US20130031935A1

US20130031935A1 - Braided Para cord Devices with Tools Contained Therein

Info

Publication number: US20130031935A1
Application number: US13/568,055
Authority: US
Inventors: Brian James Kelleghan
Original assignee: Bison Designs LLC
Current assignee: Bison Designs LLC
Priority date: 2011-08-05
Filing date: 2012-08-06
Publication date: 2013-02-07

Abstract

A paracord bracelet is disclosed which includes a blade with a loop as a handle that can be encased in the braiding to form the loop part of a closure mechanism. In a further embodiment the bracelet includes a pieces of flint formed into a solid piece to form the tab and/or toggle part of a closure mechanism. This combination of devices means that the user has a means of making a fire with them whenever they are wearing the bracelet, in addition to the paracord. In an additional embodiment a key fob is made of paracord enclosing a blade, a flint and tender. Another embodiment the bracelet includes fishing gear, including a steel cable leader set with a clasp hook, swivel, lure and other items. In the depicted embodiment the bracelet is design with the swivel and the clasp hook forming the bracelet closure mechanism.

Description

BACKGROUND

So called survival bracelets, belts and other similar items are well known. paracord, nylon cord or other cord is braided into a bracelet or similar item using known braiding/weaving/knotting/macramé techniques such that a bracelet that fits snugly around the wrist of an adult human contains about 8 to 10 feet of paracord in it. The bracelet allows the user to easily and safely carry this amount of cord with them at all times. Paracord necklaces, belts, dog collars and leashes, rifle slings, hat bands and other similar type accessories are also known. Basically anything that has a flat strip that can be about ¼ inch thick and about ¾ of an inch wide or larger can be made out of woven paracord. If the wearer has a need for the cord, they generally open up the weave by cutting or untying the cord at one end. The bracelets are provided with various closure mechanisms at each end to allow the user to put then snugly around the wrist, waist, etc.
The foregoing example of the related art and limitations related therewith are intended to be illustrative and not exclusive. Other limitations of the related art will become apparent to those of skill in the art upon a reading of the specification and a study of the drawings.

SUMMARY

For ease of description, the present disclosure will be discussed in terms of the bracelets. It is to be understood that the term bracelet should be understood to include any of the items that has a closure mechanism to make a loop. One aspect of the present disclosure it to add useful devices to the bracelet such that the devices form part of the closure mechanism of the bracelet.
Another aspect of the present disclosure is to provide additional useful items contained inside the braid of paracord that can be used one the cord is unbraided.
The following embodiments and aspects thereof are described and illustrated in conjunction with systems, tool and methods which are meant to be exemplary and illustrative, not limiting in scope. In various embodiments, one or more of the above described problems have been reduced or eliminated, while other embodiments are directed to other improvements.
In one of the embodiments the bracelet includes a blade with a loop as a handle that can be encased in the braiding to form the loop part of a closure mechanism. In a further embodiment the bracelet includes a pieces of flint formed into a solid piece to form the tab and/or toggle part of a closure mechanism. This combination of devices means that the user has a means of making a fire with them whenever they are wearing the bracelet, in addition to the paracord.
In an additional embodiment a key fob is made of paracord enclosing a blade, a flint and tender. Another embodiment the bracelet includes fishing gear, including a steel cable leader set with a clasp hook, swivel, lure and other items. In the depicted embodiment the bracelet is design with the swivel and the clasp hook forming the bracelet closure mechanism.
Another embodiment the paracord is formed into a zipper pull, key chain fob or similar device.
In addition to the exemplary aspects and embodiments described above, further aspects and embodiments will become apparent by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a picture of a bracelet with a steel loop on one end a toggle made of flint on the other end.

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the ends of the bracelet with the blade attached to the loop shown in dotted lines.

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the blade.

FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of a second bracelet embodiment where a steel cable leader fishing set up is braided into the bracelet with the snap hook and the swivel functioning as the clasp.

FIG. 5 is a close up of the end of the bracelet of FIG. 4 showing the snap hook clasp and the lure braided into the cord.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the bracelet with the casing braid partially complete.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view the start of the casing braid.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the cord of the bracelet of FIG. 4.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the items enclosed in the braid with the hooks and the sinker removed from the protective material.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view a zipper pull/key fob embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the outer braid of the embodiment of FIG. 10 partially braided.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the outer braid just started.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 10 with only the inner braid complete.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 10 with fishing lure package set to one side with the braid just started.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the core of the embodiment of FIG. 10.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of core with the items partially unpackaged.

FIG. 17 is the fire making kit unpackaged.

FIG. 19 is a top perspective view of a key fob made of paracord enclosing the just enclosing the fire making kit.

Before explaining the disclosed embodiment of the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the particular arrangement shown, since the invention is capable of other embodiments. Exemplary embodiments are illustrated in referenced figures of the drawings. It is intended that the embodiments and figures disclosed herein are to be considered illustrative rather than limiting. Also, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring first to FIG. 1, a bracelet 100 is made of paracord P in the cobra braid in the depicted embodiment. It is to be understood that other types of braiding patterns could be used as well. No limitation to the type of braiding to be used is intended or should be inferred. The braiding method should be chosen wear well. The bracelet has two ends 101 and 102. End 101 has a toggle 103 and end 102 has a loop 104 to retain the toggle in a known manner. In the depicted embodiment the toggle 103 is made of flint and the loop 104 is made of steel. However, this could be reversed and the loop 104 be made of flint and the toggle 103 be made of steel. In that case it may be desirable to have a point on at least one end of the toggle 103 (not shown) to make creating sparks easier
The fire making ability of the bracelet 100 can be used without opening up the bracelet, meaning that it could be used any number of times and still be able to be worn as a bracelet. Further, even if the bracelet were opened up and the cord used, the user could use the flint and loop and a new length of cord P to make a new bracelet.
Referring next to FIGS. 2 and 3, bracelet 100 is shown with the toggle 103 and a loop 105 with a blade 106. The blade 106 is encapsulated within the braiding such that it is complete enclosed. If desired a sheath (not shown) can be put over the blade 106 to reduce the chance that the blade 106 would cut through the cord. The sheath can be configured to allow the user to remove the blade for use without undoing the braid. In that embodiment the sheath would attach to cord in some way.
As seen in FIG. 3, the ring 105 is attached to the blade 106 with a neck section 108 that extends there between. The neck section is narrower that the width of the blade 106 to allow the braiding to be tightened around the neck section to hold the blade 106 in the braid. Tab 107 created ridges to allow the cord to be firmly held around the neck 108 and reduce the odds that the cord P slips down the blade 106 when the bracelet 100 is worn. The blade 10 has cutting edges 109 and 110 in the depicted embodiment. Serrated edge 111 is also provided in the depicted embodiment, but is not required.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view a second embodiment of the bracelet 400. A snap hook 401 and a swivel barrel 402 are the ends forming the closure mechanism of the bracelet 400. As in the embodiment above, the body of the bracelet 400 is formed from braided paracord P. This allows the user to easily carry fishing gear in a small package that remains with them as long as the bracelet is on. The paracord P braid can enclose more fishing gear, as can been seen in FIG. 5. A lure 403 is enclosed in the paracord P, in the depicted embodiment the lure 403 is close to the snap hook 401, other configurations are possible.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the fishing gear bracelet with the enclosing paracord P braid only partially enclosing the item. The clasp hook 401 and the swivel barrel 402 are attached together by a steel cable 405, forming a standard cable leader. In the depicted embodiment an additional length of paracord 404 is folded alongside the steel cable 403 to create more body to braid the main paracord P around to help form a smooth even braid to form an attractive bracelet body. The additional cord 404 is not required, but adds additional functionality.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the paracord P being started around the snap hook 401 end of the cable leader. The lure 403 is also attached to the cable 405 next to the snap hook 401. An accessory package 406 attached to the lure with additional items enclosed in hot glue or a similar material. The hot glue can be re-heated and used if needed. The accessory package 406 is discussed in greater detail below.
FIG. 8 shows just the core of the bracelet 400 with paracord 404, the wire 405, the lure 403, the accessory package 406, the swivel barrel 402 and the clasp hook 401. The paracord P is braided around this cord to form the bracelet 400. This core could be made differing lengths to make belts, necklaces or other similar devices.
FIG. 9 shows the accessory package 406 with the glue covering removed. The covering encloses the hooks 407 of the lure 403, preventing the hooks from working through the paracord P covering and reducing the chance that the wearer is poked by the hooks 407. If desired additional hooks 408, 409 and sinker 410 can also be enclosed in the glue cover. By enclosing them in the same glue cover as the hooks 407 of the lure 403, this attaches the package to the lure 403, helping to keep it stable in the enclosure. If desired other small items could be enclosed as well, no limitation of what is enclosed is intended or should be inferred.
FIG. 10 shows another embodiment of the present disclosure. The blade 106 is enclosed with the ring 105 left exposed an in FIG. 1 by an enclosure of paracord P forming a zipper pull 800 or similar device. In the depicted embodiment a double braiding of paracord is used, as can be seen in FIG. 11. This adds length of paracord that is included in the device and allows for enclosing bulkier objects that the single braid discussed above. In the depicted embodiment a raised bias overhand knot is used to produce a twisting ridge. This encloses the first layer of braid 801, which in the depicted embodiment is a cobra braid as above. Other knots and braid patterns could be used as well. Referring next to FIG. 12, the first layer of braid 801 can be seen. In this embodiment the items enclosed inside the braid of paracord P are irregularly shaped, making the first layer of braiding 801 uneven and resulting in the items not being fully enclosed in the braid. That is why the second layer of braiding is used in this embodiment. The second layer can be uses anytime further enclosing is desire or simply if more paracord is desired.
FIGS. 14, 15 and 16 show the core of the item, which in the depicted embodiment has three main parts. An accessory package 406 with lure 403 as discussed above can be one of the items. Two other parts are a fire starting kit 804, which enclosed blade 106 with ring 105. In the depicted embodiment the fire starting kit 804 is wrapped with fishing line 805. Second package 806 includes a small hacksaw blade 807, a needle 808 and a piece of wire 809 wrapped around the blade 807. Other small items could be enclosed as well, no limitation if the items included is intended or should be inferred. Possible items included, but are not limited to tools, parts usable for repairs in emergency situations. First aid items could be enclosed as well, or any number of kits specific to specific types of users or situations could be created. The items should form a reasonably compact core, or need to be packaged into one in some way to allow the paracord braid encasement to be formed by braiding the paracord P around the cord.
The fire starting kit 804 is shown unpacked in FIG. 17. The blade 106 with ring handle 105 is discussed above in detail. A sheath 810 is provided to protect the blade and reduce the chances of the blade 106 cutting the user. The sheath can also hold a flint 811 if the flint toggle discussed above is not used. A small piece of twine 812 is also included to use a tinder. The fire starting kit placed together and wrapped in a reasonably water resilient cover, such as duct tape to make the package shown in FIG. 16.
FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of a key fob made from paracord P enclosing just the first starting kit 804. A split ring 112 is put through the ring 105 to allow the device to be used as a key fob, zipper pull or other similar type item.
While a number of exemplary aspects and embodiments have been discussed above, those of skill in the art will recognize certain modifications, permutations, additions and sub-combinations therefore. It is therefore intended that the following appended claims hereinafter introduced are interpreted to include all such modifications, permutations, additions and sub-combinations are within their true spirit and scope. Each apparatus embodiment described herein has numerous equivalents.
The terms and expressions which have been employed are used as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention in the use of such terms and expressions of excluding any equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof, but it is recognized that various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention claimed. Thus, it should be understood that although the present invention has been specifically disclosed by preferred embodiments and optional features, modification and variation of the concepts herein disclosed may be resorted to by those skilled in the art, and that such modifications and variations are considered to be within the scope of this invention as defined by the appended claims. Whenever a range is given in the specification, all intermediate ranges and subranges, as well as all individual values included in the ranges given are intended to be included in the disclosure. When a Markush group or other grouping is used herein, all individual members of the group and all combinations and subcombinations possible of the group are intended to be individually included in the disclosure.
In general the terms and phrases used herein have their art-recognized meaning, which can be found by reference to standard texts, journal references and contexts known to those skilled in the art. The above definitions are provided to clarify their specific use in the context of the invention.

Claims

1. A bracelet comprising:

a body formed from braided paracord having a first and second end;

a closure mechanism for the bracelet formed in two parts, each of said part being attached to the first and second end respectively;

at least one of the closure mechanisms being an item that is a tool usable for a task other than closing the bracelet.