Holder for garment straps

Abstract

A strap holder adapted to be connected to first and second garment straps, the strap holder comprising a central portion defining a first surface and a second surface, a first end portion comprising inner and outer surfaces defining a first retainer gap, and a second end portion comprising inner and outer surfaces defining a second retainer gap. The first surface of the central portion meets the outer surface of the first end portion and the inner surface of the second end portion. The second surface of the central portion meets the inner surface of the first end portion and the outer surface of the second end portion. The inner surface of the first end portion defines a first engaging portion, and the inner surface of the second end portion defines a second engaging portion. The first strap is arranged within the first retainer gap such that the first garment strap engages the first engaging portion. The second strap is arranged within the second retainer gap such that the second garment strap engages the second engaging portion.

1 . A strap holder adapted to be connected to first and second garment straps, the strap holder comprising:
 a central portion defining a first surface and a second surface;   a first end portion comprising inner and outer surfaces defining a first retainer gap; and   a second end portion comprising inner and outer surfaces defining a second retainer gap; wherein   the first surface of the central portion meets the outer surface of the first end portion and the inner surface of the second end portion;   the second surface of the central portion meets the inner surface of the first end portion and the outer surface of the second end portion;   the inner surface of the first end portion defines a first engaging portion;   the inner surface of the second end portion defines a second engaging portion;   the first strap is arranged within the first retainer gap such that the first garment strap engages the first engaging portion; and   the second strap is arranged within the second retainer gap such that the second garment strap engages the second engaging portion.   
   
   
       2 . A strap holder as recited in  claim 1 , in which the first and second retainer gaps are substantially helical in shape. 
   
   
       3 . A strap holder as recited in  claim 1 , in which:
 the first and second retainer gaps each define an initial portion, an intermediate portion, and a terminal portion; and   the first and second engaging portions of the first and second inner surfaces are located within the intermediate portions of the first and second retainer gaps, respectfully.   
   
   
       4 . A strap holder as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a decorative device supported by the central portion. 
   
   
       5 . A strap holder as recited in  claim 4 , further comprising a chain for connecting the decorative device to the central portion. 
   
   
       6 . A method of connecting together first and second garment straps comprising the steps of:
 providing a strap holder comprising
 a central portion defining a first surface and a second surface, 
 a first end portion comprising inner and outer surfaces defining a first retainer gap, and 
 a second end portion comprising inner and outer surfaces defining a second retainer gap, where 
 the first surface of the central portion meets the outer surface of the first end portion and the inner surface of the second end portion, 
 the second surface of the central portion meets the inner surface of the first end portion and the outer surface of the second end portion, 
 the inner surface of the first end portion defines a first engaging portion, and 
 the inner surface of the second end portion defines a second engaging portion; 
   arranging the first garment strap within the first retainer gap such that the first strap engages the first engaging portion; and   arranging the second strap within the second retainer gap such that the second strap engages the second engaging portion.   
   
   
       7 . A method as recited in  claim 6 , in which the step of providing the strap holder comprises the step of configuring the strap holder such that the first and second retainer gaps are substantially helical in shape. 
   
   
       8 . A method as recited in  claim 6 , in which the step of providing the strap holder further comprises the steps of:
 configuring the first and second retainer gaps to define an initial portion, an intermediate portion, and a terminal portion; and   locating the first and second engaging portions of the first and second inner surfaces within the intermediate portions of the first and second retainer gaps, respectfully.   
   
   
       9 . A method as recited in  claim 6 , further comprising the step of supporting a decorative device on the central portion. 
   
   
       10 . A method as recited in  claim 9 , further comprising the step of arranging a chain to connect the decorative device to the central portion. 
   
   
       11 . A strap holder adapted to be connected to first and second garment straps, the strap holder comprising:
 a central portion defining a first surface, a second surface, an exposed surface, and a rear surface;   a first end portion comprising an inner surface, an outer surface, an exposed surface, and a rear surface, where the inner and outer surfaces define a first retainer gap; and   a second end portion comprising an inner surface, an outer surface, an exposed surface, and a rear surface, where the inner and outer surfaces defining a second retainer gap; wherein   the first surface of the central portion meets the outer surface of the first end portion and the inner surface of the second end portion;   the second surface of the central portion meets the inner surface of the first end portion and the outer surface of the second end portion;   the inner surface of the first end portion defines a first engaging portion;   the inner surface of the second end portion defines a second engaging portion;   the first strap is arranged within the first retainer gap such that the first garment strap engages the first engaging portion; and   the second strap is arranged within the second retainer gap such that the second garment strap engages the second engaging portion.   
   
   
       12 . A strap holder as recited in  claim 11 , in which the first and second retainer gaps are substantially helical in shape. 
   
   
       13 . A strap holder as recited in  claim 11 , in which:
 the first and second retainer gaps each define an initial portion, an intermediate portion, and a terminal portion; and   the first and second engaging portions of the first and second inner surfaces are located within the intermediate portions of the first and second retainer gaps, respectfully.   
   
   
       14 . A strap holder as recited in  claim 11 , further comprising a decorative device supported by the central portion. 
   
   
       15 . A strap holder as recited in  claim 14 , further comprising a chain for connecting the decorative device to the central portion.