[DESCRIPTION]

[Invention Title]

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REGULATING LENGTH OF BAND OR SHOULDER STRAP

[Technical Field]

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for regulating a length of a band or a shoulder strap, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for regulating a length of a band or a shoulder strap which can form a multi-overlapping type band or shoulder strap by using two length adjustment members, each having one auxiliary frame, or using a length adjustment member having one auxiliary frame and another length adjustment member having two auxiliary frames.

[Background Art]

Generally, a band is defined as means for fixing or holding an article, and a shoulder strap is defined as means for suspending an article on a shoulder.

However, a band may be adapted to a bag to function as a shoulder strap, and a shoulder strap may be removed from a bag and used to hold an article to function as a band. In other words, a common purpose of the band and the shoulder strap is to fix and hold an article. There are two kinds of bands or shoulder straps, one having no necessity of regulating a length, and the other one having a necessity of regulating a length. Most length-adjustable bands or shoulder straps include a length adjustment member which has a rectangular frame and a median rod, and a fixing ring which is provided with an inner space by which an end of the band or the shoulder strap is caught. Such a length-adjustment mechanism allows the band or the shoulder strap to be adjusted in length by a double overlapping manner.

The length-adjustable band or shoulder strap is used for various purposes.

Fig. 1 is a front view illustrating an example of a band having a conventional double overlapping mechanism.

Fig. 2 is a constitutional view illustrating components of a conventional length-adjustable band or shoulder strap, and Figs. 3, 4, 5 and 6 are views for explaining a double overlapping process of the conventional length-adjustable band or shoulder strap.

The length of the band or the shoulder strap depends on the purposes of use. The length of the band for fixing an article is decided, for example, by a size of the article. However, the length of the shoulder strap for holding a bag is varied according to the fashion, or according to the types of bag, e.g., men's bags and women's bags. There are a permanent fixing type in which both ends of the shoulder strap are permanently fixed to a bag, a mounting/demounting type in which both ends of the shoulder strap are removably connected to a bag by using fixing rings 1 Ob, 1 Oc and 1 Od, an one-end open type in which one end of the shoulder strap is removably connected to a bag by using the fixing rings 10b, 1 Oc and 1 Od and the other end is permanently fixed to a bag, and a duplex adjustment type in which the shoulder strap equipped with a pair of double overlapping structures is connected to a bag.

However, the conventional band or shoulder strap having the above double overlapping structure has a shortcoming that it has a limitation of the length adjusting range when the length of the band or shoulder strap is adjusted to the shortest possible. This problem causes the following inconvenience in use. For example, in women's bags, the longest length of the shoulder strap which can be adjusted by using the length adjustment member 20 and the fixing ring 10 is generally set to be a length such that the bag is located near the woman's thigh when she suspends the shoulder strap on her shoulder. From the longest length of the shoulder strap, although adjusting to the shortest length by adjusting the length of the double-overlapped portion of a string 30 by using the length adjustment member 20, the bag is located near her waist. Thus, because the bag swings when she walks, portability is deteriorated.

[Disclosure] [Technical Problem]

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for regulating a length of a band or a shoulder strap which can adjust a length of a band or a shoulder strap to the maximum almost equal to the longest length of a conventional double overlapping type band or shoulder strap and can reduce the length of the band or the shoulder strap to the minimum to one-third of the shortest length of the conventional double overlapping type band or shoulder strap.

[Technical Solution]

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the above and other objects can be accomplished by the provision of a method for regulating a length of a band or a shoulder strap, comprising the steps of: connecting a first end of a string of the band or the shoulder strap to a fixing ring disposed at one side; passing a second end of the string through a first connecting space of a first length adjustment member, and drawing out the second end of the string through a second connecting space of the first length adjustment member, the string hanging on an auxiliary frame fixed across to a main frame of the first length adjustment member; passing the second end of the string through a second connecting space of a second length adjustment member, and drawing out the second end of the string through a first connecting space of the second length adjustment member, the string hanging on an auxiliary frame of the second length adjustment member; passing the second end of the string through the second connecting space of the first length adjustment member, and drawing out the second end of the string through the first connecting space of the first length adjustment member while hanging the string on the auxiliary frame of the first length adjustment member; passing the second end of the string through the first connecting space of the second length adjustment member,

and drawing out the second end of the string through the second connecting space of the second length adjustment member, the string hanging on the auxiliary frame of the second length adjustment member; and passing the second end of the string through a space of a fixing ring disposed at the other side, and fixing the second end of the string to a portion of the string which comes into contact with the second end of the string.

The steps of hanging the string on the first length adjustment member and the second length adjustment member include: passing the second end of the string through the first connecting space of the first length adjustment member, and drawing out the second end of the string through the second connecting space of the first length adjustment member, the string hanging on the first length adjustment member; hanging the string on the auxiliary frame fixed across to the main frame of the second length adjustment member; passing the second end of the string through the second connecting space of the first length adjustment member, and drawing out the second end of the string through the first connecting space of the first length adjustment member while hanging the string on the auxiliary frame of the first length adjustment member; passing the second end of the string through the first connecting space of the second length adjustment member, and drawing out the second end of the string through the second connecting space of the second length adjustment member, the string hanging on the auxiliary frame of the second length adjustment member; and passing the second end of the string through the space of the fixing ring disposed at the other side, and fixing the second end of the string to a portion of the string which comes into contact with the second end of the string.

[Advantageous Effects]

As described above, the band or the shoulder strap according to the present invention can be reduced in length to the minimum to one-third of the shortest length of a conventional double overlapping type band or shoulder strap. Accordingly, a user can suspend the strap on her/his shoulder or wear the strap

around her/his waist as needed. Even when a user suspends the strap on her/his shoulder, because the length of the strap can be reduced to such an extent that an article like a bag is positioned near the shoulder, the portability is enhanced. In other words, a user can conveniently use the band or the shoulder strap by adjusting the length of the band or the shoulder strap to a user-desired length according to the kinds (classified by sizes or purposes of use) of an article like a bag.

Further, in the case of tightly holding a suitcase, the band according to the present invention can be adjusted in length adequately for a relatively small suitcase as well as a relatively large suitcase. Still further, regardless of use in children's trousers or adult's trousers, the band or the shoulder strap of the present invention can be used for suspenders.

[Description of Drawings]

The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a constitutional view illustrating a band or a shoulder strap which is adjusted in length by a conventional double overlapping manner;

Fig. 2 is a constitutional view illustrating components of a conventional length-adjustable band or shoulder strap;

Figs. 3 to 6 are views for explaining a double overlapping process of a conventional length-adjustable band or shoulder strap;

Fig. 7 is a constitutional view illustrating a band or a shoulder strap having a triple overlapping structure using two length adjustment members in accordance with the present invention;

Figs. 8 to 13 are views for explaining a triple overlapping process of a band or a shoulder strap in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 14 is a front view illustrating a bag to which a band or a shoulder strap having a triple overlapping structure according to the present invention is

adapted;

Fig. 15 is a constitutional view illustrating a band or a shoulder strap having a triple overlapping structure in which two length adjustment members are arranged in the same direction; Figs. 16 to 21 are views for explaining a triple overlapping process of a band or a shoulder strap in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 22 is a constitutional view illustrating a band or a shoulder strap having a triple overlapping structure using a first length adjustment member and a second length adjustment member; Figs. 23 to 28 are views for explaining a triple overlapping process of a band or a shoulder strap in accordance with the present invention;

Figs. 29 to 34 are views for explaining a triple overlapping process of a band or a shoulder strap using a fixing type triple overlapping structure in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 35 is a front view illustrating a bag to which a band or a shoulder strap is adapted;

Fig. 36 is a constitutional view illustrating a band or a shoulder strap having a moving type triple overlapping structure in accordance with the present invention; Figs. 37 to 42 are views for explaining a triple overlapping process of a band or a shoulder strap using a moving type triple overlapping structure in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 43 is a perspective view illustrating a band or a shoulder strap having a fixing type or moving type triple overlapping structure in accordance with the present invention;

Figs. 44 to 49 are views for explaining a process of lengthening a triple overlapping type band or shoulder strap using length adjustment members;

Figs. 50 to 53 are views for explaining a method by which a user can directly manipulate a double, triple, quadruple or fivefold overlapping mechanism adequately for the purposes of use by using a length adjustment device which a string can be separated from or fitted in;

Fig. 54 is a perspective view illustrating a band or a shoulder strap in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

Figs. 55 to 61 are views for explaining a triple overlapping process of a band or a shoulder strap using a moving type triple overlapping structure in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 62 is a front view illustrating a bag to which a band or a shoulder strap is adapted;

Fig. 63 is a constitutional view illustrating components of a band or a shoulder strap in accordance with the present invention; Figs. 64 to 68 are views for explaining an example of a method for adjusting a length of a band or a shoulder strap in accordance with the present invention; and

Figs. 69 and 70 are views for explaining another example of a method for adjusting a length of a band or a shoulder strap in accordance with the present invention.

[Best Mode]

Now, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the annexed drawings. (First Embodiment) Fig. 7 is a constitutional view illustrating a band or a shoulder strap having a triple overlapping structure using two length adjustment members in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, and Figs. 8 to 13 are views for explaining a triple overlapping process of a band or a shoulder strap in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the drawings, a band or a shoulder strap according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes: fixing rings HOc; a length adjustment member A120 which has a main frame A121 provided with an inner space, and an auxiliary frame A 122 fixed to the main frame Al 21 across the space of the main frame Al 21 to divide the space into a first connecting space A 123 and

a second connecting space A 124; another length adjustment member B 120 formed in the same structure as the above length adjustment member A 120; and a string 130. The band or the shoulder strap has a triple overlapping structure. A method for adjusting a length of the band or the shoulder strap according to the first embodiment of the present invention will now be described.

First, a first end of the string 130 is fixedly connected to the fixing ring HOc disposed at one side at step SlO. A second end of the string 130 passes through the first connecting space A123 of the length adjustment member A120, and then passes through the second connecting space A 124 at step S20, so that the string 130 hangs on the length adjustment member A120.

After the string 130 hangs on the auxiliary frame A 122 fixed to the main frame Al 21 across the space of the length adjustment member Al 20, the second end of the string 130 is drawn out toward the other length adjustment member B 120. The second end of the string 130 passes through a second connecting space B 124 of the length adjustment member B 120, and then passes through a first connecting space B123 at step S30, so that the string 130 hangs on the length adjustment member B 120.

Then, the second end of the string 130 passes through the second connecting space A 124 of the length adjustment member A 120, and is drawn out through the first connecting space Al 23 while hanging on the auxiliary frame Al 22 at step S40. The second end of the string 130 is drawn out long to pass through the first connecting space B 123 of the length adjustment member B 120, and is drawn out through the second connecting space B 124 at step S50, so that the string 130 hangs again on the auxiliary frame B 122 of the length adjustment member B 120. The second end of the string 130 passes through the space of the fixing ring HOc disposed at the other side, and is fixed to a portion of the string 130 which comes into contact with the second end of the string 130 at step S60. As a result, the triple overlapping process of the band or the shoulder strap shown in Fig. 7 is completed.

Fig. 14 is a front view illustrating a bag 140 to which the band or the shoulder strap having the triple overlapping structure according to the first embodiment of the present invention is adapted. When connecting the band or

the shoulder strap to the bag 140 or other articles to be supported, many kinds of fixing rings including the illustrated fixing rings HOa, HOb, 110c and 1 1Od may be used. Also, other fixing means may be used to connect the various kinds of bands or shoulder straps to various kinds of bags or articles to be supported. (Second Embodiment)

Fig. 15 is a constitutional view illustrating a band or a shoulder strap having a triple overlapping structure in which two length adjustment members are arranged in the same direction in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention, and Figs. 16 to 21 are views for explaining a triple overlapping process of a band or a shoulder strap in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in the drawings, a band or a shoulder strap according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes: fixing rings 210c; a length adjustment member A220 which has a main frame A221 provided with an inner space, and an auxiliary frame A222 fixed to the main frame A221 across the space of the main frame A221 to divide the space into a first connecting space A223 and a second connecting space A224; another length adjustment member B220 formed in the same structure as the above length adjustment member A220; and a string 230. The band or the shoulder strap has a triple overlapping structure. A method for adjusting a length of the band or the shoulder strap according to the second embodiment of the present invention will now be described.

First, a first end of the string 230 is fixedly connected to the fixing ring 210c disposed at one side. A second end of the string 230 passes through the first connecting space A223 of the length adjustment member A220, and then passes through the second connecting space A224, so that the string 230 hangs on the auxiliary frame A222 fixed to the main frame A221 across the space of the length adjustment member A220.

After the string 230 hangs on the auxiliary frame A222 fixed to the main frame A221 across the space of the length adjustment member A220, the second end of the string 230 is drawn out toward the other length adjustment member B220. The second end of the string 230 passes through a first connecting space B223 of the

length adjustment member B220, and then is drawn out while hanging on the main frame B221 without passing by the auxiliary frame B222. The second end of the string 230 passes again through the second connecting space A224 of the length adjustment member A220, and then is drawn out through the first connecting space A223 while hanging on the auxiliary frame A222.

Then, the second end of the string 230 passing through the first connecting space A223 of the length adjustment member A220 is drawn out long to pass through the first connecting space B223 of the length adjustment member B220, and is drawn out through the second connecting space B224, so that the string 230 hangs on the auxiliary frame B222 of the length adjustment member B220.

The second end of the string 230 passes through the space of the fixing ring 210c disposed at the other side, and is fixed to a portion of the string 230 which comes into contact with the second end of the string 230. As a result, the triple overlapping process of the band or the shoulder strap shown in Fig. 15 is completed. (Third Embodiment)

Fig. 22 is a constitutional view illustrating a band or a shoulder strap having a triple overlapping structure using a first length adjustment member and a second length adjustment member having a different structure from the first length adjustment member in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention, and Figs. 23 to 28 are views for explaining a triple overlapping process of a band or a shoulder strap in accordance with the third embodiment of the present invention.

Figs. 29 to 34 are views for explaining a triple overlapping process of a band or a shoulder strap using a fixing type triple overlapping structure in accordance with the third embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 35 is a front view illustrating a bag to which a band or a shoulder strap according to the third embodiment is adapted.

Fig. 43 is a perspective view illustrating a band or a shoulder strap having a fixing type or moving type triple overlapping structure in accordance with the present invention, and Figs. 44 to 49 are views for explaining a process of lengthening a triple overlapping type band or shoulder strap using length

adjustment members. As shown in the drawings, a band or a shoulder strap according to the third embodiment of the present invention includes: fixing rings 310c; a first length adjustment member 320 which has a main frame 321 provided with an inner space, and an auxiliary frame 322 fixed to the main frame 321 across the space of the main frame 321 to divide the space into a first connecting space 323 and a second connecting space 324; a second length adjustment member 350 which has a main frame 351 provided with an inner space, and a first auxiliary frame 352 and a second auxiliary frame 353 fixed to the main frame 351 across the space of the main frame 351 to divide the space into a first connecting space 354, an intermediate connecting space 355 and a second connecting space 356; and a string 330. The band or the shoulder strap has a triple overlapping structure. A method for adjusting a length of the band or the shoulder strap according to the third embodiment of the present invention will now be described.

First, a first end of the string 330 is fixedly connected to the fixing ring 310c disposed at one side at step S210. A second end of the string 330 passes through the first connecting space 323 of the first length adjustment member 320, and then passes through the second connecting space 324, so that the string 330 hangs on the auxiliary frame 322 fixed to the main frame 321 across the space of the first length adjustment member 320. After the string 330 hangs on the auxiliary frame 322 fixed to the main frame 321 across the space of the first length adjustment member 320, the second end of the string 330 is drawn out toward the second length adjustment member 350. The second end of the string 330 passes through the first connecting space 354 of the second length adjustment member 350, and then is drawn out through the intermediate connecting space 355 while hanging on the first auxiliary frame 352 at step S230. The second end of the string 330 passes again through the second connecting space 324 of the first length adjustment member 320, and then is drawn out through the first connecting space 323 while hanging on the auxiliary frame 322.

Then, the second end of the string 330 passing through the first connecting space 323 of the first length adjustment member 320 is drawn out long to pass through the intermediate connecting space 355 of the second length adjustment

member 350, and is drawn out through the second connecting space 356, so that the string 330 hangs on the second auxiliary frame 353 of the second length adjustment member 350.

The second end of the string 330 passes through the space of the fixing ring 310c disposed at the other side, and is fixed to a portion of the string 330 which comes into contact with the second end of the string 330 at step S250. As a result, the triple overlapping process of the band or the shoulder strap shown in Fig. 22 is completed. (Fourth Embodiment) Figs. 50 to 53 are views for explaining a method for adjusting the length of the band or the shoulder strap in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention. First, a first end of the string 130 is fixedly connected to the fixing ring 11 Oc disposed at one side.

A second end of the string 130 passes through a space formed in a fixing ring HOa, and contact portions of the string 130 are sewn (shown by a reference numeral 1110a) to be fixed to the fixing ring HOa. Then, the second end of the string 130 hangs on an auxiliary frame 122a of a length adjustment member 120a fixed to a main frame 121a across a space of the length adjustment member 120a.

After the string 130 hangs on the auxiliary frame 122a of the length adjustment member 120a, the second end of the string 130 is drawn out of the length adjustment member 120a, and passes again through the space of the fixing ring 110a. The second end of the string 130 is drawn long from the fixing ring 110a to pass through a first connecting space 123a of the length adjustment member 120a, and is drawn out through a second connecting space 124a, so that the string 130 hangs again on the auxiliary frame 122a of the length adjustment member 120a. After being overlapped on the auxiliary frame 122a of the length adjustment member 120a, the second end of the string 130 is drawn out of the length adjustment member 120a, passes through a space of a fixing ring 110b disposed at the other side, and is fixed to a portion of the string 130 which comes into contact with the second end of the string 130. As a result, the length of the band or the shoulder strap is adjusted.

(Fifth Embodiment)

As shown in Figs. 54 to 61, a method for adjusting a length of a band or a shoulder strap according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention includes the steps of connecting a first end of the string 230 to a fixing ring 210c disposed at one side, and passing a second end of the string 230 through a space formed in a fixing ring 210a. The process of sewing contact portions of the string (shown by a reference numeral 111 Oa) in the fourth embodiment is substituted by a moving ring 220b having a relatively small space of this embodiment.

Fig. 54 is a constitutional view illustrating a band or a shoulder strap in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present invention, and Figs. 55 to 61 are views for explaining a triple overlapping process of a band or a shoulder strap using a moving type triple overlapping structure in accordance with the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in the drawings, a band or a shoulder strap of the fifth embodiment includes: a length adjustment member 220a which has a main frame

221 a provided with an inner space, and an auxiliary frame 222a fixed to the main frame 221a across the space of the main frame 221a to divide the space into a first connecting space 223 a and a second connecting space 224a; a fixing ring 210a which has a frame provided with an inner space; and a moving ring 220b which has a relatively small space and is disposed near the frame of the fixing ring 210a to change the position of the fixing ring 210a. A method for adjusting a length of the band or the shoulder strap according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention will now be described.

First, a first end of the string 230 is fixedly connected to the fixing ring 210c disposed at one side. A second end of the string 230 passes through the moving ring 220b having a relatively small space, and then passes through the space of the frame of the fixing ring 210a. The second end of the string 230 is drawn out of the fixing ring 210a, and passes again through the space of the moving ring 220b, thereby changing the position of the fixing ring 210a according to the purposes of use of the band or the shoulder strap.

The string 230 drawn out of the moving ring 220b hangs on the auxiliary

frame 222a fixed to the main frame 221a across the space of the length adjustment member 220a.

After the string 230 hangs on the auxiliary frame 222a of the length adjustment member 220a, the second end of the string 230 is drawn out of the length adjustment member 220a, and passes again through the space of the fixing ring 210a.

The second end of the string 230 is drawn long from the fixing ring 210a to pass through the first connecting space 223a of the length adjustment member 220a, and is drawn out through the second connecting space 224a, so that the string 230 hangs again on the auxiliary frame 222a of the length adjustment member 220a.

After being overlapped on the auxiliary frame 222a of the length adjustment member 220a, the second end of the string 230 is drawn out of the length adjustment member 220a, passes through a space of a fixing ring 210b disposed at the other side, and is fixed to a portion of the string 230 which comes into contact with the second end of the string 230. By the above configuration, the position of the fixing ring 210a is changed by the moving ring 220b according to the purposes of use.

Fig. 62 is a front view illustrating a bag 240 to which the band or the shoulder strap having the fixing type or moving type triple overlapping structure according to the present invention is adapted, in which the fixing rings 210c and 210b are eliminated and both the ends of the string 230 are directly connected to the sides of the bag 240. Also, when connecting the band or the shoulder strap to the bag or other articles to be supported, besides the illustrated fixing rings 210a, 210b, 210c and 21Od, other fixing means may be used to connect the various kinds of bands or shoulder straps to various kinds of bags or articles to be supported. (Sixth Embodiment)

As shown in Figs. 63 to 68, a device for adjusting a length of a band or a shoulder strap according to this embodiment of the present invention is configured such that the main frame 21 or the auxiliary frame 322 is provided with a cutting portion at its center portion, which has an area adequate for the string to be easily separated from or fitted in the length adjustment member. To cope with a case

such that the string has a relatively broad width, the cutting portion 25 can be provided at an edge or a side surface of the main frame 21.

As shown in Figs. 65 and 66, if the string 330 is separated from the length adjustment member 320a provided with a cutting portion 325 and the length adjustment member 320a is pulled while gripping the fixing ring 310b disposed near the triple overlapping structure, the length of the band or the shoulder strap decreases. If the length adjustment member 320a is pulled while gripping the fixing ring 31 Ob disposed near the string of a single layer, the length of the band or the shoulder strap increases. After such length adjustment, the string 330 is fitted again into the first connecting space 323 of the length adjustment member 320a through the cutting portion 325 of the length adjustment member 320a. As shown in Fig. 63, it is preferred that the cutting portion 25 is as broad as possible so that the string 30 can be easily separated from or fitted into the length adjustment member through the cutting portion 25. However, in order to prevent the string 30 from being separated unintentionally through the cutting portion 25, an opening/closing device 27 is mounted to the length adjustment member 20c, thereby adjusting the length of the band or the shoulder strap more conveniently and safely. (Seventh Embodiment)

As shown in Figs. 69 and 70, if a sewn portion 431 of a string 430 is drawn out of a space of a frame 412 of a fixing ring 41Ob-I without being fixed to the fixing ring 41Ob-I and is fixed through a cutting portion 428 of an auxiliary frame of a length adjustment member 422, a quadruple overlapping type band or shoulder strap is formed. In the quadruple overlapping type band or shoulder strap, if the string 430 of a single layer is separated from the fixing ring 41Ob-I through a cutting portion 411 provided at the frame 412, the band or the shoulder strap is transformed into the double overlapping type. As described above, in the length adjustment member 2Od having the main frame 21 and the auxiliary frame 22 fixed to the main frame 21, if the main frame 21 is provided with the cutting portion 25 having an area adequate for the string 30 to pass therethrough, or if the auxiliary frame 22 is provided with the cutting portion 28, a user can easily adjust the length of the band or the shoulder strap, and can transform the band or the shoulder strap into the

double, triple or quadruple overlapping type according to the purposes of use. Also, when the band or the shoulder strap is used to support a heavy article, if the band or the shoulder strap is applied with a frame configured such that an auxiliary frame 22-1 provided with a cutting portion 29 is additionally mounted on the upper end of the auxiliary frame 22 without the cutting portion, the band or the shoulder strap can be used safely. Also, when the length adjustment is not important, the band or the shoulder strap may be applied with a length adjustment device 2Of configured such that the cutting portion 29 is provided at the auxiliary frame 22 fixed to the main frame 21. In order to enable a user to easily use the double, triple or quadruple overlapping type band or shoulder strap according to the purposes of use, a cutting portion 11 may be provided at a main frame 12 of a fixing ring lOa-1. However, the cutting portion may be provided at an edge or a side surface of the main frame according to circumstances of use. If the string 30 is made of a nylon material having large elasticity, the cutting portion 11 may be formed narrower than a thickness of the string 30.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.