Patent Publication Number: US-2012030908-A1

Title: Apparatus for holding tefillin (Jewish Phylactery) straps

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention refers to an accessory designed to hold and straighten out tefillin straps when in use (during prayer). 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     The Jewish people have been worshipping God for centuries and as part of their prayers, all observant Jews wear or “lay” two sets of tefillin every morning: arm-tefillin and head-tefillin. Head-tefillin have two relatively long leather straps that usually extend down to the worshipper&#39;s knees. One side of the straps is black and the other is colorless and is the natural color of leather (taupe). Worshippers usually prefer (for Halachic reasons) that the black side of the strap faces out (in other words, the natural leather side is the side that comes in contact with the worshipper&#39;s body). The problem is that the said straps tend to coil and get entwined and worshippers often tuck the said straps into their pant belts to solve this problem. The accessory, subject of the present invention, offers a good and effective solution to the above-mentioned problem. 
     THE INVENTION 
     The main objective of the present invention is to provide an accessory designed to hold tefillin straps and straighten them out (preventing coiling) so that the black side faces out. 
     The present invention refers to an apparatus ( 1 ) that comprises an attaching device ( 2 ) and a holding slit ( 3 ) such that the attaching device ( 2 ) is used to attach the apparatus ( 1 ) to the worshipper&#39;s clothing, and the holding slit ( 3 ) is used to hold the strap ( 4 ) in the apparatus ( 1 ) and straighten it out (prevent coiling). 
     The attaching device ( 2 ) can be of a variety of types, including a clip ( 21 ). The clip ( 21 ) comprises an inner arm ( 211 ) and an outer arm ( 212 ) that are joined at the top to form a kind of wide hairpin. The clip ( 21 ) can be worn on the worshipper&#39;s belt or waistband such that the inner arm ( 211 ) faces the worshipper&#39;s body and the outer arm ( 212 ) faces away from the worshipper&#39;s body. 
     The holding slit ( 3 ) can be of a variety of types and can be made of a strip ( 31 ) that is attached to the attaching device ( 2 ) so that a gap ( 32 ) is formed between the strip ( 31 ) and the clip&#39;s outer arm ( 212 ). The strap ( 4 ) is inserted through the gap ( 32 ) so that it is held tightly and stably and its black side faces out. The strip ( 31 ) can and should be attached to the clip&#39;s outer arm ( 212 ) by means of two rivets ( 33 ) that prevent the strap ( 4 ) from being pulled out of the slit ( 3 ). The holding slit ( 3 ) can be shaped like a ring or a loop ( 34 ) through which the strap ( 4 ) is inserted. 
     The worshipper may use two apparatuses ( 1 ), which he can attach to his belt, one on each side of the body, and insert one of the two straps ( 4 ) of the tefillin through each apparatus. The apparatus ( 1 ) made be made of a variety of materials such as metal, plastic, and so on. The apparatus ( 1 ) may be manufactured as one integral piece. 
     While the present invention has been described, in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Drawings Nos.  1  and  2  depict the apparatus ( 1 ), which comprises a clip ( 21 ) type attaching device ( 2 ) that comprises an inner arm ( 211 ) and an outer arm ( 212 ) that are joined together at the top; a holding slit ( 3 ) that comprises a strip ( 31 ) [shaped like the Hebrew letter  ] that is attached to the clip&#39;s outer arm ( 212 ) by means of two rivets ( 33 ) [not depicted in the drawings] so as to form a gap ( 32 ). 
     Drawing No.  3  depicts the apparatus ( 1 ) with an inserted strap ( 4 ). 
     Drawing No.  4  presents a side view of the apparatus ( 1 ), which comprises a clip ( 21 ) type attaching device ( 2 ) with a strip ( 31 ) attached by means of rivets ( 33 ). 
     Drawings Nos.  5 - 7  depict the apparatus ( 1 ), which comprises a clip ( 21 ) type attaching device ( 2 ) with an inner arm ( 211 ) and an outer arm ( 212 ) that are joined at the top; and a holding slit ( 3 ) that comprises a ring or loop ( 34 ). 
     Drawing No.  8  presents a rear view of the apparatus ( 1 ). 
     Drawing No.  9  depicts the apparatus ( 1 ) with an inserted strap ( 4 ). 
     Drawing No.  10  presents a side view of the apparatus ( 1 ). 
     Drawing No.  11  depicts the apparatus as seen from below. 
     Drawing No.  12  depicts the apparatus as seen from above. 
     Drawing No.  13  presents a front view of the apparatus ( 1 ).