PERSONAL CARRYING APPARATUS FOR ELECTRONIC SMOKING DEVICES

Abstract

An article holding apparatus for carrying an electronic smoking device on one's person includes a sleeve which is elongated between a top end and a bottom end. The top end is open to an interior space defined by the sleeve, and the sleeve is sized to receive the electronic smoking device into the interior space. A top closure is coupled to the sleeve at the top end which is configured to selectively close the top end of the sleeve. A mounting member is coupled to the sleeve proximate the top end which is configured to mount the sleeve to an article of clothing. The bottom end may also be open to the interior space so that the electronic smoking device may be charged while in the sleeve via a charging cord that enters the sleeve through the bottom end.

Claims

1. An article holding apparatus for an electronic smoking device, the apparatus comprising: a sleeve, the sleeve being elongated between a top end and a bottom end, the top end being open to an interior space defined by the sleeve, the sleeve being sized to receive the electronic smoking device into the interior space; a top closure coupled to the sleeve at the top end, the top closure being configured to selectively close the top end of the sleeve; and a mounting member coupled to the sleeve proximate the top end, the mounting member being configured to mount the sleeve to an article of clothing.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sleeve is sized and configured to conform to an exterior of the electronic smoking device when the electronic smoking device is positioned in the interior space.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sleeve comprises a flexible material.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the top closure comprises a drawstring which is positioned in a channel defined by the sleeve, the channel extending around the interior space proximate the top end, the drawstring being cinchable against the sleeve to close the top end of the sleeve.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bottom end is open to the interior space of the sleeve, further comprising a bottom closure coupled to the sleeve at the bottom end which is configured to selectively close the bottom end.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the bottom closure comprises a pair of mating members which are positioned opposite each other across the interior space.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the bottom closure comprises a hook-and-loop fastener.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the mounting member comprises: a housing; a spool rotatably mounted in the housing; a tether coupled at a fixed end to the spool, the tether being wound onto the spool and extending out of the housing, a free end of the tether being positioned outside of the housing, the free end being coupled to the sleeve; a biasing member engaging the spool to wind the tether onto the spool and retract the tether into the housing.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the biasing member comprises a torsion spring.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the mounting member further comprises a clip mounted on the housing, the clip comprising a resiliently flexible member which is biased toward the housing.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a connector which couples the mounting member to the drawstring, the connector comprising a strap and a pair of coupling members, the strap being coupled to the mounting member, the coupling members being coupled to the strap and being spaced from each other, the coupling members being removably coupled to each other to form a closed loop with the strap.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a pad configured to couple to a power button of the electronic smoking device, the pad having a thickness such that the pad is configured to form a protruding node in the sleeve when the electronic smoking device is positioned in the interior space of the sleeve.

12. An article holding apparatus for an electronic smoking device, the apparatus comprising: a sleeve, the sleeve being elongated between a top end and a bottom end, each of the top end and the bottom end being open to an interior space defined by the sleeve, the sleeve being sized to receive the electronic smoking device into the interior space, the sleeve being sized and configured to conform to an exterior of the electronic smoking device when the electronic smoking device is positioned in the interior space, the sleeve comprising a flexible material; a bottom closure coupled to the sleeve at the bottom end, the bottom closure comprising a pair of mating members which are positioned opposite each other across the interior space, the bottom closure comprising a hook-and-loop fastener; a top closure coupled to the sleeve at the top end, the top closure comprising a drawstring which is positioned in a channel defined by the sleeve, the channel extending around the interior space proximate the top end, the drawstring being cinchable against the sleeve to close the top end of the sleeve; a mounting member coupled to the sleeve proximate the top end, the mounting member comprising: a housing; a spool rotatably mounted in the housing; a tether coupled at a fixed end to the spool, the tether being wound onto the spool and extending out of the housing, a free end of the tether being positioned outside of the housing, the free end being coupled to the sleeve via the drawstring; a biasing member engaging the spool to wind the tether onto the spool and retract the tether into the housing, the biasing member comprising a torsion spring; and a clip mounted on the housing, the clip comprising a resiliently flexible member which is biased toward the housing; a connector coupling the mounting member to the drawstring, the connector comprising a strap and a pair of coupling members, the strap being coupled to the free end of the tether, the coupling members being coupled to the strap and being spaced from each other, the coupling members being removably coupled to each other to form a closed loop with the strap, the closed loop of the strap interlocking with a looped portion of the drawstring; and a pad configured to couple to a power button of the electronic smoking device, the pad having a thickness such that the pad is configured to form a protruding node in the sleeve when the electronic smoking device is positioned in the interior space of the sleeve.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

[0011] The disclosure will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an article holding apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a front view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0014] FIG. 3 is a top view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0015] FIG. 4 is a bottom view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0016] FIG. 5 is a cross-section view of an embodiment of the disclosure taken from Line 5-5 in FIG. 3.

[0017] FIG. 6 is a cross-section view of an embodiment of the disclosure taken from Line 6-6 in FIG. 2.

[0018] FIG. 7 is an in-use view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0019] FIG. 8 is an in-use view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0020] FIG. 9 is an in-use view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 9 thereof, a new article carrying device embodying the principles and concepts of an embodiment of the disclosure and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described.

[0022] As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 9, the article holding apparatus 10 generally comprises a sleeve 12 which is elongated between a top end 14 and a bottom end 16. Each of the top end 14 and the bottom end 16 is open to an interior space 18 defined by the sleeve 12. The sleeve 12 is sized to receive an electronic smoking device 56 into the interior space 18 and conform to an exterior of the electronic smoking device 56. The sleeve 12 comprises a flexible material such as a fabric, a plastic sheet material, or the like. A bottom closure 26 is coupled to the sleeve 12 at the bottom end 16, and a top closure 22 is coupled to the sleeve 12 at the top end 14.

[0023] The bottom closure 26 comprises a pair of mating members 28 which are positioned opposite each other across the interior space 18. The bottom closure 26 may be closed to support the electronic smoking device 56 from below when the sleeve 12 holds the electronic support device. The bottom closure 26 comprises a hook-and-loop fastener, but may comprise a snap button, a magnetic fastener, or any other suitable closure. The top closure 22 comprises a drawstring 24 which is positioned in a channel 20 defined by the sleeve 12 that extends around the interior space 18 proximate the top end 14. The drawstring 24 is cinchable against the sleeve 12 to close the top end 14 of the sleeve 12, securing the electronic smoking device 56 in the sleeve 12. If the electronic smoking device 56 has a length such that it protrudes out of the sleeve 12 when held, the drawstring 24 may cinch the sleeve 12 around the electronic smoking device 56. In other embodiments, the top closure 22 may comprise a snap button, another hook-and-loop fastener, a zipper, or any other suitable closure.

[0024] A mounting member 30 is coupled to the sleeve 12 proximate the top end 14. The mounting member 30 comprises a housing 32, a spool 34 rotatably mounted in the housing 32, and a tether 36 wound onto the spool 34. A fixed end 38 of the tether 36 is attached to the spool 34, and the tether 36 extends out of the housing 32 to a free end 40. A torsion spring 42 biases the spool 34 to wind the tether 36 onto the spool 34 and retract the tether 36 into the housing 32. Other suitable biasing members also may be used. A clip 44 is mounted on the housing 32 which comprises a resiliently flexible member 46 that is biased toward the housing 32 such that the clip 44 may clamp clothing or another object against the housing 32. The resiliently flexible member 46 may be a metal sheet, plastic tab, or the like. Other types of clips or attaching means may be used such as alligator clips, safety pins, snap buttons, or any other suitable fastener.

[0025] The free end 40 of the tether 36 attaches to the drawstring 24 via a connector 48. The connector 48 comprises a strap 50 and a pair of coupling members 52. The coupling members 52 are spaced from each other on the strap 50 and are removably coupled to each other to form a closed loop with the strap 50. The strap 50 is affixed to the free end 40 of the tether 36 and interlocks with a looped portion of the drawstring 24 via the closed loop. In other embodiments, the mounting member 30 may be attached directly to the sleeve 12, bypassing the top closure 22.

[0026] A pad 54 is provided which is configured to couple to a power button 58 of the electronic smoking device 56. The pad 54 may be attached via an adhesive, a magnet, or any other suitable fastener to the power button 58. The pad 54 has a thickness such that the pad 54 is forms a protruding node in the sleeve 12 when the electronic smoking device 56 is positioned in the interior space 18 of the sleeve 12. The node is of a size that a person may identify the location of the button by touch.

[0027] In use, the electronic smoking device 56 is inserted into the sleeve 12 with the bottom closure 26 closed so that it is secured in the sleeve 12. An inhalation section 62 of the electronic smoking device 56 may be positioned near the top end 14 of the sleeve 12. The top closure 22 also may be closed to further secure the electronic smoking device 56 in the sleeve 12. The clip 44 of the mounting member 30 is attached to an article of clothing 66, a purse 68, or any other suitable object. A user 62 of the electronic smoking device 56 may attach the clip 44 to clothing 66 worn by the user 62 in order to keep the electronic smoking device 56 nearby to use as desired. The tether 36 may be pulled against bias so that the user 62 may use the smoking device while it is in the sleeve 12 and the mounting member 30 is attached to the user's 62 clothing 66. The pad 54 assists the user 62 in identifying the location of the power button 58 through the sleeve 12.

[0028] After using the electronic smoking device 56, the user 62 may release the sleeve 12 such that the tether 36 retracts into the housing 32 and wounds onto the spool 34, thereby pulling the sleeve 12 and the electronic smoking device 56 near to the mounting member 30. The weight of the electronic smoking device 56 when hanging via the sleeve 12 from the mounting member 30 may engage the drawstring 24 to cinch the top end 14 of the sleeve 12 closed. The bottom closure 26 may be opened so that a charging cord may be inserted into the bottom end 16 of the sleeve 12 and into a charging port 60 of the electronic smoking device 56.

[0029] With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of an embodiment enabled by the disclosure, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0030] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the disclosure. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the disclosure to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the disclosure. In this patent document, the word comprising is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article a does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be only one of the elements.