System and method for handling flexible straps in a highly adjustable quiver apparatus

Abstract

A system and method for handling flexible straps, such as ductwork straps, utilizes a highly adaptable quiver-type harness. The harness has an elongated sleeve that is designed to receive and accommodate the flexible straps, and is designed to be worn by a user in one of two different and reversible positions. The harness may be worn around the waist of the user, or over one shoulder of the user in a traditional quiver-like position. The harness has a completely adjustable body strap that configures the harness in either the waist position or the quiver position.

1 . A harness, comprising: 
 a sleeve having an interior, a permanently open end, and a closable end opposite the permanently open end, the sleeve being adapted to receive and retain flexible straps in the interior thereof;    a body strap mounted to the sleeve for securing the sleeve to a body of a user, the body strap having a fastener for attaching and releasing the body strap relative to the user; and    the harness having a waist position such that the body strap is configured to support the sleeve around a waist of the user, and a quiver position such that the body strap is configured to support the sleeve over a shoulder and across a back of the user.    
   
   
       2 . The harness of  claim 1 , further comprising a reinforcement strap located adjacent to each of the permanently open and closable ends, wherein the reinforcement straps circumscribe the sleeve and reinforce retention of the body strap on the sleeve.  
   
   
       3 . The harness of  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve is flat tube, and the fastener comprises a buckle having male and female ends that are compatible.  
   
   
       4 . The harness of  claim 1 , wherein the body strap is sewn across substantially an entire length of an inner surface of the sleeve.  
   
   
       5 . The harness of  claim 1 , wherein the closable end has a flap having an open position for providing access to the interior and a closed position for preventing access to the interior.  
   
   
       6 . The harness of  claim 5 , wherein the sleeve has snaps located on an exterior surface of the sleeve, and a small portion of sleeve folds over with the flap when the flap is in closed position to provide better retention of the flexible straps.  
   
   
       7 . The harness of  claim 1 , wherein, in the waist position, the flexible straps extend from both the permanently open end and the closable end of the sleeve and, in the quiver position, the flexible straps extend from only the permanently open end of the sleeve.  
   
   
       8 . A system for retaining flexible straps, comprising: 
 a flexible, hollow sleeve having an interior, an open end, and a closable end opposite the open end, such that the sleeve receives and retains flexible straps in the interior thereof;    a flexible, adjustable body strap mounted to the sleeve, the body strap securing the sleeve to a body of a user, the body strap having a fastener for attaching and releasing the body strap relative to the user; and    the sleeve having a waist position such that the body strap is configured to support the sleeve around a waist of the user, and a quiver position such that the body strap is configured to support the sleeve over a shoulder and across a back of the user; and    in the waist position, the flexible straps extend from both the open end and the closable end of the sleeve and, in the quiver position, the flexible straps extend from only the open end of the sleeve.    
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 8 , further comprising a reinforcement strap located adjacent to each of the open and closable ends, wherein the reinforcement straps circumscribe the sleeve and reinforce retention of the body strap on the sleeve.  
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the sleeve is flat tube, and the fastener comprises a buckle having male and female ends that are compatible.  
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the body strap is sewn across substantially an entire length of an inner surface of the sleeve.  
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the closable end has a flap having an open position for providing access to the interior and a closed position for preventing access to the interior.  
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the sleeve has snaps located on an exterior surface of the sleeve, and a small portion of sleeve between one of the reinforcement straps and the flap and folds over with the flap when the flap is in closed position to provide better retention of the flexible straps.