U.S. patent application number 14/613645 was filed with the patent office on 2015-08-06 for methods and apparatus for securing a valuable item in a pocket.
The applicant listed for this patent is Daniel J. Noblitt. Invention is credited to Daniel J. Noblitt.
Application Number | 20150216244 14/613645 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53753723 |
Filed Date | 2015-08-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150216244 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Noblitt; Daniel J. |
August 6, 2015 |
Methods and apparatus for securing a valuable item in a pocket
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for retaining a valuable item within a
pocket accessible to at least one hand of a user according to
various aspects of the present invention may comprise a pocket
fastener capable of attaching to the interior of the pocket and a
valuable fastener connected to the pocket fastener and adapted to
attach to the valuable item. The system may further operate in
conjunction with a tether connected to the pocket fastener and the
valuable fastener.
Inventors: |
Noblitt; Daniel J.;
(Scottsdale, AZ) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Noblitt; Daniel J. |
Scottsdale |
AZ |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
53753723 |
Appl. No.: |
14/613645 |
Filed: |
February 4, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61935720 |
Feb 4, 2014 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
2/250 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45F 5/02 20130101; A44B
99/00 20130101; A44C 9/0084 20130101; A45F 5/022 20130101; A41D
27/20 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A41D 27/20 20060101
A41D027/20; A44C 9/00 20060101 A44C009/00 |
Claims
1. A retainer apparatus for retaining a valuable item within a
pocket accessible to at least one hand of a user, comprising: a
pocket fastener capable of attaching to the interior of the pocket;
and a valuable fastener connected to the pocket fastener and
adapted to attach to the valuable item.
2. A retainer apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a
tether, wherein the tether connects the valuable fastener to the
pocket fastener.
3. A retainer apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the tether is
less than about eight inches long between the pocket fastener and
the valuable fastener.
4. A retainer apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a length of
the tether is adjustable.
5. A retainer apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pocket
fastener and the valuable fastener are integrated into a single
unit.
6. A retainer apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the valuable
fastener comprises a soft pouch.
7. A retainer apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the valuable
fastener comprises a clip.
8. A retainer apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pocket
fastener comprises a pin.
9. A retainer apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the valuable
fastener is structured to release the valuable item using only the
one hand of the user.
10. A retainer apparatus for retaining a jewelry ring within a
pocket having a fabric interior and accessible to at least one hand
of a user, comprising: a pocket fastener adapted to be secured to
the fabric interior of the pocket; a valuable fastener adapted to
be secured to the jewelry ring; and a flexible tether connected to
the pocket fastener and the valuable fastener.
11. A retainer apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the tether
is less than about eight inches long between the pocket fastener
and the valuable fastener.
12. A retainer apparatus according to claim 10, wherein a length of
the tether is adjustable.
13. A retainer apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the
valuable fastener comprises a soft pouch.
14. A retainer apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the
valuable fastener comprises a clip.
15. A retainer apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the pocket
fastener comprises a pin.
16. A retainer apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the
valuable fastener is structured to release the valuable item using
only the one hand of the user.
17. A retainer apparatus for retaining a jewelry ring within a
pocket having a fabric interior and accessible to at least one hand
of the user, comprising: a pocket fastener adapted to be pinned to
the fabric interior of the pocket; a valuable fastener adapted to
be secured to the jewelry ring; and release the jewelry ring using
only the one hand of the user; and a flexible tether connected to
the pocket fastener and the valuable fastener, wherein the tether
is less than about eight inches long when extended between the
pocket fastener and the valuable fastener.
18. A retainer apparatus according to claim 17, wherein a length of
the tether is adjustable.
19. A retainer apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the
valuable fastener comprises a soft pouch.
20. A retainer apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the
valuable fastener comprises a clip.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 61/935,720, filed Feb. 4, 2014, and
incorporates the disclosure of such application by reference.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0002] When a man plans to propose marriage, he puts a small ring
worth thousands of dollars into his pocket for the better part of a
day or evening, awaiting presentation to his beloved at just the
right moment. In many cases, the ring represents the single most
expensive item (at least without a roof) that he has ever
purchased. The man is understandably nervous for a variety of
reasons, not least among them the prospect of losing the ring as it
falls out of his pocket or slips through a previously unknown
hole.
[0003] One possibility that the man may consider is to keep the
ring in a small ring box. But the ring box tends to be bulky and
uncomfortable. The sizable bulge in the man's pocket may also ruin
the intended surprise or otherwise draw unwanted attention. The net
effect is to cause undue anxiety at a time when additional pressure
is most unwelcome.
[0004] Similar circumstances may arise in a variety of situations,
especially those involving a small but expensive gift that is kept
in a person's pocket until it is time to be presented to the
recipient.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] Methods and apparatus for retaining a valuable item within a
pocket accessible to at least one hand of a user according to
various aspects of the present invention may comprise a pocket
fastener capable of attaching to the interior of the pocket and a
valuable fastener connected to the pocket fastener and adapted to
attach to the valuable item. The system may further operate in
conjunction with a tether connected to the pocket fastener and the
valuable fastener.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
[0006] A more complete understanding of the present invention may
be derived by referring to the detailed description and claims when
considered in connection with the following illustrative figures.
In the following figures, like reference numbers refer to similar
elements and steps throughout the figures.
[0007] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a retainer apparatus according
to various aspects of the present invention including a tether;
[0008] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a retainer apparatus according
to various aspects of the present invention configured as an
integrated unit;
[0009] FIG. 3 representatively illustrates an embodiment of a
retainer apparatus according to various aspects of the present
invention.
[0010] FIG. 4 representatively illustrates another embodiment of a
retainer apparatus according to various aspects of the present
invention.
[0011] Elements and steps in the figures are illustrated for
simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been rendered
according to any particular sequence. For example, steps that may
be performed concurrently or in different order are illustrated in
the figures to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0012] A retainer apparatus according to various aspects of the
present technology secures an object to the interior of pocket.
Referring to FIG. 1, the apparatus 100 may comprise a pocket
fastener 110 that connects to the inside of the pocket and a
valuable fastener 112 that attaches to the item of value. A tether
114 may connect the two fasteners, or the two fasteners may be
integrated, joined directly, or connected via another connector.
The retainer apparatus 100 may comprise a small and/or low-profile
device to facilitate discreet transport of the valuable item.
[0013] The item of value may comprise any appropriate item to be
carried in a pocket, such as jewelry or other valuable to be
presented as a gift. For example, the item of value may be an
engagement ring. The object may also be any other suitable object
or objects the user desires to secure to the interior of a pocket
such as one or more rings, earrings, necklaces, bracelets, or any
other pieces of jewelry, trinkets, or other possibly sentimental or
otherwise valuable items.
[0014] The interior of a pocket may comprise the interior or inside
of a pocket located in a garment, such as pants, shorts, a shirt, a
jacket, a coat, a skirt, a dress, or any other suitable garment
possessing a pocket. The interior or inside may refer to the inner
lining, mesh lining, or any fabric making up the interior of the
pocket or otherwise present in the interior of the pocket. In one
embodiment, the interior of a pocket may comprise the inner lining
of a pants pocket.
[0015] The pocket fastener 110 secures the retainer apparatus to
the interior of the pocket. The pocket fastener 110 may securely
connect to the interior of the pocket in any appropriate manner,
such as via a safety pin 310 (FIG. 3), strap, clasp, clamp, magnet,
pin, clip, Velcro 410 (FIG. 4), adhesive, or other suitable
materials for attaching the apparatus to the interior of the
pocket. The pocket fastener 110 may further comprise a safety guard
to prevent harm to a user, such as a cover over sharp points or
edges.
[0016] The valuable fastener 112 attaches to the item of value. The
valuable fastener 112 may attach to the item of value in any
suitable manner, such as by containing or connecting to the item of
value, and may be adapted to the particular item of value. For
example, the valuable fastener 112 may comprise a spring-biased
clip 312 (FIG. 3) having jaws wide enough to close and remain
closed around an ordinary engagement ring. The valuable fastener
112, such as a spring-biased clip or pouch 412 (FIG. 4), may be
easily operated with a single hand to disengage the ring or other
valuable from the retainer apparatus at the desired moment.
[0017] In alternative embodiments, the valuable fastener 112 may
comprise other mechanisms or combinations of mechanisms to attach
the valuable item to the apparatus, such as a loop, clip, snap,
tie, pin, or Velcro. In one embodiment, the valuable fastener 112
may comprise a pocket or enclosure to contain the valuable object.
The pocket or enclosure may be partially or completely open on one
or more sides to receive the object and one or more sides may be
partially or completely closable though a fastener or a combination
of fasteners, such as a strap, clasp, snap, Velcro, zipper, hook
and eye, button, pin, drawstring, zip lock, magnet, turn-lock, or
other suitable fastener. The valuable fastener 112 may comprise a
soft or otherwise non-scratching or non-damaging material to avoid
damaging the valuable item, such as a velvet or silk lining or
pouch.
[0018] The pocket fastener 110 and the valuable fastener 112 may
comprise a single unit (FIG. 2) or be joined, such as by the tether
114. The tether 114 may connect the pocket fastener 110 to the
valuable fastener 112, and may comprise a substantially rigid or
flexible element that is short enough to keep the item of value in
the pocket, such as less than about 8'', about 0'' to 6'', or about
1'' to 5'', or approximately 3'' to 4''. The tether 114 may thus be
any appropriate length such that when coupled to the pocket
fastener 110 and the valuable fastener 112, the combined length of
the retainer apparatus does not exceed the depth of the anticipated
clothing pocket. The tether 114 may comprise a strong, flexible
material, such as string 314 (FIG. 3), twine, leather, wire,
ribbon, mesh, cord, thread, rope, plastic, chain, or the like. The
length of the tether 114 may also be adjustable, for example
according to the depth of the user's pocket. The length may be
adjusted in any suitable manner, such as by cutting off a length of
the tether 114 or by doubling over the tether 114 on itself, for
example in conjunction with a position retainer like a buckle.
[0019] In one embodiment, one end of the tether 114 is attached to
the pocket fastener 110 while the other end is attached to the
valuable fastener 112. In one embodiment, the tether 114 operates
as the valuable fastener 112, such as a string looped through the
ring on one end and coupled to the pocket fastener 110.
[0020] The process for securing the valuable item in the pocket may
include attaching the valuable item to the valuable fastener 112
and attaching the pocket fastener 110 to the interior of the
pocket. The method may be performed in any appropriate order.
[0021] Securing the valuable item may comprise securing a ring to a
loop closed by a snap by inserting the tether 114 through the ring
and snapping the mechanism, such as to a snap on the tether 114 or
on the pocket fastener 110. In another embodiment, securing the
ring may comprise placing the ring inside an enclosure and closing
the enclosure by zipping it shut. The method of securing the
valuable item to an element having an attachment mechanism may be
performed by any method suitable for securing an object to an
element having an attachment mechanism such as but not limited to,
snapping, clamping, gripping, looping, tying, enclosing,
Velcro-ing, taping, or otherwise releasably connecting an object to
an element having an attachment mechanism.
[0022] Attaching the pocket fastener 110 to the interior of a
pocket may comprise connecting or coupling the pocket fastener 110
to the interior of a pocket permanently or temporarily. In one
embodiment, attaching the pocket fastener 110 to the interior of a
pocket may comprise of pinning the pocket fastener 110 to the
interior of the pocket or sewing the pocket fastener 110 to the
interior of the pocket. Securing the pocket fastener 110 the pocket
interior may include pinning, clipping, sewing, Velcro-ing, taping,
tying, clamping, snapping, gluing, or otherwise temporarily or
permanently connecting the pocket fastener 110 to the interior of
the pocket.
[0023] In the foregoing specification, the invention has been
described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments. Various
modifications and changes may be made, however, without departing
from the scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims.
The specification and figures are illustrative, not restrictive,
and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of
the present invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention
should be determined by the claims and their legal equivalents
rather than by merely the examples described.
[0024] For example, the steps recited in any method or process
claims may be executed in any order and are not limited to the
specific order presented in the claims. Additionally, the
components and/or elements recited in any apparatus claims may be
assembled or otherwise operationally configured in a variety of
permutations and are accordingly not limited to the specific
configuration recited in the claims.
[0025] Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have
been described above with regard to particular embodiments. Any
benefit, advantage, solution to problem, or any element that may
cause any particular benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or to
become more pronounced are not to be construed as critical,
required, or essential features or components of any or all the
claims.
[0026] The terms "comprise", "comprises", "comprising", "having",
"including", "includes" or any variations of such terms, are
intended to reference a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a
process, method, article, composition or apparatus that comprises a
list of elements does not include only those elements recited, but
may also include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to
such process, method, article, composition or apparatus. Other
combinations and/or modifications of the above-described
structures, arrangements, applications, proportions, elements,
materials, or components used in the practice of the present
invention, in addition to those not specifically recited, may be
varied or otherwise particularly adapted to specific environments,
manufacturing specifications, design parameters, or other operating
requirements without departing from the general principles of the
same.
* * * * *