Apparatus for wrapping around one or more target objects for gripping, as a hanging structure and/or to provide an extension

Abstract

An apparatus is proposed that facilitates wrapping around one or more target objects for gripping, as a handle and/or to provide an extension. A flexible structure (e.g., formed of rubber or other suitable material) including a handle portion and a loop engages a target by pulling the handle through the loop and thereby cinch a target into place. In certain embodiments herein, the design may be of unitary construction, for example, a single piece of molded, stamped or cast rubber, and requires no assembly.

1 . An apparatus for wrapping around one or more target objects for gripping and/or as a hanger structure and/or to provide an extension comprising
 a member having a first end and a second end;   a pair of flexible extended portions having a gap therebetween along a portion of the length of the member;   a locking portion including a shaped aperture contiguous with the gap toward the first end; and   a handle portion at or proximate to the second end, or between the extended portions and the second end.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus as in  claim 1 , further comprising a neck portion integral with or between the handle portion and the extended portions. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein the gap is elongated such that it has a width that is greater than its length when the member is extended end to end, having a ratio of width to length of 1:30 to about 1:3. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein the locking portion comprises a locking portion access aperture that is narrower than the gap, wherein the locking portion access aperture is contiguous between the shaped aperture and the gap. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein the shaped aperture is dimensioned to tightly fit the extended portions. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein the shaped aperture is configured as a shape selected from the group consisting of a rectangle having sharp or rounded corners, a square having sharp or rounded corners, a triangle having sharp or rounded corners, a diamond having sharp or rounded corners, an oval, an ellipse, a circle, a regular or irregular polygon having sharp or rounded corners, and a regular or irregular closed curve. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein all or a portion of the member is formed of elastomeric material. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus as in  claim 7 , wherein all or a portion of the member is formed of a material selected from the group consisting of natural rubber, synthetic rubber, latex rubber, silicone rubber, ethylene-propylene-diene monomer (EPDM) rubber, gum rubber, and neoprene rubber. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein all or a portion of the member is formed of a material selected from the groups consisting of canvas, cotton, bamboo, nylon and leather. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein the handle portion comprises a closed loop at the second end of the member. 
   
   
       11 . The apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein the handle portion comprises a closed aperture configured as a shape selected from the group consisting of a rectangle having sharp or rounded corners, a square having sharp or rounded corners, a triangle having sharp or rounded corners, a diamond having sharp or rounded corners, an oval, an ellipse, a circle, a regular or irregular polygon having sharp or rounded corners, and a regular or irregular closed curve. 
   
   
       12 . The apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein the handle portion comprises an open ended hook. 
   
   
       13 . The apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein the member is formed of unitary construction formed by a method selected from the group consisting of stamping, molding, casting, and any combination comprising at least one of stamping, molding, and casting. 
   
   
       14 . The apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein the handle portion is attached to the remainder of the member with a swivel connection. 
   
   
       15 . The apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein the device is formed of unitary construction from stamped elastomeric material wherein the circumference of each of the extended portions is about 0.5 inches to about 3 inches, wherein the overall length is about 6 inches to about 36 inches, and wherein the length of the extended portions is about 4 inches to about 33 inches. 
   
   
       16 . A method of holding a target object comprising providing the apparatus as in  claim 1 , wrapping the extended portions around the object, inserting the handle portion around the object(s) and through the gap, inserting a portion of the member into the locking portion (wherein the portion is the extended portions, a neck, or a portion of the handle portion), cinching the object, and using the handle portion to hold the target object. 
   
   
       17 . The method as in  claim 16 , wherein the target object comprises one or more loose objects, wherein the handle portion is used to carry the target object. 
   
   
       18 . The method as in  claim 16 , wherein the target object comprises a fixed or relatively fixed target, wherein the handle portion is used to support hanging therefrom one or more additional objects. 
   
   
       19 . The method as in  claim 16 , wherein the target object comprises an object movable between positions along a defined path, wherein the handle is gripped to decrease the required reach otherwise required to grip the target object, further wherein the target object is a portion of a seat belt, or further wherein the target object is an overhead object selected from the group consisting of doors, shades, windows, and awnings. 
   
   
       20 . The method as in  claim 16 , therein the target object comprises a handle portion of a second said apparatus.