Bungee Bead Apparatus

Abstract

A bungee bead apparatus includes a bead and elastic cord with first and second ends fixedly secured in proximity to, or in contact with, each other at one end of the bead to form a loop. A circumferential recess formed between first and second sides of the bead extends from the bead's first end to its second end, having a cross-sectional height and width to receive the loop of the elastic cord therethrough. The orifice extends at an acute angle, positioned midway between the bead's first and second sides, and begins at the bead's first end in proximity to the first side, and transects the circumferential recess at its second end. The circumferential recess is annular with a depth of about one-half the diameter of the cylindrical elastic cord to receive only a portion therein. The recess and orifice permit two (or more) such apparatus to be linked together.

Claims

1. A bungee bead apparatus comprising: a bead, said bead comprising a substantially inflexible material shaped to have a length between a first end and a second end of said bead, a width between a first side and a second side of said bead, and a thickness between a top and a bottom of said bead; an elastic cord, said elastic cord having a length between a first end and a second end of said elastic cord; and wherein each of said first end and said second end of said elastic cord are fixedly secured proximate to each other at said first end of bead to form a loop; and, a circumferential recess formed between said top and said bottom of said bead.

2. The bungee bead apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an orifice formed in said bead, said orifice having a cross-sectional height and width to receive said loop of said elastic cord therethrough.

3. The bungee bead apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said orifice extends from said first end of said bead to said second end of said bead.

4. The bungee bead apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said bottom of said bead is substantially flat; and, wherein said orifice in said bead extends at an acute angle with respect to said substantially flat bottom and begins at said first end of said bead in proximity to said first side.

5. The bungee bead apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said orifice transects said circumferential recess at said second end of said bead.

6. The bungee bead apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said orifice is positioned substantially midway between said first side and said second side.

7. The bungee bead apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said circumferential recess comprises a substantially semi-circular cross-sectional shape; and, wherein said elastic cord comprises a substantially cylindrical cross-sectional shape when un-deformed; and wherein a depth of said circumferential recess is less than about one-half of a diameter of said substantially cylindrical cross-sectional shape of said elastic cord.

8. The bungee bead apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said orifice comprises a race-track shaped cross-section.

9. The bungee bead apparatus according to claim 8, wherein each of said first end and said second end of said elastic cord are fixedly secured in contact with each other at said first end of bead.

10. The bungee bead apparatus according to claim 9, wherein an edge formed by adjacent portions of said top, said bottom, said first end, said second end, said first side, and said second side of said bead are each radiused.

11. The bungee bead apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said length is greater than said width to form an elongated shape for said bead.

12. The bungee bead apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said elongated shape of said bead comprises an elliptical shape.

13. The bungee bead apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said elongated shape of said bead comprises a rectangular shape.

14. The bungee bead apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said elongated shape of said bead comprises a race track oval shape.

15. The bungee bead apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a recess extending between and interconnecting said orifice with the circumferential recess, to permit a user to insert a thumbnail therein, to assist in getting a hold of said elastic cord when disassembling a first bungee bead coupled to a second bungee bead.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The description of the various example embodiments is explained in conjunction with appended drawings, in which:

[0016] FIG. 1 is a top view of a first embodiment of a bungee bead apparatus.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a side view of the bungee bead apparatus of FIG. 1.

[0018] FIG. 3 is a top perspective view showing the bungee bead apparatus of FIG. 1 coupled to an opening in a zipper handle.

[0019] FIG. 4 is a side perspective view showing the bungee bead apparatus coupled to an opening in a zipper handle, as shown in FIG. 3.

[0020] FIG. 5 is a top perspective view showing a second embodiment of a bungee bead apparatus.

[0021] FIG. 6 is a side view of the bungee bead apparatus of FIG. 5.

[0022] FIG. 7 is an end view of a portion of the bungee bead apparatus of FIG. 5.

[0023] FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of the bead of the bungee bead apparatus shown in FIG. 5.

[0024] FIG. 9 is a side view of the bead shown in FIG. 8.

[0025] FIG. 10 is an end view of the bead shown in FIG. 8.

[0026] FIG. 11 is a top view of the bead shown in FIG. 8.

[0027] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken in the direction of line 12-12 in FIG. 11.

[0028] FIG. 13 is another perspective view of the bead as shown in FIG. 8, and which shows another end of the bead.

[0029] FIG. 14 is a side view showing a first and a second bungee bead apparatus as shown in FIG. 5, prior to being coupled together.

[0030] FIG. 15 is the side view of FIG. 14 but is shown after a portion of the cord of the second bungee bead apparatus has been fed through the orifice of the first bungee bead apparatus.

[0031] FIG. 16 is the side view of FIG. 14 but showing the end of the loop of the second bungee bead apparatus starting to be directed back toward the bead of the first bungee bead apparatus.

[0032] FIG. 17 is the side view of FIG. 14 but showing the end of the loop of the second bungee bead apparatus positioned over the bead of the first bungee bead apparatus.

[0033] FIG. 18 is the side view of FIG. 14 but showing a portion of the loop of the second bungee bead apparatus received within a circumferential recess formed in the bead of the first bungee bead apparatus.

[0034] FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing multiple bungee bead apparatuses as shown in FIG. 5 after being tied together using yet another bungee bead apparatus.

[0035] FIG. 20 is a perspective view showing multiple bungee bead apparatuses as shown in FIG. 5 after being coupled together to form a band.

[0036] FIG. 21 is an end view of the bead of FIG. 18 with the cord in position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0037] All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0038] As used throughout this specification, the word “may” is used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to), rather than a mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must), as more than one embodiment of the invention may be disclosed herein. Similarly, the words “include”, “including”, and “includes” mean including but not limited to.

[0039] The phrases “at least one”, “one or more”, and “and/or” may be open-ended expressions that are both conjunctive and disjunctive in operation. For example, each of the expressions “at least one of A, B and C”, “one or more of A, B, and C”, and “A, B, and/or C” herein means all of the following possible combinations: A alone; or B alone; or C alone; or A and B together; or A and C together; or B and C together; or A, B and C together.

[0040] Also, the disclosures of all patents, published patent applications, and non-patent literature cited within this document are incorporated herein in their entirety by reference. However, it is noted that citing herein of any patents, published patent applications, and nonpatent literature is not an admission as to any of those references constituting prior art with respect to the disclosed apparatus.

[0041] Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics of any particular embodiment disclosed herein, may be combined in any suitable manner with any of the other embodiments disclosed herein.

[0042] Additionally, any approximating language, as used herein throughout the specification and claims, may be applied to modify any quantitative or qualitative representation that could permissibly vary without resulting in a change in the basic function to which it is related. Accordingly, a value modified by a term such as “about” is not to be limited to the precise value specified and may include values that differ from the specified value in accordance with applicable case law. Also, in at least some instances, a numerical difference provided by the approximating language may correspond to the precision of an instrument that may be used for measuring the value. A numerical difference provided by the approximating language may also correspond to a manufacturing tolerance associated with production of the aspect/feature being quantified. Furthermore, a numerical difference provided by the approximating language may also correspond to an overall tolerance for the aspect/feature that may be derived from variations resulting from a stack up (i.e., the sum) of a multiplicity of such individual tolerances.

[0043] Any use of a friction fit (i.e., an interface fit) between two mating parts described herein indicates that the opening (e.g., a hole) is smaller than the part received therein (e.g., a shaft), which may be a slight interference in one embodiment in the range of 0.0001 inches to 0.0003 inches, or an interference of 0.0003 inches to 0.0007 inches in another embodiment, or an interference of 0.0007 inches to 0.0010 inches in yet another embodiment, or a combination of such ranges. Other values for the interference may also be used in different configurations (see e.g., “PressFit Engineering and Design Calculator,” available at: www.engineersedge.com/calculators/machine-design/press-fit/press-fit-calculator.htm).

[0044] Any described use of a clearance fit indicates that the opening (e.g., a hole) is larger than the part received therein (e.g., a shaft), enabling the two parts to move (e.g., to slide and/or rotate preferably without twisting or jamming when the cord is threaded into the bead) when assembled, where the gap between the opening and the part may depend upon the size of the part and the type of clearance fit (e.g., for a 0.1250-inch shaft diameter the opening may be 0.1285 inches for a close fit and may be 0.01360 inches for a free (running) fit; and for a 0.5000 inch diameter shaft size the opening may be 0.5156 inches for a close clearance fit and may be 0.5312 inches for a free clearance fit). Other clearance amounts may also be used.

[0045] FIG. 1 illustrates a first embodiment of a bungee bead apparatus as disclosed herein. The bungee bead apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1 may be formed of a bead 110 and a cord 150.

[0046] The bead 110 may be fabricated from a substantially inflexible material that is preferably a rigid and durable material (e.g., ABS plastic, a composite material, etc.) so that the bead 110 may serve as an anchor point, while the cord 150 is preferably an elastic cord having a first end 151 and a second end 152 that are each fixedly secured to the bead 110 to form a flexible loop, as shown in FIGS. 1-2. The ends 151 and 152 may be secured to the bead 110 using any suitable attachment scheme known in the art, including, but not limited to, the following. In one embodiment the cord 150 may be attached by adhesive bonding the ends 151 and 152 to the bead. Alternatively, a through-orifice, which may be stepped, may be fanned in the bead so that the ends 151 and 152 of cord 150 may be passed therethrough from one side, and may be knotted on the opposite side, so that as the cord 150 is stretched the knot engages the step and prevents detachment/separation of the cord 150 from the bead 110. Alternatively, a set screw and/or clamp may protrude into the orifice and engage the cord 150 to prevent detachment of the cord 150 from the bead 110.

[0047] The bead 110 and bungee type apparatus 100 can also be made by forming the bead 110 in a top piece and a bottom piece that may be connected about the cord 150 by for example a snap fit or adhesive, etc. In another embodiment the bead 110 and the cord 150 may be formed by molding the bead 110 around the cord 150 or other suitable manner.

[0048] In various embodiments of the present invention, the bead 110 can be formed into any shape that correlates to a user's particular need, and may be formed into any size desired, and any color desired may be used. In one embodiment, as seen in FIG. 1, the bead 110 may be formed to have a generally box-like shape having a length L between a first end 111 of the bead 110 and a second end 112, a width W between a first side 113 of the bead 110 and a second side 114, and a thickness T between a top surface 115 of the bead 110 and a bottom surface 116. Those surfaces may be curved, or may instead be substantially flat (i.e., planar), all of which may be orthogonal to each other, or some or all of which may be at a non-ninety-degree angle to each other. Each of the sharp edges/corners that may otherwise be formed by adjacent portions of those surfaces may preferably be rounded with a radius R, which radius may be the same or may instead vary at different intersecting portions of the bead 110. Various shapes may be used for the bead 110, which may be formed with a profile that may generally be square (and possibly with rounded corners), or may be rectangular, or may be the race track oval shape shown in FIG. 1-2, or may be an irregular shape, etc. In one embodiment, the two ends of the bead 110 may be slightly squared, so that when multiple beads are linked together (as discussed hereinafter), the beads fit well with each other.

[0049] The first end 151 and the second end 152 of the cord 150 are each preferably fixedly secured at the first end 111 of the bead 110 being near each other (see FIG. 1) to form the flexible loop and are more preferably fixedly secured at the first end 111 of the bead 110 being in contact with each other.

[0050] The bungee bead apparatus 100 may be used for many different purposes. For example, as shown in FIGS. 3-4 the elastic cord 150 of the bungee bead apparatus 100 may be threaded through an opening on a zipper handle, and the bead 110 may be pushed through the loop to be secured thereto to serve as an extension of the zipper handle that is more easily and more conveniently grasped by the wearer of the apparel to move the zipper handle. For that reason, the loop formed by the elastic cord 150 of the bungee bead apparatus 100 may normally extend at least a distance D (without elastic deformation occurring) that may be at least 1-5 times longer than the length L of the bead 110 in one embodiment and may preferably be at least 5-10 times longer than the length L of the bead 110 in another embodiment and may more preferably be at least 10-20 times longer than the length L of the bead in yet another embodiment.

[0051] The bungee bead apparatus 100 may be used to couple together several items, which is represented in FIG. 19, in which the bungee bead apparatus 100 is looped around several other bungee bead apparatuses to be exemplary, and the bead 110 is then pushed through the loop to be secured about the other items. In general, the bungee bead apparatus 100 may be used as key chains when inserted through its own bungee cord and can be put on zippers and knapsacks.

[0052] The bungee bead apparatus 100 may be used in a game, and may itself be flung at a target, whereby the user wraps the loop of the cord 150 onto a finger and pulls on the bead 110 to stretch the cord 150 like a rubber band. The user then releases the bead 110 to propel the bungee bead apparatus 100 in the direction of the target. The bungee bead apparatus 100 is more effective than the rubber band because of the mass of the bead 110. In addition, the bungee bead apparatus 100 may be used to fling another object like a sling shot, whereby the object (e.g., a bead, a marble, a stone, etc.) can be placed against the bead 110 to stretch the cord 150 and fling the object, rather than flinging the apparatus.

[0053] FIGS. 5-13 illustrate a bungee bead apparatus 200 that may be formed of a bead 210 and a cord 250.

[0054] The cord 250 may be the same as cord 150 and may be attached to the bead 210 in a similar manner (see the race track shaped recess 219 formed proximate to the second end 212 of the bead in FIG. 11), with the ends 215/216 of cord 250, which may be cylindrical, being received in the recess 219 and secured therein. The recess 219 may be sized to receive the ends 251/252 of the cord 250 in a small clearance fit so that the ends 251/252 may be secured in proximity to each other, or a slight interference fit when the cord 250 is un-deformed, so that the ends 251/252 may be secured to be in contact with each other.

[0055] The bead 210 may be formed the same as bead 110 but may also include a couple of additional features that provide additional functionality. Those additional features of the bead 210 may be particularly positioned with respect to a first end 211 and a second end 212 of the bead, and a top 215 and a bottom 216, which bottom may be flat to rest against the wrist of a person, and which top may be dome shaped as shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7. Alternatively, the top 215 and bottom 216 surfaces may be substantially flat and may also be substantially parallel to each other.

[0056] As seen in FIGS. 8-13, the bead 210 may be formed to include a circumferential recess 213, which may be shaped as an arcuate recess, appearing in cross-section (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 9-13) as being generally semi-circular. The recess/groove 213 around the middle portion permits the bungee cord of another bungee bead apparatus 200 to wrap around the bead 210 of the first one and will be held in place in the groove 213 and prevent undesired decoupling.

[0057] The arcuate-shaped circumferential recess 213 may be formed to have a center thereof be substantially planar at 214, which center of the recess 213 need not be centered between the top 215 and the bottom 216 of the bead 210, as the recess 213 may be disposed to be somewhat closer towards the top 215 than the bottom 216 (i.e., distance 214A may preferably be slightly larger than distance 214B). The arcuate-shaped circumferential recess 213 may be so formed to be disposed closer to the top 215 to be coordinated with the position of a through-orifice 220.

[0058] In one embodiment, the circumferential recess 213 of the bungee bead apparatus 200 may be formed with a depth that is greater than the diameter of the cord 250, which may also aid in retaining the cord 250 therein in a friction fit. In another embodiment the circumferential recess 213 of the bungee bead apparatus 200 may be formed with a depth that is about one-half of the diameter of the cord 250 (see FIG. 11), so that a portion of the cord 250 when seated within the recess 213 may nonetheless remain exposed, permitting a person to wedge his/her fingernail between the cord 250 and the bead 210 to effect removal of the cord 250′ from the bead 210, to separate the second bungee bead apparatus 200′ from the first bungee bead apparatus 200 when desired.

[0059] The through-orifice 220 may be formed in the bead 210 to have a cross-sectional height and width to receive the loop of the elastic cord 250 therethrough and may begin at the first end 211 of the bead and may extend to its second end 212.

[0060] The orifice 220 may extend within the bead 210 to be at an acute angle ⊖ with respect to the flat bottom surface 216. The orifice 220 may go through the center of the bead 210 on a diagonal, so that when multiple beads are linked or coupled, the location of the bungee pulling on the bead 210 is at the bottom portion of the bead 210 (See FIGS. 18 and 20). Additionally, the acute angle ⊖ prevents interference between the cord 250 and the orifice 220 when the cord 250 is inserted. See side 211 of the bead 210 in FIGS. 15-18.

[0061] The orifice 220 may also begin at the first end 211 of the bead 210 in proximity to the bottom surface 216, as seen in the cross-sectional view shown in FIG. 12, and may terminate at the second end 212 such that the orifice 220 may transect the circumferential recess 213 as the circumferential recess 213 curves around the second end 212 of the bead 210 (see FIGS. 8 and 21), so the bungee cord 250′ of another bungee bead apparatus 200′ that wraps around the bead 210 is uniform, and not extending out at that location.

[0062] The through-orifice 220 may be formed in the bead 210 to have a cross-sectional height and width to receive the loop of the elastic cord 250 therethrough, which is preferably received in a clearance fit when the cord 250 is un-deformed, and more preferably is received in a loose clearance fit throughout most or even all the orifice 220, to make its use even easier for a user. Since the cord 250 is preferably substantially cylindrical, the cross-sectional shape of the through-orifice 220 may preferably be formed to be substantially racetrack-shaped as seen in FIG. 11 and may be wide enough for the bungee cord 250 to fit through with ease. The orifice 220 cross-sectional height and width preferably should not be too large (over-sized in height/width), in effect preventing the bungee cord 250 from twisting while inserting the cord 250 through the orifice 220.

[0063] The through-orifice 220 permits a user to selectively couple together two bungee bead apparatuses 200, as seen in FIGS. 14-19, to accommodate one of several different uses.

[0064] A recess/niche 213TH (see FIG. 13) may be formed to extend between and interconnect the orifice 220 with the circumferential recess 213, to permit a user to insert his/her thumbnail therein, to assist in getting a hold of the elastic cord 250 when disassembling of the coupled bungee bead apparatuses 200 discussed herein. The orifice 220 may also be preferably positioned substantially midway between the first side 217 and the second side 218 of the bead 210, as seen in FIG. 11.

[0065] FIG. 14 shows a first bungee bead apparatus 200 and a second such bungee bead apparatus designated as 200′ being positioned adjacent to each other, with the end of the loop of the cord 250′ of the second bungee bead apparatus 200′ extended to be straightened and directed towards the opening of the orifice 220 at the first end 211 of the bead 210 of the first bungee bead apparatus 200′. As shown in FIG. 15, a portion of the loop of the cord 250′ of the second bungee bead apparatus 200′ may be fed through the orifice 220 of the bead 210 of the first bungee bead apparatus 200, to have a portion of the cord 250′ protruding away from each of the first and second ends 211/212 of the bead 210. FIGS. 16 and 17 illustrate the loop of the cord 250′ of the second bungee bead apparatus 200′ being drawn back over the top of the bead 210′ of the second bungee bead apparatus 200′.

[0066] As seen in FIG. 18, the loop of the cord 250′ of the second bungee bead apparatus 200′ may then be urged into and positioned to occupy the circumferential recess 213 of the bead 210 of the first bungee bead apparatus 200, to releasably couple the second bungee bead apparatus 200′ to the first bungee bead apparatus 200. Any excess amount of loose cord 250′ may be drawn back through the orifice 220 of the first bungee bead apparatus 200 by pulling on the bead 210′ of the second bungee bead apparatus 200′, as indicated by the double headed arrow in FIG. 18, so that the cord 250 after it exits the orifice 220 at the second end of the bead 210 is seated within the circumferential recess 213. The cord of the second bungee bead apparatus 200′ being wrapped around the bead 210 of the first bungee bead apparatus 200 creates an attractive look, especially when connecting different colors. The bead 210 and elastic cords 250 may come in many different colors and materials to create many different combinations.

[0067] The length of the cord 250 (see the “D” dimension in FIG. 1) that is utilized in making the bungee bead apparatus 200 may be selected so that it can be so mounted to another bungee bead apparatus 200′, as shown in FIG. 18, to provide a spacing S between the multiple beads of the adjacent bungee bead apparatuses.

[0068] FIG. 20 shows a plurality of the bungee bead apparatus 200 being interconnected as described above to form a continuous bracelet that may be used as a jewelry item by the person, which may be worn on the person's wrist as a bracelet, or on their leg or ankle, or around the neck as a necklace. The beads 210 for those bungee bead apparatuses may be supplied in a plurality of different colors so that the necklace or bracelet may be constructed to have the aesthetic appearance desired by the user. Also, the cords 250 may be supplied in an assortment of different lengths to provide for different spacings S between the beads to achieve various aesthetic appearances in that respect. It is noted that the elasticity of the cord may help in getting the bracelet or necklace so formed on and off the wrist and/or neck of the person. (The elastic cord loop may be long enough to go through the next bead and fold backwards to wrap around its own bead, while leaving a small space between the two beads when assembled).

[0069] While illustrative implementations of one or more embodiments of the disclosed apparatus are provided hereinabove, those skilled in the art and having the benefit of the present disclosure will appreciate that further embodiments may be implemented with various changes within the scope of the disclosed apparatus. Other modifications, substitutions, omissions and changes may be made in the design, size, materials used or proportions, operating conditions, assembly sequence, or arrangement or positioning of elements and members of the exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of this invention.

[0070] Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.