Buckles – buttons – clasps – etc. – Article holder attachable to apparel or body – Article held by clip with spring member
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-07
2001-07-10
Brittain, James R. (Department: 3626)
Buckles, buttons, clasps, etc.
Article holder attachable to apparel or body
Article held by clip with spring member
C024S343000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06256840
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to sports accessories, and, more specifically, to a device for facilitating the ready use of a towel to insure that the towel can easily be employed in a usable position. The towel and towel clip on device are designed to be attached to a belt loop or waistband of the wearer. Towels and other absorbent materials are used by tradesmen, such as, painters, bartenders, waitresses, and roofers, to name a few. Towels and other absorbent materials are used by sporting event participants in a variety of services. Towels are used to wipe face and hands, clean soiled equipment such as golf balls, golf clubs, tennis racket handles, and tools.
Golf towels are carried in pockets, golf carts, or stored in hard to get compartments on a golf bag. The non-attachable towel most likely will end up lost or bulging out of a pocket. This method of carrying a towel can become an inconvenient task. Trying to locate a misplaced towel can take the sportsmen's concentration away from the sport.
In the case of golf, when the towel is strapped or tucked into a golf bag, it requires the golfer to return to the bag to use the towel. The present invention removes the burden by employing a towel having means for attaching said towel to an article of clothing such as a belt loop or waist band. This method of attachment ensures the availability of the towel is easily attached and easily released. In addition the towel can be machine washed having means for disengaging the clip from the towel.
2. Description of the Prior Art
There are other clasp and towel devices. Typical of these is U.S. Pat. No. 5,671,515 issued to Evans on Sep. 30, 1997.
Another patent was issued to Roy on Oct. 15, 1996 as U.S. Pat. No. 5,564,166. Yet another U.S. Pat. No. 5,553,345 was issued to Bell on Sep. 10, 1996 and still yet another was issued on Jun. 7, 1994 to DeMarco as U.S. Pat. No. 5,318,292.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,671,515
Inventor: Michael D. Evans
Issued: Sep. 30, 1997
A clasp (
10
) for connecting two items includes two interconnecting members (
11
,
12
). One member (
1
) utilizes a rivet (
14
) to engage one of the items, for example, a golf towel (
23
). That member (
11
) also has a receiver (
24
) formed therein which has a slot (
25
). The other member (
12
) has a tab (
28
) with a flexible button (
30
) extending upwardly therefrom. The tab (
28
) is received in the slot (
25
) until the button (
30
) snaps up through an aperture (
21
) in the cover (
18
) of the receiver (
24
). The members (
11
,
12
) are thus attached to each other but the attachment can be disengaged merely by depressing the button (
30
) and sliding the tab (
28
) out of the slot (
25
). The other end of the member (
12
) has a foldable flap (
26
) which can be formed into a loop (
40
) to engage another item, for example, a portion (
39
) of a golf bag.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,564,166
Inventor: Armand E. Roy
Issued: Oct. 15, 1996
A badge clip secures a badge to be worn or carried by a person. The badge clip includes a fixed leg having a first end portion and an opposite second end portion with a curved barrel formation, and a movable leg having a first end portion with a curled barrel formation, and a movable leg having a first end portion which is reversely bent from the first end portion of the fixed leg, and an opposite second end portion which is engageable with the curled barrel formation of the fixed leg. The movable leg is pivotally movable between an open position and a closed position, the movable leg being biased to its closed position. The arrangement is such that the curled barrel formation of the fixed leg is capable of receiving a badge having an opening formed therein for securing the badge to the badge clip. The curled barrel formation is received through the opening of the badge when the movable leg is in its open position. The badge is secured to the badge clip when the movable leg resiliently returns to its closed position.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,553,345
Inventor: Steven Bell
Issued: Sep. 10, 1996
A clip-on towel is disclosed for use in sports and other activities where a readily accessible towel is advantageous. A first embodiment of the clip-on towel includes a clip portion that fits through an aperture in a towel portion and is adapted to engage the waistband of a user. The clip portion is attached to the towel by way of a restricted aperture thus eliminating the need for employing fasteners to attach the clip to the towel. A second embodiment includes a clip that is sewn to the towel and features a break away linger portion. If excessive force is applied to the clip, the towel breaks away from the user. The clip can be reassembled after breaking away inasmuch as it is designed to non-destructively separate.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,318,292
Inventor: Nicholas A DeMarco
Issued: Jun. 7, 1994
A springingly urged clasp is especially useful with a small towel such as the type used in golfing service and is a palm sized clasp which is both easily manually engageable and easily manually manipulable. The clamp, and its affixed towel, can be affixed to the golf bag, or any portion of the clothing to yield maximum easy utilization of the towel. In one embodiment, a golf towels reinforcing ring is fed into a slot on one side of the clamp of the present invention and onto a post to ensure secure, but interchangeable engagement.
While these golfing accessories may be suitable for the purposes for which they were designed, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention, as hereinafter described.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
The present invention discloses a clasped towel wherein a towel is attached to a clasp which can be attached by means to an article of clothing. A flap is attached to the towel which forms a partial pocket-like enclosure on the towel in which items can be cleaned. An alligator clip-like element is also shown for attaching the present invention to the clothing.
A primary object of the present invention is to provide a towel device which can be carried around by tradesmen in the performance of their tasks as well as sportsmen.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a towel device which can be attached to an article of clothing.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a towel device having an eyelet.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a towel device having a clasp having means for attaching a towel with an eyelet thereto.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a towel device having a clasp having means for attaching a towel with an eyelet and having means for selectively attaching said clasp and towel to an article of clothing.
Additional objects of the present invention will appear as the description proceeds.
The present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art by providing a device for facilitating the ready use of a towel to insure that the towel can easily be employed in a usable position. The towel and towel clip on device are designed to be attached to a belt loop or waistband of the wearer. In addition the towel can be machine washed having means for disengaging the clip from the towel.
The foregoing and other objects and advantages will appear from the description to follow. In the description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments will be described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In the accompanying drawings, like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views.
The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is best defined by the appended claims
Brittain James R.
Kroll Michael I.
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