Slip resistant strap

Abstract

Apparatus and method for a combined bottle and towel holder that can be removably attached to a variety of support structures such as are extant in an exercise or fitness room; and slip-resistant releasably self-adhering straps for the removable attachment. A bottle holding portion is an open topped receptacle, and a towel holding portion is an upward opening hook on the receptacle sidewall, optionally movably located relative to the location of the receptacle attachment to the support structure. The holder is removably attachable to a frame member in a way that substantially vertically orients the longitudinal axis of the receptacle, wherein the frame member is a bar of no particular cross-sectional shape, and is preferably upstanding but is oriented such that the bar's long axis is vertical, horizontal or at an angle between horizontal and vertical. The holder is also removably attachable to a vertical surface such as a wall.

1 . A strap for slip resistantly securing two objects together, the strap comprising: 
 a flexible, non-extensible fabric; and    a low durometer elastomer layer on a first surface of the fabric.    
   
   
       2 . The strap of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the elastomer layer has a durometer value of less than about 60 on the Shore A scale.    
   
   
       3 . The strap of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the elastomer layer has a durometer value of approximately 40 on the Shore A scale.    
   
   
       4 . The strap of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a releasably self-adhering component on a second surface of the fabric that is opposed to the first surface.    
   
   
       5 . The strap of  claim 4 , wherein: 
 the releasably self-adhering component comprises hook material and mating loop material.    
   
   
       6 . The strap of  claim 4 , wherein: 
 the elastomer layer is permanently affixed to a ribbon of combined hook and loop fabric.    
   
   
       7 . The strap of  claim 4 , further comprising: 
 a ring clasp secured to an end of the fabric.    
   
   
       8 . The strap of  claim 4 , further comprising: 
 a releasably self-adhering component on a portion of the first surface of the fabric that is not covered by the low durometer elastomer layer.    
   
   
       9 . The strap of  claim 4 , wherein: 
 one of the two objects is a bottle and towel holder, and the other one of the two objects is a bar-like member of a support structure for the holder.    
   
   
       10 . A method of using a non-extensible strap for slip resistantly and removably securing two objects together, the method comprising the steps of: 
 forming the strap from a flexible, non-extensible fabric;    affixing a low durometer elastomer layer on a first surface of the fabric;    providing a releasably self-adhering component on a second surface of the fabric that is opposed to the first surface; and    securing the strap around the two objects.    
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising the step of: 
 using a material for the elastomer layer that has a durometer value of less than about 60 on the Shore A scale.    
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising the step of: 
 using a material for the elastomer layer that has a durometer value of approximately 40 on the Shore A scale.    
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising the step of: 
 using a material for the releasably self-adhering component that comprises combined hook and loop fabric.    
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising the step of: 
 sewing the elastomer layer to a ribbon of intermingled hook material and mating loop material.    
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising the steps of: 
 attaching a ring clasp to a first end of the strap, thereby determining a free end of the strap which is distal to the first end;    wrapping the strap around all of the objects such that the elastomer layer is facing inward for contacting outer surfaces of the objects;    passing the free end through the ring clasp;    cinching the strap tight;    doubling back the strap around a side of the ring clasp;    laying an extension of the free end that extends beyond the ring clasp back on a remainder of the free end leading to the ring clasp, thereby facing the releasably self-adhering component side of the extension against the releasably self-adhering component side of the remainder; and    pressing the extension against the remainder to achieve self-adherence.    
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising the step of: 
 providing a low durometer elastomer layer between the two objects.    
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising the step of: 
 passing the free end through a strap hole in one of the two objects.    
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising the step of: 
 attaching the strap to one of the two objects.    
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising the steps of: 
 affixing a releasably self-adhering component on a portion of the first surface of the fabric that is not covered by the low durometer elastomer layer;    wrapping the strap around all of the objects such that the elastomer layer is facing inward for contacting outer surfaces of the objects;    pulling the strap tight;    overlapping strap ends such that the releasably self-adhering component on the portion of the first surface of the fabric is matingly contacting the releasably self-adhering component on the second surface of the fabric; and    pressing the overlapping strap ends together to achieve self-adherence.    
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein: 
 one of the two objects is a bottle and towel holder, and the other one of the two objects is a member of a support structure for the holder.