Abstract:
Apparatus for fastening includes a linkage and a body. The linkage has an end enlarged to form a ball. The body forms a carabineer&#39;s hook. A side of the body has a guideway which is open at a side and at an end of the body. Most of the guideway is dimensioned to receive the linkage, but not the ball. Near the end of the body, the guideway forms a dock which opens at the side, wide enough to receive the ball. A slide is held in the guideway and has a fork dimensioned to receive the linkage while blocking the ball. The slide is movable toward and away from said end so that the fork alternately uncovers and partially covers the dock, alternately confining and releasing the ball. The linkage is free to rotate through at least 90 degrees, from parallel to the guideway to normal to the side, while the fork confines the ball in the dock. Optionally, the linkage in hingedly connected to a pedestal adapted for attachment to objects. This, with the rotational freedom of the linkage in the dock, allows an article to be suspended comfortably near a vertical surface.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims the benefit of earlier-filed U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/805,969, filed Jun. 27, 2006, “Apparatus For Fastening,” inventor Phillip L. Johnson. 
     
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to fastening apparatus for small personal articles and especially for wearable accessories that are to hand flush against a body surface while suspended from a belt loop or other point of attachment. 
         [0004]    2. General Background and State of the Art 
         [0005]    U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/502,363 describes apparatus suitable for fastening small articles to an individual&#39;s clothing. 
       INVENTION SUMMARY 
       [0006]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a carabiner-like hook equipped with a fastening system allowing both the carabiner and the suspended article to hang flush against a surface of a person&#39;s wearing apparel or other environmental place of attachment. 
         [0007]    In accordance with these objects and with others which will be described and which will become apparent, an exemplary embodiment of the apparatus for fastening in accordance with the present invention comprises a linkage distally enlarged to form a ball; a body; a hook formed on the body; and a guideway formed in the body, the guideway being open at a side of the body and at an end of the body opposite the hook and being dimensioned both at the side and at the end to receive the linkage, the guideway enlarging to form a dock, the dock opening at the side and being located proximate the end, the dock being dimensioned to receive the ball. A slide is approximated to the side of the body and held in the guideway in slidable relation against the side, the slide including a fork dimensioned to receive the linkage while blocking the ball, the slide being movable toward and away from the end such that the fork alternately uncovers and partially covers the dock, thereby alternately allowing and preventing passage of the ball. The linkage is free to rotate through at least 90 degrees, from parallel to the guideway to normal to the side, while the fork confines the ball within the dock. 
         [0008]    In an exemplary embodiment, a riser formed on the slide extends into the guideway and a flange formed on the riser engages the body within the guideway to hold the slide in slideable relation to the body. 
         [0009]    In an exemplary embodiment, a ridge formed on the slide engages a groove formed on the side of the body to stabilize the slide on the body. 
         [0010]    In an exemplary embodiment, a clip affixed to the body cooperates with the hook to form a carabiner. 
         [0011]    In an exemplary embodiment, a steel liner is disposed in the dock. 
         [0012]    In an exemplary embodiment, a spring disposed in the guideway biases the slide toward the end. 
         [0013]    In an exemplary embodiment, the guideway forms first and second block stations and a block is located each of the block stations to limit travel of the flange along the guideway. 
         [0014]    In another exemplary embodiment of the apparatus for fastening in accordance with the present invention, the linkage is proximally hingedly attached to a pedestal, the pedestal having an attachment surface, the linkage being rotatable relative to the pedestal so as to be positioned against the pedestal and substantially parallel to and proximate the attachment surface. The body, linkage and pedestal hang comfortably flush against a wearer&#39;s apparel or other surface of attachment. Alternatively, the linkage is proximally attached to a fitting, the fitting being hingedly attached to a holster which similarly hangs comfortably flush against a wearer&#39;s apparel or other surface of attachment. 
         [0015]    Such comfort and the ease of use of the linkage and ball in combination with the dock and slide constitute major advantages of the present invention. 
         [0016]    Also in accordance with these objects and with others which will be described and which will become apparent, an exemplary embodiment of the apparatus for fastening in accordance with the present invention comprises a linkage which is distally enlarged, and a body. A guideway is located in the body and is the open at a side of the body and at an end of the body. A dock is also located in the body proximate the end and opens at the side. The dock is dimensioned to receive the distally enlarged linkage. A slide is approximated to the side of the body and held in the guideway in slidable relation against the side. The slide includes a fork and is movable between a first position proximate the end wherein the fork confines the distally enlarged linkage in the dock and a second position retracted from the end wherein the distally enlarged linkage is free to pass into and out of the dock. The linkage, when confined in the dock by the fork, is free to rotate through at least 90 degrees, from an orientation parallel to the guideway to an orientation normal to the side. 
         [0017]    In an exemplary embodiment, a riser formed on the slide extends into the guideway and a flange formed on the riser engages the body within the guideway to hold the slide in slideable relation to the body. 
         [0018]    In an exemplary embodiment, a ridge formed on the slide engages a groove formed on the side of the body to stabilize the slide on the body. 
         [0019]    In an exemplary embodiment, the body includes a hook and a clip, the clip cooperating with the hook to form a carabiner. 
         [0020]    In an exemplary embodiment, a liner is disposed in the dock. 
         [0021]    In an exemplary embodiment, the slide is biased toward the end. 
         [0022]    In an exemplary embodiment, the guideway forms first and second block stations and a block is located each of the block stations to limit travel of the flange along the guideway. 
         [0023]    In an exemplary embodiment, the linkage is rotatably attached to a pedestal, the pedestal being adapted for attachment to an article which is to be suspended by the linkage, the linkage being positionable so as to lie proximate the pedestal while extending toward the body. 
         [0024]    In an exemplary embodiment, the linkage is proximally attached to a fitting and a holster is hingedly attached to the fitting. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0025]    For a further understanding of the objects and advantages of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which like parts are given like reference numbers and wherein: 
           [0026]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of apparatus for fastening in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 2  is a front elevational view thereof; 
           [0028]      FIG. 3  is a side elevational view thereof; 
           [0029]      FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view thereof; 
           [0030]      FIG. 5  is a side sectional view thereof; 
           [0031]      FIG. 6  is a top sectional view thereof; 
           [0032]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view thereof in use with a mobile telephone; and 
           [0033]      FIG. 8  is a side perspective view of an alternative embodiment thereof in use with a holster for a mobile telephone or such. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0034]    The invention will now be described with reference to  FIG. 1 , which illustrates in perspective view a preferred embodiment of the apparatus for fastening in accordance with the present invention, shown generally at  20 , having a body  22 , a side  23 , an end  33 , a guideway  28 , a dock  32 , a groove  30 , a hook  24 , a clip  26 , a slide  40  including a fork  48  having tines  49 , and a steel linkage  34  which is enlarged distally to form a ball  36 . The body  22  is cast of aluminum. The hook  24  is formed integrally with the body  22 . The clip  26  is formed of spring steel and is mounted on the body  22  in tension so that it is biased against the hook  24 , forming a structure partially resembling a carabiner. The slide  40  is located on the body  22  and positioned substantially at the end  33  of the body  22  that is opposite the hook  24 . The ball  36  is shown disposed in the dock  32 . The linkage  34  is shown projecting from the guideway  28  at the end  33  of the body  22 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 2 , a side view of the apparatus for fastening, again shows the body  22 , side  23 , groove  30 , end  33 , hook  24 , clip  26 , slide  40 , fork  48 , tines  49 , linkage  34 , ball  36 , guideway  28 , and dock  32 . The slide  40  is retracted away from the end  33  of the body  22 , partially exposing the guideway  28  and exposing the dock  32 . A steel liner  54  is disposed in the dock  32 . The linkage  34  and ball  36  are shown withdrawn from the dock  32 . 
         [0036]      FIG. 3 , a front view of the apparatus for fastening, shows the body  22 , the hook  24 , the clip  26 , the end  33  opposite the hook  24 , the slide  40 , and the linkage  34 . The ball  36  is shown by dotted lines. The linkage  34  is shown to be able to rotate between two orientations 90 degrees apart; a first orientation, in which the linkage  34  projects from the end  33  of the body  22  roughly in line with the guideway  28 ; and a second orientation, in which the linkage  34  projects from the dock  32 , between the tines  49  of the fork  48 , roughly perpendicular to the side  23  of the body  22 . 
         [0037]      FIG. 4 , an exploded perspective view of the apparatus for fastening, shows the body  22 , side  23 , end  33 , hook  24 , clip  26 , guideway  28 , dock  32 , liner  54 , and groove  30 . As can be seen, the dock  32  is formed by a widening of the guideway  28  at the side  23  of the body  22 , proximate the end  33  of the body  22  opposite the hook  24  and spaced a short distance therefrom. Shown in greater detail than in previous figures, the guideway  28  is seen to have an inverted T-shape and is undercut within the body  22 , opening at the end  33  of the body  22 . Spaced farther from the end  33  are a first block station  29  and a second block station  31 , each of these also being formed by a widening of the guideway  28  at the side  23  of the body  22 . As can also be seen more clearly in this picture, the groove  30  is shallowly formed in the side  23  of the body  22  parallel the guideway  28 , extending from the second block station  31  toward the hook  24 . 
         [0038]    With continued reference to  FIG. 4 , the guideway  28  is dimensioned to allow the linkage  34 , at times when the ball  36  is positioned in the dock  32 , to rotate freely between an orientation in which it projects from the guideway  28  via the dock  32  to one in which it projects from the guideway  28  via the end  33  of the body  22 . 
         [0039]    With continued reference to  FIG. 4 , also shown are the slide  40 , fork  48 , and tines  49 . The slide  40  has a riser  42  which is enlarged distally to form a flange  44 . A ridge  46  is formed on the slide  40  in line with the riser  42 . A fork  48  with tines  49  is formed on the slide  40 . The riser  42  and flange  44  are dimensioned to engage the guideway  28 , thereby holding the slide  40  against the side  23  of the body  22  while permitting the slide  40  to move along the guideway  28 . The ridge  46  is dimensioned to engage in the groove  30  that is formed in the side  23  of the body  22 , thereby stabilizing the slide  40  in relation to the body  22 . The fork  48  is dimensioned so that the linkage  34  may fit between the tines  49 , allowing the linkage  34  to project from the guideway  28  via the dock  32  when the slide  40  is moved into a position such that the fork  48  is located directly over the dock  32 . 
         [0040]    With continued reference  FIG. 4 , also shown are a first block  50  to be disposed in the first block station  29 , a second block  51  to be disposed in the second block station  31 , a steel spring  56  with central stop  58  to be disposed in the guideway  28  between the first block  50  and the second block  51 . Each of the first block  50  and second block  52  has a centrally located notch  52 . 
         [0041]    With continued reference to  FIG. 4 , assembly is accomplished by interference-fitting the second block  52  in the second block station  31  (with the notch  52  visible), inserting the spring  56  in the guideway  28  between the second block station  31  and the first block station  29 , inserting the riser  42  and flange  44  into the guideway  28  at the end  33  of the body  22 , backing the slide  40  toward the second block  51  (thereby compressing the spring  56  between the flange  44  and the second block  51 ) until the first block station  29  is exposed, interference-fitting the first block  50  in the first block station  29  (with the notch  52  visible), and interference-fitting the liner  54  in the dock  32 . Thus configured, the slide  40  is biased toward the end  33  of the body  22 , where its travel is limited by interference of the riser  42  and flange  44  with the first block  50 . The ridge  46  on the slide  40  rides in the groove  30  in the side  23  of the body  22  and also in the notch  52  of each of the first block  50  and the second block  51 , stabilizing the slide  40  on the body  22 . The liner  54  protects the dock  32  and the guideway  28  from being worn away by friction with the ball  36 . 
         [0042]    With continued reference to  FIG. 4 , a pedestal  38  is shown attached to the linkage  34 . A cut-out  37  is formed in the pedestal  38 . As shown by the dotted lines, when the linkage  34  is inserted in the guideway  28 , the linkage  34  has at least 90 degrees of rotational freedom in plane with the guideway  28 . The linkage  34  may lie parallel to the guideway  28  and project endwise away from the end  33  of the body  22  opposite the hook  24  (in practice, the hook  24  points upward and engages a belt loop or other point of attachment, while the linkage  34  depends downward from the end  33  opposite the hook  24  and bears the load of the attached article). Alternatively—as, for example, when a user is inserting or withdrawing the linkage  34 , the linkage  34  may project sideways away from the side  23  of the body  22 . The pedestal  38  has an adhesive pad  39  for attachment to an article which is to be suspended—a mobile telephone, for example. The pedestal  38  is centrally and hingedly attached to the linkage  34  by means for a pin  41  and has a radially projecting cut-out  37  which allows the linkage  34  to project parallel to the adhesive pad  39  and close to the article to which the pedestal  38  is attached. It will be appreciated that in some cases an article such as a mobile telephone does not have suitable top surfaces to which the pedestal  38  may be attached. In such cases, the pedestal  38  is usually attached to a side of the article—for example, the backside of a mobile telephone—and is oriented such that the cut-out  37  points toward the top of the article. The reader may visualize that doing so permits the linkage  34  to be oriented downward from the end  33  of the body  22 , to the pedestal  38 , and within the cut-out  37 , thereby joining the pedestal  38  to the body  22  and attaching the article to the wearer&#39;s clothing in a generally co-planar, flat arrangement providing comfort and convenience. 
         [0043]      FIG. 5 , a side cross sectional view of the apparatus for fastening as assembled, shows the body  22 , hook  24 , clip  26 , end  33 , guideway  28 , dock  32 , liner  54 , first block station  29 , a second block station  31 , first block  50 , second block  51 , spring  56 , stop  58 , riser  42 , ball  36 , linkage  34 , pedestal  38 , and adhesive pad  39 . A pin  42 , shown by dotted lines, attaches the linkage  34  to the pedestal  38 . The stop  58  prevents overcompression of the spring  56 . 
         [0044]      FIG. 6 , a sectional view of the apparatus for fastening taken along line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 2 , shows the body  22 , slide  40 , riser  42 , and flange  44 . The riser  42  and flange  44  are dimensioned to fit the guideway  28  and retain the slide  40  on the body  22  while allowing the slide  40  to move along the guideway  28 . 
         [0045]      FIG. 7 , a perspective view of the apparatus for fastening, shows the body  22 , side  23 , end  33 , groove  30 , hook  24 , clip  26 , slide  40 , fork  48 , tines  49 , dock  32 , guideway  28 , ball  36 , linkage  34 , pedestal  38  and pin  41 . The linkage  34  is shown projecting from the pin  42 , through the cut-out  37 , and into the guideway  28 . The adhesive pad, not shown in this figure, attached the pedestal  38  to the article, which happens to be a mobile telephone. 
         [0046]    With continued reference to  FIG. 7 , a user may depress the clip  26 , hang the hook  24  on any apparel structure (such as a belt loop) or other suitable place of attachment, and release the clip  26 , with the result that the hook  24  and body  22  are secured to the belt loop. The user may next manually retract the slide  40  toward the hook  24  until the dock  32  is exposed, approximate the mobile telephone to the body  22 , insert the ball  36  in the dock  32 , and release the slide  40 , with the result that the ball  36  is confined in the dock  32  with the linkage  34  projecting from the dock  32  or guideway  28 . The user may next release the mobile telephone, whereupon the linkage  34  will be pulled such that it projects from the end  33  of the body  22 . Simultaneously, the pedestal  38 , which is attached above the center of mass of the mobile telephone, will be oriented so that the linkage  34  nests in the cut-out  37 , allowing the mobile telephone to depend neatly from the place of attachment. 
         [0047]      FIG. 8 , a side view of an alternative embodiment of the apparatus for fastening in according to the present invention, shows the body  22 , side  23 , end  33 , groove  30 , hook  24 , clip  26 , slide  40 , fork  48 , tines  49 , guideway  28 , ball  36 , and linkage  34 . The linkage  34  is shown affixed to a hinged fitting  43 , which has been riveted to a holster suitable for carrying a mobile telephone or the like. The linkage  34  is shown projecting from the hinged fitting  43  into the guideway  28 . 
         [0048]    With continued reference to  FIG. 8 , a user may depress the clip  26 , hang the hook  24  on any apparel structure (such as a belt loop) or other suitable place of attachment, and release the clip  26 , with the result that the hook  24  and body  22  are secured to the belt loop. The user may next manually retract the slide  40  toward the hook  24  until the dock  32  is exposed, approximate the holster to the body  22 , insert the ball  36  in the dock  32 , and release the slide  40 , with the result that the ball  36  is confined in the dock  32  with the linkage  34  projecting from the dock  32  or guideway  28 . The user may next release the holster, whereupon the linkage  34  will be pulled such that it projects from the end  33  of the body  22 . Simultaneously, the hinged fitting  43 , which is rotatably attached to the holster, will allow the holster to depend neatly from the place of attachment. 
         [0049]    As can be seen from the drawing figures and from the description, each embodiment of the apparatus for fastening in accordance with the present invention solves a problem by addressing the need for conveniently suspending a personal article, such as a telephone handset, audio device or the like, from wearing apparel or from another place of attachment in a way that allows the article to hang flush with the wearer&#39;s clothing or other surface. The flat form of the hook  24  and body  22  contribute to this solution by minimising protrusions; moreover, the clip  26  operates in a plane parallel to the surface it is dangling against. The ball  36  and linkage  34  cooperate with the fork  48 , dock  32  and guideway  28  to preserve this solution by ensuring sufficient rotational freedom of the linkage  34  relative to the body  22 , while at the same time exploiting the convenient operation of the slide  40  to secure the ball  36  in the dock  32 . In the preferred embodiment, the cut-out  37  and the hinged attachment of the linkage  34  to the pedestal  38  ensures that the article in question, which is being suspended from an attachment point on its side near its top, hangs flush with the linkage  34  and the body  22  against the user&#39;s clothing or other surface. In the alternative embodiment, the hinged fitting  43  likewise allows the holster to hang flush, while also allowing it to tilt in place with the body  22 . 
         [0050]    While the specification describes particular embodiments of the present invention, those of ordinary skill can devise variations of the present invention without departing from the inventive concept.