U.S. patent application number 13/418993 was filed with the patent office on 2012-09-20 for item holder.
This patent application is currently assigned to PENNYBANDZ, LLC. Invention is credited to Alberto Guerrero, II.
Application Number | 20120234043 13/418993 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46827354 |
Filed Date | 2012-09-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120234043 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Guerrero, II; Alberto |
September 20, 2012 |
ITEM HOLDER
Abstract
Implementations of the present disclosure are directed to
wearable item holders including a receptacle configured to
releasably retain an item, the receptacle including a bottom
surface, a lip that defines a periphery of an opening, and a groove
defined between the lip and the bottom surface, the groove being
configured to receive and retain edges of the item, and a
supporting member coupled to the receptacle, the supporting member
being configured to bear at least a portion of the weight of the
receptacle and the item when the item holder is worn by a user.
Inventors: |
Guerrero, II; Alberto;
(Coppell, TX) |
Assignee: |
PENNYBANDZ, LLC
Coppell
TX
|
Family ID: |
46827354 |
Appl. No.: |
13/418993 |
Filed: |
March 13, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61452986 |
Mar 15, 2011 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
63/13 ;
63/3.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A44C 25/002 20130101;
A44C 5/0007 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
63/13 ;
63/3.1 |
International
Class: |
A44C 5/00 20060101
A44C005/00; A44C 7/00 20060101 A44C007/00 |
Claims
1. A wearable item holder, comprising: a receptacle configured to
releasably retain an item, the receptacle comprising a bottom
surface, a lip that defines a periphery of an opening, and a groove
defined between the lip and the bottom surface, the groove being
configured to receive and retain edges of the item; and a
supporting member coupled to the receptacle, the supporting member
being configured to bear at least a portion of the weight of the
receptacle and the item when the item holder is worn by a user.
2. The wearable item holder of claim 1, wherein the wearable item
holder includes a bracelet.
3. The wearable item holder of claim 1, wherein the supporting
member includes a stretchable band shaped in a continuous annular
ring suitable for receiving the hand of a wearer.
4. The wearable item holder of claim 1, wherein the wearable item
holder includes a pendant.
5. The wearable item holder of claim 1, wherein the supporting
member includes an attachment point for receiving a necklace.
6. The wearable item holder of claim 1, wherein the internal groove
is defined around a complete periphery of the opening.
7. The wearable item holder of claim 1, wherein the internal groove
receives all edges of the item.
8. The wearable item holder of claim 1, wherein the receptacle
further includes a peripheral wall extending from a backside
surface and defining an outer shape of the receptacle.
9. The wearable item holder of claim 8, wherein the lip extends
inwardly from the peripheral wall.
10. The wearable item holder of claim 1, wherein the receptacle
further includes one or more internal cavities in communication
with the internal groove, the one or more internal cavities being
configured to accommodate one or more irregular contours of the
item.
11. The wearable item holder of claim 10, wherein the opening, the
internal groove and the one or more internal cavities form a pocket
for receiving the item.
12. The wearable item holder of claim 10, wherein the one or more
internal cavities include a cavity that is configured to
accommodate an elongated feature of the item.
13. The wearable item holder of claim 10, wherein the one or more
internal cavities include a cavity to accommodate a feature
extending from the item.
14. The wearable item holder of claim 1, wherein the item includes
a coin.
15. The wearable item holder of claim 14, wherein the coin is a
pressed coin.
16. The wearable item holder of claim 1, wherein the item includes
a guitar pick.
17. The wearable item holder of claim 1, wherein at least a portion
of the wearable item holder is made of silicone rubber.
18. The wearable item holder of claim 1, wherein a shape of the
receptacle generally conforms to a shape of the item.
19. The wearable item holder of claim 1, wherein the internal
groove is configured to releasably grip the item.
20. The wearable item holder of claim 11, wherein the lip is
flexible.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Prov. App. No.
61/452,986, filed Mar. 15, 2011, the disclosures of which is
expressly incorporated herein by reference in the entirety.
FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure is directed to item holders, and more
particularly to item holders that are wearable.
SUMMARY
[0003] Implementations of the present disclosure include wearable
item holders. In some implementations, wearable item holders
include a receptacle configured to releasably retain an item, the
receptacle including a bottom surface, a lip that defines a
periphery of an opening, and a groove defined between the lip and
the bottom surface, the groove being configured to receive and
retain edges of the item, and a supporting member coupled to the
receptacle, the supporting member being configured to bear at least
a portion of the weight of the receptacle and the item when the
item holder is worn by a user.
[0004] In some implementations, the wearable item holder includes a
bracelet. In some implementations, the supporting member includes a
stretchable band shaped in a continuous annular ring suitable for
receiving the hand of a wearer.
[0005] In some implementations, the wearable item holder includes a
pendant. In some implementations, the supporting member includes an
attachment point for receiving a necklace.
[0006] In some implementations, the internal groove is defined
around a complete periphery of the opening.
[0007] In some implementations, the internal groove receives all
edges of the item.
[0008] In some implementations, the receptacle further includes a
peripheral wall extending from a backside surface and defining an
outer shape of the receptacle. In some implementations, the lip
extends inwardly from the peripheral wall.
[0009] In some implementations, the receptacle further includes one
or more internal cavities in communication with the internal
groove, the one or more internal cavities being configured to
accommodate one or more irregular contours of the item. In some
implementations, the opening, the internal groove and the one or
more internal cavities form a pocket for receiving the item. In
some implementations, the one or more internal cavities include a
cavity that is configured to accommodate an elongated feature of
the item. In some implementations, the one or more internal
cavities include a cavity to accommodate a feature extending from
the item.
[0010] In some implementations, the item includes a coin. In some
implementations, the coin is a pressed coin.
[0011] In some implementations, the item includes a guitar
pick.
[0012] In some implementations, at least a portion of the wearable
item holder is made of silicone rubber.
[0013] In some implementations, a shape of the receptacle generally
conforms to a shape of the item.
[0014] In some implementations, the internal groove is configured
to releasably grip the item.
[0015] In some implementations, the lip is flexible.
[0016] The details of one or more implementations of the present
disclosure are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the
description below. Other features and advantages of the present
disclosure will be apparent from the description and drawings, and
from the claims.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1A is a top view of a first example item holder.
[0018] FIG. 1B is a bottom view of the first example item
holder.
[0019] FIG. 1C is a side view of the first example item holder.
[0020] FIG. 1D is a front view of the first example item
holder.
[0021] FIG. 1E is a perspective view of the first example item
holder.
[0022] FIG. 2A is a front view of a second example item holder.
[0023] FIG. 2B is a rear view of the second example item
holder.
[0024] FIG. 2C is a side view of the second example item
holder.
[0025] FIG. 2D is a top view of the second example item holder.
[0026] FIG. 2E is a perspective view of the second example item
holder.
[0027] FIG. 3 is a top view of an example item that can be held
within the example item holders of FIGS. 1A-2E.
[0028] FIG. 4 is a top view of a portion of an item holder.
[0029] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional side view of the portion of FIG.
4.
[0030] FIG. 6A is a top view of a third example item holder.
[0031] FIG. 6B is a bottom view of the third example item
holder.
[0032] FIG. 6C is a side view of the third example item holder.
[0033] FIG. 6D is a front view of the third example item
holder.
[0034] FIG. 6E is a perspective view of the third example item
holder.
[0035] FIG. 7A is a front view of a fourth example item holder.
[0036] FIG. 7B is a rear view of the fourth example item
holder.
[0037] FIG. 7C is a side view of the fourth item holder.
[0038] FIG. 7D is a top view of the fourth item holder.
[0039] FIG. 7E is a perspective view of the fourth item holder.
[0040] Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like
elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0041] Implementations of the present disclosure are generally
directed to item holders for securely and releasably retaining
objects. In particular, implementations of the present disclosure
are directed to jewelry including one or more receptacles for
receiving items. Each of the one or more receptacles may be
configured to releasably secure items therein, enabling a user to
wear the item. Although example item holders described herein are
illustrated as having a single receptacle, implementations of the
present disclosure include item holders having multiple
receptacles.
[0042] FIGS. 1A-1E show a first example item holder 100a in top,
bottom, side, front, and perspective views, respectively. In this
implementation, item holder 100a includes a receptacle 102a and a
supporting member 104a (in some examples, the item holder may
include two or more receptacles). In the illustrated example,
receptacle 102a is formed as an integral part of supporting member
104a. That is, receptacle 102a and 104a are formed from a
continuous material. In some implementations, however, the
receptacle 102a can be provided as a separate piece coupled to the
support member 104a (e.g., via adhesive or mechanical
fastener).
[0043] As shown in FIGS. 1A-1E, receptacle 102a includes a backside
surface 106 and a peripheral wall 108. The peripheral wall 108
terminates in a continuous inwardly extending lip 109. An opening
110 and an internal groove 126 (see FIGS. 4 and 5) are provided for
securing items within the receptacle 102a. In this manner, the
internal groove 126 and opening 110 defined by the lip 109 provide
a pocket for retaining items in the receptacle 102a. In some
implementations, the internal groove 126 is extended by one or more
cavities for accommodating irregular contours of certain retained
items. Opening 110 may be provided having any suitable shape or
size (e.g., rectangular, circular, oval shaped, etc.) for receiving
and displaying items (e.g., press, elongated coins). For instance,
in this example, opening 110 is substantially elliptical in shape.
In some implementations, a major axis of the elliptical opening is
between about 20 mm and 40 mm (e.g., about 30 mm) long.
[0044] In some implementations, one or more portions of receptacle
102a may be composed of an elastic material (e.g., a material
having a modulus of elasticity between about 10 to 100 N/mm.sup.2).
For instance, in this example, substantially all portions of the
receptacle are composed of silicone rubber. The elastic nature of
the receptacle 102a may provide a gripping force for retaining
items enveloped by the lip 109 within the opening 110. For example,
in some implementations, dimensions of the opening 110 can be
smaller than dimensions of an item to be retained within the
receptacle 102a. As such, when the item is inserted into the
receptacle 102a through the opening 110, the elastic material of
the receptacle 102a envelopes and grips the item to provide a
retention force.
[0045] Supporting member 104a may be provided in any form suitable
for bearing the weight of receptacle 102a and any item(s) retained
therein. In this example, supporting member 104a is provided in the
form of a stretchable band 112. Stretchable band 112 may be shaped
in a continuous annular ring suitable for receiving the hand of a
wearer when stretched. In some implementations, and in the
un-stretched condition, the stretchable band 112 includes an inside
diameter D within a range between 165 mm and 225 mm. When the band
is un-stretched, however, the wearer's hand may not pass through
the annular ring. As such, item holder 100a may securely rest on
the wrist (or ankle) of the wearer. In some implementations, the
band of supporting member 104a may include two flexible opposing
ends extending outward from either side of receptacle 102a. In such
implementations, opposing ends of the band can be provided with one
or more mechanical fastening elements (e.g., hook-and-loop regions,
mating portions of a buckle, mating portions of a button, etc.). In
some other implementations, supporting member 104a may be provided
in the form of a rigid band forming an annular ring.
[0046] In the illustrated example, receptacle 102a is positioned on
stretchable band 112 of supporting member 104a, such that a major
axis of elliptical opening 110 is parallel to a centerline 114 of
the supporting member 104a. In some implementations, the receptacle
may be positioned on the band at an angle, such that a major axis
of the opening 110 is at an angle relative to the centerline 114.
In this manner, multiple receptacles 102a can be more efficiently
accommodated. For example, a first number of receptacles 102a can
be accommodated around the supporting member 104a with the major
axes of the corresponding openings 110 arranged parallel to the
centerline 114 of the supporting member 104a. A second number of
receptacles 102a can be accommodated around the supporting member
104a with the major axes of the corresponding openings 110 arranged
at an angle relative to the centerline 114. In some
implementations, the second number is greater than the first
number.
[0047] FIGS. 2A-2E show a second example item holder 100b in front,
rear, side, top, and perspective views, respectively. In this
implementation, item holder 100b includes a receptacle 102b coupled
to a supporting member 104b. As in the first example, receptacle
102b is integrally formed with a supporting member 104b. In this
implementation, the supporting member 104b is provided in the form
of an annular attachment ring 116. The attachment ring defines an
opening 118 for receiving a neck piece (e.g., a chain, string,
etc.). It is appreciated that supporting member 104b may be
provided in any form suitable for bearing the weight of receptacle
102b and any item(s) retained therein (e.g., a latch or a flange
extending from the receptacle and defining an opening for receiving
a neck piece).
[0048] In some implementations, a receptacle (e.g., receptacles
102a, 102b) can be configured to retain various types of items. In
the examples of FIGS. 1A-2E, the receptacles may be configured to
securely retain pressed, elongated coins (e.g., pennies). Elongated
coins are often made by passing standard coins through a roller nip
provided by two steel rollers pressed against one another with
sufficient force to deform the coin. One of the rollers (i.e., the
die) can be engraved with a design that imprints an image on the
coin as it passes through the nip. When the coin first comes into
contact with the die, a catch notch can be formed on the leading
end of the coin which guides the rest of the coin through the
roller. A trailing end of the coin can be pressed into an elongated
tail. FIG. 3 is a front view of a pressed, elongated coin 120
including a catch notch 122 at a leading end and an elongated tail
124 at a trailing end.
[0049] FIG. 4 is a front view of a receptacle 102a, 102b having a
length L and a width W. The length L can be within a range of
between 40 mm and 55 mm, an example length L including 50 mm. The
width W can be within a range of between 20 mm and 35 mm, an
example width W including 25 mm. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional side
view of the receptacle 102a, 102b along the line 5-5 of FIG. 4. The
receptacle 102a, 102b includes a backside surface 106 and a
peripheral wall extending substantially perpendicularly therefrom.
The peripheral wall defines a teardrop shape of the receptacle and
terminates in a continuous inwardly extending lip 109, which
defines an elliptical opening 110 and an internal groove 126. In
some examples, the edges of the peripheral wall are chamfered or
beveled. The internal groove 126 runs about the periphery of the
opening 110 and is defined between a bottom surface of the lip 109
and a surface 129 of the receptacle 102a, 102b. In this manner,
edges of an item disposed within the receptacle 102a, 102b can seat
within the internal groove 126 and can be prevented from dislodging
by the lip 109.
[0050] At one end of the receptacle 102a, 102b, internal groove 126
may be extended by a first cavity 128. The first cavity 128 may be
configured to receive notch 122 of pressed coin 120. For example,
as shown, first cavity 128 is provided in the form of an arcuate
indentation extending up into a lower portion of lip 109. The first
cavity 128 may be located proximate a centerline of the receptacle
at one end. In some implementations, the first cavity 128 can be
between about 6 mm and 10 mm (e.g., 8 mm) wide (measured across a
straight line from end to end) and between about 1 mm and 3 mm
(e.g., 1.75 mm) long (measured across a straight line from the peak
of the arc to the base). Additionally, first cavity 128 may be set
back from the inner edge of lip 109 by between about 0.01 mm and
0.5 mm (e.g., 0.25 mm).
[0051] At an opposing end of the receptacle (with respect to the
end at which the first cavity is located), internal groove 126 may
be extended by a second cavity 130. The second cavity may be
configured to receive elongated tail 124 of pressed coin 120. For
example, as shown, second cavity 130 is provided in the form of
oval crescent shaped opening extending from groove 126 down the
length of receptacle 102b. In some implementations, second cavity
130 extends between about 6 mm and 10 mm (e.g., 8 mm) down the
length of the receptacle.
[0052] FIGS. 6A-6E show a third example of an item holder 100c in
top, bottom, side, front, and perspective views, respectively. The
item holder 100c is similar to the first example item holder 100a,
except that the receptacle 102c is configured to receive and
releasably retain a guitar pick. As such, peripheral wall 108
defines a substantially triangular-shaped receptacle 102c.
Likewise, a lip 109' defines a similarly shaped groove and opening
110'. The item holder 100c can include one or multiple receptacles
102c. In some implementations, multiple receptacles 102c can be
arranged to have the same orientation relative to a support member
104c. In some implementations, multiple receptacles 102c can be
arranged to have different orientations relative to the support
member 104c.
[0053] FIGS. 7A-7E show a fourth example item holder 100d in front,
rear, side, top, and perspective views, respectively. This
implementation is similar to the second example (i.e., item holder
100b) of FIGS. 2A-2E except that the receptacle 102d is configured
to receive and releasably retain a guitar pick.
[0054] Implementations of the present disclosure provide item
holders including one or more receptacles for releasably securing
one or more items to be worn on the person of a wearer. The
receptacles provide an opening to display the item retained
therein. In this manner, the wearer of the item holder can
confidently wear the one or more items without concern that the
items will dislodge from the respective receptacles. For example,
the item can be a valuable item and the wearer of the item holder
can be confident that the item will not easily dislodge from the
item holder. Furthermore, wearers can display various types of
items including collectible items and/or advertisement items. For
example, an item can include a pressed coin that can be provided as
a collectible pressed coin that can be shared and exchanged among
collectors. As another example, an item can include a guitar pick,
such as a guitar pick advertising a particular instrument
manufacturer, band, artist and/or record label, and/or can be a
collectible guitar pick, such as a guitar pick that was used by a
famous, or infamous, artist.
* * * * *