Apparatus for positioning around the screen of a cathode ray tube

An apparatus for positioning around the screen of a cathode ray tube comprising, a strap of a flexible material with a circumference that allows it to be positioned around the upper surface, lower surface and side surfaces of a cathode ray tube. The strap is adjacent the screen end of the cathode ray tube. The strap assumes a generally rectangular configuration when placed around the screen. The strap, when positioned around the cathode ray tube, forms two vertical side extents, a horizontal upper extent and a lower horizontal extent. A pile-type fastener is secured to a central region of the upper extent of the strap. An adjustable structure is in the lower extent of the strap diametrically opposed from the flap. A replaceable decorative ATTACHMENT is attached and supported by the strap and pile-type fastener.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
This invention relates to a decorative apparatus for positioning around the 
screen of a cathode ray tube and, more particularly, to position around 
the screen of the cathode ray tube, a strap which will accommodate 
decorative members secured to the strap with the decorative members 
extending outwardly from the strap. 
2. Description of the Background Art 
Presently, it is well known that many adults and children perceive 
computers as complex and intimidating. Making the computer appear 
friendlier would remove the fear and hostility many children and adults 
have toward computers. 
Generally children have short attention spans and only become seriously 
motivated to engage in activities that excite their imagination. Parents 
today are seeking ways to provide their children with the skills that will 
benefit them later in life. Parent's often desire to motivate their 
children to acquire these skills at a very young age. Children do not 
understand that they are developing skills, but rather see only the 
impersonal apparatus with which they must associate. This is particularly 
true with younger children. 
Stuffed toys are well known in the prior art for use as playthings by 
children and adults. They are designed to appeal to children and adults, 
and thereby encourage their use as playthings. They are not designed to 
encourage the use of other objects. There have been few attempts to use 
the prior art with computers to reduce the fear associated with their use. 
As evidenced by the small number of prior art patents for such use, efforts 
are continuing to improve the use of stuffed toys. Consider, for example, 
U.S. Pat. No. 3,867,971 to Isaac Hazen relating to combination handbag and 
toy, container and figurine, or the like; U.S. Pat. No. 4,540,378 to 
Sharon Cusimano relating to a stuffed figure having positionable arms; 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,756,580 to Charles Middleton, Jr. relating to adjustable 
video monitor cabinet; U.S. Pat. No. 4,950,196 to Frederick Fortune and 
Timothy Bumb relating to a hand basket with attached toy; U.S. Pat. No. 
5,006,089 to James Lee relating to life-like toy animal; and U.S. Pat. No. 
5,072,998 to Bobby Y. Oh relating to stuffed anatomical members. 
The Oh patent uses plush stuffed anatomical members for mounting on a 
cathode ray tube computer monitor or a like object to make the object less 
intimidating to children and therefore to encourage its use by children. 
The stuffed anatomical members may include a head member, two arm members, 
and two feet members. Each member is detachably secured to the object 
using hook and loop fasteners. 
The Oh device has a practical deficiency. This deficiency involves the 
method of attaching the objects to the monitor. The Oh device requires 
that a plurality of hook and loop fastener mating surfaces be attached to 
the surface of the monitor. These fasteners must be permanently attached. 
The user is unable to remove the fasteners with out some damage to the 
surface of the monitor. Removal of the fasteners leaves the user with an 
unpleasant looking monitor surface. 
As will become evident, nothing in the prior art provides the benefits and 
advantages attendant with the present invention. 
Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improvement 
which overcomes the aforementioned inadequacies of the prior art devices 
and provides an improvement which is a significant contribution to the 
advancement of the art. 
Another object of this invention is to provide a new and improved apparatus 
for positioning around the screen of a cathode ray tube comprising, a 
cylindrical strap of a flexible material having a circumference to be 
positioned around the upper surface, lower surface and side surfaces of a 
cathode ray tube. The strap is adjacent the screen end of the cathode ray 
tube. The strap has a horizontal axis that extends through the center of 
the screen of the cathode ray tube. The strap assumes a generally 
rectangular configuration when placed around the screen. A flap extends 
downward a short distance from the upper edge of the upper extent of the 
strap. A pile-type fastener is secured to the central extent of the flap 
in a vertical orientation. A pocket is attached to at least one vertical 
extent of the strap on the side adjacent the screen of the cathode ray 
tube. An adjustable structure is in a diametrically opposed position from 
the flap in the lower extent of the strap. The strap having placed on to 
it a replaceable decorative means supportable by the pocket and the 
pile-type fastener of the flap of the strap. 
Another object of this invention is to facilitate the positioning and 
adjustment of the decorative structures onto the cathode ray tube. 
Another object of this invention is to position a friendship inducing 
structure around the screen of a cathode ray tube that promotes usage and 
allows the user to remove the apparatus without permanent damage. 
The foregoing has outlined some of the pertinent objects of the invention. 
These objects should be construed to be merely illustrative of some of the 
more prominent features and applications of the intended invention. Many 
other beneficial results can be attained by applying the disclosed 
invention in a different manner or modifying the invention within the 
scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, other objects and a fuller 
understanding of the invention and the detailed description of the 
preferred embodiment in addition to the scope of the invention defined by 
the claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
For the purpose of summarizing this invention, this invention comprises an 
apparatus for positioning around the screen of a cathode ray tube. The 
apparatus is a strap of flexible material. The strap's circumference 
allows it to be positioned around the upper surface, lower surface and 
side surfaces of a cathode ray tube adjacent its screen end to form a 
cylinder with a rectangular cross section. The generally horizontal axis 
of the strap extends through the center of the screen of the cathode ray 
tube. The strap assumes a generally rectangular configuration when placed 
around the screen with a flap extending downwardly a short distance from 
the upper horizontal upper extent of the strap. The strap forms two 
vertical side extents, a horizontal upper extent and a lower horizontal 
extent when position on the cathode ray tube. A pile-type fastener is 
secured to the central region of the flap in a vertical orientation. The 
pile-type fastener faces away from the screen. A plurality of pockets are 
attached to the vertical extents of the strap on the sides adjacent to the 
cathode ray tube. A stitched seam permanently attaches the pockets to the 
vertical extents. The seam is sewn along vertical end edges and the lower 
horizontal end edge of the pocket forming a U-shaped seam. Each pocket has 
an opening along its upper horizontal end edge. There is an adjustable 
structure in a lower extent of the strap that is diametrically opposed 
from the flap. The adjustable structure is made of an elastomeric 
structure. The elastomeric structure can resiliently expanded the 
circumference of the strap. A replaceable decorative attachment is 
supported by the strap, the pocket and a pile-type fastener. The 
decorative attachment is a doll. The doll has a first vertical portion, a 
second vertical portion and a horizontal portion. The first and second 
vertical portions have rods. The rods are coupled at their upper extents 
to an adjacent section on the exterior surface of the attachment. The rods 
have a length and width that is essentially equal to the lengths and 
widths of the pockets. The rods are positioned in the pockets of the 
strap. The first vertical portion and second vertical portion are formed 
in the shape of legs. The horizontal portion is positioned on the upper 
extent of the strap. The horizontal portion has a rectangular extension to 
be positioned over the flap of the strap. The extension has an interior 
side and an exterior side. The interior side has a pile-type fastener 
assembly that allows it to be affixed to the pile-type fastener of the 
strap. The exterior side has indicia. The doll has a head and a face. The 
head extends upwardly from the horizontal portion and is of such strength 
that it remains in an upright position from the upper horizontal extent of 
the strap and the upper surface of the cathode ray tube. The face of the 
doll is positioned in the same direction as the screen of the cathode ray 
tube. 
The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the more pertinent and important 
features of the present invention in order that the detailed description 
of the invention that follows may be better understood so that the present 
contribution to the art can be more fully appreciated. Additional features 
of the invention will be described hereinafter which form the subject of 
the claims of the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in 
the art that the conception and the specific embodiment disclosed may be 
readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures 
for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should 
also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent 
constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as 
set forth in the appended claims.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several 
Figures. 
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIG. 1 thereof, an 
apparatus for positioning around the screen of a cathode ray tube 
embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and 
generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described. 
The present invention, the apparatus for positioning around the screen of a 
cathode ray tube, is made up of three major components, a strap, an 
adjustable structure and replaceable decorative attachments. Such 
components are individually configured and correlated with respect to each 
other so as to attain the desired objective. 
More specifically, referring to FIG. 2 the strap 12 is made of a flexible 
material having a circumference to be positioned around the upper surface, 
lower surface and side surfaces of a cathode ray tube 14. The strap 12 is 
adjacent the screen end of the cathode ray tube and forms a cylinder with 
a rectangular cross section. The strap has a generally horizontal axis 
extending through the center of the screen of the cathode ray tube. The 
strap assumes a generally rectangular configuration when placed around the 
screen and has a flap 16 extending downward a short distance from the 
upper horizontal upper extent 24 of the strap. The strap, when positioned 
around the cathode ray tube, forms a first vertical side extent 20 and a 
second vertical side extent 22, a horizontal upper extent 24 and a lower 
horizontal extent 26. FIG. 3 showing the embodiment of the strap 12 as 
shown in FIG. 2 but, without the cathode ray tube. The preferred 
embodiment of the strap is a tightly woven inextensible durable fabric. 
The fabric should be a breathable fabric. Use of an air permeable fabric 
will prevent moisture build up in the area of contact between the strap 
and the cathode ray tube. 
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a pile-type fastener 28 is secured to the 
central region of the flap 16 in a vertical orientation facing away from 
the screen. The flap is formed as part of the strap and made of the same 
fabric. 
There are a plurality of pockets 30 attached to the vertical extents of the 
strap on the sides adjacent to the cathode ray tube. FIG. 2 shows a pocket 
on a second vertical extent 22 and FIG. 3 shows a pocket on a first 
vertical extent 20. A stitched seam 32 is used to permanently attach the 
pockets 30 to the strap. The stitched seam 32 is sewn along vertical end 
edges and a lower horizontal end edge of the pockets to form a U-shaped 
seam. The pockets have an opening along their upper horizontal end edge. 
Preferably the pockets are made of the same tightly woven fabric used in 
the strap to preclude stretching. This would be most cost effective. The 
pockets may, however, be made of other inextensible and durable material. 
To secure the strap to the cathode ray tube an adjustable structure is 
located in the lower extent 26 of the strap 12 and diametrically opposed 
from the flap as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The adjustable structure is made 
of an elastomeric structure 36. The elastomeric structure 36 is capable of 
resiliently expanding the circumference of the strap. The elastomeric 
structure is about one fourth of the length of the strap. The length of 
the elastomeric structure enables the strap to be positioned around a 
variety of cathode ray tubes of varied sizes. The elastomeric structure 36 
is preferably a material that is combined with any vulcanized rubber. 
Attached to the strap is a replaceable decorative attachment as shown in 
FIG. 1. The attachment is supportable by the strap 12, the pockets 30 and 
a pile-type fastener 28 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The decorative 
attachment is a doll 40. The doll has a first vertical portion 42, a 
second vertical portion 44 and an upper horizontal portion 46. The first 
and second vertical portions have rods 48. The rods are coupled at their 
upper extents to an adjacent section on the exterior surface of the 
ornamentation to hold the ornamentation in their proper place. The rods 
have a length and width that is essentially equal to the lengths and 
widths of the pockets 30. The rods as shown in FIG. 4 are positioned in 
the pockets of the strap. The first vertical portion 42 and second 
vertical portion 44 are formed in the shape of legs. 
The horizontal portion 46 of the doll is positioned on the horizontal upper 
extent 24 of the strap. The horizontal portion 46 of the doll has a 
rectangular extension 50 that is for positioning over the flap 16 of the 
strap. The extension 50 has an interior side and an exterior side. The 
interior side has a pile-type fastener assembly 52 for affixing to the 
pile-type fastener 28 of the strap. The exterior side has indicia shown in 
this embodiment as the users name, "MARY". The doll has a head and a face 
as shown in FIG. 1. The head extends upwardly from the horizontal portion 
and is able to remain in an upright position from the horizontal upper 
extent of the strap and the upper surface of the cathode ray tube. The 
doll's face is positioned in the same direction as the screen of the 
cathode ray tube. 
FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the strap 102 where the strap is 
discontinuous and has a first end edge 104 and a second end edge 106 
formed at the lower horizontal extent 114. In the embodiment of FIG. 6 the 
strap has a first vertical extent 108, a second vertical extent 110, a 
horizontal upper extent 112 and a lower horizontal extent 114 as in prior 
structure. A flap extends downward a short distance from the horizontal 
upper extent 112 of the strap as shown in FIG. 6 and as in the prior 
structure. 
Additionally, FIG. 6 shows there are upper and lower pockets attached to 
the vertical extents of the strap. The first upper 118 pocket is attached 
to the first vertical extent 108 and located just below the end of the 
horizontal upper extent. The second upper pocket 120 is attached to the 
second vertical extent 110 and located just below the edge of the 
horizontal upper extent. The first lower pocket 122 is attached to the 
first vertical extent just above the end of the lower horizontal upper 
extent. The second lower pocket 124 is attached to second vertical extent 
110 just above the end of the lower horizontal upper extent. The first and 
second upper pockets are about 1/2 the depth of the first and second lower 
pocket. A stitched seam 130 is sewn along the vertical end edges and the 
horizontal end edges of the both upper and lower pockets similar to the 
stitched seam of FIGS. 2 and 3. 
This embodiment in FIG. 6 requires that the adjustable structure have a 
first part 140 and a second part 142. The first part is positioned on the 
exterior side of the first end edge 104 and the second part is positioned 
on the interior side of the second end edge 106. The first part and the 
second part are releasably coupled when the exterior side of the first end 
edge overlaps the interior side of the second end edge as shown in FIG. 7. 
Attached to the strap of FIG. 6 is another embodiment for the adjustable 
structure. The adjustable structure of FIG. 6 is a hook and loop type of 
fastener 140 and 142. The hook and loop type of fasteners are located on 
the lower extent of the strap. The fasteners are positioned on opposite 
ends of the straps end edges and form the first and second part of the 
adjustable structure. The fasteners are sewn or glued to the end edges of 
the strap. 
A further feature of this embodiment of the replaceable decorative 
attachment in an ornamentation fashioned like an athletic activity. In 
FIG. 7 the ornamentation is a pair of football goal posts 144, a football 
146 and a kicking tee 148. The ornamentation has a first vertical portion 
150, a second vertical portion 152 and a horizontal portion 154. The first 
and second vertical portions have formed thereon goal post as shown in 
FIG. 9. FIG. 8 shows the goal post having a rigid first bifurcated rod 156 
extending upward from the first upper pocket 118 and a rigid second 
bifurcated rod 158 extending upward from the second upper pocket 120. The 
bifurcated rods 156 and 158 have a length essentially equal to the lengths 
of the upper pockets of the strap and the goal post for placement in the 
upper pockets. Also, FIG. 8 shows a rigid first rod 160 extending downward 
into the first lower pocket 122 and a second lower rod 162 extending 
downward into the second lower pocket 124. The rods 160 and 162 have a 
length and width essentially equal to the lower pockets for positioning in 
the lower pockets. The bifurcated rods 156 and 158 with their bifurcations 
extending upwardly stabilize the tops of the goal post and prevent them 
from buckling or tipping over. The rods have a lengths and widths 
essentially equal to the lengths and widths of the lower pockets for 
positioning in the lower pockets. The rods 160 and 162 are coupled at 
their upper extent to an adjacent section of the exterior of the 
ornamentation for proper positioning. 
FIG. 9 shows the horizontal portion positioned along the horizontal upper 
extent 112 of the strap with an extension hanging over the flap 116. 
Attached to the horizontal portion 154 is a football 146 positioned in a 
kicking tee 148 as shown. The extension has an interior side and an 
exterior side. The interior side with a pile-type fastener assembly for 
affixing to the pile-type fastener of the strap as shown in the previous 
structure of FIG. 5. The exterior side has indicia in the form of a star, 
a symbol of a football team represented by the ornamentation. 
FIG. 10 shows yet another embodiment where the strap 202 having vertical 
extents and horizontal extents as shown in the prior structure of FIG. 6 
is discontinuous. The strap has a first end edge 204 and a second end edge 
206 at the horizontal extent 208. The pockets on this embodiment are have 
the same placement as the pockets in FIGS. 2 and 3. The pockets of FIG. 10 
have two compartments 210 forming a double pocket. In addition to the 
stitched seam of FIGS. 2 and 3 in the prior structures there is an 
additional stitched seam 212 shown in FIG. 10. The additional seam is 
equal distance from the vertical ends of the pocket and connected to the 
horizontal seam along the lower horizontal end edge of the pocket. 
Additionally, as in FIG. 6 the embodiment requires the adjustable 
structure to have a first part 214 and a second part 216. The first part 
is positioned on the exterior side of the first end edge and the second 
part is positioned on the interior side of the second end edge. The first 
part and the second part are releasably coupled when the exterior side of 
the first end edge overlaps the interior side of the second end edge as 
shown in FIG. 10. 
Attached to the strap of FIG. 10 is a further embodiment for the adjustable 
structure. In this embodiment the adjustable structure is a clasp. The 
clasp is located in the lower extent of the strap. Arranged on opposite 
end edges of the strap. The catch 214 of the clasp is located on the 
exterior side of the first end edge and the holder 216 is located on the 
interior side of the second end edge. 
FIG. 11 shows yet another embodiment of the replaceable decorative 
attachment having an ornamentation showing a beach scene. The 
ornamentation has a first vertical portion 220, a second vertical portion 
222 and a horizontal portion 224. As shown the first and second vertical 
portions having the shape of palm trees and a hammock with a figure 
therein attached to the top of the trees and extending there between. The 
first vertical portion is supported by the first vertical extent 226 and 
the second vertical portion is supported by the second vertical extent 228 
as in prior structures. The horizontal portion 224 is positioned along the 
horizontal upper extent of the strap 230 with an extension hanging over 
the flap as in prior structures. The extension has an interior side with a 
pile-type fastener assembly for affixing to the pile-type fastener of the 
strap similar to the structure 50 and 28 respectively of FIG. 5. The 
exterior side has indicia in the form of a location "HAWAII" indicative of 
the ornamentation. 
FIG. 12 show the palm trees have bifurcated a first bifurcated rod 240 and 
a second bifurcated rod 242 extending throughout. The bifurcated rods of 
lengths essentially equal to the length of the pockets for positioning in 
the pockets. The bifurcated rods extend downward and are coupled at their 
upper extents to an adjacent section of the interior of the ornamentation 
for proper positioning. The bifurcated rods with their bifurcations 
extending downwardly into the double pocket to support and prevent the 
hammock from causing the tops of the trees to rotate and/or collapse 
inwardly. 
In each of the embodiments the replaceable decorative means generally 
comprises an outer cover formed in the shape of an ornamental object. The 
ornamentation is stuffed or formed of a resilient material such as cotton, 
polystyrene beads, or a flexible neoprene or similar suitable material. It 
is understood that the replaceable decorative means described here in the 
drawings represent only presently preferred embodiments. Various other 
embodiments may be desirous. Many different ornamental scenes are 
possible. Thus these and other modifications and additions may be obvious 
to those skilled in the art and may be implemented to adapt the present 
invention for use in a variety of different applications. 
The present disclosure includes that contained in the appended claims, as 
well as that of the foregoing description. Although this invention has 
been described in its preferred form with a certain degree of 
particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure of the 
preferred form has been made only by way of example and that numerous 
changes in the details of construction and the combination and arrangement 
of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of 
the invention. 
Now that the invention has been described,