CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/836,855 entitled “Retainer Devices,” filed Jun. 19, 2013, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND Oftentimes an individual carries their keys, e.g., their car keys or house keys, in a carry bag, e.g., a purse or a backpack. In addition to their keys, however, the individual typically carries other items, e.g., their billfold, text books, makeup, etc.
Keys are heavy, and when they are placed in the carry bag, they typically fall to the bottom of the carry bag. The keys' locations in the carry bag make it difficult for the individual to locate their keys when they again need them.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The disclosure can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily to scale relative to each other, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the disclosure. Furthermore, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.
FIG. 1A is an exploded front perspective view of a retainer device in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 1B is an unexploded front perspective view of the retainer device such as is depicted in FIG. 1A.
FIG. 1C is an exploded back perspective view of the retainer device such as is depicted in FIG. 1A.
FIG. 1D is an unexploded back perspective view of the retainer device such as is depicted in FIG. 1C.
FIG. 1E is front view of a purse coupled to a retainer device such as is depicted in FIG. 1A.
FIG. 1F is and interior view of the purse such as is depicted in FIG. 1E.
FIG. 1G is cut away side view of a side of the purse such as is depicted in FIG. 1E.
FIG. 2 is a front plan view of the retainer device such as is depicted in FIG. 1A.
FIG. 3 is a back plan view of the retainer device such as is depicted in FIG. 1A.
FIG. 4 is a side plan view of the retainer device such as is depicted in FIG. 1A.
FIG. 5 is another side plan view of the retainer device such as is depicted in FIG. 1A.
FIG. 6 is an end plan view of the retainer device such as is depicted in FIG. 1A.
FIG. 7 is another end plan view of the retainer device such as is depicted in FIG. 1A.
FIG. 8A is an exploded front perspective view of another exemplary retainer device in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 8B is an unexploded front perspective view of the retainer device such as is depicted in FIG. 8A.
FIG. 8C is an exploded back perspective view of the retainer device such as is depicted in FIG. 8A.
FIG. 8D is an unexploded back perspective view of the retainer device such as is depicted in FIG. 8C.
FIG. 9 is a front plan view of the retainer device such as is depicted in FIG. 8A.
FIG. 10 is a back plan view of the retainer device such as is depicted in FIG. 8A.
FIG. 11 is a side plan view of the retainer device such as is depicted in FIG. 8A.
FIG. 12 is another side plan view of the retainer device such as is depicted in FIG. 8A.
FIG. 13 is an end plan view of the retainer device such as is depicted in FIG. 8A.
FIG. 14 is another end plan view of the retainer device such as is depicted in FIG. 8A.
FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a jacket of the retainer device depicted in FIG. 8A.
FIG. 16A is a perspective view of another exemplary jacket for attaching to the retainer device depicted in FIG. 1A.
FIG. 16B is a perspective view of the exemplary jacket depicted in
FIG. 16A having a photo inserted therein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION Embodiments of the present disclosure generally pertain to key retainer devices and methods. A key retainer device in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure comprises two separable sections that magnetically couple one section to the other section. The key retainer device is coupled to a carry bag, purse, or the like, so that keys (or other magnetically attracted objects) can be retained by the key retainer device. In this regard, a first section of the key retainer device is placed adjacent and in contact with an exterior surface of the carry bag, and a second section is placed adjacent and in contact with an interior surface of the carry bag in alignment with the first section. The first and second sections magnetically couple and are retained by the magnetic coupling relative to the carry bag.
FIG. 1A depicts a front exploded perspective view of a retainer device 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The retainer device 10 comprises an exemplary interior section 11 and an exemplary exterior section 12. Note that the sections 11 and 12 are rectangular-shaped. However, other shapes may be used in other embodiments, as described further herein.
The interior section 11 comprises a plate 18 and a magnet 13 adhered to the plate 18. In one embodiment, the magnet 13 is coupled to the plate 18 via an epoxy (not shown).
Note that the magnet 13 may be any type of magnet known in the art or future-developed. However, in one embodiment, the magnet 13 is a rare earth magnet or a neodymium.
Note that the plate 18 may be created from any type of material known in the art or future-developed. For example, the plate 18 may be plastic or metallic.
The interior section 11 further comprises a clip 14 that attaches to the plate 18 through an opening 15. In one embodiment, the clip 14 is a lobster clasp (also referred to as a lobster hook). However, other types and kinds of fasteners may be used in other embodiments of the retainer device 10.
Note that the exterior section 12 comprises a flat surface 21. Note that decorative or functional exterior sections are possible in other embodiments, which are described further herein.
FIG. 1C depicts a back exploded perspective view of the retainer device 10 such as is depicted in FIG. 1A. In this regard, FIG. 1C depicts the interior section 11 spatially located in front of the exterior section 12 so that additional features of the exterior section 12 may be described.
The exterior section 12 comprises a plate 19 and a magnet 16 adhered to the plate 19. In one embodiment, similar to magnet 13, the magnet 16 is coupled to the plate 19 via an epoxy (not shown).
In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A and 1C, each plate 18 and 19 are coupled to magnets 13 and 16, respectively. However, in another embodiment, only one of the plates 18 and 19 are coupled to magnets. When only a single magnet is employed, the opposing plate, e.g., plate 18 or 19, is made of a ferromagnetic material.
Note that the magnet 16 may be any type of magnet known in the art or future-developed. However, in one embodiment, the magnet 16 is a rare earth magnet or a neodymium.
Note that the interior section 11 comprises a flat surface 20. Note that decorative or functional exterior sections are possible in other embodiments, which are described further herein.
FIG. 1C depicts a front perspective view of the retainer device 10 when the interior section 11 and the exterior section are coupled one to another. In this regard, the magnet 13 (FIG. 1A) couples to the magnet 16 (FIG. 1C) thereby retaining the plates 18 and 19 static and fixed relative to one another. The surface 21 is exposed for decorative or functional elements, which is described further herein.
FIG. 1D depicts a back perspective view of the retainer device 10 when the interior section 11 and the exterior section 12 are coupled one to another. The surface 20 is exposed for decorative or functional elements, which is described further herein.
FIGS. 1E-1G depict an exemplary usage of the retainer device 10. In this regard, FIG. 1E depicts a front exterior view of a side 55 of a purse 50 to which the retainer device 10 is coupled. In the front view of the purse 50 only the exterior section 12 is exposed, which exposes the surface 21 with which decorative or functional elements may be used in some embodiments. The exterior section 12 is coupled to the interior section 11 through the side 55 of the purse 50.
Further, FIG. 1F depicts a top perspective view of the purse 50 showing a mouth 56 of the purse 50 in an open position. In this regard, an interior compartment 54 is accessible when the mouth 56 is open. In the top perspective view of the purse 50 from within the compartment 54, only the interior section 11 is exposed, which exposes the surface 20 with which decorative or functional elements may be used in some embodiments. The interior section 11 is coupled to the exterior section 12 through the side 55 of the purse 50.
FIG. 1G shows a cut away top plan view of the mating of the exterior section 12 and the interior section 11. In this regard, the magnet 16 mates with the magnet 13 through the side 55 (FIG. 1E) of the purse 50 (FIG. 1F) thereby retaining the retainer device 10 coupled to the side 55 of the purse 50.
During use, an object that is placed in a position or location within proximity to the retainer device 10 that is made of a ferromagnetic material will be attracted by the magnetic force generated by the magnet 13. In the example provided in FIG. 1F, a set of car keys 51 couples to and is retained by the retainer device 10.
FIGS. 2-7 depict additional views of the retainer device 10. FIG. 2 depicts a front view of the retainer device 10 showing the surface 21 of the exterior section 12 and the fastener 14. FIG. 3 depicts a back view of the retainer device 10 showing the surface 20 of the interior section 11 and the fastener 14 coupled thereto. FIG. 4 depicts a top view of the retainer device 10 showing the magnets 13 and 16 of the sections 11 and 12, respectively, coupled together. FIG. 5 depicts a bottom view of the retainer device 10 showing the magnets 13 and 16 of the sections 11 and 12, respectively, coupled together. FIGS. 6 and 7 depict opposing end views showing the magnets 13 and 16 of the sections 11 and 12, respectively, coupled together.
FIGS. 8A-8D and 9-14 show another embodiment of a retainer device 100. In such an embodiment, the structure is substantially similar to the retainer device 10.
With reference to FIGS. 8A-8D, the retainer device 100 comprises an interior section 11 and an exterior section 12 having respective magnets 13 and 14 (FIG. 3C) that couple one to another.
In addition, the retainer device 100 comprises a jacket 80. The jacket 80 covers a portion of the plate 18. The jacket 80 may be made of any type of flexible material known in the art or future-developed, such as, for example elastomer or plastic.
FIG. 8A shows the retainer device 100 separated into its two separate sections 11 and 12. FIG. 8B shows the retainer device 100 when the two sections are coupled via the magnets 13, 16. With reference to FIG. 1E, when in use, the section 12 is coupled to section 11 such that the retainer device 100 is coupled to the carry bag 50, and the magnets 13 and 14 ensure that the retainer device 100 is coupled to the carry bag 50.
With reference to FIG. 8C, the jacket 80 comprises two openings 90 and 91 that are formed in the jacket 80 exposing the plate 18. The openings 90 and 91 make the jacket 80 easily removable from the plate 18.
FIG. 8D depicts the retainer device 100 when sections 11 and 12 are coupled together with the magnets 13 and 16. When in use with a carry bag 50 (FIG. 1E-1G), the magnets 13 and 16 couple the retainer device 100 to the carry bag 50.
FIG. 9 is a front plan view of the retainer device 100. Notably, the plate 21 is coupled to the plate 18 (FIG. 8A). Edges 81 and 82 of the jacket 80 couple around the plate 18, and the edges 81 and 82 of the jacket 80 protrude around the perimeter of the retainer device 100. The edges 81 and 82 serve to protect the magnets 13 and 16 and the plates 18 and 19 if the retainer device 100 is knocked up against a solid object during use.
FIG. 10 is a back plan view of the retainer device 100. As shown, the jacket 80 covers a substantial portion of the plate 18 of the section 11. In this regard, the two openings 91 and 91 allow a user of the retainer device 100 to easily remove the jacket 80 from the plate 18. Also, exposure of portions of the plate 18 via the openings 90 and 91 allows a user to more easily pull the sections 11 and 12 (FIG. 9) apart to remove the retainer device 100 from the carry bag 50 (FIG. 1E).
FIGS. 11 and 12 show side views of the retainer device 100. In this regard, FIGS. 10 and 11 show side views wherein the jacket 80 protrudes from the retainer device 100 so that the jacket 80 is protecting the plate 18 (FIG. 8A) and the plate 19 (FIG. 8C). Notably, the jacket 80 extends outwardly from the plates 18 and 16 so as to protect the plates 18 and 19 and the magnets 13(FIG. 8A) and 16 (FIG. 8C) from damage when the retainer device 100 is in use.
FIGS. 13 and 14 are end views of the retainer device 100. In this regard, FIGS. 13 and 14 shown the jacket 80 around the plate 18 (FIG. 8A). The jacket 80 protrudes from the retainer device 100 to protect the magnets 13 and 16 and the plates 18 and 19 during use.
FIG. 15 depicts a perspective front view of the jacket 80 as described hereinabove separated from the plate 18 (FIG. 8A) of section 11 (FIG. 8A). The jacket 80 is rectangular to fit around a rectangular plate 18; however, other shapes of the jacket 80 are possible in other embodiments, e.g., the plate 18 may be circular or oval in other embodiments, and the jacket 80 would therefore be circular or oval to protect the plate 18.
The jacket 80 comprises a floor member 95 that protects the plate 18 except for those portions of the plate 18 that are exposed by the openings 90 and 91. The jacket 80 further comprises protruding edges 101 and 102 that are contiguous with the floor member 95. The protruding edges 101 and 102 form walls 97 and 98. In each of the walls 97 and 98 are slots 104 and 105 formed therein. The slots 104 and 105 receive the plate 18 and retain the jacket 80 on the plate 18.
FIG. 16A depicts another exemplary jacket 200 that may be placed on the plate 18 (FIG. 8A). The jacket 200 comprises a protruding edge 201 that circumscribes the edges of the plate 18. The protruding edge 201 forms a wall 203, and in the wall 203 is a slot 204 formed therein. The slot 204 receives the plate 18 and retains the jacket 200 on the plate 18. Further, the protrusion 201 forms an opening 205 in which a photograph or other image may be inserted and retained by the jacket 200.
In this regard, FIG. 16B depicts an image 208 in the jacket 200.
When installed on the plate 18, the image 208 may be displayed on the surface 21 (FIG. 1A) of the retainer device 200.
