Abstract
A tethering device for a utilization device (pen, marker, glue stick, etc.) having a cap. The tethering device maintains a connection between the utilization device and the cap during use of the utilization device. The tethering device comprises first and second adhering elements which conform to and adhere to an outer surface of at least one of the utilization device and the cap and an elongated flexible band having two ends positioned and connected to the first and second adhering elements respectively to flexibly connect the first and second adhering elements. The band has an effective length between the respective first and second adhering elements which is sufficient to permit the removable and replaceable cap to be removed from the utilization device and replaced thereon when the first and second adhering elements are adhered to the respective surfaces of the utilization device and the cap.
Claims
1. A tethering device in combination with a longitudinally elongated manually manipulated utilization device selected from the group consisting of a pen, a marker, a glue stick, and a stylus with each having a removable and replaceable cap which covers an operational segment of the utilization device and is removed therefrom for continued manual use of the utilization device and is replaced thereon during non-use, the tethering device being configured for maintaining a connection between the utilization device and the removable and replaceable cap during the continued manual use of the utilization device, and comprising: a. a first adhering panel conformed to and adhered to an outer surface of at least one of the utilization device and the removable and replaceable cap, b. a second adhering panel conformed to and adhered to an outer surface of the other of the utilization device and the removable and replaceable cap, and c. an elongated flexible stretchable elastomeric band having two ends positioned and connected to the first and second adhering-panels respectively to elastically connect the first and second adhering panels and wherein the band, when attached to both the utilization device and cap in a capped position, extends in a linear direction without slack and in close proximity to the utilization device and the cap, wherein the stretchable elastomeric elongated flexible linearly extending band has an effective stretchable length between the respective first and second adhering panels sufficient to permit the removable and replaceable cap to be removed from the utilization device and replaced thereon with the first and second adhering panels being adhered to the respective surfaces of the utilization device and the removable and replaceable cap, and wherein the utilization device comprises a seat thereon for the temporary holding of the removable and replaceable cap during continued manual use of the utilization device and wherein a stretchable effective length of the elastomeric elongated band is of sufficient length to permit the removable and replaceable cap to be seated on the seat for the temporary holding thereof.
2. The tethering device of claim 1, wherein the first and second adhering panels comprise respective substantially flat panels each having a respcctive coextensive surface covered with an adhesive of sufficient adhesion strength to provide the respective adhering of the first and second adhering panels to the surfaces of the utilization device and removable and replaceable cap.
3. The tethering device of claim 2, wherein the flat panels have decorative design or shape configurations.
4. The tethering device of claim 2, wherein the strength of the adhesive is sufficient to substantially prevent unwanted removal of the respective adhering panels from the respective surfaces of the utilization device and the removable and replacable cap, resulting from elongated stretching of the elastomeric elastic band and during the continued manual use of the utilization device.
5. The tethering device of claim 2, wherein the flat panels are each comprised of at least two bonded layers and wherein two ends of the elongated flexible band are adhesively imbedded between layers of the respective flat panels.
6. The tethering device of claim 2, wherein the flat panels include a magnet within at least one of the respective flat panels and a magnetically susceptible material on the other of the flat panels whereby the juxtaposition of the respective panels provides a temporary magnetic holding therebetween to provide the temporary holding seat for the removable and replaceable cap when the utilization device is in use.
7. The tethering device of claim 2 wherein one or both flat panels have an exposed writable surface.
8. The tethering device of claim 1, wherein the band is flat.
9. The tethering device of claim 8, wherein the tethering device further comprises an elongated application carrier configured to support and carry the elastomeric band in an extended configuration and with the application carrier having extension members at opposite ends thereof and out of line of the elastomeric band whereby the extension members respectively support the first and second adhering panels on non-adhering sides of the first and second adhering panels to leave a respective coextensive surface free fordirect adhering of the first and second adhering panels to the surfaces of the utilization device and removable and replaceable cap and removal of the application carrier from the tethering device thereafter with separation of the utilization device and cap.
Description
SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) FIGS. 1a and 1b depict top and bottom views of the bungee cord tether as disclosed herein with typical dimensions;
(2) FIG. 2 depicts a blown up fabrication procedure of a tether panel and cord attachment and panel fabrications;
(3) FIGS. 3a-d depict various ornamental and inscribable embodiments of the bungee cord tether;
(4) FIGS. 4a-c depict a pen, a marker and another type of pen with fastened bungee cord tethers of various ornamental appearance on the caps and bodies thereof respectively;
(5) FIG. 5 shows a bungee cord tether with flexibility;
(6) FIG. 6 depicts a marker with a tethered bungee cord and the cap removed;
(7) FIG. 7 shows the center layer of the panel having an additional adhesive layer for increased integrity of the panel attachment to the pen or cap;
(8) FIGS. 8a and 8b depict the peeling of the panel to expose the adhesive attachment surface and the placement on both marker and cap respectively.
(9) FIG. 9 shows a child using a marker with a tethered cap;
(10) FIGS. 10a-d are a mock-up depiction of a cardboard carrier for the bungee cord tether, the placement of the tether with cardboard carrier on a pen and cap, and removal of the carrier with separation of the cap and pen, respectively;
(11) FIG. 11 is an exploded view of a panel showing another embodiment with a magnetic structure;
(12) FIG. 12 is a marker with magnetically attachable tether panels;
(13) FIGS. 13a and 13b depict a marker and glue stick respectively, which do not have cap-holding ends with FIG. 13b depicting a magnetic holding;
(14) FIG. 14 is an expanded view of the magnetic holding between cap and glue stick of FIG. 13b;
(15) FIGS. 15a and 15b depict the placement and holding of different markers on whiteboards having magnetically attractive metallic bases;
(16) FIG. 16 is an example of the bungee cord tether as placed on a flash drive and cap during use of the flash drive; and
(17) FIGS. 17a-e depict a packaging carrier and application of an enclosing wrapper with sequential operation placement similar to that of a bandage application.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
(18) As shown in the figures all of the bungee cord tethers 10 shown therein have the basic elements of adhesive panels 11 and 12 with a connecting elastic flat band 13 therebetween, with ends thereof imbedded in or attached to the respective panels and firmly adhered thereto. As shown in FIGS. 1a and 1b, the panels 11 and 12 have respective opposite surfaces (exposed top surface A in FIG. 1a and adhesive bottom surface B shown in FIG. 1b of panels 11 and 12 which are attached to the cap and pen respectively. Panels 11 and 12) are interchangeable with respect to their relative attachment to the cap or to the pen body. Dimensions shown of 0.75 square panel 11 and 1.50.75, of rectangular panel 12, are shown only as exemplary of a utilizable dimension which may be decoratively or usefully varied. Similarly, the two inches between panels 11 and 12 shown in FIG. 1a and the overall length of the bungee tether 10 in FIG. 1b is typically exemplary with dimensions being variable with respect to particular use and dimension of the pen, marker, glue stick, flash drive, stylus and the like, to which the tether is configured.
(19) The composition of a panel 11 (with panel 12 being similarly constructed) is shown in FIG. 2 as being comprised of adhered layers 11a, 11b and 11c with vinyl or other plastic or other durable material outer layers 11a, with printable or writable exposed upper surface 11 and with the lower surface 11 being coated with an adhesive for attachment to the pen or cap. The adhesive in a common embodiment is a peel-off one with a removable protective paper layer 22, as shown in FIG. 7.
(20) As shown in FIG. 2, an end 13a of the elastic band 13 is imbedded in a slot 21 in foam layer 11b of panel 11 (a similar placement is done with respect to the other end of the elastic band 13 and panel 12). Elastic band 13 in one embodiment is comprised of a structurally reinforced fabric-elastic material, such as spandex, for example sold as Lycra (Dupont trademark), similar to those used in clothing, with a relatively limited stretching compared to typical rubber bands. The degree of stretching of the elastic band 13 should be sufficient to enable the cap, on which it is placed to be removable from the pen and replaceable thereon and to allow for variations in placement positioning of the panels at the ends of the elastic band on the cap and pen.
(21) With placement of the end 13a of the elastic band 13 within slot 21, the end 13a is, in various embodiments, strongly adhered to the foam layer 11b by adhesive coating thereof to adhere the end 13a and elastic band end 13a as well as adhering layers 11a and 11b thereto in a sandwich structure. Other adhesion expedients include heat and ultrasound adhesions and the like, as appropriate for the specific materials being used. In addition to the reinforcement provided by the fabric interwoven in the elastic, end fibers of the fabric increase adhesion strength of the bond between elastic band 13 and the respective panels 11 and 12. The width and flat surface of the elastic band at its end 13a also facilitates strong adhesion connection with a greater area for adhesion and a closer juxtaposition between the adhered parts.
(22) FIGS. 3a-d illustrate various decorative embodiments for the bungee cord tethers 10 with different configurations of the panels 11 and 12. In FIG. 3a, the panels each have a hexagonal shape. The panels 11 and 12 of FIG. 3b are those of FIGS. 1a and 1b with square panel 11 and rectangular panel 12, with the latter having a writable surface for writing indicia, such as the shown owner name. FIG. 3c shows panels 11 and 12 of parallelogram configuration and FIG. 3d depicts panels 11 and 12 being of decorative cupcake representations.
(23) FIGS. 4a through 4c show the placement of the tethers 10 with different sizes and shapes of panels 11 and 12 on pens 22 and 24 in FIGS. 4a and 4c and marker 23 in FIG. 4b. Optimally, as shown in all three FIGS. 4a-c, the respective panels 11 and 12 are positioned and adhesively attached at about the midpoints of the longitudinal length of the cap and pen bodies respectively (the pen midpoint as described herein does not include the length the pen body contained within the cap in the covered position). The elastic band 13 extends across the dividing line 30 between cap and pen and is sufficiently elastic to permit the respective caps 22a, 23a and 24a to be lifted and removed from the respective pens 22b and 24b and marker 23b. FIG. 5 illustrates the flexibility of the elastic band 13 with the tethered removal of cap 23a from marker 23b shown in FIG. 6.
(24) FIGS. 8a and 8b depict a simple procedure with which a tether is attached to a marker 23 and its cap 23a and marker body 23b. In FIG. 8a paper 40 is peeled off and removed from panel 11 (similar paper is removed from panel 12, not shown) to expose an underlying adhesive on the panel. In FIG. 8b, the panels 11 and 12 are obverted with adhesive surfaces 11 and 12 being placed adjacent the approximate mid points of cap 23a and marker body 23b with elastic cord 13 is kept taut but not stretched. Panels 11 and 12 are brought into adhesive contact with the respective cap and marker 23a and 23b to complete the tethering. The tethered cap and marker, with the elastic 13 being folded over and away from the marker tip, is shown in FIG. 9, with a child using the marker 23, with cap 23a being positioned on the marker end 23 and tethered to the marker body 23b.
(25) FIGS. 10a-d depict a tether emplacement embodiment with an applicator 50 such as of cardboard (which may also be used as part of packaging for the tether), which holds the tether 10 in extended position. The applicator 50 is a short rectangular strip of cardboard having end slots 51 and 52 forming panel retention fingers 53a and 53b and 54a and 54b respectively and a flat section 55.of a length approximately equivalent to the length of elastic band 13. The opposite ends 13a and 13b of band 13 are fitted into slots between fingers 53a & 53b and 54a & 54b. The band 13 is supported by flat section 55 and the panels 11 and 12 extend outside the applicator 50 and are unsupported therewith. As shown in FIG. 10b, the applicator 50 with retained tether 10 is placed on a marker 23, the peel-off adhesive is removed from the panels 11 and 12 (not shown) and the panels 11 and 12 are adhered to cap 23a and marker body 23b respectively. As shown in FIGS. 10a and 10b, removal of the cap 23a from the pen body 23b automatically causes the applicator 50 to fall off for disposal.
(26) FIGS. 11-15b relate to another embodiment of the tether disclosed herein, where the capped pen, marker, glue stick and the like are not configured to provide a supporting rest for the cap when the pen, marker, glue stick and the like is being used. This is most common with many markers and glue sticks, which are simple cylinders without shaped cutouts for holding a cap.
(27) As shown in FIG. 11, the panel 111 is made as in the prior embodiment with the sandwich sheets 111a and 111c and sandwiched foam sheet 111b adhered to elastic band 113. However, and additional layer of a magnetic sheet 115 is centrally attached to foam sheet 110b and is sandwiched therewith in the panel 111 structure. As shown in FIG. 12, marker 23 is shown with cap 23a and marker body 23b, which is cylindrical and without a seat for cap 23a at it closed end. The tether 110 is adhered to the cap 23a and marker body 23b as with the prior embodiment. However, end panels 111 and 112 are magnetic with enclosed contained magnetic sheets 115. Accordingly, cap tethering attachment (in the absence of a cap seat on the marker or glue stick body) is directly between the magnetic panels 111 and 112 as shown in FIGS. 13a, 13b and 14 for marker 23 and glue stick 34 respectively. In addition, to the tethering, the inclusion of a magnetic element in the tether, enables the markers 23, shown in FIGS. 15a and 15b to be attached to and retained for handy use by typical whiteboards or refrigerators having magnetically susceptible metal bases. FIG. 16 depicts a tether 210 attached to a flash drive 211 while it is being used with computer 212.
(28) FIG. 17 depicts another tether applicator/carrier 60 in the form of a paper enclosure. In FIG. 17b a top layer 60a of the applicator/carrier 60 is peeled off from bottom layer 60b, similar to a bandage package, to reveal the tether 10 with the adhesive sides 11 and 12 of panels 11 and 12 being exposed. As shown in FIG. 17c, the bottom layer 60b is grasped and the adhesive portions 12 and 11 placed on the marker body 23b and cap 23a respectively and peeled off (FIG. 17d) to provide the emplaced tether 10 on marker 23 (FIG. 17e).
(29) In a variation thereof shown, the tether is sandwiched in a folded-over transparent plastic and the adhesive surfaces are exposed with unfolding of the plastic sandwich and as with the embodiment of FIG. 17c, the unfolded carrier is grasped to place the adhesive panels on a marker to provide the emplacement with peeling off of the remaining plastic.
(30) It is understood that the above description and illustrated embodiments are only exemplary of the invention and the type of capped devices and that other capped devices as well as changes in components and structure may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.
