be fixedly maintained at a desired position on the strap. If desired, the strap adjuster can be moved in the lengthwise direction of the strap so that the effective length of the strap can be adjusted.
FIGS. 1 through 3 illustrate an example of a conventional strap adjuster, wherein FIG. 1 is a perspective view, FIG. 2 is a front view of FIG. 1 and FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of FIG. 1. Referring to these drawings, a strap adjuster 1 has a frame 2 which defines the contour of the strap adjuster 1. A support bar 3 is formed to connect both widthwise side walls of the frame 2 and extend in a horizontal direction across the space defined in the frame 2. As a consequence, slots 4 are defined between the support bar 3 and the frame 2 so that a strap S can be passed through the slots 4.
Since most straps are made thin and have a width that is greater than a thickness, the slots 4 through which the strap S is passed have a rectangular sectional shape.
The support bar 3 is differently structured depending upon the function thereof. In the case where the strap S is simply placed on the support bar 3, the support bar 3 has a slim and simple rectangular configuration. In the case where the strap S is wound or tensioned so that durability capable of sustaining a considerable pressure is required, the support bar 3 should have a substantial thickness.
In order to increase friction between the strap adjuster 1 and the strap S, knurls or depressions and protuberances can be formed on the surface of the support bar 3 so that the strap adjuster 1 can be firmly fixed with respect to the strap S.
As the strap S is passed through the slots 4 as if it saddles on the support bar 3, the strap adjuster 1 can maintain its fixed position without fluctuation by the frictional force between the frame 2 including the support bar 3 and the strap S. When the strap S is straightened, maximum frictional force can be obtained.
When it is necessary to move the strap adjuster 1, the strap adjuster 1 can be easily slid on the strap S by bending the strap S. By forcefully tensioning the strap S in the lengthwise direction thereof, which is adjusted in the effective length thereof or on which the position of the strap adjuster 1 is changed, the strap adjuster 1 can be fixed in its position by the friction between the frame 2 and the strap S which is passed through the slots 4 and is saddled on the support bar 3.
The support bar 3, which supports the strap S and provides frictional force, should have sufficient strength. To this end, the support bar 3 should have a predetermined thickness or over, and accordingly, the side walls of the frame 2, to which the support bar 3 is connected, should be formed to have a substantial thickness.
However, in the conventional strap adjuster 1, inconvenience is caused due to the substantial thickness of the frame 2 when the strap adjuster 1 is employed in knapsacks or clothes. In particular, in the case where the strap adjuster 1 is employed in the shoulder strap of a knapsack, as the strap adjuster 1 comes into contact with the human body, interference is caused between the strap adjuster 1 and the human body, and damage to the clothes which are placed under the strap adjuster 1 can be caused.
Also, the strap adjuster 1 may not be kept fixed on the strap S and is likely to be easily moved due to contact with the human body or an external item so that the fixed state of the strap adjuster 1 cannot be stably maintained.
Meanwhile, the strap adjuster 1, which is installed on the strap S, is slid on the strap S by being grasped using fingers so as to adjust the effective length of the strap S. In this regard, even though the strap adjuster 1 has a substantial thickness even causing the interference as described above, the strap adjuster 1 is structured so that it is inconvenient to grasp the strap adjuster 1 using fingers.
That is to say, while it is the norm that both side surfaces of the strap adjuster 1 are grasped and the strap adjuster 1 is moved in the lengthwise direction of the strap S, since the strap adjuster 1 is small-sized and the side walls of the strap adjuster 1 are thin and have insufficient length, it is inconvenient to grasp the strap adjuster 1 using fingers. Moreover, since the strap S is passed through the slots 4 in such a way as to be brought into firm contact with the support bar 3 and the frame 2, it is difficult to slide the strap adjuster 1 due to the frictional between the strap S and the frame 2 including the support bar 3.
FIG. 4 is a front view illustrating another conventional strap adjuster. Referring to FIG. 4, a strap adjuster 11 has a frame 12 which defines the contour of the strap adjuster 11. Two or more support bars 13 are formed in the frame 12 to connect both widthwise side walls of the frame 12. Slots 14 are defined between the support bars 13 and between each support bar 13 and the frame 12 so that a strap can be passed through the slots 14. This type of strap adjuster 11 also suffers from drawbacks in that it is inconvenient to grasp and move the strap adjuster 11 using fingers, interference between the strap adjuster 11 and the human body or an external item is likely to be caused, and the fixed state of the strap adjuster 11 on the strap may not be stably maintained.
That is to say, although various strap adjusters, which are structured in such a way as to define slots by the presence of one or more support bars as shown in FIGS. 1 through 4 so as to allow a strap to be passed through the slots have been disclosed in the art, they encounter the problems as described above.
As a result, in the conventional strap adjusters, sliding manipulation of the strap adjusters is inconvenient, the fixed state of the strap adjusters cannot be stably maintained due to the interference between the strap adjusters and the human body or an external item, and annoyance is likely to be caused due to the contact with the strap adjusters and the human body. Therefore, a strap adjuster capable of solving these problems is keenly demanded in the art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention has been made in an effort to solve the problems occurring in the related art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a strap adjuster which is formed with recessions on both widthwise side surfaces thereof so that the strap adjuster can be easily grasped and moved by fingers, thereby ensuring manipulation convenience.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a strap adjuster in which protrusion is minimized so that, when the strap adjuster is coupled to a strap, interference between the strap adjuster and the human body or an external item can be reduced, thereby preventing inconvenience or annoyance from being caused to a user due to the interference.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a strap adjuster which has close contact parts to stably press a strap so that the fastened state of the strap can be reliably maintained.
In order to achieve the above objects, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a strap adjuster having a frame in which one or at least two rectangular slots are defined so that a strap can be passed through the slots to adjust an effective length of the strap or fix the strap adjuster at a desired position on the strap, wherein recessions are respectively formed on both widthwise side surfaces of the frame which are opposite to each other.
It is preferred that the recessions are respectively positioned at both lengthwise ends of the slots.
Accordingly, when it is necessary to move the strap adjuster in the lengthwise direction of the strap, by grasping the strap adjuster in the recessions formed on the widthwise side surfaces of the frame using fingers, the fingers are prevented from slipping outward on the strap adjuster, whereby the stable manipulation of the strap adjuster can be ensured.
In order to achieve the above objects, according to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a strap adjuster having a frame in which one or at least two rectangular slots are defined so that a strap can be passed through the slots to adjust an effective length of the strap or fix the strap adjuster at a desired position on the strap, wherein portions of an upper surface of the frame define inclined surfaces which extend downward from an inner upper end of the frame adjoining the slots to both lengthwise ends of the frame.
According to this fact, since the protruding corners of the frame are substituted by the inclined surfaces, in the state in which the strap adjuster is coupled to the strap, interference between the strap adjuster and the human body or an external item can be reduced, whereby it is possible to prevent inconvenience from being caused to a user.
Also, due to the fact that the distal ends of the inclined surfaces project outward in such a way as to define close contact parts, the contact area between the strap adjuster and the strap can be increased due to the presence of the close contact parts, whereby the fixed state of the strap adjuster can be stably maintained.
In order to achieve the above objects, according to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a strap adjuster having a frame in which one or at least two rectangular slots are defined so that a strap can be passed through the slots to adjust an effective length of the strap or fix the strap adjuster at a desired position on the strap, wherein a lower surface of the frame is formed as a rounded surface to be concentric in the lengthwise direction of the frame.
Accordingly, in the strap adjuster according to the present invention, adhesibility between the lower surface of the strap adjuster and an object to be contacted can be improved. Also, as the strap which is brought into contact with the lower surface of the frame is efficiently pressed, the fastened state of the strap can be reliably maintained.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above objects, and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent after a reading of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a conventional strap adjuster;

FIG. 2 is a front view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line A-A′ of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a front view illustrating another conventional strap adjuster;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a strap adjuster in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a front view of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line B-B′ of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a strap adjuster in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a front view of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a strap adjuster in accordance with still another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a front view of FIG. 10; and

FIG. 12 is a front view illustrating a strap adjuster in accordance with a still further embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in greater detail to preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a strap adjuster in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6 is a front view of FIG. 5, and FIG. 7 is a side sectional view illustrating a state in which a strap is fitted through the strap adjuster. Referring to these drawings, a strap adjuster 101 has a quadrangular frame 102 which defines a space therein, and a support bar 103 which is formed in the middle of the space defined in the frame 102 to extend in a transverse direction. Slots 104 are defined between the support bar 103 and the frame 102 over and under the support bar 103 so that a strap S can be fitted through the slots 104.
The slots 104 defined in the strap adjuster 101 extend in the widthwise direction, that is, the transverse direction of the frame 102. Generally, the strap S is made thin and has a width that is greater than a thickness. Recessions 105 are formed on both widthwise side surfaces of the frame 102 of the strap adjuster 101 so that the frame 102 of the strap adjuster 101 can be easily grasped using fingers. The recessions 105 define curved surfaces. In order to increase the friction between the frame 102 of the strap adjuster 101 and the fingers, the curved surfaces can be knurled, or depressions and prominences can be formed on the curved surfaces.
Inclined surfaces 106 are formed on the upper surface of the frame 102 in four directions. The inclined surfaces 106 are inclined downward from the center portion of the frame 102 adjoining the slots 104 toward the side surfaces of the frame 102.
The distal ends of the inclined surfaces 106, which are formed in the direction parallel to the extending direction of the strap S, extend further outward in such a way as to define close contact parts 107. The close contact parts 107 are formed such that the widthwise middle portions thereof project outward and the outer ends thereof are rounded.
The lower surface of the strap adjuster 101 is formed as a rounded surface. That is to say, the lower surface of the frame 102 of the strap adjuster 101 is rounded such that the lower surface defines the sectional shape of an arc and is concentric in the lengthwise direction of the frame 102.
The strap S is passed through the strap adjuster 101 as shown in FIG. 7. That is to say, the strap S is introduced under one lengthwise end portion of the frame 102, is upwardly passed through one slot 104, and extends over the support bar 103. Then, the strap S is downwardly passed through the other slot 104, and is discharged under the other lengthwise end portion of the frame 102. In the case where three or more slots are defined by forming at least two support bars in the frame 102, the strap S can be further passed through one or more slots.
When it is necessary to move the strap adjuster 101 placed on the strap S, by grasping the strap adjuster 101 in the pair of opposite recessions 105 using fingers, the strap adjuster 101 can be slid on the strap S. Even though the strap adjuster 101 may not be easily slid on the strap S due to the fact that the strap S is passed through the slots 104 multiple times, since the force can be applied with the fingers placed in the recessions 105, the movement of the strap adjuster 101 can be easily implemented.
Also, because the close contact parts 107 can press two additional portions of the strap S with the strap adjuster 101 is fixedly maintained on the strap S in such a way as to increase the contact area between the strap adjuster 101 and the strap S, the strap adjuster 101 can be stably kept fixed on the strap S. The close contact parts 107 can ensure stable close contact between the strap S and an object to be contacted or the human body.
Moreover, the lower surface of the frame 102 is formed as a rounded surface in such a way as to define the sectional shape of an arc so that the strap adjuster 101 can come into close contact with the human body or the object on which the strap S is installed. In particular, considering the fact that maximum frictional force is applied to the upper surface of the support bar 103 and the lower surface of the frame 102 due to the passage of the strap S, since the lower surface of the frame 102 is formed as a rounded surface, the distance between the support bar 103 and the lower surface of the frame 102 can be increased, and the frictional force applied to the strap S is increased, whereby fixing force can be increased.
Further, due to the presence of the inclined surfaces 106 which are formed on the upper surface of the frame 102, protrusion on the upper surface of the strap adjuster 101 can be minimized so that the strap adjuster 101 can have a slim configuration. As a result, when the strap adjuster 101 is coupled to the strap S, interference between the strap adjuster 101 and the human body or an external item can be reduced, thereby preventing inconvenience or annoyance from being caused to a user and minimizing damage to clothes or the external item.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a strap adjuster in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9 is a front view of FIG. 8. Referring to these drawings, a strap adjuster 111 according to this embodiment of the present invention includes a frame 112 which defines the contour of the strap adjuster 111, and a support bar 113 which is formed to connect both widthwise side walls of the frame 112 and extend in a horizontal direction across the space defined in the frame 112. As a consequence, slots 114 are defined between the support bar 113 and the frame 112 so that a strap can be passed through the slots 114. Recessions 115 are formed on both widthwise side surfaces of the strap adjuster 111 which extend in a direction parallel to the strap, and inclined surfaces 116 are formed on the upper surface of the frame 112.
An auxiliary frame 122 is integrally formed on a widthwise side of the frame 112 in such a way as to define an auxiliary slot 124 between the frame 112 and the auxiliary frame 122.
The auxiliary frame 122 is formed to extend in a direction that does not correspond to the direction in which the strap extends through the frame 112. Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11 which illustrate still another embodiment of the present invention, auxiliary frames 122 can be respectively formed on both sides of the frame 112 such that auxiliary slots 124 are defined between the frame 112 and the auxiliary frames 122.
A recession 125 is formed on the outer side surface of the auxiliary frame 122, and an inclined surface 126 is formed downward from the inner upper end of the auxiliary frame 122 to the recession 125.
The lower surface of the frame 112 is formed as a rounded surface such that the lower surface defines the sectional shape of an arc and is concentric in the lengthwise direction of the frame 112, and the lower surface of the auxiliary frame 122 is formed as a rounded surface such that the lower surface defines the sectional shape of an arc and is concentric in the lengthwise direction of the auxiliary frame 122.
Accordingly, with the strap passed through the slots 114 of the frame 112, an additional strap can be connected through the auxiliary slot 124 of the auxiliary frame 122.
In the embodiment, the convenient manipulation of the strap adjuster 111 can be ensured due to the presence of the recessions 115 and 125. Since the lower surface of the frame 112 and the lower surface of the auxiliary frame 122 are formed as rounded surfaces to define the sectional shape of arcs, adhesibility of the strap adjuster 111 can be improved, and the stably coupled state between the strap and the strap adjuster 111 can be reliably maintained.
As is apparent from the above description, in the present invention, due to the fact that recessions are formed on both side surfaces of a strap adjuster so that the strap adjuster can be easily grasped by fingers, when moving the strap adjuster on a strap, the fingers are prevented from slipping outward on the strap adjuster and the strap adjuster can be easily moved on the strap, whereby manipulation convenience can be provided.
Also, in the present invention, since inclined surfaces are formed on the upper surface of a frame to downwardly extend in outward directions, the protruding portions of the strap adjuster are minimized so that, when the strap adjuster is coupled to the strap, interference between the strap adjuster and the human body or an external item can be reduced, whereby it is possible to prevent inconvenience or annoyance from being caused to a user due to the interference.
Further, in the present invention, because close contact parts are formed to stably press the strap, the area over which the strap is pressed by the strap adjuster can be sufficiently increased. As a consequence, the coupled state between the strap and the strap adjuster can be stably maintained, and the strap can stably come into close contact with the human body or an object to be contacted.
Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and the spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims. For example, the present invention can be applied to a strap adjuster of FIG. 12, which is differently configured to have increased numbers of support bars and slots. That is to say, the present invention can be applied to all kinds of strap adjusters through which straps are passed.

Claims

1. A strap adjuster comprising:

a quadrangular frame;

a plurality of slots defined in the frame to extend in a transverse direction such that a strap can be fitted through the slots; and

at least one support bar formed between the slots,

wherein recessions are formed on both widthwise side surfaces, respectively, of the frame such that the frame can be easily grasped using fingers.

2. The strap adjuster according to claim 1, wherein inclined surfaces are formed on an upper surface of the frame to extend from a center portion of the frame adjoining the slots toward side surfaces of the frame.

3. The strap adjuster according to claim 2, wherein distal ends of the inclined surfaces, which are formed in a direction parallel to an extending direction of the strap, extend further outward in such a way as to define close contact parts.

4. The strap adjuster according to claim 1, wherein an auxiliary frame is formed on one widthwise side or each of both widthwise sides of the frame in such a way as to define a slot between the auxiliary frame and the frame so that a strap can be fitted through the slot.

5. The strap adjuster according to claim 4, wherein a recession is formed on a widthwise side surface of the auxiliary frame.

6. The strap adjuster according to claim 5, wherein a lower surface of the frame is formed as a rounded surface to be concentric in a lengthwise direction of the frame, and a lower surface of the auxiliary frame is also formed as a rounded surface to be concentric in the lengthwise direction of the frame.