Non-slip shoulder strap retainer

Abstract

A non-slip, or anti-slip retainer that is to be attached to the underside of the strap of slips, bathing suits, brassieres, and other types of similar apparel having shoulder straps, and/or articles of luggage having shoulder straps, so as to position the strap firmly upon the wearer's shoulder to prevent lateral movement while remaining concealed from view. The retainer consists of hook fastener material adhered to a slip resistant material. Alternatively, the underside of the hook fastener material could be coated with an appropriate non-slip coating or laminate instead of adhering said hook fastener directly to a slip resistant material. The hook fastener attaches to the underside of the shoulder strap at the shoulder area while the slip resistant material or coating is held against the wearer's shoulder.

Description

REFERENCES CITED

U.S. Patent Documents

	2004/0134606	July, 2004	Falla	156/250
	6,827,628	December, 2004	Kaye, et al.	450/86
	2003/0040256	February, 2003	Waitz	450/86
	6,446,268	September, 2002	Lazarian	2/255
	6,179,178	January, 2001	Slegmeyer	224/264
	6,135,852	October, 2000	Young	450/86
	5,975,984	November, 1999	Tart	450/86
	5,803,792	September, 1998	Rousch	450/86
	5,666,701	September, 1997	Drummond	24/302
	5,201,078	April, 1993	Melton	2/268
	5,060,348	October, 1991	Moshier	24/442
	4,704,745	February, 1987	Reaver	2/268

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This present invention relates to a non-slip retainer to be used in conjunction with apparel or luggage having shoulder straps, to prevent or minimize said shoulder straps from sliding down.

2. Description of the Prior Art

A problem often associated with the wearing of shoulder straps is the tendency of these straps to slip or fall down off the shoulder area onto the upper arm region, causing discomfort and/or embarrassment to the wearer. Therein lies the need for a retainer that is capable of being adapted to various types of apparel or luggage containing shoulder straps, is easily concealed beneath the existing shoulder strap, able to withstand normal laundering methods, simple to attach and remove, inexpensive, yet able to hold the shoulder strap in its proper position.

Various devices and attempts have been made in the past for such purposes. Pads have been designed that sit upon the wearer's shoulder, straps have been made to attach horizontally between the vertical straps located in the back of the garment, and devices proposed that wrap around the shoulder strap itself. See for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,827,628; 6,446,268; 6,179,178; 6,135,852; 5,975,984; 5,803,792; 5,201,078; 5,060,348; and 4,704,745.

While these devices satisfy some of these requirements, none of the items satisfy all of these desired features. Most of these devices are cumbersome, bulky, difficult to attach or remove, and clearly visible. Some types of apparel and/or luggage feature wider, padded shoulder straps, and/or straps that contain non slip components. While these may assist to alleviate the problem, they do not address the issue of slipping shoulder straps on apparel or luggage without these features.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is accordingly the principal object of this invention to provide a non-slip retainer device for shoulder straps in garments, such as but not limited to, brassieres, bathing suits, slips, that will minimize or prevent slippage of these straps.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a non-slip retainer device that is comprised of a hook type of fastener adhered to, or coated with, a non-slip material.

The retainer device is one single unit, comprised of a flat strip having its upper surface bearing hooks protruding thereof, adhered to, or coated with, a non-slip material of the same dimensions, which resists slipping on the shoulder. The retainer device has tapered ends to prevent irritation or discomfort to the wearer.

Another object of this invention is to provide a non-slip retainer device for shoulder straps in luggage such as but not limited to, briefcases, carry-on bags, computer cases, backpacks, handbags, that will minimize or prevent slippage of these straps.

Another object of this invention is to enable the retainer to be used for any type of apparel utilizing shoulder straps.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a non-slip shoulder strap retainer device that is readily switched from one set of shoulder straps to another.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a non-slip retainer that is concealed from view when applied in the intended fashion.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a non-slip retainer that has all of the following properties: durable, re-usable, inexpensive, able to withstand normal laundering methods; easily applied.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention are achieved by a retainer that is a stand alone device, which does not need to be permanently attached to the shoulder strap to perform its intended function.

When used, the retainer is placed underneath the shoulder strap of the garment or luggage, in line with the shape of the existing shoulder strap, and in the general shoulder area. The hook type fabric is attached to the underside of the shoulder strap, while the non-slip material or coating is placed on the wearer's shoulder.

The non-slip retainer is designed to be of a width no greater than the shoulder strap on which it is to be used, thus providing a non-obstructive, discreet solution.

The retainer is held in place by the hook type fabric attached to the underside of the shoulder strap, by the non-slip material placed against the wearer's shoulder, and by the pressure created from the normal tension of the shoulder strap against the wearer's shoulder.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an upper angular view of the present invention, showing the hook fabric.

FIG. 2 shows the opposite side or bottom view, of the retainer, indicating a non-slip surface.

FIG. 3 shows the invention retaining a garment shoulder strap on the shoulder of a woman.

FIG. 4 shows the invention retaining a shoulder strap of a luggage article.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to the drawings, and in particular, FIG. 1, there is provided an upper angular view of the present invention having a hook type fabric portion, generally represented by reference numeral 10, and a non-slip material portion 20.

Portion 10 is the surface that will be positioned on the underside of the shoulder strap, using a device no wider than the strap itself. The opposite surface 20 will be placed with the non-slip material or coating against the wearer's shoulder.

In a preferred embodiment, portions 10 and 20 are fabricated with the same dimensions, and joined together by an adhesive compound being applied to their backing.

In an alternative embodiment, portions 10 and 20 may be joined together by means of ultrasonic welding, foam lamination, or sewing.

In yet another embodiment, FIG. 3, the hook type surface 10 may be directly coated, laminated, or embossed with a non-slip material on the underside of the hook material.

Portions 10 and 20 are joined together to form a single unit, with all edges the same, and having tapered or rounded ends.

The invention, FIG. 1 is a stand-alone device which does not need to be permanently attached to the shoulder strap to perform its intended function. It can be moved easily from one garment or luggage item to another.

In the preferred embodiments, the non-slip retainer is easily concealed beneath an existing shoulder strap of a garment 30, and the existing shoulder strap of a luggage article 40.

The present invention set forth may be changed, modified, or altered therein without departing from the scope or spirit of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A non-slip shoulder strap retainer device existing as a stand-alone device comprised of a first surface bearing hooks protruding thereof, and a second surface having a non-slip material or coating, with both surfaces having the same dimensions.

2. The non-slip shoulder strap retainer device of claim 1, wherein the surfaces of the hook material and the non-slip material combine to form a single unit.

3. The non-slip shoulder strap retainer device of claim 1, wherein the non-slip retainer unit has tapered or rounded ends.

4. The non-slip shoulder strap retainer device of claim 1, wherein the said first surface having hooks protruding thereof is adhered to a second surface having non-slip properties by means of adhesive compounds, lamination, ultrasonic welding, or sewing.

5. The non-slip shoulder strap of claim 1, wherein the retainer device is of a width no greater than the shoulder strap on which it is applied.

6. The retainer of claim 1, in which the retainer is attached to the shoulder strap by means of placing the hook portion of the retainer on the underside of the existing shoulder strap, with the non-slip surface positioned against the topmost part of the wearer's shoulder.

7. The non-slip shoulder strap of claim 1, whereby said retainer device is placed directly underneath the existing shoulder strap, and positioned to be totally concealed.

8. The non-slip shoulder strap of claim 1, wherein the non-slip retainer is readily transferable from one shoulder strap to another.

9. A non-slip shoulder strap retainer device consisting of a single piece of hook type material to which a non-slip backing has been directly applied on the opposite surface of the hooks, by means of coating, lamination, or hot melting.