U.S. patent application number 11/531231 was filed with the patent office on 2007-12-27 for apparatus for fastening.
This patent application is currently assigned to RIVET INTERNATIONAL, INC.. Invention is credited to Phillip L. Johnson.
Application Number | 20070294863 11/531231 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38872239 |
Filed Date | 2007-12-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070294863 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Johnson; Phillip L. |
December 27, 2007 |
Apparatus for Fastening
Abstract
Apparatus for fastening includes a linkage and a body. The
linkage has an end enlarged to form a ball. The body forms a
carabineer's hook. A side of the body has a guideway which is open
at a side and at an end of the body. Most of the guideway is
dimensioned to receive the linkage, but not the ball. Near the end
of the body, the guideway forms a dock which opens at the side,
wide enough to receive the ball. A slide is held in the guideway
and has a fork dimensioned to receive the linkage while blocking
the ball. The slide is movable toward and away from said end so
that the fork alternately uncovers and partially covers the dock,
alternately confining and releasing the ball. The linkage is free
to rotate through at least 90 degrees, from parallel to the
guideway to normal to the side, while the fork confines the ball in
the dock. Optionally, the linkage in hingedly connected to a
pedestal adapted for attachment to objects. This, with the
rotational freedom of the linkage in the dock, allows an article to
be suspended comfortably near a vertical surface.
Inventors: |
Johnson; Phillip L.;
(Mullimbimby, AU) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KLEINBERG & LERNER, LLP
2049 CENTURY PARK EAST, SUITE 1080
LOS ANGELES
CA
90067
US
|
Assignee: |
RIVET INTERNATIONAL, INC.
SAN DIEGO
CA
|
Family ID: |
38872239 |
Appl. No.: |
11/531231 |
Filed: |
September 26, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60805969 |
Jun 27, 2006 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
24/3.12 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45F 5/021 20130101;
A45F 2200/0508 20130101; A45F 5/02 20130101; A45F 2200/0516
20130101; Y10T 24/1394 20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
24/3.12 |
International
Class: |
A45F 5/00 20060101
A45F005/00 |
Claims
1. Apparatus for fastening, comprising: a linkage distally enlarged
to form a ball; a body; a hook formed on said body; a guideway
formed in said body, said guideway being open at a side of said
body and at an end of said body opposite said hook and being
dimensioned both at said side and at said end to receive said
linkage, said guideway enlarging to form a dock, said dock opening
at said side and being located proximate said end, said dock being
dimensioned to receive said ball; a slide approximated to said side
of said body and held in said guideway in slidable relation against
said side, said slide including a fork dimensioned to receive said
linkage while blocking said ball, said slide being movable toward
and away from said end such that said fork alternatively uncovers
and partially covers said dock, thereby alternately allowing and
preventing passage of said ball, said linkage being free to rotate
free to rotate through at least 90 degrees, from parallel to said
guideway to normal to said side, while said fork confines said ball
within said dock.
2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein a riser formed on said
slide extends into said guideway and a flange formed on said riser
engages said body within said guideway to hold said slide in
slideable relation to said body.
3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein a ridge formed on said
slide engages a groove formed on said side of said body to
stabilize said slide on said body.
4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein a clip affixed to said
body cooperates with said hook to form a carabiner.
5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein a steel liner is
disposed in said dock.
6. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein a spring disposed in
said guideway biases said slide toward said end.
7. Apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said guideway forms
first and second block stations and a block is located each of said
block stations to limit travel of said flange along said
guideway.
8. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said linkage is
proximally hingedly attached to a pedestal, said pedestal so as to
be positioned against said pedestal and substantially parallel to
and proximate said attachment surface.
9. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said linkage is
proximally attached to a fitting, said fitting being hingedly
attached to a holster.
10. Apparatus for fastening comprising: a linkage, said linkage
being distally enlarged: a body; a guideway located in said body,
said guideway being open at a side of said body and at an end of
said body; a dock located in said body, said dock opening at said
side and being located proximate said end, said dock being
dimensioned to receive said distally enlarged linkage; a slide
approximated to said slide of said body and held in said guideway
in slidable relation against said slide, said slide including a
fork, said slide being movable between a first position proximate
said end wherein said fork confines said distally enlarged linkage
in said dock and a second position retracted from said end wherein
said distally enlarged linkage is free to pass into and out of said
dock, said linkage, when confined in said dock by said fork, being
free to rotate through at least 90 degrees, from an orientation
parallel to said guideway to an orientation normal to said
side.
11. Apparatus as set forth in claim 10 wherein a riser formed on
said slide extends into said guideway and a flange formed on said
riser engages said body within said guideway to hold said slide in
slideable relation to said body.
12. Apparatus as set forth in claim 10 wherein a ridge formed on
said slide engages a groove formed on said side of said body to
stabilize said slide on said body.
13. Apparatus as set forth in claim 10 wherein said body includes a
hook and a clip, said clip cooperating with said hook to form a
carabiner.
14. Apparatus as set forth in claim 10 wherein a liner is disposed
in said dock.
15. Apparatus as set forth in claim 10 wherein said slide is biased
toward said end.
16. Apparatus as set forth in claim 15 wherein said guideway forms
first and second block stations and a block is located each of said
block stations to limit travel of said flange along said
guideway.
17. Apparatus as set forth in claim 10 wherein said linkage is
rotatably attached to a pedestal, said pedestal being adapted for
attachment to an article which is to be suspended by said linkage,
said linkage being positionable so as to lie proximate said
pedestal while extending toward said body.
18. Apparatus as set forth in claim 10 wherein said linkage is
proximally attached to a fitting and a holster is hingedly attached
to said fitting. attached to a fitting and a holster is hingedly
attached to said fitting.
Description
[0001] This application claims the benefit of earlier-filed U.S.
Provisional Patent Application No. 60/805,969, filed Jun. 27, 2006,
"Apparatus For Fastening," inventor Phillip L. Johnson.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to fastening apparatus for
small personal articles and especially for wearable accessories
that are to hand flush against a body surface while suspended from
a belt loop or other point of attachment.
[0004] 2. General Background and State of the Art
[0005] U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/502,363 describes
apparatus suitable for fastening small articles to an individual's
clothing.
INVENTION SUMMARY
[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide a
carabiner-like hook equipped with a fastening system allowing both
the carabiner and the suspended article to hang flush against a
surface of a person's wearing apparel or other environmental place
of attachment.
[0007] In accordance with these objects and with others which will
be described and which will become apparent, an exemplary
embodiment of the apparatus for fastening in accordance with the
present invention comprises a linkage distally enlarged to form a
ball; a body; a hook formed on the body; and a guideway formed in
the body, the guideway being open at a side of the body and at an
end of the body opposite the hook and being dimensioned both at the
side and at the end to receive the linkage, the guideway enlarging
to form a dock, the dock opening at the side and being located
proximate the end, the dock being dimensioned to receive the ball.
A slide is approximated to the side of the body and held in the
guideway in slidable relation against the side, the slide including
a fork dimensioned to receive the linkage while blocking the ball,
the slide being movable toward and away from the end such that the
fork alternately uncovers and partially covers the dock, thereby
alternately allowing and preventing passage of the ball. The
linkage is free to rotate through at least 90 degrees, from
parallel to the guideway to normal to the side, while the fork
confines the ball within the dock.
[0008] In an exemplary embodiment, a riser formed on the slide
extends into the guideway and a flange formed on the riser engages
the body within the guideway to hold the slide in slideable
relation to the body.
[0009] In an exemplary embodiment, a ridge formed on the slide
engages a groove formed on the side of the body to stabilize the
slide on the body.
[0010] In an exemplary embodiment, a clip affixed to the body
cooperates with the hook to form a carabiner.
[0011] In an exemplary embodiment, a steel liner is disposed in the
dock.
[0012] In an exemplary embodiment, a spring disposed in the
guideway biases the slide toward the end.
[0013] In an exemplary embodiment, the guideway forms first and
second block stations and a block is located each of the block
stations to limit travel of the flange along the guideway.
[0014] In another exemplary embodiment of the apparatus for
fastening in accordance with the present invention, the linkage is
proximally hingedly attached to a pedestal, the pedestal having an
attachment surface, the linkage being rotatable relative to the
pedestal so as to be positioned against the pedestal and
substantially parallel to and proximate the attachment surface. The
body, linkage and pedestal hang comfortably flush against a
wearer's apparel or other surface of attachment. Alternatively, the
linkage is proximally attached to a fitting, the fitting being
hingedly attached to a holster which similarly hangs comfortably
flush against a wearer's apparel or other surface of
attachment.
[0015] Such comfort and the ease of use of the linkage and ball in
combination with the dock and slide constitute major advantages of
the present invention.
[0016] Also in accordance with these objects and with others which
will be described and which will become apparent, an exemplary
embodiment of the apparatus for fastening in accordance with the
present invention comprises a linkage which is distally enlarged,
and a body. A guideway is located in the body and is the open at a
side of the body and at an end of the body. A dock is also located
in the body proximate the end and opens at the side. The dock is
dimensioned to receive the distally enlarged linkage. A slide is
approximated to the side of the body and held in the guideway in
slidable relation against the side. The slide includes a fork and
is movable between a first position proximate the end wherein the
fork confines the distally enlarged linkage in the dock and a
second position retracted from the end wherein the distally
enlarged linkage is free to pass into and out of the dock. The
linkage, when confined in the dock by the fork, is free to rotate
through at least 90 degrees, from an orientation parallel to the
guideway to an orientation normal to the side.
[0017] In an exemplary embodiment, a riser formed on the slide
extends into the guideway and a flange formed on the riser engages
the body within the guideway to hold the slide in slideable
relation to the body.
[0018] In an exemplary embodiment, a ridge formed on the slide
engages a groove formed on the side of the body to stabilize the
slide on the body.
[0019] In an exemplary embodiment, the body includes a hook and a
clip, the clip cooperating with the hook to form a carabiner.
[0020] In an exemplary embodiment, a liner is disposed in the
dock.
[0021] In an exemplary embodiment, the slide is biased toward the
end.
[0022] In an exemplary embodiment, the guideway forms first and
second block stations and a block is located each of the block
stations to limit travel of the flange along the guideway.
[0023] In an exemplary embodiment, the linkage is rotatably
attached to a pedestal, the pedestal being adapted for attachment
to an article which is to be suspended by the linkage, the linkage
being positionable so as to lie proximate the pedestal while
extending toward the body.
[0024] In an exemplary embodiment, the linkage is proximally
attached to a fitting and a holster is hingedly attached to the
fitting.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] For a further understanding of the objects and advantages of
the present invention, reference should be had to the following
detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawing, in which like parts are given like reference numbers and
wherein:
[0026] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of apparatus for fastening in
accordance with the present invention;
[0027] FIG. 2 is a front elevational view thereof;
[0028] FIG. 3 is a side elevational view thereof;
[0029] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view thereof;
[0030] FIG. 5 is a side sectional view thereof;
[0031] FIG. 6 is a top sectional view thereof;
[0032] FIG. 7 is a perspective view thereof in use with a mobile
telephone; and
[0033] FIG. 8 is a side perspective view of an alternative
embodiment thereof in use with a holster for a mobile telephone or
such.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0034] The invention will now be described with reference to FIG.
1, which illustrates in perspective view a preferred embodiment of
the apparatus for fastening in accordance with the present
invention, shown generally at 20, having a body 22, a side 23, an
end 33, a guideway 28, a dock 32, a groove 30, a hook 24, a clip
26, a slide 40 including a fork 48 having tines 49, and a steel
linkage 34 which is enlarged distally to form a ball 36. The body
22 is cast of aluminum. The hook 24 is formed integrally with the
body 22. The clip 26 is formed of spring steel and is mounted on
the body 22 in tension so that it is biased against the hook 24,
forming a structure partially resembling a carabiner. The slide 40
is located on the body 22 and positioned substantially at the end
33 of the body 22 that is opposite the hook 24. The ball 36 is
shown disposed in the dock 32. The linkage 34 is shown projecting
from the guideway 28 at the end 33 of the body 22.
[0035] FIG. 2, a side view of the apparatus for fastening, again
shows the body 22, side 23, groove 30, end 33, hook 24, clip 26,
slide 40, fork 48, tines 49, linkage 34, ball 36, guideway 28, and
dock 32. The slide 40 is retracted away from the end 33 of the body
22, partially exposing the guideway 28 and exposing the dock 32. A
steel liner 54 is disposed in the dock 32. The linkage 34 and ball
36 are shown withdrawn from the dock 32.
[0036] FIG. 3, a front view of the apparatus for fastening, shows
the body 22, the hook 24, the clip 26, the end 33 opposite the hook
24, the slide 40, and the linkage 34. The ball 36 is shown by
dotted lines. The linkage 34 is shown to be able to rotate between
two orientations 90 degrees apart; a first orientation, in which
the linkage 34 projects from the end 33 of the body 22 roughly in
line with the guideway 28; and a second orientation, in which the
linkage 34 projects from the dock 32, between the tines 49 of the
fork 48, roughly perpendicular to the side 23 of the body 22.
[0037] FIG. 4, an exploded perspective view of the apparatus for
fastening, shows the body 22, side 23, end 33, hook 24, clip 26,
guideway 28, dock 32, liner 54, and groove 30. As can be seen, the
dock 32 is formed by a widening of the guideway 28 at the side 23
of the body 22, proximate the end 33 of the body 22 opposite the
hook 24 and spaced a short distance therefrom. Shown in greater
detail than in previous figures, the guideway 28 is seen to have an
inverted T-shape and is undercut within the body 22, opening at the
end 33 of the body 22. Spaced farther from the end 33 are a first
block station 29 and a second block station 31, each of these also
being formed by a widening of the guideway 28 at the side 23 of the
body 22. As can also be seen more clearly in this picture, the
groove 30 is shallowly formed in the side 23 of the body 22
parallel the guideway 28, extending from the second block station
31 toward the hook 24.
[0038] With continued reference to FIG. 4, the guideway 28 is
dimensioned to allow the linkage 34, at times when the ball 36 is
positioned in the dock 32, to rotate freely between an orientation
in which it projects from the guideway 28 via the dock 32 to one in
which it projects from the guideway 28 via the end 33 of the body
22.
[0039] With continued reference to FIG. 4, also shown are the slide
40, fork 48, and tines 49. The slide 40 has a riser 42 which is
enlarged distally to form a flange 44. A ridge 46 is formed on the
slide 40 in line with the riser 42. A fork 48 with tines 49 is
formed on the slide 40. The riser 42 and flange 44 are dimensioned
to engage the guideway 28, thereby holding the slide 40 against the
side 23 of the body 22 while permitting the slide 40 to move along
the guideway 28. The ridge 46 is dimensioned to engage in the
groove 30 that is formed in the side 23 of the body 22, thereby
stabilizing the slide 40 in relation to the body 22. The fork 48 is
dimensioned so that the linkage 34 may fit between the tines 49,
allowing the linkage 34 to project from the guideway 28 via the
dock 32 when the slide 40 is moved into a position such that the
fork 48 is located directly over the dock 32.
[0040] With continued reference FIG. 4, also shown are a first
block 50 to be disposed in the first block station 29, a second
block 51 to be disposed in the second block station 31, a steel
spring 56 with central stop 58 to be disposed in the guideway 28
between the first block 50 and the second block 51. Each of the
first block 50 and second block 52 has a centrally located notch
52.
[0041] With continued reference to FIG. 4, assembly is accomplished
by interference-fitting the second block 52 in the second block
station 31 (with the notch 52 visible), inserting the spring 56 in
the guideway 28 between the second block station 31 and the first
block station 29, inserting the riser 42 and flange 44 into the
guideway 28 at the end 33 of the body 22, backing the slide 40
toward the second block 51 (thereby compressing the spring 56
between the flange 44 and the second block 51) until the first
block station 29 is exposed, interference-fitting the first block
50 in the first block station 29 (with the notch 52 visible), and
interference-fitting the liner 54 in the dock 32. Thus configured,
the slide 40 is biased toward the end 33 of the body 22, where its
travel is limited by interference of the riser 42 and flange 44
with the first block 50. The ridge 46 on the slide 40 rides in the
groove 30 in the side 23 of the body 22 and also in the notch 52 of
each of the first block 50 and the second block 51, stabilizing the
slide 40 on the body 22. The liner 54 protects the dock 32 and the
guideway 28 from being worn away by friction with the ball 36.
[0042] With continued reference to FIG. 4, a pedestal 38 is shown
attached to the linkage 34. A cut-out 37 is formed in the pedestal
38. As shown by the dotted lines, when the linkage 34 is inserted
in the guideway 28, the linkage 34 has at least 90 degrees of
rotational freedom in plane with the guideway 28. The linkage 34
may lie parallel to the guideway 28 and project endwise away from
the end 33 of the body 22 opposite the hook 24 (in practice, the
hook 24 points upward and engages a belt loop or other point of
attachment, while the linkage 34 depends downward from the end 33
opposite the hook 24 and bears the load of the attached article).
Alternatively--as, for example, when a user is inserting or
withdrawing the linkage 34, the linkage 34 may project sideways
away from the side 23 of the body 22. The pedestal 38 has an
adhesive pad 39 for attachment to an article which is to be
suspended--a mobile telephone, for example. The pedestal 38 is
centrally and hingedly attached to the linkage 34 by means for a
pin 41 and has a radially projecting cut-out 37 which allows the
linkage 34 to project parallel to the adhesive pad 39 and close to
the article to which the pedestal 38 is attached. It will be
appreciated that in some cases an article such as a mobile
telephone does not have suitable top surfaces to which the pedestal
38 may be attached. In such cases, the pedestal 38 is usually
attached to a side of the article--for example, the backside of a
mobile telephone--and is oriented such that the cut-out 37 points
toward the top of the article. The reader may visualize that doing
so permits the linkage 34 to be oriented downward from the end 33
of the body 22, to the pedestal 38, and within the cut-out 37,
thereby joining the pedestal 38 to the body 22 and attaching the
article to the wearer's clothing in a generally co-planar, flat
arrangement providing comfort and convenience.
[0043] FIG. 5, a side cross sectional view of the apparatus for
fastening as assembled, shows the body 22, hook 24, clip 26, end
33, guideway 28, dock 32, liner 54, first block station 29, a
second block station 31, first block 50, second block 51, spring
56, stop 58, riser 42, ball 36, linkage 34, pedestal 38, and
adhesive pad 39. A pin 42, shown by dotted lines, attaches the
linkage 34 to the pedestal 38. The stop 58 prevents overcompression
of the spring 56.
[0044] FIG. 6, a sectional view of the apparatus for fastening
taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 2, shows the body 22, slide 40, riser
42, and flange 44. The riser 42 and flange 44 are dimensioned to
fit the guideway 28 and retain the slide 40 on the body 22 while
allowing the slide 40 to move along the guideway 28.
[0045] FIG. 7, a perspective view of the apparatus for fastening,
shows the body 22, side 23, end 33, groove 30, hook 24, clip 26,
slide 40, fork 48, tines 49, dock 32, guideway 28, ball 36, linkage
34, pedestal 38 and pin 41. The linkage 34 is shown projecting from
the pin 42, through the cut-out 37, and into the guideway 28. The
adhesive pad, not shown in this figure, attached the pedestal 38 to
the article, which happens to be a mobile telephone.
[0046] With continued reference to FIG. 7, a user may depress the
clip 26, hang the hook 24 on any apparel structure (such as a belt
loop) or other suitable place of attachment, and release the clip
26, with the result that the hook 24 and body 22 are secured to the
belt loop. The user may next manually retract the slide 40 toward
the hook 24 until the dock 32 is exposed, approximate the mobile
telephone to the body 22, insert the ball 36 in the dock 32, and
release the slide 40, with the result that the ball 36 is confined
in the dock 32 with the linkage 34 projecting from the dock 32 or
guideway 28. The user may next release the mobile telephone,
whereupon the linkage 34 will be pulled such that it projects from
the end 33 of the body 22. Simultaneously, the pedestal 38, which
is attached above the center of mass of the mobile telephone, will
be oriented so that the linkage 34 nests in the cut-out 37,
allowing the mobile telephone to depend neatly from the place of
attachment.
[0047] FIG. 8, a side view of an alternative embodiment of the
apparatus for fastening in according to the present invention,
shows the body 22, side 23, end 33, groove 30, hook 24, clip 26,
slide 40, fork 48, tines 49, guideway 28, ball 36, and linkage 34.
The linkage 34 is shown affixed to a hinged fitting 43, which has
been riveted to a holster suitable for carrying a mobile telephone
or the like. The linkage 34 is shown projecting from the hinged
fitting 43 into the guideway 28.
[0048] With continued reference to FIG. 8, a user may depress the
clip 26, hang the hook 24 on any apparel structure (such as a belt
loop) or other suitable place of attachment, and release the clip
26, with the result that the hook 24 and body 22 are secured to the
belt loop. The user may next manually retract the slide 40 toward
the hook 24 until the dock 32 is exposed, approximate the holster
to the body 22, insert the ball 36 in the dock 32, and release the
slide 40, with the result that the ball 36 is confined in the dock
32 with the linkage 34 projecting from the dock 32 or guideway 28.
The user may next release the holster, whereupon the linkage 34
will be pulled such that it projects from the end 33 of the body
22. Simultaneously, the hinged fitting 43, which is rotatably
attached to the holster, will allow the holster to depend neatly
from the place of attachment.
[0049] As can be seen from the drawing figures and from the
description, each embodiment of the apparatus for fastening in
accordance with the present invention solves a problem by
addressing the need for conveniently suspending a personal article,
such as a telephone handset, audio device or the like, from wearing
apparel or from another place of attachment in a way that allows
the article to hang flush with the wearer's clothing or other
surface. The flat form of the hook 24 and body 22 contribute to
this solution by minimising protrusions; moreover, the clip 26
operates in a plane parallel to the surface it is dangling against.
The ball 36 and linkage 34 cooperate with the fork 48, dock 32 and
guideway 28 to preserve this solution by ensuring sufficient
rotational freedom of the linkage 34 relative to the body 22, while
at the same time exploiting the convenient operation of the slide
40 to secure the ball 36 in the dock 32. In the preferred
embodiment, the cut-out 37 and the hinged attachment of the linkage
34 to the pedestal 38 ensures that the article in question, which
is being suspended from an attachment point on its side near its
top, hangs flush with the linkage 34 and the body 22 against the
user's clothing or other surface. In the alternative embodiment,
the hinged fitting 43 likewise allows the holster to hang flush,
while also allowing it to tilt in place with the body 22.
[0050] While the specification describes particular embodiments of
the present invention, those of ordinary skill can devise
variations of the present invention without departing from the
inventive concept.
* * * * *