ITEM HOLDER

Abstract

Implementations of the present disclosure are directed to wearable item holders including a receptacle configured to releasably retain an item, the receptacle including a bottom surface, a lip that defines a periphery of an opening, and a groove defined between the lip and the bottom surface, the groove being configured to receive and retain edges of the item, and a supporting member coupled to the receptacle, the supporting member being configured to bear at least a portion of the weight of the receptacle and the item when the item holder is worn by a user.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Prov. App. No. 61/452,986, filed Mar. 15, 2011, the disclosures of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference in the entirety.

FIELD

The present disclosure is directed to item holders, and more particularly to item holders that are wearable.

SUMMARY

Implementations of the present disclosure include wearable item holders. In some implementations, wearable item holders include a receptacle configured to releasably retain an item, the receptacle including a bottom surface, a lip that defines a periphery of an opening, and a groove defined between the lip and the bottom surface, the groove being configured to receive and retain edges of the item, and a supporting member coupled to the receptacle, the supporting member being configured to bear at least a portion of the weight of the receptacle and the item when the item holder is worn by a user.

In some implementations, the wearable item holder includes a bracelet. In some implementations, the supporting member includes a stretchable band shaped in a continuous annular ring suitable for receiving the hand of a wearer.

In some implementations, the wearable item holder includes a pendant. In some implementations, the supporting member includes an attachment point for receiving a necklace.

In some implementations, the internal groove is defined around a complete periphery of the opening.

In some implementations, the internal groove receives all edges of the item.

In some implementations, the receptacle further includes a peripheral wall extending from a backside surface and defining an outer shape of the receptacle. In some implementations, the lip extends inwardly from the peripheral wall.

In some implementations, the receptacle further includes one or more internal cavities in communication with the internal groove, the one or more internal cavities being configured to accommodate one or more irregular contours of the item. In some implementations, the opening, the internal groove and the one or more internal cavities form a pocket for receiving the item. In some implementations, the one or more internal cavities include a cavity that is configured to accommodate an elongated feature of the item. In some implementations, the one or more internal cavities include a cavity to accommodate a feature extending from the item.

In some implementations, the item includes a coin. In some implementations, the coin is a pressed coin.

In some implementations, the item includes a guitar pick.

In some implementations, at least a portion of the wearable item holder is made of silicone rubber.

In some implementations, a shape of the receptacle generally conforms to a shape of the item.

In some implementations, the internal groove is configured to releasably grip the item.

In some implementations, the lip is flexible.

The details of one or more implementations of the present disclosure are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features and advantages of the present disclosure will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a top view of a first example item holder.

FIG. 1B is a bottom view of the first example item holder.

FIG. 1C is a side view of the first example item holder.

FIG. 1D is a front view of the first example item holder.

FIG. 1E is a perspective view of the first example item holder.

FIG. 2A is a front view of a second example item holder.

FIG. 2B is a rear view of the second example item holder.

FIG. 2C is a side view of the second example item holder.

FIG. 2D is a top view of the second example item holder.

FIG. 2E is a perspective view of the second example item holder.

FIG. 3 is a top view of an example item that can be held within the example item holders of FIGS. 1A-2E.

FIG. 4 is a top view of a portion of an item holder.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional side view of the portion of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6A is a top view of a third example item holder.

FIG. 6B is a bottom view of the third example item holder.

FIG. 6C is a side view of the third example item holder.

FIG. 6D is a front view of the third example item holder.

FIG. 6E is a perspective view of the third example item holder.

FIG. 7A is a front view of a fourth example item holder.

FIG. 7B is a rear view of the fourth example item holder.

FIG. 7C is a side view of the fourth item holder.

FIG. 7D is a top view of the fourth item holder.

FIG. 7E is a perspective view of the fourth item holder.

Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Implementations of the present disclosure are generally directed to item holders for securely and releasably retaining objects. In particular, implementations of the present disclosure are directed to jewelry including one or more receptacles for receiving items. Each of the one or more receptacles may be configured to releasably secure items therein, enabling a user to wear the item. Although example item holders described herein are illustrated as having a single receptacle, implementations of the present disclosure include item holders having multiple receptacles.

FIGS. 1A-1E show a first example item holder 100a in top, bottom, side, front, and perspective views, respectively. In this implementation, item holder 100a includes a receptacle 102a and a supporting member 104a (in some examples, the item holder may include two or more receptacles). In the illustrated example, receptacle 102a is formed as an integral part of supporting member 104a. That is, receptacle 102a and 104a are formed from a continuous material. In some implementations, however, the receptacle 102a can be provided as a separate piece coupled to the support member 104a (e.g., via adhesive or mechanical fastener).

As shown in FIGS. 1A-1E, receptacle 102a includes a backside surface 106 and a peripheral wall 108. The peripheral wall 108 terminates in a continuous inwardly extending lip 109. An opening 110 and an internal groove 126 (see FIGS. 4 and 5) are provided for securing items within the receptacle 102a. In this manner, the internal groove 126 and opening 110 defined by the lip 109 provide a pocket for retaining items in the receptacle 102a. In some implementations, the internal groove 126 is extended by one or more cavities for accommodating irregular contours of certain retained items. Opening 110 may be provided having any suitable shape or size (e.g., rectangular, circular, oval shaped, etc.) for receiving and displaying items (e.g., press, elongated coins). For instance, in this example, opening 110 is substantially elliptical in shape. In some implementations, a major axis of the elliptical opening is between about 20 mm and 40 mm (e.g., about 30 mm) long.

In some implementations, one or more portions of receptacle 102a may be composed of an elastic material (e.g., a material having a modulus of elasticity between about 10 to 100 N/mm²). For instance, in this example, substantially all portions of the receptacle are composed of silicone rubber. The elastic nature of the receptacle 102a may provide a gripping force for retaining items enveloped by the lip 109 within the opening 110. For example, in some implementations, dimensions of the opening 110 can be smaller than dimensions of an item to be retained within the receptacle 102a. As such, when the item is inserted into the receptacle 102a through the opening 110, the elastic material of the receptacle 102a envelopes and grips the item to provide a retention force.

Supporting member 104a may be provided in any form suitable for bearing the weight of receptacle 102a and any item(s) retained therein. In this example, supporting member 104a is provided in the form of a stretchable band 112. Stretchable band 112 may be shaped in a continuous annular ring suitable for receiving the hand of a wearer when stretched. In some implementations, and in the un-stretched condition, the stretchable band 112 includes an inside diameter D within a range between 165 mm and 225 mm. When the band is un-stretched, however, the wearer's hand may not pass through the annular ring. As such, item holder 100a may securely rest on the wrist (or ankle) of the wearer. In some implementations, the band of supporting member 104a may include two flexible opposing ends extending outward from either side of receptacle 102a. In such implementations, opposing ends of the band can be provided with one or more mechanical fastening elements (e.g., hook-and-loop regions, mating portions of a buckle, mating portions of a button, etc.). In some other implementations, supporting member 104a may be provided in the form of a rigid band forming an annular ring.

In the illustrated example, receptacle 102a is positioned on stretchable band 112 of supporting member 104a, such that a major axis of elliptical opening 110 is parallel to a centerline 114 of the supporting member 104a. In some implementations, the receptacle may be positioned on the band at an angle, such that a major axis of the opening 110 is at an angle relative to the centerline 114. In this manner, multiple receptacles 102a can be more efficiently accommodated. For example, a first number of receptacles 102a can be accommodated around the supporting member 104a with the major axes of the corresponding openings 110 arranged parallel to the centerline 114 of the supporting member 104a. A second number of receptacles 102a can be accommodated around the supporting member 104a with the major axes of the corresponding openings 110 arranged at an angle relative to the centerline 114. In some implementations, the second number is greater than the first number.

FIGS. 2A-2E show a second example item holder 100b in front, rear, side, top, and perspective views, respectively. In this implementation, item holder 100b includes a receptacle 102b coupled to a supporting member 104b. As in the first example, receptacle 102b is integrally formed with a supporting member 104b. In this implementation, the supporting member 104b is provided in the form of an annular attachment ring 116. The attachment ring defines an opening 118 for receiving a neck piece (e.g., a chain, string, etc.). It is appreciated that supporting member 104b may be provided in any form suitable for bearing the weight of receptacle 102b and any item(s) retained therein (e.g., a latch or a flange extending from the receptacle and defining an opening for receiving a neck piece).

In some implementations, a receptacle (e.g., receptacles 102a, 102b) can be configured to retain various types of items. In the examples of FIGS. 1A-2E, the receptacles may be configured to securely retain pressed, elongated coins (e.g., pennies). Elongated coins are often made by passing standard coins through a roller nip provided by two steel rollers pressed against one another with sufficient force to deform the coin. One of the rollers (i.e., the die) can be engraved with a design that imprints an image on the coin as it passes through the nip. When the coin first comes into contact with the die, a catch notch can be formed on the leading end of the coin which guides the rest of the coin through the roller. A trailing end of the coin can be pressed into an elongated tail. FIG. 3 is a front view of a pressed, elongated coin 120 including a catch notch 122 at a leading end and an elongated tail 124 at a trailing end.

FIG. 4 is a front view of a receptacle 102a, 102b having a length L and a width W. The length L can be within a range of between 40 mm and 55 mm, an example length L including 50 mm. The width W can be within a range of between 20 mm and 35 mm, an example width W including 25 mm. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional side view of the receptacle 102a, 102b along the line 5-5 of FIG. 4. The receptacle 102a, 102b includes a backside surface 106 and a peripheral wall extending substantially perpendicularly therefrom. The peripheral wall defines a teardrop shape of the receptacle and terminates in a continuous inwardly extending lip 109, which defines an elliptical opening 110 and an internal groove 126. In some examples, the edges of the peripheral wall are chamfered or beveled. The internal groove 126 runs about the periphery of the opening 110 and is defined between a bottom surface of the lip 109 and a surface 129 of the receptacle 102a, 102b. In this manner, edges of an item disposed within the receptacle 102a, 102b can seat within the internal groove 126 and can be prevented from dislodging by the lip 109.

At one end of the receptacle 102a, 102b, internal groove 126 may be extended by a first cavity 128. The first cavity 128 may be configured to receive notch 122 of pressed coin 120. For example, as shown, first cavity 128 is provided in the form of an arcuate indentation extending up into a lower portion of lip 109. The first cavity 128 may be located proximate a centerline of the receptacle at one end. In some implementations, the first cavity 128 can be between about 6 mm and 10 mm (e.g., 8 mm) wide (measured across a straight line from end to end) and between about 1 mm and 3 mm (e.g., 1.75 mm) long (measured across a straight line from the peak of the arc to the base). Additionally, first cavity 128 may be set back from the inner edge of lip 109 by between about 0.01 mm and 0.5 mm (e.g., 0.25 mm).

At an opposing end of the receptacle (with respect to the end at which the first cavity is located), internal groove 126 may be extended by a second cavity 130. The second cavity may be configured to receive elongated tail 124 of pressed coin 120. For example, as shown, second cavity 130 is provided in the form of oval crescent shaped opening extending from groove 126 down the length of receptacle 102b. In some implementations, second cavity 130 extends between about 6 mm and 10 mm (e.g., 8 mm) down the length of the receptacle.

FIGS. 6A-6E show a third example of an item holder 100c in top, bottom, side, front, and perspective views, respectively. The item holder 100c is similar to the first example item holder 100a, except that the receptacle 102c is configured to receive and releasably retain a guitar pick. As such, peripheral wall 108 defines a substantially triangular-shaped receptacle 102c. Likewise, a lip 109′ defines a similarly shaped groove and opening 110′. The item holder 100c can include one or multiple receptacles 102c. In some implementations, multiple receptacles 102c can be arranged to have the same orientation relative to a support member 104c. In some implementations, multiple receptacles 102c can be arranged to have different orientations relative to the support member 104c.

FIGS. 7A-7E show a fourth example item holder 100d in front, rear, side, top, and perspective views, respectively. This implementation is similar to the second example (i.e., item holder 100b) of FIGS. 2A-2E except that the receptacle 102d is configured to receive and releasably retain a guitar pick.

Implementations of the present disclosure provide item holders including one or more receptacles for releasably securing one or more items to be worn on the person of a wearer. The receptacles provide an opening to display the item retained therein. In this manner, the wearer of the item holder can confidently wear the one or more items without concern that the items will dislodge from the respective receptacles. For example, the item can be a valuable item and the wearer of the item holder can be confident that the item will not easily dislodge from the item holder. Furthermore, wearers can display various types of items including collectible items and/or advertisement items. For example, an item can include a pressed coin that can be provided as a collectible pressed coin that can be shared and exchanged among collectors. As another example, an item can include a guitar pick, such as a guitar pick advertising a particular instrument manufacturer, band, artist and/or record label, and/or can be a collectible guitar pick, such as a guitar pick that was used by a famous, or infamous, artist.

Claims

1. A wearable item holder, comprising:

a receptacle configured to releasably retain an item, the receptacle comprising a bottom surface, a lip that defines a periphery of an opening, and a groove defined between the lip and the bottom surface, the groove being configured to receive and retain edges of the item; and

a supporting member coupled to the receptacle, the supporting member being configured to bear at least a portion of the weight of the receptacle and the item when the item holder is worn by a user.

2. The wearable item holder of claim 1, wherein the wearable item holder includes a bracelet.

3. The wearable item holder of claim 1, wherein the supporting member includes a stretchable band shaped in a continuous annular ring suitable for receiving the hand of a wearer.

4. The wearable item holder of claim 1, wherein the wearable item holder includes a pendant.

5. The wearable item holder of claim 1, wherein the supporting member includes an attachment point for receiving a necklace.

6. The wearable item holder of claim 1, wherein the internal groove is defined around a complete periphery of the opening.

7. The wearable item holder of claim 1, wherein the internal groove receives all edges of the item.

8. The wearable item holder of claim 1, wherein the receptacle further includes a peripheral wall extending from a backside surface and defining an outer shape of the receptacle.

9. The wearable item holder of claim 8, wherein the lip extends inwardly from the peripheral wall.

10. The wearable item holder of claim 1, wherein the receptacle further includes one or more internal cavities in communication with the internal groove, the one or more internal cavities being configured to accommodate one or more irregular contours of the item.

11. The wearable item holder of claim 10, wherein the opening, the internal groove and the one or more internal cavities form a pocket for receiving the item.

12. The wearable item holder of claim 10, wherein the one or more internal cavities include a cavity that is configured to accommodate an elongated feature of the item.

13. The wearable item holder of claim 10, wherein the one or more internal cavities include a cavity to accommodate a feature extending from the item.

14. The wearable item holder of claim 1, wherein the item includes a coin.

15. The wearable item holder of claim 14, wherein the coin is a pressed coin.

16. The wearable item holder of claim 1, wherein the item includes a guitar pick.

17. The wearable item holder of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the wearable item holder is made of silicone rubber.

18. The wearable item holder of claim 1, wherein a shape of the receptacle generally conforms to a shape of the item.

19. The wearable item holder of claim 1, wherein the internal groove is configured to releasably grip the item.

20. The wearable item holder of claim 11, wherein the lip is flexible.