Clothing strap retention device with enhanced torsional support and marking surface

Abstract

A clothing strap retention device, or “holder,” in accordance with the techniques of the present disclosure enables a user to retain multiple shoulder or equivalent straps of a clothing garment proximate to one another at a region along the length of the straps. As a result, the effective length of the straps is reduced and the movement of the straps is restricted, thereby lifting up the garment and providing a better, more comfortable fit. Specifically, the holder includes a planar central portion having an equidimensional geometry that provides structural integrity to the holder, thereby enabling it to withstand torsional forces and prevent or reduce distortion such as twisting and warping. Additionally, the central portion includes a surface suitable for one or more of printing, embossing, and attaching an adhesive label to include any combination of text and graphical content for use in any of product marking, ornamental design, and advertisement.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A clothing strap holder comprising:
 a planar central portion in the shape of a two-dimensional decorative heart having a substantially equidimensional geometry; and   first and second elongate side portions disposed at opposite ends of the planar central portion,   wherein each of the first and second elongate side portions extends outwardly from the corresponding one of the opposite ends of the planar central portion, thereby defining two slots between the respective elongate side portion and the planar central portion, and   wherein the planar central portion and the first and second elongate side portions are disposed substantially within a common plane.   
     
     
         2 . The clothing strap holder of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second elongate side portions comprises two end portions disposed at opposite ends of the respective elongate side portion, wherein an end portion of one of the first and second elongate side portions extends inwardly toward an end portion of another one of the first and second elongate side portions. 
     
     
         3 . The clothing strap holder of  claim 1 , further comprising a terminal portion disposed at each of one or more ends of the first and second elongate side portions, the terminal portion having a width that is greater than a width of the corresponding one of the first and second elongate side portions. 
     
     
         4 . The clothing strap holder of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second elongate side portions comprises a substantially planar elongate side portion having a thickness, wherein a thickness of the planar central portion is greater than the thickness of each of the first and second elongate side portions, and wherein each of the first and second elongate side portions forms at least a part of the corresponding one of the opposite ends of the planar central portion. 
     
     
         5 . The clothing strap holder of  claim 1 , wherein the planar central portion forms a surface that includes thereupon one or more of the following:
 printed text;   printed one or more graphics;   embossed text;   embossed one or more graphics; and   one or more attached adhesive labels.   
     
     
         6 . A clothing strap holder comprising:
 a planar central portion in the shape of a two-dimensional decorative multi-point star having a substantially equidimensional geometry; and   first and second elongate side portions disposed at opposite ends of the planar central portion,   wherein each of the first and second elongate side portions extends outwardly from the corresponding one of the opposite ends of the planar central portion, thereby defining two slots between the respective elongate side portion and the planar central portion, and   wherein the planar central portion and the first and second elongate side portions are disposed substantially within a common plane.   
     
     
         7 . The clothing strap holder of  claim 6 , wherein each of the first and second elongate side portions comprises two end portions disposed at opposite ends of the respective elongate side portion, wherein an end portion of one of the first and second elongate side portions extends inwardly toward an end portion of another one of the first and second elongate side portions. 
     
     
         8 . The clothing strap holder of  claim 6 , further comprising a terminal portion disposed at each of one or more ends of the first and second elongate side portions, the terminal portion having a width that is greater than a width of the corresponding one of the first and second elongate side portions. 
     
     
         9 . The clothing strap holder of  claim 6 , wherein each of the first and second elongate side portions comprises a substantially planar elongate side portion having a thickness, wherein a thickness of the planar central portion is greater than the thickness of each of the first and second elongate side portions, and wherein each of the first and second elongate side portions forms at least a part of the corresponding one of the opposite ends of the planar central portion. 
     
     
         10 . The clothing strap holder of  claim 6 , wherein the planar central portion forms a surface that includes thereupon one or more of the following:
 printed text;   printed one or more graphics;   embossed text;   embossed one or more graphics; and   one or more attached adhesive labels.   
     
     
         11 . A clothing strap holder comprising:
 a planar central portion in the shape of a two-dimensional decorative multi-point crown having a substantially equidimensional geometry; and   first and second elongate side portions disposed at opposite ends of the planar central portion,   wherein each of the first and second elongate side portions extends outwardly from the corresponding one of the opposite ends of the planar central portion, thereby defining two slots between the respective elongate side portion and the planar central portion, and   wherein the planar central portion and the first and second elongate side portions are disposed substantially within a common plane.   
     
     
         12 . The clothing strap holder of  claim 11 , wherein each of the first and second elongate side portions comprises two end portions disposed at opposite ends of the respective elongate side portion, wherein an end portion of one of the first and second elongate side portions extends inwardly toward an end portion of another one of the first and second elongate side portions. 
     
     
         13 . The clothing strap holder of  claim 11 , further comprising a terminal portion disposed at each of one or more ends of the first and second elongate side portions, the terminal portion having a width that is greater than a width of the corresponding one of the first and second elongate side portions. 
     
     
         14 . The clothing strap holder of  claim 11 , wherein each of the first and second elongate side portions comprises a substantially planar elongate side portion having a thickness, wherein a thickness of the planar central portion is greater than the thickness of each of the first and second elongate side portions, and wherein each of the first and second elongate side portions forms at least a part of the corresponding one of the opposite ends of the planar central portion. 
     
     
         15 . The clothing strap holder of  claim 11 , wherein the planar central portion forms a surface that includes thereupon one or more of the following:
 printed text;   printed one or more graphics;   embossed text;   embossed one or more graphics; and   one or more attached adhesive labels.