Portable carrying device with retractable strap

Abstract

The invention is directed to a portable carrying device that includes a housing, an elongated flexible strap extendable from the housing, and at least one rigid support arm attached to the housing and configured for supporting an article to be carried. The portable carrying device can include a coupler disposed on a first end of the elongated flexible strap and a mating structure disposed on a portion of the housing for releasably securing the coupler. The rigid support arm can be movable from a first position in which the rigid support arm is compactly stored relative to the housing, to a second position in which the rigid support arm is at least partially extended away from the housing. The housing can have at least one recess for receiving the rigid support arm and the rigid support arm can have a shape corresponding to the recess.

1 . A portable carrying device, comprising: 
 a housing;    an elongated flexible strap extendable from said housing; and    at least one rigid support arm attached to said housing and configured for supporting an article to be carried.    
   
   
       2 . The portable carrying device according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a coupler disposed on a first end of said elongated flexible strap;    a mating structure disposed on a portion of said housing for releasably securing said coupler.    
   
   
       3 . The portable carrying device according to  claim 2 , wherein a second end of said elongated flexible strap is secured within said housing.  
   
   
       4 . The portable carrying device according to  claim 1 , wherein said rigid support arm is movably attached to said housing.  
   
   
       5 . The portable carrying device according to  claim 4 , wherein said rigid support arm is movable from a first position in which said rigid support arm is compactly stored relative to said housing, to a second position in which said rigid support arm is at least partially extended away from said housing.  
   
   
       6 . The portable carrying device according to  claim 4 , wherein said rigid support arm is pivotally mounted to said housing.  
   
   
       7 . The portable carrying device according to  claim 4 , wherein said rigid support arm is slidably mounted to said housing.  
   
   
       8 . The portable carrying device according to  claim 4 , wherein said housing has at least one recess for receiving said rigid support arm.  
   
   
       9 . The portable carrying device according to  claim 8 , wherein said rigid support arm has a shape corresponding to said recess.  
   
   
       10 . The portable carrying device according to  claim 9 , wherein at least one outer surface of said rigid support arm is substantially continuous with a housing outer surface when said rigid support arm is disposed within said recess, whereby said rigid support arm and said housing form a combined outer surface that is substantially free of projections.  
   
   
       11 . The portable carrying device according to  claim 1 , wherein a second end of said elongated flexible strap is secured to a retractor disposed within said housing.  
   
   
       12 . The portable carrying device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of securing devices disposed along a length of said elongated flexible strap.  
   
   
       13 . The portable carrying device according to  claim 12 , wherein said securing devices are rigid hook members.  
   
   
       14 . The portable carrying device according to  claim 12 , wherein said securing devices are comprised of a flexible strap material, and at least a portion of said strap material is attached to said elongated flexible strap with a hook and loop fastener.  
   
   
       15 . The portable carrying device according to  claim 1 , wherein said rigid support arm is rotatably mounted to said housing about a first axis of rotation and has at least one clamping member configured for clamping an article to said rigid support arm.  
   
   
       16 . The portable carrying device according to  claim 15 , wherein said clamping member is pivotable about a second axis having an orientation different from said first axis.  
   
   
       17 . The portable carrying device according to  claim 15 , wherein said rigid support arm is rotatably coupled to a ratchet mechanism.  
   
   
       18 . The portable carrying device according to clam  16 , wherein said clamping member is pivotally coupled to a ratchet mechanism.  
   
   
       19 . The portable carrying device according  claim 1 , wherein said at least one rigid support arm is removable from said housing.  
   
   
       20 . The portable carrying device according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one rigid support arm securing member.  
   
   
       21 . The portable carrying device according to  claim 1 , wherein said elongated flexible strap includes a cushioning member.  
   
   
       22 . The portable carrying device according to  claim 19 , wherein said cushioning member is configured for removably attaching to said at least one rigid support arm.  
   
   
       23 . The portable carrying device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a belt clip.  
   
   
       24 . The portable carrying device according to  claim 1 , wherein an outer surface of at least a first one of said rigid support arms form a continuous surface with at least a second one of said rigid support arms, said outer surface substantially free of projections when said rigid support arms are in a compact position.  
   
   
       25 . A portable carrying device, comprising: 
 a housing;    an elongated flexible strap retractably extendable from within said housing;    a coupler disposed on a first end of said elongated flexible strap;    a mating structure disposed on a portion of said housing for releasably securing said coupler; and    at least one rigid support arm movably attached to said housing and configured for supporting an article to be carried.    
   
   
       26 . A portable carrying device, comprising: 
 a housing;    an elongated flexible strap retractably extendable from within said housing;    a coupler disposed on a first end of said elongated flexible strap;    a mating structure disposed on a portion of said housing for releasably securing said coupler; and    at least one rigid support arm movably attached to said housing and configured for supporting an article to be carried, said rigid support arm movable from a first position in which said rigid support arm is compactly stored relative to said housing, to a second position in which said rigid support arm is at least partially extended away from said housing for receiving an article to be carried.