GRIP STRAP MAGNETIC MOUNTING DEVICE

Abstract

A grip strap magnetic mounting device for supporting objects such as water bottles within a strap. The device is configured to magnetically connect to various metallic surfaces, including surfaces of exercise equipment. The strap is connected to a magnet. The strap includes a grip portion for preventing an object from slipping out of the strap. The strap is configured to maintain a bottle in an upright position regardless of magnet orientation.

Claims

1. A device for mounting an object comprising: an attachment feature; a strap elongated in shape and comprising a side extending along a length and width of the strap; wherein the side comprises a gripping feature adapted to hold the object so it does not slip out of the strap when mounted; and wherein the strap comprises a closing feature that is adjustable such that the strap is able to close around and hold the object.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein: the attachment feature is a magnet.

3. The device of claim 1 further comprising: a linking member configured to connect to each of the attachment feature and the strap.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein: the linking member is engaged in each of an aperture of the attachment feature and an aperture of the strap.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein: the gripping feature comprises a grid of threads.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein: the grid of threads comprises polypropylene and non-residual adhesive.

7. The device of claim 5, wherein: the grid of threads comprises silicon.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein: the closing feature comprises a first connection portion and a second connection portion, wherein the first connection portion and second connection portion are configured to connect to one another to cause the strap to close around and hold the object.

9. The device of claim 3, wherein: the attachment feature is a magnet; and wherein the linking member is further configured to allow the strap and the magnet to be independently movable relative to one another to allow the magnet to be connected to a surface facing any direction, and further allowing the container to be held in an upright position.

10. The device of claim 2 further comprising: a handle accessory, wherein the handle accessory is configured to connect to the magnet.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein: the object is a water bottle.

12. The device of claim 2, wherein: the magnet is configured to support at least 30 pounds.

13. A device for mounting a container comprising: an attachment feature; a strap elongated in shape; a linking member configured to connect to each of the attachment feature and the strap; wherein the strap comprises a closing feature that is adjustable such that the strap is able to close around and hold the container; and wherein the linking member is configured to allow the force of gravity to cause the container to be held in an upright position.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein: the attachment feature is a magnet.

15. The device of claim 13, wherein: the linking member is further configured to allow the strap and the attachment feature to be independently movable relative to one another.

16. The device of claim 13, wherein: the attachment feature comprises an attachment feature aperture; the strap comprises a strap aperture; and wherein the linking member is engaged in each of the attachment feature aperture and the strap aperture.

17. The device of claim 13, wherein: the closing feature comprises a first connection portion and a second connection portion, wherein the first connection portion and second connection portion are configured to connect to one another to cause the strap to close around and hold the object.

18. The device of claim 17, wherein: the closing feature is a hook-and-loop fastener; wherein one of the first or second connection portions comprises hooks, and the other of the first or second connection portions comprises loops.

19. The device of claim 13 further comprising: an additional item linking member; wherein the additional item linking member is configured to connect to each of an additional item and the strap.

20. A device for mounting a container comprising: a magnet; a strap elongated in shape and comprising a side extending along a length and width of the strap; a linking member configured to connect to each of the magnet and the strap; a handle accessory; wherein the side comprises a gripping feature adapted to hold the container so it does not slip out of the strap when mounted; wherein the strap comprises a closing feature that is adjustable such that the strap is able to close around and hold the container; wherein the linking member is further configured to allow the strap and the magnet to be independently movable relative to one another to allow the magnet to be connected to a surface facing any direction, and further allowing the container to be held in an upright position; wherein the magnet is configured to support at least 30 pounds; wherein the handle accessory is configured to connect to the magnet; and wherein the container is a water bottle.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] In addition to the features and advantages mentioned above, other features and advantages disclosed herein will become more apparent from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments when read in conjunction with the attached drawings, wherein like reference numerals across the several views refer to identical or equivalent features, and wherein:

[0019] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of an exemplary grip strap magnetic mounting device;

[0020] FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the FIG. 1 embodiment;

[0021] FIG. 3 is a top view of an exemplary grip strap magnetic mounting device;

[0022] FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the FIG. 3 embodiment;

[0023] FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of a bottle for fluids engaged in an exemplary grip strap magnetic mounting device, where the device is connected to a vertical surface, and where a container axis is perpendicular to a floor;

[0024] FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of the FIG. 5 embodiment, showing a container axis not perpendicular to a floor;

[0025] FIG. 7 shows a rear perspective view of a bottle for fluids engaged in an exemplary grip strap magnetic mounting device, where the device is not connected to a vertical surface;

[0026] FIG. 8 is another front perspective view of the FIG. 6 embodiment, where an additional item has been attached to the exemplary device;

[0027] FIG. 9A is a left side view of an exemplary grip strap magnetic mounting device, where a magnet of the exemplary device is vertically oriented and magnetically connected to a vertical face of an exercise rack;

[0028] FIG. 9B is a left side view of an exemplary grip strap magnetic mounting device, where a magnet of the exemplary device is horizontally oriented and magnetically connected to a horizontal face of an exercise rack;

[0029] FIG. 10 is a front view of an exemplary handle accessory for an exemplary grip strap magnetic mounting device;

[0030] FIG. 11 is a left-side view of the FIG. 10 embodiment, where the exemplary handle accessory is magnetically connected to a grip strap magnetic mounting device comprising a magnet, carabiner, and grip strap; and

[0031] FIG. 12 is a rear view of the FIG. 10 embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] The disclosed grip strap magnet mounting device is useful for mounting fluid containers, and in preventing aforementioned issues including but not limited to container contamination, obstacle issues, spill issues, unnecessary effort issues, access issues, positioning issues, and gripping issues.

[0033] Referring initially to FIG. 1, an exemplary grip strap magnetic mounting device (“magnetic device”) 10 is shown. The magnetic device 10 may comprise at least one magnet 12. The magnet 12 may be configured to attach to any number of metallic surfaces, including by way of illustration and not limitation, surfaces of an exercise rack or other exercise equipment. The at least one magnet 12 may be configured to support at least 30 pounds. In preferred embodiments, the at least one magnet 12 is configured to support at least 45 pounds. A first carabiner 20 may be engaged in and configured to slide through and/or rotate within each of at least one aperture (not shown) of the magnet 12 and at least one aperture 24 of an exemplary strap 21 of the magnetic device 10. As a result, the strap 21 and the magnet 12 may be configured to move or rotate with respect to one another regardless of whether the other is stationary. A potential rotation path of the magnet 12 is demonstrated by arrow 14.

[0034] The exemplary strap 21 may comprise a grip portion 28. The grip portion 28 may comprise grip mesh. The grip portion 28 may be partially disposed on a support portion 26 of the strap 21. The grip portion 28 may also be partially disposed on a first connecting portion 18 of the strap 21. It will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the grip portion 28 may be positioned at any number of locations along the strap 21, and the present invention is not limited to a single grip portion having a certain length.

[0035] In the particular embodiment shown, the first connection portion 18 comprises a hook portion 18A configured to attach to a loop portion 16A of a second connection portion 16 of the strap 21 to define hook-and-loop fastening. It will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the present invention is not intended to be limited to a first connection portion attaching to a second connection portion by hook-and-loop fastening. There may any number of ways to connect at least two connection portions of an exemplary strap, including by way of illustration and not limitation, magnetic attachment, key ring attachment, thread attachment, carabiner attachment, strap attachment, metal eyelet attachment, or the like.

[0036] A second carabiner 22 may be engaged in and configured to slide about and rotate within each of an aperture 24 of the strap 21, and at least one ring, aperture, hole or the like of an additional item, including by way of example and not limitation a key ring of a set of car keys. It will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that it is not intended the present invention be limited to the use of a second carabiner disposed in an aperture to suspend other objects from or on an exemplary magnetic device. There may be any number of ways to suspend other objects from or on exemplary magnetic devices.

[0037] FIG. 2 shows the exemplary magnetic device 10 of the FIG. 1 embodiment where the hook portion 18A of the first connection portion 18 is engaged with or otherwise connected to the loop portion 16A of the second connection portion 16 of the strap 21. The magnet 12 having a potential rotation path demonstrated by arrow 14 is shown, where the first carabiner 20 engaged thereto may further be engaged in an aperture 24. In the particular embodiment shown, the aperture 24 is positioned on the second connection portion 16 of the strap 21. Another aperture 24 may be positioned on the support portion 26, and a second carabiner 22 may be engaged therein.

[0038] In the particular embodiment shown, the grip portion 28 comprises grip mesh. The grip mesh may comprise a grid pattern of threads, strands, or the like, where the threads, strands or the like may comprise polypropylene with a small amount of non-residual adhesive applied thereto. In other embodiments, the threads, strands or the like may comprise silicon. The grip mesh may be positioned in front of exemplary strap fabric of the strap 21, and portions of the grip mesh may be sewn, stitched, seamed, glued, or the like to the exemplary strap fabric. A user may place one of any number of containers within the strap 21, and the user may tighten or otherwise increase tension in the strap, such as by, by way of example and not limitation, positioning the hook portion 18A further along the loop portion 16A, to cause the grip portion 28 to support the container and/or to prevent the container from sliding along the strap 21. Specifically, in exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the grip mesh, which has a high friction coefficient, prevents the container from partially or fully sliding out of the strap 21, regardless of whether moisture is present on the container and/or the strap 21.

[0039] Referring now to FIGS. 3-4, another exemplary magnetic device 10 having a strap 21 comprising a first connection portion 18 having a hook portion 18A configured to attach to a loop portion 16A of a second connection portion 16 is shown. The strap 21 may further include a grip portion 28. In the particular embodiment shown, a ring 30 is engaged in and configured to slide through and/or rotate within each of at least one aperture (not shown) of a magnet 12 and at least one aperture 24 of the strap 21. A carabiner 22 for linking at least one additional item to the strap 21 is engaged in another aperture 24 of the strap 21. It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the present invention is not limited to the use of carabiners or rings to link the magnet 12 to the strap 21 or to link at least one additional item to the strap 21. There may be any number and/or types of linking members used to link the magnet 12 to the strap 21 without sacrificing the ability of the strap 21 and the magnet 12 to move or rotate with respect to one another regardless of whether the other is stationary. There may also be any number of and/or types of apparatuses used to link at least one additional item to the strap 21.

[0040] FIG. 5 shows a bottle for fluids 32 engaged in an exemplary grip strap magnetic mounting device 10, where the device 10 is connected by magnet 12 to a vertical surface 34, the magnet 12 is linked by ring 30 to strap 21, and where a container axis 36 is perpendicular (demonstrated by angle 38) to a floor 40. FIG. 6 shows the bottle for fluids 32 of the FIG. 5 embodiment, where the bottle 32 is engaged in the exemplary grip strap magnetic mounting device 10, where the device 10 is connected by magnet 12 to a vertical surface 34, where the magnet 12 linked by ring 30 to strap 21, and where the container axis 36 is not perpendicular (demonstrated by angle 42) to a floor 40.

[0041] Referring now to FIGS. 5-8, the magnetic device 10 may be configured to suspend the bottle 32 at any number of heights above a ground surface or floor 40 by magnetic attachment of the device 10 to a metallic surface 34. In FIG. 5, first 18 and second 16 connecting portions of the strap 21 are shown. In FIGS. 6-8, the second connecting portion 16 of the strap 21 is shown. The ring 30 may be configured to slide through and/or rotate within each of an aperture 31 of magnet 12 and an aperture of the strap 21. As a result, the container axis 36 may be positioned at any number of angles with respect to the floor 40 when magnet 12 is attached to surface 34. By way of example and not limitation, a user's ability to rotate the bottle 32 when the magnet 12 is attached to the surface 34 may permit a user to pour water from the bottle 32 on a towel or drink from the bottle 32 without having to remove the bottle 32 from the device 10. It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that any number of different rings, clips, carabiners or other linking members may be used to link at least one magnet (e.g., 12) to at least one strap (e.g., 21). Exemplary rings, clips, carabiners or other linking members may come in any number of different sizes and may comprise any number of different materials for optimizing movement of the at least one strap and at least one magnet with respect to one another. It will further be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the present invention is not limited to use in fitness facilities. With the present invention, any number of metallic surfaces may be used to suspend any number of different container types serving a variety of different purposes.

[0042] Furthermore, in the particular embodiments shown, a carabiner 22 engaged in an aperture 24 of the exemplary strap 21 may suspend at least one additional item on or from the device 10. Referring to FIG. 8, car keys 48 linked to a key ring 46 are hanged from the exemplary strap 21. It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that any number of different objects, including by way of illustration and not limitation a fluid container (e.g., 32), car keys (e.g., 48), hand towels, disinfecting wipes, headphones, resistance bands, or other objects a user may possess at a fitness center may be hanged on or from an exemplary device 10 away from unsanitary surfaces to prevent contamination thereof and/or to prevent the objects from causing issues including but not limited to obstacle issues, spill issues, or unnecessary effort issues. Additionally, with exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a grip strap magnetic mounting device may be used to reserve exercise equipment by indicating to other individuals that the equipment already has an intended user.

[0043] FIG. 9A shows an exemplary embodiment of a grip strap magnetic mounting device 10 where a bottle 32 is immobilized in a strap 21 linked to a magnet 12 by a carabiner 20. The magnet 12 may be attached to a vertical surface face 50A of an exercise rack 50. FIG. 9B shows the exemplary grip strap magnetic mounting device 10 of the FIG. 9A embodiment where the magnet 12 is attached to a horizontal surface face 51A of a beam 51 of exercise rack 50. The force of gravity acting on the mass of the bottle 32 and fluid therein may cause the bottle 32 and the strap 21 securing the bottle 32 to rotate such that the bottle 32 may be maintained in an upright position. The carabiner 20 may permit the rotation. By way of example and not limitation, the carabiner 20 may rotate within and/or move through an aperture of the strap 21 as the force gravity acts to cause the center of mass of the bottle 32 to rotate towards a floor while the magnet 12 remains stationary. By maintaining the bottle 32 in an upright position, the exemplary device 10 prevents non-watertight bottles from spilling.

[0044] Referring now to FIGS. 10-12, an exemplary handle accessory 52 having an upper section 54 of length 66, a mid-section 56 of length 68, and a lower section 58 of length 70, for an exemplary grip strap magnetic mounting device 10 is shown. The lower section 58 may include a metallic attachment member 60 having an outer portion 62 configured to attach to a magnet 12, which may be linked to a carabiner 20 or other linking member. The attachment member 60 may further include an inner portion 64 configured to immobilize the attachment member 60 within the lower section 58 of the handle accessory 52. The handle accessory 52 may permit a user to carry the attachment apparatus by gripping one or more sections 54, 56, 58 of the handle accessory 52. The handle accessory 52 may further permit a user to suspend the exemplary device 10, such as by way of example and not limitation, for storage purposes, from any number of j-hooks, hangars, protrusions, or the like, by placing the j-hook, hangar, protrusion or the like through an aperture 72 of the handle accessory 52.

[0045] While a grip strap magnetic mounting device has been described with reference to various embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes may be made, and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope and essence of the disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that a grip strap magnetic mounting device not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed. All citations referred herein are expressly incorporated herein by reference.