BOTTLE CAP KEY CHAIN

Abstract

A key chain in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes a key portion operable for connection to at least one key and a cap assembly connected to the key portion and including a removable cap element operable for connection to a beverage bottle. A piece of jewelry in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes a jewelry portion operable for attachment to a wearer and a cap assembly connected to the jewelry portion and including a removable cap element operable for connection to a beverage bottle. A personal item in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes a charm portion and a cap assembly connected to the charm portion and including a removable cap element operable for connection to a beverage bottle.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/708,814 entitled BOTTLE CAP KEY CHAIN filed Aug. 16, 2005, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to key chains or other jewelry, and more particularly to key chains or other jewelry that contains a removable bottle cap.

2. Description of the Related Art

In sports stadiums or other venues today, violence involving fans or spectators is becoming an increasing concern. Many stadiums, in an effort to curb violence, have taken many violence decreasing measures such as limiting the sale of beer in the latter stages of a game, preventing fans from bringing bottles, coolers or other hard items into the stadium, and even ceasing the distribution of traditional game day give-aways such as regulation size bats on bat day. Stadium security appears to be concerned with fans throwing large items on the field, such as glass beer bottles, soda bottles etc. Stadiums even serve beer and soda in plastic bottles which are a lot softer than glass bottles, and which are not easily thrown onto the field.

Stadium security is so concerned with fans throwing things onto the sports fields, that they even remove bottle caps from sodas and beer bottles. The problem with this, however, is that it makes the bottles hard to transport from the vending stations back to the stadium seats. Another problem is that without a cap, the bottles are prone to spilling if left on the floor around the fan's seat.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a key chain or other piece of jewelry that allows a bottle cap to be readily accessible for use at a ball park or other venue that distributes beer or soda bottles without the cap.

A key chain in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes a key portion operable for connection to at least one key and a cap assembly connected to the key portion and including a removable cap element operable for connection to a beverage bottle.

A piece of jewelry in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes a jewelry portion operable for attachment to a wearer and a cap assembly connected to the jewelry portion and including a removable cap element operable for connection to a beverage bottle.

A personal item in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes a charm portion and a cap assembly connected to the charm portion and including a removable cap element operable for connection to a beverage bottle.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the invention that refers to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the key chain according to the present invention, showing the cap detached from the main body of the key chain.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention, showing the cap attached to the main body of the key chain, and shaped like a baseball.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawing figures, wherein like numerals indicate like elements, there is shown a key chain 10, having a cap assembly 12, and a key chain portion 14. The cap assembly 12 includes a cap 16 and a threaded portion 18 adapted to receive and retain cap 16. Key chain 10 can be made from any of the known materials, by any of the known methods.

Preferably, the cap 16 and threaded portion 18 are sized and arranged to comply with industry-standard bottle cap sizes. For example, cap 16 and threaded portion 18 are designed to simulate the cap and threaded portions of standard 1 and 2 liter size soda bottles, which are also the same size as the 20 ounce soda bottle sizes that are commonly sold at ball barks. It should be realized by those skilled in the art that the cap and threaded portions of the key chain 10 of the present invention could be sized to simulate any standard bottle cap size.

Attached to cap assembly 12 is a key chain portion 14 that enables the key chain 10 to function as a key chain. That is, for example, allowing for the attachment of keys to the key chain 10. Key chain portion 14 can be any of the known structures, and can be made of any material. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that the cap assembly 12 need not be joined with a key chain portion, but can be joined with any other jewelry like structure to make other types of jewelry, including but not limited to a necklace, bracelet etc. The objective is to mate cap 16 to a structure that is commonly used by the average person to make cap 16 readily accessible when needed. For example, the cap assembly 12 may be joined to any personal item that is commonly carried around by a user. In this case, the personal item preferably includes a charm portion which is attached to the cap assembly 12. The charm portion may be any decorative or functional item or element that is commonly carried by a user. Examples of such decorative or functional devices include, but are not limited to, a name tag, a charm, a knife, a bottle opener or a locket.

Threaded portion 18 can also take other forms, just so long that it functions to receive and retain cap 16 on the key chain portion 14. For example, cap 16 can be attached to a base portion, not shown, that is attached to the key chain portion 14. Cap 16 can be removably attached to the base portion by any of the known methods, e.g., press fit, snap fit, etc. In another example embodiment, cap 16 can directly attach to key chain portion 14 by any of the known methods.

In use, key chain 10 functions as any key chain would function. At a ball game, if a user purchases a soda bottle for example, and the vendor removes the cap, the user can simply unscrew cap 16 from the threaded portion 18, and screw it onto the purchased bottle. When the user is finished with his soda, he can simply unscrew cap 16 and put it back on threaded portion 18, which is ready to be reused. If the user forgets to put cap 16 back on threaded portion 18 before he leaves the ball park, he can simply use any standard bottle cap, that he or she would get from home, and put it back on threaded portion 18 and be available for use.

Cap 16 need not necessarily be adapted and arranged to work with standard soda bottles. Cap 16 and consequently threaded portion 18 can be sized and arranged to simulate the size of any other bottle caps, including but not limited to wide mouth bottle caps that are typically used on beer bottles.

In an example embodiment, threaded portion 18 can have a hollow interior portion 20 and a sealed bottom 22, which will allow interior portion 20 to receive and retain small items such as pills or vitamins when cap 16 is placed thereon.

In an example embodiment, cap 16 can take on any shape or form just so long that it is sized and arranged to mate with the threaded portion of a standard bottle or the like. Referring now to FIG. 2, the outer portion of cap 16a is shaped like a baseball, but the inner portion 23 is adapted and arranged to mate with threaded portion 18.

Cap 16a can take on any other shapes, for example, a shape that applies to the sporting event in which key chain 10 is intended for use. In an example embodiment, cap 16a can be shaped like a football, a hockey puck, tennis ball, golf ball, or any other desired shape. Cap 16 can also include pictures, trademarks, logos, advertising or the like.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a personal item may be provided include a charm portion

Although the present invention has been described in relation to particular embodiments thereof, many other variations and modifications and other uses will become apparent to those skilled in the art. It is preferred, therefore, that the present invention be limited not by the specific disclosure herein, but only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A key chain comprising:

a key portion operable for connection to at least one key; and

a cap assembly connected to the key portion and including a removable cap element operable for connection to a beverage bottle.

2. The key chain of claim 1, wherein the cap assembly further comprises:

a base that is connected to the key portion, wherein the cap element is removably retained on the base.

3. The key chain of claim 2, wherein the base further comprises:

a sealed bottom section; and

a cylindrical side wall extending from the sealed bottom section, wherein threads are formed on an outer surface of the side wall to allow the cap element to be screwed onto the base, and wherein a hollow interior portion is formed on an inside of the side wall.

4. The key chain of claim 3, wherein the hollow interior portion is sized to allow insertion of small items for storage within the hollow interior section.

5. The key chain of claim 4, wherein an exterior of the cap element is shaped to resemble a piece of athletic equipment.

6. A piece of jewelry comprising:

a jewelry portion operable for attachment to a wearer; and

a cap assembly connected to the jewelry portion and including a removable cap element operable for connection to a beverage bottle.

7. The piece of jewelry of claim 6, wherein the cap assembly further comprises:

a base connected to the jewelry portion, wherein the cap element is removably retained on the base.

8. The piece of jewelry of claim 7, wherein the base further comprises:

a sealed bottom section; and

a cylindrical side wall extending from the sealed bottom section, wherein threads are formed on an outer surface of the side wall to allow the cap element to be screwed onto the base, and wherein a hollow interior portion is formed on an inside of the side wall.

9. The piece of jewelry of claim 8, wherein the hollow interior portion is sized to allow insertion of small items for storage within the hollow interior section.

10. The piece of jewelry of claim 9, wherein an exterior of the cap element is shaped to resemble a piece of sporting equipment.

11. A personal item comprising:

a charm portion; and

a cap assembly connected to the charm portion and including a removable cap element operable for connection to a beverage bottle.

12. The personal item of claim 11, wherein the cap assembly further comprises:

a base connected to the charm portion, wherein the cap element is removably retained on the base.

13. The personal item of claim 12, wherein the base further comprises:

a sealed bottom section; and

a cylindrical side wall extending from the sealed bottom section, wherein threads are formed on an outer surface of the side wall to allow the cap element to be screwed onto the base, and wherein a hollow interior portion is formed on an inside of the side wall.

14. The personal item of claim 13, wherein the hollow interior portion is sized to allow insertion of small items for storage within the hollow interior section.

15. The personal item of claim 14, wherein an exterior of the cap element is shaped to resemble a piece of sporting equipment.

16. The personal item of claim 15, wherein the charm portion is a decorative element.

17. The personal item of claim 15, wherein the charm portion is a functional element.