Closure device

Abstract

A closure device for use in selectively opening and closing a receptacle. The closing device includes a pair of linear rods having proximal and distal ends and biasing means connected to the proximal ends of the linear rods for urging the distal ends for the linear rods away from one another. A closure loop is provided which is sized to pass along the linear rods wherein when the closure loop is proximate the proximal ends, the distal ends of the linear rods are spaced furthest from one another and as the closure loop moves toward the distal ends of the linear rods, the distal ends move closer to one another. Purses, storage pouches and wallets can employ such a closure device.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention is directed to a closure device which can be employed in a wide variety of applications such as for selectively opening and closing purses, storage pouches and wallets. The simplicity and ease of use of the closure device disclosed and claimed herein creates an alternative for zippers, Velcro and other commonly available fasteners and is far superior to such devices due to its simplicity and ease of use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Purses, wallets, pouches and the like have traditionally employed zippers, snaps, Velcro and frictionally engagable latches as closure means. More recently, hook and loop fasteners (Velco®) have been employed for more casual storage pouches generally used to, for example, hang from a belt and house such diverse items as cell phones, keys and sporting paraphernalia such as golf tees and golf balls.

Closure devices, such as those referred to above, all suffer from substantially the same disadvantages. First and foremost is the recognition that virtually all prior closure means require the intimate engagement between mating elements such as the parallel teeth of a zipper or engagement of parallel sheets of hook and loop fasteners. Thus, whenever dirt or debris or misalignment occurs, it is oftentimes difficult to engage these parallel surfaces to conveniently open and close the receptacle. This is particularly aggravating when the receptacle is a purse or pouch requiring oftentimes one-handed access repeatedly over the course of use of such items. For example, if a pouch holding a cell phone is maintained on one's belt, once the cell phone rings, one oftentimes must reach for the pouch with one hand, open the pouch and reach within it quickly before the call terminates.

Even when prior closure devices work properly, a user oftentimes experiences difficulty in employing it, particularly if only one hand is available for execution. For example, it is not uncommon to engage zippers or hook and loop fasteners which are tight or stiff requiring a good deal of physical exertion to employ. Also, over time, although such closure devices may tend to loosen and thus represent less of a physical challenge, they not surprisingly eventually break down as the engagable parts, such as the teeth of a zipper wear.

It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a closure device and a receptacle for its use which does not require the physical engagement of parallel extending closure means and is thus much easier to use and more mechanically reliable than closures of the prior art.

These and further objects will be more readily apparent when considering the following disclosure and appended claims.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a closure device for selectively opening and closing a receptacle and a receptacle using such device. The closure device comprises a pair of linear rods, said linear rods having proximal and distal ends. Biasing means are connected to the proximal ends of the linear rods for urging the distal ends of the linear rods away from one another. A closure loop is sized to pass along said linear rods such that when said closure loop is proximate said proximal ends, said distal ends of the linear rods are spaced furthest from one another and as said closure loop moves toward the distal ends of said linear rods, said distal ends move closer to one another. As such, when the closure loop is proximate said proximal ends, the receptacle is in an open state and when said closure loop resides proximate said distal ends, the receptacle is in a closed state.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the closure device of the present invention in an “opened” state.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the closure device of FIG. 1 in a “closed” state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In referring to FIG. 1, closure device 10 is shown appended to the upper fabric or leather portions of a typical receptacle 20, such as a purse, storage pouch or wallet. Receptacle 20 typically has a front panel 25 appended to attachment bar 23 of closure device 10 noting that in FIG. 1, the closure device 10 is shown in a “open” orientation creating opening 22 facilitating access to the interior of receptacle 20.

Closure device 10 comprises a pair of linear rods 11 and 12 having proximal ends 14 and distal ends 16. Biasing means 15 is connected to proximal ends 14 which urges distal ends 16 away from one another. Closure loop 13 is provided which is sized to pass along linear rods 11 and 12.

In comparing FIGS. 1 and 2, it is noted that when closure loop 13 is proximate to proximal ends 14 of linear rods 11 and 12, distal ends 16 of these linear rods are spaced furthest from one another creating opening 22 within receptacle 20. However, as noted by reference to FIG. 2, as closure loop 13 moves toward distal end 16, the distal ends move closer to one another thus closing opening 22 of receptacle 20.

It is further noted with respect to FIG. 2 that when the closure loop is proximate distal end 16, linear rods 11 and 12 are substantially parallel to one another. It is further noted that closure loop 13 is capable of passing completely over distal end 16 and will remain in what amounts to a locked or retaining orientation preventing linear rods 11 and 12 from moving from their “closed” or substantial parallel orientation.

The improvement over currently available closure devices should be readily apparent to even the casual observer. In that linear rods 11 and 12 need not engage or even touch one another to create an effective closure of receptacle 20, dirt or debris which may append to the surfaces of linear rods 11 and 12 will not in any significant way degrade the performance of this closure device. In addition, in that closure loop 13 is sized to, without effort, pass along linear rods 11 and 12 to translate between “opened” and “closed” orientations, the present closure device can be used quite easily with one hand. Finally, the closure device of this invention will virtually never wear out as, again, there are no teeth such as in a zipper or hook and loop surfaces that wear over time to eventually become nonfunctional. By contrast, closure loop 13 and linear rods 11 and 12 will virtually never wear out.

It is further noted that the closure device of the present invention can be employed in a wide variety of applications. For example, linear rods 1 1 and 12 and closure loop 13 can be made of precious or semi-precious metal or base metals plated with precious or semi-precious metals for use in connection with luxury goods such as leather purses and handbags. Alternatively, these very same parts can be made of a variety of plastics to provide a rather casual appearance for sporting applications and when metal surfaces would be inappropriate such as when used by swimmers and divers.

Having thus described the invention, it will be understood that such a description not be strictly adhered to, but that additional changes and modifications may suggest themselves to one skilled in the art, all falling within the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. A closure device for selectively opening and closing a receptacle, said closure device comprising a pair of linear rods, said linear rods having proximal and distal ends, biasing means connected to the proximal ends of said linear rods for urging the distal ends of said linear rods away from one another, a closure loop sized to pass along said linear rods wherein when said closure loop is proximate said proximal ends, said distal ends of the linear rods are spaced furthest from one another and as said closure loop moves toward said distal ends of said linear rods, said distal ends move closer to one another.

2. The closure device of claim 1 wherein said biasing means comprises a leaf spring.

3. The closure device of claim 1 wherein said biasing means comprises a coil spring.

4. The closure device of claim 1 wherein when said closure loop is proximate said distal ends, said linear rods are substantially parallel to one another.

5. The closure device of claim 1 wherein said closure loop is capable of being retained at said distal ends to maintain said linear rods substantially parallel to one another.

6. The closure device of claim 1 wherein said receptacle comprises a purse.

7. The closure device of claim 1 wherein said receptacle comprises a storage pouch.

8. The closure device of claim 1 wherein said receptacle comprises a wallet.

9. A receptacle for receiving personal items, said receptacle comprising a storage area and a closable opening for selectively accessing said storage area, a closure device engaging said closable opening, said closure device comprising a pair of linear rods, said linear rods having proximal and distal ends, biasing means connected to the proximal ends of said linear rods for urging the distal ends of said linear rods away from one another, a closure loop sized to pass along said linear rods wherein when said closure loop is proximate said proximal ends, said distal ends of the linear rods are spaced furthest from one another and as said closure loop moves toward said distal ends of said linear rods, said distal ends move closer to one another such that said closable opening of said receptacle is opened when said closure loop is proximate to said proximal ends and said closable opening is closed when said closure loop is proximal said distal ends of said linear rods.

10. The receptacle of claim 9 wherein said biasing means comprises a leaf spring.

11. The receptacle of claim 9 wherein said biasing means comprises a coil spring.

12. The receptacle of claim 9 wherein when said closure loop is proximate said distal ends, said linear rods are substantially parallel to one another.

13. The receptacle of claim 9 wherein said closure loop is capable of being retained at said distal ends to maintain said closable opening closed.