Patent Application
20080092346
The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized. It is also to be understood that structural, procedural and system changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. For clarity of exposition, like features shown in the accompanying drawings are indicated with like reference numerals and similar features as shown in alternate embodiments in the drawings are indicated with similar reference numerals.
Referring to
Aperture 18 is located on body 12 and may be any shape that allows at least a portion of the fastener to pass through aperture 18 and fit within interior space 17 of device 10. Preferably, aperture 18 is in the shape of a slit and extends from one side of body 12 to the opposite side of body 12 transversing the middle section of body 12.
Body 12 may include flexible panel region 20 to aid in the opening of aperture 18. Preferably, flexible panel region 20 is located proximate aperture 18 for maximum aid in opening aperture 18 and aperture 18 bisects or divides flexible panel region into at least two parts.
As shown in
While aperture 18 is in an open position, protective device 12 may be placed over a fastener similar to fastener 60 shown in
As the article with fastener 60 is agitated in a washing or drying machine, protective device 10 remains on the fastener, continuing to surround at least a portion of fastener 60 and protects the interior walls of the washing or drying machine during use. As a result, the interior walls of the washing or drying machine are protected from being dented, scratched or otherwise damaged by the fastener. In addition, any noise resulting from the fastener striking the interior walls of the washing or drying machine is prevented or muted.
In one embodiment, body 12 may include closure 26 located proximate to aperture 18. Closure 26 aids in keeping aperture 18 closed. Closure 26 may be adhesive or one part of a mechanical attachment means such as a snap, button, zipper, hook-and-loop, Velcro®, magnet, or any other similar mechanical fastener that requires the mating of two parts.
If closure 26 is one part of a mechanical attachment means, then one side may contain closure 26 while the opposite side contains mating closure 25. Mating closure 25 is the mating part of closure 26. For example, if closure 26 is a hook, then mating closure 25 may be a loop. Preferably, closure 26 is comprised of a plurality of magnets located along an edge(s) of aperture 18, wherein closure 26 is one set of magnets with one polarity and mating closure 25 is a mating set of magnets with the opposite polarity. The force of attraction between the magnets holds the aperture 18 in a closed position. Any closure 26 known to those having skill in the art and suitable for the present invention may be used.
Body 12 may be any shape which allows protective device 10 to perform its intended function. Suitable shapes for body 12 include, but are not limited to a sports ball, such as a football, basketball, baseball, tennis ball, golf ball or soccer ball; an animal, such as a bear, cat, mouse, dog, alligator, turtle, dinosaur, monkey, bird, horse, sheep, donkey, clam, or elephant; an insect, such as a butterfly, ladybug, beetle, spider, or worm; an insect atop a piece of food, such as a butterfly atop a piece of fruit; a piece of food, such as an apple, orange, banana, or pear; an angel or any other shape or design such as a snowflake that may be aesthetically pleasing or attractive to a consumer.
In an alternate embodiment, shown in
While aperture 18 is in an open position, protective device 12 may be placed over a fastener. Then, when the arms and legs are released, aperture 18 is returned to a closed position and is secured around a least a portion of the fastener. Aperture 18 may be opened by simultaneously squeezing opposing arms 28 toward each other and/or squeezing opposing legs 29 legs toward each other, and whereby releasing opposing arms 28 and/or opposing legs 29 causes the aperture to close.
In this embodiment, flexible panel region 20 is centrally located between opposing arms 28 and/or opposing legs 29, near the stomach area of the bear. The configurations and methods described above for opening and closing aperture 18 may be used for any shape body 12 having four appendages, such as a cat or dog. In the particular embodiment shown in
Body 12 of protective device 10 may also be in the shape of an animal, insect or other entity which comprises wings. For example, as illustrated in
In another embodiment, shown in
Protective device 10 of the present invention may be used to cover and conceal a wide array of fasteners, including but not limited to, buttons, clasps, and zipper pulls. Protective device 10 may also be used to conceal any item, including decorative items, located on an article which may cause damage to a washing or drying machine. The fastener, or alternative item to be concealed, may be located on any article, including, but not limited to a piece of clothing, such as a shirt, blouse, pair of pants, or shoe, a sleeping bag, blanket, curtain, or linens.
It should be understood that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.
