1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an adjustable locking strap for attachment to elongate objects such as a surfboards or the like to protect against the theft thereof.
2. Related Art
Various locking devices have been developed in the past for locking personal belongings to guard against theft. Among the most well-known types of locks is a bicycle lock which includes a chain or cable having fixed loops at each end. The cable can be extended through the bicycle frame, about a fixed object such as a fence or pole and then the ends can be secured together by means of a lock such as a combination lock or key lock. However, such locks are insufficient to protect items lacking a space therein for inserting a cable therethrough. A surfboard is such an object that does not have any space or opening to thread a cable through.
Past efforts to provide locks for surfboards and the like include attempts to provide adjustable loops for fitting about a surfboard wherein the loop is specifically sized to be secured between the fins and the wider area of the board. However, this is a very inflexible approach and does not allow one to use the lock interchangeably with different size surfboards. Another approach is to provide a device with a plurality of locks, one lock for interconnecting two loops together about an elongate object and another lock for securing a loop through one of the two loops and about a stationary body. However, this is a cumbersome approach. Other efforts include attaching hardware to a surfboard to allow for a lock to be attached to the surfboard. However, such an approach could be damaging to the surfboard. Other efforts disclose one or two adjustable loops, but do not allow for the locked object to be connected to a fixed object such as a car.
Accordingly, what is needed, but has not heretofore been provided, is an easily adjustable device for locking surfboards and the like which does not damage the object which is being locked, and which allows for the object to be secured to a fixed object.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an easily adjustable device for locking surfboards and other elongate objects.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a lock for elongate objects that have no space for receiving a conventional cable lock.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an adjustable locking strap for surfboards and the like which is easily adjustable for locking objects of various sizes.
These and other objects of the present invention are achieved by an adjustable locking strap which includes a first loop, a second loop, and an adjustable strap extending therebetween. The first loop can be fit about a first end of the elongate object, and the second loop can be positioned about a second end of the elongate object. The second loop may be adjustable for proper size. The strap extending between the loops can similarly be adjusted between the loops so that when the first and second loops are positioned about the elongate object, the strap is sized to prevent either loop from being removed from the object. A lock is interconnected with one of the loops and the strap for securing the size of the adjustable strap. A tether portion can secure the locking strap to a fixed object. A stopper on the tether can be positioned within a car, and the window rolled up to retain the locking strap within a car. A storage bag can be interconnected with the strap for convenient storage thereof.
Other important objects and features of the invention will be apparent from the following Detailed Description of the Invention taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:
The present invention relates to an adjustable locking strap for use in locking elongate objects, such as surfboards and the like, to prevent the theft thereof. The adjustable locking strap includes first and second loops interconnected by an adjustable strap. One of the loops may be adjustable. The loops extend about ends of the elongate object. The loops are connected together by the adjustable strap which is sized such that the loops cannot be removed from the elongate objects. A tether is provided to lock the locking strap and the elongated object to a fixed object.
As shown in
A second loop generally indicated at 40 is attachable to the second end of strap 30. The second loop may be adjustable in size and may include an aperture 42 at a first end and a plurality of apertures 44 along the second end thereof. Aperture 42 can be aligned with one of apertures 44, and both can be aligned with one of the apertures 32 of strap 30. Lock 50 can be extended through the apertures 42, 44 and 32 to form the loop 40 of a desired size and to position it at a desired position along the length of strap 30 so that both loops are positioned about surfboard 9.
The excess length of loop 40 forms a tether 60 which can be used to lock the adjustable locking strap 10 to a stationary object. The tether 60 could also be formed of an excess length of strap 30 or could be a separate member attachable to the strap or loop or both. Stopper 64 can be interconnected with the end of tether strap 60. Alternatively, or additionally, a plurality of apertures 62 can be provided along the tether strap 60 to permit the tether to be looped back on itself and locked by lock 50 to form a loop for extending about a fixed object for locking the lock and the elongate object thereto.
As shown in detail in
The adjustable locking strap invention provides a simple affordable and effective device for locking a surfboard. The straps used in the adjustable locking strap invention can be made from reinforced nylon, or similar material, or other material known in the art. The loops 20 and 40 can be fixed in size to pass over the end of a surfboard, but not past the widest part of the board. Alternatively, one or both of the loops 20 and 40 can be adjustable. The strap 30 can be interconnected with loop 20 in any way known in the art. One preferred way would be by heavy duty permanent stitching. Generally, the strap 30 will extend for about 36 to 60 inches to the second loop 40, though this distance can vary depending on the size of the elongate object being locked. The strap 30 can be interconnected with second loop 40 at a desired point by means of heavy duty commercial stitching. Alternatively, the interconnection of the strap 30 and loop 40 can be adjustable along the length of strap 30 by interconnecting loop 40 with one of apertures 32 along strap 30 at a desired position as shown in the FIGS. Lock 50 can be a standard padlock or combination lock. The window stopper can be affixed on the tether strap 60 or can include an aperture and ride on tether 60. Preferably, the stopper is made of rubber or other non-malleable material as is known in the art. The pouch 68 can be formed of nylon or any other desired material and can use a zipper means or hook and pile type fastening means for closure thereof if desired. Importantly, the tether strap 60 could be part of loop 40, strap 30 or could be a separate element connectable to strap 30 and loop 40 by means of lock 50 passing through an aperture thereof.
In another embodiment of the invention, a single loop can be positioned about between the fins and wide central portion of the board. The size of the loop can be fixed by a lock. A tether strap connected to the loop can be secured about a fixed object to lock the elongate object. A stopper can be interconnected with the tether and positioned within a car window so that when the window is raised, the stopper cannot be removed, and the elongate object is locked to a car.
Having thus described the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the foregoing description is not intended to limit the spirit and scope thereof. What is desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims.
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