Patent Publication Number: US-2002000455-A1

Title: Portable cloth holder device

Description:
[0001] This is a utility patent application based on a provisional patent application (Ser. No. 60/215,276) filed on Jun. 30, 2000. 
    
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002] 1. Field of the Invention  
       [0003] This invention is designed to secure a moisture absorbent material, when it is in disuse, to a person or apparatus during exercising, working, or cleaning. The invention will provide ease of use, easy access to the absorbent material, and prevent the absorbent material from becoming lost when in disuse, all in a highly mobile form.  
       [0004] 2. Description of the Related Art  
       [0005] When exercising vigorously, or expending physical exertion in general, a person perspires around the head and facial area. As often is the case, perspiration will run down the face and into the eyes, resulting in discomfort and compromised vision. Typically, the user has a number of options to minimize the perspiration before it accumulates on the face or in the eyes. The following is a discussion of these options and their drawbacks to the eradication of moisture and perspiration from the face and head.  
       [0006] One option commonly used is a moisture absorbent headband or some other form of moisture absorbent headgear worn about the head. While this will stop perspiration from running off the top of the head and onto the face, it does little to control perspiration generated by the sweat pores on the face and around the eyes. Additionally, a headband is found by some to be uncomfortable and provides added insulation, generating more heat and even more perspiration. To others, a headband is a fashion faux pas, and undesirable for that reason.  
       [0007] Another option is to use a sweat towel for periodic wiping of the head and facial area as perspiration accumulates. While this method can be effective, it does require the towel to be carried by the user while exercising. The storage and subsequent reacquisition of the towel from a pocket or the waist band of the user may detract from the enjoyment of the activity, get in the way of performing the activity, or become unavailable during that activity.  
       [0008] Facial tissue is another method of controlling moisture, especially with regards to mucus and runny noses that are often associated with physical exertion, especially in colder climates. While effective, facial tissue may not be convenient or practical if the tissue is stored in a pocket or pouch and the user is wearing gloves. This may require removing the gloves in a cold or inhospitable climate, subjecting the user to uncomfortable or unsafe conditions. Additionally, the user is at risk of dropping or otherwise losing the tissue during use as a result of wearing hand coverings, or loss of dexterity due to cold or inclement conditions. This results in the unavailability of the tissue for possible future use in addition to contributing to litter.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009] This invention provides several objects and advantages whereby the user has fast, easy, continuous, and convenient access to his or her absorbent cloth. This invention is designed for attachment to the belt worn around the user&#39;s waist. However, it can also be attached to the clothing at a position on the hip or wherever it will not cause a distraction yet will be convenient to access. This invention can also be attached to equipment, such as the control cables on the handlebars of a bicycle, for easy visibility and convenient access. It also provides that an attached absorbent cloth is secure and will be far less likely to become lost or misplaced. An important component of the invention is the retractable cord. Using only one hand, the user very easily pulls the absorbent cloth component, which is connected to the retractable cord, up to his or her face and head. The user mops off any perspiration and moisture from the face and head before guiding the cloth back with one hand to the hip. Alternatively, the user can simply release the cloth allowing it to automatically return to its original position. Attachment of the device to the belt or clothing will provide maximum exposure to the air for quick and even drying. Because this device is so convenient, the user will be able to frequently wipe off perspiration and moisture with little or no distraction during the activity. The user will experience much greater comfort by preventing perspiration from accumulating in the eyes and running down the head and face while exercising.  
       [0010] The device is comprised of six components; an outer housing, a spring-loaded reel mechanism located inside the outer housing, a cord attached at its proximal end to the spring loaded reel mechanism, an outer housing attachment means attached to the outside surface of the outer housing, a cloth made of moisture absorbent material, and a cloth attachment means. The spring-loaded reel mechanism is comprised of a spool connected to a coil spring and used to wind-up the cord onto the spool. The coil spring is used to automatically rotate the spool inside the outer housing to re-wind the cord on the spool when extended therefrom. In the preferred embodiment, the cord is approximately 30″ in length which is the required length needed for a user to wipe moisture or perspiration from any area of the body, such as the user&#39;s head or lower legs, when the outer housing is connected to the user&#39;s waist. The coil spring is sufficiently resilient so that the entire length of cord is wound around and retained on the spool when not extended.  
       [0011] In the preferred embodiment, the outer housing attachment means comprises a clip attached to the rear surface of the outer housing that enables the users to selectively attach the outer housing to a belt, waistband, or to sporting goods equipment using one hand.  
       [0012] In the preferred embodiment, the cloth is made of moisture absorbent material, such as cotton fabric, that can be washed if desired. It may also be made of disposable material, such as paper. An optional grommet maybe installed in a corner of the cloth to provide a durable attach point.  
       [0013] In the preferred embodiment, the cloth attachment means comprises a key ring-like component with an opening and closing latching mechanism attached to the distal end of the cord. Designed to allow the cloth to be removed from the cord for cleaning or replacement, the latch mechanism is opened so that it may be inserted through the grommet in the cloth and then closed for the purposes of connecting the cloth to the cord. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0014]FIG. 1 is a front view of the device.  
     [0015]FIG. 2 is a back view of the device.  
     [0016]FIG. 3 is a side view of the device.  
     [0017]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the position of the device on the user&#39;s waist.  
     [0018]FIG. 5 is a representation of the fully extended retractable cord with the cloth positioned near the face or head for the purpose of absorbing perspiration or moisture.  
     [0019]FIG. 6 is a sectional side elevational view of the device showing the spool, spring and cord located inside the outer housing. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
     [0020]FIGS. 1 and 2 show the portable cloth holder device  8  that includes an outer housing  9 , a spring-loaded reel mechanism  25  located inside the outer housing  9 , a rotating spool  35  located inside the outer housing  9 , a clip  18  attached to the outer housing  9  to selectively attach the outer housing  9  to a support surface, a latch mechanism  40  attached to the distal end  31  of a cord  30 , and a cloth  50  made of moisture absorbent material. A spool  35  is positioned around a center axle  37  located centrally inside the outer housing  9 . Wound around the center axle  37  and connected at one end to the spool  35  is a coil spring  25 . During use, the spool  35  rotates around the center axle  37  to unwind and wind the cord  30  attached at its proximal end  32  to the spool  35 .  
     [0021] The clip  18  is attached to the back surface  16  of the outer housing  9  which enables the device  8  to be selectively attached to user&#39;s waistband or another suitable surface. In the preferred embodiment, the clip  18  is a spring-actuated clamp-style clip that is easily operated with one hand. In another embodiment, the other housing attachment means may be a straight pin, safety pin, or hook and loop connector pads, all capable of selectively attaching the outer housing  9  to the user&#39;s waist, clothing or to a suitable support surface.  
     [0022] Attached to the distal end  31  of the cord  30  is a swivel head  36 . Attached to the swivel head  36  is a loop member  38  with a latch mechanism  40  attached thereto. During assembly, the latch mechanism  40  is inserted through a grommet  52  attached to the corner on the cloth  50 . A new cloth  50  can be attached by opening the latch mechanism  40 , removing the used cloth and replacing it with the new cloth  50 .  
     [0023] In the preferred embodiment, the cloth  50  is made of moisture absorbent material, such as cotton fabric, that can be washed if desired. It may also be made of disposable material, such as paper. Also in the preferred embodiment, the cloth  50  is square and measures 8 inches by 8 inches and weights less than {fraction (1/2)} oz.  
     [0024]FIG. 4 shows the device  8  positioned on the user&#39;s waistband. It can be observed that when attached to the waist, the device  8  will not interfere with the user&#39;s arm motion while running or other exercising, nor will it create a distraction by hanging too far downward or in front of the user. It can also be observed that the attached cloth  50  is positioned adjacent to user&#39;s side and cannot be sat upon while bicycle riding or during other seated activities.  
     [0025]FIG. 5 shows the cord  30  fully extended from the outer housing  9  so that the cloth  50  may be positioned against the user&#39;s face and head. In the preferred embodiment, the cord  30  is approximately 30 inches in length which is sufficient length to allow a six foot individual to attach the outer housing  9  to his or her waist and pull the cloth  5  outward to wipe his or her head or lower legs.  
     [0026] 3. Conclusions Ramifications and Scope  
     [0027] It can be seen that the cloth  50  has a grommet  52  installed in one corner. The cloth  50  is attached to the distal end of cord  30  by a latching mechanism  40 . A clip  18  is attached to the back surface  16  of the outer housing  9 , which is used for attaching the device  8  to the user&#39;s belt, waistband or clothing. The device  8  is preferably positioned on the hip so as not to interfere with the user&#39;s sport or activity. The cloth  50  is conveniently accessed by grasping and extending the cord  30  from the outer housing  9 . After the user is done with the cloth  50 , the coil spring  25  rotates the spool  35  so that the cord  30  automatically retracts into the outer housing  9 . The cloth  50  is now retained at the user&#39;s hip conveniently available for its next use.  
     [0028] Although the description above contains much specificity, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. Various other embodiments and ramifications are possible within its scope.  
     [0029] In compliance with the statute, the invention described herein has been described in language more or less specific as to structural features. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown, since the means and construction shown, is comprised only of the preferred embodiments for putting the invention into effect. The invention is therefore claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the legitimate and valid scope of the amended claims, appropriately interpreted in accordance with the doctrine of equivalents.