Plastic molded, stretchable neck strap

Abstract

Disclosed is a neck strap comprising an elongated molded plastic member with integral molded holding members at the ends thereof. In one preferred embodiment, the holding members are designed to hold an ID badge, or convention badge, or a ski pass, or the like. In another embodiment, the neck strap and the holding members are stronger than those used for ID cards or the like, and the unit can support heavier objects, such as glasses, cameras, binoculars, tools, and the like.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A neck strap for holding objects comprising a molded plastic central member with two molded plastic holding members disposed at the ends thereof.  
     
     
         2 . The neck strap of  claim 1 , wherein the central member is flexible and stretchable.  
     
     
         3 . The neck strap of  claim 1 , wherein the holding members are flexible and stretchable.  
     
     
         4 . The neck strap of  claim 1 , wherein the holding members comprise two anchor ends, each configured in the shape of a “T”.  
     
     
         5 . The neck strap of  claim 3 , wherein the T-shaped anchor ends comprise a long, relatively thin plastic member perpendicular to a short, relatively thicker plastic member.  
     
     
         6 . The neck strap of  claim 3 , wherein the size, thickness and rigidity of the “T” is such that it will fit through and lock with an object having holes with a diameter of from about 2.5 mm to 5 mm.  
     
     
         7 . The neck strap of  claim 1 , wherein the plastic is injection moldable.  
     
     
         8 . The neck strap of  claim 7 , wherein the injection moldable plastic is selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, rubber-like plastics, and combinations of such materials.  
     
     
         9 . A neck strap for holding objects comprising a flat central neck section, transitioning to a pair of relatively thin, round elongated members from each end, with a “T” at each end, serving as an anchor member.  
     
     
         10 . The neck strap of  claim 9 , wherein the flat, relatively thin central neck section is about 8 inches to about 12 inches long, about 0.005 inches wide and about 0.010 inches thick.  
     
     
         11 . The neck strap of  claim 9 , wherein the geometry of the flat central neck section is adapted for printing corporate names or logos.  
     
     
         12 . The neck strap of  claim 9 , wherein the round elongated members extending from each end are about 0.030 inches thick and about 8 inches to 10 inches long.  
     
     
         13 . The neck strap of  claim 9 , wherein the horizontal bar of the “T” is about twice the thickness of the vertical bar.  
     
     
         14 . The neck strap of  claim 12 , wherein the T will pass through and lock with an object having a hole with a diameter of from about 2.5 mm to about 5 mm.  
     
     
         15 . A neck strap for holding objects comprising a single elongate molded plastic member, about 20 to 40 inches in length, with anchor members at each end.  
     
     
         16 . The neck strap of  claim 15 , wherein the anchor members are “T” ends.  
     
     
         17 . The neck strap of  claim 15 , wherein the shape of the central or holding members comprises a shape selected from the group consisting of a true round, oval, flat on one side, and other cross-sectional shapes.  
     
     
         18 . The neck strap of  claim 15 , wherein other “anchor” shaped ends are provided selected from the group consisting of arrowheads, snap rivets, hole plugs, and snap-backs.  
     
     
         19 . The neck strap of  claim 15 , wherein by modifying the material, hardness and thickness of the neck strap, the strap is adapted to accommodate objects of significant weight.  
     
     
         20 . The neck strap of  claim 15 , wherein by modifying the material, hardness and thickness of the anchor members, the anchor members are adapted to accommodate articles of significant weight.  
     
     
         21 . The neck strap of  claim 19 , wherein the neck strap further includes a safety breakaway feature created by scoring, narrowing, or otherwise weakening any of the sections of the strap or anchors.