Apparatus for carrying one or more items

Abstract

An apparatus for carrying one or more items is provided. In an implementation, an example carrying device includes a flexible band and adjustable fasteners that may be attached to a variety of articles, such as the handle of a piece of rolling luggage, to secure drinks from spilling and to manage other personal articles. The example carrying device is adjustable to attach to articles of various sizes, for example to a narrow handle or to a large cooler, while securing containers in an upright position.

1 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a flexible band;   at least one holder attached to the flexible band; and   a fastener attached to the flexible band to enable the flexible band to be attached around articles of various sizes.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible band has a width dimension sufficient to secure the flexible band to an article such that a container held by the holder remains substantially upright. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the holder secures a container for liquid such that a surface of the liquid remains horizontal. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the fastener allows the flexible band to be adjusted to attach to a handle of a piece of luggage and to be adjusted to attach around a user's waist. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible band is constructed of a flexible material, the flexible material selected from the group of flexible materials consisting of an elastomeric, an elasticized fabric, spandex, an elastane, LYCRA, nylon, neoprene, cotton, felt, flannel, velvet, silk, canvas, leather, and rubber. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible band has a width dimension substantially similar to the height of a cup, for securing the cup in an upright position. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the holder comprises a band of material, each end of the band of material attached to the flexible band. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the holder comprises a pocket. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the holder is sized to fit one of a beverage cup, a liquid container, a fluid bottle, a baby bottle, a baby food container, a Styrofoam cup, a soda can, a soda bottle, an ice cream cone, a pack of cigarettes, a condiment, a magazine, a newspaper, a business card, money, coins, a boarding pass, a passport, a driver's license, a cell phone, a smart phone, a mobile computing device, an IPOD, an IPAD, a tool, a portable drill, a screwdriver, a pair of pliers, a hammer, a brush, a toothbrush, a contact lens case, eyeglasses, a comb, a hat, gloves, earplugs, nose plugs, a wallet, a camera, binoculars, a sports drink, an energy bar, a swim cap, a towel, body tape, an air pump, sandals, a heart rate monitor, a timing chip, or a tire patch kit. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the fastener comprises one of a set of hook and loop fasteners, a snap, a button, a zipper, a hook, a clasp, an adhesive, a lace, straps, or a buckle. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible band attaches to an article via a non-slip surface of the flexible band. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible band and the fastener enable the apparatus to attach to a handle, a suitcase, a piece of luggage, a carrying bag, a handle of a rolling container, a user's waist, a user's midsection, a user's leg, a user's arm, a bicycle, a bag, a tool box, a cooler, a liquid dispenser, a beer keg, a box, a lifting dolly, a briefcase, a bucket, a ladder, a lawnmower, a wagon, a tractor, a golf bag, a golf cart, a boat, a motorcycle, a work table, a computer box, a post, a pillar, a fence, a shopping cart, legs of a folding table, backrest of a folding chair, or support members of a ladder. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the flexible belt is configured as a bra or a sports top. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the holder secures an open drink in an upright position to prevent spilling a contents of the open drink. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is easily folded in to a compact easy-store configuration. 
     
     
         16 . A carrying device, comprising:
 a flexible band capable of snugly attaching around articles of various shapes and various sizes;   a non-slip surface on an inner gripping surface of the flexible band; and   at least one article holder attached to the flexible band.   
     
     
         17 . The carrying device of  claim 16 , wherein the article holder comprises a tapered band or a tapered pocket for holding a conical article. 
     
     
         18 . The carrying device of  claim 16 , wherein the article holder comprises a band, wherein the band is adjustable to hold articles of different sizes at various times. 
     
     
         19 . The carrying device of  claim 16 , wherein the flexible band flexes and grips for snug fit and attachment to one of a backrest of a portable folding chair, legs of a portable folding table, back supports of a portable folding ladder, a circumference of a portable plastic utility carrier, or a portable golf (club) bag. 
     
     
         20 . The carrying device of  claim 16 , wherein the carrying device folds into a compact easy-store configuration.