RETAINING DEVICE FOR SECURING AN ARTICLE IN A POCKET

Abstract

The present invention provides a retaining device for securing an article such as a mobile computing device or the like, in a pocket of a garment or bag, and methods of using the same. The retaining device may have a pocket post, a hook, and a clip, and may be operable to be easily inserted into the pocket via the leading member, attach to the pocket via the clip, and hold the article in the pocket via the hook.

Claims

1. An retainer device for securing an article in a pocket, the retaining device comprising: a. a pocket post operable to be inserted into a pocket of a garment; b. a clip having a proximal end mechanically connected to a proximal end of said pocket post, wherein said clip is substantially parallel to said pocket post and spaced apart by a pre-determined distance, c. at least one clamping element narrowing a distance between said pocket post and said clip for pinching and holding said pocket between said pocket post and said clip; and d. a rigid retainer structure connected to a proximal portion of said pocket post for retaining a smart phone and protruding about orthogonally from said pocket post, such that the retainer structure faces toward the interior of the pocket when said at least one clamping element is engaged with an exterior surface of said pocket, said rigid retainer having a length that is greater than a width of a smart phone and a shallow hook structure at its distal end for engaging a back or front side of said smart phone.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said pocket post comprises a first end having a leading edge, and a second end mechanically connected to said retaining structure.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein said leading edge comprises at least one of a rounded shape, a taper, a chamfer, and a bevel.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein said hook structure has an extension and a curved distal end.

5. (canceled)

6. The device of claim 2, wherein said clip comprises a distal end having at least one of a rounded shape, a taper, a chamfer, and a bevel.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein said at least one clamping element protruding from said clip toward said pocket post, such that said at least one clamping element pinches the fabric of said pocket facing against said pocket post, preventing movement of said retaining device relative to said pocket.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein said retainer device further comprises a second clamping element protruding from said clip toward said pocket post, such that said second clamping element pinches said pocket facing against said pocket post, preventing movement of said retaining device relative to said pocket.

9. A retaining device for securing a mobile computing device in a pocket of a garment, said retaining device comprising a clip and at least one clamping element for providing clamping pressure against an exterior surface of pocket of said pocket and securing said device in said pocket, and rigid retainer structure having a rigid protruding extension and a hook for engaging an edge of said mobile computing device in order to prevent said mobile computing device from falling out of said pocket.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein said retaining device further includes a receiver for connecting to an elongate structure, wherein said clip is operable to compress said pocket facing between said at least one clamping element and said elongate structure.

11. The device of claim 9, further comprising a pocket post having a distal end for inserting into said pocket.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein said at least one clamping element protrudes from said clip toward said pocket post, such that said at least one clamping element pinches the fabric of said exterior surface of said pocket against said pocket post, preventing movement of said retaining device relative to said pocket.

13. The device of claim 9, further comprises a second clamping element operable to pinch said exterior surface of said pocket against said pocket post, further preventing movement of said retaining device relative to said pocket.

14. (canceled)

15. A method for securing an article in a pocket, the method comprising the steps of: a. providing a retaining device having i. a pocket post having a distal end for inserting into said pocket, ii. at least one clamping element for providing clamping pressure against pocket facing of said pocket and securing said device in said pocket, and iii. a rigid retainer structure for engaging and retaining an edge of a smart phone in order to prevent said article from falling out of said pocket, wherein said rigid retainer structure protrudes about orthogonally from said pocket post, and said rigid retainer has a length that is greater than a width of a smart phone and a shallow hook structure at its distal end for engaging a back or front side of said smart phone; b. inserting said pocket post into said pocket and positioning such that said at least one clamping element applies pressure on an exterior surface of said pocket, such that the retaining device is secured to said pocket; and c. engaging said retainer structure with said smart phone, said smart phone being located within said pocket.

16. (canceled)

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of engaging said retainer structure with said article comprises placing said retainer structure over an upper edge of the smart phone.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein said distal edge of said pocket post comprises at least one of a rounded shape, a taper, a chamfer, and a bevel.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein said hook structure has a curved distal end.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein said retaining device includes a clip having a distal end having at least one of a rounded shape, a taper, a chamfer, and a bevel, and said at least one clamping element forms a portion of said clip.

21. The method of claim 15, further comprising a clip and said at least one clamping element protrudes from said clip toward said pocket post, such that said at least one clamping element pinches the fabric of said exterior surface of said pocket against said pocket post, preventing movement of said retaining device relative to said pocket.

22. The method of claim 15, wherein said retaining device further comprises a second clamping element, such that said second clamping element pinches said exterior surface of said pocket against said pocket post, preventing movement of said retaining device relative to said pocket.

23. The device of claim 1, wherein said shallow hook is rigid and has a soft curving structure.

24. The device of claim 9, wherein said hook is rigid and has a soft curving structure.

25. The device of claim 10, wherein said elongate device is a pen, stylus, or pencil.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] FIG. 1A shows a method of using a retaining device for securing an article in a pocket, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] FIG. 1B shows a front view of a retaining device for securing an article in a pocket, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] FIG. 1C shows a side view of a retaining device for securing an article in a pocket, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] FIG. 2A shows a side view and a perspective view of a retaining device for securing an article in a pocket, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] FIG. 2B shows a side view and a perspective view of a retaining device for securing an article in a pocket, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] FIG. 3A shows a side view of a leading edge of a retaining device for securing an article in a pocket, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] FIG. 3B shows a side view of a leading edge of a retaining device for securing an article in a pocket, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] FIG. 3C shows a side view of a leading edge of a retaining device for securing an article in a pocket, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] FIG. 3D shows a side view of a leading edge of a retaining device for securing an article in a pocket, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] FIG. 4A shows a side view of a clip of a retaining device for securing an article in a pocket, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] FIG. 4B shows a side view of a clip of a retaining device for securing an article in a pocket, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] FIG. 4C shows a side view of a clip of a retaining device for securing an article in a pocket, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] FIG. 4D shows a side view of a clip of a retaining device for securing an article in a pocket, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] FIG. 5A shows a perspective view of a retaining device for securing an article in a pocket, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] FIG. 5B shows a perspective view of a retaining device for securing an article in a pocket, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] Reference will now be made in detail to certain embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the invention will be described in reference to these figures and certain implementations and examples of the embodiments, it will be understood that such implementations and examples are not intended to limit the invention. To the contrary, the invention is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents that are included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims. In the following disclosure, specific details are given to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. References to various features of the present invention throughout this document do not mean that all claimed embodiments or methods must include the referenced features. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details or features.

[0042] Reference will be made to the exemplary illustrations in the accompanying drawings, and like reference characters may be used to designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

[0043] The present invention may provide a retaining device 100 for securing an article 101 in a pocket 102. As seen in FIG. 1A-1C, the retaining device may comprise a pocket post 110, a hook 120, and a clip 130. The pocket post 110 may comprise a substantially planar body having a first end 111a and a second end 111b. The body may comprise a polygonal cross-section (e.g., a rectangular cross-section, a triangular cross-section, etc.). The length of the pocket post 110 may be approximately the same as a length of the article 101 (e.g., a smart phone). The pocket post 110 may comprise a metal or other rigid material and may be strong enough to be inserted into the pocket 102, pushed past any folds or wrinkles in the material of the pocket 102, and hold the weight of the article 101 in the pocket 102.

[0044] The first end 111a may comprise a leading edge 112 having a shape conducive for being inserted between an article 101 and the lip 103 of the pocket 102, or between a proximal surface 104 (see FIG. 1C) of the pocket 102 and the lip 103 of the pocket 102. The leading edge 112 may comprise a rounded shape (e.g., semicircular, hemispherical, ellipsoidal or other rounded edge, see FIG. 3A). In other embodiments, the leading edge may comprise a tapered shaped 212, a chamfered edge 312 or a beveled edge 412.

[0045] The second end 111b may be located opposite the first end 111a and may comprise the hook 120. The hook 120 may comprise an extension 121 and a curved end 125, the extension 121 having an inner surface for engaging with an edge 101a of the article 101, and the curved end 125 being operable to wrap around the edge 101a of the article 101 to prevent the hook 120 from slipping laterally off of the article 101. The inner surface of the extension 121 may comprise a flat or planar shape. The hook 120 may be integral with the pocket post 110 (e.g., the second end 111b of the pocket post 110 is bent into a 90-degree or substantially 90-degree angle) and may comprise the same material as the pocket post 110.

[0046] The clip 130 may comprise a substantially planar body having a distal end 131 and an attachment end 132, and may be long enough to slide over the lip 103 of the pocket 102 and provide a clamping pressure against an outer surface 104 of the pocket 102 (see FIG. 1C). The clamping pressure may pinch the material of the outer surface 104 of the pocket 102 between the clip 130 and the pocket post 110, preventing the retaining device 100 from sliding out of the pocket 102. The length of the clip 130 may be substantially less than the length of the pocket post 110, and may comprise the same material as the pocket post 110.

[0047] The distal end 131 may comprise a rounded shape which is conducive for sliding over the lip 103 of the pocket without snagging on the lip 103, and conducive for contacting the outer surface 104 of the pocket 102 in order to provide clamping pressure and friction against the outer surface 104. The distal end 131 may comprise clamping element 133, a rounded protuberance, extending toward the pocket post 110 for providing clamping pressure against the outer surface 104 of the pocket 102. The clip may also comprise clamping element 134 located between the clamping element 133 and the attachment end 132 of the clip 130 for providing a second clamping force and further friction against the outer surface 104 of the pocket 102. The distal end 131 may comprise at least one of an oblong spheroid shape 145 (see FIG. 4A), a tapered shape 245, a chamfered edge 345, and a beveled edge 445.

[0048] The attachment end 132 may be located opposite the distal end 131 and may be mechanically attached to the second end 111b of the pocket post 110. The attachment end 132 may be mechanically attached to the pocket post 110 at the hook 120 via a rivet 135.

[0049] As seen in FIG. 2A, the retaining device 200 may comprise a clip 230 having a substantially flat cross-section (e.g., a substantially rectangular cross-section with a width greater than a height). The extension 221 of the hook 220 may comprise a medial catch 222 on the inner surface, the medial catch 222 being a downwardly extending tab operable to intercalate the edges of two different articles. The medial catch 222 may comprise a pointed profile with concave sides.

[0050] In another embodiment (see FIG. 2B), the retaining device 300 may comprise a clip 330 having a substantially circular cross-section at the distal end 331 and a substantially flat cross-section at the attachment end 332.

[0051] In some embodiments, the retainer device may be operable to use a pen or other elongate article in the place of the pocket post. For example, FIGS. 5A-5B show a retaining device 400 that includes a hook 422 connected to a clip 430, with a connecting bar 425 in between the clip 430 and the hook 422, where the connecting bar 425 has a receiver 426 therein for receiving and grasping a proximal or distal end of an elongate object 450 (e.g., a pen) that may function as a pocket post. The receiver 426 may be an opening in the connecting bar 425, which may be lined with a compressible, high friction material 426a, such as a rubber or flexible foam liner that effectively grips the exterior surface of the elongate object. In some embodiments, the retaining device 400 may include a collar 426b that protrudes from the receiver 426 to create more surface area contact with the exterior surface of the elongate object 450. The collar 426b may be flexible to allow for some accommodation of variation in the shapes of elongate objects.

[0052] It is to be understood that variations, modifications, and permutations of embodiments of the present invention, and uses thereof, may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. It is also to be understood that the present invention is not limited by the specific embodiments, descriptions, or illustrations or combinations of either components or steps disclosed herein. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. Although reference has been made to the accompanying figures, it is to be appreciated that these figures are exemplary and are not meant to limit the scope of the invention. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto and their equivalents.