Portable equipment organizer system and method

Abstract

The present invention provides a system and a method for a portable individual equipment organizing device. The device includes a receiving area, wherein the receiving area opening is generally circular in shape and is tapered on its top inner edge where an object will rest, to prevent the object from sliding, a receiving area for a connecting means, and a fastening means, attached to the connecting means, for releasably attaching the portable equipment organizing device. In certain embodiments the device includes a rear panel, vertical supports, hooks, a center support area, side supports, base, strap, and clasp hook. The device is well-suited for hanging a bat, holding a ball, and securing a helmet, cap, mitt, and/or glove in various arrangements. The device is well-suited for use in a sports park, particularly in a dugout area, securing the device and items to a dugout fence.

Description

CLAIM TO PRIORITY

[0001] Applicant hereby claims priority under all rights to which he is entitled under the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) based upon the U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/594,451 for this patent application filed at the United States Patent and Trademark Office on Apr. 8, 2005.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates generally to the field of organization devices. More specifically, the present invention relates to a portable system and a method for organizing sporting equipment.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] In the interest of organization and safety, there is a need to organize the clutter of sporting goods equipment that so often occurs at sporting events, in particular within dugouts and the myriad of equipment often located there: baseball bats, baseballs, softballs, softball bats, helmets, caps, gloves, and mitts, among other things. Equipment, when not in use at a sporting event, is often times left by players or others along the side lines of the playing field or strewn about in and around the dugout. Such disorganization is undesirable for a variety of reasons, including misplacement of the equipment and potential damage to the equipment. Furthermore, with bats and other equipment lying around there is a dangerous hazard to players who may trip on an item strewn about and receive an injury.

[0004] These and other problems exist. Previous attempts to solve these and other problems include the following:

[0005] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0194335 A1, filed by Hibner and published on Sep. 8, 2005, discloses a device for organizing and maintaining a baseball or softball player's equipment (batting helmet, batting gloves, sweats, sweatshirts, hats, water bottle, fielder's mitt or glove, catcher's chest protector, catcher's mask, catcher's shin protectors, and sliders). The device is easily fastened and unfastened to any standard chain link fence, and when properly fastened does not swing or sag when equipment is hung or removed. The device may also be permanently mounted in dugouts or other areas. The device is easily stored in a standard equipment bag and can serve as a form for the fielder's glove or mitt while in storage. This is also true of the catcher's configuration, which includes storage cylinders. These cylinders can be removed from the device and continue to hold the chest protector and shin guards while stored in the catcher's equipment bag. This device, however, does not hold baseball or softball bats.

[0006] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2003/0062328 A1, filed by Millard and published on Apr. 3, 2003, discloses a sports equipment holder comprising a flexible bag for placement of sports equipment therein; and a device for releasably attaching said flexible bag to a chain link wherein said attaching device includes at least one hanger connected to said flexible bag for releasably latching said sports equipment holder onto a chain link fence. The attaching device may also include two hangers connected to said flexible bag for releasably latching said sports equipment holder onto a chain link fence. Further the hangers include a top hooked portion for engagement with a chain link fence. Preferably the flexible bag includes a left edge and a right edge and said hooks connected to said bag proximate said left and right edges and a bag opening proximate a top edge for placing of articles there through.

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 3,698,563, issued to Gordon et al. on Oct. 17, 1972, discloses a portable storage rack including a ball box for storage of baseballs, a plurality of bat retaining members extending from the ball box for storing bats, and a plurality of fingers extending from the ball box and providing hooks for the storage of baseball helmets or gloves. Additional hooks are provided on the rack to permit the entire structure to be readily attached and detached from a chain link fence or similar structure. This device, however, is not a personal, individual, and portable equipment organizer.

[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,690,235, issued to Matzen on Nov. 25, 1997, discloses a bat suspension device for suspending a plurality of bats and/or balls from a chain link fence; wherein, the device comprises an elongated hollow body member provided with a plurality of contoured apertures each dimensioned to receive selected portions of a bat, and wherein the body member is provided with fastening means for releasably securing the device to a chain link fence. This device, however, is not a personal, individual, and portable equipment organizer.

[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,626,244, issued to Mesna et al. on May 6, 1997, discloses a bat rack having a generally L-shaped elongated member with a series of recesses adapted to receive the handles of baseball bats. The bat rack includes two spaced apart hooks, one of which is fixed to the member while the other is laterally moveable to adjust the spacing between the two hooks and thereby facilitate the rack's engagement with the wire of an ordinary chain link fence. The hooks are constructed to have a U-shaped cross-section in which the base of the U is folded at about a 45 degree angle to better align it with the wire of the chain link fence. This device, however, is not a personal, individual, and portable equipment organizer.

[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 4,193,495, issued to Keeley on Mar. 18, 1980, discloses an apparatus for supporting, transporting and storing equipment used in playing baseball, in an organized, convenient and readily accessible manner. The apparatus includes a support member upon which is mounted U-shaped clamps for removably holding at least one bat and L-shaped clamps for removably holding at least one batting helmet. The support member can be hung on a fence or backstop or other upright member whereby the equipment is stored in an organized and accessible manner during the game. In addition, the support member is foldable and provided with handles to enhance portability of the apparatus and the equipment mounted thereon.

[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 6,029,830, issued to Manookian on Feb. 29, 2000, discloses a sports equipment hanging belt for attachment to a chain link fence. The belt has a hook at each end which hooks into the chain link fence. The belt may then be tightened on the chain link fence. A number of hooks are held to the belt and extend downwardly below the bottom of the belt at least 3 inches so that when sports equipment is hung on a hook the hook will rest against the chain link fence thereby preventing the belt from turning by the weight of the sports equipment. This device, however, is not a personal, individual, and portable equipment organizer.

[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 6,948,627, issued to Evans on Sep. 27, 2005, discloses a sports headgear hanger. In baseball and softball, as well as other sports, equipment such as helmets, caps, and ball gloves are worn by the players, but not necessarily throughout the entire duration of a game. When not being worn, this equipment should be organized by hanging it up. However, hooks for hanging equipment are not universally available at all ball diamonds and other sports fields. A scissor-folding hanger made of light material such as PVC pipe and made to hang on a fence provides the needed storage space. Such a hanger is light and folds into a very small package, enhancing its portability. The strength of the rack can be varied by using larger or smaller diameter pipe for its construction. The scissor-folding sports-gear hanger is a flexible solution to the storage needs on the sports-field. This device, however, does not hold baseball or softball bats.

[0013] U.S. Pat. No. 6,749,074, issued to Hileman et al. on Jun. 15, 2004, discloses a portable rack for arranging and storing baseball bats, balls, batting hats and related baseball equipment. The storage rack is supported on a wall surface with extensible and pivotal deployable equipment engaging extensions for receiving baseball equipment. Clip assemblies allow for selective attachment and removal from a wall-supporting surface. This device, however, is not a personal, individual, and portable equipment organizer.

[0014] U.S. Design Pat. No. Des. 380,920, issued to Uffner et al. on Jul. 15, 1997, discloses ornamental design for a baseball bat hook.

[0015] Additionally, there are several products in the sporting goods market that seek to provide organization to sports equipment in a dugout. Among those products are: "Dugout Buddy", sold by Better Baseball and found online at http://www.betterbaseball.com and the Designated Hanger.TM. sold by KuzSports and available online at http://www.kuzsports.com/dh.htm.

[0016] Thus, in the prior art, many devices have been disclosed for organizing items pertaining to sporting equipment. However, many of these devices are cumbersome, hold an entire team's equipment and not an individual's equipment, do not attach easily or quickly to a chain-link fence commonly surrounding a field and dugout, do not have an easily attachable hooking means, are not very lightweight, and are expensive, among other deficiencies.

[0017] However, while such devices may be suitable for their particular purposes, they are not suitable for the purposes of the present invention. Therefore, a need exists for the portable system and method for organizing sporting equipment of the present invention.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0018] In various embodiments, the present invention provides a portable individual equipment organizing device including a receiving area, wherein the receiving area opening is generally circular in shape and is tapered on its top inner edge where an object will rest, to prevent the object from sliding, a receiving area for a connecting means, and a fastening means, attached to the connecting means, for releasably attaching the portable equipment organizing device.

[0019] In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention the portable equipment organizing device includes a rear panel, providing support to the portable individual equipment organizing device.

[0020] In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention the portable equipment organizing device includes two vertical supports, providing support to the portable individual equipment organizing device, wherein one vertical support is attached perpendicularly on each vertical edge of the rear panel, and wherein the receiving area for the connecting means is placed atop the rear panel and the two vertical supports.

[0021] In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention the portable equipment organizing device includes a left hook, for holding one or more items, and a right hook, for holding one or more items.

[0022] In yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention the portable equipment organizing device includes a center support area, wherein the center support area is attached to the left hook, the right hook, the rear panel, and the two vertical supports.

[0023] In still yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention the portable equipment organizing device includes two side supports, connecting the rear panel, the vertical supports, the left hook, the right hook, the center support area and providing structural support and optionally providing an area in which a ball is cradled.

[0024] In still yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention the portable equipment organizing device includes a base, providing support to the left hook, the right hook, the rear panel, the vertical supports, and the side supports.

[0025] In yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention a method for holding personal equipment is described which includes connecting a portable equipment organizing device to a strap, connecting the portable equipment organizing device and the strap to a fastening means, fastening the device securely to a structure with the fastening means, for releasably attaching the portable equipment organizing device, placing one or more pieces of equipment in a portable equipment organizing device; and securing a bat in a bat receiving means of the portable equipment organizing device, wherein the bat receiving area opening is generally circular in shape and is tapered on its top inner edge where the knob of a bat will lay, to prevent the bat from sliding.

[0026] There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the features of the present invention in order that the detailed description that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described and which will form the subject matter of the claims. In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0027] As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods, and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0028] Additional aspects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of an exemplary embodiment which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] The present invention is illustrated and described herein with reference to various drawings, in which like reference numerals denote like apparatus components and/or method steps, and in which:

[0030] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the equipment holding device of the present invention, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the equipment holding device of the present invention, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] FIG. 3 is a side planar view of the equipment holding device of the present invention, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] FIG. 4 is a top planar view of the equipment holding device of the present invention, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] FIG. 5 is a front planar view of the equipment holding device of the present invention, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0035] FIG. 6 is a rear planar view of the equipment holding device of the present invention, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0036] FIG. 7 is a bottom planar view of the equipment holding device of the present invention, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0037] FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of the equipment holding device of the present invention, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

[0038] FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of the equipment holding device of the present invention, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0039] Before describing the disclosed embodiments of the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the particular arrangement shown since the invention is capable of other embodiments. Also, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

[0040] Referring now to FIG. 1, a front perspective view of the equipment holding device 10 is shown. The equipment holding device 10 is illustrated with a bat receiving area 12 and a strap receiving area 14. Additionally, the equipment holding device 10 is shown with two vertical support members 24 located perpendicular to a rear panel 22, a vertical support 24 being located one at each edge of the rear panel 22. The two vertical support members 24 and the rear panel 22 are placed atop a base 20. Also located atop the base are side support members 28. The side support members 28 provide structural support to the left hook 30 and the right hook 32 which also are placed atop the base 20 and are further secured by the support members 34. Inside of the side support members 28 is located a center support area 36, which may be the top side of the base 20. Within the center support area 36 is located the bat receiving area 12. The upper inner edges 38 of the bat receiving area 12 are tapered such that the knob of a bat may rest without sliding. Additionally, placed atop the two vertical support members 24 and the rear panel 22, is a strap support 26.

[0041] The various sections may be integrally formed such that the equipment holding device 10 is one piece. For example, injection molded plastic may be used to create the equipment holding device 10. The equipment holding device 10 may be made of wood, metal, or plastic. The equipment holding device 10 is useful to hold personal equipment. It is especially useful for holding sporting goods equipment such as a bat, 50 helmet 52, caps, mitts, gloves, a ball, or the like, as illustrated in FIG. 9. The equipment holding device 10 may be manufactured in varying dimensions, so long as the bat receiving area it not too small or too large in diameter as to be unable to securely hold a bat by the knob.

[0042] Referring now to FIG. 2, a rear perspective view of the equipment holding device 10 is shown. All of the aspects illustrated in FIG. 1 are shown. Additionally, the two vertical support members 24 are shown parallel to each other, attached to the rear panel 22, base 20, and side supports 28, and illustrate the method by which they allow the equipment holding device 10 to hang perpendicularly to a chain-link fence, wall, or the like. The rear edges of the two vertical support members 24, when the equipment holding device 10 is in use, rest upon a vertical surface. The upper inner edges 38 of the bat receiving area 12 are tapered such that the knob of a bat may rest without sliding. The two support members 34 are shown located at the right angles formed one between the left hook 30 and the center support member 36 and one between the right hook 32 and the center support member 36.

[0043] Referring now to FIG. 3, a side planar view of the equipment holding device 10 is shown. The equipment holding device 10 is illustrated with a base 20, vertical support 24, strap support 26, side support 28, and right hook, 32.

[0044] Referring now to FIG. 4, a top planar view of the equipment holding device 10 is shown. The equipment holding device 10 is shown with two vertical supports 24, a strap support 26, two side supports 28, the center support area 36, two support members 34, a bat receiving area 12 with tapered edges 38, a left hook 30, and right hook, 32.

[0045] Referring now to FIG. 5, a front planar view of the equipment holding device 10 is shown. The equipment holding device 10 is shown with two vertical supports 24, a rear panel 22, a strap support 26, a strap receiving area 14, a base, 20, a bat receiving area 12 with tapered edges 38, a left hook 30, and right hook, 32.

[0046] Referring now to FIG. 6, a rear planar view of the equipment holding device 10 is shown. The equipment holding device 10 is shown with two vertical supports 24, a rear panel 22, a strap support 26, a strap receiving area 14, a base, 20, two side supports 28, a left hook 30, and right hook, 32.

[0047] Referring now to FIG. 7, a bottom planar view of the equipment holding device 10 is shown. The equipment holding device 10 is illustrated with a base 20. The base 20 is flat, making for easy placement on a flat surface when in storage or otherwise not in use holding equipment. Furthermore, the flat base 20 provides structural support to the other components of the equipment holding device 10.

[0048] Referring now to FIG. 8, a front perspective view of the equipment holding device 10 is shown. The equipment holding device 10 is illustrated in use with a strap 40 and a clasp hook 42. The strap 40 feeds securely into the strap receiving area 14 and under the strap support 26.

[0049] Various means of connection may be fed through the strap receiving area 14. For example a strap 40 may be used. The strap may be nylon or the like. The strap, or like material, may be of varying lengths, widths, and thicknesses so long as it feeds through the strap receiving area 14. The strap 40 or other means of connection that feeds through the strap receiving area 14 in one embodiment includes hook-and-loop fasteners to secure portions or the strap 40 to itself after it has been fed through a chain-link fence or the like. Where a strap 40 is used to feed through the strap receiving area 14, the opposite end of the strap in one embodiment attaches to a clasp hook 42. The clasp hook 42 allows for releasably attaching the equipment holding device 10 and the items it holds to a chain-link fence or the like. The clasp hook 42 may be plastic or metal and be of varying sizes. Other hooking, clipping, or attaching devices may be used instead of a clasp hook 42.

[0050] Referring now to FIG. 9, a front perspective view of the equipment holding device 10 is shown. In addition to showing all of the features illustrated in FIG. 1, FIG. 9 illustrates the equipment holding device 10 in use with a strap 40 and a clasp hook 42. The clasp hook 42 is shown securely fastened and clipped to a chain-length fence, commonly found in and around dugouts in a sports field. The equipment holding device 10 is illustrated in use with a bat 50 hanging in the bat receiving area 12 and a helmet 52 placed upon the right hook 32. The equipment holding device 10 in various embodiments is used to holding sporting equipment such as, but not limited to, caps, mitts, gloves, a ball, a bat, helmets, a water bottle, and the like.

[0051] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a softball or baseball player takes an equipment holding device 10 to the ball park. The equipment holding device 10 is releasably attached to a chain-link fence in a dugout. The clasp hook 42, which connects to the strap 40 and equipment holding device 10, is used to clip to a wire in a chain-link fence, as shown in FIG. 8. The equipment holding device 10 secure and able to hold equipment and keep the dugout area and playing field free from equipment strewn about. The player may then attached a bat 50, helmet 52, cap, ball, or the like to the personal, individual, and portable equipment holding device 10, as shown in FIG. 9. Thus, the player's gear is kept orderly, safe, and available.

[0052] Although the present invention has been illustrated and described with reference to preferred embodiments and examples thereof, it will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that other embodiments and examples may perform similar functions and/or achieve similar results. All such equivalent embodiments and examples are within the spirit and scope of the invention and are intended to be covered by the following claims.

Claims

1. A portable individual equipment organizing device, comprising: a receiving area, wherein the receiving area opening is generally circular in shape and is tapered on its top inner edge where an object will rest, to prevent the object from sliding; a receiving area for a connecting means, and a fastening means, attached to the connecting means, for releasably attaching the portable equipment organizing device.

2. The portable equipment organizing device of claim 1, further comprising: a rear panel, providing support to the portable individual equipment organizing device.

3. The portable equipment organizing device of claim 1, further comprising: two vertical supports, providing support to the portable individual equipment organizing device, wherein one vertical support is attached perpendicularly on each vertical edge of the rear panel, and wherein the receiving area for the connecting means is placed atop the rear panel and the two vertical supports.

4. The portable equipment organizing device of claim 1, further comprising: a left hook, for holding one or more items.

5. The portable equipment organizing device of claim 1, further comprising: a right hook, for holding one or more items.

6. The portable equipment organizing device of claim 1, further comprising: a center support area, wherein the center support area is attached to the left hook, the right hook, the rear panel, and the two vertical supports.

7. The portable equipment organizing device of claim 1, further comprising: two side supports, connecting the rear panel, the vertical supports, the left hook, the right hook, the center support area and providing structural support.

8. The portable equipment organizing device of claim 1, further comprising: two side supports, connecting the rear panel, the vertical supports, the left hook, the right hook, the center support area, providing structural support, and providing an area in which a ball is cradled.

9. The portable equipment organizing device of claim 1, further comprising: a base, providing support to the left hook, the right hook, the rear panel, the vertical supports, and the side supports.

10. The portable equipment organizing device of claim 1, wherein the connecting means is a strap for connecting the portable individual equipment organizing device to the fastening means.

11. The portable equipment organizing device of claim 1, wherein the fastening means is a clasp hook.

12. The portable equipment organizing device of claim 1, wherein the fastening means is hook-and-loop fasteners on the strap.

13. The portable equipment organizing device of claim 1, wherein the left hook and the right hook are attached to the center support area and the base by one or more support members, wherein the support members also keep a bat in the bat receiving area from sliding out of the portable equipment organizing device.

14. The portable equipment organizing device of claim 1, wherein the left hook and the right hook are separated by a distance less than the knob of a bat, such that the bat is kept from sliding out of the portable equipment organizing device.

15. A method for holding personal equipment comprised of: connecting a portable equipment organizing device to a strap; connecting the portable equipment organizing device and the strap to a fastening means; fastening the device securely to a structure with the fastening means, for releasably attaching the portable equipment organizing device; placing one or more pieces of equipment in a portable equipment organizing device; and securing a bat in a bat receiving means of the portable equipment organizing device, wherein the bat receiving area opening is generally circular in shape and is tapered on its top inner edge where the knob of a bat will lay, to prevent the bat from sliding.

16. The method for holding personal equipment of claim 15, further comprised of: placing one or more pieces of sporting goods equipment in the portable equipment organizing device.

17. The method for holding personal equipment of claim 15, wherein the fastening means is a clasp hook.

18. The method for holding personal equipment of claim 15, wherein one or more of the left hook and the right hook hold a helmet.

19. The method for holding personal equipment of claim 15, wherein one or more of the left hook and the right hook hold a cap.