Reusable, adjustable carriers for toting awkward handle-less items and related methods

Abstract

Reusable, adjustable carriers and related methods are disclosed, the carriers comprising at least one band the length of which is adjustable for contiguous fastened relation around an awkward handle-less item of size and weight for balanced toting of the item from place-to-place.

1 . A method of facilely, manually toting a handle-less awkward item of size and weight: comprising the acts of:
 placing at least one flat band having variable length around the periphery of the item to be toted;   sizing the length of the band by selectively varying an inter-connection site of at least two inter-connectable connectors on the band;   securely but releasibly connecting the at least two connectors so that the sized band fits snugly, securely and essentially contiguously around the periphery of the item to be toted;   slidably adjusting a manual handle linearly but non-rotatable along the band to balance the weight while preserving the essentially contiguous relation between the band and the item;   manually lifting the balanced item by grasping the handle and manually carrying the item and the band from one place to another.   
   
   
       2 . A method according to  claim 1  comprising the further acts of:
 disconnecting the band from the item;   repeating the acts of  claim 1  in respect to a second handle-less awkward item of size and weight.   
   
   
       3 . A method according to  claim 1  comprising the further acts of:
 disconnecting the band from the item;   constricting the band to occupy a small amount of space;   storing the constricted band.   
   
   
       4 . A method according to  claim 3  comprising the further acts of:
 removing the constricted band from storage;   repeating the acts of  claim 1  in respect to a second handle-less awkward item of size and weight.   
   
   
       5 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the placing act comprises placing two flat bands differently around the periphery of the item, the sizing act comprises sizing the length of each of the two bands by selectively sliding at least one of two clasps associated with each band along the band. 
   
   
       6 . A method according to  claim 5  comprising the further act of permanently connecting the two bands together at an intermediate location of each band. 
   
   
       7 . A method according to  claim 6  wherein the bands are straps of fabric and the connecting act comprises stitching the bands together. 
   
   
       8 . A method according to  claim 5  wherein one band passes between the other band and the manual handle. 
   
   
       9 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the placing act comprises placing three flat bands differently around the periphery of the item and the sizing act comprises sizing the length of two of the three bands. 
   
   
       10 . A method according to  claim 9  comprising the further act of permanently connecting the one band to the other two bands. 
   
   
       11 . A method according to  claim 10  wherein the bands are straps of fabric and the connecting act comprises stitching the one band to the other bands. 
   
   
       12 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the sizing act comprises setting the effective length of the band by selectively joining hook and loop connectors carrying at the ends of the band. 
   
   
       13 . In combination:
 a handle-less awkward item of size and weight which requires to be manually toted from place-to-place, the item having a periphery;   a reusable carrier for placement around the periphery of the item, the carrier comprising at least one flat band having a length, two inter-connectable connector members associated with the flat band for adjusting the effective length of the band and a manual non-rotatably but slidably handle associated with the band:   whereby the band is placed around the periphery of the item, an effective band length obtained by adjusting the position of at least one connector member along the band and releasibly connecting the connector members together so that the band is essentially snugly contiguous with the periphery of the item, the non-rotatably handle being linearly displaced along the band to balance the load of the item when manually lifted at the handle and toted from place-to-place, thereafter allowing facile band removal, compact band storage as desired and band reuse on other items.   
   
   
       14 . The combination according to  claim 13  wherein the at least one band is selected from the group comprising one, two and three bands. 
   
   
       15 . The combination according to  claim 13  wherein the at least one band is selected from the group comprising two and three bands of woven fabric strap material, wherein the bands are stitched together. 
   
   
       16 . A reusable carrier for placement around a periphery of a handle-less awkward item of size and weight, the carrier comprising at least one flat band having a length, two connectable connector members associated with the flat band, connector members being adjustable connectable to size the effective length of the band and a manual non-rotatably but slidably handle associated with the band:
 whereby the band may be placed around the periphery of the item, an effective band length obtained by adjusting the connecting position of connector member and connecting the connector members so that the band is essentially snugly contiguous with the periphery of the item, the non-rotatably handle being linearly displaced along the band to balance the load of the item when manually lifted at the handle and toted from place-to-place, thereafter allowing facile band removal, compact band storage as desired and band reuse on other items.