Retaining System for Removably Retaining Portable Objects on a Carrier Object

Abstract

A retaining system is provided for removably retaining portable objects to a carrier object. Three or more connection elements are defined on a base surface of the carrier object and spaced apart therealong. A flexible member is connectable to different ones of the connection elements to form a loop defined between the base surface and a portion of the flexible member spaced therefrom and extending between two connection elements to which the flexible member is connected. The ability to attach the flexible member to different ones of the connection elements facilitates adjustment of the position, orientation or dimension along the base surface of a loop or the number of loops defined by the flexible member for securing one or more portable objects to the carrier object.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is known in the art to retain a portable object on a carrier object by connecting a flexible member, such as a strap or cord, at two spaced apart points on a surface of the carrier object to form a loop defined between the surface and the flexible member through which the portable object can be passed and then tightening the flexible member around the portable object to secure it against the surface of the carrier object.

The flexible member may be a two-piece strap in which each piece is connected to the surface of the carrier object and the two pieces are joined about the portable object, for example using a buckle arrangement, to close the loop. Using the buckle the change the point on one of the pieces where it connects to the other allows the loop to be expanded or contracted to adjust for portable objects of different sizes.

Alternatively, the flexible member may be an elastic strip or cord connected to the surface of the carrier object at opposite ends. The elasticity of the flexible member allows it to be stretched to allow larger objects to be passed through the loop and provides automatic tightening of the loop around such objects once passed therethrough. A number of loops may be formed using a single elastic strap or cord fixed to the surface of the carrier object at spaced intervals therealong.

In these prior art retaining systems, the flexible members are connected to the carrier object at fixed points. The sizing of the loops is changed by adjustment of the effective length of the flexible member between the connection points, for example under stretching or resiling of an elastic member or by manual adjustment of a buckle mechanism. However, being connected to the carrier object at fixed points, a dimension of the loop measured between these connection points along the surface of the carrier object and a position of the loop on the surface of the carrier object cannot be adjusted.

As a result of this lack of loop adjustability, a prior art retaining system may be limited in the size of portable objects it can secure on the carrier object or limited in the orientation or position in which a portable object may be secured. For example, although the carrier object may be of sufficient size and strength to support a relatively large portable object, the portable object can only be secured to it if it has one or more loops sufficiently expandable to fit around the portable object.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a retaining system for removably retaining portable objects on a carrier object, the retaining system comprising:

a base surface on the carrier object;

first and second connection elements defined on the base surface and spaced apart therealong;

a flexible member being connected to the base surface at the first connection element and connectable to the second connection element to form a loop defined between the base surface and a portion of the flexible member spaced from the base surface and extending away from the first connection element toward the second connection element; and

a third connection element defined on the base surface and spaced from each of the first and second connection elements;

wherein the flexible member is releasably connectable to the second connection element to allow disconnection therefrom and releasable connection to the third connection element.

Preferably a distance from the first connection element to the third connection element and a distance from the first connection element to the second connection element are unequal.

Preferably the flexible member is connectable to the first, second and third connection elements to form an additional loop defined between the base surface and a portion of the flexible member spaced from the base surface and extending away from the second connection element toward the third connection element.

Preferably the flexible member comprises an elastic member.

Preferably the flexible member comprises a stretchable member.

Preferably there is provided at least one additional connection element, the flexible member being releasably connectable to each of the second, third and at least one additional connection element.

The flexible member may be releasably connected to the first connection element. Alternatively, the flexible member may be fixed to the first connection element.

Preferably the first, second and third connection elements are disposed within a row of connection elements.

Preferably there is provided at least one additional row of connection elements.

The flexible member may be connectable between connection elements of different rows.

There may be provided a respective flexible member for each row of connection elements.

Preferably each connection element is capable of connection to a plurality of flexible members.

Preferably at least one connection element to which the flexible member is releasably connectable is defined by a connection member fixed to the base surface to define a passage extending therealong through which the flexible member may be passed.

Preferably the at least one connection element comprises a strip of material having opposite ends fixed to the base surface with enough slack between the opposite ends to allow passage of the flexible member between the strip and the base surface.

Preferably a plurality of connection elements, to each of which the flexible member is releasably connectable, are defined by a longitudinal strip of material extending along the base surface.

Preferably a further plurality of connection elements, to each of which the flexible member is releasably connectable, are defined by at least one further longitudinal strip of material extending along the base surface.

Preferably each longitudinal strip is fixed at spaced intervals therealong to the base surface to define a plurality of sections, each section having enough slack between opposite fixed ends thereof to allow passage of the flexible member between the strip and the base surface.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a retaining system for removably retaining portable objects on a carrier object, the retaining system comprising:

a base surface on the carrier object;

a plurality of exclusive or non-exclusive pairs of connection elements defined on the base surface, each pair comprising first and second connection elements spaced apart along the base surface; and

a flexible member being connectable to the first and second connection elements of one pair of the plurality of pairs to form a loop defined between the base surface and a portion of the flexible member spaced from the base surface and extending away from the first connection element of the one pair toward the second connection element of the one pair;

wherein the flexible member is also connectable to the first and second connection elements of at least one other pair of the plurality of pairs to form a loop defined between the base surface and a portion of the flexible member spaced from the base surface and extending away from the first connection element of the one other pair toward the second connection element of the one other pair.

Preferably the pairs of connection elements are non-exclusive.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a retaining system for removably retaining portable objects to a carrier object, the retaining system comprising:

a base surface on the carrier object;

three or more connection elements defined on the base surface and spaced apart therealong; and

a flexible member being connectable to at least three of the three or more connection elements to form a plurality of loops each defined between the base surface and a respective portion of the flexible member spaced from the base surface and extending away from a first connection element of a respective non-exclusive pair of adjacent connection elements to a second connection element of the respective non-exclusive pair of adjacent connection elements.

Preferably the pairs of connection elements are defined by a row of connection elements.

Preferably the pairs of connection elements are defined by rows and columns of connection elements.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a retaining system for removably retaining portable objects on a carrier object, the retaining system comprising:

a base surface on the carrier object;

a plurality of connection elements defined on the base surface to define a plurality of pairs of connection elements; and

a flexible member releasably connectable to each of the plurality of connection elements to facilitate connection of the flexible member to one of the plurality of pairs of connection elements, each pair of the plurality of pairs comprising first and second connection elements spaced apart along the base surface and to which the flexible member is connectable to form a loop defined between the base surface and a portion of the flexible member spaced from the base surface and extending away from the first connection element toward the second connection element.

Preferably there is provided a two-dimensional array of connection elements defining the plurality of connection elements.

Preferably the plurality of connection elements are arranged in a row.

There may be provided additional rows each having a further plurality of connection elements and additional flexible members each corresponding to a respective one of the additional rows.

The flexible member may be fixed to the base surface at one end thereof.

Preferably the flexible member is connectable to more than one of the nonexclusive pairs to simultaneously define more than one loop.

Preferably a size of each loop is reducible and expandable by decreasing and increasing respectively a length of a shortest distance measured from the first connection element to the second connection element along the portion of the loop spaced from the base surface.

Preferably the flexible member is resilient and increasing the size of each loop is expandable by stretching of the flexible member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the present invention:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a folding container in a partially opened position showing a retaining system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an overhead plan view of the folding container in a fully opened position.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the folding container with a portable object disposed thereon and positioned to be secured to the folding container by the retaining system of the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the folding container and portable object as taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view similar to FIG. 3 but with the portable object having been secured to the folding container.

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of the folding container and portable object as taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a cross section view similar to FIG. 3 but with a larger portable object disposed on the folding container and positioned to be secured thereto by the retaining system of the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view similar to FIG. 7 but with the larger portable object having been secured to the folding container.

FIG. 9 is an overhead plan view of a swatch of material having a retaining system according to a second embodiment of the present invention thereon.

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view as taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a folding container 10 used to carry portable objects in a compartment defined between its two pivotally connected halves 12, 14 when they are folded one over the other to close the container. As explained herein below, one half 14 of the container 10 features a retaining system in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention.

A center piece of material 16 of the one half 14 of the container 10 defines a base surface 18 of the retaining system on the container, or carrier, 10. A plurality of strips of webbing 20 are arranged to extend fully along the rectangular base surface 18 in parallel fashion, each strip 20 being sewn to each upturned end 16A, 16B of the center piece 16. Each strip 20 is also sewn to the base surface 18 at equally spaced intervals along its length between the upturned ends 16A, 16B at opposite ends of the base surface 18, thereby dividing itself into a plurality of sections 26 each sewn to the base 18 at its opposite ends 26A, 26B. Each section 26 of each strip 20 is provided with enough slack between its stitched ends 26A, 26B to form a small passage between the strip and the base surface 18 so that an elastic cord 28 may be passed therethrough. The strips 20 are each divided into the same number of sections with the sections of each strip aligning with those of the other strips, resulting a rectangular array of sections.

In the figures, both ends 28A, 28B of each cord 28 have been fed through a respective spring-loaded cord lock 30 and tied together to form a knot 32. The cord 28 thereby forms a closed loop on side of the cord lock 30 opposite the knot 32. The spring-loaded cord lock 30 clamps the two halves of the cord 28 together under the action of its spring. Pressing and holding a button end 30A of the cord lock 30 against a body 30B of thereof acts to oppose the spring force and release the clamping action so that the cord lock 30 may be slid along two halves of the cord 28 away from the knot 32, after which release of the button will act to clamp the halves together at a further distance from the knot to reduce to size of the closed loop. Such cord locks are well known, and thus not explained here in greater detail. The knot 32 acts to prevent the cord lock 30 from being inadvertently removed from the cord 28 by blocking sliding of the cord lock over the ends 28A, 28B of the cord.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a cord 28 is installed by threading it through the passages between the strips 20 and base 18 as defined by a number of the strip sections 26 before sliding the cord lock 30 over its ends 28A, 28B to clamp the cord into a closed loop. Each cord forms at least one securing loop through which a portable object can be partially passed so that the securing loop can be tightened thereabout to secure the portable object to the container 10 by effectively clamping the portable object against the base 18. Cord 28′ shows how a cord may be used to form only a single securing loop equivalent to the loop closed by clamping of the cord by the cord lock, while cord 28 shows how a cord may be used to cooperate with the base surface 18 to form one or more securing loops.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show cord 28 of FIG. 1 prepared for use to secure a portable object 34 on the container, or carrier, 10. From end 28A, the cord 28 weaves through a first row of strip sections 26 extending over some sections and under others then changes direction and returns along itself toward end 28B similarly weaving through a second row of strip sections 26. The portion of the cord extending from the cord lock 30 through the first row of strip sections 26 forms a first half 28C of the cord's closed loop while the portion extending through the second row of strip sections 26 back to the cord lock 30 forms a second half 28D of the cord's closed loop. Between any adjacent ones of the sections 26 under which the cord 28 passes is a portion 28E of the cord which can be pulled away from the base 18 as shown in FIG. 3 to create a securing loop forming an opening 36 between the cord 28 and the base 18 large enough to receive the portable object 34. With the portable object positioned between the portion 28E of the cord having been pulled away from the base 18 so as to extend away from a first section 26C of the adjacent ones of the sections under which the cord passes toward a second section 26D thereof and the base, the ends 28A, 28B of the cord are pulled as shown by arrow 38 to lower the portion 28E of the cord down about the portable object 34 to clamp it against the base 18. The pulling achieves this lowering of portion 28E by shortening its length i.e. reducing a distance measured along the cord 28 between the strip sections 26C and 26D acting as connection elements between the cord 28 and the base 18. To prevent loosening of the portion 28E about the portable object 34, the cord lock button 30A is depressed and the cord lock 30 is pulled along the cord away from the knot 32, as indicated by arrow 40, to reduce the size of the loop formed by the two cord portions 28C and 28D so that its length does not exceed that needed to complete its path through the strip sections and over the portable object. The portable object 34 is shown in this secured state in FIGS. 5 and 6.

Although the cable 28 weaved through two rows in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 5 is shown as weaving within each row in an alternating fashion where the cable alternates over and under the strips 20 from one to the next, it should be appreciated that a user has the option of choosing from various weaving patterns in order to vary the number of possible securing loops formed, the position of the securing loop(s) and the distance between the two strip sections forming the connection elements where the cord connects to the base for each securing loop. The cord need not necessarily be woven through two rows of strip sections, as it should be appreciated that it may be woven through only one row of sections, through sections of more than two rows or even through sections defined on the same strip. Having any number of connection points greater than two, the user has the option of forming a single securing loop in different ways. For example, with three connection elements the user has the option of forming a single securing loop by connecting the cord to the first and second connection elements, to the second and third connection elements or two the first and third connection elements. Depending on the relative spacing of the connection elements, this will allow changing of at least one of the securing loop's position and its dimension measured between the connection points along the base. Furthermore, the user would also have the additional option of connecting the cord to the base at all three connection elements, thereby forming two separate securing loops. With the array of strip sections providing a significant large number of possible elements for connecting one or more cords to the base, the retaining system of the first embodiment has a high degree of configurability allowing the user to choose any number of possible securing loop arrangements to suit his or her requirements.

FIG. 7 shows cord 28′ of FIG. 1 prepared for use to secure a larger portable object 42 on the container, or carrier, 10. Rather than being weaved through a plurality of strip sections 26 to pass under those desirable for use as connection points and over others, one of the ends 28′A, 28′B of cord 28′ is instead passed only under a plurality of strip sections 26 and then pulled back to the other end to have the cord lock 30′ fit over the ends to form a loop. Here, this loop formed by the entire portion of the cord 28′ on the side of the cord lock 30′ opposite the knot 32′ and the securing loop used to hold the portable object 42 against the base 18 are one in the same. Here, the two end strip sections 26′C, 26′D in the series of strip sections beneath which the cord extends form the connection points defining the dimension of the securing loop measured along the base 18. To illustrate this point, it should be appreciated that the cord 28′ could provide approximately the same size loop if it passed over, rather than under, the strip sections disposed between these end sections 26′C and 26′D. Unlike with cord 28, pulling of the cord ends 28′A and 28′B will not act to tighten the securing loop about the portable object 42. Instead, the securing loop is reduced in size by depressing and holding the button end 30′A of the cord lock 30′ and moving it along the cord 28′ away from the knot 32′, as shown by arrow 40′, to move the loop's closing point closer to the portable object 42 and releasing the button 30′A to reclamp the two halves of the cord. The larger portable object 42 is shown in this secured state in FIG. 8.

Like with cord 28, cord 28′ can be threaded in the array of strip sections using a variety of different connection points to provide loops of varying positions or orientations or of varying dimensions measured between their connection points along the base.

Although shown as part of a folding container 10 having to halves 12, 14 pivotally connected to fold over one another and zip together along mating edges to define a hollow compartment for storing portable goods, it should be appreciated that the retaining system of the first embodiment may be used on any number of objects on which it may be desirable to carry another object for transportation therewith. While not limited to use on closable containers, the present invention may be especially useful in such containers, for example back packs, suitcases, briefcases, travel kits or first aid cases.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show a retaining system in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. For ease of illustration, the retaining system of the second embodiment has been shown mounted on a swatch of material rather than on a particular carrier object. As explained for the first embodiment, the retaining system is not restricted to use with a particular container or carrier type and may be applied to any number of objects on which it may be desirable to secure another object.

The swatch of material 116 defines a base surface 18 of the retaining system. A plurality of strips of webbing 120 are arranged to extend fully along the rectangular base surface 118 in parallel fahsion, each strip 120 being sewn to the base surface 118 at its ends 120A, 120B and at equally spaced intervals along its length between those ends, thereby dividing itself into a plurality of sections 126 each sewn to the base 118 at its opposite ends 126A, 126B. Each section 126 of each strip 120 is provided with enough slack between its stitched ends 126A, 126B to form a small passage between the strip and the base surface 118 so that an elastic strap 128 may be passed therethrough. The strips 120 are each divided into the same number of sections with the sections of each strip aligning with those of the other strips, resulting a rectangular array of sections.

Unlike the elastic cords of the first embodiment, the elastic straps 128 are not entirely removable from the base 118, but instead are sewn thereto proximate one end 128A. Each elastic strap 128 corresponds to a respective row of strip sections in the array and has a free end 128B that can be extended along the respective row from the fixed end 128A on a first side of the parallel strips 120 to a respective releasable fastener, such as a clamping buckle 130. Like in the first embodiment, selecting which of the strip sections 126 to pass each elastic strap 128 under and which of the strip sections to pass the elastic strap over allows a user to choose how many securing loops are formed by the elastic strap, the position of such loops and a dimension of such a loop measured along the base 118 between connection points at which the elastic strap connects to the base.

FIG. 10 shows one elastic strap 128 having been passed under one strip section of each of the outermost strips to form first and second connection points 126C and 126D and passed over each of the other strips therebetween. The loop forms an opening 136 between the base 118 and a portion 128E of the elastic strap spaced from the base 118 and extending away from the first connection point 126C and toward the second connection point 126D. The portable object to be secured is received in the opening 136 and the free end 128B of the elastic strap 128 is pulled through the buckle 130 to the lower the strap portion 128E to tighten against the portable object to secure it against the base 118 before the elastic strap is clamped by the buckle 130 to hold it in place. The other elastic straps of FIG. 9 illustrate that the use of different strips to provide connection points facilitates change in the number and position of connection points, thereby allowing securing loops of varying number, size (i.e. dimension measured between a loops two connection points along the base) and position. It should be appreciated that the fixed end 128A and the buckle 130 for each elastic strap 128 may also be used as connection points to define a loop between the fixed end and a strip section, between the buckle and a strip section or between the fixed end and the buckle.

As shown by the unbuckled elastic strap second from the bottom of FIG. 9, in addition to the elasticity of the strap allowing for stretching thereof to accommodate objects between the strap and the base, the straps may be made to have excessive length to accommodate relatively large objects with the buckles 130 being capable taking up some of the excessive length when smaller objects are being secured.

It should be appreciated that the fixing of one end of the elastic straps of the second embodiment does not necessarily mean that each strap is only extendable along a respective row of potential connection points, as a strap of sufficient length surely may be passed beneath strip sections of different rows before being attached to one of the fasteners on the side of the strips opposite the fixed end.

It should be appreciated that the flexible members used to define the securing loops need not be elastic to facilitate the selective configuration of securing loops described above, nor do the connection points have to be defined by strips of material like the webbing divided into sections as described above. For example, unstretchable straps may be used with other releasable connectors such as buckles capable of connection to each strap at different points therealong to expansion and contraction of the loop to accommodate and tighten around portable objects. However, the use of webbing provides strong connection points having significant resistance to wear, allows connection points to be closely packed together in an array structure (i.e. the strips can be placed immediately adjacent one another and the connection element defined by each strip section can have more than one flexible member passed thereunder, thereby providing more than one connection point), and results in relatively low consumption of space extending away from the base.

While a two-dimensional array of connection elements is not necessary to allow selective configuration by a user, as only three connection elements with at least two being releasably connectable to the flexible member will provide multiple non-exclusive pairs of connection points, it increases the number of possible securing loop orientations, positions and sizes in a limited area. By non-exclusive pairs, it is meant that defining a connection point of one pair does not necessarily exclude a connection element from also defining a connection point of another pair.

As illustrated by the cords and straps of the illustrated embodiments, regardless of the mechanism used to tighten the securing loop about the portable object (pulling of the flexible member, repositioning a clamping device therelong, or automatic contraction provided by post-stretching resiling of an elastic material) the contraction of the securing loop is achieved by decreasing a length of a shortest distance measured along the portion of the loop spaced from the base and extending away from the first connection element toward the second connection element. Expanding the loop to accommodate a portable object is similarly achieved by increasing the length of this shortest distance measured along the indicated portion.

Since various modifications can be made in my invention as herein above described, and many apparently widely different embodiments of same made within the spirit and scope of the claims without department from such spirit and scope, it is intended that all matter contained in the accompanying specification shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense.

Claims

1. A retaining system for removably retaining portable objects on a carrier object, the retaining system comprising: a base surface on the carrier object;first and second connection elements defined on the base surface and spaced apart therealong;a flexible member being connected to the base surface at the first connection element and connectable to the second connection element to form a loop defined between the base surface and a portion of the flexible member spaced from the base surface and extending away from the first connection element toward the second connection element; anda third connection element defined on the base surface and spaced from each of the first and second connection elements;wherein the flexible member is releasably connectable to the second connection element to allow disconnection therefrom and releasable connection to the third connection element.

2. The retaining system according to claim 1 wherein a distance from the first connection element to the third connection element and a distance from the first connection element to the second connection element are unequal.

3. The retaining system according to claim 1 wherein the flexible member is connectable to the first, second and third connection elements to form an additional loop defined between the base surface and a portion of the flexible member spaced from the base surface and extending away from the second connection element toward the third connection element.

4. The retaining system according to claim 1 further comprising at least one additional connection element, the flexible member being releasably connectable to each of the second, third and at least one additional connection element.

5. The retaining system according to claim 1 wherein the flexible member is releasably connected to the first connection element.

6. The retaining system according to claim 1 wherein the flexible member is fixed to the first connection element.

7. The retaining system according to claim 1 wherein the first, second and third connection elements are disposed within at least one row of connection elements.

8. The retaining system according to claim 7 wherein the flexible member is connectable between connection elements of different rows.

9. The retaining system according to claim 8 wherein a respective flexible member is provided for each row of connection elements.

10. The retaining system according to claim 1 wherein each connection element is capable of connection to a plurality of flexible members.

11. The retaining system according to claim 1 wherein at least one connection element to which the flexible member is releasably connectable is defined by a connection member fixed to the base surface to define a passage extending therealong through which the flexible member may be passed.

12. The retaining system according to claim 11 wherein the a least one connection element comprises a strip of material having opposite ends fixed to the base surface with enough slack between the opposite ends to allow passage of the flexible member between the strip and the base surface.

13. The retaining system according to claim 1 wherein a plurality of connection elements, to each of which the flexible member is releasably connectable, are defined by a longitudinal strip of material extending along the base surface, the longitudinal strip being fixed at spaced intervals therealong to the base surface to define a plurality of sections, each section having enough slack between opposite fixed ends thereof to allow passage of the flexible member between the strip and the base surface.

14. The retaining system according to claim 1 wherein a size of the loop is reducible and expandable by decreasing and increasing respectively a length of a shortest distance measured from the first connection element to the second connection element along the portion of the loop spaced from the base surface.

15. The retaining system according to claim 30 wherein the flexible member is resilient and increasing the size of each loop is achievable by stretching of the flexible member.

16. A retaining system for removably retaining portable objects on a carrier object, the retaining system comprising: a base surface on the carrier object;a plurality of exclusive or non-exclusive pairs of connection elements defined on the base surface, each pair comprising first and second connection elements spaced apart along the base surface; anda flexible member being connectable to the first and second connection elements of one pair of the plurality of pairs to form a loop defined between the base surface and a portion of the flexible member spaced from the base surface and extending away from the first connection element of the one pair toward the second connection element of the one pair;wherein the flexible member is also connectable to the first and second connection elements of at least one other pair of the plurality of pairs to form a loop defined between the base surface and a portion of the flexible member spaced from the base surface and extending away from the first connection element of the one other pair toward the second connection element of the one other pair.

17. The retaining system according to claim 16 wherein a plurality of connection elements define the plurality of pairs, the flexible member being releasably connectable to each of the plurality of connection elements.

18. The retaining system according to claim 16 wherein the pairs of connection elements are defined by at least row of connection elements.

19. A retaining system for removably retaining portable objects to a carrier object, the retaining system comprising: a base surface on the carrier object;three or more connection elements defined on the base surface and spaced apart therealong; anda flexible member being connectable to at least three of the three or more connection elements to form a plurality of loops each defined between the base surface and a respective portion of the flexible member spaced from the base surface and extending away from a first connection element of a respective non-exclusive pair of adjacent connection elements to a second connection element of the respective non-exclusive pair of adjacent connection elements.

20. The retaining system according to claim 19 wherein the pairs of connection elements are defined by at least row of connection elements.