US20090277938A1

US20090277938A1 - Multifunctional band

Info

Publication number: US20090277938A1
Application number: US12/331,904
Authority: US
Inventors: Ingrid Baron
Original assignee: Sao Paulo Alpargatas SA
Current assignee: Alpargatas SA
Priority date: 2007-12-10
Filing date: 2008-12-10
Publication date: 2009-11-12
Also published as: EP2070430A3; CN101455473B; AU2008249223A1; CN101455473A; BRPI0705270A2; EP2070430A2

Abstract

A multifunctional band includes a flexible elongated body having at least one connection button that engages at least one connection slit. The at least one connection button and at least one connection slit being arranged on the elongated body.

Description

This invention relates to a multifunctional band having a flexible elongated body, and a plurality of connection buttons and slits which allow the band to assume multiple shapes and functions.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

Flexible or malleable bands are constructed to assume a specific shape and function in the assembly of an object, such as, for example only, malleable bands have been used as straps for purses, backpack, and even used to lash books together, and the like. It should be noted, however, that such bands are specific for the function they are intended (purse straps, book lashing, etc.), and do not have characteristics that enable their proper and satisfactory use in functions that are distinct from those for which they were constructed, Therefore, several different types of malleable bands must be constructed, with different fastening and malleability characteristics, in order to fulfill the different intended uses.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the above, it is an aspect of the present invention to provide a multifunctional band that assumes different shapes and applies to different functions in an easy and practical manner, enabling application of the band in several situations without the need of undergoing plastic alterations.
According to the above described aspect and other aspects, the present invention relates to a multifunctional band having a flexible elongated body that is able to assume a variety of shapes and functions via at least one connection button that links to a corresponding at least one connection slit, wherein the at least one connection button and connection slit are arranged on the elongated body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be understood from the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying drawings, which are given by way of illustration and example only and thus not limited with respect to aspects of the present invention, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front view of the multifunctional band according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the multifunctional band;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the multifunctional band, with an enlarged end portion of the band;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating the multifunctional band being used as a backpack strap;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the multifunctional band being used as a belt; and

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of the multifunctional band being used to lash a plurality of books together.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the multifunctional band 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention includes a flexible elongated body 2. The body 2 may be flexible from a first end to an opposing second end or in any predetermined region intermediate the opposing ends. The flexible nature of the body 2 provides the band 1 with the ability to assume a variety of shapes and functions, while only undergoing elastic strains.
The elongated body 2 includes a first surface 5 that may be flat, textured or smooth, and a second surface 6 on an opposite surface relative to the first surface 5. The second surface 6 may also be flat, textured or smooth.
The multifunctional band 1 further includes at least one connection button 3, which links to a corresponding at least one connection slit 4. The connection button 3 and the connection slit 4 are arranged on the elongated body 2 wherein the connection slit 4 includes an oblong-shaped through hole defined therein. Walls of the through hole have a thickness that is equal to a thickness of the body 2 of the multifunctional band 1.
The connection button 3 is arranged on the first surface 5 of the elongated body 2 and is aligned to the connection slit 4. Referring to FIG. 3, the connection button 3 includes a cylindrical part 7, which is joined to the first surface 5 by a linking element 8 that is slender, has an outer diameter that is smaller than an outer diameter of the cylindrical part 7, and defines a neck.
Preferably, the multifunctional band 1 includes two connection buttons 3 arranged on the first surface 5 at opposing first and second ends of the elongated body 2, and at least two connection slits 4 positioned intermediate the opposing first and second ends of the multifunctional band 1.
While it is preferable that the connection slits 4 are longitudinally aligned with the connection buttons 3, it is within the cope of the present invention. For example, the connection buttons 3 may be positioned on the first surface 5 away from the opposing ends of the body 2 and located closer to the longitudinal center of the body 2 with connection slits interposed therebetween. If is also within the scope of the present invention to vary the number of connection buttons 3 and connection slits 4 to be greater than two.
To engage the connection button 3 with the connection slit 4, the cylindrical part 7 of the connection button 3 passes completely through the connection slit 4 so that the linking element 8 is arranged in a gap of the connection slit 4, and rear walls 9 of the cylindrical part 7 are supported on at least one of the first or second surfaces 5, 6 of the elongated body 2 at a position over the connection slit 4.
When the connection button 3 is engaged with the connection slit 4 as described above, the multifunctional band 1 is able to assume a variety of shapes and perform several functions due to the position of the connection button 3 and the connection slit 4. In this regard, referring to FIG. 4, an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated therein where connection buttons 3 engage corresponding connection slits 4 in a manner that forms the multifunctional band 1 as a strap 10 for a backpack 11.
Referring to FIG. 5, an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated therein where connection buttons 3 and connection slits 4 provide the multifunctional band 1 with a circular shape so the band 1 may function as a belt for trousers, shorts, skirts and the like.
Referring to FIG. 6, a plurality of connection slits 4 are provided such that a connection button 3 is disposed through a corresponding connection slit 4 wherein the band 1 assumes a circular shape and can be used to lash a plurality of books or other such items together.
In view of the above, there are numerous manners in which the connection buttons 3 and connection slits 4 may practically and quickly engage each other enabling the use of the multifunctional band 1 in distinct situations wherein the band 1 assumes a distinct shape corresponding to an intended function or sue of the band 1.
In another embodiment of the band 1, the shape of a loop defined by the band 1 may be enlarged or reduced in size depending on the size of the item the band 1 is intended to carry, e.g., enlarged to carry sandals and shoes, or reduced to be used as a key ring. Therefore, the function of joining the connection button 3 with the connection slits 4 is to regulate the fit and size for the various functions of the multifunctional band 1.
To enable adjustments to the different shapes that can be created from the links between connection buttons 3 and connection slits 4, the multifunctional band 1 may be manufactured from a suitable material, such as a polymeric material, including thermoplastic elastomers that allow for and absorb elastic stress during changes in the shape of the multifunctional band 1. Although the present invention has been described with regards to various aspects and embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerous and various modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A multifunctional band, comprising:

a flexible, elongated body;

at least one connection slit defined in the body; and

at least one connection button provided on the body, the at least one connection button being configured to engage the at least one connection slit.

2. The band according to claim 1, wherein the at least one connection slit is an oblong shaped through hole.

3. The band according to claim 1, wherein the at least one connection button is provided on a first surface of the elongated body (2) parallel to the at least one connection slit.

4. The band according to claim 3, wherein the elongated body further includes a second surface that is on an opposite surface relative to the first surface, and wherein the second surface is flat.

5. The band according to claim 3, wherein the at least one connection button comprises a cylindrical part connected to the first surface of the elongated body by a linking element.

6. The band according to claim 5, wherein the at least one connection button engages the at least one connection slit by the at least one connection button passing through the at least one connection slit.

7. The band according to claim 6, wherein at a region where the at least one connection button engages the at least one connection slit, the cylindrical part passes through the at least one connection slit wherein the linking element is arranged in a through hole of the at least one connection slit, and wherein rear walls of the cylindrical part are supported on the first surface of the elongated body.

8. The band according to claim 7, wherein the body is able to assume a variety of shapes by the at least one connection button engaging the at least one connection slit.

9. The band according to claim 1, wherein the band is manufactured from a polymeric material.

10. The band according to claim 4, wherein the at least one connection button comprises a cylindrical part connected to the first surface of the elongated body by a linking element.

11. The band according to claim 10, wherein the at least one connection button engages the at least one connection slit by the at least one connection button passing through the at least one connection slit.

12. The band according to claim 11, wherein at a region where the at least one connection button engages the at least one connection slit, the cylindrical part passes through the at least one connection slit wherein the linking element is arranged in a through hole of the at least one connection slit, and wherein rear walls of the cylindrical part are supported on one of the first surface and the second surface of the elongated body.

13. The band according to claim 12, wherein the body is able to assume a variety of shapes by the at least one connection button engaging the at least one connection slit.