Safety Pin Apparatus and Methods of Use Thereof

Abstract

A novel safety pin apparatus which combines a safety pin member, which can be used to pierce a fabric or a clothing item, without doing substantial damage, along with a safety pin cap, which protects the user from being stuck or stabbed by a safety pin member on the safety pin apparatus, once the safety pin apparatus has been properly located and the pin protecting device has been installed. The novel safety pin apparatus is used to hold together a shirt or blouse, hold an item such as a boutonnire to a suit coat, or merely for decorative purposes, among other uses.

Claims

1. A safety pin apparatus, capable of piercing a material without causing damage, wherein said safety pin apparatus comprises: a safety pin member, said safety pin member having a first and a second end, said first end having a conical portion and a first coupling element formed on an outer surface of said conical portion, said safety pin member defining a longitudinal axis; a safety pin cap, wherein said safety pin cap comprises: a housing, said housing defining a coupling recess configured to receive said first coupling element and some or all of said conical portion; and a second coupling element configured to receive and secure said first coupling element within said coupling recess.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: said first coupling element comprises a threaded portion; and said second coupling element comprises mating threads corresponding to said threaded portion of said first coupling element.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: said first coupling element comprises a detent; and said second coupling element comprises a detent ball.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein: said second coupling element further comprises a spring biased release member extending out of said housing.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein: a slidable wedge is rigidly coupled to said spring biased release member, wherein said slidable wedge is positioned relative to said detent ball such that a change in pressure on said spring biased release member results in a change in pressure of said detent ball upon said detent.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: said first coupling element comprises a detent; and said second coupling element comprises a tab being substantially aligned with said detent when a portion of said first coupling element is inserted into said coupling recess.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: a second safety pin cap is located on said second end of said safety pin member.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: said safety pin member and said safety pin cap are connected by a connection mechanism.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said connection mechanism is a chain.

10. A method of piercing a material with a safety pin apparatus without damaging said material, the method comprising the steps of: a) removing a safety pin member comprising a conical end and a coupling element from a safety pin cap; b) inserting said conical end and said coupling element through a portion of material so that a portion of said coupling element extends through said portion of material, wherein said conical end pierces said portion of material; and c) attaching said safety pin cap to said coupling element.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the method further comprises the steps of: removing said safety pin member from said safety pin cap by rotating said safety pin cap until said safety pin cap is disengaged from said coupling element; and attaching said safety pin cap by inserting said coupling element into a coupling recess of said safety pin cap and rotating said safety pin cap in an opposite direction than performed in the removal step until said safety pin cap is engaged with said coupling element.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the method further comprises the steps of: removing said safety pin member from said safety pin cup by applying a first force to a spring biased release mechanism disposed in said safety pin cap; and attaching said safety pin cap by applying a second force to said spring biased release mechanism, inserting said coupling element into said coupling recess, and removing said second force.

13. A safety pin apparatus, capable of piercing a material without causing damage, wherein said safety pin apparatus comprises: a safety pin member, said safety pin member having a first and a second end, said first end having a conical portion, said safety pin member defining a longitudinal axis; a safety pin cap, wherein said safety pin cap comprises: a housing, said housing defining a coupling recess configured to receive said conical portion; and a coupling element configured to receive and secure said conical portion within said coupling recess.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein: said coupling element comprises a ball.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein: said coupling element further comprises a spring biased release member extending out of said housing.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein: a slidable wedge is rigidly coupled to said spring biased release member, wherein said slidable wedge is positioned relative to said ball such that a change in pressure on said spring biased release member results in a change in pressure of said ball upon said safety pin member.

17. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein: a second safety pin cap is located on said second end of said safety pin member.

18. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein: said safety pin member and said safety pin cap are connected by a connection mechanism.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said connection mechanism is a chain.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] FIG. 1 shows a prior art safety pin;

[0015] FIG. 2 shows a prior art tie bar;

[0016] FIGS. 3A and 3B show a safety pin apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present novel apparatus;

[0017] FIG. 4 shows a safety pin apparatus in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present novel apparatus;

[0018] FIG. 5 shows a safety pin apparatus in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present novel apparatus;

[0019] FIGS. 6A and 6B show a safety pin apparatus in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present novel apparatus; and

[0020] FIG. 7 shows examples of various external designs and shapes that may define alternative embodiments of the safety pin cap.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0021] As stated above, the present novel apparatus is a novel safety pin apparatus and methods for using the safety pin apparatus. The objective of the novel safety pin apparatus is to hold together a shirt or blouse, affix an article to an item of clothing, or be used merely for decorative purposes, among other uses, and to protect the user and/or wearer from being stuck or stabbed by the point of the safety pin apparatus.

[0022] FIG. 1 is a prior art safety pin 10 commonly used to fasten pieces of fabric or items of clothing together, while also protecting the user or wearer from being stabbed or stuck by the point of the pin 12. The safety pin is a variation of the straight pin which includes a simple spring mechanism 14 and a clasp 16. The clasp 16 serves to form a closed loop thereby properly fastening the pin 10 to whatever clothing item it has been attached or affixed to, and at the same time, to cover the point of the pin 12 to protect the user and wearer from the point of the pin 12. However, safety pins 10 are bulky and unattractive, usually with the protective clasp 16 being much larger than the pin 12 portion. Since these devices 10 are mostly for temporary use, in most cases, there is no need to make them more attractive or smaller. Further, when used in a place where others will see the safety pin 10, the user usually tries to insert the safety pin 10 in a manner that will hide the clasp portion 16.

[0023] FIG. 2 is also prior art; a collar bar 20 for properly positioning a tie, in which one end of the device contains a ball or some other design 22, that can be removed from the collar bar 20 by unscrewing. The bar portion 24 can be threaded through existing holes in a shirt (not shown), and the ball 22 can then be screwed back onto the bar 24 of the collar bar 20. Once in place, the collar bar 20 holds the user's tie above the collar bar 20.

[0024] FIG. 3A is a novel safety pin apparatus 30, which can be used to hold together a shirt or blouse, or attach or affix an item, such as a boutonnire, to a suit coat, or merely be used for decorative purposes, among others. The novel safety pin apparatus 30 combines a head portion 32 at one end of the safety pin apparatus 30, a pin body 34 in the middle, and a safety pin member 36 at the other end of the safety pin apparatus 30, with the safety pin member 36 further comprising a sharp or conical pin point 38 at the distal end. The sharp or conical pin point 38 allows the safety pin member 36 and some of the pin body 34 to be inserted into and through a fabric or a clothing item.

[0025] Formed on the conical pin point 38, at the proximal end of the safety pin member 36, is a first coupling element 40, which may comprise first screw threads 41, an indent of various shapes, a detent, or any other shape or device that will allow for attachment of a separate safety pin cap 42. The safety pin cap 42 is configured to be placed over some or all of the safety pin member 36 and may also cover some of the pin body 34. The function of the safety pin cap 42 is to cover the conical pin point 38 when attached or affixed to the safety pin member 36 by using the first coupling element 40. The safety pin cap 42 is configured with a recess 44 (shown with cut-away), which can receive the entire conical pin point 38, some or all of the safety pin member 36 and possibly some or all of the pin body 34. The safety pin cap 42 further comprises a second coupling element 46, which is located inside the recess 44. The second coupling element 46 is configured to connect to or with the first coupling element 40, by mating with the first screw threads 41 of the first coupling element 40 using complementary second threads 47, for example, in order to hold the safety pin member 36 and pin body 34 in place with respect to the safety pin cap 42, as shown in FIG. 3B.

[0026] Although complementary first and second screw threads 41, 47 are described as being used on the first and second coupling elements 40, 46 in the example above, other types of coupling elements can be incorporated into the novel safety pin apparatus without deviating from the scope of the invention, such as indents and detents for the first coupling element, and clasp and ball releases for the second coupling elements, etc. and vice versa.

[0027] Although in the preferred embodiment, the head portion 32 is separate from the safety pin cap 42, in an alternative embodiment, the head portion 32 and the separate safety pin cap 42 are connected by a chain or other connection mechanism 52. This chain 52 reduces the chance of losing the safety pin cap 42 when the head portion 32 and the safety pin cap 42 are separated, such as during storage or non-use.

[0028] As described herein, FIG. 4 shows an alternative embodiment in which the first coupling element 48 comprises one or more indents 49 instead of first screw threads, as shown in FIG. 3A and described above. Further, the second coupling element 50 comprises one or more tabs 51, which are located in a position in the recess 44, such that when the entire conical pin point 38, some or all of the safety pin member 36 and possibly some or all of the pin body 34 are inserted into the recess 44, and the one or more indents 49 of the first coupling element 48 are connected to or with the corresponding one or more tabs 51 of the second coupling element 50 for example by turning a quarter revolution, the safety pin member 36 and pin body 34 will be held in place with respect to the safety pin cap 42.

[0029] FIG. 5 shows yet another alternative embodiment in which the first coupling element 54 comprises a circular indent 55, which in this example is located 360 degrees around the safety pin member 36, instead of first screw threads 49, as shown in FIG. 3A. Further, in the recess 44, is a second coupling element 56, which comprises an attachment ball 58, an attachment spring 60 and an attachment button 62. The attachment button 62 further comprises an attachment indent 64.

[0030] The second coupling element 56 is configured such that when the user depresses the attachment button 62, the attachment spring 60 allows the attachment indent 64 to move the attachment ball 58 away from the recess area 44. At that time, the coupling element 54 can be located inside the recess 44 and in the proper position. Once the user lets go of the attachment button 62, the attachment spring 60 forces the attachment button 62 and attachment indent 64 into a location in which the attachment ball 58 locks the coupling element 54 in place until the attachment button is again depressed. Once locked in place, the entire conical pin point 38, some or all of the safety pin member 36 and possibly some or all of the pin body 34 will be held in place with respect to the safety pin cap 42. The alternative embodiment of FIG. 5 contemplates a single second coupling element within the safety pin cap, but also contemplates multiple second coupling elements 56 within safety pin cap 42, to allow for usage of the apparatus from a variety of orientations.

[0031] FIG. 6A shows a cut-away version of yet another alternative embodiment where a first coupling element 70, formed on a conical point 82, is a detent 83. The embodiment further comprises a safety pin member 72, a safety pin cap 74, and a second coupling element 76 within a recess 78 of the safety pin cap 74. The second coupling element 76 further comprise a detent ball 80, a slidable wedge 85, an attachment spring 84, and a spring biased release member 86. All of these elements can be housed in a housing cap 88.

[0032] The second coupling element 76 is configured so that the detent ball 80 is in contact with the first coupling element 70 when the safety pin member 72 rests in the recess 78, thereby creating a fit between the detent ball 80 and the detent 83 of the conical pin point 82, holding the safety pin member 72 within the recess 78 of the safety pin cap 74. The alternative embodiment of FIG. 6 contemplates a single second coupling element 76 within the safety pin cap 74, but also contemplates multiple second coupling elements 76 within safety pin cap 74, to allow for usage of the apparatus from a variety of orientations. FIG. 6B shows the example safety pin apparatus 30 using a detent as a coupling element.

[0033] Similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 and described above, when the user depresses the spring biased release member 86, the attachment spring 84 allows the slidable wedge 85 to move the detent ball 80 away from the recess 78. At that time, the first coupling element 70, comprising the detent 83, can be located inside the recess 78 and in the proper position. Once the user lets go of the spring biased release member 86, the attachment spring 84 forces the slidable wedge 85 into a position that places the detent ball 80 into contact with the detent 83 of the first coupling element 70, thereby creating a fit, until the spring biased release member 86 is again depressed. Once locked in place, the entire conical pin point 82, some or all of the first coupling element 70, and some or all of the safety pin member 72 will be held in place with respect to the safety pin cap 74.

[0034] FIG. 7 shows a number of different possible designs and shapes that the safety pin cap 74 may embody. The embodiments allow for variation in ornamentation of the safety pin cap 74, but are still capable of comprising any of the second coupling elements described above, or any other attachment elements, fixtures and mechanisms that may be employed. One having ordinary skill in the art would understand that these and other designs and shapes, not shown in FIG. 7, could be used in the manner described herein, and therefore a depiction of a limited number of designs is not intended to limit the scope of possible embodiments.

[0035] The present disclosure also contemplates a method for protecting the user or wearer of the safety pin apparatus 30. As an example and with reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the steps of the novel method include removing the safety pin cap 42 from the pin body 34 by holding the pin head portion 32 and rotating or unscrewing the safety pin cap 42 in a counterclockwise direction until the screw threads 47 of the second coupling element 46 completely disengage from the screw threads 41 of the first coupling element 40. To the extent another type of first or second coupling device or instrument has been used, the safety pin cap 42 should be removed using the necessary steps for that particular instrument.

[0036] Once removed, the safety pin apparatus 30 can pierce the fabric or clothing item (not shown). First, the user locates the position where the safety pin apparatus 30 will be utilized on the fabric or clothing item. Then, using the conical pin point 38 on the safety pin member 36, the user inserts the entire conical pin point 38 into the fabric or clothing item and pushes the entire conical pin point 38, the entire first coupling element 40, some or all of the safety pin member 36 and possibly some or all of the pin body 34 through the fabric or clothing item and into a second fabric, clothing item or even into another location on the same fabric or clothing item.

[0037] Once the entire conical pin point 38, the entire first coupling element 40, some or all of the safety pin member 36 and possibly some or all of the pin body 34 has travelled through the intended fabric or clothing item, the safety pin cap 42 can be placed over the conical pin point 38 by placing the conical pin point 38 into the recess 44. Once the conical pin point 38 is properly located in the recess 44, the safety pin cap 42 can be attached to the first coupling element 40 by reversing the earlier step, i.e., screwing the safety pin cap into place, or using the necessary steps to lock the safety pin cap 42 in place, with respect to the sharp or conical pin point 38, the safety pin member 36, the pin body 34 and the pin head portion 32.

[0038] While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific exemplary embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and have herein been described in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intent to limit the disclosure to the particular embodiments disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the disclosure, as described in the appended claims.