1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to jewelry and clothing accessories, and more particularly, multi-use wearable accessories for supporting items such as, but not limited to, keys or a receptacle for personal items such as keys, money, ID, credit cards, or other personal effects.
2. Discussion of the Prior Art
Desire for a hands free device and method for conveniently, securely, and attractively carrying one or more items on one's person, for travel, entertainment, sports and fitness, or general daily use, has resulted in numerous inventions intended to address this problem. The attachment mechanisms of these inventions include various clips, clamps, straps, belts, Velcroâ„¢, clasps, and chains, etc. While the devices referred to provide a limited degree of security, convenience, and/or aesthetic appeal for carrying valuables, they each possess drawbacks which render them not entirely satisfactory.
Some of these items have inconvenient fastening methods which require a specific article of clothing, a pocket, in order to attach to one's person. Others can slip off or be released easily with or without the knowledge of the wearer; creating a security concern. Some are poorly designed to where the clamp can be released by lifting the attached item also threatening security. Some fasteners are similar in appearance but when connected to a personal item may cause the underlying supporting material to which it is clamped to bend over exposing the underside. This not only reduces the convenience and aesthetic appeal but also the safety due to the increased chance the clamp could slip off the material.
Several other inventions have attempted to overcome some of the disadvantages of the previously mentioned disclosures for attachment methods for carrying valuables. Although these attempt to address some of the previously mentioned disadvantages, and are generally closer in category to the current invention, all the attachment methods heretofore known suffer from a variety of disadvantages such as the following:
Threatened security of attached articles (i.e., inadvertent detachment).
Potential damage to supporting garment or fabric when in use.
Cause user discomfort.
Poorly integrated features.
Limited accessibility.
Lacks interchangeability.
Lacks versatility for range of use.
Inconvenient and difficult to use.
Inefficient or prohibitive to manufacture.
Unreliable in operation and subject to failure.
Incorporate odd or complex mechanisms.
A need has arisen, therefore, for a comfortable, attractive, convenient, simple, reliable and cost effective method for attaching valuables to your person or personal item for use in a wide variety of situations and activities. The fastening device of the present invention meets this need and overcomes the aforementioned disadvantages.
It is an object of the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the other known solutions.
It is also an object to provide a single device permitting the user to wear, retain, and/or clamp a wide variety of personal effects on his or her person, as needs dictate, keeping both hands and arms free.
The object of this invention also is to clamp a personal item to the wearer no matter what garment he or she might be wearing.
Another important object of this invention is to prevent the fabric or flexible substrate to which the clamp can fasten from bending over due to the weight of the attachment exposing the underside of the said material.
The invention is a wearable connecting clamp including the following:
A clamping jaw that contains a fulcrum that sits opposite a pair of opposed clamping elements. This jaw element should be composed of a sturdy material such as but not limited to metal, plastic, wood, etc. with the preference being a light sheet metal. The respective clamping elements can be one or two pieces connected proximate the fulcrum by, for example, molding, welding, tongue and groove, bolts, screws, hinges, springs, etc. and may be any shape that does not interfere with their clamping function.
A bottom connecting device that attaches to the outside or inside of the clamping jaw element by, for example, bolts, screws, molding, glue, hook, magnetic attraction, etc., and hangs toward the free meeting ends of the clamping jaw distal from the fulcrum. The bottom connecting device featuring a method of attachment such as velcro, a loop, hole, snap, etc. capable of permanently or temporarily attaching a personal item directly or indirectly. This device may be composed of any flexible and/or sturdy material such as metal, plastic, leather, fabric, rope, etc., with the preference being light sheet metal.
When the movable jaw is opened, a flexible substrate such as the waistband of pants can be inserted between the respective clamping elements, i.e., one opposed clamping element on one side of the material and the other on the opposite side. When the movable jaw is closed, the fulcrum cooperatively urges a wedging element associated with the moveable jaw against the clamping elements applying adequate pressure to the inserted material resulting in a sturdy hold. The bottom connecting device attached to the clamping jaw distributes the weight of the attached item relative to the clamp, thus preventing the flexible substrate (i.e., waistband, etc.) to which the clamp can fasten from bending over and exposing the underside of the material.
Further, this clamping device can also have one or more of the following:
An additional securing device located between the opposed clamping elements. The securing device(s) can be made of any substantially strong or flexible material such as metal, wood, plastic rubber, silicone, or the like and can be inside the clamping elements on one or both sides to meet and interlock with an opposed securing device when the clamp is closed. Such additional securing devices would be present to further assist in securing the clamp to an underlying substrate.
A top lid and/or bottom lid attached to the outside of the jaw element for function or decoration. Either lid could be detachable and may host interchangeable decorative and/or functional items. The lids may be any shape or material as long as it does not interfere with the function of the clamp. These lids may be made of a solid and/or flexible material and can be attached in by means is but not limited to glue, screws, molding, bolts, snaps, hooks, magnetic attraction, etc.
Multiple connecting devices may also be supplied for attaching a plurality of articles to the clamp device. Removable decorations made of any shape or material may also connected in any suitable manner, i.e., glue, snap, rivet, etc. Logos or other artwork can be on the lids movable jaw element either by but not limited to stamping, molding, or painting.
Though the device herein is intended for attaching personal wallet sized items to one's clothing, it can also be used to attach personal item(s) to another accessory such as a purse, beach bag, backpack, etc. In addition it is conceivable that the invention could be used to attach items to upholstery, curtains, blankets, towels, or even to hang items from a clothes line, metal pots, etc.
a shows the clamp herein in an open position.
b shows the clamp in an open position with an attachment (keyring) sliding off/on the bottom connecting device.
c shows the clamp in an open position with keyring attachment in position for clamping to an underlying substrate.
d shows the clamp in a closed position with keyring attachment.
a is a side view in the closed position.
b is a side view if the open position.
a is a front view in the closed position.
b is a closed position with a snap bolt attachment.
c is a closed position with a pocket attachment.
a shows the device of
b shows the combination of 3c in use.
a shows a front side of a 1st alternative embodiment of the clamp herein.
b shows a rearward view of the clamp shown in
c shows a partial view through of the clamp of
a shows a side view of the clamp shown in
b shows a side view of the
a shows a front view of a 2nd alternative embodiment of the clamp herein.
b shows a rearward view of the clamp shown in
c is a partial view through of the clamp of
a is a side view of the clamp in
b is a side view of the
In the preferred embodiment of this invention, with reference to
The movable jaw (4) extends toward the bottom of the base jaw, and is sloped away from the base (1) at an angle equal to approximately 30 degrees and, thereafter bends toward the base jaw (1). Gripping teeth with serrated edges (8), preferably made of plastic or silicone, attach to the underside of the second half of the bend (9) and meet up with matching but opposing serrated edges (10) on the base jaw. These gripping teeth meet so as to securely hold fabric or flexible substrate when the clamp is closed.
On the opposite side of the movable jaw (4) from the top teeth (8) is the location for the bottom connecting device (11). This element (11) can be attached by the same fastener that also holds the top gripping teeth (8) to the movable jaw. This bottom connecting element (11) is preferably composed of a flexible, resilient, strong, flat piece of metal folded over on itself and creating a loop (12) at the bottom end thereof. This loop extends past the bottom end of the clamp (13) located at the end of (1) and (4) opposite the fulcrum. The loop on element (11) ultimately holds the personal attachment (24). The two ends of element (11) meet unevenly (14). The short end (15) is attached to the movable jaw either by glue, bolt, screws, etc. The longer piece (16) extends upward past the bend in the movable jaw (4) enabling the user to easily insert or remove an intermediate connecting device or the attached item itself (17).
The top lid (18) in this embodiment includes a functional L-shaped lever or wedging element with laterally positioned tab inserts (19) that extend from the shorter portion of the L and align with and co-act in the singular holes (20) of the tabs (2) of the base jaw. When this L-shaped lever is in a closed position it forces the jaw closed by placing pressure on the movable jaw (4) on the side opposite the spring (5). This action is depicted in partial section in
When the lid (18) opens the jaw (4) releases and the clamp can be easily removed from the substrate. The base, movable jaw, and L-shaped lever work together in a manner similar to clamps used with suspenders (e.g., for attachment to the waist band of the pants). Preferably the clamp would be worn on an article of clothing such as the waistband of pants (22) and could be turned either direction with the top lid toward the body (23) or away from the body (22), thus enabling the attached item to be between the body and clothing or on the outside of the clothing.
In alternate versions, the bottom extending clip may be removed, and the bottom connecting device (11) may be permanently attached on the outside of the base jaw. For example, by a rivet type fastener that doesn't allow for the attachment to be removed. Decorative elements may also be applied either permanently or temporarily.
a. demonstrates the clamp embodiment with the top lid (18) in an open position which thereby releases the movable jaw (4) from the base jaw (1). When in this open position, a personal item containing an adequately sized opening such as but not limited to a key ring (17), or large grommet, can be attached to the bottom connecting device (11) as shown in
c shows the attached personal item (17) in its final position with a flexible substrate (27) inserted between the movable jaw and the base jaw. When the hinged top lid closes (18) as in
In an alternative embodiment, shown in
In another embodiment of the clamp herein, shown in
While the present invention has been described in terms of specific embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these disclosed embodiments. This invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of illustration only and so that this disclosure will be thorough, complete and will fully convey the full scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Indeed, many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to mind of those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains, and which are intended to be and are covered by both this disclosure, the drawings and the claims.
This application claims the benefit of prior filed U.S. Provisional 61/102,446, filed October 2008; and 61/087,703, filed Aug. 10, 2008.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61087703 | Aug 2008 | US |