Abstract:
A pencil or pen holder which comprises an elasticized band formed into a loop that may be sewn to or attached by means of a clip or staple to a hat or cap. The elasticized loop grips the writing implement securely and is attached to the rim on a side of the hat for quick and convenient access to the writing implement.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Not Applicable. 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable. 
       THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0003]    Not Applicable. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0005]    The present invention relates to pencil holders and particularly to a pencil or pen holder which comprises an elasticized fabric material formed into a loop that may be sewn to or attached by means of a clip or staple to a hat or cap. 
         [0006]    2. Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98 
         [0007]    When working, carpenters and other workers need to mark measurements and often carry a flat carpenter&#39;s pencil for this purpose. Often, the pencil is stored in a nail bag or pocket and is either hard to locate when needed or the writing tip becomes broken off while working. The prior art does not adequately address the problem of a convenient safe location for a worker to store a pencil of any size held securely but easy to remove and replace in the storage location. 
         [0008]    Prior art U.S. Pat. No. 2,490,654, issued Dec. 6, 1949 to Schlesinger, illustrates a head covering provided with a fabric or leather loop positioned near the wearer&#39;s temple for receiving a pencil. 
         [0009]    Prior art U.S. Patent Applications #20050223525 published Oct. 13, 2005 and #20050108857 published May 26, 2005 by Wartian, show a pencil holding clip which is adapted to attach a pencil or the like to a wearer&#39;s cap. The clip is made of a flexible resilient material. The clip has a first channel adapted to receive a lower edge portion of a wearer&#39;s cap. The clip also has a slot which is adapted to receive a pencil to be gripped between the sides of the slot. 
         [0010]    Prior art U.S. Pat. No. 6,792,619, issued Sep. 21, 2004 to Morris, is for an eyeglasses and pencil retaining assembly, which comprises an implement holder to be attached to a cap, hat, clothing or other item. The holder is a single unit, which can be integrated into the construction of the cap, hat, clothing or other item or removably attached to the outer surface of the article. The two sides of the unit are attached and form a loop for receiving a pencil, pen or other elongated implement. The unit additionally contains an adjustable flap for receiving the temple of eyewear, including glasses, sunglasses, or protective eye gear. The outer side of the unit is smooth and is designed to receive identifying or advertising indicia. 
         [0011]    Prior art U.S. Pat. No. 5,867,874, issued Feb. 9, 1999 to Simpson, concerns an implement holder attached to a hat or cap. The holder is designed to be affixed to the side portion of the cap proximal the edge. The holder is an integral unit including a first leg, second leg and third leg. The first leg and the second leg are interconnected to form a first jaw or clamp, the first leg to be received between the cap and the head and the second leg to remain outside and flush to the cap. The first leg is resilient and includes means to maintain attachment to the cap. The side of the cap is placed intermediate the first leg and the second leg. The third leg and second leg are interconnected and form a second jaw or clamp which has the general shape of a U-shaped channel. The U-shaped channel is generally parallel to the cap when the holder is affixed thereto. The channel includes a plurality of longitudinal ridges located on the interior channel walls of the third leg and second leg. The second jaw may receive a pencil, pen or other elongated implement. The small ridges help retain the pencil, pen or other elongated implement in positive relation within the second jaw. The third leg is also resilient and imparts a retaining force on the instrument being retained in the channel. The outer wall of the third leg is smooth and is designed to receive identifying or advertising indicia. The holder may also be affixed to the temple of eyewear, including glasses, sunglasses, or protective eye gear. 
         [0012]    Prior art U.S. Pat. No. D407,537, issued Apr. 6, 1999 to Simpson, claims the ornamental design for an implement holder for a hat or cap. 
         [0013]    Prior art U.S. Pat. No. D412,611, issued Aug. 10, 1999 to Simpson, provides the ornamental design for an implement holder attached to a hat or cap. 
         [0014]    Prior art U.S. Pat. No. 5,829,103, issued Nov. 3, 1998 to Allen, shows a pencil holder that can be detachably mounted to the sweat band area of a soft baseball type cap, and which is preferably formed in one piece of molded plastic. It includes a base section arm, an outwardly and upwardly extending opposing outer arm between which the pencil is frictionally held and an inwardly and upwardly extending opposing inner arm, which in combination with the base section arm, forms a clamp or clip which firmly grasps the sweat band area of the cap. All three arms extend end to end of the holder, forming in essence, two upwardly facing clamps or clips. 
         [0015]    Prior art U.S. Pat. No. D478,630, issued Aug. 19, 2003 to Riggins, describes the ornamental design for a pencil clip. 
         [0016]    Prior art U.S. Pat. No. 3,983,602, issued Oct. 5, 1976 to Barry, discloses an implement holder for a safety helmet, which comprises a one piece holder preferably formed of a molded plastic having a first clamp for releasably engaging an edge portion of a safety helmet to detachably mount the holder thereon, and a second clamp projecting outwardly from one jaw of said first clamp for detachably receiving and holding a long slender object such as a pencil or pen. 
         [0017]    Prior art U.S. Pat. No. 5,066,154, issued Nov. 19, 1991 to Renaud, indicates a device for fixing a pencil or the like on a security hat of the type comprising a sheath disposed at the base of the hat, constituting a cavity which extends from top to bottom and is open at both ends thereof. The device comprises a generally flat member which is formed of a slight curvature enabling it to rest against the surface of the security hat. A hook is formed from the member enabling to introduce and hold a pencil or an object of the same type. The flat member comprises a tongue intended to be introduced in the cavity by snapping thereby preventing the exit of the tongue once the latter is in position in the cavity. 
         [0018]    Prior art U.S. Pat. No. 5,640,743, issued Jun. 24, 1997 to Greene, puts forth a holder for long slender implements such as pencils and pens. The holder comprises a support member which is preferably a thin web having opposed side surfaces. The web includes at least one opening that communicates with each of the side surfaces. Each side of the opening is surrounded by a plurality of flexible fingers which extend away from each side surface in a converging relationship so that the flexible fingers form a hollow frusto-conical shape that is preferably divided into equal segments. A long slender implement inserted through an opening in an outer end of the frusto-conical shape forces the outer ends of the flexible fingers outward. The pressure exerted by the flexible fingers holds the long slender implement securely. The holder may be provided with a resilient clip, an adhesive or a magnetic base for attaching the holder to a variety of suitable surfaces. 
         [0019]    What is needed is an elasticized band sewn or clipped to a cap or hat forming a loop to grip a pencil or pen securely and to enable any size writing implement to fit within the stretchable loop. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0020]    An object of the present invention is to provide an elasticized band sewn or clipped or stapled to a cap and extending below the hat rim forming a loop in a convenient location on a side of the hat to grip a pencil or pen securely and to enable any size writing implement to fit within the stretchable loop to enable a worker or other person requiring a writing implement to easily grasp the pen or pencil for use and easily return it to the loop after use. 
         [0021]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a removably secured elasticized band comprising a clamp attached to the elasticized band and clamped onto the rim for a removable elasticized loop attached to the rim of the piece of head wear; the clamp may comprise a pair of jaws interconnected by a spring loaded hinge or a molded plastic clamp with two jaws interconnected by a living hinge, and may further comprise biting projections or gripping ridges on the interior of the jaws. 
         [0022]    A further object of the present invention is to provide an elasticized band comprising a strip of elasticized material having a smooth exterior fabric coated with elasticized material so that the writing implement slides in and out of the loop with low friction. 
         [0023]    In brief a pen or pencil holder which comprises an elasticized band sewn or clipped to the rim on a hat or cap. The elasticized band forms a loop in a convenient location on either side of the hat. The pen or pencil holder allows worker or other person requiring a writing implement to easily grasp the pen or pencil for use. The elasticized loop grips a pencil or pen securely and enables any size or shape of writing implement to fit within the stretchable loop. The elasticized band comprises a strip of elasticized material having a smooth exterior fabric coated with elasticized material so that the writing implement slides in and out of the loop with low friction. The elasticity of the loop allows the user to easily return the writing implement to the loop after use. 
         [0024]    The elasticized band may be removably secured to the hat or cap by a clamp attached to the elasticized band and clamped onto the rim. The clamp may comprise a pair of jaws interconnected by a spring loaded hinge or a molded plastic clamp with two jaws interconnected by a living hinge. The jaws of the clamp may have inward projections at the ends thereof for biting into the rim of the hat, or ridges on the interior surfaces of the jaws to secure the clamp to the rim. 
         [0025]    An advantage of the present invention is that the writing implement is easily accessed from a convenient location. 
         [0026]    Another advantage of the present invention is that the elasticized loop may be used with various sized and various shaped writing implements. 
         [0027]    One more advantage of the present invention is that the elasticized loop grips the pen or pencil securely. 
         [0028]    An additional advantage of the present invention is that the writing implement is easily returned to the elasticized loop. 
         [0029]    A contributory advantage of the present invention is that it may be permanently attached to the rim of a hat. 
         [0030]    A further advantage of the present invention is that it may be removably attached to a rim of an existing hat. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0031]    These and other details of my invention will be described in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are furnished only by way of illustration and not in limitation of the invention, and in which drawings: 
           [0032]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the elasticized loop of the present invention attached to a cap securing a workman&#39;s pencil therein; 
           [0033]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view through the elasticized loop of the present invention secured to the rim of a hat by stitching showing a round pen or pencil secured therein; 
           [0034]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view through the elasticized loop of the present invention secured to the rim of a hat by stitching showing a broad workman&#39;s pencil secured therein; 
           [0035]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view through the elasticized loop of the present invention removably attached to a clip secured to a rim of a hat; 
           [0036]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view through the elasticized loop of the present invention removably attached to a clip having ridges on the interior of the jaws of the clamp; 
           [0037]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view through the elasticized loop of the present invention secured to the rim of a hat by a staple showing a round pen or pencil secured therein. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0038]    In  FIGS. 1-5 , an adjustable secure grip holder device  20 A and  20 B for storing a writing implement  50 A and  50 B along a rim  41  of a piece of head wear  40 , such as a cap or hat  40  comprises an elasticized loop  21 A and  21 B secured parallel to the rim  41 . 
         [0039]    The adjustable secure grip holder device  20 A and  20 B comprises a strip of elasticized material formed into a loop  21 A and  21 B and attached to a rim  41  of a piece of head wear  40 . The strip of elasticized material  21 A and  21 B comprises a smooth exterior fabric coated elasticized material so that the writing implement  50 A and  50 B slides in and out of the loop  21 A and  21 B with low friction. The loop  21 A and  21 B has a center opening smaller than a cross-section of a writing implement  50 A and  50 B so that the writing implement  50 A and  50 B is insertable therein by pushing the writing implement  50 A and  50 B into the loop  21 A and  21 B stretching the elasticized material  21 A and  21 B which then exerts a tension force on the writing implement  50 A and  50 B to secure the writing implement  50 A and  50 B within the loop  21 A and  21 B. The writing implement  50 A and  50 B is removable from the loop  21 A and  21 B by pulling the writing implement  50 A and  50 B to overcome the tension. 
         [0040]    The loop  21 A and  21 B comprises a strip of elasticized material having two ends  22 A and  22 B in overlapping contact with the elasticized material adjacent to one end  22 A of the strip contacting the elasticized material adjacent to the other end  22 B of the strip to form a closed loop  21 A and  21 B in a middle portion of the elasticized material between the overlapping ends  22 A and  22 B. 
         [0041]    The adjustable secure grip holder device  20 A and  20 B also comprises means of securing the loop  21 A and  21 B to a rim  41  of a piece of head wear  40  so that the axis of the loop  21 A and  21 B opening is parallel to the rim  41 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . The elastic strength of the loop  21 A and  21 B is sufficient to maintain a writing implement  50 A and  50 B stored in the loop  21 A and  21 B in parallel alignment with the rim  41  for easy access of the writing implement  50 A and  50 B. 
         [0042]    In the preferred embodiment  20 A shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the means for securing the loop  21 A and  21 B to the rim  41  of the piece of head wear  40  preferably comprises a series of stitches  19  attached through the rim  41  parallel to the edge of the rim  41  and attached through the overlapping ends  22 A and  22 B of the elasticized material to create a permanent elasticized loop  21 A and  21 B attached to the rim  41  of the piece of head wear  40 . In  FIG. 3 , the loop  21 A and  21 B may be further secured to the rim  41  by a series of stitches  19  further attached through one of the ends  22 B of the strip folded inside the rim  41  with the loop  21 A and  21 B outside of the rim  41 . In  FIGS. 6 and 7  the same loop configurations are secured to the rim  41  by a staple  19 A. 
         [0043]    Alternately, the device  20 B may comprise a clamp  33  to secure the loop  21 A and  21 B to the rim  41 , said clamp  33  being attached to the loop  21 A and  21 B and clamped onto the rim  41  for a removable elasticized loop  21 A and  21 B attached to the rim  41  of the piece of head wear  40 , as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . The clamp  33  comprises a molded plastic clamp  33  with two jaws  31  and  32  interconnected by a living hinge. The clamp  33  may alternately comprise a pair of jaws  31  and  32  interconnected by a spring loaded hinge (not shown). The clamp  33  also comprises a pair of hinged jaws  31  and  32  having a means for biting into the rim  41  to secure the clamp  33 , such as hooked teeth  37  and  38  at the outer ends of the jaws, as shown in  FIG. 4 . Alternately, the clamp  33  may comprise a pair of hinged jaws  31  and  32  each having interior ridges  35  on the jaws  31  and  32  to secure the clamp  33  to the rim  41 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0044]    In use, a writing implement  50 A and  50 B is easily inserted into the pen or pencil holder  20 A and  20 B by pushing the writing implement  50 A and  50 B into the loop  21 A and  21 B stretching the elasticized material  21 A and  21 B. The elasticized material of the loop  21 A and  21 B then exerts a tension force on the writing implement  50 A and  50 B secure the writing implement  50 A and  50 B within the loop  21 A and  21 B, as shown in  FIG. 1 . The user removes the writing implement  50 A and  50 B from the loop  21 A and  21 B by pulling the writing implement  50 A and  50 B to overcome the tension. The user is able to quickly access and easily replace the pen or pencil  50 A and  50 B due to the convenient location on the rim  41  of the hat  40 . 
         [0045]    It is understood that the preceding description is given merely by way of illustration and not in limitation of the invention and that various modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed.