EP0829780A2

EP0829780A2 - Device to attach an object like a watch to the wrist, particularly to an in-line-skater handprotector

Info

Publication number: EP0829780A2
Application number: EP97112894A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Thomas Bryan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1996-08-12
Filing date: 1997-07-26
Publication date: 1998-03-18
Also published as: EP0829780A3

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) provided in the shape of an elongated belt for attaching an object like a watch to the wrist, in particular to an in-line-skater handprotector (20) of a user. The device (1) consisting of bottom and upper material layer (7, 6a, 6b, 2) is designed so that a watch can be inserted with its wrist traps in pockets which are formed between those material layers so that the watch is held safe and cannot be lost. The device (1) can be removeably fixed, e.g. to a closing tongue (4) of the handprotector (20) by means of valcro parts. Alternatively, the device can be fixed tightly, i.e. stitched to the handprotector (20). The device accomodates to different diameters of a wrist or different sizes of the handprotector (20) by means of a rubber-elastic stretchable fastening section (10) which can be stretched in length direction of the device.

Description

Background of the Invention

The invention concerns a device to fasten an object like a watch to the wrist and particularly to an in-line-skater handprotector.
The normal handprotector for in-line-skaters does not have the opportunity to attach a watch safely or to integrate it. On the other hand it does not make any sense to wear a watch under the in-line-skater handprotector because the watch would be covered by the protector. It is not comfortable either - the watch would pinch under the glove since the latter has two plastic shells.
Until now a watch has had to be removed from the wrist and it had to be carried separately in a bag.
Almost the same goes for other accessories like a beeper, a small bag, a mirror or a bell. These kind of objects cannot be attached to an in-line-skater handprotector in an easy and comfortable way and in a way that guarantees that the objects are easily to be reached.
One is faced with the same problem when handprotectors for other types of sports are concerned, e.g. handprotectors for skate- or snowboarders.

Summary of the Invention

The invention has as its object to create a device - particularly for an in-line-skater handprotector - to make an object like a watch attachable and so that a watch or similar objects can be safely fastened onto the wrist over the handprotector in a versatile and an uncomplicated way so that it is visible and reachable. It should be easily removable. The device should be designed so that it is applicable to wrists or handprotectors of different size and with different circumferences.
According to an essential aspect of the invention, the above object is solved by a device to attach an object like a watch to the wrist, particularly to an in-line-skater handprotector, characterized in that the device is shaped like an elongated belt which consists of two layers of material essentially over the whole length of it, of which the upper layer has a velcro part on both of its end sections and in its middle section a flexible material with incisions, wherein the sections that have the first velcro parts of the upper layer are fixed tightly - particularly stitched - with the lower layer on the front side and along the edges, and that the middle section of the upper layer made of flexible material lies loosely on the lower layer, and that a rubber-elastic stretchable fastening section which is stretchable lengthwise to the device is provided at one end of the device, wherein said rubber-elastic fastening section is at its free end either irremovably connectable with the handprotector or has a closing part there that serves the purpose of connecting the device removably with a complementary closing part on the handprotector or on the closing tongue of it, and that the lower layer of the device has a second velcro part on its other end that is complementary to the first velcro part. In that way pockets are created between the bottom layer and the parts of the upper layers, into which the watchbands of a wristwatch can be inserted. The pockets are relatively narrow so that the wristwatch is relatively safe in them with the watchband. Optionally, and this is a big advantage, it is possible to attach a protector consisting of elastic material by means of parts of velcro to cover the whole middle flexible part of the upper layer and therefore the watch or similar objects. This device can also be removed again. This guarantees even more protection and it prevents the watch that is attached to the device from being destroyed. It is a big advantage that this protector can have a velcro on its bottom side that can easily be loosened on one end and another velcro on the other end that is hard to loosen.
With the rubber-elastic fastening part that is intended at one of the ends of the device, that means the elongated belt, and that is elastically stretchable lengthwise of it, it is provided that the device can be adjusted to different circumferences of the wrists or to handprotectors of different size. The invention is principally and advantageously designed in such a way that it can either be fixed tightly, that means irremovably, to the handprotector (it is stitched to it), or so that it can be removably attached to the handprotector. In the latter case, the device has a closing part at the free end of the rubber-elastic and stretchable fastening part that can be removably connected with a complementary closing part of the handprotector or with the closing strap thereof.
The complementary closing parts preferably comprise velcro parts. The device can be removably fastened to the handprotector in such a way that it is attached to the complementary velcro closing part of the handprotector or of the closing strip. Then it is wrapped around the wrist. The second velcro part on the other end of the device on the bottom layer is complementary to the velcro on the upper layer so that one can fix it removably to the first velcro, once the device is wrapped around the wrist or the handprotector. Due to that it is guaranteed that the removable device lies safely around the handprotector or around the wrist. To guarantee that the device is attached safely, but also removably, it additionally may have a loop over the whole width of the device. This loop is preferably made of rubber-elastic material. Through this open loop one of the closing straps of the handprotector can be pulled to ensure that the device is securely fastened to the handprotector.
The closing part at the free end of the rubber-elastic and stretchable fastening part may be further provided with parallel slits through which the closing strap of the handprotector can be pulled and tightened, preferably three parallel slits which are equally spaced and have a width slightly wider than the width of the closing strap of the handprotector.
According to another form of construction the device forms a closing strap of the device itself and then, self evidently, it is irremovably connected with the handprotector.
Self evidently, the device can also be wrapped around the wrist of a person and be fixed there and worn without a handprotector or a glove. Then it is still possible to attach a wristwatch, a beeper, a bell and/or a small bag, etc..
Therefore the rubber-elastic fastening part may have a cover flap on its bottom side that is attached to one side, e.g. stitched to it, and adjoining to the velcro part there. The cover flap can be pulled over that velcro part at the end of the elastic fastening part, when the device is worn on the wrist without a handprotector, so that it is guaranteed that the rough velcro does not scratch on the wrist.
Other tasks and advantageous features of the invention will be clarified in the following by the description of a preferable embodiment and optional accessories, especially when the description is read with reference to the Figures. The Figures show diagrammatically and perspectively:

Fig. 1: a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention;
Fig. 2: one way of making the device removable from the handprotector;
Fig. 3: one way of attaching the device irremovably to the handprotector;
Fig. 4: an alternative way of attaching the device to a handprotector - according to the invention;
Figs. 5 and 6: optional and preferable accessories that are attachable to the device according to the invention - in the opened and closed position, respectively;
Fig. 7: a detailed view to elucidate the removable fixing of the invention to the handprotector;
Fig. 8: a detailed view of the section with the rubber-elastic fastening part;
Fig. 9: another detailed view of the device wrapped around the wrist of a user;
Figs. 10A, 10B, 10C a detailed view of another form of the section adjacent to the rubber elastic fastening part, showing sequential steps of inserting the closing strap of the handprotector; and
Fig. 11 the device of the invention according to Fig. 10A attached to a handprotector.

Description of Preferred Embodiments

Fig. 1 - which is shown perspectively and not true to scale - shows the preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention. It shows that the device that is generally referred to with number 1 has the form of an elongated belt. On the whole, this belt consists of two layers of softly flexible material or fabric that essentially go over its whole length and width, namely an upper layer 6a, 2, 6b and a lower layer 7. The upper layer has a middle section 2 provided between two end sections 6a, 6b and lies loosely on top of the lower layer 7. Apart from that, the end sections 6a, 6b are connected tightly with the lower layer 7 lengthways to the connecting lines 8a, 8b shown by broken lines - preferably they are stitched to it. It is also possible to glue the upper layer to the lower layer 7 or to weld it to it along the conntecting lines. It is essential that the middle section 2 lies loosely on top of layer 7 and that the edges of both of the end sections 6a, 6b of the upper layer adjacent to the middle section 2 are not connected with the lower layer 7 so that the lower layer 7 and the upper layer form two opposite pockets that can be used to insert parts of a watchband (of a watch that is not shown). To do that, the middle section 2 of the upper layer has two incisions 9a, 9b that are parallel and opposite to each other so that they form the access to the mentioned pockets. The space between incisions 9a, 9b is adjusted to the sizes of a conventional wrist watch. The two end sections 6a, 6b of the upper layer are made of velcro, preferably formed as a fleece layer of the same. The middle section 2 of the upper layer and also adjacent parts of the end sections 6a, 6b thereof can be made of clear plastic material or alternatively of light-reflecting plastic material.
At one end of the device 1 a lengthwise stretchable, rubber-elastic fastening section 10 is attached irremovably, e.g. stitched to it. It can also be glued to it or welded to it there. The free end of the rubber-elastic, stretchable fastening section 10 is, as it is explained in the following, either irremovably connectable with the handprotector, by stitching it to the handprotector (s. Fig. 3) or, if the device is to be removably connected with the handprotector, it has a closing part 11 at that place that is connectable with a complementary closing part at handprotector 20 or with a closing belt 4 of the same (s. figs. 2, 7, 10, 11). These closing parts are preferably constructed, as it is explained later on, as velcros that are complementary to each other.
Further, the device 1 shown in Fig. 1 presents a loop 3 on its bottom side that goes over the whole width of it and that particularly is made of rubber-elastic material. Through this loop 3 a closing strap 4 of the handprotector 20 is pulled, as it is explained by means of Fig. 2. This serves the purpose of fastening the device even more safely to the handprotector. Further more, there is another velcro part 5 fixed onto the lower layer 7 of the device at the other end of it, which is complementary to the velcro part 6a, 6b of the upper layer. A third velcro part 13 that is situated approximately in the middle section of the lower layer 7 of the device 1 can also be used to fasten the device 1 removably to the handprotector, as it is shown in the Fig. 4 later on.
Further on, Fig. 1 shows a cover flap 12 that is attached - preferably stitched - onesidedly with its edges to the bottom side of the rubber-elastic fastening section 10 at a position adjacent to the velcro part 11 and that serves the purpose to protect the user's skin when the device shown in Figure 1 is worn on the user's wrist without a handprotector.
In Fig. 2 a loosenable fastener of the device according to the invention for the handprotector 20 is shown. For that purpose a closing strip 4 of the handprotector 20 is pulled through the loop 3 that is located on the bottom side of the device, and the velcro part 11 of the rubber-elastic stretchable fastening part 10 is attached removably to a complementary velcro part of the fastening strap 4.
Fig. 2 shows immediately that one may also attach the closing part 11 on the rubber-elastic fastening section 10 to a velcro fleece layer 2 that is provided at the handprotector 20 instead of attaching it to the illustrated attaching place. Because of the rubber-elastic flexibility of the fastening part 10 it is possible to adjust the device 1 to different peripheral sizes of the handprotector, when it is wrapped around the handprotector 20. When it is wrapped around the handprotector 20 a velcro part (not especially indicated) of the closing strap 4 engages the velcro verlours layer 21 of the handprotector 20, and the velcro part 5 provided at the bottom side on the other end of the device 1 engages the velcro fleece layer 6b that lies on the upper layer.
Fig. 3 shows an embodiment where the device 1 of the invention is connected irremovably with one end of its rubber-elastic stretchable fastening part, that means it is stitched to the handprotector. The velcro part 11 at the end of the rubber-elastic fastening part 10, the cover flap 12 and the tongue 3 are dropped in this embodiment.
Fig. 4 shows a situation where the device 1 that is shown in Figure 1 and that is as such provided separately from the handprotector 20 is fixed removably to the complementary velcro part that means to the velcro fleece layer 21 of a handprotector 20 with the middle velcro closing part 13 that is provided on the bottom side of the device 1. Afterwards the device 1 can be wrapped around the wrist of the user's handprotector and can be fixed in the way that has already been described.
The description given above of how to fasten the device 1 removably or irremovably as it is shown in Figs. 2 to 4 shows the versatile usage of the device 1 and how variously the device for fastening an object like a watch can be used. Self-evidently, that includes the fastening of the device 1 e.g. to a snowboarder's glove.
Further more, it is to be emphasized that apart from a watch, a beeper, a bell or similar other objects e.g. a small bag is removably attachable to or on the device 1 of the invention. The velcro fleece layers 6a, 6b that goes on the whole over the total length of the device 1 may serve the purpose e.g. to attach a small bag to it by means of a complementary velcro part. In addition, such a bag may have on its bottom side, apart from such a complementary velcro part, a loop that goes over the total width of it through which the elongated belt of the device 1 can be pulled. Through that the bag attached to the device is fastened to it in a way that one cannot loose it.
Fig. 5 shows a preferred further development of the claimed device 1 that is shown in the Figs. described before, wherein it is supplemented with two additional parts. On the one hand a safety strip 14 is fixed - particularly stitched - to it adjacent to the middle section 2 of the upper layer which serves the purpose of securing the watch that is attached to the device, if it does not possess watchband parts that are suitable for being inserted into the pockets that are formed by the device (s. Figure 1 above) - that means e.g. a wristwatch without a wristband. For that purpose, the safety strip 14 is advantageously pulled through the incisions of customary wrist watches for attaching the watchband parts and that are located on both sides of the watch. The safety strip 14 is after that fixed with a velcro part 15 at its free end to the velcro fleece layer 6a that lies opposite to it and is complementary to it so that the watch is held safely. Self-evidently, the safety strip 14 is also usable for holding a bell or a beeper if there is no watch attached to the device 1.
Further, a protector cap 30 is shown in Figure 5 that covers the whole width of the middle section 2 of the upper layer of the device 1 and consists of elastic and padding material. This protector cap 30 serves the purpose of protecting a watch that is attached to the middle section 2, when the protector cap, as shown in Fig. 6, is turned down and fixed to the velcro closing part 6a so that it covers the watch to protect it. Advantageously, the protector cap 30 has at both of its ends two velcro bur sections 31 and 32 that adhere with different intensity. It is easier to remove the first velcro closing part 31 and harder to remove the velcro part 32 from the complementary velcro parts 6a or 6b. Preferably, the protector cap 30 has at the end where it has the velcro bur section 32 that is hard to remove a security loop 33 that consists of rubber-elastic material and that is used to secure protector cap 30 of the device 1 so that it cannot be lost.
In Fig. 5 the fixing direction of the security strip 14 and of the protector cap 30 is in each case indicated by arrows K1 and K2. Other details of Figs. 5 and 6 are identical with the details described above by means of Figure 1 and they are designated with the same reference numbers.
Fig. 7 shows details of how the device 1 shown in Fig. 1 can be fixed removably to a broader closing tongue 4 of a handprotector 20. The closing tongue 4 carries a velcro fleece layer 22 directly at its end that is adjacent to the handprotector 20. For the purpose of fixing the complementary velcro bur section that is located at the end of the rubber-elastic stretchable fastening section 10 to the velcro fleece layer, the cover flap 12 on the bottom side of the rubber-like stretchable fastening section 10 is moved backward, that means it is moved away from the velcro parts (arrow).
In Fig. 8 the direction of moving the cover flap 12 is indicated with the arrow K4, if the device 1 according to the invention is to be worn directly on the user's wrist so that the rough velcro bur section 11 does not rub on the user's skin.
Fig. 9 depicts the device according to the invention without a handprotector in a constitution when being wrapped around the wrist (not shown) of a user. In this constitution, both ends are overlapping and the velcro part 5 on the bottom side of device 1 engages the complementary velcro part 6b on the upper layer of device 1. That section of the velcro part 11 provided opposite to the arm of a user is covered by the cover flap 12 and protecting the skin of the user. An additional velcro-fleece part 17 (not described heretofore) provided at the bottom side, i.e. on the bottom fabric layer 7 of device 1, provides additional adherence of the velcro part 11 with its upper or outer section.
Another form of the section at the end of the device 1 adjacent to the rubber-elastic fastening part is shown in Figs. 10A, 10B and 10C and Fig. 11 shows the device according to Figs. 10A-10C attached to a handprotector 20.
As can be easily taken from the perspective view of that embodiment of the device 1 according to the invention, a section 18 adjacent to the rubber-elastic fastening part 10 has three slits 19 extending in parallel and essentially in widthwise direction of the device 1. These slits 19 are equally spaced.
Fig. 10B shows how a closing strap 4 of a handprotector (not shown) in inserted in the first slit from the upper side of the device 1. Fig. 10C shows that the closing strap 4 of the handprotector (not shown) is first pulled through the second slit 19 and then through the third slit 19 in this sequential order.
Fig. 11 shows a state where the closing strap 4 of the handprotector 20 is completely pulled through the three slits 19 and additionally through the elastic loop 3 of the device 1. In this state, the velcro closing part 11 of the device 1 is directly connected to the complementary velcro part of the handprotector beneath the closing strap 4. Needless to say that the embodiment of the device 1 as shown in the figs. 10A, 10B, 10C and 11 enhances the safety and the strength when the device 1 is attached to the handprotector 20.
For the invention, the usage of velcro parts is preferred for the loosenable fastening. Velcro fastening means have been approved and they are prevailed on the market in almost all sections of sportswear and of sports accessories, since they can be produced and attached inexpensively and they are soft and flexible. The velcro parts of the sections 6a, 6b and 13 shown in the Figs. are preferably made of fleece layers like the velcro parts 21 and 22 at the handprotector or at the closing tongue 4, whereas the velcro parts 5, 11, 15, 31 and 32 are preferably made as bur sections. Although this design of the velcro parts has advantages, the invention is not limited to this combination,.
Although the preferred loosenable fastening of the device 1 according to the invention to the handprotector 20 or to its closing tongue 4 is carried out with velcro parts, other closing devices will also serve the purpose if they are loosenable and complementary to each other, like snap fasteners, hooks , eyes, etc.
The proportions of the sizes illustrated in the drawing Figs. are neither true to scale nor to be regarded as limiting the invention.
Experts who have carefully studied the description given above will without any problems spot several variants that are covered by the claims.

Claims

A device to attach an object like a watch to the wrist, particularly to an in-line-skater handprotector, characterized in that the device (1) is shaped like an elongated belt which consists of two layers of material (7, 6a, 2, 6b) essentially over the whole length of it, of which the upper layer (6a, 2 6b) has a velcro part on both of its end sections (6a, 6b) and in its middle section (2) a flexible material with incisions (9a, 9b), wherein the sections that have the first velcro closing parts (6a, 6b) of the upper layer are fixed tightly - particularly stitched - with the lower layer on the front side and along the edges, and that the middle section (2) of the upper layer made of flexible material lies loosely on the lower layer (7), and that a rubber-elastic stretchable fastening section (10) which is stretchable lengthwise to the device is provided at one end of the device (1), wherein said rubber-elastic fastening section is at its free end either irremovably connectable with the handprotector or has a closing part (11) there that serves the purpose of connecting the device (1) removably with a complementary closing part (21, 22) on the handprotector or on the closing tongue (4) of it, and that the lower layer (7) of the device has a second velcro part (5) on its other end that is complementary to the first velcro part.
The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the complementary closing parts (11 and 22, 21) are provided as velcro parts.
The device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the device (1) has an additional open loop (3) at its bottom side of the lower layer (7) that goes over the whole width of it, particularly made of rubber-elastic material through which a fastening strap (4) of the handprotector (20) can be pulled.
The device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device (1) in a section (18) of material at its end adjacent to the rubber-elastic stretchable fastening section (10) comprises a plurality of elongated slits (19), in particular three slits (19), in widthwise direction of the device (1) and having equal distances from one another, said slits (19) serving for the purpose that an elongated closing strap (4) of a handprotector can be pulled through and the device (1) can be tightly and securely fastened to the handprotector (20).
The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the device is fastened, particularly stitched, at the end of the rubber-elastic fastening section (10) to the handprotector (20) above its closing tongue (4), in case of an unloosenable fastening.
The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the device (1) is irremovably attached to the handprotector (20) in a way that the closing tongue at the handprotector (20) constitutes the device itself.
The device according to claims 2, 3 or 4 characterized in that the rubber-elastic attaching section (10) possesses a cover flap (12) that is attached, particularly stitched,-onesidedly to its bottom side that can be moved down over the velcro part (11) at the end of the elastic attaching section to protect it.
The device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a protecting cap (30) that covers the total width of the upper layer of the device and that is made of elastic material to cover the middle flexible section (2) is removably attachable to the upper layer (6a, 6b) of the device (1) by means of velcro parts (31, 32).
The device according to claim 8, characterized in that the protecting cap (30) comprises a velcro part (31) on one end of the bottom side that is easy to loosen and a velcro part (32) at the other end that is hard to loosen.