U.S. patent application number 13/425705 was filed with the patent office on 2013-01-17 for hoop shifter, parachute tent and flop clip.
This patent application is currently assigned to Nemo Equipment, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Cam Brensinger, Suzanne Turell. Invention is credited to Cam Brensinger, Suzanne Turell.
Application Number | 20130014792 13/425705 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46879720 |
Filed Date | 2013-01-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130014792 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Brensinger; Cam ; et
al. |
January 17, 2013 |
HOOP SHIFTER, PARACHUTE TENT AND FLOP CLIP
Abstract
The present invention features a chalk bag, a parachute tent and
a flop clip. The chalk bag features a handle located on the
interior of the bag and attached to at least one interior wall,
which contains chalk. Chalk is deposited into the handle through an
opening in the side of the bag. The opening is outfitted with an
integrated funnel to facilitate pouring chalk into the handle. The
chalk bag also features a hoop shifter located in a rim portion of
the chalk bag, which is a sliding opening and closing mechanism.
The parachute tent provides a combination of a parachute and a
tent, which is functional as both a parachute and a tent, and once
dropped contains all necessary components for the tent with no
additional components. The flop clip is a reusable connection
mechanism, which utilizes magnets.
Inventors: |
Brensinger; Cam; (Stratham,
NH) ; Turell; Suzanne; (Nashua, NH) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Brensinger; Cam
Turell; Suzanne |
Stratham
Nashua |
NH
NH |
US
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Nemo Equipment, Inc.
Dover
NH
|
Family ID: |
46879720 |
Appl. No.: |
13/425705 |
Filed: |
March 21, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61454712 |
Mar 21, 2011 |
|
|
|
61531651 |
Sep 7, 2011 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
135/95 ;
24/30.5R; 24/303; 383/24 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 24/32 20150115;
A47K 3/288 20130101; Y10T 24/15 20150115; A63B 69/0048 20130101;
A63B 2209/10 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
135/95 ; 24/303;
24/30.5R; 383/24 |
International
Class: |
B65D 33/28 20060101
B65D033/28; A44B 11/25 20060101 A44B011/25; B65D 33/14 20060101
B65D033/14; E04H 15/30 20060101 E04H015/30 |
Claims
1. A chalk bag comprising: a body portion with an upper rim portion
and an opening located within said upper rim portion, wherein said
opening provides access to an interior of said body portion; a
handle located within said interior of said body portion, wherein
said handle is coupled to at least one portion of an interior wall
of said interior of said body portion; a side opening, located on
an external portion of said body portion, wherein said side opening
allows access to an internal cavity of said handle, whereby chalk
is placed through said side opening and into said handle; and a
hoop shifter located within said upper rim portion, wherein said
hoop shifter is configured to open and close said opening using a
pull cord.
2. A combination parachute and a sleeping shelter device,
comprising: a parachute configured to be released from an air
vehicle, wherein said parachute includes a canopy portion, a
package portion and connection components, wherein said connection
components connect said canopy portion to said package portion and
wherein said canopy portion, said package portion and said
connection components are configured to construct a tent resulting
in no leftover materials.
3. A connection mechanism comprising: an elongated body portion
with a small bulbous portion on a first end of said elongated body
portion and a large bulbous portion on a second end of said
elongated body portion; a first magnet located within said small
bulbous portion; a second magnet located within said large bulbous
portion; said small bulbous portion configured to fold over towards
said large bulbous portion, causing contact between said first
magnet and said second magnet, thereby creating a fixably secured
circular connection mechanism; and said small bulbous portion
additionally configured to fold over a plurality of times until
said small bulbous portion fits into an opening of a pocket located
on an inner side of said large bulbous portion.
4. An opening and closing device for opening and maintaining open
an opening in a flexible material and for closing said opening,
said device comprising: a first side portion coupled to a second
side portion, wherein a first end of said first side portion is
coupled to a first end of said second side portion with a first
flexible portion and wherein a second end of said first side
portion is coupled to a second end of said second side portion with
a second flexible portion, wherein said first and second flexible
portions are configured to allow the first and second side portions
to be disposed essentially parallel to one another when in a closed
position; a first attachment location disposed on the first
flexible portion; a first pull cord, coupled to the first
attachment location, wherein said first pull cord is configured to
open said opening when pulled by a user; a second attachment
location disposed at approximately a midway point of the second
side portion; and a second pull cord, coupled to the second
attachment location, wherein said second pull cord is configured to
close said opening when pulled by a user.
5. The device of claim 4, wherein the device further comprises a
first bracing portion located at a midway point of the first side
portion when said opening is in a closed position and a second
bracing portion located at a midway point of the second side
portion when said opening is in a closed position.
6. The device of claim 5, wherein when said device is in the open
position, the first bracing portion is disposed adjacent the second
end of said first side portion and the second end of said second
side portion and the second bracing portion is disposed adjacent
the first end of said first side portion and the first end of said
second side portion, wherein said first and second bracing portions
are configured to provide stability for the first and second
flexible portions thereby creating a circular structure formed from
the combination of the first and second side portions, the first
and second bracing portions and the first and second flexible
portions.
7. The device of claim 4, wherein said opening is an opening of a
bag, and wherein said device is configured to open and close said
opening of said bag.
8. The device of claim 7, wherein said bag is a cloth bag, and
wherein said opening of said cloth bag includes a cloth rim portion
formed by a pocket in said cloth, and wherein said opening and
closure mechanism is located within said rim portion of said cloth
bag.
9. The device of claim 8, wherein said first pull cord exits said
cloth rim through a first opening and wherein said second pull cord
exits said cloth rim through a second opening, wherein said device
is configured to be opened by pulling said first pull cord in a
first direction which causes the flexible portions and side
portions to move in said first direction until the first attachment
location on the first flexible portion is at a position adjacent to
the first opening and the second attachment location on the second
flexible portion is at a position adjacent to the second
opening.
10. The device of claim 9, wherein said device is closed by pulling
said second pull cord in said first direction, thereby causing the
second attachment location to move to a position adjacent the
second opening.
11. The device of claim 5, wherein said first and second side
portions and said first and second bracing portions are constructed
from a thin plastic material that is flexible and smooth.
12. The device of claim 4, wherein said first and second flexible
portions are configured to be attached to the first and second side
portions using an attachment means.
13. The device of claim 12, wherein said attachment means includes
gluing or stitching.
14. The device of claim 9, wherein said first opening is located
approximately 180 degrees from said second opening.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional
Application Ser. No. 61/531,651 titled "Outdoor Equipment" which
was filed on Sep. 7, 2011 and claims priority from U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 61/454,712 titled "Outdoor Equipment" which
was filed on Mar. 21, 2011, both of which are incorporated fully
herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to outdoor equipment and more
particularly, relates to a chalk bag with integrated funnel and
hoop shifter, a parachute tent and a magnetic flop clip.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
[0003] Chalk bags are typically used by climbers to absorb
perspiration from their hands. Perspiration on the hands of a
climber can reduce friction, which can be dangerous. Chalk bags
have traditionally come in many sizes and shapes. One of the most
popular types of chalk that is used in chalk bags is a powdered
chalk. The use of powdered chalk that is loose in a bag has had
many problems including the chalk escaping from the bag and causing
a mess, which is a problem not only while climbing, especially in
indoor climbing gyms, but also during transport and storage of
climbing equipment. A conventional chalk bag with loose chalk
contains dead air space inside so if the bag is crushed, air rushes
out of the bag carrying a portion of the loose chalk with it.
[0004] Therefore what is needed is an easy to open and close chalk
bag that contains loose powder and enables a user to fully chalk
their hands while preventing additional chalk from escaping out the
opening of the bag. Additionally, it should be easy to fill the bag
with chalk without causing a mess.
[0005] Supplies are often dropped in remote areas to troops, rescue
teams, displaced peoples and other persons via helicopter or
airplane. Tents and other types of shelter are often among the
supplies frequently dropped. Presently, when tents and other types
of shelter are dropped, they are typically packaged together in a
larger container and connected to a parachute. The container is
released with a parachute and accompanying cords that hold the
parachute to the tent. When the container lands, if it is
recovered, the contents are distributed and often times every
component is put to good use, including the parachute itself, the
cords, and the packaging material.
[0006] Accordingly, what is needed is a method to have the canopy
of each tent act as its own parachute, allowing a wider
distribution of aid supplies. Each canopy/tent deployed could also
include a modest package of supplies, perhaps up to 20 or 30 lbs.,
such as sleeping bags, ground pads, water and other items to make
each individual deployment a complete survival package. Compared to
aggregating supplies in a container, this distributed approach
provides some insurance in the event that some deployments land in
trees, water, other inaccessible places, or are destroyed on impact
due to failed parachute opening.
[0007] There are many occasions when someone needs to tie off or
contain an item. Many people use zip ties, which are one-time use
devices and cannot be reused. What is needed is a device that can
be used multiple times. The device should be relatively small and
easy to use, reuse and store.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention features a chalk bag that comprises a
body portion with an upper rim portion and an opening located
within the upper rim portion, wherein the opening provides access
to an interior of the body portion; a handle located within the
interior of the body portion, wherein the handle is coupled to at
least one portion of an interior wall of the interior of the body
portion; a side opening, located on an external portion of the body
portion, wherein the side opening allows access to an internal
cavity of the handle, whereby chalk is placed through the side
opening and into the handle; and a hoop shifter located within the
upper rim portion, wherein the hoop shifter is configured to open
and close the opening using a pull cord.
[0009] In another embodiment of the present invention, a
combination of a parachute and a sleeping shelter device, comprises
a parachute configured to be released from an air vehicle, wherein
the parachute includes a canopy portion, a package portion and
connection components, wherein the connection components connect
the canopy portion to the package portion and wherein the canopy
portion, the package portion and the connection components are
configured to construct a tent resulting in no leftover
materials.
[0010] In an additional embodiment of the present invention, a
connection mechanism comprises an elongated body portion with a
small bulbous portion on a first end of the elongated body portion
and a large bulbous portion on a second end of the elongated body
portion; a first magnet located within the small bulbous portion; a
second magnet located within the large bulbous portion; the small
bulbous portion configured to fold over towards the large bulbous
portion, causing contact between said first magnet and said second
magnet, thereby creating a fixably secured circular connection
mechanism; and the small bulbous portion additionally configured to
fold over a plurality of times until the small bulbous portion fits
into an opening of a pocket located on an inner side of the large
bulbous portion.
[0011] It is important to note that the present invention is not
intended to be limited to a system or method which must satisfy one
or more of any stated objects or features of the invention. It is
also important to note that the present invention is not limited to
the preferred, exemplary, or primary embodiment(s) described
herein. Modifications and substitutions by one of ordinary skill in
the art are considered to be within the scope of the present
invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] These and other features and advantages of the present
invention will be better understood by reading the following
detailed description, taken together with the drawings wherein:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a detailed view of the chalk bag of one embodiment
of the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a detailed view of the hoop shifter of the chalk
bag in a closed position of one embodiment of the present
invention;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a detailed view of the hoop shifter of the chalk
bag in an open position of one embodiment of the present
invention;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a detailed view of the parachute tent of one
embodiment of the present invention; and
[0017] FIG. 5 is a detailed view of the inner side of the flop clip
of one embodiment of the present invention; and
[0018] FIG. 6 is a detailed view of the outer side of the flop clip
of one embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0019] In one embodiment of the present invention, shown in FIG. 1,
a chalk bag 200 is provided. The chalk bag 200 is designed to hold
a powdered chalk which is used by rock climbers and gymnasts, for
example. The chalk bag 200 features a top opening 202, whereby a
user can put their hand through the opening 202 in order to access
the chalk. The chalk bag 200 features an upper rim portion 204 and
a body portion 206. The exterior 208 of the chalk bag 200 is
preferably a lightweight coated fabric that is both chalk-proof and
at least partially water resistant.
[0020] The chalk bag 200 features a handle 210 located on the
interior of the bag within the body portion 206. The handle 210 is
configured to attach to an interior wall 212 of the chalk bag 200.
In a preferred embodiment, the handle 210 is attached to the
interior wall 212 at two locations and runs parallel to the opening
202 of the chalk bag 200. The handle 210 is configured to allow the
powdered chalk located in the interior of the handle 210 to be
transferred to the hand of a user when the handle 210 is grasped by
the user from inside the bag 200. The handle 210 may be made from a
fleece material or other similar permeable material that allows for
the chalk to pass through the walls of the material and onto the
hand of the user when the handle 210 is squeezed and otherwise
manipulated. The handle 210 preferably has a flattened shape that
allows the handle to lay nearly flat when the chalk bag is in a
closed position.
[0021] Chalk is deposited into an interior 214 of the handle 210
through a side opening 216. The side opening 216 features a closure
mechanism (not shown), such as a zipper, hook and loop closure,
snap, loop of string or rope, or other similar mechanism. When the
closure mechanism is in an open position, a user can access the
interior 214 of the handle 210 and deposit chalk into the interior
of the handle 210. The closure mechanism can then be closed to
prevent the chalk from escaping the handle 210. The side opening
216 is preferably outfitted with an integrated funnel 220. The
funnel 220 is preferably constructed from a flexible material such
as a coated fabric and provides a simple means for pouring chalk
into the funnel 220 and the handle 210 through a funnel opening
224. When not in use the funnel 220 can be compactly folded down
over itself and stored inside the handle 210. The funnel 220 may
also feature a draw cord 222 that runs around an upper rim 226 of
the funnel. The draw cord 222 can be drawn tight, thereby closing
the funnel opening 224 and preventing any chalk from escaping out
the funnel opening 224 and the handle 210. The funnel opening 224
may alternatively feature a different closure mechanism, such as a
zipper, hook and loop closure, snap, loop of string or rope, or
other similar mechanism. The closure mechanism of the funnel
opening 224 may replace the closure mechanism of the side opening
216.
[0022] The chalk bag 200 features a hoop shifter 230, FIGS. 2 and
3, which is contained within a rim portion 204 of the chalk bag
200. The hoop shifter 230 allows the opening 202 of the chalk bag
200 to be easily opened (FIG. 3) and held in an open position and
then closed (FIG. 2) by pulling on a pull cord (248 to open and 250
to close). The hoop shifter 230 is contained within the rim portion
204 and is secured within the material of the exterior of the chalk
bag 200, which wraps up and around the rim portion and into the
interior of the bag.
[0023] The hoop shifter 230 includes a first side portion 232 and a
second side portion 234. The first side portion 232 is connected to
the second side portion 234 with a first flexible portion 240 and a
second flexible portion 242. The flexible portions 240, 242 allow
the side portions 232, 234 to be essentially parallel when the
chalk bag is in a closed position. A first attachment point 252 is
located on the first flexible portion 240. A first pull cord 248 is
attached to the first attachment point 252 and allowed to exit the
rim portion 204 through a first opening 244. A second attachment
point 254 is located on a midway point of the second side portion
234. A second pull cord 250 is attached to the second attachment
point 254 and allowed to exit the rim portion 204 through a second
opening 246. Additionally a first bracing portion 236 is located at
a midway point of the first side portion 232 when the bag is in a
closed position. A second bracing portion 238 is located at a
midway point of the second side portion 234 when the bag is in a
closed position.
[0024] The pull cords 248, 250 function to move the hoop shifter
230, thereby opening and closing the chalk bag 200. The first pull
cord 248 can be moved in a counterclockwise motion, as indicated by
the arrow. When the pull cord 248 is pulled by a user, the
combination of the flexible portions 240, 242 and side portions
232, 234 slide in a counterclockwise direction until the first
attachment point 252, which is located on the first flexible
portion 240 is at a position adjacent to the first opening 244. The
first pull cord 248 cannot be pulled any further and the chalk bag
is now held or maintained in an open position (FIG. 3) and the
opening 202 is sufficiently large enough to allow a user to place
their hand into the chalk bag and around the handle 210 to transfer
chalk onto the user's hand. In the open position, the bracing
portions 236, 238 provide stability for the flexible portions 240,
242, thereby creating a circular structure formed from the
combination of the side portions 232, 234 and the bracing portions
236, 238.
[0025] The hoop shifter 230 can be moved back into a closed
position (FIG. 2) when a user pulls the second pull cord 250 in a
counterclockwise direction as indicated by the arrow. This causes
the second attachment point 254 to move to a position adjacent the
second opening 246, thereby closing the opening 202. The side
portions 232, 234 and bracing portions 236, 238 are preferably made
from a thin plastic material that is flexible and smooth. The
flexible portions 242, 246 are preferably a fabric material and can
be attached to the side portions 232, 234 using any attachment
means, such as gluing or stitching. The pull cords 248, 250 are
preferably thin cords, however this is not intended to be a
limitation of the present invention.
[0026] The benefit of the hoop shifter mechanism is that the bag
can be in a flat closed position when not in use (FIG. 2b), with a
minimum of trapped air. Without trapped air, the loose chalk
contained in the bag is unlikely to be blown out of the bag in the
event the bag is crushed. After transport or storage, the hoop
shifter can be easily moved to an open position (FIG. 3) allowing a
user to access chalk held within the bag. When the chalk bag 200 is
in a closed position, the bag can preferably be rolled up or folded
over to create a small portable chalk bag that is not much larger
than the size of the rim portion. The directional movement of the
hoop shifter 230 is not intended to be a limitation of the present
invention, as the design could also function in a clockwise
direction.
[0027] In another embodiment of the present invention, shown in
FIG. 4, a parachute tent 500 is provided. The parachute tent 500,
which is a combination of a parachute and a tent, is functional as
both a parachute and a tent and may feature poles, strapping, a
floor, side walls, guy lines, as well as any other tent components
necessary for the operation of the specific tent. The parachute
tent 500 is designed to be dropped from an air vehicle, such as a
helicopter or airplane. The parachute tent 500 will contain all
necessary components for the tent with no additional components
required to assemble the tent. For example, the chute portion 502
may double as the fly sheet, rain fly or an optional groundcover
tarp or another part of the tent. The connection means 504 that
connect the chute 502 to the package portion 506 may double as the
guy lines, the poles or another part of the tent. The package
portion 506 will feature the remainder of the tent supplies, which
will be any other supplies necessary to assemble a particular tent.
The package portion 506 will feature an outer material 508, which
will also be another part of the tent. When the parachute tent is
dropped from the air vehicle, a tent can be constructed on the
ground from the parachute tent materials with no leftover
materials, thereby eliminating waste from an unusable
parachute.
[0028] In another embodiment of the present invention, shown in
FIGS. 5 and 6, a flop clip 600 is provided. The flop clip features
an elongated body 602 with a small bulbous end portion 604 on a
first end 608 of the elongated body and a large bulbous end portion
606 on a second end 610 of the elongated body. Both the small
bulbous end portion 604 and the large bulbous end portion 606
feature a magnet 612, which may be a rare earth magnet. The magnet
612 may be attached to an outer portion of the flop clip or may be
located within a layer of material. The small bulbous end portion
604 is configured to fold over towards the large bulbous end
portion 606 thereby creating a fixably secured circle.
[0029] The flop clip 600 can be used in many situations, much like
a zip tie, but the flop clip can be used multiple times. The
multi-use feature of the flop clip makes the flop clip particularly
useful in application such as to tie back a tent door or window.
The end portions can be attached to hold back the door and then
released as necessary. When the flop clip 600 is not in use, the
small bulbous end portion 604 can be folded over a plurality of
times until the small bulbous end portion 604 can fit into an
opening 622 of a pocket 614 located on an inner side 618 of the
large bulbous end portion 606.
[0030] When folded for storage, the flop clip 600 has a very small
footprint that can be easily stored. The flop clip 600 may also
feature a pull tab 616 located on an outer side 620 of the flop
clip where the elongated body 602 meets the large bulbous end
portion 606. The pull tab 616 allows for ease of removing the small
bulbous end portion 604 from the pocket 614. A user can pull on the
pull tab 616, thereby releasing the small bulbous end portion 604
from the pocket 614 through the opening 622.
[0031] Modifications and substitutions by one of ordinary skill in
the art are considered to be within the scope of the present
invention, which is not to be limited except by the allowed claims
and their legal equivalents.
* * * * *