U.S. patent application number 15/293263 was filed with the patent office on 2017-02-02 for elongate attachable flexible magnetic article holder.
The applicant listed for this patent is Raul Ricardo Vecchione. Invention is credited to Raul Ricardo Vecchione.
Application Number | 20170030386 15/293263 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53773819 |
Filed Date | 2017-02-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170030386 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Vecchione; Raul Ricardo |
February 2, 2017 |
ELONGATE ATTACHABLE FLEXIBLE MAGNETIC ARTICLE HOLDER
Abstract
An elongate article holder with a flexible band, along with two
terminal ends that may be removably secured to each other, is used
to wrap around an elongate article, such as a cable, or coils of
the elongate article. In various exemplary embodiments, removable
coupling of the two terminal ends may be provided by magnet(s).
Further, the flexible non-magnetic band may have an integral closed
loop for removably attaching to the elongate article, operating by
passing a portion of the elongate article through a formed orifice
that is formed from the integral closed loop.
Inventors: |
Vecchione; Raul Ricardo;
(Highlands Ranch, CO) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Vecchione; Raul Ricardo |
Highlands Ranch |
CO |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
53773819 |
Appl. No.: |
15/293263 |
Filed: |
October 13, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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14611254 |
Feb 1, 2015 |
|
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15293263 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65H 75/446 20130101;
Y10T 24/44231 20150115; Y10T 24/14 20150115; F16B 1/00 20130101;
B65H 2701/3919 20130101; B65D 63/109 20130101; A44B 99/00 20130101;
B65H 75/366 20130101; Y10T 24/32 20150115; Y10T 24/1498 20150115;
B65D 63/1018 20130101; F16B 2001/0035 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F16B 1/00 20060101
F16B001/00; B65H 75/36 20060101 B65H075/36; B65H 75/44 20060101
B65H075/44; B65D 63/10 20060101 B65D063/10 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 7, 2016 |
US |
PCT/US2016/012538 |
Claims
1. A magnetic cable organizer for organizing at least one cable;
wherein the magnetic cable organizer comprises: a flexible elongate
band, wherein the flexible elongate band comprises: an integral
closed loop for attaching the magnetic cable organizer to the at
least one cable by a portion of the at least one cable passing
through an orifice formed between the integral closed loop and a
portion of the flexible elongate band; two terminal ends disposed
opposite of each other with the flexible elongate band disposed
between the two terminal ends, with each terminal end comprising a
mating surface such that are at least two mating surfaces; wherein
one of the two mating surfaces comprises at least one magnet and
the other mating surface comprises at least one magnetically
attractable material; wherein when the two mating surfaces are
removably brought together, the flexible elongate band bends and
forms a formed receiving cavity; wherein the formed receiving
cavity circumscribes at least one different portion of the at least
one cable or a portion of a different cable; and wherein the
flexible elongate band, including the integral closed loop, and the
two terminals ends are all integral with respect each other;
wherein each terminal end of the two terminals ends is located at
an opposing end of the flexible elongate band.
2. The magnetic cable organizer according to claim 1, wherein the
integral closed loop is formed from the flexible elongate band by
two substantially parallel slits located in the flexible elongate
band, wherein each slit is a through slit that has a depth equal to
a band thickness, wherein the band thickness is a thickness of the
flexible elongate band; and wherein each slit runs in a direction
substantially parallel with a longitudinal length of the flexible
elongate band.
3. The magnetic cable organizer according to claim 2, wherein the
integral closed loop comprises: a second longitudinal length which
is equal to or less than a first longitudinal length; wherein the
first longitudinal length is a longest length of the flexible
elongate band; and a second transverse width which is less than a
first transverse width; wherein the first transverse width is a
widest transverse width of the flexible elongate band; wherein the
first longitudinal length is substantially perpendicular with the
first transverse width; and wherein the second longitudinal length
is substantially perpendicular with the second transverse width;
wherein the integral closed loop is disposed in the flexible
elongate band between the two substantially parallel slits of a
first longitudinal slit and a second longitudinal slit; such that
the first longitudinal slit, the second longitudinal slit, the
first longitudinal length, and the second longitudinal length are
all substantially parallel to each other.
4. The magnetic cable organizer according to claim 3, wherein the
first longitudinal slit, the second longitudinal slit, and the
second longitudinal length are all substantially of a same
length.
5. The magnetic cable organizer according to claim 1, wherein the
magnetically attractable material is at least another magnet.
6. The magnetic cable organizer according to claim 1, wherein the
flexible elongate band, including the integral closed loop, and the
two terminal ends, excluding the at least one magnet and the at
least one magnetically attractable material, are all manufactured
as a single article of manufacture.
7. The magnetic cable organizer according to claim 1, wherein the
flexible elongate band, including the integral closed loop, and the
two terminal ends, excluding the at least one magnet and the at
least one magnetically attractable material, are all substantially
constructed from a material of construction with an elastic
property.
8. The magnetic cable organizer according to claim 7, wherein the
material of construction is selected from silicone or rubber.
9. The magnetic cable organizer according to claim 1, wherein the
at least one different portion of the at least one cable is a coil
of the at least one cable, such that when the two mating surfaces
are removably brought together, the coil of the at least one cable
is removably held within the formed receiving cavity.
10. The magnetic cable organizer according to claim 1, wherein the
flexible elongate band, including the integral closed loop, and the
two terminal ends, excluding the at least one magnet and the at
least one magnetically attractable material, are all manufactured
from strapping.
11. The magnetic cable organizer according to claim 10, wherein the
strapping is made from one or more of: nylon, polypropylene,
polyester, cotton, wool, hemp, or leather.
12. The magnetic cable organizer according to claim 1, wherein when
the two mating surfaces are not removably brought together and the
magnetic cable organizer is not removably attached to the at least
one cable, the flexible elongate band is substantially flat.
13. A magnetic cable organizer with slits for organizing at least
one cable; wherein the magnetic cable organizer with slits
comprises: a flexible elastic elongate band, wherein the flexible
elastic elongate band comprises: an integral closed loop for
attaching the magnetic cable organizer with slits to the at least
one cable by a portion of the at least one cable passing through an
orifice formed between the integral closed loop and a portion of
the flexible elastic elongate band; wherein the integral closed
loop is formed from the flexible elastic elongate band by two
substantially parallel slits located in the flexible elastic
elongate band, wherein each slit is a through slit that has a depth
equal to a band thickness, wherein the band thickness is a
thickness of the flexible elastic elongate band; and wherein each
slit runs in a direction substantially parallel with a longitudinal
length of the flexible elastic elongate band; two terminal ends
disposed opposite of each other with the flexible elastic elongate
band disposed between the two terminal ends, with each terminal end
comprising a mating surface such that are at least two mating
surfaces; wherein one of the two mating surfaces comprises at least
one magnet and the other mating surface comprises at least one
magnetically attractable material; wherein when the two mating
surfaces are removably brought together, the flexible elastic
elongate band bends and forms a formed receiving cavity; wherein
the formed receiving cavity circumscribes at least one different
portion of the at least one cable or a portion of a different
cable; and wherein the flexible elastic elongate band, including
the integral closed loop, and the two terminals ends are all
integral with respect each other; wherein each terminal end of the
two terminals ends is located at an opposing end of the flexible
elastic elongate band.
14. A magnetic cable organizer for organizing at least one cable;
wherein the magnetic cable organizer comprises: a flexible elongate
band, wherein the flexible elongate band comprises: an integral
closed loop for attaching the magnetic cable organizer to the at
least one cable by a portion of the at least one cable passing
through an orifice formed in the integral closed loop; two terminal
ends disposed opposite of each other with the flexible elongate
band disposed between the two terminal ends, with each terminal end
comprising a mating surface such that are at least two mating
surfaces; wherein one of the two mating surfaces comprises at least
one magnet and the other mating surface comprises at least one
magnetically attractable material; wherein when the two mating
surfaces are removably brought together, the flexible elongate band
bends and forms a formed receiving cavity; wherein the formed
receiving cavity circumscribes at least one different portion of
the at least one cable or a portion of a different cable; and
wherein the flexible elongate band, including the integral closed
loop, and the two terminals ends are all integral with respect each
other; wherein each terminal end of the two terminals ends is
located at an opposing end of the flexible elongate band.
15. The magnetic cable organizer according to claim 14, wherein the
flexible elongate band, including the integral closed loop, and the
two terminal ends, excluding the at least one magnet and the at
least one magnetically attractable material, are all manufactured
from strapping.
16. The magnetic cable organizer according to claim 15, wherein the
strapping is made from one or more of: nylon, polypropylene,
polyester, cotton, wool, hemp, or leather.
17. The magnetic cable organizer according to claim 14, wherein
when the two mating surfaces are not removably brought together and
the magnetic cable organizer is not removably attached to the at
least one cable, the flexible elongate band is substantially flat.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS AND PRIORITY NOTICE
[0001] The present patent application is a continuation of U.S.
non-provisional patent application Ser. No. 14/611,254 filed on
Feb. 1, 2015, which had timely claimed priority to U.S. provisional
patent application No. 61/937,958 filed on Feb. 10, 2014.
[0002] Note, this present patent application is also related to and
claims the benefit of, PCT international patent application number
PCT/US2016/012538 filed on Jan. 7, 2016, with the U.S. Receiving
Office; wherein that PCT international patent application was a
continuation-in-part (CIP) of U.S. non-provisional patent
application Ser. No. 14/611,254 filed on Feb. 1, 2015.
[0003] Each of the above-identified three patent applications is
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety as if fully set
forth below.
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention relates in general to tools for
organizing various elongate articles and more specifically to an
elongate article holder for organizing various elongate articles
such as cables and cords by providing various elongate holder
embodiments with two separate and integral means for attaching to
articles such as cables and the like.
COPYRIGHT AND TRADEMARK NOTICE
[0005] A portion of the disclosure of this patent application may
contain material that is subject to copyright protection. The owner
has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the
patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the
Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise
reserves all copyrights whatsoever.
[0006] Certain marks referenced herein may be common law or
registered trademarks of third parties affiliated or unaffiliated
with the applicant or the assignee. Use of these marks is by way of
example and should not be construed as descriptive or to limit the
scope of this invention to material associated only with such
marks.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Along with a proliferation of consumer electronic devices
there has been an increase in the number of associated cables that
provide electrical power and data transmission to such consumer
electronic devices. As a result there is a need to manage and
organize such cables. Managing and organizing such cables includes
the need to manage and organize such cables while the cables are in
storage, while the cables are in transport, and while the cables
are in use.
[0008] The art has responded to such needs with various cable
holders and cable ties. Cable ties generally comprise a band of
some sort with two terminal ends. Such cable ties generally
function to manage and organize cables by a user first coiling the
cable and then using the cable tie's band to wrap around the coiled
cable, securing the coil. And once the cable tie's band has wrapped
around the coiled cable, the two terminal ends are secured to each
other by various securing means (e.g. twists, magnets, VELCRO
(plurality of hooks and complimentary loops), hooks, clips, snaps,
and ratchet style locking mechanisms).
[0009] For example, the art teaches various disposable cable ties,
such as short metal wires (often covered by plastic or paper)
generally referred to as twist ties. Or another example is
disposable plastic cable ties with a ratchet style locking
mechanism to secure the two terminal ends of the cable tie.
[0010] However, disposable cable ties as taught by the current
state of art created at least three new problems: (1) a problem of
waste; (2) a problem of being impractical; and (3) a problem of
being too simple such that there is a loss in functionality.
[0011] As a general rule, disposable products in contrast to a
comparable reusable product create excessive waste, putting
additional pressure on limited resources, such as land-fill space.
To address this problem, the art does teach reusable cable
ties.
[0012] However, the problem with reusable cable ties, as currently
taught, is the cost to produce reusable cable ties is significantly
higher than comparable disposable cable ties. It would be desirable
to produce a reusable cable holder with a manufacturing cost on the
same order of magnitude as current disposable cable ties or at the
very least cheaper than current reusable cable holder manufacturing
costs.
[0013] For situations that involve the repetitive need to manage
and organize cables, use of disposable cable ties which are not
reusable becomes impractical. For example, consider a user who on a
daily basis transports a plurality of electronic devices to and
from work, such as a laptop, smartphone, and tablet device--all
each having their own cables. It would be impractical for the user
to use non-reusable cable ties in this all too common scenario and
thus it would be desirable to have a cable holder which may be
reusable.
[0014] Additionally, because disposable cable ties are made with a
primary purpose of keeping manufacturing costs down, such
disposable cable ties have only a bare minimum of functionality,
such as the band with the means for securing the two terminal ends
to each other, and with no additional features nor functionality,
e.g. twist ties. Thus, the goal of making a cable tie disposable
has an inherent problem of providing less functionality to best
manage and organize cables, which results from keeping
manufacturing costs to a minimum.
[0015] In order to combat this problem of over simplicity
associated with existing disposable cable ties, it would be
desirable to provide a cable holder with two separate means for
attaching to a respective cable. The first means of attaching such
a cable holder to a cable has already been discussed above, i.e.
the band like structure which may wrap around the coiled cable and
the terminal ends then being secured to each other to secure the
coils together.
[0016] It would be desirable if an additional attachment means were
utilized, such that the cable holder could first be attached to a
cable, whether the cable was coiled or not, such that the cable
holder would necessarily always be present when the cable needed to
be coiled, e.g. such that the cable holder and the cable may be
removably paired together. By "additional attachment means,"
reference to using a second fastening means is intended that may be
independent of a cable holder's ability to wrap around a cable or
coil. However, where the art has added such an additional
attachment feature, the art has utilized additional connection
hardware (e.g. snaps and clips), not integral to the cable holder
itself and thus such cable holders that currently exist in the art,
with an additional attachment feature, are considerably more
expensive to manufacture than the too simple disposable cable ties,
such as twist ties. It would be desirable to provide a cable holder
with an additional attachment means which is integral to the cable
holder and thus minimizes increases in manufacturing cost.
[0017] Additionally, because the art has used additional connection
hardware to achieve the additional attachment feature, such as
snaps and clips, this creates two other problems: (1) rigidity; and
(2) unnecessary complexity or too much complexity. The use of snaps
and clips as means of connecting a cable holder to a cable includes
an inherent property of the snap and clip which is rigidity. And
rigidity necessarily means a limit to the diameter of cable which
the snap and clip may attach to, i.e. some cable diameters will be
too large and some too small for a given rigid snap or clip to
attach to. In other words such existing snaps and clips, which are
rigid, have no adjustability feature because of the rigidity.
[0018] In contrast, if the additional attachment feature was
achieved with an elastic stretchable material, a greater array of
cable diameters could be accommodated, which increases the
usefulness of such a cable holder. Further, the use of a rigid snap
or clip also generally permits the snap or clip to slide along the
longitudinal length of the attached to cable which may be
undesirable because there is a loss in the ability to keep the
cable holder in a fixed position with respect to the cable. It
would be desirable if the additional attachment means included a
friction device to limit such longitudinal sliding along a given
length of cable. And lastly, realizing the additional attachment
feature by use of additional connection hardware tends to result in
an overall cable holder which is unnecessarily complex and thus the
art has moved from being too simplistic with the disposable cable
ties to being too complex with cable holders that include an
additional attachment feature. It would be desirable to provide a
cable holder with an additional attachment means where such a
feature retains operational simplicity, but without comprising
functionality.
[0019] Additionally, with respect to cable ties with ratchet style
locking mechanisms, such disposable cable ties have a problem of
the locking mechanism being unlockable. Thus if a locking mechanism
is locked too tightly or simply locked by mistake, such locking
cannot be undone and may require the too tight cable tie being
cut-off and a new cable tie utilized. Thus it would be desirable to
provide a cable holder which may be removably coupled to a given
cable.
[0020] Further, plastic cable ties have a problem which arises from
using plastic as a material of construction because while plastics
can be manufactured with a geometry to provide a flexible cable
tie, such cable ties are not elastic, which limits the size of
circumference that the cable tie's band may circumscribe. That is
many plastic formulations as a material of construction does not
provide much ability to stretch the material to wrap around a
larger bundle of cables. However, plastic cable ties, despite not
being stretchable, may be a durable choice of material of
construction. It would be desirable if cable holder exhibited
elastic properties to accommodate stretching around a greater range
of circumferences per a given length the band of such a cable
holder. Additionally, it would be desirable for such a material of
construction to also be a durable material of construction, so the
material may also realize the reusable objective.
[0021] The art also teaches use of a means for removably securing
the two terminal ends of the band using magnets. Use of magnets
does provide the benefit of operational simplicity. However, such
magnetic cable holding devices as currently taught by the art do
exhibit a number of problems.
[0022] For example, in one such cable holder the magnets are housed
in a tubular sheath and also require a backing plate to maintain
the magnets in proper location within the tubular sheath. Such
related art thus provides excessive limitations within the cable
holder device. It would be desirable to provide a magnetic cable
holder that does not require housing the magnets in a tubular
sheath and also does not require use of any backing plates.
[0023] Additionally in some of the related art of magnetic cable
holders, the magnets used have a substantial surface exposed to the
environment. Exposing a surface of the magnet to the environment
creates several problems. Such exposure increases the probability
of the magnet escaping the cable holder and rendering the cable
holder non-functional. And such exposure increases the amount wear,
tear, and possible damage to the magnet, i.e. exposing the magnet's
surface lowers the cable holder's durability. It would be desirable
to provide a magnetic cable holder where the surfaces of the magnet
are substantially protected from the environment.
[0024] To a certain degree the art has responded to this exposure
of a surface of the magnets by completely enclosing the magnets
within the two terminal regions of a band. While completely
enclosing the magnets is one solution to the problems associated
with exposing a magnet surface to the environment, such a solution
creates a new problem.
[0025] By completely enclosing the magnet within a material, there
is an inherent decrease in magnetic closure strength because of the
additional distance between the magnets and the terminal surface
(outer surface), which separates the magnets further in distance
when the cable holder is closed. As is well known even a small
change in the distance separating two magnets has a great impact
upon the magnetic field as magnetic field strength is inversely
proportional to the square of the separation distance.
Additionally, completely enclosing magnets also forces the magnetic
field to pass through a solid material which also may decrease the
strength of the magnetic field.
[0026] One solution to this decrease in magnetic closure strength
may be to use stronger magnets. However, that solution increases
manufacturing costs and makes the cable holder bigger and heavier.
An alternate solution may be to enclose the magnets within a thin
surface. However, such an approach would increase the chances of
surface tear and lower the cable holder's durability. It would be
desirable to provide a magnetic cable holder where the substantial
surfaces of the magnet may not only be protected from the
environment, but where the manner of protecting the magnets from
the environment may be durable and may not diminish the magnetic
closure strength as much as totally enclosing the magnet within a
material of construction would diminish the magnetic closure
strength.
[0027] There is a need in the art for a cable holder which can
provide the various desirable features and objectives as described
above.
[0028] It is to these ends that the present invention has been
developed.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0029] To minimize the limitations in the prior art, and to
minimize other limitations that will be apparent upon reading and
understanding the present specification, the present invention may
describe a portable elongate article holder (elongate article
holder) comprising structure to organize an elongate article. Such
an elongate article holder may comprise a flexible nonmagnetic
band, along with two terminal ends disposed opposite of each other.
Various means of securing the two terminal ends to each other may
be disclosed, such that the band may wrap around the elongate
article or coils of the elongate article and by doing so the
elongate article may be removably held.
[0030] In various exemplary embodiments this means of securing the
two terminal ends may be provided by magnets (or at least two
magnetic regions), located in a respective cavity in each
respective terminal end, where such magnets may be substantially
protected from environmental harm while simultaneously maintaining
magnetic closure strength by use of a plurality of tubular
apertures which run from the cavity housing the magnet to a mating
surface of a respective terminal end.
[0031] Further, in some embodiments, the elongate article holder's
band may also comprise an integral closed loop which may be an
additional and independent, means for removably attaching to the
elongate article, which may operate by passing a portion of the
elongate article through an inner circumference of the integral
closed loop. Furthermore in some embodiments, the integral closed
loop may frictionally grip the portion of the elongate article
passing through the inner circumference of the integral closed loop
so as to maintain the elongate article holder and the elongate
article in a desired conformation (i.e. in a relative fixed
position).
[0032] It is an objective of the present invention to provide an
elongate article holder with two separate, but complimentary means,
for attaching to a respective elongate article.
[0033] It is another objective of the present invention to provide
an elongate article holder where the two separate, but
complimentary means, for attaching to the respective elongate
article are each integral with the elongate article holder, such
that both attachment means do not require use of additional
connection hardware.
[0034] It is another objective of the present invention to provide
an elongate article holder where the first means of attaching to
the elongate article allows the elongate article and the elongate
article holder to remain in a fixed position with respect to each
other, by providing frictional resistance to mitigate the elongate
article holder sliding along the longitudinal length of the
elongate article. That is, it may be an objective to removably pair
the elongate article holder with the article, such that the two may
be associated with each other.
[0035] It is another objective of the present invention to provide
an elongate article holder where a second means of attaching to the
elongate article allows may comprise wrapping (circumscribing) a
length of the elongate article holder around the article(s) or coil
of article(s) and having the two terminal ends of the elongate
article holder removably attach to each other.
[0036] It is another objective of the present invention to provide
an elongate article holder where both of the two attachment means
may be removably coupled to the elongate article, such that the
elongate article holder may be completely removed from the elongate
article.
[0037] It is another objective of the present invention to provide
an elongate article holder where in some exemplary embodiments the
primary material of construction exhibits an elastic property, such
that the elongate article holder may be stretched to accommodate
both elongate articles with a variety of diameters and to
accommodate coils and bundles of elongate articles that would may
require a large length of the elongate article holder's band to
circumscribe (wrap around) such a coil or bundle of article(s).
[0038] It is another objective of the present invention to provide
an elongate article holder in exemplary embodiments which may
utilize a magnet or magnets to removably couple the two terminal
ends of the elongate article holder, where such magnets need not be
housed in a tubular sheath.
[0039] It is another objective of the present invention to provide
an elongate article holder in exemplary embodiments which may
utilize a magnet or magnets to removably couple the two terminal
ends of the elongate article holder, where such embodiments require
no use of backing plates.
[0040] It is another objective of the present invention to provide
an elongate article holder in exemplary embodiments which my
utilize a magnet or magnets to removably couple the two terminal
ends of the elongate article holder, where the surfaces of such
magnets are substantially protected from the environment, but while
still maintaining the magnetic closure strength necessary for the
removable coupling of the two terminal ends.
[0041] It is another objective of the present invention to provide
an elongate article holder where the choices of material of
construction employed and overall elongate article holder geometry
results in an elongate article holder that may be durable.
[0042] It is another objective of the present invention to provide
an elongate article holder that may be operationally simple to use
while providing the full functionality of having two separate
attachments means.
[0043] It is yet another objective of the present invention to
provide an elongate article holder that may be reusable, but with
relatively low manufacturing costs, on the order of magnitude of
the costs associated with manufacturing disposable cable ties or at
least less expensive that current reusable cable ties.
[0044] These and other advantages and features of the present
invention are described herein with specificity so as to make the
present invention understandable to one of ordinary skill in the
art.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0045] Elements in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to
scale in order to enhance their clarity and improve understanding
of these various elements and embodiments of the invention.
Furthermore, elements that are known to be common and well
understood to those in the industry are not depicted in order to
provide a clear view of the various embodiments of the
invention.
[0046] FIG. 1A may depict an exemplary embodiment of a portable
elongate article holder (elongate article holder) with a portion of
an elongate article may be passing through an orifice formed in
part from an integral closed loop of the elongate article holder,
shown from a perspective view.
[0047] FIG. 1B may depict the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1A,
wherein the elongate article holder with the portion of the
elongate article passing through the orifice formed in part from
the integral closed loop where the elongate article holder may be
laying open and on top of a coil of the elongate article, shown
from a top view.
[0048] FIG. 1C may depict the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1A,
wherein the elongate article holder with the portion of the
elongate article passing through the orifice formed in part from
the integral closed loop where the elongate article holder may be
closed, such that the elongate article holder may now be holding
the coil of the elongate article, shown from a top view.
[0049] FIG. 2A may depict an exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1A, of
the elongate article holder, shown from a perspective view. An
elongate article upon which the elongate article holder operates is
not depicted in FIG. 2A.
[0050] FIG. 2B may depict an exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1A, of
the elongate article holder, shown from a top view. The portion of
the elongate article may be shown passing through the integral
closed loop of the elongate article holder.
[0051] FIG. 2C may depict an exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1A, of
the elongate article holder, shown from a longitudinal
cross-sectional side view. An elongate article upon which the
elongate article holder operates is not depicted.
[0052] FIG. 2D may depict an exemplary embodiment of a first
terminal end and a second terminal end of the elongate article
holder prior to removably coupling the two terminal ends to each
other, shown from a cross-sectional side view. An elongate article
upon which the elongate article holder operates is not
depicted.
[0053] FIG. 2E may depict the exemplary embodiment of the first
terminal end and the second terminal end of FIG. 2D, wherein the
two terminal ends may be removably coupled to each other, shown
from a cross-sectional side view. An elongate article upon which
the elongate article holder operates is not depicted.
[0054] FIG. 3 may depict the exemplary embodiment of the elongate
article holder of FIG. 1A or FIG. 2A as the first terminal end and
the second terminal end may be being brought in proximity of each
other, such that a formed receiving cavity may be created, shown
from a cross-sectional side view. This formed receiving cavity may
circumscribe (wrap around) various elongate articles and/or coils
of elongate articles. An elongate article upon which the elongate
article holder operates is not depicted.
[0055] FIG. 4A may depict an exemplary embodiment of an elongate
article holder, shown from a longitudinal cross-sectional side
view. The embodiment of FIG. 4A may have a different terminal end
orientation that the embodiment of FIG. 1A or FIG. 2A. An elongate
article upon which the elongate article holder operates is not
depicted.
[0056] FIG. 4B may depict the exemplary embodiment of the elongate
article holder of FIG. 4A as a first terminal end and a second
terminal end may be being brought in proximity of each other, such
that a formed receiving cavity may be created, shown from a
longitudinal cross-sectional side view. An elongate article upon
which the elongate article holder operates is not depicted.
REFERENCE NUMERAL LISTING/SCHEDULE
[0057] 100 elongate article holder 100 (e.g. portable elongate
article holder 100) [0058] 101 flexible non-magnetic band 101
[0059] 102 first terminal end 102 [0060] 103 second terminal end
103 [0061] 104 integral closed loop 104 [0062] 105 first
longitudinal length 105 [0063] 106 first transverse width 106
[0064] 107 second longitudinal length 107 [0065] 108 second
transverse width 108 [0066] 109 first longitudinal slot 109 [0067]
110 second longitudinal slot 110 [0068] 111 first mating surface
111 [0069] 112 second mating surface 112 [0070] 113 tubular
aperture 113 [0071] 114 first magnet 114 or magnetically
attractable material 114 [0072] 115 first cavity 115 [0073] 116
second magnet 116 or magnetically attractable material 116 [0074]
117 second cavity 117 [0075] 118 first un-coupled thickness 118
[0076] 118a first coupled thickness 118a (e.g. magnetically
compressed coupled thickness 118a) [0077] 119 second un-coupled
thickness 119 [0078] 120 first back thickness 120 [0079] 121 second
back thickness 121 [0080] 122 formed receiving cavity 122 [0081]
123 terminal end thickness 123 [0082] 124 band thickness 124 [0083]
125 orifice 125 [0084] 126 tubular dimple 126 [0085] 400 elongate
article holder 400 [0086] 401 flexible non-magnetic band 401 [0087]
402 first terminal end 402 [0088] 403 second terminal end 403
[0089] 411 first mating surface 411 [0090] 412 second mating
surface 412 [0091] 413 tubular aperture 413 [0092] 414 first magnet
414 or magnetically attractable material 414 [0093] 415 first
cavity 415 [0094] 416 second magnet 116 or magnetically attractable
material 416 [0095] 417 second cavity 417 [0096] 422 formed
receiving cavity 422 [0097] 900 elongate article 900 (e.g. data
transmission cable 900 and/or power charging cable 900)
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0098] A portable elongate article holder (elongate article holder)
comprising structure to organize at least one or more elongate
articles is discussed and disclosed. A main subcategory of elongate
articles may be cables, such as data transmission and electrical
power transmission cables for various electronic devices. Another
subcategory of elongate articles may be cords, such as electrical
power cords, extension cords, and the like. Another subcategory of
elongate articles may be cords of medical devices. Another
subcategory of elongate articles may be cords, wires, and/or cables
for transmitting auditory signals (e.g. earphones and
headphones).
[0099] In various exemplary embodiments, such an elongate article
holder may comprise a flexible non-magnetic band, two terminal ends
(e.g. a first terminal end and a second terminal end), and a means
for removably coupling the terminal ends to each other. The two
terminal ends and the flexible non-magnetic band may all be in
physical communication with each other, such that each of these
elements may all physically connect to each other and do so within
a same longitudinal length. Each of these elements may be briefly
discussed below.
[0100] In various further exemplary embodiments, the flexible
non-magnetic band may further comprise an integral closed loop for
attaching the portable elongate article holder to the elongate
article. In such embodiments, a portion of the elongate article may
be passed through an orifice formed by the integral close loop and
flexible non-magnetic band. Such a passing through may result in
the elongate article holder becoming removably attached to the
elongate article. By "integral" it may be intended that the
flexible non-magnetic band and the integral closed loop may be
manufactured as a single part, i.e. as a single article of
manufacture. Furthermore in some exemplary embodiments, such a
single article of manufacture may be of a single material of
construction.
[0101] Spatially, the integral closed loop may be located within
the flexible non-magnetic band and disposed between the two
terminal ends. The integral closed loop may have a characteristic
length and width. Where the flexible non-magnetic band may comprise
a first longitudinal length and first transverse width that may be
substantially perpendicular with each other. The longitudinal
length of the flexible non-magnetic band may be a major length of
the flexible non-magnetic band. And the first transverse width may
be a major width of the flexible non-magnetic band. The integral
closed loop may comprise a second longitudinal length and a second
transverse width, substantially perpendicular to each other. In
various exemplary embodiments, the second longitudinal length may
be less than or equal to the first longitudinal length. In various
exemplary embodiments, the second transverse width is less than the
first transverse width. Additionally, the second longitudinal
length may be substantially parallel to the first longitudinal
length.
[0102] Note, when "substantially" may be used with respect to
parallel or perpendicular, such use may simply denote that elements
may not be technically absolutely parallel or perpendicular, but
may diverge from technical absolute parallelism or perpendicularism
by two degrees or less.
[0103] Furthermore, in some exemplary embodiments, the integral
closed loop may be formed by employing (locating) two slots or
slits in the flexible non-magnetic band that wherein each slot may
be substantially parallel to the other slot. In some embodiments,
each slot may comprise a depth equal to a band thickness, wherein
the band thickness may be a thickness of the flexible non-magnetic
band. Additionally, in some embodiments, each slot may be
substantially parallel to the first longitudinal length, which then
may necessarily result in formation of the integral closed loop as
described above. That is, when the flexible non-magnetic band and
the integral closed loop are not under any load or stress, each may
share a same longitudinal plane concurrently.
[0104] Further still, in some exemplary embodiments, the second
longitudinal length, along with a chosen material of construction
(e.g. silicone or other elastomer) may allow the integral closed
loop to frictionally grip the portion of the elongate article which
may passes through the orifice. Such frictional gripping may result
in a tendency for the elongate article holder and the elongate
article to maintain a fixed position with respect to each
other.
[0105] In some embodiments, each of the two terminal ends, the
first terminal end and the second terminal end, may comprise a
respective mating surface, i.e. a first mating surface and a second
mating surface. The means for removably coupling the two mating
surfaces to each other may permit the first mating surface and the
second mating surface to come into physical contact with each other
and such that each mating surface may be parallel to the other
respective mating surface.
[0106] Removably coupling the first terminal end to the second
terminal end may result in the flexible non-magnetic band creating
(forming) a formed receiving cavity that may hold an elongate
article or coil of elongate article within the formed receiving
cavity. The formed receiving cavity may circumscribe at least one
different portion of the elongate article (different from the
portion that may be passing through the orifice) that may be held
by the orifice; or the formed receiving cavity may circumscribe a
portion of a different elongate article. In some further exemplary
embodiments, where the flexible non-magnetic band may comprise an
etastic property, the created formed receiving cavity may more
securely hold the elongate article or coil of elongate article.
[0107] The means for removably coupling the first terminal end to
the second terminal end may comprise use of VELCRO (e.g. a
plurality of hooks on one mating surface complimentary to a
plurality of hoops located on the other mating surface), magnets
(or a magnet and magnetically attractable material), clasps, snaps,
clips or any combination of the like affixed to each respective
mating surface that may be suitable for removably coupling each
mating surface to the other.
[0108] In various exemplary embodiments, the means for removably
coupling the first terminal end to the second terminal may utilize
magnets, or one magnet and one magnetically attractable material.
In such embodiments, the use of a magnet, magnets, or magnet and
magnetically attractable material, may provide for a magnetic
closing strength between the two terminal ends, such that the two
terminal ends may removably couple to each other. In either
embodiment, the magnets or the one magnet and one magnetically
attractable material may be housed in a respective cavity located
in each of the respective terminal ends.
[0109] In order to protect such employed magnets (and/or
magnetically attractable material) from environmental harm due to
possible contact with the environment, the surfaces of such magnets
and the magnets themselves may be substantially isolated from
direct physical contact with the environment by the cavity
partially enclosing the magnet (and/or magnetically attractable
material) and functionally encapsulating a given magnet (and/or
magnetically attractable material) within a respective terminal
end. Use of "substantially" here may note that the magnet may not
be entirely enclosed, as each terminal end may comprise one or more
tubular apertures, which do permit some communication with external
environments.
[0110] In embodiments, not necessarily exemplary, where the magnets
are totally encapsulated within a cavity of each terminal end, a
problem may arise in that total encapsulation necessarily reduces
the magnetic closure strength by increasing the distance between
the magnets and the terminal's surface by a thickness of the
encapsulating material(s) and forcing the magnetic field to pass
through a solid material. Given a same temperature and pressure, a
solid material inherently has lower electromagnetic field
permeability than a gas like air.
[0111] Further, in order to avoid the above problem created by
total encapsulation of the magnets in the terminal end cavities,
but while still protecting the magnets from environmental harm, a
partial enclosure solution may maintain magnetic closure strength
by utilizing a plurality of apertures, such as tubular apertures,
which may run from a given mating surface to the cavity housing a
given magnet. Use of such tubular apertures which may contain air
(within the aperture void) may help to facilitate magnetic field
strength, since magnetic field strength is diminished less in air
than through a solid material.
[0112] For example and without limiting the scope of the present
invention, the first terminal end may house a first magnet in a
first cavity. The plurality of apertures may comprise three
distinct tubular apertures running directly from the first mating
surface to the first cavity. Such a geometric arrangement may be
repeated on the second terminal end where a second magnet
(magnetically attractable material) may be similarly housed. Then
when the first mating surface may be brought together with the
second mating surface, the presence of the six tubular apertures
may operate in at least two ways to preserve the magnetic closure
strength of the resulting removable coupling. First, the six
tubular apertures may provide a region where the resulting void
space is only filled with air which may hinder the magnetic field
lines less than a solid material. Second, the six tubular apertures
may facilitate the magnetic coupling to compress the material in
between the two magnets more so as compared to a structure with no
tubular apertures (because there is less solid material to compress
by using such tubular apertures), allowing for an even stronger
magnetic coupling by reducing the separation distance between the
magnets. Note, the second operation of material compression may be
dependent upon the terminal end's material of construction
including an elastic property which permits compressibility, such
as some silicone formulations.
[0113] In various exemplary embodiments, each tubular aperture may
have a two dimensional shaped opening wherein the two dimensional
shaped opening may be continuously propagated through an entire
length of each tubular aperture. Additionally, the two dimensional
shaped opening may be selected from a group consisting of a polygon
(regular and/or irregular), a circle, an ellipse, an amorphous
arcuate shape, and the like. That is, the tubular apertures may
have different shapes but still function as the tubular aperture
described above.
[0114] In various exemplary embodiments, the first terminal end,
the flexible non-magnetic band, the second terminal end, the first
mating surface, the second mating surface, and the integral closed
loop may all comprise the same materials of construction.
Furthermore, such materials of construction may be a single
material. For example, various plastics may provide the requisite
flexibility. But in other exemplary embodiments where elasticity
may be desired, then the material of construction may comprise a
rubber latex compound, a silicone elastomer compound, a neoprene
compound, and the like.
[0115] In the exemplary embodiment using two magnets within
respective cavities, the first terminal end, the flexible
non-magnetic band, the second terminal end, the first mating
surface, the second mating surface, and the integral closed loop
may all be molded as a single part, with the magnets inserted prior
to mold closure. And such a mold may also accommodate creating the
plurality of apertures located in each terminal end for maintaining
magnetic closure strength.
[0116] In other embodiments, the first terminal end, the flexible
non-magnetic band, the second terminal end, the first mating
surface, the second mating surface, and the integral closed loop
may be formed from strapping (e.g. a woven strip of nylon strap).
Strapping may be synthetic or natural. Typical synthetic strapping
materials include nylon, polypropylene, and polyester. Typical
natural strapping materials include cotton, wool, hemp, and
leather. The two terminal ends with respective mating surface may
be formed by folding over the ends of a length of strapping and
either then sewing the edges to form the terminal ends or using
ultrasonic welding if the strapping may be synthetic. The integral
closed loop may be formed by cutting slots or slits into the
flexible non-magnetic band or by sewing or ultrasonically welding
another piece of strapping onto the flexible non-magnetic band
portion of strapping. Furthermore, the terminal regions may utilize
various removable closure means, such as, but not limited to,
VELCRO, clips, snaps, hooks, buttons, and the like as the removable
coupling means.
[0117] In embodiments using magnets, the plurality of apertures
could be cut into the respective mating surfaces--although the
desirable compression feature when the two mating surfaces are
brought together may not be realized when using strapping, as many
strapping materials of construction may not be elastic. Note, such
strapping may provide the requisite flexibility and generally may
not provide elasticity and thus may not an exemplary material of
construction for some embodiments of the present invention.
[0118] Note with respect to materials of construction, it is not
desired nor intended to thereby unnecessarily limit the present
invention by reason of such restricted disclosure.
[0119] In the following discussion that addresses a number of
embodiments and applications of the present invention, reference is
made to the accompanying drawings that form a part thereof, where
depictions are made, by way of illustration, of specific
embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be
understood that other embodiments may be utilized and changes may
be made without departing from the scope of the invention.
[0120] FIG. 1A may depict an exemplary embodiment of portable
elongate article holder (elongate article holder) 100 with a
portion of elongate article 900 passing through an orifice 125
formed in part from integral closed loop 104 of elongate article
holder 100, shown from a perspective view.
[0121] FIG. 1B may depict an exemplary embodiment of elongate
article holder 100 with the portion of elongate article 900 passing
through orifice 125 (not depicted in FIG. 1B) and where elongate
article holder 100 may be may be laying open and on top of a coil
of elongate article 900, shown from a top view.
[0122] FIG. 1C may depict an exemplary embodiment of elongate
article holder 100 with a portion of elongate article 900 passing
through orifice 125 (not depicted in FIG. 1C) and where elongate
article holder 100 may be closed forming the formed receiving
cavity, such that elongate article holder 100 may be now holding
the coil of elongate article 900 within the formed receiving
cavity, shown from a top view.
[0123] In some exemplary embodiments, elongate article holder 100
may comprise a flexible non-magnetic band 101, two terminal ends
(e.g. first terminal end 102 and second terminal end 103), and a
means for removably coupling the two terminal ends together. In
some exemplary embodiments, flexible non-magnetic band 101 may
comprise integral closed loop 104. In some exemplary embodiments,
integral closed loop 104 may be for attaching portable elongate
article holder 100 to elongate article 900 by a portion of the
elongate article 900 passing through an orifice 125. Orifice 125
may be formed between integral closed loop 104 and a portion of the
flexible non-magnetic band 101. The two terminal ends may be
disposed opposite of each other with flexible non-magnetic band 101
disposed between the two terminal ends, with each terminal end
comprising a mating surface (e.g. first mating surface 111 and
second mating surface 112, respectively). Each terminal end may be
structurally and functionally equivalent and/or identical. Each
mating surface may be structurally and functionally equivalent
and/or identical.
[0124] When the means for removably coupling the two terminal
surfaces together (or for removably coupling the two mating
surfaces together), has the two mating surfaces removably coupled
together, each mating surface may be in physical contact with each
other and each mating surface may be substantially parallel with
each other. When the two mating surfaces may be removably coupled
to each other, flexible non-magnetic band 101 may form a formed
receiving cavity 122. Formed receiving cavity 122 may circumscribe
at least one different portion of elongate article 900 or a portion
of a different elongate article 900.
[0125] In some exemplary embodiments, flexible non-magnetic band
101, including the integral closed loop 104, and the two terminals
ends may all be integral with respect each other.
[0126] In some embodiments, flexible non-magnetic band 101,
including integral closed loop 104, and the two terminal ends may
be all manufactured as a single article of manufacture.
[0127] The FIG. 1 series of figures taken together may illustrate
an exemplary use of elongate article holder 100 in how elongate
article holder 100 may hold, manage, and/or organize one or more
elongate articles 900. Some exemplary uses may comprise at least
three steps. If it may be desirable to maintain elongate article
900 and elongate article holder 100 in relative fixed positions
with respect to each other, e.g. it may be desirable to have
elongate article 900 and elongate article holder 100 travel
together so elongate article holder 100 may be always available for
use in holding elongate article 900, then the first step may be to
insert a portion, e.g. an end, of elongate article 900 through
orifice 125. See e.g., FIG. 1A. Once the portion of elongate
article 900 may be inserted through orifice 125, elongate article
900 may be removably coupled to elongate article holder 100. This
may be the configuration depicted in FIG. 1A.
[0128] In some embodiments, orifice 125 may frictionally holds the
portion of the elongate article 900 removably passing through
orifice 125, such that the elongate article 900 and the portable
elongate article holder 100 remain in a fixed position with respect
to each other.
[0129] Further, in various exemplary embodiments, integral closed
loop 104 may be dimensionally sized such that integral closed loop
104 may frictionally grip the portion of elongate article 900 which
may be inserted through orifice 125.
[0130] Additionally, the choice of material of construction of
integral closed loop 104 and flexible non-magnetic band 101 may be
such that the frictional gripping property may benhanced, e.g.
various latex rubbers and silicones may have gripping
properties.
[0131] In some embodiments, when elongate article holder 100 may be
substantially constructed from an elastomer material of
construction, such as a rubber or silicone, wherein such materials
of constructions may comprise an inherent quality of being tacky
with respect to the sheathing materials of construction typical of
cables, sliding movement between orifice 125 and article 900 may be
minimized. In addition or alternatively, in some embodiments, when
elongate article holder 100 may be substantially constructed from
an elastomer material of construction, such as silicone, orifice
125 may elastically grip the portion of elongate article 900
passing through orifice 125. Thus, in some embodiments, the
frictional holding capacity of orifice 125 may be at in part
derived from choice of elongate article holder 100 material of
construction.
[0132] In the second exemplary step, elongate article 900 may be
coiled.
[0133] And in the third exemplary step, coiled elongate article 900
may be held securely by wrapping flexible non-magnetic band 101
around coiled elongate article 900, allowing first terminal end 102
to removably couple with second terminal end 103. This may be the
configuration depicted in FIG. 1C. The depiction shown in FIG. 1B
may be an intermediary step in arriving at this third exemplary
step, where in FIG. 1B elongate article holder 100 may be placed on
top of coiled elongate article 900 in preparation of wrapping
flexible non-magnetic band 101 around coiled elongate article 900.
In some embodiments, wrapping flexible non-magnetic band 101 around
coiled elongate article 900 such that the first mating surface 111
may be removably coupled to second mating surface 112 may form
formed receiving cavity 122 (shown e.g. in FIG. 3), wherein the
formed receiving cavity 122 may circumscribe coiled elongate
article 900.
[0134] Note, depending upon the thickness or diameter of coiled
elongate article 900, flexible non-magnetic band 101 may wrap
around coiled elongate article 900 more than once.
[0135] Additionally, in exemplary embodiments where flexible
non-magnetic band 101 may have an elastic property, flexible
non-magnetic band 101 may hold coiled elongate article 900 more
securely than flexible non-magnetic band 101 without an elastic
property.
[0136] By flexible non-magnetic band 101 wrapping around and
holding coiled elongate article 900 (e.g. by forming formed
receiving cavity 122), elongate article 900 may be maintained in an
organized fashion by elongate article holder 100.
[0137] Now turning to a discussion of the FIG. 2 series of figures.
FIG. 2A may depict the exemplary embodiment of elongate article
holder 100, shown from a perspective view. Elongate article 900
upon which the elongate article holder 100 operates may be not
depicted in FIG. 2A.
[0138] FIG. 2B may depict the exemplary embodiment of elongate
article holder 100, shown from a top view. A portion of elongate
article 900 may also be shown passing through orifice 125, although
because of the top view, orifice 125 may not be readily
visible.
[0139] FIG. 2C may depict the exemplary embodiment of elongate
article holder 100, shown from a longitudinal cross-sectional side
view. Elongate article 900 upon which the elongate article holder
100 operates may not be depicted in FIG. 2C.
[0140] FIG. 2D may depict an exemplary embodiment of first terminal
end 102 and second terminal end 103 of elongate article holder 100
prior to removably coupling the two terminal ends to each other,
shown from a cross-sectional side view. Elongate article 900 upon
which the elongate article holder 100 operates may not be depicted
in FIG. 2D.
[0141] FIG. 2E may depict the exemplary embodiment of first
terminal end 102 and second terminal end 103 of elongate article
holder 100 where the two terminal ends may be removably coupled to
each other, shown from a cross-sectional side view. Elongate
article 900 upon which the elongate article holder 100 operates may
not be depicted in FIG. 2E.
[0142] Note, FIG. 2A through FIG. 2C may depict the various
geometry and structure of elongate article holder 100. While FIG.
2D and FIG. 2E may be intended to demonstrate a compression feature
of elongate article holder 100 that may occur in some exemplary
embodiments when first terminal end 102 and second terminal end 103
may be removably coupled. Also note, in FIG. 2A through FIG. 2C
tubular dimple 126 may be depicted, but in FIG. 2D and FIG. 2E
tubular aperture 113 may be depicted.
[0143] In the FIG. 2 series of figures, elongate article holder 100
may comprise flexible non-magnetic band 101, first terminal end
102, second terminal end 103, and a means for removably coupling
first terminal end 102 to second terminal end 103. First terminal
end 102, flexible non-magnetic band 101, and second terminal end
103 may all be in communication with each other, such that each of
these three elements may all physically connect to each other and
may do so within the same longitudinal length when elongate article
holder 100 may not be holding elongate article 900.
[0144] In some embodiments, flexible non-magnetic band 101 may
comprise first longitudinal length 105 and first transverse width
106 which may be substantially perpendicular to first longitudinal
length 105. In some embodiments, first longitudinal length 105 may
be a major length of flexible non-magnetic band 101. In some
embodiments, first transverse width 106 may be a major width of
flexible non-magnetic band 101. See e.g., FIG. 1A.
[0145] In various further exemplary embodiments, flexible
non-magnetic band 101 may further comprise integral closed loop 104
for attaching elongate article holder 100 to elongate article 900.
In such embodiments, a portion of elongate article 900 may be
passed through orifice 125, which may be formed in part from
integral closed loop 104 and thus result in elongate article holder
100 removably coupling to elongate article 900.
[0146] In some embodiments, integral closed loop 104 may be formed
from flexible non-magnetic band 101 by placing (locating) two
substantially parallel slots in flexible non-magnetic band 101. In
some embodiments, each slot may comprise a depth of about equal to
a band thickness 124 (see e.g., FIG. 2A). "About equal" may mean
such slots may pass entirely through band thickness 124. In some
embodiments, each such slot may run in a direction substantially
parallel with a longitudinal length of flexible non-magnetic band
101.
[0147] In some embodiments, the two substantially parallel slots
may be first longitudinal slot 109 and second longitudinal slot
110. See e.g., FIG. 2A. In some embodiments, the two substantially
parallel slots need not have a same length, but instead may have
two different lengths.
[0148] In some embodiments, integral closed loop 104 may be formed
by employing two slots or slits (e.g. first longitudinal slot 109
and second longitudinal slot 110) in flexible non-magnetic band 101
that may be substantially parallel to first longitudinal length
105. Such slots (slits) may necessarily result in formation of
integral closed loop 104 when the slot depth may be at least equal
to band thickness 124. When flexible non-magnetic band 101 and
integral closed loop 104 may not be under any load or stress, each
may share a same concurrent longitudinal plane.
[0149] In some embodiments, integral closed loop 104 may be located
within flexible non-magnetic band 101 and disposed between first
terminal end 102 and second terminal end 103. Integral closed loop
104 may comprise a characteristic length and width, second
longitudinal length 107 and second transverse width 108,
respectively. See e.g., FIG. 1A.
[0150] In various exemplary embodiments, e.g. FIG. 2A, second
longitudinal length 107 may be less than or equal to first
longitudinal length 105. In various exemplary embodiments, second
transverse width 108 may be less than first transverse width 106.
In some embodiments, second longitudinal length 107 may be
substantially parallel to first longitudinal length 105. In some
embodiments, first longitudinal slot 109, second longitudinal slot
110, first longitudinal length 105, and second longitudinal length
107 may all be substantially parallel to each other.
[0151] Orifice 125 may be formed from integral closed loop 104 and
portions of flexible non-magnetic band 101 immediately proximate to
integral closed loop 104. In some embodiments, the portions of
flexible non-magnetic band 101 immediately proximate to integral
closed loop 104 may be regions of flexible non-magnetic band 101
immediately adjacent, i.e. in physical contact, to first
longitudinal slot 109 and second longitudinal slot 110,
respectively. Note in FIG. 1A orifice 125 may be present; whereas,
in FIG. 2A orifice 125 may not be present. In some embodiments, in
order for orifice 125 to be present, some force must push integral
closed loop 104 and the portions of flexible non-magnetic band 101
immediately proximate to integral closed loop 104 in opposing
directions to form orifice 125. For example, and without limiting
the scope of the present invention, when some portion of elongate
article 900 may be pushed at first longitudinal slot 109 or second
longitudinal slot 110, orifice 125 may be formed such that the
portion of elongate article 900 may be passed through formed
orifice 125. That is, FIG. 1A may depict orifice 125 as open and
present and FIG. 2A may depicted orifice 125 as closed or
temporarily absent (until formed).
[0152] Thus in some exemplary embodiments, may first longitudinal
slot 109 and second longitudinal slot 110 form integral closed loop
104, and integral closed loop 104 may permit removable formation of
orifice 125; and orifice 125 may permit elongate article 900 to be
removably attached to elongate article holder 100.
[0153] Each of the two terminal ends, first terminal end 102 and
second terminal end 103, may comprise a respective mating surface,
i.e. first mating surface 111 and second mating surface 112,
respectively. The means for removably coupling first terminal end
102 to second terminal end 103 (i.e. the means for removably
coupling the two mating surfaces together) may permit first mating
surface 111 and second mating surface 112 to come into physical
contact with each other and such that each mating surface may be
substantially parallel to the other respective mating surface.
[0154] Removably coupling first terminal end 102 to second terminal
end 103 may result in flexible non-magnetic band 101 creating a
formed receiving cavity 122 (see e.g. FIG. 3). In some embodiments,
formed receiving cavity 122 may circumscribe at least one different
portion of elongate article 900 (e.g. different from the portion
that may be passing through orifice 125) or a portion of a
different elongate article 900 (e.g. coils of elongate article
900). In some embodiments, formed receiving cavity 122 may
removably hold elongate article 900 or some coil of elongate
article 900 within formed receiving cavity 122. This may be
depicted in FIG. 3. In further exemplary embodiments, where
flexible non-magnetic band 101 may comprise the elastic property
(characteristic), created formed receiving cavity 122 may more
securely removably hold elongate article 900 or some coil of
elongate article 900.
[0155] In the exemplary embodiments, the means for removably
coupling first terminal end 102 to second terminal end 103 may
comprise use of VELCRO (e.g. a plurality of hooks on one mating
surface complimentary to a plurality of hoops located on the other
mating surface), magnets, clasps, snaps, clips or any combination
of the like affixed to each respective mating surface intended for
the purpose of removably coupling the two respective mating
surfaces together; e.g., first mating surface 111 and second mating
surface 112.
[0156] With respect to a magnetically coupling means, the means for
removably coupling first terminal end 102 to second terminal end
103 may utilize magnets (114 and 116), or at least one magnet 114
and one magnetically attractable material 116. See e.g., FIG. 2C.
Note, reference numeral 114 may be reference to a first magnet 114;
whereas, reference numeral 116 may either in reference to a second
magnet 116 or a magnetically attractable material 116, whereby
context it should be clear. In such embodiments, the use of first
magnet 114 housed (embedded) within first cavity 115 and second
magnet 116 housed (embedded) within second cavity 117; or first
magnet 114 housed (embedded) within first cavity 115 and second
magnetically attractable material 116 housed (embedded) within
second cavity 117, may provide for a magnetic closing strength
between the two terminal ends, such that the two terminal ends may
removably couple to each other. In either embodiment, magnets 114
and 116 or first magnet 114 and magnetically attractable material
116, each magnet or magnetically attractable material may be housed
(embedded) in a respective cavity (first cavity 115 and second
cavity 117). Each cavity may be located within a respective
terminal end, i.e. first cavity 115 may be located within first
terminal end 102 and second cavity 117 may be located within second
terminal end 103. See e.g., FIG. 2C. (Alternatively, in some
embodiments, a magnetically attractable material 114 housed within
first cavity 115 could be paired with second magnet 116 housed
within second cavity 117.)
[0157] In order to protect any magnets or magnetically attractable
materials (e.g. first magnet 114 and second magnet 116) from
environmental harm due to possible contact (communication) with an
external environment, the magnets and/or the magnetically
attractable materials may be isolated from direct physical contact
with the environment by first cavity 115 and second cavity 116 each
partially and substantially enclosing and functionally
encapsulating each respective magnet or magnetically attractable
material within the respective cavity.
[0158] As depicted in FIG. 2C, each terminal end may also comprise
a back thickness disposed opposite of the un-coupled thickness. For
example, and without limiting the scope of the present invention,
where first un-coupled thickness 118 may be located between first
mating surface 111 and first cavity 115, a first back thickness 120
may be located between first cavity 115 and an external surface
disposed opposite of first mating surface 111. See e.g., FIG. 2C. A
distance from the external surface disposed opposite of first
mating surface 111 and first mating surface 111 may be terminal end
thickness 123 (see e.g., FIG. 2A). For example, and without
limiting the scope of the present invention, where second
un-coupled thickness 119 may be located between second mating
surface 112 and second cavity 117, a second back thickness 121 may
be located between second cavity 117 and an external surface
disposed opposite of second mating surface 112. See e.g., FIG. 2C.
A distance from the external surface disposed opposite of second
mating surface 112 and second mating surface 112 may be terminal
end thickness 123 (see e.g., FIG. 2A).
[0159] Further, partial enclosure of each respective magnet or
magnetically attractable material within respective cavities (e.g.
first cavity 115 and second cavity 117) may maintain magnetic
closure strength by utilizing at least one apertures, such as
tubular aperture 113, which may run from a given mating surface to
the cavity housing a given magnet or magnetically attractable
material. See e.g., FIG. 2A and FIG. 2C.
[0160] In some embodiments, first terminal end 102 may house first
magnet 114 (or first magnetically attractable material 114) in
first cavity 115. In some exemplary embodiments, the at least one
apertures may comprise three distinct tubular apertures 113 running
directly from first mating surface 111 to first cavity 115. Such a
geometric arrangement of tubular apertures 113 may be repeated on
second terminal end 103 where second magnet 116 (or second
magnetically attractable material 116) may be housed within second
cavity 117. Tubular apertures 113 may be shown in a triangle
distribution in all of the figures, as three tubular apertures 113
openings may be depicted on each mating surface. See e.g., FIG. 2A.
However, in other exemplary embodiments different geometric
distributions of tubular apertures 113 may operate to the same
effect. In some embodiments, there may be one or more tubular
apertures 113, wherein a maximum number may be limited by the
surface area of the mating surface. In some embodiments, there may
be ten or less tubular apertures 113.
[0161] In some embodiments, a tubular aperture may not run an
entire distance from a mating surface (e.g. 111 or 112) to a
respective cavity (e.g. 115 or 117, respectively), where in such
embodiments such a tubular aperture may be a tubular dimple 126.
See e.g., FIG. 2A. That is, in some embodiments, tubular dimple 126
may run a proximate distance from a given mating surface (e.g. 111
or 112) directly towards the respective cavity (e.g. 115 or 117,
respectively) housing the magnet (e.g. 114 or 116, respectively) or
the magnetically attractable material (e.g. 114 or 116,
respectively). This proximate distance may be less than the entire
distance from a mating surface (e.g. 111 or 112) to a respective
cavity (e.g. 115 or 117, respectively). This proximate distance may
be a depth of a given tubular dimple 126 as measured from a given
mating surface (e.g. 111 or 112).
[0162] In some embodiments, there may be both at least one tubular
aperture 113 and at least one tubular dimple 126 in at least one
terminal end (e.g. 102 or 103). In some exemplary embodiments,
where may be one tubular aperture 113 and three tubular dimples 126
on each terminal end (e.g. 102 and 103) mating surface (e.g. 111
and 112, respectively). In some embodiments, tubular dimple 126 may
serve a same function as tubular aperture 113. In the drawings, any
reference to tubular aperture 113 may be replaced with tubular
dimple 126 without deviating from the scope of the present
invention. Likewise, in the drawings, any reference to tubular
dimple 126 may be replaced with tubular aperture 113 without
deviating from the scope of the present invention. For example, in
FIG. 2A through FIG. 2C tubular dimple 126 may be depicted, but in
FIG. 2D and FIG. 2E tubular aperture 113 may be depicted; however,
a function of tubular aperture 113 and/or tubular dimple 126 may a
same function in all of these five figures.
[0163] When first mating surface 111 may be brought together with
second mating surface 112, a presence of at least one tubular
aperture 113 and/or at least one tubular dimple 126 may operate in
at least two ways to preserve the magnetic closure strength of the
resulting removable coupling. First, at least one tubular aperture
113 and/or at least one tubular dimple 126 may provide region(s)
where the resulting void space within respective cavities of each
at least one tubular aperture 113 and/or at least one tubular
dimple 126 which may be only filled with air. Air as a gas may
hinder magnetic field lines less than a solid material would, thus
use of tubular apertures 113 tends to facilitate magnetic
strength.
[0164] Second, at least one tubular aperture 113 and/or at least
one tubular dimple 126 may enhance the means for removably coupling
the two mating surfaces 111 and 112 together by including less
solid material to compress when the two mating surfaces 111 and 112
may brought together. Having less solid material may be as compared
to if there were no at least one tubular aperture 113 and no at
least one tubular dimple 126. Having less solid material, because
of the presence of void space (cavity space) of at least one
tubular aperture 113 and/or at least one tubular dimple 126, may
allow for greater compression of the materials between the two
mating surfaces 111 and 112. That is, having less solid material
between the two mating surfaces, may mean less density for a
compression force to operate on, wherein a magnetic field may be
applying the compression force. Because of this lowered density
between the two mating surfaces 111 and 112 there may be reduction
in a separation distance between respective cavities 115 and 117,
which in turn may allow for a stronger magnetic field in the means
for removably coupling the two mating surfaces together, as
magnetic field strength diminishes by the square of the inverse of
the separation distance. For example and without limiting the scope
of the present invention, even a half millimeter reduction in
separation distance, because of enhanced compressibility for
example, may provide for a substantially stronger magnetic field as
compared to a magnetic field strength with a half millimeter
greater separation distance.
[0165] As noted above, in some embodiments, at least one tubular
aperture 113 and/or at least one tubular dimple 126 may allow the
magnetic coupling to compress the material (e.g. first un-coupled
thickness 118 and second un-coupled thickness 119 in FIG. 2C) in
between first magnet 114 and second magnet 115, reducing the
distance (a separation distance) between the magnets and allowing
for an even stronger magnetic coupling. Such a compression feature
may be depicted in the transition from FIG. 2D and FIG. 2E. FIG. 2D
and FIG. 2E may be intended to be view in sequence (in order from
FIG. 2D to FIG. 2E) to visualize the magnetic coupling and material
compression in sequence. (Or viewed in reverse from FIG. 2E to FIG.
2D to visualize de-coupling and un-compression.) Notice, in FIG. 2D
before the two terminal ends 102 and 103 may be magnetically
removably coupled, that first un-coupled thickness 118 may be
larger than first coupled thickness 118a in FIG. 2E where the
magnetic removable coupling may have occurred and the material of
construction may be under compression from the magnetic force.
[0166] Note, tubular aperture 113 may be then be styled as at least
one magnetic field promoting tubular aperture 113 and/or as at
least one magnetic closure promoting tubular aperture 113. Note,
tubular dimple 126 may be styled as at least one magnetic field
promoting tubular dimple 126 and/or at least one magnetic closure
promoting tubular dimple 126.
[0167] Also note, such material compression, may require that each
terminal end (or at least each mating surface) be substantially
constructed from a compressible material of construction. Some
exemplary embodiments of the two terminal ends and flexible
non-magnetic band 101 may be constructed of an elastomer, such as
silicone or a rubber.
[0168] In various exemplary embodiments, at least one tubular
aperture 113 may have a two dimensional shaped opening wherein the
two dimensional shaped opening may be continuously propagated
through an entire length of each tubular aperture 113. In some
embodiments, at least one tubular dimple 126 may have a two
dimensional shaped opening where the two dimensional shaped opening
is continuously propagated through an entire length of the
proximate distance.
[0169] In some embodiments, the two dimensional shaped opening may
be selected from a group consisting of a polygon (regular and/or
irregular), a circle, an ellipse, an amorphous arcuate shape, and
the like. In some embodiments, tubular apertures 113 and/or tubular
dimples 126 may have different shapes but still function as the
tubular aperture described above.
[0170] As noted above, FIG. 3 may depict the exemplary embodiment
of elongate article holder 100 as first terminal end 102 and second
terminal end 103 may be being brought in proximity of each other,
such that formed receiving cavity 122 may be in the process of
being formed, shown from a cross-sectional side view. Elongate
article 900 upon which elongate article holder 100 operates may not
be depicted in FIG. 3. Note, because of how each terminal end may
be connected to flexible non-magnetic band 101, formed receiving
cavity 122 may not create a perfectly formed circular aperture, but
rather may be more hemispherical in shape. See e.g., FIG. 3. The
shape of formed receiving cavity 122 may play a role in how formed
receiving cavity 122 may hold elongate article 900 or a coil of
elongate article 900 when the two terminal ends may be removably
coupled. One primary purpose of FIG. 3 may be for comparing the
shape of formed receiving cavity 122 against a shape of formed
receiving cavity 422 shown in an exemplary embodiment depicted in
FIG. 4B and discussed below.
[0171] FIG. 4A may depict an exemplary embodiment of elongate
article holder 400, shown from a longitudinal cross-sectional side
view. Elongate article 900 upon which elongate article holder 400
operates may not be depicted in FIG. 4A.
[0172] FIG. 4B may depict the exemplary embodiment of elongate
article holder 400 as first terminal end 402 and second terminal
end 403 may be being brought in proximity of each other, such that
formed receiving cavity 422 may be in the process of being formed,
shown from a cross-sectional side view. Elongate article 900 upon
which elongate article holder 400 operates may not be depicted in
FIG. 4B.
[0173] The FIG. 4 series of figures may differs from the FIG. 1
through FIG. 3 series of figures, in how the flexible non-magnetic
band may connects to the respective terminal ends, which may then
result in a hemispherical shaped formed receiving cavity 122 in
FIG. 3 and a more circular or ovoid shaped formed receiving cavity
422 in FIG. 4B when the two terminal ends may be removably coupled.
These two different shaped formed receiving cavities 122 and 422,
respectively, may then each hold at least one elongate article 900
or a coil of elongate article 900 differently, depending upon the
characteristics of elongate article 900 or the coil of elongate
article 900.
[0174] In the FIG. 1 through FIG. 3 series of figures flexible
non-magnetic band 101 may connects to the two terminal ends in a
manner which may result in axial lines (longitudes) of tubular
apertures 113 being substantially perpendicular to a longitude of
flexible non-magnetic band 101, when flexible non-magnetic band 101
may not be flexed (i.e. when flexible non-magnetic band 101 may be
substantially flat and/or straight).
[0175] Whereas, in the FIG. 4 series of figures, flexible
non-magnetic band 401 may connect to the two terminal ends in a
manner which may result in axial lines (longitudes) of tubular
apertures 413 being substantially parallel to a longitude of
flexible non-magnetic band 401, when flexible non-magnetic band 401
may not be flexed (i.e. when flexible non-magnetic band 401 may be
substantially flat and/or straight).
[0176] In some embodiments, portable elongate article holder
(elongate article holder) 100 or 400 may be described as an article
holder (100 or 400 for example), wherein the article holder
comprises a first article holding means and a second article
holding means.
[0177] In some embodiments, the first article holding means may
comprise elastic compressible flexible elongate member (e.g. 101 or
401) disposed between two terminal ends (e.g. 102 and 103; or 402
and 403). The two terminal ends may removably couple to each other
at a respective mating surface (e.g. 111 and 112; or 411 and 412)
of each terminal end forming a formed receiving cavity (e.g. 122 or
422). The formed receiving cavity (e.g. 122 or 422) may wrap around
a portion of article 900. Such wrapping may removably hold article
900 to the article holder.
[0178] In some embodiments, the second article holding means may be
formed from the elastic compressible flexible elongate member (e.g.
101 or 401), disposed between the two terminal ends, by placing two
substantially parallel slots (e.g. 109 and 110) in the elastic
compressible flexible elongate member. Each such slot may comprise
a depth equal to a band thickness (e.g. 124). The band thickness
may be a thickness of the elastic compressible flexible elongate
member. Each slot may run in a direction substantially parallel
with a longitudinal length of the elastic compressible flexible
elongate member. A structure may be formed between the two
substantially parallel slots, which may be denoted as an integral
closed loop (e.g. 104). Such an integral closed loop structure may
function for removably attaching the article holder to article 900
by a different portion of article 900 removably passing through an
orifice (e.g. 125) formed between the integral closed loop and a
portion of the elastic compressible flexible elongate member. See
e.g., FIG. 1A.
[0179] In some embodiments, each such terminal end (e.g. 102 and
103; or 402 and 403) may comprise: at least one magnetic closure
promoting tubular aperture (e.g. 113 or 413) or at least one
magnetic closure promoting tubular dimple (e.g. 126); and an
un-coupled thickness (e.g. 118). The at least one magnetic closure
promoting tubular aperture (e.g. 113 or 413) or the at least one
magnetic closure promoting tubular dimple (e.g. 126) may run from
the mating surface (e.g. 111 and 112; or 411 and 412) directly
towards at least one cavity (e.g. 115 and 117; 415 and 417). See
e.g., FIG. 2C or FIG. 3 for at least one magnetic closure promoting
tubular dimple 126; and see e.g., FIG. 2D for at least one magnetic
closure promoting tubular aperture 113 or FIG. 4A for at least one
magnetic closure promoting tubular aperture 413. Each respective at
least one cavity (e.g. 115 and 117; 415 and 417) may be located
within each respective terminal end (e.g. 102 and 103; or 402 and
403). See e.g., FIG. 2C and FIG. 4A. Each such at least one cavity
(e.g. 115 and 117; 415 and 417) may house at least one magnet (e.g.
114 or 116; 414 or 416) or at least one magnetically attractable
material (e.g. 114 or 116; 414 or 416). At least one of the two
such cavities may comprise the at least one magnet (e.g. 114 or
116; 414 or 416). That is, in some exemplary embodiments, there
must be at least one magnet located within at least one cavity
within one terminal end; whereas the remaining cavity in the
remaining terminal end may house a second magnet or a magnetically
attractable material.
[0180] The un-coupled thickness (e.g. 118) may run directly from
each mating surface (e.g. 111 and 112; or 411 and 412) to each at
least one cavity (e.g. 115 and 117; 415 and 417). Removably
coupling of each terminal end (e.g. 102 and 103; or 402 and 403) to
the other at each mating surface may compress each un-coupled
thickness (e.g. 118) into a magnetically compressed coupled
thickness (e.g. 118a) which may be less than the un-coupled
thickness (e.g. 118). See e.g. FIG. 2D and FIG. 2E. Because of the
presence of the at least one magnetic closure promoting tubular
aperture (e.g. 113 or 413) or the at least one magnetic closure
promoting tubular dimple (e.g. 126) within each un-coupled
thickness (e.g. 118), less solid material may be present in each
un-coupled thickness (e.g. 118) to compress when the two mating
surfaces may be brought together. This may allow for greater
compression (because less solid material offers less resistance to
compression forces); which in turn may reduce a separation distance
between the two at least one cavities (e.g. 115 and 117; 415 and
417); which in turn may allow for a stronger magnetic field in
removably coupling each terminal end (e.g. 102 and 103; or 402 and
403) to the other at each mating surface (e.g. 111 and 112; or 411
and 412).
[0181] Note, embodiments of elongate article holder 100 and 400
that may comprise at least one magnet, may also function to permit
removable attachment of elongate article holder 100 or 400 to
various external structures (generally metallic) that may receive a
magnetic coupling with the at least one magnet. For example and
without limiting the scope of the present invention, such external
structures may be refrigerator exterior housings, including
refrigerator and freezer doors. Thus, one might use elongate
article holder 100 and 400 to keep one or more USB cords or
charging cords handy by storing elongate article holder 100 and 400
along with the USB cords or charging cords removably attached to
the refrigerator door.
[0182] For example and without limiting the scope of the present
invention, such external structures may be gurneys and/or metallic
frame beds often used in various medical settings, wherein there
may be a plurality of corded medical devices needing cording
organization. In the medical setting a need to organize cords and
such may also be a patient and medical practitioner safety
need.
[0183] Note, formed receiving cavities 122 and/or 422 may also be
used to remvoably circumscribe and thus hold articles other than
elongate articles 900. For example and without limiting the scope
of the present invention, formed receiving cavities 122 and/or 422
may be used to circumscribe various portions of clothing articles,
such as belts, belt loops and the fabric disposed between a sleeve
opening and collar opening. For example and without limiting the
scope of the present invention, formed receiving cavities 122
and/or 422 may be used to circumscribe the fabric disposed between
the sleeve opening and the collar opening for a jogger, so that the
jogger might utilize elongate article holder 100 and 400 to keep
headphone (earphone) cordage organized while out jogging (by
passing a portion of the cordage through orifice 125 for example).
Alternatively, formed receiving cavities 122 and/or 422 might be
used to removably circumscribe an appendage of the jogger, e.g. a
wrist, an arm, or upper arm.
[0184] An elongate article holder, with integral closed loop, and
which may be portable in some embodiments, has been described. The
foregoing description of the various exemplary embodiments of the
invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and
disclosure. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the
invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and
variations are possible in light of the above teaching without
departing from the spirit of the invention.
[0185] While the invention has been described in connection with
what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred
embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be
limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is
intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements
included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *