Abstract:
A connecting device for connecting a first item having a connecting mechanism and a second item having a second connecting means for use when the first item connecting means is incompatibly mismatched, inoperative, non-fully functioning or otherwise unconnectable with the second item connecting mechanism. The connecting device comprises a sheet having a first edge and a second opposed edge. A first connection mechanism is secured to the first edge for connecting it to a mismatched, inoperative, non-fully functioning or otherwise unconnectable connection mechanism with the second item connection mechanism. A second connection mechanism is secured to the second edge of the first sheet member for connecting the second edge of the sheet to the second item connection mechanism, so that the first connection mechanism matches the first item connection mechanism and the second connection mechanism compatibly matches, operates, functions or is otherwise connectable with the second item connector mechanism.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    This invention relates generally to a device for connecting mismatched, inoperative, non fully functioning or otherwise unconnectable connection mechanisms, and, more particularly, it relates to a connector device which allows a user to connect together items having mismatched, inoperative, non-fully functioning or otherwise unconnectable connection mechanisms, such as zippers, snaps, buttons, hook and loop connector systems, hooks, grommets, buckles and equivalent connector systems.  
           [0003]    2. Description of the Prior Art  
           [0004]    Many items, such as tarps, tents, awnings, sleeping bags, garments, etc., utilize various connection mechanisms, such as zippers, snaps, buttons, hook and loop connector systems, hooks, grommets, buckles and equivalent connector systems, for connecting the items to each other. Oftentimes, it is necessary or desirable to connect together items having mismatched or inoperative connecting mechanisms. Although a separate fastening mechanism, such as tape, thread, staples, and equivalent fastening systems can be used to bypass the mismatched or inoperative connecting mechanisms, it is may not be possible to connect these items together using the connection mechanisms provided with the items. Unfortunately, using such separate fastening mechanisms is time consuming, often irreversible and expensive so that many items with mismatched or inoperative connecting mechanisms are simply discarded.  
           [0005]    Accordingly, there exists a need for a connector device for connecting together items having mismatched or inoperative connecting mechanisms. Additionally, a need exists for a connector device for connecting together items, which device connects together a variety of items having a variety of connection mechanisms. Furthermore, there exists a need for a connector device for connecting items together which is easy to use, inexpensive to produce, and avoids waste.  
         SUMMARY  
         [0006]    The present invention is a connector device for connecting together a first item having a first item connecting mechanism and a second item having a second item connecting mechanism, wherein the connecting mechanisms have mismatched, inoperative, non-fully functioning or otherwise unconnectable connection mechanisms. In general, the connecting device comprises a first sheet member having a first side and a second side substantially opposite the first side, and having a first edge and a second edge substantially opposite the first edge. A first connection means is secured to the first edge of the first sheet member for connecting the first edge of the first sheet member to the first item connection mechanism. A second connection mechanism is secured to the second edge of the first sheet member for connecting the second side of the first sheet member to the second item connection mechanism. The first connection mechanism compatibly matches the first item connection mechanism and the second connection means either compatibly matches the second item connection mechanism, or otherwise overcomes the inoperative, non-fully functioning or otherwise unconnectable connection mechanisms.  
           [0007]    The present invention further includes a connection assembly for connecting together items having mismatched, inoperative, non-fully functioning or otherwise unconnectable connection mechanisms. The connection assembly comprises a first connection mechanism securable to a first connector and a second connection mechanism spaced from the first connection mechanism, the second connection mechanism securable to a second connector on a second item to overcome problems due to the first connector being mismatched, inoperative, non-fully functioning or otherwise unconnectable connection mechanisms  
           [0008]    The present invention stiff further includes a method for joining together at least a first item having a first item connector and a second item having a second item connector with the first item connector being incompatibly mismatched, inoperative, non-fully functioning or otherwise unconnectable connection mechanisms with the second item connector. The method comprises providing a first sheet member having a first side and a second side substantially opposite the first side, and having a first edge and a second edge substantially opposite the first edge, securing a first connection mechanism to the first edge of the first sheet member, the first connection mechanism compatibly or operatively matching the first item connector, connecting the first connection mechanism to the first item connector, securing a second connection mechanism to the second edge of the first sheet member, the second connection mechanism compatibly or operatively matching the second item connector, and connecting the second connection mechanism to the second item connector.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]    [0009]FIG. 1 is a side elevational view illustrating a connector device for connecting together items having mismatched, inoperative, non-fully functioning or otherwise unconnectable connection mechanisms with the second item connector, constructed in accordance with the present invention, with the items having mismatched zippers.;  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 2 is a side elevational illustrating another embodiment of the connector device for connecting together items having mismatched, inoperative, non-fully functioning or otherwise unconnectable connection mechanisms connection mechanisms, constructed in accordance with the present invention, with the connector device constructed for connecting together a first item having snaps and a second item having a zipper;  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 3 is a side elevational view illustrating another embodiment of the connector device for connecting together items having mismatched, inoperative, non-fully functioning or otherwise unconnectable connection mechanisms, constructed in accordance with the present invention, with the connector device constructed for connecting together a first item having a hook and loop fastener and a second item having snaps;  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating another embodiment of the connector device for connecting together items having mismatched, inoperative, non-fully functioning or otherwise unconnectable connection mechanisms, constructed in accordance with the present invention, with the connector device constructed for connecting together three items having the same or different zippers;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating another embodiment of the connector device for connecting together items having mismatched, inoperative, non-fully functioning or otherwise unconnectable connection mechanisms, constructed in accordance with the present invention, with the connector device constructed for connecting together a first item having snaps, a second item having snaps, and a third item having a zipper;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating another embodiment of the connector device for connecting together items having mismatched, inoperative, non-fully functioning or otherwise unconnectable connection mechanisms, constructed in accordance with the present invention, with the connector device constructed for connecting together three items having snaps;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating another embodiment of the connector device for connecting together items having mismatched, inoperative, non-fully functioning or otherwise unconnectable connection mechanisms, constructed in accordance with the present invention, with the connector device constructed for connecting together four items having the same or different zippers;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 8 is a side elevational view illustrating another embodiment of the connector device for connecting together items having mismatched, inoperative, non-fully functioning or otherwise unconnectable connection mechanisms, constructed in accordance with the present invention, with the connector device constructed for connecting together items having different lengths;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 9 is a side elevational view illustrating another embodiment of the connector device for connecting together items having mismatched, inoperative, non-fully functioning or otherwise unconnectable connection mechanisms, constructed in accordance with the present invention, with the connector device constructed for connecting together items having mismatched snaps;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 10 is a side elevational view illustrating another embodiment of the connector device for connecting together items having mismatched, inoperative, non-fully functioning or otherwise unconnectable connection mechanisms, constructed in accordance with the present invention, with the connector device constructed for connecting together items having grommets;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 11 is a side elevational view illustrating another embodiment of the connector device for connecting together items having mismatched, inoperative, non-fully functioning or otherwise unconnectable connection mechanisms, constructed in accordance with the present invention, with the connector device constructed for connecting to an item having snaps and grommets, as well as zippers, buttons, and hook and loop connector systems, hooks, buckles and equivalent connector systems; and  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 12 is a side elevational view illustrating another embodiment of the connector device for connecting together items having mismatched, inoperative, non-fully functioning or otherwise unconnectable connection mechanisms, constructed in accordance with the present invention, with the connector device constructed for connecting to an item having zippers and grommets.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0021]    As illustrated in FIGS.  1 - 12 , the present invention is a connector device, indicated generally at  10 , for connecting together at least two items having mismatched, inoperative, non-fully functioning or otherwise unconnectable connection mechanisms. Connector device  10  of the present invention, can serve to connect together a plurality of items including, but not limited to, a first item  12  and a second item  14 ; and in some instances, a third item (not shown) and a fourth item (not shown); and so on. Furthermore, the items  12 ,  14  connected together by the connector device  10  can be chosen from a wide variety of items including, but not limited to, tarps, tents, awnings, sleeping bags, garments, and equivalent items. As detailed below, a person skilled in the art will understand that the type of items  12 ,  14  connectable together by the connector device  10  of the present invention are not limited in type, size, dimensions, or the like, to any item  12 ,  14  stated heretofore and hereafter and any discussion of a particular item should not be considered limiting to the invention as claimed below.  
         [0022]    Referring again to FIG. 1, connector device  10  of the present invention comprises a first member  16 , in this case a first sheet member having a first side  18  and a second side  20  substantially opposite the first side  18 . The first sheet member  16  further includes a first edge  22  and a second edge  24  substantially opposite the first edge  22 .  
         [0023]    The first sheet member  16  is normally constructed from a fabric material, although constructing the first sheet member from other materials including, but not limited to cloth, plastic, metal, and so on, is within the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the first member  16  can be a variety of sizes and dimensions depending on the intended use of the connector device  10 .  
         [0024]    In one embodiment of the present invention, the connector device  10  further includes a first connection mechanism  26  secured along the first edge  22  of the first sheet member  16 , and a second connection mechanism  28  secured along the second edge  24  of the first sheet member  16 . The first connection mechanism  26  can be substantially identical to the second connection mechanism  28 , or the first connection mechanism can be different than the second connection mechanism  28 . For example, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the first connection mechanism  26  can be a zipper having a first zipper type or size and the second connection mechanism  28  can be a zipper having a second zipper type or size. Similarly, connectors  26  and  28  may be not only zippers, but also snaps, buttons, hook and loop connector systems, hooks, grommets, buckles and equivalent connector systems, as the need arises.  
         [0025]    As illustrated in FIG. 2, the first connection mechanism  26  is shown as having a plurality of snaps and the second connection mechanism  28  is shown as a zipper. As detailed below, the mechanism of FIG. 2 is especially well suited for connecting an item having an inoperative connecting mechanism.  
         [0026]    As illustrated in FIG. 3, the first connection mechanism  26  is shown as half of a VELCRO hook and loop fastener system, and the second connection mechanism  28  is shown as a plurality of snaps. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the first connection mechanism  26  is shown as a zipper having a first predetermined length and the second connection mechanism  28  is shown as a zipper having a second, but different, predetermined length.  
         [0027]    As illustrated in FIG. 9, the first connection mechanism  26  is shown as a plurality of snaps having a first predetermined spacing and the second connection mechanism  28  is shown as a plurality of snaps having a second, but different, predetermined spacing. As detailed below, the mechanism of FIG. 9 is also especially well suited for connecting an item having an inoperative connecting mechanism.  
         [0028]    As illustrated in FIG. 10, the first connection mechanism  26  is shown as a plurality of hooks having a first predetermined spacing and the second connection mechanism  28  is shown as a plurality of hooks having a second predetermined, but different, spacing. Again, connectors  26  and  28  may be not only hooks, but also snaps, buttons, hook and loop connector systems, zippers, grommets, buckles and equivalent connector systems, as the need arises.  
         [0029]    As illustrated in FIGS.  4 - 6 , in another embodiment of the present invention, the connector device  10  includes the first sheet member  16  having the first connection mechanism  26  secured along the first edge  22  of the first sheet member  16  and the second connection mechanism  28  secured along the second edge  24  of the first sheet member  16 . The connector device  10  of the present invention further includes a second sheet member  30  having a first edge  32  and a second edge  34  substantially opposite the first edge  32 . In accordance with the teaching of the present invention, the first edge  32  of the second sheet member  30  is secured to the first side  18  of the first sheet member  16  between the first edge  22  and the second edge  24  of the first sheet member  16 . The second sheet member  30  is capable of being secured to the first sheet member  16  by a sewn thread fastening system  35 . It is within the scope of the present invention; however, to secure the second sheet member  30  to the first sheet member  16  by other fastening procedures, including, but not limited to, rivets, staples, and other equivalent fastening systems.  
         [0030]    As with the first sheet member  16 , the second sheet member  30  is preferably constructed from a flexible material, such as fabric, although constructing the second sheet member  30  from other materials including, but not limited to, plastic, metal foil or metal composites, and other equivalent materials is within the scope and teaching of the present invention. The second sheet member  30  may also be a variety of sizes and dimensions depending on the intended use of the connector device  10 .  
         [0031]    As further illustrated in FIGS.  4 - 6 , a third connection mechanism  36  is carried adjacent to the second edge  34  of the second sheet member  30 . The third connection mechanism  36  may be substantially identical to the first connection mechanism  26 , or to the second connection mechanism  28 . In the alternative, the third connection mechanism  36  may be different than the first connection mechanism  26  or the second connection mechanism  28 . As more specifically illustrated in FIG. 4, the first connection mechanism  26  is one half of a zipper system, the second connection mechanism  28  is also one half of a zipper system, and the third connection mechanism  36  is also one half of a zipper system. Of course, connectors  26  and  28  may be not only zippers, but may also be snaps, buttons, hook and loop connector systems, hooks, grommets, buckles and equivalent connector systems, as the need arises.  
         [0032]    As further illustrated in FIG. 5, the first connection member  26  is a plurality of one half of a snap system, the second connection mechanism  28  is a plurality of one half of a snap system, and the third connection member  36  is one half of a zipper system.  
         [0033]    As illustrated in FIG. 6, the first connection member  26  is a plurality of one half of a snap system, the second connection mechanism  28  is also a plurality of one half of a snap system, and the third connection member  36  is also a plurality of one half of a snap system. In FIGS. 5 and 6, connectors  26  and  28  may be not only be zippers and grommets, but also snaps, buttons, hook and loop connector systems, hooks, buckles and equivalent connector systems, as the need arises.  
         [0034]    As illustrated in FIG. 7, in another embodiment of the present invention, the connector device  10  includes three sheet members having four edges, with a connection mechanism carried by and adjacent each edge. Thusly, first sheet member  16  has a first connection mechanism  26  secured along the first edge  22  of the first sheet member  16 , the second connection mechanism  28  is secured along the second edge  24  of the first sheet member  16 , and a third connection member  36  secured along the second edge  34  of the second sheet member  30 .  
         [0035]    Referring again to FIGS. 4, 5 and  6 , it is also seen, that in general the connector device  10  of the present invention may further includes a third sheet member  38  having a first edge  40  and a second edge  42  substantially opposed to the first edge  40 . In accordance with the teaching of the present invention, the first edge  40  of the third sheet member  38  is secured to the second side  20  of the first sheet member  16  between the first edge  22  and the second edge  24  of the first sheet member  16 . It should be noted that the third sheet member  38  may be secured to the second side  20  of the first sheet member  16  substantially opposite the second sheet member  30 , or the third sheet member  38  can be secured to the second side  20  of the first sheet member  16  offset from the second sheet member  30 . Similar to the second sheet member  30 , the third sheet member  38  can be sewn to the first sheet member  16  by threads  35 . It is within the scope of the present invention; however, to secure the third sheet member  30  to the first sheet member  16  by other fastening procedures, including, but not limited to, rivets, staples, and other equivalent fastening systems. As with the first sheet member  16  and the second sheet member  30 , the third sheet member  38  is preferably constructed from a flexible fabric material, although constructing the third sheet member  38  from other materials, including, but not limited to, plastic, metal, and other equivalent materials is within the scope of the present invention. The third sheet member  38  can also be a variety of sizes and dimensions depending on the intended use of the connector device  10 .  
         [0036]    As shown in FIG. 7, a fourth connection mechanism  44  is secured adjacent to the second edge  40  of the third sheet member  38 . The fourth connection mechanism  44  may be substantially identical to the first connection mechanism  26 , the second connection mechanism  28 , and the third connection mechanism  36 , or the fourth connection mechanism  44  may be different than the first, second and third connection mechanisms  26 ,  28  and  36 . As further illustrated in FIG. 7, the first, second and third halves of zipper system connection mechanisms  26 ,  28  and  36 , and the fourth connection mechanism  44  may also be one half of a zipper system.  
         [0037]    While only zippers of the same size are shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, similar three and four connector systems having zipper connectors of different sizes, or connectors other than zippers, such as snaps, buttons, hook and loop connector systems, hooks, grommets, buckles and equivalent connector systems may be used to overcome mismatched, inoperative, non-fully functioning or otherwise unconnectable connection mechanisms.  
         [0038]    The operation of the connector device  10  of the present application is best illustrated in FIG. 1 in which it is desired to connect a first item  12  having a first item connector  46 , and a second item  14  having a mismatched connector  48 . First item connector  46  is similar to and compatible with the first connection mechanism  26 , and is positioned adjacent the first edge  22  of the first sheet member  16 . The second item  14  having a second item connector  48  similar to and compatible with the second connection mechanism  28  is positioned adjacent the second edge  24  of the second sheet member  16 . Then, the first connection mechanism  26  is connected to the first item connector  46 , the connection not being shown, and the second connection mechanism  28  is connected to the second item connector  48 . Thereby, the connector device  10  connects the first item  12  to the second item  14 , even though the first item  12  and the second item  14  have mismatched or inoperative connectors.  
         [0039]    As evident from the description herein, the connector devices  10  of the present invention allow connection of items having mismatched, unconnectable and inoperative connection mechanisms. Additionally, the connector devices  10  of the present invention may be used to connect a variety of items having a variety of different connection mechanisms. Furthermore, the connector devices  10  of the present invention is easy to use, inexpensive, and avoids the loss of use of items having mismatched, unconnectable and inoperative connection mechanisms.  
         [0040]    Referring now to FIGS. 11 and 12, in still another embodiment of the present invention, the connector device  10  includes only the first connection mechanism  26  secured along the first edge  22  of the first sheet member  16 . As illustrated in FIG. 11, the first connection mechanism  26  comprises a plurality of snaps and the second connection mechanism  28  comprises a plurality of grommets. As illustrated in FIG. 12, the first connection mechanism  26  comprises a zipper, and the second connection mechanism  28  comprises a plurality of grommets. These embodiments of the connector device  10  of the present invention allow a user to easily and conveniently provide an attachment or extension of, for example, screening or an awning to a static structure.  
         [0041]    The connector devices  10  illustrated in FIGS.  2 - 12  may be similarly used to connect first items, for example  12 , to second for example items, for example  14 , even though the first item  12  and the second item  14  have mismatched, inoperative, non-fully functioning or otherwise unconnectable connection mechanisms with the second item connectors. Furthermore, the current invention would be operative with other equivalent mismatched, inoperative, non-fully functioning or otherwise unconnectable connection mechanisms with the second item connectors, whether now in existence, or developed in the future.  
         [0042]    The foregoing exemplary descriptions and the illustrative preferred embodiments of the present invention have been explained in the drawings and described in detail, with varying modifications and alternative embodiments being taught. While the invention has been so shown, described and illustrated, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that equivalent changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention, and that the scope of the present invention is to be limited only to the claims except as precluded by the prior art. Moreover, the invention as disclosed herein, may be suitably practiced in the absence of the specific elements that are disclosed herein.