Patent Application
20140165472
The present invention is directed to a locker strap system, more particularly, to a locker strap system for mounting components to a locker door or the like.
Students and others utilize lockers and other storage devices to store books, coats, backpacks, papers and other loose items. However, most lockers provide relatively little storage space and do not provide flexible or modular storage and display features. In addition, and more specifically, the locker space that is provided is often not suitable or conducive for organizational storage of smaller items, while the space on the door itself is often under-utilized.
In one embodiment the invention is a strap system including a strap which is passable through openings or louvers in a locker door. More particularly in one embodiment the invention is a system for use with a locker door having an upper opening and a lower opening, the system including a strap passed through the upper opening and the lower opening of the locker door. The system further includes a component configured to be releasably coupled to the strap. In one embodiment the system further includes a variety of storage, display, and/or organizational components that can be coupled to the straps.
In one embodiment the strap system of the present invention, generally designated 10, is useable in conjunction with a locker 12 or the like. The locker 12 may include a locker body 14 defining an inner volume 16 having a front opening 18. The locker 12 includes a locker door 20 that is hingedly connected to the locker body 14 to selectively cover/close the front opening 18 when the locker door 20 is in its closed position. The locker door 20 may include a set of upper louvers, vents or openings 22 (together termed “openings” herein) adjacent to an upper end thereof, or in an upper portion or upper half of the locker door 20, with dividers 24 therebetween. Similarly, the locker door 20 may include a set of lower openings 26 adjacent to a lower end thereof, or in a lower portion or lower half of the door 20, with dividers 24 therebetween. The openings 22, 26 are internally positioned in the door 20 such that the openings 22, 26 are entirely spaced apart from the outer perimeter of the door 20.
The strap system 10 can be secured to the locker door 20 and be at least partially positioned on an inner surface thereof, as shown in
The upper end portion 30 of the strap 28 can include, or be made of, a portion of hook-and-loop fastening material, such as VELCRO® material. The body portion of the strap 28 can be made of or include a corresponding portion of hook-and-loop fastening material. In one case, for example, the entire inwardly-facing surface, or the majority or substantially all of the inwardly-facing surface, of the straps 28 is made of or covered with a portion of hook-and-loop fastening materials. The end portion 30 of the strap 28 can thereby be secured to the body of the strap 28 by pressing the portions of hook-and-loop fastening materials together, as can be seen in comparing
The straps 28 can be secured in these manners and therefore be mounted and/or adjusted to take up any additional length in the straps 28 and enable the strap system 10 to be properly mounted to locker doors 20 of varying shapes and sizes. The straps 28 may also have some elasticity to allow the straps 28 to adjust to locker doors 20 of differing dimensions. In one case, for example, each strap 28 is elastically deformable at least about 5%, or at least about 10%, along its length. However, the straps 28 need not necessarily be elastic.
The locker strap system 10 can include, or may be used in conjunction with, a variety of components 34 configured to be releasably coupled to the straps 28. In particular,
The system 10 and/or components 34 may include a coupling means or mechanisms configured to releasably couple the component 34 to the straps 28. As noted above, in one illustrated embodiment, the straps 28 include portions of hook-and-loop fastener material (i.e. VELCRO®) secured thereto or forming a part thereof and covering the inwardly-facing surface thereof. Each component 34 can include corresponding portions of hook-and-loop fastening material 36 secured thereto. For example, as shown in
However, any of a wide variety of coupling devices, systems or means can be used for releasably securing the components 34 to the straps 28. For example, in one embodiment as shown in
As shown in
If desired, only a single strap 28 can be utilized and the components 34 can be releasably coupled to the single strap 28. The use of two straps 28 may provide greater stability and more secure coupling, while the use of a single strap 28 may provide cost savings and ease of set-up. Moreover, in one embodiment the openings 22, 26/straps 28 are configured such that the straps 28 extend at least about one-half the height of the locker door 20 to ensure that the strap system 10 provides sufficient storage/display functionality to a relatively high surface area of the locker door 20, providing greater benefits to the user.
Having described the invention in detail and by reference to the various embodiments, it should be understood that modifications and variations thereof are possible without departing from the scope of the claims of the present application.
