Abstract:
A utility wristband for holding magnetically attractable metallic work items thereagainst for convenient access. The wristband includes a band that having an outer and inner panel and is sized in length to wrap around the wrist of a worker. A fasteners is provided for releasably adjustably connecting the wristband around the worker&#39;s wrist. A plurality of magnets are positioned in a central portion of the wristband between outer and inner flexible panels. By alternating surface polarity of adjacent magnetic bars, the band may be shortened for small wrist sizes or fully collapsed in accordion fashion for storage.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/954,493 filed Sep. 17, 2001, which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    This invention relates generally to a wristband for workers and handymen, and more particularly to an improved wristband for holding magnetically attractable objects such as screws, nails, nuts, bolts, washers and the like for convenience.  
           [0004]    2. Reference to Related Art  
           [0005]    Workmen and handymen typically need more than two hands at once to effectively control and have available the various items and tools required for a project. The ready availability of small metallic work objects such as nails, screws, nuts, bolds, tacks, washers and any other type of magnetically attractable objects is many times inconvenient. They become scattered or are in an unavailable or inaccessibly reachable position just when other tool implements and work pieces are in alignment and requiring their availability.  
           [0006]    Prior art does disclose other devices which are intended to provide a magnetic surface attachable to torso or wrist which will retain magnetically attractable objects in a convenient location ready for use.  
           [0007]    One such invention is disclosed by Finnegan in U.S. Pat. No. 5,593,073. This invention is directed to a workman&#39;s wristband that is releasably connectable around the wrist of the workman and has a central padded area including a small metallic surface for holding such metallic objects for convenience.  
           [0008]    Another magnetic tool holder invented by Bosch and disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,826,059 is generally directed to an apron having a plurality of sets of magnetic strips which are oriented toward the upper margin of the apron for attaching tools such as pliers and wrenches, along with other work objects such as nuts, bolts, nails and the like.  
           [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,333,767 teaches a wrist mounted magnetic holder invented by Anderson that includes ceramic magnetic polarized magnets mounted in a holder for conveniently retaining small articles such as nails, screws, bolts, drill bits and the like. This device includes two distinct regions and a flux concentrator for increasing the magnetic flux density at the holding surface.  
           [0010]    Another combined magnetic holder with armband is disclosed in U.S. Des. Pat. No. 317,730 invented by Mo.  
           [0011]    Several other prior art devices known to applicant include portions that are magnetized by magnet segments and are included therein as follows: U.S. Pat. No. 5,450,858 to Zablotsky, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,093,143 to Nagler, U.S. Pat. No. 6,146,324 to Engel, U.S. Pat. No. 5,950,239 to Lopez, U.S. Pat. No. 5,904,280 to Chan, U.S. Pat. No. 3,636,568 to Stuner and U.S. Pat. No. 4,325,504 to Amani. However, these patents are only remotely similar to the structure and function of the present invention.  
           [0012]    The present invention discloses a utility wristband that is adjustably and releasably connectable around the wrist of the user and includes a plurality of magnetic bars that are oriented in a generally parallel side-by-side relationship and held between inner and outer flexible fabric panels for retaining small magnetically attracted metal work objects such as screws, nuts, bolts, nails, washers and the like for convenient access to a worker wearing the device. The preferred embodiment includes a magnet bar orientation that will provide a convenient self-closing feature for compactness that also acts to partially shorten the overall length of the device should a worker using the device have a wrist of small dimension.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0013]    This invention is directed to a magnetic utility wristband for holding magnetically attractable metallic work items thereagainst for convenient access. The wristband includes an elongated flexible band sized in length to wrap around the wrist of a worker. End portions of the wristband include two-part releasably attachable hook and loop surfaces on corresponding overlapping inner and outer end portion surfaces whereby the band is releasably adjustably connectable only around the worker&#39;s wrist. A plurality of elongated magnetic bars are held along a central portion of the wristband in spaced substantially parallel relation one to another transversely to the length of the wristband and between the outer and inner flexible panels by a plurality of transversely spaced stitch lines connecting said outer and inner panels to form individual elongated pockets, each of which hold and position one magnetic bar. By preferred alternating surface polarity of adjacent magnetic bars, the devices may be shortenable for small wrist sizes and fully collapsible in accordion fashion for storage.  
           [0014]    It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a utility wristband for holding magnetically attractable metal work objects such as screws, nuts. bolts, nails, washers, brads and the like in a convenient location for ready access to a worker wearing the wristband.  
           [0015]    It is another object of this invention to provide a utility wristband for retaining magnetically attractable metallic objects against the outer surface of the wristband and also providing an automatic storing feature that compactly folds the wristband in accordion fashion into a convenient size for carrying in a pocket, apron or purse.  
           [0016]    It is still another object of this invention to provide a utility wristband that will retain magnetically attractable objects on an outer surface of the wristband and which includes an automatically adjustable length feature by the preferred orientation of plurality of the spaced elongated magnetic bars contained between the inner and outer flexible panels of the device.  
           [0017]    In a first alternative embodiment, a plurality of magnets are held in position by gluing (or otherwise securing) the magnets to the inside surfaces of the outer and inner panels.  
           [0018]    In a second alternative embodiment, a plurality of magnets are held position by gluing (or otherwise securing) the magnets to the inside surfaces of the outer and inner panels. The panels are constructed of a vinyl (or similar synthetic fabric) and bonded together by heat (i.e., melting) or glue.  
           [0019]    In a third alternative embodiment, the fastener includes one portion that is positioned on an outer panel and a mating portion that is positioned on an inner panel at an end of the wristband that is opposite the one portion.  
           [0020]    In a fourth alternative embodiment, a plurality of magnets are separately held within one of the pockets formed by transverse and longitudinal stitching lines that attach the inner and outer flexible panels together.  
           [0021]    In accordance with these and other objects that will become apparent hereinafter, the instant invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0022]    A better understanding of the present invention will be had upon reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numbers refer to like parts throughout and wherein:  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 1A is atop plan view of the invention;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 1B is a partial top plan view of the present invention showing a web secured to a magnet;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 1C is a partial top plan view of the present invention showing an elongated tab or flap;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of the preferred embodiment of the invention;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 3 is a section view in the direction of arrows  3 - 3  in FIG. 1;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the invention in a partially retracted or shortened position for storage or for encircling a small wrist of a worker;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the invention in a closed and stored position;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the invention installed and in use around the wrist of a user and in use;  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 7 is a perspective view similar to that of FIG. 6 showing the automatic length-shortening feature of the invention;  
         [0032]    FIGS.  8 A-B are a top plan and side view, respectively, of a first alternative embodiment of the present invention showing magnets secured to a panel;  
         [0033]    FIGS.  8 C-D are a top plan and partial top plan view, respectively, of the first alternative embodiment showing magnets of different shapes;  
         [0034]    FIGS.  9 A-F are views of a second alternative embodiment;  
         [0035]    FIGS.  10 A-B are a top plan, cutaway side view, respectively, of a third alternative embodiment of the present invention; and  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 11 is a top plan view of a fourth alternative embodiment of the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0037]    Referring now to the drawings, the preferred embodiment of the invention is thereshown in all views at numeral  10 . The utility wristband  10  includes an outer flexible panel  12  and an inner flexible panel  14  that are generally coextensive and are connected together along common margins by edge stitching  30 . A hem piece  28  surrounds and encloses the raw edges of the inner and outer panels  12  and  14  respectively, the hem piece  28  is also held by stitching  30  as shown.  
         [0038]    One end portion of the wristband  10  includes a tab or flap  22  having one side thereof covered with one portion  24  of a fastener  25 , which is preferably a hook and loop releasable attaching arrangement such as VELCRO®. As shown in FIGS.  1 A-B, the tab or flap  22  has a preferred total length (including the portion directly secured to the wristband  10 ) of 3.5 inches. However, as shown in FIG. 1C, it will be appreciated that the total length of the tap or flap  22  may be lengthened (e.g., to between 3.5-6.0 inches see e.g., FIG. 1C) or shortened (e.g., to between 2.0 and 3.5 inches) in accordance with the needs of a user. The opposite end of the wristband  10  includes a mating portion  26  of the fastener  25  (e.g., a hook and loop arrangement) whereby the wristband  10  may be releasably attached, as best seen in FIG. 6, around the wrist of a user and held fully extended and in place thereby. It will also be appreciated that other means of securing the wristband  10  around a user&#39;s wrist, such as belts, buckles or laces, may also be used with the present invention.  
         [0039]    Positioned between the inner and outer panels  12  and  14  is a central portion  38  that includes a plurality of elongated magnetic bars  20  that are preferably formed of strontium, however, any ceramic, ferrite or rare earth magnetic material may also be used. The magnetic bars  20  are held in position in a transverse orientation with respect to the length of the wristband  10 . Each of the magnetic bars  20  is separately held within one of the pockets  16  formed between lines of transverse stitching lines  18  that attach the inner and outer flexible panels  12  and  14  together. The magnetic bars  20  are similar in length to the width of the wristband  10  between the rows of stitching  30 . Each of the transverse stitching lines  18  additionally provide fold lines that will be described in more detail hereinbelow. The edges  17  of the magnetic bars  20  can be straight (FIG. 1A), but are preferably rounded (FIG. 1B) in order to prevent the magnetic bars  20  from piercing either the outer  12  or inner  14  panel.  
         [0040]    As seen in FIG. 1B, where a ceramic magnetic material is used it is conceivable that the magnetic bar  20  may crack, break or shatter as a result of the wristband  10  being dropped or mishandled. Therefore, preferably, a web  31  of fabric such as nylon or vinyl is glued to one side of the magnetic bars  20  as a means of preventing or diminishing damage to the magnetic bars  20 . Specifically, the web  31  may be used to cushion the magnetic bars  20  from damage. Additionally, the web  31  serves to retain the shape/form of the magnetic bars  20  in the event the bars  20  are cracked or shattered.  
         [0041]    In the preferred embodiment of the wristband  10 , each of the magnetic bars  20  is oriented with opposite surface polarities with respect to the next adjacent bars so that, as best seen in FIG. 3, each adjacent magnetic bar  20  has the corresponding magnetic surface of opposite polarity. By this arrangement, when tension or stretching force is released from the end portions the plurality of magnets  20  cause the stitch fold lines  18  to fold or double back on themselves into the orientation of the plurality of magnets shown in FIG. 4 at  32 .  
         [0042]    In the configuration shown in FIG. 4 with the magnets attached to one another in the array  32 , the overall length of the wristband  10  is substantially shortened. As best seen in FIG. 7, the number of pairs of magnets  20  such as that shown in  36  are variable so as to correspondingly vary the overall effective length of the wristband  10  for attachment around smaller wrists.  
         [0043]    When fully installed, as best seen in FIG. 6, onto the wrist of a work person, the entire central portion  38  of the wristband  10  and the magnetic bars  20  contained therewithin will magnetically attract and hold metallic work objects against the exposed surface of the outer panel  14  by magnetic attraction to metallic work objects such as those shown, namely nails, nuts, bolts, screws, washers and the like. These work objects are thusly made readily accessible to the worker during further activity in preparation for their installation.  
         [0044]    A further benefit of the alternate polarity of the magnetic bars  20  is shown in FIG. 5 wherein the entire array of magnetic bars  20  are allowed to attach against one another in the magnetic bar array  32 . Thereafter, the flap or tab  22  is wrapped around and attached to the mating surface  26  to retain the compact stored configuration of the wristband  10  for easy carrying and stowage.  
         [0045]    Referring again to FIG. 3, by reorienting the alternate polarity of the magnetic bars  20  so that the same polarity is aligned with each of the inner and outer panels  12  and  14 , respectively as shown in parenthesis, the automatic folding or retracting feature previously described in the preferred embodiment is eliminated or made inoperative. When the magnetic bars  20  are so oriented with each of the polarities oriented in the same direction, the device will exhibit no tendency to fold upon itself about the stitch lines  18 , but rather will be maintained in the outstretched orientation of the device as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2. Note that the elongated pockets  16  are sufficiently wide to allow the selected magnetic bars  20  to be rotated axially 180° to enable selection of the preferred polarity for the desired functionality in this regard.  
         [0046]    The outer flexible panel  12  cannot have a thickness or fabric density that would substantially reduce the attractive magnetic flux of each of the magnetic bars  20 . The preferred fabric is a  70  denier imitation microfiber. The inner flexible panel  14  may be somewhat heavier, preferably 420-840 denier nylon, but should not be so thin or stiff so as to excessively stiffen the folding characteristics of the stitch lines  18  as previously described.  
         [0047]    Referring now to FIGS.  8 A-D, a first alternative embodiment of a utility wristband  100  includes an outer flexible panel  12  and an inner flexible panel  14  that are generally coextensive and which are connected together along common margins by edge stitching  30 . A hem piece  28  surrounds and encloses the raw edges of the inner and outer panels  12  and  14  respectively, the hem piece  28  also held by stitching  30  as shown.  
         [0048]    Positioned between the inner and outer panels  12  and  14  is a central portion  38  that includes a plurality magnets  20 ′ that are preferably formed of strontium, however, any ceramic, ferrite or rare earth magnetic material may also be used. As best shown in FIG. 8B, the magnets  20 ′ are held in position by gluing (or otherwise securing) the magnets  20 ′ to the inside surfaces  13 ,  15  of the outer  12  and inner  14  panels. The magnets  20 ′ are preferably oriented with opposite surface polarities with respect to the next adjacent magnet  20 ′. The magnets  20 ′ may also be oriented, in the alternative, such that the surface polarities of all the magnets  20 ′ are aligned. It will also be appreciated that the surface polarities of the magnets  20 ′ may be oriented such that the surface polarities of some adjacent magnets  20 ′ arc opposite while the polarities of other adjacent magnets  20 ′ are aligned. Therefore, it will be appreciated that the magnets  20 ′ may be orientated to promote or hinder (according to the needs of the user) the folding action discussed above in regard to the preferred embodiment of the wristband  10 .  
         [0049]    As seen in FIGS. 8C and 8D the magnets  20 ′ preferably have a rectangular  21  or square shape with rounded edges (FIG. 8C) or take the shape of a circle  23  or disc (FIG. 8D).  
         [0050]    Referring now to FIGS.  9 A-F, a second alternative embodiment of a utility wristband  200  includes an outer flexible panel  12  and an inner flexible panel  14  which are generally coextensive. The panels  12 ,  14  are preferably constructed of a vinyl (or similar synthetic fabric) and bonded together by heat (i.e., melting). Alternatively, the panels  12 ,  14  may be glued together or sewn (FIGS. 9D and 9F) together without the use of a hem piece  28 . As best shown in FIGS. 9A and 9D, one portion  24  of a fastener  25  (preferably, a hook and loop arrangement) is positioned on the outer panel  12  with a mating portion  26  of the fastener  25  being positioned on the inner panel  14  at an end of the wristband  200  opposite the one portion  24 .  
         [0051]    As with the first alternative embodiment of the wristband  100 , the magnets  20 ′ are held in position by gluing (or otherwise securing) the magnets  20 ′ to the inside surfaces  13 ,  15  of the outer  12  and inner  14  panels. The magnets  20 ′ may be oriented in any manner discussed in connection with the first alternative embodiment.  
         [0052]    Referring now to FIGS.  10 A-B, a third alternative embodiment of a utility wristband  300  includes an outer flexible panel  12  and an inner flexible panel  14  that are generally coextensive and which are connected together along common margins by edge stitching  30 . A hem piece  28  surrounds and encloses the raw edges of the inner and outer panels  12  and  14  respectively, the hem piece  28  also held by stitching  30  as shown. The magnets of this embodiment are preferably positioned, secured and oriented in accordance with the first alternative embodiment of the wristband  100 . The fastener  25  is construction in accordance with the second preferred embodiment  200 .  
         [0053]    Referring now to FIG. 11, a fourth alternative embodiment of a utility wristband  400  includes an outer flexible panel  12  and an inner flexible panel  14  that are generally coextensive and which are connected together along common margins by edge stitching  30 . A hem piece  28  surrounds and encloses the raw edges of the inner and outer panels  12  and  14  respectively, the hem piece  28  also held by stitching  30  as shown. Positioned between the inner and outer panels  12  and  14  is a central portion  38  that includes a plurality of magnets  20 ′ that are preferably formed of strontium, however, any ceramic, ferrite or rare earth magnetic material may also be used. Each of the magnets  20 ′ is separately held within one of the pockets  16  formed by transverse  18  and longitudinal  19  stitching lines that attach the inner and outer flexible panels  12  and  14  together. The magnets  20 ′ may be oriented in any manner discussed in connection with the first alternative embodiment. The fastener  25  of the fourth embodiment 400 is construction in accordance with the second preferred embodiment 200.  
         [0054]    While the instant invention has been shown and described herein in what are conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention, which is therefore not to be limited to the details disclosed herein, but is to be afforded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent apparatus and articles.