Item caddy

A device including a wooden, metal or plastic substrate having at least a back surface, a front surface, and a depth portion located between the back surface and the front surface. Further, the device includes an indentation having a length and a width on the front surface, wherein the length is longer than the width and the length is oriented perpendicular to the depth portion. Further still, the device includes an attachment apparatus connected to the back surface, wherein the attachment apparatus is for attaching the device to an object, such as a golf bag. Yet further, the device includes an adjustable strap connected to the device and traversing at least the width. Thereby, the device allows one or more items, such as a pen, pencil, cigar or cigarette, to be placed in the indentation and securely held in place by the adjustable strap, such as an elastomeric band.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The invention generally relates to a caddy for holding an item, such as a pen, pencil, cigar, or cigarette by removably or permanently attaching the caddy to an object, such as a golf bag.

BACKGROUND

Golf originated from a game played on the coast of Scotland during the 15th century. Golfers would hit a pebble instead of a ball around the sand dunes using a stick or club. After 1750, golf evolved into the sport as we recognize it today. During the 1880s, golf bags first came into use.

During a golf game, a person uses golf clubs to hit a golf ball, may wear cleated golf shoes while “on the green,” may also smoke cigar or cigarettes and/or use a stylus, such as a pen, pencil, or PDA stylus. Over the years, a number of accessories have been designed and marketed to help golfers clean their clubs, balls, shoes and cleats, as well as to cut cigar tips. Unfortunately, these tools take up valuable space in a golf bag or cart and can become easily misplaced.

As previously stated, golfers may smoke cigarettes or cigars while playing golf When a smoking golfer prepares to take a golf swing or stroke, the golfer typically lays the lighted cigarette or cigar on the ground. This unsanitary practice subjects the cigar or cigarette, and ultimately the golfer, to poisons or injurious chemicals on the ground. The same is true as to placing a pen, pencil or stylus on the ground. In addition, the foregoing items are more susceptible to being lost or forgotten on the green.

Despite advances in accessories, problems remain. One solution is to use a golf smoke tee, which is a golf tee with a cradle on top for holding objects such as cigars or cigarettes above the ground. One such golf smoke tee is described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,001,529, filed May 9, 1958, issued to Watson. The golf smoke tee disclosed in the Watson patent, however, is described as being about 1″ to 2½″ tall. This may pose problems for golfers who experience back problems. The golfer may need to strain his/her back to bend over and use such a golf smoke tee. An alternative cigar holder is shown in U.S. Design Pat. No. D385,059, filed on Aug. 7, 1996, and issued to Jenkins, which suggests a much taller vertical shank. Jenkin's design patent, however, does not a show or suggest a means for conveniently driving the holder securely into the ground. And, another patent described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,000,617, filed Mar. 18, 2003, issued to Cervantes, discloses a cigar holder with an elongated shaft that is 3-5 feet tall and sticks into the ground. This may pose problems because it adds weight and is a cumbersome tool to carry, especially for golfers who have limited space in their golf bag.

In light of the foregoing, a need, therefore, exists for an improved device for carrying a cigar, cigarette, pen, pencil, or other stylus, for example, is desirable. It is noteworthy that although the disclosed device may be used by a golfer for attachment to an object, such as a golf bag, the disclosed invention may hold any item that fits into the indentation of the device, and the device may attach to any device permitting an attachment other than just a golf bag.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An example embodiments of the invention generally provide a device including a wooden, metal or plastic substrate having at least a back surface, a front surface, and a depth portion located between the back surface and the front surface. Further, the device includes an indentation having a length and a width on the front surface, wherein the length is longer than the width and the length is oriented perpendicular to the depth portion. Further still, the device includes an attachment apparatus connected to the back surface, wherein the attachment apparatus is for attaching the device to another device. Yet further, the device includes an adjustable strap connected to the device and traversing at least the width. Thereby, the device allows one or more items, such as a pen, pencil, cigar or cigarette, to be placed in the indentation and securely held in place by the adjustable strap.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Generally speaking, a device is disclosed that attaches to another object, such as a golf bag, and holds one or more items, such as a cigar or pencil, in an indentation of the device by an adjustable strap, such as an elastomeric band, that is connected to the device. Now, a more detailed description of the invention is disclosed.

Turning now to a more detailed description and referring the figures,FIG. 1is a frontal view of the device100. The substrate's front surface110, as well as the entire device100, itself may be constructed from wood, metal, and/or plastic. For example, from a decorative and robustness standpoint, the device100may be constructed from an aesthetically pleasing hardwood such as oak or cherry. In addition and in the alternative, the device100may be constructed from a metallic substance, such as chrome, brass, or steel, and/or a moldable plastic. Although wood may be used, metal and plastic are generally preferable because they are oftentimes stronger and less likely to fracture or splinter.

FIG. 1also shows an indentation120that traverses the length135of the front surface110of the device100. In example embodiments, the length135is three inches and the width140of the indentation120is one inch; these are just example dimensions, however, and variance from these examples may be as small or large as deemed necessary to meet the purpose of the one or more items160to be held in place by the device100. As just suggested, the indentation120is where one or more items160may be stored securely in place by an adjustable strap150that traverses at least the width140of the indentation120. Typically, the indentation120is a groove or concavity that is capable of receiving for placement one or more items160, such as a cigar, smoking pipe, cigarette, or stylus, e.g., pen, pencil, or PDA stylus. That is, the one or more items160are held in place, even when the device100is held parallel with the gravitational force, because of the adjustable strap150, such an elastomeric band. Finally and although discussed in more detail below, the device100may include at least one hole140that traverses the depth portion of the device100, wherein the depth portion is perpendicular to the length135and width140. The optionally threaded hole130is for a user to adjust a screw or the like that then adjusts a space within the aperture for the attachment apparatus associated device100so that it100may attach to another object, such as a golf bag.

Moving on,FIG. 2shows a cross-sectional side view of the device200. This substrate's side220of the device200shows the part of the attachment apparatus230as being countersunk into the device200. Specifically,FIG. 2shows the cross-sectional view of two holes225that partly traverse the depth portion210. These two holes225are for receiving screws or the like in order to securely connect the attachment apparatus230to the device200. Acceptable dimensions for these holes225have been shown to be a quarter to one-half of an inch based on the previously disclosed length135of three inches and the width140of the indentation120being one inch.

In this example embodiment, the attachment apparatus230forms an what is deemed an inverted “J” shape. The linear portion of this inverted “J” shaped attachment apparatus230is flush with the back surface410as shown inFIG. 4; the screws going into holes225are countersunk with the substrate's back surface410of the device200. The hook portion of the inverted “J” shaped attachment apparatus230, however, is facing away from the substrate's front surface110, which is shown inFIG. 1. The space of the aperture240is adjusted by adjusting the screw into the hole245. Screwing it into the depth portion makes the space of the aperture240larger; the converse is also true. The aperture240should be adjusted so that the resulting aperture240through adjusting the screw into the hole245renders a removable or permanent attachment of the device200to a particular object, such as a golf bag. In this example embodiment, the hook portion of the attachment apparatus230may be said to hook onto the object. In alternate embodiments and instead of the inverted J shape shown, the attachment apparatus230may be a hook, fastener (e.g., sliding a button located on the attachment apparatus into a button receiving sleeve located on another object, or vice versa; or, a male snap-button located on the attachment apparatus and female snap-button located on another object, or vice versa), or through complimentary Velcro® strips located on both n the attachment apparatus and the object.

Also depicted inFIG. 2on this substrate's side220of the device200is the adjustable strap250. In this instance, the adjustable strap250surrounds the perimeter of the device200, and that is why it is shown inFIG. 2. It250may be held in place by an adhesive substance, or, as shown inFIG. 4, by tension through its placement between a part of the attachment apparatus245and the substrate's back surface410as shown onFIG. 4of the device200. Although not depicted, but in other example embodiments, the adjustable strap250may be held in place by one or more screws that penetrate through the adjustable strap250and partly into the depth portion210of the device200.

FIG. 3shows much of the same parts as found in FIG.2., i.e., one of the substrate's sides330, two screw holes325for receiving screws to secure the attachment apparatus330to the device300. Further, it300shows screw with a hole345, wherein this screw is adjustable to adjust the space of the aperture340for attachment of the device300to another object. The difference in thisFIG. 3, however, is in the placement of the attachment apparatus330and the addition of Velcro®350. Here, the attachment apparatus330is not countersunk with the substrate's back surface410as shown inFIG. 4. Instead, it330is on top of the back surface410. In addition,FIG. 3shows the optional additional of a Velcro® strip to assist in securing the device300to another object also having a complimentary Velcro® strip.

Although not shown in the drawings, the attachment apparatus is shown as being connected to the device through screws or the like. SeeFIGS. 2 and 3. Instead, the disclosed device may be formed through the attachment apparatus being integrally connected to the device. That is, the device with the attachment apparatus is a seamless connection, and such may be accomplished most easily through extruded, moldable plastics.

With reference toFIG. 4, it shows the substrate's back surface410of the device400. This view shows the two holes, although it is acceptable to use one or more holes, for receiving screws420in order to secure the attachment apparatus440to the back surface410of the device400. Notably, these two holes420may be catty-corner with respect to each other as depicted, or they may appear elsewhere on the attachment apparatus440. As depicted inFIG. 4, catty-corner placement may help eliminate torsional strains that the attachment apparatus430may undergo.

FIG. 4also shows a black box, which represents the hook portion430of the inverted-J-shaped attachment apparatus430. The hook portion430is entirely black becauseFIG. 4is a depiction that looks directly at the substrate's back surface410of the device400; that is, a straight-on view of the device400.

In another, although non-depicted, example embodiment, a clip, such a small version of a clip used to fasten a bag of potato chips, is used as the attachment apparatus430. In such an example embodiment, one half of the clip is affixed, possibly with one or more screws of with an adhesive material, to the substrates' back surface410. The other half of the clip may be opened, for example, by squeezing a top located on the clip. After squeezing the clip, a user may place the opened half of the clip onto an object in the created aperture (e.g.,340inFIG. 3), an then release the squeezing so that clip is now held firmly onto object, e.g., a golf bag.

The adjustable strap450is depicted with a portion of the strap450being behind the linear portion430of the inverted-J-shaped attachment apparatus430, and on the substrate's back surface410. In additional and alternative example embodiments, a portion of the strap450may be screwed or the like into place on any surface of the device400, and/or glued into place with an adhesive, such as an epoxy.

While the foregoing is directed to example embodiments of the disclosed invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof is determined by the claims, which may be read in light of the foregoing disclosure, that follow.