Abstract:
A napkin/purse holder includes an elongate center portion having first and second ends, a front surface and a rear surface, and a longitudinal axis. A first hook is connected to and extends from the first end of the center portion. A finger having first and second ends is provided. The first end of the finger is connected to the center portion and the second end of the finger is movable and is adapted to engage a napkin and compress it in place against the center portion. Preferably the force applied by the second end can be adjusted. If desired, a second hook can be connected to and extend from the second end of the center portion. Optional decorative ornamentation can be provided for the center portion.

Description:
REFERENCE TO PROVISIONAL APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The present application claims priority to U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61/801,378, entitled Napkin/Purse Holder, filed Mar. 15, 2013 by Albert N. Santilli, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention is related to napkin holders and purse holders, and, more particularly, to devices that can perform multiple functions. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0005]    There are numerous examples in the art of napkin holders. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,725,953; U.S. Pat. No. 5,933,922; U.S. Pat. No. 5,913,478; U.S. Pat. No. 2,287,717; U.S. Pat. No. 2,247,372; U.S. Pat. No. 2,165,216; U.S. Pat. No. 1,864,281; U.S. Pat. No. 1,692,712; U.S. Pat. No. 1,390,083; U.S. Pat. No. 921,663; U.S. Pat. No. 889,969; U.S. Pat. No. 823,704; U.S. Pat. No. 765,784; U.S. Pat. No. 655,069; U.S. Pat. No. 514,454; U.S. Pat. No. 501,332; U.S. Pat. No. 264,879; U.S. Pat. No. 202,202; U.S. Pat. No. 187,649; and U.S. Pat. No. 184,376. 
         [0006]    Similarly, there are numerous examples of purse holders that permit a purse or other object to be suspended from the edge of a table. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 8,308,125; U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2012/0267018; U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2012 0155955; U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2012 0132773; U.S. Pat. No. 8,061,669; U.S. Pat. No. 7,934,692; U.S. Pat. No. 7,837,171; U.S. Pat. No. 7,389,966; U.S. Pat. No. 7,322,554; U.S. Pat. No. 7,219,868; and U.S. Pat. No. 2,064,133. 
         [0007]    Generally, napkin holders and purse holders are not adjustable as regards the force available to hold a napkin nor are they capable of performing multiple functions, i.e., serving as both a napkin holder or a purse holder. Desirably, a napkin holder would be available that is both adjustable and that also can serve as a purse holder. Further, any such napkin holder and purse holder would be available in different ornamentations. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The present invention provides a new and improved napkin/purse holder. The napkin/purse holder according to the invention is capable of adjusting the force applied to grasp a napkin. The napkin/purse holder according to the invention in one embodiment also is capable of being used as a purse holder to suspend a purse or other object from the edge of a table. Other embodiments according to the invention provide other techniques for grasping a napkin and a variety of ornamentations. 
         [0009]    In one embodiment, an elongate center portion has first and second ends, a front surface and a rear surface, and a longitudinal axis. A first hook is connected to and extends from the first end of the center portion. A finger having first and second ends is provided, the first end of the finger being connected to the center portion and the second end of the finger being movable and adapted to engage a napkin and compress it in place against the center portion. 
         [0010]    The invention can include means for adjusting the force applied by the second end of the finger to the napkin. The means for adjusting can comprise a loop disposed about the center portion and the finger, the loop being movable along the longitudinal axis. The means for adjusting also can include a spring and a hinged connection between the finger and the center portion. In this construction, the spring preferably is disposed between the finger and the center portion such that the finger pivots about the hinged connection under the influence of the spring. The force applied by the second end of the finger is variable, and is a function of the extent to which the spring is compressed. 
         [0011]    The first hook can be disposed adjacent the rear surface of the center portion and the finger can be connected to the rear surface of the center portion. Alternatively, the first hook can be disposed adjacent the rear surface of the center portion and the finger can be connected to the front surface of the center portion. 
         [0012]    If desired, a second hook can be connected to and extend from the second end of the center portion. The second hook can be disposed adjacent either the front surface or the rear surface of the center portion. The second hook can be used to suspend a purse or other object from the edge of a table or similar structure to which the first hook is connected. 
         [0013]    The invention can include a decorative ornament as part of the center portion. The decorative ornament preferably is disposed on that surface of the center portion opposite that to which the finger is connected. The decorative ornament can be selected from the group consisting of jewels, engraving, embossing, and emblems. 
         [0014]    By use of the present invention, a user can conveniently use a napkin to protect his or her clothes. The compressive force used to retain the napkin in place can be adjusted. The invention also can be used as a purse holder if a second hook is included. By employing suitable decorations, the invention can be an attractive complement to the user&#39;s attire. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present invention relates upon reading the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters refer to like elements through the different figures and in which: 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  is a front view of a napkin/purse holder according to the invention in use; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is an enlarged front elevation view of the napkin/purse holder of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a side elevational view of the napkin/purse holder of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is an enlarged side elevational view of an alternative embodiment of the napkin/purse holder according to the invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is a rear elevational view of the embodiment of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  is a side elevation view of the embodiment of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  is a side elevation view of another alternative embodiment of the napkin/purse holder according to the invention; and 
           [0023]      FIG. 8  is a side elevation view similar to  FIG. 7  of an additional alternative embodiment of the napkin/purse holder according to the invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0024]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , a napkin/purse holder according to the invention is indicated by the reference numeral  10 . The napkin/purse holder  10  includes an elongate, relatively narrow center portion  12  having a longitudinal axis parallel to the side edges of the center portion as shown in  FIG. 2 . One end of the center portion  12  is bent back upon itself to form a hook  14 . An enlarged emblem  16  is attached to the other end of the center portion on the side opposite that from which the hook  14  projects. The owner&#39;s initials can be applied to the facing side of the emblem  16  by engraving or other means. 
         [0025]    An elongate, relatively narrow finger  18  is attached by a first end  19  to the center portion  12  at a location near where the hook  14  commences. The attachment is made by a rivet  20 . The finger  18  includes a second end  21  that is disposed near the end of the center portion  12  opposite the emblem  16 . The second end has a toothed portion  22  facing the center portion  12 . The finger  18  has a curved portion  24  that provides space between the center portion  12  and the finger  18 . A loop  26  is disposed about the center portion  12  and the finger  18  adjacent the first end  19 . 
         [0026]    Typical dimensions for the napkin/purse holder  10  are as follows. Width of center portion  12  and hook  14 : approximately ¼ inch. Thickness of center portion  12  and hook  14 : approximately 1/16- 3/32 inch. Overall length of center portion  12 : approximately 2½ inches. Gap between end of hook  14  and center portion  12 : approximately ⅝ inch. The finger  18  preferably is made of spring steel. The emblem  16  preferably is attached to the end of the center portion  12  by silver solder, although other suitable attachment techniques such as riveting or adhesive can be used. 
         [0027]    In use, a napkin  28  can be inserted into the gap between the rear of the center portion  12  and the toothed end  22  of the finger  18 . Since the first end  19  of the finger  18  is rigidly connected to the center portion  12 , the second end  21  can be moved toward and away from the center portion  12  to accommodate napkins  28  of different sizes. By sliding the loop  26  along the longitudinal axis of the center portion  12 , a variable compressive force can be applied to the finger  18  and, hence, to the napkin  28 . The hook  14  can be fitted over the user&#39;s collar in order to properly position the napkin  28  so as to protect the user&#39;s clothes. 
         [0028]    Referring now to  FIGS. 4-6 , an alternative embodiment of a napkin/purse holder according to the invention is indicated by the reference numeral  30 . The napkin/purse holder  30  is particularly adapted to serve as both a napkin holder and as a purse holder. In a manner similar to the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-3 , the napkin/purse holder  30  includes a center portion  32 , a first hook  34  disposed at one end of the center portion  32 , and a second hook  36  disposed at the other end of the center portion  32 . The first and second hooks  34 ,  36  face in opposite directions. 
         [0029]    A finger  38 , similar to the finger  18 , is disposed on the same side of the center portion  32  as the second hook  36  and is rigidly connected to the center portion  32  as by a rivet  40 . The finger  38  includes a toothed end  42 . If desired, a loop (not shown) similar to the loop  26  can be positioned about the center portion  32  and the upper end of the finger  38  to provide a variable compressive force to a napkin  28  disposed between the center portion  32  and the toothed end  42 . The dimensions and materials of the embodiment  30  are similar to those of the embodiment  10 . 
         [0030]    The embodiment  30  can be used in the same manner as the embodiment  10  in order to hold a napkin in place. Since the hooks  34 ,  36  face in opposite directions, one of the hooks (in this case the larger hook  32 ) can be placed on the edge of a table (not shown) and the handle of a purse or similar object (not shown) can be placed over the smaller hook  36 . 
         [0031]    Referring now to  FIG. 7 , an alternative embodiment of a napkin/purse holder according to the invention is indicated by the reference numeral  50 . The napkin/purse holder  50  can serve as both a napkin holder and as a purse holder. In a manner similar to the earlier-described embodiments, the napkin/purse holder  50  includes a center portion  52 , a relatively large first hook  54  is disposed at one end of the center portion  52 , and a smaller second hook  56  is disposed at the other end of the center portion  52 . The first and second hooks  54 ,  56  face toward each other, i.e., they are on the same side of the center portion  52 . 
         [0032]    A finger  58  is disposed on the same side of the center portion  52  as the first and second hooks  54 ,  56 . The finger  58  includes a clamping portion  60  having serrations (not shown) at the end, a tab portion  62  and a generally U-shaped hinge portion  64  disposed toward the center of the finger  58 . A generally U-shaped formation  66  projects from the center portion  52  at approximately the mid-point thereof on the same side as the hooks  54 ,  56 . The formation  66  fits within the hinge portion  64 . A screw or pin  68  extends through openings formed in the hinge portion  64  and the formation  66 . A torsion spring  70  is wrapped about the screw or pin  68 . One end of the torsion spring  70  bears against the tab portion  62  while the other end of the torsion spring  70  bears against the center portion  52 . By this construction, the clamping portion  60  is spring-biased toward contact with the center portion  52  in order to hold a napkin  72  in place against the center portion  52 . The force applied by the clamping portion  60  is variable and is a function of the extent to which the spring  70  is compressed. 
         [0033]    An ornament  74  in the form of a sphere is secured to the other side of the center portion  52  from the formation  66 . The ornament  74  can be a pearl, for example, and can be secured to the center portion  52  by any suitable attachment technique such as epoxy adhesive. The ornament  74  also can be in a form such as the emblem  16 . If desired, the ornament  74  can be dispensed with and replaced by decorative engraving, embossing, coatings, jewels, etc. If desired, the embodiment  50  can be provided without adornment. The dimensions and materials of the embodiment  50  are similar to those of the embodiments  10 ,  30 , although a decorative variant could be to have the center portion  52  smoothly taper from a width of approximately 0.3 inch at the top (where the hook  52  is attached) to a width of approximately ½ inch at the bottom (where the hook  54  is attached). 
         [0034]    Referring now to  FIG. 8 , an alternative embodiment of a napkin/purse holder according to the invention is indicated by the reference numeral  80 . The napkin/purse holder  80  is substantially similar to the embodiment  50  and like reference numerals will be used to indicate identical or similar components where appropriate. In the embodiment of  FIG. 8 , the larger hook  54  is disposed on the opposite side of the center portion  52  from the smaller hook  56 . Since the hooks  54 ,  56  face in opposite directions, one of the hooks (in this case the larger hook  54 ) can be placed on the edge of a table (not shown) and the handle of a purse or similar object (not shown) can be placed over the smaller hook  56 . 
         [0035]    The embodiment is shown as having an ornament  74 . If desired, the ornament  74  can be eliminated if it is believed that the ornament  74  would interfere with a purse-holding function, i.e., if it is believed that the ornament  74  would interfere with the edge of a table while the embodiment  80  is being used to suspend a purse from the edge of the table. 
         [0036]    It is expected that the napkin/purse holders  10 ,  30 ,  50 ,  80  can be made inexpensively from commonly available materials such as stainless steel, silver or silver alloy, and the like. The dimensions and materials described herein are optimum, but other dimensions can be selected for artistic or other reasons. 
         [0037]    Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to particular examples and embodiments, the examples and embodiments contained herein are merely illustrative and are not an exhaustive list. Variations and modifications of the present invention will readily occur to those skilled in the art. The present invention includes all such modifications and equivalents.