Buckles – buttons – clasps – etc. – Article holder attachable to apparel or body – Napkin
Reexamination Certificate
1999-01-05
2001-02-06
Sakran, Victor N. (Department: 3626)
Buckles, buttons, clasps, etc.
Article holder attachable to apparel or body
Napkin
C024S009000, C024S066900, C024S11500R
Reexamination Certificate
active
06182335
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a clothing protective device which is particularly adapted to be worn by a person, such as a man, woman or child, and which in particular will assist in the protection of clothing while dining. In essence, the device is essentially in the form of a so-called napkin holder which can be readily transported in a clothing pocket or a purse and which is imparted a large number of uses in addition to being merely a clothing protective device.
In essence, various types of clothing protective devices, especially in the form of napkin holders which may be worn about the neck of the user during dining are currently known and in widespread use. Among such devices, of a rather primitive nature are the so-called napkins or bibs which are adapted to be tied about the neck of a wearer during dining and which are relatively unsightly when worn in public locations or more sophisticated dining establishments.
Currently a number of clothing protective devices of this nature; in essence, which are adapted to be worn about the neck of a wearer during desired periods of time; for example, such as when dining or the like, are known in the art.
2. Discussion of the Prior Art
Among the devices adapted to protect clothing during dining or similar instances are the napkin clip of Basseches et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,425,680. In that instance, a clip which may be attached to an upper clothing portion below the chin of a wearer has clamping structures which are adapted to engage a napkin corner which is passed through a slot so as to be clipped to the clothing. This, however only protects a narrow front portion of the clothing of the wearer and, in essence, does not provide for any adjustability with regard to the different types of clothing, or the size of the wearer; for example, that of a man compared to woman or a child. Consequently, Basseches at el. discloses a napkin clip which is only of relatively limited applicability.
Lokken U.S. Pat. No. 5,191,681 discloses a napkin or drape holder which is in the form of a spring-like first plastic member and a spring-like second plastic member of collinear proportion adapted to be engaged so as to wedge a hinge structure therebetween, the latter of which may be attached to a napkin or a drape. When attached to a napkin, the ring-like element may be positioned about the neck of wearer during dining. This however, presents, a complex and uncomfortable structure which is not suspectable of large scale utilization in view of its lack of adjustability to the neck of a child or woman where it may create problems as to sensitivity and discomfort.
Similarly, Kaderabek U.S. Pat. No. 4,587,692 discloses a universal napkin support in the form of two elastic circular arm bands which are adapted to be position about the neck of a wearer, and wherein clip members at side portions thereof are adapted to engage a clothing or napkin article so as to be suspended from the neck of the wearer. Again, as in the previously discussed patent to Lokken, this would provide a large degree of discomfort and lack of adjustability for the neck of a woman or child of tender years.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, in order to clearly and advantageously distinguish over the foregoing, pursuant to the present invention a clothing protective device includes a small case, generally in the form of a cylindrical element, constituted of two separable halves attached by an extendable and subsequently retractable string, and incorporates elements for the attachment of a clothing protective article to the device, such as a napkin or the like.
The item aids in the protection of clothing while dining, the small casing assembly allows the user to keep a variety of items which are helpful before, during and after meals in one convenient case. The outer case can be made of any type of material, i.e. wood, plastic, metal, glass and is easily transported in a clothing pocket or purse. The two halves of the symmetric container split apart to expose an individual clip on the innermost planar surface of each half. The clips hold a user supplied napkin in place during a meal or while engaging in activities which would normally stain clothing. The two halves of the case are connected by means of a retractable string which is draped around the neck of the user, who attaches each clip to one side of a napkin which can then be easily adjusted to vary the napkin position. When finished dining the two halves are simply unclipped by the user from the napkin, and by applying a slight pressure to a release button, located on an internal planar surface of the bottom half, retracts the string into that half of the casing. The remaining few inches of string, which is left outside of the container, are automatically retracted and concealed when the two halves are placed together. Furthermore, the user need not press the release button to retract the string, but by merely bringing the two halves of the case together and closing them, causes an internal retraction mechanism to roll up the string and conceal it within the reassembled halves of the case. A pair of steel locating pins is adapted to keep the assembly consisting of the case halves together, oriented and magnetically attached until pulled apart again.
In addition to constituting a basic clothing protective device, the entire unit consisting of the case and the attended napkin engaging structure and mechanism is also adapted for other diverse application, all of which enhance the usefulness and aesthetic value thereof.
The unit may also be worn as a necklace by removing the internally stored decorative chain and clipping it to the outside of the unit in the spaced provided. The internal components that make up the mechanical sub-assembly are designed into the bottom half and in a fashion that can be easily inserted into a variety of external cases that can be both entertaining as well as decorative. The variety of material that can be used in manufacturing can vary how it is sold and help to classify it as either as a novelty, toy or jewelry either expensive or costume in structure. Components which do not relate to the function of the string retraction sub-assembly mechanism but make up the rest of the unit as a whole may comprise, selectively, a toothpick, mirror and recessed photograph or engraving. The top half of the container, which does not house the string retraction mechanism, is used for storage of a toothpick and necklace. The extreme outer spherical surface of both halves, of this particular design, are flat and parallel to each internal surface and can provide a smooth face for engraving in the event a recess for the picture or mirror is not desired for other models. The toothpick, concealed in a recess on the circumference of the outermost spherical portion of the top half, can be easily removed by inserting a finger tip into the concave indentation and pulled outward.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a novel clothing protective device comprising a casing including separable halves interconnected by an extendable and retractable string which includes clip structure for engaging a napkin or similar clothing protective article.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a casing consisting of mating casing halves which are adapted to be carried in a clothing pocket or a purse, and which may be readily removed therefrom and placed about the neck of the wearer by being separated while attached by an extendable string so as to engage a clothing protective article, such as a napkin, while the user is dining.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a clothing protective device of the type described herein which includes retraction mechanism subsequent to use thereof when worn about the neck of a wearer so as to be able to reassemble the casing halves with the string retracted therein.
A still further object to present invention is to provide a clothing protective device as described herein wherein the device is
Juda Daniel P.
Sullivan Edward
Idego, Inc.
Sakran Victor N.
Scully Scott Murphy & Presser
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