FABRIC ORGANIZER

Abstract

The fabric organizer comprises a planar, elongated body, with at least two retaining tabs opposedly aligned. The retaining tabs are generally U-shaped and are integrally formed with the body. The retaining tabs are frictionally engageable with the body. The free end of the retaining tabs are disengaged from the body, thereby creating a cavity for receiving fabric. One end of the fabric is extended across one side of the body, the retaining tabs are frictionally engaged with the body, thereby retaining one end of the fabric in place.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/676,215 entitled, “Fabric Organizer,” filed on Apr. 29, 2005 in the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a device for organizing and holding fabric in position, and more particularly to a rigid member for frictionally retaining the two sides of fabric and providing a core for wrapping the fabric around without the necessity of tensioning the fabric.

2. Description of the Related Art

In handling and storing of fabric, the general practice has been to incorporate a rigid inner member to use as an axis for wrapping the fabric around. Previously, the fabric was retained about the inner member by tension of the material as the material is wrapped about the member. Many different configurations of this type of inner core member have been practiced, but in some instances, the fabric may fall off the board or become unwound through handling. Further, retaining the material through tensioning of the material may distort the material itself.

In U.S. Pat. No. 467,286 issued to Doyere on Jan. 19, 1892, a duplex board, comprising two boards hingedly attached by a strip of cloth is diclosed. The cloth covers the entire outer surface of the boards such that when the boards are laid together, the cloth is drawn tight. The fabric is wound or rolled on this duplex board by putting one end between the two parts of the board and then winding the fabric around the two parts of the board. All retaining force is imparted by the tension in the material about the duplex board. Therefore, as the amount of fabric wrapped around the board decreases, the ability to securedly retain the fabric in place diminishes.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,780,855 issued to McLeod et al. on Dec. 25, 1973 discloses a winding board about which a length of cloth or fabric may be wrapped so that the fabric can be conveniently handled, stored or transported. The board has an elongated rectangular cross section which acts as a stiffener for the flexible cloth material. The board is formed from a single piece of corrugated cardboard. Each end of the winding board has a flap member which extends from each end of the bottom walls at right angles thereto to form a flat marking surface. The flap members also extend up over top walls and can be sealed to the top walls by a suitable adhesive or stapled. Protrusions extend from the surface of top wall so that the protrusions will engage the cloth wound on the board to reduce the tendency of the cloth to slide off the board. All retaining force in imparted by tension in the material, again presenting the same problem as the Doyere patent.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,161,075 issued to Eubanks et al. on Jul. 17, 1979 and U.S. Pat. No. D255,506 issued to Eubanks et al. on Jun. 24, 1980 disclose a holder for organizing thread and yarn. The holder consists of a substantially flat, thin, flexible body with a substantially straight first end portion, tapering side walls, and a dome-shaped second end portion. The first end portion has a pair of inverted “J” shaped slits, extending inwardly from each other for retaining the ends of the strand of yarn or thread. A tongue member, intermediate the midpoint and the second end portion, consists of a base which integrally connects the tongue to the body. While a tongue member is punched or slit out of the sheet material of the body for frictionally holding an identification tag, the tongue member is not sufficient for retaining various material thickness. Further, the flexibility of the body does not provide sufficient rigidity.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,258,843 issued to Wymer on Mar. 31, 1981 discloses a dispensing package for handling and dispensing of elastic bands. The package comprises a planar card member, rectangular in configuration. The card member includes a plurality of tongue-like tabs, defined by three-sided cutouts which extend inwardly. Tongue-like tabs secure the free ends of the band. While the invention retains a single end of elastic band, it cannot retain various material thickness. Additionally, the invention does not teach using the tongue-like tabs in concert for retaining the bands.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,394,996 issued to Heimberg on Jul. 26, 1983 discloses a drapery package, comprising a core member and a drapery wrapped around it. The core member has a central portion and two end sections. One end of the drapery is attached to the core member and the middle section of the drapery is wound in spiral fashion around the length of the core member. However, this invention does not present an economical option to providing a rigid, inner core member.

A need therefore exists for an apparatus that is lightweight, economical, frictionally retains fabric without distorting the fabric. Further, there exists a need for a device that is constructed such that organization of multiple devices is simple and space efficient.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved and inexpensive rigid core for retaining the sides of one end of fabric and wrapping the excess fabric around without the need for deforming tension on the material. It is a further embodiment of the present invention to provide a structure that is durable, proportionate to common fabric width, and facilitates organization of fabric.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the fabric organizer comprises a planar, elongated body, with at least two retaining tabs opposedly aligned. The retaining tabs are generally U-shaped and are integrally formed with the body. The retaining tabs are frictionally engageable with the body. The free end of the retaining tabs are disengaged from the body, thereby creating a cavity for receiving fabric. Once the fabric is extended across one side of the body, the retaining tabs are frictionally engaged with the body, thereby retaining one end of the fabric in place.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the retaining tabs are fixedly attached to the body.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawing and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a front view of an embodiment of the fabric organizer, with the fabric retaining tabs in the closed position.

FIG. 2 depicts an isometric view of an embodiment of the fabric organizer, with two fabric retaining tabs in the closed position and two fabric retaining tabs in the open position.

FIG. 3 depicts an isometric view fabric attached to an embodiment of the fabric organizer, wherein two fabric retaining tabs are closed, engaging the fabric, and two fabric retaining tabs are in the open position.

FIG. 4 depicts an isometric view of fabric wrapped around an embodiment of the fabric organizer.

FIG. 5 depicts an isometric view of an alternate body of the fabric organizer, with one fabric retaining tabs in the closed position and one fabric retaining tabs in the open position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 depicts the preferred embodiment of fabric organizer 100. Fabric organizer 100 comprises body 110 and a plurality of fabric retaining tabs 120.

Referring to FIG. 2, body 110 is preferably elongated, thereby providing sufficient surface area for extending fabric 200 (seen in FIG. 3), whether folded or unfolded, so long as less than the distance between retaining tabs connected segment 125 but greater than the distance between fabric retaining tabs 120 and longitudinally wrapping fabric 200 around body 110. Body 110 should have a body sufficient to provide rigid support. Body 110 is preferably a durable, lightweight material, such as plastic or similar material known in the art, sufficiently thick to provide rigidity or having an internal structure to provide such rigidity. The perimeter of body 110 is defined by first side edge 111, second side edge 112, bottom edge 113 and top edge 114. Body 110 is preferably planar, which allows for the efficient storage of multiple fabric organizers 100 in either vertical or horizontal orientation. Alternatively, body 110 can be of any configuration including curved, so long as body 110 provides a rigid core for wrapping fabric 200 (seen in FIGS. 3 and 4) around body 110.

At least two fabric retaining tabs 120 are integrally formed with body 110. In the preferred embodiment, depicted in FIGS. 1-3, two pairs of fabric retaining tabs 120 are opposedly formed in body 110. Fabric retaining tabs 120 are formed by creating a generally U-shaped cut through body 110. Alternatively other shapes may be used. Because fabric retaining tabs 120 are formed from body 110, fabric retaining tabs 120 have the same depth as body depth 117.

The U-shaped cut provides fabric retaining tabs free segments 123 and fabric retaining tabs connected segment 125. Fabric retaining tabs connected segment 125 is integrally connected to body 110, thereby providing a hinged connection such that fabric retaining tabs 120 can toggle between a closed position and open position. Upper fabric retaining tabs 124 are disposed such that fabric retaining tabs connected segments 125 are proximate top edge 114. Opposedly, the lower fabric retaining tabs 123 are disposed such that fabric retaining tabs connected segments 125 are proximate bottom edge 113. This configuration provides the opposition between upper fabric retaining tabs 124 and lower fabric retaining tabs 123.

Alternatively, fabric retaining tabs 120 may be separate members hingedly attached to body 110.

The interface between body 110 and fabric retaining tabs 120 must be sufficient that the coefficient causes retention of the fabric retaining tabs in position after engagement of fabric 200. In an alternative embodiment, the friction at the edge of interface between body 110 and fabric retaining tabs 120 may be created by applying a friction creating surface to one or both.

Fabric retaining tabs free segments 123 are frictionally engageable with body 110, allowing partial disengagement of fabric retaining tabs 120 from body 110. Fabric retaining tabs 120 are partially disengaged from body 110 by applying a force against fabric retaining tabs 120 proximate fabric retaining tabs free segments 123. Once the applied force overcomes the frictional forces, the fabric retaining tabs free segments 123 are released from body 110.

When fabric retaining tabs 120 are disengaged, a plurality of orifices 128 become apparent. Orifices 128 provide a cavity for receiving fabric 200 when fabric retaining tabs 120 are engaged with body 110, thus preventing damage to fabric 200 by fabric retaining tabs 120.

In practice, fabric retaining tabs 120 are disengaged from body 110 in similar orientation, such that fabric retaining tabs 120 are all elevated above the plane created by body 110. Fabric first end 210 is then laid across body 110, with fabric sides 205 inserted beneath fabric retaining tabs 120, preferably proximate fabric retaining tabs connected segment 125. Fabric retaining tabs 120 are then depressed, thereby facilitating engagement with body 110. Once the fabric retaining tabs 120 are engaged with body 110, fabric first end 210 should be securedly attached to body 110. The unsecured excess of fabric 200 is then repeatedly wrapped about body 110 until reaching fabric second end 220. Fabric second end 220 may be left unsecured, or may be secured to the wound fabric by a ribbon, string, rubber band, a plurality of clips, or other similar securing means.

The foregoing description of the invention illustrates a preferred embodiment thereof. Various changes may be made in the details of the illustrated construction within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the true spirit of the invention. The present invention should only be limited by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A device for organizing fabric, said device comprising:

an rigid body member;

at least two retaining tabs integrally formed from said body member;

said at least two tabs having an anchor end and a free end;

said anchor end providing a pivot point between said body member and said at least two retaining tabs;

said free end frictionally engageable and disengageable with said body member between an open position and a closed position; and

said at least two retaining tabs opposedly aligned.

2. The device of claim 1, said device further comprising:

said retaining tabs are U-shaped.

3. The device of claim 1, said device further comprising;

said free end is displaced from the plane of the body when said free end is in said open position; and

said free end is aligned with the plane of the body when said free end is in said closed position.

4. A device for organizing fabric, said device comprising:

an rigid body member;

at least two retaining tabs integrally formed from said body member;

said at least two tabs having an anchor end and a free end:

said anchor end providing a pivot point between said body member and said at least two retaining tabs;

said free end frictionally engageable and disengageable with said body member between an open position and a closed position;

said free end is displaced from the plane of the body when said free end is in said open position;

said free end is aligned with the plane of the body when said free end is in said closed position; and

said at least two retaining tabs opposedly aligned.