MAGNETIC HOLDER

Abstract

a magnetic element that is coupled to a looped elastic strap. The looped elastic strap may be stretched to accommodate instruments of varying shapes and sizes. In one embodiment the looped elastic strap is capable of being stretched to a length greater that approximately twice the minimum length of the looped elastic strap. This allows the magnetic element to be secured to instruments of various shapes and sizes by placing the looped elastic strap around an instrument.

Description

BACKGROUND

[0001]Commonly, writing instruments, such as pens, have an integrated clip that enables the pen to be clipped to a pocket or writing pad. Other writing instruments, such as pencils, highlighter pens, dry-erase markers for white boards are much less likely to have integrated clips. Other instruments, such as flashlights and laser pointers may or may not have clips. Instruments with or without clips may be difficult to carry when the user has no easily accessible pockets, and are easily misplaced. For example, workers in many fields wear uniforms without pockets. Examples include medical workers who wear `scrubs` or laboratory coats.

[0002]One way to carry an instrument is to attach a magnet to the instrument so that it can be attached to a material that can be magnetized, that is, a ferrous material. For example, a ferrous metal holder may be worn by a person (either clipped or pinned to clothing, or supported by a lanyard, for example) and the magnet may be used to attach the instrument to the ferrous metal holder.

[0003]Prior methods for attaching a magnet to an instrument include spring loaded clips for pens and rubber lined sleeves for pencils. Both of these approaches have the limitation that they only allow the magnet to be attached to instruments of a particular size.

[0004]In an alternative approach, a magnet is integrated with a pen during manufacture.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0005]The accompanying figures, in which like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views and which together with the detailed description below are incorporated in and form part of the specification, serve to further illustrate various embodiments and to explain various principles and advantages all in accordance with the present invention.

[0006]FIG. 1 is a diagram of a prior magnetic pen holder.

[0007]FIG. 2 is a diagram of a prior magnetic pencil holder.

[0008]FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic representation of an instrument holder in accordance with some embodiments of the invention.

[0009]FIG. 4 is a top view of an instrument holder in accordance with some embodiments of the invention.

[0010]FIG. 5 is a further top view of an instrument holder in accordance with some embodiments of the invention.

[0011]FIG. 6 is a further top view of an instrument holder in accordance with some embodiments of the invention.

[0012]FIG. 7 is a front view of an instrument holder in accordance with some embodiments of the invention.

[0013]FIG. 8 is a rear view of an instrument holder in accordance with some embodiments of the invention.

[0014]FIG. 9 is a diagram of vent clip on an instrument holding system in accordance with some embodiments of the invention.

[0015]FIG's 10-12 are views of a support base for an instrument holding system in accordance with some embodiments of the invention.

[0016]FIG's 13-15 are views of further support bases for an instrument holding system in accordance with some embodiments of the invention.

[0017]Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018]Before describing in detail embodiments that are in accordance with the present invention, it should be observed that the embodiments reside primarily in combinations of method steps and apparatus components related to an improved magnetic holder for writing instruments and the like. Accordingly, the apparatus components and method steps have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

[0019]In this document, relational terms such as first and second, top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms "comprises," "comprising," or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element preceded by "comprises . . . a" does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element.

[0020]FIG. 1 is a diagram of a known magnetic pen holder. A magnet 102 is attached to a base 104. Also attached to the base 104 is a clip 106. The clip 106 is substantially rigid, but allows a small amount of deflection so that a pen of the matching size can be inserted and removed. The holder is not suitable for use with pens of different diameters or with pens having elongated cross-sections.

[0021]FIG. 2 is a diagram of a known magnetic pencil holder. A bar magnet 102 is attached to a sleeve 202. The interior of the sleeve 202 is corrugated to allow a small amount of deflection and enables a pencil of the matching size to be inserted and removed. The holder is not suitable for use with different diameter instruments or with instruments having elongated cross-sections.

[0022]The present invention relates to a magnetic holder for attaching an instrument to a magnetic object. The instrument may be a pen, pencil, highlighter pen, laser pointer, magnifying glass, flashlight or other instrument.

[0023]FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic representation of an instrument holder in accordance with some embodiments. The instrument holder 100 has a magnetic element 102 that is supported by a base 104. The base 104 is, in turn, coupled to a looped elastic strap or band 302. In a further embodiment, the base 104 is omitted and the magnetic element 102 is directly coupled to the looped elastic strap 302. The looped elastic strap 302 may be stretched to accommodate instruments of varying shapes and sizes. Additional, different length looped elastic straps may be used to accommodate an even greater range of instruments.

[0024]In one embodiment, the looped elastic strap has a stretched length that greater than approximately twice its relaxed length. For example, in one embodiment the looped elastic strap 302 has a relaxed length of less than 30 mm and is capable of being stretched to a length greater than 60 mm. This allows the magnetic element to be secured to instruments having a circumference in the range 30 mm to 60 mm or higher by placing the looped elastic strap around the instrument. A combination of tension in the looped elastic strap and friction between the strap and the instrument serves to secure the magnetic element to an instrument.

[0025]Either the magnetic object or the magnetic element, or both the magnetic object and the magnetic element are magnetized so that an instrument to which the magnetic element is attached may be removably coupled to the magnetic object via the magnetic element.

[0026]In a further embodiment, the looped elastic strap is capable of being stretched to a length greater than twice the relaxed length.

[0027]The width of the looped elastic strap is selected such that friction between the strap and the instrument is sufficient to hold instruments of different sizes and shapes. The width may be as little as 2 mm and as much as 30 mm or greater. The strap may be constructed of, or lined with, a rubber-like material (such as natural rubber, urethane or silicone) that resists slipping. The looped elastic strap may be narrow, like a ring, or have an extended width, like a sleeve.

[0028]The magnetic element is constructed of a magnetizable material and may be a magnet. The magnetic element may be a ferrous metal such as Neodymium-Iron-Boron (Nd₂Fe₁₄B), Aluminum-Nickel-Cobalt (AlNiCO) and iron, Samarium-Sobalt (SmCo) and iron. The magnetic element may be a Ceramic (ferrite) permanent magnet, such as a mixture of Strontium, Carbonate and Iron Oxide. The magnetic element may be a flexible material such as Strontium Ferrous Oxide and K-resin (rubber), or a Strontium Ferrite powder mixture with polymer bonding. These materials and others are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0029]The instrument holder may be at least partial constructed of a luminescent or `glow-in-the-dark` material or may be marked with such a material. This enables the instrument holder to be seen more easily in low-light conditions.

[0030]FIG. 4 is a top view of an instrument holder in accordance with some embodiments. In this example, the looped elastic strap 302 is attached to the base 104 using an adhesive 402. Other types of attachments may be used.

[0031]FIG. 5 is a further top view of an instrument holder in accordance with some embodiments. In FIG. 5, a pencil 502 is inserted in the looped elastic strap 302. Insertion of the pencil 502 stretches the strap 302, so that the holder 100 is removably coupled to the pencil 502. The magnetic element 102 is removably coupled to a magnetic object 504 by a force of magnetic attraction. In one embodiment, the magnetic element 102 is magnetized. In this embodiment, the magnetic object may be a steel surface, such as the surface of a kitchen appliance or steel cabinet.

[0032]FIG. 6 is a further top view of an instrument holder in accordance with some embodiments. In FIG. 6, a highlighter pen 602 is inserted in the looped elastic strap 302. Insertion of the pen 602 stretches and deforms the strap 302, so the holder 100 is removably coupled to the highlighter pen 602. The magnetic element 102 is removably coupled to a magnetic object 504 via a by a force of magnetic attraction. In one embodiment, the magnetic element 102 is magnetized. In another embodiment, both the magnetic element 102 and the magnetic object 504 are magnetized. In this embodiment, the magnetic object is coupled to a surface 604 via intermediate element 606. The intermediate element 606 and magnetic object 504 may be integrated in a wearable clip or pin, or suspended from a wearable lanyard, for example. In this example, the magnetic object 504 comprises a second magnetic element. The intermediate element 606 may be attached to a surface 604 using adhesive, a pin, hook-and-loop patches, a sucker, a hook, or by other means. The surface 604 may be an air vent in an automobile, in which case the intermediate element 604 may include a vent clip. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the instrument holder 100 is engaged with the magnetic object 504 by moving the magnetic element 102 close to, or into contact with, the magnetic object 504.

[0033]The magnetic elements 102 and 504 may be the same shape or different shapes, the same size or different sizes. When both elements are magnets, they may have the same strength or different strengths. For example, the first magnetic element 102 may be a 1/2'' diameter disc, while the second magnetic element may be a 3/4'' disc. The size and strength of the magnets may be selected according to the use. For example, a wearable magnet may require a greater strength than a magnet on a fixed surface.

[0034]Typically, an instrument such as highlighter pen or flashlight has a larger circumference than a pencil. Accordingly, the looped elastic strap 302 should be extensible enough that it can accommodate instruments of different shapes and different circumferences.

[0035]FIG. 7 is a front view of an instrument holder in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. Referring to FIG. 7, the instrument holder 100 is shown holding a pencil 502. The looped elastic strap 302 has been placed around the pencil 502. When the circumference of the pencil 502 is greater than the relaxed length of the looped elastic strap 302, the strap is in tension and the pencil is held in place. The magnetic element 102 (behind base 104) may then be used to attach the pencil to a magnetic object.

[0036]FIG. 8 is a rear view of an instrument holder in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. Referring to FIG. 8, the instrument holder 100 is shown holding a highlighter pen 602. The looped elastic strap 302 has been placed around the highlighter pen 602. Even though the circumference of the pen 602 is greater than that of the pencil, and the pen has a different shape, the looped elastic strap 302 is able to accommodate the highlighter pen. The magnetic element 102 may then be used to attach the pen to a magnetic object.

[0037]FIG. 9 is a diagram of vent clip on an instrument holding system in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. In FIG. 9, a magnetic object 504 is coupled via a flexible connector 902 and an attachment 904 to a vent grill 906. In this example, the attachment 904 comprises a spring clip. The vent grill may be located in the dashboard 908 of an automobile, aircraft or other vehicle, for example. The flexible connector 902 may coupled to the magnetic element 504 via a fixed or swivel coupler 910, or it may fixed by other means such as gluing or bonding. Similarly, the flexible connector 902 may coupled to the spring clip 904 via a fixed or swivel coupler 912, or it may fixed by other means such as gluing or bonding. The spring clip 904 may be sized such that the jaws 914 of the spring have sufficient length to encompass the vent grill 906 and close behind the grill to provide a secure mounting for magnetic element 504. In one embodiment the jaws 914 are sized to accommodate of vent of approximately 1.7 cm depth. The magnetic element 504 may be a magnet.

[0038]The spring clip 904 may also be used to attach the magnetic element 504 to clothing or other surfaces.

[0039]In one embodiment, the distal end of at least one of the jaws 914 wraps around the back edge of the vane 906. A spring element 916 is positioned between the jaws 914. The spring element may be a coil spring for example. One end of the spring element 916 is restrained by the body of the clip, while the other end applies a biasing force to an end piece or stop 918. The end piece or stop may be a rubber like material. The stop 918 may be glued to the spring element 916 or fitted as a plug into the end of the spring element. In operation, the stop 918 is pushed against the front edge of the vane 906 by the spring element 916. Thus, the clip is securely attached to the vane. The pressure provided by the spring element 916 and the stop 918 reduces any tendency of the clip to rattle. In addition, when the distal ends of the jaws 914 are moved apart to remove the clip, the spring element and end-piece aid in the removal of the clip by pushing the clip 904 away from the vane 906.

[0040]In this embodiment at least one of the jaws 914 has a hooked end (the distal end). A first spring element is operable to bias the first and second clamping elements together across of the flow deflection vane 906, while the second spring element 916 is operable to bias the stop and a hooked end of a jaw together across a second cross-dimension of the flow deflection vane, as illustrated by arrows 920 in FIG. 9. In this manner, the vane is gripped in both cross-dimensions.

[0041]In some embodiments, the clamping elements are sized to clamp vanes ranging in width from 1.7 cm to 2.7 cm. The spring element and stop allow the vent clip to be attached securely to narrower vanes, while still allowing use with wider vanes.

[0042]The jaws 914 may be at least partially coated or wrapped in a soft rubber-like material positioned to contact the flow deflection vane 906. This reduces any tendency of the clip to slip along the vane and further reduces any tendency to rattle. In a further embodiment, the functions of spring element and stop are performed by a single compliant element, such as a single shaped block of rubber or silicone.

[0043]FIG. 10 shows a further embodiment of a support base for an instrument holding system. In FIG. 10, the support base includes a magnetic element 504 coupled to an attachment 904 that takes the form of a slotted mounting clip. The cross-section 11-11 is shown in FIG. 11. This shows how the attachment 904 is spaced from the magnetic element 504 to accommodate the head of a nail, for example. An embodiment of a complete instrument holding system is shown in FIG. 12. A magnetic element 102 is supported by a base 104, which is, in turn, coupled to a looped elastic strap or band 302. An instrument 502, such as a pen for example, is held by the looped elastic strap or band 302. The magnetic element 102 is held in contact with the magnetic element 504 of the support base. The slotted mounting clip 904 is hooked over the head a nail 1202 that is driven into a wall or other surface 1204. Other devices, such as screws or hooks, may equivalently be used to support the base unit.

[0044]The magnetic element may be attached to a surface using other attachments. For example, in FIG. 13, the attachment 904 comprises an adhesive layer 904. A covering 1302 protects the adhesive layer until the magnetic element is to be attached to a surface, at which time the covering layer 1302 is removed.

[0045]In a further embodiment, shown in FIG. 14, the magnetic element 504 is supported by the reel 1402 of retractable name tag or the like. The reel may be coupled to clothing using a clip attachment 904, for example. The reel 1402 holds a cord 1404 that carries a clip 1406 to which a name tag, identity card, set of keys or other object may be attached.

[0046]In a still further embodiment, shown in FIG. 15, a plurality of magnetic elements 504 are supported by `tree` structure comprising a rigid base 1502, one or more stems 1504 and a plurality of branches 1506. A branch may support one or more magnetic elements.

[0047]In view of the examples provided above, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, that the magnetic element may be supported in various ways.

[0048]In the foregoing specification, specific embodiments of the present invention have been described. However, one of ordinary skill in the art appreciates that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims below. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention. The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all the claims. The invention is defined solely by the appended claims including any amendments made during the pendency of this application and all equivalents of those claims as issued.

Claims

1. An instrument holder for attaching an instrument to a magnetic object, the instrument holder comprising:a magnetic element; anda looped elastic strap coupled to the magnetic element, the looped elastic strap being capable of being stretched to a length greater than approximately twice the relaxed length of the looped elastic strap,wherein the looped elastic strap is configured to be placed in tension around an instrument having a circumference greater than the relaxed length of the looped elastic strap and less than approximately twice the relaxed length of the looped elastic strap into thereby secure the magnetic element to the instrument, andwherein at least one of the magnetic object and the magnetic element is magnetized such that an instrument to which the magnetic element is attached may be removably coupled to the magnetic object via the magnetic element.

2. An instrument holder in accordance with claim 1, wherein the looped elastic strap is capable of being stretched to a length greater than twice the relaxed length of the looped elastic strap to accommodate instruments having a circumference greater than twice the relaxed length of the looped elastic strap.

3. An instrument holder in accordance with claim 1, wherein the looped elastic strap is capable of being deformed to accommodate instruments of various shapes.

4. An instrument holder in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a base element, wherein the looped elastic strap is coupled to the magnetic element via the base element.

5. An instrument holding system comprising:a first magnetic element;a support base comprising a second magnetic element; anda looped elastic strap coupled to the first magnetic element, the looped elastic strap capable of being stretched to a length greater than twice the relaxed length of the looped elastic strap,wherein the looped elastic strap is configured to the placed around an instrument having a circumference greater than the relaxed length of the looped elastic strap and less than approximately twice the relaxed length of the looped elastic strap to thereby secure the magnetizable element to the instrument, andwherein at least one of the first magnetic element and the second magnetic element is magnetized such that an instrument to which the second magnetic element is attached is removably coupled to the first magnetic element via the second magnetic element.

6. An instrument holding system in accordance with claim 5, wherein the support base comprises a wearable holder.

7. An instrument holding system in accordance with claim 5, wherein the support base is configured for mounting on a substantially rigid surface.

8. An instrument holding system in accordance with claim 5, wherein the looped elastic strap is capable of being stretched to a length greater than twice the relaxed length of the elastic strap to accommodate instruments having a circumference greater than twice the relaxed length of the looped elastic strap.

9. An instrument holding system in accordance with claim 5, wherein the looped elastic strap is capable of being deformed to accommodate instruments of various shapes.

10. An instrument holding system in accordance with claim 5, further comprising:a spring clip; anda flexible connector, coupled to the spring clip and second magnetic element.

11. An instrument holding system in accordance with claim 10, wherein the flexible connector is rotatable with respect to the spring clip.

12. An instrument holding system in accordance with claim 10, wherein the flexible connector is rotatable with respect to the second magnetic element.

13. An instrument holding system in accordance with claim 10, wherein the first and second magnetic elements are of substantially equal shapes.

14. An instrument holding system in accordance with claim 10, wherein both the first and second magnetic elements are magnetized.

15. An instrument holding system in accordance with claim 5, wherein the support base further comprises a slotted mounting clip adapted to hang the second magnetic element on a protrusion selected from the list of protrusion consisting of a nail, a screw and a hook.

16. An instrument holding system in accordance with claim 10, wherein the spring clip comprises:first and second jaws, the first jaw, at least, having a hooked end;a first spring element operable to bias the first and second jaws together across a first cross-dimension of a flow deflection vane of the air vent grill;a stop element;a second spring element, coupled to at least one of the first and second jaws at one end and to the stop element at the other end and operable to push the stop element against a front edge of the flow deflection vane to provide a bias between the stop element and the hooked end of the first jaw across a second cross-dimension of the flow deflection vane.

17. An instrument holding system in accordance with claim 5, wherein the support base further comprises a layer of adhesive on the rear side of the second magnetic element.

18. An instrument holding system in accordance with claim 5, wherein the support base further comprises a retractable reel adapted to the be worn by a person.

19. An instrument holding system in accordance with claim 5, wherein the support base further comprises a name tag adapted to the be worn by a person.

20. An instrument holding system in accordance with claim 5, wherein the support base further comprises a tree structure comprising a support base, at least one stem and a plurality of branches each support a second magnetic element.

21. An instrument holder for attaching an instrument to a magnetic object, the instrument holder comprising:a magnetic element; anda looped elastic strap coupled to the first magnetic element, the looped elastic strap having a length that is variable between a minimum length and a length approximately twice the minimum length of the looped elastic strap,wherein the looped elastic strap is configured to be placed in tension around an instrument having a circumference greater than the minimum length of the looped elastic strap and less than approximately twice the minimum length of the looped elastic strap in to thereby secure the magnetic element to the instrument, andwherein at least one of the magnetic object and the magnetic element is magnetized such that an instrument to which the magnetic element is attached may be removably coupled to the magnetic object via the magnetic element.

22. An instrument holder in accordance with claim 21, wherein the looped elastic strap is capable of being varied to a length greater than twice the minimum length of the looped elastic strap to accommodate instruments having a circumference greater than twice the minimum length of the looped elastic strap.

23. An instrument holder in accordance with claim 22, wherein the instrument holder further comprises a luminescent material.

24. A method for holding an instrument, the method comprising:attaching a magnetic element to the instrument using a looped elastic strap, the looped elastic capable of being stretched to a length greater than twice the relaxed length of the looped elastic strap; andmoving the magnetic element close enough to a magnetic object that the magnetic element is attracted to, and removably held by, the magnetic object,wherein at least one of the magnetic object and the magnetic element is magnetized.

25. A method in accordance with claim 24, wherein the magnetic object comprises a wearable holder, the method further comprising attaching the wearable holder to a user.

26. A method in accordance with claim 24, wherein the magnetic object and the magnetic holder have a substantially equal shape.

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