U.S. patent application number 10/385400 was filed with the patent office on 2003-12-18 for utility wristband.
Invention is credited to Devinie, Rita.
Application Number | 20030230606 10/385400 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32987302 |
Filed Date | 2003-12-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030230606 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Devinie, Rita |
December 18, 2003 |
Utility wristband
Abstract
A utility wristband for holding magnetically attractable
metallic work items thereagainst for convenient access. The
wristband includes a band that having an outer and inner panel and
is sized in length to wrap around the wrist of a worker. A
fasteners is provided for releasably adjustably connecting the
wristband around the worker's wrist. A plurality of magnets are
positioned in a central portion of the wristband between outer and
inner flexible panels. By alternating surface polarity of adjacent
magnetic bars, the band may be shortened for small wrist sizes or
fully collapsed in accordion fashion for storage.
Inventors: |
Devinie, Rita; (Sarasota,
FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GIFFORD, KRASS, GROH, SPRINKLE
ANDERSON & CITKOWSKI, PC
280 N OLD WOODARD AVE
SUITE 400
BIRMINGHAM
MI
48009
US
|
Family ID: |
32987302 |
Appl. No.: |
10/385400 |
Filed: |
March 10, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10385400 |
Mar 10, 2003 |
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09954493 |
Sep 17, 2001 |
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6530508 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
224/183 ;
224/221 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45F 2200/0575 20130101;
B25H 3/00 20130101; A45F 2005/008 20130101; A45F 5/00 20130101;
A44C 5/0007 20130101; A45F 3/14 20130101; H01F 7/0215 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
224/183 ;
224/221 |
International
Class: |
A45F 005/00; A45F
003/14; A44C 005/18 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A utility wristband comprising: a flexible band sized in length
to wrap around the wrist of a worker, said band having end
portions, a central portion between said end portions, an an outer
panel and an inner panel and a fastener for securing said band
around said workers wrist, said outer and inner panels being
connected together along common side and end margins; a plurality
of magnets positioned in said central portion of said band between
said inner and outer panels; whereby magnetically attractable
metallic work items are magnetically adhered against said outer
panel for convenient access.
2. The utility wristband of claim 1, wherein said fastener
comprises a hook and loop fastener.
3. The utility wristband of claim 1, wherein said fastener
comprises a belt and buckle.
4. The utility wristband of claim 1, wherein said fastener
comprises laces.
5. The utility wristband of claim 1, further comprising a plurality
of transverse spaced stitch lines connecting said outer and inner
panels to form individual elongated pockets.
6. The utility wristband of claim 5, wherein said plurality of
magnets comprise a plurality of elongated magnetic bars, each
magnetic bar of said plurality of magnetic bars being positioned in
one of said elongated pockets such that said bars are held in
spaced substantially parallel transverse relation one to
another.
7. The utility wristband of claim 1, wherein said magnets are
secured to said inner panel and said outer panel.
8. The utility wristband of claim 1, further comprising a plurality
of transverse and longitudinal stitching lines connecting the inner
and outer panels form a plurality of pockets.
9. The utility wristband of claim 7, wherein each magnet of said
plurality of magnets is positioned in one of said pockets.
10. The utility wristband of claim 1, further comprising a web
secured to a side of each magnet of said plurality of magnets.
11. The utility wristband of claim 1, wherein each magnet of said
plurality of magnets is oriented with opposite surface polarities
with respect to any adjacent magnet.
12. The utility wristband of claim 1, wherein each magnet of said
plurality of magnets is oriented with aligned surface polarities
with respect to any adjacent magnet.
13. The utility wristband of claim 1, wherein each magnet of said
plurality of magnets is oriented with opposite surface polarities
with respect to an adjacent magnet.
14. The utility wristband of claim 1, wherein the edges for each
magnet of said plurality of magnets rounded.
15. The utility wristband of claim 1, wherein said fastener
comprises one portion positioned on said outer panel and a mating
portion positioned on said inner panel 14 at an end of said
wristband opposite the one portion.
16. A utility wristband comprising: an elongated band sized in
length to wrap around the wrist of a worker, said band having end
portions, a central portion between said end portions, an outer
panel and an inner panel, and a fastener for securing said end
portions, said inner panel and outer panel being connected together
along common side and end margins, said central portion including a
plurality of pockets; a plurality of magnets, each magnet of said
plurality of magnets being positioned in one pocket of said
plurality of pockets; whereby magnetically attractable metallic
work items are magnetically adhered against said outer panel for
convenient access.
17. A utility wristband comprising: an elongated band sized in
length to wrap around the wrist of a worker, said band having end
portions, a central portion between said end portions, an outer
panel and an inner panel, and a fastener for securing said end
portions, said inner panel and outer panel being connected together
along common side and end margins, said central portion including a
plurality of pockets; a plurality of magnets, each magnet of said
plurality of magnets being positioned in one pocket of said
plurality of pockets and having a surface polarity thereof
oppositely oriented to that of an adjacent magnet; whereby
magnetically attractable metallic work items are magnetically
adhered against said outer panel for convenient access.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 09/954,493 filed Sep. 17, 2001, which is
hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] This invention relates generally to a wristband for workers
and handymen, and more particularly to an improved wristband for
holding magnetically attractable objects such as screws, nails,
nuts, bolts, washers and the like for convenience.
[0004] 2. Reference to Related Art
[0005] Workmen and handymen typically need more than two hands at
once to effectively control and have available the various items
and tools required for a project. The ready availability of small
metallic work objects such as nails, screws, nuts, bolds, tacks,
washers and any other type of magnetically attractable objects is
many times inconvenient. They become scattered or are in an
unavailable or inaccessibly reachable position just when other tool
implements and work pieces are in alignment and requiring their
availability.
[0006] Prior art does disclose other devices which are intended to
provide a magnetic surface attachable to torso or wrist which will
retain magnetically attractable objects in a convenient location
ready for use.
[0007] One such invention is disclosed by Finnegan in U.S. Pat. No.
5,593,073. This invention is directed to a workman's wristband that
is releasably connectable around the wrist of the workman and has a
central padded area including a small metallic surface for holding
such metallic objects for convenience.
[0008] Another magnetic tool holder invented by Bosch and disclosed
in U.S. Pat. No. 4,826,059 is generally directed to an apron having
a plurality of sets of magnetic strips which are oriented toward
the upper margin of the apron for attaching tools such as pliers
and wrenches, along with other work objects such as nuts, bolts,
nails and the like.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,333,767 teaches a wrist mounted magnetic
holder invented by Anderson that includes ceramic magnetic
polarized magnets mounted in a holder for conveniently retaining
small articles such as nails, screws, bolts, drill bits and the
like. This device includes two distinct regions and a flux
concentrator for increasing the magnetic flux density at the
holding surface.
[0010] Another combined magnetic holder with armband is disclosed
in U.S. Des. Pat. No. 317,730 invented by Mo.
[0011] Several other prior art devices known to applicant include
portions that are magnetized by magnet segments and are included
therein as follows: U.S. Pat. No. 5,450,858 to Zablotsky, et al.,
U.S. Pat. No. 6,093,143 to Nagler, U.S. Pat. No. 6,146,324 to
Engel, U.S. Pat. No. 5,950,239 to Lopez, U.S. Pat. No. 5,904,280 to
Chan, U.S. Pat. No. 3,636,568 to Stuner and U.S. Pat. No. 4,325,504
to Amani. However, these patents are only remotely similar to the
structure and function of the present invention.
[0012] The present invention discloses a utility wristband that is
adjustably and releasably connectable around the wrist of the user
and includes a plurality of magnetic bars that are oriented in a
generally parallel side-by-side relationship and held between inner
and outer flexible fabric panels for retaining small magnetically
attracted metal work objects such as screws, nuts, bolts, nails,
washers and the like for convenient access to a worker wearing the
device. The preferred embodiment includes a magnet bar orientation
that will provide a convenient self-closing feature for compactness
that also acts to partially shorten the overall length of the
device should a worker using the device have a wrist of small
dimension.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] This invention is directed to a magnetic utility wristband
for holding magnetically attractable metallic work items
thereagainst for convenient access. The wristband includes an
elongated flexible band sized in length to wrap around the wrist of
a worker. End portions of the wristband include two-part releasably
attachable hook and loop surfaces on corresponding overlapping
inner and outer end portion surfaces whereby the band is releasably
adjustably connectable only around the worker's wrist. A plurality
of elongated magnetic bars are held along a central portion of the
wristband in spaced substantially parallel relation one to another
transversely to the length of the wristband and between the outer
and inner flexible panels by a plurality of transversely spaced
stitch lines connecting said outer and inner panels to form
individual elongated pockets, each of which hold and position one
magnetic bar. By preferred alternating surface polarity of adjacent
magnetic bars, the devices may be shortenable for small wrist sizes
and fully collapsible in accordion fashion for storage.
[0014] It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a
utility wristband for holding magnetically attractable metal work
objects such as screws, nuts. bolts, nails, washers, brads and the
like in a convenient location for ready access to a worker wearing
the wristband.
[0015] It is another object of this invention to provide a utility
wristband for retaining magnetically attractable metallic objects
against the outer surface of the wristband and also providing an
automatic storing feature that compactly folds the wristband in
accordion fashion into a convenient size for carrying in a pocket,
apron or purse.
[0016] It is still another object of this invention to provide a
utility wristband that will retain magnetically attractable objects
on an outer surface of the wristband and which includes an
automatically adjustable length feature by the preferred
orientation of plurality of the spaced elongated magnetic bars
contained between the inner and outer flexible panels of the
device.
[0017] In a first alternative embodiment, a plurality of magnets
are held in position by gluing (or otherwise securing) the magnets
to the inside surfaces of the outer and inner panels.
[0018] In a second alternative embodiment, a plurality of magnets
are held position by gluing (or otherwise securing) the magnets to
the inside surfaces of the outer and inner panels. The panels are
constructed of a vinyl (or similar synthetic fabric) and bonded
together by heat (i.e., melting) or glue.
[0019] In a third alternative embodiment, the fastener includes one
portion that is positioned on an outer panel and a mating portion
that is positioned on an inner panel at an end of the wristband
that is opposite the one portion.
[0020] In a fourth alternative embodiment, a plurality of magnets
are separately held within one of the pockets formed by transverse
and longitudinal stitching lines that attach the inner and outer
flexible panels together.
[0021] In accordance with these and other objects that will become
apparent hereinafter, the instant invention will now be described
with reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] A better understanding of the present invention will be had
upon reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference
numbers refer to like parts throughout and wherein:
[0023] FIG. 1A is atop plan view of the invention;
[0024] FIG. 1B is a partial top plan view of the present invention
showing a web secured to a magnet;
[0025] FIG. 1C is a partial top plan view of the present invention
showing an elongated tab or flap;
[0026] FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of the preferred embodiment of
the invention;
[0027] FIG. 3 is a section view in the direction of arrows 3-3 in
FIG. 1;
[0028] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of
the invention in a partially retracted or shortened position for
storage or for encircling a small wrist of a worker;
[0029] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of
the invention in a closed and stored position;
[0030] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of
the invention installed and in use around the wrist of a user and
in use;
[0031] FIG. 7 is a perspective view similar to that of FIG. 6
showing the automatic length-shortening feature of the
invention;
[0032] FIGS. 8A-B are a top plan and side view, respectively, of a
first alternative embodiment of the present invention showing
magnets secured to a panel;
[0033] FIGS. 8C-D are a top plan and partial top plan view,
respectively, of the first alternative embodiment showing magnets
of different shapes;
[0034] FIGS. 9A-F are views of a second alternative embodiment;
[0035] FIGS. 10A-B are a top plan, cutaway side view, respectively,
of a third alternative embodiment of the present invention; and
[0036] FIG. 11 is a top plan view of a fourth alternative
embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0037] Referring now to the drawings, the preferred embodiment of
the invention is thereshown in all views at numeral 10. The utility
wristband 10 includes an outer flexible panel 12 and an inner
flexible panel 14 that are generally coextensive and are connected
together along common margins by edge stitching 30. A hem piece 28
surrounds and encloses the raw edges of the inner and outer panels
12 and 14 respectively, the hem piece 28 is also held by stitching
30 as shown.
[0038] One end portion of the wristband 10 includes a tab or flap
22 having one side thereof covered with one portion 24 of a
fastener 25, which is preferably a hook and loop releasable
attaching arrangement such as VELCRO.RTM.. As shown in FIGS. 1A-B,
the tab or flap 22 has a preferred total length (including the
portion directly secured to the wristband 10) of 3.5 inches.
However, as shown in FIG. 1C, it will be appreciated that the total
length of the tap or flap 22 may be lengthened (e.g., to between
3.5-6.0 inches see e.g., FIG. 1C) or shortened (e.g., to between
2.0 and 3.5 inches) in accordance with the needs of a user. The
opposite end of the wristband 10 includes a mating portion 26 of
the fastener 25 (e.g., a hook and loop arrangement) whereby the
wristband 10 may be releasably attached, as best seen in FIG. 6,
around the wrist of a user and held fully extended and in place
thereby. It will also be appreciated that other means of securing
the wristband 10 around a user's wrist, such as belts, buckles or
laces, may also be used with the present invention.
[0039] Positioned between the inner and outer panels 12 and 14 is a
central portion 38 that includes a plurality of elongated magnetic
bars 20 that are preferably formed of strontium, however, any
ceramic, ferrite or rare earth magnetic material may also be used.
The magnetic bars 20 are held in position in a transverse
orientation with respect to the length of the wristband 10. Each of
the magnetic bars 20 is separately held within one of the pockets
16 formed between lines of transverse stitching lines 18 that
attach the inner and outer flexible panels 12 and 14 together. The
magnetic bars 20 are similar in length to the width of the
wristband 10 between the rows of stitching 30. Each of the
transverse stitching lines 18 additionally provide fold lines that
will be described in more detail hereinbelow. The edges 17 of the
magnetic bars 20 can be straight (FIG. 1A), but are preferably
rounded (FIG. 1B) in order to prevent the magnetic bars 20 from
piercing either the outer 12 or inner 14 panel.
[0040] As seen in FIG. 1B, where a ceramic magnetic material is
used it is conceivable that the magnetic bar 20 may crack, break or
shatter as a result of the wristband 10 being dropped or
mishandled. Therefore, preferably, a web 31 of fabric such as nylon
or vinyl is glued to one side of the magnetic bars 20 as a means of
preventing or diminishing damage to the magnetic bars 20.
Specifically, the web 31 may be used to cushion the magnetic bars
20 from damage. Additionally, the web 31 serves to retain the
shape/form of the magnetic bars 20 in the event the bars 20 are
cracked or shattered.
[0041] In the preferred embodiment of the wristband 10, each of the
magnetic bars 20 is oriented with opposite surface polarities with
respect to the next adjacent bars so that, as best seen in FIG. 3,
each adjacent magnetic bar 20 has the corresponding magnetic
surface of opposite polarity. By this arrangement, when tension or
stretching force is released from the end portions the plurality of
magnets 20 cause the stitch fold lines 18 to fold or double back on
themselves into the orientation of the plurality of magnets shown
in FIG. 4 at 32.
[0042] In the configuration shown in FIG. 4 with the magnets
attached to one another in the array 32, the overall length of the
wristband 10 is substantially shortened. As best seen in FIG. 7,
the number of pairs of magnets 20 such as that shown in 36 are
variable so as to correspondingly vary the overall effective length
of the wristband 10 for attachment around smaller wrists.
[0043] When fully installed, as best seen in FIG. 6, onto the wrist
of a work person, the entire central portion 38 of the wristband 10
and the magnetic bars 20 contained therewithin will magnetically
attract and hold metallic work objects against the exposed surface
of the outer panel 14 by magnetic attraction to metallic work
objects such as those shown, namely nails, nuts, bolts, screws,
washers and the like. These work objects are thusly made readily
accessible to the worker during further activity in preparation for
their installation.
[0044] A further benefit of the alternate polarity of the magnetic
bars 20 is shown in FIG. 5 wherein the entire array of magnetic
bars 20 are allowed to attach against one another in the magnetic
bar array 32. Thereafter, the flap or tab 22 is wrapped around and
attached to the mating surface 26 to retain the compact stored
configuration of the wristband 10 for easy carrying and
stowage.
[0045] Referring again to FIG. 3, by reorienting the alternate
polarity of the magnetic bars 20 so that the same polarity is
aligned with each of the inner and outer panels 12 and 14,
respectively as shown in parenthesis, the automatic folding or
retracting feature previously described in the preferred embodiment
is eliminated or made inoperative. When the magnetic bars 20 are so
oriented with each of the polarities oriented in the same
direction, the device will exhibit no tendency to fold upon itself
about the stitch lines 18, but rather will be maintained in the
outstretched orientation of the device as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2.
Note that the elongated pockets 16 are sufficiently wide to allow
the selected magnetic bars 20 to be rotated axially 180.degree. to
enable selection of the preferred polarity for the desired
functionality in this regard.
[0046] The outer flexible panel 12 cannot have a thickness or
fabric density that would substantially reduce the attractive
magnetic flux of each of the magnetic bars 20. The preferred fabric
is a 70 denier imitation microfiber. The inner flexible panel 14
may be somewhat heavier, preferably 420-840 denier nylon, but
should not be so thin or stiff so as to excessively stiffen the
folding characteristics of the stitch lines 18 as previously
described.
[0047] Referring now to FIGS. 8A-D, a first alternative embodiment
of a utility wristband 100 includes an outer flexible panel 12 and
an inner flexible panel 14 that are generally coextensive and which
are connected together along common margins by edge stitching 30. A
hem piece 28 surrounds and encloses the raw edges of the inner and
outer panels 12 and 14 respectively, the hem piece 28 also held by
stitching 30 as shown.
[0048] Positioned between the inner and outer panels 12 and 14 is a
central portion 38 that includes a plurality magnets 20' that are
preferably formed of strontium, however, any ceramic, ferrite or
rare earth magnetic material may also be used. As best shown in
FIG. 8B, the magnets 20' are held in position by gluing (or
otherwise securing) the magnets 20' to the inside surfaces 13, 15
of the outer 12 and inner 14 panels. The magnets 20' are preferably
oriented with opposite surface polarities with respect to the next
adjacent magnet 20'. The magnets 20' may also be oriented, in the
alternative, such that the surface polarities of all the magnets
20' are aligned. It will also be appreciated that the surface
polarities of the magnets 20' may be oriented such that the surface
polarities of some adjacent magnets 20' arc opposite while the
polarities of other adjacent magnets 20' are aligned. Therefore, it
will be appreciated that the magnets 20' may be orientated to
promote or hinder (according to the needs of the user) the folding
action discussed above in regard to the preferred embodiment of the
wristband 10.
[0049] As seen in FIGS. 8C and 8D the magnets 20' preferably have a
rectangular 21 or square shape with rounded edges (FIG. 8C) or take
the shape of a circle 23 or disc (FIG. 8D).
[0050] Referring now to FIGS. 9A-F, a second alternative embodiment
of a utility wristband 200 includes an outer flexible panel 12 and
an inner flexible panel 14 which are generally coextensive. The
panels 12, 14 are preferably constructed of a vinyl (or similar
synthetic fabric) and bonded together by heat (i.e., melting).
Alternatively, the panels 12, 14 may be glued together or sewn
(FIGS. 9D and 9F) together without the use of a hem piece 28. As
best shown in FIGS. 9A and 9D, one portion 24 of a fastener 25
(preferably, a hook and loop arrangement) is positioned on the
outer panel 12 with a mating portion 26 of the fastener 25 being
positioned on the inner panel 14 at an end of the wristband 200
opposite the one portion 24.
[0051] As with the first alternative embodiment of the wristband
100, the magnets 20' are held in position by gluing (or otherwise
securing) the magnets 20' to the inside surfaces 13, 15 of the
outer 12 and inner 14 panels. The magnets 20' may be oriented in
any manner discussed in connection with the first alternative
embodiment.
[0052] Referring now to FIGS. 10A-B, a third alternative embodiment
of a utility wristband 300 includes an outer flexible panel 12 and
an inner flexible panel 14 that are generally coextensive and which
are connected together along common margins by edge stitching 30. A
hem piece 28 surrounds and encloses the raw edges of the inner and
outer panels 12 and 14 respectively, the hem piece 28 also held by
stitching 30 as shown. The magnets of this embodiment are
preferably positioned, secured and oriented in accordance with the
first alternative embodiment of the wristband 100. The fastener 25
is construction in accordance with the second preferred embodiment
200.
[0053] Referring now to FIG. 11, a fourth alternative embodiment of
a utility wristband 400 includes an outer flexible panel 12 and an
inner flexible panel 14 that are generally coextensive and which
are connected together along common margins by edge stitching 30. A
hem piece 28 surrounds and encloses the raw edges of the inner and
outer panels 12 and 14 respectively, the hem piece 28 also held by
stitching 30 as shown. Positioned between the inner and outer
panels 12 and 14 is a central portion 38 that includes a plurality
of magnets 20' that are preferably formed of strontium, however,
any ceramic, ferrite or rare earth magnetic material may also be
used. Each of the magnets 20' is separately held within one of the
pockets 16 formed by transverse 18 and longitudinal 19 stitching
lines that attach the inner and outer flexible panels 12 and 14
together. The magnets 20' may be oriented in any manner discussed
in connection with the first alternative embodiment. The fastener
25 of the fourth embodiment 400 is construction in accordance with
the second preferred embodiment 200.
[0054] While the instant invention has been shown and described
herein in what are conceived to be the most practical and preferred
embodiments, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom
within the scope of the invention, which is therefore not to be
limited to the details disclosed herein, but is to be afforded the
full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent
apparatus and articles.
* * * * *