Strap for securing an item to a wheeled luggage case

Abstract

A strap comprises an elongated flexible member and two connectors. The elongated flexible member and two connectors form two loops: a first loop that loops around a wheeled (e.g., carry-on) luggage and a second loop that loops around an item that is separate from the wheeled luggage. The second loop, in conjunction with two inter-loop connectors, secures the item to the wheeled luggage. The item may be placed on top of the wheeled luggage to provide for a more comfortable and relaxed transport of the item with the wheeled luggage.

1 . An article comprising:
 an elongated flexible member;   a first loop that comprises one or more first portions of the elongated flexible member;   a second loop that comprises one or more second portions of the elongated flexible member, a secondary loop connector, a first end, and a second end that is attachable to the first end by the secondary loop connector;   a first inter-loop connector that allows the first loop to be attached to the second loop at a first point in the elongated flexible member, and   a second inter-loop connector that allows the first loop to be attached to the second loop at a second point in the elongated flexible member, wherein the second point is different than the first point.   
     
     
         2 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the secondary loop connector comprises an adjustment member that allows the second loop to increase and decrease in length. 
     
     
         3 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the second inter-loop connector comprises an adjustment member that allows the first loop to increase and decrease in length. 
     
     
         4 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the second inter-loop connector comprises a hook that allows one detachable end of the first loop to attach to the second inter-loop connector. 
     
     
         5 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the secondary loop connector comprises a buckle that comprises a male buckle element and a female buckle element; and   the female buckle element comprises a hole for attaching one end of the second loop to the female buckle element.   
     
     
         6 . The article of  claim 5 , wherein:
 the male buckle element comprises length adjustment slots; and   the second loop increases or decreases in length as a portion of the elongated flexible member moves through the length adjustment slots.   
     
     
         7 . The article of  claim 6 , wherein:
 the elongated flexible member comprises an extra portion that extends (a) from the length adjustment slots of the male buckle element and (b) is not part of the second loop; and   the second loop decreases as the extra portion is pulled away from male buckle element.   
     
     
         8 . The article of  claim 7 , further comprising a band capable of encircling a rolled up portion of the extra portion to prevent the rolled up portion from unraveling. 
     
     
         9 . An article comprising:
 an elongated flexible member;   a first loop that comprises one or more first portions of the elongated flexible member;   a second loop that comprises one or more second portions of the elongated flexible member, a secondary loop connector, a first end, and a second end that is attachable to the first end by the secondary loop connector;   wherein the secondary loop connector comprises a buckle that comprises a male buckle element and a female buckle element;   wherein the female buckle element comprises a hole for attaching one end of the second loop to the female buckle element;   wherein the male buckle element comprises length adjustment slots;   wherein the second loop increases or decreases in length as a portion of the elongated flexible member moves through the length adjustment slots;   a first inter-loop connector; and   a second inter-loop connector that comprises (a) second length adjustment slots that allows the first loop to increase and decrease in length and (b) a hook for attaching one detachable end of the first loop to the second inter-loop connector;   wherein the first loop is attachable to the second loop by the first inter-loop connector and the second inter-loop connector;   wherein the elongated flexible member comprises an extra portion that extends (a) from the second length adjustment slots and (b) is not part of the second loop;   wherein the second loop decreases as the extra portion is pulled away from male buckle element.   
     
     
         10 . An article for securing an item to a wheeled case, the article comprising:
 first means for forming a first loop of an elongated flexible member to encircle the wheeled case;   second means for forming a second loop of the elongated flexible member to encircle the item and to secure the item to the wheeled case;   third means for connecting the first loop to the second loop; and   fourth means for adjusting the size of the second loop.   
     
     
         11 . The article of  claim 10 , further comprising fifth means for adjusting the size of the first loop. 
     
     
         12 . The article of  claim 10 , wherein the third means comprises:
 fifth means for connecting the first loop to the second loop at a first point in the first loop; and   sixth means for connecting the first loop to the second loop at a second point in the first loop, wherein the second point is a different point in the first loop than the first point.   
     
     
         13 . A method for securing an item to a wheeled case, the method comprising:
 encircling the wheeled case with a first loop of a strap;   placing the item on a top side of the wheeled case; and   encircling the item with a second loop of the strap that is different than the first loop.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein encircling the wheeled case with the first loop of the strap comprises:
 opening the first loop by unfastening a connector of the first loop to detach two ends of the first loop;   wrapping the opened first loop around the wheeled case;   closing the first loop by fastening the connector to attach the two ends of the first loop; and   as the first loop encircles the wheeled case, decreasing the size of the first loop.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein placing the item on the top side of the wheeled case comprises opening the second loop by unfastening a connector of the second loop to detach two ends of the second loop. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein encircling the item with the second loop of the strap comprises:
 while the second loop is not closed, wrapping the second loop around the item;   closing the second loop by fastening a connector of the second loop to attach two ends of the second loop;   as the second loop encircles the item, decreasing the size of the second loop;