US20090266861A1

US20090266861A1 - Rotating attachment device and retractable absorbent material

Info

Publication number: US20090266861A1
Application number: US12/430,071
Authority: US
Inventors: Nicolet M. Helmer
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-04-27
Filing date: 2009-04-25
Publication date: 2009-10-29

Abstract

A rotating retractable device that attaches to article of clothing, fitness accessory or sporting equipment and attaching an absorbent material to the retracting cord that allows the user on demand to extend the retracting cord and absorbent material from the static position to manage perspiration on the head, neck, arms etc. while the device rotates or swivels to support a wide range of motion needed by user to engage absorbent material. Upon completion of task, user may release the absorbent material from the hand used to manage perspiration and the retracting cord retracts to the original static position at the user's side. The 360 degree rotating mechanism allows the device and absorbent material to return to a resting orientation at user's side until engaged again. This allows user more freedom of movement and increased concentration for activity or exercise and eliminates the need to fumble with or lose a separate absorbent material during said activities.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of PPA No. 61/048,190, filed Apr. 27, 2009 by the present inventors, which is incorporated by reference.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

None

SEQUENCE LISTING

None

BACKGROUND

This invention relates to a fitness accessory that holds an absorbent material during exercise or activity. It allows the user to attach the rotating device with a retractable cord to article of clothing, fitness accessory or sporting equipment and also attach an absorbent material to the end of the cord found on the rotating device. The user can extend the absorbent material with the device to wipe the body and then release the absorbent material where the cord will retract the absorbent material to its original position and the device will rotate back to its original orientation. Having an absorbent material available during activity or exercise has long required the user to place fabric or paper towels inside the waistband or hold it in the hand, reducing dexterity and effectiveness of the activity. The limitations with an absorbent material by itself include: the loss of one hand for activity due to holding the material, inefficiencies due to the constant need to grab and replace the material from the waistband during activity, the likely loss of the absorbent material during activity due to an inadequate ability to attach it securely to clothing or other equipment.
Several types of attachment devices have been proposed—for example, both U.S. Pat. No. 6,256,840 to Elliott (2001) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,833,165 to Paugh (1998) show a retractable device that can be attached to clothing. These devices do not create an effective attachment method substantial enough to hold the device or absorbent material in place during exercise or other physical activity. Said patents do not create ease of use or range of convenience for activity or exercise due to a lack of a rotating element on the attachment device. These examples also require the user to purchase and use specialized towels with grommets and other attachments which limit availability and require special laundry care. Elliott states specifically, “Shown is a golfer having the clasp towel attached to an article of clothing within easy reach whereby a golfer can clean golf equipment.” thus limiting the scope to golf enthusiast.
In conclusion, insofar as I am aware, no other attachment device housing with a retracting cord combined with absorbing material formerly developed provides the user with the rotating capability when attached to article of clothing, fitness accessory or sporting equipment combined with absorbent material that is easily laundered and ready to be used again with no special consideration for care instructions.

SUMMARY

The invention, a rotating housing device and absorbent material has several key features that make it unique from any previous art or current products on the market to date.
Several objects and advantages of the invention are to provide an improved retractable device and absorbent material for managing perspiration during exercise or activity and create greater convenience and usability for the user including 1.) The ability for the device to rotate 360 degrees when attached to article of clothing, fitness accessory or sporting equipment. This allows for a much greater range of motion and increases the usability and scope of uses compared to prior art 2.) A retractable cord allows easy access to the towel since the towel is always in a resting position around the waist area of the user and free from obstructions. 3.) Absorbent material is attached to the end of the retractable cord using a strong metal clip that does not require a grommet or any other specialized attachment equipment. This allows the user to easily exchange towels at will when they become soiled and avoids the problems created by prior art where special consideration must be taken when purchasing replacement towels. Also, special laundry handling of towels with grommets may require special process.
Further objects and advantages will become apparent from a study of the following description and enclosed drawings.

DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of the rotating attachment device constructed in accordance with the invention, showing the retracting cord and the upper and lower half of the device.

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the rotating attachment device constructed in accordance with the invention, showing the attachment clip and the 360 degree rotation capability on the upper half of the device.

FIG. 3 is a lateral cross-section view of the rotating attachment device of FIGS. 1 and 2 showing the attachment clip from the side.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the rotating attachment device attached to a waistband or belt showing the absorbent material in use while attached to the retracting cord and rotating attachment device securely attached to the user.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a front view of the rotating attachment device constructed in accordance with the invention, showing the retracting cord and the upper half of the device. The lower half of the device consists of a pivoting clasp with a spring that holds the towel securely in place enabling the user to pull the cord from the device.
The upper portion consists of a square shaped housing that contains a retracting cord and spring mechanism to enable extension and retraction of the cord. The housing is typically 1 inch square and typically has a thickness of 0.25 inches to 0.50 inches to accommodate different materials used for the retracting cord. The outer four corners of the housing are typically beveled or rounded to improve the function of the device to rotate on its axis 360 degrees. The housing can consist of various materials that include various plasticized material, vinyl, silicone, metal or rubber.
Contained within the housing, a retracting cord is coiled compactly at rest until activated by the user. The retracting cord typically consists of nylon or thin metal cable that allows multiple cycles of extension and retraction over the life of the device. The retracting cord typically has a length of 24 inches to 36 inches.
At the end of the retracting cord is a cap device that creates a stable transition point for the retracting cord to connect with a clasp. This cap device can consist of various materials that include various plasticized material, vinyl, silicone, metal or rubber. The cap device contains a pre-drilled hole dissecting the middle of the cap to allow for an object of equal or lesser diameter to securely be positioned in place.
Dissecting the cap device is a closed loop ring that creates a connection point for a clasp to attach to the cap. The cap device can consist of various materials that include various plasticized material, vinyl, silicone, metal or rubber.
Attached to the closed loop ring is a clasp consisting of two equal length pieces connected via a spring pivot that creates the resistance needed to hold the clasp closed when at rest. The user will squeeze the two opposing lengths and the application of pressure will actuate the open and closing action of the spring.
FIG. 2 is a rear view of the housing from FIG. 1 constructed in accordance with the invention, showing the attachment clip and the 360 degree rotation capability on the upper half of the housing. The attachment clip is integrated into the rear of the housing and there are no parts or mechanisms that allow the rotating clip to become separated from the housing.
The attachment clip consists of a single piece of material connected to the housing with a spring pivot. The gripping end of the attachment clip contains a row of teeth that prevent an object from slipping between the housing and teeth when at rest. The user will squeeze one end of the attachment clip and the application of pressure will actuate the opening and closing action of the spring.
The rear housing has a section of material integrated in the housing that allows the attachment clip to rotate or spin 360 degrees on plane. This rotation creates a unique operation for the housing when used as described.
FIG. 3 is a lateral cross-section view of the rotating attachment device of FIGS. 1 and 2 showing the attachment clip from the side. The clip and spring are constructed from material such that it creates a solid attachment to article of clothing, fitness accessory or sporting equipment.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the rotating attachment device attached to a waistband or belt showing the absorbent material in use while attached to the rotating attachment device clipped to the user. Note the relative size of the absorbent material in proportion to the user and the rotating attachment device. This pairing allows the absorbent material to hang from device without concern that the weight will inadvertently pull the retracting cord lower while the user in engaged in exercise or activity. This allows the absorbent material and device to remain accessible without interfering with the exercise or activity of the user. The absorbent material is typically constructed of fabric blend of cotton, polyester, wool, microfiber, nylon, sponge, silk or other fibers with absorbent qualities finished on the edges to prevent destruction during laundry cycles. The absorbent material leaves ample area for custom indicia that can be used by organizations to advertise a product or logo.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

02 small housing device
04 retracting cord
06 cap device
08 closed loop ring
10 clasp for attaching absorbent material to retractable cord
12 attachment clip that securely attaches to user (rear view)
14 attachment clip that securely attaches to user (lateral view)
16 absorbent material
18 retractable device with cord (perspective view)
20 retractable cord attached to absorbent material (perspective view)
22 360 degree rotating mechanism

OPERATION—FIGS. 1,2,3,4

In operation, the user manages perspiration during activity or exercise by attaching the small housing device (02) to article of clothing, fitness accessory or sporting equipment with the rotating clasp (12) and attaching absorbent material (16) to the clasp (10). User on demand can extend the retracting cord (04) and absorbent material (16) from the static position to manage perspiration on the head, neck, arms etc. while the small housing device (02) rotates or swivels (22) to support a wide range of motion needed by user engaged in activity to utilize absorbent material (16). User upon demand may release the retracting cord (04), (20) and absorbent material (16) from the hand used to manage perspiration and the retracting cord (04), (20) returns to the original static position (18) on the user. The 360 degree rotating mechanism (22) of the small housing device (02) allows the absorbent material to return to a resting orientation at user's side until engaged again.

ADVANTAGES

From the description above, a number of advantages of some embodiments of my rotating attachment device and retracting absorbent material become evident:

- (a) The combination of a rotating small housing device and a retracting cord create the widest scope of convenience for the user and permit users to engage the device and absorbent material in many activities and forms of exercise.
- (b) The presence of the rotating action along with the retracting cord integrated into a small housing device with spring clip and clasp provide a superior experience for managing perspiration while engaged in activity and exercise.

CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS AND SCOPE

Accordingly, the reader will see that the rotating attachment device and retracting absorbent material can make activity and exercise more enjoyable for the user by enabling a convenient opportunity to manage perspiration with the device as needed. In addition, the absorbent material no longer needs to be held by the user during activity or exercise since the retracting cord retracts the material to a resting state on the users clothing, fitness accessory or sporting equipment until next engaged. Furthermore, the combination of embodiments have additional advantages in that:

- It reduces a long-held safety problem by freeing both hands when not using the device and material;
- It creates a new level of convenience for users since the retracting cord returns the absorbent material out of the way of interference with the primary activity;
- It provides a light-weight accessory that does not interfere with other items user may carry; and
- It allows users to create customized indicia printing or labels on several surfaces;

Although the description above contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments. For example, the small housing device can be manufactured of many different materials and shapes such as, plastic, vinyl, rubber, metal and any geometrical shape known.
Thus the scope of the embodiments should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given.

Claims

1. A fitness accessory for managing perspiration during activity comprising:

(a) a small housing device that attaches by means of an integrated clip,

(b) said small housing rotates 360 degrees when attached to article of clothing, fitness accessory or sporting equipment,

(c) a retracting cord,

(d) a cap device attached to said retracting cord,

(e) a closed loop attached to said cap device,

(f) a spring clasp attached to end of said closed loop,

(g) absorbent material attached with said spring clasp,

whereby, (1) user can attach said small housing device with said integrated clip to article of clothing, fitness accessory or sporting equipment (2) user can attach said absorbent material to said retracting cord with said spring clasp (3) user can extend said retracting cord and said attached absorbent material in order to manage perspiration during activity or exercise, (4) release said retracting cord and attached said absorbent material after use, (5) where said retracting cord retracts into the said small housing, (6) returning the said retracting cord and said absorbent material to its original resting orientation, (7) in order to keep hands free during activity or exercise and allow users freedom of movement and allow user to concentrate on activity.