Abstract:
A loop adjuster having two parts that are rotatable with respect to each other. Each of the two parts has a slot therein that can be aligned to insert a loop of material therein. The two parts of the loop adjuster can then be rotated with respect to each other to impart a twist in the loop of material. The two parts of the loop adjuster are hollow so that the twisted part of the loop of material is located in the hollow part of the loop adjuster. The two slotted parts of the loop adjuster can be fabricated as hollow hemispheres that are snap locked together at an equator.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This non-provisional patent application claims the benefit of pending U.S. provisional application No. 61/744,334, filed Sep. 24, 2012. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates in general to items or ornaments that are hung by a loop, and more particularly to loop adjusters for rotating Christmas stockings in a desired rotational orientation. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    A number of different items are hung by a loop for display. Many of the items are not constructed so as to have the same shape or view when rotated about a vertical axis. For example, stuffed teddy bears and other stuffed animals often include a loop of material sewn to the back of the item so as to be hung from a hook, or the like, and displayed to customers. Christmas stockings are often constructed with a material loop at the top back edge to be hung from a mantel hanger. Model airplanes are often suspended from a ceiling by hooks and the like. Many other items are similarly constructed to be displayed from a ceiling hook or other type of hanger. 
         [0004]    The hook by which items are suspended are not rotatable, and thus the item will rotate to self orient itself from the hook where the twist in the loop is the least. In other words, when suspended from the material loop, the item will rotate until the twist in the loop is minimal. However, this orientation may not be the one desired. This is especially troublesome when a number of items are to be displayed together and it is desired to have each item oriented in the same spatial orientation. For example, it may be desirable to orient stuffed animals so that each one faces the same direction, i.e., toward customers. Decorative pillows sewn with a loop can also be displayed in the same manner. It is also desirable to orient a number of Christmas stockings on respective mantel hangers so that each stocking presents a personal name thereon facing outward. 
         [0005]    From the foregoing, a need exists for an adjuster that is easily attached to the loop of an item to adjust its orientation so that it faces in the desired direction. Another need exists for an adjuster that places a desired twist in the loop so that when the loop rotates to its stable orientation, the item faces in the desired direction. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    In accordance with the principles and concepts of the invention, there is disclosed a loop adjuster constructed of two halves that are rotatable with respect to each other. A slot is formed in both halves of the adjuster for inserting the loop therein. One half of the adjuster is then rotated with respect to the other half to obtain the desired twist in the loop. The amount of twist imparted to the loop can be experimentally determined so that the item self orients in the desired direction. 
         [0007]    In accordance with one feature of the invention, the loop adjuster is constructed as an ornamental sleigh bell or jingle bell that is slipped onto the Christmas stocking loop, and twisted. The ornamental jingle bell is preferably located next to the top portion of the Christmas stocking to provide ornamentation thereto, as well as the desired rotational orientation. 
         [0008]    In accordance with another feature of the invention, the loop adjuster is constructed as two hollow halves that are snap locked together. The slot formed in each hollow half allows the loop to be inserted therein and captured when the top half of the loop adjuster is rotated with respect to the bottom half. 
         [0009]    According to another feature of the invention, a first loop from which the loop adjuster is to be hung from a mantel hook, is attached by a swivel to the top hollow half of the loop adjuster. The first loop is mounted so it can turn freely relative to the top hollow half of the loop adjuster. The bottom half of the loop adjuster is slotted for slipping therein a second loop, i.e., that of the Christmas stocking The excess top portion of the Christmas stocking loop is knotted or stuffed within the loop adjuster. With this arrangement, the Christmas stocking can be turned and left in any orientation by turning the first loop via the swivel to the desired position. 
         [0010]    In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, disclosed is a loop adjuster adapted for use with an object attached to a loop of material. The loop adjuster includes a first portion and a second portion that are rotatable with respect to each other, and includes a respective slot formed in each of the first and second parts. The slot is for insertion therein of the loop of material of the object. 
         [0011]    With regard to another embodiment of the invention, disclosed is loop adjuster adapted for use with an object attached to a loop of material, where the loop adjuster includes a first hemispherical and hollow part and a second hemispherical and hollow part. Further included is a snap lock mechanism for holding the first and second hemispherical parts together to form a hollow sphere. The first and second hemispherical parts each have formed therein a slot, the slots being alignable when either the first or second hemispherical part is rotated to achieve first positions. The slots are misaligned when either the first or second hemispherical part is rotated to achieve second positions. The slots of the first and second hemispherical parts are of a size to grip the loop of material so that when the first or second hemispherical part is rotated to the second positions, the loop of material twists in the hollow portion of the sphere and does not twist in the respective slots. 
         [0012]    According to another embodiment of the invention, disclosed is a method of adjusting a twist in a loop of material attached to an object. The method includes inserting the loop of material into two vertical aligned slots of a loop adjuster. The one part of the loop adjuster is rotated with respect to another part of the loop adjuster so that one slot becomes misaligned with the other slot and a twist is imparted to the loop of material. The object can then be hung from a hanger by the loop of material with the loop adjuster attached to the loop of material to maintain the twist in the loop of material, whereby the object is suspended from the hanger with a desired rotational orientation. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    Further features and advantages will become apparent from the following and more particular description of the preferred and other embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters generally refer to the same parts, functions or elements throughout the views, and in which: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a loop adjuster for adjusting an orientation of a Christmas stocking; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a side-top isometric view of a loop adjuster constructed according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a front-top isometric view of the loop adjuster of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a top view of the loop adjuster of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a side view of the loop adjuster of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is a partial cross-sectional view of the loop adjuster of  FIG. 2 , illustrating the details of the snap lock mechanism; and 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is a side view with a cut out portion of another embodiment of a loop adjuster constructed according to the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0021]    With reference to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a loop adjuster  10  used to place a desired twist in the loop  12  of a Christmas stocking  14 . Christmas stockings  14  are typically hung from hooks  16  that are attached or suspended from mantels, walls, furniture or other objects. Because the loops  12  are generally sewn to the Christmas stockings in a random manner, the stockings  14  naturally find a stable rotational orientation that is also random. Thus, when hanging a number of stockings  14  together, the stockings  14  find different orientations. It is often desirable that the stockings  14  are all oriented in the same manner to display the ornamentation  18  in the same direction. In the example, the Christmas stocking  14  is constructed with the ornamentation  18  which includes the word “NOEL.” Other typical ornamentations of Christmas stockings  14  often include the names of children or grandchildren. In any event, an arrangement of Christmas stockings  14  all aligned in the same manner presents a pleasant and orderly display. 
         [0022]    While the preferred embodiment of the invention is directed to a jingle bell, many other objects and shapes of loop adjusters are well within the ambit of those skilled in the art in view of the present disclosure. The loop adjuster  10  is preferably sufficiently hollow to allow the material of the loop  12  to be twisted inside of the spherical jingle bell  10 . The loop adjuster  10  is constructed so as to be ornamental itself, i.e., as a jingle bell which is a typical Christmas ornament. The jingle bell loop adjuster  10  can be made with ornamental holes  13  therein to resemble a conventional jingle bell ornament. 
         [0023]    The jingle bell loop adjuster  10  of the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1  is constructed with two hollow hemispheres  10   a  and  10   b.  The two hemispheres  10   a  and  10   b  are attached together by a snap lock mechanism that allows the two parts to be rotated with respect to each other about the equator  20  of the composite sphere. A decorative band  21  is formed at the equator interface  20  between the top hollow hemisphere  10   a  and the bottom hollow hemisphere  10   b.  Also formed as part of the loop adjuster  10  is a vertical slot  22   a  in the top hemisphere  10   a  and a corresponding vertical slot  22   b  formed in the bottom hemisphere  10   b.  The slots  22   a  of the top hemisphere is formed with two decorative enlarged openings, one shown as numeral  23 . Similarly, the slot  22   b  of the bottom hemisphere is formed with two decorative enlarged openings (not shown). As will be described in more detail below, the top part  10   a  and the bottom part  10   b  are rotated (as shown by the arrows) so that the slots  22   a  and  22   b  are aligned. Then, the loop  12  is inserted or otherwise wedged into the aligned slots  22   a  and  22   b.  Either the top part  10   a  or the bottom part  10   b,  or both parts  10   a  and  10   b,  are rotated to misalign the slots  22   a  and  22   b.  This places a twist in the loop  12  that remains as long as the top and bottom parts  10   a  and  10   b  remain rotated with respect to each other. Preferably, the top half  10   a  is rotated sufficiently to entirely misalign the slots  22   a  and  22   b  so that the loop  12  remains captured within the loop adjuster  10 . The user of the loop adjuster  10  can experimentally determine which way to misalign the loop slots  22   a  and  22   b,  and to what extent, so that the stocking  14  maintains the desired orientation. 
         [0024]      FIGS. 2-6  illustrate the various features of the jingle bell loop adjuster  10 . As can be seen from  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the top and bottom vertical slots  22   a  and  22   b  are aligned. The slots  22   a  and  22   b  extend from a side surface well past the vertical pole center of the spherical loop adjuster  10 . It is preferred, although not critical, that the loop  12  extend vertically in the center of the spherical loop adjuster so that it can be twisted when the hemispheres  10  and  10   b  are rotated with respect to each other. The width of the slots  22   a  and  22   b  should be such that when the loop  12  is inserted therein, the material of the loop cannot turn within the respective slots  22   a  and  22   b . In other words, the side edges of the slots  22   a  and  22   b  should grip the material of the loop  12  sufficiently so that the only twisting of the loop  12  occurs within the hollow portion of the loop adjuster  10 . In order to facilitate the gripping of the loop of material  12  by the slots  22   a  and  22   b , the slots  22   a  and  22   b  can be formed so as to be narrowed radially inwardly. The slots  22   a  and  22   b  can also be formed with vertical serrations or teeth, or roughened areas, on the slot edges to facilitate gripping of the loop  12  of material therein.  FIG. 5  illustrates the jingle bell loop adjuster  10  from a frontal side view. 
         [0025]      FIG. 3  illustrates the snap fit arrangement  24  by which the top part  10   a  and the bottom part  10   b  are held together and allowed to rotate with respect to each other. The partial cross-sectional view of  FIG. 6  illustrates in more detail the snap fit arrangement  24 . The top part  10   a  includes a snap locking member has an annular rib  24   a  that engages within a corresponding annular recess  24   b  of the bottom part  10   b.  The top part  10   a  and the bottom part  10   b  can be snap locked together by simply pushing the parts together so that the annular snap lock members  24   a  and  24   b  yield sufficiently to allow engagement between the hooked edges  26 . The slots  22   a  and  22   b  facilitate the yielding of either the top part  10   a  or the bottom part  10   b,  or both. The friction at the interface between the snap locking members  24   a  and  24   b  is sufficient to maintain the top part  10   a  and the bottom part  10   b  in the desired positions once rotated and released. 
         [0026]    The loop adjuster  10  is preferably constructed of an plastic material using conventional injection molding techniques. The plastic can be coated with a metallic material to resemble a chrome or shiny jingle bell, or a colored jingle bell, using vacuum deposition of a thin coating of metal, or other coating technique. The plastic material from which the loop adjuster is constructed can be an ABS or other suitable plastic. As noted above, the loop adjuster  10  is molded as a hollow object to accommodate the twisted loop of material therein. A loop adjuster adapted for use with a conventional Christmas stocking is constructed as a 1.0 inch sphere, with a slot width of about 0.155 inch. 
         [0027]    As noted above, the ornamental aspects of the loop adjuster  10  can be achieved in a number of ways other than a jingle bell. The loop adjuster  10  can be formed as an ornamental Christmas tree ball, or any other shaped ornamental object, as long as the interface between the top and bottom parts is annular. In any of the embodiments disclosed herein, the loop adjuster can be placed anywhere on the length of the loop of the object. 
         [0028]    Another embodiment of a loop adjuster  30  is illustrated in  FIG. 7 . Here, the loop adjuster  30  is formed in the shape and appearance of a jingle bell, although it could be shaped as any other suitable ornament. The loop adjuster  30  is constructed in the same manner described above in connection with  FIGS. 1-6  to include a top hollow hemisphere part  32   a  and a bottom hemisphere part  32   b  that are snap locked together at an equatorial band  34 . The jingle bell loop adjuster  30  includes a swivel  33  attached to the top part  32   a  and a slot  36   b  formed in the bottom part. A top or first loop  38  is attached to the swivel  33 . According to this embodiment, the first loop  38  of material is used to hang the loop adjuster  30  from a mantel hook, and a second loop  12  is connected to the item to be displayed, such as a Christmas stocking  14 . Alternatively, the top part  32   a  could be constructed with a hole in the top thereof so that the first loop  38  can be threaded therethrough and tied into a knot inside the loop adjuster  30 . The knotted loop  38  can thus be swivelled with respect to the top part  32   a.    
         [0029]    The Christmas stocking  14  is hung by the loop adjuster  30  from the mantel in the following manner. The top part  32   a  and the bottom part  32   b  of the loop adjuster  30  are separated at the snap lock mechanism. The middle section of the second loop  12  of the Christmas stocking  14  is inserted through the slot  36  of the bottom part  32   b  of the loop adjuster  30 , and the remainder of the upper portion of the Christmas stocking loop  12  is stuffed into the hollow portion of the bottom part  32   b.  A knot can be tied in the Christmas stocking loop  12  to prevent the upper part thereof from being pulled out of the bottom part  32   b  of the loop adjuster  30 . Next, the first loop  38  is attached to the swivel  33  of the top part  32   a.  If a mechanical swivel  33  is not used, the bottom portion of the first loop  38  is threaded through a hole formed in the top part  32   a  and knotted or rolled up therein. The top and bottom parts  32   a  and  32   b  of the loop adjuster  30  are then snap locked together. The loop adjuster  30  and the Christmas stocking  14  fastened thereto are lifted and suspended from a mantel hook by the first loop  38  that extends from the loop adjuster  30 . Lastly, the first loop  38  is swivelled with respect to the top part  32   a  to achieve the desired orientation the Christmas stocking  14 . 
         [0030]    According to another embodiment, the loop adjuster can be constructed as a unitary item using a malleable material, such as folded sheet copper, formed with a vertical slot therein. Once the loop is inserted into the slot, the top and bottom parts are twisted in opposite directions until the correct orientation of the object is obtained. The copper sheet can be housed with an ornamental cover. Depending on the item to which the loop is attached, the loop can be constructed from many different types of materials. 
         [0031]    While the preferred and other embodiments of the invention have been disclosed with reference to specific loop adjusters, and associated methods of construction thereof, it is to be understood that many changes in detail may be made as a matter of engineering choices without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.