Opposed Article Gripping Means Patents (Class 224/247)
  • Patent number: 6491194
    Abstract: A cell phone holder for motor vehicles provides for placement of a cellular phone at any convenient location desired in a motor vehicle or other area as desired. The present cell phone holder essentially comprises a relatively narrow back or spine portion with opposed upper and lower lateral arms extending therefrom. The arms are open between their facing forward ends, to allow complete access to the cellular phone contained within the holder. The back of the holder includes one portion of hook and loop fabric material thereon, which removably attaches to another portion of mating material which is secured to another surface (automobile dash, etc.) A person wishing to use the phone may easily grasp the phone and withdraw it from the open holder for use as desired. One or more spacers may be provided to adjust for different sizes of phones, as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Inventor: Ernest Marvin
  • Publication number: 20020162866
    Abstract: A golf accessory holder device designed to be held in a compartment of a belt clip and frequently inserted and removed therefrom during the golfer's round of golf, and to prevent damage to or soiling of the pocket or the pocket entry area which frequently occurs when a golfer keeps such accessories in his pocket; said device having smooth top and bottom surfaces and having the capability of firmly holding one or two tees, a ball marker, a green ball mark repair tool, and a towel, one end of said device being so constructed as to be particularly adapted for firmly gripping the towel, but also adapted that the towel can be easily released from the device and also easily re-inserted into same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2001
    Publication date: November 7, 2002
    Inventor: Mervin Ward Hurtgam
  • Publication number: 20020117521
    Abstract: A tool-toting device for connection to a belt to be worn about the waist of a tradesman for the purpose of carrying a tool of a type having an elongated handle and angled or transverse head portion includes a support backing associatable as part of the belt; and a tool support spring clip having a first generally horizontally disposed side-spring clip portion having a first and second end and connected to the support backing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2001
    Publication date: August 29, 2002
    Inventor: Mark R. Brandt
  • Patent number: 6293445
    Abstract: A belt pack including a rigid bag fixed within a carrier including belt loops with the bag and carrier configured to the waist area of a wearer. The bag includes an integral cover with cooperating latch components on the bag and carrier for releasably retaining the cover closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: Dart Industries Inc.
    Inventor: D. Scott Miller
  • Publication number: 20010008246
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a base plate having features enabling mounting on a person's belt or pocket. A cradling device is adapted for receiving a hand tool and for clamping the hand tool A biasing device is adapted for moving the tool clamping device between a tool receiving position and a tool clamping position so as to make the tool available for use and to place the tool within reach when it is needed respectively. When the tool is removed from the clamping device the it is automatically unclamped. When the tool is placed into the clamping device it is automatically clamped in place.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2000
    Publication date: July 19, 2001
    Inventor: Ralph Ernest Grover
  • Patent number: 6237822
    Abstract: A hand tool retaining device has an elongate backing element, a base element and an elongate guide element having an elongate slot disposed along the backing element. The guide element is disposed along the backing element such that a hand tool can be disposed against the backing element with the head of the hand tool resting upon the base element, with the handle of the hand tool disposed parallel to and contiguous with the backing element and the with head of the hand tool disposed within the slot. An optional retaining clip can be used to removably retain the tool within the retaining device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Inventor: Michael Vidal
  • Patent number: 6193120
    Abstract: A waist-secured golf ball retainer comprises at least a ball cup for loading a golf ball, wherein a snap clamp disposed at the circumference of the ball cup clamps at a player's waistband; an opening formed in bottom end of the ball cup; a plurality of equally spaced &pgr; cuts arranged in wall of the ball cup for forming a plurality of elastic snap pieces, wherein the root end of each elastic snap piece is connected with the cup wall and the top end is movable; a protruded snap-pressing arc edge is formed at the top end of each elastic snap piece for snap-pressing the golf ball; two ball cups being combinable via a continuous face to form the retainer wherein a plurality of receptacles and a storage hole are disposed in the top face while a storage groove in a lateral end of the continuous face respectively; and by the above construction, an easy loading or unloading, a stable clamping of the retainer to a player waistband, and a long lifetime for using the retainer being made possible without needing w
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Inventor: Chen-Te Chang
  • Patent number: 6082602
    Abstract: A multi-use belt that is designed to be used during sporting activities as well as in social environments. A carrying element and a ball holder may be attached to the belt. The carrying element is adapted to hold instruments for use in a sporting activity. The instruments are held horizontally so that sharp edges do not poke or irritate the user. The ball holder comprises at least one elastic ring that is formed from a helical spring. The carrying element and the ball holder hold objects close to the user's center of mass and the objects are firmly held so that there is little or no relative motion between the objects and the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Inventor: Donata Marialuisa Gianesi Gschwind
  • Patent number: 6056173
    Abstract: A holding device comprises a clip, and a flexible cord. The cord is looped upon itself and its ends are received in a trough on a stem of the clip. The trough has laterally spaced tabs which are crimped over the ends of the cord to secure the cord to the clip. A metal tube is crimped over the trough and the cord ends, and shrink tubing is fitted over the metal tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: Jodon Engineering Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. Gillespie
  • Patent number: 6033163
    Abstract: A cylindrical tool bit holder has a rotatably operable cylindrical cover for access to clip mounted tool chuck and tool bits disposed on the inside of the cover, and an integral clip affixed to the holder body for tool belt mounting of the holder, whereby the user with the holder belt mounted, rotatably removes the cover and inspects the array of tool bits and then in turn with the other hand removes the chuck for assembly to the hand tool or then removes a tool bit for assembly to the chuck. After removal of the chuck and tool bit, the cover is rotatably replaced on the cylindrical body of the holder and rotated no more than 120.degree. for locking engagement of the cover on the body. The cover is formed with equally spaced flexible tabs each having respective buttons for slidably engaging into holes on the body, for locking and unlocking the cover to the body. The cover is removed and replaced with the user using only one hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Inventor: Wayne Anderson
  • Patent number: 5992715
    Abstract: A spring clip having opposed teeth is attached to a lanyard. The lanyard may be worn around a user's neck. The spring clip with opposing teeth fits around and securely grasps the seal ring at the top of a conventional pressurized spray bottle. Alternatively, a spring band fits around the seal ring of a conventional pressurized spray bottle. A lanyard attached to the spring band allows the bottle to be hung from a user's neck or other part of the body for ease of access and use. In a third aspect, a band having a high friction or adhesive inner surface is applied to the main body of a conventional cylindrical pressurized spray bottle. A lanyard attached to the band allows the bottle to be hung from a part of the user's body as before.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Inventor: Masood Habibi
  • Patent number: 5934530
    Abstract: The golf accessory organizer allows a golfer to comfortably carry and easily access items such as tees, golf balls, golf-gloves, divot tools, ball markers, personal items or other small-type golfing accessories while playing a round of golf. Additionally, the device does not interfere with a golfer's swing or cause discomfort while the golfer is moving. The disclosed device is easy to manufacture, reliable, and lightweight as the main supporting member of the device is primarily manufactured from injection-molded plastic. Integral in this supporting member are tee holders and a ball marker holder and a pouch for holding golf balls may pivotally hang from the supporting member. Alternatively, a golf ball is retained in a pressure clip hinged to the supporting member. The supporting member may have an area covered with a hook or loop material for holding various small items such as a divot tool, golf glove, or sunglasses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Inventors: Gordon W. Antczak, Roy J. Goodwin
  • Patent number: 5890638
    Abstract: A belt mounted hat clip is provided including a rear portion having belt coupling mechanism for being removably mounted to a belt. A front portion is included having a rest orientation for gripping a visor of a hat and a biased orientation for allowing the hat to be removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Inventor: B. Jim Woloshen
  • Patent number: 5842621
    Abstract: The carrying device consists of a belt (1), a carrying element (3) and a ball holder (2) detachable from the belt. The carrying element (3) has pockets for receiving a pitch mark remover (34) and two tees (37) and is fastened by means of a Velcro fastener (16, 38) to the belt (1). The ball holder (2) has two elastic rings (21), which are connected to each other by strips (23, 24). The carrying device enables easy carrying of the necessary golf utensils without interferring with the swing motion and without disturbing the concentration of the player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Inventor: Donata Marialuisa Gianesi Gschwind
  • Patent number: 5829103
    Abstract: A pencil holder which can be detachably mounted to the sweat band area of a soft baseball type cap preferably formed in one piece of moulded plastic. It includes a base section arm (12), an outwardly and upwardly extending opposing outer arm (13) between which the pencil is frictionally held and an inwardly and upwardly extending opposing inner arm (11), which in combination with the base section arm (12), forms a clamp or clip which firmly grasps the sweat band area of the cap. All three arms extend end to end of the holder, forming in essence, two upwardly facing clamps or clips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Inventor: Thomas E. Allen
  • Patent number: 5730339
    Abstract: A paint can holding device, including a paint can retaining member having a spacer region between first and second engaging recesses, that is capable of being positioned about a standardized paint can such that the spacer region forms a generally semi-circular configuration about the cylindrical wall of a paint can and the first recess engages a first protrusion of that paint can and the second recess engages a second protrusion of that paint can. A strap is provided that is coupled to the retaining member proximate the first and second recesses and opposite the spacing region. A belt is also disclosed for attachment of the paint can holding device to a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Inventor: Eric S. Stolfo
  • Patent number: 5699943
    Abstract: A belt-mounted flashlight holder includes a belt loop subassembly and a cradle subassembly that are pivotally connected to permit the mounted flashlight to be rotated to any of several detented rotational positions. The cradle subassembly can accommodate flashlights or batons of various diameters within a reasonable range and includes a flexible removable jaw that is forced by a cam against the barrel of the flashlight so that the elastic restoring forces in the movable jaw provide the force that retains the flashlight in the cradle. The flexibility of the movable jaw and cradle permits the flashlight to break away from the cradle in which it is held if the flashlight is jerked by an assailant or if the flashlight becomes caught on an object. The cam includes a high spot that renders it stable in both the locked and released positions. The belt loop subassembly includes provision for mounting the flashlight holder on a wall or other reasonably flat surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1997
    Assignee: Centurion Safety Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger W. Schaefer, Michael Capanna, James D. Scott
  • Patent number: 5664711
    Abstract: A bottle holding device has a clamp for gripping a bottle or other container and defining a gripping axis, and a finger gripping arm projecting from the clamp in a direction transverse to the gripping axis. The gripping arm extends at least partially around at least one of the user's fingers to hold the bottle adjacent the user's fingers in a readily accessible and stable position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1997
    Inventor: Edward T. Mellon
  • Patent number: 5609283
    Abstract: A utility belt for painters having a holders for painting devices and tools, and releasable connectors for connecting the holders to the utility belt. Methods of using a utility belt for painters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Assignee: Dunlap & Codding, P.C.
    Inventor: William E. Harrison, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5605263
    Abstract: A device for holding a T-shaped tool having a head and a handle on either the upper or lower leg to (1) provide complete freedom of movement of hands and feet while carrying the tool and (2) permit the user to attach and remove the tool from the device with the same hand employed to use the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1997
    Inventors: Richard W. Pursley, Stephen D. Roberts
  • Patent number: 5573167
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for using a holder having first and second clips arranged with their mouths facing substantially the same direction. The first clip is provided with an inner surface which is shaped to hold a cylindrical article and a mouth which is normally open so as to allow the legs of this first clip to be urged apart from each other when such a cylindrical article is pressed against it. The holder is mounted at a designated location on the user's body by attaching the second clip to a piece of material worn by the user, with the mouth of the first clip facing generally downwardly. A substantially cylindrical article is inserted into the first clip by placing the article against the mouth of this clip and lifting the article upwardly into contact with its inner surface, with the axis of the first clip's inner surface in a generally horizontal orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Inventors: David Bebb, Jack B. Lovley, II
  • Patent number: 5551610
    Abstract: Holster for a truncheon, the holster being a unitary folded substantially sheet which is folded along a front portion and having meeting edges along a rear portion, and a transverse screw-and-nut combination connecting the two folded portions of the sheet to provide an adjustment to the clamping action of the holster to the truncheon. An optional keeper strap with a quick-opening fastener, and a thumb-engageable tab may be included to maintain the truncheon securely in the holster until the tab is pushed to open the holster. A pivotable belt loop member is attached to the holster and is adjustable to provide convenient positions for supporting the holster and truncheon in any position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Inventor: Norman E. Clifton, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5531365
    Abstract: A belt clip for securing a device such as a personal communications device, e.g. a paper or radio, to one's belt or clothing includes a tool having tool elements such as a screw driver, knife, bottle cap opener, file, letter opener, cork screw, scissors, etc. The tool itself may include means for securing it directly to the body of the personal communication device. The belt clip may also include a sheath to cover the tool. Alternatively, the sheath may include the means for securing the belt clip to the body of the personal communications device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1996
    Inventor: Michael Donnelly
  • Patent number: 5489078
    Abstract: A one-piece clip shaped into open ended paralleling first and second sections attaches to the free side edge of an automobile sun visor. The first section is formed into a clip attachable to the sun visor. The second section is shaped into a holder for various small articles, in particular, a round moist snuff container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1996
    Inventor: Nathaniel H. Risley
  • Patent number: 5464139
    Abstract: A CADDY CLIP.TM. (10) is described to enable a golfer to carry a club with him when he is chipping and putting around the green. The CADDY CLIP (10) includes a U-shaped portion (12) having a leg (14) which extends inside the golfer's belt. The leg (14) extends a significant distance parallel and in contact with the golfer's belt and includes a bend (16) to facilitate gripping and holding the clip in place on the golfer's belt. An arcuate portion (18) extends over the golfer's belt and a second leg 19 extends downwardly for a distance of about one to two inches. A fastener (20) holds in place a lower depending leg (21), extending downwardly from U-shaped member (12). This is a safety feature for the golfer whereby if the golfer trips either with a club in the device or if the CADDY CLIP is empty, the leg (20) can pivot and avoid harming the golfer in the event of a fall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1995
    Inventor: Stanley Schuchmann
  • Patent number: 5452830
    Abstract: A holder for implements such as a mortal board, which is to be horizontally positioned, knives, such as broad, spackle, and shear knives, which are to be positioned at an angle, and a roll of drywall tape, vertically positioned. Holder comprises a back plate to secure implements, and a second plate in which the implement holder is temporarily attached to the user, more specifically, the waist area of the user. The mortar board is inserted into the Y-shaped slots which are horizontally aligned to the back plate and are disposed in spaced relationship. The knives are inserted into the compression loaded slots having adjacent relationship and positioned at an angle from the back plate. The tape is inserted into the J-shaped hook which is spaced away from the back plate to allow for the tapes positioning and removal to and from the implement holder. The parts which comprise the implement holder are made from a rigid material, preferably aluminum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1995
    Inventors: Glenn S. Hopkins, Richard P. Brown
  • Patent number: 5437399
    Abstract: A device for holding writing instruments has an elongated supporting member having a predetermined direction of elongation, a plurality of holding members arranged on the supporting member substantially side-by-side along the direction of elongation of the supporting member and each having at least one receptacle for receiving at least one writing instrument, each of the receptacles being elastically expandable so that a writing instrument can be introduced in the receptacle and then contractible so as to reliably retain the introduced writing instrument in the receptacle upon the contraction of the receptacle, the holding members being spaced from one another by a distance which is smaller than a size of each of the receptacles in the expanded position as considered in the direction of elongation of the supporting member, so that a writing instrument can be inserted into the receptacles but cannot be inserted into a space between the holding members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1995
    Inventors: Michael Levitt, Gregory Gelman
  • Patent number: 5370622
    Abstract: A protective case is provided for receiving and supporting a medication infusion pump of the type used to deliver a selected medication such as insulin to a patient. The protective case comprises a transparent housing of impact resistant material for slide-fit reception of the pump, in combination with a seal cap for removable mounting onto the housing to define a substantially waterproof pump enclosure. The seal cap is formed from a resilient shock absorbing material and cooperates with additional shock absorber elements to resiliently support the pump within the housing. A catheter port is formed in the seal cap for sealed passage of a catheter tube extending from the pump to the patient. A belt clip is removably mounted onto the assembled case to prevent seal cap separation from the housing, and to provide a convenient structure for belt mounting of the protective case onto the body of patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1994
    Assignee: MiniMed Inc.
    Inventors: John H. Livingston, Ward K. Frye, Jeffrey F. Field
  • Patent number: 5351866
    Abstract: A vial holder has a handle portion adapted to be carried by a human hand and a friction mount for releasibly retaining a vial. The friction mount is fixedly coupled to the handle portion. The handle portion and friction mount are formed as first and second "C"-shaped members that are integrally connected back-to-back so that the first and second "C"-shaped members open in opposite directions. The "C"-shaped members are oriented perpendicularly to one another so that the vial, when positioned in the holder, is aligned approximately 90.degree. relative to the user'hand as it grasps the holder. A method for producing the vial holder is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1994
    Inventor: Delbert Foss
  • Patent number: 5301857
    Abstract: A truncated cone shaped holder with a serrated top opening receives and grips any size bottle around the neck with opposing support tabs. The broad cone surface imprinted with a logo covers a substantial portion of the bottle. A bracket with a protruding hook connects to the base of the cone with a living hinge. A pin may connect the cone to the bracket to maintain the bracket in a vertical orientation. The holder hooks onto a belt, waistband, bicycle cable, vehicle window, desk handle or other element. The bottle is released by squeezing in two opposing sides of the base of the cone to widen the top opening and release the support tabs from the bottle neck. Alternately pull tabs on the support tabs release the bottle. The holder may be formed in one piece by molding flexible plastic. The hook bracket lays flat for stacking the units for shipping and storing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1994
    Inventor: Brian J. Green
  • Patent number: 5289961
    Abstract: A device for holding writing instruments has a supporting member, a plurality of holding members arranged on the supporting member and each having a receptacle for receiving a writing instrument, and a retainer to retain the supporting member on a part of body or clothes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1994
    Inventors: Michael Levitt, Grigory Gelman
  • Patent number: 5248072
    Abstract: A belt suspended tool holster for T-shaped tools including an upper flat sleeve with two J-shaped support members descending therefrom. Each J-shaped support member has an inner and outer vertical arm joined together by a bulb shaped base. Said inner arm descends downwardly and said outer arm extends upwardly and curves inwardly towards said inner arm forming a flexible tensioned jaw and tool head opening to receive and release the T-shaped tool head. The J-shaped support members are spaced apart allowing the tool handle to pass through with the tool head clasped in place while supported on the bulb shaped base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1993
    Inventor: Jerry F. Jones
  • Patent number: 5232136
    Abstract: A holder for a naked, sharp-edged workman's tool is provided, which provides a safety shroud for the sharp edge of the workman's tool at the time it is inserted into the holder by a workman, the holder also providing for the support of a secondary retractable single-edged razor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1993
    Assignee: Unger Licensing Inc.
    Inventor: Henry M. Unger
  • Patent number: 5232137
    Abstract: Apparatus for carrying a spray can including an elongated support element, a receptacle for receiving the end of the spray can having a spray valve element and flexible arms for releasably retaining the spray can in position. The receptacle and the flexible arms are releasably attached at predetermined locations on the elongated support element by flexible lock elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1993
    Inventor: Mark E. Devine
  • Patent number: 5213241
    Abstract: A protective device configured to accommodate snow ski goggles when the goggles are not to be used for vision purposes. The protective device includes a strap and a protective cover which collectively form a loop adapted to circumscribe a portion of an animate bearer, such as the bicep area of one's arm. The cover is provided with structure to engage the ski goggle in a secure manner so that the protective goggle in conjunction with the strap can be worn with the cover occluding an outer arcuate surface of the goggle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1993
    Assignee: Jeffrey Donald Dewar
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Dewar, Kenneth S. Janzen
  • Patent number: 5184375
    Abstract: Disclosed is a device for holding a score card. It has three pieces: (1) a rigid, generally rectangular, planar support member having an edge portion, an inside surface, and an outside surface, and (2) a clip member 14 secured along the edge portion of the support member 12, and (3) a hook member 28. The support member has dimensions slightly greater than the dimensions of the score card and a cut-a-way corner section, and the clip member 14 is a unitary structure made from a polymeric material. It has three main components: a mounting section 24, a finger element 26, and a pencil holder 30. The mounting section 24 abuts and is secured to the inside surface 22 of the support member 12 adjacent the edge portion of the support member. The finger element 26 extends outwardly in a first direction from the mounting section 24, and has a downward extending tip section 34 which is spaced from the mounting section 24 to provide a narrow gap A which receives the edge portion of the support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1993
    Inventor: David Hoyt
  • Patent number: 5178413
    Abstract: A ski pole supporting assembly for releasably attaching to a pair of ski poles and supporting them on a chair lift or similar supporting structure including a flexible strap and a pair of clasps attached to the ends of the strap, each clasp having a longitudinal shaft aperture defined by a pair of substantially semicyclindrical wall formations having outer end portions spaced apart by a distance smaller than the larger diameter portion of the ski pole to permit entry of the larger diameter portion of the ski pole into the shaft aperture by lateral movement of the larger diameter portion relative to the clasp with the application of force to deflect the wall formations apart to the larger diameter, the wall formations resiliently returning to the smaller distance to retain the larger diameter portion within the aperture after entry of the pole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1993
    Inventor: Scott M. King
  • Patent number: 5172838
    Abstract: A camera carrier (10) is provided, having a camera case assembly (14) with a belt assembly (18) attached thereto. The belt assembly (18) is adapted to be worn about either a photographer's chest or waist. A case lid (16) is removably attached to the camera case assembly (14). A pair of adjustment strap assemblies (42) can be adjusted by means of a pair of double "D" ring assemblies (52) to cause the camera case assembly (14) to closely support a great variety of sizes of cameras (12). A pair of recessed areas (66) in the case lid (16) permit a neck strap (68) to be worn on the camera (12) and to protrude from the camera case assembly (14) even when the case lid (16) is closed such that the neck strap (68) may be worn around the photographer's neck when the camera carrier (10) is worn about the photographer's chest. The camera carrier (10) may optionally be used as a divider within a larger conventional camera bag (84).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1992
    Assignee: Photoflex, Inc.
    Inventors: Galen A. Rowell, Hans M. Wain
  • Patent number: 5150825
    Abstract: A holster of soft material has a retention device for applying pressure to a handgun in the holster to resist inadvertent removal of the handgun. An elongate band or strip of resilient material is formed into a loop around the outside of the holster by folding the band about a central region extending over a fold in the holster and securing opposite ends of the band together through the holster to urge the opposite side portions of the band towards one another. The opposite side portions of the band compress corresponding underlying wall portions of the holster against a handgun in the holster pocket, providing a controlled resistance to draw which is preferably adjustable and also resisting inadvertent removal or slipping of the handgun out of the pocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1992
    Inventor: Richard E. D. Nichols
  • Patent number: 5071048
    Abstract: A fishing rod and reel carrier is formed of a flexible handle plate with apertures for accepting the handle portion of one or more fishing rods, and a flexible tip plate with apertures for accepting the tips of such rods. The apertures are sized to accommodate any combination of conventional rods and reels. The two plates are held together by a flexible strap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1991
    Inventors: Robert Price, Dan Vondran
  • Patent number: 5065918
    Abstract: A film case holder adapted to be releasably attached to the hand strap of a pocket camera including an elongated holder body having a rear surface recess corresponding in dimensions and adapted to receive the hand strap, a fastener designed to engage with and securely attach the holder body to the hand strap and a resilient support member having a C-shaped cross-section for receiving a film case of a size sufficient to enclose a film cassette.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1991
    Inventors: Byoung E. Chun, Nam H. Chun, Woo S. Chun
  • Patent number: 5064107
    Abstract: A device is provided that can be carried by a tennis player, which allows the player to easily store and receive tennis balls. The device includes a substantially rigid tubular member whose inside closely surrounds a standard size tennis ball, and which has a wide slot at one side through which a tennis ball can pass when resiliently deformed. With the tubular member at the player's back at waist level, the player can place a ball anywhere against the slot and press the ball through the slot into the tubular member, or reach through the slot to grasp a ball and pull it out through the slot or through an open end of the tubular member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1991
    Assignee: EWT Corporation
    Inventor: Douglas D. Ascarrunz
  • Patent number: 5056661
    Abstract: A tool caddy is disclosed herein for releasably retaining a plurality of hand tools and hand tool accessories, which includes a base having a plurality of resilient retainers mounted thereon adapted to snap-lock with tools or accessories. An attachment device is carried on the base for detachably mounting the caddy to the wrist, belt or tool so that the accessories are readily available to the user during a work procedure. The attachment device may take the form of a hook and pile fastener directly carried on the base or carried on the ends of a strap. A belt loop is also contemplated as an attachment device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1991
    Inventor: Alfiero Balzano
  • Patent number: 5050786
    Abstract: A device attachable to a person's belt to partially support the weight of a flexible cable (or cables) extending between a welding machine and a welding tool (torch or electrode holder) held in the persons's hand. Most of the cable weight is transferred from the person's hand to his belt, thereby enabling him to more efficiently perform the welding operation, with greater assurance of good welds, and with lesser physical strain on the person's hand and arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1991
    Inventor: Garth D. DeMott
  • Patent number: 5016794
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention there is provided a backpack for holding and carrying a skateboard. The skateboard backpack of the invention includes a flexible frame for receiving and holding a skateboard and a harness connected to the frame for securing the rigid frame to the back of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1991
    Inventor: Donald L. Beagle, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4955518
    Abstract: A baton holder, or clip, is particularly adapted for use with expandable batons or the type including a handle and one or more telescoping sections. The clip includes upper and lower retaining rings attached to a base member. The upper retaining ring slidably receives the handle. The lower retaining ring is a truncated conical section, which limits downward axial movement of the handle, while at the same time allowing passage of the telescoping sections from the handle, if extended. The expandable baton is held by the clip in either an extended or retracted position. Both the upper and lower retaining rings include longitudinal breaks, through which the baton may be broken out laterally, again with the baton either extended or retracted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 11, 1990
    Inventors: Kevin L. Parsons, Gary M. Grundy, Jacqueline M. Dunstand
  • Patent number: 4953769
    Abstract: A baton clip adapted for lateral withdrawal, or "break out" of a baton includes a retaining ring specifically formed to produce a loud snapping sound as the baton is broken out. The loud snapping sound has been found to produce a shock, or stunning psychological effect on a potential adversary, which often results in passive submission, solely by breaking the baton out. The clip is further provided with a closure for positively securing the baton in the clip. The closure is constructed and arranged in such a way as to provide for release of the closure and withdrawal of the baton in a single, rapid, uninterrupted, and fluent motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1990
    Inventors: Kevin L. Parsons, Gary M. Grundy, Jacqueline M. Dunstan
  • Patent number: 4942992
    Abstract: A glove dispenser comprising a case and a clip fastened to the case. The case has an open position and a closed position. A belt loop is formed on the back surface of the case so as to allow the case to be attached to a belt. The clip is fastened to the case so as to receive the cuff of a glove. The case comprises a back panel, and a connector on the back panel for releasably affixing the front panel in close proximity to the back panel. The clip is interposed between the back panel and the front panel. The clip is a member having a first portion affixed to the case and a second portion in torsional abutment with the first portion. The front panel includes a pocket formed therein for the receipt of additional disposable gloves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 24, 1990
    Inventors: Frank E. Fischer, Shayne A. Kelly
  • Patent number: 4942994
    Abstract: A ski boot holder which comprises a collapsible handle attached to a heel frame which is connected to elastic toe retaining means. The toe retaining means may include a toe retaining frame, which helps to hold the boots in proper alignment in the holder. The heel frame and toe frame may be designed to collapse for easy and compact storage, or carrying in the skier's pocket when the ski boot holder is not in use. A collapsible carrying handle is provided which extends upwardly between the ankle portions of the ski boots so that the boots are conveniently carried with the soles horizontally disposed. This orientation of the boots facilitates the storage of the assembly under an airplane seat, on a shelf at a ski lodge, or on a closet floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 24, 1990
    Inventor: Lawrence D. Sterenberg
  • Patent number: 4913327
    Abstract: A safety bank note holder for carrying personal bank notes, comprising a rectangular plate and a rope, said rectangular plate being formed with two holes respectively at two ends thereof, permitting the rope to be conducted therethrough to wind up the plate so as to let bank notes bound up between the plate and the rope. A retaining ring can be pre-arranged in the pocket of a user's clothes to connect the rope, whereby the bank notes are securely placed in the pocket, and can be easily pulled out for use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Inventor: Shih-fu Wu